The Jerusalem Post
Sharon beats Netanyahu by slim margin in Likud vote
By GIL HOFFMAN
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's opponents in the Likud, led by Binyamin Netanyahu, narrowly failed on Monday to force a November primary at which Sharon's leadership of the party would have been contested.
Special Report: Battle for the Likud >>
The bid for a November contest was rejected by a margin of 104 votes in a bitter tussle that drew 2,789 of the Likud's central committee members – 91.4 percent of the eligible voters – to the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds. The final tally, announced by committee chairman Tzahi Hanegbi a little after midnight, was 1,433-1,329 (with 27 presumed spoiled ballots or abstentions).
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127701201895
Analysis: PM wins battle, but war goes on
By GIL HOFFMAN
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ostensibly won a few more months in power when the Likud central committee decided against advancing the party's primary on Monday, but there is no guarantee that his tenure in the Likud or the Prime Minister's Office has actually been extended.
Sharon's political opponents were weakened by the vote, but no one doubts that former prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, MK Uzi Landau and the Likud rebels will continue to do everything possible to topple Sharon.
They tried to stop Sharon by forcing Knesset votes on disengagement, the budget, and a national referendum on withdrawing from Gaza. They attempted to harm the prime minister politically with Likud votes on the plan, on Labor joining the coalition and on advancing the primary.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127614782375
Sharon muted ahead of Likud vote
By GIL HOFFMAN, TOVAH LAZAROFF, AND YAAKOV KATZ
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's long-awaited speech to the Likud central committee went undelivered Sunday night after a sabotaged fuse box that zapped his microphone prevented him from addressing a packed hall at the Tel Aviv Fairgrounds.
For in depth coverage of Likud leadership rivalries - Special Report: Battle for the Likud >>
Mutual recriminations abounded from Sharon's allies and opponents, who blamed each other for the incident.
Read Sharon's undelivered speech.
Sharon started delivering his speech at 8:20 p.m., following fiery addresses by former prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu and MK Uzi Landau.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127614774070
Likud members divide their support
By TOVAH LAZAROFF AND JPOST STAFF
Education Minister Limor Livnat announced on Sunday that she was in favor of early primaries in the Likud, but that her decision was not connected in any way to the recent upheaval in Gaza.
For in depth coverage of Likud leadership rivalries, check out our Special Report: Battle for the Likud.
In an interview to Israel Radio, Livnat stated that she had attempted to facilitate a compromise that would prevent the primaries from being moved up, but her proposals were rejected.
By choosing early primaries, Livnat is pulling support out from under Sharon and lending it instead to rival candidate Binyamin Netanyahu, who is pushing for an early vote hoping to oust Sharon.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127614780170
US Jew nabbed for alleged PM threat
By HILARY LEILA KRIEGER AND YAAKOV KATZ
Israel was planning to deport to the US on Monday a haredi Jew from New York who was arrested last week, reportedly on suspicion that he intended to assassinate Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. His deportation had not been confirmed by press time.
Zalman Hatzkolevitch, 28, was detained by border police in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem near the Shimon Hatzadik Tomb at the behest of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), according to the Interior Ministry and Immigration Police.
The Bratslav hassid was reportedly carrying a Koran and pictures of himself wearing a keffiyeh while traveling in Arab countries.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127701200422
Arab leaders show support for Syria
By ORLY HALPERN
Arab leaders and citizens from across the region are coming to the defense of Syria as it faces increased American pressure and a probing UN inquiry. In the latest efforts, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Cairo for two hours, after which Egypt publicly denounced the idea of Syrian isolation.
"The Egyptian proposal rejects isolating Syria and calls for achieving stability in the region and not opening a new focus of tension that adds to an already complicated situation," Egyptian presidential spokesman Suleiman Awad said.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia, both US allies, have united to stem US pressure, reported the US Arabic-language radio SAWA last week.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127614782399
Deterrence
The Israeli response to the fusillade of Kassam rockets targeting border communities in the northwestern Negev, including Sderot, from the Palestinian Authority-controlled Gaza Strip must be hard-nosed and unremitting.
That's what the security cabinet decided late Saturday night. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the security forces to use "all means" to stop the attacks. Unprecedented use of artillery against the missile launchers has been approved. And on Sunday the IDF fired artillery salvoes into open areas in the Strip to calibrate the big guns and to transmit a clear deterrent message that more terrorist shelling would bring a heavy response.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz ordered the air force to embark on an all-out continuous offensive, "Operation First Rain," against Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in the Gaza Strip, focusing on the cells that fire the Kassam rockets. The cabinet also endorsed Mofaz's plan for buffer zones inside the northern Gaza Strip to distance the rocket launchers from Israeli population centers.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127614781837
Arab leaders show support for Syria
By ORLY HALPERN
Arab leaders and citizens from across the region are coming to the defense of Syria as it faces increased American pressure and a probing UN inquiry. In the latest efforts, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Cairo for two hours, after which Egypt publicly denounced the idea of Syrian isolation.
"The Egyptian proposal rejects isolating Syria and calls for achieving stability in the region and not opening a new focus of tension that adds to an already complicated situation," Egyptian presidential spokesman Suleiman Awad said.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia, both US allies, have united to stem US pressure, reported the US Arabic-language radio SAWA last week.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127614782399
'Operation First Rain' continues in Gaza
By ARIEH O'SULLIVAN
The Israel Air Force continued Monday to strike at terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip despite the near cessation of rocket and mortar attacks and a pledge by Hamas to cease Kassam attacks.
"We don't relate to Hamas mutterings and are judging everything according to reality on the ground," said deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim. "We will hit Hamas and other organizations in Gaza and not just once so they understand that the rules of the game have changed."
For in-depth focus on the post-pullout situation in and around Gaza, check out SPECIAL REPORT: GAZA UPHEAVAL
Boim told Army Radio that the continuing IDF strikes were aimed at "searing into their conscience" that Israel was determined to create deterrence.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127701199526
Israeli killed by Hamas laid to rest
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
A 50-year-old Jewish resident of Jerusalem was kidnapped and brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists, police said Monday.
The body of Sasson Nuriel of the northern Jerusalem neighborhood of Pisgat Ze'ev was found Monday morning in the West Bank village of Beitunya, near Ramallah, five days after he was reported missing.
A court gag order which had been in place at the police's request was partially lifted Monday afternoon after a news blackout on the abduction.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127701203801
The Middle East Times
US frees Abu Ghraib prisoners as suicide bomber kills seven
Ammar Karim
AFP
September 26, 2005
FREED: Iraqi detainees stand in line to be processed for release from Abu Ghraib prison in the town of Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, on September 26. The US military released more than 500 Iraqis from Abu Ghraib prison at the request of the Iraqi government to mark the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.
(REUTERS)
BAGHDAD -- US forces on Monday freed more than 500 prisoners from Baghdad's notorious Abu Ghraib jail to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan as seven people were killed in a suicide car bombing outside Iraq's oil ministry.
"In the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, the Iraqi government requested a special release board and worked with multinational forces to expedite the release of more than 1,000 security detainees from Abu Ghraib," the US military said.
The first 507 inmates were freed on Monday, with another 500 releases to follow over the next week, ahead of the Muslim fasting month that starts in early October, the military said in a statement.
http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050926-072041-8472r
India says Iran vote no sellout
Elizabeth Roche
AFP
September 26, 2005
NEW DELHI -- India on Monday denied charges that it bowed to US pressure in supporting a resolution that opens the door to reporting Iran to the UN Security Council for violating international nuclear safeguards.
India's vote in favor of the motion drafted by EU negotiators Britain, Germany and France stirred protests from the government's leftist allies and the opposition who said that New Delhi yielded to Washington.
But foreign secretary Shyam Saran told reporters that the vote on Saturday "was a considered decision" keeping the country's national interests in mind and was in fact supportive of its longtime ally Iran.
"The resolution as passed addressed the main preoccupations that India had, and those were ... that the Iran nuclear issue should not be taken [immediately] to the UN Security Council," he said.
http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050926-081439-6096r
Last key suspect in failed London bombing in custody
Robert MacPherson and Chris Wright
AFP
September 23, 2005
LONDON -- The last of the key suspects in a failed attempt to repeat the July 7 bombings in London was remanded in custody on Friday, a day after his extradition from Italy.
Hussain Osman, 27, also known as Hamdi Issac, sat impassively before a magistrate at Belmarsh Prison in southeast London as he was read seven charges, including attempted murder, relating to the July 21 incident.
Judge Timothy Workman remanded Osman - who entered no plea - in custody until December 8 when he will appear at the Old Bailey criminal court in Central London with his alleged co-conspirators.
http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050923-080955-4088r
In Iran's all-women games: a US athlete
Francoise Chaptal
AFP
September 26, 2005
RUNNER: Saira Kureshi, a member of the US Global Sport team, holds Iraq, Iran and US flags during the opening ceremony of the 4th Women Islamic Games in Tehran on September 24.
(REUTERS)
TEHRAN -- Tehran may be a long way from Texas, but American runner Saira Kureshi feels right at home as she prepares to be the first woman to represent the United States in Iran's Islamic Women's Games.
Kureshi, 26, will compete in the 800 and 1,500 meter runs in the fourth all-women games, an event launched in 1993 to allow Iranian women to compete while observing their strict dress code of being covered head to toe.
http://www.metimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20050926-034815-1202r
Washington Post
Parents Seek to Block Teaching of 'Intelligent Design'
Lawyers Contend It's an Old Argument for God Wrapped in New Cloth
By Michael Powell
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, September 26, 2005; 2:36 PM
HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 26 -- Lawyers for a group of parents Monday challenged the teaching of intelligent design as nothing more than an old argument for God wrapped in new cloth, as a new legal front opened in the evolution wars.
An expected month-long trial opened Monday in federal court in Harrisburg, as 11 parents from Dover township seek to block their school board's demand that biology teachers read a four-paragraph statement to students casting doubt on Darwin's theory of evolution.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/26/AR2005092600817.html
Boeing and Machinists Reach Tentative Deal
By Allison Linn
Associated Press
Monday, September 26, 2005; Page A07
SEATTLE, Sept. 25 -- Boeing Co. and its machinists union have reached a tentative contract agreement, which, if approved, would end a three-week strike that shut down the company's airplane production.
Mark Blondin, a union district president, confirmed the agreement Sunday and said union members would vote on the deal Thursday.
Machinists Union member Curt Umbaugh holds aloft a strike sign as he stands near a burn barrel on a Boeing picket line Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005, in Seattle. The Boeing Co. has resumed contract talks with the striking Machinists union, a Boeing spokesman said Sunday. Negotiations in the three-week-old strike have been stalled since the Machinists walked off the job in early September. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) (Elaine Thompson - AP)
"I'm just proud of our membership," Blondin said. "They stood solid, unified, and that solidarity is what finally got the company to do the right thing."
Boeing spokesman Charles Bickers said the company believes the agreement is reasonable and reflects compromise on both sides.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/25/AR2005092500652.html
Allstate responds to Hurricane Katrina
If you were impacted by Hurricane Katrina, please visit the Catastrophe Information Center for claim information.
Allstate is doing everything it can to help customers with their claims, with the goal of getting them back on their feet as quickly as possible. Allstate's National Catastrophe Team has a total of 2,275 dedicated catastrophe specialists assisting with the overall Hurricane Katrina effort. More will be sent as needed.
There are several Allstate Mobile Response Units already up and running in impacted areas to assist Allstate customers whose homes or vehicles are damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Each MRU is equipped with satellite telephones and wireless technology that allows Allstate’s National Catastrophe Team to take claim information and issue checks for additional living expenses.
Allstate’s claim technology area has mobilized a command center to ensure that technology issues don’t impede Allstate’s National Catastrophe Team from effectively processing and handling claims.
http://www.allstate.com/about/pagerender.asp,3Fpage,3D2005_09_06_katrina_response.htm
The Birmingham Post Herald
Goodbye, Birmingham, and thank you: The Birmingham Post-Herald staff poses for a group picture in their newsroom on Thursday. After 55 years, the Post-Herald has closed its doors.
http://www.postherald.com/
Sun Herald of Southern Mississippi
Many homebuyers, not enough homes
By KAREN NELSON
karennelson2@aol.com
Money is starting to flow into the Coast real estate market in an unprecedented way.
"Insurance companies are dumping a lot of money into people's hands, and people are desperate," said John Jones, with John Jones Realty in Pascagoula. "It's a boom. There's an awful lot of work."
But he said that Realtors are also plowing new ground.
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/12742471.htm
Turkey Creek residents rescue their own
By TRACY DASH
tadash@sunherald.com
GULFPORT - Residents of Turkey Creek say they live among heroes. Not the comic-book kind like Spider-Man or Superman, but real men who risked their lives to save others.
Although thousands of South Mississippians heeded warnings to evacuate in the days before Hurricane Katrina, many stayed, believing they would be safe from her wrath.
Ercill Idom and her family were among those who remained. After all, she had stayed in her wood-frame home on Idom Street, just off Rippy Road, for other storms and was fine. Her feeling of safety vanished, though, when she saw flood waters buckle her new hardwood floors.
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/12742484.htm
Turkey Creek residents rescue their own
By TRACY DASH
tadash@sunherald.com
GULFPORT - Residents of Turkey Creek say they live among heroes. Not the comic-book kind like Spider-Man or Superman, but real men who risked their lives to save others.
Although thousands of South Mississippians heeded warnings to evacuate in the days before Hurricane Katrina, many stayed, believing they would be safe from her wrath.
Ercill Idom and her family were among those who remained. After all, she had stayed in her wood-frame home on Idom Street, just off Rippy Road, for other storms and was fine. Her feeling of safety vanished, though, when she saw flood waters buckle her new hardwood floors.
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/12742484.htm
Federal waste expected on Coast
By SETH BORENSTEIN
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Waste and fraud inevitable in rebuilding, experts say
WASHINGTON - As the federal government throws tens of billions of dollars into hurricane relief and reconstruction, the system to make sure taxpayers' money is spent properly is a mess.
The federal purchasing system has been plagued with scandal - its top buyer was arrested Monday. It has too few workers deciding exactly what to buy, and there may not be enough auditors to ensure taxpayers get their money's worth. Even now, rules designed to keep the contracting process fair and honest are being loosened to speed recovery and reconstruction.
http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/12742486.htm
The Advocate
Rita rescuers seek flooded-out residents
By APRIL CASTRO
Associated Press Writer
BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) -- Rescuers used skiffs to take flooded-out residents to safety along the hurricane-stricken Texas-Louisiana coast Monday, and the Army sent out Blackhawk helicopters to find thousands of cattle feared trapped in high water.
Hurricane Rita's death toll climbed to seven when the bodies of five people were discovered in a Beaumont apartment.
The five - a man, a woman and three children - apparently were overcome by carbon monoxide from a generator they were using after the hurricane knocked out the electricity over the weekend, authorities said. The children's aunt discovered the bodies after going to check on the group.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/R/RITA?SITE=LABAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-09-26-12-43-18
Nagin reopens New Orleans' Algiers section
By JULIA SILVERMAN
Associated Press Writer
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- With Hurricane Rita gone, the mayor picked up where he left off with his plan to reopen New Orleans, inviting people in one largely unscathed neighborhood to come back Monday and "help us rebuild the city."
A line extended out of a Winn-Dixie supermarket as locals stocked up on ice, milk and other staples in Algiers, the first New Orleans neighborhood officially opened by Mayor Ray Nagin.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/R/RITA_NEW_ORLEANS_HK2?SITE=LABAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-09-26-13-37-32
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