Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend
Early voting begins in Georgia Senate runoff
Georgia voters headed to the polls Saturday as early voting began in the state’s runoff Senate election between Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker. Warnock beat Walker by more than 30,000 votes in the Nov. 8 election, but did not clear the threshold of 50% of the vote to prevent a runoff. This year’s elections are testing controversial voting reforms enacted by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and the GOP-controlled state legislature, including a shorter time frame for the runoff that has both parties scrambling to turn out voters before the race is decided on Dec. 6. Democrats have already retained control of the Senate through 2024, but winning Georgia would give them more breathing room in the narrowly divided chamber.
How Georgia's runoff election could strengthen Democratic control of Senate.
Georgia runoff election, explained: These are next steps in state's tight Senate race.
Protesters in China clash with police as COVID lockdown tensions mount
Protesters pushed to the brink by China’s strict COVID measures in Shanghai called for the removal of the country’s all-powerful leader and clashed with police Sunday as crowds took to the streets in an astounding challenge to the government. Police forcibly cleared the demonstrators in China’s financial capital – but hours later people rallied again in the same spot, and social media reports indicated protests also spread to at least seven other cities. Such protests are rare in China, and a direct rebuke of Xi is extraordinary. China is the only major country still trying to stop transmission of COVID-19, under a “zero COVID” policy that regularly sees millions of people confined to their homes for weeks at a time and requires near-constant testing.
New COVID variants: BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are now dominant. Here's what it means.
Worried about COVID-19 during holiday travel? These products may help keep you safe.
Real quick
Sharks, a frog that looks like Kermit and other species get new protections from powerful international organization.
Meet Flossie: At nearly 27, the world's oldest living cat survived multiple owners and loves naps.
Donald Trump dined with Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, rapper Kanye West at Mar-a-Lago.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones discusses photo showing him at 1957 Arkansas desegregation protest.
Heavy rain triggers landslides on Italian island, up to 12 missing as buildings collapse.
11-year-old girl undergoes first-of-its-kind surgery so she can flash her 'beautiful smile.'
Why is a giant sculpture of Elon Musk on a goat's body being driven around Texas?
Russia might abandon embattled nuke plant; Zelenskyy, Kyiv mayor clash amid snow, outages: Ukraine live updates.
Black Friday sees record online sales
Online shoppers didn't let concerns about higher prices or a recession keep them from a record-setting Black Friday. Consumers spent a record $9.12 billion while online shopping Friday, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks more than 85% of the top 100 U.S. online retailers. That's an increase of 2.3% over a year ago – surpassing the previous online Black Friday sales high mark of $9.03 billion in 2020. Nearly half (48%) of online sales were made on smartphones, up from 44% last year, according to the company's 2022 Holiday Shopping Trends & Insights Report. Inflation will still likely have an effect this holiday season because it leads not only to higher prices, but also more frugal spending.
From Reviewed: 200+ deals to shop now for Cyber Monday.
Opinion: Should you use 'buy now, pay later' for 2022 holiday purchases?
World Cup: Mbappé propels France into knockout round
A pair of goals from superstar forward Kylian Mbappé gave France a 2-1 win over Denmark at the 2022 men's World Cup on Saturday, making France the first team to secure a spot in the round of 16. Later in the day, the legendary Lionel Messi helped pull his Argentina team back from the brink of catastrophe, scoring the first goal in a 2-0 win against Mexico. Argentina, one of the favorites entering the tournament, would have been eliminated with a loss. On Sunday, Morocco stunned Belgium 2-0 to take the lead in Group F and position themselves for their first knockout round appearance since 1986. ⚽️ Catch up with the latest from the World Cup.
How can the USMNT advance? Breaking down all the scenarios.
'GOOOLLL!': Messi's massive goal called by Andrés Cantor will give you goosebumps.
US Soccer briefly scrubs emblem from Iran flag
The U.S. Soccer Federation briefly displayed Iran’s national flag on social media without the emblem of the Islamic Republic, saying the move supported protesters in Iran "fighting for basic human rights," ahead of the two nations’ World Cup match Tuesday. The posts, and their subsequent removal, have heightened tension around a match that is already fraught. Iran was furious, and state-affiliated media said it is considering filing a complaint with FIFA. Iran has been rocked by protests since the Sept. 16 death of Mahsa Amini, who had been detained by the morality police. Keep reading.
👉 US Soccer's biggest misstep with Iran support was mistaking the World Cup for a bubble. | Opinion
Irene Cara, Oscar-winning 'Flashdance' singer and actress, dies at 63
Irene Cara, the voice behind Oscar-winning original song and era-defining hit "Flashdance ... What A Feeling" has died. She was 63. News of her death was announced on her official Twitter account by her publicist, Judith A. Moose. Cara died in her Florida home of an unknown cause, the announcement said. Before landing an Oscar and Grammy Award for her work on "Flashdance," Cara laid the foundation for her career in the Short Circus band on the 1970s children's show "The Electric Company." One of Cara's costars, Debbie Allen, remembered her on Twitter calling her a "gifted and beautiful genius."
Passages 2022: Irene Cara, Héctor Bonilla, Takeoff, Aaron Carter, more stars we lost.
Wilko Johnson, 'Game of Thrones' actor and Dr. Feelgood guitarist, dies at 75.
Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Weekend's biggest news: Black Friday shopping, Georgia Senate runoff, World Cup, COVID protests in China, Irene Cara dies.
