ASEAN Diplomacy in Manila: Eight foreign ministers are set to attend Asean meetings in Manila next week, with US Sec. of State Marco Rubio, China’s Wang Yi, Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, and Australia’s Penny Wong among the expected arrivals. The Philippines will also host TAC’s 50th anniversary activities from July 19–24, with Timor-Leste included in the bloc. Timor-Leste–Vietnam Ties: Vietnam inaugurated its fully operational, centralised embassy office in Dili on July 15, with Timor-Leste’s Deputy PM Francisco Kalbuadi Lay and Foreign Affairs Minister Bendito dos Santos Freitas attending. Local Education Support in Atauro: An Australia Timor-Leste Friendship Network fundraiser in Beechworth on July 25 will back ongoing Atauro Island projects, including secondary student scholarships and a reviewed sanitation initiative. Science Learning Push: A new piece highlights how science education in Timor-Leste has long lacked lab-based learning, and why hands-on facilities matter for students’ curiosity and problem-solving. Financial System Reform: Timor-Leste’s National Parliament approved the General Framework for the Financial System and Banking Activities, expanding the Central Bank’s powers, adding resolution and deposit insurance funds, and strengthening anti–money laundering and consumer protection. Dili Dairy Returns: Dili Dairy Factory has resumed production and is returning to the market at full capacity after internal upgrades and independent lab testing. Scam Crackdown: Timor-Leste police say they uncovered a major international scam operation, arresting hundreds in Dili call-centre raids over the past weeks.