Edition Monday, December 04 2017 | International Bali Post

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Monday, December 4, 2017

Leia leads resistance in Carrie Fisher’s final ‘Star Wars’ film LOS ANGELES - Carrie Fisher’s final performance as the beloved Leia in “Star Wars” puts the character on the front lines in a dark new chapter that reaches theaters this month, leaving a galactic hole to fill after the sudden death of the actress a year ago.

Fisher had filmed all of her scenes for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” the eighth installment of the blockbuster space saga, before she died of a heart attack in December 2016.

“She’s irreplaceable,” Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, told Reuters. “’Star Wars’ is about great triumphs and great tragedies, and I can’t think of a bigger tragedy than missing our Leia,” Hamill told Reuters.

Writer and director Rian Johnson said he did not change Leia’s story in “Last Jedi” after her death.

The film debuts in theaters December 14.

It will be up to the makers of 2019 film “Episode IX” to decide the ultimate fate of the character first seen as a spunky princess in

the original 1977 “Star Wars” film, Johnson added.

In “The Last Jedi,” “we didn’t tailor it to be a farewell to her,” Johnson said. “But, that having been said, I think there’s some moments that I think will really mean a lot to fans. You will see more from Leia that you haven’t seen before.”

Fisher’s final film appearance is expected to boost already feverish interest in the franchise, now owned by Walt Disney Co . Boxoffice.com projects “Last Jedi” will haul in $185 million to $215 million at U.S. and Canadian ticket windows its first weekend, which would rank as one of the biggest film debuts in history.

The cast and director provided few details about the film’s plot.

John Boyega, who portrays former Stormtrooper Finn, said the movie finds Leia, now a general, leading the Resistance against the evil First Order during a tense time in the raging battle to protect the galaxy far, far away. (rtr)

IBP/net

ce zombies and fire-breathing dragons plague the characters in the hit fantasy TV series “Game of Thrones.”

The long winter: ‘Game of Thrones’ fans in four-day viewing marathon

LONDON - Ice zombies and fire-breathing dragons plague the characters in the hit fantasy TV series “Game of Thrones,” but for fans who took part in a four-day marathon to watch the series’ 67 episodes back-to-back, a pained rear end posed a greater threat.

Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP

Star Wars fans wearing various costumes from the films are pictured during the Star Wars Cosplay Showcase 2017, part of Tokyo Comic Con 2017 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba on December 2, 2017. The second annual edition of Tokyo Comic Con is taking place from December 1 to 3.

The marathon viewing began on Monday evening in London’s Prince Charles Cinema, and concluded on Thursday evening, and was held to mark the upcoming release of the program’s seventh series on DVD on Dec. 11.

“To see (it) all in one chunk will give you something different, that we don’t get when we’re waiting around for the next season to come.

They won’t get the irritation that we all get,” said actress Hannah

Waddingham, who plays the illfated Septa Unella in the series and attended the opening night.

Around 350 people attended some of the screenings over the four-day event, while only seven hard core fans managed to last from start to finish.

One of the participants described the screening as an “endurance race,” and mindful organizers handed out survival kits containing tissues, alcohol gel and dental sup-

plies.

“Game of Thrones” tells the story of warring factions in a dragon and zombie filled medieval fantasy world, where winter lasts for years.

It has garnered critical praise and a huge international following over its seven series.

The show’s eighth and final series is expected to premiere in late 2018 or 2019, though a release date has not been officially confirmed. (rtr)

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Monday, December 4, 2017

Jl. D.Poso No 68 Jl. D.Poso No. 50D Jl. D.Poso No. 39 Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur Jl. D.Tamblingan

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REUTERS/Darren Whiteside

A woman poses while a friend takes her picture at Lempuyang temple which overlooks Mount Agung volcano, in Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia, December 3, 2017.

Work of Art

Tourist Pose in front of the Eruption

LOCALS living in the shadow of Bali’s volcano are fearing for their lives as tourists pose for selfies in bikinis and do handstands in front of the erupting Mount Agung.

The eruption has forced more than 43,000 people to flee their homes with another 60,000 people ordered to evacuate immediately.

The international airport on the island was closed for almost three days with hundreds of flights cancelled leaving thousands stranded.

And cold lava, known as lahar, has swept into towns and villages in the volcano’s summit, bursting riverbanks and leaving streams black with volcanic ash and debris.

But despite the national disaster, for some tourists the eruption is an opportunity to take a once-ina-lifetime photo for social media.

Instagram has been flooded this week with posts from people posing for the camera in front of smoke clouds rising from the volcano.

Many have posted photos using the volcano’s smoke as a backdrop with captions that sing nature’s praises.

In one photo, user Karina Kapris

poses between the ornate Lempuyang Temple, or ‘Gates of Heaven’, with the erupting Agung in that background, tinged with a blue and purple hue.

She posted the photo online with the caption: “That’s what I call a once in a lifetime photo.”

In another, a woman sits meditating on a grassy verge, while ash clouds billow out the 3,000metre tall mountain behind her.

Some have used the chance to post a photo with their loved one, with one picture showing a couple - both wearing gas masks embracing as the eruption unfolds

behind them.

Others acknowledge the potentially scary situation, but say the view is worth any fear. A post from Iona Bunghez shows a woman in shorts and bikini top looking out over a pool and forestland, with the mountain far in the distance.

She said: “Sounds stupid but yes, I have it on my bucket list to see a live volcano. I think it would be my only chance to tick it off.”

The last time Mount Agung erupted, more than 1,100 people were killed. Survivors of the 1963 eruption have been haunted by the memories of the horrific event as

the volcano continues to be active this week.

On Monday, authorities ordered residents living near the volcano to evacuate the area immediately, warning that the first major eruption in 54 years could be ‘imminent’.(rtr) 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.

2

Monday, December 4, 2017

Bali News

International

Tourism players of Yeh Sah River normalized Badung worried Anticipating larger lava floods

MOUNT Agung eruption makes tourism players in Badung district worried. It happens because the revenue of local government is dominantly sourcing from this sector.

Moreover, regional budget plan (APBD) 2018 amounting to IDR 7.2 trillion has been decided, so the government should strive to achieve the target.

From the data compiled, foreign tourist arrivals during the period from January to October reached 4,878,478 tourists from the 2017 target set at 5,850,000 tourists. This means there are 971,522 tourists that must go to Bali. Seeing the number of visits within two months in 2018, it seems difficult to achieve the target. The visit in November reached 309,601 foreign tourists and December 411,177 foreign tourists.

Head of the Badung Tourism Office, I Made Badra, cannot do much because disaster is unpredictable.

However, he said the calculation of tourist visits up to November shows there is still lack of about 600,000.

“Hopefully, within this one week it can be clear and we restore again, and we see the development,” said Made Badra, on Saturday (Dec. 2).

According to him, the average losses reach 10,000 foreign tourists per day if the flight is closed. In order to minimize the losses, his office will sit together with tourism stakeholders to formulate market recovery

efforts.

“On December 4, we are formulating (a recovery effort) at the gathering of Badung tourism. We are also continuously improving hospitality, increasing overseas promotion, improving product quality, improving the quality of tourism infrastructure, including airports and terminals on land and sea as well as making cooperation with the airlines to create an attractive tour package,” he explained.

Although the airport becoming the access for foreign tourists is closed, he claimed to still provide information for travel agencies that Bali is still safe to be visited. “However, the incoming transportation to Bali is impossible because the airport is closed,” he added.

For the handling of flight cancellations, he claimed to have coordinated with the airport authority so as to provide transfer services to Mengwi terminal leading to Surabaya. While the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) gave services in the form of free one-night stay.

Meanwhile, Chairman of PHRI Badung, IGN Rai Suryawijaya, did not dare to confirm whether the services are given by the hotel management. “As the appeal implies, but it should be mandatory,” he said briefly amid the inauguration ceremony of the management of the Badung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) at Badung Civic Center. (kmb27)

AMLAPURA - Yeh Sah River located at Muncan village, Selat, Karangasem, is normalized. This measure is carried out as anticipation against the larger cold lava flood if Mount Agung erupts again.

This was expressed by Regent of Karangasem, I Gusti Ayu Mas Sumatri, when reviewing the normalization of Yeh Sah River on Saturday (Dec. 2).

Regent Mas Sumatri explained the river normalization is carried out as a form of anticipation in case the greater hot and cold lava happens again. If there is greater lava flood, it will no longer endanger the people living near the river and the bridge infrastructure in the vicinity of the river.

“We do not know when the cold and hot lava flood will happen. So, we hope this normalization will smooth the flow of lava when it passes through this river watershed.

Thus, we are better prepared to face the lava floods,” she said.

In addition to normalizing the river flow of Yeh Sah, similar normalization is also carried out to several other rivers such as the rivers in Kubu and Karangasem subdistrict.

Many rivers still require normalization like this. The normalized rivers potentially become the path of cold and hot lava flows.

Meanwhile, Mas Sumatri confirmed that she has received a written report or via WhatsApp related to the farmland of residents adjacent to the river flow swept away by cold lava considering the land belongs to river body. So, it is very risky to be hit by lava. She said the farmland owned by residents that was swept away reached around 40 hectares. “We hope that farmers whose land is swept away by cold lava can accept the condition sincerely,” explained Regent Mas Sumatri.

Head of the Karangasem Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR), I Ketut Sedana Merta, revealed the cold lava flow occurred all this time has indeed deeply eroded other sand material at the location. “It indeed eroded the sand deeply. Besides, the stone material was also eroded and carried away by cold lava. If calculated, the sand having been eroded by lava reached three meters,” explained Sedana Merta. (kmb41)

HIV/AIDS reaches 347 cases

80 percent infects productive ages

Tourists are enjoying the view of Kuta Beach

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

BANGLI - Cumulative number of HIV/AIDS cases in Bangli district as of September 2017 exceeded 347 cases. More apprehensively, 80 percent of all the HIV/AIDS cases are reported to infect productive ages including school age and teenagers. The transmission is mostly through risky sexual behavior.

“Therefore, I ask the head of the education agency so that AIDS prevention efforts at school environment can be done more systemically and in structured manner. It can be done by incorporating the subject on HIV/AIDS and Drug into the curriculum and integrating it into relevant subjects. Thus, the subject of HIV/AIDS can be absorbed massively by all students,” said Chairman of the Bangli Commission for AIDS Prevention (KPA) who is also the Deputy Regent of Bangli, Sang Nyoman Sedana Arta, on Friday (Dec. 1).

Sedana Arta said that all parties must unite to work harder and stop the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Bangli district. It may not be complacent about what has been achieved because challenges in the future are still much greater even

though the current hard work has paid significant results.

He also called on all the components getting involved in the AIDS prevention to be more active in uncovering the cases remaining to be buried so they can be given Anti Retroviral (ARV) treatment early.

Thus, the quality of their life can be better and survive even though the HIV virus cannot be killed with ARV. “The next thing to do together is to minimize the infection of new cases as low as possible. If we succeed in suppressing new cases, I am confident the cases will slow down every year,” he explained.

The empathy and sympathy for people with HIV/AIDS, said Sedana Arta, should also be shown sincerely. By that way, the infected people can feel more welcome, more cooperative as well as can interact socially and free from despair, free from feelings of dictation and discrimination. “Implication of our empathic attitude will inspire people living with HIV/AIDS to act as the front guard in the prevention rather than the contrary as the transmitters as what is feared by many parties,” he added. (kmb40)

 Founder : K.Nadha,  General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Gugiek Savindra  Editors:Agus Toni, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sueca, Sugiartha, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Suasrina, Buleleng: Dewa kusuma, Gianyar: Manik Astajaya, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Dewa Farendra. 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

Activities

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

15

MEN’S SHORTBOARD NARROWED TO 32 AT OAKLEY PRO BALER Excitement built up at Aliya Surf Camp during Rounds 2 and 3 of Oakley Pro Baler as surfers were narrowed down to 32, each hoping to take home the prize purse of PHP 100,000.

The Faraon brothers of Baler showed dominance at their home-

break as they continued to soar amidst tough wave conditions at Sabang Beach. Jerome, the younger of the two, capitalized on his years of surfing his local spot and decided to position himself at the left side of Aliya Surf Camp during Heat 1 of Round 2. Luckily he was able to

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BY DONATION SUNDAY MARKETS 10AM 1PM Sunday Market at Batu Jimbar Jl. Danau Tablingan , Sanur 10AM-4PM The Sands Beach Club and Restaurant Sunday MArket Jl. Danau Tamblingan, No 27, Sanur 9:30AM-1PM Sunday Market @ Warung Sopa Jl. Sugriwas no36, Padang Tegal, Ubud 9AM-2PM Samadi Sunday Market Jalan. Padang Linjong 39, Canggu, 9AM-2PM Wednesday and Sunday Ubud Organik Market Jl. Raya Pengosekan across from Zens Hotel Tebesaya, Ubud 12PM-10PM Sunday Food Festival & Bazaar Byrdhouse Beach Club, Sanur 10AM-6PM, Mercure,last sunday of every month, jl. ,Mertasari, Sanur, fashion food and and kids activities The Coffee Spot, Jalan Peigenet 888X,Seminyak, last Sunday of every month, garage sale clothing, books, and hand-made jewellery

score two decent long left-handers, which improved his scores and secured his spot in Round 3. “I heard from the judges’ tower that I only needed 3 points to advance then I saw that the waves on the left side had more power so I paddled all the way there. I’m so happy that I was able to advance to Round 3.

This is my first experience to hear my score while I’m in the line up.

It really helped in my decisionmaking,” said Jerome Faraon.

Meanwhile, Jerome’s brother Wilson continued his rally towards the championship round as he showed wave supremacy against fellow Baler surfer Micko Mendoza and Abel Bejar from Samar.

Wilson’s hard-hitting combinations impressed the judges and managed to get Round 2’s best average heat score of 9.70.

Juvecris Lavesoria from Zambales made a Hail Mary performance during his heat against Argie

“Bad Boy” Hugo and Allen Jay Ritual, both from Baler. “I’m both tired and happy right now. It’s difficult catching waves in this condition. I’m still stoked because I was able to catch that last wave which gave me the points I needed to advance to Round 3,” said Lavesoria.

Round 3 Heat 1 started early afternoon with a flawless win from PSCT #1 Philmar Alipayo from Siargao Island. Alipayo immediately took a high scoring wave during the first minute of his heat, which gave him a good head start. “I was not feeling good. I had flu but still managed to get good waves during my heat. I guess I was just lucky,” said Alipayo. With only 32 surfers left, we expect for more action tomorrow during the remaining heats of Round 3 of Oakley Pro Baler.

For live heat scores and update visit www.psctour.com/Baler/ and our official Facebook page www. facebook.com/psctour/ Follow us

on Instagram: @Official.PSCT The Oakley Pro Baler is brought to you by the following sponsors and media partners: Office of Sen. Sonny Angara, Oakley Philippines, Philippine Sports Commission, SkyJet Air (Official Airline Partner), Solar Sports (Official TV Partner), EDGE Sports (Official Digital Media Partner), Aliya Surf Camp, Office of Vice- Governor Rommel Angara, Gwapitos, Fluidsurf, Kermit Surf Resort, Kudo Surf, SMART Beach House, Kahanamoku Bed & Breakfast, Kusina Luntian, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office- Baler, The Circle Hostel, Bayler View Hotel, Kahea’s Surf, BackBurn, Holy Skull, Aguariva Swimwear, Go Surfari House, Surf House Baler, Amihan Aplaya, PTV-4, Inquirer.net, INQPop, The Manila Bulletin, Going Places Magazine, EDGE Sport, Edge Davao and My Life on Board.

14

Monday, December 4, 2017

Traveling

International

Prof. Dr. I.B. Raka Suardana

Turkish “Microangelo” tells Istanbul’s tale on miniature objects

ANKARA - Following his morning stroll around Istanbul’s medieval Galata tower, Hasan Kale walks into a bulk food market to examine the goods that will make up his next canvas.

“These are the ones I was looking for,” Kale says excitedly, as he scoops up a handful of pumpkin seeds.

The 57-year-old’s morning routine may not stand out at first glance, but his motive does. At home, once Kale pours his freshly bought pumpkin seeds on his table, the adventure begins.

A micro-artist renowned as Tur-

key’s Microangelo, a pun on Italian Renaissance master Michelangelo, Kale paints scenes from Istanbul on miniature objects or even food particles.

For him, no object is too small from fig seeds to bottle caps, lentils to fishbone, Kale finds any object or food big enough to paint a scene from his hometown of Istanbul. “Of course the only hindrance here is that you can’t hang it on your wall and (look at it) while you sip your coffee. You have to submerge in it,” Kale said.

Celebrating his 22nd year as a

micro-artist, Kale said he has so far painted on 350 different objects, but that one of the biggest challenges of using food as a canvas is that his micropieces may not always last for long.

Nowadays, Kale said he was working on opening the world’s first micro objects museum to exhibit his tiny oeuvre.

“I fight to make them last forever ... I try to take them to the highest level and I want to display them in the world’s first and only museum of micro-objects that I want to open.” (rtr)

Bali News

International

IBP/kmb

Complex impacts of Mount Agung eruption DENPASAR - The impact of Mount Agung eruption is very complex. It has an impact on the livelihoods of local people and their economy, the economy of Karangasem, the wider tourism of Bali and the Bali’s economy.

Moreover, it is coupled with the closure of Ngurah Rai Airport as the entrance of Bali to international world increasingly worsening the economic condition of Bali sustained by tourism.

An economic observer from Undiknas, Prof. Dr. I.B. Raka Suardana, assessed the airport has closure impacted 445 flights with 59,000 passengers so it reduced the tourist arrivals to Bali. If this condition lasts long, Bali’s economic growth will decline. Karangasem residents directly affected by the eruption of Mount Agung will experience economic disruption.

The MSMEs go bankrupt because the population in disaster-prone area (KRB) 1, 2 and 3 does not work, so they are not productive.

“The impact of Mount Agung has multiplier effect,” he said.

Bali with tourism icon is very difficult to shift to the source of new economic growth. Tourism remains the backbone of the Bali’s economy, but from the supply side, Bali’s exports should be encouraged. “Export is encouraged and handicraft products are raised again. Export of handicraft products to Europe is raised again.

Quality is improved,” he said.

Based on the study of Bank Indonesia for Bali Representative Office, Bali’s economy until the end of 2017 is predicted to drop to 5.2 percent - 5.6 percent. In 2016, Bali’s economic growth was 6.24 percent.

An analyst of Bank Indonesia for Bali Representative Office, Umran Usman, viewed that Bali’s economy is driven by tourism and surely the economic performance is affected by the Mount Agung disaster. In terms of supply, the GRDP

of Bali will affect the performance of business sector, accommodation as well as food and beverage due to the cancellation of tourist arrivals both domestic and international as well as cancellation of MICE events such as seminars and annual meetings.

In addition, the airport closure for a few days has affected the transportation business as the number of aircraft departing and arriving in Bali reduced when compared to previously. Trading business is also affected because tourists coming for holiday including shopping in Bali also reduced.

In the meantime, from demand side, foreign tourists coming to visit Bali are calculated by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in the GRDP of Bali as a service export.

Condition of Mount Agung disaster caused the airport to be closed and there is security risk to visiting tourists, and this surely reduces the number of foreign tourist arrivals.

Thus, it will also lower the value of the service exports.

How big is the impact on the Bali’s economy? It will highly depend on the duration or length of Mount Agung eruption. The longer it lasts surely the impact on the Bali’s economy will be greater.

In terms of tourism side, Chairman of Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, revealed the impact of Mount Agung eruption caused the hotel occupancy to drop dramatically. On average, the daily occupancy rate ranges from 20 to 25 percent, while the occupancy of month to date is around 35 percent.

“When compared to last year’s data, the average was 70 - 80 percent for December,” he said.

Moreover, when the airport was closed, the occupancy was very low reaching around 15-20 percent at home stay in Ubud because tourists preferred hotels located near the airport. (kmb42)

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Monday, December 4, 2017

Mount Agung eruption triggers downturn of tourism sector

ERUPTION of Mount Agung in Karangasem has affected tourism sector in Klungkung district, both in mainland and Nusa Penida Islands. It is indicated by the number of tourist visits and the cancellation of accommodation reservations.

Head of the Klungkung Tourism Office, I Nengah Sukasta, revealed the decline in tourist visit was seen in Kertha Gosa tourist object in October launched into a part of the city tour program. This condition is exacerbated by the closure of Ngurah Rai Airport.

“Commonly, the daily visit can reach 100 to 150 foreign tourists. Now, it decreased to half. This is the impact of Mount Agung and airport closure,” he said, not long ago.

Similar conditions also occurred in the Nusa Penida Islands. Actually, in terms of distance to Mount Agung, it is very far and safe to be visited. Faced with such condition, he could not do much. He just hoped the situation can return to normal soon. “If the airport is not closed, the visit can still be more. Moreover, Nusa Penida is far away from the volcano,” he said.

Although faced with quite worrying natural phenomenon, he said the Nusa Penida Festival on December 6-9 remains to be organized. Moreover, he is confident to

Kertha Gosa tourist object.

attract tourists to make a visit. “We are optimistic that many visitors will come to this event,” he said.

Preparation of the festival having stepped on the fourth year has reached one hundred percent. Later on, there will be a number of enlivening events, such as the performance of 1,000 rejang dancers, regatta, tying seaweed contests, cooking and musical performance by local and national band groups. “This has been promoted and we are just waiting for the implementation day,” he added.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Klungkung, I Wayan Sukadana, said the eruption of Mount Agung has resulted in the occupancy of tourist accommodation in Nusa Penida to drop dramatically. Many travelers even canceled their room reservation. “Based on the data of room reservation, previously the reservation reached 60 percent, while now after the disaster only reaches 11 percent,” he explained.

If within a week the situation does not change, he estimated the tourist visit will decrease further.

Surely, it is not expected by tourism players. Therefore, promotional measure remains to be maximized. “We continuously make promotions to convince that Nusa Penida is safe to be visited by tourists,” he concluded. (kmb45)

IBP/kmb

4

Bali News

Monday, December 4, 2017

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

International

13

Ex premier’s whereabouts unknown after return to Egypt - family

CAIRO - The family of former Egyptian prime minister Ahmed Shafik said on Sunday it had not heard from him since he was deported from the United Arab Emirates to Cairo on Saturday after announcing his intention to run for president next year.

IBP/kmb

Tanah Lot

Foreign tourist visits to Tanah Lot and Ulundanu Beratan decrease

TABANAN — The Mount Agung eruption to the closure of Ngurah Rai Airport also has impact on tourist visits to two well-known tourist objects in Tabanan district, namely Tanah Lot and Ulundanu Beratan. At Tanah Lot, for example, the decrease is dominantly in foreign tourist visit.

Based on the data of Tanah Lot management board, specifically in November 2017, the decline occurred since 27 November. At the beginning of November, the visit was usually dominated by adult foreign tourists with an average of 4,000 people. During these four days, the visit even decreased to 1,000 people. Likewise, the daily average of domestic tourist usually reached 2,000 visitors has now reduced to only 1,000 visitors.

As seen at the location, although there were some tourists, they were not as many as on normal days.

This condition was also seen at the parking lot commonly crowded by vehicles then looked quiet. “The closure of the airport and the Mount Agung eruption has an impact on the tourist visit to Tanah Lot. I think other tourist attractions also face similar condition,” explained Operations Manager of Tanah Lot, I Wayan Toya Adnyana.

Nevertheless, he admitted that since December 1, tourist arrivals have begun to show an increase due to long holiday. However, they are dominated by domestic tourists taking advantage of overland routes.

“It’s getting crowded. Yesterday, the tourist visit reached around 5,000 mostly consisting of domestic tourists due to long holiday,” he said.

To further recover the tourism sector posing the highest potential contributor to the regionally

generated revenue (PAD) of Tabanan district, his management has done some measures of promotion through social media and some travel agencies that Bali remains safe to be visited. Moreover, the management keeps improving the infrastructure like the parking area and arranging the area. “We hope this natural disaster will pass quickly,” explained Adnyana.

Similar condition is also experienced by Ulun Danu Beratan attraction in Baturiti. Tourist visit decreased more drastically due to Mount Agung disaster and the closure of Ngurah Rai Airport. Originally the daily tourist

visit reached 2,000 people then decreased to 800 people. “It dropped drastically by 60 percent,” said Operations Manager of Ulun Danu Beratan, I Wayan Mustika.

He could not predict how many visits will be in the upcoming Christmas and New Year. However, now the airport has been reopened.

Hopefully, it will return to normal.

“We also promote to tourists by explaining the map of Mount Agung located quite far away from Tabanan. Due to disaster, we cannot do anything. We hope the condition will return to normal,” he concluded. (kmb28)

Shafik, a former air force commander and government minister, has been seen as the strongest potential opponent of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is widely expected to run for a second term next year.

His family said Shafik was picked up at the family home in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday and taken by private plane back to Cairo. A Reuters witness said Egyptian authorities escorted him in a convoy from the airport.

UAE authorities confirmed he left the Emirates, but Egyptian officials have not commented on the case.

“We know nothing about him since he left home yesterday,” Shafik’s daughter May told Reuters. “His lawyer hasn’t been able to reach him. If we was deported he should have been able to go home by now.”

The family and lawyer said they planned to file complaints with the prosecutor ’s office

about Shafik’s whereabouts.

Egypt’s foreign ministry said it was not responsible for the case. The interior ministry could not immediately be reached for comment.

One Egyptian judicial source said Shafik, who narrowly lost a 2012 presidential election, did not face any criminal cases in Egypt. He was acquitted, or had charges dropped, in several cases in the past, including for corruption.

Sisi has yet to announce his own intentions for the presidential election, saying only he would follow the will of the people.

Critics say under Sisi’s presidency thousands of dissidents have been jailed, the government has shut down independent media and heavily restricted the conducting of polls in what rights groups call an unprecedented crackdown.

His supporters dismiss criticism over rights abuses and

REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh/File Photo

Egypt’s former prime minister Ahmed Shafik speaks during an interview with Reuters at his residence in Abu Dhabi February 6, 2013. say any measures are needed for security in the face of an Islamist militant insurgency that has killed hundreds of police and

ture turns damaged.

If it lasts longer, credit growth will also contract and non-performance loans (NPLs) will increase significantly. Banking financing in Karangasem has a 4-percent share of total loans disbursed by banks in Bali during October 2017. Therefore, the risk mitigation has been done. “Mr. Iman has summoned banking circles related to the credit potentially disrupted,” he said.

The management of debtors specifically treated must be clear and centralized. “It means that debtors really affected by Mount Agung directly must be determined. Banks are asked to list the affected customers,” he said. Such special treatment can be in the form of restructuring, rescheduling, or if it is too severe, writing off. (kmb42)

JORDAN PERDOMO / AFP

Teguh Setiadi

IBP/kmb

UAE, where he has been based..

Several other lower-profile candidates have said they will run as well. (rtr)

Honduran army enforces curfew after vote count stalls

Impact of Mount Agung eruption on Karangasem district

ASSISTANT Director of Bank Indonesia for Bali Representative Office, Teguh Setiadi, explained that Karangasem district contributes 6.96 percent of average share to the Bali’s economy (2011-2016). In terms of supply, Karangasem district is dominated by agricultural business with the share of 26.21 percent in 2016.

Due to the eruption of Mount Agung, the Karangasem’s economy is predicted to contract negatively if it lasts long, agricultural production turns minimal, tourist arrivals decline significantly and transportation slows down, food stocks become limited, poverty rises significantly, the Decreasing Human Index (HDI) occurs, gini ratio increases significantly, per capita income drops significantly and infrastruc-

soldiers in the last four years.

Shafik had said on Wednesday he would run for president in a surprise announcement from the

A woman carries a fan looted from a shop as supporters of Honduran presidential candidate for the Opposition Alliance against the Dictatorship coalition Salvador Nasralla demonstrated in demand of the final results of the weekend’s presidential election, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on December 1, 2017.

TEGUCIGALPA - Honduran security forces fanned out on Saturday to enforce a curfew as sporadic demonstrations continued over a contested presidential election that triggered violent protests that have killed at least three people.

Hundreds have been arrested after the tally from last Sunday’s presidential race stalled without a clear winner. Opposition leaders accused the government of trying to steal the election TV star Salvador Nasralla on Saturday accused his rival, President Juan Orlando Hernandez, of carrying out a “coup” by manipulating the vote count and declaring the curfew to stifle protests.

International concern has grown about the electoral crisis in the poor Central American country, which struggles with violent drug gangs and one of the world’s highest murder rates.

Lines formed at supermarkets and early Saturday as people stocked up on supplies, but upscale malls and many shops were shuttered while others closed early as groups of workers waited to catch buses and get back to their homes before the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew took effect.

“I’m afraid I’m going to get arrested by the army and be stuck in jail overnight or hit a blockade in the streets,” said Daniel Solorzono,

27, as he heaved eggs, bananas and sausage into his pick-up truck at a market and rushed off to his home.

Nasralla’s early 5 percentage point lead on Monday was later reversed, after a pause of more than a day in the count, in favor of Hernandez, leading to accusations of vote fraud and calls for protests. Disputed votes could swing the outcome.

Under the official count, Hernandez had 42.9 percent of the vote while Nasralla has 41.4 percent, with 95 percent of votes tallied.

Electoral authorities have proposed recounting around 6 percent of the vote, but Nasralla’s party has demanded a wider recount, forcing a stand-off with the ruling party and election authorities.

Heide Fulton, the top official at the U.S. embassy which does not currently have an ambassador, called for Hondurans to refrain from violence. “The Supreme Electoral Tribunal must have the time and space to count all votes transparently and free from interference,” she said on Saturday in a post on Twitter.

One man was killed in the port city of La Ceiba on Friday and a 19-year old woman was shot in the head early Saturday in Tegucigalpa as soldiers busted up protesters’ blockades of rubble and burning tires that had snarled traffic in the capital and major ports, a spokesman for the national police said. (rtr)

12

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

BUSINESS Sale of the century? $300-billion Saudi state sell-off moves slowly

DUBAI/RIYADH - Saudi Arabia’s $300-billion privatisation programme was billed as the sale of the century when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled his plan to great fanfare. Nineteen months later, it is moving at a snail’s pace, bankers, investors and analysts familiar with the process say. The main problems they cite are heavy bureaucracy, an inadequate legal framework, frequent changes of priority in government departments and fatigue among investors.

Some also blame a wait-and-see approach among many investors due to uncertainty about the fallout from an anti-corruption campaign in which dozens of royal family members, ministers and senior officials were rounded up in early November.

The centrepiece listing of state oil company Saudi Aramco - expected alone to raise up to $100 billion - is on track to go ahead next year, Prince Mohammed told Reuters in October. However, Riyadh has yet to select any exchange abroad that will handle - along with the Saudi market - what would be the biggest share flotation in history.

Sectors where the privatisation process has been slow include grains, the postal service and healthcare. “It’s going to take longer (than many expected),” a Saudi banker who has worked on transactions told Reuters.

“There are headwinds from the shifting of priorities in government and at a micro-level as these are old institutions that have often never kept books and are not up to the rigours of privatisation.”

The sell-off is a cornerstone of Prince Mohammed’s Vision 2030 plan to bring in fresh revenue and diversify the economy - which is recession and blighted by high unemployment - away from energy exports in an era of low oil prices.

But the bankers, investors and analysts are expressing concerns including over the lack of a regulatory framework to assure would-be shareholders about how much control foreign companies could gain as a result of the stake sales, including the right to lay off staff.

Vice Minister for Economy and Planning Mohammed al-Tuwaijri told Reuters in April that, excluding Aramco, the government aimed to make $200 billion by putting large parts of the Saudi economy in private hands.

The Ministry of Economy and Planning did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

FACTBOX - Saudi Arabia’s privatisation plans PATCHY PROGRESS The selloff, including five percent of Aramco, is intended to improve state fi-

REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

A car drives past the Kingdom Centre Tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 12, 2017. Picture taken November 12, 2017. nances. The government posted a $79 billion deficit last year. However, the record is patchy in the four sectors that Tuwaijri had highlighted as priorities for this year: grain silos, sports, electricity generation and water provision. Banks recently submitted bids to advise on the privatisation of Saline Water Conversion Corporation’s $7.2 billion Ras Al Khair desalination and power plant. But there has been less progress in the other three sectors.

Saudi Arabia’s deputy electricity minister said in October he aimed for progress in privatising the power sector in 2018, after “some developments required us to wait”.

Prospective bidders for the kingdom’s stateowned grain mills have complained of an unwieldy sale process and onerous ownership rules.

Elsewhere, the Ministry of Health has put on hold its tender seeking financial advisers for the privatisation of 55 primary healthcare units in Riyadh, after receiving their bids in April, a financial source familiar with the matter said. It then issued a new tender to seek a technical adviser on the expected costs and demand linked to the privatisation, the source said.

The Ministry of Health did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

“Compared with many of its neighbours, Saudi Arabia has only limited experience in terms of privatisations, and still lacks an adequate regulatory framework,” said Raphaele Auberty, a BMI Research risk analyst for the Middle East and Africa.

Shortcomings include the absence of a framework for large-scale public-private partnership projects and a bankruptcy law, said Karen Young, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

Saudi Post Corp’s privatisation, which had at one stage been earmarked to begin early this year, has been shelved for the time being.

Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, told Reuters last month that Saudi Post would enter a five-year “corporatisation phase”.

This would turn it into a state-run company with a profit and loss responsibility before a sale to the private sector. “It makes sense to focus more on putting that corporate DNA, leadership and resources, then think about a complete privatisation,” said Alswaha.

Uncertainty has surrounded a plan to privatise soccer clubs. Earlier this year Jadwa

Investment was appointed to advise on the sale of up to five soccer clubs in the Saudi Professional League, sources told Reuters in February. The General Sports Authority did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

“At one stage it was looking like the bidding process could start as early as 2018 but recent indications perhaps suggest 2019-20 is more likely,” said Steven Bainbridge, head of sports law and events management at Al Tamimi & Company, who has been fielding interest from potential clients on the process.

Confusion has been created about an airport privatisation process after some local media reported that the government intended to privatise 27 of them by the middle of 2018, a target analysts said was unrealistic.

But in an emailed reply to questions from Reuters, Faisal Hamad al-Sugair, Chairman of Saudi Civil Aviation Holding Company, said the goal was for the airports to be “corporatised”, or turned into private companies, by that date. Privatisation would follow later.

“Various challenges have arisen and have been resolved. The deadline of mid-2018 is reachable,” he said.(rtr)

Bali News

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

5

Like volcanic dust corruption is harmful though sometimes invisible Artists shed light on unseen

Volcanic dust is not always visible, though is nonetheless harmful and indicates the serious potential for an explosive scenario. Volcanic dust is not unlike corruption in this way, so it is quite fitting that these hazardous though invisible particles should be in the air as Festival Anti Korupsi 2017, brought to you by Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (Anti- corruption commission), comes to a close.

Holding various events throughout Indonesia aimed at raising awareness about the harmful effects of corruption, Festival Anti Korupsi Bali 2017 is part of this nationwide movement and has been ongoing since September. The Bali portion of this unique festival has included a variety of art events by some of Bali’s most engaged art communities including; Comic strip workshops by Komunitas Jamur and mural paintings by Komunitas Pojok, to video art by Ruang Asah Tukad Abu, Plasticology installations, music by Akar Rumput, film making workshops by Hutan Film Festival and many others.

Along with the general inspiration that is shared through art events and workshops in general, all lot these events have explored the theme of corruption in one way or another seeking to contribute to a

culture in which grafting is simply not acceptable or at the very least considered highly questionable.

Lingkara Photograhy Community opened their exhibition entitles “Propaganda, Racun Serangah” (Propaganda, Insect poison) on Wednesday November 30 curated

by Arif Bagus Prasetyo, featuring conceptual photographic works by 11 photographers including, high school students, professional hobbyists, that express different aspects of corruption.

The title of the exhibition speaks to the idea of propaganda that tends to be associated with political manipulation of the masses for nefarious ends. However here the concept of propaganda is explored in terms of manipulation in the widest sense of the term.

As their stylish catalogue states: “manipulation is in fact defined

as using ones’ hands to change things’, and as such is not in itself ethically charged. How we manipulate things and to what end, is what determines the ethical value of manipulation. Likewise propaganda, which is by definition a tool to manipulate people, can be used for various purposes. Here, we are using propaganda as a kind of insect poison for corruption, as we invite the viewer to reflect on this widespread and harmful behavior”.

The 20 or so photographic art works of “Propaganda Racun Serangah”, range in style and content though they all share a kind of starkness and clarity that reflects the intention of bringing this timely topic to light. Ambiguity is something that is distinctly absent in all lot the photos though none of the works lack poetic beauty.

In this way, these art works are a successful kind of propaganda, as they appear to be art -in the sense of leaving room for interpretation, while in fact this window of opportunity for interpretation is quite small.

This lack of room for interpretation thus pushing these works into the manipulative realm of propaganda proper. In this case the intended manipulation is for the betterment of society rather than simply for the agenda of a few. Due to the candor of the exhibition’s title, it simultaneously invites the viewer to question how photography is used more broadly to manipulate for various ends, whether intentionally or not. Propaganda Racun Serangga will be on display at Lingkara Photography Community, Jalan Merdeka, Denpasar until December 30th, 2017.

Protection from volcanic dust As Mount Agung begins to spew various substances into the atmosphere, it becomes increasingly important to be ready to protect ones-self form these harmful substances. Apart from the immediate danger or cold lava flows (lahar), and potentially hot lava flows, heat clouds and flying debris in areas near the volcano (which is why people have been evacuated from this area), volcanic dust or ash fall is a real concern that people living far form the mountain need to contend with.

A few days ago ( Nov 28) visible volcanic dust reached as far south as Ubud, and non- visible particles reached Denpasar and as far as Lombok and Sulawesi.

Although not immediately harmful, exposure to this fine powder is in fact a significant contributing factor to respiratory health problems as well as skin and eye irritation and damage.

It is therefore recommended that people protect themselves from both the visible and invisible volcanic particles. For this N95 particulate masks are recommended as is keeping skin covered in cloth and eyes protected with glasses (or goggles when there is alot of volcanic dust). Frequent bathing is also recommended if spending time outside to prevent skin from becoming irritated by the dust particles. Visible ash fall should be avoided as much as possible to prevent harm to health.

Soaking cloth in a a mixture of water and baking soda is an

effective means of filtering out dusk particles, so in extreme situations, keeping a spay bottle with this mixture at hand to keep make-shift face mask moist is also recommended.

Although ash fall has yet to be a serious hazard in most parts of the island, and as of Dec 1rst volcanic ash has diminished), given the likelihood of ongoing eruptions of various sorts, it is best to be prepared.

Having a small stock of food and water at home is also recommended, for although it is unlikely that stocks will run low, in the case of heavy ash fall, staying indoors for a time will help prevent unnecessary exposure to the hazards of volcanic dust.

To protect objects that could be damaged by volcanic dust, including electronics, cloth and food should be kept in dust-proof containers. Any objects that would be hard to clean dust or ash off should also be put away.(kmb)

6

Monday, December 4, 2017

W

RLD

International

Pentagon evaluating U.S. West Coast missile defense sites - officials

SIMI VALLEY - The U.S. agency tasked with protecting the country from missile attacks is scouting the West Coast for places to deploy new anti-missile defenses, two Congressmen said on Saturday, as North Korea’s missile tests raise concerns about how the United States would defend itself from an attack.

West Coast defenses would likely include Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missiles, similar to those deployed in South Korea to protect against a potential North Korean attack.

The accelerated pace of North Korea’s ballistic missile testing program in 2017 and the likelihood the North Korean military could hit the U.S. mainland with a nuclear payload in the next few years has raised the pressure on the United States government to build-up missile defenses.

On Wednesday, North Korea tested a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can fly over 13,000 km (8,080 miles), placing Washington within target range, South Korea said on Friday.

Congressman Mike Rogers, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee and chairs the Strategic Forces Subcommittee which oversees missile defense, said the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), was aiming to install extra defenses at West Coast sites. The funding for the system does not appear in the 2018 defense budget plan indicating potential deployment is further off.

“It’s just a matter of the location, and the MDA

making a recommendation as to which site meets their criteria for location, but also the environmental impact,” the Alabama Congressman and Republican told Reuters during an interview on the sidelines of the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in southern California.

When asked about the plan, MDA Deputy Director Rear Admiral Jon Hill? said in a statement: “The Missile Defense Agency has received no tasking to site the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense System on the West Coast.”

The MDA is a unit of the U.S. Defense Department.

Congressman Rogers did not reveal the exact locations the agency is considering but said several sites are “competing” for the missile defense installations.

Rogers and Congressman Adam Smith, a Democrat representing the 9th District of Washington, said the government was considering installing the THAAD anti-missile system made by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin Corp, at west coast sites.

The Congressmen said the number of sites that may ultimately be deployed had yet to be determined.

THAAD is a ground-based regional missile defense system designed to shoot down short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles and takes only a matter of weeks to install.

In addition to the two THAAD systems deployed in South Korea and Guam in the Pacific, the U.S. has seven other THAAD systems. While some of the existing missiles are based in Fort Bliss, Texas, the system is highly mobile and current locations are not disclosed. (rtr)

Missile Defense Agency/Handout via Reuters/File Photo

A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency.

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

11

Farmer wages may offer clues as weak demand baffles Indonesian officials

JAKARTA - In trying to solve a major economic headache, large fluctuations in food prices, Indonesia may have unintentionally exacerbated another: domestic demand, the archipelago’s main economic engine, which remains stubbornly sluggish. Consumer sentiment has been hitting record highs this year in the country of 250 million, which economists and retail experts have long touted as a future Mecca for consumer goods.

Yet growth in domestic demand has lingered at rates below 5 percent,

REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, before his departure back to Washington, U.S., December 2, 2017.

Trump recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital would fuel violence Arab League CAIRO - Any move by the United States to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would fuel extremism and violence, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Saturday.

He spoke a day after a senior U.S. administration official said U.S. President Donald Trump was likely to make the announcement next week.

The Palestinians want Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and the international community does not recognize Israel’s claim on all of the city, home to sites holy to the Jewish, Muslim and Christian religions.

Word of Trump’s planned announcement, which would deviate from previous U.S. presidents who have insisted the Jerusalem’s status must be decided in negotiations, has already drawn criticism from the Palestinian Authority.

“Today we say very clearly that taking such action is not justified ... It will not serve peace or stability, but will fuel extremism and resort to violence,” Aboul Gheit said in a statement published on the Arab league’s website.

“It only benefits one side; the Israeli government that is hostile to peace,” he added. (rtr)

underperforming headline growth this year. Officials in the govern-

ment and at the central bank, which has surprised markets by cutting interest rates twice in recent months, have said they were “baffled” by how weak domestic demand was.

Economists and agricultural experts, however, point to a steady, three-year drop in the average real incomes of Indonesia’s 40 million farmers, who account for a third of the labour force. In an interview with Reuters in November, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the government needed to take a closer look at farmers’ incomes, which are 3 percent lower in real terms than they were three years ago. “We really need to watch what’s behind these statistics,” the minister said.

Farming experts say falling rural incomes are partly a side effect of recent government policies to stabilise food prices, which account for 35 percent of the inflation basket.

RICE FLOOR PRICE

In 2015, the government set its floor price for unhusked rice of 3,700 rupiah per kg and has not changed it since, while consumer prices have risen 15 percent. That helped stabilise food inflation below 1 percent. But production costs, which include machinery maintenance, pesticides and fertilizers, have risen to 4,400 per kg of rice this year from 4,199 per kg in 2016, according to Dwi Andreas Santosa, a professor at Bogor Agricultural University.

In theory, the floor price should protect farmers from sharp falls, while allowing them freedom to negotiate upwards. In practice, however, most rice is sold at or close to the floor price, because farmers rely on short-term loans to cover their production costs. The loans usually need to be repaid shortly after the harvest, leaving them little leeway.

That means at harvest time, a large supply of rice hits the market over a short period of time, weighing down prices. “Farming machinery from the government doesn’t work, fertilizer is expensive and we’re

being played around during harvest, too,” said Wignyo Sunarno, a 62-year-old farmer in Karanganyar, Central Java, referring to having to quickly repay loans often taken from rice traders rather than banks.

Finance Minister Indrawati said incomes will only improve if productivity picks up and the government is trying to help by investing in irrigation systems. Data from Indonesia’s Planning Ministry shows that Widodo’s administration aims to build 1 million hectares of new irrigation networks in 2015-2019.

That could solve some of the problems that face farmers like 57-year-old Bibit in Klaten, in central Java province. Because he depends on rain, he cannot grow rice in the dry season, when prices are higher.

“I haven’t planted rice because rain is still rare,” said Bibit, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. “If my income came only from farming, it would not be enough,” he said, adding that his pension as an air force retiree fills the gap.

NO SMARTPHONES

Things might get even worse.

In August, the government introduced a cap on retail prices for some types of rice, aiming to trim the margins traders and middlemen get from rice trading. But farming experts warn traders are exacting lower prices from farmers, because living from one crop to another puts them in a poor bargaining position.

“You shouldn’t reduce farmers income to provide good prices for consumers. This will only lead to an increase in the poverty rate,” said Santosa at the Bogor Agricultural University. Lower farming incomes are a significant drag on consumption as farmers, unlike urban workers, are more likely to spend than save as they aspire to catch up with city lifestyles.

Entin, a farmer in Majalaya, in the province of West Java, said the profit from her plot of land was falling, forcing her husband to leave the area to find work. She also had to fend off requests from her three children to buy smartphones she could not afford. “Being a farmer is giving me headaches,” she said, sitting in the living room of the house she shares with her husband’s parents and siblings. (rtr)

REUTERS/Beawiharta

Women workers eat lunch as they take a break from planting beans at Cikawao village in Majalaya, Indonesia, October 12, 2017. Picture taken October 12, 2017.

10

Destination

Monday, December 4, 2017

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

International

Hunting for wooden handicrafts at Gelulung morning market, Sukawati

GIANYAR - If you are a hobbyist of wooden craft, try to stop at Gelulung Morning Market, Sukawati. This handicraft art market is located in the west of Sukawati Art Market, about 12 km from Denpasar. This market opens from 06:30 to 11:30, so it is called morning market. The excellence is the knick-knacks or handicrafts and souvenirs made of wood that are not offered by other art markets.

Various kinds of handicrafts are sold here, such as the statue of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, farmers, Balinese dancers, barong, mask, trees, birds and other animals. There are also statue of abstract style, paintings and knickknacks for women such as bracelets, necklaces and rings. In addition, visitors can also find musical instruments of bronze, bamboo, coconut shell, cow leather and wooden fruits.

Although not being a part of the Sukawati art market, this morning market also sells mask, headdress, dance costume, beach clothes, and some other Bali products. Since it is a traditional market, the goods are sold at cheap price. Nevertheless, visitors

should be good at bargaining when wishing to buy.

Visitors to this market are mostly art shop owners, merchants of Bali souvenir or the hotel management.

They take handicraft products in large quantities to be resold. Foreign tourists often visit this market to buy souvenirs and be brought to their home country. “Morning Market becomes a favorite of foreign tourists for selling various Bali souvenirs at cheap prices,” said Nyoman Warti, a souvenir merchant.

Chief of Gelulung customary village, Wayan Parwata, said the Gelulung Morning Market has about 600 kiosks, but not all of them are sold.

This market has existed long time ago, not a part of the Sukawati art market.

Originally, this market was pioneered by many handicraft merchants from various regions in Gianyar that wanted to sell their products at Sukawati art market. They came early in the morning before the art market was opened.

They sold haphazardly, so it looked chaotic and dirty.

Seeing such conditions, the mer-

chants in the art market complained and drove them away. The handicraft merchants were then moved to the west of the art market, precisely at the vacant land of Gelulung field around 1988. The handicraft merchants were then allowed to sell in the morning or before Sukawati art market opened.

“The merchants at this art market buy handicraft to be resold in Sukawati Market, so they can not open until noon or may only sell if the art market is closed,” said Parwata.

After experiencing the development, it made cooperation with the government of Gianyar district in 1991, so there is a levy of 20 percent to the district government and 80 percent to Gelulung customary village. It is for market operating costs such as the development and improvement of the market.

“The number of buyers currently declines compared to the previous years. Honestly, now we are losing with sophisticated technology because guests can buy products through the internet so that they do not have to come to the market,” he said. (kmb)

Svindal wins downhill World Cup at Beaver Creek

REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo

Drivers Charles Leclerc of Monaco (L) and Marcus Ericsson of Sweden pose next to the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 car during a presentation in Arese, near Milan, Italy December 2, 2017.

Leclerc joins Ericsson at Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 team

COLORADO - Aksel Svindal was the first out of the gate at the downhill race in Beaver Creek on Saturday and never relinquished the lead as he cruised to his 33rd career World Cup win.

The tall, powerful Norwegian pushed hard out of the starting gate and sped down the quick Birds of Prey course in one minute 40:46 seconds for his sixth career win at the Colorado resort.

“When you’re going first you’re not going to get a course report so you really need to be committed,” the 34-year-old veteran said. “If you can do that I think it is an advantage.”

Svindal, the 2010 Olympic super-G gold medalist and five-time world champion, appears in top form after his previous two seasons were cut short due to knee injuries.

Svindal edged Beat Feuz (1:40.61) of Switzerland, who won the season-opening men’s downhill at Lake Louise a week ago. German Thomas Dressen (1:40.95) finished third.

A memorial was set up on the course mourning the death of French skier David Poisson, who died in a training accident in Alberta on Nov. 13.

Adrien Theaux (1:41.26) was the fastest Frenchman down the course on Saturday, finishing eighth after posting the quickest time in training on Wednesday at Beaver Creek. (rtr)

ARESE - Formula Two champion Charles Leclerc will move up to Formula One with Alfa Romeo-backed Sauber next season while Marcus Ericcson stays in the lineup despite the Swede failing to score a point in 2017.

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The lineup leaves Pascal Wehrlein, Ericsson’s German team mate, facing an uncertain future with former champions Williams the only remaining team with a vacancy but Poland’s Robert Kubica favourite to fill it.

Ferrari-backed Leclerc, 20 and from Monaco, had been expected to get the Sauber drive after a dominant season in the official feeder series.

Ericsson’s future had been in doubt, with Ferrari-backed Italian Antonio Giovinazzi also a candidate under the new partnership.

Giovinazzi will be the reserve driver instead, taking part in Friday

practice sessions.

Marchionne, who is also chairman of Sauber’s engine suppliers Ferrari, has made the title sponsorship of Sauber part of his reshaping of the FCA-owned Alfa Romeo brand.

Fiat Chrysler have invested billions of euros since 2014 to develop new Alfa Romeo models that would stand up against German premium rivals and shed a reputation for poor quality and service that has hit sales in the past decade.

“Formula One is the natural reference point for a marque like this,” he said. (rtr)

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway during the men’s downhill race in the 2017 FIS alpine skiing World Cup at Beaver Creek.

Woods struggles as bogeys slow his comeback

ALBANY - A troublesome start dominated by bogeys proved costly for Tiger Woods as he struggled to a three-over par 75 in the third round of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas on Saturday.

After two strong rounds put the former world number one in contention for his first win since 2013, Woods recorded four of his five bogeys in the first seven holes to slip to

10th at four-under 212, 10 strokes behind leader Charley Hoffman.

Woods, in his first tournament in nearly 10 months following spinal fusion surgery, said he had some bad breaks on Saturday and that his game was better than his scorecard suggested.

“Anything I did right ended up in a bad spot, then everything I did wrong, it was

really bad,” Woods told NBC television.

“I’ve got to keep fighting and that is one thing I have always done in my entire career. That’s keep fighting and try and post the best number I possibly could.

“I really didn’t feel I was that far off.

That’s the crazy part ... I just ended up in bad spots after good shots.”

Only in the closing five holes, where

Woods twice had birdies and narrowly missed a third at the last, did the 41-yearold show he could again be a factor at the elite 18-man event that features eight of the world’s top 10.

“It feels good to be out here fighting again,” he said. “I’ve missed the fight and getting out there and competing, fighting against the golf course and the guys. (rtr)

8

Monday, December 4, 2017

Monday, December 4, 2017

Sp rt Real fail to profit from Barca stumble but Atletico take advantage

BARCELONA - Real Madrid failed to take advantage of La Liga leaders’ Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo on Saturday as they were held to a goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao, while Atletico Madrid profited by beating Real Sociedad 2-1.

Antoine Griezmann’s 88th minute strike saw Atletico complete a comeback after falling behind in the first half to cut their deficit with Barca to six points, while Real stay eight behind Ernesto Valverde’s side.

Second-placed Valencia can go two points behind Barca, who have 36 after 14 games, if they beat Getafe on Sunday.

Barca also went behind in the early game as Celta striker Iago Aspas silenced the Nou Camp by putting the visitors ahead in the 20th minute. However, goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez either side of halftime put Barca in front.

Celta’s Uruguayan striker Maxi Gomez levelled in the 70th minute, capitalising on Barca defender Samuel Umtiti tearing his hamstring as he tried to keep up with the Spanish forward. Real were up against an Athletic side in crisis, sitting 16th in the standings and reeling from a shock King’s Cup defeat to tiny Formentera. But the Basques upped their game with the help of the raucous home support and frustrated the champions, who hit the woodwork twice and had Sergio Ramos sent off.

The Real captain returned to action wearing a protective mask after two weeks out with a broken nose and picked up an early booking for elbowing Raul Garcia. His second came with four minutes remaining for striking Aritz Aduriz, earning a record-extending 19th red card in La Liga.

“Real Madrid are eight points behind Barcelona because we have lacked goals this season,” said Real coach Zinedine Zidane. “The biggest change from last

season is the results, I don’t think we are playing any different. Last season we won games in the last minute and now we can’t seem to find the net.”

FRUSTRATING AFTERNOON

Barca’s frustrating afternoon at a cold and sparsely attended Nou Camp was made worse by France international Umtiti being ruled out for eight weeks, including missing the Clasico at champions Real Madrid on Dec. 23. “The injury cost us the goal, it was an accumulation of catastrophes, because of the draw and the injury,” Valverde told a news conference.

“Losing Samuel right now is a big loss, he was in excellent form.” Barca bombarded Celta’s area in the remaining 20 minutes after Gomez’s equaliser, with Gerard Pique hitting the near post from close range, but could not avoid dropping points for the second game in a row for the first time this campaign.

“We kept trying to win the game and had chances to do that. We have dropped two points but this is nothing that hasn’t happened before,” Valverde added.

Atletico moved to within six points of Barca thanks to Griezmann’s late strike after Filipe Luis had cancelled out Real Sociedad forward Willian Jose’s first half penalty in the 63rd.

Griezmann, who came through the academy at Real Sociedad before being sold to Atletico for 25 million euros ($30 million) in 2014, slid in at the far post to nudge in Saul Niguez’s header and keep Atletico’s title hopes alive, but chose not to celebrate the goal.

“We’re happy to have got the job done in a really difficult game which quickly went uphill for us,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said.

“We have to appreciate the pride we showed in the second half, our intensity, insistence and bravery. We now have renewed energy which helped us to take the next step. We missed a lot of chances but we never stopped trying.” (rtr)

Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos after being sent off

REUTERS/Vincent West

9

Allardyce buoyed by successful Everton debut

REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez has a shot saved by Manchester United’s David De Gea

Mourinho hails De Gea heroics as United beat Arsena LONDON - Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho labelled goalkeeper David de Gea as the best in the world after the Spaniard equalled a Premier League record during his side’s exhilarating 3-1 victory at Arsenal on Saturday.

De Gea made 14 saves -- several of them exceptional -- as Arsenal threw everything at United after conceding twice in the opening 11 minutes in a sizzling clash at the Emirates Stadium.

“I told him after the match, what I saw today was the best from a goalkeeper in the world. You need the keeper to be there for you when the team needs him,” Mourinho, whose side closed the gap on leaders Manchester City to five points, said.

De Gea saved twice in quick succession from Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac shortly before halftime and somehow kept out United striker Romelu Lukaku’s miskick when trying to clear from a corner. After the break he continued to thwart Arsenal’s best efforts, making an astonishing double save to first keep out Alexandre Lacazette’s shot, then stuck out his leg to deny Alexis Sanchez from point-blank range.

The only other goalkeeper to make so many saves in a Premier League match are Tim Krul for Newcastle United (v Spurs in November 2013) and Vito Mannone for Sunderland (v Chelsea in April 2014). “De Gea was man of the match by a clear mile,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

Two goals from Jesse Lingard and one from Antonio Valencia earned United the victory -- Mourinho’s first away against a top-six club since he arrived at

Old Trafford.

And the nature of United’s vibrant d i s play a n swered the critics who have accused Mourinho of ‘parking the bus’ in away games against the sides challenging for top-four places. “I think it was a fantastic game,” Mourinho, whose United sides had managed only one goal in their previous seven away to Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, told reporters. “If I was in the stands or at home I would have been sad for the game to finish.

“In my case it was different because I wanted to win, I wanted the game to finish. It was two very good teams going through different moments of the game. “We managed to start the game with intensity and being aggressive and with that desire to play in their half.”

The fly in the ointment for Mourinho was a straight red card for Paul Pogba, which will rule the French powerhouse out of next weekend’s crunch derby with Manchester City.

While his ‘studs up’ tackle on Bellerin in the 75th minute was a poor one, Mourinho felt some of the Arsenal players had hounded referee Andre Marriner to send Pogba off.

“I didn’t see the tackle,” Mourinho said. “I just know that Paul is frustrated and a bit disappointed with his (France) colleague (Laurent Koscielny) for his reaction because everyone knows Paul is a clean player and it was not his intention.” (rtr)

The Sam Allardyce effect that Premier League clubs invariably covet in their hour of need was instantly in evidence at Everton on Saturday -- and ‘Big Sam’ was in bullish mood after celebrating a successful start to his latest salvage operation.

The former England manager, who came out of retirement for the job at one of England’s most famous clubs, sounded full of vim and vigour -- and rather younger than his 63 years suggested -- after watching his new charges beat Huddersfield Town 2-0.

“It took me six games at my previous

job at Crystal Palace to get my first win and everybody was telling everybody else I’d come back too soon, that I wasn’t the man I used to be,” smiled Allardyce.

“If I take a job I’m totally, fully, committed and I don’t take the job in any other circumstances. I turned many a job down before this one. I felt this one was right for me. It’s a dream job for me and I’ll give it 100 percent.”

No wonder he could afford to feel so upbeat after a week which had started amid talk of another potential relegation battle but had ended with Everton moving into the top half of

the table into 10th place after Saturday’s win.

Allardyce, who has never been shy in trumpeting his own qualities, was quick to take some credit for the win, which came with second-half goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin after Everton had been very poor for 45 minutes.

“I had some work to do tactically at halftime, mainly on Sigurdsson and (Aaron) Lennon not running too far back. I have to say, it got us the first goal,” Allardyce said.

“Sigurdsson was further up the pitch than he would have been. It was something we

really needed.”

Back in management for the first time since May when he left Crystal Palace, having taken them from the relegation zone to 14th, Allardyce was left convinced by this opening success that he has inherited a squad with the right attitude for a scrap.

“Getting a win in your first game after a fantastic win on Wednesday night (the 4-0 win over Allardyce’s former club, West Ham United) and back-to-back league wins for the first time this season. Let’s hope it’s onwards and upwards, boys,” he said.(rtr)

PSG suffer shock first defeat of the season at Strasbourg Paris St Germain suffered their first defeat of the season in a n y competition with Strasbourg ending the runaway lead-

ers’ aura o f i n vincibility in Ligue 1 with a 2-1 victory at the Stade de la Meinau on Saturday.

PSG, who had been

expected to stretch their 10-point lead with some comfort at a club starting the day in 17th place, were on the end of a major shock as a 65th-minute goal from Stephane Bahoken ended their season-long, 22-match unbeaten sequence.

Later, with the shock of PSG’s loss still reverberating, Monaco closed the gap at the top to nine points after Radamel Falcao’s early goal earned them a 1-0 victory at home to Angers.

Strasbourg had gone ahead through the inspirational Nuno Da Costa after 13 minutes but normal service seemed to have been resumed when Kylian Mbappe equalised three minutes before halftime.

Despite having to soak up huge pressure after Bahoken again gave Strasbourg the lead, the newlypromoted side survived the onslaught for a famous win, the first over PSG by any team in the league this season after their 13 wins and two draws.

The defeat gives PSG’s distant pursuers fresh hope. With the Paris side still on 41 points and Monaco on 32, Olympique Marseille can get to within seven points of the leaders by winning at Montpellier on Sunday.

Even having rested their top scorer Edinson Cavani, Marco Ver-

ratti and captain Thiago Silva with an eye on Tuesday’s Champions League match at Bayern Munich, PSG had the luxury of bringing back the brilliant Mbappe. Yet they were quickly rocked by the home side’s physicality and Dimitri Lienard’s free kick saw the excellent Cape Verdean Da Costa take advantage of lax marking to head home his fourth goal of the season.

PSG were let down by poor finishing but Mbappe scored his fifth league goal of the campaign before Javier Pastore hit the post just before halftime. Yet with Unai Emery’s men looking to forge ahead, Strasbourg hit them on the break, goalkeeper Bingourou Kamara’s clearance being flicked on by Da Costa into the path of Bahoken, who smashed in a right-foot shot.

From then on, the 25,000-strong crowd must have feared the fairytale would not last against Neymar and company, especially when Cavani was introduced for the last 15 minutes.

When the Uruguayan did get his chance in the eighth of the nine minutes of added time with the Strasbourg goal under siege, the injured Kamara’s replacement Alexandre Oukidja blocked Cavani’s ricocheted effort after Adrien Rabiot’s shot.

Neymar was booked as PSG’s frustration grew and he suffered his first defeat since his world-record transfer from Barcelona.

Yet it was a wonderful moment for Strasbourg, one of France’s iconic

clubs now making a stirring comeback after years of struggle when their very future looked in doubt amid a financial crisis.

Falcao, Ligue 1’s second most prolific striker this term behind Cavani, headed home his 14th goal of the season for Monaco in just the second minute before the champions made heavy weather of subduing

19th-placed Angers.

Wahbi Khazri and Benjamin Andre struck in the second half for Rennes to earn them a 2-0 win over Amiens, their sixth victory in seven league games, and elevate them to sixth in the table. Lille moved clear of the relegation zone with Nicolas Pepe’s 63rd-minute goal giving them a 1-0 win at home to Toulouse. (rtr)

8

Monday, December 4, 2017

Monday, December 4, 2017

Sp rt Real fail to profit from Barca stumble but Atletico take advantage

BARCELONA - Real Madrid failed to take advantage of La Liga leaders’ Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo on Saturday as they were held to a goalless draw at Athletic Bilbao, while Atletico Madrid profited by beating Real Sociedad 2-1.

Antoine Griezmann’s 88th minute strike saw Atletico complete a comeback after falling behind in the first half to cut their deficit with Barca to six points, while Real stay eight behind Ernesto Valverde’s side.

Second-placed Valencia can go two points behind Barca, who have 36 after 14 games, if they beat Getafe on Sunday.

Barca also went behind in the early game as Celta striker Iago Aspas silenced the Nou Camp by putting the visitors ahead in the 20th minute. However, goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez either side of halftime put Barca in front.

Celta’s Uruguayan striker Maxi Gomez levelled in the 70th minute, capitalising on Barca defender Samuel Umtiti tearing his hamstring as he tried to keep up with the Spanish forward. Real were up against an Athletic side in crisis, sitting 16th in the standings and reeling from a shock King’s Cup defeat to tiny Formentera. But the Basques upped their game with the help of the raucous home support and frustrated the champions, who hit the woodwork twice and had Sergio Ramos sent off.

The Real captain returned to action wearing a protective mask after two weeks out with a broken nose and picked up an early booking for elbowing Raul Garcia. His second came with four minutes remaining for striking Aritz Aduriz, earning a record-extending 19th red card in La Liga.

“Real Madrid are eight points behind Barcelona because we have lacked goals this season,” said Real coach Zinedine Zidane. “The biggest change from last

season is the results, I don’t think we are playing any different. Last season we won games in the last minute and now we can’t seem to find the net.”

FRUSTRATING AFTERNOON

Barca’s frustrating afternoon at a cold and sparsely attended Nou Camp was made worse by France international Umtiti being ruled out for eight weeks, including missing the Clasico at champions Real Madrid on Dec. 23. “The injury cost us the goal, it was an accumulation of catastrophes, because of the draw and the injury,” Valverde told a news conference.

“Losing Samuel right now is a big loss, he was in excellent form.” Barca bombarded Celta’s area in the remaining 20 minutes after Gomez’s equaliser, with Gerard Pique hitting the near post from close range, but could not avoid dropping points for the second game in a row for the first time this campaign.

“We kept trying to win the game and had chances to do that. We have dropped two points but this is nothing that hasn’t happened before,” Valverde added.

Atletico moved to within six points of Barca thanks to Griezmann’s late strike after Filipe Luis had cancelled out Real Sociedad forward Willian Jose’s first half penalty in the 63rd.

Griezmann, who came through the academy at Real Sociedad before being sold to Atletico for 25 million euros ($30 million) in 2014, slid in at the far post to nudge in Saul Niguez’s header and keep Atletico’s title hopes alive, but chose not to celebrate the goal.

“We’re happy to have got the job done in a really difficult game which quickly went uphill for us,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said.

“We have to appreciate the pride we showed in the second half, our intensity, insistence and bravery. We now have renewed energy which helped us to take the next step. We missed a lot of chances but we never stopped trying.” (rtr)

Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos after being sent off

REUTERS/Vincent West

9

Allardyce buoyed by successful Everton debut

REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez has a shot saved by Manchester United’s David De Gea

Mourinho hails De Gea heroics as United beat Arsena LONDON - Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho labelled goalkeeper David de Gea as the best in the world after the Spaniard equalled a Premier League record during his side’s exhilarating 3-1 victory at Arsenal on Saturday.

De Gea made 14 saves -- several of them exceptional -- as Arsenal threw everything at United after conceding twice in the opening 11 minutes in a sizzling clash at the Emirates Stadium.

“I told him after the match, what I saw today was the best from a goalkeeper in the world. You need the keeper to be there for you when the team needs him,” Mourinho, whose side closed the gap on leaders Manchester City to five points, said.

De Gea saved twice in quick succession from Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac shortly before halftime and somehow kept out United striker Romelu Lukaku’s miskick when trying to clear from a corner. After the break he continued to thwart Arsenal’s best efforts, making an astonishing double save to first keep out Alexandre Lacazette’s shot, then stuck out his leg to deny Alexis Sanchez from point-blank range.

The only other goalkeeper to make so many saves in a Premier League match are Tim Krul for Newcastle United (v Spurs in November 2013) and Vito Mannone for Sunderland (v Chelsea in April 2014). “De Gea was man of the match by a clear mile,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said.

Two goals from Jesse Lingard and one from Antonio Valencia earned United the victory -- Mourinho’s first away against a top-six club since he arrived at

Old Trafford.

And the nature of United’s vibrant d i s play a n swered the critics who have accused Mourinho of ‘parking the bus’ in away games against the sides challenging for top-four places. “I think it was a fantastic game,” Mourinho, whose United sides had managed only one goal in their previous seven away to Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, told reporters. “If I was in the stands or at home I would have been sad for the game to finish.

“In my case it was different because I wanted to win, I wanted the game to finish. It was two very good teams going through different moments of the game. “We managed to start the game with intensity and being aggressive and with that desire to play in their half.”

The fly in the ointment for Mourinho was a straight red card for Paul Pogba, which will rule the French powerhouse out of next weekend’s crunch derby with Manchester City.

While his ‘studs up’ tackle on Bellerin in the 75th minute was a poor one, Mourinho felt some of the Arsenal players had hounded referee Andre Marriner to send Pogba off.

“I didn’t see the tackle,” Mourinho said. “I just know that Paul is frustrated and a bit disappointed with his (France) colleague (Laurent Koscielny) for his reaction because everyone knows Paul is a clean player and it was not his intention.” (rtr)

The Sam Allardyce effect that Premier League clubs invariably covet in their hour of need was instantly in evidence at Everton on Saturday -- and ‘Big Sam’ was in bullish mood after celebrating a successful start to his latest salvage operation.

The former England manager, who came out of retirement for the job at one of England’s most famous clubs, sounded full of vim and vigour -- and rather younger than his 63 years suggested -- after watching his new charges beat Huddersfield Town 2-0.

“It took me six games at my previous

job at Crystal Palace to get my first win and everybody was telling everybody else I’d come back too soon, that I wasn’t the man I used to be,” smiled Allardyce.

“If I take a job I’m totally, fully, committed and I don’t take the job in any other circumstances. I turned many a job down before this one. I felt this one was right for me. It’s a dream job for me and I’ll give it 100 percent.”

No wonder he could afford to feel so upbeat after a week which had started amid talk of another potential relegation battle but had ended with Everton moving into the top half of

the table into 10th place after Saturday’s win.

Allardyce, who has never been shy in trumpeting his own qualities, was quick to take some credit for the win, which came with second-half goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin after Everton had been very poor for 45 minutes.

“I had some work to do tactically at halftime, mainly on Sigurdsson and (Aaron) Lennon not running too far back. I have to say, it got us the first goal,” Allardyce said.

“Sigurdsson was further up the pitch than he would have been. It was something we

really needed.”

Back in management for the first time since May when he left Crystal Palace, having taken them from the relegation zone to 14th, Allardyce was left convinced by this opening success that he has inherited a squad with the right attitude for a scrap.

“Getting a win in your first game after a fantastic win on Wednesday night (the 4-0 win over Allardyce’s former club, West Ham United) and back-to-back league wins for the first time this season. Let’s hope it’s onwards and upwards, boys,” he said.(rtr)

PSG suffer shock first defeat of the season at Strasbourg Paris St Germain suffered their first defeat of the season in a n y competition with Strasbourg ending the runaway lead-

ers’ aura o f i n vincibility in Ligue 1 with a 2-1 victory at the Stade de la Meinau on Saturday.

PSG, who had been

expected to stretch their 10-point lead with some comfort at a club starting the day in 17th place, were on the end of a major shock as a 65th-minute goal from Stephane Bahoken ended their season-long, 22-match unbeaten sequence.

Later, with the shock of PSG’s loss still reverberating, Monaco closed the gap at the top to nine points after Radamel Falcao’s early goal earned them a 1-0 victory at home to Angers.

Strasbourg had gone ahead through the inspirational Nuno Da Costa after 13 minutes but normal service seemed to have been resumed when Kylian Mbappe equalised three minutes before halftime.

Despite having to soak up huge pressure after Bahoken again gave Strasbourg the lead, the newlypromoted side survived the onslaught for a famous win, the first over PSG by any team in the league this season after their 13 wins and two draws.

The defeat gives PSG’s distant pursuers fresh hope. With the Paris side still on 41 points and Monaco on 32, Olympique Marseille can get to within seven points of the leaders by winning at Montpellier on Sunday.

Even having rested their top scorer Edinson Cavani, Marco Ver-

ratti and captain Thiago Silva with an eye on Tuesday’s Champions League match at Bayern Munich, PSG had the luxury of bringing back the brilliant Mbappe. Yet they were quickly rocked by the home side’s physicality and Dimitri Lienard’s free kick saw the excellent Cape Verdean Da Costa take advantage of lax marking to head home his fourth goal of the season.

PSG were let down by poor finishing but Mbappe scored his fifth league goal of the campaign before Javier Pastore hit the post just before halftime. Yet with Unai Emery’s men looking to forge ahead, Strasbourg hit them on the break, goalkeeper Bingourou Kamara’s clearance being flicked on by Da Costa into the path of Bahoken, who smashed in a right-foot shot.

From then on, the 25,000-strong crowd must have feared the fairytale would not last against Neymar and company, especially when Cavani was introduced for the last 15 minutes.

When the Uruguayan did get his chance in the eighth of the nine minutes of added time with the Strasbourg goal under siege, the injured Kamara’s replacement Alexandre Oukidja blocked Cavani’s ricocheted effort after Adrien Rabiot’s shot.

Neymar was booked as PSG’s frustration grew and he suffered his first defeat since his world-record transfer from Barcelona.

Yet it was a wonderful moment for Strasbourg, one of France’s iconic

clubs now making a stirring comeback after years of struggle when their very future looked in doubt amid a financial crisis.

Falcao, Ligue 1’s second most prolific striker this term behind Cavani, headed home his 14th goal of the season for Monaco in just the second minute before the champions made heavy weather of subduing

19th-placed Angers.

Wahbi Khazri and Benjamin Andre struck in the second half for Rennes to earn them a 2-0 win over Amiens, their sixth victory in seven league games, and elevate them to sixth in the table. Lille moved clear of the relegation zone with Nicolas Pepe’s 63rd-minute goal giving them a 1-0 win at home to Toulouse. (rtr)

10

Destination

Monday, December 4, 2017

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

International

Hunting for wooden handicrafts at Gelulung morning market, Sukawati

GIANYAR - If you are a hobbyist of wooden craft, try to stop at Gelulung Morning Market, Sukawati. This handicraft art market is located in the west of Sukawati Art Market, about 12 km from Denpasar. This market opens from 06:30 to 11:30, so it is called morning market. The excellence is the knick-knacks or handicrafts and souvenirs made of wood that are not offered by other art markets.

Various kinds of handicrafts are sold here, such as the statue of Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, farmers, Balinese dancers, barong, mask, trees, birds and other animals. There are also statue of abstract style, paintings and knickknacks for women such as bracelets, necklaces and rings. In addition, visitors can also find musical instruments of bronze, bamboo, coconut shell, cow leather and wooden fruits.

Although not being a part of the Sukawati art market, this morning market also sells mask, headdress, dance costume, beach clothes, and some other Bali products. Since it is a traditional market, the goods are sold at cheap price. Nevertheless, visitors

should be good at bargaining when wishing to buy.

Visitors to this market are mostly art shop owners, merchants of Bali souvenir or the hotel management.

They take handicraft products in large quantities to be resold. Foreign tourists often visit this market to buy souvenirs and be brought to their home country. “Morning Market becomes a favorite of foreign tourists for selling various Bali souvenirs at cheap prices,” said Nyoman Warti, a souvenir merchant.

Chief of Gelulung customary village, Wayan Parwata, said the Gelulung Morning Market has about 600 kiosks, but not all of them are sold.

This market has existed long time ago, not a part of the Sukawati art market.

Originally, this market was pioneered by many handicraft merchants from various regions in Gianyar that wanted to sell their products at Sukawati art market. They came early in the morning before the art market was opened.

They sold haphazardly, so it looked chaotic and dirty.

Seeing such conditions, the mer-

chants in the art market complained and drove them away. The handicraft merchants were then moved to the west of the art market, precisely at the vacant land of Gelulung field around 1988. The handicraft merchants were then allowed to sell in the morning or before Sukawati art market opened.

“The merchants at this art market buy handicraft to be resold in Sukawati Market, so they can not open until noon or may only sell if the art market is closed,” said Parwata.

After experiencing the development, it made cooperation with the government of Gianyar district in 1991, so there is a levy of 20 percent to the district government and 80 percent to Gelulung customary village. It is for market operating costs such as the development and improvement of the market.

“The number of buyers currently declines compared to the previous years. Honestly, now we are losing with sophisticated technology because guests can buy products through the internet so that they do not have to come to the market,” he said. (kmb)

Svindal wins downhill World Cup at Beaver Creek

REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo

Drivers Charles Leclerc of Monaco (L) and Marcus Ericsson of Sweden pose next to the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 car during a presentation in Arese, near Milan, Italy December 2, 2017.

Leclerc joins Ericsson at Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 team

COLORADO - Aksel Svindal was the first out of the gate at the downhill race in Beaver Creek on Saturday and never relinquished the lead as he cruised to his 33rd career World Cup win.

The tall, powerful Norwegian pushed hard out of the starting gate and sped down the quick Birds of Prey course in one minute 40:46 seconds for his sixth career win at the Colorado resort.

“When you’re going first you’re not going to get a course report so you really need to be committed,” the 34-year-old veteran said. “If you can do that I think it is an advantage.”

Svindal, the 2010 Olympic super-G gold medalist and five-time world champion, appears in top form after his previous two seasons were cut short due to knee injuries.

Svindal edged Beat Feuz (1:40.61) of Switzerland, who won the season-opening men’s downhill at Lake Louise a week ago. German Thomas Dressen (1:40.95) finished third.

A memorial was set up on the course mourning the death of French skier David Poisson, who died in a training accident in Alberta on Nov. 13.

Adrien Theaux (1:41.26) was the fastest Frenchman down the course on Saturday, finishing eighth after posting the quickest time in training on Wednesday at Beaver Creek. (rtr)

ARESE - Formula Two champion Charles Leclerc will move up to Formula One with Alfa Romeo-backed Sauber next season while Marcus Ericcson stays in the lineup despite the Swede failing to score a point in 2017.

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The announcement was made

by Fiat Chrysler (FCA) chief executive Sergio Marchionne on Saturday at a presentation of Alfa Romeo’s new partnership with the Swiss team at the Italian marque’s museum near Milan.

That deal, marking the return of the historic Alfa Romeo name to Formula One after a more than 30-year absence, was announced earlier in the week.

Saturday’s event showed off a new red and white livery, with Alfa Romeo branding prominent on the engine cover, and a redesigned logo.

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The lineup leaves Pascal Wehrlein, Ericsson’s German team mate, facing an uncertain future with former champions Williams the only remaining team with a vacancy but Poland’s Robert Kubica favourite to fill it.

Ferrari-backed Leclerc, 20 and from Monaco, had been expected to get the Sauber drive after a dominant season in the official feeder series.

Ericsson’s future had been in doubt, with Ferrari-backed Italian Antonio Giovinazzi also a candidate under the new partnership.

Giovinazzi will be the reserve driver instead, taking part in Friday

practice sessions.

Marchionne, who is also chairman of Sauber’s engine suppliers Ferrari, has made the title sponsorship of Sauber part of his reshaping of the FCA-owned Alfa Romeo brand.

Fiat Chrysler have invested billions of euros since 2014 to develop new Alfa Romeo models that would stand up against German premium rivals and shed a reputation for poor quality and service that has hit sales in the past decade.

“Formula One is the natural reference point for a marque like this,” he said. (rtr)

Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway during the men’s downhill race in the 2017 FIS alpine skiing World Cup at Beaver Creek.

Woods struggles as bogeys slow his comeback

ALBANY - A troublesome start dominated by bogeys proved costly for Tiger Woods as he struggled to a three-over par 75 in the third round of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas on Saturday.

After two strong rounds put the former world number one in contention for his first win since 2013, Woods recorded four of his five bogeys in the first seven holes to slip to

10th at four-under 212, 10 strokes behind leader Charley Hoffman.

Woods, in his first tournament in nearly 10 months following spinal fusion surgery, said he had some bad breaks on Saturday and that his game was better than his scorecard suggested.

“Anything I did right ended up in a bad spot, then everything I did wrong, it was

really bad,” Woods told NBC television.

“I’ve got to keep fighting and that is one thing I have always done in my entire career. That’s keep fighting and try and post the best number I possibly could.

“I really didn’t feel I was that far off.

That’s the crazy part ... I just ended up in bad spots after good shots.”

Only in the closing five holes, where

Woods twice had birdies and narrowly missed a third at the last, did the 41-yearold show he could again be a factor at the elite 18-man event that features eight of the world’s top 10.

“It feels good to be out here fighting again,” he said. “I’ve missed the fight and getting out there and competing, fighting against the golf course and the guys. (rtr)

6

Monday, December 4, 2017

W

RLD

International

Pentagon evaluating U.S. West Coast missile defense sites - officials

SIMI VALLEY - The U.S. agency tasked with protecting the country from missile attacks is scouting the West Coast for places to deploy new anti-missile defenses, two Congressmen said on Saturday, as North Korea’s missile tests raise concerns about how the United States would defend itself from an attack.

West Coast defenses would likely include Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missiles, similar to those deployed in South Korea to protect against a potential North Korean attack.

The accelerated pace of North Korea’s ballistic missile testing program in 2017 and the likelihood the North Korean military could hit the U.S. mainland with a nuclear payload in the next few years has raised the pressure on the United States government to build-up missile defenses.

On Wednesday, North Korea tested a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that can fly over 13,000 km (8,080 miles), placing Washington within target range, South Korea said on Friday.

Congressman Mike Rogers, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee and chairs the Strategic Forces Subcommittee which oversees missile defense, said the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), was aiming to install extra defenses at West Coast sites. The funding for the system does not appear in the 2018 defense budget plan indicating potential deployment is further off.

“It’s just a matter of the location, and the MDA

making a recommendation as to which site meets their criteria for location, but also the environmental impact,” the Alabama Congressman and Republican told Reuters during an interview on the sidelines of the annual Reagan National Defense Forum in southern California.

When asked about the plan, MDA Deputy Director Rear Admiral Jon Hill? said in a statement: “The Missile Defense Agency has received no tasking to site the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense System on the West Coast.”

The MDA is a unit of the U.S. Defense Department.

Congressman Rogers did not reveal the exact locations the agency is considering but said several sites are “competing” for the missile defense installations.

Rogers and Congressman Adam Smith, a Democrat representing the 9th District of Washington, said the government was considering installing the THAAD anti-missile system made by aerospace giant Lockheed Martin Corp, at west coast sites.

The Congressmen said the number of sites that may ultimately be deployed had yet to be determined.

THAAD is a ground-based regional missile defense system designed to shoot down short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles and takes only a matter of weeks to install.

In addition to the two THAAD systems deployed in South Korea and Guam in the Pacific, the U.S. has seven other THAAD systems. While some of the existing missiles are based in Fort Bliss, Texas, the system is highly mobile and current locations are not disclosed. (rtr)

Missile Defense Agency/Handout via Reuters/File Photo

A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency.

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

11

Farmer wages may offer clues as weak demand baffles Indonesian officials

JAKARTA - In trying to solve a major economic headache, large fluctuations in food prices, Indonesia may have unintentionally exacerbated another: domestic demand, the archipelago’s main economic engine, which remains stubbornly sluggish. Consumer sentiment has been hitting record highs this year in the country of 250 million, which economists and retail experts have long touted as a future Mecca for consumer goods.

Yet growth in domestic demand has lingered at rates below 5 percent,

REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, before his departure back to Washington, U.S., December 2, 2017.

Trump recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital would fuel violence Arab League CAIRO - Any move by the United States to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would fuel extremism and violence, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said on Saturday.

He spoke a day after a senior U.S. administration official said U.S. President Donald Trump was likely to make the announcement next week.

The Palestinians want Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and the international community does not recognize Israel’s claim on all of the city, home to sites holy to the Jewish, Muslim and Christian religions.

Word of Trump’s planned announcement, which would deviate from previous U.S. presidents who have insisted the Jerusalem’s status must be decided in negotiations, has already drawn criticism from the Palestinian Authority.

“Today we say very clearly that taking such action is not justified ... It will not serve peace or stability, but will fuel extremism and resort to violence,” Aboul Gheit said in a statement published on the Arab league’s website.

“It only benefits one side; the Israeli government that is hostile to peace,” he added. (rtr)

underperforming headline growth this year. Officials in the govern-

ment and at the central bank, which has surprised markets by cutting interest rates twice in recent months, have said they were “baffled” by how weak domestic demand was.

Economists and agricultural experts, however, point to a steady, three-year drop in the average real incomes of Indonesia’s 40 million farmers, who account for a third of the labour force. In an interview with Reuters in November, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said the government needed to take a closer look at farmers’ incomes, which are 3 percent lower in real terms than they were three years ago. “We really need to watch what’s behind these statistics,” the minister said.

Farming experts say falling rural incomes are partly a side effect of recent government policies to stabilise food prices, which account for 35 percent of the inflation basket.

RICE FLOOR PRICE

In 2015, the government set its floor price for unhusked rice of 3,700 rupiah per kg and has not changed it since, while consumer prices have risen 15 percent. That helped stabilise food inflation below 1 percent. But production costs, which include machinery maintenance, pesticides and fertilizers, have risen to 4,400 per kg of rice this year from 4,199 per kg in 2016, according to Dwi Andreas Santosa, a professor at Bogor Agricultural University.

In theory, the floor price should protect farmers from sharp falls, while allowing them freedom to negotiate upwards. In practice, however, most rice is sold at or close to the floor price, because farmers rely on short-term loans to cover their production costs. The loans usually need to be repaid shortly after the harvest, leaving them little leeway.

That means at harvest time, a large supply of rice hits the market over a short period of time, weighing down prices. “Farming machinery from the government doesn’t work, fertilizer is expensive and we’re

being played around during harvest, too,” said Wignyo Sunarno, a 62-year-old farmer in Karanganyar, Central Java, referring to having to quickly repay loans often taken from rice traders rather than banks.

Finance Minister Indrawati said incomes will only improve if productivity picks up and the government is trying to help by investing in irrigation systems. Data from Indonesia’s Planning Ministry shows that Widodo’s administration aims to build 1 million hectares of new irrigation networks in 2015-2019.

That could solve some of the problems that face farmers like 57-year-old Bibit in Klaten, in central Java province. Because he depends on rain, he cannot grow rice in the dry season, when prices are higher.

“I haven’t planted rice because rain is still rare,” said Bibit, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. “If my income came only from farming, it would not be enough,” he said, adding that his pension as an air force retiree fills the gap.

NO SMARTPHONES

Things might get even worse.

In August, the government introduced a cap on retail prices for some types of rice, aiming to trim the margins traders and middlemen get from rice trading. But farming experts warn traders are exacting lower prices from farmers, because living from one crop to another puts them in a poor bargaining position.

“You shouldn’t reduce farmers income to provide good prices for consumers. This will only lead to an increase in the poverty rate,” said Santosa at the Bogor Agricultural University. Lower farming incomes are a significant drag on consumption as farmers, unlike urban workers, are more likely to spend than save as they aspire to catch up with city lifestyles.

Entin, a farmer in Majalaya, in the province of West Java, said the profit from her plot of land was falling, forcing her husband to leave the area to find work. She also had to fend off requests from her three children to buy smartphones she could not afford. “Being a farmer is giving me headaches,” she said, sitting in the living room of the house she shares with her husband’s parents and siblings. (rtr)

REUTERS/Beawiharta

Women workers eat lunch as they take a break from planting beans at Cikawao village in Majalaya, Indonesia, October 12, 2017. Picture taken October 12, 2017.

12

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

BUSINESS Sale of the century? $300-billion Saudi state sell-off moves slowly

DUBAI/RIYADH - Saudi Arabia’s $300-billion privatisation programme was billed as the sale of the century when Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled his plan to great fanfare. Nineteen months later, it is moving at a snail’s pace, bankers, investors and analysts familiar with the process say. The main problems they cite are heavy bureaucracy, an inadequate legal framework, frequent changes of priority in government departments and fatigue among investors.

Some also blame a wait-and-see approach among many investors due to uncertainty about the fallout from an anti-corruption campaign in which dozens of royal family members, ministers and senior officials were rounded up in early November.

The centrepiece listing of state oil company Saudi Aramco - expected alone to raise up to $100 billion - is on track to go ahead next year, Prince Mohammed told Reuters in October. However, Riyadh has yet to select any exchange abroad that will handle - along with the Saudi market - what would be the biggest share flotation in history.

Sectors where the privatisation process has been slow include grains, the postal service and healthcare. “It’s going to take longer (than many expected),” a Saudi banker who has worked on transactions told Reuters.

“There are headwinds from the shifting of priorities in government and at a micro-level as these are old institutions that have often never kept books and are not up to the rigours of privatisation.”

The sell-off is a cornerstone of Prince Mohammed’s Vision 2030 plan to bring in fresh revenue and diversify the economy - which is recession and blighted by high unemployment - away from energy exports in an era of low oil prices.

But the bankers, investors and analysts are expressing concerns including over the lack of a regulatory framework to assure would-be shareholders about how much control foreign companies could gain as a result of the stake sales, including the right to lay off staff.

Vice Minister for Economy and Planning Mohammed al-Tuwaijri told Reuters in April that, excluding Aramco, the government aimed to make $200 billion by putting large parts of the Saudi economy in private hands.

The Ministry of Economy and Planning did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

FACTBOX - Saudi Arabia’s privatisation plans PATCHY PROGRESS The selloff, including five percent of Aramco, is intended to improve state fi-

REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser

A car drives past the Kingdom Centre Tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 12, 2017. Picture taken November 12, 2017. nances. The government posted a $79 billion deficit last year. However, the record is patchy in the four sectors that Tuwaijri had highlighted as priorities for this year: grain silos, sports, electricity generation and water provision. Banks recently submitted bids to advise on the privatisation of Saline Water Conversion Corporation’s $7.2 billion Ras Al Khair desalination and power plant. But there has been less progress in the other three sectors.

Saudi Arabia’s deputy electricity minister said in October he aimed for progress in privatising the power sector in 2018, after “some developments required us to wait”.

Prospective bidders for the kingdom’s stateowned grain mills have complained of an unwieldy sale process and onerous ownership rules.

Elsewhere, the Ministry of Health has put on hold its tender seeking financial advisers for the privatisation of 55 primary healthcare units in Riyadh, after receiving their bids in April, a financial source familiar with the matter said. It then issued a new tender to seek a technical adviser on the expected costs and demand linked to the privatisation, the source said.

The Ministry of Health did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment.

“Compared with many of its neighbours, Saudi Arabia has only limited experience in terms of privatisations, and still lacks an adequate regulatory framework,” said Raphaele Auberty, a BMI Research risk analyst for the Middle East and Africa.

Shortcomings include the absence of a framework for large-scale public-private partnership projects and a bankruptcy law, said Karen Young, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

Saudi Post Corp’s privatisation, which had at one stage been earmarked to begin early this year, has been shelved for the time being.

Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, told Reuters last month that Saudi Post would enter a five-year “corporatisation phase”.

This would turn it into a state-run company with a profit and loss responsibility before a sale to the private sector. “It makes sense to focus more on putting that corporate DNA, leadership and resources, then think about a complete privatisation,” said Alswaha.

Uncertainty has surrounded a plan to privatise soccer clubs. Earlier this year Jadwa

Investment was appointed to advise on the sale of up to five soccer clubs in the Saudi Professional League, sources told Reuters in February. The General Sports Authority did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

“At one stage it was looking like the bidding process could start as early as 2018 but recent indications perhaps suggest 2019-20 is more likely,” said Steven Bainbridge, head of sports law and events management at Al Tamimi & Company, who has been fielding interest from potential clients on the process.

Confusion has been created about an airport privatisation process after some local media reported that the government intended to privatise 27 of them by the middle of 2018, a target analysts said was unrealistic.

But in an emailed reply to questions from Reuters, Faisal Hamad al-Sugair, Chairman of Saudi Civil Aviation Holding Company, said the goal was for the airports to be “corporatised”, or turned into private companies, by that date. Privatisation would follow later.

“Various challenges have arisen and have been resolved. The deadline of mid-2018 is reachable,” he said.(rtr)

Bali News

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

5

Like volcanic dust corruption is harmful though sometimes invisible Artists shed light on unseen

Volcanic dust is not always visible, though is nonetheless harmful and indicates the serious potential for an explosive scenario. Volcanic dust is not unlike corruption in this way, so it is quite fitting that these hazardous though invisible particles should be in the air as Festival Anti Korupsi 2017, brought to you by Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (Anti- corruption commission), comes to a close.

Holding various events throughout Indonesia aimed at raising awareness about the harmful effects of corruption, Festival Anti Korupsi Bali 2017 is part of this nationwide movement and has been ongoing since September. The Bali portion of this unique festival has included a variety of art events by some of Bali’s most engaged art communities including; Comic strip workshops by Komunitas Jamur and mural paintings by Komunitas Pojok, to video art by Ruang Asah Tukad Abu, Plasticology installations, music by Akar Rumput, film making workshops by Hutan Film Festival and many others.

Along with the general inspiration that is shared through art events and workshops in general, all lot these events have explored the theme of corruption in one way or another seeking to contribute to a

culture in which grafting is simply not acceptable or at the very least considered highly questionable.

Lingkara Photograhy Community opened their exhibition entitles “Propaganda, Racun Serangah” (Propaganda, Insect poison) on Wednesday November 30 curated

by Arif Bagus Prasetyo, featuring conceptual photographic works by 11 photographers including, high school students, professional hobbyists, that express different aspects of corruption.

The title of the exhibition speaks to the idea of propaganda that tends to be associated with political manipulation of the masses for nefarious ends. However here the concept of propaganda is explored in terms of manipulation in the widest sense of the term.

As their stylish catalogue states: “manipulation is in fact defined

as using ones’ hands to change things’, and as such is not in itself ethically charged. How we manipulate things and to what end, is what determines the ethical value of manipulation. Likewise propaganda, which is by definition a tool to manipulate people, can be used for various purposes. Here, we are using propaganda as a kind of insect poison for corruption, as we invite the viewer to reflect on this widespread and harmful behavior”.

The 20 or so photographic art works of “Propaganda Racun Serangah”, range in style and content though they all share a kind of starkness and clarity that reflects the intention of bringing this timely topic to light. Ambiguity is something that is distinctly absent in all lot the photos though none of the works lack poetic beauty.

In this way, these art works are a successful kind of propaganda, as they appear to be art -in the sense of leaving room for interpretation, while in fact this window of opportunity for interpretation is quite small.

This lack of room for interpretation thus pushing these works into the manipulative realm of propaganda proper. In this case the intended manipulation is for the betterment of society rather than simply for the agenda of a few. Due to the candor of the exhibition’s title, it simultaneously invites the viewer to question how photography is used more broadly to manipulate for various ends, whether intentionally or not. Propaganda Racun Serangga will be on display at Lingkara Photography Community, Jalan Merdeka, Denpasar until December 30th, 2017.

Protection from volcanic dust As Mount Agung begins to spew various substances into the atmosphere, it becomes increasingly important to be ready to protect ones-self form these harmful substances. Apart from the immediate danger or cold lava flows (lahar), and potentially hot lava flows, heat clouds and flying debris in areas near the volcano (which is why people have been evacuated from this area), volcanic dust or ash fall is a real concern that people living far form the mountain need to contend with.

A few days ago ( Nov 28) visible volcanic dust reached as far south as Ubud, and non- visible particles reached Denpasar and as far as Lombok and Sulawesi.

Although not immediately harmful, exposure to this fine powder is in fact a significant contributing factor to respiratory health problems as well as skin and eye irritation and damage.

It is therefore recommended that people protect themselves from both the visible and invisible volcanic particles. For this N95 particulate masks are recommended as is keeping skin covered in cloth and eyes protected with glasses (or goggles when there is alot of volcanic dust). Frequent bathing is also recommended if spending time outside to prevent skin from becoming irritated by the dust particles. Visible ash fall should be avoided as much as possible to prevent harm to health.

Soaking cloth in a a mixture of water and baking soda is an

effective means of filtering out dusk particles, so in extreme situations, keeping a spay bottle with this mixture at hand to keep make-shift face mask moist is also recommended.

Although ash fall has yet to be a serious hazard in most parts of the island, and as of Dec 1rst volcanic ash has diminished), given the likelihood of ongoing eruptions of various sorts, it is best to be prepared.

Having a small stock of food and water at home is also recommended, for although it is unlikely that stocks will run low, in the case of heavy ash fall, staying indoors for a time will help prevent unnecessary exposure to the hazards of volcanic dust.

To protect objects that could be damaged by volcanic dust, including electronics, cloth and food should be kept in dust-proof containers. Any objects that would be hard to clean dust or ash off should also be put away.(kmb)

4

Bali News

Monday, December 4, 2017

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

International

13

Ex premier’s whereabouts unknown after return to Egypt - family

CAIRO - The family of former Egyptian prime minister Ahmed Shafik said on Sunday it had not heard from him since he was deported from the United Arab Emirates to Cairo on Saturday after announcing his intention to run for president next year.

IBP/kmb

Tanah Lot

Foreign tourist visits to Tanah Lot and Ulundanu Beratan decrease

TABANAN — The Mount Agung eruption to the closure of Ngurah Rai Airport also has impact on tourist visits to two well-known tourist objects in Tabanan district, namely Tanah Lot and Ulundanu Beratan. At Tanah Lot, for example, the decrease is dominantly in foreign tourist visit.

Based on the data of Tanah Lot management board, specifically in November 2017, the decline occurred since 27 November. At the beginning of November, the visit was usually dominated by adult foreign tourists with an average of 4,000 people. During these four days, the visit even decreased to 1,000 people. Likewise, the daily average of domestic tourist usually reached 2,000 visitors has now reduced to only 1,000 visitors.

As seen at the location, although there were some tourists, they were not as many as on normal days.

This condition was also seen at the parking lot commonly crowded by vehicles then looked quiet. “The closure of the airport and the Mount Agung eruption has an impact on the tourist visit to Tanah Lot. I think other tourist attractions also face similar condition,” explained Operations Manager of Tanah Lot, I Wayan Toya Adnyana.

Nevertheless, he admitted that since December 1, tourist arrivals have begun to show an increase due to long holiday. However, they are dominated by domestic tourists taking advantage of overland routes.

“It’s getting crowded. Yesterday, the tourist visit reached around 5,000 mostly consisting of domestic tourists due to long holiday,” he said.

To further recover the tourism sector posing the highest potential contributor to the regionally

generated revenue (PAD) of Tabanan district, his management has done some measures of promotion through social media and some travel agencies that Bali remains safe to be visited. Moreover, the management keeps improving the infrastructure like the parking area and arranging the area. “We hope this natural disaster will pass quickly,” explained Adnyana.

Similar condition is also experienced by Ulun Danu Beratan attraction in Baturiti. Tourist visit decreased more drastically due to Mount Agung disaster and the closure of Ngurah Rai Airport. Originally the daily tourist

visit reached 2,000 people then decreased to 800 people. “It dropped drastically by 60 percent,” said Operations Manager of Ulun Danu Beratan, I Wayan Mustika.

He could not predict how many visits will be in the upcoming Christmas and New Year. However, now the airport has been reopened.

Hopefully, it will return to normal.

“We also promote to tourists by explaining the map of Mount Agung located quite far away from Tabanan. Due to disaster, we cannot do anything. We hope the condition will return to normal,” he concluded. (kmb28)

Shafik, a former air force commander and government minister, has been seen as the strongest potential opponent of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who is widely expected to run for a second term next year.

His family said Shafik was picked up at the family home in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday and taken by private plane back to Cairo. A Reuters witness said Egyptian authorities escorted him in a convoy from the airport.

UAE authorities confirmed he left the Emirates, but Egyptian officials have not commented on the case.

“We know nothing about him since he left home yesterday,” Shafik’s daughter May told Reuters. “His lawyer hasn’t been able to reach him. If we was deported he should have been able to go home by now.”

The family and lawyer said they planned to file complaints with the prosecutor ’s office

about Shafik’s whereabouts.

Egypt’s foreign ministry said it was not responsible for the case. The interior ministry could not immediately be reached for comment.

One Egyptian judicial source said Shafik, who narrowly lost a 2012 presidential election, did not face any criminal cases in Egypt. He was acquitted, or had charges dropped, in several cases in the past, including for corruption.

Sisi has yet to announce his own intentions for the presidential election, saying only he would follow the will of the people.

Critics say under Sisi’s presidency thousands of dissidents have been jailed, the government has shut down independent media and heavily restricted the conducting of polls in what rights groups call an unprecedented crackdown.

His supporters dismiss criticism over rights abuses and

REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh/File Photo

Egypt’s former prime minister Ahmed Shafik speaks during an interview with Reuters at his residence in Abu Dhabi February 6, 2013. say any measures are needed for security in the face of an Islamist militant insurgency that has killed hundreds of police and

ture turns damaged.

If it lasts longer, credit growth will also contract and non-performance loans (NPLs) will increase significantly. Banking financing in Karangasem has a 4-percent share of total loans disbursed by banks in Bali during October 2017. Therefore, the risk mitigation has been done. “Mr. Iman has summoned banking circles related to the credit potentially disrupted,” he said.

The management of debtors specifically treated must be clear and centralized. “It means that debtors really affected by Mount Agung directly must be determined. Banks are asked to list the affected customers,” he said. Such special treatment can be in the form of restructuring, rescheduling, or if it is too severe, writing off. (kmb42)

JORDAN PERDOMO / AFP

Teguh Setiadi

IBP/kmb

UAE, where he has been based..

Several other lower-profile candidates have said they will run as well. (rtr)

Honduran army enforces curfew after vote count stalls

Impact of Mount Agung eruption on Karangasem district

ASSISTANT Director of Bank Indonesia for Bali Representative Office, Teguh Setiadi, explained that Karangasem district contributes 6.96 percent of average share to the Bali’s economy (2011-2016). In terms of supply, Karangasem district is dominated by agricultural business with the share of 26.21 percent in 2016.

Due to the eruption of Mount Agung, the Karangasem’s economy is predicted to contract negatively if it lasts long, agricultural production turns minimal, tourist arrivals decline significantly and transportation slows down, food stocks become limited, poverty rises significantly, the Decreasing Human Index (HDI) occurs, gini ratio increases significantly, per capita income drops significantly and infrastruc-

soldiers in the last four years.

Shafik had said on Wednesday he would run for president in a surprise announcement from the

A woman carries a fan looted from a shop as supporters of Honduran presidential candidate for the Opposition Alliance against the Dictatorship coalition Salvador Nasralla demonstrated in demand of the final results of the weekend’s presidential election, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, on December 1, 2017.

TEGUCIGALPA - Honduran security forces fanned out on Saturday to enforce a curfew as sporadic demonstrations continued over a contested presidential election that triggered violent protests that have killed at least three people.

Hundreds have been arrested after the tally from last Sunday’s presidential race stalled without a clear winner. Opposition leaders accused the government of trying to steal the election TV star Salvador Nasralla on Saturday accused his rival, President Juan Orlando Hernandez, of carrying out a “coup” by manipulating the vote count and declaring the curfew to stifle protests.

International concern has grown about the electoral crisis in the poor Central American country, which struggles with violent drug gangs and one of the world’s highest murder rates.

Lines formed at supermarkets and early Saturday as people stocked up on supplies, but upscale malls and many shops were shuttered while others closed early as groups of workers waited to catch buses and get back to their homes before the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew took effect.

“I’m afraid I’m going to get arrested by the army and be stuck in jail overnight or hit a blockade in the streets,” said Daniel Solorzono,

27, as he heaved eggs, bananas and sausage into his pick-up truck at a market and rushed off to his home.

Nasralla’s early 5 percentage point lead on Monday was later reversed, after a pause of more than a day in the count, in favor of Hernandez, leading to accusations of vote fraud and calls for protests. Disputed votes could swing the outcome.

Under the official count, Hernandez had 42.9 percent of the vote while Nasralla has 41.4 percent, with 95 percent of votes tallied.

Electoral authorities have proposed recounting around 6 percent of the vote, but Nasralla’s party has demanded a wider recount, forcing a stand-off with the ruling party and election authorities.

Heide Fulton, the top official at the U.S. embassy which does not currently have an ambassador, called for Hondurans to refrain from violence. “The Supreme Electoral Tribunal must have the time and space to count all votes transparently and free from interference,” she said on Saturday in a post on Twitter.

One man was killed in the port city of La Ceiba on Friday and a 19-year old woman was shot in the head early Saturday in Tegucigalpa as soldiers busted up protesters’ blockades of rubble and burning tires that had snarled traffic in the capital and major ports, a spokesman for the national police said. (rtr)

14

Monday, December 4, 2017

Traveling

International

Prof. Dr. I.B. Raka Suardana

Turkish “Microangelo” tells Istanbul’s tale on miniature objects

ANKARA - Following his morning stroll around Istanbul’s medieval Galata tower, Hasan Kale walks into a bulk food market to examine the goods that will make up his next canvas.

“These are the ones I was looking for,” Kale says excitedly, as he scoops up a handful of pumpkin seeds.

The 57-year-old’s morning routine may not stand out at first glance, but his motive does. At home, once Kale pours his freshly bought pumpkin seeds on his table, the adventure begins.

A micro-artist renowned as Tur-

key’s Microangelo, a pun on Italian Renaissance master Michelangelo, Kale paints scenes from Istanbul on miniature objects or even food particles.

For him, no object is too small from fig seeds to bottle caps, lentils to fishbone, Kale finds any object or food big enough to paint a scene from his hometown of Istanbul. “Of course the only hindrance here is that you can’t hang it on your wall and (look at it) while you sip your coffee. You have to submerge in it,” Kale said.

Celebrating his 22nd year as a

micro-artist, Kale said he has so far painted on 350 different objects, but that one of the biggest challenges of using food as a canvas is that his micropieces may not always last for long.

Nowadays, Kale said he was working on opening the world’s first micro objects museum to exhibit his tiny oeuvre.

“I fight to make them last forever ... I try to take them to the highest level and I want to display them in the world’s first and only museum of micro-objects that I want to open.” (rtr)

Bali News

International

IBP/kmb

Complex impacts of Mount Agung eruption DENPASAR - The impact of Mount Agung eruption is very complex. It has an impact on the livelihoods of local people and their economy, the economy of Karangasem, the wider tourism of Bali and the Bali’s economy.

Moreover, it is coupled with the closure of Ngurah Rai Airport as the entrance of Bali to international world increasingly worsening the economic condition of Bali sustained by tourism.

An economic observer from Undiknas, Prof. Dr. I.B. Raka Suardana, assessed the airport has closure impacted 445 flights with 59,000 passengers so it reduced the tourist arrivals to Bali. If this condition lasts long, Bali’s economic growth will decline. Karangasem residents directly affected by the eruption of Mount Agung will experience economic disruption.

The MSMEs go bankrupt because the population in disaster-prone area (KRB) 1, 2 and 3 does not work, so they are not productive.

“The impact of Mount Agung has multiplier effect,” he said.

Bali with tourism icon is very difficult to shift to the source of new economic growth. Tourism remains the backbone of the Bali’s economy, but from the supply side, Bali’s exports should be encouraged. “Export is encouraged and handicraft products are raised again. Export of handicraft products to Europe is raised again.

Quality is improved,” he said.

Based on the study of Bank Indonesia for Bali Representative Office, Bali’s economy until the end of 2017 is predicted to drop to 5.2 percent - 5.6 percent. In 2016, Bali’s economic growth was 6.24 percent.

An analyst of Bank Indonesia for Bali Representative Office, Umran Usman, viewed that Bali’s economy is driven by tourism and surely the economic performance is affected by the Mount Agung disaster. In terms of supply, the GRDP

of Bali will affect the performance of business sector, accommodation as well as food and beverage due to the cancellation of tourist arrivals both domestic and international as well as cancellation of MICE events such as seminars and annual meetings.

In addition, the airport closure for a few days has affected the transportation business as the number of aircraft departing and arriving in Bali reduced when compared to previously. Trading business is also affected because tourists coming for holiday including shopping in Bali also reduced.

In the meantime, from demand side, foreign tourists coming to visit Bali are calculated by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in the GRDP of Bali as a service export.

Condition of Mount Agung disaster caused the airport to be closed and there is security risk to visiting tourists, and this surely reduces the number of foreign tourist arrivals.

Thus, it will also lower the value of the service exports.

How big is the impact on the Bali’s economy? It will highly depend on the duration or length of Mount Agung eruption. The longer it lasts surely the impact on the Bali’s economy will be greater.

In terms of tourism side, Chairman of Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, revealed the impact of Mount Agung eruption caused the hotel occupancy to drop dramatically. On average, the daily occupancy rate ranges from 20 to 25 percent, while the occupancy of month to date is around 35 percent.

“When compared to last year’s data, the average was 70 - 80 percent for December,” he said.

Moreover, when the airport was closed, the occupancy was very low reaching around 15-20 percent at home stay in Ubud because tourists preferred hotels located near the airport. (kmb42)

3

Monday, December 4, 2017

Mount Agung eruption triggers downturn of tourism sector

ERUPTION of Mount Agung in Karangasem has affected tourism sector in Klungkung district, both in mainland and Nusa Penida Islands. It is indicated by the number of tourist visits and the cancellation of accommodation reservations.

Head of the Klungkung Tourism Office, I Nengah Sukasta, revealed the decline in tourist visit was seen in Kertha Gosa tourist object in October launched into a part of the city tour program. This condition is exacerbated by the closure of Ngurah Rai Airport.

“Commonly, the daily visit can reach 100 to 150 foreign tourists. Now, it decreased to half. This is the impact of Mount Agung and airport closure,” he said, not long ago.

Similar conditions also occurred in the Nusa Penida Islands. Actually, in terms of distance to Mount Agung, it is very far and safe to be visited. Faced with such condition, he could not do much. He just hoped the situation can return to normal soon. “If the airport is not closed, the visit can still be more. Moreover, Nusa Penida is far away from the volcano,” he said.

Although faced with quite worrying natural phenomenon, he said the Nusa Penida Festival on December 6-9 remains to be organized. Moreover, he is confident to

Kertha Gosa tourist object.

attract tourists to make a visit. “We are optimistic that many visitors will come to this event,” he said.

Preparation of the festival having stepped on the fourth year has reached one hundred percent. Later on, there will be a number of enlivening events, such as the performance of 1,000 rejang dancers, regatta, tying seaweed contests, cooking and musical performance by local and national band groups. “This has been promoted and we are just waiting for the implementation day,” he added.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Klungkung, I Wayan Sukadana, said the eruption of Mount Agung has resulted in the occupancy of tourist accommodation in Nusa Penida to drop dramatically. Many travelers even canceled their room reservation. “Based on the data of room reservation, previously the reservation reached 60 percent, while now after the disaster only reaches 11 percent,” he explained.

If within a week the situation does not change, he estimated the tourist visit will decrease further.

Surely, it is not expected by tourism players. Therefore, promotional measure remains to be maximized. “We continuously make promotions to convince that Nusa Penida is safe to be visited by tourists,” he concluded. (kmb45)

IBP/kmb

2

Monday, December 4, 2017

Bali News

International

Tourism players of Yeh Sah River normalized Badung worried Anticipating larger lava floods

MOUNT Agung eruption makes tourism players in Badung district worried. It happens because the revenue of local government is dominantly sourcing from this sector.

Moreover, regional budget plan (APBD) 2018 amounting to IDR 7.2 trillion has been decided, so the government should strive to achieve the target.

From the data compiled, foreign tourist arrivals during the period from January to October reached 4,878,478 tourists from the 2017 target set at 5,850,000 tourists. This means there are 971,522 tourists that must go to Bali. Seeing the number of visits within two months in 2018, it seems difficult to achieve the target. The visit in November reached 309,601 foreign tourists and December 411,177 foreign tourists.

Head of the Badung Tourism Office, I Made Badra, cannot do much because disaster is unpredictable.

However, he said the calculation of tourist visits up to November shows there is still lack of about 600,000.

“Hopefully, within this one week it can be clear and we restore again, and we see the development,” said Made Badra, on Saturday (Dec. 2).

According to him, the average losses reach 10,000 foreign tourists per day if the flight is closed. In order to minimize the losses, his office will sit together with tourism stakeholders to formulate market recovery

efforts.

“On December 4, we are formulating (a recovery effort) at the gathering of Badung tourism. We are also continuously improving hospitality, increasing overseas promotion, improving product quality, improving the quality of tourism infrastructure, including airports and terminals on land and sea as well as making cooperation with the airlines to create an attractive tour package,” he explained.

Although the airport becoming the access for foreign tourists is closed, he claimed to still provide information for travel agencies that Bali is still safe to be visited. “However, the incoming transportation to Bali is impossible because the airport is closed,” he added.

For the handling of flight cancellations, he claimed to have coordinated with the airport authority so as to provide transfer services to Mengwi terminal leading to Surabaya. While the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) gave services in the form of free one-night stay.

Meanwhile, Chairman of PHRI Badung, IGN Rai Suryawijaya, did not dare to confirm whether the services are given by the hotel management. “As the appeal implies, but it should be mandatory,” he said briefly amid the inauguration ceremony of the management of the Badung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) at Badung Civic Center. (kmb27)

AMLAPURA - Yeh Sah River located at Muncan village, Selat, Karangasem, is normalized. This measure is carried out as anticipation against the larger cold lava flood if Mount Agung erupts again.

This was expressed by Regent of Karangasem, I Gusti Ayu Mas Sumatri, when reviewing the normalization of Yeh Sah River on Saturday (Dec. 2).

Regent Mas Sumatri explained the river normalization is carried out as a form of anticipation in case the greater hot and cold lava happens again. If there is greater lava flood, it will no longer endanger the people living near the river and the bridge infrastructure in the vicinity of the river.

“We do not know when the cold and hot lava flood will happen. So, we hope this normalization will smooth the flow of lava when it passes through this river watershed.

Thus, we are better prepared to face the lava floods,” she said.

In addition to normalizing the river flow of Yeh Sah, similar normalization is also carried out to several other rivers such as the rivers in Kubu and Karangasem subdistrict.

Many rivers still require normalization like this. The normalized rivers potentially become the path of cold and hot lava flows.

Meanwhile, Mas Sumatri confirmed that she has received a written report or via WhatsApp related to the farmland of residents adjacent to the river flow swept away by cold lava considering the land belongs to river body. So, it is very risky to be hit by lava. She said the farmland owned by residents that was swept away reached around 40 hectares. “We hope that farmers whose land is swept away by cold lava can accept the condition sincerely,” explained Regent Mas Sumatri.

Head of the Karangasem Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR), I Ketut Sedana Merta, revealed the cold lava flow occurred all this time has indeed deeply eroded other sand material at the location. “It indeed eroded the sand deeply. Besides, the stone material was also eroded and carried away by cold lava. If calculated, the sand having been eroded by lava reached three meters,” explained Sedana Merta. (kmb41)

HIV/AIDS reaches 347 cases

80 percent infects productive ages

Tourists are enjoying the view of Kuta Beach

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

BANGLI - Cumulative number of HIV/AIDS cases in Bangli district as of September 2017 exceeded 347 cases. More apprehensively, 80 percent of all the HIV/AIDS cases are reported to infect productive ages including school age and teenagers. The transmission is mostly through risky sexual behavior.

“Therefore, I ask the head of the education agency so that AIDS prevention efforts at school environment can be done more systemically and in structured manner. It can be done by incorporating the subject on HIV/AIDS and Drug into the curriculum and integrating it into relevant subjects. Thus, the subject of HIV/AIDS can be absorbed massively by all students,” said Chairman of the Bangli Commission for AIDS Prevention (KPA) who is also the Deputy Regent of Bangli, Sang Nyoman Sedana Arta, on Friday (Dec. 1).

Sedana Arta said that all parties must unite to work harder and stop the epidemic of HIV/AIDS in Bangli district. It may not be complacent about what has been achieved because challenges in the future are still much greater even

though the current hard work has paid significant results.

He also called on all the components getting involved in the AIDS prevention to be more active in uncovering the cases remaining to be buried so they can be given Anti Retroviral (ARV) treatment early.

Thus, the quality of their life can be better and survive even though the HIV virus cannot be killed with ARV. “The next thing to do together is to minimize the infection of new cases as low as possible. If we succeed in suppressing new cases, I am confident the cases will slow down every year,” he explained.

The empathy and sympathy for people with HIV/AIDS, said Sedana Arta, should also be shown sincerely. By that way, the infected people can feel more welcome, more cooperative as well as can interact socially and free from despair, free from feelings of dictation and discrimination. “Implication of our empathic attitude will inspire people living with HIV/AIDS to act as the front guard in the prevention rather than the contrary as the transmitters as what is feared by many parties,” he added. (kmb40)

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Activities

International

Monday, December 4, 2017

15

MEN’S SHORTBOARD NARROWED TO 32 AT OAKLEY PRO BALER Excitement built up at Aliya Surf Camp during Rounds 2 and 3 of Oakley Pro Baler as surfers were narrowed down to 32, each hoping to take home the prize purse of PHP 100,000.

The Faraon brothers of Baler showed dominance at their home-

break as they continued to soar amidst tough wave conditions at Sabang Beach. Jerome, the younger of the two, capitalized on his years of surfing his local spot and decided to position himself at the left side of Aliya Surf Camp during Heat 1 of Round 2. Luckily he was able to

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score two decent long left-handers, which improved his scores and secured his spot in Round 3. “I heard from the judges’ tower that I only needed 3 points to advance then I saw that the waves on the left side had more power so I paddled all the way there. I’m so happy that I was able to advance to Round 3.

This is my first experience to hear my score while I’m in the line up.

It really helped in my decisionmaking,” said Jerome Faraon.

Meanwhile, Jerome’s brother Wilson continued his rally towards the championship round as he showed wave supremacy against fellow Baler surfer Micko Mendoza and Abel Bejar from Samar.

Wilson’s hard-hitting combinations impressed the judges and managed to get Round 2’s best average heat score of 9.70.

Juvecris Lavesoria from Zambales made a Hail Mary performance during his heat against Argie

“Bad Boy” Hugo and Allen Jay Ritual, both from Baler. “I’m both tired and happy right now. It’s difficult catching waves in this condition. I’m still stoked because I was able to catch that last wave which gave me the points I needed to advance to Round 3,” said Lavesoria.

Round 3 Heat 1 started early afternoon with a flawless win from PSCT #1 Philmar Alipayo from Siargao Island. Alipayo immediately took a high scoring wave during the first minute of his heat, which gave him a good head start. “I was not feeling good. I had flu but still managed to get good waves during my heat. I guess I was just lucky,” said Alipayo. With only 32 surfers left, we expect for more action tomorrow during the remaining heats of Round 3 of Oakley Pro Baler.

For live heat scores and update visit www.psctour.com/Baler/ and our official Facebook page www. facebook.com/psctour/ Follow us

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16 Pages Number 1 10th year

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Monday, December 4, 2017

Leia leads resistance in Carrie Fisher’s final ‘Star Wars’ film LOS ANGELES - Carrie Fisher’s final performance as the beloved Leia in “Star Wars” puts the character on the front lines in a dark new chapter that reaches theaters this month, leaving a galactic hole to fill after the sudden death of the actress a year ago.

Fisher had filmed all of her scenes for “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” the eighth installment of the blockbuster space saga, before she died of a heart attack in December 2016.

“She’s irreplaceable,” Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, told Reuters. “’Star Wars’ is about great triumphs and great tragedies, and I can’t think of a bigger tragedy than missing our Leia,” Hamill told Reuters.

Writer and director Rian Johnson said he did not change Leia’s story in “Last Jedi” after her death.

The film debuts in theaters December 14.

It will be up to the makers of 2019 film “Episode IX” to decide the ultimate fate of the character first seen as a spunky princess in

the original 1977 “Star Wars” film, Johnson added.

In “The Last Jedi,” “we didn’t tailor it to be a farewell to her,” Johnson said. “But, that having been said, I think there’s some moments that I think will really mean a lot to fans. You will see more from Leia that you haven’t seen before.”

Fisher’s final film appearance is expected to boost already feverish interest in the franchise, now owned by Walt Disney Co . Boxoffice.com projects “Last Jedi” will haul in $185 million to $215 million at U.S. and Canadian ticket windows its first weekend, which would rank as one of the biggest film debuts in history.

The cast and director provided few details about the film’s plot.

John Boyega, who portrays former Stormtrooper Finn, said the movie finds Leia, now a general, leading the Resistance against the evil First Order during a tense time in the raging battle to protect the galaxy far, far away. (rtr)

IBP/net

ce zombies and fire-breathing dragons plague the characters in the hit fantasy TV series “Game of Thrones.”

The long winter: ‘Game of Thrones’ fans in four-day viewing marathon

LONDON - Ice zombies and fire-breathing dragons plague the characters in the hit fantasy TV series “Game of Thrones,” but for fans who took part in a four-day marathon to watch the series’ 67 episodes back-to-back, a pained rear end posed a greater threat.

Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP

Star Wars fans wearing various costumes from the films are pictured during the Star Wars Cosplay Showcase 2017, part of Tokyo Comic Con 2017 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba on December 2, 2017. The second annual edition of Tokyo Comic Con is taking place from December 1 to 3.

The marathon viewing began on Monday evening in London’s Prince Charles Cinema, and concluded on Thursday evening, and was held to mark the upcoming release of the program’s seventh series on DVD on Dec. 11.

“To see (it) all in one chunk will give you something different, that we don’t get when we’re waiting around for the next season to come.

They won’t get the irritation that we all get,” said actress Hannah

Waddingham, who plays the illfated Septa Unella in the series and attended the opening night.

Around 350 people attended some of the screenings over the four-day event, while only seven hard core fans managed to last from start to finish.

One of the participants described the screening as an “endurance race,” and mindful organizers handed out survival kits containing tissues, alcohol gel and dental sup-

plies.

“Game of Thrones” tells the story of warring factions in a dragon and zombie filled medieval fantasy world, where winter lasts for years.

It has garnered critical praise and a huge international following over its seven series.

The show’s eighth and final series is expected to premiere in late 2018 or 2019, though a release date has not been officially confirmed. (rtr)

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Monday, December 4, 2017

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REUTERS/Darren Whiteside

A woman poses while a friend takes her picture at Lempuyang temple which overlooks Mount Agung volcano, in Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia, December 3, 2017.

Work of Art

Tourist Pose in front of the Eruption

LOCALS living in the shadow of Bali’s volcano are fearing for their lives as tourists pose for selfies in bikinis and do handstands in front of the erupting Mount Agung.

The eruption has forced more than 43,000 people to flee their homes with another 60,000 people ordered to evacuate immediately.

The international airport on the island was closed for almost three days with hundreds of flights cancelled leaving thousands stranded.

And cold lava, known as lahar, has swept into towns and villages in the volcano’s summit, bursting riverbanks and leaving streams black with volcanic ash and debris.

But despite the national disaster, for some tourists the eruption is an opportunity to take a once-ina-lifetime photo for social media.

Instagram has been flooded this week with posts from people posing for the camera in front of smoke clouds rising from the volcano.

Many have posted photos using the volcano’s smoke as a backdrop with captions that sing nature’s praises.

In one photo, user Karina Kapris

poses between the ornate Lempuyang Temple, or ‘Gates of Heaven’, with the erupting Agung in that background, tinged with a blue and purple hue.

She posted the photo online with the caption: “That’s what I call a once in a lifetime photo.”

In another, a woman sits meditating on a grassy verge, while ash clouds billow out the 3,000metre tall mountain behind her.

Some have used the chance to post a photo with their loved one, with one picture showing a couple - both wearing gas masks embracing as the eruption unfolds

behind them.

Others acknowledge the potentially scary situation, but say the view is worth any fear. A post from Iona Bunghez shows a woman in shorts and bikini top looking out over a pool and forestland, with the mountain far in the distance.

She said: “Sounds stupid but yes, I have it on my bucket list to see a live volcano. I think it would be my only chance to tick it off.”

The last time Mount Agung erupted, more than 1,100 people were killed. Survivors of the 1963 eruption have been haunted by the memories of the horrific event as

the volcano continues to be active this week.

On Monday, authorities ordered residents living near the volcano to evacuate the area immediately, warning that the first major eruption in 54 years could be ‘imminent’.(rtr) 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.