Dutch prosecutors say Russia tried to thwart investigation of MH17 downing
Dutch prosecutors accused Russia on Tuesday of trying to sabotage the investigation into the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 in Ukraine in 2014, saying this cast “a dark shadow” over the impending trial of four suspects in the crash.
Venezuelan security forces fire tear gas at opposition march, dispersing protesters
Venezuelan security forces fired tear gas at a march in Caracas led by opposition leader Juan Guaido, dispersing a few hundred protesters, Reuters witnesses said.
Venezuelan security forces block advance of opposition march: Reuters witnesses
Venezuelan security forces blocked the advance of a march in Caracas led by opposition leader Juan Guaido, Reuters witnesses said, thwarting Guaido’s plan to reach the national congress, which was snatched by pro-government lawmakers in January.
Italian daily coronavirus deaths jump 36% to 631
The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has jumped by 168 to 631, an increase of 36%, the Civil Protection Agency said on Tuesday, the largest rise in absolute numbers since the contagion came to light on Feb. 21.
Harvard to move to virtual classes amid coronavirus outbreak
Harvard University asked its students on Tuesday not to return to campus after Spring Break and said it would begin moving to virtual instruction for graduate and undergraduate classes amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Activists make ‘scent of fear’ to protest perfumery at Soviet purge site
Russian activists have created a perfume with notes of gunpowder and ash to evoke the terror felt by victims of Josef Stalin’s purges, and protest the planned opening of a perfume shop in the building where thousands were sentenced to death.
Turkey says U.S. offering Patriot systems if S-400s remain unboxed
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.
Spain steps up anti-coronavirus plan to ‘avoid Italian scenario’
Spain shut down schools in several regions, suspended flights from Italy and closed the lower house of parliament for at least a week after a lawmaker tested positive for the coronavirus, in the hope of stemming a growing outbreak.
Iran should ‘release all prisoners’ amid coronavirus: U.N.
The U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran said on Tuesday he had asked Tehran to free all prisoners temporarily, saying it is “unfortunate and disturbing” to continue holding political prisoners amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Fukushima dreams: a baseball star, a father and their shattered town
Kazuo Ouchi drives down a single-lane road through sheets of rain until he reaches a gravel driveway leading to a weathered farmhouse. Yellowing lace curtains are drawn tight over the windows, shutting out the weak winter light.
