World News: Celebrations as final US combat troops leave Iraq

Captain Christopher Ophardt, spokesman for the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, said the last of the unit's vehicles crossed the border into Kuwait early today.

America's combat role in the country ends on August 31.

Most of the brigade's 4,000 soldiers have been driving out of Iraq in their armoured vehicles. A few hundred members stayed behind to finish administrative and logistical duties but will fly out of Baghdad later today.

About 50,000 troops will stay in Iraq until the end of next year.

As the convoy reached the Khabari crossing out of Iraq, the soldiers cheered, unfurled an American flag and posed for photos.

Scatterings of combat troops still await departure and some 50,000 will stay another year in what is designated as a non-combat role. They will carry weapons to defend themselves and accompany Iraqi troops on missions, but only if asked. Special forces will continue to help Iraqis hunt for terrorists, so the US death toll - at least 4,415 by Pentagon count as of yesterday - may not yet be final.

Wyclef confident of candidacy

HIP hop star Wyclef Jean said today he was confident that Haiti election officials would accept his candidacy to run for president despite doubts over whether he meets the residency requirement.

The former Fugees frontman spoke while in hiding, following death threats.

Scottish aid to reach Pakistan

A SHIPMENT of urgently-needed humanitarian aid was due to arrive in flood-hit Pakistan today as part of the Scottish effort to help those affected by the disaster.

The aid package includes 4,000 collapsible water containers, 10,000 sterilisation tablets and 170 containers of sanitising hand gel.

Dozens killed in truck crash

A TRUCK crowded with people returning from a party swerved off a mountain road into a gorge in northern India, killing 38 people and injuring 37 others, police said today.

Officers and villagers helped pull out the injured and take them to hospitals after the crash on Tuesday, and emergency workers used ropes and pulleys to retrieve the truck.

Doctors have described the condition of at least eight people as critical, police said.

Questions for Icelandic bank boss

THE former chairman of Iceland's largest bank, which failed in the early days of the world financial crisis, will be questioned by police today.

An arrest warrant was issued for Sigurdur Einarsson, who chaired Kaupthing when the bank imploded in 2008.

Bears found wandering in cannabis farm

Canada: Police who uncovered two marijuana fields near Canada's border with the US discovered 13 black bears were wandering around the crops.

The fields of about 2,300 plants were found near Christina Lake, just a few miles from the border.

Congo: Dozens of rebels attacked a United Nations peacekeeping base under darkness in eastern Congo, killing three Indian soldiers and wounding seven other peacekeepers.