MORNING NEWS BRIEF [July 06, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. Germany, France and China held a virtual summit to discuss trade, climate actions, biodiversity and vaccines supplies to bolster ties between the EU and China. Source: teleSUR
2. Russian eastern military district has been monitoring French navy’s intelligence vessel Dupuy de Lome which has been operating in the sea of Japan and the Tatar Straits. Source: TASS
3. Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine’s efficacy dropped to only 64% effective in preventing the transmission amid the rise of the Delta variant transmission, said Israeli health authorities. Source: RT

WORLD

1. The U.S. defense system fired an armed drone above their embassy in Baghdad hours after the rockets attacked the U.S. base in the western part of the country. Source: France 24
2. Tajikistan mobilized 20,000 troops to bolster security in the border with Afghanistan after 1,000 Afghan forces fled the frontier in response to Taliban militant advances. Source: VOA
3. The UK Prime Minister announced that most of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be eased within this month, the move that comes amid warnings from the scientists and others. Source: Deutsche Welle

REGIONS

1. Japanese Finance Minister during a lecture said Japan must defend Taiwan if China invades the island citing that it is a direct existential threat to Japan’s security. Source: The Straits Times
2. Israel agreed with South Korea to provide 700,000 expiring doses of Pfizer vaccine and begin its delivery in July, as Israel will achieve herd immunity earlier than its November goal. Source: Reuters
3. Malaysia will hold a special parliament meeting aiming to explain the national recovery plans and amend legislations to enable hybrid parliament sitting. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodian FM will attend the Special ASEAN-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to discuss political, security, economic and trade cooperation and beyond. Source: AKP
2. The MoC revealed that the Cambodia-China FTA would provide a wider market for Cambodia’s exports and it is expected to be ratified shortly by the National Assembly. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
3. Cambodia unveiled a Draft Law on Social Protection System which aims to ensure minimum standards of well-being and reduce economic and financial vulnerabilities. Source: The Phnom Penh Post