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A new coronavirus variant out of South Africa called Omicron has been designated by the World Health Organization as a "variant of concern." In response, Friday saw a massive selloff on Wall Street — a phenomenon that extended to Europe and Asia as well. And a titan of American musical theater, Stephen Sondheim, has died at age 91.

The World Health Organization evaluates a new COVID-19 variant, while the delta strain surges in other countries. Diplomats trying to revive a nuclear deal with Iran face new demands and a harder line from Tehran. Plus, holiday shopping could set records, despite inflation, shipping crises, and retail hiring struggles.

Three men found guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia now face federal hate crime charges and possible life prison terms. An estimated 160,000 active military service members and their families have trouble putting food on the table. And mass protests in Sudan demand a return to full government control by civilians.

A jury in Charlottesville, Virginia finds white nationalists and neo-Nazis liable for millions in damages from the 2017 Unite the Right rally. Jurors in Ohio determine that three of the country's biggest pharmacy chains helped fuel the opioid crisis. And what can Thanksgiving holiday travelers do to cope with what could be the biggest airport crowds in two years?

Waukesha, Wisconsin mourns five who died when an SUV struck the city's Christmas parade. Lawmakers react to President Biden tapping Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell for a second term. And Austria becomes the first European country to impose a new national lockdown to fight surging COVID infections.