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Wednesday, November 15

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Editor's Note: The CNN Wire is a running log of the latest news from CNN World Headquarters, reported by CNN's correspondents and producers, and The CNN Wire editors. "Posted" times are Eastern Daylight.

2 U.S. soldiers die in combat

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A U.S. soldier with Task Force Lightning was killed in action Wednesday in Diyala province, a U.S. military statement said.

The soldier was assigned to the Army's 1st Cavalry Division.

A second U.S. soldier was killed by small arms fire Tuesday, during combat operations in Baghdad, a U.S. military statement released Thursday said.

The soldier was a member of Multi-National Corps - Iraq.

Since the start of the war, the U.S. military has suffered 2,861 fatalities in Iraq. (Posted 2:13 a.m.)

13 killed, 9 wounded in various attacks around Iraq's capital

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Thirteen people were killed and 9 were wounded in various attacks in Iraq's capital Thursday morning, Iraqi officials reported.

In eastern Baghdad, gunmen opened fire on a bakery, killing 9 and wounding 2. One civilian was killed another wounded in the same neighborhood when a roadside bomb detonated.

In southwestern Baghdad, one civilian was killed and another wounded when a bomb strapped to a bicycle exploded.

In central Baghdad, two civilians were killed and five were wounded by a car bomb planted on a main road.

Thursday's violence comes a day after 17 people were killed in attacks around the capital.

-- From CNN's Arwa Damon (Posted 1:59 a.m.)

Israel launches 4 airstrikes on Gaza; no word on casualties

From CNN's Ben Wedeman

GAZA CITY (CNN) -- Israeli aircraft fired missiles at targets in Gaza overnight in response to a barrage of rocket attacks by militants a day earlier, Israel Defense Forces said Thursday. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Israeli helicopters fired two missiles into a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza City, according to Palestinian security sources. The sources said the missiles struck the western Gaza City home of Issa Shrafi, whose son, Aziz Shrafi, is a member of the Popular Resistance Committees.

IDF did not say the target they struck was a home, but said the "structure" was a weapons storage facility used by the Popular Resistance Committees. (Posted 1:44 a.m.)

Marine to serve 18 months in Hamdaniya case

(CNN) -- A Marine was sentenced to 18 months confinement Wednesday in connection with the April death of a 52-year-old Iraqi man in the village of Hamdaniya, a military spokesman said.

Pfc. John J. Jodka was sentenced to five years' confinement by Judge Lt. Col. David Jones, but the sentence was reduced as part of a plea agreement, said U.S. Marine spokesman Maj. Jeff Nyhart.

Jodka was among seven Marines and a Navy corpsman who were initially charged with premeditated murder, conspiracy and related offenses in the April 26 death of Hashim Ibrahim Award. On Oct. 26, Jodka pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and conspiracy to obstruct justice during a court-martial as part of the plea deal. As part of the agreement, a punitive dishonorable discharge was not part of Jodka's sentence. (Posted 10:13 p.m.)

House Democrats prepare to settle leadership slugfest

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Eyes on Capitol Hill will be cast Thursday morning on a meeting room in the Cannon House Office Building, where House Democrats will decide an increasingly contentious intra-party battle for the job of majority leader in the next Congress.

Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, now the party's minority whip, is being challenged for the post by Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, an ardent critic of the Iraq War -- a battle spiced up by Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi's decision to back Murtha, instead of Hoyer, her leadership lieutenant for the last four years.

The battle has been brewing since June, when, to the chagrin of some of his colleagues, Murtha announced his plans to challenge Hoyer if Democrats captured a majority, months before it was clear that they would. While Hoyer has expressed confidence he has the votes to win, the unknown factor is how much momentum Murtha might get from Pelosi's endorsement of his outside bid. (Posted 8:24 p.m.)

Barton drops out of GOP minority leader's contest

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Joe Barton of Texas announced Wednesday that he was dropping out of the race for House minority leader in the next Congress and endorsing current GOP Majority Leader John Boehner for the post.

"He not only has my vote, he has my confidence that he can unify the Republican conference and bring us back to the majority by exercising the power of good ideas and great determination," Barton said in a statement.

With Barton's departure, the race for the top GOP House post, which will be decided Friday by secret ballot, will come down to Boehner and Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana. (Posted 8:06 p.m.)

9/11 hero to get a new home on 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition'

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Ex-Marine Jason Thomas, who saved two police officers from the rubble of the World Trade Center on September, 11, 2001, will get a new home and be featured on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition", according to ABC's Jonathan Hogan.

Thomas, who now lives with his family in Whitehall, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus, kept his identity a secret until he saw himself depicted in the Oliver Stone film "World Trade Center." Thomas is black, but was played by a white actor.

According to "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" producer Denise Cramsey, Thomas' home was in need of repairs and had been declared unsound by inspectors. The show has demolished the old house and is going to rebuild a new home for him and his family. -- From CNN's David Miller (Posted 8:06 p.m.)

Six-foot wave damages California harbor after Japan earthquake

(CNN) -- Although tsunami warnings and watches for parts of Japan and the Pacific Basin were lifted Wednesday, hours after an 8.3-magnitude underwater earthquake struck the region, large waves were reported in Hawaii and on the western coast of the United States.

A 6-foot wave struck Crescent City Harbor in Crescent City, Calif., and caused "extensive damage" Wednesday afternoon, according to a National Weather Service advisory. In addition, the weather service said tide gauges along the coast of northern and central California have measured surge waves of 1 to 3 feet.

At Ewa Beach, Hawaii, a 5-foot wave flooded parking lots, according to CNN affiliate KHON. Ewa Beach is on the southern coast of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. (Posted 7:55 p.m.)

Thompson eyes 2008 GOP presidential bid

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who served in President Bush's Cabinet during his first term, said Wednesday that he is actively considering a possible 2008 White House bid.

"I'm interested in possibly running for president and getting involved in presidential politics in 2008," Thompson said in an interview with CNN Radio. "I believe the health-care issue is going to be the dominant issue in 2008, and I've got some positive ideas that I think I can articulate and formulate."

A former top aide to Thompson involved in his political activities told CNN that Thompson is expected to create a presidential exploratory committee after the first of the year. Thompson, 65, was elected governor of the Badger State four times, serving 14 years before resigning in 2001 to become secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. He left the Cabinet in 2005. --CNN's Candy Crowley and Sherri Maksin contributed to this report. (Posted 6:38 p.m.)

GOP, Dem senators plan bipartisan recommendations on Iraq in January

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Senate will attempt to give President Bush bipartisan recommendations to change the course in Iraq after it convenes under Democratic control in January, it was announced Wednesday by Armed Services Committee Chairman John Warner, R-Va., and ranking member Carl Levin, D-Mich.

The recommendations will probably come in the form of a Senate resolution or legislation that would be voted on by the full Senate, they said.

"Staying the course is no longer, as far as I'm concerned and the American people clearly spoke on it, a viable option," Levin said when announcing the effort.

The senators said they will wait until several key ongoing studies of Iraq policy have been completed. --By CNN Congressional Producer Ted Barrett (Posted 6:30 p.m.)

Witnesses: Murtha calls ethics reform 'total crap' but pledges support

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. John Murtha dismissed proposed ethics reforms as "total crap" in a meeting with Democrats he's courting in his bid for House majority leader but promised to join Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi in supporting them, witnesses said Wednesday.

The Pennsylvania congressman's comments came during a meeting with the Democrats' conservative Blue Dog caucus Tuesday evening, according to three members who attended the session.

"Even though it's total crap, I'll vote for it and pass it because that's what Nancy wants," one member told CNN Murtha had said.

"This goes beyond Blue Dogs," the lawmaker said. "For any Democrat, corruption was an issue. It was the No. 1 issue in the exit polls."

But in an interview on MSNBC's "Hardball" Wednesday, Murtha said he told the Blue Dogs that it was "total crap" that Congress has to grapple with ethics legislation because of the misconduct of some members and aides.

"It is total crap that we have to deal with an issue like this when we've got a war going on and we've got all these other issues -- $8 billion a month, we're spending," he said. --From CNN's Andrea Koppel and Deirdre Walsh (Posted 5:55 p.m.)

McCain forms presidential exploratory committee

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. John McCain of Arizona has created a presidential exploratory committee, the first formal step toward an expected 2008 White House bid.

"During the next couple of months, I will be talking with my family, friends and supporters about whether to officially announce a run for president," McCain said in a statement posted Wednesday on the exploratory committee's new Web site. "Prior to that decision, the formation of this committee is the first legal step in that process."

Thursday, the Republican senator will file the paperwork to register his committee with the Federal Election Commission, a committee spokesman told CNN. He will also deliver speeches to two conservative groups, the Federalist Society and GOPAC. (Posted 4:51 p.m.)

Severe storm, high winds flatten skating rink in Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (CNN) -- A severe storm with high winds flattened a skating rink where more than 30 preschoolers were playing Wednesday, officials said.

Two children suffered minor injuries when the building collapsed, according to authorities.

Police said four adults and 31 children were inside FunZone, which houses a skating rink, a daycare and play areas for kids.

Video from the scene showed crumpled metal rafters with only shreds of a roof clinging to them. Heavy rain continued in the area. (Posted 3:15 p.m.)

Former HP chairman enters not guilty plea in pretexting case

SAN JOSE, Calif. (CNN) -- Former Hewlett-Packard Chairman Patricia Dunn pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony and conspiracy charges in Santa Clara County Superior Court, in a case related to the internal leak scandal that rocked HP, according to the California attorney general's office and Dunn's attorney.

Dunn was charged on Oct. 4 with four felony counts: conspiracy; fraudulent use of wire, radio or television transmissions; taking, copying and using computer data; and using personal identifying information without authorization.

Dunn, as chairman, initiated an investigation in 2005 into the source of a board of trustees leak to the media. The probe came up inconclusive and was restarted again in early 2006.

It was later alleged that the probe involved questionable practices, including pretexting -- obtaining personal confidential information through false pretenses -- to spy on HP directors, journalists and employees. That sparked state and federal investigations, with which HP says it is cooperating. --From CNN's Katy Byron in New York (Posted 3:12 p.m.)

Lebanese PM says he'll survive crisis over Hariri tribunal

BEIRUT (CNN) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora said Wednesday his government will survive despite the resignations of six ministers who opposed the creation of an international tribunal to probe the 2004 killing of former premier Rafik Hariri.

"I know that some are saying that it's on the verge of collapse," Siniora said. "But there are many others who are definitely saying that this government is quite representative of the people and has the majority of the members of parliament."

Siniora became prime minister amid a wave protests over Hariri's killing, which U.N. investigators have linked to Syria. His support of a U.N. tribunal to investigate the killing has triggered a deepening political crisis that has raised questions about the future of his government.

Siniora told CNN's "Your World Today" that his critics are trying to bring down his government and establish "a tyranny of the minority" in Lebanon, a situation he called "contrary to any basic democratic behavior." (Posted 2:08 p.m.)

17 Iraqis killed in violence in capital; 55 bodies found

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Seventeen people were killed in various attacks in Iraq's capital Wednesday, Iraqi officials reported.

Twelve people were killed and 33 were wounded when a car bomb exploded next to a fuel station in central Baghdad, a Baghdad emergency police official said.

In southern Baghdad's Dora district, a suicide car bomber drove into a funeral tent, killing three mourners and wounding 12, the official said.

A member of al-Yarmouk municipal council and his driver were killed by gunmen as they drove in the Yarmouk neighborhood in western Baghdad Wednesday afternoon, the official said.

And a car bomb explosion in the Shaab neighborhood wounded three people around 6:30 p.m., according to the official.

Meanwhile, 55 bullet-riddled bodies were discovered in various Baghdad neighborhoods Wednesday. The identities of the victims was not immediately known, the official said. (Posted 2:06 p.m.)

Another adjournment for supermodel Campbell

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The assault case against supermodel Naomi Campbell was adjourned for a third time Wednesday. Campbell, 36, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court to face charges of assaulting her housekeeper with a cell phone last March. She is to return to the courtroom on Jan. 16. --From CNN Producer Laura Dolan (Posted 12:49 p.m.)

Military panel studies Iraq war objectives

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sixteen mid-level military officers who recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan have been working full time on a panel established by Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that is aimed at providing the chiefs with an assessment of to what extent the United States is succeeding in its objectives in the war on terror.

A U.S. military official with direct knowledge of the project laid out some of the details for CNN, acknowledging that much of the work focuses on Iraq.

Pace established the review panel back in September. The members were nominated by the service chiefs. The group will give the chiefs an "honest view of what is working and what is not working, and what the impediments to progress are," the official said.

The group, based on their experience, will look at "do we have the right objectives" and "what should we potentially change." --From CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr (Posted 12:32 p.m.)

8 Palestinian rockets hit Israel; one person wounded in Sderot

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Eight Palestinian-fired Qassam rockets hit Israel Wednesday, including one that seriously wounded one person in the city of Sderot, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Four Qassam rockets landed in Ashkelon earlier in the afternoon, according to the IDF.

Wednesday afternoon's rocket attacks came hours after a Qassam killed an Israeli woman and wounded a man in Sderot Wednesday morning.

Two militant groups, the Islamic Jihad and the Izzel-Din al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for the morning attack in a statement faxed to the Ramattan News Agency, based in Gaza City.

Israel recently launched strikes aimed at ending rocket attacks."This is precisely the type of murderous attacks that we are trying to prevent," an angrily worded statement from the Israeli prime minister's office said Wednesday. "Israel will take any means necessary in protecting our citizens." (Posted 12:20 p.m.)

Abizaid optimistic 'we can stabilize Iraq'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Gen. John Abizaid said Wednesday he is optimistic that "we can stabilize Iraq."

Abizaid, head of U.S. Central Command, made his comments during testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Abizaid, who visited the region last month, said he was encouraged by what he saw.

"While sectarian violence remains high and worrisome, it's certainly not as bad as the situation appeared back in August," he said.

"I wouldn't say that we have turned the corner in this regard, but it's not nearly as bad as it was back in August, and I was encouraged by that." (Posted 12:13 p.m.)

Former Seton Hall students enter plea agreement in dorm fire

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (CNN) -- Two former Seton Hall University students who started a fire that killed three of their classmates and injured 62 more have pleaded guilty to third-degree arson charges as part of an agreement that recommends up to five years in state prison.

Around 4 a.m. on Jan. 19, 2000, Joseph LePore and Sean Ryan set fire to a dormitory banner draped on a couch inside Boland Hall, a university residence building.

In Wednesday's hearing in Essex County Criminal Court, the two men described it as a prank that got out of hand. --From CNN's Mythili Rao in New York (Posted noon)

Authorities believe missing boy is alive

LADY LAKE, Fla. (CNN) -- A missing boy whose mother killed herself after being named the prime suspect in his disappearance may still be alive, law enforcement officials announced Wednesday.

Capt. James Pogue of the Marion County Sheriff's Office said new witness testimony that has come forward since 2-year-old Trenton Duckett disappeared Aug. 27 leads authorities to believe his mother handed the boy over to someone to hide him from his father.

Local media in Florida reported that Melinda Duckett threatened to harm her son if her husband, Josh Duckett, did not do what she wanted.

Melinda Duckett killed herself on Sept. 8, leaving behind a note that seemed to blame the general public for her actions. (Posted 11:20 a.m.)

Lott elected Senate minority whip

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Trent Lott was elected by his fellow Republicans on Wednesday as the Senate minority whip by a one-vote margin.

This returns Lott to the GOP leadership for the first time since he stepped down as majority leader in 2002 following a flap over comments he made at Sen. Strom Thurmond's birthday party.

Lott edged Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander.

Sen. Mitch McConnell was unopposed in his bid for Senate minority leader. --From CNN Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash (Posted 10:53 a.m.)

Gillespie emerges as front-runner for next GOP chairman in Virginia

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie has emerged as the front-runner to become the next state GOP party chairman in Virginia, several informed Republican sources have told CNN.

Contacted Wednesday morning, Gillespie told CNN in a telephone interview, "I care about the commonwealth of Virginia and the Republican Party and I want to help them both. The state parties are as important as the national party."

Gillespie said it is up to state Republicans to choose a new leader.

Several GOP sources, including two actively involved in Virginia, said the veteran GOP operative is the clear favorite to lead a party increasingly concerned about Democratic gains, and the prospect a once reliably red state could now fall into the blue column in the 2008 presidential race. --From CNN Chief National Correspondent John King (Posted 10:31 a.m.)

US Air makes surprise $8 billion bid for larger rival Delta

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- US Airways on Wednesday made a surprise $8 billion offer to buy its bigger rival Delta Air Lines, a bid that could spark a round of mergers leaving the United States with just a handful of major carriers.

The deal, if completed, would unite two of the oldest and most storied airlines in the United States. Delta started as a crop duster in the 1920s and US Air as a mail carrier in the 1930s.

The current US Air, the nation's No. 7 carrier, is proposing to buy No. 3 Delta for about $4 billion in cash and 78.5 million shares of US Airways stock, also worth $4 billion based on Tuesday's closing price. US Air has proposed keeping the Delta name if the merger is complete.

The fact that Delta is operating in bankruptcy makes completing a deal more complicated, industry officials and experts said. In addition, Delta is apparently not in favor of any deal. Delta had limited comment on the proposal early Wednesday, but has said it intends to remain independent as it seeks to reorganize. --From CNNMoney.com's Chris Isidore (Posted 10:22 a.m.)

U.S. soldiers killed in Baghdad combat, among 6 killed in Iraq on Tuesday

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Two U.S. soldiers were killed in northwest Baghdad late Tuesday by a roadside bomb during combat, the U.S. military said, bringing the number of American troops killed in Iraq on Tuesday to six.

The two were members of Multi-National Division - Baghdad. The incident occurred at 11:30 p.m. when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device.

Earlier, the military reported four other U.S. troop deaths on Tuesday -- three Marines and a soldier in Anbar province -- west of Baghdad. This brings the number of U.S. deaths in the Iraq war to 2,859. (Posted 9:54 a.m.)

Iraq PM: We'll do all it takes to keep education going, get kidnappers

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Iraq's prime minister Wednesday deplored the mass kidnapping at a Baghdad research institute, vowed to free those taken and bring the perpetrators to justice, and promised better security and no disruptions to education.

Nuri al-Maliki made an appearance at the Baghdad University to show his solidarity with students and professors -- all attempting to rise above the capital's daily chaos and disruptions.

He said the government "will do all it takes to keep education going and we hope to see you graduate and join the process of building the country."

"The universities are important for the heart of society and it must remain above and distant from any quotas -- partisan and sectarian," he said in a speech.

On Tuesday, dozens of gunmen idnapped people at another educational insitution-- the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research building in central Baghdad.

At least 80 were abducted -- 50 employees at the institute and 30 visitors, police said. There are different numbers on those who have been freed thus far. Police said between 40 to 50 were released by the kidnappers, and they included Sunnis and Shiites.

Mohammed Ali, an aide to the Higher Education Ministry, said between 30 and 40 people have been released. He said at least 50 were still missing.

The Interior Ministry's count on the kidnapped is lower. An Interior Ministry aide said at least 40 people were released. The aide said an investigation was still ongoing in an effort to free those still held, numbering less than 20 people. (Posted 9:22 a.m.)

Two violent clashes in Kashmir leave 7 militants, 1 Indian army trooper dead

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir (CNN) -- Seven militants and an Indian army trooper were killed in two clashes in the north Kashmir Kupwara border district of Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday, authorities said.

Militants holed up in a village house in northern Kashmir's Kupwara district exchanged gunfire with police for 16 hours, police said. Four militants died in the fighting but a senior police officer said the police force suffered no casualties.

In a separate incident, a trooper with the Indian army was killed and four others were wounded when militants fired on their foot patrol in a nearby village in the Kupwara district, police said. Three militants were also killed. (Posted 8:48 a.m.)

Iraqi, U.S. forces capture 15 in raids

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition forces detained 15 people in raids this week, a U.S. military statement said Wednesday.

Iraqi soldiers backed by coalition advisers detained eight suspected members of "a kidnapping and murder cell responsible for abducting, torturing and murdering Iraqi civilian and Iraqi security forces" on Tuesday.

According to the military, the cell was also responsible for planting roadside bombs.

A similar raid by coalition forces in Baghdad's Dora section on Monday netted six suspected insurgents, another U.S. military statement said. A seventh person was also detained.

"The insurgent cell is linked to al Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgent groups and conducts improvised explosive device, rocket and mortar attacks which injure and kill Iraqi civilians, ISF (Iraqi Security Forces) and Coalition Forces," according to the military.

There were no reports of casualties among U.S. or Iraqi forces. (Posted 2:40 a.m.)

Cheney, Libby claim immunity from Wilson lawsuit

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A civil suit filed by outed CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson against Vice President Dick Cheney and his former chief of staff, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, should be dismissed because federal officials have immunity from such suits and also because the statute of limitations has expired, their attorneys argued in court papers filed Tuesday.

In separate filings, attorneys for Cheney and Libby, as well as the Justice Department, asked for the suit to be dismissed because the allegedly damaging conduct Plame and her husband, Joe Wilson, cite in their suit took place as part of the officials' government service.

The Wilsons' claims "cannot be asserted against a federal official personally where the alleged conduct giving rise to the claim was performed within the scope of federal employment," Justice Department lawyers said in their motion. -- From CNN's Kevin Bohn (Posted 11:16 p.m.)

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