Trump cancels meeting with Kim Jong Un; Ukraine “bans” Russia’s RIA Novosti

"I have very much looked forward to meeting with you. Unfortunately, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting," CNN quoted US President Donald Trump as writing in a letter to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un released by the White House.

"Therefore, let this letter serve as a declaration that the Singapore Summit will not take place. This is for the good of both parties but to the detriment of the world," President Trump said in the letter. "The world, and especially North Korea, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace, great prosperity, and happiness. This missed opportunity is truly a sad moment in history."

Previously, North Korea used explosives to collapse three of the four tunnels leading to its only nuclear test site in front of international reporters..The fourth tunnel was sealed to avoid the risk of radiation release after the first test in 2006, according to the New York Times.

ImageSat International analysts said that this system is similar to the HQ-9 air defense system that China deployed to the Paracel Islands in February 2016.

The HQ-9 air defense system has a firing radius of 77 km and can threaten any aircraft, both military and civilian, operating nearby.

Russia rejects Dutch conclusions regarding MH17 crash

Part of the BUK-TELAR missile believed to have shot down MH-17 is displayed at a JIT press conference in Bunnik, the Netherlands on May 24. Source: AFP/TTXVN

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed on May 24 that its military was not involved in the crash of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH17 in July 2014. The Russian Defense Ministry emphasized that no missile systems of its own were brought across the Russia-Ukraine border.

Russia also expressed concern that the Dutch investigation agency intended to draw conclusions about the incident based on images from social networks. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the investigation agency did not consider eyewitness testimony that the missile was launched from territory controlled by the Ukrainian government.

Russia's statement was made to refute the conclusion of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) including representatives from the Netherlands, Australia, Malaysia, Belgium and Ukraine issued on the same day, which determined that the missile that shot down the ill-fated plane belonged to the 53rd air defense brigade of the Russian army stationed in the Kursk region (Russia).

Ukraine bans Russian state news agency RIA Novosti

The building where the Russian news agency RIA Novosti is located in Kiev, Ukraine. Source: AFP/TTXVN

AFP reported that on May 24, Ukrainian authorities issued a ban on Russia's state news agency RIA Novosti, a week after a journalist from the agency was arrested in Kiev on charges of treason.

According to the new sanctions list issued by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC), RIA Novosti's office in Kiev as well as Interselekt, which conducts all of RIA's economic activities in Kiev, have been banned from operating for three years. The bans include freezing assets, restricting or stopping the provision of telecommunications services, and blocking access to the website www.rian.com.ua.

Thailand’s military government is trying to reform Buddhism, a religion practiced by more than 90 percent of the country’s 69 million people. In recent years, the image of Buddhist monks has been tarnished in the public eye as they have been repeatedly implicated in scandals and illegal business dealings.

Thailand's temples, which receive billions of dollars in donations each year, have long been embroiled in scandals involving murder, drug trafficking, sex, money and mysterious financial deals.

EU and Gazprom reach antitrust agreement

Gazprom headquarters in Moscow, Russia. Source: AFP/VNA

On May 24, the European Union (EU) reached an agreement with the Gazprom oil and gas group regarding the anti-monopoly lawsuit against this Russian group.

The deal was reached after Gazprom agreed to set a benchmark price for gas sold to Eastern Europe compared to other regions and to remove restrictions on re-exports for customers. The deal will help Gazprom avoid billions of dollars in fines and ease tensions between Russia and the West.

European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said the deal would remove Gazprom's restrictions on gas flows in Central and Eastern Europe. She said the decision would also benefit millions of European consumers and businesses that rely on Gazprom's supplies.

Yemen: Huge storm sweeps Socotra island, at least 17 people missing

On May 24, Yemen declared a state of emergency on Socotra Island after tropical storm Mekunu swept through several villages, capsized many boats and left at least 17 people missing.

Socotra island needs urgent aid to help people stranded in villages or living in mountainous areas, said government spokesman Rajeh Badi. Seventeen people were missing after two boats capsized and three cars were swept away, Badi said. The storm brought heavy rain and strong winds that caused severe flooding and damaged many houses. Badi called on the Saudi-led military coalition and international organizations to provide emergency aid to Socotra island.

Meanwhile, another Yemeni official said more than 200 families had been evacuated from their villages. However, rescuers were unable to reach the storm's epicenter areas in the south and east of Socotra island.