MORNING NEWS BRIEF [May 13, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. Tunisia, Norway and China filed their request for an open meeting session on Friday to discuss the escalation of tension between Palestine and Israel. Source: TASS
2. The U.S., France and Japan conducted their first-ever joint military drill in the Pacific, aiming to strengthen the alliance amid China’s growing assertiveness in the region. Source: RFI
3. The UN Secretary-General urged to double the capacity of COVID-19 vaccine production and called for a fairer redistribution of the shots in the developing countries. Source: Al Jazeera

WORLD

1. President Joe Biden reaffirmed the U.S. support extended to Israel, saying they have the right to self-defense over the recent rocket attacks carried by Hamas. Source: New York Post
2. Yoweri Museveni has sworn to serve his sixth five-year term as the President of Uganda and said in his inaugural speech that foreigners have no rights to teach him about democracy. Source: VOA
3. The European Commission called on all countries in the bloc to temporarily put travel restrictions on non-essential travels as an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 variant. Source: Reuters

REGIONS

1. The Malaysian government has reported that the U.S. Department of Justice has returned the USD4.5 billion worth of seized assets that are allegedly related to the 1MDB. Source: The Straits Times
2. HK passed a patriotic oath law that enables the Secretary for Justice to test the loyalty of and take action against politicians and officials, expected to take effect this month. Source: CNA
3. Thai Department of Correction reported that at least 2,835 prisoners and correctional officers in two prisons have tested positive for COVID-19. Source: CNA

CAMBODIA

1. Singapore re-emphasized its commitment to further expand and strengthen mutual cooperation with Cambodia as the Kingdom pledged to retain and cooperate in all sectors. Source: AKP
2. KE and UNDP have joined hands to build a strategic partnership in a bid to strengthen and ensure the sustainable development of SMEs and e-commerce in Cambodia. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
3. Phnom Penh City Hall has announced the extension of the capital-wide curfew and lockdowns in Red Zones for another week starting from May 13-19. Source: Khmer Times