Third Secretary at the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Laos, Mr Danil A. Vodopianov (left), gives a press briefing in Vientiane on Wednesday on the latest developments in the Ukraine conflict. The Lao government is closely following the evolving and complex developments in Ukraine and supports ongoing efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the situation through diplomatic means.

Authorities in Luang Prabang province and the city’s commerce and industry office on Wednesday dispose of goods confiscated from shops after inspections revealed them to be sub-standard. About 80 of the items were imported. The goods, comprising food, beverages and general consumer items worth 43 million kip, were removed from shops during checks carried out in October and November.       --Photo Lao National Radio

A member of the TKP Architecture Group gives a vehicle worth 90 million kip to a representative of Meun district in Vientiane province for use in defence and other activities. --Photo Pathetlao

Twenty-eight trainees from 11 villages in the provinces of Borikhamxay, Vientiane and Xieng Khuang join officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for a group photo after completing a training course on computer skills and the management of village fund share-and-saving systems. The training took place at the Laos-Korea Rural Development Training Centre from November 11-15. Participants gained hands-on experience in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, alongside learning essential techniques for managing share-and-saving systems. Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Cooperatives, Dr Phanxay Ingxay, stressed the importance of establishing village savings systems under the Saemaul Geumgo initiative, which is funded by the South Korean government and modelled on Korea’s successful rural development strategy. The initiative seeks to empower communities through self-help and cooperation, thereby driving socio-economic progress at the grassroots level.