Friday Briefing: Europe and Asia tighten borders against COVID variant

The Reuters Daily Briefing Friday, November 26, 2021 by Linda Noakes Hello Here's what you need to know. Britain says a new COVID-19 variant is the most significant yet found. Stocks tumble as investors flee to safe havens and markets scale back rate hike bets as the news casts a shadow over the economic outlook. Today's biggest stories A woman walks past a mannequin with a face mask in Soweto, South Africa, November 26, 2021. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko NEW COVID VARIANT Global authorities reacted with alarm to a new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa, with the EU, Britain and India among those announcing stricter border controls as scientists sought to determine if the mutation was vaccine-resistant. Britain said the variant was of huge concern and was considered by scientists to be the most significant one yet found as it could make vaccines less effective. Here's what we know so far. Global stocks tumbled and oil fell below $80 a barrel as the news sent investors scurrying to the safety of bonds, the yen and the Swiss franc. Bitcoin fell almost 8% as investors dumped riskier assets. Money markets scaled back rate hike bets as the news cast a shadow over the short-term economic outlook. Here's what investors are saying. French fishermen block the 'Normandy Trader' at the entrance of the port of Saint-Malo in France, November 26, 2021. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe WORLD French fishermen blocked a British cargo vessel from docking in a Brittany port, in protest at what they say are moves by authorities in London and Jersey to withhold licences to fish in British waters under a post-Brexit deal. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron told Britain it needed to "get serious" or remain locked out of discussions over how to curb the flow of migrants across the Channel. Ukraine has uncovered a plot for an attempted coup due to take place next week, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said at a press conference where he also spoke of a threat of military escalation from Russia. A Turkish court began the latest hearing in the trial of philanthropist businessman Osman Kavala, whose case provoked a diplomatic dispute between Ankara and its Western allies after they called for his immediate release. Kavala has been in jail without conviction for more than four years. A night curfew will be re-imposed in the Solomon Islands capital Honiara after witnesses said Australian police began taking control of hotspots following three days of violent protests in the South Pacific island nation. A pledge by a leading Honduran presidential candidate to embrace China and de-emphasize Taiwan ties if she wins Sunday's election has prompted diplomatic jostling between Beijing and Washington as each seeks to exert influence on the Central American nation. U.S. Americans packed football stadiums and gathered more freely for family feasts, grateful to celebrate Thanksgiving Day traditions again after the pandemic kept many at home last year. Spectators once again lined the streets of Manhattan for the 95th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade after last year's spectacle was scaled down and closed to the public. With many major U.S. retailers opening their doors to shoppers at 5 a.m., early risers ventured out on ‘Black Friday’, hoping to find gifts to tuck under the Christmas tree before products sell out. BUSINESS Chinese regulators have pressed top executives of ride hailing giant Didi Global to devise a plan to delist from the New York Stock Exchange due to concerns about data security, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. A government body has taken over China Evergrande Group's soccer stadium with a view to selling it, a person with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters, as the debt-laden property developer scrambles to meet liabilities. Whether buying computer chips directly from manufacturers, reconfiguring cars, or producing them with parts missing, automakers are having to get creative to cope with the global shortage of semiconductors. A prominent activist is calling on insurers like Swiss Re to explore suing major oil companies for climate-related damages, the latest volley in a years-long campaign that pits environmentalists against the insurance industry. One of Asia's largest airlines, Cathay Pacific, is facing a revolt from pilots who say Hong Kong's tough quarantine rules under its zero-COVID policies are endangering their mental health, leading to rising stress and resignations. Quote of the day "If you want to go westwards, we won't detain you, choke you, beat you. It's up to you. Go through. Go." Belarus leader Lukashenko tells migrants at border he won't make them go home Video of the day Egypt revives ancient road A restored road connecting two ancient temple complexes in Karnak and Luxor was unveiled in a lavish ceremony aimed at raising the profile of one of Egypt's top tourist spots. And finally… Italy takes in National Geographic's green-eyed 'Afghan Girl' Italy has given safe haven to Sharbat Gula, the green-eyed 'Afghan Girl' whose 1985 photo in National Geographic became a symbol of her country's wars. More from Reuters COVID-19 The Great Reboot Disrupted Legal News Breakingviews Thanks for spending part of your day with us. Share your thoughts You are receiving this email because you signed up for newsletters from Reuters. No longer want to hear from us? Unsubscribe from The Reuters Daily Briefing. Terms, conditions, and privacy statement © 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036