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Oil platform explodes, catches fire off La. coast; all 13 crew members are rescued from Gulf Video
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. more
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Hurricane Earl's rain bands smack NC's Outer Banks; Nantucket and Cape Cod could get the brunt Video
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... more
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As Mideast leaders talk, a key dispute looms Video
WASHINGTON — Israeli and Palestinian leaders formally reopened peace talks on Thursday by setting a work plan for the next year, but adjourned without progress on the key issue of Israeli housing construction, which threatens to quickly undermine the negotiations. more
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Police: Discovery Channel hostages were ready to make a break for it when gunman was shot Video
SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — Police had been negotiating with James Jae Lee for several hours and intended to keep him talking for as long as it took to safely resolve the standoff at the Discovery Channel's headquarters. Inside the lobby, Lee's three hostages had no intention of waiting. more
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U.S. sues Arizona sheriff in civil rights probe Photo
The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday sued a controversial and popular Arizona sheriff, alleging that his department was refusing to cooperate with an investigation into whether it discriminated against Latinos while trying to catch illegal immigrants. more
Photo features
National News
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FBI says 6 accused in forced labor of 400 Thai workers is largest human-trafficking case in US
HONOLULU (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. more
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Warrants detail fatal stabbing of couple at California beach house while son hid behind couch
VENTURA, Calif. (AP) — Recently released court documents provide details of the brutal stabbing deaths of a pregnant woman and her husband at their Southern California beach house last year. more
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Embattled Ill. prisons chief resigns; oversaw early inmate release program, returns to Ohio
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois' prison chief, who became a political liability to Gov. Pat Quinn during an election year because of a secret prisoner release program he oversaw, is stepping down, the governor said Thursday. more
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Mother of kidnap victim Jaycee Dugard may have to go to court to get state damages
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The board that considers compensation for California crime victims is being advised to reject a claim by the mother of Jaycee Dugard, who authorities say was held captive for nearly two decades by a paroled rapist. more
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Police: Hundreds of people across the globe could be victims of Phoenix airport thefts Photo
PHOENIX (AP) — A man who worked at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport was arrested Thursday on suspicion that he stole hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of items from the luggage of passengers in a case that could include hundreds of victims from around the world. more
International News
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Mexican military says 25 gunmen killed in shootout with soldiers near US border
MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — A shootout between soldiers and suspected drug cartel members in northeastern Mexico left 25 purported gunmen dead Thursday, the military said. more
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Mozambican food riots are reminder of vulnerability of world's poorest nations Photo
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — A few pennies' increase in the price of a loaf of bread can mean the difference between getting by and going hungry — and erupting in anger — in the world's poorest countries. more
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5 Colombian police officers killed, 4 wounded in roadside bombing blamed on leftist rebels
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian authorities say five police officers were killed and four wounded by a roadside bomb while on patrol in an area where leftist rebels are active. more
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El Salvador makes gang membership illegal in wake of attack on passenger bus that killed 17
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — El Salvador has made it illegal to belong to a street gang in the wake of an attack on a passenger bus that killed 17 people. more
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Uganda court charges 2 over deadly World Cup bombings; charges bring total suspects to 34
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A Ugandan court has charged two additional suspects in connection with the July bomb blasts that killed 76 people. more
Washington news
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Dem group files complaint alleging Fox News bolstered Ohio GOP governor candidate
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Democratic Governors Association has filed an elections complaint in Ohio alleging Fox News Network illegally helped a Republican governor candidate solicit funds. more
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Delaware GOP says tea party-backed candidate 'could not be elected dog catcher' Photo
WASHINGTON (AP) — Delaware Republicans call Senate hopeful Christine O'Donnell a liar who "could not be elected dog catcher" in a fierce attack that underscores GOP fears of the tea party-backed candidate knocking off top recruit Rep. Mike Castle and winning the nomination. more
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Marine general says Taliban treasury cut in half as blight, eradication reduce drug trade
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Taliban is confronting a serious "cash flow" problem after losing some half of its annual drug trade money to a farming blight and government eradication efforts, a Marine two-star general said Thursday. more
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Report says some crime victims not told when inmates leave federal prisons on medical furlough
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prisons are failing to notify crime victims and witnesses when inmates are allowed to travel by themselves for medical treatment, the Justice Department inspector general said Thursday. more
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Arizona governor stumbles during debate with painful and lengthy pause Photo
PHOENIX (AP) — It will go down as one of the most painful openings to a political debate in recent memory. more
