Tourist Safety Fallout: Laos says it still can’t determine who is responsible for the deaths of six foreign tourists linked to methanol-tainted alcohol in Vang Vieng in 2024, citing the lack of autopsies and “insufficient evidence” to prove cause of death or criminal responsibility, even as methanol was found in vodka from the implicated distillery. Legal Action in Focus: A distillery owner and hostel operator/staff have been indicted, but the charges relate to harmful food and illegal business, not directly to the deaths—drawing sharp criticism from Australia and others. Border Security: Laos and Thailand held their 7th Joint Border Security and Order Committee meeting, reaffirming cooperation to keep the frontier peaceful and orderly while expanding trade, tourism, and people-to-people links. Culture and Soft Power: Laos launched a new cultural association to preserve heritage and turn culture into a “cultural economy,” with plans for UNESCO cooperation and wider international promotion. Regional Diplomacy: Japan’s JDS scholarship programme will fund postgraduate study for 21 Lao officials, supporting public sector capacity building. Mekong Patrols: Laos and Thailand also carried out joint Mekong River security patrols targeting cross-border drug trafficking.