BP to try well kill Tuesday

BILOXI, Mississippi (Reuters) - BP Plc said on Friday it could seal its ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well by next week as U.S. lawmakers prepared to vote on reforms that would put tougher restrictions on offshore drilling.

China overtakes Japan as No.2 economy: FX chief

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has overtaken Japan to become the world's second-largest economy, the fruit of three decades of rapid growth that has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty.

Imports slow Q2 growth as business spending surges

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. economic growth slowed in the second quarter as companies invested heavily in equipment from abroad and the pace of consumer spending eased, raising concerns about the recovery in the rest of 2010.

House vote seen close on oil spill bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A close vote is expected later on Friday when the U.S. House of Representatives decides on legislation to reform the oil industry's offshore drilling practices in response to the massive Gulf oil spill.

U.N. rights body tells Israel to end Gaza blockade

GENEVA (Reuters) - Israel must lift its military blockade of the Gaza Strip and invite an independent, fact-finding mission to investigate its raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, a United Nations rights body said on Friday.

Floods kill more than 400 in Pakistan's northwest

PESHAWAR (Reuters) - Heavy monsoon rains have triggered the worst floods in decades in Pakistan's northwest, killing more than 400 people and forcing thousands from their homes as authorities struggle to reach stranded villagers.

Afghan police fire shots to quell protest after accident

KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan police fired shots on Friday to disperse hundreds of people protesting the deaths of civilians in an accident involving a U.S. embassy vehicle, police said.

Fire prompts evacuation of 2,000 homes north of L.A

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A fierce brush fire nearly doubled in size overnight as it threatened power lines that supply electricity to the greater Los Angeles area, but evacuation orders for 2,000 homes were lifted, officials said on Friday.

Canadian serial killer Pickton denied new trial

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Canada's highest court refused on Friday to grant a new trial for serial killer Robert "Willie" Pickton, who was convicted of killing drug addicts and prostitutes and butchering their remains at his pig farm.

With one day to go, town braces for Clinton wedding

RHINEBECK, New York (Reuters) - With a day to go before Chelsea Clinton's multimillion-dollar wedding, the tiny town of Rhinebeck, 100 miles north of New York City, was bustling with activity on Friday.

Factbox: Developments in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Here are some developments in BP Plc's Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the largest offshore oil disaster in U.S. history.

BP to set aside $100 million for unemployed rig workers

HOUSTON (Reuters) - BP Plc said on Friday it will establish a $100 million fund to help drilling rig workers in the Gulf of Mexico who are unemployed as a result of the company's oil leak.

Factbox: House oil spill legislation overview

(Reuters) - The House of Representatives' legislation reforming offshore drilling would have to be reconciled with a separate Senate energy bill that may be voted on before lawmakers leave for their August recess.

Debris in relief well delays static kill: government

HOUSTON (Reuters) - BP Plc's delayed a critical first step toward killing its Gulf of Mexico oil leak to clean out debris and sediment at the bottom of a relief well, the top official overseeing the spill response said on Friday.

Crisis deepens as Italy speaker refuses to resign

ROME (Reuters) - The influential speaker of Italy's lower house refused to step down on Friday after being censured by his own party, and said his supporters could vote against the government of former ally Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Analysis: Italy's Berlusconi risks decisive showdown

ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has taken a calculated gamble in breaking with his estranged former ally Gianfranco Fini and is likely to be taking the country toward an early election.

U.N. sanctions dropped against 5 senior Taliban

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Five Taliban have been struck off a U.N. Security Council list of militants subject to sanctions -- a move sought by Kabul to ease reconciliation talks with insurgents, the United Nations said on Friday.

BP to try static kill on Gulf well Tuesday: Dudley

BILOXI, Mississippi (Reuters) - BP Plc will attempt on Tuesday the "static kill" operation to seal its ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well and hopes to have a relief well finished by the end of August, incoming company CEO Bob Dudley said on Friday.

Scenarios: Italy faces crisis as Berlusconi's party cracks

ROME (Reuters) - Italy faces a deep political crisis after Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi broke with Gianfranco Fini, his estranged partner in the center-right People of Freedom party.

Berlusconi party foes form new parliament group

ROME (Reuters) - Supporters of a powerful party rival to Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi formed a new group in the lower house of parliament with 33 members, enough to deprive the government of its majority in the chamber.