The imam leading the effort to build an Islamic centre and mosque near the site of the September 11 attacks said he was exploring all options for a solution.

A day of mourning for nearly 3,000 victims of the September 11 attacks began with moments of silence and tears near Ground Zero in New York.

A US pastor’s plan to burn Korans on September 11 must be taken seriously because it could cause “profound damage” to US troops and interests around the world, President Barack Obama said today.

Thousands of Afghans were protesting today over suspended plans by a small American church to burn the Koran.

THE US pastor who planned to burn copies of the Koran on the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on New York last night backed down claiming he had got guarantees over a planned mosque in the city.