MORNING NEWS BRIEF [October 12, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. Microsoft identified the hackers affiliated with Iran over their alleged activities of password spraying against the U.S., Israel, and the EU defense technology and maritime firms. Source: Sputnik
2. The IMF’s executive board will issue a statement to support the Managing Director after the allegation that she pressured WB’s staff to alter data to favor China. Source: The National
3. The U.S. Pharmaceutical giant Merck requested for the emergency use authorization for its antiviral COVID-19 pills treatments from the FDA. Source: KBS World Radio

WORLD

1. Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia agreed to hold a ministerial-level meeting to discuss the on-going conflict that takes place in the Eastern part of Ukraine. Source: Radio Free Europe
2. Ethiopian national army has launched a ground offensive to push Tigrayan forces out of Amhara, as the attempt to counter terrorism activities in the country. Source: The Globe and Mail
3. The German’s winning SPD kicked off a second round of coalition talks with Greens and FDP, seeking to form a new government after two weeks of a tight election. Source: Deutsche Welle

REGIONS

1. North Korea stressed that the U.S. is the root cause of the tension of instability and called for the country to boost their military capabilities against the U.S. hostile policy. Source: The Telegraph 
2. China and India held talks to disengage troops from key friction areas along their borders as the two countries failed to reach an agreement on their negotiations. Source: CNA 
3. Thailand planned to fully reopen their tourism to countries with low risk of infection and fully vaccinated travellers starting from November 01 onward to recover the country’s economy. Source: The Guardian

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodia and Serbia have expressed their commitment in strengthening the two countries’ bilateral relations in sectors of politics, economy, tourism and investment. Source: AKP
2. Japan provided grant aid and loan to Cambodia totalling about $72 million to contribute to socio-economic development,  $1.8 million of  which is for landmine action. Source: Khmer Times
3. The USCB reported that the Cambodia-U.S. two-way trade reached almost USD 5.4994 billion in the first eight months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 28.47 per cent. Source: The Phnom Penh Post