Key Storylines
- AFRICA: The leader of Tanzania’s Chadema opposition party, Freeman Mbowe, was charged with terrorism-related offences following his arrest that has already drawn international criticism.
- AMERICAS: Cuba accused the United States of encouraging an attack on a Cuban embassy in France.
- ASIA: The first person to be charged under China’s new national security law for Hong Kong was found guilty of terrorism and inciting secession in a landmark case.
- EUROPE: An explosion at an industrial park for chemical companies in Germany’s Leverkusen was declared “an extreme threat” by authorities, who also urged residents to remain indoors.
- MIDDLE EAST: Human Rights Watch accused Israel of having conducted attacks that “apparently amount to war crimes” during its 11-day offensive against the Hamas militant group in May.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: Lawmakers in the United States urged the Biden administration to place the NSO Group on an export blacklist due to its Pegasus spyware.
Top Story
- Asia: North and South Korea reopen communication hotline.
- North and South Korea have restored a communication hotline that Pyongyang had terminated last year.
- North Korean state media quickly confirmed the announcement which was initially made by South Korea.
- The restoration takes place after months of exchanged letters between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un, according to Seoul.
- President Moon’s office also stated that both leaders have agreed to rebuild trust and improve Seoul-Pyongyang relations.
- Reporting: AP, BBC, DPA, NYT, AFP, WaPo, Reuters, WSJ
Africa
- Region: The United States is expected to announce plans for a new push to increase ties between US companies and the continent, with a focus on digital, health and physical infrastructure. (Reuters)
- Ethiopia: Some young civilians in the Amhara region have reportedly started mobilizing in response to a weekend call to arms by the Amhara region President Agegnehu Teshager. (Reuters)
- Rwanda: The country’s main genocide survivors group welcomed the extradition of fugitive Venant Rutunga from the Netherlands to the country. (AFP)
- Tanzania: The leader of the Chadema opposition party, Freeman Mbowe, was charged with terrorism-related offences following his arrest that has already drawn international criticism. (AFP)
- Tunisia: President Kais Saied dismissed criticism of his decision to fire the country’s prime minister and suspend parliament. (DPA)
Americas
- Region: Colombia urged the United States to name Venezuela a state sponsor of terrorism for allegedly protecting the people believed to be behind an attack on Colombian President Ivan Duque’s helicopter last month. (AFP)
- Region: Cuba accused the United States of encouraging an attack on a Cuban embassy in France. (AFP)
- Haiti: Police arrested the head of assassinated President Jovenal Moise’s security team. (AFP)
- Nicaragua: A seventh presidential candidate was arrested by authorities while President Daniel Ortega called his political opponents pawns being used by the United States. (Reuters)
- Peru: Protesters seeking greater benefits from exploitation of natural resources blockaded the Las Bambas copper mine. (Reuters)
Asia
- China: The first person to be charged under Beijing’s new national security law for Hong Kong was found guilty of terrorism and inciting secession in a landmark case. (Reuters)
- India: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit the country today and discuss its human rights record as well as strengthening its Indo-Pacific engagement. (AP)
- Japan: Tokyo reported its highest number of new COVID-19 infections just days into the Olympics. (AP)
- Samoa: The country’s first female Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa formally took office more than three months after winning an election which sparked a constitutional crisis. (AP)
- Taiwan: President Tsai Ing-wen praised the Czech Republic’s decision to donate 30,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to the island nation. (Reuters)
Europe
- Region: The European Commission said 70% of adults in the region have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. (DPA)
- Region: Serbia’s central bank threatened to take action with the European Union over Croatia’s plans to put the inventor on its coins. (BBC)
- Czech Republic: The government and the majority state-owned utility CEZ agreed to support a project to build an electric vehicle battery plant in the country. (Reuters)
- Germany: An explosion at an industrial park for chemical companies in Leverkusen was declared “an extreme threat” by authorities, who also urged residents to remain indoors. (AP)
- The Holy See: A trial of a financial scandal involving an opaque property deal paid for with charity funds will begin today. (AFP)
Middle East
- Iran: Security forces said they had arrested a network of agents working for Israel and seized a cache of weapons. (Reuters)
- Iraq: US President Joe Biden said the US combat mission in the country will conclude by the end of the year. (AP)
- Israel: Human Rights Watch accused the country of having conducted attacks that “apparently amount to war crimes” during its 11-day offensive against the Hamas militant group in May. (AP)
- Lebanon: New Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati is expected to begin consultations with political parties over the long-awaited formation of the country’s new government. (AFP)
- Kuwait: A UN panel gave the country’s national oil company $600 million in compensation for Iraq’s invasion and occupation of the country three decades ago. (AP)
Tech & Communications
- Cybersecurity: Lawmakers in the United States urged the Biden administration to place the NSO Group on an export blacklist due to its Pegasus spyware. (Guardian)
World
- Cyclones:
- Tropical Storm Nepartak
- Location: 130 nautical miles E-NE of Yokosuka, Japan
- Wind: 50 mph
- Movement: N at 9 mph
- Map
- Tropical Storm Nepartak
- Hurricanes: Nothing to report.
- Earthquakes:
- Indonesia
- Location: 97 km W-NW of Luwuk, Indonesia
- Magnitude: 6.2
- Depth: 10.7 km
- Map
- Indonesia
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 27JUL21)
- Confirmed cases: 194,778,390
- Deaths: 4,168,697
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 27JUL21)
Tomorrow’s Outlook (28JUL21)
- Global: The WHO’s World Hepatitis Day
- Global: A US-Russia bilateral Strategic Stability Dialogue will be held in Geneva, Switzerland.
- Global: The World Trade Organization’s General Council will hold a meeting.
- Global: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta will co-host a global education summit. (to 29JUL)
- Global: The 70th anniversary of the United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
- Global: A Greece-Cyprus-Jordan tripartite summit will be held in Athens, Greece.
- Middle East: The UN Security Council will hold an open debate on the region.
- Bulgaria: Maldives’ Foreign Minister and the President-elect of the 76th UN General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, will visit. (to 29JUL)
- France: Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz will visit and meet with his counterpart Florence Parly following the Pegasus spyware reports.
- India: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit.
- Kuwait: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit.
- Peru: The inauguration of President-elect Pedro Castillo will be held.
- Peru: Independence Day – 1821 (to 29JUL)
- Thailand: Birthday of King Vajiralongkorn – 1952
- United Kingdom: Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will visit.
- United States: President Joe Biden will visit Macungie, Pennsylvania.
- United States: The Federal Reserve will make an interest rate decision.
- Vietnam: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will visit. (to 29JUL)
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