HUN SEN

In what was set to be its final session, the U.N.-assisted tribunal began issuing its ruling on an appeal by Khieu Samphan, the last surviving leader of the Khmer Rouge government that ruled Cambodia from 1975-79. He was convicted in 2018 of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and sentenced to life in prison. Four other suspects, middle-ranking Khmer Rouge leaders, escaped prosecution because of a split among the tribunal's jurists. Hun Sen himself was a middle-ranking commander with the Khmer Rouge before defecting while the group was still in power, and several senior members of his ruling Cambodian People’s Party share similar backgrounds. He helped cement his political control by making alliances with other former Khmer Rouge commanders.

The international court that judged the Khmer Rouge for its brutal 1970s rule ended its work by rejecting the last surviving leader's appeal.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — (AP) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed his country's efforts to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian countries at a meeting Thursday with their foreign ministers, which came as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in the region. In his opening remarks, Wang did not mention the situation but instead stressed how China and ASEAN countries have strengthened cooperation in recent years. “We have safeguarded the oasis of peace in the face of the turbulence in the international security situation,” he said. ASEAN is made up of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. During the meeting with Hun Sen, Wang reiterated that “China is willing to work with Cambodia to safeguard their respective sovereignty, security and development interests,” China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — (AP) — China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed his country's efforts to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations at a meeting Thursday with their foreign ministers, which came as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in the region. In his opening remarks, Wang did not mention the situation but instead stressed how China and the ASEAN countries had strengthened cooperation in recent years. “We have safeguarded the oasis of peace in the face of the turbulence in the international security situation,” he said. ASEAN is made up of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. During the meeting with Hun Sen, Wang reiterated that “China is willing to work with Cambodia to safeguard their respective sovereignty, security and development interests,” China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is stressing his country’s efforts to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian countries at a meeting with their foreign ministers, which comes as Beijing seeks to expand its influence in the region.

China claims the self-governing island of Taiwan as its territory and opposes any engagement by Taiwanese officials with foreign governments. On the other side, with China's recent increase in military activities around Taiwan, Washington accuses Beijing of no longer accepting the status quo. Shortly after Pelosi landed Tuesday night, China announced live-fire drills that reportedly started that night, as well as the four-day exercises starting Thursday. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force also flew a contingent of 21 warplanes toward Taiwan. Meantime, the U.S. has an aircraft carrier group and other naval assets in the region.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is calling for calm in the Taiwan Strait, urging against any “provocative action” in the wake of a visit to Taipei by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that has infuriated Beijing.

APTOPIX Cambodia ASEAN Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen delivers the opening speech for the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (55th AMM) at a hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian) (Vincent Thian)PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — (AP) — Top Southeast Asian diplomats meeting in Cambodia's capital intensified efforts Wednesday to stop the escalating violence in Myanmar, and to address other pressing — and often divisive — regional issues. Cambodia currently holds the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN, which also includes the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei in addition to Myanmar. Among other things, the five-point consensus calls for dialogue among all concerned parties and an immediate end to violence. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has criticized ASEAN for not doing enough to stop the violence in Myanmar, will also be in attendance.

Top Southeast Asian diplomats meeting in Cambodia’s capital are intensifying efforts to stop the escalating violence in Myanmar.

Myanmar has carried out its first executions in nearly 50 years, hanging a former lawmaker, a democracy activist and two other political prisoners who had been accused of a targeted killing after the country’s military takeover last year.

Cambodian American rights activist Theary Seng and most of the other defendants had been charged over a failed attempt by the leader of an opposition party to return from exile in 2019.

Cambodian authorities blocked Sam Rainsy’s return and alleged the 60 defendants were involved in organizing his trip, which Theary Seng and the others have denied. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court found Theary Seng and most of the others guilty of conspiracy to commit treason, defense lawyer Choung Chou Ngy said. Theary Seng was sentenced to six years in jail, and the others received sentences of five to eight years. The trial of Theary Seng and her co-defendants began in 2020 but was suspended until December 2021 due to coronavirus restrictions. Seven exiled leaders of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, including Sam Rainsy, received 10-year prison terms in absentia.

A Cambodian court has convicted a Cambodian-American lawyer and dozens of members of a now-dissolved opposition party on charges of treason.

Cambodia Naval Base FILE - Cambodian navy troop members walk on the pier at Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville, southwestern of Phnom Penh, Cambodia on July 26, 2019. Cambodian officials broke ground Wednesday, June 8, 2022, on a naval port expansion project in Ream, dismissing American concerns it could provide Beijing with a strategically important outpost on the Gulf of Thailand. Tea Banh said the port project is expected to take two years to complete. He said when completed, the base will be a monument to “the ironclad friendship and cooperation between the two militaries” of China and Cambodia. The U.S. has more foreign military bases than any other country, including multiple facilities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Chinese and Cambodian officials have broken ground on a contentious naval port expansion project, dismissing American concerns it could provide Beijing with a strategically important military outpost on the Gulf of Thailand.

Cambodian and Chinese officials will break ground this week on the expansion of a port facility that the U.S. and others worry will be used by Beijing as a naval outpost on the Gulf of Thailand, but the government has denied that any Chinese military presence will be allowed.

Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party is certain to sail to easy victory again following what the U.N. Human Rights Office said was a pattern of "threats, intimidation and obstruction targeting opposition candidates. " Without the Cambodian National Rescue Party on the ballot, Hun Sen’s party was assured of victory in the general election the following year. The dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, whose sitting members were also ousted from their political posts, remains banned, with most of its top leaders in exile. The original Candlelight Party was founded in 1995 by Sam Rainsy, the main political rival of Hun Sen, and later folded into the Cambodia National Rescue Party. Sam Rainsy, faced with legal harassment, went into self-exile in France, and the co-founder of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, Kem Sokha, is currently being tried on a thinly supported treason charge.

Cambodians are voting in local elections that are their first chance to go to the polls since the ruling party of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen swept a 2018 general election that was widely criticized as unfair.

Cambodia is lifting its mask mandate for open public places

Cambodia is lifting its mask mandate for open public places, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced Tuesday. “I hope that the lifting of the mask-wearing requirement will create a moment of happiness for all our people, and at the same time help them save money by using what they had been paying for masks to instead buy clothing for their children,” he said, speaking after an inter-ministerial meeting to evaluate the COVID-19 situation.

The real threat to autocracies everywhere is the democrats within. The United States must do more to support them.

A security alliance between China and the Solomon Islands has sent shudders throughout the South Pacific, with many worried it could set off a large-scale military buildup or that Western animosity to the deal could play into China’s hands.

Human rights advocates have decried the accusations as "baseless" and say the trial is meant to sideline political opponents of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for more than 30 years.

Virus Outbreak Cambodia A young girl held by her mother pushes a shaft of a needle as she receives a first dose of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine at a health center outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022. Cambodia began vaccinating 3- and 4-year-olds with Chinese-made Sinovac shots Wednesday after finding young children accounting for many new infections. Prime Minister Hun Sen appealed for parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as they can. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) (Heng Sinith)PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — (AP) — Cambodia began vaccinating 3- and 4-year-olds with Chinese-made Sinovac shots Wednesday after finding young children accounting for many new infections. After vaccinating adults and older children, Cambodia approved shots for ages 6-11 in September last year as part of reopening its schools.

Cambodia is vaccinating 3- and 4-year-olds with Chinese-made Sinovac shots after finding young children accounting for many new infections.

As Russian military exercises near Ukraine continue, the crisis appears to be reaching a critical point. A key event is the Munich security conference next weekend. Vice President Kamala Harris and Sec. of State Antony Blinken are due to attend. (Feb. 14)

Myanmar says it will not participate in this week’s meetings in Cambodia of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, spurning an invitation to send a non-political representative instead of its chief diplomat.

Cambodia Myanmar Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen waves from a plane upon his arrival from Myanmar, at Phnom Penh International Airport, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. Hun Sen's meeting with Myanmar's military chief, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi last February, triggered protests in Myanmar and criticism abroad. That means he promised that he would get back to Hun Sen with positive news,” Prak Sokhonn said. Last April, ASEAN leaders, including Min Aung Hlaing, agreed on a five-point roadmap toward a peaceful settlement of the Myanmar crisis, including an end to violence and a political dialogue between all stakeholders. The Myanmar military has a history of bloodshed, including a brutal campaign against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

Cambodia’s foreign minister has defended Prime Minister Hun Sen’s trip to Myanmar, the first by a foreign leader since the military takeover plunged the country into turmoil, though there was little evidence the mission yielded any immediate breakthrough.

Hun Sen is the first head of government to visit Myanmar since the military takeover last February. Hun Sen said on Wednesday before leaving Cambodia that he had not set any preconditions for his visit. The Myanmar military has a history of bloodshed, including a brutal campaign against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Hun Sen was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, the current ASEAN special envoy, and other top Cambodian leaders. The National Unity Government, an underground Myanmar opposition group and parallel administration, urged Hun Sen to stay away.

Hun Sen is himself an authoritarian leader who has held power for 36 years and keeps a tight leash on political activity in Cambodia. Hun Sen said on Wednesday in Phnom Penh that he had not set any pre-conditions before his visit. The Myanmar military has a history of bloodshed, including a brutal campaign against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Hun Sen was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, the current ASEAN special envoy, and other top Cambodian leaders. The National Unity Government, an underground Myanmar opposition group and parallel administration, also urged Hun Sen to stay away.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to Myanmar to revive peace efforts after last year’s military takeover is provoking an angry backlash among critics, who say he is legitimizing the army’s seizure of power.

Cambodia Politics Court securities direct Cambodian-American lawyer Theary Seng, right, dressed in a prison-style orange outfit, to the entrance of Phnom Penh Municipal Court in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. Cambodian security forces on Tuesday briefly detained Theary, a prominent rights activist, as she walked barefoot near the prime minister’s residence in Phnom Penh, wearing the orange outfit and Khmer Rouge-era ankle shackles. She was released, shortly afterwards, and arrived at the Phnom Penh court for the resumption of her trial on treason charges. She was released, shortly afterwards, and arrived at Phnom Penh Municipal Court for the resumption of her trial on treason charges. “These are not the exact shackles that I wore, possibly, but they’re from the prison where I was detained and it’s the shackles from that era."

Cambodian security forces have briefly detained a Cambodian-American lawyer who is a prominent rights activist as she walked barefoot near the prime minister’s residence in the capital of Phnom Penh.

BANGKOK — (AP) — The U.S. has ordered an arms embargo on Cambodia, citing deepening Chinese military influence, corruption and human rights abuses by the government and armed forces in the Southeast Asian country. A pre-publication notice in the Federal Register said developments in Cambodia were “contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests." The U.S. halted military assistance to Cambodia following a 1997 coup in which Hun Sen grabbed full power after ousting his co-premier, Prince Norodom Ranariddh. Hun Sen remains prime minister. Since direct military ties between the two countries were restored in 2006, the U.S. has pledged millions in military aid to Cambodia.

The U.S. has ordered an arms embargo on Cambodia, citing deepening Chinese military influence, corruption and human rights abuses in the Southeast Asian country.

A mass trial of critics and opponents of Cambodia’s government has resumed amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent in the country

Cambodia’s long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday explicitly declared his support to have his eldest son, army commander Hun Manet, succeed him as the nation’s leader. The 44-year-old Hun Manet, a West Point graduate, has the rank of lieutenant general and holds several important military posts. Hun Sen, who has held power for 36 years, has often mentioned Hun Manet as his potential successor after 2028, when he plans to step down.

Cambodia’s Prince Norodom Ranariddh, former prime minister and the son of the late King Norodom Sihanouk, has died at age 77.

After slow starts, vaccination campaigns in several countries in the Asia-Pacific region now boast inoculation rates that rank among the world’s best.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — (AP) — Cambodia reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers on Monday, two weeks earlier than originally planned, as it emerges from a lengthy lockdown bolstered by one of the world's highest rates of immunization against COVID-19. The program allows visitors to skip quarantine measures if they are fully vaccinated, test negative 72 hours before they enter the country and test negative upon their arrival. Cambodia in 2019, before the pandemic, received 6.6 million foreigners who accounted for nearly $5 billion in revenue. Most of them visited the famous Angkor temples in Siem Reap province and seaside destinations, according to the Tourism Ministry. In 2020, the number of visitors dropped sharply to 1.3 million and earnings from them plunged to about $1 billion.

Cambodia has reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers two weeks earlier than originally planned, as it emerges from a lengthy lockdown bolstered by one of the world’s highest rates of immunization against COVID-19.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — (AP) — A Cambodian appeals court on Friday ordered the early release of five activists, including a prominent labor leader who has been a longtime critic of the government. The Phnom Penh Court of Appeals said it had ordered the release later in the day of Rong Chhun and four others, but gave no immediate details about its decision. His attorney, Sam Sokong, said the court cut short that sentence to 15 months and 11 days, including time served. They were each arrested in August 2020 while demonstrating for the release of Rong Chhun, and each was sentenced to 20 months in prison in the same trial as him. The party's dissolution was generally seen as intended to ensure victory for Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party.

A Cambodian court has released five activists, including a prominent labor leader who has been a longtime critic of the government.

Cambodia is dismissing as “politically motivated” sanctions imposed by the United States on two senior defense officials over allegations of graft, accompanied by a broader warning of systemic corruption in the Southeast Asian nation.

An autistic Cambodian teenager has been released from prison after serving time for posting comments critical of the government on social media in a case that has attracted international attention.

Cambodia Convicted Teen Kak Sovannchhay, 16, is seen in this photo from 2021, provided by his mother. (Prum Chantha/Photo via AP) (Prum Chantha)PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — (AP) — A Cambodian activist wept in frustration Monday after learning her autistic teenage son, imprisoned for comments critical of the government he made on social media, would not be released as anticipated in a case that has drawn global attention. Under Cambodian sentencing guidelines including credit for time served, he was scheduled for release this week and the family had been told it would take place Monday. Observers said, however, that during the trial, the court refused two requests to evaluate the boy’s disability and support needs. The posts the teen made came in response to others calling his father a traitor, she said.

A Cambodian activist has denounced a delay in the release of her autistic teenage son, who has been imprisoned for comments critical of the government he made on social media.

ASEAN This handout photo released by Brunei ASEAN Summit on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, shows Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, holding up the gavel for ASEAN chairmanship during the online closing ceremony of the 2021 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, on a live video conference in Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. ASEAN barred Myanmar's military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, from representing the country at the summit, in its harshest rebuke yet since the army ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. ASEAN offered to accept a non-political representative from Myanmar at the summit, but the country decided not to participate. “For this meeting, we have given Myanmar space while firmly upholding the principles enshrined in the ASEAN charter including that of non-interference. “ASEAN will always be there for Myanmar and we have continued to offer our help," he said.

The sultan of Brunei says Myanmar remains an integral part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the bloc hopes its military government will work with an ASEAN envoy to defuse the political crisis triggered by its seizure of power in February.

The country’s courts are widely seen as doing the government's bidding, in this case eliminating the sole credible opposition party ahead of the polls. The opposition group had been expected to present a strong challenge to Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party. They show Hun Sen holding a 12-minute conversation with Long Ry, a former opposition lawmaker. He said he would be happy to invite Hun Sen to future meetings to discuss national issues. Hun Sen has been in power for more than 36 years and said repeatedly he has no intention of stepping down soon.

Cambodia’s prime minister has boasted of barging uninvited into a video conference call hosted by his political opponents.

(AP Photo/Heng Sinith) (Heng Sinith)PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia is vaccinating children ages 6 to 11 so students can safely return to schools that have been closed for months due to the coronavirus. Hun Sen says he ordered health officials to study if children ages 3 to 5 can be vaccinated. ___CANBERRA, Australia — Australians will soon have a third COVID-19 vaccine option with 1 million Moderna shots about to arrive in Sydney. Health officials says hospitals are stressed, with staffing and capacity issues. Steve Sisolak’s mandate that workers at health care facilities and prisons be vaccinated by Nov. 1 or face administrative leave or reassignment.

(AP Photo/Heng Sinith) (Heng Sinith)PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia is vaccinating children ages 6 to 11 so students can safely return to schools that have been closed for months due to the coronavirus. Hun Sen says he ordered health officials to study if children ages 3 to 5 can be vaccinated. ___CANBERRA, Australia — Australians will soon have a third COVID-19 vaccine option with 1 million Moderna shots about to arrive in Sydney. Health officials says hospitals are stressed, with staffing and capacity issues. Steve Sisolak’s mandate that workers at health care facilities and prisons be vaccinated by Nov. 1 or face administrative leave or reassignment.

APTOPIX Virus Outbreak Cambodia A young boy reacts as he receives a shot of the Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine at a Samrong Krom health center outside Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith) (Heng Sinith)PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — (AP) — Cambodia began vaccinating 6-to-11-year-olds Friday so students can safely return to schools that have been closed for months due to the coronavirus. Cambodia already has been vaccinating older children, and Hun Sen said he ordered health officials to study if children ages 3 to 5 can also be vaccinated. Nearly 72% of Cambodia’s almost 17 million people have received at least one COVID-19 shot since vaccinations began in February. Cambodia’s Health Ministry on Friday reported 698 new cases and 11 deaths, adding to the nation's totals of 102,834 cases and 2,089 deaths from COVID-19.

Cambodia is vaccinating 6-to-11-year-olds so students can safely return to schools that have been closed for months due to the coronavirus.

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has invited CEOs and business leaders to the White House to discuss COVID-19 mandates. Biden said 100 million workers would be subject to the requirement. As of last week, 145 million doses had been procured, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In recent weeks, there were about 4.4 million cases. ___PARIS — Health care workers in France face suspension from their jobs starting Wednesday if they haven’t been vaccinated against COVID-19.

(AP Photo/Heng Sinith) (Heng Sinith)GENEVA — The World Health Organization said there were about 4 million coronavirus cases reported globally last week, marking the first major drop in new infections in more than two months. In recent weeks, there have been about 4.4 million new COVID-19 cases. In its weekly update released on Tuesday, the U.N. health agency said every region in the world saw a drop in COVID-19 cases compared to the previous week. With about 300,000 workers still not vaccinated, some hospitals fear staff shortages will add to their strain. ___PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia will launch a campaign Friday to begin giving COVID-19 vaccinations to children between 6 and 11 years of age.

Alaska is reporting its highest number of new coronavirus cases a day after the state’s largest hospital announced it had entered crisis protocol and started rationing care because of a flood of COVID-19 cases.

Cambodia China Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi listens to his Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn during a meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. Wang is visiting Cambodia, where's he expected to meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen and other officials to discuss COVID-19 and other regional issues. Wang met with Hun Sen and other officials for bilateral talks on combating COVID-19, trade and investment, education and security issues. Hun Sen did not detail what the aid from Beijing would be used for. Hun Sen added, however, that Cambodia is not reliant solely on China but makes friends with all the world’s countries, and welcomes their aid for development.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen says China has agreed to provide the Southeast Asian nation with grant aid of 1.75 billion yuan ($272 million).

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Sunday that China has agreed to provide the Southeast Asian nation with grant aid of 1.75 billion yuan ($272 million), announcing the assistance during a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang met with Hun Sen and other officials for bilateral talks on combating COVID-19, trade and investment, education and security issues. Cambodia’s foreign ministry said earlier that Wang’s meetings on Sunday and Monday also would include discussions of regional and international issues of shared interest.

The last living leader from the inner circle of Cambodia’s brutal Khmer Rouge regime is in court Monday seeking to overturn his conviction on genocide charges before a long-running international tribunal.

Health officials in Arizona on Sunday reported more than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases for the second consecutive day.

Health authorities in Thailand are racing to set up a large field hospital at one of Bangkok’s airports as the country sees new highs in coronavirus infections and deaths.

The animal was seized in the capital Phnom Penh last month after officials said the pet was illegal.

The U.S. Embassy in Cambodia says one of its diplomats was not allowed to freely inspect a naval base on the Gulf of Thailand despite permission to do so to assuage Washington’s concerns about China’s military presence there

Efforts by Cambodia to assuage U.S. concerns about China's right to use a naval base on the Gulf of Thailand suffered a setback Friday when an American diplomat invited to inspect it was allowed only limited access, according to the U.S. Embassy. The embassy said Defense Attaché Col. Marcus M. Ferrara traveled to the Ream Naval Base in coordination with Cambodian authorities, but was denied full access to the facility, leading him to cut short his visit and ask for it to be rescheduled without any limits to what he could see. Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said Cambodia fulfilled its commitment to allow a visit as requested, and if U.S. officials were not satisfied, they could request another visit as long as it did not involve spying or violating Cambodian sovereignty.

(Government Spokesman Office via AP) (Uncredited)BEIJING — (AP) — China said Thursday its relationship with Cambodia has made positive contributions to regional peace and stability, after the U.S. expressed concerns about the presence of the Chinese military in the Southeast Asian nation. In a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman focused on China's construction of new facilities at Ream Naval Base. Ream faces the Gulf of Thailand that lies adjacent to the South China Sea, where China has aggressively asserted its claim to virtually the entire strategic waterway. China was the chief backer of the murderous regime of Pol Pot in Cambodia and has long maintained strong relations with Hun Sen, who has ruled for more than 30 years and grown increasingly repressive. Cambodia has also reliably blocked criticism of China within the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

China says its relationship with Cambodia has made positive contributions to regional peace and stability, after the U.S. expressed concerns about the presence of the Chinese military in the country.

China said Thursday its relationship with Cambodia has made positive contributions to regional peace and stability, after the U.S. expressed concerns about the presence of the Chinese military in the Southeast Asian nation. In a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman focused on China's construction of new facilities at Ream Naval Base.

The Aston Martin Vantage was already undeniably compelling, with a seductive yet minatory shape, delicious sounds from its 507 hp twin-turbo V8 motor, and enough leather to keep an ’80s hair metal band outfitted for at least one tour. Add (or subtract?) the world’s fastest-opening convertible top, and you have a recipe for summer perfection, even if you drive yours through the Sonoran Desert, like we did.

Cambodia is shutting its most popular tourist destination, the centuries-old Angkor temple complex, to visitors for two weeks to help curb the country’s coronavirus outbreak.

Doug Ducey said the site switch will maintain the state’s vaccination program’s presence in southeastern Maricopa County while protecting staff, volunteers and people getting vaccinated. Greece is currently grappling with a surge in coronavirus infections which has seen many hospitals run by the state health system reach capacity. 23, a total of 42,028 COVID-19 cases have been diagnosed on the island nation of around 900,000 people, of which 248 died due to COVID-19. Kate Brown said those groups will now be eligible to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 5. ___PHOENIX — Arizona on Friday reported 571 new coronavirus cases and 24 deaths as the number of virus-related hospitalizations remained fairly stable.

A medical worker prepares a shot of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine in a local rural medical post in the village of Ikhala in Russias Karelia region, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)MEXICO CITY — Mexico has received its first shipment of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine. Mexico received its first shipment of vaccines from Pfizer in mid-December, but turned to Sputnik V in January when other expected vaccine shipments were delayed. The company reiterated that it will have capacity to provide 100 million vaccine doses to the U.S. by the end of June. ___WASHINGTON — The White House now says it expects to catch up by mid-week on deliveries of coronavirus vaccine doses that were delayed by severe weather.

(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has reported 504 new coronavirus cases for the latest 24-hour period. Although coronavirus cases stayed relatively low in Japan last year compared to the United States and Europe, infections have been climbing recently. Kate Brown says outdoor contact sports, including high school football, can resume this week amid a decline in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. On Wednesday, Germany’s Robert Koch Institute reported 8,072 new virus cases and 813 deaths in 24 hours. ___MADRID — Spain’s official 14-day rate of coronavirus cases has fallen to 584, from a peak of 900 two weeks ago.

Inmates have staged protests in recent weeks at several prisons as the number of coronavirus cases surges in the facilities. About 50 prison guards have also tested positive. Sri Lanka has reported a total number of 22,988 coronavirus cases, including 109 fatalities. — India has recorded 38,772 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, driving its overall total to 9.43 million. India is second behind the U.S. in total reported coronavirus cases.

(AP Photo/Hau Dinh)HANOI, Vietnam -- Vietnamese authorities are conducting intensive contact tracing after the country’s first confirmed local transmission of the coronavirus in 89 days. The flight attendant tested positive on Saturday, the Tuoi Tre newspaper said. The new case ended Vietnam’s streak of 89 days without any known local transmission of the virus. The country has reported 1,347 coronavirus cases, including 35 deaths. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said Monday on Twitter that the record comes ahead of an “anticipated Thanksgiving acceleration” in coronavirus cases.

Of the 115 infections reported Sunday, 24 were untraceable. Hong Kong has reported 6,239 coronavirus infections since the pandemic began, with 109 deaths. — India has reported 41,180 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, with the daily toll staying below the 50,000-mark for the fourth week. He traveled to South Korea on Thursday. China has so far reported a total of 86,512 confirmed coronavirus infections, with 4,634 deaths.

Theary Seng, center, a Cambodian-American lawyer gestures as she enters the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. Theary Seng, who has long been one of the most outspoken critics of Hun Sen and his government, is one of the best known defendants living in Cambodia. Hun Sen has been in power for 35 years and has often been accused of heading an authoritarian regime. On Wednesday, the U.N. human rights expert on Cambodia expressed serious concerns about the trial. “The mass trials of CNRP activists appear to be politically motivated, lacking clear legal grounds and constitute a serious violation of the due process rights, firmly established by international human rights law,” said Rhona Smith.

Szijjarto tested positive for the coronavirus after arriving in Thailand for an official visit, Thai and Hungarian officials said Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. (Pool Photo via AP)PHNOM PENH – Cambodia on Wednesday banned all state-organized events in the capital and a neighboring province for two weeks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus after a number of people connected to a Hungarian official's visit tested positive. Two Hungarian ambassadors, to Thailand and to Cambodia, are among those who have tested positive since Szijjarto's visit. Thai authorities said Tuesday that a Hungarian diplomat in Bangkok tested positive for the virus, the only local case in Thailand so far linked to Szijjarto. The 53-year-old Hungarian diplomat in Bangkok was sent to an infectious disease facility for treatment and isolation.

A Sri Lankan woman prepares to give swab samples to test for COVID-19 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)COLOMBO – Sri Lanka police will strictly enforce mask and social distancing requirements and punish violators starting Monday as other anti-virus measures are eased to reduce the economic pain. “From today onwards, we will strictly enforce this law and will arrest those who defy these rules,” Rohana said. Sri Lanka has counted 13,929 COVID-19 patients with 35 deaths since the pandemic began. Both figures have been increasing because of two recent clusters that account for more than 9,900 of the total infections.

As Americans celebrate or fume over the new president-elect, many in Asia are waking up to the reality of a Joe Biden administration with decidedly mixed feelings. (AP Photo/Lintao Zhang, Pool, File)TOKYO – As Asia comes to terms with the reality of a Joe Biden administration, relief and hopes of economic and environmental revival jostle with needling anxiety and fears of inattention. Now, as Biden looks to settle tumultuous domestic issues, there’s widespread worry that Asia will end up as an afterthought. A Biden White House won’t “risk antagonizing a country that is widely viewed in Washington as America’s best strategic bet in South Asia,” he said. ___Foster Klug, the AP's news director for the Koreas, Japan, Australia and the South Pacific, has covered Asia since 2005.

With 8.3 million confirmed cases of coronavirus, India is the second worst-hit country behind the United States. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)NEW DELHI – India’s coronavirus outbreak increased by more than 50,000 cases Thursday amid a resurgence of infections in the capital. Nerves are frayed in New Delhi after it reported a record 6,842 new cases in the past 24 hours. With 8.3 million confirmed cases of coronavirus, India is the second worst-hit country behind the United States. Indonesia has reported more than 425,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the largest in Southeast Asia and second only to India’s 8.3 million in all of Asia.

Szijjarto tested positive for the coronavirus after arriving in Thailand for an official visit, Thai and Hungarian officials said Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. (Pool Photo via AP)BANGKOK – Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs and trade tested positive for the coronavirus after arriving in Thailand for an official visit, Thai and Hungarian officials said Wednesday. The 42-year-old foreign minister will return on one plane and the other members of his party in a separate aircraft, Anutin said. The Hungarian news agency MTI, citing the chief press officer at Hungary’s foreign ministry, confirmed that Szijjarto tested positive for the coronavirus. During his visit, Szijjarto paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Hun Sen and held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn and the ministers of commerce and agriculture.

CORRECTS LOCATION - Cambodia's exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy, left, greets supporters as he arrived at Kuala Lumpur International's Airport in Sepang, Malaysia Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. Sam Rainsy landed in Kuala Lumpur in a bid to return to his homeland after Thailand had earlier blocked him from entering. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

CORRECTS LOCATION - Cambodia's exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy, left, greets supporters as he arrived at Kuala Lumpur International's Airport in Sepang, Malaysia Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)KUALA LUMPUR – Cambodia's exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy arrived in Malaysia, making partial progress in his quest to return to his home country to try to oust long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen. In a video posted Saturday morning before he boarded a flight from Paris, Sam Rainsy told supporters: "Our victory is getting nearer and nearer. Malaysia and Thailand have both hindered the free movement of opposition party leaders, drawing criticism from human rights groups. An effort Sam Rainsy made Thursday to fly from Paris to Thailand — Cambodia's western neighbor — was thwarted when Thai Airways refused to let him board.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, front right, talks in front of U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy, second from left, during the country's 66th Independence Day from France, at the Independence Monument in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. The leader of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party, Sam Rainsy was boarding a fly in Paris for his attempt to return home to challenge his country's longtime autocratic leader as the security inside the country was on high alert and beefed up. (AP Photo/Vithy Soth)

Sam Rainsy has several convictions with prison sentences along with charges on several offense pending. Sar Kheng, interior minister and deputy prime minister, announced the shift on his Facebook page on Saturday. Sar Kheng, calling Sam Rainsy a culprit and a criminal, said "As of now, there is not any announcement by the Cambodian government to bar culprit Sam Rainsy and his colleagues from entering the country." 5:25 p.m.Cambodia's exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy, upon landing in Malaysia, says he's determined to return to his homeland despite strong attempts by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's government to thwart him. ___4:55 p.m.Cambodia's exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy has landed in Kuala Lumpur in a bid to return to his homeland after Thailand had earlier blocked him from entering.

Mu Sochua, Vice President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) speaks during a press conference in Jakarta Indonesia, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. The press conference was held by the Cambodian opposition group to discuss plans for its exiled leaders, including Sam Rainsy, to return to their homeland against the government's wishes. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)