RCEP Trade Boost: Cambodia’s trade with RCEP member states jumped 21% year-on-year in Jan–Aug 2026 to $31.93B, with exports up 8.9% to $7.22B and imports rising 25% to $24.71B, as tariff preferences and trade facilitation keep the bloc as Cambodia’s biggest market. Myanmar Ties Deepen: Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing met Cambodia leaders in Phnom Penh to push closer cooperation on investment, trade, and regional issues. Space Ambitions: Cambodia endorsed three space declarations at the Paris International Space Summit, signaling growing interest in satellite and space science cooperation. Anti-Scam Crackdown: The U.S. Treasury and DOJ escalated action against crypto-linked scam networks, while Cambodia’s own anti-scam efforts continue to target online fraud operations. Cyber Safety Push: Treasury urged banks to file faster, better reports on suspected cyber scams after nearly $13B in losses tied to crypto investment fraud. Education & Robotics: AUPP students won first place in the Future Engineers category at Cambodia Robotics Olympiad 2026, earning a spot in an international round. Heritage Damage: About 70,000 stone fragments at Preah Vihear were collected and catalogued for restoration after 2025 border clashes. Fuel Costs Rising: Cambodia’s mineral fuel and oil imports rose 40% to $3.38B in the first eight months of 2026, with gasoline and diesel prices climbing. Women’s Rights Setbacks: A CEDAW monitoring report says women, girls, and non-binary people faced major rights setbacks in 2025, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence.