‘The pleas and the screams’: Syrian defector appeals for stronger U.S. measures
A Syrian defector who smuggled thousands of photographs of torture out of the country, helping prompt new U.S. sanctions, pleaded with U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday to enforce tough measures against Syria’s government over atrocities during its civil war…
Greece denies report of secret ‘black site’ for migrants near Turkish border
The Greek government dismissed on Wednesday a report in The New York Times newspaper that it was holding illegal migrants who cross the border from Turkey at a secret “black site” where they are denied access to lawyers and cannot file asylum claims.
Lebanon halts flights, bans entry from countries hit by coronavirus: PM
Lebanon said on Wednesday it will halt all travel to and from Italy, South Korea, China, and Iran to curb coronavirus and gave nationals four days to return from other virus-hit countries before a more sweeping shutdown of flights would take effect.
Afghan government to free 1,500 prisoners; Taliban demands 5,000
The Afghan government said on Wednesday it would free 1,500 Taliban prisoners, while delaying the release of another 3,500 that the militants say must be set free for talks to begin under a peace deal reached with the United States.
Southern German state to delay university term to slow coronavirus: Newspaper
The start of the university term in the southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg will be delayed by a month until April 20 in order to help slow the spread of the coronavirus epidemic, newspaper Handelsblatt reported on Wednesday.
Hungary curbs inbound travel, bans public gatherings over coronavirus
Hungary on Wednesday banned inbound travel from Italy, South Korea, Iran and China for non-Hungarians in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Serbia bars indoor gatherings, closes some border crossings to counter coronavirus
Serbia barred all indoor gatherings and said it would close some small border crossings and step up health controls at others to stem the spread of the coronavirus infection.
Belgium has first coronavirus death, briefly holds liner
Belgian authorities held a cruise ship with more than 3,000 people on board in the port of Zeebrugge on Wednesday morning over suspected cases of the coronavirus after the country reported its first death from the disease.
Iranians told to stay at home as coronavirus death toll rises to 354
Iran urged people to stay at home, avoid unnecessary journeys and spread no rumors about the coronavirus on Wednesday after the death toll from the virus rose to 354 in the Islamic Republic.
Turkey’s Erdogan accuses Greece of Nazi tactics against migrants at border
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused Greek security forces on Wednesday of behaving like Nazis for using force against migrants trying to cross the border from Turkey into the European Union.
