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Patten Pleads Guilty - More Trouble for Trump?; Senator John McCain Remembered; The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin Laid to Rest; Bruce Ohr Targeted?; Milan is Victorious over Roma, 2-1. Aired 5-6a ET

Aired September 01, 2018 - 05:00   ET

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

GEORGE HOWELL, CNN HOST: More possible troubles for the president's legal team as a lobbyist pleads guilty in handling foreign funds and contradicting confessions emerge. Bipartisan leaders stand together as the U.S. capital honors the late Senator John McCain. Also ahead this hour, family, friends, and a former U.S. President come together to remember the Queen of Soul. Live from CNN world headquarters in Atlanta. We want to welcome our viewers here in the United States and all around the world. I'm George Howell. The CNN Newsroom starts right now.

At 5:00 a.m. here on the U.S. East Coast, for the first time the U.S. Justice Department has publically charged someone with helping a foreigner funnel money to a Trump political event, the focus on Washington Lobbyist Samuel Patten, the man you see here. He pleaded guilty on Friday to steering money from a Russian-backed Ukrainian Oligarch into the Trump Inauguration Committee. Patten also pleaded guilty to acting as an unregistered foreign agent and of lying to Congress.

President Trump's attorney, Rudy Giuliani called the indictment quote, "irrelevant." Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

RUDY GIULIANI, ATTORNEY FOR DONALD TRUMP: What does this have to do with President Trump? Not a single thing. It has nothing to do with collusion. Some guy who donated to the inauguration. My goodness, there are about 500,000 people that donated.

(END VIDEO)

HOWELL: And there are still more questions and contradictions unfolding in the Russia probe. In a court filing late Friday night, convicted former Trump Campaign advisor George Papadopoulos who you see here contradicts the U.S. Attorney General's sworn testimony to Congress.

When Jeff Sessions was asked under oath about a March 2016 meeting, he said that he quote, "pushed back on the suggestion that Mr. Trump meet with Vladimir Putin during the 2016 campaign," but according to the court filing, quote, "while some in the room rebuffed George's offer, Mr. Trump nodded with approval and deferred to Mr. Sessions who appeared to like the idea and stated that the campaign should look into it.

George is getting this over Mr. Trump's recognition was prominent during the days that followed." End quote. The new filing comes as Papadopoulos' attorney requests that he be given probation instead of jail time for lying to investigators about his contacts with Russians.

This comes as the Trump legal team is already preparing to rebut the Mueller report. Even though no one knows when the special counsel office will wrap up that report or what will be in that report. We're also learning that the man behind the so called Steele dossier told the Justice Department official that Russian intelligence believed they had Donald Trump quote, "over a barrel." Our Sara Murray explains.

SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: With little sign the Russia probe is wrapping up, Rudy Giuliani attacking a backup plan. The president's lawyer telling CNN's Dana Bash, the legal team is already halfway through preparing a report to rebut a number of possible findings from Special Counsel Robert Mueller. It's slated to include sections on everything from collusion with Russia in the 2016 election to fired National Security Advisor Michael Flynn to obstruction of justice. The report, all part of Giuliani's strategy to dull the blow of whatever Mueller makes public.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

GIULIANI: I'll be here with my version of the report and they'll have their version of the report and the American people are now essentially going to decide it.

(END VIDEO)

MURRAY: Once adamant that Mueller must wrap up his investigation well before the 2018 midterms.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

GIULIANI: If it isn't over by September, then we have a very, very serious violation of the Justice Department rules that you shouldn't be conducting one of these investigations in the 60 day period.

(END VIDEO)

MURRAY: Giuliani now admitting to CNN, he has no idea what Mueller's timeline is. It's customary for the Justice Department prosecutors to go quiet for 60 days before an election. But it's up to U.S. attorneys to insure they don't take overt investigative steps that could impact an election. As the investigation stretches on, Trump continues to rail against the Justice Department.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: People are angry. People are angry.

(END VIDEO) MURRAY: Especially one of his favorite new targets.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

TRUMP: I think Bruce Ohr is a disgrace.

(END VIDEO)

MURRAY: Bruce Ohr is a career Justice Department official who met with Christopher Steele, the former British spy who compiled the now infamous dossier. Ohr testifying to a Congressional committee this week that Steele told him at a July 2016 breakfast that Russian intelligence believed they had then candidate Trump over a barrel according to a source familiar with the testimony. A claim that's in line with allegations Steele included in his dossier but its brought assertion that Russian aimed to interfere in the 2016 election has been accepted as fact by the U.S. intelligence community.

Now when it comes to that report that the president's legal team has been working so diligently on, Rudy Giuliani acknowledged to CNN on Friday afternoon that it may never see the light of day but he wants to be prepared no matter what Mueller is up to. Sara Murray, CNN, Washington.

HOWELL: Let's talk more about this now with political analyst Peter Matthews. Peter also a professor of political science at Cypress College joining this hour in Los Angeles. Pleasure to have you on the show with us Peter. I'd like to first get your thoughts around this report. Apparently being created by the president's legal team. Rudy Giuliani says that it will touch on everything in the Mueller investigation, keeping in mind that investigation is still underway; no one's seen it yet.

Is this a flip of the phrase, a good defense is an even better offense?

PETER MATTHEWS, PROFESSION AND CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: It's likely a preemptive strike according to the way he's speaking but it's not going to work. He's going to basically discredit Mueller by saying that Mueller wasn't appointed legitimately which is really garbage because he was. As the courts have upheld the Mueller appointment by Rosenstein and that's not going to work. They're going try to discredit the Mueller investigation ahead of time. That's what he's doing right here.

HOWELL: Peter now with the Sam Patten, this D.C. lobbyist pleading guilty to funneling money from a Russian Oligarch into the trump inaugural committee. Rudy Giuliani called the indictment irrelevant, said that it has nothing to do with Mr. Trump. But Patten now cooperating with investigators. Should that worry Team Trump in your mind?

MATTHEWS: I think it should worry them because these investigations could lead to other threads that have followed and then you find that there is something to do with the Trump side. And I think Giuliani is going to try to do another preemptive strike to say that has nothing to do with him but you can never know where this will lead and the point is Patten was peddling influence. You don't, you go out and buy - use a straw donor to buy tickets for this oligarch at the inaugural and that's a lot of money that's being involved there; $107 million was raised by the Trump Campaign for the inaugural and that's really dollar democracy in my view as my book - the title of my book is "Dollar Democracy with Liberty and Justice for Some" and this is exactly what they're doing at that inaugural and I think Patten was part of that.

HOWELL: It seems to play right into your book there Peter, and also I want to talk about this name that seems out of the blue for many people, Bruce Ohr. Again, what do you make of this continued attack from the president on this official within the Justice Department though he's not part of the investigative team on the Mueller probe, his interactions with Christopher Steele, that's drawing criticism. Steele allegedly telling Ohr that Russian intelligence claimed to have Mr. Trump over a barrel.

MATTHEWS: Well look at the explosive nature of that claim and if it's true, I mean this is a very dangerous thing for Trump and Ohr is an attack target because of that. Trump will try to stamp anyone out in any way he can that he thinks might have credibility, charging them with some very egregious offenses. So I think that's really what's going on here. Again, strike before they hit you and Trump is doing the same thing Giuliani was doing but at a higher level here in this case I think.

HOWELL: And you know all of this is coming into focus with these new poll numbers giving indications about how Americans feel about the investigation, about Mr. Trump. Let's take a look now at this ABC News "Washington Post" poll shows that 63 percent of people support the Mueller probe; 29 percent oppose it and Peter also let's take a look at the president's job approval numbers. Sixty percent in this snapshot disapprove; 36 percent approve. Given what we're seeing here Peter, your thoughts heading into the November midterms.

MATTHEWS: Well it's pretty much expected after what we saw happened with the indictment or the guilty plea of Cohen and the conviction of Manafort, that has boosted Mueller's prestige in the American Public's eyes and his credibility while the president has lost prestige because he's been caught in so many lies and those numbers are staggering.

The 60 percent is the highest disapproval rating of any president in modern history and the highest Trump has ever had either. So this is very dangerous - it's a dangerous sign for not only Trump but for the Republicans who are running for election and reelection in November and it's a good chance the Democrats will sweep the House and take the House and the only questions - we'll just kind of also go Democratic hands.

We're certainly not sure about that and that of course raises the issue of the possibility of impeachment proceedings if Democrats take charge of the Congress. It's a very real possibility that they will launch impeachment proceedings and then finally you will have a trial to try to remove Trump. We're still a long ways of removing Trump because the Senate has to vote by 2/3 majority to do that but this doesn't look very good for President Trump at this point right now with these poll numbers actually proving that point.

HOWELL: Peter Matthews with perspective for us out of Los Angeles, Peter thank you.

MATTHEWS: My pleasure George.

HOWELL: Canada says that progress is being made with the United States on a deal to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA as it's better known, but the country won't sign on to any agreement just yet. The comments from Canada's foreign affairs minister came Friday in Washington, D.C. where tensions are filled and these talks broke off until Wednesday.

Chrystia Freeland was asked about leaked comments from the U.S. President that any deal with the northern neighbor would be quote, "totally on U.S. terms." Here's how she reacted. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

CHRYSTIA FREELAND, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF CANADA: So let me be clear yet again, because it's important and the importance of reiterating this is underscored by the question. Canada will only fund a deal which is a good deal for Canada. We are very, very clear about that. The Prime Minister has said that on a number of occasions including this week that we want a good deal not just any deal and a good deal is one which is good for Canada and good for Canadians. A good deal is one which reflects the Canadian national interest and in which Canadian values are defended.

(END VIDEO)

HOWELL: That response there from Chrystia Freeland. Mr. Trump had given Canada until Friday to sign on to a deal but when that deadline came and went he informed Congress that he would sign a deal with Mexico in 90 days. Again he says, "with or without Canada."

In the meantime the U.S. President is planning a trip to Texas to help a fellow Republican running for reelection. Ted Cruz is in a heated battle there for his Senate seat. The Democratic candidate, Beto O'Rourke, is gaining ground. You may recall when Mr. Trump and Cruz were battling for the 2016 Republican nomination, the two viciously attacked each other, but all is well according to this tweet from the president. Mr. Trump writes he's quote, "picking the biggest stadium in Texas to hold the rally," and adds "Cruz has his complete and total endorsement."

President Trump will head to Ireland in November. In a tweet on Friday the Irish Deputy Prime Minister saying quote, "Our two countries have such strong historic, economic, cultural, and family ties. Maintaining those connections is always a top priority." End quote. Mr. Trump is cancelling an autumn trip to Australia. Vice President Mike Pence will go there instead. The president does plan on attending high level meetings in Singapore and Papua, New Guinea, and the G20 in Argentina.

U.S. politicians remember the late Senator John McCain.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

REP. PAUL RYAN, (R) WISCONSIN: John McCain deserves to be remembered as he wished to be remembered: a patriot that served his country, a man, yes of the Senate, but also a man of the House, a Navy man, a family man, a man who made an enormous difference in the lives of countless people, a man of conviction, a man of state.

(END VIDEO)

HOWELL: In just a few hours time another memorial service is set in his honor. Plus singers, politicians, friends and family of Aretha Franklin come together to celebrate the Queen of Soul's life and legacy. A look at this memorial as CNN's Newsroom returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO)

REP. MITCH MCCONNELL, (R) KENTUCKY: Half a world away wearing our nation's uniform, John McCain stood up for every value that this capitol building represents. Then he brought that same patriotism inside its walls to advocate for our service members, our veterans, and our moral leadership in the world. So it is only right that today, near the end of his long journey, John lies here in this great hall under this mighty dome like other American heroes before him. Here as a restless wave approaches the shores of eternity, we thank God for giving this country John McCain.

(END VIDEO)

Howell: The U.S. Senator Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell there on Friday talking about his late colleague John McCain. McCain was honored in a special ceremony in the U.S. Capitol building. His body lying in state there. It is an honor that is reserved for presidents or government officials and military officers. Our Ryan Nobels reports.

RYAN NOBELS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Members of Congress bidding farewell to one of their own.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

MCCONNELL: On behalf of the Senate and the entire nation, thank you. Thank you for lending him to us longer than we had a right.

(END VIDEO)

NOBELS: Senator John McCain returned one last time to a place he loved so much. His arrival marked by a flash rainstorm centered over the capitol where he was honored by colleagues that reflected on his contribution, his service, and his singular ability to communicate.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

RYAN: I, myself, from time to time found myself on the receiving end of John's distinct brand of candor.

(END VIDEO)

NOBELS: Senator McCain himself meticulously planned each stage of his final goodbye to his fellow Americans and he made sure to include symbols of themes important to him. Today, bipartisanship was on display as leaders of both parties from both Congressional chambers laid wreaths near his coffin.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let us bow our heads...

(END VIDEO)

NOBELS: While President Trump has been kept at a distance from these memorials, today Vice President Pence was in attendance.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The president asked me to be here...

(END VIDEO)

NOBELS: He had a warm relationship with McCain and spoke of McCain's resilience of a prisoner of war.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

PENCE: Then as now, Americans marveled at the iron will of John McCain. But captivity did not diminish John's sense of calling.

(END VIDEO)

NOBELS: McCain became the 31st person to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. His 106 year old mother there to see the outpouring of admiration and love. Services continuing tomorrow at the National Cathedral. The two men who beat McCain in his bid for the White House, former President George W. Bush and Barak Obama will eulogize him, a request McCain made before his passing, then a private burial at the U.S. Naval Academy next to his classmate and best friend, Admiral Chuck Larson. His wife telling CNN that her husband has his wingman back now.

HOWELL: And CNN's coverage of Saturday's memorial for John McCain starts at 8:00 in the morning in Washington, D.C. That's 1:00 in the afternoon in London. The service at the National Cathedral begins at 10 in the morning in Washington, 3:00 in the afternoon in London, and a private memorial service also planned for Sunday at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland. That is where John McCain will be laid to rest.

From the late Senator McCain to Aretha Franklin, America has lost two of its greatest icons. The Queen of Soul was remembered in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. That's where friends, families, and admirers alike all came together to celebrate her life, legacy, and of course the music.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

HOWELL: Her funeral was one of laughter, one of soulful hymns, of tears of course remembering this star who won 18 Grammys and numerous honors in her lifetime. Our Ryan Young has more on this celebration.

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The casket of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin arriving on the Red Carpet for a funeral planned to celebrate her incredible life. Music industry icons including Chaka Khan, Ron Isley, Smokey Robinson, civil rights leaders and politicians all turning out to pay their respects.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: So I started off as a groupie. I hope God will forgive me but I was so glad when I got here and I hope you will forgive me, when the casket was still open because I said I wondered what my friend has got on today.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Celebrate Aretha...

YOUNG: (voice over) And the city of Detroit turning out in force to pay their respects too. Outside of Greater Grace Temple, hundreds waited overnight for a chance to get into the funeral. Inside the temple, a star-studded celebration of her music.

Her family remembering the woman they lost.

VICTORIA FRANKLIN, GRANDDAUGHTER OF ARETHA FRANKLIN: Nothing sounded better to me than the way my grandma sings. Her voice made you feel something.

YOUNG: Former President Bill Clinton sharing a moment from her last public performance when she was ill.

CLINTON: She's sitting there, obviously desperately ill, gaunt, she stood right up and said, "How you doing baby?"

(Laughter)

I said, "Well, I'm doing better now." And she said, she said, "Well look at me, I finally got thin again." It took a lot of guts to say that.

YOUNG: Other hitting the high notes in her honor, Jennifer Hudson, and civil rights leaders were calling her commitment to the movement.

AL SHARPTON, AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND MINISTER: She was a feminist before feminism was popular. She was a civil rights activist when it wasn't popular.

YOUNG: (voice over) The celebration of Aretha Franklin's life cleanly laid out by another soul icon, Stevie Wonder.

(Music playing)

Ryan Young, CNN, Detroit.

HOWELL: Aretha Franklin laid to rest. Following the super typhoon that's already the strongest storm of the year, it may shortly take aim at Japan. Let's bring in our meteorologist, Derek Van Dam here to tell us, Derek.

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: George, the storm has strengthened by 100 miles per hour, that's the maximum sustained winds in just 48 hours so it did what is called rapid intensification and it is incredible to see this image we're about to show you because this is coming from the Japan Meteorological Agency. You're looking at the center of Super Typhoon Jebi. This is the Hamori (ph) 8 satellite and look how crystal clear it is.

Fortunately it's churning across the open waters of the Western Pacific now so it's not impacting anyone on land now but that's about to change. And by the way, that eye wall is about 20 miles in diameter and if you were standing still in the middle of this storm and this eye wall passed over you, you would get the strongest of winds coming from one direction then you would have complete calm in the middle of this storm as the eye wall passed over and then you'd have winds racing from the other direction once the backside of the storm comes at you; just a little tidbit of information.

One hundred fifty-five mile per hour sustained winds according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. That has dropped since the last available update to CNN. Good news, it's equivalent to a strong Category 4 Atlantic hurricane right now, still an intense, intense super typhoon but there are signs it is showing that it is starting to become a little less organize and it is starting to weaken so that's good news for Japan but nevertheless, this is a major concern for them because they have had six typhoons impact the mainland of Japan just within the past two months.

It has been extremely busy and if you recall how we had several fatalities from the extreme flooding a few weeks back across central and southwestern sections of Japan. This is the timeframe, late Monday night and into the day on Tuesday, that's when winds will start to pick up. Rain will become at its heaviest and the strongest of waves will impact the coastal regions, really Hauntu (ph) to the south and west.

That's where we're looking at. But Tokyo, you'll feel the effects at least with heavier rain depths. I believe that the strongest winds will be to your west, so that's good for that populated part of the world.

I want to bring you to North America, particularly the United States, give you an update on the flooding that took place in Pennsylvania. This is in Lancaster County. Mountain Joy saw over 10.5 inches of rain as a slow-moving thunderstorm meandered across southeastern Pennsylvania. Here it is on our radar. There's Lancaster and let me show you what it looked like to people on the ground in this particular area. Unbelievable footage to see. Some of this water rushing past some of these businesses.

That's what you get when you get 10.5 inches of rain in 3 hours. Flash flooding took over. Fortunately the water is done, the rain has ended but it did, unfortunately, raise some buildings at least in mobile home parks off their foundations and no injuries that I have heard of.

HOWELL: One thing about that Derek, you see that video. People really shouldn't drive during that time.

VAN DAM: No, that's - that is like the stock standard rule, turn around, don't drown.

HOWELL: Yes, good advice.

VAN DAM: Right.

HOWELL: Derek Van Dam, thank you.

VAN DAM: OK.

HOWELL: Still ahead here on CNN Newsroom in the U.S. and around the world clouds, questions, and contradictions hovering over the White House; The latest on another guilty plea. This one links with foreign money and a Trump political committee. We'll explain. Plus, a late- night court filing that contradicts something the Attorney General of the U.S. said under oath, we'll explain it as Newsroom pushes ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOWELL: Good morning. Coast to coast across the United States and to our viewers around the world, you're watching CNN Newsroom live from the APL. I'm George Howell with the headlines we're following for you.

This hour Malasian police trying to track down two Indonesian women to testify in the Kim Jong Nam murder trial. The two women charged with killing the half brother of the North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un last year allegedly wiped the nerve agent on his face.

Trade talks expected to resume on Wednesday between the United States and Canada. The two countries and Mexico are trying to hammer out a deal to replace NAFTA. Canada's foreign affairs minister says her country is not ready to sign just yet. The U.S. President told Congress, he'll sign a deal with Mexico with or without Canada.

A Washington lobbyist has pleaded guilty to steering foreign money to the Trump Inauguration Committee. His name, Samuel Patten. He allegedly funneled money from a Russian-backed Ukrainian Oligarch. Patten also pleaded guilty to failing to register as a foreign agent and lying to Congress. Former Trump campaign advisor, George Papadopoulos is contradicting the Attorney General of the United States. At a court filing late Friday night, Papadopoulos says, Jeff Sessions did support his proposal that Mr. Trump meet with Vladimir Putin during the campaign under oath before Congress. Sessions said that he pushed back on that idea.

President Trump blasting the Russia probe; while there is nothing new to that but he is stepping up his attacks on the justice department to a new level, even his new poll numbers suggest his words may not be working. Our Jeff Zeleny explains.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why not from Mr. Jeff Sessions past November, sir?

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CORRESPONDENT): (voice over) President Trump flashing a thumbs up but giving no answer today on why he's offering his favorite punching bag, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a bit of a reprieve. Consumed with anger over the Russian investigation, the president has berated, badgered, and all but black-listed his Attorney General. But in an interview with "Bloomberg News," he says Sessions' job is safe, at least through the midterm elections. After that, he wouldn't say.

TRUMP: I'd just like to have Jeff Sessions do his job and if he did I'd be very happy. But the job entails two sides; not one side.

ZELENY: (voice over) Yet, that didn't stop the president from railing against the justice department at a rally last night in Indiana for what he perceives as unfair treatment.

TRUMP: Our Justice Department and our FBI have to start doing their job and doing it right and doing it now. People are angry. People are angry.

ZELENY: (voice over) Once again, he suggested he could intervene in an investigation which would be highly unorthodox and politically explosive for a sitting president.

TRUMP: I wanted to stay out but at some point if it doesn't straighten out properly, I want them to do their job, I will get involved and I will get in there if I have to.

ZELENY: It's unclear whether he's blowing off steam...

TRUMP: Disgraceful.

ZELENY: ...or seriously threatening to stop the Russian probe that's hanging over the White House. He told Bloomberg, "I view it as an illegal investigation." Yet that's not how a majority of American see it. A new "Washington Post-ABC News" poll today finds 63 percent of Americans support Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of Trump and his associates while 29 percent oppose it. Beyond his loyal base of supporters, the president's standing is taking a hit. With 60 percent saying they disapprove of the job he's doing, while only 36 percent say they approve. The country is far more split on the question of impeachment with 49 percent saying proceedings should begin and 46 percent saying they should not. It's one of the reasons the president and Republicans are bracing for the midterm elections.

TRUMP: Very, very big vote. It's very close. People say we have the majority, by how much? By almost nothing. Somebody has a cold, we no longer have the majority.

ZELENY: All this while the president is searching for a replacement for top White House lawyer Don McGahn who is soon to leave the West Wing. The president has been in talks with Washington lawyer Pat Cipollone CNN has learned, a veteran of the George H. W. Bush Administration who has been informally advising Team Trump on the Mueller probe.

So even as the president continues to look for a new White House counsel sometime this fall, there is still so many questions about the Attorney General's position. Of course, the president left the door open to removing Jeff Sessions after the midterm elections. Pressed in that Bloomberg News interview if he would stay on after November. The president said, "I don't want to get into it." Jeff Zeleny, CNN, the White House.

HOWELL: Jeff, thank you. Now to Syria where government troops appear poised for an attack on Idlib and Idlib Providence, the last remaining stronghold of rebels and so-called terrorist fighters. There is also great concern about the millions of innocent people who could be caught up in the crossfire here.

U.S. officials say they are ready for a military strike, this if Syria uses chemical weapons. They tell CNN a list of targets has already been prepared. Syria's ally, Russia, appears to be getting ready as well. The Kremlin has announced large-scale naval drills in the Mediterranean. At least one U.S. official says the ships could use radar to help track and intercept U.S. missiles.

A key figure in the Ukrainian conflict is reportedly dead. Russian state media report Aleksandr Zakharchenko I should say, was killed in an explosion at a cafe in Donetsk. He was the leader of the Russian- backed self-proclaimed the Next People's Republic. Russian President Vladimir Putin calls it a vile murder meant to destabilize the region. The Russian Foreign Ministry says Ukraine is responsible for it.

Palestinian refugees are facing a new crisis. The Trump Administration has announced its ending all funding to the U.S. agency that supports them calling its business model irredeemably flawed. The agency provides education. It provides healthcare and other services for more than five million of the refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, and Gaza.

Washington is also expected to call for refugee status to be stripped from millions of Palestinians in an attempt to radically redefine who qualifies as a refugee. The U.S. ambassador to the U.N. suggested this week that Palestinians are ungrateful for the assistance they receive from Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

NIKKI HALEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS: When you look at (inaudible), there's a couple of issues there. First of all, you're looking at the fact that yes, there's an (inaudible) number of refugees that continue to get assistance but more importantly the Palestinians continue to bash America.

(END VIDEO)

HOWELL: The U.S. donated more than $350 million to the agency back in 2017. In the meantime in the West Bank, Israeli forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Palestinian protestors. Hundreds were protesting Israel's seizure of land for Jewish settlements. It's among the many issues hindering peace efforts there. About a dozen people were injured. Israeli officials had no comment on the unrest.

The former President of Brazil will not run as a candidate in October's president election. Brazil's top electoral court has ruled that Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is not eligible to run. Lula, has been in jail since April is serving a 12 year sentence for corruption and money laundering. He served as president between the years of 2003 and 2011.

Still ahead, honoring the life of a revered American politician with a rare tradition reserved for the highest members of state and military, but as the U.S. Vice President says, John McCain deserved it.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

PENCE: We mourn with those who mourn and we grieve with those who grieve but we do not grieve like those who have no hope because John McCain, like millions of Americans, held firm from that hope from an old hymn that became the title of a book he wrote some 20 years ago, "Faith of our Fathers." The full stanza of that hymn reads, "Faith of our fathers, living still In spite of dungeon, fire and sword. O how our hearts beat high with joy whene'er we hear that glorious word!." John McCain held firm to that faith; the faith of his fathers. Through dungeons, fire and sword and he held fast to his faith in America through six decades of service.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HOWELL: The rain coming down and honor guard carrying Senator John McCain's casket into the U.S. Capitol. It is a rare honor for one of America's most revered servants. We'll watch here. It's a very solemn moment. The late Republican Senator John McCain, the 31st person to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol. It's a tradition reserved for presidents, for top government officials and military officers. Fellow lawmakers, friends, and family - they came together to attend the ceremony. Visitors came by the thousands paying their respects. They all remembered this self-described maverick. John McCain is also being remembered in Vietnam where the late U.S. Senator spent five years as a prisoner of war. Our Ivan Watson has more on the tributes coming from there.

IVAN WATSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: On a rainy morning in the Vietnamese capital, it's hard to imagine anything disturbing the serenity of Truc Bach Lake but this where Lieutenant Commander John McCain splashed down terribly wounded after a surface to air missile hit his plane during a bombing run in 1967.

The Vietnamese erected a monument to celebrate his capture. Look how people responded to Senator McCain's passing. They took this trophy celebrating the day he was shot down and turned it into a makeshift shrine with flowers honoring a former enemy who became this country's friend.

The day La Tran Ula(ph) first saw McCain he says he wanted to kill him.

LA TRAN ULA: (through translator) I wanted to stab him with a knife but people nearby shouted stop. I thought this was an invader who was trying to destroy our city.

WATSON: (voice over) Fifty-one years after he helped capture McCain, Ula (ph) laments the death of the former U.S. pilot.

ULA: (through a translator) I'm sad because I never got to meet him again La Tran tells me. McCain came back to Vietnam and did good things here.

WATSON: After his capture, McCain was brought here to Hoa Lo Prison, better known by the nickname, Hanoi Hilton. It's a museum now but during the war McCain spent much of his harrowing 5.5 year experience as a prisoner within this building's walls enduring torture which he describes in his memoirs.

(BEGIN AUDIO)

REP. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) ARIZONA AND FORMER PRISONER OF WAR: One guard would hold me while the others pounded away. Most blows were directed to my shoulders, chest, and stomach. Occasionally when I had fallen to the floor, they kicked me in the head. They cracked several of my ribs and broke a couple of teeth.

(END AUDIO)

WATSON: Tran Trong Duyet, the former warden of the prison first met McCain in 1967.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

TRAN TRONG DUYET, FORMER WARDEN OF HOA LO PRISON: (through interpreter) He was a tough and strong man who's loyal to beat ideology.

(END VIDEO) WATSON: He denies that U.S. prisoners were tortured here.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

DUYET: (through interpreter) McCain told a lie in his book.

(END VIDEO)

(BEGIN VIDEO)

DANIEL KRITENBRINK, AMBASSADOR TO VIETNAM: I think it's absolutely clear and indisputable the torture that many of our veterans suffered.

(END VIDEO)

WATSON: (voice over) The U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam opened the Embassy to the public allowing well wishers to sign a book of condolences.

KRITENBRINK: Great patriot, great warrior who fought and suffered here for years then becomes a Senator and statesman and I would argue a peacemaker. He was one of the leaders in the United States again who brought our countries back together.

(END VIDEO)

WATSON: In the decades after his release, McCain visited Vietnam more than 20 times.

(BEGIN AUDIO)

MCCAIN: I put the Vietnam war behind me a long time ago. I harbor no anger, no rancor, I'm a better man for my experience and I'm grateful for having the opportunity of serving.

(END AUDIO)

WATSON: In another Hanoi Lake lies the wreckage of a downed U.S. B-52 bomber. It's a testament to the extraordinary legacy of John McCain that the Vietnamese now admire and mourn a man who was once sent to bomb their cities. Ivan Watson, CNN, Hanoi.

HOWELL: Ivan, thank you. And the loss of another great, the Queen of Soul. Aretha Franklin was remembered Friday in a celebration that included her friends, family, fellow performers and even a former U.S. President.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

BILL CLINTON: OK, so I figured out, I think, that the secret to her greatness was she took this massive talent and this perfect culture that raised her and decided to be the composer of her own life song.

(END VIDEO)

HOWELL: Remembering the life, the legacy, that voice - that powerful voice that can never be replaced. Stay with us.

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DON RIDDELL, CNN SPORTS COMMENTATOR: Hi there, I'm Don Riddell with your CNN World Sport Headlines. The under fire Manchester United manger, Jose Murillo has made no secret of his frustration with the executive board at (inaudible) and he continued in a press conference on Friday. Murillo claiming that his results at Manchester United don't particularly matter because he will be judged as one of the great managers regardless. They now have lost two of their first three games are away at Burnley (ph) on Sunday.

A new league season in Italy might only just be up and running but there was a dramatic finish at the San Sir as A. C. Milan scored a late winner to beat Roma 2-1. The home side took the lead late in the first half though Franck Kessie but Roma hit back 15 minutes after the break thanks to Frederico Fazio but was effectively the last kick of the game, hat trick Crotone won it for Milan.

Staying in Italy, Formula 1 is at the Monza Grand Prix this weekend where Ferrari will hold home advantage but in practice on Friday those details were really gaining to a mere foot though after this extraordinary crash involving Marcus Ericsson who's Sauber veered off the track at high speed and rolled multiple times. Replays reveal the sudden, unexpected drama and the violence of the accident is a testament of the safety of Formula 1 these days that he was OK.

That is a quick look at your sports headlines. I'm Don Riddell.

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HOWELL: Apple store caught thieves on camera in California. Three people ran into a store and took $35,000 worth of electronics. You can see it took store employees by surprise there. Police say the robbery is similar to other thefts. No comment from Apple. It says it can't comment on matters related to security but the video certainly tells a story there.

Scientists studying Jupiter may have found one of the building blocks of life as we know it. They've been using special telescopes to peer into clouds specifically into that whirling storm called the Great Red Spot on Jupiter and they found an abundance of hydrogen and oxygen molecules meaning water could exist there. Jupiter is the biggest planet in the solar system but how the gas giant formed is still largely a mystery.

It is a funeral fit for a queen. Family, friends and admirers of the late Aretha Franklin came together in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan, on Friday celebrating the life, the legacy, and of course the music. The hours long funeral included tributes, songs, and remembrances from religious, political leaders and celebrities. CNN's Randi Kaye has a look back at the life of this music legend.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Aretha Franklin... (Music)

RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: (voice over) Long before she became the Queen of Soul, she was born Aretha Louise Franklin in Memphis, Tennessee. Her mother was a gospel singer and pianist; her father a pastor. He raised Aretha in Detroit after her parents split up.

(Music)

Aretha Franklin demanded respect from an early age. She taught herself to play piano before age 10. Her first performances were at her father's church.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

ARETHA FRANKLIN, ENTERTAINER: My dad encouraged me to sing. I really didn't want to sign in front of a lot of people and he just kept pushing me out there anyway. Oh, come on Areea (ph) I want you to sing now, come on. And OK, all right, Dad. And they would put a box like this box right here, small box, behind the pulpit and I would stand on that box and sing.

(END VIDEO)

KAYE: By age 12, she was touring with her father whose sermons reportedly earned him a reputation as the man with the golden voice, a trait he seems to have passed on to his daughter.

(Music)

In 1964, Aretha made one of her first television appearances on the "Steve Allen Show." Still a newcomer she performed the song, "Won't be Long."

It was her song "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" though an Otis Redding original she recorded back in 1967 that catapulted the 25-year-old into stardom.

(Music)

It surged to number one and earned Aretha her first two Grammy Awards for best R&B recording artist and best solo female R&B performance. For women it became an anthem but it also changed history when the Civil Rights Movement adopted it as their mantra.

(Music)

Aretha was barely in her 20's by the time the world recognized her as the Queen of Soul but she was just getting started. Her recording career would go to span more than half a century and go far beyond soul music. Her roots were in Gospel but Aretha also thrilled audiences with jazz, opera, and R&B.

(Music)

Her songs were personal with not so hidden messages about pain and loss also sensuality and sexuality.

(Music)

Her song, "Think" written near the end of her first marriage was a rallying cry for women fed up with lousy men.

(Music)

Aretha won 18 Grammy Awards including Best Female R&B Performance for 8 years in a row. At the peak of her career in the '60's and '70's, she had more than 2 dozen top 40 hits. In 1987, Aretha was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

(Music)

HOWELL: Thank you for being with us. I'm George Howell. The news continues after the break.

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