House approves oil spill reform bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives on Friday approved the toughest reforms ever to offshore energy drilling practices, as Democrats narrowly pushed through an election-year response to BP's massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Arizona immigration law appeal set for November

PHOENIX, Arizona (Reuters) - A U.S. court denied a request for an expedited hearing on Friday and instead set a November date for Arizona's appeal to a federal court ruling that blocked key parts of a state law cracking down on illegal immigration.

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 the House of Representatives voted to toughen regulation of offshore energy drilling.

U.S. bank failures total 108 after 5 shut on Friday

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. bank failures reached 108 so far in 2010 on Friday as regulators seized five small banks in the Pacific Northwest and the Southeast, none publicly traded.

Enbridge says no restart date for ruptured line

DETROIT/CALGARY (Reuters) - Enbridge Inc's chief executive said on Friday he was unable to say when the company would be able to restart the Michigan pipeline that ruptured earlier this week, spilling more than 800,000 gallons of oil.

U.S. worried more secret documents may be released

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. officials are worried about what other secret documents the whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks may possess and have tried to contact the group without success to avoid their release, the State Department said on Friday.

Israeli air strike kills Hamas commander in Gaza

GAZA (Reuters) - An Israeli air strike has killed a Hamas military commander and rocket maker in the Gaza Strip, the Islamist group that rules the Palestinian territory said on Saturday.

Obama urges Iran to release three U.S. hikers

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Friday called on Iran to immediately release three Americans who were detained a year ago after straying across the border while hiking in the mountains of northern Iraq.

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.

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.

BP may sell German gas stations for $2.6 billion

VIENNA (Reuters) - BP Plc is seeking to sell its German petrol station chain Aral for around 2 billion euros ($2.6 billion), German magazine Wirtschaftswoche reported on Saturday, citing investment bankers familiar with BP's plans.

Petters seeks new trial after Ponzi conviction

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lawyers for convicted U.S. Ponzi schemer Tom Petters on Friday asked an appeals court to send the case back for a new trial, saying they were not able to fully present arguments against some of his accusers.

Chavez deploys military units in Colombia row

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Friday said he deployed military units to repel a possible attack after Colombia claimed last week his country harbored leftist rebels, but said he hoped to mend ties soon.

BP's Dudley to visit Moscow next week: source

LONDON (Reuters) - Bob Dudley, BP Plc's newly appointed chief executive, will fly to Moscow next week to meet shareholders in its Russian joint venture TNK-BP, a source close to the company said on Friday.

House votes to end offshore drilling moratorium

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives on Friday voted to end the federal moratorium on deepwater drilling for oil companies that meet new federal safety requirements.

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.

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.

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.