National and International News-Wednesday, Sept. 20th

NEW YORK (AP) - President Bush meets today with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in a show of support forAbbas' moderate politics and his standing in the Mideast peace process. Abbas has been weakened by the victory of rival Hamas militants in parliamentary elections this year.

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict says he has "deep respect"for Islam. During his regular weekly audience today, the pope expressed hope that remarks he made in Germany last week, which sparked angry reactions in much of the Muslim world, can lead to dialogue among religions.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A wave of violence in Iraq the past 24 hours has taken more than 45 lives, including 21 in a double suicide bombing in the northern city of Mosul. The U-S military announced five soldier deaths. And a suicide truck bomb slammed into a Baghdad police headquarters today, killing seven.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - The homeland security debate today turns to a planned fence along the U-S border with Mexico. The Senate is set to consider a bill that calls for building 700 miles of double-layered fencing. The House passed the bill last week. Democrats say there should be a comprehensive border security package.

UNION, Mo. (AP) - Authorities say a suspicious sister-in-law led them to a kidnapped infant and the arrest of a suspect in Missouri. Police say the alleged kidnapper used makeup to hide the baby's birthmark. Dorothy Torrez saw it and notified authorities. ShannonBeck claimed the baby was hers.