East and South Asia

The chief minister of Jharkhand state in India has called for the dissolution of the state assembly.

North America

Five groups with knives out for former U.S. senator and now, nominee for U.S. defense secretary, Chuck Hagel.

Latin America / Caribbean

Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez remains, apparently, in stable condition two days before his scheduled re-inauguration.

Africa

John Mahama is sworn in for his first full term as Ghana’s president.

Europe

The Lega Nord (Northern League) has agreed to form a center-right coalition with Silvio Berlusconi’s party, Il Popolo della Libertà (the People of Freedom), but prefer former finance minister Giulio Tremonti over Berlusconi as prime minister, who has now (once again) ruled out standing as prime minister.

Middle East

Courtroom appeals have been denied for 13 activists in Bahrain.

Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi and his failure to step Egypt’s economic decline.