Earl weakens but still powerful as it smacks NC (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:48:00 GMT
AP - The last ferry left for the mainland and coastal residents hunkered down at home as Hurricane Earl closed in with 105 mph winds Thursday on North Carolina's dangerously exposed Outer Banks, the first and perhaps most destructive stop on the storm's projected journey up the Eastern Seaboard.

Oil platform catches fire in Gulf; workers OK (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:03:41 GMT
AP - An oil platform that burned off the Louisiana coast Thursday was 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.

Jobs report may show rise in unemployment rate (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:16:09 GMT
AP - The unemployment rate may be about to rise again.

Hopeful sign: More talks for Israel, Palestinians (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:41:52 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 02:42:09 GMT
AP - It will go down as one of the most painful openings to a political debate in recent memory.

LA police ID owner of trunk containing baby bodies (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:43:33 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.

Mexico: Soldiers kill 25 in gunbattle near border (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:47:27 GMT
AP - Soldiers killed 25 suspected cartel members Thursday in a raid and gunbattle in a Mexican state near the U.S. border that has seen a surge in drug gang violence, the military said.

FBI: 6 accused in forced labor of 400 Thai workers (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:40:48 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 03:31:04 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.

Federer beats the heat, Beck; Soderling looms (AP)
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:20:02 GMT
AP - Roger Federer is one cool customer.