The CNN Wire: Monday, Oct. 22

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.

Coroner's reports: No cause listed for patients who died after Katrina

NEW ORLEANS (CNN) -- The parish coroner did not list a cause of death for nine patients who died at Memorial Hospital in New Orleans in the days after Hurricane Katrina flooded the city in 2005, according to autopsy reports released Monday.

The reports from Orleans Parish Coroner Frank Minyard were ordered released by a judge in response to a lawsuit by news organizations, including CNN and The Times-Picayune newspaper.

In July, a grand jury in New Orleans declined to indict Dr. Anna Pou, a physician at Memorial, on second-degree murder charges in connection with the deaths of the patients. Attorney General Charles Foti, who initiated legal proceedings against Pou and two nurses at the hospital, had alleged that patients were deliberately given lethal overdoses of drugs -- allegations Pou denied.

On the autopsy reports, the line listing a cause of death for the nine Memorial patients was left blank. However, that would not be unusual, because Minyard's office did not list a specific cause of death on autopsy reports for many of the hundreds of bodies that turned up after the storm.

Minyard did commission five outside experts to analyze the deaths at Memorial, who concluded that homicides had taken place. However, the experts have told CNN they were not called to testify before the grand jury that refused to indict Pou. (Posted 9:08 p.m.)

U.S. panel recommends tighter rein on contractors

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A State Department panel reviewing the use of private security contractors in Iraq did not recommend firing the private military contractor Blackwater, senior State Department officials and others familiar with the review told CNN Monday.

However, the panel did recommend a "central command center" to improve coordination among agencies using contractors and a thorough examination of the rules of engagement, especially when using deadly force, the sources said.

Those familiar with the review said the Kennedy panel review found a lack of coordination and communication between U.S. diplomats and military officials and little oversight over private security contractors. It recommended a "central command center" to improve coordination among agencies using contractors and a thorough examination of the rules of engagement, especially when using deadly force, the sources said.

"We are looking for a unity of effort," one person familiar with the recommendations told CNN. "You need to create a system where you know in a war zone who is traveling through the battle space, what time you are going through what checkpoints, when they are getting where." (Posted 9 p.m.)

Congressman: Blackwater may have evaded taxes

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A congressman investigating the performance of the private security firm Blackwater on Monday questioned whether the company evaded paying millions of dollars in taxes.

By classifying its workers in Iraq as "independent contractors" rather than as "employees," Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., said the North Carolina-based company appears to have engaged in an "illegal tax scheme" that avoided an estimated $31 million in employment-related taxes in the last year of its contract alone.

Blackwater denied the allegations in a statement issued Monday, telling reporters, "The chairman's contention is incorrect. The United States Government has always been aware of Blackwater's relationship with its deployed personnel."

Waxman's committee has been looking into the use of private security contractors in Iraq and has held Blackwater -- which has won more than $1 billion worth of government contracts since 2001 -- up to particular scrutiny. Waxman asked Blackwater to provide his Committee with documents related to Monday's inquiry by Nov. 19. (Posted 8:45 p.m.)

Woman faces death sentence in pregnant woman's slaying

(CNN) -- A Kansas woman faces a possible death sentence after a federal jury convicted her of kidnapping and killing a pregnant acquaintance and cutting the 8-month-old fetus from her womb, prosecutors said Monday.

Lisa Montgomery, 39, was convicted of kidnapping resulting in death Monday, said Don Ledford, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Kansas City, Mo. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, and jurors will begin hearing the punishment phase of the case on Wednesday, he said.

Montgomery, of Melvern, Kan., was charged with strangling 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett at her home in Skidmore, Mo., in December 2004. Prosecutors said Montgomery then cut Stinnett's near-term fetus from her womb and kidnapped the baby, which Montgomery -- already a mother of four -- then passed off as her own.

The baby, Victoria Jo Stinnett, survived and was returned to her father.

Montgomery's lawyers had argued she was not guilty by reason of insanity. But after a two-week trial, a six-man, six-woman jury took about four hours to find her guilty, Ledford said. (Posted 8 p.m.)

Crews battle spate of wildfires across Southern California

SAN DIEGO (CNN) -- Fueled by windy, hot and dry conditions, more than a dozen uncontained wildfires raged Monday across heavily populated Southern California, threatening thousands of structures and forcing people to flee homes in areas stretching from San Diego to the movie-star hamlet of Malibu and the scenic mountain resort of Lake Arrowhead.

Fire officials said more than 265,000 people have been evacuated and nearly 4,900 firefighters are battling the fast-moving blazes, which began springing up over the weekend.

Two fires that erupted Monday morning in San Bernardino County near Lake Arrowhead have destroyed at least 123 structures and charred 1,800 acres, said Loretta Benavidez, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino National Forest. But hardest hit was San Diego County, where 250,000 people had fled out of the way of five fires.

One person was killed and 18 reported injured in the county, including five firefighters, and local officials said the fire situation had worsened throughout the day, prompting new evacuations.

By Monday afternoon, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention was reporting 13 active wildfires that have consumed more than 98,000 acres and destroyed or damaged at least 50 homes and businesses across six counties. (Posted 7:45 p.m.)

Bush tries to ease Turkish alarm over Kurdish attacks

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- With Turkish officials under pressure to strike at Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, President Bush has told Turkey's president his administration will keep pressing Baghdad to clamp down on the rebels, the White House said Monday.

In a call to Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Bush expressed his "deep concern" over Sunday's killings of at least 12 Turkish soldiers by fighters from the Kurdistan Worker's Party, spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters. The group, known as the PKK, is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

"The president reaffirmed our commitment to work with Turkey and Iraq to combat PKK terrorists operating out of northern Iraq," Johndroe said. "President Bush told President Gul that the United States will continue to urge the Iraqis to take action against the PKK." (Posted 6:16 p.m.)

Medal of Honor awarded to 'antithesis of a warrior'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- His mother describes Lt. Michael Murphy as "someone who always stuck up for the underdog." His father says he was "honest, kind, caring -- probably the antithesis of what you would call a warrior."

On Monday, two years after he was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan, Dan and Maureen Murphy and their son John received Lt. Murphy's Medal of Honor for heroism on the battlefield from President Bush -- who told the Murphys that during the ceremony he wore a gold replica of their son's dog tag that they had given him.

"With this medal, we acknowledge a debt that will not diminish with time and can never be repaid," Bush said.

Murphy's honor is the first to be awarded from the war in Afghanistan, the original front in the war on terrorism that began with al Qaeda's 2001 attack on New York and Washington. Two Medals of Honor have been awarded to soldiers serving in Iraq. (Posted 4:45 p.m.)

Oil retreats from record high

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Oil prices fell over $1 Monday, unwinding from a recent record high of over $90 a barrel as the front-month contract expires, the dollar rose, and traders reassess supply threats in northern Iraq.

U.S. crude for November delivery lost $1.04 to settle at $87.56 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Oil prices hit a record trading high of $90.07 in early trading last Friday, but have been declining since.

Analysts gave several reasons for the drop, starting with the expiration of the November contract at the end of trading Monday. Large price swings often accompany the expiration of a contract, as contract holders would have to take delivery of the oil if they don't sell it. --By CNNMoney.com's Steve Hargreaves (Posted 3:35 p.m.)

'Tragic time for California' as wildfires march out of control

SAN DIEGO (CNN) -- Rapidly spreading wildfires ravaged Southern California on Monday, proving even worse than authorities feared, incinerating homes across the region and sending tens of thousands flocking to evacuation centers.

"It's a tragic time for California," Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said at a news conference.

In San Diego County alone, more than 100,000 acres have been consumed, and nearly 250,000 people evacuated from their homes, said county supervisor Ron Roberts.

Video from the Lake Arrowhead area in San Bernardino County showed dozens of homes charred as huge plumes of smoke filled the sky. One official said some of the flames could stretch as high as 200 feet. And with rapid winds fanning the fires and sending embers flying, authorities saw no immediate relief. (Posted 3:12 p.m.)

Mistrial declared on most counts in Muslim charity accused of helping terrorists

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A federal judge declared a mistrial Monday against leaders of a Muslim charity accused of aiding terrorists, after a chaotic scene in the Dallas courtroom over the verdicts.

Five former members of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development were accused of operating as a front for Hamas, the Palestinian group which U.S. authorities had designated a terrorist organization in 1997. The men were indicted in July 2004 of illegally funneling aid overseas to the group.

One of the leaders, former chairman Mohammed el-Mezain, was acquitted on all but one of 32 charges against him. Jurors deadlocked on one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization.

Judge A. Joe Fish declared a mistrial on that single charge, as well as on all other charges facing the other four defendants and Holy Land Foundation itself. --From CNN Senior Producer Bill Mears (Posted 2:49 p.m.)

Bin Laden calls on groups to unify in Iraq

(CNN) -- Al-Jazeera broadcast Monday an audio message from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden calling on al Qaeda and other groups in Iraq to unify their forces and speak with one voice, that of the Islamic nation.

The Arabic-language broadcaster said the tape was titled "Letter to the People of Iraq."

The message, which includes no dated references, making it impossible to determine when it was taped based on its contents, calls on bin Laden's followers to be loyal to the islamic nation, not to individual leaders, groups, tribes or countries.

The tape marks the first time bin Laden speaks directly to the militants. (Posted 2:34 p.m.)

Bush wants another $45.9 billion for Iraq, Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush has asked Congress for another nearly $46 billion in war spending for 2008, calling on lawmakers to approve the money before adjourning for the holidays.

"Parts of this war are complicated, but one part is not -- and that is that America should do what it takes to support our troops and protect our people," Bush said in an appearance with members of veterans groups at the White House.

The request for the additional $45.9 billion comes on top of $147 billion already requested for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, bringing the expected cost of those wars to more than $189 billion for the budget year that began this month. Most of that money goes to Iraq, which is currently costing the Pentagon an estimated $2 billion a week.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Bush's new request means the overall cost of the widely unpopular war now approaches $650 billion since the March 2003 invasion that toppled Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein -- "none of it paid for. The entire war in Iraq is being paid for with borrowed money," he said. (Posted 2:26 p.m.)

Bin Laden calls on groups to unify in Iraq

(CNN) -- Al-Jazeera broadcast Monday an audio message from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden calling on al Qaeda and other groups in Iraq to unify their forces.

Though CNN is not able to confirm that the voice belongs to bin Laden, the Arabic-language broadcaster has aired other tapes of his and the voice sounded like bin Laden's, said CNN Arabic Affairs Senior Editor Octavia Nasr. (Posted 2:09 p.m.)

Nearly 250,000 evacuated as Southern California wildfires spread

SAN DIEGO (CNN) -- Nearly a quarter-million people have been evacuated from their homes in San Diego County, where wildfires have burned more than 100,000 acres, county officials said Monday.

Authorities pleaded with residents to follow evacuation orders in other areas as well, warning that rapidly spreading wildfires were proving even more "extraordinarily dangerous" than they had feared.

"The situation has gotten dramatically worse overnight ... worse than many of us could have imagined just a few short hours ago," said Bill Metcalf, a fire chief in San Diego County. (Posted 1:34 p.m.)

Fires ravaging Southern California even worse than feared

SAN DIEGO (CNN) -- Authorities in Southern California pleaded with residents Monday to follow evacuation orders, warning that rapidly spreading wildfires were proving even more "extraordinarily dangerous" than they had feared.

"The situation has gotten dramatically worse overnight ... worse than many of us could have imagined just a few short hours ago," said Bill Metcalf, a fire chief in San Diego County.

Fires that broke out over the weekend have already scorched at least 70,000 acres, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. Even with thousands of firefighters working through the night, authorities warned the fires are likely to keep growing, fanned by powerful winds, at least until Tuesday.

In one fire in San Diego County, one person was killed and 20 were injured, four of them firefighters, authorities said. Another three civilians were injured in a fire in Los Angeles County. (Posted 12:17 p.m.)

Turkey under pressure to crack down on Kurdish rebels after deadly attack

ANKARA, Turkey (CNN) -- Turkey's leadership is under increasing internal pressure to initiate a major push against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, after Sunday's deadly strike by the PKK rebels killed at least 12 Turkish soldiers.

But U.S. and Iraqi leaders are pushing Ankara to hold off on any massive military operation, which they fear would further destabilize Iraq and the region.

Iraq's President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, is meeting with officials in Iraq's Kurdistan autonomous region in an effort to find a diplomatic solution to ease tensions with Turkey after Sunday's attack by rebels from the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.

Talabani's office said the PKK will announce a unilateral cease-fire on Monday. (Posted 11:34 a.m.)

Swiss voters hand biggest ever win to nationalist party after anti-immigrant campaign

(CNN) -- A far-right party recorded the biggest share of the vote for a political party in Switzerland's history on Monday, after a controversial campaign that blamed foreigners for much of the country's crime.

The nationalist Swiss People's Party headed by Christoph Blocher rode a wave of anti-immigration sentiment to gain 29 percent of the vote.

Under Switzerland's system of consensus government, the country will continue to be ruled by a multi-party coalition that will include the Green Party, which also scored well in Sunday's vote.

The Green Party won 20 seats in the 200-seat National Council, Switzerland's lower house of parliament. It previously held six seats, making this the Green Party's best-ever showing. (Posted 11:28 a.m.)

Fires ravaging Southern California 'worse than ... imagined'

SAN DIEGO (CNN) -- Authorities in Southern California pleaded with residents Monday to follow evacuation orders, warning that rapidly spreading wildfires were proving more "extraordinarily dangerous" by the hour.

"The situation has gotten dramatically worse overnight -- worse than many of us could have imagined just a few short hours ago," said Bill Metcalf, a fire chief in San Diego County.

Fires that broke out over the weekend have already scorched at least 70,000 acres, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. In one fire in San Diego County, one person was killed and 20 injured, four of them firefighters, authorities said.

One of the most threatening racing through the region -- fanned by hurricane-force winds -- is the Witch Fire, which has consumed at least 5,000 acres. Early Monday it merged with a smaller fire in the area and entered the San Diego city limits, said Mike Mohler with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. (Posted 11:23 a.m.)

Iraqi president: Kurdish rebels to declare cease-fire

BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Rebels from the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, will announce on Monday a unilateral cease-fire following a deadly attack Turkish forces, a spokesman for Iraqi President Jalal Talabani told CNN.

Talabani has been meeting with leaders in Iraq's Kurdistan region to quell tensions with Turkey after PKK rebels ambushed a Turkish infantry unit early Sunday and killed at least 12 soldiers.

Eight soldiers are still missing.

The attack happened in southeastern Turkey, but Turkey's military said the rebels were based in northern Iraq. (Posted 11:04 a.m.)

Nuclear submarine crew members faked inspection records

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Six Navy personnel onboard the nuclear-powered submarine USS Hampton have been punished for forging inspection records for the cooling system of the ship's nuclear reactor, Navy officials said Monday.

The misconduct was discovered on Sept. 17, but was made public after completion of an initial investigation.

One officer and five enlisted personnel received a "non-judicial punishment," after other Navy personnel discovered their actions, Navy officials said.

The crew neither maintained inspection records nor conducted the required inspection of the chemical levels associated with the cooling system, the Navy officials said. The crew then went back and falsified existing records to make it appear the work had been done, the officials added. (Posted 10:58 a.m.)

Pentagon officials: White House to request additional $42.3 billion for war efforts

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Bush administration will request an additional $42.3 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Pentagon officials said Monday.

That will bring the 2008 request for funding of the wars to $189.3 billion.

The White House said President Bush will announce Monday how much more is needed outside the initial supplemental request in February, but would not confirm any figures. That original supplement is yet to be approved, and Bush's 1:55 p.m. statement from the Roosevelt Room will urge Congress to act on it, the White House announced Monday morning.

The original request submitted to Congress for $141.7 billion was followed by a $5.3 billion request to fund the purchase of additional armored vehicles. The new request will cover additional armored vehicles and repair of existing equipment damaged in the war that can be returned to the field, the Pentagon officials said. --From CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr and CNN's Kathleen Koch (Posted 10:51 a.m.)

Former Congo militia leader appears in Hague court

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (CNN) -- A former Congolese militia leader suspected of war crimes and crimes against humanity made his first appearance at the International Criminal Court at The Hague Monday.

Germain Katanga, 29, is alleged to have committed six war crimes and three crimes against humanity -- including murder, sexual enslavement, and using child soldiers -- in the Democratic Republic of Congo's northeast Ituri region. He is the second person to be held in ICC custody in connection with the Congo conflict -- Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga's trial is expected to begin early next year.

When the court session began, the judge and lawyers spent about 20 minutes trying to determine which language to use in proceedings. Katanga spoke in French but said his preferred language is Lingala, one of the national languages in Congo. But the court lacked a Lingala translator. It does have a Swahili translator, but a member of the defense counsel said Swahili is not the language Katanga speaks best.

The court then adjourned to sort out the language issue. (Posted 10:50 a.m.)

Dozens of Capitol Hill protesters arrested

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Dozens of protesters were arrested Monday for blocking the doors and streets outside congressional buildings near the U.S. Capitol, according to Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, spokeswoman for the U.S. Capitol police.

Schneider said nearly 60 were arrested on various charges, including "incommoding" and unlawful assembly.

Earlier, police had warned the protesters dressed in Blackwater gear, as well as others in military fatigues, not to block the doorway or they would be arrested. They sat on the steps pretending to hold weapons in their hands.

More than 100 people were protesting both the war in Iraq and U.S. policy on global warming. Some were dressed as polar bears and danced on the sidewalk, while others shouted, "No war" and "No warming." (Posted 10:46 a.m.)

Fires scorching Southern California 'worse than ... imagined'

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (CNN) -- Authorities in Southern California pleaded with residents Monday to follow evacuation orders, warning that rapidly spreading wildfires were proving more "extraordinarily dangerous" by the hour.

"The situation has gotten dramatically worse overnight -- worse than many of us could have imagined just a few short hours ago," said Bill Metcalf, a fire chief in San Diego County. Fires have already scorched 50,000 acres and killed one person in Southern California, officials said.

A smaller fire that merged with the Witch Fire -- one of the biggest in the region -- entered the San Diego city limits Monday, said Mike Mohler with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Mandatory evacuations are expected to spread as the fires move rapidly, Kolender noted. "Please, when you are called, when you are notified, do what you were instructed to do." (Posted 10:45 a.m.)

Capitol Hill protesters arrested

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- More than 20 protesters were arrested Monday outside congressional buildings near the U.S. Capitol, according to Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, spokeswoman for the U.S. Capitol police.

It is unclear what they were charged with.

More than 100 people were protesting both the war in Iraq and global warming causes. Some were dressed as polar bears and danced on the sidewalk, while others shouted, "No war" and "No warming."

Two protesters parading through the streets outside the Capitol building, one wearing large George Bush mask and a black-and-white prison outfit, while the other wore a Condoleezza Rice mask with an "Arrest Bush" T-shirt. --From CNN's Paul Courson (Posted 10:04 a.m.)

Thousands ordered to evacuate as windswept fires spread

RAMONA, Calif. (CNN) -- Thousands of residents in several Southern California cities were ordered to evacuate Sunday and Monday as at least 12 wildfires, driven by hurricane-force winds, set trees, cars and buildings on fire.

A long line of cars, trucks and RVs streamed westward out of Ramona, Calif., early Monday in response to a mandatory evacuation ordered as the frontline flames of the Witch wildfire swept rapidly closer to this San Diego County community.

On Sunday, one person was killed in a fire near San Diego. Thirteen civilians and four firefighters were injured.

Overnight, the mayor of San Diego held an emergency press conference and ordered the mandatory evacuation of the San Pascual Valley. Fire officials estimate as many as 20,000 people are affected, and there were reports of traffic jams as residents of several communities tried to get out of harm's way. (Posted 9:30 a.m.)

Navy: U.S. sailor shoots, kills 2 female sailors, wounds himself

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CNN) -- An American sailor Monday morning shot and killed two female sailors before turning the gun on himself at U.S. Navy barracks in Bahrain, the Navy said.

The shooter survived his gunshot wound and is in critical condition at a Bahrain military hospital under heavy security, the Navy said.

The motive for the shooting was unclear, although the Navy stressed that it was not a terror-related attack. None of the sailors' identities have been released.

The incident happened at the U. S. Fifth Fleet's Naval Support Activity Bahrain at approximately 5 a.m. (10 p.m. ET Sunday). As a precaution, officials closed the base for about an hour after the shooting. (Posted 9:11 a.m.)

Polish opposition party storms to bigger-than-expected win

(CNN) -- A victory by Poland's opposition party on Monday spelled the end of two years in power for Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski who, together with his twin brother, President Lech Kaczynski, promoted a robust nationalism which frequently led to confrontations with other countries.

With nearly 91 percent of the votes counted, the opposition Civic Platform won 41.6 percent of the vote, or 208 seats in the lower house of parliament, according to Poland's National Electoral Commission.

Together, Civic Platform and Polish Presence now have a 243 seats out of 460 in the lower house. It is a large enough majority to offer stability and push through their agenda even if President Kaczynski, who remains in his post, attempts to frustrate their plans.

It was a bigger-than-expected win for the opposition in Sunday's vote that registered the largest voter turnout since the fall of communism in 1989. (Posted 8:43 a.m.)

Tamil Tiger rebels launch land and air attack on Sri Lanka Air Force base

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CNN) -- Tamil Tiger rebels Monday launched a pre-dawn land and air attack on a Sri Lankan Air Force base that killed 10 Sri Lankan forces and wiped out military hardware worth millions of dollars, military sources said.

The rebels said the air strikes were carried out by of their 21 "Black Tiger" or suicide cadres.

The attack in Anuradhapura began at 3:10 a.m. local time with rebels infiltrating the base in the country's north central province.

Residents in the area, who spoke by telephone, said they heard loud explosions and heavy gunfire. Shortly after the ground attack began, a rebel aircraft bombed the base, the sources added. -- From Journalist Iqbal Athas (Posted 8 a.m.)

Turkey under pressure to crack down on Kurdish rebels after deadly attack

ANKARA, Turkey (CNN) -- Turkey's leadership is under increasing internal pressure to initiate a major push against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq, after Sunday's deadly strike by the PKK rebels killed at least 12 Turkish soldiers.

But U.S. and Iraqi leaders are pushing Ankara to hold off on any massive military operation that they fear will further destabilize Iraq and the region.

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul Monday is consulting with the country's political leaders, including the head of a pro-Kurdish party, while government ministers at a cabinet meeting discuss how to respond to the attack.

Turkey's official military Web site blamed Sunday's attack on Kurdish rebels who crossed into southern Turkey from northern Iraq. The military said the Turkish infantry unit was ambushed from three directions near Daglica, in Turkey's extreme southeastern province of Hakkari which borders Iran and Iraq. (Posted 8 a.m.)

Turkey's military says 8 soldiers still missing after deadly attack by Kurdish rebels

ANKARA, Turkey (CNN) -- Turkey's military confirmed Monday that eight soldiers are still missing after Sunday's ambush by Kurdish rebels that killed at least 12 soldiers in southeastern Turkey.

Turkey's Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul on Sunday denied reports that any Turkish soldiers had been abducted by rebels from the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. (Posted 7:40 a.m.)

Barracks shooting kills 2 U.S. female sailors, wounds 1, in Bahrain

DUBAI (CNN) -- Two American female sailors were killed and a male sailor was critically wounded in a shooting inside their barracks Monday morning at the U.S. Navy's support facility in Bahrain, the Navy said.

The shooting was not a terror-related attack and only involved U.S. military personnel, the Navy said.

A Navy spokesman in Bahrain refused to provide any other details about the incident to CNN.

A source in Bahrain said the critically wounded sailor was being treated at a Bahrain military hospital and was under tight security. (Posted 6:08 a.m.)

Polish opposition party storms to bigger-than-expected win

LONDON (CNN) -- Poland's opposition party was celebrating a bigger-than-expected win Monday after national elections, which saw the biggest voter turnout since the fall of communism in 1989.

Prelimentary poll results on Monday showed the opposition Civic Platform winning 41.2 percent of the vote, or 205 seats, in the lower house of parliament. It joined with the small Polish Presence party, which won 9.2 percent, or 36 seats. The Law and Order party took 32.2 percent of the vote, or 166 seats, and Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski conceded defeat.

The results spelled the end of two years in power for Kaczynski who, together with his twin brother, President Lech Kaczynski, promoted a robust nationalism which frequently led to confrontations with other countries. (Posted 5:55 a.m.)

Five arrested in connection with South African reggae star's death

JOHANNESBURG (CNN) -- Five men have been arrested and charged with murder in the shooting death of reggae legend Lucky Dube, Johannesburg police said Monday.

The men were arrested Sunday in an area east of Johannesburg and will appear in a city magistrates court on Tuesday, police spokesman Eugene Opperman said. Along with murder, Opperman said the men were charged with possession of stolen property, a charge unrelated to Dube's death.

The 43-year-old musician was killed Thursday night as a hijacker tried to steal his car, his record company said. Dube was dropping his children off at a relative's house at the time; he attempted to escape but died almost instantly from his wounds, Gallo Record Company said.

Opperman said police were treating the crime as a "botched hijacking," and he would not comment on published reports from Dube's friends that the singer was targeted. (Posted 5:51 a.m.)

Residents abandon Ramona as Witch nears; L.A. and San Diego counties fight wildfires

RAMONA, Calif. (CNN) -- A long line of cars, trucks and RVs streamed westward out of Ramona, Calif. early Monday in response to a mandatory evacuation ordered as the frontline flames of the Witch wildfire swept rapidly closer to this San Diego County community.

Fresh in residents' memories is the Cedar fire which killed a dozen people just south of Ramona four years ago this week as it moved swiftly through the hilly terrain, eventually consuming over 280,000 acres near the community.

The Witch fire was just one of several major wildfires to ignite Sunday around Los Angeles and San Diego, fueled by hot, dry conditions and pushed by fierce Santa Ana winds. Thousands of homes were threatened and at least one death and injuries to 17 people were reported Sunday.

Large fires bore down on Malibu, Santa Clarita and two rural communities east of San Diego as thousands of firefighters worked into Monday morning in the struggle to protect lives and homes. (Posted 5:49 a.m.)

Barracks shooting kills 2 U.S. sailors, wounds 1, in Bahrain

DUBAI (CNN) -- Two U.S. sailors were killed and one was critically wounded in a shooting inside their barracks Monday morning at the U.S. Navy's support facility in Bahrain, the Navy said.

The shooting was not a terror-related attack and only involved U.S. military personnel, the Navy said. A Navy spokesman in Bahrain refused to provide any other details about the incident to CNN.

A source in Bahrain said the critically wounded sailor -- a male -- was being treated at a Bahrain military hospital and was under tight security. (Posted 5:47 a.m.)

Two potential successors to Hu named to China's top committee

BEIJING (CNN) -- China's President Hu Jintao was elected to a second five-year term as the Communist Party general secretary and two potential successors for Hu's post were elevated to the country's ruling body as the newly-selected central committee convened its first meeting Monday.

The 204-member central committee, which was chosen Sunday by the 2,235 delegates to the National Congress, in turn met Monday to fill four vacancies in the Politburo's standing committee created by the retirement of three older members and a death earlier in the year.

Two of the new members chosen are seen at rivals to succeed Hu the next time the Congress meets to select a new central committee in 2012. (Posted 3:53 a.m)

San Diego, Los Angeles wildfires spread forcing more evacuations

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Hot, dry conditions combined with fierce Santa Ana winds fueled wildfires in at least a dozen areas around Los Angeles and San Diego, threatening thousands of homes, forcing evacuations and causing at least one death and injuries to 17 people Sunday.

Large fires bore down on Malibu, Santa Clarita and two rural communities east of San Diego as thousands of firefighters worked into Monday morning in the struggle to protect lives and homes.

The people who live in 10,000 homes around Ramona, California -- northeast of San Diego -- were told to leave their homes late Sunday as a wildfire -- dubbed the Witch fire -- that began east of them near Witch Creek Sunday had consumed 8,000 acres and was moving closer to their community. It was 0 percent contained.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders said the Witch fire was moving much faster than expected and there was "a very high potential" it would enter his city early Monday. (Posted 2:38 a.m.)

Tamil Tiger rebels launch land and air attack on Sir Lanka Air Force base

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CNN) -- Tamil Tiger rebels launched a land and air attack on the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Anuradhapura Monday morning, triggering off explosions and damaging aircraft, military sources said. The attack began at 3:10 a.m. with rebels infiltrating the base in the country's north central province.

Residents in the area, who spoke by telephone, said they heard loud explosions and heavy gunfire. Shortly after the ground attack began, a rebel aircraft bombed the base, the sources added. Police enforced an unofficial curfew for the area which has been sealed off as fighting continues.

Seven Sri Lankan Air Force personnel have been killed, including an officer and two airmen on the base, a military source said. Four crew members on a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell helicopter were killed when their aircraft crash landed in Mihintale, near Anuradhapura. By Journalist Iqbal Athas (Posted 12:06 a.m.) E-mail to a friend