1. US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had a two-hour phone call on Thursday, marking the fifth call between the two leaders. Meanwhile, tensions rose as the US leaked plans for a possible visit by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.

2. Defense chiefs of South Korea and the U.S. are scheduled to meet in Washington on July 29th to discuss various alliance issues, including an earlier-than-expected Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group meeting.

3. South Korea reported 85-thousand 3-hundred-20 new COVID-19 infections on Friday. President Yoon led his first KDCA meeting and said more experts should be included in the decision making process.