ASEAN

Miss Universe Dispute Leaves Six Southeast Asian Franchises in Limbo

The Miss Universe Organization is facing a major dispute just weeks before its 75th anniversary pageant, with contestants from six Southeast Asian countries caught in the middle. Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore could all be affected by a disagreement over who has the right to run their national...

Thailand Restores 30-Day Visa-Free Stay, Limits Visa-Free Land Entries to Twice a Year

Thailand has cut its visa-free tourist stay from 60 days back to 30 days,...

Laos Prepares For ASEAN Para Games With 12-Sport Bid

Laos is preparing to compete in 12 sports at the 14th ASEAN Para Games...

Bear Paws, Pangolin Meat Seized in Vientiane Restaurant Raid Amid Laos’ Wider Crackdown

Lao authorities have stepped up their crackdown on illegal wildlife trade after raiding a...

Bangkok Bar Fire Kills 27, Leaves Dozens Critically Injured

A fire late on Sunday night at a packed pub in Bangkok has killed...

China Calls for Cease-fire in Ukraine, Issues Paper on Peace Talks

China has called for a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine and the start of peace talks as part of a 12-point proposal to end...

UN Approves Resolution Calling for Russia to Leave Ukraine

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The U.N. General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution Thursday that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw...

Vietnam Gives Death Sentence to Lao National Over USD 42 Drug Deal

A Lao national was issued the death penalty in Vietnam for trying to transport narcotics across the Ha Thin Border in August 2022, for...

Thai Flight Attendants Penalized For Neglecting Food Trays Until Landing

Flight attendants from Thai Airways have been issued a one-month suspension and pay cuts for not collecting food trays from customers until landing. Bangkok...

Baidu to Implement ChatGPT-like Ernie Bot Chatbot from March

HONG KONG (AP) — Baidu Inc., one of China's biggest search and artificial intelligence firms, said Wednesday it plans to implement its artificial intelligence...

Family: Man Shot by Police Couldn’t Hear, Speak English

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Relatives of a man who was fatally shot by St. Paul police argued Saturday that the 65-year-old struggled to...