Last year's Amazon drought was worse than the last big one, in 2005, raising new fears for the region's capacity to continue absorbing CO2 emissions.

Las Vegas police arrest a man over the robbery of $1.5m (£950,000) in casino chips from the Bellagio resort.

A California judge rules that a man accused of kidnapped Jaycee Dugard, a young woman held captive for 18 years, is competent to stand trial.

One in 10 adults worldwide is obese, according to a new study which shows that the prevalence of obesity has almost doubled since 1980.

The BBC apologises over remarks on the TV show Top Gear that provoked outrage in Mexico, but defends humour based on national stereotyping.

EU leaders prepare to meet for a one-day summit on energy, the eurozone debt crisis and the ongoing political unrest in Egypt.

Burma's parliament, in its first session since elections, prepares to elect its first civilian president after nearly 50 years of military rule.

Suspected Islamic militants kill five Buddhist villagers and injure two more in southern Thailand, amid an upsurge in violence in the region.