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Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara, was inaugurated on August 17, 2024, amid ongoing construction delays and funding issues. President Joko Widodo's ambitious project aims to alleviate Jakarta's congestion but faces skepticism regarding its viability and environmental impact. The future of the capital remains uncertain as the new administration prepares to take over.
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On September 5, 2024, Pope Francis held a significant interfaith meeting at Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque, emphasizing climate action and religious unity. He signed a joint declaration with Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, urging global leaders to address climate change and extremism. This visit marks the start of his 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Mongolia, receiving a warm welcome despite an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him. Mongolia cited its energy dependence on Russia as a reason for not executing the warrant, drawing criticism from Ukraine and international organizations. This marks Putin's first visit to an ICC member state since the warrant was issued.
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During his historic visit to Indonesia, Pope Francis emphasized the need for interfaith dialogue to combat rising religious intolerance. Speaking to political leaders, he urged them to respect human rights and promote unity in diversity, addressing concerns over extremism in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.
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Australia's Socceroos faced a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Bahrain, followed by a goalless draw with Indonesia, leaving them with just one point from two matches in the World Cup qualifying round. Coach Graham Arnold faces mounting pressure as the team struggles to secure a top-two spot for direct qualification.
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Pope Francis is on a two-day visit to East Timor, a predominantly Catholic nation, as part of a 12-day tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania. His arrival has sparked both celebration and criticism over the $12 million cost of the visit amid ongoing poverty and abuse scandals within the church.
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Violence in Papua New Guinea's Porgera Valley has resulted in an estimated 20 to 50 deaths amid ongoing tribal conflicts over mining rights. The United Nations reports that fighting continues, with security forces now deployed to the area. The situation follows a recent attack on landowners by unauthorized miners.
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Indonesia has announced a moratorium on new hotel, villa, and nightclub constructions in Bali to address overdevelopment and preserve agricultural land. The timeline for the moratorium could extend up to ten years, as tourism surges post-pandemic, raising concerns about local infrastructure and cultural integrity.
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Pope Francis concluded his visit to East Timor, addressing a crowd of 600,000 at a Mass in Dili. He urged the youth to remember their history and warned against external influences that could alter their culture. The visit highlighted the nation's ongoing struggles with poverty and the controversial spending on the papal visit.
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Pope Francis concluded his visit to East Timor, addressing the youth and urging them to build their nation on the sacrifices of past generations. His visit, marking 20 years of independence, highlighted ongoing challenges like poverty and unemployment while warning against external influences on their culture.
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Pope Francis concluded his 12-day Asia tour in Singapore, where he addressed issues of economic disparity and migrant workers' rights. He emphasized the need for fair wages and conditions for foreign laborers, while also cautioning against the isolating effects of technology. His visit included a grand welcome and the unveiling of an orchid named in his honor.
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The Biden administration's proposed changes to the de minimis exemption for imports from China have drawn strong opposition from Beijing. China claims the new tariffs will harm international trade, while the US aims to curb the influx of low-cost goods that undermine local businesses.
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Pope Francis, 87, concluded an extensive 11-day tour across Asia, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. Despite health challenges, he engaged with large crowds, emphasizing outreach to marginalized communities and promoting peace and civic responsibility.