Growing up in a Malay family in Singapore, Hafeez Hassan feared dogs. He never expected to mourn one like a sibling. “Maybe that is what I have been grieving all along … The experience of loving something that I was taught I was not supposed to love,” he said. Even as an adult, walking his former partner’s husky Pieces in public made Hafeez anxious that a relative might see him, or that he might be judged for being close to an animal whose saliva and waste are regarded as ritually impure by many...

The Trump administration has opened an investigation into nine U.S. universities, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford and MIT, over alleged fraud in the J-1 visa program for foreign researchers and scholars.

Numerous hotspots identified across republic.

The path to settling in Australia is no longer as straightforward as it once was, and foreign students with genuine study goals are likely to face fewer challenges compared to those seeking permanent residency through education, experts say.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake remains a popular attraction, with colourful flowerbeds drawing residents and tourists for walks and photos. Visitors can continue through the Old Quarter, explore cafés in old buildings and sample local favourites such as phở and bún chả.

The Vietnamese booth, presented by the Vietnamese Women’s Association in the RoK, attracted visitors with traditional items such as áo dài, conical hats, handicrafts and models showcasing Vietnamese folk culture, offering insights into the country’s heritage and people.

The opening ceremony and an art programme under the same theme will take place on November 24 at Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in Phong Nha commune, highlighting the UNESCO-listed natural heritage site and promoting cave exploration tours.

Experts stressed that rural tourism can develop sustainably only when local communities actively participate and benefit from it. Investment in transport, accommodation and attractions must go hand in hand with clean water, waste treatment, hygiene, traditional craft preservation and environmental protection.

The entries drew on a wide range of materials and techniques, blending traditional cultural values with creative design and production.