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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rome, Italy (DT) – On September 5, Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, met with Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, in Rome. A guard of honor was presented to President Aliyev at the Chigi Palace, where he was welcomed by Meloni. Both leaders reviewed the guard of honor and exchanged introductions between their respective delegations before posing for photographs.
The meeting began with a private discussion between the two leaders, which later expanded to include their delegations. Giorgia Meloni described President Aliyev’s visit as highly productive, emphasizing comprehensive talks on enhancing Italy-Azerbaijan bilateral relations.
They explored new avenues of cooperation, focusing on expanding economic and trade ties, especially in industry and energy, and deepening humanitarian and cultural exchanges. The Italy-Azerbaijan University project, a collaboration between ADA University and Italian institutions, was highlighted as a key initiative in fostering cultural and humanitarian connections.
They praised their bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, particularly the TAP project, which is crucial for Italy’s and Europe’s energy security. They discussed the potential for increasing TAP’s transmission capacity.
Meloni expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan’s humanitarian aid to Ukraine and acknowledged Azerbaijan’s role in this context. She thanked President Aliyev for inviting her to COP29 and expressed her commitment to participating in the event. Meloni assured Italy’s support for the successful organization of COP29 in Azerbaijan and noted that Italy’s climate change representative is working closely with Azerbaijan’s COP delegation. She also mentioned the participation of Azerbaijan’s COP29 President-Designate in the G7 environment ministers’ meeting in Italy.
The discussions also covered potential joint projects between Italy’s Eni S.p.A and Azerbaijan’s SOCAR in third countries and the importance of the Middle Corridor. They explored opportunities for Italian companies to leverage this corridor and agreed to discuss further collaboration through the Italy-Azerbaijan economic cooperation commission, with plans to hold its next meeting next year.
President Aliyev invited Meloni for an official visit to Azerbaijan, which she gladly accepted.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.
UK/SAUDI ARABIA (DT) Virgin Atlantic and Riyadh Air have signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding, with the goal of introducing an array of benefits for customers traveling between London, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and destinations beyond.
The agreement, signed yesterday at a ceremony at Riyadh Air’s Headquarters in Riyadh, is the first stage in the strategic partnership that will enable both airlines to strengthen connectivity, expand their networks and enhance customer experience.
The agreement lays the foundations for a long-term relationship, subject to regulatory approvals, that includes interline and codeshare connectivity, as well as a potential deeper partnership which could encompass loyalty benefits.
The partnership will open new destinations in Saudi Arabia and beyond for Virgin Atlantic customers, which includes its new service between London Heathrow and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Shai Weiss, Chief Executive Officer at Virgin Atlantic, commented;
“Following on from the announcement of our new services from London to Riyadh, we’re committed to working with the best partners in the region, to ensure our first route to Saudi Arabia delivers choice to our customers. We’re looking forward to working closely with Riyadh Air as they embark on their journey into the skies.”
Tony Douglas, Riyadh Air CEO said:
“Our partnership with Virgin Atlantic will help us collectively provide additional connectivity to the Kingdom. Riyadh Air has signed agreements with a number of strong global partners around the world, most recently Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic’s network will assist our growth to and from Saudi Arabia as we enter service in summer 2025.”
The new partnership aims to capitalise on the huge growth taking place as part of Saudi Vision 2030. Air travel between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia is forecast to grow 24% between 2019-2035 whilst annual trade between the UK and Saudi Arabia was worth £17.1 billion in 2023 with the ambition to reach £30 billion of trade by 2030. The new service will also connect family and friends with a recent fivefold increase in Saudis living in UK between 2000 and 2018.
Riyadh Air, which will begin operations in 2025, is committed to building a premier carrier for customers traveling to and from the Middle East, with its base of operations in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2023, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the seventh year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 8,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 30 destinations across four continents throughout the year.
Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. In February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam in March 2023 as the global airline alliance’s first and only UK member airline, enhancing the alliance’s transatlantic network and services to and from Heathrow and Manchester Airport.
Virgin Atlantic has been pioneering sustainability leadership for more than 15 years, committing to Net Zero by 2050 and continuous action that reduces environmental impact. The airline operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the skies, with an average age under seven years. In March 2024, Virgin Atlantic welcomed Wendy Darling, the 11th delivery of 12 A350s, and Ruby Rebel, the 5th of 1 A330-900neos to the fleet, continuing its transformation towards 100% next generation aircraft by 2028. In November 2023, the airline led a consortium to deliver the world’s first flight across the Atlantic on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), demonstrating that 100% SAF can be used safely as a drop in fuel in existing infrastructure, engines and airframes. The need to scale production is imperative and Virgin Atlantic is committed to radical collaboration across the energy chain to support commercialisation ahead of 2030.
About Riyadh Air
Riyadh Air, a PIF company, is a world-class airline. Launched in March 2023, the airline will be a digitally led, full-service airline that adopts the best global sustainability and safety practices across its advanced fleet of aircraft. Riyadh Air will equip its aircraft with the most advanced, state-of-the-art features with innovative, best-in-class cabin interiors and experiences, including next generation digital in-flight entertainment systems and connectivity solutions. Riyadh Air will connect guests to over 100 destinations around the world by 2030 through offering an exceptional guest experience with an authentic, warm Saudi hospitality at its heart.
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.
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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“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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
