Defense Diplomacy: PRAGATI 2026 is underway at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya, with 12 friendly nations (including Laos) joining a two-week counter-terror drill focused on jungle and semi-mountain terrain and interoperability. Veterans & Accountability: In the U.S., CAVWV is pressing Congress over America’s “Secret Air War” in Laos, citing a CIA response and claims of lost records, and asking for concrete recognition steps before Memorial Day. Road Safety Push: Indonesia’s Green SM (electric ride-hailing) teamed up with Korlantas Polri to train 300+ driver partners, scaling toward about 7,000 this year with defensive driving and emergency-response training. Public Health Warning: Australia faces growing concern after a study found suspected illicit alcohol in roughly one-in-three bottle shops across Victoria, NSW, and Queensland, with contaminants like methanol reported. Tech & Society: UNICEF says AI can personalize learning, but warns Laos and others need digital literacy plus ethics and online-safety guardrails as pilots expand. Archaeology (Laos): A “death jar” on the Plain of Jars held remains of at least 37 people, strengthening the case for multigenerational burial rituals.