Thursday, 26 February 2009

The Phnom Penh Post News In Brief

In Brief: Human trafficking ignored by courts

The Phnom Penh Post

Written by May Tithara
Thursday, 26 February 2009

Some 141 human trafficking cases were reported last year, but only 15 were heard by the courts, according to a new report by the Cambodian National Council for Women. The group said the lack of prosecutions was partly due to limited knowledge of a new law introduced last year to combat trafficking and sex crimes. It said 172 suspects were arrested in 117 cases, but the courts had to date heard just 15 cases.


In Brief: Olympic market cleanup

Written by May Tithara
Thursday, 26 February 2009

Homeowners near Phnom Penh's Olympic Market have been barred from renting the pavement space outside their houses to fish vendors. Homeowner Eung Thong said the ban would be good for the neighbourhood but would cost him the US$5 a day he had made from renting it out. Another owner, Vor Phaly, felt the ban would likely last only until the end of the month. District police Chief Uch Sokhon said: "Police have been ordered to tell house owners not to rent the sidewalk to vendors because we want this street to be clean."


In Brief: Govt poised to recover antiquities

Written by Cheang Sokha
Thursday, 26 February 2009

The government has said a delegation is ready to visit Thailand to get back seven smuggled sandstone antiquities. The announcement comes after the Thai Cabinet this week approved the return of the stolen sculptures. Khim Sarith, a secretary of state at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts who will lead the delegation, said the seven items were among 43 pieces claimed by Cambodia, adding: "We will continue to negotiate for the remaining antiquities." The sculptures were seized in 1999 by Thai customs agents.


In Brief: Phone Call revenue

Written by Kay Kimsong
Thursday, 26 February 2009

CAMBODIA'S overseas calls reached 60 million minutes in 2008, earning US$40 million for the government, Minister of Posts and Telecoms So Khun said. Overseas landline calling has remained at the same rate, he added, even with more Cambodians using the internet to make calls abroad. "Some overseas calls go through the private international gateway 007 and some via VOIP [Voice Over Internet Protocol]. VOIP is not a high-quality service, so many Cambodians are using regular calling methods," So Khun said.


In Brief: Myanmar monument

Written by George Mcleod
Thursday, 26 February 2009

MONUMENT Books, the Kingdom's largest English-language bookstore, has launched a book and toy store in Myanmar, said General Manager William Bagley. The outlet has already opened in Yangon and is scheduled for an official launch next month. The Myanmar government does not allow politically sensitive literature, but Bagley said that Monument's focus on children's books should keep the store in the good graces of the ruling generals. "It's a policy decision to stock only children's books, so we haven't faced any problem with [censorship]," said Bagley.

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