World News Briefs -- May 7, 2009

An Afghan boy places dirt over the grave of one of his family members after air strikes in Ganj Abad of Bala Buluk district, in Farah province, May 5, 2009. REUTERS/Stringer

Afghan Official: 147 Killed In US-Taliban Clashes -- Yahoo News/AP

KABUL – Sobbing relatives showed U.S. and Afghan investigators the demolished buildings and graves in two western villages where a local official said Thursday he collected the names of 147 people killed in a disputed incident involving American forces and Taliban militants.

If local reports of the death toll are confirmed, it would be the deadliest case of civilian casualties in Afghanistan since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that ousted the Taliban regime.

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MIDDLE EAST

Report: Foreign intelligence analysts contradict US on Iran bomb progress.

Gaza militants and Israel exchange fire.

Palestinians give cool reception to Netanyahu plan.

Arabs work for unified approach.

Iraq: Firm once known as Blackwater exits Baghdad.

ASIA

US troops in Afghanistan won't be sent to Pakistan.

India nears end of vote. Clashes, protests in Kashmir mar Indian voting.

Rebels using suicide bombers: Sri Lanka military. Sri Lanka Invites Ban to see aid for Tamils displaced by war. Video shows Sri Lanka rebels forcing civilian help.

Thousands of civilians flee Pakistani war zone. Pakistan orders military to eliminate 'terrorists'.

AFRICA

Thousands in Somalia flee clashes with Islamist militants.

South African lawmakers elects Jacob Zuma.

Amnesty law for DR Congo militias.

White Kenyan aristocrat convicted of manslaughter.

France awkwardly probes its best African friends.

EUROPE

Talks between Russia, Georgia, separatists break off.

Spain: Socialist takes oath as Basque president.

Clinton looks for "new level" in Russia ties.

EU, ex-Soviet republics agree to move closer.

AMERICAS

Obama Releases Details of $3.4 Trillion Budget Plan.

Victims face alligators, hunger in Brazil flooding.

Global flu cases top the 2,000 mark.

17 percent of US children under 5 may face hunger.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Report: FBI slow to update terror watchlist.

Holder: Administration won't free terrorists.

France agrees to take Algerian Guantanamo detainee.

British tax payer pays £600,000 in legal fees for al-Qaeda suspects.

ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL CRISIS

Stress tests find 10 big banks need $75B more.

Obama budget cuts have little deficit impact.

Soak The Rich: Britain top marginal tax rate 61.5%.

New U.S. jobless claims plunge, retail sales improve.

U.S. cities need national bailout agency.

Detroit's troubles lure world of bidders.