AFP: Yemen leader, Shiite militia in deal to end crisis: agency

MIDDLE EAST

Leaked audio links ex-Yemen leader to Houthis .

U.S. Embassy in Yemen 'not as risk' from Houthi rebels: Officials .

Yemen crisis: Houthi rebels tighten grip on Sanaa . Yemen rebels seize missile base, post guards at president's home . Yemeni Houthi rebels reportedly hold President Hadi 'captive' .

Yemeni port city Aden on security lockdown amid Houthi violence . Yemen security authorities close airport, sea and land crossings in Aden.

Yemen Houthis set demands amid standoff .

Iraqi Kurds in major offensive against ISIL .

Coalition air strikes hit Islamic State near Kobani, Tal Afar: U.S. military .

Iraq premier appeals for aid to fight IS group .

S-300 defense system deliveries to Iran remain bilateral issue, Russian FM Lavrov says .

Beset by hardship, Iranians losing hope for future .

Israel bus attack: Tel Aviv passengers stabbed . Palestinian wounds 11 in Tel Aviv bus stabbing .

Israel 'failed to minimise civilian toll in Gaza war' .

ASIA

Official: With time ticking on hostages, Japan wants to communicate with ISIS .

Report: Afghan journalists self-censor to survive .

Taiwan arrests alleged Chinese spy .

Manila says China's 'massive' reclamation work a serious concern .

China says its gender imbalance 'most serious' in the world .

Chinese president to visit Moscow for WWII Victory Day — Russia FM .

Sri Lanka former army chief Sarath Fonseka given amnesty .

Russia says North Korea sent positive signal on Kim visit in May .

AFRICA

Rebels push UN from airport in north Mali, burn vehicles .

South Sudan warring rivals in Tanzania for peace talks .

Attack me if you dare, Boko Haram chief taunts 'African kings' .

Boko Haram leader claims massacre in Baga, threatens more .

Police clash with Congo protesters for third day, government says 15 dead .

Prosecutor calls for renewed effort to arrest warlord Kony .

Somali Islamist militants praise strikes at 'heart of Crusader' .

Nigeria election tensions raise specter of break-up .

Egypt's currency falls to historic low against dollar .

Goldmans 'duped Libya out of oil cash': Investment bank facing claims it duped officials into investing £800m by plying them with girls, parties and luxury trips .

Zambia extends voting to third day .

EUROPE

Russia has 9,000 troops in Ukraine, Poroshenko tells Davos forum.

Ukrainian President pleads for western aid at Davos .

Russia to seek immediate ceasefire at Ukraine talks . Ukraine conflict: Russia 'will seek fresh truce at talks'.

Putin not flinching on Ukraine despite economic crisis . Russia denies its troops are in Ukraine .

Russian government presents Putin with $21 billion plan to tackle crisis.

Lavrov on Obama speech: Efforts to isolate Russia will fail . Russia hits back at Obama over State of Union speech .

Greek radical leftists widen lead ahead of Sunday's vote .

France to get better guns, more intel agents to fight terror . France to surveil 3,000 to prevent jihadi attacks - French PM .

France issues first charges over Paris attack .

Dempsey raises security concerns over record refugee migration in Italy .

AMERICAS

Obama, in 2015 State of the Union, says crisis has passed and takes credit .

Boehner invites Netanyahu to address U.S. Congress weighing Iran bill .

US and Cuba meet for high-level talks as part of thaw . U.S., Cuba clash over immigration at start of historic talks . Cuba, US see good first day of historic talks.

IMF: Venezuela economy to shrink 7 percent this year .

In shortages-hit Venezuela, lining up becomes a profession .

Doubts deepen over Argentina prosecutor’s death .

Colombia's coca farmers face uncertain future as FARC negotiates peace .

One arrested after hazmat, explosives teams deployed at Ottawa hotel .

Mexico president faces new questions about personal assets.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

AQAP says 'preparing" attacks on US, West: SITE .

Yemen rebels gain ground, al Qaeda gains "space" .

Qatari man, once held as enemy combatant, is quietly released from supermax prison .

State of the Union: Barack Obama renews vow to close Guantánamo Bay .

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Central bank prophet warns QE pushing financial system out of control .

Google & Fidelity invest $1bn in SpaceX to develop imaging satellites .

Toyota remains top in global vehicle sales, beats VW, GM .

Oil inches above $48, outlook remains wea k.

Davos participants not interested in higher oil price – ex-Russian finance minister .