Laos news stories on Newser

Pocket of Asia Yields 208 New Species—in 1 Year

Mark Russell — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:18:24 CST

It's a region that produces a new species every other day: Carnivorous plants that can eat mice, birds, and lizards. An all-female species of lizard that reproduces by self-cloning. Brightly colored geckos bathed in orange, yellow, blue, and green markings. A noseless monkey that looks like it's wearing an Elvis...

In Laos, Bringing Books to Children—Via Elephant

Evann Gastaldo — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:37:00 CST

In Laos, many children had never seen a book until “Uncle Sasha” came to town. American Sasha Alyson first visited the impoverished country in 2003, and was struck by the lack of books for children. “Many [kids] don't even know what a book is. Sometimes you have to show them...

Vietnam Vet Receives Medal of Honor Posthumously

Kevin Spak — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:53:00 CDT

President Obama awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor today for an act of bravery the military had covered up for decades. Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger was killed while helping three wounded comrades onto an evacuation helicopter during an attack on a US outpost in Laos. But for years, the...

Rare 'Asian Unicorn' Captured in Laos

Evann Gastaldo — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:30:00 CDT

Laos villagers caught a rare animal known as the “Asian unicorn,” only to have it die while in their care. No biologist has reported seeing a Saola, which actually has two horns, in the wild; all existing pictures have been taken by villagers or automatic cameras, the BBC reports. These...

Pregnant Brit Gets Life Sentence in Laos

Matt Cantor — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:04:38 CDT

A pregnant British woman convicted of drug trafficking in Laos last year has been handed a life sentence, AFP reports. Samantha Orobator, 20, who was nabbed while trying to board a plane to Thailand, had been found found guilty of trafficking 1.5 pounds of heroin, said a UK embassy...

Laos May Send Pregnant Brit to UK Prison

Rob Quinn — Fri, 08 May 2009 02:40:38 CDT

A pregnant British woman jailed in Laos could be allowed to serve her sentence in the UK if she is found guilty of drug smuggling, CNN reports. British and Laotian officials signed a prisoner transfer agreement yesterday after meeting in London to discuss the case of Samantha Orobator, 20, who...

Pregnant Brit Won't Face Laos Death Penalty

Harry Kimball — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:26:01 CDT

Samantha Orobator, the Briton jailed in Laos on heroin-smuggling charges, will not face the death penalty because she is pregnant, CNN reports. The 20-year-old was, however, denied access to a British attorney who flew in with assurances they could meet. The lawyer “was refused her first visit,” a UK human-rights...

Brit Mom Pleads for Pregnant Daughter in Laos Prison

Mary Papenfuss — Tue, 05 May 2009 04:22:42 CDT

The mom of a pregnant London woman who may face a Laotian firing squad for drug smuggling pleaded with government officials to save "my baby, my angel," reports the Telegraph . "I'm appealing to the British government, to the Laos authorities, to please release her. I'm down on my knees. Please...

Pregnant Brit May Face Laos Firing Squad

Mary Papenfuss — Mon, 04 May 2009 03:10:35 CDT

A young pregnant Londoner could face a firing squad in Laos if she's convicted of drug smuggling charges in a trial that begins today, reports the Guardian . Samantha Orobator, 20, has not been allowed legal representation in the nine months she has been languishing in notorious Phonthong prison, and it's...