Austria

Iran admits having enriched uranium

Iran acknowledged Monday that additional traces of weapons-grade uranium have been found on its soil but argued they came from abroad — a claim U.N. and other experts said could not be discounted.

The United States and its allies accuse Tehran of running a secret nuclear weapons program, and Iran’s acknowledgment was expected to strengthen those arguments.

Iran is facing an Oct. 31 deadline to bare its nuclear secrets set by the International Atomic Energy Agency board of governors. If the board rules at its Nov. 20 meeting that Tehran has violated the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty banning the spread of nuclear arms, the Security Council could impose diplomatic or economic sanctions.

Iran insists it will not stop uranium enrichment and that it has a right to a peaceful nuclear program, as allowed under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

Washington, D.C.

Muslim activist charged for dealings with Libya

A Muslim activist whose Virginia home was searched as part of a federal investigation of terrorist financing has been arrested on charges of having illegal dealings with Libya.

A criminal complaint unsealed Monday alleges Abdul Rahman al-Amoudi violated U.S. law by accepting, either personally or through the American Muslim Foundation he leads, $10,700 from the Libyan mission to the United Nations and by failing to disclose numerous trips to Libya on his passport.

Such actions are illegal under U.S. economic sanctions imposed in 1986 after terrorist bombings tied to Libya in Vienna and Rome.

Al-Amoudi, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Ethiopia, made an initial court appearance in Alexandria, Va., but neither he nor his attorney would comment on the charges.

The United Nations lifted its sanctions against Libya earlier this month. The U.S. sanctions remain, however.

New York City

Ex-Tyco CEO’s trial begins

The former CEO of Tyco and a onetime Wall Street investment banker on Monday became the first two major figures to go on trial in the wave of scandals that have rattled corporate America in the last two years.

Jury selection in the trials of Dennis Kozlowski and former banker Frank Quattrone began just blocks apart in separate Manhattan courts.

Kozlowski is accused of looting $600 million from Tyco and spending the money on everything from art to furniture, including a $6,000 shower curtain and a $15,000 antique umbrella stand.

Kozlowski, 56, and former Tyco financial chief Mark Swartz, 43, have both pleaded not guilty to grand larceny charges and could each get 30 years in prison if convicted.

Quattrone, an influential investment banker at Credit Suisse First Boston during the 1990s, has pleaded not guilty to obstruction and witness-tampering charges.