Summary Box: Jobless claims drop, trade gap falls (AP)

AP - JOBLESS CLAIMS: The number of people signing up for unemployment benefits dropped by 27,000 last week to 451,000, the lowest level in two months.

Fla. minister cancels burning of Qurans on 9/11 (AP)

AP - A Florida minister who had created an international furor with his plan to burn the Quran on the ninth anniversary of 9/11 canceled the event under intense pressure Thursday, saying he agreed to back off after reaching a deal to move the location of a controversial mosque near New York's ground zero. The imam planning the New York mosque said no such deal has been reached.

Business Highlights (AP)

AP - Fears of a second recession ease, at least for now

BONFIRE OF THE INSANITIES (Ann Coulter)

Ann Coulter - In response to Gen David Petraeus' denunciation of Florida pastor Terry Jones' right to engage in a symbolic protest of the 9/11 attacks by burning copies of the Quran this Sept. 11, President Obama said: "Let me be clear: As a citizen, and as president, I believe that members of the Dove World Outreach Center have the same right to freedom of speech and religion as anyone else in this country."

US lawmakers to quiz Geithner on China currency (AFP)

AFP - US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner will face a key US House committee's questions on possible new steps to press China over its currency policy, the panel's chairman said Thursday.

Fla. imam: No deal to move NYC mosque (AP)

AP - A Florida imam says that no deal has been reached to move the site of a mosque at the site of ground zero in exchange for a Florida minister to call off plans to burn Qurans.

Wall Street buoyed by upbeat economic data (Reuters)

Reuters - Stocks rose on Thursday as stronger-than-expected jobs and trade data helped lift optimism about the economic recovery, although sentiment was fragile as investors fretted over European banks.

Driver cited in Mass. wreck with Patriots QB Brady (AP)

AP - Boston police have cited the driver of a van involved in an accident with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

Defense: Deal discussed in Detroit plane attack (AP)

AP - Lawyers for a Nigerian man charged with trying to blow up a plane near Detroit on Christmas said Thursday that they've talked to prosecutors about resolving the case with a deal.

Pa. mayor to take immigration law to Supreme Court (AP)

AP - A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that Hazleton, Pa., may not enforce its crackdown on illegal immigrants, dealing another blow to 4-year-old regulations that inspired similar measures around the country. The city's mayor pledged to take the case to the Supreme Court.

CA-CANADA Summary (Reuters)

Reuters - A Canadian man's own actions will prove he lied to a court about having no knowledge of the conspiracy that led to the deadly bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1985, prosecutors said at the start of a perjury trial on Thursday.

Who Wants to Be Next Mayor of Chicago? (Time.com)

Time.com - The floodgates have opened with Richard Daley's surprise decision not to run for a seventh term. But the wannabes don't have much time.

Obama's MIA Volunteers: Organizing for America Shrinks (Time.com)

Time.com - President Obama's political machine, Organizing for America, is MIA after two years of neglect

States file brief supporting Arizona immigration law

States file brief supporting Arizona immigration law The Associated Press Updated Sep 9, 2010 03:37PM MDT PHOENIX • Nearly a dozen states have filed a legal brief in support of Arizona’s controversial immigration law. A”friend of the court” brief filed with the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday argues that a federal judge was wrong to block implementation of key ...

Ford calls dealers to discuss Lincoln's future (Reuters)

Reuters - Ford Motor Co has invited Lincoln dealers to a meeting in October to discuss its plans to breathe new life into the lagging luxury brand at a critical time for many of its U.S. retailers.

NY mosque investor declines Trump's buyout offer (AP)

AP - Donald Trump's offer to buy an investor's stake where a mosque is planned near ground zero is falling flat.

Boulder warns of possible spread of fire into city (AP)

AP - Residents in parts of Boulder are being told to prepare to evacuate in case a major fire burning in the foothills spreads into the Colorado city.

Mortgage rates edge up; Housing market still slow (AP)

AP - Record-low mortgage rates failed to pull the housing market out of its funk. Now rates are inching higher, but don't blame them if home sales stay sluggish.

Atty: Wife of imprisoned ex-Ill. gov. terminal (AP)

AP - The 76-year-old wife of imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan has a terminal lung disease, Ryan's attorney told a judge Thursday as he sought bail for Ryan while the judge considers a request to toss part of his corruption conviction.

United States reach basketball semis

The United States are through to the semifinals of the world basketball championships after defeating Russia 89-79 in Istanbul on Thursday.

U.N. goals to slash poverty, hunger achievable: draft (Reuters)

Reuters - A set of U.N. goals aimed at drastically reducing poverty and hunger worldwide by 2015 are achievable, despite setbacks caused by the global financial and economic crises, a draft document said.

EPA seeks chemical info on hydraulic fracturing (AP)

AP - The Environmental Protection Agency is asking nine natural gas companies to voluntarily disclose the chemical components used in a drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing.

EPA seeks chemical info on hydraulic fracturing (AP)

AP - The Environmental Protection Agency is asking nine natural gas companies to voluntarily disclose the chemical components used in a drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing.

Shoe seller DSW's operator says 2Q profit jumps (AP)

AP - Retail Ventures Inc., which operates the DSW shoe store chain, posted a 67 percent jump in second-quarter net income as a key revenue figure improved.

Residents assess damage caused by Detroit fires (AP)

AP - Toni Booker considered herself fortunate on Thursday as she inspected the damage to her wooden bungalow caused by urban wildfires that swept through Detroit this week, destroying dozens of homes.

N.H. Could Be Next GOP Trouble Spot (CQPolitics.com)

CQPolitics.com - The nation's most competitive Senate primary Tuesday may be 400 miles north of Delaware.

APNewsBreak: NY to seek info on cleanser contents (AP)

AP - Consumers curious — or concerned — about the chemicals in household cleaning products will get detailed rundowns under state plans to require manufacturers to detail their products' contents.

12 States Ask Supreme Court to Review Greenhouse Gas 'Nuisance' Case

Challenging the appropriateness of using the courts to address climate change, Indiana and 11 other states are urging the Sup...

California IOUs not needed this month: controller (Reuters)

Reuters - California's August revenue came in above a budget forecast and as a result the state will not need to issue IOUs this month, the state controller said on Thursday.

Swimmers, motorists missing after Texas flooding (AP)

AP - The death toll from flooding caused by the remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine could increase after authorities near San Antonio acknowledged Thursday that hopes were dim of finding alive two missing swimmers swept away by floodwaters.

Analysis: Obama has tenuous grip on Democrats over taxes (Reuters)

Reuters - Democrats in Congress are distancing themselves from President Barack Obama's push to let taxes rise for the wealthiest Americans, fearing it will further harm them in November's mid-term elections.

Geithner urges tax breaks for small businesses (Reuters)

Reuters - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urged congressional support for tax breaks for small businesses and said that would help create jobs.

States file brief supporting Ariz. immigration law

States file brief supporting Ariz. immigration law The Associated Press Updated Sep 9, 2010 02:30PM MDT BC-AZ--Immigration-Arizona Lawsuit,0125 States file brief supporting Ariz. immigration law Eds: APNewsNow. PHOENIX • Nearly a dozen states have filed a legal brief in support of Arizona’s controversial immigration law. A”friend of the court” brief filed with the San Francisco-based 9th U.S ...

SC had tax liens against gov hopeful's family biz (AP)

AP - A business owned by the family of South Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley has been penalized for failing to pay taxes three times since 2003, according to records obtained by The Associated Press.

Wal-Mart US merchandising now headed by four execs (Reuters)

Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc will remain without a chief merchandising officer for its U.S. stores for now, instead naming four new product heads to take over that responsibility, the retailer said on Thursday.

Some in Fla. GOP softer in condemnations (Politico)

Politico - GOP candidates fighting to unseat Democrats in the House are issuing only mild rebukes.

New report: more grandparents raising grandkids (AP)

AP - The number of U.S. children being raised by their grandparents rose sharply as the recession began, according to a new analysis of census data. The reasons, while somber, were not all economic.

Gulf compensation chief retreats from promises to speed claims process (Exclusive to Yahoo! News)

Exclusive to Yahoo! News - Just over two weeks ago, Kenneth Feinberg took over the process for handling damage claims from the Gulf oil spill, pledging to cut down the response time from BP’s widely criticized system to two days for individuals and seven days for businesses that file fully documented claims.

Clinton vets say 2010 is no 1994 (Politico)

Politico - Even as they worry about an enthusiasm gap, they say it won’t be as big a disaster as 16 years ago.

Summary Box: Gold slips on economic news (AP)

AP - RISK APPETITE: Gold prices slipped after reassuring reports on the U.S. jobs market and trade created some optimism about the economy. The development spawned more appetite among investors for assets viewed as riskier than gold.

Gold slides on reassuring jobs, trade reports (AP)

AP - Gold prices slid Thursday after reassuring reports on the U.S. jobs market and trade created some optimism about the economy.

Vt.: Log Cabin All Natural Syrup not the real deal (AP)

AP - A new Log Cabin syrup touted as "all natural" looks a lot like the pure, 100 percent maple product that's the pride of Vermont, right down to its packaging in a plastic beige jug.

Fears of a second recession ease, at least for now (AP)

AP - No, the economy isn't roaring ahead. And no, companies aren't making lots of job offers. But a fresh batch of economic data Thursday at least eased summertime fears that the economy might be on the brink of another recession.

Fears of a second recession ease, at least for now (AP)

AP - No, the economy isn't roaring ahead. And no, companies aren't making lots of job offers. But a fresh batch of economic data Thursday at least eased summertime fears that the economy might be on the brink of another recession.

Oil gives back early gains, settles lower (AP)

AP - Oil prices fell back on Thursday, after getting an early boost from lower jobless claims and crude inventories.

Haley Barbour, race, Ole Miss _ from black perspective (McClatchy Newspapers)

McClatchy Newspapers - WASHINGTON — It's hard to believe that Haley Barbour and Verna Bailey attended the same University of Mississippi in 1965, and even sat next to each other in a class.

A look at economic developments around the globe (AP)

AP - LONDON — A leading international economic body said the global economy will recover slower than expected, but that a double-dip recession remains unlikely. The Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development cautioned governments around the world against hurting the economic recovery by reducing spending too much and too soon.

A look at economic developments around the globe (AP)

AP - LONDON — A leading international economic body said the global economy will recover slower than expected, but that a double-dip recession remains unlikely. The Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development cautioned governments around the world against hurting the economic recovery by reducing spending too much and too soon.

Gulf oil dilemma: accept payout from BP or sue (AP)

AP - Alabama seafood market owner David Scott faces a difficult decision as he tries to rejuvenate his business after the Gulf oil spill: He can accept a piece of BP's $20 billion claims fund — relatively fast, easy money — or sue the oil giant for a bigger payday, wait years and risk ending up with nothing.

U.N.'s Ban talks up Rwanda amid crisis over leak (Reuters)

Reuters - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday he had agreed with Rwanda's president, who threatened to pull troops out of Sudan, on the importance of Rwanda continuing in peacekeeping operations.