Chinese authorities eased some anti-virus rules but affirmed their severe “zero COVID” strategy Monday after protesters demanded President Xi Jinping resign.

The government made no comment on the protests or the criticism of Xi, but the decision to ease some restrictions appeared to be aimed at quelling anger. China experts don’t expect the government to back down its COVID strategy and not authorities are adept at stifling dissent.

Ukraine is preparing for more Russian strikes Monday. It has also warned of the possibility for a new round of evacuations from the capital during a relative lull from airstrikes on key infrastructure in recent weeks.

President Zelensky warned that Russian troops, “are preparing new strikes, and as long as they have missiles, they won’t stop.”

Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, has started to erupt for the first time in nearly four decades, prompting volcanic ash and debris to fall nearby, authorities said Monday.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the eruption began late Sunday night in the summit caldera of the volcano on the big island. Early Monday, lava flows were contained within the summit area and were not threatening nearby communities.

Will Abrahamson can be reached at abra4068@stthomas.edu.