WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee were the big winners in the Louisiana primary and other state caucuses.

Obama scored significantly in his head-to-head contest with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton Saturday, CNN reported. His victories in Nebraska, Washington state and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Louisiana, showed support in states separated by geography, ethnic makeup and economics, CNN said.

"We won north, we won south and we won in between," Obama told supporters in Virginia. "And I believe we can win Virginia on Tuesday."

Virginia holds its primary Tuesday. Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has endorsed Obama.

Huckabee's wins in Louisiana and in Republican caucuses in Arkansas are unlikely to halt Arizona Sen. John McCain's march to the Republican nomination. But they showed that Huckabee's mix of social conservatism and economic populism appeals to many Republican voters, especially in the south, CNN said.

McCain has more than 700 delegates, while Huckabee has less than one-third of that. While Huckabee theoretically could still catch up, the numbers favor McCain.

Poisoned cakes given to Baghdad club

BAGHDAD, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Two Iraqi children died after eating thallium-laced cakes given to an air force club in Baghdad.

The secretary of the club and another official shared the cakes with their families, taking them home, the BBC reported.

Victims of the poisoning were flown to Amman, Jordan, for treatment. Supplies of Prussian blue, an antidote, were being flown from Britain to treat the victims.

Saddam Hussein allegedly used thallium, a heavy metal, to get rid of his enemies. Thallium has no taste, making it easy to mix with food or drink, and the symptoms develop slowly.

Skin exposure to thallium is also dangerous, and the substance is a depilatory. The CIA is supposed to have plotted to put thallium in Cuban President Fidel Castro's shoes so his hair and beard would fall out.

The club manager told the BBC he thinks the poisoning was done by people with a grudge against the club. He said a former club official brought the cakes to the club.

U.S. seeks Turkey's help in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- The United States has reportedly asked Turkey to send combat troops to fight Taliban and al-Qaida militants in Afghanistan.

Turkish troops deployed in Afghanistan can only use their weapons if fired upon or threatened. However, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has written a letter to Turkish officials asking them to either send fighting troops or redefine its military role in Afghanistan to be more proactive, the New Anatolian and Ankara reported Sunday.

The New Anatolian cited observers saying U.S. officials want Turkey to reciprocate in Afghanistan for U.S. support in Turkey's ongoing battle against Kurds in northern Iraq.

Source: North Koreans misusing oil aid

SEOUL, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- North Korea is believed to be using fuel aid negotiated in exchange for the end of its nuclear program to beef up its military, it was reported Sunday.

Talks with representatives of six countries aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear development resulted in an agreement to supply more than 100,000 tons of heavy fuel oil to Pyongyang.

A military source told Yonhap that South Korean and U.S. intelligence officials have seen a "sharp increase in the North's winter (military) maneuvering" and suspect the oil aid was being used to fuel military tanks and jets.

North Korea's military exercises could be in response to a scheduled U.S.-South Korean military exercise scheduled to take place in March, an official told Yonhap.