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Deadly Explosions Rock Warehouse In China; Trump Leads GOP Field In Iowa; Carter To Seek Cancer Treatment; China Devalues Yuan For Third Straight Day; U.S. Launches First Manned Airstrikes From Turkey. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired August 13, 2015 - 05:30   ET

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

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CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Death toll rises in a series of huge explosions. Dozens killed. Hundreds injured. The fire still burning this morning. Firefighters still among the missing. We are live.

Donald Trump on top in Iowa expanding his impressive lead in the new CNN poll.

Jimmy Carter announcing he has cancer and it is spreading. New details about the former president's condition ahead.

Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. It's 30 minutes past the hour. It's nice to see you this morning.

Let's begin with the breaking news, explosions rocking a warehouse in Northeast China killing at least 44 people, many of them firefighters. This disaster is unfolding in the port city of Tianjin.

Hundreds more were injured, many of them critically. Dozens firefighters are missing at this hour. These blasts at a facility that handles hazardous materials knocked outdoor doors and blew out windows for miles.

Let's get the very latest from CNN's Will Ripley. He is live in that port city of Tianjin, China where you can see the damage behind him. Hi, Will.

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Christine. People describe this as an apocalyptic scene when this happened on the overnight hours. An orange fire ball and then an explosion so huge that many people inside of their homes watched windows get blown in.

Many of them did not have time to put on shoes, but they are running through shards of glass in their homes and on the streets. There were gruesome pictures on Chinese social media showing literal footprints of blood as people were trying to escape.

I'm standing, Christine, more than a mile from the epicenter of this explosion. You see the black smoke spewing from beyond those apartments over there. That is where this happened in a shipping port area, a relatively new development. Farther away from the densely populated areas like this, but it did not matter. The windows here blown out. A lot of people have not been able to return to their homes because there is a huge area around the fire that is still burning that is blocked off because there is great concern about the toxic chemicals burning.

In fact, frankly the firefighters and the city officials don't know what's burning right now. All they know is that you can still smell and taste the chemicals even where we are standing. There is a lot of fear for the safety of the citizens of this city, 15 million people live here.

They cannot safely send in firefighters to look for those 36 who are missing in addition to the dozen firefighters already dead adding to the number nearly 50 confirmed dead. That number is expected to rise here -- Christine.

ROMANS: Tell us, Will, about the industrial accidents in China. I mean, with its rapid economic growth, there have been industrial accidents all too frequently haven't there?

RIPLEY: There have. One of the worst years was 2002 when 7,000 Chinese miners died in one year. Obviously, there have been meetings in the city. The government trying to enforce safety codes for workers.

Within a matter of days ago, there was a notice that was posted by city leaders. They wanted to talk to these companies dealing in industrial chemicals to Tianjin to safely store these chemicals. These companies make a lot of money.

This is part of the reason the economy has grown so rapidly in recent decades, but there also have been a lot of workers who have paid the price, low-wage workers who have died because of accidents.

But to see an accident on this scale and it could do this to a car more than a mile away is something that the Chinese government is trying to censor very heavily, Christine. We are seeing the city of Tianjin being scrubbed from social media sites.

People's posts are being deleted. This is not the message that Beijing wants to send to the world. This city is just two hours from the Chinese capital.

ROMANS: All right, Will Ripley, we know you will continue reporting for us from there all morning long. Thanks, Will, for that.

To the political race in the United States, new poll numbers have Donald Trump opening up a significant lead 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 is eight points ahead of his nearest rival. CNN's Jeff Zeleny has more on that Trump opening the lead and on the Democratic contest from Washington. [05:35:04] JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine. A week after the first Republican presidential debate after all of the fallout has 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 finds that Trump is leading the field at 22 percent. That is eight points higher than his closest rival, Ben Carson, who also saw a big boost since the debate. He is 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 a sure challenge for him in Iowa.

But now on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton has a commanding lead in the state. She is 19 percent higher than her closest rival Bernie Sanders. It is shaping up to be a busy few days of campaigning in Iowa.

The Iowa state fair starts today. Most all of the candidates will pass through in the coming days including Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and so many, many more. Christine, you know how great the Iowa state fair is. It starts today and we'll be out there -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right, Jeff, have a funnel cake for me please. Everyone should go to the Iowa state fair at least once their life. All right, thanks, Jeff Zeleny.

It's 36 minutes past the hour. 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 that procedure, cancer that has spread to other parts of his body.

More now on the former president's condition and his prognosis from CNN chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Christine, we are going to get some details on what exactly this likely means for the former president. We are not sure what type of cancer this is yet.

We are hearing that a mass was removed from in and around his liver. This is representative of liver cancer, other organs, gall bladder and pancreas for example. We know it spread.

Where did it spread? Did it spread to lymph nodes? All of these details are important, Christine, to try and figure out exactly what treatment he is likely to undergo.

What we are hearing is that he is planning to undergo treatment for this. That is an important detail. Christine, you may know this, he has a strong family history of pancreatic cancer. His father died of pancreatic cancer. Every one of his siblings died of pancreatic cancer and his mother developed pancreatic cancer. Not sure why, but it appears there is a very strong family history.

That is something that will be looked at obviously with regard to the former president as well. We understand that he had been getting scans for screening purposes because of the family history up until recently, CT scans.

He was getting blood tests to see if he was developing early signs. It may have been a blood test that necessitated the operation he had on August 3rd. At that point, they removed the small mass from around his liver. They determined that he had evidence it spread.

This is a tough cancer. No matter how you look at it even if he was a much younger man. At 90, the cancer will take its toll as will the treatment. As more details come to us, we'll certainly bring them to you, Christine. Back to you for now.

ROMANS: All right, thanks for that, Sanjay. We will the president well.

Let's get an EARLY START on your money, China guiding the currency lower again for the third day in a row. The devaluation of the Yuan has markets roiled slamming stocks, commodities, and currencies around the world potentially complicating the Federal Reserve's plans to raise the interest rates in the U.S.

The devaluation spree may be coming to an end and for why, let's bring in business correspondent, Alison Kosik, for a look at how the world markets are reacting and what the Chinese said overnight. Hi, Alison.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine. We are actually seeing stocks higher around the world right now. Asian shares are up despite China devaluing the Yuan for the third day in a row.

We are seeing stocks higher in Europe. Stock futures in the U.S. are higher. It's because just a few hours ago, China Central Bank came out to calm global fears over the Yuan plunge in recent days. It has no more plans to devalue the currency.

China Central Bank is billing it as free market reform. Experts are saying it is making exports cheaper. And a weaker Yuan means a stronger dollar which hurts U.S. exporters.

We are also keeping an eye on crude oil sitting above $43 a barrel right now. Prices stabilized after a report showed a lower than expected supply in the U.S., but there is still a huge supply glut out there.

Oil from OPEC climbed to a record in July. The national average for a gallon of gas today sitting at $2.61 that is almost a dollar cheaper than this time last year and some analysts are saying we could see the average gallon of gas sitting at $2. [05:40:02] ROMANS: Unbelievable, right? I'm betting Halloween. You say the end of the year. We have a running bet. Thanks so much, Alison Kosik.

U.S. launching new airstrikes against ISIS from Turkey for the first time, what this means for the war on terror. We are live next.

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ROMANS: The U.S. military launching its first manned airstrikes against ISIS from Turkey. Just last month, the Turkish government agreed to allow the U.S. led coalition to use its strategically critical bases to fight the extremist.

That access means much shorter flight times for U.S. fighter jets targeting ISIS positions in Syria. Let's get the latest from CNN's senior international correspondent, Nick Paton Walsh, live from Turkey. Nick, this is an important new phase in the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS.

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely. There is one key figure in all of this, Christine. That is 15. It's 15 minutes now. The flight time from the runway behind me here to Syria where potentially these six F-16 jets are based behind me can look for ISIS targets opportunity.

That is when they see something on the ground and decide to strike or go after longer planned targets as well. We understand the first strikes launched yesterday were going after targets in Syria that have long been sought more than one.

This morning, we have seen F-16s takeoff and land. We are not sure if they are Turkish or American given how they fast they move.

[05:45:04] The Turkish have been using this base for a while. (Inaudible) recently as well, but also that Kurdish targets too. But it is vital to have this logistical ability.

The faster re-fuelling and reloading, which means the jets can be in the sky for longer periods of time. It expands the reach potentially too and the time in which they can hover over that part of northern Syria.

But Christine, also to some sad news from yesterday, as well, tragic for the families involved and the village not far from the Turkish border, there was an air strike. It is unlikely the Syrians.

The coalition had an aircraft in the sky and conducted a strike nearby. That strike, unclear to know who was behind it, killed ten fighters, but also eight civilians while targeting a weapons depot in that particular village.

Some children said by some reports to be among those dead as well, part of the horrifying toll often taken on civilians when a war like this gets underway -- Christine. ROMANS: A war like this gets underway and quite frankly a war that has been devastating for the Syrian people for some time now. Thank you so much for that, Nick Paton Walsh.

It's 46 minutes past the hour. Let's look at what is coming up on "NEW DAY." My friend, Michaela Pereira joins me now. Hi, Michaela.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. You know, we will have the latest for you on the explosions that we've seen in China. The death toll there is climbing, devastation over a wide area. Hundreds are hospitalized. Emotions boiling over for families waiting for word about the fate of their loved ones. We will have a live report from China at the top of the hour.

Back here state side, a new CNN polling shows that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are leading the pack in Iowa. There is a shake-up in the GOP field following last week's debate. We are going to take a look at who is climbing and who is falling.

We have some special guests today. We will talk with the campaign manager for Bernie Sanders and a former top adviser to Donald Trump with some very unique insights and great conversations on New Day at the top of the hour.

ROMANS: Bernie Sanders, more than 100,000 people have come to see him in the past week -- feeling the energy in those events. Thanks, Michaela for that.

China devalues its currency again. What it means for your money next.

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[05:50:56]

ROMANS: China's Central Bank doing its best to soothe markets. The third straight day the Central Bank guided its currency lower. The bank lowered the exchange rate for Yuan Tuesday. They described it as a one-time fix.

Since then, it has done it two more times. Officials say they adjusted the Yuan enough and they expect the depreciation is, quote, "largely finished."

Ana Coren live in Hong Kong for us with the latest and world markets, I can tell you are very pleased to hear that. What are the Chinese saying?

ANA COREN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the Chinese are saying that we are allowing market forces to play a bigger role in helping to evaluate the Yuan. This is something obviously that the United States and the International Monetary Fund has been pushing for many years wanting China to loosen its grip on the currency exchange rates.

But really many analysts, Christine, are saying that this is an indication of China's economy is slowing and that it is much weaker than what official figures suggest. They say that really this is also a sign perhaps that the administration in China, the government in China, perhaps is not in control and not managing he slowdown.

By devaluing the currency, this allows exports to be cheaper and competitive on the global stage, helping to revive the domestic economy. Analysts just are not really convinced to what is coming out of China anymore.

That 7 percent growth, that forecast, growth for this year, many analysts skeptical that will be reached and figures are believable particularly now with the devaluation of the Yuan -- Christine.

ROMANS: All right, Ana Coren, thank you for that for us this morning from Hong Kong.

Hillary Clinton facing backlash on Twitter. Time to get an Early Start on your money next.

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[05:56:49]

ROMANS: All right, welcome back. Let's get an EARLY START on your money. It's been a pretty negative ride for stocks this week. Let's bring in business correspondent, Alison Kosik, for a look at how futures are looking right now. Hi, Alison.

KOSIK: Seeing a u-turn. Those stock futures in the U.S. pointing higher. The Dow closed flat yesterday. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq closed higher as well.

As for today, a lot of economic data coming out, we are going to get the initial jobless claims and retail sales as well. Wall Street can be watching those numbers very closely to see if the September fed rate hike is likely.

A new basketball arena coming to Milwaukee thanks to Republican presidential candidate, Scott Walker. Walker who champions cutting taxes and government spending on the campaign trail passed the bill to give $250 million in taxpayer funds to build the arena. He said the Bucks would leave the city without the new arena and that economic loss he says could be devastating.

Hillary Clinton not only facing backlash about her private email server, but from millennials too. Her campaign tweeted "How does your student loan debt make you feel. Tell us in 3 emojis or less."

Here's the thing, thousands tweeted back with teary faces and burning money. Some criticized the tweet as an insensitive attempt to reach the younger generation.

One user tweeted, you know what people who went to college can use? Words. Clinton's education plan includes increasing access to low interest loans and more grants to make college more affordable. They need to work on their marketing techniques.

ROMANS: I think so too. Republicans say her plans are just raising taxes. The emojis maybe not a good idea. Thanks so much, Alison. It's 58 minutes past the hour. Dozens dead. Hundreds injured in the series of explosions. "NEW DAY" picks up that important story right now.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The shockwave blew through our apartment.

ROMANS: Dozens dead. Hundreds injured in a series of huge explosions.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The results from the new CNN/ORC poll.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Now I'm number one by quite a margin.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hillary Clinton will probably face a challenge.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are they under estimating Bernie Sanders?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I tell you something.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST, "AC360": Former President Jimmy Carter has cancer.

GUPTA: It sounds like it is in or around the liver.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How serious a problem is this?

GUPTA: It is serious. It's remarkable, in fact, how active he's been because this is certainly going to take a toll.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, good morning to you. Welcome to your NEW DAY. It's Thursday, August 13th, 6:00 in the east. We do have breaking news for you this morning. Explosions described as so powerful, they register as earthquakes. Forty four people killed by these blasts in China, a number of them firefighters. More than 500 others still in the hospital.

PEREIRA: The explosions happened in northern China at a warehouse that handles hazardous material. Emotions running high on the ground as families are awaiting word on their loved ones.

Will Ripley is live in the northern part of China. Will, we understand when you arrived on scene, you were confronted by some of the local residents there.

RIPLEY: Michaela, we had a number of people surround us on the live shot. Some of them we believe were blast survivors, but there were others who appeared to be uniformed security personnel who were videotaping us.

We have throughout the day seen that social media posts about this tragedy are being censored by the Chinese government.