South-eastern Europe's "Balkan route", the main passage for migrants to reach more affluent countries to the north, will remain closed permanently, Austria's Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner told German newspaper "Die Welt" on March 10.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast city of Wonsan early on March 10, flying approximately 500 km (300 miles), the Republic of Korea's military said.

Turkey and Greece vowed close cooperation on March 8 on a plan to send back migrants rejected by Europe, laying aside historic differences in an agreement they hope will end illegal flows of people across the Aegean Sea.

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump rolled to big wins in Michigan and Mississippi on March 8, brushing off a week of withering attacks from the party's establishment to solidify his front-runner status as four US states voted in nominating contests.

President Barack Obama's administration will announce further measures to ease travel and trade restrictions on Cuba on March 17, ahead of his historic visit to the Communist-ruled island this month, US congressional sources said on March 8.

European Union leaders welcomed Turkey's offer on March 7 to take back all migrants who cross into Europe from its soil and agreed in principle to Ankara's demands for more money, faster EU membership talks and quicker visa-free travel in return.

A Syrian or Russian air strike was reported to have killed at least 19 people and possibly many more at a market in northwestern Syria on March 7, straining a cessation of hostilities agreement meant to pave the way for peace talks.

The United States has nearly finished setting up an air base in Kurdish-controlled northern Syria and was proceeding with the construction of a second base for dual military and civilian use, a Kurdish website said on March 6.

There will be no bargaining over a new constitution for Turkey which could enhance the powers of the president and the government will seek to put the matter to a referendum, the prime minister said on March 6.

Nancy Reagan, the former actress who was fiercely protective of husband Ronald Reagan through a Hollywood career, eight years in the White House, an assassination attempt and her husband's Alzheimer's disease, died on March 6 at age 94.