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Wednesday, July 10, 2019

ASAP Rocky appeals detention to Sweden’s Supreme Court

STOCKHOLM - American rapper ASAP Rocky, currently detained in Stockholm suspected of assault, has appealed his detention to Sweden’s Supreme Court, his lawyer said Monday.

On Friday a Swedish district court decided the 30-year-old artist, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, should be kept in custody while prosecutors investigate a June 30 street brawl.

Mayers’ lawyer Henrik Olsson Lilja immediately appealed the decision, but was denied by the court of appeals. He told AFP on Monday that his client had therefore chosen to appeal the decision to Sweden’s Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court will this week decide on whether to look at the case, but it only accepts a fraction of cases submitted, accepting those it thinks will provide guidance for the lower courts in future cases.

The district court agreed to a request from Swedish prosecutor Fredrik Karlsson that Mayers be kept in custody during the investigation, one of his arguments being that he was a flight risk.

Olsson Lilja said he thought the case might interest the Supreme Court since he didn’t think the prosecutor had properly justified why Mayers was a flight risk -- and that this also needed to be weighed against the consequences for his client, who was on a European tour.

“They haven’t tried this issue in this way before,” he added.

The district court’s decision means Mayers can be held in custody for two weeks, while the case is investigated. After that, it would require another hearing to extend his detention.

The rapper has already had to cancel shows in Norway, Poland, Ireland and the UK. (afp)

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Chris Delmas / AFP

In this file photo taken on June 26, 2019 a giant inflatable Spider-Man is displayed on the red carpet for the “Spider-Man: Far From Home” World premiere at the TCL Chinese theatre in Hollywood.

‘Spider-Man’ flies again, leading North America box office

LOS ANGELES - Once again Spider-Man seems to be trapping everything that flies by: “Spider-Man: Far From Home” took in an impressive $93.6 million in North America over the US holiday weekend and has passed the half-billion-dollar mark worldwide, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations estimated Sunday.

Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP

Members of the entourage of US rapper Rakim Mayers, known by his stage name Asap Rocky, leave a courtroom after a hearing in his trial over a street brawl on July 5, 2019 in Stockholm.

e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com. http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

This latest in the Spider-Man franchise, made by Sony and Disney-owned Marvel, set a record six-day total for a Tuesday release of $185.1 million, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Its story line follows on blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame” to focus on how Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) confront a world without Iron Man. Also starring are Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal and J.B. Smoove.

Coming in second in its third week out was Disney/Pixar collaboration “Toy Story 4,” at $34.3 million. The film again features the voices of Tom Hanks as Woody, the eager but empty-holstered cowboy doll, and Tim Allen as space toy Buzz Lightyear.

In third, at $10.8 million, was Universal’s alternate-universe romantic comedy “Yesterday.”

Himesh Patel stars as a struggling musician who, after a mysterious global blackout, is the only per-

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son in the world to remember the Beatles and their music -- and takes full advantage of it.

Patel does his own singing; Danny Boyle, of “Trainspotting” and “Slumdog Millionaire” fame, directs.

Fourth spot went to Warner Bros. horror film “Annabelle Comes Home,” at $9.8 million.

In fifth was Disney’s live-action remake of “Aladdin,” taking in $7.6 million in its seventh week out. (afp)

Juni Kriswanto / AFP

An Indonesian customs officer inspects containers filled with trash originating from Australia, which should have contained only waste paper, but authorities also found hazardous material and household trash, at a port in Surabaya on July 9, 2019. Indonesia said July 9 it would send more than 210 tonnes of garbage back to Australia, as Southeast Asian nations push back against serving as dumping grounds for foreign trash.

Indonesia to send 210 tonnes of waste back to Australia

Indonesia said Tuesday it would send more than 210 tonnes of garbage back to Australia, as Southeast Asian nations push back against serving as dumping grounds for foreign trash.

The eight containers seized in Surabaya city should have contained only waste paper, but authorities also found hazardous material and household trash including plastic bottles and packaging, used diapers, electronic waste and cans, a spokesman for the East Java customs agency told AFP. Following the inspection the Indonesian environment ministry recommended “the items be re-

exported,” the agency said in a separate statement Monday.

“This is done to protect the public and Indonesian environment, especially in East Java, from B3 waste,” it added, referring to hazardous and toxic materials.

Australian company Oceanic Multitrading sent the waste to Indonesia with help from Indonesian firm PT. MDI, authorities said.

China’s decision in 2018 to ban

imports of foreign plastic waste threw global recycling into chaos, leaving developed nations struggling to find places to send their waste.

Huge quantities of rubbish have since been redirected to Southeast Asia, but opposition to handling exported trash is growing in the region.

Indonesia announced last week it was sending back 49 containers full of waste to France and other developed nations.

In May, neighbouring Malaysia announced it was shipping 450

tonnes of imported plastic waste back to its sources, including Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The Philippines, meanwhile, returned about 69 containers of rubbish back to Canada last month, putting an end to a diplomatic row between the two countries.

Global concern over plastic pollution has been spurred by shocking images of waste-clogged rivers in Southeast Asia and accounts of dead sea creatures found with kilos of refuse in their stomachs.

Around 300 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year, according to the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), with much of it ending up in landfills or polluting the seas, in what has become a growing international crisis. (afp) 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

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

International

Activities

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

15

Construction of a sport center in South Kuta

District govt plans to use normalized land in Tanjung Benoa coastal area

MANGUPURA - Badung district government will establish a sport center named Bali Sport Hub in the South Kuta area. According to the plan, partially it will utilize the normalized land in the coastal area west of Tanjung Benoa. At present, the district government is still processing the project permit.

At the opening of the Badung Development Information Week (PIP) on Monday (Jul. 8), Head of the Badung Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) Agency, IB Surya Suamba, explained the regent of Badung had written to the Bali government regarding the coastal arrangement for the development of the international sport tourism. At present, licenses are being processed together with the submission of permits for the construction of the Tanjung Benoa’s west ring road.

Regarding the land preparation plan, Surya Suamba stated there will be normalization and deepening of the plot. Sedimentation results of the normalization will be compacted for the land used for the Bali Sport Hub. Land of the normalization in the coastal area is estimated to be around 50 hectares.

With the land, district government can get more space to realize the sport center. All the buildings in the area are designed to be mutually connected. Various facilities will be provided for the national stadium with the capacity

“Thumbs up”, the theme for 6th Anniversary of b Hotel Bali & Spa of 55,000 people. They consist of indoor stadium with a capacity of 12,000 people, an aquatic stadium with a capacity of 6,000 people, indoor stadium with a capacity of 3,000 people, a water sports center, Sport Hub Badung Museum and Library, a skate park

and theater, shopping centers and restaurants and supported by development of the western ring road infrastructure of Tanjung Benoa.

“The Bali Sport Hub is built to prepare the most complete sports facilities with adequate capacity as well as functioned as destination

and center for organizing international sporting events. This is an effort to increase the competitiveness of Bali and Badung tourism in particular,” he said.

After having the permit, his agency will step forward to the stage of permit implementation,

feasibility study as well as planning and maturation of land. The construction will take place for around two years through government cooperation with business entities (KPBU). This system is the same as a tender, but through the central government. (kmb25)

Ten thousand ecstasies seized in the first semester

DENPASAR - Results of the evaluation on disclosure of drug cases by Directorate of Narcotics of Bali Police and its ranks in the first semester of 2019 reached 469 cases. The most confiscated evidence consisted of 10,304 ecstasies followed by 7,898.76 grams of crystal meth.

“The authority could secure evidence in the form of 3,277. 47 grams of marijuana, 1,016.08 gram of cocaine, 470.63 grams of gorilla tobacco and 77.7 grams of heroin.

There was also cash worth IDR 48,376,000,” said the Development and Operations Head at Directorate of Narcotic Investigation Unit of Bali Police, I Gede Sujana, accompanied by Sub-Division Head of Public Information, IGA Yuli Ratnawati, on Monday (Jul. 8).

Sujana claimed that Bali Police and its ranks are able to reduce the circulation of drugs on this Island of the Gods. Meanwhile, the most disclosures were carried out by Denpasar Police Narcotic Investi-

gation Unit as many as 237 cases, followed by Bali Police Directorate of Narcotic Agency (87 cases) and Badung Police (66 cases). “The least disclosures are of Bangli and Karangasem Police, respectively 5 cases,” he said.

How many foreigners are involved in drugs? According to Sujana, 31 people were arrested during the first semester of this year. They consist of 27 men and 4 women. “Regarding the arrest of the foreigners, the Bali Police make

cooperation with the Ngurah Rai Airport Customs Office,” he said.

In term of profession of the drug abusers, they are civil servant/legislator (1 person), private employees (370 people), self-employees (76 people), farmers (6 people), students (18 people), pupil (9 people) and laborers (15 people).

Meanwhile, the data based on crime scenes, said Sujana, they are 136 cases at boarding houses, public roads (241 cases), hotel/villa/ bungalows (18 cases), karaoke/

cafes (9 cases), restaurants/stalls (36 cases), airports/ports (10 cases) and prisons/offices/campuses (19 cases). “So, the dominant transaction is still carried out by attachment system. It means that drug packages are affixed or placed on an object such as electricity pole,” said Sujana.

According to Sujana, the Bali Police and its ranks will continuously work to suppress drug trafficking on the Island of the Gods. (kmb36)

 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

B Hotel Bali & Spa celebrated its 6th anniversary on 23rd June 2019. During the event, the management held some interesting events for employees. “Thumbs up” became the main theme in this event. “ Thumbs up is not only a theme but also our hope that our service, staff togetherness, business, and the relationships between human, nature and God (Tri Hita Karana) will be better in the future “said Fernando Hutapea, the Hotel Manager of B Hotel Bali.

The event is opened by mangrove planting by the committee and Head of Departments.

Followed by tracking and outing at Buyan Lake and Bedugul Botanical. It was not only refreshing and fun but also to increase the sense of cooperation among employees.

The next event was Tumpeng Celebration that celebrated by hotel staff on June 24, 2019.

It was held in the Hotel lobby so that guests also could celebrate this special day.

June 28, 2019 was the main event and also the closing ceremony of the anniversary b Hotel Bali & Spa. It enlivened by the performances of hidden talent that each department had. The Door prize were also given for those who were lucky. Cutting birthday cake and made wishes together for b Hotel Bali & Spa was the main event at that night B Hotel Bali & SPA was established on 23 June 2013 which is located at Jl. Imam Bonjol No 508, Denpasar. This 4-Star certified Hotel has 233 rooms, equipped with specified facilities such as SPA , Swimming pool, Gym, clinic and 6 Meeting room with capacity up to 350 pax, makes B Hotel Bali & Spa an option for those who want to do Business trips and vacations.

14

Technology

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

Electric scooters: not so eco-friendly after all?

PARIS - E-scooters touted as zero-carbon urban transport are flooding city streets worldwide, but just how green they are remains an open question.

The companies -- from multinationals to local start-ups -- distributing them insist the omnipresent two-wheel vehicles are a boon for the environment and a curb on global warming.

“Bird was founded to help create a cleaner and more hospitable world that prioritises people over cars,” the American firm, one of the global leaders in e-scooters, says on its website.

“Scooters cut the use of vehicles and reduce the volume of traffic on the road,” it said. “They also help reduce pollution and improve air quality.”

Shared scooters that do not require docking ports can be driven door-to-door, avoid stressful searches for parking spaces, and have zero-emission motors.

On paper, they have the potential to radically reduce urban car traffic: 70 percent of car trips between home and work in France, for example, are five kilometres (three miles) or less, according to the French National Institute for Statistics and Economic Research (INSEE).

“Micromobility could theoretically encompass all passenger trips of less than eight kilometres (5 miles), which account for as much as 50 to 60 percent of today’s total passenger miles travelled in China, the European Union, and the United States,” consulting firm McKinsey said in a report.

In the US, riders made nearly 40 million trips on shared scooters last year, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials.

Lime, a major player financed by Uber and Google-parent Alphabet, found that roughly one in every three Lime rides in 26 cities around the world replaces a trip by car.

- No long-term data “From this shift, we estimate that our riders have avoided 15 million miles (24 km) of car travel and prevented 6,220 metric tons of carbon emissions” over a two-year period, the company noted.

But do e-scooters live up to all the hype?

With regard to Lime’s claims, a survey by research group 6t of 4,500 commuters in Paris, Lyon and Marseilles revealed that only 19 percent used scooters to go to work or school -- more than 40 percent of usage was by out-oftown visitors.

Without access to e-scooters, 44 percent of respondents said they would have walked, 12 percent said they would have biked, and 30 percent would have used public transport. Cars barely entered into the picture. “But this doesn’t mean that we should get rid of e-scooters -- absolutely not!”, said Jeremie Almosni, head of mobility at the Ademe, the French government agency for energy efficiency.

“The fact that half of usage is recreational is striking,” he acknowledged. “But at least this favours a more mixed use of transport. It’s definitely a way to get people out-and-about more, and perhaps a way of encouraging them to give up cars.”

There is also a lot of uncertainty as to the lifespan of shared e-scooters, which varies with hardware and intensity of usage.

It’s a key question, because how long they last is a major part of what determines environmental impact.

“As of today, it is impossible to say whether e-scooters are good or bad for the environment because we lack long-term statistics on life cycles,” said Denis Benita, a transportation engineer at Ademe.

One study from Louisville, Kentucky put the average life span at 28 days. Another said it was closer to three months. (afp)

Philippe LOPEZ / AFP

In this file photo taken on June 12, 2019, shows Lime-S electric scooters of US transportation company Lime parked in a street of Paris.

Bali News

International

An IBM technician poses with screens showing IBM’s AI-generated highlights of play on the sixth day of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 6, 2019.

Wimbledon targets Asian fans ‘nirvana’ with lite app Glyn KIRK / AFP

LONDON - Wimbledon has unleashed a new lightweight app to try and hook the growing tennis-loving market in Asia, while AI-generated highlights are getting smarter at spotting the most exciting action.

The official Wimbledon app is packed with heavy graphics but the new, slimmed-down alternative is designed for fans in places with poorer bandwidth and older smartphones -- especially India.

The prestigious tennis tournament reckons it can potentially reach several hundred million people in India who are interested in the championships but can only download data over slow mobile phone networks.

The slimmer app has lightweight scores, results, headlines and the order of play.

“India is one of the largest social media audiences for them globally,” said Sam Seddon, IBM’s client executive for Wimbledon.

“That’s the nirvana fan base.”

Wimbledon is also producing a Chinese scoreboard that can be embedded into websites in a bid to reach a bigger Chinese audience.

- AI learning to improve Every single shot at Wimbledon is logged by US technology giants IBM, with up to 180 staff capturing 4.8 million bits of information.

Their statisticians have been refining their artificial intelligencegenerated video clips.

By monitoring a mixture of crowd noise, match analysis of key moments such as break points and player reactions, an overall excitement factor is produced for each passage of play.

But IBM has detected inadvertent bias in the AI system, which this year it has managed to iron out.

Seddon gave the example of a three-hour epic match on Centre Court.

“The place is full and everyone is screaming and cheering,” he said.

Once it finishes, people step out for a breather.

“It doesn’t matter who comes on next, the crowd noise will be different,” Seddon explained.

“Same court, same high-profile players, same high quality of tennis, but the highlights could be inadvertently treated differently.”

- Statistically capturing excitement The AI system has this year learnt how to recognise ball strikes so clips can automatically be trimmed to when a point starts. Last year, the AI highlights garnered more than 14 million video views.

Despite the buzz generated by 15-year-old qualifier Coco Gauff, Roger Federer’s army of adoring fans, and fiery Nick Kyrgios’s clash with Rafael Nadal, the clips from those matches did not top the overall excitement factor rankings from the first week of the championships.

Statistically, the highest-ranking point, at 0.97 out of 1.00, was China’s Zhang Shuai securing victory over former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, sinking to her knees with a double fist-pump, having come back from 0-4 down in the first set.

- Big screen vote Wimbledon is seeking to bring together as much digital informa-

tion as it can on the 40,000-odd daily visitors to the complex in southwest London, in order to deliver a better fan experience.

Signing in with the official app, ground pass ticket-holders watching the big show court action on the giant screen can vote for which match they want to be shown.

“There’s a value return in providing your data, to help Wimbledon understand more about user interests,” said Seddon.

“It’s been really interesting for them to understand what their fans on Henman Hill want to see.”

Spectators have plumped for the big name players and British favourites that might have been anticipated, but have also voted for some more unexpected choices.

In the future, fans should be able to access more personalised highlights on their smartphones.

- Need for speed Seddon said the fan demand for immediacy in consuming sport was driving changes in the entertainment industry.

“Sport is becoming the cutting edge of the media industry, and AI is a component of the cutting edge,” he explained.

“You can watch your box sets whenever you want. Sport is an in-the-moment experience.

“The challenge for the sports business is: ‘who are my fans, what are they consuming?’

“And if you’ve got the data, how do you structure it to drive insights?

That’s the hard bit.” (afp)

IBP/kmb28

Fail to get new students, three high schools threatened to close SMA Kertha Wisata is threatened to close

TABANAN - The application of zoning in New Student Admission (PPDB) did not seem to necessarily benefit the private schools, especially high school level. In Tabanan district, there are at least three high schools that cannot get new students for the 2019/2020 academic year.

One of them is even threatened to be closed.

The three private high schools that did not get new students this year are the SMA PGRI 6 Bajera, SMA TP 45 Tabanan, while SMA Kertha Wisata is also threatened to close.

Principal of SMA Kertha Wisata, I Gede Wayan Arka, when asked for his confirmation justified that in this year’s academic year, the school no longer received students. Moreover, it does not have the second and third grade students this year.

“Third grade had graduated this year amounting to 12 people, so then we decided not to receive any new students,” he said on Monday (Jul. 8).

The SMA Kertha Wisata, continued Arka, has been operating since 1987 where this school had also experienced its heyday in 2000.

Moreover, at that time the SMA Kertha Wisata got 6 classes. “Our school has been 33 years, and has graduated over 3,000 students,” he said.

Indeed, the number of students lately has begun to decrease. The school condition having minimal students had also been conveyed to the meeting of the foundation.

Unfortunately, there has been no certainty related to whether this

school will continue to be functioned or not. “Everything depends on the foundation, but I don’t know what the decision is. Whether it will be closed or not, I don’t know,” he explained.

Similar conditions also occurred at SMA TP 45 Tabanan high school.

This school is located right across the SMAN 1 Tabanan and is also lacking of students. Principal of SMA TP 45 Tabanan, I Made Purna, stated the number of registrants is not in accordance with the standard or less than 20 people, so this year the school will no longer receive students. “This has something to do with financing. If the number is less than the standard, we do not accept,” explained Arka.

Nevertheless, SMA TP 45 Tabanan still has 8 third grade students.

Arka acknowledged that during the registration process only one parent asked for registration and it is just an enquiry and having no certainty.

“Well, there is only one person asking for information, so that we just gave up,” said Wirka.

Meanwhile, Principal of SMA PGRI 6 Bajera, I Putu Adi Adnyana Negara, explained that according to the foundation’s meeting and

the 2019/2020 academic year, the committee did not accept new students because in 2019 no students registered. “So, according to the decision of the meeting, we do not accept new students this year,” he explained.

He explained that during the period of registration no students registered at all. In case there are registering students but does not comply with minimal number or more than 20 students, they will not be accepted. “If it’s less than that number, it will be useless because it won’t be included in the basic education data,” he said.

In the 2018/2019 academic year, the SMA PGRI 6 Bajera only got six students. They had been suggested to move to a public school. Thus, in 2018 the second grade students were vacant. “Right now, we have the second grade student amounting to 21 people,” he said.

Actually, according to him during the period of 1998-2009 there were quite a lot of students registering so the SMA PGRI 6 Tabanan got two classes of students. Unfortunately, starting from 2010 only a few students were interested to register in SMA 6 PGRI Bajera. (kmb28)

3

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Blanjong, an extraordinary spiritual spot

DENPASAR - When hearing the name of Blanjong, people’s mind will be instantly directed to prostitution localization site. Actually the Blanjong located at Sanur Kauh village, South Denpasar, has a Blanjong inscription denoting a milestone in the existence of the Island of Bali. There is Blanjong Temple posing the first temple in Bali and even before the establishment of Besakih Temple. “The information on the legacy of our cultural heritage has not been known to the public,” said Made Sudiana, a descendant of the Blanjong Temple caretaker, on Sunday (Jul. 7).

The Blanjong inscription and temple will be featured by Sanur Kauh village to attract tourist visit.

“There is a historical milestone of Bali having not yet been known to wider community. When hearing the word ‘Blanjong,’ the connotation of people tends to refer to the location of prostitution even though it has an extraordinary spiritual place,” he said.

Based on the research by several experts, the inscription is dated 813 AD. The study also showed that Blanjong Temple along with Blanjong inscription is the first temple in Bali because it did not apply the concept of Padmasana.

“Instead, the temple applied the concept of worshipping lingam and yoni,” he said. The shrines owned by this temple consist of lingam and yoni, worshipping stone (an ancient sanctum), and pyramidal stone. Similarly, there are many statues such as statue of Ganesha and Nandini.

Although it is located at Intaran village, the temple is even vener-

ated by the customary villagers of Renon, Cerancam, and Lantang Idung, Sukawati.

Today, the existence of inscription and Blanjong Temple has been able to attract tourists to come after the efforts to promote and discover more profound information about the site. Each month, approximately 50 foreign tourists visit the temple.

“Two months ago, there was even an OWHC (Organization of the World Heritage Cities) official from Russia specifically coming to visit the Blanjong inscription as their main agenda for tourism promotion in his home country, Russia,” he said.

The location was also arranged by the Denpasar municipality through the Denpasar Tourism Office. When entering into the temple area and inscriptions, visitors can scan barcodes that explain about the site.

Headman of Sanur Kauh, I Made Ada, explained the location of Blanjong inscriptions is actually open for public visits. “Before I have been a headman, many people did not know this cultural heritage and there is even no signboard of its name,” he said.

People frequently interpret the Blanjong hamlet hall as the Blanjong inscription, whereas they are different. He suspected such interpretation happened due to Blanjong hamlet hall is located adjacent to Blanjong inscription. Currently, there is charge of admission ticket.

Blanjong inscription and Blanjong Temple are two different areas bordered by walls, but they are mutually accessible. (kmb42)

IBP/kmb

Made Sudiana, a descendant of the Blanjong Temple caretaker.

4

Bali News

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

All fast boat operators asked to soon sign MoU

From princes to undertakers, Norway’s motorists go electric

Seven operators have made cooperation with district govt so far

SEMARAPURA - A number of fast boat operators agreed with the local government related to concept of levies charged to guests traveling to Nusa Penida. One by one, they immediately entered into the MoU with the Tourism Office, so the charging of levies can be integrated with boat services at their respective counters. Until Monday (Jul. 8), there were seven fast boat operators having established MoU with the regional government.

Head of the Klungkung Tourism Office, Nengah Sukasta, stated on Monday (Jul. 8) that of the 12 fast boat operators contacted in person

by Regent of Klungkung Nyoman Suwirta, seven of them already agreed to establish a partnership.

They are Nirvana, Marlin, Gangga, Sekarjaya, Nacha, Rocky and Bali Hai. Meanwhile, the other fast boats namely Anecha, PT Rasha, Semaye One, L Ray Yunior and Lembongan Fast Cruise are said to be still studying the contents of the MoU. “We are still waiting for the others to work together. Our team is also continuing to make approaches,” added Sukasta.

Other than the 12 fast boat operators having been contacted directly by the Regent Suwirta, the Tourism Office also pursued the other speed boat operators.

He estimated there are still many other entrepreneurs, especially those running crossing services from Sanur, that have not yet included in the list and need to be approached. According to the data

from the Klungkung Transportation Agency, a total of 44 fast boat companies offering crossing services to Nusa Penida every day.

They are Gangga Express, Sekarjaya, Penida, Semabu Hill, Mola Mola, Idola, Putri Island, Maruti, Sri Rejeki, Prasi Sentana, Angel Billabong Luxury, El Rey Junior, Dwi Manunggal, Gugun Express, Fantasy, Crown, Caspla, Wahana Giri Ocean, Samala, Yamuna, The Angkal, Sari Nusa Explorer, Sea Tech, Crystal Ocean Seven and Segening.

Meanwhile, the others are Blue Star, Semaya One, Sugriwa Express, Rocky Fast Boat, Glory Prime, Scoat, Sanur Express, De Camel, Nacha, Artha Mas, Sri Rejeki, D Star, Sunrise Fast Cruises, Marlin, Lembongan Paradise, Tanis, Dream Beach, Tamarind and Eka Jaya. “In essence, this MoU is intended to facilitate the levy collection process because it can be directly paid at the ticket counter.

There has been no further discussion regarding the percentage of collecting fee,” he said.

Andreas SOLARO / AFP

A general view shows Europe’s one-time biggest asylum seeker and migrants reception centre of Mineo, Sicily, on July 8, 2019 on the eve of its closure. Italy’s Interior Minister and deputy PM Matteo Salvini will attend on July 9 the closure of the Mineo centre.

IBP/kmb

A number of fast boat operators agreed with the local government related to concept of levies charged to guests traveling to Nusa Penida.

His agency temporarily targeted the 12 fast boat operators having been contacted by Regent Suwirta to immediately establish a MoU. In the meantime, the rest will continue to be pursued. On that account, this will reduce the burden of collecting levies at all the counters available.

At present, the Tourism Office is still utilizing six collection counters spreading across the Jungut

Batu village hall, Banjar Nyuh 1 Port, Banjar Nyuh 2 Port, Buyuk Port, Sampalan Port and Tanjung Sanghyang Lembongan Port. “We are going to immediately add eight collection counters. However, we are still waiting for further development in other regions. Meanwhile, these six entry points are the most crowded,” he said.

For information, the regionally generated revenue (PAD) collected

from levies of Recreation and Sports Location up to July 7 2019 has reached IDR 1,958,969,000, from the target of IDR 7 billion.

This achievement is inseparable from the enactment of Regional Regulation Number 5/2018 concerning Amendment to Regional Regulation Number 3/2013 concerning Levies on Recreation and Sports Location in the Nusa Penida sub-district. (kmb31)

Funds of Berawa Festival not yet disbursed, Honorarium of artists and supporting parties unpaid

Berawa Beach Festival held last May.

IBP/kmb

MANGUPURA - After the temporary stop of tourism promotion activities overseas by the Badung district government, other problems emerged related to tourism activities like the implementation of the Berawa Beach Festival held last May. A number of artists and supporters of the activities complained because their honorarium that must be received has no clarity until now.

Certainly this raises a big question considering the funding for the activities came from the Badung district government, namely through Tourism Office, with a total budget of IDR 1.2 billion. Aside from the artist’s honorarium, payment for the competition winners and the production of the works has not been paid as well.

One of the artists asking for anonymity in the newspaper, who

participated in the activity, confirmed such condition. Until now, he claimed to have not received the payment yet.

He hoped the funds from the Tourism Office can be immediately disbursed because the event also involved the local community, so that in the future, the trust of community and organizers will continue.

Regarding the matter, the Brawa Festival Committee Chairman, I Made Dwijantara, delivered a speech to a number of participants. At this time, the funds from the Tourism Office have not been disbursed yet.

He would coordinate again with related agencies so that it could be realized immediately. “We convey the announcement to all participants and will coordinate it further,” he said when contacted on Monday (Jul. 8).

Head of the Badung Tourism Office, I Made Badra, could not be confirmed. Until this news is revealed, his mobile phone was not active.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Badung Tourism Office, AA Yuyun Hanura Enny, when asked for her confirmation justified this condition. She said the budget for the Berawa Festival is under process and the disbursement of funds will be prioritized. “It has not been disbursed yet. The administration has been completed, just waiting for the funds,” he concluded.

She explained the total budget amounts to IDR 1.2 billion. Moreover, for the budget of the Berawa Festival, it will be delivered totally without any deduction. “Berawa Festival will be prioritized. The ones having not yet run are indeed the rationalized,” he said. (kmb23)

13

Europe’s once biggest migrant centre to close in Italy

MINEO - What was once Europe’s biggest migrant reception centre, in Mineo in Sicily, is to officially close on Tuesday in the presence of its biggest critic, far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.

“Promise kept,” Salvini said last week when the centre’s final inhabitants were removed, to be sent to another centre in Calabria.

This reception centre, a former housing complex for the US military that resembles an American suburb, is now guarded by Italian troops who block access under a roasting Sicilian sun.

At its peak in 2014, Mineo housed more than 4,100 people.

Its population then steadily dropped. When anti-migrant Salvini and the populist Five Star Movement came to power in June last year, it housed 2,500.

Since then Salvini, who is also deputy prime minister, has declared war on charity rescue vessels, barring their entry to Italian ports in recent weeks. Thousands of migrants nevertheless continue to arrive by their own means or are rescued by the Italian authorities.

Psychologist Massimiliano Terrasi stood amid the arid countryside outside the centre where he worked since 2011, disappointed at

what he said could have been.

“Hopes were high when the centre first opened and we grew professionally,” he told AFP-TV. “Well managed, it could have been an asset for the area and for people’s mutual understanding,” he lamented, voicing anger at the abrupt end to his years of work, final wages still unpaid.

In the beginning, care and hygiene conditions were decent, he said. But things started to deteriorate when the population went over 3,000.

“If you look at how the centre was in the end, it’s a good thing that it closed. But if you think what it could have been, it’s a pity,” he said.

- Built ‘on numbers’ Local resident Sergio Mastrilli was more critical, as he drank a beer on a Mineo bar terrace.

“When the centre first opened, I immediately thought it wasn’t a good thing,” he said.

“It wasn’t a reception centre built on integration but on numbers.”

Mastrilli, a 25-year-old law student, is a supporter of Luigi di Maio’s anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which is in a ruling coalition with Salvini’s Lega for the last 13 months.

“There were more than 4,000 people from 85 different ethnicities, while Mineo has around 5,000 inhabitants,” he said.

He called for a Europe-wide solution to migration, and suggested “many migrants would like to stay in their own countries”, if they could. The centre’s 400 small yellow and pink houses lie in tidy rows, a reminder of the time when US families from the neighbouring base at Sigonella called it home.

But the US military gave up its lease in 2010, and the arrival of the reception centre and migrants made Sicilians in the area both worried and jealous.

The migrants were notably prepared to work for 10 or 20 euros (11-22 dollars) a day during the orange harvest, angering locals who could not work for so little. (afp)

OSLO - Some want to save the planet even in the afterlife. In Oslo, a funeral home offers the dearly departed a trip to their final resting place in an eye-catching electric hearse, as electric vehicles take over the roads in the Scandinavian country.

“Many people drive an electric car in Norway and some want to leave this planet in a green way,” says undertaker Odd Borgar Jolstad, demonstrating his customised Tesla in the tranquility of the Grefsen cemetery overlooking the capital.

“So this is our little contribution to the environment,” he smiles.

Rich or not, young and old, hip urbanites and rural dwellers alike: Norwegians, including Crown Prince Haakon, are increasingly switching to electric cars.

The choice is especially green in this country, where most of the electricity produced is environmentally friendly, derived from hydro power.

From the affordable Nissan Leaf to the luxurious Tesla, more than half of new cars sold in the country in March were run on batteries rather than fuel.

“We will probably pass 50 percent” for the full year as well, says Christina Bu, secretary general of the Norwegian EV (electric vehicle) Association.

That is unprecedented in Norway and elsewhere, and the share is expected to increase further with the arrival of new models offering ever-increasing range.

- Growing green awareness? While the Nordic country is the biggest oil producer in Western Europe, it is officially aiming for

all new cars sold to be zero emission by 2025.

“There are of course some challenges but it’s definitely possible,” Bu says.

To meet that goal, Norway will have to switch into higher gear for its recharging infrastructure, setting up stations along motorways, in rural zones and private parking lots, she notes.

But do Norwegians, who owe their immense wealth to North Sea oil, really have a greater environmental conscience than others?

Probably not -- the speedy electrification of the country’s automotive fleet is attributed mainly to generous state subsidies.

Electric cars are almost entirely exempt from the heavy taxes imposed on petrol and diesel cars, which makes them competitively priced.

A VW Golf with a standard combustion engine costs nearly 334,000 kroner (34,500 euros, $38,600), while its electric cousin the e-Golf costs 326,000 kroner thanks to a lower tax quotient.

Per Kolner, a retired business leader in his late 60s, is already on his fifth electric car.

He bought his first one because of the high cost of city road tolls.

“First it was actually the cost,” he says, standing in front of his spanking new Tesla 3.

“Tolls kept popping up all around and on my way to and from my work every day I had to pass them four times, which made about 10 to 15 dollars a day just in toll fees.”

Electric cars have long been able to whiz through toll plazas without paying. (afp)

Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP

Electric cars are being charged on a street in the Norwegian capital Oslo on April 30, 2019.

12

International

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Bali News

International

BUSINESS

5

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

India’s economy likely to grow 7%, government says

NEW DELHI - India’s government said Thursday the economy is expected to grow at 7% in 2019-20, up from a five-year low of 6.8% in the past year.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the economic report in Parliament a day before unveiling the annual federal budget after her Hindu nationalist party’s massive victory in April-May national elections. India’s financial year runs April-March.

Economic growth slowed to a five-year low of 5.8% in the January-March quarter with consumer spending and corporate investment faltering. Declining industrial output and automobile sales also raised fears of a deeper slowdown.

Despite recent headwinds, India is the world’s sixth largest and the fastest growing major developing economy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing strong pressure to keep growth robust and create jobs for India’s 1.3 billion people.

The ministry attributed the slowdown to national elections and said higher economic growth is likely, with oil prices expected to decline in coming months.

“The expansion in the economy will be driven by investment and consumption, with political stability auguring well for the growth prospects,” it said.

Investment rate, which has been declining since 2012, seems to have bottomed out and is expected to pick up in consumer demand and bank lending, it said.

But for India to become a $5 trillion economy by 2025, more than double the current size, it needs to grow at an

Airlines being forced to reduce domestic ticket prices

IBP/file

The decision by the central government to force airlines to lower domestic flight prices before July 1 has received a positive response from the Badung Tourism Office. It is believed that the policy announced yesterday of lowering the prices will have an impact on tourist arrivals to the Island of the Gods, and especially Badung.

AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool

Vehicles drive past buildings under construction in Mumbai, India, Friday, July 5, 2019. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has proposed to invest heavily in infrastructure, digital economy and job creation to lift a slugging economy that’s burdened with a 45-year-high unemployment rate of 6.1 percent. annual rate of 8%, Chief Economic Adviser Krishnamurthy Subramanian told reporters.

“The political stability in the country

should push the animal spirits of the economy, while the higher capacity utilization and an uptick in business expectations should increase investment activity in 2019-20,”

he said.

The report said that India’s foreign exchange reserves continue to be comfortably placed in excess of $400 billion. (ap)

Most Asian markets in retreat as eyes turn to Federal Reserve

Most Asian markets extended losses Tuesday as investors reevaluated the Federal Reserve’s interest rate options following last week’s strong US jobs report.

Traders globally ran for cover after the forecast-beating payrolls figures dealt a blow to hopes for a steep cut in borrowing costs, stopping in its tracks an equities rally and pushing the dollar higher.

The focus now turns to the release of minutes from the Fed’s June policy meeting and the twoday congressional testimony of central bank boss Jerome Powell, while dealers continue to monitor developments in the China-US trade talks.

“The better-than-expected job rebound is forcing the market to rethink its pricing on the number of rate cuts,” said OANDA senior market analyst Alfonso Esparza.

“Three was the group-think forecast, now moving down to two, but always with an eye on the US-China trade war and its possible negative impact on US growth.”

The fading likelihood of a 50-basis-point cut in rates, as had widely been hoped, provided strong support to the dollar, which has held gains against the pound and euro while pushing to a more than one-month high on the yen.

But while the weaker Japanese unit helped Tokyo’s Nikkei to posi-

tive territory in the morning, most other markets were in the red.

- Enthusiasm Hong Kong slipped 0.7 percent in the afternoon while Shanghai closed down 0.2 percent with observers pointing out that liquidity was being hit by preparations for the start of a new technology board on July 22.

“The pace of issuance and the timetable of trading debuts on the tech board are faster than the market expected,” Jiang Liangqing, at Ruisen Capital Management in Beijing, told Bloomberg News.

“Investor enthusiasm seems very strong for these new shares.”

Seoul fell 0.6 percent to extend a sell-off sparked by last week’s decision in Tokyo to restriction exports used by South Korea’s chip and smartphone companies, in a row linked to Japan’s use of forced labour during World War II. The stand-off has hammered South Korean titan Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, crucial producers of memory chips. Samsung is down around five percent since Monday and SK Hynix is off more than three percent. Sydney was 0.1 percent lower, while Wellington, Taipei, Mumbai and Manila were also down.

On oil markets, both main contracts were in negative territory as a pick-up in the dollar made it more

expensive, while traders continue to fret over the impact of weaker global growth on demand.

However, the commodity was being supported by bubbling tensions between the US and Iran over the latter’s nuclear ambitions and following the seizure of an Iranian tanker by Britain last week.

“The fact that Iran tension is not boosting prices more considerably continues to emphasise the market’s singularly focused nature on the demand side of the equation,” said Stephen Innes at Vanguard Markets. In early trade London dipped 0.2 percent, while Paris shed 0.4 percent and Frankfurt lost 0.9 percent. (afp)

“When the price of airplane tickets rises, it definitely has an impact on domestic tourist arrivals. But now with the anticipated price drop, hopefully it will increase tourist visits to Bali,” said Badung Tourism Head I Made Badra on Monday (6/24).

The Indonesian government made

an agreement with the airline industry to reduce the price of airline tickets which should come into effect this week. The government will continue to evaluate the movements in the ticket prices. “It will be by the end of this week, no later than July 1, 2019,” Coordinating Minister for

Economic Affairs, Darmin Nasution said yesterday when met in the DPR RI, Jakarta, Tuesday (6/26).

Darmin explained that the drop in airplane ticket prices would lower during certain periods.

The Ministry of Transportation has already tried previously to force the airlines to reduce the ticket prices in the range of 12 percent to 16 percent. However, the actual reduction wasn’t very significant.

“Some prices will remain the same as is now. But for instance, the less busy moments through the day and late night flights should drop,

Air Asia and Lion Air move Bali to Bandung flights to Kertajati

Air Asia will move domestic flights to West Java from Bandung’s Husein Sastranegara International Airport to Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka, which is located around 2.5 to 3 hours drive north east from Bandung .

The change will come into effect from June 30, 2019 following directives from the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation. The objective of the move, and the new airport, is to help build tourism and drive the economic development of the eastern part of West Java.

Air Asia’s international flights will still operate at Bandung’s

Husein Sastranegara International Airport. In connection with this transfer, Air Asia’s flight schedules and flight numbers have changed as follows.

“Passengers who have booked tickets for the Bali-Bandung route or vice versa for scheduled departures on and after 30 June 2019 are advised to check their e-mails to get the latest schedule notifications, and are required to reprint their boarding passes,” explained Head of Corporate Secretary of Air Asia Indonesia, Baskoro Adiwiyono.

Baskoro added that he understood that this move could cause

inconvenience to some passengers’ travel plans and they should contact Air Asia direct for further information.

In addition to AirAsia, Lion Air will operate from Kertajati International Airport, Majalengka, West Java, effective from July 1, 2019.

This includes the transfer of all Lion Air flights from Husein Sastranegara International Airport, Bandung.

“Lion Air plans to operate 26 flights every day to and from Kertajati, serving 10 domestic destinations, including Bali,” he added. (ant)

while the price will remain higher in the morning and early evening,” Darmin said. All eyes will be on 41st Bali Art Festival

the airlines websites this week to see if the reduction becomes a reality. (ant)

Wednesday, 10th Juli 2019

Time : 11.00 MIT Location : Ayodya Stage Program : Gong Kebyar musics and dances by the Gong Kebyar Group of the Aged “Werdha Merdangga Sandhi, the Sanur Development Foundation, South Denpasar subdistrict to meet the Gong Kebyar Group of the Kinder Garten “ Kumara Swara Pancima – of IGTKI the Association of Indonesian Kinder Garten Teachers, West Denpasart subdistrict, representing Denpasar Time : 14.00 MIT Location : Ratna Kanda Stage Program : Workshop on Traditional Statues Time : 17.00 MIT Location : Madya Mandala Stage Program : Joged Bumbung Dance, by Joged Group of Karya Remaja Sari Mekar, representing Buleleng Time : 19.30 MIT Location : Ardha Candra Amphitheatre Program : Parade of Local Bali Popular Songs for Children and Youths : - Kumara Widya Suara Arts Group, representing Jembrana Regency - Kencana Nada Arts Group, representing Klungkung Regency - Arts Group of Gita Music Study Tabanan, representing Tabanan Regency - Belog Ajum Arts Group of Griya Bukit, representing Bangli Regency

6

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

W

International

International

RLD

Briton, American injured in Spain’s Pamplona bull run

PAMPLONA - Half-tonne fighting bulls knocked over thrillseekers Tuesday in a fast, adrenaline-fuelled chase through the winding streets of Pamplona in northern Spain that sent an American and a Briton to hospital.

There were no gorings but a 49-year-old British man fractured his ankle, requiring surgery, and a 42-year-old man from Chicago suffered a head injury in a fall although he was expected to be discharged from hospital later on Tuesday, regional health officials said.

Six bulls and six steers that keep the herd together, charged through the narrow, cobbled streets of the city, clearing a path through a sea of hundreds of runners mostly dressed in white with red handkerchiefs around their necks in the third bull run of the famed San Fermin festival.

The bulls from the Jose Escolar Gil ranch in the central province of Avila completed the 848.6-metre (928-yard) course from a holding pen to the city bull ring in two minutes and 13 seconds, the fastest run so far this year. They were to be killed in bullfights later Tuesday.

Some people sought safety by crowding close to the walls of the winding route but others dared to touch the rear of the bulls or to race a few steps in front of the sharp horns.

Two Americans and a Spaniard were on Sunday gored in the first run, which is usually the most crowded of the festival. All three remain in hospital.

People from around the world flock to the city of 200,000 residents to test their bravery and enjoy the festival’s mix of round-theclock parties, religious processions and concerts.

Sixteen people have been killed in the bull runs since records started in 1911.

The most recent death took place in 2009 when a bull gored a 27-year-old Spaniard in the neck, heart and lungs.

The nine-day fiesta, which dates back to medieval times and was immortalised in Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises”, ends on July 14. (afp)

Jakarta’s police record 1,134 ETLE e-ticketing violators

JAKARTA - The Jakarta Metropolitan Police’s Traffic Management Center recorded at least 1,134 traffic violators captured by 12 cameras of Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement (ETLE) e-ticketing system installed in the capital city has been effective since early July.

Jim WATSON / AFP

A park bench sits under water in East Potomac Park in Washington, DC on July 8, 2019, after a storm caused flooding.

Washington DC hit by torrential rain, flooding

WASHINGTON - Torrential rain lashed Washington DC and surrounding areas on Monday, flooding many neighborhoods and hobbling electricity and transportation networks.

ANDER GILLENEA / AFP

Participants run next to Jose Escolar Gil fighting bulls on the third bullrun of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 9, 2019.

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning as the storm hit, drowning roads and forcing closures of many major arteries. Airports and rail networks were also hit, causing delays.

The American capital’s Ronald Reagan airport received 3.3 inches (around 83 millimeters) of rainfall in just one hour, the NWS added in a tweet.

Dramatic footage aired on local TV stations and posted on social media showed vehicles submerged on roads near major landmarks like the Washington Monument, and some motorists standing on the roofs of their cars as the floodwaters rose.

One such video showed water

gushing down through a hole in the roof of a Washington metro station.

The main power vault of the National Archives building -- which houses some of the most important documents in American history -was flooded, cutting power as the streets around it were submerged.

“The building’s flood walls deployed and worked,” the institution said in a statement.

“The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights -- along with all of the permanently valuable records stored in the building -- are safe and not in any danger.”

The White House was not spared either: Footage posted by several correspondents and outlets showed

puddles forming in one of its basements.

Emergency services said they received dozens of calls from citizens seeking help. Despite the widespread flooding, no deaths were reported.

The rainfall and floodwaters subsided later in the day, as damage assessments began in the District of Columbia -- where Washington is located -- and neighboring parts of Virginia and Maryland.

Hundreds of customers were affected by power outages because of the rainfall, according to a live map on the website of local utility Pepco.

“Stay clear of downed power lines and always assume they are energized,” it said in a tweet. (afp)

Majority of the traffic violators were car drivers who breached the odd-even license plate traffic policy and did not wear seat-belts while driving, the Jakarta Metropolitan Police’s Traffic Management Center revealed on its official Twitter account on Tuesday.

The cameras of this ELTE e-ticketing technology is able to catch the acts of traffic offences of those in cars, such as violating the odd-even and speeding policies, failing to wear seat belt, and using mobile phone while driving.

These cameras have so far been installed in 10 strategic areas in Jakarta, including the Sudirman-MH Thamrin Roads. The Jakarta provincial government and police plan to increase the existing number of the installed cameras to 81 units until September or October 2019.

With the increased number of cameras, personnel of the Traffic Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police are able to get detailed information of the vehicle and violations of car drivers.

In many big cities of developing and developed countries, the presence of installed cameras for catching traffic violators has been a common thing for residents and visitors.

In Singapore, for instance, the road traffic offences are governed by the Road Traffic Act (RTA), according to Singapore’s Legal Advice.

As revealed in “singaporelegaladvice. com”, road traffic offences commonly found in the city state are “exceeding the speed limit”, “use of mobile phone while driving”, and “driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs”.

In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the Australian Federal Police (AFP) revealed in its official website

that those violating such traffic offences as speeding, unregistered vehicles, negligence driving would receive Traffic Infringement Notices.

“Penalty amounts for Traffic Infringement Notices are set by the ACT Government,” the AFP revealed.

The traffic violators are then required to pay fines through several options, such as online payment through the ACT Government’s Road Transport Authority (RTA) website; paying at any post office, and Bpay. (ant)

11

Fire razes 50 hectares of peatland area in Aceh

ACEH - A fire scorched 50 hectares (ha) of peatland area in West Aceh District, Aceh Province.

“We have continued to make attempts to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to a wider area,” Mashuri, coordinator of the Operation Control Center of the West Aceh Disaster Mitigation Office (BPBD), stated here on Tuesday.

On Monday evening, the fire razed a 45-ha peatland area located in Johan Pahlawan and West Woyla Subdistrict, and on the next day, it extended to a five-ha area located in Alue Peunyareng in Meureubo Sub-district.

In Seuneubok Village in Johan Pahlawan Subdistrict, 10 hectares of peatland were destroyed by the blaze, while 35 hectares in the Napai and Blang Cot Ruber villages in West Woyle were razed by the fire.

The local authorities accrued data on the areas gutted by the blaze. They believed the affected area could extend over 50 ha. Efforts to put out the fire have been hindered by water shortage, as Indonesia is currently experiencing a severe dry spell.

Moreover, accessing the peatland area is difficult owing to no roads to the areas.

Meanwhile, fire had scorched 20 ha of peatland in two villages of Nagan Raya District, Aceh, on July 4, 2019, amid the dry season that has mired fireextinguishing efforts, Nagan Raya Disaster Mitigation Agency’s (BPBD’s) Acting Head Hamidi stated.

In a bid to prevent the fire, gutting certain peatland areas in Cot Mue Village in Tadu Raya Sub-district and Kuala Tripa Village in Tripa Makmur Sub-district, from further worsening, BPBD workers had built canal blockings, he revealed. “We have been able to localize the fire by building canal blockings at several locations, but our efforts to douse it could not as yet be undertaken completely,” Hamidi remarked, adding that the fire-razed areas belong to the local villagers.

In putting out the fire, the BPBD workers collaborated with personnel from the military and police as well as members of the community by installing water pumps at various locations, as fire trucks were unable to reach the disaster zone, he noted.

During this year’s dry season, efforts to prevent land and forest fires from recurring are also being made by the authorized institutions in other provinces within Sumatra Island. (ant)

Anies Baswedan to speak at World Cities Summit in Colombia

JAKARTA - Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan will speak at the 2019 World Cities Summit and Mayors Forum (WCSMF) to be held in Medellin, Colombia, on July 10-12, 2019.

Baswedan, who will be present at the summit at the invitation of Medellin Mayor Federico Gutierrez, will speak on “Enhancing Economic and Environmental Security” during the second session.

Baswedan noted in a statement here on Tuesday that the 10th Summit will be themed “Liveable and

Sustainable Cities: Building a High Trust City.”

Moreover, the Jakarta governor is scheduled to speak during a roundtable discussion of the C40 High-Level Event themed “How to make low carbon mobility in cities a bigger movement?”

“This forum is organized annually and has been held 10 times.

At present, we live in an era where competition among cities and regions is growing fast,” he stated.

Jakarta has directed its focus and efforts to recruit the finest human

resources and develop sophisticated infrastructure to make the capital city a model not only for other regions in Indonesia but also at the global level.

Attendees at the WCSMF will comprise 74 selected governors and mayors, who will share their views and experiences in responding to urban challenges and bringing about improvements in urban living conditions.

The summit will be enlivened by an exhibition on urban infrastructure development, the latest urban

planning methods to be presented by international organizations and private companies.

At the meeting, Jakarta will shed light on its best practices including in building public trust and dealing with urbanization.

“Moreover, this forum is a highly valuable platform to gain insights on ideas of other city leaders from all over the world on their understanding of sustainable cities,” Baswedan stated.

On the sidelines of the summit, the governor planned to hold meetings

with Singapore’s National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, Medellin Mayor Federico Gutiérrez, and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.

The 2018 World Cities Summit was held in Singapore on July 7-10.

The World Cities Summit is an international conference series on effective public governance and sustainable development of cities.

It brings together practitioners and policy makers with leading experts in their fields to identify innovative solutions to the toughest challenges facing cities. (ant)

10

Destination

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

Denpasar City Tour, Travelers Learn to Paint, Dance, Play Gamelan and Play Kites

DENPASAR - Denpasar Heritage City Tour has its own characteristics that cannot be separated from the history of the capital of Bali Province consisting of the temple, palace and market element.

The objects of Denpasar city tour specified by the Mayor of Denpasar, I.B. Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra, consist of the area of Jagatnatha Temple, Denpasar Art Space, Bali Museum, Pemecutan Palace, Jero Kuta Palace, Maospahit Temple, Jalan Gajah Mada, Badung Market, Catur Muka Area, Inna Bali Hotel and Satria Palace. Through this visit, foreign travelers can see and learn about the architecture of the region and their community activities.

Besides, travelers can also see various activities done by community of Belaluan Sadmerta hamlet included in the track of city tour.

Foreign travelers have the opportunity to attend the training program and the introduction of activities at Sadmerta hamlet ranging from painting, dancing, playing gamelan to flying kite activities involving customary youth club of local hamlet.

Kadek Jango Pramartha, a cartoonist of Denpasar who is also

from Belaluan Sadmertha hamlet as well as coordinator of the activities for foreign tourist visits, when met on Thursday (Jan. 12) said that the program has been running continuously in the Denpasar city tour program with the involvement of dozens of travelers from Australia who want to have a closer look at the objects of Denpasar city tour and activities in several regions.

Denpasar city tour has certainly been known to consist of three sections namely temple, palace and markets. Besides, it is also given an introduction to the hamlet activities such as dancing, playing gamelan and flying kite. Of course, it is highly supported by the community of local hamlet. Hamlet chief of Belaluan Sadmerta, Prof.

Ketut Ardana, and local community figure Aridus participated in the introduction of local hamlet to travelers.

“When staying at Inna Bali Hotel Denpasar, travelers have the opportunity to attend training of cartoon drawing at my home and get the introduction about Balinese building architecture at my home. At night, it is resumed with training activities of dancing, playing gamelan and playing kites

French break open champagne as Alaphilippe bags stage and Tour lead

Ben STANSALL / AFP

Switzerland’s Roger Federer returns against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini beating him during their men’s singles fourth round match on the seventh day of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 8, 2019.

with customary youth club,” said Kadek Jango.

As is known, the neighborhood of the Denpasar city tour is continuously developed by Mayor Rai Mantra. One of them is the establishment of Denpasar

Art Space used as exhibition space for the artists of Denpasar that can be enjoyed by foreign travelers. Denpasar Art Space is located on the north of Jagatnatha Temple of Denpasar. Other than exploring the area of the city tour,

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they can also see the richness of architectures of temples, palaces and markets.

Due to this program, Denpasar has been able to achieve the highest award in terms of Indonesia Tourism Index (IPI) which refers to the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index. This success cannot be separated from the support of the entire community in the development and the expansion of tourism.

Implementation of tourism programs in Denpasar is inseparable from the participation of the entire community both from conservation activities and strengthening the culture, infrastructure, sanitation, social, security and order to education. Denpasar Heritage City Tour is also a reference in developing the tourism areas, so that they can be widely introduced. In addition, the program also invites the entire hotel management to realize a green city through green hotel that cannot be separated from the implementation of Tri Hita Karana. (kmb)

Federer eyes 100th Wimbledon win and Nadal showdown

LONDON - Roger Federer can rack up his 100th win at Wimbledon on Wednesday and set-up a blockbuster semi-final against Rafael Nadal.

In a quarter-final line-up which features five players over 30, there is a growing anticipation of a potential 40th career match-up between the sport’s two most successful players.

If it does happen, it will be their first at the All England Club since 2008 when Nadal triumphed in what is widely regarded as the greatest final ever played at the tournament.

However, before they reach that stage, eight-time champion Federer has to get past Kei Nishikori while Nadal, a two-time winner, tackles big-hitting Sam Querrey.

Whoever battles through that side of the draw is likely to find defending champion and four-time winner Novak Djokovic waiting in the final.

At 37, Federer is the oldest quarter-finalist since Jimmy Connors in 1991.

He reached his 17th quarter-final at the All England Club -- and 55th at the majors -- with a 74-minute demolition of Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, dropping just five games.

Between them, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic lost only 19 games in their fourth-round ties and faced just one break point.

“I think the best guys now are fully engaged, they know exactly

what to expect from the court and the conditions,” said second seed Federer.

- ‘Nishikori great talent’ “That helps us to play better. I think with experience, that’s good.

We haven’t dropped much energy in any way.”

Federer will take a 7-3 record over seventh-seeded Nishikori into his quarter-final.

Nishikori defeated the great Swiss in the ATP Finals last year, ending a drought which had stretched to almost five years.

“I’m a big fan of his game,” said Federer of the Japanese star, who is into his second successive quarterfinal at Wimbledon.

“I think he’s got one of the best backhands in the game. He’s a great return player. Solid mentally. I always thought he was a great talent.”

Nadal, playing in his seventh Wimbledon quarter-final, faces Querrey backed up by a 4-1 record over the 65th-ranked American.

Querrey made the semi-finals in 2017, beating then world number one Andy Murray in the last-eight before falling to Marin Cilic.

The American has pounded down

100 aces so far at the tournament, dropped serve just once and accounted for fifth seed Dominic Thiem in the first round.

“When he plays well, he can be very, very dangerous on all surfaces,” said Nadal, whose recent 12th French Open title took him to 18 majors, just two back from Federer’s record.

Top seed Djokovic has a 5-1 record over his quarter-final opponent David Goffin who, at 28, is the youngest man left.

Belgian 21st seed Goffin beat Djokovic the last time they met in 2017 but that was on the clay of Monte Carlo.

Goffin is playing in his first All England Club quarter-final but was runner-up to Federer on the grass of Halle on the eve of Wimbledon.

“He’s one of the quickest players on the tour. I think his footwork is probably his biggest asset,” said Djokovic ahead of his 11th Wimbledon quarter-final and 45th at the Slams.

Wednesday’s other quarter-final pits Argentine 26th seed Guido Pella, who had never previously got into the second week of a Slam, against Spanish 23rd seed Roberto Bautista Agut.

Whereas 29-year-old Pella is in unchartered territory, Bautista Agut is in his second Slam quarter-final of the season having also gone to the last eight at the Australian Open. (afp)

EPERNAY - Julian Alaphilippe produced a magnificent show of power in stage three on Monday to give France its first win and take the overall lead in the 2019 Tour de France.

The win means a French rider has the overall leader’s yellow jersey for the first time in five years.

The Deceuninck-Quick Step rider took a huge gamble with his long range effort.

He slipped away from the pack after vying for bonus seconds on the penultimate climb, assuming a daredevil, aerodynamic crouch at the crest and breaking clear.

By the time he crossed the Marne, still an agonising 10km through the champagne vineyards from Epernay, he was almost a minute ahead.

Alaphilippe was strong enough to cling on and win by 26 seconds, despite a desperate effort from the pack to reel him in.

“I was really up for it today, so when I saw the chance I went all in,” said a red-faced Alaphilippe after his third ever stage win and his first yellow jersey.

“I should have waited until the end, I know, but I just went full gas when I saw the gap.”

- Thomas loses time on last hill Amazingly, it is the first time a French rider has had the overall lead since Tony Gallopin wore yellow in 2014. Alaphilippe will be the toast of France tonight (Monday).

A small break in the chasing pack saw defending champion Ger-

aint Thomas lose five seconds to his Team Ineos co-leader Colombian 22-year-old Egan Bernal and to French hope Thibaut Pinot.

“That climb where Alaphilippe went was steep and it was hard, but I just knew I didn’t have the legs to go for the bonus sprint,” Thomas said.

“Then it was just a case of getting to the finish and being safe,” said Thomas, whose Ineos team did much of the chasing.

The crowd on the last hill had been expecting a bare-knuckle struggle, but went wild as Alaphilippe came up alone and rose in his saddle to swagger over the last steep climb.

At the line, the 27-year-old former soldier had maintained enough power to establish a 20 second lead over Belgian prodigy Wout Van Aert in the overall standings.

“It’s actually only starting to sink in now that I have the jersey,” said Alaphilippe, who was close to tears.

The Tour crossed into France earlier in the stage after opening with two stages in Belgium.

“What a beautiful way to start the tour here in France,” he said.

“Having this on my back is something I’ll never forget, its the recompense of everything I have done since I first got on a bike.”

Overnight leader and surprise winner of the opening stage Mike Teunissen, was dropped by the main pack at the moment of Alaphilippe’s attack and drifted home five minutes off the pace. (afp)

Marco Bertorello / AFP

French rider Julian Alaphilippe celebrates his victory as he crosses the finish line of the third stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Binche and Epernay, in Epernay on July 8, 2019.

8

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

No Neymar, no problem as Brazil begin new Copa reign

As Brazil geared up for the Copa America last month, a Neymar-induced pall of doom and gloom threatened to scupper the host nation’s chances before a ball had even been kicked.

The unrelenting circus surrounding the captain and talisman of the Selecao had included lurid rape revelations before an ankle injury in a warm-up game left the Paris Saint-Germain striker on crutches and out of the tournament.

It was an eerie echo of Brazil’s disastrous 2014 World Cup on home soil, when Neymar was injured in the quarter-finals and missed his team’s traumatic 7-1 humiliation against eventual champions Germany in the last four.

Yet as this year’s Copa campaign unfolded, Brazil demonstrated that it might have finally cast off the longstanding criticisms of “Neymar-dependency.”

While Neymar’s creative spark was sorely missing in a dour 0-0 draw with Venezuela during the group stage, Brazil gradually grew into the tournament. And by the time captain Dani Alves hoisted the trophy -- Brazil’s first major honor in 12 years -- following the 3-1 victory over Peru in the final at the iconic Maracana stadium on Sunday, Neymar had at last been shoved aside as the Copa’s major talking point.

What’s more, Brazil had proved in finishing with the tournament’s best attack, best defence, top player in Alves, top scorer in Everton and top goalkeeper in Alisson -- a clean sweep of every award going -- that they could thrive without Neymar.

Its importance was not lost on Liverpool’s Alisson, no matter how diplomatically he put it.

“It was difficult without Neymar because he’s very talented and also brings a lot to the collective,” said Alisson. “It was important to win to show the strength of the group.

“Sometimes he gets all the attention and we’re a bit left out... but he’s much loved.”

- Led by example Crucially, two of the players thrust into the spotlight by Neymar’s absence and indiscre-

Douglas Magno / AFP

Brazil’s injured football star Neymar (L) is seen at the VIP area before the Copa America football tournament semifinal match between Brazil and Argentina at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on July 2, 2019. tions sparkled in the limelight. In May, Alves was named captain for the tournament after Neymar hit the headlines -- pre-rape allegations -- for the wrong reasons with his club, picking up European and domestic bans for petulant behavior.

He had an altercation with a fan after PSG lost the French Cup final to Rennes while the month before he insulted a match official after the French side’s Champions League elimination by Manchester United.

Alves led by example and was named player of the tournament, while his skill and trickery in starting the move that led to the first goal in Brazil’s 2-0 semi-final victory over Argentina was sublime.

The other player to take his chance was Everton, the crowd-pleasing winger who regularly lifted fans onto their feet with his

direct running and determined dribbling.

He finished the Copa as top scorer and a star for the present rather than the future. But he may never have been given the chance to shine had Neymar been there.

As it was, Everton was not even one of Brazil’s starting forwards against either Bolivia or Venezuela, only coming on as a substitute in those matches before his performances earnt him a starting berth from then on.

Had Neymar been available, Everton may have found himself further down the pecking order and given fewer opportunities to impress. Instead, the Gremio forward established himself as the undisputed crowd favorite.

He was the only one of three domesticbased players in the 23-man squad to get a

game during the tournament and drew the biggest cheer every time his name was announced or he touched the ball.

In Everton -- who at 23 is a rumored target for European giants Manchester City, Manchester United and PSG -- Brazil have perhaps found a long-term replacement to the troubled and flawed Neymar as the country’s football icon.

For some fans, like Elaine Vieira Pessoa de Sousa, Brazil don’t need Neymar any more.

“We’re champions! And the best thing is that it was without Neymar,” the 43-year-old told AFP from the streets of Sao Paulo as she celebrated Brazil’s victory. “This proves that we don’t rely on him any more, it’s not all down to him. “This is Brazil, no matter who plays.” (afp)

US Women’s World Cup champs arrive home ahead of parade NEW YORK - Megan Rapinoe stepped off the plane with champagne in hand — a fizzy souvenir from a most memorable trip overseas.

“Thank you, France, for the hospitality,” the U.S. soccer star said. “But wow, we are very excited to be back in America.”

The U.S. women’s national team arrived in New York on Monday, a day after beating the Netherlands 2-0 to capture a record fourth Women’s World Cup title. Players and staff touched down at Newark Liberty International Airport at about 4:30 p.m., where they were met with cheers and a banner saying “Congratulations Team USA!” More fans waited at their hotel in Manhattan, and the players are sure to be feted around the city all week, capped with a tickertape parade Wednesday up the Canyon of Heroes.

“I think everyone’s feeling just incredible right now,” said Alex Morgan, who swapped out her imaginary teacup for a gold bottle of bubbly on the flight.

Rapinoe converted a penalty kick in the second half and Rose Lavelle added a goal in the championship game, kicking off a party that carried over to the tarmac in Newark. Players gathered for a

toast and posed for pictures as they sang “We Are The Champions.”

“We kind of went through stages,” Morgan said. “Initially everyone was excited, and then a little hungover, and then we slept a little bit, and then we got up and started just celebrating a little more.”

The team got shout outs across social media — including from Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton; two-time World Cup winner Mia Hamm, Stephen Curry, Snoop Dogg, Ellen DeGeneres and many more. Dozens of politicians offered congratulations, and congress’ top Democrats have invited the team to Washington.

That was all news to players when they landed, since their flight back to the U.S. did not have Wi-Fi. “Crazily enough in this day and age in 2019, we’ve been in the dark for nine straight hours,” Rapinoe said. “We’re sort of catching up on everything.”

Wednesday will mark New York’s first ticker-tape parade since the women’s team won the 2015 World Cup. Long Island’s Crystal Dunn was a late cut from the ‘15 squad, and she’s “super

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Members of the United States women’s soccer team, winners of a fourth Women’s World Cup, pose with the trophy by their plane after arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Newark, N.J. Julie Ertz holds the trophy, Megan Rapinoe, front right, gestures, and Alex Morgan, back left, also gestures. excited” to parade through her own city.

“I am such a proud New York-

That tally gives him a share of the lead in the Golden Boot race with Senegalese Sadio Mane, Congolese Cedric Bakambu and Algerian Adam Ounas.

Two of his goals came in the 3-2 second round defeat of defending champions Cameroon, and he could have finished with four having hit the woodwork and been foiled by a superb save.

A few hours after Nigeria triumphed last Saturday, South Africa stunned hosts and pre-tournament favourites Egypt 1-0 in Cairo with Thembinkosi Lorch snatching a late winner. Most South Africans had written off Bafana Bafana (The Boys) after a dismal one-win group campaign and were discussing who should replace unpopular coach Stuart Baxter.

If Nigeria and South Africa can replicate their last-16 form, a titanic struggle for supremacy is on the cards at the Cairo International Stadium.

Here, AFP Sport looks at the first quarter-final, between Senegal and giantkillers Benin at another Cairo stadium, and the showdown between Nigeria and South Africa.(afp)

er,” she said. “It’s in my blood.

It’s everywhere I go. It’s such a special place. Obviously for this

to be our first stop back here when we get back to the United States, it’s incredible.” (ap)

Zaha sends Ivory Coast through to quarter-finals

Nigerian goal poacher Ighalo could burst South African bubble

Former English Premier League forward Odion Ighalo could be the Nigerian who bursts the South African bubble when the countries clash Wednesday in an Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.

The 30-year-old, who played for Watford before moving to China two years ago, has scored three goals at the African football showpiece in Egypt.

9

AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

Ivory Coast’s Dazet Wilfried Zaha, right, duels for the ball with Namibia’s Petrus Shitembi during the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Namibia and Ivory Coast in 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, July 1, 2019.

Wilfried Zaha grabbed the only goal to settle a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash as Ivory Coast beat Mali 1-0 in Suez on Monday.

Crystal Palace winger Zaha ensured the Ivorians remained unbeaten against Mali at the tournament as he squeezed home on 76 minutes to book a quarter-final showdown with Algeria.

However, the 2015 champions will need to perform much better if they aspire to a second title in four years as Ivory Coast’s talented attack of Zaha, Nicolas Pepe and Jonathan Kodjia largely failed to fire.

“We’re going to enjoy our victory, it wasn’t easy against a good Mali team,” said Ivory Coast boss Ibrahim Kamara.

“We had a pretty difficult first half where we couldn’t get it going. We let the storm pass and were able to make the most of our key moments.”

The in-demand Pepe returned for the Elephants after sitting out the 4-1 win over Namibia along with Kodjia, while Mali recalled a host of regulars having rested key players after qualifying from their group with a game to spare.

Mali advanced as joint top scorers in the group stage with six goals alongside Algeria and had the Ivorians in trouble early here, although Lassana Coulibaly lost his footing after Moussa Marega attempted

to square.

Sylvain Gbohouo had a lucky escape when he flapped at a corner with Abdoulay Diaby stabbing over before the Ivory Coast goalkeeper tipped behind his curling free-kick.

Mali were seeking a first victory over their fellow west Africans at the Cup of Nations after three losses and a draw, but Southampton recruit Moussa Djenepo stumbled as he bore in on goal at start of the second half.

Kodjia was denied at the other end as Djigui Diarra turned the Aston Villa forward’s shot wide with his legs and an ineffective Pepe was withdrawn on 68 minutes.

Zaha made the breakthrough with a quarter of an hour remaining when Gbohouo’s hopeful ball upfield skipped past a static Mali defence all the way through to the Arsenal target who snuck the ball past Diarra.

Adama Traore created a late chance as Mali sought to send the game to extra time but his stinging drive was kept out by Gbohouo. “We managed the game perfectly and created loads of chances but lacked a finisher today,” rued Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba.

“It was a bad day for us. The only chance they had they put it away. I wouldn’t even say it was chance, more an opportunist attacker.” (afp)

8

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

No Neymar, no problem as Brazil begin new Copa reign

As Brazil geared up for the Copa America last month, a Neymar-induced pall of doom and gloom threatened to scupper the host nation’s chances before a ball had even been kicked.

The unrelenting circus surrounding the captain and talisman of the Selecao had included lurid rape revelations before an ankle injury in a warm-up game left the Paris Saint-Germain striker on crutches and out of the tournament.

It was an eerie echo of Brazil’s disastrous 2014 World Cup on home soil, when Neymar was injured in the quarter-finals and missed his team’s traumatic 7-1 humiliation against eventual champions Germany in the last four.

Yet as this year’s Copa campaign unfolded, Brazil demonstrated that it might have finally cast off the longstanding criticisms of “Neymar-dependency.”

While Neymar’s creative spark was sorely missing in a dour 0-0 draw with Venezuela during the group stage, Brazil gradually grew into the tournament. And by the time captain Dani Alves hoisted the trophy -- Brazil’s first major honor in 12 years -- following the 3-1 victory over Peru in the final at the iconic Maracana stadium on Sunday, Neymar had at last been shoved aside as the Copa’s major talking point.

What’s more, Brazil had proved in finishing with the tournament’s best attack, best defence, top player in Alves, top scorer in Everton and top goalkeeper in Alisson -- a clean sweep of every award going -- that they could thrive without Neymar.

Its importance was not lost on Liverpool’s Alisson, no matter how diplomatically he put it.

“It was difficult without Neymar because he’s very talented and also brings a lot to the collective,” said Alisson. “It was important to win to show the strength of the group.

“Sometimes he gets all the attention and we’re a bit left out... but he’s much loved.”

- Led by example Crucially, two of the players thrust into the spotlight by Neymar’s absence and indiscre-

Douglas Magno / AFP

Brazil’s injured football star Neymar (L) is seen at the VIP area before the Copa America football tournament semifinal match between Brazil and Argentina at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on July 2, 2019. tions sparkled in the limelight. In May, Alves was named captain for the tournament after Neymar hit the headlines -- pre-rape allegations -- for the wrong reasons with his club, picking up European and domestic bans for petulant behavior.

He had an altercation with a fan after PSG lost the French Cup final to Rennes while the month before he insulted a match official after the French side’s Champions League elimination by Manchester United.

Alves led by example and was named player of the tournament, while his skill and trickery in starting the move that led to the first goal in Brazil’s 2-0 semi-final victory over Argentina was sublime.

The other player to take his chance was Everton, the crowd-pleasing winger who regularly lifted fans onto their feet with his

direct running and determined dribbling.

He finished the Copa as top scorer and a star for the present rather than the future. But he may never have been given the chance to shine had Neymar been there.

As it was, Everton was not even one of Brazil’s starting forwards against either Bolivia or Venezuela, only coming on as a substitute in those matches before his performances earnt him a starting berth from then on.

Had Neymar been available, Everton may have found himself further down the pecking order and given fewer opportunities to impress. Instead, the Gremio forward established himself as the undisputed crowd favorite.

He was the only one of three domesticbased players in the 23-man squad to get a

game during the tournament and drew the biggest cheer every time his name was announced or he touched the ball.

In Everton -- who at 23 is a rumored target for European giants Manchester City, Manchester United and PSG -- Brazil have perhaps found a long-term replacement to the troubled and flawed Neymar as the country’s football icon.

For some fans, like Elaine Vieira Pessoa de Sousa, Brazil don’t need Neymar any more.

“We’re champions! And the best thing is that it was without Neymar,” the 43-year-old told AFP from the streets of Sao Paulo as she celebrated Brazil’s victory. “This proves that we don’t rely on him any more, it’s not all down to him. “This is Brazil, no matter who plays.” (afp)

US Women’s World Cup champs arrive home ahead of parade NEW YORK - Megan Rapinoe stepped off the plane with champagne in hand — a fizzy souvenir from a most memorable trip overseas.

“Thank you, France, for the hospitality,” the U.S. soccer star said. “But wow, we are very excited to be back in America.”

The U.S. women’s national team arrived in New York on Monday, a day after beating the Netherlands 2-0 to capture a record fourth Women’s World Cup title. Players and staff touched down at Newark Liberty International Airport at about 4:30 p.m., where they were met with cheers and a banner saying “Congratulations Team USA!” More fans waited at their hotel in Manhattan, and the players are sure to be feted around the city all week, capped with a tickertape parade Wednesday up the Canyon of Heroes.

“I think everyone’s feeling just incredible right now,” said Alex Morgan, who swapped out her imaginary teacup for a gold bottle of bubbly on the flight.

Rapinoe converted a penalty kick in the second half and Rose Lavelle added a goal in the championship game, kicking off a party that carried over to the tarmac in Newark. Players gathered for a

toast and posed for pictures as they sang “We Are The Champions.”

“We kind of went through stages,” Morgan said. “Initially everyone was excited, and then a little hungover, and then we slept a little bit, and then we got up and started just celebrating a little more.”

The team got shout outs across social media — including from Presidents Donald Trump, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton; two-time World Cup winner Mia Hamm, Stephen Curry, Snoop Dogg, Ellen DeGeneres and many more. Dozens of politicians offered congratulations, and congress’ top Democrats have invited the team to Washington.

That was all news to players when they landed, since their flight back to the U.S. did not have Wi-Fi. “Crazily enough in this day and age in 2019, we’ve been in the dark for nine straight hours,” Rapinoe said. “We’re sort of catching up on everything.”

Wednesday will mark New York’s first ticker-tape parade since the women’s team won the 2015 World Cup. Long Island’s Crystal Dunn was a late cut from the ‘15 squad, and she’s “super

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Members of the United States women’s soccer team, winners of a fourth Women’s World Cup, pose with the trophy by their plane after arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Newark, N.J. Julie Ertz holds the trophy, Megan Rapinoe, front right, gestures, and Alex Morgan, back left, also gestures. excited” to parade through her own city.

“I am such a proud New York-

That tally gives him a share of the lead in the Golden Boot race with Senegalese Sadio Mane, Congolese Cedric Bakambu and Algerian Adam Ounas.

Two of his goals came in the 3-2 second round defeat of defending champions Cameroon, and he could have finished with four having hit the woodwork and been foiled by a superb save.

A few hours after Nigeria triumphed last Saturday, South Africa stunned hosts and pre-tournament favourites Egypt 1-0 in Cairo with Thembinkosi Lorch snatching a late winner. Most South Africans had written off Bafana Bafana (The Boys) after a dismal one-win group campaign and were discussing who should replace unpopular coach Stuart Baxter.

If Nigeria and South Africa can replicate their last-16 form, a titanic struggle for supremacy is on the cards at the Cairo International Stadium.

Here, AFP Sport looks at the first quarter-final, between Senegal and giantkillers Benin at another Cairo stadium, and the showdown between Nigeria and South Africa.(afp)

er,” she said. “It’s in my blood.

It’s everywhere I go. It’s such a special place. Obviously for this

to be our first stop back here when we get back to the United States, it’s incredible.” (ap)

Zaha sends Ivory Coast through to quarter-finals

Nigerian goal poacher Ighalo could burst South African bubble

Former English Premier League forward Odion Ighalo could be the Nigerian who bursts the South African bubble when the countries clash Wednesday in an Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final.

The 30-year-old, who played for Watford before moving to China two years ago, has scored three goals at the African football showpiece in Egypt.

9

AP Photo/Hassan Ammar

Ivory Coast’s Dazet Wilfried Zaha, right, duels for the ball with Namibia’s Petrus Shitembi during the African Cup of Nations group D soccer match between Namibia and Ivory Coast in 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, Monday, July 1, 2019.

Wilfried Zaha grabbed the only goal to settle a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations last-16 clash as Ivory Coast beat Mali 1-0 in Suez on Monday.

Crystal Palace winger Zaha ensured the Ivorians remained unbeaten against Mali at the tournament as he squeezed home on 76 minutes to book a quarter-final showdown with Algeria.

However, the 2015 champions will need to perform much better if they aspire to a second title in four years as Ivory Coast’s talented attack of Zaha, Nicolas Pepe and Jonathan Kodjia largely failed to fire.

“We’re going to enjoy our victory, it wasn’t easy against a good Mali team,” said Ivory Coast boss Ibrahim Kamara.

“We had a pretty difficult first half where we couldn’t get it going. We let the storm pass and were able to make the most of our key moments.”

The in-demand Pepe returned for the Elephants after sitting out the 4-1 win over Namibia along with Kodjia, while Mali recalled a host of regulars having rested key players after qualifying from their group with a game to spare.

Mali advanced as joint top scorers in the group stage with six goals alongside Algeria and had the Ivorians in trouble early here, although Lassana Coulibaly lost his footing after Moussa Marega attempted

to square.

Sylvain Gbohouo had a lucky escape when he flapped at a corner with Abdoulay Diaby stabbing over before the Ivory Coast goalkeeper tipped behind his curling free-kick.

Mali were seeking a first victory over their fellow west Africans at the Cup of Nations after three losses and a draw, but Southampton recruit Moussa Djenepo stumbled as he bore in on goal at start of the second half.

Kodjia was denied at the other end as Djigui Diarra turned the Aston Villa forward’s shot wide with his legs and an ineffective Pepe was withdrawn on 68 minutes.

Zaha made the breakthrough with a quarter of an hour remaining when Gbohouo’s hopeful ball upfield skipped past a static Mali defence all the way through to the Arsenal target who snuck the ball past Diarra.

Adama Traore created a late chance as Mali sought to send the game to extra time but his stinging drive was kept out by Gbohouo. “We managed the game perfectly and created loads of chances but lacked a finisher today,” rued Mali coach Mohamed Magassouba.

“It was a bad day for us. The only chance they had they put it away. I wouldn’t even say it was chance, more an opportunist attacker.” (afp)

10

Destination

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

Denpasar City Tour, Travelers Learn to Paint, Dance, Play Gamelan and Play Kites

DENPASAR - Denpasar Heritage City Tour has its own characteristics that cannot be separated from the history of the capital of Bali Province consisting of the temple, palace and market element.

The objects of Denpasar city tour specified by the Mayor of Denpasar, I.B. Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra, consist of the area of Jagatnatha Temple, Denpasar Art Space, Bali Museum, Pemecutan Palace, Jero Kuta Palace, Maospahit Temple, Jalan Gajah Mada, Badung Market, Catur Muka Area, Inna Bali Hotel and Satria Palace. Through this visit, foreign travelers can see and learn about the architecture of the region and their community activities.

Besides, travelers can also see various activities done by community of Belaluan Sadmerta hamlet included in the track of city tour.

Foreign travelers have the opportunity to attend the training program and the introduction of activities at Sadmerta hamlet ranging from painting, dancing, playing gamelan to flying kite activities involving customary youth club of local hamlet.

Kadek Jango Pramartha, a cartoonist of Denpasar who is also

from Belaluan Sadmertha hamlet as well as coordinator of the activities for foreign tourist visits, when met on Thursday (Jan. 12) said that the program has been running continuously in the Denpasar city tour program with the involvement of dozens of travelers from Australia who want to have a closer look at the objects of Denpasar city tour and activities in several regions.

Denpasar city tour has certainly been known to consist of three sections namely temple, palace and markets. Besides, it is also given an introduction to the hamlet activities such as dancing, playing gamelan and flying kite. Of course, it is highly supported by the community of local hamlet. Hamlet chief of Belaluan Sadmerta, Prof.

Ketut Ardana, and local community figure Aridus participated in the introduction of local hamlet to travelers.

“When staying at Inna Bali Hotel Denpasar, travelers have the opportunity to attend training of cartoon drawing at my home and get the introduction about Balinese building architecture at my home. At night, it is resumed with training activities of dancing, playing gamelan and playing kites

French break open champagne as Alaphilippe bags stage and Tour lead

Ben STANSALL / AFP

Switzerland’s Roger Federer returns against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini beating him during their men’s singles fourth round match on the seventh day of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 8, 2019.

with customary youth club,” said Kadek Jango.

As is known, the neighborhood of the Denpasar city tour is continuously developed by Mayor Rai Mantra. One of them is the establishment of Denpasar

Art Space used as exhibition space for the artists of Denpasar that can be enjoyed by foreign travelers. Denpasar Art Space is located on the north of Jagatnatha Temple of Denpasar. Other than exploring the area of the city tour,

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they can also see the richness of architectures of temples, palaces and markets.

Due to this program, Denpasar has been able to achieve the highest award in terms of Indonesia Tourism Index (IPI) which refers to the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index. This success cannot be separated from the support of the entire community in the development and the expansion of tourism.

Implementation of tourism programs in Denpasar is inseparable from the participation of the entire community both from conservation activities and strengthening the culture, infrastructure, sanitation, social, security and order to education. Denpasar Heritage City Tour is also a reference in developing the tourism areas, so that they can be widely introduced. In addition, the program also invites the entire hotel management to realize a green city through green hotel that cannot be separated from the implementation of Tri Hita Karana. (kmb)

Federer eyes 100th Wimbledon win and Nadal showdown

LONDON - Roger Federer can rack up his 100th win at Wimbledon on Wednesday and set-up a blockbuster semi-final against Rafael Nadal.

In a quarter-final line-up which features five players over 30, there is a growing anticipation of a potential 40th career match-up between the sport’s two most successful players.

If it does happen, it will be their first at the All England Club since 2008 when Nadal triumphed in what is widely regarded as the greatest final ever played at the tournament.

However, before they reach that stage, eight-time champion Federer has to get past Kei Nishikori while Nadal, a two-time winner, tackles big-hitting Sam Querrey.

Whoever battles through that side of the draw is likely to find defending champion and four-time winner Novak Djokovic waiting in the final.

At 37, Federer is the oldest quarter-finalist since Jimmy Connors in 1991.

He reached his 17th quarter-final at the All England Club -- and 55th at the majors -- with a 74-minute demolition of Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, dropping just five games.

Between them, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic lost only 19 games in their fourth-round ties and faced just one break point.

“I think the best guys now are fully engaged, they know exactly

what to expect from the court and the conditions,” said second seed Federer.

- ‘Nishikori great talent’ “That helps us to play better. I think with experience, that’s good.

We haven’t dropped much energy in any way.”

Federer will take a 7-3 record over seventh-seeded Nishikori into his quarter-final.

Nishikori defeated the great Swiss in the ATP Finals last year, ending a drought which had stretched to almost five years.

“I’m a big fan of his game,” said Federer of the Japanese star, who is into his second successive quarterfinal at Wimbledon.

“I think he’s got one of the best backhands in the game. He’s a great return player. Solid mentally. I always thought he was a great talent.”

Nadal, playing in his seventh Wimbledon quarter-final, faces Querrey backed up by a 4-1 record over the 65th-ranked American.

Querrey made the semi-finals in 2017, beating then world number one Andy Murray in the last-eight before falling to Marin Cilic.

The American has pounded down

100 aces so far at the tournament, dropped serve just once and accounted for fifth seed Dominic Thiem in the first round.

“When he plays well, he can be very, very dangerous on all surfaces,” said Nadal, whose recent 12th French Open title took him to 18 majors, just two back from Federer’s record.

Top seed Djokovic has a 5-1 record over his quarter-final opponent David Goffin who, at 28, is the youngest man left.

Belgian 21st seed Goffin beat Djokovic the last time they met in 2017 but that was on the clay of Monte Carlo.

Goffin is playing in his first All England Club quarter-final but was runner-up to Federer on the grass of Halle on the eve of Wimbledon.

“He’s one of the quickest players on the tour. I think his footwork is probably his biggest asset,” said Djokovic ahead of his 11th Wimbledon quarter-final and 45th at the Slams.

Wednesday’s other quarter-final pits Argentine 26th seed Guido Pella, who had never previously got into the second week of a Slam, against Spanish 23rd seed Roberto Bautista Agut.

Whereas 29-year-old Pella is in unchartered territory, Bautista Agut is in his second Slam quarter-final of the season having also gone to the last eight at the Australian Open. (afp)

EPERNAY - Julian Alaphilippe produced a magnificent show of power in stage three on Monday to give France its first win and take the overall lead in the 2019 Tour de France.

The win means a French rider has the overall leader’s yellow jersey for the first time in five years.

The Deceuninck-Quick Step rider took a huge gamble with his long range effort.

He slipped away from the pack after vying for bonus seconds on the penultimate climb, assuming a daredevil, aerodynamic crouch at the crest and breaking clear.

By the time he crossed the Marne, still an agonising 10km through the champagne vineyards from Epernay, he was almost a minute ahead.

Alaphilippe was strong enough to cling on and win by 26 seconds, despite a desperate effort from the pack to reel him in.

“I was really up for it today, so when I saw the chance I went all in,” said a red-faced Alaphilippe after his third ever stage win and his first yellow jersey.

“I should have waited until the end, I know, but I just went full gas when I saw the gap.”

- Thomas loses time on last hill Amazingly, it is the first time a French rider has had the overall lead since Tony Gallopin wore yellow in 2014. Alaphilippe will be the toast of France tonight (Monday).

A small break in the chasing pack saw defending champion Ger-

aint Thomas lose five seconds to his Team Ineos co-leader Colombian 22-year-old Egan Bernal and to French hope Thibaut Pinot.

“That climb where Alaphilippe went was steep and it was hard, but I just knew I didn’t have the legs to go for the bonus sprint,” Thomas said.

“Then it was just a case of getting to the finish and being safe,” said Thomas, whose Ineos team did much of the chasing.

The crowd on the last hill had been expecting a bare-knuckle struggle, but went wild as Alaphilippe came up alone and rose in his saddle to swagger over the last steep climb.

At the line, the 27-year-old former soldier had maintained enough power to establish a 20 second lead over Belgian prodigy Wout Van Aert in the overall standings.

“It’s actually only starting to sink in now that I have the jersey,” said Alaphilippe, who was close to tears.

The Tour crossed into France earlier in the stage after opening with two stages in Belgium.

“What a beautiful way to start the tour here in France,” he said.

“Having this on my back is something I’ll never forget, its the recompense of everything I have done since I first got on a bike.”

Overnight leader and surprise winner of the opening stage Mike Teunissen, was dropped by the main pack at the moment of Alaphilippe’s attack and drifted home five minutes off the pace. (afp)

Marco Bertorello / AFP

French rider Julian Alaphilippe celebrates his victory as he crosses the finish line of the third stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Binche and Epernay, in Epernay on July 8, 2019.

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Wednesday, July 10, 2019

W

International

International

RLD

Briton, American injured in Spain’s Pamplona bull run

PAMPLONA - Half-tonne fighting bulls knocked over thrillseekers Tuesday in a fast, adrenaline-fuelled chase through the winding streets of Pamplona in northern Spain that sent an American and a Briton to hospital.

There were no gorings but a 49-year-old British man fractured his ankle, requiring surgery, and a 42-year-old man from Chicago suffered a head injury in a fall although he was expected to be discharged from hospital later on Tuesday, regional health officials said.

Six bulls and six steers that keep the herd together, charged through the narrow, cobbled streets of the city, clearing a path through a sea of hundreds of runners mostly dressed in white with red handkerchiefs around their necks in the third bull run of the famed San Fermin festival.

The bulls from the Jose Escolar Gil ranch in the central province of Avila completed the 848.6-metre (928-yard) course from a holding pen to the city bull ring in two minutes and 13 seconds, the fastest run so far this year. They were to be killed in bullfights later Tuesday.

Some people sought safety by crowding close to the walls of the winding route but others dared to touch the rear of the bulls or to race a few steps in front of the sharp horns.

Two Americans and a Spaniard were on Sunday gored in the first run, which is usually the most crowded of the festival. All three remain in hospital.

People from around the world flock to the city of 200,000 residents to test their bravery and enjoy the festival’s mix of round-theclock parties, religious processions and concerts.

Sixteen people have been killed in the bull runs since records started in 1911.

The most recent death took place in 2009 when a bull gored a 27-year-old Spaniard in the neck, heart and lungs.

The nine-day fiesta, which dates back to medieval times and was immortalised in Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises”, ends on July 14. (afp)

Jakarta’s police record 1,134 ETLE e-ticketing violators

JAKARTA - The Jakarta Metropolitan Police’s Traffic Management Center recorded at least 1,134 traffic violators captured by 12 cameras of Electronic Traffic Law Enforcement (ETLE) e-ticketing system installed in the capital city has been effective since early July.

Jim WATSON / AFP

A park bench sits under water in East Potomac Park in Washington, DC on July 8, 2019, after a storm caused flooding.

Washington DC hit by torrential rain, flooding

WASHINGTON - Torrential rain lashed Washington DC and surrounding areas on Monday, flooding many neighborhoods and hobbling electricity and transportation networks.

ANDER GILLENEA / AFP

Participants run next to Jose Escolar Gil fighting bulls on the third bullrun of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 9, 2019.

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning as the storm hit, drowning roads and forcing closures of many major arteries. Airports and rail networks were also hit, causing delays.

The American capital’s Ronald Reagan airport received 3.3 inches (around 83 millimeters) of rainfall in just one hour, the NWS added in a tweet.

Dramatic footage aired on local TV stations and posted on social media showed vehicles submerged on roads near major landmarks like the Washington Monument, and some motorists standing on the roofs of their cars as the floodwaters rose.

One such video showed water

gushing down through a hole in the roof of a Washington metro station.

The main power vault of the National Archives building -- which houses some of the most important documents in American history -was flooded, cutting power as the streets around it were submerged.

“The building’s flood walls deployed and worked,” the institution said in a statement.

“The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights -- along with all of the permanently valuable records stored in the building -- are safe and not in any danger.”

The White House was not spared either: Footage posted by several correspondents and outlets showed

puddles forming in one of its basements.

Emergency services said they received dozens of calls from citizens seeking help. Despite the widespread flooding, no deaths were reported.

The rainfall and floodwaters subsided later in the day, as damage assessments began in the District of Columbia -- where Washington is located -- and neighboring parts of Virginia and Maryland.

Hundreds of customers were affected by power outages because of the rainfall, according to a live map on the website of local utility Pepco.

“Stay clear of downed power lines and always assume they are energized,” it said in a tweet. (afp)

Majority of the traffic violators were car drivers who breached the odd-even license plate traffic policy and did not wear seat-belts while driving, the Jakarta Metropolitan Police’s Traffic Management Center revealed on its official Twitter account on Tuesday.

The cameras of this ELTE e-ticketing technology is able to catch the acts of traffic offences of those in cars, such as violating the odd-even and speeding policies, failing to wear seat belt, and using mobile phone while driving.

These cameras have so far been installed in 10 strategic areas in Jakarta, including the Sudirman-MH Thamrin Roads. The Jakarta provincial government and police plan to increase the existing number of the installed cameras to 81 units until September or October 2019.

With the increased number of cameras, personnel of the Traffic Directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police are able to get detailed information of the vehicle and violations of car drivers.

In many big cities of developing and developed countries, the presence of installed cameras for catching traffic violators has been a common thing for residents and visitors.

In Singapore, for instance, the road traffic offences are governed by the Road Traffic Act (RTA), according to Singapore’s Legal Advice.

As revealed in “singaporelegaladvice. com”, road traffic offences commonly found in the city state are “exceeding the speed limit”, “use of mobile phone while driving”, and “driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs”.

In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), the Australian Federal Police (AFP) revealed in its official website

that those violating such traffic offences as speeding, unregistered vehicles, negligence driving would receive Traffic Infringement Notices.

“Penalty amounts for Traffic Infringement Notices are set by the ACT Government,” the AFP revealed.

The traffic violators are then required to pay fines through several options, such as online payment through the ACT Government’s Road Transport Authority (RTA) website; paying at any post office, and Bpay. (ant)

11

Fire razes 50 hectares of peatland area in Aceh

ACEH - A fire scorched 50 hectares (ha) of peatland area in West Aceh District, Aceh Province.

“We have continued to make attempts to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to a wider area,” Mashuri, coordinator of the Operation Control Center of the West Aceh Disaster Mitigation Office (BPBD), stated here on Tuesday.

On Monday evening, the fire razed a 45-ha peatland area located in Johan Pahlawan and West Woyla Subdistrict, and on the next day, it extended to a five-ha area located in Alue Peunyareng in Meureubo Sub-district.

In Seuneubok Village in Johan Pahlawan Subdistrict, 10 hectares of peatland were destroyed by the blaze, while 35 hectares in the Napai and Blang Cot Ruber villages in West Woyle were razed by the fire.

The local authorities accrued data on the areas gutted by the blaze. They believed the affected area could extend over 50 ha. Efforts to put out the fire have been hindered by water shortage, as Indonesia is currently experiencing a severe dry spell.

Moreover, accessing the peatland area is difficult owing to no roads to the areas.

Meanwhile, fire had scorched 20 ha of peatland in two villages of Nagan Raya District, Aceh, on July 4, 2019, amid the dry season that has mired fireextinguishing efforts, Nagan Raya Disaster Mitigation Agency’s (BPBD’s) Acting Head Hamidi stated.

In a bid to prevent the fire, gutting certain peatland areas in Cot Mue Village in Tadu Raya Sub-district and Kuala Tripa Village in Tripa Makmur Sub-district, from further worsening, BPBD workers had built canal blockings, he revealed. “We have been able to localize the fire by building canal blockings at several locations, but our efforts to douse it could not as yet be undertaken completely,” Hamidi remarked, adding that the fire-razed areas belong to the local villagers.

In putting out the fire, the BPBD workers collaborated with personnel from the military and police as well as members of the community by installing water pumps at various locations, as fire trucks were unable to reach the disaster zone, he noted.

During this year’s dry season, efforts to prevent land and forest fires from recurring are also being made by the authorized institutions in other provinces within Sumatra Island. (ant)

Anies Baswedan to speak at World Cities Summit in Colombia

JAKARTA - Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan will speak at the 2019 World Cities Summit and Mayors Forum (WCSMF) to be held in Medellin, Colombia, on July 10-12, 2019.

Baswedan, who will be present at the summit at the invitation of Medellin Mayor Federico Gutierrez, will speak on “Enhancing Economic and Environmental Security” during the second session.

Baswedan noted in a statement here on Tuesday that the 10th Summit will be themed “Liveable and

Sustainable Cities: Building a High Trust City.”

Moreover, the Jakarta governor is scheduled to speak during a roundtable discussion of the C40 High-Level Event themed “How to make low carbon mobility in cities a bigger movement?”

“This forum is organized annually and has been held 10 times.

At present, we live in an era where competition among cities and regions is growing fast,” he stated.

Jakarta has directed its focus and efforts to recruit the finest human

resources and develop sophisticated infrastructure to make the capital city a model not only for other regions in Indonesia but also at the global level.

Attendees at the WCSMF will comprise 74 selected governors and mayors, who will share their views and experiences in responding to urban challenges and bringing about improvements in urban living conditions.

The summit will be enlivened by an exhibition on urban infrastructure development, the latest urban

planning methods to be presented by international organizations and private companies.

At the meeting, Jakarta will shed light on its best practices including in building public trust and dealing with urbanization.

“Moreover, this forum is a highly valuable platform to gain insights on ideas of other city leaders from all over the world on their understanding of sustainable cities,” Baswedan stated.

On the sidelines of the summit, the governor planned to hold meetings

with Singapore’s National Development Minister Lawrence Wong, Medellin Mayor Federico Gutiérrez, and Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon.

The 2018 World Cities Summit was held in Singapore on July 7-10.

The World Cities Summit is an international conference series on effective public governance and sustainable development of cities.

It brings together practitioners and policy makers with leading experts in their fields to identify innovative solutions to the toughest challenges facing cities. (ant)

12

International

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Bali News

International

BUSINESS

5

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

India’s economy likely to grow 7%, government says

NEW DELHI - India’s government said Thursday the economy is expected to grow at 7% in 2019-20, up from a five-year low of 6.8% in the past year.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the economic report in Parliament a day before unveiling the annual federal budget after her Hindu nationalist party’s massive victory in April-May national elections. India’s financial year runs April-March.

Economic growth slowed to a five-year low of 5.8% in the January-March quarter with consumer spending and corporate investment faltering. Declining industrial output and automobile sales also raised fears of a deeper slowdown.

Despite recent headwinds, India is the world’s sixth largest and the fastest growing major developing economy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing strong pressure to keep growth robust and create jobs for India’s 1.3 billion people.

The ministry attributed the slowdown to national elections and said higher economic growth is likely, with oil prices expected to decline in coming months.

“The expansion in the economy will be driven by investment and consumption, with political stability auguring well for the growth prospects,” it said.

Investment rate, which has been declining since 2012, seems to have bottomed out and is expected to pick up in consumer demand and bank lending, it said.

But for India to become a $5 trillion economy by 2025, more than double the current size, it needs to grow at an

Airlines being forced to reduce domestic ticket prices

IBP/file

The decision by the central government to force airlines to lower domestic flight prices before July 1 has received a positive response from the Badung Tourism Office. It is believed that the policy announced yesterday of lowering the prices will have an impact on tourist arrivals to the Island of the Gods, and especially Badung.

AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool

Vehicles drive past buildings under construction in Mumbai, India, Friday, July 5, 2019. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has proposed to invest heavily in infrastructure, digital economy and job creation to lift a slugging economy that’s burdened with a 45-year-high unemployment rate of 6.1 percent. annual rate of 8%, Chief Economic Adviser Krishnamurthy Subramanian told reporters.

“The political stability in the country

should push the animal spirits of the economy, while the higher capacity utilization and an uptick in business expectations should increase investment activity in 2019-20,”

he said.

The report said that India’s foreign exchange reserves continue to be comfortably placed in excess of $400 billion. (ap)

Most Asian markets in retreat as eyes turn to Federal Reserve

Most Asian markets extended losses Tuesday as investors reevaluated the Federal Reserve’s interest rate options following last week’s strong US jobs report.

Traders globally ran for cover after the forecast-beating payrolls figures dealt a blow to hopes for a steep cut in borrowing costs, stopping in its tracks an equities rally and pushing the dollar higher.

The focus now turns to the release of minutes from the Fed’s June policy meeting and the twoday congressional testimony of central bank boss Jerome Powell, while dealers continue to monitor developments in the China-US trade talks.

“The better-than-expected job rebound is forcing the market to rethink its pricing on the number of rate cuts,” said OANDA senior market analyst Alfonso Esparza.

“Three was the group-think forecast, now moving down to two, but always with an eye on the US-China trade war and its possible negative impact on US growth.”

The fading likelihood of a 50-basis-point cut in rates, as had widely been hoped, provided strong support to the dollar, which has held gains against the pound and euro while pushing to a more than one-month high on the yen.

But while the weaker Japanese unit helped Tokyo’s Nikkei to posi-

tive territory in the morning, most other markets were in the red.

- Enthusiasm Hong Kong slipped 0.7 percent in the afternoon while Shanghai closed down 0.2 percent with observers pointing out that liquidity was being hit by preparations for the start of a new technology board on July 22.

“The pace of issuance and the timetable of trading debuts on the tech board are faster than the market expected,” Jiang Liangqing, at Ruisen Capital Management in Beijing, told Bloomberg News.

“Investor enthusiasm seems very strong for these new shares.”

Seoul fell 0.6 percent to extend a sell-off sparked by last week’s decision in Tokyo to restriction exports used by South Korea’s chip and smartphone companies, in a row linked to Japan’s use of forced labour during World War II. The stand-off has hammered South Korean titan Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, crucial producers of memory chips. Samsung is down around five percent since Monday and SK Hynix is off more than three percent. Sydney was 0.1 percent lower, while Wellington, Taipei, Mumbai and Manila were also down.

On oil markets, both main contracts were in negative territory as a pick-up in the dollar made it more

expensive, while traders continue to fret over the impact of weaker global growth on demand.

However, the commodity was being supported by bubbling tensions between the US and Iran over the latter’s nuclear ambitions and following the seizure of an Iranian tanker by Britain last week.

“The fact that Iran tension is not boosting prices more considerably continues to emphasise the market’s singularly focused nature on the demand side of the equation,” said Stephen Innes at Vanguard Markets. In early trade London dipped 0.2 percent, while Paris shed 0.4 percent and Frankfurt lost 0.9 percent. (afp)

“When the price of airplane tickets rises, it definitely has an impact on domestic tourist arrivals. But now with the anticipated price drop, hopefully it will increase tourist visits to Bali,” said Badung Tourism Head I Made Badra on Monday (6/24).

The Indonesian government made

an agreement with the airline industry to reduce the price of airline tickets which should come into effect this week. The government will continue to evaluate the movements in the ticket prices. “It will be by the end of this week, no later than July 1, 2019,” Coordinating Minister for

Economic Affairs, Darmin Nasution said yesterday when met in the DPR RI, Jakarta, Tuesday (6/26).

Darmin explained that the drop in airplane ticket prices would lower during certain periods.

The Ministry of Transportation has already tried previously to force the airlines to reduce the ticket prices in the range of 12 percent to 16 percent. However, the actual reduction wasn’t very significant.

“Some prices will remain the same as is now. But for instance, the less busy moments through the day and late night flights should drop,

Air Asia and Lion Air move Bali to Bandung flights to Kertajati

Air Asia will move domestic flights to West Java from Bandung’s Husein Sastranegara International Airport to Kertajati International Airport in Majalengka, which is located around 2.5 to 3 hours drive north east from Bandung .

The change will come into effect from June 30, 2019 following directives from the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation. The objective of the move, and the new airport, is to help build tourism and drive the economic development of the eastern part of West Java.

Air Asia’s international flights will still operate at Bandung’s

Husein Sastranegara International Airport. In connection with this transfer, Air Asia’s flight schedules and flight numbers have changed as follows.

“Passengers who have booked tickets for the Bali-Bandung route or vice versa for scheduled departures on and after 30 June 2019 are advised to check their e-mails to get the latest schedule notifications, and are required to reprint their boarding passes,” explained Head of Corporate Secretary of Air Asia Indonesia, Baskoro Adiwiyono.

Baskoro added that he understood that this move could cause

inconvenience to some passengers’ travel plans and they should contact Air Asia direct for further information.

In addition to AirAsia, Lion Air will operate from Kertajati International Airport, Majalengka, West Java, effective from July 1, 2019.

This includes the transfer of all Lion Air flights from Husein Sastranegara International Airport, Bandung.

“Lion Air plans to operate 26 flights every day to and from Kertajati, serving 10 domestic destinations, including Bali,” he added. (ant)

while the price will remain higher in the morning and early evening,” Darmin said. All eyes will be on 41st Bali Art Festival

the airlines websites this week to see if the reduction becomes a reality. (ant)

Wednesday, 10th Juli 2019

Time : 11.00 MIT Location : Ayodya Stage Program : Gong Kebyar musics and dances by the Gong Kebyar Group of the Aged “Werdha Merdangga Sandhi, the Sanur Development Foundation, South Denpasar subdistrict to meet the Gong Kebyar Group of the Kinder Garten “ Kumara Swara Pancima – of IGTKI the Association of Indonesian Kinder Garten Teachers, West Denpasart subdistrict, representing Denpasar Time : 14.00 MIT Location : Ratna Kanda Stage Program : Workshop on Traditional Statues Time : 17.00 MIT Location : Madya Mandala Stage Program : Joged Bumbung Dance, by Joged Group of Karya Remaja Sari Mekar, representing Buleleng Time : 19.30 MIT Location : Ardha Candra Amphitheatre Program : Parade of Local Bali Popular Songs for Children and Youths : - Kumara Widya Suara Arts Group, representing Jembrana Regency - Kencana Nada Arts Group, representing Klungkung Regency - Arts Group of Gita Music Study Tabanan, representing Tabanan Regency - Belog Ajum Arts Group of Griya Bukit, representing Bangli Regency

4

Bali News

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

All fast boat operators asked to soon sign MoU

From princes to undertakers, Norway’s motorists go electric

Seven operators have made cooperation with district govt so far

SEMARAPURA - A number of fast boat operators agreed with the local government related to concept of levies charged to guests traveling to Nusa Penida. One by one, they immediately entered into the MoU with the Tourism Office, so the charging of levies can be integrated with boat services at their respective counters. Until Monday (Jul. 8), there were seven fast boat operators having established MoU with the regional government.

Head of the Klungkung Tourism Office, Nengah Sukasta, stated on Monday (Jul. 8) that of the 12 fast boat operators contacted in person

by Regent of Klungkung Nyoman Suwirta, seven of them already agreed to establish a partnership.

They are Nirvana, Marlin, Gangga, Sekarjaya, Nacha, Rocky and Bali Hai. Meanwhile, the other fast boats namely Anecha, PT Rasha, Semaye One, L Ray Yunior and Lembongan Fast Cruise are said to be still studying the contents of the MoU. “We are still waiting for the others to work together. Our team is also continuing to make approaches,” added Sukasta.

Other than the 12 fast boat operators having been contacted directly by the Regent Suwirta, the Tourism Office also pursued the other speed boat operators.

He estimated there are still many other entrepreneurs, especially those running crossing services from Sanur, that have not yet included in the list and need to be approached. According to the data

from the Klungkung Transportation Agency, a total of 44 fast boat companies offering crossing services to Nusa Penida every day.

They are Gangga Express, Sekarjaya, Penida, Semabu Hill, Mola Mola, Idola, Putri Island, Maruti, Sri Rejeki, Prasi Sentana, Angel Billabong Luxury, El Rey Junior, Dwi Manunggal, Gugun Express, Fantasy, Crown, Caspla, Wahana Giri Ocean, Samala, Yamuna, The Angkal, Sari Nusa Explorer, Sea Tech, Crystal Ocean Seven and Segening.

Meanwhile, the others are Blue Star, Semaya One, Sugriwa Express, Rocky Fast Boat, Glory Prime, Scoat, Sanur Express, De Camel, Nacha, Artha Mas, Sri Rejeki, D Star, Sunrise Fast Cruises, Marlin, Lembongan Paradise, Tanis, Dream Beach, Tamarind and Eka Jaya. “In essence, this MoU is intended to facilitate the levy collection process because it can be directly paid at the ticket counter.

There has been no further discussion regarding the percentage of collecting fee,” he said.

Andreas SOLARO / AFP

A general view shows Europe’s one-time biggest asylum seeker and migrants reception centre of Mineo, Sicily, on July 8, 2019 on the eve of its closure. Italy’s Interior Minister and deputy PM Matteo Salvini will attend on July 9 the closure of the Mineo centre.

IBP/kmb

A number of fast boat operators agreed with the local government related to concept of levies charged to guests traveling to Nusa Penida.

His agency temporarily targeted the 12 fast boat operators having been contacted by Regent Suwirta to immediately establish a MoU. In the meantime, the rest will continue to be pursued. On that account, this will reduce the burden of collecting levies at all the counters available.

At present, the Tourism Office is still utilizing six collection counters spreading across the Jungut

Batu village hall, Banjar Nyuh 1 Port, Banjar Nyuh 2 Port, Buyuk Port, Sampalan Port and Tanjung Sanghyang Lembongan Port. “We are going to immediately add eight collection counters. However, we are still waiting for further development in other regions. Meanwhile, these six entry points are the most crowded,” he said.

For information, the regionally generated revenue (PAD) collected

from levies of Recreation and Sports Location up to July 7 2019 has reached IDR 1,958,969,000, from the target of IDR 7 billion.

This achievement is inseparable from the enactment of Regional Regulation Number 5/2018 concerning Amendment to Regional Regulation Number 3/2013 concerning Levies on Recreation and Sports Location in the Nusa Penida sub-district. (kmb31)

Funds of Berawa Festival not yet disbursed, Honorarium of artists and supporting parties unpaid

Berawa Beach Festival held last May.

IBP/kmb

MANGUPURA - After the temporary stop of tourism promotion activities overseas by the Badung district government, other problems emerged related to tourism activities like the implementation of the Berawa Beach Festival held last May. A number of artists and supporters of the activities complained because their honorarium that must be received has no clarity until now.

Certainly this raises a big question considering the funding for the activities came from the Badung district government, namely through Tourism Office, with a total budget of IDR 1.2 billion. Aside from the artist’s honorarium, payment for the competition winners and the production of the works has not been paid as well.

One of the artists asking for anonymity in the newspaper, who

participated in the activity, confirmed such condition. Until now, he claimed to have not received the payment yet.

He hoped the funds from the Tourism Office can be immediately disbursed because the event also involved the local community, so that in the future, the trust of community and organizers will continue.

Regarding the matter, the Brawa Festival Committee Chairman, I Made Dwijantara, delivered a speech to a number of participants. At this time, the funds from the Tourism Office have not been disbursed yet.

He would coordinate again with related agencies so that it could be realized immediately. “We convey the announcement to all participants and will coordinate it further,” he said when contacted on Monday (Jul. 8).

Head of the Badung Tourism Office, I Made Badra, could not be confirmed. Until this news is revealed, his mobile phone was not active.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the Badung Tourism Office, AA Yuyun Hanura Enny, when asked for her confirmation justified this condition. She said the budget for the Berawa Festival is under process and the disbursement of funds will be prioritized. “It has not been disbursed yet. The administration has been completed, just waiting for the funds,” he concluded.

She explained the total budget amounts to IDR 1.2 billion. Moreover, for the budget of the Berawa Festival, it will be delivered totally without any deduction. “Berawa Festival will be prioritized. The ones having not yet run are indeed the rationalized,” he said. (kmb23)

13

Europe’s once biggest migrant centre to close in Italy

MINEO - What was once Europe’s biggest migrant reception centre, in Mineo in Sicily, is to officially close on Tuesday in the presence of its biggest critic, far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.

“Promise kept,” Salvini said last week when the centre’s final inhabitants were removed, to be sent to another centre in Calabria.

This reception centre, a former housing complex for the US military that resembles an American suburb, is now guarded by Italian troops who block access under a roasting Sicilian sun.

At its peak in 2014, Mineo housed more than 4,100 people.

Its population then steadily dropped. When anti-migrant Salvini and the populist Five Star Movement came to power in June last year, it housed 2,500.

Since then Salvini, who is also deputy prime minister, has declared war on charity rescue vessels, barring their entry to Italian ports in recent weeks. Thousands of migrants nevertheless continue to arrive by their own means or are rescued by the Italian authorities.

Psychologist Massimiliano Terrasi stood amid the arid countryside outside the centre where he worked since 2011, disappointed at

what he said could have been.

“Hopes were high when the centre first opened and we grew professionally,” he told AFP-TV. “Well managed, it could have been an asset for the area and for people’s mutual understanding,” he lamented, voicing anger at the abrupt end to his years of work, final wages still unpaid.

In the beginning, care and hygiene conditions were decent, he said. But things started to deteriorate when the population went over 3,000.

“If you look at how the centre was in the end, it’s a good thing that it closed. But if you think what it could have been, it’s a pity,” he said.

- Built ‘on numbers’ Local resident Sergio Mastrilli was more critical, as he drank a beer on a Mineo bar terrace.

“When the centre first opened, I immediately thought it wasn’t a good thing,” he said.

“It wasn’t a reception centre built on integration but on numbers.”

Mastrilli, a 25-year-old law student, is a supporter of Luigi di Maio’s anti-establishment Five Star Movement, which is in a ruling coalition with Salvini’s Lega for the last 13 months.

“There were more than 4,000 people from 85 different ethnicities, while Mineo has around 5,000 inhabitants,” he said.

He called for a Europe-wide solution to migration, and suggested “many migrants would like to stay in their own countries”, if they could. The centre’s 400 small yellow and pink houses lie in tidy rows, a reminder of the time when US families from the neighbouring base at Sigonella called it home.

But the US military gave up its lease in 2010, and the arrival of the reception centre and migrants made Sicilians in the area both worried and jealous.

The migrants were notably prepared to work for 10 or 20 euros (11-22 dollars) a day during the orange harvest, angering locals who could not work for so little. (afp)

OSLO - Some want to save the planet even in the afterlife. In Oslo, a funeral home offers the dearly departed a trip to their final resting place in an eye-catching electric hearse, as electric vehicles take over the roads in the Scandinavian country.

“Many people drive an electric car in Norway and some want to leave this planet in a green way,” says undertaker Odd Borgar Jolstad, demonstrating his customised Tesla in the tranquility of the Grefsen cemetery overlooking the capital.

“So this is our little contribution to the environment,” he smiles.

Rich or not, young and old, hip urbanites and rural dwellers alike: Norwegians, including Crown Prince Haakon, are increasingly switching to electric cars.

The choice is especially green in this country, where most of the electricity produced is environmentally friendly, derived from hydro power.

From the affordable Nissan Leaf to the luxurious Tesla, more than half of new cars sold in the country in March were run on batteries rather than fuel.

“We will probably pass 50 percent” for the full year as well, says Christina Bu, secretary general of the Norwegian EV (electric vehicle) Association.

That is unprecedented in Norway and elsewhere, and the share is expected to increase further with the arrival of new models offering ever-increasing range.

- Growing green awareness? While the Nordic country is the biggest oil producer in Western Europe, it is officially aiming for

all new cars sold to be zero emission by 2025.

“There are of course some challenges but it’s definitely possible,” Bu says.

To meet that goal, Norway will have to switch into higher gear for its recharging infrastructure, setting up stations along motorways, in rural zones and private parking lots, she notes.

But do Norwegians, who owe their immense wealth to North Sea oil, really have a greater environmental conscience than others?

Probably not -- the speedy electrification of the country’s automotive fleet is attributed mainly to generous state subsidies.

Electric cars are almost entirely exempt from the heavy taxes imposed on petrol and diesel cars, which makes them competitively priced.

A VW Golf with a standard combustion engine costs nearly 334,000 kroner (34,500 euros, $38,600), while its electric cousin the e-Golf costs 326,000 kroner thanks to a lower tax quotient.

Per Kolner, a retired business leader in his late 60s, is already on his fifth electric car.

He bought his first one because of the high cost of city road tolls.

“First it was actually the cost,” he says, standing in front of his spanking new Tesla 3.

“Tolls kept popping up all around and on my way to and from my work every day I had to pass them four times, which made about 10 to 15 dollars a day just in toll fees.”

Electric cars have long been able to whiz through toll plazas without paying. (afp)

Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP

Electric cars are being charged on a street in the Norwegian capital Oslo on April 30, 2019.

14

Technology

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

Electric scooters: not so eco-friendly after all?

PARIS - E-scooters touted as zero-carbon urban transport are flooding city streets worldwide, but just how green they are remains an open question.

The companies -- from multinationals to local start-ups -- distributing them insist the omnipresent two-wheel vehicles are a boon for the environment and a curb on global warming.

“Bird was founded to help create a cleaner and more hospitable world that prioritises people over cars,” the American firm, one of the global leaders in e-scooters, says on its website.

“Scooters cut the use of vehicles and reduce the volume of traffic on the road,” it said. “They also help reduce pollution and improve air quality.”

Shared scooters that do not require docking ports can be driven door-to-door, avoid stressful searches for parking spaces, and have zero-emission motors.

On paper, they have the potential to radically reduce urban car traffic: 70 percent of car trips between home and work in France, for example, are five kilometres (three miles) or less, according to the French National Institute for Statistics and Economic Research (INSEE).

“Micromobility could theoretically encompass all passenger trips of less than eight kilometres (5 miles), which account for as much as 50 to 60 percent of today’s total passenger miles travelled in China, the European Union, and the United States,” consulting firm McKinsey said in a report.

In the US, riders made nearly 40 million trips on shared scooters last year, according to the National Association of City Transportation Officials.

Lime, a major player financed by Uber and Google-parent Alphabet, found that roughly one in every three Lime rides in 26 cities around the world replaces a trip by car.

- No long-term data “From this shift, we estimate that our riders have avoided 15 million miles (24 km) of car travel and prevented 6,220 metric tons of carbon emissions” over a two-year period, the company noted.

But do e-scooters live up to all the hype?

With regard to Lime’s claims, a survey by research group 6t of 4,500 commuters in Paris, Lyon and Marseilles revealed that only 19 percent used scooters to go to work or school -- more than 40 percent of usage was by out-oftown visitors.

Without access to e-scooters, 44 percent of respondents said they would have walked, 12 percent said they would have biked, and 30 percent would have used public transport. Cars barely entered into the picture. “But this doesn’t mean that we should get rid of e-scooters -- absolutely not!”, said Jeremie Almosni, head of mobility at the Ademe, the French government agency for energy efficiency.

“The fact that half of usage is recreational is striking,” he acknowledged. “But at least this favours a more mixed use of transport. It’s definitely a way to get people out-and-about more, and perhaps a way of encouraging them to give up cars.”

There is also a lot of uncertainty as to the lifespan of shared e-scooters, which varies with hardware and intensity of usage.

It’s a key question, because how long they last is a major part of what determines environmental impact.

“As of today, it is impossible to say whether e-scooters are good or bad for the environment because we lack long-term statistics on life cycles,” said Denis Benita, a transportation engineer at Ademe.

One study from Louisville, Kentucky put the average life span at 28 days. Another said it was closer to three months. (afp)

Philippe LOPEZ / AFP

In this file photo taken on June 12, 2019, shows Lime-S electric scooters of US transportation company Lime parked in a street of Paris.

Bali News

International

An IBM technician poses with screens showing IBM’s AI-generated highlights of play on the sixth day of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 6, 2019.

Wimbledon targets Asian fans ‘nirvana’ with lite app Glyn KIRK / AFP

LONDON - Wimbledon has unleashed a new lightweight app to try and hook the growing tennis-loving market in Asia, while AI-generated highlights are getting smarter at spotting the most exciting action.

The official Wimbledon app is packed with heavy graphics but the new, slimmed-down alternative is designed for fans in places with poorer bandwidth and older smartphones -- especially India.

The prestigious tennis tournament reckons it can potentially reach several hundred million people in India who are interested in the championships but can only download data over slow mobile phone networks.

The slimmer app has lightweight scores, results, headlines and the order of play.

“India is one of the largest social media audiences for them globally,” said Sam Seddon, IBM’s client executive for Wimbledon.

“That’s the nirvana fan base.”

Wimbledon is also producing a Chinese scoreboard that can be embedded into websites in a bid to reach a bigger Chinese audience.

- AI learning to improve Every single shot at Wimbledon is logged by US technology giants IBM, with up to 180 staff capturing 4.8 million bits of information.

Their statisticians have been refining their artificial intelligencegenerated video clips.

By monitoring a mixture of crowd noise, match analysis of key moments such as break points and player reactions, an overall excitement factor is produced for each passage of play.

But IBM has detected inadvertent bias in the AI system, which this year it has managed to iron out.

Seddon gave the example of a three-hour epic match on Centre Court.

“The place is full and everyone is screaming and cheering,” he said.

Once it finishes, people step out for a breather.

“It doesn’t matter who comes on next, the crowd noise will be different,” Seddon explained.

“Same court, same high-profile players, same high quality of tennis, but the highlights could be inadvertently treated differently.”

- Statistically capturing excitement The AI system has this year learnt how to recognise ball strikes so clips can automatically be trimmed to when a point starts. Last year, the AI highlights garnered more than 14 million video views.

Despite the buzz generated by 15-year-old qualifier Coco Gauff, Roger Federer’s army of adoring fans, and fiery Nick Kyrgios’s clash with Rafael Nadal, the clips from those matches did not top the overall excitement factor rankings from the first week of the championships.

Statistically, the highest-ranking point, at 0.97 out of 1.00, was China’s Zhang Shuai securing victory over former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, sinking to her knees with a double fist-pump, having come back from 0-4 down in the first set.

- Big screen vote Wimbledon is seeking to bring together as much digital informa-

tion as it can on the 40,000-odd daily visitors to the complex in southwest London, in order to deliver a better fan experience.

Signing in with the official app, ground pass ticket-holders watching the big show court action on the giant screen can vote for which match they want to be shown.

“There’s a value return in providing your data, to help Wimbledon understand more about user interests,” said Seddon.

“It’s been really interesting for them to understand what their fans on Henman Hill want to see.”

Spectators have plumped for the big name players and British favourites that might have been anticipated, but have also voted for some more unexpected choices.

In the future, fans should be able to access more personalised highlights on their smartphones.

- Need for speed Seddon said the fan demand for immediacy in consuming sport was driving changes in the entertainment industry.

“Sport is becoming the cutting edge of the media industry, and AI is a component of the cutting edge,” he explained.

“You can watch your box sets whenever you want. Sport is an in-the-moment experience.

“The challenge for the sports business is: ‘who are my fans, what are they consuming?’

“And if you’ve got the data, how do you structure it to drive insights?

That’s the hard bit.” (afp)

IBP/kmb28

Fail to get new students, three high schools threatened to close SMA Kertha Wisata is threatened to close

TABANAN - The application of zoning in New Student Admission (PPDB) did not seem to necessarily benefit the private schools, especially high school level. In Tabanan district, there are at least three high schools that cannot get new students for the 2019/2020 academic year.

One of them is even threatened to be closed.

The three private high schools that did not get new students this year are the SMA PGRI 6 Bajera, SMA TP 45 Tabanan, while SMA Kertha Wisata is also threatened to close.

Principal of SMA Kertha Wisata, I Gede Wayan Arka, when asked for his confirmation justified that in this year’s academic year, the school no longer received students. Moreover, it does not have the second and third grade students this year.

“Third grade had graduated this year amounting to 12 people, so then we decided not to receive any new students,” he said on Monday (Jul. 8).

The SMA Kertha Wisata, continued Arka, has been operating since 1987 where this school had also experienced its heyday in 2000.

Moreover, at that time the SMA Kertha Wisata got 6 classes. “Our school has been 33 years, and has graduated over 3,000 students,” he said.

Indeed, the number of students lately has begun to decrease. The school condition having minimal students had also been conveyed to the meeting of the foundation.

Unfortunately, there has been no certainty related to whether this

school will continue to be functioned or not. “Everything depends on the foundation, but I don’t know what the decision is. Whether it will be closed or not, I don’t know,” he explained.

Similar conditions also occurred at SMA TP 45 Tabanan high school.

This school is located right across the SMAN 1 Tabanan and is also lacking of students. Principal of SMA TP 45 Tabanan, I Made Purna, stated the number of registrants is not in accordance with the standard or less than 20 people, so this year the school will no longer receive students. “This has something to do with financing. If the number is less than the standard, we do not accept,” explained Arka.

Nevertheless, SMA TP 45 Tabanan still has 8 third grade students.

Arka acknowledged that during the registration process only one parent asked for registration and it is just an enquiry and having no certainty.

“Well, there is only one person asking for information, so that we just gave up,” said Wirka.

Meanwhile, Principal of SMA PGRI 6 Bajera, I Putu Adi Adnyana Negara, explained that according to the foundation’s meeting and

the 2019/2020 academic year, the committee did not accept new students because in 2019 no students registered. “So, according to the decision of the meeting, we do not accept new students this year,” he explained.

He explained that during the period of registration no students registered at all. In case there are registering students but does not comply with minimal number or more than 20 students, they will not be accepted. “If it’s less than that number, it will be useless because it won’t be included in the basic education data,” he said.

In the 2018/2019 academic year, the SMA PGRI 6 Bajera only got six students. They had been suggested to move to a public school. Thus, in 2018 the second grade students were vacant. “Right now, we have the second grade student amounting to 21 people,” he said.

Actually, according to him during the period of 1998-2009 there were quite a lot of students registering so the SMA PGRI 6 Tabanan got two classes of students. Unfortunately, starting from 2010 only a few students were interested to register in SMA 6 PGRI Bajera. (kmb28)

3

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Blanjong, an extraordinary spiritual spot

DENPASAR - When hearing the name of Blanjong, people’s mind will be instantly directed to prostitution localization site. Actually the Blanjong located at Sanur Kauh village, South Denpasar, has a Blanjong inscription denoting a milestone in the existence of the Island of Bali. There is Blanjong Temple posing the first temple in Bali and even before the establishment of Besakih Temple. “The information on the legacy of our cultural heritage has not been known to the public,” said Made Sudiana, a descendant of the Blanjong Temple caretaker, on Sunday (Jul. 7).

The Blanjong inscription and temple will be featured by Sanur Kauh village to attract tourist visit.

“There is a historical milestone of Bali having not yet been known to wider community. When hearing the word ‘Blanjong,’ the connotation of people tends to refer to the location of prostitution even though it has an extraordinary spiritual place,” he said.

Based on the research by several experts, the inscription is dated 813 AD. The study also showed that Blanjong Temple along with Blanjong inscription is the first temple in Bali because it did not apply the concept of Padmasana.

“Instead, the temple applied the concept of worshipping lingam and yoni,” he said. The shrines owned by this temple consist of lingam and yoni, worshipping stone (an ancient sanctum), and pyramidal stone. Similarly, there are many statues such as statue of Ganesha and Nandini.

Although it is located at Intaran village, the temple is even vener-

ated by the customary villagers of Renon, Cerancam, and Lantang Idung, Sukawati.

Today, the existence of inscription and Blanjong Temple has been able to attract tourists to come after the efforts to promote and discover more profound information about the site. Each month, approximately 50 foreign tourists visit the temple.

“Two months ago, there was even an OWHC (Organization of the World Heritage Cities) official from Russia specifically coming to visit the Blanjong inscription as their main agenda for tourism promotion in his home country, Russia,” he said.

The location was also arranged by the Denpasar municipality through the Denpasar Tourism Office. When entering into the temple area and inscriptions, visitors can scan barcodes that explain about the site.

Headman of Sanur Kauh, I Made Ada, explained the location of Blanjong inscriptions is actually open for public visits. “Before I have been a headman, many people did not know this cultural heritage and there is even no signboard of its name,” he said.

People frequently interpret the Blanjong hamlet hall as the Blanjong inscription, whereas they are different. He suspected such interpretation happened due to Blanjong hamlet hall is located adjacent to Blanjong inscription. Currently, there is charge of admission ticket.

Blanjong inscription and Blanjong Temple are two different areas bordered by walls, but they are mutually accessible. (kmb42)

IBP/kmb

Made Sudiana, a descendant of the Blanjong Temple caretaker.

2

Bali News

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

International

International

Activities

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

15

Construction of a sport center in South Kuta

District govt plans to use normalized land in Tanjung Benoa coastal area

MANGUPURA - Badung district government will establish a sport center named Bali Sport Hub in the South Kuta area. According to the plan, partially it will utilize the normalized land in the coastal area west of Tanjung Benoa. At present, the district government is still processing the project permit.

At the opening of the Badung Development Information Week (PIP) on Monday (Jul. 8), Head of the Badung Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) Agency, IB Surya Suamba, explained the regent of Badung had written to the Bali government regarding the coastal arrangement for the development of the international sport tourism. At present, licenses are being processed together with the submission of permits for the construction of the Tanjung Benoa’s west ring road.

Regarding the land preparation plan, Surya Suamba stated there will be normalization and deepening of the plot. Sedimentation results of the normalization will be compacted for the land used for the Bali Sport Hub. Land of the normalization in the coastal area is estimated to be around 50 hectares.

With the land, district government can get more space to realize the sport center. All the buildings in the area are designed to be mutually connected. Various facilities will be provided for the national stadium with the capacity

“Thumbs up”, the theme for 6th Anniversary of b Hotel Bali & Spa of 55,000 people. They consist of indoor stadium with a capacity of 12,000 people, an aquatic stadium with a capacity of 6,000 people, indoor stadium with a capacity of 3,000 people, a water sports center, Sport Hub Badung Museum and Library, a skate park

and theater, shopping centers and restaurants and supported by development of the western ring road infrastructure of Tanjung Benoa.

“The Bali Sport Hub is built to prepare the most complete sports facilities with adequate capacity as well as functioned as destination

and center for organizing international sporting events. This is an effort to increase the competitiveness of Bali and Badung tourism in particular,” he said.

After having the permit, his agency will step forward to the stage of permit implementation,

feasibility study as well as planning and maturation of land. The construction will take place for around two years through government cooperation with business entities (KPBU). This system is the same as a tender, but through the central government. (kmb25)

Ten thousand ecstasies seized in the first semester

DENPASAR - Results of the evaluation on disclosure of drug cases by Directorate of Narcotics of Bali Police and its ranks in the first semester of 2019 reached 469 cases. The most confiscated evidence consisted of 10,304 ecstasies followed by 7,898.76 grams of crystal meth.

“The authority could secure evidence in the form of 3,277. 47 grams of marijuana, 1,016.08 gram of cocaine, 470.63 grams of gorilla tobacco and 77.7 grams of heroin.

There was also cash worth IDR 48,376,000,” said the Development and Operations Head at Directorate of Narcotic Investigation Unit of Bali Police, I Gede Sujana, accompanied by Sub-Division Head of Public Information, IGA Yuli Ratnawati, on Monday (Jul. 8).

Sujana claimed that Bali Police and its ranks are able to reduce the circulation of drugs on this Island of the Gods. Meanwhile, the most disclosures were carried out by Denpasar Police Narcotic Investi-

gation Unit as many as 237 cases, followed by Bali Police Directorate of Narcotic Agency (87 cases) and Badung Police (66 cases). “The least disclosures are of Bangli and Karangasem Police, respectively 5 cases,” he said.

How many foreigners are involved in drugs? According to Sujana, 31 people were arrested during the first semester of this year. They consist of 27 men and 4 women. “Regarding the arrest of the foreigners, the Bali Police make

cooperation with the Ngurah Rai Airport Customs Office,” he said.

In term of profession of the drug abusers, they are civil servant/legislator (1 person), private employees (370 people), self-employees (76 people), farmers (6 people), students (18 people), pupil (9 people) and laborers (15 people).

Meanwhile, the data based on crime scenes, said Sujana, they are 136 cases at boarding houses, public roads (241 cases), hotel/villa/ bungalows (18 cases), karaoke/

cafes (9 cases), restaurants/stalls (36 cases), airports/ports (10 cases) and prisons/offices/campuses (19 cases). “So, the dominant transaction is still carried out by attachment system. It means that drug packages are affixed or placed on an object such as electricity pole,” said Sujana.

According to Sujana, the Bali Police and its ranks will continuously work to suppress drug trafficking on the Island of the Gods. (kmb36)

 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

B Hotel Bali & Spa celebrated its 6th anniversary on 23rd June 2019. During the event, the management held some interesting events for employees. “Thumbs up” became the main theme in this event. “ Thumbs up is not only a theme but also our hope that our service, staff togetherness, business, and the relationships between human, nature and God (Tri Hita Karana) will be better in the future “said Fernando Hutapea, the Hotel Manager of B Hotel Bali.

The event is opened by mangrove planting by the committee and Head of Departments.

Followed by tracking and outing at Buyan Lake and Bedugul Botanical. It was not only refreshing and fun but also to increase the sense of cooperation among employees.

The next event was Tumpeng Celebration that celebrated by hotel staff on June 24, 2019.

It was held in the Hotel lobby so that guests also could celebrate this special day.

June 28, 2019 was the main event and also the closing ceremony of the anniversary b Hotel Bali & Spa. It enlivened by the performances of hidden talent that each department had. The Door prize were also given for those who were lucky. Cutting birthday cake and made wishes together for b Hotel Bali & Spa was the main event at that night B Hotel Bali & SPA was established on 23 June 2013 which is located at Jl. Imam Bonjol No 508, Denpasar. This 4-Star certified Hotel has 233 rooms, equipped with specified facilities such as SPA , Swimming pool, Gym, clinic and 6 Meeting room with capacity up to 350 pax, makes B Hotel Bali & Spa an option for those who want to do Business trips and vacations.

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

16 Pages Number 133 11th year

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

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

ASAP Rocky appeals detention to Sweden’s Supreme Court

STOCKHOLM - American rapper ASAP Rocky, currently detained in Stockholm suspected of assault, has appealed his detention to Sweden’s Supreme Court, his lawyer said Monday.

On Friday a Swedish district court decided the 30-year-old artist, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, should be kept in custody while prosecutors investigate a June 30 street brawl.

Mayers’ lawyer Henrik Olsson Lilja immediately appealed the decision, but was denied by the court of appeals. He told AFP on Monday that his client had therefore chosen to appeal the decision to Sweden’s Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court will this week decide on whether to look at the case, but it only accepts a fraction of cases submitted, accepting those it thinks will provide guidance for the lower courts in future cases.

The district court agreed to a request from Swedish prosecutor Fredrik Karlsson that Mayers be kept in custody during the investigation, one of his arguments being that he was a flight risk.

Olsson Lilja said he thought the case might interest the Supreme Court since he didn’t think the prosecutor had properly justified why Mayers was a flight risk -- and that this also needed to be weighed against the consequences for his client, who was on a European tour.

“They haven’t tried this issue in this way before,” he added.

The district court’s decision means Mayers can be held in custody for two weeks, while the case is investigated. After that, it would require another hearing to extend his detention.

The rapper has already had to cancel shows in Norway, Poland, Ireland and the UK. (afp)

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Chris Delmas / AFP

In this file photo taken on June 26, 2019 a giant inflatable Spider-Man is displayed on the red carpet for the “Spider-Man: Far From Home” World premiere at the TCL Chinese theatre in Hollywood.

‘Spider-Man’ flies again, leading North America box office

LOS ANGELES - Once again Spider-Man seems to be trapping everything that flies by: “Spider-Man: Far From Home” took in an impressive $93.6 million in North America over the US holiday weekend and has passed the half-billion-dollar mark worldwide, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations estimated Sunday.

Jonathan NACKSTRAND / AFP

Members of the entourage of US rapper Rakim Mayers, known by his stage name Asap Rocky, leave a courtroom after a hearing in his trial over a street brawl on July 5, 2019 in Stockholm.

e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com. http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

This latest in the Spider-Man franchise, made by Sony and Disney-owned Marvel, set a record six-day total for a Tuesday release of $185.1 million, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Its story line follows on blockbuster “Avengers: Endgame” to focus on how Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) confront a world without Iron Man. Also starring are Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal and J.B. Smoove.

Coming in second in its third week out was Disney/Pixar collaboration “Toy Story 4,” at $34.3 million. The film again features the voices of Tom Hanks as Woody, the eager but empty-holstered cowboy doll, and Tim Allen as space toy Buzz Lightyear.

In third, at $10.8 million, was Universal’s alternate-universe romantic comedy “Yesterday.”

Himesh Patel stars as a struggling musician who, after a mysterious global blackout, is the only per-

You can find International Bali Post at:

son in the world to remember the Beatles and their music -- and takes full advantage of it.

Patel does his own singing; Danny Boyle, of “Trainspotting” and “Slumdog Millionaire” fame, directs.

Fourth spot went to Warner Bros. horror film “Annabelle Comes Home,” at $9.8 million.

In fifth was Disney’s live-action remake of “Aladdin,” taking in $7.6 million in its seventh week out. (afp)

Juni Kriswanto / AFP

An Indonesian customs officer inspects containers filled with trash originating from Australia, which should have contained only waste paper, but authorities also found hazardous material and household trash, at a port in Surabaya on July 9, 2019. Indonesia said July 9 it would send more than 210 tonnes of garbage back to Australia, as Southeast Asian nations push back against serving as dumping grounds for foreign trash.

Indonesia to send 210 tonnes of waste back to Australia

Indonesia said Tuesday it would send more than 210 tonnes of garbage back to Australia, as Southeast Asian nations push back against serving as dumping grounds for foreign trash.

The eight containers seized in Surabaya city should have contained only waste paper, but authorities also found hazardous material and household trash including plastic bottles and packaging, used diapers, electronic waste and cans, a spokesman for the East Java customs agency told AFP. Following the inspection the Indonesian environment ministry recommended “the items be re-

exported,” the agency said in a separate statement Monday.

“This is done to protect the public and Indonesian environment, especially in East Java, from B3 waste,” it added, referring to hazardous and toxic materials.

Australian company Oceanic Multitrading sent the waste to Indonesia with help from Indonesian firm PT. MDI, authorities said.

China’s decision in 2018 to ban

imports of foreign plastic waste threw global recycling into chaos, leaving developed nations struggling to find places to send their waste.

Huge quantities of rubbish have since been redirected to Southeast Asia, but opposition to handling exported trash is growing in the region.

Indonesia announced last week it was sending back 49 containers full of waste to France and other developed nations.

In May, neighbouring Malaysia announced it was shipping 450

tonnes of imported plastic waste back to its sources, including Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The Philippines, meanwhile, returned about 69 containers of rubbish back to Canada last month, putting an end to a diplomatic row between the two countries.

Global concern over plastic pollution has been spurred by shocking images of waste-clogged rivers in Southeast Asia and accounts of dead sea creatures found with kilos of refuse in their stomachs.

Around 300 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year, according to the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF), with much of it ending up in landfills or polluting the seas, in what has become a growing international crisis. (afp) 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.