Obama: 'US Has Recovered from the Worst Recession in Generations'

In his final State of the Union Address, president Barack Obama said the United States, during his presidency, had recovered from the worst economic crisis in generations and could emerge more prosperous if it embraced change.

Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has given reassurances that ten crew members of two US naval patrol boats will be returned promptly. Iran says they have illegally entered Iranian waters. Washington says one of the boats developed mechanical problems prompting the vessels to drift into Iranian waters.

The Romanian government is changing a law that allowed prisoners to reduce their sentences by writing books. The Justice minister said abuse of the system had spiralled out of control.