Washington, D.C.

FBI warns of threats against transportation

The FBI issued a warning to state and local law enforcement nationwide Thursday about a possible attack soon against transportation systems, particularly railroads.

Officials said the warning, based on information obtained from al-Qaida prisoners, suggested that terrorists may try to take out bridges, key sections of tracks or train engines in an effort to cause derailments and widespread damage.

Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge was contacting key state and local officials to urge their help and vigilance in warding off any such attack.

Separately, U.S. intelligence has learned that al-Qaida supporters may be planning strikes on ships in the Persian Gulf and nearby seas, said one official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Washington, D.C.

Report: U.S. unprepared for next terrorist attack

The next terrorist strike against the United States could be more deadly and disruptive than the Sept. 11 attacks, former top government officials, academics and business leaders warn in a new report.

“America remains dangerously unprepared to prevent and respond to a catastrophic terrorist attack on U.S. soil,” said the task force chaired by former Sens. Gary Hart, D-Colo., and Warren Rudman, R-N.H. The report was released late Thursday.

Because a year has passed without a major terrorist attack against the United States, the report says, “there are already signs that Americans are lapsing back into complacency.”

Rudman and Hart had led a previous commission whose warnings in January 2001 of the likelihood of catastrophic terrorist attacks seemed prophetic eight months later. That commission, created by Congress, said the threat of international terrorism was growing and recommended creating a Homeland Security agency.