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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Three American Heroes Honored In France; Gunman Identified As Ayoub El Khazzani; North, South Korea Hold High-Level Talks; Biden Leaning Towards 2016 Run?; Trump: Bush "Too Soft"; Violent Protests In Beirut. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired August 24, 2015 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
GEORGE HOWELL, CNN GUEST ANCHOR: -- what it means now that he is expanding talks outside his inner circle. A lot of people looking into that one.
Good morning. Welcome to you. I'm George Howell. This is EARLY START. I'm in for John Berman.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Nice to see you this morning, this Monday morning. I'm Christine Romans. It is 30 minutes past the hour.
Three humble heroic Americans being honored in France this morning. French President Hollande is awarding them the country's highest honor for preventing a possible massacre before it could happen on a high speed train bound from Amsterdam to Paris.
Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler and Alex Skarlatos subdued the gunman who French officials say had ties to radical Islam. The trio now speaking out about the incident for the very first time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALEX SKARLATOS, AMERICAN WHO HELPED SUBDUE GUNMAN ON TRAIN: I feel our training mostly kicked in after this assailant was subdued, frankly. When it came to medical care and things like that and providing security making sure there was not another shooter. In the beginning, it was most gut instinct, survival basically.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Gut instinct to jump in and stop the guy with the gun on the train. CNN senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson, is live in Paris. Nic, this story is unbelievable and to see them standing with the French president being honored for their bravery.
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is incredible. It is raining in Paris. They turned up at the palace earlier today. Spencer Stone with his arm in a sling, his thumb heavily bandaged where the attacker almost cut it off a box cutter. French surgeons stitched it back on over the weekend.
The French president saying that he wanted to pay tribute to these men before they left the country, but what we've heard from Spencer Stone, from his two friends, is quite incredible, incredible when you listen to how Spencer Stone said how physically tough it was bringing the attacker down. This is how it happened.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPENCER STONE, FRENCH TRAIN HERO: I turned around and saw he had what looked to be an AK-47. He looked like it was jammed or he was trying to charge the weapon. Alex hit me on the shoulder, let's go. We ran down and tackled him. He hit the ground. Alex grabbed the gun and I put him in a chokehold.
He pulled out more weapons. He pulled out a handgun. Alex took that. He pulled out a box cutter and jabbed me with that. We let go. We all punched him while he was in the middle of us. I was able to grab him again and choke him unconscious while Alex was hitting him in the head with the pistol and rifle.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTSON: Now the French president said that the attacker had over 300 bullets and over 500 people on the train. Absolute carnage could have happened on the train. These young men, Alex, Spencer and Anthony are an inspiration to all of us that they avoided a mass casualty event. This is how the French president put it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRANCOIS HOLLAND, FRENCH PRESIDENT (through translator): He could have created a terrible massacre, devastation. I want to thank you for what you have done. It was on Friday that the whole world was able to admire your courage and your calm and your sense of responsibility.
This solidarity which allowed you without weapons, unarmed, to overpower this individual who was armed to the teeth and you were ready to do anything. Your heroism should be an example for all.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTSON: And this is what the French president was saying. Not only wanted to honor these young American heroes, but he wanted to use them as an example for everyone. He said the French will be looking at security on the transport.
He also said that the inspiration of these three young men should be an example for us all to act in moments of critical danger, to act. We all have a responsibility and part to play. That acting together we are not weak in the face of terrorism, but strong, the French president said.
ROMANS: This is exactly, Nic, what the United States, there's this catch phrase on billboards and subway in New York. If you see something, say something. These young men saw something and did something. What is the attorney for the suspect saying? The attorney for the suspect is painting a little bit of a different picture here. ROBERTSON: Yes. That's another story all together. The attorney is saying this man who had an automatic pistol, a Kalashnikov and eight or nine magazines for these weapons.
[05:35:10] Got on the train to just rob people and he found these weapons, quote, in a bag with a mobile phone in a nearby park. That's not washing with European counterterrorism officials. The French are investigating him. The Belgians are investigating him.
He'd been on a European terrorism watch list since the beginning of last year, the very least. He had associated with radical Islamist in Spain, France and Belgium.
Indeed, just a few months ago, had been to Turkey where he associated with French ISIS members, the same cell that tried to get another young Frenchman from North Africa to perpetrate an attack in Paris. That was thwarted.
So these are the concerns, finding the weapons on the train to rob people. No one is buying that here right now -- Christine.
ROMANS: All right, Nic Robertson, thank you so much for that story.
HOWELL: On now to the Korean Peninsula where tensions are high and rhetoric there remains high as well. There are efforts to stop a war from breaking out. North and South Korea have been holding high level talks at the historic, Truce Village, inside the demilitarized zone, but the talks are taking place against the backdrop of mutual distrust.
Let's go straight to Seoul, South Korea. CNN's Kyung Lah is standing by live following developments there. Kyung, good to have you with us.
So as these talks continue, South Korean officials are saying that the north is ramping up its military. What more can you tell us?
KYUNG LAH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What the South is detecting, the Defense Ministry is detecting from the North is while all of these peace talks are happening to cool things down on the peninsula, what the South is seeing is a doubling of the artillery on the northern front.
They are seeing the North move troops in, doubling that in fact and that the submarines, about 70 percent of North submarines have been deployed. This is concerning for the South because all of this is happening while the talks are happening.
This troop movement didn't happen before North Korea was at the table talking with the South. We are getting mixed messages. George, what the South Korean president wants is an apology.
That could prove to be a big stumbling block so all of these talks stretching into the third day. We have no indication of when they might end or if anything might come out of it -- George.
HOWELL: Important, though, that these talks continue. Kyung Lah, we will stay in touch with you as that happens. Thank you.
ROMANS: All right, time for an EARLY START on your money. This is a big story today. Investors sprinting away from stocks this morning. Asian shares plunging. Shanghai's benchmark index closing down 8.5 percent in just one day.
European stocks diving. U.S. stock futures pointing to a very, very ugly open. Friday was ugly. The Dow tumbled 531 points, the biggest one-day drop in years. The Dow losing more than 1,000 points last week. The Dow was officially in correction territory, down more than 10 percent from its peak for the first time since 2011.
Perspective, though, stocks were at record highs this spring. There have been double digit gains for nearly three years. Many experts are saying a correction may not be a bad thing. Reverse course now instead of overheating later.
Why? Well, here are the fundamental problems. Major concerns about China's economy, how quickly its growth is slowing. Uncertainly over the fed interest rate hike and tumbling oil prices. Oil prices below $40 a barrel for crude and George, that means you will probably see $2 gas on average by Halloween.
HOWELL: Wow. Breaking overnight, Louisiana state trooper shot in the head after trying to help a man from a ditch. Senior trooper Steven Vincent gets out of his vehicle to help 54-year-old Kevin Dagel, that's when Dagel allegedly fired at the 13-year-old veteran trooper.
Police say video from the scene shows Dagel saying to the trooper, quote, "You're going to die soon." Good Samaritans stepped in to stop. They were able to snap the handcuffs on the alleged shooter. The suspect has a long rap sheet. He is facing charges and first- degree murder of a police officer.
ROMANS: Politics now, a new round of speculation concerning Vice President Joe Biden and whether he will jump into the Democratic race is triggered this weekend by a meeting Biden with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, an influential party figure and a favorite of progressives and liberals.
The two reportedly discussed policy issues and the presidential race. Calls have been growing louder for Biden to run as Hillary Clinton's numbers sink and amid her e-mail troubles. Biden is expected to decide in the next month. Advisers had given Biden a deadline of October 1st.
HOWELL: What will Joe do? We'll have to wait and see. On the Republican side, Donald Trump says he is willing to take donations to his presidential campaign, but not from lobbyists, who expect something in return.
Trump continued to attack his Republican rival, Jeb Bush, on the Sunday talk shows. Questioning whether Mr. Bush has what it takes to be president. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) [05:40:04] DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (via telephone): I don't mind Jeb Bush. I think he's a nice person. I just don't think he has the energy. You need energy for this job. You can't be soft.
We're a country that's in trouble. We need somebody with a lot of smarts and cunning, and a lot of energy and Jeb doesn't have that. I think he is a nice person. If he became president good luck, it's another Bush. It's going to be the same old story.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HOWELL: Jeb Bush for his part heads to the Texas/Mexico border to talk immigration and border security with officials in Texas. He is getting support from Hispanic Republicans who admit that his use of the term anchor babies is offensive, but not a major setback for the Bush campaign.
ROMANS: A key endorsement for the Iran nuclear deal from the Senate's Democratic leader, Harry Reid. Reid tweeting, he will do, quote, "everything in his power to ensure it stands." He becomes the 27th Senate Democrat to back the agreement. The president needs 34 senators to support that deal in order to sustain a veto. If 41 Democrats back the measure, they can block a vote from even happening.
Meanwhile, Britain is restoring diplomatic relations with Iran reopening its embassy in Tehran four years after it was stormed by protesters. Iran's embassy in London also reopened Sunday.
HOWELL: People are frustrated about trash. Police and protesters clash in Lebanon over garbage clean up. The army now being called in to keep the peace. We are live on the ground next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:45:05]
ROMANS: Uncollected garbage in the streets of Beirut appears to be the tipping point for protesters angry over mismanagement and dysfunction at the highest levels of the Lebanese government. More than 400 injured in violent clashes with police over the weekend.
Our Nick Paton Walsh is live in Beirut. The pictures tell a story of the people angry in the streets right now.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It was a scene of anarchy last night. It is surpassed by the calm we have seen. The army moved in at midnight to end the clashes with the protesters and police raging for six hours turning the center of government here to a war zone, really.
Now a bit of daily life on the streets, traffic moving as normal. Protesters have called off any suggestion of a resumed protest later on today. They are getting a lot of flak on social media. Many blame them for the lack of organization for the previous protest. Many wanted to clash with police in the crowd. The scene yesterday, remarkable how that crowd of thousands gathered. Furious of previous protests against the government have been roughly treated by police.
That soon turned into clashes with rocks thrown at police and tear gas fired back. Today, comparative calm, the question how do you get the dysfunctional government to reform unanswered.
ROMANS: All right, Nick Paton Walsh, thank you for that, for us live in Beirut this morning. Thanks, Nick.
HOWELL: Uncollected trash will get people angry. Let's take a look at what is coming up for your "NEW DAY." Alisyn Camerota joins us now -- Alisyn.
ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR, "NEW DAY": Thanks so much, George. Great to see you guys. So we will have the latest on those three American heroes, who stopped a gunman on that train in France. What allows someone to run towards danger? We will speak with a woman on the train. What did she see? Her incredible firsthand account ahead.
And the hit movie "Straight Outta Compton" surrounded by controversy this morning amid accusations of Dr. Dre's past violence towards women. How is the rapper handling the accusations and why the movie's director avoided the accusations? We will dig deeper on that at the top of the hour.
ROMANS: Can't wait to see it this Monday morning, Alisyn. Thank you.
An NFL hall of famer back tracking after some very bad advice to a group of rookies, what did Cris Carter say that had him in hot water.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:51:13]
ROMANS: Welcome back. The governor of Washington State taking an unprecedented step in the battle against wildfires that have scorched half a million acres with crews stretched thin, the state is inviting volunteers to help fight the fires. At least 16 large fires are now burning across Washington. Some 200 homes have been destroyed. Thousands more are being threatened by the spreading smoke and flames.
HOWELL: Hopefully the weather will help.
Indy race car driver, Justin Wilson is fighting for his life. He was struck in the head from debris from the car that crashed in front of him during Sunday's event at Pocono Race Way. The 37-year-old driver was air lifted to a hospital. Officials say presently he is in a coma and in critical condition.
And apology from NFL hall of famer, Cris Carter, this morning, ESPN and NFL condemning comments made by the former wide receiver, comments from a video from a 2014 rookie symposium.
Carter who works as an analyst for ESPN, captured on camera advising first year players to have a, quote, "fall guy" in case they get in trouble.
Now he is stepping back tweeting, "Seeing that video has made me realize how wrong I was. I was brought there to educate young people and instead I gave them very bad advice. Every person should take responsibility for his own actions. I'm sorry and truly regret what I said that day."
HOWELL: And he did come in pretty quickly. The Ashley Madison cheating web site is facing a massive class action lawsuit over the hack that exposed information of some 39 million people. The $578 million suit filed by two firms in Canada.
Meantime, the first big domino from the hack falls, Jeff Ashton, the U.S. attorney who prosecuted the Casey Anthony case in Florida admits that he had an account. He said he did not break any laws. He said he will not resign over stupid choices.
ROMANS: All right, 53 minutes past the hour. The scary stock market, wait. Don't touch the 401(k) just yet. We will tell you why not to panic next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:57:19]
ROMANS: I'm Christine Romans. Let's get an EARLY START on your money this morning, a brutal scary day for stocks. Asian shares plunge. European shares, U.S. stock futures diving right now. On Friday, the Dow tumbled 531 points, the biggest one-day drop in four years.
The weekend does not look like it was a speed bump for the sellers. The Dow is now officially in correction territory, down more than 10 percent from its peak, the first correction since 2011.
Some of the market darlings are in their own personal bear markets, Apple, Exxon, Walmart, all down more than 20 percent from their highs and some of these names, Apple down 4 percent. Netflix is also down this morning. Big selling in store as we start the week.
Investors are fleeing stock and commodities and rushing into bonds, copper, aluminum, zinc, all plunging this morning. Oil down too. Oil below $40 a barrel for the first time since 2009. That's because China, the world's second largest economy, the Chinese economic growth is slowing quickly.
Meanwhile, global supply is booming. What should you do? Now is not the time to find your 401(k) log in. Remember, if you have been in stocks the past few years, you are riding long gains. A pullback can be normal and healthy for the market.
Two ways you could feel this immediately. Bond yields are falling and could push mortgage rates lower. Gas prices could fall to $2 soon. That is something you will feel every time you fill up this fall.
All right, 58 minutes past the hour. Three Americans honored for helping prevent a possible massacre in France. Now big questions must be answered. How can train passengers be kept safe? "NEW DAY" starts now.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They are truly heroes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He just kept pulling more weapons left and right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We saw him cocking the AK-47.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He had a lot of ammo.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The private meeting Vice President Joe Biden held with Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Could this mean a Biden/Warren ticket is in the making?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Elizabeth Warren does have her thumb on the pulse on the progressive movement.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Joe Biden so much more alluring than the reality.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't imagine the Clinton camp could be happy about this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A day of fun turned to tragedy.
ANNOUNCER: Stay in your places.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This has been an enormously traumatic incident.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome to your NEW DAY. It's Monday, August 24th, 6:00 in the east. We do have breaking overnight, a situation that could have been dozens killed on a train loaded with hundreds of passengers.
