Europe

MOSCOW, March 16. /TASS/: Russia has extended suspension of the air service with the United Kingdom until April 16 inclusively in view of the epidemiological situation in the country, the Russian coronavirus response center told reporters on Monday.

"The response center for prevention of import and spread of the novel coronavirus infection made the decision to extend the term for suspension of air traffic with the United Kingdom. To secure health of the population, restrictions are extended until 23.59 pm of April 16, 2021," the Center says.

PARIS, March 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Recent summer droughts in Europe were the most severe the region has seen in 2,110 years as climate change has stoked punishing heat waves, according to new research that raises the alarm for ecosystems and agriculture.

Using data from tree rings in living and dead European oaks going back to the time of the Romans, scientists identified a long-term drying trend that suddenly intensified in 2015 beyond anything seen in two millennia.

AMSTERDAM, March 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Polls opened in the Netherlands on Monday for the country’s first-ever vote spread out over three days, a scheme designed to avoid crowding during the country’s ongoing lockdown.

Two days ahead of the formal – and final – day of voting on Wednesday, a number of polling stations opened to give ample voting time to an electorate of around 13 million during the pandemic.

Postal voting has also been allowed for the first time for citizens aged 70 and over living in the country.

16 Mar 2021; MEMO: Three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) yesterday filed a landmark case in Moscow against Russia's Wagner mercenary group over the torture and murder of a detainee in Syria in 2017.

16 Mar 2021; MEMO: The Jordanian Foreign Ministry yesterday condemned the inauguration of Kosovo's embassy to Israel in the occupied city of Jerusalem, Anadolu news agency reported.

Foreign Ministry spokesman, Dhaifallah Al-Fayez, described the inauguration as "a blatant and grave breach of international law and international legitimacy resolutions."

LONDON (Reuters) - The European Union will meet an end-of-March deadline for agreeing a cooperation pact with Britain in financial services despite the clash between the UK and the bloc over Northern Ireland, the EU’s financial services chief said on Tuesday.

Mairead McGuinness said she was “sticking to our commitment” to set up the cooperation framework, described by Brussels as an informal mechanism for discussing upcoming regulatory issues, similar to what the bloc already has with the United States.

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain wants to expand its influence among countries in the Indo-Pacific region to try to moderate China’s global dominance, a document laying out post-Brexit foreign policy priorities will say on Tuesday.

The document will also underline the importance of strong ties with the United States, and British media said an increase was planned to Britain’s nuclear arsenal and that Russia would be named as a top security threat.

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil prices dropped on Tuesday, extending declines to three consecutive days, as rising stockpiles in the United States added to the risks to a demand recovery after countries including Germany and France halted COVID-19 vaccinations.

Brent crude was $1.03 cents, or 1.5%, lower at $67.85 by 1002 GMT. U.S. crude was down 96 cents, or 1.4%, at $64.43 a barrel.

ROME, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Italy entered into a new period of semi-lockdown on Monday, with over half of its 20 regions falling into the "red zone" and subject to the maximum level of restrictions.

In 12 red regions, all non-essential businesses remain closed, and bars and restaurants operate for take-away service only, while people are allowed out only for work, health reasons or with proven necessity.

Schools are also closed, with eight out of 10 pupils across the country going back to remote learning.

BRUSSELS, March 15 (Xinhua) -- A cluster of European countries -- France Germany, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, Cyprus, Portugal -- on Monday joined the growing ranks of their peers suspending the use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine over blood clot concerns.

They described the move as a precautionary measure pending a decision by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which had greenlighted the use of the vaccine in the European Union (EU) on Jan. 29.