The CNN Wire: Monday, July 23

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.

AHA study: soft drink drinkers at greater risk of developing risk factors for heart disease

(CNN) -- A new study in the American Heart Association journal Circulation found that people who drink one or more soft drinks a day have a more than 50 percent higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome than people who drink less than one soda a day. And it didn't matter if it was a regular soda or a diet soda.

Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of health problems -- high waist circumference, high blood pressure, low levels of "good" cholesterol," and other health problems -- that have been strongly linked to developing heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

The study looked at more than 6,000 healthy people, who showed no signs of metabolic syndrome, and then followed up. After four years, 53 percent of people who drank an average of one or more soft drinks per day developed metabolic syndrome. Those who drank one or more diet soft drinks a day were at a 44 percent higher risk.

"The point is that the risk is high no matter how many soft drinks one consumes and no matter what type of soft drink one consumes," said Dr. Ramachandran S. Vasan, Associate Professor of Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and one of the study authors. "This adds to what we already know about how soft drinks may be associated with weight gain and metabolic risk."

The American Beverage Association (ABA) took issue with the study, saying that the study proves no link between soft drinks and increased risk of heart disease.

The ABA added, "The assertions made could apply to any caloric product -- if you over consume any food or beverage with calories, there are health consequences." ABA also said that it is "scientifically implausible" that diet soft drinks, which have no calories, cause weight gain or elevated blood pressure.(Posted 1:50 a.m.)

Bush to defend focus on Iraq in S.C. speech Tuesday

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush plans to reveal "newly declassified information" about the links between al Qaeda and al Qaeda in Iraq during a speech Tuesday at Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina, a White House official said Monday.

The speech comes a week after a National Intelligence Estimate named al Qaeda "the most serious terrorist threat" to the U.S. homeland and said that al Qaeda in Iraq was the main group's "most visible and capable affiliate."

Bush's South Carolina speech is set for the day after Democrats vying to succeed him held a debate in Charleston. The war in Iraq was a major element of that debate, with the administration's management of the war coming in for blistering criticism from the eight contenders on stage at The Citadel, the state's famous military college.

Critics of the war in Iraq have complained about the administration's insistence that Iraq is the central front in the war on terrorism, saying the war has been a recruiting tool for terrorists. They say that the administration has dropped the ball in Afghanistan, where a resurgent Taliban is fighting to regain control, and Pakistan, where both the Taliban and al Qaeda have based their efforts to regroup. (Posted 10:03 p.m.)

Democratic hopefuls field YouTube questions at S.C. debate

CHARLESTON, S.C. (CNN) -- Presidential debates leaped boldly into the 21st century Monday night, with eight Democratic White House hopefuls fielding video questions submitted online in a first-of-its-kind event sponsored by CNN and YouTube.

Culled from about 3,000 entries submitted on the audience participation Web site, the questions put to the candidates on stage at The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. included straightforward queries on expected topics, such as the war in Iraq and health care -- but there were also a number creative interrogatories that were, well, more out-of-the-box.

One viewer used metallic rap to ask about scrapping No Child Left Behind, and a talking snowman asked about climate change. Candidates were also asked about what kind of sex education they provided their children and whether their feelings will be hurt if Al Gore gets in the race.

A viewer from Texas offered a song complaining about his tax burden, noting that he even had to "pay tax on this guitar so I can sing for you today." (Posted 9:19 p.m.)

NFL chief to Vick: Stay out of camp during league review

NEW YORK (CNN) -- National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell has told Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick not to report to training camp until the league has completed a review of his recent federal indictment for allegedly participating in dog-fighting activities, according to a statement on the NFL Web site.

Goodell also told the Falcons to delay any team discipline until the review is complete.

Goodell said that the review would be completed as quickly as possible and that Vick would not forfeit pay during what would be considered an excused absence from training camp. (Posted 7:59 p.m.)

Antiwar activist Sheehan arrested in congressman's office

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Capitol Police arrested anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan and 45 others Monday for refusing to leave the office of the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee after demanding President Bush's impeachment.

Sheehan said the chairman -- Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. -- told her he did not have the votes for impeachment. She then announced that she would challenge House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in her San Francisco-area district -- a threat she first leveled in early July -- and sat down with her companions in Conyers' office, insisting she would not leave until Conyers changed his mind.

"The Democrats will not hold this administration accountable, so we have to hold the Democrats accountable," she said.

Sheehan was led away in plastic handcuffs after refusing to leave, and one of her supporters was carried out by Capitol Police officers after refusing to walk. Capitol Police later said they charged 46 protesters with disorderly conduct after arresting them in the Rayburn House Office Building about 4:15 p.m. --From CNN's Jeremy Harlan (Posted 6:32 p.m.)

Feds move to alert consumers, retailers to massive recall

(CNN) -- Federal health authorities on Monday warned consumers and retailers to search their cupboards and shelves for what could be millions of cans of product contaminated with botulinum toxin and throw them out.

All four people in the reported cases -- two in Indiana and two in Texas -- are hospitalized in serious condition, said Robert Brackett, director of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. They became sick a day after eating Hot Dog Chile Sauce made by Castleberry's Food Company, he said.

Castleberry's shut its production facility in Augusta, Ga., after preliminary tests for botulinum toxin proved positive last Friday in 16 of the 17 cans of chili sauce examined. The cans were selected because they appeared swollen -- a hallmark of contamination with the toxin.

Castleberry's voluntary recall includes more than 80 types of canned chili, beef stew, barbecue beef, corned beef hash and other products. It includes a number of other canned food products and dog food, too, though no cases of illness among pets have been reported, officials said. (Posted 6:27 p.m.)

Federal government statistics show a drop in overall and 'per mile' deaths in U.S.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The rate of traffic deaths in the United States dropped to a record low last year, according to figures released Monday by the Department of Transportation.

In 2006, 42,642 people were killed in traffic accidents, a drop of 868, or roughly 2 percent, from 2005. That amounts to 1.42 people per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, the lowest rate recorded since statistics have been gathered, according to the DOT.

Those figures include 30,251 fatalities in passenger vehicles -- a category that includes cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and pickups -- which is the lowest annual total since 1993, according to the DOT.

"Tough safety requirements and new technologies are helping to make our vehicles safer and our roads less deadly," DOT secretary Mary Peters said in a written statement. (Posted 6:09 p.m.)

Minimum wage starts three-step rise

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The first minimum wage increase in 10 years takes effect Tuesday, to $5.85 from $5.15 an hour, with two more steps over the next two years taking base pay for millions of workers to $7.25.

But the increase in the federal minimum wage -- signed into law in May after a lengthy battle between Democrats in Congress and President Bush and Senate Republicans -- still sparks heated debate.

The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 raises the wage in the 18 states that haven't already boosted their minimum wage. The District of Columbia has also raised its minimum wage.

About 13 million workers, or 10 percent of the nation's work force, will benefit from an increase in the minimum wage, the labor-backed Economic Policy Institute said. Of those 13 million, 5.6 million will be directly affected, while 7.4 million low-wage workers will see a spillover effect on their wages. --By CNNMoney.com staff writer Chris Zappone (Posted 5:59 p.m.)

Nicole Brown Simpson estate joins legal fight over O.J. Simpson book

MIAMI (CNN) -- Attorneys for the estate of murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson entered the legal fray Monday over the book rights for the alleged hypothetical account of her and friend Ron Goldman's murders written by her ex-husband, O.J. Simpson.

In a claim entered Monday with the court hearing the case of who will control the publishing rights to Simpson's book, "If I Did It," attorneys argued that the estate of Nicole Brown Simpson -- of which her father, Louis Brown, is the executor -- is owed a portion of any proceeds from the sale of the book.

"We're just as large a creditor as Fred Goldman," attorney Greg Hafif said. "Goldman was going to receive 90 percent of the book proceeds, that's not fair.

Last month, Fred Goldman, Ron Goldman's father, won the right to pursue the publishing rights as part of a $38 million court judgment against the former football star. (Posted 5:36 p.m.)

Antiwar activist Sheehan arrested in congressman's office

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Capitol Police arrested anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan and at least 10 supporters Monday for refusing to leave the office of the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee after demanding President Bush's impeachment.

Sheehan said the chairman -- Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. -- told her he did not have the votes for impeachment. She then announced that she would challenge House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in her San Francisco-area district -- a threat she first leveled in early July -- and sat down with her companions in Conyers' office, insisting she would not leave until Conyers changed his mind.

"The Democrats will not hold this administration accountable, so we have to hold the Democrats accountable," she said.

Sheehan was led away in plastic handcuffs after refusing to leave, and one of her supporters was carried out by Capitol Police officers after refusing to walk. There was no immediate word on what charges they might face. --From CNN's Jeremy Harlan (Posted 4:41 p.m.)

TSA launches review of Phoenix airport security procedures

(CNN) -- The Transportation Security Administration said Monday it has begun a review of security procedures at Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport after a report broadcast last week by CNN affiliate KNXV questioned looser practices in early morning hours.

The airport has allowed airport employees and the bags they carry to cross checkpoints between midnight and 4:30 a.m. without undergoing searches.

A statement on TSA's Web site also said that the federal security director at the airport has been placed on administrative leave during the review and that it and the airport have initiated several changes "to ensure that security procedures at the airport are in compliance with national requirements."

"Effective today all employees entering the concourse area at Phoenix Sky Harbor will be screened by the Transportation Security Administration 24/7," the statement said. "While initial indications are that the airport was in compliance with local TSA agreements, a joint, thorough review of all security procedures at Phoenix is under way." (Posted 4:20 p.m.)

Gonzales will tell Congress there's no place for politics in Justice Department; will say he aims to fix the problems

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will tell Congress on Tuesday that he is opposed to politics in Justice Department decision-making, and plans to stay in his post to "fix the problems."

The statements are in testimony prepared for delivery at what Justice Department officials acknowledge is likely to be a stormy hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

"I believe very strongly that there is no place for political considerations in the hiring of our career employees or in the administration of justice," Gonzales says in the statement released Monday. And he will tell the committee, controlled by Democrats demanding his ouster, that he sees two options available to him, and will take the one they clearly do not want to hear.

"I could walk away or I could devote my time, effort and energy to fix the problems. Since I have never been one to quit, I decided that the best course of action was to remain here and fix the problems. That is exactly what I am doing," Gonzales will say. --From Justice Producer Terry Frieden (Posted 3:49 p.m.)

Worst flooding in 60 years threatens to knock out power to half a million homes in western England

TEWKESBURY, England (CNN) -- British military and rescue personnel battled Monday to save a major electricity substation serving a half million homes amid rising water as the worst flooding in 60 years swamped parts of western England.

The British government said 1,000 Royal Navy personnel are involved in building an emergency flood defense barrier to prevent the flooding of the Walham substation on the outskirts of Gloucester.

Gloucestershire Constabulary Emergency Services said Monday evening that so far, the efforts have been successful.

Some 50,000 homes were already without electricity before the substation was threatened. (Posted 3:19 p.m.)

Deadly day in Afghanistan: 6 NATO forces killed on Monday

(CNN) -- Six NATO forces in Afghanistan died Monday in various attacks, including a roadside bombing in the eastern part of the country that claimed four lives, according to NATO's International Security Assistance Force.

None of the soldiers' nationalities were released.

One soldier died in the east and one in the south. No other details were provided by NATO.

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these fine soldiers," said ISAF spokeswoman Lt. Col. Claudia Foss. "ISAF and its soldiers remain resolved to bring security to Afghanistan and rebuilding this proud nation." (Posted 1:28 p.m.)

House committee sets vote on Miers, Bolten contempt

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House Judiciary Committee will vote Wednesday on contempt citations against former White House Counsel Harriet Miers and White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten following their refusal to comply with subpoenas issued in the U.S. attorney investigation, the committee chairman said.

If approved by the Judiciary panel, the citations would be sent to the House floor for consideration.

"This investigation, including the reluctant but necessary decision to move forward with contempt, has been a very deliberative process, taking care at each step to respect the executive branch's legitimate prerogatives," Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., said in a written statement.

"I've allowed the White House and Ms. Miers every opportunity to cooperate with this investigation, either voluntarily or under subpoena," he said. "It is still my hope that they will reconsider this hard-line position, and cooperate with our investigation so that we can get to the bottom of this matter."

Conyers said the Judiciary Committee will meet Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. to vote on the citations. (Posted 12:51 p.m.)

Former Newark mayor pleads not guilty to federal corruption charges

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James pleaded not guilty Monday morning during an arraignment hearing on federal corruption charges, according to Gale Hansen, deputy clerk to the judge in the case.

An indictment announced earlier this month alleged that James charged more than $58,000 on city-issued credit cards between 2001 and 2006 for vacations for himself and several female companions to exotic locations such as Martha's Vineyard, Rio de Janeiro and the Dominican Republic, where he attended major sporting events, test drove exotic cars and ate at fine restaurants.

U.S. District Judge William Martini said James' trial is expected to begin on February 4, 2008, and is expected to take approximately to last three to four months.

Hansen said the government is expected to call about 60 witnesses. --From CNN's Joann Rizzo (Posted 12:38 p.m.)

U.S. military announces 3 U.S. soldiers, 1 Marine killed in Iraq over weekend

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- The U.S. military on Monday announced the deaths of four U.S. military personnel killed in attacks in Iraq over the weekend, bringing the monthly toll to 57.

A U.S. soldier died of wounds sustained in a roadside bomb attack Sunday, the U.S. military announced Monday. It was unclear if the soldier died Sunday or Monday. The soldier was assigned to Task Force Marne, which has been operating in and near southern Baghdad.

Another soldier was killed Saturday when a roadside bomb detonated near his Humvee outside Samarra, north of Baghdad, the military announced Monday. Two other soldiers were injured in that attack.

The military also announced Monday that a Marine was killed Saturday during combat operations in Iraq's Anbar province, and a Multi-National Corps-Iraq soldier died Saturday when a roadside bomb hit his vehicle in Baghdad.

With the deaths, 3,636 U.S. military personnel have died in the Iraq war, including 57 in July. (Posted 12:17 p.m.)

Worst flooding in 60 years threatens to knock out power to half a million homes in western England

TEWKESBURY, England (CNN) -- British military and rescue personnel battled Monday to save a major electricity substation serving a half million homes amid rising water as the worst flooding in 60 years swamped parts of western England.

The British government said 1,000 Royal Navy personnel are involved in building an emergency flood defense barrier to prevent the flooding of the Walham substation on the outskirts of Gloucester.

Some 50,000 homes were already without electricity before the substation was threatened.

UK Secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn, speaking to the House of Commons, said 10,000 homes have either been flooded or are at serious risk of flooding. Nearly 150,000 homes were without drinking water. (Posted 11:57 a.m.)

Officials defend airport security in Phoenix

(CNN) -- Federal, city and airport officials in Phoenix are insisting that security at Sky Harbor International Airport is adequate, despite a report broadcast last week by CNN affiliate KNXV questioning the airport's practice of allowing airport employees and the bags they carry to cross checkpoints between midnight and 4:30 a.m. without undergoing searches.

"Access to secure areas by security-badged employees at the airport, during non-operating hours, is done ... in accordance with the airport's TSA-approved airport security program," said Transportation Security Administration spokesman Nico Melendez and airport Deputy Aviation Director Deborah Ostreicher in a joint written statement dated Friday.

The statement was issued in response to a story by KNXV Correspondent Lisa Fletcher, who used hidden cameras to allege that -- during the four and a half hours when passengers are not entering the terminals and TSA screeners are replaced by private security guards -- "virtually anything can be brought into the secure side of the airport -- no X-ray, no metal detectors, no problem."

The report showed people approaching a checkpoint staffed by a security guard, who appeared to check their identification and then allowed them to pass without checking their bags or whatever they might have had in their pockets. (Posted 11:38 a.m.)

Taliban extends deadline for South Korean hostages

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- The Taliban kidnappers holding a group of South Korean volunteer aid workers have set Tuesday as the new deadline, allowing time for continued negotiation of what they are demanding in exchange for the hostages' release.

"Since the Afghan government has not sincerely tried to solve the problem, this time we give another 24 hours to the Korean government to solve the matter," Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousif Ahmadi said.

"The Afghan government does not want to find a solution and is deceiving the Koreans. We are therefore asking the Korean government representatives in Afghanistan to work on the issue and solve this problem."

The kidnappers have threatened to kill the 23 South Koreans, most of whom are women, if their demands are not met. They want Afghanistan to release a group of prisoners and South Korea to withdraw its 200 non-combat forces from Afghanistan, which Seoul already plans to do by the end of the year. ----CNN's Atia Abawi in Baghdad and Journalist Thomas Coghlan in Kabul contributed to this report. (Posted 11:33 a.m.)

4 dead in Atlanta in suspected murder-suicide

ATLANTA (CNN) -- Atlanta police believe a man shot and killed three family members Monday morning and critically injured two others -- including a 3-year-old boy -- before turning the gun on himself, a police spokeswoman told CNN.

The shooting happened at a single-family home in southeast Atlanta, near the city's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, spokeswoman Judy Pal said.

The 52-year-old man believed to be the shooter was found dead at the scene along with the suspected weapon, she said. Two other family members -- a 26-year-old and another believed to be in his or her 20s -- were also dead at the scene, she said.

A 28-year-old injured in the shooting died at Atlanta's Grady Hospital and a 27-year-old victim is in critical condition at the same hospital.The 3-year-old is in critical condition at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston, she said. (Posted 10:45 a.m.)

Worst flooding in 60 years threatens to knock out power to half a million homes in western England

LONDON (CNN) -- British military and rescue personnel battled Monday to save a major electricity substation serving a half million homes amid rising water as the worst flooding in 60 years swamped parts of western England.

The British government said Royal Air Force, army and fire service personnel were battling to prevent the flooding of the Walham substation on the outskirts of Gloucester.

Some 50,000 homes were already without electricity before the substation was threatened. Nearly 150,000 homes were without drinking water.

Two major rivers -- the Thames and the Severn -- are above their normal levels and may burst their banks, according to authorities. Britain's Environment Agency warned water could rise further to a "critical level" and issued nine severe flood warnings across the country. (Posted 10:41 a.m.)

CNN-YouTube debate mixes 'democratization' with democracy

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Internet is often credited with bringing about the "democratization of information." Tonight, people all over the world will see a new attempt at blending that democratization with American democracy.

In the first CNN-YouTube debate, viewers from around the world will grill candidates seeking to become the leader of the free world. The contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination will have to respond to questions submitted by YouTube video and played on a huge screen.

Analysts say the format could force candidates to produce more straightforward answers and less spin than they sometimes get away with in more traditional debates, because politicians are not as trained to deflect questions in this kind of set-up.

But the hype has also been called into question. Some suggest the debate isn't as different as it should be.

For starters, CNN journalists are screening the questions, rather than letting Internet users select them with their votes. Plus, candidates frequently handle questions from their constituents and from individuals in town hall formats. (Posted 10:25 a.m.)

Tens of thousands wirthout power, water in England after torrential rains

LONDON (CNN) -- Nearly 150,000 homes are without drinking water Monday after the worst flooding in 60 years swamped large areas of western England.

Some 50,000 homes are without electricity. Two major rivers -- the Thames and the Severn -- are already well above their normal levels and may burst their banks, according to authorities.

Britain's Environment Agency warned water levels could rise further to a "critical level" and issued nine severe flood warnings across the country.

The worst affected areas are the counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Oxfordshire, which had more than 5 inches of rain in barely 24 hours.

More rain is forecast, and the risk of flooding is increasing as floodwater works its way into the river system. Authorities say nine severe flood warnings are in effect. (Posted 8:52 a.m.)

Iraq says 2nd round of talks with Iran set for Tuesday in Baghdad

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- The U.S. and Iranian ambassadors to Iraq will meet in Baghdad Tuesday to discuss security issues in the war-torn country, an Iraqi Foreign Ministry official told CNN.

A senior Bush administration official confirmed the meeting is to take place this week. It will be the second meeting between U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and his Iranian counterpart, even though the United States and Iran have had no formal diplomatic relations since 1980.

U.S. officials have accused Iran of interfering in the U.S.-led war in Iraq by supplying Shiite Muslim militias with weaponry and training, fueling the sectarian warfare that U.S. and Iraqi troops are trying to tamp down.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, whose ruling party has close ties to Tehran, said this week's planned meeting would "strengthen the bridges of trust" between the two countries.

But the senior official added, "We've seen no sign of improvement in Iranian behavior. They still arm, aid and train militants." (Posted 7:47 a.m.)

Two hip-hop stars arrested in New York

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Hip hop artists Lil Wayne and Ja Rule were arrested Sunday evening after a concert in Manhattan on charges of criminal possession of weapons, each in separate incidents, a New York Police Department spokesman told CNN.

Police say officers pulled over a speeding carcarrying Ja Rule and two others around 10:37 p.m. on the Upper West Side. They also recovered a .40-caliber pistol from the vehicle.

About an hour later Lil Wayne was arrested after officers caught him and another man smoking marijuana on the street. They found a .40-caliber pistol in his possession.

Lil Wayne's real name is Dwayne Carter and Ja Rule's is Jeff Atkins. Both are best-selling rap artists. --From CNN's Deborah Brunswick (Posted 7:07 a.m.)

Central Baghdad rocked by 4 car bombs; 16 dead

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Four car bombs Monday targeting civilians and police in central Baghdad killed at least 16 and wounded 40, according to Iraq's Interior Ministry.

The latest bombing struck Serwan, a popular restaurant near the Green Zone in Karradt Marim district, killing at least four people and wounding seven, the ministry official said.

Earlier, two car bombs struck a supermarket and a government facility where identity cards are issued in the Karrada district Monday morning. Nine people -- including three police officers -- were killed and 28 were injured, the official said.

Hours later, a car bomb struck a police patrol in the Alwiya commercial area of Karrada district, killing three -- two police and a civilian -- and wounding five, including three police. That attack happened around 11:15 a.m. -- From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq (Posted 7 a.m.)

U.S. military: 48 Taliban insurgents killed in major fight

(CNN) -- A fierce battle between Afghan soldiers, backed by coalition forces, and Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan left at least 48 insurgents dead -- possibly including two mid-level Taliban commanders, the U.S. military said Monday.

No Afghan or coalition forces were wounded or killed during the fighting, which took place on the western side of the Helmand River in northern Helmand province and ended on Monday.

The battle was sparked Sunday afternoon when insurgents ambushed an Afghan army-led patrol near Shaban village. Insurgents inside two compounds within Shaban village also began firing on the Afghan and coalition forces, who called in air support "to destroy the positively identified large number of enemy fighters within the compounds."

During the ongoing battle, more insurgents arrived to bolster the enemy positions around the village, the military said. The Afghan and coalition forces directed the aircraft to the enemy positions around the village and the aircraft dropped four bombs on those positions.

Military spokesman Maj. Chris Belcher said the insurgent forces "risked the villagers' lives in an effort to stir up criticism about the Afghan and coalition forces." (Posted 6:49 a.m.)

Taliban extends deadline for South Korean hostages

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Taliban kidnappers believed to be holding a group of South Korean volunteer aid workers have extended until Monday the deadline for their demands to be met, a statement posted on their official Web site said Sunday.

"Since Korea has sent a delegation of eight people to negotiate for the release of their 23 nationals and has showed their readiness to solve the situation through local elders, the Taliban leadership council extended the deadline for another 24 hours," the statement said.

It warned the negotiators to accelerate their work or "they would be responsible for the bad consequences" for the volunteers, most of whom are women.

A Taliban spokesman had said members of the group would begin killing the hostages at 7 p.m. (10:30 a.m. EDT) Sunday unless the South Korean government agreed to withdraw its nearly 200 non-combat troops from Afghanistan. (Posted 6:10 a.m.)

Coalition forces capture terror suspects

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- U.S.-led coalition forces detained 12 suspected terrorists in raids across the the country Monday, a U.S. military statement said.

The military operations targeting al Qaeda in Iraq and its logistics networks were staged in Mosul, Yusifiya, Tarmiya and south of Baghdad.

"Foreign terrorists who come to Iraq to support al Qaeda will find no safe haven to operate from," said Multi-National Force - Iraq spokesman Maj. Marc Young. "We will not tolerate terrorists' indiscriminate attacks against innocent Iraqis." (Posted 5:25 a.m.)

Car bombs kills at least 12 in central Baghdad

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Three car bombs exploded in central Baghdad's Karrada district Monday morning, killing at least 12 people and wounding 33, according to Iraq's Interior Ministry. Among the wounded were at least six police officers.

The attacks took place outside a supermarket, a government facility where identity cards are issued and near a police patrol in the Alwiya commercial area of the district. (Posted 5:05 a.m.)

Roadside bomb kills U.S. soldier in Baghdad

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- A U.S. soldier was killed Saturday when a roadside bomb exploded next to his vehicle, during combat operations, the U.S. military said Monday.

The soldier was a member of the Army's Multi-National Corps - Iraq.

Since the start of the war, 3,633 member of the U.S. military have died in Iraq. For July, the toll stands at 54. (Posted 1:40 a.m.)

Erdogan claims new mandate in Turkish vote

ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN) -- Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Islamist party claimed a new five-year mandate from Turkish voters in Sunday's elections after results showed it winning a slightly reduced majority in parliament.

With nearly 100 percent of the vote counted, Erdogan's Justice and Development party, or AKP, won 46.6 percent of the vote, Turkish electoral officials reported Monday. Though its share of the vote was larger than it was in 2002, when it was voted into power, under Turkey's system for apportioning parliamentary seats it will hold 342 seats in the country's 550-seat parliament, down from the 363 it now holds.

The party's Islamic roots and its appeal to religious voters has unnerved many voters in a nation that has followed a strict code of secularism since it was founded in 1923. In addition, renewed fighting with Kurdish guerrillas along the mountainous southeastern border with Iraq led to widespread criticism from opposition parties.

But the country has been prosperous since Erdogan (prono: ER-du-wan) took office in 2003, promising to pursue pro-business policies and to push for Turkey's entry into the European Union. He urged his followers to accept the election results "with maturity." (Posted 1:30 a.m.) E-mail to a friend