VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN): The value of trade between Laos and Vietnam reached almost US$3 billion in 2025, directed and supported by the two countries’ parties and governments. “Vietnam is one of the leading investors in Laos and both countries aim to achieve a two-way trade value of US$5 billion in the near future,” he said. Many joint projects have been successfully undertaken, helping to spur Laos’ socio-economic development and economic integration between the two countries. Laos and Vietnam, under the constant attention and guidance of Party and state leaders, have made significant gains in cooperation in many areas. This has served to build confidence in the enduring great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership between Laos and Vietnam.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has repeatedly claimed that his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) will sweep all elective positions, especially in the Mt Kenya region. However, recent defections from his camp paints a different story. Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week Uncover the stories others won’t tell. Subscribe now for exclusive access Unlimited access to all premium contentUninterrupted ad-free browsing experienceMobile-optimized reading experienceWeekly NewslettersMPesa, Airtel Money and Cards accepted

ODM party leader Oburu Oginga and other party officials at Kakamega ODM county delegates meeting in Kakamega town, on January 18, 2026. Suna East MP Junet Mohamed has defended veteran ODM leader Dr Oburu Odinga against criticism over his age, saying leadership should be judged on experience and ideas rather than years. Speaking at Mabole Grounds in Kakamega County during a tense ODM delegates’ meeting, Junet dismissed claims by the media who have questioned Dr Odinga’s continued leadership, terming the attacks disrespectful and misguided. ODM party leader Oburu Oginga and other party officials at Kakamega ODM county delegates meeting in Kakamega town, on January 18, 2026. Junet’s remarks come amid visible divisions within ODM in Kakamega County, where rival factions have held parallel meetings, exposing deep cracks ahead of future party activities.

A woman who was filmed while heavily intoxicated in an indecent exposure has come forward to narrate her ordeal. The woman shed light on events that have sparked public outrage and renewed debate on consent, exploitation and the misuse of social media. According to Naipei, the incident traces back to a meeting arranged with a man she had been communicating with for about a year. The group began drinking, and as the night progressed, Naipei said she asked the man to settle the bill. I made a mistake.”“I was intoxicated so much, and that guy took advantage of the situation,” she added.

[File, Standard]There is a hard truth about Kenya that many pastors, politicians, and intellectuals avoid because it is uncomfortable: we are not only governed badly, but we also reward bad governance. Our crisis is not just one of leadership failure; it is a crisis of civic character. The tragedy is not that bad leaders exist; every country has them, but that we protect them. If the people do not change, the leaders will not change. And if we keep applauding failure, the nation itself will remain a failure, no matter how many prayers we offer.

Follow us onThe Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) has opened bids for the co-ownership of Srinagar Ke Veer, the franchise owned by Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, offering investors and corporates an opportunity to partner with one of India’s fastest-growing cricket leagues. Commenting on the opportunity, Suraj Samat, Core Committee Member and League Commissioner, ISPL, said: “ISPL has evolved into a scalable sports property with strong fundamentals, growing viewership, expanding participation and a professionally governed structure. The co-ownership of Srinagar Ke Veer offers partners the ability to participate in franchise value creation. The league crossed 4.4 million player registrations in Season 3, with trials conducted across 101 cities nationwide. ISPL Season 3 is currently underway from January 9 to February 6 at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat, featuring an expanded eight-team competition.

Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletterSomething went wrong, please try again later. For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletterDiogo Dalot was lucky to avoid a red card just 10 minutes into the Manchester derby after a late tackle high on the leg of Jeremy Doku. "100 per cent red card", he said. Red card all day."

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has come out to dismiss an outrageous call to move the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) away from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania due to infrastructural challenges. Gaye had initially launched a scathing critique of the East African nations, claiming that the road networks would pose a challenge for travelling teams throughout the competition. "The next one (AFCON) is heading to 3 East African countries, where I have been. Some of my colleagues from East Africa told me that from one country to another one will take you 2 days to drive," Gaye claimed during the press conference. Photo"Then my biggest worry, and many are worried, are we are going to lower the standards by going to East Africa.

[File, Standard]In the story of Kenya’s long march towards democracy, some names, among them, Gitobu Imanyara, Martha Karua, Rev. Timothy Njoya, Wille Mutunga and Njeri Kabereri have earned their place in the annals of our democratic struggle. It remembers both the valor of youth and the compromises of middle age. What follows, most often than not, is a tragic arch of compromise, gatekeeping, ethnic loyalty and total alienation from the very struggle they once defined. A critical mind is then left to question whether political activism in this country is in pursuit of higher democratic ideals or whether it serves ethnic interests.

Could this stem from a misunderstanding of Nato's Arctic mission? Joe InwoodWorld news correspondentImage source, Getty Images"'We must strengthen Arctic defences to deter Putin' Foreign Secretary says during Arctic visit." That was the headline of a British Government press release just four days ago. The only mention of the United States was a reference to their cooperation in intercepting Russian tankers. What was designed as a mission to reassure the United States, seems to have been interpreted as a hostile act to deter it.

ODM leader Oburu blocks Jeshi ya Baba activist Rachel Tabitha after criticism. Photo: Rachel Tabitha/ Oburu Oginga. Why is Rachel Tabitha opposing Oburu? In the latest development, she claimed that Oburu blocked her on X after she publicly criticised him. ODM leader Oburu Oginga assures there will be no division in ODM.

"Our objective is to be back here in two years, and again in four years. To do this on a regular basis," said Regragui before the final.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the government’s handling of Kenya’s public debt, saying timely decisions helped the country avoid a potentially devastating sovereign default. Speaking on Saturday, Mbadi said the government benefited from unexpected market conditions that allowed it to refinance maturing obligations. The market opened and this government went to the market, got another Eurobond and refinanced the other Eurobond,” he said. He warned that a sovereign debt default would have had serious consequences for the country and its workers. “You people don’t know what a sovereign debt default means,” Mbadi said.

Delhi government’s forensic report, and an earlier Punjab Police investigation, has conclusively established that the word “guru” was never used in the video. I had already told you three days ago what would come out in their forensic report. I say this with full responsibility that what the Punjab Police forensic report stated is almost exactly what the Delhi forensic report has also said,” he added. Pointing to the limited scope of the examination, Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “The forensic report was supposed to answer only one question: what exact words were spoken by Atishi. Or since this is the government’s forensic report, the government itself should have come forward.”ALSO READ: CM Bhagwant Mann emphasises the need to strengthen Punjab–Canada trade ties

Terence Creative listed some records Kenyans can attempt. Photo: Terence Creative. Which records did Terence Creative say Kenyans can break? Some of the challenges Terence listed include exercise-based records, including push-ups, pull-ups, skipping rope, burpees and squats. Source: FacebookIn other news, a funny video recently captured a 62-year-old attempting a 90-hour tree-hugging challenge in Naari, Meru County, but seemingly cheating.