CGTN头条新闻2022 美国新冠死亡人数超90万（在线收听）

U.S. COVID-19 death toll tops 900,000

Chinese president declares Beijing Winter Olympic Games open

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Beijing Winter Olympic Games open at the National Stadium on Friday night.

Nearly 3,000 athletes will compete in 109 events of 15 disciplines across seven sports.

IOC chief thanks China for making Winter Olympics happen

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach expressed his gratitude toward China for making these Olympic Winter Games happen amid the pandemic.

"Our gratitude is even deeper for the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee, the public authorities and all the Chinese people. Thank you for making these Olympic Winter Games happen - and making them happen in a safe way for everyone."

China, Russia reaffirm support on core interest

China and Russia have reaffirmed support for each other's core interest, state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and voiced opposition to external interference in their domestic affairs.

A joint statement issued after a meeting between the leaders of the two countries says China and Russia stand against any attempt to stoke confrontation between blocs in the Asia-Pacific region.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin is paying a visit to China. He attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games.

The two countries also said that they oppose the politicization of COVID-19 origins tracing, and highlighted the importance of promoting global development to a new stage.

U.S. COVID-19 death toll tops 900,000

Data from Johns Hopkins University show that the United States has reached the grim milestone of 900,000 coronavirus deaths.

It took only 52 days to reach that number from 800,000.

California leads the country in COVID-19 deaths with over 80,000 fatalities.

Thai health authorities approve Sinovac, Sinopharm vaccines for use in children

Thailand has expanded the use of China's Sinovac and Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines to those 6 and older.

Previously, the two vaccines were only available to people aged 18 and above.

The announcement came as the Southeast Asian country has been accelerating vaccine roll-out to step up protection against COVID-19.

On Friday, the country reported nearly 10,000 new confirmed cases during the latest 24-hour period, the highest daily case tally in more than three months.

South African court denies bail application of Parliament fire suspect

A court in Cape Town has denied the bail application of the man suspected of setting fire to the South African Parliament last month.

Zandile Christmas Mafe is charged with housebreaking with intent to commit terrorism, arson and theft. He could face life imprisonment if convicted.

The state prosecutor says the 49-year-old allegedly used boxes, paper and petrol to start the fire.

Lantern show in Washington D.C. celebrates Chinese New Year

Celebrations for the Chinese New Year continue and many in the United States are also in a festive mood.

NYC school lunch menu going vegan on Fridays

New York City public school students will be offered vegan food for lunch in school cafeterias every Friday.

Chickpea wraps and veggie tacos are on the menu.

The "vegan Fridays" move was pushed by new mayor Eric Adams, who follows and promotes a plant-based diet that he credits for improving his health.

Authorities say students can still request a non-vegan option, and milk, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hummus and pretzels will always be available.

Super trawler spills 100,000 dead fish off French Atlantic coast

The world's second-biggest fishing vessel shed over 100,000 dead fish into the Atlantic Ocean off France.

The fishing industry group that represents the vessel's Dutch owner says it was caused by a rupture in the net.

France's maritime minister said she had asked the country's national fishing surveillance authority to launch an investigation.