BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai army officers guarding checkpoints, government buildings and military bases during an anti-government rally will be armed from Monday due to recent grenade attacks, an army spokesman said.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama said Sunday that Congress had proved the United States was still capable of "big things" by voting for a health care reform he styled as a victory for the American people.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The US House of Representatives on Sunday sent a historic health care overhaul to President Barack Obama, bringing the United States closer than ever before to guaranteed coverage for all Americans.

SHANGHAI (AFP) - The trial of four employees of Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto on charges of bribery and industrial espionage began in Shanghai on Monday, a court spokeswoman said.

PARIS (AFP) - President Nicolas Sarkozy's right-wing party was roundly defeated in regional elections on Sunday, trailing Socialist-led lists by 36 to 54 percent, according to estimates by polling agencies.