Former al Qaeda associate testifies in U.S. trial of handless cleric
NEW YORK (Reuters) – A British former al Qaeda associate appeared via live television feed on Monday as a government witness in the U.S. terrorism trial of Abu Hamza al-Masri, a one-eyed, handless cleric who is charged with supporting al Qaeda.
Russia says Marshall Islands’ nuclear lawsuits ‘baseless’
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia said on Monday that lawsuits in which the Marshall Islands accused nine nations with nuclear weapons capability of failing in their obligation to negotiate disarmament are “baseless” and would not help rid the world of atomic …
EU politicians focus on economy in first TV debate
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The four main candidates to head the European Commission held a televised debate on Monday, the first of its kind as the European Union seeks to show its relevance to increasingly hostile voters ahead of an EU election.
British and Iranian officials hold talks in Tehran
DUBAI (Reuters) – A senior British diplomat made a brief visit to Tehran on Monday for talks with officials on the strained ties between the two countries and on Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.
Suicide bomber kills 30 at Kurdish rally in eastern Iraq
BAQUBA, Iraq (Reuters) – A suicide attacker killed at least 30 people and wounded 50 others at a Kurdish political gathering on Monday, in the town of Khanaqin, 140 km (100 miles) northeast of Baghdad, security sources said.
New group, #CubaNow, tells Obama it’s time to change Cuba policy
MIAMI (Reuters) – A new advocacy group calling for the United States to change its policy toward Cuba launched an advertising campaign on Monday with posters on the Washington D.C. metro system showing President Barack Obama and urging him to “stop wai…
Syrian relief work hampered by U.N. failings, aid groups say
BEIRUT (Reuters) – Aid organizations working in Syria say they are growing frustrated at how the United Nations is handling the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis, accusing it of excluding them and withholding information vital to assist millions in n…
German president warns Turkey not to stray from democratic path
ANKARA (Reuters) – Germany’s president warned during a trip to Turkey on Monday against the consequences of curbing freedom of expression and he criticized Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan’s leadership style.
U.N. nuclear watchdog holds talks in Tehran ahead of May deadline
VIENNA (Reuters) – The U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Monday its chief inspector had held “informal” talks in Tehran, ahead of a mid-May deadline for Iran to answer questions about detonators that could be used to help set off an atomic explosive device…
Donor funds hampered by Yemen political turmoil, insecurity: official
SANAA (Reuters) – Political turmoil is preventing Yemen and donor countries from channeling billions of dollars in foreign aid intended to rebuild the impoverished Arab country, a Yemeni official said on Monday.




