Russia expands list of EU officials banned from entry; US president begins UK visit

Russia expands list of EU officials banned from entry

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (left) and European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. Photo: AFP/ VNA

In response to the European Union (EU), the Russian Foreign Ministry has decided to expand the list of EU representatives banned from entering Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry's announcement stated that the EU has recently unilaterally implemented many restrictive measures against Russian citizens, the basis for imposing these sanctions being baseless accusations.

Russia has repeatedly warned the EU that using unilateral sanctions as a diplomatic tool is contrary to international law. The ministry added that the number of individuals on the Russian list is now equal to the number on the EU list. In March, the EU published a "black list" of 177 Russian individuals and 44 organizations sanctioned for their role in the Ukraine crisis. Their assets in the EU have been frozen and they are banned from traveling to member states of the bloc.

President Trump arrives in the UK amid turmoil

On June 3, US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump landed in the UK, starting a three-day state visit (June 3-5). The first activity of President Trump and his wife was to go to Buckingham Palace to meet with members of the British Royal Family.

On June 4, President Trump will have a bilateral meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May, who will leave office on June 7. On the final day of his visit, June 5, Mr. Trump will visit the city of Portsmouth to attend the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the day the Allies began the landing campaign on the beaches of Normandy (June 6, 1944).

Mexico and the United States prepare for negotiations to resolve trade conflict

Immigrants line up at the San Ysidro border crossing on the US-Mexico border. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

Mexican Economy Minister Graciela Marquez said she will meet with US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on June 3 in Washington (USA), in the context that the two countries have begun discussions to avoid a major trade conflict, after US President Donald Trump warned of imposing a 5% tax on all imported goods from Mexico, if the country does not fix the problem of immigrants flooding into the US.

On June 2, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador affirmed that the country will not fall into a trade war and that the Mexican government has “a plan” if the US imposes tariffs, but did not elaborate. A day earlier, Mr. Obrador “signaled” that the government could agree to tighten immigration control to ease President Trump’s concerns and expected the negotiations between the two countries to achieve “good results”.

India: Military plane carrying 13 crew members missing

Indian Air Force AN-32 aircraft. Photo: indiatoday.in

An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 aircraft carrying 13 crew members and passengers went missing on June 3. According to official sources, there were eight crew members and five passengers on board.

According to the source, the plane took off from Jorhat, Assam state, northeastern India at 12:25 (local time). The last time the plane contacted the air traffic control station was at 13:00 (local time) and since then it has completely lost contact. Authorities are deploying all resources to determine the location of the plane.

Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers "breaks up" with Mr. Trump

Mr. Kevin Hassett - Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Photo: Reuters

US President Donald Trump announced on June 2 that White House Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Kevin Hassett will soon leave his current position, but did not give a reason for his departure. On Twitter, Mr. Trump wrote: "Mr. Kevin Hassett, who has done such a great job for me and the US administration, will soon be leaving."

The US President said he would announce a replacement for Kevin Hassett as soon as he returned to the US after his trip to Europe. Although he did not specify who he would appoint as a replacement, President Donald Trump thanked Kevin Hassett and called him a "sincere friend".