GM recalling 1.3M cars

GM recalling 1.3M cars

DETROIT — General Motors says it is recalling 1.3 million compact cars in the U.S., Canada and Mexico to fix power steering motors that can fail.

Models covered by the recall include 2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts, the 2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5s, 2005 and 2006 Pontiac Pursuits sold in Canada and 2005 and 2006 Pontiac G4s sold in Mexico.

GM says the vehicles are safe to drive and never lose steering, but they may be harder to steer when traveling under 15 mph.

The automaker is getting parts to replace the electric power-steering motor and will notify customers when to bring their cars to dealers.

Afghans complain about NATO offensive

MARJAH, Afghanistan — One by one, residents of Marjah stood up before Afghan officials Monday to voice complaints — their houses damaged, relatives killed during this month’s massive military offensive in southern Afghanistan.

The frank litany of problems — aired at a meeting called to affirm central government support — highlights the challenge in store for NATO and Afghan authorities as they seek to transform the former Taliban stronghold into a model for counterinsurgency.

Their visit occurred on a day when six NATO service members were killed in separate attacks around the country, showing that hard fighting lies ahead even if pacifying Marjah is successful. At least 10 Afghan civilians also died in a string of bombings in the south, officials said.

Senate works on deal to regulate Wall Street

WASHINGTON — Senate negotiators closed in on a deal on Wall Street regulations Monday, proposing a new entity inside the Federal Reserve to oversee consumer financial products ranging from credit cards to mortgages.

Three people familiar with the talks told The Associated Press that key members of the Senate Banking Committee were reviewing the plan but had not yet signed off on it.

Supreme Court hears case of ex-Enron CEO Skilling

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court appeared troubled Monday by the selection of the jury that convicted former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling as well as the use of a federal fraud law against him.

Several justices appeared receptive to arguments by Skilling’s lawyer that he did not have a fair trial in Houston, Enron’s hometown, after the energy company’s 2001 collapse that cost thousands of jobs and billions of dollars.

Amid concern that the trial judge spent too little time questioning prospective jurors, Justice Stephen Breyer said, “I’m worried about a fair trial in this instance.”

Skilling was convicted in 2006 on 19 counts of conspiracy, securities fraud, insider trading and lying to auditors. His lawyers are hoping for a new trial.

He also is contesting his conviction under the federal fraud law making it a crime to deprive shareholders or the public of “the intangible right to honest services.”

Witnesses: Killer whale wouldn’t let go of trainer

MIAMI — A killer whale that dragged a trainer to her death eluded SeaWorld workers’ frenzied efforts to corral it with plastic nets while it swam pool-to-pool, according to witness statements released Monday.

After the massive whale was finally trapped last week, it refused to unclench its teeth and let go of Dawn Brancheau, according to the investigative reports released by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Its jaws were eventually pried open.

Investigators have said that the 40-year-old trainer died from multiple traumatic injuries and drowning.

Petraeus expects effort to disrupt Iraqi elections

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Gen. David Petraeus, who oversees the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he expects there will be a threat from extremists to disrupt the upcoming parliamentary elections in Iraq, but adequate security forces are there.

Petraeus, who spoke to reporters Monday before a speech at Vanderbilt University, said security in Iraq has greatly improved over the last 21‚Ñ2 years but elements of al-Qaida and Shia militia remain.

“In December 2006, every 24 hours on average there were 53 dead bodies in the streets of Baghdad,” he said.

He said attacks in Iraq have dropped from an average of 220 per day at the height of the violence to less than 20 a day over the last six months.

The military is on track to reduce the number of troops there to 50,000 by the end of August and those that remain will have an advise and assist mission, he said.

Associated Press