Morning Brief, Friday, February 15

Darren McCollester/Getty Images

2008 U.S. Elections

Tidbits: Mitt Romney endorsed John McCain. Civil rights leader and superdelegate John Lewis is considering switching his support toward Obama, who may also pick up the SEIU endorsement today in addition to that of the United Food and Commercial Workers. Hillary Clinton won a delegate in New Mexico. Obama and Clinton have very similar economic policies.

Qui bono? TheStreet.com examines which funds could benefit under a Republican or Democratic president.

Europe

Russian president-to-be Dmitri Medvedev wants to reduce the state’s role in Russia’s economy.

Russia reiterated a threat to recognize breakaway provinces of Georgia if Western countries recognized Kosovo. Serbian president-elect Boris Tadic, who will be sworn in today for a second term, is vowing to keep Kosovo.

France admitted providing munitions, intelligence, and logistical support to Chadian President Idress Déby, who turned back a rebel assault on his capital earlier this month. Déby has since declared a state of emergency.

Asia

Thousands have taken to the streets of Manila to call for the ouster of Philippine President Gloria Arroyo.

Four U.S. Marines have been charged with raping a Japanese woman in Okinawa.

Australian PM Kevin Rudd pledged “absolutely rock-solid” support for East Timor’s government following an assassination attempt on President Jose Ramos-Horta.

The arsonist who destroyed Korea’s top cultural treasure said he is sorry.

Middle East

The U.S. government agreed to turn over intelligence data on Iran’s nuclear program to international inspectors.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is scheduled to visit Iraq for the first time in March.

John McCain’s son, a Marine, has returned from Iraq.

Elsewhere

U.S. President George W. Bush is beloved in Africa, a continent in which he has invested considerable energies.

Kenya is “in the throes of ethnically segregating itself,” the New York Times reports. The good news? The parties may be on the verge of a deal brokered by Kofi Annan.

The dollar fell against the euro after Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke signaled a coming rate cut in “bleak” testimony to Congress about the U.S. economy. Bernanke’s predecessor, Alan Greenspan, think the country is “on the edge” of recession.

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is refusing to schedule a vote on a bill to expand the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Scientists discovered a solar system that resembles our own.

Today’s Agenda

• Hillary Clinton is in Ohio, where she says, “The people of Ohio get me.” Mike Huckabee, John McCain, and Barack Obama are campaiging in Wisconsin.
• After a morning chat with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, President Bush heads for Africa on a trip that includes visits to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Liberia. Bush has, however, vowed to delay his trip over the FISA bill.

Yesterday on Passport

• Get ready for masked Olympians in Beijing
• By the hair on my chin
• A silver lining in Lebanon?

Web Exclusive

Photo Essay: The World Celebrates Valentine’s Day
Whether you see it as a day for romance or a marketing ploy, there’s no denying that what began as a Christian festival has grown into a global phenomenon. Herewith, a few scenes from Valentine’s Day around the world.