AP - Every presidential campaign has its hitches. For John McCain, they felt more like full-blown lurches this week, with nearly every step forward quickly offset by a misstatement or wisecrack that seemed to blow his message off course.

AP - Barack Obama has found something that eluded him during the primary season — contrast. And, he's basking in it. "He will not bring change," Obama always asserts, rightly or wrongly, of rival Republican John McCain. "I will."

Reuters - The European Union voiced concern on Friday over Iranian missiles tests in the Gulf and stepped up calls on Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment within its disputed nuclear program.

AP - A mortgage rescue to help hundreds of thousands of struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure and get more affordable, safer loans passed the Senate overwhelmingly Friday, but it faces a bumpy road amid continuing turmoil in the housing market.

AP - Republican John McCain's presidential campaign plans to enhance its Web site with more data about its fundraising, including more details about the individuals who collect money from donors and about donors living overseas.

AP - Democrat Barack Obama batted away conservative criticism Friday over a comment he made about Americans' lack of foreign language skills.

AP - Republican John McCain told a mostly female audience Friday that his plans to cut income, business and estate taxes would help women while Democrat Barack Obama's proposals would only erect new economic obstacles for them.

AP - NASCAR's BAM Racing team has presented Barack Obama's presidential campaign with a potential sponsorship deal in the Sprint Cup series later this year, but it doesn't look like an Obama car will be burning rubber on the track anytime soon.

AP - Comedian Bernie Mac endured some heckling and a campaign rebuke during a surprise appearance Friday night at a fundraiser for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

AP - Former Republican Sen. Phil Gramm isn't the first friend to give a presidential candidate heartburn. And based on recent history, another one will be along before John McCain or Barack Obama know it.

AP - Zimbabwe warned the U.N. Security Council Thursday that the sanctions it is considering could push the African nation toward civil war.

AP - McCain says he's better than Obama for women, especially those in small business ... Obama blames McCain in part on US dependence on foreign oil ... House Democrats reserve nearly $35 million worth of TV ads in hopes of gains in Nov. elections ... German govt. says Obama visit being worked out, quiet on possible Brandenburg Gate speech