Independent Media Spotlight: A new film, “Steal This Story, Please!”, spotlights Amy Goodman’s relentless push for accountability, including her reporting on major human-rights abuses—another reminder that media freedom is a business issue, too. Skills & Labour Mobility: Australia officially launched “Pacific Australia Skills” in Papua New Guinea, underlining continued workforce investment across the Pacific. Tourism Infrastructure in Timor-Leste: Timor-Leste broke ground on a new International Convention Centre in Dili, built to boost events and tourism ahead of the 2029 ASEAN Chairmanship. Regional Blue Economy & ASEAN Integration: Development partners met with Timor-Leste to discuss the Blue Economy and coordinated action as the country deepens ASEAN links. Energy Pressure in the Philippines: Cebu residents and businesses are facing higher power costs and ongoing rotational brownouts as Visayas grid reserves stay thin. Local Emergency Tech (Cebu): Mandaue City is considering renting a firefighting drone to reach high-rise fires beyond ladder limits.