World News Briefs -- July 18, 2010

U.S. Army Sgt. Aaron Hestand, center, Pfc. Brian Leard, left, and "Don," an Afghan national army interpreter, talk with an Afghan man and his sons while on patrol in Zabul province, Afghanistan, June 25, 2010. Hestand and Leard are assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion 4th Infantry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. William Tremblay

Official - Troops Out Of Afghanistan By 2014 -- The Independent

A communiqué containing a blueprint for British troops to pull out from Afghanistan in four years' time has been leaked ahead of a major international conference this week

British troops are to pull out of Afghanistan by 2014, under a secret blueprint for drawing down coalition forces that is set to begin in a matter or months, it emerged last night. A leaked communiqué – a copy of which has been seen by The Independent on Sunday – reveals how President Hamid Karzai will announce the timetable for a "conditions-based and phased transition" at the International Conference on Afghanistan to be held in Kabul on Tuesday.

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MIDDLE EAST

US wanted to 'swap Iranian scientist for hikers'.

Suicide attacks kill at least 48 in Iraq.

EU foreign policy chief tours Gaza, checks embargo.

Israel, Palestinian leaders in separate visits to Cairo.

ASIA

Clinton aims to refine goals of Afghan war.

Australia's election campaigning kicks off.

Thousands evacuated as storm batters Vietnam.

AFRICA

20 arrested over attacks in Uganda.

Rising civilian toll ignites anger at African force as it battles Somali militants.

Sudan’s army clashes twice with rebels.

Guinea security forces foil plot - PM.

EUROPE

Spain to consider banning burqas in public.

France vows to restore order after rioting in Grenoble.

Hooray for Budapest: Is Hungary the new Hollywood of Europe?

AMERICAS

Scientists get another day to study Gulf spill cap.

Suspected drug kingpin arrested in Puerto Rico.

Drug cartels and the Mexican army.

Colombia takes Venezuela rebel accusation to OAS.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Court clears Guantanamo captives for return to Algeria.

US adds Anwar al Awlaki to list of designated terrorists.

Somali militant group built training camps, al Qaeda links.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Where the job recovery is strong: Oh Canada!

Boeing's Dreamliner completes first flight outside US.

Did Credit Suisse help its German customers evade taxes?