MORNING NEWS BRIEF [December 28, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. The joint commission for talks on the restoration of the Iran nuclear deal agreed to intensify the drafting process in order to achieve the agreement as soon as possible. Source: TASS
2. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson stressed that Canada should rationally replace their wrong perception of China and seek efforts to bolster bilateral relations. Source: People’s Daily
3. The new UN Special Envoy to Myanmar, Dr Noeleen Heyzer, expressed her concerns over the situation in Myanmar and called for a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid. Source: The Straits Times

WORLD

1. Egypt, Jordan and  Palestine held talks to discuss proposals aimed at removing the deadlock which hinders the peace-building process between Israel and Palestine. Source: China.org.cn
2. Russia warned that high-risk military tension near the Russian border by NATO’s provocations could potentially escalate into an armed conflict. Source: Anadolu Agency
3. Syrian air defense has intercepted Israel’s conduct of several missile airstrikes, targeting key facilities at the port of Latakia, although no damage or casualties were reported. Source: CGTN

REGIONS

1. ROK, Japan and the U.S. will hold a Defense Ministers’ talks to discuss responses to DPRK’s ballistic missile tests and the denuclearization, in Hawaii next month. Source: KBS World Radio
2. North Korea convened the party’s meeting that gathered the government officials to discuss a major new year policy to revise the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. Source: The Straits Times
3. South Korea authorized emergency use of Pfizer’s antiviral pills for COVID-19 as the first of its kinds to be introduced in the country, following the rising daily infection rate. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. The Ministry of Justice will draft a law that allows conflicting parties to resolve their disputes outside of the court of law by using mediation as a dispute settlement. Source: Khmer Times
2. The Agriculture Ministry is investigating the encroachment of the 200 hectares of state’s forest land in Mondulkiri province which has been cleared illegally. Source: Khmer Times
3. The Ministry of Health announced 15 new COVID-19 cases with Omicron variant, bringing the total detection of Omicron cases in the Kingdom to 31 as of 27 December. Source: AKP