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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
FBI Search for American ISIS Fighter; Second Ebola Case Possible in Spain; Arrests in London Linked to Syria and Iraq
Aired October 08, 2014 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Do you recognize this voice?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're here in the 17th Division Military Base just outside the city of al-Raqqa.
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ROMANS: The FBI is asking for your help in identifying this ISIS militant, as fears he may be an American grown.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Kobani will fall. Why U.S. officials now say that crucial city is on the brink of an ISIS takeover. We'll take you live to the border for the latest.
ROMANS: A possible second case of Ebola discovered in Spain. Hospital workers now on high alert, after an assistant nurse is showing symptoms of the deadly virus. We're going to take you live to Madrid.
Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.
BERMAN: And I'm John Berman. Great to see you today. It's 31 minutes past the hour right now.
And the FBI wants your help in the fight against ISIS. Posting a video on its Web site hoping that someone knows this man and can help identify him. He speaks perfect Arabic, he also speaks perfect English with an accent that seems North American. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're here in the 17th Division Military Base just outside the city of al-Raqqa. And we're here with the soldiers of Bashar.
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BERMAN: Washington correspondent Joe Johns following this story for us with more now on the hunt for this apparently American ISIS fighter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, this video appears to show a jihadi-spouting, ISIS propagandist, speaking very good English with a North American accent, also alternating speaking Arabic, delivering an on-camera tirade before he and other ISIS fighters appear to shoot a group of Syrian soldiers dead. The Syrians had apparently been forced to dig their own graves.
The man speaking has a mask over his face, which makes him unrecognizable. And authorities have been using advanced identification technology but had been coming up short. They're not even certain if he's American or Canadian.
The FBI posted portions of the video on its Web site, asking the public for help in identifying him. They say they're hoping someone might recognize this individual and provide the piece of information that helps them figure out who he is.
The FBI says this is part of a broader outreach to try to get the public to help identify people who are traveling overseas to fight with terror groups. And it goes without saying, that they are perhaps even more interested in learning the identities of American ISIS fighters who might be returning home -- John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: In Syria the strategic city of Kobani is about to fall -- excuse me -- into the hands of ISIS fighters. This according to several senior administration officials. They also acknowledge that saving Kobani, the Kurdish city, it's not a priority for the U.S.-led coalition.
Joining that coalition this morning, Canada, the Canadian parliament approving air combat missions against ISIS in Iraq, though not in Syria. The move to deploy six CF-18 fighter jets as part of the coalition strike force came after two days of debates by lawmakers.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper praised the vote in a statement, "We do not take this threat lightly. The threat posed by ISIL is real. If left unchecked this terrorist organization will grow and grow quickly."
BERMAN: The Islamic militant threat has London on edge this morning. Scotland Yard arresting four men Tuesday on suspicion of planning an act of terrorism. Officials offering no details or specifics on what the four, all in their early 20s, were allegedly planning.
CNN's Nic Robertson is standing by live in London with more.
Nic, what are officials saying?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they say that they're still questioning the men. They haven't moved to the position of charging them yet. Armed police were involved in the operation to arrest at least one of the men who was tasered as part of that arrest operation. The information that police are giving out is very minimal. But it
does indicate, according to the Metropolitan Police commissioner here, that there are links with this going back to Iraq and Syria. Of course this the concern here that there might be terrorism inspired by the group ISIS. And the indications are here that there are potentially connections to ISIS because the police are saying it has links back to Iraq and Syria.
They're saying that this is a serious case. Britain is on a severe threat warning, the second highest level. It moved up to that about a month or so ago, meaning an attack is highly likely. What we're also hearing from the police is that they are acting in a more interventionist way, to rather than observe and watch groups like this, moving in at early stages.
Often in the past, they would wait for a group like this to go operational so they get more evidence that would lead to a conviction. But in this case we understand that there is a good possibility that this was a terror plot thwarted in its early stages.
Again, the police have not come forward with details about this potential plot. But these are the indications we're getting at the moment -- John.
BERMAN: And it was an armed assault, the fact there was apparently some resistance with one of these men being tased, it shows how serious an incident it was, though.
Nic Robertson with details on that this morning. Thanks so much.
ROMANS: All right, now I want to turn to the latest on the Ebola crisis. The head of the Centers for Disease Control sounding confident the U.S. can prevent an outbreak on American soil.
Thomas Frieden declaring, "We will stop Ebola in its tracks."
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THOMAS FRIEDEN, CDC DIRECTOR: There are real signs of progress, not only in Dallas, but also around the world. We know how to stop Ebola.
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ROMANS: Meanwhile, an Ebola-stricken Liberia man fighting for his life in a Dallas hospital this morning. And we're finding out more about his prognosis.
Here's senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen.
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ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, Thomas Eric Duncan is still in critical condition here at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. And we have some more details about how he's doing. He is on kidney dialysis. He's also on a ventilator to help him breathe. And he's under medical sedation which means his family can't speak with him.
But at a press conference on Tuesday, his family did say that there are some signs of optimism. For example, his blood pressure is back up. That's a good thing. Dangerously low blood pressure is a problem for Ebola patients. Also, they said that his liver function is looking better and that his temperature has returned to normal.
Now we think about this disease spreading within the city of Dallas, there's some really good news. So far, health authorities have been following Duncan's 48 contacts -- 48 people he came into contact with while he was contagious. And so far, none of them are sick.
And today is day 10. It's been about 10 days since any of them have had contact with Duncan. And usually on average, people tend to get sick about 10 days after they come in contact with an infected person.
But still, authorities will follow these people and monitor them for 21 days just to be sure -- John and Christine.
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BERMAN: Our thanks to Elizabeth for that.
An NBC cameraman who caught Ebola in Liberia is in reasonably stable condition at a Nebraska hospital this morning. Ashoka Mukpo is being treated with an experimental drug. He says he is scared, relieved to be back home, and believes he got infected while spray-washing a vehicle where someone had died from Ebola.
His parent had a chance to see and speak with him Tuesday, using a video hookup.
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DIANA MUKPO, ASHOKA MUKPO'S MOTHER: He actually looks quite good. I know he's been nauseated and, you know, having some of those symptoms. But he actually looks a lot better than I expected and that was a really hard thing to see.
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BERMAN: Doctors cautions it's still very, very early in the recovery process. Don't want to say too much about where they think it will go.
ROMANS: We wish him the best, obviously.
All right. The battling against a wildfire in California's Yosemite National Park taking a terrible turn. An air tanker that was dropping retardant on the fire crashed near an entrance to the park. Rescue workers now -- rescue crews working their way through difficult terrain to try to reach the pilot who was the only person on board that plane.
BERMAN: Tough. All right. Let's get an early look at our weather now. Indra
Petersons is here with the forecast.
ROMANS: Hey, Indra.
INGRA PETERSONS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning. It's been a little bit unsettled but it's getting better. That is the key, especially if you're in the northeast, you can actually still see a couple of those showers unsettled weather is there. But again, that shower system or cold front will be making its way offshore. So improvement on the way.
High pressure is going to be building in. But once you're in between two systems, what do you get? Wind. So that's going to be the concern today. Talking about even 30 or 40-mile-per-hour gusts could be seen, especially the kind of farther north that you are.
The other story over the next several days will be anywhere from Colorado kind of into the Carolinas. Notice that frontal boundary, that's the next story as far as where we're going to be seeing some of the unsettled weather. Maybe two to four inches of rain, kind of the hot spots. Today likely just around Missouri. That's where you're going to see a couple of those light showers.
Otherwise, it's a cold front. So yes, we're talking about definitely a difference from north to south. Behind the cold front, easily you see the cool air that's still out there. We're talking Minneapolis, today a high of 59, go down to the south, what do you see? 90s, but still feeling that heat out towards Dallas today and El Paso kind of coming in at 88. But I think what everyone is talking about, at least if you're up with us this morning, that is going to be right now the blood news.
We're starting to see in some small shade kind of making their way and we're talking about the full blood moon or the total lunar eclipse is going to be anywhere from about 6:30 to 7:30 this morning. You can actually see it starting to go into the earth's shadow. Not until it's completely in that shadow do you get that blood moon. That's what we're waiting for. So keep in mind, it's also going to look bigger. That's what makes this thing kind of cooler.
BERMAN: Big and bloody.
PETERSONS: Yes.
ROMANS: Send Indra your pictures.
PETERSONS: I want those.
ROMANS: She wants your pictures.
PETERSONS: CNNireport or @indrapetersons, please.
BERMAN: Fantastic. Thanks so much, Indra.
ROMANS: All right. Time for an EARLY START on your money this morning. We just gave you your weather, here's your money.
Global stocks are lower this morning. Reacting to weak data from China. And this big selloff in the U.S. yesterday. Wall Street concerned over slowing growth in Europe. The Dow, wow, tumbling 272 points. That's the worst one-day drop in more than two months. The S&P 500, two-month low as well.
Investors, instead, flooded the bond market, generally thought to be a safer investment. Yields on the 10-year treasury hit their lowest since August. Look at that, just below 2.33 percent for a 10-year Treasury. That means, everything that's tied to that, those yields all declining. Easier as well. It's cheaper to borrow money, not necessarily easier.
Just happening overnight, oil prices hit the lowest level in more than two years. Two-year lows for oil. Prices on U.S. crude down more than a dollar a barrel. Increased production in the U.S. stronger dollar. They have sent prices downward. It's a good thing for consumers. Lower oil prices mean cheaper gas and fuel costs. And the forecast are that more and more states are going to see gas below $3 a gallon by the end of the year.
BERMAN: That's a nice thing. Home heating oil probably for the winter, that'll be low, too.
ROMANS: Coffee prices are rising so what you save at the gas tank you're going to spend with having a cup of Joe. I just --
BERMAN: The glass half empty, Christine Romans.
ROMANS: Coffee --
BERMAN: Thank you so much.
ROMANS: All right. A 29-year-old newlywed has decided to take her own life. Why she says it's the only decision for her. We have her story coming up.
BERMAN: And a shocking new video showing a police officer smashing the window of a car -- look at that -- with a passenger in the seat. So is this a necessary police action or excessive force? We'll have the details.
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BERMAN: A terminally ill 29-year-old speaking out on her choice to die. Brittany Maynard was given six months to live after being diagnosed with stage four brain cancer last April. So she and her family packed up and moved from California to Oregon so she would have access to the state's Death with Dignity Act. Brittany says she will end her life November 1st with medication prescribed by her doctor. The newlywed says she just wants to pass peacefully.
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BRITTANY MAYNARD, DIAGNOSED WITH TERMINAL BRAIN CANCER: I can't even tell you the amount of relief that it provides me to know that I don't have to die the way that it's been described to me that my brain tumor would take me on its own.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Wow, what a decision.
BERMAN: What a decision indeed. Interesting to hear. We're going to have much more on that throughout the day here.
ROMANS: All right. Stunning allegations against "7th Heaven" actor Stephen Collins. He's being investigated for child molestation. Collins allegedly confessed to sexually assaulting underage girls during a 2012 therapy session that his wife, actress Fay Grant, secretly recorded. On Tuesday a version of that recording was posted on TMZ. Police in New York are aware of the allegations and say Collins cannot face charges because of the statute of limitations.
BERMAN: So a routine traffic stop for a seatbelt violation turned violent in Indiana. Police smashing through a passenger seat window and using a stun gun on a man as a 14-year-old boy in the backseat recorded it all. Look at this.
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BERMAN: A stunning video. This unfolded last month in Hammond, that's about 30 miles south of Chicago. Lisa Mahone and her boyfriend Jamal Jones now claimed there was excessive force, false arrest and battery, that's in a federal lawsuit.
The couple says they were on their way to visit her dying mother with her two kids in the car before the window was smashed.
Mahone can be heard asking police why they pulled a gun on them. Jones said at that moment he was -- he was reaching into his backpack to explain why he did not have identification. He had been ticketed for not paying his insurance. Police say the Hammond officers also recorded their stop. But their video has not been released.
ROMANS: You can hear one of the police officers say, so you're not going to open the door? You're not going to open the door? And then smash. Unbelievable. I'd like to see what that other video shows, too.
BERMAN: Indeed.
ROMANS: All right. Coming up on EARLY START this morning, hospital staff in Spain are treating a possible second victim infected with Ebola. We're live in Madrid.
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BERMAN: The battle against Ebola in Europe this morning, in Spain, a second nurse's assistant who was being monitored has just tested negative for the virus. But a third nurse's aide was hospitalized late -- Tuesday for monitoring. The first case in Spain has now been identified as Spanish nurse
Teresa Romero Ramos. Authorities are now seeking a court order to put down a dog belonging to Romero Ramos. They fear her pet might spread the virus.
Standing by in Madrid right now, CNN's Al Goodman.
Al, what are officials now say is going on and how are they dealing with the public fear?
AL GOODMAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John, it's a very fast- changing situation but key people involved in the Ebola crisis here in Spain are in the hospital behind me, at the Carlos Tercero hospital in Madrid. That includes the nurse's assistant, Teresa Romero, who's the only confirmed case. Now there have been a brave other people who are in this hospital under observation.
Two of them are about to get out. They tested negative. That's a nursing assistant and a man who came back to Spain recently from Africa. But those who remain under suspicion are Teresa Romero's husband, together they're the owners of that dog, and two other medical professionals, one who came in late last night and one who came in just hours ago with fevers.
Now in addition to this, they're monitoring about 50 other people out of the hospital. The Spanish prime minister made his first public statements about the crisis in parliament, asking for people to remain calm, saying it's a difficult virus to get. Promising transparency and they would get to the bottom of this. But the concern by many people here, unions and others, and health workers is that they haven't been transparent, and they weren't prepared for this crisis, that has led to some protests -- John.
BERMAN: Maybe not unfold the way they had predicted or had hoped.
Al Goodman for us in Madrid, thank you so much.
ROMANS: All right. One of the biggest companies in the world slashing health care benefits for more than 30,000 employees. Which retail giant is pulling those benefits from part-timers and why? We're going to get an EARLY START on your money next.
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ROMANS: All right. It's Wednesday, let's get an EARLY START on your money.
A major selloff on Wall Street yesterday. Ouch. The Dow dropped to the lowest level in months over worries about slowing growth in Europe, down 272 points, John Berman.
BERMAN: Wow.
ROMANS: The worst one-day drop in more than two months. The S&P 500 hit a two-month low. The fall could continue right now. Futures have turned slightly lower so we'll watch out this morning. Wal-Mart is eliminating health benefits for 30,000 part-time workers.
Those are employees who work less than 30 hours a week. The retailer says the cut is an effort to control rising health care costs. More employees sign up for these benefits this year than expected. A reported $500 million increase. Those workers who lost coverage will now be eligible for government health care.
All right. How would you like a shorter work week? I spoke Tuesday to the world's richest man, Carlos Slim. He thinks we should have a shorter work week.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARLOS SLIM, BUSINESS MAGNATE: I think that -- we should work -- that people should work three days.
ROMANS: Three days?
SLIM: Maybe 11 hours. But retire at 60, 65. You should retire at 75.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Retire at 75, John Berman. Three days a week, retire at 75.
BERMAN: If I had $85 billion like he did, I might retire at 75.
ROMANS: I'm going to sign up. You know, as some people say there are others who have said that we should change how we think about work. This whole 40-hour a week, five days a week, it's a very, you know, post-industrial kind of model. You know, technology means we don't have to work --
BERMAN: Carlos Slim says no.
ROMANS: I know. He's not hiring us.
(CROSSTALK)
BERMAN: He's very, very rich.
ROMANS: All right. To see more of my interview with Carol Slim head over to CNNMoney.com.
BERMAN: All right. That's it for us. "NEW DAY" starts right now.
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Manhunt, do you know this man? The FBI asking for your help in finding an ISIS member with an American accent. Who could he be? This, as Britain thwarts an alleged terror plot. New details on what they may have been planning.
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: And breaking overnight. The nurse infected with Ebola in Spain speaks out. She says she did everything right and has no idea how she got infected. This, as authorities say they will put her dog down, they think it may be carrying the disease and her husband pleads to save the dog's life. MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Caught on video, the dramatic moment
cops smash the windows with a family inside the vehicle during a routine traffic stop. That family is now suing, why police say they did nothing wrong.
CUOMO: Your NEW DAY starts right now.
ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY, with Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan and Michaela Pereira.
CUOMO: Good morning. Welcome to NEW DAY, it is Wednesday, October 8th, 6:00 in the East. To my right, Alisyn Camerota.
Thank you very much for the help, my friend.
CAMEROTA: My pleasure. Great to be here.
CUOMO: Good to have you.
Up first, please take a look at your screen, do you know this masked man? The FBI is reaching out to you for help identifying this member of ISIS, who is in a recruitment video. He speaks perfect English. And officials believe he may be an American. Despite a month of relentless airstrikes, U.S. officials now say it's not if, but when the Syrian town of Kobani is taken by militants. How big a deal is this? We'll get into it.
Also, definitely a big deal that authorities in Britain say they have foiled a terror plot. We're covering every angle of these stories beginning with CNN's Pamela Brown in Washington.
Good morning, Pamela.
