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down with President George W. Bush at the White House to discuss a multibillion-dollar Wall Street bailout plan, but the session, which also included top congressional leaders, devolved into what the McCain campaign described afterward as a "contentious shouting match." Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin defended her remark that the close proximity of Russia to her home state of Alaska gave her foreign policy experience, explaining in a CBS interview that "we have trade missions back and forth." Anti-apartheid activist Kgalema Motlanthe (KHAH'-lee-mah moo-KAN'-tay) became the third president of South Africa since the end of white rule. After a 43-year wait, Paul McCartney performed his first concert in Israel, saying he was on a mission of peace for Israel and the Palestinians.
• One year ago: President Barack Obama, speaking to the U.N. General Assembly, pledged U.S. support for Syrians trying to oust President Bashar Assad, calling him "a dictator who massacres his own people." U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, "We must stop the violence and flows of arms to both sides." Mitt Romney joined running mate Paul Ryan for two days of campaigning in Ohio. A survey of consumer confidence reached its highest level since February on expectations that hiring would soon pick up. The NFL met with locked-out referees and admitted that a blown call the previous night had cost the Green Bay Packers a game against the Seattle Seahawks. Singer and TV host Andy Williams died at his Branson, Mo., home at the age of 84.
• Today's Birthdays: Broadcast journalist Barbara Walters is 84. Folk singer Ian Tyson is 80. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates is 70. Actor Josh Taylor is 70. Actor Robert Walden is 70. Actor-producer Michael Douglas is 69. Model Cheryl Tiegs is 66. Actress Mimi Kennedy is 64. Actor-director Anson Williams is 64. Actor Mark Hamill is 62. Basketball Hall of Famer Bob McAdoo is 62. Polka bandleader Jimmy Sturr is 62. Actor Colin Friels is 61. Actor Michael Madsen is 55. Actress Heather Locklear is 52. Actress Aida Turturro is 51. Actor Tate Donovan is 50. TV personality Keely Shaye Smith is 50. Basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen is 48. Actor Jason Flemyng is 47. Actor Will Smith is 45. Actor Hal Sparks is 44. Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is 44. Rock musician Mike Luce (Drowning Pool) is 42. Actress Bridgette Wilson-Sampras is 40. Actress Clea DuVall is 36. Actor Robbie Jones is 36. Actor Chris Owen is 33. Rapper T. I. is 33. Actor Van Hansis is 32. Actor Lee Norris is 32. Singer Diana Ortiz (Dream) is 28. Actress Emmy Clarke ("Monk") is 22.
• Thought for Today: "The richer your friends, the more they will cost you." -- Elisabeth Marbury, American writer (1856-1933).
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