U.S. TIGHTENS SECURITY AT AIRPORTS

Transportation Secretary Federico Pena announced a national security alert at all U.S. airports. TIME's Doug Waller reports that the decision was prompted by several concerns: "The extradition of Mousa Abu Marzuk, the suspected Hamas terrorist, the imminent verdict in the World Trade Center trial in New York City, and the Pope's plans to visit Baltimore and New York in October." This is the first national alert since the Persian Gulf War, five years ago. New procedures will include beefing up of airport security personnel, searches of unattended cars at airports, closer surveillance of baggage areas and heightened warnings to passengers not to carry anything aboard an aircraft for someone they do not know. During Desert Storm, more stringent precautions were taken.