Health & Environment

Laos Gives Unlicensed Beauty Clinics Until November to Obtain Permits Amid Weak Oversight Concerns

The Ministry of Health has ordered unlicensed medical and beauty facilities across Laos to obtain official permits by 30 November, but the directive has raised questions over its delayed public release and how authorities will enforce the deadline. The Ministry issued the directive on 29 May but did not publicize...

Flooding Hits Over 60,000 in Khammouane as Rivers Rise Above Danger Levels

Flooding has affected more than 60,000 people across all 10 districts of Khammouane province...

Thailand’s HIV Cases Pass 550,000, Laos Reports Rising Infections Among Young People

Thailand has recorded 557,993 cumulative HIV cases, health authorities say, even as new infections...

Trendy ‘Squishy’ Toys Suspended in Laos Over Chemical Safety Concerns

Laos has ordered the immediate suspension of the import and sale of Squishy toys...

Laos Eyes State Fuel Stations as Future EV Charging Hubs

Laos is exploring plans to turn state-owned fuel stations into electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging...

MRC Council Acts to Strengthen Regional Cooperation, Protection of Mekong

The governing body of the Mekong River Commission last week approved a pair of major initiatives aimed at better coordinating and improving region-wide efforts...

Laos and Vietnam Military Hospitals Sign Contract on Medical Cooperation

The 108 Military Central Hospital in Vietnam will offer training to doctors from the 103 Military Hospital of the Lao People’s Army in 2023...

Lao Environmental Activist Wins Women of the Future Awards in Singapore

Founder of Zero Waste Laos, Souksaveuy Keotiamchanh, has received the Women of the Future Awards South East Asia in Singapore and is the only...

Dangerous White Dust Raises Health Concerns for Laos Residents

Residents of Thaphabath district in Bolikhamxay Province, where a major road upgrade is underway, have urged authorities to take action regarding clouds of white...

Death Toll in Indonesia Earthquake Rises to 268

According to official figures, the recent earthquake in Indonesia has claimed the lives of 268 people, many of whom are children. Around 1,083 people...

Global Survey Sees Seven Out of Ten People Wanting to End Plastic Pollution

Ahead of next week’s inaugural negotiations on what will be included in the UN’s plastics treaty, WWF and Plastic Free Foundation release an Ipsos...