Northern Alliance: No peacekeepers
KOENIGSWINTER, Germany -- The Northern Alliance on Wednesday rejected the need for an international peacekeeping force for Afghanistan, a move that dampened expectations for a quick agreement on the future of the country.

Prison revolt remains mystery
QALAI JANGHI FORTRESS, Afghanistan -- Corpses with bound hands, dust mixed with dried blood, spent mortar rounds littering fields where horses grazed: No part of this massive fortress was left unstained by death in one of the most ferocious battles of the war on the Taliban.

CIA officer is first combat death
WASHINGTON -- Rioting prisoners killed CIA officer Johnny "Mike" Spann at Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, the agency said Wednesday. He was the first American killed in action inside the country since U.S. bombing began seven weeks earlier.

Concern over targeted questioning
Many are worried based on the experiences of those caught in the first wave of terror inquiries.

U.S. to buy enough smallpox vaccine for everyone
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration said Wednesday that it has contracted with a small British biotechnology company to buy enough smallpox vaccine to be able to inoculate every American by the end of next year, though it has no current plans to do so.

Anthrax cleanup has its doubters
WASHINGTON -- The government's plan to rid the Hart Senate Office Building of deadly anthrax bacteria inspires little confidence, senators with offices there told EPA chief Christie Whitman.

House okays $20-billion antiterrorism package
WASHINGTON -- The House overwhelmingly approved a $20-billion antiterrorism package Wednesday after derailing a Democratic drive to defy President Bush and add billions for domestic security, defense and aid to New York.

Web site allows public to e-mail soldiers
The Department of Defense on Wednesday announced a new Web site enabling the public to send messages to those serving in the U.S. military.

Poll: Americans support inquiry tactics
WASHINGTON -- Most Americans broadly endorse steps taken by the Bush administration to investigate and prosecute suspected terrorists and express little concern that these measures violate the rights of U.S. citizens or others caught up in the ongoing probes, according to a survey by the Washington Post and ABC News.

Germany jails suspect in Sept. 11 attacks
KOENIGSWINTER, Germany -- More than 11 weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, German police made their first arrest Wednesday of a suspect connected to the Hamburg terrorist cell that is believed to have plotted and executed three of the four hijackings.

Terror prosecutor defends tactics
WASHINGTON -- The government's top terrorism prosecutor, grilled Wednesday by senators angry they weren't consulted about new get-tough police tactics, defended the changes as crucial to stopping "sleeper" terrorists waiting to strike Americans.

War depletes al-Qaida ranks
A key terrorist leader is reported captured as the first U.S. combat loss, a CIA officer, is confirmed.

Medicare cut may deny health care, critics say
Some lawmakers are trying to trim the reduction, scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, but time is running short.