Return to Transcripts main page
Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Containing Ebola in the U.S.; Battle for Kobani Grows Desperate
Aired October 07, 2014 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Leon Panetta. What the former CIA chief and Defense secretary says the president has done wrong in the fight against ISIS.
Welcome back to EARLY START, everyone. I'm John Berman.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Christine Romans. It is 30 minutes past the hour. Welcome aboard this morning. Let's begin with Ebola in the U.S.
The first person diagnosed with Ebola here has new reason to hope this morning as officials struggle to contain both the virus and public fear over its spread.
Rick Perry, governor of Texas where Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan is being treated, says there's only so much state government can do. Perry is calling for the federal government to increase border screening and quarantines.
Duncan, meanwhile, still in critical condition in the Dallas hospital, but he is now getting an experimental treatment that doctors hope will save his life.
CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen is in Dallas with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: John, Christine, a nurse's assistant in Spain has become the first person to contract Ebola outside of West Africa in this outbreak. Now the authorities there say she was using full protective equipment. So it's not clear how she came down with the virus.
Back in the United States, President Obama held important meetings with top public health officials, calling for additional screening measures in the U.S. and abroad at airports. He repeated that the chances of an epidemic here in the United States are extremely low.
Here in Dallas, authorities are monitoring 48 people who had contact with Thomas Eric Duncan. Seven of them are hospital workers who had relatively high-risk contacts with him, as well as three family members who had high-risk contacts, and 38 others like people who live in his apartment complex who had lower risk contact. And at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, we've learned that Duncan has
been receiving an experimental medication called Brincidofovir. It's been used for other viruses. They hope that it will work against Ebola by going in and actually stopping it from replicating inside his body. But Duncan was sick for 10 days before he got started on this drug, so it's not clear that it will work -- John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: Our thanks to Elizabeth for that.
This morning the battle for the Syrian city of Kobani is a desperate street fight. The black ISIS flag is flying over a hill on the eastern side of that town. If Kobani falls, it means that ISIS would effectively have control of a large swath of territory from its self- declared capital of Raqqa to the Turkish border some 60 miles away.
Standing by live now at that border, CNN's Phil Black.
And Phil, there's been a lot of activity around you in that city over just the last hour or so.
PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, John, what we believe we're seeing here are coalition airstrikes. A lull in the fighting on the ground in the city itself, but overhead, aircraft noise and then moments later, very large explosions particularly around, we think, the south westerly perimeter of the city.
That is what those Kurdish fighters still inside the city resisting ISIS say they want and they want a lot more of them because the situation in there on the ground is so now very dire. As you say, the ISIS flag flying in the east of the city and those Kurdish fighters inside tell us that ISIS are advancing. There has been intense street fighting and heavy casualties on both sides.
Those Kurdish fighters say that they are still outnumbered and still outgunned. With the ISIS fighters having heavier weapons and far more advanced weaponry as well. And of course the ability to be continuously resupplied from the outside.
The Kurds believe they have an advantage in the sense that they know the streets. They think they can hold off for a while yet, longer than they believe ISIS thinks they can, but it now would appear to be only a matter of time really until this city falls. And when it does, those Kurdish fighters inside the city believe that all of them, some thousands who still remain, will be massacred -- John.
BERMAN: It sounds like a potential humanitarian disaster. Just a short distance from where you are, Phil, and just a short distance from where Turkish troops have been standing by watching. So any sense that Turkey might get more involved in the situation?
BLACK: No, not yet. All the language from the Turkish government is that there will be no military intervention in this conflict that we can see from this position here. So clearly their argument is well, we haven't become involved in any aspect of the Syrian civil conflict and they see this as just another portion of that really.
They are still helping out in a big way with humanitarian concerns. Still opening their gates to the hundreds of thousands of refugees that have crossed over the last couple of days. Other than that, Turkish tanks are positioned, but they're just looking.
Meanwhile on the ground here in this region surrounding me, Turkish military and police have been really driving away Kurdish onlookers. These are mostly Turkish residents, ethnic Kurds, also some who've fled across from Syria. Been gathering in big numbers, concern, sometimes angry that Turkey isn't getting involved. And they've been using tear gas to clear these crowds away.
We've got involved in the middle of that a few times. But that is the extent to which Turkey is using any sort of force really based upon the events that are taking place behind us just across the border -- John.
BERMAN: Interesting. And remember, there could be some kind of humanitarian catastrophe just feet from where Phil Black is standing right now.
Phil, our thanks to you.
ROMANS: All right. A Chicago teen charged with trying to join ISIS. The FBI arrested Mohammed Hamza Khan at O'Hare International Airport Saturday. Officials say the 19-year-old had an bought a round trip ticket to Istanbul. They also say Khan left behind a three-page note for his parents writing he was leaving the U.S. and on his way to join the terror group.
In the note, he also allegedly invited his parents to join him, warning them not to tell anyone about his travel plans.
BERMAN: Same-sex -- same-sex couples, I should say, can now marry in five more states. That is because the Supreme Court kind of behaved with inaction on Monday deciding not to weigh in on some contentious appeals. The move cleared the path for gay couples to legally wed in Oklahoma, Utah, Wisconsin, Indiana and Virginia.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK HERRING, VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL: Today's decision will change the lives of thousands of loving couples, their children and their families, in a positive and transformative way. The rights and privileges of marriage, which are guaranteed to us by the United States Constitution, are now available to all loving, committed couples in Virginia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: This decision not to weigh in which is really unexpected could eventually allow gay couples to marry in a total of about 30 states.
ROMANS: All right. Time for an EARLY START on money this morning. European stocks sharply lower. There was a disappointing production
number out of Germany. Just the latest report showing a stumble for Europe's largest economy. Big concerns about weakness in Europe.
In the U.S., futures are lower. Something else that's falling this morning, this is one that's -- it's good news. Gas prices, prices have slipped to the lowest levels of the year and their on-track dropped even further. The average price for regular gas had its largest daily drop in 11 months Monday.
You can thank a mix of low oil prices, ample supply, and falling demand. The national average currently just above $3 a gallon but analysts predict it could fall below that quickly. In fact Gas Buddy found that almost 10 percent of -- stations nationwide are charging under $3 a gallon.
I saw it yesterday at $2.95. At Costco.
(LAUGHTER)
BERMAN: You know, if only people rejoiced as much about falling gas prices as they complain about rise in gas prices.
ROMANS: I know. I know. It's so true. It's so true.
BERMAN: All right. Indra Petersons with a look at the forecast now.
Good morning, Indra Petersons.
ROMANS: Hi, Indra.
INDRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: I want to complain the other way. The one time I move to New York City and I don't have a car, now gas prices actually go down.
ROMANS: There you go.
PETERSONS: Of course they do. Yes. Temperatures are also falling. But they've actually been improving just a hint the last several days into the northeast. Those morning lows were chilly over the weekend. But we're still looking a lot of instability in the northeast. Kind of dividing the country. Notice what's going on in the southwest. We still have tropical storm Simon out there. So keep that in mind with its current track, all this moisture have been making its way into the desert southwest.
We will have a concern for flooding into the region. Otherwise, northeast. We were talking about this. We have that jet stream. And look at all the elements kind of coming together. You have the low, the cold front, all that moisture. So today, unfortunately, more like this evening, we do have a threat for severe weather even in through New York City.
Think about also Atlantic City, also about through Long Island. Even early portions out even through Rhode Island and Connecticut. Isolated tornadoes, even damaging winds are the concern as we go through these overnight hours, especially think about like 2:00 to 5:00 in the morning Eastern Time.
In the Mississippi Valley, I know you've been seeing thunderstorms that is still in the forecast for you today. Do not have a severe weather area but either way a lot of instability, definitely still out there.
There is the divide we were talking about. Notice the chilly temperatures staying to the north. Down to the south, that's where it's staying warm. Very easy to see when we look at today's highs. That huge contrast across the country. Just keep in mind tonight and tomorrow morning, however you want to look at it, is the blood moon. It means all the sunrises and sunsets really all get reflect on the moon. It looks like it is orange. Send me photos. I want them.
ROMANS: All right.
(CROSSTALK)
BERMAN: The blood moon. It's doesn't too ominous when you say the blood moon.
PETERSONS: Yes. The blood moon. It's like October. Halloween-ish. Right? It works.
ROMANS: It works.
BERMAN: Blood moon.
PETERSONS: Yes.
ROMANS: All right. Thanks, Indra.
OK. Thirty-nine minutes past the hour. Pro-democracy activists and the government facing off in Hong Kong. But could the end be near as the sudden change in tone sweeps the streets?
BERMAN: And new allegations of improper disposal for Ebola waste. Some claim the federal government has lowered the standards for disposal. How can this be? Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Forty-three minutes past the hour. To Hong Kong where pro- democracy activists and government officials have agreed to several rounds of talks. This is a pretty significant change in tone for the government which deemed the student protest illegal last week.
Student leaders say the protest will continue until they have productive talks with the government. The crowds are noticeably thinner at the main protest site and a key road near protest site has reopened to traffic.
BERMAN: New allegations this morning for an emergency preparedness group that claims the government is not properly disposing of Ebola waste in Dallas. The Health Care Coalition for Emergency Preparedness claims federal officials are lowering safety standards by allowing the hospital treating Thomas Eric Duncan to transport Ebola-infected materials away from the hospital. The current guidelines require hospitals to treat and dispose of infected materials on-site.
ROMANS: Another potential embarrassment for the Secret Service. "The Washington Examiner" reports a top ranking agent who worked on President Obama's protective detail had his gun stolen from his car at his home in 2009. He was not disciplined for that. In fact, he was reportedly promoted. The Secret Service has had several high-profile problems involving stolen or misplaced handguns in the last few years.
BERMAN: Dozens of potential jurors will be back at a Phoenix courtroom this morning, facing a grilling from the attorneys in the Jodi Arias sentencing retrial. About 100 potential jurors have already been rejected because they either admitted seeing too much media coverage of the case -- imagine that -- or they've already formed a decision about here punishment.
Arias is facing the death penalty for murdering her boyfriend. The first jury in the case was deadlocked on her sentence.
ROMANS: All right. Check out the New England Patriots cheerleaders. Yes. Those are the Patriots cheerleaders. They're wearing Cincinnati jerseys during Sunday's game against the Bengals. They did it to show their support for 4-year-old Leah Still. She has cancer. Her father Devon was added to the Bengals practice squad so he could qualify for health insurance to care for her. And now he's playing.
BERMAN: Yes. He's now made the team.
ROMANS: He's made the team. After the game, Still tweeted, "We may not have won the game, but this definitely helps her win her battle."
BERMAN: That's Patriots owner Bob Kraft there and the entire stadium cheering for that man and his daughter. Really the whole league rallying around them right now.
Such a wonderful sight to see.
Speaking of a wonderful sight to see, let's take a look at what's coming up on "NEW DAY." Chris Cuomo joins us now.
Good morning, Chris.
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR, NEW DAY: John Berman, impressive objectivity and impartiality. Not acknowledging the real reason that you're doing that story.
Yes, we care about this child, but Patriots fans, they're always looking to make themselves look like good people. Let's being honest.
(LAUGHTER)
BERMAN: Wow.
CUOMO: Just a week ago, you were turning on your boy Brady and now look at him. Now he's the best in the league again. I am just saying --
BERMAN: I have declared my devotion to that man more than -- you know, I'm more devoted to him than anything.
ROMANS: It's true.
CUOMO: That is true.
ROMANS: This is true.
CUOMO: As John Berman's wife pops up in bed, looking, what did he say?
BERMAN: Yes.
(LAUGHTER)
CUOMO: This morning, we're going to be taking on a new angle on Ebola because the president says he's found a way to stop it. He and his team have new screening procedures at the airport. But what are they going to be? And will they really be enough? Especially with that 21-day gestation period that we really don't understand yet?
Doctors and aviation experts are going to join us to break it all down for you. And some think that we're just not going far enough. And we'll talk about what they believe should be done.
Also, Leon Panetta. There's a name you know. Right? He ran the CIA and the Defense Department for President Obama. So now he's got a new book and he's cementing his own legacy. But it may be the harshest friendly fire we have seen in a long time. He is critical of his former boss, the man to the left of your screen, President Obama.
Iraq was wrong, Syria was wrong, and the reason why it's wrong goes to the heart of the president's ability to lead. What did he say? Why is he saying it and how damaging will it be?
We'll take that on right at the top of the hour -- John and Christine.
BERMAN: There may be a book involved.
All right. Chris Cuomo, we look forward to seeing that. Thanks so much.
We do have breaking news from Iraq where dozens of ISIS fighters are reported killed by coalition airstrikes. We'll have that story just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Breaking news this morning from the battle against ISIS in Iraq. Word from the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar that 29 suspected ISIS militants have been killed. Officials say the hospital in the city received their bodies this morning.
Meanwhile, U.S. forces have started using Apache helicopters for the first time in the war against ISIS militants. A senior Pentagon official says the Apaches were used because they can fly low, they can strike with precision. The official says the Apaches hit four targets northeast of Fallujah over the same weekend. That same official says ISIS is advancing in the area west of Baghdad.
BERMAN: A week after his drunk driving arrest, Michael Phelps has been suspended from competition by USA swimming, suspended for six months. As a result, he will not get to represent the United States in the 2015 World Championships. That's the biggest competition leading up to the 2016 Summer Olympics.
ROMANS: Yes.
BERMAN: The ban comes just as Phelps announced he was entering a six- week alcohol treatment program.
A really sad discovery to tell you about here in New York's Central Park. The bear cub -- a bear cub was found dead underneath some bushes. A dog walker stumbled upon the animal Monday morning. Officials at the Central Park Zoo say it's not theirs. They did not have any bears at the zoo. Didn't belong to them.
Police say the three-foot cub shows signs of trauma and lacerations. Officials say they're not officially sure whether it wandered into the park somehow or someone dumped it there. But for it to wander in, it would have had to have come from New Jersey --
ROMANS: Jersey.
BERMAN: Like, you know, through the Lincoln Tunnel somehow. Hard to believe that happened. So wondering how someone could have got their --
ROMANS: Yes. If somebody has like a pet -- a pet bear cub? I mean, that's just seems --
BERMAN: Really, really sad.
ROMANS: I hope they can really get to the bottom of that.
BERMAN: Ten cities lead the list this morning of the most innovative places solving urban issues. We will tell you if your city is on the list when we get an EARLY START on your money next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: All right. Time for an EARLY START on your money this Tuesday morning. U.S. stock futures, they are lower right now. A major decline in Europe to report this morning. Markets there falling after disappointing data out of Germany. That is Europe's largest economy.
A lot of concerns that engine is sputtering. Investors are cautious also ahead of the release tomorrow of minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting and the start of earnings season. So a lot of reasons for things to be choppy this morning. And in markets, they are down in Europe and choppy here.
All right. New York City is the most innovative city in America. That's according to a new project on CNN Money that tracks urban innovation across America.
CNN Money surveyed more than 50 cities in the U.S. to find the cities that tackled issues with the most creative solutions. Those issues include education, housing, infrastructure and job creation.
Here are the top five. New York tops the list, followed by Boston, Portland, Chicago and Detroit.
For the rest of that list and for more on urban innovation, you can check out the most innovative cities at CNNmoney.com.
The NBA scored a slam dunk with its $24 billion TV rights deal. Also banking points, LeBron James. The jump in revenue means the NBA can raise its salary cap for players. James -- becomes a free agent when the higher cap takes effect. Meaning he can pull in more than the $21 million he'll make in the next two years.
BERMAN: That TV contract, by the way, going to ABC, ESPN and Turner.
ROMANS: Yes.
BERMAN: Which will carry basketball for basically infinity. For years and years.
ROMANS: Who knew there was so much money in sports.
BERMAN: Well, that's where the money is.
ROMANS: It is.
BERMAN: In TV now.
ROMANS: It is.
BERMAN: I mean, sports such a valuable asset. People scrambling to get it.
ROMANS: That's it for us.
BERMAN: "NEW DAY" starts right now.
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Lockdown, the president has a new plan to keep Ebola out of the U.S., so what are these new screenings at the airports and will they really work?
This as a nurse becomes the first person infected with Ebola outside of Africa. We're covering all the developments.
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Under siege. ISIS set to take a key town in Syria despite U.S. and ally airstrikes. And an American teenager is arrested at the airport trying to join the terror group. New details on what he thought he was going to do. MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Friendly fire. President Obama's
former Defense secretary, Leon Panetta, levels new criticism at the president, saying he lost his way, was too slow to act on Syria and doesn't fight hard enough in Washington. How big is the fallout?
CUOMO: Your NEW DAY starts right now.
ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY, with Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan and Michaela Pereira.
CUOMO: Welcome to NEW DAY, it's Tuesday, October 7th, 6:00 in the East. Alisyn Camerota joins us again.
It's good to have you.
CAMEROTA: Great to be with you, guys.
CUOMO: And we do have breaking news this morning in the fight against Ebola.
New screening procedures at the nation's airports. The president announcing these measures will help stop the spread of the deadly virus. Hopefully. Now the plan includes measures to tightly screen passengers at U.S. airports and overseas in Ebola-stricken nations.
CAMEROTA: Also developing this morning, Chris, the first person to contract Ebola outside of Africa. A nurse in Spain who treated two Ebola patients in Madrid is now infected herself and her husband is under observation.
We have full coverage starting with senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen. She's live for us from Dallas where doctors are using an experimental drug to try to save the life of that Liberian man who we're told is near death this morning.
Elizabeth, what do we know?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Alisyn, what we know is that this -- that Duncan started receiving this experimental drug 10 days after he became sick. Now that may not sound like much, but that's actually quite a bit of time for Ebola, which moves very quickly. His family is praying that the drug will still work.
