Trump - Putin to meet in Finland; Iran restarts nuclear plant

Kremlin announces time and location of Russia-US summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. Source: wmal.com

On June 28, the Kremlin officially announced the time and location of the Russia-US summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.

According to the official announcement, the event will take place on July 16 in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The White House has also confirmed this information.

The summit between Russia and the US is the result of US National Security Advisor John Bolton's visit to Moscow that took place earlier.

Hundreds of Syrian refugees have begun leaving the Lebanese border town of Arsal as part of a joint operation between the two countries. Abbas Ibrahim, head of Lebanon's Security Service, said on June 28 that the first group of about 400 people returned to Syria.

UN teams of experts in Syria are now asking the Syrian government to allow access to towns and villages where refugees will return, most of which are in the Qalamun region.

Lebanon has recently become a temporary shelter for nearly 1 million Syrian refugees, but officials estimate the actual number is much higher.

Two Koreas to conduct joint study on cross-border road connection

A view of the talks on connecting cross-border roads taking place at the truce village of Panmunjom on June 28. Source: Yonhap/VNA

At the talks that began on the morning of June 28 at the truce village of Panmunjom on the North Korean side, the two sides' negotiating delegations agreed to conduct a joint study on land routes in the western region in early August and then on land routes in the eastern region.

Designs and other related activities will also be carried out by both parties. Construction will commence soon after the completion of necessary preparations.

In addition, the two countries also agreed to modernize the northern roads connecting Kaesong-Pyongyang (Pyongyang) in the western region and the roads connecting Wonsan-Goseong city running across the western border.

German Chancellor admits migrant crisis could decide EU's fate

On June 28, German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that the challenge of migration could determine the fate of the European Union (EU).

The statement came hours before the EU leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, which is expected to see disagreements on how to resolve the crisis.

The European Union (EU) Leaders' Summit taking place on June 28 in Brussels, Belgium and lasting until June 29 will focus on a series of urgent issues such as migration, Eurozone reform, Brexit negotiations as well as the EU's long-term budget.

France plans to pass a law forcing men and women to join the army from the age of 16.

France wants to introduce compulsory military service for people aged 16 and over. Photo: Getty Image

France has just officially announced a plan to deploy national military service for people from 16 years old and up for both men and women to encourage young people to participate in national activities, promote and unite society.

According to BBC, this is the idea raised by President Emmanuel Macron when he ran for the presidency.

According to the draft, the national military service will consist of two phases. The first phase is a one-month mandatory military service. They will participate in volunteer activities with charities and schools in addition to training activities conducted by the police, fire department or military.

The second phase is voluntary military service for three months to a year. Young people are encouraged to serve in areas related to national security and defense, but they can choose to do heritage, environmental and social work.

This is a program that is expected to be very expensive, with an estimated cost of $1.8 billion a year and requiring more than $2 billion in initial investments.

Iran restarts uranium enrichment plant

Fordow nuclear facility. Source: Reuters/TTXVN

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said the country has restarted a nuclear plant that has been idle for nine years.

The move comes as Tehran prepares to increase its uranium enrichment capacity after the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 powers (including Russia, the UK, France, China, the US and Germany), putting the deal at risk of collapse.

The AEOI said Iran has imported large amounts of uranium ore since the 2015 nuclear deal and also produces small amounts of the material itself. Before enriching uranium, uranium ore is converted into a gas called UF6.

A Thai police officer is under investigation for escorting Ms. Yingluck shopping in the UK.

A Thai police officer is said to be carrying Ms Yingluck's shopping bags in London. Photo: Matichon

On June 28, the Thai Police issued a statement revoking the leave decision for Wathanyu Weethayaponlothai and asking the colonel to return to the country to report to the agency. The statement was issued after images of Wathanyu carrying a bag and following Ms. Yingluck in a shopping mall in London appeared.

This image was spread online and the police officer was heavily criticized for his lack of responsibility as a police officer, escorting Ms. Yingluck shopping instead of participating in arresting and extraditing this wanted former prime minister back to serve her sentence.

In a statement announcing the withdrawal of Wathanyu's leave, Thai police said they were not sure about the authenticity of the photo, but said they were investigating and would take action against their personnel if the photo was confirmed to be accurate.

Rebuilding North Korea's economy would cost $63 billion

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Photo: Reuters

According to Russia Today, this is the result of research by analysts from Citibank.

Citi estimates that $63.1 billion will be needed to rebuild transportation and infrastructure. Of that cost, about $24.1 billion will be needed for 28 rail projects, $22.8 billion for 33 road projects, and 16 power plant projects will cost about $10 billion. Immediate construction costs will be about $11.6 billion.