Pre-COP31 Climate Push: Pacific leaders used the Fiji-Tuvalu pre-COP31 run-up to warn that climate finance is too slow, too small, and too poorly structured—after seeing sea-level impacts firsthand in Tuvalu. Timor-Leste Diplomacy: Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met East Timor’s Bendito Freitas in Moscow, saying Russia is “keeping its guard up” while also stressing broader bilateral ties. Timor-Leste in the Spotlight at Pre-COP: Australia’s climate summit in the Pacific is drawing scrutiny over cost and guest list, with Timor-Leste’s president among the few non-Pacific leaders confirmed for the Tuvalu leg. Education Cooperation: Timor-Leste and the Philippines signed a higher-education MoU in Cebu to expand mobility, scholarships, research, quality assurance, and credit transfer. Trade and Jobs: Timor-Leste began exporting Laga salt to New Zealand—300 tonnes—aimed at boosting local production and private-sector growth. Cybercrime Crackdown: Timor-Leste detained 16 people in Dili over a telecom scam allegedly impersonating Japanese police to target victims in Japan. Energy and Infrastructure: A second LNG project is being discussed for Timor-Leste’s south coast, even as the first LNG push is still awaiting key decisions. Local Governance: Davao’s VRU is deputizing 100 personnel to crack down on smoking and liquor code violations, including smoking while driving.