MORNING NEWS BRIEF [April 13, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. G7 called on Russia to cease its provocation and de-escalate tension following its military presence along Ukrainian border, and urged the Kremlin to uphold international principles. Source: France 24
2. Russian FM said the recent blocking of Suez Canal requires the need to enlist North-South ITC to serve a smooth operation of logistical and economical transportations. Source: TASS
3. Japan decided to discharge massive radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant after it has been treated for two years and removed from harmful substances. Source: TRT World

WORLD

1. Iran has blamed Israel over the sabotage of the Natanz uranium enrichment plant and vowed to take revenge, adding that the main perpetrator has been identified. Source: BBC News
2. Prime Minister Netanyahu pledged to defense Israel from Iranian aggression and terrorism and called Iran the biggest threat to Israel as the U.S. Defense Secretary visited Jerusalem. Source: RT
3. The EU Medicines Agency officials will travel to Russia in order to evaluate the production of Sputnik V vaccine and its clinical practices before approving this Russian-made vaccine. Source: Deutsche Welle

REGIONS

1. Taiwan reported that 25 Chinese air force planes have entered their air defense identification zone, which is the routine of military patrolling over the Taiwan straits. Source: Sputnik
2. New Zealand became the first country to pass the law that requires banking, insurance, and investment firms to report the impact of climate change to business partners. Source: The Straits Times
3. Sanofi, French drug producer, will invest in a five-year plan of a new vaccine production site worth €400 million in Singapore to provide mass vaccines against future pandemic. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodia and Laos expressed their will to strengthen bilateral cooperation on all sectors and to boost more investment as the two-way trade in 2020 showed a significant increase. Source: Khmer Times
2. Cambodia will join the Foundational Digital Infrastructure for Inclusive Digital Economies to discuss the digital infrastructure and roles of financial institutions and FinTech. Source: AKP
3. NBC informed the banks and MFIs to temporarily close their branches in the areas which are under lockdown as the efforts to slow down the spread of community infection. Source: The Phnom Penh Post