i'm george howell at the cnn center in atlanta. i'll be back with more news from around the world. you're watching cnn, the world's news leader. >>> the arab world -- ahead the fiery embassy protests and why some are describing the kingdom as another isis. >>> plus, still at large. tel aviv police intensify their search for this man. suspected in friday's shooting rampage and the struggles of a defector. north koreans risk their lives to head south. many find it hard to realize their dreams even after the escape. from cnn world headquarters in atlanta. to our viewers in the united states and around the world, i'm george howell. "cnn newsroom" starts right now. a good day to you. we begin this hour in the middle east. the reaction to saudi arabia's mass execution of convicted terrorists, including the death of this man. the shiite cleric. there are fears that his execution could further fuel sectarian violence in the region. the kingdom executed sheik nimr al nimr. al anymorer was a vocal critic of the monarchy. crowds protested at

i'm george howell. the votes are being counted in a potentially historic election in taiwan. the polls close good an hour ago. results are expected soon. elected could be taiwan's first female president. her progressive party, the dpp, has traditionally favored taiwan's independence. as you can imagine, china will be paying close attention to this election, as well. live in taipei, we have more on the election. good to have you with us. let's talk about to relations if she's elected. >> reporter: the vote count is underway. and there could be the first president of taiwan. the 59-year-old former trade coordinator is known as dr. ci after gaining a ph.d. from economics. she's never held elected before. if she becomes the next president of taiwan, she will be facing an array of challenges including a stagnating economy, a rising and very increasingly vocal youth movement, the tricky relationship with china and and a half gating those cross straits ties and the rising sense of taiwan's identity. there has

i'm george howell. the beginning of 2016 isn't bringing much relief to the u.k. in terms of weather. more rain is on the way for parts of the country already dealing with unprecedented flooding and the threat of ice and snow that could hamper cleanup efforts there. in some areas, what would normally be a month's worth of rain fell in just one day. the u.k.'s environment agency says more than 7,000 homes have been flooded in the last week. >>> in the united states, the death toll is rising from severe flooding in the midwest. in the state of illinois, nine people have been killed, while in missouri at least 15 people lost their lives. people in the southernmost tip of illinois are watching the levees closely as authorities go door to door asking people to evacuate. one levee has already been breached. 12 counties have been declared disaster areas with the governor calling in the national guard. flooding is a big concern. let's go to our meteorologist, karen maginnis, for an update on the situation. >>> w

i'm george howell. >> and i'm natalie allen live in atlanta. here are our top stories.irst, breaking news out of north korea. an american student is under arrest. state news agency reports say the student was in the country on a tourist visa, and was detained while carrying out a, quote, hostile act against north korea. that student is said to attend a university in virginia. >>> millions of people in the united states, they will be cold, facing blizzard conditions this weekend in what is being called the biggest snowstorm of the winter so far. washington, d.c. and surrounding areas are expecting to be -- expected to be hit among the hardest. more than 4500 flights have been canceled, which could impact global travel. >>> european stock markets are getting much needed relief from the recent sell-off. right now london's ftse is up 1.6%. in frankfurt, the dax up as well, 1.7 ashraf. in paris, the cac 40 is up 2.17. and the zurich smi is up as well, 2%. >>> now back to the story that we've been following in flint, michigan. you've heard many of it all because of the city's

. >> and i'm george howell. north korea state run media says an american student has been arrested by north korean authorities. that student said to be from a university in virginia. that's all we know at this point. accused of allegedly carrying out anti-north korean acts. we are live in seoul in a moment with more on this story. >>> our other major story we're watching is this. about 75 million people in the rust in the path of what is being called the winter's biggest storm yet. washington, d.c. and its surrounding areas expected to be hit the hardest. some places could see more than two feet or close to a meter of snow this weekend. >>> there are accusations that russian president vladimir putin probably approved the killing f of. he was poisoned in 2006 apparently by a radioactive substance in his tea. more now on the breaking news story that we're following. this u.s. student under investigation in north korea. cnn's paula hancocks is live in seoul, south korea, following the story for us. paula, good to h

i'm george howell at the cnn center in atlanta. i'll be back after the break with another hour of news from around the world. thank you for watching cnn, the world's news leader. "why are you checking your credit score?" "you don't want to live with mom and dad forever, do you?" "boo!" (laughs) "i'm making smoothies!" "well...i'm not changing." "so, how can i check my credit score?" "credit karma. don't worry, it's free." "hmmmm." "credit karma. give yourself some credit." >>> today marks the first day of a safer world. >> the u.s. secretary of state welcomes the reduction of iran's nuclear capability and the lifting of sanctions against a long time foe. but not everybody is celebrating. plus, an attack in west africa felt around the world. 18 countries report victims from friday's hotel siege in burkina faso. with the election of taiwan's first female president, beijing feels the slight jab from a new thorn in its side. from cnn world headquarters in atlanta, welcome to our viewers here in the united states and around the world. i

i'm george howell. the headlines we're following -- >> >> in the race for utah president, candidates are making their final push in iowa before monday's caucuses. republican front-runner donald trump is getting a boost from a new poll that gives him a five-point edge over main rival ted cruz in that state. it also shows democrat hillary clinton holdology to a very slim three-point lead over bernie sanders. a. >>> a delegation of syrian opposition groups says it will meet with the special envoy to syria. the high negotiations committee has previously refused to sit down with government representatives until the regime agrees to stop attacking civilian targets. at least 33 migrants drowned on saturday after their boat sank. the migrants from syria, afghanistan, and myanmar were trying to make their way from turkey into greece. at least five of those dead were children. >>> many of these migrants are fleeing death and misery back home and as they migrate to the north, asylum seekers often face dangerous ro

i'm george howell.ow. and a very good day to you. we start this hour with the latest on the republican debate that was held in the state of south carolina and where people expected sparks to fly between the rivals that were on stage, they were not disappointed. candidates went after each other, then they went after hillary clinton, insisting that she would only continue the policies of the current president, barack obama. this was one of the last chances for the candidates to make their closing arguments, so to speak, before voting starts in just a few short weeks in iowa, then in new hampshire and the state of south carolina. the chances for any candidate to make a big move or to take an opponent down a peg are dwindling. and that made this latest debate a prime opportunity. here is a look at some of the key moments. >> you were born in canada to an american mother so you were are considered an american citizen. but that fellow next to you and others have said being born in canada means you are not nat

. >> and i'm george howell. "cnn newsroom" starts right now. >>> very good day to you. we start in the u.s. state of iowa, just three days from now voters will hold the first presidential caucuses. thursday night was their last chance to see the republican candidates go head to head on the stage. >> donald trump, as you might have heard, was not there. he held his own event, a fund-raiser for veterans to compete with the fox news debate. he says the network apologized to him late thursday and asked him to take part in the debate. but trump says he had to stand up for himself after being treated unfairly. >> i didn't want to be here, i have to be honest. i wanted to be about five minutes away, and i've enjoyed that. i've enjoyed that. all the online polls said i've done very well with the debates, and i've had a kick with it. but you have to stick up for your rights. when you're treated badly, you have to stick up for your rights. [ applause ] you have to do it. >> let's begin by clearing what this campaign is about. it's not about donald trump. he is an entertaining guy

i'm natalie allen. >> i'm george howell. "newsroom" starts right now. . >>> a very good day to you. we start this hour with that massive snowstorm that hit the u.s. east coast, the first big storm of the year for the region. >> it was a whopper from georgia up to new york. 85 million people feeling the effects of this one. 11 governors declared states of emergency. >> roadways across the region are clogged with snow, ice and stranded drivers. and at airports not much relief there either. almost 7,000 flights have been canceled for saturday and sunday. baltimore airport in maryland had record snowfall there. more than two feet. >> and there's been tragedy on top of frustration with at least 14 storm-related deaths. let's get an update on what's left of the storm because there's a little bit left. >> the bulk of the heavy snowfall now moving away from the new england coast. there's still the threat of blowing and drifting snow. that's going to create very hazardous conditions. still the majority of the blizzard warnings have b

i'm george howell. we are following this hour, the iowa caucuses happen monday and the presidential candidates in both parties are making last minute appeals. iowa is the first state to select the person that voters want to see as the party's nominee. the u.s. state department said it is not releasing 22 of hillary clinton's e-mails saying they are labeled top secret. the e-mails were sent when she was secretary of state and not marked as classified back then. they haunted her presidential campaign. the peace talks have finally started in switzerland after days of delays. a coalition representing opposition groups will arrive after earlier threatening to boycott the negotiations. the president of brazil said her country is losing the battle and she is calling on everyone to unite against mosquitos carrying the disease. zika has been linked to birth disorders in newborns and no vaccine or treatment is available. back to u.s. politics, nobody can deny that donald trump drummed up power. he has undeniably

here's natalie allen and george howell with our coverage. >> this is cnn breaking news. >> this is breaking we are hearing right now 130,000 customers are without power in freezing temperatures dealing with the blizzard conditions and several major cities are facing snow for this system, we looking for snow totals more than a meter. the country is at a stand still with 8,000 flights canceled through sunday. >> the virginia state police tell us they've responded to many traffic accidents so far. meteorologists tell us the worst is yet to come. the next couple of hours, it will be critical. >> we expect it to really ramp up in the overnight period and gets to its most severe state by early tomorrow morning, meaning saturday on the eastern seaboard. >> we were just getting going. >> exactly. if this is a sign of things to come, then what we say is complete truth. that is baltimore, and it is whipping. that's the major concern going forward. we combine winds with heftier snow squalls coming through. >> it's an impressive storm, but we do expect these areas that are kind of dotted about in terms

i'm george howell. >> and i'm natalie allen. u.s. presidential copied donald trump claims he raised nearly $6 million at his event to compete with the box news debate in iowa. trump says the money will go to veterans groups. the outspoken republican boycotted the last debate before the iowa caucuses after feuding with fox. >> a prison teacher, one of ten people arrested in connection with the jail break in southern california last friday. the woman taught english as a second language classes and is believed to have helped the ring wleerd escape. investigators say the three inmates are still together and may be living out of a stolen van. >> china has indicted a canadian man choorges of spying and stealing state credits. kevin garrett and his wife ran a cafe in northeastern china and were arrested in 2014. she was released on bail last year. canada says it has discussed the case with the chinese government. their children call the arrest ridiculous. >> so the debate happened and u.s. republican presidential candidates made a lot of cl

headquarters in atlanta, welcome to our viewers here in the united states and around the worldment i'm george howell

from cnn in atlanta, i'm george howell and cnn newsroom starts now.

i'm george howell. >> i'm natalie allen with more on the blizzard that's hitting the eastern u.s. now for a special "new day." thanks for watching. >>> 85 million of you waking up in the path of this -- a potentially devastated winter storm this morning. and the worst, we're told, may be yet to come. right now ten states and the district of columbia under a state of emergency. nearly a quarter of a million people do not have power. cnn is live up and down the east coast this morning tracking the storm as it threatens to cripple so many of you in so many cities. we know snow's falling now in major cities like new york, washington, baltimore, philadelphia. so those are some of the live pictures you're seeing there. we're going to take to you to this all morning. wishing the best as we say good morning. i'm christi paul. and we have with us martin savidge in the thing of things in for victor blackwell. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. this is really a storm that is going to go down in the record books. certainly in the memories of millions of americans along the east coast. n

i'm george howell. cnn news room starts right now. >> a very good day to you. in iowa, the state who cast the first votes in the presidential process, don'ters for the white house are taking full advantage of every remaining second. they fanned out across the state to win over undecided voters. and we're getting new numbers now on what could be the final major poll before monday's critical caucuses. the poll from bloomberg politics and the des moines register now gives republican donald trump a five-point lead over ted cruz. marco rubio is third with 15% then carson is fourth. on the democratic side, hillary clinton holds a three-point edge over bernie sanders. that is within the margin of error, meaning they are statistically tied. but keep this in mind. iowa is not a state where it's enough to poll well or pack a rally with huge crowds. you actually have to get those voters out to the caucuses to vote on monday. if candidates d can't get their supporters to turn out, the chances of winning then plummet on monday. cnn political correspondent sara murray explai

here's natalie allen and george howell with our coverage. >> this is cnn breaking news. >> this is breaking right now 130,000 customers are without power in freezing temperatures dealing with the blizzard conditions and several major cities are facing snow

i'm george howell. >> and i'm natalie allen. u.s. donald trump claims he raised nearly $6 million at his event to compete with the box news debate in iowa. trump says the money will go to veterans groups. the outspoken republican boycotted the last debate before the iowa caucuses after feuding with fox. >> a prison

. >> and i'm george howell. said to be from a university in virginia. that's all we know at this point. accused of allegedly carrying out anti-north korean acts. we are live in seoul in a moment with more on this story. >>> our other major story we're watching is this. about 75 million people in the rust in the path of what is being called the winter's biggest storm yet.

she took in two baby squirrels after their mother abandon them on her property in howell over the summer, babies george and lola were loved by the family but the plan was to always get these back in the wild where they belong. maria says before they could do that two officers were at her front door, they took the squirrels and maria thought it summons. >>> the judge tells me up to up to a thousand dollars fine, up to six months in jail, what does this world come to? we teach our children to be kind, to be compassionate? and then we end up in the court system. >>> so she is facing charges because she kept the wild animals in her care for an extended period of time. animal rights groups are offering to pay her legal bills. >>> let's get a check on your forecast right now, what's this about this snow, john? >>> now there is going to be light snow this afternoon, but a coastal, that would be friday night into saturday. we'll take a look at that just a second. watchers are tracking. >> some readings in the teens remember with the wind it feels a lot colder. another feature tom says hey, first snow of the se

: howell new jersey resident maria says she became a baby girl expert after a squirrel mother abandoned her babies on her property over the summer. >> every two hour feedings. >> reporter: baby george and lola were loved by the family but the plan was to get these animals back in the wild. but maria says before that could happen, two officer were at her front door. >> fish and wildlife said we saw a picture on facebook. do you have squirrels? yes i have squirrels. you. >> fine by me. >> reporter: she the law and needed to go to court. i go to court and the judge tells will me it's up to six what has this world come to? we teach our children to be kind, to be compassionate and then we end up in court system. >> reporter: comments on social media include some saying ignorance of a law keeping wild animals is no excuse. but others worry it could lead to other animals being left to die. some animal rights organizations are offering to pay her legal bills. >> i know these laws exist to protect the animals but when they're that cute it's hard to be mean. >>> let's check in with vanessa murdock. has a cold front for us. not only cold temperatures ahead tomorrow but also snow apparently on