JERUSALEM (AP):

Israel insisted yesterday it will do whatever it must to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, even as the visiting United States defence chief promised tougher international sanctions if Tehran spurns an offer of talks.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates tried to reassure Israeli leaders that President Barack Obama is not naive, and he said the offer to bargain with Iran isn't good indefinitely. After meeting with Gates, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak suggested his country's patience is limited, saying three times that Israel would not rule out any response.

Man gets life for Bush death plot

Virginia (AP):

A man was sentenced yesterday to life in prison for joining al-Qaida and plotting to assassinate then-President George W. Bush, a more severe penalty than the original 30 years he received after his 2005 conviction.

Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, 28, joined al-Qaida while attending college in Saudi Arabia and received training to carry out the assassination plot and other terrorist acts.

Infants found in garbage bin

DAYTON, Ohio (AP):

Police say a two-year-old girl and eight-month-old boy have been found crying inside a large trash bin, about 13 hours after their mother reported them missing. She told police her boyfriend fled with them after a fight. Dayton, Ohio Police Chief Richard Biehl says the children were thirsty, hungry and dirty, but appear to be in remarkably good condition. The children were found in a large plastic trash receptacle outside an electrical repair business. An employee arrived at work after picking up some supplies and thought he heard the sound of crying.

Tension rises in Middle East

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP):

Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah on Monday were locked in a new dispute that threatens to derail next week's Fatah convention, seen as key to rehabilitating the corruption-stained party that has led peace talks with Israel.

Officials in Hamas-ruled Gaza said Monday they would only allow Fatah delegates to leave the territory and travel to the conference if Fatah's leader, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, releases hundreds of Hamas detainees in the West Bank, where his West-backed Palestinian Authority is based.