MORNING NEWS BRIEF [December 29, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that Russia will not tolerate the EU’s eastward expansion, including Ukraine joining NATO, for the next diplomatic meeting with the U.S.. Source: teleSUR
2. Palestenian and Israeli Defense Ministers held talks as the effort to build confidence in their bilateral ties and discuss various issues, including security and humanitarian issues. Source: Anadolu Agency
3. WHO warned that the Omicron COVID-19 variants could potentially exhaust the healthcare system as the daily cases rapidly spread across the EU and the U.S. Source: The Guardian

WORLD

1. Iranian FM stressed that the talks on restoring the Iran nuclear deal is one good path as the negotiating team focused on the unified text that the concerning sides have differences on. Source: Xinhua
2. The Turkish Defense Minister stressed that the country is willing to be the mediator to ensure the unity and stability in Bosnia’s crisis amid concerns over the seperatist moves. Source: Reuters
3. Ukraine’s President has imposed sanctions on three media companies, including the television channels owned by the opposition lawmakers. Source: TASS

REGIONS

1. The Bruneian and Japanese Defense Minister held bilateral talks to discuss defense cooperation and conduct levels of exchange through port visits and drills. Source: Borneo Bulletin
2. Japan mapped out a plan to release the contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea and to compensate the local industry and the safety assessment. Source: Reuters
3. Hong Kong authorities arrested six current and former senior staff of the pro-democracy media companies over the conspiracy to publish seditious publications. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. The Royal Government received additional 1,467,530 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine as the second batch of the donation made by Australia to Cambodia. Source: Fresh News
2. PM Hun Sen presided over the inauguration ceremony of the Ministry of Defense’s administrative-meeting hall, highlighting that is a part of the achievements from peace. Source: AKP
3. PM and Ambassador Mikami discussed diplomatic and military cooperation while PM highlighted that 2022 will mark the 30th anniversary of Japan’s PKO in the Kingdom. Source: Khmer Times