Under a "better late than never" banner, here are some happenings from Cambodia ...

Thanks to a heads up from mom to a Cam-born kid and author of "Bones That Float, A Story of Adopting Cambodia, Kari Grady Grossman, there is something to share on the good works of another adoptive parent.

Ken McBain, a lovely man I had the pleasure of meeting in a restaurant in Phnom Penh while we were in the country for Cj... more

For some great shots of the Independence Day celebrations, check out Mongkol for a good bit of the feel of the day.

This year marks fifty-four years since gaining independence after 90 years of French rule.

Here's the message sent from the White House in... more

The disgusting piece of less-than-human rubbish Interpol has been looking for was captured in Thailand this morning, and now we can all sit back and hope there is a punishment that will do him justice.

Canadian pedophile Christopher Neil has been preying on children ... okay, in a nod to my journalistic training, I'll add the word 'allegedly' here, but he's guilty as sin, and this is a blog, not the NY Times ... for years.

Scenes of him sexually abusing very young Cambodian... more

Sophiline Cheam Shapiro of the Khmer Arts Academy is getting well deserved accolades this week. First, in the New York Times with a glowing review of her latest work: “Pamina Devi: A Cambodian Magic Flute".

She was also featured in an American Public Radio production "The Story" that can be accessed as a podcast here.

In case you're not already... more

There is more news from Cambodian here, and here, and adoption-related news of a more general nature here on the Adoption News Blog.

Anyone planning to be in Cambodia, here's... more

Sri Lankans are concerned that Cambodia has become base for the Tamil Tigers, their arms smuggling and human trafficking.

Their weapons purchases are more sophisticated now, but the criminal infrastructure put in place in the early 1990s, when Cambodia was its primary arms bazaar, is still there, enabling drugs and human smuggling, credit card fraud and money laundering.

In yet another "ain't that just rich"... more

If it's Friday, it must be a day for news from Cambodia on the International Adoption Blog. If you're looking for other adoption-related features and articles, please check out the Adoption News Blog.

A very interesting commentary with a firm and realistic footing in history is well worth a read for anyone interested in Cambodia then and now.

Making comparisons between Indochina... more

After the blog I just wrote on Brother Number Two, I need to cleanse my soul with something pleasant ... a good idea, perhaps.

Hey! Here's one!

We've all heard of the $100 laptop, right? The one that's supposed to connect kids in underdeveloped countries to the WWW, thereby giving them access to education... more

Like so many of us touched by Cambodia, I've spent way too much time being upset and angry over the tragic history of my children's country of birth. I've done the crying at sites of historical horrors and heard the first-hand accounts of more suffering than anyone should ever have to imagine, must less live through or die from. I've read the books, seen the photos, watched the films and absorbed as much as I could of the Cambodia that produced these kids I love with every fiber of my being.

I am almost beyond reacting from the gut, having spent almost five years... more

Tell me if this sounds strange to you, too ...

The US Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are among the groups advising Cambodia's new national heritage police force, the agency that will be responsible for protecting the country's ancient temples from pillage.

Sure, I get that the FBI might have something going on illicit trading in antiquities, but Homeland Security? Sounds a bit of a stretch.

And... more