The Latest Breaking News from Timor

Pope Francis has arrived in East Timor to encourage its recovery from a bloody and traumatic past and celebrate its development after two decades of independence from Indonesian rule

Pope Francis spoke out against child sexual abuse during his visit to East Timor on Monday, indirectly acknowledging a long-running abuse scandal involving independence hero Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo. Thousands of devotees journeyed from remote areas and crossed the Indonesian border to witness the first papal visit since the country…

When the Vatican acknowledged in 2022 that the Nobel Peace Prize-winning, East Timorese independence hero Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo had sexually abused young boys, it appeared that the global clergy sexual abuse scandal that has compromised the Catholic Church’s credibility around the world had finally arrived in Asia’s newest country

Australia and Indonesia have long had an uneasy relationship, over issues ranging from Timor-Leste’s independence to asylum seekers and bans on live cattle export to the aftermath of the Bali bombings.

Together with neighbouring Indonesia and Australia, the region is home to some of the oldest evidence of human life.

Humans arrived in Australia at least 65,000 years ago, according to archaeological evidence. These pioneers were part of an early wave of people travelling eastwards from Africa, through Eurasia, and ultimately into Australia and New Guinea.

Pacific Minister Pat Conroy has announced millions for police and worker co-operation as Australia works to boost diplomatic ties in the region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with President of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta in Gandhinagar on January 9

The Idealist is the eighth novel by respected Australian writer and academic Nick Jose. Set in the turbulent period leading up to the referendum for East Timorese self-determination in 1999, the novel has the form of a political thriller, albeit one that remains restrained and meditative.