MORNING NEWS BRIEF [April 28, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. Australia will spend USD580 million budget to upgrade their military bases in its Northern territory and expand their defense force with the U.S. counterpart. Source: Nikkei Asia
2. NATO Secretary General urged for the reduction of tension in Russian-Ukraine border as the NATO allies pledged to continue to provide support to Kiev. Source: TASS
3. The U.S. ordered non-essential personnel to leave Afghanistan following the escalation of violence and threat reports in Kabul, but the embassy would remain open. Source: France 24

WORLD

1. Russia sought for strategic stability dialogue with the U.S. aiming to discuss and resolve the existing problems amid both countries clashing in a range of issues. Source: Sputnik
2. Human Rights Watch condemned Israel for international crime of segregation and oppression due to their discriminatory policies on Palestines and in the occupied territories. Source: The Associated Press
3. Brazil’s health regulator rejected the use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine, citing inherent risks and a lack of information about the vaccine’s safety and quality. Source: Reuters

REGIONS

1. China called on Australia to contribute more to strengthening mutual trust and to promoting pragmatic cooperation as relations between both sides continued to  deteriorate. Source: Xinhua Net
2. Ethnic Karen guerrillas have occupied a Myanmar army outpost near Thai border after the ethnic armed group launched an attack on Tatmadaw in the eastern Myanmar. Source: AP
3. Sri Lanka’s cabinet approved the ban of wearing veils, including Muslim barqus over national security concerns despite the UN’s claim that it violated the international law. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodia has temporarily barred all Indian nationals and other foreigners traveling from India from entering the country after the new variant of COVID-19 has been detected. Source: AKP
2. PM Hun Sen ordered military medics to vaccinate residents in Red Zone districts, as part of the plan to vaccinate three million people in Phnom Penh and Kandal Provinces. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
3. At least 200 tourist resorts are expected to reopen after the government lifted the travel ban and ended the closures of tourist resorts in most areas across the Kingdom. Source: The Phnom Penh Post