MORNING NEWS BRIEF [July 16, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. The U.S. and Germany vowed to defend their eastern flank allies at NATO against Russia aggression as Biden stressed on opposing China’s anti-democratic actions. Source: BBC
2. The U.S. will place more sanctions on a number of Chinese officials over Beijing’s crackdown on democracy in HK, warning of the deteriorating condition for businesses. Source: Reuters
3. Hungary and Poland will stand in the EU’s highest court as the two countries adopted a law banishing the impressions of LGBTQ+ people in books and TV for the under-18s. Source: The Guardian

WORLD

1. Estonian Foreing Ministry declared a Russian embassy employee persona non grata as a reciprocal move to Russia’s expulsion of Estonian’s Consul in St. Petersburg. Source: TASS
2. The U.S. will send their marines to the U.S. embassy in Haiti to ensure stability in the country although the situation of the assassination of President is not the agenda. Source: RT
3. Lebanese PM-designate announced his resignation after failing to form a non-partisan cabinet to reform the government to save the country from economic and financial crisis. Source: China.org.cn

REGIONS

1. Leaders of the APEC will hold an emergency virtual summit on Friday with New Zealand as the host to discuss the global health crisis and to speed up the economic recovery. Source: KBS World Radio
2. Chinese Defense Minister expressed grave concerns about the media reports on the U.S. military transport plane landing on Taiwan and said it is trespassing on China’s territory. Source: People’s Daily
3. ROK’s former prosecutor criticized President Moon’s approach to balance ties with both the U.S. and China, stating that Seoul should pursue a firm alliance with the U.S. Source: SCMP

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodia pledged to harness the potential of ACFTA in an effort to maximize economic benefits and implement structural reforms to promote trade, investment and business. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
2. Cambodia’s exports of non-garment products to the international market valued almost USD1.9 billion in the first semester of this year, a year-on-year rise of some 50 percent. Source: AKP
3. Cambodian Permanent Mission the UN highlighted Cambodia’s human rights progress in a total of 17 statements, including the right to fair distribution of vaccines. Source: Khmer Times