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☆ Mired in crisis, World Cup run was always a dream for Iran
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DOHA, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Having come to Qatar amid a firestorm of public criticism at home, then leaking six goals to England in a chaotic opening match, Iran's World Cup campaign was all but finished even before it started. The players carried a heavy mental burden, under immense public pressure to use the World Cup and their high profiles at home to take a stand against a deadly state crackdown on widespread protests in Iran seeking the end of theocratic rule. There were gestures of support from the players, including them not singing their national anthem in one match. Queiroz has been incensed by what he called the politicisation of his World Cup team, blasting some fans who booed them in Qatar and complaining of harassment of a squad that just wanted to play football and make their nation proud. After their elimination on Tuesday, Queiroz lauded his players for trying to turn their campaign around and win the respect of the world.

China held a news conference on COVID prevention and control measures at 3 p.m. (0700 GMT) on Tuesday amid record COVID infections and protests in Shanghai and Beijing. read moreAsian shares also rallied as unsubstantiated rumours swirled that the unrest might prompt a loosening of the COVID restrictions. OPEC+ started to lower its output target by 2 million barrels per day (bpd) in November, aiming to shore up oil prices. Markets are also assessing the impact of an upcoming Western price cap on Russian oil. read moreThe price cap is due to come into effect on Dec. 5, when an EU ban on Russian crude also takes effect.

Image Residents of a village near Kherson on Monday help exhume the bodies of six people that showed signs of execution. Credit... Finbarr O'Reilly for The New York TimesImage The remains of six people, including ropes that indicated they had been tied up. Credit... Finbarr O'Reilly for The New York Times Image Police mark a body bag as war crimes investigators exhume several bodies on Monday. Every day the whomp of artillery fired from Russian forces now positioned miles away across the Dnipro River shakes the city. Image Workers exhume bodies from a communal grave in the southern Ukrainian village of Pravdyne.

Pro-Palestinian sympathies among fans have also spilt into stadiums as four Arab teams compete. Qatari players have worn pro-Palestinian arm-bands, even as Qatar has allowed Israeli fans to fly in directly for the first time. The first Middle Eastern nation to host the World Cup, Qatar has often seemed a regional maverick: it hosts the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas but has also previously had some trade relations with Israel. Arab fans have shunned Israeli journalists reporting from Qatar. Omar Barakat, a soccer coach for the Palestinian national team who was in Doha for the World Cup, said he had carried his flag into matches without being stopped.

Over the next six years, each of the other members of my family would leave. I entered the diner having functioned as an only child for nearly 50 years. As the youngest in my family of five, I looked up to my oldest brother as little sisters often do. I entered the diner having functioned as an only child for nearly 50 years. This was no Hollywood family reunion, but I sensed that his validation of my perspective would lessen my internal demons.

CNN —Republican Herschel Walker is getting a tax break intended only for a primary residence this year on his home in the Dallas, Texas, area, despite running for Senate in Georgia. Walker registered to vote in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2021 after living in Texas for two decades and voting infrequently. 11Alive News, a local Georgia station, first reported that Walker took the homestead exemption on his Texas home in 2020. The county tax office in Texas where Walker maintains his home confirmed the exemption. Homeowners in many states are able to apply for a tax exemption by declaring their home to be their primary residence and the exemption lowers their tax bill by removing part of their home’s value on paper.

☆ The Republican far-right is seeking to place new limits on aid to Ukraine after the GOP claimed a narrow House majority
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Far-right Republicans want Ukraine aid restricted, with some saying it should be cut off entirely. But one analyst told Insider that broader bipartisan support for Ukraine aid remains solid. Gunner Ramer, political director of the centrist Republican Accountability Project, told Insider that a narrow Republican majority in the House meant that lawmakers such as Greene would wield outsized influence. Ukraine aid bills have, to date, all passed with broad bipartisan backing. Ayres, meanwhile, cautioned House Republicans hostile to Ukraine aid that pressing the issue could alienate moderate voters, for whom core policy issues like crime and the economy remain key.

☆ Iran’s Security Forces Crack Down on Protest Movement in Kurdish Region
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( Benoit Faucon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Iranian security forces swept through the country’s Kurdish region with helicopters and armored vehicles, firing live ammunition and raiding homes in search of opponents, a show of force that demonstrates how the government’s response to a two-month-old protest movement is taking a more aggressive turn. Protesters in Mahabad and surrounding areas filled city streets Saturday, according to authorities. After rumors swirled on social media that authorities were gearing up to attack, balaclava-clad protesters wearing makeshift helmets set bins on fire and barricaded a key artery in Mahabad with cinder blocks and wooden doors, according to footage posted by Tavaana, a U.S.-based Iranian civic organization, and multiple other social-media accounts.

☆ No alcohol sales permitted at Qatar's World Cup stadium sites
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The announcement comes two days before Sunday's kickoff of the World Cup, the first to be held in a conservative Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, the consumption of which is banned in public. For years, Qatar's tournament organisers have said that alcohol would be widely accessible to fans at the tournament. Budweiser has been a World Cup sponsor since 1985, the year before the event was held in Mexico. "Tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup," the statement said. Questions have swirled around the role alcohol would play at this year's World Cup since Qatar won hosting rights in 2010.

☆ No alcohol sales permitted at Qatar's World Cup stadium sites - FIFA
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Andrew Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

DOHA Nov 18 (Reuters) - In a reversal, alcoholic beer will not be sold at Qatar's World Cup stadiums, world soccer governing body FIFA said in a statement on Friday. The announcement comes two days before Sunday's kickoff of the World Cup, the first to be held in a conservative Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, the consumption of which is banned in public. "Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters," a FIFA spokesperson said in the statement. "Tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup," the statement said. Questions have swirled around the role alcohol would play at this year's World Cup since Qatar won hosting rights in 2010.

☆ Rick Scott — Mitch McConnell's would-be rival — dodged a question on whether he'd back the Kentucky senator for GOP leader
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Cheryl Teh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Sen. Rick Scott dodged a question about whether he would back Mitch McConnell for GOP leader. KUDLOW: Are you backing Mitch McConnell? Trump endorses Rick Scott for Republican Senate Leader: “I think Rick Scott would be much better than McConnell. I'm not a fan of McConnell and I am a fan of Rick Scott." "Because Masters said he would vote against Mitch McConnell, and so Mitch would rather be leader than have a Republican majority.

☆ Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary, an FTX spokesperson, explains his next move after the crypto collapse and how he tried to rescue Sam Bankman-Fried
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In an interview with Insider, Kevin O'Leary explained his next move now that FTX, a company he invested in, filed for bankruptcy. The "Shark Tank" investor said he's moving his assets to Canada, and will no longer keep funds in unregulated exchanges. He also broke down details of his phone call with FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. O'Leary then met his parents — both compliance lawyers — and gained more confidence from seeing other large, global investors backing FTX. Bankman-Fried also said on the call, according to O'Leary, that regulators were going to "come down hard" on the situation.

☆ Pelosi says 'I will always have influence' as House control looms
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-13 | by ( Susan Heavey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pelosi said she was focused on her party's future, not her own, ahead of House Democrats' Nov. 30 leadership vote. Democrats have secured control of the U.S. Senate following Tuesday's midterm election, handing President Joe Biden a win. Control of the House remains to been seen as both sides have yet to secure the 218 seats needed while ballots continue to be counted. Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican leader, has said he plans to pursue the speakership if his party wins control of the next Congress, which convenes in January. It could take several days or longer before the outcome of enough House races is known to determine which party will control the 435-seat chamber.

☆ Inside the week that changed Facebook forever: Record Meta layoffs have sowed confusion and rising anger among employees who are beginning to lash out at CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( Kali Hays | Rob Price | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Meta let go of 11,000 employees, and it's not clear which divisions and roles were most affected. After a harrowing week of record layoffs at Meta, CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other executives convened a town hall meeting on Friday for everyone who survived the cull. During the Q&A part of the call, an employee asked a question referring to Twitter's job cuts, and Zuckerberg weighed in, according to people who attended. Roughly 11,000 staff were let go, the first major job cuts in the company's 18-year history. Analysts at Jefferies called it a "Zuck U-Turn" in a research note to clients, saying the job cuts will boost profits while not impacting Meta's growth trajectory.

☆ Sam Bankman-Fried reportedly denies fleeing to Argentina, says he's still in the Bahamas
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( Mackenzie Sigalos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Sam Bankman-Fried, CEO and Founder of FTX, walks near the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C., September 15, 2022. Sam Bankman-Fried told Reuters he is still in the Bahamas, as rumors swirled overnight that the disgraced ex-CEO of the now-bankrupt crypto exchange FTX had run off to South America. FlightRadar24 tweeted early Saturday morning that the one-time crypto billionaire was flying from Nassau to Argentina. The account cited tweets as its sourcing that it was Bankman-Fried aboard the flight in question. Speculation over SBF's (a nickname given to the former FTX CEO) whereabouts come as authorities close in on Bankman-Fried and his failed crypto empire.

LONDON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Defusing this year's single biggest shock to the world economy could catalyze a rebound in global markets many investors feel is overdue - but may also raise other uncomfortable conundrums. Murmurs about some endgame in the 9-month-old Russian invasion of Ukraine - suggestions of anything from 'talks about talks' to some negotiated ceasefire - have swirled in media over the past week. All were watched as intently by global investors as much as politicians or military strategists. Western sanctions slapped on Moscow seeded an energy and food price explosion that compounded and elongated the post-pandemic inflation spike around the world. US Geopolitical RiskUS inflation, Fed rates and marketsThe opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.

☆ Crypto's Lehman moment: Here's how Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX compares to the biggest collapse of the Global Financial Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Experts have drawn comparisons between the collapse of crypto exchange FTX and the fall of Lehman Brothers in 2008. Here's how the two events compare and what FTX's fall means for the broader financial system. In the years leading up to the Great Financial Crisis, Lehman loaded its balance sheet with vast amounts of subprime mortgage debt. When the "bank run" began this week, FTX didn't have the funds to meet withdrawal requests. But compared to 14 years ago, it probably won't be FTX's downfall that sparks a broader financial crisis, Allen said.

☆ Police investigating unsolved murder of JonBenet Ramsey to seek help from cold case team
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Police in Boulder, Colorado, will consult with a state cold case team as they continue to investigate the 1996 murder of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey. The Colorado Cold Case Review Team is made up of professional investigative, analytical and forensic experts from across the state. Police said the team "is another tool to help further cold case homicide investigations." Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies continue to work on JonBenet’s case. JonBenet’s half-brother, John Andrew, commented on the news, writing on Twitter that it was a "positive" step in her case.

☆ Meta employees are shell-shocked and angry after Mark Zuckerberg laid off 11,000 workers. Remaining staff are still unsure exactly who got fired.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Kali Hays | Rob Price | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Meta let go of 11,000 employees, and it's not clear which divisions and roles were most affected. Shortly before a somber video call with tens of thousands of employees on Wednesday, Mark Zuckerberg hosted a smaller call with managers at Meta. Zuckerberg fielded questions from managers asking how laid-off employees were chosen and how long the plan had been in the works. "Class act as always," one departing employee said sarcastically of Zuckerberg's call for laid-off workers. "This will add up to a meaningful cultural shift in how we operate," Zuckerberg told remaining employees.

☆ Bitcoin and other cryptos spiral lower as worries about the fallout from FTX's troubles grow
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Zahra Tayeb | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Bitcoin and most cryptos extended losses Wednesday as worries built about the FTX fallout. Sol plunged 31% and the crypto market cap dropped 11% on fears the troubles would spread. In a stunning turn of events, FTX CEO Sam-Bankman Fried announced Tuesday that the crypto exchange had agreed to be taken over by rival Binance. The emergency deal sent chills through the crypto world, reviving fears about liquidity risks that could lead to company collapses. The overall value of the crypto market dropped over 11% to $871 billion over the last day, according to CoinMarketCap data.

☆ Binance is buying FTX amid 'significant' liquidity issues. Here's how billionaire Sam Bankman-Fried's exchange got here.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Binance reached an agreement to purchase Sam Bankman-Fried's crypto exchange FTX on Tuesday. Here's what happened as FTX went from market heavyweight to being acquired by a rival. Balance sheets and billionairesBankman-Fried's empire is diverges in two branches: FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange, and Alameda Research, a crypto trading firm. The price of other cryptocurrencies including Solana's SOL, bitcoin, and ether dropped Tuesday as well, as worries seeped across the broader crypto market. "Binance is likely coming in and saying they will cover the liabilities for FTX, and then effectively have FTX hand over the rest of their assets."

☆ Russia's war in Ukraine rages on without a clear end in sight. Here are 6 ways the conflict could play out.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

As Russia's war in Ukraine continues, there does not appear to be a clear end in sight. Russian victoryWhen it began its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Russia's goal was to take over the country completely. Rather than taking more territory, Russia's objectives in the current stage of war seem to be to weaken Ukraine's resources, economy, and army. Nuclear war and/or NATO interventionPutin has repeatedly made nuclear threats since he began the invasion of Ukraine and, in September, claimed that it was "not a bluff." One senior official previously said that a Russian nuclear strike could trigger a "physical response" from NATO itself.

Hours later, his firm — Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrickhe — releases its own statement alleging Murdaugh had misappropriated company funds. Jan. 21, 2022A grand jury indicts Murdaugh on 23 new charges, including breach of trust with fraudulent intent and computer crimes. Jan. 24, 2022A legal claim is filed against the estates of Margaret and Paul Murdaugh by the mother of Mallory Beach, 19, who was killed in a boat crash in 2019. May 4, 2022Prosecutors announce that Murdaugh is facing four new charges related to financial crimes also involving Fleming and others. July 14, 2022A grand jury announces an indictment against Murdaugh on double murder charges in the deaths of Margaret and Paul.

☆ Prayers, the pledge of allegiance and culture wars: Inside a Doug Mastriano rally in the final days of his long-shot bid for governor of Pennsylvania
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Oma Seddiq | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

A Doug Mastriano rally in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, featured praying and wading into culture wars. National and state Republican donors and groups have offered little support to his candidacy. "He's just been there the whole time," a Mastriano voter in Bucks County who only identified himself as Jeremy, told Insider. "You can't get your message out one-on-one to voters," Josh Novotney, a Pennsylvania GOP strategist, told Insider. "It's a different tactic and I pray it works," Joe Vichot, chairman of Lehigh County's GOP, told Insider.

☆ Elon Musk's takeover has prompted some celebrities to say they'll leave Twitter. Here's how to deactivate your account and protect your data.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read on to see how to deactivate your Twitter account, and protect your data on the site. Following Musk's takeover, Insider has compiled a list of ways Twitter users can protect their data on the site, and deactivate their account if they want to leave. Go to "Settings," then "Your account," click "Download an archive of your data" and enter your password to request a ZIP file of your account information. You can keep a backup of your account information and tweets. Go to the "Deactivate your account" tab in settings.

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