The CNN Wire: Thursday Aug 23

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.

Nicole Richie spends 82 minutes in jail on DUI charge

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Reality show star Nicole Richie was released from jail Thursday afternoon after serving 82 minutes to fulfill her sentence on a DUI charge, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.

According to authorities, Richie checked in at Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California, at 3:15 p.m. (6:15 p.m. ET) and was released at 4:37 p.m. (7:37 p.m. ET). Lynwood is the same jail her "The Simple Life" co-star Paris Hilton served 22 days in jail on a parole violation on a 2006 reckless driving conviction.

Last month, the 25-year-old celebrity was sentenced to four days in jail, given three years probation and fined $2,048 by a judge who said she was lucky nobody was killed when she drove the wrong way on a freeway late last year. Richie admitted to taking Vicodin and smoking marijuana before the incident, police said.

She was also ordered to enroll in a second-offender drug and alcohol program and must prove that she completed it by February 20, 2008. (Posted 11:55 p.m.)

Chicago severe weather leaves 300K powerless; 500 flights canceled

CHICAGO (CNN) -- A line of severe thunderstorms that took hours to move through the Chicago area Thursday knocked out power to more than 300,000 customers and forced the cancellation of more than 500 flights out of the city's two airports, officials said.

As of 8:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. ET)., more than 310,000 customers were without power in the metropolitan area, according to Luis Diaz, spokesman for Commonwealth Edison. "These numbers are subject to change because the storms are still active," Diaz said.

The hardest-hit area was the city's north and northwest suburbs, where some 162,500 customers were without power.

At Chicago O'Hare International Airport, more than 500 flights were canceled, along with some at Midway Airport, according to Gregg Cunningham, spokesman for the city's Department of Aviation. Delays at O'Hare were averaging more than two hours Thursday night and up to two hours at Midway, he said. (Posted 10:15 p.m.)

Poll: Californians support electoral vote switch that could alter 2008 race

(CNN) -- California voters are inclined to support a proposed ballot measure that Democratic leaders fear could doom the party's chances of winning back the White House in 2008 by giving Republicans a chunk of the state's large block of Electoral College votes, according to results of a poll released this week.

By a margin of 47 percent to 35 percent, the Field Poll found voters supported a GOP-inspired ballot measure replacing the state's winner-take-all method for awarding electoral votes with a system that would give one vote to the candidate who won the most votes in each of the state's 53 congressional districts and two votes to the statewide winner.

Had that system been in place in 2004, President Bush, who lost California to the Democratic nominee, Sen. John Kerry, would still have captured 22 of the state's 55 electoral votes. Under the winner-take-all system, Kerry got them all.

The proposed change would be damaging to Democrats, who have come to rely on California's block of votes -- the largest haul available in any state -- as part of their arithmetic to get to an Electoral College majority. For instance, in 2004, if Bush had taken those 22 California electoral votes, he would not have needed to carry the pivotal state of Ohio, with 20 electoral votes, to go over the top. (Posted 7:57 p.m.)

Sudan kicks out Canadian, European Union diplomats

(CNN) -- Sudan has given notice to Canada's charge d'affaires in the country to leave in the next "several days," a spokesman for the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade told CNN.

The Sudanese government gave no reason for expelling diplomat Nuala Lawlor, said spokesman Rodney Moore.

"As far as we know, Nuala stood up for what this country stands for -- freedom, democracy, and the rule of law," Moore said. "We asked the Sudanese government why and we are still waiting for an answer."

Earlier, Sudan's official news agency, SUNA, reported that the government had given notices to leave to the top Canadian and European Union diplomats, saying their activities constitute an interference into the internal affairs of Sudan. SUNA cited Khartoum's Foreign Ministry for the information. (Posted 7:45 p.m.)

Attorney: US pilots won't testify in Brazil about deadly 2006 crash

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Two American pilots indicted on manslaughter-related charges stemming from a mid-air collision between the corporate jet they were piloting and a Brazilian airliner will not travel to Brazil to testify but are willing to provide testimony from America, the pilots' lawyer, Joel R. Weiss, said Thursday.

The luxury Embraer Legacy 600 jet which Joe Lepore and Jan Paladino were piloting clipped a Gol Airlines Boeing 737 on Sept. 29, causing the larger jet to crash into the remote Amazon jungle, killing all 154 on board. The smaller jet made an emergency landing after the collision with a wingtip missing.

Weiss cited the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty which he said provides his clients the right to testify from their home country. Theo Diass, the pilots' Brazilian attorney, will appear before a Brazilian judge on Aug. 27 and ask that the two men be able to provide a video or written testimony.

However, a Brazilian court spokesman Fabio Paz told CNN that the interrogation of the Americans must take place in Brazil. If the request to testify from home is denied, Weiss said they plan to appeal.

-- From CNN's David Miller (Posted 6:52 p.m.)

Arizona Republican congressman to retire

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Rick Renzi, an Arizona Republican first elected in 2002, will retire when the 110th Congress comes to a close in 2008.

Renzi is the fifth Republican in recent months to announce plans to leave Congress. Ohio Rep. Deborah Pryce, Illinois Rep. Ray LaHood, Mississippi Rep. Chip Pickering and Illinois Rep. Dennis Hastert have also said they will not seek reelection. Hastert served as House speaker before Democrats took back control of the House in 2006.

Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole, who chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee, said it will be one of his top priorities to keep this Arizona seat in GOP hands.

Renzi has been under an ethical cloud ever since a family business was raided earlier this year by the FBI, which is investigating whether he used his federal office for personal gain. Renzi has never admitted to wrongdoing.

-- By CNN Political Editor Mark Preston (Posted 6:34 p.m.)

Pentagon's PR operation soon to be 24/7

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Three weeks before the Bush Administration is scheduled to report on progress in Iraq, the Pentagon public affairs apparatus appears to be going on an around-the-clock war footing.

CNN has obtained a memo from Dorrance Smith, assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, telling his staff that an "Iraq Communications Desk" will be established and staffed around the clock.

Smith is the senior DOD official for dealing with the news media but has never held a public press briefing and has repeatedly declined to deal with reporters on daily news matters.

Under former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Smith had begun a daily operation to write letters to editors around the country, offering corrections to news stories the Pentagon disagreed with, but that operation was stopped when Defense Secretary Robert Gates took office in December.

-- From CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr (Posted 6:05 p.m.)

Edwards warns against Democratic 'nostalgia' for Clinton in sweeping attack

HANOVER, N.H. (CNN) -- Democratic presidential contender John Edwards launched a veiled but sweeping attack on front-running rival Sen. Hillary Clinton on Thursday, warning supporters against "nostalgia" and "corporate Democrats."

Without mentioning the former first lady by name, Edwards urged New Hampshire voters to reject "establishment elites" and "outdated answers" to today's issues. And the 2004 vice presidential nominee blasted a Washington system he said was "rigged" in favor of corporations, wealthy interests and politicians who "carry their water."

Clinton, the New York senator, leads the 2008 Democratic field in national polls and in critical early states like New Hampshire. She often touts the successes of her husband's two terms on the campaign trail, as does the former president.

But Edwards told a Hanover rally Democrats can't "triangulate" major issues such as trade, tax-code reforms and health care -- invoking a Clinton-era Democratic buzzword used to describe Bill Clinton's efforts to fashion a moderate "third way" on controversial issues. (Posted 5:43 p.m.)

Drill instructor arraigned for alleged abuse

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A drill instructor at a military recruiting station in San Diego has been charged with multiple counts of abusing recruits, a spokeswoman for the Marine Corps recruiting station in San Diego said Thursday.

Sgt. Jerrod M. Glass, a drill instructor, was arraigned in San Diego Wednesday and faces a total of 225 counts, according to Maj. Kristen Lasica (prono: la-see-ka). The charges included 91 counts of assault, as well as counts of cruelty and maltreatment, failure to obey a lawful order and property violations.

The commanding general of the recruiting station in San Diego, Brig. Gen. Angela Salinas, has contacted families of Glass' alleged victims to tell them these incidents are unacceptable and to assure them the situation is being dealt with, according to a senior Marine Corps official

Glass' lawyer was unavailable for comment.

-- From CNN Correspondent Brianna Keilar (Posted 4:55 p.m.)

Sources: Israeli air strike kills 1, injures another

GAZA CITY (CNN) -- An Israeli air strike killed a Hamas militant and injured a second Thursday, according to Palestinian sources.

The air strike occurred east of Gaza, the sources said.

An Israeli army spokesman said he was unaware of any air strike in Gaza. (Posted 4:42 p.m.)

Equipment falls onto construction shedding at NY fire site; 2 injured

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Two New York firefighters were injured Thursday when a piece of equipment plummeted from the 23rd floor of an abandoned building undergoing demolition -- the site of a deadly fire this weekend that killed two other firefighters -- the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation said.

The LDMC said a pallet jack crashed onto construction shedding that covers the sidewalk to protect people on the ground. The injured firefighters were on the ground, he said, but it was unclear if they were directly beneath the shedding.

The New York Fire Department initially said that scaffolding collapsed at the abandoned Deutsche Bank building, which was badly damaged by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. More than 50 firefighters were injured Saturday when the seven-alarm fire broke out.

One of the firefighters injured Thursday suffered a contusion to the head, and the other had less serious injuries, the FDNY said. They were taken to a hospital for treatment. Neither sustained life-threatening injuries.

The LDMC said that all work had stopped at the site, which was already under a work stop order except for clean-up work from the fire. (Posted 4:35 p.m.)

Ex-astronaut's lawyer wants judge to suppress evidence in assault case

ORLANDO, Fla. (CNN) -- The lawyer for former NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak, accused of assaulting a romantic rival, will ask a judge Friday to throw out her statements to police, suppress evidence collected from her car and remove her ankle-bracelet monitor.

The pre-trial hearing, during which witnesses will be called -- and Nowak may testify -- is set to start at 9 a.m. ET in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.

NASA ended Nowak's assignment as an astronaut in March after she allegedly assaulted Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman, who was dating Nowak's former boyfriend, Navy Cmdr. Bill Oefelein.

Nowak, a captain in the U.S. Navy, is alleged to have driven nearly 900 miles from Houston to Orlando, wearing adult diapers to cut down on the number of stops she needed to make, in order to confront Shipman, according to an initial police report. (Posted 4:04 p.m.)

Leading Senate Republican calls for Iraq pullout to start

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- One of the Senate's top Republicans has called on President Bush to start bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq by Christmas, telling reporters Thursday that a pullout was needed to spur Iraqi leaders to action.

Sen. John Warner, the influential former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he has recommended that Bush announce the beginning of a U.S. withdrawal in mid-September, after a report from the top U.S. officials in Iraq.

Warner met at the White House on Thursday with Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute, the White House official responsible for coordinating Iraq issues. He said the president and other leading Bush administration officials have repeatedly said the American commitment to Iraq was not open-ended, and "The time has come to put some meaningful teeth into those comments -- to back them up with some clear, decisive action." (Posted 3:29 p.m.)

3 plead not guilty to new charges in disappearance of teenager

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Not guilty pleas were entered today for new charges against the three people accused of the kidnapping and disappearance of a 15-year-old Connecticut girl found locked in a storage room.

Adam Gault, 41, Kimberly Cray, 26, and Ann Murphy, 40, have pleaded not guilty to a variety of charges over the past two months. Today they pleaded not guilty to the following:

Gault: kidnapping in 1st degree, conspiracy to commit kidnapping in 1st degree, sexual assault 2nd degree, another count of sexual assault 2nd degree, 2 counts of risk of injury to a minor, 2 counts of conspiracy to commit risk to minor.

Cray: kidnapping 1st degree, conspiracy to kidnap 1st degree, hindering prosecution, and risk of injury to a minor.

Murphy: kidnapping 1st degree, conspiracy to commit kidnapping 1st degree, risk of injury to a minor, hindering prosecution. (Posted 3:26 p.m.)

Scaffolding collapses at site of deadly NY fire; 2 injured

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A scaffolding collapse Thursday at the site of an deadly fire this weekend left two firefighters injured, according to a spokesman for the New York Fire Department.

The abandoned Deutsche Bank building, damaged by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, was undergoing demolition when a seven-alarm fire broke out on Saturday, killing two firefighters and injuring more than 50.

The New York Department of Buildings ordered a halt to the demolition at the site, but removal of debris from the fire began earlier Thursday.

One of the firefighters injured Thursday suffered a contusion to the head, and the other had less serious injuries, the FDNY said. They were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Earlier reports that some construction workers were injured were incorrect. (Posted 3:17 p.m.)

Top GOP lobbying firm embarks on campaign to undermine al-Maliki government

CRAWFORD, Texas (CNN) -- A powerhouse Republican lobbying firm with close ties to the White House has begun a public campaign to undermine the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, CNN has confirmed.

This comes as President Bush is publicly taking great pains to reiterate his support for the embattled Iraqi leader, whose government has come under sharp criticism and scrutiny from Washington lawmakers and officials and today's National Intelligence Estimate.

A senior Bush administration official told CNN the White House is aware of the lobbying campaign by Barbour Griffith & Rogers because the firm is "blasting e-mails all over town" criticizing al-Maliki and promoting the firm's client, former interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, as an alternative to the current Iraqi leader.

But the administration official insisted that White House officials are not privately involved or blessing the lobbying campaign to undermine al-Maliki.

-- By CNN's Ed Henry (Posted 2:54 p.m.)

Scaffolding collapses and injures as many as 5 at building where 2 firefighters died Saturday

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A scaffolding collapse Thursday at the site of a building where two firefighters died Saturday left two firefighters and "at least two or three construction workers" injured, according to a spokesman for the New York Fire Department.

He did not know the extent of the injuries.

The injured firefighters were taken to a hospital for treatment, the spokesman said.

The Deutsche Bank building is on the edge of Ground Zero. Two FDNY firefighters died inside this weekend when fire ripped through the structure, which is being demolished. (Posted 2:29 p.m.)

Suspect in Newark shootings waives extradition

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A juvenile suspect in a triple slaying in Newark, N.J., waived extradition Thursday and will be returned to New Jersey from Virginia to face charges, according to prosecutors.

The 16-year-old suspect, whose name is being withheld, was arrested in Woodbridge, Va., on Saturday. His half-brother, Rodolfo Godinez, who was also arrested on Saturday, is still fighting extradition in Maryland.

Four other suspects, including two more juveniles, have been arrested in connection with the Aug. 4 execution-style killings of three college students in an elementary school parking lot. All four have pleaded not guilty. A fourth victim was shot in the head but survived.

According to Deputy Chief Kevin Ryan of the Essex County (N.J.) Sheriff's Office, it will likely take at least two days for the juvenile to be taken back to New Jersey. He appeared Thursday in the Prince William County Judicial Center in Manassas, Va., to waive his extradition.

As of now, the 16-year-old is being charged as a juvenile, officials said. Once he is back in New Jersey state custody, the prosecutor's office will have thirty days to file to have him tried as an adult.

-- From CNN's Sarah B. Boxer (Posted 2:28 p.m.)

Iran still pursuing nuclear weapons, intel report concludes

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A classified intelligence report on Iran concludes that Tehran will continue to pursue its nuclear weapons program, according to U.S. officials familiar with the report.

The assessment of the National Intelligence Estimate, one of two on Iran being prepared, is that the Islamic republic will continue to be "unhelpful" on a number of fronts despite public statements to the contrary, according to sources familiar with the report.

The United States accuses Iran of using a civilian nuclear energy program to develop nuclear weapons. Iran insists its work is aimed only at producing electricity, though it has refused a U.N. Security Council demand that it halt its production of enriched uranium -- which can be used to fuel nuclear power plants or, in much higher concentrations, to produce a nuclear bomb.

CNN has learned the classified NIEs, one on Iran's nuclear program and another on the country's social, political and economic situation, are expected to be sent to Capitol Hill next week by Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell. Unlike the NIE on Iraq, it is not expected that any declassified findings will be released, according to one official.

-- From CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr (Posted 2:27 p.m.)

French soldier killed in traffic accident in Kabul

(CNN) -- A French soldier was killed in a traffic accident on Thursday in the Afghan capital of Kabul, French Defense Ministry said.

The incident occurred in city's Shakardara district of Kabul, the ministry said.

This is the 11th soldier from France to die in the Afghan conflict. (Posted 2:26 p.m.)

Diyala troop offensive over; in other incidents, 3 die in attack, 1 in raid

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- The U.S. military announced the completion of a major operation in Iraq's volatile Diyala province, wracked by more violence on Thursday: attackers near Baquba shot dead three people, and U.S. troops operating north of that Diyala province capital killed an insurgent, officials said.

Diyala -- an ethnically and religiously mixed region that sprawls north and east of Baghdad and borders Iran -- has emerged as a major battleground in the Iraq war.

The U.S. military announced the conclusion of its latest operation in Diyala -- Lightning Hammer, a massive 12 day push that involved 16,000 Iraqi and coalition forces targeting al Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgents in the Diyala River Valley.

Here are the results: about 50 villages cleared, 26 al Qaeda members killed, 37 insurgents detained, and 10 weapons caches found. (Posted 1:40 p.m.)

2 killed, 12 hurt in Mosul car bombing; 9 police detained in southern Baghdad

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A car bomb in Mosul on Thursday killed two people and injured 12 others, police in that northern Iraqi city told CNN.

The incident occurred when a police officer saw a car with two people shot to death inside. Upon approaching the vehicle, the car exploded, killing the policeman and a civilian. Of the 12 other injured people, four were police officers. Mosul is in Nineveh province.

In the southern Baghdad district of Rashid, nine Iraqi police officers were arrested by U.S. soldiers on Tuesday in the southern Baghdad district of Rashid, the U.S. military said on Thursday.

Pakistani leader, a key U.S. ally, faces critical threat to rule

LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan's embattled leader, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, could face a key challenge to his rule in the coming months following the expected return of two major opposition leaders.

Pakistan's Supreme Court Thursday lifted the exile imposed on former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, ousted from power eight years ago by Musharraf in a bloodless coup. The move is expected to clear the way for Sharif to run for office in elections scheduled for later this year or early next year.

In addition, opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto also plans to return to Pakistan from self-imposed exile and take part in the upcoming elections.

While Bhutto has said she would consider a role in Musharraf's government if he abandons his post as army chief, Sharif ruled out that possibility at a news conference in London.

"I don't believe in power-sharing with Musharraf -- he is a dictator, we are democrats," Sharif said Thursday, shortly after the Pakistani court's ruling. "How can a democrat share power with a dictator?"

Speaking to CNN's Nic Robertson, Sharif said Thursday's ruling marked "a victory of democratic principles" and called on Musharraf to abandon his attempts to remain in power.

"He has to very clearly announce that he is no more a candidate for anything," Sharif said. (Posted 12:33 p.m.)

NIE: 'Iraqi political leaders remain unable to govern effectively'

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- The U.S. intelligence community's latest report on Iraq cites "measurable but uneven improvements in Iraq's security situation" but says, "Iraqi political leaders remain unable to govern effectively," and believes the government will be in a more "precarious" position in the coming months.

These are some of the key judgments in the latest National Intelligence Estimate, provided to the CNN from a congressional source. The estimate, titled "Prospects for Iraq's Stability: Some Security Progress but Political Reconciliation Elusive."

"Broadly accepted political compromises required for sustained security, long-term political progress, and economic development are unlikely to emerge unless there is a fundamental shift in the factors driving Iraqi political and security developments."

The report comes as pressure mounts on embattled Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the Shiite leader whose failure to achieve the top political goal of national reconciliation has produced widespread frustration in the Bush administration and Democratic-controlled Congress. (Posted 12:23 p.m.)

NIE: 'Iraqi political leaders remain unable to govern effectively'

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- The U.S. intelligence community's latest report on Iraq cites "measurable but uneven improvements in Iraq's security situation" but says "Iraqi political leaders remain unable to govern effectively."

These are some of the key judgments in the latest National Intelligence Estimate, provided to the CNN from a congressional source. The estimate, entitled "Prospects for Iraq's Stability: Some Security Progress but Political Reconciliation Elusive."

"Broadly accepted political compromises required for sustained security, long-term political progress, and economic development are unlikely to emerge unless there is a fundamental shift in the factors driving Iraqi political and security developments." (Posted 11:30 a.m.)

Today is deadline for owners to retrieve dogs in Vick case

(CNN) -- Thursday is the deadline for owners to retrieve any of the 53 pitbulls seized in April from the Virginia property owned by suspended Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who is accused of using them in vicious dogfights.

Prosecutors have asked a federal judge for permission to euthanise the animals, but it is not known when this will take place.

Owners have until 5 p.m. Thursday to claim dogs, said Mary Kay Hatton, division manager for the Clerk's Office at the U.S. Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. She said there was no indication a judge would rule on the prosecutors' request Thursday.

"We're not expecting anything right now," she told CNN.(Posted 10:46 a.m.)

Ex-boyfriend of murdered pregnant woman faces 7 counts in her death

(CNN) -- A police officer accused of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend will be arraigned Friday on seven charges related to her death, including three counts of aggravated murder that would bring a death penalty upon conviction, the Stark County (Ohio) prosecutor said Thursday.

Prosecutor John Ferrero announced the charges against Bobby Lee Cutts, Jr., in a news conference in Canton, Ohio.

Ferrero said the indictments were returned Wednesday by a grand jury against Cutts and a friend of his, Myisha Ferrell, in the death of Jessie Marie Davis.

Davis' body was found June 23 in Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Summit County, about 35 miles north of Canton, after a 10-day search.

Davis was only a few weeks away from her due date, which was in early July. Fetal remains were also found at the site, police said.

Ferrero said Cutts also faced one count of aggravated burglary, two counts of gross abuse of a corpse, and one count of child endangerment. (Posted 10:36 a.m.)

Latest Iraq assessment doubts Iraqi PM's leadership

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The intelligence community's latest assessment of the situation in Iraq expresses doubts about Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's leadership, according to administration officials who have seen the report.

The report's conclusion is that Maliki may not have the ability or capacity to "push forward' with legislative reforms, according to an administration official who has seen the National Intelligence Estimate.

The official said there are few, if any, surprises in the NIE.

On Thursday, the intelligence community is scheduled to brief reporters on some of the unclassified key findings of the report. The sources CNN spoke to were not sure whether all of the details they were discussing would appear in the unclassified version.

President Bush was briefed Monday on a classified version, which was also sent to members of Congress this week.

The report discusses security progress in Iraq, in particular in Anbar province, where some Sunni tribal leaders have turned against al Qaeda in Iraq, a second official said. That official had been briefed on the contents of the report but had not read it.

The NIE also expresses concern that insurgents are planning a Tet-like offensive prior to the September report to Congress by Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker. (Posted 8:48 a.m.)

Prosecutors to release more information in murder of pregnant Ohio woman

(CNN) -- Prosecutors in Canton, Ohio, Thursday will release more information regarding the murder of a pregnant woman whose ex-boyfriend -- a police officer -- is charged in connection with her death.

Stark County Prosecuting Attorney John Ferrero will hold a news conference on the matter at 10 a.m., a statement from his office said.

The body of Jessie Marie Davis, 26, was found June 23 in a northeastern Ohio park after a 10-day search. She was only a few weeks away from her due date. Fetal remains were also found at the site, police said.

Davis' former boyfriend, patrolman Bobby Cutts, was charged with two counts of murder in the case.

Cutts is the father of Davis' two-year-old son and authorities believe he was also the father of her unborn child.

Cutts, 29, is married and has two children with other women. He professed his innocence soon after Davis' disappearance. (Posted 8:47 a.m.)

Pakistani leader, a key U.S. ally, faces critical threat to rule

LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan's embattled leader, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, could face a key challenge to his rule in the coming months following the expected return of two major opposition leaders.

Pakistan's Supreme Court Thursday lifted the exile imposed on former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, ousted from power eight years ago by Musharraf in a bloodless coup. The move is expected to clear the way for Sharif to run for office in elections scheduled for later this year or early next year.

In addition, opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto also plans to return to Pakistan from self-imposed exile and take part in the upcoming elections.

Musharraf wielded a tight grip on power after imposing military rule in 1999, but has seen an increased backlash after failed attempts to control Islamic militants within the country's borders as well as his controversial suspension of the country's top judge in March.(Posted 8:46 a.m.)

U.S. soldier killed in roadside bomb blast west of Baghdad

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A roadside bomb explosion killed a U.S. soldier and wounded four others during combat operations west of the Iraqi capital on Wednesday, the U.S. military said.

All were from Multi-National Division-Baghdad.

The military said units operating in that area are conducting ongoing raids and clearing operations to "disrupt insurgent and militia elements."

The number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq stands at 3,723, with a total of 65 in August, according to a CNN count of Pentagon figures. (Posted 6:51 a.m.)

U.S. soldier killed in roadside bomb blast west of Baghdad

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A roadside bomb explosion killed a U.S. soldier and wounded four others during combat operations west of the Iraqi capital on Wednesday, the U.S. military said.

All were from Multi-National Division-Baghdad.

The military said units operating in that area are conducting ongoing raids and clearing operations to "disrupt insurgent and militia elements."

The number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq stands at 3,723, with a total of 65 in August, according to a CNN count of Pentagon figures. (Posted 5:15 a.m.)

14 U.S. soldiers killed in chopper crash based out of Hawaii, Washington

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- The 14 U.S. soldiers who died Wednesday when their helicopter crashed in northern Iraq were returning from a combat rescue mission and were based out of Hawaii and Washington, the U.S. military said Thursday.

The crash occurred in Kirkuk and, according to the military, was the result of a "mechanical malfunction" and not an attack.

All on board the downed chopper were members of the Army's Task Force Lightning, which operates across northern Iraq. The 14 included four crew members based at Fort Lewis, Washington and 10 passengers based at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, the military said.

Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters were "extracting ... soldiers from a combat mission" when one of the choppers went down. The crash "occurred shortly after takeoff after completing the ground portion of a night operation," according to the military. (Posted 5:12 a.m.)

Gunmen kill at least 3 in dual attack launched in central Iraq

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- At least three people were killed and 13 others were wounded Thursday morning when gunmen opened fire on a group of civilians and then a police checkpoint in central Iraq's restive Diyala Province, a security official in Diyala told CNN.

At least two people were killed and 10 others wounded when gunmen fired on a group of people in a village located near the provincial capital of Baquba, north of Baghdad.

The security official said gunmen then turned their attention to a nearby Iraqi police checkpoint, gunning down at least one police officer and wounding three others. (Posted 4:22 a.m.)

2 Canadian soldiers, 1 Afghan interpreter die in Afghanistan

(CNN) -- Two Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter died Thursday during security operations in southern Afghanistan, according to a statement Canadian Minister of National Defence Peter Gordon MacKay.

"I am deeply saddened by the loss of two Canadian soldiers who died today in Afghanistan," MacKay said. "Let us never forget these brave soldiers, whose self-sacrifice served to make life better for others."

Another Canadian soldier was wounded in the incident west of Kandahar, along with two members of the media.

MacKay said the soldiers were taking part in a joint operation to "further stabilize an area west of Kandahar City" in preparation for meetings with local elders.

NATO's International Security Assistance Force is trying to rid the area of the Taliban -- which used to rule Afghanistan before it was toppled by the U.S.-led coalition after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the United States.

Since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, 71 Canadian forces have died in Afghanistan. (Posted 4:21 a.m.)

German man kidnapped by Taliban appears in video, asks for help

(CNN) -- A German citizen kidnapped by Taliban insurgents more than a month ago in central Afghanistan appeared in a video Thursday imploring his family and government to do more in securing his release.

"I am a prisoner of the Taliban here in Afghanistan," said the man, who identified himself as Rudolf Blechschmidt. "I ask my friends, my family, my two sons to put more pressure on the German authorities in order to get us free."

Blechschmidt is one of two Germans and five Afghans who were seized by militants in Maidan Wardak province on July 18, a day before insurgents in neighboring Ghazni province abducted 23 South Koreans from a bus.

In the video, which aired on an Afghan TV station, Blechschmidt is shown dressed in a two-toned gray jacket sitting down, leaning on his right arm and clutching his chest with his left hand. (Posted 4:21 a.m.)

Hurricane Dean withers to tropical depression after 2nd landfall

TUXPAN, Mexico (CNN) -- Once a powerful Category 5 hurricane, Tropical Storm Dean was rapidly losing its punch Wednesday evening after battering Mexico's eastern coast in its second landfall near the key port city of Veracruz.

As of 10 p.m. (11 p.m. ET), Dean's maximum sustained winds had dropped to 35 mph, making it a tropical depression as it moved over the mountains of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said. It was moving west at near 21 mph.

"Dean is forecast to dissipate on Thursday," forecasters said, in the last advisory issued on Dean.

Dean made landfall near Tecolutla about 11:30 a.m. (12:30 p.m. ET) as a Category 2 storm with top winds of 100 mph. Although its winds were no longer much of a threat, officials continued to worry that the massive storm and heavy rainfall could trigger flooding and landslides.

Southern and central Mexico are expected to be inundated with 5 to 10 inches of rain -- while some areas could see 20 inches -- according to the NHC. (Posted 10:35 p.m.) E-mail to a friend