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Hopes rise as jobless claims fall, trade gap eases
(AP)
AP - The number of people signing up for unemployment benefits dropped to the lowest level in two months, an encouraging sign that companies aren't resorting to deeper layoffs even as the economy has lost momentum.
FBI agents visit Florida church over Quran burn
(AP)
AP - FBI agents visited Thursday with a minister of a small Florida church that plans to burn the Quran on Sept. 11, as public safety became a paramount concern and President Barack Obama added his voice to the chorus of opposition.
Iran to free 1 of 3 Americans in holiday clemency
(AP)
AP - Iran said Thursday it will free one of three Americans jailed for more than 13 months as an act of clemency to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Appeals court allows stem cell funding for now
(AP)
AP - A federal appeals court on Thursday permitted federal funding of stem cell research to proceed for now, while it considers a judge's ruling that had temporarily shut off the funds.
169 homes destroyed in Colorado wildfire
(AP)
AP - Hundreds of residents evacuated by a wildfire that has destroyed at least 169 houses in the Colorado foothills were being temporarily allowed back to their homes Thursday.
Errant drone almost met by fighter jets
(AP)
AP - The U.S. military is revealing it was close to launching fighter jets - and briefly discussed a possible shoot-down - after an errant Navy drone wandered into restricted air space near the nation's capital last month.
Apple publishes guidelines for app approval
(AP)
AP - Apple Inc. on Thursday gave software developers the guidelines it uses to determine which programs can be sold in its App Store, yet it reserved for itself broad leeway in deciding what makes the cut.
Study: Flamboyant male dancing attracts women best
(AP)
AP - John Travolta was onto something. Women are most attracted to male dancers who have big, flamboyant moves similar to the actor's trademark style, British scientists say in a new study.
Britney Spears denies bodyguard harassment claims
(AP)
AP - Britney Spears denied a bodyguard's accusations that she sexually harassed him and abused her children, saying Thursday in a statement on her website that authorities looked into his claims but found no reason to act.
Patriots QB Brady unhurt in wreck near Boston home
(AP)
AP - New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was in a two-car accident near his home Thursday morning, but was unhurt and hours later practiced as usual with his team just days before the season opener.
Data shows economic recovery still on track
(Reuters)
Reuters - New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week to a two-month low, while the trade deficit narrowed sharply in July, hopeful signs for the stuttering economic recovery.
Obama: Koran-burning could lead to suicide bombings
(Reuters)
Reuters - President Barack Obama warned on Thursday that an obscure U.S. Christian pastor's plan to burn the Koran could provoke al Qaeda suicide bombings, as international pressure mounted on Washington to step in.
U.S. Marines seize ship from pirates in the Gulf of Aden
(Reuters)
Reuters - U.S. Marines boarded and seized a commercial German vessel in the Gulf of Aden that had been attacked and boarded by pirates a day earlier, the U.S. Fifth Fleet said in a statement on Thursday.
Health reforms trigger spending shift
(Reuters)
Reuters - New U.S. reforms are poised to dramatically shift the nation's healthcare spending, not only curbing Medicare costs but also pumping more money toward the private sector as roughly 32 million people gain coverage.
New York finally sees progress at Ground Zero site
(Reuters)
Reuters - Nine years after the September 11 attacks, visible progress is finally being made toward rebuilding the World Trade Center site known as Ground Zero.
U.S. appeals court puts on hold stem cell funding ban
(Reuters)
Reuters - A U.S. appeals court granted on Thursday an Obama administration request for a temporary stay that lifts a judge's ban on federal funding of research involving human embryonic stem cells.
Iran says to free one American detainee
(Reuters)
Reuters - Iran will release on Saturday one of three detained American citizens accused of espionage, an official told Reuters on Thursday.
British MPs to grill BP CEO Hayward
(Reuters)
Reuters - British Members of Parliament (MPs) will next week grill outgoing BP Plc Chief Executive Tony Hayward, as part of an investigation into risks around deepwater drilling in the North Sea.
US officials mull call to Koran-burning pastor
(AFP)
AFP - President Barack Obama's administration is weighing a direct appeal to a Florida pastor to ask him to call off plans to burn hundreds of Korans, which have sparked outrage in the Muslim world.
Iran to free American, boosting hopes of 3 hikers' release
(AFP)
AFP - Iran said it will free a detained American on Saturday, raising hopes that the Islamic republic will soon release all three US hikers it has held for more than a year.
