MORNING NEWS BRIEF [August 12, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. German federal prosecutors reported that a British embassy official in Berlin has been arrested over suspicion of spying on Germany for Russian intelligence. Source: BBC
2. Poland’s lower house of the parliament passed the controversial bill that prevents the U.S. media firms from selling its stake into Poland’s main independent broadcasts. Source: Financial Times
3. The WHO revealed that international trials of three drugs will be tested on thousands of volunteer patients to find out its effectiveness for COVID-19 treatment. Source: Shanghai Daily

WORLD

1. The U.S. has warned of the growing tension in Afghanistan, adding that the Taliban could seize control over Kabul while the government attempted to rally forces in Mazar-i-Sharif. Source: Deutsche Welle
2. Russia and the U.S. Defense Ministers discussed the outcome of the recent bilateral consultations on the strategic stability in the region and other global security issues. Source: China.org.cn
3. The Turkish Health Minister confirmed that Turkey will start face-to-face education this year and unvaccinated adults have to be tested regularly. Source: Reuters

REGIONS

1. Japan and Russia held talks to discuss the expansion of cooperation in the field of economic and trade and negotiated on the post-WWII peace treaty. Source: China.org.cn
2. Malaysian King asked the PM to bring forward the parliamentary vote of confidence amid the pressure from the opponent who claimed that the PN’s majority had evaporated. Source: The Straits Times
3. Thailand will reportedly start human trials for  two coronavirus vaccines that can be administered through a nasal spray by the end of this year, after finishing trials in mice. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodian FM showed his full support for his Brunei counterpart in ensuring peace and stability within ASEAN and the return to normalcy of Myanmar. Source: AKP
2. The IMF agreed to provide USD 240 million grant to Cambodia to rehabilitate the country’s economy and recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
3. The SSEZ’s total imports and exports valued at almost USD 1.2 billion in the first seven months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 44.51 percent. Source: The Phnom Penh Post