Energy & Investment: East Timor has broken ground on a $107 million solar power plant with energy storage in Manatuto, a joint EDF–Itochu project expected to cut fuel-import spending by about $25–$30 million a year and supply roughly 30% of electricity demand by 2028. Open for Business: President José Ramos-Horta urged foreign firms to “be adventurous” as Timor-Leste’s economy opens up, arguing investors should not wait for perfection. Regional Diplomacy: At ASEAN meetings in Manila, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to ASEAN and warned that any attempt by Iran to control tolls in the Strait of Hormuz could set a dangerous precedent for global trade. Climate Resilience: UNICEF says Timor-Leste’s climate crisis is a child rights emergency, with droughts, landslides and flash floods disrupting schools and health services, while partners push solar-powered schools and climate-resilient clinics.