In China, a fresh wave of protests against  heavy COVID-19 curbs spread to more cities, including the financial hub Shanghai today after an apartment block fire killed 10 people on Thursday.<br />''<br />''Many internet users surmised that residents could not escape in time because the apartment was partially locked down.<br />''<br />''However, Chinese media denied the allegation. According to a video, circulated on social media, showed  crowds in Shanghai shouting slogan against the Government urging lifting the lockdown. China is battling a surge in infections that has prompted lockdowns and other restrictions in cities across the country.<br />''<br />''Infections have hit new highs in China in recent times in spite of the tough zero-Covid policy.<br />''<br />''China defends President Xi Jinping's signature zero-COVID policy as life-saving and necessary to prevent overwhelming the healthcare system. Officials have vowed to continue with it despite the growing public pushback and its mounting toll on the world's second-biggest economy.<br />