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)'s moves, 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 entities sanctioned over the crisis in Ukraine. Their assets in the EU have been frozen and they are banned from traveling to the bloc's member states.

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, Trump will visit Portsmouth to attend the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the day the Allies began the invasion of Normandy (June 6, 1944).

Mexico and the United States prepare to negotiate 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, as the two countries begin discussions to avoid a major trade conflict, after US President Donald Trump warned of imposing a 5% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico if the country does not address the problem of immigrants flooding into the US.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on June 2 that his country would not enter a trade war and that the Mexican government had “a plan” if the US imposed tariffs, but did not elaborate. A day earlier, Obrador had “hinted” that the government could agree to tighten immigration controls to ease President Trump’s concerns and that the negotiations between the two countries would produce “good results.”

India: Military plane carrying 13 crew members missing

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

On June 3, an Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 aircraft carrying 13 crew members and passengers went missing. According to official sources, there were 8 crew members and 5 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 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 Kevin Hassett, Chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, 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 be leaving soon."

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