14 Cambodian opposition members granted royal pardon

13 Sept 13:01 Key points summarised by AI

King Norodom Sihamoni granted a royal pardon to 14 former officials of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), leading to their release from prison.
The pardons were issued at the request of prime minister-designate Hun Sen, following a letter from some activists expressing regret for their past actions and promising future compliance.
The CNRP officials had been serving jail terms ranging from seven to 20 years since their 2015 conviction for charges related to a 2014 political demonstration at Freedom Park.

Over 77% people polled will not join Loy Krathong festival over COVID concerns

Today 18:20 Key points summarised by AI

A recent poll reveals over 77% of people will not participate in the Loy Krathong festival, primarily due to COVID-19 concerns and fears of new infection clusters.
Many respondents plan alternative celebrations, with 61.1% opting to float Krathongs in nearby canals and 8.5% choosing to celebrate online to avoid crowds.
The survey indicates a shift in perception, with 22% no longer attaching importance to the festival and 71.8% believing its traditional fun aspects will be diminished by the pandemic.
Loy Krathong's traditional purpose is to offer apologies to the Hindu Goddess Ganga and release sins by floating baskets, often accompanied by cultural festivities.