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Rare Earth Ponds Burst in Houaphanh, Villages Halt River Use Pending Inspections

Village authorities along the Nam Vaen and Nam Xam rivers have told residents to stop using river water after two rare earth mining ponds in Houaphanh burst on 1 November and released chemical wastewater into the Nam Vaen River. According to the 3-November notice, residents of Meuangvaen, Nakao, and Nakhoun...

Muddy Nam Song River Raises Public Doubts Over Official Explanation

Vang Vieng’s Nam Song River has been muddy for weeks, but many residents are...

Laos Revokes Import Licences of Six Vehicle Companies

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has revoked the import licences of six vehicle-importing...

Laos Inflation Eases to 7.7 Percent as Electricity Costs Remain High

Laos’ inflation edged down to 7.7 percent in October from 7.8 percent in September,...

Laos to Raise Private Sector Minimum Wage to LAK 3.4 Million from January 2027

Laos will raise the minimum monthly pay for private sector workers to LAK 3.4...

China to Tax Condoms After Three Decades in Demographic Policy Shift

After three decades of tax-free status, condoms in China will soon be subject to VAT under a new policy aimed at countering the country’s...

Over 1,600 New HIV Cases Reported in Laos in First Nine Months of 2025

HIV continues its steady, often unseen spread across Laos, where 1,617 people were newly infected in the first nine months of 2025.  Despite years of...

Laos, Singapore Agree to Expand Labor Cooperation for Lao Workers

Laos and Singapore have agreed to expand labor cooperation, creating new employment opportunities for Lao workers in Singapore’s labor market. The agreement follows an official...

Young Lao Push for Change 50 Years After Party Victory

By Beatrice Siviero/AFP - The Lao capital Vientiane has an uncharacteristic buzz lately, bedecked with flags and T-shirt vendors ahead of commemorations of 50...

Thais Navigate Flooded Homes, Ancient Temples by Boat

By Watsamon TRI-YASAKDA/AFP - For three months, Thai retiree Somkid Kijniyom has been sleeping in a small boat surviving on dry food handouts in...

Run for Children 2025: Over 3,000 Runners Unite for Lao Kids

The Run for Children 2025, held on 25 October, brought together more than 3,000 runners from Laos and around the world.  Participants raced through the...