Troop drawdown plans...Meeting with Iran...oil prices

Washington (AP) The White House is saying there's a big difference between seeking a "general time horizon" for further troop withdrawals from Iraq and attempts by Congress to force cutbacks. The president and Iraq's prime minister have pledged to work toward pulling more U.S. forces out of Iraq. The White House says the drawdowns will be based on security conditions, unlike legislation vetoed by the president.

WASHINGTON (AP) Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the U.S. won't conduct open-ended talks with Iran, even as Washington prepares to send a senior diplomat to a meeting with an Iranian nuclear envoy. Rice says the U.S. won't negotiate with Iran unless it suspends its uranium enrichment activities.

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq (AP) A U.S. commander says American troops in Iraq are cracking down on weapons smugglers at the Iranian border. The military says the smugglers supply Shiite extremists with rockets, missiles, mortars and bombs that have killed many U.S. troops.

NEW YORK (AP) Oil prices are working their way back up after tumbling more than 10 percent over the past three days. News of an output cut in Nigeria has helped push prices 66 cents higher to just under $130 a barrel. The drop in oil prices has helped put a stop to Gas Prices' recent record-setting march. Prices have dropped about a penny since yesterday.

BEIJING (AP) With the Olympics just weeks away, Chinese police are issuing an "anti-terrorism manual" that advises people how to cope if they're captured by extremists. Among the recommendations: Don't fight back and try to send a text message to police.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-18-08 1245CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list