World News from the BBC

The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said the Syrian opposition's increasing use of armed force in its efforts to topple President Assad risks plunging Syria into full-scale civil war. Russia has so far opposed tougher international sanctions on Syria, which has long been one of its key allies in the Middle East.

The Brazilian police have begun investigating an oil spill in an offshore field operated by the US company Chevron after an environmental group said it was much larger than initially reported. Ships are working to

disperse

the slick off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state. And Chevron says it's plugged the leaking well. Brazil's energy minister has said Chevron will be severely punished if it's found to have failed in its environmental responsibilities.

Switzerland's top court has finally ruled in a legal battle over the right to walk naked in the Alps. The federal court

threw out

an appeal by a man who was fined after hiking past a family picnic area with no clothes on. From Bern, here's Imogen Foulkes.

Naked hiking has become an increasingly popular pastime, and a tiny canton">canton Appenzell has become a favourite spot for people from across Europe who like to hike wearing only a good pair of boots. But Appenzell is a deeply

devout

and conservative

canton

, and the influx of naked hikers has offended many locals.

The new ruling applies to the entire country, meaning Switzerland has become rather chilly for naked hikers. They may now have to look for a country which offers them a warmer welcome.