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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

ISIS Hostage Deadline Has Passed; Released Gitmo Prisoner: Returning to the Fight?; Hernandez Murder Trial Begins; New ISIS Attack: Dozens Killed

Aired January 30, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now: the deadline has passed to save two hostages held by ISIS. The negotiations with the terrorists collapsing after ISIS fails to prove the men are still alive. We have live coverage of what we know this morning and what comes next. That's ahead.

So, returning to the fight. CNN has learned that a Guantanamo Bay prisoner released in exchange for Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl has tried to contact the Taliban. What does this mean? We will have details ahead.

The case against Aaron Hernandez. The former football star now on trial for murder. An explosive day in the courtroom. Also what is expected moving forward.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm John Berman. It is Friday, January 30th. It is 5:00 a.m. in the East. Christine Romans is on assignment this morning.

And this morning, there is mystery surrounding the fate of two hostages held by ISIS. ISIS has threatened to kill these men if demands were not met by sunset. That time has passed. In a series of audio messages purportedly posted by ISIS, Japanese journalist Kenji Goto passed along the terror group's demand for a prisoner swap. The convicted terrorist on death row in Jordan in exchange for sparing the life of Jordanian fighter pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh. ISIS said that if the terrorist Sajida al-Rishawi was not handed over, it would kill both hostages.

The deadline has passed, still no word. Jordan is said to make a deal, but it wants proof that its pilot is still alive. As for Japan, the government there is under public pressure to secure journalist Kenji Goto's release. But Japan is very dependent on Jordan to make this deal. Complicated, tense and very trying for the families.

Tracking this for us in Tokyo, CNN's Will Ripley.

Will, what is the latest?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The latest is there is a palpable feeling here now in Tokyo, John, that anything could happen in the coming hours. If there is one piece of encouragement, it is simply the fact we have not yet heard from ISIS directly. As far as we know, there have not been any new videos posted. And governments, media outlets are probing and combing the Internet for any sign of the new message from the terror group, because after previous deadlines have passed, they come out with videos which either contain new ultimatum and new deadlines, all as was the case after the first video, they had killed one of the Japanese hostages, Haruna Yukawa, and starting using Kenji Goto as their mouthpiece to deliver under duress their propaganda and their demands that Jordan release the prisoner Sajida al-Rishawi.

So, the fact that we haven't heard from ISIS yet, that gives people here a bit of hope. But this terror group has proven time and time again that they are unpredictable, they're volatile and they're capable of anything. And their threats continue to intensify. The most recent direct e-mail that we know of from ISIS was to Kenji Goto's wife Rinko where they told her if she did not do whatever she could do expose their propaganda to the world, that in their words, Kenji would be next -- implying he would be killed, in addition to the threat to kill the Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh.

So, excruciating, the weight, the tension of jumping every time the phone rings, whenever the news comes on, fearful of what the headline may be. But right now, all that people can do is wait. We know that there's been no direct communication between Japan and ISIS. Still, more than a week into the crisis.

And so Japan, although with an envoy on the ground in Amman, they have to watch and wait and see. Will ISIS deliver the proof of life that Jordan is demanding or will they deliver yet another propaganda video and, of course, a lot of fear of what the message may be or what they may have done now that this deadline has passed -- John.

BERMAN: Just an awful situation for those families in Japan and Jordan as well.

Will Ripley, thanks so much.

Jordan, of course, also facing acute public pressure for the release of its hostage with demonstrations outside the royal palace this week.

The family of pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh, they met with Jordan's King Abdullah.

CNN's Jomana Karadsheh is in Amman for the latest.

Jomana, good morning.

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John. No word yet on the fate of that captive pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh. We are hearing from the Jordanian military this morning, saying that they are working around the clock to try to get any information on this situation.

And the Jordanian government as you mentioned, has really insisted on its demands saying that deal to release the convicted would-be suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi as ISIS has demanded will not happen unless Jordan gets proof of life. Any evidence that this pilot is still alive and well. The Jordanian government says for few weeks now, they have been engaged in indirect negotiations, through indirect channels to try and secure his release.

And for sometime now, they have been asking for any evidence, any proof of life, and they have not received that. So, they are saying, unless that happens, there is no deal.

And, of course, this puts a lot of pressure on the family. The family here is really distressed. They blame the government for not doing enough. They say that the Jordanian government could release Sajida al-Rishawi if that means keeping their son alive.

Last night, we heard from the father of Muath al-Kasasbeh, speaking here to reporters in Amman making a direct appeal to ISIS, asking them to release his son to spare his life, trying to appeal to their humanity there, saying he is a fellow Muslim and he is your brother.

And, of course, John, the unfortunate thing here that many fear this kind of plea would fall on deaf ears. This is an organization that has shown nothing but brutality so far.

For the family of Muath al-Kasasbeh, it has been more than a month of agony and pain waiting for the return of their son and many here in Jordan, John, are on edge waiting to see what will happen to Muath al- Kasasbeh.

BERMAN: An awful situation. Jomana Karadsheh for us in Amman, thanks so much.

New controversy surrounding the deal to free Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl. U.S. intelligence officials have evidence that one of the Taliban detainees released from Guantanamo in exchange for Bergdahl may have returned or may have tried to return, or may be trying to return to militant activity.

Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is following these developments -- Barbara.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: John, it's happened before, but this time it is politically charged. The U.S. believes one of the five Guantanamo Bay detainees sent back to Persian Gulf nation of Qatar last year in return for getting Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl back, that one of them may be returning to a militant lifestyle.

The U.S. conducts classified surveillance of all five men's communications. Any communications they have. And a couple of months ago, apparently, something popped up that is causing concern that one of the men may have been reaching out to militants.

And that would be against the regulations that the U.S. set to monitor these men and to release them back to Qatar. So, there is a good deal of concern about this. Right now, the question is, of course, how much of a threat does this pose. Some officials, saying not a direct threat. But I will tell you, other U.S. officials telling me there is a difference of opinion inside the administration that there is some opinion that this is a very serious matter -- John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: All right. Barbara Starr for us at the Pentagon.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban this morning is claiming responsibility for an attack that killed three American contractors at a military base attached to the main airport in Kabul. A U.S. military official says it looks like it could be an insider attack. But the circumstances are still being investigated. The Taliban statement says the shooter died in that attack.

The turmoil in Yemen having a big impact in the U.S. fight against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. "Reuters" report that new gaps are emerging in intelligence ever since Iranian-backed rebels seized control of the government, including defense installations. Those installations used to provide information to the United States, which helped for things like drone strike. The major concern now is that this lack of intelligence could increase drone strikes, which might mean killing the wrong people and also increased anti-American sentiment.

The White House this morning is responding to some demands made by Cuban President Raul Castro as a condition for restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries. Those demands include returning the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base to Cuba and lifting the decades old trade embargo. The Obama administration is throwing cold water on Castro's demand and admitting that the bold outreach they made in December will take time. To complete.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Is the United States willing to do any of those things?

JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Well, I think, Jim, what his comments highlight is that there is a pretty clear difference between reestablishing diplomatic relations and carrying out the longer process of normalizing relations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Now, when asked if the United States would give up Guantanamo Bay base to Cuba, the White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest simply said no.

The president will officially present his budget proposal to Congress on Monday. We know it blows through the spending caps imposed by Congress four years ago. The administration will ask to raise the cap by $74 billion. Claiming anything less would affect military preparedness and hurt domestic programs. It will call for new capital gains taxes and bank taxes.

The Senate following the house has approved the bipartisan bill for the Keystone oil pipeline. The Senate and House measures will be reconciled to present a bill to the president who says he will veto it.

You want to know what is going on with your money right now? Alison Kosik has more.

ALISO KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Hold on to your hat today because it looks like U.S. stock futures took a dip to the down side. So, it looks like we could see lots of red arrows at the open. Yesterday, though, the Dow broke its two-day losing streak. It gained 225 points, or a little over 1 percent.

Now, one stock that is climbing right now before the bell, Amazon. It's s up 11 percent. It posted a profit last quarter on strong holiday sales. Making money is relatively rare for Amazon. It's usually putting its money in other investments.

We are also watching oil prices. They are still sliding. Crude oil is $44 a barrel. That is close to the lowest level in six years. It is really tumbling fast. Look at that a barrel of oil, it was over $100 just last summer.

Energy producers are keeping output high and demand low. That is keeping prices low for you and me, but for oil companies and anything to do with the oil industry, their companies are hurt.

BERMAN: It's interesting. Stuck in the 40s for a while. Interesting to see if it drops more.

Alison Kosik, great to have you with us. Thanks so much.

KOSIK: Got it.

BERMAN: A frantic search for survivors. The maternity hospital suddenly explodes, at least three dead and dozens injured. We'll have the details next.

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BERMAN: At least three people are dead, including a baby, after an explosion leveled a maternity hospital in Mexico City. It happened around 7:00 Thursday morning. A frantic family member stood outside waiting for word of their loved ones. Dozens of people rushed to the hospital. Officials say the blast happened after a hose bursts on a truck that was supplying gas to the building. The place just leveled.

A big day expected today in the murder trial of former NFL star Aaron Hernandez. The 25-year-old is charged with the shooting death of Odin Lloyd, a semi-pro football player. That happened back in 2013.

In opening statements, defense lawyers said Hernandez had everything in life and no reason to kill. Prosecutors tell jurors that DNA from shell casings and security camera footage connect Hernandez to this crime.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The evidence will show on June 15th, the defendant was unhappy with the victim. He had given Odin Lloyd information about himself. The defendant then called his friends. He set up the meeting with Odin Lloyd. He took steps by using the phone. He drove for more than two hours to get the victim into a secluded area and orchestrated and participated in the killing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why would he kill his friend Odin Lloyd? Aaron Hernandez had the world at his feet. Aaron Hernandez was planning a future. Not a murder.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Hernandez faces life in prison if convicted. He is also charged in a separate case with killing two men in a Boston nightclub in 2012. That evidence will not be admissible in this one.

Breaking overnight, police in Los Angeles investigating a fatal hit- and-run accident involving rap mogul Suge Knight. This morning, Knight appeared with his lawyer at the police station in West Hollywood. It is not clear if Knight was driving the car when it struck two men in Compton on Thursday, killing one of them.

Knight founded Death Row records. You might remember he was behind the wheel in 1996 when Tupac Shakur was gunned down in his car in Las Vegas.

In Boston, so much snow this morning, it is hard to find a parking space. People are digging out their spaces in front of the homes, but there's just nowhere to put the snow.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I used to love it when I was a kid. When you get a car and stuff, it's not the same.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The city has marked major intersections where they plan to remove the excess snow and hauled to vacant lots and parks where they hope it will melt.

But it's going to be hard. Why? Well, a new storm heading through New England with a foot of snow due for some areas.

I want to go to meteorologist Derek Van Dam who is tracking the latest -- Derek.

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, John.

Just when we thought the winter weather was over, we focus our attention on a clipper system across the New England coast. Now, we are expecting roughly between two and four inches of snowfall for Boston. We should stay pretty dry near New York.

But the real hefty totals come across the state of Maine. You can see, depending on which computer model you trust, Bangor could experience a foot or more. The few inches of snow expected for all computer models for Boston. This storm system moving through, all that white indicating our snowfall.

We have winter weather advisories and winter storm warnings for the entire state of Maine. Lots of rain across the southwest, including the Phoenix, Arizona region. Not quite sure if you are aware, but a big football game taking place this Sunday, calls for dry weather by the end of the weekend. One to two inches of additional rain before it's all said and done.

One thing I want you to note is that this moisture will travel across the Midwest with a large swath of fairly heavy snowfall from Missouri right through the Ohio River Valley. From there, computer models still uncertain.

We're going to monitor the storm system for the potential of snow along the East Coast as well by Tuesday. One thing is for sure, the temperatures will remain very chilly with the exception of today. Temperatures today below freezing and well below average for the Big Apple.

John, back to you.

BERMAN: All right. Derek, thanks so much.

So, there is a lot of buzz this morning about the Super Bowl halftime show. "The Associated Press" reports that Missy Elliott will make a surprise appearance with Katy Perry. I guess we ruined the surprise. The NFL is not commenting, but in a news conference yesterday, Perry hinted an old school female singer would be joining her, along with Lenny Kravitz.

Here is my prediction on the half time show. It will be too long because it always is.

All right. Nineteen minutes after the hour.

Dozens killed in a new terror attack by ISIS. We are live in Cairo, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Deadly violence in Egypt's Northern Sinai, and a jihadist group hit several military positions in the city of Al-Arish. The series of near-simultaneous assaults with car bombs and mortar rounds killed 26 people and wounded dozens more, including civilians.

CNN's Ian Lee following these events for us, joining us now from Cairo.

Good morning, Ian.

IAN LEE, CNN REPORTER: Good morning, John.

A militant group based in Sinai, Ansar Bait al-Maqdis, is claiming responsibility for this attack. They pledged allegiance to ISIS late last year, changing their name to the state of Sinai. But unlike ISIS in Iraq and Syria, this group has targeted security personnel.

Now, some civilians have been killed in some of their attacks against security. Now, the army here have said they have had many victories against this organization than that is against the ropes. What we saw yesterday, this very brazen deadly attack.

It's going to be difficult for the government and military here in Cairo to ultimately get rid of this organization. They are entrenched in the local community in northern Sinai. The Bedouins there have long complained that the government here in Cairo has treated them as second class citizens. The government is going to need to win hearts and minds in that northern part of Sinai if they hope to defeat this organization. But it is going to difficult, and anyone who has seen cooperating with Egyptian officials has been executed by this organization, John.

BERMAN: All right. Ian Lee following this for us in Cairo -- thanks so much, Ian.

Happening right now, waiting to find out the fate of two hostages held by ISIS. The deadline for prisoner swap, that deadline has now passed. This morning, there is mystery surrounding their fate. We'll have live team coverage, ahead.

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