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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Deadly Explosions Rock Warehouse in China; Donald Trump Surges in Iowa; FBI Picks Up Clinton Email Server; Former President Carter Says Cancer Has Spread; China Devalues Yuan Third Straight Day; U.S. Launches First Manned Airstrikes from Turkey; Deflategate: Brady and Goodell Face Off in Court. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired August 13, 2015 - 05:00   ET

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

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORESPONDENT: A new basketball arena coming to Milwaukee, thanks to Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker. Walker who champions cutting taxes and cutting government spending on the campaign trail passed a bill that will give $250 million in taxpayer fund to build the arena.

[05:00:06] He said the Milwaukee Bucks would leave the city without a new arena, and that economic loss could be devastating.

Hillary Clinton not only facing backlash about her private e-mail server, but from millennials too. Her campaign tweeted, "How does your student loan debt make you feel? Tell us in 3 emojis or less." Thousands tweeted back with teary faces and burning money. Some criticizing the tweet as an insensitive attempt to reach a younger generation. In fact, one user tweeted, "You know what people who went to college can use? Words."

Clinton's education plans include increasing access to low interest loans and more grants to make college more affordable. Her plans look good, but the execution of the marketing -- not so much.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, her plans are good. If you are a Republican, your plans are raising taxes on the rich. So, we'll see. We've got a college degree. We can use words. Clinton campaign, interesting.

KOSIK: Yes.

ROMANS: All right. Thanks, Alison.

We continue right now, EARLY START.

(MUSIC)

ROMANS: Dozens dead. Hundreds injured in a series of huge explosions. The fire is still burning this morning. Firefighters still missing. We are live.

Donald Trump on top in Iowa. New CNN poll shows he is widening his lead -- widening his lead in the race for president. And former President Jimmy Carter announcing he has cancer, and his

cancer has spread. Details ahead.

Good morning and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. It is Thursday. It is August 13th, 5:00 a.m. in the East. Nice to see you.

Let's begin with this breaking news overnight, these explosions rocking the warehouse in northeast China, killing as many as 44 people, meaning of them firefighters. This disaster unfolding in the port city of Tianjin. Hundreds more are injured, many critically. And dozens of firefighters right now are missing. This blast at a facility that handles hazardous material and knock down doors, blew out windows for miles.

I want to get the very latest from CNN's Will Ripley. He is there for us, in fact, more than a mile from the blast site.

And look at the damage behind you. More than a mile away, Will Ripley.

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And, you know, I'm thinking about those firefighters, Christine, who are right at the epicenter of the blast. You think about the fact they are missing and people can't get close enough to look. It is really not good news. The death toll expected to rise here. Yes, we are more than a mile away.

Imagine a lot of people looking out the windows because they saw a huge orange fire ball for minutes before the explosion happened. They are looking out windows that were intact. Then the explosion happened and the blast smashes a lot of the glass, pushes walls in on people. That is why we have seen so many injuries here, 500 and rising at area hospitals because of the fact that, again, more than a mile from the accident, you see so much debris.

In fact, part of this convention center building is still falling down as we stand out here. Look at this. There are streets that are full of cars that look just like this, leading up to the epicenter of the explosion. I want to show you the smoke plume. It's actually gotten worse within the last 30 minutes or so.

That fire is out of control. They have not been able to contain. Firefighters are not in there battling it right now, because they are so concerned about the toxic chemicals that are burning. They don't even know what is being spewed into the air here right now.

So, this is really, Christine, what it amounts to, an incredibly tragic industrial accident just two hours from the Chinese capital. We are seeing the first signs the Chinese government is trying to censor this, because the top four scrubbed topics right now on Chinese social media, you guessed it, Tianjin. People posting about this, having their posts deleted. The government not wanting people to really know the true extent of what appears to just be an absolutely horrific and perhaps preventable tragedy once they investigate how the chemicals were being stored.

ROMANS: That's a very good point, Will. And we should point out that the rapid rise of the Chinese economy,

the Chinese export infrastructure there, a big port city. It has also come with risks and with a -- I guess a safety infrastructure that is not as mature as many of the citizens would like it to be. The government tries to control that message, don't they?

RIPLEY: Absolutely. We are seeing that. We saw that when we were reporting outside of the hospital earlier today. And we were doing a live report. We were surrounded by a group of people who appeared to be in some cases, family members and friends, but they were also security personnel who were videotaping us. For all we know, there could have been plain clothed officers surrounding us as well.

This is -- this is an indication and people have been coming up to us at this location saying foreign media go away, foreign media shouldn't be covering this.

[05:05:04] This is not a picture that China wants to show the world. China doesn't want the world to know that the engine fuelling their economic growth, the industry, and many industrial accidents have occurred here over the years, thousands of people have died. But the fact that toxic chemicals that just days ago, the city officials were having a meeting to talk about ways to deal with them, perhaps sparked and a serious of explosions that could do this to a building, and to people's homes, blowing the windows of people's homes more than a mile away from the accident, in a city of 15 million people.

China has some big events coming up, including a major military parade in just weeks and they're going to do whatever they can to contain what is quickly amounting to quite an embarrassing and tragic situation for the people living here

ROMANS: Very tragic indeed, and we thank you for bringing that story to us. We've got more reporting to do for us this morning.

Thanks, Will Ripley, in Tianjin, China.

All right. To the political race and the political season in this country. New poll numbers have Donald Trump opening up a significant lead in Iowa this morning in Iowa, despite or maybe because of the controversy he provokes. The billionaire Republican tops the CNN/ORC poll at 22 percent among likely caucus goers. That's eight points ahead of his rival.

CNN's Jeff Zeleny has more on that and the Democratic contest from Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.

A week after the first Republican presidential debate, after all of the fallout cleared, Donald Trump remains squarely on top in the key state of Iowa which kicks off the 2016 contest early next year. Our new CNN/ORC poll shows that Trump is leading the field at 22

percent. That's eight points higher than his closest rival Ben Carson, who also saw a big boost since the debate. He is now in second place at 14 percent. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker had been the leader in Iowa, but now, he is in third place at 9 percent.

And take a listen to this -- Jeb Bush is tied at 5 percent with Senator Rand Paul and Senator Marco Rubio. That's assured challenge for him in Iowa.

But now on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton has a commanding lead in the state. She's 19 percent higher than her closest rival Bernie Sanders. It's shaping up to be a busy few days of campaigning in Iowa. The Iowa state fair starts today. Most of the candidates will pass through in the coming days, including Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and so many, many more.

Christine, you now how great the Iowa state is. It starts today and we'll be out there -- Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: Oh, you are so lucky, Jeff Zeleny. That is one of those -- everybody's bucket list should have the Iowa state fair, FYI. Not necessarily during a political year either.

Hillary Clinton's private e-mail server in FBI hands this morning. A lawyer for the data services company who manages Clinton's private email system telling "The Washington Post" that the FBI picked up that server used by Clinton when she was secretary of state. This as Clinton faces new attacks over her use of private email from Republican rivals Donald Trump and Jeb Bush.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (via telephone): I mean, what she did is a real problem for her. I don't know frankly that she'll be able to run because it just looks to me the whole e-mail thing is a very criminal situation. And it could cause problems for years to come.

JEB BUSH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And you have Hillary Clinton who is the secretary of state, dealing with confidential information with classified information thinking it was OK to use a private server, thinking that her server would be safer than the State Department's fire walls. We need a president that recognizes that there are threats in the 21st century that are dramatically different than the threats of 30 years ago.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: A new Monmouth University poll shows half of the voters believe the e-mails should be subject to a criminal probe, 38 percent say they believe Clinton used a private server because she had something to hide. John Kasich defending a finally calibrated position on immigration this morning. He is campaigning in New Hampshire. The Ohio governor defending millions of immigrants living in the United States illegally as quote some of the hardest working, God-fearing, family-oriented people you can ever meet. It's a view sure to create controversy in the GOP.

But Kasich tells CNN's Dana Bash says this does not mean he favors citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Immigration.

GOV. JOHN KASICH (R-OH), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Yes.

BASH: You talked about granting citizenship to -- ultimately, to some undocumented immigration --

KASICH: No, that's not --

BASH: OK, you said I'm not closed to it. Everybody in this country needs to feel like they have the opportunity.

KASICH: Right.

BASH: Explain where your position is.

KASICH: Right, I would prefer for them to be legalized once we find out who they are, because I think they contribute a lot to America.

But I don't favor citizenship, because as I teach my kids, you know, you don't jump the line to get into a Taylor Swift concert.

BASH: You're leaving the door open to citizenship ultimately.

KASICH: Yes, but let me be clear, I don't favor it, and I'm not sure we would ever have to do that. Let's make citizenship, getting in here legally, that's my view on it. But, you know, I'm just not going to pound my table on all these things, and say, my way or the highway. I mean, I will on some things, but I've got to be careful about that.

Because you know what? I actually think about what it would be to be president. So, do you ever noticed when people run for presidents, they make lots of promises and they never keep them?

BASH: No, I've never noticed that.

KASICH: OK. Well, I do. OK? And you know why? Because they make promises they can't keep, because they don't know any better.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Kasich is surging in the polls in New Hampshire. He is up to third place close behind Jeb Bush and Donald Trump, of course, leading the pack. Jimmy Carter is battling cancer. America's 39th president had surgery

to remove a mass from his liver earlier this month. Carter confirming doctors discovered cancer during the procedure. Cancer that has spreading to other parts of his body. The 90-year-old Carter says he will release more details when more facts are known next week.

President Obama calling the former president to wish him a speedy recovery, and, of course, he has had such an active post-presidential schedule. He's clearing the schedule to fight his cancer for treatment. And we wish him the very, very best.

History unfolding in Cuba. Secretary of State John Kerry traveling to the island nation tomorrow. He will raise the American flag over the reopened U.S. embassy in Havana. It has been 70 years since a U.S. secretary of state made the visit. Kerry says human rights will be the top issue when he meets with Cuba's minister. Kerry also plans to meet with opponents of the Cuban government, but those dissidents will not be invited to the flag-raising ceremony.

The NSA has used its phone surveillance program to search for operatives of the Iranian government and terrorist organizations that are linked to Tehran, that's according to "The New York Times". Sprint and AT&T are listed as participants in that operation. This new disclosure coming just weeks before Congress scheduled to vote on a nuclear deal with Iran.

Overnight in Baghdad, at least 36 people killed when a bomb exploded in a crowded vegetable market. Iraqi officials say the bomb was loaded on a truck when it blew up in a mostly Shiite area. Dozens more people wounded. It is not clear who was behind that blast. But ISIS has claimed responsibility for two other deadly bombings near Baghdad over the past month.

Let's get an early start on your money.

China devaluing its currency for the third straight day. The central bank announced overnight this devaluation is coming to an end bank.

Business correspondent Alison Kosik is here.

World markets like the idea that the Chinese experiment may be over. Markets now snapping back.

KOSIK: Exactly, seeing a lot of relief, seeing green arrows actually. Stocks are higher around the world right now. Asian shares closed up despite China devaluing the yuan for the third day in a row. That's also driving up stocks in Europe, stock futures in the U.S. are also in the green.

And that's because just a few hours ago, China central bank came out to calm global fears over the yuan plunge in the recent days, saying it has no more plans to devalue the currency, China's central bank is billing it as free market reform, but experts say it's all about makings exports cheaper. And a weaker yuan means a stronger dollar which hurts U.S. exporters. Yesterday, we saw stocks close mostly higher in the U.S. The Dow fell less than one point. The NASDAQ and S&P wound up in the green. Interesting to see the sharp U-turn. It was a big overreaction.

ROMANS: Yes, a snapback, because they thought that the reaction, industry reaction was too severe. Thank you for that, Alison. We'll talk to you again very soon.

All right. An important phase in the war on is. U.S. launching air strikes against ISIS from Turkey for the very first time.

We are live after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:16:34] ROMANS: An important phase in the war with ISIS. The U.S. military launching its first manned airstrike against ISIS from Turkey. Just last month, the Turkish government agreed to allow the U.S.-led to use its strategically critical bases to fight those extremists. That access means much shorter flight times for U.S. fighter jets tar getting ISIS positions in Syria.

For the latest, let's go to CNN's senior international correspondent, Nick Paton Walsh. He's live from Turkey where it's busy behind you, Nick. And now, these flights are, what, 15 minutes?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. We have seen a lot of activity so far today. Two F-16 jets landing and two taking off, as well. Hard to tell if they are American or part of the American six F-16s that are being here or part of the Turkish contingent which is using the base and now using it for Turkey's airstrikes against ISIS and the Kurdish separatists they are facing here too.

This is long negotiated access here for warplanes for the Americans because they are so keen to reduce the air time, because it means they can put planes in the air over Syria, over ISIS targets opportunity or longer term sought targets for much longer periods today. They have had drones coming out of here for some time. The jets are able to refuel, reload their weaponry faster and have a longer period of time in the air, the previous flights in the Gulf, that significantly reduce their effectiveness.

This is the new phase potentially in efficiency in the operation. And, of course, a new phase in the relationship with Turkey, too. That's increasingly complex. The Turkish talking about their desire for a safe zone inside northern Syria or the border where refugees might be able to go back, or no ISIS, no Kurds, and some sort of moderate force.

America has no track with that discussion at this stage, but everyone believes, of course, that air power will be continually hitting ISIS targets in that area as well. A lot moving fast now with the serious story after four years of this brutal conflict, and what's happening on the airstrip behind me potentially a game changer in terms of speeding up the U.S. response against ISIS in northern Syria, Christine.

ROMANS: Certainly an important new phase in that war against ISIS. Nick Paton Walsh, thank you for that this morning.

Back here, the head of the EPA calling the toxic spill in Colorado caused by her agency tragic and unfortunate. Gina McCarthy toured the banks of Animas River Wednesday. That's where EPA crews accidentally poured toxic chemicals into the Animas River during cleanup in an abandoned gold mine. She has now ordered a temporary halts to that work. Levels of contaminants in the water are now dropping. Colorado's governor says he expects the river to reopen soon.

Three new Bill Cosby accusers now coming forward. The women, Colleen Hughes and Linda Ridgeway Whitedeer and Eden Tirl appearing with attorney Gloria Allred during a news conference Wednesday. Each of them describing encounters they say they had with Cosby when they were in their 20s. Allred, who represents 21 other Cosby accusers, says the comedian's attorneys have indicated to her that Bill Cosby intends to be at the October deposition.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell facing off in federal court. Who came out on top of the deflategate battle?

Andy Scholes. He knows. He's got the bleacher report, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:23:33] ROMANS: Tom Brady and Roger Goodell meeting in a courtroom yesterday. But the two sides didn't near any closer to a settlement over Brady's suspension.

Andy Scholes has more in this morning's bleacher report.

Hey, Andy.

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

You know, Judge Richard Berman telling both sides yesterday that basically you don't have the slam dunk case you think you have. Judge Berman asked the NFL lawyers what evidence they had that directly linked Tom Brady to deflating footballs. The NFL said they had no such evidence. Judge Berman also asked Brady's lawyer why Brady would destroy his cell phone in the middle of the investigation.

No resolution came from yesterday. Both sides are scheduled back in court next week. In case you haven't seen the courtroom sketch from the hearing yesterday, well, here it is. It weren't viral because this is probably the least flattering image ever made of Tom Brady right here. He's the guy on the right side of the picture. The sketch artist apologized for this picture saying she'll try harder next time to make Brady better looking.

All right. The player who punched Geno Smith in the jaw wasn't out for a day. IK Enemkpali was claimed by the Buffalo Bills yesterday. Rex Ryan, who coached Enemkpali last year with the Jets, he believes Enemkpali deserves a second chance.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REX RYAN, BILLS HEAD COACH: This isn't just a bad guy.

[05:25:01] You know, I think he's made -- you know, he made a mistake. There's no question about that. We believe he can be successful. There is no guarantee he makes our football team.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: The Mariners had to celebrate yesterday, but they did yesterday. Pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma throwing a no hitter against the Orioles whose only second Japanese born player to throw a no-no, joining (INAUDIBLE). At 34 years old, Iwakuma, the fourth oldest pitcher to throw it.

Elsewhere in the Bigs, Cubs and Brewers playing at Wrigley. You've got to check out Anthony Rizzo going after this foul ball. He's going to jump on the tarp and dives into the stands to make the catch. Just an amazing play by the cubs first baseman. This game would go extra innings and Miguel Montero, he sends the fans home happy. Solo shot wins it for the Cubs.

Golf's final major of the year starts today. Round one of the PGA championship starts on our sister network TNT starting at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.

Christine, a lot of exciting story lines this year. You've got Rory McIlroy coming back from his ankle injury. He's going to be paired with Jordan Spieth in round one, who is of course, looking for his third major of the year.

ROMANS: Andy, can we go back to the Tom Brady courtroom sketch? It bears a striking resemblance. Doesn't that look like John Berman?

SCHOLES: I could see that. I don't know. A grumpy John Berman, I definitely say that.

ROMANS: That's exactly what I'm talking about.

SCHOLES: The sketch artist said she had a hard time drawing him because Brady was looking down at his cell phone all the time. I mean, whoo, don't know.

ROMANS: He has never looked like that ever.

All right. Thanks so much, Andy Scholes. Nice to see you this morning.

Twenty-six minutes past the hour. Death toll rising after a series of explosions. Dozens killed. Hundreds injured. We are live right after the break.

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