World

Laos Collects USD 12 Million in Digital Taxes From Global Tech Companies

Laos has collected approximately USD 12 million in digital taxes from global technology companies since introducing its digital tax system in late 2024, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Santiphab Phomvihane. The tax applies to foreign digital service providers without a physical presence in Laos, including Microsoft,...

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...

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...

New Declaration Presses Mekong Countries, Partners to Intensify Cooperation

The Southeast Asian members of the Mekong River Commission issued a landmark declaration at the 4th MRC Summit on Wednesday, reiterating the region’s commitment to...

Chinese President Xi Calls for Ukraine Peace Talks

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping called Thursday for peace talks over Ukraine after French President Emmanuel Macron appealed to him to “bring...

Fighting in Myanmar Sends Thousands Fleeing to Thailand

BANGKOK (AP) — More than 5,000 people have fled from eastern Myanmar into Thailand in recent days as fighting between Myanmar’s army and armed...

Vietnam’s UNESCO Town Hoi An to Collect Entry Fees from Visitors

The historic town of Hoi An, located on Vietnam's central coast, will soon be implementing entry fees for visitors beginning in mid-May. According to local...

Vientiane Authorities Alert Vendors to Not Raise Prices During Lao New Year

With the Lao New Year festival just around the corner, the Department of Industry and Commerce in Vientiane Capital has reminded shopkeepers and stall...

UN Suggests Leveraging Public Debt for Development Gains

While the average government debt level in the Asia-Pacific region is at an 18-year high, this is not necessarily bad news, and it is...