Top story: After a discussion of Greece's budget troubles in Brussels, EU leaders promised to "take determined and coordinated action, if needed, to safeguard financial stability in the euro area as a whole," but stopped short of outlining what form that action might take or discussing a bailout.
Leaders had hoped not to discuss Greece at all at the summit but the country's worsening fiscal problems have led to fears that it will default on its debts, fraying the euro currency. French negotiators even compared the country to Lehman Brothers -- undeserving of help but too critical to let fail.
In taking action to help Greece, leaders are restrained by EU treaty causes restricting bailouts to member states, and by their own voters, who are wary of taking on another country's debt. Germany blocked discussion of specific bailout mechanisms and the group instead focused on pressuring Greece to gets its its debt -- currently 13 percent of GDP -- back under control.
At a press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel following the meeting, French President Nicholas Sarkozy said the EU's statement was "sufficiently precise" to address Greece's problems at this time.
"If something else comes up, we'll reconvene," he said.
Olympics: The Winter Olympics kick off tonight in Vancouver, Canada.
Middle East
- Yemen has announced a ceasefire with the northern Houthi rebels.
- The U.S. has dismissed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's claim that Iran has enriched 20 percent uranium.
- Iraq officially began its election campaign season.
Asia
- Suicide bombers attacked a police compound in Northern Pakistan.
- U.S. and Afghan forces surrounded the Taliban stronghold at Marjah on Thursday, cutting off escape routes in preparation for a major offensive.
- Pakistan and India will hold talks on Feb. 25.
Europe
- NATO, the European Union and the United States have all recognized Viktor Yanukovych's victory in the Ukrainian presidential electionn, despite Yulia Tymoshenko's unwillingness to concede.
- A shootout between Russian forces and rebels killed 20 in Ingushetia.
- New figures show the German economy failed to grow at all during the last quarter of 2009, casting doubts on the chances for recovery.
Americas
- Mexican president Felipe Calderon was jeered as he announced a new plan to tackle drug violence in Ciudad Juarez.
- Despite a decision announced yesterday, a Haitian judge still has not ruled on the case of 10 American missionaries charged with child kidnapping.
- In a shift in strategy, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has awarded oil contracts to foreign companies.
Africa
- In his state of the union address, South African President Jacob Zuma promised to focus on job creation.
- A former Rwandan officer was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for inciting genocide.
- South Africa celebrated the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's famous walk to freedom.
JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images
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