New Zealand Civil Defence has warned people in coastal areas to stay off beaches due to the risk of a tsunami caused by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in the Kermadec Islands region.

The 7.7 magnitude quake struck at a depth of 48km in the Kermadec Islands region, which is 800-1000km north of New Zealand, at 7.03am NZT (5.30 AEST).

The tsunami warning applies to New Zealand, the Kermadec Islands and Tonga and the tsunami caused by the quake is scheduled to reach the East Cape of the North Island and North Cape just before 9am NZT and Auckland at 10am.

A spokesman from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said the wave generated by the quake was 60cm high.

A statement from Civil Defence said it had confirmed a tsunami had been generated by the quake and there was a marine threat to Northland, Bay of Plenty, East Coast and Hawkes Bay.

It said the "first wave to arrive to New Zealand will be in the areas around at approximately 8.52am (6.30 AEST)," but possibly later .

It said the first wave "may not be the largest" and the waves would continue for several hours.

It warned people to stay off beaches and stay out of the water - including the sea, rivers and estuaries and boating activities - as long as the alert remained in force.

People have also been advised to follow the instructions of local Civil Defence authorities, listen to the radio and TV for updates and share information about the alert with family, neighbours and friends.

The advisory would remain in effect until it is upgraded to a national warning or a cancellation message is issued by Civil Defence.

Scientific advisers were closely monitoring the situation to determine the severity of the threat to New Zealand and more information would be released within the next hour.

Until a cancellation is issued, updates would continue at least hourly, the Civil Defence statement said.

The National Crisis Management Centre has been activated and local Civil Defence authorities were acting in coordination with the national centre.

On 06 July, the Sam Rainsy Party commemorated the 14th anniversary of the clash between forces loyal to Prince Norodom Ranariddh, then-first prime minister, and those loyal to Hun Xen, then-second prime minister. The clash took place in Phnom Penh in 1997. During the commemoration, opposition leader Sam Rainsy announced through video conference that justice must be found for the hundreds of people who died during the coup d'état to topple Ranariddh from his position as first prime minister.

The SRP organized a meeting at its party headquarter with the participation of more than 100 activists. The SRP organized a religious ceremony with the presence of 14 Buddhist monks representing the 14th anniversary of the 5-6 July 1997 coup d'état.

The religious ceremony was held to commemorate the bloody fight between forces loyal to Ranariddh, then-first prime minister, and those loyal to Hun Xen who was the second prime minister in 1997.

The 5-6 July 1997 clash led to the death of several hundreds of soldiers and generals who were loyal to Ranariddh.

During the meeting this morning, through video conference from Paris, opposition leader Sam Rainsy announced that justice must be found for those who died during the coup d'état which took place 14 years ago. Sam Rainsy also called on the people to provide additional proofs to him so that he can bring the case to the International Court of Justice, a case in which Sam Rainsy called for the arrest of the criminals who have bloodied hands and bring them to face justice. Through his remark, Sam Rainsy was pointing at Hun Xen.

During a bridge construction site inauguration in Takhmao, Hun Xen reminisced about the 5-6 July 1997, however, Hun Xen raised the question that he was also a victim in that coup d'état (sic!).

Nevertheless, the Funcinpec which used to be the enemy of the CPP, but which is now turned into a CPP sycophant, as well as the Norodom Ranariddh Party did not commemorate this event on a day which the opposition called the coup d'état event.

Instead, Funcinpec, the NRP and their CPP called the SRP's commemoration an attempt for its political gain.

To put it simply, says Renalyn Mulato, the daughter of a Filipina immigrant married to a South Korean man here, the key to happiness in her multicultural home is love and understanding.

That may seem like a painfully obvious prerequisite for most marriages, but for many immigrants in South Korea, it doesn't always work that way.

South Korea has been grappling with shifting demographics that have left many middle-aged men – particularly in the countryside – cut adrift amid a potential-wife deficit in a country that prizes the rosy picture of marriage.

As young – and now assertive – Korean women flock from their hometowns for careers in the big cities, the men left behind are increasingly looking overseas for brides. That has meant an influx from poorer Asian nations such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Mongolia. Government figures show the number of Koreans marrying foreign spouses increased from 4,710 in 1990 to 33,300 in 2009. And numbers are expected to continue rising.

This influx of foreigners has sped up multiculturalism in Korea. But many of those marriages don't turn out well, as shown by a few recent incidents of violence.

Last month, a Korean man stabbed his Vietnamese wife to death, reportedly as her baby lay sleeping next to her. Last summer, another South Korean man fatally knifed his newlywed Vietnamese bride just days after she arrived in the country.

Part of the problem that has led to these fatalities, say experts, is a lack of oversight on agencies who locate foreign brides for Korean men.

The result, say critics, are hundreds of unhappy marriages between middle-aged Korean men and young foreign women who are often motivated by the desire to escape poverty – a situation exacerbated by huge cultural and language barriers as well as the Korean preference for homogeneity.

"Many illegal marriage agencies try to get the job done without checking background information such as age, educational background, job, wealth, and marriage status, etc. – which often comes with bad intentions by the applicants," says Hong Min-ji, who leads the migrant workers and transnational marriage services team at Seoul Global Center. "This leads to mistrust between couples and family breakups."

She highlights an example from her current caseload in which an immigrant Vietnamese woman came to the center for help. "She got married to her husband through a marriage agency in 2003. After she came to Korea, she found out that not only her husband had mental problems but was also violent," explains Ms. Hong. On top of that, she says, her mother-in-law never acknowledged her as a daughter- in-law.

"During that time, she had a baby. But her marriage didn't get any better. Her husband did not have any regular income to raise the baby. What's worse, she got beaten by her husband continually. Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law harassed her with verbal violence. Finally, she left the home and came to us."

More than 100,000 women among South Korea's 1.2-million foreign population are estimated to be foreign brides. Vietnamese and Filipina women account for 19.5 and 6.6 percent respectively, according to Ministry of Health data. The largest chunk – 30.4 percent – are ethnic Koreans from China.

Yet, a recent survey of 73,000 multicultural families found that 50 percent reported that they were "satisfied" with their lives. Hong of the Seoul Global Center argues that many do not report problems out of fear.

Parliament has recognized a need to take action to encourage more acceptance of multicultural families and help binational marriages succeed.

"It is actually a matter of give-and-take," said Kim Hye-seong, a South Korean lawmaker, in a recent interview. "A society may ask its multicultural citizens to blend in only after it first offers its tolerance to them."

While some say government action lacks grip, stiffened marriage visa rules came into effect in March. Korean husbands seeking to bring foreign brides from seven countries – including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia – will now be required to take mandatory courses to prepare them for international unions before being permitted to bring their foreign wives into the country.

Still, critics see the lack of a coordinated approach in tackling the issue. "Many government departments support multicultural families and migrant workers," says Hong. "Yet, it does not have a centralized center."

She also points to difficulties faced by biracial children, pointing to an incident in which a teacher called a foreign student by saying, "Hey! Multicultural kid."

The burgeoning multicultural family led by Ms. Mulato's stepfather, Jang Jin-cheol, and her mother, Leny Velasco, may be an example of how Korea can overcome its cultural biases.

Like many other immigrant women, Ms. Velasco came to Korea from the Philippines seeking a better life. But unlike many of the situations in Korea, Mr. Jang and Velasco met in Hong Kong through friends, later marrying in Korea.

At first, his family showed some resistance. "His mother and sisters said, 'OK, you can get married, but don't give her money,' " says Velasco. "But, of course, he fought for me."

In recent years, they have had two young children together.

And Jang is planning to adopt his adult stepdaughter, Mulato – a rare concept here. "My stepfather is great," says Mulato, who grew up in South Korea, "greater than my own biological dad."

Foreign Ministry staff yesterday led Indonesian officials to survey the Thai-Cambodia border presumably in preparation for the arrival of 15 Indonesian observers, an army source said.

Earlier the Foreign Ministry had asked the army to have its Suranaree Task Force accompany the survey group, which arrived in the area yesterday.

The group was expected to inspect damage from the latest clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers near Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district and Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district.

According to the source, the Foreign Ministry had said the survey team would not enter the 4.6-square-kilometre border area around the Phrea Vihear temple which is in dispute.

Still, the request for the Suranaree Task Force, made out of the blue, surprised the army, said the source. Army brass had assumed that any decision regarding the border issue would be left for the new government being formed by the Pheu Thai Party to handle.

Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the army had earlier insisted that Cambodia withdraw its soldiers from the disputed border first before the Indonesian observers be allowed to monitor a ceasefire in the area.

In February, the two countries signed Indonesia's proposal to send its observers, mostly military officers, to the area. But the plan was delayed because of Bangkok's condition for the troop withdrawal.

In an abrupt turnaround, the Foreign Ministry recently asked the army to prepare for a meeting with the Indonesian observers, the source said. The ministry said that they would arrive "soon".

According to the source, the observers will stay for six months at a resort hotel in Kantharalak district, about 40km from the Hindu temple ruins.

The ministry is currently holding meetings with local officials and Surin residents to inform them of the government's stance in the long-running Thai-Cambodia border dispute.

Meanwhile, Cambodian soldiers stationed at the border welcomed news that Pheu Thai would take the helm of the government. They said the power change from the Abhisit administration to the pro-Thaksin party would lead to a less tense situation between the two countries.

A military unit leader based in the area said tension had eased considerably since the July 3 election.

A survey team from Indonesia was quietly led to the Thai-Cambodian border in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district on Wednesday morning by foreign affairs officials to examine the area ahead of thee arrival of an Indonesian Observers Team (IOT) expected to follow soon, an army source.

The source said the army was puzzled and surprised by the move, which was taken before the new government is in place.

The team, with an unknown number of members, were led by officials from the Foreign Ministry to examine areas where cross-border clashes occurred between Thai and Cambodian soldiers from February to April in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province and Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province.

They did not enter the 4.6 square kilometre disputed area around Preah Vihear temple, the source said.

The source said the Foreign Ministry had earlier asked the army and the Suranaree Task Force to prepare for the arrival of the Indonesian observers (IOT), who are expected soon.

The IOT will have 15 members. Most of them Indonesian soldiers, but they will be wearing civilian clothes.

The source said the army was stunned by the unexpected message from the Foreign Ministry advising that the survey team from Indonesia would be led to the border area on July 6.

The army had expected preparations for the arrival of the IOT would be made after the new government is formed.

The ministry asked the Suranaree Task Force in the area to facilitate the trip by the survey team.

The source noted that the army had made it clear that it would not receive the IOT if Cambodian troops had not been pulled out of the disputed area.

But, without informing the army in advance, the Foreign Ministry suddenly notified the army that it was taking the Indonesia survey team to the border. The ministry also told the army to be prepared to receive the IOT, but did not say when.

It was believed IOT would come after a General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, co-chaired by the defence ministers of Thailand and Cambodia, has been held, the source said.

An army officer posted at the border said Cambodian soldiers he had worked with expressed delight upon learning that the Pheu Thai Party will lead the new government.

They believed that from now Thailand and Cambodia would be able to settle their disputes and Thai and Cambodian soldiers would not have to fight each other anymore.

"The atmosphere at the border has relaxed. No stress. Yet, we remain vigilant," the officer said.

The officer said on the afternoon of July 3 afternoon, when voting ended and the exit polls results were announced, Cambodian soldiers watching Thai television on the border clapped and cheered loudly.

"Cambodian soldiers do not want to fight. Many of them have lost their lives. Thai soldiers don't want to fight either.

"However, the new government should be careful not to be left at a disadvantage in talks with Cambodia," the officer said.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodian leader Hun Sen says the opposition election win in Thailand will improve ties between the neighbors that have fought repeated border clashes in recent months.

The party linked to toppled Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra swept weekend elections and a new government led by Thaksin's sister is poised to take power in Bangkok within weeks.

The two countries have battled over disputed land surrounding an ancient Hindu temple that straddles their common border.

Hun Sen said Wednesday the vote marked the start of "a new era of cooperation" and differences between the countries should be solved peacefully.

Thaksin is considered close to Hun Sen. He briefly was an adviser to the Cambodian government after being ousted in the 2006 military coup.

Army leaders may be questioning the power of their political influence after the sweeping defeat of the Democrat Party extended even to the military vote.

The Royal Thai Army is known as a staunch Democrat ally, but the results of Sunday's election reflected that while its top brass can mould their subordinates on the battlefield, it failed to shape their political ideologies.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha is a vocal Democrat supporter and while he stopped short of outright ordering his soldiers to vote for his party of choice, he made his preference clearly known.

Despite this, army votes for Pheu Thai point to the high number of "watermelons" in the military. This nickname refers to their uniform marking them as green on the outside, but their personal beliefs making them "red" within.

Some of these "watermelons" have close ties with Pheu Thai and/or the red shirt movement, while others are just sympathetic to the party or the cause.

Army leaders must have been especially incensed when Pheu Thai's Leelawadee Watcharobol won a seat in Dusit district, which has a high military presence with many army units.

With Pheu Thai now in the process of forming its government, the Democrat Party has been consigned to the opposition bench. Gen Prayuth will surely be disappointed with the result and will likely be brooding over "what went wrong".

Even before the election was announced, Gen Prayuth's hostility to the red shirts and opposition to Pheu Thai was clear, and all army personnel were well aware of their boss's thoughts on political matters.

An army source said that although soldiers were not told to vote a certain way, they all knew Gen Prayuth favoured the Democrats and was hoping they would follow his example.

The source said that while it was too risky for unit commanders to order the rank and file soldiers to vote a certain way, commanders still attempted to exert influence.

For example, videos of the burning of parts of the city at the culmination of last year's red shirt protests were played in barracks on most days in the run up to the election, the source said.

But the vote results suggest the efforts were in vain, and point to the real feelings of many soldiers who until now had held their political tongue.

And even if some soldiers did go along with their commanders' bidding, it would not have been enough to offset the pro-red votes of their families, as many troops come from areas which traditionally favour Pheu Thai.

There was also likely an element of personal interest for some who voted for Pheu Thai, as many soldiers once worked for army leaders who have close ties with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Many of these superiors had been transferred to inactive posts in the post-Thaksin military landscape, but a new Thaksin-influenced government could see them return to positions of power, and with that would come increased prospects of promotion for their former subordinates.

A private from a military unit on Nakhon Chaisi Road in Dusit district said after casting his vote on Sunday that his commander did not order him to vote for the Democrats but he knew this was what his superior wanted.

"I had two ballot papers. On one paper, I voted just as my boss wished. On the other one, I made my own choice," said the soldier, who did not wish to be named.

With the army long suspected of political involvement, it is a healthy sign for democracy that many soldiers voted in a different direction to that of their bosses' stated preference.

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Article 35 new

The accused shall be presumed innocent as long as the court has not given its definitive judgment.

In determining charges against the accused, the accused shall be equally entitled to the following minimum guarantees, in accordance with Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

a. to be informed promptly and in detail in a language that they understand of the nature and cause of the charge against them;

b. to have adequate time and facilities for the preparation of their defence and to communicate with counsel of their own choosing;

c. to be tried without delay;

d. to be tried in their own presence and to defend themselves in person or with the assistance of counsel of their own choosing, to be informed of this right and to have legal assistance assigned to them free of charge if they do not have sufficient means to pay for it ;

e. to examine evidence against them and obtain the presentation and examination of evidence on their behalf under the same conditions as evidence against them;

f. to have the free assistance of an interpreter if the accused cannot understand or does not speak the language used in the court;

g. not to be compelled to testify against themselves or to confess guilt.

Convention on the Rights of the Child
Ratified by UNGA in Nov. 1989, entered into force 1990

Cambodia ratified this Convention on October 15, 1992

Coconut shells are providing an alternative source of fuel and jobs for some of Cambodia's poorest people. It's hoped the new green energy scheme will stop illegal tree felling across huge areas of the Cambodian rainforest in order to make charcoal.

Charcoal is the main form of fuel for millions of Cambodians. But producing it comes at a considerable cost to the environment.Campaigners have developed a green alternative to charcoal---coconut husks.

Started in January 2010, a non-profit company in the capital has been making fuel briquettes from the discarded husks. At the same time, the initiative is creating jobs for some of the country's poorest people.

Ly Mathheat, Executive director of Sustainable Green Fuel Enterprise, said, "This project is addressing many of the big problems we have in Cambodia at the same time. We have a lot of poor people here, we are affected by the problem of climate change in the world, and we have a big problem with garbage in the streets, so we can address each of these together by making something everyone can use."

The briquette factory is set up next to Phnom Penh's municipal dump. All fourteen of the factory's workers are former garbage collectors. For them, the project has provided a lifeline.

Sokna, factory worker, said, "When they shut the dump, I wasn't able to collect garbage anymore, so I came here to look for work. The manager liked me and gave me a job. Working here I earn about $80 per month which covers my day to day expenses." The factory works with local coconut sellers to collect used shells. Once dried and crushed, the shells are carbonized in a specially designed burner.

Additional heat from the process is captured and reused to dry the briquettes, maximizing energy efficiency. The tubular shape of briquettes makes them more effective than traditional charcoal. They burn longer with no sparks, no smell and no smoke.

The company claims to prevent about 1,600 tons of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere every year, while at the same time helping to preserve Cambodia's natural forests.

Cambodia on Wednesday broke ground for the construction of the 4th Cambodia-China Friendship -- Takhmao Bridge, across Tonle Bassac River in order to ease traveling and to boost social and economic development.

The bridge, 855 meters long and 13.5 meters wide, is located about 13 kilometers southeast of the capital Phnom Penh. It connects National Road No. 2 in the west of the river to National Road No. 1 in the east of the river.

The ground-breaking ceremony was presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen and Charge d'Affairs of Chinese Embassy to Cambodia He Leping. It was also attended by top government officials, diplomatic corps, some 10,000 local people and students.

When addressing the ceremony, the premier said the bridge is very essential to contribute to the country's economic development.

"The bridge will help people avoid heavy traffic in Phnom Penh, " he said. "It will also be the corridor of ASEAN highway linked from Thailand's Bangkok to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh."

It is the fourth Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge. The first three bridges are Se Kong Bridge in Stung Treng province, Prek Kdam Bridge on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, and Prek Tamak Bridge in Kandal province.

"China is the largest donor helping to build roads and bridges for Cambodia," said Hun Sen, adding since 2004, China has lent more than 800 million U.S. dollars to Cambodia for road and bridge construction.

So far, more than 1,500 kilometers of roads and three long bridges of 3.1 kilometers have already been constructed with soft loans and grants from China.

"Cambodia would like to express sincere thanks to the government and people of China for providing timely grants and loans to Cambodia," said the premier. "The start of the construction of the bridge today has come from good relations and cooperation between the two nations."

The premier said the country will break ground for the construction of the fifth Cambodia-China Friendship Chroy Changvar Bridge in Phnom Penh in November.

Meanwhile, He Leping said China considered Cambodia as fraternal, good neighbor and friend and wishes to see the development of Cambodia.

"Every grant and loan that China provides to Cambodia comes from the sincere heart of the leaders and people of China," he said. "China always gives attention to every proposal Cambodia has requested and the proposals that give a boost to economic development and poverty alleviation, China is pleased and has no hesitation to provide assistance."

"China has a policy to help friends toward development," he added.

According to the master-plan, the Chinese government provides soft loan to the construction of the 4th Cambodia-China Friendship Takhmao Bridge and its connecting roads of 12 kilometers, which is expected to cost 32.89 million U.S. dollars.

The Shanghai Construction (Group) General Company will undertake the construction, which is expected to complete in 42 months.

The Sam Rainsy Party held a commemoration for the 14th anniversary of the coup d'état which took place on 5-6 July 1997 pitting forces loyal to Prince Ranariddh, the former No. 1 prime minister of Cambodia, and those loyal to Hun Xen, the then-second prime minister. The commemoration was held on 06 July 2011 at the SRP party headquarters in Phnom Penh. SRP MP Kim Suor Phearith said that the SRP commemorate this event every year with a Buddhist prayer to the spirits of fallen Funcinpec forces. On the other hand, an official of the Funcinpec party indicated that his party will not commemorate this event, but that it will hold a ceremony during the Pchum Ben ceremony instead. Pen Sangha, mouthpiece of the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP), said that the NRP will not hold any commemoration and he is also accused the SRP of organizing this commemoration for political gain.

Chenda, the deputy director of the anti-human trafficking department, said that five Chinese nationals, including 3 men and 2 women, were charged on 05 July 2011 for sale and distribution of sex toys. The Chinese nationals were arrested on 04 July during a raid on a Chinese store located in Veal Vong commune, 07 Makara district. The cops confiscated illegal penis and plastic sex toys, as well as several sex-related medicines. Chenda said that, according to Cambodian law, if these Chinese are found guilty as charged, they will face between 1 week to 1 month of jail time.

Presenter: Sonja Heydeman

Speaker: Phay Siphan, Cambodian Secretary of State in charge of Information

PROMISED a good education, Evelyn came to the United States from her native Cambodia to work as a nanny. "I had to get up at like 5 a.m.," she told CNN. "I had to take care of the kids, change the diapers, cook, clean, clean the house, make sure to go to day care on time." Evelyn was 9.

Evelyn, a victim of human trafficking, was 17 before she escaped from her captor, who is now serving time in prison. Her story echoes those of the 15,000 to 20,000 people brought into the U.S. each year for sexual or labor slavery, a practice against which the U.S. government is taking the lead.

Last week, Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Scott Brown, R-Mass., and John Kerry, D-Mass., introduced a bill to extend America's decade-long campaign against human trafficking until 2015. The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act enhances the diplomatic tools available to the State Department in its campaign to goad other nations to end the scourge. The bill, which includes a block grant program designed to help fund victim-assistance programs, follows hard on the heels of the State Department's annual Trafficking in Person Report.

This year's report tracks anti-trafficking progress in 184 countries, ranking them in three tiers depending on their efforts. International Justice Mission, a non-governmental agency dedicated to ending trafficking, notes: "[C]andid reporting on slavery and trafficking helps governments in poor countries identify and address weaknesses in their justice systems." In May, operating on a tip, IJM helped the Indian government free 514 people (including kids as young as 8) held captive in a brick-making facility in Chennai.

The U.S., reports TIP, is a destination of choice for labor and sex traffickers. Ambassador Luis CdeBaca, who heads the State Department's trafficking office, estimates there are up to 100,000 people (including U.S. citizens) in forced servitude here. Meanwhile, in Evelyn's native Cambodia (a Tier 2 country), an estimated 28,000 children are enslaved as domestic workers in Phnom Penh alone. There, too, virgin girls are sold as sex slaves for hundreds, often thousands, of dollars. Convincing police this is a criminal problem, not a cultural practice, is Step One.

Raising awareness, applying sanctions (such as cuts in U.S. aid to non-compliant countries), and exerting political pressure are all weapons in the fight. Of course, in these tight budget times, money is an issue. But, as IJM points out, State's TIP office's annual budget ($21.4 million) is less than half of what we spend on military bands ($42.5 million) in one month.

The late Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said, "One must never forget that slaves are first and foremost people. Their lives are filled with sorrow and injustice--but also they are touched with humor and joy. Just like regular people. Just like free people."

Ending human trafficking is a goal worth pursuing. The TVPRA deserves the support of every member of the Virginia congressional delegation.