Obama: Iran should not wait for next U.S. president

PARIS (Reuters) - U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Friday Iran should not wait for the next administration to halt its uranium enrichment program.

Worst over for drivers as pump prices slide: AAA

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. retail gasoline prices have fallen more than 10 cents per gallon in a week and could fall another 25 cents by the end of summer, a sign the worst is over for U.S. motorists this vacation season.

Consumers, home sales paint less gloomy picture

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Consumer sentiment rebounded in July from a 28-year low and business investment rose unexpectedly last month, according to data on Friday that showed rare signs of resilience for the U.S. economy.

World trade talks revived by "encouraging signs"

GENEVA (Reuters) - Troubled global trade talks showed encouraging signs of edging towards a deal on Friday after crunch negotiations among seven key countries produced elements of a compromise, ministers and officials said.

U.S. expands sanctions against Mugabe's government

HARARE (Reuters) - The United States expanded sanctions against President Robert Mugabe's government on Friday, increasing pressure on the Zimbabwean leader as his party discusses a power-sharing deal with the opposition.

Holed Qantas plane in emergency landing at Manila

MANILA (Reuters) - A Qantas Airways plane made an emergency landing in Manila on Friday after plunging thousands of feet and losing cabin pressure during a flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne.

Senate energy speculation bill fails key vote

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Legislation to rein in excessive energy speculation failed a key procedural vote on Friday to move forward in the Senate, and now lawmakers will set aside the bill to consider other legislation.

Eight small blasts hit Indian IT city of Bangalore

BANGALORE, India (Reuters) - Eight small bombs exploded in quick succession across the south Indian IT city of Bangalore on Friday, killing a woman and wounding at least 15 people, police said.

Bitter blow for UK's Brown in local election loss

GLASGOW (Reuters) - Britain's ruling Labour Party lost one of its safest parliamentary seats on Friday, deepening doubts in its own ranks about Prime Minister Gordon Brown's ability to win the next election.

Iraqi PM says troop withdrawal must satisfy all

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Friday that any U.S. troop withdrawal would have to satisfy both parties and protect Iraq's sovereignty.