Education Partnership: Laos’ Ministry of Education and Sports and Australia extended the BEQUAL Program to June 2028, aiming to strengthen primary learning nationwide, including in remote areas. Economic Planning: The National Statistics Center trained provincial officials on calculating GDP, as Laos updates its national accounts base year from 2012 to 2025 and aligns methods with international standards. Health & Public Trust: Laos’ Health Ministry temporarily suspended services at BLL Hospital after social media allegations of illegal organ transplants, pending an inspection and public findings. HIV Prevention: In Oudomxay, HIV testing of 264 female sex workers found 12 positive cases, prompting calls to expand voluntary testing and treatment access. Energy Transition: Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone visited a 100 MW solar project in Kaysone Phomvihane, urging protection of agricultural land while feeding power into the national grid. Diplomacy: Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane met Australia’s Penny Wong in Manila, discussing the investigation into two Australian tourist deaths in 2024. Regional Security: A UN report says Southeast Asia’s criminal networks are using technology and AI to expand scams across borders, with 2025 losses estimated in the $88.3b–$114.1b range. Cyber Cooperation: Laos joined other Lancang-Mekong countries in a cybersecurity forum focused on cross-border coordination against ransomware and online fraud. Scam Warning: Laos also issued public warnings not to engage with scam and gambling networks.