Budget Execution Watch: Timor-Leste’s Council of Ministers held an extraordinary meeting in Dili to review 2026 budget execution, reporting spending of about US$736 million so far out of a US$2.445 billion General State Budget—around 30% as of May 26—while flagging hurdles tied to the new Procurement and Public Contracts Code and the rollout of a computerised procurement system. ASEAN and Regional Integration: Timor-Leste continues pushing its ASEAN track, with coverage noting progress on accession to ASEAN economic agreements and renewed diplomatic momentum as the country positions itself for major ASEAN-linked events. Tourism and Events Infrastructure: Timor-Leste broke ground on a new International Convention Centre in Dili’s old port precinct, aimed at boosting the tourism and events sector ahead of the 2029 ASEAN Chairmanship, with facilities including conference halls, exhibition space, and visitor attractions. Indo-Pacific Diplomacy: Ambassador Karlito Nunes outlined future cooperation with India, framing Timor-Leste as a strategic Indo-Pacific gateway. Youth, Media, and Rights: A report highlights how young people in Timor-Leste rely heavily on social media for organising, while warning that the lack of a cybersecurity or data protection law is shaping self-censorship and raising concerns around police monitoring and harassment.