MORNING NEWS BRIEF [July 20, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. The U.S. and allies accused China for the involvement in the global cyberespionage campaign, the unusually broad coalition of nations to condemn China publicly. Source: Reuters
2. The UN Secretary-General welcomed the Afghan and Taliban government to accelerate their high-level engagement talks that seek to find a solution to the conflicts. Source: CGTN
3. Norway reported that China was involved in the 10 cyber attacks on their parliament’s email system as they called on the Chinese embassy to prevent such activities. Source: Reuters

WORLD

1. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. is weighing a new sanction on Iran’s oil sale to China if Tehran hinders ongoing talks aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. Source: Times of Israel
2. Canada will reopen its border to fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents for non-essential travels beginning from August 9 without quarantine required. Source: France 24
3. The U.S. marked the travel advisory for the UK to Level 4, warning its citizens not to travel to the UK, following orders from Johnson to lift all restrictions amid rising COVID-19 cases. Source: CNN

REGIONS

1. The U.S. Defense Secretary will travel to Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines to strengthen the significant ties with ASEAN as a part of architecting the Indo-Pacific. Source: Nikkei Asian Review
2. President Moon will not visit Japan for the upcoming summit and Olympics, following the allegation that he was involved in sexual innuendo by a Japanese senior diplomat. Source: CNA
3. The Philippines Coast Guard said they had  challenged the Chinese warship that was sailing in its territorial waters in the SCS, prompting Chinese warship to sail away. Source: Eurasia Review

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodia and India will co-host the 11th Mekong-Ganga Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, aiming to further strengthen and expand mutual cooperation in a host of areas. Source: AKP
2. Cambodian officials held a meeting with the European counterparts as both sides exchanged views on the Kingdom’s economic plan, WTO’s role and new trade policies. Source: Khmer Times
3. The Minister of Agriculture convened talks with his foreign counterparts to discuss the topic of sustainable agricultural production and the food system. Source: Khmer Times