Obama seeks some limits on ground troops for Islamic State fight
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama will propose to Congress on Wednesday a new three-year authorization for the use of force against Islamic State with limits on U.S. combat troops’ involvement, lawmakers and congressional aides said.
Hong Kong lawmakers urge ban on bitcoin as scam victims turn to police
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong lawmakers on Wednesday urged authorities to ban bitcoin as more than 25 people flocked to police headquarters to complain over a scam involving the digital currency that media estimate could have duped investors of up to…
Without pressure, business as usual for South Sudan’s ‘bush’ leaders
JUBA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – At the edge of the airport runway in South Sudan’s capital, a pickup truck of red bereted soldiers watched as young girls danced barefoot to welcome President Salva Kiir home from peace talks in Ethiopia.
Minsk talks on Ukraine still ‘very likely’: France’s Fabius
PARIS (Reuters) – A four-way summit in Minsk aimed at resolving the Ukraine crisis is still very likely to go ahead as scheduled on Wednesday despite a number of unresolved issues, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.
East Timor’s Gusmao to stay in government as investment minister
(Reuters) – East Timor’s independence hero and out-going prime minister Xanana Gusmao will stay in the cabinet as investment minister, the government said on Wednesday, raising questions about the independence of the new prime minister.
Mali premier urges swift deal in Algiers peace talks
ALGIERS (Reuters) – Mali’s Prime Minister Modibo Keita urged a swift agreement in negotiations with rebels restarting this week in Algiers, saying progress was “looking very good” toward a definitive peace deal in the north.
France to close embassy in Yemen over security concerns
PARIS (Reuters) – France will close its embassy in Yemen from Feb. 13 due to security concerns and has asked its citizens to leave the country as soon as possible, the embassy said on Wednesday.
Time for Greece to end debt standoff, but no Plan B yet: Austria
VIENNA (Reuters) – There is still time for Greece to end a debt standoff with its European partners, though no Plan B is in the offing, Austria’s finance minister said, adding that Athens must honor the terms of its bailout package.
Scots nationalists say want end to austerity as price for UK power support
LONDON (Reuters) – The Scottish National Party would require a future British government to end austerity and allow public spending to rise in return for its support following a general election on May 7, the party leader said on Wednesday.
Boko Haram militants attacks Chad troops in Nigerian town
N’DJAMENA (Reuters) – Militants from Islamist group Boko Haram attacked Chadian army positions in Gambaru, a town in northeastern Nigeria, on Wednesday, and were beaten back, Chadian military sources said.
