UNITED STATES

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will officially launch his campaign for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination next week in New Hampshire, a Romney aide said Thursday.

Despite repeatedly saying he would not make a run for it, Texas Governor Rick Perry on Friday said he will now consider a run for the Republican nomination for president.

While there are clear differences between the two - then-Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic's ethnic cleansing campaign was racially motivated, whereas Col. Muammar el Qaddafi is trying to protect his rule from an insurrection - there are parallels as well.

Pending sales of existing U.S. homes dropped far more than expected in April to touch a seven-month low, a trade group said on Friday, dealing a blow to hopes of a recovery in the housing market.

Lawyers for shareholders of Research In Motion have filed a class action lawsuit against the BlackBerry maker, claiming its executives misled investors about its prospects in recent months.

Oil pared gains on Friday as weaker-than-expected U.S. pending home sales data for April triggered fresh concerns about the pace of recovery by the world's largest energy consumer and after a softer dollar initially lent support to prices.

The U.S. economy stayed on a sluggish growth path early in the second quarter, with high gasoline prices constraining consumer spending and helping to push pending home resales to a seven-month low in April.

HSBC <0005.HK> faced a fresh backlash from investors on Friday over high executive pay and mediocre returns, echoing the stinging attacks of a year ago that it had tried to duck by revamping its remuneration package.

Consumer spending rose modestly in April, starting the second quarter on a soft note as high gasoline prices continued to squeeze household finances and keep inflation pressures simmering.

Pending sales of existing U.S. homes dropped far more than expected in April to touch a seven-month low, a trade group said on Friday, dealing a blow to hopes of a recovery in the housing market.

The text of the complaint filed in April 2011 by Paul Ceglia, claiming he is entitled to 50 percent of Facebook.

The response from Facebook to the suit filed by Paul Ceglia, claiming a 50 percent stake in the company.

A fired up Sarah Palin is looking ahead at a critical moment as she launches tour of various American historical sites and patriotic events starting on Sunday, fueling further speculation about a possible presidential run as the Republican field starts to take shape in the party's bid to oust President Barack Obama from the White House.

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Even travelers going solo do not need to feel lonely, out of touch, or misinformed thanks to mobile devices which are proving to be good travel companions.

Stocks were higher on Friday as bullish comments about Greece caused the dollar to fall, resulting in strength in commodity prices.

HSBC Holdings Plc <0005.HK> faces scrutiny from investors over its ambitious plans to cut costs and lift waning profits, as well as a revamped pay format for managers through which it hopes to placate critics.

Hillary Clinton, the U.S secretary of State on a surprise visit to Pakistan on Friday, said Pakistan needs to take decisive steps against Islamist militancy.

Wyden, Udall warn of excessive and secretive powers

U.S. officials said documents seized from Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, show that the dreaded terrorist had planned to cut a deal with the local government - in exchange of amnesty, Laden would refrain from attacking the country.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in Pakistan Friday in attempt to restore sullied relations following the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden last month.

HSBC Holdings Plc executives faced investor anger on Friday over lackluster returns and high executive pay, prompting Chairman Douglas Flint to admit performance had been disappointing.