MORNING NEWS BRIEF [July 22, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. The U.S. and Germany reached a deal on the Nord Stream 2, vowing to take actions against Russia if they use energy as weapons against Ukraine and Eastern European countries. Source: Reuters
2. The U.S. State Department reported that the Deputy Secretary of State will pay her visit to China this weekend, a move that comes amid growing tensions on multiple fronts. Source: Al Jazeera
3. A Suadi official denied the accusation that the Kingdom used spyware to monitor communications of government officials, journalists, and rights activists. Source: Metro US

WORLD

1. The EU remained firm in their decision to not renegotiate the Northern Ireland Protocol even though the UK government threatened to walk away from the deal. Source: The Globe and Mail
2. The Biden administration will postpone the reopening of the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem until after the budget of the new Israeli government is approved. Source: Sputnik
3. The top U.S. general said that the Taliban controlled more than 200 district centers in Afghanistan, indicating a rapidly deteriorating security situation. Source: TRT World

REGIONS

1. The U.S., Japan and South Korea convened talks to discuss the stability in Taiwan Straits and denuclearization of North Korea amid frayed relations between Tokyo and Seoul. Source: The Straits Times
2. The head of  Russian state arms exporter revealed that the country has been supplying weapons to Myanmar’s military, including aircraft. Source: Reuters
3. Hong Kong police confirmed that they have arrested four former senior staff of Apple Daily, one of whom was the executive editor-in-chief for violation of security law. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodian FM praised the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and agreed to promote the development of medical research, production and distribution of drugs and vaccines. Source: AKP
2. The General Department of Taxation collected USD1.5 billion in taxes in the first semester of this year, a year-on-year decrease of 10.6 percent, caused by COVID-19 impact. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
3. Cambodia will receive another one million doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, which is a purchase order by the RGC as part of the plan to vaccinate 10 million people. Source: Khmer Times