Feature
Purple Rice from Laos
In 2009, fair trade sales totaled more than 3.4 billion euros. More than 5 million people in over 60 countries have directly or indirectly profited from fairer ties between producer and consumer. It’s a simple idea: Consumers pay a bit more to benefit farmers and producers in less developed countries.
Fighting climate change in Laos
Illegal logging in Laos is increasingly threatening the existence of the country’s wild elephant population. A new program aims to protect the forests and help local communities, animals and the climate.
Laos – Fighting to Save Its Forests
Laos is known as the “land of a million elephants”. But the numbers living in the wild have now fallen to about one thousand. As more forests are cut for timber, nature reserves are becoming ever more important for both elephants and the people of Laos. Now they are learning how to protect the forests [...]
Headlines
Fishery committees to preserve river stocks
The government is looking at setting up fisheries committees to manage conservation areas as the number of fish in the nation’s rivers continues to decline.
Phu Bia to open new gold mine in Laos
Phu Bia, one of the largest mining companies operating in Laos, expects to kick off its new gold mining project in Vientiane province in March, the Australian miner reported.
Korea seeks to shorten hours to create jobs
SEOUL, (The Korea Herald) — The government is aiming to shorten working hours in a bid to create more jobs and improve workers’ quality of life. President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday directed his staff to come up with measures to reduce labor hours, starting with large conglomerates that tower over the local economy.
Govt postpones this year’s logging quota
The government has decided not to approve this year’s logging quota from production forests due to a lack of detailed planning, except where required along road corridors, mine sites or hydropower plants.
National Commission for UNESCO urged to improve coordination
Vientiane province: The Lao National Commission for UNESCO will need to improve its coordination mechanisms to ensure the effectiveness of its work, the chairman stated at a meeting held here in Thalat yesterday. Minister of Education and Sports and Chairman of the Lao National Commission for UNESCO, Dr Phankham Viphavanh, made the comment in his [...]
326 prisoners in Vientiane granted pardon
Some 326 prisoners in Vientiane are the beneficiaries of a presidential pardon to mark last year’s 36th National Day, it was announced at the Ministry of Public Security’s Phonphanao Club yesterday. Under the pardon, 258 prisoners in Vientiane had their sentences reduced, and another 68 were freed after serving time for criminal acts.
Israel, China celebrates 20 years of diplomatic relations
TEL AVIV (China Daily) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday praised the relations between Israel and China at a reception celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries. “We may be celebrating 20 years of relations, but our peoples are now celebrating a thousand years of friendship,” [...]
Govt reaffirms readiness to host ASEM Summit
The government has reaffirmed its readiness to host the upcoming Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in November, with all preparations currently proceeding on schedule.
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