DAP: The breaking news in Cambodia: “1st 24-hour news broadcasting channel launched in Cambodia” plus 2 more

PHNOM PENH, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian News Channel (CNC) , which is the country's first 24-hour news broadcasting service, was launched on Monday.

The CNC was owned by Kith Meng, one of the most influential tycoons in Cambodia.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Kith Meng, president of the CNC, said that the investment in the channel was 15 million U. S. dollars.

"It is the first ever 24-hour news broadcasting television in Cambodia," said Kith Meng, who is also the owner of locally well- known CTN (Cambodian Television Network) and My TV.

"The CNC is aimed at broadcasting news relevant to Cambodia's economic development and hot news from around the globe," he said.

The channel broadcasts news in Khmer language only.

Addressing the event, Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, said that the government of Cambodia fully supported the CNC, saying that it will meet the demand of Cambodian people who wish to see the development of Cambodia and the events happening around the world.

Currently, there are more than a dozen of local TV channels in Cambodia.

PHNOM PENH, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Road accidents had killed at least 1,075 people in Cambodia in the first six months of this year, showed the report of the Ministry of Public Work and Transport on Monday.

The death toll is just one lower than that of the same period of last year.

The report recorded that there were 2,362 road accidents from January to June this year, a 16 percent decrease from 2,810 cases in the same period last year.

Besides the deaths, the accidents had injured other 4,154 people, down 15 percent from 4,881 people.

"Main causes of the accidents are overspeed driving, alcohol driving, and neglect driving," Preap Chan Vibol, director of the Ministry's Transport Department, told Xinhua over telephone on Monday.

Traffic accidents had claimed 1,890 lives in the country last year.

PHNOM PENH, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) on Monday donated one million U.S. dollars to Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital for treating Cambodian children suffering from dengue fever and newly diagnosed Enterovirus 71 (EV-71).

The donation was offered by Prime Minister Hun Sen's wife and president of CRC Bun Rany to Dr. Beat Richner, president of the hospital.

The Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital is the largest pediatric one in Cambodia. The five-branch hospital in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap province is covering 85 percent of all Cambodian sick children and providing services free-of-charge.

Every day, more than 2,000 children have seen admitted to the hospital.

"The donation will help the hospital fight against dengue fever, EV-71 and other children diseases," deputy secretary- general of the CRC Men Neary Sopheak told reporters after the donation ceremony.

The donation was made after the country has been plagued with EV-71, which causes hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). The severe form of HFMD has killed at least 54 Cambodian children since April, according to a joint statement from Cambodia's Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization on July 12.

HFMD virus is contagious from person to person by direct contact with nose or throat discharges, saliva, fluid from blisters, or the stool of infected persons.

Good hygiene practice can prevent HFMD. Presently, there is no specific treatment available for HFMD, said the joint statement. Parents should seek medical advice if their children develop high fever, vomit, lethargy and limb weakness.