South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases said the number of reported cases rose from 4,373 on Tuesday to 8,561 on Wednesday. Scientists don't usually focus on daily variations in numbers, but last Wednesday, 1,275 cases were reported.

Omicron Potentially a Stabilizing Force for OPEC+

With the weight of oil markets, member states' fiscal balance sheets and geopolitical interests often pulling it in different directions, OPEC+ can be one unwieldy ship for Saudi Arabia to maneuver. Ironically, the Omicron variant of Covid-19 could prove to be a stabilizing force.

WeWork to Restate Results Due to Classification Error With Its SPAC Acquirer

WeWork Inc. said in a securities filing it would restate several quarters of its results, including its latest one, and that management has concluded there was a material weakness in its internal control.

The office-sharing company, which went public last month through a combination with BowX Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition company, said Wednesday the reinstatement relates to accounting classification of common shares issued as part of BowX's initial public offering.

Disney Elects Susan Arnold as Board Chairman, Replacing Robert Iger

Walt Disney Co.'s board of directors has elected Susan Arnold its new chairman, replacing Robert Iger, the longtime chief executive who is set to depart from the company later this month.

Ms. Arnold, whose career in business has included positions at the Carlyle Group Inc. and Procter & Gamble Co., has been a Disney board member since 2007 and is to become chairman on Dec. 31. She most recently served as its lead independent director.

Square Changes Name to Block, Days After CEO Jack Dorsey Leaves Twitter

Square Inc., the financial-services company co-founded and led by former Twitter Inc. chief Jack Dorsey, is changing its corporate name to Block Inc.

The change will be effective later this month, the company said Wednesday. Its ticker symbol will remain SQ.

Junket Operator Suncity's Group Chairman Resigns

Junket operator Suncity Group Holdings Ltd.'s Chairman Alvin Chau has resigned pending legal proceedings that involve allegations of illegal gambling and money laundering.

The resignation of Mr. Chau was effective from Dec. 1, Suncity said late Wednesday.

Write to sarka.halas@wsj.com

Expected Major Events for Thursday

07:00/ROM: Oct PPI

07:30/SWI: Oct Retail Sales

08:00/AUT: 3Q GDP

08:00/SPN: Nov Unemployment

08:30/EU: Nov EuroCOIN indicator of euro area economic activity

09:00/ITA: Oct Unemployment

10:00/EU: Oct Unemployment

10:00/EU: Oct PPI

10:00/CYP: Nov CPI

11:00/FRA: Oct OECD CPI

15:00/DEN: Nov Foreign Exchange & Liquidity

All times in GMT. Powered by Kantar Media and Dow Jones.

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This article is a text version of a Wall Street Journal newsletter published earlier today.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

12-02-21 0027ET