360 News Briefs

Obama Denies Crisis With Israel

President Obama denies there is a crisis in ties with Israel over its settlement plans, as a war of words continues.

Cuban Police Break Up March
Cuban police detain about 30 of the wives and mothers of political dissidents at a demonstration in the capital, Havana.

Thai Protesters Vow To Stay Put
Thai 'red shirt' opposition demonstrators, albeit in smaller numbers, say they plan to stay in Bangkok indefinitely.

EU Attacks 'Optimistic' Outlooks
The European Union criticises the UK and other European nations for having "optimistic" growth assumptions and bloated deficits.

'Leprechaun Robbers' Killed
Two suspected bank robbers, one of them wearing a St Patrick's Day leprechaun costume, die in a shoot-out with Tennessee police.

Iran Tightens Oil Sanctions
Iran has announced it will cut the volume of its cheap oil ration by 25% to 60 litres per vehicle per month from 21 March.

Nigeria Leader Dissolves Cabinet
Nigeria's acting president, Goodluck Jonathan, dissolves the cabinet five weeks after assuming executive powers.

Kidnapped Chinese Fishermen Freed
Seven Chinese fishermen kidnapped from their boats off Cameroon's disputed Bakassi peninsula are released.

Haiti 'Needs $11.5 billion' to Rebuild
Haiti will need $11.5bn to rebuild after the devastating earthquake in January, its government and aid agencies say.

Irish Catholic Head Sorry For 'Cover-up'
The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, apologises for his role in an alleged cover-up of child abuse.

Merkel Backs Eurozone Exclusions
Germany's chancellor says the eurozone should find a mechanism to exclude a member if necessary amid the crisis over Greece.

Key al-Qaeda Man 'Died in Strike'
A key al-Qaeda man, wanted for a deadly attack on a CIA base, was killed in a drone strike, US officials believe.

Police Hunt Claudia 'Mystery' Man
Police want to trace a "mystery boyfriend" with whom York chef Claudia Lawrence spent the night two days before she vanished.

Convicted Bank Clerk Found Hanged
A senior HSBC bank clerk from north London who stole $200,000 is found hanged a day after fleeing a sentencing hearing.

US Men On Pakistan Terror Charges
Five young Americans held in Pakistan since December are charged with terrorism offences, their lawyer says.

AP; FOX News; Sky News; Reuters; IRIN; ABC News.