Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

6.2 Earthquake Hits Central Italy, At Least 37 Dead; Crisis in Iraq; Two New Zika Cases Reported in Florida; Trump, RNC Attack Clinton Foundation After New Report. Aired 6:30-7a ET

Aired August 24, 2016 - 06:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:32:22] CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: We're following breaking news from Italy. At least 37 dead now after a 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck overnight in central Italy, leaving mountain towns practically in ruins. The numbers of those killed, hurt, missing, they're all going to rise. Access for heavy equipment is still impaired.

Crews are digging with hand tools in many cases through rubble of collapsed buildings, searching for survivors. The quake shook the area in the early morning hours.

Our correspondent said the ancient buildings that make these areas so beautiful also made an event like this so deadly. We'll give you more throughout the morning.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: We also have a developing story out of North Korea. North Korea has fired a ballistic missile from a submarine, after the first time it entered Japan's air defense identification zone. U.S. officials tracked this missile over and into the Sea of Japan, 300 miles off the coast of North Korea. Japan's prime minister calls this a, quote, "An unforgivable, reckless act," while South Korea has called for severe sanctions. This comes as the U.S. and South Korea conducted their joint military exercise.

CUOMO: The FBI is looking into cyber breaches targeting reporters at "The New York Times" and other news organizations. "The New York Times" says its Moscow bureau was targeted, but there is no evidence the hackers were successful. Investigators say the breaches may be part of an effort by Russia to infiltrate American politics.

CAMEROTA: So, there's a desperate scene unfolding in Iraq. Military operations to wipe out ISIS are driving families into makeshift refugee camps. Thousands of civilians are facing this daily struggle just to survive.

CNN is going to take you behind the front lines, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:38:02] CAMEROTA: We want to call your attention now to this gut- wrenching scene that's playing out in Iraq as military forces try to wipe out ISIS. Innocent families are, of course, caught in the cross fire. In order to survive, they're fleeing their homes into makeshift refugee camps.

CNN's senior international correspondent Arwa Damon is live on the ground in northern Iraq.

Give us the latest, Arwa.

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Alisyn.

There's been a lot of talk about military preparedness and the military aspect when it comes to assaulting the city of Mosul, Iraq's second largest city. But what sort of preparations are being made on the humanitarian side.

Just take a look at what we found.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAMON (voice-over): The desert winds whip across the field. The heat is thick, suffocating. And the sand sticks to everything.

Children's matted hair is shades lighter than it should be. Their face is caked in dirt, nearly impossible to clean, even if there was water.

(on camera): Inside this tent is a mother and her baby who we met a short while ago who is one of the cases that's really struggling here.

(voice-over): Baby Armad (ph) is 9 months old. He has diarrhea, is dehydrated and listless, his mother tells us. The only drinking water they have from a well is making everyone sick.

It's been more than a month since they got here after walking for hours. This woman clutches a photo of her dead son, killed by ISIS two years ago for being in the Iraqi special forces.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): He's dead and they took everything. They left me and Rhana (ph). This is the martyr's daughter.

DAMON: People are thirsty, unbearable, especially for the children in this heat. Food is lentils and beans twice a day. There have been promises that international organizations were coming.

[06:40:01] The Iraqi government would be helping. But this attempt to preposition shelter and humanitarian aid is providing no relief.

As the front lines move towards Mosul, people are making a run for their lives along different points. This group, three sisters-in-law and other male relatives, saw the opportunity when the Kurdish Peshmerga pushed forward.

(on camera): There are very few details they're willing to disclose publicly because of the sheer risk involved to their families that are still inside Mosul. But there's also potentially a very joyous moment here because two of these women were pregnant when ISIS arrived, when their husbands had to flee. And very shortly, their littlest children are about to meet their fathers for the first time.

(voice-over): They don't want us to follow them to film that, but making it out does not mean an end to the hardships people continue to endure.

ELISABETH KOEK, NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL: We are not able to provide them with the kind of services that they need because we simply don't have the land.

DAMON: And there is the issue of funding. $284 million was allocated during a flash appeal last month, but the money has not yet been released.

Already established camps have exceed their maximum capacity. Debaga Camp in Iraqi Kurdistan has mushroomed to five times the size it was in May. Even with the expansions under construction in Debaga, it's barely enough for the current backlog. And the offensive has not yet begun in Mosul itself.

KOEK: We have a rough estimate. It can be anywhere between a million and up to a million and a half people coming out a of the corridor from Mosul. So, we're incredibly concerned and trying our best to deal with what might be the humanitarian catastrophe of the century.

DAMON: A catastrophe because we know this is coming, and preparing for the humanitarian disaster in the making should be as big a priority as preparing for the battle itself.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: But, Arwa, you've just painted as grim a picture of the circumstances there as we could imagine. So, it sounds like those preparations won't be ready. And what happens when those million refugees show up?

DAMON: Well, you're going to have potentially hundreds of thousands of people who have fled scenes that is the stuff of nightmares, things we couldn't even imagine, having spent so much time living under ISIS rule, having somehow survived the fighting take place there. They're going to be exhausted. They're going to be thirsty, hungry. Many of them might even be sick or wounded.

And there quite simply is not going to be the infrastructure to be able to provide them with the assistance that they deserve. And really, Alisyn, this goes beyond just wanting to help another person out. This goes beyond the responsibility of providing humanitarian aid.

There is potentially a greater impact. If you don't help those who are most in need in a situation like this, you're not necessarily going to then build up that trust that is needed between the population of Mosul and the Iraqi government, between the population and the Iraqi security forces. That also risks having some very serious repercussions for the country's future.

CAMEROTA: That is such an excellent point. Arwa, thank you so much for your reporting. We wouldn't know the situation there as vividly without it. We'll check back with you.

Let's get to Chris.

CUOMO: It's worth mentioning, Arwa also has a foundation she started to help the kids who are displaced and hurt in situations like this to try to preserve that next generation. It's called Inara. Look it up online.

Another big story this morning, "You are not alone." That's the message from President Obama as he met with victims of the devastating floods in Louisiana. The campaign did follow him there. How he dealt with it, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:47:54] CUOMO: President Obama touring flood-ravaged southern Louisiana and calling on fellow Americans to help. He also criticized those politicizing the tragedy by saying, quote, "This is not a photo op issue."

Before leaving, he also met with a family of Alton Sterling. You remember him. He was shot and killed by police in July. The president also met with some of the families of the Baton Rouge police officers who were wounded and killed in an ambush just days later.

CAMEROTA: All right. It's time for out CNN Money now. Chief business correspondent Christine Romans is in our Money Center.

Good morning, Christine.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

New home sales, home improvements, the housing market is the hottest part of the economy right now, guys. New home sales jumped 12.4 percent last month. They're up more than 30 percent from this time last year. That's the highest level since 2007. We get a reading on home resales later this morning. But looks like housing is stronger than it's been in about a decade.

Best Buy also cashing in on that housing boom. Shares of the electronics chain surging 20 percent yesterday. It reported strong earnings. The stock is set to rise again today. So what are people buying at Best Buy? Think home theater equipment, computers, refrigerators, and dish washers. Again, that's the feathering the nest trend we're seeing in the economy -- Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: OK, Christine, thanks so much for the update.

Another big update for you. There are new Zika cases emerging in Florida. Up next, we'll talk to the mayor of Miami Beach about the fight to prevent the spread.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:53:18] CUOMO: Two new cases of the Zika virus have been reported near Tampa, Florida. That means it's getting worse, right? Right now, there are 42 days locally transmitted infections in just that state.

The root of the problem remains Miami-Dade County, specifically Wynwood and Miami Beach.

Joining us now is the mayor of Miami Beach, Philip Levine.

Mr. Mayor, not the kind of story you want advertising where you're from, but give us the reality. How significant is Zika in your communities and the surrounding areas?

MAYOR PHILIP LEVINE (D), MIAMI BEACH: Chris, we take it very seriously. The health and well being of our residents and tourists are of the utmost concern is priority number one. We have five cases on Miami Beach. It's limited to a very small area, 1.5 square miles, about 20 blocks from 8th street to 28th street.

But nevertheless, we're doing all kinds of things to make sure this does not spread. We're making sure all the water is taken up everywhere on the streets, private property, making sure there's no garbage in areas that would allow for additional breeding of mosquitoes. And, of course, we're educating our residents, educating our tourists, making sure they ware bug spray in these areas.

But, listen, it's not good news, but we're on it, working with the county and the state to make sure we limit this as much as possible.

CUOMO: It's kind of a two-edge sword for you. The word Zika alone is going to spread fear, especially in a vacation capital like where you are down there. But at the same time, five cases. So it's hard to make people take it seriously. Also, the word all by itself may create false panic.

How do you balance?

LEVINE: Well, it's a very, very fine balance, Chris. When you're out on Ocean Drive and you're on Miami Beach, it's packed. I mean, the hotels are packed. People are everywhere.

[06:55:01] They're wearing bathing suits. They're going out. But it's our responsibility to make them understand this is serious, that we want to make sure that this does not spread.

Of course, it's been a variety of couple more cases around the state of Florida. And as you may know, you know, Zika itself is in 40- something states around the country already. I think the key here is it's not just about, you know, on the ground. It's making sure that Washington does something about it and really gets back to session, because we need a vaccine.

We need funding to help these municipalities, and it's a responsibility the federal government to get back to work and pass some type of Zika bill.

CUOMO: Well, they're having the same battle there, right. Congress, as you've mentioned, has not approved funding to fight the virus yet or to fund vaccine development because they're not sure how real this is. At the same time, you have the CDC tell pregnant women not to travel to Florida.

So what do you think is going on with getting the help you need?

LEVINE: Well, I think it's a real challenge from Washington. I got to tell you, not to make any political statement about it, but I know Secretary Clinton is going to be coming forward with a Zika plan, which basically is a funding plan that we have a fund, a national fund in place. So, whenever we have these issues, we don't have to rely on Congress for an emergency appropriation to take care of them, that we have a funded plan constantly for whatever epidemic may arise, so we're not in this predicament that we're in today. I think that's very, very important, to have a plan like that in plaice.

CUOMO: You're a very active advocate for your community. You were frustrated by what you were terming a lack of information coming your way, that you weren't getting enough information from the higher echelons of government.

What was going on? What's the condition right now?

LEVINE: Well, I'll tell you, it wasn't just me. I had a meeting yesterday with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, she was kept in the dark. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

So, this became an issue that our governor just basically did not want to communicate with the local leaders. He -- I really believe he wanted to score political points. Unfortunately, when you're playing with an issue like this, it is not right to play politics with people's lives. That is not something -- one of our great local journalists down here said, what we have here is a failure to communicate.

I hope going forward that our governor heard it loud and clear and that we can all work together. This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue. This is an issue that affects all of us. So, I'm confident that when we go forward, we'll all be getting information timely and accurate.

CUOMO: So, who's playing Cool Hand Luke in that scenario? Is the governor stepping up and making sure information is getting out there? Are things getting better? Information management, as we all know, is key to dealing with controlling this outbreak.

LEVINE: No question about it. The governor came down to Miami. There was a round table about Zika. I said, governor, let's talk about the 10,000-pound gorilla in the room. We need information. Myself, the other local mayors, and can we count on you for information.

He did say, you're going to get it timely and accurate. So, I take him for his word and hope we get this information right when he gets it going forward.

CUOMO: Luckily, the number of cases is still low. In a recent poll we did, the overwhelming majority of people are not afraid of contracting Zika. So you don't have panic working against you yet anyway.

LEVINE: No, not at all.

CUOMO: Mr. Mayor, thank you very much for joining us. Let us know how the situation progresses.

LEVINE: Thank you.

CUOMO: All right. We're still following the big story of the morning, which is this horrible earthquake striking central Italy. We have new details. Let's get to it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CAMEROTA: The powerful earthquake rocked central Italy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're really working quite frantically with their hands, as you can see, just trying to get in touch with anyone who might be alive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The city almost completely destroyed.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There could be aftershocks for days and days to come.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: It is impossible to figure out where the Clinton Foundation ends and the state department begins.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You can't continue to allege that she did anything criminal.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: We've already released, I don't know, 30,000-plus. So what's a few more?

TRUMP: It's going to be America first from now on. We are going to build the wall.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's not flip-flopping. His tough stance on immigration will not change.

TRUMP: Give Donald Trump a chance. So, when you walk down the street, you don't get shot.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

CUOMO: Good morning. Welcome to your NEW DAY.

We're going to have new information for you on this breaking story about a deadly earthquake in Italy. First here at home, though, Donald Trump softening on immigration. He

now says he might consider allowing, quote, "some of the 11 million undocumented immigrants to stay in the country."

CAMEROTA: Trump is also using a new report to double down on his claims that a pay for play culture existed at the State Department under Hillary Clinton's watch.

Let's get the latest now from CNN national correspondent Jessica Schneider.

What's the latest, Jessica?

JESSICA SCHNEIDER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Alisyn, Donald Trump rallied in Austin, Texas, where he honed in on Hillary Clinton, once again slamming the Clinton Foundation, this time as a business that profits from public office. Trump also stood on the stage with two mothers whose children were killed by illegal immigrants.