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.

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

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.

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.

City sues, asking for a muzzle and a fence

The city of Coquitlam is taking a dog owner to court to comply with its animal protection and noise bylaws.

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.

City may face suit from street preachers

The City of San Antonio may soon have new lawsuit on its hands. Two local men say police have threatened to cite and arrest him for passing out Bible tracts and sharing their faith with people. They say the officers told them they were violating the city ordinance that prohibits the distribution of handbills that promote commercial or business interests in public areas. Thursday the two ...

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.

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.

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.

City offers reward in fatal shooting of barber

The City of Toledo is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the people involved in the shooting death of Racole Hill, who was fatally shot on Fernwood Avenue late Monday evening. "This was a senseless death that has left a void in the community," said Mayor Michael P. Bell. "My condolences go out to Ms. Hill's children and family and I hope that someone ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wis. reaches deal on military, overseas voting (AP)

AP - Wisconsin election officials and the U.S. Department of Justice have reached an agreement on how the state will comply with a new law designed to ensure all military and overseas voters have their ballots counted.

Obama: Minister must cancel Quran-burning 'stunt' (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama implored a Florida minister to call off his Quran-burning "stunt," saying it would jeopardize U.S. troops abroad.

City gears up for 2011 budget

City officials face some very tough choices in the coming weeks as they grapple with a significantly larger proposed budget for 2011.

City of Greenfield to see housing rehabs

The City of Greenfield has been awarded more than $350,000 through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency and it is passing along that money to city residents.

Irish bonds rebound, banks hold ground after Anglo (AP)

AP - Investors welcomed Ireland's plan to split up its most debt-crippled bank, Anglo Irish, by bidding strongly Thursday for government bonds. Ireland's battered bank shares also held their ground.

Merkel: economic upswing should benefit workers (AP)

AP - German chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday the current economic upswing should benefit workers who were hit by the economic and financial crisis.

Report: LA officer involved in previous shootings (AP)

AP - The police officer who shot and killed a knife-wielding man whose death has sparked three days of violent protests in Los Angeles had been involved in two previous shootings while on duty, according to a media report.

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.

Backers of NYC mosque appear divided, regretful (AP)

AP - The backers of a proposed Islamic center near ground zero are expressing regrets about creating a firestorm with a plan they thought would be simple and noncontroversial.

City Working to Put an End to Graffiti

The City of El Paso's "Make a Difference - Report Graffiti" campaign is underway in an effort to stop tagging in the Sun City.

City striker Balotelli to have operation

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is to undergo a knee operation which will rule him out of action for up to six weeks.