News digest: Oct. 17, 2001

THE DAY'S EVENTS

• Thirty-one Senate staffers have tested positive for anthrax exposure, including two Capitol police officers and many aides to Senate Democratic Majority Leader Tom Daschle. All of the affected staffers are being treated with antibiotics. Elsewhere in the country, four people have contracted anthrax and four have tested positive for exposure.

• House Speaker Dennis Hastert announced plans to close House offices after today's business to permit a precautionary security sweep. The House will be in recess until Tuesday. Daschle said the Senate will remain in session but its offices will be closed also.

• New York Gov. George Pataki said anthrax spores were found in his midtown Manhattan office. He said the office had been closed for decontamination and further testing, but should reopen early next week.

• The stock market dropped sharply Thursday as reports of more anthrax exposures sparked selling. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 151 points. The Nasdaq was down 76 points.

• U.S. warplanes broadened their attacks on Afghanistan today, striking Taliban frontline positions north of Kabul, the capital city.

• Secretary of State Colin Powell told Indian officials that the fight against terrorism should not be limited to Afghanistan and Saudi exile Osama bin Laden. India has accused Pakistan of "cross-border terrorism" in the disputed region of Kashmir. Powell is wrapping up a tour of India and Pakistan geared toward diffusing tensions between the two countries and strengthening support of the U.S.-led strikes against Afghanistan.

• Palestinian gunmen killed a far-right Israeli cabinet minister this morning, bringing new turmoil to peace efforts in the region. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claimed responsibility for shooting 75-year-old Rehavam Zeevi.