Terror group's leader: ‘Have to build it’  —  By S.A. MILLER in Washington and TOM TOPOUSIS in New York  —  A leader of the Hamas terror group yesterday jumped into the emotional debate on the plan to construct a mosque near Ground Zero — insisting Muslims “have to build” it there.

Harvard University fund sells all Israel holdings  —  No reason for the sale was mentioned in the report to the SEC.  —  In another blow to Israeli shares, the Harvard Management Company notified the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday that it had sold all its holdings …

Exclusive: Feds clear DeLay after six years  —  The Justice Department has informed former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) that the government has ended a six-year investigation of his ties to the disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, according to DeLay's lead counsel in the matter, Richard Cullen, chairman of McGuireWoods.

Gates, Petraeus clash on Afghan pull-out  —  US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Monday the July 2011 date to start withdrawing American troops from Afghanistan was set in stone, putting him at odds with his top Afghan war commander.  —  Gates and General David Petraeus were in lock-step …

Islam in Two Americas  —  There's an America where it doesn't matter what language you speak, what god you worship, or how deep your New World roots run.  An America where allegiance to the Constitution trumps ethnic differences, language barriers and religious divides.

Boomers Threaten Economy  —  America's baby boomers—those born between 1946 and 1964—face a problem that could weigh on the economy for years to come: The longer it takes for the economy to recover, the less money they'll have to spend in retirement.  —  Policy makers have long worried …

Attacking Social Security  —  Social Security turned 75 last week.  It should have been a joyous occasion, a time to celebrate a program that has brought dignity and decency to the lives of older Americans.  —  But the program is under attack, with some Democrats as well as nearly all Republicans joining the assault.

Democrats uncertain about approach to midterms  —  The Democrats passed the stimulus package.  They passed health-care and Wall Street overhauls and revamped the financing system for higher education.  Their other main priorities, on immigration and energy, appear to be headed nowhere.

Obama helps governors to help himself  —  President Barack Obama will do more in two days this week for his party's candidates for governor than he has done all year, wrapping his arm around several of the most highly touted gubernatorial hopefuls on the ballot in 2010.

Rand Paul: Keep EPA out of Ky. affairs  —  Candidate considers himself a friend of coal  —  HINDMAN — Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul took harsh digs at President Barack Obama while mining for votes in Kentucky coalfields Saturday, saying busybody regulators backed by the president are stifling the coal sector.

Union leader calls on L.A. teachers to boycott Times  —  A.J. Duffy objects to the paper's analysis of the effectiveness of more than 6,000 elementary school teachers.  —  The Los Angeles teachers union president said Sunday he was organizing a “massive boycott” of The Times …

Illegal immigrant deported twice confessed to killing 14-year-old girl in Texas  —  HOUSTON—The family of a 14-year-old girl who was murdered last weekend showed up in court Friday.  —  Although the two suspects charged in the crime didn't physically appear in court, both were assigned attorneys.

Laid-Off Chinese Bank Workers Refuse to Go Quietly  —  BEIJING — These are heady days for China's state-controlled banks.  Last month, the Agricultural Bank of China made its stock market debut, bringing in $22 billion for the largest public offering ever.