IMAGO Weekend Roundup. This weekend celebrated the Chinese New Year as snow covered many European cities and people ventured out of their homes in a short respite from lockdown to play in the icy landscapes.
15.02 WEEKEND ROUND UP
Curated by our Picture Desk, we catch you up on the news and stories from across the globe. Uncovering the leading new stories, showcasing creative images that differentiate and capturing moments to remember from every weekend, look out for the IMAGO Weekend Roundup every Monday with images from our photographers submitted each week.
Friday 12th was the The Chinese New Year, one of the largest celebrations globally, ushering in the year of the Metal Ox. Representing the first year of the 12 year zodiac cycle, the Year of the Metal Ox however, has not been celebrated in the last 60 years. Although celebrations were mostly virtual or online this year due to the pandemic, communities around the world celebrated the memorable occasion.
As many European countries saw more snow fall, families took to the outdoors as rivers and lakes froze over, providing a much needed respite from the ever extended lock downs. In Berlin and Amsterdam, hundreds were seen ice skating, walking and skiing on the city’s rivers.
Elsewhere, protests broke out in Poland as feminist activists gathered with smoke flares and flags during a demonstration against gender violence outside the presidential palace in Warsaw. Police with shields were seen with paint thrown at them during a demonstration in Bangkok as pro-democracy protesters marched to demand the reform of the monarchy and the release of 4 activists. In Bangladesh, police dispersed supporters from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Attacking the rally and forcing the crowds to leave, the BNP organized demonstration was part of a nation wide protest program against the initiative of cancelling the gallantry award of freedom fighter, Ziaur Rahman.
In sport, the Australian Open was well underway this weekend with Stefanos Tsitsipas advancing to the quarter-finals after Matteo Berrettini withdrew. The 22 year old from Greece, and the youngest in the top ten, is now set to play Rafael Nadal after his win over Fognini. In handball, Bundesliga 1, HC Erlangen celebrated their defeat over Füchse Berlin with a final score of 30 – 27. And there was a stunning finish to an unforgettable Daytona 500. In a fiery final-crash that involved drivers Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch, it was Michael McDowell’s first win in his 14th season that took the trophy to win the 2021 title.
Take a look at this Weekend’s Roundup:
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