Plain of Jars DNA Push: Vietnam is sampling 1,033 unidentified war-martyr remains at Ham Rong cemetery for DNA identification, aiming to restore names through a nationwide 500-day effort. Lancang-Mekong Digital Economy: Laos hosted a sub-regional seminar in Vientiane to strengthen digital economy cooperation, align digital standards, and help MSMEs expand cross-border e-commerce. Laos Mineral Governance Overhaul: Laos is reviewing a draft order to tighten mineral development management, curb illegal mining, improve ESG enforcement, and expand domestic processing instead of exporting raw minerals. China-ASEAN AI Education: China’s education cooperation week in Guizhou highlights AI as a new driver for regional learning and skills building. China-Laos Railway Skills: A Vientiane-area report spotlights Lao-China railway maintenance teams and the growing local workforce supporting the China-Laos line. Wildlife Trade Pressure: The U.S. again rejected protection for endangered long-tailed macaques imported for biomedical research, keeping large-scale imports flowing. Cybercrime & Power Theft: Malaysia-linked crypto mining crackdowns show how electricity theft and organized crime are feeding each other across Southeast Asia. Science Meets Pop Culture: Researchers named a new rove beetle genus “Luffy,” including a species found in northern Laos, tying anatomy to the One Piece hero.