Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Baghdad In State Of Emergency After Green Zone Breach; Blast At Police HD In Southern Turkey Kills One Officer; Twenty Six Migrants Rescued Off Libyan Coast; Sixteen Dead Dozens Missing In Nairobi Building Collapse; Kenya Stages Largest Ever Ivory Burn; Venezuela Puts Clocks Forward 30 Minutes Nationwide; Cruz Woos California Ahead Of Primary; Kasich: I'm The Only One Who Can Defeat Clinton; Leicester Aims For Fairy-Tale Finish; Chris Christie Rocks Out At Springsteen Concert. Aired 5-6a ET

Aired May 01, 2016 - 05:00   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(HEADLINES)

[05:00:45] GEORGE HOWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Live from CNN world headquarters in Atlanta, welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm George Howell. CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.

Good day to you. We begin this hour with the latest unrest in the Iraqi capital, amid deepening political crisis there. This hour, Baghdad remains under a state of emergency.

Protesters on Saturday breached what is called the city's green zone. That is home to foreign embassies and Iraq's parliament building. Iraqi officials say the typically well-secured area is now back under their control.

Iraqis have been demonstrating for months over corruption. Saturday's breaking point came after a speech by a powerful Shia cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MUQTAA AL-SADR, SHIITE CLERIC (through translator): I stand by the people today, no one else, and boycott all the politicians, except those who want real reforms, with all clarity and honesty, waiting for the great, popular uprising and the major revolution to stop the march of the corrupt.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: For more context on what's happening in Baghdad, let's bring in our senior international correspondent, Ben Wedeman, who joins us this hour live in Rome. Ben has reported extensively from Baghdad and Iraq and knows that region very well.

Ben, it is always a pleasure to have you with us. These protesters accused lawmakers of sectarianism in their selection of ministers and as you pointed out last hour also corruption.

Can you first explain the process that is so frustrating for so many, why they are so upset?

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think really corruption is one of the things that almost every Iraqi will agree is a problem, according to Transparency International, an organization that monitors corruption, Iraq ranks 161 out of 168 countries when it comes to corruption.

And certainly, we've seen for instance last summer there have been angry protests against corruption in Iraq, that's one thing. And another, of course, is the system of government that was set up by the Americans after the fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Whereby politics is upon the basis of sectarian affiliation or religious affiliation. Initially, the Americans, when they came along, they set up a governing council in Iraq, which divided power between Sunnis, Shias and Kurds, and that system has persisted.

And it is not something many people in Iraq are particularly happy about. But the problem is that parliament, the members of parliament realize that that is where their power comes from.

And they've been highly resistant to efforts by the Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi to create a new cabinet to fight corruption, where the members are appointed not upon the basis of their sectarian affiliation but rather upon their actual professional qualifications when it comes to the problems Iraq has to deal with.

Whether that's electricity generation, education, economic development, all of which have suffered as a result of corruption of the inefficiencies of a country that's never really gotten back on its feet since the fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein in 2003 -- George.

HOWELL: Ben, I'd also like to talk about the simple fact that protesters were able to make their way into that green zone. Does that raise new security questions there?

WEDEMAN: It raises questions about whether the security forces whose job it is to protect the green zone don't in some way sympathize with the protesters themselves.

[05:05:02]But I think what we've seen, going back over the last few years in the Middle East with the so-called Arab Spring is that when you have a critical mass, a number, enough people protesting, they can bring down regimes.

And they can bring down certainly walls that have for years surrounded the green zone, the green zone really has been since 2003 a symbol of resentment among many Iraqis who feel that on the outside they live one form of existence.

Where its endless power cuts, water cuts, shortages of basic things like gasoline in a country that should be exporting millions of barrels a day, whereas inside the green zone, inside those blast walls, they have constant electricity, constant water, and they're living in the lap of luxury. So you have to keep that in mind as well -- George.

HOWELL: Important to point that out there. Ben Wedeman live for us in Rome this hour. Ben, we always appreciate your context and reporting. Thank you.

Let's get more analysis now on what's happening in Iraq. And joining us live from London, Fawaz Gerges, the chair of Contemporary Middle East Studies at the London School of Economics and the author of the book "ISIS: A History."

Fawaz, it's great to have you with us as well. Let's talk first about the nation's prime minister, Haidir al-Abadi. Is he able to unite Iraq?

FAWAZ GERGES, CHAIR, CONTEMPORARY MIDDLE EAST STUDIES, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS: Well, George, it's not really about the question of individuals. This is not about Haider Al-Abadi. The crisis is Iraq is much bigger than one individual, even if he is the commander-in- chief.

Keep in mind that the various governments from 2003 until today have failed, have failed to institute reforms, have failed to create a transparent system, and yes, your question of Haider Al-Abadi comes across almost two years after he was appointed prime minister as weak.

He cannot govern effectively. He has not been able to institute serious reforms. What you are seeing is the culmination of social protests for the last six or seven months by 10,000 Iraqis.

Many Iraqis have given up, not only on Haider Al-Abadi, but on the dysfunctional and political system that was laid down by the American after their invasion-occupation of Iraq in 2003.

HOWELL: As we heard a moment ago from our Ben Wedeman just talking about the sectarian tensions that started after the formation of that new government, those sectarian tensions helped to fuel the rise of ISIS. How will this affect the fight against that group in the region?

GERGES: You know, George, I mean, this is a very important question because we all focus on terrorism. I mean, think what the Obama administration has done in the last two weeks, he sent John Kerry who support Haider Al-Abadi.

He just sent Joe Biden also because the focus of the Americans and the international community is on ISIS or Daesh, and rightly so because it presents an existential threat to Iraq.

My take on it is that Iraq's problems are much bigger. It's a crisis of an elite. It's a crisis of a regime. It's a crisis of a state. The question is not whether ISIS will be defeated. Of course, it will be defeated.

By ISIS, George, is a symptom of a structural crisis. Without overhauling a system, a system based on ethnic and sectarian distribution and dispose of Iraq, one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

And the question on the table, even if you defeat ISIS today, tomorrow or the day after, it could mutate into a much more dangerous entity without creating a system that responds to the aspirations and the wishes of many Iraqis.

Final point on what's happening in Iraq, the reason this is very important, the challenge to the system, George, is coming from within the dominant elite. This is not a Sunni uprising against a Shia-led government.

Most of the protesters are Shia and they want a different system, and this gives us hope that this is not about Shias and Sunnis, it's about Iraqis imagining a different future, a better future for Iraq.

And hopefully, this particular future would be sooner rather than later, because if the system is not overhauled we could really see the end of Iraq as a state, as a unified state.

HOWELL: Fowaz Gerges live with us in London. Fowaz, thank you so much for your analysis.

We move on now to southeastern Turkey that is where a blast outside a police headquarters in (inaudible) has killed one officer and injured 13 other people including civilians. State media reports that a car bomb caused that explosion.

[05:10:04]Our senior international correspondent, Nick Paton Walsh is following the story and now joins us now on the phone from Istanbul. Nick, what more do we know about this attack, this explosion?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): George, very little information at this early stage. It does appear that a car bomb is responsible for this and it detonated outside police headquarters, not far from what has been for a long period of time the volatile Syrian/Turkish border, one of the key towns that have become a home for many Syrian refugees.

Now guardians themselves have some degree of stability and peace in it in the past four years or so. There have been some Syrian activists there. But at this stage, it's not clear who is behind this particular car bomb.

As you said, one police officer killed, four civilians injured. Nine police officers injured. This is happening on mayday, which is a time security lockdown some degree here in Central Istanbul, often because of the political protest that come on a day like this.

But a blast like this is relatively rare, and I think will be another reminder frankly of how chilling it is for many living in Southern Turkey. It's not clear who could be behind it.

A police target like this could be something that the Kurds, that the Turkeys, are at war with and (inaudible) may have chosen or it can be ISIS have increased their scope and operations inside Southern Turkey and elsewhere of late.

So trouble times here, another worrying key city targeted by a blast like this -- George.

HOWELL: Senior international correspondent, Nick Paton Walsh, following the story live with us on the phone from Istanbul, Turkey. Nick, thank you so much.

Again, this explosion outside of a police headquarters has killed one officer and has injured 13 other people. We'll continue to follow that story.

The U.S. secretary of state, John Kerry will meet with Middle Eastern diplomats in Geneva, Switzerland Sunday, and the topic will be efforts to uphold a ceasefire deal in Syria. Nearly 30 airstrikes hit areas of Aleppo on Saturday as the temporary regime of calm took next other areas.

The president of the Syrian National Coalition says opposition forces will retaliate if the Syrian government continues to strike Aleppo.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANAS AL-ABDAH, SYRIAN NATIONAL COALITION PRESIDENT (through translator): We will encourage all efforts of those trying to put the political negotiations back on track. We are convinced that political transition is ultimately the real goal of the revolution and what the people demanded in the first place.

But we will not accept any other alternative or price. It is very clear what we want. There are internationally recognized terms for a just, political solution for the Syrian people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: The U.N. warns the situation in Aleppo has become, quote, "catastrophic." At least 230 people have been killed there in the past week alone.

Off the coast of Libya, 26 migrants have been rescued after their rubber boat started taking on water in rough seas. They have been taken to the Italian island there nearby. The International Organization for Migration in Italy says 84 other migrants are feared missing.

The Turkish prime minister says the number of migrants trying to reach Greece from Turkey dwindled in April. He attributed the decline to a deal reach between Ankara and the E.U. to stem the flow of migrants. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AHMET DAVUTOGLU, TURKISH PRIME MINISTER (through translator): After April 4th, the number of migrants crossing to Europe by illegal means has regressed to two-digit numbers. As a matter of fact on April 4th, not even one migrant attempted to sail to Greek islands from Aegean beaches. The figure for the month of April is around 80 to 90.

The fact that the number of migrants crossing has decreased to 80 to 90 from 6,800 is a clear sign that the work we are carrying out with the European Union is a clear success.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Under that E.U. deal, Turkey agreed to take back migrants in return for funding and a renewal of talks on joining the 28-nation bloc.

In Europe, the Belgian capital is taking another step in recovering after the terror attacks that struck that city in March. The Brussels Airport partially reopening its departure hall this Sunday, 40 days after a suicide bomb hit that airport.

Following an opening ceremony, passengers on three flights will be able to check in at departure halls on Sunday afternoon. Passengers for other flights will check in at a temporary structure.

This is CNN NEWSROOM, and still ahead this hour, the death toll continues to rise from Friday's building collapse in Kenya. Crews desperately searching for those who may still be trapped in the rubble. The very latest on that effort as the news continues.

Plus, Kenya is setting millions of dollars' worth of ivory on fire. The message that officials hope to send to wildlife poachers. This is CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:17:50]

HOWELL: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm George Howell. The death toll in Friday's building collapse in Kenya has now risen to 16 people dead, and this is the scene in Nairobi. Rescue workers there frantically digging from the rubble of a seven-story building trying to find dozens of missing people who may be there.

One hundred thirty five people have been rescued from the debris. Officials say the structure had been condemned, but that the order was ignored. Kenya's president is calling for the building's owner to be arrested.

Heavy rain is believed to have contributed to that building collapse. Our meteorologist, Derek Van Dam is here, and more rain in the forecast?

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: More rain in the forecast and the continued threat for flash flooding is ongoing, at least for the next several days because that insistent rain will continue.

And unfortunately, all the mounting evidence here really points towards the flooding rains being a factor in this ultimate building collapse that took place. You are looking at some of the flooded streets in the capital of Kenya, where some locations received over 200 millimeters in the past four days. Streets flooded, people wading through these streets, just trying to get on with their daily lives.

But remember that a lot of times that this water can compromise the bottom parts of structures so easily, and therefore, building collapses can be the result of flash flooding at places like this especially in a low-income area in the outskirts of Nairobi.

This is a very rudimentary graphic, but I believe it gets the point across. What I'm trying to show you is a slab of earth with grass on top of it. If we had a thunderstorm develop right over this slab of earth, without concrete on top of it, a lot of moisture would soak into the ground.

So flooding not so much of a concern, but you put pavement on top, there is nowhere for that water to go, but to pool up and create that flooded issue that we've seen in densely-populated areas like Nairobi, Kenya for instance.

[05:20:07]So that's just a broad and simple example of the flash blooding that can occur in an area that has so much pavement in such a high population density within it, 185 millimeters, even some locations reporting more.

Thunderstorms continue across this area, and the risk of flash flood, which is a rapid rise of a river or stream or a very rapid flow of high water. That is a concern going forward because there is unfortunately more rain in this forecast.

We are at the height of the rainy season in Central Kenya at the moment, the nation's capital, Nairobi they're expecting anywhere from 150 to 200 millimeters of rainfall going forward.

As we break it down month by month, March, April and May, we get the spike in our rainfall that's because the storm systems move through that region and you can see it clearly on our precipitation forecast. That is the forecast going forward.

We have the chance of more wet weather for Nairobi, so we're going to look out and monitor for severe weather, but that is not great news for the rescue efforts that are still ongoing.

HOWELL: Derek, thank you and we'll stay in touch with you. It's unfortunate to hear that more rain may hamper that effort.

Also in Kenya, another story we're following, a dozen ivory towers are burning in that nation's Nairobi National Park. Right now, the flames are consuming more than $170 million worth of elephant tusks and rhino horns, poached from the wild.

Kenya's president lit the first fire, sending plumes of smoke into the sky. It is not the first blaze of its type but it is the biggest. Our Robyn Kriel has this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ROBYN KRIEL CNN CORRESPONDENT: The fire is crackling loudly and you can feel the warmth of it from far away and the smoke is quickly filling the air. In some parts of the world this would be considered ludicrous. In fact, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding this burn.

A 105 tons of ivory, 1.35 tons of rhino horn literally going up in smoke. That's an estimated black market value of $172 million. Now no more. Kenya's message to the world -- this ivory is worthless. It has no value unless it's on a live animal.

It's not the first burn in Kenya's history. Kenya first began burning Ivory in 1989 and initially saw good results. Experts attribute this recent scourge in poaching to Asia's voraciously growing appetite for ivory particularly in China.

This is the biggest ivory burn in the world's history. It's left 12 pyres of contraband like these blackened with smoke in a fire due to last for more than a week. But Kenyans hope this will change perceptions forever. Robyn Kriel, CNN, Nairobi National Park, Kenya.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: In South Africa, dozens of big cats have arrived to begin new lives in a lion paradise. Thirty three lions were rescued from circuses in Peru and Columbia earlier this week after living in deplorable conditions for years. Now the animals will get to live out their days at a big cat sanctuary.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAN CREAMER, PRESIDENT, ANIMAL DEFENDERS INTERNATIONAL: They have lived a life of absolute hell. They've been beaten. They've been starved. They've been deprived of everything that makes life worth living for a lion. Everything that a lion might enjoy. So yes, I believe we have brought them back to paradise, where they belong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Almost all the lions have been declawed and many have broken teeth so they're not able to survive in the wild.

Rallies are planned around the world this Sunday for International Workers Day also known as Mayday. In France, more demonstrations are anticipated, following months of labor protests there.

Some protesters have led to clashes with police. Workers unions oppose labor legislation that's set for debate in the parliament later this week. Critics say the legislation erodes workers' rights by giving employers more freedom to set wages and working conditions.

In Germany, a demonstration on the eve of Mayday led to violence. The scene here as scuffles broke out between leftist militant protesters and police. Organizers said about 2,000 people attended this event. A beefed up security presence resulted in chance for the police to go away and eyewitnesses said many people began throwing rocks and bottles at the officers.

Moving on now to Venezuela, officials there taking drastic measures to save energy and here's how they are doing it. The government set the clocks forward 30 minutes on Sunday. The mandate will extend daylight hours to try and reduce power consumption at its usual peak time.

[05:25:03]The energy crisis is partly thanks to severe drought there in that region. Low water levels at Venezuela's dam have brought the country's main power plant to its knees. But some experts say it's really the electrical industry's policies at fault, not the weather.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WINSTON CAVAS, POLITICAL ANALYST (through translator): The electricity crisis we're going through today is not due to El Nino. It is the responsibility of those who managed the electricity industry in the country who did not maintain the thermal plant, who did not put this into place for when the jump comes and so its production capacity is diminished. Then these thermal plants will come into operation (inaudible), which is reducing production.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: The time change actually reverses one made by Hugo Chavez back in 2007.

In India, rising temperatures threaten to make a severe water crisis there even worse. The country has already endured two straight years of drought. Rivers and wells have dried up. It's forced people to travel long distances to get water. The months of May and June are typically India's hottest and temperatures in some places are already above 40 degrees Celsius or 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is CNN NEWSROOM. Still to come this hour, in the U.S. presidential race, Republican candidate, Ted Cruz chose his running mate a little earlier than usual. We will explain why next.

Plus Leicester fever is taking over. We'll explain how their improbable run for the premier league title is making history.

Live across the United States and around the world this hour. You are watching CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:30:03]

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

In Iraq, Baghdad is under a state of emergency after protesters stormed the Iraqi capital's green zone. Security forces there say a fortified area is now back under control. It is home to government offices and foreign embassies. A Shiite cleric's anti-corruption speech riled up protesters there.

In Southeastern Turkey, state media report that a car bomb exploded outside the police headquarters in Turkey, killing one officer and wounding 13 others. No one has claimed responsibility yet for this attack.

The Brussels airport is set to partially reopen its departure hall. This move comes 40 days after the terror attacks that struck the airport and a Metro station. Passengers for three flights will be able to check in at the departure hall Sunday afternoon following an opening ceremony.

In the U.S. state of Texas, six people are dead after severe flooding there. A 64-year-old grandmother and her four grandchildren, all under the ages of 10 were swept away by floodwaters. The body of the sixth victim was found hours later in the same area after the water receded.

America's choice 2016, the U.S. presidential race, it is mathematically impossible for Republican candidate, Ted Cruz to secure his party's nomination on a first ballot at the July convention.

However, Cruz is trying to stop Republican frontrunner, Donald Trump from doing that. And on Tuesday, the state of Indiana holds a very important primary. Cruz has released two ads there, linking Donald Trump with Democratic frontrunner, Hillary Clinton. Here's a look at one of those ads.

(VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: After Indiana, the primary in California looms the largest, and it is the last for Republican voters. The three Republican candidates have spoken at the California Republican Convention this week. Donald Trump attracted violent protests outside that venue. Our Jason Carroll has more on what Ted Cruz had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, things kicked off with former Governor Pete Wilson making an introduction for Ted Cruz, also announcing that he is endorsing Cruz. Much of what we heard in his speech we've heard before during a typical Ted Cruz stump speech.

But Cruz did make a point of saying that California is at a crossroads. That the voters here in this state would eventually choose the nominee. He also talked about why he chose his running mate, Carly Fiorina so early on.

As you know, Ted Cruz has come under a lot of fire from Donald Trump for choosing a running mate when Trump says he has no mathematical path to the nomination. Cruz spoke about why he chose Fiorina at this time.

SENATOR TED CRUZ (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The reason I named her this week is I believe the people of California and the people of this country deserve a clear and simple choice. Elections are about choices, and I think the contrast could not be clearer between Carly and me on the one side, a positive, optimistic, forward-looking, conservative campaign, based on real policy solutions to the challenges facing this country versus, on the other side, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

CARROLL: Cruz also called both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump Washington insiders, but at the end of the day cannot have it both ways. You cannot have the endorsements of people like a former governor of California or the governor of Indiana or the governor of Wisconsin endorsing you, but then claiming the others are the ones who are outsiders.

What Cruz has to do is he has to reach those people who are out there supporting Donald Trump. He was successful with his diehard supporters here in the state, but was he successful at reaching out to the Donald Trump supporters? That's something that still remains to be seen. Jason Carroll, CNN, Burlingame, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: Republican candidate John Kasich describes his campaign as, quote, "the little engine that can." Though, it will nearly take a miracle for Kasich to win his party's nomination, still, he is staying in the race and predicting how Republican frontrunner, Donald Trump, would do if Trump ends up winning the nomination instead. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KASICH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What I'm really fundamentally interested in is making sure that Hillary Clinton is not president. And Donald Trump, if he goes to the convention, first of all, if he were to be picked, he would get crushed in the fall.

[05:35:07]And there's a couple districts here that Republicans care about that probably would be gone with him. The fact is, I'm the only one that beats Hillary Clinton consistently in 15, 16 of the last polls. Also in the simulated Electoral College, I win there, and these guys lose.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOWELL: Kasich is also attacking Trump's foreign policy, saying it doesn't make any sense.

The United States is set to voice its concerns to Russia after a Russian fighter jet conducted what's called a barrel roll maneuver over a U.S. military plane. It is the second time officials say they have seen such an incident by a Russian war plane within a month. Our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, has this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Another dangerous military maneuver by the Russians. It happened Friday over the Baltic when an Air Force RC-135 aircraft, a reconnaissance aircraft was flying in international airspace over the Baltic. Suddenly, a Russian SU-27 fighter came up alongside, within 25 feet of the American aircraft and did a barrel roll maneuver. That means it came up over the side, inverted, flew over the top of the American aircraft, and came back down the other side at close range, at high speed.

This is one of the most dangerous, unsafe maneuvers that can happen, according to the Pentagon. And actually, it was the second barrel roll this month by the Russians.

There was also another incident when the Russians flew very close to a U.S. warship in that region. The question now is what are the Russians really up to? Is all of this happening under direct orders from Moscow or is it happening because Russian pilots are out there hot dogging?

For the U.S., it really doesn't matter. The Pentagon making very clear it wants the Russian military to stop these unsafe, dangerous maneuvers. Barbara Starr, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: You're watching CNN NEWSROOM. Still ahead, Leicester City is one win away from history. After 132 years, the team could finally get a major title. You'll hear from some of the fans cherishing the moment, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:40:51]

HOWELL: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm George Howell. Leicester is just a few hours away from a showdown with history. They've been on an improbable run for the English premier league title and now they can clench it with a win over Manchester United.

The team started the year with a 5,000-1 odds against them winning. That's amazing, but none of that matters now as they look to complete what is considered a storybook history.

All of this means that today's match could certainly be one to remember. Rhiannon Jones is outside the stadium there in Manchester and joins us now live to talk about this more.

Rhiannon, if you ever wanted a matchup that is David and Goliath, I'm sure it's fair to say this it is. What are people saying about this? What's the hype? What's the feeling?

RHIANNON JONES, JOURNALIST: Well, the hype behind this is that it's very much a fairy tale story. It's an underdog triumphing and certainly the greatest in English league football if not in sport. Leicester City is just three points, one win away from lifting their first-ever English premier league title in their 132-year history.

Now what makes this even more remarkable is that only two years ago, Leicester City, the Foxes weren't playing in the top flight, this time a year ago, they were fighting to stay out of relegation.

And at this start of the season, odds were at 5,000-1 for Leicester City to win this title. There are some winners and losers. Of course, Leicester City players will lift that trophy. But there are some who have put on a bet every single year, to indeed win this title.

And this is the one year he's not put on that bet. If he had, he would be set to win $155,000. Meanwhile, a Birmingham businessman has indeed put on a bet, a joke bet, he claims, and he's set to win $105,000 and that's having put on a bet of just $16.

HOWELL: Wow. So 1 in 5,000 odds of winning. You compare it to Kim Kardashian becoming the next president of the United States. I don't mean to put you on the spot, but looking as a reporter, looking at the strategy, at the players, can Leicester City do it do you think?

JONES: Can they do it? Absolutely. They're three points away, one win away and they could do it here today at Old Trafford, a stadium (inaudible) history and they haven't won here since 1998.

And they're without star man, Jamie Vardy, but that said, Leicester City are motivated by knowing that they're this close, they're just one win away, and even if they don't do it today, second at the table, Tottenham visit Chelsea tomorrow.

All they need to do is to get one result better than second at the table spurs. And with all of the motivation, they've got all the support from around the world, from Thai monks to Tom Brady to a Leicester legend.

He said that he will present his show in his underpants if Leicester wins. I'm not sure if that's a motivation or not -- George.

HOWELL: This will be a site to see this game. We will have to see what happens. Do you think they do it? I'm putting you on the spot.

JONES: Yes, today, and I hope that they do today because it will be so much nicer for them and Leicester fans. It will make for a nice fairy tale ending for them to actually win here at such an incredible stadium.

HOWELL: Rhiannon Jones, we appreciate your reporting, and we'll stay in touch with you as the world watches this matchup.

[05:45:03]No doubt what Leicester City's players have achieved is extraordinary, but their manager deserves enormous amount of credit too. The 64-year-old Italian Claudio Ranieri has frequently been called "the tinker man" for his persistent tweaking of the team's tactics during a game and it wasn't a particularly flattering name.

In recent times, Ranieri has gone from a disastrous spell in charge of the Greek national team to taking the Foxes to the brink of the premier league title. What he's done he's done with a sense of grace, a sense of humor, and spot-on tactics, making a mockery of those who thought his best managing days were behind him. So this could be it. The day that Leicester climbs to the top of world football. They were founded 132 years ago and have never won a major title t is it is a huge game. And you can see from this video how much the fans at home, how much it means for them.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hello, Claudio, I'm at the market. We do a selfie, and I want to say how fabulous you are, what you've done for the city is amazing. We all love you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We love you!

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've done amazing for this club. We need you here in Leicester. You need to stay here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've never seen anything like this before. It's incredible. Thank you for everything that you've done so far.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you for all you've done for the Leicester City football.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Perfect manager, came in, took the underdogs to the champion.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We love you here in Leicester. You're in our hearts. Deep down.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're all very proud and rooting for you and hope you manage to do it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I literally would hug you if you were here, because for this city, what you've created, the family, the essence of the stadium, it's fantastic.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you for coming to Leicester. What a great job you've done, you are a god.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He came in and did his thing. Brought them to the top.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm going to be talking about it in 20, 30 years' time, legend.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hope you continue to do it and stay with us so big thank you from me, basically everybody from Leicester station as well.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Follow your hometown and believe, and Leicester is true testament that if you believe in your dreams, who knows where the fairy tale takes you.

CLAUDIO RANIERI, LEICESTER CITY MANAGER: Thank you, thank you so much. Wonderful. I make this job because I am I have, very happy when other peoples, the fans, are happy. That's all my sacrifice is this and I, and I love this.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: What an exciting moment for the manager. What an exciting moment for this team, Leicester will give it their best shot in just a few hours' time as will Manchester United. You're watching CNN NEWSROOM.

Still ahead, the comedian-in-chief. That's right, the commander-in- chief performing the last time as president of the U.S. at an American tradition. You'll hear some of President Obama's jokes and jabs as CNN NEWSROOM continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:52:01]

HOWELL: Washington rolled out the red carpet for the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday and the event this year was the last time U.S. President Barack Obama attended the dinner as commander-in-chief, though he took on the role as comedian-in-chief, poking fun at all the candidates even himself.

Donald Trump, however, decided to skip the event this year still. Mr. Obama and comedian, Larry Wilmore, made plenty of jokes at Trump's expense. In fact, they didn't spare anyone.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Everybody, it is an honor to be here at my last, and perhaps the last White House Correspondents Dinner. The end of the republic has never looked better.

LARRY WILMORE, HOST, "THE NIGHTLY SHOW WITH LARRY WILMORE": Nice to be here, though, at the White House Correspondents Dinner, or they're going to call it Donald Trump presents a luxurious evening paid for by Mexico.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: We have the bright new face of the Democratic Party here tonight, Mr. Bernie Sanders. Bernie, you look like a million bucks or to put it in terms you understand, you look like 37,000 donations of $27 each.

WILMORE: I can't understand why everybody treats Donald Trump with kid gloves, but they're the only gloves that fit his tiny little baby hands.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Bernie's slogan has helped his campaign catch fire among young people, feel the Bern. Hillary's slogan has not had the same effect.

WILMORE: There's a joke going around in the internet that Ted Cruz is actually the zodiac killer. That's absurd. Some people actually liked the zodiac killer.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Meanwhile, some candidates aren't polling high enough to qualify for their own joke tonight. WILMORE: Ted Cruz got zero delegates in New York, which is actually five more than I thought he would get for the zodiac killer.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: With that I have two more words to say -- Obama out.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: The president of the United States dropping the mic there in his last year in office there.

There's a saying that goes dance like no one is watching. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie did just that at a Bruce Springsteen concert, and everyone was watching. CNN's Jeanne Moos explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When Chris Christie's wife made that ever so subtle eye roll.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The only thing she's got going is the woman's card --

MOOS: As Donald Trump slammed Hillary, we wondered what her husband was thinking. Was he reliving his wild and crazy night before? The governor didn't just clap his way through a Bruce Springsteen concert in Brooklyn. He felt it his way.

[05:55:02]And played air guitar and took selfies with strangers, and then sang with them and he didn't care that cell phones everywhere were spying on him. Get in the act, trap, he acted free. I've never seen such a display of pure joy from one man, tweeted a concert-goer.

The man is rocking out like no one's watching. Hey, when you're in a trance with your eyes closed no one is watching. Even Christie critics at Gawker called him a concert hero.

"Guys, Chris Christie couldn't be cuter if he tried," tweeted another audience member. The New Jersey governor has idolized The Boss since he was a boy. He's attended over 130 Springsteen concerts.

(on camera): Politically speaking, the governor and the rock star dance to the beat of a different drummer. Springsteen, a diehard liberal turned down Christie's request to perform at his first inauguration, but they shook and hugged it out at a Hurricane Sandy telethon.

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE (R), NEW JERSEY: He told me it's official. We're friends.

MOOS (voice-over): Even if The Boss did once sing a parody about bridge-gate with Jimmy Fallon. Now the one jamming is the governor. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOWELL: You feel the music. You just got to move with it. That's OK. That wraps this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm George Howell. The news continues on CNN. Right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)