Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, May 22
Xinhua,May 22, 2018 Adjust font size:
PYONGYANG -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Tuesday that the ongoing dialogue between the DPRK and the United States is the result of peace-making efforts by its top leader Kim Jong Un, rather than that of outside pressure.
The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a commentary that by deciding to hold a dialogue with the United States, Kim "is defending peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the region." (DPRK-U.S.)
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MOSCOW -- The Russian State Duma, or lower house of parliament, Tuesday passed a bill authorizing the president to impose sanctions in response to restrictions adopted by the United States and its allies, as well as other "unfriendly states" against Russia.
The bill was passed in its third and final reading. (Russia-Duma)
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NEW DELHI -- At least nine people were killed and more than 20 others injured after police opened fire to control a group of unruly protesters in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday, local media reported.
Though authorities have not yet confirmed the number of deaths in Tamil Nadu's port city of Tuticorin, local Minister D. Jayakumar told the media that the state government was considering compensation for those "shot dead" and the injured. (India-Protest)
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MADRID -- The former Spanish minister for employment and social security Eduardo Zaplana was arrested by Spanish Civil Guards on Tuesday on charges of bribery and the misuse of public funds, police sources confirmed to Xinhua.
Zaplana, 62, was a member of the right wing People's Party (PP) government of Jose Maria Aznar between 2002 and 2004 and the PP spokesman in the Spanish Congress between 2004 and 2008. Prior to that he had been the Mayor of Benidorm (eastern Spain) between 1991 and 1994 and was the President of the Autonomous Community of Valencia between 1995 and 2002. (Spain-Former Minister)
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DAR ES SALAAM -- At least seven people have been killed by cholera in Tanzania's southern highland region of Rukwa, authorities said on Tuesday.
Sumbawanga District Commissioner Halfan Haule said 166 patients are being treated in different parts of the region. (Tanzania-Cholera) Enditem