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Another Potential Terror Suspect Investigated by Police After Belgian Attacks; Bernie Sanders Wins Big in Western States; U.S. Corporations Threatening Action Against GA and NC After Bills Seen as Discriminatory Against LGBT Community. Aired 12-12:30a ET

Aired March 27, 2016 - 00:00   ET

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

[00:00:11] NATALIE ALLEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: As Brussels recovers from one of its darkest weeks, another potential terror suspect is investigated by police.

Bernie Sanders wins big in the western U.S. as he eyes the clean sweep of three Democratic caucuses in the race of the White House.

And how does this man make you feel? We'll introduce you to a researcher who says his admirers and attractors may actually have a lot in common.

It's all ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM. Thank you for joining us. We're live from Atlanta. I'm Natalie Allen.

And we begin with the ongoing investigation in Brussels where authorities have charged a man they are calling Faycal C. with terrorist murder. Police are not saying what role he may have played in Tuesday's bombings. And Belgian officials now tell us the widely reported death toll 31, counted the three suicide attackers bringing the number of victims to 28.

The search continues for other suspect while a city mourns those lost. Belgium's foreign ministry announced that a former ambassador to the U.S. Andre Adam was among the dead.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DIDIER VANDERHASSELT, SPOKESMAN BELGIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS: We can confirm that unfortunately one former colleague of our foreign ministry is among the dead -- the victims.

UNIDENTIFED FEMALE: Did you know him personally?

VANDERHASSELT: No, I don't know him personally but I know he was an excellent colleague (inaudible).

UNIDENTIFED FEMALE: It has been closer to home I imagine for you.

VANDERHASSELT: Yes, of course. We were all devastated especially the (inaudible).

(END VIDEO CLIP) ALLEN: Investigators are working to decipher where all the various pieces fit in. An increasingly complex puzzle, but they have their work cutout for them even with the mysterious news suspect in custody.

Earlier hour, Lynda Kinkade spoke with CNN's Clarissa Ward about the progress of the investigation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLARISSA WARD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: He was arrested on Thursday outside the prosecutor's office. And it's not clear exactly what his role was in the attacks but listen to some of the charges he's facing, terrorist murder, participation in terrorist activity, attempted terrorist murder. All these charges would seem to indicate that he played a very central role in these attacks.

We know that authorities did launch a raid on his home. Reportedly, they didn't find any weapons or explosives but that certainly doesn't mean judging by the severity of these charges that he didn't play a role in these attacks and the question that many people here have is, is it possible that Faycal C. is one of the two men who have been the primary focus of this manhunt.

One of those Lynda, of course the man you've seen by now so many times in that surveillance video from the airport, the man standing on the right of the screen wearing a white or tan colored jacket and a hat and glasses and the second man who has not been identified visually but who was seen in surveillance video outside the metro just moment before the bombing carrying a large bag.

So we've had nine arrests in the last two days, three people released, six people detained and despite will see, appears to be the primary focus of the investigation now, Lynda.

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: And Clarissa, there is also that manhunt underway for a Syrian national who it's believed was a refugee in Europe. What can you tell us about him?

WARD: Well, this is interesting, Lynda. Essentially Belgian and French authorities released the statement saying that they were asking for information as to where his whereabouts. They were warning that he is armed that he is potentially very dangerous. We know very little about him. He's been called Naim al-Hamed. He is believed to have entered Europe with other refugees using that refugee route entering through the Greek island of Leros.

And one French investigation source has told CNN that they believe that he did play an operational role in the Brussels attack. It's not clear what that role was. A French newspaper "Le Monde" is reporting that his DNA was found at the house where the three airport bombers were picked up from last Tuesday. But so far, we don't know where he is, where he might be, what his role was, but authorities are saying to be very careful he is armed and potentially dangerous.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ALLEN: Clarissa Ward earlier on CNN. Well, most families have now gotten word about whether their loved ones survived the attack. That includes two U.S. parents. Their 20 year old son is in the hospital with second degree burns and shrapnel injuries. CNN's Saima Mohsin talked with them in Brussels.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Proud parents show me a photo of their family, tears of relief and worry.

[00:05:05] Their oldest, Joseph Preston was in the airport checked in where the bomb went off.

AMBER EMPEY, SURVIVOR'S MOTHER: He's the oldest to five kids, and he was -- he's just been -- how do say this, he was born, you know, from the time his little puppies (ph) stepped up and taken care of all of us, you know, he's responsible and kind, loving, and ...

MOHSIN: Joseph called his parents from hospital. His voice was calm and then he sent them these photos.

A. EMPEY: It was devastating.

MOHSIN: He's being treated for second degree burns to his hands, face, and head, with surgery for shrapnel wounds on his legs.

A. EMPEY: It's a long trip. Yeah.

MOHSIN: And when you first saw him?

A. EMPEY: Yeah.

COURT EMPEY, SURVIVOR'S FATHER: His eyes were beautiful. He could speak through all the burns and all the injuries that tell his name whole and heard him there. Maybe he need some time to rehabilitate and heal on the outside and I'm sure with his emotions as well.

A. EMPEY: I miss his smile. He's gotten damage is all around his face, you know. He's got this pretty blue eyes it's just painful and excited to see us.

MOHSIN: Joseph was just a few months from the end of his two-year missionary tour to Europe when the bombing happened. He described the seen to his parents.

C. EMPEY: It was horrifying what he went through. He remembers the blast and knocked him out. And he was very scared and hiding. And then he went in to helping those around and looking for his three missionary colleagues to help them.

MOHSIN: I asked them what they thought of the terrorists.

C. EMPEY: I don't understand it. I just know that there's so much more good and love in the world that it will always win. MOHSIN: Joseph has more surgery and treatment to go through. His family can't take him home yet where his brothers and sisters are anxiously waiting to see him again.

Saima Mohsin, CNN Brussels.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Nice to see the parents getting to visit with their son knowing that he's going to be OK. Well, the attacks in Brussels have exposed how difficult it is to protect large crowds. Open places like airports, and train stations are known as soft targets.

CNN's Evan Perez explains why they are so vulnerable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EVAN PEREZ, CNN JUSTICE REPORTER: A soft target is a place where people are gathered such as an airport, a train terminal or even a stadium where before they can get through screening, they are essentially unprotected, they are prime targets for terrorists.

Well, what we've seen from al-Qaeda and from ISIS is that they train to attack soft targets. They know that these are places where people are going to be gathering and where they're going to be unprotected. We saw that into Paris attacks where a couple of the suicide bombings happened outside of the Stade de France. In Brussels, we saw the airport and the metro station.

One of the first things that authorities worry about after an event like Brussels is the possibility of copycat attacks, people who might just be thinking of doing something and then get inspired. So that's one of the reasons why you see an increase presence of police in places like Time Square, in places like Penn Station. You can only keep that increased presence for a few days. It's intended to make sure that you show an increased vigilance but then the harder work begins behind the scene.

Wherever you put the security chord on, there is still going to be a line. And a line is always vulnerable. So the U.S. has a very robust system whereby they do sting operations to try to find these people who are online, who are talking about carrying out an attack. It's a very controversial tactic. But so far it has prevented a lot of attacks in United States. In other countries they're staring to copy that formula to try to do the same thing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Coming up here protesters in North Carolina say a newly passed state law is devastating to the civil liberties of transgender people and several corporations are taking a stand.

Also, U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has a big night. We'll tell you why.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [00:11:53] ALLEN: U.S. Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders is celebrating big caucus wins across two states. In Washington State he scored more that 70 percent of the vote.

Washington an important battle ground with 101 delegates at stage. And in Alaska he won more than 80 percent of the vote. Caucuses are still underway right now in Hawaii. We'll bring you those results when they are available.

Well despite the win, Sanders still has an uphill fight to actually beat Democratic rival Hilary Clinton. Nationwide she already has more than 78 percent of the delegates that's needed to snatch the party's nomination.

High voter turnout play the key role in Sanders' victories but the outcome of Saturday's caucuses was not a sure bet.

Here's a look at how the results came in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: The stakes are very high for Senator Bernie Sanders and his struggle to catch up with Hillary Clinton in the delegate race, a total of 142 delegates on the line.

JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: So what is Bernie Sanders really need to do? Well, Jake, if he wins 80-20 in all three of these states, well then he cuts a decent chunked to her lead then.

TAPPER: It's all about margins, Kate Bolduan.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Margins matter, that's the line of the day and the night.

SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The room was actually cordon off paper walls put up. Basically, they pushed those out and had to open up the room because just so many people streamed in.

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN REPORTER/PRODUCER: That's your version of democracy, and actually, Jake, they are literally hand touting him.

TAPPER: CNN projecting that independents in Vermont, Senator Bernie Sanders will be the victor in the contest in Alaska.

DAVID CHALIAN, CNN POLITICAL DIRECTOR: One thing that's happening here is that because Hillary Clinton starting to focus a little more on the general, she's no longer in there's business so much. I'm trying to define Bernie Sanders in some sort of negative light, that allows Bernie Sanders to still really define himself.

BERNIE SANSERS, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: All right. Are you ready for a news alert? We just won the State of Washington.

We are making significant in roads in Secretary Clinton's lead with your support coming here in Wisconsin. We have a path towards victory. BILL PRESS, CNN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTOR: June 3rd, that's when Barack Obama wrapped up enough delegates in 2008, and Hillary stayed in until that very point, we are March 26. There's a long way to go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: The next Republican contest which set for April 5th was a primary vote in the State of Wisconsin. And the candidates will fill questions in this CNN's Town Hall starting three days from now.

You can catch it up live at 1 a.m. Wednesday morning London time.

This year's presidential town halls and debates have prompted many viewers to shake their heads in anger, frustration and amusement or bemusement, or combinations of all three perhaps.

CNN's Brian Stelter shows us one neuroscientist who is studying viewers' brains as they take in the political spectacle.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIAN STELTER, CNN MONEY SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: There are small load metal discs that directly touching your skull. It's going to be sampling the electrical activity.

This is your brain on presidential debates.

[00:15:00] Sam Barnett is measuring brain activity as viewers watched the most popular of the season.

The 26-year-old is a hedge fund CEO by day and a Ph.D. student by night.

SAM BARNETT, SBB RESEARCH GROUP FOUNDER AND CEO: By a whole field of research that is really trying to make science fiction reality.

STELTER: So, he's studying neuroscience. We're here watching the debate and what are you trying to measure from people's brains?

BARNETT: We're trying to get a sense of where their waves are going to try to see what content is actually driving people to feel similarly about certain topics.

STELTER: In a room filled with equal numbers of Republicans, Democrats and independents, Barnett starts to study the data.

BARNETT: So the instructions were pretty mild overall.

STELTER: He quickly notices one thing everybody's brain seems to agree on, Donald Trump.

When Trump's on the screen, I see this data shoot up. What is that mean about Trump?

BARNETT: You can see he's at 35.9 when these other candidates are in the 20s. STELTER: Seeing Trump's face, hearing Trump's voice, lights up the brain.

BARNETT: The fact that you can make everyone feel at least on a neural kind of fundamental basis the same way is very interesting, because they might subjectively or consciously disagree with that, but something in their brain is ticking the same way when that's happening.

STELTER: Maybe it's his unique television skills, perfected during a decade on the "Apprentice".

So, what you saw in here is that whether you're a Democratic or Republican watching the debate, when Trump's on the screen, suddenly your eyes are wild, I think you're paying more attention.

BARNETT: Yes. So everyone in the room is sharing some kind of neural bond. There everyone is kind of feeling the same kind of a tension, that same kind of underlying passion at least.

STELTER: Afterward, Barnett's analysis found that Trump's led engagement among Democrats, Republicans and independents, as well as the women in our focus group. He trailed Marco Rubio among men but only slightly. And well, Trump might not want to be compares to a four legged animal. Barnett says there's no denying his appeal.

Are there other things you will compare this sort of heightened engagements too?

BARNETT: Dogs has it known for a long time and advertising as, you know, these very popular kind of figures and clue and, you know, people's all different walks of life like seeing dog in a commercial. It's cute, and engaging, and interesting and, you know, made me feel like Donald Trump.

STELTER: Trump was more engaging talking about immigration than about say education.

BARNETT: This is one of the questions that Trump didn't performed as strong on, but we see this being a much stronger answer for John Kasich.

STELTER: But Trump was best overall. By getting this focus group, really focused on his words. No wonder ratings rise when he's speaking on the air.

Barnett uses this method to study advertising and he's applying it to his hedge fund investments as well. In the not too distant future, he expects campaigns to be strapping these contraptions on the people's heads to learn more about their neuro reactions.

BARNETT: I would imagine that people would learn from this and this will continue to shape more effective messaging on the future.

(END VIDEO CLIP) ALLEN: One issue that's popular among Republicans, guns and thousands of people are petitioning to allow guns inside the Republican National Convention in July. You can read more about it on our website at CNN.com.

U.S. corporations are threatening action against the states of Georgia and North Carolina following a series of bills seen as discriminatory against the gay and transgender communities. CNN's Nick Valencia has that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All these people are upset. They're angry. They have been left out of the Democratic process.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This week, outside of the governor's mansion in North Carolina, protest and arrest. The demonstrators are opponents to a newly passed state law that they say is devastating to the civil liberties of transgender people. The law strikes down a recently passed ordinance in Charlotte. It would have protected trans people and allowed them to select the restroom of their choice based on how they identify.

PHIL BERGER, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE: The adoption of the ordinance by the city council in Charlotte was just crazy.

VALENCIA: Republican lawmakers like Senate Pro Tem Phil Berger were furious at the legislation.

BERGER: Allows grown men to share bathrooms and locker facilities with girls and women.

VALENCIA: In a special session, solely to consider the bill, Republican lawmakers pass the public facility's privacy and securities act. It means, transgender people in the state of North Carolina must use the restroom related to the gender on their birth certificate. North Carolina's bill signed into law Wednesday is the latest in a string of state's attempting to pass similar anti-LGBT legislation.

MIKE CRANE, (R) GEORGIA STATE SENATE MEMBER: In the courtrooms, you're seeing folks yet their religious pleas persecuted against.

VALENCIA: In Georgia, the controversial bill passed by the state house and Senate is called the Free Exercise Protection Act, one of the several religious liberty bills that have surfaced across the country. Governor Nathan Deal has until May to cite it into law. Senator Mike Crane is one of the bill's most adamant supporters.

[00:20:03] Is this legislation a direct results of what the Supreme Court did last year in legalizing same-sex marriage?

CRANE: I think it's a result of many things but that was just another catalyst I believe.

VALENCIA: But many blue chip businesses around the nation say there will be major financial consequences to Republican efforts in Georgia and North Carolina. Disney and Marvel studios have threatened to abandon production in Georgia if the governor signs the bill into law. The NFL says it could have an impact on whether Atlanta is selected as the host of the 2019 Super Bowl. And in North Carolina, the NBA says because of the new law, it may pull the all star game from Charlotte next year.

VALENCIA: Six major conventions have considers relocating if the governor signs the bill into law. Atlanta's Convention and Visitors Bureau said the decision could cost the state up to $6 billion and we should mention that the parent company of CNN Turner has joined the laundry list of big corporations to speak out against the legislation. Nick Valencia, CNN Atlanta.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Right, as Nick mention CNN's pairing company has announced the Georgia bill and it's urging the states governor to veto it in a statement this week. Time Warner said we strongly oppose the discriminatory language and intent of Georgia's pending religious liberty bill, which clearly violates the values and principles of inclusion and the ability of all people to live and work free from discrimination.

U.S. President Obama earns praised for nailing the tango during his recent trip to Argentina but he's stepping to us a different kind of tango, shortly after. We'll explain next..

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ALLEN: A somber ceremony with held on Dublin, Ireland Saturday to honor Irishmen who died fighting for their country's independence from British rule a century ago. In 1916 and what is known as the Easter Rising Rebellion, the protesters stormed the post office and read a loud a declaration of independence. The rebellion was crushed but it is credited paving the way for the creation of the Irish republic. Ireland's president and acting prime minister attended the tribute with descendants of some of the protesters.

Pope Francis is urging Roman Catholics around the world to remain hopeful leading into Easter Sunday celebrations. Italy is increasing its security ahead of the Pope's Easter Sunday mass after the deadly bombings in Brussels. And in the coming hour, hundreds of Christians in Jerusalem who attend mass at the church where it is said Jesus was in tomb. The Easter celebrates the day Christian's belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

U.S. President Barrack Obama tried to avoid it but a diplomatic tango in Argentina may have produced a few public relations missteps when he actually went on the dance floor. Here's CNN's Jeanne Moos with that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After an explosive performance at a state dinner with Argentina's President, the female dancer invited President Obama to join her. The President tried to waved her off but the woman in gold wouldn't take no for an answer. [00:25:02] Thus began the tango that led critics to tango with the President. "Brussels burns and our President tangos. Wonderful.''

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The events person who let them him do the tango, that person ought to be looking for work. That was a tremendous mistake.

MOOS: But the President thinks it would be a mistake to allow terrors to alter foreign trip. As for the tango, Obama supporters say, "Is there anything," @POTUS Obama, "Can't do?''

PAUL PELLICORO, DANCE EXPERT: So basically, we're doing the Rudolph Valentino deal, right?

MOOS: Paul Pellicoro of DanceSport to see Instructor Todd Al Pacino to tango for "Scent of a Woman". Also is the President did a great job for a rookie, graded him 93 out of 100.

PELLICORO: He had a real live wire on his hands and he was smart enough to go with what she wanted to do.

MOOS: A natural dance was calls him. Generally speaking, two words that don't tango are dancing and politician.

Can you imagine any of these candidates doing the tango? Well, Bill Clinton once did. Keeping such a close eye on his feet that he tangoed into another couple. Also as President Obama took a risk at the end trying to dip his partner.

PELLICORO: He wants to go into collecting her but he went and titled at the wrong way and dumped her out of the window.

MOOS: President must have been listening to what Al Pacino.

TODD AL PACINO: No mistakes in the tango, darling, if you make a mistake, get all tangled up, you just tango on.

MOOS: Jeanie Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: And he was the biggest report about it to have tangoed on the fly. Well, if you've ever wonder what back time is like for a giant panda, here's the look at one that's gone viral, zookeepers at the National Zoo in Washington shared this video online you can see the 275 pound panda Tian Tian trying to fit into a slightly smaller tub instead of getting frustrated he got created and enjoyed his bubble bath head first and then to some other parts now just get pretty up there. Adorable. Thanks for watching Alpine Edge is coming next in our top stories are right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:30:14] ALLEN: This is "CNN News Now", I'm Natalie Allen.