Laos

Tou Lue Vang, a Laotian immigrant pardoned by Minnesota officials in June over a 2006 conviction for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, has been deported to Laos by the federal government. The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, announced the deportation.

Decommissioning teams are working to remove unexploded ordnance in paddy fields, forests, and rural pastures in Laos. The country is preparing to host a review conference of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

The Minnesota Clemency Review Commission pardoned Tou Lue Vang for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which may block his deportation as an illegal immigrant from Laos. Federal officials, including the Department of Homeland Security, criticized the pardon, calling it 'disgusting' and arguing it protects criminal illegal aliens.

Linda Yang refused to let ICE agents take her husband Zong in front of their youngest children, negotiating a one-day delay before his deportation to Laos. Zong was later deported due to a past felony burglary conviction, leaving Linda as a single mother raising their five sons in South St. Paul.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with leaders from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Belarus, and North Korea in June 2026. He hosted 20 national leaders in Beijing this year, including Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, highlighting China's growing global influence amid geopolitical tensions.

High oil prices due to the Iran war and Hormuz Strait disruption have boosted Chinese electric vehicle (EV) exports to developing nations like Southeast Asia, Africa, and Brazil. Chinese EV sales surged in 2026, but charging infrastructure struggles to keep pace, creating a 'chicken-and-egg' challenge for adoption.

A suspect was arrested in a San Jose homicide that occurred June 27, 2016, after an international manhunt. Myung Kim, 31, is accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire case that resulted in a man being fatally shot.

A California fugitive wanted for two murders was captured in Laos and extradited to the United States. Myung Jin Kim was taken into custody by Laotian authorities in late May and flown to Los Angeles International Airport on June 9.

A man suspected of two killings in California was captured in Laos after eight years on the run and was returned to California to face charges.

A man suspected for two California killings was captured in Laos after eight years on the run and was returned to California to face charges.

A Laos cave survivor described being trapped for over a week in a flooded cave with six other Lao nationals who had entered to prospect for gold. The group was rescued after rising water blocked their exit in Xaisomboun province on May 30, 2026.

Two gold miners remain missing in a Laos cave, while five rescued miners are recovering well. Matt Gutman reports on the ongoing search efforts and the positive outcomes for those rescued.

Two gold miners remain missing in a Laos cave, while five rescued miners are reported to be in good health. Efforts continue to locate the two still trapped.

Rescuers in Laos are searching for an alternative route to reach two missing people trapped in a flooded cave after heavy rainfall blocked the main entrance. Five of seven initially trapped individuals have been rescued, with international teams including divers from Thailand, Malaysia, and other countries working to lower water levels and find dry passages.

Mikko Passi, a rescue diver, described the moment miners were freed from a Laos cave after being trapped for 10 days. Two miners remain missing.

Mikko Passi, a rescue diver in Laos, described the moment miners trapped for 10 days were freed. Two miners remain missing.

Rescuers are working to save the last two men among seven people trapped in a cave in Xaisomboun Province, Laos. The incident was captured in a handout image released on May 25, 2026 by Metta Tham Kalasin Rescue via Reuters.

Rescue workers in Laos reported hearing a knocking sound while searching for two missing people in flooded caves. The sound was detected as part of efforts to locate the last two individuals trapped in the cave system.

Rescuers in Laos are searching for an alternative route to reach two missing individuals trapped in a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province after heavy rainfall blocked the main entrance. Five of the seven initially trapped people have been rescued, with international teams including divers from Thailand, Malaysia, and other countries working to lower water levels and identify dry passages.

Rescuers in Laos are searching for an alternative route to reach two missing individuals trapped in a flooded cave after heavy rainfall blocked the main entrance. Five of the seven initially trapped people have been rescued, with international teams from Thailand, Malaysia, and other countries working to lower water levels and locate a dry passage.

Rescue workers in Laos are searching for an alternative route to reach two people trapped in a flooded cave. The individuals have been missing for nearly two weeks.

Lead rescue diver Mikko Paasi noted that four trapped miners in a Laos cave had self-rescued, leading to heartwarming moments during their emergence. The miners' ability to free themselves was a key point highlighted by Paasi.

Lead rescue diver Mikko Paasi described heartwarming moments after four trapped miners in Laos emerged from a cave, noting they had 'self-rescued.'

Five men have been freed from a narrow, flooded cave in Laos, but efforts continue to locate two remaining missing individuals. Survivors are assisting in the search for the last two missing men.

Rescuers are working to save two people trapped in a cave in central Laos after flash floods caused by heavy rains and equipment failures are complicating the search.

Heavy rains in Laos are delaying the search for two missing people in a flooded cave where five others were recently rescued after being trapped for over a week. International divers and rescue teams are working to navigate narrow, water-filled passages to locate the remaining individuals, but challenges include broken equipment and low visibility.

Heavy rains in Laos are delaying the search for two missing people in a flooded cave where five others were recently rescued. International divers and local teams are working to navigate narrow, water-filled passages to locate the remaining individuals.

Rescue workers in Laos have safely evacuated four villagers who had been trapped in a flooded cave for ten days, following the extraction of another person the previous day. Two men remain missing.

Five men have been freed from a flooded cave in Laos, and survivors are assisting efforts to locate the remaining two missing individuals.

Five men trapped in a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos, after searching for gold, successfully rescued themselves following a water-pumping operation. Their unexpected escape surprised rescuers, but two other villagers remain missing deeper in the cave system.

Heavy rains have delayed the search for two people missing in a flooded cave in Laos, where five others were recently rescued after being trapped for over a week. International rescuers, including divers from multiple countries, are working to locate the remaining individuals, with five rescued survivors providing information about potential deeper cave passages.

Heavy rains in Laos are delaying the search for two people missing in a flooded cave, where five others were recently rescued after being trapped for over a week. International rescuers, including divers from Finland, Malaysia, and Thailand, are working to lower water levels and locate the remaining individuals in a narrow crack leading to a potential sixth chamber.

Rain threatens to delay the search for two people missing in a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province, Laos. Rescuers are working in the affected area, but weather conditions may hinder efforts.

Heavy rains are delaying the search for two people missing in a flooded cave in Laos. Five others were previously rescued after being trapped underground for over a week.

Heavy rains in Laos are delaying the search for two people missing in a flooded cave, following the rescue of five villagers trapped for over a week. International rescue teams, including divers from Finland, Malaysia, and other countries, are working to locate the remaining individuals, with hopes pinned on a narrow crack leading to a potential sixth chamber in the cave system.

Divers in Laos have rescued four more villagers trapped in a flooded cave. The first survivor was pulled out on Friday.

Four gold miners were rescued from a flooded cave in Laos after being trapped for over a week. The rescue was reported by Ramy Inocencio.

Four gold miners were rescued from a flooded cave in Laos after being trapped for over a week. The rescue was reported by Ramy Inocencio.

Five men escaped a flooded cave in Laos after ten days. A United flight diverted after an unruly passenger attempted to breach the cockpit.

Five men escaped a flooded cave in Laos after ten days. A United flight diverted after an unruly passenger attempted to breach the cockpit.