Moscow hopes for Putin-Trump meeting; Venezuela suspected of selling nearly 14 tons of gold

Moscow hopes for Putin-Trump meeting

Photo: Sputnik

Moscow hopes for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US leader Donald Trump, - the press secretary of the Russian head of state Dmitry Peskov said in the program "Mockva. Kremlin. Putin" on the TV channel "Russia 1".

"We hope that such a meeting will take place, but there may be many questions here, because it may be a short meeting on the way, it may be a meeting somewhere on the sidelines of the summit, or it may be agreed in advance, with a full agenda for a full meeting, which may be more necessary, based on the requirements of common interests," Peskov said. He added that Moscow is waiting for an initiative from Washington on the possibility of a meeting of the presidents, but so far there has been no proposal from the US side.

British Prime Minister May makes last-ditch effort to save Brexit deal to leave EU

British Prime Minister Theresa May said on May 19 that she would send MPs a “bold proposal”, which she considered a last-ditch effort to save the divorce agreement with the European Union (EU). This document has been rejected three times by the British Parliament and is preparing to be put to a fourth vote, expected in early June. British Prime Minister Theresa May affirmed that early next month, she intends to submit a new proposal to Parliament, with a number of changes that are expected to help her gather a majority in this legislative body.

MPs have rejected the Brexit deal that the British Prime Minister reached with the European Union three times after months of difficult negotiations. This is also the reason why the date of the UK's official departure from the European Union has been delayed twice, first to March 29, then April 12 and now October 31. According to Prime Minister Theresa May, she always believes that she can still achieve a majority in Parliament to ensure a Brexit with a deal. She affirmed that the upcoming document to be presented to Parliament will be a "new and bold" proposal, with an improved package of measures that can receive the support of MPs.

Japanese Prime Minister Wants Unconditional Dialogue with North Korean Leader

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: AFP

On May 19, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reaffirmed his desire to hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un unconditionally and frankly. Speaking at a meeting in Tokyo with family members of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, Prime Minister Abe stated: "By meeting with Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jong-un without any conditions, I want to have a frank and open dialogue with him."

Prime Minister Abe also pledged to resolve the long-standing issue while he is still in office, and said US President Donald Trump will meet the families during his four-day visit to Japan, starting on May 25.

Venezuela is suspected of selling nearly 14 tons of gold, earning 570 million USD

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro places gold bars on the table during a meeting in Caracas on March 22. Photo:Reuters

Venezuela's central bank sold about 9.7 tons of gold on May 10 and another 4 tons three days later, reducing its reserves to $7.9 billion, a 29-year low, a source said. Venezuela reportedly earned $570 million from the transactions, using some of it to pay for imports through its foreign trade office. The bank has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Venezuela has sold 23 tons of gold since the beginning of April, despite US sanctions aimed at freezing assets and blocking transactions by President Nicolas Maduro's government. Washington also announced sanctions on Venezuela's Central Bank and its governor, Illiana Josefa Ruzza Tera, on April 17, saying the bank was a key intermediary for Maduro's funding.

Boeing admits 737 MAX simulation software error

737 MAX aircraft at Boeing's factory in Washington state. Photo: AFP

AFP on May 19 quoted Boeing's announcement saying that the company has fixed the simulation software used to train pilots to fly the 737 MAX aircraft, after two catastrophic crashes that killed a total of 346 people. "Boeing has provided additional information to equipment operators to ensure that simulation experiments fully cover different flight conditions," the announcement said.

However, the US aircraft manufacturer did not specify when the error was discovered. The announcement marked the first time Boeing has admitted to software errors related to the 737 MAX civil aircraft model.

The "marathon" election in India ends

Indian voters after casting their ballots at a polling station in Hyderabad on April 11. Photo: THX/TTXVN

The election for the 17th Indian Parliament, which lasted for more than a month, ended on May 19 with the 7th and final round. The Election Commission announced that polling stations closed at 7:30 p.m. Hanoi time. The vote counting will begin on May 23.

The world's longest legislative election will run from April 11 to May 19 in seven phases. About 900 million voters will choose 543 seats in parliament. Any party or coalition that wins at least 272 seats will have the right to form a government. The election will determine whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi's right-wing BJP can achieve the landslide victory it achieved in 2014. Some opinion polls suggest the BJP could lose its majority in the last election.