Latest news with #Laotian
The Mainichi
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Japan Emperor meets Laos president, discuss Princess Aiko's upcoming tour
TOKYO -- Japan's Emperor Naruhito met with Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith at the Imperial Palace here on May 30. With this year marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Princess Aiko, the only daughter of the Emperor and Empress Masako, is scheduled to travel to Laos in November in her first official visit overseas. During the meeting, President Thongloun stated that he is much honored to welcome Princess Aiko to his country, and Emperor Naruhito responded, "She is very much looking forward to the visit." Thongloun also expressed that he highly appreciates the activities of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers dispatched to Laos from Japan, noting that people-to-people relationships are supporting ties between Japan and Laos. The Emperor explained that he has met those volunteers upon their return to Japan, and said, "It's a great pleasure that you appreciate their activities."
7NEWS
18 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Workers from Laos bar where Aussie teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones died of methanol poisoning flee country to new jobs
Two workers employed at the Laos bar where two Australian travellers died of methanol poisoning have fled the country. They had been working at the Nana Backpackers Hostel when the 19-year-old Melbourne women, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, became two of six international victims that died after drinking the tainted alcohol in the establishment. The Herald Sun revealed on Friday that the two men, employed as a bartender and a hostel manager at the time of the incident in November last year, have found new jobs in Vietnam. After they fled the Laos tourist town of Vang Vieng, the outlet reports that the former hostel manager, known as Pikachu, was employed at a new hostel in his home country of Vietnam, and that the former bartender was now employed at a hotel there. The two men were among those detained after the incident. Hotel staff and management were among at least eight people taken into police custody. The Laotian government vowed to 'bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law'. But no charges have been filed, and officials in Laos have released almost no details in the mass poisoning case since November. Alongside the Melbourne teens, an American man, two Danish women and a British woman died of methanol poisoning at the hostel. Jones and Bowles had joined other guests for free shots of alcohol offered by the hostel before going out for the night, but after becoming ill, did not leave their room for 24 hours and failed to check out as scheduled. They were taken to a hospital in Laos before being transferred to Thailand, where they were treated in two separate Bangkok hospitals after their parents raced to be by their bedsides. Jones' father Mark, upon learning of the whereabouts of the bartender and hostel manager, told the Herald Sun: 'We want the Australian Government to apply as much pressure as they can to bring justice to all those involved in the methanol poisoning of our girls.' Methanol is a form of alcohol commonly used in cleaning and industrial products, but it is toxic for humans and drinking as little as 30ml can be lethal. Outbreaks of methanol poisoning occur when the chemical is added to alcoholic drinks, either inadvertently through traditional brewing methods or deliberately — usually in the pursuit of profit. Thousands of people suffer from methanol poisoning every year, with most cases reported in Asia from people drinking bootlegged liquor or homemade alcohol. Many Southeast Asian nations have low safety standards, patchy regulatory enforcement and high levels of police corruption. Stream free on
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Blow to families after staff who served methanol laced drinks that killed Brit lawyer & 5 other backpackers in Laos FLEE
STAFF members who served a Brit backpacker and five other tourists deadly drinks laced with poison in Laos have sparked outrage by fleeing the country. The cruel twist came after 6 Staff members who served Brit Simone White and five other poison-laced alcohol have fled the country Credit: PA 6 The Nana Backpacker Hostel, in Vang Vieng, Laos, where six backpackers died after drinking tainted alcohol laced with methanol Credit: Enterprise 6 Duong Duc Toan, the manager of Nana Backpackers hostel where the victims were staying According to the Herald Sun, at least two employees who were "detained" following the Tragic Simone was among five other backpackers who also lost their lives after Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19 and from Australia, as well as two young women from All of them were staying at the hostel along with 100 more guests. READ MORE WORLD NEWS After hearing that two of the suspects had fled Laos, Bianca's dad told the Herald Sun: "We want the Australian Government to apply as much pressure as they can to bring justice to all those involved in the methanol poisoning of our girls, the Danish girl and the British girl in Laos." The group died after they consumed vodka and whiskey laced with deadly methanol at the Nana Backpackers hostel in the town of Her mum Most read in The Sun She said she feared Simone would die after being called by the hospital who told her she needed emergency brain surgery. After arriving at Laos hospital Sue was given the devastating ultimatum over whether to leave her daughter on life support or not. Brit lawyer Simone White, 28, dies in 'methanol-laced alcohol poisoning' that left 4 others dead in backpacking hotspot Doctors refused to switch off the machine due to their religion - but told Sue she could do it herself. The distraught mum said she had to take a tube out of her dying daughter's mouth before making the incredibly painful and "traumatic" decision to switch off the machine. Simone's No charges have been made six months after the fatal ordeal, despite Laotian authorities reportedly preparing charges for up to 13 people. The 13 suspects have been accused of violating food and health security, unlawful business operations and the elimination of evidence, according to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs. It comes just weeks after the families of Bianca and Holly, who died from suspected methanol poisoning, slammed cops over 6 Laos methanol poison victim, Simone White, with her mum Sue 6 Sue revealed her daughter's final message in an interview alongside Simone's friend Bethany Clarke Credit: 60 Minutes Australia 6 The two teens tragically died just days after the shocking incident. Holly's mother told 60 Minutes: "[The charges are] pretty appalling, I'd say pretty insulting.' Bianca's furious mum added: 'I think we're pretty furious about it … Food and beverage. "You know, that's like? What is that? We don't even know." The parents also said they had written to Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone 'a million times'. The desperate parents claimed to have even contacted his wife, but still say they have not received a response. Why is methanol so deadly? By Sam Blanchard, Health Correspondent METHANOL is a super-toxic version of alcohol that may be present in drinks if added by crooks to make them stronger or if they are brewed or distilled badly. The consequences can be devastating because as little as a single shot of contaminated booze could be deadly, with just 4ml of methanol potentially enough to cause blindness. Prof Oliver Jones, a chemist at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, said: 'The body converts methanol to formic acid. 'Formic acid blocks the action of an enzyme that is critical to how the body uses oxygen to generate energy. 'If it stops working, cells cannot take up or use oxygen from the blood and lack of oxygen causes problems in a range of organs as the cells start to die. 'Symptoms of methanol poisoning include vomiting, seizures and dizziness. 'The optic nerve seems to be particularly vulnerable to methanol toxicity, so there is the potential for temporary or permanent blindness, and even death. 'While thankfully rare, methanol poisoning is very serious, and treatment should be given at a hospital.' An unexpected but key way of treating methanol poisoning is to get the patient drunk with normal alcohol - known as ethanol - to distract the liver and stop it processing the methanol.
2 days ago
- Business
Japan, Laos Leaders Agree to Deepen Economic, Security Ties
News from Japan Politics May 29, 2025 19:48 (JST) Tokyo, May 29 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and visiting Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith agreed Thursday to deepen their countries' ties in the fields of economy, security, energy supply, disaster prevention and others under a comprehensive strategic partnership. During their meeting at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, the two leaders confirmed that they will promote efforts toward the early conclusion of a tax convention. They also agreed that their countries will continue to work closely together on issues related to the East and South China seas and North Korea. Ishiba expressed his appreciation for the invitation extended to Japanese Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, to visit Laos in November. Thongloun said that his country will warmly welcome the princess. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
From Summit to stadium, Asean unites for Manchester United showdown
KUALA LUMPUR: As the curtains fell on the 46th Asean Summit and Related Meetings here yesterday, another powerful symbol of unity takes centre stage, not in a conference hall, but at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil. While leaders shook hands and signed agreements during the summit period which began May 22, the Maybank Challenge Cup involving English football giants Manchester United against Asean All-Stars today delivers a different kind of diplomacy and unites a region through football. From Jakarta to Manila, Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, fans from across Southeast Asia poured into Malaysia's iconic stadium, proving that in a region rich with culture and diversity, football remains one of its strongest common grounds. For Khamsay Yomsamone, 43, from Vientiane, Laos, the match marked his first visit to Malaysia and unforgettable by the opportunity to watch the Red Devils live for the first time. "I started supporting Manchester United during the era of Ryan Giggs and David Beckham. "I cannot believe I am going to watch my favourite team tonight," he told Bernama. Khamsay, who arrived here yesterday, also hoped that Bounphachan Bounkong, the only Laotian player in the Asean All-Stars squad, would shine on the pitch against Ruben Amorim's side. Predicting a 5-3 win in favour of Manchester United, Khamsay said he hoped both teams would deliver an exciting and end-to-end game that fans could enjoy. He also wished to see more Asean All-Stars matches against top global clubs in the future, hosted across various cities in the region to help connect even more fans with the teams. Warinthorn Mitrchob,19, from Thailand, who predicted Manchester United to win 3-0, was eager to see his idol and defender, Harry Maguire, to score against Kim Sang Sik's squad. Another Manchester United fan from Syria, Morrison Darwich, 32, had only one wish that is Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana would avoid from committing any blunders today. "It depends on our keeper (Onana), if he performs badly, we are going to lose," he said. Iqbal Azhar, 25, who flew from Jakarta, believed that Asean All-Stars could pose a potent threat to the 13-times English Premier League champions. "They (Asean All-Stars) may need to defend well and try to play counter attacks to score goals. However, I expect Manchester United to still win 3-1," he said. Although the Asean All-Stars are missing several key players due to national team commitments, Iqbal remained optimistic that the match would still be an entertaining spectacle. The last time Manchester United played in Malaysia was during the 2009 pre-season tour, beating Malaysia XI twice, 3-2 and 2-0, respectively on July 18 and 20 at the National Stadium. Manchester United, who endured a dismal season by their lofty standards, finishing the season in 15th spot with 42 points, are also scheduled to travel to Hong Kong as part of their post-season tour. They will play against the Hong Kong national team at the Hong Kong Stadium on May 30. – Bernama
