Cambodia

The Kuoy ethnic group is celebrating Bonn Prey Lang, a two-day festival honoring the forest; around 2-300 people take part in religious ceremonies, including ordaining 100+ big trees to promote conservation and preserve their indigenous cultural identity

Monkeys at Angkor Archaeological Park are causing problems by stealing food and injuring visitors, as feeding by content creators has made them more aggressive; authorities urge tourists not to feed or touch the monkeys and are working to reduce incidents

The Dead River Restoration in Kampong Thom, 35% complete, restores a 30km river and builds 117 structures; it will divert 300m³/s of water, improving irrigation and water supply for 5 districts including Stung Sen, supporting agriculture and flood control

The Crane Rice initiative supports endangered sarus cranes by promoting eco-friendly farming; it reached 120 families and 132 hectares, offering farmers premium rice prices while creating safe crane habitats, balancing conservation and community welfare

The first rubber collection contest was held in Tbong Khmum province; showcasing the skills of the nation’s rubber tappers, participants competed to extract the most latex while maintaining quality

Cambodian fighter Thoeung Theara made history with a stunning first-round knockout at the Mongolian Kun Khmer Showdown, defeating local champion Mungunbat Ariunbold in the Kun Khmer martial art style

The Media Forum on Gender Equality urged to tackle stereotypes, promote responsible reporting and amplify women’s voices; Ministry of Women’s Affairs introduced Neary Rattanak VI project, focusing on empowerment, leadership, legal protection for females

Leading demining organization HALO Trust organized a march at iconic Angkor Wat to raise awareness about the threat of landmines; millions remain buried in the region, posing risks to lives and blocking development

Streamlined filmmaking guidelines have been introduced to boost the local film industry; the new regulations aim to simplify the process for filmmakers, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and promoting the country as a creative hub

For the approaching Prahok season, traditional fish paste, fishers are urged to release endangered species like the giant barb and giant stingray if caught; penalties for illegal trading as well as community-led releases show conservation in action

Artist Seyha's "Dream Odyssey" exhibition at Phnom Penh's Pi-Pet-Pi Gallery dives into the subconscious in 27 evocative paintings; surreal landscapes and Khmer symbols capture Cambodia's spiritual and cultural essence in a mystic exploration of identity

New Le Story bookstore in Phnom Penh aims to create a hub for readers and writers, with weekly events; it also supports Cambodian authors by providing printing services and spaces for book promotion, with a focus on promoting the culture of reading

The upcoming Samdech Thipadei Award for Khmer MMA Championships (Phnom Penh, 11-14 Oct) highlights the deep historical roots of Khmer martial arts, key to the nation's identity; the championships will feature traditional performances and MMA competitions