World : Timor-Leste Eyeing Trade, Investment Opportunities in ASEAN

By Nurunnasihah Ahmad Rashid KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 (Bernama) -- Timor-Leste, Southeast Asia’s youngest nation is finalising preparations for its imminent entry into ASEAN as a full member this month, having fulfilled 97 per cent of the regional...

The CIA Wins Another Nobel Peace Prize

by Michael K. Smith / October 18th, 2025 While millions waited in hopes that the Global Sumud Flotilla would win this year’s Nobel peace prize for its epic solidarity with Palestine, the Norwegian committee charged with granting the award gave it...

Timor-Leste scraps lifetime pensions after protests

imor-Leste voted on Friday to scrap the lifetime pension law for MPs and public officials, following student-led demonstrations against lavish perks in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries. Former MPs and some public officials are entitled...

Timor-Leste scraps lifetime pensions after student-led protests

Timor-Leste voted on Friday to scrap the lifetime pension law for MPs and public officials, following student-led demonstrations against lavish perks in one of South-East Asia's poorest countries. Former MPs and some public officials are entitled...

What's next for Timor-Leste as it joins ASEAN?

Timor-Leste is set to become the newest member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc in October, capping off a process that has taken Southeast Asia's newest and smallest country 14 years. The membership was confirmed last...

With Gen Z protests, is East Timor going the Nepal way?

Student-led protests in East Timor have forced the government to scrap controversial lifetime pensions for officials, reflecting growing youth activism against inequality and government excess. East Timor is emerging as Southeast Asia’s latest...

East Timor scraps lifetime pensions after protests

East Timor voted on Friday to scrap the lifetime pension law for MPs and public officials, following student-led demonstrations against lavish perks in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries. Former MPs and some public officials are entitled...

Idis backs Dayanghirang’s call to halt destructive mining in Davao Oriental

THE Davao City-based environmental group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis) has called for accountability over the irreversible environmental damage in Barangay Macambol, Davao Oriental, and expressed support for...

Behind the Gen Z uprising in Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste is the latest country in the Asia-Pacific region to be rocked by “Gen-Z” protests against the corruption of political elites. From September 15–17, students and other youth took to the streets of the capital Dili demanding that the...

Estrella greenlights limestone drilling program in Timor-Leste

Estrella Resources is ready to roll at its Werumata limestone project in Timor-Leste’s Baucau municipality, with all approvals locked in from the Timor-Leste Minerals Authority. The company’s environmental impact statement and management plan have...

Church, local leaders push to end Davao Oriental mining over environmental ruin

DAVAO ORIENTAL, Philippines – Calls to shut down mining operations in Davao Oriental for good are snowballing, as local officials and the head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) joined forces in condemning the...

DavOr holds public dialogue vs mining; company denies unchecked environmental destruction

3 THE PROVINCIAL government of Davao Oriental held a dialogue with the community to hear their issues on the mining operation in Barangay Macambol, Mati, Davao Oriental, on Monday, Oct. 6. The dialogue was led by provincial governor Nelson L....

Singapore, Australia upgrade ties; will deepen cooperation in defence and energy, among others

CANBERRA – Singapore and Australia will deepen their cooperation in many areas from defence to trade, as they further elevate bilateral ties. Both sides on Oct 8 laid out what Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called a “very full and ambitious agenda”...

When students force power to listen: Lessons from Timor-Leste for Southeast Asia —Khoo Ying Hooi

SEPT 27 — In mid-September 2025, Dili’s streets became the stage for one of Timor-Leste’s most significant protests since independence. Over a thousand students gathered to denounce two controversial parliamentary moves: the acquisition of...

Student protests win: East Timor axes lifetime pensions, cancels SUV plan for officials

DILI, Sept 26 — East Timor voted on Friday to scrap the lifetime pension law for MPs and public officials, following student-led demonstrations against lavish perks in one of South-east Asia’s poorest countries. Former MPs and some public...

ASEAN Economic Ministers Affirm Support For Timor-Leste Full Membership

By Karina Imran, Ahmad Erwan Othman and Maizatul Jamny Muhammad Rosli KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- ASEAN economic ministers have collectively reaffirmed their support for Timor-Leste’s full membership in the regional bloc, paving the way for...

Business : ASEAN Economic Ministers Affirm Support For Timor-Leste Full Membership

By Karina Imran, Ahmad Erwan Othman and Maizatul Jamny Muhammad Rosli KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- ASEAN economic ministers have collectively reaffirmed their support for Timor-Leste’s full membership in the regional bloc, paving the way for...

Timor Gap Boosts Stake in Finder Energy’s Timor-Leste Oil Fields

Finder Energy has executed a binding farm-in agreement with joint venture partner Timor Gap to increase the Timor-Leste state oil company’s stake in Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 19-11, entailing the Kuda Tasi & Jahal (KTJ) fields development...

Timor-Leste To Strengthen ASEAN’s Global Links, Says Vice Minister

By V. Sankara DILI (Timor-Leste), Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Timor-Leste’s admission into ASEAN will expand the bloc and strengthen its global outreach, said its Vice Minister for ASEAN Affairs Milena Rangel. Rangel said membership offers the country an...

Kupang selected as legal metrology training hub for Timor-Leste

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Trade Ministry has designated the city of Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara as a training center for legal metrology for officials from the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, officials said. “Kupang is in...