Obama Meeting with Iraqi P.M. on ISIS
COSTELLO: President Obama and the prime minister of Iraq meeting now against the backdrop of the G7 summit. On their agenda, the fight against ISIS and how U.S. can help Iraq stop the terror group's advance. In a sign things aren't going so great, a possible snub right before that meeting. You see President Obama here sitting on the bench. He's talking with the Italian prime minister and the IMF director. His back is turned to the Iraqi prime minister. He's sitting there besides his translator, and President Obama never turns around to address the Iraqi prime minister. He just walks off. So, was it a snub? An oversight? What? We go to senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta. He's in Austria. So, Jim, it was awkward, but was it a snub?</s>JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes. I think it's more #awkward, Carol. You know, they try so hard to carefully craft these photo opportunities for the leaders. And sometimes things go awry. I think that's the case here. You have to recall earlier in the day the president shook hands with the Iraqi prime minister. He's currently having a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit right now with Haider al-Abadi. We have pictures of that as well. You'll also see in the room, the national security adviser Susan Rice, the White House press secretary Josh Earnest and those new photos and the bilateral meeting that's happening right now. But, you know, Carol, these are things that happen at these summits. There's another great picture that the president's official photographer, Pete Sousa and other photographers captured earlier this morning where Angela Merkel is talking to President Obama and she sort of has her arms like this like what is going on here and having an animated discussion with the president. And, you know, you can try to read the tea leaves but unless we have a read out or verbatim of what was said during these discussions, we don't really know what's being said. We don't really know if a snub is occurring. But I think the evidence shows that that's probably not a snub just an awkward moment when the president did not even realize that the Iraqi prime minister was behind him. But keep in mind, these two leaders have a lot to talk about. The Iraqi prime minister is obviously coming here to the Alps looking for military assistance. We're told by administration officials, don't really expect any announcements on that. The president also wants to smooth over some rough feelings that might be felt down in Baghdad after the U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter told our Barbara Star that he questioned the Iraq's will to fight. I assume the president will add some context to those remarks during the discussion. But, Carol, the other big story out here is Russia and the crisis in Ukraine. The G7 just put out a formal statement condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine continuing to call the annexation of Crimea illegal in saying that those sanctions against Russia are going to remain in place so long as Russia is violating the cease-fire agreements that were supposed to be hammered out months ago. And Russia is clearly in violation of it unless they respect the sovereignty, those sanctions are not going to be relaxed. So, they got a lot accomplished on this agenda. And they almost got out of here without an awkward optic, but they certainly did get that as well. Despite the beautiful scenery here, sometimes the pictures aren't so -- aren't something you put on a postcard and send home to mom, Carol.</s>COSTELLO: Sometimes. Jim Acosta, reporting live from Austria this morning. Checking some other top stories for you at 18 minutes past the hour. Today, the government is expected to start notifying current and former federal workers, telling them if they are among the millions whose information comprised in the massive hack. U.S. investigators believe they can track hackers to China, although the Chinese government denies any involvement. While the White House is now officially laying blame on anyone, it said it is considering options including economic sanctions as punishment. Fire balls exploded into the sky as crews battled a five-alarm fire at a Pennsylvania chemical plant. It's not clear what caused the blaze which razed for four hours. But officials don't believe the clouds of dark smoke are toxic. There have been no reports of injuries. If you're planning your retirement, consider Phoenix. A new study out this morning says it is the best place to retire. Also, topping the list Arlington, Virginia, right outside of D.C., Prescott and Tucson, Arizona and Des Moines, Iowa, also make the list. The study looked at factors like the cost of living, the crime rate, and walkability. And what city should retires avoid? No big surprise New York City ranked dead last. Still to come in the</s>NEWSROOM: pork chops, Harleys, and plenty of handshaking. Iowa's caucuses are still eight months away, but already, Republican hopefuls are duking it out for your vote.