World News Briefs -- August 31, 2010

ODIERNO WELCOME - U.S. Army Gen. Raymond Odierno, commander of U.S. Forces Iraq, and James Jeffrey, center, U.S. ambassador to Iraq, greet U.S. Vice President Joe Biden after landing on Sather Air Force Base, Iraq, Aug. 30, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Roger M.Dey

Iraq 'Independent' As US Combat Operations End -- BBC

Iraq's prime minister has said the country is "independent" as the US formally ends combat operations.

Nouri Maliki said the country's security forces would now deal with all threats, domestic or other.

US Vice-President Joe Biden is in Iraq on an unannounced visit ahead of the official end of the mission, at midnight (2100 GMT) on Tuesday.

In the US, President Barack Obama is due to deliver a televised address about Iraq to the American people.

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MIDDLE EAST

Mysterious killings spread panic in Iraq.

Israeli, PA negotiating teams to meet with U.S. hosts separately.

UN votes to keep peacekeepers on Israel-Lebanon border until 2011.

Mideast talks reopen under tough conditions.

ASIA

South Korea welcomes sanctions on North, offers flood aid. Obama administration announces new sanctions against North Korea.

China and North Korea deepen ties during Kim Jong Il visit.

8 coalition troops killed in south Afghanistan.

5 American troops killed in latest Afghan violence.

2 die after Indonesian volcano erupts again.

Australia PM rejects new election.

AFRICA

Tensions between media and ANC on display in South Africa.

Police rescue abducted son of Nigerian politician.

Tracing DRC’s conflict minerals a daunting task.

EUROPE

France vows to boost deportation of foreign beggars, thieves.

Slovakia stunned by rampaging gunman.

Eurozone unemployment still at 10%.

AMERICAS

Earl batters Caribbean, threatens US East Coast.

Mexico nabs U.S.-born drug lord 'La Barbie'.

Mexico fires 3,200 federal police officers.

Ciudad Juarez cancels Independence Day celebrations over drug violence.

Fidel Castro says was at death's door, now better.

Drones to begin surveillance of Texas-Mexico border on Wednesday.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Dutch detain two on US plane in suspected terror plot.

Suit challenges reach of U.S. 'targeted killings'.

"Ground Zero Mosque" developer: I don't hold Islam accountable for 9/11 attacks.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Japan defends economic policy steps as Yen rises, leaves intervention open.

India growth rate rises to 8.8%.

Double-dip fears hit global stocks.