And for some final bits and pieces of news from Cambodia ...

The Cambodian human rights NGO, LICADHO, has released a report that suggests attitudes toward violence against women is changing.

"Before, a husband would beat his wife and children, now he just insults them..." chilling yet sobering words from a woman surveyed by LICADHO's Women's Rights Office (WRO) following the end of its pilot project in Kandal Province, which aimed to educate the community on violence against women issues.

If this is true, and widespread, has yet to be seen, but some numbers on rape and domestic violence are down. Considering how few are actually reported, however, it's difficult to have a lot of faith in official reports.

Click here for a PDF of the "Violence Against Women in Cambodia Report 2006".

Two Cambodian men have been charged with terrorism in a failed bombing plot.

They were allegedly trying to blow up the Cambodia-Vietnam friendship monument ... a very unfriendly move, I'd say ... but two of their three homemade bombs were defused by explosives disposal experts.

The monument is only about 500 yards from the Royal Palace where the king and his parents live.

One bomb did go off, forcing the evacuation of a the park surrounding the monument.

The men arrested are said to be members of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Liberation Front, a group that advocates taking back territory in Vietnam that was once Cambodian.

Not everyone is negative about Vietnam, however, as the region continues efforts to work together. One recent venture is a combined Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam tourism guide.

Around 30 activities and destinations from each country will be featured, and it will include guides, tours, accommodations, restaurants, development projects and opportunities for volunteers.

And speaking of giving back, the US government has returned an ancient artifact that had been stolen from Cambodia ... the head of an Angkor-era sculpture.

The 4.4 pound sandstone apsara head was made in the 12th century and is priceless.

No information on whos, whats, or hows is provided, but US Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli is quoted as saying:

"The U.S. government is very determined to assist the Cambodian government in protecting and preserving its heritage," Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli said after a ceremony in which the artifact was officially returned.

"We're very grateful and happy that our police and our other law enforcement agencies are really focused on this issue." he said.

Very cool. Very cool, indeed.

Australia has donated a million of its dollars in support of a landmine clearing project as part of its $12 million AUD "Clearing for Results" program. Since 1996, the country has committed around $56 million AUD to mine-related activities in Cambodia.

Also from Australia, this article critical of UN Peacekeepers, saying that a United Nations official has suggested that soldiers from countries that engage in torture and abuse should not be considered for peacekeeping operations.

Reports of abuse have come in against peacekeepers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti and Cambodia.

UN special investigator on torture Manfred Nowak says the organisation's standards for selecting peacekeepers are too low.

Mr Nowak said the main problem was that some peacekeepers came from developing countries with questionable human rights records and that while on durty they might commit the same kind of crimes that they would at home.

Ya think?

A Cambodian National Disabled Volleyball team is getting support from the Canadian Embassy Phnom Penh and the Cambodian War Amputees Rehabilitation Society.

The Kampong Speu Canada Bears are one of the strongest teams around, coming in 3rd Place at the 2006 National League Grand Finals at the Olympic Stadium.

An one final treat ... if you happen to live near Scotts Valley, California ... a new Cambodian restaurant, Jia Tella's, has opened, and the review is creating a Niagara in my mouth.

Artfully wrapped in a banana leaf pinched closed with toothpicks, the filling was a steamed melange of lemongrass, kaffir limes, catfish, collard greens, coconut milk, fish sauce, galangal and eggs to hold it together. The delicate flavors blended in perfect harmony with a taste of coconut milk one moment giving way to a hint of lime. The moist Amok could easily be eaten alone or paired with rice.

And with that, I'm off to fix myself a sandwich. Sigh ...