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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

ISIS Pushed Back in Iraq; White House Summit on Violent Extremism Copenhagen Terror; Ukraine Ceasefire Falling Apart; Prosecution Rests in "American Sniper" Trial

Aired February 18, 2015 - 04:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight: ISIS pushed back -- pushed back after a fierce assault on a major Iraqi city. Can Kurdish forces keep them -- keep ISIS -- from striking again?

New details this morning about the accused gunman in the Copenhagen terror attacks. What officials now say about his state of mind the night of the attacks? And were concerns he was being radicalized ignored?

And the vice president raising eyebrows for two gaffes, two in the same day, from an awkward moment with the new defense secretary's wife, to a controversial comment about the Somali people.

Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. John Berman off this morning. It is 31 minutes past the hour.

Breaking overnight, ISIS fighters launching a major attack in Iraq near the Kurdish city of Irbil. Kurdish officials say Peshmerga troops have succeed in pushing ISIS forces back, pushing them back far enough to let airstrikes begin.

Let's bring in CNN's Tim Lister. He's joining us from Irbil for the latest.

Now, Tim, one of the concerns has been the Peshmerga and ISIS forces were so close together, you couldn't get in there with airstrikes because the fighting was so close.

TIM LISTER, CNN JOURNALIST: That's absolutely right, Christine, and that's how ISIS likes it, if you like. They come in at night. They come in in poor weather. A recent attack around Kirkuk was launched in thick fog, and that really benefits them. It's impossible to use airstrikes.

So, it was four or five hours of fighting before finally airstrikes could be brought to bear and they scattered the remnants of those ISIS forces. But until that point, the Kurds basically had to hold on.

And they're not very well-armed. A lot of their weapons are very ancient. They don't have much in the way of heavy machine guns, mortars or anything like that. They're outgunned. So, they have well-fortified defensive positions, but it's tough to hold off these ISIS attacks at night.

ROMANS: Tell us a little bit how organized the ISIS -- the ISIS fighters are. You said earlier, you told us that they were able to coordinate from multiple angles, multiple fronts, showing that this is a fighting force with military training.

LISTER: Absolutely, it is. Last night's attack on three fronts, very complex, coordinated. We know because we've been listening to them. They have a lot of walkie-talkie and radio communications. The Kurds even tell us that some of their radio communications are encrypted. So they can't even listen to them.

This is a military organization that is well-organized, well-supplied. We were over Mount Sinjar a little while ago, and the main highway to Syria was still full of traffic, ISIS traffic, with tankers, trucks, pickup trucks, resupplying the front.

This is not an organization that is going to be defeated in short order. It's quite resilient. It's on the back foot, but it's showing just how disciplined it is.

ROMANS: The Kurds pushing them back on the back foot, but indeed, a stretched line of defenses. Thank you so much for that, Tim Lister, great analysis for us this morning from Irbil.

This morning, the U.S. is working its way down a list of top is operatives it wants to kill. CNN has learned that there's a secret list of ISIS leaders in Syria and Iraq. ISIS leaders targeted for killing. At the top of that list, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi.

The Pentagon is considering a plan this morning that would give moderate Syrian rebels the ability to call in American airstrikes. A defense official tells CNN the U.S. would not conduct the airstrikes without additional confirming intelligence. A more definite part of the plan is to give some teams of moderate Syrian rebels U.S. military gear including pickups, machine guns, mortars and communications equipment.

With terror attacks and the battle against ISIS topping the headlines, President Obama set to address a White House summit on combating violent extremism later today. Now, the White House has carefully avoided labeling it a summit on Islamic extremism. That is drawing criticism from some who say violence by Islamic radicals should be dealt with head on.

Senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta has the latest.

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JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Christine, the White House opened up its countering violent extremism summit just as ISIS appears to be growing stronger, whether it's in Libya, where those Egypt Christians were beheaded, or in Denmark where a radical inspired by the group went on a violent rampage. But administration officials caution the summit is not about the military campaign to defeat ISIS. It's also about finding ways to address the root causes of violent extremism in communities and then sharing those ideas around the world.

Here's how the president put it in the Oval Office with his new defense secretary, Ash Carter.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Everything from making sure that we are dismantling ISIL and not only stabilizing the situation in Iraq but addressing the foreign fighter issue and countering the narrative of violent extremism that has been turbocharged through the Internet.

ACOSTA: The Obama administration is hoping to combat that potent terrorist message from ISIS by beefing up its own social media presence. The State Department is adding staffers to a little-known agency called the Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications which will be on Twitter and Facebook with its own propaganda aimed at young Muslims with the slogan "Think again, turn away."

But the Obama administration is finding its own message under fire. A GOP and even a few Democratic critics asked why the summit does not use the term Islamic extremism or terrorism.

And later on in the day, President Obama will be addressing this summit. It will be one of two speaking appearances for the president at this summit this week -- Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right, thanks for that, Jim, from the White House.

New evidence this morning that the massacre at the French magazine "Charlie Hebdo" and the deadly attack on a French kosher market were coordinated. The French newspaper "Le Monde" reporting that less than an hour before the attack, one of the gunmen, Cherif Kouachi, sent a text message to the man who later attacked the supermarket, Amedy Coulibaly. "Le Monde" also says the "Charlie Hebdo" assault was nearly called off the day before. One of those gunmen was stick with the stomach flu.

We're learning more this morning about the accused gunman in the deadly terror attacks in Denmark. His actions on the day of the shooting, his state of mind, and advanced warnings that he was at risk for radicalization.

Senior international correspondent Nic Robertson has been following the story for us in Copenhagen.

Nic, we're learning more about who this man was and how he went from one site of a shooting to another.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We are. And it's chilling information as well. The intelligence services here say that they were warned that he had a change of attitude in jail. He came out of jail and perpetrated these attacks just two weeks later. The intelligence services have said in that period of time, they did not have enough information, did not believe he was about to launch an attack.

But what the police -- the information the police have now released really indicates that there was a level of premeditation here and a high degree, if you will, of planning going into both of these attacks. He tried to get into the cafe where this meeting was taking place, using side entrances and back doors before he tried to shoot his way in through the front of the building, 28 shots fired. If he had been able to get in through a side door, a backdoor, the death toll from the 50 people inside there already could have been much, much higher.

We now know as well from the police that he switched weapons after that attack, that he was acting drunk, according to the head of the Jewish association here in Denmark, that he was acting drunk when he approached the synagogue in an effort to try to get closer to the guard who was guarding it and closer to the policeman. And by this time, he's carrying two pistols. And the police say he fired from both pistols, indicating he was shooting from both hands. Nine shots fired there.

So, all of these details are adding up to a level of premeditation and planning. And the question for the police is, two weeks out of jail, just who told him to go and attack this freedom of speech venue? And that's a concern because the police are still out hunting for those types of associates -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Nic Robertson for us in Denmark, thank you, Nic.

President Obama will comply with a federal judge's ruling temporarily blocking his executive orders on immigration. But he says the administration plans to appeal, and the administration expects to prevail in the courts.

Now, the president's policies could spare as many as 5 million people now in the U.S. illegally from being departed. The legal wrangling gives a coalition of 26 states opposed to the immigration action time to pursue a lawsuit aimed at putting a permanent stop to the Obama plan to give immigration relief.

The number of people signing up for Obamacare exceeding expectations. In its second year, 11.4 million people enrolled in the president's signature health care program. It beat the targets set by the Department of Health and Human Services. The White House did not disclose how many of the enrollees are renewing coverage from last year and how many are new to the marketplaces.

All right. Joe Biden caught up in two gaffes.

First, this picture right here, let me show you this picture. You can see the vice president. He's awkwardly placing his hands on the shoulders of Stephanie Carter, that's the new defense secretary's wife. The second, he whispers to her, too. I think it's the whisper and not the awkward comment -- the awkward grip that really got people talking. The second, odd comments about the Somali people. He said he had a

great relation with them because lots of them are cab drivers. Biden hasn't addressed these off-the-cuff moments quite yet.

The measles outbreak is spreading. The Centers for Disease Control says it has now confirmed 141 cases of the virus since January 1st. It has now spread to 17 states. Officials say they are also seeing a greater uptick than usual in adult cases of measles during this outbreak. The airborne virus is contained long before symptoms appear.

Forty minutes past the hour. Time for an early start of your money.

U.S. stock futures are higher. It could be another record day. Yesterday, the S&P 500 closed above 2,100 for the first time in history. Stocks boosted by progress in Greece's bailout discussions.

But the big business story this morning, the White House stepping in to find a solution to a very costly gridlock at West Coast ports. Look at that -- a parking lot for ships carrying tens of billions of dollars of goods that drive the American economy. A labor dispute between shipping companies and union dock workers, months of shipping destructions getting worse. These harbors here have perishable goods like oranges just rotting in the sun.

Labor Secretary Tom Perez, he has been called to the West Coast by the president. He's meeting with both sides. He called yesterday's negotiations productive. More meetings are set for today.

A fragile cease-fire in Ukraine growing weaker, more fragile by the day amid continued fighting between troops and rebels. How much longer can that truce hold?

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ROMANS: This morning, the truce between Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists signed just last week, that truce is falling apart. Heavy fighting breaking out in the city of Debaltseve, a crucial rail hub. The U.N. Security Council adopting the resolution drafted by Russia, calling on all parties to respect the ceasefire.

At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin urging Ukrainian troops in Debaltseve to surrender.

Following events for us from Moscow, CNN's Erin McLaughlin.

Good morning, Erin.

For so long, the Russian president denied having any influence over what was going on. Now, he's a critical part of trying to hold this cease-fire together.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, Christine. And all eyes are on Debaltseve. Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin calling on Kiev to allow Ukrainian military in the besieged city to surrender to the separatists. Now, the separatists are claiming that they have 80 percent of that

city under their control, the site of more intense fighting today.

Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Powers, saying that it's, quote, "bitterly ironic" that Russia was the one to draft and table the U.N. resolution calling for all sides to observe the cease-fire agreements. She accused, at the United Nations yesterday, Russia of continuing to arm and train these separatists in Debaltseve, something that Russia has long denied.

Meanwhile, more strong rhetoric out of the White House. Vice President Joe Biden saying that the costs to Russia will rise if it continues to violate these agreements -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right. Erin McLaughlin for us this morning in Moscow -- thank you for that, Erin.

Here, another arctic blast headed straight for the eastern half of the country. I want to bring in meteorologist Pedram Javaheri for an early look at your cold weather.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning to you, Christine.

Show you pictures here, kind of shows you what's happening in recent days and what set up some beautiful shots across New York City. This being around the Hudson River, between Pier 92 and Pier 94 across this region. Icy conditions, of course, and just going to get much colder.

Boston jumps into the record books, second snowiest season all time, 38 inches. That's how much you have in average season. To date, 96 inches is what has come down so far this season. Back in 1995 and 1996, we had 107 inches.

Tell you what? Wouldn't surprise if we get there very quickly. It's what we have in store over the next week, week and a half.

Here comes another clipper system drops in Thursday night through Friday morning. Boston could see one to three more inches on top of this. So, that could push you to potentially 100 inches. By the way, that is a little more than eight feet.

But here's the perspective of what we're following now. An arctic blast, northern Ontario, the Hudson Bay. This pushes south, all the way towards portions of the Northeast. That's, say, through Friday morning, and then by Saturday and Sunday, a secondary blast of cold air parks in place.

Look at the high temperatures around Chicago, Christine. Two degrees, the best they can do before it warms up. Well below the norm and then another downhill trend.

ROMANS: All right, Pedram Javaheri. Thanks for that.

The prosecution rests its case in the American sniper murder trial as the accused killer, his own words are used against him in court. What does the defense need to do now to win its case? (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROAMNS: The prosecution rests in the so-called American sniper trial in Texas. And attorneys for accused killer Eddie Ray Routh wasting no time in launching their insanity defense, calling the defendant's mother as their first witness. Before the state ended its case, they again tried to use Routh's own words against him.

CNN's Ed Lavandera following this trial for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine, another dramatic day of testimony in the American sniper trial. The prosecution has rested, but before that, they played a video of Eddie Ray Routh inside of a police car. The video was captured just moments after Routh was taken into custody by police.

And in that video, you can hear Routh talking about how he feels paranoid and schizophrenic. That was one of the last pieces of evidence that the prosecution put on.

Now, it's the defense attorney's turn. And one of their first witnesses was Eddie Ray Routh's mother who talked about just days before the murders of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield, her son had been admitted into the V.A. hospital for psychological issues and then released. And she talked about how she begged the V.A. hospital officials to keep her son inside the hospital because she was worried about his condition and what he might do.

She also talked about the different cocktail of psychological medications that Eddie Ray Routh had been on. At one point, nine different prescriptions.

So we will continue to hear more of the psychological testimony and all of the different people that treated Eddie Ray Routh in the months leading up to the murders of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. Expect much more of that the rest of this week here in Stephenville, Texas -- Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Ed Lavandera, thank you for that.

New revelations this morning about a road rage incident last week that ultimately left a woman dead. Las Vegas police say Tammy Meyers was killed when she and her son who was armed with a gun went looking for the driver who had confronted her a short time before as she was giving her teenage daughter a driving lesson. It ended with an exchange of gunfire and the mother's death.

Tammy Meyers' husband spoke at a vigil for his wife Tuesday night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT MEYERS, HUSBAND OF VICTIM: There was mistakes made like every one of us have made in our life, but this particular mistake was made to keep a bigger mistake from happening. And my wife paid the ultimate price for it because of the mistake she made.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Police are now searching for that suspect.

It was a good day, then a very bad day for some 800 budding computer scientists -- 800 of them dreaming of admission to Carnegie Mellon's prestigious graduate program. First, they were told they had been accepted. Then hours later, the university rescinded the offer in a second e-mail.

The problem, would you believe, a computer error? School officials have apologized and admitted serious mistakes in the process for generating acceptance letters. Maybe some of those 800 would-be students might be able to be hired to help them fix it.

Another job loss, thanks to plunging oil prices. This time, it's one CEO's multimillion-dollar gig. Oh, the cost of cheap fuel for him, next.

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ROMANS: Let's get an EARLY START on your money.

Good stay for stocks so far. European stocks higher. There has been progress in Greek bailout discussions.

U.S. stock futures also higher. That could mean it would be another record day, if it holds. Yesterday, the S&P 500 closed higher for the second day in a row. The S&P 500 up 2 percent so far this year. First close above 2,100 for those of you keeping score at home.

Cheap oil taking more jobs down with it. The latest casualty, one CEO's $14 million gig. Steve Newman stepped down as president and CEO of the company Transocean. It's an offshore drilling company. It has been slammed in recent months by those falling oil prices.

Newman is the highest-profile departure in the industry so far. Energy companies across the board have slashed spending and laid off workers.

White Americans have 12 times the wealth of black Americans. According to a new report from the Urban Institute, the typical white family has about $134,000 in family wealth. That compares to $11,000 for black families, $14,000 for Hispanic families. That gap has grown considerably in just the last few decades. One reason, the earnings gap makes it harder for blacks and Hispanics to own homes and save for retirement.

The top of the hour. EARLY START continues right now.