October 27, 2001 Diary: America Strikes Back

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Taliban execute major opponent as Kabul comes under U.S. fire
Saturday, October 27, 2001
In a stunning blow to U.S.-backed efforts to undermine the Taliban, the ruling Islamic militia Friday captured and executed a former guerrilla leader who slipped into Afghanistan to try to lure tribal leaders away from the regime.

Church condemns terrorism, but seeks redress of inequalities
Saturday, October 27, 2001
Bishops from around the world issued a sharp condemnation of terrorism coupled with a moral denunciation of "gross inequalities" between nations. The Vatican on Friday released the closing message of a special monthlong assembly of bishops summoned to Rome by Pope John Paul II to update the role of churchmen.

Britain commits ground troops
Saturday, October 27, 2001
Britain Friday expanded its military contribution to the U.S.-led battle against Afghanistan's Taliban movement, offering its first ground forces — 200 Royal Marine commandos who will go on standby aboard ships off Pakistan.

Anthrax spreads through capital
Saturday, October 27, 2001
The saboteur who is poisoning mail probably sent more than one anthrax-tainted letter to the federal government, officials said Friday as traces of the bacteria were discovered in an off-site mail- room of the U.S. Supreme Court, the Central Intelligence Agency, a military hospital and congressional offices.

Law broadens police powers
Saturday, October 27, 2001
President Bush signed an anti-terrorism bill Friday that gives police unprecedented ability to search, seize, detain or eavesdrop in their pursuit of possible terrorists.
Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft immediately ordered federal prosecutors to put their new powers to work for the nation.

Memorial service will halt recovery work at trade center site for only second time
Saturday, October 27, 2001
(Web Posted Saturday at 6:30 p.m.) On a day when the smoke and smell in lower Manhattan brought a visceral reminder of the World Trade Center attack, city officials put the finishing touches Saturday on plans for a memorial service at the ruins.

Union leaders urge postal workers to seek transfers from contaminated New York building
Saturday, October 27, 2001
(Web Posted Saturday at 8:09 a.m.) A union leader urged uneasy postal workers at a huge mail processing plant where machines have been contaminated with anthrax to seek transfers to other facilities. And an attorney for the union threaten to go to court if the government doesn't shut the building down.

6News video report: Around the world
Saturday, October 27, 2001
Josh Garber reports on news from around the world.

Red Cross president says she was forced to resign
Saturday, October 27, 2001
American Red Cross President Bernadine Healy announced her resignation Friday, saying she had been forced out of the job over policy differences with her board. "The board felt I was out ahead of them making policy," she told reporters at a hastily called news conference. "They didn't have any more confidence in me."

Most victims young men, terror analysis reveals
Saturday, October 27, 2001
Matthew McDermott had two toddlers and was about to become a father again. Lou Fersini brought his wife flowers and a kiss on Sept. 10, their last night together. And Mike Finnegan's eyes filled with tears on a home video as he sent his daughter off to her first day of kindergarten with a hug.

Americans try to cope with 'new normalcy'
Saturday, October 27, 2001
Outside his flower shop, smoking a cigarette that may be worse for him than anything in the mail, Joseph Filosa wonders whether the new way of life in America will be different from the old one.

Action required to solidify unity
Saturday, October 27, 2001
By Ellen Goodman
The Boston Globe

When the twin towers collapsed, many of us saw a renewed community rising out of the debris. After all, firefighters and financiers, waiters and stock wizards, had died together.

Ireland offers lesson on terrorism
Saturday, October 27, 2001
By Robert Reno
Newsday

In one form or another, terrorism has been endemic to the Irish experience at least since Henry VIII assumed the title King of Ireland in 1541.

6News video report: Local HAZMAT crews readying themselves
Saturday, October 27, 2001
Josh Garber reports on the refresher courses the local HAZMAT crew is undertaking.

Briefly
Saturday, October 27, 2001
• WASHINGTON: Bush puts Taliban on list as enemy of religious freedom
• Pakistan: Leading nuclear scientists questioned about Taliban ties

Action justified
Saturday, October 27, 2001