标签： Asia

As winter’s chill embraces Beijing, the aromatic steam of laba porridge rises from ancient temples, signaling the official commencement of Chinese New Year festivities. This Monday, marking the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, communities across China will participate in the centuries-old tradition that blends culinary artistry with cultural significance.

The term ‘laba’ itself derives from Chinese lunar calendar terminology, with ‘la’ denoting the twelfth month and ‘ba’ representing the number eight. This symbolic porridge, typically crafted from at least eight ingredients including glutinous rice and red beans, transcends mere culinary practice to embody a cultural countdown to new beginnings.

Historical temples including Yonghegong (Lama Temple), Guanghua, and Tanzhe become epicenters of this tradition, distributing steaming bowls to thousands of visitors despite the winter cold. The ritual represents one of Beijing’s most significant seasonal events, maintaining continuity since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) when both royalty and commoners believed consuming temple-prepared porridge ensured future prosperity and peace.

Imperial archives reveal Emperor Yongzheng’s particular devotion to the ceremony, elevating it to a rigorously regulated ritual requiring eight days of preparation. Historical records document astonishing scales of production: single ceremonies utilized over 720 kilograms of primary ingredients, with total ingredient weight reaching 1,000 kilograms and consuming approximately 5,000 kilograms of firewood.

At Lama Temple, visitors can still witness the massive copper cauldron—crafted by imperial workshops, measuring two meters in diameter and weighing eight metric tons—that once facilitated these grand preparations. During Emperor Qianlong’s reign, the recipe incorporated thirteen premium ingredients including millet, rice, various beans, red dates, chestnuts, almonds, and brown sugar.

Beyond temple walls, contemporary adaptations thrive. Huguosi Snack, a renowned Beijing eatery, has introduced a modern version featuring over twenty ingredients, receiving praise on social platform Xiaohongshu for its authentic composition and satisfying quality.

Regional variations showcase China’s culinary diversity: Northern versions favor hearty, thick consistency often accompanied by pickled laba garlic; Jiangnan regions prefer lighter, delicately sweetened interpretations; while Northwestern adaptations incorporate lamb for enhanced warmth. Across all variations, the harmonious blend of grains symbolizes abundance and collective hopes for a prosperous coming year.

Across China, communities are embracing the warmth of tradition as they celebrate the annual Laba Festival, a time-honored cultural event marking the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. This year’s celebrations feature diverse activities that blend ancient customs with contemporary expressions of Chinese heritage.

Various regions have organized distinctive events to commemorate the festival. Shanghai is hosting an aromatic agarwood exhibition that transforms museum spaces into sensory experiences, while Shenyang’s winter exposition showcases intricate intangible cultural heritage pieces. In Linyi, Langya Ancient City has become a living historical canvas, demonstrating traditional practices to visitors.

Concurrent with these cultural celebrations, China continues to make significant strides in national development. The People’s Liberation Army Daily has reaffirmed the nation’s determined stance against corruption, alongside newly unveiled regulations governing Party organization elections within the armed forces. These developments highlight the country’s parallel progress in both cultural preservation and institutional strengthening.

The Laba Festival, traditionally celebrated with the sharing of Laba porridge—a nutritious mixture of grains, nuts, and dried fruits—continues to symbolize community, warmth, and cultural continuity during the coldest period of the year. This festival not only preserves ancient Chinese traditions but also adapts them to modern contexts, creating a bridge between historical practices and contemporary society.

In a groundbreaking resolution that concludes a highly publicized legal battle, former Japanese Self-Defense Forces soldier Rina Gonoi has reached a comprehensive settlement with the Japanese government and her final remaining defendant. The settlement, announced Monday by Gonoi’s legal representatives, marks the conclusion of her civil lawsuit against five former colleagues and the state.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Japanese government will pay Gonoi 1.6 million yen (approximately $10,400) in compensation. Notably, the former colleague defendant provided neither financial compensation nor a formal apology as part of the resolution. This development follows Gonoi’s previous settlements with four other defendants earlier in the proceedings.

The case originated from a 2021 incident where three male colleagues physically restrained Gonoi and pressed their bodies against her in a sexually suggestive manner. When Gonoi reported the assault to her superiors, her complaints were systematically dismissed, prompting her to take unprecedented action.

In 2022, Gonoi courageously shared her experience through a YouTube video that rapidly gained international attention, amassing over 100,000 signatures on a petition demanding official investigation. Her advocacy triggered a sweeping Defense Ministry probe that uncovered more than 1,000 additional reports of sexual harassment within Japan’s military ranks.

While a separate 2023 criminal case resulted in convictions for three ex-soldiers, their two-year prison sentences were suspended for four years, meaning they served no actual incarceration time.

At a Monday press conference, Gonoi reflected on her 4.5-year journey, describing it as “very long and heavy” but expressing no regret for speaking out. The now-26-year-old recently acknowledged on social media that her legal battle had finally concluded, thanking supporters who stood by her throughout the process.

Gonoi had initially sought 5.5 million yen in damages from the perpetrators for psychological distress and an additional 2 million yen from the state for its failure to prevent the abuse. Her case has become symbolic of Japan’s evolving conversation around sexual violence, joining other high-profile cases that have broken traditional silence on the issue.

NEW DELHI — The world of journalism mourns the loss of Sir Mark Tully, the legendary BBC correspondent whose profound connection to India earned him the revered title ‘voice of the nation.’ The broadcaster confirmed his passing at the age of 90. Tully died on Sunday in a New Delhi hospital following a short illness, concluding a monumental chapter in international reporting.

Born in Kolkata (then Calcutta) in 1935, Tully’s journalistic journey with the BBC began in 1965. His deep understanding of the subcontinent led to his appointment as the New Delhi correspondent in 1971, a role he masterfully expanded to become the BBC’s Bureau Chief for South Asia for over twenty years.

Tully’s career was defined by his authoritative coverage of the most pivotal events that shaped modern South Asia. He provided the world with front-line reporting on the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War that resulted in the independence of Bangladesh. His incisive analysis guided global audiences through the complex 1984 Golden Temple siege, the tragic 1991 assassination of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and the deeply divisive 1992 Babri Masjid demolition that sparked extensive civil unrest across India. His reporting extended beyond India’s borders, delivering crucial dispatches from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led tributes, recognizing Tully as “a towering voice of journalism” whose profound connection to India and its citizens was vividly reflected in his body of work. “His reporting and insights have left an enduring mark on public discourse,” Modi stated in a social media post.

In recognition of his exceptional contributions to broadcasting and journalism, Britain knighted Tully in 2002. India further honored his dedication by awarding him two of its highest civilian honors—the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan—solidifying his unique status as a foreign journalist who became an integral part of the nation’s narrative.

Patrick Thaw’s academic journey at the University of Michigan came to an abrupt halt when presidential policy left him stranded halfway across the globe. What began as a routine summer internship in Singapore transformed into an educational limbo after former President Donald Trump’s travel ban targeted citizens from 12 nations, including Thaw’s native Myanmar.

The neuroscience major found himself attending classes via FaceTime while his college friends gathered in Ann Arbor, a cruel irony for someone who had embraced American campus life with exceptional enthusiasm. Thaw had immersed himself in university activities, from biology fraternity events to Alzheimer’s research, becoming known among faculty as an intellectually curious student unafraid of academic risks.

His situation reflects broader challenges facing international students during the Trump administration’s first year back in office. Visa appointment pauses and enhanced vetting procedures contributed to declining foreign enrollment numbers, particularly affecting students like Thaw who were already deep into their American educational journeys.

University administrators nationwide have responded with creative solutions, reviving pandemic-era remote learning options and offering placements at international partner institutions. For Thaw, Michigan officials suggested an Australian study abroad program as a temporary measure, though visa complications ultimately made this option unviable.

The educational disruption represents more than mere inconvenience for Thaw, who viewed American higher education as an escape route from Myanmar’s civil unrest. His childhood memories include taking shifts with his mother to watch for Molotov cocktails igniting bamboo in their front yard and missing algebra exams due to bomb explosions.

Facing indefinite separation from his academic community, Thaw made the difficult decision to transfer to universities outside the United States. He now holds acceptance letters from institutions in Australia and Canada, with hopes of attending the University of Toronto to maintain proximity to his Michigan friendships.

His story underscores how geopolitical decisions create ripple effects through academic communities, separating promising students from their chosen educational paths and forcing universities to develop increasingly flexible international policies.

A major maritime tragedy unfolded off the southern coast of the Philippines as the MV Trisha Kerstin 3, a combined cargo and passenger ferry, sank in turbulent waters, resulting in at least 15 fatalities. Search and rescue operations have successfully saved 316 individuals from the vessel that was carrying over 350 people when it issued a distress signal at 1:50 AM local time on Monday (17:50 GMT Sunday).

The ferry was en route from Mindanao, the nation’s southern mainland, to Jolo island in the southwest Philippines when the incident occurred. Philippine Coast Guard spokeswoman Noemie Cayabyab indicated in a televised interview that rough sea conditions reported by survivors may have contributed to the disaster. The archipelago nation, consisting of approximately 7,100 islands, has experienced numerous maritime accidents throughout its history.

Rescue efforts faced significant challenges as emergency responders became overwhelmed by the influx of survivors. Basilan emergency responder Ronalyn Perez confirmed to AFP that medical facilities were experiencing staffing shortages due to the volume of patients requiring attention. Social media footage shared by Basilan Governor Mujiv Hataman showed survivors wrapped in blankets disembarking from rescue vessels.

Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the cause of the sinking, examining factors such as vessel maintenance, loading procedures, and weather conditions. The Philippines has historically struggled with maritime safety standards, with poor maintenance and overloading frequently cited in previous ferry accidents. Despite these risks, ferry travel remains a primary transportation method for many Filipinos due to its affordability.

This incident follows other recent maritime tragedies in the region, including a May 2023 ferry fire that claimed 28 lives, including three children, and a high-speed ferry fire the previous year that resulted in at least seven fatalities among 134 passengers.