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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

U.S. Closes Down Embassy in Yemen; Authorizing the War on ISIS; UAE Joins Airstrikes Against ISIS; Remembering Kayla Mueller; U.S. Planning "Cyber Intelligence Center"; Apple Worth Record $700 Billion; Brian Williams Suspended; Jon Stewart Leaving "The Daily Show"

Aired February 11, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: A tragic turn in the war against ISIS. The terrorists, they seem to kill American hostage Kayla Mueller, her family announces that she is dead. They are in mourning. That as the president prepares new authorization for the war. And Middle Eastern allies step up their attacks.

We're going to break down all angles of this story ahead.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman. It is Wednesday, February 11th. It is 5:00 a.m. in the East. Christine is off this morning.

Breaking news overnight: the United States is closing down its embassy in Yemen. The State Department has evacuated dozens of diplomatic officials from its compound in Sana'a while urging all Americans to leave that country immediately.

France and Britain have just suspended operations and evacuated their staff in Sana'a as well. That gives you a sense of just how high the concern is there. Everyone concerned of the power vacuum in that country. The president and the entire government essentially resigned weeks ago. Now rebels control that country, and there are questions about the future there.

This is the day President Obama could formally ask Congress to officially authorize the war on ISIS, even though the mission has been going on for months. His request will limit the type of ground forces the U.S. could deploy. And it comes on the heels of the shattering news that American hostage Kayla Mueller is dead.

The Pentagon revealed that U.S. commandos tried unsuccessfully to rescue her last summer. That as President Obama is calling Kayla's death heartbreaking. And he is defending his decision to reject ransom demands from ISIS for her release.

Let's get more now from senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: John, in that interview with "BuzzFeed", the president said speaking with the parents of these American hostages is as tough as anything he does, but he is standing by his administration's policy of not paying for the release of hostages. The concern -- and we've heard this repeatedly from inside the White House -- is they don't want to provide an incentive for ISIS or other terrorist groups to take more hostages. The other big reason we've gotten briefings on this, is that the payments made by for other governments for their hostages helps fund ISIS operations.

But the president essentially acknowledged to "BuzzFeed" that this rescue operation that he authorized last summer was aimed at freeing Kayla Mueller and the other hostages being held inside of Syria.

Here is more of what the president had to say.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The one thing that we have held to is a policy of not paying ransoms with an organization like ISIL. And the reason is once we start doing that, not only are we financing their slaughter of innocent people and strengthening their organization, but we're actually making Americans even greater targets for future kidnappings.

So, you know, it's as tough as anything that I do, having the conversation with parents who understandably want, by any means necessary, for their children to be safe. And we will do everything we can short of providing an incentive for future Americans to be caught.

ACOSTA: As for the war on is, we're hearing from sources at the White House will unveil this new authorization for the war on ISIS as soon as tomorrow. It will get rid of the 2002 authorization for the war on Iraq and replace it with a measure that will be ISIS specific. Sources tell us that the authorization will have no geographic boundaries and will only last three years.

But on this key question of whether it will allow U.S. boots on the ground in combat, that is where it gets interesting. According to this latest proposal seen by lawmakers, the authorization will prohibit something called "enduring offensive combat operations". That would indeed, John, provide some latitude for the president to commit ground forces inside of Iraq to take on ISIS -- John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: All right. Our thanks to Jim Acosta.

And during offensive combat operations, those words will be in play in Congress over the next several weeks as they debate this.

Meanwhile, a new round of airstrikes overnight targeting is positions in Syria, launched not by the U.S. but by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. This marks the first time that the UAE has engaged in combat missions against ISIS since late last year. They were concerned about the safety of their pilots.

A top U.S. counterterrorism official warns that ISIS is recruiting Westerners at an unprecedented rate. Some 20,000 fighters from 90 nations have joined ISIS on the battlefield, including now about 150 Americans. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADMIRAL JOHN KIRBY, PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY: This is one of the real threats about this group is their foreign fighters. These are folks that come in with other passports, other visas and then can perhaps export some of this terror back to their home countries, which is one other reason why we have to take the threat so seriously.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: I want to bring in Jomana Karadsheh live from Amman, Jordan. Jomana, you know, even with the airstrikes, even with the so-called war against ISIS, their ranks continue to grow.

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, John.

About six months into this air campaign, and we're seeing that the group is still capable of striking, shocking the world with its brutal acts and also very capable of recruiting more and more fighters into its ranks. And this is something of concern here in this region, too, as it is to the international community.

As you mentioned, the United Arab Emirates resuming those airstrikes, and they carried it out by their F-16 fighter jets that are based here in Jordan. Over the weekend we heard the UAE announced it was moving a squadron of F-16s and putting it in Jordan in support of Jordan's mission in solidarity with this country that we have seen increase its military strikes against ISIS in retaliation for the killing of the Jordanian pilot.

You know that announcement last week, that brutal killing and that gruesome video that came out of the killing of the Jordanian pilot does seem to have galvanized members of the coalition, especially in this part of the world, in this region where some in the past did say that they didn't feel that this is their war. The feeling at least for now seems to be changing.

And we've heard from Jordanian officials saying that they are now more determined than ever to continue this fight. They say they have always been at the forefront of this fight against extremism, and now, they will continue not only to try and degrade the capabilities of ISIS, they say they want to destroy the group, and as we heard a top official here describing it say, they want to wipe ISIS off the face of the earth.

But as we know, Jordan is a small country. It has a capable military, but limited. It needs more assistance. It says we have heard this from various officials here over the past week saying, they welcome this kind of support they're seeing from the United Arab Emirates, and they want to see more from Arab nations and also from the United States and the international community, John.

BERMAN: All right. Jomana Karadsheh in Amman.

There's also new information about just what else ISIS is up. U.S. intelligence officials say that ISIS is plotting to stage more kidnappings in countries such as Jordan where Jomana just was, and Lebanon. That as the Pentagon reveals ISIS is holding at least one more American hostage. They have not revealed an identity.

In Arizona, friends and family, they are trying to cope with the death of aid worker Kayla Mueller. She is being remembered as a young woman who took extraordinary measures to serve others.

CNN's Ana Cabrera is in her hometown of Prescott, Arizona.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANA CABRERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John, this is a community in mourning. They've set up this makeshift memorial here in Prescott, Arizona, paying tribute and honoring the life and legacy of Kayla Mueller, something that was so important to her family upon learning the news of her death.

We now know the family found out over the weekend in communication with ISIS that Kayla was, indeed, dead. We understand the proof came in pictures.

But how she died is still not known. What's important now for the family is keeping her memory alive. They want the world to know that she really did have a servant's heart and died doing what she loved, serving those who were suffering.

She spent time here in this community serving nonprofits. She traveled the world doing humanitarian work in India, Israel, the Palestinian territories and lastly in Turkey and Syria, where she helped those Syrian refugees who were fleeing the Syrian civil war.

And her family pointed out that while she has died, her message is now alive and out there. The world is focusing on what she felt was most important, and that provides some comfort.

ERYN STREET, CLOSE FRIEND OF KAYLA MUELLER: I'm not yet sure how to live in a world without Kayla, but I do know that we're all living in a better world because of her.

CABRERA: We know the president has spoken by phone with Kayla Mueller's parents, sending his condolences, and really commending the selfless work Kayla did while pledging to relentlessly pursue those who had a hand in her death.

Right now, the focus is bringing her body back home so that she can rest in peace surrounded by those who love her and bring closure to the family and this entire community -- John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: Ana Cabrera for us in Prescott, thanks so much.

The Obama administration is planning to create a "Cyber Intelligence Center" to deal with digital attacks such as the one that crippled Sony Pictures. It's going to be sort of in the model of the National Counterterrorism Center which was created after 9/11. Homeland Security officials admit the government response to hackers falls well short of the response to more conventional terrorist attacks. They say it needs to be upgraded fast.

The House is expected to approve construction of the Keystone oil pipeline today. The measure has already passed the Senate, setting up a showdown with President Obama. The president, of course, has promised to veto the bill, insisting the State Department needs to make its final decision and finish its review on the project. Twenty- eight House Democrats join Republicans to back the measure. That is not enough to override the imminent presidential veto.

The president is set to announce he is bringing back nearly all of the 1,300 U.S. soldiers who were sent to West Africa to fight the Ebola outbreak. They will be home by April 30th. The number of new Ebola cases has dropped to about 150 per week. That figure was about 1,000 per week last fall. Ebola has claimed nearly 9,000 lives.

All right. This just in to CNN: A spokesman for the Kremlin confirms that President Vladimir Putin will fly to Minsk, will go to Belarus today for peace talks aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine. Lower- level negotiators have reached a tentative cease-fire deal. The leaders of France, Germany, Ukraine, they are also expected to attend those talks. We'll get an update on that soon.

In the meantime, let's get an early start on your money. CNN money correspondent Cristina Alesci is here with that.

CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: Stocks, the futures are barely moving this morning, but they're looking a little cautious because there's a lot of news for investors to digest. Oil prices are sliding once again. U.S. crude oil fell almost $3 a barrel yesterday to $50. Also investors are keeping an eye on big developments coming in on the standoff between Greece and its creditors. European finance ministers are holding an emergency meeting in Brussels later today to discuss the future of Greece's bailout.

But one bright spot in the market: Apple just became the first U.S. company worth $700 billion.

BERMAN: Wow.

ALESCI: More evidence -- exactly, wow -- that Apple is truly in a league of its own. The next largest company is ExxonMobil, and it's worth about half that. You know, Apple, in January, reported its best quarter ever because of its iPhone 6 sales have been just so tremendously powerful and effective, especially in Asia where, you know, the consumer there really wanted a bigger screen, and Apple finally delivered on it.

So, now, you're seeing those incredible sales results come through.

BERMAN: They cracked that market now, $700 billion and counting.

ALESCI: They did. Not so bad for Tim Cook.

BERMAN: Cristina Alesci, thanks so much. All right. Two huge media shake-ups this morning. NBC suspends Brian

Williams without pay. Jon Stewart announces he's stepping down from "The Daily Show." These are epic shifts in this business. We'll explain, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Not one but two earthquakes in the media business. NBC News anchor Brian Williams has been suspended for six months without pay. The top-rated network anchor taken off the air from embellishing his role in a helicopter attack in Iraq. NBC News is also reviewing other stories that Williams reported.

This is the statement released by NBC Universal's Chief Executive Steve Burke. It says, "By his actions, Brian has jeopardized the trust millions of Americans place in NBC News. His actions are inexcusable and this suspension is severe and appropriate."

The other blockbuster: Jon Stewart is stepping down of "The Daily Show." He will no longer host comedy central's premier broadcast. He's been there for 15 years.

As I said, two epic moves in the media in the span of just a couple of hours.

I want to bring in Brian Stelter, CNN senior media correspondent, host of "RELIABLE SOURCES."

Brian, let's start with Brian Williams. You know, Brian Williams is the host of a network -- was the host of a network news broadcast, the top-rated anchor, a six-month suspension without pay. That's big.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Nothing like it in the history of TV news. He's the top-rated anchor, as you said, the single most popular news anchor in the United States. Also the senior-most of that club, you know. Scott Pelley and David Muir, his chief competitors, have been in the job relatively recently. He's been in the job more than ten years. So, he's very well known and I think a lot of people are shocked to see this result.

But there were serious issues raised, both about his Iraq mission he was on in 2003, and about other stories he had told especially about Hurricane Katrina. These stories were clearly exaggerated in some cases. NBC is concerned there's more out there. And while they're continuing their investigation, I think they decided they had to get out ahead of this after six ugly days of press and scrutiny.

BERMAN: So, this is six months for now.

STELTER: For now. Most people I talk to at NBC are skeptical that he'll ever be able to make a return.

But, you know, anything's possible. This is a crazy business. And we've seen people stage incredible comebacks in the past. Steve Burke who you quoted there did make a reference to a second chance for Brian Williams. The question is whether that second chance will happen at NBC or whether it will happen somewhere else.

BERMAN: All right. Let's talk about the other epic move in this business overnight. Jon Stewart retiring from "The Daily Show."

STELTER: This took a lot of people by surprise last night when he announced it on his program. His studio audience audibly gasped when he announced it. By the time he said it on air, though, folks had already been told because Comedy Central came out with it a few hours ahead of time.

This is something that's been in the works for a long time, because Jon Stewart has been hinting about leaving, thinking about leaving. He said, "This program does not deserve someone to be even a little bit restless." He's been getting restless over time and I think that's been obvious on the show. But he's performed at such a high level for so long. He's really going out on top.

I thought this "New York Times" headline this morning -- they're putting the two stories together, Williams and Stewart. It says Williams suspended at a low point. Stewart to depart on high point.

You know, we're talking about the fake news guy and the real news guy here. But also at a time where those roles are blending and blurring a little bit. I think Stewart got more serious over the years, and Williams got a little sillier over the years.

BERMAN: Slow jamming the news.

STELTER: That's right.

BERMAN: Brian, you're a little bit of a conspiracy theorist. You think it can't be a coincidence that they happened at the exact same time?

STELTER: Well, it's an amazing moment in time. Within one hour both these announcements came out. And you've got to wonder if there's something going on behind the scenes. Maybe Williams has a plan here to move over to some other job.

I know it sounds far-fetched, but I think, as I say, crazier things have happened in this business. And we know that Williams has been interested in the past in some sort of more comedic role. You know, not just going on Letterman or going on Leno or Fallon. There was talk apparently a number of years ago "The Times" and "New Yorker" magazine that Williams once put out a feeler about whether he might take over "The Tonight Show" and replace Jay Leno.

So, that idea has been out there in the past. I don't know if it's still out there today, but it's awfully coincidental timing given these two are friends, and given the implications of all these moves.

What a job for Comedy Central now to fill the shoes of Jon Stewart. Most people can't imagine the show with anybody else, but Craig Kilborn used to host it. So, they are going to fill the chair somehow.

BERMAN: What a job for NBC to fill the void of credibility.

Brian Stelter, thanks so much for being here. I appreciate it.

STELTER: Thanks.

BERMAN: Hard to digest for those of us in this business and those of us who love this business. Thank you.

All right. There was a weather delay in the trial of Aaron Hernandez, but testimony will resume today for this trial. The judge has granted his fiancee, Shayanna Jenkins, immunity. She will be able to testify without implicating herself. This is a big deal. Prosecutors believe she followed instructions from Hernandez to dispose of the gun allegedly used in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd in 2013.

Breaking overnight, 46-year-old man in North Carolina has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, accused of shooting three people in the head. Police say all the victims are Muslim. This happened last night at a condo complex in Chapel Hill. The suspected shooter, Craig Steven Hicks, turn himself in shortly after the attack.

Alex Rodriguez, remember him? A-Rod and the Yankees come face to face. He apologizes for all the embarrassment he caused the team in recent years. So, what do the Yankees now have to say about that?

Andy Scholes with the details in "The Bleacher Report", next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Spring training is right around the corner, and the pride of the New York Yankees, the face of the New York Yankees, Alex Rodriguez, he's apologizing, in meetings with the Yankees' front office.

Andy Scholes has more in this morning's "Bleacher Report".

Hey, Andy.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, John.

Yes, apparently, A-Rod wants everything to be like the old days when spring training starts later this month. That's why he requested a closed-door meeting with Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner to try to just clear the air. In the meeting, A-Rod reportedly apologized for his use of performance enhancing drugs and for the hostile nature in which he attempted to defend himself against Major League Baseball.

A-Rod and the Yankees released a joint statement about the meeting saying there was an honest and frank discussion on all of the issues. As far as the Yankees are concerned, the next step is to play baseball in spring training.

Now, according to ESPN, the Yankees made it clear that A-Rod will have to make up for his behavior and that they plan on disputing all of those home run bonuses that are still in A-Rod's contract. The Kentucky Wildcats' unbeaten season was in jeopardy last night in

Baton Rouge. LSU went on a 21-2 run in the second half to take a six- point lead. But the Wildcats, like they've done all year, coming through in the clutch. Karl-Anthony Towns, the jump hook gives Kentucky the lead. They hold on to beat LSU, 71-69, now a perfect 24- 0 on the season.

Yesterday, we showed you this brawl between two high school basketball teams in Indiana from over the weekend. The fight involved players from both teams as well as adults. In response to the fight, the Indiana High School Athletic Association has canceled the rest of the season for both teams. The two schools will also be on probation next year. And the players are going to have to complete sportsmanship courses as a part of their punishment.

Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler now has a brand-new ride thanks to Tom Brady. Brady won a truck for earning MVP honors in the Super Bowl but said he was going to give it to Butler. And yesterday Butler, he went to the dealership to pick it up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MALCOLM BUTLER, PATRIOTS DEFENSIVE BACK: Words can't explain how -- how my life has changed and how good things have been happening to me. So, I'm very overwhelmed.

REPORTER: Are you a truck guy?

BUTLER: Oh, yes, I think I am now.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: What a week and a half it's been for Butler, John. He went to Disneyworld, he got a new truck, then he was at the Grammys over the weekend. I'm sure he's never going to top this last two weeks of his life.

BERMAN: No, awfully hard. He has to pay taxes on the truck still.

SCHOLES: Yes, that was a little bit of a downer. GMC said they're not picking up the taxes. But hey, still, he's got a truck for less than what it costs.

BERMAN: It's a new truck.

All right. Andy, thanks so much. Appreciate it.

SCHOLES: All right.

BERMAN: New information this morning about an attempted rescue operation that failed to save American ISIS hostage Kayla Mueller. The alarming number of new recruits now joining ISIS and what the White House might do next. The president goes on the record. That's right after the break. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)