Earl weakens but still powerful as it smacks NC (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:02:19 GMT
AP - The last ferry left for the mainland and coastal residents hunkered down at home as Hurricane Earl closed in with 110 mph winds Thursday on North Carolina's dangerously exposed Outer Banks, the first and potentially most destructive stop on the storm's projected journey up the Eastern Seaboard.

Oil platform explodes off La. coast; crew rescued (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:57:29 GMT
AP - An oil platform exploded and burned off the Louisiana coast Thursday, the second such disaster in the Gulf of Mexico in less than five months. This time, the Coast Guard said there was no leak, and no one was killed.

Hopeful sign: More talks for Israel, Palestinians (AP)
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:36:29 GMT
AP - In an early sign of promise, Israeli and Palestinian leaders pledged Thursday in a cordial first round of talks to keep meeting at regular intervals, aiming to nail down a framework for overcoming deep disputes and achieving lasting peace within a year.

Arizona governor stumbles during debate (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:47:38 GMT
AP - It will go down as one of the most painful openings to a political debate in recent memory.

Mexico: Soldiers kill 25 in gunbattle near border (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:56:35 GMT
AP - A shootout between soldiers and suspected drug cartel members in northeastern Mexico left 25 purported gunmen dead Thursday, the military said.

Discounts spur surprising Aug. retail sales gains (AP)
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:11:12 GMT
AP - This year's back-to-school season isn't as big a bust for retailers as they feared — or as last year's — but it's not great either.

LA police ID owner of trunk containing baby bodies (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:22:08 GMT
AP - Investigators have identified the owner of a trunk in which the mummified remains of two babies were found, bringing them a step closer to solving the intriguing international mystery.

FBI: 6 accused in forced labor of 400 Thai workers (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:58:33 GMT
AP - Six recruiters were accused Thursday of luring 400 laborers from Thailand to the United States and forcing them to work, according to a federal indictment that the FBI called the largest human trafficking case ever charged in U.S. history.

Man in Letterman blackmail plot freed from NY jail (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:17:06 GMT
AP - The former television producer who tried to blackmail David Letterman was freed Thursday after four months in jail for a plot that put a spotlight on the comic icon's office affairs, city Correction Department records show.

US teen Capra upsets Rezai, plays Sharapova next (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:48:11 GMT
AP - A year ago at the U.S. Open, American teenager Melanie Oudin told the world to "BELIEVE," with her sneakers and her play.