Mekong Hydropower Watch: Satellite imagery points to construction underway on Laos’ new upstream Pak Beng dam, as Vientiane pushes its “Battery of Southeast Asia” plan despite concerns about impacts on river ecosystems and relocated communities. Flood & Landslide Alerts: Laos issued warnings as prolonged heavy rains trigger flash flooding and landslides, with Khammuan province already seeing damaged roads and rising river levels; authorities urged round-the-clock monitoring and evacuation readiness. Waste Management Upgrade (Vientiane Capital): The capital rolled out a new waste management and disposal regulation, setting rules for segregation, collection, transport, recycling, and environmentally sound disposal, with shared responsibilities for residents and businesses. Clean Water Support: HEINEKEN Lao and Vientiane Capital Water Supply launched a community water infrastructure project, adding 4.2 km of pipelines to improve access to cleaner water, especially during the dry season. Pandemic Preparedness: The government, with FAO and UNICEF, launched ALERT-LAO to strengthen early warning, lab capacity, and One Health workforce development across all 18 provinces. Coal Financing Pressure: A regional report urges banks and investors to stop financing coal expansion in ASEAN, including Laos, and to back enforceable, just coal phase-outs.