World/nation briefs

Two versions given of Edwards' actions Both sides concluded their cases in the John Edwards trial, and the jury is set to begin deliberations on Friday. Prosecutor Bobby Higdon contended in his closing argument that Edwards violated campaign finance laws to cover up a lurid sex scandal. "The whole scheme was cooked up to support John Edwards' political ambitions," Higdon said. Defense attorney Abbe Lowell countered that the case comes down to "the difference between a wrong and a crime ...between a sin and a felony. John Edwards has confessed his sins. ... But he has pleaded not guilty to violating the law."

Postal Service to begin closing mail centers The nearly bankrupt U.S. Postal Service is moving ahead with plans to close dozens of mail processing centers, saying it can no longer wait as Congress remains deadlocked over how to help. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said the agency will consolidate nearly 250 plants, including 48 in August, but will stretch out the remainder over 2013 and 2014. Under the modified approach, up to 140 mail processing centers will be consolidated by February. The plan is expected to reduce postal staff by 13,000 and save the struggling agency about $1.2 billion annually once fully implemented.

U.S. greatly upgrades ties with Myanmar The U.S. government loosened a ban on investments in Myanmar in the strongest acknowledgment yet of the political transformation put in motion by a new government of former army generals. Along with the easing of trade and investment restrictions, President Obama announced that he was nominating Derek Mitchell as the first U.S. ambassador to Myanmar in 22 years.

Mladic trial delayed by evidence miscue The war crimes trial of Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serb military leader during the Balkans wars of the 1990s, was suspended at The Hague after the chief judge declared that the prosecution had failed to hand over evidence to the defense. Presiding Judge Alfons Orie said that "in light of the prosecution's significant disclosure errors ... the chamber hereby informs the parties that it has decided to suspend the start of the presentation of evidence." A restart date is to be set "as soon as possible." The trial opened Wednesday.

Quebec weighs action on student protests Trying to end three months of student protests over rising tuition, Quebec's provincial government introduced emergency legislation that would shut some universities until August and impose harsh fines on pickets blocking students from attending classes. The bill also lays out strict regulations governing student protests, including requiring eight hours' notice. Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Montreal as the government introduced the bill. A day earlier, authorities said 122 people were arrested during protests in which bank windows were broken and objects were thrown at police. A votes on the legislation is expected Friday.

Raul Castro's daughter granted U.S. visa Mariela Castro, the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro, has been granted a U.S. visa to attend events in San Francisco and New York, sparking a firestorm of criticism from Cuban-American politicians who called her an enemy of democracy and a shill for the Communist government. Castro, 50, a noted advocate of gay rights and head of Cuba's National Center for Sex Education, is to lead a panel on sexual diversity at a conference organized by the Latin American Studies Association in San Francisco.

Taliban kills 11 in raid on governor's office At least 11 people, including six police officers, died after Taliban insurgents attacked the governor's office in the western province of Farah, disguising themselves as police, Afghan officials said. Gov. Mohammad Akram Khapalwak was in his office at the time but was not hurt by the four attackers, who wore explosive vests and carried rocket-propelled grenade launchers and small weapons. All the attackers were killed.