Morning Brief, Tuesday, April 17
United States A crazed gunman went on a horrific shooting spree at Virginia Tech, killing 32 people in the worst such incident in U.S. history. Already, the university’s handling of the massacre is raising questions. Outside the United States, though, newspapers and politicians are blaming U.S. gun laws. Middle East Meanwhile, the violence continues in ...
United States
United States
A crazed gunman went on a horrific shooting spree at Virginia Tech, killing 32 people in the worst such incident in U.S. history. Already, the university’s handling of the massacre is raising questions. Outside the United States, though, newspapers and politicians are blaming U.S. gun laws.
Middle East
Meanwhile, the violence continues in Iraq. Attacks killed seven U.S. soldiers on Sunday and Monday, and 13 Iraqi troops died in an ambush in Mosul. More here.
Against a backdrop of military families, U.S. President George W. Bush urged lawmakers to pass a war spending bill that includes no timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops.
Al Qaeda in Iraq claims it is making its own rockets.
Europe
Tony Blair said Europe doesn’t need a new constitution, calling instead for tweaks to existing treaties … and no referendum.
Europe’s stance on embattled World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz is key, but it’s President Bush’s position that will be decisive.
Russia plans to launch a floating nuclear plant in 2010, but environmentalists don’t trust the technology.
Asia
After a puzzling delay, North Korea appears to be shutting down its nuclear reactor.
China has closed over 100 illegal casinos since 2005.
A roadside bomb struck a U.N. vehicle in Kandahar, Afghanistan, killing five, and another bombing killed nine police officers in the northern city of Kunduz, which is usually peaceful.
Elsewhere
Nigeria’s Supreme Court ruled that the country’s vice president can run in the upcoming presidential elections.
Robert Mugabe’s crackdown begins in earnest in Zimbabwe.
Sudan will allow U.N. peacekeepers to reinforce African Union troops in Darfur.
Ethanol is set to dominate a Latin American energy summit in Venezuela.
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