Supporters of United Progressive Alliance Chairperson and Congress Party President Sonia Gandhi wave as her helicopter hovers above a Congress election campaign rally in Gurdaspur, India. (AFP)

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Thousands watched the fireworks display on the second day of Chinese New Year to usher in the Year of the Dragon. (AFP)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin instructs a trainee during a judo demonstration at a regional judo center in the city of Kemerovo. (Reuters)

Oil recovery experts climb onto the grounded cruise ship Costa Concordia off the Tuscan island of Giglio, Italy. (AP)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacts as she strokes the golden goose given to her by Carnival Prince Frank I. and Princess Petra I of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern at the Chancellery in Berlin. (AFP)

Japanese wild monkeys enjoy an open-air hot spring at the Jigokudani (Hell's Valley) Monkey Park, at Yamanouchi town near Shigakogen ski resort, in Nagano prefecture. (AFP)

Colorful flowers are planted in traditional wooden clogs from the Netherlands at the International trade fair for plants in the city of Essen, Germany. (AP)