Obama Mosque Retreat -- New York Post
President Obama carefully backpedaled on his support for building a mosque near Ground Zero, saying yesterday that he was merely defending the legal right to religious freedom -- but not giving the project his stamp of approval.
"I was commenting very specifically on the right people have that dates back to our founding," Obama said. "That's what our country is about. And I think it's very important, as difficult as some of these issues are, that we stay focused on who we are as a people and what our values are all about."
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MIDDLE EAST
Report: Baku releases would-be bombers of Israel embassy in deal with Iran.
6 Iraqi forces killed as checkpoints attacked.
Underneath Lebanon, Israel sees hidden battlefield.
Hezbollah theme park draws the crowds.
UAE unhappy with release of alleged Israeli agent in death. Suspected Mossad agent lands in Israel after released in Germany.
ASIA
Japan commemorates WWII surrender.
'Twenty million homeless' in Pakistan floods. U.S. hopeful Pakistan can avert big cholera outbreak. Zardari, visiting victims of flood disaster, says Pakistan will rebuild.
In India's Jammu and Kashmir state, rocks are weapon of choice.
China paper warns military thinking outmoded.
China marks day of mourning for landslide victims.
AFRICA
Sudan Referendum commission calls for vote delay.
Gunmen seize Darfur peacekeepers.
Niger hunger 'worse than 2005'. Aid workers warn of famine disaster in Niger.
50 years after independence, Congo mired in poverty.
EUROPE
Muscovites flee capital to escape fumes and smoke of wildfires.
Why Germany is a nation in conflict.
A Swiss town celebrates the Red Cross founder it never much liked.
Russia ban on grain export begins.
AMERICAS
Obama family visits Gulf Coast to try to boost region’s economy.
With BP spill under control, US looks at drill ban.
Ottawa vows to stop illegal migrants before they depart for Canada.
Wyclef Jean seeks dual citizenship for Haiti.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
Secret assault on terrorism widens on two continents.
Experts not consulted over Lockerbie bomber's release.
US 'intensifies strikes' at Al-Qaeda targets.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
U.S. financial agencies looking to modernize reinvestment act.
'Junk' bonds hit record.
US says it is not mediating between BlackBerry maker and India.
Jobless millions signal death of the American dream for many.