Cape Cod, Massachusetts (CNN) — Residents of New York and New England braced for a potential onslaught Friday from Hurricane Earl, which earlier lashed the North Carolina coastline with high winds and 35-foot waves. North Carolina’s governor, however, said her state had apparently “dodged the bullet.” There had been no loss of life and there seemed to be minimal damage from... 

President Obama cited small businesses as “the primary drivers of job creation” and called on Congress, especially the GOP, to tackle a bill aimed at improving the climate for such enterprises. In his Friday speech from the White House, which came on the heels of news that private sector jobs had been created for an eighth straight month, Obama said the legislation should be Congress’... 

The Israeli and Palestinian leaders have begun their first direct talks for nearly two years with a pledge of “full and active support” from the US. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas had the “opportunity to end this conflict”. Mr Netanyahu said painful concessions from both sides would be needed. Mr... 

Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina (CNN) — Large and powerful Hurricane Earl prepared to take a swipe at the Eastern Seaboard Thursday as residents from North Carolina to Massachusetts scrambled to ready themselves for its arrival. Hurricane warnings and watches stretched from North Carolina to Delaware, and covered parts of Massachusetts. President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration for... 

(CNN) — A man possibly armed with explosives took at least one hostage Wednesday at the headquarters of the Discovery Channel in Silver Spring, Maryland, police said. Capt. Paul Starks said that police were in communication with the gunman, and that he was making some demands. The suspect had “concerns” with the Discovery Corporation, he said. A caller from One Discovery Place, the... 

The United States has said it will shun a joint military drill with Turkey in October if Israel is barred from participating, Turkish daily Hürriyet reported on Wednesday. Sources told the newspaper that the U.S. relayed its position to Ankara after invitations for a joint military drill to be held in central Turkey were sent out to several countries, but not to Israel. The U.S. has pressured Turkey... 

Palestinian security forces have mounted a huge operation in the West Bank to catch the killers of four Israeli settlers shot on Tuesday. Dozens of members of Hamas, which said it carried out the attack, have been arrested. The killings came ahead of the first direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in two years. Officials are gathering in Washington for discussions, before the Israeli... 

London, England (CNN) — Former U.S. President George W. Bush was a “true idealist” who displayed “genuine integrity and political courage,” former British prime minister Tony Blair reveals in his memoirs. Detailing the close professional and personal relationship which developed between the two leaders in the wake of the 2001 terror attacks in the U.S. and during the build-up...