Turkey defies EU pressure to shut border, says to host migration summit
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he would not stop migrants trying to cross Turkey’s border into Greece despite EU pressure to do so, but he also announced a summit next week in Istanbul with European leaders to seek a solution to the crisis.
Turkish, Russian defense ministers discussed Syria’s Idlib in call: Turkish defense ministry
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu discussed northwest Syria’s Idlib region in a phone call, the Turkish defense ministry said on Tuesday.
Macron urges calm after French minister contracts coronavirus
President Emmanuel Macron warned France on Tuesday that it was at just the start of a health epidemic as the coronavirus outbreak crept closer to the heart of French political power.
Turkey says U.S. offering Patriot missiles if S-400 not operated
The United States has offered to sell Turkey its Patriot missile defense system if Ankara promises not to operate a rival Russian system, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said, in what he called a significant softening in Washington’s position.
Coronavirus pushes Irish rivals into open government talks
Ireland’s Fianna Fail and Fine Gael parties decided on Tuesday to open formal coalition negotiations after an inconclusive Feb. 8 election, saying they were acutely aware of the enormous challenges brought by the coronavirus outbreak.
U.N. urges Iran to free political prisoners temporarily amid coronavirus
The U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran said on Tuesday he had asked Iran to free all political prisoners temporarily from its overcrowded and disease-ridden jails to help stem the spread of coronavirus.
Portugal suspends flights to, from Italy due to coronavirus
Portugal’s government on Tuesday suspended all passenger flights to and from Italy for 14 days starting on Wednesday as a preventative measure to stem the spread of coronavirus, it said in a statement.
Putin approves changes allowing him to stay in power until 2036
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday opened the door to constitutional changes that would allow him to remain in power until 2036, but said he favored term limits once the country became politically “mature”.
Budget airline easyJet cancels all Italian flights
European budget airline easyJet said on Tuesday it will cancel all its scheduled flights to and from Italy between March 10 and April 3 after the entire country was placed under lockdown until next month to tackle coronavirus.
Venezuelan riot police block opposition march on congress
Venezuelan security forces used teargas on Tuesday to prevent protesters led by opposition leader Juan Guaido from marching on the national legislature, which pro-government lawmakers seized control of in January.
