In brief: Three convicted of plot to set off bombs in England

London – Three men accused of plotting what would have been the biggest terrorist attack in Britain since the 2005 London transit bombings were found guilty on terrorism charges Thursday.

The trio, British Muslims from the English city of Birmingham, were accused of planning to set off up to eight bombs in backpacks in crowded places as part of a suicide rampage. No date or target was set for the attack.

The defendants – Ashik Ali, 27; Irfan Khalid, 27; and Irfan Naseer, 31 – were recorded discussing the potential use of assault rifles and poison and putting blades on the sides of …

London – Three men accused of plotting what would have been the biggest terrorist attack in Britain since the 2005 London transit bombings were found guilty on terrorism charges Thursday.

The trio, British Muslims from the English city of Birmingham, were accused of planning to set off up to eight bombs in backpacks in crowded places as part of a suicide rampage. No date or target was set for the attack.

The defendants – Ashik Ali, 27; Irfan Khalid, 27; and Irfan Naseer, 31 – were recorded discussing the potential use of assault rifles and poison and putting blades on the sides of cars to mow down pedestrians. They expressed hope that their casualty count would eclipse that of the July 7, 2005, suicide bombings of subway trains and a bus in London that killed 52.

The three face life in prison when they are sentenced in April or May.

Study finds campaign against HIV/AIDS working

An intensive campaign to combat HIV/AIDS with costly antiretroviral drugs in rural South Africa has increased life expectancy by more than 11 years and significantly reduced the risk of infection for healthy individuals, according to new research.

The two studies, published Thursday in the journal Science, come as wealthy Western nations are debating how best to stretch limited AIDS funding at a time of economic stress. With an annual price tag of $500 to $900 per patient, antiretroviral therapy programs have stirred frequent debate.

The new economic analysis of a $10.8 million campaign in KwaZulu-Natal province concluded that the drug scale-up there had been highly cost-effective.