Europe

MOSCOW, June 14. /TASS/: Russia is not going to extend easing of requirements for migrants, which has been in effect since April 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, a source in the law enforcement agencies told TASS.

Under the presidential decree that came into force in April 2020, all foreign citizens were allowed to temporarily stay and work in the country legally. In addition, foreigners who were staying in the country illegally received the opportunity to settle their legal status without any sanctions. The decree remains in effect until June 15 this year.

MOSCOW, June 14. /TASS/: The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia grew by 13,721 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of infected to 5,222,408, the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center reported on Monday.

On the previous day, Russia registered a new high of 14,723 coronavirus cases since February 13. The number of cases recorded on one day was down for the first time in 11 days. The increase in new cases totaled 0.26% in relative terms.

MOSCOW, June 14. /TASS/: The number of wounded as a result of explosions and a fire at a gas filling station in Russia's Novosibirsk has risen to 16 people, a source in emergencies services told TASS.

Earlier reports said that six people were wounded, of which two were firefighters.

"Medical help was provided to 16 people," the source said, adding that "two of them are firefighters, both have been taken to hospitals."

London, Jun 14 (PTI) UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce a four-week delay to an end to all legal lockdown restrictions in the country when he makes a statement later on Monday in relation to so-called Freedom Day , which was set for June 21.

The last and fourth stage of the lockdown roadmap is now expected around July 19 instead amid a worrying spike in cases of the Delta variant, which experts fear will result in greater hospitalisations in the coming weeks.

(Reuters) --- Michel Barnier, the European Union's former Brexit negotiator, said on Monday that the reputation of the United Kingdom was at stake regarding tensions over Brexit.

EU politicians have accused British Prime Minister Boris Johnson of not respecting engagements made regarding Brexit. Growing tensions between Britain and the EU threatened to overshadow the Group of Seven summit on Sunday, with London accusing France of "offensive" remarks that Northern Ireland was not part of the UK. 

(Reuters) --- French European Affairs junior minister Clement Beaune said on Monday that current tensions over Brexit between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government and the European Union were "a test" for Europe.

The tensions between Britain and the EU threatened to overshadow the Group of Seven summit's conclusion on Sunday, with London accusing France of "offensive" remarks that Northern Ireland was not part of the United Kingdom. 

14 June 2021; MEMO: The Mediterranean Sea, which desperate refugees and migrants regularly attempt to cross in the hope of a better life, is the "largest cemetery in Europe", Pope Francis said yesterday.

The Pope, who frequently draws attention to the plight of refugees, made his remarks at St Peter's Square in the city of Vatican.

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Central and Eastern European nations are anxious about the coming summit meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, wary of what they see as hostile intentions from the Kremlin.

Some in the countries that once were part of the Soviet Union or the Moscow-led Warsaw Pact during the Cold War worry that Washington could scale down support for its allies in the region in a bid to secure a more stable and predictable relationship with Russia.

BRUSSELS (AP) — President Joe Biden frequently talks about what he sees as central in executing effective foreign policy: building personal relationships.

But unlike his four most recent White House predecessors, who made an effort to build a measure of rapport with Vladimir Putin, Biden has made clear that the virtue of fusing a personal connection might have its limits when it comes to the Russian leader.

BRUSSELS (AP) — President Joe Biden makes his entrance at a NATO summit aiming to consult European allies on efforts to counter provocative actions by China and Russia while highlighting the U.S. commitment to the 30-country alliance that was frequently maligned by predecessor Donald Trump.

The summit Monday comes as Biden tries to rally allies for greater coordination in checking China and Russia, two adversaries whose actions on economic and national security fronts have become the chief foreign policy concerns in the early going of the Biden presidency.