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Charlotte Police Release New Video of Keith Scott's Death; Syria Agreement Between U.S. and Russia Falls Apart; Candidates Prepare for U.S. Presidential Debate; First U.S. Presidential Debate Monday; Photographing Fidel Castro; New Smithsonian Museum Opens. Aired 5-6a ET

Aired September 25, 2016 - 05:00   ET

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

[05:00:05] ISA SOARES, CNN ANCHOR: Authorities in Charlotte release the police dash-cam video in the shooting of Keith Scott, but it's doing little to answer lingering questions.

Desperately searching for solutions. U.N. Security Council gets ready to meet on Syria as more bombs fall on Aleppo.

And we're a day away from the big face-off. How Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are preparing for their first debate.

Welcome to our viewers in the United States and right around the world. I'm Isa Soares and you are watching CNN NEWSROOM.

I want to start this hour in the U.S. The Charlotte police are showing the public new video of the fatal shooting of Keith Scott on Tuesday. Now the footage is triggering new protests throughout the city, but they have been peaceful, unlike what we saw earlier this week.

Authorities say Scott, an African-American man, was carrying a gun and refused to drop it. None of the new footage clearly shows what Scott was carrying, if, in fact, he was carrying anything. The dash-cam video does show officers demanding that Scott drop his weapon as they approach from the right. We then see Scott exit the car to the left and he takes a few steps backward before an officer opens fire.

We'd like to warn our viewers that some may find this footage disturbing. Have a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop the gun.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He doesn't have a gun.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Drop the gun. Drop the gun.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Back up. Back up.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Now that video you just saw is from the dash-cam video -- from the police dash-cam, but Charlotte police released one more video, one from the officer's body camera.

Ed Lavandera explains what the new footage means for the investigation. His report also contains those disturbing images.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: After days of protests here in North Carolina, the police department has released the dash-cam and body-cam footage of the confrontation that led to the shooting death of Keith Lamont Scott on Tuesday. The video is not all of the video but according to police chief, this is the pertinent video that shows that confrontation between the officers that were there at the scene and Keith Lamont Scott. They also released three images of a handgun and ankle holster and a marijuana blunt they say Keith Lamont Scott was smoking at the time of the incident.

This is video that many people here have been clamoring to see for days and days. But as the police chief has been saying, they don't believe that it offers definitive proof about whether or not Keith Lamont Scott was actually holding a gun. In the video, you see Keith Lamont Scott exit the car. He's standing in between the cars there in the park lot. The family for Keith Lamont Scott say they do not believe he was acting aggressively or moving towards the officers in anyway. So that's why they say that they have many more questions as to answers as to what exactly happened.

There is also the body cam footage that shows an officer approaching the back of Keith Lamont Scott's car. And one question we should clarify in all of this the first 20 seconds or so of that video does not have audio. According to a city official here in Charlotte, they tell us that that is the way these cameras operate. That the body cameras immediately began recording video once the officer engages the camera but then it takes about 20 seconds or so for the audio to kick in.

But the explanation we're getting right now as to why there is no audio on that body cam footage, but once again, many people beginning to process, analyze these videos and trying to make sense of it all. And the family says that more investigation is needed. This mayor for the city of Charlotte says that the interview and the witness interviews have been completed. And now this investigation continues with the State Bureau of Investigation here in North Carolina.

Ed Lavandera, CNN, Charlotte, North Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: The Scott family's attorney weighed in on the new video. He is -- he says they support their contention that Scott was not acting aggressively when he was killed. Take a listen to what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUSTIN BAMBERG, SCOTT FAMILY ATTORNEY: What we see when we look at this dash-cam video is Mr. Scott steps out of the vehicle. [05:05:04] He doesn't appear to be acting aggressive towards any of

the law enforcement officers on the scene. He doesn't appear to be making gestures or motions as though he's arguing with anybody. He doesn't lunged at the officers. Appears he has his hands by his side. Again, there is no definitive evidence in this video as to whether or not there is an object in his hand and if there is, what that object is.

That question still remain, but what we do know is that the moment Mr. Scott is shot, it appears as though she not aggressively moving towards law enforcement he is doing the option. He is passively stepping back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, Scott's brother-in-law also addressed the media. He says some aspects of the media coverage around Scott's death is missing the point.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAY DUTCH, BROTHER-IN-LAW OF KEITH SCOTT: It does not make sense to us how it was possible that this incident resulted in the loss of life. It just does not make sense. And it is not clear in the videos that were released.

Additionally, many of you, the media, of which I am a part, have requested information about Mr. Scott. What kind of person he is? Was he a good father? Was he a good husband? Those issues surrounding his character.

Of course, he was a wonderful person. Of course, we loved him dearly. But that shouldn't be the issue. We shouldn't have to humanize him in order for to him be treated fairly. What we know and what you should know about him is that he was an American citizen who deserved better.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, staying in the U.S., authorities in Washington state say they do not yet know what motivated a man to open fire inside a mall. Now police arrested Arcan Cetin after a day-long manhunt. They say the 20-year-old emigrated from Turkey but is a permanent U.S. resident. Cetin is accused of gunning down five people north of Seattle on Friday. The motive is not known and authorities say it is too early to rule out terrorism. We heard earlier from the mayor of Burlington where the shooting happened. Take a listen.

MAYOR STEVE SEXTON, BURLINGTON, WASHINGTON: Last night we suffered an attack on our community and it really defined to me what a community is. We saw people come together. We talk about the law enforcement community a lot and this is what that is. Right here. They are federal, state, county, city, all working together to help us when we need it the most. I can't imagine what situation we would be in if it was Burlington on our own trying to do this. I can guarantee you, almost certainly guarantee you that we would not

have a suspect in custody to this evening if it wasn't for all the efforts of the men and women I was looking at today. I want to say thank you to each and every one of them. In our community, we suffered a devastating loss of five treasured members of our community who have done nothing more than any of us have done on any given day, gone to the shopping mall. That was us in that mall last night. Any one of us at any time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, of course, we hope to learn more details about the victims. As soon as we have more information, we, of course, shall bring it to you.

Now in the race for the White House, a new poll shows Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in a virtual dead heat. "The Washington Post"/ABC News survey shows Clinton leading Trump 46 percent to 44 percent, as you can see there. In a four-way race with Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party's Jill Stein.

The poll shows Clinton's August erased after a series of recent difficulties on the campaign trail, 46 percent to 44 percent.

Well, that poll comes on the eve of a major debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. She's been preparing and he's been out campaigning in Virginia. On Saturday night, the Republican presidential candidate was courting the African-American vote.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: African-Americans have given so much to our nation and sacrificed so much for this nation. Many African-Americans are succeeding so greatly in our country and I will make sure their success is protected and supported. At the same time, too many African-Americans have been left behind and trapped in poverty. I will fight to make sure every single African-American child in this country is fully included in the American dream. That includes the new civil rights issue of our time, school choice.

[05:10:01] Democrats have run the inner cities for half a century or more and produced only more joblessness and more poverty. The jobs are leaving. The schools are failing. And crime is rising like never before in the inner cities.

So to those African-American and Hispanic voters, I say, vote for Donald Trump. What do you have to lose?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Well, up to 100 million people could watch Monday's presidential debate. It's set for Hofstra University on New York's Long Island. And our Sunlen Serfaty is there with more on how the candidates are getting ready.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Preparations are under way here in New York in advance of Monday's debate. The first face- off between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. And both candidates seem to be preparing in their own distinct way, really putting a highlight on the contrasting styles and how they're approaching Monday's debate.

Hillary Clinton, we know, according to aides has been studying up for the last month. She's largely stayed off the campaign trail this week so she can meet with advisers. We know she is studying, briefing, holding mock debates. Someone is standing in and playing Donald Trump in those mock debates. And she is also looking at a highlight reel of Donald Trump's past debates and taking special note, according to Clinton campaign aides, of what aggravated Donald Trump on the stage so potentially a hit. She might be trying to get under his skin on Monday night.

Now meantime Donald Trump in comparison, he has spent a lot of time on the campaign trail hitting big rallies this week. He is preparing, though, aides say that he has been huddling with advisers with the RNC chair Reince Priebus this weekend. Going over briefing books. He is also looking at some debate clips of Hillary Clinton but he's not holding these full scale mock debates. No one is standing in and playing Hillary Clinton. He says it's not something that he has wanted to do. And it's not something that he will be doing.

Now as we head towards Monday, both campaigns are furiously trying to play the expectations game. The Clinton campaign's arguing that Donald Trump is a performer, ready for the made-for-TV moments. And the Trump campaign in opposition are saying, look, Hillary Clinton is a seasoned debater, she's a talented debater. So both campaigns, what we're seeing, really trying to make sure that their candidate exceeds expectations come Monday. Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: That was Sunlen Serfaty reporting there.

Well, Clinton is creating a new controversy by inviting one persistent Trump critic, billionaire reality TV star Mark Cuban, and Cuban tweeted just got a front row seat to watch Hillary Clinton overwhelm Donald Trump at the humbling at Hofstra on Monday, it is on. And he tweeted. Trump responded by threatening to bring a guest of his own. The Republican candidate says he might bring Gennifer flowers. He tweeted the following, "If dopey Mark Cuban of failed benefactor fame wants to sit in the front row, perhaps I'll put Gennifer flowers right alongside of him." Hillary Clinton's husband, former president Bill Clinton admitted in 1998 to a sexual encounter with Flowers.

And be sure to tune in for CNN's round-the-clock debate coverage, with the best political team in television as well as reaction from right around the world. It all starts Monday right here on CNN. Be sure not to miss it. It will be a fascinating debate, no doubt.

Now the United Nations Security Council is preparing to discuss Syria's civil war. As Syrian military forces escalated the offensive on rebel held eastern Aleppo. The devastating damage just ahead. We're live for you in Damascus and we have analysis after a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:16:24] SOARES: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. The United Nations Security Council will meet in the coming hours to discuss the deteriorating situation in Syria, particularly the assault that we've seen on eastern Aleppo. Emergency medical workers say about 200 airstrikes have hit the rebel-held area since Friday. The death toll as of right now is still unknown. Foreign ministers from several countries, including the U.S., say it's up to Russia to restore the cease-fire, but Syria blames the collapse of the truce on the U.S. air strikes that hit Syrian forces more than a week ago. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WALID MUALLEM, SYRIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER (Through Translator): The Syrian government holds the United States fully responsible for this aggression. Because acts show that it was an intentional attack and not an error. And if the United States claims otherwise. This cowardly aggression clearly proves that the U.S. and its allies are complicit with ISIL and other federalist armed organizations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOARES: Our Frederik Pleitgen joins us now live from the Syrian capital Damascus with more.

And Fred, we have seen a fresh blitz on Aleppo with pretty much bombs raining down, astonishing for us, I should paint us a picture with what you've seen in the last 24 hours. What it's been like on the battlefield and of course how that's impacted people on the ground.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I mean, it's obviously an awful situation for the people in those eastern districts of Aleppo. We've been getting some updates over the past couple of minutes about the situation today. It seemed as though in the early morning hours of Sunday that there was actually a lull in the air operations going on over the eastern district of Aleppo. However, in the past couple of minutes we have gotten some reports that apparently there was a helicopter strike on one of the districts there in the eastern part of Aleppo, so it does appear as though that air campaign is still going on.

Also one of the things that the Syrian military has said is they've called this a comprehensive operation, Isa, which means it involves both ground forces as well as air forces and one of the things that apparently they've been trying to do is move in to those eastern districts from both the north as well as the south, and there's one area in the north called Hondurat Camp. Huge fighting there yesterday with government forces being able to re-take or being able to take most of that area. However, that area then being retaken later when the rebels launched a counteroffensive.

So a lot of fighting still going on there. Obviously some awful scenes unfolding there. There is some images that we have -- that we do have to warn our viewers. They are very disturbing with the body of a little child being found, being pulled from the rubble. Apparently, this is part of a scene where six family members were killed in a single strike there. That's according to the opposition. And really seems as though at this point in time there is no end to all of this that's in sight.

And one of the things I also want to add, Isa, is that as we speak about Aleppo, obviously the situation very dire there, we are also hearing what appeared to be either air or artillery strike here in the Damascus area, as well, seeming to be coming for an area called Jobar, which is a rebel-held area fairly in the center of Damascus -- Isa.

SOARES: Yes. It seems we're getting more of those disturbing images, aren't we, every day, Fred? I remember yesterday we also saw the images of a father trying to protect his children. Unfortunately they didn't make it.

And Fred, with the intensified attacks we've seen in Aleppo, one, of course, could reach the conclusion that diplomatic efforts have all but collapsed. What are you hearing from the people on the ground? Are they hopeful about this meeting today, the U.N. meeting today?

[05:20:04] PLEITGEN: Yes, I think at this point in time there's very little hope people are holding out that some diplomatic sort of solution can be reached at any point in time. I mean, they've seen the wrangling that's been going on over the past week as the U.S. and Russia struggle to try and get the cease-fire back on track. So far, obviously, without any sort of success, and it also really seems as though the situation and the mood between the U.S. and Russia specifically between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry really seems to have been deteriorating over the past couple of days with the Russians accusing the U.S. of not having the rebel forces that they support under control and not being able to separate them from Islamist forces, whereas the U.S. is questioning whether the Russians are really serious about trying to implement some sort of solution and of course also holding the Russians directly responsible for what's going on in Aleppo right now.

So in light of that, obviously, people here are watching what's going to be going on at the U.N. Security Council very closely. Certainly doesn't appear as though they have very much hope that it could lead to any sort of lull in the violence any time soon -- Isa.

SOARES: Yes, the finger-wagging continue, both sides falling apart. In the meantime, people on the ground really facing what we could conscribe as medieval conditions.

Fred Pleitgen there for us in Damascus, and the time is 21 minutes past mid-day, thanks very much, Fred.

Well, let's get more on Syria. Fawaz Gerges joins me now. He's the chair of Contemporary Middle East Studies at the London School of Economics and author of "ISIS: A History." A well-known face here on CNN. Fawaz, from what we just heard from Fred regarding that U.N. meeting,

Ban Ki-moon called it chilling what he's seen in the last 24 to 48 hours. He even said they could actually amount to war crimes, some of the type of bombs being used. What hope is there -- if any is there? I mean, Fred didn't seem to be very hopeful that something will come out of this, something constructive, I should say?

FAWAZ GERGES, CHAIRMAN, CONTEMPORARY MIDDLE EAST STUDIES, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS: As you know, Isa, many war crimes have been committed in Syria in the past five years and a half. The Syrian population civilians have really borne the basically brunt of the fighting inside Syria.

I think what we need to understand is that there are major gaps between the United States and Russia, major differences on where to go, vis-a-vis the Syrian government, the political transition. There's a deficit of trust and also more importantly between the United States and Russia, Russia has the upper hand militarily in Syria. That is, the balance of power favors Russia as opposed to the United States because the United States has not really invested much strategic asset inside Syria.

The question on the table now, what we are seeing in Syria in the past 48 hours is continuation -- war is a continuation of diplomacy by other means.

SOARES: But Russia always had the upper hand in that case. Was there any hope for a cease-fire with -- what hope do the U.S. have of getting anything done?

GERGES: This is a very critical question. What the United States has been trying to do is to use Russia as a car of pressure against the Syrian president and the Syrian government. Even though the United States really does not have military asset inside Syria, the U.S., in particular John Kerry, had hoped that Russia would really basically exert pressure on Assad.

The question is, why should Russia do so? Russia wants something in return. We know in international relations that states don't just -- this is not philanthropy.

SOARES: Yes.

GERGES: And of course Russia is using Syria as a bargaining card vis- a-vis the United States, that is, it wants basically concessions, not just in Syria, on the Ukraine, on the sanctions on Russia and on and on and on.

What we need to understand, and this is my own reading, and I could be wrong, at the end of the day, both Russia and the United States will come back to the negotiating table. There is not --

SOARES: You think they will?

GERGES: Absolutely. Why? There is no other alternative. There is no other viable option. Both the U.S. and Russia have vested interests inside Syria. This conflict could easily spiral out of control.

SOARES: Well, it is spiraling already out of control.

GERGES: Absolutely. Regional war by proxies. You have international terrorism, the refugee crisis, so what we are seeing in Syria now and possibly 48 hours, I mean, Russia and the Syrian army are trying to really send messages near and far, in particular to the United States. The question is, how many options, what kind of options does the United States have? I don't think many options at this stage.

SOARES: Let's show our viewers, if I remember we had a map up there showing how complex the conflict is, if we can bring that up so we can -- our viewers can get a sense of it. This is a Syrian conflict. Now President Bashar al-Assad, Fawaz, has basically said, and Russia, they are convinced their ability to win a decisive victory, U.S. of course believes it is not.

Let's assume it is. Could the regime -- the current regime ever regain the trust, you think, of what really is a battered nation?

GERGES: I doubt it very much. This is wishful thinking on the part if it's so by Russia and the Syrian regime. The Syrian government and its allies can never ever regain the entire territories of Syria, whether you're talking about Idlib, whether you're talking about the north, whether you're talking about Aleppo.

[05:25:04] What the Syrian government and Russia are trying to do is to basically make measured military gains. In particular in Aleppo, to encircle the eastern part of Aleppo and use the military gains as a bargaining chip during the next round of talks.

It's not about regaining, I mean, the entire territories of Syria, this is almost, I mean, impossible. It's about really maximizing the bargaining position of Russia and Assad. And if I were Assad and Russia, I have already won. I have already won because we no longer hear talks about Assad leaving the scene. They are talking about, I mean, after the political transition or at the end of the negotiating process, so in a way, what Russia is trying to do is to consolidate and strengthen the position of its major ally, Assad, and also to make itself indispensable to Middle Eastern diplomacy and world diplomacy.

The reassertion of Russian power, vis-a-vis the United States. I mean, for President Barack Obama, Syria is not strategically important.

SOARES: Yes.

GERGES: Barack Obama does not really want to get bogged down in another military conflict in the Middle East and that's why Russia has really made some major gains inside Syria.

SOARES: And of course this is becoming -- it's looking more like a strategic game of chess with the people on the ground facing the harsh consequences.

GERGES: Yes. SOARES: Fawaz Gerges, always great to get your insight.

Now at least six people are dead and 18 others wounded after a suicide bombing in Baghdad. It happened in the west of the Iraqi capital. A police source tells CNN the blast happened near a small group of Shia pilgrims in a tent. The suicide bomber was reportedly wearing an explosive belt.

Just ahead right here on CNN NEWSROOM, it's a case of head versus heart it seems. That's how some are describing Monday night's presidential debate. We'll preview the big face-off that's looming between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.

Plus, this is the man on the inside of Cuba's government, Fidel Castro's son, as well as his photographer. Talks exclusively to our Patrick Oppmann. That story just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:30:27] SOARES: A very warm welcome back to our viewers in the United States and right around the world. You are watching CNN NEWSROOM. And I'm Isa Soares. Let me bring you up to date with the main news stories we're following for you this hour.

Police in Charlotte have released video of the fatal shooting of Keith Scott on Tuesday. Officers say Scott was holding a gun and that they shot him when he failed to drop his weapon. Scott's family says all he had was a book. But the video doesn't clearly show what, if anything, was in his hands.

Washington state authorities say they do not have a motive in the shooting death of five people at a mall. Officers arrested 20-year- old Arcan Cetin just a few hours ago after intense manhunt. Police say he opened fire inside a mall north of Seattle on Friday.

The United Nations Security Council will meet in a few hours to discuss the crisis in Syria. Several countries including the United States are demanding that Russia take action to restore a cease-fire there. Foreign ministers called the Syrian regime's relentless offensives on rebel held Aleppo unacceptable.

British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is celebrating a decisive victory in nationwide membership vote. Critics had accused Corbyn of not fighting hard enough to prevent Brexit. He is calling for a clean slate and asking Labour to ban together behind him.

It is the face-off the world will be watching. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump meet in the first of their three presidential debates on Monday night. Dana Bash looks at the contrasting styles of these very different candidates.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hillary Clinton in a debate is all about what she's done.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Look at what I accomplished. In the Senate as Secretary of State.

BASH: Donald Trump, simple sweeping promises.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We will make this country greater than ever before.

BASH: Their primary debate performances helped each get the nomination. But their upcoming face-off is quite different.

BRETT O'DONNELL, REPUBLICAN DEBATE COACH: He tugs at the heart, she tugs at the mind. And the question is whether or not both of them can cross over.

BASH: Brett O'Donnell, a long time debate coach for GOP candidates, sat down with us to break down their contrasting styles.

TRUMP: I say not in a braggadocios way, I've made billions and billions of dollars dealing with people all over the world.

CLINTON: I was part of a very small group that had to advise the president about whether or not to go after bin Laden.

O'DONNELL: He talks in these big giant terms. She doesn't tend to do that. And I think that that -- it puts him at an advantage. You know? Because it's -- he understands well the dynamic of television.

BASH: The same goes for discussions of policy.

TRUMP: I will build a wall. It will be a great wall. People will not come in unless they come in legally.

CLINTON: There is no need for this rhetoric and demagoguery that still is carried out in the Republican side. You've run out of excuses. Let's move to comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship.

O'DONNELL: He goes for the heart, talks in very big terms, doesn't demonstrate a deep knowledge of policy. So she has got to up her game on talking to the heart. He has to up his game in talking to the head.

BASH: Then there was the alpha candidate tactic Trump used to belittle his GOP primary opponents.

TRUMP: Rand Paul shouldn't even be on this stage. Don't even worry about it, Little Marco. I know you're trying to build up your energy, Jeb, but it's not working. First of all, this guy is a choke artist and this guy is a liar.

BASH: He's moniker for Clinton --

TRUMP: Crooked Hillary Clinton.

BASH: -- may not go over so well.

O'DONNELL: He should explain why she is crooked and not just call her a name. If he just calls her a name the entire time, I think that's going to look bad to the public.

BASH: Clinton's quicksand getting her back up.

(On camera): It is your Democratic opponent and many Democratic voters who want to see those transcripts. It's not about Republicans and --

CLINTON: And, you know -- let's set the same standard for everybody. When everybody does it, OK, I will do it. But let's set and expect the same standard on tax returns.

O'DONNELL: She is very defensive. And that's a problem.

BASH: What if that Hillary Clinton shows up?

O'DONNELL: Yes. Yes. If that Hillary Clinton shows up, it's going to be a long night.

BASH: Both Team Clinton and Team Trump are well aware of their candidates' weaknesses and debate prep is about giving them tools to avoid missteps, things like Clinton's defensiveness or Trump's tendency to take insults too far.

Now whether the candidates use those tools effectively and not take each others' bait is going to be fascinating to watch.

[05:35:05] Dana Bash, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: Well, Ted Cruz has given a lukewarm defense of his endorsement of Donald Trump for president. Despite being called Lying Ted in the past by Trump, Cruz endorsed the Republican nominee, if you remember, on Friday. Well, the former presidential candidate told the "Texas Tribune" on Saturday he struggled with the decision. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What happened to vote your conscience?

SEN. TED CRUZ (R), TEXAS: Well, it's a good question and it's still what I would urge everyone to do. Look, I think in every election each of us has to assess the candidates and assess the candidates who's going to defend freedom, who's going to defend the Constitution.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.

CRUZ: And, you know, yesterday I wrote a long op-ed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You did.

CRUZ: Laying out the reasons for announcing that in November I'm going to vote for Donald. Now as you know, this was not a decision I reached easily.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do know that.

CRUZ: These last several months have been like a lot of voters. This election is not a typical election. I feel confident I'm not the only voter here, I'm not the only voter in the state or in the country who has agonized about what's the right thing to do in this election.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GERGES: Well, U.S. senator and former Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz there speaking on his decision to endorse Donald Trump.

More rain is forecast for parts of the flood ravaged Midwestern USA. Meteorologist Derek Van Dam is in the world weather center. And Derek, how bad is it looking like?

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, Isa, check this out.

(WEATHER REPORT)

SOARES: And Derek, just before you go, this level of precipitation around Cedar Falls, is that normal around this time of the year?

VAN DAM: We don't typically see this type of rainfall in such a short period of time and any additional rainfall in that region will only make the flooding worse.

SOARES: Yes, thanks very much. Do keep us posted on the situation there. Thanks very much.

VAN DAM: Sure do.

SOARES: Now here in the UK London police have made an arrest in the high profile hack of Pippa Middleton. The British Press Association says the hack into Middleton's iCloud account includes more than 3,000 private pictures. They include photos of her sister, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Kate's children Prince George as well as Princess Charlotte. Authorities arrested a 35-year-old man for suspicion of an offense against the Computer Misuse Act.

[05:40:01] Newspapers report a hacker by the name of Crafty Cockney offered to sell the photos for $65,000.

Well, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kicked off their eight-day visit to Canada Saturday. Prince William and his wife Catherine landed in British Columbia along with their children, as you can see there, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. It's the couple's second visit to Canada and the first overseas trip for Princess Charlotte. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie greeted the royals in Victoria.

Up next we'll take you to Havana. CNN has been talking to someone who has seen Cuba's government up close and personal for years. An exclusive interview with the son, as well as the photographer of retired president, Fidel Castro.

Plus, President Obama called it the story of all of us. A new museum honors the African-American experience and the struggle for freedom.

We'll bring you both of those stories just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOARES: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM.

President Barack Obama has worked to open Cuba to the United States. Now more people are getting a look at the country, as well as its leaders, including rare images of former president Fidel Castro. Well, those pictures are usually the work of one man, Fidel's personal photographer and son Alex Castro. CNN's Patrick Oppmann had an exclusive opportunity to speak with him and find out more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Does your father always let you take photos of him or are there moments when he wants his privacy?

ALEX CASTRO, FIDEL CASTRO'S SON AND PERSONAL PHOTOGRAPHER: (Graphics) There are times when he wants his privacy. I take the majority of these photos when there is a visit, when he is working. But the private times, I don't do anything. It's private.

[05:45:02] OPPMANN: I imagine your father gets a lot of visit from Nicolas Maduro. Does he ask him for advice like Hugo Chavez did?

CASTRO: (Graphics) I imagine that he asks him for advice, that he advises him. But I don't participate in these conversations. I am outside. I take the photo and what they talk about I don't listen to.

OPPMANN: Is this a statue of your father? Does he receive a lot of presents like this?

CASTRO: (Graphics) A Chinese artist made this statue of him. He took the form and made his statue. He receives many gifts but you realize in Cuba there aren't statues of him. He doesn't permit it. So they give him these gifts but they are stored away.

OPPMANN: And why doesn't he love it?

CASTRO: (Graphics) Because he doesn't like the cult of personality. He is a simple person and he doesn't want to be worshipped.

OPPMANN: Tell me about the meeting between your father and Pope Benedict. This is obviously a very personal moment for you and your family. But you're also working as a photographer. How do you balance the two things?

CASTRO: (Graphics) First the Pope comes in and has an almost official visit. They meet and talk. But the family comes later. We took a photo with the Pope, he greeted us and received us very well. But always the first thing is he receives them alone and then we come later.

OPPMANN: It's something unusual that an American -- a former American president visiting your father.

CASTRO: (Graphics) This was the visit by Jimmy Carter and he asked him if he would sign a baseball. Jimmy Carter had good relations with Cuba including during his term. There is documentation that they wanted to improve relations. The same relations that are there now, Jimmy Carter wanted back then with the Cuban government.

OPPMANN: We see Raul Castro in this photo. Would you ever do a book about your uncle?

CASTRO: (Graphics) I have few photos of Raul because what I do is take photos of my father. Raul appears in some of the photos because he was there.

OPPMANN: How many photos would you say you have that you haven't published of your father?

CASTRO: (Graphics) I don't want to say such certainty but there are many photos that haven't been published.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOARES: And that was CNN's Patrick Oppmann speaking exclusively to Fidel Castro's son, as well as personal photographer, Alex Castro.

Coming up next right here on CNN NEWSROOM, a story of tragedy, as well as triumph. How the new African-American museum in Washington is telling the story of all people who have fought for freedom.

We bring you that story with Suzanne Malveaux next.

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[05:52:09] SOARES: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM now.

In Washington, the U.S. president helped open a major museum set to become a fixture of his legacy. That's the National Museum on the African-American History and Culture. Museum officials say its centerpiece will be an exhibit chronicling slavery as well as freedom. Barack Obama says he hopes the museum helps visitors empathize with the ongoing struggle for racial equality. When he spoke, Mr. Obama addressed the frustrations in the country over the recent shootings in U.S. cities. Take a listen.

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BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Perhaps they can help a white visitor understand the pain and anger of demonstrators in places like Ferguson and Charlotte, but it can also help black visitors appreciate the fact that not only is this younger generation carrying on tradition of the past but within the white communities across the nation, we see the sincerity of law enforcement officer and officials who in fits and starts are struggling to understand and are trying to do the right thing.

It reminds us that routine discrimination and Jim Crowe aren't ancient history. It's just a blink in the eye of history.

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SOARES: Well, the Smithsonian, I should say, says the museum is the only one dedicated exclusively to African-American culture.

Our Suzanne Malveaux takes us on a walk through history. Take a look.

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SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The National Museum of African-American History and Culture with its unique towering presence sits prominently next to the Washington Monument.

LONNIE BUNCH, MUSEUM FOUNDING DIRECTOR: Finally the African-American story on the National Mall is accessible to everybody. And in many ways it means that my ancestors are smiling.

MALVEAUX: A labor of love for its founding director Lonnie Bunch who gave us a behind-the-scenes tour.

BUNCH: This is everybody's story. It's not black people's story. It's the story of America.

MALVEAUX: The museum holds more than 3,000 artifacts, many of which Bunch collected traveling around the country. The project cost $540 million, half funded by the federal government and the remaining raised from private donations. The exterior made up of 3600 panels shaped as a corona or African headdress. The entrance designed as a porch.

LISA ANDERS, VICE PRESIDENT, MCKISSACK AND MCKISSACK: The visitor would come in the porch, come through that door, and then immediately get on an elevator and descend down to the lowest level, and it's dark and it's low down there, and it's to make you feel sort of like it was riding in a slave ship.

[05:55:01] MALVEAUX: In fact nearly 70 percent of the museum is below ground. It is designed to have visitors explore the complex history of slavery and freedom at the basement level where you find a statue of Thomas Jefferson with bricks depicting his many slaves, real artifacts of shackles and a slave cabin.

The next level up the era of segregation and Jim Crow through the Civil Rights Movement. Here a controversial prison guard tower from Louisiana which was so big it, along with the segregated railroad car, had to be lowered into the museum before the building was completed because it couldn't fit through the front door. A vintage plane flown by the Tuskegee airmen of World War II hangs from above.

The third level up illustrates the impact of African-Americans on the U.S., from Martin Luther King, Jr. through President Barack Obama. The top floors celebrate music, culture, community, sports, and activism with Michael Jackson's fedora, Chuck Berry's red Cadillac, a Prince jacket, and Whitney Houston gown, Black Hollywood, Oprah, and the even P-Funk's mother ship.

For many this museum is already a celebrated and sacred place.

JESSE JACKSON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: I wish that those who I knew who paid the supreme price could see just a minute of work in time. They are not here. But it is obligated of us, those of us who are here, to keep the struggle.

Suzanne Malveaux, CNN, Washington.

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SOARES: Absolutely fascinating, like President Obama said, it's the history of all of us.

And that wraps up this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Isa Soares in London. Thank you very much for joining us. For viewers in the United States, "NEW DAY" is just ahead. For viewers around the world, "BEST OF QUEST" starts in just a moment. Thank you very for watching CNN, we are, of course, the world news leader. Have a great Sunday. Bye-bye.

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