Pope Francis arrived in Papua New Guinea on Friday, marking the second stop of his extensive 11-day journey across Southeast Asia and Oceania. This visit makes him only the second pope to set foot in the strategically significant South Pacific nation, following in the footsteps of St. John Paul II, who visited in 1984 and 1995. The 87-year-old pontiff was greeted at Port Moresby airport with a cannon salute and a marching band, though he briefly lost his balance during the welcome ceremony, requiring assistance from his security team. Francis’ visit comes on the heels of a vibrant three-day stay in Indonesia, where he addressed a crowd of over 100,000 at a jubilant Mass and signed a historic interfaith declaration with Jakarta’s grand imam, pledging to combat religious violence and protect the environment. In Papua New Guinea, Francis’ agenda focuses on social justice, environmental stewardship, and fostering harmony among the nation’s diverse tribal communities. He is scheduled to meet with government officials, address local clergy, and visit Catholic missionaries working in remote areas. The country, home to over 10 million people, faces challenges such as tribal conflicts, environmental degradation, and the impacts of climate change. Francis’ visit is seen as a beacon of hope for the nation’s Catholic community, which makes up a significant portion of the population. The pope’s journey will continue to East Timor and Singapore before concluding on September 13.
标签： Oceania
大洋洲
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Pope and imam of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque make joint call to fight violence, protect planet
In a historic moment of interfaith solidarity, Pope Francis and Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque, Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, jointly pledged to combat religiously inspired violence and address the pressing climate crisis. The leaders issued the “Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024” during the Pope’s visit to Indonesia, marking a significant step in fostering global harmony and environmental stewardship. The declaration emphasized that religion must never be used to justify violence but should instead promote peace, human dignity, and environmental protection. The event, held at the iconic Istiqlal Mosque, brought together representatives of Indonesia’s six officially recognized religions: Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. The gathering underscored the nation’s commitment to religious freedom, despite ongoing challenges of intolerance and discrimination. Francis and Umar’s personal rapport was evident as they shared heartfelt gestures of mutual respect, symbolizing the potential for unity across faiths. The Pope’s visit also included a jubilant Mass at Jakarta’s stadium, attended by an estimated 100,000 faithful, where he urged Indonesians to build a civilization of peace and hope. This visit is part of Francis’ 11-day journey across Southeast Asia and Oceania, aimed at strengthening Catholic-Muslim ties and promoting fraternity. The Istiqlal Declaration builds on Francis’ longstanding efforts to bridge religious divides, following similar initiatives in the Gulf and Iraq. The document also highlighted the urgent need for decisive action to combat climate change, a cause close to the Pope’s heart, particularly in Indonesia, a nation vulnerable to environmental crises. Umar emphasized the mosque’s role as a unifying space, designed by a Christian architect and serving diverse communities. The event concluded with a powerful message of unity, as Francis and Umar called on people of all faiths to work together for a sustainable and peaceful future.
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Saudi Arabia formally informs FIFA of its wish to host the 2034 World Cup as the favorite to win
In a strategic move that positions Saudi Arabia as the frontrunner to host the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation formally submitted its bid to FIFA on Monday. The kingdom’s candidacy is bolstered by a streamlined bidding process that restricts participation to members of the Asian and Oceania football governing bodies. This development follows FIFA’s recent decision to fast-track the 2034 hosting contest, effectively paving the way for Saudi Arabia’s potential victory. The 2030 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by six nations across three continents—Europe, Africa, and South America—has already been decided, leaving Asia as the focal point for the 2034 edition. Saudi Arabia’s bid is supported by over 70 of FIFA’s 211 member federations, reflecting its global outreach and commitment to expanding football’s reach. The kingdom’s infrastructure, including its readiness to host the 2027 Asian Cup, aligns with FIFA’s stringent hosting criteria. However, the bid has sparked concerns about potential scheduling conflicts, as the tournament would likely be held in November-December, disrupting European football leagues. FIFA’s decision-making process, influenced by its 37-member council, is expected to finalize the 2034 host by late next year. Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global football, underscored by its acquisition of Newcastle United and investments in domestic clubs, further solidifies its candidacy.
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Australia vies for Pacific influence with new security deal
In a strategic move to bolster its presence in the Pacific region, Australia has inked a comprehensive security agreement with Vanuatu, a small island nation in Oceania. This development comes amidst growing geopolitical competition with China, which has been actively seeking to expand its influence in the region. The newly signed pact encompasses a wide range of areas including humanitarian aid, disaster response, law enforcement, cyber security, defense, border security, and maritime safety. Although the full details of the agreement remain undisclosed, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the importance of sovereign decisions in enhancing regional security during a press conference in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital. Wong proudly declared Australia as Vanuatu’s principal security partner of choice. This agreement follows China’s recent security deal with the Solomon Islands, which has sparked concerns over potential military escalation in the South Pacific. China’s broader attempt to secure a sweeping regional agreement with ten Pacific nations, covering various sectors from security to fisheries, was met with resistance. Australia has been actively countering China’s influence through a series of diplomatic missions across the Pacific. Wong highlighted that the level of engagement and cooperation with Australia is a matter of individual choice for each Pacific nation. During her visit, Wong also participated in the handover of a new wharf and a police boat, both funded under Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Program. The delegation’s next stops include Palau and Micronesia, with Palau being one of the few nations maintaining diplomatic ties with Taiwan rather than China. Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. acknowledged the significant Chinese investment in his country but reiterated Palau’s stance of maintaining friendly relations with all nations without external pressure. Whipps also praised Australia’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030, though he urged for a more ambitious target of 50%. Climate change remains a critical issue for many Pacific nations, with rising sea levels and severe weather posing existential threats to low-lying islands.
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Horse trainer, wheelchair athlete to attend royal funeral
CANBERRA, Australia — In a significant gesture of inclusivity, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed on Tuesday that his official delegation to Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will feature a diverse group of individuals, including racehorse trainer Chris Waller and wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott. These two prominent figures are part of a contingent of 10 ‘everyday Australians’ selected to represent the nation at the state funeral scheduled for Monday at Westminster Abbey in London. Albanese emphasized that the inclusion of these citizens was a specific request from the British royal family, aiming to honor individuals who have made substantial contributions to their local communities.
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Peru, Australia ready to playoff for a World Cup spot
In a high-stakes showdown, Australia and Peru are set to face off in a decisive intercontinental playoff for a coveted spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The match, scheduled for late Monday in Al Rayyan, marks a winner-takes-all encounter, contrasting with the home-and-away format of previous playoffs. Both teams have a history of securing World Cup berths through such playoffs, with Peru defeating New Zealand and Australia overcoming Honduras in 2017 to qualify for the Russia tournament. This time, only one will advance to join Group D, where France, Denmark, and Tunisia await. Peru’s coach Ricardo Gareca, who led the team to fifth place in South American qualifiers, emphasized the significance of the match, noting both teams’ extensive experience in high-pressure situations. Peru enters the game with confidence, having defeated Australia 2-0 in their only previous meeting during the 2018 World Cup. Meanwhile, Australia, fresh off a 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates in the Asian playoff, is banking on its resilience and fighting spirit. Coach Graham Arnold drew parallels to the historic 2005 playoff win over Uruguay, urging his team to channel their “Aussie DNA” to secure a fifth consecutive World Cup appearance. With 12,000 Peruvian fans expected to fill the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, the atmosphere promises to be electric as both nations vie for glory on the global stage.
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Qatar to host New Zealand’s bid to qualify for the World Cup
The journey to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar begins for New Zealand and other Oceania teams as the region’s qualifying tournament is scheduled to take place in the host nation from March 14 to 30. FIFA confirmed Qatar as the neutral venue for the qualifiers, which have faced repeated delays due to COVID-19 travel and quarantine restrictions. This tournament marks the final opportunity for Oceania teams to secure a spot in the intercontinental playoffs. New Zealand, led by Burnley forward Chris Wood, is heavily favored to emerge victorious. The winner of the Oceania qualifiers will face the fourth-place team from the North American qualifying group in a playoff on June 13 or 14. Currently, Panama holds that position, closely followed by Mexico and the United States, with Canada leading the group. The Oceania qualifiers are divided into two groups: New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea in one, and Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Vanuatu, and the winner of the Tonga vs. Cook Islands play-in game in the other. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, with the final on March 30 determining Oceania’s representative in the playoffs. Notably, Samoa and American Samoa have withdrawn from the competition. New Zealand, ranked 110th by FIFA, has played minimal competitive soccer in recent years, making this tournament a crucial test for the Kiwis.
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Club World Cup dates set for Feb. 3-12 in the UAE
Chelsea Football Club will need to adjust its Premier League schedule to participate in the rescheduled 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place from February 3 to 12 in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement was made by FIFA on Monday, following the completion of the seven-team lineup after Palmeiras secured the Copa Libertadores title on Saturday. Chelsea, the reigning Champions League winner, and Palmeiras will enter the tournament at the semifinal stage, competing for a spot in either the final or the third-place match. Currently, Chelsea is slated to face Brighton on February 8 and host Arsenal on February 12 in the Premier League, but these matches will now require rescheduling. In the semifinals, Chelsea will meet one of three potential opponents: Auckland City (Oceania champion), Al Jazira (UAE champion), or Al Hilal (Asian champion). Auckland City and Al Jazira will first clash in a preliminary round, with the winner advancing to face Al Hilal. Meanwhile, Palmeiras will take on either Al Ahly (African champion) or Monterrey (CONCACAF Champions League winner). The Club World Cup has faced significant disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally planned as an expanded edition in China during June and July, the tournament was postponed when the 2020 European Championship and Copa America were delayed by a year. Japan was later selected to host the traditional seven-team event in December but withdrew three months ago, citing pandemic-related travel restrictions.
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FIFA changes playoff format for last 2 places at World Cup
In a significant shift from tradition, FIFA announced on Friday that the intercontinental playoffs for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will now feature single-leg matches at a neutral venue. This decision, driven by the ‘unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,’ aims to streamline the qualification process and minimize the logistical challenges faced by teams. The matches, scheduled for June 13 and 14, will determine the final two participants in the tournament. While the host venue remains undisclosed, the playoffs will involve teams from Asia, South America, Oceania, and the North American region. The majority of the playoff contenders are expected to be confirmed by the end of March, with Asia’s representative to be decided just days before the intercontinental matches. This marks a departure from the two-legged format introduced in 1986, which often required extensive travel across multiple time zones. The World Cup draw is set for April 1 in Doha, with 30 of the 32 qualifiers already determined. The intercontinental playoff draw will take place on November 26, ahead of the tournament’s kickoff on November 21 and its conclusion on December 18.
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Asian shares slip in cautious trading, shrug off US rally
Asian markets experienced a downturn on Wednesday, despite a robust recovery on Wall Street led by technology and banking sectors. Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 1% to 27,544.06, while South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.0% to 2,932.15. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 declined 0.5% to 7,209.40, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slid nearly 0.9% to 23,899.34. Trading in Shanghai was suspended due to national holidays. Persistent concerns over COVID-19 infections and China’s economic slowdown, particularly the debt crisis of China Evergrande Group, have kept investors cautious. Tan Boon Heng of Mizuho Bank noted that risks from China’s credit issues and real estate sector remain unresolved. In Japan, the new finance minister’s commitment to traditional economic policies has provided some reassurance, though Fitch Ratings maintains a negative outlook due to pandemic-related macroeconomic risks. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s central bank raised interest rates for the first time in seven years, signaling a shift from pandemic-era support measures. Wall Street saw gains, with the S&P 500 rising 1.1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.9%, and the Nasdaq climbing 1.3%. Despite recent volatility, analysts anticipate strong corporate earnings in the upcoming third-quarter reports, which could bolster market confidence. Energy markets saw slight declines, with U.S. crude dropping to $78.81 a barrel and Brent crude falling to $82.48 a barrel. The U.S. dollar strengthened against the Japanese yen and the euro.