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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Potential Snags to Iran Nuke Deal; Deliberate Crash in the Alps: Pilot's Disturbing History; Indiana "Religious Freedom" Act: Growing Controversy; Yemen in Chaos; Schools React to Controversial Indiana Law. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired March 31, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:00] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Did you know that 16 percent of young people plan to do just that? Many millennials are paying 50 percent or more of their pay on rent, 50 percent of what you earned with student loan bills, it just makes sense. You can't go home yet.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Look, I just think it's an indictment on our system if you have to move home to afford anything.

Let me say this, I have so many financial questions. I wish there were a place I could get the answers. Where could that be? Oh, there's a new book out. "Smart is the New Rich: A Money Guide for Millennials" by Christine Romans.

ROMANS: You can't change the system. But that's got what you can do to survive it.

BERMAN: EARLY START continues right now.

(MUSIC)

ROMANS: Deadline day to reach a nuclear deal with Iran. But this morning, tricky issues remain. Can an historic breakthrough be reached or will years of negotiating go to waste? We are breaking down all the angles of the big story, live ahead.

BERMAN: History of suicidal tendencies and now, perhaps a motive to kill. Disturbing new information about the pilot who flew Germanwings Flight 9525 into a mountain. We're live.

ROMANS: New backlash for Indiana. Its religious freedom law criticized as legalizing discrimination. This morning, new outrage and a new op-ed defense from the state's governor.

Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

BERMAN: I'm John Berman. It is Tuesday, March 31st, 5:00 a.m. in the East.

Happening right now: negotiators in Switzerland working furiously to reach a deal to curb Iran's nuclear program. The deadline to reach the framework of an agreement is today, just hours to go and stumbling blocks remain.

Breaking in the last few minutes, though, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announcing that he is returning to the talks in Switzerland. Could this be a sign that negotiators are closing in on a deal.

Let us get the very latest. Our global affairs correspondent Elise Labott joins us now live from the talks.

The Russian foreign minister, Elise, is on his way back. What does it mean?

ELISE LABOTT, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, when he left yesterday, I thought he was basically saying to the teams, get your act together and I'll come back when there's something to close. So, the fact that he's coming back could mean that the negotiators are closed.

I spoke with Secretary of State John Kerry yesterday. He told me that there was a little bit of light in the negotiations yesterday, but tricky some issues still remain. Those issues we have been talking about for the past few days, Iran wants to continue to research in development, program of advanced nuclear technology in the end years of the deal. The international community wants to impose -- keep those restrictions on throughout the 15 years of the deal.

We are also talking about U.N. Security Council sanctions. Iran wants them lifted on day one. International community not only wants to keep them on as Iran shows compliance with the deal and lift them in phases, but also wants to be able to reimpose them. They want that flexibility if Iran violates the deal.

John, Secretary Kerry told me that negotiators will be working throughout the day with the aim to get a deal. They know the importance of what today means -- John.

BERMAN: Just hours left to go. Elise Labott, keep us posted if there are any developments over the next several minutes. Thanks, Elise.

ROMANS: If Iran and the world powers do not reach a deal, there's serious concern Iran would pursue and even accelerate its nuclear program with no outside oversight. But in an exclusive interview with CNN's Barbara Starr, the head of the agency that monitors global nuclear testing, says Iran would almost certainly be caught by seismic and radiological sensors.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. LASSINO ZERBO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CTBTO: Any country that would try today to hide a nuclear test explosion, we have more than a 90 percent chance in detecting it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: With the hours ticking down to the deadline on the Iranian nuclear deal, House Speaker Boehner, leading a delegation of House Republicans who will arrive in Israel today. Boehner is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is in a sense returning a favor. Boehner invited the prime minister to speak to Congress earlier this month giving Netanyahu a high profile platform to speak out against a nuclear deal with Iran.

Let's bring in CNN's Oren Liebermann in Israel for us -- Oren.

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.

Boehner's visit here makes this another very high profile opportunity for Benjamin Netanyahu. And he's certainly taking advantage. It is a big day here in Israeli politics. It's a swearing in ceremony for the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, but the nuclear deal deadline looms larger than all of that here.

Netanyahu has been speaking out against the deal. He says the deal would not only threaten Israel, but would threaten what he calls more moderate countries in the Middle East. He says what's happening in Yemen is a sign of Iran's aggression. Netanyahu this week is getting a very, very strong show of support from American Republicans, from congressional Republicans.

Not only House Speaker Boehner here with a delegation of Republicans, but it was Senator Mitch McConnell here earlier this week with the delegation of Senate Republicans.

[05:05:01] McConnell, of course, met with Netanyahu, spoke with him, reaffirmed the relationship between the two of them. He also reaffirmed the relationship between the U.S. and Israel. McConnell said, if there is a deal, McConnell and Republicans would push for required congressional approval of that deal. He said if there isn't a deal. He agrees with Netanyahu. He agrees that there should be tougher sanctions on Iran.

Now, the prime minister's office here hasn't released many details about Boehner's message, but, Christine, we have learned that he'll be meeting the defense minister, a very interesting meeting.

ROMANS: All right. Oren Liebermann in Jerusalem, thanks for that, Oren.

BERMAN: This morning, we are learning new details about the events leading up the horrific crash of Germanwings Flight 9525. The German prosecutor investigating the crash says the co-pilot Andreas Lubitz suffered from suicidal tendency prior to getting his pilot's license, and a European government officials tell CNN that Lubitz visited an eye doctor who determined that the problem were psychosomatic. He had vision problems that were psychosomatic and he deemed Lubitz unfit to work.

For the latest on the investigation, I want to bring in CNN international correspondent Frederik Pleitgen in cologne.

And, Fred, there's new information about what authorities are considering as a possible motive here.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, absolutely, John.

Of course, the investigators are trying to piece together as much evidence as they have. And one of the things that a source close to the investigation told us quite frankly, they believe at this stage of the game, you're not going to get a 100 percent certainty as to what actually drove this man to do what he apparently did. They say because there's no clear note from him, a good-bye note or something, that all they have right now to work with is circumstantial evidence.

However, as far as a motive is concerned, they tell us that they are now zeroing in very much on the motive being the fact that he was afraid that he might lose his certification to fly because of the medical problems that he had. Of course, we have known for several days now from the state prosecutor here in Germany, as well as from other sources, that he had sick notes, as you said, and that he destroyed those sick notes in very apparent attempt to hide his medical condition from his employer. So, that certainly is something they established in the past.

But now, they are saying one of the working theories at this point in time is that he did all of this because he was afraid to lose his certification. Of course, we also know from the airline that he did manage to pass a physical in summer of 2014. He did have another one coming up, though, this year as well. And they say that there was no indication he had problems with his eyes and also that they never received any word from him that he was, first of all, suffering from a mental problem and seeing a doctor for the mental problems, otherwise, it would have been on him to tell them that he was suffering from this -- John.

BERMAN: Frederik Pleitgen, still so many questions. Thanks, Fred.

ROMANS: In Yemen, the conflict there, intensifying. At any hour, Saudi Arabia could launch a ground offensive. The goal: to root out Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who have ousted Yemen's president and taking over large parts of the country. The coalition of nine Arab nations to set up blockades at Yemen's ports to stop the Houthis from getting supplies. Thy also launched air strikes launched overnight to keep them from taking over the city of Aden.

BERMAN: Later today, the White House is expected to announce its commitment to a 28 percent cut in emissions in the next 10 years. This would be the U.S. contribution to a major global climate treaty being crafted by the United Nations. Details of the planned not being released, but it is expected to include new tough requirements for power plants, stricter emission limits for cars and trucks, and initiatives targeting specific green house gases such as methane and hydrofluorocarbons.

ROMANS: All right. Time for an early start on your money.

Big rally for stocks yesterday make them positive for the year once again. The Dow climbed more than 260 points, about 1.5 percent. The S&P 500, the NASDAQ also climbing more than 1 percent. You can thank Janet Yellen.

BERMAN: Thank you, Janet Yellen.

ROMANS: The Fed chair said the economy still has a ways to go. And that likely means the Fed will raise interest rates slowly and cautiously. Stocks boosted by several mergers in the health care sector. But this market can change on a dime. This is the last day of the quarter, the worst quarter in history for the euro. Oil prices still falling and Iran nuclear deal would put more supply on the market. Oh, yes, and that Fed interest hike is coming eventually. So, plan for that.

BERMAN: All right. About 10 minutes after the hour right now.

Indiana facing a backlash, also boycotts over its new religious freedom law. Some say it is legalized discrimination. This morning, there are new promises for a fix and new defense from the state's governor and a stunning headline from the biggest paper there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:12:49] ROMANS: Indiana lawmakers under intense and growing pressure this morning to do something about the exploding controversy over a so-called religious freedom law. Critics say it's nothing more than a veil for discrimination against gay people. Elected officials from Connecticut to Washington state, they are barring government paid travel to Indiana. NCAA speaking out against the law, very concerned. Joining the growing chorus of voices, "The Indianapolis Star" with the front page editorial this morning, top by a huge banner headline, "Fix This Now."

State officials are pushing back led by Governor Mike Pence. His "Wall Street Journal" op-ed this morning complains the controversial law has been, quote, "grossly misconstrued" as a license to discriminate. This morning, Pence and legislative leaders are promising a fix, not a repeal, and not a ban on anti-gay discrimination. What they call clarification that the new law is not intended to sanction discrimination.

CNN's Miguel Marquez is in Indianapolis for us with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, with the Final Four coming to town and the NCAA itself expressing concern about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, there is great pressure on the governor here and government to change SB-101. The mayor of Indianapolis, the Republican mayor, has signed executive order saying he wants the state government to change the act and to fix it as he says. The city council has also passed a resolution opposing SB-101.

Hundreds of protesters were in the meeting. Here's what it looked like when it passed.

(APPLAUSE)

MARQUEZ: A very raucous council meeting to be sure. The chairperson of the council in there is saying she had lost control, jokingly, of the meeting several times during it. But the protesters got what they want and they are promising to keep up the pressure across the entire state on the governor and the government here until they make those changes. What those changes may be, it is unclear.

[05:15:00] Governor Pence obviously tripling down by writing a "Wall Street Journal" editorial, saying that the bill will stand, not saying he's going to change it. The Republicans in the legislature here, a supermajority in the legislature here of Republicans, saying they will seek fixes, but what those fixes will be and when they will come down is not very clear. Groups here say that there is an easy way to fix it, but that would mean recognizing gays and lesbians -- John, Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: Thanks to Miguel.

Two Republican presidential hopefuls are backing Indiana's governor and his state's controversial new law. Despite all the boycotts and protests, Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former Governor Jeb Bush say they don't see a problem.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEB BUSH (R), FORMER FLORIDA GOVERNOR: I think Governor Pence has done the right thing. Florida has a law like this. Bill Clinton signed a law like this at the federal level. This is simply allowing people of faith space to be able to express their beliefs, to have -- to be able to be people of conscience. I think once the facts are established, people aren't going to see this as discriminatory at all.

SEN. TED CRUZ (R), TEXAS: I'm very much a believer that the Scripture teaches that you hate the sin and love the sinner. But at the same time, I don't think the law should be forcing Americans to violate their religious faith.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The Democratic front runner Hillary Clinton is also weighing in, tweeting, "Sad this new Indiana law can happen in America today. We shouldn't discriminate against people because of who they love."

ROMANS: The defense of the trial of accused Boston marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev has a tough act to follow. He will try to convince jurors that although Tsarnaev took part, he was being controlled by his older brother Tamerlan. Prosecutors rested their case Monday with one final description of the carnage.

CNN's Alexandria Field has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine, John, jurors had tears in their eyes, they had their heads lowered as prosecution brought its case to a rest. The last thing they heard, graphic details about the death of 8-year-old Martin Richard. The courtroom saw the singed jersey that he had been wearing, a blood-

stained Patriots t-shirt and a pair of pants melted nearly beyond recognition. The medical examiner who performed the autopsy on the young boy, the last witness called by the prosecutions to testify. He told jurors that nearly every part of Martin's 4-foot frame had been covered with injuries. The autopsy photos were too graphic to be shown in open court. Jurors saw those photos instead on personal screens.

But Martin's family was in the courtroom. Both of his parents hearing the details of the autopsy report. His father keeping his eyes closed for much of that testimony.

It took prosecutors 15 days to build their case against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. They called more than 90 witnesses.

The defense is now calling some of their own witnesses -- Christine, John.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. A new strain of Enterovirus may be to blame for a mysterious paralysis that's affected more than 100 children across the country. Researchers say there is strong evidence the virus has caused the polio-like illness, but because most kids were tested many days after they became sick, it maybe impossible to know for sure. They say the condition may be related to the genetic makeup of these patients.

BERMAN: He has made a few appearances on "The Daily Show", most Americans have never heard of him before yesterday. The comedian Trevor Noah will be taking over as host from Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show". Stewart announced in February that he will be leaving after 16 years. Noah, who was from South Africa, made his debut as a contributor back in December. He calls it a great opportunity and a significant challenge.

Still not known when Stewart will step down. Everyone says Noah is hilarious. I talked to Bill Carter, who's written books about midnight, he said this is the most dramatic move he has ever seen in late night.

ROMANS: Do you think they had to take a big risk, though? Because that show has been defined by Jon Stewart. So, they had to take a risk.

BERMAN: Yes, but no. But it's a huge risk. He says, you know, look, there are other people they could have hired. They could have hired some of the correspondents. But they just want someone where no one has seen. It's interesting.

ROMANS: All right. Nineteen minutes past the hour.

College basketball final four set to tip-off this weekend in Indianapolis. But Indiana's controversial new religious freedom law probing to be a very big distraction and now, the teams are speaking out.

Andy Scholes has the bleacher report, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:22:56] BERMAN: Just days before the Final Four in Indianapolis, the schools in the tournament now weighing in on Indiana's controversial religious freedom law.

ROMANS: Andy Scholes has more of this morning's bleacher report.

Part of the biggest political story right now in the United States, the same place the NCAA tournament is happening.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, what are the chances right, guys? You know, this controversial religious freedom law, it's a topic of discussion as we head into this weekend's Final Four in Indianapolis. We've also heard Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller speak out against the new law.

Now, the schools are chiming in. Duke, Wisconsin and Michigan State all releasing statements on the matter yesterday. Wisconsin and Michigan State both called for inclusion, while Duke took a stronger stance.

Their statement reads, "Duke University continues to stand alongside the LGBT community in seeking a more equal and inclusive world. And we deplore any effort to legislate bias and discrimination."

Now, Kentucky tells CNN they will release a statement on the new law today. The final four, of course, tips off Saturday night on our sister station TBS.

All right. The women's Final Four meanwhile will have familiar faces.

The two-time defending champion UConn Huskies will make their eighth straight appearance after beating Dayton, 91-70 last night. But don't let that score fool you. This game was actually close. UConn was losing at the half. That's the first time that has happened in two years. Notre Dame, Maryland and South Carolina will join the Huskies in the women's final four.

All right. We could see an all-Williams sisters final in the Miami Open. Venus Williams beat former world number one Caroline Wozniacki on Monday to reach the quarterfinals. She could meet her younger sister Serena in the final. Serena who is the current top player in the world has won the Miami Open a record seven times.

All right. The NFL handing down some discipline yesterday. The Atlanta Falcons were caught piping in fake crowd noise in the Georgia Dome in 2013 and 2014. For that, they will lose a fifth round draft pick in next year's draft, and pay a $350,000.

The Cleveland Browns, they were fined $250,000 as a result of General Manager Ray Farmer texting team personnel on the sidelines during games. [05:25:06] That's against league rules. Farmer will also be suspended

for the first four games of the upcoming season.

And, guys, of course, we're all still waiting the results of the investigation into the deflate-gate. When we get those findings, still unknown. Hopefully at some time soon and we can move past it.

Of course, John, either way, Patriots still the Super Bowl champions, right?

BERMAN: They are. But, look, you would think if there is anything in the investigation, it would come out soon. They have to get it done before the NFL draft, you would think, because that would be one of the possible penalties.

And on that fifth round pick the Falcons lost, just note that it's significant. What round did Tom Brady go? The sixth. So, you could be losing a --

SCHOLES: Never know with those late picks, yes.

BERMAN: Never know. All right. Andy, thanks so much.

SCHOLES: All right.

ROMANS: Always goes back to Tom Brady.

BERMAN: It's all about Tom Brady. Are you kidding me?

ROMANS: It always goes back to Tom Brady.

All right. Happening now, intense nuclear negotiations with Iran, just hours left to reach a deal. The roadblocks that could stand in the way, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Deadline day to it reach a nuclear deal with Iran, but with just hours of negotiations left, what tricky issue stand in the way? We have new developments over just the last hour. We'll tell you what they are, coming up.

ROMANS: A history of suicidal tendency. Disturbing information about the pilot who flew himself and 149 others into the French mountain side, as investigators search for the plane's missing black box. Live team coverage ahead.

BERMAN: Backlash and boycotts. Indiana hit hard by critics of this religious freedom law branded as legalized discrimination. This morning, there is new outrage as there are some promises to fix the law and a new defense from the state's governor.