Regional

More Lao Citizens Live Abroad as Foreign Population Nearly Doubles

The number of foreign nationals living in Laos has nearly doubled over the past decade, led by a sharp increase in Chinese residents, even as hundreds of thousands of Lao citizens live abroad. Laos recorded 79,827 foreign residents in its 2025 census, up from 45,538 in 2015. The census also...

Lao Migrant Workers Send Home USD 500 Million in First Seven Months of 2026

Lao migrant workers sent an estimated USD 500.7 million back to Laos during the...

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...

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...

Sumatran Rhino Calf Born in Indonesia Adds to Endangered Species of Fewer Than 50 Animals

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A critically endangered Sumatran rhino was born on Indonesia’s western island of Sumatra on Saturday, the second Sumatran rhino born...

ASEAN, China Officials Discuss Enhancing Connectivity Under ‘Belt and Road Initiative’

Officials from China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered on 27 November, in Vientiane Capital to discuss enhancing connectivity under the...

Harnessing the Power of Data to Combat Gender-Based Violence

*Op-ed by the UNFPA Regional Director for Asia & the Pacific, Mr. Pio Smith on International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women ______________________________________________________________________ From informing...

‘depa’ Celebrates Success of Transform: New Normal Market (Extended) Campaign

Empowering SMEs in 75 Markets with Digital Know-How and Pioneering a Digital Marketplace Prototype Across 25 Provinces, "depa" is proud to announce the successful...

WHO Asks China for More Information About Rise in Illnesses and Pneumonia Clusters

GENEVA (AP) — Chinese officials say they did not detect any “unusual or novel diseases” in the country, the World Health Organization said Thursday,...

Laos, Vietnam Reaffirms Special Ties at Ministerial Meeting

Laos and Vietnam have reiterated their commitment to enhancing cooperation during the 10th Foreign Ministerial Political Consultation Meeting in Hanoi on 22 November. Co-chaired by...