wednesday, december 23, 2020 Intelligent . In-depth . Independent Issue NUMBER 3568 / 4000 RIEL EU plans PMs affirm friendship move over UK virus on anniversary of ties mutation health ministry Niem Chheng istry of Foreign Affairs, Hun Sen security, trade and investment, the ASEAN community and be- observed that bilateral relations education, infrastructure and yond,” Hun Sen wrote. EUROPE scrambled on says recovered RIME Minister Hun had developed tremendously people-to-people linkages. Likewise, Prayut sent a letter December 21 to thrash out Sen and his Thai coun- since the commencement of “On this note, I would like to to Hun Sen on the same day a coordinated response to a covid patients terpart Prayut Chan-o- diplomatic ties in 1950. reaffirm my unwavering com- affirming that the relation- new strain of the coronavi- cha exchanged con- “Building on the solid foun- mitment to working closely ship between the two coun- rus which has prompted an could relapse gratulatoryP letters as the two dation of traditional friendship, with Your Excellency to elevate tries has never been stronger. international suspension of national – page 2 neighbouring kingdoms good neighbourliness and mu- our long-standing partnership Partnership continues to ex- travel links with the UK, marked the 70th anniversary of tual understanding, our two to new heights, particularly as pand with cooperation and while the US saw its own their establishment of diplomat- kingdoms have broadened we overcome the unprecedent- mutual benefits in all fields. caseload top 18 million. ic relations on December 19. cooperation that has encom- ed Covid-19 crisis and bring He said border areas are now With travellers in Europe In his letter to Prayut which passed many areas of shared peace, stability and sustainable facing a nightmare holiday was published by the Thai Min- interests, namely politics and prosperity to our two nations, Continued – page 4 season, EU ambassadors were to meet on December 22 to try to nail down a uni- fied approach and work out how to eventually lift the border restrictions with Brit- ain – including by imposing a requirement for tests on all arrivals. Exporters set More than two dozen countries from India to to ship mangoes Argentina suspended flights from the UK, offering a to china market bleak reminder that the pandemic is far from over. early next year The World Health Organi- business – page 6 sation’s (WHO) emergencies chief Michael Ryan tried to temper the alarm by stressing the situation was not “out of control”, shortly after a Brit- ish minister used those exact words to describe the new spread of the new variant. While experts say there is no evidence the UK variant of the virus – one of several known mutations – is more lethal or will affect the impact of vac- cines, it may be up to 70 per Thai leader says cent more transmissible, according to early data. market Covid-19 Concern over the mutated strain sent European stocks, outbreak due to oil prices and the British pound plunging and trans- migrant workers port changes unleashed WORLD – Page 10 In safe hands chaos for travellers and truck- Kaavan, the 35-year-old Asian elephant rescued from Pakistan and brought to Cambodia last month by a multinational group of ers ahead of Christmas. conservationists, will no longer be the ‘loneliest elephant in the world’. He is adapting to his new surroundings in Kulen Prum Tep sTORY > 5 “It’s inhuman not to give Wildlife Sanctuary in Oddar Meanchey province and is beginning to be resocialised with other elephants in the area. HEAN RANGSEY people more notice. My boyfriend is out in Turkey, I want to get back to him,” said Beth Gabriel Ware, a 23-year-old Briton who Villagers swap plastic rubbish for rice recently came home to visit her parents – but is now Long Kimmarita for rice from the Tampaing before, which was not good for us. everyone knows to pull it out among those stuck there Snong Russey Foundation. “Now, our villages have of the river and into their boats longer than intended. MECHREY is a community on One of the villagers, Chhoeung changed so much. Before [the when they see it floating. Thousands of people are the Tonle Sap River located in Hokly, 30, expressed her appre- exchange programme] there “It is really good that the foun- still dying daily from the virus Entrepreneur Keo Poa commune’s Peam Ta ciation for the project. She said was a lot of rubbish in the dation runs it like that. The that has claimed at least 1.69 Uor village in Siem Reap prov- plastic waste has practically dis- river,” she said. project helps reduce plastic million lives since it first promotes STEM ince’s Puok district. It is home appeared from the village since Similarly, Peam Sen, a waste in the water. When there emerged late last year. to over 300 families, most of the project was launched. 30-year-old fisherman in the is too much plastic waste it can British Prime Minister Boris learning using whom are fishermen. “The plastic waste for rice village, said the Tampaing actually make the river shallow. Johnson held a crisis meeting In addition to fishing, villag- exchange programme is really Snong Russey Foundation “[Cleaning up waste] also after France announced a educational toys ers of all ages are currently col- good for my village. We collect established the project so that helps to improve our standard 48-hour blockade on both lecting floating plastic waste the plastic waste so that it no each family learns to dispose lifestyle – page 12 from the river to exchange it longer pollutes the river like of their rubbish properly and Continued – page 2 Continued – page 9

THE PHNOM PENH POST STEM education prepares National students for Industry 4.0 Inside page 4 2 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National France gives Recovered Covid patients ‘may relapse’ $91 million for Mom Kunthear in conjunction with the November 28 community agriculture, HE Ministry of Health transmission event. After two has claimed that as negative test results, she was many as 10 to 15 per discharged from the hospital. climate fight cent of recovered The other patient was a 75 CTovid-19 patients could po- year-old Cambodian man Orm Bunthoeurn tentially suffer a spontaneous living in Daun Penh district’s relapse which would again ren- Phsar Thmei commune. He THE French government, through der the virus communicable. had been a passenger arriv- the French Development Agency Health ministry spokes- ing from China. (AFD), has provided two credit woman Or Vandine said that Since the beginning of agreements worth €75 million ($91 2.6 per cent of Cambodia’s re- the pandemic, Cambodia million) to Cambodia to support covered Covid-19 patients, or has diagnosed 363 Covid-19 sustainable agricultural and rural nine in total, had experienced cases of which 347 patients development, as well as climate a recurrence of the infection. have recovered and 16 con- change fight in Cambodia. “According to research by tinue to receive treatment. In a Facebook post on December our medical scientists, which Also on December 22, 21, the French embassy said the is supported by findings from UNICEF announced that it agreements were signed by Cam- the World Health Organisa- would be able to transport bodian Minister of Economy and tion [WHO], in those who up to 850 tonnes of Covid- Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, French saw a recurrence of Covid-19, 19 vaccines per month next ambassador to Cambodia Eva Nguy- the illness became transmis- year, depending on their en Binh and AFD Cambodia director sible to others,” she said. availability, according to a Ophelie Bourhis. She explained, however, Ministry of Health spokeswoman Or Vandine. hENG CHIVOAN new global assessment. This The grants are for the Rural Infra- that the communicability of would amount to more than structure Development for Cambo- the illness was much lower before,” Vandine said. Thailand on December 20, ers returned from Thailand double the average weight of dia (RID4CAM) and Agriculture Value in patients whose symp- Minister of Labour and returning via the nine inter- through the O’Smach inter- vaccines UNICEF currently Chain Competitiveness and Safety toms recurred than among Vocational Training Ith Sam national and regional gate- national checkpoint on De- transports each month. Enhancement (ACSEP) projects. those who had contracted it Heng explained that private ways that were then open. cember 21, followed by 200 Cambodia is one of the The French embassy has confirmed for the first time. recruitment agencies and rel- Battambang provincial more on December 22. Au- countries to which UNICEF that the RID4CAM project provides “Nevertheless, we are ad- evant officials had been noti- spokesman Suos Sopheak thorities and health officials will deliver vaccines, under for the improvement of basic servic- vised that Covid-19 patients fied to halt sending workers to told The Post that he had conducted Covid-19 testing the leadership of the Royal es for rural people and contributes to who have recovered should Thailand until further notice. yet to learn the number of of all returning citizens and Government and in close connecting remote areas. continue to be isolated He noted that Cambodian migrant workers returning sent them to quarantine. partnership with the World The ACSEP project will facilitate for 14 days with follow-up workers who need to return from Thailand on December The prime minister and Health Organisation (WHO). the agricultural sector by support- health checks. Patients must home from Thailand must 22, but over the two previ- health ministry distributed UNICEF plans to facilitate ing some potential sectors such as not be allowed to go out for choose one of three open ous days, there had been an additional 6,000 aid kits delivery and distribution of cashew nuts, mangoes and poultry. personal meetings, shaking international border check- 31 people return, and they to needy workers in the three Covid-19 vaccines in 92 low Minister of Agriculture, Forestry hands or making contact points at O’Smach, Dong or were sent to quarantine fa- border provinces of Banteay and lower-middle-income and Fisheries Veng Sakhon told The with others, and they must Poipet. The government has cilities for 14 days. Meanchey, Battambang and countries on behalf of the Post on December 22 that the ACSEP always carry out preventive prepared these facilities for “The situation in Battam- Oddar Meanchey. The kits COVAX Facility and in collab- project, which has a budget of $30 measures,” Vandine stated. health checks to protect of- bang province along the included mosquito nets, pil- oration with the Pan Ameri- million, is co-financed by the Asian She said that when pa- ficials, the returning workers border is good because au- lows, mats, tents and chairs. can Health Organization. Development Bank (ADB). tients receive treatment and their family members. thorities and health officials On December 22, the Min- “This is a mammoth and “One project focuses on the con- and fight the disease with a Sam Heng also called on conduct health checks and istry of Foreign Affairs and historic undertaking,” said struction of rural roads. The other is healthy diet and rest, their Cambodian migrant work- monitoring attentively and International Cooperation, Henrietta Fore, UNICEF ex- for the development of some high- bodies can strengthen and ers who remain in Thailand regularly,” he said. through the Cambodian ecutive director. “The scale value crops such as cassava, cashew, overcome it. She claimed, to stay calm and trust in the Koh Kong provincial Embassy in the Republic of of the task is daunting, and vegetables and rubber,” he said. however, that the effects competence of local authori- spokesman Mom Malika the Union of Myanmar, fa- the stakes have never been And a $60 million grant will be spent might recede because the ties to manage, prevent and said that from December 20- cilitated the repatriation of higher, but we are ready to on the RID4CAM project, which is virus had fallen dormant. treat Covid-19. He recom- 22, no migrant workers had 21 Cambodian workers, in- take this on.” still under the research stage and will “These factors can lead to mended they not relocate left Thailand for Koh Kong, cluding monks and nuns. UNICEF reports that cur- focus on vegeculture to boost animal patients testing negative for their homes or places of work but provincial administra- On the same day, two rent commercial air cargo feed production in Cambodia. Covid-19. But some day, the from one province to another tion and health officials were more Covid-19 patients capacity would be sufficient “We see that the demand for ani- virus might re-activate and in contravention of lockdowns prepared to accommodate were deemed to have recov- to deliver vaccines for 20 per mal feed in Cambodia is growing. when testing, it virus will be imposed by Thai authorities. arrivals as necessary as per ered and were released from cent of the populations of There is [also the need of feed] sup- detected again. We call this Net Sary, Cambodian con- guidance by the prime min- treatment. almost all of the targeted 92 ply to both fish and livestock feed- a relapse. But the virus that sul-general in Thailand’s Sa ister and health ministry. A 32 year-old Cambodian countries at an estimated cost ing in Cambodia, and also focus on returned is not the same as Kaeo province, said on De- Oddar Meanchey Provincial woman living in Chbar Am- of US$70 million. Currently, high-value farming such as vegeta- it was the first time – its ef- cember 22 that a total of 551 Hall spokesman Chea Piseth pov district’s Veal Sbov com- 190 economies are participat- bles and other things that is needed fects are less serious than Cambodian people had left said that 176 migrant work- mune had been infected ing in the COVAX Facility. in today’s market,” he said. NGO: Tonle Sap a tourism site riddled in plastic

Continued from page 1 erly. A full sack can be exchanged programs in the village. I’ve spokesman Neth Pheaktra sup- for a 5kg sack of rice for individu- asked people to clean trees ports the project, saying that the of living. If somebody had als and a 10kg sack of rice for when the water level rises; we ministry would continue to thought up this idea earlier then families,” she said. take boats to collect plastic support the Tampaing Snong our villagers would have been The project was established waste on the water and we col- Russey Foundation in its efforts doing it for a long time,” he said. in June of this year in two vil- lect it on land too when the to educate the people. The col- There are two basic require- lages – Peam Ta Uor and Chong water goes down,” he said. lection of plastic waste helps to ments for participation in the Bralay – where a total of 400 “We find a lot of waste in Peam reduce pollution which is harmful plastic for rice programme. families are benefiting from it. Ta Uor village when the water to the fish and the ecosystem. First, the villagers must keep all Sea Sophal, founder and recedes and there is a lot of plas- “[The plastic waste and] waste of the used plastic rubbish from president of the Tampaing tic waste on the trees when the storage from the Mechrey com- their homes in one place so that Snong Russey Foundation, said water rises,” he added. munity and other communities it can be disposed of properly. on December 22 that Mechrey He said one of the purposes with participation [in the project] And secondly, they must col- is the first community that the of the project is the preservation will be recycled [or used] for raw lect plastic waste from the NGO had recruited for the and protection of the Tonle Sap materials for pavement at some river and dry it out before project. In future, the project and its birds and fish from pol- schools or pagodas,” he said. turning it in to the foundation will be expanded to other com- lution and plastic waste, a task According to Sophal, the Tonle in exchange for rice. munities on the Tonle Sap. he decided to take upon himself Sap is shaped like the bottom of a Phak Nan, a volunteer for the This is not the first project that after noticing that plastic waste pot, so rubbish gathers and it project, said the plastic col- Sophal has supervised as part of seemed to be everywhere on the flows into rivers and streams when lected by the villagers first went his foundation’s goal of cleaning river’s surface and banks. people along the Tonle Sap throw to a plastic waste storage facil- up Cambodia’s environment. “The Tonle Sap is a rich ecosys- plastic waste into the water. ity in Peam Ta Uor village. In fact, he has launched tem, but there is too much plastic Sophal hopes that develop- She added that the villagers many initiatives with the same rubbish. Tonle Sap is also a tour- ment partners will continue to were happy when the founda- overall goal over the past three ism site. As a citizen, I must do support the project in the future, tion announced it would pro- years – to encourage individu- something [to help] because it is especially the Ministry of Envi- vide them with rice in exchange als and communities to take the heart and blood vessels [of ronment, so that the practice of for rubbish. an active role in protecting the Cambodia.] If we don’t take care exchanging plastic waste for rice “50kg woven rice sacks are to environment, and the Tonle of the Tonle Sap’s health, it can can be sustained at its current be filled up, and the villagers Sap River in particular. only cause us problems,” he said. locations and possibly expand- must sort the plastic waste prop- “I’ve created some simple Environment Ministry ed to other communities. THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 3 a l Advertori 4 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com National More than one million STEM education prepares people educated about students for Industry 4.0 mine-related accidents Orm Bunthoeurn has changed in some way. Upon Nov Sivutha seeing UXOs, they marked IN the first 11 months of this the sign of danger. They have AMBODIA will part- year, the Cambodian Mine stopped pounding or throwing ner with 17 other Action Centre (CMAC) has co- them, which can cause danger. countries around the operated with National Police “But there are still some world to train teach- forces to educate nearly 1.2 who have turned a blind eye ers,C educate students and de- million people about mine on [the authorities’ education velop local expertise in fields accidents and explosive rem- effort]. They are still not afraid and careers related to science, nants of war. of the mines,” he said. technology, engineering and CMAC director-general On the 21st anniversary of mathematics (known collec- Heng Ratana said CMAC and National Mine Awareness Day tively as STEM). National Police forces had on February 24, Prime Min- The broad purpose of these visited almost 600,000 house- ister Hun Sen urged relevant efforts is to help prepare the holds to educate them about institutions and the authori- next generation of Cambo- mine-related accidents. ties at all levels to continue dian youth for work in what is “In collaboration with them disseminating information on known conceptually as “Indus- [National Police], we have mine accidents, cluster bombs try 4.0,” or the fourth industrial made 38 per cent more home and explosive remnants of war revolution, wherein traditional visits this year than we did regularly through the so-called sectors such as manufacturing last year. safe villages/communes poli- will be augmented through “We have expanded the edu- cy to the people. digitalisation and the use of cation to new target areas such He also stressed on the need information technology. as Veal Veng [district] of Pur- to strengthen law enforce- Royal Academy of Cambodia sat province as well as Stung ment on explosive weapons president Sok Touch told The Treng, Preah Vihear and Tbong and ammunition control. Post on December 21 that Cam- Khmum provinces,” he said. Cambodian Institute for De- bodian representatives had met Students show their STEM project in an exhibition. STEM Education Organisation for Cambodia Ratana said that as a re- mocracy president Pa Chan- with delegates from countries sult, authorities responded to roeun said awareness raising around the world, including the In order to achieve this goal, timedia Centre at the Institute ans to participate in STEM over 6,000 urgent requests by and removing or destroying US, Singapore, South Korea, Ja- Touch said Cambodia needs of Technology of Cambodia, training with the assistance people and the forces cleared the remaining ordnance in pan, Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil, to train more teachers. said it would be a positive de- of developed countries since nearly 10,000 explosive rem- villages and communes were Argentina and Mexico. The Ministry of Education velopment for Cambodia to they have access to the most nants of war. necessary to protect the safe- The topic of discussion was has been trying for some time collaborate with developed advanced technologies. Cooperative activities to im- ty of people. a proposed online education now to encourage an increase countries in an online training However, he said that if plement this national policy are “Educating people about programme to provide STEM in the number of Cambodians programme for STEM fields. youth are selected to partici- not only measures to prevent mine accidents [is to urge] training for Cambodian stu- with training and expertise in He pointed out, though, pate in online education, it accidents of mines and explo- people to refrain from taking dents in order to help them STEM fields so that the coun- that some subjects are more should be done with trans- sive remnants of war, but also explosive remnants of war and navigate the “Industry 4.0” job try can reach the stage where difficult to teach than others parency, accountability and a contribution to strengthening UXOs for use in day-to-day market armed with the latest it can compete in this area because of technical and ma- equal opportunity for all ap- national security, he said. work, because they would put knowledge and technical skills. with the rest of the world. terial requirements. plicants, who should dem- He added that in the first their lives in danger,” he said. This new initiative will mark “At this point we are still dis- “There are many STEM sub- onstrate a good ability with 11 months of this year, CMAC Chanroeun called on the the first occasion where Cam- cussing the details, so there’s jects, some of which are possible technology in order to receive forces had collected over authorities to educate people bodia has cooperated with de- no plan completed yet, but on and some may pose some chal- training because most young 41,000 unexploded ordnance about mine accidents more veloped countries for the pur- December 23 we will begin to lenges related to technology. At people do not understand or (UXO) and explosive remnants extensively. poses of online education. cooperate online and exchange this stage, we are making prog- use the relevant technology. of war. Most of them had been He urged the authorities to “The Covid-19 pandemic curriculum [with the partici- ress by training teachers, and “I think when there are destroyed, except for some big not discriminate or engage in has made it possible to attend pating countries] and then lat- then eventually they will begin equal opportunities and mines that were neutralised. corrupt practices when receiv- many online meetings, and er we will start a joint training teaching students,” he said. equal competition between As a result, people had learned ing a report by the people about much of the discussion was re- programme for Cambodian Im Sothy, a technology the rich family’s children and more about mine accidents. They UXO or other explosives. lated to STEM and 4.0. Cambo- students with the help of these specialist and executive di- children of the poor in terms have been providing accurate in- He said the authorities must dia needs skilled and talented 17 countries,” Touch said. rector of the Youth Council of training or advancement, formation to the authorities for visit the location and remove people to compete in the mar- Hean Samboeun, director of of Cambodia, welcomed the it is a good thing and it im- demining forces. or destroy the explosives ket of the future,” Touch said. the Cyber University and Mul- opportunity for Cambodi- proves society,” he said. “The attitude of [most] people carefully. Bilateral trade hits Kingdom’s Manila among world’s $5.5B in 11 months ‘outstanding women in nursing’ Continued from page 1 communities in the near fu- ture, Prayut said. Niem Chheng the NGO FHI360 Cambodia. enjoying the fruits of endur- “More recently, we have She has also served in various roles in ing peace and stability. Flour- worked side by side to min- Cambodia Nurses Association president the Angkor Hospital for Children’s Saving ishing cross-border trade imise the impacts of the Prak Manila has been recognised by the Babies’ Lives programme in Preah Vihear continues to create more jobs Covid-19 pandemic on our international NGO Women in Global province. She is currently a board mem- and bring better livelihoods economies and societies, Health (WGH) by making their 2020 list ber on the hospital’s board of directors. for the peoples of both coun- which paves the way for even of 100 Outstanding Women in Nursing. She also assisted the health ministry tries. Bilateral trade has closer cooperation to ad- According to the WGH, hundreds of in developing their recommendations grown from around $300 mil- dress future regional and in- women were nominated through an on- for standard practices and a code of lion 20 years ago to over $9 ternational challenges. line submission form that evaluates them ethics for nurses in Cambodia. billion last year. “It is my firm belief that the according to eight categories that are per- As the president of Cambodia “Thai investments in friendship between Thai- tinent to the improvement of nursing and Nurses Association, she provides training Cambodia have been on the land and Cambodia is strong midwife practises and leadership. to nurses who are working in public and pri increase, contributing posi- and enduring and that our The selection process was based on vate institutions through online courses. tively to Cambodia’s econo- peoples, especially our new those eight areas along with an assess- Last September, she was granted a fel- my, while Thailand’s econo- generations of young people, ment of their contributions to global lowship at the International Council of my has also benefited greatly will continue to work togeth- health. The list of over 100 finalists in- Nursing in Geneva, Switzerland. Prak Manila. Supplied from Cambodia’s workforce er towards an even brighter cluded women from 43 countries and the “Recently, I have been invited by an and economic cooperation,” future for our common competition was judged by representa- Manila told The Post on December 22. international nursing institution to do he said. peace, prosperity and devel- tives from the World Health Organisation Manila has been involved in the health- a presentation and workshop and to at- The two nations have opment,” Prayuth said. (WHO), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), care sector in Cambodia for many years. tend a high profile international forum made significant progress in In a December 18 message and four other partner organisations do- In 2013 she founded the Cambodian for nurses,” she told The Post. enhancing their infrastruc- commemorating the anni- ing work related to public health. Association of Nurses, an organisation “All of the work that I do has provided me ture connections, including versary, Minister of Foreign “This recognition has great meaning registered with the Ministry of Interior with many opportunities to step onto the the construction of the Thai- Affairs and International for me personally and also for my na- and recognised by the Ministry of Health global stage and I try to learn from every- land-Cambodia Friendship Cooperation Prak Sokhonn tion. I am proud and delighted to have which she still leads today. one I meet there. But more importantly, it Bridge linking Sa Kaeo and noted that in first 10 months the opportunity to be an international Since July, she has been working as a gives me a chance to demonstrate my pro- Banteay Meanchey provinc- this year, bilateral trade representative for the nursing profes- consultant on the project Enhancing fessional knowledge and abilities, both as a es and the revival of railway reached $5.57 billion despite sion in Cambodia. It is a reflection of the Quality of Healthcare Activity (EQHA) Cambodian woman and as a Cambodian services that will connect interruptions imposed by great progress that has been achieved in funded by the US Agency for Interna- nurse who is proudly representing all Cam- many Thai and Cambodian the pandemic. improving healthcare for Cambodians,” tional Development (USAID) through bodian nurses.” THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 5 National Lonely no more: Elephant from $3M in green-friendly equipment provided to Pakistan finds love in Kingdom environment ministry

Long Kimmarita Islamabad’s Marghazar zoo Mom Kunthear “This lighting equipment and set him free in a natural will be used in public places AAVAN, the 35-year- forest. Kaavan was eventu- THE Chinese Ministry of Ecol- in Preah Sihanouk province, old Asian elephant ally relocated to the Kulen ogy and Environment, through especially in schools, and will rescued from Paki- Prum Tep Wildlife Sanctuary Shenzhen Spark Co Ltd, pro- enable students to learn about stan and brought to in Oddar Meanchey province vided equipment for reducing solar appliances as well as help CKambodia last month by a under the care of the environ- carbon dioxide emissions with light up the gym,” he said. multinational group of con- ment ministry and CWS. a total value of $3 million to the Sam Al said the main goal is servationists, will no longer be Kaavan’s species is desig- Ministry of Environment. to get parents back to school the ‘loneliest elephant in the nated as threatened. Cam- The equipment includes to practice sports and have world’. He is adapting to his bodia has only 400 to 600 2,800 street lights, 200 solar the opportunity to talk to new surroundings in a wildlife wild Asian elephants living panels, 200 electric motorcycles teachers. The electric motor- sanctuary and is beginning to in protected forest areas in and 20 sets of tools for air quali- cycles and air quality moni- be resocialised with other Ratanakkiri and Mondulkiri ty control laboratory, according toring equipment will be used elephants in the area. provinces and in areas of the to the environment ministry. at the environment ministry Sok Hong, president of the Cardamom Mountains. There Environment minister Say and monitoring station. Cambodia Wildlife Sanctu- are also at least 70 domesti- Sam Al received the equip- Chinese ambassador Wang ary (CWS) and the elephant’s cated elephants. ment from Chinese ambassa- said the material assistance new caretaker, said Kaavan Darrick Thomson of Thai- dor to Cambodia Wang Wen- would strengthen the relation- has not yet been introduced Kaavan, the Asian elephant rescued from Pakistan and brought to Cambodia land’s Save Elephants Foun- tian on December 21. ship between the two countries into an environment in the last month has expressed a keen interest to interact with one of the three dation has accepted the task The equipment was provided and help Cambodia improve in females at his new home in a wildlife sanctuary. hEAN RANGSEY wild because he will need a of taking care of Kaavan for through a memorandum of un- the field of environment. few months to adjust to other lost his loving partner. He still vironment, regularly interact- his first three months inC am- derstanding (MoU) on Coop- From 2015 to 2020, the envi- elephants and recover after misses his mate,” Hong said, ing with the elephants already bodia. He told The Post he eration for a Low-Carbon Test ronment ministry has signed many years of suffering. referring to Kaavan’s partner living in the area. would ensure Kaavan is given Pilot Project signed in Preah MoUs and agreements with Depending on his progress, who died in 2012. “Cambodia will provide a new life in which he is pro- Sihanouk province last year. several key Chinese institu- Kaavan could be released to “But now we see that he is a new life and hope for this tected rather than exploited. Through this cooperation, tions, including the Cam- live outside the enclosure interested to interact with lonely elephant. The team of “Taking care of Kaavan the environment ministry en- bodia-China environmental like three other female ele- one of the three females.” conservationists who rescued now means not using him for courages all stakeholders to protection cooperation, the phants in the Kulen Prum Tep During a visit to Siem Reap him from a zoo in Pakistan entertainment and making participate in activities to raise establishment of the Cambo- Wildlife Sanctuary in Oddar province on December 18, prevailed in a legal battle, and money. He will not be sub- awareness on environment dia-China Environmental Co- Meanchey province. Ministry of Environment the High Court of Pakistan jected to do what is not in his protection, strengthen capac- operation Centre Preparatory “I think it will not be long be- spokesman Neth Pheaktra decided to set Kaavan free nature,” he said. ity to mitigate the impact of Office, the donation of waste- cause this elephant has already said: “Kaavan has been called and send him to live in our According to a ministry esti- climate change in Cambodia water treatment equipment, been domesticated to some ex- the loneliest elephant in the wildlife sanctuary,” he said. mate, a 10-year action plan to for clean, green cities which and the pilot cooperation on tent. Our immediate plan is to world. He is not lonely any- For over five years, inter- preserve wild Asian elephants enable sustainable living. biodiversity and ecosystem feed and train him to live like more after being sent to live national activists including will require $40.5 million, During the handover cer- conservation. other wild animals. Elephants here.” celebrities like American with funding anticipated to emony held at the ministry in are emotional creatures with Pheaktra added that the signer Cher, the CWS and come from the national bud- Phnom Penh, Sam Al thanked www.phnompenhpost.com caring hearts like humans. And new resident of the sanctuary other organisations worked get, NGOs and development the Chinese ministry for pro- check the post website before Kaavan arrived here, he was doing well in his new en- to rescue the elephant from partners. viding the materials. for breaking news

Wing fosters Covid-19 prevention practice among agents and in communities

ask that customers line up To safeguard communities in accordingly and maintain Cambodia, Wing encourages a 1.5 meters space between one another. The agents also its agents to abide by Covid-19 reminded us to wear face precautionary measures. masks and clean our hands with a sanitiser before and after using their service. I ambodia continues masks and provide customers feel confident and pleased to face challenges with hand sanitisers. with the level of protection brought by the “I will make sure I wear provided against Covid-19,” Covid-19 pan- a facemask and uphold safe said Sanphirum. Cdemic, Wing (Cambodia) physical distance measures at Wing’s head office in Limited Specialised Bank my kiosk,” said Voeun Marina, Phnom Penh requires all cus- has increased precaution- a Wing Cash Xpress agent in tomers to wear face masks, use ary measures at Wing Cash Kandal province. “When there hand sanitisers and have their Xpress outlets across the are a lot of customers here, I temperatures checked. Kingdom. will encourage them to line up There are nearly 9,000 Wing “We have been working and follow the floor distanc- outlets across Cambodia from closely with our agents nation- ing markers while in queue. I the capital to remote provinces. wide to ensure that they per- will also keep our kiosks clean Wing has worked tirelessly form safety measures to prevent and offer customers hand to ensure that its agents can the spread of infection. Now, sanitisers.” continue to carry out business we have decided to take further Wing has undertaken operations without any steps to safeguard our agents substantial efforts since March disruptions so that customers and the community,” said Manu 2020 to safeguard against can continue using its service Rajan, Wing CEO. Covid-19 infections. These to send money to loved Wing’s customers will include spreading awareness ones or carry out business notice signs to ensure physical of physical distancing and Wing Cash Xpress has implemented Covid-19 safety and physical distancing measures at outlets. SUPPLIED transactions. distancing while waiting in other safety measures during During the pandemic, Wing queue, hand sanitisers and the pandemic. The company sthe latest Covid-19 news ing agents in the field where mitment to customer safety has also organised initiatives informative posters urging the also launched an interactive as it develops and regularly physical distancing must be since the new guidelines were to support communities which public to follow preemptive Chatbot on Facebook Messen- visit them to ensure they are performed,” said Chheangsren introduced and implemented. have been impacted by the procedures that include wear- ger to share free and reliable adhering to preemptive safety Srun, Wing chief consumer “I feel secure cashing out outbreak. Most recently, Wing ing a face mask and seeking information with the public. procedures. All Wing employ- business officer. funds at my local Wing agent announced a campaign to medical attention if they ex- “Our top priority is the ees are required to sanitise Sar Sanphirum, a loyal since it’s conveniently located raise donations in support of hibit symptoms of the disease. safety of our agents, custom- their hands regularly as well Wing customer in Takeo prov- near my house. I have noticed the government of Cambodia Wing Cash Xpress agents are ers and the community. We as wear face masks, face ince recently commented that that the company has drawn to purchase Covid-19 also required to wear face keep our agents updated with shields and gloves when visit- he appreciated Wing’s com- lines on the ground and they vaccines. a l Advertori 6 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business

USD / KHR USD / CAD USD / CNY USD / JPY USD / MYR USD / SGD USD / THB AUD / USD EUR / USD GBP / USD 4,039 1.2883 6.5476 103.42 4.0610 1.3359 30.22 0.7534 1.2210 1.3438 S&P upbeat on ABA Bank’s Exporters poised to ship fresh franchise business, affirms mangoes to China in early 2021 ‘B+’ rating, stable outlook May Kunmakara despite current challenges, Thou Vireak both local and global.” ADVANCE Bank of Asia Ltd (ABA The S&P also pointed out AMBODIAN Keo Romiet Bank), a subsidiary of National ABA Bank’s stable business mangoes remain on Bank of Canada, on December position and its potential for target to be directly 17 became the Kingdom’s second further growth, saying that the exported to the Chi- commercial bank to be given institution will continue to Cnese market from early next a ‘B+’ credit rating with stable experience absolute and rela- year after the economic pow- outlook by global rating agen- tive rapid growth in its business erhouse penned an agreement cy S&P Global Ratings. franchise and loan book. in June that set up a 500,000 This comes a day after S&P “The bank is well-positioned tonne quota for the Kingdom’s affirmed its ‘B+’ long-term and to take advantage of an expect- widely-available fruit. ‘B’ short-term issuer credit rat- ed post-pandemic economic Hun Lak, the CEO of Rich- ings on Cambodian-based rebound. This will likely be farm Asia Co Ltd, said the June ACLEDA Bank Plc. The outlook reflected in continued growth 9 protocol on “phytosanitary on the long-term rating is stable. in its market share of loans and requirements for export Fresh In a report issued on Decem- deposits over the next 18 Keo Romiet mangoes from ber 17, the S&P noted its view months,” said S&P. Cambodia to the People’s Re- that ABA Bank will sustainably The bank’s large customer public of China” paves the manage rapid growth in loans deposit base will likely continue way for the private sector’s di- and deposits despite the Cov- to grow at least in line with loans, rect shipments of the fruit to id-19 pandemic. with its strong digital platforms East Asia’s largest economy. The researchers also to be a competitive advantage, Boasting tens of thousands expressed their opinion that the S&P report adds. of Keo Romiet mango trees, he ABA Bank’s business franchise “We view the increase in cus- said his company plans to export trajectory, capitalisation, risk tomer deposits as positive, given fresh fruit to China in February. profile, and funding and liquid- these funds are generally stick- “I think by the beginning of The Kingdom exported more than $44.57 million worth of mango products last year, including fresh and ity will remain unchanged over ier than wholesale funding. dried mango, mango syrup and pickled mango. pOST STAFF 2021 we will be able to export the next 12 months. “The National Bank of Cana- Keo Romiet mangoes to the the end of the month, he said. 700,000 and 800,000 tonnes for washing and in the cost of “ABA’s business franchise is da has demonstrated an ongo- Chinese market, and while we According to the minister, per season, he said, holding shipping to China. strengthening, in our view, ing willingness to invest in ABA’s are currently packing those in each company has promised onto hopes that mango yields “Some companies are plan- underpinned by significant subordinated debt which, in very early stages of develop- to start exporting between will be high next season. ning to ship mangoes to China growth in its market share. The our view, also gives ABA access ment, we’ll be able to harvest 500 and 1,000 tonnes of fresh “We hope that Keo Romiet using their own vessels, they are bank continues to expand its to tighter pricing in wholesale the mangoes in 50 days. mangoes once the facilities mangoes will be reasonably contending with each other. loan market share, physical debt markets,” it adds. “We’ve already exported are on-line. priced after China opens its “In the future, some com- and digital distribution net- In 2017, S&P assigned a ‘B’ dried mangoes to the interna- “I think even if we install in- market to Cambodia,” Sa- panies may face problems, so work, and customer base. credit rating to ABA Bank and tional market and we’ll start frastructure and phytosanitary voeun said. we’ve set up an agro-indus- “We believe its expansion the rating was upgraded to ‘B+’ exporting fresh mangoes in treatment facilities for mangoes But the minister is con- trial congress to discuss the ambitions and good operating last year based on the bank’s February next year,” Lak said. in a not-very-timely manner cerned that Cambodia’s high issue and make agricultural efficiency support its above- material and growing market Minister of Agriculture, due to Covid-19, we could still production costs will make it product processing run suc- average profitability,” the S&P share of loans and deposits, with Forestry and Fisheries Veng export fresh mangoes to China difficult for exporters to com- cessfully,” Sakhon said. experts said in the report. above-average profitability. Sakhon told The Post on De- through Vietnam, but we want pete in the Chinese market. Cambodia has 124,319ha of ABA Bank chief internation- As of December 4, ABA Bank cember 22 that four compa- to do so directly,” he said. Mango washing in the King- mango plantations, of which al operations officer Zhiger has a network of 78 branches nies will be ready to export Um Savoeun, president of dom comes to an average of 91,398ha are harvested with Atchabarov said the S&P rating and offices in 21 provinces. fresh Keo Romiet mangoes the Kirirom Keo Romiet Man- between $0.80 and $1 per kg, an average yield of 15.85 reflects the bank’s perform- Last year, ABA Bank logged a directly to China even ear- go Agricultural Community, while fresh mangoes go for tonnes per hectare per season, ance, and especially the sound record high profit. lier next year. whose members grow more over $2 per kg in China and the directorate’s figures show. quality of its assets. Net income constituted $127 The companies are building than 2,000ha in Kampong $3-4 in South Korea, he said. The Kingdom exported He said: “We welcome the million, up 72 per cent com- hot water treatment (HWT) Speu province, said the mango “Right now, there is no ex- more than $44.57 million credit rating reaffirmation by pared to the end of 2018. As a and vapour heat treatment cultivar is in bloom after har- port stage [in the cycle], but worth of mango products S&P. It confirms the solidity of result, the Return on Equity (VHT) facilities to sterilise vest season closed last month. the companies are competing last year, including fresh and our strategy, high quality of ratio (ROE) was 33 per cent last their crops and exterminate His association will have the by price, in the purchase of dried mango, mango syrup our assets and emphasises the year, which is the highest in pests, which will be ready by capacity to supply between mangoes to send to factories and pickled mango. financial stability of ABA the industry. SEZ developer PPSP breaks ground on new rental warehouse

May Kunmakara PPSP has been pulling all the of property development and As a result, Uematsu said, stops to accommodate exist- management inside the total employees increased from The Cambodia Securities ing investors in the face of industrial zone. 21,000 in January to 26,000 last Exchange- (CSX) listed Phnom Covid-19, he said. “In the Cov- As of December 21, PPSEZ month while the total export Penh SEZ Plc (PPSP) on id-19 pandemic, it’s hard to accommodates more than 30 value hit $547 million in the December 21 broke ground on accommodate new investors, investors from Japan, China first 11 months of this year, a new rental warehouse which but we do provide full support and other countries to its rent- increasing 13.7 per cent from is expected to be operational for existing factories to expand al factory buildings. the $481 million chalked up in in July next year, according to their production.” Painting tools manufacturer the same period of last year. a senior official of the indus- Since its establishment in Maru-T Ohtsuka (Phnom He said: “I think that facto- trial zone operator. 2006, PPSP has been developing Penh) Corp, automobile wire ries in PPSEZ are providing PPSP CEO Hiroshi Uematsu and expanding non-stop. Its harness maker Sumi (Cambo- considerable contributions to told The Post on December 22 main business is to develop and dia) Wiring Systems Co Ltd, Cambodia’s economy in these that the new rental warehouse operate PPSEZ, which has wel- industrial packaging materials of toughest times.” will be used to store produc- comed numerous tenants oper- producer Taiyo Kogyo (Cam- In the third quarter of this tion materials and was con- ating in diverse fields such as bodia) Co Ltd are examples of year, the PPSP reported total structed with total floor area construction, security, tax con- the industrial park’s tenants. revenue of 10,228,877,000 riel of 5,850sqm on a 12,325sqm sultation and support, property More rental factory and ware- ($2.5 million), up 19.53 per cent plot inside Phnom Penh Spe- development and management. house buildings are to be built year-on-year, and net income cial Economic Zone (PPSEZ). One of many subsidiaries of and managed by Sahas Proper- to the tune of 1,088,761,000 riel, Construction is slated to be PPSP, Sahas Properties Co Ltd ties to meet the continuous up 134.86 per cent year-on- completed in seven months, was established in PPSEZ in demand of investors from year, according to a financial The new rental warehouse will be used to store production materials he said. November 2018 to take charge Japan and other countries. report filed to the CSX. and was constructed with total floor area of 5,850sqm. pPSP THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 7 Business Koh Kong to get seven Ministry moves to pen accord eco-tourism sites to to develop major logistics hub wake up sleepy sector Hin Pisei spokesman Sok Sothy noted Thou Vireak that the province’s coastal loca- KOH KONG will welcome seven tion and the rich diversity of its HE Ministry of Public Works and new eco-tourism sites aimed to natural resources made it a Transport plans to finalise a draft attract more foreign and local steady magnet for investment on “Framework Agreement” for tourists to the Kingdom’s second projects in all localities. the Phnom Penh Logistics Cen- largest coastal province, accord- “Since Koh Kong is an ecotour- treT (PPLC) development project soon, ing to provincial Department of ism hub, the growth in such leading to a signing with the developer, Environment director Man Phala. investment requests has been according to minister Sun Chanthol. He told The Post on Decem- steadily increasing,” he said, add- Chanthol and senior officials of rel- ber 22 that the Ministry of ing that the seven projects are the evant ministries and institutions met Environment and provincial ventures of local investors. representatives of Singapore-based YCH authorities had conducted on- Ministry of Tourism spokes- and international legal adviser Alex San- site inspections of the seven man Top Sopheak said he wel- ford via video link on December 21. small-scale natural tourism comes all legal investment The focus of the meeting was to review investment projects in Botum projects, which he said helps the latest version of the draft, collect ad- Sakor and Mondul Seima dis- increase the Kingdom’s attrac- ditional input and ensure the legal con- tricts the day before. tiveness to domestic and for- tent of the document is acceptable to all Involved in the inspections eign tourists. parties and in line with national and in- were ministry secretary of state While he could not provided ternational standards. Srun Darith and deputy provin- any details about the projects, In line with the long-term vision of the cial governor Ouk Pheaktra. he said they were in the envi- government, PPLC is a centre with the po- The projects will provide a ronmental inspection process tential to promote the transport sector to be Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chantol met representatives of Singapore-based lot of income for locals, but and hinted that at least some more efficient and competitive with regional YCH and international legal adviser Alex Sanford via video link on December 21. MINISTRY OF PUBLIC environmental considerations may lie in protected areas. WORKS AND TRANSPORT countries and the globe as a whole in terms are also important, Phala said, “The Ministry of Tourism of price and service, the minister said. General Department of Logistics, told The which links the deep-sea port in Preah adding that the inspection was always supports all tourism “PPLC will also be a driving force Post on December 22 that after reviewing Sihanouk province with the northern also to assess whether the sites investment projects that are for Cambodia’s economic growth and all aspects, the Inter-Ministerial Commit- railway line that goes through Poipet are in line with the investors’ allowed by law, because all achieve the Royal Government’s vision tee agreed in principle on three points of town and onto the Thai border. investment plans. tourism development projects to develop Cambodia as a high-middle- revision to add to the framework draft for It is located near Phnom Penh Inter- He said: “After the review is increase employment oppor- income country by 2030 and a high-in- submittal to YCH for review and decision. national Airport, National Road 4 and done, we will reach out to the tunities and national econom- come country by 2050. However, he said, the three points have not National Road 3, as well as the train sta- management to review and ic growth,” Sopheak said. “I would like to express my deep grati- been revealed to the public yet and is pend- tion’s storage location and Phnom Penh approve, in order to respond There are four tourism com- tude to the meeting for providing valu- ing an official decision from the company. Special Economic Zone. to the request of investors.” munities, three resorts and able input for the sake of consistency “If the company agrees on these three Chantol has also instructed the ad Phala defined “small-scale three boat transport compa- in the terms of this agreement in accor- points, we will set a deadline to sign a frame- hoc committee headed by Pich to coop- ecotourism investment projects” nies based in the province, dance with the legal context of the cur- work agreement as soon as possible, which erate with stakeholders and investment as those linked with nature and according to the provincial rent Cambodian socio-economic laws, could take place early next year,” Pich said. companies to finalise the draft of the on an area not exceeding 10ha. Department of Tourism. as well as present and future regional The PPLC is located on 98ha in Sam- agreement to ensure a prompt signing While the world experiences The province welcomed and global economies,” Chanthol said. rong Krom commune, Por Sen Chey dis- between the public works ministry and the hardest times amid the epi- 328,662 visitors last year, marking Chhieng Pich, director of the ministry’s trict, Phnom Penh in a strategic location YCH as planned. demic, Koh Kong Provincial Hall a 25 per cent surge from 2018. 8 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Business China’s Huawei helps build the first smart expressway in Laos

Post Staff engineering construction, modern concept and cutting- HE first phase of the edge technology to ensure China-Laos Express- driving safety. way was officially “I believe that after the opened on December opening of this expressway, it 20,T Huawei Technologies Co will help to boost the tourism Ltd said in a press release. and economic development, The section runs from the and my income will also in- Lao capital Vientiane to Vangvi- crease accordingly.” Hyundai Heavy Industries delivered a 13,800-TEU container ship to eng (known as the “Vientiane- Nanthavath, who works in Greek shipowner Enesel. Korea Shipbuilding Vangvieng Expressway) and is Vientiane, reportedly drove jointly developed by Yunnan his family ahead of time to Construction and Investment experience and witness the Holding Group with the coop- opening of the first express- Korea Shipbuilding eration of the Lao government. way in his hometown. The Vientiane-Vangvieng According to the press re- Expressway is the first smart Chinese investments have jump-started infrastructure developments lease, he said: “The new road clinches $526M across neighbouring Laos. XINHUA NEWS AGENCY expressway in Laos. is wider, faster and safer than Travel between Vientiane to Huawei’s data communica- The Vientiane-Vangvieng the old one. It used to be a day Vangvieng will only take one tion and transmission equip- Expressway connects the Lao of driving back and forth from deal from Europe hour, which saves two and ment deployed along the route capital to one of the most fa- Vientiane to Vangvieng, and it a half hours from the com- builds a digital perception, in- mous tourist cities in Laos. only takes more than an hour KOREA Shipbuilding & Offshore energy solution, to reduce CO2 mute, and will promote the teraction, transmission and an Its opening will greatly im- to reach Vangvieng now. Engineering on December 21 emissions by three per cent and effective development of re- application integrated solu- prove local transportation con- “Within the use of ETC [elec- said it had clinched a deal worth raise the cost efficiency by six gional resources, improve the tion that uses big data analysis ditions, improve transportation tronic toll collection], it will 582 billion won ($526 million) per cent, the company added. livelihood of the people along and other technical means to efficiency, promote the devel- facilitate the rapid and orderly for seven vessels with European An official from Korea Ship- the route and deepen coop- implement all-scenario solu- opment of economy and tour- traffic, and ICT technologies shipping companies. building & Offshore Engineer- eration in socio-economic tions such as real-time intel- ism along the way, and effec- will make the traffic smarter The Korean shipbuilder said it ing said: “There are inquiries trade and cultural exchanges ligent monitoring, intelligent tively benefit the local people. and more convenient.” has signed the contract to build about various types of vessels, between Laos and China. charging, emergency response Phokham, a staff member “ICT technologies are play- four 13,200 twenty-foot-equiv- and we may win additional Huawei worked with partner and decision analysis. at Tmark Resort Vangvieng, ing an increasingly important alent-unit (TEU) container ves- orders this year. Yunnan Huayuan Electronics The 5G network planned to was quoted by the press re- role in transportation and sels, two 40,000sqm liquefied “We will reinforce our foot- Co Ltd to build a secure, stable, be built in Laos next year will lease as saying: “There has other industries, providing petroleum gas carriers and one hold in the market with and intelligent information also be integrated into the been a significant increase the better security system product carrier, for the compa- advanced technologies to and communication tech- smart expressway. in hotel bookings during this and convenience for people’s nies in Europe, unidentified. reflect the global trend.” nology (ICT) platform for the The future of 5G+AI technol- period. Tourists also show lives, and it is providing a tre- The four container vessels, According to Clarksons expressway based on a global- ogy will further upgrade the in- the admiration for the travel mendous impetus for social which are 335m in length, 51m Research’s September report, leading cloud computing, In- telligent level of the expressway experience on the Vientiane- development that we can in width and 27.3m in height, purchases of container vessels ternet of Things (IoT), and se- and will facilitate the develop- Vangvieng expressway. look forward to a fully con- will be produced by Hyundai have been depressed in recent curity management system. ment of infrastructure in Laos. “It integrates high-tech and nected intelligent life.” Samho Heavy Industries, and months due to the reduced delivered to the purchasers by cargo volumes affected by the the second half of 2022, the Covid-19 pandemic. company said. But the market is bouncing According to Korea Ship- back, and the analysis agency building, the container ships forecasted that global pur- have been designed with twice chases of container ships the freezing container space, would grow by about 72 per meeting the global market cent to 187 units next year, trend. The vessels have also from this year’s 109 units. THE been equipped with Hi-PSD, an KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

UAE’s largest offshore exploration block set for Thailand’s PTTEP, partner THAILAND’S PTT Exploration two other blocks for which and Production (PTTEP) and PTTEP and Eni won the licens- strategic partner Eni have ing bidding round in 2019. been awarded the concession PTTEP CEO Phongsthorn for the largest exploration Thavisin said: “This concession block offered by the UAE. award offers another great oppor- The investment in Offshore tunity for PTTEP to strengthen col- Block 3 provides PTTEP with laboration with world class stra- more opportunity to strength- tegic partners Eni and ADNOC. en its investment portfolio in “The consortium will bring the Middle East, said the Thai capabilities, experience and company. technology to accelerate the Its subsidiary, PTTEP MENA development of Offshore Ltd, and Eni Abu Dhabi BV Block 3, as well as Offshore (Eni), a subsidiary of Italy- Blocks 1 and 2, and lead to a based oil and gas company successful discovery.” Eni, won 2019 bidding for the Offshore Block 3 covers concession from the state- 11,660sq km and is the largest owned Abu Dhabi National Oil offshore exploration block Company (ADNOC). opened for concession in UAE. The exploration phase of the PTTEP said new 3D seismic agreement has a maximum data acquired for a part of the period of nine years and, sub- block suggests promising ject to successful exploration, potential. PTTEP MENA and an overall concession term will Eni, the operator of the block, extend to 35 years from the will hold stakes of 30 per cent commencement of the explo- and 70 per cent respectively. ration phase for development Offshore Blocks 1 and 2 are and production phases in now under subsurface study, which ADNOC has the option with exploration drilling to hold a 60 per cent stake. planned for next year. THE NATION Offshore Block 3 lies next to (THAILAND)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 9 World US poised to grant Sudan immunity over past attacks US lawmakers were set on ya and Tanzania, and a 2000 December 21 to back legisla- attack by the jihadist group on tion granting Sudan legal the USS Cole off Yemen’s coast. immunity for past attacks, a Those attacks were carried final step in a historic deal out after dictator Omar al- removing Khartoum from Bashir had allowed then al- Washington’s blacklist of state Qaeda leader Osama bin Lad- sponsors of terrorism. en sanctuary in Sudan. The text would restore Adoption of the legislation is a Sudan’s sovereign immunity key, final step to unblocking the with the exception of litigation money, which Sudan has already already pending in US federal put in an escrow account. courts related to the Septem- Schumer and Menendez, ber 11, 2001 attacks, Demo- who represent respectively the cratic Senators Bob Menedez states of New York and neigh- and Chuck Schumer bouring New Jersey, wanted to announced in a statement. ensure language that would The legislation is part of the not block the right of 9/11 vic- massive omnibus bill to fund the tims or their families from government for the coming year, suing Sudan for its past role as which is also due to include a a backer of al-Qaeda. new aid package to help millions President Donald Trump’s of US citizens and businesses hit administration, which hands hard by the pandemic. power to Joe Biden in January, Lawmakers were aiming to has been pushing for a conclu- pass the legislation on Decem- sion in part to show its support ber 21. for Sudan’s transition two years British Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves after attending a virtual press conference inside 10 Downing Street in central London on Monday after The US removed Sudan from after the revolt that brought an a string of countries banned travellers and all but unaccompanied freight arriving from the UK, due to the rapid spread of a new, more-infectious its state sponsors of terrorism end to Bashir’s reign. coronavirus strain. pOOL/AFP blacklist a week ago, less than The Trump White House was two months after the Arab also aiming to remove any issues nation pledged to normalise that could put in doubt Khar- ties with Israel. toum’s historic pledge to nor- UK working ‘as fast as possible’ The move opens the way for malise relations with Israel. aid, debt relief and investment Sudan recently warned that to a country going through a delays in the US Congress regard- rocky political transition and ing its immunity could slow the to resolve border closures: PM struggling under a severe eco- application of the Israel deal. nomic crisis exacerbated by The legislation before the US ritish Prime Minis- conference, adding that he and in particular the regular Road signs near the Chan- the Covid-19 pandemic. Congress also provides for ter Boris Johnson on wanted to sort out the prob- flow of freight. nel port, through which 10,000 As part of a deal, Sudan agreed assistance of $700 million to December 21 sought lem “in the next few hours”. Misery was piled on trav- heavy goods vehicles pass each to pay $335 million to compen- Sudan, and an additional $120 to sound a note of France’s snap decision on ellers trying to leave Britain day, on December 21 urged sate survivors and victims’ fam- million toward the repayment calmB saying he was working December 20, which was ini- as around 30 nations intro- people to go home, saying that ilies from the twin 1998 al-Qaeda of its debt to the International “as fast as possible” to unblock tially set to last for 48 hours, duced bans on individuals ar- the French border was closed. attacks on US embassies in Ken- Monetary Fund. AFP trade across the Channel after was made in a bid to contain riving from the UK in a bid to David King, a lorry driver France shut its borders to UK the new strain of the virus, contain the new coronavirus from Birmingham in the west hauliers in a bid to contain a discovered in the UK, which variant of the disease which of England, had been left new variant of the coronavirus. officials have said is 70 per British officials have said is 70 stranded in Dover trying to Following conversations with cent more transmissible. per cent more transmissible make a delivery to Belgium. French President Emmanuel The ban caused Britain to than the main strain. He said: “It’s been a frustrat- Macron over the ban, which bring forward “Operation The chaos on the roads sur- ing year hasn’t it, for everyone, has caused chaos around the Stack”, the contingency plan rounding the key port is a so this just adds to it. A bad end key UK port of Dover and led drawn up to deal with an- stark sign of what to expect to a bad year really. to concerns of food shortages ticipated freight tailbacks on should Britain leave the EU “We hope to make it home just days before Christmas, roads around Dover in the without a deal in 10 days. for Christmas. We’ll just sit tight Johnson said supply chains re- event of a no-deal Brexit. However, Johnson said that and await decisions that are mained “strong and robust”. Earlier in the day, the prime during his call with Macron made out of our hands today.” “These delays only apply minister called a meeting of the pair had “vowed” not to A disused airfield was set to to a very small percentage of the Cobra emergency com- discuss Brexit as negotiations be opened later on December Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer wants to ensure language that food entering the UK,” the mittee to discuss the situation between London and Brus- 21 to serve as a lorry park for up would not block the right of 9/11 victims or their families from suing prime minister told a press regarding international travel sels continue. to 4,000 stranded drivers. AFP Sudan for its past role as a backer of al-Qaeda. AFP EU vaccine set to rollout, Biden gets jab to reassure public

Continued from page 1 Ursula von der Leyen said. investigation”, WHO said. world’s highest death tolls, were EU regulators earlier noted In the pandemic’s first border bracing for a bit of relief after law- people and freight – just as there was no evidence to suggest closure among Scandinavian makers reached a deal on Decem- companies are racing to shift the vaccine would not be effec- neighbours, Sweden barred ber 20 on a nearly $900 billion merchandise before Britain tive against the new variant. travellers from neighbouring Covid-19 financial package. finally quits EU trade struc- In the US, 78-year-old Pres- Denmark, in addition to the Congress approved the tures on January 1. ident-elect Joe Biden received UK, because of the variant. measure on December 21, Yet Johnson insisted that a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine live Elsewhere, Luxembourg which included funds for vac- supply chains were “strong on television to boost US citi- decided to join European neigh- cine distribution and logistics, and robust”, with delays hit- zens’ confidence in the shots. bours who are tightening virus extra jobless benefits of $300 ting only a “small percentage The UK strain has also been lockdowns after Christmas. per week, and a new round of of food entering the UK”. detected in small numbers in Yet Hungary and Slovenia $600 stimulus checks. “Everyone can continue to Australia, Denmark and the Neth- said they would relax some US Treasury Secretary Ste- shop,” he told a news conference. erlands, according to the WHO. rules around the holiday to ven Mnuchin said: “People are The UK has already begun to Another variant with similar allow families to gather. going to see this money by the roll out the Pfizer-BioNTech genetic mutations has been While Russia, Spain, India and beginning of the next week.” vaccine and the EU will soon linked to widespread trans- others joined the list of coun- Wall Street stocks neverthe- follow after formally approv- mission in South Africa. tries banning flights from the less opened lower as worries ing the jab on December 21. There is currently “no evidence UK on December 21, Australia over the UK’s virus strain US President-elect Joe Biden received a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine live A rollout will begin across the to indicate any change in disease and the US have held off. dampened optimism on the on television to boost US citizens’ confidence in the shots. AFP bloc on December 27, EU chief severity, but this is also under US citizens, still suffering the stimulus bill. AFP 10 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com ASEAN Migrant workers to blame for New Indonesian market outbreak, says Thai PM students group to hai Prime Minister Prayut Chan- fight radicalism o-cha on December 21 blamed a coronavirus outbreak linked to the Dozens of university and ter to the values of state ideol- kingdom’s largest seafood market high school graduates from ogy Pancasila. onT low-paid migrant workers employed in across the country formed The organisation also urged the country’s lucrative shrimp industry. the Alumni for Indonesia or- the government and lawmak- Thailand has been on high alert since ganisation on December 21 ers to revise the law on deradi- December 17 when a 67-year-old prawn to address concerns about the calisation to prevent attempts seller from Mahachai market tested pos- country’s potential tilt toward at polarisation. It called for the itive for coronavirus. social and political tribalism. immediate establishment of a Contact tracing and mass testing Alumni representative task force aimed at counter- found more than 800 cases so far linked Bilmar Sitanggang said the acting intolerance and radi- to the site – a major outbreak for a coun- movement aimed to main- calism in the country. try which previously had just 4,000 con- tain public order and national The return of Islamic De- firmed infections. unity given that certain mass fenders Front (FPI) leader The majority of the new cases are work- organisations had appropri- Rizieq Shihab and the contro- ers from Myanmar, who toil on shrimping ated free speech rhetoric to versy surrounding the con- boats and in processing factories linked disseminate hateful propa- troversial cleric and hardline to the multi-billion-dollar Thai seafood ganda against the govern- group in recent weeks has industry. ment and jeopardise social once again stoked fears about On December 21 Prayut blamed the cohesion. a polarised society. outbreak on factories employing illegal Growing intolerance and The apparent animosity migrant workers, who he accused of il- radicalism could serve as between the government and legally crossing the porous Myanmar- People queue to be tested for the Covid-19 coronavirus at a seafood market in Samut Sakhon, fertile grounds for terrorism, the FPI escalated earlier this after some new cases of local infections were detected and linked to a vendor at the market. AFP Thailand border. eroding public trust in au- month with the police shoot- He said: “They snuck out and came by barbed wire and authorities distribut- facturing, construction and service sec- thorities, he said. ing of six FPI members. The back in.” ed food to workers quarantined inside. tors humming. Bilmar said in a statement: police reportedly had been Thailand shares a 2,400km border with Myanmar shrimp transporter Min Min But the migrant workforce faces wide- “Intolerance and radicalism tailing the members in re- Myanmar – which has seen an alarm- Tun said it was “unfair and one-sided” spread discrimination, and the outbreak distilled in widely dissemi- sponse to a tip about plans to ing spike since August and still registers that Thais were blaming them without has ignited anti-Myanmar sentiment nated hate speech, if not im- disrupt the police question- some 1,000 new cases a day. evidence. among Thais – including for those who mediately stemmed, could ing of Rizieq regarding health “I have told authorities there must be a He added that no information has been live and work among the Myanmar com- disrupt political stability and protocol violations. system to trace workers,” he said, adding provided about who has tested positive, munity in Mahachai. national security.” Rizieq went to the Jakarta that he was hopeful the situation would causing fear in the worker community. “I would not get close to them under During a public demonstra- Police headquarters on De- improve in a week. He said: “We could all be infected since any circumstances,” said food vendor tion held on December 21 cember 12, nearly a week af- Health officials said the infection rate at we don’t have the information who to Maneerat Jekpan working outside the mar- afternoon, the organisation ter the fatal shooting, to fulfil Mahachai market is “about 42 per cent”. avoid and where not to go.” ket, admitting she was “anti-Burmese”. affirmed its stance against a police summons for ques- The market and its vicinity have been Thailand’s economy is highly reliant Despite her animosity, she still brought intolerance and pledged its tioning in the health protocol on lockdown since December 19 with the on millions of low-wage labourers from food to the quarantined workers be- support for the country’s au- case, in which he had been thousands living there barred from leaving. neighbouring Myanmar and Cambodia cause she was “worried they wouldn’t thorities in the fight against named a suspect. THE JAKARTA On December 21 the market was ringed who keep the kingdom’s seafood, manu- have anything to eat”. AFP radical groups that ran coun- POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 11 Opinion Risky for Japan to increase expenditures www.phnompenhpost.com

EDITORIAL PERSONNEL Publisher & Chief Executive Offi cer that rely on debt in FY21 budget plan Ly Tayseng Senior Editor Joshua Purushotman third supplementary budget for Opinion Managing Editor Post Khmer fiscal 2020, total public works Sam Rith Editorial spending is on the increase. Deputy Chief of Staff Although it is vital to deal Phak Seangly HE Japanese govern- with frequent floods, the gov- Business Editor ment must carefully ernment should not allow May Kunmakara examine how funds nonessential, nonurgent Deputy Business Editor should be used effec- projects to be slipped into Sangeetha Amarthalingam tively,T to curb the expansion public works expenditures. It Deputy Head of Lifestyle Desk of the budget while taking is hoped that the priorities for Pan Simala every possible measure to public works spending will be Senior Reporters prevent the spread of the thoroughly examined in the Meas Sokchea, Niem Chheng infectious disease. Diet deliberations. Reporters The government has adopted The fiscal 2020 budget final- Khouth Sophak Chakrya, Kim Sarom, its fiscal 2021 budget plan, call- ly ballooned to about ¥176 Long Kimmarita, Hin Pisei, Mom Kunthear, ing for a record ¥106.6 trillion trillion from the initial budget Hong Raksmey, Pann Rethea, Voun Dara, ($1.03 trillion) in total general of about ¥103 trillion through Roth Sochieata, Orm Bunthoeurn, account spending, an increase three supplementary budgets. Soth Koemsoeun, Thou Vireak, Nov Sivutha of about ¥4 trillion from the ini- The issuance of new govern- Photographers tial budget for fiscal 2020. ment bonds reached an Heng Chivoan, Hong Menea, Hean Rangsey The increase is said to have unprecedented total of ¥112.6 Web Editor come as the government ear- trillion. In fiscal 2021, when Leang Phannara marked ¥5 trillion as a reserve tax revenues are expected to Digital Teams fund to deal with the corona- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reviews the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at the Air Self-Defense decline, the government also Sous Chanthy, Pang Vichea, Suy Sovandy virus pandemic. The budget Force’s Iruma base in Sayama, Saitama Prefecture on November 28. afp plans to issue ¥43.6 trillion in SIEM REAP BUREAU plan also includes funds to new government bonds, up Offi ce Manager strengthen systems for public government has earmarked a nursing care services – which tion will begin to turn at least about 30 per cent from the Sophearith Blondeel health centers and research total of about ¥300 billion accounts for one-third of 75 years old. A certain conclu- initial budget for fiscal 2020. PRODUCTION & PRINTING on infectious diseases. across different ministries expenditures, totaled ¥35.8 tril- sion on raising the out-of- If the coronavirus pandemic Head of Desktop Publishing As the number of newly and agencies for the develop- lion, a slight increase from the pocket burden of medical costs is prolonged, pressure to Nhim Sokphyrak infected patients and people ment of information systems initial budget for fiscal 2020. on elderly people has been make additional fiscal expen- Desktop Publishing with serious symptoms con- at related bodies. As for envi- The government is said to reached. It is hoped that dis- ditures could intensify. It is Suon Savatdy, Chum Sokunthy, Danh Borath tinues to increase, expense ronmental measures, steps have limited the automatic cussions will further continue necessary to be cautious Tep Thoeun Thyda, Tim Borith, Than Veasna should not be spared in sup- were expanded to support the growth in social security costs on social security system about a situation in which an porting the medical system. use of hydrogen as fuel, due to the aging of the popula- reform, to strike a more appro- indulgent assessment of a HEAD OFFICE The promotion of digitisation among other actions. tion to ¥350 billion by saving priate balance between bene- supplementary budget could and decarbonisation to reduce Expenditures in growth areas about ¥100 billion through fits and burdens. lead to an increase in the greenhouse gas emissions are that encourage companies to such measures as cutting offi- Public works spending budget. The government also important issues. invest in them are important. cial drug prices for many items. remained almost unchanged at should keep in mind that Post Media Co, Ltd. With the aim of creating a The question is how to However, the pace of increase ¥6.1 trillion. But as more than increasing expenditures that The Elements Condominium Level 7, digital agency, as the Cabinet streamline other expenditures. in social security spending is ¥2 trillion was included as mon- are dependent on debt is not Hun Sen Boulevard, Phum Prek Talong, Sangkat Chak Angre Krom,12353, Phnom of Prime Minister Yoshihide Spending for social security – expected to accelerate in 2022, ey to strengthen the nation’s sustainable. THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN Penh, Cambodia Suga has pledged to do, the such as pension, medical and when the baby-boom genera- resilience to disasters in the (JAPAN)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Tel: 023 888 161, 023 888 162 Cellcard: 078 555 166, 078 555 133 Smart: 086 822 999, 086 277 999 SIEM REAP No 629, Street 6 Dangkum Commune Battle against coronavirus must continue Tel: 063 966 290, Fax: 063 966 590 COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT IT WAS confirmed on December 19 that ple to relax their vigilance. infections reported on December 19. the evolutionary imperative to go Chief Operating Offi cer there were two infections related to A highly transmissible strain of the As such, even before the required forth and multiply. In doing so, it nat- James Ong Soon Teck imported cases in the downtown area of novel coronavirus has prompted the numbers are inoculated to achieve urally mutates, with strains with Advertising Department Beijing. With the close contacts of the UK government to lock down London herd immunity – which could take slight modifications becoming pre- Chap Narith, 017 996 241 two people infected still being traced, and southeast England, and tighten months in developed countries and dominant in some places. Hun Channet, 017 578 768 public health experts cautioned that the restrictions imposed on the rest years in the least developed countries – It is urgent that countries coordi- Prach Monnyreak, 015 239 293 how long the hard-earned normalcy of of the country over the festive period. new infections might sharply rise over nate their actions and keep close Keo Puthy, 012 966 605 life in the country can be maintained Even as a mass vaccination pro- a period of time much longer than watch on the changes that occur. Phon Sok Chea, 012 717 404 depends on how ready people are to gramme is being rolled out in the UK, expected. And if countries halt their Although the current vaccines are Jessa Piastro, 092 445 983 reengage in the war against the virus. the pace of new infections has nearly expensive pandemic control efforts in believed to be effective against the CIRCULATION & DISTRIBUTION The winter festive season is fast doubled in England over the past two the belief that the vaccines are magic new strain they may require modifi- Acting Distribution Manager approaching, and the family gather- weeks, with the new variant account- bullets, what awaits them will not be a cations to maintain their efficacy Thenh Rithy, 087 888 854 ings and socialising that are tradi- ing for more than 60 per cent of the long tail but even worse situations than against any future strains. Circulation Supervisor tional at the New Year and during the new infections. The variant has also they are experiencing now. Likewise with the risks of battle wea- Nou Chanthy, 096 999 2828 Spring Festival holiday, which falls in been found in other countries, such We are prone to personifying the riness growing, it is urgent that people Yim Veasna, 015 814 499 early February this year, all pose as Denmark and the Netherlands. virus as an enemy but in doing so, we are reminded that even though inocu- ADMINISTRATION tough challenges for pandemic con- And on the other side of the Atlantic, in are in danger of succumbing to the lation programmes are now being Admin & HR Manager trol work. Despite people’s longing the US, where a nationwide vaccination misconception that it can feel battle- launched, it is essential that they still Pich Socheat for these celebrations to be held as programme was initiated last week, there fatigued like us. That is dangerous adhere to the hygiene and social dis- Assistants to Admin & HR Manager Nhel Soaphea normal, this is not the time for peo- was a new 24-hour record of 400,000 new thinking, as the virus simply follows tancing protocols. CHINA DAILY/ANN Financial Director Heang Tangmeng Chief Accountant Sren Vicheka Treasurers Sok Sophorn, Yon Sovannara, Cheam Sopheak, Huy Hamsovannary IT Manager Seng Nak, 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 december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Entrepreneur promotes STEM learning using toys

Roth Sochieata of the characters in the book will be made into a soft toy to ROM 3D printed con- be launched by January next nectors, personalised year. children’s books and Chanrithykol says Dudu other educational will also be made as a build- toys,F a local enterprise, Doy- ing block, so while children Doy, has been working to hug the soft Dudu doll, they improve its toy collection can also build a model of it at and extra fun curriculum in the same time. preparation for the reopening “Dudu is like parents who of schools. help guide children to pur- It’s toys, also called DoyDoy, sue their dreams. So in this are the brainchild of Em Chan- special set of toys, the parents rithykol who built his business can have something more on the concept of producing fun to spend time with their low-cost STEM learning and children instead of just buy- innovation tools. ing them a mobile phone or Since its inception in 2016, iPad to keep them occupied,” DoyDoy toys have gained he says. popularity among parents for DoyDoy product prices their creativity and the fact range from $10 to $60 depend- that they are safe for children ing on the size. They target to play with and learn. children from three to 12 years However, it wasn’t easy for old. In future, Chanrithykol Chanrithykol to start a toy wants to expand the range to business in the Kingdom attract teenagers from 15 to 18 where imported children’s years old as well. playtime kits are abundant. While business is good, He says as a high school stu- Chanrithykol is also aiming dent, he noticed his friends for bigger and better things to selling things online to earn come. For instance, he wants some extra money, and he to expand his curriculum and too wanted to embark on a Em Chanrithykol (far right) and his team. Supplied programmes. side business but decided he “I need more trainers who would do better by using his unteer work and part-time Chanrithykol says his toys tomers. Online purchases are ry. “Parents regularly order it are skilled in early childhood creativity. jobs to enrich his experience are unique in that they are also available at https://doy- as birthday gifts,” he says. education. I also want to ex- In 2015, when he was in his and earn some extra money soft and flexible as they are doyplay.com/ The book, called Goes to pand on our afterschool pro- sophomore at the Institute to reach his business goals. made from silicon. Patrons keep coming back space encourages children to grammes as these are very of Foreign Languages, Chan- He started without fam- “Parents need not fear as and have told Chanrithykol dream big. In the story, a child popular,” he says. rithykol came across a mar- ily support and used only his their children will be safe with that their children are getting wants to be an astronaut – an For now, his afterschool pro- keting page on the website pocket money which made it the toys. Even if children put smarter at home and even be- almost impossible dream. “But gramme and his showroom, that talked about the concept difficult to turn a profit during them in their mouth, they will coming more independent. if he does his best, he can make located at the Raintree building of “Think Global Act Local”. the early stages of his venture. not be harmed in any way,” “One parent who joined our it. The idea is not to be discour- in the capital, have been put on The programme was funded In 2016, the first DoyDoy says Chanrithykol. afterschool programme said aged,” Chanrithykol says. hold due to the Covid-19 pan- by the US Agency for Interna- model toy rolled out despite For now, they have six types of her daughter has early-stage The book comes in two demic. However, he hopes to tional Development (USAID) Chanrithykol not even having toy connector models, includ- autism and dare not partici- languages – English and restart the educational activi- and taught Cambodians about a proper office or structure to ing the rocket, helicopter, Ang- pate in activities, play with Khmer – and Dudu, one ties as soon as possible. entrepreneurship and design run his business. kor Wat, tank, aircraft and bus. others or make eye contact Chanrithykol’s message to topics such as 3D printing, “From there, I learnt about Chanrithykol says he didn’t with people. Cambodian youths is to al- electronics and robotics. making my products using place any instructions in his “The first day she arrived for ways pursue knowledge and The course sparked Chan- 3D printing. I tried selling product packaging like other the afterschool programme, have a plan. “We might not be rithykol’s interest to become my products to people even similar toys. Rather, he placed she hid under the table. We able to have everything before an entrepreneur even more though it didn’t have a name another model toy inside of it. spent three hours just coax- we launch a business idea, and gave him an idea of how at the time,” he says. He says children can start at ing her to come out and play. but knowledge and planning to start a low-cost STEM His toy products turned out any point they want as long From then on, every weekend are critical. The rest can be learning and innovation tool to be popular and the 24-year- as they complete building the she was excited to join in our learnt as we journey along. for children. old entrepreneur was able to toy model, which is how they activities. “Take one day at the time. “I believed that to create an recruit professional staff and learn. The ultimate idea is for “At home, her mother said Whether you fail or succeed, object, we need to have a fac- start a proper office last year. the children to be indepen- her daughter showed remark- you should not have regrets tory to produce it. But after I “After graduating, I started dent and build the models on able changes and started to because the most impor- attended the programme, I devoting my time to the busi- their own. recognise sunflowers and tant thing is to try your learnt about 3D printing and ness. I hired staff and am for- As his toys became well wanted to plant them at best,” he says. all that we can produce with tunate to have major school received by parents, teach- home.” For more infor- it,” he says. partners for my afterschool ers and others, Chanrithykol Chanrithykol also mation, DoyDoy Without any formal edu- programme on weekends, garnered 10 partners to work sells a space journey can be con- cation in business or family and another programme we with and make purchasing storybook which can tacted via Ins- background as entrepreneurs, run on weekdays,” he says. his products easier for cus- be personalised with tagram@doy- Chanrithykol sought out ad- the name and photo doycambodia vice from local and foreign of its owner, making and Facebook mentors to start his business. him or her a lead @Doydoycom- The challenge didn’t end charac- ter pany. there as he struggled to find in the business partners because sto- they considered him as an excitable young entrepreneur who was unlikely to have a long-term commitment to the business. “I decided to work with peo- ple from foreign countries be- cause they were more willing to work with young people while some businessmen in Cambodia had preconceived notions of start-ups that made it difficult for me to The Goes to space story book can be personalised with the child’s name work with them,” he says. and photograph, making him or her a lead character in the story. Chanrithykol did some vol- Supplied DoyDoy is a toy brand with a purpose of promoting STEM learning among children. Supplied THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 13 Lifestyle Japan’s New Year religious rituals fall victim to coronavirus pandemic surge

Millions of people across Japan visit religious sites over the year-end events, with some staying open all In Tokyo, the governor has asked people to stay home over the holiday, and city railway and subway night to allow worshippers to ring in the New Year at midnight. AFP operators are scrapping the New Year’s Eve all-night service in an effort to limit crowds. AFP major Tokyo shrine Some sites stay open all night close its doors over New Year’s mains relatively small com- which earlier this year re- usually sees about a million said on December to allow worshippers to ring in for the first time since the end pared to parts of Europe or placed a rope for bell-ringing visitors during the first three 21 it would close its the New Year at midnight. of the Second World War. the US, but medical experts with an electronic system that days of January. doors on New Year’s Millions of people across “We are trying to avoid cre- have said hospitals across visitors activate by passing “We will be asking people AEve for the first time in de- the country flood to the sites ating large crowds. We have the nation risk being over- their hand over a sensor, pro- to make their New Year visits cades, as religious sites in in the first three days of Janu- been urging the public to whelmed. ducing a recorded bell sound. very brief,” he said. “We are Japan adapt year-end events ary to seek blessings for the delay their New Year visits to Some religious sites are ask- But ironically, the shrine is also asking the public to delay amid record virus infections. year ahead – approximately the shrine,” a shrine spokes- ing visitors to reserve tickets for now considering removing their New Year visits.” Temple and shrine visits 3.1 million visited Tokyo’s woman said. New Year’s visits, or make them the novel system for the New In Tokyo, the governor has are an integral part of New Meiji Shrine between last The move comes as Japan now, and at others religious Year season over fears it may asked people to stay home Year’s celebrations in Japan – New Year’s Eve and January 3 battles a third wave of coro- leaders will livestream crowd attract curious visitors and over the holiday, and city rail- the country’s most important alone. navirus infections, with re- levels to help guide visitors. create crowds. way and subway operators holiday – with flashy fire- But this year the shrine, cord numbers of new daily The virus has already forced “Then it would defeat the are scrapping the New Year’s works and rowdy parties less among the most significant cases in recent weeks. changes at some sites, includ- purpose of having it,” said an Eve all-night service in an ef- common. Shinto sanctuaries in Japan, will The country’s outbreak re- ing Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine, official at the shrine, which fort to limit crowds. AFP Florida weather forecast: In culinary first, lab-grown chicken meat Cold front, falling iguanas makes historic debut in Singapore eatery

Known for its warm, balmy win- And the danger of being hit by a Lab-grown chicken meat made a ters, the US state of Florida is ex- frozen reptile are real, given how historic debut at a Singapore restau- pecting an unusually chilly Christ- many of the invasive species now rant on December 19 in a culinary mas this year, and with that comes live in Florida, devastating the na- first that its creators said could help a phenomenon peculiar to the Sun- tive flora. reduce the environmental damage shine State – falling iguanas. Last year local authorities actually involved in human food production. “Low temperatures in the 30s/40s asked people to kill as many of the US start-up Eat Just said earlier and falling iguanas are possible. reptiles as they could, though pref- this month that its product had been Keep up with forecast changes and erably humanely. approved for sale in the city-state as stay warm!” the National Weather In 2018, the southeastern state an ingredient in chicken nuggets af- Service’s Miami office said on Twit- already experienced iguana show- ter Singapore became the first coun- ter on December 21. ers in a cold snap, astounding the try to allow the sale of meat created That means residents of southern population. without slaughtering any animals. Florida will have to swap their shorts Some locals tried warming up Consumption of animals is an en- and T-shirts for warmer attire for a the stricken lizards with blan- vironmental threat as cattle produce few days and keep an eye on the sky kets, took them home or put them the potent greenhouse gas methane, for frozen reptiles falling from the in their cars to resuscitate them, while logging to create pastures de- palm trees. something the authorities strongly stroys natural barriers against cli- When the temperature drops advise against. mate change. below 4 degrees Celsius the cold- Once they a r e The company on December 16 blooded lizards are immobilised defrosted, t h e said it had made its first commercial and fall from the trees they live in, reptiles may try to sale of the product to 1880, a restau- the forecasters said. d e f e n d them- rant in Singapore’s Robertson Quay, a The creatures do not die from the selves and posh riverside entertainment centre. A nugget made from lab-grown chicken meat at a restaurant in Singapore, which cold, but simply remain unable to become ag- The restaurant began serving the became the first country to allow lab-grown meat. AFP move until the temperatures rise gressive. AFP cultured meat on December 19 again. evening, saying its first diners were nity to feed the world without over- but other products on the market students aged 14-18 who had been whelming the planet”. are plant-based. invited to the launch after showing Eat Just CEO Josh Tetrick last week Meat consumption is projected “a commitment to building a better said the launch “moves us closer to a to increase more than 70 per cent planet”. world where the majority of meat we by 2050, and lab-grown alternatives The launch, however, was closed eat will not require tearing down a have a role to play in ensuring a se- to the media because of measures single forest, displacing a single ani- cure food supply, the company said. against the coronavirus. mal’s habitat or using a single drop of There were concerns that lab- Entrepreneur Marc Nicholson, antibiotics”. grown varieties would be too expen- who founded 1880, described serv- Demand for sustainable meat al- sive, but a spokesman for Eat Just ing cultured meat as a “revolution- ternatives is rising due to growing said the company had made “con- An iguana suns itself on a fence in Ilamorada, Florida. The southeastern US state is ary step towards solving climate concerns from consumers about the siderable progress” in lowering the expecting iguana showers. AFP change and creating the opportu- environment and animal welfare, cost. AFP 14 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Lifestyle Thinking caps

Miss Normandie Amandine Petit (left) and Miss Provence April Benayoum (centre) compete on stage during the Miss France 2021 beauty contest on December 20. AFP Outrage after Miss France runner-up gets anti-Semitic abuse RENCH prosecutors on December 21 had turned Twitter into “an anti-Semitic cess- opened an investigation into a torrent pool” and called on internet users to report of anti-Semitic social media messages the offending content with a view to launch- aimed at the runner-up of the latest ing a class action suit. “GOING PRO” MFiss France contest. The contest organisers also condemned April Benayoum, 21, who holds the title of the attacks, as did the competition’s winner, ACROSS 62 Division of a long poem 29 Food sticker Miss Provence and competed for the nation- Amandine Petit from Normandy in north- 1 Anesthetized 63 Lean and muscular 30 Units of work al crown on Saturday, became the subject of western France, who called the social media 5 Be excessively fond 64 Arduous journey 31 Awful state hate messages after saying at the event that messages “inappropriate” and “extremely dis- 9 Egg protector 65 Chinese green tea variety 32 Uttar Pradesh city her father is of Israeli origin. appointing”. 14 Where India is 66 Plane part 33 Henhouse The insults – such as “Hitler forgot about this Benayoum herself deplored “that this 15 Make, as money 67 Back talk 34 Traffic marker one” and “Don’t vote for a Jew” – were posted kind of thing still goes on in 2020”, telling La 16 Sank, as a putt DOWN 35 “What are the ___?” mainly on Twitter and drew condemnation Provence newspaper: “France is a cosmopoli- 17 Everyone has one 1 DEA officers 36 Abduction ship, in tabloids from politicians and associations. tan country, the Miss contestants come from 20 Aromatic herb 2 Deplete 37 Girl’s pronoun They also prompted criticism of Twitter it- different backgrounds, different cultures, dif- 21 Madame’s grooming ritual 3 City in Florida 39 Kind of thermometer self for its handling of offensive material. ferent regions, and that’s what’s great about 22 Indy 500 mishap 4 It holds water 40 Type of fish or salad “I am deeply shocked by the flood of anti- this competition.” 25 Was in front 5 Animal house 44 Court star Steffi Semitic insults against Miss Provence”, Inte- EU internal market commissioner Thierry 26 Surveys 6 Big brute 45 Celebrity rior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. “We will Breton said Twitter and other social media 28 Check 7 Equine gait 46 Burning desire? not let this stand. Shame on the authors.” platforms would have to move quicker to re- 32 Equip, Brit-style 8 Sign up for class 48 Gangster’s gun Paris prosecutors said on December 21 that move hate speech under a new Digital Servic- 37 Talia of “Rocky” 9 Youngster 49 Southern breakfast dish they were investigating the messages for “rac- es Act proposed for the bloc this month. 38 Ne’er-do-wells 10 Go from pillar to post 50 Ancient Greek marketplace ist insults” and “instigation of race hatred”. “What we’re proposing is to confirm that 41 Sonata section 11 Came down 51 Ancient characters platforms give themselves the means to re- 42 Exactitude 12 Camping gear 52 Schoolroom furniture Anti-Semitic cesspool spond instantly to demands from the authori- 43 Inhabitants of a sci-fi planet 13 Halftime lead, e.g. 53 Cast wearer’s problem The International League against Racism ties when offences like this occur,” Breton told 44 Pun reaction, often 18 Lennon’s wife 54 Confederate soldier’s color and Anti-Semitism (Licra) said the messages BFM television on December 20. 46 “___ we there yet?” 19 Untruths 55 Bobbsey sister et al. The Union of French Jewish Students (UEJF) 47 Loiterer 23 “What’ve you been ___?” 56 “I’m ___ you!” 24 Unit of pressure 57 “The Three Tenors,” e.g. said the number of offensive messages was so 53 Lacking knowledge 27 Slow, musically 60 Post-wedding title great that Twitter should have found it easy to 58 Bicker 28 Ankle-knee connector 61 Affirmative vote block them via keyword filters. 59 Mr. Hyde went through them “We ask the big platforms to do what is nec- essary. They should stop thinking that their le- Tuesday’s solution gal norms are above the norms of countries,” UEJF president Noemie Madar said. Twitter did not immediately respond to re- quests for comment. ‘Filthy remarks’ Three associations – UEJF, SOS Racisme and SOS Homophobie – had in May filed a legal complaint against Twitter, accusing it of fail- ing to moderate content properly. Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti mean- while said prosecution of the authors of hate messages would become easier once a draft law against extremism is approved. “Their filthy remarks sent from their living Tuesday’s solution room sofas will lead them into a courtroom the very next day,” he said in a tweet. But Madar of the UEJF said the authors of anonymous tweets were usually hard to lo- cate, giving them a sense of impunity. France, which has the biggest Jewish population in Europe, has seen an increase in anti-Semitic vandalism and hate speech that President Emmanuel Macron has called “unacceptable”. In 2018, the number of anti-Jewish offences reported to police surged by 74 per cent after Miss Provence April Benayoum competes on stage at two years of declines, according to the interior the Puy-du-Fou, in Les Epesses, western France. AFP ministry. AFP THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com 15 Sport Golf points 2020: Bryson’s seven and Tiger’s 10

n A YEAR dominated by The 15-time major-winner Azinger. “But you have to win the coronavirus off the carded a septuple bogey 10 at on the PGA Tour”. course and world num- the short par-three 12th in the Fellow Englishman Ian ber one Dustin Johnson final round after dunking his Poulter led the backlash. Ion it, AFP Sport recalls some ball in Rae’s Creek three times. “Paul, please do not conde- of golf’s talking points of 2020: Playing partner and Open scend or disrespect the @Eu- champion Shane Lowry, en- ropeanTour and our players Length isn’t everything joying a round with his child- like that,” he tweeted. After Bryson DeChambeau, hood hero for the first time, “We have slapped your arse bulked up by protein shakes could hardly believe what was in Ryder Cup for so long . . . seri- and weightlifting during lock- unfolding. ously that was embarrassing.” down, blasted 350 yard-plus Woods then went on a tear, drives to dismantle the feared rattling in birdies at five of the World rankings Winged Foot and win the US remaining six holes. “He basi- Men’s and women’s top 10 Open in September, concerns cally hit every shot stiff. It was rankings at the end of 2020, as turned to what he might do to incredible to watch him.” said updated December 21: Augusta National at the virus- the Irishman. Men delayed Masters in November. 1. Dustin Johnson (USA) But the traditionalists Fowler’s foul-up 12.84 needn’t have worried. The stop-start year did Rick- 2. Jon Rahm (ESP) 10.15 Despite DeChambeau’s ie Fowler no favours. 3. Justin Thomas (USA) 9.31 pre-tournament claims that One of golf’s ‘Mr Nice Guys’, 4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 7.29 he would play Augusta’s par- the American this month 5. Bryson DeChambeau 72 layout as a “par 67”, he dropped out of world’s top (USA) 7.22 only squeezed through to the 50 for the first time since his 6. Webb Simpson (USA) 7.13 weekend right on the cut line rookie season in 2009. US golfer Dustin Johnson plays his shot from the 14th tee, during the first round of the World Golf 7. Collin Morikawa (USA) after rounds of 70 and 74, in- Fowler failed to register a Championship at Chapultepec’s Golf Club in Mexico City on February 20. afp 7.10 cluding a triple-bogey seven top-10 after the June resump- 8. Xander Schauffele (USA) on the Friday after a lost ball. tion, but nothing summed up no fans and little fanfare. er. But I’ve been decent. And 2016 instead of 2006. 7.02 DeChambeau ended up his abject year more than a tiny Lawrie’s sole major win, that’s all you can ask for.” But the worst was yet to 9. Patrick Cantlay (USA) 6.32 playing his final round along- putt on the sixth hole of his the 1999 Open Champion at come as he cried: “On the tee, 10. Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 6.08 side two-time Masters cham- second round of the US PGA Carnoustie, is forever remem- ‘McDonald’ is not loving it Luke McDonald!” Women pion Bernhard Langer who, Championship in August. bered for Jean Van de Velde’s The first tee announcer at You had one job . . . 1. Ko Jin-young (KOR) 9.05 at the age of 63, humbled the Four inches for a tap-in par, water-wading antics that blew the Honda Classic in February 2. Kim Sei-young (KOR) 7.77 big-hitter 36 years his junior easy right? But no. His putter a three-shot lead at the last. committed the verbal equiva- Poults slaps down zinger 3. Park In-bee (KOR) 6.56 by two strokes on the day, and struck only thin air and the But the 51-year-old has lent of a three-putt when in- Three days later, player- 4. Nelly Korda (USA) 6.34 one stroke for the week. whiff cost him a bogey. He never let the lack of recog- troducing former world num- turned-commentator Paul Az- (+1) DeChambeau hasn’t been missed the cut by one, in a nition bother him, and was ber one Luke Donald. inger was labelled as “embar- 5. Danielle Kang (USA) 6.32 seen on a course since. major. Ouch. typically modest as he hung First he managed to turn rassing” after saying Tommy (-1) Fowler will, like many, be up his clubs. Donald’s home town in Eng- Fleetwood had choked in the 6. Brooke Henderson (CAN) Tiger’s imperfect 10 glad to see the back of 2020. “To have played 620 events land, Hemel Hempstead, into Honda Classic final round as 5.73 If DeChambeau thought is not a bad innings, consid- a tongue-twister by horribly he missed out on the chance 7. Nasa Hataoka (JPN) 5.51 he was having a bad week at Lawrie signs off ering I turned pro with a five mispronouncing it. Then he of a first PGA Tour win. 8. Minjee Lee (AUS) 5.08 Augusta, spare a thought for Paul Lawrie retired from the handicap and didn’t think I’d told the crowds at the pre- “You can win all you want 9. Kim Hyo-joo (KOR) 4.90 defending champion Tiger European Tour in October at play any,” said Lawrie. shutdown event that Donald on the European Tour,” said 10. Park Sung-hyun (KOR) Woods. his home Scottish Open, with “I haven’t been a great play- had won the tournament in former US Ryder Cup captain 4.67. afp Burnley wins, climb out bottom three

Burnley rediscovered their Turf Moor, with Pedro Neto without finding the net. Wolves boss Nuno Espirito sharpness in front of goal to testing Burnley goalkeeper Burnley continued to threat- Santo threw on Adama Traore beat Wolves 2-1 on Monday Nick Pope after a driving run en and Josh Brownhill hit the and Fabio Silva as he sought a and climb out of the Premier midway through the first peri- crossbar with with a right-foot- way back into the game. League’s relegation zone. od, but the threat from the ed shot from outside the box The away side dominated Scoring has been a headache home side grew as the half shortly after the restart. possession but could not find for Sean Dyche’s men, who wore on. But they doubled their lead a way through the disciplined had netted just six goals in 12 Barnes put Burnley ahead in in the 51st minute after Wolves Burnley rearguard. top-flight games before the the 35th minute after a quick failed to deal with Ashley West- Wolves earned themselves a match. counter attack, heading home wood’s free-kick. lifeline when teenager Silva But goals from Ashley Barnes at the far post after a cross from Ben Mee headed the ball scored from the penalty spot in and Chris Wood extended their Charlie Taylor. back into the danger zone the 89th minute after he was unbeaten league run to four It was his first goal in the Pre- where it came off Rayan Ait- brought down by Josh Benson. matches, lifting them to 16th in mier League since November Nouri before Wood blasted it But despite late pressure from Burnley striker Ashley Barnes (centre) jumps to head in their first goal the table. 2019, ending a run of 970 min- into the roof of the net from Wolves, Burnley held on to in the Premier League match against the Wolves. pool/afp Wolves started brightly at utes played in the competition point-blank range. secure all three points. afp Smith hopes virus-hit Sydney can host third Test match

Talismanic Australia batsman Steve The second Test starts in Melbourne on good as I’ve seen,” he said. Smith said Tuesday he would love Sydney Boxing Day and back-to-back Tests there “The lengths they were hitting were just to host the new year Test against India as could be an option. impeccable.” planned, despite the city currently battling Otherwise, they could return to Adelaide, Smith refused to be drawn on whether a coronavirus outbreak. where Australia won the opening Test by India, who will now be without Virat Koh- “Personally I’d love Sydney to happen, I love eight wickets on Saturday, or host two in a li, could bounce back in the second Test playing at the SCG [Sydney Cricket Ground], row in Brisbane. beginning on Boxing Day in Melbourne. it’s my home ground,” Smith said. Australia are currently leading the Test “Every individual is different – the way Australia’s largest city has been virtually series 1-0, after an Indian second-innings they take their dismissals, how they think sealed off from the largely virus-free rest batting collapse in Adelaide. about the game after it’s finished,” he said. of the country after a cluster of coronavirus India were bowled out for their record Smith said playing a Boxing Day Test at cases were uncovered, raising serious Test low of 36 by Australia’s trio of fast the Melbourne Cricket Ground was always doubts about the third Test which is sched- bowlers led by Josh Hazlewood, who took special. uled to start on January 7. five wickets for eight runs, Pat Cummins “It’s sort of like a dream come true in a “I think everyone’s preference here who grabbed four, backed up by Mitchell way I think, as a kid I always wanted to play would be to play in Sydney, but we will Starc. in a Boxing Day Test match, I always always be guided by experts,” Smith said. Smith said that victory rested on one of remember watching the Boxing Day Tests If the Sydney clash goes ahead, the play- the best performances he had seen from at home with the family after Christmas. ers could have problems travelling to a group of Australian pace bowlers. “To walk out on Boxing Day and play, you Brisbane for the final Test a week later “I played a lot of cricket with all three sort of get the shivers down your spine and after Queensland effectively closed its of those fast bowlers and I reckon the the hairs on the back of your neck rise up Australia’s Steve Smith ducks under a bouncer during the second day of border to Sydney. length they bowled consistently was as and it’s just a great feeling.” afp the first cricket Test match between Australia and India. afp 16 THE PHNOM PENH POST december 23, 2020 www.phnompenhpost.com Sport Blues sink Hammers, revive title chance ammy Abraham hit a early November, had a gold- quickfire late double en chance to double their on Monday as Chel- lead in the closing minutes sea beat West Ham of the first period but got 3-0T to reignite their Premier the ball caught under his League challenge after a con- feet and Fabianski saved secutive defeats. comfortably. The Hammers proved David Moyes’s team made tricky opponents at an empty life uncomfortable for the Stamford Bridge but lacked home side after the break the firepower to hurt Frank but did not make the most of Lampard’s men, who led their regular forays forward early through Thiago Silva’s despite the introduction of bullet header. forward Said Benrahma. Chelsea enjoyed a strong They were made to pay start to the season before when Abraham, back in the losses to Everton and Wolves starting XI, doubled Chel- checked their progress but sea’s lead with 12 minutes to the victory at the London go, settling their nerves and Stadium lifts them into fifth ending his own drought. spot. Werner cut inside and saw Champions Liverpool have his scuffed shot tapped in by opened up a five-point gap at the England international, the top of the table but behind who was played onside by them, just seven points sepa- Aaron Cresswell. rate second-placed Leicester Two minutes later Chelsea from 11th-placed Wolves. were 3-0 up when Abraham “It was nice to see that at fired home from a tight angle the end because we had a after Fabianski had done well period at 1-0 where it was to keep out Christian Pulisic’s tough, we dealt with that header. well,” Lampard told the BBC. That made it the eighth “We dropped off slightly and time Chelsea have scored it was important tonight we at least three goals in a Pre- came back,” he added. “There mier League match this sea- were loads of things for the West Ham United midfielder Pablo Fornals (centre) vies with Chelsea midfielder Jorginho (left) and N’Golo Kante during the English Premier son – and they nearly had a League football match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London on December 21. pool/AFP team to show their character – fourth when Werner struck we want more. West Ham had the ball in ish from a tight angle. from close range after a well- their goal without creating the crossbar with two min- “Christmas has been the net in the seventh min- Three minutes later Chel- timed run, leaving West Ham much of note but West Ham utes left. changed for everybody this ute after a cleverly worked sea were in front when Silva goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski worked their way into the The win lifts Chelsea to 25 year. For the lads we just have free kick but Declan Rice powered home a header from rooted to the spot. game as the half wore on. points – one behind fourth- to prepare for Arsenal, it’s a was denied by the off-side Mason Mount’s corner. Chelsea enjoyed the lion’s Timo Werner, who has not placed Everton – while West busy time of year for us.” flag after an impressive fin- The Brazilian found the net share of possession after scored for Chelsea since Ham stay in 10th place. AFP Milan clubs vie for Serie A top seat Brazilian judo icon

AC Milan and Inter Milan will They also have the top strike Rafaela Silva fails in be vying to end the year top of force in the Italian league, led the Serie A table on Wednesday by Romelu Lukaku. Collective- bid to overturn ban as the city rivals push to deny ly Inter’s forwards have scored Juventus a 10th consecutive 32 goals in 13 games. The court of Arbitration for Rio where she is revered. ‘Scudetto’ this season. “We want to finish this cycle Sport (CAS) has rejected an Silva underwent an anti- Leaders AC Milan’s unbeaten of fixtures in the best possible appeal to overturn a two-year doping control during the league run, which stretches fashion,” said Conte. doping ban lodged by Brazil- 2019 Panamerican Games in back to March, faces a stiff test “We don’t want to give up ian judoka Rafaela Silva, who Lima, Peru, after competing against Lazio in the San Siro. now and we need to hold firm won a gold at the Rio Games in, and winning, the final bout “We have one game left against Verona, despite only in 2016 but who tested posi- in the -57kg category and this against Lazio and we might be having one training session tive for a banned substance test revealed the presence of a able to achieve our first objec- beforehand. in a regional competition in banned substance connected tive [staying top of Serie A] on “The hope then is to recover 2019. to the treatment of asthma. December 23,” said Milan a bit of energy over Christmas Silva retains her Olympic title CAS said on Monday Silva had coach Stefano Pioli. because our lads haven’t but is now unable to defend it had not discharged the burden “It would add to our success in stopped, particularly with inter- at the Tokyo Games in 2021, a which lies upon her to establish the Europa League this season, national commitments.” major blow for the now 28-year- by a balance of probability the so we’d end a very positive year.” Behind the leading trio, Roma old who hails from the modest “route of ingestion” for the Inter Milan forward Martinez (left) fights for the ball with AC Milan But Antonio Conte’s Inter Danish defender Kjaer at the San Siro stadium on October 17. afp host Cagliari days after crash- City of God neighbourhood of banned substance. AFP Milan are just one point behind ing 4-1 at Atalanta. in second before their trip to among their rivals. well in turning difficulties into Paulo Fonseca’s side are ninth-placed Hellas Verona. Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains a chance to show something pushing for a return to Cham- Inter last won the Serie A title out for a sixth consecutive different and better. pions League football along in 2010, with Milan taking the league match for Milan with a “But we still have a very dif- with Napoli who are just one honours the following year. leg muscle injury, even if Pioli’s ficult match to play, probably point behind in fifth. Since then Juventus have side have shown they can win with few players available but Napoli lost to Lazio on Sunday dominated. even without the towering we have the right mentality and and next host Torino without Andrea Pirlo’s champions presence of the 39-year-old character. injured Nigerian striker Victor are third, four points behind Swede. Osimhen and club record scorer AC Milan, and have a chance But Pioli also has a crisis in Prolific Inter Dries Mertens. But captain to pile the pressure on their midfield with Ismaël Bennacer Inter coach Antonio Conte’s Lorenzo Insigne will return from northern rivals at home Tues- out, Franck Kessie suspended, focus is firmly on the league suspension. day against struggling Fioren- and Sandro Tonali, Ante Rebic after his Champions League Seventh-placed Atalanta tina. and Simon Kjaer in doubt. hopes came to an abrupt end. travel to Bologna looking to Cristiano Ronaldo has been “I’d like to have more options Inter’s domestic form has keep in touch with the Euro- clinical as always, leading all to choose from but we’ll make been better. They are on a six- pean places amid increasing Serie A scorers with 12 goals. the best of the situation as match winning streak and have uncertainty over the future of Juventus can also take always,” said Pioli. proved a tighter unit in Decem- out-of-favour Argentine cap- The court of abrotration for sport rejected Brazilian Olympic Judo gold advantage of injury worries “The squad has always done ber with fewer goals conceded. tain Papu Gomez. afp medalist Rafaela Silva’s appeal to overturn her doping ban. AFP