China reports 24 new COVID-19 cases, monitoring tourist spot Hainan

13 Sept 13:34 Key points summarised by AI

China recorded 24 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, an increase from the previous day, comprising five local and 19 imported infections.
Authorities are closely monitoring Hainan, a popular tourist destination, after two visitors were identified as close contacts of an asymptomatic case, leading to their quarantine along with 43 others.
This new alert in Hainan follows a six-month period without local cases and recent sporadic outbreaks across other Chinese provinces like Xinjiang, Qingdao, Shanghai, and Tianjin.

The Buddha Comes Home

Yesterday 15:38 Key points summarised by AI

Chong Para is a vibrant annual festival of the Shan (Tai Yai) people in Mae Hong Son, Thailand, celebrating the Buddha's return from Tavatimsa heaven after Buddhist Lent.
The festival's centerpiece involves families constructing intricate miniature palaces, also called Chong Para, from bamboo, paper, and lights, placed outside homes and temples as offerings.
For three days and nights, the quiet mountain town comes alive with folk music, traditional dances like the Shan bird dance, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings, showcasing deep-rooted Shan culture.
Beyond the celebrations, Chong Para reinforces family bonds, preserves traditional crafts, and offers visitors an authentic immersion into the unique cultural heritage of Mae Hong Son.