Axios

Despite stunning nationwide protests, China's government is sticking with the zero-COVID policies that have rocked the economy and deeply damaged people's trust.

Why it matters: Skyrocketing COVID cases in China mean that Chinese leader Xi Jinping will likely be forced to choose between plunging his country back into the draconian lockdowns — or abandoning his signature pandemic policy as crowds of protesters call for him to step down.

Gregg Berhalter, the head coach of the U.S. men’s national team, apologized Monday on behalf of his players and staff for a controversial social media post by the U.S. Soccer Federation but maintained that they had no involvement with the post.

Driving the news: Over the weekend the USSF temporarily displayed a post on social media of the Iranian flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, a move it said was intended to show "support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights."

Young people protesting harsh COVID-19 restrictions in China have held aloft the most innocuous of objects: a blank sheet of paper.

The big picture: Blank signs were previously displayed during the Hong Kong protests in 2020 and the demonstrations in Russia earlier this year against the invasion of Ukraine. As one protester in Beijing told Reuters, "The white paper represents everything we want to say but cannot say."

Farideh Moradkhani, the niece of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a rights activist, urged foreign governments to cut ties with Iran's regime in a video posted to YouTube on Friday.

Driving the news: The video was released by Moradkhani's brother, Mahmoud Moradkhani, who is based in France, per Reuters.

The U.S. Soccer Federation in a post on social media over the weekend temporarily displayed the Iranian flag without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, AP reports.

Driving the news: USSF said that the edited photo of the flag was intended to show "support for the women in Iran fighting for basic human rights," per AP.

Kim Jong-un's daughter made another public appearance with the North Korean leader during an event over the weekend, per photos released by state media on Sunday.

The big picture: It's the second time this month that the father-daughter pair have appeared publicly together, increasing speculation over which of Kim's family members may succeed him.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday that the upcoming GOP-controlled House will continue to pass support for Ukraine but will do so with more "accountability," adding that Republicans are "not going to write a blank check" for Ukraine.

Why it matters: Threats by Republicans to cut aid to Ukraine if they won control of the House in the midterms prompted concern among Ukrainian officials, with decreased aid having the power to significantly hurt Ukraine's efforts and alter the course of the war.

Public outrage over new COVID-19 lockdown restrictions has fueled rare protests within China, with residents demanding the government to lift restrictions ahead of schedule and some calling for President Xi Jinping's resignation.

Driving the news: Record-breaking case numbers have caused a "COVID storm" to overtake China, impacting the country's economic prospects and fueling public unrest.