China's COVID infections hit record as economic outlook darkens

The Reuters Daily Briefing Thursday, November 24, 2022 by Linda Noakes Hello Here's what you need to know. The weapons industry booms as Eastern Europe arms Ukraine, Malaysia's Anwar ends a decades-long wait to become prime minister, and global regulators target crypto platforms Plus, see our full coverage of the World Cup, where Arab teams are punching above their weight and a dispute about the OneLove armband shows no signs of going away Today's biggest stories People wait to board a train bound for Kyiv at the central train station in Kherson, Ukraine, November 23, 2022. REUTERS/Murad Sezer WORLD Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy demanded the United Nations punish Russia for air strikes on civilian infrastructure, after a missile barrage caused the worst nationwide power outages yet, plunging cities into freezing darkness. Eastern Europe's arms industry is churning out guns, artillery shells and other military supplies at a pace not seen since the Cold War as governments in the region lead efforts to aid Ukraine. Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as prime minister, capping a three-decade political journey from a protege of veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad to protest leader, a prisoner convicted of sodomy and opposition leader. China reported record high COVID infections, with cities nationwide imposing localised lockdowns, mass testing and other curbs that are fueling frustration and darkening the outlook for the world's second largest economy. There is now an imminent threat of measles spreading in various regions globally, as COVID led to a steady decline in vaccination coverage and weakened surveillance of the disease, the World Health Organization and the U.S. public health agency said. The head of Brazil's electoral court Alexandre de Moraes rejected a complaint from President Jair Bolsonaro's allies to challenge the presidential election, which the incumbent lost by a small margin. U.S. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski and Democratic Representative Mary Peltola of Alaska both won reelection against opponents backed by Donald Trump, the latest high-profile defeats of candidates supported by the former president. Congressional Democrats grappled with the daunting task of reviewing six years of Trump's tax returns as Republicans prepared to take control of the House of Representatives in less than six weeks. Georgia can enforce a law banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy while the state appeals a lower court order striking it down, the state's highest court ruled. Authorities identified the people killed in a mass shooting at a Walmart store in Chesapeake, Virginia, ranging in age from a 16-year-old boy to a 70-year-old man. A manager at the store opened fire on fellow employees in a break room, killing six people before turning the gun on himself. The suspect in a mass shooting that killed five people and wounded 17 at a Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub appeared in a court hearing with obvious facial injuries, mumbling their name while slumped to the side in a wheelchair. Travelers navigate through Grand Central Terminal ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, in New York City, November 23, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid  BUSINESS A "substantial majority" of policymakers at the Federal Reserve's meeting early this month agreed it would "likely soon be appropriate" to slow the pace of interest rate hikes as debate broadened over the implications of the U.S. central bank's rapid tightening of monetary policy, according to the minutes from the session. The crash of FTX exchange has injected greater urgency into regulating the crypto sector and targeting such 'conglomerate' platforms will be the focus for 2023, the new chair of global securities watchdog IOSCO said in an interview with Reuters. Unionized truckers in South Korea kicked off their second major strike in less than six months, threatening to disrupt manufacturing and fuel supplies for industries from autos to petrochemicals in the world's 10th-largest economy. Retailers ranging from Walmart to Barnes & Noble are installing cameras or locking away items to deter shoplifters and thieves as they brace for a post-pandemic rush of holiday shoppers this year. Fiat parent Stellantis has concluded it can't currently make affordable electric vehicles in Europe and is looking at lower-cost manufacturing in markets such as India, its chief executive told reporters. Amazon UK said it would expand its electric-cargo bike fleet and make more deliveries on foot to accelerate the decarbonization of the transportation network it uses to deliver packages across the country. Spain's Ferran Torres celebrates scoring their third goal with Gavi and teammates at the Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar, November 23, 2022 REUTERS/Carl Recine  WORLD CUP 2022 Former champions Spain got their World Cup off to a pulsating start with a record 7-0 rout of Costa Rica as a Ferran Torres brace and a sumptuous strike from Gavi sent them past the 100-goal mark in soccer's showpiece event. Michy Batshuayi scored and Thibaut Courtois saved a penalty as a lackluster Belgium opened their campaign with a scrappy 1-0 win over an energetic Canada side returning to the finals for first time in 36 years. Germany have their backs to the wall after losing their opener to Japan and cannot afford another slip up against Spain on Sunday if they are to have any chance of advancing, coach Hansi Flick said. The seven countries that were prevented by FIFA from wearing 'OneLove' armbands are jointly considering their legal options, the Dutch football association said. Which team are favourites to win the World Cup? Here are the betting odds. Quote of the day "Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice" Germany players cover mouths in team photo amid armband row Video of the day Germany's oldest Christmas market opens for 588th year Striezelmarkt has been a staple of the festive season each year since 1434. And finally… Aztec dig sets new records as royal mystery deepens An extensive cache of Aztec ritual offerings found underneath downtown Mexico City, off the steps of what would have been the empire's holiest shrine, provides new insight into pre-Hispanic political propaganda. 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