Latest news with #JoseRamosHorta

ABC News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Tuvalu Climate Minister slams North West Shelf project extension
Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa is staying tight lipped about whether she'll form a new party to contest the upcoming snap election or run as an independent. The life of Australia's largest oil and gas project will be extended to 2070. It's been met with criticism by Tuvalu's Climate Minister Maina Talia. Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta says a meeting with the survivors of convicted paedophile Richard Daschbach's did not influence his decision not to grant the American a presidential pardon. New South Wales has defeated Queensland in the State of Origin opener 18-6 with a spectacular performance. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States concludes this week. It recognises the contributions of Asian, American and Pacific individuals have made to American society—in areas like science, government, the arts, business, and civil rights. Cricket PNG is seeking to revitalise the game in Lae, and grow the game in the Highland Provinces, as they seek out the best new talent.

ABC News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Timor Leste president rejects pardon proposal for former priest and convicted pedophile
The President of Timor Leste has not included American Richard Daschbach in his list of prisoner pardons, despite a government recommendation. Mr Daschbach is a former Catholic priest who is serving a 12-year sentence for six counts of sexually abusing young Timor girls under his care at a remote orphanage. Timor Leste President Jose Ramos Horta released his annual list of prisoner pardons overnight, Mr Dashbach was not among the six names on the list. The 88-year-old is four years into his sentence and has been recommended for pardon by Timor's prime minister, but survivors of his crimes say they feel betrayed and unsafe at the prospect of the American's release. The ABC understands 11 of the survivors met with President Horta to voice their concerns about a possible pardon.

ABC News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Pedophile priest omitted from Timor Leste pardon
The President of Timor Leste has not included American Richard Daschbach in his list of prisoner pardons, despite a government recommendation. Mr Daschbach is a former Catholic priest who is serving a 12-year sentence for six counts of sexually abusing young Timor girls under his care at a remote orphanage. Timor Leste President Jose Ramos Horta released his annual list of prisoner pardons overnight, Mr Dashbach was not among the six names on the list. The 88-year-old is four years into his sentence and has been recommended for pardon by Timor's prime minister, but survivors of his crimes say they feel betrayed and unsafe at the prospect of the American's release. The ABC understands 11 of the survivors met with President Horta to voice their concerns about a possible pardon.

ABC News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Timor president rejects pardon proposal for former priest and convicted pedophile
On the program today: Timor Leste President Jose Ramos Horta has decided against pardoning convicted former priest Richard Daschbach. There are calls for calm in Papua New Guinea's capital, Port Moresby, following the shooting of a 29-year-old woman by police officers. Outspoken, fierce and a protector of culture and a peacemaker. That's how family, friends and the people of Vanuatu are remembering the late Hilda Lini. From the ABC's archives, a 1980 interview with Hilda Lini before New Hebrides became independent from France and Britain. People at the site of a massive landslide in Papua New Guinea are calling for action one year on after more than 600 people died. Successful applicants of the Pacific Engagement Visa, have started to settle into their new lives in Australia. A new academy has just been launched by Vanuatu Cricket, with the aim of drawing in the best male and female talent and building a new generation of national team players. The Trump administration has dramatically stepped up its dispute with one of the United States' top universities, attempting to block Harvard's ability to enrol foreign students.


Free Malaysia Today
25-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
East Timor could join Asean bloc by October
East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta has long campaigned for Asean membership. (EPA Images pic) KUALA LUMPUR : East Timor is a step closer to fulfilling its longstanding wish to join the Southeast Asian regional bloc and could become its 11th member state by October, Malaysia's foreign minister said today. Mohamad Hasan said on the sidelines ahead of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in Kuala Lumpur that Dili 'has made meaningful progress in implementing a roadmap' for it to join. East Timor is one of the world's poorest countries and some concerns remain around whether it could participate meaningfully in Asean's development agenda. However, the bloc's foreign ministers voiced 'strong support for Timor-Leste's full membership in Asean, particularly in its efforts to fulfil the remaining criteria', Mohamad told a news conference, using the country's Portuguese name. The top Malaysian diplomat did not give details on issues still outstanding but full membership could be granted at Asean's next regional meeting in October, chaired this year by Malaysia. Asean member states will 'now begin undertaking their respective domestic legal procedure with a view to finalise Timor-Leste's accession process by the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in October, hopefully', Mohamad said. East Timor is the youngest country in Southeast Asia, having gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 after 24 years of occupation. Its president, Jose Ramos-Horta, has long campaigned for Asean membership and an application was first submitted by the former Portuguese colony of around 1.3 million people in 2011. Dili was granted observer status to the regional body in 2022 but its full membership has been delayed by various challenges. East Timor is grappling with high levels of inequality, malnourishment and unemployment and remains heavily reliant on oil, with little diversification into other sectors. It also faces challenges in infrastructure development and human resource capacity, seen as critical for effective participation in Asean's economic community.