Disaster Response in Laos: Rescuers evacuated four villagers from a flooded cave in central Laos after 10 days underground, following the earlier rescue of the first survivor; two men remain missing as teams continue search-and-drain operations amid heavy rain. Regional Defence Tech & Cooperation: At Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said a BrahMos missile deal with Vietnam is already signed (not yet publicly announced) and an Indonesia pact is in final stages, underscoring growing ASEAN defence procurement links. Regional Military Training: India’s PRAGATI 2026 multilateral exercise wrapped up in Meghalaya, with over 400 troops from 13 countries including Laos running counter-terror drills and interoperability validation in jungle terrain. Climate Risk Finance for Laos: SEADRIF and FAO launched Southeast Asia’s first anticipatory drought insurance pilot in Lao PDR, linking early warning drought indexes to pre-arranged payouts to protect rural farming households ahead of impacts. AUKUS Tech Push: The AUKUS partners discussed accelerating undersea unmanned vehicle development under their defence pact, expanding collaboration into AI, cyber, and other advanced technologies. Science & Health (Global): An NHS trial of a multi-cancer blood test (Galleri) reported mixed results, but experts said it still offers hope for cancers lacking screening options. Local Governance & Youth: The Lao PM extended International Children’s Day greetings nationwide, tying the day to tree planting and renewed focus on child protection and rights.