MORNING NEWS BRIEF [March 24, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. Chinese State Councilor and Russian Foreign Minister have condemned the EU sanctions against them over human rights violations and accused the U.S. of political interference. Source: Deutsche Welle
2. The U.S. and EU will restart their dialogue in response to China’s rising assertiveness in Indo-Pacific region, including human rights, security, and artificial intelligence. Source: Sputnik
3. Russian Center for Reconciliation of the Opposing Parties in Syria called for Turkey to resume operation on two checkpoints in Idlib due to the alarming humanitarian situation. Source: TASS

WORLD

1. The UK Foreign Minister will ask NATO to face down the threats from Russia and accuse them of deploying new disruptive technologies and backing cyberattacks. Source: Sputnik
2. The U.S. Secretary of State urged NATO allies to rebuild partnerships and to revitalize ties, and voiced his concern over the German-Russian NordStream 2. Source: Deutsche Welle
3. The EU will potentially block COVID-19 vaccine exports to Britain and other areas with much higher vaccination rates to make vaccine trade reciprocal and proportional. Source: Reuters

REGIONS

1. North Korea conducted tests and fired two  missiles after the U.S.’s top diplomat visited the country, marking the first missile test to provoke both Washington and Seoul. Source: CNA
2. Chinese State Councilor and Russian FM held a discussion on strategic consensus on political ties, coordination on the pandemic and people connectivity. Source: Xinhua Net
3. Singapore and Malaysia agreed on the acknowledgement of each other’s vaccines certificates to facilitate the reciprocal green lane in restoring cross-border travelling. Source: The Straits Times

CAMBODIA

1. China is donating an additional 300,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine to Cambodian military and their family members, which will be delivered to Phnom Penh on March 31. Source: Khmer Times
2. MoLVT called for preparation to provide COVID-19 vaccines to garment workers as they are on the government’s list of priorities to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Source: AKP
3. PM Hun Sen began a 15-day campaign to provide AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine to 50,000 elderly, wherein 3,380 people received their first dose on the first day. Source: Khmer Times