TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s nuclear safety regulators have told the operator of a nuclear power plant in the area hit by a powerful New Year’s Day quake to study its potential impact.
Nuclear Safety Agency Orders Impact Study of Japan’s Earthquake

Local Team to Host Cycling Criterium in Vientiane
Laos has never really seen cycling as a competitive sport, but that may soon change. A group of passionate cyclists is organizing the first cycling competition in the country. They hope this event will inspire both locals and international residents to cycle more, not just for personal health but also to reduce smog.
Laos to Balance Tourist Appeal, Hydropower Ambitions
Laos is at a crucial time in its economic development, navigating the balance between attracting visitors for Visit Laos Year 2024 and bolstering its hydropower potential.
Dog Meat Production, Sales Will Soon Become Illegal in South Korea
Laos Appoints Alounkeo Kittikhoun as ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar

Alounkeo Kittikhoun, a former minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and a veteran Lao diplomat, has been appointed as the new Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) special envoy to Myanmar.
A Blue Legacy for Children’s Rights: UNICEF Laos’ 50th Anniversary
It was 1973, and the peace agreement between the Royal Lao Government and the communist Pathet Lao marked the end of the Lao civil war and set the stage for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to step into Laos.
Khammouane Health Authorities Cracks Down on Steroid-Infused Traditional Remedy

The Ministry of Health in Khammouane Province initiated a crackdown on a traditional remedy after the discovery of steroids in over 800 bottles of black liquid. The operation took place on 4 January, following an investigation by provincial health authorities targeting traditional medicine shops in Thakhek and Hinboun districts.