Pastor backs off Koran-burning plan for now

KABUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The pastor of a small Florida church, facing an outpouring of concern from U.S. leaders and anger from Muslims worldwide, said on Friday he did not plan to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

Obama touts economic message, fights for Democrats

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama escalated his offensive against Republicans on Friday as he pushed new ideas to stimulate the sluggish economy and try to counter Democrats' grim election prospects in November.

Judge rules ban on gays in military unconstitutional

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military rule banning openly gay people from serving in the armed forces violates constitutional rights to free speech and due process, a federal judge in southern California ruled Thursday.

Four dead in San Francisco suburb gas line inferno

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The death toll rose to four on Friday in the fiery gas line explosion that tore through a neighborhood of a San Francisco suburb and razed 38 homes, officials said.

Obama taps Goolsbee as top White House economist

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has chosen Austan Goolsbee as the new head of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, U.S. administration officials said on Thursday, promoting a longtime adviser from his inner policy circle.

Japan PM widens lead in party leadership race

TOKYO (Reuters) - Prime Minister Naoto Kan has widened his lead over powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa ahead in a party leadership vote, Kyodo news agency said on Friday, days before the contest that could set Japan's fiscal priorities.

Special Report: Power struggles: charging tomorrow's cars

LONDON (Reuters) - Imagine driving across America using a fuel so new you have to carry your own supply wherever you go.

FAA to unveil new pilot fatigue rules: report

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal aviation regulators are expected to unveil long-awaited proposals to combat pilot fatigue on Friday, replacing decades-old work rules, the Wall Street Journal reported.

USDA knew of problems at farm behind egg recall: report

BANGALORE (Reuters) - U.S. Department of Agriculture experts knew about sanitary problems at one of the two Iowa farms at the center of a massive nationwide egg recall, but did not notify health authorities, the Wall Street Journal reported.

U.S. troops charged with murder of Afghan civilians

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Twelve U.S. soldiers have been charged with gruesome crimes in Afghanistan ranging from murdering civilians to keeping body parts as war trophies -- revelations that the Pentagon said on Thursday damaged America's image around the world.

Obama says Koran burning could cause "profound damage"

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama said on Friday he hopes a Florida pastor refrains from burning Korans on Saturday because it could cause "profound damage" to U.S. interests abroad.

Factbox: Highlights from Obama's news conference

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama held a news conference on Friday at the White House. Following are some of the highlights from the question-and-answer session:

Obama says prepared to sign tax measure this month

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Friday he was prepared to sign a bill this month to ensure that U.S. middle class families get tax relief and said it makes no sense to taxes for the wealthiest Americans.

Tokyo's electric taxi experiment

TOKYO (Reuters) - Yoshihiko Takahashi chuckles politely when asked if he's weary of having the same conversation with passengers, day in and day out, as he shuttles them around Tokyo in his white-and-blue all-electric taxi. How often do you have to recharge? How far can you go? Does this car really have no emissions?

Factbox: The new power generation in autos

LONDON (Reuters) - Several countries are embracing electric vehicles by offering incentives to drivers, and rewards for the companies developing them.

Florida pastor says he will not burn Koran September 11

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The pastor of a small Florida church said on Friday he does not plan to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks and hopes a Muslim imam will organize a meeting with those planning an Islamic center near the site of the New York attacks.

Factbox: Koran burning considered grave insult to God in Islam

(Reuters) - Intentionally burning the Koran, as a Florida preacher has threatened to do, is seen by Muslims as a blasphemous and insulting act because they consider the Islamic holy book to be the literal word of God.

Thousands protest Koran burning plan in Afghan north

TALOOQAN, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Thousands of Afghans protested against the United States in the northeast on Friday, the largest demonstration since a small U.S. church said it planned to burn copies of the Koran, an Afghan official said.

U.S. Marines seize ship from pirates in the Gulf of Aden

DUBAI (Reuters) - U.S. Marines boarded and seized a commercial German vessel in the Gulf of Aden that had been attacked and boarded by pirates a day earlier, the U.S. Fifth Fleet said in a statement on Thursday.

Data shows economic recovery still on track

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week to a two-month low, while the trade deficit narrowed sharply in July, hopeful signs for the stuttering economic recovery.