New ISIS Terror Video Released
BERMAN: As soon as today, President Obama could formally ask Congress to authorize the use of military force against ISIS. This comes one day after the release of the latest ISIS propaganda video. It shows hostage John Cantlie, a British journalist, forced once again to report for the terrorist organization. He sounds like time could be running out.</s>JOHN CANTLIE, ISIS HOSTAGE: Hello, I'm John Cantlie. In the last film in the series, we're in a city that has been at the heart of the fighting since summer of 2012.</s>BERMAN: As we hear that video and message, still no word on the fate of American hostage Kayla Mueller. The State Department says it is working around the clock to determine whether she is still alive. New intelligence reveals ISIS is plotting to kidnap more Western and international hostages in countries such as Lebanon and Jordan, that as Iraqi troops prepare to launch a major ground offensive to take back parts of the country that are controlled by ISIS and have been controlled by is for months. I want to bring in Phil Black live from the Northern Iraqi City of Irbil. Phil, good morning.</s>PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John. Yes, as we tour the battle zones, frontlines of the region, it is increasingly clear, the military and momentum is very much against ISIS. Now, news that Kurdish Peshmerga troops have seized three key military objectives, bridgeheads, north of the city of Mosul. All of this part of the effort to contain ISIS within territory, just surrounding Mosul ahead of a large offensive operation expected some time in the coming months in order to clear that remaining territory and take back that significant city, Mosul, from ISIS control. Meanwhile, as you say, there is ongoing significant concern about Western journalists still in ISIS custody. That British journalist John Cantlie, has appeared in a number of ISIS videos, seemingly doing what a journalist should do, that is report from ISIS-controlled territory. But, of course, the understanding, the belief, is that he is not doing so of his own free will. In this latest video, he reports from the area around the Syrian city of Aleppo. He talks about the damage there inflicted by what he says were both Syrian regime and coalition air strikes and talks about a thriving community under ISIS rule. It is ominous because of that statement that you mentioned, distinct. It is the first time he said something like this, that this will be the last in the report on the series. Ominous because of the way in which we know ISIS has treated, murdered, grotesquely dramatically its high value and Western hostages. And, of course, that is why there is ongoing concern for Kayla Mueller, the 26-year-old American aid worker, who has been a long time ISIS captive, and which ISIS has said recently was killed in an air strikes conducted by the Jordanian military. While there is, of course, great skepticism about that ISIS claim, there has been no further word about her safety -- John.</s>BERMAN: All right. Phil Black for us in Irbil -- not far from where the coalition is now on the offense against ISIS -- thanks so much, Phil. The Powerball jackpot, one of the biggest ever. Here is a secret: you are not going to win. I just told you everything you need to know about the lottery, but will give you an early start on your money, next.