Data Show Bin Laden Plots; C.I.A. Hid Near Raided House

Data Show Bin Laden Plots; C.I.A. Hid Near Raided House

After reviewing computer files and documents seized at the compound where Osama bin Laden was killed, American intelligence analysts have concluded that the chief of Al Qaeda played a direct role for years in plotting terror attacks from his hide-out in Abbottabad, Pakistan, United States officials said Thursday.
The C.I.A. had Bin Laden’s compound under surveillance for months before American commandos killed him in an assault on Monday, watching and photographing residents and visitors from a rented house nearby, according to several officials briefed on the operation.

The documents taken at the Abbottabad compound, according to American officials, show that Bin Laden was in touch regularly with the terror network he created. With his whereabouts and activities a mystery in recent years, many intelligence analysts and terrorism experts had concluded that he had been relegated to an inspirational figure with little role in current and future Qaeda operations.

A rushed examination of the trove of materials from the compound in Pakistan prompted Obama administration officials on Thursday to issue a warning that Al Qaeda last year had considered attacks on American railroads.

Japan Earthquake Picture Story

Japan Earthquake Picture Story

A magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on Friday, shaking office buildings in Tokyo and setting off a devastating tsunami that swept away cars and boats. The quake — the world’s fifth-largest since 1900, according to the U.S. Geological Survey — struck at 2.46 p.m. local time.

There were reports of injuries in Tokyo as officials tried to assess damage, injuries and deaths from the quake and tsunami, but there were no immediate details. Japanese television showed aerial footage of an ominous 13-foot muddy wave washing across land along the coast near the epicenter.

Toddler Gets Locked in Bank Vault

Toddler Gets Locked in Bank Vault

But she's safe after locksmith cracks it in four hours

Toddler Gets Locked in Bank Vault

Scary story, happy ending: A 14-month-old girl visiting grandma at work couldn't resist toddling into an open vault at the Atlanta bank. An unwitting employee shut the door behind her, and nobody could open it because of the time-released lock, reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution. As rescue workers pumped fresh air into the vents and the girl cried, police finally found a locksmith trained to crack the lock. It took him four hours, but the little girl was finally reunited with her family with nothing more serious than a soiled diaper.

"That was one of the better moments I've ever witnessed," said the police chief of the reunion.
Read More: Newser

Eminem: Most “Liked” Artist on Facebook

Eminem

Eminem may have made his name by making fun of pop stars, but nowadays he is proving himself to be the most popular of them all. Today (February 24) the rapper made history on Facebook by surpassing Lady Gaga as the most liked, living artist on the social networking site.
As of press time Em’s page currently stands at 28,898,000+ likes, while Lady Gaga trails behind at 28,879,000+ likes. This battle is sure to be ongoing, as Gaga is known to have a very supportive fanbase, but this marks the first time XXL‘s March 2011 cover boy has taken the lead.

Babies in Frontier States Have More Unusual Names

Babies born in newer U.S. states have more distinctive names compared with their counterparts in older regions such as New England, a new study finds.
It turns out, the same values that pushed adventurous individuals into new territories as our country was being populated may still show up in the names their descendants give to babies, a new study finds.
In more recently established states, such as Washington and Oregon, parents tend to choose less common baby names, while parents in "older" areas, such as the original 13 states, go for more popular names.
Frontiers typically have fewer established institutions or infrastructure, and often occupy harsh environments. Early pioneers couldn't rely on others for help in such sparsely populated areas.

Rihanna rocks two super stylish outfits at the Brit Awards.

Rihanna looked great at the Grammys (in a Jean Paul Gaultier gown), but she looked even better at Tuesday night's Brit Awards in a Christian Dior Haute Couture creation, which featured a floral bodice and voluminous skirt. A fab head of red and Louboutin "Pigalle" heels completed her extraordinary ensemble.

Later that evening, RiRi rocked the crowd at London's O2 arena with a medley of her hits, including "S&M," "What's My Name?," and "Only Girl (In the World)", while wearing a scarlet micro-mini and matching cape. Read More: Yahoo

Cross-eyed cat next zoo celebrity

Frank the 14-year-old wild cat follows cross-eyed opossum, polar bear and octopus 

Frank, the eyra or jaguarundi, which is a type of wild cat, is pictured in a zoo in the town of Delitzsch, north of Leipzig, February 14, 2011. Germany's famous cross-eyed opossum, Heidi, has a competition on her hands, as another German zoo tries to steal her limelight by introducing their cross-eyed star to the public. Frank is the second cross-eyed animal to become a superstar after opossum Heidi from nearby Leipzig became an international sensation in December last year. REUTERS/Leon Malherbe (GERMANY - Tags: ANIMALS)

DELITZSCH, Germany — Hot on the heels of cross-eyed opossum Heidi's smash success at the Leipzig Zoo, a nearby animal park in eastern Germany has been preparing its own cross-eyed creature for possible celebrity.

Meet Frank the jaguarundi, a 14-year-old wild cat from the Tiergarten Delitzsch in eastern Germany, who has his own pair of crossed eyes.

Shark attacks rose 25 percent last year across the globe

The number of reported shark attacks last year increased globally but declined in Florida, the shark capital of the world, according to an annual report released Monday by the University of Florida’s International Shark Attack File.

Prehistoric Cemetery Reveals Man and Fox Were Pals

Before dog was man's best friend, we might have kept foxes as pets, even bringing them with us into our graves, scientists now say.

Usain Bolt, Jamaican Olympians to be outfitted by Bob Marley's daughter

Usain Bolt will be representing Jamaica at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, sporting a uniform designed by Cedella Marley, daughter of the late Jamaican reggae rocker. Usain Bolt will be defending his Olympic titles in the 100 and 200 meter dashes next year.

Katie Holmes' Critiqued Film Finds a Buyer

Katie Holmes may have been knocked down, but she's far from out.