Colombia's president says the security forces are prepared for possible attacks by Farc rebels, as their unilateral ceasefire is due to expire.

Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem invites the "nationalistic opposition" to lay down its weapons and join talks to form a new government.

Leon Panetta completes his final overseas trip as US defence secretary and his staff give him a plastic meat cleaver as a parting gift.

Barack Obama is due to be officially sworn in for his second term as US president in a small ceremony at the White House.

Voters in the German state of Lower Saxony go to the polls in a regional election seen as a bellwether for national elections later this year.

Burmese troops launch an attack on a strategic hilltop held by rebel Kachin forces in the north of the country, breaking a government ceasefire.

Pope Benedict XVI sends his first Twitter message in Latin, referring to Christian unity and the need to do justice.

Austrians decide by a large margin to retain compulsory military service, preliminary results from a referendum suggest.