MORNING NEWS BRIEF [August 19, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. The IMF suspended Afghanistan’s resources to prevent the Taliban from accessing them, saying there is a lack of clarity of the new government from the international community. Source: The Hill
2. Moscow is ready to hold an inter-Afghani dialogue to call for a peaceful resolution in the country without preconditions for Russian military presence in Afghanistan. Source: TASS
3. WHO criticized the rich countries for being too rushed to roll out its booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine while millions of people worldwide are still waiting for their first shot. Source: teleSUR

WORLD

1. The U.S. President stated that the U.S. will have to maintain a military presence in Afghanistan beyond the withdrawal deadline until every American is evacuated. Source: Reuters
2. The Polish government has sent more than 900 troops along its border with Belarus in a bid to stop a surging number of migrants trying to enter the country. Source: Politico
3. Russian Justice Ministry declared the Golos independent vote-monitoring movement as a foreign agent, just one month before Russia holds a parliamentary election. Source: Deutsche Welle

REGIONS

1. Japanese chief cabinet secretary expressed extreme regret in a press briefing following a visit by an ROK’s politician to the disputed Dokdo islets on Korea’s liberation day. Source: UPI
2. Malaysia’s members of the parliament signed statutory declarations supporting Ismail Sabri as the next PM and were summoned to meet the King at the National Palace on Thursday. Source: CNA
3. The AAPP who records the killings of people by the government’s force revealed  that at least 1,000 civilians in Myanmar have been killed since the coup on February 1. Source: Al Jazeera

CAMBODIA

1. Cambodian FM said the Kingdom will provide USD 100,000 more to Myanmar through the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Center, in addition to a recent direct donation. Source: AKP
2. Cambodia and Australia convened a meeting as Canberra pledged to support the Kingdom under the Mekong-Australia Partnership in a range of sectors. Source: Khmer Times
3. The investment advisory firm reported that Cambodia is on track to achieve the GDP growth of more than six percent next year, citing the country’s rapid vaccine rollout. Source: AKP