U.S. News

Firefighters Battle Massive California Wildfire

US Welcomes Deal for Sam Rainsy’s Return

The US State Department on Friday welcomed news that opposition leader Sam Rainsy has received a royal pardon, allowing for his return to Cambodia ahead of the July 28 elections. But in a Friday media briefing, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki also urged Cambodia to continue reforms to ensure a credible election, including the implementation of 18 separate recommendations made by the UN’s special rights envoy to Cambodia, Surya Subedi.​ Pin Sisovann, Washington.

Cambodian Democracy Supporters Rally at White House

More than 1,000 Cambodian-Americans and their supporters held a demonstration of Friday in front of the White House in Washington, calling on US President Barack Obama to help ensure free and fair elections in Cambodia later this month and to continue to push for human rights and democracy in Cambodia. Protesters came from at least 10 states across the country and included not only Cambodian-American citizens, but Buddhist monks, Khmer minorities from Vietnam and Montagnards. VOA Khmer's Sok Khemara reports.

US Representatives Urge Stronger Stance on Cambodia

US Congressmen on Tuesday held a hearing on "Cambodia's Looming Political and Social Crisis" to examine the deteriorating human rights situation in Cambodia and the state of the affairs in the run-up to the election on July 28, 2013. VOA Khmer's Pin Sisovann reports from Washington.

American Ensembles Take On Cambodian Songs

Two US ensembles last week performed benefit concerts in Phnom Penh just ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Band members and organizers say they hoped the music would bring the US and Cambodia culturally closer. American children from the Boston Children's Chorus sang "Phnom Penh," a song composed by the late king Sihanouk in the Cambodian capital. (Say Mony, Phnom Penh)

US Military Presence Grows In Africa As Terror Threats Mount

US President Barack Obama's visit to Africa will emphasize Washington's expanding economic and commercial engagements with the continent. At the same time, the US military's presence in Africa has been growing as terrorist threats mount across the region. VOA Pentagon correspondent Luis Ramirez reports.

Immigration And Same-Sex Marriage In Focus In The Coming Week

The coming week could yield progress in the push to overhaul America's immigration system. Landmark judicial ruling on same-sex marriage in the United States are also expected. From Washington, VOA's Michael Bowman reports.

Cambodia Thanks US Officials for Returned Statues

New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art has returned two massive Angkorian statues to Cambodia. Officials here say they are grateful to the US government for their help in the return, and for an ongoing court case to have another statue, currently housed at the auction house Sotheby’s returned, as well. (Say Mony, Phnom Penh)

Barack Obama and Xi Jinping Held First Meeting

President Obama will be holding his first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in California, at what once was a private residence. The estate called Sunnylands was once the winter home of the late billionaire and philanthropist Walter Annenberg and his wife Leonore. As Jeff Shu reports for VOA’s Mandarin Service, other presidents have found the place quite comfortable.

Obama, China's Xi to Hold Informal Meetings in California

President Barack Obama hopes that his meetings with China's new president, Xi Jinping, at an estate in California will help the two leaders build a personal relationship. As VOA's Kent Klein reports from the White House, Friday and Saturday's summit is expected to cover cybersecurity, North Korea and trade.

One World Trade Center

Images of the One World Trade Center, where crane operators hoisted the final pieces of the spire atop on May 10, helping to fill the void in the New York City skyline left by the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.