A trial of 24 suspected al-Qaida members, including three accused of helping plot the September 11, 2001, attacks in the US, went into its second day today with the lone native-born Spaniard among defendants again taking the stand.

Sonia O'Sullivan remains remarkably confident about what the Olympic year will hold despite losing her Great BUPA Ireland Run title in Dublin today.

Colombian guerrillas have said they would be prepared to consider an exchange of seven hostages for rebels held in prison, it was reported today.

A senior Roman Catholic Church leader met with imprisoned leaders of Colombia’s second-largest rebel group as part of stepped up efforts to secure the release of seven foreign hostages.

Suspected rebels fired from the mountains at President Alvaro Uribe’s helicopter as he arrived at a village in north-west Colombia.

A Spanish judge has freed an Algerian arrested on suspicion of belonging to al-Qaida, citing lack of evidence.