Morning Brief, Friday, September 22

The Detainee Deal Time to sign up for daily updates from the Federal Register. Because that's where Bush is going to have to publish any executive rules on what constitutes violations of the Geneva Conventions. As more details emerge about the deal reached last night on interrogation and treatment of terror detainees, expect a lot ...

The Detainee Deal

The Detainee Deal

Time to sign up for daily updates from the Federal Register. Because that's where Bush is going to have to publish any executive rules on what constitutes violations of the Geneva Conventions. As more details emerge about the deal reached last night on interrogation and treatment of terror detainees, expect a lot more analysis on who gave up more in the compromise. But there's a prohibition on "grave breaches" of the Geneva Conventions, detainees can see summaries of classified evidence, and there's apparently no more water-boarding. The Post thinks that as long as Bush is president, the abuse will continue.

Abbas-Hamas unity government

It's off. Hamas today rejected Abbas's claim that the new government would implicitly recognize Israel.

Iran

New deadline from the U.N. for Iran to stop enriching uranium: early October. Ahmadinejad says he's open to suspension, but he pointedly doesn't say under what conditions – much the way he skirted the issue of disarming Hezbollah. (Speaking of which, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah today made his first public appearance in Beirut since the war with Israel.)

Thailand

The king gives his official blessing to the coup leaders, who have imposed tight restrictions on any expressions of opposition to them. Will they really revert the country to democracy in a few weeks?

Elsewhere

Merkel's coalition is in trouble in Germany. Poland's ruling conservative coalition collapses. And days before Brazil goes to the polls, another scandal for Lula.

Bird flu: not over yet. Indonesia's toll hits 50. 

In China, U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson says economic talks exceed his expections.

Somali Islamists ban khat during Ramadan. Gambia goes to the polls today. Tentative April trial date for Charles Taylor.

And the richest 400 people in America are all billionaires, including casino owner Sheldon Adelson, who…

Forbes estimates…has been earning about $1m an hour for the past two years.   

Carolyn O'Hara is a senior editor at Foreign Policy.

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