Laos

• U.S. freezes new immigrant visas for 75 countries: See the full list - The U.S. said Wednesday it will pause issuing immigrant visas to citizens of 75 countries over concerns that they may use public assistance in the future.
• Screams for help and panic as tourists rescued from fatal Laos ferry disaster - People scrambled to safety as the ferry sank on the Mekong River, with a local woman and two children feared dead.