China
The Story
Protests are spreading across China.
What’s going on?
Over the weekend, thousands of people took to the streets in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou to protest the country’s “zero-COVID” restrictions. The demonstrations came after an apartment fire in the western Xinjiang region left 10 people dead. Many blamed China’s lockdown rules for delaying rescue efforts. Now, many are protesting (some with blank sheets of paper) and calling for an end to lockdowns. Others are demanding for Chinese President Xi Jinping to step down.
What’s the response?
Police are reportedly beating and arresting protesters — some of whom have been seen taken away on buses. The widespread dissent comes as China's hit a record number of new COVID cases in the last few days. Over the weekend, China reported nearly 40,000 new infections. Beijing has defended the policy as necessary to save lives and has doubled down on restrictions. But the tight grip continues to impact China’s economy and has ignited residents’ impatience.
theSkimm
Public protests in China are rare — especially ones spread across multiple cities. But despite the widespread anger and frustration, the government isn’t expected to let go of its grip.
And Also...This
Where defense is on display…
The World Cup. Over the weekend, the US Soccer Federation posted a picture of the Iranian flag without the Islamic Republic emblem on social media. And said it was in “support for the women in Iran.” The post comes amid months of anti-government protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death. Now, an Iranian soccer official’s calling on FIFA to issue a penalty against US soccer, reportedly saying the US “disrespected” Iran’s flag. It all comes before both teams face off in a matchup tomorrow — one the US has to win in order to advance in the tournament after tying with England on Friday. Meanwhile, Morocco’s 2-0 win over Belgium has sparked violence in Brussels. And Canada’s headed home after losing to Croatia.
What’s hitting ‘resume’...
Chevron. On Saturday, the US gave the second-largest oil company in the US a six-month license to pump oil in Venezuela — the first time in nearly three years. In 2020, the Trump admin banned the company from drilling for oil in Venezuela as part of the US’s financial sanctions against Maduro’s government. Venezuelans were already dealing with poverty, inflation as high as 1,000%, and a lack of access to basic needs like running water and electricity. Now, the Biden admin’s reversing course, as long as Maduro makes moves to restore democracy and free and fair elections. Maduro’s gov says it’ll abide by the rules and implement a humanitarian relief program. But critics worry the Trump rollback would only benefit Maduro. The move could open the door for other oil companies to do business in Venezuela. TBD if the license will address the pain at the pump. But the Biden admin said the decision is not about gas prices — which reached a record high over the summer.
Whose holiday dinner party was the most chaotic...
Former President Trump’s. Last week, he hosted Ye (aka Kanye West) at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. According to Trump, this was supposed to be a one-on-one dinner since Ye “very much wanted” to visit him. But apparently, the problem isn’t that Ye said he would go “death con 3 on Jewish people.” It’s that he brought an uninvited antisemitic plus one — a white nationalist and Holocaust denier who Trump says he didn’t know. Meanwhile, Ye maintains Trump — who has a Jewish daughter — was “really impressed” with his white nationalist friend. But that Trump began “screaming” at Ye when Ye apparently invited him to run as his veep in 2024. Trump defended the meeting and called West a “seriously troubled man” who “happens to be Black.”
Who hit a red light…
O Yeong-su. Last week, South Korean officials charged the 78-year-old “Squid Game” actor with sexual misconduct. The charges stem from a 2017 incident in which he allegedly touched a woman inappropriately. Yeong-su denies the accusation.
Who may have added to yesterday's flight delays…
Odell Beckham Jr. Yesterday, the NFL star was removed from an LA-bound flight at Miami International Airport. Police say he was “in and out of consciousness” and refused to fasten his seatbelt. His attorney said the free agent was simply asleep — while Beckham described the incident as “comedy hr.”
While Black Friday sales just hit a record…
Walmart’s celebrating its W over Amazon.
While Wednesday’s child is full of woe…
“Matilda the Musical” has us living in revolting times.
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