World News Briefs -- July 2, 2009

Show of skill : An Iraqi police woman shows off her skills during a parade to mark the withdrawal of US troops from Iraqi cities and towns across the nation in the city of Karbala, 110 kms south of the capital Baghdad. (AFP/Mohammed Sawaf)

June Is Deadliest Month For Iraqis This Year -- Yahoo News/AP

BAGHDAD – At least 447 Iraqi civilians were killed in June, double the toll from the previous month, according to an Associated Press tally, as insurgents took aim at crowded areas to maximize the number of casualties.

The spike in violence reflects the stiff challenges facing Iraqi security forces following the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from urban areas this week. But the numbers are still far lower than previous years, and the bombings by suspected Sunni extremists are not triggering the type of retaliatory attacks from Shiite militias that nearly led to civil war in 2006-2007.

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MIDDLE EAST

Iran's hard line fuels Iraq attacks. Iraqi politicians of all stripes laud U.S. pullout.

Few bidders to develop Iraqi oil and gas fields.

Barak, U.S. envoy discuss settlements.

Plight of Palestinians getting worse, UN warns.

Turkey: Colonels questioned in coup probe.

ASIA

Second thoughts on North Korea’s inscrutable ship.

World food program reports difficulties in North Korea. North Korean food need 'critical'.

UN chief vows to push for nuclear-free NKorea.

Hong Kong march calls for more democracy.

AFRICA

France reverses 'black box' claim.

Somalia's Islamist rebels threaten to attack Ethiopia.

African leaders convene in Libya.

African Union lifts sanctions on Mauritania.

EUROPE

Croatia's Prime Minister abruptly resigns. Croatia PM quits, hints at EU frustration.

Belarus leader pardons American lawyer at center of dispute.

Russian gambling halls shut down in most cities.

Albania's electoral shortcomings could delay EU bid. Albania’s election heads for deadlock.

Challenges loom for Sweden’s E.U. Presidency.

AMERICAS

President’s ouster legal, new Honduran leaders contend. Honduras government's isolation grows after coup.

Buenos Aires mayor declares emergency to fight flu. Swine flu concerns rise in Southern Hemisphere.

US obesity problem 'intensifies'.

Cubans get official OK for multiple jobs.

Canada seen worst of G8 not curbing climate change.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

India sets up regional base for anti-terror troops.

U.S. targets four in Pakistan for terrorism support.

Two banks breach laws on laundering and terror finance (Australia).

ECONOMIC/FINANCIAL CRISIS

California misses budget deadline, readies "IOUs".

U.S. private sector shed 473,000 jobs, ADP reports.