Leaders from the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations concluded a three-day summit in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, endorsing a new digital trade framework aimed at reducing cross-border tariffs on technology goods by up to 18 percent over the next five years. The agreement covers e-commerce, fintech services, and semiconductor supply chains, representing the most significant multilateral trade move in the region since the RCEP came into force in 2022. Key...

There's a centuries-old Lao New Year festival, Boun Pi Mai, featuring water blessings, Buddhist rituals, parades, traditional music and family gatherings that showcase Lao cultural identity and community resilience.Sacred Rituals and Spiritual Purification Song Nam Phra:...

Many Bengalis across Bangladesh welcome the New Year, known as Pohela Boishakh, on April 14 with vibrant public celebrations, family rituals, and a nationwide holiday that blends ancient agrarian customs with modern civic pride. Pohela Boishakh traces roots to agrarian calendars and Mughal-era administrative reforms that standardized the Bengali calendar. Cultural revival movements in the early 20th century and post-independence nationalism strengthened the festival as a symbol of Bengali identity, language, and shared history. Street-level customs center on colorful processions, open-air fairs, and collective art. The Mangal Shobhajatra procession in Dhaka, organized by faculty and students of Dhaka University, features giant masks and effigies and has earned UNESCO recognition for its...

Food stalls line Taipei's night markets, creating a lively feast of scents, sounds, and sticky-sweet sauces that draw locals and visitors every evening. Shilin and Raohe stand out for different reasons: Shilin for its size and variety, Raohe for its traditional alleyway charm and signature snacks. Both markets showcase Taiwanese street-food classics and seasonal specialties, making them necessary stops on any culinary itinerary. Shilin Night Market sits near Jiantan MRT and spreads across several streets plus a covered food court. Local favorites include oyster vermicelli, hot-star large fried chicken, peppery stinky tofu, and a dizzying array of sweet treats like mango shaved ice and bubble tea. Several vendors form long,...

Cambodia sustains rich handicraft traditions-silk weaving, silverwork, woodcarving-and bustling markets like Siem Reap Night Market, showcasing artisan skills and Khmer cultural identity.Masterpieces of Cambodian Craftsmanship Artisans in provincial workshops preserve time-honored techniques that produce Cambodia's most revered works, from woven brocades and delicate silver boxes to monumental stone reliefs that anchor cultural memory. Silk Weaving and the Golden Thread Tradition Silk weaving remains a living art in villages where ikat patterns and supplementary gold thread create ceremonial textiles worn at weddings and festivals. Stone Carving: Legacy of the Khmer Empire Stone carving preserves motifs seen on Angkor temples, with artisans chiseling sandstone into apsaras, lintels, and narrative panels for temples and private commissions. Carvers follow...

PhnomPenh offers a compact blend of historical monuments, bustling markets, riverside promenades and authentic eateries; this guide highlights top landmarks, cultural insights and practical tips for confident, informed exploration.Architectural and Historical Landmarks The Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda Complex Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda showcase gilded Khmer roofs, manicured courtyards and...

Over seventy years after the armistice, the Korean Demilitarized Zone offers guided tours explaining its Cold War history, ongoing military significance, and strict visitor rules, including identification requirements, prohibited items, and behavior protocols enforced by guides and military personnel.Historical Context of the Korean Divide The 1953 Armistice Agreement and the...