Briefly

UNITED STATES

News outlets widen suit over White House ban

US news organizations CNN, MS NOW and Politico on Wednesday expanded their lawsuit over President Donald Trump's efforts to ban them from the White House, alleging continued retaliation for their news coverage despite a judge's orders restoring their access. In an amended complaint, the media companies asked US District Judge Timothy Kelly to prevent the White House from barring their journalists from press pools covering events in the Oval Office and aboard Air Force One. Since Sept 24, Kelly has issued orders requiring the Trump administration to reinstate the outlets' White House access. The companies said the administration continued to bar their journalists from certain areas, in violation of the First Amendment's free speech protections. "The Fake News has no place demanding a spot in the President's Oval Office," the White House said in a statement.

RUSSIA

Eurasian bloc removes duties for African states

Customs duties on goods imported into the Eurasian Economic Union have been eliminated for 32 African countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. Speaking at a meeting with representatives of major African regional organizations, Putin said exporters from 47 African countries benefit from tariff preferences when their goods enter EAEU markets. "These benefits are available to 47 countries on the continent, and for 32 of them, customs duties have been completely eliminated," he said. Formed in 2015, the group comprising Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia aims to modernize and enhance the competitiveness of their economies, strengthen cooperation and foster stable development to improve living standards in member states.

AGENCIES-XINHUA