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President Bush made an unnanounced visit to Baghdad on Tuesday for a face-to-face meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and top members of the newly installed Iraqi Cabinet. Madeleine Brand discusses the presidential trip and the latest news from Iraq with Jamie Tarabay, reporting from Baghdad.

Incumbent Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick managed to defeat challenger Freman Hendrix in Tuesday's vote. Kilpatrick won another term despite being accused of using city finances to enrich himself and his family. Steve Inskeep talks with Detroit Public Radio's Quinn Klinefelter about the election.

President Bush selects Rob Portman to be his new budget director. Portman takes the job vacated by the president's new chief of staff, Josh Bolten. Portman's current post of trade representative will go to his deputy, Susan Schwab. Bolten has suggested that more administration changes may come.

The Iraqi government announces an investigation into the abuse and torture of more than 170 prisoners held at a Ministry of Interior detention center in Baghdad. Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said one of his top deputies has been appointed to conduct the probe.

Mike Heidingsfield spent 13 months in Iraq as the top civilian commander in charge of training Iraqi police. He tells Linda Werteimer that Iraqi police are now a more visible presence, but that makes them targets for insurgents, too.

As Iraqis prepare for parliamentary elections, U.S. and Iraqi army commanders are gearing up for a massive security operation on polling day, Dec. 15. The top U.S. military commander in Iraq traveled around the country this week, focusing on election security.

On top of the humanitarian crisis, Ukrainians worry about Russian destruction of cultural heritage sites. In Lviv, they're wrapping statues in fireproof material to protect them from Russian bombs.

The global benchmark topped $115 briefly on Wednesday, just days after it crossed the triple-digit mark for the first time in seven years.

The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in the "Bridgegate" case. The high court's ruling on the New Jersey scandal could prove more consequential if criminal convictions are thrown out.

Primary season kicks off in earnest Tuesday with contests in Ohio and Indiana. Ohio's Republican Senate primary has top billing.