November 3, 2001 Diary: America Strikes Back

U.S. defense secretary pays whirlwind visit to Tajikistan
Saturday, November 3, 2001
(Web Posted Saturday at 12:49 p.m.) U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld paid a quick visit to Tajikistan on Saturday evening but said he reached no deals on military cooperation with the country, which shares a long and volatile border with Afghanistan.

Bush: U.S. won't rest during Ramadan
Saturday, November 3, 2001
American airstrikes in Afghanistan won't pause during the Muslim observance of Ramadan, President Bush said Friday. In Afghanistan, a U.S. helicopter crashed while trying to rescue a sick soldier, and the injured crew had to be saved in turn.

Life is risky — like a salad bar
Saturday, November 3, 2001
By Leonard Pitts Jr.
Miami Herald

A long time ago — by which I mean prior to a certain infamous date in September — I used to stand at the salad bar and wonder if I was taking my life in my hands.

Millions may starve, freeze in afghanistan
Saturday, November 3, 2001
More than 6 million Afghan civilians, buffeted by drought and military campaigns, are in danger of starving or freezing to death this winter, two nongovernmental aid agencies said Friday.

B-52s pound Taliban front lines
Saturday, November 3, 2001
American B-52 bombers pummeled Taliban front lines Friday with dozens of bombs north of the capital, drawing cheers from opposition fighters and futile artillery fire from Taliban gunners.

Job losses mount
Saturday, November 3, 2001
The nation's unemployment rate shot up to 5.4 percent in October and job losses surged to the highest level in more than two decades as the full brunt of the terrorist attacks hit an already weak economy.

Most serious charges dropped against firefighters arrested during protest
Saturday, November 3, 2001
(Updated Saturday at 3:25 p.m.) The most serious criminal charges were dropped Saturday against firefighters accused of tangling with police during an angry demonstration against changes in the recovery effort at the World Trade Center site.

Bin Laden criticizes United Nations in new video
Saturday, November 3, 2001
(Web Posted Saturday at 3:28 p.m.) Osama bin Laden condemned Arab leaders who turn to the United Nations for peace negotiations, saying in a videotape broadcast Saturday that this amounted to a renunciation of Islam.

Running for those who can't
Saturday, November 3, 2001
Ralph Maerz is a 56-year-old ex-smoker who until a month ago hadn't gone for a serious run since high school. Yet on Sunday, he'll be among 30,000 runners in the New York City Marathon. He'll be there because his son Noell can't.

Major developments Friday in fight against deadly bacteria
Saturday, November 3, 2001

Letters in Pakistan, India test positive
Saturday, November 3, 2001
Pakistan's largest newspaper evacuated some of its editorial offices after a letter tested positive for anthrax in one of two new overseas cases reported Friday. In India, the health secretary of a western state said Friday that powder found in an envelope in a government office tested positive for anthrax and would be examined further.

Thompson: Expect more anthrax
Saturday, November 3, 2001
The nation's top health officials said Friday they expect more people to fall ill from anthrax and they fear the investigation may be handicapped because they don't know how many labs have the lethal bacteria.

Forced pledge not patriotism
Saturday, November 3, 2001
By Jill "J.R." Labbe
Knight Ridder Newspapers

Red, white and blue haven't been this chic since the nation's bicentennial in 1976. Love of country is in vogue. "God Bless America" shouts from truck bumpers, lapel pins and radio stations.

Arab officers urge understanding
Saturday, November 3, 2001
By Chad Lawhorn

A trio of visiting Middle Eastern military officers urged a Lawrence group Friday to learn more about Islam and to not equate Muslims with terrorism. Officers from Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates took part in a question-and-answer session at Friday's Kansas International breakfast meeting.

Rivera departing talk show for war
Saturday, November 3, 2001
Geraldo Rivera is walking away from his CNBC talk show to get his hands dirty, becoming a war correspondent for Fox News Channel.

Briefly
Saturday, November 3, 2001
• Florida: Government's terror focus turns to nation's seaports
• Alaska: Letters to Santa Claus still will be opened
• NEW YORK: Firefighters protest cuts in recovery worker force
• SAN FRANCISCO: Western states on alert

Miscalculation
Saturday, November 3, 2001