Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, May 18

Deputy Governor for International Affairs of the Central Bank of Iran Mohsen Karimi noted that Iran had requested Russia’s Central Bank to name a bank as the agent for cooperation between the two countries’ central banks, as the bilateral financial activities were increasing, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported. JERUSALEM– Israel announced on…

MADRID — The Madrid Community is pleased to strengthen ties with China’s Sichuan province to promote tourism between each another, a Spanish official has said.

Luis Fernando Martin Izquierdo, general director of tourism of the Madrid Community, made the remarks at a ceremony here awarding Xiaolongkan Madrid restaurant a global image experience shop of Chinese Sichuan cuisine on Tuesday. (Spain-Economy)

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TEHRAN — A senior Iranian banking official said on Thursday Russia’s second-largest bank VTB plans to set up a representative office in Tehran and two Iranian banks are laying the groundwork to set up branches in Russia, as both countries have stepped up financial cooperation in the face of tough U.S. sanctions.

Deputy Governor for International Affairs of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Mohsen Karimi noted that Iran had requested Russia’s Central Bank to name a bank as the agent for cooperation between the two countries’ central banks, as the bilateral financial activities were increasing, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported. (Iran-Russia-Banking Relations)

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JERUSALEM — Israel announced on Thursday that it had signed a 305-million-U.S. dollar deal with the Netherlands on the export of Israeli-made artillery rocket systems.

“This is the first government-to-government defense exports agreement signed between Israel and the Netherlands, and one of the largest agreements signed between Israel and a European country in the past years,” the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement. (Israel-Weapon Export-Netherlands)

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LILONGWE — Ninety-five Malawians who were working or studying in Sudan have arrived home fleeing from the conflict between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

John Kabaghe, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the development to local media Wednesday, saying some of them returned on their own, while others were supported by the Malawian government. (Malawi-Evacuation-Sudan) Enditem