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CNN International: White House Says Objects Likely Balloons for "Benign" Purposes; Ukrainian Children Held at Russian Network of Camps; Rescues More Than a Week After Quake as Death Toll Tops 41,000 in Turkey and Syria; Amish Farmer Accuses Santos of Writing Bad Check for Puppies. Aired 4:30-5a ET
Aired February 15, 2023 - 04:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:30:00]
BIANCA NOBILO, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Bianca Nobilo.
MAX FOSTER, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Max Foster. If you are just joining us, let me bring you up to date on our top stories.
Former South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley set to deliver her first campaign speech later today. On Tuesday Haley announced she would be running against her former boss Donald Trump in the 2024 race for the White House.
And the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration says it will conduct a safety review after experiencing a system breakdown which caused the first nationwide airplane grounding since the September 11th attacks and at least two incidents where planes nearly collided on the runway.
NOBILO: Beijing is reacting to news that the U.S. is black listing several Chinese companies with ties to the military after the downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon earlier this month. The Foreign Ministry said earlier today that it will take countermeasures against U.S. entities.
Meanwhile, the White House is sharing its leading theory about three different airborne objects shot down over the U.S. and Canadian air space over the last several days. Given the limited information that they have, officials believe that their balloons serving commercial or otherwise benign purpose. CNN's Oren Liebermann has more from the Pentagon.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): After days of uncertainty about the flying objects in North American airspace, the White House puts forward its leading theory: balloons for benign purposes. Following a classified briefing on Capitol Hill, senators from both parties feel at ease, but blasted the Biden administration for not being transparent about the objects.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): The briefing was helpful today. Again, I'm not unnerved by anything. I'm confident this wasn't, you know, an attack on the country. I think it probably served the country well to have the president explain what's going on.
SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-(CT): There is a lot of information presented to us this morning that could be told to the American people without any harm to sources or methods or our national security.
LIEBERMANN (voice-over): The spate of shootdowns revealing new complications like what happens if a fighter jet misses its target. Top U.S. general confirming the first missile, AIM-9 Sidewinder, missed the object over Lake Huron.
GEN. MARK MILLEY, CHAIRMAN, U.S. JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: The missile landed harmlessly in the water of Lake Huron. We only tracked it all the way down, and we made sure that the airspace was clear of any commercial or civilian or recreational traffic.
PILOT: It's so slow and so small you can't see it.
LIEBERMANN (voice-over): New audio authenticated by the Air Force from the pilots trying to figure out what that object was over the Great Lakes.
PILOT: It's just some kind of dark object. You can see some strings or something hanging down below it. I can't tell if it's holding anything.
LIEBERMANN (voice-over): The U.S. and Canada haven't yet recovered any debris from the last three objects shot down. A senior Biden administration official says it's possible they may never be able to.
MILLEY: Very, very difficult terrain. The second one off the coast of Alaska, that's up in some really, really difficult terrain in the Arctic circle with very, very low temperatures in the minus 40s.
FRANK01: Frank 01. Splash one. TOI 1.
HUNTRESS: HUNTRESS Copy. Splash.
LIEBERMANN (voice-over): Meanwhile, new audio of the moment an F-22 shot down that Chinese spy balloon.
EAGLE02: That is a T-kill. The balloon is completely destroyed.
LIEBERMANN (voice-over): U.S. Military has recovered a significant portion of that balloon.
[04:35:00]
JOHN KIRBY, U.S. NTSB coordinator FOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS: Divers were able to get into the water over the course of the weekend and were able to recover a significant amount of debris, including some of the structures and some of the electronics.
LIEBERMANN: As for the ongoing recovery efforts for the balloon off the coast of South Carolina, the Chinese surveillance balloon, a defense official says a, quote, significant portion of that balloon has been recovered. A salvage vessel has been on the scene there since Friday.
But divers haven't been able to work every day because of the conditions of the water there, rough seas, essentially, but they have been able to recover again a significant portion and that includes the structure and some of the electronics that will be analyzed by the FBI.
Oren Liebermann, CNN, in the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Now to a disturbing new report, the details of an expansive network of camps in Russia where thousands of Ukrainian children have been held since the start of the war. One of the report's authors says it appears the primary purpose of the camps is political reeducation.
CNN's Clare Sebastian joins us now with more. Clare, the authors of this report, what evidence did they present?
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so this comes from the Conflict Observatory by the Humanitarian Research Lab that is backed by the U.S. State Department. They have gathered using data, things like social media, satellite imagery and in some cases direct contact with sources, parents even. So, they have a lot of evidence and they say that the problem could be a lot bigger than even this report details.
What they say that they've identified more than 6,000 children who at some point in the last year were in Russian custody in one of these so-called camps. They say that they found 43 facilities, 41 of which are actually camps, two more they say facilities associated with the deportation as reported. Orphans even more disturbing. The primary focus of the camps they say is the political reeducation of these children, so exposing them to sort of Russian centric material pictures and cultural. And in two cases actual military education including the use of firearms. Take a listen to what Ned Price, the State Department spokesman had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NED PRICE, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON: The network of facilities which the children are sent is vast, spanning from Russia occupied Crimea, across Russia itself, from the Black Sea region to its far east. Putin seeks to rob Ukraine of its future by taking its children. Russia's system of force relocations, reeducation, and adoption of Ukraine's children is a key element of the Kremlin's systematic efforts to deny and suppress Ukraine's identity, its history, and its culture.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SEBASTIAN: So, the State Department says that the unlawful transfer and deportation of protected persons, which of course includes children, is a breach of the Geneva Convention and therefore a war crime. I just want to bring you the Russian reaction to this report from the Russian Embassy in Washington, they call the statements by Ned Price absurd.
And said: We remind that Russia accepted children who were forced to flee with their families from the shelling and atrocities of the Armed Force of Ukraine. We do our best to keep minors and families and in case of absence or death of parents and relatives -- to transfer orphans under guardianship. We ensure the protection of their lives and well-being.
Now the report does note that in some cases these children were taken to camps with the consent of their parents, but also questions the ability of parents to give that kind of consent in the context of war and it notes other cases where children were kept -- whose status was unknown and whose stays were sort of extended by even several weeks.
NOBILO: Clare Sebastian, thank you.
Well, after the window for survival was expected to close, we keep hearing about new rescues in Turkey from that devastating earthquake. Details for you ahead.
[04:40:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: Well, the death toll from the earthquake in Turkey and Syria has now passed 41,000. But today another two people were pulled alive from the rubble. Not long ago Turkish state TV reported a 45-year-old woman had been rescued 222 hours after the disaster.
NOBILO: And several hours ago we got word that a 77-year-old woman was saved after 212 hours in the cold wreckage. Turkish media say that she was hugged by family members waiting at the scene of the rescue.
FOSTER: And this little dog was also carried to safety by crew this is southern Turkey. He got a few pets on the back from his rescuers.
NOBILO: Meanwhile, the U.N. says that more trucks carrying aid crossed in to northwest Syria and are reaching areas held by rebels, that's after two more crossings were approved. The Syrian government had previously insisted that all aid go through the capital. Back in Turkey, CNN's Nada Bashir caught up with one family fortunate to escape the danger zone.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NADA BASHIR, CNN REPORTER (voice over): The landscape permanently changed, the death toll still rising. Those who made it out alive now grappling with a devastating new reality.
For Semir and Amal, it is a reality that's painful to come to terms with. They fled their apartment with 3-year-old Lena (ph), and seven- year-old Yusef (ph) seconds before the building collapsed.
Now, they found temporary shelter in the home of one generous Istanbul resident living overseas, but their trauma is difficult to overcome. And memories of the quake still haunt this family.
SEMIR CEKIC, EVACUATED FROM QUAKE ZONE (through translator): Our friends and relatives are still under the rubble. The whole family is gone.
AMAL CEKIC, EVACUATED FROM QUAKE ZONE (through translator): Yusef tells me, mom, I don't have a room. I don't have a house, no toys, no friends. I want to go back to school. Lena is constantly crying. She's my only daughter. She's changed a lot.
BASHIR (voice-over): The chances of finding survivors beneath the rubble is getting slimmer by the hour. But in Turkey hope persists with more miraculous rescues over the past 24 hours. But as the days passed by, the focus is shifting to recovering the dead and helping the living.
BASHIR: And as you can see here, these volunteers have formed a human chain to carry these boxes of donations into this truck. They're being loaded, ready to leave this distribution center in Istanbul and head straight to Southeast Turkey.
Now, according to coordinators at this center, there are some 20,000 volunteers working around the clock across two centers here in Istanbul. They've been working for the last week, sorting through thousands of boxes of donations already to be sent to people impacted by the earthquake.
BASHIR (voice-over): But coordinators here say they need more support and fear they will be forgotten by the international community.
BASHIR: Were you scared when it happened?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: Yes.
[04:45:00]
BASHIR: Scary?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: Very.
BASHIR: Very scared?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE CHILD: Yes.
BASHIR (voice-over): And while act of generosity may go some way to help. For those who've lost everything, the rebuilding is just beginning.
Nada Bashir, CNN, Istanbul.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: The New York Congressman caught lying about all sorts of things is now accused of bouncing a check when he purchased some puppies. Our report from America's Amish country is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NOBILO: There is a bizarre new twist in the case of Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito. An attorney for Petito's family wants a letter written to Laundrie to his mother offering to bury a body and help him get out of prison.
FOSTER: Petito's family is suing the Laundries for emotional distress in connection with Gabby's death ruled a homicide by strangulation. Brian Laundrie wrote in a note that he was responsible before he took his own life. The letter from his mother was in an envelope marked "burn after reading."
[04:50:00]
Prosecutors are nearing the end of their case in the Alex Murdaugh trial. In the coming attorneys are expected to debate lie in testimony on the staged roadside shooting of Murdaugh in early September 2021. Defense attorneys are also strongly considering putting Murdaugh on the stand in his own defense.
NOBILO: On day 15 of the trial, Murdaugh's wife's sister testified offering a comprehensive view of her only sibling. In an emotional testimony she told the court that Murdaugh didn't appear focused on who killed his wife and son, instead his mind was on a boat case that involved his son.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARIAN PROCTOR, MAGGIE MURDAUGH'S SISTER: We would talk about the boat case. And he was very intent on clearing Paul's name.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What did he say?
PROCTOR: He said that his number one goal was clearing Paul's name. And I thought that was so strange because my number one goal was to find out who killed my sister and Paul.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: Murdaugh has pleaded not guilty to charges of killing his wife and son in June of 2021.
Disgraced Congressman George Santos tweeted on Tuesday that he will remain in office. That's despite the ongoing investigations into his finances and a long list of lies.
NOBILO: One of the newest allegations involve accusations that Santos stole puppies from an Amish dog breeder using a bad check. CNN's Gary Tuchman has this report from the Amish country in Pennsylvania.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): We've told this Amish dairy farmer in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania we'll protect his identity as this father of 10 who we will call Fred, tells us the story of a man who came to his house a little over five years ago to buy puppies. That Fred breeds is a side job.
FRED, AMISH FARMER: He seemed uncomfortable and nervous and fidgety, so that's when I started getting suspicious.
TUCHMAN (voice-over): His instinct was correct. These are nine checks from November 2017. The name on each of them, George Santos. The checks to buy puppies obtained by CNN were written to Fred and other Amish dog breeders. They totaled more than $15,000.
Fred says the man he then simply knew as George came with a female assistant and they cut their deal in this very room we're standing in, the milk house. He says, the man wanted two German shepherds.
FRED: He says, OK, we're going to take that puppy and that puppy and his assistant grabs the two puppies, takes him out the door, and he pulls out a check. I was like, oh, no. Is this guy going to pay me with a check. But then I was very suspicious.
TUCHMAN: Because she -- you told me before, she put the dogs in the car, correct?
FRED: Right.
TUCHMAN: Before they paid for it.
FRED: Right.
TUCHMAN: So you're suspicious because he's going to pay with a check and you don't take checks.
FRED: And I told him I don't take checks, all I can take is cash. Well, he said, would you expect me to carry enough of cash to buy a bunch of puppies on a trip like this? I do not have cash. The only thing I can give you is a check. Well, I thought to myself, it looks like I'm done.
TUCHMAN: You're stuck?
FRED: I'm stuck.
TUCHMAN: Because the dogs are already in the car.
FRED: The dogs are in the car.
TUCHMAN: You thought they pulled a fast one on you?
FRED: Right. And it was obvious to me by that time they probably pulled a fast one on me.
TUCHMAN: So, you said, through the goodness of your heart, I take it, that you'll take the check?
FRED: I said, I've decided a check is better than nothing. I'll give it a try.
TUCHMAN (voice-over): And the results of that try --
TUCHMAN: To check bounced.
FRED: To check bounced, right.
TUCHMAN: And then you were charged a fee, too, for --
FRED: A minimum --
TUCHMAN: -- depositing a bounced check?
FRED: Right.
TUCHMAN: Have you gotten the money back?
FRED: No.
TUCHMAN: Have you heard from anybody about it?
FRED No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Santos?
TUCHMAN (voice-over): Just three days after all these puppies were purchased, Santos participated in an adoption event at a pet supply store in Staten Island, New York, according to a former owner of the business. That man, Daniel Avasato (ph), tells CNN he wrote a check for a few hundred dollars to Santos' pet rescue charity following the event. But says he later saw his check online and that someone crossed out the charity name and wrote Anthony Devolder, another name that Santos has used.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And New York Republicans are calling you a disgrace.
TUCHMAN (voice-over): We've received no comment from Santos or his attorney regarding all this. Santos was ultimately charged with theft by Pennsylvania authorities, but the charge was later dropped after Santos made a claim that somebody had stolen his checkbook, according to a lawyer who is a former friend of his. That lawyer, Tiffany Bogosian, says she no longer believes him.
TIFFANY BOGOSIAN, FORMER FRIEND OF SANTOS: He's definitely, you know, not qualified to be where he is in Congress, and he should really be in jail.
TUCHMAN: This is George Santos?
FRED: Right.
TUCHMAN: Do you believe this is the man who bought your dogs and put him in the car and took him away from you?
FRED: I feel it is. Based on my memory, I would say yes, it is.
TUCHMAN (voice-over): Fred loves dogs. He has his own and still breeds others. He's tried his best to forget about being fleeced. But Santos' ascension to Congress has made forgetting impossible.
FRED: I'm disappointed that a person like that would have a chance to get in the House of Representatives.
[04:55:00]
TUCHMAN (voice-over): Gary Tuchman, CNN, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
NOBILO: And this just into CNN, German airline Lufthansa says it's currently experiencing a company wide I.T. outage. On Twitter the airline says that it's causing flight delays and cancellations and they regret the inconvenience that it's causing passengers. Lufthansa tell CNN that they're investigating the issue and the reason behind the outage is currently unclear.
And a new study has increased -- has linked, sorry, an increased risk of -- I need to put my teeth back in today. And increased risk of cardiovascular disease in people who eat large amounts of free sugars. The study published in the Journal BMC Medicine also found an increased risk of other heart diseases and stroke too. Experts studied the diets of more than 110,000 people for this project.
FOSTER: Free sugars are also known as added sugars and they're often put in foods that are processed. Though they naturally occur in syrup, honey, fruit juices and more. The study recommends adding more whole fruits and vegetables to your diet as well as higher fiber intake.
Sandwich giant Subway says its shareholders are exploring the possible sale. The fast food chain says it's hired JPMorgan to help conduct the process but cautioned that doesn't mean a sale will definitely occur.
NOBILO: And while subway isn't putting out a price, "The Wall Street Journal" reported last month the chain could be valued at more than $10 billion.
FOSTER: Thank you for joining us here on CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Max Foster.
NOBILO: And I'm Bianca Nobilo. "EARLY START" is up next right here in CNN.
