Regional

Timor-Leste Moves to Join Cluster Munition Ban at Vientiane Conference

Timor-Leste has taken a formal step toward joining the Convention on Cluster Munitions, signing a declaration of accession in Vientiane on 15 September during the treaty’s Third Review Conference. Foreign Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas signed the Declaration of Accession, and handed to Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister...

Seven-Year-Old Becomes Laos’ Youngest Internationally Rated Chess Player

Seven-year-old Bounthiengtham “Jayson” Sengphachan has already done something no Lao chess player his age...

Thailand’s HIV Cases Pass 550,000, Laos Reports Rising Infections Among Young People

Thailand has recorded 557,993 cumulative HIV cases, health authorities say, even as new infections...

Laos, Vietnam Set USD 4 Billion Trade Goal as Economic Ties Grow

Laos and Vietnam are pushing to take their economic partnership to the next level,...

Former MRC Chief Anoulak Kittikhoun Named First Lao Head of Mekong Institute

Former Mekong River Commission (MRC) Chief Executive Officer Anoulak Kittikhoun has been appointed Executive...

US Imposes 100 Percent Tariffs as China Reports Strong Export Growth

By Peter CATTERALL/AFP - China's trade grew faster than expected last month, official data showed on 13 October, though fresh fears are rising of...

ADB Lowers Laos’ 2025 Growth Forecast to 3.7 Percent Amid Economic Challenges

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered Laos’ 2025 GDP growth forecast from 3.9 percent to 3.7 percent, citing debt vulnerabilities, weak demand, and...

Laos-China Railway Transported Over 15 Million Passengers Since Early 2025

The Laos-China Railway (LCR) transported 15.48 million passengers from January through 8 October this year, a 2.38 percent increase over the same period in...

Thousands Stranded as Record Floods Submerge Vietnam Streets

By Tran Thi Minh Ha/AFP - Record floods submerged streets and inundated homes in Vietnam on 8 October, leaving tens of thousands of people...

SEA Games Mascot Redesign Sparks Debate Over National Identity

The redesign of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2025 mascot has stirred debate in Thailand, as organizers replaced the original seven colorful characters...

East Asia, Pacific Face Slower Growth Without Job-Focused Reforms

World Bank Laos - East Asia and the Pacific continue to grow faster than most parts of the world, but countries need stronger reforms...