MORNING NEWS BRIEF [JANUARY 29, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. The UK government declared their support for Hong Kong citizens’ freedom against China’s new security law that devastated Hong Kong democracy and freedom. Source: CNA
2. The UN Secretary-General called for a reset of the frail relations between the U.S. and China, and encouraged them to work together to solve issues despite their differences. Source: Fox News
3. The WHO investigating team for the origins of coronavirus will meet with the Chinese scientists and plan their visits to the labs, markets, and hospitals in Wuhan. Source: Reuters

WORLD

1. U.S. President Biden signed two executive orders to restore Obamacare and Medicaid, putting an end to Trump’s regulations that limited healthcare services for Americans. Source: Sputnik
2. Canada’s Health Minister announced that Canada will receive only 3.5 million doses of vaccines by the end of February unlike the initial deal of 4 millions vaccines. Source: Sputnik
3. Novavax confirmed that their vaccines are nearly 90% effective against the UK’s and South African’s new variant, after going through a number of trials. Source: The Guardian

REGIONS

1. China warned Taiwan that independence means war, in response to the provocations and foreign interference by deploying fighter jets and bombers to enter Taiwan’s air space. Source: CNA
2. The U.S. Secretary of State reaffirmed the U.S. commitment in providing support to ASEAN members in solving the sovereignty of maritime disputes with China. Source: Al Jazeera
3. PM Modi of India vowed to supply more India-made vaccines for the world at the World Economic Forum in order to enhance India’s role in the global pandemic. Source: The Straits Times

CAMBODIA

1. The U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh took the targeted approach through the AmCam 2021 Initiative, aiming to strengthen prosperity, principles, peace, and partnership of their ties. Source: Khmer Times 
2. The Tourism Minister said it is necessary to enforce health measures and tourism safety in order to promote tourism and ecotourism communities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: AKP
3. Transparency International ranked Cambodia as the country with the lowest ranking among ASEAN countries, in terms of corruption perception index. Source: The Phnom Penh Post