The founder of US-based anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd, Paul Watson, appears in court in Germany, where he faces extradition to Costa Rica.

California Governor Jerry Brown unveils a plan of tax hikes and spending cuts to tackle the cash-strapped US state's yawning $15.7bn (£9.7bn) budget gap.

Brazil says it will lift millions of children in its impoverished north and north-east out of poverty by expanding its social welfare programmes

Environmentalists say leaders at June's Rio+20 summit must urgently step up nature protection, as a report confirms a 30% decline in wildlife since 1970.

Lee Myung-bak is to meet Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon, 29 years after a deadly North Korean bomb attack in the city.

Francois Hollande prepares to be inaugurated as French president - and within hours will be in Germany to discuss Europe's debt crisis.

Political parties in Greece will join another round of cliff-edge talks after inconclusive elections, as fears grow that a eurozone exit is nearing.

A Wal-Mart customer is recovering after he was bitten by a rattlesnake while shopping in a garden department at the US tore chain.