Macron opens door to North Macedonia, Albania EU accession talks
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday he would allow North Macedonia and Albania to begin talks on joining the European Union if the bloc’s executive gave them a positive review next month.
Chinese tourist in France dies of coronavirus, first death in Europe: minister
An elderly Chinese tourist hospitalized in France has died of the coronavirus, becoming the first fatality in Europe, French Health Minister Agnes Buzyn said on Saturday.
Japan coordinating with U.S. on departure of Americans from ship
Japan said on Saturday it was coordinating with the U.S. government for American citizens to leave the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess and return home on U.S.-chartered flights.
‘The West is winning,’ U.S. tells China; France wary
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended on Saturday his nation’s global role despite misgivings in Europe, vowing that Western values would prevail over Russian and Chinese desires for “empire”.
Attackers kill 31 in Mali village, after massacre last year at same site
At least 31 people were killed on Friday in an attack on a village that was the scene last year of Mali’s worst civilian massacre in recent memory, the government said.
Macron defends closer dialogue with Russia, sees no alternative
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that Europe’s policy of defiance towards Russia in recent years had failed and, as nobody wanted to confront Moscow directly, the only option was to have a closer dialogue to resolve differences.
U.S. to evacuate Americans aboard cruise ship quarantined at Japan port
The United States said it would send an aircraft to Japan to bring back U.S. passengers on the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, where the most coronavirus infections outside China have occurred.
Turkey says it met responsibilities over Syria’s Idlib in Russia deal
Turkey said on Saturday it had fulfilled its responsibilities in Syria’s Idlib region in line with de-escalation agreements with Russia and Iran, warning it would take military action in the area if diplomatic efforts with Moscow fail.
More China coronavirus cases, deaths; U.S. urges citizens off ship
More than 2,600 new cases of a coronavirus have been confirmed in China with deaths up by 143, health officials said on Saturday, as the United States urged its citizens to leave a virus-struck cruise ship under quarantine in Japan.
Turkey says it will take steps if talks with Russia on Syria’s Idlib fail
Turkey wants to solve issues with Russia over the northwestern Syrian region of Idlib through diplomacy but will take other steps if necessary, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Saturday.
