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North Korea Holds Workers Party Congress; Counting Down to Kentucky Derby; Russia Holds Concert in Palmyra; Residents Flee Wildfire in Fort McMurray, Canada; Syrian Refugee Camp Struck by Airstrike. Aired 8:00a- 9:00a ET

Aired May 06, 2016 - 08:00   ET

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

[08:00:21] KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong and welcome to News Stream.

Now, secrecy surrounding North Korea's biggest political gathering since 1980, and despite the presence of international media invited to

visit the recluse nation.

Donald Trump may be the Republican Party's presumptive presidential nominee, but a major party leader says he is not ready to back him.

And this video from the al Nusra Front shows the impact of a rocket strike in Syria. More violence in the country's long-running civil war.

North Korea's ruling party has kicked off its first congress in decades amid a shroud of secrecy.

Now, 3,000 delegates are in the capital Pyongyang to hear what the leader Kim Jong-un has planned for the country.

Now, it's been some 12 hours since this congress began and so far little information has emerged, but analysts are paying close attention and

there is speculation by U.S. and South Korean officials that Pyongyang could conduct another nuclear test any day now.

Now, CNN's Will Ripley is following developments from inside Pyongyang. He filed this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right now we're walking through Pyongyang

towards the April 25 House of Culture. This is the venue for the 7th Workers Party Congress. It was also the venue for the previous congress

back in 1980.

We saw a massive caravan of coaches that we believe are carrying the 3,000 members of North Korea's ruling elite, the Worker's Party who are

here, to unanimously show their support for the Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un.

I say unanimously, because here in North Korea, there is no political dissent. It's just not an option.

She says, "we all say the Koreans are so fortunate to have such great leaders starting from the late president right up to the martial Kim Jong-

un."

This is as close as we're allowed to get. More than 100 news organizations invited here. And we can't go inside the congress.

It speaks to the fact that the North Korean political system is quite nebulous, it is not transparent to say the least. And they say this event

here is to rally support and help him push forward his plan for North Korea, which is a two-pronged approach of developing the country's nuclear

program while also growing the North Korean economy.

Now, there are some observers on the outside who say you can't have your cake and eat it, too. You can't have a strong economy and also

continue to develop nuclear weapons. But Kim Jong-un's government is intent on proving them wrong. And it's part of the reason why you see so

much international press here.

One thing I've noticed in two years of coming here is how much activity there is. Cars in the streets, people are more well dressed. It

seems as if the economy is growing, but you wonder how long it can last given these heightened sanctions and their trickle down effect in the comes

months.

Are you worried how the sanctions are going to affect your life?

He says, "we've been under heavy sanctions since the end of the Korean War in the '50s. We're not afraid of stronger sanctions because we're used

to them and we've survived."

Now as we monitor this once in a generation meeting of the Workers Party Congress, we wonder what the supreme leader is going to announce.

Will there be a major shift in economic policy? Will there be a fifth nuclear test or news of improvements to the North Korea nuclear arsenal?

Many around the world oppose the rise of Kim Jong-un, but here in Pyongyang, you won't hear a single person speak badly about their supreme

leader and why would they speak badly about him when he holds absolute power in this country, power that inside this building is only expected to

increase perhaps dramatically in the coming days.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: If only we could get inside that building to see more.

Will Ripley join us live from the North Korean capital. And Will, North Korea has invited you to this historic once in a generation party

congress, but how much have you and other reporters actually been able to see?

RIPLEY: Well, that's what we saw, just the exterior of the building, Kristie, and even though we were told to dress up so that would cover the

Workers Party Congress, we thought initially that we might actually have access inside, you know, the convention center, be able to perhaps talk to

some officials, some of the 3,000 Workers Party members who are here in Pyongyang for this meeting, but we got to take video across the major

intersection and talk to some of the passersby. And North Korean people who have been working for 70 days in the lead up to this event starting at 5:30

in the morning, going late into the evening to clean up and rebuild and refurbish parts of Pyongyang, they haven't gotten any information either,

because there have now been two evening newscasts here and there has not been one single mention of the Workers Party Congress.

The mentality here is just so different. People don't expect instant information like we often do in the outside world. We're used to things

being streamed live and being able to learn things as soon as they happen.

Clearly, that is not the case in this country. It still no internet for pretty much everybody and no access to foreign media either.

[08:05:33] LU STOUT: The world is watching North Korea right now. The world's media is there. How do you think Kim Jong-un is going to use

the spotlight?

RIPLEY: Well, if we look at what the leader has been saying in the months leading up to this event, he is expected to, for one, perhaps show

the world his new party leadership, because there have been so many reports of purges within some of the highest levels of the party, most prominent,

of course, was the execution recently the execution of Kim's uncle after he rose to power.

And so this new leadership this party with the supreme leader leading the charge, state media has basically called him a unifier, saying that he

did away with evil forces both internally and externally and they say he continues to fight those evil forces, which is why they continue to justify

a tremendous amount of money being spent on developing the nuclear program even as they also say that a major priority is to develop the economy.

And so could there be a major economic announcement? Possibly. Could there be a major announcement about the nuclear program, or a fifth nuclear

test? Yes, that could happen. But really we but no idea until the government releases the information, until they tell us what's happening

inside that building here in Pyongyang.

LU STOUT: Could be a major policy change. But again, we don't know.

Now, from what you're able to observe on the streets of Pyongyang, I'm curious about what you're seeing economically speaking, because we know

North Korea is under pressure from international sanctions. There's also the factor that the Chinese economy, which has been so dependent on is

slowing. Are you seeing a slowdown or a tightening being reflected in any way on the streets of Pyongyang?

RIPLEY: Well, I guess I would first have to say that my view, even though I've been now -- and this is my tenth trip to this country -- I have

a narrow glimpse of life here in North Korea. We can't travel freely. We are only allowed to see what the government wants us to see.

However, anecdotally, driving around the parts of Pyongyang that I have been permitted to to observe, I've noticed quite a difference of

economic growth just in the last couple of few years. People are much more fashionably dressed than I've seen before. Pretty much everybody here in

the capital has a smartphone now as for several years.

There are new department stores opening up where people can shop for items. There are private taxi companies, farmers can keep their excess

crops, that was a new policy change under the current leader. Some state- owned companies are now running autonomously. And so if he were to announce some sort of major policy shift that would be a huge development

and a huge change for the way that this country has traditionally has done things. We haven't seen a major policy shift happen so far aside from the

things that I mentioned.

But given the sanctions and given the investment in the nuclear program, the diplomatic isolation and all of the restrictions on trade,

it's difficult to see how this economy can grow and thrive on its own, and also still attain its goal of having this huge nuclear arsenal. That's the

skepticism from a lot of outside observers.

But I think the reason we were invited here is because North Korea wants to show the world the good side of life. They want to show people

that are living here in the capital, and there are some people living here in the capital, who are doing well.

LU STOUT: All right. CNN's Will Ripley there reporting on the enigma that is North Korea. Live in Pyongyang for us. Thank you, Will.

Now, in Pakistan a 16-year-old girl was choked, injected with poison, tied to a van and burned

alive, all in the name of honor. Her name was Ambreen (ph). And her barbaric death was a so-called honor killing, and there are hundreds of

them across Pakistan each year and her wrongdoing here, helping a neighbor and her boyfriend to elope.

Now, for more on the story, I'm joined by CNN's producer Sophia Saifi, she joins me now live from Islamabad. And Sohpia, in the wake of this

girl's brutal and despicable death, a number of arrests have been made. Can you bring us the latest on that.

SOPHIA SAIFI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kristie.

We -- so, basically this was a cold case. Her body was found last Friday, and nobody really knew who had carried out the murder, what the

reason was, and all of this came to a head yesterday when around 13 people were arrested in the district of Abbottabad, which is in the north of

Pakistan.

We know that what has happened is that like you said, Kristie, there was this young girl, this ninth grader, who allegedly helped her neighbor

elope with her boyfriend and it was her family -- then there was a jirga (ph), which was a tribal council had got together a 15-member strong tribal

council, they got together and decided that they were going to punish this young girl to make an example of her

so that such a thing could never happen again.

And along with those 13 people, there's still two people still at large, but along with those 13 people that have been arrested, the mother

of Ambreen (ph) was also complicit in this. She has also been arrested. So, 14 people have been arrested out of which one of them is the mother of

the young girl so brutally killed -- Kristie.

[08:10:33] LU STOUT: Can you tell us more about this 15-member tribal council who ordered the killing of this girl? I mean, who are they? What

kind of authority do they have?

SAIFI: Well, they do -- they have an autonomous party within that region. There is this tradition of tribal leaders, of, you know, elders of

the society getting together and making a decision on small, on local village matters.

So -- and that is kind of respected within the village itself, and it's largely kind of accepted by

the government as well. But this, this kind of crime -- honor killing, for example, this obviously become as problem when you see such horrific and

grotesque crimes carried out.

The people who did -- the people who were members of this jirga, this tribal council, happen to also be family members of the girl who eloped.

So, it was kind of a revenge -- a vengence killing as well as an honor killing -- Krsitie.

LU STOUT: A Sophia, we're looking at this horrific statistic on our screen right now, over 1,000 women and girls have been killed in these so-

called honor killings in Pakistan last year. Who is speaking out against these murders, and are their voices being heard?

SAIFI: Well, Kristie it would be unfair to say that people are not speaking out. There are people who are campaigning against this. There

have been lots of women's rights activists, lawyers, filmmakers, who have been pushing this topic to the fore, and it is always being discussed.

Legislators, there is, for example Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. She's filmmaker who recently won an Oscar for her film on honor in Pakistan.

The prime minister just two months ago made a very strong statement in which he had actually screened that film at his own residence and he had

said that he would take special notice of the fact that such crimes would never, ever exist or happen again in the country.

But it is only now 24 hours later that we're receiving -- I just got an email right before I came on-air that the prime minister has condemned

this.

But there are lots of activists, there are lots of legislators who are working to kind of end this problem in Pakistani society.

LU STOUT: Yeah, there is condemnation, but the killings they must stop.

Sophia Saifi reporting for us live from Islamabad. Thank you very much indeed for that.

In India, hundreds of millions of people are suffering through the country's worst drought in decades. Now relief could come next month when

the monsoon season begins, but some warn that groundwater levels are just so depleted, the rain may be just too little, too late.

Now, severe heat wave is offering little relief and CNN correspondent Sumnima Udas joins me now from New Delhi with more on the story. And

Sumnima, could you tell us who is suffering the most from this crippling drought?

SUMNIMA UDAS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: As in most crises in India, Kristie, it's always the poor, particularly in rural India who

suffer the most. I mean, forget about air conditioners and fans, many of these people don't even have shelters. I've traveled to these parts many

times in the past. And for miles and miles, many times you don't even see a single tree.

And we're talking about soaring temperatures, some 45 to 46 degrees Celsius.

That's about 115, 116 degrees Fahrenheit. And in these kinds of temperatures, people, the poor, are having to walk for miles and miles, to

the nearest well to collect one pitcher of water, maybe, if they're lucky.

In these conditions, they're having to spend all of their day out in the farms farming. And

within that rural community, Kristie, it's particularly the farmers who are suffering the most, because 80 percent of the agricultural land is actually

dependent on the monsoon rains and because of the two consecutive weak monsoons, these farmers, not only do they not have access to drinking

water, but their livelihoods are also shattered -- Kristie.

LU STOUT: It is the farmers, the rural poor in India who are suffering the most right now.

So what are authorities doing to help them?

UDAS: well, local governments have been sending out water tanker trucks to neighborhoods from one neighborhood to another. in this one

particular town of Latur (ph), in the worst-hit area -- or worst-hit state of Maraisha (ph), they are even sending water trains. So, imagine these

trains full of water traveling some 360 kilometers to bring water to these areas?

But all of that, many residents say is not enough. In Latur (ph) itself, they're only receiving water every eight days.

So the situation is desperate. The environmentalists and many others have written a letter to

the prime minister urging him to declare this drought a national emergency.

He, himself, has spoken out on the radio. He urged everyone to collect water to save every drop they can. They have a lot of long-term

plans in place, but none of that is really going to make a difference right now. Everyone is sort of just waiting for the monsoons to arrive. But as

you mentioned, even that, experts say, is not really going to make a difference in terms of the water levels in this country, because the water

are levels, groundwater levels are so depleted -- Kristie.

[08:15:53] LU STOUT: All right. Sumnima Udas reporting live for us. Thank you.

Now, within hours a convoy of 400 vehiclees will roll south through the charred streets of Fort

McMurray, canada. A great escape from a wildfire that is now bigger than Singapore. You can see how frightening it was earlier this week. 88,000

people have been forced to leave as they try to get out, aid is pouring in from across Canada and the city of Edmonton is going out of its way to welcome those have been displaced. But this is only one of

dozens of wildfire burning right now in Alberta.

Let's go straight to our meteorologist Chad Myers for more. And Chad, are conditions there going to improve for the firefighters there in

Alberta?

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Improve -- yes, but that's a relative term. They don't get really significant rain help for two weeks, and

authorities there are saying, you know, we don't have enough. There's no way that air tankers,helicopters, dropping water, people on the ground, can

get this fire out all by ourselves. We need mother nature's help.

There's been a ridge of high pressure. That's why it's been so warm - - 32 degrees on Monday, 31 on Tuesday. And that is, I know we talked about how hot it is in India, but that's unheard of up here in a Boreal forest.

This is the same forest that goes all the way around Russia. It is pine trees, deciduous trees, these are trees that have lots of pine sap inside

that when they burn, they burn just like a bomb goes off.

There you go. Fort McMurray, still only about 7 to 15 kilometers per hour today.

But here's what -- here's what it looks like when you get wind with the storm. And you get this firestorm going. The wind blowing from one

tree to the next, to the next, and it's called a tree-top fire. And then you get the wind to blow 30 or 40 kilometers per hour and these embers fly

around. You can see them in the air. These embers are falling to the ground, but some on them on the tree tops are

blowing downwind or a mile or so creating more spot fires.

That's why the firefighters are saying we can't get in there, because we may get caught behind the fire line if another fire pops up. We can't

get in there when the winds are blowing 40 or 50 kilometers per hour. We have to wait for that wind to go down. And you can see how quickly those

trees go.

It's not like a burning oak tree. A pine tree -- a spruce, whatever, these are all deciduous -- these are all really conifer kind of trees, they

burn so significantly hot that they just catch the next tree right on fire.

So, conditions for the next few days. We'll go back to the map here today. We have Friday still in the red zone, no help at all. The winds

die off, but by Saturday and Sunday, the temperatures go back up in the red zone -- we are right there. The fire is right under that red, which is

extreme fire danger for Sunday. A little better for Monday. And by the end of next

week it begins to get better.

But Kristie, the next big rain event doesn't happen until May 22.

LU STOUT: Oh.

MYERS: You can look at your watch and say, wow. They need help tomorrow, not in two weeks. But it doesn't look like it's coming.

LU STOUT: That's right, no rain in the immediate forecast. Meanwhile, just looking at that

video you shared with us, apocalyptic scenes there in Alberta.

MYERS: Absolutely.

LU STOUT: Chad, how did this wildfire start?

MYERS: We don't actually know yet. We had been searching all of this -- and it was on Sunday. It was a small spot fire. The wind blew, and all

of a sudden it was in the town. It was in that Fort McMurray city.

And it's a city. And I know we think about it being in the northern if fringes of Canada, but 88,000 people live there. Lived there. Now some

of those houses aren't there anymore.

This was an oil/sand community. Up there to the north, they found oil sands in the sand, in

the dirt there and they mined that. And there's 500,000 barrels of oil coming out of that area, at least there was, until now there are no workers

at those plants, basically, because there's just nothing to do. No way to get that oil out of there.

This is a dangerous situation that will go on not for hours, days, but probably for weeks.

LU STOUT: Yeah, very dangerous situation as you mentioned. Thankfully they were able to get 88,000 people out of there. Chad Myers

reporting for us. Thank you, Chad, and take care.

[08:20:05] MYERS: You're welcome.

LU STOUT: You're watching News Stream. Coming up on the program, the man slated to be the Republican nominee for U.S. president is struggling to

get support within his own party.

Why one high-profile leader is not getting on the Trump train just yet.

Stay with us.

Plus, the investigation into Hillary Clinton's private email server is nearly complete. We'll tell you what officials have to do before they

decide whether to bring charges.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LU STOUT: Coming to you live from Hong Kong, you're back watching News Stream.

Now, Donald Trump is still being called the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, but he is facing an internal fight within his own

party. The U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan is the latest high-profile Republican who is not backing the presumptive nominee right now. And

Donald Trump is firing back.

Now, CNN's Phil Mattingly has more on the reluctance among the Republicans.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REINCE PRIEBUS, REPUBLCIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: They're both committed to sitting down and working and actually talking this out.

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: RNC chairman Reince Priebus in the middle of the fight to unite, confirming Donald Trump and House Speaker

Paul Ryan will meet face-to-face next week.

REP. PAUL RYAN, (R) WISCONSIN: I'm just not ready to do that.

MATTINGLY: Only hours after Ryan told CNN's Jake Tapper that he's not ready to back Trump.

PRIEBUS: And what he's saying is, look, I want to get there. I think I will get there, but I want to talk to Donald Trump, and I want to work

with him.

MATTINGLY: Priebus, trying to explain why Ryan and some in the Republican Party are so

reluctant to back their new standard bearer.

PRIEBUS: For some people, an endorsement is a full embrace. And so for some people it takes a little bit of time to get to a full embrace.

MATTINGLY: The chairman, not promising 100 percent of the party will fall in line, but optimistic that there won't be a contested convention

come July.

PRIEBUS: The platform of our party will be written in Cleveland. And I think you're going to get another very conservative platform out of our

party.

MATTINGLY: But not so fast. Trump firing back at Ryan in a statement saying, quote, "I'm not ready to support Speaker Ryan's agenda. Perhaps in

the future we can work together and come to an agreement about what is best for the American people."

TRUMP: You know that thing, Never Trump. You know why it's never Trump? Because I'm going to stop the gravy train for all these consultants

and all of these peopel.

MATTINGLY: Ryan making clear that his focus is on one thing: protecting the party's House majority. Something some analysts predict

could be in jeopardy with a Trump nomination.

RYAN: My focus this fall, is, has been, and will be the House majority.

MATTINGLY: And warning the fight for unity rests mostly on the shoulders of the nominee.

RYAN: I think what is necessary to make this work, for this to unify, is to actually take our principles and advance them, and that's what we

want to see, saying we're unified doesn't in and of itself unify us.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: And that was CNN's Phil Mattingly reporting there.

Now, the federal investigation into the security of Hillary Clinton's private email server is expected to wrap up in the next few weeks.

Officials say so far there was no evidence Democratic front-runner willful violated the law while secretary of state.

Now, I just want to remind you what the probe is all about. Now it was revealed that Hillary

Clinton had been using a private email server to conduct official business during her time as secretary of state. And that led to a review of more

than 52,000 pages of emails before they were released to the public.

Now, the investigation focused on the security of the server and the handling of classified

information.

And one of the last steps is an interview with Clinton herself. Then the Justice Department

decides whether to file charges.

Now, CNN's Pamela Brown has the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAMEL BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we have learned that several people

inside Clinton's inner circle have been brought in quietly to a room in the FBI's Washington field office over the last few weeks, including Clinton's

longtime confidant Huma Abedine. She is said to be one of those people. And officials say she has been cooperating.

These interviews are focused on whether classified information was mishandled on the security of the server, as well. Investigators saying

that this should have never happened. That this was mistake, even Clinton admitted she shouldn't have had a private server. That was a mistake. But

at this point in the investigation, there is no evidence of criminal wrongdoing so far. But the investigation is not over. In fact, one of the

most anticipated steps hasn't happened, the interview with Clinton that's expected in the coming weeks.

The Clinton campaign sent out a statement saying from the start Hillary Clinton has offered to answer any questions that would help the

Justice Department complete its review. And we hope and expect that anyone else who was asked would do the same. We are confident the review will

conclude that nothing inappropriate took place.

This investigation is expected to wrap up in the coming weeks. And while the FBI is staying focused on the facts, investigators are mindful

that this is an investigation involving the potential Democratic presidential nominee, just a couple months away from the Democratic

convention.

Pamela Brown, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: You're watching News Stream, and still to come, more bloodshed in Syria, despite an extended cease-fire. We'll bring you the

latest from the front lines.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:32:01] LU STOUT: aleppo under a 48-hour cease-fire, BUT according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights at least 70 fighters have been

killed in a battle between Syrian forces and Islamic factions.

Now, video released by the Nusra Front is giving us a unique perspective on the war being fought around Aleppo. It was shot from drones

and it depicts the impact from rockets as the al Qaeda affiliate fought for Khan Tomman (ph), a suburb southwest of the city.

Just watch this. Watch what happens.

Wow, a revealing perspective of the war there.

Now, al Nusra Front said in a statement it controls Khan Tomman (ph) and a couple of surrounding villages after coordinating with other Islamist

factions.

Now, CNN's Jomana Karadsheh is monitoring developments on the spiraling violence in Syria. She joins us live from Amman, Jordan.

And Jomana, we know that there was a deadly airstrike on a Syrian refugee camp. Women and children were killed. What happened and who is

responsible?

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kristie, no one is taking responsibility for this attack on Thursday on this internally

displaced people makeshift refugee camp near the Turkish border in Idlib Province.

According to reports, it was unidentified jets that dropped the bombs on this camp, killing at least 30 people and wounding more than 80 others,

according to the United Nations, that's describing this as saying that this could amount to a war crime. And, you know, looking at the images, the

aftermath of this attack really devastating attack, you know, these are people who have fled their homes

looking for safety, displaced like millions of other Syrians who have been displaced by the violence over the years, probably displaced once or maybe

even more than once, finding refuge there, but that, of course, wasn't even safe for them.

And you hear from the people in these videos that we saw in the aftermath, they're blaming the

Syrian regime and its allies for this attack, but the Syrian regime coming out today saying it was not responsible for this attack.

Now, this is something, Kristie, that we have been seeing over and over again in recent months. These attacks on hospitals, on markets, and

in this case, a refugee camp with no one taking responsibility, but having a blame game here with the different sides blaming each other and it is the

civilians yet again who are caught in the middle of this very complex war.

And this attack, of course, happening while the country is supposedly in this so-called cessation of hostilities, yet we see women and children

yet again the victims of this violence, Kristie.

[08:35:01] LU STOUT: That's right, despite the truce, or so-called truce, the human toll rises in Syria.

Jomana Karadsheh reporting for us live. Thank you.

Now, Russia's renounced Marinsky Theater Orchestra (ph) has performed amid the ruins of the Roman amphitheater in the Syrian city of Palmyra.

Now Britain's foreign secretary has called the concert a tasteless distraction from the suffering of millions of Syrians. But Moscow says the

event was dedicated to the victims of ISIS.

Now our senior international correspondent Fred Pleitgen witnessed the performance.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Attack helicopters hovering over our convoy at all times for protection. Russia's

army went to great lengths to bring a massive group of journalists to the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, recently liberated from ISIS.

When we arrived, a surprise: a classical concert featuring a Russian star director right in

the ancient amphitheater, and a greeting from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This concert is way to thank those who fight against terror, he said, ready to sacrifice their lives.

The star music Sergei Raldugod (ph), named in the Panama Papers for alleged links to offshore companies with cash flows of hundreds of millions

of dollars. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Also on hand, Russian soldiers who demined Palmyra after ISIS was ousted, a sign of the pride

Russia takes in its Syria intervention.

Palmyra was liberated from ISIS control in late March after the Syrian army launched a massive offensive.

When ISIS moved in to Palmyra, many experts feared the worst, that the terror group would flatten this entire remarkable ancient site. But when

ISIS was driven out of here by the Syrian military, of course, with a lot of support by the Russian air force, the experts were surprised to find how

much of it remained intact.

But some treasures like Palmyra's Triumph Arc were destroyed. Now experts are debating how to restore them, but threats like unexploded

ordinance remain.

While, Russian demining teams have cleared both the ancient city and a nearby town they are also training Syrian troops to find and destroy

explosive devices. The commander says the bombs ISIS left behind were particularly sophisticated.

"ISIS left bombs behind that were professionally made," he said. "We found high-grade explosives and at least three suicide vests."

Russia clearly views the liberation of Palmyra as a major victory not only for the Syrian, but for their forces as well, one they want the world

to take note of even as Syria's civil war drags on.

Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Palmyra, Syria.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Now, the key U.S. jobs report for April has just released. And the U.S. economy added 160,000 jobs in April. That is fewer than

expected.

Now, economist surveyed by CNN Money had expected a rise of 197,000 jobs. Now, the unemployment rate remains steady at 5 percent.

We're going to have much more on the jobs report on CNN Money. That starts in about 20 minutes from now.

Now, place your bets and stand by for the jump. Now Saturday marks the 142nd running of the world famous Kentucky Derby. But with the great

event comes great responsibility, and next on News Stream, we go behind the mic to see what it takes to call a horse race.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:40:04] LU STOUT: Welcome back.

Now, the 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby is happening this Saturday. It is one of the world's most famous horse races. And the

winner can expect to pocket a cool $1.6 million.

But aside from the fortune and the fame, every great race announcer a great announcer. And CNN's own Richard Roth gives his very best shot.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEN WARKENTIN, RADIO ANNOUNCER: They're off. Huxley (ph) fast. We have so bad I'm good. The bad deputy gets away early from the inside, and

he will settles in.

RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORREPSONDENT: I'm calling today's fourth race. What should I know?

WARKENTIN: You need accuracy and clarity. You need control. You can't get too excited. And you should use the binoculars.

ROTH: How upset could you get if a race caller makes a mistake?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, very upset.

ROTH: Because I make a mistake.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're not going to make a mistake. I've got full confidence in you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In a half mile track, you're fine. If you stick with one, two, three,

and four, you'll probably do pretty good. Just do those numbers.

ROTH: I wasn't good in math, though, in school.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. So, we'll go with six, seven and eight then.

ROTH: During testing I called a horse Paystobea Meangirl and we later learned it was Pays to be a mean girl.

It's Paystobea Meangirl in front.

Is that embarassing?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah, that is embarrassing.

ROTH Is it proper for a race announcer to make a bet on the race he's calling?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's an unbiased approach to the business.

You might be concentrating too much on that horse that you bet.

ROTH: $2 across on the 5.

Five, RockRock Whosethere (ph). Number six, OK Cognac (ph). Number seven, Real Mystical (ph). And number eight Magnum Mike (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My great pleasure to introduce Richard Roght. Don't mess up, Richard.

The fourth race, seconds away. Many people don't know Wolf Blitzer was a driver once, finished 14th in the Preakness.

Breaking news, this fourth race is underway.

Rock Rock Who's There (ph), going for the early lead in the middle of the track. Cheyenne Paddy (ph) along the rail gets the lead.

Grabbing the lead, Rock Rock Who's There (ph) along the back stretch. Comfortably in the pocket second, Cheyenne Paddy (ph). It's Factor Jay

(ph) in forth.

A little bit of an error there, we have Cheyenne's sportsman four. Then it's OK Cognac (ph) hung out third. Knock knock Rock Rock (ph).

Going to drive me crazy, Rock Rock Who's There (ph). Pulling away, Magnum Mike third

making a move.

We've got Rock Rock Who's There (ph) in front in the fourth at freehold.

Give me it straight. How bad or good?

WARKENTIN: Well, you had to go through the field. There were horses that you really had -- didn't give a call to at all.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'll give you a b.

ROTH: Yeah. You heard my screw-up?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the middle, but you recovered quickly.

ROTH: Do I have a future?

No, but that's besides the point.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LU STOUT: Well done, Richard Roth. And that is News Stream.

END