Voter e-registration test run going ‘smoothly’
Testing of a new electronic voter registration system is “running smoothly”, with more than 14,000 people registered across 24 provinces since the pilot project began on November 1, the National Election Committee announced yesterday. ...
Vong Sokheng
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/voter-e-registration-test-run-going-smoothly
Draft telecoms law gives Gov’t broad spying powers
A new draft of the proposed Telecommunications Law would give authorities the right to eavesdrop on any conversation, along with a host of other powers that a rights group has warned would effectively nationalize private service providers. ...
Mech Dara and Kuch Naren
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/draft-telecoms-law-gives-govt-broad-spying-powers-101351/
Duty-free shop follows tourism surge on coast
The new duty-free shop opened by China Duty Free Group (CDFG) in Sihanoukville will have a major impact on development of the tourism industry in the coastal resort, a senior provincial official said yesterday. ...
May Kunmakara
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/19469/duty-free-shop-follows-tourism-surge-on-coast/
Loans to fight LGBT poverty
LGBT Cambodians driven into poverty by discrimination, and sometimes forced to sell sex to survive, may soon enjoy the benefits of a new online campaign designed to raise money to help them rebuild their lives. ...
Jamie Elliott
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/loans-fight-lgbt-poverty
Boom times in Preah Sihanouk
The property sector in Preah Sihanouk province seems to be booming, thanks to new project developments, the growth in tourism and a twinning program between the province and Zhencheng district in China’s Guangdong province. ...
Sum Manet
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/31370/boom-times-in-preah-sihanouk/
Interest cap poses body blow for Cambodian microfinance
Just months ahead of local elections, the Cambodian government has ordered the microfinance industry to cap interest rates on new and refinanced loans at 18 percent a year starting April 1. ...
Robert Carmichael
http://www.voacambodia.com/a/interest-cap-poses-body-blow-for-cambodian-microfinance/3783292.html
Minorities forced to trek from Sesan village
About 100 ethnic minority members were forced to trek 12 km on Wednesday out of a Stung Treng village on the verge of being flooded by a new hydroelectric dam after authorities blockaded a road. ...
Aun Pheap
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/minorities-forced-to-trek-from-sesan-village-132930/
Psychological distress high among disabled
People with disabilities and their families in two Cambodian provinces – Kampong Cham and Tbong Khmum – experience significant psychological distress, endure discrimination and stigma and their rights “re-main largely unrecognised”, a new study has found. ...
Sen David and Yesenia Amaro
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/psychological-distress-high-among-disabled
Legal firm to help elite gain dual citizenship
A NEW international law firm is preparing to set up shop to provide foreign citizenship or residency services to Cambodia’s wealthy elite by helping to facilitate large overseas investments as well as business expansion plans. ...
Matthieu de Gaudemar
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/legal-firm-help-elite-gain-dual-citizenship
Small Planet granted local Air Operator's Certificate
The Kingdom’s aviation regulator yesterday granted an operator’s licence to Small Planet Airlines, allowing the Lithuanian-based leisure airline to operate flights from its new regional hub in Cambodia, civil aviation officials said. ...
Cam McGrath
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/small-planet-granted-local-air-operators-certificate
More firms under government umbrella, says NSSF
Statistics released by the National Social Security Fund yesterday showed that it increased its reach in 2016, adding more than 900 new private firms encompassing some 59,000 workers, and increasing its workplace accident payouts. ...
Kong Meta
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/more-firms-under-government-umbrella-says-nssf
Among world leaders, PM’s Facebook 2nd for engagement
Prime Minister Hun Sen’s time spent posting selfies and broadcasting speeches live on Facebook appears to be paying off, according to a new study that ranks world leaders’ Facebook pages by level of engagement. ...
Matt Surrusco
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/among-world-leaders-pms-facebook-2nd-for-engagement-125590/
Thailand backs off law on migrants
Facing a backlash from employers and observers alike, Thailand has backtracked on a new, heavily criticised law that imposes stricter punishments on irregular workers and their employers, though thousands of Cambodians are still being deported. ...
Yon Sineat and Leonie Kijewski
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/thailand-backs-law-migrants
In Mondolkiri Province, Asian Wild Elephants Are Thriving
New York-based organization Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has released some remarkable footage of wild Asian elephants in Mondolkiri’s Seima district that offers a rare view of the endangered species in its natural habitat. ...
Lauren Crothers
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/in-mondolkiri-province-asian-wild-elephants-are-thriving-19970/
Ministry of Interior orders authorities to take legal measures against violent acts
Interior Minister Sar Kheng ordered cities and provincial authorities to take action to prevent rallies, following a violent clash at the Freedom Park, injuring dozens of security guards and protesters. ...
The Cambodia Herald News Staff
http://www.thecambodiaherald.com/cambodia/detail/1?page=15&token=OTkxOTI4NGMyYzc
Malaria is down, not out: report
Cambodia is moving closer to its goal of eliminating malaria deaths by 2015, with the number of fatal cases declining from 93 in 2011 to 12 last year, data from a new World Health Organisation report show. ...
Laignee Barron
http://phnompenhpost.com/national/malaria-down-not-out-report
Strikers accuse management of using shock weapon
Hundreds of workers at a new factory in Kampong Speu province continued yesterday to strike for better working conditions after one of their colleagues was allegedly struck with an electroshock weapon on Friday by their Chinese boss. ...
Pech Sotheary
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/strikers-accuse-management-using-shock-weapon
Controversial election laws to be passed without amendments
National Assembly spokesman Chheang Vun said Wednesday that bipartisan support for the country’s two new election laws would ensure they are passed with little debate by the parliament today, despite substantial public concern about their content. ...
Kuch Naren
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/controversial-election-laws-to-be-passed-without-amendments-80084/
Ousted judge given position in Justice Ministry
Former Phnom Penh Municipal Court director Ang Mealaktei, who was ousted Tuesday amid claims of corruption at the court, was granted a new position in the Ministry of Justice during the ceremony to replace him on Wednesday. ...
Khy Sovuthy and Alex Willemyns
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/ousted-judge-given-position-in-justice-ministry-78262/
Cambodia claims Guinness world record for sticky rice cake
A Guinness World Records judge kicked this year’s Angkor Sankranta festival into action Monday by officially declaring a 4-ton sticky rice cake produced for the Khmer New Year celebration to be the largest ever made. ...
Alex Willemyns and Mech Dara
https://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/cambodia-claims-guinness-world-record-for-sticky-rice-cake-81990/