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Anthrax reward could surge to $2 million

SUMMARY:

The FBI and Postal Inspection Service could increase to $2 million the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in connection to the anthrax mailings, sources told CNN.

In Washington, a member of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle's staff found an envelope Thursday containing a "powdery substance" and a threatening note -- a letter the FBI later deemed a hoax.

UPDATE:

With no concrete leads in their anthrax investigation, authorities might raise the reward for information from the current $1.25 million. While sources told CNN the move could come in the coming weeks, a spokesman for the Postal Service said only an increase was being considered and no decision had been made.

The FBI renewed Thursday its alert to 18,000 law enforcement officials about terrorist threats in the wake of the September 11 attacks. The precaution, a continuation of an alert issued December 2, 2001, reflects credible but nonspecific threats against American interests at home and abroad, the agency said.

An attorney for an Arab-American Secret Service agent removed from his plane Christmas Day lashed out at the pilot Thursday, saying he acted in a "rude and unprofessional" manner and that he singled the agent out because of his ethnicity. In a statement, American Airlines denied the pilot engaged in any racial or ethnic profiling and said it would "not allow any armed individual onboard, regardless of who he or she is" if that person was angry. (Full story)

Lawyers expressed concern Thursday that the more than 500 people mostly of Middle Eastern descent who have been placed in federal custody this fall may have difficulty finding legal counsel. Most of the detainees are accused of immigration violations. (Full story)

An envelope containing a threatening note and a "powdery substance" found Thursday in the U.S. Capitol office of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle was likely a hoax, according to an FBI spokesman. Two initial tests showed the powder was not hazardous, Lt. Dan Nichols of the Capitol Police said. (Full story)

KEY QUESTIONS:

Can the agencies charged with preventing and detecting terrorist attacks keep pace with the ingenuity of organizations that want to commit such acts?

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

• 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

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

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: Former mayor of New York

Michael Bloomberg: Mayor 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 estimated number of dead -- including the 157 on the two hijacked planes -- is 2,936: 593 confirmed dead; 363 missing with no death certificates issued; and 1,980 death certificates issued for victims whose remains have not yet been identified. The initial death estimate was as many as 6,500 people but the number has shrunk for several reasons, including elimination of duplicate reports.

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. Others argue that it is those very freedoms which the terrorists seek to curtail, and that to limit individual rights provides them with a victory.

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