Mascow, Russia (TASS) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he saw a serious approach behind the Turkish government’s aspirations to join BRICS group, TASS reports.
“I assume that when a government says that they are making a specific step, it is backed by serious intentions,” the minister said in an interview with RBC when asked to comment on Turkey’s plans to become a member of the group.
At BRICS, there are no rules forbidding members of certain organizations from having ties with the grouping, Russia’s top diplomat added. He referred to Turkey’s NATO membership and EU candidate status that has been on the books for long.
“The main thing for full-fledged members and countries developing various forms of cooperation with BRCIS is to share common values that are different from the ones the European Union has been defending in Ukraine,” he underscored.
“All BRICS members stand ready to comply with provisions of the UN Charter in their entirety and interconnection. Not on an optional or random basis. For this is what constitutes multipolarity,” Lavrov concluded.
Hong Kong (Reuters Breakingviews) – China’s electric cars have zoomed into a new era of battery-powered driving. Now models such as BYD’s (002594.SZ), opens new tab Seal and Great Wall Motor’s (601633.SS), opens new tab Funky Cat face an international backlash.
The U.S. is quadrupling duties on imports of electric vehicles from the People’s Republic to more than 100%, while the European Union is lifting total tariffs close to 50% for some marques. The Chinese-made batteries that power the vehicles are an obvious next target for trade restrictions. But that battle will be even harder for the West to win.
China is a battery powerhouse. The $115 billion Contemporary Amperex Technology (300750.SZ), opens new tab and its smaller compatriots accounted for two-thirds of the global market for power cells used in electric cars in the first half of 2024, Bernstein analysts reckon.
Companies from the People’s Republic are also growing faster: installations by SVOLT Energy Technology more than doubled in the period from January to June, while those from rivals CALB (3931.HK), opens new tab, Guoxuan (002074.SZ), opens new tab, CATL and BYD all grew by more than a fifth compared to 2023. They’re profitable too, with CATL raking in more than 40 billion yuan ($5.6 billion) in earnings last year.
Much of that output is exported: the total volume of lithium battery units leaving China roughly doubled between 2015 and 2023, according to the International Trade Centre. The U.S. and Europe have become major buyers of Chinese cells, squeezing local operators like Sweden’s Northvolt.
THE BACKLASH
Now Western policymakers are pushing back. President Joe Biden in May laid out plans to hike tariffs on imports of batteries and their parts to 25%, from the previous 7.5%. His flagship Inflation Reduction Act, which subsidises electric cars by up to $7,500, from 2025 explicitly excludes vehicles for which battery materials were extracted, processed or recycled by a “Foreign Entity Of Concern, opens new tab”. That term covers companies headquartered or incorporated in China, and firms where the government holds 25% or more of its equity, voting rights or board seats.
Chinese manufacturers are also excluded from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $6 billion of credits for batteries and the critical minerals required to make them.
EU policymakers in Brussels are erecting similar barriers for Chinese-made batteries. They have not introduced additional tariffs, but a slew of guidelines on local and responsible sourcing makes trade increasingly costly and complex. So will the EU’s proposed carbon border tax, which will impose levies on emissions-intensive imports, including cars and related parts from 2030, opens new tab.
These efforts are likely to intensify as political relationships become testier. U.S. efforts to minimise the country’s dependence on its main strategic rival have broad bipartisan support. Officials are also anxious about the presence of Chinese tech in so-called dual-use products that have military applications. Batteries are crucial for submarines and drones.
And although the IRA is one of Biden’s signature policies, Donald Trump would probably hesitate to reverse it wholesale if he returns to the White House. Battery-related investments spurred by the tax credit scheme are concentrated in Republican-leaning states, UBS analyst Tim Bush points out.
LEAP OF FAITH
To successfully unplug from Chinese suppliers, however, Western countries will need to develop alternatives. Korean battery giants such as LG Energy Solution (373220.KS), opens new tab, SK On and Samsung SDI (006400.KS), opens new tab, which account for a combined global market share of 23.5%, are expanding in the U.S. and the European Union. However, relying on this trio has downsides, because they lag larger Chinese rivals’ technical prowess. None have so far managed to ramp up mass production of increasingly popular lithium-iron phosphate cells, for instance.
Developments in battery technology may allow upstarts to leapfrog established leaders. The most promising prospect is solid-state batteries, which use a lithium-metal layer in place of a conventional anode – the part of the device to which current travels during charging. This offers higher energy density so that the pack powering a car can be safer, smaller, and lighter without sacrificing range.
Pioneers are jostling to bring the science out of the lab, and no one has a clear lead. Benchmark Minerals predicts that by 2030 the U.S. and China could each account for around a third of the market for this chemistry. Chinese leaders including CATL and BYD are exploring solid-state batteries. The world’s largest carmaker, Toyota Motor (7203.T), opens new tab, says, opens new tab it could be as little as three years away from putting vehicles using those products on the road. Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), opens new tabis partnering, opens new tab with New York-listed QuantumScape (QS.N), opens new tab to do the same.
BRAWN AND BRAINS
Yet overtaking Chinese battery makers is a tricky proposition. Solid-state products still use lithium, and some versions also require graphite, nickel and cobalt. Although China holds only around 7% of the world’s lithium reserves, it controls around 80% of lithium chemical production, according to the Organisation for Research on China and Asia, as well dominating in nickel and cobalt. The People’s Republic has such a tight grip on graphite that the United States recently had to push back restrictions on overseas supplies. Battery makers including Ford Motor (F.N), opens new tab are urging the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office to ease proposed duties on imports of the material, Reuters reported last week.
If engineers concoct new recipes for cathodes and anodes, processing the necessary materials would probably still be less costly in China. The country currently churns out batteries at about three-quarters of the price of those made elsewhere. Research and development are more affordable in the People’s Republic, too. Researchers accounted for 80% of BYD’s record recruitment, opens new tab last year.
A large domestic customer base offers Chinese companies a vast testing ground that allows them to scale and commercialise new ideas quickly and cheaply. Nearly two-fifths of global patent applications relating to solid-state batteries come from China, according to local media. State support further defrays costs. Last year, CATL was the top corporate recipient of government grants, the Nikkei reported. The company pocketed more than $800 million, opens new tab in 2023, double the 2022 figure, according to the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY
Chinese stakeholders are not taking the status quo for granted. In January, a Tsinghua University professor warned China could lose its lead in batteries if it was not prepared for the risks posed by the rise of new technology. The state is coordinating a project involving six companies and investments of more than 6 billion yuan to incubate solid-state technology, Reuters reported in May, citing sources. It’s too soon to declare victory in the war for the next generation of battery technology. However, it is currently hard to imagine China losing its edge in both mass production and innovation. Opting out of those products will make electric cars more expensive and less sophisticated. Beijing’s global battery ram looks very hard to stop.
Editing by Peter Thal Larsen and Ujjaini Dutta BY By Katrina Hamlin FOR REUTERS
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.
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.”
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
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.
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.
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.
