LA Times News

LA Times News

Trail to Bin Laden began with CIA detainee, officials say

Posted: 04 May 2011 06:39 PM PDT

An Al Qaeda suspect who was under harsh interrogation at a secret prison provided the nom de guerre of a courier. When two key prisoners lied about the courier, the CIA knew it was onto something.

An Al Qaeda suspect who was subjected to harsh interrogation techniques at a secret CIA prison in early 2004 provided a clue, the nom de guerre of a mysterious courier, that ultimately proved crucial to finding Osama bin Laden, officials said Wednesday.

Obama decides against releasing Osama bin Laden death photo

Posted: 04 May 2011 05:34 PM PDT

The president says making public pictures of Osama bin Laden's body would pose security risks and would be counter to American values. 'We don't need to spike the football,' Obama says.

President Obama decided against releasing pictures of Osama bin Laden's death at the hands of U.S. forces because doing so could pose a security risk and would be inconsistent with American values.

Pakistanis seek answers after U.S. raid kills Osama Bin Laden

Posted: 04 May 2011 06:48 PM PDT

Pakistanis used to admiring their military and spy agencies demand answers. How could the intelligence community have been unaware of Osama bin Laden's whereabouts? Why wasn't the U.S. raid detected?

Pakistan Bin Laden: Pakistanis seek answers after U.S. raid kills Osama Bin Laden

U.S. agents race to exploit data from Bin Laden raid

Posted: 04 May 2011 06:01 PM PDT

Intelligence agencies are scouring documents and computer files seized in the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad.

U.S. intelligence agencies are racing to exploit a trove of documents and computer files that U.S. Navy SEALs collected from Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan before other Al Qaeda groups or leaders can change their communication methods or move their safe houses.

India helicopter crash puts spotlight on aviation issues

Posted: 04 May 2011 03:48 PM PDT

Dorjee Khandu, chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh state, and four others are killed in a helicopter crash, three weeks after the same operator had a crash killing 17. Also, in recent weeks, several airline pilots have been discovered with forged credentials.

A top state official from northeastern India was found dead Wednesday after his helicopter went down several days ago in rough weather, the latest setback for the nation's troubled civil aviation industry.

Palestinian unity pact still faces big hurdles

Posted: 04 May 2011 07:44 AM PDT

A squabble over seating before a ceremony illustrates the internal tensions that persist between Fatah and Hamas as they celebrate the signing of a reconciliation pact they hope will mark progress toward an independent state.

Rival Palestinian factions celebrated the signing of a reconciliation pact they hope will end their four-year split and accelerate efforts to form an independent state.

Hamas, Fatah proclaim end to Palestinian split

Posted: 04 May 2011 05:11 AM PDT

The two factions separately governing the Gaza Strip and West Bank sign a unity pact opposed by Israel, but leave some issues unresolved.

Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas on Wednesday proclaimed a landmark, Egyptian-mediated reconciliation pact aimed at ending their bitter four-year rift.

Japan islanders oppose proposed nuclear plant, year after year

Posted: 04 May 2011 12:20 AM PDT

For decades, residents of Iwaishima have taken an aggressive stand, turning their backs on negotiation. Graying residents, mostly in their 70s, have allied with young antinuclear activists.

For centuries, Yoshiaki Hashibe's ancestors have chiseled out a natural, no-nonsense existence on this tiny island where farmers and fishermen ride to their labors by bicycle.

Canada's election proves surprisingly interesting

Posted: 03 May 2011 08:56 PM PDT

Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative Party wins its long-sought majority, as the socialist New Democrats become the official opposition for the first time.

The words "dramatic" and "Canadian election" seldom go together.