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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Manhunt for New York Prison Escapees; President Doubles Down on "Russian Aggression"; Pool Party Melee; Cavaliers Take Game 2, Steal Home-Court Advantage. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired June 08, 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: Manhunt. Dangerous men on the run. Two convicted killers pull off a stunning escape from a maximum security prison on the loose this morning. We have the latest on the trail.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: President Obama is with G7 world leaders in Germany today, hoping to get Europe behind him on standing up to Russian aggression in Ukraine.

BERMAN: And outrage over this scene at a pool party, chaotic. But was it because of the kids or because of that cop?

[05:00:02] Some are demanding action against that police officer for what they consider excessive force. We'll have the very latest coming up.

ROMANS: All right. Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. It's Monday morning. I'm Christine Romans.

BERMAN: And I'm John Berman. Great to see you. It is Monday, June 8th, 5:00 a.m. in the East.

And happening: an urgent manhunt with state and local law enforcement trying to pick up the trail of two ruthless and very dangerous men. Two convicted killers who escaped from a maximum security prison. And the way they did it is just stunning.

Richard Matt and David Sweat used power tools to crack the walls inside the prison before crawling out through a pipe at the Clinton correctional facility which is about 20 miles from the New York border with Canada.

CNN's Polo Sandoval is there with the latest on the manhunt.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, this morning, the search shows no sign of stopping, particularly here in Dannemora, New York. You see heavily armed police officers and in this case correctional officers staging in the area surrounding the prison itself. In fact, we had to go through three checkpoints to go through this location, police and law enforcement and state and federal authorities checking every vehicle leaving this area and also that's making its way here. Now, if you look off to the distance, you may be able to see temporary

flood lights that have been set up, that actually marks the very spot where this manhole is located. This is the location where Sweat and Matt believed to have used this as an exit point.

Now, just before that, authorities believe that they actually used several tools to dig g through a 24-inch wall in the rear of their cell. From there, they entered a steam pipeline and accessed tunnels and drain as well to eventually end up here.

So, this morning, we know that the U.S. Marshal Service now has filed federal warrants for both these men for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. We also know that the state of New York hoping people will come forward with any help they can, even offering a $100,000 reward for these two individuals.

Two priorities this morning, that's track them down and try to find out how they were able to execute such an elaborate plan -- John and Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Polo, thank you for that.

Happening now, G7 world leaders meeting at a picturesque castle in the German Alps. This morning, President Obama set to huddle with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi on the fight against ISIS before the president heads back to Washington. That follows Sunday's focus -- the focus Sunday, blunting Russian aggression in Ukraine.

For the latest from the G7, let's bring in CNN's Atika Shubert.

Good morning, Atika. You know, it used to be not very long ago, these were G8 summits. Russia was invited. Russia got itself disinvited and now, the G7 discussing what to do about it.

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Exactly. And in fact, more than half of the discussion President Obama had with German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday was precisely about how to stop Russia aggression and to make sure that Europe holds fast on those sanctions that they're hoping will pressure Russia into releasing its hold on Eastern Ukraine.

Today, however, it expands a bit more. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi expected to have a meeting with President Obama. In fact, right now, they're in a middle of plenary session, and President Obama went around the conference room there at the palace in Elmau, shaking hands with everyone there. He's actually had a number of things on his agenda, in addition to talking about the fight against ISIS. He will speak about terror threats in other regions as well. In fact, he is sitting next to the newly elected Nigerian president, Muhammad Buhari, where they will talk about the threat of Boko Haram.

So, quite a bit to get through today. They start with the plenary session. We may have more after that. President Obama is meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi later today, Christine. ROMANS: All right. Atika Shubert for us in the Alps -- thank you for

that, Atika.

BERMAN: Iraqi troops are planning a victory this morning, which is seemingly a rare occurrence these days. Iraqi forces in the city of Baiji say they have complete control of the city center, the main mosque and also surrounding neighborhoods. But there is still a battle, ranging perhaps the most important battle in that city, to retake a major oil refinery, which is the main strategic asset there.

CNN's Jomana Karadsheh tracking the story for us.

What's the latest, Jomana?

JOMANA KARADSEH, CNN CORRESOPNDENT: Well, John, as you mentioned, Iraqi officials both from the military and, of course, from the Shia militias, who have been a key fighting force on the group, say with the support of U.S. and coalition air strikes after months of intense fighting on Sunday, they managed to regain control of key parts of the city of Baiji as you mentioned there. What they say is left is pockets of resistance, as they described them, and also clearing operations of areas where they say ISIS left booby traps as their fighters, according to Iraqi officials withdrew to the city of Mosul.

[05:05:00] But it is unclear here. As you mentioned, that significant key facility, the Baiji oil refinery. What is going on there?

As we have seen this refinery, Iraq's largest has changed hands several times over the past year. In recent weeks, ISIS gained control of the majority of that refinery complex. And while it is not functioning, it is a great strategic importance because of its location and also Iraq's largest oil refinery, but also very symbolic for ISIS.

It has dedicated a lot of resources to try and continue to hold that refinery. So, that battle is the one that everyone will be keeping their eyes on. While Iraqi officials describe this as a victory after significant setback in recent weeks, the challenge remains, will they be able to hold the territory that they recaptured from ISIS, in the face of that very determined enemy. Indeed, the government there eager to claim any discuss they can.

Jomana Karadsheh, thanks so much.

ROMANS: New developments this morning in the huge hack of federal employee information. Today, government officials are expected to notifying current and former federal workers whether they are among the millions whose sensitive information may have been compromised. Officials say nearly every federal agency was hit by this hack. They believe those hackers were working for the Chinese government.

The question officials are trying to answer is why?

National correspondent Sunlen Serfaty will have more on this later from Washington. BERMAN: New this morning, the cyber attack on federal agency computers may affect private citizens, in addition to federal work workers. Law enforcement sources tell CNN that security clearance that applications dating back decades may have been part of this hack. Those forms require sensitive personal information of spouses, partners, friends and others close to the applicant. Sources tell CNN that while this hack is serious, the loss of private citizens' data probably less sensitive than that hack affecting federal workers.

ROMANS: All right. An emotional farewell for the Biden family as Beau Biden is laid to rest this weekend in Delaware. President Obama delivering the eulogy at the packed funeral for the Delaware attorney general who lost his battle with brain cancer. The president calling the vice president's 46-year-old son a champion of the people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The son of a senator, a major in the Army, the most popular elected official in Delaware -- I'm sorry, Joe -- but he was not above dancing in nothing by a sombrero and shorts that would shake a laugh from the people he loved. Through it all, he was the constant public servant. A notebook in his back pocket at all times so he could write down the problems of everyone he met, and go back to the office to get them fixed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin volunteered to sing at the service after learning Beau Biden was a big fan of the band.

I got to tell you, the president gives a lot of speeches, but that must have been a very difficult eulogy to deliver.

BERMAN: He had a hard time getting through the speech. You see the hug that President Obama gave to Vice President Biden. He actually kissed Joe Biden on the cheek.

This was a funeral for a public official in Delaware, well known. But it was very personal. It was remembering a friend to so many, a son, a father. And it just broke the heart of everyone in that room and everyone who watched. Beau Biden was 46 years old.

ROMANS: Too young.

BERMAN: All right. Eight minutes after the hour.

Chaos at a concert in northern New Jersey. Police in riot gear using mace, and piercing alarm, trying to disperse a rowdy crowd. Concert goers were pushing and shoving to get into MetLife Stadium. Officials say people were trying to enter illegally. Some witnesses say those people trying to get in had tickets but were frustrated by the slow security screening. Officials report multiple arrests.

ROMANS: All right. This is getting a lot of attention this morning. In McKinney, Texas, a pool party out of control here. The question is, who goes out of control? A police officer unholstering his weapon and confronting the group of

teenagers. Throwing a teenage girl to the ground and pulling his gun on others. The officer has been disciplined and an investigation is underway.

Let's get more this morning from CNN's Nick Valencia.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK VALENCIA, CNN NATIONAL REPORTER: John and Christine, an officer responding to a disturbance at a pool party has been put on administrative leave. The incident started on Friday night when police neighbors called them about a group of teen who did not have permission to be at a private pool and were refusing to leave. In the 7 1/2 minute clip, the officer can be seen rounding up teens, wrestling one to the ground and at one point, the officer unholsters his weapon and points it at the crowd.

[05:10:00] At a press conference on Sunday, the police chief in McKinney talked about the incident.

CHIEF GREG CONLEY, MCKINNEY POLICE DEPARTMENT: Several concerns about the conduct of one of the officers has been raised. A formal investigation into the incident has been started. And the officer involved is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The McKinney Police Department is committed to treating all persons fairly under the law.

VALENCIA: The police chief says he will look into the officer's actions. They launched a full investigation within their department -- John, Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Nick, thanks for that.

Time for early start on your money this morning. Asian stocks mostly higher this morning, but European and U.S. stocks are cautious. On Friday, the Dow fell 56 points. You know, the jobs report for May was strong, John. I mean, it shows the job market is doing well.

So, why does that hurt the stock market, well, if the job market is doing well, wages are increasing. That means the Fed is going to raise interest rates maybe the end of this year.

Big story today, too. Apple's developers conference starts today. Here's what to expect. First, Apple likely to get into the music streaming business. After buying Beats, Apple expected to launch a rebranded Beats music streaming app. Next, better Apple Watch apps.

Apple is likely to announcing new tools that will give developers a lot more power. Also, Siri gets an upgrade. Apple working on a new smarter Siri that can give information before needed. I can't wait for her to see into my life.

What we are not expecting is Apple TV. Rumor has it the project has been shelved. My son, my 6-year-old said, I was asking -- I was trying to figure out. He said, mom, just ask Siri. Oh my gosh, she's not going to have the answer. I promise.

BERMAN: Mom always has the answer.

A risk of severe storms today as the front passes the East Coast. I want to go to meteorologist Pedram Javaheri for an early look at the weather -- Pedram.

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: John and Christine, good morning to you.

Look at the active pattern over the past 24 hours. The storms in Illinois and Indiana and Ohio. That's where they fired up and we expect this to kind of shift a little farther to the East and also the South where the most active weather is expected to be in place.

Scattered thunderstorms across the southeast, mostly sunny skies are on the plain states, high pressure is large and in charge across the Intermountain West and the Pacific Northeast. Very warm temperatures, the hottest the year taking place around Seattle and Portland into the 90s.

But here we go for the severe weather. Roughly 27 million people dealing with the severe weather in Nashville and Louisville and Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, on into the East, around D.C. could see some of the active weather.

But again, damaging winds, large hail are the main threat. I think a few isolated tornadoes. You cannot rule that out into the afternoon hours as well. Early morning hours, 7:00 a.m., thunderstorms and heavy rainfall around Louisville. Really progresses off to the east by 3:00 in the afternoon with Syracuse and Albany.

But generally speaking, 1 to 2 inches of rainfall in the next two days. The heaviest in Albany and Buffalo and Cleveland get anything on heavy rains as well.

ROMANS: All right. Pedram, thank you for that.

Happening right now, a huge effort to rescue thousands of migrants off the Libyan Coast. We have the very latest. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:16:11] ROMANS: A huge migrant rescue operation happening right now in the Mediterranean. Almost 6,000 people rescued from smuggling ships, trying to cross from Libya to Italy. One British ship alone taking in 1,000 people, including ten pregnant women. That ship is set to dock in Italy in less than three hours.

And that's where senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is right now with the latest for us.

And, Nic, this is the latest flood of people desperate to leave their home countries and get to Europe, really putting pressure on the European nations to save them from the ocean and figure out what to do with them.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. It's a huge problem. This weekend alone, as you say, close to 6,000. This is the biggest single wave of migrants in a single weekend so far this year.

What the Italian coast guard and international aid agencies are seeing is almost a doubling of the number of people, migrants crossing over the Mediterranean and trying to get into Europe this year compared to last year. The total for this year so far is close to 100,000. By this time last year, it was only around 50,000. So, that gives you an idea of the magnitude of the problem.

Onboard the ship, the HMS Bulwark, is expected to dock here, ten pregnant women, and many children on board as well. These people came from Libya, from Egypt, from Mali in North Africa, from Nigeria, from as far away as Pakistan. They are all coming here, the big surge this weekend, because the weather is good and the seas are relatively calm.

Of course, earlier this year, a couple of months ago, many hundreds of migrants drowned at sea. We are seeing the effort by the European nations now, the neighbors, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and others, all out in the sea here trying to save these people before the tiny boats capsize and kill them, Christine.

ROMANS: So, that's the humanitarian move, but do these countries grant asylum to these folks?

ROBERTSON: You know, what the European Union has agreed is to give asylum to 20,000, you know, a tiny fraction of the number that are crossing, 20,000 people seeking political asylum who come either from Syria or Eritrea. The boat I watched dock last night, 372 people on board. That 366 from Eritrea, sort of similar to Syria there, an oppressive regime, a bad situation in the country.

But, of course, you have the other migrants coming from Egypt. I mean, a bad situation, yes, but not the same as Syria. European nations have to figure out what to do with the people that are seeking this chance. You know, one reason they are able to cross is no effective government in Libya. So, it's much easier for them to get into Libya. There's no one there stopping them from getting on boats coming here, Christine.

ROMANS: Somebody is getting rich and some people are dying trying to get out of that.

Thank you so much for that. That is a story we will continue to follow, no question, Nic.

BERMAN: All right. Coming up for us, he doesn't need Kevin Love. He doesn't need Kyrie Irving. LeBron James said hop on my incredibly broad shoulders. I will lead you, Cleveland. Follow me.

A dramatic overtime win. Andy Scholes with the details in the bleacher report, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: Cleveland's big three down to the big one. But that did not matter. LeBron James, really just doing it all to give the Cavs a game two victory in the NBA finals.

ROMANS: Doing it all for us this morning, Andy Scholes has more in this morning's bleacher report.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, guys. Yes. So far, the series is amazing. First time in NBA finals history that the first two games have gone to overtime. With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love out, LeBron James has to win the series by himself, he seemed very well they do that.

Last night, LeBron, a triple double, 39 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists, the Cavs are up 11 in the fourth, but the Warriors, they did not come storming back. Curry with the layup and ties the game. We go to overtime.

With the Cavs up one, Curry with a chance to take the lead, but his shot no good. He struggled making just 2 of 15 from three. Cavs win, 95-93 to even the series at 1-1.

Kyrie Irving may not been with the team after having surgery on his knee on Saturday. But he were still cheering them on. He sent out this pic of his view of the game from his hospital bed saying, "Way to bounce back, fellas."

At halftime of the game, a fan had a chance to win a half-court shot to win a new BMW. We would not show you this if he did not make it. The Oracle crowd went nuts. Warriors could have used him on the court.

New developments this morning in the ongoing scandal in world soccer. Over the weekend, FIFA head of compliance told the Swiss newspaper that the 2018 and 2022 World Cups could be stripped from Russia and Qatar if it proven that the bribes bought the votes to award each country's bid.

Now, many believe if those countries are put back in play, the U.S. is the country that could host one on short notice.

[05:25:02] American Pharoah's jockey Victor Espinosa, continuing his victory lap around New York City, throwing out the first pitch at the Yankees game yesterday. In a really cool move, and trainer Bob Baffert both donated all of the winnings from the Belmont to charity. Espinosa's fortune to cancer research.

And, guys, I was at the big race on Saturday, I have to tell you, I've been to Super Bowls, I've been to game seven of the World Series. The moment when American Pharoah crossed the finish line was the coolest sports moment I have ever been part of it.

People were crying. People were hugging people next to them that they did not know. It was amazing to be part of history.

BERMAN: Andy Scholes trying to explain why he was hugging people. In case his wife is watching right now.

Andy Scholes, I saw you there, it was incredible event.

SCHOLES: It was awesome. I can't tell you how it was amazing to be there in person.

BERMAN: All right. All downhill for you from here. Thanks, Andy. Appreciate it.

SCHOLES: All right.

BERMAN: American Pharoah himself, of course, he's going to go out to stud. Speaking of studs -- "The CNN Quiz Show", a dramatic event when CNN anchors face-off in a '70s theme contest. Take a look at the preview.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(CHEERS)

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: I feel like I have a piece of the '70s being born in July of 1979.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN ANCHOR: I lived in the 1970s.

BALDWIN: Music. Culture. TV.

Boom.

QUEST: Politics. Business. Diplomacy.

Britain!

(CHEERS)

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, John Berman is back.

BERMAN: I can confirm that I did in fact win "Celebrity Jeopardy".

COOPER: He's teamed up with a Don Lemon. Didn't do so well the last time.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: I've actually been studying.

You are good at detail.

BERMAN: Right.

What are you good at?

LEMON: Lalalala, lalalala --

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: If you watched the quiz show last time, you know I had to carry Jake Tapper.

DAVID MUIR, CNN ANCHOR: I think I hit the lottery with her as a partner.

CAMEROTA: I assume I will have to do all of the heavy lifting once again.

MUIR: Schlemiel, Schlimazel, Hasenpfeffer Incorporated.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(CROSSTALK)

BERMAN: Bill Weir is from Wisconsin. See how much that helps him tonight. "The CNN Quiz Show: Seventies Edition" is at 9:00 Eastern, right here on CNN.

Please root for me. If you don't, I'm taking aims (ph).

ROMANS: I can't wait to see that, John.

Twenty-seven minutes past the hour. Huge manhunt underway right now. Two convicted killers, two dangerous men with this escape plan so elaborate, it plays out like a Hollywood film. They are on the loose. We have the details straight ahead.

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