Methanol poisoning fallout: Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong met Laos’ Thongsavanh Phomvihane in the Philippines to press for answers over the 2024 deaths of Australian teens Holly Morton-Bowles and Bianca Jones, after Laos previously said it lacked evidence for serious charges and autopsies were not carried out. ASEAN diplomacy: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Manila for the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related forums, with Myanmar, South China Sea tensions, and regional trade and energy disruptions expected to dominate talks. Scam crackdown warning: A UN report says scam gangs in Asia-Pacific stole at least US$88bn in 2025, citing faster tactics, relocation, corruption, and growing use of AI—while noting many scam compounds in the region are staffed by trafficked people. Laos wildlife rescue: Singapore-led efforts helped free 27 moon bears from an illegal bile farm in Laos, with the bears moved to a wildlife sanctuary for rehabilitation and a first taste of life outdoors. Energy infrastructure: Laos’ Luang Prabang Mekong Hydropower Project is reported 72% complete, a major step toward regional energy security.