The day in pictures

1 of 10 Muslim women walk in the rain in Mecca ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage.

2 of 10 Soldiers from the Indian army's Rajputhana Rifles regiment march during a rehearsal for Republic Day celebrations.

3 of 10 A Thai official sprays chemicals at a chicken farm in Supanburi Province as the government attempts to halt the spread of bird flu.

4 of 10 A chef cooks the world's biggest stir fry in London.

5 of 10 Chess players compete in a tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia

6 of 10 An acrobat performs in Beijing on the second day of Chinese New Year.

7 of 10 Russia's Marat Safin holds his racket in his mouth during his match against Todd Martin at the Australian Open.

8 of 10 Formula One driver Jenson Button performs a test session at the Mont Melo racetrack, near Barcelona.

9 of 10 School crossing-guard Bette Wibracht tries to keep warm during cold weather in Appleton, Wisconsin.

10 of 10 UN Secretary General Kofi Annan speaks at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.