MORNING NEWS BRIEF [August 31, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. The UNSC adopted a resolution on Afghanistan,urging the Taliban to allow a safe passage to leave Afghanistan but excluded measures for humanitarian operation. Source: Al Jazeera
2. The U.S. has completed the withdrawal from Afghanistan and shifted its diplomatic operations to Qatar to continue relentless efforts to help Americans leave Kabul. Source: France 24
3. Britain rejected calls by logistic firms to grant temporary visas to truck drivers in post-Brexit immigration rules that caused a shortage of truck drivers and supply chain disruption. Source: Reuters

WORLD

1. Russia abstained on the UNSC resolution on Afghanistan after the authors ignored their provision of concerns of negative effects from mass evacuation and freeze of assets. Source: TASS
2. Israeli Defense Minister held a rare talk with Palestinian President to discuss economic and personal freedom after President Biden urged the new Israeli PM to mend fences. Source: Deutsche Welle
3. The EU removed six countries, including the U.S., from the COVID-19 white list that exempts travelers from the mandatory quarantine due to the rise in infected cases. Source: The Guardian

REGIONS

1. North Korea appears to have resumed operations at its Yongbyon nuclear reactor that produces a key material to make nuclear weapons, according to IAEA’s report. Source: Bloomberg
2. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is considering a reshuffle of executive posts in his ruling party that would involve the replacement of his close secretary general. Source: Reuters
3. Malaysian new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob missed the swearing-in ceremony of his new Cabinet as he was reported to be in close contact with a COVID-19 patient. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. The MoI will host Asia-Europe Foundation Editors’ Roundtable in November this year as the Kingdom sees the opportunity to improve the professionalism of Cambodian journalists. Source: AKP
2. The National Standards Council of MISTI has authorized twenty more certified international standards to be adopted nationally in compliance with the ISO, IEC and UNECE. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
3. CDC has approved three new investment projects worth almost USD 15 million which will be located in three different provinces and expected to generate more than 4,000 jobs. Source: Khmer Times