Latest news with #Phnom Penh
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Cambodia will start military conscription next year as tensions with Thailand persist
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet said Monday that his country will implement military conscription starting next year, in an announcement that coincides with persistent border tensions with Thailand . Relations between the neighbors have deteriorated sharply following an armed confrontation on May 28 in which one Cambodian soldier was killed in one of several small contested patches of land.
Medscape
4 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Bloating or Aortic Tear? A 68-Year-Old's Shocking Diagnosis
A 68-year-old man presented with persistent abdominal bloating and constipation for 7 days. Initial assessments suggested bowel obstruction, which was supported by physical examination and abdominal x-ray findings. However, an abdominal CT scan revealed an intimal flap at the T10-L1 level with an associated intramural haematoma, confirming a diagnosis of Stanford type B aortic dissection. Muoyly Pav, MD, a paediatrician at Sunrise Japan Hospital Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, described this rare case of aortic dissection (AD). The Patient and His History The patient reported no episodes of chest pain, tearing abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. On arrival, his vital signs were as follows: body temperature, 36.2 °C; heart rate, 84 beats/min; respiratory rate, 19 breaths/min; and blood pressure, 135/97 mm Hg. Findings and Diagnosis Physical examination revealed mildly decreased bilateral pulmonary air entry, attributed to abdominal distension, accompanied by hypoactive bowel sounds on abdominal auscultation. No other abnormal findings were noted. Laboratory evaluation showed elevated dyslipidaemia, with a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level of 155 mg/dL. However, other measured parameters, including liver function, electrolytes, and complete blood cell count, were within normal limits as follows: Total bilirubin: 0.9 mg/dL (reference range: 0.2-1.0 mg/dL) Direct bilirubin: 0.3 mg/dL (reference range: 0-0.3 mg/dL) Aspartate aminotransferase: 72 U/L (reference range: 15-37 U/L) Alanine aminotransferase: 50 U/L (reference range: 16-63 U/L) Gamma-glutamyl transferase: 49 U/L (reference range: 15-85 U/L) Amylase: 60 U/L (reference range: 25-115 U/L) Total cholesterol: 224 mg/dL (reference range: 0-200 mg/dL) High-density lipoprotein cholesterol: 22 mg/dL (reference range: 40-60 mg/dL) LDL cholesterol: 155 mg/dL (reference range: 0-99.9 mg/dL) Triglycerides: 166 mg/dL (reference range: 0-150 mg/dL) Blood urea nitrogen: 8 mg/dL (reference range: 7-18 mg/dL) Creatinine: 0.94 mg/dL (reference range: 0.8-1.3 mg/dL) Sodium: 139 mEq/L (reference range: 136-145 mEq/L) Chloride: 102 mEq/L (reference range: 98-107 mEq/L) Potassium: 3.5 mEq/L (reference range: 3.5-5.1 mEq/L) Serum glucose: 108 mg/dL (reference range: 74-106 mg/dL) Haemoglobin A1c: 6.0% (reference range: 4.5-6.4%) C-reactive protein: 5.2 mg/dL (reference range: 0-0.3 mg/dL) White blood cell count: 8120/μL (reference range: 3900-9800/μL) Red blood cell count: 4.24 × 10⁶/μL (reference range: 4.27-5.70 × 10⁶/μL) Haemoglobin: 12.6 g/dL (reference range: 13.5-17.6 g/dL) Haematocrit: 37.1% (reference range: 39.8%-51.8%) Mean corpuscular volume: 87.5 fL (reference range: 82.7-101.6 fL) Mean corpuscular haemoglobin: 29.7 pg (reference range: 28.0-34.6 pg) Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration: 34% (reference range: 31.6%-36.6%) Platelet count: 450,000/μL (reference range: 131,000-362,000/μL) Neutrophils: 53.7% (reference range: 40%-70%) Basophils: 0.5% (reference range: < 1%) Eosinophils: 13.1% (reference range: 1%-6%) Lymphocytes: 23.6% (reference range: 20%-40%) Monocytes: 9.1% (reference range: 2%-10%) Chest x-ray demonstrated no mediastinal widening, no enlargement of the aortic knob, and no evidence of cardiomegaly. An abdominal x-ray revealed an air-fluid level on the right side, while the left side showed bowel distension without an air-fluid level. A small amount of gas was observed in the lower right quadrant, and the gas distribution was uneven. Because bowel obstruction and ileus could not be excluded on the basis of the x-ray findings, a contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scan was performed. The scan revealed an intimal flap at the T10-L1 level, with an associated intramural haematoma extending from the descending aorta into the abdominal aorta, with a maximum thickness of 9 mm. Notably, there were no signs of organ damage (malperfusion syndrome) or pleural effusion in either lower lung. CT angiography of the aorta was then performed to assess the extent of the AD, and it demonstrated no dissection at the aortic arch. On the basis of these imaging findings and clinical symptoms, the patient was diagnosed with uncomplicated Stanford type B AD and secondary ileus. He was admitted to the ICU and started on bisoprolol 2.5 mg and valsartan 80 mg to manage his blood pressure and heart rate. After admission, the patient remained stable until discharge on day 7. Six days after discharge, the patient presented again with abdominal pain. Follow-up CT angiography of the aorta revealed no significant changes in AD. His current condition was stable, with well-controlled systolic blood pressure maintained below 120 mm Hg with amlodipine 5 mg once daily. Discussion Clinicians should consider a differential diagnosis of AD when ileus-like symptoms are present without an identifiable cause, as some cases may be painless, increasing the risk for misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Early identification and consideration of AD can lead to timely intervention, potentially reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with this serious condition. Clinicians should consider the differential diagnosis of AD when ileus-like symptoms are present without an identifiable cause.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Cambodian genocide sites Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek earn Unesco World Heritage status
PHNOM PENH, July 12 — Survivors of Cambodia's four-year genocide on Saturday told AFP they were 'thrilled' that the site of their lives' biggest horror has gained Unesco recognition. Three notorious Cambodian torture and execution sites used by the Khmer Rouge regime to perpetrate genocide 50 years ago were inscribed on Unesco's World Heritage List on Friday. One of the sites, Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in the capital, is a former high school which was converted into a notorious prison known as S-21, where an estimated 15,000 people were imprisoned and tortured. 'I am so thrilled,' said Chum Mey, one of just a handful of S-21 survivors who now sells his memoirs in the prison compound where he says he was beaten, electrocuted and starved. 'The listing by Unesco reminds me of the torture against me,' he said. The two other sites are Choeung Ek Genocide Centre, also in the capital, and another site known as M-13 in a rural area in central Kampong Chhnang province. 'I am so happy and excited that Unesco recognises Tuol Sleng museum, Choeung Ek, and M-13,' Chum Mey said. 'This is for the next generations.' Around two million people died of starvation, forced labour or torture or were slaughtered in mass killings between 1975 and 1979. Survivors of Cambodia's four-year genocide on Saturday told AFP they were 'thrilled' that the site of their lives' biggest horror has gained Unesco recognition. — AFP pic On Saturday, students and tourists walked through the black-and-white mugshots of Tuol Sleng's many victims and the preserved equipment used by Khmer Rouge tormentors. 'A lesson of life' Khuon Sovann lost more than 10 relatives to the genocide. The 82-year-old and her older sister prayed for her late brother-in-law with offerings of food and water in front of an inscription of victims' names. She said the Unesco listing was 'good' and would help preserve the site. 'I am happy that what we Cambodians suffered is now recognised by the international community,' she told AFP. The Cambodian culture ministry on Friday issued a statement saying the inscription acknowledged the kingdom's efforts at 'transforming a land once ravaged by war and genocide... into a place of peace and dignity'. Norng Chanphal, 55, survived S-21 as a child and returns to the site every day to sell his memoirs and feel close to his mother who died there. Tourists at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. — AFP pic He said he was 'so glad' and 'excited' that Tuol Sleng — a place of bitter memories where many lost everything — had earned Unesco recognition. Norng Chanphal hoped the recognition would allow Tuol Sleng to exist forever and serve as a reminder 'to prevent such a regime from happening in Cambodia again'. He said the site was 'a lesson of life for people around the world to clearly understand the regime', adding Unesco recognition offered some justice to the souls of his mother and other victims of Tuol Sleng. — AFP
Associated Press
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Cambodian lawmakers pass constitutional amendment allowing government to revoke citizenship
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodian lawmakers passed a constitutional amendment that would allow the government to draft legislation seeking to revoke the citizenship of anyone found guilty of conspiring with foreign nations to harm the national interest. The 125 members of National Assembly unanimously passed the proposal Friday and legally amended Article 33 of Cambodia's constitution, enabling the government to immediately draw up a bill allowing citizenships to be stripped for the first time. The latest legal move by supporters of Prime Minister Hun Manet was viewed by critics as a way to suppress internal dissent and eliminate policital opponents of his administration and the ruling Cambodian People's Party. The change would apply to lifelong Cambodian citizens, people with dual citizenship in Cambodia and another nation and people from other countries who have been granted Cambodian citizenship. Some government critics and opposition politicians are known to have dual citizenship. Justice Minister Koeut Rith said government officials will urgently draft a bill to revoke the citizenship of any individual found guilty of treason or collaborating with foreign entities to seriously harm the interests of Cambodia and its people. He claimed some Cambodians have colluded with a foreign country to harm their nation's interests. The comment appeared to be a reference to a May 28 confrontation between the armed forces of Cambodia and Thailand in which one Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested area on the border. Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office earlier this month pending an ethics investigation over a leaked phone call about the border dispute with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, the influential former prime minister and father of Hun Manet. The leaked phone call set off political turmoil in Thailand as Paetongtarn faces growing dissatisfaction over her handling of the conflict. Last month Cambodia submitted an official request to the International Court of Justice in The Hague to resolve the ongoing border dispute involving several ancient temple sites. The consitutional amendment in Cambodia comes after Hun Sen last week called for the Ministry of Justice to explore legal avenues in response to frequent government criticism by opposition figures. Hun Sen and Hun Manet both said the legal change was necessary, comparing it to similar laws in several other countries. Speaking to villagers and government officials last week in northern Kampong Thom province, Hun Manet claimed that among nearly 200 United Nations member states, 150 countries have laws allowing citizenship revocation, including the United States. 'Please don't be concerned if you are a patriot and do not oppose the interest of country. But if you have conspired with foreign powers to destroy Cambodia then, yes, it is true you should be worried, and in such case you are not a Cambodian.' Hun Manet said. 'No true patriot would ever plot with foreign powers to destroy their nation.' Amnesty International said it was deeply concerned the Cambodian government will use the 'repressive amendment' to render its critics stateless. 'Judicial independence is key to safeguarding people's rights including the right to nationality and reversing a culture of impunity. This has enabled the government's authoritarian practices to continue unchecked, such as its persecution of opposition leaders, activists and independent journalists,' Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer said in a statement. Former opposition leader Sam Rainsy was one of those named by Hun Sen as making comments detrimental to the nation. Rainsy for decades has been a harsh critic and one of the most popular opponents of the Cambodian People's Party, which fueled Hun Sen's rise to power. Rainsy has been in exile since 2016 to avoid serving prison sentences on defamation, treason and other charges, which his supporters consider politically motivated. Rainsy said recent comments by Hun Sen about the border dispute with Thailand were not patriotism but a personal and political reaction rooted in fear and panic over the potential collapse of a regime deeply entangled with international criminal networks. 'Hun Sen's anti Thai rhetoric is nothing more than a political smokescreen. While he presents the dispute as one of historical grievance and national dignity, the real motive behind his indignation is Thailand's concerted effort to dismantle Chines-run cyber-scam operations based in border areas — operations that have become a vital source of illicit funding for the current Phnom Penh regime,' Rainsy said in a June 28 online post.
