(RFA) In a rare criticism, a Lao government expert has blamed dams in China for the latest drop in the Mekong River levels, saying it is impacting navigation along the key Southeast Asian artery and destroying fishing resources.

A report into what caused one of New Zealand's worst air disasters at Fox Glacier 20 months ago will be released today.

The government’s evacuation program for overseas Filipino workers in Syria remains in “full swing,” with the repatriation on Thursday of another 26 OFWs from the strife-torn Middle East country, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.