and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> mental health issues may be behind the security scare. windsor castle in the u.k. we're joined by cnn's selma abdel azeez. this was a targeted attack as far as we understand. >> reporter: yes. some shocking news, max. what we know is that within moments this suspect entered the grounds of windsor castle security area. he was captured and security officers were aware. they were called at about 8:30 in the morning christmas time. they arrived at the scene, detained that individual, that suspect. now we understand while he made it on the grounds of windsor castle, he was unable to trespass on to any of the actual buildings there on the grounds. what do we know of the man? we know he's a 19-year-old from south hampton. he was apparently carrying a weapon with him. it was a cross

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> welcome back to our viewers in the united states and around the world. i'm john vause. the latest on our lead story. covid infections are soaring across most of the university, fueled by the omicron variant. the national average of 265,000 new cases a day, a record-breaking high. the cdc says omicron accounts for 60% of infections. more children are being admitted because of omicron. we're looking at the effectiveness of antigen tests that could be less sensitive to the omicron variant. that should not discourage anyone from using the tests. spain reporting 100,000 new cases on tuesday alone. the highest one-day total since the pandemic began, double the previous record set just last week. not just spain. the countries in dark red on this map have seen cases rise by 50% or m

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. ♪ >>> welcome back to our viewers here in the united states and around the world. you're watching "cnn newsroom," i'm john vause. well, depending where you are in the world will depend on how you see in this new year. in some places, omicron and delta be damned, they're carry on with new year's eve parties. but elsewhere, like london, they won't be celebrating with the traditional fireworks. but big ben will chime in the new year. 2022 begins much the same way as 2021 did, with skyhigh case numbers. at least ten u.s. states are reporting some of their highest hospitalizations since the pandemic began. cnn's hala gorani has more on how different cities around the world plan to celebrate 2022. >> reporter: the quick spread of the omicron variant is putting a damper on new year's

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> hello and a warm welcome to our viewers joining us in the united states and around the world. i'm max foster in london. just ahead on "cnn newsroom." >> we're really struggling to maintain our work force, particularly with nurses right now. >> indoor new year's eve celebrations should be out. >>> u.s. health system facing immense pressure as cases hit record peaks. officials say omicron may be milder, spreading across the country like wildfire. >>> we're just hours away from more talks between vladimir putin and u.s. president biden.

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> a gut punch for hundreds of employees of the mortgage company better.com. listen to this. during a staff meeting, this was a zoom call, better.com's ceo announced that everyone on the call, more than 900 employees were being laid off effectively immediately. >> merry christmas, everyone. cnn business reporter matt egan joins us. what did he say? how dare he do this right now. 900 all at once in a zoom call? >> this is a textbook example of how ceos are not supposed to treat their employees. dialling into a zoom call like 900 of your colleagues and you find out that you've all been let go? right before the holidays? it's unthinkable but that's exactly what happened at better.com which is this fast growing digital mortgage company. we have a clip where you can actually hear th

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> the centers for disease control says covid is usually transmitted early in the course of the illness, a day or two prior to symptoms most likely and two to three days after. that's prompting new guidance on how long people should isolate when they get the virus. cnn's elizabeth cohen has details. >> reporter: a week after doing so for health care workers, the cdc has now shortened the isolation period for anyone who tests positive for covid-19. let's take a look at what they're saying. the isolation period used to be ten days. now the cdc says if you're asymptomatic or if your symptoms are getting better, you should isolate for five days and then for an additional five days, wear a mask when you're around other people. now, what about if you've just been exposed to the virus

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> the white house says joe biden is looking forward to talking to his russian counterpart on tuesday. they're expected to discuss a wide range of topics, but obviously that includes ukraine and other regional issues. the white house says mr. biden will underscore to vladamir putin u.s. concerns over russia's military activity on the border with ukraine. david sanger is a cnn political and national security analyst and joins me now from vermont. again, never a dull moment in foreign affairs here. at this point, i would argue that russia has played its hand very well. they've got at least tens of thousands of troops amassed on the border and vladamir putin got what he wanted. he has a meeting front and center, virtual, with the president this week. >> well, he does. how they pla

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> very good monday morning to you. we begin this morning with encouraging news on what we know with the coronavirus pandemic. first new findings on the omicron variant preliminary data from south africa suggests omicron cases are less severe, that is so far, but early indications.

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. what does a foster kid need from you? to be brave. to show up. for staying connected. the questions they weren't able to ask. show up for the first day of school, the last day at their current address. for the mornings when everything's wrong. for the manicure that makes everything right, for right now. show up, however you can, for the foster kids who need it most— at helpfosterchildren.com >>> welcome back. well, u.s. president joe biden has signed a massive defense bill, passed by congress. the law allocates a whopping $770 billion for the u.s. defense department and military. the bill also includes a nearly 3% pay increase for military service members and civilian employees. this year, there are several changes to the military justice system. to overhaul how the military h

president emmanuel macron meets with his cabinet today to discuss plans for tackling the omicron variant. >>> and in china, authorities in the city of x i'llan have started the pro-e process of disinfecting the entire city amid a growing outbreak of covid cases. it is the latest in a series of strict lockdowns in x iian. steven jiang standing by in beijing. but let's start with barbie nadeau in rome. so, barbie, these cases are leading to many governments in europe imposing restrictions while the uk, this week, will be debating whether to act with harsher measures. what's the latest? >> well, you know, we are seeing all across europe here continental europe, especially, governments trying to figure out what to do. and france, they will be meeting this morning, to try to determine what to do about their soaring case loads. they had over 100,000 cases -- new infections in a single day. in italy, they have cancelled new year's eve celebrations and we now have to wear masks outdoors. in places like germany, sporting events are going to be held but without anyone -- any spectators in those st

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> hello, everyone. it is wednesday, december 8th. it is 5:00 a.m. in new york. thanks so much for getting an early start with us. i'm laura jarrett. >> i'm christine romans. welcome to our viewers from the united states and around the world. important relief for american consumers. energy costs are falling now. first remember there had been worries home heating bills could double in some cases this winter, but those concerns are melting away here. a couple of reasons. warm temperatures and forecasts for warmer

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> welcome back. new fears over russia's potential military invasion of ukraine. russia has been increasing troops steadily along the border in the last few months. a recent panel at the ragan institute's national defense forum. this is what james mccon knowville was asked when he thinks what will happen. >> i don't know what they're going to do but i'm very, very concerned about their posture. it's in the news. somewhere around 95,000 to 100,000 russian soldiers on the border of ukraine that gives a lot of options to the russians. i'm not quite sure what they're going to do but to me that is a terrible -- going to have a terrible impact on the stability and security of our european friends. i have serious concerns about that. >> cnn's fred pleitgen joins us live from berlin th

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. remember, we brought you a distressing story about child marriage in afghanistan. many of you were particularly disturbed by the case of a girl sold into marriage to eye 55-year-old man for around $2,000. her father said it was his only option to feed his family. cnn was granted rare permission to document the sale as well as the hand over. after an international outcry, the u.s.-based nonprofit too young to wed got involved and rescued her. cnn was there to document it and anna coren brings us this exclusive report. >> reporter: an iranian love song plays as a driver navigates his way through the snow dusted valley in northwestern afghanistan. in the back of his station wagon is a mother and her six children who have just left behind a life of constant struggle and hardship, al

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> now, dozens are dead after an awful traffic crash in southern mexico. at least 54 people were killed thursday when a tractor-trailer crammed with people collided with a truck and overturned. most of the victims believed to be migrants, more than 100 more were injured. officials told local media the dead include men, women, as well as children. it happened in chappa state which borders guatemala. >>> now, here in the uk, prime minister boris johnson is facing mounting pressure amid a series, really, of allegations. government investigations are underway into staff christmas parties held during the country-wide lockdown last year. though london metropolitan police say they aren't investigating due to a lack of evidence. as johnson coincidentally announced lockdown measures to

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> president biden will end his first year in office with his approval rating under water. it hasn't been north of 50% since july and now hovers in the low 40s so what's to blame for the languishing numbers? we'll get some historical context from the cnn presidential historian tim nestle. tim, thanks so much for your time. i find this to be so fascinating because there's major legislative achievements. there's a robust economic recovery, and yet when you look back over history, including the last three presidents, i'll pull them up right now, only former president trump had a lower approval rating at the end of his first year. why? >> well, first of all, let's keep in mind the challenges that this president faces because they are unprecedented for this moment in a first term. h

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. small businesses like yours make gift-giving possible. now, comcast business has an exclusive gift for you. introducing the gift of savings sale. for a limited time, ask how to get a great deal for your business. and get up to a $500 prepaid card with select bundles when you switch to the network that can deliver gig speeds to the most businesses. or get started with internet and voice for $64.99 per month with a 2-year price guarantee. give your business the gift of savings today. comcast business. powering possibilities. >>> this morning a water crisis in hawaii. the well that delivers 20% of honolulu's water supply has been shut down to protect against contamination. the navy confirms tests last week found petroleum in its red hill well. the military is offering alternative h

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> with more talks between russia and the u.s. set for next month, the white house is tracking reports that thousands of russian troops have finished their drills near the ukrainian border, and that are back at their permanent bases. cnn's nic robertson joins us from moscow this morning. nic, good morning. why would troops leave now after ratcheting up tensions were ukraine? >> reporter: well, russia's perspective on this is that all of those troops are not there to ratchet up tensions with ukraine. they've been there for regular routine military exercises on russia's territory, which they say is their prerogative, and is not designed to send, you know, a threatening message to ukraine. so what russia is saying right now is 10,000 of those estimated 70 to 100,000 troops have no

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> a very good friday morning to you. i'm jim sciutto. >> i'm erica hill. we are watching at this hour the supreme court justices could issue a key opinio

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. mt. semeru is still at level 2, which means the people must be vigilant because the potential threat is still there. >>> yeah, you heard that quote. now the situation in east java's province is quite dangerous after saturday's deadly volcano eruption. 15 people were killed and about 1700 are now displaced after the sudden eruption destroyed hundreds of homes, damaged many schools and left villages covered in ash. 27 people are still missing. now, the hot ash volcanic gases and smoldering debris are still a threat to those living nearby. for more on this we're joined by will ripley in hong kong. i know you've been following the situation there quite closely. i have to say i've just been riveted by the pictures in an absolutely tragic way. it is hard to feature what some of these

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> welcome back. south africa is now easing its coronavirus restrictions, just a month after the omicron variant was first detected there. the latest indicators now say they may have passed the peak. cnn's david mckenzie is on the ground for us in cape town, south africa. what more are you learning? how was the virus able to get controlled there? >> reporter: well, laura, very little was done to control it because the restrictions were never tightened for omicron. if you look at this graph, this extraordinary rise in cases in south africa, dominated by omicron, and then the very quick and steep fall. as you say, officials here say that it may be the end of the wave, or it's quickly receding, the threat easing in this country. and you have this easing of restrictions, more peopl

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> the end of the year rush in congress is dizzying, beyond dizzying, including a mix of con sfenl policy and some eye-popping controversy. the house passed a major defense bill last night. it gives raises to service members and changes the way sexual assaults are handled in the military. senate action is next. and there's a deal there, believe it or not, between mitch mcconnell and chuck schumer to raise the debt ceiling. the next giant policy question is this -- does the senate now have a path to pass the big biden social safety net plan before christmas. and there are controversy questions, too. among them, progressives want speaker pelosi to punish republican lauren boebert for racist and islamophobic attacks on a democratic colleague. the speaker, though, is resisting. we'

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> happening now, breaking news. cnn has learned another high-level trump administration insider is now cooperating with the january 6th select committee. stand by for our exclusive reporting. also tonight, president biden is considering new sanctions as he prepares for a critical confrontation with vladimir putin tomorrow. at stake, a potential russian invasion of ukraine that one u.s. official fears will be a bloody massacre potentially. >>> and the michigan school shooting suspect and his parents are all under suicide watch in jail tonight. this as we're waiting to learn if more charges will be filed in the case. the sheriff standing by live. he will join us. we want to welcome our viewers in the united states and around the world. i'm wolf blitzer. you're in "the situation

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> right now the michigan school shooting suspect and both of his parents sitting in the same jail under suicide watch. police arrested the parents james and jennifer crumbley at a warehouse in detroit some 40 miles from their home. that was early saturday morning after authorities spent hours looking for them. the arrest comes as school officials are now defensing their decision to allow the accused gunman to go back to his classroom. the panel is back with me to discuss. the legal case will play out in michigan. it's a ground breaking case. the prosecutor trying to get the parents convicted of involuntary manslaughter, four counts each. immediately in this town there's a debate about gun control, always, after horrific shootings like this, and then this over the weekend. cong

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> welcome to "the lead." we start with our health lead and this dire warning. january is going to be a, quote, really, really hard month, as the omicron variant continues to explode. those words coming from brown university's dr. ashish jha who says americans should brace themselves, ourselves now, for many, many more covid infections. while dr. jha notes most who are vaccinated and boosted will not get severe illness, that will not be true for many of the unvaccinated. despite being nearly two years into this pandemic, scenes such as this one are still playing out across the country. this new video showing dozens of people waiting in a line that stretches around a strip mall in new jersey. all of those individuals hoping to just get a covid test. moments ago, connecticut's go

and this is emmanuel, a future recording artist, and one of the millions of students we're connecting throughout the next 10. through projectup, comcast is committing $1 billion so millions more students, past... and present, can continue to get the tools they need to build a future of unlimited possibilities. >>> tonight, the horse racing world in shock. kentucky derby winner, medina spirit, collapsing and dying after what's described as a routine workout at the santa anita race track in california this morning. his trainer, bob baffert, says the champion colt had a sudden heart horse you may re recall, baffert claiming a skin issue for a dermatological issue was responsible. medina spirit is the latest in what is now a long line of horses to die at santa anita race track in southern california. the deaths prompting investigations on which our nick watt has extensively chronicled. i hope you take a look at his fantastic reporting on that. thanks for joining us. "ac 360" starts now. >>> hey, good evening. we begin with breaking news and potentially a big break for the january 6th comm