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Michael Jackson Grand Jury Hearing Testimony; Israeli Prime Minister Faces Bribery Investigation; Business Spices up Online Personals for Clients; Study: Honey Has Disease-Fighting Properties; Yankees Make World Series Their Goal
Aired March 29, 2004 - 14:30 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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The Michael Jackson case is back in court. A grand jury hears evidence against the self-proclaimed King of Pop. The prosecution will try to prove Jackson should stand trial on child molestation charges.
CNN's Miguel Marquez joins us live from Santa Barbara, California -- Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Even though he's already been charged on child molestation charges, and administrating an intoxicating agent to a minor, he could face those same charges, lesser charges or even more charges all over again depending upon what the grand jury that normally meets in this building right here decides.
What will they be considering? Well, evidence and lots of it. There's 18 search warrants so far in this case, the ones that we know of. Just a ream of documents.
The first search warrant was executed at Neverland Ranch, Mr. Jackson's home, back in November of last year. The most recent one was earlier this month at a storage facility north of Los Angeles.
They've netted everything from computers to videotapes to disks, DVDs, to letters and notes. Just about anything that you can imagine from Mr. Jackson's home, his properties and associates' properties, as well.
What exactly are they looking for? Well, the affidavit in the most recent search warrant indicates that investigators are trying to establish a relationship between Mr. Jackson and presumably one or more possible victims. They're looking for unedited videotape in order to do that. They specifically talk about that in the affidavit.
There's also a passage in that affidavit indicating that someone may have directed a witness to put evidence into a -- or possible evidence into a safe deposit box in a bank, and indicating sort of the frame of mind or the state of mind that they were -- this person was afraid that they were going to be searched.
Now, one criminal defense attorney that I talked to said, you know, that all of this case against Mr. Jackson, he thinks that it would be a much stronger case for the prosecution if he were to go the original criminal route, rather than the grand jury process. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARTHUR BARENS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I don't think that this shows any enhanced strength for the prosecution's case that they're bringing it through an indictment process.
I think had the prosecution acted more summarily, at least in my opinion, in having brought a complaint, which is the typical format for this type of a litigation proceeding, their case would have seemed stronger.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUEZ: Now the other question is, who exactly will testify? So there's all this other evidence that they've gathered out there. Who is it that will actually give testimony?
There are reports that the now 14-year-old boy who is accusing Mr. Jackson of molestation this time around may testify. There are also reports that the accuser from Mr. Jackson's '93 case may testify as well, despite the fact this was settled out of court.
But you have to keep in mind that grand jury proceedings allows for others, sort of hearsay or second-hand people, to testify on their behalf, things like investigators or doctors that may have talked to these individuals.
All of this will be going on for the next two weeks or so. CNN has learned that the grand jurors are meeting today, tomorrow. They're off on Wednesday for a state holiday. And then they'll meet on Thursday and Friday.
I also talked to Mr. Geragos, Mark Geragos, a short time ago, just before we went live here, and he says that on Friday -- He said one, he'd love to talk about what he thinks of this grand jury proceeding.
But, two, he feels that it's covered by the safe harbor, the gag order that's been placed on the case.
And he says that on Friday, the judge has opened up the possibility to discuss the safe harbor proposal so that he hopes he can maybe talk about some of these issues, these procedural issues that he'd like to get their side out on -- Kyra.
KYRA PHILLIPS, ANCHOR: Miguel Marquez, live from Santa Barbara, thank you.
Finally, a sweet way to take your medicine. Researchers say this gold in a jar can help ward off cancer and heart disease.
First, finding Romeo or Juliet online? Your personal ad isn't attracting Mr. or Ms. Right? Try a rewrite. Tips from a cyber ad makeover.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PHILLIPS: Another setback for Israel's leader, who's embroiled in a corruption scandal.
Israel's highest court has ordered Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's son to hand over documents related to the case. Others are calling for his indictment, even resignation.
The latest now from CNN's Paula Hancocks in Jerusalem.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAUL HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Ariel Sharon's political career could rest in the hands of this man, Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz should decide in about a month if there is sufficient evidence to indict Sharon on bribery charges.
The Israeli supreme court Monday ordered Sharon's son Gilad to hand over tapes and documents related to the investigation.
Ariel Sharon refuses to comment on the possible charges hanging over him, ignoring calls for his resignation.
YOSSI BEILIN, YAHAD PARTY LEADER: If there is a decision of the attorney general to indict the prime minister for bribery, there is no other option for him than to resign.
HANCOCKS: When the scandal, dubbed the Greek island affair, first emerged, Sharon denied any wrongdoing.
In the late 1990s, an Israeli businessman, David Appel, paid Sharon's son hundreds of thousands of dollars as an adviser on a property deal in Greece. There are allegations that Sharon, who was foreign minister at the time, used his influence to help the deal.
ZE'EV SEGAL, TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY: According to our former specific law, the prime minister will not have to resign until a conviction.
But according to some judgments of our supreme court regarding ministers, and according to let us say public morals, a prime minister is expected to resign if he is indicted.
HANCOCKS: Some members of Sharon's Likud Party say an investigation is a far cry from the guilty verdict.
YUVAL STEINITZ, LIKUD MEMBER OF KNESSET: Let's remember that in the last ten years, many senior Israeli politicians came under a criminal investigation and usually, there was nothing there. Usually, they were totally cleared. Let's hope that this is a case, in this case as well.
HANCOCKS (on camera): This latest controversy could not have come at a worst time for Sharon. He's due to travel to Washington on April 14 to show his disengagement plans from Gaza to George Bush.
U.S. approval is essential. But many here say it could be trickier to secure if Sharon is in political limbo.
Paula Hancocks, CNN, Jerusalem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: This just in via our affiliate KGTV in San Diego. We're told that a Navy plane has crashed off the coast of San Diego.
The aircraft went down, actually, just a little after 11 a.m., about three miles off the coast there in California. We're not sure yet or have not been able to confirm what type of aircraft has crashed or what may have happened to a pilot or pilots on board.
According to a lifeguard that appeared on KGTV, that the Navy had rescued two pilots from that aircraft. An investigation is now underway. We'll try and bring you more details as we get them in.
Now changing gears a bit and talking about the month of January. Believe it or not, more than 140 million people did this. Have you? They pointed and clicked their way to online dating sites.
Singles plunked down more than $100 million for online personals in this second quarter of last year. But does volume guarantee success for singles?
Well, if you're clicking for love in all the wrong places, and if your personals have no personality, you might want to turn to the author of "I Can't Believe I'm Buying This Book: A Common Sense Guide to Internet Dating."
Self-proclaimed online serial dater, Evan Katz, joins from us L.A. He's also founded what he calls the first online dating consulting firm.
Evan, good to see you.
EVAN KATZ, "I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M BUYING THIS BOOK" AUTHOR: Thanks for having me.
PHILLIPS: Now explain this to me. You're coming out with this book, but you have never had a relationship for longer than seven months?
KATZ: OK. Do we have to dwell on this kind of stuff?
PHILLIPS: Well, why the heck should we -- why should we believe you?
KATZ: You should believe me because you have to redefine what online dating success means. Online dating success means consistently meeting good people on a regular basis. If you're doing that, you're increasing your opportunity to find the one.
And I don't think I should settle until I find the one. But this isn't about me.
PHILLIPS: This is about everybody else.
KATZ: Exactly. This about the technique by which you can find the one.
PHILLIPS: OK. So this has nothing do with your credibility, it's just all about being picky.
KATZ: My relationships? Yes. There's nothing wrong with the Internet. There might be something wrong with me. But I can tell you how to get a date online like nobody's business.
PHILLIPS: All right. Well, let's talk it now, because there's a stigma that's associated with Internet dating. Has that changed now?
KATZ: That's the joke of the title of the book, "I Can't Believe I'm Buying This Book." If -- so many have people done it. Really, what you're doing is indicting half of single America.
And really, it's just a cross-section of the regular people, the people you work with, the people on the bus. Everybody is doing it.
And so now that that's out, how can everybody get better at it? How can people have more fun with it? How can people be more successful? And that's what my business is about.
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's talk about that business. You do a lot of reshaping, I guess you should say. Tell us how this works with consultants and how you fix people up. I'll give you the details about pictures and essays. But give me kind of an overall assessment here.
KATZ: OK. I make a big metaphor between online dating and job hunting. And if you're going to put yourself out into the world and you're going to put yourself on Monster.com, you might as well have the best possible resume.
And your online dating profile, more about me, more about who I'm looking for, that's your resume. And what's the good of having something up there that's 30 words and has spelling mistakes and doesn't say anything unique about you?
So what e-Cyrano does is we ask you to fill out a questionnaire, have a 40-minute consultation on the phone and get you to bring more specifics to the table so that we can write your essay to make you sound more like you.
PHILLIPS: All right. We're looking at the website right now, actually, and actually seeing pictures, before and after pictures. We even picked a couple that we were pretty blown away by. Let's start with that.
So what do you do? You tell this person, first of all, "OK, first of all, you've got to get a much better picture of yourself, one that's more flattering."
KATZ: I'm not sure what picture you're showing right now. But I think that there are -- yes. I mean that's through a service called Look Better Online which takes professional pictures the same way we write professional essays.
And so the first thing is the photo. If someone isn't attracted to your photo, they're not even going to bother to read the great profile that you've written.
So having a good close-up picture of yourself. And then probably your second picture should be a full body shot so people can see exactly what you look like now, not ten years ago when you looked a lot better.
The more you reflect what you look like and who you are right now, the more likely you are to find a real relationship.
PHILLIPS: Wait. What happened to the looks don't matter, it's all about the inside?
KATZ: Do you believe that? No. It's the same thing as in real life. If you meet somebody at a party, you're going to be attracted to their looks and then you're going to find out if you have chemistry afterwards.
Online dating just reverses that process where you get a picture, you get to read all about a person. And the last thing you find out after e-mailing, talking the phone, building up a sense of rapport and trust is whether you actually have it in real life.
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's talk about how you rework these essays. We have, actually, a before and after that we picked that we saw on your website.
Before this is what the person writes, "I realized after my last relationship that I didn't want to date anyone who was too similar to me. There's too much drama when you feel like you're looking in a mirror every day. About the one I'm looking for." Now.
And then you got a hold of this and then you changed it to "I want an opposite: A yin to my yang, a Laurel to my Hardy, a Hall to my Oates."
Now explain to me how this is going to make a big difference. And are you just kind of changing someone into somebody that they really are not?
KATZ: Doesn't everybody want a Hall to their Oates, as long as the Oates doesn't have a mustache?
PHILLIPS: I'm not going to admit I went to the concert about six months ago. OK? So let's move on.
KATZ: Again, this is not about either of us. This is the bigger picture.
Really, what we do is, it's almost like going to a therapist. And people used to be a lot more embarrassed about that than they are right now.
So really all you're saying is, OK, I haven't been able to crack the code. I haven't been able to define myself beyond the normal adjectives. I'm nice. I'm smart. I'm kind. I'm warm. I'm funny. I'm honest. You have to give examples of what those things are.
So in that first essay that you showed, the person was dwelling on the negativity. "I don't want this." Well, don't define yourself by what you don't want. Define yourself by what you do want.
And when we write people's online dating profiles, our consultants just take vigorous notes on what the person's saying on the phone and stitch it all together into a profile that actually is that person.
PHILLIPS: All right. And you guarantee your results?
KATZ: I guarantee that you're a lot better off after you talk to us than you are before.
PHILLIPS: And I do want to make the point that you are single, living in Los Angeles and you're looking for love.
KATZ: More than anything in the world.
PHILLIPS: Evan Katz, thanks.
KATZ: Thank you very much for having me.
PHILLIPS: All right. OK, all of you carb and sugarphobic kind of people, listen up. Doctors say there is a good reason to dip into that honey jar.
Also ahead, leave your cigarette outside. Ireland -- yes, land of the pubs -- has a new no-smoking rule.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: No butts about it. The Irish can no longer smoke in pubs or other public work plays. How do you be Irish?
Ireland is the first country in the European Union to adopt such a ban on smoking. Just don't ban the drinking.
Not easy in a land where 30 percent of the population lights up. The country is on a national health kick, trying to cut the number of smoking-related illnesses.
Dipping into the honey pot may not only satisfy your craving for sweets, it could also keep you pretty healthy. A new study is touting the sweet benefits Winnie the Pooh already knows about.
Our medical correspondent, Holly Firfer, here to talk about not Winnie the Pooh, but honey.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Although we love Pooh Bear. Not a sharp bear but he might have known something.
If it's sweet music to your ears -- it may be sweet music, if you have a sweet tooth, like I do. Honey may actually help you fight off disease.
Researchers at U.C. Davis wanted to know if honey had any health benefits, so they gave 25 study participants four tablespoons of buckwheat honey every day for 29 days, in addition to their regular diets.
Then they drew blood samples from those participants to measure any changes. And they found that by eating those four tablespoons of honey every day, they had higher levels of antioxidants in their blood. And as we know, antioxidants help you fight off cancer and heart disease.
So some good news for honey lovers. Just had some good stuff here.
PHILLIPS: All right. So how much honey is standard?
FIRFER: Well, first of all, it's not a magic bullet. So they haven't really measured it exactly, even though these people took four tablespoons. But basically they say it will help.
If you want to add honey to your menu. It should be part of a balanced diet.
Now remember, honey is a type of sugar. It has calories. In fact, 64 calories in each tablespoon. So don't forget, those add up.
And for you low-carb girls, Kyra, it has anywhere from 10 to 20 cabs -- or grams of carbs per serving, depending on what kind of honey.
Dieticians recommend limiting added sugars in your diet. For instance, if you eat about 1,600 calories a day, try not to eat more than six teaspoons of added sugar a day. They suggest perhaps making substitutions. Instead of sugar in your tea, try adding a teaspoon of honey.
The past research also has shown athletes substitute honey for some energy gels that gives them that quick burst of energy they need for endurance sports.
And also one quick note. The researchers found the darker honey contained more antioxidant properties than the lighter honey did. Just a little note there.
PHILLIPS: I remember that as a kid, before the swim meet, you know? You had the spoons of honey. That's right. Then you crash.
All right. Other antioxidant rich foods.
FIRFER: Yes. Good to note because it is part of a balanced diet. Absolutely. And as we said, there's many fruits and vegetables that are antioxidant-rich. For example, red grapes, red wine, grape juice, cocoa beans, apples, onions, all can be a part of your diet.
Basically it is dark, rich colors. They're all loaded with antioxidants called sabinoids (ph) which are the ones that help us fight off disease.
And one more quick but very important note. Doctors warn that children under the age of 1 should not be eating honey because of the risk of botulism food poisoning. Their digestive systems are not developed enough to handle any potential bacteria. So although it may be good for us, it may not be great for children under the age of 1.
PHILLIPS: All right. Our little honey pot, Holly Firfer.
FIRFER: Yes, dear.
PHILLIPS: Thank you.
(STOCK REPORT)
PHILLIPS: Crime, drugs, pollution, some kids call it like they see it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think people get better attitudes because if you're in a bad place, you get bad attitudes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Ahead on LIVE FROM, a kid's eye view of their city's biggest problems.
And later, speaking of views pop star Janet Jackson goes on a P.R. blitz to overcome a little image problem. That's all ahead on LIVE FROM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PHILLIPS: Damn Yankees. For theatregoers it's a musical about a man who makes a deal with the devil. For baseball fans, it's the chorus that greets yet another season of a staggering payroll, star- studded roster and an empire that non-Yankee fans see as seemingly evil and invincible.
CNN sports reporter Josie Burke looks ahead to the great expectations.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The New York Yankees lineup resembles a modern day Murderer's Row.
DEREK JETER, SHORTSTOP: Some former teammates called. And you know, even some teammates now call and say how excited we were. Not just Alex. But you've got Sheffield and Kevin Brown, Kenny Lofton and Vazquez, Quantrill, Gordon. I'm probably leaving some people out, but that's a big list.
JOE TORRE, MANAGER: You can't take for granted because you have, say, the most talent or more talent than a lot of other teams, that you're going to get there.
BURKE: There is the last game of the World Series, holding the trophy. Torre is exercising caution, because New York hasn't won it all since 2000.
The game's best player hasn't ever been there period. And changing that is the main reason Alex Rodriguez welcomed a trade to the Yankees. It's also the all-star shortstop switched to third base and allowed New York captain, Derek Jeter, a mainstay at shortstop, to stay put.
ALEX RODRIGUEZ, THIRD BASEMAN: To me, I'm excited to be playing with one of my favorite players and one of my, you know, greatest friends and to hopefully some day win a championship together. It will be a magical.
TORRE: You come here for one reason and that's because you want to get to the World Series. We've been able to deliver six of the eight years to get to the World Series.
BURKE: With a roster that lists four players with $100 million contracts, and a total payroll approaching $190 million winning is also expected.
PAUL QUANTRIL, RELIEF PITCHER: It isn't about competing. It's not about getting to the playoffs here or winning a wild card, which in many teams that's really what you're looking to do. Here it's very clear, very precise. It's to win the World Series, and I love it.
BURKE: What could derail the Yankees? New York returns only one regular starting pitcher from last year's rotation. And with so many big names and egos now in the same clubhouse, team chemistry could be an issue.
RODRIGUEZ: We have to make sure that we stay, you know, chemistry-wise, we play together, you know, we play like they say, with the names in the front of our jerseys, not on the back of our jerseys.
JASON GIAMBI, FIRST BASEBALL: You look around and see Derek Jeter has four World Series rings. Bernie Williams, you know, Mariano Rivera. And we're all looking, you know, for a lot of us for our first. So you know, everybody comes here to win. So really, it doesn't matter where you hit or where you play; it's all about winning around here.
BURKE: Josie Burke, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE) PHILLIPS: You're watching LIVE FROM, this Monday, March 29. I'm Kyra Phillips. Here is the latest headlines.
Motion denied. The judge in the trial of two former Tyco executives rejected a defense motion for a mistrial. The motion was filed two newspapers -- after two newspapers identified a juror who, spectators say, flashed an OK signal toward the defense.
The judge says he spoke to the juror in question, and she assured him she could continue to deliberate fairly.
An investigation underway to determine why a Navy plane crashed off the coast of San Diego, California, today. The plane is an F-14 Tomcat. The Navy says the two pilots on board have been rescued. We'll update you on this story as soon as more details become available.
A constitutional ban on gay marriage clears another hurdle in the Massachusetts legislature. Lawmakers adopted a new version of a constitutional amendment today that would also legalize civil unions. If it wins final legislative approval, it's scheduled to go before voters in 2006.
A record high with no end in sight. Prices at the pump have climbed another three cents in the past two weeks. The national average for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline is just over $1.77. Drivers in San Diego pay the most: $2.12 a gallon.
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Aired March 29, 2004 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The Michael Jackson case is back in court. A grand jury hears evidence against the self-proclaimed King of Pop. The prosecution will try to prove Jackson should stand trial on child molestation charges.
CNN's Miguel Marquez joins us live from Santa Barbara, California -- Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Even though he's already been charged on child molestation charges, and administrating an intoxicating agent to a minor, he could face those same charges, lesser charges or even more charges all over again depending upon what the grand jury that normally meets in this building right here decides.
What will they be considering? Well, evidence and lots of it. There's 18 search warrants so far in this case, the ones that we know of. Just a ream of documents.
The first search warrant was executed at Neverland Ranch, Mr. Jackson's home, back in November of last year. The most recent one was earlier this month at a storage facility north of Los Angeles.
They've netted everything from computers to videotapes to disks, DVDs, to letters and notes. Just about anything that you can imagine from Mr. Jackson's home, his properties and associates' properties, as well.
What exactly are they looking for? Well, the affidavit in the most recent search warrant indicates that investigators are trying to establish a relationship between Mr. Jackson and presumably one or more possible victims. They're looking for unedited videotape in order to do that. They specifically talk about that in the affidavit.
There's also a passage in that affidavit indicating that someone may have directed a witness to put evidence into a -- or possible evidence into a safe deposit box in a bank, and indicating sort of the frame of mind or the state of mind that they were -- this person was afraid that they were going to be searched.
Now, one criminal defense attorney that I talked to said, you know, that all of this case against Mr. Jackson, he thinks that it would be a much stronger case for the prosecution if he were to go the original criminal route, rather than the grand jury process. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARTHUR BARENS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: I don't think that this shows any enhanced strength for the prosecution's case that they're bringing it through an indictment process.
I think had the prosecution acted more summarily, at least in my opinion, in having brought a complaint, which is the typical format for this type of a litigation proceeding, their case would have seemed stronger.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MARQUEZ: Now the other question is, who exactly will testify? So there's all this other evidence that they've gathered out there. Who is it that will actually give testimony?
There are reports that the now 14-year-old boy who is accusing Mr. Jackson of molestation this time around may testify. There are also reports that the accuser from Mr. Jackson's '93 case may testify as well, despite the fact this was settled out of court.
But you have to keep in mind that grand jury proceedings allows for others, sort of hearsay or second-hand people, to testify on their behalf, things like investigators or doctors that may have talked to these individuals.
All of this will be going on for the next two weeks or so. CNN has learned that the grand jurors are meeting today, tomorrow. They're off on Wednesday for a state holiday. And then they'll meet on Thursday and Friday.
I also talked to Mr. Geragos, Mark Geragos, a short time ago, just before we went live here, and he says that on Friday -- He said one, he'd love to talk about what he thinks of this grand jury proceeding.
But, two, he feels that it's covered by the safe harbor, the gag order that's been placed on the case.
And he says that on Friday, the judge has opened up the possibility to discuss the safe harbor proposal so that he hopes he can maybe talk about some of these issues, these procedural issues that he'd like to get their side out on -- Kyra.
KYRA PHILLIPS, ANCHOR: Miguel Marquez, live from Santa Barbara, thank you.
Finally, a sweet way to take your medicine. Researchers say this gold in a jar can help ward off cancer and heart disease.
First, finding Romeo or Juliet online? Your personal ad isn't attracting Mr. or Ms. Right? Try a rewrite. Tips from a cyber ad makeover.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PHILLIPS: Another setback for Israel's leader, who's embroiled in a corruption scandal.
Israel's highest court has ordered Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's son to hand over documents related to the case. Others are calling for his indictment, even resignation.
The latest now from CNN's Paula Hancocks in Jerusalem.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAUL HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Ariel Sharon's political career could rest in the hands of this man, Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz should decide in about a month if there is sufficient evidence to indict Sharon on bribery charges.
The Israeli supreme court Monday ordered Sharon's son Gilad to hand over tapes and documents related to the investigation.
Ariel Sharon refuses to comment on the possible charges hanging over him, ignoring calls for his resignation.
YOSSI BEILIN, YAHAD PARTY LEADER: If there is a decision of the attorney general to indict the prime minister for bribery, there is no other option for him than to resign.
HANCOCKS: When the scandal, dubbed the Greek island affair, first emerged, Sharon denied any wrongdoing.
In the late 1990s, an Israeli businessman, David Appel, paid Sharon's son hundreds of thousands of dollars as an adviser on a property deal in Greece. There are allegations that Sharon, who was foreign minister at the time, used his influence to help the deal.
ZE'EV SEGAL, TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY: According to our former specific law, the prime minister will not have to resign until a conviction.
But according to some judgments of our supreme court regarding ministers, and according to let us say public morals, a prime minister is expected to resign if he is indicted.
HANCOCKS: Some members of Sharon's Likud Party say an investigation is a far cry from the guilty verdict.
YUVAL STEINITZ, LIKUD MEMBER OF KNESSET: Let's remember that in the last ten years, many senior Israeli politicians came under a criminal investigation and usually, there was nothing there. Usually, they were totally cleared. Let's hope that this is a case, in this case as well.
HANCOCKS (on camera): This latest controversy could not have come at a worst time for Sharon. He's due to travel to Washington on April 14 to show his disengagement plans from Gaza to George Bush.
U.S. approval is essential. But many here say it could be trickier to secure if Sharon is in political limbo.
Paula Hancocks, CNN, Jerusalem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: This just in via our affiliate KGTV in San Diego. We're told that a Navy plane has crashed off the coast of San Diego.
The aircraft went down, actually, just a little after 11 a.m., about three miles off the coast there in California. We're not sure yet or have not been able to confirm what type of aircraft has crashed or what may have happened to a pilot or pilots on board.
According to a lifeguard that appeared on KGTV, that the Navy had rescued two pilots from that aircraft. An investigation is now underway. We'll try and bring you more details as we get them in.
Now changing gears a bit and talking about the month of January. Believe it or not, more than 140 million people did this. Have you? They pointed and clicked their way to online dating sites.
Singles plunked down more than $100 million for online personals in this second quarter of last year. But does volume guarantee success for singles?
Well, if you're clicking for love in all the wrong places, and if your personals have no personality, you might want to turn to the author of "I Can't Believe I'm Buying This Book: A Common Sense Guide to Internet Dating."
Self-proclaimed online serial dater, Evan Katz, joins from us L.A. He's also founded what he calls the first online dating consulting firm.
Evan, good to see you.
EVAN KATZ, "I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M BUYING THIS BOOK" AUTHOR: Thanks for having me.
PHILLIPS: Now explain this to me. You're coming out with this book, but you have never had a relationship for longer than seven months?
KATZ: OK. Do we have to dwell on this kind of stuff?
PHILLIPS: Well, why the heck should we -- why should we believe you?
KATZ: You should believe me because you have to redefine what online dating success means. Online dating success means consistently meeting good people on a regular basis. If you're doing that, you're increasing your opportunity to find the one.
And I don't think I should settle until I find the one. But this isn't about me.
PHILLIPS: This is about everybody else.
KATZ: Exactly. This about the technique by which you can find the one.
PHILLIPS: OK. So this has nothing do with your credibility, it's just all about being picky.
KATZ: My relationships? Yes. There's nothing wrong with the Internet. There might be something wrong with me. But I can tell you how to get a date online like nobody's business.
PHILLIPS: All right. Well, let's talk it now, because there's a stigma that's associated with Internet dating. Has that changed now?
KATZ: That's the joke of the title of the book, "I Can't Believe I'm Buying This Book." If -- so many have people done it. Really, what you're doing is indicting half of single America.
And really, it's just a cross-section of the regular people, the people you work with, the people on the bus. Everybody is doing it.
And so now that that's out, how can everybody get better at it? How can people have more fun with it? How can people be more successful? And that's what my business is about.
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's talk about that business. You do a lot of reshaping, I guess you should say. Tell us how this works with consultants and how you fix people up. I'll give you the details about pictures and essays. But give me kind of an overall assessment here.
KATZ: OK. I make a big metaphor between online dating and job hunting. And if you're going to put yourself out into the world and you're going to put yourself on Monster.com, you might as well have the best possible resume.
And your online dating profile, more about me, more about who I'm looking for, that's your resume. And what's the good of having something up there that's 30 words and has spelling mistakes and doesn't say anything unique about you?
So what e-Cyrano does is we ask you to fill out a questionnaire, have a 40-minute consultation on the phone and get you to bring more specifics to the table so that we can write your essay to make you sound more like you.
PHILLIPS: All right. We're looking at the website right now, actually, and actually seeing pictures, before and after pictures. We even picked a couple that we were pretty blown away by. Let's start with that.
So what do you do? You tell this person, first of all, "OK, first of all, you've got to get a much better picture of yourself, one that's more flattering."
KATZ: I'm not sure what picture you're showing right now. But I think that there are -- yes. I mean that's through a service called Look Better Online which takes professional pictures the same way we write professional essays.
And so the first thing is the photo. If someone isn't attracted to your photo, they're not even going to bother to read the great profile that you've written.
So having a good close-up picture of yourself. And then probably your second picture should be a full body shot so people can see exactly what you look like now, not ten years ago when you looked a lot better.
The more you reflect what you look like and who you are right now, the more likely you are to find a real relationship.
PHILLIPS: Wait. What happened to the looks don't matter, it's all about the inside?
KATZ: Do you believe that? No. It's the same thing as in real life. If you meet somebody at a party, you're going to be attracted to their looks and then you're going to find out if you have chemistry afterwards.
Online dating just reverses that process where you get a picture, you get to read all about a person. And the last thing you find out after e-mailing, talking the phone, building up a sense of rapport and trust is whether you actually have it in real life.
PHILLIPS: All right. Let's talk about how you rework these essays. We have, actually, a before and after that we picked that we saw on your website.
Before this is what the person writes, "I realized after my last relationship that I didn't want to date anyone who was too similar to me. There's too much drama when you feel like you're looking in a mirror every day. About the one I'm looking for." Now.
And then you got a hold of this and then you changed it to "I want an opposite: A yin to my yang, a Laurel to my Hardy, a Hall to my Oates."
Now explain to me how this is going to make a big difference. And are you just kind of changing someone into somebody that they really are not?
KATZ: Doesn't everybody want a Hall to their Oates, as long as the Oates doesn't have a mustache?
PHILLIPS: I'm not going to admit I went to the concert about six months ago. OK? So let's move on.
KATZ: Again, this is not about either of us. This is the bigger picture.
Really, what we do is, it's almost like going to a therapist. And people used to be a lot more embarrassed about that than they are right now.
So really all you're saying is, OK, I haven't been able to crack the code. I haven't been able to define myself beyond the normal adjectives. I'm nice. I'm smart. I'm kind. I'm warm. I'm funny. I'm honest. You have to give examples of what those things are.
So in that first essay that you showed, the person was dwelling on the negativity. "I don't want this." Well, don't define yourself by what you don't want. Define yourself by what you do want.
And when we write people's online dating profiles, our consultants just take vigorous notes on what the person's saying on the phone and stitch it all together into a profile that actually is that person.
PHILLIPS: All right. And you guarantee your results?
KATZ: I guarantee that you're a lot better off after you talk to us than you are before.
PHILLIPS: And I do want to make the point that you are single, living in Los Angeles and you're looking for love.
KATZ: More than anything in the world.
PHILLIPS: Evan Katz, thanks.
KATZ: Thank you very much for having me.
PHILLIPS: All right. OK, all of you carb and sugarphobic kind of people, listen up. Doctors say there is a good reason to dip into that honey jar.
Also ahead, leave your cigarette outside. Ireland -- yes, land of the pubs -- has a new no-smoking rule.
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PHILLIPS: No butts about it. The Irish can no longer smoke in pubs or other public work plays. How do you be Irish?
Ireland is the first country in the European Union to adopt such a ban on smoking. Just don't ban the drinking.
Not easy in a land where 30 percent of the population lights up. The country is on a national health kick, trying to cut the number of smoking-related illnesses.
Dipping into the honey pot may not only satisfy your craving for sweets, it could also keep you pretty healthy. A new study is touting the sweet benefits Winnie the Pooh already knows about.
Our medical correspondent, Holly Firfer, here to talk about not Winnie the Pooh, but honey.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Although we love Pooh Bear. Not a sharp bear but he might have known something.
If it's sweet music to your ears -- it may be sweet music, if you have a sweet tooth, like I do. Honey may actually help you fight off disease.
Researchers at U.C. Davis wanted to know if honey had any health benefits, so they gave 25 study participants four tablespoons of buckwheat honey every day for 29 days, in addition to their regular diets.
Then they drew blood samples from those participants to measure any changes. And they found that by eating those four tablespoons of honey every day, they had higher levels of antioxidants in their blood. And as we know, antioxidants help you fight off cancer and heart disease.
So some good news for honey lovers. Just had some good stuff here.
PHILLIPS: All right. So how much honey is standard?
FIRFER: Well, first of all, it's not a magic bullet. So they haven't really measured it exactly, even though these people took four tablespoons. But basically they say it will help.
If you want to add honey to your menu. It should be part of a balanced diet.
Now remember, honey is a type of sugar. It has calories. In fact, 64 calories in each tablespoon. So don't forget, those add up.
And for you low-carb girls, Kyra, it has anywhere from 10 to 20 cabs -- or grams of carbs per serving, depending on what kind of honey.
Dieticians recommend limiting added sugars in your diet. For instance, if you eat about 1,600 calories a day, try not to eat more than six teaspoons of added sugar a day. They suggest perhaps making substitutions. Instead of sugar in your tea, try adding a teaspoon of honey.
The past research also has shown athletes substitute honey for some energy gels that gives them that quick burst of energy they need for endurance sports.
And also one quick note. The researchers found the darker honey contained more antioxidant properties than the lighter honey did. Just a little note there.
PHILLIPS: I remember that as a kid, before the swim meet, you know? You had the spoons of honey. That's right. Then you crash.
All right. Other antioxidant rich foods.
FIRFER: Yes. Good to note because it is part of a balanced diet. Absolutely. And as we said, there's many fruits and vegetables that are antioxidant-rich. For example, red grapes, red wine, grape juice, cocoa beans, apples, onions, all can be a part of your diet.
Basically it is dark, rich colors. They're all loaded with antioxidants called sabinoids (ph) which are the ones that help us fight off disease.
And one more quick but very important note. Doctors warn that children under the age of 1 should not be eating honey because of the risk of botulism food poisoning. Their digestive systems are not developed enough to handle any potential bacteria. So although it may be good for us, it may not be great for children under the age of 1.
PHILLIPS: All right. Our little honey pot, Holly Firfer.
FIRFER: Yes, dear.
PHILLIPS: Thank you.
(STOCK REPORT)
PHILLIPS: Crime, drugs, pollution, some kids call it like they see it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think people get better attitudes because if you're in a bad place, you get bad attitudes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: Ahead on LIVE FROM, a kid's eye view of their city's biggest problems.
And later, speaking of views pop star Janet Jackson goes on a P.R. blitz to overcome a little image problem. That's all ahead on LIVE FROM.
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PHILLIPS: Damn Yankees. For theatregoers it's a musical about a man who makes a deal with the devil. For baseball fans, it's the chorus that greets yet another season of a staggering payroll, star- studded roster and an empire that non-Yankee fans see as seemingly evil and invincible.
CNN sports reporter Josie Burke looks ahead to the great expectations.
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JOSIE BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The New York Yankees lineup resembles a modern day Murderer's Row.
DEREK JETER, SHORTSTOP: Some former teammates called. And you know, even some teammates now call and say how excited we were. Not just Alex. But you've got Sheffield and Kevin Brown, Kenny Lofton and Vazquez, Quantrill, Gordon. I'm probably leaving some people out, but that's a big list.
JOE TORRE, MANAGER: You can't take for granted because you have, say, the most talent or more talent than a lot of other teams, that you're going to get there.
BURKE: There is the last game of the World Series, holding the trophy. Torre is exercising caution, because New York hasn't won it all since 2000.
The game's best player hasn't ever been there period. And changing that is the main reason Alex Rodriguez welcomed a trade to the Yankees. It's also the all-star shortstop switched to third base and allowed New York captain, Derek Jeter, a mainstay at shortstop, to stay put.
ALEX RODRIGUEZ, THIRD BASEMAN: To me, I'm excited to be playing with one of my favorite players and one of my, you know, greatest friends and to hopefully some day win a championship together. It will be a magical.
TORRE: You come here for one reason and that's because you want to get to the World Series. We've been able to deliver six of the eight years to get to the World Series.
BURKE: With a roster that lists four players with $100 million contracts, and a total payroll approaching $190 million winning is also expected.
PAUL QUANTRIL, RELIEF PITCHER: It isn't about competing. It's not about getting to the playoffs here or winning a wild card, which in many teams that's really what you're looking to do. Here it's very clear, very precise. It's to win the World Series, and I love it.
BURKE: What could derail the Yankees? New York returns only one regular starting pitcher from last year's rotation. And with so many big names and egos now in the same clubhouse, team chemistry could be an issue.
RODRIGUEZ: We have to make sure that we stay, you know, chemistry-wise, we play together, you know, we play like they say, with the names in the front of our jerseys, not on the back of our jerseys.
JASON GIAMBI, FIRST BASEBALL: You look around and see Derek Jeter has four World Series rings. Bernie Williams, you know, Mariano Rivera. And we're all looking, you know, for a lot of us for our first. So you know, everybody comes here to win. So really, it doesn't matter where you hit or where you play; it's all about winning around here.
BURKE: Josie Burke, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE) PHILLIPS: You're watching LIVE FROM, this Monday, March 29. I'm Kyra Phillips. Here is the latest headlines.
Motion denied. The judge in the trial of two former Tyco executives rejected a defense motion for a mistrial. The motion was filed two newspapers -- after two newspapers identified a juror who, spectators say, flashed an OK signal toward the defense.
The judge says he spoke to the juror in question, and she assured him she could continue to deliberate fairly.
An investigation underway to determine why a Navy plane crashed off the coast of San Diego, California, today. The plane is an F-14 Tomcat. The Navy says the two pilots on board have been rescued. We'll update you on this story as soon as more details become available.
A constitutional ban on gay marriage clears another hurdle in the Massachusetts legislature. Lawmakers adopted a new version of a constitutional amendment today that would also legalize civil unions. If it wins final legislative approval, it's scheduled to go before voters in 2006.
A record high with no end in sight. Prices at the pump have climbed another three cents in the past two weeks. The national average for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline is just over $1.77. Drivers in San Diego pay the most: $2.12 a gallon.
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