WASHINGTON, D.C.

No evidence terrorist attack imminent, U.S. official says

The Bush administration has discovered no evidence of imminent plans by terrorists to attack U.S. financial buildings, nearly two weeks after the government issued startling warnings about such possible threats, a White House official said Thursday.

Some documents and computer files seized in al-Qaida raids showing surveillance of U.S. financial buildings had been accessed for unknown purposes this spring, months later than authorities had previously disclosed, the official said.

But nothing in the documents themselves has suggested any attack was planned soon, the officials said.

Investigators are still poring over volumes of the seized information.

Afghanistan

U.S. helicopter crashes, killing one soldier, injuring 12

A Black Hawk helicopter loaded with U.S. troops crashed in a troubled Afghan province on Thursday, killing one crew member and injuring 12, the military said.

Officials ruled out rebel fire. But the incident highlights the dangers for troops still hunting Taliban and al-Qaida militants nearly three years after the start of America’s war on terror.

The injured troops — three soldiers and nine Marines — were taken to Camp Salerno, an American base near Khost city, 90 miles south of Kabul, for treatment.

Gaza Strip

Angry Palestinians occupy government office in Gaza

Dozens of homeless Palestinians led by gunmen occupied a government office in Rafah refugee camp Thursday, forcing officials to leave and lashing out at the Palestinian Authority.

The demonstration came just after Israeli troops raided the camp, destroying buildings as they searched for smuggling tunnels and weapons.

The four-hour standoff, which ended after Yasser Arafat intervened, was the latest blow to the Palestinian leader’s prestige and part of the growing chaos in Gaza ahead of Israel’s planned withdrawal from the territory next year.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says continued Israeli control of Gazais unsustainable.