NEW YORK — A tip claiming Al-Qaeda may have sent American terrorists or men carrying U.S. travel documents to attack Washington or New York on the ten year anniversary of 9/11 has heightened security within the two cities.

Though the tip is unconfirmed, it is said to be credible. A CIA informant who has proven reliable in the past approached intelligence officials overseas to say that the men had been ordered by newly minted Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahri to mark the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks Sunday by doing harm on U.S. soil.

According to AP, one U.S. official says Al-Qaeda dispatched three men, at least two of whom could be U.S. citizens, to detonate a car bomb in one of the cities. Should that mission prove impossible, the attackers have been told to simply cause as much destruction as they can.

Speaking in New York, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said there was “a specific, credible but unconfirmed report that Al-Qaeda, again, is seeking to harm Americans and in particular, to target New York and Washington.”

In a notebook found in the compound of Osama bin Laden after he was killed in May, the Al-Qaeda leader mused about the possibility of mounting an attack on the 9/11 anniversary, and the police in New York and Washington were already on alert for trouble.

According to New York Times, two senior American law enforcement officials said an informer in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region passed word of the plot, intended to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, to American intelligence officers on Wednesday. The informer said two American citizens of Arab ancestry had left Afghanistan, traveled through one or more other countries and reached the United States as recently as last week.

But the informer’s information on the plot was second or third-hand, another official said. It included only a vague physical description of the two men — one described as 5 feet tall, the other 5-foot-8 — and a first name for one, Suliman, that is common in the Middle East. The tipster also described a third conspirator, but he appeared to have traveled to Europe. “All this information is very, very sketchy,” one of the law enforcement officials said.

At Penn Station in New York, transit authority police carried assault rifles and wore helmets and bullet-proof vests as they watched crowds of commuters. Police searched passengers’ bags as they entered the subway, and National Guard troops in camouflage fatigues moved among riders, eyeing packages.

Bomb-sniffing dogs were deployed in the Washington subway, and the police searched vehicles at the Brooklyn Bridge. More bomb sweeps of parking garages were planned; ferries were to be given extra police coverage; and cars parked illegally were to be towed quickly, not just ticketed.

In Washington, Police Chief Cathy Lanier warned that unattended cars parked in suspicious locations or near critical buildings and structures would be towed.

Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, issued a statement Friday urging public vigilance. “As we head into the 9/11 anniversary weekend, we continue to urge the American public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities. Simply put, if you see something, say something. We take all threat reporting, including the recent specific, credible but unconfirmed threat information, seriously.”

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, too, made a point of taking the subway to City Hall. Of the latest threat, the mayor said, “It’s serious, but I think the right answer is to go about your business.”

Statement by Newt Gingrich on the Death of Osama bin Laden:

“The killing of Osama bin Laden is a significant victory in the long struggle between radical Islamists and modern civilization.

“This victory is a tribute to the patient endurance of American justice. I commend both President George W. Bush who led the campaign against our enemies through seven long years and President Obama who continued and intensified the campaign in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“We should remember to thank those who made this possible. Without the courage and professionalism of our men and women in uniform and in the intelligence services, this victory would not have been achieved.

“This victory is only a milestone in a long war. We must also recognize the long struggle ahead. Radical Islamism did not start with bin Laden and it will not end with his death. This is the 32nd year since the Iranian dictatorship seized our diplomats illegally and held them hostage for 444 days. It has been 28 years since Iranian-supported terrorists killed 241 servicemen in Beirut in 1983.

“As long as there are schools teaching children to hate; as long as there are state-supported terrorist systems; as long as several countries actively recruit children to be suicide bombers; this war will continue.

“The world is a better place without Osama bin Laden, but his just demise cannot erase the loss and suffering of the families and friends of those who died on September 11 or died fighting in the war since September 11. So while we are celebrating this victory, we should take time to remember all who suffered and sacrificed and pray for them.”

A collaboration across the American government resulted in a successful strike that killed Osama bin Laden. Only a small group of people within the White House knew the details of the operation that was underway.

On Sunday morning, President Barack Obama ordered an attack on a compound suburb of Pakistan called Abbottabad that bin Laden was believed to be occupying with family and confidants.

Based on intelligence that had been being gathered since August 2010, there was a strong probability that the location of bin Laden was known. Due to the high security of the compound and its location near Islamabad, Pakistan’s capitol, extreme caution was taken to carry out this dangerous mission, according to White House sources, speaking to Blast last night.

A helicopter raid was conducted by a small team of nine US special forces operatives. Bin Laden tried to fight back and was shot and killed in the resulting firefight. Three other men were also killed, including one of bin Laden’s sons and two reputed al-Qaeda couriers. 

Women and children were also present in the house at the time of the raid. One woman was killed when she was used as a shield by one of the male occupants of the house, the sources said. Two other women were injured during the operation. No children were hurt and there were no civilian casualties.

The operation aimed to minimize “collateral damage,” the sources said.

The team left the compound in less than 40 minutes and was not confronted by any local authorities.

One US helicopter was destroyed during the mission, but the soldiers escaped safely from the aircraft.

Planning began in early September 2010 between the CIA and Obama. Beginning in March 2011 Obama conducted at least five National Security Council meetings once it was determined that there was enough intelligence to continue, the sources said.

The raid on the compound stemmed from information regarding a mansion owned by two brothers who had no explainable source of income, yet lived in a $1 million, heavily secured fortress of a home. The security measures for the compound were elaborate and included 12 to 18 foot walls topped with barbed wire, the officials said.

In addition there were two security gates guarding the entrances and trash was burned by the residents instead of being taken out. There was also no phone or internet service connected to the mansion.

The White House officials believed that the house was custom-built for bin Laden. It was built about five years ago, but it is unclear how long bin Laden had been a resident. He was living there with two other families and his family members, including his youngest wife.

Obama made the final decision to authorize the operation on Friday morning, and it was carried out successfully on Sunday.

Before addressing the nation regarding the mission, Obama spoke to former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton to review the events of the day and share the statement that he was going to make to the nation.

During his nationally broadcast statement he said, “The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat al-Qaeda. Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort.  There’s no doubt that al-Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us.  We must — and we will — remain vigilant at home and abroad.”

Although there have not been any specific threats, precautions are being taken by the US government to increase security and protect Americans in the United States and abroad. There is a possibility of violent retaliation by al-Qaeda and other terrorist leaders can also decide to increase their efforts, but the US is prepared to fight.

Bin Laden was the head of al-Qaeda, the organization responsible for the September 11 terrorist attacks. His death is a significant disruption to the organization’s efforts and may lead to its demise. Bin Laden’s successor, Ayman al-Zawarhi, is thought to be less of a threat due to his lesser influence in the organization. He is believed to be less charismatic and not as respected by the members of al-Qaeda, according to White House intelligence from other leaders.

The government adhered to American and international law in carrying out the mission, but details of the operation were not shared with any other country, the officials said.

Obama, in his remarks, did point out that cooperation with Pakistan helped lead to bin Laden and the mansion.  Since bin Laden was responsible for attacks against Pakistani people and had declared war against the country as well, Pakistan’s president shared in the US sentiment of accomplishment.

Obama said in his speech, “The United States is not, and never will be, at war with Islam.  I’ve made clear, just as President Bush did shortly after 9/11, that our war is not against Islam.  Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims.” Nevertheless, bin Laden’s body is in US custody and will be treated in accordance with Islamic practice and tradition.

Ultimately, in spite of the fight that may still lie ahead, Obama stated yesterday that “justice has been done.”

Bin Laden is dead.

Nearly 10 years after the fateful day, the most wanted enemy of the United States of America, the leader of the terrorist group al-Qaeda and the reputed mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks has been killed, and the United States has his body, President Barack Obama announced in a live television address.

Addressing to the world from the White House in an extremely rare live Sunday night news conference, President Barack Obama reflected on the 9/11 attacks and their effects in Americans.

Bin Laden was killed in a mansion in Abbottabad, about 45 miles outside the Pakistani capital city of Islamabad. American Navy SEALs carried out a helicopter attack, which killed bin Laden, one of his adult sons, and two other men. A woman was also killed after one of the combatants used her as a human shield, according to a White House source.

No Americans were killed in the attack. Obama confirmed that the Americans took custody if bin Laden’s body.

“Justice has been done,” Obama said.

CBS news Washington producer Jill Jackson reported the news Sunday night and Tweeted: “House Intelligence committee aide confirms that Osama Bin Laden is dead. U.S. has the body.”

Reports indicate that Vice President Joe Biden called House majority leader Eric Cantor around 10 p.m. to tell him the news.

Bin Laden was the face of anti-American terrorism for the past decade. The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks are branded into the minds of every American and those across the world. The attacks and others have shaped foreign policy and resulted in two American wars.

He had been hunted in Afghanistan and in the Pakistan border region, including tribal land and mountainous caves.

Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks, which included four hijacked airliners; two crashing into the World Trade Center in New York, one into the Pentagon, and one crashing into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers reportedly fought back against the hijackers. The War on Terror, which includes the still ongoing invasion and operation in Afghanistan, was started in the aftermath of the attacks.

The news set off celebrations around the country. In New York City, large crowds gathered, particularly around Ground Zero. In Philadelphia, crowds chanted “USA! USA” at the Phillies game against the New York Mets. Large crowds celebrated outside the gates of the White House as well.

NEW YORK — Heavily armed police officers will greet many Jews observing the Sabbath today, following the discovery of explosives bound for Chicago synagogues on Friday.

Two packages containing the industrial explosive PETN originated in Yemen, but were intercepted in Dubai and the United Kingdom before reaching the United States. President Barack Obama called the thwarted attacks a “credible terrorist threat,” and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano told CNN that the plot has the “hallmarks of al Qaeda.”

Police received a tip Friday about potential explosives on a FedEx flight traveling from Yemen to Dubai. Cooperation from the Saudi government allowed officials to track the packages to Dubai and the United Kingdom.

The Transportation Security Administration halted all shipments originating from Yemen Friday, including FedEx, UPS, and DHL packages.

In New York, heavily armed police officers stationed around the city are not in Halloween costume. NYPD’s elite Hercules unit guarded an Upper East Side synagogue on Friday, and the Post reports police continue to patrol high-profile synagogues in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Airports nationwide remain on high alert. Travelers should expect heightened security measures and cargo screenings in the coming days, and allow more time to pass through airport security.

In a report outlining the updated priorities of US intelligence, China and Russia were placed alongside Iran and North Korea on a list of nations that challenge US interests at home and abroad, the French press agency AFP reports.

China was added, amongst other things, for “increasing natural resource-focused diplomacy and military modernization,” while Russia was singed out because, despite a growing partnership with the US on fighting things like nuclear terrorism, “it may continue to seek avenues for reasserting power and influence in ways that complicate US interests,” according to the AFP.

The National Intelligence Strategy (NIS), a report released every four years, calls China and Russia “aggressive” in the cyberworld and while the NIS did not explicitly name either countries as a cyber threat, it did outline cause for concern.

“At the tactical level, they are intent on penetrating our critical infrastructure, information systems, and leading industries,” it said, AFP reports. The report went on to recommend the US employ tactical strategies “across the cyber domain to protect critical infrastructure.”

The report also lists Iran and North Korea, unsurprisingly, as parts of its main opposition. It stressed the possibility of further partnerships with China and Russia to help strengthen relationships, however saw no hope of immediate reconciliation with either countries.

“Iran poses an array of challenges to US security objectives in the Middle East and beyond because of its nuclear and missile programs, support of terrorism, and provision of lethal aid to US and coalition adversaries…North Korea continues to threaten peace and security in East Asia because of its sustained pursuit of nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, its transfer of these capabilities to third parties, its erratic behavior, and its large conventional military capability.”

Its assessment of Iran and North Korea was much harsher than of its two newcomers.

The report also highlighted Al-Qaeda as a continuing threat to both Americans and American interests at home and abroad and said the US’ main objective for the next four years will be to enhance “cyber security”, combat extreme terrorism and ensure weapons of mass destruction are not created or bought by any opposing nations.

The promotion and spread of democracy was not listed as a main priority.