The CNN Wire: Wednesday, Sep. 26

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.

Buddhist monks absent as demonstrators turn out in droves in Yangon

(CNN) -- Thousands of protesters dotted the streets of Myanmar's largest city Thursday in peaceful protest against the ruling military junta, but missing from the crowd were the Buddhist monks that once made up a majority of demonstrators, Johan Hallenborg, a Swedish embassy official in Yangon told CNN.

Standing along a main road leading to the Sule Pagoda, Hallenborg told CNN by telephone that a huge crowd had gathered with protesters shouting and clapping their hands, but there were no monks in sight. The Sule Pagoda is a Buddhist monument and landmark in Yangon's city center.

"What we heard was that the police and the military have gone in and have contained monks in their temples," Hallenborg said. "A number have come in and arrested a number of monks. I can't confirm how many but it seems the monks are arrested or confined in the pagodas."

Since last week, thousands of monks, barefoot and dressed in red robes, have taken to the streets of Yangon, the country's largest city, with few incidents. However, on Wednesday the security forces used firepower for the first time against street protests that have brewed over the past month into the biggest demonstrations against Myanmar's military rulers since 1988. (Posted 3 a.m.)

Spate of fighting between coalition, insurgents leave scores dead in Afghanistan's south

(CNN) -- Afghan and coalition troops have killed about 170 insurgents in three days of intense fighting concentrated in Afghanistan's restive south, according to NATO and U.S.-led coalition reports.

Violence in the south has also resulted in the deaths of two soldiers serving under NATO's International Security Assistance Force and one coalition soldier.

Two NATO soldiers were killed Wednesday when their patrol base came under attack in southern Afghanistan, ISAF said, without providing the exact location. Separately, a coalition soldier was killed when Taliban militants clashed with soldiers in Helmand province Tuesday, the command said.

A joint Afghan-coalition operation targeting a compound suspected of providing sanctuary to militants was launched Thursday in Helmand province. Two militants were killed and four others were detained. The coalition reported no Afghan or coalition troops were injured. (Posted 2:35 a.m.)

Many prescription drugs slip through FDA's safety net

(CNN) -- Every year, doctors write an unknown number of prescriptions for drugs not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the federal agency that regulates prescription drugs.

"There's a regulatory black hole that makes it possible for the pharmaceutical companies to get these drugs to the stores that sell them without the FDA being able to monitor it," said Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., who is calling for tighter restrictions.

When a pharmaceutical company submits a drug for approval, the FDA gives it a 10-digit number called a National Drug Code in order to track it through the approval process.

But pharmacies use the same number as an order number, which works even when the drug has not been approved. (Posted 2:20 a.m.)

Report: 3 Gorges Dam project raises environmental concerns

BEIJING (CNN) -- China's massive and often-controversial Three Gorges Dam project has contributed to many of the types of problems it was designed to prevent, contributing to landslides and pollution around the reservoir, Chinese officials and experts said, China's Xinhau news agency reported Wednesday.

The observations came out of a two-day forum held this week in Wuhan.

According to Xinhua, participants in the forum agree that the project had exerted a "notably adverse" impact on the environment of the Three Gorges reservoir, which has a shoreline stretching about 375 miles (600 km) behind the dam in east-central China.

The Three Gorges Dam spans the Yangtze River and is one of the largest single construction projects ever attempted on the planet. Construction began in 1994 and structural work was finished in 2006, although it is not expected to become fully operational until about 2009. (Posted 1:45 a.m.)

UK Ambassador to Myanmar: monks will probably take to the streets again today

(CNN) -- International leaders were anxiously monitoring the secretive Asian nation of Myanmar on Thursday, a day after clashes broke out between government security forces and Buddhist monks marching in peaceful protests against the ruling military junta.

"It's always curiously quiet in the morning because nothing tends to happen for another one or two hours -- that's when the monks rally close the main pagodas. Then they disperse through the main cities in columns of main demonstrators," Mark Canning, the British ambassador to Myanmar told CNN by phone Thursday at about 11:30 a.m. local time (1 a.m. ET).

"I would guess, but can't quit confirm, that they are starting to gather," he said.

The ambassador expressed concern there may be a repeat of Wednesday's events, in which as many as five demonstrators were killed, according to unconfirmed reports that came from the chief editor of the Democratic Voice of Burma (Myanmar), Aye Chan Naing, through his office in Oslo, Norway.

Since last week, thousands of monks, barefoot and dressed in red robes, have taken to the streets of Yangon, the country's largest city, with few incidents. However, on Wednesday that changed. (Posted 1:25 a.m.)

2 NATO soldiers killed, 2 wounded in southern Afghanistan

(CNN) -- Two NATO soldiers were killed in an attack on their patrol base in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, a statement from NATO's International Security Assistance Force issued Thursday said.

Two soldiers were also wounded in the attack.

The statement did not offer details of the soldiers' nationalities or their exact location, but Canadian, British, Dutch and American soldiers typically patrol in the south. (Posted 12:40 a.m.)

Federal court strikes down two provisions of Patriot Act

(CNN) -- A federal court on Wednesday struck down two provisions of the Patriot Act dealing with searches and intelligence gathering, saying they violate the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable searches and seizures with regard to criminal prosecutions.

"It is critical that we, as a democratic nation, pay close attention to traditional Fourth Amendment principles," wrote U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon in her 44-page decision. "The Fourth Amendment has served this nation well for 220 years, through many other perils."

The FISCR -- the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, set up to review wiretap applications in intelligence cases under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA -- "holds that the Constitution need not control the conduct of criminal surveillance in the United States," Aiken wrote. "In place of the Fourth Amendment, the people are expected to defer to the Executive Branch and its representation that it will authorize such surveillance only when appropriate."

The government, she said, "is asking this court to, in essence, amend the Bill of Rights, by giving it an interpretation that would deprive it of any real meaning. The court declines to do so." (Posted 9:18 p.m.)

Three Hamas militants killed in Gaza

BEIT HANOUN, Gaza (CNN) -- An Israeli drone killed three Hamas militants and wounded four others Thursday, Palestinian sources in Gaza said. Israel Defense Forces confirmed the air raid, which they said targeted a group of armed men who were linked to a location from where a Qassam rocket had been fired earlier.

On Wednesday, four Palestinian militants, all members of the Army of Islam, were killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, according to Hamas Security sources. The IDF confirmed that it had carried out an air strike on a car in the area. The car was carrying missiles ready to be launched, it said.

The strike capped a day of violence in Gaza. According to Palestinian security sources, Israeli tanks entered the region and blocked the junction that leads to Beit Hanoun. There were conflicting reports of the numbers of Palestinians killed and wounded.

According to Hamas security sources, an Israeli tank fired at a house in Beit Hanoun, killing four militants from the Salah a Din Brigades. Palestinian medical sources reported that three Palestinians were killed in Beit Hanoun and five wounded, one in critical condition. (Posted 9:02 p.m.)

Gates wants closer review of Pentagon contractors

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday he wants closer oversight of Pentagon contractors in Iraq and has dispatched a team there to review military procedures.

About 137,000 civilians are working for the U.S. military in Iraq, most of them doing "the various kinds of mundane things that have to be done on a daily basis" -- cooking, transportation and laundry services, Gates told the Senate Appropriations Committee. Included in that number is at least 7,300 of the estimated 25,000 private security contractors working in Iraq, he said.

"My concern is whether there has been sufficient accountability and oversight in the region over the activities of these security companies, and that's the main thing that our team is looking into out there -- what is required to give the commanders the means and the resources that they need to be able to exercise adequate oversight," he said.

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England has issued a memo to commanders in Iraq outlining their responsibility for holding contractors accountable, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said. And Gates said his "personal concern" is that security companies, which often pay six-figure salaries to former military personnel, are drawing American troops out of the service to work for them. (Posted 8:29 p.m.)

Could the click of a mouse bring down the nation's electric grid?

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In an experiment that has sent shock waves through the federal government and electrical industry, researchers launched a cyber-attack on a government generator, not only disrupting service -- a trick long known to be achievable by determined hackers -- but causing the generator to self-destruct, CNN has learned.

Sources familiar with the experiment say the same attack scenario could be used against the huge generators that produce the country's electric power, and some experts fear large-scale, coordinated attacks could cause widespread damage to electric infrastructure that could take months to fix.

CNN has honored a request from the Department of Homeland Security not to divulge certain details about the experiment, dubbed Aurora, which was conducted in March at the Idaho National Laboratory. In a previously classified video of the test obtained by CNN, the generator shakes visibly and begins exuding black and white smoke, until to grinds to a halt.

DHS acknowledged that the experiment involved controlled hacking into a replica of a power plant's control system. Sources familiar with the test say researchers changed the operating cycle of the generator, sending it out of control.

The White House was briefed on the experiment and Department of Homeland Security officials have since been working with the electric industry to devise a way to thwart such an attack. (Posted 8:28 p.m.)

St. John's U. locked down after man with rifle taken in custody

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The Queens campus of St. John's University was locked down Wednesday afternoon after police apprehended a man with a rifle on campus, the New York City school confirmed in a written statement.

Approximately 6 p.m., the lockdown was lifted and hundreds of students streamed out of campus gates and buildings. The lockdown began about 2:30 p.m. A student at the university, Omesh Hiraman of Queens, was apprehended after off duty police cadet Christopher Benson observed Hiraman wearing a hooded sweatshirt and what police initially described as a George Bush mask.

Hiraman, according to police, was carrying breech loading black powder rifle, wrapped in a black plastic bag. Hiraman was "quickly disarmed" by university public safety officers and turned over to NYPD officers.

After taking him in custody, campus and New York City police began searching for as many as two other potentially armed people, campus public safety office Robert Armellino told CNN. (Posted 8:27 p.m.)

Blanco: DA to let 'Jena 6' defendant be tried in juvenile court

BATON ROUGE, La. (CNN) -- The district attorney in LaSalle Parish will allow the case of Mychal Bell, a black teen-ager accused of beating a white classmate in Jena, La., to be heard in juvenile court, Louisiana's governor announced Wednesday.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco said she discussed Bell's case with District Attorney Reed Walters on Wednesday, and that Walters agreed not to challenge a state appeals court ruling that dismissed Bell's battery and conspiracy convictions. The court ruled that Bell, who was 16 at the time of the beating, should have been tried in juvenile court instead of having the case transferred to adult court.

Blanco made the announcement with civil rights leaders Martin Luther King III and Al Sharpton, who led more than 15,000 marchers to Jena -- a town of about 3,000 -- last week to protest how authorities handled the cases of Bell and five other teens accused of beating fellow student Justin Barker.

That incident followed months of racial tension, including at least two instances of fighting in the town, sparked originally when three white teens hung nooses from an oak tree on the town's high school grounds. (Posted 7:25 p.m.)

Blanco: DA to let 'Jena 6' defendant be tried in juvenile court

BATON ROUGE, La. (CNN) -- The district attorney in LaSalle Parish will allow the case of Mychal Bell, a black teen-ager accused of beating a white classmate in Jena, La., to be heard in juvenile court, Louisiana's governor announced Wednesday. (Posted 7:16 p.m.)

Iranian president: Overall Columbia experience was positive

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Two days after the president of Columbia University introduced him as "a petty and cruel dictator," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that the overall experience was a good one.

"What really mattered was that several thousand students came to meet a teacher who doesn't teach there, but they sat down with me for over one hour," he told CNN's Christiane Amanpour. "We debated, we talked, they heard and thought about the issues that I raised and that, to me, was most valuable."

Prior to his talk, Columbia President Lee Bollinger -- who had been criticized by some for extending an invitation to the Iranian leader to speak at the Ivy League institution -- cited Ahmadinejad's labeling of the Holocaust as a "myth," said that was "dangerous propaganda" and called the Iranian leader "either brazenly provocative or astonishingly uneducated."

About his reception, Ahmadinejad said, "I wish that hadn't happened, but nonetheless I think academic students and universities have the ability to make their own judgments, to keep themselves away from such pressures and expand their horizons." (Posted 7:02 p.m.)

Judge announces mistrial in Phil Spector case

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- The judge has announced a mistrial in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector, as jurors were unable to reach a verdict.

The jury told Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler they were split 10-2 after a total of six ballots, without indicating which way they were leaning. However, a court official told CNN later the majority were in favor of conviction. Jurors told the judge there was nothing he could do to help them arrive at a unanimous verdict. Pat Dixon, head deputy district attorney, said he told Fidler prosecutors plan to retry Spector.

Fidler discharged the nine-man, three-woman jury, thanking them for their service. "You may choose to discuss or not discuss the case with anyone," he told jurors.

Jurors began deliberations in the case Sept. 10, but said Sept. 18 they had reached an impasse. They resumed deliberations anew two days later with fresh instructions from the judge. Fidler set the next hearing in the case for Oct. 3. (Posted 6:32 p.m.)

St. John's U. locked down after man with rifle taken in custody

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The Queens campus of St. John's University was locked down Wednesday afternoon after police apprehended a man with a rifle on campus, the New York City school confirmed in a written statement.

Approximately 6 p.m., the lockdown was lifted and hundreds of students streamed out of campus gates and buildings. The lockdown began about 2:30 p.m.

A student at the university, Omesh Hiraman of Queens, was carrying a .50-caliber rifle, according to the New York Police Department. Hiraman was "quickly disarmed" by university public safety officers and turned over to NYPD officers.

After taking him in custody, campus and New York City police began searching for as many as two other potentially armed people, campus public safety office Robert Armellino told CNN. --By CNN's Katy Byron (Posted 6:24 p.m.)

Senate panel probes role of Moody's, S&P in mortgage crisis

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Lawmakers grilled credit rating agency executives Wednesday about their role in the subprime mortgage meltdown, particularly their cozy relationship with issuers of some of the securities that soured during this summer's crisis.

Testifying before the Senate Banking Committee, representatives from two of the largest ratings firms -- Moody's and McGraw Hill's Standard & Poor's -- conceded the companies had made mistakes but defended the integrity of their ratings process and promised improvement.

"We understand that certain things did not work and we are looking at root causes," said Vickie Tillman, executive vice president for credit market services at Standard and Poor's.

Credit rating agencies have shouldered blame for the subprime crisis that roiled financial markets.

Critics have claimed that the agencies were blinded by cozy relationships with debt issuers. Typically underwriters pay rating agencies to grade debt they are issuing. --By CNNMoney.com's Grace Wong and David Ellis (Posted 6:04 p.m.)

Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls more toys made in China

(CNN) --More toys made in China that violate the U.S. federal lead paint standard have been added to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall list. The recall involves more than 500,000 toys.

Among the newest toys on the list are:

-- Toby & Me jewelry sets imported by TOBY N.Y.C.; 23,500 units distributed. Sold at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, A.J. Wright, Cracker Barrel, and Shopko stores nationwide from August 2006 through August 2007;

-- Happy Giddy Gardening Tools and Children's Sunny Patch Chairs imported by Target; 350,000 units distributed. Sold at Target stores nationwide from August 2006 through August 2007.

-- Various Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway Toys imported by RC2 Corp.; 200,000 units distributed. Sold at toy stores and various retailers nationwide from March 2003 through this month. (Posted 5:54 p.m.)

St. John's U. locked down after man with rifle taken in custody

NEW YORK (CNN) -- The Queens campus of St. John's University was locked down Wednesday afternoon after police apprehended a man with a rifle on campus, the New York City school confirmed in a written statement.

A student at the university, Omesh Hiraman of Queens, was carrying a .50-caliber rifle, according to the New York Police Department.

Hiraman was "quickly disarmed" by university public safety officers and turned over to NYPD officers.

After taking him in custody, campus and New York City police began searching for as many as two other potentially armed people, campus public safety office Robert Armellino told CNN. --By CNN's Katy Byron (Posted 5:52 p.m.)

Saudi FM: Peace process 'encouraging,' but Israel must freeze settlements before peace conference

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- Saudi Arabia's foreign minster called recent peace moves by the United States "encouraging" but said Israel would have to impose a moratorium on new settlement construction before Arab states would attend a coming Middle East peace conference in Washington

"There is a sense there is something new happening," Prince Saud al-Faisal told a small group of reporters. "This is encouraging if it is going to prove right."

Prince Saud was talking about recent efforts by the United States to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He spoke after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and representatives of other Arab nations, including the Gulf states, Egypt and Jordan, where she briefed them about U.S. plans for the upcoming meeting.

Rice has said resolving the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a key priority for the remainder of her tenure. The goal of November's conference is to "help lay a foundation" for the establishment of a Palestinian state, she said during a trip to the region last week. --From CNN State Department Producer Elise Labott (Posted 5:43 p.m.)

Source: Craig won't resign until after judge rules

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Larry Craig won't resign from the Senate while awaiting a judge's ruling on his effort to get a guilty plea withdrawn in a restroom sex sting, a source said Wednesday.

But while Judge Charles Porter indicated he is unlikely to rule on the case before next week, he appeared skeptical regarding arguments posed by Craig's attorneys during the 45-minute hearing Wednesday.

"Today was a major step in the legal effort to clear my name," the senator said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. "The court has not issued a ruling on my motion to withdraw my guilty plea. For now, I will continue my work in the United States Senate for Idaho."

During the hearing, Craig's attorney, Billy Martin, noted that no judge signed off on Craig's plea, so it was unclear whether an officer of the court actually read it; and, more importantly, that what Craig did in the restroom did not constitute disorderly conduct. (Posted 5:06 p.m.)

Knicks coach Thomas testifies he did not direct profanity at accuser

NEW YORK (CNN) -- New York Knicks head coach and executive Isiah Thomas testified Wednesday that he never cursed at the team's former senior vice president of marketing, who is accusing him of sexual harassment, but probably cursed around her.

Continuing his testimony for the second day, Thomas repeatedly denied allegations in a $10 million lawsuit -- filed against him and Madison Square Garden by former co-worker Anucha Browne Sanders -- that states he called Browne Sanders a "bitch" and a "ho" while they worked together from 2003 to 2005.

"I'm highly offended by any male calling any female a 'bitch'" Thomas said to a jury in federal court in Manhattan

He reiterated his claim of innocence, saying, "I've never directed a swear word at Anucha" --From CNN producer Julian Cummings (Posted 5:05 p.m.)

Judge announces mistrial in Phil Spector case

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler has announced a mistrial in the murder trial of music producer Phil Spector.

The jury could not reach a verdict. (Posted 4:49 p.m.)

GAO report finds services still lacking at Walter Reed

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report presented to Congress on Wednesday details several problems still plaguing Walter Reed Army Hospital despite actions taken by the Army after media reports earlier this year detailed substandard outpatient services and conditions for returning wounded soldiers.

"The Army took near-term actions to respond to reported deficiencies in care for its returning service members. ... However, challenges remain to overcome long-standing problems and ensure sustainable progress," the GAO report summary says.

The chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Henry Waxman, D-Calif., made clear his disappointment with the lack of progress during a hearing on Capitol Hill.

"Despite the increased attention, the pace of change at DOD (the Department of Defense) and VA (the Department of Veterans Affairs) is intolerably slow," Waxman said in his opening statement.

Maj. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, the hospital's chief, assured the committee that things will improve. --From Producer Silvio Carrillo (Posted 4:25 p.m.)

Vick's pretrial release conditions tightened after positive marijuana test

(CNN) -- A federal judge on Wednesday tightened restrictions on suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick after he tested positive for marijuana use.

A court document from the Eastern District of Virginia shows that Vick submitted a urine sample on Sept. 13 that tested positive for the drug.

As a result, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson ordered Vick to "submit to any method of testing required by the pretrial services officer or the supervising officer for determining whether the defendant is using a prohibited substance."

Those methods could include random drug testing, a remote alcohol testing system "and/or any form of prohibited substance screening or testing," the order said. (Posted 3:09 p.m.)

Gay Iranian takes issue with Ahmadinejad's claim

(CNN) -- The audience laughed Monday when Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said there are no homosexuals in Iran. Arsham Parsi knows why, but for him the laughter is rueful at best.

"Gays and lesbians in Iran have many problems because they live in a homophobic society and they live under a homophobic Islamic punishment code," said Parsi, secretary-general of the Iranian Queer Organization, an advocacy group for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in Iran.

Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, and gay sex is a capital crime.

Parsi's group claims 5,000 members, most of them men. They communicate mostly through the Internet, he said.

But even that is dangerous because the government controls the Internet, said Hossein Alizadeh of International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission. (Posted 3:07 p.m.)

Source: Craig won't resign until after judge rules

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Larry Craig won't resign from the Senate while awaiting a judge's ruling on his effort to get a guilty plea withdrawn in a restroom sex sting, a source said Wednesday.

A judge in Minnesota was to hear arguments Wednesday afternoon in the case.

The Idaho Republican was arrested June 11 during a police sting in a Minneapolis airport men's room for allegedly making sexual overtures to an undercover male police officer. He entered a written guilty plea to a disorderly conduct charge in August.

Craig had said he would resign from the Senate if he could not get the guilty plea overturned by this Sunday. But Craig on Tuesday said he won't resign until "legal determinations" are made. According to a Republican source involved in Craig's discussions about his political future, Craig plans to announce Wednesday that he will stay past the date he previously has said he "intends" to resign from the Senate -- at least through the ruling on the motion to withdraw his guilty plea.

This source says Craig is also telling close associates that if the judge allows Craig's attorneys to reopen the case, he would plan to stay in the Senate through the trial. (Posted 2:30 p.m.)

Police probe bizarre Florida bank robbery

(CNN) -- Police were trying Wednesday to sort out a bizarre bank robbery in which a bomb-like device -- later determined to be fake -- was strapped to a bank employee in Hollywood, Fla.

The man told police that three armed men had come to his house in nearby Dania Beach early Tuesday, strapped what they said was a bomb to him and forced him to rob the bank where he works, a police spokesman said.

The man said the three robbers questioned him about bank procedures for hours before taping the device to him, Hollywood Police spokesman Tony Rode said.

Wachovia spokeswoman Christy Phillips Brown confirmed the man is an employee of the bank. (Posted 2:04 p.m.)

FBI reorganizes counterterrorism division to better deal with threat

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FBI is merging its two counterterrorism units, creating a new structure based on Britain's MI5 domestic intelligence agency in an effort to better counter the evolving threat, bureau officials said Wednesday.

The Osama bin Laden unit and the unit for other terrorist groups will now become one, to make it easier to spot trends and better share information. The FBI says the changes will help it identify the larger threat, rather than just one aspect of it. This is especially important as al Qaeda and other groups are forming close alliances and are drawing on each other for personnel and support, it says.

"You have groups around the world who perhaps are self-radicalized that have reached out for al Qaeda or that have been recruited by al Qaeda for training, albeit they may not have sufficient funding. Groups in the UK, the recent takedown in Germany, Denmark and elsewhere would be these loosely affiliated groups that have some attachment or intersection with al Qaeda," FBI Director Robert Mueller told CNN in an interview earlier this month.

Drawing on its own experience in fighting organized crime, the FBI is also encouraging agents to conduct longer surveillance of terrorism suspects in order to identify others they may be dealing with, whether in the United States or abroad, before arresting the suspects, officials said. This change will also help in gathering more intelligence. --From CNN Justice Correspondent Kelli Arena (Posted 1:56 p.m.)

Iraq's al-Maliki, at U.N., hammers home 'vision' of 'national reconciliation'

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Wednesday touted the "realistic vision" of "national reconciliation" in Iraq, where dreams of national unity and economic progress have been troubled by a tenacious insurgency and sectarian warfare.

Al-Maliki, among the parade of national leaders to address the 62nd session of the U.N. General Assembly, also extolled the advent of freedoms in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq and warned that the continuing warfare will result in disaster for the region. "We have cautioned all the countries in the region that the continued flow and overflow of weapons, money, suicide bombers, and the spreading of fatwas inciting hatred and murder will only result in disastrous consequences for the region and the world."

The embattled leader of a war-torn nation enduring violence and misery every day, al-Maliki called national reconciliation a "realistic vision" that in principle and in practice addresses the problems left behind by the Saddam Hussein regime.

"It lays the foundation for political, social, economic progress and the security that we strive for," he said, calling the concept Iraq's "strategy," "choice" and "option." (Posted 1:49 p.m.)

7 dead, 30 wounded in Baghdad car bombings

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Seven people were killed and 30 were wounded Wednesday when two car bombs exploded near an outdoor market in a southwestern Baghdad neighborhood, an Interior Ministry official told CNN.

The incident took place around 6 p.m. in Bayaa, which is predominantly Shiite Muslim. --From CNN's Raja Razek (Posted 1:17 p.m.)

Citing 'real concerns,' Pentagon chief dispatches team to look into contractor oversight in Iraq

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates has dispatched a small Pentagon team to Iraq to review procedures regarding private contractors, after expressing "real concerns" about oversight, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Wednesday.

"He has some real concerns about oversight of contractors in Iraq and he is looking for ways to make sure we do a better job in that front," Morrell said in a briefing at the Pentagon.

He also revealed that Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England has issued a memo to commanders in Iraq outlining their responsibly for holding contractors accountable. --From CNN Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre (Posted 1:15 p.m.)

Report: Child in photograph not missing British girl

LONDON (CNN) -- A young blonde girl photographed in northern Morocco by a tourist is not missing British toddler Madeleine McCann, according to a journalist who tracked down the child in the picture.

The Evening Standard, a London newspaper, is running a front-page story with a new close-up photograph of the girl under the bold headline: "It's Not Her."

Evening Standard journalist Rashid Razaq flew to Morocco from London and reported that he saw the youngster Wednesday.

"She has got a resemblance to Madeleine but when you see her properly, it is obvious it isn't her," Razaq told the Press Association. (Posted 1:10 p.m.)

U.N. Secretary-General to send envoy to Myanmar after clashes result in deaths

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is "urgently dispatching" a special envoy to Myanmar, a statement from his office said Wednesday, following sometimes violent clashes in that country between security forces and protesters led by Buddhist monks in the past few days that have left some people dead, according to multiple reports.

"He calls on the senior leadership of the country to cooperate fully with this mission in order to take advantage of the willingness of the United Nations to assist in the process of a national reconciliation through dialogue," said a U.N. statement.

The envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, is scheduled to lead a briefing on the situation in Myanmar for the U.N. Security Council Wednesday afternoon.

"Noting reports of the use of force and of arrests and beatings, the secretary-general calls again on authorities to exercise utmost restraint toward the peaceful demonstrations taking place, as such action can only undermine the prospects for peace, prosperity and stability in Myanmar," Ban's statement said. (Posted 1:06 p.m.)

Police probe bizarre Florida bank robbery

(CNN) -- Police were trying Wednesday to sort out a bizarre bank robbery in which a bomb-like device was strapped to a man in Hollywood, Fla.

The man told police that three armed men had come to his house in nearby Dania Beach early Tuesday, strapped what they said was a bomb to him and forced him to rob the bank where he works, a police spokesman said.

The Wachovia bank employee said the three robbers questioned him about bank procedures for hours before taping the bomb to him, Hollywood Police spokesman Tony Rode said. One of the robbers then made the man drive at gunpoint to the bank with the man's girlfriend in the passenger seat and the robber in the back seat.

They drove up to the drive-through window, where the employee knocked on the window and was recognized and admitted into the bank. The man entered the vault and stuffed more than $25,000 into a plastic bag. He handed the bag to the robber, who ran off, leaving the man and his girlfriend at the bank, Rode said. (Posted 12:52 p.m.)

4 Palestinians killed in Israeli air strike in Gaza, capping day of violent events

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Four Palestinian militants, all members of the Army of Islam, were killed Wednesday in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, according to Hamas Security sources. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that they had carried out an air strike in the area.

The strike capped a day of violence in Gaza. According to Palestinian security sources, Israeli tanks entered the region and blocked the junction that leads to Beit Hanoun.

According to Hamas security sources an Israeli tank fired at a house in Beit Hanoun, killing four militants from the Salah a Din Brigades. The IDF confirmed that ground and engineering forces entered Gaza to carry out a limited military activity in the area of Beit Hanoun against terror threats.

The IDF said Palestinian militants fired 10 Qassam rockets and 20 mortars at Israel Wednesday. (Posted noon)

3 dead, 20 wounded in Baghdad car bombings

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Three people were killed and 20 were wounded Wednesday when two car bombs exploded near an outdoor market in a southwestern Baghdad neighborhood, an Interior Ministry official told CNN.

The incident took place around 6 p.m. in Bayaa, which is predominantly Shiite Muslim. --From CNN's Raja Razek (Posted noon)

Gates requesting nearly $190 billion for next year's war funding

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates is asking nearly $190 billion from Congress for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, an increase in the amount first requested earlier this year.

The secretary is testifying on Wednesday before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the "global war on terror" request for the 2008 fiscal year. CNN received his prepared statement.

The initial request, in February, was for $141.7 billion, but that "was an estimate based on a straight-line projection of ongoing war costs," and Congress was told it would probably need to be adjusted.

The request covers local force training, equipment repairs and force protection, including new technologies for protecting troops against roadside bombs. (Posted 11:43 a.m.)

Two storms gaining strength, one in Gulf of Mexico, one in Atlantic

MIAMI (CNN) -- A tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico was nearing tropical storm strength and a storm in the Atlantic neared hurricane strength late Wednesday morning, the U.S. National Hurricane Center reported.

As of 11 a.m. ET, Tropical Depression 13 was centered about 205 miles (330 kilometers) east-southeast of Tampico, Mexico, and about 155 miles (250 km) east of Tuxpan, Mexico. Its top winds were near 35 mph (55 km/hr), and it was moving toward the south at near 2 mph (4 k/hr). Sustained winds of 39 mph (63 k/hr) qualify a system as a tropical storm.

Projections indicated the depression is likely to strike the Mexican coast by Friday. Should it stay offshore longer than forecast, its sustained winds could reach 50 mph (80 k/hr) before it makes landfall, NHC senior hurricane specialist Jack Beven said in an online discussion.

In the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Karen's winds grew to 70 mph (115 k/hr), the hurricane center reported at 11 a.m. A storm is deemed a hurricane at 74 mph (119 k/hr), and Karen could reach that today, the center said. It poses little threat to land: It was centered 1,225 miles (1,970 km) east of the Windward Islands, moving west-northwest at about 13 mph (20 k/hr). (Posted 11:19 a.m.)

Hearing Wednesday on Sen. Craig's petition to overturn guilty plea

EDINA, Minn. (CNN) -- A Minnesota judge will hear Sen. Larry Craig's petition to overturn his guilty plea on a disorderly conduct charge in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

The Idaho Republican was arrested June 11 during a police sting in an airport men's room for allegedly making sexual overtures to an undercover male police officer. He entered a written guilty plea to the disorderly conduct charge in August.

Craig has said he would resign from the Senate if he cannot get the guilty plea overturned by this Sunday. However, on Tuesday he said he won't resign until "legal determinations" are made. A political source involved in discussions about the case said Craig has made it clear he wants to find a way to stay in office.

A court ruling on Craig's appeal could take longer than the four days left before Craig's original self-imposed deadline. (Posted 11:10 a.m.)

Reports: Clashes with security forces in Myanmar result in deaths

YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) -- Clashes between security forces and thousands of protesters led by Buddhist monks have left some people dead, according to multiple reports out of the secretive country of Myanmar Wednesday.

Speaking from neighboring Thailand, the spokesman for the resistance organization the National Council of the Union of Burma (Myanmar), Soe Aung, told CNN that at least one monk died during clashes with security forces in ongoing demonstrations against the country's military regime.

Unconfirmed reports that as many as five demonstrators have been killed came from the chief editor of the Democratic Voice of Burma, Aye Chan Naing, through his office in Oslo, Norway. CNN cannot independently confirm the death toll.

The United Nations Security Council plans to meet behind closed doors Wednesday afternoon for a briefing on the situation from Ibrahim Gambari, a U.N. official who has traveled to the country several times. (Posted 10:50 a.m.)

Photo of child resembling missing British girl being examined

LONDON (CNN) -- Officials are examining a photo, taken in Morocco, that appears to resemble missing toddler Madeleine McCann, family spokesman Clarence Mitchell told CNN Wednesday.

"It appears to look very like Madeleine on first glance," spokesman Clarence Mitchell said.

The digital picture was taken by a Spanish couple who vacationed in Morocco in late August. The picture, taken from a moving car, seems to show a Moroccan woman carrying a child on her back while walking along the side of a road.

"Along this route we started to take photos of everything we saw -- mosques, villages, everything. We saw this group of people we took some photos but as soon as we took them, we saw a blonde, blonde girl who caught our eye," said Clara Torres. "We thought of Madeleine but we didn't think any more about it as we thought it would be impossible." (Posted 10:20 a.m.)

Police probe bizarre Florida bank robbery

(CNN) -- Police were trying Wednesday to sort out a bizarre bank robbery in which a bomb-like device was strapped to a man in Hollywood, Fla.

The man told police that two armed men had abducted him Tuesday from his house in nearby Dania Beach, taped the device to him and told him it was a bomb that they were activating, Hollywood police spokesman Tony Rode said.

Witnesses said the men then drove to a Wachovia bank, walked up to a drive-through window and, threatening to detonate the device, demanded cash from a teller who gave them "a large amount," Rode said.

The two men then fled with the money, leaving the third man at the bank wearing the device, he added. Broward County deputies arrived and, using a robot, removed the device from the man and detonated it, police said. The man was unhurt. (Posted 9:25 a.m.)

Al-Maliki, ahead of U.N. address, meets with Bush, Ahmadinejad

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- Iraq's prime minister, getting ready to address the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday at its annual meeting, touched base with the leaders of the United States and Iran first, bitter antagonists who are top allies to Iraq.

Among the leaders Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki met with were South African President Thabo Mbeki and Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

But he also met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and U.S. President George W. Bush.

Iraq and Iran, neighbors with majority Shiite Muslim populations, have many cultural links and mutual economic interests. This summer, al-Maliki made a state visit to Iran. (Posted 9:19 a.m.)

U.S. soldier killed in Baghdad fighting

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A U.S. soldier was killed Tuesday in eastern Baghdad combat, the U.S. military said Wednesday.

The soldier, from Multi-National Division-Baghdad, was killed in "a small-arms fire attack while conducting combat operations" in Iraq's capital.

This brings the number of U.S. military deaths in the war to 3,801 and the number in September to 59.(Posted 9:03 a.m.)

At least 18 people killed in northern Iraq attacks

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A string of bombings throughout the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh on Wednesday killed at least 18 people and prompted a curfew in the provincial capital of Mosul, police told CNN.

The bombings came during what a U.S. military spokesman said was an expected increase of violence during the holy month of Ramadan. Militants frequently launch attacks on coalition forces and their allies during Muslim holy periods.

A suicide car bomb struck a Sunni sheik's house near the Syrian border on Wednesday, killing at least eight people and wounding 10, said police in Mosul.

The sheik, Kanaan al-Shummari, is one of the tribal leaders of al-Shummar Sunni tribe. He was wounded in the attack. His house is in Um al-Thiban, 100 kilometers, 62 miles, west of Mosul. (Posted 8:59 a.m.)

New tropical depression forms off Mexico

MIAMI (CNN) -- A tropical storm watch is likely for the Mexican coast Wednesday as a tropical depression gains strength in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center reported.

As of 4 a.m. CT, (5 a.m. ET), Tropical Depression 13 was centered about 205 miles (330 kilometers) east-southeast of Tampico, Mexico and about 155 miles (250 km) east of Tuxpan, Mexico. Its top winds were near 30 mph (45 km/hr), and it was moving toward the south at near 3 mph (5 kph).

"A slow and erratic motion is expected during the next 24 hours," the NHC said.

Projections indicated the depression is likely to strike the Mexican coast by Friday. Should it stay offshore longer than forecast, it could become a tropical storm with winds of 50 mph (80 kph) before making landfall, NHC senior hurricane specialist Jack Beven said in an online discussion. (Posted 6:45 a.m.)

Reports: Myanmar security forces kill at least one protester

YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) -- At least one protester was fatally shot by Myanmar security forces as thousands of Buddhist monks and other citizens marched through the streets of Yangon to the city's center Wednesday afternoon in protest of the military regime, opposition reports said.

Speaking from neighboring Thailand, the spokesman for the resistance organization the National Council of the Union of Burma (Myanmar), Soe Aung, told CNN that at least one monk died after clashes with security forces. In addition, three civilians were hospitalized. Aung said he was in contact with colleagues within the secretive country.

Meanwhile, an opposition Web site gathering information from sources inside Myanmar -- formerly known as Burma -- reported security forces have shot at least two protesters near Sule Pagoda, a Buddhist monument and landmark located in Yangon's city center.

"One protester reportedly died, according to people who took part in the demonstration," the Web site said. "The soldiers continued firing at the demonstrators, who numbered several thousand." (Posted 5:50 a.m.)

3 killed, 8 detained in Iraq raids

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Three insurgents were killed and eight others were detained on Wednesday during raids in targeting al Qaeda in Iraq, the U.S. military said.

The three died during fighting southwest of Kirkuk, in northern Iraq. Others were detained at that location, near Baghdad and south of Tikrit.

"We continue to bring al-Qaeda to justice with successful operations like these," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, Multi-National Forces-Iraq spokesman. (Posted 5:25 a.m.)

UAW, GM agree to tentative contract, ending two-day strike

(CNN) -- The United Auto Workers union and General Motors have agreed to a tentative contract, ending a two-day nationwide strike. The deal is subject to approval by union members.

"There's no question this was one of the most complex and difficult bargaining sessions in the history of the GM/UAW relationship," said GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner.

Negotiations included discussions on shifting an estimated $51 billion in health-care expenses for retirees and their family members to union-controlled trust funds.

The shedding of retiree health care costs by GM will be a major step in the company's effort to close the competitiveness gap with companies such as Toyota Motor and Honda Motor.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said union members would return to work, starting Wednesday afternoon. He said ratification meetings at UAW locals would likely begin at end of the week. (Posted 5:20 a.m.)

Scores of insurgents killed in southern Afghanistan fighting

(CNN) -- Scores of insurgents have been killed over the last day during fighting in southern Afghanistan, the U.S.-led coalition said on Wednesday.

Afghan and coalition troops have killed an estimated 104 insurgents in ongoing fighting since Tuesday morning near the Musa Qalah Wadi in Helmand province, the coalition said.

A coalition service member was killed and four others were wounded in the fighting between troops and Taliban militants.

In neighboring Uruzgan province, a battle between Taliban militants and troops Tuesday left more than 65 insurgents dead in a six-hour battle.

The Afghan-coalition patrol had been near the same spot, northeast of Deh Rawod, where more than three dozen insurgents preparing an ambush were killed last week. (Posted 5:20 a.m.)

UAW, GM agree to tentative new contract

DETROIT (CNN) -- The United Auto Workers union and General Motors have agreed to a tentative contract, ending a two-day nationwide strike, sources close to labor negotiations told CNN early Wednesday. (Posted 4:10 a.m.)

Report: Buddhist monks arrested, beaten by Myanmar security forces

YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) -- Myanmar security authorities used tear gas, warning shots and force Wednesday to break up a peaceful demonstration by scores of Buddhist monks gathered near a pagoda in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon, according to an opposition Web site gathering information from sources within the secretive country.

The world has been watching as tens of thousands of Buddhist monks and other citizens have been demonstrating for freedom, democracy and respect for human rights in cities throughout Myanmar.

Since last week thousands of monks, barefoot and dressed in red robes, have taken to the streets of Yangon, with few incidents. However, on Wednesday the opposition-issued report -- which CNN cannot independently verify -- painted a different picture.

Protesting "monks were beaten and bundled into waiting army trucks," the report posted on www.irrawaddy.com said, adding about 50 monks were arrested and taken to undisclosed locations. (Posted 3:45 a.m.)

Authorities examining photo of child resembling missing British girl

LONDON (CNN) -- Authorities are examining a photo taken in Morocco showing a child that appears to resemble missing toddler Madeleine McCann, a spokesman for the girl's family told CNN Wednesday.

"It appears to look very like Madeleine on first glance," spokesman Clarence Mitchell said.

The digital picture was taken by a Spanish couple who vacationed in Morocco in late August, he said. The picture, taken out of a moving car, seems to show a Moroccan woman carrying a child on her back while walking along the side of a road.

"Along this route we started to take photos of everything we saw -- mosques, villages, everything. We saw this group of people we took some photos but as soon as we took them, we saw a blonde, blonde girl who caught our eye," said Clara Torres. "We thought of Madeleine but we didn't think any more about it as we thought it would be impossible."

Torres said she was traveling from the town of Chefchaouen to Tetouan when the pictures were taken. (Posted 2:45 a.m.)

Charges filed against 2 customers of charter boat; 4 crew remain missing

MIAMI (CNN) -- Federal authorities Tuesday charged two men they have been questioning in connection with a Coast Guard search in the Florida Straits for four missing crew members from a charter fishing boat.

Kirby Archer of Arkansas is facing federal charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution in the theft of more than $92,000 in cash from a Wal-Mart in Batesville, Ark., the FBI told CNN. Archer's companion, 19-year-old Guillermo Zarabozo of Hialeah, Florida is charged with lying to a federal agent.

Both men are being held at the federal detention center in downtown Miami and are expected to appear before a federal magistrate on Wednesday.

Authorities believe the men know what happened to the charter crew of the fishing boat "Joe Cool." The vessel was towed back to port shortly after noon Tuesday. (Posted 12:20 a.m.)

House defies Bush, approves expansion of children's health care program

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Defying a veto threat from President Bush, the House Tuesday night approved a sweeping expansion of state-administered children's health programs, which would be funded by a steep increase in the federal cigarette tax.

However, the vote to approve $60 billion in funding over the next five years -- $35 billion more than Bush wanted -- was 265-159, short of the two-thirds majority that would be needed to override a veto. The measure will now go to the Senate, where it is expected to pass Thursday with a veto-proof majority.

Before Tuesday's vote, Pelosi expressed hope that "a very big, strong, bipartisan vote tonight will send (Bush) a message to rethink his position." But in the end, the vote was largely along party lines, with just 45 Republicans crossing the aisle to vote for the bill. Only eight House Democrats were opposed.

After the vote, the White House issued a statement renewing Bush's veto threat, dismissing the bill as "part of the Democrats' incremental plan toward government-run health care for all Americans." (Posted 10:35 p.m.) E-mail to a friend