Morning Brief, Monday, July 30

Asia

KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP

Shinzo Abe vows he'll stay on as prime minister after seeing his party roundly defeated in Japan's upper house elections.

NATO is switching to smaller bombs in Afghanistan in the hopes of killing fewer civilians. The Taliban is reportedly becoming adept at hiding among the population.

China's central bank, fearing rising inflation, is increasing reserve requirements.

Middle East

Jubilant Iraqis celebrated their soccer team's win over Saudi Arabia in the Asian Cup.

Also in Iraq, a "legal Green Zone" to protect judges and their families.

Nearly one third of Iraqis urgently need aid, according to a new report by Oxfam and other NGOs. 

Europe

Acclaimed Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman died at age 89.

Gordon Brown took a break from flood relief to visit U.S. President George W. Bush at Camp David, echoing Churchill on his way across the pond.

The European Union will scrap import duties on florescent bulbs from China.

As expected, a professional cyclist won the Tour de France.

Elsewhere

Brazil is hoping to snag the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.

In other Brazil news: Brazilian officials are claiming victory in a WTO dispute with the United States over cotton subsidies. 

South Africa's ruling party is beginning the selection process for its leader. 

Today's Agenda

• After breakfast with President Bush, Gordon Brown addresses the United Nations.
• U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson visits China for another round of the "strategic economic dialogue."
• It's going to be an interesting Monday on Wall Street.
• U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates are traveling to Saudi Arabia for talks that will be lively following last Friday's revelations.
• Gay pride celebrations kick off in Stockholm and Rio.
• IAEA inspectors are due at Arak, Iran's heavy-water facility.