The suspected head of the armed Basque separatist group Eta, Alejandro Zobaran Arriola, has been arrested in northeast France, reports say.

Philippines President Benigno Aquino tells the BBC that he will focus on tackling corruption, poverty and the brain drain.

An Earthquake Commission process of quick damage assessment to 180,000 homes starts in Christchurch, New Zealand.

A tsunami causes major damage in northern Japan, after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast.

Leaders of the 17-member eurozone are gathering in Brussels for talks to flesh out long-touted plans for a new permanent bail-out fund.

Bolivian President Evo Morales says criticism of his drug strategy in two recent reports published by the US and UN are part of efforts to defame him.

Police in Saudi Arabia open fire to disperse mainly Shia protesters in the eastern city of Qatif, injuring at least three.

An attempt to free a Danish family kidnapped by Somali pirates two weeks ago has failed, but the hostages are reported to be safe.