Festivities such as the Chinese New Year are celebrated among people of diverse heritage and backgrounds, creating bonds evoking empathy between people

Tibetans in a north-west part of China, which has been the focus of self-immolation protests against Chinese rule, have marked a grieved New Year.

As people celebrate the Chinese New Year and Latin America’s carnival, Barack Obama will give an update on the State of the Union in the week ahead.

Chinese New Year is a time for displays of fireworks and generous-portioned banquets. This year’s, the festivities are likely to be more austere.