Latest News Stories and Headlines

AP – As the last of 30,000 U.S. reinforcements arrive in Afghanistan, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Friday got a firsthand look at operations in the dangerous south where Afghan and international troops are ramping up security.

Reuters – Pakistan’s Taliban on Friday took responsibility for triple bombings at a Shi’ite Muslim procession this week, challenging the civilian government further as it struggles with a flood crisis.

Reuters – BP Plc said on Friday the cost of dealing with its oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico had risen to $8 billion and that it was two weeks away from sealing the well for good.

AFP – Israeli and Palestinian leaders launched their first direct negotiations in 20 months Thursday, agreeing to meet every two weeks in a bid to settle core differences within a year.

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.

Democratic congressional candidates face a political landscape even rockier than those in 1994 and 2006 that ended with election upheavals that …

Some relatives of Muslim 9/11 victims worry the flap over a mosque near Ground Zero is feeding a revival of Islamophobia they felt in 2001.

Israelis and Palestinians have embarked on another round of peace talks an outcome that Middle East experts said is about as good as it gets …

Reuters – The Bank of Japan is expected to hold off on easing monetary policy next week but is gearing up for further action in October as the strong yen threatens to derail its forecast of a moderate economic recovery, sources said.

For North Carolinians, Thursday was “a day of action,” before Hurricane Earl arrives Friday.

AP – The unemployment rate may be about to rise again.

Reuters – Hurricane Earl raked North Carolina’s barrier islands with gusting winds, pounding surf and rain on Thursday as it took a swipe at the U.S. East Coast on an offshore path toward New England and Canada.

AFP – An oil platform explosion in the Gulf of Mexico forced the crew to dive into the sea and threatened further damage to waters still recovering from the BP disaster.

Reuters – An oil and gas platform operated by Mariner Energy burst into flames in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, but the crew of 13 escaped and there were no signs of an oil spill, the Coast Guard said.

AP – It was as if the Rose Bowl never ended for Terrelle Pryor.