MORNING NEWS BRIEF [December 17, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. The Chinese research team released a report exposing the U.S. strategy of containing China through disrupting the Xinjiang region as an intervention through an agenda-setting. Source: People’s Daily
2. The EU leaders, the U.S. and Britain  agreed to impose further economic sanction on Russia if Moscow continues its provocative moves by invading Ukraine. Source: France24
3. A Meta platform’s report found that seven Israeli private surveillance companies were hacking and committing cybercrime, targeting people across 100 countries. Source: Haaretz

WORLD

1. NATO Chief said that Russia’s provocative military buildup was retained despite international pressure, citing that it could destabilize and undermine security in Europe. Source: Anadolu Agency
2. Britain and Australia concluded their free trade deal and addressed agriculture issues, which is expected to generate more than £10 billion in trade for the two countries annually. Source: CGTN
3. The EU will announce a proposed legislation on Friday to ensure an undisrupted flow of medicines from the UK into Northern Ireland as a part of the Northern Ireland Protocol. Source: The Independent

REGIONS

1. Taiwan pledged to pursue closer economic and other ties with Lithuania amid escalating row between Vilnius and Beijing over the Island’s representative office crisis. Source: SCMP
2. A State Department’s report released on Thursday revealed that DPRK remains on the list of state sponsors of terrorism as it failed to take action to address international terrorism. Source: Yonhap News Agency
3. China’s envoy to Japan said that the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic has been used as political propaganda and warned Japan not to interfere in Taiwan issues. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodian FM convened talks with his Thai counterpart to discuss bilateral ties, current regional and global issues, and Cambodia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2022. Source: Khmer Times
2. Council of Ministers endorsed two draft laws on Amendment to the Law on Commercial Enterprises and Law on Commercial Rule and Registration to further foster the trade sector. Source: Khmer Times
3. Japanese government will provide another 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Cambodia this week as Tokyo has already delivered one million doses to the Kingdom. Source: The Phnom Penh Post