Cave Rescue Update: Rescuers in central Laos are racing to find two men feared trapped in a flooded cave network for nearly two weeks, after earlier leads like a possible “knocking” response and a newly found vertical shaft raised hopes but then stalled as rockfall and flooding blocked access. Maternal Health Watch: An ILO report flags gaps in maternity benefits across ASEAN, with women in informal work and migrant workers still facing limited access to maternity protection and healthcare support. Child Nutrition in Focus: UNICEF-ready-to-use therapeutic food is helping Luang Prabang families treat severe acute malnutrition at home, with health workers coaching caregivers on balanced meals. Tobacco Control: Laos marked World No Tobacco Day 2026 at Mahosot Hospital, warning that tobacco and nicotine companies target youth via flavors and e-cigarettes, and reiterating smoke-free rules, advertising bans, and tighter sales to minors. Bilateral Health Cooperation: Cambodia and Laos plan to expand border public health ties, including malaria prevention and stronger outbreak response capacity at international border gates. Anti-Scam & Trade Links: Laos Deputy PM Thongsavanh Phomvihane pushed for deeper India cooperation, including health/medicine collaboration and joint action against transnational internet scam centers. Public Health Diplomacy: Singapore renewed its development partnership with Laos, highlighting cooperation that includes healthcare capacity building. Misinformation Response: Mekong countries are urged to set up a regional fact-checking and rapid response mechanism to curb fake news spread across borders.