Kan Ben & Pchum Ben Season: Cambodia is kicking off the 14-day Kan Ben Festival today, with pagodas nationwide holding ceremonies and families preparing offerings for monks and ancestors ahead of Pchum Ben on Oct. 11. Royal Culture Spotlight: King Norodom Sihamoni praised the festivals as major national traditions that help Cambodians reunite with family, honor parents and ancestors, and pass Khmer culture to the next generation. Festival Guide for Visitors: A look at how Pchum Ben is observed—gathering at pagodas, honoring up to seven generations, and the meaning behind “pchum” and “ben”—offers a cultural primer for foreigners. Public Transport for Homecoming: Phnom Penh will run free bus service during Pchum Ben, with 600 buses covering routes to hometowns and between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, aiming to ease travel costs and support safe reunions. Health & Heritage: Luong Mae Hospital was inaugurated as a modern national specialized cancer center, expanding screening and advanced oncology care, including large-scale cervical cancer services for women. Online Scam Crackdown: Cambodia urged stronger cross-border cooperation against online scam networks, warning that AI and digital tools can also fuel transnational crime. Diplomacy & Culture Links: Cambodia established official ties with Niger and highlighted cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, education, culture and tourism. Migrant Workers Update: Cambodia reported hundreds of thousands of workers abroad, including 200,125 women, as overseas job opportunities expand.