IRAQ: FALLUJAH

Reuters: Fighting Rages in Iraq's Falluja After Night Lull

U.S. warplanes launched air strikes in the Iraqi city of Falluja on Wednesday amid fierce fighting between U.S.-led forces and rebels.

Machinegun, mortar and rocket fire shook the Sunni Muslim city as planes made several bombing runs over the northwestern Jolan district within 15 minutes, a Reuters reporter said.

Smoke was rising from houses just beyond Falluja's captured rail station, where Marines and Iraqi forces have a base.

Marines said their opponents showed no signs of giving up, even though U.S. forces penetrated to the center of the city, west of Baghdad, after an offensive launched on Monday night.