Mining companies were not penalized

CHARLESTON - The agency that regulates the nation's mining industry says it has failed to issue penalties for hundreds of citations issued since 2000, and the problem could extend as far back as 1995. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Administration said it is working to fix the problem. Preliminary data showed penalties had not been assessed against about 4,000 citations issued by the agency between January 2000 and July 2006, the Charleston Sunday Gazette-Mail reported. (AP)

The Senate will vote today on whether to end debate about reauthorizing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Republicans are not expected to have the 60 votes needed to stop the discussion. One sticking point for the Democrats continues to be Republicans' insistence on immunity for telecom companies facing lawsuits for their alleged role in the warrantless eavesdropping program. The current FISA authorization expires Friday. (Washington Post)

SALT LAKE CITY - Gordon B. Hinckley, the longest-serving president of the Mormon church who presided over one of the greatest periods of expansion in its history, died yesterday, a church spokesman said. He was 97. Hinckley, the 15th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who had led the church for 13 years, died because of complications from age. He was surrounded by his family. (AP)

NEW YORK - Standing behind a table with rifles, handguns, and pipe bombs, authorities yesterday spelled out an array of charges against a man who they said was responsible for more than 100 counts of hate crimes targeting synagogues and Jewish residents in Brooklyn Heights. Ivaylo Ivanov, 37, is accused of spray-painting swastikas and putting hate fliers on buildings, sidewalks, and cars in September. (AP)

NEW YORK - Senator Charles E. Schumer said yesterday that the Federal Aviation Administration might transfer nearly 100 engineering jobs for the New York region's three major airports to Atlanta within months. The Democratic lawmaker criticized the plan, saying such jobs are crucial to installing new technology to improve safety and reduce delays. The transfers would be part of a nationwide consolidation. (AP)

Correction: A Washington Post item in the Daily Briefing column on Monday's Nation page incorrectly said the current Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authorization will expire on Friday. The Protect America Act, an electronic surveillance law that updates FISA, is what will expire on that day.