Women’s Economic Empowerment: The Lao Women’s Union opened a two-day seminar on strengthening women entrepreneurs, focusing on project skills, business management, access to formal finance, intellectual property registration, and family business development, as part of the LWU’s 71st anniversary activities. National Assembly & Rural Development: Laos’ National Assembly wrapped up its first extraordinary session, endorsing key economic, legal and development measures and approving a rural development and poverty eradication agenda for 2027–2030 aimed at livelihoods, infrastructure, agriculture, and better access to finance, education, healthcare, electricity, clean water and telecoms. International Ties: Laos officially became a Dialogue Partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization after signing an MoU, with cooperation priorities including trade, investment, transport, tourism, digital transformation and connectivity. Education Support for Girls: An Australian delegation visited a Viengphoukha school to review the Foundational Learning Improvement Project, which supports 800 vulnerable girls and reports only one dropout in the 2025–2026 school year. Sports Spotlight: Laos’ national team earned a 1-1 draw with Malaysia in the AFF Women’s Cup opener, with Kemmy Phatdala scoring and Norhadfina Mohd Firdaus equalising. Public Safety & Justice: In the U.S., Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a Laos-born man convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl was deported after Minnesota officials granted him a pardon. Regional Weather Watch: Vietnam’s northern provinces face continued heavy rain and possible storm formation later this month, with Laos closely watching cross-border impacts.