In the comforts of everyday life, it is uncommon to see someone stop in their tracks and take on a challenge of such great magnitude. However, comfort was not going to stop Dale Garner, an Australian man, and Raphi Ela, a German woman, from spearheading the challenge.
Laos Advances Russian Language Education with Cultural Festival
A series of events unfolded in Vientiane Capital, Laos, as the Association of Teachers of Literature and Russian Language hosted “Russian Language in Asia” on 21-22 December.
Students in Indonesia Protest the Growing Numbers of Rohingya Refugees in Aceh Province

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) — Students in Indonesia’s Aceh province rallied on Wednesday demanding the government drive away Rohingya refugees arriving by boat in growing numbers as police named more suspects of human trafficking.
South Korean Actor Lee Sun-Kyun of Oscar-Winning Film ‘Parasite’ Found Dead

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Lee Sun-kyun, a popular South Korean actor best known for his role in the Oscar-winning movie “Parasite,” was found dead in a car in Seoul on Wednesday, authorities said, after weeks of an intense police investigation into his alleged drug use.
Laos Charts Course for Growth in 2024 with Tourism Focus, Infrastructure Overhaul Amidst Economic Challenges
As 2023 nears its conclusion, Laos continues to face economic challenges, including surging inflation, a scarcity of labor, and an expanding trade deficit. In response, the nation has initiated the Visit Lao Year 2024 campaign, turning to tourism as a key strategy to overcome economic obstacles and lay the groundwork for a prosperous ASEAN chairmanship in 2024.
Laos to Grow EV Market, Fueled by Renewable Energy Ambitions
The burgeoning popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) in Laos has marked significant growth in 2023, with a total of 4,631 EVs sold, comprising 2,592 cars and 2,039 motorbikes.
Furnace Explosion at Chinese-Owned Nickel Plant in Indonesia Kills at Least 13 and Injures 46 Others

Lao Government Rejects Claims of Luang Prabang’s World Heritage Status Threat Amidst YouTube Controversy
In response to a video uploaded on a Thai YouTube channel, the Lao government has denied claims that Luang Prabang town is at risk of losing its status as a World Heritage Site. But a UNESCO report released in March had already raised concerns about the ongoing Luang Prabang Hydropower Project (LFPP), citing the potential negative impact on the town’s heritage sites.