Rail & Trade Connectivity: China-Laos Railway trade value topped $2.97 billion in 7 months as cargo categories expand to 3,900, with growing cold-chain vegetable and tropical fruit flows. Logistics Capacity: DHL Express launched a new direct Shanghai–Bangkok freighter route, boosting the China–Indochina lane toward Middle East and Europe. Energy Transition & Hydropower Linkages: Malaysia’s MIDA chief urged stronger ASEAN cooperation to close a roughly US$200bn annual energy-transition investment gap, pointing to an integrated ASEAN Power Grid that could pool hydropower from Laos with other regional renewables. AI for Industry: Chinese AI firms are partnering across emerging markets to build local large language models, with ASEAN-focused multilingual development highlighted via iFLYTEK’s regional model base. Food & Retail Expansion in Laos: Paris Baguette opened its first Laos store in Vientiane, using a franchise with Kolao Group and betting on Laos’ growing cafe and premium bakery demand. Biopharma Services: Merck expanded its Singapore biosafety testing lab to strengthen analytical and biosafety testing for Asia-Pacific biopharma customers. Flood Risk Watch: Thailand monitored heavy-rain flood risk in 12 provinces, with conditions linked to monsoon activity reaching northern Laos. Infrastructure Upgrade: Laos and Japan signed a revised US$26.5m agreement to upgrade Wattay International Airport.