Bin Laden's options shrink as 'noose tightens'

Osama bin Laden’s hiding places are shrinking, but they aren’t gone. The accused terrorist could sneak across a mountain border to Kashmir, blend in with refugees inside Afghanistan or - perhaps most likely - hunker down in a cave and hope not to be found.

Even with America’s chances improving, ‘‘people can hide in caves for long periods’’, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Monday. ‘‘This will take time.’’