WATERBOARDING and other harsh interrogation techniques were not a factor in tracking down Osama bin Laden, leading Republican Senator John McCain insisted last night.

Torture was not a factor in tracking down Osama bin Laden, former US presidential candidate John McCain has said.

Eleven people face charges over the hacking of nine major US retailers and the theft and sale of more than 41 million credit and debit card numbers.

CIA director Michael Hayden defended his agency’s interrogation practices as political pressure mounted on President George Bush’s attorney general nominee to reject an alleged interrogation technique.

US president George Bush, averting a possible lengthy confirmation fight with a more partisan candidate, nominated Michael Mukasey today to replace Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.