monday, August 2, 2021 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue Number 3719 / 4000 RIEL Kingdom, Russia in investment vow Thou Vireak of commemorations of the nomic Development of the that the meeting focused on "The organisation of busi- 65th anniversary of Cambo- Russian Federation. three key areas – technology, in- ness meetings between Cam- CAMBODIA and Russia have dia-Russia diplomatic ties, The event was co-chaired by dustry and energy – and would bodian businessmen and in- pledged to explore ways to en- the ministry noted in a press CCC president Kith Meng and help pave the way for Russian vestors with private companies courage and promote joint in- release on July 31. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and companies to explore market of Russia is a start to engage- vestment projects between the The two nations originally International Cooperation sec- opportunities in Cambodia, as ment in promoting trade and two countries, according to the established diplomatic con- retary of state Nhim Khemara, well as strengthen cooperation attracting foreign direct invest- TUOL SLENG MARKS Ministry of Foreign Affairs and tact on May 13, 1956. and attended by officials of rel- between the two countries. ment to Cambodia. This event 12TH ANNIVERSARY International Cooperation. The meeting was organised evant ministries and govern- "Businesspeople from both will pave the way for future The vow was made at the by the ministry’s Economic ment institutions, and around countries will delve into op- business meetings with other OF UNESCO LISTING "First Online Business Meet- Diplomatic Coordination 250 businesspeople and inves- tions to work together to gal- partner countries," it said. IN VIRTUAL FORMAT ing with Russian Compa- Working Group, in coopera- tors from both countries. vanise and promote joint in- nies", held on July 30, as part tion with the Ministry of Eco- The foreign ministry noted vestment projects. Continued – page 7 national – page 2 Millions get tested for Covid-19 in China cities CHINESE cities rolled out mass testing of millions of CAMBODIA-S KOREA people and imposed fresh travel restrictions as health TRADE NEARLY $452M authorities battled on August IN FIRST HALF OF 2021, 1 to contain the country's most widespread coronavirus out- DEFICIT WIDENS 34% break in months. China on August 1 reported business – page 6 75 new coronavirus cases with 53 local transmissions, with a cluster linked to an eastern airport now reported to have spread to over 20 cities and more than a dozen provinces. The outbreak is geographi- cally the largest to hit China in several months after the coun- try's successes in largely snuff- ing out the pandemic within its borders last year. That record has been thrown into jeopardy after the fast- CHINA, OZ RAMP UP Calling the shots spreading Delta variant broke COVID-19 CURBS AS out at Nanjing airport in east- A girl gets vaccinated against the novel coronavirus at Koh Dach Health Centre in Koh Dach commune, Chroy Changvar district ern Jiangsu province in July. in Phnom Penh on Sunday. HONG MENEA sTORY > 3 TENS OF THOUSANDS Authorities have now con- ducted three rounds of test- RALLY ACROSS FRANCE ing on the city's 9.2 million WORLD – Page10 residents and placed hun- dreds of thousands under lockdown, in an effort to curb AZ Covid shot to be used an outbreak Beijing has blamed on the highly-conta- gious Delta variant and the peak tourist season. Officials are now scrambling to track people nationwide as booster for China jabs who recently travelled from Nanjing or Zhangjiajie, a tour- Long Kimmarita groups and migrant workers. been vaccinated with Astra- traZeneca as the booster ist city in Hunan province Speaking at the launch of Zeneca will be inoculated dose. Those who have been which has locked down all 1.5 RIME Minister Hun the vaccination campaign with either Sinovac or Sinop- vaccinated with Sinovac million residents and shut all Sen has decided to for the 12-17 age group at harm vaccines for their third and Sinopharm have to be tourist attractions. use the AstraZeneca the Peace Palace in Phnom dose. The third dose is to innoculated with AstraZen- More than 1.6 billion vaccine HIDDEN KINGDOM OF Covid-19 vaccines as Penh on August 1, Hun Sen further increase the amount eca, but this vaccine [Astra- doses have so far been admin- MUD AND CLAY TAKES theP booster dose for the Chi- said the AstraZeneca vac- of Covid-19 antibodies pro- Zeneca] has to be delivered istered nationwide as of July nese-manufactured Sinop- cines will be used as third duced by the immune system to frontline workers at the 30, Beijing's National Health SHAPE IN NORTHERN harm and Sinonac vaccines, doses or booster shots when in light of the spread of the Cambodia-Thailand border Commission (NHC) said. It SIEM REAP PROVINCE while the US-donated John- planning is completed in coronavirus Delta variant. [as the first priority]," he said. does not provide figures on son & Johnson vaccines will the near future. "I’ve already decided to how many people have been lifestyle – page 12 be used for ethnic minority People who have already permit third doses with As- Continued – page 2 fully vaccinated. AFP

WWf-cambodia, PM: GOV’T COLLECTS ministry OBSERVE $3B FROM CUSTOMS, WORLD RANGER DAY TAX IN SIX MONTHS nATIONAL – page 4 business – page 7 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Probe launched after S-21 marks UNESCO listing K Speu girl found dead Nov Sivutha ULY 31 marked the 12th in purported suicide anniversary of the listing of Tuol Sleng Genocide Khouth Sophak Chakrya scene and on the deceased JMuseum Archive in that this was NOT a suicide. As UNESCO’s Memory of the A 12-YEAR-OLD girl was found a result, a task force has been World Programme. This year, it dead on July 29 in Kat Phlok established to investigate the was observed virtually due to commune of Kampong Speu circumstances of the murder the Covid-19 pandemic. province’s Baset district, with of this child,” said CPU execu- Ministry of Culture and Fine her body hung from a window tive director James McCabe. Arts spokesman Long Bunna bar in a purported suicide. The girl’s father, Chhil Na- Sireyvath told The Post on However, investigators who kry, told The Post that his August 1 that the ministry has conducted a forensic exami- daughter had never had any marked the occasion every year nation of her body suspected disputes with other children since the archive was listed in foul play and are now looking or neighbours and that most 2009. It aims to spread aware- into the matter more closely of their neighbours are cous- ness around the world to pre- in an attempt to identify pos- ins or family relations. vent crimes against humanity. sible suspects. He said that on the evening Though observed annually, Commune police chief of the incident, after plant- Bunna Sireyvath said it is not as Khuth Phanna told The Post ing seedlings, his wife had big an event as listing the Preah A visitor to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum contemplates photos of S-21 prisoners executed by the Khmer that the girl, Kroeurn Sreyroth, prepared dinner and he told Vihear Temple as a World Herit- Rouge at the site in the 1970’s. HONG MENEA was a resident of Veal Svang his children to wash up and age Site. He said it is normally Archive was listed in 2009, the archived data to the database. scheduled to be completed by village. She was found dead come and eat. But his daugh- marked with speeches by offi- ministry and the museum has According to Nisay, through 2021 but now faces hurdles due by her parents on the evening ter did not come to eat and cials with the participation of received support from nation- this project, the museum has to the Covid-19 pandemic. of July 29 in what initially ap- then he heard her mother embassy representatives and al and international experts to created an archival website However, the museum has peared to be a case of suicide. shout “help! Aroth hung her- international organisations. preserve all remaining docu- where the public can search for copied all documents, including “But on July 30, forensic spe- self!” “However, this year the min- ments from the Khmer Rouge’s information about relatives photos, confessions, and Khmer cialists from the provincial po- “I rushed into the house istry has not been able to hold notorious S-21 detention cen- and search for documents Rouge books, and archived the lice and the Child Protection and saw my daughter hang- a gathering. We only posted tre, which represented more related to the history of the data into database. Unit [CPU] conducted an ex- ing from the window bar with messages and videos on Face- than 400,000 pages. Khmer Rouge. “We maintain and preserve amination of the girl and ruled a pair of trousers. But her legs book, along with tributes from He said that in 2018, the Nisay said the more than all these documents for all time her death a homicide,” he said. stood on the floor and there embassy and international rep- museum – with support from 400,000 documents have been because our goal is for people Her parents said the girl were cuts under her chin. resentatives. This is a World the Korea International Coop- preserved and maintained, from everywhere to be able to killed herself by hanging her- Seeing this, as parents, we Programme, so we cannot can- eration Agency in coordination museum staff trained and access, study, research and use self from a window bar 1.2m thought she hung herself,” he cel this event,” he said. with UNESCO, as well as tech- information is available to the this information. We will pro- in height from the floor. Inves- said. Hang Nisay, director of the nical support from Digital public on the website. mote the website so many peo- tigators determined, however, Nakry called on the authori- museum, said that since the Divide Data – had copied and He said the project was ple will use it,” he added. that this would have allowed ties to identify possible suspects her to stand on the floor nor- and bring them to justice. mally. Therefore the circum- Baset district police chief Um stances showed that she had Chamroeun said on August 1 not committed suicide, ac- that the police were working Health workers, migrants given jab priority cording to the CPU report with the CPU to investigate the seen by The Post on August 1. matter but they had no further Continued from page 1 to Cambodia through Covax. on returning migrant workers, are currently 12,000 migrant “It became apparent from developments in the case to re- Prime Minister Hun Sen especially from Thailand, who workers in various quaran- evidence located at the crime port at this time. The AstraZeneca vaccines said these vaccines will be – given their migratory nature – tine centres. That figure rises have been donated by Japan used for ethnic minority may not be around to receive a even higher if those in hospi- through the World Health Or- groups and migrant workers. second dose of the other types of tals are counted. ganisation-led Covax Facility The decision, he explained, vaccines available. On July 31, he said there were and the UK through a bilateral was made based on the fact According to the prime 127 workers who returned agreement. The government is that the vaccines require just a minister, another 7.6 million from Thailand through the now in talks with Oxford Bio- single shot which will make it doses will arrive this August, O’Bei Choan border check- medica and AstraZeneca to easier for the ethnic minority which will give the Kingdom point in Banteay Meanchey purchase more of the vaccines. groups and the medical work- a total of 26.5 million doses province, 40 of whom were On July 30, the first ship- ers alike. They will be transport- acquired since February. He positive for the disease. ment of 455,000 doses of the ed to the provinces including said that in the near future “If we cannot control it, Del- Johnson & Johnson vaccine Stung Treng, Ratanakkiri and the Kingdom will obtain up ta will spread across the coun- arrived in Cambodia. They Preah Vihear, among others. to 35 million doses from pur- try. For now, Delta can be seen are the first batch of over one He said the Johnson & Johnson chases, direct donations and in clusters in some areas and Police and CPU officers inspect the scene, where the girl’s body was million doses the US govern- vaccines leftover after vaccinat- through Covax. that’s why we are trying to cut found hanged from a window bar, on July 29. CPU ment has pledged to provide ing the target groups will be used Also on August 1, another the chain of transmission by one million doses of the imposing curfews and lock- Sinopharm vaccine donated downs. All of this is to prevent by China arrived in Cambo- the spread of the virus and the dia, bringing the total donat- death of our people,” he said. ed to 3.2 million. Cambodia He also instructed the au- has also purchased 15.5 mil- thorities to bring food assis- lion doses from China. tance to Thai authorities for “China and Cambodia are them to provide to migrant brothers … and friends in a workers in Thailand, urging the community of common des- workers to remain in place. tiny. China will continue to Lim Sophon, a Thailand-based be a strong strategic backer of coordinator for labour rights Cambodia regarding vaccines group Central, told The Post on and will provide unwavering August 1 that many migrant support to Cambodia in its workers are trying to return to fight against Covid-19. Cambodia but are stopped “As long as the pandemic when they reach the border. He has not ended in Cambodia, said his NGO is working with the China’s assistance for Cam- Cambodian embassy in Thai- bodia will not end,” the Chi- land to bring them food aid. nese embassy said. “No matter how much the The embassy added that embassy and others try to China will provide more med- help them, I believe that the ical supplies worth more than food aid and medicine will $3 million soon, including not be enough. The surge of oxygen concentrators, venti- Covid-19 cases in Thailand is lators and Personal Protective so high now that they all want Equipment (PPE). to escape,” he said. Hun Sen has told authori- As of July 31, Cambodia had ties to make stronger efforts to vaccinated over 7.3 million prevent the spread of the Delta people of the targeted adult variant before it devastates the population of 10 million. Hun country and he called on mi- Sen said Cambodia is prepared grant workers to refrain from to reach that target by October returning home at this time. while also vaccinating two mil- According to Hun Sen, there lion children aged 12-17. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 National Vaccination drive for children Hackers target public, business FB accounts may see schools reopen soon with financial scams

Voun Dara Ry Sochan like their account passwords or bank account number. AMBODIA kicked off THE Ministry of Posts and “Then the hackers steal the its vaccination drive Telecommunications has Facebook accounts and Face- for children aged called on the public to guard book pages and use the bank 12-17 on August 1, against scams by hackers who account information to adver- Cwith the goal of reopening sec- hack Facebook accounts and tise on Facebook or spend it on ondary school for the new aca- steal bank account informa- other goods,” the ministry said. demic year starting in Septem- tion after the ministry en- The ministry added that Fa- ber or October. countered some cases of this cebook never demands that Speaking at the launch of occurring. users confirm their identities vaccination campaign for “Recently, hackers have sto- in this manner and they urge children at the Peace Palace, len Facebook accounts, Face- the public to be careful about Prime Minister Hun Sen said: book pages and bank account following links in messages “Vaccinations of children and information,” the ministry said and to be certain of who they adolescents will enable us to in a press release on July 31. are giving information to. reopen schools and other edu- The ministry added that The ministry has also called cational institutions – at least hackers have created fake Fa- on Facebook account users to at the secondary level – for the cebook accounts with profiles use virtual credit/debit cards academic year 2021-2022 in and names that make it look with numbers that work for October or September.” like the messages they are one transaction with a set In a bid to achieve herd sending are officially from Fa- limit for expenditure and to immunity, the government cebook’s administrators with check their history of online plans to vaccinate the ap- the goal of tricking people into transactions frequently. proximately two million A boy gets vaccinated against Covid-19 at Koh Dach Health Centre in Koh Dach commune of Phnom Penh’s giving them their login infor- “If there is something wrong people in the 12-17 age group Chroy Changvar district on Sunday. HONG MENEA mation, and businesspeople in you have to immediately ap- with Chinese-made Sinovac particular have been targeted. proach your bank for help and a vaccines, in addition to the kicked off in the provinces of “Once teachers and stu- Youth and Sport spokesman The ministry explained that solution,” the ministry advised. targeted adult population of Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong dents have been vaccinated Ros Soveacha said recently the hackers notify their intended Telecommunications min- 10 million. and Kandal on August 1. He the virus then poses us little that after children are fully victims that the page for their istry secretary of state So Vi- Cambodia closed schools said once the children and concern. If there is transmis- vaccinated, schools will re- business was “in violation of sothy told The Post on August across the country in March adolescents are fully vacci- sion, the vaccine can help open step-by-step. Facebook’s policies”. The mes- 1 that the ministry had al- after the third community nated, it will not only enable reduce the number infected Pech Bolen, president of the sages tell the victims that they ready issued many notices re- outbreak of Covid-19 began schools to reopen, but also and it will not cause severe Federation of Education Ser- must confirm their identity and lated to self-defence methods on February 20. Hun Sen prevent the spread of the vi- illness, it will only be like the vices in Cambodia, applaud- resolve the problems by click- online and the keys to stay- said although online classes rus to their community. flu,” he said. ed the move to reopen the ing on a link they give them ing safe on social media and are being held, the quality is “The biggest concern in the The Ministry of Health re- schools. Private educational and following the instructions that people in need of further not the same. world – at least for the Cam- cently said that those ages 12- institutions are ready to work or their page will be blocked. information should check According to the prime bodian government and my- 17 will receive the China-man- with the ministry on reopen- When the user clicks on the the website of the ministry’s minister, vaccinations for self – is the loss of human re- ufactured Sinovac vaccines. ing the schools in September link they are then prompted to Cambodia Computer Emer- the 12-17 age group also sources we need to develop. Ministry of Education, or October, he said. enter confidential information gency Response Team.

A worker cuts grass along National Road 4 in July. Information Ministry Nat’l Road 4 to be widened

Long Kimmarita “At this stage, we have con- consider current traffic use sidered setting up an express- and vehicle sizes. If is difficult THE Ministry of Public Works way to deal with congestion for cars to avoid each other, and Transport is in the final and reduce travel time and this can lead to accidents,” he stages of project planning for transportation costs. But we said. the widening of National Road also do not want to abandon “This road will have a size to 4 from 7m to 10m. The project the old road as it can be used suit current needs and wid- is scheduled to last 24 months by locals and for family travel,” ened into a dual-lane road . . . from 2022 to 2023. he said. to make this road a standard The ministry also plans to According to Sotheayuth, the road that is easy to use,” repair and upgrade roads in project will take about two Sotheayuth said. other areas that have been years. When complete, it will be However, Sotheayuth has damaged by floods and suitable for all vehicle types. not been able to confirm how improve road quality and traf- He added that the project much the project will cost as fic conditions. will increase the road’s width the technical team has to com- Ministry spokesman Heang in most places except in plac- plete its planning work first. Sotheayuth told The Post on es that had already been wid- National Road 4 stretches July 29 that the ministry has not ened, such as around Kam- 230km from Phnom Penh to yet finalised the project as it pong Speu and Phnom Penh’s Sihanoukville. In 2020, World was still in the process of com- Chaom Chao commune. Bank approved financing of pleting some details before “Some parts of National $110 million for upgrading the requesting budget approval. Road 4 are small so we have to road’s quality. 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com National Kingdom’s cattle suffer outbreak Cambodia marks World Ranger Day

of skin disease Orm Bunthoeurn songs about their dedication. INCE the outbreak of lumpy skin It has also handed out over disease (LSD) among cattle in ORLD Wide 100 certificates of excellence Searly June, 6,804 cases have been Fund for Nature to outstanding rangers in recorded with the first detected infections (WWF-Cambo- recognition of their devotion in Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey dia) regards the to the nation and nature. provinces followed by more cases in WMinistry of Environment The celebration aims to other provinces bordering Thailand. rangers as the guardians raise public awareness about Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and of healthy forests that help the role of forest rangers in Fisheries Veng Sakhon said on July 31 mitigate the risk of future Cambodia and to urge the that from the beginning of June until July zoonotic diseases infecting public to assist the rangers 29, of the cattle diagnosed with LSD, 65 humans in the same man- with protecting, managing per cent have been cured and the remain- ner that Covid-19 likely did. and conserving natural re- der are undergoing treatment. Fatalities In a press statement mark- sources and the environment – mostly calves – were one per cent. ing World Ranger Day on July in a sustainable manner. According to Sakhon, LSD is caused by 31, it said they are the frontline “In the last eight years, two the virus capripoxvirus of the poxviridae defenders against future pan- rangers have lost their lives family. The virus is robust and can live demics and they are also the while many others have for up to three months on scabs, dry skin key to safeguarding the way of been injured by attacks by and up to six months on unwashed skin. It life for people whose cultures criminals during their mis- easily dies in sunlight and can be removed are inseparable from nature. sion to save the environ- by soap and water or by disinfectant. In the eastern plains and ment and nature,” the min- The disease can be transmitted by Mekong flooded forest land- River guards on patrol along the Mekong River to protect Dolphin habitat. WWF Cambodia istry said in a statement. insects and close contact. The infection scapes, a total of 200 rangers The ministry also said it is is distinguished by the appearance and river guardians are work- gal hunting, logging, fishing He said the organisation lost their lives or were injured working to encourage more of lumps of cattle’s skin. The virus is ing day and night to preserve and land encroachment. continues to work closely with in the line of duty protecting women to enlist in the rang- genetically similar to the measles and the biological diversity and “Whether it’s removing snares, the government, environ- the environment and Cam- ers, as currently there are mumps viruses. ecosystem services that preventing wildlife poaching ment ministry and the Min- bodia’s natural resources. only 42 out of a total of 1,200 According to Sakhon, the virus has are critical for life includ- and habitats destruction from istry of Agriculture, Forestry The ministry said rangers rangers deployed across the infected five to 45 per cent of cattle in ing food, water, energy and illegal logging to combating and Fisheries as well as sub- have devoted themselves 75 protected natural areas affected areas with less than 10 per cent clean air. Preserving biodi- the illegal wildlife trade at its national authorities on man- physically and mentally to and biodiversity corridors mortality. Animal symptoms include fever, versity will in turn hopefully source, these rangers work aging protected areas and protect Cambodia’s natural which cover 7.3 million hect- sluggishness, loss of appetite and runny create jobs and income for tirelessly to enforce Cam- fishery conservation zones. and cultural heritages. ares of land in 21 provinces. nose. The male cattle can become infertile local communities through bodia’s laws while stopping “I urge the government to Cambodia first observed the “Woman rangers are ful- and pregnant cattle can miscarriage. eco-tourism eventually. direct contacts between hu- take appropriate measures event in 2017 with a ceremony filling their tasks like their “The disease is transmitted by insects According to WWF-Cam- mans and the high risk wild- to end the trade in wild ani- attended by government offi- male colleagues in patrol- such as mosquitoes and flies, direct or bodia, rangers are exposed life trade,” the NGO said. mals – especially mammals, cials, representatives of inter- ling the forest, enforcing indirect exposure, breeding, transporta- to difficult and hazard- “WWF honours all of the birds and reptiles – which national conservation organi- the laws and raising aware- tion and veterinary equipment,” he said. ous job conditions such as dedicated rangers who every are at high risk of potentially sations, Buddhist monks and ness about the laws and The disease is affecting many cattle floods, fires, dangerous ani- day risk their lives to protect transmitting diseases to hu- students, among others. the importance of natural and causing serious economic damage mals, malaria and dengue Cambodia’s natural treasure mans,” Teak added. To bring the rangers’ ef- resources and biodiver- to cattle farmers. However, the disease fever. They also run the risk trove, especially during the The Ministry of Environ- forts to light, the ministry sity in the communities in is not transmittable to humans. Orm of being targeted person- Covid-19 pandemic crisis,” ment on July 31 observed has launched a publicity and around the protected Bunthoeurn ally because they intervene said WWF-Cambodia coun- World Ranger Day in remem- campaign, featuring them in areas across the country,” in incidents involving ille- try director Seng Teak. brance of rangers who either stories and even composing the ministry said. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National WHO: collective action necessary to prevent Delta variant disaster Lay Samean fighting against Covid-19. We must stand together and act together to HE World Health Organisa- save lives, protect the health sys- tion (WHO) in Cambodia tem and minimise disruption to on July 30 called on people the society,” she said. from all walks of life to make According to the WHO, the Delta aT concerted effort to stamp out the variant is replacing the strains of the spread of the novel coronavirus. coronavirus predominant in previous This comes as the Delta variant trig- waves, leading to a surge in Covid-19 gers a spike in hospitalisations and cases and hospitalisations. injects fresh urgency into pandemic The Delta strains have brought response and prevention efforts. widespread devastation around the SARS-CoV-2 – the pathogen that world, it said, warning that if SARS- causes Covid-19 – is widely circu- CoV-2 is not suppressed, the virus lating in the community, driving up could naturally evolve into even more daily confirmed case and fatality dangerous variants and mutations. counts to relatively high levels, the Dr Li added: “We are racing against WHO noted in a statement. new variants. We must act today, The UN health agency sounded and we must act fast to have no re- the alarm over the Delta variant of grets tomorrow.” Motorists ride past Kandal Market, which has reopened after a two-week closure, in Phnom Penh’s Daun Penh district. heang rangsey the coronavirus, which it pointed She stressed that the Kingdom is out has been detected among mi- at a “critical moment”, which she for “an effective combination of nesses” should be allowed to con- confined and closed spaces, avoid grant workers returning through said has necessitated difficult deci- risk-based public health and social tinue operations, with the proper gatherings, and stay at home if you land borders and has now spread to sions by the government regarding measures” to stave off transmis- risk-mitigation measures in place. feel sick and seek medical assistance the local community. the implemention of prevention sion, including a targeted halt to The agency commended govern- from nearest health facility immedi- WHO representative to Cambodia and control strategies. non-essential travel and restric- ment efforts to reign in the spread of ately,” the WHO said. Dr Li Ailan said: “I urge everyone to Dr Li offered as an example the tion of social gatherings, especially the disease, as well as the vaccina- As of July 31, there has no update take every necessary and recom- ongoing lockdown of Siem Reap and those indoors. tion rollout, calling on the public to on number of Delta cases in Cambo- mended action to protect them- the seven provinces along the Thai It urged the public to avoid high- follow preventive guidelines, regard- dia, but the Ministry of Health earlier selves, their families and others frontier – Koh Kong, Pursat, Battam- risk “3C settings” – crowded, close- less of their vaccination status. revealed that 75 cases had been de- from getting infected by the virus. bang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, contact and confined – unless per- “Wear a mask, maintain physical tected as of March 31, warning that “Our collective actions will de- Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear. sonal exposure can be significantly distancing, wash hands with soap/ some were local transmissions with- termine our success or failure in The WHO underlined the need reduced, but opined that “safer busi- hand rub frequently, avoid crowded, out a clear source of infection. WingMall rolls out services in Siem Reap to support community amid pandemic Customers in Siem Reap can now shop from home safely using smartphones at no extra cost

After its success in Phnom it was important to show my of Health’s direction and Money App. Penh, WingMall has now support for them by walking respect the advice of Samdech Merchants are encour- rolled out its services to Siem in their shoes for a day. Techo Hun Sen to protect aged to contact WingMall at Reap, allowing individuals to “Their hard work has themselves and their families any time to reach out to the order food and other goods made a positive impact on from contracting the virus. millions of Wing App users at from hundreds of merchants businesses and the lives of “It’s important to practice rates that are extremely low. using their smartphones Cambodians who rely on the three do’s and three don’ts Individuals who have not without having to leave the them to deliver products and every day and shopping signed up for a Wing App or comfort of their homes and at drive commerce during the online is an easy way to avoid Wing Account are encouraged no extra cost. pandemic whether rain or going outside unnecessarily,” to download the Wing Money The launch will not only shine,” said Neak Oknha Kith said Manu Rajan, division App and register themselves. bring convenience but also Meng, chairman and CEO of CEO of Wing. If they need assistance to reduce people-to-people the Royal Group of Companies To place an order, us- open a Wing Bank account, contact by offering contact- and the chairman of Wing ers simply need to open the they can set up an appoint- less payment and shopping Bank (Cambodia) Plc. Wing Money App and tap the ment with a Wing Representa- opportunities. WingMall is offering “WingMall” icon to browse tive using this link https:// Last year, Wing introduced customers in Siem Reap free hundreds of retailers and myoffice.wingmoney.com/p/ WingMall, a food and grocery delivery on all orders as the make their purchases. appointment delivery services, to its Wing company aims to help partner WingMall is offering customers in Siem Reap free delivery on all orders . After placing their order, WingMall accepts pay- Money App as Cambodians merchants revive their busi- customers will be able to ments from Wing as well as increasingly turned to e-com- nesses during the pandemic. signed on for WingMall to sell and many other items. enjoy having their favourite Cash on Delivery. Wing Bank merce during the pandemic. Hundreds of popular busi- thousands of goods ranging “I strongly encourage ev- meals and products delivered clients then can transfer funds To celebrate the launch of nesses in Siem Reap have from food, drinks, groceries, eryone to follow the Ministry to them for free from a variety directly from Wing’s partner WingMall in Siem Reap and of vendors. banks or through Bakong wal- to spread awareness about WingMall is offering every lets. Clients may also deposit shopping safely during the customer in Siem Reap up to $5 funds physically by visiting pandemic, Neak Oknha Kith discount for entering the a nearby Wing Cash Xpress Meng slipped out of his usual “HELLOSR” promo code agent. business suit and donned the from today until August 4. To stay up to date with the trademark WingMall helmet, Customers in Phnom Penh daily special offers, customers facemask and uniform to drive need to use “HELLOPP” as the in Siem Reap can subscribe a scooter with a large delivery promo code for the discounts. to WingMall Siem Reap’s box attached to deliver meals. Customers will be able to Telegram channel by clicking “I am extremely grate- track their orders on their on the following link https://t. ful for the dedication of our smartphones and settle pay- me/WingMallSR. Customers in delivery team during this ments securely and quickly Phnom Penh can use the link difficult time and I thought WingMall is helping merchants to reach out to the millions of Wing App users at any time. Photo Supplied via the revolutionary Wing https://t.me/WingMall a l Advertori 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,105 1.2437 6.4581 109.56 4.2200 1.3521 32.87 0.7387 1.1901 1.3971

Trading Information on Cambodia Securities Exchange Date: July 30, 2021 Auction Trading Method (ATM) No Stock Closing Price Opening Price High Low 1 ABC 12,800 12,760 12,800 12,760 2 GTI 4,280 4,080 4,280 4,000 3 PAS 13,600 13,720 13,720 13,560 4 PEPC 3,150 3,150 3,150 3,120 5 PPAP 15,300 15,260 15,300 15,260 6 PPSP 2,120 2,120 2,120 2,060 7 PWSA 7,060 7,080 7,100 7,060 Chinese factory activity Cambodia-SK trade almost dials back in July, takes extreme-weather blow $452M in first half of 2021 CHINESE factory activity weak- ral disasters, [caused] relatively ened last month to its lowest weakened manufacturing Hin Pisei level since the start of the pan- growth compared to [June].” demic, data showed on July 31, Although Zhao did not refer to ILATERAL trade be- as manufacturing was impact- specific extreme weather events, tween Cambodia ed by slowing demand, weak deadly flooding in central Henan and South Korea in exports and extreme weather. province caused over 70 deaths the first half of 2021 The Purchasing Managers’ and billions of yuan worth of wasB valued at $451.98 mil- Index (PMI), a key gauge of damage last month. Henan is lion, up by 6.7 per cent year- manufacturing activity in the home to key Foxconn plants that on-year from $423.51 million, world’s second-largest econo- manufacture Apple iPhones. according to data from the my, dropped to 50.4 in July from Overall, export and import Korea International Trade As- June’s 50.9, the National Bureau indices dropped last month, sociation (Kita). of Statistics (NBS) said. after a major port closure in the In the January-June pe- A PMI reading of over 50 indi- first three weeks of June stifled riod, the Kingdom exported cates expansion, while below international trade at a key point $159.40 million, down by 1.6 that figure suggests contraction. in the global shipping network. per cent year-on-year from The reading appeared to be “The most alarming signal is $162.06 million, and import- levelling out between April the new export order index, ed $292.59 million, up by 11.9 and June, and July shows the which [at 47.7 per cent] is at per cent from $261.45 mil- first marked decline, making it the lowest level since July last lion a year earlier. The trade the lowest PMI figure since year,” said Zhiwei Zhang, chief deficit widened by 34.0 per February 2020, analysts said. economist at Pinpoint Asset cent from $99.39 million to While the figure was worse Management in a note. $133.19 million. than many forecasts, it was “Exports have been a main In June alone, the Kingdom still above the 50-point mark growth driver this year. This PMI exported $19.94 million, down that separates growth from data release makes me even over nine per cent from $22.03 contraction. more cautious about growth The Kingdom mainly exported footwear and other apparel, travel products, beverages, electrical and million in June 2020, and im- electronic components, rubber, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products to South Korea. Post staff China’s fragile economic outlook in [the second half].” ported $55.00 million, up recovery is threatened by a recent China’s non-manufacturing nearly 19 per cent from $46.36 Commerce vice-president nationwide against the novel this year, setting zero tariffs resurgence of the Delta variant PMI also slightly slowed by 0.2 million on a yearly basis. Lim Heng noted that imports coronavirus is attained. for a broad range of goods. of the coronavirus that is threat- percentage points to 53.2 last Cambodia mainly exported of large quantities of cars, “I believe that the materi- Cambodia-South Korea ening to dampen holiday con- month, although it was still footwear and other apparel, personal protective equip- alisation of the bilateral free trade amounted to $884.88 sumption over the summer. showing growth. travel products, beverages, ment (PPE), and Covid-19 an- trade agreement [FTA] be- million in 2020, down 17.77 NBS senior statistician Zhao In particular, the construc- electrical and electronic tigen rapid test kits drove up tween Cambodia and Korea per cent from $1.032 billion Qinghe said: “On the whole, tion industry was badly affect- components, rubber, phar- trade during the period. will further help boost Cam- in 2019, according to Kita. China’s economy continues to ed by “unfavourable weather maceuticals and agricultural Factory closures in the bodian exports,” he told The Cambodia exported more maintain expansion momentum, factors such as high tempera- products to South Korea, and Kingdom stymied produc- Post. than $317 million of goods to but the pace has slowed down. tures and rain, floods and dis- imported vehicles, electron- tion for export to South Ko- On February 3, the two the South Korean market last “In July, some companies asters”, said Zhao. ics, kitchen appliances, bev- rea, he noted, positing that countries concluded talks for year, which was down by 5.4 entered the equipment main- However, the service indus- erages, pharmaceuticals and sales of Cambodian goods in a bilateral FTA, which Minis- per cent, and imported over tenance period, which in addi- try recovered slightly, with finished plastics and prod- the East Asian country would ter of Commerce Pan Sorasak $567 million, plunging by tion to the impact of extreme expanded sectors including ucts, Kita reported. tick back up once the goal of and his Korean counterpart Yoo 18.6 per cent from $696 mil- weather such as localised high aviation, catering and accom- Cambodia Chamber of vaccinating 10 million people Myung-hee plan to sign later lion in 2019. temperatures, floods and natu- modation. AFP GDCE enforces additional frozen meat import rules

Thou Vireak negative status will be strictly name the applicable neighbouring mechanisms for random selection via testing, and compile monthly reports required for imports of frozen meat, countries. an automated customs management to be sent to the GDCE, it added. CAMBODIA has introduced addi- issued by the competent authorities These imports must be treated “in system for shipping containers to be If the results are negative, the tional measures concerning the of the country of origin, the Gen- accordance with the risk manage- sampled for virus testing. authorities will notify the owner, who import of frozen meats and other eral Department of Customs and ment principles for frozen goods When a container is flagged for will then complete the customs clear- chilled goods, especially those origi- Excise (GDCE) said in a letter pub- imported into Cambodia from other testing, customs authorities at the ance forms as per usual, it said, not- nating in countries with higher Cov- lished on July 30, signed by director- countries with a high risk of infection port of entry will notify and guide the ing that positive cases will be imme- id-19 caseloads, in a bid to stamp out general Kun Nhem. with the Covid-19 virus, before being owner of the goods through the proc- diately referred to GDCE chief Nhem the spread of the novel coronavirus. All imports of frozen meat and allowed to arrange for the customs ess, which is to be conducted at the for further action. Effective from August 1, the move other chilled goods from India or clearance of goods”, the GDCE said. owner’s expense, the GDCE said. If Nhem decides that the goods will comes after the government inciner- neighbouring countries with more It noted that the Customs Audit In cooperation with other compe- be destroyed, all expenses shall be ated three shipping containers car- severe outbreaks will have to be test- Department and the Department of tent authorities and in accordance borne by the owner, the GDCE noted. rying buffalo meat imported from ed for the contagion by the Institut Information Technology must work with the regulations in force, the Goods that have cleared customs India that were found to be contam- Pasteur du Cambodge, it said, adding together to prepare and maintain a authorities are to arrange for samples cannot be supplied to the market or inated with the virus. that all packaging of these items must list of the countries deemed to be high of the goods to be tested at the Insti- consumers unless the results of the Additional certificates or certified sprayed with disinfectant. risk for coronavirus infection, espe- tut Pasteur du Cambodge, keep test specifically came back coronavi- statements indicating coronavirus- The GDCE did not specifically cially its Delta variant, and to identify record of the consignments sent for rus-negative, it said. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Nine groups join Kingdom collects $3B in revenue race to take over SsangYong Motor HE race to acquire South Korea’s from tax, customs in Jan-Jul: PM troubled SsangYong Motor is Theating up beyond expectations, Thou Vireak with nine groups reportedly having expressed interest. HE government collected According to local reports, a total of some $3.061 billion in rev- nine had submitted letters of intent enue from customs duties to buy a controlling stake in the and taxation during the first automaker, which is currently under sevenT months of this year, according court receivership, before the July 30 to Prime Minister Hun Sen. deadline. The prime minister was speaking They include Cardinal One Motors, during a live broadcast on August set up by US-based auto importer and 1, following the launch of the King- distributor HAAH Automotive Holdings, dom’s vaccination drive for children a consortium led by Korean electric bus aged 12-17. maker Edison Motors, another led by He said tax and customs revenue Korean electric scooter maker Kpop amounted to $1.716 billion and Motors, Samra Midas Group and a local $1.345 billion, equivalent to 76.55 private equity. per cent and 56.90 per cent of their Deal watchers had earlier predicted respective plans. the race to be a two-way competition “We have five months left, and are between HAAH and Edison. But with set to collect at least another $2 bil- the last-minute entry of Samra Midas, lion, so in a year we’ll reap in about which has shown a strong appetite for $5 billion. On average we raise about deals in the mergers and acquisitions $400 million per month,” he said. scene recently, the competition appears Even though revenue has declined, to be growing hotter. the prime minister pointed out that Up for sale is a majority stake in the Kingdom has $3 billion in re- SsangYong, currently held by India’s serve funds accumulated before the Mahindra & Mahindra. onset of Covid-19, and stressed that Prime Minister Hun Sen (back, centre) on Sunday marks the launch of the Kingdom’s vaccination drive for children aged 12-17. SPM According to EY Hanyoung, the deal’s the government is in no danger of manager, the potential bidders will bankruptcy, or as he so colourfully electricity infrastructure, such as the Post last month that the textile and the Covid-19 pandemic. conduct preliminary due diligence from put it, not a “perforated basket”. massive ongoing road infrastructure apparel market is an ever-growing “This year we are lucky to receive August 2-27 before finalising an offer. “We acknowledge that we’ve spent a projects in Preah Sihanouk and Siem market buoyed by booming popu- some orders shifted from Myan- The schedule for the main bidding third of it so far, or more than $1 bil- Reap provinces. lation growth and increasing per- mar. We should have grown bigger process is not known, but SsangYong lion. Now we have about $2 billion left, He added that civil servants did capita wealth. if there hadn’t been a February 20 Motor said it hopes to select a preferred without counting the $20 billion in not receive a raise in salary, but were Of note, he said, the retail market has community outbreak,” Loo said. bidder within September. foreign reserves, or dozens of tonnes paid their usual wages, as well as driven a change from a mass produc- In 2020, the Kingdom’s exports Local reports said the buyer would of gold reserves,” Hun Sen said. their incentives for the Khmer New tion system, to what he called a “small reached $17.21537 billion, up have to assume SsangYong’s overdue He noted that part of the proceeds Year and Pchum Ben Festival. batch, short life-cycle, fast fashion” 16.72 per cent year-on-year from debt worth 390 billion won ($340 mil- would be used to fund the Covid-19 Garment Manufacturers As- set-up, through consumer pressure, $14.74874 billion, the Ministry of lion), on top of the deal’s price. THE KOREA vaccine rollout and development sociation in Cambodia (GMAC) influence from the burgeoning online Commerce said in its 2020 annual HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK projects, with a focus on road and secretary-general Ken Loo told The shopping culture, and more recently, performance report. CCC penning deals, paving the way for closer Russia trade ties

Continued from page 1

Ministry of Mines and En- ergy secretary of state Sok Khavan, who attended the meeting, lauded the achieve- ments of Russian companies that have studied the geology and mapped onshore and offshore petroleum systems in the Kingdom, and have promoted the investment potential in the field. "We urge Russian compa- nies to invest more in Cam- bodia, both in power projects and in petroleum refineries," he said. The CCC’s Meng, who is The ‘First Online Business Meeting with Russian Companies’ was also chairman of the Royal held on Friday, as part of commemorations of the 65th anniversary of Cambodia-Russia diplomatic ties. CCC Group of Companies Ltd, told the meeting that Cam- cooperation agreement with cent year-on-year. bodia and Russia are long- the Roscongress Foundation And in 2019, total trade standing partners with an in 2015, another one with the between the two countries enduring and close friend- Chamber of Commerce and reached more than $55.39 ship, and that the leaders of Industry of the Russian Fed- million, sinking 40.44 per both countries pay particular eration in 2016, and a memo- cent from the $93.00 million attention to strengthen bi- randum of understanding logged in 2018, according to lateral bonds, according to a with the Siberian Association the ministry. CCC press release. for International Coopera- Bilateral trade between The trade body has been tion in 2015. Cambodia and the Eurasian working with Russian part- Bilateral trade between the Economic Union (EAEU) ners to shore up Cambodia- two countries was to the tune was worth $67.37 million last Russia trade and investment, of $45.15 million in the first year, marking an increase of he said, adding: "We warmly 10 months of 2020, repre- 18.22 per cent compared to welcome all Russian busi- senting an increase of 4.5 per 2019’s $56.98 million, minis- nesspeople and investors cent year-on-year, Ministry try figures indicate. seeking investment opportu- of Commerce statistics show. Of that, the Kingdom ex- nities in Cambodia." Of that amount, Cambodia ported $52.19 million, inching The CCC said it has or- exported some $38.75 million up 0.73 per cent year-on-year ganised many trade meet- worth of products, down 4.8 from $51.81 million in 2019, ings and investment promo- per cent year-on-year, and and imported $15.18 million, tion events with Russia in imported $6.4 million, gain- ballooning a colossal 193.57 various fields, and signed a ing a gargantuan 155.68 per per cent from $5.17 million. 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Business Trade body, MFI hatching plans to fund rice sector May Kunmakara ucts tailored to help the rice sector. “Cooperation from commercial HE Cambodia Rice Federa- banks and microfinance institutions tion (CRF) and AMK Micro- [MFI] on lending and financial sup- finance Institution Plc are port for the rice sector will increase brainstorming plausible in due course, on top of government approachesT to jointly channel fi- schemes provided through the Min- nance into the rice sector. istry of Economy and Finance, such CRF vice-president Chan as credit packages for mills and com- Sokheang, who is also chairman of panies that process and export milled the federation’s Investment and Fi- rice to buy paddy from farmers, as well nance Executive Committee, and as other credit guarantees,” he said. secretary-general Lun Yeng had an Cambodia’s rice millers often lack online discussion with a high-level the capital to purchase large quanti- working group of AMK on July 29 to ties of paddy or build rice process- explore viable means and strategies ing plants. They also fall short on the to finance the sector, with a particu- collateral needed in order to secure lar spotlight on rice mills and farm- loans from commercial banks and ing cooperatives. other financial institutions. Following the meeting, the CRF The government has reached Cambodia exported 309,865 tonnes of milled rice in the first seven months of 2021, down by 27.27 per cent year-on-year.HENG CHIVOAN said the AMK working group would out to the private sector to provide compile an in-depth analysis of the much-needed capital to rice mill- With 76 per cent of Cambodia’s cebook post on July 31. in 2015, 542,144 tonnes in 2016, Cambodian rice industry’s current ers, as public funding – through the population living in rural areas, According to data from the Min- 635,679 tonnes in 2017, 626,225 and future potential and opportu- state-owned Agricultural and Rural the agricultural sector – of which istry of Agriculture, Forestry and tonnes in 2018, 620,106 tonnes in nities, which it will use to draw up Development Bank of Cambodia rice is the largest component – ac- Fisheries, this represents a 27.27 2019 and 690,829 tonnes last year. a plan to facilitate and expand the (ARDB) and other means – cannot counted for 20.7 per cent of gross per cent drop from 426,073 tonnes As of end-July 2021, the Kingdom is provision of credit and other types always meet the industry’s needs. domestic product (GDP) and 31.2 in January-July 2020 – but a 0.60 at just 30.99 per cent of this target. of financing for the sector. The rice sector has long struggled per cent of total employment in per cent surge from 308,013 in the Sakhon also remarked that Cam- Sokheang told The Post on August 1 with underfunding, and its plight 2019, Asian Development Bank same period in 2019. The reduc- bodian paddy exports to Vietnam that it is essential to the health and vi- has been compounded by the EU’s (ADB) principal natural resources tion in exports was largely due to jumped 81.34 per cent year-on-year tality of the sector for rice millers and reintroduction of tariffs on Indica and agriculture economist Takeshi a shortage of shipping containers in the first seven months of 2021. farming cooperatives to secure financ- rice exports from Cambodia – effec- Ueda said in November. and lofty freight rates. This means that Cambodia sold over ing for working capital needs, to build tive from January 18, 2019 – requir- On a related note, Cambodia ex- In August 2010, the government 2.02 million tonnes of paddy to the resilience and expand capacities. ing the Kingdom to pay €175 ($210) ported 309,865 tonnes of milled rice pledged to export one million neighbouring country, given that He said the CRF provided more in- per tonne in the first year, €150 per in the first seven months of 2021, tonnes of milled-rice by 2015. How- the Kingdom exported 1.115 million formation to AMK during the meeting tonne in year two, and €125 per Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and ever, Cambodia exported 387,000 tonnes in January-July 2020, as pre- so that it could better develop prod- tonne in year three. Fisheries Veng Sakhon noted in a Fa- tonnes in 2014, 538,396 tonnes viously noted by the minister. THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World China, Australia ramp up coronavirus curbs

HINA and Australia ramped strictions is taking its toll on weary factories could reopen from August up Covid-19 curbs on July populations. 1. 31 as Delta variant cases France has endured months of “Police stopped us at many check- surged and tens of thou- curfews and lockdowns only to en- points and the ferry was packed,” said sandsC rallied in France against re- ter a new era of “health passes” last factory worker Mohammad Masum, strictions designed to stop the pan- month. Entry to cafes, restaurants 25, who left his village before dawn demic. and cultural venues are to be restrict- and walked more than 30km to get to The Delta variant, which was first ed to the vaccinated or those who the ferry port. identified in India, is forcing govern- can show they have been vaccinated Millions in the US could mean- ments to reimpose tough measures, or have a negative test. while find themselves homeless while other nations are reconsider- More than 200,000 people protest- starting on August 1 as a nationwide ing plans to open their economies. ed across France on July 31 for a third ban on evictions expires. The variant has spread to 132 straight week, with angry confronta- President Joe Biden last week urged countries and territories. The pan- tions. Congress to extend the 11-month-old demic has killed more than four Police in Paris used tear gas and moratorium, after a recent Supreme million people and shows no sign of water cannon and made several ar- Court ruling meant the White House slowing. rests. could not do so. The World Health Organisation’s “Macron resign”, demonstrators But Republicans balked at Demo- (WHO) emergencies director Mi- shouted in the southern city of Mar- cratic efforts to extend the eviction chael Ryan told journalists: “Delta seille, referring to President Emman- ban through mid-October, and the is a warning – it’s a warning that uel Macron. House of Representatives adjourned the virus is evolving but it is also a “I am neither a guinea pig nor a for its summer vacation on July 30 call to action that we need to move QR code,” one protester wrote on a without renewing it. now before more dangerous variants Tens of thousands protested across France for a third straight weekend. AFP placard. The latest analysis from the US emerge.” The French authorities meanwhile Centres for Disease Control found China’s outbreak now spans 14 (NHC) spokesman Mi Feng said: sland entered a snap lockdown on have reimposed restrictions in some that fully immunised people with so- provinces, the most widespread in “The main strain circulating at July 31 after six new cases were de- of its overseas territories, where called breakthrough infections of the several months, challenging the present is the Delta variant … tected. cases are surging, most recently in Delta variant can spread the disease country’s early success in tackling which poses an even greater chal- “The only way to beat the Delta Martinique, La Reunion and French as easily as unvaccinated people. the disease after it was first detected lenge to virus prevention and con- strain is to move quickly, to be fast Polynesia. While the jabs remain effective in the city of Wuhan in late 2019. trol work.” and to be strong,” said Queensland’s Bangladesh eased curbs however against severe disease and death, the China has put more than one mil- In Australia, where only about 14 Deputy Premier Steven Miles, an- despite a Delta surge, prompting US government agency said in an in- lion people under lockdown and re- per cent of the population has been nouncing three days of strict stay-at- hundreds of thousands of garment ternal document leaked Friday that instituted mass testing campaigns. vaccinated, the third-largest city of home orders for millions. workers to rush back to major cit- “the war has changed” as a result of National Health Commission Brisbane and other parts of Queen- The stop-start imposition of re- ies after the government said export Delta. AFP Israel urges UN action against Iran over ship attack

ISRAEL’S foreign minister said UN to work with their inter- from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania Zodiac Maritime said a US he has ordered the nation’s dip- locutors in government and the to Fujairah in the UAE with no naval escort was protecting the lomats to push for UN action relevant delegations in the UN cargo aboard when it was damaged ship as it steamed to against Iran over a deadly headquarters in New York. struck, its Israeli operator “a safe location”. attack on a ship managed by an “Iran is not just an Israeli said. The strike on the tanker Israeli billionaire. problem, but an exporter of Zodiac Maritime, a London- comes as European powers The MT Mercer Street tanker terrorism, destruction and based operator owned by Israe- meet with Iran in an effort to was attacked in the northern instability that are hurting us li businessman Eyal Ofer, said shore up a 2015 agreement to Indian Ocean on July 29, killing all. the attack killed a Romanian curtail the Islamic republic’s two crew members, in what the “We must never remain silent and a British citizen. nuclear programme in US said appeared to be a drone in the face of Iranian terrorism, The US military said that exchange for lifting sanctions. strike. which also harms freedom of early indications “clearly point” The accord was strained There has been no claim of navigation,” the top diplomat to a drone strike on the Mercer when in 2018 former US Presi- responsibility for the attack, added. Street, a Japanese-owned tank- dent Donald Trump withdrew but maritime industry analysts Lapid said he had also spo- er flying a Liberian flag. the US unilaterally and reim- Dryad Global said “this latest ken to his British counterpart Iran’s Arabic-language Al- posed sanctions. attack has the hallmarks of the Dominic Raab, and mentioned Alam state TV channel, citing Negotiations in Vienna, ongoing Israel-Iran ‘shadow “the need to respond severely “informed regional sources”, where the US is indirectly tak- war’”. to the attack on the ship in said the attack was a “response ing part, have stalled ahead of Israeli foreign minister Yair which a British citizen was to a recent Israeli attack” tar- the August inauguration of Lapid said on July 30 on Twitter: killed”. geting an airport in central newly elected ultra-conserva- Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, French navy frigate FS Languedoc, “I’ve instructed the embassies The Mercer Street, an oil Syria where Iran is backing the tive Iranian president Ebrahim and guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey at sail in the Arabian Sea on in Washington, London and the products tanker, was travelling regime. Raissi. AFP July 25. US NAVY/AFP Taliban, gov’t forces clash again on key western Afghan city’s outskirts AFGHAN and Taliban forces clashed again Officials and residents reported renewed fire that the UN blamed on anti-govern- on the outskirts of Herat on July 31, a day fighting on the outskirts of Herat on July ment elements. after a police guard was killed when a UN 31, with hundreds fleeing their homes to The militants say they will not target for- compound in the western city came under seek shelter closer to the heart of the city. eign diplomats, but have blatantly violated attack. Herat governor Abdul Saboor Qani said international protocol before. Violence has surged across the country most of the fighting was in Injil and Guzara Afghan forces and militiamen of veteran since early May, when the Taliban launched district – where the airport is located. warlord and anti-Taliban commander a sweeping offensive as US-led foreign “At the moment the fighting is ongoing Ismail Khan have been deployed around forces began a final withdrawal that is now in the south and southeast. We are moving the city of 600,000 in recent days. almost complete. cautiously and to avoid civilian casualties,” Khan, who previously fought the Soviet The militants have seized scores of dis- Qani said. occupation forces in the 1980s and then tricts across Afghanistan, including in During fighting on July 30, the main the Taliban during their hardline regime An Afghan soldier keeps guard outside the UN Assistance Mission in Herat province, where the group has also Herat compound of the UN Assistance in the 1990s, has vowed to fight the insur- Afghanistan compound in Herat on Saturday, a day after the mission captured two border crossings adjoining Mission in Afghanistan came under attack gents again to counter their staggering was attacked. AFP Iran and Turkmenistan. from rocket-propelled grenades and gun- advances in recent months. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Malaysians stage anti-gov’t Vietnam extends HCMC, southern protest despite Covid curbs region lockdown UNDREDS of black-clad Ma- laysians staged an anti-gov- HO CHI Minh City (HCMC) travel by motorbike], handover ernment protest on July 31 in along with 18 southern Viet- protocols, quarantine facilities defiance of a ban on public namese provinces and cities and medical supervision in gatheringsH under coronavirus curbs, pil- will continue to enforce lock- accordance with regulations, in ing pressure on the embattled prime down measures in line with the order to not let the disease minister to resign. government’s Directive 16 for spread,” the dispatch reads. The mostly young protesters, wearing two more weeks, per a dispatch The Ministry of Public Secu- masks and keeping a distance from one issued by Prime Minister Pham rity has been tasked with con- another, waved banners reading “failed Minh Chinh on July 31. sulting local authorities with government” as well as black flags. The original lockdown order regard to transportation and It was the first sizeable demonstration in for the entire southern region routes. Malaysia for some time, as many had been with a population of about 35 The dispatch notes that if the reluctant to take to the streets due to virus million people, effective since social distancing measures are curbs and for fear of getting infected. July 19, was set to expire on effective, and if the situation is But anger is growing at the govern- August 1 but the fourth-wave under control, provincial and ment’s handling of a virus outbreak – Covid-19 outbreak has shown municipal authorities could which is escalating despite a lockdown no signs of letting up. consider lifting restrictions for – and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s The Prime Minister wants all certain areas under their juris- attempts to keep his crisis-riven adminis- localities under Directive 16 – diction. For inter-provincial tration in power. Anger is growing at the Malaysian government’s handling of the virus. AFP which includes measures like areas, however, restriction “We fight because while the people are the closure of all non-essential removal would need the agree- suffering, this government is busy play- they had violated the ban on gatherings. officials announced August 2’s parliament businesses, leaving home only ment of all concerned localities ing politics,” Karmun Loh, taking part in Muhyiddin took power at the head of a session, the final day of the five-day sit- for essential goods and serv- and the plan would have to be the protest in downtown Kuala Lumpur, scandal-plagued coalition last year with- ting, had been postponed after several vi- ices, and suspension of public submitted to the National told AFP. out an election following the demise of a rus cases were detected in the legislature. transport – to strictly abide by Steering Committee for Covid- “This government is … crippling the reformist administration headed by Ma- “The spread of Covid-19 cannot and the rules and stand ready to roll 19 Prevention and Control economy and also destroying our coun- hathir Mohamad. should not be used as an excuse to ad- out more stringent measures if before any decision was try’s democracy.” But his government is on the verge of journ … the parliament sitting,” the “Pact necessary. made. Muhyiddin “is a terrible prime minis- collapse after allies withdrew support. of Hope” opposition coalition said in a Most of southern localities, All local governments across ter”, added demonstrator Shaq Koyok. He came under renewed pressure to statement. including HCMC, Binh Duong the country need to immedi- “He needs to step down.” step down last week after parliament August 1 is the final day of the six-month and Dong Nai asked people not ately provide food and medical There was a heavy police presence and convened following a months-long sus- state of emergency but the nationwide to go outside at night. attention for all workers suffer- officers blocked attempts by protesters pension as part of a virus state of emer- lockdown will remain in place. The order goes on to state ing from income loss or those to enter a central square before the rally gency. Malaysia’s outbreak is being driven by that local authorities must step without savings. Support for peacefully dispersed. His government was accused of dodg- the Delta variant, and health officials up their information campaign their people who are working Organisers said about 1,000 demonstra- ing a vote that would have tested its ma- logged a new daily record of 17,786 cases and carry out immediately nec- or living in HCMC or elsewhere tors took part but police put the number jority – infuriating rival members of Par- on July 31. essary measures to ensure the with complicated Covid-19 at around 400. liament and drawing a rare rebuke from Authorities have reported over 1.1 mil- livelihood and healthcare of situations must be provided. Police told local media that the protest- the country’s revered king. lion virus cases and more than 9,000 residents to ensure they can The prime minister urged a ers will be called in for questioning as Muhyiddin faced fresh criticism when deaths. AFP remain where they are. faster rollout of Covid-19 vac- The order came as thousands cines and emphasised that no of people – mostly workers dose should go to waste. He from the central region and also said that administrators of other southern localities – have the vaccination programme left or were making plans to must ensure priority groups leave HCMC on their personal receive theirs first and that vehicles for their hometown there are not incidents of abus- due to the worsening Covid-19 es of power to administer vac- outbreak, business closures, cines to ineligible persons. the imposition of lockdown, The government leader also and the adverse impacts it was called for the participation of having on their livelihoods. medical workers in the private The local governments where sector in the local Covid-19 lockdown is in effect have been fight and said they should stand told they must not let residents ready to reinforce localities leave their places of residence with high case numbers in line for another locality after July 31 with the health ministry’s direc- until the end of lockdown – tion. unless authorised. The Ministry of Public Secu- “Leaders of provinces and rity will need to lead efforts to cities are responsible to the handle fake news that under- prime minister if they let peo- mine Covid-19 prevention and ple travel out of their localities control efforts. on their own. For people who The Ministry of Health has want to leave one province for also been told to shorten another, all relevant localities’ administrative procedures authorities must organise the related to production and the pick-up and drop-off sites to supply of Covid-19 vaccines ensure the safety of the com- and drugs, and review and pro- munity, as well as arrange test- pose additional appropriate ing, transportation by car support policies for medical [trucks can be used to carry staff and frontline forces. VIET people’s motorbikes if people NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

The downtown area of Thu Dau Mot city, Binh Duong province, Vietnam, on Tuesday. VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion

A two-track approach on Covid-19 www.phnompenhpost.com EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer Ly Tayseng pandemic is what we need Managing Editor Sam Rith Deputy Managing Editor Opinion Phuon Chansereivuth

David Nabarro and Palitha Abeykoon Chief of Staff Phak Seangly Business Editor HE world is witnessing the May Kunmakara emergence of more infec- Deputy Business Editor tious variants of the SARS- Sangeetha Amarthalingam CoV-2 virus, but a stuttering Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk raceT to ensure equitable access to Pan Simala vaccines has seen a handful coun- Senior Reporters tries streak ahead, immunising their Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng, Mom Kunthear own populations, leaving many of Reporters the world’s vulnerable in their wake. Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, Communities are struggling with impatience and fatigue, which is Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Hong Raksmey, Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, Roth Sochieata, understandable. However, easing basic Orm Bunthoeurn, Ry Sochan, public health measures such as wear- ing mask and social distancing risks Lay Samean, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha fuelling ongoing transmission. In com- Photographers bination with new more infectious var- Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey iants and the “me first” attitude of Web Editor some countries, the unvaccinated and Leang Phannara those who have received only one dose Digital Team of vaccination are at increasing risk. Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy The world is at a perilous point and Desktop Publishing we, the World Health Organisation Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath, (WHO) director-general’s special Than Veasna envoys, are calling for a renewed com- SIEM REAP BUREAU mitment to a comprehensive Offi ce Manager approach to defeating this pandemic. Sophearith Blondeel We have to accelerate along two tracks PRODUCTION & PRINTING – one where governments and vaccine Nhim Sokphyrak Commercial and Graphic Designer manufacturers support all WHO Workers load boxes of Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines, part of the the Covax initiative which aims to ensure equitable access to Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith member states in their accelerated Covid-19 vaccinations, into a truck after they arrived by plane at the Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in May. afp efforts to create vaccine manufactur- ing capacity and vaccinate their most tising all health workers and the most countries, to enabling developing and others by continuing to adhere to vulnerable populations, and the other at-risk groups to save lives. countries to create their own vaccine mask wearing, physical distancing, where individuals and communities Such goals align with the bold initi- manufacturing capacity. Investing in ventilation and other actions that have HEAD OFFICE maintain a steely focus on continuing ative by WHO, the International manufacturing and diagnostic capaci- been proven to curtail virus spread. Post Media Co., Ltd. essential public health measures to Monetary Fund, the World Trade ty, virus sequencing capacity, Engaging with communities, building The Elements Condominium Level 7, break transmission chains. Organisation and the World Bank to increased case surveillance and other trust and empowering people to feel Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, The first track requires immediate call for $50 billion in increased measures are essential components of part of the response are the keys to Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom implementation of reiterated calls by financing to vaccinate 40 per cent of controlling this pandemic. inspiring people to continue, even Penh, Cambodia WHO and its Covax partners on the the world’s population by the end of Countries with the greatest stocks more than a year into the pandemic. Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 best use of vaccines. Almost three bil- the year and 60 per cent by mid-2022. of vaccines should not hoard them, The urgent call is to save lives. The Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 lion doses of vaccine have been dis- Such an investment pales into com- and push to cover their entire popu- world has a moral imperative to do Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 tributed globally, but only 90 million parison against the trillions of dollars lations while other countries do with- so. Global solidarity – even fuelled by SIEM REAP of those have gone through Covax. the selfish interest of stopping the No 629, Street 6, Dangkum Commune There are at least 60 countries who emergence of new variants – is need- Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 rely on Covax for vaccines and those The world must implement a ed more than ever. By actively calling COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT countries have vaccination rates that for a two-track approach of ensuring Chief Operating Offi cer average less than three per cent. strategy at global, regional and that the most vulnerable get vacci- James Ong Soon Teck The world must implement a strat- nated and adhering to sound public Advertising Department egy at global, regional and national national level whereby the most health measures, and by calling out Chap Narith, 017 996 241 level whereby the most vulnerable those who could be doing more, the Hun Channet, 017 578 768 are vaccinated first, rather than leav- vulnerable are vaccinated first whole world can all benefit and save Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 ing health workers, the elderly, and lives. No one is safe until everyone is Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 those with underlying conditions at of economic losses and costs con- out. It is not even in their best inter- safe. THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Paing Patrya, 081 872 202 risk of severe disease. nected to the pandemic. est, since the intense circulation of Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 It also includes supporting WHO’s WHO continues working to make the virus in countries with no vac- David Nabarro and Palitha Abeykoon are WHO CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION call to vaccinate at least 10 per cent of safe and effective vaccines and other cines, increases the possibility of director-general’s special envoys for Europe Acting Distribution Manager the population of every country by tools available to the world, from issu- more transmissible and dangerous and North America and for Southeast Asia Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 respectively. John Nkengasong, WHO director- Circulation Supervisor September, and a “drive to December” ing Emergency Use Listings (EUL) for variants, threatening to make current general’s special envoy for Africa (anglophone), Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 to vaccinate 40 per cent by the end of eight vaccines so far, to launching the vaccines less effective. Samba Sow, WHO director-general’s special 2021. Achieving the September goal Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator At the same time, the world must not envoy for Africa (francophone), Maha El Rabbat, Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 ADMINISTRATION means 250 million more people in low- in order to spur development of and lose sight of the second track which WHO director-general’s special envoy for the Eastern Mediterranean and Mirta Roses, WHO Admin & HR Manager and middle-income countries must be access to solutions to diagnose, treat requires that all people refresh their director-general’s special envoy for Latin Pich Socheat Americas and Caribbean, also signed the article. vaccinated in just four months, priori- and vaccinate vulnerable people in all commitment to protect themselves Assistants Admin & HR Manager Nhel Soaphea Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT & Networking Vong Oun

TO CONTACT US [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.phnompenhpost.com © Post Media Co., Ltd The Phnom Penh Post is wholly owned and printed by Post Media Co., Ltd. The title The Phnom Penh Post in either English or Khmer languages, its associ- ated logos or devices and the contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Post Media Co., Ltd. www.phnompenhpost.com 12 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Hidden kingdom of mud and clay enchants S Reap Pann Rethea and clay. Visitors could not get enough of the place and were taking photo- ITH the pandemic forc- graphs at every angle and bombard- ing people to stay at ing social media with their selfies. home, a small group “These amazing structures result of Cambodian men – from the sweat and blood of nine men Wshirtless and using nothing but their using nothing but their hands and dig- bare hands and primitive tools – ging tools,” the Facebook page says. have quietly been digging and then Their most astonishing work is a building impressive structures from royal chamber fit for a king that is mud and clay in the community for- dug into the ground and has a small est reserves in Siem Reap. pool in the middle of it. It took them Their amazing construction and about 130 days to build it. artistic skills have been used to cre- Their videos show them digging ate scaled-down versions of Angko- in the forest to create an excava- This private underground royal chamber with jacuzzi and furniture made from mud, clay and soil took them 130 days to build. SUPPLIED rian temples and European castles tion that ended up being six by as well as a luxurious underground eight metres in length and width es with water slides and fire places room with a natural Jacuzzi and and three metres deep. as well as a sculpture of King Kong, furniture intricately carved from “The design of the house is a mix angry bird characters, small fairy the surrounding earth. of Khmer style and some modern structures and animal homes. They’ve not only created these in- styles. Like a bed in the Khmer style, “The idea to build huts for ani- credible buildings surrounded by but with a modern fashion sofa. The mals to live in struck me when I wilderness, but their talent has also walls are carved to look like bricks happened to see three dogs that had drawn the applause of nearly 1.5 decorated with flowers or designed been abandoned by their owners,0” million subscribers on their Youtube to look like cabinets. The basement Molly said about the recent proj- channel “Building Technology” as well includes a swimming pool to repre- ect of small dens, castles, and fairy as a “gold creator” award from the gi- sent the modern 21st century luxury houses surrounded by water and ant online video sharing platform. home,” according to the team. plants to create a harmonious envi- Three years ago a former teacher, These model structures are made ronment for the animals. Peanh Setha, became a designer with technical precision and the lay- They have now used about a one and online video creator, forming out and planning is done before any hectare of the five they were provid- two Youtube channels – Leurt Wil- construction. This work was done in ed and have created over 10 build- derness with 30 videos and 74.4k collaboration with a team of assis- ings from mud. They are quietly and subscribers and Building Technol- tants and volunteers as well as a total patiently at work in the forest and ogy with 99 videos and 1.49 million of three photographers. The construc- request that visitors postpone their subscribers. tion is accomplished without any ma- trips there for now to help curb the Setha teamed up with his brother- chinery at all, just tools like shovels. spread of the virus in Siem Reap. in-law Tann Molly, a designer and IT “I have so many design ideas for “Because the spread of Covid-19 professional. construction of buildings recorded hasn’t slowed down, the buildings and “Our purpose is to earn some in- in my notebook. With the help of lo- structures we made from earth, clay come to support the livelihoods of cal talented builders and their skills and mud can’t be opened yet to the local people and show their work to and hard work, we’re able to build so general public to take photographs. the world, entertain the audience many awesome things,” Molly says. We have finished our first building and participate in sharing cultural Leurt Wilderness was even fea- project on an area of one hectare. works widely,” Setha says. tured in Nas Daily by an Arab-Is- “There are about 12 to 13 buildings One day, the two discovered the raeli video blogger named Nuseir or structures that would have been poor but talented builders living in Yassin in April on Facebook with 17 The Golden Plate award for over one million subscribers on Youtube. SUPPLIED opened to tourists and local people Roka Kambot village in Trapeang millions views. since the Khmer New Year holiday in Thom Commune of Prasat Bakong “They worked day after day, shov- from mud and clay, the challenge of by the authorities who allowed them April if it wasn’t for Covid. district in Siem Reap. eling and shoveling, and made a long-term preservation of their work to relocate to a new area in the com- “When things get better and we “We’ve never studied architec- bed, a door, a sofa, a mirror, and a remains. A complex structure could munity forest reserve with five hect- get approval from the authorities, ture, construction or art. We just see house entirely from mud. They put take months to finish but might only ares of land to work with. The team we’ll welcome locals and tourists things and get inspired to do our the video on the internet and the rest last a year afterwards. hopes to be able to open it to visitors right away,” Setha says. version. And the builders are talent- of the world absolutely loves them. “We want to make all of the build- after the spread of Covid subsides. To see their videos on Youtube ed and know how to build and carve Trust me they’re almost therapeutic ings last longer, so we’re trying to “Now that we have the support of check out their Building Technol- mud and clay from observing other to watch,” Yassin comments. find ways to protect them from the the local authorities we can build here ogy channel: https://www.youtube. skillful people,” said Setha. However, after 3 years of working rain,” Setha says. without any worries, Molly says. com/channel/UCsNG5AKFeyX_2_ Having worked humbly in the for- together to build stunning buildings Their hard work was acknowledged Now they are building more hous- GB7ubk9NA est for a couple of years, their videos documenting the creation of their mud and clay kingdom went viral last year. Their first building site became a hot domestic tourist attraction last year despite the industry struggling to survive due to the pandemic. The peak period of visitors coming to see their mud and clay structures was during the Pchum Ben festival in September, 2020. “Visitors came from different cit- ies and provinces across the coun- try just to see this wonderful man- made underground structure built by ordinary men using basic and primitive tools,” according to Leurt Wilderness’s Facebook page. The “instagramable” attraction in the forest of Kouk Toeung village in Chan Sar Commune of Soutr Nikom district in Siem Reap has a bedroom and living room with carvings and The scaled-down castle built entirely by hand using primitive tools in a community Surrounded by wilderness, this room with luxury furniture made from mud, clay and sculptures made entirely from mud forest reserve in Siem Reap. SUPPLIED soil are awaiting final touch-ups and will open to visitors later.SUPPLIED THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle

A girl poses for a picture on a lavender field near the village of Valea-Trestieni, some 30km east of Chisinau, Young couples and families pose for glamour shots as the sun lowers over Alexei Cazac’s sprawling field of Moldova. AFP lavender outside the capital of Moldova. AFP Moldova’s lavender blooms in post-Soviet era

oung couples and fami- the Lavender Growers Association. Producers in Moldova say Bul- is another major brand in Moldova mand for essential oils dipped dur- lies pose for glamour shots “It collapsed precisely because our garia, which was also under the Iron whose subsidiary works in cultiva- ing the coronavirus pandemic. as the sun lowers over Alexei connection was severed with Mos- Curtain, has benefitted greatly from tion and production of essential But producers in Moldova aren’t Cazac’s sprawling field of lav- cow, where most of the essential oils the EU after it became a member in oils. fazed. enderY outside the capital of Moldova. produced in Moldova were export- 2007. Still, recent experience shows the Badarau says his association has “Once, in the first year the lavender ed,” he said. But where Bulgaria excels in quantity, future isn’t guaranteed to be rosy. registered the brand Essential Oils was blooming, we came and the en- “We’re working hard to revive it.” Moldova trumps it in quality, they say. The United States Agency for Inter- of Moldova to promote products tire field was just filled with people,” Around five or six newcomers to the national Development said in 2017 abroad, and that it was aiming for the 40-year-old farmer said. industry are planting rows of the herb Room for growth that Moldova was still exposed to certification from an international “It’s like the set of a photo shoot. every year, he says, a trend which saw The local variety yields less oil, con- climate risks, with likely “adverse ef- agricultural quality assurance group. We didn’t plan it this way,” he says. Moldova’s lavender oil production cedes Nicu Ulinici, who inherited his fects” for growers. This “is of great concern to the end Cazac, who planted his first bush- double in 2021 to 20 tonnes com- father’s farm and harvested his first It said the industry had fluctuat- consumer,” he says. els in 2015, is among a growing co- pared to twenty years ago. bushels in 2014. ing economic success in one of the In the meantime, there’s money to hort of farmers in Moldova fuelling But that is still a far cry from 1989, “But it’s higher quality,” he says. Its poorest countries to emerge from be made from visitors drawn to the a resurgence in the aromatic herb, when the country produced 180 aroma is “more pleasant, softer.” the Soviet collapse, with Moldova’s picturesque fields. whose cultivation collapsed along tonnes. For Badarau, lavender has won over market share still trailing far behind Cazac, who has over 60 acres of with the Soviet Union. Badarau’s association says mem- growers in Moldova owing to its suc- essential oil majors like Turkey and lavender, says he charges visitors the The comeback in the small country bers export 99 per cent of their oil to cess in dry climates. This, he believes, China. equivalent of about $3 to meander bordering Romania has garnered at- the European Union, specificallyG er- will help farmers mitigate “risks as- Pointing to climate threats, the through his purple bushels. tention not just from locals hungry many, and to two other well-known sociated with climate change.” UN Development Programme said On the horizon, he sees plenty of for likes on social media, but also producers: France and Bulgaria. Indeed, multinational cosmetics Moldovan farmers last year harvest- room for expansion. from global cosmetic firms head- The oil is widely used in cosmet- firm Weleda, which began sourcing ed up to 50 per cent fewer bushels “Moldova is producing much less quartered in western Europe. ics and its aromas are hailed for Moldovan lavender in 2005, has de- than in 2019, resulting from tepid than it could,” he says. “After the collapse of the Soviet their relaxing and soothing quali- scribed the country as “perfect” for spring temperatures and a summer “But first we need to prove we’re Union, the industry was forgotten,” ties that some believe counteract the herb. drought. producing a quality product at inter- says Alexandru Badarau, president of anxiety and insomnia. French fragrance company Mane The report also noted that de- national standards.” AFP Going green: a tour of world cities putting down roots

From a New York rooftop, across Riyadh’s desert cityscape or along the bustling streets of Medellin, to run- ning the height of a Milan apartment block or stacked high in a Copenha- gen farm, AFP has captured images of urban green replanting projects in cit- ies around the world. Singapore’s futuristic garden Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, with its giant concrete trees covered in thick vegetation and huge greenhous- es showcasing thousands of rare plant species, has grown into a source of pride and a symbol of the city-state. Farming on the New York skyline Across three rooftops in New York, Brooklyn Grange grows more than 45 A woman sits on a balcony covered with plants at a residential community in Chengdu People walk around the rain vortex at Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore. Green tonnes of organic produce a year in a in China’s southwestern Sichuan province. AFP spaces have also been shown to improve health and wellbeing. AFP city farm opened about a decade ago by a group of friends who wanted “a tom, which aims to make trees an lightbulbs that keep the massive ware- urban parks are due to give the Saudi network linked to existing green small sustainable farm that operated essential component of architecture. house in an industrial zone bathed in capital a green overhaul. spaces. as a business”, co-founder Gwen purple light around the clock. Schantz said. Vertical farming in Copenhagen Medellin’s ‘green corridors’ A jungle on Chengdu’s balconies Although it may resemble a contem- Riyadh’s reforestation Urban roads in Colombia’s second- With thick vegetation filling every From living in Milan’s vertical forest... porary art installation, Copenhagen’s In the dust and desert heat, Riyadh’s biggest city, Medellin, have been apartment balcony for eight blocks, Two apartment buildings in the heart vertical farm, opened by Danish start- only greenery is almost lost between transformed into 30 “green corridors”. residents of China’s experimental of Milan almost disappear under the up Nordic Harvest, grows the likes of the busy highways and enormous Where once the roadside was barren, green housing project, Chengdu’s lush forest of the Bosco Verticale (Ver- kale and lettuces. Harvested 15 times interchanges. But by 2030, 7.5 million worn down by the heat and rubbish- Qiyi City Forest Garden, live in a ver- tical Forest), covered with more than a year, produce is cultivated in tiered trees – mostly acacias capable of with- strewn, now trees and flowers luxu- tical forest while in the middle of a 20,000 trees and plants from top to bot- racks under 20,000 specialised LED standing the arid climate – and 3,000 riantly fill them, in an interconnected megacity. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Fry Taylor, co-founder of Green Salon Collective, demonstrates the use of a boom made with hair collected from hairdressers to clean an oil spill at a hair salon in east London. AFP UK stylists recycling hair snippets to help clean environment N BRITAIN, hairdress- “There are currently ap- and has so far received a “very ers are being urged to proximately 30,000 salons positive response”. do their bit for the en- and another 100,000 free- Composting is another vironment by recycling lancers” who are pouring green use of hair, whose rich Isnipped-off hair to help clean hydrogen peroxide and am- nitrogen content makes it an up oil spills, make compost or monia into water systems, ideal fertiliser supplement. “GO THE DISTANCE” generate energy. Taylor said. Collective member Ryan At an east London salon, The collective is encourag- Crawford, owner of a salon ACROSS 55 Mouse wheel function 24 Burglary Fry Taylor, one of the found- ing salons to save these prod- in the town of Milton Keynes, 1 Landing gear part 58 Solar panel unit 26 Catch, as in a net ers of the Green Salon Collec- ucts in a small bin, which it northwest of London, has ex- 5 Supplemented 60 Former figure skater Babilonia 28 Make a jailbreak tive, demonstrates spare hair then collects and sends to a perimented with hair on his 10 Where the coin goes 61 Vision problem 30 Clickable image 64 In couch-potato mode being used in depolluting facility to produce electricity. vegetables in the garden. 14 Hebrew month before Nisan 31 DEA agent 65 “You can’t be serious!” filters. Hair stylist Adam Reed, On a sunny July day, he 15 Embarrassing turnout 32 Eyelid trouble 16 One for the books? 66 Aardvark’s entree He shows how a cotton who owns a salon in London’s showed two young cabbage 33 Spherical hairstyle 17 Part of an audiophile’s system 67 Golf platforms 34 ___-back (easygoing) net stuffed with hair, swept trendy Spitalfields neighbour- shoots: one, surrounded 20 Hawaiian paste 68 Things to strive for 35 Stepped heavily across the surface of a tank hood, is a recent convert to by hair, is intact; the other, 21 Asian sauces 69 Flower in a pocketful? of water contaminated with the recycling mission and planted without hair, is skel- 22 Charlemagne’s capital DOWN 37 Its symbol is an omega motor oil, instantly cleans up proudly explains his system to etal and gnawed. 23 Horseshoer’s workshop 1 Packs down tightly 38 Stem’s opposite the pollutant. customers. “It’s like a protective barrier 25 Third canonical hour 2 A way of saying things 40 Not worth considering “The hair just naturally will Saying he was “blown away” around the base of the new 27 Firefighter’s need 3 More than one spoke 41 Gladiator’s protection absorb the oil and hold on to by what the Green Salon Col- seedlings,” he said. 29 To the ___ degree 4 Blow it 46 Fast friends the oil, that’s the important lective had taught him, the “It’s definitely worked keep- 30 Write-___ (some nominees) 5 Aggravates 48 Narrow backstreets 33 Change factor,” Taylor, a former hair- internationally-renowned ing things like slugs or snails 6 Item in a roundup (Var.) 49 Sources of pain 36 A smattering 7 Performs, old-style 50 Inverted “e” dresser, said. hairdresser added he “didn’t off,” he added, saying that 38 “Go away, feline!” 8 “The Nanny” has three of them 52 Dictation taker, briefly A kilogramme of hair can quite realise the enormity of putting hair directly into the 39 Unbelievable tale 53 Bridge positions absorb up to eight litres of oil, it” beforehand. soil also helps retain moisture 42 Event in a prison movie 9 Took off 54 Spacek of the screen according to experts. “It made me realise that sus- and acts as “a super-food for 43 St. Louis 11 10 Parker’s need 55 Huffy state The idea of using hair fil- tainability in salons is some- the earth,” replenishing ni- 44 From this moment on 11 Cardinal number (5th power of 10) ters originated in the United thing that had been missing trogen levels. 45 Not evenly divisible by two 12 “S”-shaped molding 56 Throw in the towel States and has already been and it’s really easy to bring Over the last year, around 46 Domino dot 13 Gull cousin 57 Abnormal breathing tested in real disasters, such into the salon,” he said. 600 salons in the UK and 47 “Let the Sunshine In” musical 18 On leave, for a swabbie 59 Abbr. at the end of a list as when a Japanese tanker “We have our bins, all la- Ireland have joined the col- 49 What some crooks crack 19 Word on a price tag 62 Bit of baby talk sank off the coast of Mauri- belled, so it’s easy to navigate.” lective, which has amassed 51 Microscope parts 63 Toddler’s midday event tius a year ago. around 500kg of hair. Britain was lagging behind in ‘Super food’ It has been used to clean Friday’s solution recycling unwanted hair when Hair, protective equipment, up waterways, an oil spill in the collective formed last sum- metals, papers and plastics Northern Ireland in May and mer, according to Taylor. each have their own bin. for composting. “There are, in other coun- The salon, which pays a The collective has also tries around the world, recy- £120-fee ($192) to be a mem- gathered 3.5 tonnes of metal, cling systems for hairdressing ber of the collective, also re- which is being recycled. salons,” he said. cycles leftover dye product. It now hopes to export the “In the UK and Ireland, they Reed charges clients a “green model on a large scale across just don’t have the infrastruc- tax” of one or two pounds, Europe. AFP ture. “We’re not going to wait an- other five or 10 years for gov- ernments and councils to have these systems in place, let’s just do it ourselves,” he added. Friday’s solution Green tax The waste produced by the hairdressing industry in the UK each year could fill 50 football stadiums, the collec- tive said. Most rubbish, including alu- minium foil, coloured tubes and 99 per cent of cut hair, is sent to a landfill site, it added. Another big problem is Hair salon owner and hairdresser, Adam Reed cuts the hair of a client chemical waste such as dyes at his salon in Spitalfields, east London, before collecting the hair for and bleaches. recycling on July 1. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Pakistan defy rampant Nicholas Pooran to beat Hamilton defies boos to take W Indies by seven runs pole with 100th win in sight PAKISTAN’S versatile bowling 70-run fourth-wicket partner- attack did just enough to ship with Pooran to revive the EVEN-time world cham- restrain a rampant Nicholas West Indies chances, gave cred- pion Lewis Hamilton Pooran and come away with a it to his bowlers for limiting their shrugged off boos and seven-run victory over the West opponents after he chose to put accusations of games- Indies in the second T20 Inter- them in to bat. manshipS to secure the 101st national of the four-match pole position of his career on series at the National Stadium ‘Staring down barrel’ Saturday as he defied the heat in Guyana on Saturday. “We were staring down the and championship rival Max Following a rain-ruined barrel of a 170-plus total and I Verstappen to set the quickest opening encounter in Barba- was really happy with the way lap in qualifying for Sunday’s dos three days earlier, Babar the bowlers battled back in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Azam’s team will go into the latter half of their innings,” he Hamilton, who is aiming for third match of the series on observed, before putting a his 100th Grand Prix victory Sunday, also at Providence, positive spin on the run and his ninth in Hungary, will with 1-0 lead. chase. be joined on the front row by Pooran’s explosive unbeaten “We had to try and explode Mercedes teammate Valtteri 62 off 33 balls with six sixes towards the end but it just Bottas with Verstappen start- and four fours kept the West didn’t work out, however the ing third alongside his Red Indies in with a chance of over- way Evin [Lewis] and Hetty Bull teammate Sergio Perez. coming the lethargy of much [Shimron Hetmyer] kept things Hamilton brushed off the of their innings, even to the going in the middle overs was boos that came from a sec- final over when 20 runs were quite pleasing.” tion of Verstappen support- required to overhaul Pakistan’s West Indies suffered a set- ers during the post-qualify- total of 157 for eight. back when opening batsman ing interviews. However Shaheen Shah Afri- Evin Lewis retired hurt on 35 “I have never felt so great Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton waves from his car as he celebrates winning the pole position after di claimed the wicket of cap- midway through the innings. with the booing,” Hamilton the qualifying session at the Hungaroring race track in Mogyorod near Budapest on Saturday, ahead of the tain Kieron Pollard and then While enjoying the win, said. “If anything it just fuels Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix. AFP denied the rampant Pooran Babar Azam felt his team me, so I don’t really mind it. the Alpines of Esteban Ocon tenths of a second faster than third, 0.106secs behind Bottas. the opportunity to swing free- should have gotten more runs He also rejected suggestions and Fernando Alonso, and Se- Bottas, who had also used the “The whole weekend we’ve ly and lustily at the next three on the board. of gamesmanship when his bastian Vettel in the Aston Mar- mediums. been a bit behind and it deliveries to ensure the visitors “We were 10-15 runs short slow out lap at the end of the tin rounding out the top 10. “It was an amazing qualify- showed in qualifying,” said came away with the win with but we have to give thanks to session prevented Perez from Hamilton, who began the ing lap and it has been amazing the Dutchman who has now the hosts kept to 150 for four. the bowlers for the way they getting in a second fast lap. weekend eight points behind teamwork from everyone, Valt- made a remarkable 20 con- West Indies were again kept the West Indies batsmen “I was not playing any tac- Verstappen in the champion- teri included, trying to push the secutive top three qualifica- undone in their run chase by the in check,” he noted. tics, I don’t need to, I know ship, was quickest during the car forward,” said Hamilton. tions. number of scoreless deliveries, “Losing back-to-back wick- what I’m doing in the car and final practice session on Sat- “The guys at the factory “It’s not what we want but 47, in their innings, although ets is something we have to am fast enough,” he said at a urday morning. have left no stone unturned. we’re still there in P3 and will nothing could take away from improve on in the final overs testy press conference. However, the Briton bided “The soft tyre is worth some- see what we can do. the outstanding bowling effort and we hope to do better in the “Those making the com- his time in the afternoon and, thing like five metres into turn “It’s going to be really hot of Mohammad Hafeez. last two matches.” ments do not know about the unlike his rivals, stuck to the one. It was surprising to see so a soft tyre will not last as Bowling the first over of the It was Jason Holder and job that we’re doing, which is longer-wearing medium tyres everyone in the top 10 on the long as the mediums but we innings, the veteran off-spin- Dwayne Bravo who combined why they are not driving.” in P2 which saw him land just softs apart from us.” should be good off the line.” ning all-rounder bowled Andre to put the brakes on the Paki- AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly and the sixth-quickest time. Verstappen, who crashed out The Hungarian GP is the last Fletcher with his second ball stan scoring rate. Lando Norris of McLaren took Switching to the softs for P3 of the last race at Silverstone before the summer break with and conceded just six runs Holder, the former captain, the third row of the grid with he produced a blistering lap after a first lap collision with racing resuming at Spa for the across his four overs. returned the excellent figures of the Ferrari of Charles LeClerc, of 1min 15.419sec, over three- Hamilton, had to make do with Belgian GP on August 29. AFP “Knowing these conditions four for 26 while Bravo, the vet- and having played cricket here eran all-rounder and leading before in the Caribbean Pre- wicket-taker in all T20 cricket, mier League certainly helped claimed two for 24 as the tour- as I knew it would be difficult ists squandered a solid platform for the batsmen,” said Hafeez provided by Babar Azam and S Africa dominate Lions to level series at the end of the match. Mohammad Rizwan. “They are very powerful Babar’s polished 51 off 58 balls SOUTH Africa overcame the after he crossed the tryline. players so the challenge is with two sixes and four fours was loss of injured star forward An astonishingly long first always to keep a tight line the topscore of the innings. Pieter-Steph du Toit on Sat- half lasted 64 minutes – 24 every time.” He put on 67 runs for the urday to score 21 unanswered minutes more than it should Pollard, who played the sup- third wicket with Rizwan after second-half points and beat have – owing to injuries, a porting role in a Sharjeel Khan and Rizwan had the British and Irish Lions mini brawl and video checks set the stage for a challenging 27-9 to level the series ahead of various incidents. target in putting on 56. of this weekend’s final Test. After 45 minutes, Mapimpi However the demise of The dominance of the snatched a Pollard cross- Rizwan for 46 via the run Springboks after half-time kick, cut inside and evaded out route interrupted yielded tries from winger several tackles to score and the smooth flow of the Makazole Mapimpi and centre give the hosts a lead they visitors’ innings. Lukhanyo Am and the tourists never surrendered. In the mad dash finished a well-beaten team Am struck just past the hour through the final overs before the third Test and series mark, getting first to a grub- to lift the flagging scor- decider, also in Cape Town. ber kick from scrum-half Faf ing rate Pakistan lost Fly-half Handre Pollard de Klerk just before the ball four wickets in the scored the rest of the home crossed the dead-ball line. space of eight deliver- points from a conversion Pollard converted for an ies as the discipline, and five penalties while rival South Africa’s Lood de Jager catches a line out ball during the second 18-9 advantage and then accuracy and clever playmaker Dan Biggar slotted rugby union Test match between South Africa and the British and Irish kicked three penalties against Lions at The Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. AFP variations of Holder three penalties for the Lions. opponents who had nothing and Bravo brought “This is special. It has been a bubble but we are thinking New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe. to offer as an attacking force its reward. AFP a tough week – the toughest of the [South African] people. The first Test had been riddled in the closing stages. week I have ever had to face,” There is one more week and with controversial decisions Lions skipper and lock Alun Shimron Hetmyer of West Indies is bowled said South Africa skipper we will give it everything.” and Australian referee Nic Berry Wyn Jones said: “There was a by Mohammad and flanker Siya Kolisi. Reigning World Rugby and South African TV match of- momentum shift in the sec- Wasim of Pakistan “I am grateful to the man- Player of the Year Du Toit was ficial Marius Jonker came under ond half in South Africa’s fa- during the 2nd T20I agement and coaches we have forced to leave the field after heavy post-match fire. vour. The aerial battle went match between the West Indies and for making us focus on the 22 minutes following an earli- As was the case in first Test, against us in the second half Pakistan at Guyana mistakes we made. We fight er late tackle by South Africa- won 22-17 by the tourists, and so did the breakdowns. National Stadium in together as a team and it came born Lions winger Duhan van it was a tale of two halves at “We did not want to take it to Providence, Guyana, through for us. der Merwe. a spectator-less Cape Town a third week but we will have on Saturday. AFP “We did not worry about mis- Stadium due to the coronavi- to. We put ourselves under takes and the injuries, we just Superbly refereed rus pandemic. pressure in the second half.” gave 100 per cent. We will enjoy Van der Merwe and Spring- The Lions led 9-6 at half- South Africa will create his- this but the work is not done. It boks counterpart Cheslin Kolbe time and the advantage tory if they triumph again is all or nothing this week. were yellow-carded within two would have been greater had next Saturday as neither they “You have got to trust in minutes of each other midway Kolisi not got an arm under nor the Lions have won a se- the system, trust in the guys through the opening half of the ball to prevent Lions cen- ries between them having lost around you. We have been in a match superbly refereed by tre Robbie Henshaw scoring the first Test. AFP 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST august 2, 2021 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport 5-star Dressel leads way as USA clinch gold

aeleb Dressel powered to his fifth gold medal of the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday as the United States won Ctheir duel in the pool with Australia ahead of the hotly anticipated men’s 100m showdown on the track. Elsewhere on day nine in Japan, home favourite Hideki Matsuyama targets golfing gold while Germany’s Alexander Zverev takes on Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the men’s ten- nis final. US gymnastics great Simone Biles, struggling with a debilitating mental block, withdrew from the floor final, leaving her just one more chance of competition in Tokyo. Dressel dominated the men’s 50m freestyle final with an Olympic-re- cord time of 21.07sec and then re- turned to help the US team smash the world mark in the men’s 4x100m medley relay. He also won the 100m freestyle, the 100m butterfly and the 4x100m free- style relay earlier in the Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. Emma McKeon grabbed her fourth gold and seventh medal of the Games when she helped Australia to the women’s 4x100m medley relay crown, just 40 minutes after winning the 50m freestyle. She is just the second woman to win seven medals at one Olym- pics after Ukrainian gymnast Maria Gorokhovskaya in 1952. (From left) USA’s Michael Andrew, Ryan Murphy, Caeleb Dressel and Zach Apple celebrates taking gold in the final of the men’s 4x100m medley relay swimming event and America’s Robert Finke touched first setting a World Record during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre on Sunday. AFP in the men’s 1500m freestyle to make it a distance double after winning the golds in the pool, two ahead of fierce ble in Beijing, London and Rio. 20.58 metres on her sixth and final mental health issues, freshly crowned 800m earlier in the meeting. rivals Australia. Britain were third The race looks wide open if the first attempt, having led the competition all-around champion Sunisa Lee Dressel, 24, failed to get close to with four. round is anything to go by. Ameri- from her opening effort of 19.95m. goes for uneven bars gold as the ap- matching Michael Phelps’ eight-gold can Trayvon Bromell, who owns the The golf competition is set for a paratus finals begin. haul in at the 2008 Beijing Games Bolt crown up for grabs fastest time this year of 9.77sec, only thrilling climax at the Kasumigaseki Biles’s withdrawal from the floor fi- but he leaves Tokyo with his position Later on Sunday, Usain Bolt’s Olym- scraped through as a fastest loser af- Country Club, with a clutch of stars nal leaves just Tuesday’s beam as she unchallenged as the biggest name in pic 100m crown is up for grabs on the ter finishing fourth in his heat. including Xander Schauffele, US wrestles with the “twisties”, which the sport. second day of action in the cavernous, In the morning session, China’s Masters champion Matsuyama and leave gymnasts unable to orientate The American, who also won two spectator-free Olympic Stadium. Gong Lijiao lived up to her pre- Britain’s Paul Casey all in the mix. themselves in mid-air. relay golds at the Rio 2016 Games, set The pandemic-postponed 2020 Olympic form by winning gold in the “I’m going to focus on having fun “Simone has withdrawn from the Olympic records in both the 50m and Games are the first sinceA thens 2004 women’s shot put, denying New Zea- and trying to play well,” said Mat- event final for floor and will make 100m freestyle and smashed his own to be held without Jamaican sprint land veteran Valerie Adams a third suyama, who is playing in the final a decision on beam . . . Either way, world record in the 100m butterfly. king Bolt, who retired in 2017 after successive gold. group of his home Olympics. we’re all behind you, Simone,” USAG The United States ended with 11 winning the 100m-200m sprint dou- Gong managed a personal best of With Biles taking a back seat due to tweeted. AFP Djokovic ‘not sure’ about US Open fitness afterG ames

World No1 Novak Djokovic said he The 34-year-old Serb could become the 20-time major champion lost his – but less than 24 hours after his hopes much. I left it out on the court.” was “not sure” about his fitness for the the first man to complete a calendar cool on his way to a surprise 6-4, 6-7 for gold were ended – he was preparing US Open after pulling out of the Tokyo Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969 (6/8), 6-3 defeat against Pablo Carreno to leave the Ariake Tennis Park without ‘Sorry’ for racquet smash Olympics mixed doubles bronze med- when the US Open gets under way on Busta in the Olympics singles bronze- a medal of any colour. On Saturday, Djokovic brought back al match with a shoulder injury on August 30. medal match. He lost a gruelling match to Carreno memories of his infamous default Saturday. The withdrawal in Tokyo came after He admitted that his exertions in Busta which lasted two hours and 47 against Carreno Busta last year at the Japan have taken their toll but he still minutes in suffocating heat, despite US Open, when he inadvertently hopes to be fit enough to challenge at saving five match points. struck a ball at a line judge. Flushing Meadows. The Serbian sporting icon’s best This time he threw his racquet high “The consequences physically result at the Olympics remains his into the empty stands as he saw a hopefully will not create a problem for bronze medal in Beijing in 2008. break point come and go in the open- me for the US Open, but that’s some- “I just didn’t deliver yesterday and ing game of the third set, and contin- thing that I’m not sure about right today,” said Djokovic, whose singles ued to cut an angry figure, destroying now,” said Djokovic. loss to Alexander Zverev ended his another racquet by smashing it against “But I’m not regretting for giving it Golden Grand Slam bid. the net post. all because at the end of the day, when “The level of tennis dropped, also He was given a warning by the you play for your country, that’s neces- due to exhaustion, mentally and phys- umpire after that second incident, but sary.” ically.” not following the first. The International Tennis Federation His next opportunity to win an “It was an emotional outburst and it said Djokovic had withdrawn with a Olympic title will come in Paris in happens,” said Djokovic. “You’re tense “left shoulder injury”. three years’ time, when he will be 37. on the court, in the heat of the battle. “Ashleigh Barty and John Peers “I know that I will bounce back. I will “It’s not the first time and it’s not the receive a walkover against Djokovic try to keep going for Paris Olympic last time probably. It’s not nice, of and Nina Stojanovic and win the Games and fight for my country to win course, but it’s part of, I guess, who bronze medal for Australia,” the ITF medals,” insisted Djokovic. I am. added. “I’m sorry that I disappointed a lot “I don’t like doing these things, I’m Serbia’s Novak Djokovic smashes his racket during his Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Djokovic had been eyeing two gold of sports fans in my country. But sorry for sending this kind of message, men’s singles tennis match for the bronze medal against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta medals when he played the singles and that’s sport, I gave it all, whatever I but we’re all human beings and some- at the Ariake Tennis Park on Saturday. AFP mixed doubles semi-finals on Friday had left in the tank, which was not so times it’s hard to control.” AFP