The News in 2 Minutes

From The Associated Press

Bloodiest week of year for U.S. troops in Iraq ends

BAGHDAD—A roadside bomb killed an American soldier in Baghdad on Saturday, capping the bloodiest week for U.S. troops in Iraq this year. Clashes persisted in Shiite areas, even as the biggest Shiite militia sought to rein in its fighters.

At least 13 Shiite militants were killed in the latest clashes in Baghdad’s militia stronghold of Sadr City, the U.S. military said. Iraqi police said seven civilians also died in fighting, which erupted Friday night and tapered off Saturday.

The U.S. military said the American soldier was killed in a blast Saturday morning in northwestern Baghdad but did not say whether Shiite militiamen were responsible.

The death raised to at least 19 the number of American troopers killed in Iraq since last Sunday.

American casualties have risen with an outbreak of fighting in Baghdad between U.S. and Iraqi forces and the largest Shiite militia — the Mahdi Army of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Obama concedes remarks on ‘bitter’ voters ill chosen

MUNCIE, Ind.—Democrat Barack Obama on Saturday conceded that comments he made about bitter working class voters who “cling to guns or religion” were ill chosen, as he tried to stem a burst of complaints that he is condescending.

“I didn’t say it as well as I should have,” he said at Ball State University.

As he tried to quell the furor, presidential rival Hillary Rodham Clinton hit Obama with one of her lengthiest and most pointed criticisms to date.

“Senator Obama’s remarks were elitist and out of touch,” she said, campaigning about an hour away in Indianapolis. “They are not reflective of the values and beliefs of Americans.”

At issue are comments Obama made privately at a fundraiser in San Francisco last Sunday. He explained his troubles winning over working class voters, saying they have become frustrated with economic conditions.

Chertoff says don’t expect immigration changes soon

SAN FRANCISCO—Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says he feels the pain of employers pinched by intensified efforts to control illegal immigration, but adds that until Congress enacts broad immigration reforms they shouldn’t expect any changes in enforcement.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Chertoff said this week that the rising complaints from businesses offer some evidence the Bush administration’s approach is working.

“This is harsh but accurate proof positive that, for the first time in decades, we’ve succeeded in changing the dynamic and (are) actually beginning to reduce illegal immigration,” Chertoff said. “Unfortunately, unless you counterbalance that with a robust system to allow people to come in temporarily and legally, you’re going to wind up with an economic problem.”

Chertoff defended the actions of his agency, which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“We’re enforcing the law as it is, but Congress has not yet given us the authority to really expand the temporary worker program,” he said in the Tuesday interview. “If we could do that, then most of these businesses could find legal solutions.”

World finance officials vow to revamp regulations

WASHINGTON, D.C.—World financial leaders facing the gravest economic crisis in at least a decade are pledging tighter control of banks and other financial institutions and hoping the U.S. slump is short.

The 185-nation International Monetary Fund and the World Bank readied for weekend discussions following talks among the world’s seven richest industrial countries.

The IMF, the lender of last resort for countries in trouble, is facing its own hard times. One proposal on the agenda would trim 15 percent of the agency’s staff and sell about $11 billion in the institutions’ vast gold reserves.

Overshadowing the sessions was the severe credit crisis, which could result in losses approaching $1 trillion before it is over, according to an IMF estimate released this week.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson assured the IMF’s policy-setting panel on Saturday that the Bush administration was dealing aggressively with the U.S. slowdown, but that risks remain.

U.S. giants in discussions with Iraqi Oil Ministry

BAGHDAD—Oil giants Chevron Corp. and Total have confirmed that they are in discussions with the Iraqi Oil Ministry to increase production in an important oil field in southern Iraq.

The discussions are aimed at finalizing a two-year deal, or technical support agreement, to boost production at the West Qurna Stage 1 oil field near Iraq’s second-largest city of Basra.

Chevron and Total confirmed their involvement in the discussions in e-mails received Saturday by The Associated Press.

“Chevron is interested in helping the Iraq government’s objectives to develop its oil and gas industry,” Chevron spokesman Kurt Glaubitz said in an e-mail. Total spokeswoman Lisa Wyler confirmed the French company’s involvement.

Iran mosque bomb kills 9, injures 105

TEHRAN, Iran—A bomb explosion in a mosque packed with hundreds of worshippers in southern Iran killed at least nine people and injured more than 100 Saturday, local media reported.

The semi-official Fars news agency said the explosion in the city of Shiraz went off as a cleric was delivering his weekly speech against extremist Wahabi beliefs and the outlawed Bahai faith.

The report said nine people were killed and 105 injured, some of them critically. The force of the explosion shook houses more than a kilometer a mile away and ambulances and firefighters were rushing to the mosque, it said.

Haiti lawmakers oust prime minister over food

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—Haitian lawmakers on Saturday dismissed Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis, hoping to defuse widespread anger of rising food prices that had led to days of deadly protests and looting.

President Rene Preval, who earlier in the day announced plans to cut the price of rice, immediately said he would seek a replacement for Alexis, who took office in 2006 with Preval’s backing to head a Cabinet meant to unite the poor and fractious nation.