Lao Media Roadmap to 2030: Laos wrapped up its First National Media Conference in Vientiane, adopting a plan to strengthen Party leadership and modernize the media sector through 2030, with President Thongloun Sisoulith urging journalists to be accurate, credible and innovative, verify information faster than rumors, and boost research and analysis. Media Ethics Push: A pre-conference seminar also stressed higher professional ethics, better media management and training, and stronger technical capacity to support digital journalism. Savannakhet Land Subsidence Probe: Laos is running a detailed geophysical survey in Nong Kadeng, Savannakhet, after preliminary views pointed to natural limestone-related subsidence, with officials promising periodic public updates. Wildlife Trade Crackdown (Ongoing): Investigators say illegal wildlife shops in Laos targeting Chinese tour groups are still expanding despite raids, raising concerns about enforcement gaps and regional spillover. Power & Connectivity Tech: Cebu Pacific plans to roll out SpaceX Starlink inflight Wi‑Fi starting in 2027, while China’s electricity exports to ASEAN jumped 42.9% in H1 2026, highlighting energy security pressures. Global Tech Policy Watch: Commentary flags China’s AI governance push as more than a showcase, urging regional policymakers to prepare for AI rule-setting impacts. Safety & Enforcement Spotlight: A Bangkok bar fire death toll rose to 30, prompting calls for sweeping safety surveys—an indirect reminder for regional enforcement and risk checks.