The CNN Wire: Wednesday, July 25

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.

Strong earthquake rattles eastern Indonesia

(CNN) -- A magnitude-6.7 earthquake shook the Molucca Sea in eastern Indonesia Thursday afternoon, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and no tsunami warning was issued.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck about 1:40 p.m. local time (1:40 a.m. EDT). Its epicenter was about 1,560 miles east-northeast of Jakarta, the Indonesian capital. The quake was centered about 28 miles below the Earth's surface. (Posted 2:35 a.m.)

More than 50 insurgents killed in Afghan fighting

(CNN) -- More than 50 insurgents were killed in a 12-hour battle pitting Taliban militants against Afghan security forces and coalition troops in restive southern Afghanistan, the coalition statement released Thursday said.

The fighting took place just north of the village of Qal'eh-ye Gaz, in northern Helmand province, where NATO and Afghan forces have been squaring off with Taliban militants.

The coalition said militants based in 16 compounds fired at an Afghan patrol, using rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns and small-arms weapons.

Afghan and coalition forces returned fire and summoned warplanes, which dropped two bombs on the compounds that had "the greatest concentration of insurgents."

According to the coalition, there were no reports of major injuries to civilians, Afghan security or coalition forces. The fighting ended early Thursday. (Posted 2:15 a.m.)

Gonzales testimony about 2004 meeting under scrutiny

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' Senate testimony Tuesday about a 2004 meeting with congressional leaders over a disputed intelligence program is under increasing scrutiny because of a memo that appears to contradict what he said under oath about what prompted the meeting.

Under questioning from the Senate Judiciary Committee, Gonzales said that on March 10, 2004 -- when he was White House counsel -- he and other officials met at the White House with eight top congressional leaders after Deputy Attorney General James Comey refused to approve "continuation of a very important intelligence activity."

In his testimony, Gonzales refused to discuss what that the intelligence activity was, but he testified the dispute with Comey that prompted the meeting -- and a subsequent visit to then-Attorney General John Ashcroft in his hospital bed -- was not over a controversial program to monitor communications with terror suspects overseas without warrants.

However, the White House meeting appears on a list of briefings about the terrorist surveillance program provided to Congress by National Intelligence Director John Negroponte in 2006.

Justice Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse said Wednesday night that while he was aware of the Negroponte memo, Gonzales "stands by his testimony." (Posted 10:40 a.m.)

Taliban threaten to kill more South Korean hostages if demands aren't met

KABUL (CNN) -- One of 23 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan has been killed, but those still being held could be executed by early morning if demands by Taliban militants aren't met, a Taliban spokesman told CNN.

Police in southeastern Ghazni province confirmed that the dead man's bullet-riddled body was found in the Qara Bagh district where the Koreans were kidnapped on Thursday.

The man was identified as Bae Hyung-Kyu, 42, a pastor at the church attended by the hostages and the leader of their group, according to a South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman.

South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun's office said reports that eight South Korean hostages had been released were erroneous, saying officials in Seoul believe the remaining 22 hostages are in Taliban custody. (Posted 9:52 p.m.)

House says no to permanent bases in Iraq, again

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House overwhelmingly approved a measure Wednesday to prohibit funds establishing a permanent U.S. military base in Iraq, even though similar measures have already been signed into law.

"This legislation clearly signals that the United States does not seek a permanent military presence in Iraq," said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. "This action is necessary to clarify confusing and contradictory statements from the administration regarding our nation's long-term strategic relationship with Iraq."

Democratic sponsors of the bill contend that President Bush and members of his administration have given vague and conflicting statements about the future of American bases in Iraq. They point to a press conference on Oct. 25 during which the president said, "Any decisions on permanency in Iraq will be made by the Iraqi government," and to a contrasting statement on Feb. 7 from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who said, regarding who will decide how long American forces will remain in Iraq: "We will make that decision." (Posted 5:58 p.m.)

Disney to cut back its cigarette habit, or kick it altogether

(CNN) -- The Walt Disney Co. announced Wednesday it will discourage depictions of cigarette smoking in Disney, Touchstone and Miramax films, making it the nation's first producer of major motion pictures to take the pledge.

"In particular, we expect that depictions of cigarette smoking in future Disney-branded films will be non-existent," said Robert A. Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Co., in a letter to Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., who last month held a hearing about the link between smoking on screen and among children.

Disney will also place an anti-smoking public-service announcement on future DVDs of any films that include cigarette smoking and will work with theater owners to show the PSA before the exhibition of any such film, Iger said.

But, he added, "Cigarette smoking is a unique problem and this PSA effort is not a precedent for any other issue." (Posted 5:28 p.m.)

Passenger who missed flight allegedly made bomb threat against plane

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A passenger who missed a Northwest Airlines flight that departed Seattle Wednesday afternoon en route Memphis allegedly made a fake bomb threat against the plane which forced it to turn back to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, FBI spokesman Rich Kolko said.

"There is no bomb on board," he said. The passenger, whose name was not released, was being questioned by the FBI.

The passenger could face unspecified charges. The flight was Northwest Flight 980, according to FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer. (Posted 4:53 p.m.)

Number of schools boycotting U.S. ranking system grows

NEW YORK (CNN) -- At least 61 small American colleges are joining together to boycott U.S. News and World Report's current college ranking system, and more expect to join, according to the non-profit organization sponsoring the petition.

At issue is the "reputation survey," a part of the ranking system that is filled out by the presidents of colleges included in the survey. A letter signed by the non-profit The Education Conservancy, and sent to hundreds of college presidents last May, asks colleges to refuse to fill out the U.S. News and World Report reputational survey and not to use the rankings in any promotional materials.

The letter, initially signed by 12 presidents in May, had gained 22 new co-signers by June and now has signatures of 61 college presidents.

Lloyd Thacker, executive director of The Educational Conservancy, told CNN that U.S. News and World Report's ranking system does not give students and parents the type of experience-based information they need when choosing an institution. (Posted 4:28 p.m.)

Taliban threaten to kill more South Korean hostages if demands aren't met

KABUL (CNN) -- One of 23 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan has been killed and, although eight have been released, the 14 still being held could be executed by early morning if demands by Taliban militants aren't met, a Taliban spokesman told CNN.

Police in southeastern Ghazni province confirmed that the dead man's bullet-riddled body was found in the Qara Bagh district where the Koreans were kidnapped on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a South Korean official in Washington said that eight of the hostages had been released. "We know for sure that eight of the South Korean hostages are at a U.S. base and safe," the official said.

A Taliban spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yousif Ahmadi, told CNN Wednesday it was probable that all of the remaining hostages would be killed by 1 a.m. Thursday local time (4:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday) if the demands weren't met. (Posted 3:43 p.m.)

Commission draft report recommends sweeping changes in care for wounded

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A presidential commission issued recommendations Wednesday that would change the way men and women wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan are treated and returned to military or civilian life -- the first such recommendations issued in more than half a century.

"Our recommendations will serve, support and simplify health care and rehabilitation for injured service men and women, and return them as quickly as possible to their military duties or to civilian life," said the report from the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors.

The recommendations include creating "a patient-centered recovery plan for each seriously injured service member" that would draw on a cadre of about 30 "recovery coordinators" who would guide and support service members through care, rehabilitation and disability programs, working to ensure none of their charges got lost in the system.

Each recovery coordinator would serve as a single point of contact for patients and families, helping eliminate delays and gaps in treatment and services, the 25-page report said. (Posted 3:37 p.m.)

Dallas gas explosions close interstates, cause evacuation

(CNN) -- A sequence of huge blasts at a business that distributes industrial gases rocked an area near downtown Dallas Wednesday morning. Two interstate highways and several other roads were closed as authorities sealed off the area.

Video showed flames and black smoke shooting into the air across an area of several blocks and shrapnel being tossed across a wide area. Some of the shrapnel -- the size of garbage can lids -- landed on a busy interstate interchange nearby. Several vehicles on surrounding surface streets were set on fire.

An hour after the initial explosions, most of the fires had died down but smoke was still drifting across the area. At least two people were seriously injured and were being treated in the hospital.

A Dallas Fire Department spokesman said it is believed the business owner had been filling an acetylene tank on a truck when there was a "pigtail malfunction" -- a malfunction in a series of tubes connecting one tank to another. The gas discharged with such force that it caught fire and ignited, starting a chain reaction that led to the fiery blasts. (Posted 2:56 p.m.)

Fred Thompson says campaign 'on track' despite adviser's resignation

HOUSTON (CNN) -- Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson said Wednesday the resignation of a top adviser to his embryonic presidential campaign was just part of the process of mounting a White House bid.

Veteran Republican campaign adviser Tom Collamore quit his position at Friends of Fred Thompson on Tuesday. He told CNN he was prepared to stay on in an official capacity, but respected the wishes of Thompson and his wife, Jeri, "to make some changes as they move to the next level."

"These are the kinds of things you do as you go along," Thompson told reporters after a meeting with supporters at Houston's Hobby Airport. "You make adjustments as you go along. ... We're on track in that regard."

Thompson has yet to formally declare his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination, but formed a fund-raising committee in June. He said Wednesday a decision to run would be made and announced "in the not-so-distant future." (Posted 2:36 p.m.)

U.S. commander expects coalition troop presence in northern Iraq through next year

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- The top U.S. commander in charge of troops in northern Iraq says that a coalition troop presence will be surely be needed in his region over the next year and a half.

But Maj. Gen. Benjamin Mixon told CNN on Wednesday that it is possible the current number of coalition troops in the north could drop by sometime next year.

Mixon, commander of Task Force Lightning, was interviewed by CNN's Wolf Blitzer in a segment taped for "The Situation Room."

"As I look at my area, I certainly can see we will need some level of troop presence by well into 2009. The numbers will depend on the situation," Mixon said. (Posted 2:03 p.m.)

Two car bombs in Baghdad strike soccer celebrants, at least 50 dead

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- At least 50 people died and scores were wounded Wednesday when deadly car bombs struck throngs of Iraqis celebrating their national team's latest soccer victory in the Asian Cup games.

In the southeastern neighborhood of the Baghdad neighborhood of Ghadir, a car bomb killed at least 20 people and wounded at least 60, the Interior Ministry source told CNN. The location is near an Iraqi army checkpoint, and some of the casualties were soldiers.

And, a suicide car bomb killed at least 30 people and wounded 75 in the Mansour district of the western section of the capital, an Interior Ministry official said.

Meanwhile, people shooting guns in the air in celebration led to the deaths of two people and the wounding of 12 across the capital city, the ministry said. (Posted 1:45 p.m.)

More than 20 insurgents killed in Afghan fighting

(CNN) -- More than 20 insurgents were killed in fighting Wednesday in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province, the U.S.-led coalition said.

Militants in three compounds using rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns and small arms ambushed Afghan security forces accompanied by coalition troops near the village of Chenar Tu.

The troops returned fire and coalition aircraft bombed the compounds and insurgents near them.

This comes amid efforts by Taliban militants "to reassert their presence in northern Kandahar" after recent defeats in the field, the coalition said. (Posted 12:55 p.m.)

French, British soldiers killed in eastern Afghanistan

PARIS (CNN) -- A French and a British soldier died Wednesday in fighting in Afghanistan.

A French army officer in eastern Afghanistan died Wednesday after an attack, the French Defense Ministry confirmed. The ministry said the incident took place in Wardak province. The officer was accompanying an Afghan army unit as a trainer. Nearly a dozen French troops have died in the Afghan conflict.

A British soldier was killed and two were wounded in a blast in the outskirts of Sangin in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province. "The soldiers had been taking part in a routine patrol and were returning to their patrol base when the explosion struck their Vector vehicle," the Defense Ministry said. Sixty-five British troops have been killed in the Afghan conflict. (Posted 12:28 p.m.)

Two bomb attacks in Baghdad strike soccer celebrants, at least 17 dead

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Deadly car bombs targeted throngs of Iraqis who spilled into a Baghdad streets on Wednesday to cheer their national team's latest soccer victory in the Asian Cup games.

A suicide car bomb killed at least 10 people and wounded 62 in the Mansour district of the western section of the capital, an Interior Ministry official said.

Later, in the southeastern neighborhood of Ghadir, a car bomb killed at least seven and wounded at least 27, the same Interior Ministry source told CNN.

Meanwhile, people shooting guns in the air in celebration led to the deaths of two people and the wounding of 12 across the capital city, the ministry said. (Posted 12:21 p.m.)

House panel recommends contempt citations for Miers, Bolten

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday voted to recommend that Congress issue contempt citations to a former and a current White House official for failing to comply with subpoenas issued in the investigation into the firings of eight U.S. attorneys last year.

The panel voted 22 to 17 on a resolution to cite former Counsel Harriet Miers and Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten. Their decision now goes to the House floor for a vote.

A Democratic leadership aide told CNN the full House is unlikely to take up the issue before its August recess.

"This is not a step that as chairman I take easily or lightly, but it is one I believe necessary -- not only to allow us to gain an accurate picture but to protect our constitutional prerogatives as a co-equal branch of government," said committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., at the start of the meeting. (Posted 12:18 p.m.)

House investigators looking into Tillman's death want to talk to former White House staffers

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House Oversight Committee is calling on four former White House staff members to talk about when and how the Bush administration knew that Corp. Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire.

The committee's chairman, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and its ranking member, Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., sent a letter Tuesday to White House counsel Fred Fielding saying the committee planned to "interview or depose" President Bush's former communications assistant Dan Bartlett; former speechwriting assistant Michael Gerson; former fact-checking director John Currin; and former spokesman Taylor Gross.

The letter also requested the White House provide the committee a series of e-mail exchanges between White House officials and others, as well as drafts of Bush's remarks about Tillman at the White House correspondents dinner on May 1, 2004.

"While these communications do not explain when or how the White House learned that Corporal Tillman died from friendly fire, they do appear to demonstrate that White House staff was acutely sensitive about responding appropriately to Corporal Tillman's death and are important to our investigation," the letter stated. (Posted 12:15 p.m.)

Taliban kill S. Korean hostage, threaten to kill others if demands aren't met

KABUL (CNN) -- One of the 23 South Korean hostages in Afghanistan has been killed and the rest could be executed by early morning if demands by Taliban militants aren't met, a Taliban spokesman told CNN.

Police in southeastern Ghazni province confirmed that the man's bullet-riddled body was found in the Qara Bagh district where the Koreans were kidnapped on Thursday.

"We found a male dead body of a South Korean who has got 10 bullet holes in his body, bullet holes from head to toe," said provincial police chief Gen. Ali Shah Ahmadzai.

Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousif Ahmadi told CNN Wednesday the hostage was killed because Taliban demands, which included a prisoner release and withdrawal of 200 non-combat South Korean forces from the country, hadn't been met. And, he said, it was probable that all of the remaining hostages would be killed by 1 a.m. Thursday (4:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday) if the demands weren't met. (Posted 12:10 p.m.)

Time for annual Chincoteague pony swim

(CNN ) -- Animal lovers gathered Wednesday on Chincoteague Island, Virginia, for the 81st annual Chincoteague pony swim.

The wild ponies that make their home on nearby Assateague Island, Maryland, will be herded across the 200-yard Assateague channel to Chincoteague, where they will be paraded through the middle of the town.

The ponies are a major tourist attraction for the small island, and their annual parade is accompanied by horse races, pony rides and other festivities.

The ponies will be penned and on Thursday the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company will auction off some of the younger members of the herd, too alleviate overpopulation on the island. (Posted 11:54 a.m.)

Suicide bomber in Baghdad strikes soccer celebrants, killing 5

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A suicide bomb was detonated in a crowd of Iraqis who had spilled into a Baghdad street Wednesday to cheer their national team's latest soccer victory in the Asian Cup games.

The Interior Ministry said at least five people were killed and 15 were wounded in the blast, in the Mansour district in the western section of the capital.

Also, random gunfire across the capital led to the deaths of two people and the wounding of 12, the ministry said.

Thousands of celebrants were elated about Iraq's victory over South Korea, which catapulted the Iraqi team to the cup finals for the first time. The team defeated the Korean Republic 4-3 in a penalty shootout in a semifinal game at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Wednesday night in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Iraq and Saudi Arabia play for the championship in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sunday. (Posted 11:33 a.m.)

Freed Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian doctor look forward to getting back to normal life

(CNN) -- Looking wan and pale, two of the Bulgarian nurses and the Palestinian doctor freed from prison in Libya told reporters at a news conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, Wednesday that they are looking forward to returning to their normal lives after more than eight years in jail.

"We want to forget all that was in these eight and a half years ... start living our new life," said Kristiana Valcheva.

Two other Bulgarian nurses also were convicted, along with the other medical personnel, of having infected more than 400 Libyan children with the HIV virus, and all had been sentenced to die in Libyan courts on three occasions.

Their sentences were commuted to life in prison last week, following $1 million payouts to each of the families of the 460 HIV victims. (Posted 11:24 a.m.)

Autopsy reveals Connecticut mother was strangled, 2 daughters died in fire; murder charges expected

CHESHIRE, Conn. (CNN) -- Murder charges are expected to be filed against two suspects in the gruesome home invasion that left a mother and her two daughters dead and their father seriously injured.

Autopsy results revealed that Jennifer Hawke-Petit, 48, was strangled to death, while her two daughters -- Hayley, 17, and Michaela, 11 -- died from smoke inhalation, according to the state's Department of Public Safety.

The state's chief medical examiner ruled all three deaths were homicides.

Steven Hayes, 44, and Joshua Komisarjevsky, 26, were apprehended outside the Petit's home in Cheshire and face dozens of charges, including aggravated sexual assault, burglary and arson. Cheshire police Lt. Jay Markella told CNN Wednesday he "fully anticipates murder charges at some point," but gave no timeline. (Posted 10:57 a.m.)

Existing U.S. homes sales disappointing for June

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The pace of existing home sales in the United States fell even more than expected in June, according to the latest reading on the state of the battered real estate market, although year-over-year price comparison showed the first uptick in nearly a year.

Sales of existing homes slowed to an annual pace of 5.75 million in June, according to the National Association of Realtors, compared with the revised 5.98 million sales pace in May. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com had forecast that sales would slow to a 5.9 million pace.

But the median price of a home sold in the month edged up 0.3 percent compared to a year ago to $230,100. It was the first time since July 2006 that there has been a gain in that closely watched price measure. The June price jumped 3.3 percent compared to May. (Posted 10:36 a.m.)

French soldier killed in eastern Afghanistan

PARIS (CNN) -- A French army officer in eastern Afghanistan died on Wednesday after an attack, the French Defense Ministry confirmed.

The ministry said the incident took place in Wardak province.

Earlier, NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan said one of its soldiers was killed in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in the east. It didn't disclose the soldier's nationality, but French forces are among the many nations serving with NATO in Afghanistan.

Nearly a dozen French troops have died in the Afghan conflict. (Posted 10:25 a.m.)

Taliban say more S. Korean hostages will be killed if demands aren't met

KABUL (CNN) -- The South Korean hostages in Afghanistan could be executed by early morning if demands by Taliban militants aren't met after the group said one of the 23 hostages was killed.

Taliban spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yousif Ahmadi, said Wednesday the man was killed because Taliban demands, which included a prisoner release and withdrawal of 200 non-combat South Korean forces from the country, hadn't been met.

And, he said, it was probable that all of the remaining hostages would be killed by 1 a.m. Thursday local time (4:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday) if the demands weren't met.

Seoul had been planning to withdraw the troops by year's end. (Posted at 9:50 a.m.)

2 arrested in Spain for collaboration with Islamic terrorist group

MADRID (CNN) -- Spanish police have arrested two Syrian-born men in Madrid for collaboration with an Islamic terrorist group, including one who was acquitted two years ago at a major trial of al Qaeda suspects in Spain, the country's Interior Ministry announced Wednesday.

The man who is now in custody a second time was identified as Bassam Dalati Satut, 48.

Satut was acquitted in 2005 of belonging to a terrorist group at a trial in which 18 of the 24 defendants were convicted of Islamic terrorist activities, court records show.

In the latest operation, Satut and the other suspect, Samer Dabbas, 30 -- both born in Aleppo, Syria -- were arrested Tuesday, but the Interior Ministry did not announce their arrests until Wednesday. (Posted 9:38 a.m.)

Taliban, local Afghan official confirm death of 1 South Korean hostage

KABUL (CNN) -- One of the South Korean hostages in Afghanistan has been killed by Taliban militants, according to a local Afghan official and a Taliban spokesman.

Taliban spokesman, Qari Mohammad Yousif Ahmadi, told CNN the man was killed because Taliban demands, which included a prisoner release and withdrawal of South Korean troops from the country, hadn't been met.

He said it was probable that all of the remaining hostages would be killed by 1 a.m. Thursday local time (4:30 p.m. EDT) if the demands weren't met.

The governor of Ghazni province's Qara Bagh district, Khawaja Mohammad Siddiqi, told CNN the man was very ill and could not be taken to a hospital. Ghazni province is in southeastern Afghanistan. (Posted 9:35 a.m.)

Afghan official: Kidnapped German journalist in eastern Afghanistan freed

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- A German journalist kidnapped in eastern Afghanistan has been freed, the Kunar province governor told CNN.

The German news magazine Stern earlier on Wednesday said Christoph Reuter, 39, and his Afghan translator were missing and feared kidnapped.

There is no word about the status of the Afghan translator.

Reuter has worked for the Hamburg-based publication since 2002 and has previously reported from Afghanistan and Iraq, and has written a book on suicide bombers. (Posted 9:01 a.m.)

IRNA report: Top Iranian diplomat broaches issue of higher-level U.S.-Iran talks on Iraq.

(CNN) -- Iran's foreign minister on Wednesday said his country "will consider the question of Iran-U.S. talks on Iraq" at a diplomatic notch higher than the current ambassadorial-level discussions, according to a report in Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki broached the possibility of deputy foreign ministers meeting over Iraq, IRNA reported. He made the remark while speaking to reporters at the end of a Cabinet session, the state-run news agency said.

"The issue can be considered if a formal request is received from the U.S. side," said Mottaki was quoted as saying. (Posted 6:57 a.m.)

5 killed in Alaska sightseeing plane crash

(CNN) -- Rescue authorities reported all five people aboard a small sightseeing plane died when it crashed in a mountainous area of southeast Alaska on Tuesday, a Princess Cruises spokeswoman said.

The five included the plane's pilot and four Sun Princess cruise ship passengers who were on a seven-day round-trip cruise from Seattle, Julie Benson said in a press statement.

According to Benson, the pilot sent out a distress signal late Tuesday afternoon while on a planned tour of Misty Fjords National Monument, which is south of Juneau, near Ketchikan.

When the single-engine DeHavilland Beaver did not return, "rescue helicopters were dispatched," Benson said. "... These helicopters subsequently spotted the float plane which ... crashed in rugged terrain." (Posted 6:40 a.m)

Controversial Turkish FM Gul won't rule out another run for presidency

(CNN) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, whose presidential nomination sparked massive protests three months ago, said Wednesday he would not rule out another run for the post.

"There's not a condition where I won't be a candidate," Gul said, when asked if he would seek the post. He was questioned at a news conference in Ankara.

Turkey's main opposition party, the Republican People's Party, stood by its refusal to support a Gul candidacy.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party -- which has Islamist roots -- claimed a new five-year mandate from Turkish voters in Sunday's elections after results showed it winning a slightly reduced majority in parliament. (Posted 6:33 a.m.)

German journalist missing, feared kidnapped

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- A German journalist and his Afghan translator are missing and feared kidnapped after disappearing in eastern Afghanistan's Kunar province, according to a statement Wednesday from the journalist's employer, the German news magazine Stern.

Christoph Reuter, 39, has worked for the Hamburg-based publication since 2002 and has previously reported from Afghanistan and Iraq, and has written a book on suicide bombers.

According to Stern, Reuter left Kabul for Jalalabad on Monday, but has not contacted the magazine for several days. The statement said Stern was concerned for his welfare. (Posted 6:33 a.m.)

Coalition forces detain suspected al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- U.S.-led coalition forces detained 20 suspected terrorists Wednesday in early morning raids across the country targeting al Qaeda in Iraq, a U.S. military statement said.

"With every operation coalition forces conduct we are further degrading and destroying the al Qaeda in Iraq network," said Multi-National Force - Iraq spokesman Maj. Marc Young. "Al Qaeda and its foreign leadership seek only to bring violence and fear to the Iraqi people in its attempt to prevent a secure and democratic Iraq."

The raids took place in Baghdad, Mosul and Tarmiya, according to the statement. (Posted 4:35 a.m.)

Clinton, Obama spar on sitting down with anti-U.S. leaders

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The question at Monday night's Democratic debate was straightforward: Should the next president of the United States sit down, without preconditions, with the leaders of Cuba, Iran, Syria, Venezuela and North Korea during his or her first year in office, in an effort to bridge the sharp divisions between those countries and the United States?

Sen. Barack Obama said yes. Hillary Clinton said no. And those responses set off a tempest Tuesday between their two campaigns that later escalated into some pointed comments from the candidates themselves in interviews with an Iowa newspaper.

"I thought it was irresponsible and, frankly, naive to say that he would commit to meeting with Chavez and Castro within the first year," Clinton told the Quad City Times, referring to the Venezuelan and Cuba leaders. "I think Senator Obama gave an answer that I believe he's regretting today." (Posted 10:08 p.m.) E-mail to a friend