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National security alert remains in effect

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge

SUMMARY:

The Muslim holiday of Ramadan -- which prompted U.S. officials to issue a national security alert -- is over, but intelligence information and the number of new homeland threats indicate the potential for attacks remains high. Consequently, the warning remains in effect until the end of the year.

UPDATE:

In an interview with CNN, Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge said uncertainty concerning threats and the delay of transferring information from one government agency to another remain the biggest challenges to his office.

Ridge also said the increase in the number of Americans buying personal firearms after September 11 will not fortify homeland security. (Full story)

Law enforcement and intelligence officials, who spoke to The Associated Press only on condition of anonymity, said raw intelligence on potential threats continues to flow into U.S. agencies since the December 3 warning.

The information mentions no specific time frame, potential targets or methods of attack, but makes clear that terrorists sympathetic to Osama bin Laden are agitating to strike, the officials said. (Full story)

Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York told NFL owners Monday they ought to consider relocating this season's Super Bowl from New Orleans to Giants Stadium in New Jersey, or consider asking a host city named for a future season to cede the game to the Big Apple. "I know that a location has already been chosen for every Super Bowl until 2007, but New York has suffered the devastating economic impact of September 11, both on behalf of the entire nation and worse than any other city in the nation," he wrote in a letter to the Super Bowl Committee. (Full story)

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, the White House and House Republican leaders are trying to write a new economic stimulus bill that would pass the House and would have the backing of some key Senate Democrats. (Full story)

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

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

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

KEY QUESTIONS:

What effect will the delay in passing an economic stimulus bill have on the economy?

Should the federal government issue national security alerts in response to undisclosed, vague threats?

Are U.S. intelligence agencies better equipped to detect and prevent future homeland terrorist attacks?

What is the government doing to fortify homeland defense? 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 numbers of people dead or missing from the September 11 attacks.

WORLD TRADE CENTER: According to New York City officials, the death toll is 3,040. That figure includes 2,545 people who are missing and presumed dead, including the 157 on the two hijacked planes; 487 bodies have been identified.

PENTAGON: 64 dead on hijacked plane; another 125 missing and presumed dead

PENNSYLVANIA: 44 confirmed dead on hijacked plane

IMPACT:

The attacks of September 11 have sparked new debate about balancing the protection of U.S. citizens with the protection of the civil rights of those suspected of terrorism.

While the United States is proud of the freedoms and the legal rights guaranteed by the Constitution, authorities and many citizens have argued those people who seek to destroy America do not deserve such protections while they represent an ongoing threat to the country.

While those arguments continue, so do the threats against U.S. interests. Security remains high at airports, certain industries and many government facilities.