Chinese citizen can finally heave a sigh of relief slowly but surely China appear to be progressing towards easing its Covid curbs. A small departure from Beijing's strict Covid policy, something which had frustrated the Chinese citizens over a long period of time.

China Covid: Covid-19 curbs eased further; no longer mandatory negative tests in Shenzhen, Beijing

A group of Australian MPs will be leaving on December 4 for a five-day visit to Taiwan. The unofficial bipartisan trip will be the first such visit in more than three years since the Covid pandemic. The details of the visit was confirmed by the spokesperson.

Six Australian lawmakers to visit Taiwan; trip to be first such visit in 3 years since Covid

After days of large scale protests, more and more Chinese cities are easing Covid curbs but there are concerns renewed surge in the fresh Covid-19 cases and its impact on the Chinese medical system. The concerns stem from lower vaccination and booster rates and on top of it US intel says China is unwilling to accept western vaccines.

China: Xi 'unwilling' to accept western vaccines?

<p>The past week saw protests rage across China, as in a rare outpouring of anger citizens across the country took to the streets protesting against the nation's stringent zero-covid policy and restrictions. To pacify the protestors, Beijing hinted at the loosening of pandemic controls, but now the nation faces another looming problem; cash deficit.</p>

<p>As per a CNN report, local Chinese governments, which were charged with conducting mass testing and enforcing quarantine to keep infection at bay, are now running short on cash. To deal with the problem, they may be forced to cut corners or reduce other vital services.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;China Covid: Covid-19 curbs eased further; no longer mandatory negative tests in Shenzhen, Beijing</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-covid-covid-19-curbs-eased-further-no-longer-mandatory-negative-tests-in-shenzhen-beijing-539797/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>China's zero-Covid policy which has been in place for almost three years now has negatively affected the nation's business and economy, While the policy kept China out of recession in 2020, after nearly three years the bills "are mounting", says the report. The bills have placed an extraordinary strain on the nation's municipal authorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Talking to CNN business, George Magnus, an associate at the China Centre at Oxford University predicted that if lockdowns and mass testing continue, the risk to the nation's financial stability will increase.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-unwilling-to-allow-effective-foreign-covid-vaccine-despite-the-protests-us-539816">China unwilling to allow 'effective' foreign COVID vaccine despite the protests: US</a></strong></p>

<p>"Local governments are under huge pressure from the cost of maintaining zero-Covid, and we can already see this in the debt sustainability of several entities and [in] instances where public services are being scaled back, local assets or services sold and so on."</p>

<p>Compared to the federal government, local governments are more at risk because their income is mainly dependent on land sales. According to data from China's Ministry of Finance, they borrowed heavily to fund their expenditures of 11.8 trillion yuan ($1.65 trillion), which were higher than their revenue collections between January and October.</p>

<p>China's economic health is directly threatened by the nation's soaring debt levels. It not only raises the possibility of municipalities going into default on their debts, but it also limits the government's capacity to promote economic growth, maintain jobs, and strengthen public services.</p>

<p><strong>Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-china-looks-to-loosen-some-covid-curbs-guangzhou-calls-virus-symptoms-flu-like-539731">As China loosens some Covid curbs, Guangzhou official says virus now ‘less virulent than flu’</a></strong></p>

<p>As per the report, around 40 per cent of local government expenditure in previous years has been funded by land sales. However, due to the slump in the housing market, this revenue has suffered.</p>

<p>Between January and October 2022, land sales fell by 26 per cent and are on pace to experience their first decline in seven years.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, as per official data, the spending on Covid-related healthcare soared by 13 per cent to reach $245 billion or 1.75 trillion yuan.</p>

<p>Compulsory testing which was largely government-funded has hit treasuries and many cities across the country while maintaining the mandatory negative test have now asked the citizens to pay for the tests.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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The past week saw protests rage across China, as in a rare outpouring of anger citizens across the country took to the streets protesting against the nation's stringent zero-covid policy and restrictions.

The past week saw protests rage across China, as in a rare outpouring of anger citizens across the country took to the streets protesting against the nation's stringent zero-covid policy and restrictions. To pacify the protestors, Beijing hinted at the loosening of pandemic controls, but now the nation faces another looming problem; cash deficit. As per a CNN report, local Chinese governments, which were charged with conducting mass testing and enforcing quarantine to keep infection at bay, are now running short on cash. To deal with the problem, they may be forced to cut corners or reduce other vital services. Also read | China Covid: Covid-19 curbs eased further; no longer mandatory negative tests in Shenzhen, Beijing China's zero-Covid policy which has been in place for almost three years now has negatively affected the nation's business and economy, While the policy kept China out of recession in 2020, after nearly three years the bills "are mounting", says the report. The bills have placed an extraordinary strain on the nation's municipal authorities. Talking to CNN business, George Magnus, an associate at the China Centre at Oxford University predicted that if lockdowns and mass testing continue, the risk to the nation's financial stability will increase. Also read | China unwilling to allow 'effective' foreign COVID vaccine despite the protests: US "Local governments are under huge pressure from the cost of maintaining zero-Covid, and we can already see this in the debt sustainability of several entities and [in] instances where public services are being scaled back, local assets or services sold and so on." Compared to the federal government, local governments are more at risk because their income is mainly dependent on land sales. According to data from China's Ministry of Finance, they borrowed heavily to fund their expenditures of 11.8 trillion yuan ($1.65 trillion), which were higher than their revenue collections between January and October. China's economic health is directly threatened by the nation's soaring debt levels. It not only raises the possibility of municipalities going into default on their debts, but it also limits the government's capacity to promote economic growth, maintain jobs, and strengthen public services. Also read | As China loosens some Covid curbs, Guangzhou official says virus now ‘less virulent than flu’ As per the report, around 40 per cent of local government expenditure in previous years has been funded by land sales. However, due to the slump in the housing market, this revenue has suffered. Between January and October 2022, land sales fell by 26 per cent and are on pace to experience their first decline in seven years. Meanwhile, as per official data, the spending on Covid-related healthcare soared by 13 per cent to reach $245 billion or 1.75 trillion yuan. Compulsory testing which was largely government-funded has hit treasuries and many cities across the country while maintaining the mandatory negative test have now asked the citizens to pay for the tests. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Almost three years of zero-Covid policy takes its toll on China's coffers; local govt cash strapped

<p>United States officials on Saturday said that even though&nbsp;China is facing challenges and public anger that is translating into protests against restrictions, the nation's leader Xi Jinping is still unwilling to accept Western vaccines.</p>

<p>In China, a near all-time high number of daily COVID-19 cases have triggered massive protests, with people pouring into streets protesting the nation's strict restrictions under the Zero-Covid policy.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;China Covid: Covid-19 curbs eased further; no longer mandatory negative tests in Shenzhen, Beijing</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-covid-covid-19-curbs-eased-further-no-longer-mandatory-negative-tests-in-shenzhen-beijing-539797/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>However, despite the social and economic impact of the virus, Xi "is unwilling to take a better vaccine from the West, and is instead relying on a vaccine made in China that's just not nearly as effective against Omicron," said US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.</p>

<p>"Seeing protests and the response to it is countering the narrative that he likes to put forward, which is that China is so much more effective at government," Haines said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-china-looks-to-loosen-some-covid-curbs-guangzhou-calls-virus-symptoms-flu-like-539731">As China loosens some Covid curbs, Guangzhou official says virus now ‘less virulent than flu’</a></strong></p>

<p>It's nothing that we now consider to pose a threat to stability or to a regime transition, she continued, adding that its course will be crucial to "Xi's standing".</p>

<p>According to experts, lowering virus preventive measures could have significant risks.</p>

<p>Even though China's domestically produced COVID vaccines&nbsp;may not be as effective as some foreign ones, the nation has chosen not to approve any overseas coronavirus vaccines in favour of those made there.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-chinas-stringent-zero-covid-restrictions-spark-protests-across-the-country-538231">In Pics | China’s strict ‘zero-Covid’ restrictions spark protests; other countries join in solidarity</a></strong></p>

<p>The White House said earlier this week that China had not requested vaccines from the US, and one official told Reuters that there was "no expectation at present" that the country would allow western vaccines.</p>

<p>"It seems fairly far-fetched that China would greenlight Western vaccines at this point. It's a matter of national pride, and they'd have to swallow quite a bit of it if they went this route," said the official.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


United States officials on Saturday said that even though China is facing challenges and public anger that is translating into protests against restrictions, the nation's leader Xi Jinping is still unwilling to accept Western vaccines.

United States officials on Saturday said that even though China is facing challenges and public anger that is translating into protests against restrictions, the nation's leader Xi Jinping is still unwilling to accept Western vaccines. In China, a near all-time high number of daily COVID-19 cases have triggered massive protests, with people pouring into streets protesting the nation's strict restrictions under the Zero-Covid policy. Also read | China Covid: Covid-19 curbs eased further; no longer mandatory negative tests in Shenzhen, Beijing However, despite the social and economic impact of the virus, Xi "is unwilling to take a better vaccine from the West, and is instead relying on a vaccine made in China that's just not nearly as effective against Omicron," said US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines. "Seeing protests and the response to it is countering the narrative that he likes to put forward, which is that China is so much more effective at government," Haines said. Also read | As China loosens some Covid curbs, Guangzhou official says virus now ‘less virulent than flu’ It's nothing that we now consider to pose a threat to stability or to a regime transition, she continued, adding that its course will be crucial to "Xi's standing". According to experts, lowering virus preventive measures could have significant risks. Even though China's domestically produced COVID vaccines may not be as effective as some foreign ones, the nation has chosen not to approve any overseas coronavirus vaccines in favour of those made there. Also read | In Pics | China’s strict ‘zero-Covid’ restrictions spark protests; other countries join in solidarity The White House said earlier this week that China had not requested vaccines from the US, and one official told Reuters that there was "no expectation at present" that the country would allow western vaccines. "It seems fairly far-fetched that China would greenlight Western vaccines at this point. It's a matter of national pride, and they'd have to swallow quite a bit of it if they went this route," said the official. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China’s vaccine not ‘effective’ against Omicron, Xi still not allowing better foreign ones: US

Chinese citizen can finally heave a sigh of relief slowly but surely China appear to be progressing towards easing its Covid curbs. A small departure from Beijing's strict Covid policy, something which had frustrated the Chinese citizens over a long period of time. But should China end its zero-Covid policy?

WION Wideangle: Should China end its zero-Covid policy? | WION Shorts

The indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to excess deaths for a long time. Lockdowns affected checkups and treatment for other diseases. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: The indirect impact of COVID

China: protests erupt over Zero Covid policy. Mass Layoffs grip the tech world. With Ukraine-Russia War causing food shortages, and Britain seeing a slumping economy, are we entering a Global Recession? Find out with WION Wideangle.

WION Wideangle | Global Recession: Imminent?

<p>In the latest, Chinese authorities have initiated the highest “emergency response” level of censorship, which includes a crackdown on VPNs and other methods of bypassing online censorship. In Athens, two explosive devices were aimed at vehicles belonging to the Italian embassy on Friday; one of the explosives detonated, according to Greek police, but no casualties were reported. Furthermore,&nbsp;Elon Musk suspends Kanye West from Twitter for inciting violence.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Click on the headline to read more.</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-implement-emergency-level-censorship-over-zero-covid-protests-report-539404">China to implement ‘emergency’ level censorship over zero-Covid protests: Report</a></p>

<p><img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ee9ff5f-9378-4abc-9fac-6064196430f0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/63908274_401.jpg" /></p>

<p>The Chinese government has decided to implement the highest “emergency response” level of censorship in the wake of the Covid protests, according to leaked directives accessed by AFP.&nbsp;According to the news agency, the government is expected to restrict VPNs and any other methods of bypassing the online censorship. Social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat have become the preferred move of communication for protesters and although the Chinese authorities have kept a tight watch of them, users have found a way to access foreign sites through VPNs.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/shehbaz-sharif-condemns-assassination-attempt-on-pakistans-head-of-mission-to-afghanistan-in-kabul-539484">'Assassination attempt': PM Shehbaz Sharif condemns attack on Pakistan's mission head in Afghanistan</a></p>

<p><img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="81eae27f-5d4d-49fe-8f33-7134df25839d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Shahbaz_sharif_file_1200x768_0.jpeg" /></p>

<p>Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned a "dastardly assassination attempt" on Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan in Kabul on Friday (December 2).&nbsp;WION broke the news before Sharif tweeted, demanding&nbsp;an immediate investigation&nbsp;against those who were involved.&nbsp;Sharif took wrote: "I strongly condemn dastardly assassination attempt on &nbsp;Head of Mission, Kabul." "Salute to brave security guard, who took bullet to save his life. Prayers for the swift recovery of security guard," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-barack-obama-pauses-his-speech-to-let-a-four-year-old-speak-at-atlanta-rally-539430">Barack Obama pauses his speech to let a four-year-old speak at Atlanta rally</a></p>

<p><img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ebfc6404-c292-4b72-b34b-041a1173fd0a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/400%20%282%29.jpeg" /></p>

<p>Barack Obama, the former president of the United States, paused his own speech in Atlanta so a four-year-old could say a few words. Obama and Senator Raphael Warnock pushed Democratic voters to continue pushing an apparent head start in early voting in the Georgia Senate race against Republican Herschel Walker as the former president spoke at a rally in Atlanta and was interrupted&nbsp;by a young boy, as per a CNN report.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italian-embassy-cars-targeted-by-homemade-bombs-in-athens-says-greek-police-539488">Italian embassy cars targeted by homemade bombs in Athens, says Greek police</a></p>

<p><img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8d3a688c-12c6-4e51-9bd3-30fa7c826183" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/AA14Pq9I.jpeg" /></p>

<p>The Greek police said on Friday that two explosive devices targeted cars belonging to the Italian embassy in Athens. The police added that no has claimed responsibility of the attacks and no injuries were caused. The local police will be conducting their investigation into the matter and the Greek authorities will also collaborate with the embassy staff to understand the complete situation.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;After-effects of Covid-19 lockdown: Heart disease deaths spiked during Coronavirus</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/after-effects-of-covid-19-lockdown-heart-disease-deaths-spiked-during-coronavirus-539415/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-to-penalise-sex-outside-marriage-as-part-of-criminal-code-revision-539475">Indonesia to penalise sex outside marriage as part of criminal code revision</a></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6fd39d3b-4d72-4f26-bcb1-4603095a43ed" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/CEF2OISGIZLTJHQMQE7FC5YB4Y.jpg" /></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Indonesian officials have confirmed that a new criminal code that would penalise having sex outside of marriage with up to a year in jail is scheduled to be passed by Indonesia's parliament this month. In addition, criticising the president or state institutions, as well as expressing any opinions at odds with Indonesia's official ideology, will be prohibited by the legislative revision.&nbsp;The new criminal code, which has been in the works for decades, is anticipated to be approved on 15 December, according to Indonesia's deputy justice minister, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej.&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><strong>WATCH | Why have Syria Kurds halted all joint counter-terrorism operations with the US-led coalition?</strong></div>

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-has-syria-kurds-halted-all-joint-counter-terrorism-operations-with-the-us-led-coalition-539401/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">'<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/catastrophic-situation-icu-doctors-in-germany-alarmed-over-rsv-cases-amid-paediatric-bed-shortage-539406">Catastrophic situation': ICU doctors in Germany alarmed over RSV cases’ spike, paediatric bed shortage</a></div>

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4a97f44f-abb7-439f-a6c1-2d28fa157bde" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/VULIRLCSDDUJ2T4SJLO6J5LCVE.jpg" /></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Intensive care unit doctors in Germany said on Thursday that because of the rising cases of respiratory infections among infants, there is a massive strain on the hospital paediatric units across the nation.&nbsp;As per the intensive care association DIVI, the hospitals in the country are facing a "catastrophic situation" because of the surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases, along with a shortage of nurses.&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><strong>WATCH | Elon Musk suspends Kanye West's Twitter account after rapper posts Swastika image</strong></div>

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-suspends-kanye-wests-twitter-account-after-rapper-posts-swastika-image-539387/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-rejects-joe-bidens-terms-for-ukraine-talks-says-offensive-will-continue-539410">Russia rejects Joe Biden's terms for Ukraine talks, says offensive will continue</a></div>

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><img alt="picture" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4519e4b6-066e-47c4-83ed-bef5f19fe986" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1024px-Vladimir_Putin_in_Ukraine_April_2011-5_1.jpeg" /></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Russia has rejected the terms laid down by United States president Joe Biden for Ukraine talks with Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin said that the Russian offensive will continue in Ukraine despite losing some ground and under the present circumstances, they are not ready for any negotiation.</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>


In the latest, Chinese authorities have initiated the highest “emergency response” level of censorship, which includes a crackdown on VPNs and other methods of bypassing online censorship.

In the latest, Chinese authorities have initiated the highest “emergency response” level of censorship, which includes a crackdown on VPNs and other methods of bypassing online censorship. In Athens, two explosive devices were aimed at vehicles belonging to the Italian embassy on Friday; one of the explosives detonated, according to Greek police, but no casualties were reported. Furthermore, Elon Musk suspends Kanye West from Twitter for inciting violence. Click on the headline to read more. China to implement ‘emergency’ level censorship over zero-Covid protests: Report The Chinese government has decided to implement the highest “emergency response” level of censorship in the wake of the Covid protests, according to leaked directives accessed by AFP. According to the news agency, the government is expected to restrict VPNs and any other methods of bypassing the online censorship. Social media platforms like Weibo and WeChat have become the preferred move of communication for protesters and although the Chinese authorities have kept a tight watch of them, users have found a way to access foreign sites through VPNs. 'Assassination attempt': PM Shehbaz Sharif condemns attack on Pakistan's mission head in Afghanistan Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned a "dastardly assassination attempt" on Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan in Kabul on Friday (December 2). WION broke the news before Sharif tweeted, demanding an immediate investigation against those who were involved. Sharif took wrote: "I strongly condemn dastardly assassination attempt on Head of Mission, Kabul." "Salute to brave security guard, who took bullet to save his life. Prayers for the swift recovery of security guard," he added. Barack Obama pauses his speech to let a four-year-old speak at Atlanta rally Barack Obama, the former president of the United States, paused his own speech in Atlanta so a four-year-old could say a few words. Obama and Senator Raphael Warnock pushed Democratic voters to continue pushing an apparent head start in early voting in the Georgia Senate race against Republican Herschel Walker as the former president spoke at a rally in Atlanta and was interrupted by a young boy, as per a CNN report. Italian embassy cars targeted by homemade bombs in Athens, says Greek police The Greek police said on Friday that two explosive devices targeted cars belonging to the Italian embassy in Athens. The police added that no has claimed responsibility of the attacks and no injuries were caused. The local police will be conducting their investigation into the matter and the Greek authorities will also collaborate with the embassy staff to understand the complete situation. WATCH | After-effects of Covid-19 lockdown: Heart disease deaths spiked during Coronavirus Indonesia to penalise sex outside marriage as part of criminal code revision Indonesian officials have confirmed that a new criminal code that would penalise having sex outside of marriage with up to a year in jail is scheduled to be passed by Indonesia's parliament this month. In addition, criticising the president or state institutions, as well as expressing any opinions at odds with Indonesia's official ideology, will be prohibited by the legislative revision. The new criminal code, which has been in the works for decades, is anticipated to be approved on 15 December, according to Indonesia's deputy justice minister, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej. WATCH | Why have Syria Kurds halted all joint counter-terrorism operations with the US-led coalition? 'Catastrophic situation': ICU doctors in Germany alarmed over RSV cases’ spike, paediatric bed shortage Intensive care unit doctors in Germany said on Thursday that because of the rising cases of respiratory infections among infants, there is a massive strain on the hospital paediatric units across the nation. As per the intensive care association DIVI, the hospitals in the country are facing a "catastrophic situation" because of the surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases, along with a shortage of nurses. WATCH | Elon Musk suspends Kanye West's Twitter account after rapper posts Swastika image Russia rejects Joe Biden's terms for Ukraine talks, says offensive will continue Russia has rejected the terms laid down by United States president Joe Biden for Ukraine talks with Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin said that the Russian offensive will continue in Ukraine despite losing some ground and under the present circumstances, they are not ready for any negotiation.

Top 10 world news: China brings in censorship over zero-Covid protests, Obama's Atlanta speech, & more

England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has warned that the UK might witness a spike in deaths from heart attacks and cancer. You might be wondering that this is a threat from long Covid but no, the increase in number of deaths is due to heart diseases is because of the collateral effects of Covid lockdown.

After-effects of Covid-19 lockdown: Heart disease deaths spiked during Coronavirus

HSBC will close 114 more branches in the UK from April 2023. This move comes after their customers have fallen significantly since the pandemic. Bank claims that they would try to redeploy affected staff but about 100 will lose their jobs.

World Business Watch | HSBC to close 114 UK bank branches from April 2023

The Chinese government has decided soften their COVID-19 restrictions as part of the Zero-Covid initiative as Beijing will allow some infected people to isolate at home.

WION Dispatch: China eases Covid restrictions in Beijing, hints at possible change in stance

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3f2e6aea-726e-4832-afab-e5b44067d0e3}{142}" paraid="16194676" >The Chinese government has decided to ease COVID-19 restrictions as part of the Zero-Covid initiative as Beijing will allow some infected people to isolate at home. The Chaoyang district – one of the most densely populated districts – will be the first place where the concessions will be tested and according to a report on Bloomberg, the infected individuals will not have to travel to government quarantine sites. This will be a massive step for the authorities after the cities of Guangzhou and Chongqing announced an easing of restrictions in the aftermath of widespread protests.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3f2e6aea-726e-4832-afab-e5b44067d0e3}{142}" paraid="16194676" >Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-reports-5006-covid-cases-as-china-stumbles-through-worst-outbreak-538948">Beijing reports 5,006 Covid cases as China stumbles through worst outbreak</a></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4c0bf0c0-7456-4040-9319-12c084cdc6a8}{190}" paraid="160224378" >In the past few days, several cities saw protests in opposition to the fresh set of restrictions and some of them even turned violent in Guangzhou as the police clashed with protesters on the streets. It has also promoted responses from the United States and Canada who urged China to not use any kind of force against the protesters.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{05c0c6ba-1b92-4dae-a1b4-7c5196e90789}{17}" paraid="495839274" >The new rules reportedly will allow people to quarantine at home after signing a letter committing to not going outside during the period and having a sensor fitted on their doors. However, there will be some respite for the elderly or pregnant women who will find it difficult to travel to a facility.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a3dc6838-efc3-4b02-a74a-dff898f275e6}{63}" paraid="1357732345" >While the announcement will come as good news for the citizens, the number of COVID-19 cases in the Chinese capital continue to rise. On Wednesday, Beijing recorded 5006 cases – most in recent times.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a3dc6838-efc3-4b02-a74a-dff898f275e6}{63}" paraid="1357732345" >Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-asks-elon-musk-to-visit-ukraine-before-making-peace-overtures-538990">Zelensky urges Elon Musk to visit Ukraine before proposing peace</a></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{763c3612-2d4f-43ae-8a79-8849c2e0f166}{105}" paraid="147566488" >Outgoing Vice Premier Sun Chunlan met national health officials and said that the country is “new stage and mission” as the government may look to alter its course slightly on the Covid issue&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ad259ef4-8da4-4d42-9991-66d21f61f0c9}{110}" paraid="166768162" >“As the omicron variant becomes less pathogenic, more people get vaccinated and our experience in Covid prevention accumulates, our fight against the pandemic is at a new stage and it comes with new tasks,” she said during the meeting, according to state media outlet Xinhua.&nbsp;</p>

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The Chinese government has decided to ease COVID-19 restrictions as part of the Zero-Covid initiative as Beijing will allow some infected people to isolate at home.

The Chinese government has decided to ease COVID-19 restrictions as part of the Zero-Covid initiative as Beijing will allow some infected people to isolate at home. The Chaoyang district – one of the most densely populated districts – will be the first place where the concessions will be tested and according to a report on Bloomberg, the infected individuals will not have to travel to government quarantine sites. This will be a massive step for the authorities after the cities of Guangzhou and Chongqing announced an easing of restrictions in the aftermath of widespread protests. Also read | Beijing reports 5,006 Covid cases as China stumbles through worst outbreak In the past few days, several cities saw protests in opposition to the fresh set of restrictions and some of them even turned violent in Guangzhou as the police clashed with protesters on the streets. It has also promoted responses from the United States and Canada who urged China to not use any kind of force against the protesters. The new rules reportedly will allow people to quarantine at home after signing a letter committing to not going outside during the period and having a sensor fitted on their doors. However, there will be some respite for the elderly or pregnant women who will find it difficult to travel to a facility. While the announcement will come as good news for the citizens, the number of COVID-19 cases in the Chinese capital continue to rise. On Wednesday, Beijing recorded 5006 cases – most in recent times. Also read | Zelensky urges Elon Musk to visit Ukraine before proposing peace Outgoing Vice Premier Sun Chunlan met national health officials and said that the country is “new stage and mission” as the government may look to alter its course slightly on the Covid issue “As the omicron variant becomes less pathogenic, more people get vaccinated and our experience in Covid prevention accumulates, our fight against the pandemic is at a new stage and it comes with new tasks,” she said during the meeting, according to state media outlet Xinhua.

China eases Covid restrictions in Beijing, hints at possible change in stance: Report

<p>With China's tough Covid directives and travel restrictions discouraging gamblers, this year will go down as a particularly bad year for the gambling business in Macau,&nbsp;says a Bloomberg report. Casino revenue plummeted 56 per cent from November, 2021 to 3 billion patacas ($374 million), according to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, which released its report on Thursday. With that, revenue from January through November was 38.7 billion patacas, which is a significant decrease from the 270 billion patacas earned during the same time period in 2019, pre-pandemic.&nbsp;Analysts had anticipated a 47 per cent&nbsp;dip&nbsp;in revenue to 3.6 billion patacas in November compared to the same month last year.</p>

<h2><strong>What's causing the economic fallout?</strong></h2>

<p>Tourist numbers in Macau are still substantially below pre-pandemic levels. Around 2.9 million people arrived in October 2021,&nbsp;compared to 5,80,000 in October of this year. This is due to China's continued strict compliance to zzero-Covid&nbsp;policies, that proved futile for Macau's&nbsp; economy&nbsp;because the mainland is its primary tourist attraction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Macau still remains inaccessible to people from other countries, but transit between Macau and mainland China is not subject to quarantine. Five days of hotel isolation&nbsp;is mandatory for visitors from Hong Kong.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-president-xi-meets-eu-chief-charles-michel-says-china-hopes-for-fair-and-transparent-ties-539017">Chinese President Xi meets EU chief Charles Michel, says China hopes for fair and transparent ties</a></p>

<p>To contain a minor flare-up, Macau conducted widespread Covid testing and shut down a significant casino resort in late October, which had an adverse impact on tourism.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><strong>Also WATCH |&nbsp;Canada's Trudeau expresses support for lockdown protesters in China</strong></div>

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<p>The Chinese government cracked down on junkets in Macau, the only region in Greater China where casinos are permitted, and as a result, the tourists who are visiting are also spending less money.</p>

<p>Since March of this year, when omicron spread throughout China, Macau's casino income has been consistently falling. In July, when the city experienced its worst outbreak and went into lockdown for two weeks, it fell to a record low, leaving casinos with little to no income.&nbsp; Long-term prospects for the six casinos in Macau are improved owing to the recent renewal of their operation licences for an additional 10 years. Beginning in 2023, the new permits will be in force.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following the announcement of renewed licencing on 26th November, a Bloomberg Intelligence index of Macau casino operators increased by 56 per cent in November. The index has increased 30 per cent only this week. In November, the benchmark Hang Seng Index increased by 27 per cent&nbsp;</p>

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With China's tough Covid directives and travel restrictions discouraging gamblers, this year will go down as a particularly bad year for the gambling business in Macau, says a Bloomberg report.

With China's tough Covid directives and travel restrictions discouraging gamblers, this year will go down as a particularly bad year for the gambling business in Macau, says a Bloomberg report. Casino revenue plummeted 56 per cent from November, 2021 to 3 billion patacas ($374 million), according to the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, which released its report on Thursday. With that, revenue from January through November was 38.7 billion patacas, which is a significant decrease from the 270 billion patacas earned during the same time period in 2019, pre-pandemic. Analysts had anticipated a 47 per cent dip in revenue to 3.6 billion patacas in November compared to the same month last year. What's causing the economic fallout? Tourist numbers in Macau are still substantially below pre-pandemic levels. Around 2.9 million people arrived in October 2021, compared to 5,80,000 in October of this year. This is due to China's continued strict compliance to zzero-Covid policies, that proved futile for Macau's economy because the mainland is its primary tourist attraction. Macau still remains inaccessible to people from other countries, but transit between Macau and mainland China is not subject to quarantine. Five days of hotel isolation is mandatory for visitors from Hong Kong. Also read | Chinese President Xi meets EU chief Charles Michel, says China hopes for fair and transparent ties To contain a minor flare-up, Macau conducted widespread Covid testing and shut down a significant casino resort in late October, which had an adverse impact on tourism. Also WATCH | Canada's Trudeau expresses support for lockdown protesters in China The Chinese government cracked down on junkets in Macau, the only region in Greater China where casinos are permitted, and as a result, the tourists who are visiting are also spending less money. Since March of this year, when omicron spread throughout China, Macau's casino income has been consistently falling. In July, when the city experienced its worst outbreak and went into lockdown for two weeks, it fell to a record low, leaving casinos with little to no income. Long-term prospects for the six casinos in Macau are improved owing to the recent renewal of their operation licences for an additional 10 years. Beginning in 2023, the new permits will be in force. Following the announcement of renewed licencing on 26th November, a Bloomberg Intelligence index of Macau casino operators increased by 56 per cent in November. The index has increased 30 per cent only this week. In November, the benchmark Hang Seng Index increased by 27 per cent WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Macau casinos face their worst year ever as Covid restrictions discourage gamblers

<p>Unemployment levels hit a record low&nbsp;in the&nbsp;eurozone, at 6.5 percent in October, the EU's Eurostat statistics office said on Thursday. The figure, which was the lowest since Eurostat began tracking unemployment rates in April 1998, showed that the 19 EU nations&nbsp;that use the currency, Euro had recovered economically from the Covid pandemic. Compared to the 7.3 per cent recorded a year ago, the seasonally adjusted unemployment&nbsp;rate was significantly lower.</p>

<p>In October, 12.95 million or six per cent of the working-age population in the 27-nation European Union, were reported to be unemployed, with 10.87 million of them living in the eurozone itself.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While all The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) economies, with the exception of Britain, a former member of the EU, have recovered to their pre-pandemic size, the recovery is being slowed down by global headwinds. The European Commission predicts that the eurozone will enter a recession in the next weeks.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/macau-casinos-to-face-their-worst-year-ever-due-to-covid-restrictions-539092">Macau casinos to face their worst year ever due to Covid restrictions</a></p>

<p>Despite declining in the most recent report on Wednesday, inflation is still running high at 10 per cent, which is more than the ECB's goal rate of two&nbsp;per cent. This is partly due to rising energy prices sparked by the consequences of Russia's war in Ukraine.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;India's GDP growth shrinks to 6.3%; The Agriculture sector grows 4.6%</strong></p>

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<p>According to a Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey released by S&amp;P Global, business activity has been dropping for five months in a row, however the rate of decline moderated in November. As per Eurostat, young people had the highest unemployment rates in the EU and its eurozone, at 15.1 per cent and 15.0 percent, respectively.&nbsp; Germany, which has the largest economy in the eurozone, had an unemployment rate of 3.0 percent, down from 3.3 percent in October 2021. It decreased from 7.6 percent a year earlier to 7.1 percent in France, the second-largest economy.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Unemployment levels hit a record low in the eurozone, at 6.5 percent in October, the EU's Eurostat statistics office said on Thursday. The figure, which was the lowest since Eurostat began tracking unemployment rates in April 1998, showed that the 19 EU nations that use the currency, Euro had recovered economically from the Covid pandemic.

Unemployment levels hit a record low in the eurozone, at 6.5 percent in October, the EU's Eurostat statistics office said on Thursday. The figure, which was the lowest since Eurostat began tracking unemployment rates in April 1998, showed that the 19 EU nations that use the currency, Euro had recovered economically from the Covid pandemic. Compared to the 7.3 per cent recorded a year ago, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was significantly lower. In October, 12.95 million or six per cent of the working-age population in the 27-nation European Union, were reported to be unemployed, with 10.87 million of them living in the eurozone itself. While all The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) economies, with the exception of Britain, a former member of the EU, have recovered to their pre-pandemic size, the recovery is being slowed down by global headwinds. The European Commission predicts that the eurozone will enter a recession in the next weeks. Also read | Macau casinos to face their worst year ever due to Covid restrictions Despite declining in the most recent report on Wednesday, inflation is still running high at 10 per cent, which is more than the ECB's goal rate of two per cent. This is partly due to rising energy prices sparked by the consequences of Russia's war in Ukraine. WATCH | India's GDP growth shrinks to 6.3%; The Agriculture sector grows 4.6% According to a Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey released by S&P Global, business activity has been dropping for five months in a row, however the rate of decline moderated in November. As per Eurostat, young people had the highest unemployment rates in the EU and its eurozone, at 15.1 per cent and 15.0 percent, respectively. Germany, which has the largest economy in the eurozone, had an unemployment rate of 3.0 percent, down from 3.3 percent in October 2021. It decreased from 7.6 percent a year earlier to 7.1 percent in France, the second-largest economy. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Eurozone unemployment drops to all-time low; post-pandemic recovery slowed by global headwinds

<p>In what may become a global landmark and inspire people in other robust democracies to seek reversal of unjust impositions by governments during the coronavirus pandemic, the Australian state of New South Wales has revoked 33,000 Covid fines totaling more than AUS$ 30 million.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Those who have already paid the fines will be refunded the amount.</p>

<p>NSW was forced to cancel the Covid-era fines after an adverse court ruling in a test case by Redfern Legal Centre (RLC), which argued that police did not provide enough details about the offence, which is a breach of the Fines Act. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Yet, the government, instead of resisting the case for cancellation of Covid-19 fines, accepted the principle of the test case in two other cases pending before the court. And in what may even be commendable, extended the benefit of the principle to withdraw a total of 33,121 fines, out of the total 62,138 Covid-19 related fines issued. NSW was compelled to concede that the AUS$30m collected in fines for so-called “breaches” of Covid-era public health orders were “too vague”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The case filed in public interest by RLC, the judiciary’s pathbreaking order and the executive’s response and prompt action are, in these times, exemplary institutional conduct. Neither the judiciary nor the executive saw it as a prestige issue. The government could have let the other two cases go on and waited for similar orders; and, worse, it could have resisted extending the benefit of the spirit and underlying principle of the court’s order to 33,000 others. That fact that it did not do so, for whatever reason, is worthy of emulation when people, especially those in financial distress, are involved.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It remains to be seen whether NSW scraps the fines on 29,000 others, too; or it chooses to force another legal contest over dubious fines for breach of vague “pandemic restrictions”, which may not hold up in court. &nbsp;</p>

<p>It would be interesting to see the aftermath: such as, whether the principle of undoing the injustice of dubious fines is taken up in other Australian states; or the federal government headed by&nbsp;Prime Minister Anthony Albanese steps in to ensure country-wide relief in this matter.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court ruling and the NSW reversal of the fines come at a time when the Australian parliament made history with its censure of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison for taking advantage of Covid conditions to secretly grab several ministerial posts between March 2020 and May 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>If the parliamentary censure was a first for a former PM, so was his conduct. As Prime Minister Albanese succinctly put it: “This is the sort of tin-pot activity we would ridicule if it was in a non-democratic country. Scott Morrison was running a shadow government”. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The censure was preceded by an enquiry into what Albanese had described as “extraordinary” and “unprecedented trashing of our democracy”. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Parliament is expected to follow up the censure by changing the law to ensure that ministerial appointments are made public.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)&nbsp;</strong></em></p>

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In what may become a global landmark and inspire people in other robust democracies to seek reversal of unjust impositions by governments during the coronavirus pandemic, the Australian state of New South Wales has revoked 33,000 Covid fines totaling more than AUS$ 30 million.

In what may become a global landmark and inspire people in other robust democracies to seek reversal of unjust impositions by governments during the coronavirus pandemic, the Australian state of New South Wales has revoked 33,000 Covid fines totaling more than AUS$ 30 million. Those who have already paid the fines will be refunded the amount. NSW was forced to cancel the Covid-era fines after an adverse court ruling in a test case by Redfern Legal Centre (RLC), which argued that police did not provide enough details about the offence, which is a breach of the Fines Act. Yet, the government, instead of resisting the case for cancellation of Covid-19 fines, accepted the principle of the test case in two other cases pending before the court. And in what may even be commendable, extended the benefit of the principle to withdraw a total of 33,121 fines, out of the total 62,138 Covid-19 related fines issued. NSW was compelled to concede that the AUS$30m collected in fines for so-called “breaches” of Covid-era public health orders were “too vague”. The case filed in public interest by RLC, the judiciary’s pathbreaking order and the executive’s response and prompt action are, in these times, exemplary institutional conduct. Neither the judiciary nor the executive saw it as a prestige issue. The government could have let the other two cases go on and waited for similar orders; and, worse, it could have resisted extending the benefit of the spirit and underlying principle of the court’s order to 33,000 others. That fact that it did not do so, for whatever reason, is worthy of emulation when people, especially those in financial distress, are involved. It remains to be seen whether NSW scraps the fines on 29,000 others, too; or it chooses to force another legal contest over dubious fines for breach of vague “pandemic restrictions”, which may not hold up in court. It would be interesting to see the aftermath: such as, whether the principle of undoing the injustice of dubious fines is taken up in other Australian states; or the federal government headed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese steps in to ensure country-wide relief in this matter. The court ruling and the NSW reversal of the fines come at a time when the Australian parliament made history with its censure of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison for taking advantage of Covid conditions to secretly grab several ministerial posts between March 2020 and May 2021. If the parliamentary censure was a first for a former PM, so was his conduct. As Prime Minister Albanese succinctly put it: “This is the sort of tin-pot activity we would ridicule if it was in a non-democratic country. Scott Morrison was running a shadow government”. The censure was preceded by an enquiry into what Albanese had described as “extraordinary” and “unprecedented trashing of our democracy”. Parliament is expected to follow up the censure by changing the law to ensure that ministerial appointments are made public. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

WION Spotlight | Courting justice: Australia scraps Covid-era fines

After the Covid pandemic, the dependance on digital healthcare mediums became a necessity. Beyond's principal diplomatic correspondent Siddhant Sibbal spoke to one of the leading Healthcare Tech entrepreneurs of India, Prashant Tandon, the CEO of Tata 1mg about the role of digital apps during the Covid pandemic.

Global Technology Summit: Tata 1mg CEO Prashant Tandon speaks on data security

<p>China said on Tuesday (November 29) that it plans to speed Covid vaccination of people aged 60 and more. The statement has come after China logged record number of Covid infections for several days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>China has a strict 'Zero-Covid' policy but the harsh lockdown it involves has caused anger and uncharacteristic protests across the country. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Beijing's National Health Commission (NHC) pledged to "accelerate the increase in the vaccination rate for people over the age of 80, and continue to increase the vaccination rate for people aged 60-79".</p>

<p>It also said it would "establish a special working group... to make special arrangements for the vaccination of the elderly against Covid".</p>

<p>"It is necessary to conduct popular science education on the meaning and benefits of vaccination, and fully publicise vaccines' efficacy on preventing severe illness and death," it added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>China's older population has low rate of vaccination. The general, relatively lower vaccination rate has been seen as prolonging Covid pandemic in China, the only major economy yet to be rid of the illness.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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China said on Tuesday (November 29) that it plans to speed Covid vaccination of people aged 60 and more. The statement has come after China logged record number of Covid infections for several days.

China said on Tuesday (November 29) that it plans to speed Covid vaccination of people aged 60 and more. The statement has come after China logged record number of Covid infections for several days. China has a strict 'Zero-Covid' policy but the harsh lockdown it involves has caused anger and uncharacteristic protests across the country. Beijing's National Health Commission (NHC) pledged to "accelerate the increase in the vaccination rate for people over the age of 80, and continue to increase the vaccination rate for people aged 60-79". It also said it would "establish a special working group... to make special arrangements for the vaccination of the elderly against Covid". "It is necessary to conduct popular science education on the meaning and benefits of vaccination, and fully publicise vaccines' efficacy on preventing severe illness and death," it added. China's older population has low rate of vaccination. The general, relatively lower vaccination rate has been seen as prolonging Covid pandemic in China, the only major economy yet to be rid of the illness. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

China to accelerate Covid vaccination among the elderly amid rising cases, protests

China's top security body on Tuesday called for a "crackdown" on "hostile forces" after the country saw protests in major cities opposing Covid lockdowns and demanding greater political freedoms.

Top China security body calls for 'crackdown' on 'hostile forces'

China's manufacturing and services activities shrank further in November to seven-month lows, stung by the country's strict Covid restrictions. Analysts said that this will hurt the economy well into 2023.

World Business Watch: China's factory, service activities shrink to 7 month low

<p>Even as Covid cases rise in China and some other parts of the world, Twitter Inc. has reversed a policy that was intended to address misinformation on the social media site, raising the possibility of an increase in false claims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The decision was made amid worries about Twitter's capacity to combat false information after it let go of roughly half of its workers, including those in charge of content moderation, under the leadership of new boss Elon Musk.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a blog post update, "Twitter is no longer enforcing the COVID-19 misleading information policy" as of November 23, 2022.</p>

<p>It's unclear exactly which policies the business would discontinue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Twitter implemented a variety of safeguards at the start of Covid in 2020, including labels and warning messages on tweets with disputed material about the health problem and a framework to require users to remove tweets that promoted harmfully inaccurate claims about vaccines.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Similar safeguards were used by the Facebook and YouTube services, both of which are owned by Meta Platforms Inc.</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vanuatu-officials-using-pen-and-paper-to-run-government-one-month-after-cyber-attack-538549">Vanuatu officials using pen and paper to run government, one month after cyber attack</a></p>

<p>Twitter claimed at the beginning of this year that as of March 2021, it has stopped implementing a "civic integrity policy" pertaining to false information on the 2020 US&nbsp;presidential election.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The billionaire Musk promptly started a number of adjustments to the product and employees after purchasing Twitter on October 27 for $44 billion. On October 29, Musk announced that a content moderation council with "widely diverse viewpoints" will be established.</p>

<p><em>(with inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Even as Covid cases rise in China and some other parts of the world, Twitter Inc. has reversed a policy that was intended to address misinformation on the social media site, raising the possibility of an increase in false claims.

Even as Covid cases rise in China and some other parts of the world, Twitter Inc. has reversed a policy that was intended to address misinformation on the social media site, raising the possibility of an increase in false claims. The decision was made amid worries about Twitter's capacity to combat false information after it let go of roughly half of its workers, including those in charge of content moderation, under the leadership of new boss Elon Musk. According to a blog post update, "Twitter is no longer enforcing the COVID-19 misleading information policy" as of November 23, 2022. It's unclear exactly which policies the business would discontinue. Twitter implemented a variety of safeguards at the start of Covid in 2020, including labels and warning messages on tweets with disputed material about the health problem and a framework to require users to remove tweets that promoted harmfully inaccurate claims about vaccines. Similar safeguards were used by the Facebook and YouTube services, both of which are owned by Meta Platforms Inc. Also Read: Vanuatu officials using pen and paper to run government, one month after cyber attack Twitter claimed at the beginning of this year that as of March 2021, it has stopped implementing a "civic integrity policy" pertaining to false information on the 2020 US presidential election. The billionaire Musk promptly started a number of adjustments to the product and employees after purchasing Twitter on October 27 for $44 billion. On October 29, Musk announced that a content moderation council with "widely diverse viewpoints" will be established. (with inputs from agencies)

Twitter rolls back policy aimed at tackling Covid-related misinformation

<p>The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday said that China still has room to adjust its strict zero-Covid policy, pointing out that the nation's stringent policies have been especially hard on the people.</p>

<p>In an email statement to AFP a spokesperson for IMF, "Covid and Covid-related restrictions are hard on people... This has been the case everywhere, and even more so in China."</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;World Business Watch: China's factory, service activities shrink to 7 month low</strong></p>

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<p>The organisation said that Chinese authorities have made policies more targeted, and "there is scope for further gradual, safe recalibration."</p>

<p>Three years into the pandemic, when many countries have eased covid containment measures like lockdowns, China still regularly deploys such measures, locking up entire neighbourhoods and cities to eradicate the virus. These strict measures come with a heavy toll on citizens and the nation's economy.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-government-relaxes-covid-19-rules-in-several-districts-in-guangzhou-538833">Chinese government relaxes COVID-19 rules in several districts of Guangzhou</a></strong></p>

<p>IMF said that China's economy has partially recovered and an adjustment of its policy may help growth in 2023, while also supporting the global economy.</p>

<p>For a large part of this year, the Chinese major business hub has been under lockdown. This has not only impacted Beijing's economy but also the global markets, and supply chains.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/3-years-of-covid-was-his-entire-life-in-china-child-dies-due-to-lockdown-rules-father-offered-hush-money-530653">'3 years of COVID was his entire life': In China, child dies due to lockdown rules, father offered hush money</a></strong></p>

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<p>Recently, following reports of deaths due to these lockdowns people have protested, raging across the nation in a "rare outpouring" of anger.&nbsp;A fire in a high-rise building in Xinjiang that killed ten people last week reportedly acted as a catalyst for these protests. Many have alleged that a partial lockdown on the building fatally delayed rescue operations and also obstructed escape routes.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday said that China still has room to adjust its strict zero-Covid policy, pointing out that the nation's stringent policies have been especially hard on the people.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday said that China still has room to adjust its strict zero-Covid policy, pointing out that the nation's stringent policies have been especially hard on the people. In an email statement to AFP a spokesperson for IMF, "Covid and Covid-related restrictions are hard on people... This has been the case everywhere, and even more so in China." Watch | World Business Watch: China's factory, service activities shrink to 7 month low The organisation said that Chinese authorities have made policies more targeted, and "there is scope for further gradual, safe recalibration." Three years into the pandemic, when many countries have eased covid containment measures like lockdowns, China still regularly deploys such measures, locking up entire neighbourhoods and cities to eradicate the virus. These strict measures come with a heavy toll on citizens and the nation's economy. Also read | Chinese government relaxes COVID-19 rules in several districts of Guangzhou IMF said that China's economy has partially recovered and an adjustment of its policy may help growth in 2023, while also supporting the global economy. For a large part of this year, the Chinese major business hub has been under lockdown. This has not only impacted Beijing's economy but also the global markets, and supply chains. Also read | '3 years of COVID was his entire life': In China, child dies due to lockdown rules, father offered hush money Recently, following reports of deaths due to these lockdowns people have protested, raging across the nation in a "rare outpouring" of anger. A fire in a high-rise building in Xinjiang that killed ten people last week reportedly acted as a catalyst for these protests. Many have alleged that a partial lockdown on the building fatally delayed rescue operations and also obstructed escape routes. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China can adjust its strict zero-Covid policy, it's been hard on people, says IMF

Let us take a look at stories generating interest across WION's social media channels. In today's video we cover - People search for China Covid protests.

Trending on WION: People search for China Covid protests, Gibberish results pop up on Twitter

Child sex abuse boomed in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children were forced to perform live sex shows for pedophiles around the world. The Filipino president has declared an "all-out war" on child sexual abuse, but it's a war the Philippines does not seem to be winning.

Gravitas: Philippines sees pandemic boom in child sex abuse

Protesters in China want Xi Jinping to resign. Xi's policies have failed China's economy, people, healthcare, and now the people of China want Xi to pay.

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The Chinese economy is suffering increasing damage from tightened virus controls as Covid infections are spreading in almost every province. Watch full video to know more.

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Massive protest against strict Covid-19 restrictions was seen in China. But the situation now seems to be under control as the police have clamped down the protest.

China: White House supports peaceful protests, mass testing resumes in Shanghai

After days of protest against China's stringent Covid restrictions, the Chinese government has finally reacted and has called the reports of protests as simply inaccurate.

China: Challenge to Xi Jinping's Zero-Covid policy, heavy barricading in Shanghai after protests

According to a new study, the blood-thinning drug Apixaban puts patients at risk for no clear benefit. The drug has been used as a potential life-saver for those recovering from severe COVID-19. But the research suggests that it does not work and can cause major bleeding. Molly Gambhir brings you the details.

WION Fineprint: How effective is blood-thinning therapy for COVID patients?

According to a new study, the blood-thinning drug Apixaban puts patients at risk for no clear benefit. The drug has been used as a potential life-saver for those recovering from severe covid-19. But the research suggests that it does not work and can cause major bleeding.

A small virus has sent tremors across Xi Jinping's empire. For the first time ever, President Xi is facing defiant criticism, especially after winning an unprecedented third term. Could this be the tipping point in Xi's reign?

WION Fineprint: Fury & fear of virus put Xi Jinping in a bind

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