MORNING NEWS BRIEF [JUNE 24, 2020]

HOT NEWS

1. North Korean state media reported that the planned military actions against South Korea have been suspended but no exact reason for such action was given. Source: BBC
2. Russian Deputy FM said the US should not wait for China to return to arm control talks, adding that a bilateral dialogue between Russia and the US is more realistic. Source: RT
3. A group of 67 states released a joint statement to reaffirm their support to the ICC against the U.S. sanctions that threatened the international court over Afghanistan’s probes. Source: Sputnik

WORLD

1. The Libyan government backed by the UN has reduced some level of its representation at the Arab League meeting, accusing the grouping of double standards practice. Source: Xinhua Net
2. The Trump administration has extended the ban on green cards issued outside the U.S. and freezed temporary work visas in order to save more jobs for the Americans. Source: Shanghai Daily
3. At least five people were killed after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit southern Mexico’s Pacific coast, causing damages to villages and buildings hundreds of miles away. Source: Reuters

REGIONS

1. China and India have agreed to reduce the border tensions after the deadliest clash in 45 years which left 20 Indian soldiers dead in hand-to-hand fighting at Himalayan border. Source: Al Jazeera
2. Singapore PM’s brother, Lee Hsien Yang, joined an opposition party named Progress Singapore Party that is competing against his sibling for the upcoming July 10 election. Source: Reuters
3. China’s mass testing for COVID-19 will soon enter the fast tracking phase, an effort to curb the spread of infection that was linked from Xinfadi wholesale food center. Source: Yahoo News 

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodia and China signed an agreement on Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund 2020 worth around $7million, which focuses on socio-economic activities in Cambodia. Source: Fresh News
2. Thailand’s Sa Kaeo provincial authorities resisted to keep Poipet border checkpoint shut despite the request from Banteay Meanchey provincial governor. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
3. Construction sector, one of the main economic pillars, is estimated to encounter a negative growth rate of 5.3 percent in 2020, according to a report by MEF. Source: Khmer Times