Edition Friday, May 10, 2019 | International Bali Post

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

16 Pages Number 93 11th year

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

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Friday, May 10, 2019

Kim Kardashian to star in US criminal justice reform documentary CALIFORNIA - Kim Kardashian West is set to star in a new documentary focusing on criminal justice reform.

The project has the working title Kim Kardashian: The Justice Project, and comes after the reality star revealed earlier this year that she is studying law.

After speaking about her passion for the subject in an interview with US Vogue, the 38-year-old later issued a statement saying she had decided to “follow a dream” and was working day and night to achieve it.

Oxygen Media, a US TV network known for its true crime programmes, says its new show will capture Kardashian West’s efforts to free prisoners she believes were unfairly sentenced.

On its website, the network says the documentary will give “an exclusive, never before seen look

inside her mission to tackle one of America’s most controversial subjects”.

Last year, Kardashian West lobbied the White House for clemency for Alice Marie Johnson, who served more than two decades of a life sentence without parole for non-violent offences.

President Donald Trump commuted her sentence and signed bipartisan legislation that gives judges more discretion when sentencing some drug offenders and boosts prisoner rehabilitation efforts.

Kardashian West registered with the California State Bar, the official attorney licensing agency, shortly afterwards.

After speaking about her studies earlier this year, she received lots of criticism online from people making fun of her decision. (net)

Friday, May 10, 2019

Avatar 2 will hit screens in 2021

Disney releases Avatar 2 date

IBP/net

LOS ANGELES - Disney has announced that fans will have to wait a little longer for the next Avatar film after pushing it back by a year – while Star Wars fans will be able to enjoy three more instalments from 2022.

IBP/net

Kim Kardashian West is to star in a new documentary about criminal justice reform.

Giving an update to its next film releases following the company’s purchase of Fox, Disney said the long-awaited follow up to Avatar, which is currently the highest grossing film ever, will be released in December 2021 - a year later than originally thought.

It means fans will have waited 12 years since the original film that smashed box office records around the world.

They also revealed that another three instalments of the Avatar franchise will be released all the way through into 2027.

Disney has already given Avatar fans a taste of what’s to come after opening a huge land named Pandora at their Animal Kingdom park in Orlando, inspired by the films.

The company also gave some very early details about the next Star Wars films - which will hit screens in 2022, 2024 and 2026.

No word yet on the content of the new Star Wars movies, or whether they’ll be part of a trilogy or stand-alone stories.

The announcement comes after Disney previously said they would

stop production of Star Wars films after the conclusion of the original Skywalker Saga in December.

There’s also a new Harrison Ford film, Call Of The Wild, coming next year, and a movie version of the show Bob’s Burgers next July.

Other films slated for release

by Disney include a new adaptation of the iconic musical West Side Story, which will be directed

by Steven Spielberg, and a movie about 101 Dalmatians villain Cruella De Vil, called Cruella - both in 2020. (net)

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28 Kopi Made Jl. Raya Puputan No. 106 Dps 29 Dimsum Manan Jl. Raya Niti Mandala Renon No 148 30 Furama Jl. Raya Niti Mandala No. 148 Renon 31 Warung Subah Renon Jl. Mohamad Yamin No.18 32 Ayam Betutu khas Gilimanuk Jl. Merdeka No.88 Renon 33 Bali Bakery Jl. Hayam Wuruk 184 Denpasar

Thomas A. Higgins / Navy Office of Information / AFP

This image released by the US Navy shows containment and absorbent booms surroundng a Boeing 737 aircraft in the St. Johns River after the aircraft slid off the runway at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida on May 3, 2019. The plane carrying 143 people including crew from Guantanamo Bay in Cuba slammed into shallow water next to a naval air station in Jacksonville after a hard landing that saw the plane bounce and swerve down the runway, passengers said.

No fatalities or critical injuries were reported.

Boeing 737 Max 8 woes crimp Asian airlines’ growth plans

SINGAPORE - Asian airlines are cutting routes, revamping their schedules and leasing extra aircraft to fill gaps left by the grounding of Boeing 737 Max 8s after deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people.

So far, regional carriers have managed to avoid major disruptions, but analysts expect that idling the Max 8s, a fuel-efficient update of Boeing’s popular 737, will crimp growth plans in the near future.

As investigations into the crashes continue, Boeing anticipates a $1 billion increase in costs related to the 737 Max, including fixing software implicated in the disasters, adding pilot training and compensating airlines and families of crash victims. Investigators are examining the role of flight-control software that pushed the planes’ noses down based on faulty sensor readings.

Nearly 400 Max jets were grounded at airlines worldwide in mid-March after the Ethiopia crash.

In Asia, where air passenger traffic is growing the fastest, the groundings are pushing airlines’ costs higher at a time of rising fuel prices, squeezing carriers’ profits.

Chinese airlines had 96 Max 8 jets but have managed to avoid massive cancellations by swapping in other models of aircraft, said Kelvin Lau of Daiwa Capital Markets in Hong Kong.

“However, this may limit their capacity growth for the coming peak season,” he added.

China Southern Airlines, which has 25 Max 8 jets, will likely revise its targeted growth for passenger capacity, he said.

Indonesian carrier Lion Air, whose Flight 610 disappeared into the sea shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, killing 189 people, said Friday in a statement that it was “operating normally by minimizing the impact” from the grounding of its 10 Max 8 jets.

“Lion Air continues to serve routes that have been operated by Boeing 737 MAX 8 by replacing them using other Lion Air fleets,” spokesman Danang Mandala Prihantoro said in a statement.

India’s SpiceJet has said it would lease 22 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, nine of which are already in service. The carrier said it also will deploy five Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

“The new inductions will not just bring down flight cancellations to nil but also help in SpiceJet’s aggressive international and domestic expansion plans,” chairman and managing director Ajay Singh said in a statement.

Not all carriers, even those without Max 8s, have managed as well.

Budget carrier Scoot, which is owned by Singapore Airlines, announced that it would suspend services between Singapore and four cities, with the first suspension starting from June. The routes were

served by the Airbus A320.

Scoot, which does not have any Max 8 jets, said in a statement that the cuts were “due to a combination of weak demand and a shortage of aircraft resources.”

“The aircraft shortage is arising as SilkAir, due to the grounding of its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet, will no longer transfer its Boeing 737-800NG aircraft to Scoot in the financial year 2019/2020,” it said.

Continued to page 6 News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http:// radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.

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Bali News

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

Activities

International

Friday, May 10, 2019

Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center

15

Ready to host celebration of holy month of Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr

IBP/Bagiarta

The police officers are asking the tourists visiting Devil Tear Cliff in Nusa Penida to be more careful.

Due to often claiming fatalities

Tour guides asked not to leave their guests

SEMARAPURA - Devil’s Tears Cliff at Kawan hamlet, Lembongan, Nusa Penida, has claimed many casualties. Some survived with injuries after being hit by the waves, while others immediately fell and lost after being dragged by sea currents.

Even though the warning signs have been posted around the location, tourist activities in that place remain crowded.

Head of the Klungkung Tourism Office, Nengah Sukasta, stated on Wednesday (May 8) that to respond to the number of similar incidents, since the beginning his office had anticipated by the installation of warning sign. In addition, his office also claimed to have spoken directly to tourist guides, so as to explain that the area around the cliff extending to the sea is dangerous because big waves can crash suddenly. However,

tourists insist on coming to that location. More seriously, they come without being accompanied by their tourist guide.

“We used to gather the tourist guides. At that time, we confirmed that if the guests go to Dream Beach (next to Devil’s Tears), please be accompanied them. So, after returning from that location, the guests going to the Devil’s Tears cliff can be prevented by guides,” said Sukasta.

Such frequent incidents are admitted to have been highlighted by many parties. Moreover, several private institutions plan to help install fences near the cliffs. However, until now nothing has been made.

Klungkung Tourism Office specifically went to the Tanah Lot tourist attraction in Tabanan to find the suitable type of fence to be installed. There, he got an illustration that appropriate fence is wooden one connected with a rope. When using an iron type, it will corrode quickly, due to exposure to seawater.

“We have prepared a budget of IDR 60 million to install the fence this year,” he said.

The fence will be installed near

the cliff as the boundary of safe areas and dangerous areas. Such a budget is estimated to only be able to hold around 50 meters. Clearly, it is not enough, seeing the cliff spreads about 500 meters long. However, Sukasta stressed it would be done in stages.

On the other hand, Spokesman of Klungkung Police, I Putu Gede Ardana, stated on Wednesday (May 8) that the search process for the Indian citizen Kausal Aditya, 24, who disappeared in the current is still carried out in the surrounding waters. The search involved the National SAR Agency, Klungkung Police, Nusa Penida Police, SAR of Bali

Police and Indonesian Military.

However, until Wednesday afternoon, the victim from India had not been found.

As reported previously, the ferocious waves around the Batu Belek Cliff or known by tourists as Devil’s Tears returned to claim casualties on Tuesday afternoon (May 7). Kausal Aditya immediately disappeared from the top of the cliff after being struck by the fierce waves rising up the cliff.

Ardana asked tourists and other residents to be more careful when they are in that place. They may not get too close to the edge of the cliff because it can endanger them. (kmb31)

Cathay Pacific’s latest sale has cheap return flights to Bali but be quick If a holiday in Bali has always been on your bucket list then you may want to check out Cathay Pacific ‘s latest sale.

The airline is currently giving holidaymakers the opportunity to snap up temptingly cheap flights to the Indonesian island, with return fares from £499pp in its Economy Class.

The flight deals are already avail-

able on the Cathay Pacific website and will be on offer until Friday 31st May, when the sale ends.

There’s quite a generous travel window to choose from too, with deals valid on flights until the 6th December 2019.

However they are subject to availability, so if you do find flights that are ideal for your budget and travel dates then it may be worth

getting in early.

Never been to Bali before?

Check out our guide on the best things to see and do , as well as the beautiful beaches not to miss while you’re there.

Cathay Pacific has plenty more destinations on offer as part of its Spring Sale including Economy Class returns from £469pp to Hong Kong or from £509pp to Phuket .

There are also deals to be found on eight destinations across Australia and New Zealand from £689pp , with discounts on flights to hotspots such as Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland.

Like Bali, the sale is valid for travel dates until December 2019, offering up heaps of opportunity for both last minute getaways and winter sun holidays outside of the

school holiday dates.

Oh, and for those who do want to splurge, there are also deals to be found on Business Class return fares from £2,289pp.

Don’t be disheartened if you can’t quite find the right deal for you - check out our Holiday Deals page with all the latest sales, flash offers and deals worth being on your radar for 2019/2020.

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

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

ASTON Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center welcomes the coming of the holy month of Ramadan 1440 H with the theme Marhaban Ya Ramadan.

Experienced executive chef and his professional team have prepared a variety of favorite menus during Ramadan that can be used as recommendations on your breaking the fast menu. A variety of menu choices such as dates, longan tofu ice, Semarang spring rolls, wonton, bird’s nest ice, young coconut ice, risoles, fried siomay, Shanghai spring rolls, chicken samosa as well as coffee and hot tea along with buffet menu has been prepared.

The price is affordable starting from IDR 100,000 net / guest at Jempiring Restaurant. Comfortable musala (worship place) is also available on the B1 floor during Ramadan.

For guests wishing to strengthen the relationship during the holy month of Ramadan through breaking the fast together, you can also reserve the Break Fast Package consisting of various tajil menus with quite affordable offers starting from IDR 50,000 net / guest. Children will be charged at 50 percent, while for children aged 5 years and under, there is no charge whatsoever, even if they consume tajil menus.

“For guests from outside the Island of Bali and wishing to feel the atmosphere of Ramadan in Denpasar, we also offer packages to stay during Ramadan starting from IDR 548,000 net / room / night including breakfast / sahur and tajil for 2 people, 10-percent discount for food and drinks at Jempiring Restaurant, free Wi-Fi and free access to swimming pool. “This stay promotion is valid on June 4 – 16, 2019,” said Fitri Rima Sari, Assistant to Front Office Manager of Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center.

To celebrate the victory day after fasting for a full month, the hotel located at Jalan Gatot Subroto Barat No. 283 Denpasar also offers Lebaran Package starting from IDR 1,108,000 net for 3 days 2 nights including breakfast for 2 people, minibar, 10-percent discount for food and drinks at Jempiring Restaurant and laundry, free access to the swimming pool and Wi-Fi. For further information and reservations, please contact 0361 - 411999 or via social media on Twitter @AstonDenpasarID, Instagram @AstonDenpasar, and can contact via Facebook at @Aston-Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center, or via email at info@astondenpasar.com.

14

Fashion

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

Zendaya is the first to wear her Tommy Hilfiger collection in Paris

John Lamparski/Getty Images/AFP

Lady Gaga attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City.

Bali News

International

PARIS - Not long before her spring/summer 2019 collection for Tommy Hilfiger, entitled “Tommy x Zendaya”, premiered on the runway, Zendaya couldn’t help but give fans a sneak peek of what she had designed by wearing it out on the streets in Paris.

Zendaya has been hitting the autumn/winter 2019 shows at Paris Fashion Week in bold looks aplenty, but channelled the ’70s when it came to wearing her own pieces. She stepped out in a sleek leather trench coat, which has been lately appearing on off-duty models, such as Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Irina Shayk. Zendaya’s version from the Hilfiger collab was a long, brown double-breasted style that hit below the knees.

Underneath, she wore a groovy-printed dress with a high leg slit that was also one of her designs. It was the perfect choice to show off her thigh-high slouch boots, which perfectly matched the leather of her coat.

It’s clear Zendaya has her finger on the pulse of what’s trending: the leather trench is already well on its way to becoming the season’s must-have staple. And styled to the extreme with the other cool ’70s-inspired pieces from her collection? Consider it a runway to real way win. (net)

GIANYAR — Dismantling process of the old building of Sukawati Art Market has begun. Ironically, some debris of the dismantling process bounced down and damaged the facilities belonging to residents nearby. They are three washing machines and buildings belonging to Anak Agung Putra Wijaya, whose house is adjacent to the demolition site.

NEW YORK - Lady Gaga stunned Monday at New York’s Met Gala, embodying the extravaganza’s “camp” theme as she peeled back look after garish look at the fete thrown by the venerable Metropolitan Museum of Art that sees Hollywood and fashion collide. and the Beast.

Rap star Cardi B brought her own red carpet, donning a curvehugging oxblood Thom Browne gown embellished with feathers that radiated out to form a lengthy circular train, a look she capped with a bugle-bead headpiece.

Pop futurist Janelle Monae had jaws dropping with an elaborate black, white and pink number that recalled a cubist painting -- complete with a Cleopatra-style eye covering one breast whose lavishly long eyelashes blinked and a tower of hats that would inspire envy in the Madhatter himself.

- Barbie girl -

The gala kicks off the Met’s annual major fashion exhibition, with seats going for $35,000 a piece.

Attendance is by invitation only, and word has it that Vogue editor extraordinaire Anna Wintour has the final say over each person on the guest list.

Gucci designer Alessandro Michele, British singer Harry Styles

and tennis superstar Serena Williams joined Wintour and Gaga to co-chair the event, which raises money for its Costume Institute.

Country superstar Kacey Musgraves rolled up in a bright pink Barbie corvette and was dressed as the iconic doll to boot, sporting a skin-tight Moschino pink zippered dress, with matching cat-eye sunglasses and a feather boa.

Lupita Nyong’o meanwhile embodied the theme donning a gown topped off with a rainbow-colored plume, matching fluffy fan and gold Afro picks in her Marie Antoinettestyle beehive updo.

A coterie of men also ran with the concept, including actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who wore an all-white suit with an ascot tie and glittering green brooch.

Billy Porter, meanwhile, had his mic-drop moment with a fabulous entrance that saw the performer arrive on a gold litter hoisted by six shirtless men, before he got down to show off his sparkling set of wings. (afp)

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Demolition debris of Sukawati Art Market disrupts people’s facilities

A-listers slay ‘Camp’ theme of Met Gala, fashion’s biggest night

The 2019 carpet -- pink, for the occasion -- into the Metropolitan Museum of Art, whose yearly bash welcomes over-the-top looks that skew to a theme, was even more of an eye-popping doozy than usual thanks to this year’s concept.

Gold, trains, fringe, fur, blonde wigs and inspirations from drag as well as camp legends Cher and David Bowie were trending on the pink carpet celebrating fashion so bad it’s good.

Superstar Gaga set a high bar, bringing a shape-shifting look sure to spawn a thousand memes.

The pop diva played Russian doll as her entourage unzipped three different looks in hot pink and black, until she sported nothing but glittering black lingerie, fishnets, vertiginous platform boots and wildly long spiky gold false eyelashes.

Singer Katy Perry was literally glowing: the superstar dressed as a candelabra chandelier dripping with crystals, a clear reference to the Lumiere character from Beauty

Friday, May 10, 2019

Dismantling process of the old building of Sukawati Art Market has begun.

IBP/kmb

AA Putra Wijaya who was met on Wednesday (May 8) estimated that the project workers carrying out the demolition would work professionally, taking into account the position of the residents’ houses next to the project. But apparently, his guess was wrong. “I do not expect, I think the workers worked professionally,” he said He also claimed that before the demolition carried out there was no notification to remove his belongings. So, he just left the washing machine in a building right on the border of the market wall with his house. “Notification is indeed already available. But there has been an agreement in advance that if there is adjacent house being a victim due to the demolition, the government and contractor will be ready to compensate,” he explained Now, the damage to the three washing machines made him suffer a loss of IDR 6 million. Besides, the three-meter washing building was also hit by concrete debris.

Moreover, water pipe connecting to his house has a leak due to the concrete throw. “This water pipe is also exposed to throw of the debris, so that it is hard to look for water for bathing and washing. Similarly, we cannot take a rest because the heavy equipment used is impacted like an earthquake. They start work-

ing from 8:00 to 16:00, after that there is no vibration,” he said.

AA Putra Wijaya also hoped the contractor can be responsible for their negligence at work. Considering there has been a previous agreement where if there are residents becoming victims, compensation will be given. “Just now, representative of the contractor party already came here and it said it will be compensated. However, they said they would coordinate first with the headman,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Head of Sukawati Art Market, Anak Agung Raka, said the residents whose homes are affected by the demolition will certainly receive compensation.

However, the process will be carried out by the Asset Division of the district government. “Later on, since it is proposed by residents, the process will be in the Asset Division. It’s not complicated,” he said.

He said that before the demolition was carried out, the relevant parties, including the adjacent residents, already attended a meeting at the office of local subdistrict head.

“At that time, it was agreed that if the chunks struck the residents’ house, whether it is hit by tiles or whatever, it would be replaced.

Adjacent residents have already known it. It was also based on the proposal of adjacent residents,” he said. (kmb35)

Police remain to guard ballot box GIANYAR — Police have secured almost the entire campaign process, so that it could have run in an orderly and smooth manner.

However, it has not ended there, now police are still safeguarding the ballot box stored entirely in the warehouse of Electoral Commission (KPU) Gianyar, namely at the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium.

Chief of Gianyar Police, Priyanto Priyo Hutomo, when asked for his confirmation some time ago justified that police are still guarding the ballot boxes kept in the warehouse of Electoral Commission. This is done in anticipation of a lawsuit by election participants to the Constitutional Court. “In anticipation, we will remain to keep

the ballot box in the warehouse of the Gianyar Electoral Commission at the I Wayan Dipta Stadium,” he said.

He said that the security process will continue until the final election process, namely at the inauguration of the election winning candidates.

Before the inauguration, police will continue to conduct security for 24 hours. “It is ascertained that we will keep guarding. We have built tent of National Police at two points namely in the north and south. Then, we will guard it for 24 hours,” he said.

Now, this officer hoped the supporters to wait for the final calculation of the central Electoral Commission until the simultaneous

announcement on May 22. “Please be patient until it is officially announced to make it clear. Otherwise, please wait a minute and there is no need for a victory party,” he said.

Chief Priyanto also expressed his appreciation to the people who have used their election rights.

He reminded there should be no excessive action when receiving the results of the calculations carried out by the Electoral Commission. “Please continue to increase cooperation and follow the requirements. If there is dissatisfaction, please report to the Electoral Supervisory Committee or Constitutional Court,” he affirmed. (kmb35)

Chief of Gianyar Police, Priyanto Priyo Hutomo

IBP/kmb35

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Bali News

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

13

Thai bay made famous in ‘The Beach’ to be shut until 2021

Mohd RASFAN / AFP

IBP/eka

Badung district government will build a delta park in Dalung, North Kuta. The arrangement of the park covering an area of 3,594.20 square meters will be an alternative tourist attraction for the community.

Badung to build Delta Park in Dalung

MANGUPURA - Badung district government will build a delta park in Dalung, North Kuta.

The arrangement of the park covering an area of 3,594.20 square meters will be an alternative tourist attraction for the community.

Head of Badung Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR), Ida Bagus Surya Suamba, stated on Wednesday (May 8) the construction of a park adjacent to

the river is an initiative from the community. “We build the delta park whose concept is like a city park. This is a proposal from the community,” he said.

According to him, the construction of the delta park is in single package with the river arrangement next to the park. Road expenditure, irrigation and network projects -

procurement of complementary irrigation planning consultancy - DED drafting of Delta Park Development in Dalung village is now in the tender process at the local LPSE. “In this park, there will be a statue of Goddess Ganges. This statue is also a proposal from the community, so we just do it,” he said.

He said the park located right on the Dalung-Sempidi main road section is estimated to spend a total budget of IDR 13 billion. “Now, design review is still being done.

The planning is only worth IDR 5 billion, but the total will spend IDR 13 billion,” he concluded. (kmb27)

Dozens of breaking advertisements dismantled

IBP/olo

The officers dismantled various billboards because apart from being known to be unlicensed, they are also installed in violating media such as being nailed to trees and taped to electricity poles.

NEGARA - Jembrana Municipal Police cracked down on billboards along the road section of Denpasar-Gilimanuk on Wednesday (May 8). The discipline targeted two sub-districts, namely Pekutatan and Mendoyo and secured dozens of billboards of various kinds such as banners, billboards and flyers.

The officers dismantled various billboards because apart from being known to be unlicensed, they are also installed in violating media such as being nailed to trees and taped to electricity poles. The control operation led by the Com-

munity Service Division Head at the Jembrana Municipal Police, I Kadek Arianta, secured dozens of types of billboards.

Chief of the Jembrana Municipal Police, I Gusti Rai Budi, through the Community Service Division Head stated that the control is carried out routinely for the sake of order. According to Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 5/2011 and Regent Regulation Number 29/2011, dozens of the installed advertisements are declared to violate. On that account, the Municipal Police conducted a demolition by taking down and

securing it to the office. According to Kadek Arianta, the control will be resumed to another subdistrict known to have violated billboards.

Some of the billboards are also damaged and dangerous. In total there are dozens of various types of billboards cracked down on like in Pekutatan there are 3 billboards, 43 banners and 3 flyers. Meanwhile, in Mendoyo subdistrict the officers secured 6 banners and 9 flyers. “Most of them are installed in improper locations and violate the Regional Regulation,” explained Arianta. (kmb26)

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during a press conference in Putrajaya on May 9, 2019.

Malaysia criticised for failures on rights reforms

BANGKOK - The closure of the glittering Thai bay made famous by the movie “The Beach” has been extended for another two years to allow a full recovery of its corals and wildlife, an official said Thursday, drawing a sharp rebuke from the tourism industry.

Maya Bay, ringed by cliffs on Ko Phi Phi Ley island and surrounded by azure waters, was made famous when it featured in the 2000 film starring Leonardo Dicaprio.

It was shut last June by Thai authorities due to worries the white-sand paradise was suffering from the pressure of thousands of day-trippers arriving by boat.

Authorities had initially said the beach -- a massive draw for Thailand’s more than 38 million tourists -- was going to be closed for four months, but the re-opening was repeatedly postponed.

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, advisor to the Department of National Parks, told AFP on Thursday the ban on visitors will be extended until mid-2021.

“The resolution of the Department of Parks yesterday is to extend the closure of Maya Bay for another two years to allow its ecology to fully recover,” he said.

After it is re-opened, measures such as limiting the number of daily visitors and banning boats from parking within the bay’s waters will be enacted, Thon said.

Before Maya Bay’s closure, up to 5,000 tourists visited daily, causing trees and smaller vegetation to

be uprooted, creeping soil erosion, and severe damage to the corals in the bay.

A majority of the visitors were ferried there from tourist hotspot Krabi province by local longtail boatmen or tour operators who touted the movie-famous bay as a key attraction for day trips.

“Maya Bay is the heart of our tourism,” said Wattana Rerngsamut, chairman of Krabi Provincial Tourism Association which represents some 200 tourism and hotel operators.

Calling the two-year extension “unfair”, Wattana said the Department of National Parks should conduct public hearings so they can find “common ground... so that local people can earn a living”.

Chinese visitors, making up a quarter of Thailand’s tourists, have “plunged 50 percent (in Krabi)”, he added.

Thailand experienced a threemonth slowdown in tourism last year, most noticeably since July when a ferry sank and killed 47 Chinese visitors off nearby Phuket.

Since the tragedy, the government has rolled out inducements aimed at regaining trust and making travel easier -- including exempting Chinese visitors from paying a visaon-arrival fee.

Less than a year after its closure, blacktip reef sharks have been sighted swimming in Maya Bay, with conservationists saying their return signals signs of a recovery to the ecology. (afp)

PUTRAJAYA - Malaysia’s government faced criticism Thursday for failing to repeal repressive laws and backtracking on promises to improve human rights a year after sweeping to power with a reformist agenda.

A ramshackle coalition headed by veteran politician Mahathir Mohamad stormed to a shock election victory on May 9 last year, toppling a corruption-plagued regime that had led the country since independence from Britain in 1957.

The Pact of Hope alliance had pledged to do away with repressive laws, such as the colonialera sedition act which critics say is used to target political dissent, and legislation that allowed for indefinite detention without trial.

But the laws are still in place, and authorities have also backed away from a post-election pledge to abolish the death penalty.

In addition, the government did a U-turn on a plan to join the

International Criminal Court after protests from opposition politicians and a powerful Islamic ruler.

“The government should recognise that further delays in ending abusive systems and laws will only mean further harm for the Malaysian people,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

“Prime Minister Mahathir has put his finger up to check prevailing political winds rather than standing up for human rights principles,” he added.

Mahathir -- who was criticised for being authoritarian during a first stint in office from 1981-2003 -- defended the failure to move faster, suggesting rights reforms did not enjoy broad support in the country.

“This is a democratic country, when people have different ideas, we have to respect their ideas,” the 93-year-old told a press conference.

“It is also their human rights to be opposed to things that they do not like.”

The government’s popularity has been steadily declining since the initial euphoria of the election victory, which toppled prime minister Najib Razak, who was accused of looting state fund 1MDB. Critics say authorities have not acted quickly to improve living standards and they have lost a string of local elections, while a leading pollster showed Mahathir’s approval rating dropped to 46 percent in March from 71 percent in August. (afp)

Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

In this file photo taken on April 09, 2018 tourists get off a speedboat onto Maya Bay, on the southern Thai island of Koh Phi Phi.

12

International

Friday, May 10, 2019

Bali News

International

BUSINESS

Friday, May 10, 2019

5

Owner of ‘Sugar Daddy’ site fined in Belgium An entrepreneur and his firm on Wednesday were fined more than 250,000 euros in Belgium for promoting prostitution through a “Sugar Daddy” dating website for rich men and young women.

The Brussels court also gave Sigurd Vedal, a 57-year-old Norwegian investor and self-described “relationship expert”, a six-month suspended jail term for his site RichMeetBeautiful.com.

The court in the Belgian capital fined Vedal 24,000 euros ($27,000) and his company 240,000 euros ($269,000). In 2017, as students returned to the Free University of Brussels after their summer break, they were greeted by a truck carrying a mobile advertising hoarding.

The poster showed a woman’s bosom barely covered by a bra and the slogan: “Hey female students, improve your lifestyle, go out with a Sugar Daddy.”

The truck was seized after the university complained to the police. Vedal was later arrested and charged with “incitement to debauchery and prostitution”.

Laurent Kennes, lawyer for the Free University of Brussels, welcomed the sentence. “The site’s temporary closure becomes definitive in Belgium,” Kennes told AFP. “The decision on whether to appeal belongs to my client,” Vedal’s lawyer Eric Cusas said without elaborating.

During his trial last month, Vedal insisted that he simply wanted to encourage customers to seek dates that were “out of the ordinary”.

But the state prosecutor denounced this argument as “hypocritical” and told the court: “Even if weasel words were used, everyone knew what it was about.

“There are half-dressed women on the site, there are no photos of couples in a restaurant,” she said.

“Students are reduced to sex objects that must undress for money.”

Vedal is also under investigation in France, accused of “aggravated pimping” after publicising a version of his site on a Paris campus. (afp)

AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris

Greek Former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, center, and his wife Danae Stratou second left, hold a banner which reads on Greek Disobedience, as they take part in a rally with other protesters in central Athens, on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Greek prime minister promises bailout relief before polls

ATHENS - Greece’s left-wing prime minister on Tuesday promised crisisweary voters a series of tax-relief measures before upcoming elections, after outperforming budget targets set by bailout creditors.

Alexis Tsipras said sales-tax reductions for household energy bills and for food and catering would take effect later this month, while additional relief measures would be introduced at the start of 2020, easing some of the steep taxes imposed during three successive international bailouts.

Tsipras is trailing opposition conservatives in opinion polls — by double digits in some surveys — before local government and European elections later this month and a national election that must be held by early October.

“With immediate effect, we are taking

action to relieve those who have shouldered the burden of the crisis,” he told a news conference. Greece’s budget performance in 2018 was better than expected, with a primary budget surplus, excluding debt servicing costs, of 4.4%, while creditors demanded a 3.5% surplus.

The economy is expected to grow by 2.2% this year with unemployment easily slightly, according to an updated forecast announced Tuesday by the European Commission. But more than a third of Greeks still live in poverty or at risk of poverty and average wages have continued to drop after the bailout ended last

August.

Representatives of European creditor institutions are currently in Athens to check if the government is abiding by commitments to modernize the economy and public administration allowing it to repay bailout loans that make up the bulk of its massive national debt of around 180% of gross domestic product.

Tsipras announced the measures after two successful bond auctions earlier this year and a decision last week by the eurozone rescue fund to grant Greece debt relief measures worth nearly 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion).

He faces a vote of confidence in parliament expected this Friday following a spat with the main opposition party over remarks made by his deputy health minister. The vote is unlikely to topple his government. (ap)

Sunrise at Grembeng Culali, Have You Been There?

Only few people know if on the Culali route of Kintamani all this time having been the traffic lane of sand-transporting trucks keeps a magnificent place to enjoy the beauty of sunrise. It is named the Grembeng Culali or Culali Valley. At the location, visitors can enjoy the charm of sunrise against the backdrop of mountains and lake.

To reach the location is not too difficult. From the four-way intersection of Batur village, visitors just need to go down to the Culali line. Less than half a kilometer away, there is signboard saying ‘Grembeng Culali.’ It is not far from a restaurant and Batur Mountain View Inn. Several spots have been provided in the Grembeng Culali to enjoy the beauty of the

Batur caldera. In addition, there are bamboo platforms, bamboo boats and several gazebos.

The owner of Grembeng Culali, I Ketut Suantika, said it is presented to tourists wishing to enjoy nature tourism. From Grembeng Culali which has an area of ??about 0.40 hectare, visitors can enjoy alluring panoramic view of the Batur cal-

dera, such as mountains, lake and stretches of black stone (black lava) around the Mount Batur from the morning until the afternoon.

In the morning, visitors coming to the location can enjoy the charm of sunrise with the background of three mountains at once namely Mount Batur, Mount Abang and Mount Agung as well as Lake Batur.

The landscape becomes more attractive because of the expanse of clouds covering the caldera. “The no less interesting is the view of the black lava which is very beautiful in the afternoon,” he explained.

He said that since it was opened a few months ago, Grembeng Culali had quite a lot of visitors. Averagely, there are approximately 2 to 20 people per day. To be able to enjoy the beauty of the natural panorama of Grembeng Culali, visitors are only charged an entrance fee of IDR 10,000 per person.

“Most of the visitors are local people.

Visitors are usually busy during holidays, such as Galungan, Kuningan, and other holidays,” he said.

This man who is also Chief of Subak Culali said that tourism potential at Culali is actually quite large. If arranged and managed properly, it is not inferior to other places. “Just like a beautiful girl, it hasn’t been touched by makeup yet,” he added. To draw more tourist visits, Suantika admitted to continuously develop the Grembeng Culali by adding several facilities such as swings and gazebos. (kmb)

Tourism Players Support Legalization of Balinese Arrack Tourism players support the efforts of the Bali provincial government to legalize the making and distribution of Balinese arrack.

Moreover, the raw material making of this arrack can be a bartender attraction that always becomes an attraction for tourists. This was revealed by Chairperson of the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Denpasar Chapter, Ida Bagus Gede Sidharta Putra, at the X9 Factor Bartender Challenge 2019 on Saturday (Apr. 20).

He affirmed that his party agrees if the Balinese arrack is legalized because this traditional beverage is considered to be second class. Ba-

linese arrack needs to be featured because this traditional beverage involves business players of the MSME scale or local market. So, if this traditional beverage is featured it will certainly have an impact on the people’s economy.

Producers of Balinese arrack are spread in several regions and they are very skilled because the distillation is still carried out traditionally.

It needs to be legalized because there is still mixing with other ingredients. “On that account, it is necessary to look for the appropriate arrack formula, and there should be no mixture with methanol,” he advised.

Besides, the opportunity for Balinese arrack to enter tourism industry is also widely open considering that getting 300 percent of imported beverages is very expensive. Balinese arrack can be combined so that it becomes a substitute beverage. “Through professional circles, Balinese arrack can be taken advantage as a mixture of beverages. Moreover, overseas there is sake, why can’t Bali introduce this arrack?” he asked.

Regarding the rules and avoiding misuse, this problem can be regulated by circulation and age so that negative impacts can be avoided. Balinese arrack can also be

packaged as an attraction, namely bartender attractions by using raw arrack. One of them is bartender attractions at Sanur where this activity has great potential to attract domestic and foreign tourists to this tourist area in Denpasar.

Sidharta Putra added that in tourism there is a concept known as 3A namely accessibility or access, amenities (carrying capacity) and attractions. “Bartender Competition is included in the attraction.

Apart from providing space for the world of tourism to be more creative, attraction also provides added value for Sanur,” he said. (kmb)

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International

RLD

Europe rejects Iran ‘ultimatum’ but stands by nuke deal “We must not get jumpy or fall into escalation,” Macron said.

EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini and France, Germany and Britain -- the three European signatories to the deal -- voiced “great concern” at President Hassan Rouhani’s dramatic intervention.

“We strongly urge Iran to continue to implement its commitments under the JCPOA in full as it has done until now and to refrain from any escalatory steps,” they said in a joint statement, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

“We reject any ultimatums and we will assess Iran’s compliance on the basis of Iran’s performance regarding its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA.” Macron warned that leaving the deal would “unstitch what we have achieved”.

“That’s why France is staying in,

and will stay in and I profoundly hope Iran will stay in,” Macron said as he arrived for the summit.

The EU statement stressed the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) role in monitoring Iran’s compliance with the deal -- suggesting no concrete action is likely until the inspectors’ next report at the end of May. But there are tensions within the EU, with some countries under domestic pressure to take a tougher line on Tehran, particularly after Iranian intelligence was accused over assassination plots in France, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Europe and Washington have been at loggerheads over how to deal with the Islamic republic since Trump took office. In recent days, the US deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf -- raising military tensions alongside the diplomatic discord. (afp)

HO / Iranian Presidency / AFP

In this file photo made available on April 09, 2019 by the Iranian presidential office, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (2nd L) listens to head of Iran’s nuclear technology organisation Ali Akbar Salehi (R) during the “nuclear technology day” in Tehran.

Boeing...

From page 1

SilkAir, the regional arm of Singapore Airlines, withdrew its six Max 8 jets from service on March 12, and its parent carrier has reassessed its capacity and fleet, opting to have Scoot grow more slowly, said Brendan Sobie of aviation consultancy CAPA.

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg recently said the company was nearly finished an update to the Max that “will make the airplane even safer.”

But given the concerns that deepened with the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Max 8 on March 10, it’s unclear when the update will be deployed and how long it will take for aviation regulators and airlines to

decide it’s safe for the aircraft to resume operations.

That’s a hardship for carriers, especially during the peak summer travel season.

“Airlines don’t know exactly when the Max will be back in service. This makes it a little difficult to plan, even though there is some flexibility within their fleets,” Sobie said. (ap)

Friday, May 10, 2019

11

Batik makes strong presence at UN Security Council open debate

SIBIU - European powers on Thursday rejected “ultimatums” from Tehran but vowed to fight to save the Iran nuclear deal, as tensions with the US soar.

Iran said it would defy some restrictions agreed under the 2015 accord and threatened to go further if Europe, China and Russia fail to deliver sanctions relief within 60 days.

Tehran says it is responding to unilateral US sanctions imposed after President Donald Trump ripped up what he called a “horrible” deal, dealing a severe blow to the Iranian economy.

Europe has stressed the importance of the deal -- in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear ambitions in return for sanctions relief -- for its own security, and EU president Jean-Claude Juncker said it would be on the agenda at Thursday’s summit in the Romanian town of Sibiu.

French President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm, saying Europe must work to convince Iran to stick with the deal.

International

NEW YORK - The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, Tuesday, turned out to be colorfully memorable, with delegates from across the globe turning up in batik clothing.

MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attends a ceremony to commemorate the participation of Brazil in World War II in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 8, 2019.

Bolsonaro’s decree allows millions of Brazilians to carry guns

RIO DE JANEIRO - Truckers, lawyers and politicians are among millions of Brazilians eligible to carry loaded weapons in public under far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s decree relaxing gun laws that experts say is unconstitutional and will fuel deadly violence.

Pro-gun Bolsonaro, whose tough-on-crime rhetoric helped get him elected last year, signed the controversial order on Tuesday, but the full text was only released Wednesday showing a wide range of professions, including hunters, farmers and even certain journalists, are now allowed to carry their guns on the street or at work.

The ex-army captain defended the move as honoring the result of a 2005 referendum in which nearly 64 percent of Brazilians rejected a law that included, among other things, a total ban on the sale of arms.

But experts warned the loosening of restrictions would fuel gun violence in a country which already has one of the highest homicide rates in the world.

Brazil recorded 64,000 murders in 2017 -- a rate of almost 31 per 100,000 inhabitants, or three times higher than the level the United Nations classifies as endemic violence.

“We can expect an increase in this death toll,” said Ivan Marques, executive director of the Sou de Paz

Institute, which campaigns against violence.

“We calculate that more than 20 million people are now allowed to carry weapons around. It’s the worst thing that could happen to Brazil right now.”

The decree also allows licensed gun owners to buy up to 5,000 rounds of ammunition a year, depending on the type of weapon, compared with the current limit of 50.

“Brazilians will be allowed to own up to four firearms without requiring formal clearance from the federal police,” said Robert Muggah, research director at the Igarape Institute think tank in Rio de Janeiro That would be 20,000 rounds per person, he added.

And the decree makes it easier to import weapons and ammunition -- long demanded by global manufacturers and fans of foreign brands.

This “represents one of the most dramatic shifts in Brazilian firearms policy in decades,” Muggah said.

Various political parties and activist groups are planning to challenge the order in the Supreme Court.

One of their arguments is that the decree is unconstitutional because it creates a new law, rather than modifies an existing one. (afp)

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, as the UNSC president for May 2019, led the meeting.

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was seen wearing woven fabric bearing bright Troso motif.

Batik was the evident dress code for the UNSC meeting as a mark of respect to Indonesia that holds presidency of the Council in May 2019.

The different batik clothing that the Security Council delegates wore during the Tuesday session were part of their personal collections.

The delegations collected the batik handed out by Indonesian diplomats or when they became chairpersons of delegations at conferences in Indonesia. Some even chose to purchase batik clothing during a visit to Indonesia.

In addition to Guterres, delegates from the United States, Germany, Ivory Coast, France, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and China, appeared in batik clothing at the meeting.

“It is very pleasing to see today’s meeting appearing so vibrant, with most UNSC delegates wearing batik, including the UN secretary general, who has worn Balinese woven cloth,” Marsudi remarked.

The predominant presence of batik at the UNSC meeting is expected to boost the popularity of Indonesia’s traditional clothing that has gained UNESCO’s recognition as the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

The UNSC Open Debate, themed “Investing in Peace,” was held to constantly foster the capacity building of peacekeeping forces in various UN missions worldwide. The meeting is one of Indonesia’s priority agenda during its membership in the UNSC for the 2019-2020 period. (ant)

IBP/ant

Dian Triansyah Djani, Indonesia’s ambassador to the UN, wearing a traditional batik shirt from his country.

Asia-Pacific news agencies wage full-on war against fake news Fake news has turned out to be the next wave of misinformation warfare in the digital era following the election of Donald Trump, who has constantly tweeted about some media deliberately spreading such fabricated information.

Presently, fake news can be observed to be spread to skew elections worldwide, including in Indonesia. The perpetrators of such fake news are believed to be compensated by politicians or their supporters to echo negative messages targeting their opponents and circulate them on social media platforms.

Foreign Affairs Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland lately cautioned that malign foreign actors will possibly attempt to meddle in the Canadian federal election in October.

“We are highly concerned. I think our opinion is that some or the other form of meddling is

quite likely, and we believe malign foreign actors have perhaps already been scheming, plotting, and attempting to disrupt our democracy,” she informed the press.

In January 2019, Channel News Asia (CNA) had brought to light a story of Veles, a small town in Macedonia, Europe, called the world’s fake news capital.

The media also took an interview of Mirko Ceselkoski, an Internet marketing consultant & strategist, claimed to have helped Donald Trump emerge victorious in the US elections. CNA reported that hundreds of fake news are circulated across the globe for profit from Veles.

Ceselkoski and his team should not be the only one. The rampant spread of fake news across the world and its impact on the public has triggered concerns among mainstream medias, including the Organization of Asia Pacific

News Agencies (OANA), one of the biggest news organizations in the world.

Currently, OANA unites 44 news agencies from 35 nations of the Asia-Pacific region, including ANTARA News Agency, accountable for the circulation of two-thirds of the information worldwide.

During the 44th Executive Board Meeting of OANA in Hanoi in April, fake news was the most highlighted issue by concerned members.

OANA President Aslan Aslanov pointed to fake news being a grave issue currently since it significantly impacts news agencies, but OANA member agencies take immense pride in a long-standing history and experience, some almost century-old.

“Hence, as long as news agencies and the principles of journalism exist, the society can feel secure, since despite the widespread

circulation of fake news, we are able to counter it through offering accurate and reliable news,” he stated.

Aslanov believes that OANA news agencies have been able to garner a high level of trust due to the firm and steady adherence to the principles of identification and fact-checking of news prior to being published.

In the meantime, Vietnam News Agency Deputy General Director Le Quoc Minh reiterated the need to revert to the core values of journalism and professionalism to win back the audience’s trust in mainstream news.

Minh stressed that journalists should conduct meticulous verification of information, especially at a time when fake news is being rampantly circulated, improve the quality of their products, drive work ethics, and hone skill sets to adopt new-fangled technologies in

the work process.

He shed light on stories of how fake news have spread like wildfire among Vietnamese in line with the rising popularity of social media.

In June 2016, several newspapers and news websites ran a story of a eleven-year-old boy in Gia Lai Province, Vietnam, who had committed suicide since he did not have a new T-shirt to wear for the school year.

No such incident had, in fact, taken place, but the extensive coverage on mainstream media triggered an uproar over the discrimination faced by ethnic children.

Minh cited several other instances of fake news being concocted and circulated in recent years, including the Ebola virus detected in Bach Mai hospital, Hanoi, a gruesome killing in Nam Dinh Northern Province, and a dam collapsing in Nui Coc Lake, thereby triggering confusion and panic among the people. (ant)

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Destination

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

Hamilton seeks hat-trick as Ferrari aim for revival

BARCELONA - Lewis Hamilton will seek to complete a hat-trick of Catalan triumphs and regain the lead in this year’s drivers’ world championship as Formula One returns home to this year’s first European race at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Sukawati Art Market

GIANYAR - Sukawati Art Market, referred to locally as ‘Pasar Seni Sukawati’, is Bali’s most distinguished and long-standing art market. It is where visitors can seek and purchase distinctively Balinese art items such as paintings and sculpted wooden figures, curios, handicrafts and traditional handmade products. The two-storey Sukawati Art Market was established in the 80s and is located on the Jalan Raya Sukawati main road in Gianyar, approximately 20km northeast from the main tourism hubs of Kuta and Denpasar. The art market’s main building is often packed with shopping holidaymakers and locals sourcing household and daily necessities. It is an alternative, inexpensive and complete shopping destination conveniently situated along most tour itineraries to the central and northern regions of the island.

Items that visitors encounter at Sukawati Art Market range from framed paintings, figurines, traditional woven textiles, traditional kites, handmade bags, women’s

accessories, shirts, sarongs, to Balinese ceremonial items and daily local household items – all at reasonable ‘bargain’ prices. This art market is normally included on tour itineraries to Bali’s central region, usually after watching the Barong and Kris dance performances in the village of Batubulan, which is located approximately 4km southwest from Sukawati. The village of Sukawati forms up the four main shopping itineraries that Gianyar

is best known for; the other three are Celuk, Mas and Ubud. Prices for Bali holiday cotton shirts for adults and children differ, each depending on motif, weave and overall quality. Most of the fine paintings on sale here are generally imitations of the signature styles of various maestros, such as Blanco, Arie Smit, Bonet and Han Snel.

However there are also some Bali ‘Kamasan-style’ paintings. Some small-scale A4-size paintings,

some framed and some not, make for convenient souvenirs to pack and take home.

At groundlevel, there are many stalls offering clothes, sarongs and fabrics of different sizes, colours and patterns. These can be seen hanging from the ceilings and stacked neatly in various piles.

As turnovers are relatively high, produced motifs are never the same from time to time. Aromatic and aromatherapy items such as san-

dalwood oil-infused fans, incense sticks and colourful jelly candles can be found at the back areas of the art market. Bedcovers in abstract and splashes of colours as well as in creative forms of artistry, depicting birds and wildlife to portraits of famous figures such as Gandhi and Lennon are eye-catching features at the front stalls of the art market.

Here items are stacked, rolled, hanged and displayed fully open.

(IBP/net)

The defending five-time champion is a single point behind his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the embryonic standings, following their unprecedented four successive season-opening one-twos.

But, like his Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff, he is wary of any suggestion that rivals Ferrari are a fading force and knows that the Italian team, armed with an upgraded power unit being introduced two races sooner than planned, will mount a fierce challenge on the track where they shone in pre-season testing.

“The results may seem to paint a clear picture, but the truth is that they’re too flattering,” said Wolff, who rejected the notion put forward by Ferrari’s four-time champion Sebastian Vettel that his team were now the underdogs.

“The performance has fluctuated in the first four races. Our opponents were blisteringly quick in the winter testing here so this Spanish Grand Prix will be anything but easy.”

The pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, where Sunday’s race is to be run, seems a long time ago now as Vettel

Alexander NEMENOV / AFP

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton sits in his car in the pits for the first practice session at the Baku City Circuit in Baku on April 26, 2019, ahead of the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix. and his new team-mate Charles Leclerc struggle to rediscover those dominant displays when it matters.

Predictably, most of the teams will arrive in Spain with an array of updates for their cars that may make it more difficult to predict

performance, but Ferrari appear to have chosen to adopt a downbeat approach in advance.

“Obviously, Mercedes are very strong at the moment so I am pretty sure they will be very strong as well in Barcelona,” said Mattia Binotto, the newly-installed

team boss facing the challenge of ending Mercedes five years’ domination.

“The last four races, on average, we were not quite there,” added Vettel. “So we are not the favourites.”

Binotto added that Ferrari were

pushing hard to catch Mercedes.

“We will have a new power unit that we are introducing ahead of schedule,” he said. “This second specification was due to be taken to Canada and it’s only down to a big team effort that we have been able to do this.” (afp)

Warriors hold off Rockets, Durant suffers right leg injury

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Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California.

LOS ANGELES - Golden State pulled out a 104-99 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday as the Warriors survived the loss of superstar Kevin Durant to grab a 3-2 lead in their second round NBA playoff series.

Draymond Green and Klay Thompson nailed clutch three pointers late in the fourth quarter for the Warriors but the buzz after the game was not about the win but rather the health of Durant.

The Warriors said he had suffered a right calf strain but Durant is expected to undergo an MRI scan to Thursday to determine the full

extent of the damage.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr sounded cautiously optimistic -hoping for the best but also preparing for something worse if it does turn out to be more serious like a ruptured Achilles.

“We are all disappointed for him. Excited about the win but concern for Kevin. He had been on this incredible playoff run. I am proud of the guys and the way they pulled out this win and we will see about Kevin tomorrow,” said Kerr.

Durant’s injury occurred innocently enough after he hit a jumper from the right side with just over two minutes left in the

third quarter.

He took a step forward then grimaced in pain and looked down at his lower right leg.

“He’s done a lot for us. We got to have his back -- that is what tonight was about,” said Warriors Stephen Curry.

Thompson finished with 27 points, Curry 25 and Durant 22 for the Warriors, who continued a run of home wins by the teams in the series.

James Harden was the game’s leading scorer with 31 points for the Rockets, who were outshot by the Warriors from the field 46 percent to 42 percent. (afp)

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Friday, May 10, 2019

Friday, May 10, 2019

Hat-trick ‘superhero’ Lucas leads Tottenham to brink of promised land

Lucas Moura came to Europe dreaming of winning the Champions League but few could imagine the Brazilian’s chance to fulfil his ambition would arrive with Tottenham after he was discarded by Paris Saint-Germain.

Spurs will go to Madrid on June 1 to face Liverpool thanks to Lucas’s second half hat-trick that turned around a 3-0 aggregate deficit against Ajax as the club reached the final for the first time in their history.

“The Champions League final is a dream for me. Since I was a child I dreamed of this moment and now I live this moment,” said an emotional Lucas.

“We need to enjoy it. Look at me -- it’s the best moment in my life, my career.”

Ajax’s wonder kids had wowed the continent with their dazzling talent in eliminating Real Madrid and Juventus and seemed set to add the scalp of a jaded Totten-

ham to that list after 135 minutes of the tie.

In different circumstances Lucas would likely not even have been on the pitch.

Harry Kane watched on from the sidelines due to ankle ligament damage, the latest injury to have ravaged Mauricio Pochettino’s over-worked squad -- Spurs have not signed a single player since Lucas’s arrival in January 2018.

Yet after a season of ups and downs, Spurs will travel to the Spanish capital knowing they could be on the brink of the greatest night in the club’s history.

“Without Harry Kane many people were talking about Son (Heung-min), but today it was

Lucas Moura who scored three goals,” said Pochettino, who broke down in tears after the match in Amsterdam.

“That showed that the team is more important than any name.

When one does not play, another plays.”

Lucas’s former employers PSG would do well to remember that piece of advice as their starstudded approach to try and buy European glory continues to fail.

The world-record signing of Neymar for 222 million euros ($248 million) saw Lucas jettisoned from Paris for a fraction of that fee, yet in the course of 40 minutes in Amsterdam he scored as many Champions League semifinal goals as Neymar has in his career.

“All the credit goes to Lucas because he has made history for the club. He deserves it because

he just has an incredible mentality and I think it’s a nice story of revenge for him,” said Tottenham and France captain Hugo Lloris.

“He showed this evening that if you score a hat-trick in these circumstances you don’t do so just by chance. “He has the quality and the mentality and he can flourish with us, which is all the better for us.”

- Poch transformation -

Pochettino branded Lucas a “superhero” but must also take much of the credit for the transformation of the club over five years and his team over 45 minutes.

When the Argentine arrived in north London in 2014, just qualifying for the Champions League was the target.

Barring a final day collapse in the Premier League, next season will involve a fourth consecutive campaign dining at Europe’s top

table and they could even win it in just over three weeks’ time.

Pochettino’s half-time change to throw on the physical presence of Fernando Llorente up front unsettled Ajax and the visitors’ preyed on that weak spot, with an aerial bombardment.

With 95 minutes come and gone, so seemed Spurs’ hopes, but one last long ball up to the Spaniard was flicked on and found its way to Lucas to launch a dagger into Ajax hearts.

“It was not simply Lucas Moura’s nervelessness when it counted most, and his pace, skill and clinical finishing,” wrote The Times.

“It was Moura’s utter determination to run at Ajax defenders, including the revered captain (Matthijs) De Ligt, that gave Spurs hope.” Hope that has carried the 26-year-old and his team all the way to Madrid. (afp)

Ajax coach proud of players after agonising defeat

Paul ELLIS / AFP

Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (4L), Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (C) and Liverpool’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 7, 2019.

Liverpool rediscovering fear factor, says Van Dijk

Adrian DENNIS / AFP

Tottenham’s Brazilian forward Lucas celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur at the Johan Cruyff Arena, in Amsterdam, on May 8, 2019.

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Virgil van Dijk believes Liverpool are close to rediscovering the fear factor that made the club such a dominant force for nearly two decades as they target European glory.

Between 1973 and 1990 the Reds claimed 11 league titles and a quartet of European Cups, all four won in an eight-season spell.

Liverpool, who will face Tottenham in the Champions League final in Madrid on June 1, were the most feared side on the continent and the benchmark for the rest of Europe.

The Anfield side fell behind domestic and European rivals but Tuesday’s remarkable 4-3 aggregate win over Barcelona secured back-toback Champions League finals and Van Dijk believes they are starting to re-establish their standing in the game.

“Hopefully. That’s something we work towards,” said the Dutch captain. “I feel that (Manchester) City already have that bit of status because they have been dominating last year so much.

“Hopefully we can keep going and make it very difficult for any team in the world.

“We have a great age group. Between 20 and 27, 28, so hopefully we can do it all together for the next couple of years at least and grow as a team and hopefully get a lot of success.”

With a place in Madrid secured, Liverpool, who last won the Champions League in 2005, still have an outside chance of winning their first domestic title since 1990.

They need to beat Wolves on Sunday and hope City drop points at Brighton to pip their rivals in an extraordinarily tight title race.

“If it happens, it happens. We have no influence on that. They have it in their hands,” added the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year.

“We’re still in this season and still anything is possible. If it doesn’t happen then it’s not the end of the world. We’ve had a fantastic season, both of us. Man City have been outstanding as well.”

Despite the position they are in, Van Dijk insists there is no pressure to win a trophy for validation of what is happening under Jurgen Klopp, who has lost his past six finals.

“Different teams in the world have a real urgency to win the Champions League and if they don’t it’s a real failure to their season,” he said. “I don’t think we should think of it as a failure if we don’t win the Champions League.

“It’s not like we had a terrible season or we failed this season. It’s just the start and hopefully we can try to do this every year.” (afp)

Ajax coach Erik ten Hag expressed pride in his team after seeing their rousing Champions League run come to an end in cruel fashion in their semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

“I’m very proud of this team and that they made it this far. We have had a great run,” Ten Hag said after the Dutch club were beaten on away goals on a dramatic night at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Lucas Moura’s 96th-minute strike to complete his second-half hat-trick made it 3-2 to Spurs on the night and 3-3 on aggregate as the Premier League club progressed to the final against Liverpool.

Ajax had been 2-0 up on the night, and 3-0 ahead in the tie, after first-half goals by captain Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech.

Having eliminated Real Madrid and Juventus in the previous two rounds, they were on the brink of a first Champions League final appearance for the club in 23 years and their players slumped to the turf in despair when Lucas got the winner.

“We tried to shut the game down and we didn’t manage,” admitted

Ten Hag, with Ziyech also hitting the post late on for the home side.

“I told the players it is very hard to find the right words in a moment like this and that football is cruel.

“We have to endure the cruel side tonight but we have to go on.

“The Champions League final is so unique and the players all realise that very well so you need time to get over it, but we have to get back on track on Sunday.”

Ajax have already won the Dutch Cup this season and can still complete a domestic double before their talented squad is inevitably broken up at the end of the campaign.

They are neck and neck with PSV Eindhoven at the top of the Eredivisie heading into the final two matches.

They play Utrecht at home on Sunday, meaning there is little time to wallow in this defeat. “We will have to deal with this and regain composure,” he added.

“We owe it to ourselves and the fans. We have had a great season, we have one prize and this group of players is so resilient. We will be there on the pitch on Sunday.” (afp)

EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP

Ajax’s Dutch coach Erik Ten Hag reacts during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur at the Johan Cruyff Arena, in Amsterdam, on May 8, 2019.

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Friday, May 10, 2019

Hat-trick ‘superhero’ Lucas leads Tottenham to brink of promised land

Lucas Moura came to Europe dreaming of winning the Champions League but few could imagine the Brazilian’s chance to fulfil his ambition would arrive with Tottenham after he was discarded by Paris Saint-Germain.

Spurs will go to Madrid on June 1 to face Liverpool thanks to Lucas’s second half hat-trick that turned around a 3-0 aggregate deficit against Ajax as the club reached the final for the first time in their history.

“The Champions League final is a dream for me. Since I was a child I dreamed of this moment and now I live this moment,” said an emotional Lucas.

“We need to enjoy it. Look at me -- it’s the best moment in my life, my career.”

Ajax’s wonder kids had wowed the continent with their dazzling talent in eliminating Real Madrid and Juventus and seemed set to add the scalp of a jaded Totten-

ham to that list after 135 minutes of the tie.

In different circumstances Lucas would likely not even have been on the pitch.

Harry Kane watched on from the sidelines due to ankle ligament damage, the latest injury to have ravaged Mauricio Pochettino’s over-worked squad -- Spurs have not signed a single player since Lucas’s arrival in January 2018.

Yet after a season of ups and downs, Spurs will travel to the Spanish capital knowing they could be on the brink of the greatest night in the club’s history.

“Without Harry Kane many people were talking about Son (Heung-min), but today it was

Lucas Moura who scored three goals,” said Pochettino, who broke down in tears after the match in Amsterdam.

“That showed that the team is more important than any name.

When one does not play, another plays.”

Lucas’s former employers PSG would do well to remember that piece of advice as their starstudded approach to try and buy European glory continues to fail.

The world-record signing of Neymar for 222 million euros ($248 million) saw Lucas jettisoned from Paris for a fraction of that fee, yet in the course of 40 minutes in Amsterdam he scored as many Champions League semifinal goals as Neymar has in his career.

“All the credit goes to Lucas because he has made history for the club. He deserves it because

he just has an incredible mentality and I think it’s a nice story of revenge for him,” said Tottenham and France captain Hugo Lloris.

“He showed this evening that if you score a hat-trick in these circumstances you don’t do so just by chance. “He has the quality and the mentality and he can flourish with us, which is all the better for us.”

- Poch transformation -

Pochettino branded Lucas a “superhero” but must also take much of the credit for the transformation of the club over five years and his team over 45 minutes.

When the Argentine arrived in north London in 2014, just qualifying for the Champions League was the target.

Barring a final day collapse in the Premier League, next season will involve a fourth consecutive campaign dining at Europe’s top

table and they could even win it in just over three weeks’ time.

Pochettino’s half-time change to throw on the physical presence of Fernando Llorente up front unsettled Ajax and the visitors’ preyed on that weak spot, with an aerial bombardment.

With 95 minutes come and gone, so seemed Spurs’ hopes, but one last long ball up to the Spaniard was flicked on and found its way to Lucas to launch a dagger into Ajax hearts.

“It was not simply Lucas Moura’s nervelessness when it counted most, and his pace, skill and clinical finishing,” wrote The Times.

“It was Moura’s utter determination to run at Ajax defenders, including the revered captain (Matthijs) De Ligt, that gave Spurs hope.” Hope that has carried the 26-year-old and his team all the way to Madrid. (afp)

Ajax coach proud of players after agonising defeat

Paul ELLIS / AFP

Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (4L), Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (C) and Liverpool’s Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions league semi-final second leg football match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 7, 2019.

Liverpool rediscovering fear factor, says Van Dijk

Adrian DENNIS / AFP

Tottenham’s Brazilian forward Lucas celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur at the Johan Cruyff Arena, in Amsterdam, on May 8, 2019.

9

Virgil van Dijk believes Liverpool are close to rediscovering the fear factor that made the club such a dominant force for nearly two decades as they target European glory.

Between 1973 and 1990 the Reds claimed 11 league titles and a quartet of European Cups, all four won in an eight-season spell.

Liverpool, who will face Tottenham in the Champions League final in Madrid on June 1, were the most feared side on the continent and the benchmark for the rest of Europe.

The Anfield side fell behind domestic and European rivals but Tuesday’s remarkable 4-3 aggregate win over Barcelona secured back-toback Champions League finals and Van Dijk believes they are starting to re-establish their standing in the game.

“Hopefully. That’s something we work towards,” said the Dutch captain. “I feel that (Manchester) City already have that bit of status because they have been dominating last year so much.

“Hopefully we can keep going and make it very difficult for any team in the world.

“We have a great age group. Between 20 and 27, 28, so hopefully we can do it all together for the next couple of years at least and grow as a team and hopefully get a lot of success.”

With a place in Madrid secured, Liverpool, who last won the Champions League in 2005, still have an outside chance of winning their first domestic title since 1990.

They need to beat Wolves on Sunday and hope City drop points at Brighton to pip their rivals in an extraordinarily tight title race.

“If it happens, it happens. We have no influence on that. They have it in their hands,” added the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year.

“We’re still in this season and still anything is possible. If it doesn’t happen then it’s not the end of the world. We’ve had a fantastic season, both of us. Man City have been outstanding as well.”

Despite the position they are in, Van Dijk insists there is no pressure to win a trophy for validation of what is happening under Jurgen Klopp, who has lost his past six finals.

“Different teams in the world have a real urgency to win the Champions League and if they don’t it’s a real failure to their season,” he said. “I don’t think we should think of it as a failure if we don’t win the Champions League.

“It’s not like we had a terrible season or we failed this season. It’s just the start and hopefully we can try to do this every year.” (afp)

Ajax coach Erik ten Hag expressed pride in his team after seeing their rousing Champions League run come to an end in cruel fashion in their semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

“I’m very proud of this team and that they made it this far. We have had a great run,” Ten Hag said after the Dutch club were beaten on away goals on a dramatic night at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Lucas Moura’s 96th-minute strike to complete his second-half hat-trick made it 3-2 to Spurs on the night and 3-3 on aggregate as the Premier League club progressed to the final against Liverpool.

Ajax had been 2-0 up on the night, and 3-0 ahead in the tie, after first-half goals by captain Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech.

Having eliminated Real Madrid and Juventus in the previous two rounds, they were on the brink of a first Champions League final appearance for the club in 23 years and their players slumped to the turf in despair when Lucas got the winner.

“We tried to shut the game down and we didn’t manage,” admitted

Ten Hag, with Ziyech also hitting the post late on for the home side.

“I told the players it is very hard to find the right words in a moment like this and that football is cruel.

“We have to endure the cruel side tonight but we have to go on.

“The Champions League final is so unique and the players all realise that very well so you need time to get over it, but we have to get back on track on Sunday.”

Ajax have already won the Dutch Cup this season and can still complete a domestic double before their talented squad is inevitably broken up at the end of the campaign.

They are neck and neck with PSV Eindhoven at the top of the Eredivisie heading into the final two matches.

They play Utrecht at home on Sunday, meaning there is little time to wallow in this defeat. “We will have to deal with this and regain composure,” he added.

“We owe it to ourselves and the fans. We have had a great season, we have one prize and this group of players is so resilient. We will be there on the pitch on Sunday.” (afp)

EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP

Ajax’s Dutch coach Erik Ten Hag reacts during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg football match between Ajax Amsterdam and Tottenham Hotspur at the Johan Cruyff Arena, in Amsterdam, on May 8, 2019.

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Destination

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

Hamilton seeks hat-trick as Ferrari aim for revival

BARCELONA - Lewis Hamilton will seek to complete a hat-trick of Catalan triumphs and regain the lead in this year’s drivers’ world championship as Formula One returns home to this year’s first European race at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Sukawati Art Market

GIANYAR - Sukawati Art Market, referred to locally as ‘Pasar Seni Sukawati’, is Bali’s most distinguished and long-standing art market. It is where visitors can seek and purchase distinctively Balinese art items such as paintings and sculpted wooden figures, curios, handicrafts and traditional handmade products. The two-storey Sukawati Art Market was established in the 80s and is located on the Jalan Raya Sukawati main road in Gianyar, approximately 20km northeast from the main tourism hubs of Kuta and Denpasar. The art market’s main building is often packed with shopping holidaymakers and locals sourcing household and daily necessities. It is an alternative, inexpensive and complete shopping destination conveniently situated along most tour itineraries to the central and northern regions of the island.

Items that visitors encounter at Sukawati Art Market range from framed paintings, figurines, traditional woven textiles, traditional kites, handmade bags, women’s

accessories, shirts, sarongs, to Balinese ceremonial items and daily local household items – all at reasonable ‘bargain’ prices. This art market is normally included on tour itineraries to Bali’s central region, usually after watching the Barong and Kris dance performances in the village of Batubulan, which is located approximately 4km southwest from Sukawati. The village of Sukawati forms up the four main shopping itineraries that Gianyar

is best known for; the other three are Celuk, Mas and Ubud. Prices for Bali holiday cotton shirts for adults and children differ, each depending on motif, weave and overall quality. Most of the fine paintings on sale here are generally imitations of the signature styles of various maestros, such as Blanco, Arie Smit, Bonet and Han Snel.

However there are also some Bali ‘Kamasan-style’ paintings. Some small-scale A4-size paintings,

some framed and some not, make for convenient souvenirs to pack and take home.

At groundlevel, there are many stalls offering clothes, sarongs and fabrics of different sizes, colours and patterns. These can be seen hanging from the ceilings and stacked neatly in various piles.

As turnovers are relatively high, produced motifs are never the same from time to time. Aromatic and aromatherapy items such as san-

dalwood oil-infused fans, incense sticks and colourful jelly candles can be found at the back areas of the art market. Bedcovers in abstract and splashes of colours as well as in creative forms of artistry, depicting birds and wildlife to portraits of famous figures such as Gandhi and Lennon are eye-catching features at the front stalls of the art market.

Here items are stacked, rolled, hanged and displayed fully open.

(IBP/net)

The defending five-time champion is a single point behind his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in the embryonic standings, following their unprecedented four successive season-opening one-twos.

But, like his Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff, he is wary of any suggestion that rivals Ferrari are a fading force and knows that the Italian team, armed with an upgraded power unit being introduced two races sooner than planned, will mount a fierce challenge on the track where they shone in pre-season testing.

“The results may seem to paint a clear picture, but the truth is that they’re too flattering,” said Wolff, who rejected the notion put forward by Ferrari’s four-time champion Sebastian Vettel that his team were now the underdogs.

“The performance has fluctuated in the first four races. Our opponents were blisteringly quick in the winter testing here so this Spanish Grand Prix will be anything but easy.”

The pre-season testing at the Circuit de Catalunya, where Sunday’s race is to be run, seems a long time ago now as Vettel

Alexander NEMENOV / AFP

Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton sits in his car in the pits for the first practice session at the Baku City Circuit in Baku on April 26, 2019, ahead of the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix. and his new team-mate Charles Leclerc struggle to rediscover those dominant displays when it matters.

Predictably, most of the teams will arrive in Spain with an array of updates for their cars that may make it more difficult to predict

performance, but Ferrari appear to have chosen to adopt a downbeat approach in advance.

“Obviously, Mercedes are very strong at the moment so I am pretty sure they will be very strong as well in Barcelona,” said Mattia Binotto, the newly-installed

team boss facing the challenge of ending Mercedes five years’ domination.

“The last four races, on average, we were not quite there,” added Vettel. “So we are not the favourites.”

Binotto added that Ferrari were

pushing hard to catch Mercedes.

“We will have a new power unit that we are introducing ahead of schedule,” he said. “This second specification was due to be taken to Canada and it’s only down to a big team effort that we have been able to do this.” (afp)

Warriors hold off Rockets, Durant suffers right leg injury

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Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Houston Rockets during Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California.

LOS ANGELES - Golden State pulled out a 104-99 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday as the Warriors survived the loss of superstar Kevin Durant to grab a 3-2 lead in their second round NBA playoff series.

Draymond Green and Klay Thompson nailed clutch three pointers late in the fourth quarter for the Warriors but the buzz after the game was not about the win but rather the health of Durant.

The Warriors said he had suffered a right calf strain but Durant is expected to undergo an MRI scan to Thursday to determine the full

extent of the damage.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr sounded cautiously optimistic -hoping for the best but also preparing for something worse if it does turn out to be more serious like a ruptured Achilles.

“We are all disappointed for him. Excited about the win but concern for Kevin. He had been on this incredible playoff run. I am proud of the guys and the way they pulled out this win and we will see about Kevin tomorrow,” said Kerr.

Durant’s injury occurred innocently enough after he hit a jumper from the right side with just over two minutes left in the

third quarter.

He took a step forward then grimaced in pain and looked down at his lower right leg.

“He’s done a lot for us. We got to have his back -- that is what tonight was about,” said Warriors Stephen Curry.

Thompson finished with 27 points, Curry 25 and Durant 22 for the Warriors, who continued a run of home wins by the teams in the series.

James Harden was the game’s leading scorer with 31 points for the Rockets, who were outshot by the Warriors from the field 46 percent to 42 percent. (afp)

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International

RLD

Europe rejects Iran ‘ultimatum’ but stands by nuke deal “We must not get jumpy or fall into escalation,” Macron said.

EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini and France, Germany and Britain -- the three European signatories to the deal -- voiced “great concern” at President Hassan Rouhani’s dramatic intervention.

“We strongly urge Iran to continue to implement its commitments under the JCPOA in full as it has done until now and to refrain from any escalatory steps,” they said in a joint statement, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

“We reject any ultimatums and we will assess Iran’s compliance on the basis of Iran’s performance regarding its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA.” Macron warned that leaving the deal would “unstitch what we have achieved”.

“That’s why France is staying in,

and will stay in and I profoundly hope Iran will stay in,” Macron said as he arrived for the summit.

The EU statement stressed the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) role in monitoring Iran’s compliance with the deal -- suggesting no concrete action is likely until the inspectors’ next report at the end of May. But there are tensions within the EU, with some countries under domestic pressure to take a tougher line on Tehran, particularly after Iranian intelligence was accused over assassination plots in France, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Europe and Washington have been at loggerheads over how to deal with the Islamic republic since Trump took office. In recent days, the US deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf -- raising military tensions alongside the diplomatic discord. (afp)

HO / Iranian Presidency / AFP

In this file photo made available on April 09, 2019 by the Iranian presidential office, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (2nd L) listens to head of Iran’s nuclear technology organisation Ali Akbar Salehi (R) during the “nuclear technology day” in Tehran.

Boeing...

From page 1

SilkAir, the regional arm of Singapore Airlines, withdrew its six Max 8 jets from service on March 12, and its parent carrier has reassessed its capacity and fleet, opting to have Scoot grow more slowly, said Brendan Sobie of aviation consultancy CAPA.

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg recently said the company was nearly finished an update to the Max that “will make the airplane even safer.”

But given the concerns that deepened with the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Max 8 on March 10, it’s unclear when the update will be deployed and how long it will take for aviation regulators and airlines to

decide it’s safe for the aircraft to resume operations.

That’s a hardship for carriers, especially during the peak summer travel season.

“Airlines don’t know exactly when the Max will be back in service. This makes it a little difficult to plan, even though there is some flexibility within their fleets,” Sobie said. (ap)

Friday, May 10, 2019

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Batik makes strong presence at UN Security Council open debate

SIBIU - European powers on Thursday rejected “ultimatums” from Tehran but vowed to fight to save the Iran nuclear deal, as tensions with the US soar.

Iran said it would defy some restrictions agreed under the 2015 accord and threatened to go further if Europe, China and Russia fail to deliver sanctions relief within 60 days.

Tehran says it is responding to unilateral US sanctions imposed after President Donald Trump ripped up what he called a “horrible” deal, dealing a severe blow to the Iranian economy.

Europe has stressed the importance of the deal -- in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear ambitions in return for sanctions relief -- for its own security, and EU president Jean-Claude Juncker said it would be on the agenda at Thursday’s summit in the Romanian town of Sibiu.

French President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm, saying Europe must work to convince Iran to stick with the deal.

International

NEW YORK - The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, Tuesday, turned out to be colorfully memorable, with delegates from across the globe turning up in batik clothing.

MAURO PIMENTEL / AFP

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attends a ceremony to commemorate the participation of Brazil in World War II in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 8, 2019.

Bolsonaro’s decree allows millions of Brazilians to carry guns

RIO DE JANEIRO - Truckers, lawyers and politicians are among millions of Brazilians eligible to carry loaded weapons in public under far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s decree relaxing gun laws that experts say is unconstitutional and will fuel deadly violence.

Pro-gun Bolsonaro, whose tough-on-crime rhetoric helped get him elected last year, signed the controversial order on Tuesday, but the full text was only released Wednesday showing a wide range of professions, including hunters, farmers and even certain journalists, are now allowed to carry their guns on the street or at work.

The ex-army captain defended the move as honoring the result of a 2005 referendum in which nearly 64 percent of Brazilians rejected a law that included, among other things, a total ban on the sale of arms.

But experts warned the loosening of restrictions would fuel gun violence in a country which already has one of the highest homicide rates in the world.

Brazil recorded 64,000 murders in 2017 -- a rate of almost 31 per 100,000 inhabitants, or three times higher than the level the United Nations classifies as endemic violence.

“We can expect an increase in this death toll,” said Ivan Marques, executive director of the Sou de Paz

Institute, which campaigns against violence.

“We calculate that more than 20 million people are now allowed to carry weapons around. It’s the worst thing that could happen to Brazil right now.”

The decree also allows licensed gun owners to buy up to 5,000 rounds of ammunition a year, depending on the type of weapon, compared with the current limit of 50.

“Brazilians will be allowed to own up to four firearms without requiring formal clearance from the federal police,” said Robert Muggah, research director at the Igarape Institute think tank in Rio de Janeiro That would be 20,000 rounds per person, he added.

And the decree makes it easier to import weapons and ammunition -- long demanded by global manufacturers and fans of foreign brands.

This “represents one of the most dramatic shifts in Brazilian firearms policy in decades,” Muggah said.

Various political parties and activist groups are planning to challenge the order in the Supreme Court.

One of their arguments is that the decree is unconstitutional because it creates a new law, rather than modifies an existing one. (afp)

Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, as the UNSC president for May 2019, led the meeting.

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was seen wearing woven fabric bearing bright Troso motif.

Batik was the evident dress code for the UNSC meeting as a mark of respect to Indonesia that holds presidency of the Council in May 2019.

The different batik clothing that the Security Council delegates wore during the Tuesday session were part of their personal collections.

The delegations collected the batik handed out by Indonesian diplomats or when they became chairpersons of delegations at conferences in Indonesia. Some even chose to purchase batik clothing during a visit to Indonesia.

In addition to Guterres, delegates from the United States, Germany, Ivory Coast, France, Peru, the Dominican Republic, and China, appeared in batik clothing at the meeting.

“It is very pleasing to see today’s meeting appearing so vibrant, with most UNSC delegates wearing batik, including the UN secretary general, who has worn Balinese woven cloth,” Marsudi remarked.

The predominant presence of batik at the UNSC meeting is expected to boost the popularity of Indonesia’s traditional clothing that has gained UNESCO’s recognition as the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

The UNSC Open Debate, themed “Investing in Peace,” was held to constantly foster the capacity building of peacekeeping forces in various UN missions worldwide. The meeting is one of Indonesia’s priority agenda during its membership in the UNSC for the 2019-2020 period. (ant)

IBP/ant

Dian Triansyah Djani, Indonesia’s ambassador to the UN, wearing a traditional batik shirt from his country.

Asia-Pacific news agencies wage full-on war against fake news Fake news has turned out to be the next wave of misinformation warfare in the digital era following the election of Donald Trump, who has constantly tweeted about some media deliberately spreading such fabricated information.

Presently, fake news can be observed to be spread to skew elections worldwide, including in Indonesia. The perpetrators of such fake news are believed to be compensated by politicians or their supporters to echo negative messages targeting their opponents and circulate them on social media platforms.

Foreign Affairs Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland lately cautioned that malign foreign actors will possibly attempt to meddle in the Canadian federal election in October.

“We are highly concerned. I think our opinion is that some or the other form of meddling is

quite likely, and we believe malign foreign actors have perhaps already been scheming, plotting, and attempting to disrupt our democracy,” she informed the press.

In January 2019, Channel News Asia (CNA) had brought to light a story of Veles, a small town in Macedonia, Europe, called the world’s fake news capital.

The media also took an interview of Mirko Ceselkoski, an Internet marketing consultant & strategist, claimed to have helped Donald Trump emerge victorious in the US elections. CNA reported that hundreds of fake news are circulated across the globe for profit from Veles.

Ceselkoski and his team should not be the only one. The rampant spread of fake news across the world and its impact on the public has triggered concerns among mainstream medias, including the Organization of Asia Pacific

News Agencies (OANA), one of the biggest news organizations in the world.

Currently, OANA unites 44 news agencies from 35 nations of the Asia-Pacific region, including ANTARA News Agency, accountable for the circulation of two-thirds of the information worldwide.

During the 44th Executive Board Meeting of OANA in Hanoi in April, fake news was the most highlighted issue by concerned members.

OANA President Aslan Aslanov pointed to fake news being a grave issue currently since it significantly impacts news agencies, but OANA member agencies take immense pride in a long-standing history and experience, some almost century-old.

“Hence, as long as news agencies and the principles of journalism exist, the society can feel secure, since despite the widespread

circulation of fake news, we are able to counter it through offering accurate and reliable news,” he stated.

Aslanov believes that OANA news agencies have been able to garner a high level of trust due to the firm and steady adherence to the principles of identification and fact-checking of news prior to being published.

In the meantime, Vietnam News Agency Deputy General Director Le Quoc Minh reiterated the need to revert to the core values of journalism and professionalism to win back the audience’s trust in mainstream news.

Minh stressed that journalists should conduct meticulous verification of information, especially at a time when fake news is being rampantly circulated, improve the quality of their products, drive work ethics, and hone skill sets to adopt new-fangled technologies in

the work process.

He shed light on stories of how fake news have spread like wildfire among Vietnamese in line with the rising popularity of social media.

In June 2016, several newspapers and news websites ran a story of a eleven-year-old boy in Gia Lai Province, Vietnam, who had committed suicide since he did not have a new T-shirt to wear for the school year.

No such incident had, in fact, taken place, but the extensive coverage on mainstream media triggered an uproar over the discrimination faced by ethnic children.

Minh cited several other instances of fake news being concocted and circulated in recent years, including the Ebola virus detected in Bach Mai hospital, Hanoi, a gruesome killing in Nam Dinh Northern Province, and a dam collapsing in Nui Coc Lake, thereby triggering confusion and panic among the people. (ant)

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International

Friday, May 10, 2019

Bali News

International

BUSINESS

Friday, May 10, 2019

5

Owner of ‘Sugar Daddy’ site fined in Belgium An entrepreneur and his firm on Wednesday were fined more than 250,000 euros in Belgium for promoting prostitution through a “Sugar Daddy” dating website for rich men and young women.

The Brussels court also gave Sigurd Vedal, a 57-year-old Norwegian investor and self-described “relationship expert”, a six-month suspended jail term for his site RichMeetBeautiful.com.

The court in the Belgian capital fined Vedal 24,000 euros ($27,000) and his company 240,000 euros ($269,000). In 2017, as students returned to the Free University of Brussels after their summer break, they were greeted by a truck carrying a mobile advertising hoarding.

The poster showed a woman’s bosom barely covered by a bra and the slogan: “Hey female students, improve your lifestyle, go out with a Sugar Daddy.”

The truck was seized after the university complained to the police. Vedal was later arrested and charged with “incitement to debauchery and prostitution”.

Laurent Kennes, lawyer for the Free University of Brussels, welcomed the sentence. “The site’s temporary closure becomes definitive in Belgium,” Kennes told AFP. “The decision on whether to appeal belongs to my client,” Vedal’s lawyer Eric Cusas said without elaborating.

During his trial last month, Vedal insisted that he simply wanted to encourage customers to seek dates that were “out of the ordinary”.

But the state prosecutor denounced this argument as “hypocritical” and told the court: “Even if weasel words were used, everyone knew what it was about.

“There are half-dressed women on the site, there are no photos of couples in a restaurant,” she said.

“Students are reduced to sex objects that must undress for money.”

Vedal is also under investigation in France, accused of “aggravated pimping” after publicising a version of his site on a Paris campus. (afp)

AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris

Greek Former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, center, and his wife Danae Stratou second left, hold a banner which reads on Greek Disobedience, as they take part in a rally with other protesters in central Athens, on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

Greek prime minister promises bailout relief before polls

ATHENS - Greece’s left-wing prime minister on Tuesday promised crisisweary voters a series of tax-relief measures before upcoming elections, after outperforming budget targets set by bailout creditors.

Alexis Tsipras said sales-tax reductions for household energy bills and for food and catering would take effect later this month, while additional relief measures would be introduced at the start of 2020, easing some of the steep taxes imposed during three successive international bailouts.

Tsipras is trailing opposition conservatives in opinion polls — by double digits in some surveys — before local government and European elections later this month and a national election that must be held by early October.

“With immediate effect, we are taking

action to relieve those who have shouldered the burden of the crisis,” he told a news conference. Greece’s budget performance in 2018 was better than expected, with a primary budget surplus, excluding debt servicing costs, of 4.4%, while creditors demanded a 3.5% surplus.

The economy is expected to grow by 2.2% this year with unemployment easily slightly, according to an updated forecast announced Tuesday by the European Commission. But more than a third of Greeks still live in poverty or at risk of poverty and average wages have continued to drop after the bailout ended last

August.

Representatives of European creditor institutions are currently in Athens to check if the government is abiding by commitments to modernize the economy and public administration allowing it to repay bailout loans that make up the bulk of its massive national debt of around 180% of gross domestic product.

Tsipras announced the measures after two successful bond auctions earlier this year and a decision last week by the eurozone rescue fund to grant Greece debt relief measures worth nearly 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion).

He faces a vote of confidence in parliament expected this Friday following a spat with the main opposition party over remarks made by his deputy health minister. The vote is unlikely to topple his government. (ap)

Sunrise at Grembeng Culali, Have You Been There?

Only few people know if on the Culali route of Kintamani all this time having been the traffic lane of sand-transporting trucks keeps a magnificent place to enjoy the beauty of sunrise. It is named the Grembeng Culali or Culali Valley. At the location, visitors can enjoy the charm of sunrise against the backdrop of mountains and lake.

To reach the location is not too difficult. From the four-way intersection of Batur village, visitors just need to go down to the Culali line. Less than half a kilometer away, there is signboard saying ‘Grembeng Culali.’ It is not far from a restaurant and Batur Mountain View Inn. Several spots have been provided in the Grembeng Culali to enjoy the beauty of the

Batur caldera. In addition, there are bamboo platforms, bamboo boats and several gazebos.

The owner of Grembeng Culali, I Ketut Suantika, said it is presented to tourists wishing to enjoy nature tourism. From Grembeng Culali which has an area of ??about 0.40 hectare, visitors can enjoy alluring panoramic view of the Batur cal-

dera, such as mountains, lake and stretches of black stone (black lava) around the Mount Batur from the morning until the afternoon.

In the morning, visitors coming to the location can enjoy the charm of sunrise with the background of three mountains at once namely Mount Batur, Mount Abang and Mount Agung as well as Lake Batur.

The landscape becomes more attractive because of the expanse of clouds covering the caldera. “The no less interesting is the view of the black lava which is very beautiful in the afternoon,” he explained.

He said that since it was opened a few months ago, Grembeng Culali had quite a lot of visitors. Averagely, there are approximately 2 to 20 people per day. To be able to enjoy the beauty of the natural panorama of Grembeng Culali, visitors are only charged an entrance fee of IDR 10,000 per person.

“Most of the visitors are local people.

Visitors are usually busy during holidays, such as Galungan, Kuningan, and other holidays,” he said.

This man who is also Chief of Subak Culali said that tourism potential at Culali is actually quite large. If arranged and managed properly, it is not inferior to other places. “Just like a beautiful girl, it hasn’t been touched by makeup yet,” he added. To draw more tourist visits, Suantika admitted to continuously develop the Grembeng Culali by adding several facilities such as swings and gazebos. (kmb)

Tourism Players Support Legalization of Balinese Arrack Tourism players support the efforts of the Bali provincial government to legalize the making and distribution of Balinese arrack.

Moreover, the raw material making of this arrack can be a bartender attraction that always becomes an attraction for tourists. This was revealed by Chairperson of the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Denpasar Chapter, Ida Bagus Gede Sidharta Putra, at the X9 Factor Bartender Challenge 2019 on Saturday (Apr. 20).

He affirmed that his party agrees if the Balinese arrack is legalized because this traditional beverage is considered to be second class. Ba-

linese arrack needs to be featured because this traditional beverage involves business players of the MSME scale or local market. So, if this traditional beverage is featured it will certainly have an impact on the people’s economy.

Producers of Balinese arrack are spread in several regions and they are very skilled because the distillation is still carried out traditionally.

It needs to be legalized because there is still mixing with other ingredients. “On that account, it is necessary to look for the appropriate arrack formula, and there should be no mixture with methanol,” he advised.

Besides, the opportunity for Balinese arrack to enter tourism industry is also widely open considering that getting 300 percent of imported beverages is very expensive. Balinese arrack can be combined so that it becomes a substitute beverage. “Through professional circles, Balinese arrack can be taken advantage as a mixture of beverages. Moreover, overseas there is sake, why can’t Bali introduce this arrack?” he asked.

Regarding the rules and avoiding misuse, this problem can be regulated by circulation and age so that negative impacts can be avoided. Balinese arrack can also be

packaged as an attraction, namely bartender attractions by using raw arrack. One of them is bartender attractions at Sanur where this activity has great potential to attract domestic and foreign tourists to this tourist area in Denpasar.

Sidharta Putra added that in tourism there is a concept known as 3A namely accessibility or access, amenities (carrying capacity) and attractions. “Bartender Competition is included in the attraction.

Apart from providing space for the world of tourism to be more creative, attraction also provides added value for Sanur,” he said. (kmb)

4

Bali News

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

13

Thai bay made famous in ‘The Beach’ to be shut until 2021

Mohd RASFAN / AFP

IBP/eka

Badung district government will build a delta park in Dalung, North Kuta. The arrangement of the park covering an area of 3,594.20 square meters will be an alternative tourist attraction for the community.

Badung to build Delta Park in Dalung

MANGUPURA - Badung district government will build a delta park in Dalung, North Kuta.

The arrangement of the park covering an area of 3,594.20 square meters will be an alternative tourist attraction for the community.

Head of Badung Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency (PUPR), Ida Bagus Surya Suamba, stated on Wednesday (May 8) the construction of a park adjacent to

the river is an initiative from the community. “We build the delta park whose concept is like a city park. This is a proposal from the community,” he said.

According to him, the construction of the delta park is in single package with the river arrangement next to the park. Road expenditure, irrigation and network projects -

procurement of complementary irrigation planning consultancy - DED drafting of Delta Park Development in Dalung village is now in the tender process at the local LPSE. “In this park, there will be a statue of Goddess Ganges. This statue is also a proposal from the community, so we just do it,” he said.

He said the park located right on the Dalung-Sempidi main road section is estimated to spend a total budget of IDR 13 billion. “Now, design review is still being done.

The planning is only worth IDR 5 billion, but the total will spend IDR 13 billion,” he concluded. (kmb27)

Dozens of breaking advertisements dismantled

IBP/olo

The officers dismantled various billboards because apart from being known to be unlicensed, they are also installed in violating media such as being nailed to trees and taped to electricity poles.

NEGARA - Jembrana Municipal Police cracked down on billboards along the road section of Denpasar-Gilimanuk on Wednesday (May 8). The discipline targeted two sub-districts, namely Pekutatan and Mendoyo and secured dozens of billboards of various kinds such as banners, billboards and flyers.

The officers dismantled various billboards because apart from being known to be unlicensed, they are also installed in violating media such as being nailed to trees and taped to electricity poles. The control operation led by the Com-

munity Service Division Head at the Jembrana Municipal Police, I Kadek Arianta, secured dozens of types of billboards.

Chief of the Jembrana Municipal Police, I Gusti Rai Budi, through the Community Service Division Head stated that the control is carried out routinely for the sake of order. According to Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 5/2011 and Regent Regulation Number 29/2011, dozens of the installed advertisements are declared to violate. On that account, the Municipal Police conducted a demolition by taking down and

securing it to the office. According to Kadek Arianta, the control will be resumed to another subdistrict known to have violated billboards.

Some of the billboards are also damaged and dangerous. In total there are dozens of various types of billboards cracked down on like in Pekutatan there are 3 billboards, 43 banners and 3 flyers. Meanwhile, in Mendoyo subdistrict the officers secured 6 banners and 9 flyers. “Most of them are installed in improper locations and violate the Regional Regulation,” explained Arianta. (kmb26)

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during a press conference in Putrajaya on May 9, 2019.

Malaysia criticised for failures on rights reforms

BANGKOK - The closure of the glittering Thai bay made famous by the movie “The Beach” has been extended for another two years to allow a full recovery of its corals and wildlife, an official said Thursday, drawing a sharp rebuke from the tourism industry.

Maya Bay, ringed by cliffs on Ko Phi Phi Ley island and surrounded by azure waters, was made famous when it featured in the 2000 film starring Leonardo Dicaprio.

It was shut last June by Thai authorities due to worries the white-sand paradise was suffering from the pressure of thousands of day-trippers arriving by boat.

Authorities had initially said the beach -- a massive draw for Thailand’s more than 38 million tourists -- was going to be closed for four months, but the re-opening was repeatedly postponed.

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, advisor to the Department of National Parks, told AFP on Thursday the ban on visitors will be extended until mid-2021.

“The resolution of the Department of Parks yesterday is to extend the closure of Maya Bay for another two years to allow its ecology to fully recover,” he said.

After it is re-opened, measures such as limiting the number of daily visitors and banning boats from parking within the bay’s waters will be enacted, Thon said.

Before Maya Bay’s closure, up to 5,000 tourists visited daily, causing trees and smaller vegetation to

be uprooted, creeping soil erosion, and severe damage to the corals in the bay.

A majority of the visitors were ferried there from tourist hotspot Krabi province by local longtail boatmen or tour operators who touted the movie-famous bay as a key attraction for day trips.

“Maya Bay is the heart of our tourism,” said Wattana Rerngsamut, chairman of Krabi Provincial Tourism Association which represents some 200 tourism and hotel operators.

Calling the two-year extension “unfair”, Wattana said the Department of National Parks should conduct public hearings so they can find “common ground... so that local people can earn a living”.

Chinese visitors, making up a quarter of Thailand’s tourists, have “plunged 50 percent (in Krabi)”, he added.

Thailand experienced a threemonth slowdown in tourism last year, most noticeably since July when a ferry sank and killed 47 Chinese visitors off nearby Phuket.

Since the tragedy, the government has rolled out inducements aimed at regaining trust and making travel easier -- including exempting Chinese visitors from paying a visaon-arrival fee.

Less than a year after its closure, blacktip reef sharks have been sighted swimming in Maya Bay, with conservationists saying their return signals signs of a recovery to the ecology. (afp)

PUTRAJAYA - Malaysia’s government faced criticism Thursday for failing to repeal repressive laws and backtracking on promises to improve human rights a year after sweeping to power with a reformist agenda.

A ramshackle coalition headed by veteran politician Mahathir Mohamad stormed to a shock election victory on May 9 last year, toppling a corruption-plagued regime that had led the country since independence from Britain in 1957.

The Pact of Hope alliance had pledged to do away with repressive laws, such as the colonialera sedition act which critics say is used to target political dissent, and legislation that allowed for indefinite detention without trial.

But the laws are still in place, and authorities have also backed away from a post-election pledge to abolish the death penalty.

In addition, the government did a U-turn on a plan to join the

International Criminal Court after protests from opposition politicians and a powerful Islamic ruler.

“The government should recognise that further delays in ending abusive systems and laws will only mean further harm for the Malaysian people,” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch.

“Prime Minister Mahathir has put his finger up to check prevailing political winds rather than standing up for human rights principles,” he added.

Mahathir -- who was criticised for being authoritarian during a first stint in office from 1981-2003 -- defended the failure to move faster, suggesting rights reforms did not enjoy broad support in the country.

“This is a democratic country, when people have different ideas, we have to respect their ideas,” the 93-year-old told a press conference.

“It is also their human rights to be opposed to things that they do not like.”

The government’s popularity has been steadily declining since the initial euphoria of the election victory, which toppled prime minister Najib Razak, who was accused of looting state fund 1MDB. Critics say authorities have not acted quickly to improve living standards and they have lost a string of local elections, while a leading pollster showed Mahathir’s approval rating dropped to 46 percent in March from 71 percent in August. (afp)

Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

In this file photo taken on April 09, 2018 tourists get off a speedboat onto Maya Bay, on the southern Thai island of Koh Phi Phi.

14

Fashion

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

Zendaya is the first to wear her Tommy Hilfiger collection in Paris

John Lamparski/Getty Images/AFP

Lady Gaga attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes on Fashion at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 06, 2019 in New York City.

Bali News

International

PARIS - Not long before her spring/summer 2019 collection for Tommy Hilfiger, entitled “Tommy x Zendaya”, premiered on the runway, Zendaya couldn’t help but give fans a sneak peek of what she had designed by wearing it out on the streets in Paris.

Zendaya has been hitting the autumn/winter 2019 shows at Paris Fashion Week in bold looks aplenty, but channelled the ’70s when it came to wearing her own pieces. She stepped out in a sleek leather trench coat, which has been lately appearing on off-duty models, such as Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Irina Shayk. Zendaya’s version from the Hilfiger collab was a long, brown double-breasted style that hit below the knees.

Underneath, she wore a groovy-printed dress with a high leg slit that was also one of her designs. It was the perfect choice to show off her thigh-high slouch boots, which perfectly matched the leather of her coat.

It’s clear Zendaya has her finger on the pulse of what’s trending: the leather trench is already well on its way to becoming the season’s must-have staple. And styled to the extreme with the other cool ’70s-inspired pieces from her collection? Consider it a runway to real way win. (net)

GIANYAR — Dismantling process of the old building of Sukawati Art Market has begun. Ironically, some debris of the dismantling process bounced down and damaged the facilities belonging to residents nearby. They are three washing machines and buildings belonging to Anak Agung Putra Wijaya, whose house is adjacent to the demolition site.

NEW YORK - Lady Gaga stunned Monday at New York’s Met Gala, embodying the extravaganza’s “camp” theme as she peeled back look after garish look at the fete thrown by the venerable Metropolitan Museum of Art that sees Hollywood and fashion collide. and the Beast.

Rap star Cardi B brought her own red carpet, donning a curvehugging oxblood Thom Browne gown embellished with feathers that radiated out to form a lengthy circular train, a look she capped with a bugle-bead headpiece.

Pop futurist Janelle Monae had jaws dropping with an elaborate black, white and pink number that recalled a cubist painting -- complete with a Cleopatra-style eye covering one breast whose lavishly long eyelashes blinked and a tower of hats that would inspire envy in the Madhatter himself.

- Barbie girl -

The gala kicks off the Met’s annual major fashion exhibition, with seats going for $35,000 a piece.

Attendance is by invitation only, and word has it that Vogue editor extraordinaire Anna Wintour has the final say over each person on the guest list.

Gucci designer Alessandro Michele, British singer Harry Styles

and tennis superstar Serena Williams joined Wintour and Gaga to co-chair the event, which raises money for its Costume Institute.

Country superstar Kacey Musgraves rolled up in a bright pink Barbie corvette and was dressed as the iconic doll to boot, sporting a skin-tight Moschino pink zippered dress, with matching cat-eye sunglasses and a feather boa.

Lupita Nyong’o meanwhile embodied the theme donning a gown topped off with a rainbow-colored plume, matching fluffy fan and gold Afro picks in her Marie Antoinettestyle beehive updo.

A coterie of men also ran with the concept, including actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who wore an all-white suit with an ascot tie and glittering green brooch.

Billy Porter, meanwhile, had his mic-drop moment with a fabulous entrance that saw the performer arrive on a gold litter hoisted by six shirtless men, before he got down to show off his sparkling set of wings. (afp)

3

Demolition debris of Sukawati Art Market disrupts people’s facilities

A-listers slay ‘Camp’ theme of Met Gala, fashion’s biggest night

The 2019 carpet -- pink, for the occasion -- into the Metropolitan Museum of Art, whose yearly bash welcomes over-the-top looks that skew to a theme, was even more of an eye-popping doozy than usual thanks to this year’s concept.

Gold, trains, fringe, fur, blonde wigs and inspirations from drag as well as camp legends Cher and David Bowie were trending on the pink carpet celebrating fashion so bad it’s good.

Superstar Gaga set a high bar, bringing a shape-shifting look sure to spawn a thousand memes.

The pop diva played Russian doll as her entourage unzipped three different looks in hot pink and black, until she sported nothing but glittering black lingerie, fishnets, vertiginous platform boots and wildly long spiky gold false eyelashes.

Singer Katy Perry was literally glowing: the superstar dressed as a candelabra chandelier dripping with crystals, a clear reference to the Lumiere character from Beauty

Friday, May 10, 2019

Dismantling process of the old building of Sukawati Art Market has begun.

IBP/kmb

AA Putra Wijaya who was met on Wednesday (May 8) estimated that the project workers carrying out the demolition would work professionally, taking into account the position of the residents’ houses next to the project. But apparently, his guess was wrong. “I do not expect, I think the workers worked professionally,” he said He also claimed that before the demolition carried out there was no notification to remove his belongings. So, he just left the washing machine in a building right on the border of the market wall with his house. “Notification is indeed already available. But there has been an agreement in advance that if there is adjacent house being a victim due to the demolition, the government and contractor will be ready to compensate,” he explained Now, the damage to the three washing machines made him suffer a loss of IDR 6 million. Besides, the three-meter washing building was also hit by concrete debris.

Moreover, water pipe connecting to his house has a leak due to the concrete throw. “This water pipe is also exposed to throw of the debris, so that it is hard to look for water for bathing and washing. Similarly, we cannot take a rest because the heavy equipment used is impacted like an earthquake. They start work-

ing from 8:00 to 16:00, after that there is no vibration,” he said.

AA Putra Wijaya also hoped the contractor can be responsible for their negligence at work. Considering there has been a previous agreement where if there are residents becoming victims, compensation will be given. “Just now, representative of the contractor party already came here and it said it will be compensated. However, they said they would coordinate first with the headman,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Head of Sukawati Art Market, Anak Agung Raka, said the residents whose homes are affected by the demolition will certainly receive compensation.

However, the process will be carried out by the Asset Division of the district government. “Later on, since it is proposed by residents, the process will be in the Asset Division. It’s not complicated,” he said.

He said that before the demolition was carried out, the relevant parties, including the adjacent residents, already attended a meeting at the office of local subdistrict head.

“At that time, it was agreed that if the chunks struck the residents’ house, whether it is hit by tiles or whatever, it would be replaced.

Adjacent residents have already known it. It was also based on the proposal of adjacent residents,” he said. (kmb35)

Police remain to guard ballot box GIANYAR — Police have secured almost the entire campaign process, so that it could have run in an orderly and smooth manner.

However, it has not ended there, now police are still safeguarding the ballot box stored entirely in the warehouse of Electoral Commission (KPU) Gianyar, namely at the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium.

Chief of Gianyar Police, Priyanto Priyo Hutomo, when asked for his confirmation some time ago justified that police are still guarding the ballot boxes kept in the warehouse of Electoral Commission. This is done in anticipation of a lawsuit by election participants to the Constitutional Court. “In anticipation, we will remain to keep

the ballot box in the warehouse of the Gianyar Electoral Commission at the I Wayan Dipta Stadium,” he said.

He said that the security process will continue until the final election process, namely at the inauguration of the election winning candidates.

Before the inauguration, police will continue to conduct security for 24 hours. “It is ascertained that we will keep guarding. We have built tent of National Police at two points namely in the north and south. Then, we will guard it for 24 hours,” he said.

Now, this officer hoped the supporters to wait for the final calculation of the central Electoral Commission until the simultaneous

announcement on May 22. “Please be patient until it is officially announced to make it clear. Otherwise, please wait a minute and there is no need for a victory party,” he said.

Chief Priyanto also expressed his appreciation to the people who have used their election rights.

He reminded there should be no excessive action when receiving the results of the calculations carried out by the Electoral Commission. “Please continue to increase cooperation and follow the requirements. If there is dissatisfaction, please report to the Electoral Supervisory Committee or Constitutional Court,” he affirmed. (kmb35)

Chief of Gianyar Police, Priyanto Priyo Hutomo

IBP/kmb35

2

Bali News

Friday, May 10, 2019

International

Activities

International

Friday, May 10, 2019

Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center

15

Ready to host celebration of holy month of Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr

IBP/Bagiarta

The police officers are asking the tourists visiting Devil Tear Cliff in Nusa Penida to be more careful.

Due to often claiming fatalities

Tour guides asked not to leave their guests

SEMARAPURA - Devil’s Tears Cliff at Kawan hamlet, Lembongan, Nusa Penida, has claimed many casualties. Some survived with injuries after being hit by the waves, while others immediately fell and lost after being dragged by sea currents.

Even though the warning signs have been posted around the location, tourist activities in that place remain crowded.

Head of the Klungkung Tourism Office, Nengah Sukasta, stated on Wednesday (May 8) that to respond to the number of similar incidents, since the beginning his office had anticipated by the installation of warning sign. In addition, his office also claimed to have spoken directly to tourist guides, so as to explain that the area around the cliff extending to the sea is dangerous because big waves can crash suddenly. However,

tourists insist on coming to that location. More seriously, they come without being accompanied by their tourist guide.

“We used to gather the tourist guides. At that time, we confirmed that if the guests go to Dream Beach (next to Devil’s Tears), please be accompanied them. So, after returning from that location, the guests going to the Devil’s Tears cliff can be prevented by guides,” said Sukasta.

Such frequent incidents are admitted to have been highlighted by many parties. Moreover, several private institutions plan to help install fences near the cliffs. However, until now nothing has been made.

Klungkung Tourism Office specifically went to the Tanah Lot tourist attraction in Tabanan to find the suitable type of fence to be installed. There, he got an illustration that appropriate fence is wooden one connected with a rope. When using an iron type, it will corrode quickly, due to exposure to seawater.

“We have prepared a budget of IDR 60 million to install the fence this year,” he said.

The fence will be installed near

the cliff as the boundary of safe areas and dangerous areas. Such a budget is estimated to only be able to hold around 50 meters. Clearly, it is not enough, seeing the cliff spreads about 500 meters long. However, Sukasta stressed it would be done in stages.

On the other hand, Spokesman of Klungkung Police, I Putu Gede Ardana, stated on Wednesday (May 8) that the search process for the Indian citizen Kausal Aditya, 24, who disappeared in the current is still carried out in the surrounding waters. The search involved the National SAR Agency, Klungkung Police, Nusa Penida Police, SAR of Bali

Police and Indonesian Military.

However, until Wednesday afternoon, the victim from India had not been found.

As reported previously, the ferocious waves around the Batu Belek Cliff or known by tourists as Devil’s Tears returned to claim casualties on Tuesday afternoon (May 7). Kausal Aditya immediately disappeared from the top of the cliff after being struck by the fierce waves rising up the cliff.

Ardana asked tourists and other residents to be more careful when they are in that place. They may not get too close to the edge of the cliff because it can endanger them. (kmb31)

Cathay Pacific’s latest sale has cheap return flights to Bali but be quick If a holiday in Bali has always been on your bucket list then you may want to check out Cathay Pacific ‘s latest sale.

The airline is currently giving holidaymakers the opportunity to snap up temptingly cheap flights to the Indonesian island, with return fares from £499pp in its Economy Class.

The flight deals are already avail-

able on the Cathay Pacific website and will be on offer until Friday 31st May, when the sale ends.

There’s quite a generous travel window to choose from too, with deals valid on flights until the 6th December 2019.

However they are subject to availability, so if you do find flights that are ideal for your budget and travel dates then it may be worth

getting in early.

Never been to Bali before?

Check out our guide on the best things to see and do , as well as the beautiful beaches not to miss while you’re there.

Cathay Pacific has plenty more destinations on offer as part of its Spring Sale including Economy Class returns from £469pp to Hong Kong or from £509pp to Phuket .

There are also deals to be found on eight destinations across Australia and New Zealand from £689pp , with discounts on flights to hotspots such as Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland.

Like Bali, the sale is valid for travel dates until December 2019, offering up heaps of opportunity for both last minute getaways and winter sun holidays outside of the

school holiday dates.

Oh, and for those who do want to splurge, there are also deals to be found on Business Class return fares from £2,289pp.

Don’t be disheartened if you can’t quite find the right deal for you - check out our Holiday Deals page with all the latest sales, flash offers and deals worth being on your radar for 2019/2020.

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

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

ASTON Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center welcomes the coming of the holy month of Ramadan 1440 H with the theme Marhaban Ya Ramadan.

Experienced executive chef and his professional team have prepared a variety of favorite menus during Ramadan that can be used as recommendations on your breaking the fast menu. A variety of menu choices such as dates, longan tofu ice, Semarang spring rolls, wonton, bird’s nest ice, young coconut ice, risoles, fried siomay, Shanghai spring rolls, chicken samosa as well as coffee and hot tea along with buffet menu has been prepared.

The price is affordable starting from IDR 100,000 net / guest at Jempiring Restaurant. Comfortable musala (worship place) is also available on the B1 floor during Ramadan.

For guests wishing to strengthen the relationship during the holy month of Ramadan through breaking the fast together, you can also reserve the Break Fast Package consisting of various tajil menus with quite affordable offers starting from IDR 50,000 net / guest. Children will be charged at 50 percent, while for children aged 5 years and under, there is no charge whatsoever, even if they consume tajil menus.

“For guests from outside the Island of Bali and wishing to feel the atmosphere of Ramadan in Denpasar, we also offer packages to stay during Ramadan starting from IDR 548,000 net / room / night including breakfast / sahur and tajil for 2 people, 10-percent discount for food and drinks at Jempiring Restaurant, free Wi-Fi and free access to swimming pool. “This stay promotion is valid on June 4 – 16, 2019,” said Fitri Rima Sari, Assistant to Front Office Manager of Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center.

To celebrate the victory day after fasting for a full month, the hotel located at Jalan Gatot Subroto Barat No. 283 Denpasar also offers Lebaran Package starting from IDR 1,108,000 net for 3 days 2 nights including breakfast for 2 people, minibar, 10-percent discount for food and drinks at Jempiring Restaurant and laundry, free access to the swimming pool and Wi-Fi. For further information and reservations, please contact 0361 - 411999 or via social media on Twitter @AstonDenpasarID, Instagram @AstonDenpasar, and can contact via Facebook at @Aston-Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center, or via email at info@astondenpasar.com.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

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Friday, May 10, 2019

Kim Kardashian to star in US criminal justice reform documentary CALIFORNIA - Kim Kardashian West is set to star in a new documentary focusing on criminal justice reform.

The project has the working title Kim Kardashian: The Justice Project, and comes after the reality star revealed earlier this year that she is studying law.

After speaking about her passion for the subject in an interview with US Vogue, the 38-year-old later issued a statement saying she had decided to “follow a dream” and was working day and night to achieve it.

Oxygen Media, a US TV network known for its true crime programmes, says its new show will capture Kardashian West’s efforts to free prisoners she believes were unfairly sentenced.

On its website, the network says the documentary will give “an exclusive, never before seen look

inside her mission to tackle one of America’s most controversial subjects”.

Last year, Kardashian West lobbied the White House for clemency for Alice Marie Johnson, who served more than two decades of a life sentence without parole for non-violent offences.

President Donald Trump commuted her sentence and signed bipartisan legislation that gives judges more discretion when sentencing some drug offenders and boosts prisoner rehabilitation efforts.

Kardashian West registered with the California State Bar, the official attorney licensing agency, shortly afterwards.

After speaking about her studies earlier this year, she received lots of criticism online from people making fun of her decision. (net)

Friday, May 10, 2019

Avatar 2 will hit screens in 2021

Disney releases Avatar 2 date

IBP/net

LOS ANGELES - Disney has announced that fans will have to wait a little longer for the next Avatar film after pushing it back by a year – while Star Wars fans will be able to enjoy three more instalments from 2022.

IBP/net

Kim Kardashian West is to star in a new documentary about criminal justice reform.

Giving an update to its next film releases following the company’s purchase of Fox, Disney said the long-awaited follow up to Avatar, which is currently the highest grossing film ever, will be released in December 2021 - a year later than originally thought.

It means fans will have waited 12 years since the original film that smashed box office records around the world.

They also revealed that another three instalments of the Avatar franchise will be released all the way through into 2027.

Disney has already given Avatar fans a taste of what’s to come after opening a huge land named Pandora at their Animal Kingdom park in Orlando, inspired by the films.

The company also gave some very early details about the next Star Wars films - which will hit screens in 2022, 2024 and 2026.

No word yet on the content of the new Star Wars movies, or whether they’ll be part of a trilogy or stand-alone stories.

The announcement comes after Disney previously said they would

stop production of Star Wars films after the conclusion of the original Skywalker Saga in December.

There’s also a new Harrison Ford film, Call Of The Wild, coming next year, and a movie version of the show Bob’s Burgers next July.

Other films slated for release

by Disney include a new adaptation of the iconic musical West Side Story, which will be directed

by Steven Spielberg, and a movie about 101 Dalmatians villain Cruella De Vil, called Cruella - both in 2020. (net)

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Thomas A. Higgins / Navy Office of Information / AFP

This image released by the US Navy shows containment and absorbent booms surroundng a Boeing 737 aircraft in the St. Johns River after the aircraft slid off the runway at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida on May 3, 2019. The plane carrying 143 people including crew from Guantanamo Bay in Cuba slammed into shallow water next to a naval air station in Jacksonville after a hard landing that saw the plane bounce and swerve down the runway, passengers said.

No fatalities or critical injuries were reported.

Boeing 737 Max 8 woes crimp Asian airlines’ growth plans

SINGAPORE - Asian airlines are cutting routes, revamping their schedules and leasing extra aircraft to fill gaps left by the grounding of Boeing 737 Max 8s after deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people.

So far, regional carriers have managed to avoid major disruptions, but analysts expect that idling the Max 8s, a fuel-efficient update of Boeing’s popular 737, will crimp growth plans in the near future.

As investigations into the crashes continue, Boeing anticipates a $1 billion increase in costs related to the 737 Max, including fixing software implicated in the disasters, adding pilot training and compensating airlines and families of crash victims. Investigators are examining the role of flight-control software that pushed the planes’ noses down based on faulty sensor readings.

Nearly 400 Max jets were grounded at airlines worldwide in mid-March after the Ethiopia crash.

In Asia, where air passenger traffic is growing the fastest, the groundings are pushing airlines’ costs higher at a time of rising fuel prices, squeezing carriers’ profits.

Chinese airlines had 96 Max 8 jets but have managed to avoid massive cancellations by swapping in other models of aircraft, said Kelvin Lau of Daiwa Capital Markets in Hong Kong.

“However, this may limit their capacity growth for the coming peak season,” he added.

China Southern Airlines, which has 25 Max 8 jets, will likely revise its targeted growth for passenger capacity, he said.

Indonesian carrier Lion Air, whose Flight 610 disappeared into the sea shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, killing 189 people, said Friday in a statement that it was “operating normally by minimizing the impact” from the grounding of its 10 Max 8 jets.

“Lion Air continues to serve routes that have been operated by Boeing 737 MAX 8 by replacing them using other Lion Air fleets,” spokesman Danang Mandala Prihantoro said in a statement.

India’s SpiceJet has said it would lease 22 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft, nine of which are already in service. The carrier said it also will deploy five Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

“The new inductions will not just bring down flight cancellations to nil but also help in SpiceJet’s aggressive international and domestic expansion plans,” chairman and managing director Ajay Singh said in a statement.

Not all carriers, even those without Max 8s, have managed as well.

Budget carrier Scoot, which is owned by Singapore Airlines, announced that it would suspend services between Singapore and four cities, with the first suspension starting from June. The routes were

served by the Airbus A320.

Scoot, which does not have any Max 8 jets, said in a statement that the cuts were “due to a combination of weak demand and a shortage of aircraft resources.”

“The aircraft shortage is arising as SilkAir, due to the grounding of its Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet, will no longer transfer its Boeing 737-800NG aircraft to Scoot in the financial year 2019/2020,” it said.

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