Pompeo sees inter-Afghan negotiations in coming days after U.S.-Taliban deal
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday expressed hope that negotiations would begin in the coming days between Afghanistan’s government and the Taliban after the United States signed an agreement with the Taliban on a U.S. troop pullout.
Pope, blaming a cold, skips Lent retreat for first time in his papacy
Pope Francis announced on Sunday that a cold he is suffering from has forced him to skip a Lenten spiritual retreat with senior Vatican officials near Rome for the first time in his papacy.
Afghan President Ghani rejects Taliban prisoner release under U.S deal
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani rejected on Sunday a Taliban demand for the release of 5,000 prisoners as a condition for talks with Afghanistan’s government and civilians – included in a deal between the United States and the Islamist militants.
Migrants clash with Greek police at border after Turkey opens floodgates
Greek police fired tear gas to repel hundreds of stone-throwing migrants who tried to force their way across the border from Turkey on Sunday, with thousands more behind them after Ankara relaxed curbs on their movement.
Greek police fire teargas at stone-throwing migrants in Evros
Greek police fired teargas to disperse migrants throwing stones at them at the country’s border in the northern region of Evros, a Reuters witness said.
Syrian army has downed three Turkish drones over Idlib province: state media
The Syrian army has so far downed three Turkish drones that Ankara had been using extensively to hit Syrian army locations and air bases, Syrian state media said on Sunday.
Czech Republic reports first cases of coronavirus
The Czech Republic has confirmed its first three cases of coronavirus, with all the patients having traveled from northern Italy, Health Minister Adam Vojtech said on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia prepares 25 hospitals to handle coronavirus cases: health ministry
Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it had prepared 25 hospitals to handle any coronavirus cases that might be detected in the kingdom, part of precautionary measures which include closing its borders to foreign “umrah” pilgrims.
Climate change lengthens Australian summers by 50%: study
Australian summers are now effectively twice as long as its winters as climate change has increased temperatures since the middle of the last century, research released in the wake of the nation’s unprecedented fire season showed on Monday.
Factbox: Divided over Turkey, EU left scrambling to respond as migrants reach borders
The European Union, anxious to avoid any repeat of the 2015-16 migration chaos, is scrambling to react after Turkey said it would no longer abide by a 2016 deal under which it has been preventing refugees and migrants from heading for Europe.
