October 13, 2001 Diary: America Strikes Back

Anthrax scare extends to N.Y.
Saturday, October 13, 2001
An assistant to NBC anchorman Tom Brokaw contracted the skin form of anthrax after opening a "threatening" letter to her boss that contained a suspicious powder, authorities and the network said Friday.

Boeing to cut 1,600 jobs at Wichita plant
Saturday, October 13, 2001
Boeing Co. will cut about 12,000 employees from its commercial airplanes and shared-services divisions by Dec. 14 in the first round of layoffs prompted by the terrorist attacks, the company said Friday.

Investigators focus on plans for violence
Saturday, October 13, 2001
Prosecutors are investigating whether some people in custody in the terrorism case were planning additional attacks on Americans, a law enforcement official said Friday. An Arizona man was charged with lying to the FBI about one of the hijackers.

Third anthrax test positive on letter from Malaysia to Microsoft
Saturday, October 13, 2001
(Web Posted Saturday at 3:12 p.m.) State officials will be sending the letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for further testing, Gov. Kenny Guinn said Saturday.

Bush acknowledges nation still in danger, but says U.S. will defy terrorists
Saturday, October 13, 2001
The United States "is still in danger" from the threat of terrorist attacks, President Bush said Friday as a new case of anthrax sent fresh jitters through a nervous nation. He assured Americans the government was doing everything in its power to make them safe.

New airstrikes after Taliban turn down Bush's offer of 'second chance' to surrender bin Laden
Saturday, October 13, 2001
(Web Posted Saturday at 12:06 p.m.) U.S. jets launched fresh attacks Saturday night against the Kabul area, taking aim at targets at the northern end of the city. Heavy smoke rose into the sky, and the capital was plunged into darkness with power cut off.

Test shows negative result for anthrax in letter sent to New York Times
Saturday, October 13, 2001
(Updated Saturday at 11:55 p.m.) A powdery white substance in an envelope received by a New York Times reporter tested negative in a preliminary test for anthrax, the newspaper said Saturday.

Source of NBC News anthrax case identified, as new exposures reported in Florida
Saturday, October 13, 2001
(Web Posted Saturday at 11:53 p.m.) A threatening letter mailed to Tom Brokaw from New Jersey one week after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks contained the anthrax that infected the NBC news anchor's assistant, authorities said Saturday.

Taliban leader rejects handing bin Laden over to the United States
Saturday, October 13, 2001
(Updated Saturday at 11:55 p.m.) The supreme leader of Afghanistan's Taliban militia ruled out handing over terror suspect Osama bin Laden to the United States and appealed again to Muslims everywhere to help defend his country, a news agency reported Saturday.

Earlier letter to Tom Brokaw contained anthrax that infected anchor's assistant
Saturday, October 13, 2001
(Updated Saturday at 11:51 p.m.) A second threatening letter sent to Tom Brokaw contained the anthrax that infected the NBC news anchor's assistant, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced Saturday.

U.S. bomb misses target near Afghan capital, Pentagon says
Saturday, October 13, 2001
(Web Posted Saturday at 12:08 p.m.) A U.S. bomb intended to strike a helicopter at the Kabul airport hit a residential neighborhood a mile (1.6 kilometers) away in the Afghan capital Saturday, the Pentagon said.

Agreement spells out new U.S.-Uzbekistan relationship
Saturday, October 13, 2001
(Updated Saturday at 11:49 p.m.) American troops can operate from an Uzbekistan air base and the United States pledged to protect the security of the former Soviet republic on Afghanistan's northern border, an agreement between the countries says.

Senior northern alliance commander lashes out at Pakistan
Saturday, October 13, 2001
(Web Posted Saturday at 10:14 a.m.) A senior Afghan opposition commander on Saturday lashed out at Pakistan, accusing it trying to sideline the northern alliance from obtaining any meaningful political role in a post-Taliban government.

Navy planes patrol Afghan skies after 'light' strikes
Saturday, October 13, 2001
U.S. warplanes struck early today near the Afghan capital Kabul after a daytime lull in recognition of the Muslim Sabbath. Navy strike aircraft prowled the skies in search of pop-up terrorist and Taliban targets.

Bush praises sweeping 'Patriot Act' passed by House; others cry foul
Saturday, October 13, 2001
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed sweeping anti-terrorism legislation Friday to provide expanded powers to law enforcement, despite protests from civil libertarians and privacy advocates.

Lawrence area on high alert
Saturday, October 13, 2001
Area law enforcement officials and post office employees are on heightened alert for suspicious letters or packages in the wake of recent anthrax cases. Law enforcement officers in Douglas and surrounding counties have been briefed about procedures they should follow if someone reports a suspicious package, and most are trained in handling hazardous materials calls.

Border residents: Taliban clears towns along Pakistan border
Saturday, October 13, 2001
(Web Posted Saturday at 6:24 a.m.) Girding to a U.S. ground attack, Afghanistan's Taliban militiamen are arming supporters along both sides if the border and ordering people to evacuate towns and villages in the area, residents and Pakistani officials said Saturday.