Morning Brief, Friday, March 23

United States Four big stories consuming Washington: John Edwards’ wife’s cancer is back, but the campaign goes on; what e-mail records reveal about the firing of federal prosecutors; House Democrats won’t block funding for the Iraq War, but Congress may pass legislation leading to major troop drawdowns by late 2008; did the Federal Reserve goose ...

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603089_070323_bankimoon_05.jpg

United States

United States

Four big stories consuming Washington: John Edwards’ wife’s cancer is back, but the campaign goes on; what e-mail records reveal about the firing of federal prosecutors; House Democrats won’t block funding for the Iraq War, but Congress may pass legislation leading to major troop drawdowns by late 2008; did the Federal Reserve goose the subprime lending market?

Newish Defense Secretary Robert Gates wanted to shut down Guantanamo, but was overruled by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Dick Cheney’s office. 

Middle East

In Basra, Iraq’s second-largest city, fighting broke out between Shiite militias after British troops withdrew from downtown.

Pool/AFP

Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Salam Zaubai was injured by twin bombing attacks. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon ducked when a mortar struck near his press conference with the Iraqi president, who was unfazed by the explosions.

The U.N. Security Council votes Saturday on new sanctions against Iran. For its part, Iran captured 15 British sailors who were combating smuggling near the Iraqi coast. 

Europe

Cuba’s representative to the United Nations struck out at “the not-so-glorious days of Swedish imperialism, which filled with blood and pain their neighbouring countries.”

The European Union wants the United States to liberalize its rules on the foreign ownership of U.S. airlines. 

Carrefour, the Wal-Mart of France, is sitting on acres of prime real estate

Asia

Propaganda reigns in the Chinese media, which remains firmly under government control. 

The United States’ top general urged China’s military to be more open about its plans and capabilities. 

Who strangled Pakistan’s cricket coach?  

Elsewhere 

Some African immigrants to New York still practice polygamy, the New York Times reports. 

Rogue aid” gets a shot in the arm from Hugo Chávez.

Next YouTube killer? Not likely, says Newsweek‘s Steven Levy. 

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