Edition Monday, April 1, 2019 | International Bali Post

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Monday, April 1, 2019

Janet Jackson, Radiohead, The Cure enter Rock Hall of Fame

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Monday, April 1, 2019

NEW YORK - Genre-bending acts Radiohead and The Cure led a British invasion into Brooklyn Friday night to take their spots in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while pop icon Janet Jackson entered the shrine in an induction many industry insiders consider long overdue.

American folk rock legend Stevie Nicks became the first woman inducted twice -- having already earned a spot in the rock pantheon as a member of band Fleetwood Mac -- during a gala concert at New York’s Barclays Center in Brooklyn to celebrate the seven 2019 honorees. Heavy metal group Def Leppard, pop experimentalists Roxy Music and English psychedelic rock harmonists The Zombies rounded out the five-strong class of British inductees.

The inclusion of Jackson -- whose socially conscious, sexually provocative and eminently danceable tracks made her a household name in the 1980s -- comes as the Hall of Fame increasingly expands its definition of rock to include the likes of R&B. She joins The Jackson 5 and her brother Michael in the Cleveland-based rock shrine, which has refused to remove the late pop king from its honored artist list despite pressure over a documentary reviving pedophilia accusations against him.

Jackson declined to perform at the event, an unusual move some US reports owed to the fact that it would be broadcast on HBO, the network which aired the documentary

about her brother, “Surviving Neverland.”

Citing Jackson’s “legendary black girl magic,” pop futurist Janelle Monae inducted the 52-year-old superstar who spearheaded the creation of New Jack Swing.

Her synth-driven sound came to define the cutting edge of New York’s club scene in the late 1980s. Jackson steered clear of Michael discussions but noted her family’s “extraordinary impact on popular culture,” saying that as the youngest she “was determined to make it on my own.”

“Tonight your baby sister has made it,” she said, telling the Hall: “2020, induct more women!”

British sensation Harry Styles inducted Stevie Nicks -- whose poetic vocals and bewitching stage presence have made her an intergenerational rock legend.

She opened the show with a performance of “Stand Back,” wearing her original shawl from the video and twirling to show off its shimmering gold fringe. Speaking to journalists backstage, Nicks, 70, voiced hope that as the first woman twice inducted she was “opening up the door for other women, to go like, ‘Hey man, I can do it.’” (afp)

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame/AFP

Inductee Janet Jackson speaks onstage during the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony - Show at Barclays Center on March 29, 2019 in New York City.

Nicolas Cage files for annulment four days after marrying girlfriend

Nicolas Cage

IBP/net

Actor Nicolas Cage has filed for an annulment four days after getting married in Las Vegas, saying he was too drunk to understand his actions.

A court record shows the Ghost Rider star asked on Wednesday for the annulment of his marriage to Erika Koike. Cage claims the pair drank “to the point of intoxication” before the wedding on Saturday.

Celebrity website The Blast reported that Cage’s lawyers said: “Prior to obtaining a marriage license and participating in a marriage ceremony, [Cage] and [Koike] were both drinking to the point of intoxication.

“As a result of his intoxication, when [Koike] suggested to [Cage] that they should marry, [Cage] reacted on impulse and without the ability to recognise or understand the full impact of his actions.”

The 55-year-old also argues that he wasn’t aware of Ms Koike’s “relationship with another person”, with the document also stating that she did not inform him of her “criminal history” including “additional active criminal proceedings”.

Ms Koike, a makeup artist, is understood to have pleaded not guilty to a DUI charge in Las Vegas and is scheduled to return to

court in June. The couple, who have been dating for a year, tied the knot on the same day they applied for a marriage licence.

This is the fourth marriage of the Oscarwinning actor, who was previously married to former waitress Alike Kim, singersongwriter Lisa Marie Presley and actress Patricia Arquette.

Cage also has a son with former girlfriend Christina Fulton.

The actor received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for his role in the 1995 film Leaving Las Vegas. (net)

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AP Photo/Rony Muharrman, File

In this June 27, 2013, file photo, smoke billows during a forest fires in Pelalawan, Riau province, Indonesia. Indonesia’s air quality has deteriorated from among the cleanest in the world to one of the most polluted over the past two decades, shaving five years from life expectancy in some regions, researchers say.

Worsening air pollution reducing lifespans in Indonesia JAKARTA - Indonesia’s air quality has deteriorated from among the cleanest in the world to one of the most polluted over the past two decades, shaving five years from life expectancy in some regions, researchers say.

The study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago says an increase in coal-fired power stations, burning of land for plantation agriculture and rising car ownership are responsible for the worsening pollution in the world’s fourth-most populous country.

The greatest spike happened in the last few years with air pollution more than doubling between 2013 and 2016, it said. The burden on public health has become one of the highest in the world, behind

only India, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

“High air pollution is now undermining Indonesians’ health,” said researchers Michael Greenstone and Qing Fan. “In 1998, air pollution barely impacted the life expectancy of Indonesians. In fact, even in 2013, it shaved only a few months off of average life expectancy.”

According to the researchers, sustained high concentrations of particulate matter in the air

people breath will cut 2.3 years from lifespans in the capital, Jakarta.

On the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, both of which suffer land fires every year, the expected reduction in lifespans is four years on average. It rises to 4.8 years for the southern Sumatran city of Palembang and 5.6 years for its neighboring Ogan Komering Ilir district.

Indonesia’s annual dry season fires were particularly disastrous in 2015, burning 2.6 million hectares (10,000 square miles) of land and spreading health-damaging haze across Indonesia, Singapore, southern Thailand and Malaysia. The

World Bank estimated the fires cost Indonesia $16 billion and a Harvard and Columbia study estimated the haze hastened 100,000 deaths in the region.

Wetter weather resulted in reduced areas of land burning in the following three years, though the area burned jumped again last year to more than 510,000 hectares (2,000 square miles).

The University of Chicago study said the air pollution effects are widespread. Small particles carried by the wind from land fires at times contribute 31 percent of Jakarta’s “PM2.5” — tiny particles that cause haze when levels are elevated and which are linked to

lung cancer, respiratory illness and other diseases.

Citing the experience of cities such as London, Osaka and Los Angeles in reducing disastrous air pollution and China’s more recent progress, the researchers said Indonesia’s pollution problem is “solvable” through stricter regulation and stronger enforcement. (ap) News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http:// radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.

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Monday, April 1, 2019

Bali News

International

Activities

International

Potential for electoral fraud in Bangli relatively small

BANGLI - The Electoral Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) of Bangli assessed the potential for fraud occurred during the upcoming election on April 17. In the upcoming election, there are many people involved to oversee the election in polling stations.

IBP/kmb

“Firstly, there are witnesses from political parties. Secondly, there is warden at polling station; thirdly, there are KPPS and community organizations that also witness and supervise the process of voting. So, in our opinion, the potential for fraud is relatively small as it can be minimized,” said Chairman of the Bangli Electoral Supervisory Board, Nengah Purna, on Saturday (Mar. 30).

But this is not the case with potential errors and mistakes during the voting process. According to him, the potential of errors can occur considering five ballots will be given to voters in this election. Since this happens for the first time, surely it becomes a new thing for voters later.

According to Purna, the potential errors that may occur in the voting process is the voter’s error in placing the ballot into the ballot box according to the color. For example, the ballot for members of the district House of Representatives is incorrectly put into the box of provincial House of Representative.

In addition, other potential errors are incorrect checks. He gave an example that residents wishing to elect candidates for their choice in the district House of Representatives but even look for it in a provincial House of Representatives’ ballot so that they are finally cast out. “Since the election with five ballots is a new thing, surely there is a potential mistake,” he said.

To minimize the occurrence of errors in the upcoming elections, according to him, the information on the electoral procedures for voting needs to be intensified by KPU through the KPPS and PPS at their respective village especially for people aged over 50s. Intensive dissemination is needed especially ahead of the voting day remaining within just a matter of a few days away. To minimize errors, Purna said that his board had been conducting dissemination both through PPDK and TPS wardens. (kmb40)

Electoral dissemination needs creativity

DENPASAR - Active participation of the community is highly expected in the simultaneous election 2019. Moreover, the Bali Electoral Commission (KPU) targets voter participation to reach 80 percent. Particularly Bali, there are 3,130,288 voters in accordance with the Updated Fixed Voters List (DPTHP-2).

In the Electoral Dissemination Program for the tourism industry in the Wiswa Sabha Utama Building, the office of the Governor of Bali some time ago, Commissioner of KPU Bali, I Gede Jhon Darmawan, stated the election in Indonesia is one of the most democratic elections in the world because the election applies a one vote system for one candidate. The system has quite high cost consequences like the Election 2019 requires a budget

of around IDR 29 trillion.

“So, we estimate that every citizen of Indonesia will be allocated as much as IDR 120,000 by the country to vote. So, I hope you really come to the polling station and do not waste the money,” he said.

According to Jhon, his commission has made various efforts to increase voter participation, including facilitating voters wishing to change the location of polling station so they do not have to go home when voting. It is by collecting form A5 up to March 13. In Bali, there are 12,394 polling stations (TPS).

Here are the number of voters in each district and municipality according to DPTHP-2, Denpasar City (464,132), Badung (384,609), Tabanan (366,150), Jembrana (235,284), Buleleng (582,437), Bangli (187,371), Karangasem

(380,195), Klungkung (160,080), and Gianyar (370,030). KPU Bali has also recapitulated the Additional Voter List (DPTb) included in the Election 2019 reaching 2,048 voters spreading over 457 polling stations.

When separately interviewed, former commissioner of the KPU Bali, Wayan Jondra, stated that actually it is not difficult to disseminate the election in Bali because it has extraordinary social investments such as hamlets, PKK, and customary village youth club (sekaa taruna). Moreover, the community such as in the hamlet also routinely performs meetings.

“Simply join with them, you don’t need to take anything. Ask for 10 minutes or 15 minutes for electoral dissemination. It needs creativity of the electoral organizers and election participants. Be-

sides, it can be held through social gathering of the hamlet to introduce themselves,” he said.

Jondra added that dissemination can also take advantage to provide political education for the community. Undeniably, there are still people that have an instant mindset. For example, there are people expecting money politics to move them to come to polling stations and channel their voting rights.

“This political education to voters is important. So, this is not just the task of the Electoral Commission, the election participants must also disseminate themselves.

Otherwise, no one will choose them later on. Actually, there are many political parties and so are the candidates,” he explained.

Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Su-

kawati, requested all components of the community to participate in the Concurrent Election 2019. No exception are people working in the tourism sector considering the tourism workers reaches one third of the Fixed Voter List or DPT in Bali. Strict work rules should not contribute to high abstentions.

Moreover, the voter participation in Bali is fairly volatile from elections to elections.

“In the election 2013, voter participation reached 73 percent and then rose again in the election 2014 to 77 percent. However, there was a significant decrease in the Gubernatorial Election 2018 to 72 percent.

We anticipate the number of abstentions could go down so that public participation can reach 80 percent in accordance with the target of the KPU Bali,” he added. (kmb32)

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Aston Kuta Commitment to Protect Mother Earth

Aston Kuta believed that their company has a responsibility to operate their business in a responsible manner and in ways that don’t jeopardize the environment. Celebrating Earth Hour, they invited the entire guest to joined hundreds million of people across the globe to save energy and light the candles.

In regards of their commitment to protect mother earth, they invited the entire guest to participate Earth Hour event on March 30, starts from 08:30 PM by switching off the unessential light in their room, as the hotel also turns off all the exterior lights and leaves minimum lights for security reason. The guest will be gathered at the lobby to enjoy amazing lights-out moment and starts to lights on 60+ candle shapes, officially marking the start of Earth Hour. The candle was made to send a green message to the guest as symbolizing the spirit of Earth Hour and commitment

to help the mother earth, with the ‘+’ sign means it’s not only for 60 minutes but also urging everyone to have sustainable lifestyle for the future.

“It’s our commitment to making the planet a better place. Not only for celebrating earth hours, but we strive to always concern about efficient energy use on a daily basis” said Rizka Fitriana, Asst. Marcomm Manager Aston Kuta Hotel & Residence.

To entertain the guest during the one hour lights off, Aston Kuta Hotel gives their special offers for BBQ candle light dinner with free “Mother Earth” mocktail for IDR 150,000++ and for any purchase for the signature mocktail “Mother Earth” will get free Eco Stainless Straw Pack contains of 2 types of stainless straw, brush and pocket for IDR 70,000net. It is also part of their support to reduce the plastic use as they have a motto of “Funtastic without Plastic”.

Monday, April 1, 2019

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Monday, April 1, 2019

Traveling

International

Revealed: 8 of the best British historic houses, gardens and sights VISIT Heritage reveals the best properties gardens and sites across Britain with the UK Heritage Awards 2019.

Properties from across the UK were nominated in various categories. The shortlist was then judged by a panel that included representatives of the Country Houses Foundation, Excellence Squared Group, National Trust, and Visit Heritage, amongst others.

Here are some of the winners.

Family Day Out: Hever Castle, Kent

Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and boasts more than 700 years of history.

It still has its original medieval defences and a double moat, plus what is widely regarded to be the best collection of Tudor portraits after the National Portrait Gallery.

It’s a must for history lovers, but also has plenty of family friendly attractives to keep the kids entertained as they learn. Themed

garden trails cover everything from Roman gods to map making, there’s a fantastic collection of miniature model houses, you can get lost (and hopefully find your way out again) in the Water Maze and Yew Maze, and when the weather’s fine there’s even boating on the lake.

Great Places to Eat: The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

Alnwick Castle is one of the most famous castles in England: it was used as a location for Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter movies. Stepping into the newly created gardens, you’ll find The Treehouse. It is complete with wobbly rope bridges and wooden walkways, and certainly looks like the home of a wizarding family. In fact, it’s an extraordinary restaurant with a menu of authentic Northumberland fare made from locally sourced ingredients. The Duchess of Northumberland has designed the range of cocktails, and there’s often live music, too.

Wonderful Places to Stay: Thirlestane Castle, Scottish Borders

If you have ever dreamed of staying in a fairytale castle, Thirlstane is it. It has been the home of the Maitland family since 1590, and you look back through the generations as you gaze at the oil portraits lining the walls. Five luxury apartments within the castle are open for guests, and they’re all decorated with an eclectic collection of antiques and fine artworks.

A Scottish bagpiper can even serenade you whilst you eat!

Most Improved Heritage Development: St Giles House, Dorset

St Giles House has been saved from the brink. Built as a family home 400 years ago, it fell into disrepair after WW2 and ended up on the English Heritage “Buildings at Risk” register. Thankfully, the past 10 years have seen an ambitious and successful restoration programme. The house is now open by appointment, you can stay in the 17th century Riding House, and there’s a lively calendar of events throughout the summer, which includes the Great Dorset Chilli Festival.

Contribution to Heritage: Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

The UK’s best heritage properties remind us of the past, but also look ahead to the future so that generations to come will be able

to enjoy them. Blenheim Palace is leading by example with a new 10 year plan: 10 ambitious goals for the palace and estate, £40 million for restoration, the establishment of an endowment fund to secure the palace’s financial future, and tripling Blenheim’s contribution to the local economy.

Best Wedding Venue: Adlington Hall, Cheshire

Choosing the UK’s best wedding venue, the Visit Heritage Award’s judges considered not only the beauty of the buildings and the atmosphere, but also the facilities and customer service. Adlington Hall wowed on all fronts. Couples can choose between the magnificent Great Hall and the more intimate Hunting Lodge, plus the historic walled courtyard and the glorious English Rose Garden. A dedicated team of wedding coordinators ensures everything runs smoothly in the run up to the wedding and on the big day itself.

Must Visit: Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Blenheim Palace’s well deserved second award was in the Must Visit category. The judges were impressed by the breadth and quality of the palace’s offering, from the Palace State Rooms to the Winston Churchill exhibition, the Butterfly House to the Pleasure Garden.

Hidden Gems:

Harvington Hall, Worcestershire78 Derngate House, Northamptonshire Two hidden gems captivated judges this year, so Harvington Hall and 78 Derngate became joint winners. Both properties are stunning, but they could hardly be more different.

Harvington Hall is a moated 14th century manor house with original Tudor wall paintings and priest hides. It offers fascinating insight into the life of wealthy Catholic families at the time of the Reformation, the challenges they faced, and their artistic tastes.

78 Derngate House is the only house in England designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. He completely transformed its interior in his signature style during WW1, and it has recently been beautifully restored. Two galleries in the house next door exhibit art and sculpture, furthering visitors’ understanding of Mackintosh, his contemporaries, and those artists influenced by them. (net)

Bali News

International

Monday, April 1, 2019

3

Tracing the beauty of stairs

AVAILABILITY of stairs connecting one floor to another floor in high rise buildings such as hotels, apartments, shopping centers and office buildings often gets no attention. Actually, the stairs are usually designed in such a way to beautify the internal parts of the building making it look attractive and can be used as an object of photography.

However, it is required carefulness to trace the beauty, uniqueness, and photogenic sides hidden along the twists and turns of the stairs.

Besides, the staircase is a very appropriate object for learning composition, one of the fundamental skills that must be owned by a photographer. This composition includes shapes, designs and patterns. More interestingly, the stairs present all elements of the composition in their entirety whether they are square, spiral or circular, made from wood or metal. A unique staircase design can make it quite photogenic, especially when the set of stairs connects one floor to another, changes direction and overlaps at each level. Here are practical tips that can be used as a guide when photographing stairs.

Before taking a photo shoot, make sure that you get permission from the building management to take pictures. There are a number of building managements that indeed apply prohibition on taking pictures with certain considerations. Surely, such policy must be respected. Do not let our love to hunt pictures of beautiful stairs even raises problems later on.

Lighting problems

Generally, stairs are inside the room so that lighting problems are often an obstacle because the conditions tend to be minimal.

Artificial light emanating from

tungsten lamps may be enough to illuminate the interior of our eyes.

However, it is not necessarily effective for cameras. In addition, the lights also have the potential to cause some strange color shifts that are only caught on camera.

To work around this, set the white balance on the camera according to the light source. In other words, we cannot fully depend on mere automatic settings. Make it a habit to take pictures with the RAW file format because it will make it very easy to correct colors during postprocessing later.

Next, also pay attention to ISO settings. In addition to avoiding underexposure photos, the right ISO settings are also to avoid

camera shake. The intensity of the light inside the building is usually low, so the consequence is to use around ISO 1000, ISO 1600 or even above that number to get not too low shutter speed and maintain a good aperture and depth of field.

The use of tripod in shooting stairs is very helpful to reduce the risk of camera shake when the camera shutter is pressed. Unfortunately, not all multi-storied building managements allow the use of tripod when shooting. So, don’t forget to activate the image stabilizing system on the camera and lens to avoid camera shake.

When photographing stairs, the patterns and shapes inherent in the staircase design are the main

attraction. By standing on the ground floor and raise your head, start shooting. Conversely, we can also shoot from the stairs on the top floor with the camera directed to the stairs on the lower floor. Besides, pay attention to other interesting

objects around the stairs such as pendant lamps or side windows that will strengthen the overall pattern and complete the shape of the stairs. Ultimately, have a nice moment to explore the beauty of the stairs! (ian)

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Bali News

Monday, April 1, 2019

International

Voters miscast due to the absence of image in the ballots

AMLAPURA - The implementation of this year’s election is slightly different from the previous ones because voters will cast five ballots at the same time for this year’s election. Surely this condition make voters have little difficulty in voting. Moreover, the ballot does not carry photos, but only the names. Inevitably, it makes people confused when making their choices. There is possibility for the community to miscast.

Currently, the complicated election is recognized by a resident of Karangasem, Wayan Lantur. He said this year’s election is indeed a little different from the previous elections because the community is faced with five ballots at the same time in this year’s election, namely the ballots for the election of the president and vice president, regional representative council (DPD) as well as central, provincial and district House of Representatives. He said the number of ballots casted made him dizzy.

“It’s slightly complicated because many ballots must be cast.

So, it makes confused when casting it. Moreover, the elected candidates are not known yet. It could miscast when voting later because there are no faces but only the names of the candidates,” he said.

Though he remains fit, he is worried about the elderly voters.

Moreover, they don’t know the candidates to be voted. More seriously, people suffering from illiteracy can

be even more confused because they cannot read plus the ballots have no images. “I personally said the problem is very difficult. With this condition, there is a potential to be misled,” he said.

Another resident, I Nyoman Remini, judged it is quite difficult to cast five ballots at once. He said even though having already had a candidate to be chosen when voting, it can still be confused due to many ballots. “It is for the first time to cast five ballots at once.

Previously, it was only one so it is easy to vote. We can do nothing.

In short, I will cast,” he said while laughing.

Meanwhile, one of the voting organizer group (KPPS) members, Ni Wayan Aryaningsih, admitted this year’s election is slightly different from the previous elections.

With this condition, she considered that many people will vote for different candidates, not belong to their choice because the ballot only carries the names, without photos of the candidates.

“Not all residents know the names of the candidates. Moreover, they do not know the candidates of the regional representative council, central and provincial House of Representatives. As a result, residents will perhaps vote haphazardly. Hopefully, though there is complexity, everything can go smoothly and no problem that will occur when people are voting,” he said. (kmb41)

IBP/kmb

This year’s election is indeed a little different from the previous elections because the community is faced with five ballots at the same time.

Monday, April 1, 2019

International

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Remote Cape with ‘world’s cleanest air’ offers smog respite

CAPE GRIM - As much of Asia wheezes, coughs and sniffles its way through another smog season, one isolated and windswept corner of Australia is serving as the global standard for clean air.

IBP/net

Performance of the Megoak-Goakan Dance drew the attention of the ceremony participants at the 415th anniversary of Singaraja town in the Singaraja Town Park Square on Saturday (Mar. 30).

Magoak-goakan Dance graces 415th anniversary of Singaraja town

SINGARAJA - Performance of the Megoak-Goakan Dance drew the attention of the ceremony participants at the 415th anniversary of Singaraja town in the Singaraja Town Park Square on Saturday (Mar. 30). Fragmentary show was presented by the Bala Goak art community of Panji village, Sukasada subdistrict. This performance is an expression of devotion and reminds us of the spirit of self-reliance inflated by King Buleleng, Ki Gusti Anglurah Panji Sakti, when going to attack the Kingdom of Blambangan.

Megoak-Goakan from the beginning was known as a dance created during the era of the King Ki Gusti Anglurah Panji Sakti. Goak troops were a formidable force belonged to King Panji Sakti and his regent Ki Tamblang. With the spirit and trust in the taksu or divine vibration of struggle, the army succeeded in conquering the Kingdom of Blambangan to be included in the territory of the Den Bukit Kingdom (Buleleng—Ed).

Regent of Buleleng, Putu Agus Suradnyana, after attending the ceremony said the Singaraja town’s anniversary entitled Getting United to Tie Archipelagic Diversity is an important moment to maintain unity in the diversity of the Buleleng community. This spirit is expected to provide a positive vibration in continuing development.

When entering its second leadership, a number of achievements had been made in development in town. In addition to completing infrastructure improvement, urban environmental management has succeeded and remains continuing.

This arrangement is through the addition to Green Open Space (RTH),

so the public space can be used by urban community or other public.

“All achievements and development processes under progress are intended to fully realize the welfare of the Buleleng community. I invite all regional components to develop a sense of pride and an active role in the development,” he said.

Chairman of the Buleleng House of Representatives, Gede Supriatna, stated that many development policies in town had succeeded. In addition to adding a lot of green open space (RTH), the government is currently revitalizing the Banyuasri Market. However, there are still problems having not been dealt with such as the issue of flood-prone areas, cleanliness, and preparation of facilities for disabled people.

“The successes like the green open space, market refurbishment and urban arrangement have been carried out and succeeded. After this, we hope to make other arrangement because we see there are still things having not been available like cleanliness, floods, and facilities for disability. We will encourage it, so the arrangement

policy in town will run optimally in the future,” he explained.

Mass Rejang Renteng Peak of the anniversary of Singaraja town was also accompanied with the performance of the mass Rejang Renteng Dance. The mass dance involved more than 7,000 dancers in total. They were envoys of each village.

Head of the Buleleng Culture Agency, Gede Komang, stated the staging of the Rejang Renteng Dance is meant to provide an understanding and education in this year’s Singaraja town anniversary so that people can dance the Rejang Renteng. This is important because according to Hindu philosophy the Rejang Renteng is a sacred dance or a wali dance presented in a series of ritual ceremonies.

“This is part of coaching as well as promoting the dance in the community, so that every village or implementation of ceremony will not be difficult to perform it. At the same time, this is for education and preservation of the heritage,” he concluded. (kmb38)

With panoramic views of swaying tussock grass and the vast crystalline expanse of the Southern Ocean, Tasmania’s beautiful Cape Grim peninsula is an unlikely reference point for the scientific world.

But since 1976, this wild and blustery spot has been home to the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station -- a small Australian government facility with the seemingly eccentric task of bottling air.

“Our job is essentially to find air as clean as you’re likely to find anywhere in the world and measure just how polluted it is,” Sam Cleland, the officer in charge of the station, told AFP. Looking out from his office atop the high sea cliffs, the nearest landmass to the west is Argentina, and there is nothing to the south except Antarctica. The facility’s isolated location makes it perfect for collecting what many have dubbed the cleanest air in the world -- what air would be like without choking exhaust fumes or industrial smoke.

When the wind blows from the southwest, Cleland and his team capture a sample using finely tuned instruments. Their kit is so sensitive that delivery trucks chugging down the dirt track from the nearest town -- an hour away -- are all logged, in case they potentially skew the readings.

- Clean air economy While the world’s most polluted cities struggle to attract talent or manage chronic illnesses, residents around Cape Grim have made a virtue of their relatively pristine environment.

Local beef is marketed with links to scien-

IBP/net

While the world’s most polluted cities struggle to attract talent or manage chronic illnesses, residents around Cape Grim have made a virtue of their relatively pristine environment. tific papers on air quality, the number of wind farms has increased, and tourism is a growing sector. Mike Buckby, a “rain farmer” from the Cape Grim Water Company, has taken things to another level, harvesting water falling “from Earth’s purest skies.”

“Most waters of the world are spring waters,” he explains as he looks out over a system of tarps, sluices and reservoirs set back from the coast.

“The rain that comes off the Great Southern Ocean, that’s what we depend on,” Buckby said, adding that his remarkably sweet-tasting water is little more than H2O and trace amounts of sodium picked up from the sea.

“It will have a little bit of sodium but it’s very neutral and it’s very soft,” he said. “In normal spring water, you’ll have high magnesium, you’ll have some naturally occurring nitrates, phosphorus, potassium.”

Buckby says the monitoring station and the clean air it measures have helped local produce stand out in a competitive market.

“This probably wouldn’t work without the monitoring station at Cape Grim,” he admitted.

“Yes, we sell the romance,” he said, adding: “But look, there’s 43 years of data that says this is the cleanest mix of air in the world.” (afp)

In Rwanda, a source of forgiveness after genocide

JACQUES NKINZINGABO / AFP

Villagers walk on a road which separates two villages, at the border between Musambira and Nyarubaka sectors of Kamonyi District on March 4, 2019. Two villages on adjascent hills are re-learning to share all they have, including a well-spring at the bottom of the valley, after 1994 genocide.

RUSEKE - A trickle of water flows out of a lush green valley in Rwanda, the two villages on either side of the life-giving spring living peacefully with each other for years.

Then the horrors of the 1994 genocide changed all that. Those on one side of the valley in the village of Giheta turned on their neighbours across the way in the village of Ruseke.

Gangs of machete-wielding men hacked their neighbours to death following the outbreak of inter-ethnic violence, a genocide in which over 800,000 mainly

Tutsi people were killed between April to July 1994, according to the UN. Today, that water source brings the people back together.

But 25 years ago, the tranquil valley, its rich farmland lined with banana, mango and avocado trees about 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Rwanda’s capital Kigali, became a killing field.

Whipped up by extremist propaganda, the people of Giheta -- from the ethnic Hutu majority -- attacked their longtime neighbours in Ruseke from the Tutsi minority. Some 70 people were

massacred.

“It was a big shock for us,” said Daphrosa Mukarubayiza, 57, whose husband and son were killed.

“These were people who we used to socialise and drink together with.

We shared everything.”

Elders in the communities spoke of how people would gather to chat as they waited for their water containers to fill, exchanging gossip and news, a peaceful place that brought everyone together.

After the genocide, both villages still relied on the water, but took it in turn to avoid having to meet, if at all possible. (afp)

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International

Monday, April 1, 2019

BUSINESS US economic growth revised down to 2.2 percent rate in Q4

WASHINGTON - U.S. economic growth slowed sharply in the fourth quarter last year to an annual rate of just 2.2 percent. There are concerns that growth has slowed even more in the first quarter this year as global weakness, fading government stimulus and rising trade tensions take a toll on the economy.

The increase in the gross domestic product, the economy’s total output of goods and services, was revised down from an initial estimate of 2.6 percent growth in the fourth quarter, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. The change reflected weakness in a number of areas. Consumer spending, business investment, government spending and housing all came in lower than first thought.

Economists believe growth has slowed further in the current January-March quarter.

That would represent a very slow start to 2019 with analysts forecasting growth this year will slip to around 2.4 percent, down from last year’s 2.9 percent gain, which had been the best performance since 2015.

Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, called the GDP report “somewhat disappointing” but said some of the fourth quarter slowdown came from the 35-day partial government shutdown.

Jim O’Sullivan, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics, forecast growth this year of 1.5 percent in the first quarter, then rebounding to 3.2 percent in the second quarter.

Economists believe the expected slowdown stems from various headwinds, including weaker growth prospects in China and Europe, the dampening effects on U.S. exports from the administration’s trade battles and the waning boost from the 2017 tax cut and government spending.

Deceleration is expected, despite a decision by the Federal Reserve to do an aboutface earlier this year and signal that it planned to keep its benchmark interest rate on hold for

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File

In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019, file photo the Cape Kortia container ship, left, heads into the Port of Tacoma in Commencement Bay in Tacoma, Wash. On Thursday, March 28, the Commerce Department issues the final estimate of how the U.S. economy performed in the October-December quarter. the entire year in response to the soft-patch the economy has entered.

President Donald Trump and other administration officials highlighted last year’s GDP performance as evidence that the administration’s policies of tax cuts, deregulation and tougher trade enforcement were working. The administration has pledged to boost growth above 3 percent on a sustained basis.

This forecast is well above the estimates of most private economists who believe that growth will revert to the modest pace seen throughout this expansion of around 2 percent. They cite slow growth in the labor force and weak productivity gains as key reasons

why the country will not be able to sustain annual gains of 3 percent or better.

In a separate report Thursday, the government said that applications for unemployment benefits, a reflection of layoffs, fell by 5,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 211,000. The result suggests that businesses are keeping their workers in a tight job market.

The economy’s 2.2 percent annual growth rate last quarter, though solid, was the slowest since a similar 2.2 percent pace in the first quarter of 2018. That was followed by two strong quarters with GDP growth of 4.2 percent in the second quarter and 3.4 percent

in the third quarter.

Thursday’s GDP report from the Commerce Department was the final look at the fourth quarter.

The report showed that consumer spending slowed to a solid growth rate of 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter. Business investment spending came in at a strong 5.4 percent annual rate.

Government spending fell at a rate of 0.4 percent. Domestic spending by the federal government was revised lower to show a 6.1 percent rate of decline, likely reflecting the impact of the 35-day partial government shutdown. (ap)

Apple pulls plug on AirPower wireless charging mat

Apple confirmed on Friday that it will not deliver on its promise of helping usher in a wireless future with an AirPower mat for charging its devices.

The project announced in late 2017 proved to be an engineering challenge, Apple senior vice president of hardware engineering Dan Riccio told AFP. “After much effort, we’ve con-

cluded AirPower will not achieve our high standards and we have canceled the project,” Riccio said.

“We continue to believe that the future is wireless and are committed to push the wireless experience forward.”

He apologized to Apple fans who were looking forward to the AirPower. AirPower was announced at the same time as the

iPhone X, a premium model that marked the tenth anniversary of the company’s flagship smartphone.

It was heralded as part of a shift to mobile lifestyles less entangled by wires, and images at the project’s unveiling showed AirPower as a mat where Apple’s phone, smart watch, and AirPod ear-bud case could be placed together to charge without being plugged in.

While Apple has delayed release of products in the past such as its AirPod ear buds and a HomePod smart speaker, it is not know to fail to deliver on innovations touted at events.

Other companies sell charging stands or pads that can be used to wirelessly power up iPhones or other devices compatible with the technology, which is based on an

industry standard.

The broken hardware promise comes as Apple shifts its focus to digital content and services to break free of its reliance on iPhone sales.

With Hollywood stars galore, Apple this week unveiled its streaming video plans along with news and game subscription offerings. (ap)

International

Bali News

Monday, April 1, 2019

Art is an attitude

5

About 100 years ago the word art was introduced in Bali. Before then, creative activities such as dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, singing and the like were so integrated into the religious customs of the Balinese that there was no need to have a special word.

The closest word would be ‘ngkarya’ which means ‘to work’ but also refers to the general act of holding a ceremony – not to art making per se. As such, art pervaded life on the island as everyone takes part in these highly artistic ceremonies in one way or another.

Of course some people were more inclined to practice one art form or another and often several without thinking to giving a name to the product of their expression or even to the act of creating beyond it’s devotional function. Art was an attitude.

This artitude remains prevalent in Bali today despite massive changes to socio, cultural, economic and environmental landscape, as witnessed by the artworks that make up an exhibition bearing this title. Kokos Gallery, Ubud was started by Cokorde Krisna, a member of the Ubud Royal family, as a means to provide a space for expressions of this Artitude.

While the art works featured in the Artitude exhibition were not created as devotional works as such, they were all created with an artitude; an attitude of deep felt appreciation and wonder for life itself, a desire to express this wonder through color, line, light and shadow, to take part in the creative process that is life and by so doing yield what we now call art.

Dewa Merta Nusa, Ndya Lesmaya Comeon Kamatsu, I Gede Suryawan Eka Putra, Ya Ting Lee, Agus Eri Putra, Kate Salome, I Kade Suyoga, I Ketut Sumantara, Putu Dudik Ariawan, I Kadek Sumadiyasa, I Made Wahyu Senayadi, I Ketut Ada, I Ketut Ada, I Wayan Merta, Teguh Ritma Iman, I Putu Balok Widiantara, Kuswandi, Daniel Rogers are just a few of the many more artists on the island who continue to devote themselves tirelessly to the act of expressing that part of themselves which is aware of the beauty that is life itself.

As Cokorde Krisna explained during the exhibition opening a few days ago: “everyone in Bali feels the creative life force around and within them somehow, some people like to give shape to this feeling. It is my sincere pleasure to offer this space for us to share this feeling”. Founder of Arma Museum and Resort, Agung Rai expressed a similar sentiment in his opening words. “At first glance art works may be seen as just an idea given expression through materials, however they are so much more than that, and only when we stand before an art work with an open heart do we begin to unlock the wealth of beauty found within it”, he said with his trademark charm. Artitude will be on display at Kokos Gallery, Ubud, until April 23rd, 2019.(kmb)

Tourist Transportation in Bali Expected to Have Standardization

Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, wanted a transportation fleet supporting the tourism industry in Bali to have clear standardization.

“Other than vehicle having to own a safety and comfort standards, the drivers must be standardized in terms of its services and ethics to visiting tourists. This is impor-

tant because it can be the face and image of Bali as an international tourist destination,” said Koster in his audience with the board of directors of the Bali Land Transport Organization (Organda) on Monday afternoon (Mar. 4) afternoon at Jayasabha official residence, Denpasar.

This governor of Singaraja-born emphasized that all this time tourism services including transportation modes in Bali seemed to be less well organized because there are no clear regulations regarding this matter. “Actually, if it is handled and has clear regulations, this transportation service can be a symbol of Bali tourism hospitality.

It can be a characteristic helping become the beauty of the Island of Bali in the eyes of the international community. It is like this which is friendly, organized and disciplined,” said Koster.

For this reason, he is drafting a policy to regulate this, including standardization of the feasibility, comfort and age of tourist vehicles, including the arrangement, design and interior of the vehicle to show off distinctive characteristics of Balinese culture. “There must be a separate branding for Bali,” he

added.

During the meeting, Koster would take a stand against complaints from Organda Bali related to vehicles from outside Bali operating as tourist vehicles in Bali. “We will crack down on them firmly.

In short, all the illegal things will be cleared. Moreover, something like that can undermine our local transportation,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Organda Bali, Ketut Eddy Dharma Putra, agreed on the government’s standardization policy plan for tourist transportation, considering that there are many tourists complaining about the convenience of tourist transportation facilities in Bali. “For example, the old age of the vehicle can reduce comfort and safety,” he said.

Eddy also appreciated to the measure of the Bali government having begun to build a shortcut

road for Denpasar-Singaraja that will later accelerate the distance to Buleleng district. ”I am sure the shortcut will accelerate the creation of a balance of development in South and North Bali as has been said for a long time,” said Eddy.

Similarly, she asked the governor to be able to review other shortcut paths, namely the Mengwi-Batuan-Purnama and the KutaSoka-Celukan Bawang route. “’If these routes can be realized according to our study, we will greatly reduce traffic congestion in the city of Denpasar because vehicles that cross the districts do not need to enter Denpasar City,” said Eddy.

In addition, Eddy also appreciated to the re-opening of the TransSarbagita Nusa Dua line, which he said was still very much needed for students and employees around Nusa Dua while reducing the level of congestion in the lane. (kmb)

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Monday, April 1, 2019

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International

International

RLD

Monday, April 1, 2019

INDONESIAN INDONESIAN

Poor hit hardest by air pollution in Europe

COPENHAGEN - Coal, old cars, wood-burning stoves -- Europe’s “serious problem” of air pollution affects its poorest inhabitants despite an overall improvement, European Environment Agency chief Hans Bruyninckx tells AFP in an interview.

How bad is air pollution in Europe?

“Over the last three decades, air quality in Europe has improved.

Nearly every air pollutant that we look at has diminished -- in some cases, drastically. That has been driven by EU policies that have been translated at a country level.

But we still have serious problems. If you look at our calculation of more than 400,000 premature deaths in Europe, that is obviously not a good situation.

It is linked primarily to cars, the mobility system, and the energy system. In Europe, every big city over the course of a year has episodes of bad air quality that often result when transport combines with weather conditions.”

Are electric cars the answer?

“We could have seen stronger improvements if we had moved more quickly to a different mobility system.

The one we have is, literally, one

of the main drivers of air pollution.

Even technology improvements (such as better mileage) have been offset by more cars on the road, more kilometres driven. The problem is also behavioural.

In a sustainable mobility system, I think we will always need individual mobility options. But those vehicles need to be zero-emission -- electric batteries, hydrogen, I don’t think the final decision has been made. And, of course, that electricity should be generated by renewables.

But it’s part of a system. If we are all driving down Rue de la Loi (a main thoroughfare in Brussels) in electric cars, we will still be stuck in traffic jams. So it’s not just a mobility problem.

That makes us think about ownership: Do I really need to own a thing that weighs two tons and that I only use six percent of the time, with -- on average -- 1.2 persons in the car? Or do I need easy access to it?”

11

ELECTION 2019

Why are the poor vulnerable?

“It starts with indoor air pollution, which we don’t talk about much in Europe. Poor people tend to live in houses that have poor air quality.

Second, these neighbourhoods tend to be closer to big roads, to industrial facilities where, on average, you have higher measurements of air pollution.

In poorer parts of Europe, people are living in an energy system that is more polluting. They often drive cars that are older -- it adds up.

To deal with this problem, we have to take the concept of an ‘equitable transition’ -- or ‘environmental justice’ -- seriously. It is not an abstract notion of ethics.

It is a concept that requires serious policy actions.

There are things you can do: keep the traffic away from certain areas, build schools far from heavy traffic lanes, create more green spaces.” (afp)

ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP

In this file photo taken on June 21, 2017 people enjoy the sun at a beach in Fos-sur-Mer, southern France, as fumes rise from the chimneys of a refinery plant in the background. In Fos-Sur-Mer, in one of the most industrialized areas in France, the EU is struggling to convince of the effectiveness of its ecological policy which is a major issue of the upcoming European elections.

IBP/net

Despite efforts to go green, Poland is still betting on coal, both from its own deposits and imports, as its main source of energy for at least the next decade.

Smog chokes coal-dependent Poland with no end in sight

RYBNIK - Puffs of yellowish grey-and-black smoke billowing out of household chimneys create a blanket of smog choking the southern Polish mining town of Rybnik, one of the most polluted places in the European Union.

Although it’s early spring, the weather is wintry and Ewa Kempny is still shovelling coal into an antiquated stove to heat her home.

“What do you want us to use for heat here? Coal is the cheapest fuel,” says the forty-something mother to the two unexpected visitors in her cellar.

“It would be far too expensive to hook up natural gas or to connect to the town’s central heating network.”

Municipal police charged with sniffing out residents illegally burning highly-polluting rubbish like plastic, rubber or wood-plastic composites have turned up on her doorstep following an anonymous tip-off about the odd colour of smoke emerging from her chimney.

“Whether rich or poor, people burn MDF boards, Tetra packs or plastic bottles,” explains Katarzyna Klosok, as she checks the ashes in Kempny’s stove and the bills for the coal she has bought.

“The day we have wages like in western EU countries, we’ll heat with natural gas,” says Jan Kilian, a retired miner at another Rybnik home where the patrol showed up after receiving a complaint.

The patrol also tells homeowners their antiquated coal stoves will have to be replaced with modern, cleanerburning models by 2021.

A ban on sales of the most polluting stoves was only imposed last year but the low-quality coal which is the main source of smog is still being sold.

“Coal, the main culprit behind smog, isn’t banned,” says Oliwer Palarz, a father of two and local activist with the “Smog Alarm” NGO.

- ‘Trapped inside’ -

Despite efforts to go green, Poland is still betting on coal, both from its own deposits and imports, as its main source of energy for at least the next decade.

Seventy percent of Polish households burn heavily-polluting lowquality coal or rubbish in old stoves for heating.

Antiquated coal-fired power plants also generate nearly all of Poland’s electricity, giving it some of the highest carbon emissions in the EU. The European Environmental Agency (EEA) also blames air pollution -- caused in large part by the burning of coal -- for an estimated 50,000 premature deaths per year in this country of 38 million people.

“Smog keeps me trapped inside all winter, I can’t do outdoor sports, jog or bike, and above all, I can’t take my kids out for a walk because the smog would damage their health,” says Palarz.

On the odd day, a strong southerly wind clears out the smog but such breezy days are exceedingly rare, says Jacek Szczepanski, head of Rybnik’s municipal crisis management centre that checks pollution levels around the clock.

Each morning he notifies local schools about whether the air quality is safe for children to play outside.

“Today at 7:00 am, the level of PM10 (fine particulate matter) was 40 micrograms per cubic metre and therefore below the limit of 50 micrograms per cubic metre, so children go outside,” he told AFP. A green smiley-face posted at the entrance of the school lets kids know the air quality is good, but a red face means they will have to stay indoors.

Orange and yellow smiley-faces mean that children ought not to venture outside, especially those with asthma. (afp)

DHANNY KRISNADHY / AFP

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (L) and his counterpart on presidential election, candidate Prabowo Subianto (R), gestures during the debate in Jakarta, on March 30, 2019. Joko Widodo

Presidential Debate

The Indonesian Presidential Candidates’ views on foreign policy

JAKARTA - There are some major differences on how two Indonesian presidential candidates envisioned the future of Indonesian foreign policy. Both presidential candidates conveyed their visions and missions in the field of international relations at the fourth round of 2019 presidential debate held at Shangri La Hotel in Jakarta on Saturday. The fourth presidential debate took the theme of “Ideology, Governance, Defense and Security, as well as International Relations”.

The Presidential candidate number 01 Joko Widodo (Jokowi), when elaborating his vision and mission, stated Indonesia must uphold the principles of independent and active foreign policy in the midst of the current global uncertainties “(In the midst of the current challenges of) weakened multilateralism and increasing protectionism, Indonesia must remain strong and dignified to carry out independent and active foreign policy,” he said.

The principles underlying Indonesia’s foreign policy were expounded for the first time by Mohammad Hatta on September 2, 1948 in Yog-

yakarta, central of Java Island.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs description, the policy is independent because Indonesia does not side with world powers.

As a matter of principle, so doing would be incompatible with the country’s national philosophy and identity as implied in the state ideology Pancasila.

The foreign policy is active to the extent that Indonesia does not maintain a passive or reactive stand on international issues but seeks active participation in their settlement.

In other words, Indonesia’s independent and active policy is not a neutral policy, but it is the one that does not align Indonesia with the super powers nor does it bind the country to any military pact.

Essentially, it is a policy designed to serve the national interest while, simultaneously, allowing Indonesia to cooperate with other nations to abolish colonialism and imperialism in all their forms and manifestations for the sake of world peace and social justice. This explains why Indonesia was one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement.

“(We must be) independent to carry out policy regarding our national interests, but, at the same time, active in contributing to the world peace,” Jokowi noted.

One of Indonesia’s efforts to contribute to world peace is to increase the capacity of UN peacekeepers, including by increasing the role of women in the UN Peacekeeping Force.

Among the 15 members of the UN Security Council for the period of 2019-2020, Indonesia is the largest contributor to the UN Peace Mission.

Last year, Indonesia sent 850 personnel, including 22 women. As of November 2018, the number of Indonesian peacekeeping personnel reached 3,545 people.

Therefore, Indonesia will pay attention to increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN Peace Mission in addition to other global issues.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate number 02 Prabowo Subianto has pledged to maintain Indonesia’s good foreign relations with all countries in the world.

“In the field of international rela-

tions, we adhere to (the principle) ‘one thousand friends are too few, one enemy is too many’. We will be good with all countries and all the world powers,” Prabowo said.

He said, if elected as the next Indonesian president, he would establish good relations between Indonesia and other countries on the principle of mutual benefit while continuing to prioritize the interests of the people of Indonesia.

“We will seek mutually beneficial relationships, but we will also defend and prioritize our people, that’s the most important thing,” he stated.

“Defending the people of Indonesia is a very noble and honorable thing to do for us, and we are determined to work towards victorious Indonesia,” he continued. Indonesia will organize legislative and presidential elections simultaneously on April 17, 2019, across the country.

Of its total population of 260 million, over 192 million people in Indonesia have been registered as illegible voters.

The 2019 presidential election is seen by many as a repeat of the bitter presidential battle of 2014, wherein

Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Prabowo Subianto went head-to-head.

Seeking a second term, 57-yearold Jokowi has picked Ma’ruf Amin (75), chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), as his partner, while retired general Prabowo Subianto (67) has chosen Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (49), a successful entrepreneur and former deputy governor of Jakarta, as his running mate.

The first presidential debate, held on January 17, 2019, centered on law, human rights, terrorism, and corruption. The second debate took place on February 17, 2019, and focused on energy, the environment, infrastructure, food, and natural resources.

The third debate was organized on March 17, and only the running mates participated in the discussion on education, health, manpower, and social and cultural issues.

No date has been set yet for the fifth debate, which will see four of them battle it out on stage over the economy, social welfare, finance and investment, as well as trade and industry. (ant)

10

Destination

Monday, April 1, 2019

International

Monday, April 1, 2019

International

Harden fuels Rockets over Kings, Thunder and Spurs clinch

Putung Hill

LOS ANGELES - James Harden’s 50-point triple-double powered the Houston Rockets to a 119-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday that sent San Antonio and Oklahoma City into the NBA playoffs.

AMLAPURA - Putung itself is located in Duda Timur village, Selat district, approximately 64 km from Denpasar and about 19 kms from Amlapura. This area is reachable by public or private vehicles.

The most plus point of Putung as a tourist object is its wonderful and amazing pristine panorama, which is the combination of mountains and sea view in a distance.

Putung lies on mountainous area that surrounded by dense trees, particularly “salak” or snake skin fruit garden. This makes the air in this area is very cool and refreshing.

From here, we will be able to take a view around to see the scenery of terraced rice fields. From this high place, we will also be able to view the blue sea with fishermen ships catching the fish.

The beauty of Putung becomes famous through the painting of an Italian painter who lived in this area for a long time and married a local woman from Manggis village.

Based on the story downed from generation to generation, the name of Putung was taken from the name of an isolated area, which was once visited by those who wished to

hold meditation to get descendant or to be blessed with other blessings. In Balinese, putung means finished over or having no children referring to the origin of the name Desa Putung. According to the local residents, there was a magician who was killed by local residents.

However, before he died the magician condemned all the inhabitants in his village’s dead, so that the villagers could not have children.

Another story says, initially this area was named Desa Leteh, but suddenly, many of the villager were infected with epidemics and bodies were neglected. More over, the residents were increasingly negligent towards customary regulations, causing the neighborhood traditional village decided to cut ties with Leteh Village and the village was renamed as Desa Putung.

Desa Putung was the tour-

ism icon of Karangasem in the 1980s. The Italian painter came and painted the village of Putung very beautifully. After that, this village started becoming famous to foreign countries. Desa Putung has a small gazebo situated on a hill, you can use it as a spot to get the view of the magical mountains and the blue sea from the top. Besides, it can be reached by using a vehicle. So, you don’t need to be tired of walking

to the top.

One hectare of Bukit Putung area covers several facilities, those are some restaurants, bungalows, parking lots, toilets, to tennis courts. So, book your trip here and feel as comfortable as you are at home. You can also taste the delicious Balinese salak (snake fruit) at the Salak Garden Agro Tourism in which located adjacent to Bukit Putung. (IBP/net)

Harden, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, scored 50 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and handed out 10 assists as the playoff-bound Rockets fended off a Kings squad that was officially eliminated from post-season contention with the defeat.

Harden had his 42nd career triple-double -- reaching double digits in three key statistical categories -- and his NBA record fifth with 50 or more points.

“I just tried to be aggressive, whether it was making assists or into the basket,” said James. It was his third 50-point game in the last six and his seven three-pointers saw him become the ninth player in league history to reach 2,000 career three-pointers.

The Rockets needed every bit of that output to put away a Kings team fighting for their playoff lives. Harden, who scored 31 points in the first half, got 12 in the final six minutes as the Rockets came back from a 9391 deficit heading into the fourth quarter.

A 7-2 spurt from Houston saw the Rockets take a 98-95 lead, and it was nip-and-tuck until Harden scored all 10 points in a 10-2 Rockets run that gave them a 111-102 lead with 3:13 remaining.

From there the Kings wouldn’t get the deficit below seven points, as the Rockets turned the defensive screws -- limiting Sacramento to 15 points in the final frame.

James said the defensive effort was crucial -- and something the Rockets must cultivate for a deep playoff run.

“Obviously, this is the NBA and teams are going to make shots,” he said. “But when it’s time to get stops, we do a really good job of that. That’s something we can hang our hat on.”

Point guard Chris Paul added 22 points and Clint Capela chipped in 24 points with 15 rebounds for the Rockets, who improved

Bill Baptist / NBAE / Getty Images / AFP

James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings on March 30, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. to 49-28 and edged into third place in the Western Conference when the Portland Trail Blazers lost 99-90 to the Detroit Pistons to fall to 48-27.

“This was a much-needed win,” Rockets guard Eric Gordon said. “You know we’re trying to win the rest of these games for the rest of the year. Just try to build champion-

ship habits and just try to win every game.”

With Sacramento’s elimination all eight Western Conference playoff teams were confirmed, with the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder -- both idle Saturday -- the last two to clinch.

In the East, the battle rages for the last three playoff berths.

The sixth-placed Pistons helped their cause by ending Portland’s six-game winning streak.

Reggie Jackson scored 28 points and Andre Drummond added 22 with 19 rebounds as the Pistons overcame the absence of Blake Griffin, who was a late scratch with a sore left knee. (afp)

Gvozdyk retains WBC light heavyweight title as Ngumbu hurt

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It is for Job Vacancy, Property, Selling or Buying Please contact Gugiek : 08123840500

Oleksandr Gvozdyk

IBP/net

WASHINGTON - Unbeaten Oleksandr Gvozdyk retained his World Boxing Council light heavyweight title Saturday with a fifth-round technical knockout of Doudou Ngumbu, who was halted by a right leg injury.

Ukraine’s Gvozdyk, making his first defense of a title he won with a devastating knockout of Adonis Stevenson in December, improved to 17-0 with 14 knockouts.

Although Gvozdyk had some trouble with Ngumbu’s awkward style, he connected with a hard

right in the first round and a left hook in the fourth.

The champion was leading on the cards when the proceedings at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia came to an anti-climactic ending as Congolese-born French fighter Ngumbu suddenly pulled back in the fifth round and limped into a corner.

The bout was paused for a few minutes before referee Eric Dali finally called a halt at 58 seconds of the fifth round.

A distraught Ngumbu, his first

world title challenge in ruins, wept in his corner after falling to 38-9 with 14 knockouts.

“It definitely didn’t happen what I expected and wasn’t what he expected,” Gvozdyk said. “I just tried to do my best. I don’t know what happened actually.”

Gvozdyk’s previous fight against Stevenson had near-tragic consequences as the 31-year-old Canadian, who was making his 10th title defense, suffered traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for several weeks. (afp)

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Monday, April 1, 2019

Monday, April 1, 2019

Cheeky Messi magic keeps Barcelona 10 points clear in Spain

Strasbourg beat Guingamp on penalties to win French League Cup Strasbourg won their first major trophy since 2005 by edging out Guingamp on penalties in Saturday’s French League Cup final after a drab goalless draw in Lille.

The victory completed an incredible rise back to the top for a club which was relegated to the fifth tier in 2011 after financial difficulties.

It was their fourth League Cup triumph, to add to three French

Lionel Messi continued his remarkable run of form as his second-half double, including an impudent free-kick, helped Barcelona continue their march towards the La Liga title on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Espanyol.

The visitors gave their city rivals a tough game at the Camp Nou, but Messi’s chipped freekick over the wall from 19 yards and a late second kept the reigning champions 10 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who thrashed Alaves 4-0.

Messi has now netted eight times in his last four games for Barca, and leads the way in the La Liga scoring charts with 31 goals, 13 ahead of teammate Luis Suarez.

“I had no idea he would hit (the free-kick) like that,” said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. “I would love to say that we had planned it, but it’s not true, it’s up to him. He didn’t need my opinion and he scored.”

It was a fitting way for the Argentinian to mark his 675th Barcelona appearance, which moved him ahead of Andres Iniesta into second on the club’s all-time list -- 102 adrift of Xavi Hernandez.

He made a low-key return to international action in midweek as Argentina lost a friendly to Venezuela, but Valverde was delighted it did not affect Messi on Saturday. “Messi is the same player no matter what team he is playing in,” he said.

“He would be the same if he played in Australia... We are delighted to have him, it’s a luxury for me to coach him.”

- Barca frustrated -

LLUIS GENE / AFP

Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a second goal during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 30, 2019.

Barca struggled to break down Espanyol early on, with Messi, Suarez and Ivan Rakitic all wasting half-chances in the first period.

Barcelona saw a penalty appeal waved away by both the referee and VAR on the stroke of half-time, and Malcom was denied just after the hour mark by away goalkeeper Diego Lopez as the Catalan giants grew frustrated.

But Messi has been consistently unplayable this season, and he dinked in a wonderful effort from a set-piece despite Victor Sanchez’s best efforts to clear off the line.

9

The three points were sealed in the 89th minute as Malcom ran clear on the breakaway, before cutting the ball across for Messi to sweep a trademark finish low into the bottom corner.

Barcelona next visit Villarreal on Tuesday with a second successive title looking even more like a mere formality after a sixth straight victory extended their unbeaten league run to 17 matches.

Cups and the 1979 Ligue 1 title.

Neither side managed to create much in normal time, although Ludovic Ajorque did force Guingamp goalkeeper Marc-Aurele Caillard into a fine 89th-minute save.

At the end of the added halfhour it was Guingamp who almost snatched the trophy, but Alexandre Mendy mishit an effort straight at Strasbourg ‘keeper Bingourou Kamara.

Mendy blazed over with his team’s first penalty to gift Strasbourg the advantage, and Kamara saved Rony Rodelin’s weak attempt before Lionel Carole secured a 4-1 shootout victory.

Guingamp, who ended Paris Saint-Germain’s bid for a sixth consecutive League Cup in the quarter-finals, will now turn their attentions to avoiding relegation from Ligue 1. (afp)

- Costa ends goal drought -

Atletico at least did not give up further ground to Barcelona as Diego Costa scored for the first time since November in an impressive win at fifth-placed Alaves.

The Spanish international has struggled for form and fitness this season, but grabbed his second league goal of the campaign with a magnificent 11th-minute strike from the edge of the area, six minutes after Saul Niguez had put Atletico in front.

Costa was replaced by Thomas Lemar at half-time, but the Frenchman sent Alvaro Morata through on goal to put the game to bed just before the hour mark.

The on-loan Chelsea striker has now scored four goals since joining Diego Simeone’s men in January.

Thomas Partey added extra gloss to the scoreline late on with a fine 20-yard strike into the top corner.

Earlier on Saturday, fourthplaced Getafe missed the chance to solidify their spot in the Champions League places as they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by Leganes.

Uruguayan Michael Santos and Spaniard Juanfran scored in the second half for Leganes to leave Getafe just two points ahead of Alaves, with Valencia and Sevilla both also within six points with a game in hand.

Celta Vigo gave their survival hopes a massive boost as Iago Aspas scored twice in a dramatic comeback from two goals down to beat fellow strugglers Villarreal 3-2 and move within a point of their 17th-placed opponents and safety. (afp)

Miguel MEDINA / AFP

Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma warms up prior to the Euro 2020 Group J qualifying football match Italy vs Liechtenstein on March 26, 2019 at the Ennio-Tardini stadium in Parma.

Donnarumma sorry as blunder costs AC Milan

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma apologised after his early blunder saw AC Milan trail after just 33 seconds in a 1-0 defeat to Sampdoria in Serie A on Saturday which could damage their Champions League push.

Donnarumma picked up an Alessio Romagnoli back pass and put the ball straight into the path of Sampdoria forward Gregoire Defrel as AC Milan fell to a second straight defeat after a 3-2 derby loss to Inter before the international break.

“Mistakes happen and I apologise to everyone,” said the 20-yearold. “I’m sorry I affected the game.

But it won’t be a mistake to break me down.

“I’ve gone through worse.

Last year I went through a very rough time and if I managed to get through that, I can get through this too. “One mistake won’t destroy everything we’ve worked for.”

Sampdoria captain Fabio Qua-

gliarella came over to reassure his fellow Italian international. “He’s a great friend, we spent the last 10 days together on international duty and after the goal, he immediately came over to console me.”

Patrick Cutrone was twice denied the equaliser with a Krzysztof Piatek header also saved.

Milan also had a late penalty appeal turned down after a VAR review for a Nicola Murru tackle on Piatek.

Milan sporting director Leonardo insisted they are still firmly on track for a Champions League return, as they sit fourth, two points behind Inter who play Lazio on Sunday. Roma are a further four points behind in fifth ahead of their game against Napoli.

“Milan haven’t managed to reach the Champions League for six years, but this team is finding its shape and we hope to achieve it,” the former club legend added. (afp)

Philippe HUGUEN / AFP

Strasbourg players celebrate with the trophy at the end of the French League Cup final football match Guingamp vs Strasbourg, on March 30, 2019 at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq.

8

Monday, April 1, 2019

Monday, April 1, 2019

Cheeky Messi magic keeps Barcelona 10 points clear in Spain

Strasbourg beat Guingamp on penalties to win French League Cup Strasbourg won their first major trophy since 2005 by edging out Guingamp on penalties in Saturday’s French League Cup final after a drab goalless draw in Lille.

The victory completed an incredible rise back to the top for a club which was relegated to the fifth tier in 2011 after financial difficulties.

It was their fourth League Cup triumph, to add to three French

Lionel Messi continued his remarkable run of form as his second-half double, including an impudent free-kick, helped Barcelona continue their march towards the La Liga title on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Espanyol.

The visitors gave their city rivals a tough game at the Camp Nou, but Messi’s chipped freekick over the wall from 19 yards and a late second kept the reigning champions 10 points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who thrashed Alaves 4-0.

Messi has now netted eight times in his last four games for Barca, and leads the way in the La Liga scoring charts with 31 goals, 13 ahead of teammate Luis Suarez.

“I had no idea he would hit (the free-kick) like that,” said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. “I would love to say that we had planned it, but it’s not true, it’s up to him. He didn’t need my opinion and he scored.”

It was a fitting way for the Argentinian to mark his 675th Barcelona appearance, which moved him ahead of Andres Iniesta into second on the club’s all-time list -- 102 adrift of Xavi Hernandez.

He made a low-key return to international action in midweek as Argentina lost a friendly to Venezuela, but Valverde was delighted it did not affect Messi on Saturday. “Messi is the same player no matter what team he is playing in,” he said.

“He would be the same if he played in Australia... We are delighted to have him, it’s a luxury for me to coach him.”

- Barca frustrated -

LLUIS GENE / AFP

Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a second goal during the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on March 30, 2019.

Barca struggled to break down Espanyol early on, with Messi, Suarez and Ivan Rakitic all wasting half-chances in the first period.

Barcelona saw a penalty appeal waved away by both the referee and VAR on the stroke of half-time, and Malcom was denied just after the hour mark by away goalkeeper Diego Lopez as the Catalan giants grew frustrated.

But Messi has been consistently unplayable this season, and he dinked in a wonderful effort from a set-piece despite Victor Sanchez’s best efforts to clear off the line.

9

The three points were sealed in the 89th minute as Malcom ran clear on the breakaway, before cutting the ball across for Messi to sweep a trademark finish low into the bottom corner.

Barcelona next visit Villarreal on Tuesday with a second successive title looking even more like a mere formality after a sixth straight victory extended their unbeaten league run to 17 matches.

Cups and the 1979 Ligue 1 title.

Neither side managed to create much in normal time, although Ludovic Ajorque did force Guingamp goalkeeper Marc-Aurele Caillard into a fine 89th-minute save.

At the end of the added halfhour it was Guingamp who almost snatched the trophy, but Alexandre Mendy mishit an effort straight at Strasbourg ‘keeper Bingourou Kamara.

Mendy blazed over with his team’s first penalty to gift Strasbourg the advantage, and Kamara saved Rony Rodelin’s weak attempt before Lionel Carole secured a 4-1 shootout victory.

Guingamp, who ended Paris Saint-Germain’s bid for a sixth consecutive League Cup in the quarter-finals, will now turn their attentions to avoiding relegation from Ligue 1. (afp)

- Costa ends goal drought -

Atletico at least did not give up further ground to Barcelona as Diego Costa scored for the first time since November in an impressive win at fifth-placed Alaves.

The Spanish international has struggled for form and fitness this season, but grabbed his second league goal of the campaign with a magnificent 11th-minute strike from the edge of the area, six minutes after Saul Niguez had put Atletico in front.

Costa was replaced by Thomas Lemar at half-time, but the Frenchman sent Alvaro Morata through on goal to put the game to bed just before the hour mark.

The on-loan Chelsea striker has now scored four goals since joining Diego Simeone’s men in January.

Thomas Partey added extra gloss to the scoreline late on with a fine 20-yard strike into the top corner.

Earlier on Saturday, fourthplaced Getafe missed the chance to solidify their spot in the Champions League places as they slumped to a 2-0 home defeat by Leganes.

Uruguayan Michael Santos and Spaniard Juanfran scored in the second half for Leganes to leave Getafe just two points ahead of Alaves, with Valencia and Sevilla both also within six points with a game in hand.

Celta Vigo gave their survival hopes a massive boost as Iago Aspas scored twice in a dramatic comeback from two goals down to beat fellow strugglers Villarreal 3-2 and move within a point of their 17th-placed opponents and safety. (afp)

Miguel MEDINA / AFP

Italy’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma warms up prior to the Euro 2020 Group J qualifying football match Italy vs Liechtenstein on March 26, 2019 at the Ennio-Tardini stadium in Parma.

Donnarumma sorry as blunder costs AC Milan

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma apologised after his early blunder saw AC Milan trail after just 33 seconds in a 1-0 defeat to Sampdoria in Serie A on Saturday which could damage their Champions League push.

Donnarumma picked up an Alessio Romagnoli back pass and put the ball straight into the path of Sampdoria forward Gregoire Defrel as AC Milan fell to a second straight defeat after a 3-2 derby loss to Inter before the international break.

“Mistakes happen and I apologise to everyone,” said the 20-yearold. “I’m sorry I affected the game.

But it won’t be a mistake to break me down.

“I’ve gone through worse.

Last year I went through a very rough time and if I managed to get through that, I can get through this too. “One mistake won’t destroy everything we’ve worked for.”

Sampdoria captain Fabio Qua-

gliarella came over to reassure his fellow Italian international. “He’s a great friend, we spent the last 10 days together on international duty and after the goal, he immediately came over to console me.”

Patrick Cutrone was twice denied the equaliser with a Krzysztof Piatek header also saved.

Milan also had a late penalty appeal turned down after a VAR review for a Nicola Murru tackle on Piatek.

Milan sporting director Leonardo insisted they are still firmly on track for a Champions League return, as they sit fourth, two points behind Inter who play Lazio on Sunday. Roma are a further four points behind in fifth ahead of their game against Napoli.

“Milan haven’t managed to reach the Champions League for six years, but this team is finding its shape and we hope to achieve it,” the former club legend added. (afp)

Philippe HUGUEN / AFP

Strasbourg players celebrate with the trophy at the end of the French League Cup final football match Guingamp vs Strasbourg, on March 30, 2019 at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq.

10

Destination

Monday, April 1, 2019

International

Monday, April 1, 2019

International

Harden fuels Rockets over Kings, Thunder and Spurs clinch

Putung Hill

LOS ANGELES - James Harden’s 50-point triple-double powered the Houston Rockets to a 119-108 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday that sent San Antonio and Oklahoma City into the NBA playoffs.

AMLAPURA - Putung itself is located in Duda Timur village, Selat district, approximately 64 km from Denpasar and about 19 kms from Amlapura. This area is reachable by public or private vehicles.

The most plus point of Putung as a tourist object is its wonderful and amazing pristine panorama, which is the combination of mountains and sea view in a distance.

Putung lies on mountainous area that surrounded by dense trees, particularly “salak” or snake skin fruit garden. This makes the air in this area is very cool and refreshing.

From here, we will be able to take a view around to see the scenery of terraced rice fields. From this high place, we will also be able to view the blue sea with fishermen ships catching the fish.

The beauty of Putung becomes famous through the painting of an Italian painter who lived in this area for a long time and married a local woman from Manggis village.

Based on the story downed from generation to generation, the name of Putung was taken from the name of an isolated area, which was once visited by those who wished to

hold meditation to get descendant or to be blessed with other blessings. In Balinese, putung means finished over or having no children referring to the origin of the name Desa Putung. According to the local residents, there was a magician who was killed by local residents.

However, before he died the magician condemned all the inhabitants in his village’s dead, so that the villagers could not have children.

Another story says, initially this area was named Desa Leteh, but suddenly, many of the villager were infected with epidemics and bodies were neglected. More over, the residents were increasingly negligent towards customary regulations, causing the neighborhood traditional village decided to cut ties with Leteh Village and the village was renamed as Desa Putung.

Desa Putung was the tour-

ism icon of Karangasem in the 1980s. The Italian painter came and painted the village of Putung very beautifully. After that, this village started becoming famous to foreign countries. Desa Putung has a small gazebo situated on a hill, you can use it as a spot to get the view of the magical mountains and the blue sea from the top. Besides, it can be reached by using a vehicle. So, you don’t need to be tired of walking

to the top.

One hectare of Bukit Putung area covers several facilities, those are some restaurants, bungalows, parking lots, toilets, to tennis courts. So, book your trip here and feel as comfortable as you are at home. You can also taste the delicious Balinese salak (snake fruit) at the Salak Garden Agro Tourism in which located adjacent to Bukit Putung. (IBP/net)

Harden, the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, scored 50 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and handed out 10 assists as the playoff-bound Rockets fended off a Kings squad that was officially eliminated from post-season contention with the defeat.

Harden had his 42nd career triple-double -- reaching double digits in three key statistical categories -- and his NBA record fifth with 50 or more points.

“I just tried to be aggressive, whether it was making assists or into the basket,” said James. It was his third 50-point game in the last six and his seven three-pointers saw him become the ninth player in league history to reach 2,000 career three-pointers.

The Rockets needed every bit of that output to put away a Kings team fighting for their playoff lives. Harden, who scored 31 points in the first half, got 12 in the final six minutes as the Rockets came back from a 9391 deficit heading into the fourth quarter.

A 7-2 spurt from Houston saw the Rockets take a 98-95 lead, and it was nip-and-tuck until Harden scored all 10 points in a 10-2 Rockets run that gave them a 111-102 lead with 3:13 remaining.

From there the Kings wouldn’t get the deficit below seven points, as the Rockets turned the defensive screws -- limiting Sacramento to 15 points in the final frame.

James said the defensive effort was crucial -- and something the Rockets must cultivate for a deep playoff run.

“Obviously, this is the NBA and teams are going to make shots,” he said. “But when it’s time to get stops, we do a really good job of that. That’s something we can hang our hat on.”

Point guard Chris Paul added 22 points and Clint Capela chipped in 24 points with 15 rebounds for the Rockets, who improved

Bill Baptist / NBAE / Getty Images / AFP

James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against the Sacramento Kings on March 30, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. to 49-28 and edged into third place in the Western Conference when the Portland Trail Blazers lost 99-90 to the Detroit Pistons to fall to 48-27.

“This was a much-needed win,” Rockets guard Eric Gordon said. “You know we’re trying to win the rest of these games for the rest of the year. Just try to build champion-

ship habits and just try to win every game.”

With Sacramento’s elimination all eight Western Conference playoff teams were confirmed, with the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder -- both idle Saturday -- the last two to clinch.

In the East, the battle rages for the last three playoff berths.

The sixth-placed Pistons helped their cause by ending Portland’s six-game winning streak.

Reggie Jackson scored 28 points and Andre Drummond added 22 with 19 rebounds as the Pistons overcame the absence of Blake Griffin, who was a late scratch with a sore left knee. (afp)

Gvozdyk retains WBC light heavyweight title as Ngumbu hurt

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Oleksandr Gvozdyk

IBP/net

WASHINGTON - Unbeaten Oleksandr Gvozdyk retained his World Boxing Council light heavyweight title Saturday with a fifth-round technical knockout of Doudou Ngumbu, who was halted by a right leg injury.

Ukraine’s Gvozdyk, making his first defense of a title he won with a devastating knockout of Adonis Stevenson in December, improved to 17-0 with 14 knockouts.

Although Gvozdyk had some trouble with Ngumbu’s awkward style, he connected with a hard

right in the first round and a left hook in the fourth.

The champion was leading on the cards when the proceedings at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia came to an anti-climactic ending as Congolese-born French fighter Ngumbu suddenly pulled back in the fifth round and limped into a corner.

The bout was paused for a few minutes before referee Eric Dali finally called a halt at 58 seconds of the fifth round.

A distraught Ngumbu, his first

world title challenge in ruins, wept in his corner after falling to 38-9 with 14 knockouts.

“It definitely didn’t happen what I expected and wasn’t what he expected,” Gvozdyk said. “I just tried to do my best. I don’t know what happened actually.”

Gvozdyk’s previous fight against Stevenson had near-tragic consequences as the 31-year-old Canadian, who was making his 10th title defense, suffered traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for several weeks. (afp)

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Monday, April 1, 2019

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International

International

RLD

Monday, April 1, 2019

INDONESIAN INDONESIAN

Poor hit hardest by air pollution in Europe

COPENHAGEN - Coal, old cars, wood-burning stoves -- Europe’s “serious problem” of air pollution affects its poorest inhabitants despite an overall improvement, European Environment Agency chief Hans Bruyninckx tells AFP in an interview.

How bad is air pollution in Europe?

“Over the last three decades, air quality in Europe has improved.

Nearly every air pollutant that we look at has diminished -- in some cases, drastically. That has been driven by EU policies that have been translated at a country level.

But we still have serious problems. If you look at our calculation of more than 400,000 premature deaths in Europe, that is obviously not a good situation.

It is linked primarily to cars, the mobility system, and the energy system. In Europe, every big city over the course of a year has episodes of bad air quality that often result when transport combines with weather conditions.”

Are electric cars the answer?

“We could have seen stronger improvements if we had moved more quickly to a different mobility system.

The one we have is, literally, one

of the main drivers of air pollution.

Even technology improvements (such as better mileage) have been offset by more cars on the road, more kilometres driven. The problem is also behavioural.

In a sustainable mobility system, I think we will always need individual mobility options. But those vehicles need to be zero-emission -- electric batteries, hydrogen, I don’t think the final decision has been made. And, of course, that electricity should be generated by renewables.

But it’s part of a system. If we are all driving down Rue de la Loi (a main thoroughfare in Brussels) in electric cars, we will still be stuck in traffic jams. So it’s not just a mobility problem.

That makes us think about ownership: Do I really need to own a thing that weighs two tons and that I only use six percent of the time, with -- on average -- 1.2 persons in the car? Or do I need easy access to it?”

11

ELECTION 2019

Why are the poor vulnerable?

“It starts with indoor air pollution, which we don’t talk about much in Europe. Poor people tend to live in houses that have poor air quality.

Second, these neighbourhoods tend to be closer to big roads, to industrial facilities where, on average, you have higher measurements of air pollution.

In poorer parts of Europe, people are living in an energy system that is more polluting. They often drive cars that are older -- it adds up.

To deal with this problem, we have to take the concept of an ‘equitable transition’ -- or ‘environmental justice’ -- seriously. It is not an abstract notion of ethics.

It is a concept that requires serious policy actions.

There are things you can do: keep the traffic away from certain areas, build schools far from heavy traffic lanes, create more green spaces.” (afp)

ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP

In this file photo taken on June 21, 2017 people enjoy the sun at a beach in Fos-sur-Mer, southern France, as fumes rise from the chimneys of a refinery plant in the background. In Fos-Sur-Mer, in one of the most industrialized areas in France, the EU is struggling to convince of the effectiveness of its ecological policy which is a major issue of the upcoming European elections.

IBP/net

Despite efforts to go green, Poland is still betting on coal, both from its own deposits and imports, as its main source of energy for at least the next decade.

Smog chokes coal-dependent Poland with no end in sight

RYBNIK - Puffs of yellowish grey-and-black smoke billowing out of household chimneys create a blanket of smog choking the southern Polish mining town of Rybnik, one of the most polluted places in the European Union.

Although it’s early spring, the weather is wintry and Ewa Kempny is still shovelling coal into an antiquated stove to heat her home.

“What do you want us to use for heat here? Coal is the cheapest fuel,” says the forty-something mother to the two unexpected visitors in her cellar.

“It would be far too expensive to hook up natural gas or to connect to the town’s central heating network.”

Municipal police charged with sniffing out residents illegally burning highly-polluting rubbish like plastic, rubber or wood-plastic composites have turned up on her doorstep following an anonymous tip-off about the odd colour of smoke emerging from her chimney.

“Whether rich or poor, people burn MDF boards, Tetra packs or plastic bottles,” explains Katarzyna Klosok, as she checks the ashes in Kempny’s stove and the bills for the coal she has bought.

“The day we have wages like in western EU countries, we’ll heat with natural gas,” says Jan Kilian, a retired miner at another Rybnik home where the patrol showed up after receiving a complaint.

The patrol also tells homeowners their antiquated coal stoves will have to be replaced with modern, cleanerburning models by 2021.

A ban on sales of the most polluting stoves was only imposed last year but the low-quality coal which is the main source of smog is still being sold.

“Coal, the main culprit behind smog, isn’t banned,” says Oliwer Palarz, a father of two and local activist with the “Smog Alarm” NGO.

- ‘Trapped inside’ -

Despite efforts to go green, Poland is still betting on coal, both from its own deposits and imports, as its main source of energy for at least the next decade.

Seventy percent of Polish households burn heavily-polluting lowquality coal or rubbish in old stoves for heating.

Antiquated coal-fired power plants also generate nearly all of Poland’s electricity, giving it some of the highest carbon emissions in the EU. The European Environmental Agency (EEA) also blames air pollution -- caused in large part by the burning of coal -- for an estimated 50,000 premature deaths per year in this country of 38 million people.

“Smog keeps me trapped inside all winter, I can’t do outdoor sports, jog or bike, and above all, I can’t take my kids out for a walk because the smog would damage their health,” says Palarz.

On the odd day, a strong southerly wind clears out the smog but such breezy days are exceedingly rare, says Jacek Szczepanski, head of Rybnik’s municipal crisis management centre that checks pollution levels around the clock.

Each morning he notifies local schools about whether the air quality is safe for children to play outside.

“Today at 7:00 am, the level of PM10 (fine particulate matter) was 40 micrograms per cubic metre and therefore below the limit of 50 micrograms per cubic metre, so children go outside,” he told AFP. A green smiley-face posted at the entrance of the school lets kids know the air quality is good, but a red face means they will have to stay indoors.

Orange and yellow smiley-faces mean that children ought not to venture outside, especially those with asthma. (afp)

DHANNY KRISNADHY / AFP

Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo (L) and his counterpart on presidential election, candidate Prabowo Subianto (R), gestures during the debate in Jakarta, on March 30, 2019. Joko Widodo

Presidential Debate

The Indonesian Presidential Candidates’ views on foreign policy

JAKARTA - There are some major differences on how two Indonesian presidential candidates envisioned the future of Indonesian foreign policy. Both presidential candidates conveyed their visions and missions in the field of international relations at the fourth round of 2019 presidential debate held at Shangri La Hotel in Jakarta on Saturday. The fourth presidential debate took the theme of “Ideology, Governance, Defense and Security, as well as International Relations”.

The Presidential candidate number 01 Joko Widodo (Jokowi), when elaborating his vision and mission, stated Indonesia must uphold the principles of independent and active foreign policy in the midst of the current global uncertainties “(In the midst of the current challenges of) weakened multilateralism and increasing protectionism, Indonesia must remain strong and dignified to carry out independent and active foreign policy,” he said.

The principles underlying Indonesia’s foreign policy were expounded for the first time by Mohammad Hatta on September 2, 1948 in Yog-

yakarta, central of Java Island.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs description, the policy is independent because Indonesia does not side with world powers.

As a matter of principle, so doing would be incompatible with the country’s national philosophy and identity as implied in the state ideology Pancasila.

The foreign policy is active to the extent that Indonesia does not maintain a passive or reactive stand on international issues but seeks active participation in their settlement.

In other words, Indonesia’s independent and active policy is not a neutral policy, but it is the one that does not align Indonesia with the super powers nor does it bind the country to any military pact.

Essentially, it is a policy designed to serve the national interest while, simultaneously, allowing Indonesia to cooperate with other nations to abolish colonialism and imperialism in all their forms and manifestations for the sake of world peace and social justice. This explains why Indonesia was one of the founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement.

“(We must be) independent to carry out policy regarding our national interests, but, at the same time, active in contributing to the world peace,” Jokowi noted.

One of Indonesia’s efforts to contribute to world peace is to increase the capacity of UN peacekeepers, including by increasing the role of women in the UN Peacekeeping Force.

Among the 15 members of the UN Security Council for the period of 2019-2020, Indonesia is the largest contributor to the UN Peace Mission.

Last year, Indonesia sent 850 personnel, including 22 women. As of November 2018, the number of Indonesian peacekeeping personnel reached 3,545 people.

Therefore, Indonesia will pay attention to increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN Peace Mission in addition to other global issues.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate number 02 Prabowo Subianto has pledged to maintain Indonesia’s good foreign relations with all countries in the world.

“In the field of international rela-

tions, we adhere to (the principle) ‘one thousand friends are too few, one enemy is too many’. We will be good with all countries and all the world powers,” Prabowo said.

He said, if elected as the next Indonesian president, he would establish good relations between Indonesia and other countries on the principle of mutual benefit while continuing to prioritize the interests of the people of Indonesia.

“We will seek mutually beneficial relationships, but we will also defend and prioritize our people, that’s the most important thing,” he stated.

“Defending the people of Indonesia is a very noble and honorable thing to do for us, and we are determined to work towards victorious Indonesia,” he continued. Indonesia will organize legislative and presidential elections simultaneously on April 17, 2019, across the country.

Of its total population of 260 million, over 192 million people in Indonesia have been registered as illegible voters.

The 2019 presidential election is seen by many as a repeat of the bitter presidential battle of 2014, wherein

Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Prabowo Subianto went head-to-head.

Seeking a second term, 57-yearold Jokowi has picked Ma’ruf Amin (75), chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), as his partner, while retired general Prabowo Subianto (67) has chosen Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno (49), a successful entrepreneur and former deputy governor of Jakarta, as his running mate.

The first presidential debate, held on January 17, 2019, centered on law, human rights, terrorism, and corruption. The second debate took place on February 17, 2019, and focused on energy, the environment, infrastructure, food, and natural resources.

The third debate was organized on March 17, and only the running mates participated in the discussion on education, health, manpower, and social and cultural issues.

No date has been set yet for the fifth debate, which will see four of them battle it out on stage over the economy, social welfare, finance and investment, as well as trade and industry. (ant)

12

International

Monday, April 1, 2019

BUSINESS US economic growth revised down to 2.2 percent rate in Q4

WASHINGTON - U.S. economic growth slowed sharply in the fourth quarter last year to an annual rate of just 2.2 percent. There are concerns that growth has slowed even more in the first quarter this year as global weakness, fading government stimulus and rising trade tensions take a toll on the economy.

The increase in the gross domestic product, the economy’s total output of goods and services, was revised down from an initial estimate of 2.6 percent growth in the fourth quarter, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. The change reflected weakness in a number of areas. Consumer spending, business investment, government spending and housing all came in lower than first thought.

Economists believe growth has slowed further in the current January-March quarter.

That would represent a very slow start to 2019 with analysts forecasting growth this year will slip to around 2.4 percent, down from last year’s 2.9 percent gain, which had been the best performance since 2015.

Sal Guatieri, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, called the GDP report “somewhat disappointing” but said some of the fourth quarter slowdown came from the 35-day partial government shutdown.

Jim O’Sullivan, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics, forecast growth this year of 1.5 percent in the first quarter, then rebounding to 3.2 percent in the second quarter.

Economists believe the expected slowdown stems from various headwinds, including weaker growth prospects in China and Europe, the dampening effects on U.S. exports from the administration’s trade battles and the waning boost from the 2017 tax cut and government spending.

Deceleration is expected, despite a decision by the Federal Reserve to do an aboutface earlier this year and signal that it planned to keep its benchmark interest rate on hold for

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File

In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019, file photo the Cape Kortia container ship, left, heads into the Port of Tacoma in Commencement Bay in Tacoma, Wash. On Thursday, March 28, the Commerce Department issues the final estimate of how the U.S. economy performed in the October-December quarter. the entire year in response to the soft-patch the economy has entered.

President Donald Trump and other administration officials highlighted last year’s GDP performance as evidence that the administration’s policies of tax cuts, deregulation and tougher trade enforcement were working. The administration has pledged to boost growth above 3 percent on a sustained basis.

This forecast is well above the estimates of most private economists who believe that growth will revert to the modest pace seen throughout this expansion of around 2 percent. They cite slow growth in the labor force and weak productivity gains as key reasons

why the country will not be able to sustain annual gains of 3 percent or better.

In a separate report Thursday, the government said that applications for unemployment benefits, a reflection of layoffs, fell by 5,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 211,000. The result suggests that businesses are keeping their workers in a tight job market.

The economy’s 2.2 percent annual growth rate last quarter, though solid, was the slowest since a similar 2.2 percent pace in the first quarter of 2018. That was followed by two strong quarters with GDP growth of 4.2 percent in the second quarter and 3.4 percent

in the third quarter.

Thursday’s GDP report from the Commerce Department was the final look at the fourth quarter.

The report showed that consumer spending slowed to a solid growth rate of 2.5 percent in the fourth quarter. Business investment spending came in at a strong 5.4 percent annual rate.

Government spending fell at a rate of 0.4 percent. Domestic spending by the federal government was revised lower to show a 6.1 percent rate of decline, likely reflecting the impact of the 35-day partial government shutdown. (ap)

Apple pulls plug on AirPower wireless charging mat

Apple confirmed on Friday that it will not deliver on its promise of helping usher in a wireless future with an AirPower mat for charging its devices.

The project announced in late 2017 proved to be an engineering challenge, Apple senior vice president of hardware engineering Dan Riccio told AFP. “After much effort, we’ve con-

cluded AirPower will not achieve our high standards and we have canceled the project,” Riccio said.

“We continue to believe that the future is wireless and are committed to push the wireless experience forward.”

He apologized to Apple fans who were looking forward to the AirPower. AirPower was announced at the same time as the

iPhone X, a premium model that marked the tenth anniversary of the company’s flagship smartphone.

It was heralded as part of a shift to mobile lifestyles less entangled by wires, and images at the project’s unveiling showed AirPower as a mat where Apple’s phone, smart watch, and AirPod ear-bud case could be placed together to charge without being plugged in.

While Apple has delayed release of products in the past such as its AirPod ear buds and a HomePod smart speaker, it is not know to fail to deliver on innovations touted at events.

Other companies sell charging stands or pads that can be used to wirelessly power up iPhones or other devices compatible with the technology, which is based on an

industry standard.

The broken hardware promise comes as Apple shifts its focus to digital content and services to break free of its reliance on iPhone sales.

With Hollywood stars galore, Apple this week unveiled its streaming video plans along with news and game subscription offerings. (ap)

International

Bali News

Monday, April 1, 2019

Art is an attitude

5

About 100 years ago the word art was introduced in Bali. Before then, creative activities such as dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, singing and the like were so integrated into the religious customs of the Balinese that there was no need to have a special word.

The closest word would be ‘ngkarya’ which means ‘to work’ but also refers to the general act of holding a ceremony – not to art making per se. As such, art pervaded life on the island as everyone takes part in these highly artistic ceremonies in one way or another.

Of course some people were more inclined to practice one art form or another and often several without thinking to giving a name to the product of their expression or even to the act of creating beyond it’s devotional function. Art was an attitude.

This artitude remains prevalent in Bali today despite massive changes to socio, cultural, economic and environmental landscape, as witnessed by the artworks that make up an exhibition bearing this title. Kokos Gallery, Ubud was started by Cokorde Krisna, a member of the Ubud Royal family, as a means to provide a space for expressions of this Artitude.

While the art works featured in the Artitude exhibition were not created as devotional works as such, they were all created with an artitude; an attitude of deep felt appreciation and wonder for life itself, a desire to express this wonder through color, line, light and shadow, to take part in the creative process that is life and by so doing yield what we now call art.

Dewa Merta Nusa, Ndya Lesmaya Comeon Kamatsu, I Gede Suryawan Eka Putra, Ya Ting Lee, Agus Eri Putra, Kate Salome, I Kade Suyoga, I Ketut Sumantara, Putu Dudik Ariawan, I Kadek Sumadiyasa, I Made Wahyu Senayadi, I Ketut Ada, I Ketut Ada, I Wayan Merta, Teguh Ritma Iman, I Putu Balok Widiantara, Kuswandi, Daniel Rogers are just a few of the many more artists on the island who continue to devote themselves tirelessly to the act of expressing that part of themselves which is aware of the beauty that is life itself.

As Cokorde Krisna explained during the exhibition opening a few days ago: “everyone in Bali feels the creative life force around and within them somehow, some people like to give shape to this feeling. It is my sincere pleasure to offer this space for us to share this feeling”. Founder of Arma Museum and Resort, Agung Rai expressed a similar sentiment in his opening words. “At first glance art works may be seen as just an idea given expression through materials, however they are so much more than that, and only when we stand before an art work with an open heart do we begin to unlock the wealth of beauty found within it”, he said with his trademark charm. Artitude will be on display at Kokos Gallery, Ubud, until April 23rd, 2019.(kmb)

Tourist Transportation in Bali Expected to Have Standardization

Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, wanted a transportation fleet supporting the tourism industry in Bali to have clear standardization.

“Other than vehicle having to own a safety and comfort standards, the drivers must be standardized in terms of its services and ethics to visiting tourists. This is impor-

tant because it can be the face and image of Bali as an international tourist destination,” said Koster in his audience with the board of directors of the Bali Land Transport Organization (Organda) on Monday afternoon (Mar. 4) afternoon at Jayasabha official residence, Denpasar.

This governor of Singaraja-born emphasized that all this time tourism services including transportation modes in Bali seemed to be less well organized because there are no clear regulations regarding this matter. “Actually, if it is handled and has clear regulations, this transportation service can be a symbol of Bali tourism hospitality.

It can be a characteristic helping become the beauty of the Island of Bali in the eyes of the international community. It is like this which is friendly, organized and disciplined,” said Koster.

For this reason, he is drafting a policy to regulate this, including standardization of the feasibility, comfort and age of tourist vehicles, including the arrangement, design and interior of the vehicle to show off distinctive characteristics of Balinese culture. “There must be a separate branding for Bali,” he

added.

During the meeting, Koster would take a stand against complaints from Organda Bali related to vehicles from outside Bali operating as tourist vehicles in Bali. “We will crack down on them firmly.

In short, all the illegal things will be cleared. Moreover, something like that can undermine our local transportation,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Organda Bali, Ketut Eddy Dharma Putra, agreed on the government’s standardization policy plan for tourist transportation, considering that there are many tourists complaining about the convenience of tourist transportation facilities in Bali. “For example, the old age of the vehicle can reduce comfort and safety,” he said.

Eddy also appreciated to the measure of the Bali government having begun to build a shortcut

road for Denpasar-Singaraja that will later accelerate the distance to Buleleng district. ”I am sure the shortcut will accelerate the creation of a balance of development in South and North Bali as has been said for a long time,” said Eddy.

Similarly, she asked the governor to be able to review other shortcut paths, namely the Mengwi-Batuan-Purnama and the KutaSoka-Celukan Bawang route. “’If these routes can be realized according to our study, we will greatly reduce traffic congestion in the city of Denpasar because vehicles that cross the districts do not need to enter Denpasar City,” said Eddy.

In addition, Eddy also appreciated to the re-opening of the TransSarbagita Nusa Dua line, which he said was still very much needed for students and employees around Nusa Dua while reducing the level of congestion in the lane. (kmb)

4

Bali News

Monday, April 1, 2019

International

Voters miscast due to the absence of image in the ballots

AMLAPURA - The implementation of this year’s election is slightly different from the previous ones because voters will cast five ballots at the same time for this year’s election. Surely this condition make voters have little difficulty in voting. Moreover, the ballot does not carry photos, but only the names. Inevitably, it makes people confused when making their choices. There is possibility for the community to miscast.

Currently, the complicated election is recognized by a resident of Karangasem, Wayan Lantur. He said this year’s election is indeed a little different from the previous elections because the community is faced with five ballots at the same time in this year’s election, namely the ballots for the election of the president and vice president, regional representative council (DPD) as well as central, provincial and district House of Representatives. He said the number of ballots casted made him dizzy.

“It’s slightly complicated because many ballots must be cast.

So, it makes confused when casting it. Moreover, the elected candidates are not known yet. It could miscast when voting later because there are no faces but only the names of the candidates,” he said.

Though he remains fit, he is worried about the elderly voters.

Moreover, they don’t know the candidates to be voted. More seriously, people suffering from illiteracy can

be even more confused because they cannot read plus the ballots have no images. “I personally said the problem is very difficult. With this condition, there is a potential to be misled,” he said.

Another resident, I Nyoman Remini, judged it is quite difficult to cast five ballots at once. He said even though having already had a candidate to be chosen when voting, it can still be confused due to many ballots. “It is for the first time to cast five ballots at once.

Previously, it was only one so it is easy to vote. We can do nothing.

In short, I will cast,” he said while laughing.

Meanwhile, one of the voting organizer group (KPPS) members, Ni Wayan Aryaningsih, admitted this year’s election is slightly different from the previous elections.

With this condition, she considered that many people will vote for different candidates, not belong to their choice because the ballot only carries the names, without photos of the candidates.

“Not all residents know the names of the candidates. Moreover, they do not know the candidates of the regional representative council, central and provincial House of Representatives. As a result, residents will perhaps vote haphazardly. Hopefully, though there is complexity, everything can go smoothly and no problem that will occur when people are voting,” he said. (kmb41)

IBP/kmb

This year’s election is indeed a little different from the previous elections because the community is faced with five ballots at the same time.

Monday, April 1, 2019

International

13

Remote Cape with ‘world’s cleanest air’ offers smog respite

CAPE GRIM - As much of Asia wheezes, coughs and sniffles its way through another smog season, one isolated and windswept corner of Australia is serving as the global standard for clean air.

IBP/net

Performance of the Megoak-Goakan Dance drew the attention of the ceremony participants at the 415th anniversary of Singaraja town in the Singaraja Town Park Square on Saturday (Mar. 30).

Magoak-goakan Dance graces 415th anniversary of Singaraja town

SINGARAJA - Performance of the Megoak-Goakan Dance drew the attention of the ceremony participants at the 415th anniversary of Singaraja town in the Singaraja Town Park Square on Saturday (Mar. 30). Fragmentary show was presented by the Bala Goak art community of Panji village, Sukasada subdistrict. This performance is an expression of devotion and reminds us of the spirit of self-reliance inflated by King Buleleng, Ki Gusti Anglurah Panji Sakti, when going to attack the Kingdom of Blambangan.

Megoak-Goakan from the beginning was known as a dance created during the era of the King Ki Gusti Anglurah Panji Sakti. Goak troops were a formidable force belonged to King Panji Sakti and his regent Ki Tamblang. With the spirit and trust in the taksu or divine vibration of struggle, the army succeeded in conquering the Kingdom of Blambangan to be included in the territory of the Den Bukit Kingdom (Buleleng—Ed).

Regent of Buleleng, Putu Agus Suradnyana, after attending the ceremony said the Singaraja town’s anniversary entitled Getting United to Tie Archipelagic Diversity is an important moment to maintain unity in the diversity of the Buleleng community. This spirit is expected to provide a positive vibration in continuing development.

When entering its second leadership, a number of achievements had been made in development in town. In addition to completing infrastructure improvement, urban environmental management has succeeded and remains continuing.

This arrangement is through the addition to Green Open Space (RTH),

so the public space can be used by urban community or other public.

“All achievements and development processes under progress are intended to fully realize the welfare of the Buleleng community. I invite all regional components to develop a sense of pride and an active role in the development,” he said.

Chairman of the Buleleng House of Representatives, Gede Supriatna, stated that many development policies in town had succeeded. In addition to adding a lot of green open space (RTH), the government is currently revitalizing the Banyuasri Market. However, there are still problems having not been dealt with such as the issue of flood-prone areas, cleanliness, and preparation of facilities for disabled people.

“The successes like the green open space, market refurbishment and urban arrangement have been carried out and succeeded. After this, we hope to make other arrangement because we see there are still things having not been available like cleanliness, floods, and facilities for disability. We will encourage it, so the arrangement

policy in town will run optimally in the future,” he explained.

Mass Rejang Renteng Peak of the anniversary of Singaraja town was also accompanied with the performance of the mass Rejang Renteng Dance. The mass dance involved more than 7,000 dancers in total. They were envoys of each village.

Head of the Buleleng Culture Agency, Gede Komang, stated the staging of the Rejang Renteng Dance is meant to provide an understanding and education in this year’s Singaraja town anniversary so that people can dance the Rejang Renteng. This is important because according to Hindu philosophy the Rejang Renteng is a sacred dance or a wali dance presented in a series of ritual ceremonies.

“This is part of coaching as well as promoting the dance in the community, so that every village or implementation of ceremony will not be difficult to perform it. At the same time, this is for education and preservation of the heritage,” he concluded. (kmb38)

With panoramic views of swaying tussock grass and the vast crystalline expanse of the Southern Ocean, Tasmania’s beautiful Cape Grim peninsula is an unlikely reference point for the scientific world.

But since 1976, this wild and blustery spot has been home to the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station -- a small Australian government facility with the seemingly eccentric task of bottling air.

“Our job is essentially to find air as clean as you’re likely to find anywhere in the world and measure just how polluted it is,” Sam Cleland, the officer in charge of the station, told AFP. Looking out from his office atop the high sea cliffs, the nearest landmass to the west is Argentina, and there is nothing to the south except Antarctica. The facility’s isolated location makes it perfect for collecting what many have dubbed the cleanest air in the world -- what air would be like without choking exhaust fumes or industrial smoke.

When the wind blows from the southwest, Cleland and his team capture a sample using finely tuned instruments. Their kit is so sensitive that delivery trucks chugging down the dirt track from the nearest town -- an hour away -- are all logged, in case they potentially skew the readings.

- Clean air economy While the world’s most polluted cities struggle to attract talent or manage chronic illnesses, residents around Cape Grim have made a virtue of their relatively pristine environment.

Local beef is marketed with links to scien-

IBP/net

While the world’s most polluted cities struggle to attract talent or manage chronic illnesses, residents around Cape Grim have made a virtue of their relatively pristine environment. tific papers on air quality, the number of wind farms has increased, and tourism is a growing sector. Mike Buckby, a “rain farmer” from the Cape Grim Water Company, has taken things to another level, harvesting water falling “from Earth’s purest skies.”

“Most waters of the world are spring waters,” he explains as he looks out over a system of tarps, sluices and reservoirs set back from the coast.

“The rain that comes off the Great Southern Ocean, that’s what we depend on,” Buckby said, adding that his remarkably sweet-tasting water is little more than H2O and trace amounts of sodium picked up from the sea.

“It will have a little bit of sodium but it’s very neutral and it’s very soft,” he said. “In normal spring water, you’ll have high magnesium, you’ll have some naturally occurring nitrates, phosphorus, potassium.”

Buckby says the monitoring station and the clean air it measures have helped local produce stand out in a competitive market.

“This probably wouldn’t work without the monitoring station at Cape Grim,” he admitted.

“Yes, we sell the romance,” he said, adding: “But look, there’s 43 years of data that says this is the cleanest mix of air in the world.” (afp)

In Rwanda, a source of forgiveness after genocide

JACQUES NKINZINGABO / AFP

Villagers walk on a road which separates two villages, at the border between Musambira and Nyarubaka sectors of Kamonyi District on March 4, 2019. Two villages on adjascent hills are re-learning to share all they have, including a well-spring at the bottom of the valley, after 1994 genocide.

RUSEKE - A trickle of water flows out of a lush green valley in Rwanda, the two villages on either side of the life-giving spring living peacefully with each other for years.

Then the horrors of the 1994 genocide changed all that. Those on one side of the valley in the village of Giheta turned on their neighbours across the way in the village of Ruseke.

Gangs of machete-wielding men hacked their neighbours to death following the outbreak of inter-ethnic violence, a genocide in which over 800,000 mainly

Tutsi people were killed between April to July 1994, according to the UN. Today, that water source brings the people back together.

But 25 years ago, the tranquil valley, its rich farmland lined with banana, mango and avocado trees about 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of Rwanda’s capital Kigali, became a killing field.

Whipped up by extremist propaganda, the people of Giheta -- from the ethnic Hutu majority -- attacked their longtime neighbours in Ruseke from the Tutsi minority. Some 70 people were

massacred.

“It was a big shock for us,” said Daphrosa Mukarubayiza, 57, whose husband and son were killed.

“These were people who we used to socialise and drink together with.

We shared everything.”

Elders in the communities spoke of how people would gather to chat as they waited for their water containers to fill, exchanging gossip and news, a peaceful place that brought everyone together.

After the genocide, both villages still relied on the water, but took it in turn to avoid having to meet, if at all possible. (afp)

14

Monday, April 1, 2019

Traveling

International

Revealed: 8 of the best British historic houses, gardens and sights VISIT Heritage reveals the best properties gardens and sites across Britain with the UK Heritage Awards 2019.

Properties from across the UK were nominated in various categories. The shortlist was then judged by a panel that included representatives of the Country Houses Foundation, Excellence Squared Group, National Trust, and Visit Heritage, amongst others.

Here are some of the winners.

Family Day Out: Hever Castle, Kent

Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn and boasts more than 700 years of history.

It still has its original medieval defences and a double moat, plus what is widely regarded to be the best collection of Tudor portraits after the National Portrait Gallery.

It’s a must for history lovers, but also has plenty of family friendly attractives to keep the kids entertained as they learn. Themed

garden trails cover everything from Roman gods to map making, there’s a fantastic collection of miniature model houses, you can get lost (and hopefully find your way out again) in the Water Maze and Yew Maze, and when the weather’s fine there’s even boating on the lake.

Great Places to Eat: The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

Alnwick Castle is one of the most famous castles in England: it was used as a location for Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter movies. Stepping into the newly created gardens, you’ll find The Treehouse. It is complete with wobbly rope bridges and wooden walkways, and certainly looks like the home of a wizarding family. In fact, it’s an extraordinary restaurant with a menu of authentic Northumberland fare made from locally sourced ingredients. The Duchess of Northumberland has designed the range of cocktails, and there’s often live music, too.

Wonderful Places to Stay: Thirlestane Castle, Scottish Borders

If you have ever dreamed of staying in a fairytale castle, Thirlstane is it. It has been the home of the Maitland family since 1590, and you look back through the generations as you gaze at the oil portraits lining the walls. Five luxury apartments within the castle are open for guests, and they’re all decorated with an eclectic collection of antiques and fine artworks.

A Scottish bagpiper can even serenade you whilst you eat!

Most Improved Heritage Development: St Giles House, Dorset

St Giles House has been saved from the brink. Built as a family home 400 years ago, it fell into disrepair after WW2 and ended up on the English Heritage “Buildings at Risk” register. Thankfully, the past 10 years have seen an ambitious and successful restoration programme. The house is now open by appointment, you can stay in the 17th century Riding House, and there’s a lively calendar of events throughout the summer, which includes the Great Dorset Chilli Festival.

Contribution to Heritage: Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

The UK’s best heritage properties remind us of the past, but also look ahead to the future so that generations to come will be able

to enjoy them. Blenheim Palace is leading by example with a new 10 year plan: 10 ambitious goals for the palace and estate, £40 million for restoration, the establishment of an endowment fund to secure the palace’s financial future, and tripling Blenheim’s contribution to the local economy.

Best Wedding Venue: Adlington Hall, Cheshire

Choosing the UK’s best wedding venue, the Visit Heritage Award’s judges considered not only the beauty of the buildings and the atmosphere, but also the facilities and customer service. Adlington Hall wowed on all fronts. Couples can choose between the magnificent Great Hall and the more intimate Hunting Lodge, plus the historic walled courtyard and the glorious English Rose Garden. A dedicated team of wedding coordinators ensures everything runs smoothly in the run up to the wedding and on the big day itself.

Must Visit: Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Blenheim Palace’s well deserved second award was in the Must Visit category. The judges were impressed by the breadth and quality of the palace’s offering, from the Palace State Rooms to the Winston Churchill exhibition, the Butterfly House to the Pleasure Garden.

Hidden Gems:

Harvington Hall, Worcestershire78 Derngate House, Northamptonshire Two hidden gems captivated judges this year, so Harvington Hall and 78 Derngate became joint winners. Both properties are stunning, but they could hardly be more different.

Harvington Hall is a moated 14th century manor house with original Tudor wall paintings and priest hides. It offers fascinating insight into the life of wealthy Catholic families at the time of the Reformation, the challenges they faced, and their artistic tastes.

78 Derngate House is the only house in England designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. He completely transformed its interior in his signature style during WW1, and it has recently been beautifully restored. Two galleries in the house next door exhibit art and sculpture, furthering visitors’ understanding of Mackintosh, his contemporaries, and those artists influenced by them. (net)

Bali News

International

Monday, April 1, 2019

3

Tracing the beauty of stairs

AVAILABILITY of stairs connecting one floor to another floor in high rise buildings such as hotels, apartments, shopping centers and office buildings often gets no attention. Actually, the stairs are usually designed in such a way to beautify the internal parts of the building making it look attractive and can be used as an object of photography.

However, it is required carefulness to trace the beauty, uniqueness, and photogenic sides hidden along the twists and turns of the stairs.

Besides, the staircase is a very appropriate object for learning composition, one of the fundamental skills that must be owned by a photographer. This composition includes shapes, designs and patterns. More interestingly, the stairs present all elements of the composition in their entirety whether they are square, spiral or circular, made from wood or metal. A unique staircase design can make it quite photogenic, especially when the set of stairs connects one floor to another, changes direction and overlaps at each level. Here are practical tips that can be used as a guide when photographing stairs.

Before taking a photo shoot, make sure that you get permission from the building management to take pictures. There are a number of building managements that indeed apply prohibition on taking pictures with certain considerations. Surely, such policy must be respected. Do not let our love to hunt pictures of beautiful stairs even raises problems later on.

Lighting problems

Generally, stairs are inside the room so that lighting problems are often an obstacle because the conditions tend to be minimal.

Artificial light emanating from

tungsten lamps may be enough to illuminate the interior of our eyes.

However, it is not necessarily effective for cameras. In addition, the lights also have the potential to cause some strange color shifts that are only caught on camera.

To work around this, set the white balance on the camera according to the light source. In other words, we cannot fully depend on mere automatic settings. Make it a habit to take pictures with the RAW file format because it will make it very easy to correct colors during postprocessing later.

Next, also pay attention to ISO settings. In addition to avoiding underexposure photos, the right ISO settings are also to avoid

camera shake. The intensity of the light inside the building is usually low, so the consequence is to use around ISO 1000, ISO 1600 or even above that number to get not too low shutter speed and maintain a good aperture and depth of field.

The use of tripod in shooting stairs is very helpful to reduce the risk of camera shake when the camera shutter is pressed. Unfortunately, not all multi-storied building managements allow the use of tripod when shooting. So, don’t forget to activate the image stabilizing system on the camera and lens to avoid camera shake.

When photographing stairs, the patterns and shapes inherent in the staircase design are the main

attraction. By standing on the ground floor and raise your head, start shooting. Conversely, we can also shoot from the stairs on the top floor with the camera directed to the stairs on the lower floor. Besides, pay attention to other interesting

objects around the stairs such as pendant lamps or side windows that will strengthen the overall pattern and complete the shape of the stairs. Ultimately, have a nice moment to explore the beauty of the stairs! (ian)

2

Monday, April 1, 2019

Bali News

International

Activities

International

Potential for electoral fraud in Bangli relatively small

BANGLI - The Electoral Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) of Bangli assessed the potential for fraud occurred during the upcoming election on April 17. In the upcoming election, there are many people involved to oversee the election in polling stations.

IBP/kmb

“Firstly, there are witnesses from political parties. Secondly, there is warden at polling station; thirdly, there are KPPS and community organizations that also witness and supervise the process of voting. So, in our opinion, the potential for fraud is relatively small as it can be minimized,” said Chairman of the Bangli Electoral Supervisory Board, Nengah Purna, on Saturday (Mar. 30).

But this is not the case with potential errors and mistakes during the voting process. According to him, the potential of errors can occur considering five ballots will be given to voters in this election. Since this happens for the first time, surely it becomes a new thing for voters later.

According to Purna, the potential errors that may occur in the voting process is the voter’s error in placing the ballot into the ballot box according to the color. For example, the ballot for members of the district House of Representatives is incorrectly put into the box of provincial House of Representative.

In addition, other potential errors are incorrect checks. He gave an example that residents wishing to elect candidates for their choice in the district House of Representatives but even look for it in a provincial House of Representatives’ ballot so that they are finally cast out. “Since the election with five ballots is a new thing, surely there is a potential mistake,” he said.

To minimize the occurrence of errors in the upcoming elections, according to him, the information on the electoral procedures for voting needs to be intensified by KPU through the KPPS and PPS at their respective village especially for people aged over 50s. Intensive dissemination is needed especially ahead of the voting day remaining within just a matter of a few days away. To minimize errors, Purna said that his board had been conducting dissemination both through PPDK and TPS wardens. (kmb40)

Electoral dissemination needs creativity

DENPASAR - Active participation of the community is highly expected in the simultaneous election 2019. Moreover, the Bali Electoral Commission (KPU) targets voter participation to reach 80 percent. Particularly Bali, there are 3,130,288 voters in accordance with the Updated Fixed Voters List (DPTHP-2).

In the Electoral Dissemination Program for the tourism industry in the Wiswa Sabha Utama Building, the office of the Governor of Bali some time ago, Commissioner of KPU Bali, I Gede Jhon Darmawan, stated the election in Indonesia is one of the most democratic elections in the world because the election applies a one vote system for one candidate. The system has quite high cost consequences like the Election 2019 requires a budget

of around IDR 29 trillion.

“So, we estimate that every citizen of Indonesia will be allocated as much as IDR 120,000 by the country to vote. So, I hope you really come to the polling station and do not waste the money,” he said.

According to Jhon, his commission has made various efforts to increase voter participation, including facilitating voters wishing to change the location of polling station so they do not have to go home when voting. It is by collecting form A5 up to March 13. In Bali, there are 12,394 polling stations (TPS).

Here are the number of voters in each district and municipality according to DPTHP-2, Denpasar City (464,132), Badung (384,609), Tabanan (366,150), Jembrana (235,284), Buleleng (582,437), Bangli (187,371), Karangasem

(380,195), Klungkung (160,080), and Gianyar (370,030). KPU Bali has also recapitulated the Additional Voter List (DPTb) included in the Election 2019 reaching 2,048 voters spreading over 457 polling stations.

When separately interviewed, former commissioner of the KPU Bali, Wayan Jondra, stated that actually it is not difficult to disseminate the election in Bali because it has extraordinary social investments such as hamlets, PKK, and customary village youth club (sekaa taruna). Moreover, the community such as in the hamlet also routinely performs meetings.

“Simply join with them, you don’t need to take anything. Ask for 10 minutes or 15 minutes for electoral dissemination. It needs creativity of the electoral organizers and election participants. Be-

sides, it can be held through social gathering of the hamlet to introduce themselves,” he said.

Jondra added that dissemination can also take advantage to provide political education for the community. Undeniably, there are still people that have an instant mindset. For example, there are people expecting money politics to move them to come to polling stations and channel their voting rights.

“This political education to voters is important. So, this is not just the task of the Electoral Commission, the election participants must also disseminate themselves.

Otherwise, no one will choose them later on. Actually, there are many political parties and so are the candidates,” he explained.

Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Su-

kawati, requested all components of the community to participate in the Concurrent Election 2019. No exception are people working in the tourism sector considering the tourism workers reaches one third of the Fixed Voter List or DPT in Bali. Strict work rules should not contribute to high abstentions.

Moreover, the voter participation in Bali is fairly volatile from elections to elections.

“In the election 2013, voter participation reached 73 percent and then rose again in the election 2014 to 77 percent. However, there was a significant decrease in the Gubernatorial Election 2018 to 72 percent.

We anticipate the number of abstentions could go down so that public participation can reach 80 percent in accordance with the target of the KPU Bali,” he added. (kmb32)

 Founder : K.Nadha,  General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Gugiek Savindra  Editors:Agus Toni, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sueca, Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra.

Bangli: Swasrina, Buleleng: Mudiarta, Gianyar: Manik Astajaya, Karangasem: Eka Parananda, Klungkung: Bagiarta. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto.  Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Aston Kuta Commitment to Protect Mother Earth

Aston Kuta believed that their company has a responsibility to operate their business in a responsible manner and in ways that don’t jeopardize the environment. Celebrating Earth Hour, they invited the entire guest to joined hundreds million of people across the globe to save energy and light the candles.

In regards of their commitment to protect mother earth, they invited the entire guest to participate Earth Hour event on March 30, starts from 08:30 PM by switching off the unessential light in their room, as the hotel also turns off all the exterior lights and leaves minimum lights for security reason. The guest will be gathered at the lobby to enjoy amazing lights-out moment and starts to lights on 60+ candle shapes, officially marking the start of Earth Hour. The candle was made to send a green message to the guest as symbolizing the spirit of Earth Hour and commitment

to help the mother earth, with the ‘+’ sign means it’s not only for 60 minutes but also urging everyone to have sustainable lifestyle for the future.

“It’s our commitment to making the planet a better place. Not only for celebrating earth hours, but we strive to always concern about efficient energy use on a daily basis” said Rizka Fitriana, Asst. Marcomm Manager Aston Kuta Hotel & Residence.

To entertain the guest during the one hour lights off, Aston Kuta Hotel gives their special offers for BBQ candle light dinner with free “Mother Earth” mocktail for IDR 150,000++ and for any purchase for the signature mocktail “Mother Earth” will get free Eco Stainless Straw Pack contains of 2 types of stainless straw, brush and pocket for IDR 70,000net. It is also part of their support to reduce the plastic use as they have a motto of “Funtastic without Plastic”.

Monday, April 1, 2019

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Monday, April 1, 2019

Janet Jackson, Radiohead, The Cure enter Rock Hall of Fame

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Monday, April 1, 2019

NEW YORK - Genre-bending acts Radiohead and The Cure led a British invasion into Brooklyn Friday night to take their spots in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while pop icon Janet Jackson entered the shrine in an induction many industry insiders consider long overdue.

American folk rock legend Stevie Nicks became the first woman inducted twice -- having already earned a spot in the rock pantheon as a member of band Fleetwood Mac -- during a gala concert at New York’s Barclays Center in Brooklyn to celebrate the seven 2019 honorees. Heavy metal group Def Leppard, pop experimentalists Roxy Music and English psychedelic rock harmonists The Zombies rounded out the five-strong class of British inductees.

The inclusion of Jackson -- whose socially conscious, sexually provocative and eminently danceable tracks made her a household name in the 1980s -- comes as the Hall of Fame increasingly expands its definition of rock to include the likes of R&B. She joins The Jackson 5 and her brother Michael in the Cleveland-based rock shrine, which has refused to remove the late pop king from its honored artist list despite pressure over a documentary reviving pedophilia accusations against him.

Jackson declined to perform at the event, an unusual move some US reports owed to the fact that it would be broadcast on HBO, the network which aired the documentary

about her brother, “Surviving Neverland.”

Citing Jackson’s “legendary black girl magic,” pop futurist Janelle Monae inducted the 52-year-old superstar who spearheaded the creation of New Jack Swing.

Her synth-driven sound came to define the cutting edge of New York’s club scene in the late 1980s. Jackson steered clear of Michael discussions but noted her family’s “extraordinary impact on popular culture,” saying that as the youngest she “was determined to make it on my own.”

“Tonight your baby sister has made it,” she said, telling the Hall: “2020, induct more women!”

British sensation Harry Styles inducted Stevie Nicks -- whose poetic vocals and bewitching stage presence have made her an intergenerational rock legend.

She opened the show with a performance of “Stand Back,” wearing her original shawl from the video and twirling to show off its shimmering gold fringe. Speaking to journalists backstage, Nicks, 70, voiced hope that as the first woman twice inducted she was “opening up the door for other women, to go like, ‘Hey man, I can do it.’” (afp)

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame/AFP

Inductee Janet Jackson speaks onstage during the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony - Show at Barclays Center on March 29, 2019 in New York City.

Nicolas Cage files for annulment four days after marrying girlfriend

Nicolas Cage

IBP/net

Actor Nicolas Cage has filed for an annulment four days after getting married in Las Vegas, saying he was too drunk to understand his actions.

A court record shows the Ghost Rider star asked on Wednesday for the annulment of his marriage to Erika Koike. Cage claims the pair drank “to the point of intoxication” before the wedding on Saturday.

Celebrity website The Blast reported that Cage’s lawyers said: “Prior to obtaining a marriage license and participating in a marriage ceremony, [Cage] and [Koike] were both drinking to the point of intoxication.

“As a result of his intoxication, when [Koike] suggested to [Cage] that they should marry, [Cage] reacted on impulse and without the ability to recognise or understand the full impact of his actions.”

The 55-year-old also argues that he wasn’t aware of Ms Koike’s “relationship with another person”, with the document also stating that she did not inform him of her “criminal history” including “additional active criminal proceedings”.

Ms Koike, a makeup artist, is understood to have pleaded not guilty to a DUI charge in Las Vegas and is scheduled to return to

court in June. The couple, who have been dating for a year, tied the knot on the same day they applied for a marriage licence.

This is the fourth marriage of the Oscarwinning actor, who was previously married to former waitress Alike Kim, singersongwriter Lisa Marie Presley and actress Patricia Arquette.

Cage also has a son with former girlfriend Christina Fulton.

The actor received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for his role in the 1995 film Leaving Las Vegas. (net)

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AP Photo/Rony Muharrman, File

In this June 27, 2013, file photo, smoke billows during a forest fires in Pelalawan, Riau province, Indonesia. Indonesia’s air quality has deteriorated from among the cleanest in the world to one of the most polluted over the past two decades, shaving five years from life expectancy in some regions, researchers say.

Worsening air pollution reducing lifespans in Indonesia JAKARTA - Indonesia’s air quality has deteriorated from among the cleanest in the world to one of the most polluted over the past two decades, shaving five years from life expectancy in some regions, researchers say.

The study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago says an increase in coal-fired power stations, burning of land for plantation agriculture and rising car ownership are responsible for the worsening pollution in the world’s fourth-most populous country.

The greatest spike happened in the last few years with air pollution more than doubling between 2013 and 2016, it said. The burden on public health has become one of the highest in the world, behind

only India, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

“High air pollution is now undermining Indonesians’ health,” said researchers Michael Greenstone and Qing Fan. “In 1998, air pollution barely impacted the life expectancy of Indonesians. In fact, even in 2013, it shaved only a few months off of average life expectancy.”

According to the researchers, sustained high concentrations of particulate matter in the air

people breath will cut 2.3 years from lifespans in the capital, Jakarta.

On the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, both of which suffer land fires every year, the expected reduction in lifespans is four years on average. It rises to 4.8 years for the southern Sumatran city of Palembang and 5.6 years for its neighboring Ogan Komering Ilir district.

Indonesia’s annual dry season fires were particularly disastrous in 2015, burning 2.6 million hectares (10,000 square miles) of land and spreading health-damaging haze across Indonesia, Singapore, southern Thailand and Malaysia. The

World Bank estimated the fires cost Indonesia $16 billion and a Harvard and Columbia study estimated the haze hastened 100,000 deaths in the region.

Wetter weather resulted in reduced areas of land burning in the following three years, though the area burned jumped again last year to more than 510,000 hectares (2,000 square miles).

The University of Chicago study said the air pollution effects are widespread. Small particles carried by the wind from land fires at times contribute 31 percent of Jakarta’s “PM2.5” — tiny particles that cause haze when levels are elevated and which are linked to

lung cancer, respiratory illness and other diseases.

Citing the experience of cities such as London, Osaka and Los Angeles in reducing disastrous air pollution and China’s more recent progress, the researchers said Indonesia’s pollution problem is “solvable” through stricter regulation and stronger enforcement. (ap) News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http:// radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.