BMJ New guidelines published in the "BMJ" ("British Medical Journal") call on mothers to begin weaning their babies off breast milk before six months, contradicting World Health Organization advice from 2001.
New Delhi At a university seminar in New Delhi, India's home secretary G. K. Pillai announces unexpected plans to reduce security forces in Kashmir by 25 per cent so that "people don't get harassed by the over-presence of security forces".
Reince Priebus Reince Priebus of Wisconsin is elected as the chairman of the United States Republican National Committee.
Labour Party In the UK, Labour wins the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election with a majority of more than 3,500.
Nigeria Nigeria's ruling People's Democratic Party nominates incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for April presidential elections.
Parliament The Parliament of Kazakhstan unanimously approves a referendum extending President Nursultan Nazarbayev's rule until 2020.
Michael Ogio Michael Ogio is elected Governor-General of Papua New Guinea by parliament, defeating Sir Pato Kakaraya, by a 65 to 23 vote margin.
2 British footballers are questioned in relation to allegations resulting from a sex assault at a party.
Guyana A court in America sentences Abdel Nur of Guyana to 15 years imprisonment after charging him with participation in a plot to blow up fuel tanks at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.
Italian Prime Minister Prime Minister of Italy Silvio Berlusconi is summoned to a prostitution investigation to deal with allegations of "improperly assisting" 17-year-old nightclub dancer he had at one of his private parties.
Rwanda A military court in Rwanda sentences four former top officials who were allies of President Paul Kagame to long prison sentences "in absentia".
Julian Assange The United States Treasury Department says "no" to calls by enraged American politicians to have Julian Assange and the WikiLeaks website added to its economic blacklist or sanctions list like so-called "terrorist groups". The Treasury Department cites a lack of "evidence at this time".
Barack Obama The Obama administration in the United States eases travel and other restrictions on Cuba.
South Africa South Africa's chief rabbi Warren Goldstein criticises a controversial petition launched by three Jewish Capetonians calling for Archbishop Emeritus and Nobel Peace laureate Desmond Tutu to be axed as patron of two Holocaust centers.
Guyana Guyana formally recognizes Palestine as an independent state as part of its "long-standing and unwavering solidarity with, and commitment to, the just and legitimate aspirations of the people of Palestine for the exercise of their right to self-determination and to achieve a homeland of their own, independent, free, prosperous and at peace", a foreign ministry statement says.
New York City A closed-door briefing occurs at New York City's United Nations building. Behind it around 150 non-American diplomats object to the American government about a decision by the country's banks to end services for diplomatic missions, with some diplomats suggesting the UN budget could be affected.
Labour Veteran Irish Labour Party TD Michael D. Higgins demands that the British government explain why one of Britain's undercover policemen was operating on Republic of Ireland territory on May Day 2004, as the European Union expanded to the east. Higgins compares it to illegal activities carried out by British state agents in the same country during the 1970s.
Israel Israel's Press Office apologises for what "The Jerusalem Post" dubbed "Bra-Gate" - the security screening of several international journalists forced to remove their underwear and denial of entry to Al Jazeera producer Najwan Simri Diab after she refused to remove her bra. Najwan Simri Diab says she did not wish for an apology, only to be assured that it won't happen again.
New Caledonia New Caledonia and its Loyalty Islands are simultaneously struck by a 7.0 earthquake and Tropical Cyclone Vania.
Sri Lanka Heavy rains hamper rescue efforts in Sri Lanka following flooding and mudslides that have killed at least 27 people.
Australia Several rivers flood in the southern state of Victoria, including in the capital Melbourne.
Amnesty International Amnesty International criticises the British government for spending nearly £1 billion on 30 Watchkeeper WK450 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) which Israel's military allegedly "field-tested on Palestinians" during the Gaza War.
BP British-based global oil and gas company BP signs a deal with Russian oil firm Rosneft to exploit potentially huge deposits of oil and gas in Russia's Arctic shelf.
Amman Thousands of people march through the cities of Amman, Ma'an, Karak, Salt and Irbidin and other parts of Jordan, objecting to the government's inability to stop poverty and increased living costs. Prime Minister Samir Rifai, described as a "coward", is asked to resign.
Blues Blues musician Etta James is diagnosed with dementia and is undergoing treatment for leukaemia.
Israel Israel increases access to the Little Western Wall for worshippers: it is an important Jewish site located in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City.
Taliban The Taliban abandons its opposition to female education in Afghanistan due to a "cultural change".
Violence committed in the aftermath The death toll due to the political crisis in the Ivory Coast reaches 247 since the November 28th election.
2011 Tucson shooting 9 year old Christina-Taylor Green, the youngest victim killed in the shooting, is buried.
American politician Sarah Palin uses the term "blood libel" to describe those who criticized her for the use of inflammatory rhetoric, leading to an uproar.
Israel Israeli riot police and Palestinian youths clash in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan.
Somali pirates Somali pirates capture six crew from Denmark and the Philippines leaving the ship intact. They are thought to be held on a captured Taiwanese fishing boat.
Xalapa 14 people are killed in a shootout after 100 soldiers, marines and police in Xalapa, Veracruz, surround a house.
Demonstrations that toppled his regime A perceived lack of television coverage of the Tunisian protests by western media is criticized.
Lawyers suggest Mohammed Ghannouchi's taking on of presidential powers goes against the Constitution of Tunisia.
Prime Minister of Tunisia Mohamed Ghannouchi becomes interim President of Tunisia as Zine El Abidine Ben Ali leaves the country.
President of Tunisia Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fires his government and imposes a state of emergency on the country.
Thousands of people protest across the country demanding the resignation of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.