Sharecast - The US has announced all travellers from China must provide a negative Covid-19 test to enter the country, joining other nations imposing restrictions because of a surge of infections. The increase in cases across China follows the rollback of the nation’s strict anti-virus controls. Beijing’s “zero Covid” policies had kept the country’s infection rate low but fuelled public frustration and crushed economic growth. - The Guardian
It is only a matter of time before striking unions join forces, ministers were warned yesterday. Britain was told that it faced co-ordinated and escalating walkouts in the new year in an attempt to force the government to back down in public sector pay disputes. Border Force staff who are members of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) began a three-day strike yesterday. Rishi Sunak refused to step in, repeating his assertion that below-inflation settlements could not be reopened. Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the union, said the wider stand-off could lead to a wave of “co- ordinated, synchronised and escalating” industrial action. - The Times
Millions of people have abandoned saving into pensions in the past year to bag an extra £550 or more in annual take-home pay to meet rising fuel and food bills. The abrupt change in behaviour has left employees typically expecting to have to delay their retirement plans by three years, the Pensions Management Institute has found. According to its research, 20 per cent of employees have opted out of workplace pension schemes or have asked to have their pension deductions reduced in the past year. Another 20 per cent are considering doing so. - The Times
ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) is suing the EU to try and overturn its new windfall tax on oil and gas companies, accusing Brussels of overstepping its legal powers with the “counter-productive” policy. The US oil giant has filed a lawsuit at the European General Court seeking to block the new levy, which is expected to raise €25bn (£22bn). - The Telegraph
