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Does U.S. Have Secret Plan Against Iran?; Elderly Take to Streets in Russia

Aired January 17, 2005 - 13:30   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.


BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: "Now in the News," memorial services today in Atlanta. They commemorate slain civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King III was among those speaking at Ebenezer Baptist Church where his father once preached. He urged the congregation to remember his father's legacy of compassion and reach out to help survivors of the Asian tsunamis.
A pain staking and high-risk search resumes in Utah. Trained dogs and recovery teams are back at the site of that massive avalanche near Park City. One body has been recovered and multiple sets of gloves indicate other victims may be nearby. But the danger of more avalanches is very high. One official says volunteers are risking their own lives trying to make a recovery.

And issuing an order to restore order in the Middle East. At a cabinet meeting in Ramallah new Palestinian authority president Mahmoud Abbas orders Palestinian security forces to stop militant attacks on Israel. He also ordered an investigation into last week's deadly attack at a Gaza border crossing.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Now more on that "New Yorker" article by journalist Seymour Hersh. Hersh says he has inside information that the White House is secretly researching and possibly planning air strikes on Iran's nuclear, chemical or missile sites. White House communications director Dan Bartlett says the story is riddled with inaccuracies. Clearly the story has a lot of people talking and debating today. We've asked for some insight from CNN military analyst Major General Don Shepperd. He's joining us from Tucson, Arizona.

General, good to see you.

MAJ. GEN. DON SHEPPERD, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Good to see you, Tony.

HARRIS: Well I guess the basic question off the top is what do you make of the allegations in the article?

SHEPPERD: Well, it's a long article. It's interesting that the White House did not basically discredit the entire article because there are portions of it that are true. There is lots of information in that article. And the fact that the United States is developing plans to attack the nuclear infrastructure of Iraq -- of Iran -- I'm sorry -- is clearly true. We are developing target options. We are looking at overhead. We are getting coordinates. We are doing all of the things that you would do in what we call deliberate planning to take place -- to hit targets in case of war. You don't wait until war breaks out and say who should we hit.

HARRIS: General, but does it make sense to you for the United States to have U.S. commandos on the ground in Iran right now?

SHEPPERD: It does not, Tony. The idea of having military commandos there, the idea that they might be discovered, might be captured -- this could be seen as an act of war by Iran who might start massing troops. Now all of a sudden you got to control -- a situation on your hands that could spin out of control. You couldn't need commando teams on the ground to do it. You don't need covert intelligence and I assume the CIA is developing that.

HARRIS: OK General, we've got a new statement -- Barbara Starr referred to it a littler earlier in this hour -- where the Pentagon is basically discounting the story. But using essentially the same language that Dan Bartlett used yesterday, I am curious why the story isn't being dismissed out of hand.

SHEPPERD: Well, again, I think parts of it are true, as far as the planning prospects go. Because it's a long article that covers a lot. But the other thing is I think the administration wants to keep pressure on Iran. The -- if Iran develops nuclear weapons, we have a whole new playing field in the Islamic bomb. It also has missiles that can reach Europe so we need to keep the Europeans involved. The fact they don't dismiss anything, I think they want the Iranians to know we take this seriously and we are developing options if they continue to do it.

HARRIS: And I want your thought on this, the larger implication of the peace is that the war on terrorism is expanding and that it will expand ultimately in Iran.

SHEPPERD: I think it will expand ultimately in Iran, and also, by the way, in Syria. But I don't think necessarily it has to be militarily. We have to keep the diplomat pressure on -- clearly that's way to solve this problem if at all possible. And the Europeans and the world community has great interest in doing this. So you need to use the U.N., you need to use the Europeans. You need to get with them and use military options as a threat to the Iranians. But you certainly don't want to go to that as your first option.

HARRIS: Do you believe we're doing a better job of trying to establish more human resources -- human intelligence resources in Iran in some of these areas that we may be looking to target down the road?

SHEPPERD: Absolutely. Our human intelligence in the Middle East was decimated by the Church Commission (ph) and other things that took place in the 1970s. We're clearly trying to rebuild that. We have some advantages. The Shia community which is very strong in Southern Iraq right now has good cross border connections with the Iranians. So we're hard at work on establishing that human intelligence network but it takes a lot of time. It's very difficult and it's also very dangerous for those involved.

HARRIS: And General, while I've got you I want to ask you a quick question about Iraq. Because I know you've got your eyes on that as well. A short time ago we talked and you said one of the things you wanted to see moving forward toward these elections was more Iraqi security guarding the polling places and actually having more of a presence in the country. Are you seeing that? And in this run-up to the election and are you satisfied with the kind of Iraqi response, Iraqi security response, to the upcoming election?

SHEPPERD: Well, no, I'm not satisfied. But we're doing the best we can to rapidly train these people, to vet them, to make them effective, to equip them. But it takes time for these people to work together, to get good at what they're doing. Now the Iraqis themselves are going to be providing security at the polling places. We're going to be on the outlying areas try to prevent movement from those outlying areas. But the Iraqis themselves will have a big role in providing this security. We're going to help with quick response teams and that type of thing. But am I satisfied? No. Not going to be satisfied for a long time.

HARRIS: Major General Don Shepperd. General, good to see you again. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.

And tonight at 7:00 Eastern on ANDERSON COOPER 360, CNN begins a week-long series of reports on defending America. Tonight defending America against nuclear terror, a look at the ease of getting and moving nuclear material in and into America.

NGUYEN: Now to a row in Russia across the country, an unusual site. Angry retirees are blocking traffic, holding protests and demanding change. At issue, a new law that has cut benefits like free public transportation and medicine. It's a controversy the government is paying close attention to and CNN's Ryan Chilcote reports on it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (Voice over): Across Russia, thousands of elderly have mounted the country's largest protest since Vladimir Putin became president five years ago. At the heart of their anger, a new law that went into effect on January 1 that replaces a range of social benefits they enjoyed with cash payments. Some of which are just $7 a month.

Ryacia (ph) lives on a monthly pension of about $80. "I went to Moscow on January 1st on the subway and was really embarrassed when I was caught for not having a ticket," she says. "Is it right that pensioners should have to pay? My pension is not enough as it is."

These demonstrations have touched a nerve in Russian society. Russians were already uncomfortable, most of the countries most dependent live in poverty. Now women like Alexandria (ph) are appearing on their TV sets. What is happening now is totally disgraceful, she woman says. "I fought in World War II and worked my whole life and look what kind of result I've got."

Also new here, criticism of the until now all-popular Russian president himself. According to one poll, the number of Russians who considered him to be the most trustworthy politics has fallen to under 40 percent. Down from about 60 a year ago. The government blames inefficient bureaucracy and regional governments for the fact that many of the elderly haven't even received the cash payments they were promised. Protesters are back out on the streets today.

Ryan Chilcote, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Time now to get ready to begin the new you revolution. Up next, meet the first participant in Dr. Sanjay Gupta's new year series. And those stars, they were out for the Golden Globes. We'll run down the winners and hear from just a few of them. That's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Magic Johnson was a big-time NBA basketball star back in the early 1990s. But he stunned the world with his sudden retirement announcing he was HIV positive. As part of CNN's 25th anniversary series "Then & Now" we take a look back at the Magic Johnson story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS (voice over): The basketball court was his stage. An urban Magic Johnson could cast a spell over fans and foes alike. Magic led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA titles and was three times named the league's most valuable player. But the superstar stunned the world on November 7, 1991. Everyone was afraid the magic would soon be gone.

MAGIC JOHNSON, FORMER NBA PLAYER: Because of the HIV virus that I have attained, I will have to retire from the Lakers.

HARRIS: Magic took some time off. Started a strict drug regimen and managed to make a triumphant return to the Lakers in 1992 playing in the NBA all-star game, and later as part of the U.S. Olympic Dream Team.

JOHNSON: I've always felt that I was going to beat HIV and I had to put that in my mind. I have to live and breathe that every day, have that type of attitude.

HARRIS: Thirteen years later Magic is more often seen in a suit than a uniform. Besides speaking about HIV AIDS he is now involved in several business ventures from movie theaters to hamburger chains. Magic lives in L.A. with his wife Cookie and their children.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: All year long we are taking a look back at the biggest stories from the last 25 years. It's part of a celebration of CNN's 25th anniversary. We're bringing back the stories that changed our lives and finding out what happened to yesterday's news makers.

HARRIS: OK, here comes the "New You Revolution." We've got the stories of five regular folks making big personal changes in 2005.

NGUYEN: I think we all need to make some changes in 2005. CNN's senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has the first weekly report in our series. The story of a former endurance athlete and his struggle to get fit again.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Today we're launching our "New You Revolution." Out of thousands of applicants we have chosen five participants who want to break their bad habits and work on being healthier. They are Leigh Ann, Jonathan (ph), Tikla (ph), Sandra (ph) and Harald. Welcome, fab five.

(CROSSTALK)

GUPTA: Our focus today is on Harald Fricker. He says he's addicted to running but his love for food leads him to eat too much and then weigh too much.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GUPTA (voice over): Meet Harald Fricker. Is this the man we're profiling for the new you? Why would this man want to be part of our revolution? A top endures athlete of triathlons and ultra-marathons (ph). Because he now looks like this.

HARALD FRICKER, "NEW YOU REVOLUTION" PARTICIPANT: Deep inside I'm still this fit person.

GUPTA: He begins each day with a morning run at 4:00 A.M. But, with added baggage. His dogs, the cat and an extra 100 pounds. He's gained almost 13 pounds a year for 10 years. Harald blames being married, having kids and long work hours for his weight gain.

FRICKER: I felt that all of these first 10 years of having kids that I always thought that it would be selfish -- too selfish to take time for myself, but it's actually just the opposite.

GUPTA: He's an entrepreneur, a ski center manager and a running addict.

FRICKER: There is no denying that I'm addicted to running.

GUPTA: His hourly runs burn about 1200 calories. So how can he be obese? We asked his doctor during the "New You" checkup.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He eats too much.

GUPTA: He's also addicted to another high.

FRICKER: I'm a growing boy.

GUPTA: Harald's "New You" fitness and nutrition expert, Joel Weinstein Agrees (ph) agrees.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know what you've been eating, but maybe a house?

FRICKER: And this was my drug.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's your drug now?

FRICKER: Right here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is that what it is?

FRICKER: Why couldn't I just run more?

GUPTA: We'll deal with those addictions next.

FRICKER: Not yet, Joel (ph). Come on, get out of my face.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUPTA: To break his bad habits, Harald's physician and trainer have developed this prescription for success.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRICKER: I want to be a shrinking boy.

GUPTA: Get ready, Harald. We've got the formula for a "New You."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He weighs 276 now. His goal weight would be 185 to 195 pounds.

GUPTA: Here's the doctor's prescription, reduce his BMI, lower his cholesterol, lose one to two pounds of fat a week. And the trainer based his prescription on the doc's write-up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Quite a body you had, Harald.

FRICKER: Where did it go?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUPTA: Get on an eating routine. No more skipping meals. Cardio three to five days a week, weight training three days a week and get more Zs -- because lack of sleep can lead to weight gain too.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN for the "New You Revolution."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And you can follow the progress of our five participants online at CNN.com. You can start a personal health journal yourself in our online special report as well. All you have to do is go to CNN.com/revolution.

HARRIS: A night of celebration lasted well into the morning for many of the Golden Globe winners. Our Sibila Vargas was there when the awards were handed out. Sibila, what a night!

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Tony. The gold rush has begun. I'll have the winners and highlights from the 62nd annual Golden Globes when LIVE FROM returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well the red carpet has been rolled back up and sent off to the cleaners for next time. And most of the stars they're sleeping a little late today. Wouldn't you imagine? But not CNN's entertainment reporter Sibila Vargas who stayed out late and got up early to bring us the best of the Golden Globes. Oh, how hard it is to go to all of those parties!

(CROSSTALK)

VARGAS: It's hard, but I'm not complaining.

NGUYEN: All right.

VARGAS: That's right, Betty. The glitz and glamour of the 62nd annual Golden Globes have passed. And this year there were no landslide victories like the years of "The Lord of the Rings." This year the Globes will be remembered for its wide range of winners and its spirited acceptance speeches like the one of best comedic actor Jamie Foxx.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMIE FOXX, ACTOR: Oh, ah, uh, ah, uh, OK, all right. I used to think it was corny when people would say that people are looking down on you. I didn't really -- I didn't believe it. But I got a feeling. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VARGAS: That was certainly one of the most heartfelt moments when he thanked his grandma. Ultimately it was the "Aviator" that went on to win the most gold. Three statues in all, one for best score, best dramatic actor -- Leonardo DiCaprio -- and best drama of the year.

Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" won him the best director award as well as one for best dramatic actress, Hillary Swank.

"Closer" snagged two honors as well. Supporting actor and actress for Clive Owen and Natalie Portman.

And the independent comedy "Sideways" also earned a pair, best screen play and best musical or comedy of the year.

So as you can see the Hollywood Foreign Press really decided to spread things around this year.

NGUYEN: Sibila, the Globes also honors television so we are just desperate to know who the big winners were there.

(CROSSTALK)

VARGAS: I think you know something, Betty. It was a golden night for the ladies of Wisteria Lane. Not only did "Desperate Housewives" win for best comedy series, it also earned Teri Hatcher her first Globe for best comedic actress. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TERI HATCHER, ACTRESS: The most amazing cast and crew who just get through such long days with such smiles on their faces. And a network who gave me a second chance at a career when I couldn't have been a bigger has-been.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VARGAS: Well not anymore. Hatcher's heartfelt speech was certainly a crowd favorite. Betty.

NGUYEN: Sibila, we showed it just a minute ago, but that Jamie Foxx moment was just -- it meant a lot to a lot of people.

VARGAS: My heart was going out!

NGUYEN: It was like -- those words, he struggled to have them come out. What are some of the other moments that people are talking about?

VARGAS: Well that moment came when the incomparable Robin Williams took the stage to accept this year's Cecil B. DeMille Award. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBIN WILLIAMS, ACTOR: I also want to thank you for having Prince, William Shatner, Puff Daddy and Mick Jagger on the same stage. That is the sign of the apocalypse. Thank you! Thank you! That is the end of the world as we know it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VARGAS: OK, so Robin may have been the highlight of the show. But personally, my highlight of the night was on the red carpet. You see, Betty, there I am with the Eva Longoria. You know Miles O'Brien (ph) is always saying that I look like the "Desperate Housewife"? So you can you tell Miles that we are in fact two people and I haven't been moonlighting on the set of "Desperate Housewives."

NGUYEN: I see the resemblance.

VARGAS: You see it?

NGUYEN: Yes! You're the desperate housewife who is not so desperate.

(CROSSTALK)

VARGAS: Thank you. My husband will love that. Now that the Globes are over, the gold rush for the Oscar has officially begun. Next Tuesday we'll know who the nominees are. So Betty, Tony, we are so busy out here. But it's great.

NGUYEN: So busy! Such hard work at those parties. I tell you if you need a fill-in, just let me know.

VARGAS: OK, will you come with me?

NGUYEN: I'll come!

(CROSSTALK)

NGUYEN: Leave us alone.

HARRIS: Coming up in the second hour of LIVE FROM, we'll take a closer look at the upcoming Iraqi elections with violence increasing each day, will voters feel safe enough to go to the polls?

NGUYEN: And just a few days from President Bush's second inauguration, we have a look at all the glitz surrounding the big event. LIVE FROM'S "Hour of Power" begins after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired January 17, 2005 - 13:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: "Now in the News," memorial services today in Atlanta. They commemorate slain civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King III was among those speaking at Ebenezer Baptist Church where his father once preached. He urged the congregation to remember his father's legacy of compassion and reach out to help survivors of the Asian tsunamis.
A pain staking and high-risk search resumes in Utah. Trained dogs and recovery teams are back at the site of that massive avalanche near Park City. One body has been recovered and multiple sets of gloves indicate other victims may be nearby. But the danger of more avalanches is very high. One official says volunteers are risking their own lives trying to make a recovery.

And issuing an order to restore order in the Middle East. At a cabinet meeting in Ramallah new Palestinian authority president Mahmoud Abbas orders Palestinian security forces to stop militant attacks on Israel. He also ordered an investigation into last week's deadly attack at a Gaza border crossing.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Now more on that "New Yorker" article by journalist Seymour Hersh. Hersh says he has inside information that the White House is secretly researching and possibly planning air strikes on Iran's nuclear, chemical or missile sites. White House communications director Dan Bartlett says the story is riddled with inaccuracies. Clearly the story has a lot of people talking and debating today. We've asked for some insight from CNN military analyst Major General Don Shepperd. He's joining us from Tucson, Arizona.

General, good to see you.

MAJ. GEN. DON SHEPPERD, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Good to see you, Tony.

HARRIS: Well I guess the basic question off the top is what do you make of the allegations in the article?

SHEPPERD: Well, it's a long article. It's interesting that the White House did not basically discredit the entire article because there are portions of it that are true. There is lots of information in that article. And the fact that the United States is developing plans to attack the nuclear infrastructure of Iraq -- of Iran -- I'm sorry -- is clearly true. We are developing target options. We are looking at overhead. We are getting coordinates. We are doing all of the things that you would do in what we call deliberate planning to take place -- to hit targets in case of war. You don't wait until war breaks out and say who should we hit.

HARRIS: General, but does it make sense to you for the United States to have U.S. commandos on the ground in Iran right now?

SHEPPERD: It does not, Tony. The idea of having military commandos there, the idea that they might be discovered, might be captured -- this could be seen as an act of war by Iran who might start massing troops. Now all of a sudden you got to control -- a situation on your hands that could spin out of control. You couldn't need commando teams on the ground to do it. You don't need covert intelligence and I assume the CIA is developing that.

HARRIS: OK General, we've got a new statement -- Barbara Starr referred to it a littler earlier in this hour -- where the Pentagon is basically discounting the story. But using essentially the same language that Dan Bartlett used yesterday, I am curious why the story isn't being dismissed out of hand.

SHEPPERD: Well, again, I think parts of it are true, as far as the planning prospects go. Because it's a long article that covers a lot. But the other thing is I think the administration wants to keep pressure on Iran. The -- if Iran develops nuclear weapons, we have a whole new playing field in the Islamic bomb. It also has missiles that can reach Europe so we need to keep the Europeans involved. The fact they don't dismiss anything, I think they want the Iranians to know we take this seriously and we are developing options if they continue to do it.

HARRIS: And I want your thought on this, the larger implication of the peace is that the war on terrorism is expanding and that it will expand ultimately in Iran.

SHEPPERD: I think it will expand ultimately in Iran, and also, by the way, in Syria. But I don't think necessarily it has to be militarily. We have to keep the diplomat pressure on -- clearly that's way to solve this problem if at all possible. And the Europeans and the world community has great interest in doing this. So you need to use the U.N., you need to use the Europeans. You need to get with them and use military options as a threat to the Iranians. But you certainly don't want to go to that as your first option.

HARRIS: Do you believe we're doing a better job of trying to establish more human resources -- human intelligence resources in Iran in some of these areas that we may be looking to target down the road?

SHEPPERD: Absolutely. Our human intelligence in the Middle East was decimated by the Church Commission (ph) and other things that took place in the 1970s. We're clearly trying to rebuild that. We have some advantages. The Shia community which is very strong in Southern Iraq right now has good cross border connections with the Iranians. So we're hard at work on establishing that human intelligence network but it takes a lot of time. It's very difficult and it's also very dangerous for those involved.

HARRIS: And General, while I've got you I want to ask you a quick question about Iraq. Because I know you've got your eyes on that as well. A short time ago we talked and you said one of the things you wanted to see moving forward toward these elections was more Iraqi security guarding the polling places and actually having more of a presence in the country. Are you seeing that? And in this run-up to the election and are you satisfied with the kind of Iraqi response, Iraqi security response, to the upcoming election?

SHEPPERD: Well, no, I'm not satisfied. But we're doing the best we can to rapidly train these people, to vet them, to make them effective, to equip them. But it takes time for these people to work together, to get good at what they're doing. Now the Iraqis themselves are going to be providing security at the polling places. We're going to be on the outlying areas try to prevent movement from those outlying areas. But the Iraqis themselves will have a big role in providing this security. We're going to help with quick response teams and that type of thing. But am I satisfied? No. Not going to be satisfied for a long time.

HARRIS: Major General Don Shepperd. General, good to see you again. Thanks for taking the time to talk to us.

And tonight at 7:00 Eastern on ANDERSON COOPER 360, CNN begins a week-long series of reports on defending America. Tonight defending America against nuclear terror, a look at the ease of getting and moving nuclear material in and into America.

NGUYEN: Now to a row in Russia across the country, an unusual site. Angry retirees are blocking traffic, holding protests and demanding change. At issue, a new law that has cut benefits like free public transportation and medicine. It's a controversy the government is paying close attention to and CNN's Ryan Chilcote reports on it.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (Voice over): Across Russia, thousands of elderly have mounted the country's largest protest since Vladimir Putin became president five years ago. At the heart of their anger, a new law that went into effect on January 1 that replaces a range of social benefits they enjoyed with cash payments. Some of which are just $7 a month.

Ryacia (ph) lives on a monthly pension of about $80. "I went to Moscow on January 1st on the subway and was really embarrassed when I was caught for not having a ticket," she says. "Is it right that pensioners should have to pay? My pension is not enough as it is."

These demonstrations have touched a nerve in Russian society. Russians were already uncomfortable, most of the countries most dependent live in poverty. Now women like Alexandria (ph) are appearing on their TV sets. What is happening now is totally disgraceful, she woman says. "I fought in World War II and worked my whole life and look what kind of result I've got."

Also new here, criticism of the until now all-popular Russian president himself. According to one poll, the number of Russians who considered him to be the most trustworthy politics has fallen to under 40 percent. Down from about 60 a year ago. The government blames inefficient bureaucracy and regional governments for the fact that many of the elderly haven't even received the cash payments they were promised. Protesters are back out on the streets today.

Ryan Chilcote, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: Time now to get ready to begin the new you revolution. Up next, meet the first participant in Dr. Sanjay Gupta's new year series. And those stars, they were out for the Golden Globes. We'll run down the winners and hear from just a few of them. That's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Magic Johnson was a big-time NBA basketball star back in the early 1990s. But he stunned the world with his sudden retirement announcing he was HIV positive. As part of CNN's 25th anniversary series "Then & Now" we take a look back at the Magic Johnson story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS (voice over): The basketball court was his stage. An urban Magic Johnson could cast a spell over fans and foes alike. Magic led the Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA titles and was three times named the league's most valuable player. But the superstar stunned the world on November 7, 1991. Everyone was afraid the magic would soon be gone.

MAGIC JOHNSON, FORMER NBA PLAYER: Because of the HIV virus that I have attained, I will have to retire from the Lakers.

HARRIS: Magic took some time off. Started a strict drug regimen and managed to make a triumphant return to the Lakers in 1992 playing in the NBA all-star game, and later as part of the U.S. Olympic Dream Team.

JOHNSON: I've always felt that I was going to beat HIV and I had to put that in my mind. I have to live and breathe that every day, have that type of attitude.

HARRIS: Thirteen years later Magic is more often seen in a suit than a uniform. Besides speaking about HIV AIDS he is now involved in several business ventures from movie theaters to hamburger chains. Magic lives in L.A. with his wife Cookie and their children.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: All year long we are taking a look back at the biggest stories from the last 25 years. It's part of a celebration of CNN's 25th anniversary. We're bringing back the stories that changed our lives and finding out what happened to yesterday's news makers.

HARRIS: OK, here comes the "New You Revolution." We've got the stories of five regular folks making big personal changes in 2005.

NGUYEN: I think we all need to make some changes in 2005. CNN's senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta has the first weekly report in our series. The story of a former endurance athlete and his struggle to get fit again.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Today we're launching our "New You Revolution." Out of thousands of applicants we have chosen five participants who want to break their bad habits and work on being healthier. They are Leigh Ann, Jonathan (ph), Tikla (ph), Sandra (ph) and Harald. Welcome, fab five.

(CROSSTALK)

GUPTA: Our focus today is on Harald Fricker. He says he's addicted to running but his love for food leads him to eat too much and then weigh too much.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GUPTA (voice over): Meet Harald Fricker. Is this the man we're profiling for the new you? Why would this man want to be part of our revolution? A top endures athlete of triathlons and ultra-marathons (ph). Because he now looks like this.

HARALD FRICKER, "NEW YOU REVOLUTION" PARTICIPANT: Deep inside I'm still this fit person.

GUPTA: He begins each day with a morning run at 4:00 A.M. But, with added baggage. His dogs, the cat and an extra 100 pounds. He's gained almost 13 pounds a year for 10 years. Harald blames being married, having kids and long work hours for his weight gain.

FRICKER: I felt that all of these first 10 years of having kids that I always thought that it would be selfish -- too selfish to take time for myself, but it's actually just the opposite.

GUPTA: He's an entrepreneur, a ski center manager and a running addict.

FRICKER: There is no denying that I'm addicted to running.

GUPTA: His hourly runs burn about 1200 calories. So how can he be obese? We asked his doctor during the "New You" checkup.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He eats too much.

GUPTA: He's also addicted to another high.

FRICKER: I'm a growing boy.

GUPTA: Harald's "New You" fitness and nutrition expert, Joel Weinstein Agrees (ph) agrees.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know what you've been eating, but maybe a house?

FRICKER: And this was my drug.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's your drug now?

FRICKER: Right here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is that what it is?

FRICKER: Why couldn't I just run more?

GUPTA: We'll deal with those addictions next.

FRICKER: Not yet, Joel (ph). Come on, get out of my face.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUPTA: To break his bad habits, Harald's physician and trainer have developed this prescription for success.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRICKER: I want to be a shrinking boy.

GUPTA: Get ready, Harald. We've got the formula for a "New You."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He weighs 276 now. His goal weight would be 185 to 195 pounds.

GUPTA: Here's the doctor's prescription, reduce his BMI, lower his cholesterol, lose one to two pounds of fat a week. And the trainer based his prescription on the doc's write-up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Quite a body you had, Harald.

FRICKER: Where did it go?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUPTA: Get on an eating routine. No more skipping meals. Cardio three to five days a week, weight training three days a week and get more Zs -- because lack of sleep can lead to weight gain too.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN for the "New You Revolution."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NGUYEN: And you can follow the progress of our five participants online at CNN.com. You can start a personal health journal yourself in our online special report as well. All you have to do is go to CNN.com/revolution.

HARRIS: A night of celebration lasted well into the morning for many of the Golden Globe winners. Our Sibila Vargas was there when the awards were handed out. Sibila, what a night!

SIBILA VARGAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Tony. The gold rush has begun. I'll have the winners and highlights from the 62nd annual Golden Globes when LIVE FROM returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Well the red carpet has been rolled back up and sent off to the cleaners for next time. And most of the stars they're sleeping a little late today. Wouldn't you imagine? But not CNN's entertainment reporter Sibila Vargas who stayed out late and got up early to bring us the best of the Golden Globes. Oh, how hard it is to go to all of those parties!

(CROSSTALK)

VARGAS: It's hard, but I'm not complaining.

NGUYEN: All right.

VARGAS: That's right, Betty. The glitz and glamour of the 62nd annual Golden Globes have passed. And this year there were no landslide victories like the years of "The Lord of the Rings." This year the Globes will be remembered for its wide range of winners and its spirited acceptance speeches like the one of best comedic actor Jamie Foxx.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMIE FOXX, ACTOR: Oh, ah, uh, ah, uh, OK, all right. I used to think it was corny when people would say that people are looking down on you. I didn't really -- I didn't believe it. But I got a feeling. Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VARGAS: That was certainly one of the most heartfelt moments when he thanked his grandma. Ultimately it was the "Aviator" that went on to win the most gold. Three statues in all, one for best score, best dramatic actor -- Leonardo DiCaprio -- and best drama of the year.

Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" won him the best director award as well as one for best dramatic actress, Hillary Swank.

"Closer" snagged two honors as well. Supporting actor and actress for Clive Owen and Natalie Portman.

And the independent comedy "Sideways" also earned a pair, best screen play and best musical or comedy of the year.

So as you can see the Hollywood Foreign Press really decided to spread things around this year.

NGUYEN: Sibila, the Globes also honors television so we are just desperate to know who the big winners were there.

(CROSSTALK)

VARGAS: I think you know something, Betty. It was a golden night for the ladies of Wisteria Lane. Not only did "Desperate Housewives" win for best comedy series, it also earned Teri Hatcher her first Globe for best comedic actress. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TERI HATCHER, ACTRESS: The most amazing cast and crew who just get through such long days with such smiles on their faces. And a network who gave me a second chance at a career when I couldn't have been a bigger has-been.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VARGAS: Well not anymore. Hatcher's heartfelt speech was certainly a crowd favorite. Betty.

NGUYEN: Sibila, we showed it just a minute ago, but that Jamie Foxx moment was just -- it meant a lot to a lot of people.

VARGAS: My heart was going out!

NGUYEN: It was like -- those words, he struggled to have them come out. What are some of the other moments that people are talking about?

VARGAS: Well that moment came when the incomparable Robin Williams took the stage to accept this year's Cecil B. DeMille Award. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBIN WILLIAMS, ACTOR: I also want to thank you for having Prince, William Shatner, Puff Daddy and Mick Jagger on the same stage. That is the sign of the apocalypse. Thank you! Thank you! That is the end of the world as we know it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VARGAS: OK, so Robin may have been the highlight of the show. But personally, my highlight of the night was on the red carpet. You see, Betty, there I am with the Eva Longoria. You know Miles O'Brien (ph) is always saying that I look like the "Desperate Housewife"? So you can you tell Miles that we are in fact two people and I haven't been moonlighting on the set of "Desperate Housewives."

NGUYEN: I see the resemblance.

VARGAS: You see it?

NGUYEN: Yes! You're the desperate housewife who is not so desperate.

(CROSSTALK)

VARGAS: Thank you. My husband will love that. Now that the Globes are over, the gold rush for the Oscar has officially begun. Next Tuesday we'll know who the nominees are. So Betty, Tony, we are so busy out here. But it's great.

NGUYEN: So busy! Such hard work at those parties. I tell you if you need a fill-in, just let me know.

VARGAS: OK, will you come with me?

NGUYEN: I'll come!

(CROSSTALK)

NGUYEN: Leave us alone.

HARRIS: Coming up in the second hour of LIVE FROM, we'll take a closer look at the upcoming Iraqi elections with violence increasing each day, will voters feel safe enough to go to the polls?

NGUYEN: And just a few days from President Bush's second inauguration, we have a look at all the glitz surrounding the big event. LIVE FROM'S "Hour of Power" begins after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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