The CNN Wire: Thursday, July 19

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 Time.

Senate: Gitmo detainees should not be moved to U.S.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- By an overwhelming vote, the Senate Thursday approved an amendment saying detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should not be moved to facilities inside the United States.

The amendment, authored by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, passed on a 94-3 vote. It states that detainees "including senior members of al Qaeda, should not be released to American society" or transferred into "facilities in American communities and neighborhoods."

"Some in Congress have actually proposed that we require the president to move terrorist detainees held at Guantanamo Bay to the continental United States and keep them here," said McConnell, R-Ky. "That means moving them into facilities in cities and small towns across America in states like California and Illinois and Kentucky. Well, I can guarantee you that my constituents don't want terrorists housed in their backyards in Fort Knox, Fort Wright or anywhere else within the Commonwealth. I know I don't."

The amendment does not offer an opinion on the closure of Guantanamo Bay or prohibit moving terrorists elsewhere, according to a statement released by McConnell's office. (Posted 9:06 p.m.)

Brazilian prosecutors seek to close crash airport

SAO PAULO, Brazil (CNN) -- Federal prosecutors in Brazil sought a court order Thursday to temporarily close the airport where a jet crashed in a heavily populated section of Sao Paulo, killing all 186 aboard, a spokesman for Congonhas Airport said.

The closure would be a massive disruption to the country's air traffic. The airport, built it in the 1930s in the heart of Sao Paulo, handles 48 takeoffs and landings per hour. The airport is best equipped to handle short commuter flights for Brazil's large domestic air market.

Investigators will look into whether Brazilian aviation authorities rushed to reopen the recently resurfaced runway, which had been closed for several weeks for repairs.

According to the initial investigation, the pilot apparently tried to abort his landing on the rain-soaked runway by attempting to take off again, an aviation official said. It was opened before grooves could be cut into the concrete that help with drainage and braking by the plane.

TAM Airlines revealed Thursday that the Airbus A320 had experienced a problem with a thrust reverser -- used by the aircraft to decelerate on touch-down -- on Friday, but Brazil's National Agency of Civil Aviation said that the problem had been corrected and the plane had no problems when mechanics last checked it out on Monday. (Posted 9:03 p.m.)

3 British troops killed in Iraq

(CNN) -- Three British troops were killed Thursday in Iraq, the Ministry of Defense announced.

The three -- one from a Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadron and two from a Royal Air Force squadron -- were killed in an indirect fire attack on the Contingency Operation Base in Basra, where British troops are headquartered, MOD said.

MOD did not name the servicemen, but said next of kin for all three had been notified.

To date, 162 British troops have been killed in the Iraq war, six of them in July. (Posted 8:01 p.m.)

Iraq commanders extend Marine unit by 1 month

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. commanders in Iraq have extended a Marine Corps unit for 30 days past its scheduled September departure date, a sign that commanders plan to continue President Bush's "new way forward" at least through November, according to Pentagon officials.

The 2,200 Marines and sailors of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) were brought ashore in May as part of the build-up of American forces in Iraq, which the Bush administration has called a "surge," and has been based in Anbar province, Marine officials said.

The 13th MEU, which is based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., left its home base in April to head to the Persian Gulf as part of Central Command's reserve forces, or forces commanders could call on if needed.

With the extension, the unit will stay in Anbar through October of this year.

The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, is to deliver a status report on the surge in September to Congress.

-- From CNN Pentagon Producer Mike Mount (Posted 7:40 p.m.)

Congress to mandate screening of all maritime cargo leaving foreign ports

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Department of Homeland Security will be required to scan 100 percent of maritime cargo before it leaves foreign ports, congressional conferees voted Thursday, saying the measure is needed to prevent terrorists from sneaking nuclear weapons into the United States.

The action -- an amendment to the bill implementing 9/11 commission recommendations -- came over the objections of Republican lawmakers, who said the technology does not exist for wholesale screening of cargo and predicted that the number of false alarms will bring commerce screeching to a halt.

Currently, the Department of Homeland Security screens almost all shipping containers for radiation upon arrival into the United States, and conducts X-rays and physical inspections of a small percentage of containers that are judged to be high-risk. It also inspects a small percentage of containers before they leave foreign ports.

But congressional Democrats argued that current practices won't prevent al Qaeda from concealing a nuclear device in a shipping container and detonating it in a U.S. port -- before the container has been inspected. --From CNN Producer Mike M. Ahlers (Posted 6:39 p.m.)

Democratic senators complain about missing briefing on Iraq

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate Democratic leaders complained Thursday that many of their members may have missed an important classified briefing on Iraq because invitations to the event were "blast faxed" to the publicly listed fax numbers in their Senate offices and many went unnoticed until it was too late to attend.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he doubted the foul-up was "sinister." Instead, he said he thinks the Bush administration was "just desperate to get their message out on Iraq and whoever put this together didn't do a very good job."

Two back-to-back closed-circuit video conferences were held Thursday morning with Iraq commander Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker. Lawmakers were bused to the Pentagon event. --From CNN's Ted Barrett, Dana Bash and Mike Mount (Posted 6:37 p.m.)

Air quality tests show no asbestos at N.Y. explosion site, testing continues

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Additional tests of air quality conducted by New York City's environmental agency found no asbestos in the air as a result of the explosion of a steam pipe in midtown Manhattan Wednesday, confirming test results reported earlier in the day, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Thursday.

The city's Department of Environmental Protection performed tests on 12 air samples and none showed signs of asbestos, he reported, adding that the steam and humidity most likely prevented hazardous particles from becoming airborne.

The DEP also examined 71 bulk tests of dust and debris scattered after the blast. Those tests are incomplete but some show the presence of asbestos, Bloomberg said.

However, the mayor explained, officials believe the two samples that tested positive were parts of the steam pipe itself. More testing will be conducted to make sure no one was exposed to asbestos, he added. --From CNN's Katy Byron (Posted 6:26 p.m.)

Former contract worker at Tenn. facility indicted on charges of stealing, illegally transferring nuclear-related material

(CNN) -- A former contract employee at a Tennessee industrial facility was indicted on charges of violating the Atomic Energy Act by stealing restricted materials that had been used for uranium enrichment and transferring them to another person with reason to believe they would be used against the United States, the Department of Justice announced Thursday.

Roy Lynn Oakley, 67, of Roane County, Tenn., appeared in federal court in Knoxville on Thursday, the department said in a written statement.

Oakley was briefly detained for questioning in the case in January, when authorities first learned of the plot, government sources told CNN. He voluntarily surrendered an an FBI field office in Knoxville Thursday, the sources said.

Oakley is a former employee of Bechtel Jacobs, the Department of Energy's prime environmental management contractor at East Tennessee Technology Park, prosecutors said. (Posted 5:35 p.m.)

Falcons owner Blank 'saddened and distressed' by Vick charges

ATLANTA (CNN) -- Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Thursday he is "saddened and distressed" by Michael Vick's indictment on charges of taking part in a dogfighting enterprise but announced no immediate action against the team's star quarterback.

"This is an emotionally charged and complicated matter," Blank said in a statement issued by the team. "There are a wide range of interests and legal issues that need to be carefully considered as we move ahead, including our need to respect the due process that Michael is entitled to."

Blank said the team was aware of "differing perspectives and strong feelings" surrounding the case, but was "committed to doing the right thing."

"In the meantime, know that I'm saddened and distressed about this -- not for myself, but for our fans and community who have been so loyal to us," he added. (Posted 4:54 p.m.)

Iranian program airs more 'confessions' from Iranian-Americans

TEHRAN (CNN) -- Iranian television Thursday aired the second part of a documentary that included jailed Iranian-Americans appearing to confess that they had participated in U.S. efforts to undermine the Iranian government.

Iran's IRIB television network aired the first part of the heavily promoted, heavily edited program, "In the Name of Democracy," Wednesday. Featured on both parts of the program were scholar Haleh Esfandiari and urban planning consultant Kian Tajbakhsh, both of whom were arrested by Iranian authorities in May.

They have been charged with trying to topple the government.

Esfandiari's daughter and husband condemned the program and denied she was participating in any anti-government activities, as did the Open Society Institute about Tajbakhsh. (Posted 4:48 p.m.)

Dow finishes above 14,000

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The Dow finished just a hair above 14,000 for the first time ever, helped by positive earnings news, while investors overlooked minutes from the latest Federal Reserve meeting and comments from Fed chief Ben Bernanke.

The Dow Jones industrial average (up 84.30 to 14,002.52) finished 82 points, or about 0.6 percent, higher based on early tallies, finishing above 14,000 after straddling the key psychological mark during the session. --From CNNMoney.com's David Ellis (Posted 4:15 p.m.)

House panel recommends contempt charges against WH chief of staff

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A congressional panel Thursday recommended contempt of Congress charges against White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, another step in the prickly dispute between Congress and the White House over the firing of U.S. prosecutors last year.

The House Judiciary subcommittee voted along party lines, 7-3, to reject President Bush's contention that Bolten is covered by executive privilege and should not have to hand over subpoenaed documents regarding the firings.

Last week, the subcommittee voted to recommend contempt charges against former White House counsel Harriet Miers, who skipped a hearing at which she had been subpoenaed to testify.

The full House Judiciary committee must approve the recommendation, and then it must go to the House floor. If the full House votes for contempt charges, the case would be referred to the Justice Department to seek an indictment.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said it is "unfortunate that the committee continues down this path." (Posted 4:02 p.m.)

Contractor indicted for allegedly trying to sell classified material from former Tennessee nuclear facility

(CNN) -- A contractor who allegedly wanted to sell classified material once used at a federal nuclear facility in Tennessee was indicted Thursday for violating the Atomic Energy Act, government sources told CNN.

The man has been identified by government officials familiar with the case as Roy Lynn Oakley.

Oakley was briefly detained for questioning in the case in January, after authorities first learned of the plot, sources said.

He voluntarily surrendered at an FBI field office in Knoxville Thursday, the sources said, and he is scheduled to be in federal court in that city Thursday afternoon. (Posted 3:21 p.m.)

Judge dismisses outed CIA operative's lawsuit against Cheney, Libby

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by outed CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson and her husband against Vice President Dick Cheney and other top Bush administration officials, including ex-Cheney chief of staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

U.S. District Judge John Bates ruled that the lawsuit raises "important questions relating to the propriety of actions undertaken by our highest government officials" -- but in a 41-page decision, he found the Wilsons failed to show the case belongs in federal court.

Valerie Wilson's identity as a CIA operative was exposed in July 2003 after her husband, former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson, publicly challenged a key argument in the Bush administration's case for the invasion of Iraq. The couple argued that the disclosure destroyed her career and was done to retaliate against Joseph Wilson, who said the administration had "twisted" the evidence used to justify the invasion.

There was no immediate reaction to the order from either the Wilsons or the defendants. In addition to Libby and Cheney, the lawsuit also named former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Karl Rove, Bush's top political adviser. (Posted 3:16 p.m.)

Judge tosses out ex-spy's lawsuit against Cheney in CIA leak

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by outed spy Valerie Plame Wilson and her husband against Vice President Dick Cheney and other top Bush administration officials.

U.S. District Judge John Bates ruled that the lawsuit raises "important questions relating to the propriety of actions undertaken by our highest government officials" -- but in a 41-page decision, Bates found the Wilsons failed to show the case belongs in federal court.

Valerie Wilson's identity as a CIA operative was exposed in July 2003 after her husband, former U.S. ambassador Joseph Wilson, publicly challenged a key argument in the Bush administration's case for the invasion of Iraq.

The exposure led to a criminal probe that led to the conviction in March of Cheney's former chief of staff, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, on charges of perjury, obstruction of justice and lying to federal agents investigating the leak. (Posted 3 p.m.)

Third doctor charged in failed UK bombings case

LONDON (CNN) -- A doctor arrested in Cheshire after the failed car bombings in central London and at Glasgow Airport last month was charged Thursday with conspiracy to cause explosions, Scotland Yard said.

Mohammed Asha, 26, is the third physician and fourth man charged in the case, and is to appear in Westminster magistrate court Friday. He is of Palestinian descent, and grew up in Jordan.

His wife, who was traveling with him on the M6 highway when he was arrested, has been released.

Asha could have been held without charges until July 21, under a magistrate's order last weekend extending his detention. (Posted 2:58 p.m.)

Judge tosses out ex-spy's lawsuit against Cheney in CIA leak

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by outed spy Valerie Plame Wilson and her husband against Vice President Dick Cheney and other top Bush administration officials. (Posted 2:51 p.m.)

Body found in wheel well of 747

(CNN) -- Mechanics found a body lodged in the wheel well of a Boeing 747 during a post-flight inspection at San Francisco International Airport on Thursday.

The airport's public information officer said the body, believed to be that of a male stowaway, was discovered after United Airlines Flight 858 from Shanghai touched down without incident in San Francisco early Thursday morning.

The San Mateo County coroner has initiated an investigation.(Posted 2:21 p.m.)

Suicide bomber strikes Pakistani mosque; 14 dead

(CNN) -- A suicide bomb detonated inside a mosque in violence-wracked northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least 14 people, including children and soldiers, and wounding 25, military officials told CNN.

The attack happened in Kohat, just outside Peshawar in the North West Frontier Province.

Other bombing attacks around Pakistan on Thursday killed at least 35 people and wounded 47, authorities said. Violence has increased in northwestern Pakistan since a bloody siege at Islamabad's Red Mosque -- which ended last week -- that pitted radical Islamists against Pakistan's military government forces. (Posted 2:16 p.m.)

17 bodies found in Baghdad

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Seventeen corpses were found dumped across Baghdad on Thursday, an Iraqi Interior Ministry said.

The total of such bodies found in the capital during July now stands 394. Slain and unidentified bodies have been common in the Iraqi capital and are seen as victims of sectarian violence. -- From CNN's Saad Abedine (Posted 1:52 p.m.)

U.S. diplomat says benchmarks for Iraqi progress will be difficult to meet by September

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The American ambassador in Baghdad said Thursday that the benchmarks for Iraqi progress will be difficult to meet by September, when a key report is to be submitted to the government about conditions in the war-wracked country.

A senior Defense Department official told CNN that Ryan Crocker made the comment during a closed meeting at the Pentagon, in which he appeared from Baghdad via satellite. Crocker and Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, briefed 50 House members and 40 senators in separate sessions.

Both men are to provide an assessment to Washington in September of what is going on in Iraq, where the troop buildup, called a "surge" by the Bush administration, was completed last month.

After the closed session, Crocker delivered public testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he underscored his concerns and "caution" about relying too heavily on benchmarks. (Posted 1:49 p.m.)

Authorities arrest suspect who allegedly took classified material at Tennessee nuclear facility

(CNN) -- A contractor who allegedly took classified material from a federal nuclear facility in Tennessee has been arrested, government sources told CNN Thursday.

The man has been identified by government officials familiar with the case as Roy Lynn Oakley.

One government source said the materials involved are not the "crown jewels," but it was information that should not have been taken from the East Tennessee Technology Park, a Department of Energy facility.

He's being indicted for trying to sell classified material to a foreign country in violation of the Atomic Energy Act, sources close to the case said. (Posted 1:20 p.m.)

Deadly explosion near Pakistani mosque

(CNN) -- Pakistani military sources told CNN there has been a deadly explosion near a mosque in the northwestern town of Kohat.

No other details were immediately available.

Other bombing attacks around Pakistan on Thursday killed at least 35 people and wounded 47 -- continuing a recent surge in violence in the country, authorities said. (Posted 1:10 p.m.)

Atlanta attorney with TB in good condition after surgery

AURORA, Colo. (CNN) -- The Atlanta lawyer whose tuberculosis diagnosis caused an international health scare is in good condition Thursday, two days after surgery to remove part of his lungs.

Andrew Speaker, 31, has been transferred out of the intensive care unit to the pulmonary department at the University of Colorado Hospital, where he underwent a two-hour operation to remove a diseased portion of his right lung on Tuesday.

He may be transferred back to National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver as early as Thursday or Friday, pending X-ray results, a UC hospital nurse told CNN.

At National Jewish, he will continue taking the medications prescribed by his doctors to fight the tuberculosis until cultures taken from him are negative for tuberculosis bacteria for eight weeks. At that point, he will be considered non-infectious, although he will still be monitored by health care professionals. (Posted 12:26 p.m.)

U.S. commander sees 'significant success' in Iraq security since completion of buildup, hopes military gets more time to make strides

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A top U.S. commander said Thursday that there has been "significant success" in Iraq security over the past four weeks, and he said he hopes that policy makers debating Iraq in Washington take note and that the military continues to get more time to display its strides.

Several new offensives were unfurled in that time in what officials term the Baghdad "belts," areas south of the capital, and in Diyala and Anbar provinces -- all under the name dubbed Operation Phantom Thunder.

Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of the Multinational Corps-Iraq, said the troop buildup -- which began in February and was completed last month -- has had an impact in denying sanctuary to insurgents. Odierno spoke from Baghdad to reporters at the Pentagon.

"My hope is that the policy-makers and every one else -- the public within the United States -- listen and hear what we're saying because there is some progress being made," Odierno said. (Posted 12:11 p.m.)

Authorities arrest suspect who allegedly took classified material at Tennessee nuclear facility

(CNN) -- A contractor who allegedly took classified material from a federal nuclear facility in Tennessee has been arrested, government sources told CNN Thursday.

One government source said the materials involved are not the "crown jewels," but it was information that should not have been taken from the East Tennessee Technology Park, a Department of Energy facility.

Sources told CNN federal authorities have been following the suspect and investigating the case for at least six months, after the man -- a low-level employee -- made an attempt to sell the information. The suspect apparently did not make contact with any foreign government, and is not a foreign agent of any kind, an official familiar with the case said.

The suspect, who apparently lived in a trailer on the grounds of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will appear in federal court in Knoxville, Tenn., Thursday, and documents in the case will be unsealed at that time. (Posted noon)

Toymaker Hasbro recalls Easy-Bake Oven for the second time this year

NEW YORK (CNN) -- For the second time this year, toymaker Hasbro has issued a recall for about 1 million Easy-Bake Ovens after receiving complaints that young children were getting their hands or fingers stuck in the oven's opening, causing serious burns.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Hasbro received about 249 complaints of children getting their hands stuck, 77 of them reporting burns. One 5-year-old child sustained burns so severe that part of her finger had to be amputated.

In February, Hasbro and CPSC recalled just under 1 million Easy-Bake units over the same concerns. Hasbro added a safety grate to the model after the February recall, but it issued the new recall -- which includes all units with the safety grate -- after injury reports continued to come in.

The Easy-Bake Oven model being recalled is made of purple and pink plastic and resembles a kitchen range with four burners on top and a front-loading oven. "Easy Bake" is printed on the front of the oven, and model number 65805 and "Hasbro" are stamped into the plastic on the back. The recall affects Easy-Bake Ovens sold between May 2006 and July 2007. --From CNN's Amy Sahba (Posted 11:43 a.m.)

Statement attributed to Afghan warlord calls for end to attacks

(CNN) -- A statement attributed to marginalized Afghan warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar called on all Islamic fighters in Afghanistan -- including the Taliban -- to stop bomb attacks against Afghan civilians and religious leaders.

"Almost three decades of fighting and killings is proof that this is not the way forward," said the statement, which was released to the media Thursday.

CNN cannot confirm that the letter -- which contains a signature and an image of Hekmatyar -- is from the warlord.

The letter said Hekmatyar's Hezb-e-Islami fighters "have stopped killing brothers and destroying the country" and called on others to do the same. It also called on foreign forces to leave the country. -- CNN's Nic Robertson and Atia Abawi contributed to this report (Posted 11:24 a.m.)

U.S. ambassador to Baghdad: 'Fear' pervades Iraq despite hopeful signs

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The American ambassador in Baghdad said Thursday that as a result of the troop buildup in Iraq, sectarian violence has gone down "to a fairly notable degree."

But Ryan Crocker said that "high-profile attacks" -- such as the suicide truck bombing in Kirkuk that killed 80 people -- continue and noted that great anxiety continues to fill the streets and rural areas of the war-torn country.

Speaking via satellite from Baghdad, Crocker told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that "if there is one word I would use to sum up the atmosphere in Iraq ... that word would be fear."

"I certainly will not try to present to you the Iraqi government as a model of smoothly functioning efficiency because it is not. It faces considerable difficulties," said Crocker. And, he added, "the stresses, strains and tensions throughout society" are "reflected in the government." (Posted 11:13 a.m.)

U.S. commander sees 'significant success' in Iraq security since completion of buildup

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A top U.S. commander said Thursday that there has been "significant success" in Iraq security over the past four weeks, and he said he hopes policy makers debating Iraq in Washington take note.

Several new offensives were unfurled in that time in what officials term the Baghdad "belts," areas south of the capital, and in Diyala and Anbar provinces -- all under the name dubbed Operation Phantom Thunder.

Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of the Multinational Corps-Iraq, said the troop buildup -- which began in February and was completed last month -- has had an impact in denying sanctuary to insurgents. Odierno spoke from Baghdad to reporters at the Pentagon.

Iraq security forces, he said, are growing in strength, with reconciliation efforts gaining momentum. (Posted 10:38 a.m.)

Suspected Islamic insurgents kill 6 civilians -- mostly children

(CNN) -- Suspected Islamic insurgents fired mortar rounds at a Somali government meeting in Mogadishu Thursday, barely missing the target but striking a nearby village, killing six civilians -- most of them children -- a government spokesman told CNN.

Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi -- the target of several assassination attempts -- had just left the national reconciliation conference when the attack happened, spokesman Abdi Gobdon said. It is unclear if he was the target of the attack, which comes amid days of heavy fighting in the Somali capital.

Most of the attacks are aimed at Somali transitional government officials working on national reconciliation, according to a spokesman for the African Union's military mission in Somalia.

The African Union Mission in Somalia is helping the war-torn country rebuild after more than 15 years without a central government. The U.N. is backing the transitional government. (Posted 10:14 a.m.)

Jordan news agency: Amman to host conference on Iraq refugee crisis

(CNN) -- Jordan will host a conference next Thursday for countries grappling with the huge influx of Iraqi refugees fleeing the war, according to Jordan's Petra news agency.

Jordan has invited Iraq, Syria, Egypt, the Arab League and the United Nations and "its specialized organizations," Petra reported. Turkey, Iran, Russia and Japan were invited as observers.

The displacement crisis in Iraq is the worst such demographic problem in the region since the late 1940s, when the state of Israel was created.

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees estimates there are about 1.9 million Iraqis displaced internally, and up to 2 million in neighboring states, particularly Syria and Jordan. Egypt hosts an Iraqi population of more than 100,000. (Posted 9:59 a.m.)

Russia expels four British diplomats in row over Litvinenko case

MOSCOW (CNN) -- Russia on Thursday expelled four British diplomats, days after Britain expelled four Russian diplomats in a row over Moscow's refusal to hand over a suspect in the poisoning death of an ex-KGB spy.

The move came "vis-a-vis the provocative and unfriendly actions" by London, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said. Russia has said that extradition is forbidden under its constitution.

Moscow will also refuse to issue new visas to British government officials, and suspend dialogue with London on counterterrorism measures, Kamynin said. The expelled British diplomats must leave Russia within 10 days.

British officials expelled the four Russian diplomats Monday after Moscow refused to hand over Andrei Lugovoi, a former Russian state security agent, who is suspected in the death of Alexander Litvinenko.

Litvinenko died in London in November after ingesting polonium 210, a rare radioactive isotope. British prosecutors allege Lugovoi gave Litvinenko the poison during a meeting Nov. 1. (Posted 9:34 a.m.)

U.S. announces troop deaths in Iraq

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A U.S. soldier was killed by small arms fire Thursday in Iraq, the fifth U.S. military death in the past two days, the U.S. military said.

The Task Force Marne soldier was killed near Rushdi Mullah, a farming village southeast of Mahmoudiya -- which is just south of Baghdad city. Task Force Marne has been operating in and near southern Baghdad.

Earlier Thursday, the military reported the deaths on Wednesday of four U.S. soldiers in a blast in eastern Baghdad.

The number of U.S. service members killed in the Iraq war stands at 3,628. Forty-eight died in July alone. (Posted 9:10 a.m.)

People banned from area of massive steam pipe blast

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A section of Manhattan, "frozen" after a massive steam pipe explosion sent jets of brownish steam billowing into the air, was still closed Thursday.

New York city officials said no asbestos had been found in air samples but had been detected in debris. Wednesday's explosion killed one woman, who had cardiac arrest, and injured 40.

City officials won't let people -- including those who work and live there -- into the area until the clean-up is complete, they said.

Bloomberg told reporters Wednesday that the pipe that exploded was installed in 1924 and there is speculation that "there was cold water getting into the pipe, and cold water apparently causes these to explode." The blast left a crater 25 feet wide and 15 feet deep.

Bloomberg and Jim Margolin in the FBI's New York office said there was no indication that of anything "suspicious." (Posted 9:07 a.m.)

Blair debuts as special Middle East envoy at EU meeting

LISBON, Portugal (CNN) -- Middle East Quartet representatives meeting here Thursday will discuss ways to help support the Palestinian government headed by President Mahmoud Abbas in an effort to create a "strong Palestinian partner," U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.

Rice spoke to reporters shortly after touching down in the capital of Portugal, which holds the European Union's rotating presidency.

Thursday's meeting of the Quartet -- which includes the United States, the United Nations, Russia and the EU -- will mark former British Prime Minister Tony Blair's debut as special Middle East envoy.

The talks come as Abbas seeks early elections that he hopes will bolster widespread support for the government he installed after dissolving the previous Hamas-led leadership. (Posted 8:59 a.m.)

Iraq's Sunni bloc ends parliament boycott as body gets ready for month-long break

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Lawmakers from two major blocs in Iraq's parliament returned to work this week, just two weeks before all of the lawmakers go home for a controversial month-long summer break.

The office of Iraqi Vice-President Tariq al-Hashimi, the top Sunni politician in Iraq's government, confirmed Thursday the end of the walkout by the 44-member Iraqi Accord Front, which includes al-Hashimi's Iraq Islamic Party.

The front had suspended its participation in the Council of Representatives last month in protest over the ouster of the Sunni parliament speaker, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani.

But al-Mashhadani -- who had been replaced by his Shiite deputy after a nasty quarrel between his camp and a Shiite lawmaker -- is back in the saddle as head of parliament. --From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq (Posted 7:48 a.m.)

Scores killed in bombings as violence soars in Pakistan

(CNN) -- Bombing attacks around Pakistan killed at least 35 people and wounded 47 Thursday -- adding to the recent surge in violence rankling Pakistan, authorities said.

In the North West Frontier Province, a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-packed car into the gates of a police training center in Hangu on Thursday, killing at least eight people and wounding 22, a police official said.

The attack took place near the Afghan border -- a Taliban and al Qaeda stronghold where, President Bush's homeland security adviser has said, a disputed peace deal has collapsed.

In the south, police said, a bomb explosion near a bus stop killed at least 27 people and wounded 25 Thursday in the town of Hub, located in gas-rich Baluchistan province near the port city of Karachi. According to authorities, the attack targeted Chinese engineers passing by. -- From CNN's Syed Mohsin Naqvi (Posted 6:22 a.m.)

Iraq demands dialogue after cross-border assault on Kurdish rebels

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Baghdad called for "good neighborly relations between Iraq and Turkey" Thursday, after Turkish forces attacked northern Iraqi villages in an operation against Kurdish separatists.

Turkish troops bombarded towns and villages near the Iraqi-Turkish border with warplanes and artilleries, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a Wednesday statement.

On behalf of the Iraqi government, al-Dabbagh called on the Turkish government "to stop such operations and to rest to dialogue and understanding."

The region is home to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a more than 20-year war against Turkey in which more than 37,000 people have died, mainly Kurds. Turkey and the United States consider the PKK a terrorist group.

Kurdish rebels seek autonomy from the Turkish government and have been staging attacks against Turkey from bases in northern Iraq. (Posted 5:45 a.m.)

Multi-story building collapse kills dozens in Mumbai

(CNN) -- The collapse of a seven-story residential building Wednesday evening killed at least 26 people and injured 11 in the Indian city of Mumbai, hospital officials said.

Officials said up to 25 people were feared trapped beneath the remnants of the building, although rescue workers did pull a survivor from the debris on Thursday.

Family members of trapped victims gathered at the site of the collapse, watching as search teams continued their work.

The Indian government announced it will investigate whether unauthorized structural work on the building caused its collapse and, in the meantime, said it will support rescue efforts and assist families affected by the incident. -- From CNN's Tess Eastment in New Delhi (Posted 4:53 a.m.)

Spanish rescue teams search for missing after ship goes down off Canary Islands

MADRID (CNN) - Spanish air and sea rescue teams searched Thursday for dozens of illegal immigrants feared missing after a small boat sank off Spain's Canary Islands in the Atlantic, a Spanish official with the maritime rescue service told CNN.

Authorities rescued at least 48 people, but dozens more were missing.

Their small boat sank about 100 miles southwest of Tenerife Island, one of the largest of the seven islands comprising the Canaries, the official said.

The operation began before before dawn on Thursday and those plucked out the ocean were being kept on ships near the scene.

The Canaries, far south of the Spanish mainland and off the western coast of Africa, have long been a preferred destination for African migrants trying to get a foothold in Europe. Thousands of Africans without documentation have made the perilous journey, often in flimsy boats, and many have died. --From CNN Madrid Bureau Chief Al Goodman (3:50 a.m.)

2 U.S. soldiers charged with murdering an Iraqi

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Two U.S. soldiers have been charged with premeditated murder of an Iraqi near the northern city of Kirkuk last month, according to a U.S. military statement issued Thursday.

The charges were brought against Sgt. Trey A. Corrales of Texas and Spc. Christopher P. Shore of Georgia, following "reports of the alleged wrongdoing made by fellow soldiers to military authorities," the statement said.

The U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division is conducting an investigation. (Posted 2:20 a.m.)

Iraq police pick up 15 corpses in capital city

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Iraq police found 15 bodies throughout Baghdad on Wednesday, an Iraqi interior ministry official said Thursday.

The slain bodies are dumped daily in the capital and police think these deaths are the result of Sunni-Shiite sectarian vendettas.

This brings the total of unidentified bodies found in the capital during July to 377. -- From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq (Posted 2:20 a.m.)

Interior Ministry: 2 German citizens kidnapped in Afghanistan

(CNN) -- Two German citizens have been kidnapped in eastern Afghanistan's Wardak province, an Interior Ministry spokesman said Thursday.

"According to information we have received, two German nationals along with their Afghan colleagues were kidnapped in Maidan Wardak province yesterday," said Zemarai Bashary. "We have started an extensive operation to find them. The kidnap took place in the Jaghato district of the province."

Taliban spokesman Zabeeullah Mujahid said the group was not aware of its fighters seizing any foreign nationals.

"I have contacted all our forces in the area but no one knows about it," Mujahid said by phone from an undisclosed location. -- From Journalist Thomas Coghlan (Posted 1:50 a.m.)

Bomb blast kills 4 U.S. soldiers in Baghdad

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Four U.S. soldiers were killed when a bomb exploded near their patrol during combat operations in Baghdad's eastern section on Wednesday, the U.S. military said in a statement released Thursday.

An Iraqi interpreter was also killed in the blast.

With the new fatalities, the number of U.S. service members killed since the onset of the war is 3,625, according to a CNN count. (Posted 1:05 a.m.)

Steam pipe explosion near midtown Manhattan train station kills 1, injures 26

NEW YORK (CNN) -- One person died and 26 were injured Wednesday when a steam pipe burst, causing a transformer to explode and sending thick plumes of steam and ash into the air near Grand Central Terminal, officials in New York said.

The New York Fire Department told CNN three firefighters and one police officer were among the injured and were treated on scene for minor injuries. The other 22 injured were transported to various hospitals, said a fire department spokesman. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters that the person who died suffered from cardiac arrest. Bloomberg said the five blocks around the site were "frozen" because there may be asbestos in the air, released by the explosion.

Bellevue hospital received 14 people from the explosion site, including the individual that died, according to hospital administrator Larry Dugan. New York Presbyterian hospital said it had received three people with injuries related to the explosion. Two of those patients were critically injured.

ConEdison crews had inspected the pipes earlier in the day for vapor conditions, said company Chairman Kevin Burke, but they found nothing amiss during their inspection. -- From CNN's Katy Byron (Posted 10:20 p.m.) E-mail to a friend