THE leaders of Japan and Laos agreed Tuesday to upgrade their bilateral relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership”, as Tokyo tries to strengthen cooperation with Southeast Asia.
In a joint statement issued after their meeting in Tokyo, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his Laotian counterpart Sonexay Siphandone confirmed that the two governments will launch a foreign vice-ministerial-level dialogue to promote security collaboration.

MYANMAR conveyed over 1.5 million tonnes of various pulses between April and December of the current financial year 2024-2025, including 700,000 tonnes of black gram, 200,000 tonnes of pigeon pea and 400,000 tonnes of green gram, Myanmar Pulses, Beans, Maize and Sesame Seeds Merchants Association said.
Myanmar mainly exports black gram, green gram and pigeon peas to foreign markets. Of them, black gram and pigeon peas are primarily shipped to India, while green gram is exported to China and Europe.

MORE than 140 of the 1,400 lodgings and food stalls being built to accommodate travellers attending the Mann Shwesettaw Buddha Pujaniya Festival in Minbu (Sagu) Township, Magway Region, have been completed, according to U Aye Ko, Chairman of the Mann Shwesettaw Pagoda Board of Trustees.
The festival, traditionally held annually, will take place for 75 days, from 2 February to 17 April.

Insurgents committing terrorist activities have been engaging in battles, firing heavy weapons and improvised rockets and dropping bombs using drones into the public towns, wards and villages.