World News Briefs -- August 9, 2010

U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commanding general, U.S. Forces, Iraq, bid farewell to Gen. Babaker Zibari, Iraqi Armed Forces chief of staff, in Baghdad, July 27, 2010. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

Iraqi Forces Ready For US Pullout, Says Army's Odierno -- Christian Science Monitor

Attacks such as Saturday's bombing in Basra will not stop the US's planned drawdown of troops in Iraq, the commander of US forces in Iraq said Sunday.

The United States is on track to meet a Sept. 1 deadline for withdrawing combat troops from Iraq, says Gen. Ray Odierno, the commander of US forces there.

Speaking from Baghdad Sunday morning on ABC's "This Week" television program, Odierno said Iraqi forces have been taking on more responsibility gradually over the past months, and will be ready to take the reins when the US draws down forces at the end of this month, from 80,000 to 50,000 troops.

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MIDDLE EAST

At least 69 killed in weekend bombings, shootings in Iraq.

Extremist groups 'very much alive' in Iraq, U.S. Special Forces official says.

Iran launches four home - made submarines.

Israel PM defends flotilla raid as 'lawful'.

Lebanon bent on building up army after Israel clash.

ASIA

In flood-ravaged Pakistan, army gains stature over government. Flooding's devastation in Pakistan is seen as opportunity for Taliban.

North Korea fires artillery rounds into the sea.

Taliban launch attacks on U.S., Afghan military posts.

China mudslides: Rescuers dig with bare hands, shovels for 1,300 missing.

The perfect swarm: Locusts threaten eastern Australia.

AFRICA

Rwanda votes amid opposition crackdown.

U.N. back to Somalia after 17 years.

Sudan suspends BBC Arabic on FM radio.

EUROPE

Moscow deaths double amid smog to 700 people a day.

The new guerrilla group threatening Greece.

Flooding in central Europe eases after weekend torrents leave nine dead.

AMERICAS

Fidel Castro warns of nuclear war, climate change – ignores Cuba issues.

Colombia's Santos vows to build on decade of progress.

Colombia's Santos, Venezuela's Chavez to meet Tuesday.

Lack of resources curtails ICE tracking of illegals.

Haiti: Wyclef Jean to face Michel Martelly in election.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Guantanamo detainee set to be tried.

German mosque frequented by 9/11 plotters closed down.

Radical Indonesian cleric arrested in terror plot.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Fed set to downgrade outlook for US.

U.S. economy is increasingly tied to the rich.

BP oil spill costs pass $6bn mark.