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Obama, House GOP Locked in Budget Battle; Bloody Siege at Nairobi Mall; FAA to Relax Rules on Electronic Devices; Kenya Small Siege; The Primetime Emmey Awards; Rockin Sendoff For Yankees Legend

Aired September 23, 2013 - 06:30   ET

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

JOHN AVLON, THE DAILY BEAST: And then it's going to go to the House. And that's where the timing gets really tight.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, you say that there isn't much of an upside, or at least many Republicans don't see the upside in this fight. More downside than upside. But one Republican does seem to see quite a bit of upside.

Senator Ted Cruz --

AVLON: Yes.

BOLDUAN: -- has become the champion of this strategy. Where is the upside for him? Because I'm hearing privately and maybe not so privately, a lot of criticism of him.

AVLON: Yes, not so privately. A lot of Republicans are starting to speak out and say this guy is selling you a false bill of goods.

You know, there's others that are great political quote that all political movements begin as a movement, become a business and end up as a racket. There is a racket element to what's been pushed this defund movement on TV ads, people building their own lists, and that's what's behind a lot of it, Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, pushing this fantasy of a defund scenario. It's incredible.

The argument now that Ted Cruz is making, counter to it as it may sound, Kate, is the Republicans should filibuster the bill he supports from the House to avoid a second round having the Obamacare cut out. So that illogic is meeting with the logic of the rest of the senators who say, look, we're supposed to be the adult body, we're supposed to be a mature body taking a long view. And it's not meeting a great reception from many of his fellow Republicans.

BOLDUAN: So, as it stands today, the Senate is going to take it up -- much more to talk about this week.

AVLON: Absolutely. It's a big one.

BOLDUAN: It's a big one. John Avlon, great to see you. Thanks, John.

AVLON: Thanks. CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: All right. We want to get you back to what's going on in Kenya because we have some new live picture there. You're going to see there is smoke coming out of the Westgate Mall area. Gunshots have been heard. Crews had to scramble and now, we're getting a little of an idea of what's going on inside.

Our Zain Verjee is there. She's one of the crews who scrambled (ph), but she's back now. Good to see that she's protecting herself.

Zain, what is the latest?

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT: We're in a situation that is moving very quickly, and developing as we speak, and it's getting a little dangerous out here. We are only a five or 10- minute walk or so on that side, which is where the Westgate Mall is.

That is where al Qaeda and al-Shabaab are holding hostages. We do not know exactly accident happened. But about 10 minutes ago, there was a major explosion. There were plumes of plaque smoke rising above this area of west land and parklands.

We know an operation has been under way for a number of hours. There is no specific information of what we have been getting inside. There have been bursts of gunfire causing all of us to run that way, when it settles down, we run back down to see what's happening.

So I put on my helmet. I put on my flap jacket. So, we are all watching and waiting to see.

That gate over there is where the casualties come in. So, anyone who was rescued, anyone who was hostage, they will all be evacuated and they will come in to where I am right now, where you can see the ambulance services are, the rescue and recovery is here. But the real action is taking place on the ground just a short few paces away from the behind those buildings and behind this gate that we are in.

So we are going for the wait and see what happens, but right now, we have from the Red Cross, 69 people dead, 175 wounded. It's not clear what the hostage situation is. The condition or even if they are alive. So we're monitoring to see what happens here and we'll bring it to you when we get it.

CUOMO: All right, Zain, safety first. It's god to see that you have your cover and vest on.

Just to bring everybody up to date. We have been told this situation is largely under control. It does not seem to be that way right now. There is smoke overhead. It does not lock like dispersion or tear gas, which has been used to deal with crowds in the area, and also tactically use inside.

That smoke does not look like that. That looks like fire smoke. Helicopters have been pushed away by gunfire from inside.

We are told hostages are still inside that mall. That's why that triage area is still set up. Obviously, authorities are planning for more wounded to be coming out of the building.

That's the latest from the Kenyan mall situation right now.

BOLDUAN: That's another reminder. She had the death count on how many people have been injured. This has been dragging on since Saturday and people have been held hostage. However, many are in there now are being held hostage in there. This has been all happening since over the weekend. We'll get back there as news continues to develop.

But coming up next on NEW DAY, the FAA reportedly set to relax its rules on using gadgets in flight, but not all of them. We're going will break down the new guidelines for you in just a second.

CUOMO: TV had a big night last night, the Emmys. Did your favorite stars take home the trophies? We are live in Los Angeles. And we will let you know.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Welcome back to NEW DAY.

Let's go around the world now.

Typhoon Usagi downgraded to a tropical storm, but blamed for 25 deaths so far in Hong Kong.

Anna Coren has the latest from Hong Kong.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNA COREN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It was billed as the most powerful storm on the planet this year. And typhoon Uusagi unleashed its fury, bringing death and destruction to parts of southern China. At least 25 people were killed. Tens of thousands were evacuated as winds above 200 miles an hour lashed the coast.

Now, here in Hong Kong, we were expecting a direct hit, but the city narrowly escaped. But it did shut down Hong Kong's international airport, closing businesses and schools, as well as Hong Kong's stock exchange, the part of the day.

Back to you, Kate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: All right. Anna, thank you so much.

And to Berlin now, where German Chancellor Andrea Merkel is celebrating a historic reelection.

Our Fred Pleitgen has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRED PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Germany has voted and the winner is Angela Merkel. Her Christian Democrats celebrated well into the night in Berlin. Angela Merkel won by a landslide against her rival Peer Steinbrueck of the Social Democrats. So, we expect a lot of continuity especially when it comes to combating the eurozone crisis. She will however have to enter into a new coalition, this time with the Social Democrats.

Back to you, Kate.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: All right. Fred, thanks so much.

MICHAELA PEREIRA, CNN ANCHOR: Are you ready for this? I know this is something that's got Cuomo hot under the collar. I want to know what you think, Ms. Bolduan.

BOLDUAN: Hot under the collar as well.

PEREIRA: As well.

Frequent flyers, we want you to listen up -- you may soon be able to use your iPad or Kindle during takeoff and landing. Now, according to "The New York Times", the FAA is expected to relax its rules one electronic device this week, changes could go into effect next year. The new policy, however, does not apply to all gadgets because all gadgets are not created equally.

CUOMO: What?

PEREIRA: Alison Kosik is here to sort it all.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Just when you thought it was carte blanche on anything.

PEREIRA: It is not.

KOSIK: It's really not. And you make a good point, Michaela. This is really just expected at this point. But it looks like this wheels are moving forward.

So, what's happening is it looks like, according to "The New York Times", that upon takeoff and landing, you will be able to use your Kindle, your e-books, you'll be able to listen to podcasts, you get to turn on that movie a little earlier ands if you watch actually the full thing the full flight.

But you won't be able to make a phone call. But you won't be able to send or receive e-mails or text or use Wi-Fi. I'm talking about 20 minutes on takeoff and landing.

Keep in mind, though, these are just recommendations at this point. And we will see if this actually goes into effect. So, in terms of who they have been talking. I know they talked to pilots, they've talked to the flight attendants. They've talked to safety -- transportation, safety folks. They want to make sure that everybody has had a chance do weigh in before this final decision is made. KOSIK: Yes. So, that's what the FAA has done. It sort of put together this advisory panel of industry experts to sort of weigh in on what's safe and what's not to use on those minutes that you take off and land.

And this really has been a process because it is a sort of tug of war between the pressure from us sitting in the plane and saying we want to be able to use our devices, we don't think it causes a problem. And then, you know, the airline kind of pushing back and saying wait a minute, there could interference from these electronic devices, interfering with those cockpit instruments.

And the interesting thing is there is no conclusive evidence, even with this panel forms and coming up with these possible recommendations that could go into effect, there is no conclusive evidence that those electronic devices really do interfere with those flight controls, which is kind of interesting. You know, there is one example given in that "New York Times" report showing from Delta Airlines, that between a two-year period, among the 2.3 million flights that they had, only 21 instances of a suspicion of interfering were reported.

PEREIRA: Hold the phone for now, Cuomo.

BOLDUAN: The beginning as I would like to say.

All right. Alison, thanks so much.

CUOMO: (INAUDIBLE)

BOLDUAN: Read through it.

CUOMO: Human needle in my balloon of optimism. Thank you for nothing. Appreciate it.

We're going to take a break here on NEW DAY.

When we come back, you are going to continue to monitor the situation on the ground in Nairobi. They are looking at it right now. That smoke is not dispersant, which had been used by authorities. It is believed to be fire.

We don't understand what is going on in there. We know there is gunfire and still hostages. The situation is not over.

PEREIRA: And coming up, TV honors its biggest and best and brightest, pays tribute to big stars that have gone too soon. We're going to have some of the emotional Emmy moments from last night.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR: We want to take you to Kenya. There was just a huge explosion heard. You can see smoke coming out over the West Gate Mall. We believe hostages are still inside. A triage area is still set up. Shots being heard. We have CNN's Zain Verjee on the ground. Crews have been forced to scramble from time to time, but she's back now. Zain, what's the latest?

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: In the last five minutes, there's been a second explosion. Plumes of black smoke are rising over the city of Nairobi. There was one before that again appeared equally as large. We don't know who has detonated this, whether this is the end of the operation to the Kenyan military alongside the Israeli special forces have been conducting now inside West Gate Mall.

We don't know whether this is al Qaeda and al Shabaab's detonation lost (ph) stand. And we don't know what this means for the hostages, whether the hostages have been -- were able come out, whether they were rescued, whether they were able to get away, or whether they have been hurt or have died.

We're trying to figure out what the situation is. What I can tell you is that everyone here where I'm standing in the emergency services area along with the Red Cross, the ambulances, the rescue and response is very tense. They're waiting to see if any casualties are received. If we get any, they'll come through that gate there.

The last couple of days we've seen police helicopters swirling around, perhaps, as an operational or distraction tactic. But, they started to circle again now as well as a small plane. So, that is the latest here from the city of Nairobi. Kenyans are terrified. Kenyans are gripped by this. You cannot believe that this is a mall that is woven into the fabric of our everyday.

This is where we go for coffee. This is where we meet our friends. This is a popular mall for diplomats, Americans, ex-pats, U.N. staff. All those people live around this area. This is the middle class area of Nairobi. That's on the outskirts of downtown, the city center. West Gate Mall has been a potential target in the past, but this is now a three-day siege.

And, we don't know whether it's coming to an end and what exactly that black plume of smoke means -- Chris and Kate.

CUOMO: All right. Our thanks to Zain for the reporting and what she's saying about being a familiar place for lots of people, especially westerners. It's why (ph) we're told exactly why it was picked. Now, the people you saw running out of there before, those are not hostages. There's a lot of support groups on the ground right now, and that was that people movement as there's gunfire and emergency.

They move to safer locations. That's what you're seeing there. It's not an exodus from the mall. We'll keep you updates as we get more information.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Let's move now to a much lighter moment. Now, to the primetime Emmy Awards last night. It had many people's attention in Los Angeles. It was a night to celebrate the biggest names in television and the time for Hollywood to remember some very beloved stars who have passed (ph). Let's go live to CNN's Nischelle Turner in Los Angeles for us this morning. Good morning, Nischelle.

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Is it morning? I don't know if I've been asleep.

(LAUGHTER)

BOLDUAN: You probably had not. A very short night for you, my dear.

TURNER: Very much so. Hey, guys, by all accounts, you know, it's been a really good year for television and last night's awards showed just that because no show really cleaned up. The honors were spread around, which leads most critics to believe that there was a lot of good to go around.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TURNER (voice-over): A playful combination of front row banter.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm not twerking. I'm not going to do that. That would be degrading.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We would be degrateful (ph).

(LAUGHTER)

TURNER: So, Neil Patrick Harris kicked off the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards. A night of songs --

(SINGING) The Emmy Awards are three hours long.

TURNER: Dance and celebration. Left some Emmy winners like the "Newsroom's" Jeff Daniels.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I usually don't win anything.

TURNER: And "Nurse Jackie" Merritt Weaver noticeably surprised.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I got to go. Bye.

TURNER: While "Veep" winners, Tony Hail and Julia Louis Dreyfus had fun in character.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'd like to thank our -- my family.

TURNER: "Homeland's" repeat winner Claire Danes and three-time "Big Bang Theory" winner, Jim Parsons, were visibly moved.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's so silly to be emotional, isn't snit?

TURNER: TV icon, Bob Newhart, first ever win for guest starring on the "Big Bang Theory" brought the Nokia Theater's 6,000 guests to their feet. The show singled out five heartfelt memorials, including "Sopranos" star, James Gandolfini.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's Jim, the man, the very dear man, that I will miss most of all. TURNER: Cory Monteith who drew some controversy in the days before the show due to his smaller body of work.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: His death is a tragic reminder of the rapacious, senseless destruction that is brought on by addiction.

TURNER: And Gary David Goldberg who produced both "Family Ties" and "Spin City."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wish it wasn't necessary. I wish Gary was still with us. But sorry.

TURNER: "Modern Family" won its fourth straight Emmy as best comedy series while "Breaking Bad" won its first (INAUDIBLE). Michael Douglas' starring role as Liberace may have earned him Emmy gold over co-start, Matt Damon.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is a two-hander. You're only as good -

(LAUGHTER)

TURNER: But in the end, the HBO "Biopic" was second to none.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

TURNER: Winning 11 statues in all.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TURNER (on-camera): Now, one of the big story lines we were watching last night is what would Netflix win? They were nominated for 14 Emmys and a win and a big category would make history. They did just that. David Fincher took home Best Director. And all week, the talk has been even one win in a major category would be a coup for Netflix.

So, chances are, they're pretty happy this morning. They tell you guys, among Hollywood's big wigs on the carpet last night when I was asking what shows the stars love, it was "House of Cards," and it was "Orange is the New Black." Both original series for Netflix and the times they are changing.

BOLDUAN: Times are changing, and their business models or gamble have seems to have worked. And, we'll see if there is more of it. Thanks, so much, Nischelle.

CUOMO: I'm paying more attention to award shows like the Emmys.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

CUOMO: Yes. You know why, because they matter, because what they decide to celebrate often shapes the culture like they're an accelerator for cultural changing.

BOLDUAN: That's a good point. CUOMO: I think we could use some.

(LAUGHTER)

BOLDUAN: Coming up next on NEW DAY, President Obama versus the NRA again. Both dug in their heels after the Navy Yard massacre. Could it usher in changes to existing gun law? Has it changed anything?

CUOMO: And as you just saw, we were taking live picture out of Kenya. We'll keep doing that. Why? Explosions and gunshots heard just moments ago. The situation not over. We still don't have an explanation for the smoke you're seeing on your screen. We do have a correspondent live at the scene. We will continue to monitor the situation out of Nairobi as it unfolds. Please, stay with NEW DAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CUOMO: Oh, boy! This song because signature of one of the best closers (ph) in history. For nearly two decades, they trembled in fear within they heard Mariano Rivera's entrance song "Enter Sandman" play through the speakers at Yankee's Stadium. Yesterday, as part of Rivera's farewell, metalLica showed up for a surprise performance.

Let's bring in Andy Scholes for this morning's "Bleacher Report" and tell us about the events. It was fitting.

ANDY SCHOLES, BLEACHER REPORT: Yes, it definitely was, Chris. You know, whenever "Enter Sandman" played at Yankee Stadium over the years and Rivera came in from the bull pen, you pretty much knew the game was over. And for the first time in his hall of fame career, Rivera, he got to hear his song played live in center field. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SCHOLES (voice-over): After playing "Enter Sandman," Metallica and the Yankees, they both showered Rivera with farewell gifts on his special day. Now, Rivera came in and pitched a scoreless ninth inning in the game, but unfortunately, the Giants spoiled the day, beating the Yankees 2-1.

To the NFL, Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck, played for Jim Harbaugh at Stanford before both men made the leap to the NFL, and it was the student schooling the teacher in this one. Luck did it in the air and on the ground to lead the Colts to a shocking 27-7 win over the 49ers. The Colts are now 2-1 on the season.

And New York football fans are either happy or sad this morning, depending on whether they're Jets or Giants fans. The Giants were absolutely man-handled by the Panthers, losing 38-0. They're 0-3. Their worst start since Bill Clinton was president. The Jets, on the other hand, they, once again, found a way to get a "W."

Sure, they had a team record 20 penalties in this one, but hey, Chris, a win is a win. They're now 2-1 on the season.

(END VIDEOTAPE) SCHOLES (on-camera): And guys, I'm pretty sure if you ask anyone in New York if they were asked before the season what scenario that could not happen? The Giants being 0-3 and the Jets being 2-1 would something they would have said.

CUOMO: I beg to differ, Captain Handsome.

(LAUGHTER)

CUOMO: I felt that the Jets were inevitably going to be 3-0 because they are the best team in the league as everybody knows.

BOLDUAN: Because he's a believer, Andy. He's a believer.

SCHOLES: Yes. Another interesting factor, guys.

CUOMO: Oh-oh.

SCHOLES: First time in NFL history the Giants are 0 and 3 as well as the Redskins.

BOLDUAN: All right, Andy.

CUOMO: That's a meaningless distinction, Andy. And I wish you hadn't said it on my air --

(LAUGHTER)

BOLDUAN: Thank you, Andy.

We're now at the top of the hour, which means it's time for the top news.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's on my head, but Lord (ph) protected me.

CUOMO: Breaking news. There are still hostages in that Kenya mall. Gunshots ring out this morning, and the FBI now investigating whether some of the attackers are American. We have the latest.

BOLDUAN: Not again. The president's impassioned plea. A new call for gun control in the wake of the Navy Yard shooting. The NRA's leadership also speaking out, calling for more good guys with guns as a solution.

PEREIRA: Hillary speaks. The revealing new interview with Hillary Clinton what she's saying about running for president and how she's now spending her days.

CUOMO: Your NEW DAY starts right now.

ANNOUNCER: This is NEW DAY with Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan, and Michaela Pereira.

(END VIDEOTAPE) ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.

BOLDUAN: Breaking news we're following throughout this morning. Welcome back to NEW DAY. It's Monday, September 23rd, seven o'clock in the east.

Let's get right to that breaking news out of Kenya. Happening right now, explosions and gunfire as smoke rises above the upscale mall in Nairobi. This is a live look right now at the very active scene. You see the smoke right there. The deadly drama unfolding as authorities are now saying Kenyan forces have rescued more hostages and are closing in on the rest of the attackers.