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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Will Ukraine Ceasefire Stick?; FBI Investigating Muslim Students' Murders; The President Goes Viral; "American Sniper" Murder Trial

Aired February 13, 2015 - 04:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Will the cease-fire hold? The truce begins this weekend in Ukraine, but some are still concerned it could fall apart before it begins. We will have a live report.

The FBI now investigating the murders of three Muslim students in North Carolina as thousands of people pay their respect and demand justice.

And President Obama's video has gone viral. This new video promoting Obamacare is a hit online, but critics think it is beneath his office. We'll talk about that.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Poppy Harlow, in this Friday for John Berman and Christine Romans. They have the morning off. It is 30 minutes, 4:30 a.m. here on the East Coast.

And even before the Ukraine cease-fire takes effect this weekend -- excuse me -- there are concerns about whether the agreement will hold. The Obama administration remains skeptical saying more work needs to be done. The deal was reached after this marathon 17 hour talks in Minsk between France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. French and German leaders warning Russia could face more European Union sanctions if the cease-fire deal is not respected.

So, what is Russia's take on it in terms of the lasting prospects?

Our Matthew Chance joins us live from Moscow.

And I'm interested, Matthew, in what people there are saying about this?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it is broadly welcomed here, Poppy, by the foreign minister, by the Kremlin, all the officials that have commented on this.

Essentially, Russia gets much, although not all, of what it was asking for and its main points have been accepted. A cease-fire which goes into force on Saturday evening and Sunday morning here locally. A withdrawal of heavy weapons from civilian areas and a sort of frozen conflict which results in the pro-Russian rebels getting a net gain of the amount of land they control. And so, from that point of view, it's a positive for the Russian administration and the official comments have been made accordingly.

The Ukrainians have a different perspective. The Ukrainian prime minister saying they have an option between bad to worse. And so, from their point of view, yes, the fighting stops as a cease-fire. They can concentrate on other areas of their country like the economy, which needs particular attention. But, you know, didn't emerge as victorious if you like, as the Russian side on this.

HARLOW: Does this mean, Matthew, Ukraine will not look to the U.S. anymore to give them these defensive weapons that they have been asking for and that, frankly, a growing number of members of Congress have been asking the Obama administration to do?

CHANCE: It doesn't mean the Ukrainian government will stop looking to the U.S. for those weapons, but it makes less likely that the U.S. will exceed to those demands and to start arming the Ukrainian military, although, I could be wrong about that. Certainly, Vladimir Putin, the fact is that he will have in mind is that this peace deal now makes it less likely that his country will face greater sanctions and greater isolation.

Although, of course, the United States and Europeans have stressed if this peace deal does not hold, remember, a peace deal in September brokered in Minsk as well that didn't hold. If this does not hold, they're not ruling out further sanctions to increase Russia's isolation. So, there is a particular pressure on Russia right to make sure the peace deal is not broken.

HARLOW: Yes, let's hope it is not. Let's hope it is very different this time around in September. Matthew, thank you. I appreciate it.

ISIS launched new attacks across Iraq, hitting Kurdish and Iraqi forces both in the north and in the west. They have now seized control of a part of town near an air base, where U.S. Marines are training Iraqi forces. Also, according to U.S. officials, ISIS has spread into Libya, Yemen, Egypt, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. That is a very major development. They say some Taliban members are rebranding themselves as ISIS, in hopes of attracting new terrorist recruits.

And the Obama administration is pushing back hard against claims that they are not doing enough to save American hostages abroad, specifically in the case of Kayla Mueller, who we learned this week was murdered by ISIS members. Texas Congressman Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, speaking to CNN about reports that the White House had intelligence on U.S. citizens being held by ISIS, but delayed acting on it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. MICHAEL MCCAUL (R), TEXAS: I'm concerned they are not doing enough to save the hostages, but to win this war. All we're seeing is a policy of containment. This policy of containment is not a winning strategy. We need a policy to defeat and destroy ISIS once and for all.

(END VIDEO CLIP) HARLOW: The national security spokesperson says U.S. forces carry out operations as soon as the president and his team are confident that they can indeed be successful.

And breaking overnight. Two al Jazeera journalists are free this morning after spending more than 400 days in prison in Egypt. Mohamed Fahmy and also producer Baher Mohamed were released on bail. They are waiting retrial. Their charge was supporting the banned Muslim Brotherhood. Their retrial is scheduled for February 23rd.

And former Defense Department official Ash Carter will be returning to the Pentagon now this time as the boss. President Obama's choice for the next defense secretary was confirmed by an overwhelming margin in the Senate. He is replacing outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Republicans say they hope he will be an independent voice and push the president on critical defense and national security issues.

The FBI has opened an investigation into the fatal shooting of three Muslim students in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Thousands of people attended the funeral service on Thursday. It was on the North Carolina state campus and police say the three of those young, young students were shot by a neighbor, allegedly, in a dispute over a parking space at their condominium complex. And now, investigators are digging deeper, trying to determine if the suspects was motivated by religious hate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Poppy, the FBI opened that preliminary inquiry into the case to try to insure that no federal laws were violated. This will be a parallel investigation, in addition to the local investigation being conducted with the Chapel Hill Police Department and other local and law enforcement officials as well.

Word of the FBI getting involved coming on the same day that the victims were buried. The three victims, Deah Barakat, 23, Yusor Mohamed 21, and Razan, 19. Thousands of people showing up for the memorial service for them. It was an incredible sight to see there.

Also here at NC State University, many came here to pay respects for the victims as well. Those coming together here. Many believing, Poppy, as you know, this was not a case of dispute over parking spot. Many people here believing this was, in fact, a hate crime. Once again, the FBI involved in this investigation as well -- Poppy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: All right. Jason Carroll, thank you for that. We'll stay on top of that and any developments we get for you.

The American Civil Liberties Union is calling it a great day for the state of Alabama. The federal judge who struck down the state's ban on gay marriage has now ordered a Mobile County court to issue same sex couple marriage licenses. This is in defiance of an order from Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore. But most Alabama counties still complying with Moore's wishes and refusing to issue those marriage licenses.

Breaking overnight, another major loss for the world of journalism. "New York Times" media columnist David Carr has died. "Times" executive editor says Carr collapsed suddenly in the newsroom on Thursday night. His former "Times" colleague Bill Carter tweeted his tribute, saying, "David Carr was brilliant, funny and generous. My heart breaks for his family and his legion of friends", saying he is proud to be one of those friends. David Carr was 58 years old.

And more alleged exaggeration coming to light as NBC News investigates now suspended "Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams. There are new questions about his claims of flying into Baghdad with SEAL Team Six, also about war memorabilia that he claims to have received as gifts. Among them, a Navy SEAL's knife and a piece of the helicopter from the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Sources in the SEAL community tell CNN it would be impossible for Williams to have traveled with SEAL Team Six. That unit just doesn't embed reporters.

Questions about -- are also surfacing about his differing accounts of meeting Pope John Paul II while he was a university student.

All right. Let's get an early look at our money. Cristina Alesci joins me now.

How we're looking?

CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: Well, it looks like stocks are in positive territory so far. U.S. stock futures are pointing higher right now. Yesterday, the Dow climbed 110 points. It's been a year of huge swings so far. And now, stocks are very close to all- time highs. The S&P 500 just two points away from the December record.

And speaking of all-time highs, the smart money is getting out of Apple. Bridgewater associates cut its stake in Apple last year. Shares are up 15 percent this year already. And earlier this week, Apple became the first American company worth more than $700 billion.

Now, the debate is, how high can Apple go? Bridgewater is taking its profits and buying shares of Microsoft instead, talk about two totally tech companies at opposite ends of the spectrum here. Obviously, this is not a consensus opinion. We have one of the biggest holders of Apple, Carl Icahn.

HARLOW: Right.

ALESCI: Who you've interviewed, saying that the stock can go to $200. It's currently at about $126.

HARLOW: He says it can only go up.

ALESCI: Of course, he does, right? He is a big holder, he wants the stocks to go higher.

So, of course, we would see him pushing the stock. He wants buybacks. So, he is in it for the financial engineering move. HARLOW: It is incredible when you think about Apple's earnings a few

weeks ago. More than any company ever. Ever.

ALESCI: Yes.

HARLOW: And largely because of the iPhone 6, right?

ALESCI: Yes, they finally got it right in Asia. They made those bigger screens so that the Asian consumer just went nuts. You know, Apple screwed up in Asia thinking they had to compete with the cheaper competitors. But instead, the Asian market was willing to pay so much money. It was just about that screen. Once they got that right, boom. Sales went through the roof.

HARLOW: The average price I read for an iPhone, overall globally, 600 bucks. Like a luxury item, that token item that they want to have.

ALESCI: Android is finding it hard to compete. They are giving their product away.

HARLOW: That's incredible. It's an incredible story.

Cristina, thank you. Appreciate it.

Also, you're probably feeling it if you're here in the East Coast. Temperatures plunging on the east coast with another blizzard forecast for New Englanders. I'm so sorry to tell you this, Boston.

Let's get to meteorologist Derek Van Dam for an early look at your weather.

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Nine-tenths of an inch, that's all it took to catapult Boston into its snowiest February on record, 42.3 inches so far, and it's only the 13th, by the way.

We have another snowstorm that we are monitoring closely. This time, Saturday night into Sunday morning across the New England coast. The low pressure system really starts to deepen.

The National Weather Service has issued blizzard watches from Bangor, Maine, to Portland, all the way to Boston. Look out for reduced visibilities and the possibility of heavy snowfall.

How much, you asked? Well, it's possible depending on which model we like at, between 1 and 2 feet of snow. The Big Apple, just a light dusting of snowfall from this particular storm system.

The other big factor here is the cold temperatures from the New England coast, the upper Great Lakes, all the way down to the Gulf Coast states. We are talking temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees below average for this time of year. You can see that temperatures into Atlanta will be chilly through the weekend as well.

Back to you.

HARLOW: All right. Derek, thank you very much. Coming up, President Obama's newest Obamacare push. This video has

gone viral. Fans think it's hilarious. Critics think it sends the wrong message.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thanks, Obama.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: Today, President Obama goes to the West Coast to talk about what the U.S. is doing to safeguard computer networks and people's personal information online. The president will speak at the summit on cyber community and protection at Stanford University. This comes days after the administration announced a new cyber security agency after a series of hack attacks.

Meantime, we are getting a look at the commander-in-chief unplugged, if you will. He wants more young people to sign up for Obamacare. The president is doing his part to pitch it in a new BuzzFeed video. Here's Erin McPike.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Poppy, the real reason the president filmed this short video is the White House wants to go viral to encourage Americans to sign up for healthcare by Sunday's deadline. But you could be forgiven for missing the point because the video is so goofy.

And one of the funniest parts is when he tries to pronounce the month that we're in now, which I can't really do either. So, listen to the president try.

OBAMA: The deadline for signing up for health insurance is February -- February -- man.

MCPIKE: And watch as he does what he says we all do.

(MUSIC)

MCPIKE: So at least now we know he practices that big smile that's always on point in pictures. But as always, some opponents of the president did not approve. And one conservative tweeted, "Remember when the office of the president had dignity", and another wrote, quote, "This definitely is a new low for our juvenile president. Wow. I can't imagine Slick Willie doing something like this."

But the White House couldn't care less about that, because, Poppy, in the first seven hours the video was live, it had 13 million views.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: Wow. Erin McPike, thank you. Appreciate it.

And this, a candid admission from a Supreme Court justice. Ruth Bader Ginsburg sitting down for an interview with NPR, along with fellow Justice Antonin Scalia. CNN had the only camera there and when the subject of the State of the Union came up, well, Ginsburg revealed why she nodded off a bit during the president's speech.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUTH BADER GINSBURG, U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: The audience for the most part is awake because they are bobbing up and down all the time.

(LAUGHTER)

GINSBURG: And we sit there stone-faced sober judges. But we're not -- at least I wasn't 100 percent sober because before we went to the State of the Union --

(LAUGHTER)

GINSBURG: -- we had dinner together and Justice Kennedy brought --

ANTONIN SCALIA, U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE: That's the first intelligent thing you've done.

(LAUGHTER)

GINSBURG: Well, there was a time you came to those dinners, especially with a very California wine and Justice Kennedy brought. And I vowed this year, just sparkling water, stay away from wine, but in the end, the dinner was so delicious, it needed wine, too, or something.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: A rare look into the personal life and levity there from one of our Supreme Court justices.

Well, video shown during the "American Sniper" murder trial shows police chasing the suspect the day he killed Chris Kyle and Kyle's friend. Prosecutors think this is a win for their side and defense is saying not so fast.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARLOW: Welcome back to EARLY START.

Another dramatic day in the so-called "American Sniper" trial that is underway in Texas. Defense lawyers say Eddie Ray Routh was in a psychotic state when he shot Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, as well as his friend Chad Littlefield. Now, a juror saw a video of a high speed police chase as Routh fled in Kyle's pickup truck.

Or Martin Savidge was in the courtroom and he has all the details for us this morning.]

Good morning, Martin. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Poppy, on day two of the testimonies, the real stars in this case were two videos. The first one is a dash cam video, and it shows a high speed chase that took place as police were closing in on Eddie Routh.

He had stolen Chris Kyle's pickup truck after he murdered Kyle and his friend. And while on that chase, you see another police officer take his police cruiser and try to ram that pickup truck to try to bring it to a stop. It didn't stop but it did slow the chase.

The chase takes off once again. Eventually, though, the truck was so badly damaged, it had to stop. And that's when Routh was taken into custody.

But then, there is the second video. It is a body cam video. I can't play the audio. But what was significant are the quotes you hear by Routh before the high speech chase. And he talks in a way that most people sound extremely weird. For instance, he says, "Is this about like hell's work walking on earth right now? I don't know. I don't know. Where peace and law and order is and what it's all about."

He also says, "Is it voodoo that's upon us?" And talks about the apocalypse.

The defense would say, look, it only proves he really was insane. The prosecution will point to the chase video and say he wasn't a man talking crazy. He acted like a guilty man who wanted to get away -- Poppy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: Martin Savidge, thank you very much.

Coming up, if you thought your life online ended when you die, think again. Facebook now letting you post from beyond. How? We'll explain next when we get an early start on your money.

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HARLOW: All right. Let's get an early start on your money. Cristina Alesci is here.

Happy Friday.

ALESCI: Yes, it is. Stocks are moving higher.

Let's start in Europe where shares are up in some solid GDP numbers from major economy. Germany, of course, still the region's growth engine. We'll look at the eurozone as a whole next hour.

And it could be a record day for U.S. stocks. Futures are pointing higher. The S&P is just two points away from the record close.

On a more somber note, you can assign a friend to take over your Facebook profile when you die. Previously, Facebook simply added the word remembering to a person's profile after they die. Now you can choose a legacy contact to manage your page. That person can post information and respond to friend requests, but they won't be able to read message or delete old posts, or you can simply request to have your account deleted after you die.

I don't know. It's kind of a creepy story.

HARLOW: I don't want to think about that.

ALESCI: Exactly.

It's been a year since Colorado became the first state to legalize pot. So, just how much did the state make in revenue? $53 million. Now, that may sound like a lot, but it is actually less than expected. One reason experts underestimated the number of people who would stop buying pot illegally. Legal pot is more expensive because it comes with a 28 percent tax rate.

HARLOW: Wow.

ALESCI: Also, fewer people switched from medical marijuana, which is taxed at a much lower 3 percent.

This really takes the argument away from the statement.

HARLOW: That was the big part of the argument, legalize it to bring in the tax revenue, 53 million bucks, a lot of money, maybe not in the grand scheme of things.

ALESCI: No so much.

HARLOW: Running the state budget. Cristina, thank you. Good to see.

We will have more from Cristina next hour.

It's 5:00 a.m. here in the East Coast.

EARLY START continues right now.