December 1, Wednesday, 2021 (1:30 p.m.) Newsline

1. Brazil has confirmed two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant, the first such cases in South America. The government of Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, reported on Tuesday that a 41-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman tested positive for the Omicron variant.
2. Representatives from the United States and the Taliban have met in Doha, Qatar. The Taliban welcomed efforts by the international community to verify and monitor progress in education for women and girls in Afghanistan.
3. Initial results from the Honduran presidential election show the opposition candidate, who promised to open diplomatic relations with China, will likely win. The Central American nation currently has ties with Taiwan. The national electoral council said on Tuesday that with about 53 percent of the votes counted, opposition candidate Xiomara Castro held a 19 percentage point lead over ruling party candidate Nasry Asfura. The ruling party conceded defeat the same day.