MORNING NEWS BRIEF [August 03, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. The U.S. has ordered 24 Russian diplomats to leave the country, a move came after the U.S. laid off nearly 200 local staff at their diplomatic mission in Russia. Source: U.S. News & World Report
2. The EU has placed fresh sanctions on eight Nicaraguan officials, including the country’s vice president, over a crackdown that undermines human rights and the rule of law. Source: Al Jazeera
3. Boris Johnson warned of the consequences Iran could face for carrying out unacceptable and outrageous drone attacks on Irsaeli ship,  which also killed a British citizens. Source: The Irish Independent

WORLD

1. The U.S. and British embassies in Kabul accused the Taliban insurgents for committing war crimes in Southern Afghanistan on civilians, but the insurgents denied. Source: TRT World
2. Rusian Embassy in Stockholm said that Sweden does not seek to deviate from the confrontation course and does not seek ways to improve their bilateral cooperation. Source: TASS
3. Nicaraguan President is set to stand for the fourth consecutive term in the November’s general election after being accused of repression for detaining 30 opposition figures. Source: France 24

REGIONS

1. The U.S. Secretary of State called Myanmar’s junta’s plan to hold elections in two year as time-stalling and urged ASEAN to step up their efforts by appointing an envoy. Source: CNA
2. Malaysia’s opposition MPs renewed their calls for PM Muhyiddin to resign as they claimed his government no longer commanded the confidence of lawmakers. Source: The Straits Times
3. After a year of opening discussion on the role of Thai King, a Thai human right lawyer has served his time in jai, along with other 102 dissidents, for insulting the King. Source: Reuters

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodian FM and his U.S. counterpart will co-chair the second Mekong-U.S. Partnership Ministerial Meeting, aiming to enhance and promote a stable, resilient Mekong region. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
2. The Cambodian government announced a reduction of approved public investment projects in the budget to preserve funds to use in fighting against the pandemic. Source: Khmer Times
3. As of July 2021, Cambodia exported 309,865 tonnes of milled rice, a year-on-year decrease of 27.27 percent due to the lack of storage containers and rising shipping cost. Source: AKP