U.S. had intel on bomber
U.S. border security officials learned of intelligence concerning the alleged extremist links of the Christmas Day airline bomber as he was en route to Detroit and had decided to question him when he landed, Washington officials said Wednesday.
The new information shows that border enforcement officials came close to uncovering the alleged plot involving the Nigerian suspect, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, despite previous intelligence failures that were criticized by President Obama this week.
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No help needed here
Yemeni foreign minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said Wednesday that his country opposes any direct intervention by U.S. or other foreign troops in the fight against al-Qaida.
Jet crash details
Jamaican officials say an American Airlines jet that overshot the runway and split apart last month first touched down nearly halfway down the runway — well past its target. But authorities say they don’t yet know if that was a factor in an accident that injured dozens of passengers.
Lotto winner mystery
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has named a “person of interest” in the case of missing lottery winner Abraham Shakespeare, who won $30 million in Florida in 2006 and then disappeared in 2009.
THE DIGIT
$25,000
The Salvation Army in Charleston, S.C., thought it had received a grand gift ahead of Christmas — a $25,000 check. But the donation turned out to be an expensive hoax that may force the charity to cut back on winter assistance for the needy.