Morning Brief: Guantanamo revelations

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"If the detainee dies, you're doing it wrong." That's what a CIA lawyer told military and intelligence officials about interrogations in Guantánamo back in 2002, according to documents released by the U.S. Senate. "[I]f someone dies while aggressive techniques are being used, regardless of cause of death, the backlash of attention would be severely detrimental," the lawyer added. Officials also hid certain detainees from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Asia

Afghan and NATO forces have launched a "huge offensive" against Taliban positions outside Kandahar.

Burma's humanitarian disaster after Cyclone Nargis was not as bad as originally reported.

Multinational companies are beginning to find China too expensive.

China and Japan have reached agreement on disputed gas fields in the East China Sea.

Middle East and Africa

Iraq's fragile calm was shattered Tuesday by a massive explosion in a Shiite neighborhood of Baghdad.

Israel has confirmed its ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

Americas

Fidel Castro appeared on Cuban television for the first time since January.

Europe

A radical preacher linked to Osama bin Laden has been freed on bail in Britain.

A Russian cloud-seeding experiment went awry when a 55-lb bag of cement landed on a house.

Meet Curveball, the Iraqi defector who maintains he is "not guilty" of spreading disinformation about WMD.

Decision '08

John McCain and Barack Obama traded barbs on terrorism.

Today's Agenda

President Bush plans to ask Congress to lift the federal ban on offshore oil drilling.

Bush will also welcome Bulgaria's prime minister to the White House.

Belgian truckers are going on strike to protest high fuel prices.

Yesterday on Passport

• Beijing says time out to Time Out
• Could the Taliban take Kandahar?
• Sarkozy takes the EU’s fight to Prague