People and government
Vietnam Jails Six Bloggers, Activists in One-day Sweep Across the Country
Vietnamese courts on Thursday sentenced six dissident bloggers and activists to long terms in prison amid a continuing crackdown on online expressions of dissent in the one-party communist state that has seen dozens of people jailed this year, sources said. In southeastern Vietnam’s Dong Nai province, ...
Groups object to $250m World Bank project
More than 40 civil society organisations urged the World Bank to stop a project worth US$250 million (K380.3 billion) in eastern Myanmar over concerns it could undermine Karen culture and traditions. The Peaceful and Prosperous Communities Project targets the development of conflict zones in eastern Myanmar. According ...
Despite Efforts to Stamp Out Corruption, Laos Remains Corrupt
Laos continues to struggle with rampant corruption despite recent efforts to eliminate it from the halls of government, according to the country’s State Audit Organization (SAO). At a Lao National Assembly meeting earlier this month, the organization reported massive losses resulting from under-the-table deals made by ...
Sustainable development discussed at urban forum
The Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, in cooperation with UN Cambodia, held the Cambodia Urban Forum for the first time on Wednesday to identify priorities towards smart, sustainable and inclusive urban development in Cambodia. The forum’s information report said the event covered discussions ...
Voun Dara
Xayaboury earthquake damage estimated at 2 billion kip
Damage to property in Hongsa and Xaysathan districts of Xayaboury province has been estimated at over 2 billion kip after at least 300 families were affected by an earthquake last week. Director of the province’s Labour and Social Welfare Department, Mr Nouphone Xaypanyachith, said two earthquakes ...
Mekong-Republic of Korea Summit held in Busan
THE First Mekong-Republic of Korea (ROK) Summit was held in Busan, South Korea, yesterday co-chaired by President Moon Jae-in, General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The leaders adopted the “Mekong-Han River Declaration for Establishing Partnership for People, Prosperity and Peace” and agreed to continue the Mekong-ROK cooperation based on ...
Exhibition highlighting biological resources of Mekong region opens
A special exhibition highlighting the rich ecology surrounding the Mekong region and various uses of the biological resources, such as in skin care and cosmetic products, commemorating the 1st Mekong-ROK Summit in Busan that opened Wednesday for a monthlong run. “Life on the Mekong; Connecting People, ...
Course organisers assess scheme to provide rural women with job skills
The Lao Women’s Union and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family have joined forces to provide vocational training for Lao women, to improve their job prospects. A meeting to discuss the management of the project took place on Friday at the Lao ...
Vientiane Vision 2.0 Puts Japan’s Asia Security Role into Focus
One of the significant but under noticed developments at this year’s ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-related (ADMM) meetings in Bangkok was Japan’s launching of a sequel to its defense initiative for Southeast Asian states, termed Vientiane Vision 2.0. The development once again put the focus on ...
Prashanth Parameswaran
Sub-decree to transfer health services ‘closer to the people’
The National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Development (NCDD) has approved a draft sub-decree to improve the provision of health services in a quality, safe, effective and equitable manner. Consisting of eight chapters and 27 articles, the sub-decree outlines the delegating of authority in health service provision ...
Mech Dara