360 News Briefs

US House passes key health vote

President Obama's healthcare reform bill is narrowly passed by the US House of Representatives, after a weekend of wrangling.

Rio Tinto trial opens in Shanghai
Four employees of mining group Rio Tinto go on trial in Shanghai, charged with bribery and commercial espionage.

Sarkozy party loses French poll
French President Sarkozy's right-wing UMP party is rejected by voters in the final round of regional elections.

Surgeon denies charges in court
A US surgeon pleads not guilty to manslaughter at the start of his trial before a court in the Australian city of Brisbane.

Cyprus bishops' tombs vandalized

Cyprus police arrest a Romanian man suspected of vandalizing the tombs of three archbishops in a cemetery in the capital.

Iran leader rebukes US 'plotting'
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei uses his new year message to accuse the US of plotting against his country.

Conservationists warn Internet is threat to environment
The Internet has emerged as one of the biggest threats to endangered species, conservationists meeting in Doha say.

Sister Act: Record label in talent search for Nuns

A record label launches a talent hunt aimed at religious orders around the globe in a bid to recruit a troupe of chart-topping nuns.

Europe 'must act' on Greek debt
The European Commission urges Eurozone governments to agree a package of loans to help Greece resolve its debt crisis.

South Africa marks 1960 massacre
South Africa marks the 50th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre, a pivotal moment in the anti-apartheid struggle.

Farc drugs baron jailed in the US

A judge in New York sentences a leading Colombian Farc rebel to 20 years in prison for importing tons of cocaine to the US.

Volcano erupts in south Iceland
Airports and the main east-west highway in Iceland are closed after a dormant volcano erupts in the south of the country.

Sandstorm shrouds Beijing in dust
Beijing officials warn residents to stay indoors and issue a level-five pollution warning as the city is hit by a severe sandstorm.

World Famous Peachtree Road Race Registration Is Underway
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race online registration is now underway with the remaining 10,000 slots will be picked randomly from registration forms mailed to event organizers. Those forms will be printed in the paper's Sunday edition on March 28, or, visit the Peachtree Road Race website.