To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts

Today’s Top Stories from NBC News

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021

Good morning, NBC News readers.

Today we have a concerning new Covid-19 variant, some possible solutions for Congress to solve the debt limit problem, and a spectacular Egyptian event 3,000 years in the making.

Here's the latest on that and everything else we're watching this Friday morning.

WHO meets amid global alarm over new Covid-19 variant found in southern Africa

Countries across the world rushed Friday to identify potential cases and halt travel from southern Africa where a new variant of Covid-19 emerged as a sudden source of global alarm.

The World Health Organization convened for an emergency meeting to assess the variant, currently identified as B.1.1.529.

Scientists are still learning about the variant, which was first identified earlier this week, but its concerning nature led to rapid developments.

The U.K. said late Thursday it was adding six African countries to its red list, banning all direct flights from: South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Other countries quickly moved to follow suit.

“This is the most significant variant we have encountered to date and urgent research is underway to learn more about its transmissibility, severity and vaccine-susceptibility,” said Dr Jenny Harries, chief executive of the U.K. Health Security Agency. “This is a clear reminder to everyone that this pandemic is not over.”

Read more here.

Friday's Top Stories

Migrant deaths give U.K., France a tragic jolt on long-simmering border dispute

As leaders in Paris and London traded accusations, advocates and politicians who have long called for a more humane approach to the contentious issue said both countries bore a degree of responsibility for the loss of life.

As new debt limit showdown looms, lawmakers consider long-term solutions

Abolishing the debt ceiling and minting a $1 trillion coin are among the solutions being proposed.

Ghislane Maxwell’s trial starts Monday. Epstein victims say she was central to his scheme.

“This is a ring that ensnared dozens and dozens and dozens of girls. And Maxwell was an integral player,” one civil attorney said.

OPINION

How Black Friday shopping can be meaningful, not just wasteful

People seem to think needy folks are a good way to unload their guilt — and accumulated items — from overspending on previous holidays, writes culture and wellness writer Tonya Russell.

Also in the News

Solomon Islands leader blames foreign powers for unrest as Australian forces arrive

Russian coal mine fire kills at least 52 people

Donors raise more than $950,000 to help Missouri man wrongfully convicted in 1979

Chinese photographer apologizes after backlash over Dior model's 'Western' depiction

Our big holiday streaming list — all featuring Latino actors and themes

Editor's Pick

Unlike Kyle Rittenhouse, Travis McMichael 'didn't come off as credible,' experts say

“Rarely have I seen a defendant who’s put on the stand by his defense team really perform so poorly,” a former federal prosecutor said.

Select

It's Black Friday and discounts are hitting all time highs. We're tracking the latest and keeping you updated with what's worth knowing. Retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Macy's, Kohl's and Best Buy are offering major discounts this Black Friday on everything from tech and TVs to skin care and wellness products.

One Fun Thing

Ancient Egyptian ’Path of God’ reopened amid spectacular celebrations

While Americans feasted their eyes on a full-blown Thanksgiving Day parade after a two-year Covid absence, nearly 6,000 miles away Egypt revived a very different cultural tradition that has not been seen for several thousand years.

The country opened the 3,000-year-old Avenue of Sphinxes to the public Thursday in an extravagant ceremony in the southern city of Luxor that follows decades of excavation efforts.

The ancient walkway, nearly two miles long and about 250 feet wide, was once named “The Path of God.”