1.   The American government remains at its highest alert levels.

2.   The details disclosed on Tuesday about the alert level on the Cole added significantly to what the Navy had previously disclosed.

3.   The new system would allow local police departments and disaster-relief agencies to establish plans for how to respond to each shift in the alert level.

4.   Another force official, who requested anonymity, said the force had raised its alert level because of the tension.

5.   Another official, who requested anonymity, said the force raised its alert level to the second of four levels.

6.   Another force official, who requested anonymity, said the force raised its alert level because of the tension.

7.   Another force official, who requested anonymity, said the force had raised its alert level because of the tensions.

8.   Another official, who requested anonymity, said the force raised its alert level because of the tension.

9.   At the Bachi-Yurt checkpoint in Chechnya, the alert level is high but morale among Russian troops is low.

10.   Base spokesman Jesus Rodriguez said the base had been stepped up from the second of four alert levels, Bravo to third-grade Charley in recent hours.