New York City: Thousands rally for Israel

Thousands of demonstrators on Sunday filled a city block near the United Nations to support Israel in its military offensive in the West Bank on a weekend that has drawn protesters from both sides of the conflict to the streets nationwide.

Police officers checked inside coats and backpacks as demonstrators were admitted past metal barriers to the rally scene in midtown Manhattan.

“This is to show support to Israel and to demonstrate against worldwide terrorism,” said Lenny Brafman, 46, holding a banner made of U.S. and Israeli flags.

One sign read: “Arafat Osama Terror,” equating Palestinian leader Yas-ser Arafat with Osama bin Laden, the suspected fugitive leader of the al-Qaida terrorist network.

The rally came a day after hundreds of people marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall to demonstrate against Israeli actions in the occupied territories.

Protesters on Saturday carried signs and yelled chants that compared Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to Adolf Hitler.

Philippines: Rebels release Italian priest

An Italian missionary priest was freed in the southern Philippines early today after nearly six months in captivity, officials said.

The Rev. Giuseppe “Beppe” Pierantoni was seized Oct. 18 in Dimataling town, in Zamboanga del Sur province, by the so-called “Pentagon” group, which is believed to be composed of former Muslim separatist rebels.

The group is on Washington’s list of terrorist organizations.

The Pentagon gang has been blamed in the past year for abducting an Italian, a Canadian, wealthy Filipinos and several Chinese engineers who were on a government irrigation project

A U.S.-backed military operation continues for the rescue of missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham of Wichita, Kan., and Filipino nurse Ediborah Yap, who are being held by the Abu Sayyaf group on nearby Basilan island.

They are the last hostages from a kidnapping spree by the Muslim extremist group that began last May.

California: Gasoline prices up 8 cents

Gasoline prices, which have risen steadily since February, jumped more than 8 cents in the past two weeks.

Friday’s weighted price per gallon for all grades and taxes was $1.46, up 8.44 cents per gallon from March 22, according to the Lundberg survey of 8,000 gas stations nationwide. Since Feb. 8, prices at the pump have increased 32 cents.

“Continued crude oil price strength accounts for more than half of that price increase,” analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday in Camarillo.

Friday’s average price was 10 cents lower than pump prices on Sept. 7, just before the terrorist attacks. Prices dropped to a low of about $1.12 in December.

The national weighted average price of gasoline, including taxes, at self-serve pumps on Friday was about $1.43 per gallon for regular, $1.53 for mid-grade and $1.62 for premium.