Fugitive Italian rebel Cesare Battisti asks to be freed in Brazil, days after former President Lula refused to extradite him to Italy.

Dominican Republic baseball star Alfredo Simon surrenders to police to face charges he shot a man dead during New Year's Eve celebrations.

Greece's public order minister announces plans to build a 12km (eight-mile) fence along its border with Turkey to stem illegal migration.

People standing across a great swathe of the Earth's surface will see the Moon take a big bite out of the Sun on Tuesday.

Bank robbers in Argentina tunnel into a bank vault to empty safety deposit boxes during new year weekend.

Australian military aircraft ferry more supplies to a flood-hit city in Queensland as river levels continue to rise.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is to visit the capital of Southern Sudan, Juba, five days before a referendum is held on whether it will secede.

A bug hits French mobile phone customers, prompting some to send dozens of unintended new year messages.