By Noel John July 24 (Reuters) - Gold edged up on Friday as Brent crude retreated from above $100 a barrel, while investors assessed developments in the Middle East conflict and their implications for inflation ahead of the U.

Australia's first gold medal of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was won by middle distance swim star Lani Pallister, who crushed the field to take out the 400m freestyle title. Pallister touched the wall in a time of 3:59.