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America at Home: Twin Towers Fund disburses $24.4 million

SUMMARY:

New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced Saturday that he had authorized the release of $24.4 million to the families of 197 city workers killed in September 11 attacks.

UPDATE:

Giuliani said the Internal Revenue Service's decision to not challenge charity disbursements over conflicts with charity tax laws will ease distribution of the remaining two-thirds of the Twin Towers Fund.

Surviving spouses get $85,000, including a $10,000 payment designed to ease the transition from salary to pension payments. For each child age 23 or younger, another $25,000 is given, and $10,000 is donated for each adult child 24 or older. If there is no surviving spouse, the next of kin or family gets $50,000.

The fund gave out $8.32 million last week.

•  Summary   •  Update   •  Key questions   •  Who's who   •  Victims   •  Impact

REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS   •  Emergency information   •  Partial list of victims   •  Victims story archives   •  Latest news

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

Giuliani said victims should receive the remaining money within four or five days. (Full story)

First Lady Laura Bush used the weekly presidential radio address to criticize the Taliban's treatment of women. "Life under the Taliban is so hard and repressive, even small displays of joy are outlawed, children aren't allowed to fly kites, their mothers face beatings for laughing out loud," she said. (Full story)

Investigators searching for the source of the anthrax that killed a New York City resident in October have found no evidence yet of the bacteria in the New York subway system, a city health official said Saturday. (Full story)

The FBI conducted tests on an anthrax-tainted letter mailed to Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, in hopes of finding new clues about who sent the letter. Investigators said the letter was similar to those sent to Sen. Tom Daschle, D- South Dakota, and to two media outlets. (Full story)

KEY QUESTIONS:

Will a military commission afford suspected terrorists appropriate protection of their civil rights, and are non-U.S. citizens entitled to those rights?

What is the government doing to fortify homeland defense? Click here for more

Is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention equipped to handle bioterrorism attacks?

Does the U.S. Postal Service have the proper resources to make the mail safe? Click here for more

How is Congress helping out in the recovery process? Click here for more

What are tips to know in the wake of the attacks? Click here for more

WHO'S WHO:

George W. Bush: U.S. president Click here for more.

Laura Bush: First lady of the United States, she has become more visible since the terrorist attacks, making public appearances urging parents and teachers to help reassure children that everything is being done to try to keep them safe. Click here for more

Tom Ridge: Director of the U.S. Office of Homeland Security, a new Cabinet-level position Click here for more

Richard Clarke: Head of efforts to safeguard information systems for the Office of Homeland Security Click here for more

Wayne Downing: Retired Army general tapped as deputy national security adviser Click here for more

Joe Allbaugh:The chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Click here for more

Dr. David Satcher: Surgeon General of the United States

Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan: Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Click here for more

Rudy Giuliani: Mayor of New York Click here for more

Michael Bloomberg: Mayor-elect of New York

Anthony A. Williams: Mayor of Washington

Dr. Ivan Walks: Director of the Department of Health for the District of Columbia

Paul O'Neill: Treasury secretary

Norman Y. Mineta:Transportation secretary

Jane Garvey: FAA administrator

VICTIMS:

The latest figures provided by federal and local officials give the following totals for the number of people dead or missing from the September 11 attacks.

WORLD TRADE CENTER: According to New York City officials, 3,962 are missing, including the 157 people on the two hijacked planes; 490 bodies have been identified.

PENTAGON: 64 dead on hijacked plane; another 125 dead or missing

PENNSYLVANIA: 44 confirmed dead on hijacked plane

IMPACT:

The events of September 11 exposed the vulnerability of the world's greatest superpower, presenting the United States with the challenge of recovering emotionally and physically.

The U.S. economy, threatened by recession before September 11, has suffered a number of blows in the weeks since. Several industries -- particularly the airline industry -- were hit hard by the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, and leading economic indicators dropped in September. Yet the nation's financial markets have thus far weathered the uncertainty, making up losses experienced in the days after reopening.

Incidents of anthrax found in mail have frightened many, and the notable increase of security at offices and public places indicates America to be a warier, more cautious place. But daily life has not been put on hold: People are still attending entertainment events, going to ballgames, and getting out. Psychologically, the country appears to be finding its way.