VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

photo : reuters

Hackers backed by the Russian state are trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine and treatment research from academic and pharmaceutical institutions around the world, Britain's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) said on Thursday (Jul 16). A co-ordinated statement from Britain, the United States and Canada attributed the attacks to group APT29, also known as 'Cozy Bear', which they said was almost certainly operating as part of Russian intelligence services. British foreign minister Dominic Raab said it was "completely unacceptable" for Russian intelligence services to target work on the pandemic. The NCSC said the group's attacks were continuing and used a variety of tools and techniques, including spear-phishing and custom malware. Russian news agency RIA cited spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying the Kremlin rejected London's allegations, which he said were not backed by proper evidence//Reuters

photo : malaysiaglobalnews

The Malaysian Election Commission (EC) is ready for a general election should snap polls be called in the near future, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Takiyuddin Hassan on Thursday (Jul 16).  During the minister’s question time in the parliament, Mr Takiyuddin said the EC was also working on improving election procedures in line with the COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs).  As quoted by Channel News Asia, he added that although e-voting was a consideration during the pandemic, there were many shortcomings to the system. In response to another question by its member of Parliament why it would be an obstacle for Malaysia when many other countries used e-voting, Mr Takiyuddin said countries like Brazil that have used the system encountered many issues when the results were out. Due to the fact that the system was not entirely foolproof, questions arise on the legitimacy of the results and some countries have eventually turned back to traditional voting methods//CNA

photo : wikipedia

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), concluded in Vienna on July 14, 2015 over Iran Nuclear peaceful program between Islamic Republic of Iran on one hand and the P5+1 , the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council including China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States plus Germany on the other hand, as an important achievement of multilateral diplomacy, which has been strongly supported by the international community, is in jeopardy due to the unilateral withdrawal of the US, on its fifth anniversary. In a press statement received by Voice of Indonesia here on Thursday, July 16, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran said unless the international community shall ensure the balanced implementation of all participants in good faith, it could be another victim of the US unilateral and unlawful approach. The US and its allies should bear the responsibility for the consequences of such policies. As the world acknowledged, the JCPOA was a negotiated diplomatic solution to the peaceful settlement of an artificial crisis over the Islamic Republic of Iran's peaceful nuclear program, which is comprehensive and final in nature//VOI/Antin

photo : reuters

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister, Khalid A. Al-Falih said on Wednesday (15/7) that OPEC+ was moving to the next phase of its oil cut pact when the group is expected to ease their reductions as oil demand recovers. As quoted by Reuters (15/7), Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman also said that effective oil cuts will be deeper than 7.7 million barrels per day, thanks to a compensation plan by countries which overproduced in previous months. The prince, speaking ahead of a meeting of a key ministerial panel of OPEC+, said that there will be no increase in Saudi oil exports in August as the additional barrels will be consumed locally//Reuters