i'm kim brunhuber. this is "cnn newsroom." >> live from cnn center, this is "cnn newsroom" with kim brunhuber. >>> the growing threat of omicron is forcing governments around the world to take quick action to stop the spread. and while scientists work nonstop to answer the many questions about the variant, omicron infections are rising rapidly. but the delta variant is the main cause of surging cases right now. u.s. health systems are at risk of being overwhelmed, especially across the midwest, northeast and southwest. we'll take a closer look at the u.s. in just a moment. europe is also seeing rampant spread. the uk reported more than 90,000 new covid infections for a second day in a row. and that's prompting germany to take tough action, adding the united kingdom to its list of areas with variants of concern. only german citizens or residents will be allowed to enter germany from the uk. for more on the sky-high infection rates across the uk and a major announcement from the mayor of london i'm joined

i'm kim brunhuber f. you're just joining us, let's get you up to date with our top stories this hour. first prime minister boris johnson is using his annual christmas message to urge people to get their covid boosters. the uk reported nearly 120,000 new infections on thursday, its highest number of the pandemic. plus, the omicron is wreaking havoc on air travel this christmas eve. both delta and united airlines have canceled dozens of flights saying the spike in cases is having a direct impact on flight crews and ground operations. some international airlines are cancelling flights as well. >>> now, a spike in covid cases aren't just interfering with air travel. they're impacting sea travel as well. royal caribbean's cruise ship odyssey of the seas was denied entry into aruba and curacao after 55 people on board tested positive for covid-19, but the company says the decision not to visit those ports was made in conjunction with local governments. 90% of those on board were fully vaccinated. royal caribbea

i'm kim brunhuber. this is "cnn newsroom." >>> whether it's delta or omicron, covid cases are surging across the globe, bringing restrictions and also protests. we'll have the latest from new york and london and rome. voters in hong kong head to the polls for their first election under a new system, but their options are pretty limited. we'll explain. >>> and despite 2021 being a tough year in many ways, we'll share stories from around the world about people determined to spread holiday cheer. >>> we begin with the growing threat of the omicron variant. cases are rising quickly around the globe. less than a month after it was first detected. in the u.s., experts are warning that americans could be facing a dark winter as omicron collides with the surge of the delta variant. the country is now averaging more than 125,000 new infections a day. cases are rising, especially fast in the northeast, midwest, and south, but experts say that's mostly being fueled by the delta variant, not omicron that's expected

jurors in the trial of former police officer kim potter prepare for the third day of deliberations. after suggesting they may be struggling to reach a verdict. >> announcer: live from london, this is "cnn newsroom" with isa soares. >>> welcome to the show, everyone. it is wednesday, december 22nd. we begin with new evidence of just how devastating the covid-19 pandemic has been. now, the cdc says life expectancy in the u.s. fell by almost two years in 2020. mostly due to the pandemic. last year americans lived to an average age of 77, down from 78.8. that is the biggest single-year drop in more than 75 years. and covid was the third leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. the news comes as the pandemic is still raging right across the country, fueled by omicron. the variant has now been detected in all but one state, and that is south dakota. the country is currently averaging 150,000 new covid cases a day. while numbers, new case numbers declined last week, data from the w.h.o. shows the u.s. still has more new infections than any other country, despite all that, mi

i'm kim brunhuber. and this is "cnn newsroom." covid cases are surging around the globe, but the severity of the omicron variant is up for debate. in a cnn exclusive, the latest in the january 6th investigation drawing scrutiny, a former trump cabinet member who denies sending it. >>> plus, a suspect in the assassination of haiti's president speaks exclusively to cnn. >> announcer: live from cnn center, this is "cnn newsroom" with kim brunhuber. >>> a study out of the uk is giving new insights on the omicron variant, as the world rushes to build consensus on whether it's more mild than other forms of covid-19. researchers at imperial college london, say they found no evidence the variant is any less severe than delta. they also found the risk of getting infected again was more than five times greater with omicron than with delta. data shows the variant is spreading faster in the uk than it has in south africa, with infections doubling in under 2 1/2 days. this as the uk reported more than 93,000 cases on friday, breaking the recor

i'm kim brunhuber. ahead on "cnn newsroom," the u.s. on alert with covid cases surging ahead of a busy holiday week, americans are in encouraged to prepare for tough times ahead. the story is the same in europe as protests rock in reaction to tighter restrictions. we'll have the latest in live reports from london and rome. >>> and with afghans facing their first winter back under taliban control, the humanitarian crisis looms. we'll hear the stark warning from one aid group. >> announcer: live from cnn center, this is "cnn newsroom" with kim brun huber. >> we begin with the growing threat of the omicron variant. cases are rising quickly around the globe less than a month after it was first detected. in the u.s., experts are warning that americans could be facing a dark winter as omicron collides with the surge of the delta variant. the country is now averaging more than 125,000 new cases a day. cases are rising especially fast in the north, midwest, and south, but experts say that's mostly being feudal

look at these temperatures, kim. temps running 20 degrees above average in atlanta where it should be in the 60s in new orleans, they will be in the 80s. even houston, 80s for the forecast where the 60s are normal this time of year. >> yeah, i was checking out that map in disbelief. so incredibly warm here in atlanta, where we are. pedram javaheri, thank you so much. appreciate it. >>> ft. meyers, florida, where all eyes are on a pair of bald eagle eggs expected to hatch soon. parents spent more than a month guarding and incubating the eggs. right now, the mother harriet is doing her part. on sunday, a small crack appeared on one of the eggs. the first sign of a hatching. well, everyone's friendly neighborhood spider man is now a friendly neighborhood billionaire. spidey's latest outing spider-man no way home has crossed $1 billion at the global box office. tom holland stars as peter parker who is tasked with saving the multiverse from super villains spanning the character's nearly 20 year film history. no way home i

kim? >> all right. thanks so much, al, appreciate it. >>> still ahead, cnn uncovers more information about the possible motive behind the unsolved assassination of haiti's president. and some of the men held in the case are talking to us in an exclusive report. we'll have more on why they are innocent victims being denied their rights. >>> plus this. for people who could use a lift new neutrogena® rapid firming. a triple-lift serum with pure collagen. 92% saw visibly firmer skin in just 4 weeks. neutrogena® for people with skin. i've been telling everyone... the secret to great teeth is having healthy gums. crest advanced gum restore. detoxifies below the gumline... and restores by helping heal gums in as little as 7 days. crest. the #1 toothpaste brand in america. do you have a life insurance policy you no longer need? now you can sell your policy - even a term policy - for an immediate cash payment. call coventry direct to learn more. we thought we had planned carefully for our retirement. but we qu

i'm kim brunhuber. ahead on "cnn newsroom." ending 2021 like it began with covid cases surging in the u.s., difficulties getting tests, and healthcare workers pushed to the brink. president biden won't be ringing in the new year with a build back better victory. the democrats are plotting a new path forward to try and get his signature bill passed. and truck driver sentenced to 110 years following a fatal crash. now, a public outcry and a district attorney pushing the court to reduce his time behind bars. >>> live from cnn center, this is "cnn newsroom" with kim brunhuber. >>> all right. we begin this hour with the growing concern over the rapid spread of the omicron variant in the u.s. it's driving daily covid infections to highs, not seen since last january. this is the scene at testing sites around the country. long lines with people often having to wait hours to get tested. the white house is facing increased criticism over its handling of covid testing. here is what top health expert dr. anthony fauci had to say. >> we sho

i'm kim brunhuber live at the cnn center in atlanta. just ahead on "cnn newsroom." >> his lawyers insisting he's in an impossible position. he's trying to choose between his privilege rights and being held in contempt. >> they feel this is another stall and delay tactic on the part of mark meadows. >> what he's doing is taking a firecracker and tossing it into the january 6 committee room and saying, deal with this. >> it could be a major setback to the january 6 investigation. former trump official mark meadows is suing lawmakers to block their subpoenas. we'll tell you the committee's response. >>> the omicron variant of the coronavirus now in 22 states. health experts are predicting a winter surge and urging americans to get their booster shot. >>> and 2two more countries joi the diplomatic boycott of the beijing olympics. we'll have china's reaction. >> announcer: live from cnn center, this is "cnn newsroom" with kim brunhuber. >>> it's thursday, december 9th, and we begin with the latest challenge to the january 6 committee's abili

i'm kim brunhuber. ahead on "cnn newsroom," in custody, behind bars, and arraigned. the parents of the michigan school shooting suspect has been charged, but more charges may be ahead. >>> and the coronavirus variant omicron moving around the globe with astonishing speed. we're live in london and johannesburg with the latest. >>> plus, the paradox behind the rebounding job market and the public with a negative view of the economy, while millions of americans are quitting their jobs. we'll dive into the psychology of inflation. >>> the fallout from tuesday's horrific school shooting in michigan continues, as police say another person could face charges for helping the parents of the alleged shooter. james and jennifer crumbley are each being held on a $500,000 bond in the same county jail as their 15-year-old son. they have pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter. now, this exclusive video shows the couple being taken into custody from a warehouse in detroit after setting off a fugitive manhunt. police say someone helped the pair get into that buildi

the defensive's strategy for exonerating the former police officer, kim potter. >> good to have you with us. more fears of an omicron takeover are becoming a reality in the united states. on monday, the cdc announced the highly contagious variant now accounts for more than 73% of new cases. omicron has been detected in all but two u.s. states. and it is even more prevalent in parts of the southeast and northwest. the variant's rapid spread comes during the busy holiday season, straining the country's testing capacity. some states are now deploying the national guard to assist and military teams are being sent to support overwhelmed hospitals in hard hit areas. meanwhile, the u.s. president joe biden will deliver remarks on the omicron variant in the coming hours. the variant is also leading to a wave of new restrictions across europe. on monday, london became the latest city to cancel its new years eve celebrations. experts say vaccinations and boosters are the best way to stay protected. yet millions of americans are still refusing to get the shot. here's dr. fauci fauci's message for t

we'll have closing arguments in the trial of the police officer kim potter. >> announcer: live from london, this is "cnn newsroom" with isa soares. >>> welcome, everyone. it is tuesday, december 21st, and we begin with a staggering really take over of the omicron variant in the united states. on monday, the cdc announced the highly contagious variant now accounts for more than 73% of new covid cases. now, omicron has been detected in all but two u.s. states as you can see there on your screen. it is even more prevalent in parts of the southeast as well as the northwest. now, these numbers really show just how quickly this variant has been spreading. the first week december, omicron made up less than 1% of new cases. three weeks later it accounts for nearly three quarters of new infections. and these numbers here paint a very similar picture. omicron racing past the delta variant there in blue to become really the dominant strain in a matter of weeks. and experts warn this is especially concerning as families, of course, gather for the holidays. >> he you see case report after case report o

possible protests as jury deliberations continue in the manslaughter trial of former police officer kim potter. there is still no verdict and deliberations will resume in the coming hours. omar jimenez reports there are signs the jury is struggling to reach an agreement. >> reporter: the jury in the kim potter trial ended their deliberations wednesday right at the 24-hour mark over the course of the past three days, and still no verdict. we got an indication that they may be having trouble getting to a consensus after one of two questions was asked of the judge on tuesday. that question simply asked, what happens if we can't reach a consensus. and now moving forward, we're running right into christmas eve and christmas on the horizon, and this judge has indicated she would not keep these jurors over christmas eve and christmas, meaning if they can't come to a decision before then, we would just start up again the week of december 27th. now, the crux of what they are trying to figure out and get to a consensus on is whether former officer kim potter was justified in her shooting and kill

former officer kim potter broke down in tears as she testified friday. apologizing and sailing she didn't want to hurt anybody. potter said she mistook her gun. they say she has acted recklessly. she has pleaded not guilty to first and second degree manslaughter. >>> pro and college sports are being rocked by outbreaks. every major league is hitting pause in some way to slow the spread. details on the teams getting benched next. when they're sick, they get comfortable anywhere and spread germs everywhere. wherever they rest protection nothing kills more viruses, including the covid-19 virus, on more surfaces than lysol disinfectant spray. lysol. what it takes to protect. >>> can you imagine a circumstance where the director of the nih, somebody who believes in science would submit to political pressures and fire the greatest expert in infectious disease that the world has known just to satisfy political concerns? >> that is the outgoing nih director, dr. francis collins describing the pressure he felt under the trump administration to fire the nation's t

. >> reporter: what was in officer kim potter considering in these tense moments with daunte wright? >> i shot him! oh, my god! >> reporter: and what influenced her to draw any weapon at all? >> i don't know what happened. >> reporter: those are the questions the court weighed in the manslaughter trial. the defense pleaded that she feared for the life of her fellow officers. >> he is ignoring the warnings, taser, taser. i'm going to tase you. you have a right to use deadly force to save that cop, that police officer that's lying over the seat, correct? >> potentially, yes. but i wasn't there. >> reporter: the prosecution objecting as their witness, a senior officer, made a point for the defense. the second witness to do so thus far. >> the objection is overruled. you may answer. >> reporter: commander garrett of the brooklyn center police department conceded potter's use of deadly force may have been lawful. >> you've got to save that officer that's laying over the seat, correct? >> yes. >> if you're dragged down the street by this driver if he gets away, that man is going to be seri

involved the killing of a black man by police. 20-year-old daunte wright was shot by former officer kim potter near minneapolis in april. she claimed she killed daunte wright by mistake using her gun when she meant to use a taser. she is now facing manslaughter charges. on thursday wright's girlfriend who was with him during the entire incident took the stand. our josh campbell reports. >> reporter: emotional testimony thursday from daunte wright' girlfriend in the manslaughter trial of former police officer kim potter. potter said she mistook her gun for her taser when she shot and killed wright during a routine traffic stop. wright's girlfriend was in the car at the time. >> he was really scared. i've never seen him like that before. i just remember, like, him, like, the bang of the gun and i remember just looking up. >> reporter: wright's girlfriend telling the court what happened after the shooting. >> i grabbed whatever was in the car. i don't remember, it was a sweater, a towel or blanket or something, and -- i put my hands over his -- i tried to hold it. >> reporter: after wright

the cash you want. ♪ >>> this is cnn breaking news. >>> i'm kim brunhuber. and we're starting with the breaking news. this hour, a powerful storm system is working its way through the central u.s. millions are at risk. more than 200,000 homes and businesses are without power. and at least 24 tornadoes have already been reported across five states. have a look here. if you look closely you can see a tornado. the darkness makes it harder to see it and even more dangerous. at least two people have been killed i

. >>> and a policing expert and sergeant testified in kim potter trial. one thing he said he never had a police officer, accidentally drawing a gun. ♪ >> announcer: live from london, this is "cnn newsroom" with isa soares. >>> welcome, everyone. it is thursday, december 16th, and we begin this hour with breaking news in the united states. now powerful storm system terror in parts of the midwest and great plains 80 million people under wind alert. right now more than 400,000 customers across eight states as you can see on your map, are without power. there were more than 55 reports of hurricane-force winds across the central u.s. on wednesday, breaking the national record for the most in one day. some of the gusts top 100 miles per hour, 160 kilometers per hour. now, this system is also caused nearly 20 tornadoes. minnesota reported its first ever december tornado. and this is a scene as you can see there in kansas where massive dust storm has formed. a major highway was forced to close as the skies practically went dark. wind gusts were so strong in col

i'm kim brunhuber. ahead on "cnn newsroom," the parents of a teenager charged in a deadly school shooting are themselves arraigned. you'll hear their lawyers' response and why more charges could follow. >>> tightening global travel. more restrictions go into effect as the omicron spreads. >>> and a high-tech way to fight climate change that begins with a rather low-tech problem.

cnn's kim law picks up the story. >> reporter: this video is from the perspective of the los angeles police department. it was released so that people in the community could understand what responding officers were arriving to. there were reports of multiple reports of a possible shooting happening inside a store, so the l.a.p.d. released 911 call, store surveillance video and body cam footage video. we want to warn you the video you are about to see may be upsetting. in the store surveillance video you see a man acting erratically and randomly attacking one of the women. he strikes her multiple times, pulling her by her hair and then strikes her until she is bloody. officers enter the store. they see the injured woman as well as the attacker, and then they fired. >> slow down, slow down. >> she's bleeding, she's bleeding. >> reporter: one of the bullets fired by one of the officers skipped off the floor and went through the drywall into a dressing room where 14-year-old valentina peralta was there, hiding with her mother, hugging her mother and praying, according to her family. the

we saw the same thing with the kim potter trial. they took four days and came back with guilty charges on what she was charged with. the conventional wisdom of how long juries are out is not holding true. juries are taking longer. seemingly, that time is being used to be methodical about the evidence that is presented in the trial process. >> there was a lot of evidence. they asked the judge a number of questions regarding the testimony. what was your take on the defense strategy, using the tactics to discredit the survivors who testified and attacking the credibility, portraying them as opportunists looking for a payday. >> it's old and tired and didn't work. we see it happen when you attack the victims. you suggest they are lying. you say they are motivated by money. you challenge the memories of events. and jurors are more sophisticated than that. we heard people tell us that victims don't have clear memories about the trauma they experienced. and women, we're in a different era. women are being believed. when they come forward a