Vladimir Putin lobbied for the phasing out of economic sanctions and dodged questions about the shooting down of flight MH17 during his first state visit to an EU member state since being re-elected as Russian president in March. Source: The Guardian
One of Northern Ireland’s “most promising” journalists has been shot dead during rioting that police are treating as a terrorist incident. Dissident republicans are being blamed for killing 29-year-old Lyra McKee after violence broke out during police searches in Londonderry on Thursday. Source: BBC
Spain’s far-right Vox party has been banned from a televised debate leading up to the general elections. The April 23 debate is the only debate scheduled before the April 28 elections. The anti-immigration party was banned from the debate following a ruling from the electoral commission. The commission argued that Vox’s inclusion was not “proportional” because the party currently holds no seats in the national parliament. Source: Euronews
“The Maltese authorities’ decision is out of tune with the standard practice and has certain unfriendly implications. We can state that as well. Russia will certainly take it [this move] into consideration in our bilateral relations with Valletta,” she said.
Moscow views Malta’s refusal to allow Russian aircraft to use its airspace to fly to Venezuela as an unfriendly move, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday. Source Tass
Moscow views Malta’s refusal to allow Russian aircraft to use its airspace to fly to Venezuela as an unfriendly move, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday. Source Tass
