How worried should we be about omicron? Will we need to tweak current vaccines? Here's what to know.
Today is Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Let's get caught up.
Here are today's top stories, celebrity birthdays and a look back at this date in history:
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Gregg Voreis, 9, of Edina, Minn., wears a Santa hat while in line for a COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn.
Omicron variant in at least 5 US states
NEW YORK (AP) — The omicron variant of COVID-19, which had been undetected in the U.S. before the middle of this week, had been discovered in at least five states by the end of Thursday, showing yet again how mutations of the virus can circumnavigate the globe with speed and ease.
World Health Organization officials said Friday that measures used to counter the delta variant should remain the foundation for fighting the coronavirus pandemic, even in the face of the new omicron version of the virus, while acknowledging that the travel restrictions imposed by some countries may buy time.
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While about three dozen countries worldwide have reported omicron infections, including India on Thursday, the numbers so far are small outside of South Africa, which is facing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases and where the new variant may be becoming dominant.
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Night falls at the the Capitol in Washington on Thursday.
OK of stopgap funding bill avoids government shutdown
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed a stopgap spending bill that avoids a short-term shutdown and funds the federal government through Feb. 18 after leaders defused a partisan standoff over federal vaccine mandates. The measure now goes to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.
Earlier Thursday, congressional leaders announced they had finally reached an agreement to keep the government running for 11 more weeks, generally at current spending levels, while adding $7 billion to aid Afghanistan evacuees.
Once the House voted to approve the measure, senators soon announced an agreement that would allow them to vote on it quickly.
The Senate approved the measure by a vote of 69-28. The Democratic-led House passed the measure by a 221-212 vote.
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Click on the links below for full versions of today's top stories. Keep scrolling for a look back at this day in history and today's celebrity birthdays:
Top headlines for Friday, Dec. 3, 2021
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IMAGE OF THE DAY
A girl watches a diver clad in a Santa Claus outfit during an event to promote the upcoming Christmas holiday at the Coex Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Christmas is one of the biggest holidays celebrated in South Korea. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
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TODAY IN HISTORY
In 1992, the Greek tanker Aegean Sea spilled more than 21 million gallons of crude oil when it ran aground off northwestern Spain, and more ev…
In 2015, Aaron Rodgers throws a 61-yard touchdown pass to Richard Rodgers with no time left to give the Green Bay Packers a 27-23 comeback vic…
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ...
Celebrity Birthdays: Dec. 3
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Amanda Seyfried
Actor Amanda Seyfried is 36.
Andy Grammer
Pop/rock singer-songwriter Andy Grammer is 38.
Anna Chlumsky
Actor Anna Chlumsky (KLUHM’-skee) is 41.Â
Brendan Fraser
Actor Brendan Fraser is 53.
Daryl Hannah
Actor Daryl Hannah is 61.Â
Dascha Polanco
Actor Dascha Polanco is 39.
Holly Marie Combs
Actor Holly Marie Combs is 48.
Jake T. Austin
Actor Jake T. Austin is 27.
Jenna Dewan
Actor Jenna Dewan is 41.Â
Julianne Moore
Actor Julianne Moore is 61.Â
Liza Lapira
Actor Liza Lapira is 46.
Michael Angarano
Actor Michael Angarano is 34.Â
Mickey Thomas
Rock singer Mickey Thomas is 72.Â
Montell Jordan
Singer Montell Jordan is 53.Â
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy OsbourneÂ
Royale Watkins
Actor Royale Watkins is 52.
Tiffany Haddish
Actor/comedian Tiffany Haddish is 42.Â
