World

US Court Strikes Down 75-Country Visa Pause, but Ruling Does Not Lift Laos Travel Ban

A US federal judge has struck down a Trump administration policy that paused immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Laos. The ruling, issued on 21 August by US District Judge Jeannette Vargas in Manhattan, found that the State Department had exceeded its legal authority by stopping consular...

Japanese Arrivals to Laos Jump 36 Percent Amid Renewed Tokyo Tourism Push

Laos welcomed 23,133 Japanese tourists in the first six months of 2026, a 36...

Prime Minister Calls for Tighter Oversight of Boten SEZ Amid Development Challenges

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has called for stronger management of the Boten Special Economic...

Laos-China Railway Trade Surges as Cross-Border Freight Hits New Highs

Trade along the Laos-China Railway continued to grow sharply in the first half of...

Van Crash in Thailand Kills Two Lao Nationals, Injuries 12

A passenger van carrying 14 Lao nationals crashed and caught fire in Thailand's Roi...

World Drug Day: Laos Steps Up Fight Against Drug Abuse, Trafficking

Each year on 26 June, the world observes the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day.  The day,...

US Supreme Court to Rule on Citizenship, Voting Rights, LGBT Education

AFP - As the US Supreme Court winds down its term ahead of the summer break, there are a number of cases still to...

Vietnam Abolishes Death Penalty for Spying, Anti-state Activities

AFP - Vietnam has abolished the death penalty for eight crimes, including espionage, graft, and attempting to overthrow the government, state media said on...

Vietnam Approves New Law Allowing Foreign Spouses to Gain Citizenship Without Residency

Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens will now be eligible for Vietnamese citizenship without having to meet previous residency, language, or financial requirements, following a...

Thailand Classifies Cannabis Flowers as Controlled Substance for Medical Use Only

On 24 June, the Thai Ministry of Public Health officially announced a new regulation that classifies cannabis flowers as a controlled herbal substance, aiming...

Lao Government Voices Concern Over Regional, Global Tensions

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has voiced serious concerns about rising regional tensions and global instability, warning of their potential impact on Laos’s economy and...