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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Ukraine Ceasefire Starts Sunday; FBI Investigating Muslim Students' Murders; The President Goes Viral; NBC's Brian Williams: More Exaggerations?;

Aired February 13, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: It's 5:00 a.m. here in the East Coast.

EARLY START continues right now.

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HARLOW: The cease-fire in Ukraine set to begin this weekend, but will it last? Why many are concerned the new truce could fall apart before it even begins.

And the FBI now looking into the murder of three Muslim students in North Carolina, as thousands of people attend their funeral to say good-bye and to demand justice.

And from selfie sticks to air basketball, President Obama's new goofy video promoting Obamacare has gone viral? Is it just all in good fun or bad for his message.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Poppy Harlow, in this morning for John Berman and Christine Romans, who have the morning off. It is Friday, February 13th, 5:00 a.m. here on the East.

Up first, even before Ukraine -- before the cease-fire begins in Ukraine on Sunday, there are concerns about whether the agreement will hold. The Obama administration remains pretty skeptical, saying much more work needs to be done. The deal was reached after that 17-hour long talk in Minsk between France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine.

French and German leaders are warning that Russia could face more European sanctions if this cease-fire is not respected.

So, what is Russia's take on the lasting prospects for peace in Ukraine?

Let's go straight to Matthew Chance who joins us live in Moscow.

Matthew, what is the perception of the people on the ground there? Because it was on this show yesterday that the breaking news came that a deal had been reached, when just an hour before, both sides seemed very far apart.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, well, the Russians certainly have welcomed this. So, when both sides seem so far apart, it was the Ukrainian delegation that had come outside and said, look, you know, we got no good news. We are far from agreement. But shortly after that, they went back into the negotiating room. There was some bruising diplomacy by all accounts that took place and they emerged, the four leaders, the French and German leaders, the president of Ukraine, the president of Russia as well, Vladimir Putin, with a deal.

It was a bleary-eyed Vladimir Putin who emerged after that 16 or so hours of heavy duty negotiations overnight in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. He said, he joked to the press saying it wasn't the best night of my life, but he was very happy with the results of the morning. The main issues, he said, have been resolved.

He was talking, of course, about the cease-fire agreement. That's going to come into force Saturday night, Sunday morning local time midnight. The withdrawal of heavy weaponry from the frontline, that benefits the pro-Russian rebels as well because they essentially gained territory compared to what they would have controlled in the last peace negotiations which were brokered in September.

And so, in general, relatively positive from the Russian side and that was reflected in the positive remarks made by the Kremlin.

HARLOW: Matthew, do we know if Ukraine still wants the United States to supply these defensive weapons for Ukraine or are they backing off that request now?

CHANCE: Well, look, I mean, this has been a long standing request by the Ukrainian government. They've got a decrepit, you know, military which has Soviet era weapons. They were not updated, so they can better resist any future conflict situations on their territory inside Ukraine. So, undoubtedly, they're going to be requesting this.

Still, the big question is, are the Americans more or less likely after this deal to provide them with those weapons. And I think the general assessment is, because of the European opposition, they are less likely, but it hasn't been taken off the table.

HARLOW: All right. Matthew Chance live for us in Moscow, thank you, Matthew.

ISIS launching new attacks across Iraq, hitting Kurdish and Iraqi forces both in the north and west. They have now seized control of parts of the town near an airbase where U.S. Marines are training Iraqi forces right now. Also, according to the U.S. officials, ISIS has now spread into Libya, Yemen, Egypt, Afghanistan and Pakistan. They say some members of the Taliban are now rebranding themselves as ISIS and hoping to attract new terrorist recruits.

The Obama administration is pushing back on claims they have not done enough to save the lives of American hostages abroad. Officials are responding to a "Daily Beast" report that says the White House had intelligence on U.S. citizens held by ISIS, including Kayla Mueller, but acted too late to save them. This report claims the U.S. stalled rescue attempts that may have led to save Americans like Kayla Mueller and James Foley. A national security spokesperson says U.S. forces carried out operations as soon as the president and his team are confident they can be successful, saying it was a very ill-informed report.

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 for al Jazeera Baher Mohamed will release on bail. They are waiting another trial.

Our Ian Lee joins us now live from Cairo.

Ian, for some people that are just hearing about this now, give us a sense first of all, why this happened so quickly, but also the background on why they were held for more than a year.

IAN LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Poppy, this was an unexpected surprise for the family members. They were expecting them to be released on Saturday. This comes after a Cairo court issued they can post bail. For Mohamed Fahmy, he has to post $30,000 because he's a foreign national. Baher Mohamed as an Egyptian didn't have to post anything, any money. But they both have to check in with the police station every day.

The judge, we're seeing in this case, is far more lenient than the one in the previous case. Although he did not give rationale as to why he was letting them go on bail. This has been a case, though, that has been -- has gripped Egypt for well over a year. There has been strong international condemnation.

When the appeal went to the higher court, we had condemnation there as well about this trial. The appeals court judge saying that none of the evidence really stacked up to hold them to their crimes and also criticized that they were tried in a terrorism court, and not a civilian court because their crimes ere non-violent. So, this judge seems to be taking from an appeals court judge. It is likely this case will be quick and it will resume on February 23rd, Poppy.

HARLOW: Their alleged crimes supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, right?

LEE: That's right. Supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and helping spread false news of Egypt. Crimes that they adamantly deny. Al Jazeera denies.

But the judge didn't buy that initially and sentenced them to fairly hefty sentences, seven years for Mohamed Fahmy and the al Jazeera journalist and correspondent who has been extradited to Australia. And Baher Mohamed had 10 years. But the appeals court judge didn't buy that, sent it back down and we have another trial underway.

HARLOW: All right. Ian, thanks for the update. I appreciate it.

In this country, the FBI opening an investigation into the fatal shooting of three Muslim students in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Thousands of people attended the funeral service on Thursday on North Carolina's state campus. Police say there were three of these young, young students that were shot by a neighbor, allegedly, in a dispute over a parking space at the condonium complex. Now investigators are trying to determine if the suspect was motivated by hate.

Jason Carroll has more.

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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.

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HARLOW: Jason, thank you.

This morning, the American Civil Liberties Union 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 probate court to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. This is in defiance of an order from Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore. Most Alabama counties, though, are still complying with Moore's wishes and refusing to issue those licenses.

Very sad news to tell you about, breaking overnight, another blow to 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. Carr's 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 he said to be one of David Carr's friends." David Carr was 58 years old.

More alleged exaggeration coming to light as NBC News investigates now suspended "Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams. There are new questions about Williams' claims of flying into Baghdad with SEAL Team Six, and 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 because they don't embed reporters. Questions also surfacing about his differing accounts of meeting Pope John Paul II while he was a university student.

NBC News has not responded to any of those new allegations.

All right. Let's get an early start on your money. CNN Money correspondent Cristina Alesci joins me now.

Good morning.

CRISTINA ALESCI, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

A euphoric it start it is. Asian shares ended the day mostly higher. European shares are up as well, thanks to some solid GDP numbers from major economies. The eurozone as a whole grew more than expected. And Germany is still the region growth engine.

And U.S. stock futures are continuing to climb after the Dow gained 110 points yesterday. And it's official. Last year was the worst year for recalls ever. The government says nearly 64 million vehicles were recalled. That's more than double the previous record set in 2004. GM alone recalled more than 40 million vehicles, including those with flawed ignition switches, also a big culprit, defective airbags from Takata led to recalls by several major carmakers.

Poppy, I know you're not surprised by this, but what is surprising to most people is that none of this deterred vehicle sales. People kept buying. Even from GM.

HARLOW: Even from GM, which was really in the spotlight all year with these recalls and deaths. More than 40 deaths related to these accidents. Their sales were through the roof. Why?

ALESCI: Yes, exactly. I don't think people think recalls are that big of a deal unless they are directly impacted in a very adverse way. It doesn't really sink in unless it hits home directly. So, I think that's probably what it is. People have more spending money. They want a new car.

HARLOW: Cristina, thank you. Appreciate it.

You are feeling it here on the East Coast. Temperatures plunging, another blizzard forecast for new Englanders.

Let's get the latest from meteorologist Derek Van Dam.

Good morning.

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Bundle up. It's a blustery start to the early weekend for Upstate New York, parts of Pennsylvania and stretching into Vermont. We have wind chill advisories and warnings in effect. By the way, 9/10 of an inch is all it took to put Boston at its snowiest February of all time, 42.3 inches so far and it's only the 13th of February.

Our next approaching storm system dropping south of Canada. We're going to monitor this one very closely as it deepens quickly off the New England coastline bringing the potential of blizzard conditions. Anywhere you see that neon shading of green from Bangor to Portland to Boston, all the way to Boston, that's where we have blizzard watches in effect, the possibility of one to even upwards of two feet of snow, depending on which computer model you look at. The Big Apple, only a light dustiness snowfall expected from this particular storm system.

Very cold temperatures, we're talking 20 to 30 degrees below average from the New England coast, all the way down to the Gulf Coast states.

That's all the time we have. Back to you.

HARLOW: Brrr. Another storm. Wow.

All right. Coming up, President Obama's new video promoting Obamacare is getting some critics bashing it for being too silly. But is it good for the president to have a sense of humor? We'll discuss, next.

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HARLOW: Breaking news this morning. At least ten people have been killed, 60 people injured in an explosion near a Shiite mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan. Police report heavy gunfire from the scene. They say that armed militants barged into the mosques, hurtling hand grenades and firing indiscriminately. Pakistan's prime minister says grief and sorrow over the terrorist incident. So far, no group has claimed responsibility in this attack. We'll bring you much more on that as we have it.

All right. Twenty-two marines recovering this morning after a bizarre accident in California. Officials say they were training in an assault vehicle when the fire extinguisher system inside the vehicle suddenly went off. There was no fire. It is not clear what went wrong. But the victims inhale that fire retardant gas and their injuries are said to be minor and most are already out of the hospital.

The U.S. military will reportedly pay to complete Chelsea Manning's sex change. Manning is the disgraced army private who leaked tens of thousands of classified military and diplomatic documents. "USA Today" reporting this morning that commander at Fort Leavenworth Prison approved hormone therapy for Manning. Last year, Manning was allowed to wear women's clothing in the first phase of gender transition. Manning is serving 35 years for leaking those documents.

And we are getting a look at the commander in chief unplugged, if you will. The White House wants to get young people to sign up for Obamacare. The president is doing his part to pitch in with the BuzzFeed video. It has certainly gone viral.

Here is Erin McPike.

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ERIN MCPIKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Poppy, the real reason the president filmed this short video is the White House wants it 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.

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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.

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HARLOW: Wow, that is a video gone viral. Erin, thank you.

Coming up, the Chicago Little Leaguers stripped of the World Series title for fielding ineligible players have lawyered up. The details in the "Bleacher Report", next.

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HARLOW: Jackie Robinson West isn't giving up their Little League title without a fight. This team has hired a lawyer to look into the league's decision to strip them of their championship.

Andy Scholes is joining me now in New York with the "Bleacher Report".

Good to have you here.

ANDY SCHOLES, BLEACHER REPORT: Yes, good to be here, Poppy.

This Jackie Robinson West team still considers the champions. They have hired an attorney to look into whether they are being held to a different standard than the rest of the teams around the country. The Little League Office stripped Jackie Robinson West of their U.S. championship after they found that the team officials falsified the boundary map so they could basically build a super team.

Now, even though the League Office says the decision to strip them of the championship is final, Jackie Robinson West isn't giving up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) VICTOR P. HENDERSON, JACKIE ROBINSON WEST ATTORNEY: Whether it is Ferguson County, Missouri, or whether it's Eric Garner in Staten Island or whether it's Jackie Robinson in Chicago, there should be one set of rules. One set of rules that apply to everybody that even handedly administered, just be fair. And everybody should be able to live with the consequences.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Just a couple of days after saying he was taking a leave from the PGA tour to get his game right, we have a Tiger Woods sighting. Tiger Woods is in Colorado to watch his girlfriend Lindsey Vonn ski the world championships. When we see Tiger on the golf course again is anybody's guess. He says he's not going to return until he feels like he can be competitive.

All right. Cavs and Bulls wrapping up the first half in the NBA season last night in Chicago. Derrick Rose will not be coming to New York this weekend for this year's all star game, he showed everyone that he still got. Rose scored 30 points to lead the Bulls to 113-98 win over LeBron and the Cavs.

So, we hit the all-star break. Tonight is the rising stars challenge at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Now, this used to be rookies and sophomores. But they changed it up a little bit. Now, it's going to like the hockey all-star game. Still first and second year players. United States players versus the world. Patriotic feel to it.

HARLOW: Wow.

SCHOLES: But first time ever, NBA all-star weekend from the court to the catwalk. LeBron James is producing a fashion show. Eight players will sport looks from the board room to the night out and game-day. TNT studio analyst Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith are going to be judging the panel. The fashion show is going to air Saturday night at 6:30 Eastern on TNT.

HARLOW: That's got to be the best fashion show of fashion week which is going in New York as well.

SCHOLES: All the times we see these guys in post-game press conferences, they're wearing all of these wacky things were like, what is Dwyane Wade wearing right now?

HARLOW: Fashion forward, right? I mean, isn't it a rule now, they have to dress up, suits, that sort of thing?

SCHOLES: Oh, yes. You have to wear business attire to the actual game. That's when they started getting creative. Dwyane Wade wore a suit once with shorts.

HARLOW: I dig it.

SCHOLES: You like it.

HARLOW: Bring it on. SCHOLES: I think Russell Westbrook started the whole wearing glasses

without lens in them.

HARLOW: All right. Andy, good to have you here. It's a big weekend ahead, NBA all star here in New York City.

Coming up, the cease-fire deal in Ukraine goes into effect this weekend, but the big question is, will it hold? Questions over whether both sides will adhere to this truce.

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