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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. Wrestler found dead at metro Atlanta homeFAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (CNN) -- Pro wrestler Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and their seven-year-old son, Daniel, were found dead Monday at their metro Atlanta home, according to Fayette County authorities. "We're viewing it at the moment as a murder-suicide," said Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard. "The sheriff's office has already very thoroughly investigated and, with the crime lab, will continue to investigate and I'm quite confident, in a few days, we'll have a lot more answers than we have right now." Benoit's employer, the WWE, called the sheriff's department after the wrestler missed two appointments over the weekend, including a pay-per-view event in Houston. The WWE mourned Benoit, 40, on its Web site, hailing him as one of the great champions of professional wrestling. "The sports-entertainment world has truly suffered a loss with his passing, as one of the all-time greats was taken well before his time." Nicknamed the "Rabid Wolverine," the native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, held various individual and tag-team titles during his 22-year wrestling career. In his biography on the WWE Web site, Benoit is quoted as saying: "Wrestling has consumed my life ... It's my mistress, my passion. It defines a lot of who I am as a person." Lt. Tommy Pope of the Fayette County Sheriffs Office said preliminary autopsy results are expected Tuesday afternoon, with toxicology results due on Wednesday. (Posted 12:20 a.m.) Lugar urges Bush to change course in IraqWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Republican support for President Bush's Iraq war policy suffered a significant crack Monday evening, when Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a well-respected GOP voice on foreign affairs, took to the Senate floor to urge the president to change course in Iraq "very soon" to avoid further damage to America's military readiness and long-term national security. Lugar, the ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, also sounded a pessimistic note on the prospects for internal political progress in Iraq, saying he sees "no convincing evidence that Iraqis will make the compromises necessary to solidify a functioning government and society, even if we reduce violence to a point that allows for some political and economic normalcy." The senator said continuing military operations in Iraq were putting a damaging level of stress on U.S. forces, "taking a toll on recruitment and readiness." Lugar also said he believes the chances for success of Bush's strategy of boosting troop levels in Iraq to try to get the security situation there under control "are very limited within the short period framed by our own domestic political debate." (Posted 9:39 p.m.) Feds grilled over agency's response to Ground Zero air contaminationWASHINGTON (CNN) -- Members of a House subcommittee on Monday grilled the heads of the two top agencies charged with protecting the public's health after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, accusing them of bending to White House pressure by issuing reassurances about safety that have proven false. Rep. Anthony D. Weiner, D-N.Y., read aloud from a Sept. 13, 2001, EPA-issued press release that said air quality near the still-burning pile of rubble at Ground Zero was "unlikely to cause significant health effects" and "the EPA is greatly relieved to have learned that there appear to be no significant levels of asbestos dust in the air in New York City." At the time, EPA officials knew those reassurances were wrong, he said, citing the agency's own tests that showed "25 percent of dust samples were shown to be unsafe." Former EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman rejected the suggestions. (Posted 9:09 p.m.) White House backs Cheney in latest document disputeWASHINGTON (CNN) -- The White House appeared to back Vice President Dick Cheney's argument that he's not entirely part of the executive branch of government Monday, with a spokeswoman pointing out that the Senate signs Cheney's paycheck. Under the Constitution, the vice president serves as president of the Senate, with the power to break a tie if needed. But unless a tie is in the offing, modern vice presidents rarely preside over the chamber and have instead taken on a larger policy role within the administration. Cheney's office asserted last week that it is not bound by a presidential order requiring executive branch agencies to report how many documents they classify or declassify to the National Archives. The vice president says his position as president of the Senate puts him in a different position, straddling the legislative and executive spheres. That claim has raised eyebrows across Washington, particularly since Cheney successfully defended his office from previous disclosure requests by citing the Constitution's separation of powers. His office complied with the reporting order in 2001 and 2002, but it stopped in 2003. -- From CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry (Posted 7:52 p.m.) Immigration overhaul faces key Senate vote TuesdayWASHINGTON (CNN) -- A controversial overhaul of the nation's immigration system faces a potentially make-or-break test vote in the Senate Tuesday, with the White House lobbying reluctant Republicans to move forward on the bill despite a tidal wave of critical phone calls and e-mails pouring into their offices. The Senate will first vote on a procedural motion to move ahead with the immigration reform measure, which needs 60 votes to pass. If that hurdle is cleared, senators will then begin considering some two dozen amendments, split evenly between Republicans and Democrats under an agreement brokered by a bipartisan group of senators who crafted the compromise bill. GOP leadership sources told CNN that Republican leaders are optimistic they have the 60 votes needed to revive the immigration plan, which stalled on the Senate floor earlier this month -- an analysis echoed by the White House. (Posted 7:32 p.m.) High school students grill President Bush about alleged torture of detaineesWASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush got a little more than he bargained for Monday when he invited high school students from the Presidential Scholars Class of 2007 to the White House for an event promoting reauthorization of his signature No Child Left Behind education reform law. CNN has learned that a couple of the high school students privately gave the president a handwritten letter, signed by 50 teenagers, urging the commander-in-chief to "do all in your power to stop violations of the human rights of detainees, to cease illegal renditions, and to apply the Geneva Convention to all detainees, including those designated enemy combatants." The letter began, "We have been told that we represent the best and brightest of our nation. Therefore, we believe we have a responsibility to voice our convictions. We do not want American to represent torture." A senior administration official confirmed that the president received the letter from the students and responded that the United States does not torture terror detainees. -- From CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry (Posted 7:01 p.m.) Efforts beefed up in battle against California wildfireSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. (CNN) -- Lower winds Monday helped firefighters attack the Angora fire, which has burned 2,400 acres and destroyed at least 240 homes and other buildings south of Lake Tahoe, state fire officials said. But lesser winds meant more smoke in the Tahoe Basin, hindering an air assault on the blaze. "The strong winds we saw yesterday appear to be subsiding," said Ken Pimlott, assistant deputy director of CalFire, "and that allows firefighters to go direct. But it has made it more difficult to get in with aviation equipment. The firefighting effort got a boost when the state of California declared a state of emergency for El Dorado County, freeing up state funds for fighting the blaze and repairing the infrastructure. Lt. Gov. John Garamendi signed the declaration, since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is on an official visit to Europe. Garamendi called the fire a "wake-up call" for homeowners to obey a state law that requires a 100-foot "defensible space" between their homes and wildlands."If you're not doing that you're running a risk for yourself, and you're running a risk for the firefighters that might come to protect that home," he said. (Posted 5:52 p.m.) McCain-Feingold ruling adds new 'X factor' to 2008WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court's reversal of federal limits on independent political advertising has the potential to add "another X factor" to an already-unpredictable 2008 presidential race, as one campaign finance analyst said Monday. "It adds more money. It adds the potential for more upheaval from ad campaigns that the campaigns may want to stay away from," said Evan Tracey, a campaign finance analyst at TNS Media Intelligence. Monday's 5-4 ruling struck down a key provision of the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance law that barred third-party issue advertising 30 days before a primary and 60 days before a general election and restricted the use of candidates' names. "What's old is new again," Tracey said. "The advertising tactics that we saw in the '90s and the early parts of 2000, before McCain-Feingold, are now available again to the groups, the unions and the other parties that are going to play in this." (Posted 5:44 p.m.) GAO report slams U.S. for failing to coordinate law enforcement agencies' anti-terrorism efforts overseasWASHINGTON (CNN) -- A just-released report slams the federal government for failing to coordinate the work of U.S. law enforcement agencies overseas to fight terrorism. The report, by the Government Accountability Office, found that in one country, which it did not name, a lack of clarity about the roles and responsibilities of the FBI and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency may have compromised several investigations intended to identify and disrupt potential terrorist activities. Despite a series of directives from the White House instructing U.S. law enforcement agencies to assist foreign nations' anti-terrorism efforts, embassy and law enforcement officials told the GAO "they had received little or no guidance" on how to do so, the report said. The issue of roles and responsibilities "remains unresolved and is still subject to ongoing debates within the administration," it said. The 2003 National Strategy for Combating Terrorism instructed the State Department to develop and coordinate U.S. counterterrorism policy abroad, but according to the report it did not do so. The 2004 Intelligence Reform Act shifted that responsibility to the National Counterterrorism Center and, although a general plan has been drafted, it has not yet been implemented. --From Homeland Security Correspondent Jeanne Meserve (Posted 4:57 p.m.) State Department issues urgent plea for help clearing passport backlogWASHINGTON (CNN) -- The State Department has issued an desperate plea to its diplomats worldwide to help clear the backlog of 3 million passport applications. In a cable to all Foreign Service personnel, Undersecretary for Management Henrietta H. Fore urgently asked 100 diplomats with consular experience to "serve our citizens here at home." "The Department of State is facing an unprecedented demand for U.S. passport services and is taking extraordinary measures to meet that demand," Fore wrote in the cable, obtained by CNN. " We need your assistance to do this and I ask that you give us your full cooperation." The demand for passports resulted from a law enacted at the beginning of the year that for the first time required all American citizens to present a U.S. passport upon returning home by air from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean. --From CNN State Department Producer Elise Labott (Posted 4:51 p.m.) U.S. envoy says North Korea could disable nuclear reactor by year's endWASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. envoy to North Korea, Chris Hill, said Monday he hopes for North Korea's nuclear reactor to be shut down and disabled and for talks to be under way for a peace treaty on the Korean peninsula by the end of the year. Hill, who spent two days in Pyongyang meeting with North Korea's nuclear negotiator, said that during his visit the DPRK reaffirmed its commitment to the nuclear disarmament agreement reached in February. DPRK is the acronym for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "I think the next couple weeks are going to be a very important period for the six-party process," Hill told reporters. He said that North Korea has invited inspectors from the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, to monitor the shutdown of Pyongyang's main nuclear facility, at Yongbyon. He said he expects the reactor to be shut down within a few weeks. --From CNN State Department Producer Elise Labott (Posted 4:21 p.m.) U.S. soldiers killed MondayBAGHDAD (CNN) -- Two U.S. soldiers were killed Monday in Iraq, the military announced. One soldier died in a small arms attack in southeast Baghdad, and the other was killed when a roadside bomb detonated near a military vehicle during combat operations in an eastern section of the capital. The deaths follow a deadly weekend for U.S. forces: 12 troops died Saturday, 10 of them in attacks, mostly in Baghdad, the military said. This brings the number of U.S. military deaths in the war to 3,561 -- 84 of them in June. (Posted 4 p.m.) Suicide bomber targets Baghdad hotel, striking reconciliation meeting; 12 deadBAGHDAD (CNN) -- A suicide bomber detonated his explosives inside a busy central Baghdad hotel, killing at least 12 people -- most of them Sunni and Shiite tribal leaders who were meeting as part of Iraq's reconciliation effort -- U.S. and Iraqi officials told CNN. An Iraqi journalist was also among those killed in the Mansour Hotel blast, which wounded 21, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said. The U.S. military gave a different casualty count, saying nine people died and 11 were wounded. (posted 3:54 p.m.) Policeman gets $5 million bond in death of pregnant womanCANTON, Ohio (CNN) -- Bond was set Monday at $5 million for a Canton policeman charged with the death of a pregnant 26-year-old woman and at $500,000 for an unemployed woman charged with obstructing justice in the investigation into the death of Jessie Marie Davis. Police Patrolman Bobby Cutts Jr. and Myisha Ferrell appeared separately with their attorneys behind a glass partition in the Canton courtroom. Davis' mother, Patty Porter, stood in the front row, her tearing eyes fixed on the suspects. Cutts and Ferrell were ordered to return to court for preliminary hearings on July 2. A charging document filed Monday in Canton Municipal Court accuses Cutts, 29, of double murder, alleging he "did purposely cause the death of Jessie Marie Davis" at her home and "did cause the death of an unborn fetus." Davis' body was found Saturday in a northeastern Ohio park after a 10-day search. (Posted 3:21 p.m.) World Bank directors approve Zoellick to replace WolfowitzWASHINGTON (CNN) -- The executive directors of the World Bank on Monday unanimously approved the nomination of former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick to be president of the bank, replacing Paul Wolfowitz, who was forced to step down. Zoellick, whose five-year term will begin July 1, will serve as the 11th president of the bank. "In coming to their decision, the executive directors considered that Mr. Zoellick brings to the bank presidency strong leadership and managerial qualities as well as a proven track record in international affairs and the drive required to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of the bank," the directors said in a written statement. Wolfowitz agreed to step down after the bank determined that he violated rules when he approved a raise for his companion, Shaha Riza. (Posted 2:30 p.m.) At Mideast summit, Olmert announces prisoner release planSHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt (CNN) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday he is prepared to release 250 prisoners affiliated with Fatah as a measure to bolster Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the rest of the Fatah leadership in the West Bank. Olmert announced the plan at a summit with Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah II in Sharm el-Sheikh aimed at finding ways to strengthen Fatah in the wake of Hamas' forcible takeover Gaza. Abbas dissolved the Palestinian government that included Hamas following the takeover. But Fatah now exerts control only over Palestinian life in the West Bank. Fatah accepts Israel's right to exist and renounces terror, so it has the support of the United States, the European Union, and U.N. leaders. Olmert previously announced Israel would unfreeze Palestinian tax funds, as U.S. and EU leaders resume sending funds to Fatah as well. All those funds were withheld after Hamas took over the Palestinian government following elections last year. (Posted 2:07 p.m.) Efforts beefed up in battle against California wildfireSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. (CNN) -- Fire crews Monday morning started an aggressive air and ground assault on the Angora fire, which has burned almost 2,500 acres and destroyed at least 220 homes and other buildings south of Lake Tahoe, an official said. No injuries have been reported, said Lt. Kevin House, spokesman for the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. The number of firefighters is being doubled to around 800, and two air tankers and nine helicopters were called in to drop water and retardant on the fire, he said. He said the personnel are "just taking it one step at a time. But the whole plan is to be more aggressive." (Posted 12:53 p.m.) Hamas releases tape purportedly from captive Israeli soldierJERUSALEM (CNN) -- On the anniversary of the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Hamas released an audio message Monday purportedly from the 20-year-old, pleading with Israel to bring about his release. Hamas called the message a "signal" to Israel that Hamas wants to resume negotiations for the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit. "It's been a hard year in prison, and my health situation is deteriorating and I am in need of long-term hospitalization," said the voice. "I am disappointed by the lack of interest on the part of the Israeli government and army and that they are not giving in to the demands of Izzidine al Qassam Brigades." The voice echoes the words of Hamas officials in the past, saying that just as he has parents, "so do the thousands of Palestinian prisoners." Hamas has called for the release of many Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit. Israel has said in the past it may engage in such an exchange, but no deal has been reached. (Posted 12:36 p.m.) Judge throws out claim for $54 million in the case of the missing pants(CNN) -- A judge in the District of Columbia has dismissed a case against a dry cleaner that claimed $54 million in damages for a pair of missing pants. The case was brought by Roy L. Pearson, himself a judge. He originally sought $67 million from the Chung family, owners of Custom Cleaners. He calculated the amount by estimating years of law violations, adding almost $2 million in common law claims for fraud. The Chungs denied Pearson's allegations and insisted that the pants they tried to give him were those he had brought in. (Posted 12:23 p.m.) Initial court appearances set for Monday in Ohio woman's deathCANTON, Ohio (CNN) -- A Canton policeman and an unemployed woman face initial court appearances Monday related to the murder of Jessie Marie Davis and that of her near-term fetus. A charging document filed Monday in Canton Municipal Court accuses Police Patrolman Bobby Cutts Jr., 29, of double murder, alleging he "did purposely cause the death of Jessie Marie Davis" at her home and "did cause the death of an unborn fetus." Davis' body was found Saturday in a northeastern Ohio park after a 10-day search. A separate charging document filed Monday accuses Myisha Lynne Ferrell of obstructing justice by "providing false statements to investigating units." FBI agents searched her home Saturday evening, breaking down the door and confiscating multiple bags of items, her neighbor told CNN. (Posted 11:35 a.m.) Militants in Kashmir target bus stand; 2 deadSRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir (CNN) -- Militants on Monday lobbed a hand grenade near a group of Kashmiri residents waiting at a bus stand, killing two people and wounding 13, police in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir said. The attack happened in Doda, about 125 miles (200 km) south of Srinagar, the disputed region's summer capital. Indian security forces searched the bus stand and surrounding areas, but have not made any arrests, a senior police officer said. It comes a day after deadly gunbattles between Indian forces and Islamic militants near the Line of Control, the border between the Indian- and Pakistani-administered parts of Kashmir. Eight militants and an Indian trooper were killed in Sunday's firefights, police said. --From CNN's Mukhtar Ahmad (Posted 11:22 a.m.) More than 220 homes and structures destroyed in California wildfireSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. (CNN) -- Fire crews Monday morning started an aggressive air and ground assault on the Angora fire, which has burned almost 2,500 acres and destroyed at least 220 homes and other buildings just west of Meyers, Calif., south of Lake Tahoe, according to Lt. Kevin House, spokesman for the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. No injuries have been reported, House said. A spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service says there is no question the fire was caused by human activity. However, Matt Mathes said it isn't known whether the blaze was deliberately set or if it started accidentally -- for example, by kids playing with matches or a discarded cigarette. Firefighters are hoping to be helped by higher humidity and calmer winds. Wind gusts of up to 35 mph spread sparks Sunday afternoon, when the blaze grew from 700 acres to 2,000 in the space of three hours. Capt. Scott Swift of the Lake Valley Fire Protection District told the Los Angeles Times many of the homes were lost in the first half hour. (Posted 11:03 a.m.) Justices strike down key campaign finance reform provisionWASHINGTON (CNN) -- A majority of the Supreme Court's conservative bench Monday swept aside part of a campaign finance reform law dealing with "issue ads," an important free speech dispute gaining attention as the presidential election campaign gains unusually early traction. The ruling could mean a greater role in Campaign 2008 for advocacy groups, corporations and labor unions, which air the commercials in the frenetic weeks before voters go the polls. The court's majority concluded the specific guidelines surrounding the issue ads -- aired mainly on television -- were overly restrictive. Under the current law, such ads can be banned 60 days before a general election, and 30 days before a primary. That provision was a key part of the 2002 McCain-Feingold bill setting strict limits on political spending and the message behind it. "When it comes to defining what speech qualifies as the functional equivalent of express advocacy subject to such a ban -- the issue we do have to decide -- we give the benefit of the doubt to speech, not censorship," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority. --From CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears (Posted 10:35 a.m.) More than 220 homes and structures destroyed in California wildfireSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. (CNN) -- Fire crews Monday morning started an aggressive air and ground assault on the Angora fire, which has burned almost 2,500 acres and destroyed at least 220 homes and other buildings just west of Meyers, Calif., south of Lake Tahoe, according to Lt. Kevin House, spokesman for the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. No injuries have been reported, House said. There is no confirmation on a cause, he said. Jackie Faike, an information officer with the U.S. Forest Service, said, "It looks suspicious." Firefighters are hoping to be helped by higher humidity and calmer winds. Wind gusts of up to 35 mph spread sparks Sunday afternoon, when the blaze grew from 700 acres to 2,000 in the space of three hours. Capt. Scott Swift of the Lake Valley Fire Protection District told the Los Angeles Times many of the homes were lost in the first half hour. (Posted 10:31 a.m.) Justices back school principal over student's 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' free speech claimWASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Monday ruled against a one-time high school student, concluding his free speech rights were not violated when he was suspended by his principal for displaying the "sophomoric" banner "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" at a school-sponsored event. The case tested the limits of student messages officials can try to suppress. Joseph Frederick, then 18, unveiled the 14-foot paper sign on a public sidewalk outside his Juneau, Alaska, high school. Principal Deborah Morse confiscated it and later banned the young man from campus. "It was reasonable for her (Morse) to conclude that the banner promoted illegal drug use-- and that failing to act would send a powerful message to the students in her charge, including Frederick," wrote Chief Justice John Roberts for the 6-3 majority. But he added that while student free speech rights are limited, they do not give up their constitutional rights when they enter a school. --From CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears (Posted 10:27 a.m.) High court upholds right of White House to continue running internal faith-based officeWASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Supreme Court has upheld the legality of an internal White House office that forcefully pushes federal aid for religious charities, a case with an unusual nexus of constitutional, financial and political implications. By a 5-4 vote, a conservative majority concluded taxpayers did not have "standing" to challenge in court the discretionary spending authority of the executive branch for its Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. An atheist and agnostic group from Wisconsin claimed the Bush administration had given churches and religious groups an unfair advantage in access to federal grant programs. The justices on both sides of the debate treaded boldly over broader constitutional questions, including the limits of government endorsement of religion. The Constitution forbids any law "respecting the establishment of religion," but judges and politicians have been at odds for decades over a permissible degree of separation between church and state. The case is Hein v. Freedom from Religion (06-157). --From CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears (Posted 10:17 a.m.) Investigators make 2nd arrest in Ohio woman's deathCANTON, Ohio (CNN) -- Sheriff's deputies made a second arrest in the death of a pregnant Ohio woman Sunday, charging a 29-year-old woman with obstruction of justice after a weekend search of her apartment. Myisha Lynne Ferrell was in the custody of the Stark County Sheriff's Department pending a Monday court appearance on the felony count in Canton Municipal Court, Chief Deputy Rick Perez told reporters. Perez would disclose no details of what led investigators to Ferrell or how they believe she is connected to the death of Jessie Marie Davis, whose body was found in a northeastern Ohio park Saturday after a 10-day search. But FBI agents searched Ferrell's home Saturday evening, breaking down the door and confiscating multiple bags of items, her neighbor told CNN. Davis, 26, was due to give birth in early July. Her ex-boyfriend, Canton police patrolman Bobby Cutts Jr., has been charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Davis and her near-term fetus. (Posted 9:56 a.m.) Suicide bomber targets Baghdad hotel, striking reconciliation meeting; 12 deadBAGHDAD (CNN) -- A suicide bomber detonated his explosives inside a busy central Baghdad hotel, killing at least 12 people -- including Sunni and Shiite tribal sheikhs who were meeting as part of Iraq's reconciliation effort -- U.S. and Iraqi officials told CNN. An Iraqi journalist was also among those killed in the Mansour Hotel blast, which wounded 21, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said. The Mansour Hotel houses the Chinese embassy and several western organizations. Video showed the lobby was completely gutted by the blast. Fragments of the ceiling dangled like threads amid exposed wires. Several bodies were covered by blankets on the debris-strewn floor. Initial reports indicate seven sheikhs -- five Sunnis and two Shiites -- were among those killed, a U.S. military official told CNN's Barbara Starr. (Posted 8:54 a.m.) Hamas releases tape purportedly from captive Israeli soldierJERUSALEM (CNN) -- On the anniversary of the kidnapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Hamas released an audio message Monday purportedly from the 20-year-old, pleading with Israel to bring about his release. "I am the soldier Gilad Shalit, son of Noam Shalit, imprisoned by Izzidine al Qassam Brigades," the voice says in the message, using the name of Hamas' militant wing. The messaged was posted on a Hamas Web site and played on Israeli TV. CNN translated the audio from Hebrew. "It's been a hard year in prison, and my health situation is deteriorating and I am in need of long-term hospitalization. I am sorry for the lack of interest on the part of the Israeli government and army and that they are not giving in to the demands of Izzidine al Qassam Brigades." The voice echoes the words of Hamas officials in the past, saying that just as he has parents, "so do the thousands of Palestinian prisoners." Hamas has called for the release of many Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit. Israel has said in the past it may engage in such an exchange, but no deal has been reached. (Posted 8:26 a.m.) More than 220 homes and structures destroyed in California wildfireSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (CNN) -- Once the sun comes up, fire crews are planning a full-out assault on a wind-whipped wildfire that's destroyed more than 220 homes and other structures just west of Meyers, Calif. They're hoping the winds will have died down enough to let them send up helicopters to drop flame-retardant chemicals, which they were not able to do yesterday. The blaze burned more than 2,000 acres since it started Sunday. "It's just devastation," according to Lt. Kevin House, who said another 500 homes are threatened by the flames. "It's the worst I've ever seen it." House said the wildfire is no more than 5 percent contained. It started near Angora Lake, south of Lake Tahoe and was expanding to the north and quickly grew from 700 acres to 2,000 in the space of three hours. Capt. Scott Swift of the Lake Valley Fire Protection District told the Los Angeles Times many of the homes were lost in the first half-hour, as the fire exploded. Daniel Berlant with the California Department of Forestry said mandatory evacuations are in place, with at least 1,000 people forced out of their homes. Many had to flee on foot, taking just what they could carry, as the blaze swallowed cars, homes, and everything else in its path. The fire is in a popular tourist area, and many of the structures are summer or vacation homes, although most are permanent residences. (Posted 8:09 a.m.) Hamas releases purported tape from captive Israeli soldierJERUSALEM (CNN) -- On the anniversary of his kidnapping by Hamas militants, 20-year-old captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit apparently said in an audiotape released Monday that his health is deteriorating and that he needs to go the hospital. In the tape, posted on a Hamas Web site and played on Israeli TV, the voice believed to be that of Shalit also urges Israel to release Palestinian prisoners -- a central Hamas demand. (Posted 7:56 a.m.) U.S. soldier killed Monday, after deadly weekend for American forcesBAGHDAD (CNN) -- A U.S. soldier was killed Monday in a small arms attack, the military announced. The soldier was assigned to Task Force Marne, which is clearing "extremist sanctuaries" in southeast Baghdad. The death follows a deadly weekend for U.S. forces: 12 troops died Saturday, 10 of them in attacks, mostly in Baghdad, the military said. This brings the number of U.S. military deaths in the war to 3,560 -- 83 of them in June. (Posted 7:32 a.m.) At least 46 dead, 132 wounded in Iraq suicide bombingsBAGHDAD (CNN) -- A suicide bomber exploded Monday inside a busy central Baghdad hotel Monday, killing at least 12 people and wounding 21, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said. South of Baghdad, a suicide car bomber detonated at a Hilla government compound Monday morning, killing at least eight people and wounding 31, a Hilla official told CNN. Among the dead were civilians and security guards, authorities said. The attack took place around 7 a.m. (11 p.m. ET Sunday). A few hours later, a second suicide bomber, driving a fuel tanker rigged with explosives, struck Baiji police headquarters in northern Iraq, police said. According to a hospital official, 25 people were killed and 60 were wounded in the attack. The dead included police, civilians and detainees at the jail. In Mosul, a car bomb exploded along a road on the southern edge of the city, killing one person and wounding 20 others, police said. In addition to the suicide attacks, two mortar rounds landed the Fadhil section of Baghdad, a Sunni neighborhood, north of the city center, police said. At least three people were killed and four were wounded. -- From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq (Posted 6:52 a.m.) Suicide bomber explodes at Baghdad hotel, kills 12, wounds 21BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A suicide bomber exploded inside a busy central Baghdad hotel Monday, killing at least 12 people and wounding 21 others, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said, including Rahim al-Maliki, an anchorman with Iraqiya state television. The blast at the Mansour Hotel occurred during a tribal leadership meeting on national reconciliation issues, the ministry said. The hotel also houses the Chinese embassy and is home to several western organizations. (Posted 5:45 a.m.) At least 165 homes and structures destroyed in California wildfireSOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (CNN) -- A wind-whipped wildfire destroyed 165 homes and structures as it scorched 2,000 acres, just west of Meyers, Calif., an El Dorado County Sheriff's Office spokesman said early Monday. "It's just devastation," according to Lt. Kevin House, who said another 500 homes are threatened by the flames. "It's the worst I've ever seen it." House said the wildfire is no more than five percent contained and started near Angora Lake, south of Lake Tahoe. The fire was expanding to the north and quickly grew from 700 acres to 2,000 in the space of three hours. (Posted 5:45 a.m.) Suicide bomber explodes at Baghdad hotel, kills 10, wounds 21BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A suicide bomber exploded inside a busy central Baghdad hotel Monday, killing at least 10 people and wounding 21 others, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said, including Rahim al-Maliki, an anchorman with Iraqiya state television. The blast at the Mansour Hotel occurred during a tribal leadership meeting on national reconciliation issues, the ministry said. The hotel also houses the Chinese embassy and is home to several western organizations. (Posted 5:25 a.m.) At least 26 dead, 71 wounded in suicide vehicle bombingsBAGHDAD (CNN) -- A suicide car bomber detonated at a Hilla government compound Monday morning, killing at least eight people and wounding 31 others, a Hilla official told CNN. Among the dead were civilians and security guards, authorities said. The attack took place around 7 a.m. (11 p.m. ET Sunday). A few hours later, a second suicide bomber, driving a fuel tanker rigged with explosives, struck Baiji police headquarters in northern Iraq, police said. According to a hospital official, 18 people were killed and 40 others were wounded in the attack. The dead included police and prisoners at the jail. In Mosul, a car bomb exploded along a road on the southern edge of the city, killing one person and wounding 20 others, police said. In Baghdad, two mortar rounds landed the Fadhil section of Baghdad, a Sunni neighborhood, north of the city center, police said. At least three people were killed and four others were wounded. -- From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq (Posted 4:50 a.m.) Suicide bomber explodes at Baghdad hotel, kills 7, wounds 15BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A suicide bomber exploded inside a busy central Baghdad hotel Monday, killing at least 7 people and wounding 15 others, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said. The blast at the Mansour Hotel occurred during a tribal leadership meeting on national reconciliation issues, according to the ministry. The hotel also houses the Chinese embassy and is home to several western organizations. (Posted 4:40 a.m.) North Korea receives funds, clears way for progress on dismantling nuclear programMOSCOW (CNN) -- A Russian bank has completed the transfer of $25 million to North Korea as part of the process to begin dismantling of North Korea's nuclear program, a bank spokeswoman told CNN Monday. "Thus by now the problem of transferring money has been fully resolved," a statement on the Dalkombank Web site said. The money was transferred from a bank in Macau, China, to the Russian bank where North Korea has an account and finally to the North Korean Foreign Trade Bank. A delay in the transfer kept the disarmament process in limbo for several months. The funds were frozen at the bank in late 2005 at the request of the United States, which claimed some of the money came from illegal activities. As part of a deal reached in February during six-party talks aimed at North Korea's de-nuclearization, the freeze was lifted. (Posted 4:40 a.m.) Suspected car bomb kills 6 U.N. peacekeepers in southern LebanonBEIRUT (CNN) -- A suspected car bomb struck a United Nations peacekeeping patrol Sunday in southern Lebanon, killing six Spanish peacekeepers and wounding two others, Spain's Defense Ministry said. "The most probable cause, pending final analysis, is that the explosion came from a car bomb that was remotely detonated as the Spanish vehicle went by," Defense Minister Jose Antonio Alonso told reporters in Madrid. "Our patrols use that route daily," he said. "It was a premeditated attack." The Hezbollah militant group based in southern Lebanon issued a statement "apparently condemning the attack and saying it had nothing to do with it," Alonso said. Spanish patrols had increased security in recent weeks after "various attempts to destabilize the situation," he said. Those killed were between the ages of 18 and 21, the Defense Ministry said. Three were Colombian-born and serving in the Spanish army and the other three were Spaniards. The two wounded are also Spaniards. (Posted 3 a.m.) |
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