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Teen Girl’s Taxi Ride Turns into Nightmare: Harassment Case Reported

A 17-year-old Lao girl, identified only as Dao – a pseudonym to protect her identity, was reportedly harassed by a taxi driver on 19 April, shortly after Lao New Year. She was on her way to her employer’s house in Nongtha Tai village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital, where she works as a babysitter. “I was so scared. I tried to protect myself by telling him that I don’t like this and brushed his hands aside from my thigh and chest, but still, he kept touching me.” Dao said. She also explained that the driver initially spoke gently, but then began touching her inappropriately. He later stopped at a guesthouse and asked...

Economy

Boeing Jet Bound for China Sent Back to United States Amid Tariff Tensions

A Boeing jet originally built for China’s Xiamen Airlines flew back to the United States (US) on 20 April, caught in the crossfire of rising trade tensions between Washington...

Laos-China Railway Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary of Cross-Border Service with 480,000 Passengers

The Laos-China Railway has marked its second anniversary of cross-border operations, having transported 480,000 passengers from 112 countries since the service began. The railway has significantly improved travel between Laos...

Vietnam to Export Power to Singapore, Malaysia; Import More from Laos, China

Vietnam has revised its national power plan as it pushes for double-digit economic growth between 2026 and 2030. The country now aims to significantly boost electricity imports—especially from Laos—and...

ASEAN Economic Ministers Say No to Retaliation in Response to US Tariffs

Ministries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed "deep concern" over unilateral tariffs introduced by the United States.  The statement, adopted during their virtual Special ASEAN Economic Ministers’...

Government Raises Student Living Allowances Nationwide to Boost Education Access

The Ministry of Education and Sports has announced a nationwide increase in monthly living allowances for students at all levels of education, effective immediately.  The decision, formalized through an official...

Laos Exports Farm-Raised Pangasius to China in Milestone Aquatic Trade Deal

Laos has successfully exported its first-ever shipment of farm-raised freshwater pangasius fish to China, marking a historic milestone for the country’s aquatic industry. The shipment cleared customs at Shekou Port...

Travel

Laos-China Railway Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary of Cross-Border Service with 480,000 Passengers

The Laos-China Railway has marked its second anniversary of cross-border operations, having transported 480,000 passengers from 112 countries since the service began. The railway has significantly improved travel between Laos and China, offering a quicker and more convenient mode of transport, especially for tourists. Cross-border services were officially launched on 13 April 2023. Since then, the railway has seen strong usage, including 37,500 group travelers journeying between the two countries, according to the Laos-China Railway Company. Since the beginning of 2025, the railway has reached record-breaking levels of activity. It transported 4 million tons of goods, such as 8,000 tons of imported fruit, and handled 4.1 million passenger trips. This makes it...

Luang Prabang Earns Global Recognition for Sustainable Tourism

Laos’ popular world heritage town of Luang Prabang has clinched third place in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards for “Destination Management” at the Internationale Tourismus-Börse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany, on 4...

Vientiane Launches Sustainable Tourism Initiative with Innovative Technology for Growth

The Lao government has announced plans to boost tourism in Vientiane Capital with the theme "Vientiane's Sustainable Tourism," The initiative aims to incorporate innovative technologies into tourism management and create new attractions for...

Health & Environment

Bokeo Seafood Inspection Reveals Formalin Use, Crackdown Follows

Authorities discovered the presence of formalin, a hazardous chemical derived from formaldehyde, in frozen seafood during an inspection on 8 April at several markets in Bokeo Province. Formalin continues to be a serious concern in the Lao food industry, particularly in local markets where food safety inspections remain crucial to protecting consumers.  The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in coordination with the Food and Drug Inspection team and the Ministry of Health, has been actively assessing food quality and cracking down...

Sport

Nam Theun 2 Marks 15 Years with Golf Classic in Vientiane

On 15 March, Nam Theun 2 Power Company Limited (NTPC) celebrated its 15th anniversary with the Nam Theun 2 Golf Classic, held at the Lao Country Club in Vientiane.  The event brought together over...

Lao Cyclist Returns from Thailand with Strong Performance, Eyes 2028 Olympics

Lao cyclist Phoutthasone Inthamith has just returned from Thailand, where he earned a fourth-place finish in his latest competition. The 45-year-old athlete competed against over 800 participants and now hopes to qualify for...

Politics

Boeing Jet Bound for China Sent Back to United States Amid Tariff Tensions

A Boeing jet originally built for China’s Xiamen Airlines flew back to the United States (US) on 20 April,...

US Defense Chief Shares Sensitive Information in Second Signal Chat, Local Media Says

AFP - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared information on forthcoming US air strikes on Yemen in a private...

ASEAN Economic Ministers Say No to Retaliation in Response to US Tariffs

Ministries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) expressed "deep concern" over unilateral tariffs introduced by the United...

First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Marks 31st Anniversary

The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge marks its 31st anniversary on 8 April.  Opened in 1994, it was the first major...

Feature

Teen Girl’s Taxi Ride Turns into Nightmare: Harassment Case Reported

A 17-year-old Lao girl, identified only as Dao – a pseudonym to protect her identity, was reportedly harassed by a taxi driver on 19 April, shortly after Lao New Year. She was on her way to her employer’s house in Nongtha Tai village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane Capital, where she works as a babysitter. “I was so scared. I tried to protect myself by telling him that I don’t like this and brushed his hands aside from my thigh and chest, but still, he kept touching me.” Dao said. She also explained that the driver initially spoke gently, but then began touching her inappropriately. He later stopped at a guesthouse and asked her to sleep with him in exchange for money, but she refused. About 20 minutes later, he drove to another guesthouse and again tried to persuade her to enter. This time, Dao warned him that if he didn’t take her to her employer’s house, she would call and ask to be picked up. Only then did he begin driving toward the correct destination. “I tried to get out of the car, but he locked the door and threatened me not to tell...

Boeing Jet Bound for China Sent Back to United States Amid Tariff Tensions

A Boeing jet originally built for China’s Xiamen Airlines...

US Defense Chief Shares Sensitive Information in Second Signal Chat, Local Media Says

AFP - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared information...

ASEAN Economic Ministers Say No to Retaliation in Response to US Tariffs

Ministries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)...

First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Marks 31st Anniversary

The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge marks its 31st anniversary...

Vietnam Seeks US Tariff Delay as Economic Growth Slows in First Quarter

By Lam NGUYEN/AFP - Vietnam has asked for a...

Chubb Launches New Premier Life Science Package

Celebrating 20-Year Anniversary of Life Sciences Expertise in APAC...