http://www.irinnews.org/irin-fp.aspxUpdated everydayen-gbThu, 26 Apr 2012 07:30:44 GMTThu, 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.aspx?ReportId=95358BANGKOK 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.aspx?ReportId=95295VIENTIANE 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.aspx?ReportId=95158LONDON 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.aspx?ReportId=94856BANGKOK 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.aspx?ReportId=94816BANGKOK 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.aspx?ReportId=94817BANGKOK 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.aspx?ReportId=94374VIENTIANE 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.aspx?ReportId=94233BANGKOK 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.aspx?ReportId=94213LUANG 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.aspx?ReportId=94215LUANG 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.aspx?ReportId=94121MOONMEUANG 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.aspx?ReportId=94085BANGKOK 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.aspx?ReportId=93939SHANGHAI 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.aspx?ReportId=93933BANGKOK 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.aspx?ReportId=93672VIENTIANE 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.aspx?ReportId=93355THADEAU 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.]]>Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>VIENTIANE 15 July 2011 (IRIN) - An upsurge in drug trafficking in Laos is fuelling the potential for drug abuse among the youth, the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) warns.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=93232VIENTIANE 15 July 2011 (IRIN) - An upsurge in drug trafficking in Laos is fuelling the potential for drug abuse among the youth, the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) warns.]]>Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>VIENTIANE 06 July 2011 (IRIN) - The number of people involved in unexploded ordnance (UXO) accidents in Laos, the world's most cluster-bombed country, has dropped from an average of 300 a year to 117 in the past two years, according to government statistics.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=93154VIENTIANE 06 July 2011 (IRIN) - The number of people involved in unexploded ordnance (UXO) accidents in Laos, the world's most cluster-bombed country, has dropped from an average of 300 a year to 117 in the past two years, according to government statistics.]]>Thu, 23 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 23 June 2011 (IRIN) - International NGOs in Laos have stepped up their criticism of what they describe as Nestlé’s unethical marketing of infant formula.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=93040BANGKOK 23 June 2011 (IRIN) - International NGOs in Laos have stepped up their criticism of what they describe as Nestlé’s unethical marketing of infant formula.]]>Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>VIENTIANE 26 May 2011 (IRIN) - Trafficked girls have few prospects upon their return home and often the family pushes them back into leaving, warn aid workers.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=92813VIENTIANE 26 May 2011 (IRIN) - Trafficked girls have few prospects upon their return home and often the family pushes them back into leaving, warn aid workers.]]>Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 20 April 2011 (IRIN) - The Mekong - the world's 12th longest river and a lifeline for millions - has won a temporary reprieve from the construction of a controversial dam in Laos when the four member countries of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) failed to reach an agreement, deferring the decision to ministerial level later this year. http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=92529BANGKOK 20 April 2011 (IRIN) - The Mekong - the world's 12th longest river and a lifeline for millions - has won a temporary reprieve from the construction of a controversial dam in Laos when the four member countries of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) failed to reach an agreement, deferring the decision to ministerial level later this year. ]]>Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>VIENTIANE 05 April 2011 (IRIN) - Three years after the Lao government adopted its first mental health policy, there is still no national plan of action or implementation strategy, say mental health experts.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=92362VIENTIANE 05 April 2011 (IRIN) - Three years after the Lao government adopted its first mental health policy, there is still no national plan of action or implementation strategy, say mental health experts.]]>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 25 February 2011 (IRIN) - The proposed Xayabury Dam on the lower Mekong River promises to supply much-needed energy to the region, but at a "devastating" environmental and personal cost to surrounding communities, say activists and environmental experts.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=92037BANGKOK 25 February 2011 (IRIN) - The proposed Xayabury Dam on the lower Mekong River promises to supply much-needed energy to the region, but at a "devastating" environmental and personal cost to surrounding communities, say activists and environmental experts.]]>Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>BANGKOK 25 January 2011 (IRIN) - Chronic disease could kill up to 4.2 million people annually in Southeast Asia by the year 2030, according to new research published in the UK medical journal, The Lancet.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=91723BANGKOK 25 January 2011 (IRIN) - Chronic disease could kill up to 4.2 million people annually in Southeast Asia by the year 2030, according to new research published in the UK medical journal, The Lancet.]]>Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT]]>XIENGKHUANG 04 January 2011 (IRIN) - In the two years since the Laos government set up the first team of women clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO), they have had lots of attention, but this has not translated into increased funding, says the UN, which is supporting government programmes.http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=91526XIENGKHUANG 04 January 2011 (IRIN) - In the two years since the Laos government set up the first team of women clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO), they have had lots of attention, but this has not translated into increased funding, says the UN, which is supporting government programmes.]]>