The number of people filing jobless claims rose to 222,000 in the week ending Nov. 27 signaling that employers are continuing to fight for their workers in a tight labor market. Claims still remained near pandemic lows, highlighting overall improvements in the labor market. An increasing number of economists are joining a chorus of those who say the omicron variant of COVID-19 may pose a threat to the labor market and overall economy in the coming weeks.

Stock futures rise ahead of jobless claims, despite omicron concerns - Fox Business

Here’s why unemployment claims hit their lowest level since 1969 - CNBC

@jbartash: LAYOFF WATCH: U.S. jobless claims jump 28,000 to 222,000 in Nov. 27 week. Still a pandemic low, but the government’s seasonal adjustments around Thanksgiving have been funky the past two weeks. New claims might not be quite that low. We'll know for sure in next few weeks ...

A fully vaccinated individual in California became the first person in the U.S. to have an identified case of the omicron variant. In an effort to combat the spread, President Joe Biden plans to tighten COVID-19 testing timelines for travelers entering the U.S. as well as extend a public transportation mask mandate. International travelers will now have to be tested within a day of departure. The travel restrictions pose a great threat to the tourism businesses that were just finding their footing after nearly two years of devastation wrought by the pandemic.

Glaxo’s Covid-19 Antibody Drug Found to Be Effective Against Omicron - The Wall Street Journal

Biden asks businesses to proceed with vaccine mandate after omicron variant arrives in US - CNBC

@kiranshaw: Travel bans do more harm than good says ⁦@WHO⁩ - vaccines can protect against severe disease even if they can’t prevent Omicron reinfection. With vaccines, oral anti virals n antibody treatments we ought not to panic n have better preparedness ⁦@doctorsoumya

A group of Republican Senators is threatening to postpone action on a spending bill necessary to avert a lapse in federal funding unless the Senate also bars enforcement of Biden’s vaccine mandate for large employers. Democrats and Republicans remain at odds over how long a temporary stopgap measure should stretch into 2022, with both parties admitting the funding deadline approaching on Friday has increased the leverage of lawmakers pressing their own agendas.

States offer jobless aid to workers fired over employer vaccine requirement - CBS News

House Democrats grow antsy to pass shutdown fix ahead of Friday cliff - Politico

@BriannaATucker: Republican senators sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader @SenSchumer on Wednesday and vowed “to use all means at our disposal to oppose” any bill that funds enforcement of Biden's vaccine mandate. @theodoricmeyer @jaxalemany @tobiaraji

World food prices neared a record high last month, rising for a fourth straight month in November. The Food and Agriculture Organization's food price index rose 1.2% last month, providing additional evidence that soaring inflation is making it harder for the poorest nations to import food. The rise can be partially attributed to an increase in demand for wheat and dairy products, bad weather hurting harvests, worker shortages and higher shipping rates.

'I can’t even afford to buy a cart of groceries': Spiraling inflation leaves some grocery workers struggling - NBC News

'It's like whack-a-mole': Short supply of groceries leads to increasing prices with no end in sight - Delaware Online

Return-to-work plans have been disrupted once again over concerns surrounding the omicron variant as more employers are considering implementing their own vaccine requirements. A survey of 543 employers found that 57% of all organizations said they already require or plan to require vaccinations. The average daily coronavirus counts are lower than levels seen last year but are on the rise.

Will the Vaccines Stop Omicron? Scientists Are Racing to Find Out. -...