In Iraq, the main Shiite and Kurdish coalitions have struck a deal to form a new government when the National Assembly convenes next week. The agreement will allow Jalal Talabani to become Iraq’s first-ever Kurdish president and for discussions to begin on allowing 100,000 Kurds to return to the oil-rich city of Kirkuk. Under the power-sharing agreement, the country’s Sunni Arab minority will be given one ministerial post.