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Obama meets with McCain in Chicago

CHICAGO, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and former Republican rival John McCain pledged Monday to work together to reform the federal government

Following a meeting at Obama's transition office in downtown Chicago, the two issued a statement, pledging to "launch a new era of reform where we take on government waste and bitter partisanship in Washington.

"We hope to work together in the days and months ahead on critical challenges like solving our financial crisis, creating a new energy economy, and protecting our nation's security," they said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a McCain ally, and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., Obama's incoming chief of staff, also were at the meeting.

McCain, who represents Arizona, will return to the Senate where in the past he has shown a willingness to work with Democrats.

Graham said the meeting had no set agenda. McCain wanted to learn how Obama plans to proceed and "where we can fit in," Graham said, noting that legislation dealing with climate change is a potential area of common ground.

Obama transition spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said both men think "Americans want and deserve a more effective and efficient government" and want to discuss how they can work together "to make that a reality," USA Today reported.

Last week, Obama met with Democratic primary rivals Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, both said to be under consideration for the secretary of state position. Obama tapped primary rival Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as his vice president.

Firefighters corralling SoCal blazes

DIAMOND BAR, Calif., Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Firefighters say they are making progress against a trio of devastating wildfires in Southern California but remain on guard for any turn in the weather.

Crews aided by the end of Santa Ana winds had fires in Los Angeles and Orange counties 40 percent contained by midday Monday and a blaze to the north in Santa Barbara County 90 percent contained.

"It's been going really well," Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Greg McKeown told The Orange County Register. "Crews have been hitting hot spots and flare-ups but no real major fire activity overnight, no losses."

The National Weather Service ended the red-flag warnings that had been posted during the weekend; however the weather Monday remained hot and dry and firefighters said they were wary of the winds kicking up again.

"We don't want to drop our guard. It's all dictated by the wind," Battalion Chief Ronnie Villanueva of the Los Angeles County Fire Dept. told the Los Angeles Times.

The fires have consumed more than 40,000 acres and burned down hundreds of homes.

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced Monday that he was declaring an "insurance emergency" in the fire-ravaged areas to speed up the claims process by allowing companies to send in adjusters from outside California to assist their state-licensed staffs.

Bush pushing for quicker automaker help

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- The Bush administration is talking to members of Congress to allow U.S. automakers quicker access to a $25 billion loan program.

"What we have asked Congress to do is to look at the money that has already been provided … and to simply amend that bill so they can get the money sooner, rather than wait for an application process to go forward with the retooling," White House press secretary Dana Perino said Monday.

Perino reiterated the pronouncement by U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson Jr. that the $700 billion bailout package wasn't intended for the automobile industry.

"The TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program) funding is there for financial institutions. Congress never intended for individual industries to be able to come forward," Perino said. "Once your start down that road, it's a slippery slope."

Perino said automakers have "tough choices" to make.

"They're going to have to be able to show how they can survive. If you look at their ability to compete worldwide, we think that our -- our companies can compete, but they're not going to be able to do so unless they make some of these really tough decisions," she said.

Iraqi parliament begins SOFA debate

BAGHDAD, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- The Iraqi parliament began debate Monday on a proposed security agreement governing U.S. troops in the country, officials said.

Lawmakers received the status of forces agreement, or SOFA, after it was approved Sunday by Iraq's Cabinet, CNN reported. It calls for U.S.-led coalition forces to be withdrawn from the country by the end of 2011 and establishes a legal framework covering occupying forces to replace a U.N. mandate that expires Dec. 31.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker had a signing ceremony Monday in Baghdad, during which Zebari called it a historic day for Iraq and thanked negotiators on both sides who worked to produce the agreement, CNN said.

Officials said Iraq's 275-member parliament will conduct numerous hearings and debates this week before the SOFA is submitted for a final vote, which according its rules can take place no earlier than Nov. 24.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali Dabbagh told reporters Sunday that under the SOFA, all U.S. forces must withdraw completely from the country by Dec. 31, 2011, adding that the date is "set and fixed."

Israel to free 250 Palestinian prisoners

JERUSALEM, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners next month in a goodwill gesture to moderate leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Olmert's offer follows the release of 1,000 Palestinians in recent months and is notwithstanding Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel in recent days that followed Israeli military incursions into Gaza, The Daily Telegraph reported. More than 9,000 Palestinians are in Israeli jails, many held without trial, the British newspaper noted.

The planned prisoner release was announced following a trip to Israel and the West Bank by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who met with Abbas, the president of the Palestinian national authority.

The back-and-forth attacks between the Palestinian and Israeli forces has severely strained the five-month cease-fire between the two sides, Miliband said.

"It is vital that the cease-fire is maintained," Miliband said in Ramallah after meeting with Abbas.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has said Israel is prepared to attack Gaza if deemed essential to protect the nation.

"There is always a need to consider the wider picture before Israel starts using its immense military force,'' he told American Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.

Olmert is to leave his post after a Feb. 10 general election.