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☆ China's COVID curbs intensify as cases surge to highest since Shanghai lockdown
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Ryan Woo | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Aly SongBEIJING, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Chinese authorities stepped up COVID-19 lockdowns and other curbs to halt clusters from spreading as China's case load soared to its highest since this year's Shanghai lockdown, with Beijing and Zhengzhou seeing record daily cases. China reported on Friday 10,535 new locally transmitted cases for Nov. 10, the highest since April 29, when the country's commercial hub, Shanghai, was battling its most serious outbreak. The southern city of Guangzhou, the current epicentre of China's COVID fight, reported 2,824 new local cases for Nov. 10, the fourth day in which infections exceeded 2,000. TIGHTER MEASURESOther major cities such as Beijing, Zhengzhou and Chongqing have tightened measures this week as daily cases renewed all-time highs. Beijing reported 118 new local cases for Nov. 10, a daily record but still low compared with other Chinese cities.

☆ China’s Billionaires See Huge Losses as Economy, Markets Sputter
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Dan Strumpf | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

HONG KONG—China’s richest saw the biggest drop in their collective wealth in decades over the past year, as the country’s stock markets plunged and the economy slowed, in large part due to Beijing’s zero-tolerance policy toward Covid-19. Both the Forbes and Hurun Rich List of China’s wealthiest people released this week showed a sharp drop in the fortunes of the country’s tycoons. Forbes on Thursday said China’s 100 richest saw their collective wealth decline by $573 billion since last year’s rankings, the biggest drop since the magazine began tracking the country’s wealthiest more than two decades ago.

☆ Food plant cleaning company accused in federal probe of hiring children for 'hazardous' work that left 13-year-old with chemical burns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US Labor Department filed a complaint against PSSI following a three-month investigation into unlawful child labor claims. The department is accusing the sanitation contractor of having employees as young as 13 working 'hazardous' overnight shifts. PSSI emphasized its 'zero tolerance' for violating its policy of employing anyone under 18 years old. A news release Wednesday from the DOL said Packers Sanitation Services Inc. employed at least 31 children — ages 13 to 17 — in "hazardous occupations." But a PSSI spokesperson said in a statement to Insider Thursday that it has a "zero tolerance" policy around hiring employees under 18.

☆ President Biden says Elon Musk's relationships with other countries are worth looking into
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Lora Kolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

In this article TSLATWTR Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTJoe Biden, left, and Elon Musk Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters; Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAsked on Wednesday whether Tesla , SpaceX and Twitter CEO Elon Musk posed a threat to national security, President Joe Biden said that the centi-billionaire's "relationships with other countries is worthy of being looked at." Biden said, "Elon Musk's cooperation and/or technical relationships with other countries is worthy of being looked at. Throughout 2022, Musk has accused the President of ignoring his electric vehicle venture, Tesla, despite its success, and favoring legacy automakers and their unions. The kingdom of Qatar also participated in Musk's Twitter deal. The Ukrainian government, which generally praises SpaceX and Musk, is now looking for alternatives to Starlink, Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said last Thursday.

☆ China reopening hopes keep dollar on guard
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Tom Westbrook | Tetsushi Kajimoto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Banknotes of Chinese yuan and U.S. dollar are seen in this illustration picture taken September 29, 2022. It was firm at 7.2200 per dollar in offshore trade on Tuesday . The euro , linked via German exports to China's economy, regained parity on the dollar overnight and hovered at $1.0026. The New Zealand dollar climbed 0.2% to touch a seven-week high of $0.5951 in early Asia trade. But incremental adjustments have been enough to keep traders' hopes alive.

☆ Bono’s new book is more than a rock star memoir. It’s also a powerful tribute to America
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( John Blake | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

Born Paul David Hewson in Dublin, Ireland, Bono is a global rock star, an activist and an entrepreneur who is currently touring the US to promote his memoir. Bono’s book, though, is more than a rock star’s memoir. A belief in America as an idea, not a religionAs any casual fan of U2 knows, U2 has long had a close relationship with the US. Martin Luther King Jr., with their song, “Pride (In The Name of Love).”In “Surrender,” Bono pays tribute to America itself. “The search for common ground starts with a search for higher ground,” Bono writes in the memoir.

☆ Guangzhou's COVID outbreak deepens as more lockdowns loom in China
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The increase was modest by global standards but significant for China, where outbreaks are quickly tackled when they surface. Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, reported 2,377 new local cases for Nov. 7, up from 1,971 the previous day. "The lockdown situation has continued to deteriorate quickly across the country over the past week, with our in-house China COVID lockdown index rising to 12.2% of China's total GDP from 9.5% last Monday," Nomura wrote in a note on Monday. "We continue to believe that, while Beijing may fine-tune some of its COVID measures in coming weeks, those fine-tuning measures could be more than offset by local officials' tightening of the zero-COVID strategy." In the southwest metropolis of Chongqing, the city reported 281 new local cases, more than doubling from 120 a day earlier.

☆ China reopening hopes keep U.S. dollar on guard
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It was firm at 7.2200 per dollar in offshore trade on Tuesday. The euro , linked via German exports to China's economy, regained parity on the dollar overnight and hovered at $1.0026. The New Zealand dollar climbed 0.2% to touch a seven-week high of $0.5951 in early Asia trade. But incremental adjustments have been enough to keep traders' hopes alive. "This idea that maybe in 2023, we'll see a gradual reopening in China means that growth prospects in China should improve significantly, against a backdrop where most expect the U.S. economy to start slowing down."

☆ China Weighs Zero-Covid Exit But Proceeds With Caution and Without Timeline
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Keith Zhai | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SINGAPORE—Chinese leaders are considering steps toward reopening after nearly three years of tough pandemic restrictions but are proceeding slowly and have set no timeline, according to people familiar with the discussions. Chinese officials have grown concerned about the costs of their zero-tolerance approach to smothering Covid outbreaks, which has resulted in lockdowns of cities and whole provinces, crushing business activity and confining hundreds of millions of people at home for weeks and sometimes months on end. But they are weighing those against the potential costs of reopening on public health and support for the Communist Party.

☆ China Weighs Gradual Zero-Covid Exit but Proceeds With Caution, Without Timeline
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Keith Zhai | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

SINGAPORE—Chinese leaders are considering steps toward reopening after nearly three years of tough pandemic restrictions but are proceeding slowly and have set no timeline, according to people familiar with the discussions. Chinese officials have grown concerned about the costs of their zero-tolerance approach to smothering Covid-19 outbreaks, which has resulted in lockdowns of cities and whole provinces, crushing business activity and confining hundreds of millions of people at home for weeks and sometimes months on end. But they are weighing those against the potential costs of reopening for public health and support for the Communist Party.

☆ Goldman Sachs says China is still 'months away' from reopening
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Jihye Lee | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Thomas Peter | ReutersStocks in Hong Kong and China rallied at the end of a volatile week last week, driven by speculation that Beijing could soon ease its Covid-zero policy — but economists at Goldman Sachs say China may still be "months away" from reopening. We estimate that a full reopening could drive 20% upside for Chinese stocks... Goldman Sachs"The actual reopening is still months away as elderly vaccination rates remain low and case fatality rates appear high among those unvaccinated based on Hong Kong official data," Goldman Sachs economists led by Hui Shan said in a Sunday note. China stocks may jump 20% at reopeningGoldman maintains its view that China could reopen in the second quarter of 2023. The latest Hong Kong government statistics show only 60.81% of people aged 80 and older have received all three doses. "A safe and orderly reopening is very difficult right now," the Goldman Sachs note said.

☆ Sri Lanka suspend Gunathilaka after arrest over alleged sexual assault
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

COLOMBO, Nov 7 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said on Monday it has suspended Danushka Gunathilaka from all forms of cricket following his arrest in Sydney over an alleged sexual assault and will not consider him for any selections. The 31-year-old was charged with sexual assault while in Australia to play in the T20 World Cup and was denied bail by a court in Sydney on Monday. "The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket decided to suspend national player Danushka Gunathilaka from all forms of cricket with immediate effect and will not consider him for any selections..." the SLC said in a statement. Gunathilaka played a first round World Cup match against Namibia but was ruled out of the remainder of the T20 tournament with a hamstring injury. The Sri Lankan team were eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup, losing to England on Saturday in their final match of the tournament.

☆ No immediate end in sight for China’s costly zero-Covid policy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —China has reiterated its unswerving commitment to its longstanding zero-Covid policy, despite mounting public frustration the stringent measures are costing the very lives they’re intended to protect. Tragic cases perceived to be linked to the policy have gained momentum online as people question why it should continue. In another tragedy that sparked nationwide outrage, a 3-year-old boy died of gas poisoning Wednesday at a locked down compound in the northwestern city of Lanzhou after Covid restrictions delayed rescue efforts. VCG/Visual China Group/Getty ImagesA long way homeEven in places not under extended lockdowns, the constant Covid testing edicts and stringent travel restrictions have fueled growing discontent. In a series of Weibo posts, he openly questioned the far reaching travel restrictions and criticized propaganda efforts exaggerating Covid deaths overseas.

☆ A Muslim family is suing Delta Air Lines over their 'unjust' removal from a flight from Atlanta to Baltimore
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-07 | by ( Stephanie Stacey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hisham Kassab and his two sons are suing Delta Air Lines over their removal from a 2019 flight. Delta Air Lines said it intended to defend itself against the claims. While waiting to board the Baltimore flight, Kassab entered into a discussion with a Delta gate agent, who he said was "being cantankerous." The family were initially permitted to board the plane, but shortly after taking their seats they were removed from the flight. It is not known if the family were put on a later Delta flight.

☆ Influencers debate leaving Twitter, but where would they go?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

PHILADELPHIA — Pariss Chandler built a community for Black tech workers on Twitter that eventually became the foundation for her own recruitment company. I have lost hope in that,” said Chandler, 31, founder of Black Tech Pipeline, a jobs board and recruitment website. She now has more than 60,000 followers and her own company connecting Black tech workers with companies large and small. “This is the exact reason that Musk bought Twitter and didn’t just build his own social network,” Donovan said. “I’m personally going to stay on Twitter until there is really not a reason to stay anymore.

☆ A spiral of violence and fear is creating angst for many voters ahead of the midterm elections
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Alex-Seitz-Wald-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Alex Seitz-Wald | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

For many voters, a vicious spiral of violence and fear is creating angst, paranoia and an overwhelming sense of dread that the nation is on the eve of destruction, according to a growing body of public opinion research. Polls show a large portion of Republicans fear democracy is in peril because they believe that elections are rigged against them. Frustrated by the fear that democracy no longer serves them, some Americans are becoming convinced that violence is the answer. Steele, the former head of the national GOP, said the public and political leaders both bear responsibility for protecting the republic. “But it also gives space for people who want a safer country to plan ahead, too.

☆ European soccer associations press FIFA to act on migrant workers' rights before Qatar World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 6 (Reuters) - The Football Associations of 10 European countries, including England and Germany, are pushing FIFA ahead of the World Cup starting in two weeks to take action to improve the rights of migrant workers in Qatar. Amnesty and other rights groups have led calls for FIFA to compensate migrant workers in Qatar for human rights abuses by setting aside $440 million, matching the World Cup prize money. Denmark's players will travel to the World Cup without their families as a protest against Qatar's human rights record, their FA (DBU) said last month. Sunday's open letter said Qatar had made "significant progress" regarding migrant workers' rights and in providing assurances on the safety of LGBT supporters. Qatar's World Cup organisers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

☆ Trump defended hosting the Saudi-backed LIV golf tournament by saying 'We have human rights issues' too. Human rights experts agrees and say Trump himself was responsible for many during his presidenc
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-06 | by ( Hannah Getahun | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Human rights groups have previously called Trump out for exacerbating human rights violations while president. "We have human rights issues in this country too," Trump said on October 30 after reporters asked whether he was concerned about human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. Human rights groups have acknowledged that the US, like many countries, has its share of human rights issues and violations. Alison Leal Parker, Managing Director for the US Program at Human Rights Watch, told Insider that "the wholesale assault" of fundamental human rights under Trump was "unprecedented." "Every previous administration, including the current one, including the Biden administration, has been responsible for human rights violations," Parker said.

☆ Prisoners' families hold small protest in Bahrain during pope visit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ISA TOWN, Bahrain, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Relatives of death row and life inmates in Bahrain held a small protest along Pope Francis' motorcade route on Saturday calling for freedom of political prisoners in the Gulf Arab state. A video of the protest, which included several women and children, was posted online by London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) and by Bahrain's dissolved opposition al-Wefaq group. #Free Hassan Mushaima #Free Political Prisoners #End Sectarianism". Before the pope arrived in Bahrain on Thursday, families of death row inmates asked him to speak out against capital punishment and defend political prisoners during the trip. Last year, Bahrain conditionally released tens of prisoners under new rules allowing electronic monitoring and home detention instead.

☆ European shares rise as China reopening hopes lift luxury, mining stocks
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The STOXX 600 (.STOXX) rose 1.1% by 0932 GMT. The European basic resources index (.SXPP) surged 4.6% to a seven-week high and was set for its biggest weekly gain in more than three months. Luxury giants including LVMH (LVMH.PA), Kering (PRTP.PA), Pernod Ricard (PERP.PA) and Hermes International (HRMS.PA) climbed between 2.5% and 3.5%. Among other stocks, manufacturer Andritz (ANDR.VI) surged 9.2% to the top of the STOXX 600, as its quarterly sales and profit rose significantly. Reporting by Shreyashi Sanyal in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu and Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Canadian Olympic bobsledder de Bruin hit with three-year ban
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 4 (Reuters) - Canadian Olympic bobsledder Christine de Bruin, winner of the monobob bronze at the Beijing Games, has been handed a three-year suspension after testing positive for a banned substance the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) said on Friday. De Bruin, who also competed for Canada at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, admitted to the violation in October and waived her right to a hearing. De Bruin's suspension started on Sept. 28 and runs until Sept. 27, 2025. "Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton (BCS) is deeply disappointed to learn that one of our athletes was found to have violated anti-doping rules," said Sarah Storey, president, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton in a statement. "BCS has zero tolerance for doping; we believe in clean sport and fair play.

☆ China to make substantial changes to COVID policy soon- former govt expert
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Zeng Guang, a former chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention who has remained outspoken on China's COVID fight, said that the conditions for China opening up were "accumulating", citing new vaccines and progress the country had made in antiviral drug research. He has previously urged against using excessive measures to fight COVID that risk exhausting people, and in March said that China would look for a route to "flexible and controllable opening up". read moreWhile most of the world has largely done away with virus curbs, China has resolutely stuck to a zero-tolerance approach that reacts to even single cases with lockdowns and mass testing. China reported 3,871 new locally transmitted cases for Thursday, its highest since early May. Reporting by Beijing and Shanghai Newsrooms; Editing by Alex Richardson and Edmund KlamannOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China to make 'substantial' COVID policy changes soon - ex-govt expert
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"The situation is changing now and China's 'dynamic zero' will also undergo major changes. Substantive changes will happen soon," he said, according to the recording of the session, which was titled "China's Exit Strategy from Zero-Covid". Chinese health authorities will hold a press conference on Saturday on COVID-19 prevention, according to a notice that said officials from the the National Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention would attend. LOCKDOWNS AND PROTESTSZeng was part of a top team at China's National Health Commission when the virus started to spread from the central Chinese city of Wuhan to other parts of China in 2020. On Wednesday, the country's National Health Commission said the nation should unwaveringly stick to zero-COVID.

"Joe Biden and his political allies are indoctrinating your children," the flier, which NBC News reviewed, says in bold red letters translated from Spanish. "The primary motive behind that is to suppress Latino voters," he said. The Latino vote could be a factor in the outcome. Citizens for Sanity, a group associated with America First Legal, has also recently broadcast anti-immigration ads in California and Arizona. "Putting this out there could prevent a kid from receiving help that could prevent them from going down a darker path."

☆ Israeli PM Lapid congratulates Netanyahu on election win
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-03 | by ( Dan Williams | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JERUSALEM, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Israel Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday congratulated Benjamin Netanyahu on his election win as final results confirmed the former premier's triumphant comeback at the head of a solidly right-wing alliance. This time Netanyahu, the dominant Israeli politician of his generation, won a clear parliamentary majority, boosted by ultranationalist and religious parties. Netanyahu still has to be officially tasked by the president with forming a government, a process that could take weeks. [1/3] Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu waves as he addresses his supporters at his party headquarters during Israel's general election in Jerusalem, November 2, 2022. Since the election, both he and Netanyahu have pledged to serve all citizens.

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