Topheadline News (AP)

• Earl weakens but still powerful as it smacks NC
  By MIKE BAKER 2010-09-03T00:24:40Z

  BUXTON, N.C. (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
  By ALAN SAYRE 2010-09-03T00:15:26Z

  NEW ORLEANS (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
  By MATTHEW LEE and ROBERT BURNS 2010-09-02T21:36:31Z

  WASHINGTON (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....