Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Funeral Today for Officer Killed in Ambush; Remembering Officer Rafael Ramos; Social Media Tributes to Fallen NYPD Officers; Jordan Warns of Consequences if Pilot Harmed; Doubts on Sony Hack Done by North Korea; Britain Battles Obesity; Top 10 Health Stories of 2014

Aired December 27, 2014 - 13:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, VICE PRESIDENT: I'm sure I speak for the whole nation when I say to you that our hearts ache for you. I know from personal experience that there is little anyone can say or do at this moment to ease the pain, that sense of loss, that sense of loneliness.

WILLIAM BRATTON, NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER: We know who we are, the men and women who wear that blue and wear that badge, because we know who Rafael Ramos was. He was a father, he's a son, a brother and a husband. He was a New Yorker. He was a New York City police officer. And he was, he is, a hero.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Martin Savidge in for Fredricka Whitfield.

That was Vice President Joe Biden and New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, speaking at the funeral of killed officer, Rafael Ramos, this afternoon.

CNN's Miguel Marquez was outside the church in Queens for us this morning and Rosa Flores was nearby among the thousands of mourners.

Miguel, let me start with you. Officer Ramos' casket now is on the way to the cemetery.

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is, indeed. And the scene here at the church is really clearing out. We did have a chance encounter with Patrick Lynch. He's the head of the PBA or the Patrolman's Benevolence Association. One of several unions connected to NYPD. This is the individual who earlier in the week said that the blood on the hands was -- led all the way to the city hall and to the mayor.

He is one of those individuals who has put himself very much at the center of the frustration and anger in this city over these two killings of these two police officers, blaming it on the protesters, blaming it on the mayor. He said earlier, that one, he had never seen, such a turnout. He's still an active police officer. He's been in the force 31 years. He's never seen such a turnout for a police officer and it was very, very impressive.

But also said that with regard to the police officers turning their backs on the mayor as he spoke in the church there, that the feeling was real, that this was not something that was being faked, this was not something for politics, this was not something that they were doing just to drive some bargains. There was real frustration and anger at this administration by some in the police department.

He then said but we don't want to go all into that. We have another funeral to go. And we want to honor both of these men before we begin to have a discussion about how we move forward from all of this. Didn't want to talk beyond that.

But very interesting that they made the point to come over and at least begin that dialogue for putting NYPD and the mayor back together and beginning to address each other in more civil terms, and a little more mellow, and hopefully getting to a place where people feel a little better about the relationship between this mayor and his own police force -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: An interesting conversation, Miguel. Thank you very much.

Vice President Joe Biden also spoke at the funeral. He was there on behalf of President Obama and the nation.

Erin McPike is at the White House.

And Erin, the vice president made some very emotional comments today.

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Martin, he sure did. And I just went back and read the transcript of the remarks and it's actually hard to read. It's almost provocative because it is so personal, even though he didn't know Rafael Ramos. But I want to play for you part of what he said because not only was it personal, but it was so sincere. Listen here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BIDEN: Mom, no child should pre-deceased a parent. My heart aches for you. I know from experience there are no words that I can offer to ease that profound sense of loneliness and loss you're feeling right now. But I also know from experience that the time will come, the time will come when Rafael's memory will bring a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eyes. That's when you know, it's going to be OK.

I know it's hard to believe it will happen, but I promise you, I promise you, it will happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCPIKE: The experience that he was talking about was that when he was 29 years old and had just been elected to the Senate, he also experienced a tragedy. His first wife and his first daughter -- he had two older sons, but his daughter and first wife were killed in a car accident and he'd found out on a phone call with his sister. Now he also spoke to the New York Police Department, to New York, and

law enforcement generally and gave them a much-needed pat on the back. We were talking earlier this morning about how he was there to be supportive and show some solidarity. And that's really what he did in his remarks today. Not a policy speech at all -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: I thought that his comments were some of the most comforting, particularly for the family. Sometimes the vice president can be perceived as over the top, but you forget that he is a man who truly has suffered personal loss.

Erin McPike, thank you very much for that bringing that to us.

Tributes are pouring in for the fallen officers on social media. We'll have a look at the online memorial, just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: You're looking at the procession of motorcycles that proceeded the casket after the funeral service for Rafael Ramos, the fallen police officer today, just a staggering site of so many of these bikes from so many different departments, their names emblazoned across the front with their lights flashing as they made their way through the streets of Queens.

CNN's Randi Kaye gives us a look now at the life of fallen hero, Rafael Ramos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Officer Ramos worked as a school security officer before joining the NYPD, and reportedly loved the Mets. He was married with two children. On Facebook his 13-year-old son wrote, "He was there for me every day of my life. He was the best father I could ask for. It's horrible that someone gets shot dead just for being a police officer. I will always love you, and I will never forget you. Rest in peace, dad."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like they said, he was god, he was god because the heart he has is un-compared to other people's heart.

KAYE: Ramos' cousin told the "Wall Street Journal" that God was a priority in Ramos' life. The 40-year-old officer in recent years grew more passionate about his church. On his Facebook page, a quote reads, "If your way isn't working, try God's way." The same page said Officer Ramos had been married since 1993 and once studied at a seminary.

Before his death, Ramos was studying to become a chaplain. In fact, later that Saturday afternoon, the day he was killed, he was scheduled to graduate from a chaplain program. The pastor at his church told us Ramos had an infectious smile and loved his wife Maritza and his two boys, Justin and Jaden.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I would like to thank all those who have shared their sympathy and support for our beloved family member, Rafael Ramos, who will always be loved and missed by many.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: And our thanks to CNN's Randi Kaye with a look back there.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced yesterday for Officer Wenjian Liu. He was 32. Liu was a seven-year veteran of the force. He had been married for just a couple of months. His wife and family cheerfully remembered him in a news conference on Wednesday and they expressed their condolences to his partner's family.

People all around the world watched this morning's funeral service for Officer Rafael Ramos and the tributes are pouring in on social media.

Nick Valencia joins me now with a look at what people are saying -- Nick.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Martin. We have been hearing from so many of you guys who are watching our coverage of this funeral of Rafael Ramos. We thought we'd give you some perspective of some of the demonstrators of the "I can't breathe" protest in New York.

Popisen was one of the lead demonstrators and here's his take on the fall of those two police officers. He says, "I will not mourn the death of two cops. I will mourn the death of two fellow human beings." He goes on in a blog post to sort of expand on that.

Another one of the New York demonstrators, Lucy Sun, saying she supports Wenjian Liu. She held a sign up there saying, "I am Wenjian Liu and I am Eric Garner." On Instagram a very, as Martin was saying earlier, just a staggering image here of all of those police officers coming from across the country and other countries as some of our reporters on the ground have alluded to.

Just look at that picture here. RIP, NYPD, Police Officer Ramos. Thin blue line, blue lives matter. Another Twitter user posting her condolences, saying, everyone wears blue today and feels blue. Prayers for the family of fallen officers, RIP, #nycpray. And lastly from another Twitter user, who is giving his condolences to both Ramos and Liu, saying he's deeply saddened by the brutal massacre of two innocent officers, using this #bluelivesmatter.

And if you want to join the conversation at home, please tweet Martin Savidge or myself @CNNvalencia. You can use the #nycpray, #nypdofficers, and/or #bluelivesmatter, and we'll try to get some of your comments on the air next hour -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Thank you, Nick. It's great to hear from other people's perspectives.

More coverage of this morning's funeral when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: Let's check in on some of the other stories crossing the CNN news desk right now. Cybersecurity experts now tell CNN that they doubt that North Korea

was responsible for the Sony Pictures hack. Those experts say the evidence cited by the FBI is not enough to pin the blame on North Korea. They say any hackers could have used the code that was instrumental in the Sony attack. The FBI has not responded to a CNN request for comment.

North Korea, though, is still fuming about the release of the Sony movie, "The Interview." The country's National Defense Commission released a statement blaming President Obama, calling him the chief culprit who forced Sony to distribute the film. Another statement by the North Korean's state-run news agency says American political affairs will face, quote, "inescapable deadly blows," unquote, if the U.S. continues its arrogant practices.

Up to five detainees in Guantanamo Bay may get transferred in the next few days. The Obama administration hopes to transfer dozens more in the coming months. The president wants to shut down Guantanamo, calling it an inspiration for terrorists and wildly, wildly, that is, expensive.

Well, it looks like the school day will be a little longer for some kids in Boston. "The Boston Globe" is reporting an agreement between the city and the Boston Teacher's Union will extend the school day by 40 minutes for middle and elementary students. High schools will not be affected. The teacher's union will vote on the plan next month and teachers will get a $4,000 stipend for the extra time.

All right. Let's shift now to the holiday forecast. An arctic blast that is on its way to the east coast. Meteorologist Karen Maginnis is at the CNN Weather Center.

When is the chill expected, Karen?

KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Over the next three to five days, but it starts tonight right along the northern tier. This arctic blast makes its way across the northern tier states, all the way down through Texas, where in El Paso, we saw a few snow flurries. But the frontal system that sweeps from the Great Lakes down towards Texas moves towards the east. That will allow a secondary shot of cold air to filter in behind it.

It's going to be dramatically colder. Some areas through the interior west in the central plains from Montana to Texas, to Missouri, looking at temperatures 20 to 30 degrees below average. But a good portion of the country will see temperatures that are a good 10 to 20 degrees below average, where they have been fairly mild over the last few weeks or so.

Well, here's that frontal system and the secondary big problem with the weather, aside from this arctic blast is the wet weather along the Gulf Coast. Some areas, all the way from Houston to New Orleans expecting several inches of rainfall. This is low-lying territory. So we do have some flood watches and advisories issued all the way to Louisiana and into Mississippi. Then you can see some of the snow falling from Missouri into Oklahoma. We'll see a little arctic clipper system move across the upper Mississippi River Valley, in through the Midwest.

And Chicago, well, enjoy those temperatures while they last. They are going to drop dramatically, as we go into the middle of the workweek. Temperatures that were 50 degrees yesterday afternoon will only make it to the upper teens to low 20s by about Tuesday.

Here's that little clipper system, moving across the Great Lakes region, sandwiched in between these two fronts. That's where we've got some showers. Occasionally, a couple of thunderstorms have erupted today, all the way from eastern Texas into the lower Mississippi River Valley.

And there's the forecast for Minneapolis, partly cloudy skies, temperatures around 30, but only around 12 degrees for a high coming up on Tuesday. Keep the rain gear and the arctic coats handy.

Martin, back to you.

SAVIDGE: Yes. Dramatic change.

Karen Maginnis, thank you very much for that.

Coming up in just a bit, we'll have more on our coverage of the funeral for New York Police Officer Rafael Ramos, held today with the striking numbers of men and women from the police forces showing their respect.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: Mortgage rates dropped this week. Have a look.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: And now to the battle against ISIS and the coalition pilot from Jordan who is still in the hands of ISIS militants three days after being captured. His family pleading with ISIS extremist to show mercy on their son and release him.

CNN's Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): ISIS militants seized the terrified Jordanian pilot, claiming they shot down his F-16 over Raqqa, Syria, an ISIS stronghold. A petrified Moaz al-Kasasbeh is a nephew of a retired Jordanian general. His capture a frightening reminder that even after more than 1300 airstrikes without incident over Iraq and Syria troops very much at risk over the combat zone.

Rescuing the pilot may be tough, even for Jordan's highly regarded counterterrorism forces. It's a propaganda coup for the terrorist group.

PAUL CRUICKSHANK, CNN TERRORISM ANALYST: These are very motivated people who believe that they are holy warriors and that this is their destiny to create this Islamic State in the heart of the Arab world. And they will fight to the death to protect that.

STARR: ISIS claims their heat-seeking missiles brought down the jet, publishing these images on social media to make their case, but a senior U.S. Defense official tells CNN, for now, there are no indications the plane was shot down. Coalition and Jordanian authorities continue investigating what might have happened.

LT. COL. RICK FRANCONA (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: ISIS claimed that this -- it was shot down by a heat-seeking missile, which fits the pattern with what they have, but if the pilots are operating above that, then there must have been some other reason for this aircraft to go down.

STARR: The Jordanian government warned against harming the airman, saying, "Jordan holds the terror organization and those who support it responsible for the safety of the pilot and the preservation of his life."

A senior retired Jordanian commander believes there may be a solution.

MAJ. GEN. ALI SHUKRI, RETIRED JORDANIAN COMMANDER: I'm sure that our government is in touch with whoever could do the mediation with ISIS. And ISIS is known from previous occasions to ask for payments, a lot of money in that case, or an exchange of prisoners, like there is somebody of concern to ISIS in jail in Amman. They might ask for an exchange. Or they might not accept anything, which would be really the disaster if they decided to do things otherwise.

STARR: But shoot-down or mechanical failure, ISIS now has a coalition pilot as a hostage.

(On camera): Military officials are not saying yet how they know the plane was not likely shot down. The pilot's family now appealing for his release, saying he is just a soldier following orders.

Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: Joining me now is Lieutenant Colonel James Reese, CNN global affairs analyst and Delta Force Army Officer, retired.

Colonel Reese, nice to see you. Thank you for joining us. Jordan is negotiating with ISIS right now. What might ISIS want? Do you think it's going to be money? Do you think it's possible for a prisoner swap?

LT. COL. JAMES REESE, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Yes, Martin, good afternoon. I think both. First and foremost, ISIS has some of their members that have been captured by the Jordanian Special Forces and their intelligence services. So that would be a great opportunity to do a prisoner swap. And ISIS is always looking for more money and right now, ISIS is having some grave economic aspects within Raqqa and Syria, so they're looking for more funding, which could be a two-part aspect for a prisoner exchange.

SAVIDGE: How much pressure do you think is the Jordanian government under from its own people after this capture?

REESE: You know, there -- in Jordan, it's -- there are just two sides to every story. There are some, on the one piece, that are very supportive of the Jordanian government and what the Jordanian military is doing. Especially since the Jordanian military is a gem for the Jordanian people. They're very proud of their military. But on the same side, this is a, you know, mostly Sunni-on-Sunni fight and a Muslim-on-Muslim with Islam.

And so there is a -- there is a -- unfortunately, there is a distractions within the government. So right now, you've got, you know, a teeter totter effect that King Abdullah is working with. But being a part of the whole coalition is definitely a critical aspect that the entire coalition has to look forward and the Jordanians.

SAVIDGE: U.S. Central Command has said that it would support any efforts to recover the pilot. What might that support be?

REESE: Well, you know, Martin, you know this as well as I do. Wherever there are air strikes going on, the coalition has, you know, combat search and rescue teams that have to be prepared to go in wherever there's a downed pilot. And very candidly, you know, after several months now of operations, I'm surprised that this is the first technical maintenance issue that we've had with all these stories that have flown.

The problem gets to be is, where is this pilot being held, and unfortunately because this was close to Raqqa, this is deep in heavy enemy territory. And, you know, with the coalition commanders have to be going through right now is the cause and effect of what happens to get, you know, a combat search and rescue team in. It would be a very dangerous mission, but they will always be looking for an opportunity to get Lt. Kasasbeh out, because that's what we do.

The entire coalition, you know, doesn't leave anyone behind, but it will be a difficult mission to go in right now on a combat search and rescue.

SAVIDGE: Right, they've tried before in other instances, from some hostages, it has not worked out well.

Do you suspect that the pilot has already perhaps been moved out of Raqqa?

REESE: I do, Martin. Right now, if I was ISIS, I'm using this gem that we've captured now, unfortunately, probably as a human shield. Knowing that the intelligence is pretty darn good on what ISIS is talking about, they'll move him around, probably close to some senior leadership and use that as a human shield to prevent some type of either drone strike or, you know, drop from aircraft.

But at the same time, you know, all these pilots are trained to hang in there and stay with the fight, stay mentally stable. And if there's a chance for them to escape, they will, and they will go through their protocols. And that's what all our great pilots, and especially the coalition, are trained to do. And if there's an opportunity to rescue him, we will.

SAVIDGE: Lieutenant Colonel James Reese, thank you very much.

REESE: Thanks, Martin.

SAVIDGE: Our coverage of the funeral for New York Police Officer Rafael Ramos continues.

Up next, the words of Police Commissioner Bill Bratton and the special honor he bestowed on Ramos and his partner.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: That was the scene at the funeral of slain NYPD officer, Rafael Ramos, as his casket was carried out of a Queens, New York, church following the service. An estimated 30,000 people including 25,000 police officers from around the country bid a somber farewell. The service included tributes from Vice President Biden, the governor of New York, and the police department commissioner.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, he also spoke, addressing part of his comments directly to the family of Officer Ramos. Here's some of what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK: He lived life so deeply. This family has shown us so much in these last days and has given us so much hope, even amidst the pain, because you epitomize the family of New York. You epitomize all we aspire to be. You've been there together from the most difficult, painful moment, those moments in the hospital to now filled with strength, filled with connection, filled with devotion to each other. It's something we all need to remember.

And Officer Ramos was profoundly a man of faith. And so much of his life centered on this beautiful church, this church family. He embraced the powerful idea, if your way isn't working, try God's way. He spent last 10 weeks of his life studying to be a chaplain and he was taken from us on the day he was to graduate.

It says so much that he wanted to serve people spiritually. He was already serving in so many ways, and yet he felt deeply called to serve spiritually as well. And he was thinking about that service even in the years after he would leave the force that he would continue to serve as a spiritual mentor and leader.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: As the mayor was speaking, some of the officers outside the church turned their backs. It was reminiscent of an incident last week. Officers turned their backs on the mayor when he visited the hospital after the shooting. They are expressing their frustration with how the mayor has handled any police protests in the city.

We have Miguel Marquez and Rosa Flores covering the funeral for us.

Rosa, to you first. Tell us more about what the officers seem to be feeling when the mayor spoke.

ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, it was a difficult moment. Just to set the scene for you, there were jumbotrons along the street, and so what the officers did and their reaction was to give their backs to the jumbotron, which was showing the -- a live picture of what was going on inside the church.

Now, right now, what you can see is just a regular traffic because they've opened up the streets here in New York, but -- I mean, moments ago, there were police officers here everywhere, Martin. They were shoulder-to-shoulder. They were police officers from around the country and Canada, as well.

I talked to a lot of them, and I can tell you that their hearts were very heavy. I talked to a lot of police officers that said they felt it was their duty to come to New York City, to pay their respects, to show their solidarity with the NYPD and also with the family of Officer Rafael Ramos. One of the things that they mentioned is that they know that this country is divided and that there is this division between the community and the police.

And they told me, Rosa, we wake up in the morning, hoping to serve these communities and we're hoping that at the end of the day, we get to go back home. And that's what really hits home for all of these police officers, from all of those various communities around the country, is that they are brothers, sisters, daughters, fathers and that was felt on these streets earlier today. You could feel that their hearts were heavy.

When I was talking to some of these police officers, you could hear that their voice would crack, their voice would break, because they feel so strongly about being here and that they know it's important for them to show their solidarity.

Now the other thing that they mentioned was that it was -- this show of support, that was so important to send this message out to the world and to everyone around this country, that these police officers are still doing their jobs, day in and day out, regardless of what's going on.

So, Marty, I know that you were watching everything as it was unfolding, and there was also this silence, Martin, when we were waiting for the procession to start, where you could just hear and feel that there was a lot of pain on the streets, as they were waiting for the last ride of Officer Rafael Ramos down a New York street -- Marty.

SAVIDGE: You're right. Yes, sometimes it is the silence that conveys the strongest message.

Rosa Flores, thanks very much.

Now let's turn to Miguel Marquez.

And, Miguel, you just talked to the union rep or one of them for the police officers who's been pretty outspoken. What was he saying today?

MARQUEZ: Yes, this is perhaps a sign that things are -- the ice is beginning to melt, that is separating the mayor from his police force. After those police officers turned their back on the mayor in the hospital, a man named Patrick Lynch, Patty Lynch, as he's known here. This is a 31-year member of the police force. He's also the president of the PBA, the Patrolman's Benevolent Association, one of several unions that represent the New York City Police Department.

He is the one that earlier last week said that there was blood on the hands of city hall and of the mayor for the death of Officer Ramos and of Officer Liu. He spoke to us, made a point of coming out of the crowd over here, coming over to us, to speak to us a little while ago and had this to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PAT LYNCH, PRESIDENT, PATROLMAN'S BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION: It was overwhelming, the show of support from not only the good citizens of New York and the residents here of Glendale, but from across the country. And especially the 25,000 fellow police officers, of all ranks, of all departments that came out and showed respect and bowed their head in respect for this hero family today.

Although our uniforms may be different colors, our shields different shape, the dedication and sorrow felt today was overwhelming for this hero family. But we also remind all our good citizens that we have one more hero to shoulder, Police Officer Liu, and we ask for that same respect and we ask for those same departments to come out to a street like this again and bow their head in respect as we shoulder another brother police officer.

MARQUEZ: Even by New York City standards and NYPD standards in funerals, this was an unbelievably impressive show.

LYNCH: I have 31 years on the job, I've never seen such a show of support as we saw here today. We're eternally grateful.

MARQUEZ: You know how tough things are, and I know that your words earlier in the week kicked off quite a bit here. A lot of police officers, hundreds if not thousands of them, turned their back as the mayor spoke on this church. Do you think that's OK?

LYNCH: The feeling is real, but today is about mourning, tomorrow is about debate.

MARQUEZ: What would you tell those police officers?

LYNCH: We have to understand the betrayal that they feel. But today we also come to bow our head in mourning and tomorrow we'll debate.

MARQUEZ: And how does the city get going?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MARQUEZ: Now, that betrayal, he says, borne out of the protests that took place here over very many days and over several weeks. Protests that took over the city in some parts. Protests in which rank and file police officers, the very individuals he represents were shouted at by protesters, very nasty things, a lot of the times, that they didn't like to hear, but they kept their cool, they kept their professionalism, blocked traffic for them, made sure that the protesters were fine.

That was one point that the governor brought up today during his eulogy in speaking -- after speaking to the family, he said, that was when he was proudest of the NYPD. Despite taking those personal attacks, while the protesters were exercising their First Amendment rights, the police continued to protect the very people who were at least verbally attacking them -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Did a good job on the follow-up questions there, Miguel. I'm wondering was there any indication, perhaps, from that union leader that he feels he may have misspoke when he said the blood is essentially all the way to city hall?

MARQUEZ: My feeling is, is that he wanted to come over, he wanted to chat with us, he wants to start that conversation, at least publicly. My guess is that there is more going on privately. My sense is, is that they came down very hard on him. All the other unions came down hard on him. I mean, that was a very divisive and incendiary thing for him to say. I think it kicked the entire conversation up to another level. Perhaps today was this little discussion here and as the days go forward, and we get past Officer Liu's funeral eventually that the heat will start to abate -- Martin.

SAVIDGE: Let's hope so.

Miguel Marquez and Rosa Flores, thank you both for joining us today.

We'll have more on the funeral of Rafael Ramos, coming up a little bit later.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: A potentially deadly mistake at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. A technician may have been exposed to Ebola in the lab where researchers are studying the virus.

Our Joe Johns explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a potentially deadly mistake at the U.S. institution that handles some of the world's most dangerous biological materials.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that a small amount of material possibly containing live Ebola virus was mistakenly transferred from one of the facility's most secured labs to a lab not equipped to handle the virus.

So far the technician has no symptoms of the illness, no quarantine. But the lab tech will be watched for the standard 21 days as a precaution.

It's the kind of mistake CDC Director Tom Frieden said he was determined to avoid repeating earlier this year.

DR. THOMAS FRIEDEN, CDC DIRECTOR: What we're seeing is a pattern that we missed and the pattern is an insufficient culture of safety.

JOHNS: At that time, Frieden was on the hot seat addressing laboratory lapses handling Anthrax bacteria and the Avian flu. CDC put tough new controls in place.

FRIEDEN: These were unacceptable events. They should never have happened.

JOHNS: In line with the new procedures following the latest incident, the lab was closed pending review and decontaminated. The material was destroyed. An investigation was launched. The incident was reported to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell and others up and down the chain of command.

As for the possibility of anyone else coming into contact with the material, CDC says a handful of others who entered the lab have been contacted. They will be assessed for possible exposure. But only the one technician is being monitored. The CDC does not believe anyone outside the lab could have been exposed.

Joe Johns, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: Turning now to the latest on that massive hack at Sony Pictures. Doubts are growing that North Korea was actually behind it. And now two leading cyber security firms are raising serious questions about that.

The FBI claims that the malware used in the Sony attack is similar to malware that was used by other attacks -- in other attacks by North Korea. But security experts tell CNN that the same malware was leaked a long time ago, and could have been used by hackers anywhere in the world. Now, at least, one potential suspect has emerged. A woman code named as Lina, who according to one cyber expert, worked for Sony for several years.

North Korea says it has nothing to do with the hacking, but no uh now is fuming over the release of the movie "The Interview," and they're blaming President Obama, saying that he forced Sony to release it.

CNN's Paula Hancocks tells us North Korea's statement even personally insulted President Obama.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We knew Pyongyang was going to be furious about the release of "The Interview" movie. And sure enough they haven't disappointed. We have a statement this Saturday from the all-powerful National Defense Commission. The fact that it's come from such a powerful institution within North Korea shows how seriously the regime is taking this issue.

Now they're not just blaming Sony Pictures for releasing the movie. They're also blaming personally the U.S. President Barack Obama.

Let's read a little bit of the statement. And it says, "U.S. President Obama is the chief culprit who forced the Sony Pictures Entertainment to indiscriminately distribute the movie and took the lead in appeasing and blackmailing cinema houses and theaters."

They also have personal insults for Barack Obama, saying that he's reckless in words and deeds like a monkey in a tropical forest. That's not the first time that they have insulted the U.S. president personally. They've insulted many leaders around the world, in particular the South Korean president. But once again they are holding him personally responsible for the fact that "The Interview" was allowed to go ahead and be distributed.

Now once question Pyongyang has said that they had nothing to do with the hacking of Sony Pictures. This was claimed by a group called Guardians of Peace. And they're effectively saying to Washington, show us the proof. Show us the evidence that you have that makes you believe that North Korea was involved.

Now the FBI has said that they believe North Korea was involved because of the malware used in the attack was similar to other alleged cyber attacks that they believe North Korea was involved in. Pyongyang also saying that they've had Internet troubles of their own over the past five days. It's not clear whether or not they have been hacked, but they believe that Washington is behind that. We're not hearing any comment from Washington at this point.

And, of course, all this controversy, all this news, the fact this is in the headlines is PR gold for this movie. We are seeing hundreds of thousands of downloads around the world, especially here inside Korea, where most people probably wouldn't have even gone to see the movie as it didn't have a distributor before all this controversy started. But certainly this is helping sales somewhat.

The question now, though, is, is that it? Has it run its course, this controversy? "The Interview" is out, and North Korea has reacted. Or will we be seeing more cyber attacks in the future?

Paula Hancocks, CNN, Seoul.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: Thank you, Paula, very much for that.

Well, do you want the government watching your weight? It is happening to citizens of one of our closest allies. That's next.

Plus, what was the number one health story in 2014? Stay here.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: Britain's working to battle the bulge. The country has an obesity rate of about 25 percent. That according to the Health and Social Care Information Center. Now it's doing something about that problem.

Here's CNN's Christina Macfarlane.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The National Health Service in Britain has announced new plans to fight the battle of the bulge. Under a new national program, family doctors will be asked to identify any patients who have gained weight and are at risk of diabetes. Patients will then be offered tests for the disease and given healthy lifestyle advice along with close monitoring to ensure they're eating better and exercising more.

The announcement comes following a landmark decision by the EU last week ruling that in severe cases obesity can be treated as a disability. The United Kingdom is the second most obese nation in Europe, according to OECD data. But NHS chief executive Simon Stevens said that this was daft saying it was more important to take action now to prevent the country sleepwalking into the worst public health emergency in the last three decades.

Christina Macfarlane, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: 2014 has been a huge year for health news. And here are the top 10 stories that have impacted the world and stirred up a whole lot of debate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): If you are what you eat, then what you probably are is confused.

(Voice-over): 2014 finally brought some transparency to our food. In February the Food and Drug Administration announced proposed changes to nutrition labels. It was the first overhaul in more than two decades.

MICHELLE OBAMA, FIRST LADY: Families deserve more and better information about the food they eat.

GUPTA: In late November, the FDA ruled that establishments and self- prepared food had 20 or more locations have to post calorie counts clearly and conspicuously on their menus, their menu boards and displays. Companies will now have until November of 2015 to comply.

BRITTANY MAYNARD: I will die upstairs in my bedroom that I share with my husband with my mother and my husband by my side.

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In October 29-year-old Brittany Maynard became the face of the controversial Right to Die Movement when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer and given just six months to live. (On camera): Maynard didn't want her family to watch her die in pain,

so she moved to Oregon to take advantage of the state's Death with Dignity Law.

(Voice-over): This is not a third world country. This is a major city in West Virginia. On January 9th, the chemical spill at Freedom Industries released thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals into the Elk River and from there into Charleston's water supply.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't wash with it, don't shower with it, don't drink it.

COHEN: Hospitals in the area told CNN they didn't know of any illnesses related to the contamination, but the economic impact was real.

GUPTA: Heroin made a big comeback in 2014 as more people began using this as a cheaper alternative to costly prescription pain killers.

(On camera): Use of an antidote for an overdose is also on the rise. The drug is called Narcan. And you're watching it in action right now. Naloxone, as it's also known, is now distributed to addicts, their friends and family as well as first responders across the country.

2014 may go down as the year cigarettes went up in smoke. On February 5th, CVS, the nation's second largest pharmacy chain, announced it would stop selling tobacco products in all of its 7800 locations, doing all this by 2015. The company made good on its promise early. And on September 3rd, pulled all tobacco products from its shelves.

Now CVS said this would cost the company $2 billion a year but that selling tobacco was also against its moral and ethical principles as a health care company.

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, as you know, we've been reporting on your program on these delays and poor care at these hospitals.

COHEN: CNN has spent more than a year investigating delays in care at Veteran Affairs Hospitals. Our Drew Griffin and his team exposed systematic problems throughout the V.A. and CNN's reporting found that thousands of veterans across the country were waiting months, even years to see a doctor.

CNN's reporting also uncovered V.A. workers cooking the books to cover up long wait times. Congressional hearings were held and V.A. Secretary Eric Shinseki was forced to resign. President Obama brought in a new secretary, Bob McDonald, who has vowed to clean up the V.A.

7.1 million more people had health insurance this year under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As you probably know, Obamacare mandates that Americans be covered by an insurance plan or pay a penalty.

GUPTA (on camera): Last year I had somewhat of an epiphany about weed. This plant can have some real medicinal benefits.

Marijuana is better than all those pills for you in terms of treating?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

GUPTA: We saw families pack up and move across the country to get access to the only medicine that seemed to work for their children in states where medical marijuana is legal. Two states, Colorado and Washington, also legalized all forms of marijuana, including recreational use.

COHEN: On September 24th, the New Jersey 4-year-old died in his sleep. It was the first death health officials could directly link to enterovirus D-68 which can cause severe respiratory symptoms. By the time the scare settled down EV-D68 had sickened hundreds of children in nearly all 50 states.

GUPTA: Without a doubt, the biggest health headline of the year -- Ebola.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Ebola.

COHEN: Ebola.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Ebola.

DANA BASH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Ebola.

GUPTA: Had been exposed to Ebola while in Liberia.

What began as a single case in Guinea last December has grown into an epidemic of unprecedented proportions. In the first of its kind maneuver, two aid workers, Dr. Kent Brantley and Nancy Writebol, were Medivacked back to the United States from Liberia. They survived, followed by others, thanks in part to the selfless work of doctors, nurses and other health care workers who literally put their own lives on the line. As 2014 come to a close, the World Health Organization tallies more than 6,000 deaths among roughly 18,000 sick. The outbreak in West Africa is far from over, but early stage vaccine trials are under way, and they do look promising.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SAVIDGE: Catch the "Top 10 of 2014" special on CNN hosted by Brooke Baldwin tomorrow night at 6:30 eastern.