AP - U.S. Defense Secretary Gates is in southern Afghanistan getting a firsthand look at operations in an area of the country where the Taliban has the most influence.
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 - Roger Federer is one cool customer.
AP - The last ferry left for the mainland and coastal residents hunkered down at home as Hurricane Earl closed in with 105 mph winds Friday 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.