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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Sunset Deadline Set for Prisoner Swap; Officials See Spike in Social Media Bomb Threats; Day Two of Lorreta Lynch's Confirmation Hearing; Hezbollah and Israeli Forces Exchange Fire; Setting Up for the Super Bowl

Aired January 29, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Time ticking down for two hostages, two hostages captured by ISIS. A sunset deadline set for a prisoner swap. ISIS demanding the release of a convicted terrorist in exchange for their hostages. This morning, negotiations are under way. We are live with new developments overnight right now.

Good morning and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm John Berman. It is Thursday, January 29. It is 5:00 a.m. in the East and happening right now, the clock is ticking down for two hostages being held by ISIS.

Terrorists threatening to kill captured Japanese journalist Kenji Goto and Jordanian fighter pilot Moaz al Kasasbeh if the government of Jordan refuses to release a convicted female terrorist. A message reportedly from ISIS sets a new deadline now for this deal and there are just hours left. CNN cannot independently verify the authenticity of the audio recording but official sure seem to be taking it seriously this morning. Jordan's government says it is willing to make a prisoner swap. So there may be hope for these hostages.

I want to bring in CNN's Will Ripley live in Tokyo. Will, you've been covering this since the beginning. There's a Japanese envoy in Jordan, has been there for days. What is the current status of these negotiations?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: So all updates, John, on the Japanese side are coming through Tokyo. And it has been very quiet today as far as public comment. But we are being told that behind the scenes, there have been feverish discussions about how to make this prisoner exchange happen.

Kenji Goto, the Japanese journalist who has survived now this hostage crisis for more than a week, appeared in several ISIS propaganda videos. The latest message, an audio that is claiming to be his voice -- the government doesn't have any reason to believe it is not his voice -- and he says if this prisoner swap doesn't happen by sunset, which is some four and a half hours from now, that the Jordanian pilot Moaz al Kasasbeh will be killed. The video also says that it would be his life in exchange for the Jordanian prisoner Sajida al Rishawi.

So what this message indicates, and what gives people here in Japan some hope at this point, is that if Goto is still alive -- he was believed to be alive as of the time of the recording -- if he is still alive, if he is indeed near the border and there is a prisoner exchange that is being worked out, that he could potentially be set free as a result of this deal.

However, Jordan has been very hesitant to hand over a prisoner like al Rishawi without getting their captured pilot in exchange, and you can understand why. He's somebody of very high importance. And Japan certainly understands the Jordanian perspective as well.

But there is a lot of hope here, a lot of nervousness but a lot of hope that if a deal can be worked out -- and we will know in the coming hours, one way or another, that this could end, well, one of two ways. And certainly people here in Tokyo are hoping that it will end with the safe return of both hostages, including Kenji Goto. John.

BERMAN: I'm sure they're watching in Japan; they're watching in Jordan as well. Will Ripley, thanks so much.

ROMANS: Now, in Jordan, officials say they're willing to release convicted female terrorist Sajida al Rishawi but only in exchange for pilot Moaz al Kasasbeh freedom. They say they have asked ISIS for proof of life of that pilot, evidence that he is safe. But so far ISIS has not provided any. And Jordan's foreign minister tells CNN that Japanese journalist Goto would be part of a prisoner exchange, but the pilot is their priority.

CNN's Jomana Karadsheh is following the story for us in Amman. And Jomana, does Jordan's focus on their pilot mean he might be the only one who gets released?

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Christine, Jordan is again reiterating that same message. In last few hours, we are hearing from the Jordanian military in a brief statement following that purported message from ISIS saying that Jordan's top priority is Moaz al Kasasbeh and saying now they're trying to verify this new recording.

The issue, Christine, Jordan is offering the release of Sajida al Rishawi, but in exchange for their pilot. But we do not know what ISIS is demanding for the release of the Jordanian pilot. This is not something that was on the table at least publicly. What ISIS has been demanding from the previous message that we know, and again, in the new message, is an exchange, a direct exchange, Sajida al Rishawi for Kenji Goto. And they say they will kill the Jordanian pilot Moaz al Kasasbeh unless that happens. There has been no talk of the release of the Jordanian pilot.

We do know from Jordanian officials that, for the last few weeks, they have been engaged in indirect negotiations with ISIS to try and secure the release of the pilot. But as you mentioned, their main concern right now, Jordanian officials are saying they have no proof of life. They say this is something that they have been demanding from ISIS and they have not received this yet.

A very tense situation here. The Jordanian government is under a lot of pressure to try and secure the release of their own hostage, their own national that they say is their top priority. But it's unclear what that -- what it's going to take to get Moaz al Kasasbeh released. A very tense time for his family and for many Jordanians here who have been really following this very uncertain situation and hoping for the release of a Jordanian soldier.

ROMANS: And quickly, Jomana, why does ISIS want the release of that female terrorist so badly? I mean, she was arrested and jailed even before ISIS was an entity.

KARADSHEH: Many believe, Christine, it is in the roots of ISIS. Al Qaeda in Iraq, that is the parent organization of ISIS, it was responsible for that attack in Jordan, those bombings -- three triple suicide bombings that hit in Jordan here. And Sajida Al Rishawi was part of that attack, but her suicide vest failed to detonate. So there is a belief here that it is her ties to that parent organization, to al Qaeda in Iraq, and her brother, her family ties to the founder and leader of AQI, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed in an U.S. air strike in 2006 in Iraq. They fought, her brothers fought alongside al-Zarqawi, so that is part is part of. And of course, at a time that ISIS is now trying to recruit women to join their terrorist organization, of course this also could be seen as a tactic here to show that they stand up for their women who are in jail.

ROMANS: Public relations tactic, no doubt. All right, thank you so much. Jomana Karadsheh for us this morning in Amman. We'll continue to follow all of those developments.

New concerns this morning about a surge in bomb threats against U.S. airlines. Dozens of flights affecting thousands passengers. U.S. officials say the spike in bomb threats on social media started a couple of weeks ago. They believe most of the 50 or so threats that followed are copycats. In the end, none of those threats proved credible.

CNN's Rene Marsh is at New York's LaGuardia Airport for us this morning. She's got the latest on that story.

RENE MARSH, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Well, Christine and John, it used to be that bomb threats were called in, but now they're being delivered by social media. It also used to be a situation that happened only once in a while, but a U.S. official is telling CNN it's becoming an everyday occurrence. They're seeing an uptick specifically this month after a bomb scare on a flight from Atlanta to Raleigh on January 17th. Following that incident, we are told that there were more than 50 similar incidents.

Now the FBI is investigating all of these social media threats. They are tracing computer IP addresses to track down these culprits. We should note this is a federal crime. The punishment could mean time behind bars or even a hefty fine. At this point, the question is, well, what's causing the uptick? Well, when you talk to some law enforcement officials, they are blaming the publicity surrounding the incidents. Christine, John.

BERMAN: Our thanks to Rene Marsh for that. All right, this just in. It's not snowing in New England for right

now. But more is coming. Jennifer Gray has the latest from Boston.

JENNIFER GRAY, AMS METEOROLOGIST: John and Christine, here in Boston, things are getting back to normal. Slowly, but surely though, most of the interstates have been cleared. Most of the main roads have been cleared as well. However, a lot of those second streets have not been cleared. That's why they've called off school another day today. One of the other things is the snow piles around the city, some of them as tall as I am. They can't even see the kids waiting on the bus stop and so they've had to cancel school for another day.

In fact, temperatures are going to continue to be very, very cold here. In fact, today is going to be one of the warmer days we've had in a five-day span with temperatures getting to the mid-30s. But we are going to see temperatures bottom out again in the teens by the time we get to Saturday. Yes, another storm system rolling through once again on Friday and into Saturday and that's going to bring another round of snow. Models still not coming together. Some models say we could get an inch or two of snow; other models say we could get 4 to 5 inches.

So this could be possibly be another plowable event for Boston. Of course, look at all the snow behind me. We've had more than 24 inches of snow. It almost made that top five all-time snowstorm for Boston. It did make the number one January snowiest storm. It has been a mess across the city of course; they were prepared and so things weren't as bad as they could have been. But with school canceled again today, that city still trying to get back up and running, of course, and then more snow on the way. Definitely not what people want to hear. John and Christine.

BERMAN: All right, Jennifer Gray, thanks so much.

Cuban president Raul Castro announcing a list of demands that he says must be met by the United States before the two countries can normalize ties. Castro says the U.S. has to return the base at Guantanamo Bay, lift the 50-year trade embargo, pay hundreds of millions of dollars in damages to Cuba. He claims that any further attempts at diplomacy would not make sense if those issues are not resolved. The State Department has not commented on Raul Castro's remarks, but it does make you wonder whether he had made that fact clear before this historic thaw was announced last month.

ROMANS: And just how thawed is it if he's got that long list of demands?

All right, day two of a Senate confirmation hearing for Loretta Lynch, President Obama's choice for the next Attorney General. With Lynch in the hot seat on Wednesday, Republicans aimed much of their fire at the current Attorney General Eric Holder. While Lynch defended action on immigration, her position on legalizing marijuana could put her at odds with the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) LORETTA LYNCH, ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINEE: Marijuana is still a crime under federal law. And it is still a crime not only to possess, but distribute under federal law. It is still the policy of the administration, and certainly would be my policy if confirmed as Attorney General, to continue enforcing the marijuana laws, particularly with respect to the money laundering aspect of it. Where we see the evidence that marijuana is -- I have noticed in cases in my district -- brings with it not only organized crime activity, but great levels of violence.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Lynch promised to be guided by the Constitution and not politics. If confirmed, she would become the first black female Attorney General.

BERMAN: President Obama, Vice President Biden and the new Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf will be featured speakers when House Democrats meet for a strategy session in Philadelphia today. The policy retreat is designed to develop a new party message for the 2016 election. One Democrat calls it the huddle before the big game. One area they will no doubt focus on, rebuilding the middle class.

ROMANS: All right, time for an EARLY START on your money. Asian and European shares lower. U.S. stock futures up a bit. But, yesterday, the Dow had a pretty -- I would say an impressive decline of 200 points. The S&P 500 closed 1.4 percent lower. Treasury yields sank to the lowest since May 2013. I know several people refinancing. Rates are eventually going to go up, guys, and they're so low right now. The selloff picked up speed after a statement from the Federal Reserve. The central bank is upbeat, upbeat about the U.S. economy. That means an interest rate hike is coming relatively soon.

Also rattling the markets, oil prices falling. Crude oil, about $44 a barrel right now; it's a six-year low. Down 4 percent yesterday, dragging energy stocks. The government reported record high crude oil inventories in the United States. It's another result of the global supply glut that's driving prices down.

Record supply in the United States.

BERMAN: As prices keep on falling, which means they could fall even more.

ROMANS: Maybe.

BERMAN: Happening right now, are Israel and Hezbollah on the brink of a new conflict, exchanging attacks after two soldiers were killed? We're live with the very latest from the border this morning right after the break.

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BERMAN: Happening right now, Hezbollah supporters are celebrating and at the same time bracing for war after a Hezbollah missile attack killed two Israeli soldiers. Seven Israeli soldiers were wounded in the anti-tank attack on Wednesday in a disputed area on the border between Lebanon and Israel. The Israel Defense Force fired back, shelling targets in southern Lebanon. A U.N. peacekeeper in southern Lebanon died in the fighting; not clear whether he was killed by Israeli or Hezbollah fire.

Senior international correspondent Nima Elbagir is in Beirut right now for the very latest. Good morning, Nima.

NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John. This latest spate of violence was triggered after the Israel Defense Force launched an attack in the Syrian Golan Hights, killing a number of Hezbollah commanders and an Iranian revolutionary guard commander. This is what Hezbollah is dating their strike yesterday back to, and the Israelis, well, they have been very quick to retaliate, hitting, launching air strikes overnight back into Syria. They blame all of this firmly on Iran and Syria and, of course, Hezbollah, who they say will pay.

The concern is, given the specter of the 2006 war that still looms so large here, that we might see again a spate of tit-for-tat retaliatory attacks mushrooming into something much bigger. We're hearing international calls for restraint from the statehouse to the United Nations and even here in Lebanon. There is definitely a sense of tension. We are looking toward the Friday speech. This is traditionally when Hassan Nasrallah, the head of the Hezbollah, speaks and addresses his followers. That's going to set the tone for the coming days here John.

BERMAN: It's going to be very interesting to hear what he says tomorrow. Nima Elbagir in Beirut for us, thanks so much.

Some other news to tell you about right now. As his former NFL team prepares to play in the Super Bowl, Aaron Hernandez goes on trial for murder. Opening statements are scheduled for today. Hernandez is accused of killing semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. The 12 person jury and six alternates consists of 13 women, 5 men. Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick, they both could be called as witnesses.

ROMANS: All right, breaking overnight, a near brawl at St. Louis city hall. A meeting to discuss the creation of a civilian oversight board to monitor police started out peacefully enough last night until police union official Jeff Roorda got into a heated exchange with a local alderman.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(SHOUTING)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pardon me, pardon me. Please have a seat and do not -- first of all -- excuse me. First of all, you do not tell me my function in this room.

(SHOUTING)

(END VIDEO CLIP) ROMANS: One woman claims the mayhem erupted when Mr. Roorda shoved her. The police union official denies pushing her. Take a look at the wristband Roorda was wearing. It reads "I am Darren Wilson"; it's a show of support for the former police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson. A local clergy member says Roorda flaunted that wristband, igniting tensions that led to the near brawl.

BERMAN: The number of measles cases linked to an outbreak at Disneyland theme parks in California, that number keeps growing. Health officials report at least 68 confirmed cases now in California and five other states. A high school in Riverside County has banned 66 students who have not had measles vaccinations, banned from classes for the next two weeks. They'll have to be medically cleared or gave proof of immunization in order to return to school.

20 minutes after the hour. Another day, a new standoff between Marshawn Lynch and the media gathered for the Super Bowl. A man of few words has chosen new ones to repeat and repeat and repeat.

ROMANS: I'm just here so I don't get fired.

BERMAN: Basically. Andy Scholes live in Arizona with the Bleacher Report next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: So you know who's tough interview? Seahawks right back Marshawn Lynch. Man does not want to play ball with the media and the NFL is not happy.

BERMAN: Andy Scholes is live in Arizona with more of the details. Hey there.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, guys. Yes, Marshawn Lynch not budging when it comes to talking to us reporters. On Tuesday, at media day, he repeated, "I'm just here so I won't get fined" 29 times. Well, yesterday, he had something new for us. Check it out.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARSHAWN LYNCH, SEAHAWKS RUNNING BACK: So ain't nothing changed from yesterday. You know why I'm here. You know why I'm here. You all know why I'm here.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: So he said "You know why I'm here" 14 times before leaving after the mandatory five minutes. Lynch is putting on the short performances because he was reportedly looking at a $500,000 fine if he refused to talk to the media. Well, turns out he might get fined anyway. ESPN is reporting the league may penalize Lynch for wearing his Beast Mode hat the last two days. It's against league rules to wear a brand that conflicts with league partners during interviews.

Well, Lynch's teammates, they have his back, saying he's just being who he is. And they think the league should spend time dealing with other issues as opposed to fining Lynch for things like a hat.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAM CHANCELLOR, SEAHAWKS STRONG SAFETY: This is childish. They are focusing on the wrong thing. It is about the game right now. It is the Patriots and Seahawks, man. This is not about a hat. It's about this game right now and that's what they're taking away from us. It's not about a hat; it's about football. And the people, the media, the people in the world, they want to see us guys play football. They don't care about a hat. They want to see us go out there and battle and compete and show good sportsmanship.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: On the Patriots side of things, Tom Brady has the sniffles. He said his kids and his wife Giselle also sick and he's been under the weather for the last four or five days. Brady told ESPN he's using an old remedy of eating lots of garlic. And he should be 100 percent by game day. He did practice yesterday with no issues.

And, guys, Patriots and Seahawks talking one more time today. So far, we've got "I'm here just so I won't get fined" and "You know why I'm here". I'm thinking today he might (ph) go with something like "Why are you still trying to ask me questions?"

BERMAN: Here's an idea, Andy. He should eat all of the garlic and that will keep the reporters away. Like, take the Tom Brady method there. Why not?

ROMANS: I have to admire him for his lack of conformity. He just does not want to conform to their rules. But will he be willing to pay up? And Tom Brady. I cannot -- my kids cannot see the clip because I've been trying to get them to stop wiping their nose on their sleeves for like two years. And Tom Brady, their idol, is doing it. That is a problem. Tom, don't do that. You're setting a bad example for the little ones.

SCHOLES: No tissue boxes at those podiums, Christine.

ROMANS: All right, thanks, Andy.

26 minutes past the hour. This morning, ISIS is setting a deadline for a prisoner swap, promising to kill two hostages if a convicted terrorist is not set free. Negotiations have begun. Live team coverage right after the break.

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