MORNING NEWS BRIEF [March 12, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. U.S. denounced China’s decision to change HK electoral system, adding that genocide against Uighur Muslims will be on the agenda of top-diplomats discussion next week. Source: CNA
2. A group of 16 countries, including China, Russia, North Korea and Iran are rallying support to form a coalition to shelter from the use or threat of force and unilateral sanctions. Source: Metro
3. Venezuelan FM slammed the UN’s human rights chief for criticizing the country’s internal affairs, saying that the experts fell into false narratives pressured by the opposition forces. Source: Sputnik

WORLD

1. Envoys of Russia, Spain and Italy to the Middle East held talks to discuss the preconditions to restart the peace building process of Israeli and Palestine negotiations. Source: TASS
2. U.S. President Biden signed a historic law of American Rescue Plan Act that is worth $1.9 trillion to provide financial support to working class people during COVID-19. Source: Sputnik
3. The EU has reached the conclusion to authorize the use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines for people over 18 years old which can be used in a single dose. Source: Xinhua Net

REGIONS

1. Australia’s PM will hold a meeting with the Quad countries to discuss security issues in the Indo-Pacific, climate change and joint efforts to contain COVID-19 in the region. Source:Reuters
2. Myanmar’s military government accused the ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi of illegally accepting $600,000, including gold while she was the head of government. Source: The Straits Times
3. China passed the resolution to take over HK’s electoral system which will reduce democratic representation and allow the pro-China panel to veto the election candidates. Source: BBC

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodia is going to host the 7th Greater Mekong Subregion summit this month in order to discuss the pandemic crisis and the current situation in Myanmar. Source: Khmer Times
2. The Law on Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 and Other Deadly Infectious Diseases containing six chapters and 18 articles was officially promulgated yesterday. Source: AKP
3. MoH will suspend the use of the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccines nationwide while those who were scheduled for the second dose can still receive the vaccines. Source: Khmer Times