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...

Thai Parliament Passes Cybercrime Decree Mandating Banks, Telecom Providers to Compensate Scam Victims

Thailand’s House of Representatives has passed a new Royal Decree aimed at tackling the growing threat of online scams, with a key provision requiring...

Musk to Exit US Government Role After Rare Break With Trump

By Danny KEMP/AFP - Billionaire Elon Musk on 28 May announced he was leaving his role in US government, intended to reduce federal spending,...

Bangkok Taps Google AI to Untangle Traffic Jams

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has partnered with Google to launch an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted traffic management system aimed at easing congestion and reducing roadside...

US Suspends Student Visa Processing as Harvard Protests Cuts

By Gregory WALTON, with Sebastian SMITH in Washington / AFP  On 28 May, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered a suspension of student...

Southeast Asian Nations Express ‘Deep Concern’ Over US Tariffs

By Rebecca BAILEY and Isabelle LEONG/AFP - Southeast Asian leaders expressed "deep concern" over US tariffs Tuesday, as they held a summit with China...

Thailand Pushes for Paid Menstrual Leave, Better Workplace Welfare for Women

Thailand is encouraging employers to grant up to three days of paid menstrual leave per month to female employees, as part of a broader...