Exclusive: Guatemala seeks to limit migrants returned under U.S. asylum agreement
Guatemala’s new government is trying to limit the number of foreign migrants the United States sends its way under an agreement that makes the Central American nation a buffer zone to reduce U.S. asylum claims.
Another victim of coronavirus: Spain’s religious statue-kissing
A Spanish pre-Easter tradition, where Catholics flock in droves to kiss statues of Jesus and Mary, fell victim to the coronavirus epidemic this week as churches with some of the most sought-after statues told worshippers not to touch or kiss them.
Italian coronavirus deaths jump to 197, cases climb to 4,636
The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has risen by 49 to 197, the Civil Protection Agency said on Friday, the largest daily increase in fatalities since the contagion was uncovered two weeks ago.
Vietnam reports new coronavirus case, first in three weeks
Vietnam reported a new coronavirus case on Friday, the first in three weeks, Hanoi city chairman Nguyen Duc Chung said.
Turkish coastguard rescues 120 migrants off western coast
Turkey’s coastguard rescued around 120 migrants trying to reach a Greek island on three dinghies early on Friday after they said their passage was blocked by Greek coastguard vessels.
Dutch trial over downing of flight MH17 to start without suspects
(This March 6 story corrects number of Dutch victims to 196 from 193 to include dual nationals)
Factbox: Four on trial over shooting down of flight MH17 in Ukraine
The first hearing in the criminal trial of four men accused of murder for their roles in the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in Ukraine is due to start in the Netherlands on Monday:
Ceasefire in Syria’s Idlib comes at a cost for Turkey’s Erdogan
Days before he flew to Moscow to strike a ceasefire deal with Russia to halt fighting in Syria’s Idlib, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan warned Syrian government forces to pull back or they would not have a “head left on their shoulders”.
Guyana police surround elections office, diplomats warn of vote fraud
Guyanese police on Friday surrounded an elections council office amid accusations that the results of this week’s presidential election were altered to favor incumbent President David Granger, according to a Reuters witness.
Chinese province reports 17 new coronavirus infections imported from Iran
The northwestern Chinese province of Gansu has confirmed 17 new coronavirus cases imported from Iran, bringing the total imported cases to 28, the province’s health authorities said late on Friday.
