Maritime Watch: The National Maritime Council flagged Chinese maritime surveillance research vessels operating in areas off Luzon, including alleged research near Pag-asa Sandy Cays, saying the activity is illegal under UNCLOS and requires permission from the coastal state. Ocean Census: In a separate global push to map the sea, Ocean Census reported 1,121 previously unknown marine species found in a single year—ranging from “ghost sharks” to bizarre deep-sea sponges—highlighting how much ocean life still remains undocumented. Timor-Leste Energy: Timor Resources has begun recruiting a new CEO as it prepares for a 2026 two-well appraisal campaign in its onshore blocks, with oil-and-gas appraisal drilling described as time-sensitive. Regional Climate Risk: A UN report warns El Niño is likely to return by mid-2026 and urges early resilience planning for countries including Timor-Leste. Tech & Talent: Timor-Leste also appears in regional ICT competition results, with teams among award recipients at Huawei’s APAC finals in Jakarta.