Scope of wiretaps is fewer than 100, intelligence official says
The director of national intelligence revealed the scope of a U.S. terrorism surveillance program, claiming that law-enforcement officials are targeting fewer than 100 people inside the country for court-approved wiretaps. Mike McConnell said the relatively low number of those under surveillance in the United States contrasts with the “thousands” of people overseas whose calls and e-mails are monitored for possible terrorism links. The court-sanctioned surveillance of Americans he spoke of differs from warrantless surveillance that U.S. officials can conduct under a law signed this month by President Bush.
– – –
Collapsed Utah mine to close forever
The mine in Utah where six men were trapped by a cave-in early this month will close permanently, the mine’s owner said. Efforts to look for signs of life continued as a sixth hole was drilled despite the deaths of three rescue workers in another collapse Aug. 16. On Friday, a community group floated the long-shot idea of digging a rescue hole of its own. What’s next: Congress will hold hearings into the tragedy.
– – –
Shooting report out as Va. Tech resumes
As classes resumed at Virginia Tech, an internal report recommended monitoring troubled students and increasing security in reaction to the April 16 massacre on campus. The report did not, however, address whether school administrators should have locked down the campus after the first two deaths. What’s next: A committee appointed by Gov. Timothy Kaine is expected to offer its report this week. That report is expected to look at actions taken by college officials in the two hours between the killings of two people in a dormitory and the deaths of 31 more in a classroom building.
– – –
Endeavor returns; safety fixes planned
Space shuttle Endeavour made it back to Earth despite a gouge on its belly that had NASA officials worried. The landing at Cape Canaveral, Fla. — pushed forward a day to avoid any effects from Hurricane Dean — ended a nearly two-week orbital drama over the 3 1/2 -inch gash. What’s next: NASA on Friday outlined a repair plan to try to prevent the same kind of damage on future launches and said the extra work should not delay Discovery’s planned liftoff, currently targeted for Oct. 23.
– – –
More Chinese toys recalled over lead
The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced four recalls of Chinese-manufactured children’s jewelry and toys for containing lead — including 250,000 SpongeBob SquarePants address books and journals. The federal agency formally announced the recall of 66,000 toy tops and 4,700 toy pails by Schylling Associates Inc., a Massachusetts toymaker, for containing lead in handles.
– – –
IN THE WEB EDITION
Catch up on the top stories at chicagotribune.com/newsrecap
