Omicron variant linked to vaccine inequality, Barbados cuts ties with queen and Josephine Baker enters the Panthéon

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.   Today we're taking a closer look at what experts say is the link between the omicron variant and global vaccine inequality. Tiger Woods says he will "never" play golf full time again. Plus, decades after her death, American-born superstar Josephine Baker will be awarded one of France's highest honors today.     Here's what we're watching this Tuesday morning.     'Exactly what experts have been warning': Omicron linked to global vaccine inequality For almost as long as Covid-19 has been around, scientists, academics and campaigners have called on wealthy nations to share vaccines around the world — not only to protect people in those countries, but also to reduce the risk of new mutant variants emerging that could evade vaccines for everyone.   Those sounding the alarm have repeated the same mantra: No one is safe until everyone is safe.   Despite these warnings, this is exactly what appears to have happened, some of these experts say. The new omicron variant emerged in southern Africa with a large number of mutations that experts say may allow it to transmit more easily and possibly reduce existing immunity.   "Africa right now is essentially a superincubator,"  said Andrea Taylor, assistant director of programs at the Duke Global Health Innovation Center, a leading authority on global vaccine supply.   And the emergence of a new variant "is exactly what experts have been warning about for months," she said. Read the full story here.    More on the omicron variant here:   Omicron may cause milder symptoms. But that's not the only thing doctors are worried about.  Covid-19 hospitalizations rising in South Africa's omicron hot spot Biden says omicron "cause for concern" not "panic" as he urges booster shots Tuesday's Top Stories Green ... but maybe not clean: Nevada desert town fights to keep solar company out One renewable energy company is looking to take advantage of Nevada's nearly year-round sunshine and abundance of space to build a large-scale solar field. But community members and conservationists fear the green energy project could destroy thousands of miles of untouched land. READ MORE 'Y'all going to kill me?' Years apart, mother and son die in police restraints An investigation into the deaths of Robert Loggins in 2018 and his mother Debbie Loggins in 2005 shows how persuading police to stop using hogties and prone-position restraints has proved hard in small-town Mississippi.  READ MORE Barbados cuts ties with the queen, becomes a republic in spectacular ceremony Almost 400 years after the first English ship arrived on its golden shores, the former British colony woke up Tuesday as a republic after an event that included fireworks, dancing, Rihanna, Prince Charles — and the island's first president being sworn in. READ MORE Josephine Baker becomes first Black woman honored at Paris' Panthéon The legendary performer and entertainer was U.S.-born, but became a French citizen in 1937 and acted as a spy for the French Resistance when the Nazis occupied France during World War II.   READ MORE Also in the News 6th homicide charge filed against Waukesha parade suspect Darrell Brooks Elizabeth Holmes testifies college rape, partner's control fueled her drive at Theranos Tiger Woods says he will 'never' play golf again full time Manchin indicates 'pathway' to resolve debt ceiling standoff More details revealed about Chris Cuomo's role as adviser to brother, former governor Bill Cosby prosecutors ask Supreme Court to review decision to overturn conviction Editor's Pick Special report: How Europe is helping Libya capture and lock up migrants The E.U. pays for almost every aspect of Libya's often lethal migrant detention system, an investigation found, including the boats that fire on migrant rafts. READ MORE Select Cyber Monday may be over, but here are some of the best ongoing deals this week.  One Fun Thing 'Wonderwall' of snow traps drinkers, and Oasis tribute band, in remote U.K. pub Is three days in a pub with an Oasis tribute band too long? Definitely Maybe. Some 50 drinkers stranded in a remote 17th-century pub for three nights after heavy snowfall in northern England while they watched an Oasis tribute band would be forgiven for wondering just that.   They slept on couches or on the floor at The Tan Hill Inn in Yorkshire, England — more than 200 miles north of London — after snow and fallen power lines blocked nearby roads starting Friday.   Read the full story here.  Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com   If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Petra Cahill     FOLLOW US     Want to receive NBC Breaking News and Special Alerts in your inbox? SIGN UP HERE Check out all of NBC Newsletters here.     Get the NBC News Mobile App   30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 View in browser | Unsubscribe | Manage Subscription | Contact | Privacy