Day: Nov 13, 2025

Fire Boat Festival (Lai Heua Fai), marking the End of Buddhist Lent on October 7, 2025. Coinciding with the full moon of the 11th lunar month

Laos: Rainy Season Retreat Comes to an End for Buddhist Monks! (13.11.2025)

Beyond the spiritual rituals, the festival grounds came alive with vibrant activity as local vendors showcased a wide array of goods, ranging from traditional foods and drinks to handmade crafts, clothing, and household items. The lively marketplace added a festive touch, transforming the event into not just a religious celebration, but also a vibrant community gathering.

Well-organized and secure, the event provided a safe and joyful environment for all attendees. It stood as a testament to Laos’ rich cultural heritage, while also promoting environmental consciousness and community unity.

As the glowing boats drifted peacefully down the Mekong and candlelight danced in the night breeze, the Fire Boat Festival once again proved to be a captivating blend of faith, folklore, and festivity—a timeless tradition that continues to illuminate the hearts of those who take part, year after year.

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Woman at Centre of Plastic Surgery Scandel!

China: “Ugly Wife Court Case” – is the “Husband Feng Jian [冯健]” Story “True” or “False”? (13.11.2025)

Having examined the Chinese language online sources – it does seem that this story is true. It seems that it dates back to late 2012 – but every so often (even in China) – it is re-printed with elaborations and revelations which were not in the original story. I did read in the comments beneath one version that the family involved are in fact “Korean-Chinese” – and this is why the woman involved paid for her plastic surgery to be carried-out in South Korea. My instincts were that this is “fake” as it opposes the Socialist laws on equality and those supporting the rights of women and girls. Of course, it could be fake, but I have included a number of Chinese language versions as well as a YouKu news article. Usually, the Chinese State “removes” all fake news and as it has not moved to do this – this suggests this story is true. It is disgusting that a woman and/or a child would be considered “ugly” – as this is a body-fascist attitude contrary to all Socialist ideology.

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This file photo shows ancient stone fortresses in Yulin, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Photo by cultural heritage and archaeology team of the city of Yulin/Xinhua)

China: Survey Team Discovers 573 Ancient Stone Fortresses in North-West! (13.11.2025)

The survey revealed that these settlements spanned from about 2800 BC in the late Yangshao period to around 1000 BC in the Shang and Zhou (1046-221 BC) dynasties.

Mostly distributed along riverbanks, the stone fortresses were surrounded by numerous ordinary settlements without defensive stone walls, indicating a clear clustered relationship, said Ma Mingzhi, head of the team.

The development of these stone fortresses shows a clear evolution from small to large in scale, from simple to complex in layout, and from rudimentary to mature in construction techniques — with social hierarchy becoming increasingly distinct.

The survey provides crucial information for a comprehensive understanding of the origin, development, spread and evolution of prehistoric settlements in northern China, Ma added.

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