World News: Obama brings US military mission in Iraq to an end

President Barack Obama ended the US combat mission in Iraq today, declaring no victory after seven years of bloodshed and telling those divided over the war: "It is time to turn the page."

From the White House's Oval Office, where George Bush first announced the invasion that would come to define his time in office, President Obama said bluntly: "Our most urgent task is to restore our economy."

It was telling of the domestic troubles weighing on Mr Obama's nation and his own presidency that he would put such emphasis in a war address to the dire state of US joblessness.

But even as he tried to cap one of the most divisive chapters in recent American history, he raised the conflict in Afghanistan, pledging anew that the United States would keep up the fight in that war, the longest one since Vietnam.

Mr Obama is keeping up to 50,000 troops in Iraq for support and counter-terrorism training.

He said the US would continue to support Iraq's government and people. "Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country," he said.

Douglas tells of cancer battle

Actor Michael Douglas said today he had begun treatment for throat cancer and that his odds of recovery were high.

In an appearance on David Letterman's Late Show, Douglas, 65, said he faced an "eight-week struggle" that included chemotherapy.

Refugees in centre protest

Around 70 asylum seekers have broken out of a detention centre in the Australian city of Darwin to stage a protest.

Police are negotiating with them to return to the compound.

The refugees, believed to be mostly Afghans, unfurled sheets with messages asking for help.

Attack jolts peace talks

The US prepared today to plunge into a new round of Middle East peacemaking, bringing Israeli and Palestinian leaders together for face-to-face talks for the first time in nearly two years.

But the already low expectations for the talks were jolted even before they began when a Palestinian gunman opened fire on an Israeli vehicle travelling in the West Bank yesterday, killing four passengers.

The militant Hamas movement claimed responsibility.

Bid to halt national strike

The South African government has increased its offer to civil servants whose strike has crippled hospitals and schools.

After late-night meetings, the ministry said it was increasing its salary offer to 7.5 per cent. The workers want 8.6 per cent.

Smoking ban on the cards in Greece

Greece: The Socialist government today announced plans to outlaw smoking in enclosed public areas and prohibit tobacco advertising. Forty-two per cent of people over 15 smoke in Greece.

Chile: The owners of the mine which collapsed, leaving 33 workers trapped, have apologised to the miners and their families.

CEO of the San Esteban mining group, Alejandro Bohn, said he "must ask forgiveness".