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Friday, December 15, 2017

‘He was my monster’: Actress Salma Hayek alleges Harvey Weinstein misconduct

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Friday, December 15, 2017

CHICAGO - Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek has joined the ranks of Hollywood women accusing movie producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, calling him a “monster” in an article published by the New York Times on Tuesday.

“For years, he was my monster,” Hayek wrote in the opinion piece in which she included descriptions of sexual harassment, bullying and threats.

Holly Baird, a spokeswoman for Weinstein, issued a statement on his behalf on Wednesday night disputing Hayek’s account and calling her allegations of sexual misconduct inaccurate.

More than 50 women have claimed that Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted them over the past three decades. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the accusations against Weinstein.

Hayek’s spokeswoman had no immediate comment on Wednesday.

Police in New York, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London have said they are investigating allegations of sexual assault or rape by

Weinstein.

Hayek wrote in the article that she was inspired to share her experiences after other women came forward. Her account largely centered around the time she was involved with making the 2002 film, “Frida,” in which she portrayed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Hayek wrote that she was pleased to have the opportunity to work with Weinstein and Miramax, which he then owned, because it was “synonymous with quality, sophistication and risk taking in films.” But, she wrote, she found herself rebuffing sexual advances and requests from Weinstein.

“No to letting him give me oral sex,” Hayek wrote as one of several examples. “And with every refusal came Harvey’s Machiavellian rage.” (rtr)

Antara Foto/Wahyu Putro A/ via REUTERS

Former Indonesian parliament speaker Setya Novanto is escorted into a courtroom for his first trial in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 13, 2017 in this photo taken by Antara Foto.

Wrestler turned actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson receives star on Walk of Fame

LOS ANGELES - Professional wrestler turned actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson paid tribute to his family on Wednesday as he accepted his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The ‘Jumanji’ actor, one of the highest paid in Hollywood, struggled to get through his speech with

fans chanting “Rocky”, a reference to his wrestling moniker.

Johnson, 45, recognised those who helped him in his career, including girlfriend Lauren Hashian, who is pregnant with their second child.

“You don’t have success alone.

You don’t do it alone,” he said. “It takes a team so I’m so grateful right

Actor Dwayne Johnson poses on his star after it was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2017.

now to recognise a few people in my life and it is just a few and they are here who without them there would be no me.”

After thanking the crowd, he recounted his favourite quote that he first discovered as a 15-year old - “It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice.”

Johnson’s star, the 2,624th to be awarded, is next to the stars of World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Vince McMahon and muppet Kermit the Frog. (rtr)

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Indonesia corruption court indicts ex-parliament speaker after delays

JAKARTA - Indonesian prosecutors charged a former parliament speaker Setya Novanto on Wednesday in connection with a $170 million graft scandal after he held up proceedings for hours at the opening of his trial, saying he was ill. Novanto has been brought to trial by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which suspects extensive pilfering of public funds linked to a national identity card programme.

“The defendant both directly and indirectly intervened in the budgeting and procurement of goods and services,” prosecutor Irene Putri said while reading out the indictment.

The charges include allegations Novanto received $7.3 million in bribes, and a $135,000 watch, for his role in fixing a marked-up budget for the identity card programme.

Novanto, who has denied wrongdoing, faces up to 20 years in prison, according to prosecutors. According to local media reports, the Golkar Party, which Novanto had also chaired, replaced him with Air-

langga Hartanto, who is currently serving as the Industry Minister, on Wednesday night. Novanto resigned from his post as parliament speaker earlier this week.

The politician has earned a reputation for his capacity to cling to power through several previous corruption cases. Novanto repeatedly missed summonses for questioning by the anti-graft agency in the latest case, saying he needed heart surgery, but was put under armed guard in hospital and taken into custody last month.

The case has riveted the media and captured the attention of social

media users, many of whom have mocked him in widely shared posts. Novanto arrived at court on Wednesday in a white shirt and a bright orange jacket usually worn

by KPK graft suspects, and held up court proceedings when he said he had diarrhoea and needed medical attention.

After long delays to allow doctors to examine Novanto, the presiding judge at the Jakarta corruption court let prosecutors read out the charges, which included unlawful intervention in the procurement process of the ID cards. “We are sure the defendant

is healthy and can follow the court proceedings. This is part of the defendant’s lies,” prosecutor Putri said, noting he’d been given a clean bill of health from multiple doctors on Wednesday, as defence lawyers called for more medical examinations for their client.

Novanto also declined to confirm to the court details like his name or place of birth, sparking jeers from the courtroom audience.

The KPK is investigating state losses amounting to about $170 million linked to the national electronic identity card scheme after allegations that sums ranging from $5,000 to $5.5 million - generated by marking up procurement costs were divided up among politicians in parliament.

The allegations against Novanto have reinforced the perception

among Indonesians that their parliament, long regarded as riddled with entrenched corruption, is a failing institution. Indonesia was ranked last year at 90 out of 176 countries on Transparency International’s corruption perception index.

The watchdog has singled out parliament as Indonesia’s most corrupt institution, and in July called on President Joko Widodo to protect the KPK against attempts by the legislature to weaken the commission’s powers.(rtr) News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http:// radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.

2

Friday, December 15, 2017

Bali News

Volcanic ashe disrupt 300 ha of paddy field in three subdistricts

AMLAPURA - Volcanic ash and cold lava flows from Mount Agung s recent eruption have seriously impacted the agricultural sector in Karangasem. At least 3000 hectares of paddy fields have been seriously damaged and 7 hecatares of other farm products have experience crop failure as a result of the volcanic ash.

Head of the Karangasem Agriculture Agency, I Wayan Supandi, said on Wednesday (Dec. 13) that the paddy fields affected by volcanic ash are spread across three subdistricts; Selat, Rendang and Bebandem. The degree of damage varies from light to severe. Light damage is defined as less than 25 percent crop failure, medium category (50 percent) and severe category (75 percent).

Severe damage occurred to paddy fields directly adjacent to the flow of Yeh Sah River that flows down from Mount Agung as cold lava flows hit 7 hectares of the paddy fields.

Most of the damaged paddy in the region were not ready to harvest, but farmers have gone again and har-

vested the plants to reduce their losses. “At the market, dry grain mill is worth IDR 3,800 per kilogram. If the quality is sub-standard the price of course drops”, said Supandi.

Supandi explained that he could not yet confirm the value of the farmers losses. Obvisouly the ongoign volcanic activity has forced farmers to delay the planting of new crops so many fields have been left empty.

Famrers in Sideman have also decided to delay planting rice but they are still planting coarse grain, roots and tubers as these are more resilient.

A farmer at Subak Sidemen, 52 year old I Made Karang, said that this season he is switching crops even though there is a lot of water which is good for planting rice. He and other subak members are not planting rice because their subak irrigation channel has been closed as it uses water from the Yeh Sah River tat is prone to cold lava flows. .

Volcanic ash filled mud can damage the irrigation channels and is not good for the soil. “Fortunately, before the ash rained down, we had already harvested our crops. Now we are just waiting”, he said. (117)

REUTERS/Darren Whiteside

Mount Agung volcano, covered in clouds, erupts in the background as farmers plant peanuts near Kubu, Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia, December 1, 2017.

International

International

Activities

Friday, December 15, 2017

15

PHRI hopes Christmas and New Year holiday will see more tourists

SEMARAPURA - The eruptions of Mount Agung in Karangasem have had a serioius impact on tourism all over Bali – including in the district of Klungkung. Since Mount Agung first erupted, hotel occupancy rates in Nusa Penida, Klungkung have dropped by 80 percent. The Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Klungkung very much hope that Mountain Agung that is still at level 4 (warning) alert level will not be turbulent so that the end of year holiday season will see occupancy rates increase.

Chairman of PHRI Klungkung, Wayan Kariana, said on Wednesday (Dec. 13) that currently the average hotel occupancy rates in Nusa Penida are just 10-20 percent as they have been since Ngurah Rai Airport shut down for a few days in late November. “When the alert level for Mount Agung was first raised to level IV in late Septemeber there was no effect on tourism.

But that changed drastically after the ariport waw closed due to ash hazards>, he explained.

Kariana however added that as Christmas and New Years approach there has been a very slight increase in the number of tourist visits.

“There have been some bookings since the middle of this month, but only about 10 percent of the usual number”, he said.

He hoped the Mount Agung currently remaining in warning alert level is no longer turbulent.

So, there is no cancellation of hotel bookings made by tourists.

“Hopefully, there the mountian will remain calm so these bookings are not cancelled and hotel occupancy rates can be boosted again this month”, he added.

If however Mount Agung erupts again, occupancy rates will certainly drop again – even below 10 percent and have a negative impact on the hotel and restaurant workers. “Hopefully, that will not happen” he said.

Most of Klungkungs hotels and restaurants are located in Nusa Penida with a total of 71, while Nusa Lembongan has 113 and Jungut Batu has 130. (kmb40)

Food stocks remain secure for 11,247 refugees

SEMARAPURA - Since the Mount Agung is still active, thousands of residents of Karangasem are still living in evacuation camps.

As of Wednesday (Dec 13) there were a total of 11,247 evcauees in Klungkung and food stocks remain sufficient.

Head of the Klungkung Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Putu Widiada, when met on Wednesday said that 1, 257 of the evacuees are being sheltered at Swecapura Stadium. While the remaining are spread across 104 points in 43 villages in three subdistricts: Klungkung, Banjarangkan and Dawan. Widiada said that so far the food supply for refugees ample and that as of Wednesday afternnon there were still 12 tons of rice that is enough to last 3 days.

“Each day, they need about 4.4 tons of rice”, he explained.

Likewise, other food stocks also remain sufficient. Widiada added that non- rice food stocks are being donated by a private donor and said that he hopes the aid for evac-

uess will continue to be provided.

“Hopefully, there will be no lack of food stocks as long as the evacuees need to be here> ,he said.

As seen on Wednesday afternoon, the evacuees at Swecapura stadium fill their tim ewill a variety of activities, including weaving bamboo into baskets and temporary walls.

Ni Wayan Wardani, for example, an evacuee from Banjar Muntig, Sebudi village, has been making 1 or 2 plaited bamboo walls since she arrived with bamboo form her home village.

Another female evacuee named Jero Sri Ratna, from Pering Sari village, Selat, weaves bamboo into basekts, making about 6 a day that she sells directly at the evacuation camp. Prices vary depending on the size of the basket. Although making baskets fills her time, she admitted that she was quite bored in the evacuation post. Jero Sri Rtan added that she looks forward to going home as soon as it is possible. (kmb40)

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ARTOTEL GROUP EXPANDING ITS HOTEL CHAIN TO YOGYAKARTA

Friday December 15 16:30-18:30 Kafe Bahasa: You CAn Plastic Detox Rumah Sanur - Creative Hub Jalan Danau Poso no 15A, Sanur 12:00-17:00 Chritmas MArket in Sanur Blakfickan Jalan Danaur Tamblingan 56, Sanur 10:00-11:30 Yin Yoga & Sound Healing Paradiso Ubud Jalan Gautama Selatan, Ubud Saturday DEcember 16 18:00-22:00 Sutra - Theater for the Senses Akasha: Restaurant & Juice BAr Jln Sinta, Keliki 10:00-1:00 Slow Food Menu for Change Terra Madre 2017 Moksa ubu Restaurant Puskesmas UBud II Gang Damai 8:00- 18:00 Bakti Nguwailiang Toya ring Pertiwi Permaculutre soft opening Bali Gianyar 20:00-23:00 The ARt of Welldo Wnophringgo Bali Bohemia Jl. Nyuh Bojog Nyuh Kuning, Ubud

ARTOTEL Group together with Rasanto Group expanding its business in Hospitality industry to Yogyakarta, by the inauguration of ARTOTEL Yogyakarta on December 7th 2017.

Located in Kaliurang Street KM 5.6 No. 14, Caturtunggal, Sleman, ARTOTEL Yogyakarta comes as a new hotel with modern architecture with touch of local culture.

ARTOTEL’s unique persona as a art inspired design hotel and its unique facility of its exterior and interior, offering something new for Yogyakarta, a Brass Siding as a straircase substitute from 2nd floor to 1st floor. This slider made with sturdy brass equipped with thin matrass.

Inspired by one of Yogyakarta’s local culture, weaving, with its strong philosophy and sturdiness of the weaving technique, ARTOTEL Yogyakarta wields this technique in its design concept “Weaving in Harmony”. It can be seen from ARTOTEL Yogyakarta’s building façade that covered with synthetic weaving, to its interior in public space or inside the rooms.

Comes with 105 rooms with various size of 23 sqm, 25 sqm, and 41 sqm, ARTOTEL Yogyakarta offers artistically room with 43-inch TV, Safe Deposit Box, Dolce Gusto coffee maker, Mini Bar, and Wi-Fi connection. The guests will be pleased with spectacular view of Merapi Mountain, Yogyakarta city overview and Kaliurang Street city. ARTOTEL Yogyakarta has 24 hours receptionist, ROCA restaurant and bar which served Indonesian and Western cuisine, 4 meeting rooms (MEETSPACE) with capacity up to 120 person, swimming pool in Mezanine floor next to ROCA, and BART, a rooftop bar which will be opened by end of 2018. Fast wi-fi is also available throughout the hotel for free.

Like other ARTOTEL proper-

ties, ARTOTEL Yogyakarta is supported by local contemporary artists where the hotel is located.

ARTOTEL Yogyakarta is collaborating with 6 local contemporary artists to create artistic elements in its rooms and facilities. Artists’ scouting and artwork selections is done by ARTOTEL Project Series (APS) team, an art divion of ARTOTEL Group and curated by Heri Pemad, a well-known curator from Yogyakarta who also founder of ART JOG, a prestigious annual art exhibition in Yogyakarta. All the 6 artists are: 1. Fatoni Makturodi

A young artist whose artwork in ARTOTEL Yogyakarta are inspired by the legend of Roro Djonggrang, a princess who asked for 1001 temple in one night. His artworks can be seen in 9th floor with touch of monochrome (grey, white and yellow).

2. Soni Irawan

He is one of Yogyakarta’s senior artists with accent of street style, now he’s combining his painting, graffiti and quotes. Soni’s artworks are presented at 8th floor with collage of painting and Javanese script, with Yogyakarta’s folklore “Aji Saka, the creator of Javanese script and culture.

3. Apri Kusbiantoro

Apri is Yogyakarta’s senior comic creator who has worked for 15 years not only in Indonesia but America and Europe. His artworks can be seen at 7th floor of ARTOTEL Yogyakarta bringing the theme of ‘’Punakawan’’ a folklore with presentation of comics and illustration.

4. Uji Hahan

This well-known artist presents his works in lobby level and 6th floor by combining character of pop and urban. Hahan presents a legend of Gunung Tidar in street art style through all his artworks.

5. Ronald Apriyan

He is known for his expressive

style with sense of visual character of imaginative flora and fauna combine with local folklore, you can notice his artwork at 5th floor of ARTOTEL Yogyakarta.

6. Tempa

A collaboration of Rara and Putud, who has strong will to combine art and graphic design in all of their artworks. Tempa Studio’s work will be a sight not only in 3rd floor, but also in ROCA and its employee’s uniform. Tempa’s artwork for ARTOTEL Yogyakarta is inspired by ’’Dewi Sri’’ the goddess of fertility.

Erastus Radjimin, CEO of ARTOTEL Group said: “We are very grateful that Rasanto Group has entrusted its hotel to be managed

by ARTOTEL Group under brand of ARTOTEL. ARTOTEL presents in Yogyakarta has been an honor as an art inspired design hotel, ARTOTEL at this moment be at one of the center of Indonesian art and creativity center where the bond of community and local tradition are cultured. I hope ARTOTEL Yogyakarta can be a vessel for Yogyakarta’s emerging artists to explore and develop their art.‘’ Handoko Wignjowargo, Director of Rasanto Group in Hospitality industry and also CEO of PT Amara Primadua said, “ARTOTEL Yogyakarta will bring new ambiance in Jogja’s hotel industry. Hopefully ARTOTEL Yogyakarta’s will bring merit for not only the shareholder but also their stakeholder: guest, employees, local neighborhood, and Government of Special Region of Yogyakarta.”

Moreover Kevin, Business Development Manager of Rasanto Group, “We are ready to compete for Yogyakarta’s hotel market share. In the same time, we are ready to work with other parties to expanding current market. The principle are Coopetition, Cooperation for market expanding and Competition to share the expanded market.”

14

Friday, December 15, 2017

Fashion

International

International

Condom clothing designer shocks Congo into HIV awareness

DAKAR - A Congolese fashion designer is promoting safe sex with a collection of clothes made of condoms that she hopes will help combat HIV/AIDS in the central African country.

Felicite Luwungu started making her condom line, which includes strapless evening gowns and tops, after the HIV/AIDS epidemic hit close to home.

“I have lost loved ones to HIV - that’s what inspired me to do this,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from the capital, Kinshasa. “The message that I hope people will apply is to be prudent.”

The number of people living with HIV/AIDS and dying from related infections in the Democratic Repub-

Handout/Thomson Reuters Foundation

A model poses in a dress made of condoms

by Felicite Luwungu in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, December 5, 2017.

lic of Congo has been falling for more than a decade, according to the United Nations.

The prevalence rate of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is about 0.7 percent, among the lowest in southern and central Africa, UNAIDS data shows.

Luwungu, 40, displays her work in runway shows and exhibitions. When she finishes the condom collection, she plans to present it at a large fashion show next year.

The designs have shocked audiences but responses have been mostly positive, Luwungu said.

“People make jokes but it doesn’t discourage me,” she said.

“That only pushes me to do this more.” (rtr)

3 Unexpected Things Italian Taylor Swift Can’t Stop Women Consider Style Mistakes Wearing This Perfect Winter Shoe Trend

IF it seems like the world is obsessed with all things Italian right now, you’re not imagining it.

Between the cuisine, the vacation hot spot that is the Amalfi Coast, and, of course, the stylish women of the country, the fascination is understandable. Speaking of style, we recently came across an interesting tidbit about a few style faux pas

that Italian women always avoid.

The source of this information was The New York Times’ Open Thread, a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things style. Each week, Fashion Director Vanessa Friedman answers a question from a reader, and last week’s question was what to wear to a January wedding in Milan. To provide an answer, Fried-

man consulted an Italian friend, and she noted, “Italians consider sequins for after-dark only, purple tends to be associated with funerals and bare legs are a no no.”

Somewhat surprising, don’t you think? The next time you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Italy, do as the Italians do and avoid these three faux pas. (IBP/net)

WHILE her new album has been toppling sales records, Taylor S w ift has been busy promoting it with a slew of performances and appearances. Although she’s worn everything from bomber jackets to sequined dresses, all of her recent looks have one common element: combat boots.

Since debuting Reputation, Swift has worn the trend with nearly every single outfit, both on stage and off.

So what does her covetable boot collection consist of?

Most recently, she wore the Fendi Logo Biker Boots ($1150) for a performance in London this weekend, though she’s worn versions by Michael Kors and Prada for other outings. If these looks are any indication, we think we know exactly what to expect for her upcoming stadium tour costumes: a lot more combat boots.

(IBP/net)

Bali News

Friday, December 15, 2017

3

IBP/kmb

Almost all industries in Bali experience a crisis starting from tourism industry to airlines. Therefore, all parties must cooperate well to promote Bali to the world.

All industries face crisis due to Mount Agung eruption

Tourism circles must promote Bali

DENPASAR - Optimism must still be emitted in the middle of Mount Agung eruption disaster.

Almost all industries in Bali experience a crisis starting from tourism industry to airlines. Therefore, all parties must cooperate well to promote Bali to the world.

“We have to make interesting packages. To make Bali crowded, we need to promote Bali not our industry or not our hotels,” said a tourism practitioner, Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, in a discussion with the governor and tourism component of Bali in the meeting room of Bali Tourism Office on Tuesday (Dec. 12).

According to Wijaya, Bali has had capital through predicate as the best destination in the world for many years. In other words, all parties including the government should be able to show off the beauty of tourist objects in Bali. “We

must be able to make the destinations interesting so that tourists come to Bali,” he explained.

Chairman of the Alliance of Bali Tourism Society, Gusti Kade Sutawa, said the alliance wants a safe and convenient mainland transportation to take tourists to the nearest airport, particularly in case the Ngurah Rai Airport is closed again due to volcanic ashes of Mount Agung. It includes technical matters because Mengwi Terminal condition is considered inadequate and not representative.

“We also appeal to establishment of the Crisis Center which can prepare all possibilities with SOPs so that there will be no longer sporadic, panic and other movements,” he added.

Sutawa also asked the governor to give a statement to national and international media regarding the actual conditions of Mount Agung. It also includes the invitation to the airlines and Consul General to inform that Bali is safe

to be visited. The community is also specifically asked to help spread positive information related to the eruption and participate in promotional even that “Bali is Safe” either in print, electronic, and social media.

“It must be attempted that tourist-supporting countries can invoke their travel ban or travel warning that has been issued,” he explained.

Governor of Bali, Made Mangku Pastika, said the warning alert level (level IV) of Mount Agung is valid only to radius of 8 km with 22 affected villages. In other words, in Karangasem there are still 56 of 78 villages that are not affected by the eruption of the highest volcano in Bali. Meanwhile, 8 other districts / cities can be said to be safe to be visited, including by foreign tourists.

“We may not make any mistakes. Bali is not in a state of warning, but this status is only valid for the volcano with a radius of 8 km. The remaining areas are normal,” he said. (kmb32)

Gamma irradiation technology expected to be appropriate DENPASAR - Gamma irradiation technology that will be built by district government of Buleleng is expected to be studied carefully. The technology for post-harvest must also consider the level of maturity of production obtained from farmers. Otherwise, the technology is feared to be wasteful and wasting budget.

A professor of post harvest technology from Udayana University, Prof. Supartha Utama, said the technology can be used for post-harvest and become a solution in the handling of existing microorganisms in the export-oriented commodities. However, the other aspects must also be considered.

In terms of dose, for example, it must use the relatively low gamma irradiation for the sake of safety. “The question is that who can use the technology? If for export purposes, it is very much needed because fumigant is not allowed, so

that it must be found an alternative for the use of fumigant, but depends on the requirements of the exporting country,” he said. The technology is also positive for improving export products.

Gamma irradiation technology also needs supporting technology and pays attention to the whole farming system because there are still production systems and less optimal trading systems. Production of farmers should also consider post-harvest treatment and production standards before receiving gamma irradiation treatment. “If the production is not standardized, various products will need different irradiation treatment as well,” he said.

This technique may indeed delay the mature process on agricultural produce but must be with the right dose. “Many things need to be improved to support this gamma irradiation

implementation,” he added.

Apart from the dose, physiological character and product metabolism should be noticed so as not to ‘kill’ the product. For example, the mango to be given the treatment will depend on the maturity when wishing to delay the maturity. So, rigorous selection process after picking must be done.

With this irradiation technology, the product can last up to 45 days. After that, cooling technology is also needed after receiving irradiation treatment. According to him, cooling technology is appropriate to preserve. Gamma irradiation technology is suitable for eliminating microorganisms. So, it will be more useful when the treatment is needed at the quarantine office. Udayana University is ready to conduct a study to optimally support it. (kmb42)

4

Bali News

Friday, December 15, 2017

International

Thousands of tourists visit Buleleng

SINGARAJA — MV Genting Deram cruise ship measuring 335 meters anchored at Celukan Bawang, Gerokgak, on Wednesday (Dec. 13). The ‘jumbo’ size cruise ship with 20 decks comes from Singapore and carries 5,200 tourists and cabin crews.

Every cruise ship anchoring at this harbor, higher-ranked officials of Buleleng district welcome the tourists with warmth. In addition, the cruise passengers were also entertained with a package tour to some prominent tourist destinations owned by Buleleng. Head of the Buleleng Tourism Office, Nyoman Sutrisna, on the sidelines of welcoming the tourists said that a total 1,500 cruise passengers visited the tourist destinations in the area.

They did not stay in Buleleng, but only dropped in and took a tour program to some destinations in Buleleng. The tour package included city tour, Lovina, Munduk tourism village, Lake Buyan, Lake Tamblingan, Menjangan Island and West Bali National Park (TNBB). “Thousands of tourists visit destinations in Buleleng.

They are hoped to know that Buleleng and Bali are safe to be visited,” he said.

According to him, selection of Celukan Bawang for cruise ship to anchor is meant to boost tourists visit to Buleleng amid the

eruption impact of Mount Agung. This indicates that Buleleng and Bali are still safe and worth visiting by tourists. It is also a tourism promotion that Buleleng is not inferior to other regions in Bali. “Hopefully, they can see firsthand and experience directly the tourism and natural beauty owned by Buleleng so they can come back to Buleleng,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Regent of Buleleng, Nyoman Sutjidra, said that amid the issue of the impact of Mount Agung eruption that made Bali tourism sluggish, Buleleng is even visited by cruise ship carrying thousands of tourists. This opportunity is used to convey the message that Buleleng and Bali are still safe to be visited. To that end, he hoped this message can be disseminated by tourists making a visit on that day.

“Hopefully, this tourist visit can revive the current sluggish tourism of Buleleng and Bali in general. Similarly, we hope this visit can continue,” he said. (kmb38)

IBP/ant

MV Genting Deram cruise ship measuring 335 meters anchored at Celukan Bawang, Gerokgak.

Smuggling of quarantine commodity still rampant almost every day. One of the suppliers from East Java met in one of the public markets revealed that the poultry can escape clandestinely.

They intentionally deliver in small number and secretly in various ways.

“If delivered by car, we are worried about getting caught so we suffer great losses,” said the bespectacled woman asking for anonymity.

Similar case also happens to fish quarantine commodities. The supply of fish crosses Gilimanuk almost every day. L300 pickup truck regularly hauls the commodity every day. The question is whether the transport is indeed feasible and the hygiene of the commodities transported is completely ascertained. “Every day, the L300 pickup truck passes to haul fish. In addition to frequent speeding, it also exudes odor and water of the fish also drips along the path passed through. Is it also checked?” said

IBP/olo

Delivery of illegal quarantine commodities to Bali via Gilimanuk Harbor almost occurs every day.

13

China’s industrial heartland struggles in Beijing’s fight against smog

SHIJIAZHUANG - Severe natural gas shortages are hitting businesses and residents across China’s industrial heartland as an unprecedented government effort to clean up an environment devastated by decades of unbridled growth backfires.

Without firm sanctions

DELIVERY of illegal quarantine commodities to Bali via Gilimanuk Harbor almost occurs every day.

However, almost all smugglers secured by the officers at the entrance of Bali are not imposed with strict sanctions. Only advised to complete documents and provided with briefing, they can continue. As a result, it has an impact on the repetition of the same delivery. On the one hand, live poultry smuggling, for example, remains to happen frequently. Similarly, there is also delivery of fishery commodities using L300 pickup truck whose waste management in vehicle is not feasible.

Based on the search of Bali Post, live poultry delivery still happens though in small number. In a number of traditional markets in the past week, chickens and ducks are brought in from Java by using public transport (buses and public transport)

Friday, December 15, 2017

International

Chairman of Jembrana Town Forum NGO, Ida Bagus Ariyanto.

According to him, there should be studies regarding the standard whether it is feasible or infeasible based on particular reference. Severe sanctions must be imposed when violations occur. So, it does not keep repeating. “Our emphasis is on whether it is worth consuming or not? It must be checked whether their document is wrong or without documents. Who knows they deliver carcasses,” he criticized.

He cited the cars are regularly carrying fish and passing through Denpasar-Gilimanuk road section.

In addition to exuding odor, there is also contamination on the road due to ice water seepage from the car. Is it really checked that the commodity brought is free of preservatives or do they bring any other items as well?

It also happens to poultry commodities. All this time, in fact live poultry still go to Bali. Actually the Gubernatorial Regulation No. 44/2005 on temporary prohibition of adult poultry inflow to Bali Province remains valid. If they are caught, the commodity is only returned to the place of origin. “In my opinion, the gubernatorial regulation is revoked at once as it equally does not have any effect,” he explained.

From the data compiled, there is delivery of inter-island Quarantine Commodities to Bali violating the rules almost every day. Most of them are administrative violation or shipping documents of the quarantine office from the region of origin.

When handed over, the sanctions provided are only to complete the document and the most severe is rejection. When the delivery documents are filled, the delivery can proceed. So, it seems ineffective and more similar deliveries will ignore or underestimate the rules.

Previously, Coordinator of First Class Agricultural Quarantine Office I of Denpasar for Gilimanuk Area, Ida Bagus Eka Ludra, revealed that according to the regulation of Quarantine Law No. 16/1992 on Quarantine of Animal, Fish and Plants for Inter-island Delivery must be equipped with health documents.

Basically, it means to ward off the entry and spread of disease from quarantine commodities. It is not to punish people. However, when there is an element of crime it will be followed up by conducting investigations. In the future, it puts forward non-judicial action.

“The law has ordered if the delivery is not equipped with documents, it should be immediately rejected.

If the violator does not want to be rejected, we give it a chance to complete the document one day and secure the documents. If more than one day it is not completed, we’ll eliminate the commodities,” he explained. The elimination is done to prevent the entry of diseases such as bird flu and rabies.

Agricultural Quarantine, according to him, has made several pro-judicial actions, such as in the case of dog delivery without document some time ago in Tabanan

with a three-year sentence. Another case is the delivery of adult chicken was field to Negara District Court and sentenced to three years with a fine of IDR 2 million. In every commodity arrested, the perpetrator also makes a statement of no longer committing infringement.

When the perpetrator is caught again, it will be taken pro-judicial action.

Quarantine commodities are principally not prohibited and not smuggled goods. However, the rules require the completion of health documents to ensure that the commodities do not suffer from illnesses often made into loopholes.

Moreover, economic factors can make a profit due to the inter-island price disparity of the commodities.

“Like poultry, on the one side, the price in Java is cheaper than in Bali.

This makes the perpetrators deliver without going through quarantine check, whereas our purpose is to ward off disease,” he added.

Regarding the gubernatorial regulation issued in 2005 about the prohibition of poultry is indeed still valid. However, today the position of Java and Bali is equally the region of bird flu infection. “Nevertheless, the inter-island delivery of live poultry can still be allowed as long as it has quarantine documents issued of the exit harbor and report it to quarantine officer at Gilimanuk,” he added.

He did not dismiss there will be always an effort to deliver commodities carried out secretly because of economic benefits. (olo)

Factories are closing or operating at reduced capacity, businesses are seeing profits shrink as supply chains are disrupted, and people are shivering through sub-zero temperatures without adequate heating at home, according to interviews conducted across the region last week.

The gas shortages, which have sent prices soaring nationwide, have undermined a sweeping campaign to switch millions of households and thousands of businesses from coal to natural gas in north China this winter, part of long-running efforts to clean the region’s toxic air.

Much of the gasification of the region, involving over 4 million homes, was rapidly launched by local authorities acting on their own initiatives in response to calls by the central government to control air pollution.

But the plan appears to have been overly ambitious. Despite the installation of gas lines REUTERS/Aly Song and boilers for factories and homes across A man wearing a face mask rides a bicycle on a bridge in front of the financial district of Pudong covered in smog the northeast, supply has been hampered by insufficient infrastructure to bring the fuel to during a polluted day in Shanghai, China November 22, 2017. the industrial region and store it, according to Liang Jin, an independent analyst previously campaigns may hit economic growth. factory in rural Hebei, said compliance with After moving from coal to natural gas and with the oil and gas consultancy JLC. Interviews with business owners, families, the new environmental standards means he reopening in September, the factory halted And in some areas, many homes have yet utilities and gas producers in Hebei province has only been able to operate for four months production again in October as gas prices to get the gas boilers needed for heating. highlighted the problem and suggested that this year. soared.

The gas plan was also implemented as Chi- many cities were unprepared to cope. Hebei is Production at his factory near Shijiaz“The price of gas is 6-7 yuan per cubic mena tries this winter to reduce production from adjacent to Beijing and its factories are often huang, Hebei’s capital, has been disrupted ter, up from 2 yuan last year,” Xue told Reuters polluting industries like steel and cut back blamed for much of the pollution that often several times by environmental inspections by phone. “If we open, we are going to run at on the use of diesel trucks. That has raised cloaks the capital in the winter. and halted over the summer to install new a loss.” He added that it was also difficult for concerns about whether the anti-pollution Xue Huabing, who owns a small floor-tile natural gas boilers, he said. him to secure gas supplies. (rtr)

South Korea’s Moon tries K-Pop and TV stars in China charm offensive

REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Members from South Korean K-pop group Red Velvet pose on the red carpet during the Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong, China December 1, 2017.

SEOUL - South Korean President Moon Jae-in will unveil an array of TV talent and K-Pop celebrities at events, including a state dinner, in China on Thursday as he attempts to smooth out a year of difficult diplomacy with a star-laden charm offensive.

South Korean celebrities, including some of those accompanying Moon, had been shut out of Chinese television and concert halls as relations cooled between the East Asian neighbours as they faced the threat posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes.

The thorniest issue was South Korea’s deployment of a controversial U.S. anti-missile system.

Moon is hoping to use his first visit to China since taking office in May to build support for

a diplomatic solution to a crisis that has grown steadily through the year. Pyongyang tested its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile on Nov. 29, which it said could put all of the United States within range, in defiance of international pressure and U.N. sanctions.

Moon kicked off his trip to China on Wednesday and spoke of the need to get bilateral economic exchanges back on track.

“It is the confidence of South Koreans and business leaders that the difficult situation of various inadequacies of cooperation between the two countries, borne out of differences in the two countries’ point of view, will be shaken off - and a new age of bilateral relations will begin,” Moon told a round table of Chinese and South Korean business

leaders in Beijing.

Moon plans to sign a memorandum with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in a step towards follow-up negotiations about services and investments under the South Korea-China Free Trade Agreement.

Top South Korean actress Song Hye-kyo, star of 2016’s hit drama “Descendants of the Sun” and the face of many South Korean cosmetics brands, will join Moon and Xi in a state dinner later on Thursday. Song will be joined by married South Korean and Chinese actors, Choo Jayeon and Xiaoguang Yu. Boy band EXO, one of the topearning artists of major K-Pop talent agency S.M. Entertainment, will also join Moon and Song at a bilateral business event earlier on Thursday. (rtr)

12

International

Friday, December 15, 2017

Bali News

International

BUSINESS

REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski

The European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters are pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, December 7, 2017.

Steady as she goes: ECB to keep money taps wide open

FRANKFURT - The European Central Bank is likely to bump up some of its economic forecasts on Thursday and may debate tweaking its pledge to keep money at its current, ultra-easy level, but will ultimately reaffirm is policy stance. Meeting just six weeks after agreeing to halve asset buys, policymakers are likely to argue that growth continues to improve but ultralow borrowing costs are still needed to lift inflation as the recovery remains dependent on the bank’s accommodation.

Still, policy hawks are likely to keep pushing ECB President Mario Draghi to prepare markets for an end to asset buys sometime next year, arguing for incremental changes in the bank’s message to set up a formal decision by mid-year on ending a 2.55 trillion euro ($3 trillion) bond purchase scheme.

Having faced five years of stagnant or falling prices, the ECB has deployed its entire policy arsenal, cutting rates into negative territory, giving banks cheap loans and hoovering up bonds, all in the hope of boosting growth and rekindling inflation. Its work has paid off as the euro zone recovery is now well into its fifth year thanks to nine million new jobs and economic convergence between poorer periphery countries like Italy and Greece, and the bloc’s richest, appears to be restarting.

The growth run is fuelling arguments among more conservative policymakers that the ECB’s job is close to done, so it should take a step back, let others do the rest and preserve its firepower after the crisis tested its limits.

“Even the doves at the ECB will feel uneasy about extending asset purchases beyond September 2018,” Berenberg economist Florian

5

Jogging Track at Lumintang City Park

Some WTO members to push for e-commerce rules as broader deal fails BUENOS AIRES - A group of 70 World Trade Organization countries pledged on Wednesday to work toward new electronic commerce trade rules that promote open and predictable regulations, joining the initiative as a broader WTO agreement failed. The WTO’s 164 members were unable to consolidate some 25 separate e-commerce proposals at the body’s biennial conference which ended Wednesday, including a call to set up a central e-commerce negotiating forum.

The smaller group pledging to work toward new WTO e-commerce rules includes the European Union, Japan, Canada, Brazil, South Korea, Russia and other major and emerging economies, but notably excludes China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. In a statement, the group pledged to hold an initial meeting in the first quarter of 2018.

The statement highlighted “the importance of global electronic commerce and the opportunities it creates for inclusive trade and development.

“We also recognize the important role of the WTO in promoting open, transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable regulatory environments in facilitating electronic commerce,” the statement said.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement that the digital economy was important for U.S. and global growth, and the effort sought “strong market-based rules in this area.”

“Initiatives like this among like-minded countries offer a positive way forward for the WTO in the future,” Lighthizer added.

E-commerce, which developed largely after the WTO’s creation in 1995, was not part of the Doha round of talks that began in 2001 and eventually collapsed more than a decade later.

Many countries, with India at the fore, insist that Doha-round development issues must be dealt with before new issues can be tackled. But other countries say the WTO needs to move with the times, and note that 70 regional trade agreements already include provisions or chapters on e-commerce, according to a recent study.

The emergence of a coalition willing to press ahead with e-commerce, despite others’ reservations, reinforces a trend toward the fragmentation of WTO negotiations and away from the global “rounds” that ran out of steam in Doha.(rtr)

Friday, December 15, 2017

Hense said. “We, therefore, expect the ECB to take small steps towards the exit, starting with tweaking its guidance gradually over the course of the first nine months of 2018.”

The ECB releases its policy decision at 1245 GMT, followed by Draghi’s news conference at 1330 GMT. Analysts polled

by Reuters unanimously expect rates to stay unchanged and asset buys to continue at 30 billion euros a month from January.

FORECASTS The first clue to future policy will come from the ECB’s new economic projections, which are likely to show better growth for the year ahead and a broadly unchanged or marginally improved inflation path. The key number to watch will be the ECB’s initial forecast for 2020 inflation to see whether rising oil prices push the inflation path higher and how far it is from the bank’s target of close-to-but-below 2 percent.

Analysts see the figure in the 1.7-1.8 percent range and while the target is intentionally vague, Draghi has said that 1.7 percent is considered a miss so any figure at the bottom of expectations would make it difficult to ar-

gue for an exit. But a benign 2020 projection could rekindle a simmering debate about the end of asset buys.

In October several influential policymakers argued that the ECB should amend its guidance, cutting the direct link between inflation and bond buys. They argued that the ECB should instead connect its overall policy stance to inflation, de facto cutting the emphasis on quantitative easing (QE) and making it easier to end it.

“The ECB wants to phase out QE in a smooth fashion, and this requires it to make the case that the overall policy stance will remain accommodative...with low policy rates and ample liquidity,” UBS economist Reinhard Cluse said. Another key item for the meeting will be a discussion on how to distribute purchases from next year onwards.

Some policymakers argue that the ECB should increase the proportion of private sector purchases by keeping those volumes steady when sovereign purchases are cut from January. Such a shift could also take some pressure off sovereign buys as the ECB is nearing its self-imposed purchase limits in several countries.(rtr)

Villagers hike up Mount Batur to Pray As Tourists climb down after watching sunrise

Although Mount Batur is located quite close to Mount Agung and steam has been seen coming out of the crater of the great volcano for the last few days, areas outside of the distaster- prone 12 kilometres from the crater remain perfectly safe.

While tourism in Kintamani and all over Bali has plummeted since the small erupt of Mount Agung in late November, leaving many popular tourist attractions in Bali nearly deserted, on Tuesday (DEc 2 ) morning, a few tourist were seen coming down Mount Batur after trekking up to see the sunrise from this iconic view point.

As the tourist were coming down the mountain a few hundred Balinese Hindus from Songan village were making their way.

Dressed in traditional attire, carrying offerings of fruit and flowers in large baskets, the villagers scrabbled their ways up the rocky path to a large flat area in front of the crater at the top of Mount Batur.

At dawn Mount Agung was seen emitting a small puff of vapour and as the devoted Balinese made their way up Mount Batur the greg volcano just 20 kilometres away let out another little puff. Nobody seem to pay much attention to the neighbouring mountain, which is not so surprising given the little to no direct impact the volcanic dust

a few weeks ago had on this ( and most) parts of Bali.

After casually making their way up to the crater or Mount Crater and placing their many offerings on a make-shift altar, the crowd finally coalesced into a seated mass of devotees facing the deep crater as a priest started to ring his gent bell and the men started chatting a slow low prayer.

This ceremony is performed by the people of Songan Dusun Dalam every year at this time that is know of being prone to troubles, explained the Kepala Dusun. As a way to restore harmony to the village, the mountains, the island and the universe, they perform this “Segoro-Gunung” (Ocean Mountian) rite. After praying together and throwing offerings into the deep steep crater, the villagers climb back down the mountain and perform a similar ritual at the Lake-side temple (representing the sea).

Segoro- Gunung is a Balinese concept that essentially represents the cycle of water from cloud s that

rain down in the mountains and feed the rivers that run to the ocean and which then forms back into rain clouds. THis cycle of water replenishes, cleanses and brings life to all and and such also serves to represents harmony in a wider sense, explained Balinese priest Mangku Bonuz recently.

Although Songan Dusun Dalam perform this ritual every year, they do not necessary climb the mountain every year to conduct the ritual. For a number of reasons, this year the villagers did scramble up the rocky path with Mount Agung smoking lively in the background.

As they sat to pray the leading priest called on those present to pray to all the forces of nature, to creator and to Mount Batur and Mount Gunung that harmony may be maintained for all.

Many people in Kintamani and elsewhere in Bali are also praying that tourists quickly understand that the volcano is not a major threat except for places right on the mountain’s slopes, so that tourists will start coming back to Bali.(kmb)

Sometimes living in the city is hard to find jogging track. However, if you happen to stay and spend holiday in Denpasar, simply come to Lumintang City Park located on Jalan Mulawarman, Dauh Puri Kaja village, Denpasar. Jogging activity cannot only be done in the morning, but also at night. The green and shady square has been equipped with decorative lights for people wishing to exercise at night.

The park area is surrounded by footpath as a place for jogging. The atmosphere of exercise will be more comfortable because while nourishing the body, you can also enjoy the beauty and cleanliness of the night air downtown. You can also refresh your mind by watching the beauty of dancing fountain. When coming with children, you can take advantage of various games available in the middle of the square.

Lumintang City Park is a relaxing place commonly used by residents of Denpasar to exercise and play. Every corner of the path or under shady tree has been equipped with a casual seat accompanied by hundreds of friendly pigeons during the day. Visitors can take advantage of the benches as a place to read a book or just to chat. “We are often having an exercise here,” said Agus, a resident of Denpasar originating from Tabanan.

Especially for children, there are various game facilities, such as

slide, swing, seesaw and others in the east park area. Various games are usually crowded in the afternoon, while special sport games for adults are situated in the northern part of the park. In the middle of the park, there is a well-known pond with lights and fountain show. The space next to the pool is often used to have yoga exercise.

This dancing fountain can be enjoyed every day from 19:00 to 21:00. The fountain will be turned on after the nightfall. Meanwhile, on the corner (southeast) of the park, there is a stage to make cultural performance every Saturday and Sunday. The activity will be filled by pre-school, kindergarten to elementary school students in the city of Denpasar.

Well, in the south of the park there is wide acreage equipped with Denpasar Traffic Park. Here, visitors can know and learn various traffic signs in the city of Denpasar.

“In nourishing people, Denpasar municipality has brought many new innovations in this city, like providing this free sport facility,” explained Ayu Suandewi with her children when exercising at this park.

So, she continued that when people having no time to exercise in the morning because of busy works can do it by jogging at night. Moreover, on particular days there will be cultural performances. (kmb)

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Friday, December 15, 2017

W

International

RLD

Muslim leaders call on world to recognise East Jerusalem as Palestinian capital

ISTANBUL - Muslim leaders on Wednesday condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and called on the world to respond by recognising East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who hosted the summit of more than 50 Muslim countries in Istanbul, said the U.S. move meant Washington had forfeited its role as broker in efforts to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“From now on, it is out of the question for a biased United States to be a mediator between Israel and Palestine, that period is over,” Erdogan said at the end of the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.

“We need to discuss who will be a mediator from now on. This needs to be tackled in the U.N. too,” Erdogan said.

A communique posted on the Turkish Foreign Ministry website said the emirs, presidents and ministers gathered in Istanbul regarded Trump’s move “as an announcement of the U.S. Administration’s withdrawal from its role as sponsor of peace”.

It described the decision as “a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts, an impetus (for) extremism and terrorism, and a threat to international peace and security”.

Leaders including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and Jordan’s

King Abdullah, a close U.S. ally, all criticised Washington’s move.

“Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine,” Abbas said, adding Trump’s decision was “the greatest crime” and a violation of international law.

Asked about the criticism at a State Department briefing in Washington, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that despite the “inflammatory rhetoric” from the region, Trump “is committed to this peace process.”

“That type of rhetoric that we heard has prevented peace in the past,” she said, urging people to “ignore some of the distortions” and focus on what Trump actually said. She said his decision did not affect the city’s final borders, which were dependent upon negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians.

But when asked whether East Jerusalem could similarly be recognised as the capital of a future Palestinian state, Nauert said that determination should be left to final status negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

“We’re taking a position on how we view Jerusalem,” she said. “I think it’s up to the Israelis and Palestinians to decide how they want to view the borders - again final status negotiations.”

Abbas told OIC leaders in Istanbul that Washington had shown it could no longer be an honest broker.

“It will be unacceptable for it to have a role in the political process any longer since it is biased in favour of Israel,” he said. “This is our position and we hope you support us in this.” (rtr)

REUTERS/Osman Orsal

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attend a news conference following the extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, December 13, 2017.

Courtesy Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department/Handout via REUTERS

Thomas wildfire burns above Bella Vista Drive near Romero Canyon in this social media photo by Santa Barbara County Fire Department in Montecito, California, U.S. December 12, 2017.

Firefighters defend homes as huge California wildfire rages on

LOS ANGELES - Firefighters grappling with a wildfire that has burned out of control for 10 days on California’s scenic coastline, destroying more than 700 homes, sought on Wednesday to defend homes from flames whipped by resurgent Santa Ana winds.

The so-called Thomas Fire, already the state’s fifth-largest wildland blaze on record, remained a threat to the communities of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Summerland and Montecito as darkness fell and winds picked up, fire officials said.

“Very high fuel loading, critically low fuel moistures, above average temperatures and single-digit relative humidities will continue to support fire growth on the west, east and north sides of the Thomas incident,” the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in a statement.

“Firefighters will remain engaged in structure defense operations and scout for opportunities to establish direct perimeter control,” the department said.

The Thomas Fire, which broke out on Dec. 4 near the community of Ojai, has traveled 27 miles (43 km), blackening more than 371 square miles (953 square km) in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, an area larger than New York City.

The conflagration has destroyed 709 single-family homes, damaged 164 others and displaced more than 94,000 people. It was 30 per-

cent contained as of Wednesday evening.

On Tuesday, nearly 8,000 firefighters battling the blaze took advantage of the lighter winds to set controlled burns in a canyon near Carpinteria to deprive the flames of fuel, Cal Fire Captain Steve Concialdi told reporters.

U.S. Representative Julia Brownley, whose congressional district includes Ventura, said on Tuesday the fire could take another week to contain. The efforts have so far cost more than $61 million, according to authorities.

Many public schools in the Santa Barbara area canceled classes this week and will not reopen until the annual winter break is completed in January.

Some of the other fires burning over the past week in San Diego and Los Angeles counties have been largely brought under control.

Investigators determined that the Skirball Fire, which destroyed six homes in Los Angeles’ wealthy Bel-Air neighborhood and scorched a building at a winery owned by billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch, was started by a cooking fire at a homeless encampment, authorities said on Tuesday.

The Lilac Fire, which burned more than 4,000 acres (1,620 hectares) in northern San Diego County and destroyed 157 structures, was 95 percent contained by Wednesday, Cal Fire said. (rtr)

International

Friday, December 15, 2017

11

National Police chief bestows awards upon seven ministers JAKARTA - Chief of the National Police General Tito Karnavian has bestowed Bhayangkara Utama medals of merit upon seven cabinet ministers in recognition of their contributions to the police on Wednesday.

“It (Bhayangkara Utama) is the highest award in the National Police. We bestow the medals of merit upon you for your great contributions to the National Police in performing its duties,” he stated at the Police College (STIK) here.

The seven ministers are Finance Minister, Sri Mulyani, Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister, Asman Abnur, Minister/State Secretary, Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary, Pramono Anung, Transportation Minister, Budi Sumadi, Public Works and People’s Housing Minister, Basuki Hadimuljono, and Health Minister, Nila Moeloek.

The National Police chief presented the awards to the ministers after securing a seal of approval from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). In addition to the seven ministers, Karnavian also conferred awards on chiefs of the Malaysia police, chief of the Philippine police, chief of the Australian police, and chief of the Singapore police for their intense cooperation, including in handling terrorism.

The conferment ceremony was attended by vice chief of the National Police, Commissioner General Syafrudin, Sumadi, Moeloek, Abnur, and Anung. Mulyani, Hadimuljono, and Pratikno, did not show up. (ant)

REUTERS/Beawiharta

Muslim women walk in front of Indonesia’s constitutional court after attending a trial in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 14, 2017.

Indonesia court rejects petition to bar consensual sex outside marriage

JAKARTA - Indonesia’s constitutional court on Thursday narrowly rejected a petition by a conservative group to make extramarital sex illegal, but rights activists braced for a renewal of the battle in parliament and other state institutions.

Five of nine judges voted for the case to be thrown out, in a slim victory for rights activists who had feared the petition would spur moral policing and further discrimination against the gay community in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country.

Most Indonesians adhere to a moderate form of Islam under an officially secular system, but there has been rise of a hardline, politicized Islam in recent years, which until recently had stayed on the fringe of the nation’s politics.

Constitutional court chief justice Arief Hidayat said existing laws on adultery did not conflict with the constitution and it was not the court’s authority to create new policies. The judge said the question could be put to parlia-

ment, which is currently deliberating revisions to the national criminal code.

“The plaintiff should submit their petition to lawmakers, and there it should be an important input in the ongoing revision of the national criminal code,” Hidayat said, as he read a summary of the 600-page ruling. “Based on that view, the constitutional court is of the opinion that the petition is not legally sound.”

Rights activists were comforted by the court’s decision, while expecting more challenges to come. “The decision is a relief because it shows it’s possible to challenge the creeping conservatism in society,” said Dede Oetomo, a prominent gay rights activist.

“But it’s not over. There’s parliament, there are other state institutions, they can turn to education, social organisations,” he added.

The Family Love Alliance (AILA), a group of conservative academics and activists which put forward the petition, said it would not give up its fight.

“Aside from legal avenues, we can also go through government policy and programs so that

sexual deviance is minimised and is an agenda for all of us,” Euis Sunarti, a member of AILA, told reporters after the ruling.

AILA’s petition had called for the definition of adultery to apply not just to married couples but to anyone in a marriage or outside it - effectively making all sex outside of marriage a crime. In their complaint, AILA said certain articles in the national criminal code “threaten the resilience of families and therefore of Indonesia itself.”

Some rights activists said the petition was partly aimed at criminalizing gay sex, which is currently not regulated by the law except in the ultra-conservative province of Aceh and in cases of child abuse.

Activists say such changes to the law would make it vulnerable to abuse, like the country’s draconian anti-pornography laws, to target the LGBT community. Islamic parties pushed the anti-pornography laws in parliament soon after Indonesia ushered in its democratic era in 1998 and actively push an anti-LGBT agenda today. (ant)

10

Destination

Friday, December 15, 2017

International

Friday, December 15, 2017

International

Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Vuelta Tour of Spain after the last stage of the cycling race between Arroyomolinos and Madrid, September 10, 2017.

Bali Mula Unik

Nature tourism good for spiritual activity

GIANYAR - Bali Mula Unik is a new nature tourism located at Pujung Kaja hamlet, Tegallalang, Gianyar. It is about 1.5 hours’ drive from Denpasar and about 2 hours from Ngurah Rai Airport. As new destination, it offers a unique combination of spiritual tourism and nature tourism with cool atmosphere and positive aura. Various local rare or auspicious plants are available so as to create a cool and peaceful atmosphere. They exude different auras, so that invite everyone to linger in this area.

Local communities and travelers often use the location for meditation and yoga. Moreover, in the eastern region sits the temple named Taman Nirhyra Sudamala Jelantik with two showers that make this location more solemn.

A shower of Taman Nirhyra Sudamala Jelantik is commonly used to do purificatory rite (melukat), while another is used for healing.

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and other days, many Balinese people perform purificatory rite or invoke healing holy water here,” said the owner who is also Operations Manager of the attraction, I Nyoman Cendekiawan.

Local people believe that water of the shower can help cure colic, smallpox, urination disorder, high blood pressure and other diseases.

Water of the shower can also be drunk directly based on the results of laboratory check. People that will perform purificatory rite will put offerings first, have a bath in

the shower and perform worship.

When getting thirsty, visitors can take water of the shower in a bottle.

In the temple area, travelers often practice yoga. They do not need to spread a mat because there has been a clean and soft grass. If unsatisfied, they can resume the activity the following day. Travelers can stay in a traditional house with a capacity of six people.

“Travelers from Australia, Russia and Denmark ever stayed at this lodge,” he said. When wishing to

Production Staff,Chemical Graduate,Capable English.Apply to:versaindustries4@gmail.com

Reservation for hotel Agent, fresh graduate tourism school send CV:info@rd-tours.com

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REUTERS/Susana Vera/File Photo

Froome denies breaking rules, says legacy not tainted

LONDON - Four-times Tour de France winner Chris Froome has denied breaking any rules after a urine test he gave during the Vuelta a Espana in September showed excessive levels of an asthma medication.

Froome, who became the first British rider to win the Vuelta, had double the allowed level of the legal asthma drug Salbutamol in his urine, Cycling’s governing body, the UCI, said on Wednesday.

“I understand this comes as a big shock to people,” Froome

told the BBC in an interview. “I certainly haven’t broken any rules here. I haven’t taken more than the permissible amount and I am sure at the end of the day the truth will be told.”

Team Sky rider Froome, 32, risks missing next year’s Tour de

France and could lose his Vuelta crown unless he can provide a satisfactory explanation for the failed test during the Spanish race.

“I can understand a lot of people’s reactions, especially given the history of the sport. But this is a very different case. This is not a positive test,” Froome said.

“As it stands the UCI have asked me for more information regarding my use of Salbutamol, which is a very common medicine used in

B.BP.004.11.17.0000615

B.BP.001.11.17.0000637

treating asthma.

“I have been only too happy to help the UCI fill in the blanks and give all that information up to try and get to the bottom of what has happened.”

Asked whether he felt his legacy had been permanently tainted, Froome said: “No.” He added that he had shared “everything he had” regarding his use of the drug with cycling’s governing body.

“I have been a professional cyclist now, treating my symptoms and racing with asthma, for 10 years,” Froome said.

“I know what those rules are, I know what those limits are and I have never been over those limits.

“I have got a very clear routine when I use my inhaler and how many times. I have given all that information to the UCI to help get to the bottom of it.” (rtr)

Azarenka given wildcard for Australian Open

B.BP.001.11.17.0000810

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Santen waterfall and play tubing or just have a shower. “Other than children from Gianyar, there are also many teenagers from Buleleng, Tabanan and Denpasar frequently visiting this location,” he added.

Bali Mula Unik is indeed very good to perform outbound, meeting, birthday celebration and other activities. Students, government agencies and other social organizations also use this location to do their outdoor activities. Moreover, some agencies often choose Bali Mula Unik as their meeting venue.

“This venue is supported by some facilities such as parking space, restrooms, restaurants and others,” he said.

According to him, this twohectare nature tourism object has begun to be visited by travelers since the beginning of January 2017. This area is privately owned but the operations are involving local community members as the officers. (kmb)

B.BP.001.11.17.0000581

Nike Villas Sanur Urgently needed candidate to fill the positions as Front Office staff & Engineering,must be speaking English and has experience in the same fields, Please bring your CV to Nike Villas at Jalan Bumi Ayu No.19 Sanur, PH 286 911, email: info-b@nikevillas.com

B.BP.001.11.17.0001464

enjoy the atmosphere for the whole night, travelers can make a camp in the area prepared. The management will set up a tent and campfire.

Then, it is ready to do the next activities together. Self-cooking activity is available because the officer has prepared a variety of equipment. However, when getting lazy, travelers can order food to local staff.

Bali Mula Unik also offers beautiful places to have selfie. The location is above the Wos River with classic bridge made of solid wood. In the vicinity, grows large palm. Teenagers often use this location to immortalize their memories.

There are two locations of selfie that are always crowded. Every day, after school hours, students and teenagers are already crowded to take pictures.

Different atmosphere can be seen on school holidays, where young people are doing activities on the river. They take photographs in wet condition under the Yeh

Place Your Add Here

It is for Job Vacancy, Property, Selling or Buying

Please contact Gugiek : 08123840500

Victoria Azarenka

IBP/net

MELBOURNE - Twice champion Victoria Azarenka has been given a wildcard for next month’s Australian Open, organisers said on Wednesday.

Azarenka, who won the Melbourne Park title in 2012 and 2013, returned to the WTA Tour in June after having a baby, but has been involved in a custody battle that has prevented her from playing since Wimbledon.

She withdrew from the U.S. Open and the Fed Cup final, which Belarus lost to the United States. She is currently ranked 210 in the world. “Vika’s current situation is obviously very difficult for her and we have reached out to offer any support we can,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said in a statement.

“As a two-time Australian Open champion we’ve awarded her a wildcard and look forward to seeing her back on court in Melbourne in January.”

Azarenka said she was thankful for the opportunity to return to Melbourne Park and hoped it would kick-start the year for her.

“I’m so excited about coming back to Melbourne for the Australian Open, its my favourite tournament,” she said.

“I’ve won there twice and always feel so comfortable on court and the city is great.

“Its been a tough year and being able to come back to the AO will be a really positive way to start 2018.”

The tournament runs from Jan 15-28. (rtr)

8

Friday, December 15, 2017

Friday, December 15, 2017

Sp rt

‘No complacency’ spells no hope for Man City’s chasers

Independiente’s players celebrate with the Copa Sudamericana trophy.

REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Independiente win Copa Sudamericana after draw in Rio

SAO PAULO - Independiente won their second Copa Sudamericana title on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw at the Maracana stadium with Brazil’s Flamengo in the second leg of the final gave the Argentine side a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Argentina last week, Flamengo came out all guns blazing but Independiente held their nerve and kept the hosts at bay early on.

Flamengo’s Everton came close in the 13th minute but was denied by Independiente goalkeeper Martin Campana. The hosts took the lead half an hour into

the game through Lucas Paqueta but Independiente equalised 10 minutes later with a penalty from 18-yearold Ezequiel Barco.

The spot-kick was awarded after intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR), which showed Gustavo Cuellar had fouled Maximiliano Meza in the box.

VAR involves video assistant referees who monitor screens and draw the match referee’s attention to officiating mistakes or missed serious incidents.

Independiente almost scored a second after the break through Emmanuel Gigliotti but defender Juan Silveira dos Santos cleared. Flamengo have had to play without striker Paolo Guerrero, who has been suspended by FIFA after failing an anti-doping test. (rtr)

LONDON - The perfectionist’s streak that runs through Pep Guardiola demanded he should declare after another record-breaking triumph on Wednesday there would be absolutely no possibility of complacency now derailing Manchester City. Fresh from overseeing an outright record for successive Premier League victories -- 15 and counting this season -- with another 4-0 masterclass at Swansea City, Guardiola sounded almost affronted at the idea the leaders might lose their focus.

“That is not going to happen,” the Spaniard told the BBC, when asked if a slacking off might materialise with City now 11 points clear and their nearest chasers all seemingly becoming more resigned to it being a hopeless pursuit.

“We are so demanding for our players. We can lose, we can drop points but complacency never happened in the past, the present or the future. Winning 15 games in a row gives us a lot of confidence,” Guardiola said. Having broken the single-season record with a 14th consecutive win in the Manchester derby at United on Sunday, win number 15 beat the top-flight landmark in the Premier League era set

by Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, spanning two seasons in 2002.

Yet what has evidently delighted the Spaniard more than anything has been the way City seemed to have carved out their triumphs in the same kaleidoscopic manner he fashioned previously at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. “If people are happy watching us, that is the

best gift,” he said, making it sound like an early Christmas present for English soccer fans.

Among the delights he has served up, perhaps nothing has been finer than the way Guardiola has brought David Silva, his marvellous Spanish midfield conductor, into full bloom.

With his double against Swansea, Silva has now been involved in 13 Premier League goals in 17 matches this season -- five goals and eight assists -- which is already more than he managed in the whole of 2016-17.

Guardiola was left delighted that, at 31, his orchestrator was now apparently also becoming more of a predator. “I’m so happy for David,” he enthused. “We cannot disguise his quality but in the past he didn’t score too much goals. He’s sharp, he’s in an amazing condition.”

It may have been a pleasure for the neutral but for Swansea boss Paul Clement, who also had to see goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero ensure his side remain rooted to the foot of the table, it was “horrible” to behold.

“For me, (City) are one of the best sides I’ve ever come across,” said Clement, who has been assistant manager at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

“So many good athletes, so many intelligent footballers and it’s really hard to pin them down.” So hard indeed that only Everton, in the Premier League, this season have managed to take a point from them and it is increasingly looking the tallest of orders for any other side to follow suit. (rtr)

Chinese clubs urged to develop youth or lose licenses - report TOKYO - Chinese soccer authorities are set to impose strict new regulations on the country’s clubs, using the threat of losing their professional licenses as a spur to establish a more comprehensive youth development programme.

According to Titan Sports, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) will introduce rules in 2019 that force clubs in the top two tiers of the domestic league to create youth teams ranging from the under-13 bracket up to the under-19 level.

The teams would play in competitions organised by the CFA and, claim Titan Sports, a failure to comply would see clubs forfeit their registration to play professionally.

The CFA have yet to respond to a Reuters request for a comment on the matter. The move marks the latest CFA directive to enhance the future prospects of the national

team, who have struggled to make an international impact in the last decade-and-a-half.

Bora Milutinovic led the country to their only World Cup appearance in 2002, before an Arie Haan-coached team reached the final of the Asian Cup on home soil two years later. Since then, China have struggled, with the number of youngsters in the country playing the game diminishing as a number of factors, including match fixing scandals, blighted the sport’s progress.

Soccer-loving Xi Jinping’s rise to become the Chinese president in 2012 has helped reinvigorate the sport’s popularity, with state and private entities throwing huge sums into the development and promotion of the game.

High-profile imports such as Carlos Tevez, Luiz Felipe Scolari,

Andre Villas-Boas and Oscar are among those who have worked in the Chinese Super League in the last 12 months, while the clubs have become more prominent on the continental scene. The national team continues to struggle, however, with coach Marcello Lippi calling for patience as the nation seeks to make an impact on the global stage.

“When you talk about China, you have to think about the culture and the time China has spent with football,” he said after Tuesday’s loss to Japan in the East Asian Championship. “It’s very different to Europe. I’m having to grow a team almost from scratch.”

Under the Italian, China recorded their best performance in World Cup qualifying since 2002, but the country still missed out on a place at next year’s finals in Russia. (rtr)

Laos club banned from AFC Cup for match-fixing connection

Laos Toyota FC will not be eligible to participate in the 2018 AFC Cup because of the Laos club’s previous involvement in match-fixing, Asian soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.

The Asian Football Confederation said the club was involved in match-fixing during the 2015 and 2016 AFC Cup seasons.

“Meeting yesterday, the AFC Entry Control Body (ECB) declared Lao Toyota Football Club ineligible to take part in the 2018 AFC Cup,” the continental

governing body said in a statement.

“The ECB established that the club was directly and/or indirectly involved in activities aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of matches during the 2015 and 2016 AFC Cup seasons.”

Earlier this year, the AFC banned 22 players and officials from Laos and Cambodia for life for their involvement in match-fixing.

The AFC Cup is a second-tier competition between clubs from developing nations of the continent. (rtr)

IBP/net

Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their fourth goal

9

Hulk (left) while playing in the Chinese Super League

IBP/net

8

Friday, December 15, 2017

Friday, December 15, 2017

Sp rt

‘No complacency’ spells no hope for Man City’s chasers

Independiente’s players celebrate with the Copa Sudamericana trophy.

REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Independiente win Copa Sudamericana after draw in Rio

SAO PAULO - Independiente won their second Copa Sudamericana title on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw at the Maracana stadium with Brazil’s Flamengo in the second leg of the final gave the Argentine side a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Argentina last week, Flamengo came out all guns blazing but Independiente held their nerve and kept the hosts at bay early on.

Flamengo’s Everton came close in the 13th minute but was denied by Independiente goalkeeper Martin Campana. The hosts took the lead half an hour into

the game through Lucas Paqueta but Independiente equalised 10 minutes later with a penalty from 18-yearold Ezequiel Barco.

The spot-kick was awarded after intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR), which showed Gustavo Cuellar had fouled Maximiliano Meza in the box.

VAR involves video assistant referees who monitor screens and draw the match referee’s attention to officiating mistakes or missed serious incidents.

Independiente almost scored a second after the break through Emmanuel Gigliotti but defender Juan Silveira dos Santos cleared. Flamengo have had to play without striker Paolo Guerrero, who has been suspended by FIFA after failing an anti-doping test. (rtr)

LONDON - The perfectionist’s streak that runs through Pep Guardiola demanded he should declare after another record-breaking triumph on Wednesday there would be absolutely no possibility of complacency now derailing Manchester City. Fresh from overseeing an outright record for successive Premier League victories -- 15 and counting this season -- with another 4-0 masterclass at Swansea City, Guardiola sounded almost affronted at the idea the leaders might lose their focus.

“That is not going to happen,” the Spaniard told the BBC, when asked if a slacking off might materialise with City now 11 points clear and their nearest chasers all seemingly becoming more resigned to it being a hopeless pursuit.

“We are so demanding for our players. We can lose, we can drop points but complacency never happened in the past, the present or the future. Winning 15 games in a row gives us a lot of confidence,” Guardiola said. Having broken the single-season record with a 14th consecutive win in the Manchester derby at United on Sunday, win number 15 beat the top-flight landmark in the Premier League era set

by Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, spanning two seasons in 2002.

Yet what has evidently delighted the Spaniard more than anything has been the way City seemed to have carved out their triumphs in the same kaleidoscopic manner he fashioned previously at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. “If people are happy watching us, that is the

best gift,” he said, making it sound like an early Christmas present for English soccer fans.

Among the delights he has served up, perhaps nothing has been finer than the way Guardiola has brought David Silva, his marvellous Spanish midfield conductor, into full bloom.

With his double against Swansea, Silva has now been involved in 13 Premier League goals in 17 matches this season -- five goals and eight assists -- which is already more than he managed in the whole of 2016-17.

Guardiola was left delighted that, at 31, his orchestrator was now apparently also becoming more of a predator. “I’m so happy for David,” he enthused. “We cannot disguise his quality but in the past he didn’t score too much goals. He’s sharp, he’s in an amazing condition.”

It may have been a pleasure for the neutral but for Swansea boss Paul Clement, who also had to see goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero ensure his side remain rooted to the foot of the table, it was “horrible” to behold.

“For me, (City) are one of the best sides I’ve ever come across,” said Clement, who has been assistant manager at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

“So many good athletes, so many intelligent footballers and it’s really hard to pin them down.” So hard indeed that only Everton, in the Premier League, this season have managed to take a point from them and it is increasingly looking the tallest of orders for any other side to follow suit. (rtr)

Chinese clubs urged to develop youth or lose licenses - report TOKYO - Chinese soccer authorities are set to impose strict new regulations on the country’s clubs, using the threat of losing their professional licenses as a spur to establish a more comprehensive youth development programme.

According to Titan Sports, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) will introduce rules in 2019 that force clubs in the top two tiers of the domestic league to create youth teams ranging from the under-13 bracket up to the under-19 level.

The teams would play in competitions organised by the CFA and, claim Titan Sports, a failure to comply would see clubs forfeit their registration to play professionally.

The CFA have yet to respond to a Reuters request for a comment on the matter. The move marks the latest CFA directive to enhance the future prospects of the national

team, who have struggled to make an international impact in the last decade-and-a-half.

Bora Milutinovic led the country to their only World Cup appearance in 2002, before an Arie Haan-coached team reached the final of the Asian Cup on home soil two years later. Since then, China have struggled, with the number of youngsters in the country playing the game diminishing as a number of factors, including match fixing scandals, blighted the sport’s progress.

Soccer-loving Xi Jinping’s rise to become the Chinese president in 2012 has helped reinvigorate the sport’s popularity, with state and private entities throwing huge sums into the development and promotion of the game.

High-profile imports such as Carlos Tevez, Luiz Felipe Scolari,

Andre Villas-Boas and Oscar are among those who have worked in the Chinese Super League in the last 12 months, while the clubs have become more prominent on the continental scene. The national team continues to struggle, however, with coach Marcello Lippi calling for patience as the nation seeks to make an impact on the global stage.

“When you talk about China, you have to think about the culture and the time China has spent with football,” he said after Tuesday’s loss to Japan in the East Asian Championship. “It’s very different to Europe. I’m having to grow a team almost from scratch.”

Under the Italian, China recorded their best performance in World Cup qualifying since 2002, but the country still missed out on a place at next year’s finals in Russia. (rtr)

Laos club banned from AFC Cup for match-fixing connection

Laos Toyota FC will not be eligible to participate in the 2018 AFC Cup because of the Laos club’s previous involvement in match-fixing, Asian soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.

The Asian Football Confederation said the club was involved in match-fixing during the 2015 and 2016 AFC Cup seasons.

“Meeting yesterday, the AFC Entry Control Body (ECB) declared Lao Toyota Football Club ineligible to take part in the 2018 AFC Cup,” the continental

governing body said in a statement.

“The ECB established that the club was directly and/or indirectly involved in activities aimed at arranging or influencing the outcome of matches during the 2015 and 2016 AFC Cup seasons.”

Earlier this year, the AFC banned 22 players and officials from Laos and Cambodia for life for their involvement in match-fixing.

The AFC Cup is a second-tier competition between clubs from developing nations of the continent. (rtr)

IBP/net

Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring their fourth goal

9

Hulk (left) while playing in the Chinese Super League

IBP/net

10

Destination

Friday, December 15, 2017

International

Friday, December 15, 2017

International

Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain celebrates on the podium after winning the Vuelta Tour of Spain after the last stage of the cycling race between Arroyomolinos and Madrid, September 10, 2017.

Bali Mula Unik

Nature tourism good for spiritual activity

GIANYAR - Bali Mula Unik is a new nature tourism located at Pujung Kaja hamlet, Tegallalang, Gianyar. It is about 1.5 hours’ drive from Denpasar and about 2 hours from Ngurah Rai Airport. As new destination, it offers a unique combination of spiritual tourism and nature tourism with cool atmosphere and positive aura. Various local rare or auspicious plants are available so as to create a cool and peaceful atmosphere. They exude different auras, so that invite everyone to linger in this area.

Local communities and travelers often use the location for meditation and yoga. Moreover, in the eastern region sits the temple named Taman Nirhyra Sudamala Jelantik with two showers that make this location more solemn.

A shower of Taman Nirhyra Sudamala Jelantik is commonly used to do purificatory rite (melukat), while another is used for healing.

“On auspicious day such as full moon, new moon, kajeng kliwon

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and other days, many Balinese people perform purificatory rite or invoke healing holy water here,” said the owner who is also Operations Manager of the attraction, I Nyoman Cendekiawan.

Local people believe that water of the shower can help cure colic, smallpox, urination disorder, high blood pressure and other diseases.

Water of the shower can also be drunk directly based on the results of laboratory check. People that will perform purificatory rite will put offerings first, have a bath in

the shower and perform worship.

When getting thirsty, visitors can take water of the shower in a bottle.

In the temple area, travelers often practice yoga. They do not need to spread a mat because there has been a clean and soft grass. If unsatisfied, they can resume the activity the following day. Travelers can stay in a traditional house with a capacity of six people.

“Travelers from Australia, Russia and Denmark ever stayed at this lodge,” he said. When wishing to

Production Staff,Chemical Graduate,Capable English.Apply to:versaindustries4@gmail.com

Reservation for hotel Agent, fresh graduate tourism school send CV:info@rd-tours.com

Driver(SIM:AC+English)Admin (Computer+English)Tlp:08123983573

Urgent Need Villa Attd Experient Text,WA Only 081805449648

Wanted Immediately:Simple Bookkeeping & Admin,M-F,9:305:30.Seminyak Area.EnglishReading/Speaking,Windows 10, Excel Word&Outlook.CV+Photo to valsons@bali-villasukapadi.com

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Need House Maid English Speaking Text Only 081339561607

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Need Tourism driver Max 35th Good English Call:081999156365

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B.BP.001.11.17.0000811

B.BP.166.11.17.0000816

REUTERS/Susana Vera/File Photo

Froome denies breaking rules, says legacy not tainted

LONDON - Four-times Tour de France winner Chris Froome has denied breaking any rules after a urine test he gave during the Vuelta a Espana in September showed excessive levels of an asthma medication.

Froome, who became the first British rider to win the Vuelta, had double the allowed level of the legal asthma drug Salbutamol in his urine, Cycling’s governing body, the UCI, said on Wednesday.

“I understand this comes as a big shock to people,” Froome

told the BBC in an interview. “I certainly haven’t broken any rules here. I haven’t taken more than the permissible amount and I am sure at the end of the day the truth will be told.”

Team Sky rider Froome, 32, risks missing next year’s Tour de

France and could lose his Vuelta crown unless he can provide a satisfactory explanation for the failed test during the Spanish race.

“I can understand a lot of people’s reactions, especially given the history of the sport. But this is a very different case. This is not a positive test,” Froome said.

“As it stands the UCI have asked me for more information regarding my use of Salbutamol, which is a very common medicine used in

B.BP.004.11.17.0000615

B.BP.001.11.17.0000637

treating asthma.

“I have been only too happy to help the UCI fill in the blanks and give all that information up to try and get to the bottom of what has happened.”

Asked whether he felt his legacy had been permanently tainted, Froome said: “No.” He added that he had shared “everything he had” regarding his use of the drug with cycling’s governing body.

“I have been a professional cyclist now, treating my symptoms and racing with asthma, for 10 years,” Froome said.

“I know what those rules are, I know what those limits are and I have never been over those limits.

“I have got a very clear routine when I use my inhaler and how many times. I have given all that information to the UCI to help get to the bottom of it.” (rtr)

Azarenka given wildcard for Australian Open

B.BP.001.11.17.0000810

Bawang Merah BeachFront is Looking for/Chinese Cook Restaurant Manager,Bartender,Waiter/ess EuropeanCook&Driver Ph7720210E :infobawangmerahrestaurant.com

B.BP.001.11.17.0000644

Santen waterfall and play tubing or just have a shower. “Other than children from Gianyar, there are also many teenagers from Buleleng, Tabanan and Denpasar frequently visiting this location,” he added.

Bali Mula Unik is indeed very good to perform outbound, meeting, birthday celebration and other activities. Students, government agencies and other social organizations also use this location to do their outdoor activities. Moreover, some agencies often choose Bali Mula Unik as their meeting venue.

“This venue is supported by some facilities such as parking space, restrooms, restaurants and others,” he said.

According to him, this twohectare nature tourism object has begun to be visited by travelers since the beginning of January 2017. This area is privately owned but the operations are involving local community members as the officers. (kmb)

B.BP.001.11.17.0000581

Nike Villas Sanur Urgently needed candidate to fill the positions as Front Office staff & Engineering,must be speaking English and has experience in the same fields, Please bring your CV to Nike Villas at Jalan Bumi Ayu No.19 Sanur, PH 286 911, email: info-b@nikevillas.com

B.BP.001.11.17.0001464

enjoy the atmosphere for the whole night, travelers can make a camp in the area prepared. The management will set up a tent and campfire.

Then, it is ready to do the next activities together. Self-cooking activity is available because the officer has prepared a variety of equipment. However, when getting lazy, travelers can order food to local staff.

Bali Mula Unik also offers beautiful places to have selfie. The location is above the Wos River with classic bridge made of solid wood. In the vicinity, grows large palm. Teenagers often use this location to immortalize their memories.

There are two locations of selfie that are always crowded. Every day, after school hours, students and teenagers are already crowded to take pictures.

Different atmosphere can be seen on school holidays, where young people are doing activities on the river. They take photographs in wet condition under the Yeh

Place Your Add Here

It is for Job Vacancy, Property, Selling or Buying

Please contact Gugiek : 08123840500

Victoria Azarenka

IBP/net

MELBOURNE - Twice champion Victoria Azarenka has been given a wildcard for next month’s Australian Open, organisers said on Wednesday.

Azarenka, who won the Melbourne Park title in 2012 and 2013, returned to the WTA Tour in June after having a baby, but has been involved in a custody battle that has prevented her from playing since Wimbledon.

She withdrew from the U.S. Open and the Fed Cup final, which Belarus lost to the United States. She is currently ranked 210 in the world. “Vika’s current situation is obviously very difficult for her and we have reached out to offer any support we can,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said in a statement.

“As a two-time Australian Open champion we’ve awarded her a wildcard and look forward to seeing her back on court in Melbourne in January.”

Azarenka said she was thankful for the opportunity to return to Melbourne Park and hoped it would kick-start the year for her.

“I’m so excited about coming back to Melbourne for the Australian Open, its my favourite tournament,” she said.

“I’ve won there twice and always feel so comfortable on court and the city is great.

“Its been a tough year and being able to come back to the AO will be a really positive way to start 2018.”

The tournament runs from Jan 15-28. (rtr)

6

Friday, December 15, 2017

W

International

RLD

Muslim leaders call on world to recognise East Jerusalem as Palestinian capital

ISTANBUL - Muslim leaders on Wednesday condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and called on the world to respond by recognising East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who hosted the summit of more than 50 Muslim countries in Istanbul, said the U.S. move meant Washington had forfeited its role as broker in efforts to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“From now on, it is out of the question for a biased United States to be a mediator between Israel and Palestine, that period is over,” Erdogan said at the end of the meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.

“We need to discuss who will be a mediator from now on. This needs to be tackled in the U.N. too,” Erdogan said.

A communique posted on the Turkish Foreign Ministry website said the emirs, presidents and ministers gathered in Istanbul regarded Trump’s move “as an announcement of the U.S. Administration’s withdrawal from its role as sponsor of peace”.

It described the decision as “a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts, an impetus (for) extremism and terrorism, and a threat to international peace and security”.

Leaders including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and Jordan’s

King Abdullah, a close U.S. ally, all criticised Washington’s move.

“Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of Palestine,” Abbas said, adding Trump’s decision was “the greatest crime” and a violation of international law.

Asked about the criticism at a State Department briefing in Washington, spokeswoman Heather Nauert said that despite the “inflammatory rhetoric” from the region, Trump “is committed to this peace process.”

“That type of rhetoric that we heard has prevented peace in the past,” she said, urging people to “ignore some of the distortions” and focus on what Trump actually said. She said his decision did not affect the city’s final borders, which were dependent upon negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians.

But when asked whether East Jerusalem could similarly be recognised as the capital of a future Palestinian state, Nauert said that determination should be left to final status negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

“We’re taking a position on how we view Jerusalem,” she said. “I think it’s up to the Israelis and Palestinians to decide how they want to view the borders - again final status negotiations.”

Abbas told OIC leaders in Istanbul that Washington had shown it could no longer be an honest broker.

“It will be unacceptable for it to have a role in the political process any longer since it is biased in favour of Israel,” he said. “This is our position and we hope you support us in this.” (rtr)

REUTERS/Osman Orsal

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attend a news conference following the extraordinary meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, December 13, 2017.

Courtesy Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department/Handout via REUTERS

Thomas wildfire burns above Bella Vista Drive near Romero Canyon in this social media photo by Santa Barbara County Fire Department in Montecito, California, U.S. December 12, 2017.

Firefighters defend homes as huge California wildfire rages on

LOS ANGELES - Firefighters grappling with a wildfire that has burned out of control for 10 days on California’s scenic coastline, destroying more than 700 homes, sought on Wednesday to defend homes from flames whipped by resurgent Santa Ana winds.

The so-called Thomas Fire, already the state’s fifth-largest wildland blaze on record, remained a threat to the communities of Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Summerland and Montecito as darkness fell and winds picked up, fire officials said.

“Very high fuel loading, critically low fuel moistures, above average temperatures and single-digit relative humidities will continue to support fire growth on the west, east and north sides of the Thomas incident,” the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in a statement.

“Firefighters will remain engaged in structure defense operations and scout for opportunities to establish direct perimeter control,” the department said.

The Thomas Fire, which broke out on Dec. 4 near the community of Ojai, has traveled 27 miles (43 km), blackening more than 371 square miles (953 square km) in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, an area larger than New York City.

The conflagration has destroyed 709 single-family homes, damaged 164 others and displaced more than 94,000 people. It was 30 per-

cent contained as of Wednesday evening.

On Tuesday, nearly 8,000 firefighters battling the blaze took advantage of the lighter winds to set controlled burns in a canyon near Carpinteria to deprive the flames of fuel, Cal Fire Captain Steve Concialdi told reporters.

U.S. Representative Julia Brownley, whose congressional district includes Ventura, said on Tuesday the fire could take another week to contain. The efforts have so far cost more than $61 million, according to authorities.

Many public schools in the Santa Barbara area canceled classes this week and will not reopen until the annual winter break is completed in January.

Some of the other fires burning over the past week in San Diego and Los Angeles counties have been largely brought under control.

Investigators determined that the Skirball Fire, which destroyed six homes in Los Angeles’ wealthy Bel-Air neighborhood and scorched a building at a winery owned by billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch, was started by a cooking fire at a homeless encampment, authorities said on Tuesday.

The Lilac Fire, which burned more than 4,000 acres (1,620 hectares) in northern San Diego County and destroyed 157 structures, was 95 percent contained by Wednesday, Cal Fire said. (rtr)

International

Friday, December 15, 2017

11

National Police chief bestows awards upon seven ministers JAKARTA - Chief of the National Police General Tito Karnavian has bestowed Bhayangkara Utama medals of merit upon seven cabinet ministers in recognition of their contributions to the police on Wednesday.

“It (Bhayangkara Utama) is the highest award in the National Police. We bestow the medals of merit upon you for your great contributions to the National Police in performing its duties,” he stated at the Police College (STIK) here.

The seven ministers are Finance Minister, Sri Mulyani, Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister, Asman Abnur, Minister/State Secretary, Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary, Pramono Anung, Transportation Minister, Budi Sumadi, Public Works and People’s Housing Minister, Basuki Hadimuljono, and Health Minister, Nila Moeloek.

The National Police chief presented the awards to the ministers after securing a seal of approval from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). In addition to the seven ministers, Karnavian also conferred awards on chiefs of the Malaysia police, chief of the Philippine police, chief of the Australian police, and chief of the Singapore police for their intense cooperation, including in handling terrorism.

The conferment ceremony was attended by vice chief of the National Police, Commissioner General Syafrudin, Sumadi, Moeloek, Abnur, and Anung. Mulyani, Hadimuljono, and Pratikno, did not show up. (ant)

REUTERS/Beawiharta

Muslim women walk in front of Indonesia’s constitutional court after attending a trial in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 14, 2017.

Indonesia court rejects petition to bar consensual sex outside marriage

JAKARTA - Indonesia’s constitutional court on Thursday narrowly rejected a petition by a conservative group to make extramarital sex illegal, but rights activists braced for a renewal of the battle in parliament and other state institutions.

Five of nine judges voted for the case to be thrown out, in a slim victory for rights activists who had feared the petition would spur moral policing and further discrimination against the gay community in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country.

Most Indonesians adhere to a moderate form of Islam under an officially secular system, but there has been rise of a hardline, politicized Islam in recent years, which until recently had stayed on the fringe of the nation’s politics.

Constitutional court chief justice Arief Hidayat said existing laws on adultery did not conflict with the constitution and it was not the court’s authority to create new policies. The judge said the question could be put to parlia-

ment, which is currently deliberating revisions to the national criminal code.

“The plaintiff should submit their petition to lawmakers, and there it should be an important input in the ongoing revision of the national criminal code,” Hidayat said, as he read a summary of the 600-page ruling. “Based on that view, the constitutional court is of the opinion that the petition is not legally sound.”

Rights activists were comforted by the court’s decision, while expecting more challenges to come. “The decision is a relief because it shows it’s possible to challenge the creeping conservatism in society,” said Dede Oetomo, a prominent gay rights activist.

“But it’s not over. There’s parliament, there are other state institutions, they can turn to education, social organisations,” he added.

The Family Love Alliance (AILA), a group of conservative academics and activists which put forward the petition, said it would not give up its fight.

“Aside from legal avenues, we can also go through government policy and programs so that

sexual deviance is minimised and is an agenda for all of us,” Euis Sunarti, a member of AILA, told reporters after the ruling.

AILA’s petition had called for the definition of adultery to apply not just to married couples but to anyone in a marriage or outside it - effectively making all sex outside of marriage a crime. In their complaint, AILA said certain articles in the national criminal code “threaten the resilience of families and therefore of Indonesia itself.”

Some rights activists said the petition was partly aimed at criminalizing gay sex, which is currently not regulated by the law except in the ultra-conservative province of Aceh and in cases of child abuse.

Activists say such changes to the law would make it vulnerable to abuse, like the country’s draconian anti-pornography laws, to target the LGBT community. Islamic parties pushed the anti-pornography laws in parliament soon after Indonesia ushered in its democratic era in 1998 and actively push an anti-LGBT agenda today. (ant)

12

International

Friday, December 15, 2017

Bali News

International

BUSINESS

REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski

The European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters are pictured in Frankfurt, Germany, December 7, 2017.

Steady as she goes: ECB to keep money taps wide open

FRANKFURT - The European Central Bank is likely to bump up some of its economic forecasts on Thursday and may debate tweaking its pledge to keep money at its current, ultra-easy level, but will ultimately reaffirm is policy stance. Meeting just six weeks after agreeing to halve asset buys, policymakers are likely to argue that growth continues to improve but ultralow borrowing costs are still needed to lift inflation as the recovery remains dependent on the bank’s accommodation.

Still, policy hawks are likely to keep pushing ECB President Mario Draghi to prepare markets for an end to asset buys sometime next year, arguing for incremental changes in the bank’s message to set up a formal decision by mid-year on ending a 2.55 trillion euro ($3 trillion) bond purchase scheme.

Having faced five years of stagnant or falling prices, the ECB has deployed its entire policy arsenal, cutting rates into negative territory, giving banks cheap loans and hoovering up bonds, all in the hope of boosting growth and rekindling inflation. Its work has paid off as the euro zone recovery is now well into its fifth year thanks to nine million new jobs and economic convergence between poorer periphery countries like Italy and Greece, and the bloc’s richest, appears to be restarting.

The growth run is fuelling arguments among more conservative policymakers that the ECB’s job is close to done, so it should take a step back, let others do the rest and preserve its firepower after the crisis tested its limits.

“Even the doves at the ECB will feel uneasy about extending asset purchases beyond September 2018,” Berenberg economist Florian

5

Jogging Track at Lumintang City Park

Some WTO members to push for e-commerce rules as broader deal fails BUENOS AIRES - A group of 70 World Trade Organization countries pledged on Wednesday to work toward new electronic commerce trade rules that promote open and predictable regulations, joining the initiative as a broader WTO agreement failed. The WTO’s 164 members were unable to consolidate some 25 separate e-commerce proposals at the body’s biennial conference which ended Wednesday, including a call to set up a central e-commerce negotiating forum.

The smaller group pledging to work toward new WTO e-commerce rules includes the European Union, Japan, Canada, Brazil, South Korea, Russia and other major and emerging economies, but notably excludes China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. In a statement, the group pledged to hold an initial meeting in the first quarter of 2018.

The statement highlighted “the importance of global electronic commerce and the opportunities it creates for inclusive trade and development.

“We also recognize the important role of the WTO in promoting open, transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable regulatory environments in facilitating electronic commerce,” the statement said.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement that the digital economy was important for U.S. and global growth, and the effort sought “strong market-based rules in this area.”

“Initiatives like this among like-minded countries offer a positive way forward for the WTO in the future,” Lighthizer added.

E-commerce, which developed largely after the WTO’s creation in 1995, was not part of the Doha round of talks that began in 2001 and eventually collapsed more than a decade later.

Many countries, with India at the fore, insist that Doha-round development issues must be dealt with before new issues can be tackled. But other countries say the WTO needs to move with the times, and note that 70 regional trade agreements already include provisions or chapters on e-commerce, according to a recent study.

The emergence of a coalition willing to press ahead with e-commerce, despite others’ reservations, reinforces a trend toward the fragmentation of WTO negotiations and away from the global “rounds” that ran out of steam in Doha.(rtr)

Friday, December 15, 2017

Hense said. “We, therefore, expect the ECB to take small steps towards the exit, starting with tweaking its guidance gradually over the course of the first nine months of 2018.”

The ECB releases its policy decision at 1245 GMT, followed by Draghi’s news conference at 1330 GMT. Analysts polled

by Reuters unanimously expect rates to stay unchanged and asset buys to continue at 30 billion euros a month from January.

FORECASTS The first clue to future policy will come from the ECB’s new economic projections, which are likely to show better growth for the year ahead and a broadly unchanged or marginally improved inflation path. The key number to watch will be the ECB’s initial forecast for 2020 inflation to see whether rising oil prices push the inflation path higher and how far it is from the bank’s target of close-to-but-below 2 percent.

Analysts see the figure in the 1.7-1.8 percent range and while the target is intentionally vague, Draghi has said that 1.7 percent is considered a miss so any figure at the bottom of expectations would make it difficult to ar-

gue for an exit. But a benign 2020 projection could rekindle a simmering debate about the end of asset buys.

In October several influential policymakers argued that the ECB should amend its guidance, cutting the direct link between inflation and bond buys. They argued that the ECB should instead connect its overall policy stance to inflation, de facto cutting the emphasis on quantitative easing (QE) and making it easier to end it.

“The ECB wants to phase out QE in a smooth fashion, and this requires it to make the case that the overall policy stance will remain accommodative...with low policy rates and ample liquidity,” UBS economist Reinhard Cluse said. Another key item for the meeting will be a discussion on how to distribute purchases from next year onwards.

Some policymakers argue that the ECB should increase the proportion of private sector purchases by keeping those volumes steady when sovereign purchases are cut from January. Such a shift could also take some pressure off sovereign buys as the ECB is nearing its self-imposed purchase limits in several countries.(rtr)

Villagers hike up Mount Batur to Pray As Tourists climb down after watching sunrise

Although Mount Batur is located quite close to Mount Agung and steam has been seen coming out of the crater of the great volcano for the last few days, areas outside of the distaster- prone 12 kilometres from the crater remain perfectly safe.

While tourism in Kintamani and all over Bali has plummeted since the small erupt of Mount Agung in late November, leaving many popular tourist attractions in Bali nearly deserted, on Tuesday (DEc 2 ) morning, a few tourist were seen coming down Mount Batur after trekking up to see the sunrise from this iconic view point.

As the tourist were coming down the mountain a few hundred Balinese Hindus from Songan village were making their way.

Dressed in traditional attire, carrying offerings of fruit and flowers in large baskets, the villagers scrabbled their ways up the rocky path to a large flat area in front of the crater at the top of Mount Batur.

At dawn Mount Agung was seen emitting a small puff of vapour and as the devoted Balinese made their way up Mount Batur the greg volcano just 20 kilometres away let out another little puff. Nobody seem to pay much attention to the neighbouring mountain, which is not so surprising given the little to no direct impact the volcanic dust

a few weeks ago had on this ( and most) parts of Bali.

After casually making their way up to the crater or Mount Crater and placing their many offerings on a make-shift altar, the crowd finally coalesced into a seated mass of devotees facing the deep crater as a priest started to ring his gent bell and the men started chatting a slow low prayer.

This ceremony is performed by the people of Songan Dusun Dalam every year at this time that is know of being prone to troubles, explained the Kepala Dusun. As a way to restore harmony to the village, the mountains, the island and the universe, they perform this “Segoro-Gunung” (Ocean Mountian) rite. After praying together and throwing offerings into the deep steep crater, the villagers climb back down the mountain and perform a similar ritual at the Lake-side temple (representing the sea).

Segoro- Gunung is a Balinese concept that essentially represents the cycle of water from cloud s that

rain down in the mountains and feed the rivers that run to the ocean and which then forms back into rain clouds. THis cycle of water replenishes, cleanses and brings life to all and and such also serves to represents harmony in a wider sense, explained Balinese priest Mangku Bonuz recently.

Although Songan Dusun Dalam perform this ritual every year, they do not necessary climb the mountain every year to conduct the ritual. For a number of reasons, this year the villagers did scramble up the rocky path with Mount Agung smoking lively in the background.

As they sat to pray the leading priest called on those present to pray to all the forces of nature, to creator and to Mount Batur and Mount Gunung that harmony may be maintained for all.

Many people in Kintamani and elsewhere in Bali are also praying that tourists quickly understand that the volcano is not a major threat except for places right on the mountain’s slopes, so that tourists will start coming back to Bali.(kmb)

Sometimes living in the city is hard to find jogging track. However, if you happen to stay and spend holiday in Denpasar, simply come to Lumintang City Park located on Jalan Mulawarman, Dauh Puri Kaja village, Denpasar. Jogging activity cannot only be done in the morning, but also at night. The green and shady square has been equipped with decorative lights for people wishing to exercise at night.

The park area is surrounded by footpath as a place for jogging. The atmosphere of exercise will be more comfortable because while nourishing the body, you can also enjoy the beauty and cleanliness of the night air downtown. You can also refresh your mind by watching the beauty of dancing fountain. When coming with children, you can take advantage of various games available in the middle of the square.

Lumintang City Park is a relaxing place commonly used by residents of Denpasar to exercise and play. Every corner of the path or under shady tree has been equipped with a casual seat accompanied by hundreds of friendly pigeons during the day. Visitors can take advantage of the benches as a place to read a book or just to chat. “We are often having an exercise here,” said Agus, a resident of Denpasar originating from Tabanan.

Especially for children, there are various game facilities, such as

slide, swing, seesaw and others in the east park area. Various games are usually crowded in the afternoon, while special sport games for adults are situated in the northern part of the park. In the middle of the park, there is a well-known pond with lights and fountain show. The space next to the pool is often used to have yoga exercise.

This dancing fountain can be enjoyed every day from 19:00 to 21:00. The fountain will be turned on after the nightfall. Meanwhile, on the corner (southeast) of the park, there is a stage to make cultural performance every Saturday and Sunday. The activity will be filled by pre-school, kindergarten to elementary school students in the city of Denpasar.

Well, in the south of the park there is wide acreage equipped with Denpasar Traffic Park. Here, visitors can know and learn various traffic signs in the city of Denpasar.

“In nourishing people, Denpasar municipality has brought many new innovations in this city, like providing this free sport facility,” explained Ayu Suandewi with her children when exercising at this park.

So, she continued that when people having no time to exercise in the morning because of busy works can do it by jogging at night. Moreover, on particular days there will be cultural performances. (kmb)

4

Bali News

Friday, December 15, 2017

International

Thousands of tourists visit Buleleng

SINGARAJA — MV Genting Deram cruise ship measuring 335 meters anchored at Celukan Bawang, Gerokgak, on Wednesday (Dec. 13). The ‘jumbo’ size cruise ship with 20 decks comes from Singapore and carries 5,200 tourists and cabin crews.

Every cruise ship anchoring at this harbor, higher-ranked officials of Buleleng district welcome the tourists with warmth. In addition, the cruise passengers were also entertained with a package tour to some prominent tourist destinations owned by Buleleng. Head of the Buleleng Tourism Office, Nyoman Sutrisna, on the sidelines of welcoming the tourists said that a total 1,500 cruise passengers visited the tourist destinations in the area.

They did not stay in Buleleng, but only dropped in and took a tour program to some destinations in Buleleng. The tour package included city tour, Lovina, Munduk tourism village, Lake Buyan, Lake Tamblingan, Menjangan Island and West Bali National Park (TNBB). “Thousands of tourists visit destinations in Buleleng.

They are hoped to know that Buleleng and Bali are safe to be visited,” he said.

According to him, selection of Celukan Bawang for cruise ship to anchor is meant to boost tourists visit to Buleleng amid the

eruption impact of Mount Agung. This indicates that Buleleng and Bali are still safe and worth visiting by tourists. It is also a tourism promotion that Buleleng is not inferior to other regions in Bali. “Hopefully, they can see firsthand and experience directly the tourism and natural beauty owned by Buleleng so they can come back to Buleleng,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Regent of Buleleng, Nyoman Sutjidra, said that amid the issue of the impact of Mount Agung eruption that made Bali tourism sluggish, Buleleng is even visited by cruise ship carrying thousands of tourists. This opportunity is used to convey the message that Buleleng and Bali are still safe to be visited. To that end, he hoped this message can be disseminated by tourists making a visit on that day.

“Hopefully, this tourist visit can revive the current sluggish tourism of Buleleng and Bali in general. Similarly, we hope this visit can continue,” he said. (kmb38)

IBP/ant

MV Genting Deram cruise ship measuring 335 meters anchored at Celukan Bawang, Gerokgak.

Smuggling of quarantine commodity still rampant almost every day. One of the suppliers from East Java met in one of the public markets revealed that the poultry can escape clandestinely.

They intentionally deliver in small number and secretly in various ways.

“If delivered by car, we are worried about getting caught so we suffer great losses,” said the bespectacled woman asking for anonymity.

Similar case also happens to fish quarantine commodities. The supply of fish crosses Gilimanuk almost every day. L300 pickup truck regularly hauls the commodity every day. The question is whether the transport is indeed feasible and the hygiene of the commodities transported is completely ascertained. “Every day, the L300 pickup truck passes to haul fish. In addition to frequent speeding, it also exudes odor and water of the fish also drips along the path passed through. Is it also checked?” said

IBP/olo

Delivery of illegal quarantine commodities to Bali via Gilimanuk Harbor almost occurs every day.

13

China’s industrial heartland struggles in Beijing’s fight against smog

SHIJIAZHUANG - Severe natural gas shortages are hitting businesses and residents across China’s industrial heartland as an unprecedented government effort to clean up an environment devastated by decades of unbridled growth backfires.

Without firm sanctions

DELIVERY of illegal quarantine commodities to Bali via Gilimanuk Harbor almost occurs every day.

However, almost all smugglers secured by the officers at the entrance of Bali are not imposed with strict sanctions. Only advised to complete documents and provided with briefing, they can continue. As a result, it has an impact on the repetition of the same delivery. On the one hand, live poultry smuggling, for example, remains to happen frequently. Similarly, there is also delivery of fishery commodities using L300 pickup truck whose waste management in vehicle is not feasible.

Based on the search of Bali Post, live poultry delivery still happens though in small number. In a number of traditional markets in the past week, chickens and ducks are brought in from Java by using public transport (buses and public transport)

Friday, December 15, 2017

International

Chairman of Jembrana Town Forum NGO, Ida Bagus Ariyanto.

According to him, there should be studies regarding the standard whether it is feasible or infeasible based on particular reference. Severe sanctions must be imposed when violations occur. So, it does not keep repeating. “Our emphasis is on whether it is worth consuming or not? It must be checked whether their document is wrong or without documents. Who knows they deliver carcasses,” he criticized.

He cited the cars are regularly carrying fish and passing through Denpasar-Gilimanuk road section.

In addition to exuding odor, there is also contamination on the road due to ice water seepage from the car. Is it really checked that the commodity brought is free of preservatives or do they bring any other items as well?

It also happens to poultry commodities. All this time, in fact live poultry still go to Bali. Actually the Gubernatorial Regulation No. 44/2005 on temporary prohibition of adult poultry inflow to Bali Province remains valid. If they are caught, the commodity is only returned to the place of origin. “In my opinion, the gubernatorial regulation is revoked at once as it equally does not have any effect,” he explained.

From the data compiled, there is delivery of inter-island Quarantine Commodities to Bali violating the rules almost every day. Most of them are administrative violation or shipping documents of the quarantine office from the region of origin.

When handed over, the sanctions provided are only to complete the document and the most severe is rejection. When the delivery documents are filled, the delivery can proceed. So, it seems ineffective and more similar deliveries will ignore or underestimate the rules.

Previously, Coordinator of First Class Agricultural Quarantine Office I of Denpasar for Gilimanuk Area, Ida Bagus Eka Ludra, revealed that according to the regulation of Quarantine Law No. 16/1992 on Quarantine of Animal, Fish and Plants for Inter-island Delivery must be equipped with health documents.

Basically, it means to ward off the entry and spread of disease from quarantine commodities. It is not to punish people. However, when there is an element of crime it will be followed up by conducting investigations. In the future, it puts forward non-judicial action.

“The law has ordered if the delivery is not equipped with documents, it should be immediately rejected.

If the violator does not want to be rejected, we give it a chance to complete the document one day and secure the documents. If more than one day it is not completed, we’ll eliminate the commodities,” he explained. The elimination is done to prevent the entry of diseases such as bird flu and rabies.

Agricultural Quarantine, according to him, has made several pro-judicial actions, such as in the case of dog delivery without document some time ago in Tabanan

with a three-year sentence. Another case is the delivery of adult chicken was field to Negara District Court and sentenced to three years with a fine of IDR 2 million. In every commodity arrested, the perpetrator also makes a statement of no longer committing infringement.

When the perpetrator is caught again, it will be taken pro-judicial action.

Quarantine commodities are principally not prohibited and not smuggled goods. However, the rules require the completion of health documents to ensure that the commodities do not suffer from illnesses often made into loopholes.

Moreover, economic factors can make a profit due to the inter-island price disparity of the commodities.

“Like poultry, on the one side, the price in Java is cheaper than in Bali.

This makes the perpetrators deliver without going through quarantine check, whereas our purpose is to ward off disease,” he added.

Regarding the gubernatorial regulation issued in 2005 about the prohibition of poultry is indeed still valid. However, today the position of Java and Bali is equally the region of bird flu infection. “Nevertheless, the inter-island delivery of live poultry can still be allowed as long as it has quarantine documents issued of the exit harbor and report it to quarantine officer at Gilimanuk,” he added.

He did not dismiss there will be always an effort to deliver commodities carried out secretly because of economic benefits. (olo)

Factories are closing or operating at reduced capacity, businesses are seeing profits shrink as supply chains are disrupted, and people are shivering through sub-zero temperatures without adequate heating at home, according to interviews conducted across the region last week.

The gas shortages, which have sent prices soaring nationwide, have undermined a sweeping campaign to switch millions of households and thousands of businesses from coal to natural gas in north China this winter, part of long-running efforts to clean the region’s toxic air.

Much of the gasification of the region, involving over 4 million homes, was rapidly launched by local authorities acting on their own initiatives in response to calls by the central government to control air pollution.

But the plan appears to have been overly ambitious. Despite the installation of gas lines REUTERS/Aly Song and boilers for factories and homes across A man wearing a face mask rides a bicycle on a bridge in front of the financial district of Pudong covered in smog the northeast, supply has been hampered by insufficient infrastructure to bring the fuel to during a polluted day in Shanghai, China November 22, 2017. the industrial region and store it, according to Liang Jin, an independent analyst previously campaigns may hit economic growth. factory in rural Hebei, said compliance with After moving from coal to natural gas and with the oil and gas consultancy JLC. Interviews with business owners, families, the new environmental standards means he reopening in September, the factory halted And in some areas, many homes have yet utilities and gas producers in Hebei province has only been able to operate for four months production again in October as gas prices to get the gas boilers needed for heating. highlighted the problem and suggested that this year. soared.

The gas plan was also implemented as Chi- many cities were unprepared to cope. Hebei is Production at his factory near Shijiaz“The price of gas is 6-7 yuan per cubic mena tries this winter to reduce production from adjacent to Beijing and its factories are often huang, Hebei’s capital, has been disrupted ter, up from 2 yuan last year,” Xue told Reuters polluting industries like steel and cut back blamed for much of the pollution that often several times by environmental inspections by phone. “If we open, we are going to run at on the use of diesel trucks. That has raised cloaks the capital in the winter. and halted over the summer to install new a loss.” He added that it was also difficult for concerns about whether the anti-pollution Xue Huabing, who owns a small floor-tile natural gas boilers, he said. him to secure gas supplies. (rtr)

South Korea’s Moon tries K-Pop and TV stars in China charm offensive

REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Members from South Korean K-pop group Red Velvet pose on the red carpet during the Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong, China December 1, 2017.

SEOUL - South Korean President Moon Jae-in will unveil an array of TV talent and K-Pop celebrities at events, including a state dinner, in China on Thursday as he attempts to smooth out a year of difficult diplomacy with a star-laden charm offensive.

South Korean celebrities, including some of those accompanying Moon, had been shut out of Chinese television and concert halls as relations cooled between the East Asian neighbours as they faced the threat posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes.

The thorniest issue was South Korea’s deployment of a controversial U.S. anti-missile system.

Moon is hoping to use his first visit to China since taking office in May to build support for

a diplomatic solution to a crisis that has grown steadily through the year. Pyongyang tested its most advanced intercontinental ballistic missile on Nov. 29, which it said could put all of the United States within range, in defiance of international pressure and U.N. sanctions.

Moon kicked off his trip to China on Wednesday and spoke of the need to get bilateral economic exchanges back on track.

“It is the confidence of South Koreans and business leaders that the difficult situation of various inadequacies of cooperation between the two countries, borne out of differences in the two countries’ point of view, will be shaken off - and a new age of bilateral relations will begin,” Moon told a round table of Chinese and South Korean business

leaders in Beijing.

Moon plans to sign a memorandum with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in a step towards follow-up negotiations about services and investments under the South Korea-China Free Trade Agreement.

Top South Korean actress Song Hye-kyo, star of 2016’s hit drama “Descendants of the Sun” and the face of many South Korean cosmetics brands, will join Moon and Xi in a state dinner later on Thursday. Song will be joined by married South Korean and Chinese actors, Choo Jayeon and Xiaoguang Yu. Boy band EXO, one of the topearning artists of major K-Pop talent agency S.M. Entertainment, will also join Moon and Song at a bilateral business event earlier on Thursday. (rtr)

14

Friday, December 15, 2017

Fashion

International

International

Condom clothing designer shocks Congo into HIV awareness

DAKAR - A Congolese fashion designer is promoting safe sex with a collection of clothes made of condoms that she hopes will help combat HIV/AIDS in the central African country.

Felicite Luwungu started making her condom line, which includes strapless evening gowns and tops, after the HIV/AIDS epidemic hit close to home.

“I have lost loved ones to HIV - that’s what inspired me to do this,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from the capital, Kinshasa. “The message that I hope people will apply is to be prudent.”

The number of people living with HIV/AIDS and dying from related infections in the Democratic Repub-

Handout/Thomson Reuters Foundation

A model poses in a dress made of condoms

by Felicite Luwungu in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, December 5, 2017.

lic of Congo has been falling for more than a decade, according to the United Nations.

The prevalence rate of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is about 0.7 percent, among the lowest in southern and central Africa, UNAIDS data shows.

Luwungu, 40, displays her work in runway shows and exhibitions. When she finishes the condom collection, she plans to present it at a large fashion show next year.

The designs have shocked audiences but responses have been mostly positive, Luwungu said.

“People make jokes but it doesn’t discourage me,” she said.

“That only pushes me to do this more.” (rtr)

3 Unexpected Things Italian Taylor Swift Can’t Stop Women Consider Style Mistakes Wearing This Perfect Winter Shoe Trend

IF it seems like the world is obsessed with all things Italian right now, you’re not imagining it.

Between the cuisine, the vacation hot spot that is the Amalfi Coast, and, of course, the stylish women of the country, the fascination is understandable. Speaking of style, we recently came across an interesting tidbit about a few style faux pas

that Italian women always avoid.

The source of this information was The New York Times’ Open Thread, a weekly newsletter dedicated to all things style. Each week, Fashion Director Vanessa Friedman answers a question from a reader, and last week’s question was what to wear to a January wedding in Milan. To provide an answer, Fried-

man consulted an Italian friend, and she noted, “Italians consider sequins for after-dark only, purple tends to be associated with funerals and bare legs are a no no.”

Somewhat surprising, don’t you think? The next time you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Italy, do as the Italians do and avoid these three faux pas. (IBP/net)

WHILE her new album has been toppling sales records, Taylor S w ift has been busy promoting it with a slew of performances and appearances. Although she’s worn everything from bomber jackets to sequined dresses, all of her recent looks have one common element: combat boots.

Since debuting Reputation, Swift has worn the trend with nearly every single outfit, both on stage and off.

So what does her covetable boot collection consist of?

Most recently, she wore the Fendi Logo Biker Boots ($1150) for a performance in London this weekend, though she’s worn versions by Michael Kors and Prada for other outings. If these looks are any indication, we think we know exactly what to expect for her upcoming stadium tour costumes: a lot more combat boots.

(IBP/net)

Bali News

Friday, December 15, 2017

3

IBP/kmb

Almost all industries in Bali experience a crisis starting from tourism industry to airlines. Therefore, all parties must cooperate well to promote Bali to the world.

All industries face crisis due to Mount Agung eruption

Tourism circles must promote Bali

DENPASAR - Optimism must still be emitted in the middle of Mount Agung eruption disaster.

Almost all industries in Bali experience a crisis starting from tourism industry to airlines. Therefore, all parties must cooperate well to promote Bali to the world.

“We have to make interesting packages. To make Bali crowded, we need to promote Bali not our industry or not our hotels,” said a tourism practitioner, Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, in a discussion with the governor and tourism component of Bali in the meeting room of Bali Tourism Office on Tuesday (Dec. 12).

According to Wijaya, Bali has had capital through predicate as the best destination in the world for many years. In other words, all parties including the government should be able to show off the beauty of tourist objects in Bali. “We

must be able to make the destinations interesting so that tourists come to Bali,” he explained.

Chairman of the Alliance of Bali Tourism Society, Gusti Kade Sutawa, said the alliance wants a safe and convenient mainland transportation to take tourists to the nearest airport, particularly in case the Ngurah Rai Airport is closed again due to volcanic ashes of Mount Agung. It includes technical matters because Mengwi Terminal condition is considered inadequate and not representative.

“We also appeal to establishment of the Crisis Center which can prepare all possibilities with SOPs so that there will be no longer sporadic, panic and other movements,” he added.

Sutawa also asked the governor to give a statement to national and international media regarding the actual conditions of Mount Agung. It also includes the invitation to the airlines and Consul General to inform that Bali is safe

to be visited. The community is also specifically asked to help spread positive information related to the eruption and participate in promotional even that “Bali is Safe” either in print, electronic, and social media.

“It must be attempted that tourist-supporting countries can invoke their travel ban or travel warning that has been issued,” he explained.

Governor of Bali, Made Mangku Pastika, said the warning alert level (level IV) of Mount Agung is valid only to radius of 8 km with 22 affected villages. In other words, in Karangasem there are still 56 of 78 villages that are not affected by the eruption of the highest volcano in Bali. Meanwhile, 8 other districts / cities can be said to be safe to be visited, including by foreign tourists.

“We may not make any mistakes. Bali is not in a state of warning, but this status is only valid for the volcano with a radius of 8 km. The remaining areas are normal,” he said. (kmb32)

Gamma irradiation technology expected to be appropriate DENPASAR - Gamma irradiation technology that will be built by district government of Buleleng is expected to be studied carefully. The technology for post-harvest must also consider the level of maturity of production obtained from farmers. Otherwise, the technology is feared to be wasteful and wasting budget.

A professor of post harvest technology from Udayana University, Prof. Supartha Utama, said the technology can be used for post-harvest and become a solution in the handling of existing microorganisms in the export-oriented commodities. However, the other aspects must also be considered.

In terms of dose, for example, it must use the relatively low gamma irradiation for the sake of safety. “The question is that who can use the technology? If for export purposes, it is very much needed because fumigant is not allowed, so

that it must be found an alternative for the use of fumigant, but depends on the requirements of the exporting country,” he said. The technology is also positive for improving export products.

Gamma irradiation technology also needs supporting technology and pays attention to the whole farming system because there are still production systems and less optimal trading systems. Production of farmers should also consider post-harvest treatment and production standards before receiving gamma irradiation treatment. “If the production is not standardized, various products will need different irradiation treatment as well,” he said.

This technique may indeed delay the mature process on agricultural produce but must be with the right dose. “Many things need to be improved to support this gamma irradiation

implementation,” he added.

Apart from the dose, physiological character and product metabolism should be noticed so as not to ‘kill’ the product. For example, the mango to be given the treatment will depend on the maturity when wishing to delay the maturity. So, rigorous selection process after picking must be done.

With this irradiation technology, the product can last up to 45 days. After that, cooling technology is also needed after receiving irradiation treatment. According to him, cooling technology is appropriate to preserve. Gamma irradiation technology is suitable for eliminating microorganisms. So, it will be more useful when the treatment is needed at the quarantine office. Udayana University is ready to conduct a study to optimally support it. (kmb42)

2

Friday, December 15, 2017

Bali News

Volcanic ashe disrupt 300 ha of paddy field in three subdistricts

AMLAPURA - Volcanic ash and cold lava flows from Mount Agung s recent eruption have seriously impacted the agricultural sector in Karangasem. At least 3000 hectares of paddy fields have been seriously damaged and 7 hecatares of other farm products have experience crop failure as a result of the volcanic ash.

Head of the Karangasem Agriculture Agency, I Wayan Supandi, said on Wednesday (Dec. 13) that the paddy fields affected by volcanic ash are spread across three subdistricts; Selat, Rendang and Bebandem. The degree of damage varies from light to severe. Light damage is defined as less than 25 percent crop failure, medium category (50 percent) and severe category (75 percent).

Severe damage occurred to paddy fields directly adjacent to the flow of Yeh Sah River that flows down from Mount Agung as cold lava flows hit 7 hectares of the paddy fields.

Most of the damaged paddy in the region were not ready to harvest, but farmers have gone again and har-

vested the plants to reduce their losses. “At the market, dry grain mill is worth IDR 3,800 per kilogram. If the quality is sub-standard the price of course drops”, said Supandi.

Supandi explained that he could not yet confirm the value of the farmers losses. Obvisouly the ongoign volcanic activity has forced farmers to delay the planting of new crops so many fields have been left empty.

Famrers in Sideman have also decided to delay planting rice but they are still planting coarse grain, roots and tubers as these are more resilient.

A farmer at Subak Sidemen, 52 year old I Made Karang, said that this season he is switching crops even though there is a lot of water which is good for planting rice. He and other subak members are not planting rice because their subak irrigation channel has been closed as it uses water from the Yeh Sah River tat is prone to cold lava flows. .

Volcanic ash filled mud can damage the irrigation channels and is not good for the soil. “Fortunately, before the ash rained down, we had already harvested our crops. Now we are just waiting”, he said. (117)

REUTERS/Darren Whiteside

Mount Agung volcano, covered in clouds, erupts in the background as farmers plant peanuts near Kubu, Karangasem Regency, Bali, Indonesia, December 1, 2017.

International

International

Activities

Friday, December 15, 2017

15

PHRI hopes Christmas and New Year holiday will see more tourists

SEMARAPURA - The eruptions of Mount Agung in Karangasem have had a serioius impact on tourism all over Bali – including in the district of Klungkung. Since Mount Agung first erupted, hotel occupancy rates in Nusa Penida, Klungkung have dropped by 80 percent. The Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Klungkung very much hope that Mountain Agung that is still at level 4 (warning) alert level will not be turbulent so that the end of year holiday season will see occupancy rates increase.

Chairman of PHRI Klungkung, Wayan Kariana, said on Wednesday (Dec. 13) that currently the average hotel occupancy rates in Nusa Penida are just 10-20 percent as they have been since Ngurah Rai Airport shut down for a few days in late November. “When the alert level for Mount Agung was first raised to level IV in late Septemeber there was no effect on tourism.

But that changed drastically after the ariport waw closed due to ash hazards>, he explained.

Kariana however added that as Christmas and New Years approach there has been a very slight increase in the number of tourist visits.

“There have been some bookings since the middle of this month, but only about 10 percent of the usual number”, he said.

He hoped the Mount Agung currently remaining in warning alert level is no longer turbulent.

So, there is no cancellation of hotel bookings made by tourists.

“Hopefully, there the mountian will remain calm so these bookings are not cancelled and hotel occupancy rates can be boosted again this month”, he added.

If however Mount Agung erupts again, occupancy rates will certainly drop again – even below 10 percent and have a negative impact on the hotel and restaurant workers. “Hopefully, that will not happen” he said.

Most of Klungkungs hotels and restaurants are located in Nusa Penida with a total of 71, while Nusa Lembongan has 113 and Jungut Batu has 130. (kmb40)

Food stocks remain secure for 11,247 refugees

SEMARAPURA - Since the Mount Agung is still active, thousands of residents of Karangasem are still living in evacuation camps.

As of Wednesday (Dec 13) there were a total of 11,247 evcauees in Klungkung and food stocks remain sufficient.

Head of the Klungkung Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Putu Widiada, when met on Wednesday said that 1, 257 of the evacuees are being sheltered at Swecapura Stadium. While the remaining are spread across 104 points in 43 villages in three subdistricts: Klungkung, Banjarangkan and Dawan. Widiada said that so far the food supply for refugees ample and that as of Wednesday afternnon there were still 12 tons of rice that is enough to last 3 days.

“Each day, they need about 4.4 tons of rice”, he explained.

Likewise, other food stocks also remain sufficient. Widiada added that non- rice food stocks are being donated by a private donor and said that he hopes the aid for evac-

uess will continue to be provided.

“Hopefully, there will be no lack of food stocks as long as the evacuees need to be here> ,he said.

As seen on Wednesday afternoon, the evacuees at Swecapura stadium fill their tim ewill a variety of activities, including weaving bamboo into baskets and temporary walls.

Ni Wayan Wardani, for example, an evacuee from Banjar Muntig, Sebudi village, has been making 1 or 2 plaited bamboo walls since she arrived with bamboo form her home village.

Another female evacuee named Jero Sri Ratna, from Pering Sari village, Selat, weaves bamboo into basekts, making about 6 a day that she sells directly at the evacuation camp. Prices vary depending on the size of the basket. Although making baskets fills her time, she admitted that she was quite bored in the evacuation post. Jero Sri Rtan added that she looks forward to going home as soon as it is possible. (kmb40)

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ARTOTEL GROUP EXPANDING ITS HOTEL CHAIN TO YOGYAKARTA

Friday December 15 16:30-18:30 Kafe Bahasa: You CAn Plastic Detox Rumah Sanur - Creative Hub Jalan Danau Poso no 15A, Sanur 12:00-17:00 Chritmas MArket in Sanur Blakfickan Jalan Danaur Tamblingan 56, Sanur 10:00-11:30 Yin Yoga & Sound Healing Paradiso Ubud Jalan Gautama Selatan, Ubud Saturday DEcember 16 18:00-22:00 Sutra - Theater for the Senses Akasha: Restaurant & Juice BAr Jln Sinta, Keliki 10:00-1:00 Slow Food Menu for Change Terra Madre 2017 Moksa ubu Restaurant Puskesmas UBud II Gang Damai 8:00- 18:00 Bakti Nguwailiang Toya ring Pertiwi Permaculutre soft opening Bali Gianyar 20:00-23:00 The ARt of Welldo Wnophringgo Bali Bohemia Jl. Nyuh Bojog Nyuh Kuning, Ubud

ARTOTEL Group together with Rasanto Group expanding its business in Hospitality industry to Yogyakarta, by the inauguration of ARTOTEL Yogyakarta on December 7th 2017.

Located in Kaliurang Street KM 5.6 No. 14, Caturtunggal, Sleman, ARTOTEL Yogyakarta comes as a new hotel with modern architecture with touch of local culture.

ARTOTEL’s unique persona as a art inspired design hotel and its unique facility of its exterior and interior, offering something new for Yogyakarta, a Brass Siding as a straircase substitute from 2nd floor to 1st floor. This slider made with sturdy brass equipped with thin matrass.

Inspired by one of Yogyakarta’s local culture, weaving, with its strong philosophy and sturdiness of the weaving technique, ARTOTEL Yogyakarta wields this technique in its design concept “Weaving in Harmony”. It can be seen from ARTOTEL Yogyakarta’s building façade that covered with synthetic weaving, to its interior in public space or inside the rooms.

Comes with 105 rooms with various size of 23 sqm, 25 sqm, and 41 sqm, ARTOTEL Yogyakarta offers artistically room with 43-inch TV, Safe Deposit Box, Dolce Gusto coffee maker, Mini Bar, and Wi-Fi connection. The guests will be pleased with spectacular view of Merapi Mountain, Yogyakarta city overview and Kaliurang Street city. ARTOTEL Yogyakarta has 24 hours receptionist, ROCA restaurant and bar which served Indonesian and Western cuisine, 4 meeting rooms (MEETSPACE) with capacity up to 120 person, swimming pool in Mezanine floor next to ROCA, and BART, a rooftop bar which will be opened by end of 2018. Fast wi-fi is also available throughout the hotel for free.

Like other ARTOTEL proper-

ties, ARTOTEL Yogyakarta is supported by local contemporary artists where the hotel is located.

ARTOTEL Yogyakarta is collaborating with 6 local contemporary artists to create artistic elements in its rooms and facilities. Artists’ scouting and artwork selections is done by ARTOTEL Project Series (APS) team, an art divion of ARTOTEL Group and curated by Heri Pemad, a well-known curator from Yogyakarta who also founder of ART JOG, a prestigious annual art exhibition in Yogyakarta. All the 6 artists are: 1. Fatoni Makturodi

A young artist whose artwork in ARTOTEL Yogyakarta are inspired by the legend of Roro Djonggrang, a princess who asked for 1001 temple in one night. His artworks can be seen in 9th floor with touch of monochrome (grey, white and yellow).

2. Soni Irawan

He is one of Yogyakarta’s senior artists with accent of street style, now he’s combining his painting, graffiti and quotes. Soni’s artworks are presented at 8th floor with collage of painting and Javanese script, with Yogyakarta’s folklore “Aji Saka, the creator of Javanese script and culture.

3. Apri Kusbiantoro

Apri is Yogyakarta’s senior comic creator who has worked for 15 years not only in Indonesia but America and Europe. His artworks can be seen at 7th floor of ARTOTEL Yogyakarta bringing the theme of ‘’Punakawan’’ a folklore with presentation of comics and illustration.

4. Uji Hahan

This well-known artist presents his works in lobby level and 6th floor by combining character of pop and urban. Hahan presents a legend of Gunung Tidar in street art style through all his artworks.

5. Ronald Apriyan

He is known for his expressive

style with sense of visual character of imaginative flora and fauna combine with local folklore, you can notice his artwork at 5th floor of ARTOTEL Yogyakarta.

6. Tempa

A collaboration of Rara and Putud, who has strong will to combine art and graphic design in all of their artworks. Tempa Studio’s work will be a sight not only in 3rd floor, but also in ROCA and its employee’s uniform. Tempa’s artwork for ARTOTEL Yogyakarta is inspired by ’’Dewi Sri’’ the goddess of fertility.

Erastus Radjimin, CEO of ARTOTEL Group said: “We are very grateful that Rasanto Group has entrusted its hotel to be managed

by ARTOTEL Group under brand of ARTOTEL. ARTOTEL presents in Yogyakarta has been an honor as an art inspired design hotel, ARTOTEL at this moment be at one of the center of Indonesian art and creativity center where the bond of community and local tradition are cultured. I hope ARTOTEL Yogyakarta can be a vessel for Yogyakarta’s emerging artists to explore and develop their art.‘’ Handoko Wignjowargo, Director of Rasanto Group in Hospitality industry and also CEO of PT Amara Primadua said, “ARTOTEL Yogyakarta will bring new ambiance in Jogja’s hotel industry. Hopefully ARTOTEL Yogyakarta’s will bring merit for not only the shareholder but also their stakeholder: guest, employees, local neighborhood, and Government of Special Region of Yogyakarta.”

Moreover Kevin, Business Development Manager of Rasanto Group, “We are ready to compete for Yogyakarta’s hotel market share. In the same time, we are ready to work with other parties to expanding current market. The principle are Coopetition, Cooperation for market expanding and Competition to share the expanded market.”

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

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

16 Pages Number 10 10th year

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Friday, December 15, 2017

‘He was my monster’: Actress Salma Hayek alleges Harvey Weinstein misconduct

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

Friday, December 15, 2017

CHICAGO - Mexican-born actress Salma Hayek has joined the ranks of Hollywood women accusing movie producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct, calling him a “monster” in an article published by the New York Times on Tuesday.

“For years, he was my monster,” Hayek wrote in the opinion piece in which she included descriptions of sexual harassment, bullying and threats.

Holly Baird, a spokeswoman for Weinstein, issued a statement on his behalf on Wednesday night disputing Hayek’s account and calling her allegations of sexual misconduct inaccurate.

More than 50 women have claimed that Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted them over the past three decades. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the accusations against Weinstein.

Hayek’s spokeswoman had no immediate comment on Wednesday.

Police in New York, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and London have said they are investigating allegations of sexual assault or rape by

Weinstein.

Hayek wrote in the article that she was inspired to share her experiences after other women came forward. Her account largely centered around the time she was involved with making the 2002 film, “Frida,” in which she portrayed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.

Hayek wrote that she was pleased to have the opportunity to work with Weinstein and Miramax, which he then owned, because it was “synonymous with quality, sophistication and risk taking in films.” But, she wrote, she found herself rebuffing sexual advances and requests from Weinstein.

“No to letting him give me oral sex,” Hayek wrote as one of several examples. “And with every refusal came Harvey’s Machiavellian rage.” (rtr)

Antara Foto/Wahyu Putro A/ via REUTERS

Former Indonesian parliament speaker Setya Novanto is escorted into a courtroom for his first trial in Jakarta, Indonesia, December 13, 2017 in this photo taken by Antara Foto.

Wrestler turned actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson receives star on Walk of Fame

LOS ANGELES - Professional wrestler turned actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson paid tribute to his family on Wednesday as he accepted his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The ‘Jumanji’ actor, one of the highest paid in Hollywood, struggled to get through his speech with

fans chanting “Rocky”, a reference to his wrestling moniker.

Johnson, 45, recognised those who helped him in his career, including girlfriend Lauren Hashian, who is pregnant with their second child.

“You don’t have success alone.

You don’t do it alone,” he said. “It takes a team so I’m so grateful right

Actor Dwayne Johnson poses on his star after it was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2017.

now to recognise a few people in my life and it is just a few and they are here who without them there would be no me.”

After thanking the crowd, he recounted his favourite quote that he first discovered as a 15-year old - “It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice.”

Johnson’s star, the 2,624th to be awarded, is next to the stars of World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Vince McMahon and muppet Kermit the Frog. (rtr)

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Indonesia corruption court indicts ex-parliament speaker after delays

JAKARTA - Indonesian prosecutors charged a former parliament speaker Setya Novanto on Wednesday in connection with a $170 million graft scandal after he held up proceedings for hours at the opening of his trial, saying he was ill. Novanto has been brought to trial by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), which suspects extensive pilfering of public funds linked to a national identity card programme.

“The defendant both directly and indirectly intervened in the budgeting and procurement of goods and services,” prosecutor Irene Putri said while reading out the indictment.

The charges include allegations Novanto received $7.3 million in bribes, and a $135,000 watch, for his role in fixing a marked-up budget for the identity card programme.

Novanto, who has denied wrongdoing, faces up to 20 years in prison, according to prosecutors. According to local media reports, the Golkar Party, which Novanto had also chaired, replaced him with Air-

langga Hartanto, who is currently serving as the Industry Minister, on Wednesday night. Novanto resigned from his post as parliament speaker earlier this week.

The politician has earned a reputation for his capacity to cling to power through several previous corruption cases. Novanto repeatedly missed summonses for questioning by the anti-graft agency in the latest case, saying he needed heart surgery, but was put under armed guard in hospital and taken into custody last month.

The case has riveted the media and captured the attention of social

media users, many of whom have mocked him in widely shared posts. Novanto arrived at court on Wednesday in a white shirt and a bright orange jacket usually worn

by KPK graft suspects, and held up court proceedings when he said he had diarrhoea and needed medical attention.

After long delays to allow doctors to examine Novanto, the presiding judge at the Jakarta corruption court let prosecutors read out the charges, which included unlawful intervention in the procurement process of the ID cards. “We are sure the defendant

is healthy and can follow the court proceedings. This is part of the defendant’s lies,” prosecutor Putri said, noting he’d been given a clean bill of health from multiple doctors on Wednesday, as defence lawyers called for more medical examinations for their client.

Novanto also declined to confirm to the court details like his name or place of birth, sparking jeers from the courtroom audience.

The KPK is investigating state losses amounting to about $170 million linked to the national electronic identity card scheme after allegations that sums ranging from $5,000 to $5.5 million - generated by marking up procurement costs were divided up among politicians in parliament.

The allegations against Novanto have reinforced the perception

among Indonesians that their parliament, long regarded as riddled with entrenched corruption, is a failing institution. Indonesia was ranked last year at 90 out of 176 countries on Transparency International’s corruption perception index.

The watchdog has singled out parliament as Indonesia’s most corrupt institution, and in July called on President Joko Widodo to protect the KPK against attempts by the legislature to weaken the commission’s powers.(rtr) News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http:// radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.