The Starting Point - The Starting Point is a snapshot of the news that occurred overnight and a preview of the stories we expect to cover today.

AP - The USS Olympia, a one-of-a-kind steel cruiser that returned home to a hero's welcome after a history-changing victory in the Spanish-American War, is a proud veteran fighting what may be its final battle.

AP - Already in distinctive company as an American president, George W. Bush seeks to join an even more select group: president and top-selling author.

AFP - Even Roger Federer had to say he was sorry for the way he won the pivotal second-set tie-breaker over pal Jurgen Melzer and advanced to the US Open quarter-finals on Monday.

AP - Half-buried in rubble, Bazelais Suy struggled to breathe — a dead woman lay on his chest. He knew he had to get her off, fast. Because he could still move his arms, he somehow managed to remove his belt, loop it around the woman's own belt and drag her off. But his legs were still pinned.

The Atlantic Wire - When Mark Hurd was fired as CEO of Hewlett-Packard following a mysterious
sexual harassment complaint, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison slammed HP's
board of directors saying they "just made the worst personnel decision
since the idiots on the Apple board fired Steve Jobs." Now Ellison is
putting his money where his mouth is, hiring Hurd as Oracle's
co-president. "Mark did a brilliant job at HP and I expect he'll do even
better at Oracle," Ellison said in a statement announcing the hire.
Intriguingly, Oracle is looking to compete in the same space as HP. Will
Hurd exact revenge on his former bosses?

AP - Despite the struggling economy, officials with the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon say contributions and pledges from this year's Labor Day event totaled $58.9 million.

AFP - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has the backing of Washington and US arch-foe Iran to keep his job, six months after he narrowly lost an election to ex-premier Iyad Allawi, politicians said Tuesday.

Reuters - Despite a tumultuous year on and off the course for Tiger Woods, the world number one will have one more chance for golfing glory after being named Tuesday as one of four wildcard picks for next month's Ryder Cup.

AP - Iran's nuclear chief said Tehran has the right to bar some U.N. inspectors from monitoring its disputed nuclear program, the semiofficial ISNA news agency reported.

AP - How do you get penny pinchers to spend these days? Pitch products that promise to save them money.

AFP - Deadly protests that paralysed Mozambique's capital last week were spurred by a text message that went viral on Maputo's cell phones, signalling the power of new technology in the hands of the poor.

AP - The bombers and fighters flew across the English Channel by the hundreds, London in their sights, intent on forcing Britain out of the war, and Hitler's way.