The Mahein Security Sector Research and Advocacy Foundation warned on Tuesday that human trafficking is on the rise in Timor-Leste and recommended concerted action between civil society and the authorities to combat the phenomenon.

Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, the President of Timor-Leste, made history by engaging in the first-ever Head of State or government-level interaction between his nation and India during his visit to participate in the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.

[In this 1999 piece, the late journalist reported from East Timor on how its people were abandoned by the West as they faced genocide at the hands of Indonesia's Suharto.]

During a recent trip to Japan, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao signalled that his country is open to Chinese companies as potential partners for the Greater Sunrise offshore natural gas project, according to reports.

Subel Rai Bhandari, Atauro Island, Timor-Leste – Donning a weathered diving mask, Manuel Gamboa comes ashore after four hours in the sea, visibly weary from the early morning catch with a dozen young Timorese fishers.

In recognition of his contribution to East Timor's freedom struggle, President Ramos Horta awarded Sri Lankan civil activist and journalist Freddie Gamage with the highest award of the country's government.

Gamage arrived at Katunayake Airport on December 7. Gamage is a well-known human rights activist in Sri Lanka.

Kuala Lumpur – Timor-Leste is looking forward for further training of its officials at Malaysia's Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR), for knowledge exchange and capacity building between the two nations.

Parker Novak, Sydney, Australia – When Timor-Leste regained its independence in 2002, its future looked grim. Twenty-four years of Indonesian occupation had decimated its population and economy, leaving it one of the poorest nations in the world.

Alex de Jong – In 1999, after almost a quarter century of Indonesian occupation, the small country of East Timor finally gained its independence.

A renowned Sri Lankan Catholic journalist and social activist has received a prestigious award from the Timor-Leste government in recognition of his unwavering commitment to the country's struggle for independence from Indonesia.

Antara, Jakarta – The Indonesian Agriculture Ministry has strengthened cooperation in the agriculture sector with Timor Leste's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Forestry (MALFF).

Shardul Sharma – The Timor-Leste government has granted the Sunrise joint venture, comprising state-owned Timor Gap, Australia's Woodside Energy, and Japan's Osaka Gas, the green light to commence work on a concept study for the development of the Greater Sunrise fields, Woodside said via a LinkedIn post on November 22.

A Vatican official in Timor-Leste has told the government and the Church not to exclude but embrace martial arts groups, whose activities were banned in the Catholic-majority nation following fatal incidents and violence.

About 20 percent of young people in Timor-Leste do not study or work due to lack of education, limitations in healthcare provision and ineffective social protection, according to a report from the World Bank (WB).

Metro Manila – The Philippines and Timor-Leste on Friday committed to boost bilateral relations, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. saying he had a "productive and interesting" discussion with his counterpart on issues such as the West Philippine Sea.

We have been carefully following with serious concern the political developments and changes that are currently taking place in Indonesia, specifically the presidential candidates who will compete in the upcoming 2024 elections.

The Timorese government, together with the World Food Program (WFP) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), issued an urgent food security alert on Tuesday, according to reports.

Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta on Wednesday arrived in Manila for an official visit meant to boost the bilateral relations between the two nations.

Ramos-Horta was welcomed at the NAIA by Ambassador to Timor-Leste Belinda Ante and Manila International Airport Authority general manager Manuel Gonzales.

James Kon – Timor-Leste President Dr Jose Ramos-Horta conveyed his gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for the care and concern for Timor-Leste since achieving independence as well as the support for Timor-Leste's bid to join

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam on Monday received in audience Dr Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste who is here on a four-day state visit.

Yohanes Maharso Joharsoyo, Jakarta – Indonesia and Timor Leste inked a bilateral agreement to support Timor Leste's membership at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The agreement was signed during the Senior Official Meeting WTO in Geneva on October 23, 2023.

Moritz Schmoll and Geoffrey Swenson – Amid Southeast Asia's democratic backsliding, Timor-Leste's success is impressive. In May, the country elected a new parliament. In July, power was transferred peacefully from Fretilin to a National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT)-led coalition headed by Xanana Gusmao.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday received Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, who is on a working visit to the UAE at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi.

Joao da Cruz Cardoso – The recent agreement between Timor-Leste and China to upgrade their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership draws plenty of reactions.

Stephen Dziedzic – The President of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta has suggested that Chinese diplomats turned down requests to develop police and military infrastructure in his country because they were worried about drawing an "overreaction" from Australia.

Kirsty Needham – Timor-Leste has not discussed military cooperation with China in its upgrade of diplomatic ties, President Jose Ramos-Horta said, adding Australia and Indonesia can "sleep at peace" because the island nation won't be a security concern to its neighbours.

East Timor has not discussed military co-operation with China in its upgrade of diplomatic ties, President Jose Ramos-Horta says, adding Australia and Indonesia can "sleep at peace" because the island nation won't be a security concern to its neighbours.

Beijing – China and East Timor have upgraded bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, potentially giving Beijing more influence in the region while satisfying the young half-island nation's desire for stronger ties with major economies.

On Tuesday, the Timorese government approved the signing of two memorandums of understanding with China, reports Lusa.

Ahlam Almazrooi/Amjad Saleh, Dili – Abdulla Salem Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia and ASEAN, presented his credentials as non-resident Ambassador of the UAE to the Democratic Republic of East Timor to Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, during a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in the Timorese capital, Dili.

Henry Jom – East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao is confident that a deal to finalise an agreement with Australia over the Greater Sunrise gas and oil project will be reached by early 2024.

Christopher Knaus – Australia's parliament will be given only a limited ability to scrutinise unlawful and improper intelligence operations, prompting concerns it will not be able to meet a pre-election promise for an investigation of the 2004 Timor-Leste bugging scandal.

Anupam Shrivastava – PM Modi expressed his eagerness to engage with ASEAN leaders to discuss the future direction of their partnership, which has now entered its fourth decade.

Jakarta – A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Timor island on Thursday, the meteorology and geophysics agency (BMKG) said on social media platform X, adding there was no potential for a tsunami.

The agency said the epicentre of the quake was on land at a depth of 75 kilometres (46.6 miles), and it was felt in Kupang, in East Nusa Tenggara.

Melissa Conley Tyler, Anders Hofstee and Kara Chesal – When Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong visited Dili last month, one of the projects she highlighted was the Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable.

Sebastian Strangio – Myanmar's military government has ordered Timor-Leste's senior diplomat to leave the country in retaliation for a meeting that his government held with the opposition National Unity Government (NUG).

Yangon, Myanmar – Myanmar's junta on Sunday ordered the expulsion of Timor Leste's top diplomat in the country over a meeting his government held with a banned shadow administration.

The Southeast Asian nation has been locked in crisis since the military seized power in February 2021, ending a brief experiment with democracy and sparking violent clashes.

Jakarta – Myanmar's military government has ordered East Timor's top diplomat to leave the country, the government of East Timor – a vocal critic of Myanmar's leadership – said in a statement condemning the rare action.

Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta – Timor Leste will "ideally" become a full-fledged ASEAN member in 2025 even though the country remains open to other time frames recommended by other Southeast Asian leaders, according to its president, Jose Ramos-Horta.

Lauren Ong and Calvin Yang, Dili, Timor-Leste – Singapore-owned businesses are investing millions of dollars in Timor-Leste's leisure and hospitality sectors.

These include five-star hotels, serviced apartments and an entertainment centre, which are among some of the biggest investments in the country so far.

GJ Burchall – The first of many things that strike you at polling places in Timor-Leste is the total lack of assaults on voters by how-to-vote card boosters – the sort that swarm all over Australian voters like demented, malaria-lugging mosquitos.

Party flags, banners and shills must keep at a respectful 25-metre distance. Ditto the automatic weapons.

Jakarta – Newly installed Prime Minister of Timor Leste Xanana Gusmao has congratulated the National Awakening Party (PKB) on its 25th anniversary and praised the Muslim-based party for its contribution to improving the ties between Indonesia and its neighbor and former province.

Amanda Battersby, Singapore – Australian independent Carnarvon Energy has exited Timor-Leste, effectively drawing a line on any redevelopment of the Buffalo oilfield that until only recently some reports had claimed was still targeting the final investment decision in 2023.

Keval Singh – Singapore will establish an embassy in the Timor-Leste capital, Dili, according to a statement by Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

The embassy will serve as a focal point to expand bilateral cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, tourism, defence, energy and human resources, the statement said.

Antara, Jakarta – Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi and her counterpart from Timor Leste, Bendito Dos Santos Freitas, agreed to conclude both countries' long-halted negotiations on land and sea borders.

Jakarta – As ASEAN top diplomats meet in Jakarta, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan met his counterparts on the first day of a week-long series of meetings that the bloc is staging.

A Chinese naval hospital ship is to call at Timor-Leste as part of a humanitarian mission in the Pacific.

Named Peace Ark, the vessel set sail last week from a port in Zhoushan, in east China's Zhejiang Province, the Global Times reports.

Guteriano Neves – A successful 21 May election in Timor-Leste saw the smooth and peaceful transition of power to a new government led by Xanana Gusmao – new, in the sense of being newly sworn in, but consisting of several old political figures such as Gusmao himself, Francisco Kalbuadi, Bendito Freitas, Mariano Sabino and Dulce Soares, to name a few.

Matthew Knott – Foreign Minister Penny Wong struck an apologetic tone towards Timor-Leste in comments about Australia's use of hardball tactics to stymie the fledgling nation's efforts to secure access to oil and gas riches in the Timor Sea after it won independence from Indonesia.

One person has been killed and almost 300 houses destroyed due to the severe weather that has affected Timor-Leste in the past week.