Edisi 16 March 2017 | Internasional Bali Post

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Thursday, March 16, 2017

Alan Menken on cuts, adds and intimidating Emma Watson

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Thursday, March 16, 2017

BEVERLY HILLS — Composer Alan Menken really wanted to include the song “If I Can’t Love Her” in the new live-action “Beauty and the Beast.”

The soaring ballad, sung by the Beast, was written for the Broadway musical as the closing number before intermission.

“It’s a monumentally good song.

But it is unique to the structure of a stage musical,” Menken said recently. “I made a few attempts to go, ‘well could it just be right there’ and (lyricist) Tim Rice said to me, ‘it would be like writing ‘Don’t Cry for Me Brazil.’”

So, on the cutting room floor it went, along with some of the other Broadway additions, like “Home” (although some of the music from that song does make it into the new film). Menken, who won Oscars for his “Beauty” score and also the song “Beauty and the Beast,” knew that this ship was in the hands of director Bill Condon.

“I have to balance being the keeper of the flame of the original and the Broadway show and being an enthusiastic and supportive team member in bringing it into new territory,” Menken said. “With ‘Beauty’ I was blessed to have Bill Condon ... He’s smart, he loves musical theater and he loves ‘Beauty and the Beast.’”

“Beauty” fans need not despair about too many changes, either —

all of the songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman for the 1991 animated film are in this new version (out Friday), with a few tweaks and some newly unearthed Ashman lyrics, as well, that attentive listeners might notice in the songs “Gaston” and the closing version of “Beauty and the Beast.” (Ashman died of complications from AIDS before the animated film was released.)

The cuts also made room for three new songs from Menken and Rice, including a more fitting ballad for the Beast, “Evermore,” sung after he lets Belle go.

“We had these up numbers and the one ballad so we felt we could afford gentler or more anthem-ic moments,” Menken said of the new songs. There’s one for the household objects, “Days in the Sun,” and one for Belle’s father Maurice (Kevin Kline), “How Does a Moment Last Forever.”

Menken loves different interpretations of his work. In his over 30-year career scoring some of the most iconic Disney soundtracks of all time, Menken has seen much of his work live on beyond the screen.

He’s had many of his projects adapted into Broadway musicals, including “The Little Mermaid”

Ben Affleck says he has completed treatment for alcohol addiction

LOS ANGELES - Actor Ben Affleck said on Tuesday that he had completed treatment for alcohol addiction, saying he wanted to “be the best father I can be.”

Affleck, 44, said on his Facebook page that his treatment was the “first of many steps” toward his recovery and specifically thanked his “co-parent,” wife Jennifer Garner, whom he separated from in 2015. “I have completed treatment for alcohol addiction; something I’ve dealt with in the past and will continue to confront,” the “Batman” actor wrote.

“I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it, and to be a source of strength for anyone out there who needs help but is afraid to take the first step,” he added.

Hollywood A-list couple Affleck and Garner, who have three children together, announced plans to divorce in July 2015 after 10 years of marriage.

Affleck, who has won two Oscars for his writing and producing work, will next be seen reprising the titular superhero role in “The Batman” movie. (rtr)

Disney via AP

This image released by Disney shows Dan Stevens as The Beast, left, and Emma Watson as Belle in a live-action adaptation of the animated classic “Beauty and the Beast.” and “Aladdin,” which are also on the docket for future live-action renderings.

“I think of myself as an architect,” he said. “I design a structure and other people live in it.”

It’s one of the qualities that makes him such a skilled composer and songwriter.

“His music, I find, is very easy to sing because he’s done all the work for you. You don’t have to put anything on it. It’s all there,” Broadway vet Audra McDonald said. “He’s

one of those composers who can grab your heart with a melody, so much so that you don’t even realize it because he’s so simple about it.

You don’t realize that he’s reaching in and taking your heart and ripping it out —or massaging it.”

While much of the supporting cast had some Broadway experience, Menken acknowledges that leads Emma Watson and Dan Stevens were a bit green in that area.

“They both were a little deer-inheadlights,” Menken said.

Watson, in particular needed space to find her own voice as Belle.

“I’m not used to being an intimidating presence, but I think the composer was a little scary to her so we made sure she had her own vocal coach,” Menken said. “I stepped back, which was fine. The songs speak for themselves. I could always give my notes from a distance.”

For what it’s worth, Watson is now comfortable around Menken. (ap)

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AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

Cherie Burke contends with blowing snow during a blustery storm, Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in Portland, Maine. A late-season storm is hitting the Northeast, closing schools and prompting dire warnings to stay off the roads.

Icy conditions follow falling temps and Northeast snowstorm

NEW YORK — Concerns about falling temperatures and icy conditions on roads and sidewalks across the Northeast followed a late-season storm that plastered the region with sleet and snow. Tuesday’s powerful nor’easter paralyzed much of the Washington-to-Boston corridor, but fell short of the predicted snowfall totals in New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

The storm, which followed a stretch of unusually mild winter weather, dumped 1 to 2 feet in many places, grounded more than 6,000 flights and knocked out power to nearly a quarter-million customers from Virginia northward.

By the time it reached Massachusetts, it had turned into a blizzard, with near hurricane-force winds gusting to over 70 mph along the coast. Boston ended up with 6.6 inches of snow, far less than what was predicted. Plunging overnight temperatures threatened to turn the snow, sleet and sloppy mix into

a slippery mess, raising fears of black ice for motorists and slick sidewalks for pedestrians.

Boston canceled school for a second day as cleanup efforts continued. Mayor Marty Walsh said he made the call out of “an abundance of caution.”

The storm was easily the biggest in an otherwise merciful winter that had mostly spared the region.

Many, like retired gumball machine technician Don Zimmerman, of Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, weren’t happy. “It’s horrible,” Zimmerman said, using a snowblower to clear

the sidewalk along his block. “I thought winter was out of here. ...

It’s a real kick in the rear.”

While most people heeded the warnings to stay off the roads, police said a 16-year-old girl was killed when she lost control of her car on a snowy road and crashed into a tree in Gilford, New Hampshire. In East Hartford, Connecticut, an elderly man died after being struck by a snow plow truck.

The storm closed schools in cities big and small, Amtrak suspended service and the post office halted mail delivery. The number flight cancellations reached more than 3,000 in the New York City area alone, stranding hundreds of passengers.

The storm was on track to be one of the biggest on record for Burlington, Vermont. The National

Weather Service says it got 25.6 inches of snow as of Wednesday morning, with another 2 to 5 inches due by the end of the day.

Jay, led the way in Vermont with 34 inches.

Philadelphia and New York City got anywhere from a few inches of snow to around half a foot before it switched over to sleet. Forecasters had predicted a foot or more. In New Jersey, which saw rain or just a little snow, Gov. Chris Christie called the storm an “underperformer.” But officials still warned of dangerous ice.

Inland areas, meanwhile, got hit hard. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Worcester, Massachusetts, received a foot or more of snow.

The Binghamton, New York, area got over 2 feet, while Vernon, New Jersey, had at least 19 inches. The

storm came just days after the region saw temperatures climb into the 60s, and less than a week before the official start of spring.

In the nation’s capital, nonessential federal employees were given the option of reporting three hours late, taking the day off or WORKING FROM HOME. The city got less than 2 inches of snow.

A few days ago, workers on Washington’s National Mall were making plans to turn on the fountains.

Continued to page 6

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Bali News

Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

Compact settlement land

River channel backfilled with sand-gravel

SINGARAJA - The arrangement of settlement area at North Banyuning, Banyuning, is now entering compaction phase of the former river channel having been diverted to the west. It is backfilled with sand and gravel material. To help the backfill, residents receive full support from the regional disaster mitigation agency (BPBD) of Buleleng.

The former river channel has been successfully diverted to the west with the width of about 20 meters and the depth of about 3 meters. Meanwhile, the length is about 100 meters extending to the beach. The former river is backfilled with mounting gravel dredged along the edge of the beach at RT 1-B, North Banyuning hamlet.

To help backfill the former river channel, residents hire heavy equipment by utilizing the help of the BPBD Bule-

leng. Backfill workmanship has reached about 55 percent and it is ascertained to accomplish in the near future. The land acquired from the arrangement will then be re-used by people who live at the location to build a house or renovate the house that is now severely damaged.

Advisor to the disaster relief fund management committee of North Banyuning, Nyoman Suasana, amid the delivery of Bali Post readers’ donation on Tuesday (Mar. 14) said that compaction of the former river channel was previously hampered due to difficulty to find material. The backfill is planned to use the soil purchased at Bungkulan village, Sawan. However, due to the former river channel is watery, the backfill using soil is feared to become unstable and prone to get eroded again. Seeing this condition, his committee then uses the pile of sand and gravel at the delta area. Backfill with gravel material is believed to be denser and the area is

The Vice Regent of Buleleng Nyoman Sutjidra is inpecting the lanslide area in Banyuning.

IBP/Wawan

not easy to turn unstable. In addition, the taking of sand and gravel will facilitate the river flow or the pounding waves.

“After holding a meeting, we dredge the sand and gravel accumulating in the river delta to backfill the former river channel. Density of the sand and gravel is harder than when using soil. When dredging the sand and gravel, we are helped by the BPBD Buleleng to rent heavy equipment,” he explained.

According to this man familiarly nicknamed as Jenggo, the backfill of the former river channel has now has reached about 55 percent. The remaining time will be used to complete the workmanship so that it can be used again. Based on data of the disaster victims, local government has agreed to build five houses for residents whose house was heavily damaged as hit by last flood disaster. Later on, the five residents will build a house on backfilled land on the former river channel.

In the meantime, people’s house with minor damages can also have been improved, so that the hamlet of the RT 1-B can be re-arranged for residential area.

Having successfully managed the settlement area, Jenggo claimed to still fight so that local governments can provide assistance to strengthen the banks of diverted river channel.

This reinforcement is needed because the river flow will remain to border with the residential area. To protect the residential area, he asked for the strengthening of the river flow through the installation of gabion stone wall. “The river flow is a bit far from the settlement, but we still apply for help to strengthen the new river channel gabion stone wall. Thus, the river flow is getting stronger and no longer threatens the residential areas here,” he explained.

In the meantime, Deputy Regent of Buleleng, Nyoman Sutjidra, accompanied by headman of Banyuning, Nyoman Sutata, appreciated to the hard work of residents in arranging their settlement area after the flood disaster. So far, the government has helped solidify the residential areas including by providing housing assistance for residents whose house was washed away. To strengthen the river flow with gabion stone wall, Sutjidra admitted he will further coordinate with the public works and spatial planning agency (PU-PR) including engaging the Bali-Penida river agency (BWS).

“It is very good for residents to do mutual assistance in normalizing the river and the land compacting was assisted by the BPBD and we also help the house construction.

Strengthening of the river channel will be coordinated with public works and spatial planning agency and the Bali-Penida river agency (BWS),” he explained. (kmb38)

To control inflation, Tabanan applies community-based economy

TABANAN - All this time, the measure taken by the government to control inflation is by holding a low-cost market. However, the implementation of low-cost market is always done from top to bottom. To that end, the government of Tabanan through the regional inflation control team (TPID) and the economic affairs will develop community-based economy by holding low-cost market.

Division Head of Economic Affairs at the government of Tabanan who is also Chief of TPID team,

I Gusti Putu Ekayana, said on Tuesday (Mar. 14) that communitybased economic development is meant to invite the lowest institutions such as village-owned enterprise (BUMDes), village credit agency (LPD) and cooperatives.

Thus, the low-cost market will not solely depend on the district government but be held at each village or subdistrict. Certainly it will be right on target namely residents.

“Low-cost market can be organized in collaboration of BUMDes with LPD and cooperative,” he said.

He added the organization of low-cost market at the lowest level can touch people and increase people’s sense of self-belonging to the institution holding such activity like BUMDes and the LPD. Moreover, LPD can also find new customers in these activities and BUMDes can promote their products.

According to Ekayana, people should not be afraid to hold lowcost market because it does not require large capital and the capital will soon return. The organizer is just enough to bear the transporta-

tion cost when purchasing staples.

“The place does not need any tent as it can be held in the local village meeting hall. For rice supply, we will help the coordination with the logistics agency (Bulog),” he said.

In the meantime, the villages that do not have LPD or cooperative or whose LPD is unhealthy or does not work well, they can be helped by the subdistrict low-cost market.

Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) is ready to help each subdistrict.

According to him, many village

and subdistrict institutions are ready to provide a help. However, he did not force the certainty of the implementation. It is fully submitted to the organizers.

If this community-based economy can successfully organize the low-cost market, the control against the market’s inflation can be done without burdening the regional budget. Central government itself wants that control to inflation should minimally burden the regional budgets. (kmb24)

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Activities

International

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Achieving The Perfect Smile A beautiful smile speaks a thousand words. A beautiful smile also improves confidence and increases your beauty self-esteem. So, if your self-esteem is suffering from missing or falling teeth, do make an appointment at the BIMC Dental Centre in Nusa Dua, Bali for dental implants to get you the perfect teeth and the perfect smile. By replacing the root of your missing tooth and topping it with a realistic dental crown, you’ll soon have a beautiful set of perfectly aligned teeth and

an improved level of confidence.

This modern option is the fastest and most convenient way to replace missing teeth with minimal pain while giving you long-lasting natural substitutes placed directly into your jawbone.

The procedure for dental implants is minimally invasive and is carried out under local anesthesia.

There will be no open wounds following the surgery and minimal post-operative discomfort. Rest assured you’ll be in good hands at

WEEKLY EVENTS and FARMERS MARKETS EVERY SATURDAY Meditation class by Mangku Budi Dharma 14-16:30 Bona, Blahbatuh meet at Ubud Cocomarket at 13:00 Saturday Market Oldman’s Cafe Canggu, Batu Bolong Beach, pottery fresh produce, clothing Sand Beach Club and Restaurant, Sanur Every second Saturday Biasa Art Space, Jl. Raya Seminyak 24, Seminyak, Fresh produce, potted plants, meat pie, sshie, coffee and more.

Every Saturday 9AM-2PM OrganIc Farmer’s Market Pizza Bagus (Jl. Pengosekan), Ubud EVERY SUNDAY Soul to soul spirituall dialogue Anand Ashram, Ubud Jl Sri Wedari KM 3 Mantra chanting 6-6:30pm Navaraha Arati 6:30-6:45pm Meditation, Satsang and celebration 6:45-8:30pm www.ubudashram.org SUNDAY MARKETS 10AM 1PM Sunday Market at Batu Jimbar Jl. Danau Tablingan , Sanur 10AM-4PM The Sands Beach Club and Restaurant Sunday MArket Jl. Danau Tamblingan, No 27, Sanur 9:30AM-1PM Sunday Market @ Warung Sopa Jl. Sugriwas no36, Padang Tegal, Ubud 9AM-2PM Samadi Sunday Market Jalan. Padang Linjong 39, Canggu, 9AM-2PM Wednesday and Sunday Ubud Organik Market Jl. Raya Pengosekan across from Zens Hotel Tebesaya, Ubud 12PM-10PM Sunday Food Festival & Bazaar Byrdhouse Beach Club, Sanur 10AM-6PM, Mercure,last sunday of every month, jl. ,Mertasari, Sanur, fashion food and and kids activities The Coffee Spot, Jalan Peigenet 888X,Seminyak, last Sunday of every month, garage sale clothing, books, and hand-made jewellery

all times with Dr. Harry Iskandar, who has decades of experience in cosmetic dentistry. The doctor will also conduct a thorough examination prior to the procedure including consultation and panoramic XRAY to determine your jawbone’s volume and density. Equipped with the latest state-of-the-art amenities, the BIMC Dental Centre offers only the best in dental treatments including regular check-ups, standard restorative treatments such as fillings, crowns and bridges, and

other complex procedures. For more information, please contact the reception staff at dentalcentre@ bimcbali.com.

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Thursday, March 16, 2017

Health

International

Bali News

International

AP Photo/Andy Wong

In this Feb. 21, 2017 photo, commuters, some wearing masks, walk to a subway station to a subway station during the evening rush hour in Beijing. Yet the city’s average reading of the tiny particulate matter PM2.5 - considered a good gauge of air pollution - is still seven times what the World Health Organization considers safe. A group of Chinese lawyers is suing the governments of Beijing and its surrounding areas for not doing enough to get rid of the smog.

Cleaner air could save 3 million early deaths in China each year - study

JAKARTA- China could prevent three million premature deaths a year if it enforced tighter air quality standards in accordance with United Nations guidelines, according to a study released on Wednesday.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal, examined the mortality levels and concentrations of the tiny particles known as PM10 in the air in 38 large Chinese cities between January 2010 and June 2013.

It found the average PM10 level recorded in these cities during the period was 92.9 micrograms per cubic meter, much higher than the World Health Organization’s standard at 20 micrograms.

The researchers, led by Maigeng Zhou at the Beijing-based Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, said over 350,000 deaths were recorded in the 38 cities in this period.

Based on this, they said China would save three million premature deaths each year if its PM10 level

was lowered to the WHO’s recommended level.

“This number is likely to be a lower bound estimate of the total number of deaths related to air pollution because the air pollution effect can be larger in rural areas and PM10 is more detrimental to human health in the long run,” they said.

“Our findings suggest that adopting and enforcing tighter air quality standards in China will bring about tremendous public health benefits.”

PM10, particulate matter produced by traffic and industry, can enter the lungs and bloodstream. Another hazardous airborne particle is the PM2.5, which is smaller and lighter.

China has been waging a war on pollution but its environment minister said last week it still has work to do and needed to get companies and local authorities to toe the line.

Pollution alerts are common in northern China, especially during bitterly cold winters when energy demand, much of it met by coal, rises. (rtr)

different groups at risk.

While Merck’s rVSV-EBOV shot could be deployed to provide “ring vaccination” of people in recent contact with new Ebola cases, a longer-lasting option might be a better bet for healthy support workers coming in to fight the crisis.

The “prime-boost” vaccine developed by J&J and Bavarian Nordic is currently being tested in large global trials that include more than 1,000 subjects in Africa.

Results from those studies are still awaited but the vaccine has already been submitted to the World Health Organization for Emergency Use Assessment and Listing, which could allow it to be deployed on an accelerated basis in the event another Ebola crisis.

J&J said it had a stockpile of 1.8 million dosing regimens on standby in deep freeze, with the capacity to produce several million more if needed.

“We are so much more advanced now than two or three years ago,” said Paul Stoffels, J&J’s chief scientific officer. “We are ready to intervene if tomorrow there was a new emergency.”

Keith Chappell from the University of Queensland said the data to date was encouraging, especially since the J&J vaccine was non-replicating and therefore potentially safer than the Merck shot.

The findings, based on a Phase I clinical trial involving 75 healthy subjects, were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (rtr)

AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh

James Harris, the widower of Salome Karwah, and his children poses for a photographs outside his house in Monrovia, Liberia. Thursday March. 2, 2017. Salome Karwah survived Ebola after it killed both her parents and eight other relatives, then returned to her clinic to help countless others as she had become immune to the deadly virus. But in a heartbreaking reminder of just how strong fear remains, she died after childbirth complications as her husband says health workers in Liberia were too afraid to touch her. She was just 31.

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Hundreds of ogoh-ogoh participate in contest

Two-part Ebola vaccine offers longlasting protection

CALIFORNIA - The world should be far better prepared for the next Ebola outbreak, with further promising results on Tuesday showing the potential of a longlasting vaccine against the deadly virus.

The two-part shot from Johnson & Johnson and Danish partner Bavarian Nordic induced a durable immune response lasting a full year in 100 percent of healthy volunteers vaccinated, researchers reported.

“The persistence of vaccineinduced immunity to one year postimmunisation is truly impressive,” said researcher Matthew Snape of the University of Oxford.

“The fact that all participants retained Ebola-specific antibodies to the end of the study does raise hope that this vaccine could induce responses that last for several years.”

The vaccine requires one dose to prime the immune system and a second shot to boost the body’s response.

That is different from another Ebola vaccine from Merck , which was the first to prove effective in preventing human infection during a large trial in Guinea last year.

Scientists have been racing to develop vaccines for Ebola after more than 11,300 people died in West Africa’s 2013-2016 epidemic.

Recent progress means experts are now confident the world will not be defenceless when the next outbreak hits.

There is debate, however, as to the best vaccination strategy for

Thursday, March 16, 2017

NEGARA - Ahead of Nyepi or at the night of Pengerupukan (Mar. 27), a number of customary youth clubs (sekaa taruna) passing in the assessment will participate in the ogoh-ogoh (papier mâché demon) contest at catus pata (central intersection) in front of the office of Jembrana regent. Hundreds of youth clubs will follow and so far have made preparation for the selection.

IBP/file

The manufactured salt or traditional salt should also be given iodine test to determine its iodine content.

Consumption of iodized salt in Bali still low

DENPASAR - Consumption rate of iodized salt in Bali is still low. Based on data of the health agency in 2013, as much as 50.3 percent of Bali’s population consumes iodized salt. Iodized salt is the salt containing iodine more than 30 ppm. “So, the health standards for salt should contain more than 30 ppm of iodine,” said Division Head of Public Health, Adi Wiguna, Tuesday (Mar. 14).

To determine whether the salt contains iodine above the standard or not, it can be carried out by iodine test. “If it is purple, it means the iodine has met the standards.

Otherwise, it means to still lack iodine content. It is easy to do the test,” he explained.

Iodized salt deficiency causes problems like mumps, cretinism and reduction in intelligence of children in Bali. Indeed, mumps is no longer prevalent because the number of mumps has decreased.

However, the current issues in Bali are cretinism and reduction in intelligence of children.

One of the causes is the low consumption of iodized salt. On that account, it needs a movement to promote the consumption of iodized salt. “Most importantly is always consuming iodized salt to increase intelligence and cretinism in our generation,” he said.

In plain, iodized salt is normally found in the salt having been packaged well, and contains information about the iodine. “The packaged

and labeled salt has usually been mixed with iodine first prior to being distributed to the public. It means to have complied with the iodine standards as specified,” he said.

Meanwhile, the salt sold by kilo plastic bag belongs to traditional salt whose iodine content has not been above 30 ppm. Some salt farmers in Bali are said to have been given machine assistance by industry and commerce agency to mix iodine. Nevertheless, the manufactured salt or traditional salt should also be given iodine test to determine its iodine content. Since the price of iodine is expensive, the salt could possibly not be given the mixture of iodine.

His division teamed up with village-commissioned police (Bhabinkamtibmas) because it is the spearhead of police in Indonesia.

“Well, we team up with police to fight against narcotics and later on we will also involve headman, too,” he affirmed.

Any information in the community will be known first by our Bhabinkamtibmas. Therefore, he considered that teaming up with the institution poses a strategic measure in fighting against narcotic.

He hoped that with the KIE, Bhabinkamtibmas will be able to provide correct information so that its institution can uncover drug trafficking. “Most importantly, we can prevent and reduce drug abuse,” he added. (kmb42)

Regent of Jembrana, I Putu Artha, amid his bustles on Monday afternoon (Mar. 13) made a visit to the participants of ogoh-ogoh contest to some hamlets.

Accompanied by Deputy Regent Made Kembang Hartawan who chairs the assessment team, he directly selected the ogoh-ogoh to be contested. Through this contest, the customary youth clubs can maintain their Balinese cultural traditions. In addition, all the participants are expected not to show off ogoh-ogoh containing racist or pornographic nature. “Participants are expected to still comply with the rules specified,” said Artha.

Moreover, at every visit Regent Artha appeals to customary youth clubs to take advantage of the funds from local government as well as possible. “Do not be used for alcoholic binge,” reminded Artha.

In the meantime, Deputy Regent Kembang said that

before being paraded at the night of pengerupukan, the ogoh-ogoh must pass the selection in advance. The selection is made at each hamlet throughout Jembrana, and each subdistrict will be represented by three pieces of the best ogoh-ogoh. Theme of the ogoh-ogoh on the pengerupukan this year is butha kala (evil spirit).

A number of criteria getting the attention in the monitoring include the harmony of ogoh-ogoh, the use of eco-friendly materials (use of styrofoam is prohibited) for the body of ogoh-ogoh, but for the head, legs and arms are allowed to use styrofoam and at least has the height of 3 meters from the bearing bamboo logs. When compared to the previous year, the current creativity of customary youth clubs is better. “Their readiness is better and seriousness can be seen,” said Kembang.

He said that each customary youth club participating in the contest received assistance from the district government as much as IDR 850,000 excluding government tax. A total of 285 customary youth clubs across Jembrana are registered to participate in the selection.

If passing in the selection and ready to perform, the district government will provide additional staging cost worth IDR 4 million.

“When appearing, all the participants should prepare performances related to the ogoh-ogoh, such as fragmentary show and so forth,” added Kembang. (kmb26)

IBP/olo

All the participants are expected not to show off ogoh-ogoh containing racist or pornographic nature.

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Bali News

Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

KUALA LUMPUR - The body of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was embalmed this week in Kuala Lumpur, with no family member coming forward to claim the remains and as a diplomatic spat with Pyongyang drags on.

IBP/kmb28

Tektekan tradition in the area of Kediri customary village is inherited from generation to generation.

Tektekan welcomes Nyepi in Kediri

Used to overcome plague, now becomes cultural attraction

TABANAN - Each year ahead of the Nyepi (Day of Silence) celebration, there will a different atmosphere, especially at Kediri customary village, Tabanan. In other regions, ahead of the celebration may be graced with the making and parade of ogoh-ogoh (papier mâché demon) or bamboo cannon, but Kediri precisely holds cultural event in the form of Tektekan.

IBP/nan

Nearly 80 percent of local residents depend on their livelihood as such product craftsmen.

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One month on, Malaysia embalms Kim Jong Nam’s body, awaiting next of kin

Sea sand craftsmen in Susut still survive BANGLI - Craftsmen of sea sand-made shrine at Selat village, Susut, remain to survive until now amid the intense competition against similar businesses in this area. Evidently, nearly 80 percent of local residents depend on their livelihood as such product craftsmen.

One of the sea sand craftsmen at Selat Peken hamlet, Susut, I Nengah Rajin, said on Tuesday (Mar. 14) that he has pursued the craftworks since decades ago. His orders of sea sand shrine craft keep coming from different regions. “Currently I am still completing the shrine orders of Kuta resident,” he said.

Rajin said that lately the competition in shrine craft is quite tight.

However, the shrine made from sea sand raw material has not been abandoned by people. “I was concerned with the increasing proliferation of shrine craft businesses by using sea sand. However, the concern has now begun to disappear because we still receive the orders,” said this middle-aged man.

When asked about the obstacles faced, he said it has something to do with capital and scarcity of sea sand material. In addition, the price of sea sand continues to increase. Now, the price of sea sand reaches IDR 1.6 million per truck. “The price of sea sand almost increases every week,” he complained.

Admittedly he did not dare to increase the price of his product too high. He worried if selling at too expensive price will decrease his consumers considering the tight competition in the shrine craft.

A kemulan (three-chambered shrine) is sold for IDR 10 million and gedong penglurah for IDR 7 million. As for temple compound wall, he explained, is calculated per meter. For two-sided compound wall is set at IDR 6 million, while the single-sided is IDR 3 million. “The price is determined by the motif of carvings. The more carving it has, the price is more expensive,” added Rajin. (nan)

Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

It is named the Tektekan KediriNangluk Merana. This event will take place for eleven days starting from March 17 through March 27, 2017 or on the Pengerupukan Day. The annual event will be packaged in a parade. Moreover, on March 25 and 26 this special event will be held in front of the Desa and Puseh Temple of Kediri customary village. In the meantime, the road closure will take place on March 27, 2017 where the route will reach the Kediri roundabout.

Chief of Kediri customary village, AAG Ngurah Panji Wisnu, explained that during the eleven days, the entire customary villagers of Kediri ranging from children to adults will go around the village while playing the sounds from a variety of sources. They are ranging from kulkul (bamboo split drum), gong or okokan (large

cow bell). Some have even been modified with the accompaniment of bleganjur.

“In total, there are seven hamlets at Kediri customary village that will take turns to go round from one hamlet to another hamlet existing is at our village,” he explained.

Further, he said that tektekan tradition in the area of Kediri customary village is inherited from generation to generation. So far, there is no any record on the history of its origin. According to his ancestors, the tradition came together with the outbreaks in Kediri. “At that time, many residents were experiencing sickness to death and they also faced harvest failure because their paddy fields were attacked by pests,” he said.

Due to concerns over the calamity occurred at that time, community leaders and temple priests

agreed to invoke guidance by praying at local Puseh Temple.

At that time, they got a clue if the pandemic could be eliminated by means of sounds. Armed with this clue, the residents of Kediri came down and went around the village while playing tektekan for few days. Finally, it was proved that the plague attacking the customary village disappeared.

Since then, the tektekan tradition has psychical function to dismiss plague. Its implementation cannot be predicted because it depends on the incidence of outbreak at the village. With the changing of time or more precisely from 2014 the tektekan tradition began to be transformed into an entertainment art. Moreover, local villagers agreed to hold this tradition as annual attraction coinciding with the Hindus celebrating Nyepi. During the execution of tektekan tradition at local customary village, the officials suggest road users to find alternative road section.

“We’ve made coordination with police authority, especially on the security and traffic diversion,” he concluded. (kmb28)

It’s been over a month since Kim Jong Nam was murdered on Feb. 13, when Malaysian police say two women smeared super toxic VX nerve agent on his face at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Kim died within 20 minutes of the attack, before reaching the hospital. Since then, his body has been at a Kuala Lumpur morgue, and police say they will only hand it over to his next of kin. No one so far has come forward to claim the body, Malaysian authorities have said.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters outside parliament on Tuesday the body has been embalmed so it can be preserved longer.

“It’s an effort to preserve the body, because if it is kept in the mortuary it might decompose so we did this to preserve the body,” Zahid said.

The body was secretly taken out of the morgue for the embalming on Sunday night, avoiding the attention of dozens of media representatives stationed outside.

DIPLOMATIC MELTDOWN The murder, and Malaysia’s attempt to investigate North Koreans inside Pyongyang’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur, has sparked a diplomatic meltdown between two countries with once strong ties.

North Korea is preventing three Malaysian diplomats and their six family members from leaving the country, sparking tit-for-tat action

by Malaysia.

Zahid said the two countries are still negotiating, but did not elaborate.

Zahid also said Malaysia will soon deport 50 North Korean workers who overstayed their visa in the Borneo state of Sarawak. They

were among 176 North Koreans working in Sarawak.

The workers were employed in mines and construction sites in the state. Zahid has said about 315 North Koreans remain in the country with valid visas.

Kim Jong Nam, who had been living in the Chinese territory of Macau under Beijing’s protection, had spoken out publicly against his family’s dynastic control of the isolated, nuclear-armed North Korea.

South Korean intelligence officers say Kim Jong Un had issued standing orders for the elimination of his elder half-brother.

Video footage of a man claiming to be the son of Kim Jong Nam appeared last week, in which he said he was lying low with his mother and sister.

Malaysia has refused North Korea’s request to release the body without an autopsy and investigation. It expelled the North Korean ambassador over his remarks questioning the investigations.

This angered North Korea, who then barred Malaysians from leav-

AP Photos/Shizuo Kambayashi, File

This May 4, 2001, file photo shows Kim Jong Nam, exiled half brother of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, in Narita, Japan. ing the country. In response, Malaysia briefly blockaded the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur last week.

Malaysian police have identified eight North Koreans wanted for

questioning in connection with the killing of Kim Jong Nam, some of them hiding in the North Korean embassy. A Vietnamese woman and an Indonesian woman have already been charged in the case. (rtr)

Taiwan says Chinese military threat grows, US regional strategy unclear TAIPEI - China’s accelerated military development and recent activity by its military aircraft and ships around Taiwan pose an increased threat to the self-ruled island, according to a Taiwanese government defence report draft reviewed by Reuters.

The 2017 Quadrennial Defence Review (QDR) also highlights the uncertainty over the future strategic

direction of the United States in the region, the impact of Japan flexing its military capabilities and “conflict crisis” potential in the disputed South China Sea. The document is due to be presented to parliament on Thursday by Taiwan defence minister Feng Shih-kuan.

“The recent activity of Chinese jets and ships around Taiwan shows the continued rise in (China’s)

REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic/File Photo

People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers shout as they hold guns and practise in a drill during a organized media tour at a PLA engineering school in Beijing, July 22, 2014.

military threat capabilities,” highlighting the importance of Taiwan’s need to defend itself, the review will say.

“In addition to posing a military threat to our country, it also has a negative impact on regional stability.”

The four-yearly review is the first since President Tsai Ing-wen took office last May and the first under her Democratic Progressive Party, which traditionally advocates independence for Taiwan.

“The country’s military development and Taiwan’s freedom and prosperity are the same living body,” according to the draft.

WAYWARD PROVINCE The QDR comes as China which claims Taiwan as a wayward province to be taken back by force if necessary - has been stepping up air and sea military exercises in waters surrounding Taiwan as part of a sweeping modernisation of its armed forces.

Speaking in Beijing at his annual news conference on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang repeated that China was resolutely opposed to Taiwan independence but it would uphold peace across the Taiwan Strait.

“No matter how the situation on the island may evolve, the fraternal bond between the two sides cannot be severed and will not be able to change history or the fact that both sides belong to one and the same China,” Li said.

Taiwan’s defence ministry had no comment on the report on Wednesday. Developments in the South China Sea, including rejection of an international court ruling by other claimants on territorial rights of the Philippines in the disputed waters, China’s land reclamation and militarisation, and freedom of navigation patrols championed by the United States could deepen strife in the area, the review will say.

“Sovereignty disputes in the region and strategic competition could intensify, leading to hidden conflict crisis.”

China has begun new construction work on a disputed island in the South China Sea, satellite images show, just days ahead of the first official visit to the region

by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The review also listed Japan’s move away from its pacifist constitution “to strengthen its armaments and lift a ban on using

troops abroad” as having deep and far-reaching impacts on the security situation in the Asia-Pacific and the Taiwan Strait.

Reuters reported this week that Japan plans to send its largest warship on a three-month tour through the South China Sea beginning in May - its biggest show of naval force in the region since World War Two. Among security challenges for Taiwan, the review also said “the United States’ Asia-Pacific strategic direction and troop deployment was not clear” under the new administration of President Donald Trump.

Trump provoked consternation in Beijing by taking a congratulatory call from Taiwan’s Tsai and then calling into question adherence to the “One China” policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it.

Last month, Trump agreed to honour the policy during a phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The United States remains Taiwan’s biggest ally and arms supplier and is bound by legislation to provide the means to help the island defend itself. (rtr)

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Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

BUSINESS

Bali News

The Anker Wreck

3 things to watch for from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday

No-one knows the name of this small wooden boat, even if it had one, or what brought it to the area.

The wreck is actually named for the anchor that still lies about 6-8M from the surface. You follow the anchor chain down the steep slope to the flattened remains of the shipwreck (35-50M), which lie across about 60M of sand. This is the deepest dive site, we believe that the good visibility and calm conditions mean that it will present no problems to experienced divers. Following the anchor chain down to 32M, there is a second (coralcovered) anchor at the point where the site becomes a sand slope.

It is here that you see the first parts of the wreck, dark against the white sand. Across the site you will find copper sheeting and bottles, the boat’s cargo (artefacts, not for souvenirs).

There are still some parts of the boat which remain out of the sand, and which are covered in gorgonians, a sure sign of little or no currents at the site. The wall to the west, at 5-10M, is rich with many overhangs, cracks and caves. A good idea for an extended safety stop after this dive. (IBP/net)

WASHINGTON — Sending signals loud and clear, the Federal Reserve has left little doubt that it will raise interest rates Wednesday for the third time since December 2015 to reflect a consistently solid U.S economy. The rate increase will likely go down as one of the most telegraphed ever, given that several Fed officials, including Chair Janet Yellen, each let it be known over the past two weeks that they felt it was time to raise the Fed’s benchmark short-term rate.

Their string of likeminded comments surprised many investors, who had assumed that the Fed would wait until probably June before raising rates again. The thinking was that the Fed would want to see whether President Donald Trump’s ambitious economic program of tax cuts, deregulation and higher spending on the military and infrastructure could pass Congress — and then assess how it might affect the economy.

But after the Fed officials each suggested that the economy’s gains had moved the central bank closer to its goals for employment and inflation, the likelihood of a rate hike after the Fed ends its latest policy meeting Wednesday shot from around 20 percent to near 100 percent as estimated by futures markets, according to data tracked by the CME Group.

Now, the guessing switches to how many times the Fed may raise rates during 2017 — whether three times, as the market now expects, or perhaps as many as four.

Yet regardless of the answer, the market seems far less nervous about the prospect of rate increases than it was in recent years. Investors seem increasingly confident that the U.S. economy is vigorous enough to withstand modestly higher borrowing rates. Here are three things to watch for after the Fed’s meeting ends: STATE OF THE ECONOMY The Fed has managed its control of interest rates with exceeding caution, beginning with an initial hike in December 2015, which ended seven years of record-low rates near zero. It then waited an entire year before raising rates again in December last year.

But in recent weeks the view has taken hold, within and outside the Fed, that the U.S. economy has entered a new, stronger phase, with a job market near full health, rising consumer and business confidence, a sturdy housing market and inflation moving closer to the Fed’s 2 percent target. Nearly eight years

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2017 file photo, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the House Financial Services Committee for the Fed’s semi-annual Monetary Policy Report to Congress. Federal Reserve officials earlier this month discussed the need to raise a key interest rate again “fairly soon,” especially if the economy remains strong.

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque//File Photo

FILE PHOTO - A police officer keeps watch in front of the U.S. Federal Reserve building in Washington, DC, U.S. on October 12, 2016. after the Great Recession ended, the economy seems less and less to need the support of ultra-low borrowing rates.

A robust February employment report issued on Friday — 235,000 added jobs, brisk pay growth and a dip in the unemployment rate to 4.7 percent — was seen as the final major encouraging economic report the Fed needed to feel confident about announcing a rate increase.

What the Fed says in its statement Wednesday assessing the health of the economy will be parsed for clues to its thinking about the pace of future rate increases.

FORECAST AND DOT PLOT Four times each year, the Fed updates the economic and interestrate forecasts of the 17 members of its policy committee — five board members (there are two vacancies) and 12 regional bank presidents.

Each policymaker offers his or her own anonymous forecast.

Investors and Fed watchers tend to scrutinize those projections to determine whether they think the central bank is growing more optimistic about growth, unemployment and inflation. A shift in sentiment toward greater

optimism could indicate that the Fed is preparing to accelerate its pace of rate hikes.

Along with economic forecasts, the Fed releases what has come to be called the “dot plot.” This is an illustrated plot of dots, representing the expectations for each official for the path of the federal funds rate, the Fed’s key policy rate. In December, the Fed raised that rate to a range of 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent, still quite low by historical standards.

Fed officials stress that the dot plot is merely a projection of where rates might go and not at all a guarantee. At December’s meeting, the projection from the dot plot was that the Fed would raise rates three times in 2017. But some economists are wondering whether the new chart may estimate a higher number of rate increases, reflecting a brighter outlook for the economy.

YELLEN’S VIEW On Wednesday, as she does after four Fed meetings each year, Yellen will hold a news conference.

The Fed chair is likely to stress many of the points she has made in recent speeches: That while the Fed is raising rates, the pace of the

increases will likely remain gradual and that rates will still be at historically low levels. For consumers and businesses, that means that while loan rates will rise, they will remain relatively low.

Yellen is sure to be asked for her views of the policies being pursued by the Trump administration. The president has vowed to double the economy’s growth rate to 4 percent from around 2 percent over the past nearly eight years. Trump has said his package of tax cuts, deregulation, a tougher trade stance and increased spending in such areas as infrastructure can achieve his growth goals.

But if the Fed starts to become concerned about inflation pressures at a time when the economy is at full employment, an increase in the pace of rate hikes could make it harder for Trump to achieve his goals.

While Trump was personally critical of Yellen during the presidential campaign, accusing her of favoring low rates to help the Democrats, he’s been silent on the Fed since winning the election. And members of his economic team, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, have spoken of their desire to work with the Fed.(ap)

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Let’s Have Selfie at Pancaseming JR Cliff

Another new platform for selfie has been created. Located at Pancaseming hamlet, Batuagung, Jembrana, it has become one of the popular attractions in Jembrana since last month. This forest-near hamlet with friendly people, in fact, has considerable natural beauty. Cliff top with the nickname ‘JR’ becomes one of the spots offering landscape view from the hills. Uniquely, this location becomes widely known after young people of the village uploaded the photos on social media. After getting word of mouth promotion, the JR hill can attract people to visit the location.

This condition is made into opportunities by surrounding young people largely consisting of estate farmers. It is just for parking and selling drinks around the location. Although it is independently managed, it could draw 4,000 visitors last February. They are not only the residents of Jembrana but also those from outside the town, especially on weekend.

JR cliff offers various landscape panoramas of the Negara town to vast ocean from a height. Best time to make a visit to the JR cliff is late afternoon because the weather is not too hot. Rugged terrain to reach the location will get paid with views on the cliff top. Local residents provide a platform made from natural materials that can be climbed so that visitors can see from the height. Similarly, there is a tree house that enables visitors to see the view of Negara town from

the height.

Ida Bagus Artawan, 34, hamlet chief of Pancaseming, said that JR name was first introduced by Budi Sastra customary youth club standing for teenage encounter (jumpa remaja). It was inspired by the fact this location is often used as a meeting place of young people. Since it was opened early January, it has been visited by many travelers considering the location is also quite close or only about 7 km from the town center. Visitors are only charged with voluntary donation used to improve various facilities such as the newly built tree house and beautifying all the plants along the path to the summit.

“To improve the management, we hope there will be assistance to repair the existing facilities considering they are not permanent yet and only relies on self-financing. In addition, the road access is still poor to allow visitors to

pass through,” said Artawan.

He also hoped, in addition to physical development support, the support in the form of community empowerment. Thus, people will also have knowledge about the management of the attraction such as waste management, foreign language skills and others in the future. In addition to visitors from Jembrana, there are also those from outside the district like Gianyar and Badung. “They claimed to get the information from social media,” he said.

From the logbook filled in by visitors, the visit reached 4,000 people last month. Pancaseming is one of the hamlets at the northernmost tip of Batuagung village. In addition to JR Hill, Batuagung also has a number of historic sites such as Independence Valley memorial park. Both offer spectacular and unspoiled view. (kmb)

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Top EU officials condemn Turkish remarks about Dutch, German “fascism”

BRUSSELS - The European Union’s top officials sharply criticised Turkey on Wednesday for accusing EU states Germany and the Netherlands of fascism, saying the charges were driving Ankara further away from its goal of joining the bloc.

A war of words between Turkey and the EU has erupted this month over planned rallies by Turkish politicians in Rotterdam and other European cities that aimed to drum up support for plans to give Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers.

The Netherlands cancelled the Rotterdam rally, prompting Erdogan to brand the country as “Nazi remnants”. He has also accused Germany, which has also cancelled several planned Turkish rallies, of “fascist actions” reminiscent of the Nazi era and has said “Nazism is still widespread in the West”.

“Rotterdam, the city of Erasmus, totally destroyed by the Nazis, which now has a mayor born in Morocco: If any anyone sees fascism in Rotterdam they are completely detached from reality,” European Council President Donald Tusk told a plenary session of the European Parliament, speaking in English and Dutch.

Tusk’s remarks were echoed by European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker, who told parliament he was “scandalised” by the Turkish accusations about fascism and Nazism.

“If you are establishing a comparison between that period and our times this is totally unacceptable and the one who is doing this is taking distance from Europe and not trying to enter the European Union,” Juncker said.

REFERENDUM

Erdogan, who survived a military coup last summer, has defended his plans to amass greater powers in a referendum set for April 16, saying Turkey needs greater stability. But his crackdown on dissenting voices among the judiciary and the media since the failed coup has drawn strong criticism in the West.

But the EU is caught between holding Erdogan accountable and guaranteeing the continuation of a deal to control the flow of refugees and migrants who pass through Turkey to Europe.

This deal has given the EU a badly-needed breathing space after more than a million people, mostly fleeing conflicts in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, fled to the bloc in 2015-16 via Turkey, Greece and the Balkans.

Turkey’s EU affairs minister, Omer Celik, told Reuters on Tuesday it was time for Ankara to reassess that deal as the EU had failed to deliver on its promise to provide visafree access to Europe. EU officials, however, have said they are not yet worried that the deal could collapse.

“Erdogan knows he cannot blow it up ... he needs our money. He is nervous because he may lose his referendum,” a senior EU diplomat said. (rtr)

REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

European Council President Donald Tusk delivers a speech during a debate on the future of the E.U. to mark the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, March 15, 2017.

Icy conditions...

From page 1

“Obviously all that has to come to an abrupt stop until we get all the snow cleared,” said Jeff Gowen, the acting facility manager for the National Mall and Memorial Parks. “The cherry blossoms, they’re right on the cusp of going into bloom here. I had a feeling this was going to happen.”

As the storm closed in, the National Weather Service used terms like “life-threatening” and

urged people to “shelter in place,” language that has come to be associated with mass shootings. In the end, the line between snow and rain shifted slightly to the west, sparing some of the Northeast’s big cities.

Government meteorologists realized by late Monday afternoon that there was a good chance the storm wasn’t going to produce the giant big-city snow totals predicted. But they didn’t change their forecast for fear people would mistakenly think the storm was no longer dangerous,

International

said Greg Carbin, chief of forecast operations at the Weather Prediction Center.

In Pennsylvania, snowplows and state troopers escorted a 23-monthold child in need of a heart transplant 80 miles between hospitals.

Gov. Tom Wolf said the youngster made the trip safely.

In Narragansett, Rhode Island, high winds buckled a state-owned wind turbine. In New York City, two homes under construction collapsed near the waterfront in

International

Thursday, March 16, 2017

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REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

A cyclist casts a ballot in a drive-in polling station during the Dutch general election in Zuidplas, Netherlands, March 15, 2017.

Dutch vote in test of anti-elite sentiment in Europe THE HAGUE - Dutch people voted on Wednesday in an election seen as a test of nationalist feeling magnified by a furious row with Turkey and the first of three polls this year in the European Union where anti-immigrant parties are seeking breakthroughs.

The centre-right VVD party of Prime Minister Mark Rutte, 50, is vying with the PVV (Party for Freedom) of anti-Islam and anti-EU firebrand Geert Wilders, 53, to form the biggest party in parliament.

As many as 13 million voters began casting ballots at polling stations across the country that will close at 9:00 p.m. A charged campaign, plus clear skies and sunshine meant high turnout was expected.

With as many as four out of 10 voters undecided a day before voting and a tight margin of just 4 percent between leading candidates, the outcome was unpredictable.

Wilders, who has vowed to “deIslamicise” the Netherlands, has virtually no chance of forming a government given that all the leading parties have ruled out working with him, but a PVV win would still send shockwaves across Europe.

The vote is the first gauge this year of anti-establishment sentiment in the European Union and the bloc’s chances of survival after the surprise victory of EU-sceptic Donald Trump in the United States and Britain’s 2016 vote to exit the union.

“What I call the patriotic parties are gaining some momentum... but whatever the outcome of the election today the genie will not go back into

the bottle and this patriotic revolution, whether today or tomorrow, will take place,” Wilders said after voting at a school in The Hague.

Wilders’ appeal had won over Wendy de Graaf, who dropped her children off at the same school. “I hope he can make a change to make the Netherlands better.. I don’t agree with everything he says... but I feel that immigration is a problem,” she said.

France chooses its next president in May, with far-right Marine Le Pen set to make the second-round run-off, while in September right-wing eurosceptic party Alternative for Germany, which has attacked Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open-door refugee policy, will probably win its first lower house seats.

Rutte, who has called the Dutch vote a quarter-final before a French semi-final and German final said a Wilders victory would be felt well beyond the Netherlands.

“I think the rest of the world will then see after Brexit, after the American elections again the wrong sort of populism has won the day,” he said.

Late opinion polls indicated a three percentage point lead for his party over Wilders’, with a slight boost from a rupture of diplomatic relations with Ankara after the Dutch banned Turkish ministers from addressing rallies of overseas Turks. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused the Dutch of behaving like Nazis.

“I think Rutte did well this weekend with the Turkey row,” said Dave Cho, a 42-year-old supply manager and long-time VVD supporter. (rtr)

Far Rockaway. No injuries were reported. In Longmeadow, Massachusetts, a town public works employee was killed after the snow plow he was driving was hit by an Amtrak plow train clearing the tracks.

And two ponies broke out of their stables and roamed the snowy streets of Staten Island until an offduty police officer wrangled them with straps normally used to tow cars and tied them to a lamppost.

They were taken back to the stables.

The storm coincided with New Hampshire’s Town Meeting Day, a Yankee tradition in which voters in more than 100 communities elect local politicians and set budgets.

Some towns postponed the meetings because of the snow. But in Hopkinton, a steady stream of voters braved the blustery conditions. “You know, they’re hardy New Englanders, and they’re coming to vote,” said Debbie Norris, a candidate for the Hopkinton Budget Committee. (ap)

A man smokes a cigarette on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 15, 2017.

REUTERS/Beawiharta

Indonesia tobacco bill would fire up output despite health fears

JAKARTA - Indonesia’s parliament has proposed a draft law that could lead to a sharp increase in tobacco output in a country that is already a top producer with one of the heaviest rates of smoking in the world. Indonesia’s tobacco industry employs millions of workers and contributes almost 10 percent to government revenues through taxes, but has faced a backlash from the health ministry and anti-smoking organizations.

Health Minister Nila Moeloek said her ministry “definitely” opposes the tobacco bill as it has the responsibility to “safeguard the health of the people”. The bill, which covers production, distribution and excise taxes, has to be approved

by President Joko Widodo.

Indonesia’s industry minister, Airlangga Hartarto, said the government has to assess how the tobacco bill would affect existing regulations for the industry. Firman Subagyo, the parliament member who initiated the bill, played down health concerns, saying tobacco is a “strategic” commodity

that can increase the prosperity of Indonesian farmers and state revenues.

“Health should not be used as an excuse to destroy people’s livelihood,” Subagyo, who comes from Indonesia’s second-biggest political party, Golkar, said in an interview on Wednesday.

Under the draft law, manufacturers of tobacco products have to use locally sourced tobacco for at least 80 percent of their production, while imports of ready-to-use cigarettes may be subject to an excise tax of 200 percent.

‘RATIONAL PRICING’

Abdus Setiawan, a board member at the Indonesia Tobacco Growers’ Association, said he welcomed the draft law as it could help to protect farmers. But an increase in production should be balanced with “rational pricing”, he said. Indonesia was the world’s fourth-biggest cigarette producer with an output of 269.2 billion sticks in 2015, according to the latest data from research firm Euromonitor International. The market was valued at 231.3 trillion

rupiah ($17.3 billion).

Nearly two-thirds of men are smokers in Indonesia, where an average pack of cigarettes costs less than $2. Major cigarette companies operating in the country include Phillip Morris-controlled PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna Tbk , Djarum Group and PT Gudang Garam Tbk. Sampoerna, through its tobacco suppliers, has partnered with about 27,000 tobacco farmers in Indonesia and gets almost three-quarters of its tobacco domestically, said Elvira Lianita, Sampoerna’s head of fiscal affairs and communications.

However, the industry’s total tobacco requirements have outpaced the domestic growth in tobacco output, Lianita said. Restricting access to raw materials through import regulations or taxes would disrupt the “overall economic stability”, she said.

“Partnership programs, not risky restrictions, would be the solution to bridging this gap and increasing farmer prosperity,” she added. Gudang Garam and Djarum declined to comment. (rtr)

Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase to suspend F16s` operation

PEKANBARU - The Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase in Riau province will temporarily suspend the operation of F16 fighter jets from the Air Squadron 16 after one of them skidded off runway and overturned in the airbase on Tuesday.

“The operation of F16s will be temporarily suspended after the main cause (of the accident) is known,” Commander of the Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase Commodore Henri Alfiandi said here on Wednesday.

By Wednesday morning the airbase was still trying to remove the ill-fated US-made fighter jet from the runway,

he said.

He said a team of the Aircraft Accident Investigating Committee (PPKPU) of the Indonesian Air Force Headquarters has been investigating the exact cause of the accident.

While the investigation is ongoing, the operation of F16s from the Air Squadron 16, either for the ongoing combat training or air patrol, will be temporarily suspended, he said.

The suspended operation of the F16 fighter jets follows the Air Forces standing procedure in response to the ac-

cident, he added. “This is a procedure to take a cool down step,” he said.

The Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase is the only airbase of type A in Sumatra. It has a squadron of F16s and a squadron of Hawk 100/200s.

On Tuesday evening, an F16 fighter jet skidded off runway at the airbase during landing after it conducted an exercise.

The two pilots of the ill-fated plane, identified as Major Andri Setiawan and 1st Lieutenant Marco Anderson are believed to have survived the accident. (ant)

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Destination

Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

Nadal, Federer set up California clash with wins

Mercedes’ Valteri Bottas sits in his car.

Blanco Renaissance Museum

GIANYAR - Blanco Renaissance Museum is an unofficial landmark in Ubud, the house and studio of the late flamboyant Philippine-born maestro, Don Antonio Blanco. Located on a hilltop overlooking the lush valley of Campuhan, it houses paintings, collages and illustrated poetry, together with lithographic artworks of his favourite subject: nude Balinese women. The private residence and lavish studio has guided tours of the facility, with the artist’s family members hosting you if you’re lucky. The thought-provoking collections, lush garden surroundings and a fine restaurant established in the name of the artist’s late wife and

muse all provide a great stopover on your trips to Ubud.

A five-minute drive westward from the Puri Saren royal palace and the main Ubud hub, the museum is hard to miss, on a hilltop above the Campuhan valley. A sharp turn and steep driveway leads you right up to the arched entrance gates. Inside is a large garden lawn and courtyard before the main palatial building that blends Balinese and Spanish architecture, a homage to Blanco’s heritage. Admission is 50,000 rupiahs, which gets you a fresh welcome drink and access to the galleries, studios and grounds.

Enter the main building, and a massive marble hall lined with Blanco’s

artworks in lavish and unusual frames soon surrounds you. Many colourful nude portraits hang in this room, while out towards the studio you will see various collages with 60s-era paintings and paintbrushes and dried paint in front of an artwork in progress, most probably that of his son Mario, who follows his father’s passion in arts.

Here you will find only Blanco and his son’s works, there are no other artists’ collections. We recommend this museum strictly for adults and art lovers – not for children, apart from the palatial gardens and a collection of gorgeous parrots and other exotic birds in the courtyard.

Some of the art pieces occasionally

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bring a smile to your face; others a slight cringe. There are even some shady pieces with snippets of porn magazines overlaid with soapboxes, sand and seashells. Moreover, knowing that one of Blanco’s paintings was once sold for 5 billion rupiahs in Singapore in 2012 really makes you want to explore more of the displays. After the main gallery, you are guided through other studios, before exiting into a private parking shed.

There are several Blanco Litographs and books about Antonio Blanco available for purchase at the museum. The Blanco family provides personal tours of the museum and grounds. While visiting,

the museum encourages visitors to take a stroll outside to the surrounding areas of the main building.

The Blanco Renaissance Museum features a range of facilities to aid your journey into the arts. A studio where Master Blanco used to paint as well as the gallery exhibiting Mario’s works can be found inside.

The museum also features a gift shop, café and the Blanco’s family temple. The museum’s café features a cozy Balinese atmosphere and serves a range of European and Asian menus and snacks. The contiguous tropical gardens throughout its grounds are lush and enjoyable to spend even a full day visit at the museum. (IBP/net)

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REUTERS/Albert Gea

New F1 cars give drivers an appetite for success

LONDON - Carlos Sainz is a happy eater again and the Spanish Formula One driver’s mother is delighted.

Heavier, faster and more physical, the 2017 cars are subjecting drivers like the Toro Rosso youngster to far greater G-forces through corners that can now be taken flat out on fatter tyres.

As a result, Sainz and others have been putting on muscle over the winter to gain upper body strength. Previously they were more preoccupied with losing weight in a sport where the lightest men have enjoyed an advantage.

Sainz, whose father and namesake was a world rally champion, was vocal last year about the dangers of shedding too much but he told Reuters during testing in Barcelona that the situation was now much healthier.

“This year I have had diets but diets to be fit, not diets to be as slim and as skinny as possible...and because of that, I am a much happier person,” said the 21-year-old.

“At the end of 2016 my mum could tell me, every time I was coming home: ‘You look like you are not yourself, you look very

skinny, you can see your bones here.’ It’s not normal.

“She’s extremely happy and she now sees a smile on my face when I eat her food, while before I was sitting there sad with a piece of chicken and I was completely annoyed about it.”

A year ago, Sainz and other drivers such as Red Bull’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo were being pushed to shed kilos to gain performance.

Formula One cars have a minimum weight limit, minus fuel but with driver included, and designers aim to get it down as far as possible so that additional ballast can be distributed around the car to improve handling.

In 2014, the first year of the V6 turbo hybrid era, the limit did not compensate sufficiently for the heavier engines and drivers had to lose weight - in some cases an unhealthy amount.

Now, it is important to be strong enough to get to the finish.

“I think this year they will be

proper gladiators out there, you know,” commented Mercedes’s reigning but retired champion Nico Rosberg.

“The cars will take them to their physical limits and we might even see drivers losing race wins because of just being ‘game over’ physically.”

Pit crews have also been busy in the gym to practise manhandling the heavier and larger Pirelli tyres.

If there are any complaints, they come from drivers like Force India’s lanky Frenchman Esteban Ocon who has had to eat more than he would wish.

“I had to eat so much food,” the 20-year-old said of winter training that has seen him add five kg. “I was force-feeding, because you can’t take on weight if you don’t do that. It’s been very hard from all aspects but I’ve been progressing so much.”

Britain’s Jolyon Palmer, preparing for his second year with Renault, has put on three to four kg.

“I had the full works at Christmas (dinner),” he said. “Christmas was anything goes.” (rtr)

CALIFORNIA - Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal powered to third-round wins at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Tuesday to set up a mouth-watering rematch of their recent Australian Open final. Fifth seed Nadal defeated fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3 7-5, while ninth seed Federer served impeccably to get past American Stevie Johnson 7-6(3) 7-6(4) and book the 36th showdown of their famous rivalry.

The last time they met, Switzerland’s Federer claimed a record 18th grand slam title in a rousing 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 triumph over Nadal in Melbourne in January.

Federer, 35, lost only five points on his first serve in his double tie-breaker win over Johnson in a match completed without a service break. Fourteen-times grand slam winner Nadal, 30, was comfortable as usual in the California desert, dismissing compatriot Verdasco to keep his Round of 16 date with the Swiss maestro.

It was the 50th win at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for Nadal, who has lifted the trophy three times, in 2007 (over Novak Djokovic), 2009 (Andy Murray) and 2013 (Juan Martin del Potro).

“History says that this tournament works well for me,” Nadal, who holds a 23-12 winning record over Federer, told reporters.

Federer has also enjoyed his time at Indian Wells, winning four times with the last triumph coming in 2012.

Three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic also had reason to celebrate as the second seed ran off the last five games to overcome big-hitting Juan Martin del Potro 7-5 4-6 6-1 in a bottom half of the draw stacked full of top players.

“It was definitely difficult to overcome this challenge tonight,” Djokovic said. “The third set was probably the best tennis that I played this year and I’m just glad I was able to pick up my game.”

The victory gave Djokovic a chance for revenge as he next meets young Australian Nick Kyrgios, who defeated the Serb at this month’s Mexican Open on his way to the semi-finals.

Kyrgios prevailed 6-3 6-4 over Alexander Zverev in an entertaining first tour-level meeting between the young guns.

A controlled Kyrgios put on a masterful display, mixing strong serving with an array of showman shots to beat Germany’s 19-yearold Zverev, a friend from their junior tennis days.

“I thought I just competed well,” Kyrgios, 21, said. “He’s got a big game. I was happy with my performance.”

Fourth seed Kei Nishikori of Japan also cruised into the fourth round with a 6-2 6-2 rout of Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.

Muller, who won his first ATP World Tour title in Sydney at the start of the year, made only 49 percent of his first serves and Nishikori broke him four times.

Nishikori next faces American Donald Young, who needed seven match points to complete a 6-4 1-6 6-3 victory over 14th-seeded Frenchman Lucas Pouille. American Jack Sock joined the Round of 16 by knocking out Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, edging a third-set tie-breaker to advance 3-6 6-3 7-6(7). (rtr)

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Rafael Nadal (ESP) returns a shot to Fernando Verdasco (ESP) during his fourth round match in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

8

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Sp rt Time for Europe’s elite to start taking Leicester seriously

LEICESTER — The obvious answer was Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich would have been understandable, too. But when Gianluigi Buffon was asked which team he would like to avoid in the draw for the Champions League quarterfinals, the Juventus goalkeeper went for competition’s big outsider.

“Leicester,” the Italy great said, “because it is a dangerous team, a team which will have enthusiasm, a team which has the weapons to cause trouble for teams who want to take the initiative.” Against Leicester, Buffon added, “there would also be everything to lose.”

Indeed, the previously unheralded club from central England is making a habit of embarrassing Europe’s big teams. Last season, the cream of English soccer couldn’t live with Leicester, which romped to the PREMIER LEAGUE title by 10 points at odds of 5,000-1. This season, they’ve moved onto the Champions League, topping a group that contained two-time European champion FC Porto before eliminating Sevilla — a club that has won the Europa League the past three years — in the last 16.

“We are in there on merit, make no mistake,” Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare said, looking ahead to Friday’s quarterfinal draw. “We might be the surprise team.”

Except no one should be surprised by Leicester anymore. This is a team playing soccer in a simple but highly effective way and specializing in making possible the impossible. It’s time to take them seriously.

Shakespeare was asked after the 2-0 win over Sevilla on Tuesday, which sealed a 3-2 victory on aggregate, whether playing against Europe’s power clubs would actually suit his counter-attacking team. He seemed to agree. “You have to be concerned about the opposition and know their strengths,” he said. “But I think as a football club, we have to know our strengths. And you saw that in abundance (against Sevilla), in terms of

desire, and we can play a bit as well.”

At times, it felt as if Sevilla had never seen Leicester play before, such was the way it was exposing itself to Leicester’s high-energy, counter-attacking style. The last thing a team should do when playing Leicester is leave space behind the defense for Jamie Vardy or Riyad Mahrez to run into, or give away free kicks around the penalty area to bring big center backs Wes Morgan and Robert Huth into goal-scoring contention. Sevilla did just that.

Even during a Premier League season where Leicester has mostly struggled in its title defense, Manchester City and LIVERPOOL showed arrogance in coming to the King Power Stadium and refusing to tailor their tactics to stifle Leicester. They both took the game to Leicester, left gaps in behind and were beaten 4-2 and 3-1, respectively. Would Barcelona or Madrid or Bayern do the same? Or would they respect the English champions?

“We had a game plan (against Sevilla), we stuck to it and it came off perfectly,” said Leicester midfielder and scorer Marc Albrighton, one of the players who does the simple things well — work hard, get good crosses into the box, close down opponents.

Against Sevilla, it was the classic Leicester of last season, the kind of performance that shook the PREMIER LEAGUE. Vardy ran tirelessly, got in opponents’ faces — Samir Nasri was given a second yellow for aiming a headbutt at the striker — and was generally a nuisance. Shinji Okazaki was a hard-working link between midfield and attack. Huth and Morgan defended deeply and obdurately. Mahrez showed flashes of his individual ability and set up the first goal for Morgan with a free kick.

In the final days of Claudio Ranieri’s tenure, Leicester’s players had lost the values that took them to the top of the English game. Those values are back under Shakespeare and it could yet lead the team to an even greater achievement than last season.

Leicester, after all, is 360 minutes away from a Champions League final. (ap)

Kane has damaged ankle ligaments, says Tottenham

LONDON — Tottenham says striker Harry Kane damaged ligaments in his right ankle during the team’s FA CUP quarterfinal match against Millwall.

The Premier League club says the

injury is similar to the one sustained

by Kane in a league game against Sunderland in September, which ruled the England international out for seven weeks. Spurs say “however it is not considered to be as severe.”

Kane, who was hurt early in the 6-0 win over Millwall on Sunday, continues to be monitored by club doctors. Tottenham did not give a predicted timescale for the striker’s absence. (ap)

Guangzhou Evergrande denied victory by late penalty

SEOUL — Big-spending Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande was held to a 1-1 draw in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday after conceding an injury-time penalty against Japanese team Kawasaki Frontale. Yu Kobayashi scored from the spot five minutes into injury time at Tianhe Stadium after Yu Hanchao had handled in the area.

Guangzhou, the six-time defending Chinese league champions coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, took the lead in the first half of the Group G match when Brazilian

MOSCOW — Russian league club FC Rostov has been banned from holding games on its home field after criticism from MANCHESTER UNITED manager Jose Mourinho on its condition. Mourinho was scathing about the surface, which had large bare patches, ahead

midfielder Alan Carvalho scored from the edge of the area — his third goal in as many ACL games.

“Normally we could score two or three goals to win the match in such an occasion like tonight, but unfortunately we couldn’t score even one more goal to clinch the victory,” Scolari was quoted as saying by Xinhua. Guangzhou and Suwon Bluewings each have five points in the group. The South Korean club beat Hong Kong team Eastern SC 1-0.

In a Group E match in Japan,

AP Photo/Rui Vieira

Leicester’s players celebrate after the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between LEICESTER CITY and Sevilla at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Leicester win 3-2 on aggregate.

Rostov banned from holding games because field is poor

IBP/net

9

of his team’s 1-1 draw with Rostov in the Europa League last week.

Mourinho said ahead of the game “it’s hard for me to believe that we’re going to play tomorrow in that field, if you can call it a field.”

The Russian league has tak-

en action by stopping Rostov from hosting home games at the Olimp-2 stadium until the field recovers to a suitable condition.

Rostov is free to hold games at an alternative venue. The stadium isn’t the one which will hold World Cup games next year in Russia. (ap)

AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File

FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2015, file photo, Guangzhou Evergrande FC’s coach Luiz Felipe Scolari of Brazil gestures during a practice session at the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament in Osaka, western Japan.

Kashima Antlers beat Brisbane Roar 3-0, leaving the Australian club at the bottom of the standings with one point and a minus-9 goal differential. The three Australian clubs in the tournament have yet to register a win in this year’s competition.

Brisbane coach John Aloisi said that despite the score, he felt the Roar played well. “I thought we were matching them, but when you’re playing away from home, you need to be a little bit more ruthless,” Aloisi said. “We got into a lot of good positions but we probably didn’t create as many chances as we could have.”

Thai club Muangthong United continued its impressive form to move into second spot behind Kashima after a 0-0 draw at 2012 Asian champion Ulsan Horangi.

In the western division, Esteghlal Khouzestan drew 1-1 at home in Iran with Lekhwiya of Qatar to maintain top spot in Group B, Al Wahda held Al Hilal to a 2-2 draw at Abu Dhabi — extending the Saudi club’s stretch to seven trips to the United Arab Emirates without a win — and Al Fateh beat Al Jazira 3-1.

At Doha, Al Rayyan moved to the top of Group D when it beat Persepolis of Iran 3-1 after Rodrigo Tabata scored twice and set up the other goal.

Group matches continue Wednesday in the east division, with Gamba Osaka hosting Jiangsu, FC Seoul at home to former champion Western Sydney Wanderers and Urawa Red Diamonds traveling to Shanghai SIPG.(ap)

AP Photo/Matt Dunham

Tottenham’s Harry Kane kneels on the pitch in front of Millwall supporters after getting injured during the English FA Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall FC at White Hart Lane stadium in London, Sunday, March 12, 2017.

8

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Sp rt Time for Europe’s elite to start taking Leicester seriously

LEICESTER — The obvious answer was Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich would have been understandable, too. But when Gianluigi Buffon was asked which team he would like to avoid in the draw for the Champions League quarterfinals, the Juventus goalkeeper went for competition’s big outsider.

“Leicester,” the Italy great said, “because it is a dangerous team, a team which will have enthusiasm, a team which has the weapons to cause trouble for teams who want to take the initiative.” Against Leicester, Buffon added, “there would also be everything to lose.”

Indeed, the previously unheralded club from central England is making a habit of embarrassing Europe’s big teams. Last season, the cream of English soccer couldn’t live with Leicester, which romped to the PREMIER LEAGUE title by 10 points at odds of 5,000-1. This season, they’ve moved onto the Champions League, topping a group that contained two-time European champion FC Porto before eliminating Sevilla — a club that has won the Europa League the past three years — in the last 16.

“We are in there on merit, make no mistake,” Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare said, looking ahead to Friday’s quarterfinal draw. “We might be the surprise team.”

Except no one should be surprised by Leicester anymore. This is a team playing soccer in a simple but highly effective way and specializing in making possible the impossible. It’s time to take them seriously.

Shakespeare was asked after the 2-0 win over Sevilla on Tuesday, which sealed a 3-2 victory on aggregate, whether playing against Europe’s power clubs would actually suit his counter-attacking team. He seemed to agree. “You have to be concerned about the opposition and know their strengths,” he said. “But I think as a football club, we have to know our strengths. And you saw that in abundance (against Sevilla), in terms of

desire, and we can play a bit as well.”

At times, it felt as if Sevilla had never seen Leicester play before, such was the way it was exposing itself to Leicester’s high-energy, counter-attacking style. The last thing a team should do when playing Leicester is leave space behind the defense for Jamie Vardy or Riyad Mahrez to run into, or give away free kicks around the penalty area to bring big center backs Wes Morgan and Robert Huth into goal-scoring contention. Sevilla did just that.

Even during a Premier League season where Leicester has mostly struggled in its title defense, Manchester City and LIVERPOOL showed arrogance in coming to the King Power Stadium and refusing to tailor their tactics to stifle Leicester. They both took the game to Leicester, left gaps in behind and were beaten 4-2 and 3-1, respectively. Would Barcelona or Madrid or Bayern do the same? Or would they respect the English champions?

“We had a game plan (against Sevilla), we stuck to it and it came off perfectly,” said Leicester midfielder and scorer Marc Albrighton, one of the players who does the simple things well — work hard, get good crosses into the box, close down opponents.

Against Sevilla, it was the classic Leicester of last season, the kind of performance that shook the PREMIER LEAGUE. Vardy ran tirelessly, got in opponents’ faces — Samir Nasri was given a second yellow for aiming a headbutt at the striker — and was generally a nuisance. Shinji Okazaki was a hard-working link between midfield and attack. Huth and Morgan defended deeply and obdurately. Mahrez showed flashes of his individual ability and set up the first goal for Morgan with a free kick.

In the final days of Claudio Ranieri’s tenure, Leicester’s players had lost the values that took them to the top of the English game. Those values are back under Shakespeare and it could yet lead the team to an even greater achievement than last season.

Leicester, after all, is 360 minutes away from a Champions League final. (ap)

Kane has damaged ankle ligaments, says Tottenham

LONDON — Tottenham says striker Harry Kane damaged ligaments in his right ankle during the team’s FA CUP quarterfinal match against Millwall.

The Premier League club says the

injury is similar to the one sustained

by Kane in a league game against Sunderland in September, which ruled the England international out for seven weeks. Spurs say “however it is not considered to be as severe.”

Kane, who was hurt early in the 6-0 win over Millwall on Sunday, continues to be monitored by club doctors. Tottenham did not give a predicted timescale for the striker’s absence. (ap)

Guangzhou Evergrande denied victory by late penalty

SEOUL — Big-spending Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande was held to a 1-1 draw in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday after conceding an injury-time penalty against Japanese team Kawasaki Frontale. Yu Kobayashi scored from the spot five minutes into injury time at Tianhe Stadium after Yu Hanchao had handled in the area.

Guangzhou, the six-time defending Chinese league champions coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, took the lead in the first half of the Group G match when Brazilian

MOSCOW — Russian league club FC Rostov has been banned from holding games on its home field after criticism from MANCHESTER UNITED manager Jose Mourinho on its condition. Mourinho was scathing about the surface, which had large bare patches, ahead

midfielder Alan Carvalho scored from the edge of the area — his third goal in as many ACL games.

“Normally we could score two or three goals to win the match in such an occasion like tonight, but unfortunately we couldn’t score even one more goal to clinch the victory,” Scolari was quoted as saying by Xinhua. Guangzhou and Suwon Bluewings each have five points in the group. The South Korean club beat Hong Kong team Eastern SC 1-0.

In a Group E match in Japan,

AP Photo/Rui Vieira

Leicester’s players celebrate after the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match between LEICESTER CITY and Sevilla at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Leicester win 3-2 on aggregate.

Rostov banned from holding games because field is poor

IBP/net

9

of his team’s 1-1 draw with Rostov in the Europa League last week.

Mourinho said ahead of the game “it’s hard for me to believe that we’re going to play tomorrow in that field, if you can call it a field.”

The Russian league has tak-

en action by stopping Rostov from hosting home games at the Olimp-2 stadium until the field recovers to a suitable condition.

Rostov is free to hold games at an alternative venue. The stadium isn’t the one which will hold World Cup games next year in Russia. (ap)

AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File

FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2015, file photo, Guangzhou Evergrande FC’s coach Luiz Felipe Scolari of Brazil gestures during a practice session at the FIFA Club World Cup soccer tournament in Osaka, western Japan.

Kashima Antlers beat Brisbane Roar 3-0, leaving the Australian club at the bottom of the standings with one point and a minus-9 goal differential. The three Australian clubs in the tournament have yet to register a win in this year’s competition.

Brisbane coach John Aloisi said that despite the score, he felt the Roar played well. “I thought we were matching them, but when you’re playing away from home, you need to be a little bit more ruthless,” Aloisi said. “We got into a lot of good positions but we probably didn’t create as many chances as we could have.”

Thai club Muangthong United continued its impressive form to move into second spot behind Kashima after a 0-0 draw at 2012 Asian champion Ulsan Horangi.

In the western division, Esteghlal Khouzestan drew 1-1 at home in Iran with Lekhwiya of Qatar to maintain top spot in Group B, Al Wahda held Al Hilal to a 2-2 draw at Abu Dhabi — extending the Saudi club’s stretch to seven trips to the United Arab Emirates without a win — and Al Fateh beat Al Jazira 3-1.

At Doha, Al Rayyan moved to the top of Group D when it beat Persepolis of Iran 3-1 after Rodrigo Tabata scored twice and set up the other goal.

Group matches continue Wednesday in the east division, with Gamba Osaka hosting Jiangsu, FC Seoul at home to former champion Western Sydney Wanderers and Urawa Red Diamonds traveling to Shanghai SIPG.(ap)

AP Photo/Matt Dunham

Tottenham’s Harry Kane kneels on the pitch in front of Millwall supporters after getting injured during the English FA Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall FC at White Hart Lane stadium in London, Sunday, March 12, 2017.

10

Destination

Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

Nadal, Federer set up California clash with wins

Mercedes’ Valteri Bottas sits in his car.

Blanco Renaissance Museum

GIANYAR - Blanco Renaissance Museum is an unofficial landmark in Ubud, the house and studio of the late flamboyant Philippine-born maestro, Don Antonio Blanco. Located on a hilltop overlooking the lush valley of Campuhan, it houses paintings, collages and illustrated poetry, together with lithographic artworks of his favourite subject: nude Balinese women. The private residence and lavish studio has guided tours of the facility, with the artist’s family members hosting you if you’re lucky. The thought-provoking collections, lush garden surroundings and a fine restaurant established in the name of the artist’s late wife and

muse all provide a great stopover on your trips to Ubud.

A five-minute drive westward from the Puri Saren royal palace and the main Ubud hub, the museum is hard to miss, on a hilltop above the Campuhan valley. A sharp turn and steep driveway leads you right up to the arched entrance gates. Inside is a large garden lawn and courtyard before the main palatial building that blends Balinese and Spanish architecture, a homage to Blanco’s heritage. Admission is 50,000 rupiahs, which gets you a fresh welcome drink and access to the galleries, studios and grounds.

Enter the main building, and a massive marble hall lined with Blanco’s

artworks in lavish and unusual frames soon surrounds you. Many colourful nude portraits hang in this room, while out towards the studio you will see various collages with 60s-era paintings and paintbrushes and dried paint in front of an artwork in progress, most probably that of his son Mario, who follows his father’s passion in arts.

Here you will find only Blanco and his son’s works, there are no other artists’ collections. We recommend this museum strictly for adults and art lovers – not for children, apart from the palatial gardens and a collection of gorgeous parrots and other exotic birds in the courtyard.

Some of the art pieces occasionally

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bring a smile to your face; others a slight cringe. There are even some shady pieces with snippets of porn magazines overlaid with soapboxes, sand and seashells. Moreover, knowing that one of Blanco’s paintings was once sold for 5 billion rupiahs in Singapore in 2012 really makes you want to explore more of the displays. After the main gallery, you are guided through other studios, before exiting into a private parking shed.

There are several Blanco Litographs and books about Antonio Blanco available for purchase at the museum. The Blanco family provides personal tours of the museum and grounds. While visiting,

the museum encourages visitors to take a stroll outside to the surrounding areas of the main building.

The Blanco Renaissance Museum features a range of facilities to aid your journey into the arts. A studio where Master Blanco used to paint as well as the gallery exhibiting Mario’s works can be found inside.

The museum also features a gift shop, café and the Blanco’s family temple. The museum’s café features a cozy Balinese atmosphere and serves a range of European and Asian menus and snacks. The contiguous tropical gardens throughout its grounds are lush and enjoyable to spend even a full day visit at the museum. (IBP/net)

B.BP.001.03.17.0001273

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REUTERS/Albert Gea

New F1 cars give drivers an appetite for success

LONDON - Carlos Sainz is a happy eater again and the Spanish Formula One driver’s mother is delighted.

Heavier, faster and more physical, the 2017 cars are subjecting drivers like the Toro Rosso youngster to far greater G-forces through corners that can now be taken flat out on fatter tyres.

As a result, Sainz and others have been putting on muscle over the winter to gain upper body strength. Previously they were more preoccupied with losing weight in a sport where the lightest men have enjoyed an advantage.

Sainz, whose father and namesake was a world rally champion, was vocal last year about the dangers of shedding too much but he told Reuters during testing in Barcelona that the situation was now much healthier.

“This year I have had diets but diets to be fit, not diets to be as slim and as skinny as possible...and because of that, I am a much happier person,” said the 21-year-old.

“At the end of 2016 my mum could tell me, every time I was coming home: ‘You look like you are not yourself, you look very

skinny, you can see your bones here.’ It’s not normal.

“She’s extremely happy and she now sees a smile on my face when I eat her food, while before I was sitting there sad with a piece of chicken and I was completely annoyed about it.”

A year ago, Sainz and other drivers such as Red Bull’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo were being pushed to shed kilos to gain performance.

Formula One cars have a minimum weight limit, minus fuel but with driver included, and designers aim to get it down as far as possible so that additional ballast can be distributed around the car to improve handling.

In 2014, the first year of the V6 turbo hybrid era, the limit did not compensate sufficiently for the heavier engines and drivers had to lose weight - in some cases an unhealthy amount.

Now, it is important to be strong enough to get to the finish.

“I think this year they will be

proper gladiators out there, you know,” commented Mercedes’s reigning but retired champion Nico Rosberg.

“The cars will take them to their physical limits and we might even see drivers losing race wins because of just being ‘game over’ physically.”

Pit crews have also been busy in the gym to practise manhandling the heavier and larger Pirelli tyres.

If there are any complaints, they come from drivers like Force India’s lanky Frenchman Esteban Ocon who has had to eat more than he would wish.

“I had to eat so much food,” the 20-year-old said of winter training that has seen him add five kg. “I was force-feeding, because you can’t take on weight if you don’t do that. It’s been very hard from all aspects but I’ve been progressing so much.”

Britain’s Jolyon Palmer, preparing for his second year with Renault, has put on three to four kg.

“I had the full works at Christmas (dinner),” he said. “Christmas was anything goes.” (rtr)

CALIFORNIA - Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal powered to third-round wins at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells on Tuesday to set up a mouth-watering rematch of their recent Australian Open final. Fifth seed Nadal defeated fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-3 7-5, while ninth seed Federer served impeccably to get past American Stevie Johnson 7-6(3) 7-6(4) and book the 36th showdown of their famous rivalry.

The last time they met, Switzerland’s Federer claimed a record 18th grand slam title in a rousing 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 triumph over Nadal in Melbourne in January.

Federer, 35, lost only five points on his first serve in his double tie-breaker win over Johnson in a match completed without a service break. Fourteen-times grand slam winner Nadal, 30, was comfortable as usual in the California desert, dismissing compatriot Verdasco to keep his Round of 16 date with the Swiss maestro.

It was the 50th win at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for Nadal, who has lifted the trophy three times, in 2007 (over Novak Djokovic), 2009 (Andy Murray) and 2013 (Juan Martin del Potro).

“History says that this tournament works well for me,” Nadal, who holds a 23-12 winning record over Federer, told reporters.

Federer has also enjoyed his time at Indian Wells, winning four times with the last triumph coming in 2012.

Three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic also had reason to celebrate as the second seed ran off the last five games to overcome big-hitting Juan Martin del Potro 7-5 4-6 6-1 in a bottom half of the draw stacked full of top players.

“It was definitely difficult to overcome this challenge tonight,” Djokovic said. “The third set was probably the best tennis that I played this year and I’m just glad I was able to pick up my game.”

The victory gave Djokovic a chance for revenge as he next meets young Australian Nick Kyrgios, who defeated the Serb at this month’s Mexican Open on his way to the semi-finals.

Kyrgios prevailed 6-3 6-4 over Alexander Zverev in an entertaining first tour-level meeting between the young guns.

A controlled Kyrgios put on a masterful display, mixing strong serving with an array of showman shots to beat Germany’s 19-yearold Zverev, a friend from their junior tennis days.

“I thought I just competed well,” Kyrgios, 21, said. “He’s got a big game. I was happy with my performance.”

Fourth seed Kei Nishikori of Japan also cruised into the fourth round with a 6-2 6-2 rout of Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.

Muller, who won his first ATP World Tour title in Sydney at the start of the year, made only 49 percent of his first serves and Nishikori broke him four times.

Nishikori next faces American Donald Young, who needed seven match points to complete a 6-4 1-6 6-3 victory over 14th-seeded Frenchman Lucas Pouille. American Jack Sock joined the Round of 16 by knocking out Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria, edging a third-set tie-breaker to advance 3-6 6-3 7-6(7). (rtr)

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Rafael Nadal (ESP) returns a shot to Fernando Verdasco (ESP) during his fourth round match in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

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RLD

Top EU officials condemn Turkish remarks about Dutch, German “fascism”

BRUSSELS - The European Union’s top officials sharply criticised Turkey on Wednesday for accusing EU states Germany and the Netherlands of fascism, saying the charges were driving Ankara further away from its goal of joining the bloc.

A war of words between Turkey and the EU has erupted this month over planned rallies by Turkish politicians in Rotterdam and other European cities that aimed to drum up support for plans to give Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers.

The Netherlands cancelled the Rotterdam rally, prompting Erdogan to brand the country as “Nazi remnants”. He has also accused Germany, which has also cancelled several planned Turkish rallies, of “fascist actions” reminiscent of the Nazi era and has said “Nazism is still widespread in the West”.

“Rotterdam, the city of Erasmus, totally destroyed by the Nazis, which now has a mayor born in Morocco: If any anyone sees fascism in Rotterdam they are completely detached from reality,” European Council President Donald Tusk told a plenary session of the European Parliament, speaking in English and Dutch.

Tusk’s remarks were echoed by European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker, who told parliament he was “scandalised” by the Turkish accusations about fascism and Nazism.

“If you are establishing a comparison between that period and our times this is totally unacceptable and the one who is doing this is taking distance from Europe and not trying to enter the European Union,” Juncker said.

REFERENDUM

Erdogan, who survived a military coup last summer, has defended his plans to amass greater powers in a referendum set for April 16, saying Turkey needs greater stability. But his crackdown on dissenting voices among the judiciary and the media since the failed coup has drawn strong criticism in the West.

But the EU is caught between holding Erdogan accountable and guaranteeing the continuation of a deal to control the flow of refugees and migrants who pass through Turkey to Europe.

This deal has given the EU a badly-needed breathing space after more than a million people, mostly fleeing conflicts in Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, fled to the bloc in 2015-16 via Turkey, Greece and the Balkans.

Turkey’s EU affairs minister, Omer Celik, told Reuters on Tuesday it was time for Ankara to reassess that deal as the EU had failed to deliver on its promise to provide visafree access to Europe. EU officials, however, have said they are not yet worried that the deal could collapse.

“Erdogan knows he cannot blow it up ... he needs our money. He is nervous because he may lose his referendum,” a senior EU diplomat said. (rtr)

REUTERS/Vincent Kessler

European Council President Donald Tusk delivers a speech during a debate on the future of the E.U. to mark the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, March 15, 2017.

Icy conditions...

From page 1

“Obviously all that has to come to an abrupt stop until we get all the snow cleared,” said Jeff Gowen, the acting facility manager for the National Mall and Memorial Parks. “The cherry blossoms, they’re right on the cusp of going into bloom here. I had a feeling this was going to happen.”

As the storm closed in, the National Weather Service used terms like “life-threatening” and

urged people to “shelter in place,” language that has come to be associated with mass shootings. In the end, the line between snow and rain shifted slightly to the west, sparing some of the Northeast’s big cities.

Government meteorologists realized by late Monday afternoon that there was a good chance the storm wasn’t going to produce the giant big-city snow totals predicted. But they didn’t change their forecast for fear people would mistakenly think the storm was no longer dangerous,

International

said Greg Carbin, chief of forecast operations at the Weather Prediction Center.

In Pennsylvania, snowplows and state troopers escorted a 23-monthold child in need of a heart transplant 80 miles between hospitals.

Gov. Tom Wolf said the youngster made the trip safely.

In Narragansett, Rhode Island, high winds buckled a state-owned wind turbine. In New York City, two homes under construction collapsed near the waterfront in

International

Thursday, March 16, 2017

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REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

A cyclist casts a ballot in a drive-in polling station during the Dutch general election in Zuidplas, Netherlands, March 15, 2017.

Dutch vote in test of anti-elite sentiment in Europe THE HAGUE - Dutch people voted on Wednesday in an election seen as a test of nationalist feeling magnified by a furious row with Turkey and the first of three polls this year in the European Union where anti-immigrant parties are seeking breakthroughs.

The centre-right VVD party of Prime Minister Mark Rutte, 50, is vying with the PVV (Party for Freedom) of anti-Islam and anti-EU firebrand Geert Wilders, 53, to form the biggest party in parliament.

As many as 13 million voters began casting ballots at polling stations across the country that will close at 9:00 p.m. A charged campaign, plus clear skies and sunshine meant high turnout was expected.

With as many as four out of 10 voters undecided a day before voting and a tight margin of just 4 percent between leading candidates, the outcome was unpredictable.

Wilders, who has vowed to “deIslamicise” the Netherlands, has virtually no chance of forming a government given that all the leading parties have ruled out working with him, but a PVV win would still send shockwaves across Europe.

The vote is the first gauge this year of anti-establishment sentiment in the European Union and the bloc’s chances of survival after the surprise victory of EU-sceptic Donald Trump in the United States and Britain’s 2016 vote to exit the union.

“What I call the patriotic parties are gaining some momentum... but whatever the outcome of the election today the genie will not go back into

the bottle and this patriotic revolution, whether today or tomorrow, will take place,” Wilders said after voting at a school in The Hague.

Wilders’ appeal had won over Wendy de Graaf, who dropped her children off at the same school. “I hope he can make a change to make the Netherlands better.. I don’t agree with everything he says... but I feel that immigration is a problem,” she said.

France chooses its next president in May, with far-right Marine Le Pen set to make the second-round run-off, while in September right-wing eurosceptic party Alternative for Germany, which has attacked Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open-door refugee policy, will probably win its first lower house seats.

Rutte, who has called the Dutch vote a quarter-final before a French semi-final and German final said a Wilders victory would be felt well beyond the Netherlands.

“I think the rest of the world will then see after Brexit, after the American elections again the wrong sort of populism has won the day,” he said.

Late opinion polls indicated a three percentage point lead for his party over Wilders’, with a slight boost from a rupture of diplomatic relations with Ankara after the Dutch banned Turkish ministers from addressing rallies of overseas Turks. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused the Dutch of behaving like Nazis.

“I think Rutte did well this weekend with the Turkey row,” said Dave Cho, a 42-year-old supply manager and long-time VVD supporter. (rtr)

Far Rockaway. No injuries were reported. In Longmeadow, Massachusetts, a town public works employee was killed after the snow plow he was driving was hit by an Amtrak plow train clearing the tracks.

And two ponies broke out of their stables and roamed the snowy streets of Staten Island until an offduty police officer wrangled them with straps normally used to tow cars and tied them to a lamppost.

They were taken back to the stables.

The storm coincided with New Hampshire’s Town Meeting Day, a Yankee tradition in which voters in more than 100 communities elect local politicians and set budgets.

Some towns postponed the meetings because of the snow. But in Hopkinton, a steady stream of voters braved the blustery conditions. “You know, they’re hardy New Englanders, and they’re coming to vote,” said Debbie Norris, a candidate for the Hopkinton Budget Committee. (ap)

A man smokes a cigarette on a street in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 15, 2017.

REUTERS/Beawiharta

Indonesia tobacco bill would fire up output despite health fears

JAKARTA - Indonesia’s parliament has proposed a draft law that could lead to a sharp increase in tobacco output in a country that is already a top producer with one of the heaviest rates of smoking in the world. Indonesia’s tobacco industry employs millions of workers and contributes almost 10 percent to government revenues through taxes, but has faced a backlash from the health ministry and anti-smoking organizations.

Health Minister Nila Moeloek said her ministry “definitely” opposes the tobacco bill as it has the responsibility to “safeguard the health of the people”. The bill, which covers production, distribution and excise taxes, has to be approved

by President Joko Widodo.

Indonesia’s industry minister, Airlangga Hartarto, said the government has to assess how the tobacco bill would affect existing regulations for the industry. Firman Subagyo, the parliament member who initiated the bill, played down health concerns, saying tobacco is a “strategic” commodity

that can increase the prosperity of Indonesian farmers and state revenues.

“Health should not be used as an excuse to destroy people’s livelihood,” Subagyo, who comes from Indonesia’s second-biggest political party, Golkar, said in an interview on Wednesday.

Under the draft law, manufacturers of tobacco products have to use locally sourced tobacco for at least 80 percent of their production, while imports of ready-to-use cigarettes may be subject to an excise tax of 200 percent.

‘RATIONAL PRICING’

Abdus Setiawan, a board member at the Indonesia Tobacco Growers’ Association, said he welcomed the draft law as it could help to protect farmers. But an increase in production should be balanced with “rational pricing”, he said. Indonesia was the world’s fourth-biggest cigarette producer with an output of 269.2 billion sticks in 2015, according to the latest data from research firm Euromonitor International. The market was valued at 231.3 trillion

rupiah ($17.3 billion).

Nearly two-thirds of men are smokers in Indonesia, where an average pack of cigarettes costs less than $2. Major cigarette companies operating in the country include Phillip Morris-controlled PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna Tbk , Djarum Group and PT Gudang Garam Tbk. Sampoerna, through its tobacco suppliers, has partnered with about 27,000 tobacco farmers in Indonesia and gets almost three-quarters of its tobacco domestically, said Elvira Lianita, Sampoerna’s head of fiscal affairs and communications.

However, the industry’s total tobacco requirements have outpaced the domestic growth in tobacco output, Lianita said. Restricting access to raw materials through import regulations or taxes would disrupt the “overall economic stability”, she said.

“Partnership programs, not risky restrictions, would be the solution to bridging this gap and increasing farmer prosperity,” she added. Gudang Garam and Djarum declined to comment. (rtr)

Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase to suspend F16s` operation

PEKANBARU - The Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase in Riau province will temporarily suspend the operation of F16 fighter jets from the Air Squadron 16 after one of them skidded off runway and overturned in the airbase on Tuesday.

“The operation of F16s will be temporarily suspended after the main cause (of the accident) is known,” Commander of the Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase Commodore Henri Alfiandi said here on Wednesday.

By Wednesday morning the airbase was still trying to remove the ill-fated US-made fighter jet from the runway,

he said.

He said a team of the Aircraft Accident Investigating Committee (PPKPU) of the Indonesian Air Force Headquarters has been investigating the exact cause of the accident.

While the investigation is ongoing, the operation of F16s from the Air Squadron 16, either for the ongoing combat training or air patrol, will be temporarily suspended, he said.

The suspended operation of the F16 fighter jets follows the Air Forces standing procedure in response to the ac-

cident, he added. “This is a procedure to take a cool down step,” he said.

The Roesmin Nurjadin Airbase is the only airbase of type A in Sumatra. It has a squadron of F16s and a squadron of Hawk 100/200s.

On Tuesday evening, an F16 fighter jet skidded off runway at the airbase during landing after it conducted an exercise.

The two pilots of the ill-fated plane, identified as Major Andri Setiawan and 1st Lieutenant Marco Anderson are believed to have survived the accident. (ant)

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Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

BUSINESS

Bali News

The Anker Wreck

3 things to watch for from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday

No-one knows the name of this small wooden boat, even if it had one, or what brought it to the area.

The wreck is actually named for the anchor that still lies about 6-8M from the surface. You follow the anchor chain down the steep slope to the flattened remains of the shipwreck (35-50M), which lie across about 60M of sand. This is the deepest dive site, we believe that the good visibility and calm conditions mean that it will present no problems to experienced divers. Following the anchor chain down to 32M, there is a second (coralcovered) anchor at the point where the site becomes a sand slope.

It is here that you see the first parts of the wreck, dark against the white sand. Across the site you will find copper sheeting and bottles, the boat’s cargo (artefacts, not for souvenirs).

There are still some parts of the boat which remain out of the sand, and which are covered in gorgonians, a sure sign of little or no currents at the site. The wall to the west, at 5-10M, is rich with many overhangs, cracks and caves. A good idea for an extended safety stop after this dive. (IBP/net)

WASHINGTON — Sending signals loud and clear, the Federal Reserve has left little doubt that it will raise interest rates Wednesday for the third time since December 2015 to reflect a consistently solid U.S economy. The rate increase will likely go down as one of the most telegraphed ever, given that several Fed officials, including Chair Janet Yellen, each let it be known over the past two weeks that they felt it was time to raise the Fed’s benchmark short-term rate.

Their string of likeminded comments surprised many investors, who had assumed that the Fed would wait until probably June before raising rates again. The thinking was that the Fed would want to see whether President Donald Trump’s ambitious economic program of tax cuts, deregulation and higher spending on the military and infrastructure could pass Congress — and then assess how it might affect the economy.

But after the Fed officials each suggested that the economy’s gains had moved the central bank closer to its goals for employment and inflation, the likelihood of a rate hike after the Fed ends its latest policy meeting Wednesday shot from around 20 percent to near 100 percent as estimated by futures markets, according to data tracked by the CME Group.

Now, the guessing switches to how many times the Fed may raise rates during 2017 — whether three times, as the market now expects, or perhaps as many as four.

Yet regardless of the answer, the market seems far less nervous about the prospect of rate increases than it was in recent years. Investors seem increasingly confident that the U.S. economy is vigorous enough to withstand modestly higher borrowing rates. Here are three things to watch for after the Fed’s meeting ends: STATE OF THE ECONOMY The Fed has managed its control of interest rates with exceeding caution, beginning with an initial hike in December 2015, which ended seven years of record-low rates near zero. It then waited an entire year before raising rates again in December last year.

But in recent weeks the view has taken hold, within and outside the Fed, that the U.S. economy has entered a new, stronger phase, with a job market near full health, rising consumer and business confidence, a sturdy housing market and inflation moving closer to the Fed’s 2 percent target. Nearly eight years

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2017 file photo, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington before the House Financial Services Committee for the Fed’s semi-annual Monetary Policy Report to Congress. Federal Reserve officials earlier this month discussed the need to raise a key interest rate again “fairly soon,” especially if the economy remains strong.

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque//File Photo

FILE PHOTO - A police officer keeps watch in front of the U.S. Federal Reserve building in Washington, DC, U.S. on October 12, 2016. after the Great Recession ended, the economy seems less and less to need the support of ultra-low borrowing rates.

A robust February employment report issued on Friday — 235,000 added jobs, brisk pay growth and a dip in the unemployment rate to 4.7 percent — was seen as the final major encouraging economic report the Fed needed to feel confident about announcing a rate increase.

What the Fed says in its statement Wednesday assessing the health of the economy will be parsed for clues to its thinking about the pace of future rate increases.

FORECAST AND DOT PLOT Four times each year, the Fed updates the economic and interestrate forecasts of the 17 members of its policy committee — five board members (there are two vacancies) and 12 regional bank presidents.

Each policymaker offers his or her own anonymous forecast.

Investors and Fed watchers tend to scrutinize those projections to determine whether they think the central bank is growing more optimistic about growth, unemployment and inflation. A shift in sentiment toward greater

optimism could indicate that the Fed is preparing to accelerate its pace of rate hikes.

Along with economic forecasts, the Fed releases what has come to be called the “dot plot.” This is an illustrated plot of dots, representing the expectations for each official for the path of the federal funds rate, the Fed’s key policy rate. In December, the Fed raised that rate to a range of 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent, still quite low by historical standards.

Fed officials stress that the dot plot is merely a projection of where rates might go and not at all a guarantee. At December’s meeting, the projection from the dot plot was that the Fed would raise rates three times in 2017. But some economists are wondering whether the new chart may estimate a higher number of rate increases, reflecting a brighter outlook for the economy.

YELLEN’S VIEW On Wednesday, as she does after four Fed meetings each year, Yellen will hold a news conference.

The Fed chair is likely to stress many of the points she has made in recent speeches: That while the Fed is raising rates, the pace of the

increases will likely remain gradual and that rates will still be at historically low levels. For consumers and businesses, that means that while loan rates will rise, they will remain relatively low.

Yellen is sure to be asked for her views of the policies being pursued by the Trump administration. The president has vowed to double the economy’s growth rate to 4 percent from around 2 percent over the past nearly eight years. Trump has said his package of tax cuts, deregulation, a tougher trade stance and increased spending in such areas as infrastructure can achieve his growth goals.

But if the Fed starts to become concerned about inflation pressures at a time when the economy is at full employment, an increase in the pace of rate hikes could make it harder for Trump to achieve his goals.

While Trump was personally critical of Yellen during the presidential campaign, accusing her of favoring low rates to help the Democrats, he’s been silent on the Fed since winning the election. And members of his economic team, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, have spoken of their desire to work with the Fed.(ap)

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Let’s Have Selfie at Pancaseming JR Cliff

Another new platform for selfie has been created. Located at Pancaseming hamlet, Batuagung, Jembrana, it has become one of the popular attractions in Jembrana since last month. This forest-near hamlet with friendly people, in fact, has considerable natural beauty. Cliff top with the nickname ‘JR’ becomes one of the spots offering landscape view from the hills. Uniquely, this location becomes widely known after young people of the village uploaded the photos on social media. After getting word of mouth promotion, the JR hill can attract people to visit the location.

This condition is made into opportunities by surrounding young people largely consisting of estate farmers. It is just for parking and selling drinks around the location. Although it is independently managed, it could draw 4,000 visitors last February. They are not only the residents of Jembrana but also those from outside the town, especially on weekend.

JR cliff offers various landscape panoramas of the Negara town to vast ocean from a height. Best time to make a visit to the JR cliff is late afternoon because the weather is not too hot. Rugged terrain to reach the location will get paid with views on the cliff top. Local residents provide a platform made from natural materials that can be climbed so that visitors can see from the height. Similarly, there is a tree house that enables visitors to see the view of Negara town from

the height.

Ida Bagus Artawan, 34, hamlet chief of Pancaseming, said that JR name was first introduced by Budi Sastra customary youth club standing for teenage encounter (jumpa remaja). It was inspired by the fact this location is often used as a meeting place of young people. Since it was opened early January, it has been visited by many travelers considering the location is also quite close or only about 7 km from the town center. Visitors are only charged with voluntary donation used to improve various facilities such as the newly built tree house and beautifying all the plants along the path to the summit.

“To improve the management, we hope there will be assistance to repair the existing facilities considering they are not permanent yet and only relies on self-financing. In addition, the road access is still poor to allow visitors to

pass through,” said Artawan.

He also hoped, in addition to physical development support, the support in the form of community empowerment. Thus, people will also have knowledge about the management of the attraction such as waste management, foreign language skills and others in the future. In addition to visitors from Jembrana, there are also those from outside the district like Gianyar and Badung. “They claimed to get the information from social media,” he said.

From the logbook filled in by visitors, the visit reached 4,000 people last month. Pancaseming is one of the hamlets at the northernmost tip of Batuagung village. In addition to JR Hill, Batuagung also has a number of historic sites such as Independence Valley memorial park. Both offer spectacular and unspoiled view. (kmb)

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Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

KUALA LUMPUR - The body of the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was embalmed this week in Kuala Lumpur, with no family member coming forward to claim the remains and as a diplomatic spat with Pyongyang drags on.

IBP/kmb28

Tektekan tradition in the area of Kediri customary village is inherited from generation to generation.

Tektekan welcomes Nyepi in Kediri

Used to overcome plague, now becomes cultural attraction

TABANAN - Each year ahead of the Nyepi (Day of Silence) celebration, there will a different atmosphere, especially at Kediri customary village, Tabanan. In other regions, ahead of the celebration may be graced with the making and parade of ogoh-ogoh (papier mâché demon) or bamboo cannon, but Kediri precisely holds cultural event in the form of Tektekan.

IBP/nan

Nearly 80 percent of local residents depend on their livelihood as such product craftsmen.

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One month on, Malaysia embalms Kim Jong Nam’s body, awaiting next of kin

Sea sand craftsmen in Susut still survive BANGLI - Craftsmen of sea sand-made shrine at Selat village, Susut, remain to survive until now amid the intense competition against similar businesses in this area. Evidently, nearly 80 percent of local residents depend on their livelihood as such product craftsmen.

One of the sea sand craftsmen at Selat Peken hamlet, Susut, I Nengah Rajin, said on Tuesday (Mar. 14) that he has pursued the craftworks since decades ago. His orders of sea sand shrine craft keep coming from different regions. “Currently I am still completing the shrine orders of Kuta resident,” he said.

Rajin said that lately the competition in shrine craft is quite tight.

However, the shrine made from sea sand raw material has not been abandoned by people. “I was concerned with the increasing proliferation of shrine craft businesses by using sea sand. However, the concern has now begun to disappear because we still receive the orders,” said this middle-aged man.

When asked about the obstacles faced, he said it has something to do with capital and scarcity of sea sand material. In addition, the price of sea sand continues to increase. Now, the price of sea sand reaches IDR 1.6 million per truck. “The price of sea sand almost increases every week,” he complained.

Admittedly he did not dare to increase the price of his product too high. He worried if selling at too expensive price will decrease his consumers considering the tight competition in the shrine craft.

A kemulan (three-chambered shrine) is sold for IDR 10 million and gedong penglurah for IDR 7 million. As for temple compound wall, he explained, is calculated per meter. For two-sided compound wall is set at IDR 6 million, while the single-sided is IDR 3 million. “The price is determined by the motif of carvings. The more carving it has, the price is more expensive,” added Rajin. (nan)

Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

It is named the Tektekan KediriNangluk Merana. This event will take place for eleven days starting from March 17 through March 27, 2017 or on the Pengerupukan Day. The annual event will be packaged in a parade. Moreover, on March 25 and 26 this special event will be held in front of the Desa and Puseh Temple of Kediri customary village. In the meantime, the road closure will take place on March 27, 2017 where the route will reach the Kediri roundabout.

Chief of Kediri customary village, AAG Ngurah Panji Wisnu, explained that during the eleven days, the entire customary villagers of Kediri ranging from children to adults will go around the village while playing the sounds from a variety of sources. They are ranging from kulkul (bamboo split drum), gong or okokan (large

cow bell). Some have even been modified with the accompaniment of bleganjur.

“In total, there are seven hamlets at Kediri customary village that will take turns to go round from one hamlet to another hamlet existing is at our village,” he explained.

Further, he said that tektekan tradition in the area of Kediri customary village is inherited from generation to generation. So far, there is no any record on the history of its origin. According to his ancestors, the tradition came together with the outbreaks in Kediri. “At that time, many residents were experiencing sickness to death and they also faced harvest failure because their paddy fields were attacked by pests,” he said.

Due to concerns over the calamity occurred at that time, community leaders and temple priests

agreed to invoke guidance by praying at local Puseh Temple.

At that time, they got a clue if the pandemic could be eliminated by means of sounds. Armed with this clue, the residents of Kediri came down and went around the village while playing tektekan for few days. Finally, it was proved that the plague attacking the customary village disappeared.

Since then, the tektekan tradition has psychical function to dismiss plague. Its implementation cannot be predicted because it depends on the incidence of outbreak at the village. With the changing of time or more precisely from 2014 the tektekan tradition began to be transformed into an entertainment art. Moreover, local villagers agreed to hold this tradition as annual attraction coinciding with the Hindus celebrating Nyepi. During the execution of tektekan tradition at local customary village, the officials suggest road users to find alternative road section.

“We’ve made coordination with police authority, especially on the security and traffic diversion,” he concluded. (kmb28)

It’s been over a month since Kim Jong Nam was murdered on Feb. 13, when Malaysian police say two women smeared super toxic VX nerve agent on his face at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Kim died within 20 minutes of the attack, before reaching the hospital. Since then, his body has been at a Kuala Lumpur morgue, and police say they will only hand it over to his next of kin. No one so far has come forward to claim the body, Malaysian authorities have said.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters outside parliament on Tuesday the body has been embalmed so it can be preserved longer.

“It’s an effort to preserve the body, because if it is kept in the mortuary it might decompose so we did this to preserve the body,” Zahid said.

The body was secretly taken out of the morgue for the embalming on Sunday night, avoiding the attention of dozens of media representatives stationed outside.

DIPLOMATIC MELTDOWN The murder, and Malaysia’s attempt to investigate North Koreans inside Pyongyang’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur, has sparked a diplomatic meltdown between two countries with once strong ties.

North Korea is preventing three Malaysian diplomats and their six family members from leaving the country, sparking tit-for-tat action

by Malaysia.

Zahid said the two countries are still negotiating, but did not elaborate.

Zahid also said Malaysia will soon deport 50 North Korean workers who overstayed their visa in the Borneo state of Sarawak. They

were among 176 North Koreans working in Sarawak.

The workers were employed in mines and construction sites in the state. Zahid has said about 315 North Koreans remain in the country with valid visas.

Kim Jong Nam, who had been living in the Chinese territory of Macau under Beijing’s protection, had spoken out publicly against his family’s dynastic control of the isolated, nuclear-armed North Korea.

South Korean intelligence officers say Kim Jong Un had issued standing orders for the elimination of his elder half-brother.

Video footage of a man claiming to be the son of Kim Jong Nam appeared last week, in which he said he was lying low with his mother and sister.

Malaysia has refused North Korea’s request to release the body without an autopsy and investigation. It expelled the North Korean ambassador over his remarks questioning the investigations.

This angered North Korea, who then barred Malaysians from leav-

AP Photos/Shizuo Kambayashi, File

This May 4, 2001, file photo shows Kim Jong Nam, exiled half brother of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, in Narita, Japan. ing the country. In response, Malaysia briefly blockaded the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur last week.

Malaysian police have identified eight North Koreans wanted for

questioning in connection with the killing of Kim Jong Nam, some of them hiding in the North Korean embassy. A Vietnamese woman and an Indonesian woman have already been charged in the case. (rtr)

Taiwan says Chinese military threat grows, US regional strategy unclear TAIPEI - China’s accelerated military development and recent activity by its military aircraft and ships around Taiwan pose an increased threat to the self-ruled island, according to a Taiwanese government defence report draft reviewed by Reuters.

The 2017 Quadrennial Defence Review (QDR) also highlights the uncertainty over the future strategic

direction of the United States in the region, the impact of Japan flexing its military capabilities and “conflict crisis” potential in the disputed South China Sea. The document is due to be presented to parliament on Thursday by Taiwan defence minister Feng Shih-kuan.

“The recent activity of Chinese jets and ships around Taiwan shows the continued rise in (China’s)

REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic/File Photo

People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers shout as they hold guns and practise in a drill during a organized media tour at a PLA engineering school in Beijing, July 22, 2014.

military threat capabilities,” highlighting the importance of Taiwan’s need to defend itself, the review will say.

“In addition to posing a military threat to our country, it also has a negative impact on regional stability.”

The four-yearly review is the first since President Tsai Ing-wen took office last May and the first under her Democratic Progressive Party, which traditionally advocates independence for Taiwan.

“The country’s military development and Taiwan’s freedom and prosperity are the same living body,” according to the draft.

WAYWARD PROVINCE The QDR comes as China which claims Taiwan as a wayward province to be taken back by force if necessary - has been stepping up air and sea military exercises in waters surrounding Taiwan as part of a sweeping modernisation of its armed forces.

Speaking in Beijing at his annual news conference on Wednesday, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang repeated that China was resolutely opposed to Taiwan independence but it would uphold peace across the Taiwan Strait.

“No matter how the situation on the island may evolve, the fraternal bond between the two sides cannot be severed and will not be able to change history or the fact that both sides belong to one and the same China,” Li said.

Taiwan’s defence ministry had no comment on the report on Wednesday. Developments in the South China Sea, including rejection of an international court ruling by other claimants on territorial rights of the Philippines in the disputed waters, China’s land reclamation and militarisation, and freedom of navigation patrols championed by the United States could deepen strife in the area, the review will say.

“Sovereignty disputes in the region and strategic competition could intensify, leading to hidden conflict crisis.”

China has begun new construction work on a disputed island in the South China Sea, satellite images show, just days ahead of the first official visit to the region

by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

The review also listed Japan’s move away from its pacifist constitution “to strengthen its armaments and lift a ban on using

troops abroad” as having deep and far-reaching impacts on the security situation in the Asia-Pacific and the Taiwan Strait.

Reuters reported this week that Japan plans to send its largest warship on a three-month tour through the South China Sea beginning in May - its biggest show of naval force in the region since World War Two. Among security challenges for Taiwan, the review also said “the United States’ Asia-Pacific strategic direction and troop deployment was not clear” under the new administration of President Donald Trump.

Trump provoked consternation in Beijing by taking a congratulatory call from Taiwan’s Tsai and then calling into question adherence to the “One China” policy, under which Washington acknowledges the Chinese position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of it.

Last month, Trump agreed to honour the policy during a phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The United States remains Taiwan’s biggest ally and arms supplier and is bound by legislation to provide the means to help the island defend itself. (rtr)

14

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Health

International

Bali News

International

AP Photo/Andy Wong

In this Feb. 21, 2017 photo, commuters, some wearing masks, walk to a subway station to a subway station during the evening rush hour in Beijing. Yet the city’s average reading of the tiny particulate matter PM2.5 - considered a good gauge of air pollution - is still seven times what the World Health Organization considers safe. A group of Chinese lawyers is suing the governments of Beijing and its surrounding areas for not doing enough to get rid of the smog.

Cleaner air could save 3 million early deaths in China each year - study

JAKARTA- China could prevent three million premature deaths a year if it enforced tighter air quality standards in accordance with United Nations guidelines, according to a study released on Wednesday.

The study, published in the British Medical Journal, examined the mortality levels and concentrations of the tiny particles known as PM10 in the air in 38 large Chinese cities between January 2010 and June 2013.

It found the average PM10 level recorded in these cities during the period was 92.9 micrograms per cubic meter, much higher than the World Health Organization’s standard at 20 micrograms.

The researchers, led by Maigeng Zhou at the Beijing-based Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, said over 350,000 deaths were recorded in the 38 cities in this period.

Based on this, they said China would save three million premature deaths each year if its PM10 level

was lowered to the WHO’s recommended level.

“This number is likely to be a lower bound estimate of the total number of deaths related to air pollution because the air pollution effect can be larger in rural areas and PM10 is more detrimental to human health in the long run,” they said.

“Our findings suggest that adopting and enforcing tighter air quality standards in China will bring about tremendous public health benefits.”

PM10, particulate matter produced by traffic and industry, can enter the lungs and bloodstream. Another hazardous airborne particle is the PM2.5, which is smaller and lighter.

China has been waging a war on pollution but its environment minister said last week it still has work to do and needed to get companies and local authorities to toe the line.

Pollution alerts are common in northern China, especially during bitterly cold winters when energy demand, much of it met by coal, rises. (rtr)

different groups at risk.

While Merck’s rVSV-EBOV shot could be deployed to provide “ring vaccination” of people in recent contact with new Ebola cases, a longer-lasting option might be a better bet for healthy support workers coming in to fight the crisis.

The “prime-boost” vaccine developed by J&J and Bavarian Nordic is currently being tested in large global trials that include more than 1,000 subjects in Africa.

Results from those studies are still awaited but the vaccine has already been submitted to the World Health Organization for Emergency Use Assessment and Listing, which could allow it to be deployed on an accelerated basis in the event another Ebola crisis.

J&J said it had a stockpile of 1.8 million dosing regimens on standby in deep freeze, with the capacity to produce several million more if needed.

“We are so much more advanced now than two or three years ago,” said Paul Stoffels, J&J’s chief scientific officer. “We are ready to intervene if tomorrow there was a new emergency.”

Keith Chappell from the University of Queensland said the data to date was encouraging, especially since the J&J vaccine was non-replicating and therefore potentially safer than the Merck shot.

The findings, based on a Phase I clinical trial involving 75 healthy subjects, were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (rtr)

AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh

James Harris, the widower of Salome Karwah, and his children poses for a photographs outside his house in Monrovia, Liberia. Thursday March. 2, 2017. Salome Karwah survived Ebola after it killed both her parents and eight other relatives, then returned to her clinic to help countless others as she had become immune to the deadly virus. But in a heartbreaking reminder of just how strong fear remains, she died after childbirth complications as her husband says health workers in Liberia were too afraid to touch her. She was just 31.

3

Hundreds of ogoh-ogoh participate in contest

Two-part Ebola vaccine offers longlasting protection

CALIFORNIA - The world should be far better prepared for the next Ebola outbreak, with further promising results on Tuesday showing the potential of a longlasting vaccine against the deadly virus.

The two-part shot from Johnson & Johnson and Danish partner Bavarian Nordic induced a durable immune response lasting a full year in 100 percent of healthy volunteers vaccinated, researchers reported.

“The persistence of vaccineinduced immunity to one year postimmunisation is truly impressive,” said researcher Matthew Snape of the University of Oxford.

“The fact that all participants retained Ebola-specific antibodies to the end of the study does raise hope that this vaccine could induce responses that last for several years.”

The vaccine requires one dose to prime the immune system and a second shot to boost the body’s response.

That is different from another Ebola vaccine from Merck , which was the first to prove effective in preventing human infection during a large trial in Guinea last year.

Scientists have been racing to develop vaccines for Ebola after more than 11,300 people died in West Africa’s 2013-2016 epidemic.

Recent progress means experts are now confident the world will not be defenceless when the next outbreak hits.

There is debate, however, as to the best vaccination strategy for

Thursday, March 16, 2017

NEGARA - Ahead of Nyepi or at the night of Pengerupukan (Mar. 27), a number of customary youth clubs (sekaa taruna) passing in the assessment will participate in the ogoh-ogoh (papier mâché demon) contest at catus pata (central intersection) in front of the office of Jembrana regent. Hundreds of youth clubs will follow and so far have made preparation for the selection.

IBP/file

The manufactured salt or traditional salt should also be given iodine test to determine its iodine content.

Consumption of iodized salt in Bali still low

DENPASAR - Consumption rate of iodized salt in Bali is still low. Based on data of the health agency in 2013, as much as 50.3 percent of Bali’s population consumes iodized salt. Iodized salt is the salt containing iodine more than 30 ppm. “So, the health standards for salt should contain more than 30 ppm of iodine,” said Division Head of Public Health, Adi Wiguna, Tuesday (Mar. 14).

To determine whether the salt contains iodine above the standard or not, it can be carried out by iodine test. “If it is purple, it means the iodine has met the standards.

Otherwise, it means to still lack iodine content. It is easy to do the test,” he explained.

Iodized salt deficiency causes problems like mumps, cretinism and reduction in intelligence of children in Bali. Indeed, mumps is no longer prevalent because the number of mumps has decreased.

However, the current issues in Bali are cretinism and reduction in intelligence of children.

One of the causes is the low consumption of iodized salt. On that account, it needs a movement to promote the consumption of iodized salt. “Most importantly is always consuming iodized salt to increase intelligence and cretinism in our generation,” he said.

In plain, iodized salt is normally found in the salt having been packaged well, and contains information about the iodine. “The packaged

and labeled salt has usually been mixed with iodine first prior to being distributed to the public. It means to have complied with the iodine standards as specified,” he said.

Meanwhile, the salt sold by kilo plastic bag belongs to traditional salt whose iodine content has not been above 30 ppm. Some salt farmers in Bali are said to have been given machine assistance by industry and commerce agency to mix iodine. Nevertheless, the manufactured salt or traditional salt should also be given iodine test to determine its iodine content. Since the price of iodine is expensive, the salt could possibly not be given the mixture of iodine.

His division teamed up with village-commissioned police (Bhabinkamtibmas) because it is the spearhead of police in Indonesia.

“Well, we team up with police to fight against narcotics and later on we will also involve headman, too,” he affirmed.

Any information in the community will be known first by our Bhabinkamtibmas. Therefore, he considered that teaming up with the institution poses a strategic measure in fighting against narcotic.

He hoped that with the KIE, Bhabinkamtibmas will be able to provide correct information so that its institution can uncover drug trafficking. “Most importantly, we can prevent and reduce drug abuse,” he added. (kmb42)

Regent of Jembrana, I Putu Artha, amid his bustles on Monday afternoon (Mar. 13) made a visit to the participants of ogoh-ogoh contest to some hamlets.

Accompanied by Deputy Regent Made Kembang Hartawan who chairs the assessment team, he directly selected the ogoh-ogoh to be contested. Through this contest, the customary youth clubs can maintain their Balinese cultural traditions. In addition, all the participants are expected not to show off ogoh-ogoh containing racist or pornographic nature. “Participants are expected to still comply with the rules specified,” said Artha.

Moreover, at every visit Regent Artha appeals to customary youth clubs to take advantage of the funds from local government as well as possible. “Do not be used for alcoholic binge,” reminded Artha.

In the meantime, Deputy Regent Kembang said that

before being paraded at the night of pengerupukan, the ogoh-ogoh must pass the selection in advance. The selection is made at each hamlet throughout Jembrana, and each subdistrict will be represented by three pieces of the best ogoh-ogoh. Theme of the ogoh-ogoh on the pengerupukan this year is butha kala (evil spirit).

A number of criteria getting the attention in the monitoring include the harmony of ogoh-ogoh, the use of eco-friendly materials (use of styrofoam is prohibited) for the body of ogoh-ogoh, but for the head, legs and arms are allowed to use styrofoam and at least has the height of 3 meters from the bearing bamboo logs. When compared to the previous year, the current creativity of customary youth clubs is better. “Their readiness is better and seriousness can be seen,” said Kembang.

He said that each customary youth club participating in the contest received assistance from the district government as much as IDR 850,000 excluding government tax. A total of 285 customary youth clubs across Jembrana are registered to participate in the selection.

If passing in the selection and ready to perform, the district government will provide additional staging cost worth IDR 4 million.

“When appearing, all the participants should prepare performances related to the ogoh-ogoh, such as fragmentary show and so forth,” added Kembang. (kmb26)

IBP/olo

All the participants are expected not to show off ogoh-ogoh containing racist or pornographic nature.

2

Bali News

Thursday, March 16, 2017

International

Compact settlement land

River channel backfilled with sand-gravel

SINGARAJA - The arrangement of settlement area at North Banyuning, Banyuning, is now entering compaction phase of the former river channel having been diverted to the west. It is backfilled with sand and gravel material. To help the backfill, residents receive full support from the regional disaster mitigation agency (BPBD) of Buleleng.

The former river channel has been successfully diverted to the west with the width of about 20 meters and the depth of about 3 meters. Meanwhile, the length is about 100 meters extending to the beach. The former river is backfilled with mounting gravel dredged along the edge of the beach at RT 1-B, North Banyuning hamlet.

To help backfill the former river channel, residents hire heavy equipment by utilizing the help of the BPBD Bule-

leng. Backfill workmanship has reached about 55 percent and it is ascertained to accomplish in the near future. The land acquired from the arrangement will then be re-used by people who live at the location to build a house or renovate the house that is now severely damaged.

Advisor to the disaster relief fund management committee of North Banyuning, Nyoman Suasana, amid the delivery of Bali Post readers’ donation on Tuesday (Mar. 14) said that compaction of the former river channel was previously hampered due to difficulty to find material. The backfill is planned to use the soil purchased at Bungkulan village, Sawan. However, due to the former river channel is watery, the backfill using soil is feared to become unstable and prone to get eroded again. Seeing this condition, his committee then uses the pile of sand and gravel at the delta area. Backfill with gravel material is believed to be denser and the area is

The Vice Regent of Buleleng Nyoman Sutjidra is inpecting the lanslide area in Banyuning.

IBP/Wawan

not easy to turn unstable. In addition, the taking of sand and gravel will facilitate the river flow or the pounding waves.

“After holding a meeting, we dredge the sand and gravel accumulating in the river delta to backfill the former river channel. Density of the sand and gravel is harder than when using soil. When dredging the sand and gravel, we are helped by the BPBD Buleleng to rent heavy equipment,” he explained.

According to this man familiarly nicknamed as Jenggo, the backfill of the former river channel has now has reached about 55 percent. The remaining time will be used to complete the workmanship so that it can be used again. Based on data of the disaster victims, local government has agreed to build five houses for residents whose house was heavily damaged as hit by last flood disaster. Later on, the five residents will build a house on backfilled land on the former river channel.

In the meantime, people’s house with minor damages can also have been improved, so that the hamlet of the RT 1-B can be re-arranged for residential area.

Having successfully managed the settlement area, Jenggo claimed to still fight so that local governments can provide assistance to strengthen the banks of diverted river channel.

This reinforcement is needed because the river flow will remain to border with the residential area. To protect the residential area, he asked for the strengthening of the river flow through the installation of gabion stone wall. “The river flow is a bit far from the settlement, but we still apply for help to strengthen the new river channel gabion stone wall. Thus, the river flow is getting stronger and no longer threatens the residential areas here,” he explained.

In the meantime, Deputy Regent of Buleleng, Nyoman Sutjidra, accompanied by headman of Banyuning, Nyoman Sutata, appreciated to the hard work of residents in arranging their settlement area after the flood disaster. So far, the government has helped solidify the residential areas including by providing housing assistance for residents whose house was washed away. To strengthen the river flow with gabion stone wall, Sutjidra admitted he will further coordinate with the public works and spatial planning agency (PU-PR) including engaging the Bali-Penida river agency (BWS).

“It is very good for residents to do mutual assistance in normalizing the river and the land compacting was assisted by the BPBD and we also help the house construction.

Strengthening of the river channel will be coordinated with public works and spatial planning agency and the Bali-Penida river agency (BWS),” he explained. (kmb38)

To control inflation, Tabanan applies community-based economy

TABANAN - All this time, the measure taken by the government to control inflation is by holding a low-cost market. However, the implementation of low-cost market is always done from top to bottom. To that end, the government of Tabanan through the regional inflation control team (TPID) and the economic affairs will develop community-based economy by holding low-cost market.

Division Head of Economic Affairs at the government of Tabanan who is also Chief of TPID team,

I Gusti Putu Ekayana, said on Tuesday (Mar. 14) that communitybased economic development is meant to invite the lowest institutions such as village-owned enterprise (BUMDes), village credit agency (LPD) and cooperatives.

Thus, the low-cost market will not solely depend on the district government but be held at each village or subdistrict. Certainly it will be right on target namely residents.

“Low-cost market can be organized in collaboration of BUMDes with LPD and cooperative,” he said.

He added the organization of low-cost market at the lowest level can touch people and increase people’s sense of self-belonging to the institution holding such activity like BUMDes and the LPD. Moreover, LPD can also find new customers in these activities and BUMDes can promote their products.

According to Ekayana, people should not be afraid to hold lowcost market because it does not require large capital and the capital will soon return. The organizer is just enough to bear the transporta-

tion cost when purchasing staples.

“The place does not need any tent as it can be held in the local village meeting hall. For rice supply, we will help the coordination with the logistics agency (Bulog),” he said.

In the meantime, the villages that do not have LPD or cooperative or whose LPD is unhealthy or does not work well, they can be helped by the subdistrict low-cost market.

Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) is ready to help each subdistrict.

According to him, many village

and subdistrict institutions are ready to provide a help. However, he did not force the certainty of the implementation. It is fully submitted to the organizers.

If this community-based economy can successfully organize the low-cost market, the control against the market’s inflation can be done without burdening the regional budget. Central government itself wants that control to inflation should minimally burden the regional budgets. (kmb24)

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Activities

International

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Achieving The Perfect Smile A beautiful smile speaks a thousand words. A beautiful smile also improves confidence and increases your beauty self-esteem. So, if your self-esteem is suffering from missing or falling teeth, do make an appointment at the BIMC Dental Centre in Nusa Dua, Bali for dental implants to get you the perfect teeth and the perfect smile. By replacing the root of your missing tooth and topping it with a realistic dental crown, you’ll soon have a beautiful set of perfectly aligned teeth and

an improved level of confidence.

This modern option is the fastest and most convenient way to replace missing teeth with minimal pain while giving you long-lasting natural substitutes placed directly into your jawbone.

The procedure for dental implants is minimally invasive and is carried out under local anesthesia.

There will be no open wounds following the surgery and minimal post-operative discomfort. Rest assured you’ll be in good hands at

WEEKLY EVENTS and FARMERS MARKETS EVERY SATURDAY Meditation class by Mangku Budi Dharma 14-16:30 Bona, Blahbatuh meet at Ubud Cocomarket at 13:00 Saturday Market Oldman’s Cafe Canggu, Batu Bolong Beach, pottery fresh produce, clothing Sand Beach Club and Restaurant, Sanur Every second Saturday Biasa Art Space, Jl. Raya Seminyak 24, Seminyak, Fresh produce, potted plants, meat pie, sshie, coffee and more.

Every Saturday 9AM-2PM OrganIc Farmer’s Market Pizza Bagus (Jl. Pengosekan), Ubud EVERY SUNDAY Soul to soul spirituall dialogue Anand Ashram, Ubud Jl Sri Wedari KM 3 Mantra chanting 6-6:30pm Navaraha Arati 6:30-6:45pm Meditation, Satsang and celebration 6:45-8:30pm www.ubudashram.org SUNDAY MARKETS 10AM 1PM Sunday Market at Batu Jimbar Jl. Danau Tablingan , Sanur 10AM-4PM The Sands Beach Club and Restaurant Sunday MArket Jl. Danau Tamblingan, No 27, Sanur 9:30AM-1PM Sunday Market @ Warung Sopa Jl. Sugriwas no36, Padang Tegal, Ubud 9AM-2PM Samadi Sunday Market Jalan. Padang Linjong 39, Canggu, 9AM-2PM Wednesday and Sunday Ubud Organik Market Jl. Raya Pengosekan across from Zens Hotel Tebesaya, Ubud 12PM-10PM Sunday Food Festival & Bazaar Byrdhouse Beach Club, Sanur 10AM-6PM, Mercure,last sunday of every month, jl. ,Mertasari, Sanur, fashion food and and kids activities The Coffee Spot, Jalan Peigenet 888X,Seminyak, last Sunday of every month, garage sale clothing, books, and hand-made jewellery

all times with Dr. Harry Iskandar, who has decades of experience in cosmetic dentistry. The doctor will also conduct a thorough examination prior to the procedure including consultation and panoramic XRAY to determine your jawbone’s volume and density. Equipped with the latest state-of-the-art amenities, the BIMC Dental Centre offers only the best in dental treatments including regular check-ups, standard restorative treatments such as fillings, crowns and bridges, and

other complex procedures. For more information, please contact the reception staff at dentalcentre@ bimcbali.com.

15

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 54 9th year

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Alan Menken on cuts, adds and intimidating Emma Watson

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

Thursday, March 16, 2017

BEVERLY HILLS — Composer Alan Menken really wanted to include the song “If I Can’t Love Her” in the new live-action “Beauty and the Beast.”

The soaring ballad, sung by the Beast, was written for the Broadway musical as the closing number before intermission.

“It’s a monumentally good song.

But it is unique to the structure of a stage musical,” Menken said recently. “I made a few attempts to go, ‘well could it just be right there’ and (lyricist) Tim Rice said to me, ‘it would be like writing ‘Don’t Cry for Me Brazil.’”

So, on the cutting room floor it went, along with some of the other Broadway additions, like “Home” (although some of the music from that song does make it into the new film). Menken, who won Oscars for his “Beauty” score and also the song “Beauty and the Beast,” knew that this ship was in the hands of director Bill Condon.

“I have to balance being the keeper of the flame of the original and the Broadway show and being an enthusiastic and supportive team member in bringing it into new territory,” Menken said. “With ‘Beauty’ I was blessed to have Bill Condon ... He’s smart, he loves musical theater and he loves ‘Beauty and the Beast.’”

“Beauty” fans need not despair about too many changes, either —

all of the songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman for the 1991 animated film are in this new version (out Friday), with a few tweaks and some newly unearthed Ashman lyrics, as well, that attentive listeners might notice in the songs “Gaston” and the closing version of “Beauty and the Beast.” (Ashman died of complications from AIDS before the animated film was released.)

The cuts also made room for three new songs from Menken and Rice, including a more fitting ballad for the Beast, “Evermore,” sung after he lets Belle go.

“We had these up numbers and the one ballad so we felt we could afford gentler or more anthem-ic moments,” Menken said of the new songs. There’s one for the household objects, “Days in the Sun,” and one for Belle’s father Maurice (Kevin Kline), “How Does a Moment Last Forever.”

Menken loves different interpretations of his work. In his over 30-year career scoring some of the most iconic Disney soundtracks of all time, Menken has seen much of his work live on beyond the screen.

He’s had many of his projects adapted into Broadway musicals, including “The Little Mermaid”

Ben Affleck says he has completed treatment for alcohol addiction

LOS ANGELES - Actor Ben Affleck said on Tuesday that he had completed treatment for alcohol addiction, saying he wanted to “be the best father I can be.”

Affleck, 44, said on his Facebook page that his treatment was the “first of many steps” toward his recovery and specifically thanked his “co-parent,” wife Jennifer Garner, whom he separated from in 2015. “I have completed treatment for alcohol addiction; something I’ve dealt with in the past and will continue to confront,” the “Batman” actor wrote.

“I want my kids to know there is no shame in getting help when you need it, and to be a source of strength for anyone out there who needs help but is afraid to take the first step,” he added.

Hollywood A-list couple Affleck and Garner, who have three children together, announced plans to divorce in July 2015 after 10 years of marriage.

Affleck, who has won two Oscars for his writing and producing work, will next be seen reprising the titular superhero role in “The Batman” movie. (rtr)

Disney via AP

This image released by Disney shows Dan Stevens as The Beast, left, and Emma Watson as Belle in a live-action adaptation of the animated classic “Beauty and the Beast.” and “Aladdin,” which are also on the docket for future live-action renderings.

“I think of myself as an architect,” he said. “I design a structure and other people live in it.”

It’s one of the qualities that makes him such a skilled composer and songwriter.

“His music, I find, is very easy to sing because he’s done all the work for you. You don’t have to put anything on it. It’s all there,” Broadway vet Audra McDonald said. “He’s

one of those composers who can grab your heart with a melody, so much so that you don’t even realize it because he’s so simple about it.

You don’t realize that he’s reaching in and taking your heart and ripping it out —or massaging it.”

While much of the supporting cast had some Broadway experience, Menken acknowledges that leads Emma Watson and Dan Stevens were a bit green in that area.

“They both were a little deer-inheadlights,” Menken said.

Watson, in particular needed space to find her own voice as Belle.

“I’m not used to being an intimidating presence, but I think the composer was a little scary to her so we made sure she had her own vocal coach,” Menken said. “I stepped back, which was fine. The songs speak for themselves. I could always give my notes from a distance.”

For what it’s worth, Watson is now comfortable around Menken. (ap)

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AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

Cherie Burke contends with blowing snow during a blustery storm, Tuesday, March 14, 2017, in Portland, Maine. A late-season storm is hitting the Northeast, closing schools and prompting dire warnings to stay off the roads.

Icy conditions follow falling temps and Northeast snowstorm

NEW YORK — Concerns about falling temperatures and icy conditions on roads and sidewalks across the Northeast followed a late-season storm that plastered the region with sleet and snow. Tuesday’s powerful nor’easter paralyzed much of the Washington-to-Boston corridor, but fell short of the predicted snowfall totals in New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

The storm, which followed a stretch of unusually mild winter weather, dumped 1 to 2 feet in many places, grounded more than 6,000 flights and knocked out power to nearly a quarter-million customers from Virginia northward.

By the time it reached Massachusetts, it had turned into a blizzard, with near hurricane-force winds gusting to over 70 mph along the coast. Boston ended up with 6.6 inches of snow, far less than what was predicted. Plunging overnight temperatures threatened to turn the snow, sleet and sloppy mix into

a slippery mess, raising fears of black ice for motorists and slick sidewalks for pedestrians.

Boston canceled school for a second day as cleanup efforts continued. Mayor Marty Walsh said he made the call out of “an abundance of caution.”

The storm was easily the biggest in an otherwise merciful winter that had mostly spared the region.

Many, like retired gumball machine technician Don Zimmerman, of Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, weren’t happy. “It’s horrible,” Zimmerman said, using a snowblower to clear

the sidewalk along his block. “I thought winter was out of here. ...

It’s a real kick in the rear.”

While most people heeded the warnings to stay off the roads, police said a 16-year-old girl was killed when she lost control of her car on a snowy road and crashed into a tree in Gilford, New Hampshire. In East Hartford, Connecticut, an elderly man died after being struck by a snow plow truck.

The storm closed schools in cities big and small, Amtrak suspended service and the post office halted mail delivery. The number flight cancellations reached more than 3,000 in the New York City area alone, stranding hundreds of passengers.

The storm was on track to be one of the biggest on record for Burlington, Vermont. The National

Weather Service says it got 25.6 inches of snow as of Wednesday morning, with another 2 to 5 inches due by the end of the day.

Jay, led the way in Vermont with 34 inches.

Philadelphia and New York City got anywhere from a few inches of snow to around half a foot before it switched over to sleet. Forecasters had predicted a foot or more. In New Jersey, which saw rain or just a little snow, Gov. Chris Christie called the storm an “underperformer.” But officials still warned of dangerous ice.

Inland areas, meanwhile, got hit hard. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Worcester, Massachusetts, received a foot or more of snow.

The Binghamton, New York, area got over 2 feet, while Vernon, New Jersey, had at least 19 inches. The

storm came just days after the region saw temperatures climb into the 60s, and less than a week before the official start of spring.

In the nation’s capital, nonessential federal employees were given the option of reporting three hours late, taking the day off or WORKING FROM HOME. The city got less than 2 inches of snow.

A few days ago, workers on Washington’s National Mall were making plans to turn on the fountains.

Continued to page 6

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