Russia retaliates over US sanctions

In an apparent retaliation for sanctions, Russian officials have told the United States to cut its diplomatic staff to 455 by Sept. 1 and barred use of some properties, the BBC reported Friday.

Russia's action, outlined in a statement from the Foreign Ministry, came a day after the Senate voted for new sanctions against Russia, putting President Donald Trump in a tough position by forcing him to take a hard line on Moscow or veto the legislation and anger the Republican Party, Reuters reported.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it would retaliate again if the United States decided to expel any Russian diplomats, Reuters reported.