Morning Brief, Tuesday, February 6

Washington TIM SLOAN/AFP Senate Republicans shut down debate on a resolution condemning President Bush’s plan to increase troops in Iraq. President Bush sent a $2.9 billion spending package to Congress, including the largest defense budget since the 1980s. Middle East An Iranian diplomat was seized in Baghdad by men in Iraqi police commando uniforms. Iran ...

604230_warner_feb_05.jpg
604230_warner_feb_05.jpg

Washington

Washington

TIM SLOAN/AFP

Senate Republicans shut down debate on a resolution condemning President Bush’s plan to increase troops in Iraq.

President Bush sent a $2.9 billion spending package to Congress, including the largest defense budget since the 1980s.

Middle East

An Iranian diplomat was seized in Baghdad by men in Iraqi police commando uniforms.

Iran has set up over 300 centrifuges at its nuclear plant in Natanz, but this may be more about politics than science.

Europe 

Germany has “one of the most rapidly aging and shrinking populations of any Western nation,” leading to fears of a brain drain.

A British newspaper has published the transcript of a video that shows a friendly-fire attack on British troops by an American plane.

Asia 

North Korea wants a better deal than it got from Bill Clinton.

China and the United Nations are planning a new exchange in Beijing for carbon emissions credits. 

India is under fire for its security policies in Kashmir.

Elsewhere

Should Muslim women be allowed to veil their faces while driving? That’s the hot topic in Zanzibar.

Is the quality of American astronauts declining? I mean, kidnapping?

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