https://www.ucanews.com/ UCA News From laos Stories en-us support@ucanews.com Copyright 2023 https://www.ucanews.com/news/mekong-dam-threatens-thousands-of-lao-thai-villagers/101624 UCA101624 Phou Ngoy Dam is the seventh of nine major dams being built on the Mekong River by Laos Mon, 12 Jun 2023 17:42:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-activists-spooked-by-spate-of-incidents/101584 UCA101584 Rights groups point to a disturbing and long-running pattern of harm coming to those who criticize or resist the regime Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:52:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-arrests-rights-activist-for-political-campaign/101280 UCA101280 Laos deals severely with dissidents who call for democracy and human rights Thu, 11 May 2023 18:50:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/political-activist-in-laos-survives-shooting/101208 UCA101208 Rights group says earlier reports that Anousa Luangsuphom died after being shot point blank were false Thu, 04 May 2023 14:58:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-political-activist-gunned-down-in-coffee-shop/101192 UCA101192 Human rights groups demand urgent and impartial investigations as he was among few people openly critical of the government Wed, 03 May 2023 15:16:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/christian-families-forcibly-evicted-from-laos-village/100357 UCA100357 15 families and a pastor in the Communist-ruled nation were allegedly displaced after they refused to renounce their faith Mon, 13 Feb 2023 18:25:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/hundreds-of-trafficking-victims-rescued-from-laos/99821 UCA99821 Chinese-run Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone has become a gambling and tourism hub and haven for criminals Fri, 23 Dec 2022 11:07:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-christians-dismayed-over-pastors-murder-probe/99734 UCA99734 The evangelical pastor was threatened to stop religious activities before he was kidnapped and murdered Wed, 14 Dec 2022 17:46:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/christians-demand-justice-for-lao-pastors-murder/99439 UCA99439 Minority Christians in Laos face persecution regularly as many view Christianity as an alien faith Wed, 16 Nov 2022 18:06:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-pm-blames-graft-for-economic-failure/97815 UCA97815 Food and fuel costs soar amid runaway inflation with the impoverished country on the brink of bankruptcy Tue, 28 Jun 2022 11:46:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/pope-appoints-seminary-professor-as-new-bishop-in-laos/97515 UCA97515 Apostolic Vicariate of Pakse was without a bishop since 2017 Fri, 03 Jun 2022 17:38:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-regime-maintains-iron-grip-on-media/97216 UCA97216 Reporters Without Borders ranks the communist nation near the bottom in its latest World Press Freedom Index Wed, 11 May 2022 11:22:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/official-report-highlights-endemic-corruption-in-laos/96959 UCA96959 Impoverished nation's people want more details about officials involved in rampant graft and impunity Wed, 20 Apr 2022 11:30:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/covid-cases-in-laos-hit-record-highs-amid-third-wave/96745 UCA96745 Almost half of those tested return positive result as Omicron takes hold of impoverished nation Mon, 04 Apr 2022 09:56:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/persecuted-christian-family-face-renewed-pressure-in-laos/96673 UCA96673 Displaced Christians ordered to remove social media posts detailing attacks by Buddhist villagers Mon, 28 Mar 2022 14:30:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/trafficked-thai-workers-escape-chinese-run-scam-in-laos/96531 UCA96531 Thais held against their will after being duped into selling dodgy shares in Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Thu, 17 Mar 2022 12:18:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/christian-family-attacked-forcibly-displaced-for-faith-in-laos/96270 UCA96270 In rural areas of Laos, Christians are routinely victimized by other villagers for their faith, Christians say Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:08:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/death-of-last-dolphin-in-laos-highlights-mekongs-parlous-state/96199 UCA96199 Critically endangered aquatic mammal reportedly died after being caught in fishing net Tue, 22 Feb 2022 11:50:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-authorities-rescue-women-from-chinese-run-economic-zone/96070 UCA96070 Local women tricked into prostitution by unscrupulous brokers and employers with promises of high wages as ‘chat girls’ Fri, 11 Feb 2022 14:45:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laotian-catholics-honor-first-lay-martyr-with-new-church/95808 UCA95808 Blessed Paul Thoj Xyooj (1941-60) was a young catechist killed by communist troops for his faith Fri, 21 Jan 2022 15:17:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/life-works-and-enforced-disappearance-of-a-lao-activist/95360 UCA95360 Shui-meng, wife of Sombath Somphone, has launched a book on the ninth anniversary of his disappearance Tue, 14 Dec 2021 17:27:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/australia-urged-to-press-laos-on-rights-violations/95298 UCA95298 Human Rights Watch says treatment of political dissidents and enforced disappearances are of particular concern Thu, 09 Dec 2021 12:11:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/us-churchs-agriculture-project-helps-poor-in-laos/95207 UCA95207 First Free Church has supported Laotian farmers to produce nutrition-packed seeds to overcome poverty Thu, 02 Dec 2021 18:23:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-extends-lockdown-as-covid-cases-rise/94782 UCA94782 Vientiane's vaccination rollout remains slow despite Cambodia's vaccine donation Mon, 01 Nov 2021 14:46:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-workers-quit-chinese-run-banana-plantations/94751 UCA94751 Many complained of being routinely exploited amid hazardous working conditions Fri, 29 Oct 2021 12:06:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-villagers-still-disenfranchised-three-years-after-eviction/94358 UCA94358 Relocated villagers lack sufficient land and water in resettlement towns Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:10:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-christians-still-homeless-almost-a-year-after-eviction/94231 UCA94231 Villagers expelled because they refused to renounce their faith were promised new homes Wed, 22 Sep 2021 11:34:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/mrc-to-lead-joint-study-of-mekong-river-basin/94234 UCA94234 Floods, droughts, climate change and dams to underscore major three-year study Tue, 21 Sep 2021 15:59:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/food-shortage-hits-lao-villagers-amid-covid-19-lockdown/94220 UCA94220 The government has imposed lockdowns in some provinces after a recent spike in coronavirus cases Tue, 21 Sep 2021 12:17:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-buddhists-oppose-chinese-style-buddha-statue/94159 UCA94159 A Chinese-style Buddha undermines Laos' culture and identity, Laotians say Thu, 16 Sep 2021 09:33:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/desperate-laos-turns-to-herbal-treatment-as-covid-19-surges/93779 UCA93779 Migrant workers returning from Thailand are believed to have triggered the country's outbreak Thu, 19 Aug 2021 12:02:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/christians-vulnerable-as-covid-19-surges-in-laos/93552 UCA93552 The minority community are at risk as they are routinely denied medical treatment Tue, 03 Aug 2021 12:04:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/heavy-rainfall-eases-drought-effects-in-mekong-delta/93505 UCA93505 River levels remain lower than 'alarming' levels, Mekong River Commission says Thu, 29 Jul 2021 17:29:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-extends-lockdown-after-rise-in-covid-cases/93360 UCA93360 Migrant workers returning from neighboring countries are mainly responsible for new infections Tue, 20 Jul 2021 13:50:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-sees-spike-in-covid-cases-as-migrant-workers-return/93277 UCA93277 Fears are growing the outbreak could overwhelm the poor country's rudimentary health system Wed, 14 Jul 2021 11:45:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-farmers-abandon-rural-areas-in-droves/93204 UCA93204 Large-scale projects by the communist regime have left many villagers without any farmland to cultivate Fri, 09 Jul 2021 16:42:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/covid-19-fuels-trafficking-of-lao-women-to-china/93213 UCA93213 Poor and uneducated young women and girls are deceived and lured into the sex trade and false marriages Fri, 09 Jul 2021 13:32:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/un-warns-laos-over-persecution-of-hmong/93115 UCA93115 Rights advocates alarmed over military attacks and the recent disappearance of four Hmong people Fri, 02 Jul 2021 12:06:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/eu-urged-to-press-laos-over-human-rights-violations/92895 UCA92895 Despite talks between the bloc and the communist government, little progress has been made in addressing rights abuses Wed, 16 Jun 2021 11:52:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/suffer-the-children-laos-does-little-to-tackle-child-labor/92854 UCA92854 Many parents see little point in educating their children as schooling is not required for menial tasks and agricultural work Mon, 14 Jun 2021 10:54:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/poverty-forces-lao-children-to-drop-out-of-school/92813 UCA92813 Almost 30 percent of children aged 5-17 are believed to be engaged in forms of labor in the communist country Thu, 10 Jun 2021 11:39:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-authorities-tighten-screws-on-social-media-users/92722 UCA92722 Newly created task force monitors posts and comments 'to lay out rules and punishments' Thu, 03 Jun 2021 12:54:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-women-trafficked-into-china-under-false-pretenses/92609 UCA92609 Teenage girls and unmarried women from ethnic minority communities are particularly at risk of falling victim to traffickers Wed, 26 May 2021 16:41:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laotian-pastor-forced-to-promise-he-will-not-resume-preaching/92515 UCA92515 Sithon Thippavong is released after a year in jail after pledging he will refrain from holding Christian religious activities Wed, 19 May 2021 13:04:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-follows-cambodia-into-lockdown-as-covid-numbers-rise/92202 UCA92202 Video of Cambodian security guards caning people in the streets goes viral Thu, 22 Apr 2021 13:07:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/rights-advocate-calls-for-release-of-three-lao-dissidents/92112 UCA92112 Trio sentenced in 2017 for participating in pro-democracy rally outside Lao embassy in Bangkok Thu, 15 Apr 2021 11:58:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/a-small-victory-for-christians-in-communist-laos/92063 UCA92063 Pastor is released after a year in jail but convicted of 'disrupting unity' for holding religious services Mon, 12 Apr 2021 10:59:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/religious-freedom-violated-in-laos-says-us-report/92018 UCA92018 New report notes arbitrary detention of political dissidents and serious restrictions on free speech and media Wed, 07 Apr 2021 15:45:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laotian-authorities-urged-to-release-christian-pastor/91964 UCA91964 Sithon Thippavong was arrested a year ago after authorities accused him of holding religious services without permission Thu, 01 Apr 2021 12:04:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/development-trumps-rights-in-authoritarian-laos/91581 UCA91581 Authorities clamp down harshly on any citizen who voices complaints and concerns on social media Mon, 01 Mar 2021 14:21:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/its-time-to-speak-up-for-persecuted-christians-in-laos/91458 UCA91458 Many Laotians are in need of hope and prayer as dengue fever takes a toll across the impoverished country Thu, 18 Feb 2021 17:05:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/mystery-over-murder-of-lao-christian-leader/91423 UCA91423 Police are investigating whether the Hmong man was killed because of his religious beliefs Tue, 16 Feb 2021 11:59:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/mekong-river-drops-to-worrying-low-levels/91390 UCA91390 Fishermen say their stocks have dwindled to a few kilograms, forcing them to migrate, while crop harvests have also suffered Fri, 12 Feb 2021 14:47:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/fears-grow-for-missing-christian-in-laos/91349 UCA91349 Farmer Sithong Theppavong was seized by authorities last March after starting a small church on his property Wed, 10 Feb 2021 10:50:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/law-no-protection-for-persecuted-christians-in-laos/91064 UCA91064 Khmu ethnic minority villagers face hostility and threats for embracing a religion seen as subversive and alien Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:57:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/many-questions-but-no-answers-over-disappeared-lao-activist/90693 UCA90693 The wife of Sombath Somphone wants honesty from the government about the fate of the development worker Tue, 15 Dec 2020 15:07:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/speaking-out-spells-trouble-in-repressive-laos/90672 UCA90672 Rights violations remain commonplace with citizens facing harassment and arrest over trivial matters Mon, 14 Dec 2020 13:30:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/when-will-laotians-celebrate-christmas-with-cheer/90592 UCA90592 Villagers in the Buddist-majority Laos fiercely oppose people deviating from their traditional cultural practices Mon, 07 Dec 2020 17:12:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/jailed-for-holding-a-christian-funeral-in-communist-laos/90035 UCA90035 Four Christian men held without charge for violating the Buddhist country's traditional customs Tue, 27 Oct 2020 10:53:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-villagers-force-christians-from-homes-over-faith/89953 UCA89953 The case is the latest in a series of abuses against the religious minority in the predominantly Buddhist nation Tue, 20 Oct 2020 15:22:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/vatican-should-end-its-silence-on-persecuted-christians-of-laos/89800 UCA89800 Even financial support would be welcome in a poor country where Christians can be arrested for their faith Thu, 08 Oct 2020 10:35:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-christians-persecuted-despite-vow-to-protect-them/89716 UCA89716 Rights groups document faithful being held in prison for months on vague charges Thu, 01 Oct 2020 11:06:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-government-takes-steps-to-protect-christians/89686 UCA89686 Despite 2019 law permitting degree of religious freedom, Christians face continued harassment Tue, 29 Sep 2020 11:58:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/persecution-forces-laotian-christians-to-practice-faith-in-secret/89564 UCA89564 Christians face threats from other villagers as well as official intimidation in the communist nation Thu, 17 Sep 2020 12:04:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-on-thin-ice-as-china-takes-control-of-electricity-grid/89456 UCA89456 The communist nation's poor have been saddled with debt incurred by its ruling elite Wed, 09 Sep 2020 10:56:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/the-telling-silence-about-an-abducted-lao-activist/89441 UCA89441 Communist regime won't investigate his disappearance because doing so would mean investigating itself Tue, 08 Sep 2020 17:24:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/opinions-are-dangerous-in-communist-laos/89389 UCA89389 Criticism of the state or its officials can bring long jail sentences in the impoverished nation Thu, 03 Sep 2020 12:05:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/us-citizen-indicted-for-child-sex-after-returning-from-laos/89370 UCA89370 American expat accused of using educational charity in Luang Prabang as a front to sexually abuse children Wed, 02 Sep 2020 12:44:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/facebook-helps-mekong-countries-tackle-floods-drought/89352 UCA89352 Social media giant partners Mekong River Commission to provide early-warning systems Tue, 01 Sep 2020 11:46:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/covid-19-expected-to-slash-laos-exports/89341 UCA89341 Poverty on the rise in the tiny communist nation after suspension of factory operations Mon, 31 Aug 2020 14:46:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/nowhere-to-hide-se-asian-nations-conspire-as-dissidents-disappear/89293 UCA89293 Even when they escape their own countries, pro-democracy activists often pay with their lives Thu, 27 Aug 2020 10:52:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/journalism-a-tool-of-indoctrination-in-communist-laos/89200 UCA89200 Laotians will never have access to independent and reliable information as long as the media remain muzzled Wed, 19 Aug 2020 11:42:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/hrw-calls-on-lao-government-to-release-dissidents/89102 UCA89102 Communist regime steps up surveillance and harassment of activists Tue, 11 Aug 2020 12:24:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/dengue-virus-ravages-impoverished-laos/89033 UCA89033 Silent killer takes a far greater toll than the Covid-19 pandemic Wed, 05 Aug 2020 12:18:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/displaced-lao-villagers-still-waiting-for-compensation/88971 UCA88971 Communities forced to relocate for dam projects struggle to eke out a living as activists warn of environmental perils Thu, 30 Jul 2020 13:17:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/severe-drought-warning-for-laos-cambodia-and-vietnam/88933 UCA88933 Mekong River Commission chief calls for stronger regional collaboration to address problems Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:11:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-borders-to-stay-closed-to-foreign-nationals/88787 UCA88787 Covid-19 tests and medical certificates also required before leaving is permitted Wed, 15 Jul 2020 17:06:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/another-mekong-dam-threatens-catastrophe/88644 UCA88644 Laos government's plan to build its largest dam sparks new fears over environmental damage Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:56:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/christians-in-laos-shunned-for-believing-in-americas-god/88354 UCA88354 The scars of the Vietnam War run deep in the landlocked communist country Thu, 11 Jun 2020 10:54:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/covid-19-lockdown-takes-toll-on-laos-economy/88134 UCA88134 Despite only 19 confirmed cases, the contagion has battered the small and impoverished communist country Mon, 25 May 2020 15:03:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-dam-plan-sparks-fresh-fears-over-mekong/88082 UCA88082 Move to make country 'battery of Southeast Asia' threatens millions and the river, environmentalists say Wed, 20 May 2020 12:27:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/secretive-laos-reports-very-few-covid-19-cases/87907 UCA87907 Observers fear 19 infections could be the tip of the iceberg in a country where strict censorship prevails Mon, 04 May 2020 13:30:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-celebrates-new-year-under-covid-19-cloud/87710 UCA87710 Pandemic threatens to hinder the small country's development as it focuses on poverty reduction Tue, 14 Apr 2020 17:15:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/yet-another-laos-dam-across-the-mekong/87206 UCA87206 One-party states and military governments thumb their noses at reason Wed, 12 Feb 2020 18:04:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-woman-arrested-for-criticizing-flood-relief-efforts/86162 UCA86162 Her Facebook comments slammed slow govt response to severe flooding Mon, 23 Sep 2019 15:03:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/villagers-remain-destitute-by-deadly-lao-dam-collapse/85742 UCA85742 Grim future faced by thousands in temporary camps part of broader problem linked to dam construction in the country Tue, 30 Jul 2019 10:18:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/no-compensation-for-lao-villagers-displaced-by-china-railway/85716 UCA85716 Construction of China-Lao railway is forcing villagers to relocate Wed, 24 Jul 2019 14:55:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/lao-villagers-brace-for-resettlement-for-new-mekong-dam-project/85487 UCA85487 Laos wants to become a power-generating hub for Southeast Asia Mon, 01 Jul 2019 12:47:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/undernutrition-robs-lao-children-of-the-start-they-need/84888 UCA84888 Problem begins in the womb with mothers not eating enough food while pregnant Wed, 03 Apr 2019 15:48:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/little-laos-struggles-to-swallow-chinese-debt/84781 UCA84781 Railway linking Kunming with Vientiane expected to bring influx of Chinese to tiny landlocked country Tue, 26 Mar 2019 11:53:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/business-as-usual-as-lao-further-squeezes-religions/83625 UCA83625 Critics say the constitution is being violated to suppress freedom of worship and expression Fri, 28 Dec 2018 03:57:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-grapples-with-its-own-green-monsters/81211 UCA81211 Landlocked Southeast Asian country facing double environmental threats of destructive dams and illegal logging Wed, 10 Jan 2018 12:50:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/catholics-in-laos-welcome-first-cardinal-appointment/79309 UCA79309 Cardinal-designate Ling uses dialogue rather than confrontation when addressing church issues with the government Wed, 27 Dec 2017 09:21:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laos-first-cardinal-aims-for-interfaith-unity/80854 UCA80854 Describing his three years in jail he says it was Jesus Christ, not him, who was behind bars Fri, 24 Nov 2017 11:34:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/laotian-catholics-prepare-for-asian-youth-day/79544 UCA79544 Participant says they will give testimony on how faith is lived in a communist country Tue, 20 Jun 2017 15:39:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/papal-surprise-laos-gets-its-first-cardinal/79283 UCA79283 Pope Francis continues to deliver on his promise to focus on the church’s peripheries Mon, 22 May 2017 13:45:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/nutrition-for-children-in-laos/78193 UCA78193 Meeting the needs faced by children in poor families in Laos Wed, 25 Jan 2017 10:57:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/catholic-church-honors-the-martyrs-of-laos/77887 UCA77887 Pathet Lao communists killed 17 priests, catechists and laypeople between 1954 -1970 Tue, 13 Dec 2016 16:40:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/three-priests-ordained-in-communist-run-laos/77234 UCA77234 There are now 20 priests who serve the small Catholic community in the impoverished country Thu, 29 Sep 2016 14:31:00 +0700 https://www.ucanews.com/news/rights-groups-ask-world-leaders-to-tackle-abuses-in-laos/77012 UCA77012 Communist nation is at the bottom of rights and development indexes Fri, 02 Sep 2016 16:04:00 +0700