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Passenger Jet Crashes in Southern Russia, Killing all 62 People Onboard; Salah Abdeslam Arrested with Two Accomplices; Protesters Try to Block Door to Trump Rally in Utah; Cuba is Getting Ready for the Important Visit from U.S. President This Weekend. Aired 5-6a ET

Aired March 19, 2016 - 05:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:00:13]GEORGE HOWELL, CNN ANCHOR: A passenger jet crashes in Southern Russia, killing all 62 people onboard. This hour, we will bring you the details from Moscow and Dubai where that flight originated.

He has been on the run now for four months. But the Paris terror attack suspect, Salah Abdeslam, is finally in custody. We are live in Belgium with the very latest.

And with Barack Obama about to make a historic visit to Cuba. We'll tell you how the island nation is preparing for his arrival.

Live from CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta, welcome, to our viewers here in the United States and around the world.

I'm George Howell. NEWSROOM starts right now.

Have a good day to you. We begin this hour with the breaking news that we're following, this devastating plane crash in Southern Russia. FlyDubai, flight 981, one of its two flight recorders has now been found. The 62 people onboard that plane, all died.

And the video you see here appears to show the moment that the Boeing jet made -- slammed into the ground into a fiery ball.

CNN is covering this story from all angles. Live in Moscow with Matthew Chance following the investigation and CNN producer Jon Jensen in Dubai with us with what the airline is saying.

But we begin in the Russian capital where it is just afternoon this hour, Matthew, what more have you learned about this investigation into the crash?

MATTHEW CHANCE, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We're looking a lot of detail, George, at the moment about what progress the investigation is making. They set to say that, first of all, as you mentioned, they found one of the flight recorders. But we're not sure which one whether it was the voice -- cockpit voice recorder or the flight data recorder. It's going to need both of those artifacts -- component to establish what the exact cause of this devastating crash whereas which caused the loss of 62 lives of course, everybody onboard was killed.

But there, at the moment, already strong suspicions as to what could've been to blame. The weather conditions, for instance were extremely bad. At the time of the crash, in fact, the plane, the Boeing 737 800, a very modern aircraft, had already made one attempt at landing which had aborted. And it circled around the airport for two hours presumably waiting for the weather to clear before attempting a second landing. The seconding landing caused the ending -- fatally (ph) with a loss of all 62 people onboard.

And so, the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder had a say, are going to be essential in establishing what it was that caused that crash. Was it just the weather, was it technical failure or pilot error associated with the weather conditions that could've contributed as well. All these questions, now, the investigators are poring over to try and find some answers.

HOWELL: And, Matthew, the other key question in all of this is, why the pilot of this plane, the pilot has attempted a second landing when a previous plane, given the conditions, diverted to a neighboring city to land?

CHANCE: Yeah. And, of course, if this pilot of the FlyDubai 737 had have diverted then he would be alive today and so with all the passengers, presumably. Because the Aeroflot plane that did make the decision to transfer, to divert to the airport of Krasnodar, landed perfectly safely.

But for some reason that the crew of the FlyDubai aircraft decided to circle around the airport. And as I say, they did that for two hours which is an extraordinarily long period of time to wait for the weather to clear. And it's not quite clear yet why they did that.

It's not clear that they did it because or whether or not they did it for so long. They were running low on fuel. And they have to sort of attempt that second landing despite the weather. But again, that kind of information will be hopefully clarified when the flight data recorders are examined.

HOWELL: Matthew Chance, live in Moscow for us. Matthew, thank you so much for your reporting.

Now, let's turn to Jon Jensen where it is just after 1:00 p.m. in Dubai. Jon, good to have you. Just a programing hope (ph) for our viewers, we are waiting to hear from the CEO of FlyDubai in a news conference that could happen at any moment. We continue to monitor that but. And Jon, I know that you got a chance to see this video statement that was released already by the CEO on Facebook. What did you learned form that?

JON JENSEN, PRODUCER: Well, that's right. The CEO of FlyDubai, Ghaith Al Ghaith, came out earlier. And as you mentioned, he will speaking any moment now. We expect the press conference. But earlier, he took the Facebook to express the shock and grieving process for this new airline. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GAITH AL GHAITH, CEO FLYDUBAI: It is with (inaudible) that our flight from Dubai to Rostov in Russia has crashed when landing.

[05:05:06] At this moment, our thoughts and prayers for those onboard and their loved one and family. We are doing everything that we can to help those who are being (inaudible).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JENSEN: George, this is a relatively new airline for the region. It was found in 2008. I started flying on 2009. It's a budget carrier based in Dubai. They have around 50 planes. And they fly about 1,400 flights a week. It's not certainly enough the first time this airline has flown into the airport in Southern Russia. They started that route in 2013. George.

HOWELL: Jon, what about this particular airline and this particular aircraft, the safety records for both?

JENSEN: Well, it was a Boeing 733 800. We understand. And it's a fairly new airplane. It's got a very good safety record. FlyDubai as well has a very good safety record. As I mentioned, they only started flying in 2009. Most of their aircraft, the 50 in their (inaudible) are fairly new and they have been flying without any major incidents for the past five, six years.

So, this is why it has come such a shock here for Dubai. Of course, Dubai has becoming one of the biggest transport hubs not only for the region, but for the world. So, you're seeing a lot of shock right now here in Dubai.

HOWELL: Jon Jensen, live in Dubai for us this hour. Jon, thank you so much for your reporting.

Now, as we heard there, weather may have played factor in this crash. And our meteorologist, Derek Van Dam, has been following that angle, joining us now in the International Weather Center, Derek.

DEREK VAN DAM, METEOROLOGIST: George, I think the investigators will certainly be looking deeply into why this particular plane made this second failed attempt to land when other planes diverted successfully around the weather and landed safely.

Certainly, there was rough weather moving to the area. We zoom into the Rostov-on-Don region. Satellite loop across this area shows a cold front surging through. Associated with the cold front was very chaotic winds as well, roughly between 60 to 90 kilometers per hour.

And something interesting to know, we did some digging on flightradar24.com. And we honed in on the 60 seconds, the last final 60 seconds of doomed flights FZ981. And what you're looking at is that 60 second timeline. This blue shaded, right here is actually the altitude of the flight. It made its second attempted landing. Obviously, realized something had gone wrong and then it actually increased its altitude before dropping dramatically within that last 10 seconds, roughly 4,000 feet. In fact some of the information recorded from Flightradar24 indicates that it dropped at a rate of 21,000 feet per second. This was a significant stuff.

It was falling very, very quickly. Take a look at the flight path from Dubai into the Rostov-on-Don region. You can see it circled across this area for roughly two hours. And what you're looking at here, I'll get rid of the top title bar just so you can see this a little bit better.

There's the horizon. Here's the airport at the bottom portion of the screen. This line shows the first attempted landing, and then, making its way across the area for two hours. But the second failed attempt, here it is, as it comes in towards the airstrip and then, actually, increases in altitude. And then, ultimately, fails.

So, we're going to monitor what are these that caused this dramatic failure that 4,000 foot drop which was ultimate the doomed part of the airplane, now, when we saw the failed crash. Now, this is the wind across the area. They had wind gust in excess of 90 kilometers per hour.

Meteorologist and pilots looked to what is called METAR codes. This indicates the variable weather conditions, pre-flight, post-flight and during a flight. And according to those METAR codes, that the last few moments of the flights, winds were roughly 90 kilometers per hour. So, you can imagine the crosswinds that that plane had to navigate, trying to land this massive plane. George.

HOWELL: Derek Van Dam following the weather angle of this story. Derek, thank you so much. And we will stay in touch with you as we continue to learn more about what happened here.

We move on now to Europe where Belgian police have arrested Europe's most wanted man in connection with last year's Paris terror attacks.

Police captured Salah Abdeslam during this raid, Friday, near Brussels, where he was shot at the leg. Terrorist killed 130 people in Paris back in November. French President Francois Hollande says, Paris will urgently request Salah Abdeslam's extraditions.

[05:10:05] UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As the Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has confirmed. Salah Abdeslam was arrested with two accomplices and he was formerly identified today.

I think, I'm thinking of the victims right now of the attacks of the 13th of November in Paris and in Saint Denis. Because Salah Abdesalam is directly linked to the organization and preparation of -- and sadly the perpetration of this terrible attack. I think also of the families who have been waiting for this arrest.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Let's go live to our senior international correspondent Fred Pleitgen in Brussels this hour. Fred, it's good to have you with us. So he has been on the run now for four months. There have been fears that he managed to get away but they found him. How important was this get for investigators?

FREDERICK PLEITGEN, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, it certainly was important. It was important for several reasons, George. On the one hand, of course this was the most wanted fugitive that in all of Europe ever since the Paris attacks happened on November 13th.

So this was definitely something that European law enforcement quite frankly needed. There was a lot of criticism of the French authorities and the Belgian authorities along the way that said, "Why isn't possible to apprehend this man?" And then you recall, there was a raid earlier this week on Tuesday when the police raided a building. They had a fire fight with three people. Two of them managed to escape. One person was shot dead and it later came out that Abdeslam had been in that building that both DNA as well as fingerprints were found in that building.

And a lot of people started asking, "Look, you're after this man, it appears as though it's almost impossible for you to apprehend him." So this is definitely very important for European law enforcement, for Belgian enforcement to have this success to now say that the man who was by far the most wanted man in connection with the Paris Terror attacks is now in custody.

And then of course, the law enforcement authority -- because of the fact that he was taken alive, are going to be able to get a lot of information from him. And on the one hand, we're going to find out more about how the Paris attacks happened, how the Paris attacks were planned, where the Paris attacks were planned and then also who else might have been behind this network. One of the interesting things, French Presidents Francois Hollande said, he said, "Look, we're finding out as this investigation goes en that there are far more people who were involved in the whole web around the Paris attacks than anybody could have previously thought."

You go back to that raid that happened on Tuesday. The person who died in the fire fight was apparently one of the other master minds of the Paris attacks. One of the person who was calling the Paris attackers as the attacks were going on.

So by and by, European law enforcement is uncovering what's behind these attacks and of course, as they do that, they believe they're possibly also to ward the attacks that might have happened in the future because they don't necessarily believe that the people who were behind the Paris attacks and the whole web that surrounded them would necessarily stop doing all of this. As time goes along, they believe that these people remained dangerous.

So in many respects, this is something that was a huge success for European law enforcement, George.

HOWELL: Fred Pleitgen, live for us in Brussels. Fred, thank you so much for the insight and reporting. We'll stay in touch with you. As Salah Abdeslam's capture shines a spotlight again on the Brussels suburb of Molenbeek. For more on that let's bring in Sajjan Gohel. He is the international security director for the Asia-Pacific foundation and live with us in London this hour. Sajjan, good to have you. So, if you could talk to us just a bit about this particular suburb which has been a focal point in these terror investigations.

SAJJAN GOHEL, INTERNATIONAL SECURITY DIRECTOR ASIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION: Well, George, Molenbeek is seen as the epicenter for ISIS activities in Europe. It's being used as a strategic hub to plan. It's also being used as a place for recruitment. A lot of the Belgian foreign fighters, they joined ISIS, come from Molenbeek. And most notoriously Salah Abdeslam is from there and it is where he chose to hide effectively for it seems four months since the Paris attacks.

It also illustrates the lack of trust between the community and the police and that why was there no information coming from people as to where Abdeslam was hiding. So that trust deficit is going to have to be dealt with if the police are going to make progress in the future in dealing with the extremism in Molenbeek.

HOWELL: I want to push further on that lack of trust that you point out. Obviously there are good men and women of faith who live in that neighborhood but there are also people who are very upset to see such police presence in their neighborhood. Given that there are concerns though that there could be others associated with Abdeslam and terror attacks. How does that community continue on, given that there will continue to be investigations there?

[05:15:07] GOHEL: Yes. It's a very important point. We should point out the overwhelming community in Molenbeek are law abiding. They don't want to play any role with with ISIS. But there is that small fragment within that community that access the invisible enemy, that is submerged, that is plotting, planning and recruiting. And the aim is to try and how to clinically extract them out of the community.

So, more needs to be done in cooperation. One also has to point out to those naive, young impression with people that may have a degree of sympathy towards ISIS, that ISIS is no friend of anybody.

They kill more Muslims than they kill anybody else. Unfortunately that doesn't get enough attention.

And people like Abdeslam is somebody who want to do the recruiting, the radicalizing, but he also cares far too much about his own life unlike the other Paris attackers, he didn't die in the hail of bullets. He chose to save himself which illustrates that he may play a double game with the community that he tries to exploit.

And also, at the same time, claiming to represent a noble cost which of course, the ISIS is not.

HOWELL: You describe what seems to be a surgical effort, really to reach out to those who might be influence somehow to reach them. But, also not aggravate others who have nothing to do with this. How do police officers, how does law enforcement build that trust to get the information that they need?

GOHEL: There needs to be more community contact at a grass roots level.

The United Kingdom, for example has led the way with police community efforts and building trust with our local community leaders who then end up being the key source of human intelligence when it comes to counter terrorism operations.

The police in Britain would not be able to successfully disrupt terror cells without the assistance from local community members. And I would say, that is a fact that needs to be used in Belgium.

And the other problem, George, in Belgium is that you have the duel challenge of linguistics. And that French and Flemish people are there, have their own perceptions to how things can be done. There's lot of bureaucracy. There has to be two jobs for every particular role, one Flemish speaker, one French speaker.

That bureaucracy mires the ability to have successful counter terrorism operations on top of the fact that there is that trust deficit with the community.

HOWELL: It is a complicated situation, obviously. Sajjan Gohel, joining us live in London. Sajjan, thank you so much for your insights.

GOHEL: Welcome

HOWELL: You are watching CNN NEWSROOM. And still to come this hour. The Republican movement to stop Donald Trump, it's taking up steam as party leaders now announced this person. He is now voting for another candidate. Let's play it later.

Still, you have Cuba is preparing for historic visit from the U.S. President. CNN NEWSROOM continues right after the break.

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[05:20:44] HOWELL: America's Choice 2016 and the race for the White House, protesters turned out for Donald Trump's rally in Salt Lake City, Utah. The crowd is outside trying to breach the entrance before the doors were abruptly closed by the Secret Service.

This from just a week after the threat of clashes forced the Republican frontrunner to cancel a rally in the city of Chicago. Inside the event, Trump went after 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney after he announced he's voting for Ted Cruz.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Everybody is so amazing. And do I love the Mormons, OK? Do I love the Mormons. I have many friends that live in Salt Lake. I have a lot of friends. I have a lot of friends. By the way, Mitt Romney is not one of them. Did he choke? Did this guy choke? He's a choke artist. I can't believe. Are you sure he's a Mormon? Are we sure? He choked. He choked. It was so sad. He should have beaten Obama.

HOWELL: Donald Trump there. The effort to block Donald Trump from getting the nomination has accelerated just in the last week. But is it too late? What is undeniably clear is that Donald Trump has sparked an identity crisis in the Republican Party. And he's not the first rogue candidate to do so. Dana Bash has this story.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANA BASH, CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Love him?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's Donald Trump or nobody.

BASH: Or hate him?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't want to see Donald Trump get in.

BASH: Donald Trump is leading a realignment of the Republican Party.

TRUMP: It is a movement.

BASH: One stopped Trump forces warned, poses an existential threat to the Grand all (ph) party.

GRAHAM: It's not just f the heart and soul of the Republican Party. I think, if we nominate Mr. Trump, we'll lose our heart and our soul.

BASH: People say that this is a fight for the heart and soul of the Republican Party, do you agree?

STEPHEN MILLER, TRUMP CAMPAIGN ADVISOR: Absolutely.

BASH: But Trump advisor, Stephen Miller, insist, it's for the better.

MILLER: Lindsey Graham' Republican Party is a Republican Party of more foreign wars, of large scale wage suppressing immigration and trade deals that sent our manufacturing jobs overseas. That is a not a long term recipe for growth.

TRUMP: So incredible.

BASH: Some scholars compare this Republican identity crisis to the one in 1964 when Barry Goldwater was on the ticket. Until then, the GOP was a civil right party of Abraham Lincoln. But Goldwater opposed of Civil Rights Act of 1964.

BARRY GOLDWATER, FIVE TERM SENATOR OF ARIZONA: I will never vote for Republican nomination card in any Civil Rights Bill because I think it's unconstitutional.

BASH: Party leaders inside the 1964 Republican Convention worked against him. And protesters outside in the streets warned, Goldwater wouldn't just ruin the GOP, but the nation. GOLDWATER: I am compelled to vote in these roles and all of this for the good will to vote against him. This election would be a tragedy and certainly suicidal almost for the nation and the world.

BASH: Back in 1964, George Romney said about Goldwater, would his son, Mitt Romney, is now saying about Donald Trump.

MITT ROMNEY, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: If we Republicans choose Donald Trump as our nominee, the prospect for a safe and prosperous future are greatly diminished.

BASH: But Trump supporters argue American anger he's tapping into, stems from decades long, Republican Orthodoxy that left workers behind from free trade to military intervention.

MILLER: If the voters are ignored long enough, they're going to force change unto the party ...

BASH: Would you think this what's exactly happening now?

MILLER: ... which is happening now.

BASH: To be sure, frustration with the Republican establishment has been brewing for some time. Showing itself with the Tea Party movement and repelling past GOP disruptors like Ron Paul's presidential campaign.

RON PAUL, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So, they're terrified of competition. Now, the establishment has competition that really looks strong. There's a lot of people behind Trump. So, this is a big problem for them.

BASH: Conservative activist meeting in Washington this week talked about abandoning the GOP for another party if Trump becomes Republican nominee.

[05:25:04] Team Trump is already urging against that, arguing for that old Republican big tent.

TRUMP: I think as we go down the line. I think things will happen and there will be a healing process. But this has been a very rough one.

BASH: A rare understatement from Donald Trump. Dana Bash, CNN Washington.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: So be sure to tune in to CNN on Monday at 8:00 Eastern Time, all five remaining presidential candidates, Democrats and Republicans will be sitting down with our own Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper.

Five different conversations one night. Only here on CNN.

Still ahead this hour a preview of U.S. President Barack Obama historic trip to Cuba and how the island nation is preparing for his visit. Live in the United States and around the globe this hour of CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. This is CNN.

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HOWELL: Welcome back to our viewers here in the United States and around the World. You are watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm George Howell and it's good to have you with us. The headlines we are following this hour.

Plane crash in Southern Russia, all of the 62 people on board that flight, the FlyDubai flight 981 are dead and the video you see here, here is the show the moment to that crash. There were high winds that were also associated with this Boeing trying to land. Russian state media report that one of the two flight reporters has been found.

Paris terror attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam is now out of the Belgian Hospital. He was taken there with a gunshot wound following his capture on Friday and now remains in custody.

[05:30:04] Four other people were also detained in Friday's raid in suburban Brussels. Abdeslam had been on the run since November at the Paris attacks which killed 130 people.

Protesters turned out at force with Donald Trump's rally in South Lake City, Utah. On Friday, crowds outside tried to breach the entrance before the doors were abruptly closed by secret service. The event comes just a week after the threat of clashes forced the Republican front-runner to cancel a rally in the City of Chicago.

The Supreme Court judge in Brazil has filed an injunction blocking former President Lula da Silva from becoming the current president chief of staff. It comes after more protest broke out over the appointments which critics fear could give Lula immunity in a federal investigation.

Now, back to the breaking news. We're following this deadly plain crash in Southern Russia. Investigators tell the media they are looking into, "Crew error, technical failure, bad weather, and other factors." One question though, some are asking, "Why didn't the plain divert to another airport?"

Earlier, I talked to Geoffrey Thomas about that question. He is the editor in chief and managing editor, a director I should say at airlineratings.com. Here's what he have to say.

GEOFFREY THOMAS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AIRLINEREADING.COM: The (inaudible) say, air fly just ahead of them diverted, only 30 minutes flying into Hawaiian and successfully landed. They had two more hours of fuel on board. It seems very strange that it didn't diverse because the wind's gusting has just been suggested up to 97 kilometers an hour. They are very, very strong winds to achieve to landing in and as well as you're in the aircraft in the direction of the wind to counteract the effect of the wind.

The pilots also dip their wing in the direction of the wind as well. An early report tell us that, in fact, the first part of the plane that impacted the runway or the terrain was in fact the wind which then precipitated the break up of the aircraft. So, it appears as though they were battling these very strong cross winds and this was -- it appears to be the major factor in this terrible disaster.

HOWELL: So, wind played factor and as our Derek Van Dam even eluded to the possibility that pilot error may have been to blame as well. What are your thoughts because obviously, take off and landing, the two most critical points for any flight.

THOMAS: Well, given the information we have now that was, you know, is very early. We have to -- we do have to get the cockpit voice recorders to really understand what was going on.

But, the absence of that, given the wind conditions and the gusting conditions on a fact that other aircraft had diverted been a part of error, it would have to be a major contributing -- cause of this crashing. I mean the wind is obviously the factor, but then there's the decision making process. This weather is too bad for us to land, we have to divert and not press on and tragically, crystal and ices (ph) as often is the term use in aviation is the cause of many, many of these tragedies where pilots feel and so they can land the aircraft, include the conditions are not conducive for a safe landing.

HOWELL: Geoffrey Thomas there, the conversation that I had with him earlier. So, FlyDubai has only been operational since 2009 and our Richard Quest, the host of "Quest Means Business" flew with the airline as part of around the world journey that he's been on this week flying only on low cost airlines. Earlier, he told us more about FlyDubai.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD QUEST, "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" HOST: FlyDubai, it's a relatively new airline, but its pedigree is extremely strong. It is owned and the setup by the same people, that Dubai government basically that also own an Emirates Airlines.

So, you know, it's easy. Even the CEO, most of the manager, the senior managerial staff have come from Emirates Airlines. The FlyDubai relied in many ways on Emirates in its early days. So, the idea that sort of -- it's a brand new airline is suddenly true, but it had -- it does come with the wealth and act of experienced at the managerial level.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: History in Havana. Cuba is getting ready for a very important visit from the U.S. President Barack Obama this weekend. The trip comes after a break through at relations between Havana and Washington including the easing of travel restrictions. We got more now from CNN's Patrick Oppmann in Havana.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PATRICK OPPMANN, HAVANA-BASED CORRESPONDENT: It's been a long wait, but Cuba is getting ready to welcome a U.S. President. [05:35:03] After 50 years of isolation from America, Cubans are related the relations with the U.S. have improved to the point that an American President is visiting for the first time in 88 years.

Alejandro (ph) ended his studies to drive tourist in a 1950 Chevrolet earning more in an hour that he would have pulled down as an engineer in a month. He says he hopes to soon drive more Americans.

ALEJANDRO (ph), DRIVER: (Through translation) I'm only 21 years old he said. I never thought the U.S. President would visit Cuba. I hope the relations improve between the U.S. and Cuba that the economic situation gets better, that's what Cuba really needs.

OPPMANN: While the U.S. economic in Margo (ph) which only congress can lift is still in place. Obama has built some of the sanctions sharp as teeth. It's not clear how much Cuba's communist leaders will open their economy in return. Already, the opening with the U.S. has changed people's lives.

Stacey (ph) and her family sing happy birthday to her grandfather Israel (ph) who is turning 83 in Linton, Florida.

She's grateful for new areas with public wifi that the government has recently opened. Internet in Cuba is some of the most restricted in the world. President Obama has vowed to push for more access.

STACEY (ph), CUBAN RESIDENT: (Through translation) I'm hoping for a little more flexibility now, she says, maybe to visit our family. It's been 60 years since we've been able to see them. Now at least, thanks to this we can see them on the tablets or on our cellphones. The separation has been too long.

OPPMANN: Some Cubans are looking to mark the historic occasion by engaging in a little capitalism.

Crafts maker Ruby Cannilsa (ph) is selling Obama souvenirs.

RUBY CANNILSA (ph), CRAFTSMAKER: (Through translation) I think it's a gesture, something historic she says. His visit is historic and so people will take this keepsake with them, Obama in Cuba.

OPPMANN: Obama's visit is just one step in building trust between two countries that for decades were on opposite sides of the Cold War. Many here say, they have awaited their whole lives for this moment.

Ya Edaoda (ph), is what many Cubans we spoke to, told us about the new beginning with America. It was time.

Patrick Oppmann, CNN Havana.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: And along with Patrick Oppmann and many other reporters before CNN has spent decades covering news events in Cuba. Here is a look back at some of the biggest moments.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's face it. I mean, Cuba is a beautiful country, beautiful beaches, sunsets and the safeness and the people. People make Cuba a gorgeous country.

LARRY REGISTER, CNN ALUMNI: Very much reaps there's. It was decided we wanted a bureau. So I was made the point person for up in the CNN bureau in Havana. It took about seven years to do. One of them were -- interesting moments was during the Cuban rafting crisis and Janet Reno was the attorney general here in the U.S. and she kept saying the crisis is over, the crisis is over. And I'm on the beach in Cuba and dozens and Cubans are just continuing to pour into the sea. So we've report, the crisis is not over and our own people wouldn't believe us so you have to take the camera and show them. Here they come with their rafts jumping into the ocean. It made us realize the importance of being there just so people could see the whole picture of what was going on between the U.S. and Cuba.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've been covering the Miami Cuban story for all this time and I've heard everything from the Miami Cuban. I decide when I'd be able -- it was my first time actually going into Cuba to see what it was actually like what they had left, what they had fled from. It was like, if the clock stopped in 1959.

The Cold War had been over as years but yet everybody was still living like the cold war was going on.

ALEC MIRAN, SUPERVISING PRODUCER: One day, we went with Ted Turner (ph) which was awhile ago when he was going to interview Fidel Castro and we got incredible access to the Cuban leader. We rode around Havana all day one day in jeeps. And jeeps got breaking down. And we had to jump out of one jeep and jump into another and after while, we all just said, "Boy, you know, they can't even drive their leader around." You know, this isn't the place we should be scared off.

JOSE ARMIJIO, PHOTOJOURNALIST: I always remembered Fidel's speeches. Hours and hours long, hours of speech in the Cuban summer song (ph). And one of them, Fidel, faced into the United States, I mean just in their demise (ph) the way saying to President Bush, "Hey, see sir, we who are about to die salute you."

SHASTA DARLINGTON, CORRESPONDENT: The biggest story that happened while I was there. It really happened shortly after I got there. I was the producer for the CNN Havana bureau, the correspondent, went out of town. This was July 31, 2006. And we got news, there was going to be big announcement on state T.V. Well, we turned the T.V. on and Fidel Castro's personal secretary showed up and read this proclamation that Fidel Castro was going into emergency surgery and handing power over.

[05:40:11] This is a huge bomb shell. Nobody had expected it. He'd been in power for nearly 50 years.

MIRAN: So, changes happened rapidly. And I think it's going to, you know, explode as we go. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With the changes that had have happened since the opening of relations, the people always want to talk to you. They want to know when are things going to change, when are things going to get better for me.

REGISTER: At the end, I guess, the main word is rewarding. It was a rewarding experience to be involved in that. To have a little part of doing something that maybe opened the doors a little bit. And now, maybe they're up in a little bit more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: We got a deep venture of reporters and photojournalists. It's just so nice to hear their insights about such an important story.

The Race for the White House, the current U.S. President has apparently made up his buy without (inaudible). But he's not telling. That story, next.

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HOWELL: This just in to CNN, a loud blast was heard in Central Istanbul, Saturday morning. For more, we go to CNN's Arwa Damon who joins us now the phone with more. Arwa, what have you learned?

ARWA DAMON, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, George, I -- was actually, was not too far away from where the blast did take place. It's fairly loud, happening on what is called Istiklal Street. This is one of Istanbul's main pedestrian thorough fairs (ph) constantly teaming with people, filled with shops and restaurants. That is also very close to Taksim square. This is in the heart of the city.

[05:45:03] Now, the exact cause of the blast at the stage is still being investigated but Turkish media is reporting that the attacker plus one civilian were killed and at least another seven people are believed to have been wounded.

Now, literally within second, there were ambulances on this team. The police had cordoned it off, very quickly extending their cordon. They cleared off hundreds of meters of stretch of this particular road as well as a number of the side street. There are always concerns following these kinds of attacks that there could be secondary explosions and particularly on this weekend. There have been multiple terror alerts.

The of shoot of the PKK, the Kurdistan Worker's Party that had claimed responsibility for last Sunday's Ankara Bombing had pledged that they would be carrying out more attacks and in fact, the German embassy conflict and German schools had been closed due to this security warning. This is most certainly is a nation that is on high alert at the stage and it does seem, as if those security warnings were well and merited given what we have seen transpire here just an hour and a half ago. But again this blast happening in the heart of Istanbul, in the very central area that's very popular both among tourist and among Turks, George.

HOWELL: Arwa Damon, live for us on the phone following the blast heard in Istanbul. Arwa, we'll stay in touch. Again, as this happened just recently and we have yet to learn more.

Back to the U.S. Presidential race, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are hoping for victory in the next primaries and caucuses on Tuesday. 131 delegates are at stake in the states of Idaho, Utah and Arizona. Both of the Democratic candidates have repeatedly attacked Donald Trump. And as our Brianna Keilar reports, the U.S. President is now wrapping his implied criticism of this Republican front runner.

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BRIANNA KEILAR, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: President Obama weighing in on the 2016 race as he looks to protect his legacy. Telling NPR today, he thinks the Republican led senate's refusal to hold hearings on his Supreme Court nominee will motivate Democratic voters.

BARACK OBAMA, U.S. PRESIDENT: This in part because of the circus that has been the presidential season so far.

KEILAR: Obama once dismissive of Donald Trump in January.

OBAMA: They'll talk to me if he wins.

KEILAR: In February.

OBAMA: I continue to believe Mr. Trump will not be president and the reason is because I have a lot of faith in the American people. It's not hosting a talk show or a reality show.

KEILAR: Now, with Trump, the clear front runner in the Republican field, the president is sounding a warning about the heightened rhetoric in the campaign trail.

OBAMA: The longer that we allow the political rhetoric of late (ph) to continue and the longer that we passively accept it. We create a permission structure that allows the animosity in one corner of our politics in fact our broader society.

KEILAR: Obama has met with both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders this primary season speaking especially highly of his former secretary of state but the White House is pushing back on a "New York Times" report that Obama told Democratic donors to rally behind Clinton.

JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE SPEAKER: The President did not indicate a preference in the race.

KEILAR: But Obama has made a pick. Pres. Secretary Josh Earnest says, he's just keeping it to himself.

EARNEST: I did not say that he couldn't make up his mind. The President has cast a ballot. KEILAR: As Hillary Clinton fund raisers today, Bernie Sanders is campaigning out west ahead of Tuesday's contest in Idaho, Utah and Arizona.

BERNIE SANDERS, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What this campaign is about, is urging the American people to think outside of the box.

KEILAR: Sanders is trailing Clinton considerably in the delegate count. His patience wearing thin Thursday that he walks and cut off an interview with the Phoenix television station.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Brianna Keilar reporting. Brianna, also important to point out that Bernie Sanders says that he ended that interview because the allotted time for that reporter had run out. Again, thanks to Brianna Keilar for that report.

A reminder to tune in to CNN on Monday 8:00 Eastern Time, all five remaining presidential candidates, Democrats and Republicans will be sitting down with our own Wolf Blitzer and Anderson Cooper. Five different conversations, one important night only here on CNN.

Coming up here on CNN "Newsroom", meet Ted Cruz's double. They may not have much in common but hey, they sure look a like and it's causing quite a stir online.

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[05:51:23]PATRICK SNELL, WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: Hi there. Thanks for joining us. I'm Patrick Snell with your CNN World Sport headlines starting with Friday's big European Champions League draw for a place in the semifinals. We're going to show you the last day all conquering Barcelona's quest to become the first team to win back to back titles, remember, since 1990.

Barcelona have been drawn against Atletico in the quarters who actually beat them on the route to the 2014 final. The other standout match up featuring the French champions, Paris Saint Germain and Manchester City who will face at the quarters for the first time ever. Also on Friday is the Europa League quarterfinal draw, we do believe it's faith would have it. That Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool will face his former club.

(inaudible) the reds will travel for that first flag at the -- that's fallen stallion(ph) to have spent seven seasons at Dautman (ph) helping them win two. Wouldn't sneak a time pause in the process and the German cup.

The sixth division of Cricket 2020 World Cup is in full swing in India, with Friday, witnessing incredible clash between South Africa and the 2010 champs.

England set a target in more than 229 to win. England digging deep and recording the highest successful run chase ever at the World T20 tournament to beat the Proteas. Joe Root smashing a superb 83 to see his county home. England did lose two wickets in the very last double. But the score has level before Moeen Ali finally secured the win with just two balls to spare, really fantastic achievement. I'm Patrick Snell.

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HOWELL: If the political season in the United States isn't already confusing enough for you, here is an extra twist. The Republican candidate who is angling to be the alternative Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, has a look-alike himself. In fact, Cruz's double is the lead singer of a heavy metal band.

But this is not the first time the singer or Ted Cruz for that matter has had a case of mistaken identity. Jeanne Moos has the story for us.

JEANNE MOOS, NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They don't have much in common, the lead singer for a heavy metal and Ted Cruz, or do they?

MICHAEL SWEET, STRYPER LEAD SINGER: I don't really see the resemblance.

MOOS: But the internet sure does. So, Michael Sweet, front man for the band Stryper, surrendered the popular demand and twitted, I guess my Doppelganger is Ted Cruz. Yes, I better cancel the Stryper tours so I can focus on my campaign.

The photo Cruz resembles is of Michael back when he was 22. The two do share the same religion. Stryper is a Christian heavy metal band. Michael is now joking about his Cruz connection.

[05:55:02] SWEET: I really am Ted Cruz. And I have very big hands.

MOOS: Back in the '80s, people mistook him for Boy George. And now they ask ...

SWEET: If I'm Billy Ray Cyrus, I get that all the time, never Ted Cruz.

MOOS: Does he tends to vote Republican, but still undecided. This is not the first time that Cruz has been accused of being a twin. Opponents joked that Cruz is Ashley, the Zodiac killer, or even Grandpa Munster. Cruz admits he can't sing but he calls his wife and serenades her anyway.

TED CRUZ, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CNADIDATE: I just called to say I love you.

MOOS: Michael suggests one of the band's classics is served as the Cruz' campaign song. Rival Donald Trump in mine ...

SWEET: To hell with the devil.

MOOS: But for the debatable Doppelgangers, we suggest ...

SWEET: You and me together. MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

HOWELL: I think it's the eyebrows. Maybe it's the eyebrows. They looked pretty similar.

We thank you for joining us for CNN "Newsroom".

I'm George Howell at the CNN Center at Atlanta.

For viewers in the United States, New Day with Christi Paul and Victor Blackwell is straight ahead. And for other viewers around the world, Amanpour starts after the break.

Thank you for watching CNN, the world's news leader.

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HOWELL: From CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm George Howell. This is CNN News now. One of the two flight recorders from FlyDubai jet that crashed in Southern Russia has been found. All 62 people on that flight were killed.