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Multiple investigations launched into reports of chemical weapons in Syria – Barbara Starr reports
U.S. intelligence officials say there is so far no evidence of chemical weapons used in Syria, but they are conducting their own investigation as to what happened there, Barbara Starr reports. CNN has learned new details about how the CIA is trying to find answers, including information that intelligence officials are talking to rebels and defectors to learn what they know, she says.
Officials tell CNN, military analysts are also looking at reports from Syrian doctors and videos from the attacks to see if the symptoms and conditions of the patients in them match those of a potential chemical attack. They are investigating satellite imagery to identify movement of chemical weapons and intercepting cyber chatter about attacks as well, Starr reports.
“Now, officials tell us, because the U.S. has no operatives and no U.S. military personnel on the ground inside Syria, this is going to be very tough to prove," Starr says. "And it may take them some time, if ever, to figure out exactly what happened here.”
CNNTrends: Tina Fey channels Sarah Palin on 'Inside the Actor's Studio'
Tina Fey gets into character as Sarah Palin once again. The comedian channeled the former governor of Alaska while answering James Lipton's questions on yesterday's episode of Bravo's "Inside the Actor's Studio".
MYB: Fed sees slow recovery continuing for years to come
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says the job market is improving, but must be sustained, Christine Romans reports. She has more from Bernanke's statements on the health of the U.S. economy.
VIDEO: President Obama arrives in Ramallah for visit with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
President Obama arrives in Ramallah for his first visit to the West Bank since becoming President of the United States.
Jessica Yellin is live from Ramallah. John King is live from Jerusalem.
MYB: Markets jittery with news Cyprus bailout is in jeopardy
Christine Romans is minding your business with the latest on U.S. stock futures and world markets. For Wall Street, it’s all about conditions in Europe this week. Stock futures are up right now, but the possible bailout for the tiny island nation of Cyprus has raised concerns in the market. “The Dow was whipsawed yesterday in this country because we're watching what happens there,” Romans reports.
“If Cyprus doesn't get a bailout, it could go bankrupt, exit the Euro-zone and lead to financial instability at exactly the wrong time for the world economy.” A big part of the $13 billion plan, a major bank fee, was rejected last night after protests in Cyprus. “And now a bailout of the country is in jeopardy.”
CNNTrends: Girl Scout cookie-inspired beer & teen's viral video asking Kate Upton to prom
Poppy Harlow and Zoraida Sambolin take a look at the top CNN Trends this morning.
A creative concoction mixing Girl Scout cookies and beer takes the cake. Five new cookie beers are flowing at San Francisco's "Cerveceria De Mateveza". Flavors include a peppermint porter inspired by Thin Mints, a salted chocolate stout with peanut butter inspired by Peanut Butter Patties, and a Belgian dubbel with coconut and cocoa nibs inspired by Samoas. There are no actual cookies in the beers but each beer is served with the cookie that inspired it.
And a video of a California high school senior, Jake Davidson, makes some compelling arguments why supermodel Kate Upton should be his prom date has gone viral. Even better, it’s caught her attention. She tweeted her response to Jake: "You can call me Katie if you want! How could I turn down that video! I'll check my schedule."
Winter's grip holds over parts of New England and Midwest – Chris Welch reports
Today is officially the first day of spring, but for much of the country the winter chill remains.
A late season snowstorm left New Hampshire and Boston under several inches of snow Tuesday. And more snow is expected to fall in parts of New England and the upper Midwest where below freezing temps make the first day of spring feel like the dead of winter.
CNN's Chris Welch is live in Minneapolis this morning with more. “Winter’s grip appears far from over,” Welch says. “From the Midwest to New England, late season winter storms bringing as much as 15" of snow in some areas, leading to another round of school closures and travel nightmares.”
Chemical weapons used in Syrian Civil War? Ivan Watson reports
There is a "high probability" that Syria deployed chemical weapons in the ongoing civil war, but final verification is needed, the chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee told CNN on Tuesday.
"I have a high probability to believe that chemical weapons were used," Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Michigan) told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "We need that final verification, but given everything we know over the last year and a half, I would come to the conclusion that they are either positioned for use, and ready to do that, or in fact have been used."
Rogers' statement comes as the specter of chemical weapons attacks in the Syrian civil war emerged Tuesday, with the government and rebels each blaming the other for using such munitions.
This morning on "Early Start," CNN's Ivan Watson reports on the conflicting accusations of chemical weapons use.
READ MORE: Game-changer: Syria's 'probability' of using chemical warfare
President Obama makes first visit to Israel amid growing concerns of chemical weapons use in Syria – Sara Sidner reports
President Obama arrives in Tel Aviv for the start of a historic Middle East visit today. He is scheduled to meet separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during the trip. The president is expected discuss the United States’ commitment to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran with Netanyahu and restarting negotiations between Israel and Palestine.
His plane lands in less than 90 minutes but his mission is taking on a new urgency at this hour because there is mounting evidence the Syrian government has used chemical weapons on its own people near the city of Aleppo.
Sara Sidner is live in Jerusalem for "Early Start" this morning with the latest on how developments in Syria might affect the president’s agenda on this trip.
Police: Fmr. UCF found dead in dorm room, planned a larger attack at school – Ed Lavandera reports
This morning, CNN has new developments in the apparent suicide of a former student at the University of Central Florida. Police were called to a UCF dorm early Monday morning by a student who said his roommate had pulled a gun on him. The suspect, 30-year-old James Oliver Seevakumaran, was dead by the time officers arrived.
Investigators say they found a detailed plan for an attack, homemade bombs, a handgun, an assault weapon and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Investigators now believe Seevakumaran was planning a massacre on campus. CNN’s Ed Lavandera has more on the investigation.
Police say they don’t know what made Seevakumaran turn his gun on himself, but “it could have been a very bad day for everybody” on campus. Police Chief Richard Beary told reporters, “All things considered, I think that we were very blessed here at the University of Central Florida."
Investigators say they discovered several weapons among "writings laying out a timeline of what Seevakarum planned to do," Lavandera reports. "A plan, investigators say, was designed to, quote, ‘give them hell.' We don't know who he planned to target, but investigators say he was acting as a ‘lone wolf.’”
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