Nevada officials say letter sent to Microsoft may contain anthrax bacteria
CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- A letter containing pornographic material that was sent from Malaysia to a Microsoft office in Reno has tentatively tested positive for anthrax, state officials said earlier today.

Real or hoax, most anthrax cases start with white powder
Real or phony, the recent anthrax incidents seem to have one thing in common: white powder.

[AP photo] Afghan children, who have taken refuge in Zahedan, Iran, after U.S. military strikes, stare curiously at journalists. For the children Near the end of his news conference, President Bush urged American children to earn $1 to send to the White House "to help the children of Afghanistan. ... Winter is coming. By acting today, we can help the children survive." The address is White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C., 20500. The Red Cross will coordinate the relief fund.

Bush: Give him up and we'll stop
WASHINGTON -- As U.S. warplanes continued to pound military targets in Afghanistan, President Bush offered Thursday night to consider halting the attack if the Taliban government would "cough up" Osama bin Laden and his terrorist followers.

Most top tourist attractions reopen
NEW YORK -- Tours resumed Thursday at the United Nations, the latest city attraction to reopen to visitors. But the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island remain closed and officials won't say when the two symbols of freedom will open their doors.

Man's squeegee is tool of survival
When window washer Jan Demczur and five others were trapped in a north tower elevator, he reached into his bucket.

$850-million for relief, but no central control
Unlike the Oklahoma City effort, a system that depends on collaboration by individual relief groups is emerging.

U.S. military mission suffers its first death
Air Force Master Sgt. Evander Earl Andrews, 36, dies in a heavy equipment accident in Qatar.

Saudis may help freeze assets of terror groups
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration said Thursday that Saudi Arabia is acting to freeze assets of the al-Qaida terrorism network and is cooperating fully with the United States in countering terrorism.

Senate passes aviation security bill
WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted unanimously Thursday to boost the security of airlines and airports and, as an important byproduct, restore the nation's confidence in flying.

N.Y. tells prince: Keep your $10-million
NEW YORK -- City officials rejected a $10-million relief check from a Saudi prince Thursday after he suggested U.S. policies in the Middle East were partly to blame for the World Trade Center attacks.

Palestinian militant killed by own bomb
JERUSALEM -- A Palestinian militant from the Hamas group blew himself up while trying to plant a bomb along a road used frequently by Israelis in the West Bank, Israel said Thursday. Hamas said he died under "heroic" circumstances.

China labels Muslim faction 'terrorists'
Seeking international support for suppression of a separatist group, leaders say they have proof of terrorist acts.

Air crews: 'We're here pretty much to protect you guys'
Pilots and other Air Force personnel say a professional attitude characterizes their approach to the air war.

Food drops attract criticism
Criticism of American attempts to feed starving Afghans came from several directions Thursday, as foreign groups warned that the airdrops of food might jeopardize their neutrality, draw Afghans into mine fields or just confuse them.

Bush enlists 'America's Most Wanted' TV show
Osama bin Laden skillfully used television news programs to deliver his defiant message.

The world in brief
Pakistani troops fire on pro-Taliban crowd

13 hijackers came into U.S. legally; 6 are a mystery
WASHINGTON -- Thirteen of the hijackers in the Sept. 11 attacks entered the United States legally, but no entry records exist for the other six, raising doubts about who they are as well as how they got in, the nation's immigration chief said Thursday.

Going on, small step by small step
For those left behind, life after Sept. 11 has been filled with tears, guilt, denial and practicality.

Fighting could last into next summer
Underground posts are destroyed as heavy bombing of Taliban military forces and installations continues around the clock.

Refugees say Taliban fleeing after bombings
NOWABAD, Afghanistan -- After four nights of U.S. bombardments in Kabul, refugees from the city said Thursday that Taliban militants have practically disappeared from the streets of the capital but that normal daytime routines continued.

'It may take a year or two, but we will prevail'
Excerpts from President Bush's news conference:

Thursday's developments
Developments Thursday related to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks: