MORNING NEWS BRIEF [April 29, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. Russia told seven diplomats from Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to leave the country in a retaliatory response amid growing diplomatic row after accusation from Czech. Source: Deutsche Welle
2. The EU accused Russia and China of a systematic dividend of trust in the West via their fake news campaign over COVID-19 vaccine safety concerns. Source: Metro US
3. The U.S. sent COVID-19 medical supplies and aids worth more than USD100 million to India in supporting the Indian government in the fight for the cases surge. Source: Reuters

WORLD

1. The European parliament granted approval to the EU-UK trade agreement which brings an end to the more than four years of heated negotiation between the two sides. Source: China.org.cn
2. Saudi Arabia is seeking a good relation with Iran in an effort to push the Middle East towards prosperity despite citing Iran’s negative behavior over the nuclear program. Source: BBC News
3. Iranian President claimed that the assassination of the Maj. Gen. Qasem was provoked by Israel’s Zionists, adding that Trump was the commander of the attack. Source: Sputnik

REGIONS

1. China and Germany pledged to maintain and consolidate bilateral cooperation as Beijing called on both sides to cooperate on the basis of equality and non-interference principle. Source: Xinhua Net
2. Japanese, Australian and Indian trade ministers officially launched the supply chain resilience initiative to counter China’s growing dominance on trade in the Indo-Pacific. Source: The Straits Times
3. Indonesian President announced a plan to reshuffle his cabinet after the parliament granted approval to reorganize several agencies and create an investment ministry. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. The Chinese donation of 400,000 more doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Cambodia as a part of efforts to help Cambodia achieve herd immunity. Source: Khmer Times
2. ADB reported that Cambodia’s economy will increase 4.0 percent in 2021, citing that economic recoveries in major trading partners boost demand for the Kingdom’s exports. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
3. Cambodia is going to attend the fourth China International Import Expo in November 2021, aiming to seek more markets for Cambodia’s products and attract foreign investors. Source: AKP