North Korea warning to US
North Korea has warned the US that it will face a very grave situation for sticking to over half a century of hostile policy toward Pyongyang. In a statement, North Korea’s foreign ministry said US President Joe Biden made a 'big blunder' after he called for diplomacy and stern deterrence against Pyongyang. The ministry called the talk of deterrence a veiled nuclear threat and diplomacy a signboard for hostile acts. The ministry said this forces Pyongyang to take corresponding measures. In his Wednesday address to Congress, Biden said North Korea’s nukes pose a serious security threat. His press secretary Jen Psaki later called for the complete denuclearization of North Korea. Pyongyang says its nuclear program is for self-defense amid the US military’s provocations on the Korean Peninsula.
Anti-lockdown protests
Tens of thousands of people have rallied in the Canadian city of Montreal to protest against coronavirus restrictions imposed by the provincial government to curb the third wave of the pandemic. Protesters held signs and chanted slogans expressing opposition to masks, curfews and health protocols. They argued that restrictions imposed by the Quebec government were unjustified. Police made some arrests. The Quebec government had initially imposed curfews across Montreal but said the restrictions would be eased as of Monday due to the slowing rates of infections. Canada has recorded more than 1.2 million cases of coronavirus and over 24,000 deaths, more than half of them in Ontario and Quebec.
Colombia clashes
Deadly clashes have erupted in the Colombian capital Bogota on the fourth day of a strike and demonstrations against a government tax reform proposal. Clashes broke out after thousands took to the streets for International Workers' Day marches defying a court order to postpone rallies due to the pandemic. The protesters chanted anti-government slogans and called for the withdrawal of proposed reforms that would increase taxes and eliminate many exemptions. Six people have been confirmed dead so far after some rallies turned violent. President Ivan Duque has ordered military deployment in Bogota and other cities affected by the protests. Colombia experienced its deepest GDP crash in some five decades last year, and the coronavirus pandemic has increased its unemployment rate.