http://www.irinnews.org/Updated everydayen-gbSat, 01 Dec 2012 09:00:31 GMTFri, 30 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>NEW YORK CITY 30 November 2012 (IRIN) - With whom did you last have sex? When? Where? How? At crowded food stalls and in dimly lit bars, Kelvin Parker carries out what HIV researchers call “sexual networking mapping”.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96941/How-to-Map-sexual-networksNEW YORK CITY 30 November 2012 (IRIN) - With whom did you last have sex? When? Where? How? At crowded food stalls and in dimly lit bars, Kelvin Parker carries out what HIV researchers call “sexual networking mapping”.]]>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 09 October 2012 (IRIN) - Food losses in Asia due to disasters or poor storage, packing and delivery are set to worsen, and governments are ill-prepared to stem the wastage, according experts recently convened by the Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies in Singapore.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96485/In-Brief-Southeast-Asia-wasting-too-much-foodBANGKOK 09 October 2012 (IRIN) - Food losses in Asia due to disasters or poor storage, packing and delivery are set to worsen, and governments are ill-prepared to stem the wastage, according experts recently convened by the Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies in Singapore.]]>Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 09 October 2012 (IRIN) - Services to inform communities about the climate are available in higher-income countries, but are not reaching the people most in need of them in developing countries due to lack of government investment and a disconnect between experts and communities facing extreme weather.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96493/CLIMATE-CHANGE-Tackling-the-information-voidBANGKOK 09 October 2012 (IRIN) - Services to inform communities about the climate are available in higher-income countries, but are not reaching the people most in need of them in developing countries due to lack of government investment and a disconnect between experts and communities facing extreme weather.]]>Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>VIENTIANE 03 October 2012 (IRIN) - Promoting consumption of edible insects in Laos may help boost protein-anaemic diets, say health experts trying to create regional health standards for insect production, harvesting and consumption.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96438/LAOS-Insect-farms-run-into-troubleVIENTIANE 03 October 2012 (IRIN) - Promoting consumption of edible insects in Laos may help boost protein-anaemic diets, say health experts trying to create regional health standards for insect production, harvesting and consumption.]]>Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 07 September 2012 (IRIN) - Most countries in Asia have yet to make the rotavirus vaccine part of their national immunization programme (NIP), despite a World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation to do so.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96259/HEALTH-Asia-fails-to-take-up-rotavirus-vaccineBANGKOK 07 September 2012 (IRIN) - Most countries in Asia have yet to make the rotavirus vaccine part of their national immunization programme (NIP), despite a World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation to do so.]]>Wed, 29 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 29 August 2012 (IRIN) - Scientists in the USA are looking to use “gene chip technology” to reduce or contain drug resistance to malaria, an increasing problem globally but particularly in Southeast Asia.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96197/HEALTH-Gene-chip-technology-deployed-in-fight-against-malariaBANGKOK 29 August 2012 (IRIN) - Scientists in the USA are looking to use “gene chip technology” to reduce or contain drug resistance to malaria, an increasing problem globally but particularly in Southeast Asia.]]>Mon, 13 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>LUANG PRABANG 13 August 2012 (IRIN) - Lemons and sweet bamboo may not be associated with frontline efforts to adapt to climate change in most parts of the world, but in Kioutaloun village in northern Laos, rice farmers hit by landslides, land erosion and severe flooding are looking to different crops.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/96088/LAOS-Diversifying-crops-to-cope-with-climate-changeLUANG PRABANG 13 August 2012 (IRIN) - Lemons and sweet bamboo may not be associated with frontline efforts to adapt to climate change in most parts of the world, but in Kioutaloun village in northern Laos, rice farmers hit by landslides, land erosion and severe flooding are looking to different crops.]]>Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>VIENTIANE 26 June 2012 (IRIN) - More than 95 percent of the Lao population use solid fuels for cooking, but the smoke produced by burning them contributes to the high number of child deaths from pneumonia, particularly among the poorest families, say health experts.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95730/LAOS-Household-air-pollution-fuels-pneumoniaVIENTIANE 26 June 2012 (IRIN) - More than 95 percent of the Lao population use solid fuels for cooking, but the smoke produced by burning them contributes to the high number of child deaths from pneumonia, particularly among the poorest families, say health experts.]]>Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>VIENTIANE 17 May 2012 (IRIN) - The government of Laos has taken the unique step of stating its ambition to graduate from the UN list of Least Developed Countries (LDC) by 2020.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95470/LAOS-Aiming-to-leave-least-developed-country-listVIENTIANE 17 May 2012 (IRIN) - The government of Laos has taken the unique step of stating its ambition to graduate from the UN list of Least Developed Countries (LDC) by 2020.]]>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 26 April 2012 (IRIN) - Resistance to an anti-malaria drug, artemisinin, is suspected along the Thailand-Myanmar border and in southern Vietnam, but scientists are hoping that it can be contained. Artemisinin resistance emerged on the Thailand-Cambodia border around eight years ago.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95358/ASIA-Containing-anti-malarial-drug-resistance-in-MekongBANGKOK 26 April 2012 (IRIN) - Resistance to an anti-malaria drug, artemisinin, is suspected along the Thailand-Myanmar border and in southern Vietnam, but scientists are hoping that it can be contained. Artemisinin resistance emerged on the Thailand-Cambodia border around eight years ago.]]>Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>VIENTIANE 16 April 2012 (IRIN) - With pressure on natural resources increasing in Laos, the first community land titles granted to five villages in Vientiane Province could provide a national model for environmental protection while safeguarding the livelihoods of villagers.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95295/LAOS-Communal-land-titles-could-save-more-than-forestsVIENTIANE 16 April 2012 (IRIN) - With pressure on natural resources increasing in Laos, the first community land titles granted to five villages in Vientiane Province could provide a national model for environmental protection while safeguarding the livelihoods of villagers.]]>Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>LONDON 26 March 2012 (IRIN) - Critics have long characterized China as a secretive donor in economically poor but resource-rich countries, funding infrastructure construction in an unspoken bid for business deals and access to natural wealth and land. While China disburses aid with a scant paper trail, analysts say strong-arming its government to boost transparency - and aid efficacy - may hurt countries in need.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/95158/AID-POLICY-Will-pressure-make-Chinese-aid-more-transparentLONDON 26 March 2012 (IRIN) - Critics have long characterized China as a secretive donor in economically poor but resource-rich countries, funding infrastructure construction in an unspoken bid for business deals and access to natural wealth and land. While China disburses aid with a scant paper trail, analysts say strong-arming its government to boost transparency - and aid efficacy - may hurt countries in need.]]>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 14 February 2012 (IRIN) - With 60 percent of the world’s population, Asia has one of the largest concentrations globally of aging persons, creating a host of potential challenges, experts warn.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94856/ASIA-Isolation-poverty-loom-for-an-aging-populationBANGKOK 14 February 2012 (IRIN) - With 60 percent of the world’s population, Asia has one of the largest concentrations globally of aging persons, creating a host of potential challenges, experts warn.]]>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 09 February 2012 (IRIN) - The health of millions of indigenous people across Asia is at risk, experts say, as lack of recognition of their legal status hinders data collection, making their medical problems invisible in most national health surveys.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94816/ASIA-Indigenous-groups-stateless-and-sickBANGKOK 09 February 2012 (IRIN) - The health of millions of indigenous people across Asia is at risk, experts say, as lack of recognition of their legal status hinders data collection, making their medical problems invisible in most national health surveys.]]>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 09 February 2012 (IRIN) - While a number of Asian and Pacific countries are addressing legal barriers to accessing HIV information and treatment, there is still a gap between policy and implementation, say officials.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94817/ASIA-Breaking-down-legal-barriers-to-HIV-information-accessBANGKOK 09 February 2012 (IRIN) - While a number of Asian and Pacific countries are addressing legal barriers to accessing HIV information and treatment, there is still a gap between policy and implementation, say officials.]]>Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>VIENTIANE 02 December 2011 (IRIN) - Kinoy Phongdeth, 34, was one of the first four people given antiretrovirals (ARVs) when the medication initially arrived in Laos in 2003. Now, there are 1,600 people on treatment and the number is expected to jump to 7,000 by 2015, according to the government.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94374/LAOS-Looming-threat-of-quot-catching-up-quot-on-HIV-prevalenceVIENTIANE 02 December 2011 (IRIN) - Kinoy Phongdeth, 34, was one of the first four people given antiretrovirals (ARVs) when the medication initially arrived in Laos in 2003. Now, there are 1,600 people on treatment and the number is expected to jump to 7,000 by 2015, according to the government.]]>Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 18 November 2011 (IRIN) - From rooftops to railroad tracks, Asia's largest cities will need to maximize every bit of space to feed one of the world's fastest-growing populations, said experts at a UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) workshop in Bangkok on resilient food systems in Asia.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94233/ASIA-Boosting-cities-apos-food-resilienceBANGKOK 18 November 2011 (IRIN) - From rooftops to railroad tracks, Asia's largest cities will need to maximize every bit of space to feed one of the world's fastest-growing populations, said experts at a UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) workshop in Bangkok on resilient food systems in Asia.]]>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>LUANG PRABANG 16 November 2011 (IRIN) - In 2010, for the first time in more than 20 years, 140 midwives graduated in Laos but specialists say their skills may go untapped because the country's women are not used to visiting health workers.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94213/LAOS-Bridging-culture-to-promote-maternal-healthLUANG PRABANG 16 November 2011 (IRIN) - In 2010, for the first time in more than 20 years, 140 midwives graduated in Laos but specialists say their skills may go untapped because the country's women are not used to visiting health workers.]]>Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>LUANG PRABANG 16 November 2011 (IRIN) - The Laos government is tackling its notoriously low maternal and child health indicators with a massive midwife training campaign.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94215/LAOS-Magdalen-Muraa-quot-I-started-asking-myself-apos-Why-did-I-come-here-apos-quotLUANG PRABANG 16 November 2011 (IRIN) - The Laos government is tackling its notoriously low maternal and child health indicators with a massive midwife training campaign.]]>Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>MOONMEUANG 02 November 2011 (IRIN) - Training in how to prune peach trees may not be at the top of most drug and crime interventions, but perhaps they should be when it comes to opium, experts say.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94121/LAOS-Poor-farmers-need-alternatives-to-opiumMOONMEUANG 02 November 2011 (IRIN) - Training in how to prune peach trees may not be at the top of most drug and crime interventions, but perhaps they should be when it comes to opium, experts say.]]>Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 27 October 2011 (IRIN) - The equivalent of 160,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools (400 million cubic metres of water) is set to run through Thailand's capital, which can only drain a small fraction daily, according to the government's flood relief operation centre on 26 October.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/94085/THAILAND-Disaster-quot-is-imminent-and-inevitable-quotBANGKOK 27 October 2011 (IRIN) - The equivalent of 160,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools (400 million cubic metres of water) is set to run through Thailand's capital, which can only drain a small fraction daily, according to the government's flood relief operation centre on 26 October.]]>Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>SHANGHAI 12 October 2011 (IRIN) - A top UN official says Asia can, and should, play a more prominent role in the humanitarian response to major natural and man-made disasters.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/93939/DISASTERS-A-bigger-role-for-Asia-in-humanitarian-responseSHANGHAI 12 October 2011 (IRIN) - A top UN official says Asia can, and should, play a more prominent role in the humanitarian response to major natural and man-made disasters.]]>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 11 October 2011 (IRIN) - As residents across flood-ravaged Southeast Asia look up to the skies and brace for more rain, satellites 35,800km away are looking down on them.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/93933/ASIA-How-space-technology-aids-a-flood-responseBANGKOK 11 October 2011 (IRIN) - As residents across flood-ravaged Southeast Asia look up to the skies and brace for more rain, satellites 35,800km away are looking down on them.]]>Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>VIENTIANE 07 September 2011 (IRIN) - Heavy flooding during the northern summer, affecting 10 of the country's 17 provinces, has underlined the need for stronger disaster-management efforts, say experts.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/93672/LAOS-Floods-highlight-disaster-preparedness-needsVIENTIANE 07 September 2011 (IRIN) - Heavy flooding during the northern summer, affecting 10 of the country's 17 provinces, has underlined the need for stronger disaster-management efforts, say experts.]]>Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>THADEAU 29 July 2011 (IRIN) - Ting does not know exactly how the proposed Xayaburi hydropower dam will change his life, but he knows he will be forced to leave his village if it goes ahead.http://www.irinnews.org/Report/93355/LAOS-Villagers-brace-for-relocation-as-dam-project-moves-forwardTHADEAU 29 July 2011 (IRIN) - Ting does not know exactly how the proposed Xayaburi hydropower dam will change his life, but he knows he will be forced to leave his village if it goes ahead.]]>