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Gates in Afghanistan to meet with Karzai, Petraeus (AP)

AP - Defense Secretary Gates arrived in Afghanistan's capital Thursday for meetings with President Hamid Karzai and top NATO commander Gen. David Petraeus.

Some bunker down, some flee as Earl approaches US (AP)

AP - Hurricane Earl was barreling toward the Eastern Seaboard on Thursday with winds swirling at around 145 mph and forecasters were trying to pinpoint exactly how close the strongest winds and heaviest surge would get to North Carolina's fragile chain of barrier islands.

Israelis, Palestinians resume direct talks (AP)

AP - Seeking to broker a Mideast peace agreement that has eluded U.S. presidents for decades, the Obama administration is overseeing the first direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in nearly two years.

Risks remain with Gulf well cap coming off (AP)

AP - The image of thick crude gushing from a blown-out oil well a mile beneath the Gulf of Mexico was turned off when a tightly fitting cap was secured on top a month-and-a-half ago.

Discovery Channel hostage-taker hated programming (AP)

AP - A gunman police shot to death after he took hostages at Discovery Channel's headquarters said he hated the company's shows such as "Kate Plus 8" because they promote population growth and its environmental programming because it did little to save the planet.

Bernanke testifying to crisis inquiry panel (AP)

AP - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is set to appear before a panel investigating the financial crisis to give his take on the meltdown and his views on potential systemwide risks posed by large financial institutions.

Chicago police chief criticized for 'gang summit' (AP)

AP - The idea seemed simple though bold: Call reputed gang leaders to a meeting with top police and federal prosecutors and deliver an ultimatum to end killings in the nation's third-largest city.

Democrats fight to stay in office amid backlash (AP)

AP - Rep. Chet Edwards, an imperiled Democrat deep in the heart of Republican territory, finds exiting American Legion Post No. 273 slow going. Supporters and well-wishers keep stopping him.

Rapper T.I., wife arrested on drug charges (AP)

AP - Authorities say Rapper T.I. and wife Tameka Cottle have been arrested on drug charges after police smelled alleged marijuana coming from their car.'

Oudin, Roddick lose and Azarenka falls at US Open (AP)

AP - One woman's exit from the U.S. Open was jarring and sudden. Another's came off as sad and not all that surprising.

Hurricane Earl strengthens off U.S. East Coast (Reuters)

Reuters - Hurricane Earl gained more punch on Thursday as the large storm churned up the Atlantic threatening the U.S. East Coast with dangerous winds and large swells and forcing evacuations in North Carolina.

Israel and Palestinians set for face-to-face talks (Reuters)

Reuters - With a diplomatic push from President Barack Obama, Israeli and the Palestinian leaders will start direct peace talks on Thursday shadowed by skepticism on all sides and fresh violence in the volatile West Bank.

NATO checks claim air strike kills 6 Afghan campaigners (Reuters)

Reuters - An apparent air strike by foreign forces killed six election campaign workers in Afghanistan's north on Thursday, a government spokesman said, and NATO-led forces said they were investigating the incident.

Judge rules against U.S. government on oil drilling (Reuters)
Reuters - A federal judge on Wednesday rejected the U.S. government's request to dismiss an industry lawsuit challenging its deepwater oil and gas drilling moratorium, dealing another blow to the Obama administration.

GM roadshow to begin after elections: sources (Reuters)

Reuters - Automaker General Motors Co plans to begin courting investors for its initial public offering immediately after the November 2 U.S. midterm congressional elections, two sources familiar with the plans said on Wednesday.