Why Omicron set off alarm bells, Michigan school shooting latest and meet France’s Donald Trump

To ensure delivery to your inbox add email@mail.nbcnews.com to your contacts Today's Top Stories from NBC News WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021 Good morning, NBC News readers.     Today we take a closer look at the omicron variant and why it set off alarm bells for epidemiologists around the world. A dramatic video has emerged from the Michigan school shooting showing students' poise during the panic. Plus, meet the far-right TV pundit who is running for president of France.    Here's what we're watching this Wednesday morning.     These early signs made omicron different from previous Covid variants, experts say The World Health Organization has identified and tracked more than 20 coronavirus variants since the virus first emerged in late 2019.   So what is it about the omicron variant that has scientists — and everyone else — so alarmed?   Experts say the omicron variant's cocktail of more than 30 mutations make it standout from other variants that have popped up around the world since the pandemic started.     "The number of changes blew people's minds," said Jeremy Kamil, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Louisiana State University Health Shreveport. Read the full story here.    More on the new variant:  White House considers stricter international travel testing requirements Omicron expected to be found in the U.S. 'any day now,' lab chief says  Wednesday's Top Stories 'Go, go, go!': Michigan school shooting video shows students' dramatic escape  Authorities believe the gun a 15-year-old Michigan high school student used Tuesday to kill three teenage classmates and seriously wound eight other people was just purchased by the suspect's father on Friday.  READ MORE Supreme Court set to dive into Mississippi abortion case that is the most direct challenge to Roe v. Wade in decades The Mississippi law would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, allowing them only in medical emergencies or cases of severe fetal abnormality.  READ MORE He's been called racist and 'dangerous,' and he's running for president of France Éric Zemmour, a French far-right TV pundit who declared his candidacy for French president on Tuesday, does not mind comparisons to Donald Trump. "We are not the same but we have points in common," he recently told NBC News.  READ MORE Once 'founder-led,' Twitter sets course for a fresh path Analysts say the passing of the baton could herald a new era of innovation for the company.  READ MORE Also in the News CNN suspends Chris Cuomo indefinitely after probe shows he advised his brother ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo Theranos trial: Elizabeth Holmes admits whistleblower was right and WSJ reporter was 'mishandled' Weapons expert points to possible explanation for how live rounds got on 'Rust' set before deadly shooting First Maxwell accuser says she was 'groomed' to have sex with Epstein, others "The Lovely Bones" author apologizes to man wrongfully convicted of raping her Anti-vaccine Christian broadcaster Marcus Lamb dies at 64 after contracting Covid 'Sad day' for Black golf fans as they mourn Lee Elder's death and Tiger Woods says injuries will limit his play   Editor's Pick World AIDS Day: Is the world closer to an HIV vaccine in the face of Covid-19? Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a recent op-ed that it was "likely" that an HIV vaccine could build upon the pioneering technology of mRNA coronavirus vaccines. READ MORE One Pricey Thing What's the world's most expensive city?   Sun and sand… and a rising cost of living.   Tel Aviv, Israel, was ranked the most expensive city in the world, according to this year's Worldwide Cost of Living report released by the Economist Intelligence Unit on Wednesday.   The Mediterranean metropolis rose to the top spot from fifth place last year, beating out Paris and Singapore, which were tied for second place.   Read more about where America's big city's landed on the list here.  Thanks for reading the Morning Rundown.    If you have any comments — likes, dislikes — send me an email at: petra@nbcuni.com   If you're a fan, please forward it to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.    Thanks, Petra Cahill     FOLLOW US     Want to receive NBC Breaking News and Special Alerts in your inbox? SIGN UP HERE Check out all of NBC Newsletters here.     Get the NBC News Mobile App   30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 View in browser | Unsubscribe | Manage Subscription | Contact | Privacy