MORNING NEWS BRIEF [April 22, 2021]

HOT NEWS

1. President Putin warned the West not to cross Russia’s red line over the Ukraine and Navalny case, stating that it would trigger an asymmetrical, rapid and harsh response. Source: BBC News
2. The U.S. has placed new sanctions on the Myanmar military government, targeting state-run pearl and timber companies which are the economic sources of the junta regime. Source: CNA
3. Ukrainian President has proposed to meet his Russian counterpart face-to-face in an effort to resolve the tension over the Donbass crisis, adding that Kiev has support from the West. Source: RT

WORLD

1. The EU condemned Russia’s reactions to Czech’s decision to expel Russian diplomats as disproportionate and expressed their support to further steps taken by Prague. Source: TASS
2. The Biden administration outlined the examples of the kinds of sanctions that the U.S. is willing to remove in exchange for Iran to return to the 2015 nuclear deal. Source: The Independent
3. More than 1,400 people have been arrested across Russia as thousands of Navalny supporters continue to demonstrate and call for freeing the jailed opposition leader. Source: Reuters

REGIONS

1. North Korea is reported to be working on ballistic missile capability development that allows them to degrade and defeat the U.S. defense missile system. Source: The Korea Herald
2. Australia cancelled four deals under the Belt and Road Initiative due to the inconsistent and adverse to Canberra’s foreing policy which further fuels the frailed bilateral ties. Source: Reuters
3. India’s healthcare facilities and essential services are on the brink of collapse as the second wave of COVID-19 hit the country with the devastating speed of new cases. Source: CNN

CAMBODIA

1. Vietnam provided humanitarian assistance to Cambodia worth USD300,000 to support Cambodia’s efforts in the fighting against COVID-19 pandemic. Source: Khmer Times
2. MoC has launched an online market-place in order to sell and deliver the essential groceries to the people amid the ongoing lockdown in the capital and Takhmao town. Source: The Phnom Penh Post
3. Cambodia and Canada have discussed the possible cooperation on legal and judicial sectors through capacity building, training and modernizing the court administration. Source: AKP