Chinese protest over COVID-19 lockdown measures

Demonstrations are an unprecedented challenge to President Xi Jinping, who has overseen China's zero-COVID policy. [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What The World is following Unprecedented protests in China over COVID-19 lockdown measures [Protesters hold up blank papers and chant slogans as they march in protest in Beijing on Nov. 27, 2022.] Credit: Ng Han Guan China Protests against COVID-19 measures [took place]( in some of China’s largest cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, over the weekend in an unprecedented challenge to President Xi Jinping. Demonstrators called for the end of lockdowns, which are part of China’s zero-COVID-19 strategy along with other measures such as mass testing and digital contact tracing. The death of at least 10 people in a fire at an apartment building in Urumqi, the capital on the western Xinjiang Province, [triggered the wave of protests]( after videos of the incident appeared to show lockdown measures could’ve delayed rescue efforts. Urumqi has been under strict COVID-19 lockdown for over three months, with many residents unable to leave their homes. Venezuela-US The US has eased some oil sanctions on Venezuela after the resumption of long-stalled negotiations between the government of Nicolás Maduro and the opposition and the signing of a “social accord” to provide health, food and education to the Venezuelan people. The government of the South American country and the opposition, meeting in Mexico City, [agreed to create]( a UN-managed fund fueled by the over $3 billion of Venezuelan assets frozen in foreign banks. The Treasury Department will now allow Chevron to [resume energy production]( in Venezuela and import the crude oil into the US again. The profits will be directed to paying down debt to Chevron, not to the national oil company PDVSA. Europe The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) [announced the arrest]( of 49 suspects during a multicountry operation that took down a “super drug cartel” responsible for nearly a third of the cocaine trade in Europe. During the yearlong operation, authorities seized over 33 tons of drugs in Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates and exposed money laundering operations with cooperation from the US Drug Enforcement Administration. --------------------------------------------------------------- From The World [Why African countries like Uganda are investing in fossil fuels]( [After the discovery of commercial quantities of oil in 2006, Hoima, Uganda, is being referred to as Oil City.] Credit: Halima Gikandi/The World Uganda is seeking to develop and refine its oil in partnership with the French energy company Total, and a state-owned Chinese corporation. The Ugandan government is banking on prospects of employment and development as they promote, and defend, this oil project in the face of [domestic and international criticism]( about the environmental and social costs. [Lionel Messi’s last shot at World Cup glory]( [Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts after missing a chance during the World Cup group C soccer match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Nov. 22, 2022.]( Credit: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the finest soccer players ever, is also one of the most-decorated athletes in the history of the sport, with a record, seven Ballon d’Or awards, the game’s top individual prize, and 36 trophies won in his club career, mostly for FC Barcelona. Yet, for all his success at the club level, Messi has so far failed to earn his homeland [the biggest trophy of all](. Can we count on you to support our newsroom? Our coverage reaches millions of people each week, but only a small fraction of listeners — less than 1% — contribute to help sustain our program. We need your help to unlock our $67,000 match. Will you join our growing list of supporters to help continue our in-depth international news coverage by [donating today](? --------------------------------------------------------------- Bright Spot If you are followiing the FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar, you might have caught a glimpse of a soccer player wearing a black face mask. Well, it is not a fashion statement but rather a [hi-tech protective device]( made from light-weight materials — some are 3D-printed to fit. The mask is designed for athletes who have endured facial injuries ensuring they are able to play on the pitch without risking further damage. [Screenshot of The Guardian Australia tweet] Credit: Twitter In case you missed it on The World --------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. [The World]( is produced by [PRX]( and [GBH](.