MORNING NEWS BRIEF [July 29, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. The U.S. Department of Treasury imposed new sanctions on 8 individuals and 10 entities and denied their access to the international financial system related to the war in Syria. Source: Deutsche Welle
2. British government has announced that fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. and the EU, except for France, will be exempted from quarantine measures starting in August. Source: RT
3. New data released by Pfizer suggested that the third dose of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will strongly boost the protection against the contagious Delta variant. Source: CNN

WORLD

1. The U.S. and Russia commenced nuclear talks aiming at reducing their nuclear arsenal as both sides agreed to hold a further plenary round of high-level talks in September. Source: Radio Free Europe
2. Iranain Supreme leader called the U.S. stubborn for stalling the nuclear talks to discuss Tehran’s missile influence, which is likely to fuel troubles ahead of the talks. Source: VOA
3. Pedro Castilo sworn in as Peru’s President, the fifth one in only 3 years time, vowing to end corruption and bring about changes to the constitution. Source: CGTN

REGIONS

1. The U.S. Defense Secretary looks forward to strengthening security ties with Vietnam which has been boosted lately as both countries eye China’s growing assertiveness in the SCS. Source: Reuters
2. The Chinese FM met the Taliban delegation as Beijing expected the group to play an important role in peacefully reconciling and reconstructing Afghanistan. Source: Al Jazeera
3. Visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Defense stated that China vowed to make no concession when it comes to safeguarding their national interests from external pressure. Source: CGTN

CAMBODIA

1. The U.S. Embassy confirmed that one million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines donated by the U.S. to the Kingdom will arrive on Friday this week via the COVAX facility. Source: AKP
2. PM Hun Sen directed the municipal and provincial authorities to strictly impose curfew and other COVID-19 measures for two weeks nationwide due to the Delta variant cases. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
3. The Cambodian government has put in place a two-week lockdown on eight provinces bordering Thailand in an effort to curb the infection of Delta variant across the country. Source: The Phnom Penh Post