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    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. Mortars land in Baghdad's Green ZoneBAGHDAD (CNN) -- At least four mortar rounds landed inside the heavily-fortified Green Zone Thursday morning, which houses the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, an Iraqi interior Ministry official said. A column of black smoke was seen rising from the area. There was no immediate report of damage or casualties. Hill arrives North Korea for talksTOKYO (CNN) -- U.S. envoy Christopher Hill arrived in North Korea Thursday for talks on the next moves to be made under a nuclear disarmament agreement reached earlier this year, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Ahead of Hill's arrival, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuhisa Shiozaki said at a Tokyo news conference that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had called Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso to tell him about the envoy's visit to Pyongyang. South Korean media was reporting that Hill would spend the night in North Korea and then return to the South on Friday, citing South Korea Foreign Ministry sources. North Korea reached a tentative agreement in February on a deal to begin to close down its nuclear program in exchange for $300 million in energy and financial aid. The United States, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia have been holding talks with North Korean officials since 2002 in an effort to shut down Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program. -- CNN's Sohn Jie-Ae and Junko Ogura contributed to this story. (Posted 1:05 a.m.) Researchers' animated simulation shows 9/11 attacks on WTCNEW YORK (CNN) -- A computer simulation of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center, posted on the Web site YouTube by Purdue University researchers, shows how hijacked planes crashed through the twin towers, stripping fireproofing materials from the steel columns and eventually leading to their collapse. The 3-D animation, part of a Purdue study that took two and a half years to complete, will hopefully help engineers design safer buildings, researchers said. "When the developers of the World Trade Center first designed the complex, they did take into account of an accidental plane crash," said Christoph Hoffman, one of the study's lead researchers. "The only thing they didn't anticipate is the fire. If the crash impacts the water line, then a fire can burn for a long time." The simulation was posted on YouTube June 1, and received more than 2,000 hits in the first hour, Hoffman said. As of Wednesday, it had garnered more than 120,000 views. From CNN's Chris Kokenes (Posted 1:05 a.m.) Two U.S. soldiers killed in IraqBAGHDAD (CNN) -- Two U.S. soldiers died Wednesday when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle southwest of Baghdad, the U.S. military said in a statement. Four other soldiers were wounded in the incident. All the soldiers were assigned to Task Force Marne, the military said. The soldiers' names were withheld pending notification of relatives. The deaths bring to 3,532 the number of U.S. service members who have died since the Iraq war began. (Posted 7:44 p.m.) McNulty to say his earlier testimony was truthful but incompleteWASHINGTON (CNN)-- Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, who has announced he will soon resign, will return to Capitol Hill Thursday and will insist his earlier Senate testimony about the U.S. attorney firings controversy was truthful but "in some respects incomplete." McNulty's opening statement to a House Judiciary subcommittee was released late Wednesday by the panel's staff. McNulty's Feb. 6 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee that the U.S. attorneys were fired for "performance related reasons," not for political reasons, prompted anger from several of the eight fired prosecutors. That assertion was challenged by McNulty's predecessor, James Comey, who commended the departed prosecutors' performances. And on May 23, former Justice Department White House liaison Monica Goodling directly questioned McNulty's truthfulness. --From Justice Producer Terry Frieden (Posted 6:26 p.m.) Study: Most infertile couples would donate unused embryos for research(CNN) -- A national survey of more than 1,000 people who created embryos and then had them frozen as part of fertility treatment found that 60 percent would be likely to donate any unused embryos for use in stem-cell research, researchers at Duke University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University reported Wednesday. "This adds to the already very strong case supporting loosening restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research," said Dr. Anne Drapkin Lyerly, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University in Durham, N.C., and lead author of the study, which was published Wednesday in the online component of the journal Science. In the study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Greenwall Foundation, a private group that focuses on bioethical issues, the researchers sent questionnaires to 2,210 people at nine infertility centers across the country, asking them about their intentions for the embryos they had stored. Nearly half (49 percent) of the 1,020 who said they had embryos currently stored said they would be likely to donate some or all of their unneeded embryos to research in general, the study said. That figure rose to 60 percent, it said, when the participants were asked whether they would donate the embryos for use in stem-cell research or work intended to find treatments for disease or infertility, even though it was made clear that such work would result in the destruction of the embryos. (Posted 6:18 p.m.) Bloomberg 'flattered' by White House talk, but insists he won't runNEW YORK (CNN) -- Fresh from officially declaring his political independence, New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg said Wednesday that he finds all the speculation he'll run for president in 2008 "very flattering," but he still has no intention of making a bid. "I have said that my intention is to be mayor for the next 925 days," Bloomberg told reporters. "I've got the greatest job in the world, and I'm going to keep on doing it. "I'm confident that this country will have options. I do think the more people that run for office, the better." However, Bloomberg took the opportunity to again criticize the Washington political system, which he had described in a speech last weekend as "sinking into a swamp of dysfunction." "I'm particularly upset that the big issues of our time keep getting pushed to the back, and we focus on small things that probably only inside the Beltway are important," he said. He cited health care, education, immigration, Social Security and the U.S. "reputation overseas" as issues that are getting short shrift in favor of what he called "litmus-test issues." (Posted 5:41 p.m.) Police seeking clues in search for missing pregnant womanNORTH CANTON, Ohio (CNN) -- Investigators Wednesday were pursuing hundreds of leads and analyzing the cell phone records of a woman who, at nine months pregnant, went missing last week in northeastern Ohio, a police official said. Characterizing it as "the best way to go," Stark County Chief Deputy Rick Perez told reporters at a news conference that officials were looking at cell phone records for clues in the disappearance of 26-year-old Jessie Davis. Davis' mother told police she had been unable to contact Davis last Thursday and had found her daughter's 2-year-old son, Blake, wandering alone amid broken furniture at the house. "If there is foul play involved -- and there is evidence that indicates that there is -- there is someone out there that knows something, has seen something," FBI special agent Scott Wilson said Wednesday, inviting anyone with information to call the authorities. He also announced the FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information. (Posted 5:33 p.m.) Many American colleges balking at U.S. News ranking(CNN) -- If presidents of some of the nation's top liberal arts colleges get their way, they will no longer be included in the U.S. News and World Report's influential collegiate ranking system. At issue is the "reputation survey," a part of the ranking system that is filled out by the presidents of colleges included in the survey. Presidents from some of the nation's leading private and liberal arts colleges met in Annapolis Tuesday to discuss a possible boycott. Approximately 80 presidents and 71 academic deans of the nation's leading liberal arts colleges attended the annual meeting of the Annapolis Group, an organization made up of 121 private and liberal arts colleges. Todd Wilson, director of communications for Sarah Lawrence College -- which is among those not participating in the reputation survey -- called it "a collegiate beauty contest that is not a valid basis for judging the quality of education." While the group did not call for an overall boycott of the rankings system, according to its newly named chair, Kate Will, the majority of members indicated their intent to stop participating in the reputation survey, which produces what she says is "not educationally valid research." --From CNN's Janine Brady in New York (Posted 3:32 p.m.) Bush vetoes stem cell billWASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Wednesday vetoed legislation that would have expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. "If this legislation became law, it would compel American taxpayers, for the first time in our history, to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos," Bush said as he announced the veto at the White House. "I will not allow our nation to cross this moral line." It was the third veto of Bush's administration, and his second veto of embryonic stem cell research legislation, which was written by Democrats. (Posted 3 p.m.) Militants in Gaza fire more rockets at Israel despite warning from HamasGAZA CITY (CNN) -- Militants in Gaza Wednesday launched a volley of six Qassam rockets at Israel, according to the Israeli military, despite an order from Hamas calling for a halt to rocket attacks on Israel. The rockets landed in and near the Israeli town of Sderot, the Israel Defense Forces said. There were no initial reports of casualties. Earlier in the day, Israel launched airstrikes at two rocket launchers in northern Gaza after militants fired two Qassams at Israel, an IDF spokeswoman said. Palestinian security sources said the two rockets were fired by Islamic Jihad militants, despite the order by Hamas, which seized control of Gaza last week. -- From CNN Jerusalem Bureau Chief Kevin Flower in Gaza (Posted 2:43 p.m.) Abbas denounces Hamas 'traitors'(CNN) -- In his first public address since installing a new government, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday denounced the previous Hamas leaders as "traitors," blaming them for planning their "bloody coup" in Gaza while participating in a unity government. He called on Hamas to apologize for the fighting in Gaza and hand government offices to the new Palestinian leaders. "We reject a monopoly of power by one group or faction," Abbas said. Abbas, who heads the rival Fatah movement, addressed the Palestinian Liberation Organization in Ramallah, West Bank -- which he chairs -- at a time when he is seeking support for the government he installed under emergency orders following Hamas' takeover of Gaza last week. (Posted 1:51 p.m.) Bush vetoes stem cell billWASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Wednesday vetoed legislation that would have expanded federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, the White House said. It was the third veto of Bush's administration, and his second veto of embryonic stem cell research legislation, which was written by Democrats. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 was intended to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. The Senate has the first chance to override it, since that is where the bill originated, but any such effort is expected to fail.(Posted 1:39 p.m.) In Baghdad, troops find an orphanage from hellBAGHDAD (CNN) -- A Baghdad orphanage housing severely mistreated boys was discovered earlier this month by U.S. and Iraqi troops, the U.S. and Iraqi authorities have confirmed. The U.S. military issued a statement Wednesday about the discovery, which it said was made on June 10. The military said "24 boys, ages 3 to 15 years old, were found naked in a darkened room without any windows. Many of the children were tied to their beds and were too weak to stand once released." There was a locked room "full of food and clothing which could have been used to aid the children," it said. "Three women, claiming to be the caretakers, and two men, the orphanage director and a guard, were on site when the soldiers arrived" at the orphanage in a northwest Baghdad neighborhood. (Posted 12:39 p.m.) Abbas calls on Hamas to apologize for actions in Gaza(CNN) -- In his first public address since he installed a new government after Hamas' takeover of Gaza, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday called on Hamas to "apologize ... for the bloody coup" and hand government offices in Gaza to the new government. "We reject a monopoly of power by one group or faction," Abbas said. He denounced Hamas' actions in Gaza, accusing the militant group of "killings and disposition and massacre," as well as a planned assassination against him during a recent trip to Gaza. He said he received a tape from a member of Hamas showing six militants planting a bomb, some of them saying, "'This bomb is for Abu Mazen" -- referring to Abbas. (Posted 12:32 p.m.) Iraqi diplomat: Rushdie knighthood 'wasn't timely'LONDON (CNN) -- Iraq's foreign minister on Wednesday said the decision of Britain to award a knighthood to author Salman Rushdie "wasn't timely." "As for my government, in fact, we share the views of many Muslims. Iraq is a Muslim country," said Hoshyar Zebari, responding to a reporter's question at a press conference with his British counterpart, Margaret Beckett. Many Muslims had been offended by Rushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses" and there has been some protest about the honor. Zebari indicated that he wasn't speaking officially for Iraq, saying that he doesn't have "an official position" from his government on the matter. "We believe that with all due respect to the knighthood, I think, it wasn't timely," he said. And he added, "I think it would be used by many quarters to exploit this issue outside its context." (Posted 12:29 p.m.) Bush prepares to veto stem-cell billWASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush prepared Wednesday to veto a Democrat-written bill that would have eased restrictions on the use of federal funds for research involving embryonic stem cells. It would be the third veto of Bush's administration, and his second veto of embryonic stem cell research legislation. The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 was intended to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. After Bush's expected veto, the Senate would have the first chance to override it, since that is where the bill originated, but any such effort is expected to fail. (Posted 12:21 p.m.) Travelers given more time to meet U.S. border security requirementsWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Travelers now have more time to gather the secure travel documents they will need at U.S. land and sea entry points when a new identification requirement plan is fully implemented, the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department said in a joint statement issued Wednesday. A requirement for U.S. citizens to show passports at land crossings into the United States from Canada and Mexico was scheduled to be fully implemented next January, but now will not go into full effect until summer 2008, the departments said. But the new plan includes a preliminary phase: Beginning Jan. 31, travelers will be required to present some form of government-issued photo ID at land and sea ports beginning. New rules also will apply to residents of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda. Currently, U.S. residents arriving by land are not required to present any documentation, although driver's licenses, passports and other government identification can greatly ease a traveler's crossing. (Posted 12:08 p.m.) Crane to remove debris so burned warehouse can be investigatedCHARLESTON, S.C. (CNN) -- A crane topped by an American flag was brought to the burned warehouse furniture store where nine firefighters died Monday night, to remove the rest of the roof so investigators can safely examine the charred building, authorities said Wednesday. The roof of the Sofa Super Store partly collapsed during the fire. One investigator said it was "not a particularly complicated fire scene" to study, and a report should be available in days, as opposed to weeks. State and federal officials are participating in the probe. Mayor Joe Riley has said there is no initial indication of foul play or arson. (Posted 10:52 a.m.) Israel opens border to sick Gazans, as it seeks to forge ties with new Palestinian leadershipJERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel Wednesday continued to forge ties with the newly installed Palestinian government, agreeing to allow sick and wounded Palestinians in Gaza to get medical treatment in the Jewish state. Fresh from a meeting with President Bush in Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is planning to meet next week with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to Israeli daily Haaretz. Olmert and Bush on Tuesday voiced their strong support for the new government formed by Abbas, the leader of the Fatah movement, whom Bush described as "a reasonable voice amongst the extremists." But Israel wants the new government under Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to start moving on issues that had stalled under the previous Fatah-Hamas unity government. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni delivered that message to Fayyad in a telephone call Wednesday, asking him to "advance the political process," which had been "stuck," according to a statement from the foreign ministry. (Posted 10:50 a.m.) 3 Canadian soldiers killed in southern Afghan blast(CNN) -- The three NATO soldiers killed in a roadside bombing Wednesday in southern Afghanistan were Canadian troops, Canadian forces told CNN. They died about 8 a.m. "when the vehicle in which they were traveling struck a suspected improvised explosive device on the main road," a Canadian forces statement said. "The incident occurred while the soldiers were conducting resupply operations between checkpoints" about 25 miles west of Kandahar, the statement said. The number of Canadian troops killed in the Afghan war now stands at 60. (Posted 10:39 a.m.) General: U.S., Iraqi military focus on insurgents in 'Baghdad belts'BAGHDAD (CNN) -- The new U.S. and Iraqi military offensive against militants in Diyala province is part of a larger push against insurgent hot spots, with an emphasis on the so-called "Baghdad belts," a U.S. military commander told CNN on Wednesday. Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the commanding general of Multi-National Corps-Iraq, said it is part of a "large-scale" effort unfolding "in several different areas within Iraq." At the same time, an insurgent group issued a claim that it is making strides in the Diyala fighting. Interviewed by CNN's John Roberts on "American Morning," Odierno said the troops are focused on parts of the "Baghdad belts" -- a reference to the insurgents who plan and launch attacks on Baghdad and other places from communities ringing the sprawling capital. A U.S. military statement said the overall name for these "simultaneous" operations going on in Iraq is Operation Phantom Thunder and it comes as the escalation, or so-called "surge," of U.S. troops in Iraq this year has been completed. (Posted 10:15 a.m.) Israeli FM asks new Palestinian leader to advance 'stuck' political processJERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Wednesday delivered a message to the newly appointed Palestinian prime minister, asking him to "advance the political process" which had been "stuck" under the previous Fatah-Hamas unity government. Livni spoke with Salam Fayyad, who was appointed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and sworn into office last weekend. The previous Hamas leaders have refused to recognize the government, sworn in after Abbas declared a state of emergency and dissolved the unity government. Livni stressed that the newly installed cabinet needs to push "various issues" forward. (Posted 9:20 a.m.) Attackers strike 3 Sunni mosques in apparent retaliation for deadly Shiite shrine attack in BaghdadBAGHDAD (CNN) -- Three Sunni mosques in Babil province came under attack Tuesday night hours after militants bombed a Shiite mosque in Baghdad, police in Hilla told CNN Wednesday. Police said militia members conducted the strikes, two in Iskandariya and one near Mahawil. Police believe angry Shiites struck the Sunni mosques in retaliation for the afternoon bombing that damaged the Khalani Mosque, an attack that killed 87 people and wounded more than 200 others. Gunmen stormed and set off bombs in Osama Bin Zaid, an Iskandariya mosque, at 9:45 p.m. Abdulla al-Jabouri was attacked for the second time since last week's bombing of Al-Askariya Mosque in Samarra, a strike that also spurred some retaliation by Sunnis. A bomb exploded around 10 p.m. inside the compound and caused minor damage. In Ajbala, near Mahawil, militia members bombed the Asfouk Mosque and the next-door house of the imam around 11 p.m. --From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq(Posted 8:19 a.m.) 87 killed, 214 wounded in Baghdad truck bombBAGHDAD (CNN) -- The toll from a massive truck bomb in a busy commercial district in central Baghdad Tuesday, which damaged a historic Shiite mosque, has risen to at least 87 dead and 214 wounded, Iraq's Interior Ministry said in a Wednesday update. The U.S. military said the truck was apparently loaded with propane tanks. The attack, which damaged Khalani Mosque, stoked fears of more sectarian violence. It occurred nearly a week after the second bombing of Al-Askariya Mosque in Samarra, a Shiite shrine, destroyed the structure's two minarets Askariya had been bombed in February 2006, collapsing the mosque's famous dome. That attack, believed to be carried out by Sunni radicals, generated widespread Sunni-Shiite violence and population displacement. (Posted 7:39 a.m.) 3 NATO soldiers killed in southern Afghan blast(CNN) -- A bomb killed three NATO soldiers in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, NATO's International Security Assistance Force said. A roadside bomb struck the vehicle they were traveling in, NATO said. There were no civilian casualties in the incident. NATO did not release the nationalities of the three and in what province the incident took place. (Posted 7:38 a.m.) Israeli aircraft strike Gaza rocket launchers; 6 Palestinian gunmen die in fights with IsraelisJERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli aircraft pounded two rocket launchers in northern Gaza on Wednesday after two Qassam rockets were fired toward southern Israel, an Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman said. It is the first Israeli airstrike since Hamas took control of Gaza last week. There were no reported casualties from the rocket attacks or the airstrikes. Israeli soldiers killed six Palestinian gunmen during firefights in Gaza and the West Bank early Wednesday, Israeli and Palestinian sources said. In Gaza, Israeli forces pushed several hundred yards (meters) into the Palestinian territory, near Kissufim Crossing, to battle militants, the sources said. During the exchange, two Palestinian gunmen were killed and three others were wounded. Two of the wounded later died. An Israeli army spokesman said one Israeli soldier was moderately wounded. (Posted 7:17 a.m.) Erakat: 'Very dire, grave situation' for refugees in Erez Crossing 'no man's land'GAZA CITY (CNN) -- Several dozen pro-Fatah Palestinians stranded since last week inside the Erez Crossing walkway that connects Hamas-held Gaza to Israel have little food and no toilets, a situation a senior Palestinian official described as "a very dire, grave situation." "The situation is dreadful. The situation is very, very dire and we hope we can work it out no later than today," said Saeb Erakat. The refugees are inside the 300-yard-long covered walkway bordered by two 10-yard-high concrete walls, which is now filled with waste and feces. They are mostly young men, but a few women are also there with several children. They represent what is left of several hundred people who rushed to the border crossing last week when fighting between Hamas and Fatah militants raged for control of Gaza. Some of them tell stories of narrow escapes from Hamas militants and many say they fear for their lives if forced return to Gaza. The Israeli government allowed several dozen senior Fatah leaders and their families to pass through on their way to the Fatah-controlled West Bank, but for most the border was closed. --CNN's Kevin Flowers and Ben Wedeman in Gaza contributed to this report.(Posted 6:37 a.m.) Coalition, Iraqi forces kill at least 30 insurgentsBAGHDAD (CNN) -- At least 30 insurgents were killed during the first full day of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, a joint push by U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi security forces in Diyala province, north of Baghdad, a U.S. military statement released Wednesday said. "This operation is just beginning and we will continue to strike al Qaeda no matter where they hide and we won't rest until the job is done," said Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek with Multi-National Corps - Iraq. "The people of Diyala are tired of the terror and violence these al Qaeda thugs have brought to their province and are cooperating with us in order to root them out." Launched Tuesday, the operation involves thousands of U.S. and coalition forces, along with about 2,000 Iraqi soldiers and police, in raids and operations in and around the Baquba area. On Tuesday, forces found and destroyed a number of weapons caches and discovered at least 14 improvised explosive devices -- buried on roadsides or planted in homes. (Posted 6:20 a.m.) 6 Palestinian gunmen die in firefights with Israeli forcesJERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli soldiers killed six Palestinian gunmen during firefights in Gaza and the West Bank early Wednesday, Israeli and Palestinian sources said. In Gaza, Israeli forces pushed several hundred yards (meters) into the Palestinian territory, near Kissufim Crossing, to battle militants, the sources said. During the exchange, two Palestinian gunmen were killed and three others were wounded. Two of the wounded later died. An Israeli army spokesman said one Israeli soldier was moderately wounded. Overnight, Israeli forces killed two Palestinian militants in the West Bank town of Kafr Dan, near Jenin, Israeli and Palestinian sources said. The Israeli army said its soldiers entered the village to arrest two wanted men and became embroiled in a several-hour exchange of gunfire, during which the men were killed. According to residents, the gunmen were members of Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. (Posted 4:40 a.m.) 21 bullet-riddled bodies found in BaghdadBAGHDAD (CNN) -- Iraq's Interior Ministry reports that police found 21 bullet-riddled bodies across the capital on Tuesday. The total for June stands at 380, a ministry spokesman said Wednesday. (Posted 3:50 a.m.) 4 Palestinian gunmen die in firefights with Israeli forcesJERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli soldiers killed four Palestinian gunmen during firefights in Gaza and the West Bank early Wednesday, Israeli and Palestinian sources said. In Gaza, Israeli forces pushed several hundred meters into the Palestinian territory, near Kissufim Crossing, to battle militants, the sources said. During the exchange, two Palestinian gunmen were killed and three others were wounded. An Israeli army spokesman said one Israeli soldier was moderately wounded. Overnight, Israeli forces killed two Palestinian militants in the West Bank town of Kafr Dan, near Jenin, Israeli and Palestinian sources said. The Israeli army said its soldiers entered the village to arrest two wanted men and became embroiled in a several-hour exchange of gunfire, during which the men were killed. According to residents, the gunmen were members of Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. (Posted 3:05 a.m.) New York Assembly passes same-sex marriage bill, but Senate passage is uncertainNEW YORK (CNN) -- New York's State Assembly approved legislation in an 85-to-61 bipartisan vote Tuesday that would legalize same-sex marriages, but the bill's future is doubtful in the Republican-led State Senate, which would have to pass it before it could reach Gov. Elliot Spitzer's desk. Spitzer, who made a campaign promise last year that he would fight to give gay couples the right to marry, introduced the measure in April. Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, a Manhattan Democrat and the openly gay brother of comedian Rosie O'Donnell, sponsored the bill. A statewide poll on Tuesday by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute showed New Yorkers are divided on the issue of gay marriage. The poll showed 35 percent of registered voters said same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, 35 percent said gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions but not be allowed to legally marry and 22 percent said they were opposed to legal recognition of same-sex relationships. --From CNN's Cheryl Robinson (Posted 3:05 a.m.) Woman finds day-old baby in northern Ohio(CNN) -- Susan Redman told CNN's Anderson Cooper she noticed a basket at her back door as she and her husband returned to their rural home from dinner. Assuming it was some produce from neighbors, she went to the door and "I was totally shocked to see a sleeping, beautiful little girl in the basket." The baby girl was found in a wicker basket Monday at the residence south of Wooster, Ohio, near where Jessie Davis, 26, went missing last week. She was nine months pregnant. The child's umbilical cord was still attached, Redman said, and was still moist. It was tied off with a black rubber band, she said. Redman, a nurse, brought the child inside, as it was 88 degrees outside. The baby had a lot of "very thick mucus" in her throat and had trouble breathing, an indication she had not been suctioned out at a hospital, Redman told CNN. She turned the baby over and struck its back gently about four times, and told the arriving deputy that the child should be taken to a hospital. (Posted 1:25 a.m.) Chertoff to announce plan to phase in changes in passport requirementsWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Responding to a furor over passport application delays, and facing a looming deadline for land border identification cards, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Wednesday will announce a plan to phase in changes to give travelers time to adjust, but at the same time will emphasize the need to move forward with security measures, according to a Department of Homeland Security official. The federal government will "try to give travelers time to adjust," the official told CNN. But he added, "Make no mistake about it, we are moving forward with secure identification requirements ... if we do not fix what is a known vulnerability, we're tempting fate." The government recently began requiring U.S. travelers arriving by air from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean to present passports, but the resulting rush for passports has created backlogs, even though the State Department had beefed up its resources in anticipation of the onslaught. The bigger crush, however, is anticipated next January when DHS will require secure travel documents at U.S. land borders. The vast majority of travelers arriving from Canada and Mexico arrive by land. (Posted 1:10 a.m.) Coalition, Iraqi forces kill at least 30 insurgentsBAGHDAD (CNN) -- At least 30 insurgents were killed during the first full day of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, a joint push by U.S.-led coalition and Iraqi security forces in Diyala province, north of Baghdad, a U.S. military statement released Wednesday said. "This operation is just beginning and we will continue to strike al Qaeda no matter where they hide and we won't rest until the job is done," said Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek with Multi-National Corps - Iraq. "The people of Diyala are tired of the terror and violence these al Qaeda thugs have brought to their province and are cooperating with us in order to root them out." Launched Tuesday, the operation involves thousands of U.S. and coalition forces, along with about 2,000 Iraqi soldiers and police, in raids and operations in and around the Baquba area. (Posted 1:05 a.m.) Wyoming GOP picks finalists for Thomas seat; Georgia voters pick successor to Norwood(CNN) -- GOP leaders in Wyoming Tuesday narrowed a long list of candidates down to three finalists for the seat of the late Republican Sen. Craig Thomas, who died of leukemia earlier this month, while voters in a northeast Georgia congressional district went to the polls to pick a successor to Rep. Charlie Norwood, a Republican who died of cancer in February. In a non-partisan special election in Georgia's Republican-leaning 10th District, GOP state Sen. Jim Whitehead from Evans earned a spot in a July 17 runoff by capturing about 44 percent of the vote, according to returns from the Georgia Secretary of State's office. Two candidates were in a razor-tight battle for the runoff spot against Whitehead. Democrat James Marlow, a high-tech executive from Lincolnton, and Republican Paul Broun, a doctor from Athens, were separated by less than 50 votes, with about 94 percent of the precincts reporting. Meanwhile, in Wyoming, the state Republican central committee picked three finalists to succeed Thomas -- Tom Sansonetti, 58, of Cheyenne, Thomas' former chief of staff and a former state party chair; state Sen. John Barrasso, 54, a surgeon from Casper; and Cynthia Lummis, 52, a former state treasurer and rancher from Cheyenne. (Posted 10:23 p.m.) |
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