Laos

Seven-year-old Lao chess player Bounthiengtham “Jayson” Sengphachan became the country’s youngest internationally rated player after his performance at youth tournaments in Australia, including Best U8 titles in Epping and Pymble and a second-place finish

Stricter rules for electric vehicle charging require official approval for home EV chargers and tighter public safety standards; The measures aim to regulate the expanding market and ensure infrastructures meets national technical standards

Nearly 10 million trees will be planted under a nationwide reforestation plan designed to restore degraded forests, improve biodiversity and support climate resilience; The initiative also seeks to strengthen long-term environmental sustainability

Laos is relocating 845 families in Oudomxay Province to clear land for a hydropower dam; Authorities are displacing communities to resettlement sites with housing and services, but concerns remain over compensation and loss of livelihoods

First aquarium in laos is being planned in Vientiane, featuring freshwater species from the Mekong and regional rivers; The facility will include educational exhibits, conservation programs and research spaces

A major corruption case in Attapeu revealed billions of kip in stolen public funds and exposed widespread financial mismanagement in local government; 38 officials and business figures are implicated in embezzlement and abuse of public investment projects

Thailand has eased oil export controls to Laos, allowing shipments to resume under revised monitoring measures; The move follows supply disruptions and aims to stabilise cross-border energy trade

An agreement for a 100-megawatt solar power plant in Oudomxay province was signed with a South Korean energy company including panels, transmission links and grid integration; Laos aims to diversify beyond hydropower and attract foreign investments

Construction began on a Vietnam-backed aluminum project in Sekong following approval of land use, environment impact, licenses; it includes mine development, processing hub and supporting infrastructure, and is part of Laos’ minerals-led growth strategy

Laos and Vietnam will establish a joint university in Laos and expand student exchange programs; The initiative seeks to strengthen bilateral ties, improve higher education and develop human capital through closer academic and institutional cooperation