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Cambodia PM defends ship docking despite coronavirus diagnosis

Cambodia’s strongman premier defended on Tuesday his decision to allow a US cruise ship to dock despite at least one passenger later being diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus, while authorities scrambled to track down hundreds that came in contact with her.
The Westerdam was turned away by several Asian ports before Cambodia agreed last week to allow its more than 2,000 passengers and crew to disembark.
But jubilation dimmed over the weekend when an 83-year-old American woman was stopped at a Malaysian airport and diagnosed with the virus that originated from China and has now killed over 1,800 people.
By the time she was diagnosed, scores of fellow passengers had moved through different countries -- including Singapore and Thailand.
Four are currently being monitored in Bangkok.
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen remained defiant Tuesday.
“Some people say it brings the virus to Cambodia, but Cambodia has not had the disease (among its people),” he said in a speech.
Cruise operator Holland America said tests for 406 passengers now at a Phnom Penh hotel were negative, and they could continue their journeys home.
For those who’ve made it to the United States, local health departments -- working with the US Centers for Disease Control -- are following up with passengers who might have had contact with the infected American, it added.
Three hundred passengers in Phnom Penh would fly to Dubai, Hun Sen said, while 100 others would take a chartered flight to Japan.
Authorities are also arranging another flight for passengers remaining in Sihanoukville -- the southern coast where the Westerdam is docked -- though Hun Sen did not say where that was headed.
The bombastic premier had greeted disembarking passengers on Friday with embraces and flowers.
As countries in the region scrambled Monday to restrict access to Westerdam’s passengers, those in Phnom Penh were taken on a tour of the capital under the glare of state-aligned media.
Almost a thousand people remain onboard the Westerdam, barred from leaving until they have been tested.
Passenger Lorraine Oliveira told AFP she is apprehensive about the results.
“I’m worried what the outcome will be if anyone onboard tests positive -- what will happen to us then?” she said.
Cambodia only has one confirmed case of the virus -- a Chinese tourist who has since recovered.
The country, a staunch ally of Beijing, received billions of dollars in soft loans and investment from China, and Hun Sen traveled there earlier this month in a show of solidarity.
source: AFP
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BENEFIT Sponsors BuildHer...
- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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