World News Briefs -- June 29, 2009

From 30 June Iraq?s police and army will carry out street patrols without American troops, who will remain in US bases. Photograph: Ahmad Al-rubaye/AFP/Getty Images

Fireworks Over Baghdad As Iraqis Take Over Cities -- Yahoo News/AP

BAGHDAD – Iraqi forces assume formal control of Baghdad and other cities on Tuesday after American troops hand over security in urban areas in a defining step toward ending the U.S. combat role in the country.

Fireworks, not bombings, colored the Baghdad skyline late Monday, and thousands attended a party in a park where singers performed patriotic songs. Loudspeakers at police stations and military checkpoints played recordings of similar tunes throughout the day, as Iraqi military vehicles decorated with flowers and national flags patrolled the capital.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran says recount shows election valid.

Palestinians prefer Fatah than Hamas: poll.

Hamas: No truth in media storm over Shalit deal.

Israel to build 50 new homes at West Bank settlement.

Hariri grapples with task of governing with Hezbollah.

ASIA

NKorea criticizes US missile defense for Hawaii.

Korea's Kim Jong Il photo a fake, report claims.

Japan, S.Korea in united stance against N.Korea.

Nine govt troops killed in southern Philippines.

Pol Pot paintings saved my life, S-21 survivor says.

'Tamil unit' for Sri Lanka's army.

AFRICA

Guinea-Bissau votes for new leader.

Zimbabwe's ex-opposition mulls break with gov't.

Nigerian militants say attack Shell despite amnesty.

Somali rebels threaten violent response to US arms.

Somalia moves to forefront on AU summit agenda.

EUROPE

Russia holds major war games in Caucasus. Russian exercises anger Georgia.

NATO restores ties with Russia.

Russia shutting down its casinos.

Northern Ireland's paramilitaries dump arsenal.

Observers report some flaws in Albania vote.

AMERICAS

Coup rocks Honduras. Leftist leaders hold emergency meeting over Honduras coup.

Argentine leader suffers sharp blow in vote. Argentine power couple loses congressional vote. More news here.

Mexico detains 93 police in corruption probe.

Abdelrazik arrives in Canada after six years in exile.

Colombia's Uribe faces a more wary U.S.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Court won't hear Sept. 11 claims vs. Saudi Arabia.

New rift opens over rights of detainees.

White House weighs exec order on detention. New guidance issued on military trials of detainees.

Britain, Bangladesh to set up anti-terrorism group.

FINANCIAL/ECONOMIC CRISIS

Germany's Merkel:Econ to probably hit rock bottom soon.

Bernard Madoff gets maximum 150 years in prison.

Dollar falls most in month as China urges new reserve currency.

Beijing formalizes call for new reserve currency.