Republicans cement hold on legislatures in US battleground states: NYT US FTC launches probe into supply chain disruptions US stocks recover some variant lost ground 3 teens killed in Michigan school shooting Omicron variant of 'concern' not 'despair', says Brazilian health minister US top doctor warns over Omicron, potential fifth wave of COVID-19 Loopholes in US CDC COVID-19 requirement for air travelers: Forbes US democracy promotion not credible: magazine Biden: Omicron not 'cause for panic' Fatal shootings reported in US during Thanksgiving holiday US Treasury likely to run out of cash before end of December: CBO Americans' selfish individualism causes low vaccination rate: Guardian 'Vaccine' chosen as Merriam-Webster's 2021 word of the year Global vaccination plan only way to stop pandemic, says UN chief US House Democrats consider new stopgap spending measure to avoid govt shutdown: media Omicron variant poses downside risks to US economy: Fed chief US bans travel from 8 African countries over variant US becomes 'increasingly antidemocratic', blog writer says Musicians, audience delighted by Chinese concert