Energy Security: An IEA report warns Southeast Asia’s oil-and-gas dependence via the Strait of Hormuz is a “stark wake-up call,” with the region’s energy import bill potentially rising to $245bn by 2035 unless it diversifies faster. Mekong Pollution: AFP reports toxic arsenic in the Mekong river basin, linked to illegal mining in Myanmar, is already damaging livelihoods in border areas near Laos and Thailand. Trade & Investment Rules: Over 80 civil society groups urge ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand governments to review and remove ISDS investor-sue-government provisions from the updated AANZFTA, arguing they can trigger costly claims over public-interest policies. Renewables for Laos-Vietnam Power: Danish investor CIP and Vietnam’s FECON propose a 1,000MW onshore wind project in Savannakhet to export electricity to Vietnam between 2026 and 2028, with talks also covering storage and a wider 2.5GW pipeline. Cybercrime Spillover: Sri Lanka and Vietnam crack down on scam operations, with Vietnam arresting 19 Chinese nationals in Lao Cai after alleged relocation from Cambodia—highlighting cross-border fraud risks for the region. Laos-Japan Business Push: Laos PM Sonexay Siphandone in Tokyo invited more Japanese investment in clean agriculture, manufacturing, renewables, infrastructure and logistics, citing existing bilateral frameworks and RCEP. Logistics Connectivity: China-Laos Railway freight keeps growing, with over 10 million tons moved this year and daily cross-border trains rising to as many as 23. Wildlife & Enforcement: A Singapore-linked NGO says Laos helped shut an illegal bear bile farm, enabling the rescue and transport of 27 moon bears to a wildlife sanctuary.