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Houston Boozed in Final Days; Funeral for Houston to be Shown in Internet; Syria Kills 10 Army Defectors; Santorum Releases Tax Returns; Rumors of Vatican Power Struggle; Foreclosure Review Deadline Extended; Iran Fears Trigger Oil Price Spike; Arsenic Found in Baby Formula; Jeremy Lin's Legend Grows; From Unknown to NBA Superstar

Aired February 16, 2012 - 09:00   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: That's OK. I'm willing to share. It's all right.

All right, thanks so much. You have a great day.

Hello, everyone, I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Kyra Phillips who's on assignment. This morning we begin with Whitney Houston.

As her family prepares for Saturday's funeral, new details suggest troubling behavior in Houston's final days. Our Don Lemon is in Los Angeles.

So, Don, what are you hearing about those final moments?

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Some really sad information that I got yesterday from a source who is briefed on Whitney Houston's activity and behavior just days before her death. I'm told that on Wednesday and Thursday she was seen in the Beverly Hilton in the pool area and the hotel lobby bar area that she was consuming considerable, considerable quantities of alcohol. And Fredricka, apparently this is before 10:00 a.m. Sometimes as early as 9:30 in the morning.

The sources say a guest overheard her accusing bartenders of watering down her drinks and of putting too much ice in her drinks. They became concerned. They expressed concern at her erratic behavior. They said that she was doing somersaults into the pool and doing somersaults in the pool area, jumping into the pool, and she looked disheveled. She was wearing mismatched clothing and from her appearance and behavior, they said -- this is according to the source -- the guests thought that she looked intoxicated.

At times they say she was alone roaming around the hotel in the bar and the pool area. And then at times she was seen with her entourage and with a male companion. She was also seen at the pool area drinking on Saturday morning before her death, but they say she was not exhibiting the erratic behavior that she had exhibited days before.

WHITFIELD: All right. Meantime, Don, now there are medical reports that have been subpoenaed. Doctors, pharmacists are being asked to cooperate in this investigation. To what extent? LEMON: Well, we don't know exactly how many. There were original reports of 11 doctors and pharmacies that were subpoenaed from Los Angeles, the West Coast to the East Coast, but it's not quite that many according to the coroner. But yes, they have used their subpoena power. They're subpoenaing those pharmacists and those doctors to try to figure out exactly what medication and how much she was being prescribed and how much was being filled.

They want to know all of the doctors, all of the medications before they get the toxicology reports so they can weigh it all as to exactly how she died. They want to make sure that she wasn't doctor shopping or pharmacy shopping. At this point the coroner says it doesn't appear that she was. Everything appears to be on the up and up at this point, and the coroner says everyone, everyone, the doctors, the pharmacists are all cooperating with him at this point -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Don Lemon, thanks so much. Appreciate that.

Meantime Saturday is Whitney Houston's funeral. That taking place in New Jersey, her home state. Susan Candiotti is in Newark.

Susan, what more can you tell us about the funeral arrangements?

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, just a little while ago the funeral director for Whitney Houston's funeral arrangements is here outside the church meeting with a number of police officials and other police department authorities who are discussing, it would appear, plans for the mass at the funeral -- the service, rather, on Saturday.

And so if we pan off you can see some of that activity going on. I think actually the funeral director has just moved inside the church again, so we missed that, but it just goes to show you all the arrangements that are underway at the present time.

Fred, among other things we're learning that there will be a camera now inside the church and video will be streamed that we can air on CNN and CNN.com in order to watch the funeral on Saturday.

WHITFIELD: And among those who will be in attendance, part of the proceedings during that funeral, we understand, Aretha Franklin is going to be singing. What more do we know about those who will be eulogizing her, honoring the life of Whitney Houston?

CANDIOTTI: Well, among those will be Reverend Marvin Winans. He of course is a famed gospel singer in his own right and a close friend of the family. And last night exclusively he spoke with Anderson Cooper and talked about why the family wanted to keep this event a private one.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PASTOR MARVIN WINANS, LONGTIME FRIEND OF HOUSTON FAMILY: Want to have a parade. We loved her when she was nippy in New Jersey. The world loves her because of her voice, but if nippy could not sing, the Houston family would love her.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CANDIOTTI: And, you know, nonstop ever since Whitney Houston's death on Saturday we've seen the mementos, the flowers, the balloons grow that are hanging on the fence outside the church here. People coming by throughout the day, throughout the evening to drop off additional mementos and messages of how much they loved Whitney Houston.

Back to you, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Susan Candiotti there outside New Hope Baptist Church where the funeral will be taking place on Saturday.

Meantime, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is taking heat for his decision to lower flags to half-staff on Saturday for Whitney Houston's funeral. Most of that criticism is coming via Twitter. One tweet saying this, are you serious? Whitney is no hero. And Christie responded, "Flag being lowered for her cultural contributions as an artist and New Jerseyan. Her struggles with substance abuse are a different topic."

The exchanges continued with critics saying the honor should be reserved for fallen soldiers and police officers. Christie responded again saying, quote, "Not saying sacrifices were equivalent. Her cultural contributions to this state merit the honor. Sorry you disagree."

CNN of course will have full coverage of Whitney Houston's funeral this Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Join Piers Morgan, Soledad O'Brien, and Don Lemon as the music legend is remembered.

Later on today the U.N. General Assembly could condemn Syrian President Assad's violent crackdown. And the violence has not let up. A human rights group says Syrian government forces have been pounding the city of Homs for a 13th straight day and have killed at least 10 army defectors and several civilians in Hamma province.

Journalists are restricted in Syria but CNN's Ivan Watson has gotten into the northern part of the country. And we're hoping to talk with him at some point hour.

Meantime, let's take a look at what the world is saying about the violence in Syria.

Max Foster joins us now from London with more on that -- Max.

MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Yes, and Ivan's been telling us how this really, this movement taking place in the rural areas across the country. And certainly international media view this as the turning point right now. The situation in Syria.

The "International Herald Tribune" under the headline "Hama Rules," "The more the Syrian opposition demonstrates to itself, to all Syrians and to the world that it's about creating a pluralistic Syria, the weaker Assad will be and more likely that a post-Assad Syria will have a chance at stability and decency."

So looking ahead already to a post-Assad Syria.

The "Gulf News" in the UAE, "Breaking the Syrian Deadlock." "Sadly because Damascus refuses the League U.N. plan," that's the Arab League United Nations plan, and to avoid a full pledge civil war, the last available option might well be an Arab League NATO operation. Obviously Damascus will put up stiff resistance those Syrians will probably live to rebuild their shattered lives."

So perhaps suggesting some sort of conflict might work for the wider good.

"China Daily," "Respect for Different Viewpoints." The international community should give Russia and China more time for mediation rather than forcing a hurried vote in the U.N. Security Council, which has only escalated the crisis rather than resolve it. So all the commentary very much looking ahead to the future -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Max faster, thanks so much from London.

All right. Back in this country now turning to the GOP race for the White House. Rick Santorum has released four years of his tax returns to cover his time since leaving the Senate.

Our political editor Paul Steinhauser joins us now.

So, Paul, what kind of financial picture do these numbers paint?

PAUL STEINHAUSER, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: Yes, we're learning a little bit more about him. The campaign releasing the rate he paid and how much he paid in taxes.

Take a look at this, Fred. These are the four years after he left Congress after he lost the 2006 re-election to the Senate in Pennsylvania. You can see right here, Karen and Rick Santorum joint earnings in 2007 it was $668,000. As high as $1.19 million in 2009. And look at the tax rates anywhere between 28 points, 3 and 25.1 percent.

Remember last month Mitt and Ann Romney released their 2010 returns. They've made a lot more money that year. It was a little over 21 million but their tax rate was much lower. The difference, of course, much of the Romney money on investments. Much of the Santorum money on income.

Rick Santorum talked about it last night on Piers Morgan. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK SANTORUM (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: All my income is earned income. I mean, I have very, very little -- you know, I don't know if I have any dividend income, or, you know, probably a couple -- maybe $100 of interest income. And no capital gains to speak of income.

So I don't have any income that would come from investments or wealth. I mean every -- almost 90 plus percent of the money that's on those tax returns I went out and earned. And as a result, you know, I'm paying Social Security taxes on them, I'm paying all the other taxes that come when you have earned income so that's why I ended up paying the higher rate of taxation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STEINHAUSER: Rick Santorum today campaigning in Michigan. We're just 12 days away from that primary as well as Arizona -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: And Paul, Rick Santorum not the only one in Michigan today.

STEINHAUSER: That's true, rival Mitt Romney there as well. Remember Romney was born in Michigan. His father was a popular governor back in the 1960s. And today Romney will get the endorsement of the governor there, Rick Snyder, a moderate Republican. We've seen, though, that endorsements really aren't making that much of a difference in this cycle -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Paul Steinhauser, thanks so much.

STEINHAUSER: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: And we'll have the next political update coming in one hour. A reminder for all the latest political news and exactly where to go, our Web site, CNNPolitics.com.

A plot to kill the Pope? Accusations of fraud and scandal. It's not the plot of a new movie, just the rumors that are rocking the Vatican.

And New Orleans says goodbye to an iconic image of Hurricane Katrina. The FEMA trailers. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Checking stories "Cross Country" now.

An anti-crime group in Washington state has blocked plans to have Josh Powell buried next to his two sons. Powell killed the boys and himself by setting his house on fire earlier this month. CrimeStoppers and the local sheriff have reportedly bought plots on both sides of the boys gravesites to prevent Powell's family from burying him near the children.

In New Orleans a milestone in the Hurricane Katrina recovery effort. The last FEMA trailer has left the city more than six years after the storm hit. Tens of thousands of trailers were sent to the city to provide temporary housing for displaced families. And in Birmingham, Alabama, a car careens out of control and crashes into a gas station. A surveillance camera captured the accident right there. The driver was hospitalized. No one else was hurt.

It was supposed to be a week of celebration at the Vatican. But a scandal is brewing. A flurry of leaks suggest there is a power struggle going on within the Vatican. One archbishop even complaining about what he calls a web of corruption.

John Allen is CNN's senior Vatican correspondent. He's joining us from Rome.

So, quite the flurry of activity, reports and leaks about the Vatican's financial picture, political in fighting, and then gossip, too, about the next pope. What is stirring all of this, John?

JOHN ALLEN, CNN SENIOR VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Fredricka. Well, you're absolutely right. What we've been treated to over the last few days amounts to a really juicy Vatican soap opera. I mean, we have seen an almost daily set of new revelations of confidential documents on topics ranging from an alleged plot to kill the pope that was supposedly hatched in China to illicit transfers in the Vatican bank to private correspondence from the pope's ambassador and the states complaining of corruption and cronyism in Vatican finances.

Now, you know, at the level of content, if you take each of these documents one by one, either they just seem silly or there is an alternative explanation for what they're talking about. But what you're left with is the unavoidable picture that someone in the Vatican is leaking these documents in order to embarrass rivalries within the system. That, of course, has created impressions of in fighting, backstabbing which, to be honest, is not exactly the face the Vatican would like to show the world, particularly in this week when the pope is going to create 22 new cardinals, including two from the United States.

WHITFIELD: So, you know, the pope, Pope Benedict, he's 84. He's slowing down, but to what degree and why would he be subject to conversations about the next pope?

ALLEN: Well, I don't know that Benedict XVI is the guy that would be having those conversations. But you're absolutely right. We're talking about a guy who is going to be celebrating his 85th birthday in April. And although there is no death watch in Rome, it is unquestionable bring true that he is getting older, more frail, he's slowing down.

And all of that cannot help but invite speculation about what might come next, particularly in this week when the pope is inducting new members into the church's most exclusive club, that is the College of Cardinals. These are not only the guys that will vote for the next pope but one of them is almost certain to become the next pope.

So if you like, Fredricka, what we're going to see this week is the closest thing the Catholic Church has to the Iowa caucuses. You know, it's an opportunity to look at some of the guys who when the time comes might get a look as possible successors to Benedict XVI.

WHITFIELD: OK. You know, you mentioned it's a very important week in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, especially in the U.S. as well. New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan is to, you know, enjoy his new position.

How is all of this distracting from this occasion?

ALLEN: Well, look, officially, the cardinals who are here to get their red hats, which is the kind of symbol of their office this week, they will tell you that the atmosphere of scandal and crisis swirling around the Vatican is not affecting them at all, that, their festivities are going forward as planned. They're here to show their solidarity and support for the pope.

Of course, there's going to be a behind closed door meeting tomorrow between the pope and all of the cardinals from around the world. So, officially the line is it's business as usual.

But, you know, behind the scenes the truth is many of the cardinals themselves are pretty upset about what they've seen in recent days because the raw fact is they would like to believe that if they have something confidential to share with the pope and his most senior advisors, they can do it without reading about it the next day in the newspapers. Well, right now, that level of confidence is just very difficult to have.

So, this is the scandal that has not only sullied the Vatican's public image, it also has got some of their best friends in the world steaming mad.

WHITFIELD: John Allen joining us from Rome -- thanks so much.

All right. Back in this country let's talk about the economy. Foreclosures jump, but the new numbers may be a more sign of what's happening in lender's offices than what's happening on the streets. We'll explain right after this.

Plus, mobs of shoppers attacking businesses with cash.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How can you not be happy? This is wonderful. Look at my store. I mean, this is great.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: They're called cash mobs. They're a lot like flash mobs only small businesses seem to love them. We'll show you how it all works, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. You've heard of flash mobs, but have you heard of cash mobs? They're very similar. Both are driven by social media like Facebook and Twitter.

But cash mobs seem to be better for the economy. CNN's Ted Rowlands explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These people on a Cleveland street corner haven't been told where they're going. They're part of a cash mob. Following instructions from Facebook and Twitter to show up and look for the guy in the funny looking hat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. Everybody come on in.

ROWLANDS: In a few minutes, the cash mob takes over Big Fun Toys, an independent toy and gift store.

STEVE PRESSER, BIG FUN TOY STORE: I'm honored. How can you not be happy? This is wonderful. Look at my store. This is great.

ROWLANDS: The cash mob concept is simple. People come together and each spend at least $20 at a local business.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It feels great. I definitely want to tell more people about it and have them come out the next one.

ANDREW SAMTOY, CASH MOBS ORGANIZER: It's been really, really shocking and inspiring.

ROWLANDS: The guy with the hat is Cleveland lawyer Andrew Samtoy. His cash mob came last September after they had trouble with flash mobs that were getting out of control. In some cases like the surveillance video shows, people were taking over small businesses to steal.

Andrew's first cash mob was at this bookstore. Forty people showed up.

DAVID FERRANTE, VISIBLE VOICE BOOKS: It brought a whole new crowd to me that I didn't have before. Plus, we made a lot of money that night.

SAMTOY: If this ends up being an integral part of some sort of shop local movement, then I would be very happy with that. If it fizzles out in six months, we did our best.

ROWLANDS: It isn't fizzling. In fact, it's exploding, starting with Andrew's Facebook friends who organized cash mobs in their cities.

LISA GILMORE, LOS ANGELES CASH MOBS: The whole idea behind cash mobs is taking charge and saying, you know what? I'm going to make a difference. I'm going to go do this.

SAMTOY: What we're doing is not only spending money at a locally owned store that gives back to the community. But we're also putting people in a situation where they're meeting people face to face and they're building a community.

ROWLANDS: About 60 people took part in the cash mob at Big Fun Toys, spending about $1,500 in just over an hour.

PRESSER: It's been tough for us so it's nice. This is the shot in the arm that we all need. It's great. It's wonderful.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Put it in the bag.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.

ROWLANDS: Ted Rowlands, CNN, Cleveland.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: And a possible second chance for millions of people hit by foreclosures. Some borrowers could have their cases reviewed but people are passing up the chance.

Alison Kosik is at the New York Stock Exchange.

So, Alison, why aren't more people responding?

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: You know, it may be something as simple as they just may not know about it. Many of these people may just be ignoring their mail, mistaking it for junk mail. Because what the government has done at this point is sent out 4 million letters to people who could have their foreclosures reviewed but only 89,000 people responded. That comes out to about one out of every 48 people.

So what the government's going to do, it's going to extend the deadline to respond by 90 days. The new deadline now is July 31st. So, what this whole thing means is that if you were wrongfully foreclosed on, you, the borrower, could be compensated. And this is coming out of a settlement from last year with 14 borrowers.

And, of course, it's happening as we're getting news that foreclosures are up in January -- a sign that banks are working through the back log of foreclosures. If you want more information on this review happening, you can go to independentforeclosuresettlement.com -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: OK. Alison, Wall Street has new data on jobs and housing. How is that likely to impact stocks?

KOSIK: And that data was upbeat. Those upbeat reports, as you said, on several areas of the economy involving new jobless claims, showing that they dropped to the lowest level in four years.

Home construction picked up. Guess what? It's not enough to move futures into the plus column. It looks like stocks are going to start in the red in about four minutes when the open bell rings.

Wall Street remains concerned about Greece. That bailout, Fredricka, still ain't a done deal -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Alison Kosik on Wall Street, thanks so much.

Rick Santorum made more than $3.5 million over the past four years but he says he suffered like a lot of people did in a bad economy. We'll find out if releasing his tax returns will help him with voters.

And Charlie sheen is once again on the war path, blasting his old show "Two and a Half Men". We'll tell you why he's so upset this time, coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Our top stories now.

The U.N. General Assembly is set to vote on a nonbinding resolution today, condemning Syria's deadly crackdown on anti- government protesters.

On Capitol Hill, a bipartisan deal extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits is expected to be finalized today. A vote on the measure could happen this week.

And a source tells CNN Whitney Houston was seen drinking a considerable amount of alcohol two mornings last week. Subpoenas have been issued for the singer's health records and prescriptions. But an assistant chief coroner says it does not appear Houston was doctor shopping.

Rick Santorum has released his tax returns for the past four years. He earned more than $3.5 million over that time. He paid about $260,000 a year in taxes. His highest tax rate was 28.3 percent, about twice Mitt Romney's.

Santorum told CNN's Piers Morgan that he's had setbacks like many people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICK SANTORUM (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I took a lot of that money and actually paid down a rather significant mortgage to the point where I was -- my mortgage was still below the value of my house. And that's been a bit of a hit for us. And I've got two kids in college, and, you know, a child with a disability and, you know, needing care.

So, you know, we've had some expenses. We've been very blessed to have the opportunity to handle those and still be in the black.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. Lets a bring in CNN contributor Will Cain and Democratic strategist Robert Zimmerman.

Good to see you, gentlemen.

So, how will this translate with voters? Robert, you first.

ROBERT ZIMMERMAN, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, in the short term, certainly, as Rick Santorum outlines the tax rate he paid at and, of course, the challenges he faced like many Americans with his mortgage situation, in the short term, it helps him against Mitt Romney because in every political analysis, in every polling data -- you look at two key questions. Does this person relate to my problems? Does he care about me?

And it helps Rick Santorum make the case. The problem, of course, is in the general election, both Romney and he are locked into the same unfair strategy of protecting the top tier earners against the middle class.

WHITFIELD: OK. Will, does he better relate then to voters?

WILL CAIN, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: He's pulling this off very well, Fred. Look, he plays this economic populism, this economic man of the people very well. Some of it, I begrudge him, like favoring some industries over others. Blue collar industries, manufacturing -- offering to have a lower tax rate on manufacturing than other industries. That's favoritism I'm not really excited about hearing.

But when he does this mortgage thing that I was over -- I'm underwater. I was 40 percent underwater. He's now identifying with 30 percent of Americans who are underwater on their homes. Politically, that's going to resonate.

It shouldn't escape our attention, by the way, that he went on to say I paid down my debt, I saved, I used some of my income to bring that loan down. He's trying to send the message there as well. I didn't look to the government to help me out with that problem.

ZIMMERMAN: But let's remember, though, we're talking about how he does in a Republican primary in a state like Michigan that's so defining right now where, of course, 36 percent of the vote is evangelical. So, he does do well in the short term;

But in the long term, he's still wedded to the same right wing agenda that is really clearly defined support for the top 1 percent earners against middle class individuals.

WHITFIELD: OK. Let's talk about the issue of conservatism. Who's more conservative than the other? Sarah Palin said that she still doubts Mitt Romney's conservatism.

Listen to him, however, respond to her criticism.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm not quite sure what she'd be referring to. I'm pro-life, pro-traditional marriage. I believe in the Second Amendment.

As governor, I balanced the budget every year I was in office. Put in place a $2 billion rainy day fund. Cut taxes 19 times.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. So, is that the criteria for conservatism? You know, Will, if so, then why does he still have a hard time appealing to the base?

CAIN: Well, first of all, I'm not going to award Sarah Palin the high priestess of defining conservatism. There are too many people out there, in fact, like Sarah Palin, who are willing to define conservatism in ways that I'm not really capable with defining right now.

The appropriate question is, explain to me how Rick Santorum is this conservative purist. You see, what the issue is there are many different kinds of conservatives. There are many different sets of priorities. And if we're going to define that by social conservativism, well, fine, Rick Santorum can have that mantle.

My point is not to say Mitt Romney is the most conservative guy out there. But we're constantly having this debate, who's the purist and who's Massachusetts moderate? It's a nonsense debate.

ZIMMERMAN: There's a bigger issue -- having to defend your credentials to Sarah Palin, that's sort of like having to defend your sense of character and style to Snooki or Nicki Minaj. Or defending your sense of history to Rick Perry or to Michele Bachmann.

Certainly, I mean, the idea that Sarah Palin's setting the standard after she quit her governorship midterm is hardly the issue.

But she makes an important point, though, about Mitt Romney. The reason we have this debate about Mitt Romney, the reason conservatives are so uncomfortable to him and so resistant of him is because he's changed his positions on so many key issues, be it social conservatism, whether he's now supporting anti-contraceptives programs like the personhood bill or whether he's changed his position on many economic issues.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

ZIMMERMAN: So, the real issue is Mitt Romney's own credibility.

WHITFIELD: OK. All right. Robert Zimmerman, Will Cain, always good to see you gentlemen. Thanks so much.

CAIN: Thanks, Fred.

ZIMMERMAN: OK. Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Just days before the Arizona primary election, the GOP contenders debate the issues again on CNN. The Arizona Republican presidential debate moderated by John King, Wednesday night, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on CNN.

The divorce papers are filed, but are Kobe Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, kissing and making up? The answer next in showbiz headlines.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Actor Charlie Sheen is sounding off again about his old show "Two and a Half Men."

"Showbiz Tonight" host A.J. Hammer is live from New York.

So, A.J., why are Sheen and Warner Brothers once again fighting?

A.J. HAMMER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT HOST: Well, both sides are unhappy with each other here, Fred. But, really, what else is new? Come on.

Warner Brothers reportedly sent Sheen a cease and desist letter and this was after they say he used promotional material that was shot for his old show "Two and a Half Men" to promote his new show "Anger Management."

Now, Charlie Sheen is quoted by TMZ as sarcastic saying, well, he's thrilled that they sent the letter and hopes it means he won't have to see himself in that idiotic bowling shirt that he wore as a character on anymore. He also rather crudely advised Warner Brothers to worry more about their show and not his new project. And that was apparently good ole Sheen unfiltered, Fred, because when "Showbiz Tonight" got in touch with his spokesperson, we just received a tame "no comment". So, Charlie Sheen again.

WHITFIELD: Delicately put.

OK. Meantime, there are reports that Kobe Bryant may be reconciling with his soon-to-be ex-wife. Is that true?

HAMMER: Well, you know, sometimes these reports can be a little bit sketchy. But Kobe and his soon to be ex-wife were seen kissing at the Staples Center after a Lakers game. So, at least, I think we can say there may be something to the story.

Everybody noticed when Vanessa Bryant was in the stands during the Lakers game on Valentine's Day. And then as they walked down the tunnel to the locker room, they had a little Valentine's Day kiss together that was caught by photographers.

Now, Kobe and Vanessa's divorce doesn't become official until June. So, yes, they still have time to backtrack here.

And Kobe may have some serious incentive to make up. The couple apparently didn't have a prenup so that means Vanessa would be entitled to half of what Kobe has made in the last ten years. They have reportedly already splint up their property with Vanessa getting their three Newport Beach estates worst an estimated $18 million. But I think that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Of course, Fred, the best reason for these two to kiss and makeup, they've got two daughters. So, who knows? We'll see what happens.

WHITFIELD: All right. We'll see. Wish them the best. A.J., thanks so much.

All right. Meantime, Oprah Winfrey will be back maybe on the silver screen. A.J. is going to have that and other showbiz headlines in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM.

And oil prices in Europe spike on fears Iran might shut off supplies. Could U.S. drivers see gas prices jump on those same fears? We'll talk about that after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Checking stories cross-country now.

Defense attorneys are presenting their case today in the murder trial of a former University of Virginia lacrosse player. George Huguely is accused of killing his girlfriend Yeardley Love. The defense could rest as early as tomorrow with the trial going to the jury.

And drivers on I-95 in Maryland had a real road hazard to deal with. Hundreds of dead birds. Starlings scattered on the roadway.

There are several theories about what happened. But no one knows for sure. Scientists are checking to see if a disease killed these birds.

And check out this sign. Drivers in a Michigan community have a hard time reading it and keeping their eyes on the road. The sign has speed limit times for three separate school zones on the street. Budget concerns are keeping the school district from putting in a digital speed time limit sign.

All right. Now your money -- fears that Iran might shut down oil shipments sent prices in Europe sky rocketing. And though Tehran has backed off on that threat, U.S. drivers still have concerns about rising gas prices.

Let's bring in our business guru, Christine Romans, joining us from New York.

So, how do oil prices in Iran possibly impact gas prices here?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: I mean I think everyone should be prepared for higher gas prices for the next days and weeks as we head into the summer, Fredricka. It's a fact of life when you've got oil prices on the futures market going up. You've got saber-rattling from Iran. You've got just concerns overall about high energy prices at a time of the year in this country when we normally see this shifting from winter formulation of gasoline to summer formulation. It's just a perfect storm and most every analyst is expecting the gas prices are going to move higher.

But it's not just gas prices and what's coming out of our pocket. Oil prices affect everything. So the real worry here is that a weak economic recovery could be impearled I guess by -- by these higher energy prices. Because it's gas prices for consumers. It's also raw materials for manufacturers, petroleum products are raw materials for many, many manufacturers. And it's also the cost of doing business for many companies. Their energy costs going up. And when the costs for businesses are going up and their margins are being squeezed, that can mean less hiring.

So that's why it really bears watching overall for the economy what it's going to mean. Peter Butel of Cameron Hanover has been following gas prices forever. He just told us that, look, think of it this way. Every penny that gas prices goes up is $4 million a day out of our pockets.

So when you're paying for gas instead of paying for a movie ticket or a restaurant or a pair of tennis shoes, it's something that bears watching in the economy. And certainly will but I will say this. Most experts tell me they do not think we'll go back to those really sky high prices of 2008. We won't go way back to those record highs.

WHITFIELD: Ok that's a little relief right there.

ROMANS: There you go.

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Christine.

ROMANS: Bye-bye.

WHITFIELD: All right, meantime, the fascination grows over Jeremy Lin. The rookie Phenom helps the Knicks to their seventh win in a row. Even President Obama is watching. Highlights of the game coming up in sports.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A new study has some troubling news for new parents. Researchers at Dartmouth University found arsenic in infant formula. They say it underlines an urgent need for tougher regulations. The problem appears to be the organic ground rice syrup used as a sweetener, that's also a common ingredient in some cereal bars.

CNN's senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen joins us next hour with a closer look.

All right, meantime right now let's "Fast Forward" to tell you what we'll be covering later on at CNN.

At 1:00 Eastern Time the so-called underwear bomber faces a judge for sentencing. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab could get life for trying to detonate a bomb on an American Airlines flight that was Christmas Day back in 2009.

And at 2:30 Eastern the leaders of two pro-democracy groups will update Congress rather on staffers facing criminal charges in Egypt; 16 Americans are accused of contributing to the unrest.

Then at 5:10 China's Vice President tours the port of Los Angeles with California Governor Jerry Brown.

We're following lots of developments in the next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM. Let's check in first with Don Lemon in Los Angeles -- Don.

DON LEMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Whitney Houston's death certificate is released. Stunning new details about her erratic behavior just hours before her death are starting to emerge. I'm Don Lemon, I'll have the exclusive details coming up at the top of the hour.

JOE JOHNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Joe Johns in Farmington Hills, Michigan where Mitt Romney is set to get a big endorsement in the state where he was born and raised. I'll have that coming up at the top of the hour.

ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And I'm Alison Kosik at the New York Stock Exchange where I'm following a stunning turn-around in the auto industry. Two of the three American automakers that were in bankruptcy just a few years ago, yes, but today GM, Ford and Chrysler are all profitable for the first time in seven years. I'm going to have more on all of that next hour -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, thank so much everyone.

Plus, we'll go deeper on Iran's defiant nuclear program and the growing crisis in Syria. Are we seeing a new cold war in the Middle East this time?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. Folks cannot get enough of Jeremy Lin, whether you're a basketball fan or not.

JEFF FISCHEL, HLN HOST: That's right.

WHITFIELD: It's just a great story.

FISCHEL: Yes. And in fact the legend --

WHITFIELD: And it carries on.

FISCHEL: -- of Jeremy Lin keeps growing. How big? Even the President knows all about him. President Obama, of course, is a huge hoops fan. A White House spokesman says the first Lin command is very impressed but is he Lin-pressed.

A lot of celebs are on board the bandwagon. Look at who showed up for last night's Knicks' game at Madison Square Garden against Sacramento Kings?

WHITFIELD: Mike Tyson.

FISCHEL: There's Mike Tyson. Where's the tiger?

WHITFIELD: Yes. On the side.

FISCHEL: But Tyson was there. We see Whoopi Goldberg. Spike Lee, of course, is there. It is getting crazy for the fans. Of course the fans showed up wearing masks now and they all have the signs. There it is. You've got the "Feelin good". "Lin your face", and "every day is a must Lin".

All right. The most famous -- the geekiest --

WHITFIELD: He's so cute.

FISCHEL: -- handshake in all of sports right here. Lin, the Harvard grad and his buddy and teammate Stanford grad Landry Fields, the textbook, then the glasses and pocket protector. The fans love that. In fact, they're often running with the pose Lin and Landry do with the glasses. They're calling it "linning" like Tebowing. A Web site has started with fans are doing the pose. Check it out. Posing in spots around town, yes, with the glasses.

Last night the sensation did not disappoint. The first quarter against the Kings, it's Lin, the kick out to Landry Fields for the three. Lin wasn't scoring as much as usual last night, but he was incredible passing the ball around the floor to Tyson Chandler for the jam. Lin set a career high with 13 assists.

Remember, a month ago he was in the developmental league like the minors. Any team could have grabbed him. No one wanted him. There he is to Fields again on the backdoor. The Knicks blow out the Kings. The Knicks have a seven-game linning streak since they let him loose.

WHITFIELD: Cute.

FISCHEL: Shaq sees this kid was the next missing Link. Shaq's tweet, "Linderella story of the year. Jeremy Lin has lingle-handedly played linsational, lincredible. I'm linpressed. All he does is Lin, Lin, Lin."

Last night David Letterman did his top ten worst Jeremy Lin puns.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID LETTERMAN, TALK SHOW HOST: Number 5, Lin-terest bearing Lin-vestment, grade financial Lin-strument.

Number 4, Does this look Lin-fected to you?

Number 3, Jere-meat sauce with Lin-guini.

And the Number worst Jeremy Lin puns: You've got to be Lin it to Lin it.

There you go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FISCHEL: Knicks fans are in it to win it right now. And you know what, he plays again tomorrow night at home in Madison Square Garden.

WHITFIELD: Jeff Fischel. That's fun. I like that, taking that to a whole new, you know, another level.

FISCHEL: That's how it's going right now in New York.

WHITFIELD: Right. I like it. Thanks so much. Appreciate that.

All right more now on Jeremy Lin's impact. Here's Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: In less than two weeks he went from frugally sleeping under the covers on a teammate's couch to the cover of "Sports Illustrated". And the three letters of his last name have become everyone's favorite word game.

Whoopi Goldberg, co-host, "the view". Lin-sanity.

STEPHEN COLBERT, COMEDIAN: My symptoms: Lin-somnia and Lin-testinal blockage.

MOOS: Winning has become Linning. Headline writers are finding it thrillin and siting divine Lin-tervention. Shots like this with half a second left in the game sure looked divine (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lin for the win, got it.

MOOS: The rhymes trip off the lips of announcers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lin to the rim.

MOOS: Jeremy Lin cut by two teams came off the bench and made the hapless New York Knicks winners. Now Lin-sanity is inspiring song. And to top it off Lin comes across as a really nice guy, a team player.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you believe this is happening to you?

JEREMY LIN, NEW YORK KNICKS: No.

MOOS: He has an economics degree from Harvard and did a parody video telling kids how to get into the Ivy League school.

LIN: Step one, get glasses. If you already have glasses, get bigger glasses.

MOOS: After Lin was seen doing a multi-step hand shake that includes cupping the eyes to signify thick nerdy glasses, a few folks started Lin-ning just like those Tebowing photo ops but focuses on the eyes.

And if all the Lin word play and the puns are driving you nuts, too bad. They're spreading like Lin-fluenza.

If you have trouble making up your own, there's the Jeremy Lin word generator. Lin plus insult -- Lin-sult. Lin plus indestructible. Lindestructible. Lin plus ninja Lin-ja. Lin came up with one.

LIN: Super Lin-tendo I played growing up.

MOOS: Director Spike Lee got positively giddy reciting poetry slamming, wind nicknames to "The Wall Street Journal".

SPIKE LEE, DIRECTOR: Jeremy, I move so fast I must be on Rita- lin. Jeremy, stop Asian profilin.

MOOS: Stephen Colbert offered Lin an endorsement deal.

COLBERT: Of premium linoleum tile.

MOOS: Lin prefers the basketball court where he's become a linderella story, kissed not by a prince.

LIN: We can get to stop.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, Lint, New York. Get it?

(END VIDEOTAPE)