Morning Buzz: March 26, 2008

The Chinese government is again allowing foreign journalists to enter Tibet after announcing the surrender of hundreds who took part in antigovernment riots. The protests had turned violent on March 14, when rioters set numerous fires in the Tibetan capital and attacked ethnic Chinese residents. The government responded by flooding Tibet with troops and kicking out foreign reporters. It remains to be seen how much freedom to report will be permitted for the small group of journalists allowed into the region.

Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave Basra gunmen a three-day ultimatum to surrender their weapons as fighting continues in this southern port city and Baghdad between Shiite militia fighters and Iraqi security forces. At least 55 were killed and 300 wounded after the fighting spread to Sadr City, the main Shiite district in Baghdad. This recent outbreak of violence could threaten security gains the U.S. has hailed as a sign that the situation in Iraq is much improved.

Ford is selling Jaguar and Land Rover to the Indian car company Tata Motors for $1.7 billion, which is roughly a third of what the struggling American automaker paid for the two luxury automobile brands in 1989 and 2000, respectively. Ford had not been doing well financially and plans to focus on its main brand. The acquisition by Tata Motors, part of the Tata Group conglomerate—India's largest privately owned company—will expand the global reach of the Indian carmaker.