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Trump says he will appoint Musk head of government efficiency commission if elected

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Trump says he will appoint Musk head of government efficiency commission if elected

New York, USA (Reuters) – Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said on Thursday he would establish a government efficiency commission headed by billionaire supporter Elon Musk if he wins the Nov. 5 election, during a wide-ranging speech in which he laid out his economic vision for the country.


The former president has been discussing the idea of a government efficiency commission with aides for weeks, people with knowledge of those conversations have told Reuters. His speech to the New York Economic Club on Thursday, however, was the first time he had publicly endorsed the idea.

READ MORE : Trump Leads Biden in Six of Seven Swing States, WSJ Poll Finds

It was also the first time Trump said that Musk has agreed to head the body. He did not detail precisely how such a commission would operate, besides saying it would develop a plan to eliminate “fraud and improper payments” within six months of being formed.
“I will create a government efficiency commission tasked with conducting a complete financial and performance audit of the entire federal government and making recommendations for drastic reforms,” Trump said.

Musk said on an Aug. 19 podcast that he had held conversations with the former president about the matter and that he would be interested in serving on the body.
“I look forward to serving America if the opportunity arises,” Musk wrote on X on Thursday.
“No pay, no title, no recognition is needed.”

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Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Fox News town hall hosted by Sean Hannity in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. September 4, 2024. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo

Trump’s proposal for the commission drew an immediate rebuke from Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, a union which represents about 750,000 federal workers. He accused Trump and Musk of wanting to gut the non-partisan civil service and replace fired workers with allies.

“There’s nothing efficient about that,” Kelley wrote in a statement to Reuters.
The U.S. government already has the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) a federal watchdog agency tasked with investigating federal spending and performance.
During his speech, Trump reiterated his plan to cut the U.S. corporate tax rate to 15% from 21%, but only for companies that manufacture domestically. He also said he would open up tracts of federal land to homebuilding in a bid to drive down housing costs. These new housing zones would be “low tax” and “low regulation,” Trump said, without elaborating.

“We’re going to open up our country to building homes inexpensively, so young people and other people can buy homes,” he said.
While Trump had already said he wanted to cut the tax rate to 15%, he had not previously tied that lower rate to keeping manufacturing inside the country.
Trump also called for creating a sovereign wealth fund, in part to fund major infrastructure projects, including highways, airports and manufacturing hubs.

During his speech, Trump pointed to a number of business leaders in the audience, including JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon, Blackstone Group CEO Stephen Schwarzman and his own former treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin.
Attendees at Thursday’s event also included Cantor Fitzgerald chief executive Howard Lutnick, who serves as co-chair of Trump’s transition team.

On the campaign trail, Trump has frequently blamed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, the vice president, for the rise in prices of everyday goods during President Joe Biden’s term in office.

While headline inflation has slowed in the past two years, many U.S. consumers are still unhappy with the higher prices they have to pay for food, gas and other goods, according to public opinion polls.
Trump is seen as a more competent steward of the economy by most voters. But his advantage over Harris on the issue is eroding, surveys show.

Reporting by Helen Coster in New York and Gram Slattery in Washington; Additional reporting by Steve Holland and Tim Reid in Washington; Editing by Ross Colvin and Jonathan Oatis For REUTERS

Ugandan Olympic athlete dies after being severely burned by her partner

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Ugandan Olympic athlete dies after being severely burned by her partner

Nairobi, Kenya (AP) — Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died at a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated after 80% of her body was burned in an attack by her partner. She was 33.

Kenya’s sports minister said authorities must do more to combat gender-based violence.

A spokesperson at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city, Owen Menach, confirmed Cheptegei’s death on Thursday. Menach said the long-distance runner died early in the morning after her organs failed. She had been fully sedated on admission at the hospital.

READ MORE : Progress Amid Pain: Rwanda reflects on 30 years since genocide

Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month before the attack. She finished in 44th place.

Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, told journalists at the hospital that he had lost a daughter who was “very supportive” and said he hoped to get justice.

“As it is now, the criminal who harmed my daughter is a murderer and I am yet to see what the security officials are doing,” the father said. “He is still free and might even flee.”

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said Monday that Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of gasoline, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement Sunday. Ndiema was also burned and was being treated at the same hospital.

Menach said Ndiema was still in the intensive care unit with burns over 30% of his body but was “improving and stable.”

Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near Kenya’s many athletic training centers. A report filed by the local chief said Cheptegei and Ndiema were heard fighting before the attack over the land where her house was built.

The Uganda Athletics Federation eulogized Cheptegei on the social platform X, writing, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”

Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare called the attack “a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete.”

Kenya’s Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said the government would ensure justice for the victim.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to combat gender-based violence in our society, which in recent years has reared its ugly head in elite sporting circles,” he wrote in a statement.

Uganda’s First Lady Janet Museveni said that Cheptegei’s death due to domestic violence was “deeply disturbing.”

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said, “Rebecca’s participation in the Paris 2024 women’s marathon was a source of inspiration, pride and joy.”

In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner and steeplechaser Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead with stab wounds. In 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was found dead and a postmortem report stated that she was strangled. In 2021, long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was stabbed to death at her home. Her husband, Ibrahim Rotich, was arrested and charged with murder, the case is ongoing.

Kenya’s very high rates of violence against women have prompted marches by ordinary citizens in towns and cities this year.

Four in 10 women or an estimated 41% of dating or married Kenyan women have experienced physical or sexual violence perpetrated by their current or most recent partner, according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022.

By EVELYNE MUSAMBI FOR AP

Canadian opposition party ends support agreement with Prime Minister Trudeau’s Liberals

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Canadian opposition party ends support agreement with Prime Minister Trudeau’s Liberals

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (AP) — An opposition party in Canada ended a support agreement with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government Wednesday, raising the odds an election could happen before the fall of 2025.

Leftist NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh moved to distance himself from an increasingly unpopular Trudeau.

“The deal is done,” Singh said on social media, bringing an abrupt halt to a pact that has kept the government running.

Trudeau’s Liberals lack a majority of seats in Parliament and need the support of at least one other party to pass legislation and keep the government alive.

RELATED NEWS : Mexico President issues ‘respectful’ criticism of Canada for new visa requirements

Breaking the deal doesn’t mean Trudeau’s government automatically falls if a vote of non confidence is scheduled. Rather, the NDP will determine how to vote on Liberal legislation on a case-by-case basis, and will attempt to squeeze more measures out of them.

The next election is at most a year away, and could happen earlier now depending on the NDP’s decisions on future votes.

“I really hope the NDP stays focused on how we can deliver for Canadians, as we have over the past years, rather than focusing on politics,” Trudeau said.

Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, said ending the agreement probably increases the odds the election will be before the fixed election date in the fall of 2025, but said the government could still last until then.

“This doesn’t mean the NDP wants to trigger federal elections anytime soon, as this could lead to a majority Conservative government, a situation that would eliminate the political clout the NDP currently enjoys in the minority parliament,” Béland said.

Trudeau has said he intends to lead the party into the next election. The Liberals have been in power since 2015 but inflation is a major concern for Canadians.

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Turkey seeks to join the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, a Kremlin official says

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Turkey seeks to join the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, a Kremlin official says

Moscow, Russia(AP) — NATO member Turkey has applied for membership in the BRICS bloc of developing economies, a senior Kremlin official said Wednesday, as Russia and China seek to counter the West’s global influence.

Yuri Ushakov, President Vladimir Putin’s foreign affairs aide, told reporters that Turkey has submitted an application “for full membership” in the bloc that Russia this year chairs, and it will be considered.

READ MORE : The hallmark of Putin’s 24 years in power: A crackdown on dissent

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated several times that his country aspires to become a member of the BRICS alliance, according to Omer Celik, a spokesman for Erdogan’s ruling party. But Celik stopped short this week of confirming that Turkey has applied formally.

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FILE – Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses the BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St.Petersburg.Russia, July 1 2024. (Valery Sharifulin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)  

The BRICS alliance was founded in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India and China, with South Africa joining in 2010. It recently has undergone an expansion, and now includes Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia has said it’s considering joining, and Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied.

BRICS has a stated aim to amplify the voice of major emerging economies to counterbalance the Western-led global order. Its founding members have called for a fairer world order and the reform of international institutions like the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Erdogan, who has been in power for more than two decades, has sought to carve a more independent foreign policy for Turkey and to enhance its global influence. The country is also frustrated by the lack of progress in its membership talks with the European Union.

Last week, Erdogan said Turkey should “simultaneously” develop relations with both the East and the West.

Turkey, which straddles Europe and Asia, joined the NATO military alliance in 1952. It began talks to join the European Union in 2005 but the negotiations have stalled due to concerns over democratic regression under Erdogan’s administration, and ongoing disputes with Cyprus, an EU member, among other challenges.

BRICS is expected to discuss taking in new members in a meeting in Russia next month.

Putin earlier this year welcomed Turkey’s interest in the bloc and promised that Moscow “will support this aspiration and desire to be together with the countries of this alliance, to be together, closer, to solve common problems.”

On Monday, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said Turkey expressed interest in joining BRICS.

Global Plastic Pollution Reaches Alarming New High, 57 Million Tons Annually

Shasi Kumar
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Global Plastic Pollution Reaches Alarming New High, 57 Million Tons Annually

Environment (DT/AP ) – According to a new study, the world produces 57 million tons of plastic pollution annually, dispersing it from the deepest oceans to the highest mountaintops and even within human bodies. The report highlights that over two-thirds of this pollution originates from the Global South.

This unprecedented level of plastic waste underscores the urgent need for more effective waste management strategies and global action to address the escalating environmental crisis. As plastic waste continues to accumulate in landfills, oceans, and natural habitats, experts are calling for immediate and significant changes to curb the impact of this growing pollution problem.

READ MORE : Bangladesh floods leave 71 dead, fears of waterborne disease rise

Researchers from the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom have found that the annual plastic pollution, totaling about 52 million metric tons, could fill New York City’s Central Park to the height of the Empire State Building. This finding comes from a study published in Wednesday’s issue of Nature, which analyzed waste data from over 50,000 cities and towns worldwide.

The study focused on plastic that escapes into the environment, rather than plastic disposed of in landfills or properly incinerated. According to the authors, a significant factor contributing to the high levels of plastic waste in regions like Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa is the failure of governments to collect and manage waste. This issue affects 15% of the global population, including 255 million people in India.

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FILE – City workers remove garbage floating on the Negro River, which has a rising water level due to rain, in Manaus, Amazonas state, Brazil, June 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros, File)

According to study author Costas Velis, a professor of environmental engineering at Leeds, Lagos, Nigeria, is the leading city for plastic pollution. Other major contributors include New Delhi, Luanda (Angola), Karachi (Pakistan), and Al Qahirah (Egypt).

India tops the global list for plastic pollution, generating 10.2 million tons (9.3 million metric tons) annually—more than double the amount produced by the next highest polluters, Nigeria and Indonesia. While China is often criticized for its pollution, it ranks fourth but is making significant progress in reducing waste, Velis noted. Other major plastic polluters include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia, and Brazil. Together, these eight countries account for over half of the world’s plastic pollution, according to the study.

According to the study, the United States ranks 90th in plastic pollution, generating over 52,500 tons (47,600 metric tons) annually, while the United Kingdom is 135th, with nearly 5,100 tons (4,600 metric tons).

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FILE – A volunteer stands on top of a pile of rubbish collected that day while participating in the Plastic Cup event near Tiszaroff, Hungary, Aug. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos, File)

In 2022, the majority of the world’s nations committed to creating the first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, including its impact on oceans. Final negotiations for the treaty are scheduled to take place in South Korea this November.

Several studies this year have investigated the prevalence of microplastics in drinking water and human tissues, such as hearts, brains, and testicles. However, doctors and scientists are still uncertain about the potential health risks these particles pose.

According to Velis, the major concern is the widespread dispersion of microplastics, particularly in the Global South. “We already face a significant dispersal issue,” Velis noted. “Microplastics are found in the most remote locations—from the peaks of Everest to the Mariana Trench, and even in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.”

Velis described the issue as “everybody’s problem” and one that will affect future generations. He emphasized that the responsibility should not fall solely on the Global South, nor should the Global North take undue credit for its efforts.

Velis attributed the issue to a lack of resources and the government’s inability to provide essential services to its citizens.

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FILE – A volunteer picks up trash on a river which is covered with trash at Pecatu, Bali, Indonesia, March 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati, File)

Some experts are concerned that the study’s emphasis on pollution rather than overall production may absolve the plastics industry of responsibility. The production of plastics generates significant greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

Neil Tangri, senior director of science and policy at GAIA, a global network focused on zero waste and environmental justice, expressed concern: “The study narrows the definition of plastic pollution to macroplastics released into the environment after consumer use. This focus risks diverting attention from upstream issues, such as production practices, and may lead to the mistaken belief that better waste management alone will solve the problem. While waste management is important, it’s only part of the broader issue.”

Velis noted that the volume of plastic waste traded globally is relatively small. Kara Lavender Law, an oceanography professor at the Sea Education Association who was not involved in the study, concurred with this assessment, citing trends in U.S. plastic waste. She also acknowledged that this study is one of the most comprehensive investigations into plastic waste to date.

Officials from the plastics industry have praised the study for highlighting the critical role of waste management. “This study emphasizes that uncollected and unmanaged plastic waste is the largest contributor to plastic pollution and underscores the need to prioritize effective waste management to address the issue,” said Chris Jahn, council secretary of the International Council on Chemical Associations. The industry, however, is opposed to imposing a cap on plastic production in treaty negotiations.

The United Nations forecasts that global plastic production will increase from approximately 440 million tons (400 million metric tons) per year to over 1,200 million tons (1,100 million metric tons), warning that “our planet is choking on plastic.”

King Mulawarman of Kutai Welcomes Diplomat Times’ Shashi Kumar for a Groundbreaking Dialogue

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King Mulawarman of Kutai Welcomes Diplomat Times’ Shashi Kumar for a Groundbreaking Dialogue

Kalimantan, Indonesia (DT) – Diploma Times Editor-in-Chief and renowned social worker, Shashi Kumar, recently embarked on an international visit to Indonesia, where he had the unique honor of meeting King Mulawarman of the Kutai Kingdom. The meeting took place in the heart of East Kalimantan, a region steeped in history and tradition, where the Kutai royal family has long been recognized for its dedication to preserving Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.

During the meeting, Shashi Kumar and King Mulawarman engaged in a deep conversation on the importance of cultural preservation in an increasingly globalized world. King Mulawarman, a respected figure in Indonesia’s cultural and historical landscape, spoke passionately about the responsibility of royal families to uphold the traditions and values of their ancestors, even in a modern democratic state like Indonesia.

The king highlighted how the royal families, though no longer holding political power, still play a vital role in maintaining the cultural identity of their regions.

READ MORE : Pope Francis arrives in Indonesia to begin ambitious Asia-Pacific tour

Shashi Kumar echoed the King’s sentiments, acknowledging the immense significance of cultural preservation in today’s rapidly evolving global society. “It’s inspiring to see how the royal families of Indonesia, especially in Kutai, have held onto their history and values, while also adapting to modern times,” Kumar stated. “This blend of tradition and progress is a testament to the resilience of Indonesia’s ancient civilization.”

The Kutai Kingdom, considered one of the oldest kingdoms in Indonesia, has a deep historical connection with the country’s roots. While the political landscape of Indonesia has changed, becoming a democratic nation where the government is run by the people, the royal families have retained their cultural and historical significance. The royal family of Kutai has been particularly instrumental in preserving the traditions, ceremonies, and cultural practices that date back centuries.

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King Mulawarman of Kutai and his wife: A moment of grace and tradition captured during their meeting with Diploma Times’ Shashi Kumar.Photo : Manvir Singh/DT

In the meeting, Kumar and King Mulawarman discussed how such heritage plays a crucial role in educating the younger generation. The Kutai Kingdom, with its majestic palaces, ancient rituals, and time-honored traditions, serves as a living museum for the people of Indonesia and the world, reminding all of the importance of honoring one’s past while moving forward.

As Indonesia continues to thrive as a democratic nation, its royal heritage remains alive and well. The government has also recognized the importance of preserving its ancient civilizations, supporting efforts to maintain historical sites and promote cultural tourism. The Kutai royal family’s efforts to keep their history alive are a shining example of how the essence of a nation’s civilization can coexist with modern governance.

The meeting between Shashi Kumar and King Mulawarman symbolizes the ongoing collaboration between nations and cultures in the pursuit of preserving historical legacies, while addressing the challenges of today’s interconnected world. Both agreed that the lessons of the past are crucial for building a more inclusive and culturally aware global society.

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“Shashi Kumar engages in a rich discussion about Indian culture with King Mulawarman of Kutai, bridging cultural insights and fostering mutual understanding.”.Photo : Manvir Singh/DT

As the Editor-in-Chief of Diploma Times, Kumar plans to share more insights from this remarkable encounter in an upcoming edition, offering readers a deeper look into Indonesia’s royal legacy and the significance of cultural preservation in an era of change.

Egypt’s president makes his first visit to Turkey as relations thaw

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Egypt’s president makes his first visit to Turkey as relations thaw

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — The presidents of Turkey and Egypt on Wednesday found common ground on the war in Gaza as they continued to mend long-strained relations, emphasizing the need for a permanent cease-fire and guaranteed delivery of humanitarian aid.

Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi spoke during the Egyptian leader’s first official visit to Ankara after years of tensions between the regional powers.

READ MORE : Turkey seeks to join the BRICS bloc of emerging economies, a Kremlin official says

“Turkey and Egypt have a common stance on the Palestinian issue,” Erdogan said after he and el-Sissi oversaw the signing of cooperation agreements. “The end of the genocide that has been going on for 11 months, the establishment of a permanent cease-fire as soon as possible, and the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid continue to be our priorities.”

In February, Erdogan made his first visit to Egypt in more than a decade after the countries agreed to repair ties and reappointed ambassadors. He said the countries wanted to boost bilateral trade to $15 billion in the coming years.

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Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, left, listens to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a bilateral signature agreements ceremony at the Presidential palace in Ankara, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Relations between Egypt and Turkey, a long-time backer of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood group, soured a decade ago after the Egyptian military ousted President Mohammed Morsi, who hailed from the Brotherhood, amid mass protests against his divisive rule. Egypt also outlawed the group as a terrorist organization.

In recent years, Ankara has stopped its criticism of el-Sissi’s government, aiming to improve strained relations with Egypt and other Arab nations while seeking investments during an economic downturn. In November 2022, Erdogan and el-Sissi were photographed shaking hands at the World Cup in Qatar.

The Egyptian foreign minister then traveled to Turkey in 2023 to show solidarity after a deadly earthquake struck parts of southern Turkey and Syria.

This is el-Sissi’s first visit to Turkey since he was elected president in 2014, a year after he led the military’s overthrow of Morsi.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, shakes hands with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi during a bilateral signature agreements ceremony at the Presidential palace in Ankara, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024.(AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

“We should work together to prevent humanitarian crises, especially by addressing regional issues together,” el-Sissi said. “We should work more intensively, especially with our brothers in Gaza and Palestine. In this context, both Turkey and Egypt emphasized that an urgent cease-fire should be established as soon as possible.”

Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israel’s military actions, accused Israel’s government of “condemning” the people of Gaza to hunger and thirst.

“Israel and its supporters are responsible for every innocent person who dies from hunger, thirst or lack of medicine,” he said.

He also told reporters that Turkey wanted to cooperate with Egypt on natural gas and nuclear energy.

Erdogan welcomed el-Sissi at the steps of his airplane at the airport in Ankara, a gesture he rarely makes.

El-Sissi said on Facebook that his trip to Turkey and Erdogan’s February visit to Cairo “mirror the joint will to start a new era of friendship and cooperation between Egypt and Turkey.”

Egypt, together with Qatar and the United States, a key Israel ally, has been working for months to try and broker a cease-fire and the return of the remaining more than 100 hostages held by the Palestinian militant Hamas group. The negotiations have stalled following new Israeli demands.

Egypt opposes any Israeli presence along the Gaza side of its border, claiming it would threaten the decades-old peace treaty between the countries, a cornerstone of regional stability. Hamas had asked to have Turkey added as a guarantor in the cease-fire talks, but the proposal was not accepted.

The war began with Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on Israel in which the militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostages. The overall Palestinian death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 40,000 people, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza.

Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.

In Asia, pope urges Indonesia to live up to promise of ‘harmony in diversity,’ fight extremism

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In Asia, pope urges Indonesia to live up to promise of ‘harmony in diversity,’ fight extremism

Jakarta, Indonesia (AP) — Pope Francis urged Indonesia to live up to its promise of “harmony in diversity” and fight religious intolerance on Wednesday, as he set a rigorous pace for an 11-day, four-nation trip through tropical Southeast Asia and Oceania that will test his stamina and health.

Francis had a packed first full day in Indonesia, meeting with outgoing President Joko Widodo and other Indonesian authorities at the presidential palace, and then greeting Catholic priests, nuns and seminarians at Jakarta’s main cathedral in the afternoon.

READ MORE : Pope Francis arrives in Indonesia to begin ambitious Asia-Pacific tour

Cannons boomed as Francis joined Widodo on the veranda of the palace along with President-elect Prabowo Subianto. A marching band, stiff-legged troops and children in traditional Indonesian dress welcomed the first pope to visit in 35 years.

In his remarks to the Indonesian authorities, Francis compared the country’s human diversity with the archipelago’s 17,000 islands. He said each one contributes something specific to form “a magnificent mosaic, in which each tile is an irreplaceable element in creating a great original and precious work.”

And yet, Francis warned that such diversity can also become a source of conflict. It was an apparent reference to episodes of intolerance that have flared in recent years in Indonesia as well as a broader concern about conflicts raging around the world.

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Indonesian President Joko” Widedo, right,r receives F Pope Franicis, helped on a wheelchair t by assistant Piergiorsio anltia atlstana) Merdeka Presidential IPalace in Jakarta. Wednesday, Sept.” A 2024.5 Pope Francisiss opening his visit to Indonesia with a apacked first dayv Wednesday.” meeting p politicala and religious leadersa and s setting a rigorous pacef fors an 11- t day, four- nation t tript throught tropical Asia and Oceania t that wiltlt testhiss staminaa and health. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

“This wise and delicate balance, between the multiplicity of cultures and different ideological visions, and the ideals that cement unity, must be continuously defended against imbalances,” Francis said. Political leaders, he said, had a particular role to play but he also assured Widodo of the Catholic Church’s commitment to increasing interreligious dialogue.

“This is indispensable for meeting common challenges, including that of countering extremism and intolerance, which through the distortion of religion attempt to impose their views by using deception and violence.

Regionally, internal conflict in Myanmar has forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh, where thousands have fled overcrowded, violent camps to countries including Indonesia. Francis met with at least one Rohingya refugee upon arrival Tuesday at the Vatican’s residence in a show of support for refugees to be welcomed, not rejected.

Farther afield, Indonesia has long been a strong supporter of Palestinians and the government has regularly condemned Israel’s war in Gaza. Widodo thanked Francis for the Vatican’s support of Palestinians since the start of the war.

“War will not benefit anyone, war will only bring suffering and misery to the common people,” Widodo said. “Therefore let us celebrate the differences that we have. Let us accept each other and strengthen tolerance to realize peace, to realize a better world for all humanity.”

Francis arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday to kick off the longest, farthest and most difficult trip of his pontificate given his myriad health problems. At 87, he uses a wheelchair, has regular bouts of bronchitis and has had multiple surgeries for intestinal problems.

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Peoplew walk pasta welcomings signboard for F Pope Francis displayed at- Jakarta Cathedrali in, Jakarta, Indonesia,’ Sunday, Sept. 2 2024. ahead of his visit t to lndonesia f from Sept. 3 6.6 (AP Photo/Dita A Alangkara)

By the trip’s end on Sept. 13, Francis will have flown 32,814 kilometers (20,390 miles) to visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore, one of the longest papal trips ever in terms of days on the road and distances traveled.

In Indonesia, Francis will be seeking to support the Catholic community, which only makes up 3% of the population of some 275 million, while seeking to encourage greater ties with the country that is home to the largest Muslim population.

The highlight of Francis’ first stop will be his participation Thursday in an interfaith meeting in Jakarta’s iconic Istiqlal mosque with representatives of the six religions that are officially recognized in Indonesia: Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism and Protestantism.

While Francis will want to highlight Indonesia’s tradition of religious tolerance, the country’s image as a moderate Muslim nation has been undermined by flare-ups of intolerance. In 2021, a militant Islamic couple blew themselves up outside a packed Catholic cathedral on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island during a Palm Sunday Mass, injuring at least 20 people.

As Francis arrived, Amnesty International said it hoped his visit would encourage an end to acts of intolerance and discrimination against minority groups and truly promote a respect for religious freedom that is enshrined in the country’s constitution.

In a statement, Amnesty noted that from January 2021 to July 2024, there were at least 123 cases of intolerance, including rejection, closure or destruction of places of worship and physical attacks. The perpetrators allegedly came from various backgrounds, including government officials, residents and community organizations.

“The pope’s visit has an important role to play in encouraging Indonesia to end intolerance and discrimination against all minority groups. Freedom of religion is a right protected by the Indonesian Constitution,” said Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia.

In the afternoon, Francis meets with Indonesian clergy and nuns in Jakarta’s Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral for his traditional pep talk to the local church. Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Catholic seminary and has long been a top source of priests and nuns for the Catholic Church, though their numbers today are not keeping pace with the growth in the overall Catholic population.

Asia, along with Africa, has long been seen as the future of the Catholic Church, both in terms of the number of baptized faithful and the number of men and women who decide to become priests or nuns. In Asia, the numbers are growing whereas longtime Catholic bastions such as Europe and the Americas have been seeing a long-term contraction both in the number of Catholics and those who enter religious life.

While Indonesia can by no means compete with India or the overwhelmingly Catholic Philippines in terms of the overall number of baptized Catholics or priests, the number of men studying to become priests is continuing to grow whereas the number of seminarians in Asia overall has started to level off or even decline in the last few years.

According to Vatican statistics as of Dec. 31, 2022, the last year for which data is available, there were 5,903 Catholic priests in Indonesia for a population of 8.29 million Catholics. While the number of seminarians studying for the priesthood in Asia has declined since 2017, including in the Philippines and India, Indonesia continued to add them, with 4,024 seminarians in 2022 compared to 3,777 in 2017.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

BY By NICOLE WINFIELD and EDNA TARIGAN

Pope Francis arrives in Indonesia to begin ambitious Asia-Pacific tour

Shasi Kumar
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Pope Francis arrives in Indonesia to begin ambitious Asia-Pacific tour

Jakarta, Indonesia (Reuters) – Dozens of excited Indonesians waved on Tuesday as a motorcade carried Pope Francis through the capital as he began the first leg of an ambitious Asia-Pacific tour expected to urge global action on climate change as part of his longest trip yet.


The 87-year-old pontiff, who will also visit East Timor, Singapore and Papua New Guinea over the next 10 days, was seated in a wheelchair as a lift disembarked him from a chartered aircraft at Jakarta airport.

READ MORE : Pope Francis meets at Vatican with relatives of Israeli hostages and Palestinians living in Gaza

Two children in traditional clothes presented a bouquet of local produce before the pope was greeted by Indonesia’s religious affairs minister, its Vatican envoy and several of its bishops on a red carpet flanked by honour guards.
Francis then drove off in a waiting car, waving and smiling. As his motorcade passed through Jakarta towards the Vatican embassy, where he is staying, small crowds of people were seen waving excitedly.

“I’m so happy, I feel so blessed,” said Enny Rahail, 52, who travelled 3,000 km (1,860 miles) to Jakarta from her home in southeast Maluku before standing for two hours in mid-day heat to wave to the pope outside the embassy.
“As Indonesians we are happy because the Catholic leader comes to our country,” said Enny, who called Francis an “advocate for peace” and said she cried as the pope arrived.
The ageing pope was not set to attend any public events on Tuesday, to allow him time for rest after the 13-hour overnight flight from Rome.

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Pope Francis waves at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport during his apostolic visit to Asia, in Tangerang near Jakarta, Indonesia, September 3, 2024. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawa

But shortly after arriving at the embassy, Francis held an informal meeting with a group of refugees living in Indonesia.
The Vatican gave few details, but said the group included persons from Somalia, Sri Lanka and members of the persecuted Rohingya minority from Myanmar.
The pontiff is set to travel nearly 33,000 km (21,000 miles)on the 12 days of the Asia-Pacific tour, before he arrives back in Rome late in the evening of Sept. 13.
At the beginning of his flight to Jakarta, Francis spent roughly half an hour individually greeting the accompanying journalists, leaning on a cane as he walked slowly around the back of the aircraft, chatting and shaking hands.

He offered only a few words about the trip, saying the coming days would represent his longest voyage abroad.

DIVINE BLESSINGS

Francis, who is not only the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics but also the Vatican’s head of state, wired customary greetings to every country he crossed on the way to Indonesia, including Iran, India, Pakistan and Turkey.
He offered prayers of peace, hopes for prosperity, or divine blessings, in messages varying with each country.
An address to Indonesia’s political leaders on Wednesday will be the pope’s first official event. The following day, he will participate in an inter-religious meeting at Southeast Asia’s largest mosque, the Istiqlal Mosque.
Francis, who pushed for the 2015 Paris climate pact, is expected to continue voicing appeals to confront the dangers of a warming globe.
Jakarta, the Indonesian capital home to at least 10 million people, is vulnerable to climate change, as it tackles chronic flooding and sinking land. The government is building a new capital, Nusantara, on the island of Borneo.
Just 3% of a population of about 280 million is Catholic in Indonesia, which is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.
“This is a very historic visit,” Indonesian President Joko Widodo told reporters before the pope’s arrival, offering Francis a warm welcome on a long-planned visit that had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Indonesia and the Vatican have a similar commitment to cultivate peace and brotherhood as well as ensure prosperity for the people.”
(This story has been refiled to add the dropped word ‘who’ in paragraph 5)

Reporting by Joshua McElwee and Stanley Widianto; Additional reporting by Willy Kurniawan, Ananda Teresia and Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by Martin Petty and Clarence Fernandez FOR Reuters

Bangladesh floods leave 71 dead, fears of waterborne disease rise

Diplomat Times
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Bangladesh floods leave 71 dead, fears of waterborne disease rise

Dhaka, Bangladesh (Reuters) – The death toll from floods in Bangladesh rose to 71 on Tuesday with millions of people still stranded in devastated areas and increasing concern about outbreaks of waterborne disease as the inundation recedes.
The floods, triggered by relentless monsoon rains and runoff from upstream waterways, have wreaked havoc over the past two weeks, causing widespread destruction and affecting around five million people.

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More than 580,000 families are still marooned in 11 flood-hit districts, and in urgent need of food, clean water, medicine and dry clothing. Nearly 500 medical teams were helping provide treatment, with the army, air force, navy, and the border guard assisting in relief efforts.
Authorities are now focusing on preventing the spread of waterborne diseases, a common aftermath of such disasters, and ensuring the availability of clean drinking water.

The Directorate General of Health Services said nearly 5,000 people had been hospitalised over the past 24 hours for cases of diarrhoea, skin infections and snake bites.
Heavy rain in the capital Dhaka on Tuesday swamped many districts, submerging roads in knee-deep to waist-high water, causing massive traffic jams as vehicles struggled through waterlogged streets.
Crops worth 33.5 billion taka ($282 million) have been damaged, affecting more than 1.4 million farmers, according to a preliminary assessment by the agriculture ministry.

A 2015 analysis by the World Bank Institute estimated that 3.5 million people in the South Asian country were at risk of annual river flooding, which has only increased in recent years due to climate change.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said two million children are at risk from Bangladesh’s most severe flooding in three decades. UNICEF has launched an urgent appeal for $35 million to provide essential supplies to those affected.

“Year after year, the lives of millions of children in Bangladesh are being devastated by floods, heatwaves and cyclones. Climate change is clearly altering children’s lives,” said Emma Brigham, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Bangladesh.
($1 = 119.0000 taka)

Reporting by Ruma Paul; editing by Mark Heinrich : Reuters

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