Huawei ICT Competition APAC: The 10th Huawei ICT Competition APAC Finals crowned winners at ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta, drawing 8,600+ students from 14 countries/regions and sending 16 teams to global finals in Shenzhen this June—Timor-Leste teams were among those recognized. Trade & Integration: Timor-Leste’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Nino Pereira, used the 2026 ADB-World Bank Trade Forum to stress the country’s push for a rules-based trading system, highlighting WTO accession (2024) and full ASEAN membership (2025). Budget Pressure: The Council of Ministers approved a first amendment to the 2026 General State Budget, adding about US$101.1m to cover higher international fuel prices, CPLP Pro Tempore Presidency costs, and Oe-Cússe expenses. Digital Talent Link: A Timor-Leste entrepreneur joined a Southeast Asia tech delegation to New Zealand under ASEAN’s Young Business Leaders initiative, aiming to bring back ideas on climate, water, and disaster risk reduction. Diplomacy: PNG and Timor-Leste agreed to establish reciprocal embassies after talks in Port Moresby.