Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Preventing An Ebola Pandemic; Another Night of Violent Protests; Khorasan Group Still Threat to U.S.

Aired October 10, 2014 - 04:00   ET

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: A new warning from top health officials as U.S. leaders try to assure Americans that new airport screenings will help stop Ebola from entering the U.S. This morning, several European airports announcing: they, too, will screen for Ebola. We are live with the very latest.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news this morning. A new night of chaos on the streets of Missouri. Protesters clash with police over a deadly officer involved shooting. New video overnight.

BERMAN: In less than one hour, we will know the recipient of 2014 Nobel priest prize -- Peace that is, not priest. And we're going to have it live for you right here, and we'll break down all the top contenders.

ROMANS: But maybe a priest prize if the pope were to get it, the Nobel Peace Prize.

BERMAN: It's like a Freudian slip. Pope Francis is one of the leading contenders this year.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.

ROMANS: And I'm Christine Romans. It's Friday, October 10th. It's 4:00 in the East.

This morning, the government officials are urging people to stay calm in the face of the current Ebola scare. The mayor of New York and the governor of New Jersey, both places where travelers from West Africa enter the U.S. both giving news conferences Thursday, offering reassurance that everything possible is being done to protect the public.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK: We faced terrorism, we faced natural disasters. We now face the possibility of being infected by a pandemic. But the fact is, all of those other moments prepared us to handle whatever is thrown at us.

GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: Of course, we're concerned. But that concern is being moved into action. I hope the federal government moves more quickly to get Newark Airport up and ready to go from that perspective because they are in charge of that aspect of providing security at our airports. And so -- but I got assurance yesterday directly from the White House in a private conversation that they are moving as quickly as they can and that we'll continue to coordinate together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Airport and airplane cleaners at New York LaGuardia Airport walking out on Thursday. Angry saying they are not protected from Ebola with specific training and protective gear. The Port Authority which operates LaGuardia and the contractor that provides cleaning services both saying they will review the concerns raise by these workers.

As the U.S. officials press ahead with preparations to begin passenger screening for Ebola at five major U.S. airports. Britain on Thursday announced its own plans for screening at London's Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.

CNN's Erin McLaughlin standing by live at Heathrow this morning.

Good morning, Erin.

ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.

That's right. These screenings are expected to take place here at Heathrow airport as well as London's Gatwick airport, as well as the Eurostar train terminals. They will affect passengers from the main Ebola-affected countries including Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. It is expected that they will be primarily involving questionnaires. They'll be asking such as who they may have come in contact with, where they're traveling from, where they're onward travel plans are, as well as potentially involving medical screenings.

Now, yesterday's announcement coming to a surprise to airport officials that I have been speaking to. They are still waiting for further details. It's not exactly clear when these screenings will begin, after all, this was yesterday morning the government ministers here in the United Kingdom are saying the screenings are ineffective and not in compliance with WHO standards.

So, the issue here really is, what has changed between now and then? Some scientists I've been talking to saying that say the political calculus may have changed. Government ministers maybe feeling pressure, that they needed to be taking or appear to be taking concrete steps to combat the Ebola outbreak -- an outbreak, which must be said has not reached the United Kingdom, not a single confirmed case of Ebola has been identified on British soil.

And government ministers are saying that an Ebola outbreak in Europe is looking highly unlikely -- Christine.

ROMANS: Erin, let's talk about how effective the screenings are. I mean, there have been a lot of questions here about flu season. In fact, it is already the flu season. It could actually slow down a lot of airport procedures. If you have people testing, they are showing high temperatures, but they don't have Ebola. How effective are the screenings?

MCLAUGHLIN: Well, scientists here in the United Kingdom are really questioning the effectiveness of the screening. After all, Ebola symptoms don't present themselves for some 21 days. And if f symptoms aren't being presented, that means, according to scientists I've talked to that, Ebola is not necessarily infectious.

So, with that consideration, you know, scientists saying this is not the most effective measure they could be taking. Really, the focus they're saying needs to be on combating the outbreak in western Africa. That is how you will prevent any negative effects on Europe or even the United States -- Christine.

ROMANS: This morning at London's Heathrow Airport -- thank you, Erin.

BERMAN: There was an Ebola scare on Thursday to the Dominican Republic. A man on U.S. Airways Flight 845 reportedly joked he had Ebola. And a hazmat team was brought it.

On a video posted on YouTube, the flight attendant tells passengers, it's going to look worse than it is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FLIGHT ATTENDANT: I have done this for 36 years. I think the man that said this is an idiot. And I'll say that straight out. You hear me?

I want to you keep your wits about you. We have people coming on that are involved in watching the news. They look like they are in a bubble machine. They will look like they are in a (INAUDIBLE).

Please stay out of their way. Let them do their job.

(EXPLETIVE DELETED)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: My new favorite flight attendant.

ROMANS: She is awesome. I want her on my flight every time. Just tell it to me straight.

BERMAN: Not so much that guy, as he was escorted off the plane. You can hear the guy say, quote, "I was just kidding." Some joke.

So far, CNN has been unable to confirm the man's identity or whether he is in custody.

ROMANS: All right. The family of the first patient diagnosed with Ebola in the United States is outraged over the care he received at a Dallas hospital. Thomas Eric Duncan died Wednesday at Texas Health Presybeterian Hospital. His nephew Josephus Weeks releasing a statement Thursday, noting that eight days passed between Duncan's admission to the hospital and the time he received an antiviral drugs. He writes, "It is suspicious to us that all the white patients

survived. And this one black patient passed away. He didn't begin his treatment in Africa. He begun treatment here, but he wasn't given a chance."

The hospital responded with a statement of its own, saying, "Our care team provided Mr. Duncan with the same level of attention and care with any patient regardless of nationality or ability to pay for that care."

Good news for the Dallas sheriff's deputy worried he might have Ebola. Sergeant Michael Monnig's test results came back negative for Ebola on Thursday.

BERMAN: The director of the CDC warns the world will have to act quickly from Ebola from becoming the next, quote, "AIDS." Thomas Frieden spoke Thursday at a World Bank forum, along with leaders of three West African nations where Ebola is spreading fast.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS FRIEDEN, CDC DIRECTOR: In the 30 years in public health, the only thing like this has been AIDS. And we have to work now so this is not the world's next AIDS. We can do that, I think as exactly said by all of the three presidents. Speed is the most important variable here. This is controllable and this was preventable.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: In West Africa, six U.S. military planes arrived with 100 more marines and equipment to help fight the Ebola epidemic. That brings the total American troops in Liberia to just over 300. More to come.

ROMANS: All right. U.S. airstrikes at al Qaeda-linked militants in Syria failed to cripple the terror cell. American intelligence officials say the Khorasan group, that al Qaeda-linked group, still poses a threat to the U.S. because of the barrage of cruise missiles -- well, those cruise missiles only killed one or two key militants. Officials many important leaders of the group scattered among the news the air strikes would happen.

BERMAN: News this morning on the ISIS siege of the key Syrian city of Kobani. Turkey trying to revive its goal of the creating what it calls a "military buffer zone" along its border with Syria. Officials in Washington are not fully backing this idea because the move could lead to direct confrontation with the Syrian government and the Assad regime.

Arwa Damon is live this morning at the Syria/Turkey border with more.

Good morning, Arwa.

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPODENT: Good morning.

And that is Kobani just behind us where we have been hearing explosions, and gunfire being exchanged. Fighter jets, we heard them earlier overhead. Now, the skies seem to be fairly quiet. That being said, despite these airstrikes that the Kurdish fighting force, the YPG, says have helped to a certain degree, ISIS has managed to advance and takeover key parts of the city.

We heard that they were receiving reinforcements from their strongholds in Raqqah. And overnight, we spoke to a Free Syrian Army commander, an Arab commander fighting alongside the Kurds.

You can hear the intensity of the gun battle around him. He's also reiterating that call for additional military support and ammunition.

We also spoke to a doctor inside Kobani, who said that on average, he is treating around 20 to 30 people a day to include wounded fighters. Those severely wounded being sent off to Turkey. However, Turkey having closed its borders, he said, resulted in the deaths of three people because they bled out.

Now, Turkey, as you were mentioning there, wanting to see something of a broader coalition when it comes to a commitment or any sort of ground operation. Turkey, most certainly, even though it does have tanks positioned, directly within line of sight of ISIS fighting position, at this stage unwilling to go it alone, wanting to see a broader plan that not only militarily addresses dealing with the threat of ISIS, but also that of the Assad regime.

That is you're mentioning there -- that at this stage, not something that the U.S. and its allies are necessarily willing to entertain.

So, once again, we have the situation where it is civilians on the ground inside Syria becoming the victims of the overarching politics -- John.

BERMAN: Indeed. All right. Arwa Damon for us on that border, with the city behind her -- thanks so much, Arwa.

ROMANS: All right. Ten minutes after the hour.

Time for an EARLY START on your money this Friday.

Whiplash, the market had its best and worst day of the year all within 24 hours. Dow plunged 335 points yesterday. The worst decline in more than a year. The NASDAQ and S&P both down more than 2 percent. That slide extended to foreign markets, Asia and Europe both lower right now.

So far, October has been rough. The Dow has moved more than 200 points five days this month. Why? Investors concerned over sluggish global growth, especially big economies like Germany, that could be also Russia-related, and China where growth is slowing.

In fact, global leaders in Washington yesterday suggested growth in Asia and Europe has been disappointing. It begs the question, is a correction of a 10 percent market drop on the horizon? Rock star billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn says yes. He told CNBC yesterday, a correction is definitely coming. If you look at the numbers, we have not had a true correction since

2011. Look at that, John, this chart shows you in the red where the pull backs have been. There hasn't been since 2011. That is very rare and that's why so many people like Carl Icahn are saying, it's time for a pull back.

BERMAN: I know from reading your books of the intense volatility.

ROMANS: That's right.

BERMAN: Which is something we have not been witnessing for a long, long time.

ROMANS: For some people, that's a great opportunity. For others, it's very nerve-wracking especially if you're close to retirement.

BERMAN: Indeed.

All right. Eleven minutes after the hour. The 2014 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced from Oslo in less than an hour. We will cover it live. A record 278 nominations submitted this year.

Pope Francis considered by many to be the favorite. In fact, bookmakers in London have installed him as a 5 to 2 vote. No pope has ever won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Also getting a lot of buzz online. NSA leaker Edward Snowden. Of course, he sparked a worldwide debate over electronic surveillance and personal freedoms. It might not be popular with the Obama administration if he wins. As I said, keep it right here on CNN for live coverage of the Nobel Peace Prize. That's coming up at 5:00 a.m. Eastern.

ROMANS: A Snowden choice would be the most controversial.

BERMAN: Oh, yes. Well, yes, for sure.

ROMANS: All right. Breaking news overnight.

BERMAN: Protests turning violent on the streets of St. Louis. Demonstrators clashing with police over a deadly shooting. New video ahead.

ROMANS: Plus, police say new evidence ties him to the 2009 rape and murder of the college student this morning. New information on how Jesse Matthew and Morgan Harrington may have crossed paths on that deadly night, ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: New demonstrations turning violent in St. Louis overnight. Protesters on the streets again in the wake of the police shooting of 17-year-old Vonderrit Myers on Wednesday. Police say a knife was thrown at an officer that night and missed its target and landed on the ground. A police car also had a window smashed in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF SAM DOTSON, ST. LOUIS POLICE: They surrounded a police car and tried to break the windows out of the police car. I understand the emotions, but some things you cannot tolerate. And that's one of them. We have to have respect for each other. We respect the protesters. They certainly have to respect ours.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Officials say two people were arrested. One officer suffered minor injuries Thursday night.

CNN's Jason Carroll is in St. Louis with more on the shooting and this city's reaction to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The candlelight vigil taking place in the same neighborhood on the same corner where the shooting took place on Wednesday night. Vonderrit Myers' uncle saying you can wash away the blood, but you cannot wash away what happened out here.

According to police, it all started when Myers went to a sandwich shop with a few of his friends. Shortly after, they ran into an off-duty St. Louis police officer. There was some sort of an altercation.

Police say Myers fired at the officer first, firing three times. The officer then fired 17 shots. The medical examiner saying that Myers was hit seven, possibly eight times. People here are drawing comparisons to what happened with Michael Brown.

But the cases are very, very different. Michael Brown, as you know by all accounts was unarmed and police once again say that Myers was armed. A .9 millimeter gun was recovered from the scene.

This comes on the heels as a weekend of resistance is planned for the city of St. Louis and Ferguson. Demonstrators will be gathering at a number of spots on Friday and Saturday and Sunday drawing attention to the Michael Brown case calling for justice for Michael Brown.

As for the Myers case, that investigation is now under way.

Jason Carroll, CNN, St. Louis, Missouri.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: Let's stay in Missouri -- Ferguson, Missouri. Police coming under fire again. "The Washington Post" reports the department has continued an even accelerated questionable practice to suppress peaceful protests, and is using arbitrary and inconsistently arrest policies. Report documents and department source say hundreds of protesters have been arrested since August when unarmed teenager Michael Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer.

BERMAN: New details in the investigation of Jesse Matthew, the prime suspect in the disappearance of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham. Investigators confirmed Matthew is working as a cab driver the night Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington vanished five years ago. They also say he was questioned by police in 2009 following her disappearance, as were at least 20 of his colleagues. The cab he drove was also seized by authorities from a farm two weeks ago as part of their active investigation.

ROMANS: There could be more legal trouble for Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. Texas prosecutors want Peterson rearrested and his bail revoked after they say he admitted smoking weed before taking a drug test this week. The hearing is set for next month. Peterson's trial for alleged felony child abuse, that trial slated to begin December 1st. It could be delayed if the judge has to recuse himself. There's some questions about the comments the judge made.

BERMAN: He called the lawyers media whores. His words. Not mine.

ROMANS: That's such a nice tone, right, before you --

BERMAN: It's a nice tone.

ROMANS: Before you're going to begin the trial.

BERMAN: Nineteen minutes after the hour.

Turning to weather: huge wildfire in California continues to gain ground. So far, the blaze has destroyed five homes, multiple buildings, threatening another 1,000 houses, but also closed two lanes of Interstate 80. Officials say the fire is about 20 percent contained right now, but warm temperatures are helping fueling its spread.

So, Super Bowl XLIV has its halftime headliner. Katy Perry, you might have heard of her. "The New York Post" reports that Perry will perform in Glendale, Arizona at halftime. In a recent interview, the singer scoffed at the NFL's reported requirement that artist pay to play at the Super Bowl. They want to be paid by the artist to perform at half time because there is so much exposure.

According to "The Post", the deal is being hammered out for Perry to be the halftime star. That would be great.

ROMANS: If you think about it. If advertisers are paying to have their product in the game, right, and zillions of eyeballs -- you know, I think it's technically true that zillions of eyeballs across the world. You know, why not? They will pay for it.

BERMAN: I've got to be honest. I'm either at the refrigerator or the can during that. Like the amount that I see of the halftime show is so limited.

ROMANS: Never mistake the refrigerator and the can. Very important on Super Bowl Sunday.

BERMAN: I appreciate that. I appreciate that. ROMANS: Twenty minutes past the hour.

North Korea's leader missing in action. Not seen in more than a month. Missing another important ceremony this morning. Has the North Korean dynasty fallen? What is going on? We're live in Seoul to try to figure it out.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Still no sign of Kim Jong-un. Overnight, the 31-year-old North Korea leader was conspicuously absent from the ceremonial visit to the remains of his late father and grandfather. According to North Korea's news agency, flowers were presented in Kim's name.

I want to bring in Paula Hancocks live in Seoul.

Paula, looking from the outside, there is so much we don't know about this very closed society. But we can parse when he's there and when he's not. But something is happening here behind the scenes.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Christine. This is the longest that we haven't seen Kim Jong-un. It's been five weeks since he was last spotted. This is a man who is not afraid and shy of the camera. He is often on state control television. He's always talked about in the media and certainly it is unusual that he is not being seen at all.

He was expected to be seen this Friday. Certainly, the last couple of years, we have seen him at this important ceremony, the anniversary of the ruling Workers Party foundation. The fact that he wasn't here this year is significant.

Of course, it's going to increase the speculation as to what exactly has happened to him. He was limping in July. In September, state-run media acknowledged he was experiencing discomfort which was an unprecedented statement. So, the general assumption is he has health issues. But, of course, it's not clear at this point exactly how bad those health issues might be.

Now, we know a North Korean delegation came to Seoul last weekend and they did say that Kim Jong-un was not sick according to the South Korean officials they met. The government said from the talks they had with the North Korean delegation, they believe the leadership was normal.

So, what they're suggesting there is no coup. They don't believe that he's been pushed from power, which, of course, is one of the rumors out there. Many experts say that clearly they would not send a high delegation, the number two, three and four to Seoul if there was instability at home, and if there had been a coup. So, I think the assumption at this point is, he is likely ill. But to keep him out of the public eye for five weeks, there is concerns as to exactly how ill the leader is.

Christine and john, back to you.

ROMANS: And who would take over if he were become incapacitated. We just have not idea.

Thank you so much for that, Paula.

It is fascinating to watch what is happening in the country. You look at the satellite pictures. It's dark. Most of the country is dark. There's no electricity. No connection with the outside world.

BERMAN: Look, you know, it is such a reclusive country. It fuels the conspiracy theories. Remember what's at stake here. They have nuclear weapons. I mean, this is not insignificant when you don't know who is running the show there.

Twenty-seven minutes after the hour.

Happening right now: new steps to stop the spread of Ebola around the world. Britain and the U.S. preparing new airport screenings. This as the CDC delivers an ominous warning.

We are live right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)