HANOI -- Vietnam recorded 1,179 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, down by 140 from Sunday, according to its Ministry of Health.

All the new infections were domestically transmitted in 43 provinces and cities. (Vietnam-COVID 19-Update)

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SINGAPORE -- Singapore reported 2,751 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the total tally to 1,272,386.

Of the new cases, 239 cases were detected through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and 2,512 through ART (antigen rapid test) tests, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health. (Singapore-COVID 19-Cases-Update)

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PHNOM PENH -- Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen has said that vaccines remain the "key strategic weapon" for the Asia-Pacific region and the world in the battle against COVID-19.

He made the remarks in a pre-recorded video delivered to the opening ceremony of the 78th annual session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), which was held in Bangkok via video link on Monday under the theme: "A Common Agenda to Advance Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific." (Cambodia-COVID-19-Vaccine)

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TOKYO -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday launched the so-called Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), which a number of countries including Japan have joined, as the new economic initiative raised concerns in the Asia-Pacific.

"In order to prepare our economies for the future, we are launching the process to establish the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity," said a joint statement by member nations of the United States, Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. (Japan-U.S.-IPEF)