MORNING NEWS BRIEF [September 10, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. The UN special envoy to Afghanistan warned over the collapse and the fragility of the country since the flow of funds has been cut off to place pressure on the Taliban. Source: Radio Free Europe
2. Germany has launched investigations on recent cyberattacks targeting politicians ahead of the upcoming election, accusing Russian intelligence of being involved. Source: Deutsche Welle
3. Biden’s plans to require COVID-19 vaccine for all federal workers and testing employees at large firms triggered protests from the Republicans for overstepping his authority. Source: Metro US

WORLD

1. Russia and Belarus will strengthen their  bilateral economic and political integration and military dimension if people of both states have the desire for the partnership. Source: TASS
2. Spain’s police arrested a wanted former Venezuelan spymaster on the charges of narcoterrorism after he defied the Spanish extradition order and disappeared. Source: The Independent
3. Britain’s drug regulators granted emergency authorized use for Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines as the COVID-19 vaccine booster shot amid concerns over immunity protection. Source: Anadolu Agency

REGIONS

1. China is lobbying Australia for their support to join the multilateral regional trade pact, CPTPP, despite their fragile geopolitical disputes spilling over to the economic sphere. Source: The Straits Times
2. The Philippines Defence Secretary called for a comprehensive review of his country’s alliance with the U.S. as Manila has received less benefits from the non-treaty allies. Source: SCMP
3. The IAEA promised to conduct a comprehensive and objective review of Japan’s plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant to the sea. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodian NA officially approved the draft of the Cambodia-China FTA, which is expected to be implemented next year, aiming to diversify the export market for its product. Source: Khmer Times
2. PM Hun Sen called on all the GMS countries to push for the development of digital infrastructure in a bid to make the economies of the region more competitive globally. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
3. Phnom Penh Municipal announced that all public and private secondary schools in the capital are allowed to reopen from September 15 onwards. Source: AKP