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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
First U.S. Case of Ebola; Secret Service Blunders; The War on ISIS; Pro-Democracy Protest in Hong Kong; Wife of ISIS Hostage Speaks
Aired October 01, 2014 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: The first case of Ebola diagnosed here in the United States. Health officials scrambling this morning to prevent an outbreak.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta live at the Centers for Disease Control with the very latest.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: And unscreened, armed man, riding in an elevator with the president of the United States. Just the latest security service failure -- Secret Service failure, rather, the agency scrutinized for a series of blunders. Many asking this morning, is the first family being kept safe?
BERMAN: And ISIS gaining ground in some parts of Iraq and Syria. Getting closer to crucial cities. What the U.S. and its partners are doing this morning to stop the terrorist. And the wife of an ISIS hostage turns to the camera with a message for her husband's captors.
We have live team coverage tracking the very latest.
Welcome back to EARLY START, everyone. I'm John Berman.
ROMANS: I'm Christine Romans. It's 31 minutes past the hour.
There's ominous news this morning out of Dallas. Officials on high alert after the first patient to be diagnosed with the Ebola virus in the U.S. is being treated at a hospital there.
Chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta joins us right now from outside the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
And Sanjay, so nice to have you here with us this morning to walk through this. What can you tell us about this first case diagnosed here in the United States? You told us it wasn't -- we expected, you know. Expected it at some point, somebody would get on a plane and come here. Now that's happened.
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I mean, absolutely, Christine. We've been talking about this for a few months now. It's historic, what we're talking about this morning has never happened in the United States. Frankly, it's never happened anywhere outside of Africa before. It's obviously concerning, but also not that unexpected. We're talking about the first patient who was diagnosed with Ebola in
the United States. A lot of people remember that there have been patients with Ebola in the United States, but they have been diagnosed elsewhere and then were brought here for treatment. So this is -- this is different. And, again, not that unexpected, given the fact that people are getting on planes from West Africa, and traveling really anywhere around the world.
They maybe be carrying the virus in their bodies without knowing it at the time. It's called the incubation period. And that's what seems to have happened here.
Take a quick look at this calendar, Christine. On September 19th, this person got on a plane in Liberia, felt fine when they got on, by report. Got off the plane in the 20th of September, in the United States, still felt fine. It wasn't until four days later the person started to feel unwell. Two days after that, on the 26th, the first time they went to the hospital to seek care. The person was not tested at that point, was sent home.
And that's obviously raised a lot of questions. But nevertheless, two days after that, the person returns to the hospital by ambulance and at this point is tested for Ebola. It comes back positive and the person subsequently -- in a test that's confirmed here at the CDC.
Again, Christine, lots of questions, not the least of which is the passengers on the plane that the patient was with when he flew from Liberia to the United States. What's the concern for them, Dr. Frieden addressed that question last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THOMAS FRIEDEN, CDC DIRECTOR: In terms of the flight, I understand that people are curious about that and wonder about it. But, remember, Ebola doesn't spread before someone gets sick. And he didn't get sick until four days after he got off the airplane. So we do not believe there's any risk to anyone who is on the flight at that time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: So, Sanjay, you mentioned, you know, how critical it's going to be to figure out how many contacts this person had with people while showing symptoms of the Ebola virus. Walk us through that contact tracing, how that works.
GUPTA: Yes, so we're talking about a question of four days here, right, Christine? On the 24th, the person got sick. On the 28th is when they went into the hospital and got isolated. So the question is, all the people that this person may have come in contact with during those four days. That is the critical thing. That is what teams from the CDC have been sent to Dallas now to try and investigate.
And take a look at this animation to give you an idea just how laborious that process can be. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GUPTA: A woman in Uganda didn't know she was sick with Ebola. She was in close contact with six people. Her baby and father-in-law, they both got sick. The baby then got his grandmother sick, and she had contact with two more people as well.
The father-in-law had close contact with 12 people. Out of that his brother and cousin, both got sick.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GUPTA: So that's a real case example from something that happened in Uganda. But it give you an example of what is going to be happening today here in the United States, specifically in Dallas.
ROMANS: And again, big questions about going to the hospital with symptoms being sent home, then coming back and being tested. I'm sure public health officials around the country are going to be really scrutinizing the recent travel of people here now -- now that we've seen this happen here.
Sanjay Gupta -- thank you so much for that, Sanjay.
BERMAN: Severe criticism this morning for the head of the Secret Service for two recent breaches of presidential security. Secret Service director Julia Pierson was grilled on Capitol Hill Tuesday at a congressional hearing. It was rough. But only hours later, there was yet another new breach coming to light.
Senior White House correspondent Joe Johns has more on all this now from the White House.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, the Secret Service confirms that it is investigating a report from two weeks ago that a man with a gun who was a contractor got on to an elevator with the president of the United States at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.
Congressman Jason Chaffetz of Utah says he was told about the situation by one of his whistleblowers.
This information came out on the same day that the director of the Secret Service was taken to task by members of both parties for a recent incident when a man jumped the fence at the White House and made it all the way inside before he was tackled by officers.
The director, Julia Pierson, saying, "It's clear that our security plan was not properly executed. This is unacceptable. And I take full responsibility. And I will make sure it does not happen again."
The Secret Service also took tough questions about an incident in November of 2011 when shots were fired at the White House, but agents were not able to determine those shots broke a window until days later -- John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right, the U.S.-led coalition keeping the pressure on ISIS this morning with one of the heaviest rounds of bombing since the war was expanded to include targets in Syria a week ago. A total of 11 airstrikes in Syria, 11 in Iraq over the past 24 hours. Britain carrying out its first airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq on Tuesday, four days after parliament there authorized airstrikes.
And airstrikes in Syria hitting targets around Kobani. That is a town on the Turkish border. A town under siege. ISIS fighters advancing on the Kurdish city have shaken up the Turkish government now. The Turkish parliament debating whether to send ground troops to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
CNN's Phil Black joins us now from the Turkey-Syria border near Kobani.
We hear there is constant shelling, Phil, into Kobani now. What's happening?
PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Christine, that's right. You mentioned those airstrikes in this area yesterday. They were against ISIS, artillery and rocket launchers. And they seem to have an effect at the time. There was something of a lull in the fighting late yesterday afternoon. But this morning, what we're seeing is really a renewed bombardment against Kobani, which is the city you can see behind me.
We've seen really constant shelling or mortar fire, indirect fire, coming into that city. We've also seen some pretty heavy and significant blasts away from the city as well, as well as hearing aircraft overhead, which suggests, perhaps that airstrikes are ongoing. But we can't be sure of that.
Now we're to the east of the city here, to the west of the city, another CNN team is witnessing ISIS fighters fighting the Kurdish resistance, trying to get closer to the city. Trying to assault Kobani from that side as well. So Kobani is still very much under pressure. So are its defenders. Those Kurdish fighters that have stayed behind to try and resist ISIS while the bulk of the population has fled across the border here into Turkey.
Now you mentioned the Turkish government. The Turkish government has put to parliament a new piece of legislation that would widen its ability to take military action in Syria. It already has a parliamentary mandate to do so but only against Syrian government forces. This new legislation would be updated to include current security threats. And that really means ISIS.
We'll be looking to see just what the detail of this piece of legislation is. At the moment, we know Turkey is not part of the international coalition that is taking military action against ISIS. But noises, statements from the Turkish government and U.S. officials as well would seem to imply that it's getting ready to join in some capacity. But it's only a matter of time.
And Turkey is looking to announce some sort of contribution to this military effort. It is likely that this piece of legislation will provide the legal framework allowing it to do so -- Christine.
ROMANS: Yes, certainly an urgent situation. And we know that ISIS does not recognize national borders. So if you're Turkey and you are on the other side of that border, you've got to be very concerned.
Phil Black -- thank you so much, Phil.
BERMAN: The international effort to destroy ISIS is leading the agenda when Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets President Obama at the White House today. The two men also plan to discuss the crisis in Gaza. Also nuclear talks with Iran.
A spokesman for the president says that the prime minister's visit is a demonstration of what he calls the enduring bonds between the two countries.
ROMANS: Time for an EARLY START on your money this morning.
European stocks are mixed. And U.S. stock futures barely moving to start the month. October has been historically a scary month for stocks. John loves it when I talk about what happened in October. There was the epic crash of '29. There was Black Monday in '87. Even the crash of 2008 --
BERMAN: You are tempting fate by repeating those.
ROMANS: I'm just saying, we're currently in the fourth longest bull market in history. Some experts are saying there's still room to run because the economy is continuing to improve. Others are saying it's time for a pullback. I'm just saying, the calendar is a little freaky for this money.
Shares of companies working on Ebola treatments are soaring in premarket trading this morning after that first case was diagnosed in the U.S. Tekmira Pharmaceuticals up more than 30 percent in premarket trading. It's been working on an Ebola cure and it's been swinging wildly actually during the outbreak.
Other pharmaceutical companies like BioCryst, that specialize in treating infectious diseases, are up more than 10 percent this morning as well. So watch that space.
Forty minutes past the hour. Tens of thousands of protesters in Hong Kong. They're not going away. Demanding more democracy from their government, despite a stern warning to go home.
We are live in the middle of it. This peaceful, polite protest is sending a very big message to China.
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BERMAN: The huge protests in Hong Kong growing even bigger this morning. Today is National Day in China. Supposed to be a day of celebration from Beijing. All across the country, including Hong Kong. But if anything, the crowds of pro-democracy demonstrators seem to have grown with more people off work.
Our Andrew Stevens is live this morning right in the middle of the protests.
Good morning, Andrew.
ANDREW STEVENS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John. The numbers just keep swelling, even though we're heading into the evening hours. More and more people are coming out to join the students who have been here for three days. This is day four you and it is by far the biggest turnout.
And it's interesting that you are now getting this meeting of minds, if you like. Average citizen, normal citizens, coming out to show their solidarity, their support for the protesters' pitch to try and get Beijing and Hong Kong's government to change their mind on democracy.
What's unusual about this gathering is that there is one specific goal and that is to get Beijing and Hong Kong to change their mind, as opposed to a lot of other gatherings where there are many, many issues at stake.
But if you look around me, it is a remarkably well behaved crowd. There is absolutely minimal police presence. In fact I cannot see anyone with the uniform here at all. The crowd is policing itself. It's controlling itself.
But don't mistake this fairly calm atmosphere, and what I've got to say is a happy atmosphere for a lack of commitment to the cause. And the commitment is very clear. Talk to anyone here, the students, the people who have come down to offer their support, they all say the same thing. We are here for a democratic fight.
Hugely embarrassing, John, obviously, for Beijing on this their National Day.
BERMAN: Biggest crowd ever on this National Day.
Andrew Stevens for us in the middle of those crowds in Hong Kong. Thanks so much.
ROMANS: And, you know, that potentially could be the biggest business story in the world.
BERMAN: Sure.
ROMANS: When you think about the relationship between the U.S. and China. You talk about the financial hub that is Hong Kong. And the kind of rift a pro-democracy movement can have inside China. Really interesting stuff.
Let's take a look at what's coming up on "NEW DAY." Chris Cuomo joins now.
Hey, Chris.
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR, NEW DAY: Hey, Christine. Isn't everything in China by the definition the biggest?
ROMANS: Yes.
CUOMO: Of whatever it is just because of the sheer volume?
ROMANS: Yes. Yes.
CUOMO: Just as a side point. We won't be covering that on "NEW DAY" today. That question we'll leave to you to figure out.
The Ebola virus, though, that's going to be very high on the agenda. Why? First time on American soil. There is a patient who flew from Liberia, got here last month, OK, now diagnosed. The ambulance crew, the patient contacts, they're all being monitored because the amount of time this patient had before they entered the hospital.
We're going to ask the CDC director and a top official from the National Institute of Health what this means about how the virus could be spreading right now.
Also, the director of the Secret Service was answering to angry lawmakers about the recent intruder at the White House and other cases. More keep coming out. It emerged just hours later that the president -- listen to this -- recently took an elevator ride with a contractor who had a gun on him.
Are these threats that could be controlled? And why aren't they? And can Julia Pierson, the woman you're looking at, survive this firestorm?
We're going to talk to White House spokesman, Josh Earnest, about it.
BERMAN: That'll be really interesting to hear because the White House caught in the middle of this to a certain extent, Chris. So we look forward to that.
ROMANS: All right, thanks, Chris. 46 minutes past the hour, the wife of an ISIS hostage making this emotional televised plea directly to her husband's captors. We're live with what she's asking after the break.
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ROMANS: There is a new message from the wife of British ISIS hostage Alan Henning. She is begging the terror group to let her husband go.
Karl Penhaul is in London with Barbara Henning's impassioned plea -- Karl.
KARL PENHAUL, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Christine, friends and family know Alan Henning as the taxi driver with the heart of gold because he dedicated so much time to work with his Muslim friends taking aid to Syria. Now we have this plea from his wife. It's as much a plea for his release as it is a plea to ISIS to reestablish some kind of line of communication to see if they can dialogue a way to find an end to this hostage crisis.
But let's listen to what Alan Henning's wife had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA HENNING, WIFE OF BRITISH HOSTAGE ALAN HENNING: Alan, we miss you and we're dreadfully concerned for your safety. But we are giving so much hope by the outcry across the world as to your imprisonment. I ask Islamic State, please release him. We need him back home. Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PENHAUL: Now between the execution of previous ISIS hostages, James Foley, Steven Sotloff and David Haines, there's been an average of two weeks or 10 days. It's now been 2 1/2 weeks since we've heard anything about Alan Henning. That could be good news or just a reflection that since the coalition bomb attacks on ISIS positions communications have gone dark -- Christine.
ROMANS: All right. Karl Penhaul, certainly, just a tragic situation for his family. Thank you for that, Karl.
Fifty-three minutes past the hour, the wolf of Wall Street, that image of mostly white, mostly male bankers might not be changing all that much very -- any time soon.
An EARLY START, EARLY START on your money is next.
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ROMANS: Let's get an EARLY START on your money this morning.
European stocks are mixed. U.S. stock futures barely moving so far to start October. September, not so great for stocks. The Dow fell slightly. The S&P 500 dropped 1.5 percent. That's the worst performance since January. The Nasdaq fell almost 2 percent thanks to falling tech stocks.
We are currently in the fourth longest bull market in history but there are plenty of people who think this thing still has room to run as the economy continues to improve.
Young bankers getting hired on Wall Street are still mostly male. According to a new report from recruiting firm (INAUDIBLE), about 77 percent of this year's first-year bankers were men. The report also found new analysts were 65 percent white, 29 percent Asian and just 6 percent black or Hispanic.
Now a lack of diversity is visible in leadership but this report shows that's going to continue to be a problem across all ranks if you're still hiring so, so predominantly white and male. The banks we've reached to say they are committed to diversity and
they this report is simply inaccurate.
All right. Fall means the return of pumpkin-flavored everything. Maybe thanks to Starbucks. The coffee chain introduced the pumpkin spiced latte about a decade ago. Since then pumpkin sales have skyrocketed. In the last five years alone, the USDA says pumpkin sales have risen 34 percent. You can now get pumpkin flavored pretty much anything from beer to beef jerky. Marinate on that for a second. And sales for those items increased 14 percent just over the last year.
There you go. Happy October. 58 minutes past the hour. That's it for -- EARLY START. "NEW DAY" starts right now.
