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Syria State TV: Military Has Retaken Palmyra from ISIS; Another Potential Terror Suspect Investigated by Police After Belgian Attacks; Bernie Sanders Wins Big in Western States. Aired 3-3:30a ET

Aired March 27, 2016 - 03:00   ET

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

[03:00:10] NATALIE ALLEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL ACHOR: Another new suspect emerges after Tuesday's Brussels terror attacks. We'll take you live in the Belgian capital for the latest.

A bounce for Bernie Sanders in the western U.S. after a pair of caucus wins for the Democratic presidential hopeful. And well, only some Americans feel the burn. We'll tell you why almost everyone has a strong reaction to this candidate right here.

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

And we begin with breaking news out of Syria. The country's state TV is reporting that the military has retaken the ancient City of Palmyra from ISIS control. The militant group took the key city last May and destroyed many of the temples there and what was an irreplaceable lost to the history of human civilization.

Palmyra has key supply routes leading to the ISIS self-declared capital of Raqqa. We'll bring you more on this development later this hour.

Now, we turned to a new figure and the investigation of the Brussels terror attacks. Police are calling him, Faycal C. And though, they aren't specifying his role on the bombings, he's been charged with terrorist murder.

Authorities are working to shore up security as they searched for other responsible people for Tuesday's attack. They also announced Saturday that the widely reported death toll of 31, included the three attackers bringing the tally of victims to 28.

It seems like a new name has added to the list of the people involved in the terror attacks with each passing day.

For the latest view from the city, let's turn to Michael Holmes, he's there live for us. And good morning to you, Michael. What do we know about this latest suspect?

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. Faycal C as you say. Now, this was a man who was picked up -- he was picked up with a couple of other people who've subsequently been released outside of the Belgian prosecutor's office, the headquarters of the investigation into these terror attacks.

What he was doing there, we've not yet been told but he has being charged with a number of things, terrorist murder, attempted terrorist murder and also of being part of a group involved in terror activity, so a significant development there.

And also, the man you might remember who was shot by a police at the tram stop the other day too, he is also being charged, not with a murder but we think part of terrorist activities. And this was all part of course of the result of those raids, those sweeps that are being carried out in the last few days here in Brussels. A number of people caught up in all of that.

And also other people being named. You remember, Naim al-Hamed, the 28-year-old Syrian who authorities here, desperately want to get a hold of. They say that he's probably armed and very, very dangerous man. This is the man who came across in the wave of those refugees arrived on the Greek islands of Leros with a couple of the other Paris attackers and then disappeared into Europe. They've not again specified exactly what they want him for but it's sort that he had an operational role of some sort in these Brussels attacks.

We're also hearing about an Algerian national who was picked up in Italy over the last 24 hours. And he's accused of being involved in making fake documents and linked to those Brussels attackers as well. So a number of developments here and more raids are carried out and people are picked up and as we see now, starting to be charged, Natalie.

ALLEN: And with the raids and these arrests, Michael, that have occurred since the attacks, are people expressing any sense of relief, that perhaps police are finally cracking this network or does this put them more on edge?

HOLMES: Yeah, you know, it's interesting. It's a bit of a mix, you know, people are still stunned by the attacks themselves, of course. There is apprehension though, because although we've had these arrests, they're still looking for other people too. We still don't know about that third airport bomber. The second bomber perhaps involved at the metro attack and then people like -- the others they've named that they want to get a hold off. So there's also that apprehension that there's still people out there.

And I was talking to a security expert yesterday who feels that another attack in Europe is not just quite likely but it could be imminent. It was interesting there was planned peace march that was going to happen today, you know, march through the streets here in Brussels, and comes through the square behind me (inaudible). Police asked them to cancel it and organizers did cancel it.

[03:05:03] It just remains to be seen if people will turn out. So, you know, authorities said they had security concerns and they didn't have enough police manpower with all the other investigations and raids going on here. They didn't have enough police manpower to protect those marchers. So you have these rather sad situation where a march that was meant to show defiance to terrorist they say, "We're not going to be coward by these guys" is called off because of concerns about those guys. So that's very disappointing for a lot of those who are planning to turn out for this march.

And around this square here this morning, we saw military vehicles blocking the entrances of vehicle entrances to the square here. And you've got there's also a tragic sort of side of armed soldiers, fully in camouflage, patrolling the streets and squares of this historic city, standing just outside cathays and stalls which is, you know, quite a bizarre sight. The streets have been quiet as a normal in the last few days, business operators and owners have told us, that is very unusual. And locals have said many people -- they just staying home, they don't want to be out on the streets, Nathalie.

ALLEN: Yeah. It's very disappointing situation there and certainly a new day and tensed times there. Thank you for bringing us the latest, Michael Holmes there in Brussels for us.

Well, the young American couple, Justin and Stephanie Shults, have been confirmed among those killed in the Brussels attacks. When the news reached Justin's family, they could hardly believe it. His uncle said, he was overwhelmed with emotion.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DALE BRENARN, BRUSSELS VICTIM'S UNCLE: When I hear their voices, it just tears me apart. I start crying and I start having seizures. And then when I found some news out that, you know, they found them and he has passed away. I just total blank out and started crying and thrown into seizures.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ALLEN: Justin and Stephanie Shults have been living in Belgium since 2014.

Two U.S. parents whose son survived the attacks are now in Brussels at his bedside. The 20-year-old Mormon missionary is in the hospital with a second degree burns and shrapnel wounds to his legs.

Saima Mohsin talked with his parents.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

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: There are still 100 victims in hospitals. To find out how you can help the victims of the attacks or Impact Your World team has gather some ways to offer support and head to our website, cnn.com/impact.

[03:10:03] U.S. Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders is celebrating ahead. We'll tell you why he's thanking voters in the American West.

Plus, a scientific scrutiny of the U.S. presidential race. Find out what some Americans are in the Donald Trump state of mind.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ALLEN: And U.S. Democratic candidate, Bernie Sanders with all smiles late Saturday for a good reason. In front of a cheering crowd, he celebrated presidential caucus wins in two states. In Washington with 101 delegates at stake. He snagged 72 percent of the votes. In Alaska, he won more than 80 percent. We're still awaiting results of caucus in the State of Hawaii, where voting, it's still underway. Sanders still has a long way to go to beat Hillary Clinton. She holds more than 70 percent of the delegates vote so she needs to snag the Democratic nomination.

High voters turnout played a key role in Sanders victory for 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: Well, 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. [03:15:04] CNN's Brian Stelter talked with a neuroscientist who's studying viewers brains as they take in the political spectacle of 2016.

(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. 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: Well, you again had a chance to exercise your brain waves, three days from now. CNN will host a town hall for the Republican candidates. See it live, Wednesday morning at 1 a.m. in London, that's 2 a.m. in Paris, right here.

Meantime, here's something weighing on the minds of some Republicans. A petition signed by more than 22,000 people is demanding that guns be allowed into the Republican National Convention.

"The convention will be held in Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland from July 18 through July 21. The arena forbids firearms on their premises. The petition's author wants the GOP candidates to ask the RNC to advocate for the change. The petition cites violence in Cleveland and terrorism for why attendees should be allowed to carry firearms. More than 22,000 people have signed the petition. CNN has reached out to the RNC and a convention spokesperson for comment." ALLEN: Well, also be interesting to see what the Secret Service has to say about that idea.

Well, U.S. President Obama earned praise for nailing the tango sort of during his recently trip to Argentina, but he stepped into a different kind of tango late after. We'll explain right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[03:21:58] ALLEN: It is Easter Sunday in many parts of the world celebrating the day Christian's believed Jesus rose from the dead.

Pope Francis will celebrate Easter with a mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City in the coming hours.

In Jerusalem, hundreds of Christians are attending mass at the church where it said Jesus was in tomb.

A dismal but not disastrous weather outlook for parts of Western Europe as people want to be out and about celebrating Easter.

Here's Karen Maginnis has the latest forecast. Hi, Karen.

KAREN MAGINNIS, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Natalie. And you saw there in Rome from that live picture that the sun is shining there but not so much as we head across Western Europe, primarily across the United Kingdom. And it's the Bay of Biscay through the Irish Sea is going to be very blustery. As an area, low pressures going to be dominating this region and ushering in at some weather across France. Also all the way down into Portugal and Spain.

Not everybody going to feel the effects of this but certainly, a stubborn area of low pressure that is already produced some pretty gassy winds across the United Kingdom and into Ireland as well. But we can't have those wing gases. I mentioned yesterday, close to that 100 kilometers per hour. I took a look at some of the weather conditions throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland and for the most part, most of them were between 60 and about 80 kilometer per hour wind gas.

As we go to the afternoon, what's left of your Sunday, this is what we're anticipating. Well, have some showers and thunderstorms for London. It's not going to be continuous. We'll see rounds of shower activity. But in some of those coastal areas again, some strong, Beaufort scale winds between six and seven, that means we could see those wind gas around 70 miles per hour or just over 100 kilometers per hour. Those are varying amounts of sunshine right around Madrid in 16. Bucharest is going to make it to about 12.

Interesting development taking place across the Middle East and that's will we'll expect some showers to Iraq here over the next 24 to 48 hours. And here we can see over the last 12 hours, some of that moisture pouring in across Central France.

I took a look at all the reporting stations in France and generally speaking, nearly everyone between about 10 and 20 millimeters, a lot of people a lot less, but we'll expect some blustery winds, especially along that West Coast of France.

Now in the United States, kind of a soaking Easter Sunday. This is the forecast rainfall across the Deep South. And across the Western United States, some snow fall and the snow levels across the cascades and the Olympics in Washington State lowering down to around 3,000 feet.

Natalie, back to you.

ALLEN: All right. Karen, thank you. Well, U.S President Barack Obama tried to avoid it but a diplomatic tango in Argentina may have produced a few public relations missteps when we actually took to the dance floor.

[03:25:02] Here's Jeanne Moos.

(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.

It 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: Well, at least he tried the dip, it can be tricky. Thanks for watching. I'm Natalie Allen.

Special edition of Erin Burnett "OutFront" from Brussels is next right after our headlines.

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