Latest Phnom Penh News

A US Navy ship will make its first port call in 8 years in Cambodia, a close ally of China

Dec. 13, 2024 09:50 AM EST

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A U.S. Navy warship will make a port call next week in Cambodia, China's close ally in Southeast Asia, the first such visit in eight years, according to a Cambodian statement on Friday. Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defense said USS Savannah will...

Huge and rare Mekong catfish spotted in Cambodia, raising conservation hopes

Dec. 13, 2024 04:45 AM EST

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Six critically endangered Mekong giant catfish — one of the largest and rarest freshwater fish in the world — were caught and released recently in Cambodia, reviving hopes for the survival of the species. The underwater giants can grow up to 10 feet (3...

13 women convicted in Cambodia of acting as pregnancy surrogates for foreigners

Dec. 03, 2024 19:45 PM EST

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Thirteen women from the Philippines have been convicted on human trafficking-related charges for acting as surrogates in Cambodia for a ring selling babies to foreigners for cash. The women were each sentenced to four years in prison after being found...

Thailand deports 6 Cambodian activists facing treason charges over critical Facebook comments

Nov. 28, 2024 22:13 PM EST

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Six Cambodian activists charged with treason over Facebook comments criticizing their government have been deported from Thailand to stand trial, a pro-democracy group said Thursday. The Khmer Movement for Democracy, a movement formed by opposition...

Today in History: November 22, John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas

Nov. 22, 2024 00:01 AM EST

Today is Friday, Nov. 22, the 327th day of 2024. There are 39 days left in the year. Today in history: On Nov. 22, 1963, John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was shot to death during a motorcade in Dallas; Texas Gov. John B. Connally, riding in...

After his arrest for Facebook posts, a Cambodian reporter says he will become a farmer instead

Nov. 05, 2024 09:25 AM EST

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — It’s tough being a reporter in Cambodia, whose government frowns on independent journalism that questions authority. Veteran investigative reporter Mech Dara learned the hard way, when he was recently jailed on a felony charge for some items he had...

Cambodian archaeologists discover a dozen centuries-old sandstone statues at Angkor UNESCO site

Oct. 30, 2024 09:03 AM EDT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Archaeologists in Cambodia have unearthed a dozen centuries-old sandstone statues in a “remarkable discovery” at the Angkor World Heritage Site near the city of Siem Reap, authorities said Wednesday. The statues — depicting so-called “door...

Well-known Cambodian investigative journalist released on bail

Oct. 24, 2024 04:25 AM EDT

TA KHMAU, Cambodia (AP) — A Cambodian investigative reporter who was charged with a criminal offense after exposing online scams and corruption was released on bail Thursday. Mech Dara told reporters from a car outside the Kandal Provincial Prison complex, south of the capital...

Pregnant Philippine women arrested in Cambodia for surrogacy could be prosecuted after giving birth

Oct. 12, 2024 13:55 PM EDT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Thirteen pregnant Philippine women accused of illegally acting as surrogate mothers in Cambodia after being recruited online may face prison terms after they give birth, a senior Interior Ministry official said Saturday. Interior Ministry Secretary of...

A Cambodian reporter who exposed scams charged over online posts

Oct. 01, 2024 11:49 AM EDT

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — A Cambodian investigative reporter who exposed online scams and corruption was charged on Tuesday with a criminal offense that could land him in prison for two years for material he posted on social media. Freelance reporter Mech Dara was arrested...