Health & Environment

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

Laos has ordered the immediate suspension of the import and sale of Squishy toys nationwide after authorities warned that some may contain hazardous chemicals that pose health risks, particularly to children. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce issued the order on 28 July, instructing provincial industry and commerce departments across...

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...

Lao Government Suspends Mining Company Over River Pollution in Vang Vieng

The Lao government has ordered Daochalearn Mineral Processing Sole Co., Ltd. to immediately suspend...

Former MRC Chief Anoulak Kittikhoun Named First Lao Head of Mekong Institute

Former Mekong River Commission (MRC) Chief Executive Officer Anoulak Kittikhoun has been appointed Executive...

Laos Turns to Public-Private Partnership to Tighten Product Quality Controls

Laos has launched a new state-backed company to inspect and certify the quality of...

USAID Okard Celebrates Success in Promoting Disability-Inclusive Development in Laos

On 11-13 October, Acting USAID Country Representative to Laos Kevin Smith and Deputy Director General of the Department of Policy for Devotees, Persons with...

World Food Day 2023 Celebrates Earth’s Most Important Resource: Water

Op-ed By Dr. QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) This year’s World Food Day celebrates one of...

Lao Government Unveils Plan to Revamp Road No.13 in Xaythany District

The Lao government has announced a comprehensive plan to address the deteriorating state of Road No. 13 in Vientiane Capital's Xaythany district, in response...

Baby Elephant ‘Noy’ Passes Away at Conservation Center

The youngest elephant calf at the Elephant Conservation Center (ECC), named Noy, was tragically announced dead on 5 October, leaving both the ECC team...

Heavy Flooding in Southern Myanmar Displaces More Than 14,000 People

Flooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains in Myanmar’s southern areas has displaced more than 14,000 people and disrupted traffic on the rail lines that...

MRC Moves Closer to Making “Mekong Fund” Reality

The governing body of the Mekong River Commission took a significant step this week towards creating a “Mekong Fund” for Southeast Asia’s largest waterway...