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Israeli Prime Minister Has Message For Jews In Europe; Deep Freeze Descends On Several States; A Billion-Dollar Theft Ring Uncovered After Investigators Find Hacked ATM

Aired February 16, 2015 - 15:30   ET

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

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: We are just past the bottom of the hour. You're watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

We have to talk about Egypt here. Egypt now is acting revenge, scrambling its fighter jets, dropping bombs over neighboring Libya going after ISIS after release of another just sickening video showing the murder of 21 Egyptian Christians.

CNN's Ian Lee is live in Cairo right now.

And Ian, I do want to ask you about these 21 lives lost but first the airstrikes here. Tell me about the targets of these Egyptian air strikes.

IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brooke, they are going after ISIS' weapon depots as well as ISIS training facilities in the city of Derna. This is a city that is one of ISIS' strong holds in Libya. They have control over a large swaths of territory. But we've seen that mainly the focus is on this city.

It's close to the Egyptian border, less than 200 miles away. We saw the Egyptian warplanes in two waves striking targets there. For the Egyptians, though, this is the beginning of an operation from what we're hearing we're expecting it to continue into tonight as well. The Egyptians are also looking for international support. The foreign minister is in the United States right now to talk -- or seek support from the U.N. security council. They are going to be asking that the coalition that's operating in Iraq and Syria expand to Libya as well. They see it just as big of a threat as the threat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. They are also going to be asking for political support and material support.

I talked to retired army general who told me that they can sustain this battle for a while. But after that time they are going to need more weapons. They are going to need to be replenished and they are going to be seeking help when it comes to that point -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: All right, Ian Lee in Cairo. Thank you so much.

Back now to the deadly attacks that shook Denmark's capital city. A gunman open fired at a cafe hosting a free speech forum and then little later, open fired at a synagogue.

Yesterday, Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a message for Jews in Europe, come to Israel.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): Jews have been murdered again on European soil only because they are Jews. And this wave of attacks is expected to continue, including murderous anti-Semitic attacks. Of course, Jews deserve protection in every country, but we say to Jews, to our brothers and sisters, Israel is your home. We are preparing and calling for the absorption of mass immigration from Europe.

We call on the absorption of mass immigration from Europe. And I would like to tell all the European Jews that all Jews wherever they are, Israel is the home of every Jew.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Let me bring in our CNN political commentator Peter Beinart. He is also the author of the "Crisis of Zionism."

Peter, I mean, listen. When you look at what happened in Paris at the kosher market, you see what happened in Copenhagen at this mitzvah and synagogue, and now we saw report from our colleague in Paris, some 250 Jewish graves desecrated in northern France, how risky is it to be Jewish in Europe?

PETER BEINART, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: There's no question that this is a frightening time for Jews in Europe. The level of anti- Semitic violence, the ransacking of the Jewish graves is really frightening.

I think it is important to say, clearly, this is not the equivalent of what the Jews faced in the 1930s and 1940s because today, you have government, democratic governments in places like Denmark and France that are trying to protect you. It's not always doing so effectively as you might like, but we do not have governments that are perpetrating the attacks themselves. Still, that's cold comfort for those Jews that don't feel safe going to synagogue, wearing a kippa (ph), going into a kosher supermarket or to another Jewish institution in Denmark, in France or anywhere else.

BALDWIN: What would be the motivation, though, for Benjamin Netanyahu to say to come do Israel?

BEINART: Well, look. This is a very deep tension that has been ever since the creation of design and its movement. Israel is a country that has flourished because of Jewish immigration and has always wanted to make the case that Jewish life was better, safer in a Jewish state than living in (INAUDIBLE).

I think the best response to Benjamin Netanyahu actually came from Shimon Peres, Israel's former prime minister, just yesterday when Shimon Peres said if Jews want to go to Israel because they want to live, they love the idea of living in Israel, that's one thing. But we should not aspire to a situation where Jews go to Israel because they are afraid. We should demand that countries around the world create safety and

security for their Jewish populations and indeed for all of their populations. And if people want to go and live in Israel because they believe that they can live a more fulfilling life there, then that, of course, is their choice. But we shouldn't desire that they go there out of fear.

BALDWIN: And it is not to Shimon Peres who is saying this. I know, you know, Jewish leaders around the world are just flatly rejecting the idea that Jews should flee to Israel. I want to play some sound. This is rabbi Bent Lexner. He is the former chief rabbi of Denmark speaking earlier on CNN today. Here he was.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RABBI BENT LEXNER, FORMER CHIEF RABBI OF DENMARK: I think that the prime minister of Israel is allowed to say what he wants. I don't think it was the right time. I don't think it was the right way to say it. And I hope that if Jews want to live in Israel, but I think that if they are going to Israel it is because they want to live in Israel, not because they are afraid of living in Denmark.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Do you think perhaps part to his point or your point or Shimon Peres', his point that by leaving, you would be leaving say Denmark or France out of fear, out of fear to go to Israel?

BEINART: Right. And as one as much -- as much as one can appreciate the extraordinary possibilities that are open to Jews living in a Jewish state in a Jewish majority and a country whose public life is shaped by Jewish rhythms, I think it's also important to acknowledged that many of the greatest creations in Jewish history have been created in Diaspora (ph) that living in a multicultural society, surrounded by people, all different ethnicities and faith and culture, also have been a source of incredible creativity for Jews throughout the ages. And I would like to think that Jews have enriched those societies that they have been part of, whether it be France or Denmark or the United States.

So I think what we should all aspire to is a world in which Jews can live safe, fulfill whole lives both in a Jewish state and also around the world. And I think that while Benjamin Netanyahu is emphasizing one part of that, it is important that he is focused on the idea of Zionism that in Israel, that we not lose the potential greatness of Jewish life in the Diaspora.

BALDWIN: How, then, though within the Diaspora, within beyond Israel can this anti-Semitism be fought? I mean, I was watching CNN earlier today and it was a different rabbi saying there needs to be a big conference and a task force to help fight this. You know, I don't know how much that would really help advance this. And fight back on this hate. But have you heard suggestions, Peter Beinart?

BEINART: I think, first of all, it's extremely important that people in division of power and throughout the society in places like France and Denmark who are non-Jews say as the president of France did a few weeks ago, that if the Jews were to leave France, then France would not be France. To show that this is not just an attack on Jews, but it is an attack on all people who cherish European culture, who cherish Danish or French culture, that it's an attack on them.

I think, secondly, this is a sickness that I think is coming out of the breakdown of states in the Middle East and the failure to integrate young Muslims in Europe. And that this is a tremendous challenge for Europe. The question of how to give young European Muslims who feel cultural alienated who see no economic hope, how to give them a sense of hope and belonging in their own societies, the irony is that when European Muslims feel a greater sense of belonging in their own societies. Because I think the irony is that it is when European Muslims feel the greater sense of belonging in their own society as safe and secure people with opportunity, that will also help to secure Jewish lives in Europe as well.

BALDWIN: If there are no Jews in France, then there would be no France from the leader of France. Point taken. Peter Beinart, thank you.

BEINART: Thank you.

BALDWIN: Another story we're following much closer here, the snow and the ice and the freezing, freezing temperatures. It is not just in the northeast again for you but also as far south as Tennessee and Georgia. We'll take you live coming up.

Plus, it is presidents' day. So how well do you know your trivia about past commanders in-chief? We will put our anchors to the test.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: A deep freezing is sending upon more than a dozen states impact millions of people in New England, you know the drill there, still buried under a foot of snow after this past weekend blizzard, now facing dangerously cold temperatures, windchills making it feel like it's 40 below zero, just narrowing on that for a minute, 40 below zero in some parts of New England. You have the cold air pushing southward as well bringing icy conditions to states like Tennessee and Arkansas and also prompting North Carolina's governor to declare a state of emergency.

So we sent Nick Valencia to Nashville. But we also have Will Ripley live in Boston.

Will Ripley, let's begin with you. Tell me how much snow, how freezing, freezing, freezing are you?

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Seven-and-a-half feet of snow, Brooke, since January. So you can see a lot of parts of this city are still like this. Sidewalk covered in snow. There's a danger, not only because of the subzero temperatures that you're talking about. Right now we're a balmy 18 degrees but windchills, as you said, could get well below zero. There's also the fact that people are out shoveling. There is at

least one confirmed death, a man who had a heart problem, he collapsed and he later died, in his 50s by the way. I was shoveling. So people say you need to be careful.

And then you have these snow piles all over the city. Kids are sliding down them and sometimes they are sliding right into the street. That pose as danger. Parents are being told to watch their kids. Also, believe it or not, some people are actually posting videos of themselves in You Tube jumping out of their windows onto the snow piles which could be really hard and icy.

Nick Valencia, what are you seeing in Nashville?

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Will. Not quite as bad as what you are experiencing there in Boston, but still for this area, certainly miserable. The good news though, is also not as bad as officials had predicted. They were saying somewhere between three and seven inches of snow. We've been out here since about 3:00 a.m. and we've seen a lot of freezing rain. This is one of the result that was left behind. This is sort of a microcosm, a snapshot, if you will, what you are seeing out here. A lot of freezing rain on this road. And on the point of the roads,

for the most part, they are pretty passable, Brooke. That's because you have emergency management has really done a lot over the weekend and in the last 24 hours to salt and brine these roads. Even still, as the day has gone on, we have seen a lot of people have come out and try to see what is all the fuss about. We'll send it back to you -- Brooke.

BALDWIN: Go get inside. Get some blues. Get some barbecue.

Nick Valencia and Will Ripley, thank you so much for being out there. And I feel so bad for everyone in Boston. It is like again and again and again.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR, CNN TONIGHT: Everyone wants us to wear the red jackets. That means you're out in weather like this.

BALDWIN: And the hats.

LEMON: And the hats.

BALDWIN: Wait. But someone might have stolen from someone else.

Let's not talk about that.

LEMON: All right.

BALDWIN: In honor of the Presidents Day holiday today, tonight at 9:00, you'll see something you have never seen before. Six of our anchors go head to head for brain power. And Don Lemon?

LEMON: Yes, I know nothing about that.

BALDWIN: I kid because I love. Here's a little taste. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN BERMAN, "EARLY START" ANCHOR: I think the team that gets the most right will win.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, "NEW DAY" ANCHOR: Jake Tapper, he asks me the most obscure, random questions.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR, AC 360: He was trying to physically intimidate me.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Strategery.

ERIN BURNETT, CNN HOST, OUTFRONT: I said I'm being pressed with Don.

LEMON: I'm a good guesser.

BURNETT: They have combination of smarts.

CUOMO: I've been doing this every day. A thousand times a day.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He asks me, which president had 15 children? I said, I don't know.

LEMON: I want Tapper to go down. I'm in the middle of my show and he's sending stupid questions about presidents.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: What makes us a good team is that, unlike the other guys, we actually really like each other.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BALDWIN: I'm watching Jake Tapper behind the camera as I'm looking at you here. Jake is in New York for "the LEAD." I'm winking.

LEMON: Who, Jake?

BALDWIN: Who, Jake? I'm talking to you, Don Lemon.

LEMON: I have no idea who that guy is.

BALDWIN: Did you do your homework? I mean, did you really study up on presidents past?

LEMON: I did. I did. It is like I was cramming for an exam. But you know, we have jobs. Like I have like three jobs, you know. I do radio, I do this and I do other stuff. So it was tough.

BALDWIN: I mean, I saw like pieces of equipment being carted out of there n the studio. This was a thing. So, can I -- let's just put Don on the spot.

LEMON: Why do you want to do that? Don't you want to know about the show? OK. BALDWIN: Question number one, which president was a self-taught man.

You play along as well. Which president was a self-taught man, grew up poor and as a child worked as a tailor's apprentice?

LEMON: I know this.

BALDWIN: A, Andrew Johnson, b, Chester A. Arthur, c, Rutherford Hayes, d, Grover Cleveland?

LEMON: OK, so I know the answer. The reason I know that, because you just put tailor, self-made, Andrew Johnson. I just did short words, like short little memory things. Tailor, Andrew Johnson. That's how I get it.

But here's the thing. Even if you know it, you've got to be fast and it's all about the buzzer. You got to get the buzzer right and it's got to be fast. Some people, maybe me, maybe Chris, I don't know, maybe Tapper, maybe Berman, they would answer the question before Anderson even got the question out.

BALDWIN: Did they ding?

LEMON: Yes. They buzzed it.

BALDWIN: So they were that good.

LEMON: Some people had more of a stake in it.

BALDWIN: I can't imagine what that stake would possibly be. See, this is the thing. These guys have been really -- it's been like fort knocks around here because I have been walking around. I wasn't part of it and I have been saying, OK, like who is it that won. None of you who are saying, these were also -- it wasn't like it was multiple choice, right? It was different kinds of trivia questions.

LEMON: Yes. We were all nervous, oh, my God, we're going to look silly. And then we just realized you know what, just have fun. I mean, I'm not expected to know everything about presidents. So mea neither -- I mean, I joke, we were joking around with Jake because he's our chief Washington correspondent. But still, he's not expected to know everything about presidential history. So we all just had fun there.

And we played the game, you know, we had rehearsals because it's different for us. And every time we played the game, someone else won. And that's the beauty of it. So if we had played another game, someone else would have won. And at the end, even if you were like zero and you were behind, you could still come back and win the whole thing. It was really a lot of fun.

BALDWIN: Was there any jumping up and down and spiking the football involved?

LEMON: There was. And there was -- I actually got mad because this is new for us. I didn't know the rules. I didn't know the rules to one thing and it was like you guys, we need to do that over again. They're like Don, it's new, have fun.

BALDWIN: This is like serious DVR, watch it over and over and over.

LEMON: The easiest job is that guy on the screen. He didn't have to study anything. He kept saying I'm lucky I'm not you guys. I'm like I got a good agent. You know, Anderson.

BALDWIN: Here's the deal. You have to watch tonight, 9:00 eastern. I think I'm deaf. Thank you very much. Don Lemon, on CNN.

LEMON: Tonight, watch.

BALDWIN: Tonight. Thank you. Will you tweet during it so we can see?

LEMON: Of course.

BALDWIN: Of course.

LEMON: Guess who's going to win?

BALDWIN: Don't know. Thank you. Appreciate it very much. Very exciting.

Coming up, before I let you go, hackers hitting the jackpot. A billion dollar theft ring uncovered after investigators found an ATM spitting out money.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: This could be the biggest bank heist in history. Hackers have reportedly stolen $1 billion from more than 100 banks all around the world, some of those including the United States. They also rigged ATMs to actually spit out cash. All of this by installing spying software on bank computers.

Laurie Segall is with me. And Laurie, tell me how exactly they pulled this off.

LAURIE SEGALL, CNN MONEY TECHNOLOGY REPORTER: This is pretty unbelievable.

Essentially it was something as simple as a phishing email. An employee clicked on it, downloaded something they shouldn't have and they downloaded spyware on their computer. And what the hackers did is they waited a long time. They learned a lot about the banks and the credentials and they acted as bank tellers, setting up fake accounts, put lots of money into their own accounts.

And what you mentioned, which was so fascinating, they actually made ATMs spew money. They were able to remotely access it and they had what we call money mules come with bags and pick up the money and run away as the ATM was remotely spewing money.

So this was unprecedented. You talk to people. They were actually able to pull this off over a two-year period, Brooke. BALDWIN: Money mules. And who are these bank robbers? Where do

investigators think they are from?

SEGALL: You know, what is also interesting about is that you can't really put it to one hacker group. But this is kind of a collective group from people from China, eastern Europe, Russia. So a lot of different people to come together to do this.

And I spoke to a security researcher who uncovered the hack and he called this the ocean 11 of hack because there were so many different masterminds behind this that made it happen.

BALDWIN: Are they still happening? What sort of preventive measures do banks have at their disposal to make sure this doesn't happen again?

SEGALL: You know, what's scary is this is probably still going on. Banks likely do not know whether or not they have been compromised. So they need right now to be looking at their outgrowing traffic. They also, the irony here is had some of these banks had an updated version of Microsoft Office, they would have been able to avoid this completely. You have to patch up a lot of your systems and make sure they are updated, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Spewing out cash with people running by to grab it and roll. Wow.

Laurie Segall, thank you so much.

SEGALL: Thank you.

BALDWIN: And that is it for me here. I'm Brooke Baldwin in New York. Of course, as always, if you miss any of the story, great resource, CNN.com. We will be back here same time tomorrow. In the meantime, sitting just next to me here in New York. You got Jake Tapper. "THE LEAD" starts right now.