Finland is ready for the Trump-Putin meeting; Protests spread in Iran.

Finland is ready for the Russia-US summit.

The Finnish capital, Helsinki, is preparing for the first official summit meeting between Russian President Putin and US President Donald Trump.

Security measures have been tightened in many locations throughout the city, particularly around the Finnish Presidential Palace, where Putin and Trump are scheduled to meet on the afternoon of July 16th. Public opinion in both Russia and the US hopes the meeting will be an opportunity to mend the strained relationship between the two countries.

The bustling market at Helsinki's southern port will be closed on July 16th, while transport routes will be altered or delayed. Ferry services to the fortified island of Suomenlinna will be diverted to another port. Traffic will also be severely restricted from the evening of July 15th when President Trump's delegation arrives.

According to the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs' press office, approximately 1,500 international journalists from 60 countries arrived in Helsinki to cover the conference, with the Russian delegation being the largest at 300 journalists.

Israeli-Palestinian violence continues to show signs of escalating in the Gaza Strip.

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes on the city of Rafah, Gaza Strip, on July 14. Source: THX/VNA

Local media reported that on July 15, Israeli fighter jets continued their attacks on the Gaza Strip, despite Palestinian armed movements announcing a ceasefire agreement with Israel brokered by Egypt.

On the evening of July 14, Palestinian armed groups announced they had reached a ceasefire agreement with Israel amid escalating violence after more than 200 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory and Israeli troops retaliated by striking dozens of targets in Gaza.

The US and North Korea have begun discussions on the repatriation of the remains of American soldiers.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo answers questions from reporters during his visit to North Korea earlier this July. Photo: AP

According to South Korean news agency Yonhap, US and North Korean officials met today (July 15) at the inter-Korean border to discuss plans to repatriate the remains of US soldiers killed in the 1950-1953 Korean War.

South Korean news agency Yonhap, citing government sources, reported that the discussions took place at the truce village of Panmunjom. Three U.S. transport vehicles, flying the United Nations flag, were present at the Korean border early this morning. The source also confirmed that a UN representative would be representing the U.S. side at the meeting.

However, neither North Korea nor the United States has commented on the information released by South Korea.

South Africa issues commemorative coins for the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela and his wife. Source: Reuters

The Reserve Bank of South Africa (the central bank) has just announced that it will issue a limited edition of banknotes and gold coins to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late South African President Nelson Mandela (July 18, 1918-2018).

A series of banknotes will be issued depicting the life and career of the late President Mandela, from his birth as the son of a tribal chief in the town of Mvezo and his upbringing in the Eastern Cape suburbs, his 27 years of imprisonment, his significant contribution to ending apartheid, and becoming the first democratically elected President of the Republic of South Africa by universal suffrage in 1994.

Meanwhile, the one-ounce gold coin depicts President Mandela in his middle age, smiling with his hair parted, designed by Sindiso Nyoni. Images of President Nelson Mandela appear on all South African banknotes. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 95.

Iraq: Large protests against unemployment and poor public services.

People protest against unemployment and stagnation in public services in Baghdad, Iraq on July 13. Photo: AFP/VNA

The wave of protests against unemployment and stagnation in public services in southern Iraq continued for a seventh day and spread to other cities across the country, even including the capital Baghdad.

On July 15, hundreds of protesters stormed the Basra provincial government headquarters, forcing security forces to use water cannons, tear gas, and fire warning shots to disperse the crowd.

In light of this situation, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi has pledged to disburse $3 billion in investment to Basra province and increase funding for infrastructure development and services.

18,000 Japanese volunteers are participating in reconstruction efforts following the historic floods.

Volunteers participate in cleanup efforts following historic floods in Japan. Photo: AFP.

Approximately 18,000 volunteers from across Japan have begun participating in cleanup and reconstruction efforts in western areas devastated by the recent historic floods.NDTVAccording to news reports, approximately 40 volunteer centers have been opened in Ehime, Okayama, and Hiroshima prefectures.

Heavy rains since last weekend have caused rivers in central and western Japan to overflow, resulting in widespread flooding and landslides. This is the most devastating natural disaster in Japan since 1982. According to the latest statistics, the floods have killed 204 people, left 40 missing, and 5,800 remain displaced.

Another bombing causes numerous casualties in Afghanistan.

Afghan security forces are deployed at the scene of a bombing in Kabul on July 15. Photo: EPA-EFE/VNA

On July 15, a suicide bombing occurred in front of the Afghan Ministry of Rural Development headquarters in Kabul, killing at least seven people and injuring 15 others.

According to a police spokesperson, the attacker detonated the explosives in front of the ministry's headquarters. The victims were all ministry employees and civilians. No organization has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

On the same day, July 15th, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released a report identifying a record 1,692 civilian deaths in conflicts and terrorist attacks in Afghanistan during the first half of 2018, while 3,430 civilians were injured.