The CNN Wire: Friday, Oct. 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.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister leaves Karachi for ancestral village

(CNN) -- Pakistan's former premier, Benazir Bhutto, left the southern port city of Karachi Saturday for the first time since surviving last week's devastating suicide attack that turned her homecoming parade into a scene of carnage, sources within her political party told CNN.

Thousands welcomed her as her plane touched down in Sukkur, a city north of Karachi in the country's Sindh province, her sources confirmed.

Then, despite the security risks, Bhutto is slated to visit her constituency and pay homage to her executed father, also a former prime minister, in her ancestral village near the city of Larkana -- a decision she has described as "a very big dilemma." (Posted 2:24 a.m.)

State Department to require Iraq service for some

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The State Department will require service in Iraq for some diplomats unless they cannot serve for medical reasons, a spokesman for the department said Friday.

Department spokesman Rob McInturff said that Ambassador Harry Thomas, the director-general of the foreign service, announced Friday night that about 200 foreign service officers -- both generalists and specialists -- will learn Monday that they have been identified as "prime candidates" to fill 40 to 50 open positions at the embassy in Iraq.

The candidates will have 10 days to respond in writing whether they accept the one-year posting, McInturff said.

If they refuse, he said, there "will be a range of actions, up to and including dismissal." Thomas was not specific about what the options were, he said. (Posted 9:51 p.m.)

Justice Department 'dismayed' over release of USS Cole bombing leader

From CNN's Terry Frieden and Kelli Arena

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Angry U.S. law enforcement officials Friday blasted the release by Yemen of one of the leaders of the bombing of the destroyer USS Cole which killed 17 U.S. sailors seven years ago.

According to news reports, Jamal al-Badawi -- who had escaped prison last year -- was freed after turning himself in two weeks ago, renouncing terrorism and pledging allegiance to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The Associated Press in Sana, Yemen, quoted witnesses saying al-Badawi was "receiving well-wishers at his home" in Aden.

The statement pointedly referred to al-Badawi as one of the FBI's most wanted terrorists, and noted prosecutors in New York City want to get their hands on him.

Former New York City Mayor and presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani promptly called for the U.S. government to cancel $20 million in aid to Yemen for releasing al-Badawi, and the retired former commander of the Cole called the release "disappointing." (Posted 9:49 p.m.)

Week of wildfires wears down firefighters, residents

SAN DIEGO (CNN) -- Downed power lines, leaking gas lines, broken water pipes and still-blazing fires blocked the return Friday of thousands of Southern Californians who fled their homes this week ahead of more than 20 wind-whipped wildfires.

But with the number of uncontained fires down to nine, hundreds of thousands made the trip back home, and for most, the return was, if not joyful, at least filled with relief.

For hundreds, however, the homecoming was anything but sweet. For those -- many of whom escaped with only minutes to spare -- the sad return to what little remained of their homes and possessions was challenged only by the knowledge that they and their loved ones survived.

For the families of 14 other people, even that knowledge was out of reach.

And while 13,000 firefighters relentlessly battled the flames despite their fatigue, arson investigators searched for clues and followed up on tips they hoped would lead them to whoever was responsible for one of the largest of this week's devastating fires. (Posted 9:48 p.m.)

Arson investigators look for driver of white Ford pickup truck

(CNN) -- Orange County authorities said Friday they were looking for the driver of a white, 1998 Ford F150 pickup truck with chrome tubular running boards that was seen on Santiago Canyon Road Sunday afternoon near the time the Santiago fire started.

Officials announced Thursday that the Santiago fire, now 27,000 acres and still burning, was deliberately set.

Orange County Fire Authority Chief Chip Prather said the trucks driver was not a suspect "at this time."

Prather said the information came from a tip called into the investigation's tip line. A $250,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for the blaze.

Several mandatory evacuations remain in place for the Santiago fire, but it has destroyed only 14 homes and various other structures. Late Friday afternoon, the blaze moved into Silverado Canyon, authorities said, and sheriff's deputies were evacuating residents in fire's path. (Posted 9:36 p.m.)

Justice Department 'dismayed' over release of USS Cole bombing leader

From CNN's Terry Frieden and Kelli Arena

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Angry U.S. law enforcement officials Friday blasted the release by Yemen of one of the leaders of the bombing of the destroyer USS Cole which killed 17 U.S. sailors seven years ago.

According to news reports, Jamal al-Badawi -- who had escaped prison last year -- was freed after turning himself in two weeks ago, renouncing terrorism and pledging allegiance to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The Associated Press in Sana, Yemen, quoted witnesses saying al-Badawi was "receiving well-wishers at his home" in Aden.

The statement pointedly referred to al-Badawi as one of the FBI's most wanted terrorists, and noted prosecutors in New York City want to get their hands on him.

Former New York City Mayor and presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani promptly called for the U.S. government to cancel $20 million in aid to Yemen for releasing al-Badawi, and the retired former commander of the Cole called the release "disappointing." (Posted 7:27 p.m.)

Georgia man imprisoned for teen sexual encounter freed by court decision

FORSYTH, Ga. (CNN) -- Genarlow Wilson, imprisoned for more than two years for having oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17, was released from prison Friday evening after the Georgia Supreme Court ruled his 10-year sentence amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.

A smiling Wilson walked out of the Burrus Correctional Training Center in Forsyth about 5:30 p.m. and hugged his mother and 9-year-old sister.

Wilson, 21, said he was looking forward to spending time with his family and plans to enroll in college to study sociology. To supporters who rallied around him and campaigned for his release, he said, "You will not be disappointed."

Wilson also said he doesn't regret rejecting a plea offer that could have freed him from prison months ago -- but would have required him to register as a sex offender. (Posted 6:45 p.m.)

Rapper T.I. released on $3 million bail

ATLANTA (CNN) -- A U.S. magistrate judge Friday ordered rapper T.I. released on $3 million bond -- $2 million cash and the $1 million tax value of two houses he owns -- pending his trial on charges federal gun charges.

Judge Alan Baverman also ordered house arrest with 24-hour GPS electronic monitoring and random drug tests for the hip-hop star, whose real name is Clifford Harris.

Baverman's small courtroom was packed with more than 50 members of Harris' family and his fans -- more fans waited outside the Richard B. Russell Courthouse in Atlanta. Harris, wearing a gray suit and tie, was attentive during the hearing.

Harris, 27, was arrested in a federal sting Oct. 13 just hours before he was scheduled to perform at the BET Hip Hop Awards. His bodyguard-turned-informant delivered three machine guns and two silencers to the rapper, according to a Justice Department statement. Authorities said that Harris provided the bodyguard $12,000 to buy the weapons, which the rapper is not allowed to own because he is a convicted felon. (Posted 6:07 p.m.)

Genarlow Wilson freed

FORSYTH, Ga. (CNN) -- Genarlow Wilson, imprisoned for more than two years for having oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17, was released from prison Friday evening after the Georgia Supreme Court ruled his sentence amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.

Wilson walked out of a state prison in Forsyth about 5:30 p.m. (Posted 5:34 p.m.)

Explosive devices thrown at Mexican Consulate

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Two improvised explosive devices detonated outside the Mexican Consulate in New York City early Friday morning, damaging three windows and forcing a temporary evacuation of the building, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.

People were in the building at the time of the explosion, about 3:15 a.m., but no one was injured, Kelly said at an afternoon press conference. The incident was not reported to police until just after 6 a.m., when police officers saw the broken windows, he said.

The explosive devices were similar to ones recovered after a similar incident in May 2005, when two makeshift explosive devices blew out windows at the British Consulate. There were no injuries in that attack, and no arrests have been made. (Posted 5:04 p.m.)

Poll finds 75% of Americans disapprove of Congress' performance

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It may not come as a surprise that a new poll shows Americans think Congress is doing a pretty lousy job.

A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released Friday shows the approval rating for all members of Congress sits at a dismal 22 percent, while 75 percent of those surveyed disapproved of the way Congress is handling its job.

A year ago a similar poll found the numbers to be 28 percent approval, 63 percent disapproval.

"The big issues of the day just don't seem to be being addressed," said Sarah Binder, a political science professor at George Washington University who studies Congress. "The issues that matter most to people -- the economy, health care, the environment and the larger war in Iraq -- it is so difficult for Congress to move on those issues that I believe the public looks and says, 'Why aren't they doing anything?'" (Posted 4:42 p.m.)

Man charged with arson in small West Hill fire

(CNN) -- The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed arson charges Friday against a 41-year-old Sun Valley man who witnesses said set a fire in the West Hills neighborhood and walked away.

Catalino Pineda is one of five people who have been arrested in arson investigations this week, but none of those five has been tied to any of the large wildfires that have been raging across Southern California.

Pineda was arrested Wednesday after witnesses said they saw him lighting a fire on a hillside, police said. The fire was quickly extinguished. The witnesses followed Pineda to a nearby restaurant and called police, who arrested him.

Deputy District Attorney Steven Frankland said Pineda was expected to be arraigned in Van Nuys Superior Court Friday. He is charged with one count of arson of a structure or forest. Pineda is being held on $75,000 bail and faces up to six years in prison if convicted. (Posted 4:01 p.m.)

Iraqi diplomat: No progress made at Ankara meeting

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- An Iraqi diplomat in the delegation that met Friday in Ankara with Turkish officials about the Iraqi-Turkey border situation told CNN that no progress was made and the group planned to head back to Iraq.

But the diplomat, Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Labid Abawi, said he is hopeful that the two countries can settle the problem of rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in northern Iraq launching attacks against Turkey -- even though Iraq is adamantly against any full-scale military offensive targeting the PKK.

"We don't want the PKK to stay inside Iraqi territory. We are against any violent actions. But we told them that the idea of Iraqis conducting military actions against the PKK is not an option." Abawi told CNN in an interview. "But, we are ready to cooperate with the Turks to cut down their logistics and financial resources. We hope we can pressurize the PKK to leave the country. --From CNN's Jennifer Deaton (Posted 2:35 p.m.)

Turkish Foreign Ministry: Iraqi, Turkish talks on border crisis didn't go well

ANKARA (CNN) -- Talks Friday between Turkey and Iraq on how to deal with Kurdish rebel attacks against Turkey along the Iraqi-Turkish border did not go well, a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

The official said Turkey believes the Iraqi delegation talked about the issue over the long-term and did not come up with concrete proposals.

It is not known whether talks, which lasted all day Friday, will resume Saturday. --From CNN's Hada Messia (Posted 1:22 p.m.)

Crude's record prices make spike at the pump inevitable, many analysts say

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- With oil prices setting records over $90 a barrel and $100 looking ever more likely, experts say there's a good chance drivers will see $3 gasoline before the end of the year.

"Three dollar gasoline in this market is unavoidable," said Stephen Schork, publisher of the industry newsletter the Schork Report. "At this rate, we're going to see $4 a gallon."

Crude oil prices have soared nearly 30 percent over the last month, mainly over fears that supply won't meet demand, concerns about a falling U.S. dollar, and what some say is a high degree of speculative investment money.

But so far drivers have been lucky. The national average price for gasoline has barely risen, going from $2.81 last month to $2.82 this month, according to the motorist organization AAA. --By CNNMoney.com's Steve Hargreaves (Posted 1:06 p.m.)

Idaho senator outlines legal strategy in filing over sex sting guilty plea

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Lawyers for Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, will argue that a state law related to his misdemeanor conviction over a airport men's room incident is unconstitutional, and that it would be "manifest injustice" not to allow the lawmaker to withdraw his guilty plea.

The legal strategy was revealed Friday in a filing with the Minnesota Court of Appeals, which is expected to hear his case sometime next year. Craig's lawyers last week announced their intention to appeal after a state judge refused on Oct. 4 to allow the senator to withdraw his earlier plea. Judge Charles Porter said the plea "was accurate, voluntary and intelligent, and ... supported by the evidence."

Craig was arrested in June at the Minneapolis International Airport in an undercover sting. He pleaded guilty in writing two months later to a disorderly conduct charge after being accused of soliciting sex in an airport bathroom. --From CNN Senior Producer Bill Mears (Posted 12:50 p.m.)

Georgia Supreme Court orders Genarlow Wilson released

ATLANTA (CNN) -- The Supreme Court of Georgia on Friday ordered the release of Genarlow Wilson, who had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for having consensual sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17.

In a 4-3 decision, the court ruled Wilson's punishment, under a Georgia law that has since been altered, was cruel and unusual.

The spokesman for Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker told CNN there will be no appeal. In a written statement, Baker said he hopes the decision will "put an end to this issue as a matter of contention in the hearts and minds of concerned Georgians and others across the country who have taken such a strong interest in this case."

Wilson's attorney told CNN she was working quickly in hope of securing his release before the end of the day. (Posted noon)

Advisory warns of possible use of shoes to smuggle explosives

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An advisory sent to state and local law enforcement agencies urging them to be on the lookout for the possible use of shoes to conceal and smuggle explosive components says the alert was prompted by a September incident in Europe involving blasting caps.

The law enforcement advisory, a copy of which was obtained by CNN on Friday, says that the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI "lack specific credible intelligence that terrorists plan to use this concealment tactic" in the United States.

The advisory was distributed "to allow officers on the streets to be alert to items that appear routine but may not be as they go about their daily duties," FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said Thursday evening.

In the European incident, authorities found electric blasting caps in the hollowed-out soles of shoes that had been packed in luggage and crossed international boundaries in a bus, the advisory says. --From CNN's Carol Cratty (Posted 11:54 a.m.)

An NFL first: Regular-season football game comes to London

LONDON (CNN) -- It's a historic time for football -- American football, that is -- and not only because some top players have been turned into robots. For the first time ever, the National Football League will play a regular season game outside of North America.

The Miami Dolphins meet the New York Giants in front of an expected 90,000 fans at London's Wembley stadium Sunday.

Giant robot replicas of the top stars have invaded the London streets to promote the game, which the NFL hopes will herald a new era for the United States' biggest sport.

The game is part of moves to take the sport to a global audience, with the NFL planning to increase teams' schedules from 16 games per season to 17. The extra games would be played overseas, meaning each team would have to play one competitive match outside the United States each year. (Posted 11:47 a.m.)

Stadium shelter for evacuees closes, death count rises as firefighters work to control remaining California blazes

SAN DIEGO (CNN) -- As a sign of progress in the fight against the raging Southern California wildfires, San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium was to be emptied of evacuees Friday.

At the peak of the rampant fires, 11,000 evacuees were camped out there. Those who are left, about 750 Thursday night, have the option of transferring to the Del Mar Fairgrounds north of the city when the facility closes about midday.

Some 2,000 people and another 2,500 animals, including about 2,000 horses, have received shelter at the fairgrounds and racetrack.

The death toll increased Thursday when the charred bodies of four people, all believed to be illegal immigrants, were found in a canyon near Barrett Junction, about 33 miles east of San Diego, a U.S. Border Patrol agent said.

Fourteen of 23 fires have been fully contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The blazes have burned 489,894 acres (765 square miles), and destroyed 1,635 homes. (Posted 11:04 a.m.)

Olmert, Abbas talks 'very positive'

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met Friday and had "very positive" talks, one in a series of successful sitdowns, an Israeli government spokesman said.

The pair sat down at Olmert's home in Jerusalem to discuss the progress of teams working out joint statements for next month's Middle East peace summit in Annapolis, Md., said government official David Baker.

Abbas also talked about the poor conditions in Gaza, and Olmert said that Israel will not permit a humanitarian crisis there, Baker said. Both sides emphasized their commitment to the peace process dubbed the road map, he said. (Posted 10:06 a.m.)

Georgia Supreme Court orders Genarlow Wilson released

ATLANTA (CNN) -- The Supreme Court of Georgia on Friday ruled that Genarlow Wilson's 10-year prison sentence was cruel and unusual, and ordered that he be released from prison.

Wilson was convicted in 2005 of a consensual sexual act with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17.

At the time, Georgia law made the act punishable by 10 years in prison. The law was later amended, making such conduct "punishable by no more than a year in prison and no sex offender registration," the supreme court noted in a news release Friday. But those changes were not made retroactive, so they did not apply to Wilson.

In a split 4-to-3 decision, the court upheld the decision of a Monroe County judge. The 48-page opinion said the "severe" punishment Wilson was given and his sex offender registration make "no measurable contribution to acceptable goals of punishment." (Posted 10:05 a.m.)

Commander in northern Iraq cites 'serious blow' to al Qaeda in Iraq

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The commander of U.S. troops in northern Iraq reported clear military progress in his region Friday, saying al Qaeda in Iraq has been dealt a "serious blow" by bulked-up military operations and insurgent attacks have dropped in recent months.

But, speaking to Pentagon reporters via teleconference, Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon also warned that "serious challenges remained," saying northern Iraq remains "fertile ground" for an active insurgency.

Mixon, commander of Task Force Lightning, said some areas such as Nineveh province have the ingredients for a transition to Iraqi military leadership, but others, like Diyala province, will continue to need a robust coalition military presence. (Posted 9:32 a.m.)

Olmert, Abbas meet to discuss peace summit in U.S.

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met on Friday, the prime minister's office said.

The pair sat down at Olmert's home in Jerusalem to discuss next month's Middle East peace summit in Annapolis, Md. (Posted 8:55 a.m.)

5 insurgents in Iraq killed in Iraqi raids

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Coalition troops launched a series of raids in northern and western Iraq on Friday, targeting al Qaeda in Iraq and "foreign terrorist" networks, leaving at least five insurgents dead, U.S. military statements said.

Four insurgents were killed southwest of Mosul when troops targeted an insurgent linked to al Qaeda in Iraq. Troops west of the northern Iraqi city Samarra killed one insurgent "while targeting an alleged associate of foreign terrorist facilitators."

More than 30 people were detained in these and other raids in Baiji, Kirkuk and Falluja. The U.S. military said two insurgents were killed in an operation on Thursday in Mosul. (Posted 8:24 a.m.)

Spanish court allows U.S. extradition of wanted arms dealer

MADRID (CNN) -- A Spanish court Friday agreed to allow the extradition to the United States of a Syrian-born arms dealer charged with conspiring to sell weapons to a Colombian terrorist group and conspiring to kill Americans.

A spokesman for Spain's National Court, which handles terrorism cases, said judges agreed to grant the U.S. extradition request for Monzer al Kassar, who was arrested in Madrid in June.

Kassar, who has been fighting extradition, can appeal to a larger panel of judges at the same court, but the Spanish government will still have the final say.

Police arrested Kassar in June as he arrived at Madrid's airport from the southern Spanish city of Malaga. Two other men were arrested in Romania as part of the same case and were extradited to the United States last week.

The U.S. Embassy in Madrid said Kassar and the men conspired to sell millions of dollars' worth of weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which the United States has designated a terrorist organization. (Posted 7:54 a.m.)

Residents trickle home as firefighters slowly gain control of Southern California wildfires

SAN DIEGO (CNN) -- Fire crews hope improving weather conditions in Southern California will help them douse the raging wildfires that have scorched nearly 500,000 acres this week and chased thousands of residents from their homes.

Arson investigators combed three Southern California counties for people they say set some of the blazes have charred 489,894 acres (765 square miles) -- an area roughly three-quarters of the size of Rhode Island.

Officials are attributing 14 deaths to the wildfires, seven directly attributed to the wildfires seven others from indirect causes during or after evacuations. At least 61 people -- including 28 firefighters -- have been injured as well.

The devastating fires prompted emergency help from President Bush, who vowed "we're not going to forget you in Washington, D.C." The cost of homes destroyed by the wildfires is astronomical and likely to top $1 billion in San Diego County alone, an emergency official said.

At present, conditions improved across the hard-hit swath of the state, with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection listing 23 blazes -- with 14 of the wildfires fully contained. (Posted 7:48 a.m.)

Spain seeks lyrics for national anthem

(CNN) -- Spaniards rarely seem at a loss for words -- except when it comes to their national anthem. Though more than two centuries old, it has never had any lyrics.

That may soon change. A three-month public competition to find lyrics for the anthem closes Friday, and a decision on the winning words could come by the end of the year.

The idea for the competition came from the Spanish Olympic Committee, which wanted athletes and fans to have words to sing when the anthem is played at sports events.

Thousands of entries have been received since the competition opened in July, and a six-member panel representing music, history, literature, politics, and sports meets next week to start deciding the winning lyrics. (Posted 6:18 a.m.)

Federal agencies set to announce sweeping settlement with BP

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Federal authorities Thursday announced a sweeping settlement with energy giant British Petroleum (BP PLC) including $373 million in civil charges, restitution and other penalties stemming from a fatal explosion at a Texas City refinery in 2005 and other incidents.

In addition to the explosion, the settlement covers the penalties from leaks of crude oil pipelines in Alaska and for a fraud conspiracy to corner the propane market in order to manipulate prices, top government officials announced at a Justice Department news conference.

The payments BP agreed to make include $50 million in criminal fines as part of a guilty plea for violating the Clean Air Act, in connection with the refinery explosion, which killed 15 and injured more than 100. (Posted 6 a.m.)

Brooklyn 7th-grader believed to have died from superbug

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A seventh-grade student from Brooklyn has died, possibly from the staph infection MRSA, New York City Health Department Associate Press Secretary Sheryl Goodwin said Thursday.

The student went to IS-211 in Canarsie.

"The infection was the probable cause," the Heath Department said in a statement. "We have no reason to believe that other children or school employees are at increased risk of staph infection."

Local media reported that the boy died on Oct. 14 and the school was notified eight days later.

According to the CDC, some 25 to 30 percent of the population carry the staph bacteria -- one of the most common causes of infection. While such infections are typically minor, invasive MRSA infections, because they are caused by drug-resistant staph, can become fatal. (Posted 5:40 a.m.)

2 ISAF service members die in firefight

(CNN) -- A pair of NATO International Security Assistance Force service members were killed and three were wounded in a firefight with insurgents in eastern Afghanistan's Kunar province late Thursday, an ISAF statement released Friday said.

"A combined Afghan National Army and ISAF patrol was ambushed with small-arms fire and rocket propelled grenades by insurgents from multiple positions, while on a foot patrol through the Korangal Valley," ISAF said. "The combined force repelled the insurgent attack with direct and indirect fire and close-air support."

According to ISAF, several weapons and the body of at least one insurgent were recovered after the battle.

The names and nationalities of the service members were not immediately released. (Posted 5:30 a.m.)

Critical talks between Turkish, Iraqi ministers focus on peace

ANKARA, Turkey (CNN) -- A high-level Iraqi delegation huddled with Turkish counterparts here on Friday in an attempt to avert a full-scale cross-border offensive into northern Iraq against Kurdish guerillas.

The talks began a day after Turkey's president, Abdullah Gul, said his country's "patience has come to an end" over the rebels -- formally named the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

An Iraqi "security and political" delegation arrived in Turkey on Thursday and includes Defense Minister Abdul Qadir Mohammed Jassim al-Ubaidi and Shirwan al-Wa'eli, Iraq's national security minister.

In what are considered critical talks, the group met Friday with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan and other top officials. (Posted 5 a.m.) E-mail to a friend