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CNN Live At Daybreak

Beirut Blast; Operation Lightning; Dutch Diss; Trust in a Bottle

Aired June 02, 2005 - 05:30   ET

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


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


(WEATHER REPORT)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, thank you -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: This just happened a short time ago, a car bomb has exploded in Beirut, Lebanon. It killed a prominent anti-Syrian journalist.

CNN senior international correspondent Brent Sadler live for us from the Lebanese capital to tell us more. Take it away -- Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Thanks. Good morning, Carol.

This is an assassination of a prominent journalist who worked for a newspaper here called "An Nahar," published by a very strong opponent of Syria's policy towards Lebanon. Over the past 30 years, published by Gibran Tueni, who's just been elected to Parliament after first round voting here Sunday.

Now this blast that happened a short time ago in a Christian district of the Lebanese capital, it was a targeted assassination, killing Samir Kassir, who has been a strong critic of Syria through many, many columns. He has a strong following in the opposition. He has been one of the most high profile journalists in the many months of opposition moves to push Syrian troops out of Lebanon in line with international demands.

Those Syrian troops left just a few weeks ago, but now a blast against a journalist. Certainly a warning by whomever perpetrated this attack that the journalist community in Lebanon can no longer think of itself as being safe. Samir Kassir had been complaining a long, long, long time about harassment by security forces. And this blast has claimed his life just a few days after he wrote a strident anti-Syrian piece about the opening of Syria's Ba'th Party Congress only next week -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Syrian troops are already out of Lebanon, though. It seems to come too late, these attacks.

SADLER: Well this is the big fear by the opposition, those who automatically, without any proof I might add, blame Syria for such attacks, or at least having some hand in them. But even though Syrian troops have physically left this country, there may well be a remnant of its security operators still operating here.

Certainly this is a suspicion of the United States. Only a few days ago, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the U.S. suspects that Syria is now trying to covertly manage the Lebanese file in a different way from what it's done before but still capable of undermining Lebanese attempts to reach a more democratic system in politics here -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Brent Sadler reporting live for us from Lebanon this morning.

The latest spat of suicide car bombings in Iraq leave at least 16 people dead, at least 53 more wounded. Three separate suicide attacks have been reported across northern Iraq. Also, Wednesday, a U.S. soldier was killed when a roadside bomb exploded as his vehicle passed by during a combat operation near the city of Ramadi. That's west of Baghdad.

These random deadly attacks are exactly the kind of operation -- or exactly the kind that Operation Lightning is trying so hard to stop.

CNN senior Baghdad correspondent Jane Arraf is on the front lines of the mission with those Iraqi troops trained by Americans.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JANE ARRAF, CNN SENIOR BAGHDAD CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): American trained, this is a distinctly Iraqi army. Heading into the biggest Iraqi security operation yet in Baghdad, Operation Lightning, the soldiers are getting pumped up before the mission. Inside, Brigadier General Jamil Schwale (ph) speaks to the officers.

These missions that you're going out on will be part of the history of Iraq, he tells them.

The tie-in commander, Col. Mahamed Fayd Al-Samarie (ph), tells them that insurgents could be warned by now and could be expected to react. Watch for roadside bombs, he tells them, and pay attention to the rooftops, there could be gunmen waiting.

Camp Liberty in Baghdad, the 256th Mechanized Infantry Regiment, prepares to go out with them.

CAPT. HERB WILSON, U.S. ARMY: Bravo Company is going to conduct the outer cordon and we'll provide some assistance for the search element for the Iraqi army.

ARRAF: One of the U.S. Army's biggest jobs now is training the Iraqi soldiers who will replace them. The Iraqis are in the lead. But 20 minutes after the mission was set to kick off, no one has moved. Frustration among the Americans is palpable.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well go. OK, just go.

ARRAF: When they finally get to the location, Capt. Herb Wilson explains to his Iraqi counterpart.

WILSON: We will supply the outer cordon. You guys supply the search element.

ARRAF: This overnight mission is to cordon and search entire neighborhoods, looking for unusual amounts of cash, weapons or suspects on their target list.

(on camera): They've cordoned off this entire neighborhood. It's 3:00 in the morning as they're pounding down doors. For people in this neighborhood, it couldn't be a more abrupt wakening.

(voice-over): The people, though, are cooperative as soldiers search their homes for anything suspicious, including more than the single rifle allowed in each house. To the Americans, who hope Iraqi forces will replace them, say residents seem to be more receptive when it's other Iraqis doing the searches.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They understand that for safety in the neighborhood, what we're doing, what we're looking for. And when it's a broad scale, when we're going through an entire neighborhood, they're not pinpointing one individual at one house.

ARRAF: Abusha Mahati (ph) was home with her three children, including a teenaged son who's quit school.

I can't make him go to school, she says. The children's spirit is gone. It's gone for all of us.

The Iraqi soldiers go down the block banging on doors are more confident with every doorway. With the new army facing an unconventional enemy, building that confidence is perhaps a key part of the fight.

Jane Arraf, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And still ahead on DAYBREAK, following in the French footsteps, the Dutch reject the E.U. constitution. What's going on in Europe and why should Americans care? That's coming up.

But first, a look at what else is making news this Thursday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: First the French, now the Dutch have rejected the proposed European Union constitution. It would have made, among other things, a president of Europe, just like the president of the United States.

So what does this latest setback mean for Europe and America?

Let's head live to CNN's European political editor Robin Oakley. He's in London this morning.

So tell us about it -- Robin.

ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN EUROPEAN POLITICAL EDITOR: Good morning, Carol.

Well, this is a massive setback for the European Union leaders. If the European Union is to have a new constitution, designed to enable it to operate as an organization of 25 countries, which it has been since last year, then it needs a new constitution, but it has to be agreed by all 25 countries.

Now two countries and two founding members of the original European Union, when it was just six countries, have turned down that constitution. They've done so for a variety of reasons, some of them domestic political reasons. Both cases they had unpopular governments.

But this is a real problem for European Union leaders. They get together in a summit in a fortnight's time. They're now going to decide, do they scrap this constitution all together? Do they try and cherry pick the parts from it to help to make the E.U. work better? Or do they get all the other countries that still haven't ratified the constitution, either by their parliaments or in referendums, to go on with the process in the hope that by October 2006, the deadline, they can get 23 countries to say yes so they can turn around to France and the Netherlands and say why don't you guys have another go -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Just to clarify things, each country would maintain its independence despite this E.U. constitution? Am I correct on that?

OAKLEY: Absolutely, yes. This is basically a constitution which sets out which things should be done by the individual states and which should be done by the super national institutions in Brussels by the European Commission, the executive arm, and by the Council of Ministers, all the heads of state acting together. But, no, there's no question that the European Union would take over in a fully federal sense. We're not there yet -- Carol.

COSTELLO: OK. So why is it important to Americans?

OAKLEY: It's important to Americans, really, because long time ago, Henry Kissinger complained, when he was Secretary of State, that he couldn't pick up a telephone and call Europe and know what Europe's view was on anything.

And one of the designs of this constitution was to have a president chosen from among the leaders in Europe who would hold the job for up to five years, who would be a permanent face for the European Union. There would also be a European Union Foreign Minister. And the idea was that there'd be a unified foreign policy for the 25 countries.

A lot easier for America and the rest of the world to deal with one figure, instead of the system, at the moment, where the E.U. presidency revolves every six months to a different country. Currently held by little Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker, their Prime Minister. The next president of the European Union, just for six months, will be Tony Blair of the U.K.

So that's a messy system. It would have been in America's interests to have a more unified Europe speaking with a single voice. Now it looks as though that isn't going to happen -- Carol.

COSTELLO: It's what it looks like. Robin Oakley live in London this morning.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:43 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

A car bomb exploded a short time ago in Beirut, Lebanon, killed a prominent journalist known for his strong opposition to Syria. The Lebanese are calling it an assassination.

North Korea says it is shutting down efforts to recover remains of U.S. troops missing since the Korean War. The announcement comes after a Pentagon decision last week to temporarily stop the mission, citing unsafe conditions for recovery teams.

In money news, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman William Donaldson will leave office June 30 to return to the private sector and his family. He was appointed by President Bush to lead the agency two years ago.

In culture, do you see singer Bobby Brown anywhere in this courtroom? That's not him in the pink. Well, the judge didn't see him either. So, a Massachusetts family court judge issued an arrest warrant for Brown after he was a no-show for a child support compliance hearing.

In sports, the San Antonio Spurs make it to the NBA Finals with a 101-95 win over the Phoenix Suns. It is the second time in three years that the Spurs have advanced to the finals.

I know what you're thinking, Chad, you mean it's not over yet?

MYERS: No, I was talking to Ray D'Alessio from Headline Sports yesterday. He thinks it's going all the way until the end of June. It's like, oh man, if this all the way goes to game seven at the finals, oh my. And then they start up again in a couple of months.

Good morning, Carol, and what a long season for those guys.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

That's a look at the latest headlines this morning.

Still ahead on DAYBREAK, finding trust in a bottle. Does it sound too good to be true? We will talk to the researcher who says it is the real thing.

And remember our e-mail "Question of the Morning," can you work less and achieve more on this leave work early day? That's what day it is today, in case you didn't know. E-mail us at DAYBREAK@CNN.com. That's DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Imagine this, imagine gaining someone's trust by spraying just the right mixture of potion out of a bottle into their nose. Magic, right? No, it's science.

Joining me now to explain it all is Markus Heinrichs. He's a clinical psychologist at the University of Zurich and the man behind the research.

Welcome.

DR. MARKUS HEINRICHS, UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH: Hello -- Carol Costello.

COSTELLO: Thank you for joining DAYBREAK this morning. This is a fascinating study. So you could actually spray a nasal spray containing the hormone oxytocin into someone's nose and they'll trust you more?

HEINRICHS: Yes. We knew that from, of course, from animal research. And we knew that this hormone is able to improve pair (ph) bonding, maternal care and social attachment.

And we were interested in the question what is the biological basis of the phenomenon of placing faith in another person. And we were able to show that. Oxytocin, a certain amount of oxytocin, more in your brain, which is a natural hormone in your brain; but if you have more of that hormone, then you can trust another person better and, for example, give them more money.

COSTELLO: So oxytocin exists in your body already?

HEINRICHS: Right. Oxytocin is well known in all medical textbooks for its functions in milk letdown during breast-feeding and in uterus contractions during labor. That's the classical function of this hormone.

COSTELLO: OK, so when you use the nasal spray, what might it -- I mean you mentioned something about people trusting more as far as investments go. But tell us more about that and how it leads people to trust others more.

HEINRICHS: In some detail, we played an investment game for real money. And when the participants inhaled the nasal spray, investors were more likely to hand over money to a trustee knowing that they also could lose everything if the trustee decided not to give any of the money back.

And from a more clinical point of view, this means that we hope to help patients with clinical disorders like social phobia or autism. These people have many, many difficulties to trust other people and to enjoy social interactions. And we would like to combine now in running studies oxytocin nasal spray with psychotherapy, especially behavioral therapy. COSTELLO: OK, that is used for the good, but there are many abuses that could happen. I mean just think if a politician got a hold of this nasal spray.

HEINRICHS: Yes, that's what we thought about. And thanks god (ph) there is no technical solution, at the moment, to indirectly manipulate people with oxytocin. So I think it's not likely that political operators will generously spray the crowd with oxytocin at rallies of the candidates.

It's not possible to give it virally a condition or orally. You really have to very complicated bring it into the nose with an applicator. And, therefore, I think that politicians and secret services will have better strategies than this hormone.

COSTELLO: Let's hope so. Dr. Heinrichs, thank you for joining DAYBREAK this morning.

That's fascinating, isn't it -- Chad?

MYERS: It is.

COSTELLO: Just spraying oxytocin in a nasal spray in your nose and that's just fascinating.

Anyway, let's move on to our e-mail question of the day, because we've been getting some interesting responses this morning.

MYERS: Can you spray anything in your nose and work more? No, no, that's not it. Can you work less and achieve more? If you're working 80 hours a week, can you work 60 and still do the same amount because you're a little bit better rested?

Gordon (ph) from West Virginia has a good one. I'm not so sure that I could get more done if I leave work early, but I'm convinced that I could get a lot more work done if my boss leaves early.

COSTELLO: So true. Sometimes they just muddy the waters, don't they?

MYERS: I don't know if I'm working less to produce more, but I'm watching you and I'm still working. I have to get up in two hours to go back to work again. Jim (ph) in Texas.

And so certainly the statement is work smarter, not harder is the logical statement following that you only achieve more with less effort if you can work smarter. I guess that means kind of planning your day, maybe use a little -- use those -- do those A1 things before the B4 things if you're into that day planning.

COSTELLO: That's work in itself.

MYERS: Day planner. It is. That takes a lot of time.

The fact that I'm up at 4:00 a.m. watching you guys while I jump on my workday should answer your question. To be effective, you've got to put in the hours, and I'm already putting them in now. And that was from Kathy (ph) in San Antonio. And that was from 5:16.

COSTELLO: Wow!

MYERS: So she was up at 4:16, already getting ready to go to work.

COSTELLO: We admire you. Thank you for your e-mails this morning.

We're going to take a short break. We'll be back with much more on DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: You're looking at the best British songs. Can you believe "Wonderwall" by Oasis took the number one spot? We're all talking about it and saying, come on, "Bohemian Rhapsody" should be number one with Queen.

Anyway, let's go down. Oasis "Wonderwall," Queen "Bohemian Rhapsody," Led Zeppelin "Stairway to Heaven," The Beatles "Let It Be," John Lennon "Imagine," the best British songs of all time. And Virgin Radio used to use the source for that. We just thought you might be interested this morning.

In other "Entertainment Headlines" for you this morning, rocker Rod Stewart is going to be a father for the sixth time. Stewart and his girlfriend, Penny Lancaster, announced they are expecting a baby in December. Stewart already has five children from three previous relationships.

Teen queen Lindsay Lohan apparently was not hurt after getting into a car accident with a paparazzi photographer who was following too closely behind her. The photographer was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after running into Lohan's car. Lohan's mother says she -- quote -- "thanks God her daughter was able to walk out of the car." Wow!

If you can tell 50 Cent you'll make a charitable donation, you'd better do it. The rapper is suing three video production companies that he says promised they'd make donations to charity if he did an interview about the man who inspired his nickname. The lawsuit says the donations have not been made.

You can get more entertainment news every night on "ShowBiz Tonight." That's at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on Headline News.

And the next hour of DAYBREAK begins right after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It is Thursday, June 2.

Homes destroyed, hundreds evacuated this morning, people are picking up the pieces after a landslide lands in Laguna.

DAYBREAK starts right now.

Started with a crackle, then collapsed. More on the devastating day in one oceanside community.

Also ahead, a sign of things to come in the corporate world, the number one guy at the SEC calls it quits.

And shaming neighbors into getting their property cleaned up. I'll talk to one community leader who thinks it may work in his city.

Then later, a training camp spoof turns ugly for the 49ers. Wait until you hear about this.

And good morning, everyone.

We'll have more on the landslides in California in just a minute.

Also ahead, the jury gets the Michael Jackson case today, but that doesn't necessarily mean we're close to a verdict.

But first, "Now in the News."

Three suicide car bombs have killed at least 16 people and wounded 53 others in Iraq. This damage is from Kirkuk where the bomber was targeting an American diplomatic convoy. The blast ended up killing two children.

A leading anti-Syrian journalist has been killed in Beirut when a bomb in his car exploded. Security sources say the bomb went off when he started the car. He wrote for Lebanon's biggest selling daily newspaper.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired June 2, 2005 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(WEATHER REPORT)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: All right, thank you -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: This just happened a short time ago, a car bomb has exploded in Beirut, Lebanon. It killed a prominent anti-Syrian journalist.

CNN senior international correspondent Brent Sadler live for us from the Lebanese capital to tell us more. Take it away -- Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Thanks. Good morning, Carol.

This is an assassination of a prominent journalist who worked for a newspaper here called "An Nahar," published by a very strong opponent of Syria's policy towards Lebanon. Over the past 30 years, published by Gibran Tueni, who's just been elected to Parliament after first round voting here Sunday.

Now this blast that happened a short time ago in a Christian district of the Lebanese capital, it was a targeted assassination, killing Samir Kassir, who has been a strong critic of Syria through many, many columns. He has a strong following in the opposition. He has been one of the most high profile journalists in the many months of opposition moves to push Syrian troops out of Lebanon in line with international demands.

Those Syrian troops left just a few weeks ago, but now a blast against a journalist. Certainly a warning by whomever perpetrated this attack that the journalist community in Lebanon can no longer think of itself as being safe. Samir Kassir had been complaining a long, long, long time about harassment by security forces. And this blast has claimed his life just a few days after he wrote a strident anti-Syrian piece about the opening of Syria's Ba'th Party Congress only next week -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Syrian troops are already out of Lebanon, though. It seems to come too late, these attacks.

SADLER: Well this is the big fear by the opposition, those who automatically, without any proof I might add, blame Syria for such attacks, or at least having some hand in them. But even though Syrian troops have physically left this country, there may well be a remnant of its security operators still operating here.

Certainly this is a suspicion of the United States. Only a few days ago, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the U.S. suspects that Syria is now trying to covertly manage the Lebanese file in a different way from what it's done before but still capable of undermining Lebanese attempts to reach a more democratic system in politics here -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Brent Sadler reporting live for us from Lebanon this morning.

The latest spat of suicide car bombings in Iraq leave at least 16 people dead, at least 53 more wounded. Three separate suicide attacks have been reported across northern Iraq. Also, Wednesday, a U.S. soldier was killed when a roadside bomb exploded as his vehicle passed by during a combat operation near the city of Ramadi. That's west of Baghdad.

These random deadly attacks are exactly the kind of operation -- or exactly the kind that Operation Lightning is trying so hard to stop.

CNN senior Baghdad correspondent Jane Arraf is on the front lines of the mission with those Iraqi troops trained by Americans.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JANE ARRAF, CNN SENIOR BAGHDAD CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): American trained, this is a distinctly Iraqi army. Heading into the biggest Iraqi security operation yet in Baghdad, Operation Lightning, the soldiers are getting pumped up before the mission. Inside, Brigadier General Jamil Schwale (ph) speaks to the officers.

These missions that you're going out on will be part of the history of Iraq, he tells them.

The tie-in commander, Col. Mahamed Fayd Al-Samarie (ph), tells them that insurgents could be warned by now and could be expected to react. Watch for roadside bombs, he tells them, and pay attention to the rooftops, there could be gunmen waiting.

Camp Liberty in Baghdad, the 256th Mechanized Infantry Regiment, prepares to go out with them.

CAPT. HERB WILSON, U.S. ARMY: Bravo Company is going to conduct the outer cordon and we'll provide some assistance for the search element for the Iraqi army.

ARRAF: One of the U.S. Army's biggest jobs now is training the Iraqi soldiers who will replace them. The Iraqis are in the lead. But 20 minutes after the mission was set to kick off, no one has moved. Frustration among the Americans is palpable.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well go. OK, just go.

ARRAF: When they finally get to the location, Capt. Herb Wilson explains to his Iraqi counterpart.

WILSON: We will supply the outer cordon. You guys supply the search element.

ARRAF: This overnight mission is to cordon and search entire neighborhoods, looking for unusual amounts of cash, weapons or suspects on their target list.

(on camera): They've cordoned off this entire neighborhood. It's 3:00 in the morning as they're pounding down doors. For people in this neighborhood, it couldn't be a more abrupt wakening.

(voice-over): The people, though, are cooperative as soldiers search their homes for anything suspicious, including more than the single rifle allowed in each house. To the Americans, who hope Iraqi forces will replace them, say residents seem to be more receptive when it's other Iraqis doing the searches.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They understand that for safety in the neighborhood, what we're doing, what we're looking for. And when it's a broad scale, when we're going through an entire neighborhood, they're not pinpointing one individual at one house.

ARRAF: Abusha Mahati (ph) was home with her three children, including a teenaged son who's quit school.

I can't make him go to school, she says. The children's spirit is gone. It's gone for all of us.

The Iraqi soldiers go down the block banging on doors are more confident with every doorway. With the new army facing an unconventional enemy, building that confidence is perhaps a key part of the fight.

Jane Arraf, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And still ahead on DAYBREAK, following in the French footsteps, the Dutch reject the E.U. constitution. What's going on in Europe and why should Americans care? That's coming up.

But first, a look at what else is making news this Thursday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: First the French, now the Dutch have rejected the proposed European Union constitution. It would have made, among other things, a president of Europe, just like the president of the United States.

So what does this latest setback mean for Europe and America?

Let's head live to CNN's European political editor Robin Oakley. He's in London this morning.

So tell us about it -- Robin.

ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN EUROPEAN POLITICAL EDITOR: Good morning, Carol.

Well, this is a massive setback for the European Union leaders. If the European Union is to have a new constitution, designed to enable it to operate as an organization of 25 countries, which it has been since last year, then it needs a new constitution, but it has to be agreed by all 25 countries.

Now two countries and two founding members of the original European Union, when it was just six countries, have turned down that constitution. They've done so for a variety of reasons, some of them domestic political reasons. Both cases they had unpopular governments.

But this is a real problem for European Union leaders. They get together in a summit in a fortnight's time. They're now going to decide, do they scrap this constitution all together? Do they try and cherry pick the parts from it to help to make the E.U. work better? Or do they get all the other countries that still haven't ratified the constitution, either by their parliaments or in referendums, to go on with the process in the hope that by October 2006, the deadline, they can get 23 countries to say yes so they can turn around to France and the Netherlands and say why don't you guys have another go -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Just to clarify things, each country would maintain its independence despite this E.U. constitution? Am I correct on that?

OAKLEY: Absolutely, yes. This is basically a constitution which sets out which things should be done by the individual states and which should be done by the super national institutions in Brussels by the European Commission, the executive arm, and by the Council of Ministers, all the heads of state acting together. But, no, there's no question that the European Union would take over in a fully federal sense. We're not there yet -- Carol.

COSTELLO: OK. So why is it important to Americans?

OAKLEY: It's important to Americans, really, because long time ago, Henry Kissinger complained, when he was Secretary of State, that he couldn't pick up a telephone and call Europe and know what Europe's view was on anything.

And one of the designs of this constitution was to have a president chosen from among the leaders in Europe who would hold the job for up to five years, who would be a permanent face for the European Union. There would also be a European Union Foreign Minister. And the idea was that there'd be a unified foreign policy for the 25 countries.

A lot easier for America and the rest of the world to deal with one figure, instead of the system, at the moment, where the E.U. presidency revolves every six months to a different country. Currently held by little Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker, their Prime Minister. The next president of the European Union, just for six months, will be Tony Blair of the U.K.

So that's a messy system. It would have been in America's interests to have a more unified Europe speaking with a single voice. Now it looks as though that isn't going to happen -- Carol.

COSTELLO: It's what it looks like. Robin Oakley live in London this morning.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:43 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

A car bomb exploded a short time ago in Beirut, Lebanon, killed a prominent journalist known for his strong opposition to Syria. The Lebanese are calling it an assassination.

North Korea says it is shutting down efforts to recover remains of U.S. troops missing since the Korean War. The announcement comes after a Pentagon decision last week to temporarily stop the mission, citing unsafe conditions for recovery teams.

In money news, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman William Donaldson will leave office June 30 to return to the private sector and his family. He was appointed by President Bush to lead the agency two years ago.

In culture, do you see singer Bobby Brown anywhere in this courtroom? That's not him in the pink. Well, the judge didn't see him either. So, a Massachusetts family court judge issued an arrest warrant for Brown after he was a no-show for a child support compliance hearing.

In sports, the San Antonio Spurs make it to the NBA Finals with a 101-95 win over the Phoenix Suns. It is the second time in three years that the Spurs have advanced to the finals.

I know what you're thinking, Chad, you mean it's not over yet?

MYERS: No, I was talking to Ray D'Alessio from Headline Sports yesterday. He thinks it's going all the way until the end of June. It's like, oh man, if this all the way goes to game seven at the finals, oh my. And then they start up again in a couple of months.

Good morning, Carol, and what a long season for those guys.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

That's a look at the latest headlines this morning.

Still ahead on DAYBREAK, finding trust in a bottle. Does it sound too good to be true? We will talk to the researcher who says it is the real thing.

And remember our e-mail "Question of the Morning," can you work less and achieve more on this leave work early day? That's what day it is today, in case you didn't know. E-mail us at DAYBREAK@CNN.com. That's DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Imagine this, imagine gaining someone's trust by spraying just the right mixture of potion out of a bottle into their nose. Magic, right? No, it's science.

Joining me now to explain it all is Markus Heinrichs. He's a clinical psychologist at the University of Zurich and the man behind the research.

Welcome.

DR. MARKUS HEINRICHS, UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH: Hello -- Carol Costello.

COSTELLO: Thank you for joining DAYBREAK this morning. This is a fascinating study. So you could actually spray a nasal spray containing the hormone oxytocin into someone's nose and they'll trust you more?

HEINRICHS: Yes. We knew that from, of course, from animal research. And we knew that this hormone is able to improve pair (ph) bonding, maternal care and social attachment.

And we were interested in the question what is the biological basis of the phenomenon of placing faith in another person. And we were able to show that. Oxytocin, a certain amount of oxytocin, more in your brain, which is a natural hormone in your brain; but if you have more of that hormone, then you can trust another person better and, for example, give them more money.

COSTELLO: So oxytocin exists in your body already?

HEINRICHS: Right. Oxytocin is well known in all medical textbooks for its functions in milk letdown during breast-feeding and in uterus contractions during labor. That's the classical function of this hormone.

COSTELLO: OK, so when you use the nasal spray, what might it -- I mean you mentioned something about people trusting more as far as investments go. But tell us more about that and how it leads people to trust others more.

HEINRICHS: In some detail, we played an investment game for real money. And when the participants inhaled the nasal spray, investors were more likely to hand over money to a trustee knowing that they also could lose everything if the trustee decided not to give any of the money back.

And from a more clinical point of view, this means that we hope to help patients with clinical disorders like social phobia or autism. These people have many, many difficulties to trust other people and to enjoy social interactions. And we would like to combine now in running studies oxytocin nasal spray with psychotherapy, especially behavioral therapy. COSTELLO: OK, that is used for the good, but there are many abuses that could happen. I mean just think if a politician got a hold of this nasal spray.

HEINRICHS: Yes, that's what we thought about. And thanks god (ph) there is no technical solution, at the moment, to indirectly manipulate people with oxytocin. So I think it's not likely that political operators will generously spray the crowd with oxytocin at rallies of the candidates.

It's not possible to give it virally a condition or orally. You really have to very complicated bring it into the nose with an applicator. And, therefore, I think that politicians and secret services will have better strategies than this hormone.

COSTELLO: Let's hope so. Dr. Heinrichs, thank you for joining DAYBREAK this morning.

That's fascinating, isn't it -- Chad?

MYERS: It is.

COSTELLO: Just spraying oxytocin in a nasal spray in your nose and that's just fascinating.

Anyway, let's move on to our e-mail question of the day, because we've been getting some interesting responses this morning.

MYERS: Can you spray anything in your nose and work more? No, no, that's not it. Can you work less and achieve more? If you're working 80 hours a week, can you work 60 and still do the same amount because you're a little bit better rested?

Gordon (ph) from West Virginia has a good one. I'm not so sure that I could get more done if I leave work early, but I'm convinced that I could get a lot more work done if my boss leaves early.

COSTELLO: So true. Sometimes they just muddy the waters, don't they?

MYERS: I don't know if I'm working less to produce more, but I'm watching you and I'm still working. I have to get up in two hours to go back to work again. Jim (ph) in Texas.

And so certainly the statement is work smarter, not harder is the logical statement following that you only achieve more with less effort if you can work smarter. I guess that means kind of planning your day, maybe use a little -- use those -- do those A1 things before the B4 things if you're into that day planning.

COSTELLO: That's work in itself.

MYERS: Day planner. It is. That takes a lot of time.

The fact that I'm up at 4:00 a.m. watching you guys while I jump on my workday should answer your question. To be effective, you've got to put in the hours, and I'm already putting them in now. And that was from Kathy (ph) in San Antonio. And that was from 5:16.

COSTELLO: Wow!

MYERS: So she was up at 4:16, already getting ready to go to work.

COSTELLO: We admire you. Thank you for your e-mails this morning.

We're going to take a short break. We'll be back with much more on DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: You're looking at the best British songs. Can you believe "Wonderwall" by Oasis took the number one spot? We're all talking about it and saying, come on, "Bohemian Rhapsody" should be number one with Queen.

Anyway, let's go down. Oasis "Wonderwall," Queen "Bohemian Rhapsody," Led Zeppelin "Stairway to Heaven," The Beatles "Let It Be," John Lennon "Imagine," the best British songs of all time. And Virgin Radio used to use the source for that. We just thought you might be interested this morning.

In other "Entertainment Headlines" for you this morning, rocker Rod Stewart is going to be a father for the sixth time. Stewart and his girlfriend, Penny Lancaster, announced they are expecting a baby in December. Stewart already has five children from three previous relationships.

Teen queen Lindsay Lohan apparently was not hurt after getting into a car accident with a paparazzi photographer who was following too closely behind her. The photographer was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon after running into Lohan's car. Lohan's mother says she -- quote -- "thanks God her daughter was able to walk out of the car." Wow!

If you can tell 50 Cent you'll make a charitable donation, you'd better do it. The rapper is suing three video production companies that he says promised they'd make donations to charity if he did an interview about the man who inspired his nickname. The lawsuit says the donations have not been made.

You can get more entertainment news every night on "ShowBiz Tonight." That's at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on Headline News.

And the next hour of DAYBREAK begins right after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It is Thursday, June 2.

Homes destroyed, hundreds evacuated this morning, people are picking up the pieces after a landslide lands in Laguna.

DAYBREAK starts right now.

Started with a crackle, then collapsed. More on the devastating day in one oceanside community.

Also ahead, a sign of things to come in the corporate world, the number one guy at the SEC calls it quits.

And shaming neighbors into getting their property cleaned up. I'll talk to one community leader who thinks it may work in his city.

Then later, a training camp spoof turns ugly for the 49ers. Wait until you hear about this.

And good morning, everyone.

We'll have more on the landslides in California in just a minute.

Also ahead, the jury gets the Michael Jackson case today, but that doesn't necessarily mean we're close to a verdict.

But first, "Now in the News."

Three suicide car bombs have killed at least 16 people and wounded 53 others in Iraq. This damage is from Kirkuk where the bomber was targeting an American diplomatic convoy. The blast ended up killing two children.

A leading anti-Syrian journalist has been killed in Beirut when a bomb in his car exploded. Security sources say the bomb went off when he started the car. He wrote for Lebanon's biggest selling daily newspaper.

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