Spain's traditional Christmas lottery known as 'El Gordo' on Thursday rewarded many winners across several regions.

The winners of the Christmas lottery include a Peruvian-born unemployed mother of two and a Gambian man who crossed the Mediterranean by boat and eventually reached Spain in 2017. 
 
The first prize in the lottery was awarded to holders of ticket number 05490. The proceeds of this ticket number are $425,000 (€400,000), or around $345,150 (€325,000) after taxes. 
 
The second prize was given to ticket number 04074 and its holders will get around $132,750 (€125,000), according to a report by El Pais on Thursday. The third prize goes to ticket number 45250 and its holders will get around $53,100 (€50,000).

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-blow-to-spains-meat-industry-man-accused-of-sexual-advances-acquitted-report-545671">In blow to Spain's meat industry, man accused of sexual advances acquitted: Report</a> 
 
The Peruvian-born mother, identified as Perla Gavidia, was immediately surrounded by reporters after her ticket number was announced. Gavidia said that she lost her job at a cafe in 2020 and bought 95 tickets, only one of which had the winning number- 05490, news agency Reuters reported. 
 
The woman, standing beside her two children, told reporters that she would spend the proceeds that amount to $425,000 before taxes on buying a new house, educating her children and also making a donation to the Catholic Church. 
 
In Catalonia, Ibrahim Cante originally from Gambia had ticket number 04074- which was given the second prize in the lottery. A musician by profession, Cante said he would invest the proceeds of $132,750 in a studio, according to the Guardian. He added that this was the first time he bought a lottery ticket since arriving in Spain.

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The total prize money in 'El Gordo' reached $2.67 billion (€2.52 billion) compared to $2.55 billion (€2.41 billion) last year. In a nationally televised lottery draw at the Teatro Real opera house in Madrid on Thursday, young pupils from the San Ildefonso school picked the winning numbers and sang them out to the audience 
 
'El Gordo' has been happening since 1812 when Spain was under French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars. The lottery was designed to raise funds to fight the war. 
 
Ticket sales begin months ahead of the draw and for weeks before the winners are announced, there are long queues outside lottery offices. The lottery holds significance as Spain, like many countries in Europe, faces a cost-of-living crisis and stagnating wages.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Spain's traditional Christmas lottery known as 'El Gordo' on Thursday rewarded many winners across several regions. The winners of the Christmas lottery include a Peruvian-born unemployed mother of two and a Gambian man who crossed the Mediterranean by boat and eventually reached Spain in 2017.

Spain's traditional Christmas lottery known as 'El Gordo' on Thursday rewarded many winners across several regions. The winners of the Christmas lottery include a Peruvian-born unemployed mother of two and a Gambian man who crossed the Mediterranean by boat and eventually reached Spain in 2017. The first prize in the lottery was awarded to holders of ticket number 05490. The proceeds of this ticket number are $425,000 (€400,000), or around $345,150 (€325,000) after taxes. The second prize was given to ticket number 04074 and its holders will get around $132,750 (€125,000), according to a report by El Pais on Thursday. The third prize goes to ticket number 45250 and its holders will get around $53,100 (€50,000). ALSO READ | In blow to Spain's meat industry, man accused of sexual advances acquitted: Report The Peruvian-born mother, identified as Perla Gavidia, was immediately surrounded by reporters after her ticket number was announced. Gavidia said that she lost her job at a cafe in 2020 and bought 95 tickets, only one of which had the winning number- 05490, news agency Reuters reported. The woman, standing beside her two children, told reporters that she would spend the proceeds that amount to $425,000 before taxes on buying a new house, educating her children and also making a donation to the Catholic Church. In Catalonia, Ibrahim Cante originally from Gambia had ticket number 04074- which was given the second prize in the lottery. A musician by profession, Cante said he would invest the proceeds of $132,750 in a studio, according to the Guardian. He added that this was the first time he bought a lottery ticket since arriving in Spain. ALSO READ | Group of 165 people from Belgian village wins $151.18 million in EuroMillions lottery The total prize money in 'El Gordo' reached $2.67 billion (€2.52 billion) compared to $2.55 billion (€2.41 billion) last year. In a nationally televised lottery draw at the Teatro Real opera house in Madrid on Thursday, young pupils from the San Ildefonso school picked the winning numbers and sang them out to the audience 'El Gordo' has been happening since 1812 when Spain was under French occupation during the Napoleonic Wars. The lottery was designed to raise funds to fight the war. Ticket sales begin months ahead of the draw and for weeks before the winners are announced, there are long queues outside lottery offices. The lottery holds significance as Spain, like many countries in Europe, faces a cost-of-living crisis and stagnating wages. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Spain celebrates world's biggest lottery 'El Gordo'; prize money touches $2.67 billion

Nicole Kidman along with her husband Keith Urban reportedly got involved in a small argument, after a man swatted her at the opera in Sydney, Australia. 
 
The star couple attended a performance of The Merry Widow at the Sydney Opera House. The scene happened when the couple gave a standing ovation to the performance which annoyed the man.&nbsp; 
 
According to The Sydney Morning Herald's Private Sydney, when the couple stood up to praise the show, the man reportedly became annoyed and asked the couple to sit down.&nbsp; 
 
Keith explained that he is just giving the appreciation, and carried on clapping and standing, and at that point, things took a turn, and a man swatted Academy award-winning Kidman with his program.&nbsp; 
 
After Keith accused the man of allegedly hitting Nicole, they were reportedly escorted out of the Opera House and led security to deal with the man sitting behind them. 
 
After the incident, someone ended up calling the police and complained about the fight, “Police have been told a 53-year-old man and a 67-year-old man were both attending the entertainment centre when an argument broke out. Officers spoke to both men and no further action was taken,” NSW Police reportedly told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Nicole Kidman along with her husband Keith Urban reportedly got involved in a small argument, after a man swatted her at the opera in Sydney, Australia. The star couple attended a performance of The Merry Widow at the Sydney Opera House.

Nicole Kidman along with her husband Keith Urban reportedly got involved in a small argument, after a man swatted her at the opera in Sydney, Australia. The star couple attended a performance of The Merry Widow at the Sydney Opera House. The scene happened when the couple gave a standing ovation to the performance which annoyed the man. According to The Sydney Morning Herald's Private Sydney, when the couple stood up to praise the show, the man reportedly became annoyed and asked the couple to sit down. Keith explained that he is just giving the appreciation, and carried on clapping and standing, and at that point, things took a turn, and a man swatted Academy award-winning Kidman with his program. After Keith accused the man of allegedly hitting Nicole, they were reportedly escorted out of the Opera House and led security to deal with the man sitting behind them. After the incident, someone ended up calling the police and complained about the fight, “Police have been told a 53-year-old man and a 67-year-old man were both attending the entertainment centre when an argument broke out. Officers spoke to both men and no further action was taken,” NSW Police reportedly told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Nicole Kidman reportedly 'swatted' by a man at the opera house in Sydney

The finishing touches were being put on a glitzy show at the Sydney Opera House Saturday, as the venue prepared to host an opera crowd for the first time since March.

"The Merry Widow" will open on Tuesday to masked audiences up to 75 per cent capacity, in a sign of hope for a performing arts industry crippled by the pandemic, artistic director Lyndon Terracini told AFP.

"Walking back into the theatre was a very emotional time for everyone involved," he said.

"I think throughout this year, other opera houses will be opening very soon and people will be coming back to the theatre with a sense of hope."

Thanks to Australia's success in suppressing the virus, crowds inside venues -- including the Sydney Opera House -- have been permitted in the country's most populous city for months.

But even as the performers readied for their opening night, an outbreak in the city forced officials to tighten restrictions — including a new mandate on mask-wearing on public transport and in many indoor settings from midnight Saturday.

The outbreak of over 180 cases first emerged in December in Sydney's northeast but has since sparked other clusters, including in Melbourne.

Areas of Sydney remain under lockdown and officials have suggested further restrictions may be needed to curb the spread -- which could include a change to audiences at indoor performances.

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Julie Lea Goodwin, who leads the show along with Alexander Lewis, said she was thrilled to be back performing but after a nine-month hiatus the uncertainty of the pandemic still loomed.

"I have no idea what's ahead," Goodwin said.

"I think that Australia is doing an unbelievable job... but it's just going to be a process for the next year, I'd say, or longer."

Australia has recorded over 28,400 cases of the virus and 909 deaths linked to Covid-19 in a population of about 25 million.

The finishing touches were being put on a glitzy show at the Sydney Opera House Saturday, as the venue prepared to host an opera crowd for the first time since March.

The finishing touches were being put on a glitzy show at the Sydney Opera House Saturday, as the venue prepared to host an opera crowd for the first time since March. "The Merry Widow" will open on Tuesday to masked audiences up to 75 per cent capacity, in a sign of hope for a performing arts industry crippled by the pandemic, artistic director Lyndon Terracini told AFP. "Walking back into the theatre was a very emotional time for everyone involved," he said. "I think throughout this year, other opera houses will be opening very soon and people will be coming back to the theatre with a sense of hope." Thanks to Australia's success in suppressing the virus, crowds inside venues -- including the Sydney Opera House -- have been permitted in the country's most populous city for months. But even as the performers readied for their opening night, an outbreak in the city forced officials to tighten restrictions — including a new mandate on mask-wearing on public transport and in many indoor settings from midnight Saturday. The outbreak of over 180 cases first emerged in December in Sydney's northeast but has since sparked other clusters, including in Melbourne. Areas of Sydney remain under lockdown and officials have suggested further restrictions may be needed to curb the spread -- which could include a change to audiences at indoor performances. WATCH| × Julie Lea Goodwin, who leads the show along with Alexander Lewis, said she was thrilled to be back performing but after a nine-month hiatus the uncertainty of the pandemic still loomed. "I have no idea what's ahead," Goodwin said. "I think that Australia is doing an unbelievable job... but it's just going to be a process for the next year, I'd say, or longer." Australia has recorded over 28,400 cases of the virus and 909 deaths linked to Covid-19 in a population of about 25 million.

Sydney's Opera House to reopen on Sunday after combating COVID-19 fears

Sydney, one of the world's first major cities to welcome each New Year with a public countdown featuring a fireworks display over its well-known Opera House, banned large gatherings that night amid an outbreak of the coronavirus, officials said on on Monday (December 28).

Sydney told to watch its famous New Year's Eve fireworks from home

Watch today in Your Story: Painting by Hockney put up for auction by Opera House to generate funds survive pandemic.

Your Story: Painting by Hockney put up for auction by Opera House to survive pandemic

Deserted by tourists, a hotel in Vienna gave itself a temporary one-night-only makeover, turning itself into an outdoor concert hall.&nbsp;

The guest bedrooms, which have stood empty during the coronavirus lockdown, were transformed into opera boxes for an evening, and the hotel courtyard into a stage to create a rare moment of joy in the city of music on Saturday.

Two opera singers and a string ensemble were invited to play at the Hotel Zeitgeist.&nbsp;

As they performed in the courtyard, the spectators looked on from the windows of 40 or so rooms which they had rented for the evening.

And they approved, showering applause on to the head of the tuxedoed conductor and his elegant soprano Monika Medek.

Paid bookings for the "window concert" were sold out in three days, hotel director Andreas Purtscher told AFP.

Purtscher said the concert was intended to give the artists the opportunity to perform again and "to help people get out, to find a sense of normality in their contact with others".

He hoped it would "remove some of the fear associated with the period of restrictions".

- More concerts planned -

Since mid-April, Austria has lifted many of the restrictions taken to combat the spread of the new coronavirus but cultural life is still at a standstill because of the ban on gatherings of more than 100 people.

For artists, "work opportunities disappeared overnight," Purtscher said.

He plans to hold at least three more window concerts before August.

Most of the artists programmed at the classical music halls that make the Austrian capital world-famous are freelancers, now deprived of income with the cancellation of their engagements.

Vienna hotels, deserted by tourists and business travellers, are expecting an occupancy rate of less than 10 percent for June, according to the city's chamber of commerce.

Purtscher said he is expecting the difficult period to last "for at least a year" before the sector returns to normal activity.

Deserted by tourists, a hotel in Vienna gave itself a temporary one-night-only makeover, turning itself into an outdoor concert hall. The guest bedrooms, which have stood empty during the coronavirus lockdown, were transformed into opera boxes for an evening, and the hotel courtyard into a stage to create a rare moment of joy in the city of music on Saturday.

Deserted by tourists, a hotel in Vienna gave itself a temporary one-night-only makeover, turning itself into an outdoor concert hall. The guest bedrooms, which have stood empty during the coronavirus lockdown, were transformed into opera boxes for an evening, and the hotel courtyard into a stage to create a rare moment of joy in the city of music on Saturday. Two opera singers and a string ensemble were invited to play at the Hotel Zeitgeist. As they performed in the courtyard, the spectators looked on from the windows of 40 or so rooms which they had rented for the evening. And they approved, showering applause on to the head of the tuxedoed conductor and his elegant soprano Monika Medek. Paid bookings for the "window concert" were sold out in three days, hotel director Andreas Purtscher told AFP. Purtscher said the concert was intended to give the artists the opportunity to perform again and "to help people get out, to find a sense of normality in their contact with others". He hoped it would "remove some of the fear associated with the period of restrictions". - More concerts planned - Since mid-April, Austria has lifted many of the restrictions taken to combat the spread of the new coronavirus but cultural life is still at a standstill because of the ban on gatherings of more than 100 people. For artists, "work opportunities disappeared overnight," Purtscher said. He plans to hold at least three more window concerts before August. Most of the artists programmed at the classical music halls that make the Austrian capital world-famous are freelancers, now deprived of income with the cancellation of their engagements. Vienna hotels, deserted by tourists and business travellers, are expecting an occupancy rate of less than 10 percent for June, according to the city's chamber of commerce. Purtscher said he is expecting the difficult period to last "for at least a year" before the sector returns to normal activity.

Opera returns to Vienna with hotel 'window concert'

The firefighters and volunteers in Australia were given tribute for their efforts in battling against the raging fires across states in Australia. Opera House was illuminated by images of some firefighters who are battling against raging fires in Australia. #WION #Sydney #OperaHouse #AustraliaBushfires

Sydney pays tribute to firefighters by illuminating images on Opera House

Ring of fire: Australian state declares emergency as wildfires approach Sydney

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