News digest: Oct. 2, 2001

The day's events | Losses

THE DAY'S EVENTS

• Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will leave tonight to visit the Middle East and meet with political and military leaders in the region. Rumsfeld is travelling at the request of President Bush and the details of his trip are still being arranged, said Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke.

• Speaking at a news conference in Pakistan, the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan repeated a call for negotiations with the United States. Abdul Salam Zaeef also repeated the Taliban's refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden until it sees proof that bin Laden was involved in the terrorist attacks.

• The Federal Reserve cut interest rates today from 3.0 percent to 2.5 percent, bringing the federal funds rate to a 39-year low. It was the second cut since the terrorist attacks on September 11.

• NATO fully invoked Article 5 of its charter, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all, after the United States gave evidence that "conclusively" links Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda terrorist network to the September 11 attacks.

• British Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking at a Labor Party conference, sternly warned the Taliban that military strikes would take place unless they turned over Saudi exile Osama bin Laden. "Surrender the terrorists or surrender power. That is your choice," he said. Blair said attacks would be proportionate and targeted, and would aim to avoid civilian casualties.

• President Bush announced the reopening of Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Flights will resume on Thursday under tight new security measures.

• During a morning meeting with congressional leaders, President Bush said the creation of a Palestinian state has always been "part of a vision" for the Middle East, as long as Israel's right to exist is respected.