World

China Reservoir Collapse Comes as Laos Prepares for Rising Rivers and Flood Risks

Floods in southern China have killed two people and forced nearly 48,000 residents to evacuate, raising concerns across the region as Laos prepares for another week of heavy rain, rising rivers, and possible flooding. Chinese authorities raised their highest flood emergency level on 6 July after days of torrential rain...

Myanmar’s Leader Wraps First ASEAN Visit in Laos, Signs Mekong Dam Study

Myanmar's recently elected President, Min Aung Hlaing, who seized power in the 2021 military...

Vietnam, Philippines Reach Upper-Middle-Income Status as Laos Eyes 2035 Target

Vietnam and the Philippines have been reclassified as upper-middle-income economies by the World Bank,...

Laos, South Korea Sign USD 1.1 Million in Agriculture Deals

Laos and South Korea have sealed two new agriculture deals worth more than USD...

Laos Extends Condolences After Deadly Venezuela Earthquake

Laos has extended its condolences to Venezuela after a powerful earthquake left more than...

Thailand to Raise International Departure Tax by 53 Percent from 20 June

Thailand is set to increase the international departure Passenger Service Charge from 20 June.  The move will be implemented across six major airports, which include...

Japan to Introduce Pre-Travel Authorization System by 2028

Japan is set to launch the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA) by fiscal year 2028, a mandatory online pre-screening system targeting visa-exempt...

Supreme Court Blocks Trump Tariffs, 15 Percent Levy Keeps Pressure on Laos

A landmark US Supreme Court ruling has reshaped Washington’s trade policy, but for small economies like Laos, the relief may prove temporary. On 20 February,...

Australia Commits AUD 1.5 Million to Strengthen Food, Alcohol Safety in Laos

Australia has pledged AUD 1.5 million (approximately USD 1.06 million) to strengthen food and alcohol safety systems in Laos, more than a year after...

Old Thai Film Quote Sparks Cross-Border Social Media Trend

A five-syllable sentence with no obvious meaning has become one of the most talked-about phrases on social media across Laos and Thailand.  “Buk Xieng Mun...

North Korea Opens Party Congress After Kim Unveils Nuclear-Capable Rocket System

North Korea has opened the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang, marking its most significant political meeting in five...