COVID-19 complex in Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand
NDO/VNA – Authorities in Singapore have tightened COVID-19 measures as infections in the country rise to fresh record highs, but two health experts told the CNBC that the situation is not terribly concerned.
Singapore, Malaysia hold drill in Malacca Strait
NDO/VNA – The Singapore and Malaysian navies have held a contactless exercise in the Malacca Strait from September 20 to 27, according to the Singaporean Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).
World News in Brief: September 27
Thailand's COVID-19 task force approved a plan to procure a combined 3.35 mln doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines, a spokesperson said. The country will also waive its mandatory quarantine requirement in Bangkok and nine regions from November 1 to vaccinated arrivals,
German SPD seeks allies to replace Merkel-led coalition
Germany's Social Democrats were set on September 27 to start the process of trying to form a government after they narrowly won their first national election since 2005 to end 16 years of conservative-led rule under Angela Merkel.
Erdogan says Turkey plans to buy more Russian defense systems
President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey still intended to buy a second batch of S-400 missile defense systems from Russia, a move that could deepen a rift with NATO ally Washington and trigger new US sanctions.
World News in Brief: September 26
Romanian Prime Minister Florin Citu won the leadership election of his ruling Liberal Party on Saturday, further reducing the chances of reuniting the centrist coalition government which collapsed earlier this month.
Macron says France will double the COVID shots it sends to poor nations - AFP
President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said France would give 120 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to poor nations, doubling an earlier pledge, French news agency AFP reported.
Germans vote in close election to decide Merkel successor
Germans vote in a national election on Sunday that looks too close to call, with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) mounting a strong challenge to retiring Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives.
World News in Brief: September 25
China's broadcasting regulator said it will encourage online producers to create "healthy" cartoons and clamp down violent, vulgar or pornographic content, as Beijing steps up efforts to bring its thriving entertainment industry to heel.
COVID-19 remains complicated in Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia
NDO/VNA – Thailand on September 23 reported 13,256 new COVID-19 infections and 131 fatalities, raising the national counts to 1.52 million and 15,884, respectively.
France's Le Drian says restoring confidence with US will require time
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday it would take "time and actions" to restore confidence in ties after a crisis triggered by Australia's cancellation of a submarine contract with Paris.
IMF calls for coordinated action, accountability in COVID-19 battle
The chief economist of the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday called for coordinated action and greater accountability to ensure that the world meets a target of vaccinating 40% of people in every country against COVID-19 by the end of 2021.