October 6, 2001

Northern Alliance in Afghanistan shows off 40 Russian-built tanks in military parade near Tajik border, as leaders suggest offensive against Taliban could come in form of powerful strike toward Kabul coordinated with US air strikes; photos; map; equipment appears new, in contrast to broken-down weaponry seen in other alliance areas; soldiers have new fatigues, Kalashnikov rifles and rocket launchers; speculation noted about military advance (M)

Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's warning, just after World Trade Center attack, that number of dead would be 'more than any of us can bear' has been proven grimly correct; New York officials now have detailed reports on about 4,000 people presumed lost, and expect final list to include 4,500 to 5,000 people; sad accounting has swung wildly from day to day, reflecting complexity of task; police, officials from medical examiner's office and others explain intense efforts to sort out duplicate reports and many from overseas (M)

Israel sends troops, tanks and helicopters to re-occupy two Palestinian-controlled hilltop neighborhoods in Hebron to stop snipers firing on settlers below; photos; action comes hours after Prime Min Ariel Sharon rebukes US for wooing Arabs against terrorism, and declares that Israelis will depend only on themselves; 5 Palestinians are killed and more than 40 wounded; action responds to killing of 3 Israelis at bus station in Afula by Palestinian disguised as Israeli soldier; 13 people are also wounded before gunman is killed; his wife appears on television to declare her pride; Sharon was blindsided by Pres Bush's endorsement of Palestinian state and offended by dispatching of Sec Donald Rumsfeld to Arab nations and not to Israel; he warned US against appeasement, remark that White House called 'unacceptable'; Palestinian attacks continue, with Israeli man shot to death while driving near West Bank (M)

Tom Giorgio, salesman in Elkhart, Ind, for W W Grainger Inc, which sells tools, maintenance supplies, light fixtures and other industrial supplies, says town is in recession; area around Elkhart began feeling first effects of economic slowdown early last year; on day of terrorist attacks, slowdown became abrupt halt; Giorgio says people are ready to see him again, but are reluctant to buy because projects are being put off and budgets are tight; Giorgio sees little recessionary indicators each day as he travels to his business calls; map; photos (M)

Four new houses of worship in Terminal 4 of Kennedy International Airport offer services for Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Muslim travelers and airline personnel; photos (M)