Edition Tuesday, October 16, 2018 | International Bali Post

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

‘Genius’ behind ‘Teletubbies’ in new go-to-sleep kids show LONDON - “Teletubbies” creator Andrew Davenport has come up with a new show “guaranteed to stop children climbing the walls”, BBC bosses claimed Sunday.

Davenport, an actor and puppeteer known as the “J.K. Rowling of the under-fives”, also wrote and made the worldwide hit “In the Night Garden”.

The British public broadcaster believes that his new series called “Moon and Me” will transport the next generation of toddlers to the Land of Nod. It got its world premiere Sunday at the MIPJunior children’s entertainment market in Cannes, France. Davenport introduced the show by video link from Atlanta, Georgia, where he is rushing to finish the first series for the BBC’s pre-school CBeebies channel.

Commissioning editor Michael Towner called Davenport a “genius” and said the show’s calming combination of story and song is “guaranteed to stop children

climbing the walls”.

“If any of you didn’t have a lump in your throat towards the end of that, you are not human and you shouldn’t be working with children,” he added, after the first work-in-progress episode was shown.

A mix of puppetry and stopmotion animation, “Moon and Me” turns on a doll called Peppianna who lives in a toy house with her five friends including Mr Onions -- who begins every sentence by saying “onions” -- Collywobble, Lilyplant and Lambkin.

Full of typically Davenport catchphrases such as “Tiddle toddle”, the show also contains a magical character called Moon Boy that could double for its c r e a t o r. (afp)

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images/AFP

A fan cosplays as Venom from the Marvel Universe during the 2018 New York Comic-Con at Javits Center on October 7, 2018 in New York City.

Villainous ‘Venom’ again rules in North American theaters

LOS ANGELES - Sony’s superhero film “Venom” held onto the lead this weekend in North American box offices, again followed by last weekend’s No. 2 “A Star Is Born,” industry tracker Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

“Venom” took in an estimated $35.7 million for the three-day weekend, dropping from last weekend’s $80 million, while Warner Bros.’ well-reviewed “Star” had $28 million in ticket sales, down from $41.2 million.

Universal’s highly touted astronaut drama “First Man,” from Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle, took in just $16.5 million in its opening weekend, to place third.

“Venom” stars Tom Hardy as a journalist who becomes the superpowerful host for an alien symbiote; his character is a villain in the “Spider-Man” world. Panned by critics, the film, which also stars

Michelle Williams, nevertheless has had strong global ticket sales.

“A Star Is Born,” the third remake of a 1937 film by the same name, marks the directing debut of actor Bradley Cooper, who plays a hard-drinking country/ rock musician who falls in love with a young singer played by pop superstar Lady Gaga, only to see her star rise as his tumbles.

“First Man” opened with high expectations, reuniting Chazelle with Ryan Gosling, his star from popular musical “La La Land.”

Because of its adult-skewing audience, analysts predict a long run for the film, which recounts Neil Armstrong’s journey to the

moon in 1969.

Fourth place went to Sony’s “Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween,” which had ticket sales of $16.2 million. The familyfriendly sequel, based on the children’s book series by R.L. Stine, stars Wendi McLendonCovey and Madison Iseman.

In fifth was Warner Bros. animation “Smallfoot,” with earnings of $9.3 million. The comic film flips the usual Bigfoot tale on its head, telling the story of a group of Yeti terrified when they come across a human. Voices are by Channing Tatum, James Corden, Zendaya, Common and others. (afp)

Eric CABANIS / AFP

Residents stand by a broken bridge on the river Trapel following floods on October 15, 2018 in Villegailhenc, near Carcassone, southern France. Six people died following storm and flash floods during the night of October 15 in the Aude department in southern France, authorities said.

13 dead as flooding hits southwestern France

At least 13 people died as violent rainstorms turned rivers into raging torrents in southwestern France on Monday in the latest episode of wild weather in Europe, officials said.

Flash floods swamped a number of towns and villages around the fortress city of Carcassonne, leaving a trail of overturned cars, damaged roads and collapsed homes.

An elderly nun was swept to her death as rising waters smashed through a nunnery in the village of Villardonnel to the north of Carcassonne. Meanwhile, at least four people died overnight in the hard-hit village of Villegailhenc, local authorities said Monday.

As Prime Minister Edouard Philippe headed to the scene, the

French interior ministry said a total of 13 people had died after the equivalent of three months’ of rainfall in just a few hours.

“There’s water everywhere in the house. Everything is flooded,” Helene Segura told AFP by telephone from Villegailhenc where at least one small bridge had collapsed.

“When I look out the window, I can only see water and mud everywhere. It’s sad when you’re 70 years’ old like me and you need to redo your house, change the

furniture and all the upholstery,” she said.

Authorities rushed in helicopters and 600 firemen to help with rescue operations, particularly those in the floodplain of the Aude river which hit its highest level in 100 years, according to the Vigicrues flood agency.

In the town of Trebes, near Carcassonne, the water in the Aude rose eight metres (26 feet) in just five hours, officials said.

Around 1,000 people were evacuated in the area of Pezens, also near Carcassonne in the Aude area, due to fears that a nearby dam could burst.

The storms were triggered

when a front of warm and humid air from the Mediterranean Sea slammed into colder air around the Massif central mountain range in central France, inundating an area from the eastern Pyrenees to Aveyron further north.

Violent storms on Sunday also hit Portugal, leaving 28 with minor injuries and hundreds of thousands without power amid flooding in the region around the capital Lisbon.

The heavy rain, which later rolled on through Spain, was the tail end of hurricane Leslie in the Atlantic which weakened to a post-tropical storm as it made landfall.

Last week, an unrelated weather system moving across the Mediterranean left 12 dead in the Spanish island of Majorca and another two died in southeastern France.

Firemen responded to more than 250 calls overnight, as 160 to 180 mm (6 to 7 inches) of rain fell within five hours in Carcassonne.(afp) News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http://radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Bali News

International

Budget of IMF-WB estimated to be under IDR 500 billion

Bali gets additional GRDP of IDR 1.2 trillion

MANGUPURA - Budget plafond for the IMF-WB event amounts to IDR 855 billion. Of the IDR 855 billion, only IDR 566 billion was used and may be reduced to below IDR 500 billion.

In addition to the budget that can be suppressed, the economic impact obtained from the annual meeting 2018 is that Bali is expected to get an additional Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of IDR 1.2 trillion.

“Of the IDR 855 billion to date, the figure is IDR 566 billion.

Maybe we will lower it later. We have already negotiated with Mr. Susiwijono. Later after being audited, we will know exactly how much it is. Maybe it will be under IDR500 billion,” said Luhut Binsar

Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in the press briefing on Saturday (Oct. 10).

Estimated budget in use is under IDR 500 billion because the committee did not buy new items. For instance, the Mercedes vehicles

used by delegate heads are manufactured in 2013 and 2015, they are not new.

When escorting President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, from Ngurah Rai Airport to hotel, Luhut told Jim about the problems he had experienced. One of them is about

Stephen Jaffe / International Monetary Fund / AFP

Finance ministers and Bank governors pose for a group photo during the beginning of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual meeting in Nusa Dua, on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on October 13, 2018.

the budget for car rental. Moreover, the car used by Jim Yong Kim, said Luhut, is Mercedes manufactured in 2015 and was a taxi vehicle.

Hearing the statement from Luhut, Jim Yong Kim laughed.

With the assumption of 19,000 participants, the Bali’s economy will grow 6.54 percent. However, based on the latest data, the total participants coming were 36,619 people. If the participants were really 36,619 people, Bali’s economy is expected to grow by more than 6.54 percent.

In addition, there were 32,700 jobs created and the expansion of the airport apron can increase the arrival to 1.2 million passengers. Hotel occupancy rate also increased from 60-70 percent to 70-80 percent. “So, it is an extraordinary thing. One of the strategies to overcome our deficit count is to increase tourism,” he said.

A total of 3,000 delegates also registered to visit various tourist destinations, namely Bali, Lombok, Mandalika, Gili Trawangan, Labuan Bajo, Komodo and Lake Toba. There are several hundred billions that can be obtained from these tourist visits.

The state guests were also amazed because Indonesia could manage while handling disasters in Lombok, Palu, Asian Games, Asian Para Games and the current IMFWB Annual Meeting. “So, their term is like this, your bandwidth is really great. How a big country like Indonesia can manage them well?” said Luhut imitating the impression received from the delegates. The success of the IMF-WB will make investors confident to invest.

Meanwhile, Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, said that Bali as the venue of IMF-World Bank Annual

Meeting 2018 is a great honor, trust and pride. This affirmed that all components of Balinese society namely the customs, religious and culture are very cohesive and solid to welcome the IMF-WB event.

As short-term benefits, Bali is assisted with infrastructure development by central government. They consist of Ngurah Rai underpass to resolve congestion problems to Nusa Dua. This infrastructure is completed with a total of IDR 174 billion. Another is the development of Ngurah Rai Airport’s parking expansion. Thus, the circulation of aircraft can be faster. The garbage at Suwung landfill becoming a problem for years can now be resolved with a budget of IDR 250 billion. So, the tourism image of Bali will grow stronger. “Although the image of Bali is strong, it must be constantly built because Bali competes against other countries,” he said.

Employment opportunities increased to 32,000 and the GRDP is believed to increase above IDR 1.2 trillion this year. Bali’s economic growth without the IMF-WB is around 5.9 percent in 2018. However, with the IMF–WB event, he believed the Bali’s economic growth is above 6.5 percent. “This is a blessing for Bali,” he said.

Meanwhile, the long-term benefit of the meeting is serving as a medium to promote tourism of Indonesia and Bali. Approximately 14,000 participants from 189 countries will become spokespersons in their respective country about Bali and Indonesia. “For us, this is a free promotion for Bali. With regional budget, this requires a large fund for promotion to the 189 countries,” he added. (kmb42)

Ubud tourism village icon

IMF delegates make no visit to homestay GIANYAR —A number of tourist objects in Gianyar district have been visited by delegates of the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, the high number of visits is ensured to have no direct impact on room occupancy in the Ubud area. Chiefly the homestay as one of the icons of Ubud was not even visited.

Chairperson of the Ubud Home Stay Association (UHSA), I.B. Wiryawan, said the current level of

occupancy for homestays remains in the range of 50 percent. According to him, this condition is normal as October belongs to low season. “In the previous month, it skyrocketed to 80 to 90 percent. However, the range has dropped by 40 to 50 percent in the last few weeks,” he said.

This man familiarly addressed as Gus De also confirmed that until last Sunday the homestay in Ubud and its surrounding area had not received any confirmation

related to the visit by the delegates of the IMF-WB. “Until now, there has been no delegates’ visit to the homestay, whereas we are really waiting,” he said.

This condition was also very much regretted. Moreover, a number of delegates also visited tourist attractions and museums at the tourism village, but they did not even visit the homestays. Actually, all this time the homestays offer a lot of Balinese cultural activi-

ties, as one of the icons of Ubud as a tourism village. “Yesterday there was tourism village festival in Ubud Square, but apparently no delegates were directed to the event,” he revealed.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Gianyar Tourism Office, A.A. Bagus Ari Brahmanta, acknowledged if the visit of the IMF-WB delegates had not yet impacted the room occupancy. Moreover, the current occupancy remains at 40 to

50 percent. “Well, indeed this visit does not directly affect the room occupancy,” he said.

This official familiarly addressed as Gung Ari even observed the visit of the delegates to Gianyar district will provide a long-term impact. Those getting impressed with Balinese culture will come again to travel. “So, it is not enjoyed right now but in long-term. It has great impact, there are delegates who return personally,” he said. (kmb35)

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Activities

International

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

15

INTERCONTINENTAL DANANG NAMED AMONG “THE BEST RESORTS IN THE WORLD” BY CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER 2018 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards recognising InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in the reputable list of the best resorts in the world and top 3 resorts in Asia.

This year, the 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey sets another record with more than 429,000 travelers voted for their

favourite hotels and resorts, cities, cruise ships and island destinations with millions of ratings and tens of thousands of comments. The awards are known as the longestrunning, most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as ‘the best of the best of travel’.

Highly praised for its spectacular architecture, unique location

and impeccable services, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort ranked third among “Top Resorts in Asia”. Remarkably, the resort was also honoured in the prestigious list of “The Best Resorts in the World”.

Speaking on the award win, Juan Losada, the resort’s General Manager said: “We are delighted to be recognised as one of the

best resorts in the world by our discerning guests and readers of such a prestigious luxury travel publication. This is testament to our commitment to delivering the best experience to our guests. We are humbled with the accolade and having travelers consistently vote our property with the highest rates, is an exceptional achievement for our team. We look forward to

delivering even greater level of luxury experience to our guests who choose to stay with us”.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is one-of-a-kind resort that redefines the definition of luxury in the region. Suspended over mythical Monkey Mountain, the resort is a flagship property of IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) in Vietnam.

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Science

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

International

IBP/net

In a new study, the hippocampus (blue) was active during parts of films times when one event ended and another began. That boundary-marking may help the brain package continuous experiences into discrete memories.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

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Government asked to fix facilities of tourist objects

How your brain is like a film editor

THE brain’s hippocampi may be the film editors of our lives, slicing our continuous experiences into discrete cuts that can be stored away as memories. That’s the idea raised by a new study that analyzed brain scan data from people watching films such as Forrest Gump.

“Research like this helps us identify ‘What is an event, from the point of view of the brain?’ ” says memory psychologist Gabriel Radvansky of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

Many laboratory tests of memory involve taking in discrete, dull lists of information. “So much research is done with these little bits and pieces — words, pictures, things like that,” Radvansky says. But those dry tidbits aren’t what the human brain usually handles. “The mind is built to deal with complex events.”

As a closer approximation to real life, researchers used brain imaging data collected earlier as part of a larger project: While undergoing a functional MRI, 15 people watched Forrest Gump, and 253 people watched Alfred Hitchcock’s television drama Bang! You’re Dead. A separate group of 16 observers watched each of the productions and pressed buttons to indicate when they thought one event ended and another began.

With the data in hand, cognitive neuroscientists Aya BenYakov and Rik Henson, both of the University of Cambridge, aligned participants’ brain activity with the transition points marked by the 16 observers. A brain structure called the hippocampus, known to be important for memory and navigation, seemed particularly active at these junctures, the team reports October 8 in the Journal of Neuroscience. When the researchers looked at hippocampus behavior over the entire shows, the brain structure was most active when the observers had indicated a shift from one event to another.

That response “was actually quite striking,” Ben-Yakov says.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be this strong and this clear.”

These transitions didn’t always involve jumps to new places or times in the story. One such boundary came near the beginning of Forrest Gump as Forrest sits quietly on a bench. Suddenly, he blurts out his famous greeting: “Hello. My name’s Forrest. Forrest Gump.” The hippocampus may have helped slice that continuous bench scene into two events: before talking and after talking. Such divisions may help package information into discrete pieces that can then be stored as memories, the researchers suspect.

Of course, films only approximate firsthand experiences, Ben-Yakov says. It’s not clear how the hippocampus behaves when people are personally involved in events. “Our goal is to understand real life,” she says. (IBP/net)

Bali News

International

IBP/net

This mouse pup has two biological fathers and no mother. The mouse was produced in a lab from stem cells from two male mice. It did not survive to adulthood.

Gene editing creates mice with two biological dads for the first time

FOR the first time, researchers have created mice with two dads. No female contributed to the rodents’ genetic makeup.

This unusual reproduction took place in a lab where researchers gathered fathers’ stem cells, and used them to produce embryos that were implanted into surrogate mothers. The technique required scientists to edit the animals’ genes in order for the mice to mature enough to be born. Even so, mouse pups with only fathers died a few days after birth, researchers report October 11 in Cell Stem Cell. By contrast, previous research and this study have shown that some gene-edited mice with only mothers can survive to adulthood and have offspring of their own.

The researchers did the experiments to learn why mammals can reproduce only sexually — requiring two parents of the opposite sex — while other vertebrates, including turkeys, snakes and sharks, can sometimes reproduce with only one parent, says study coauthor Qi Zhou of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. Females of those species can sometimes cause an unfertilized egg to produce offspring, a process called parthenogenesis.

Researchers have previously made zebrafish with only an individual father’s DNA. But no one before now has reported achieving male-only reproduction, or androgenesis, with mammals.

In the new work, mouse pups with two mothers were smaller than usual and had other abnormalities, the researchers found. Those deficits happened because some genes that the pups inherited from their mothers were imprinted, or marked with molecules known as methyl groups that are attached to DNA in spots near the gene.

Imprinting may cause some genes to be more active and others less active.

So the researchers used a molecular scissors

known as CRISPR/Cas9 to snip out three imprinted regions near important genes in stem cells that were then used to produce embryos. Of 210 of these embryos implanted in surrogate mothers, about 14 percent were born. Those gene-edited pups grew normally and became adults with normal fertility.

Making embryos from stem cells of two male mice wasn’t as successful.

To even get embryos made from two dads’ stem cells to form, the researchers had to snip out six imprinted pieces of DNA. Still, only 1.2 percent of 1,023 embryos with the six edits produced pups.

Those pups were twice the size of normal pups and died soon after birth. Cutting out a seventh imprinted region resulted in pups of normal size, but only two pups lived more than 48 hours and neither survived to adulthood.

Still, the work is an important first step in understanding what the imprinted regions do during normal development, says B. Duygu Özpolat, a developmental biologist at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., who was not involved in the work.

That knowledge might help correct birth defects caused by imprinting errors, she says.

Making mammals from single sex parents might also help endangered species that have animals of only one sex left, Özpolat says. For instance, the last male northern white rhinoceros died earlier this year, leaving only two females. Gene editing might help researchers bring white rhinos back by making all-female populations from lab grown stem cells.

“It might be too expensive, and might not work for every species, but it’s something,” Özpolat says. As for human same sex couples hoping to have a biological baby together, she says, “that’s the far future for the moment.”

Zhou adds that it could be too dangerous to try the technique in people. There’s no guarantee that the imprinted regions involved in mouse reproduction are the same ones involved in human reproduction. At any rate, he says, “to apply this technique into human is not one of our goals.” (IBP/net)

GIANYAR — The executive must repair the existing facilities in a number of tourist objects managed by the Gianyar district government. It is considered important so that tourists will not be disappointed when making a visit. Moreover, Gianyar district government plans to raise the admission ticket price of tourist attractions. This was conveyed by a member of the Gianyar House of Representatives, Wayan Gede Sudarta, on Sunday (Oct. 14).

He said that safeguarding infrastructure as a tourism support facility is the initial capital to maintain the comfort of tourists, primarily the infrastructure in the tourist area. “It is about keeping Gianyar in long-term so that tourists remain to come to Gianyar to spend their holidays,” he said.

He added that many things need to be addressed in safeguarding the government-run tourist attractions. For instance, it is related to the problems of park arrangement to the cleanliness of the environment and toilet. “At least, this standard must get a priority from the government, so that tourists can feel at home,” he said.

Before paying attention to these facilities, this Golkar Party politician also reminded the executives not to raise the price of admission ticket to tourist objects in a hurry before fixing the facilities. “If the levies increase, but the services are not balanced, tourists might turn away from Gianyar,” he complained.

Sudarta also reminded that the increase in admission ticket price should be reviewed so that it will not to just increase to catch up with the regionally generated revenue (PAD). “The increase in levies must be carefully reviewed, not just pursuing the PAD because we keep Gianyar for long-term,” he affirmed. (kmb35)

IBP/kmb

Local Balinese wine actually has won many awards through various competitions overseas such as the Hatten Wines.

Wine increases hotel and restaurant’s turnover

MANGUPURA — Perceptions that imported wines are better than local wines still exists in the tourism industry. Actually, local Balinese wine actually has won many awards through various competitions overseas such as the Hatten Wines, one of the local brands that won 2017’s Winery of The Year in Asia and the highest award in Korea a few months ago. This means that local wine actually has the same quality as imported products and is in accordance with the tastes of tourists, especially foreign tourists.

Wayan Gede Sudarta

IBP/kmb

“Until now, our products are well accepted by the market and they are very happy,” said Ida Bagus Rai Budarsa, Founder and CEO of Hatten Wine Indonesia, when becoming a speaker in the seminar on wine in the Green Restaurant and Culinary Events (GRACE) 2018 at Bali Dynasty Resort. Kuta, Badung, on Sunday (Oct. 10).

According to Rai Budarsa, the issues in the Bali’s market mainly concern with quality, continuity and price. Imported products are generally constrained by continuity. In a sense, if the products are now available, the imported wine products are not certainly available next month.

Meanwhile, the Hatten Wines

are always ready to provide the products according to the commitment to always supporting the tourism industry.

“For example, if the product is not available, the quality is not good, the industry (hotels and restaurants—Ed) cannot sell,” he explained. Rai Budarsa added that hotels and restaurants are considered as business partners in order to be able to grow together. By offering good quality wine and good prices, surely it can increase sales turnover at hotels and restaurants.

“Wine provides a very good income for restaurants. Just imagine, if someone could eat maybe one plate or he adds two plates, how much would it cost?

Let’s say the price might be IDR 100,000. But a bottle of wine can be IDR 500,000-IDR 600,000. It can increase the turnover of hotels or restaurants,” he explained.

Rai Budarsa continued that Hatten Wines has been paying attention to vineyards, production of wine with the best equipment, and education on wine to support tourism industry in Bali. He said that his company purchases grapes as the ingredients from farmers in Buleleng. There is a team specifically in charge of providing guidance for farmers so as to produce quality wine.

One of the team members is even Indonesian who had learned to cultivate grapes in France. (kmb32)

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Bali News

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

International

Bali sold cheaply in China DENPASAR — Currently China dominates the number of tourist visits to Bali. However, the high rate of Chinese tourist visits is flavored with unpleasant news. There is an issue if Bali destination has been sold cheaply in the bamboo curtain country or China. This was even revealed directly by a number of tourism players having been specifically handling Chinese tourists.

“Roughly, yes, Bali is sold very cheaply in China by certain agencies.

It’s very cheap, even increasingly competing for cheaper rates,” said the Head of Bali Liang Division (Mandarin Market Share) of ASITA Bali, Elsye Deliana, in Denpasar, on Sunday (Oct. 10).

According to Elsye, the practice of selling cheap has been going on since the past 2-3 years. She suspected there is a mafia game which is certainly very detrimental to Bali. Pursuant to the data of the past year, Bali was only ‘sold’ for CNY 999 or around IDR 2 million. This cheap price includes return flight ticket, meals and accommodation at hotel for 5 days and 4 nights.

Lately, the price has even dropped to CNY 777 or around IDR 1.5 million. Then, it dropped again to CYN 499 or around IDR 1 million and the latest was CYN 299 or around IDR 600,000. “Just think about it, with IDR 600,000 guest can get a ticket to Bali and return to China. Besides, the rate also includes meals and accommodation at hotel for 5 days and 4 nights.

So, it can be imagined how the quality looks like,” complained this woman familiarly addressed as Meilan.

Elsye called it a low-cost trip or zero tour fees. She questioned why such a low price could appear. In addition, Chinese tourists are only taken to visit tourist attractions for one day while in Bali. Additionally, the destinations are the cheap ones such as Uluwatu. The rest, they are proceeded to visit art shops owned by Chinese businessmen as well. These art shops are claimed to have subsidized Chinese tourists so they get cheap prices to come to Bali. “However, tourists must visit the art shops and buy products there,” she added.

Deputy Chairman of Bali Liang, Bambang Putra, said that the art shops owned by Chinese businessmen are not selling Balinese handicrafts. Instead they are peddling latex-based items such as mattresses, sofas and pillows.

“The reason is that Indonesia produces rubber so the goods are much cheaper. Actually, the items are actually Chinese-made goods as well. There are also silk shops and others,” he said.

Bambang added that payment patterns in those art shops are allegedly using the WeChat application with a barcode scan system. In other words, the money coming in from Chinese tourists returned to China. Of course, Bali does not get any benefits. More seriously, Bali only receives the rubbish. More than that, the most significant impact on Bali is certainly tourists feel to have been cheated.

“They come to Bali, but do not know Bali. For them, Bali is not interesting. The itineraries are only shopping to stores that sell latex because Indonesia produces rubber, so they will not come back again,” he explained.

Secretary of Bali Liang (National Chinese Committee), Herman, also mentioned other series of problems ranging from the existence of illegal guides, illegal travel agencies and pre-wedding photographers from China using tourist visas but working here to the workers in Chinese network shops that do not hold work visas. The government must resolve this problem as the case having been equally faced by the governments of Thailand and Vietnam. “In Thailand, Chinese tourists are not allowed to enter if they do not bring around IDR 5 million in the account,” he said while being approved by the National Chinese Committee, Chandra Salim.

Chairman of the ASITA for Chinese Market Committee, Herry Sudiarto, added the government must dare to take decisive action to safeguard Bali in the future. “If left like this, it will obviously get worse in the future. Strict regulations must be made in order to protect the legal and crack down on the illegal ones,” he concluded. (kmb32)

IBP/kmb

Currently China dominates the number of tourist visits to Bali.

However, the high rate of Chinese tourist visits is flavored with unpleasant news.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

International

13

Saudi Arabia vows retaliation if punished over missing critic DUBAI - Saudi Arabia warned it would retaliate against any sanctions imposed on the oil-rich kingdom over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as more Western companies distanced themselves from the Gulf State.

IBP/kmb

Purnama Beach at Sukawati village remained a favorite location for people to hold a Banyupinaruh ceremony.

Banyupinaruh, people do purificatory rite on the beach

US President Donald Trump has threatened the kingdom with “severe punishment” if Khashoggi, who has been critical of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed inside its Istanbul mission.

But Riyadh vowed to hit back on Sunday against any punitive measures as its stock market tumbled, with the fallout from the crisis threatening to imperil Prince Mohammed’s much-hyped economic reform drive.

“The kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats or attempts to undermine it whether through threats to impose economic sanctions or the use of political pressure,” an official said, according to state news agency SPA. The official said Riyadh would “respond to any action with a bigger one”, pointing out that the oil superpower “plays an effective and vital role in the world economy”.

According to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television, the kingdom has “over 30 measures” it could implement.

Following Riyadh’s assertion it would retaliate, Britain, France and Germany released a joint statement saying they were treating Khashoggi’s disappearance “with the utmost seriousness”.

“There needs to be a credible investigation to establish the truth about what happened, and -- if relevant -- to identify those bearing responsibility for the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, and ensure that they are held to account.”

This message had been conveyed “directly to the Saudi authorities”, said the statement, signed by Britain’s foreign minister Jeremy Hunt, his French counterpart JeanYves Le Drian and Germany’s Heiko Maas.

- ‘Baseless allegations’ Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, vanished after entering the consulate on October 2.

Saudi Arabia insists Khashoggi left the building safely and dismissed accusations that authorities had ordered his murder by a hit squad as “lies and baseless allegations”.

Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi was killed inside the mission and claims have been leaked to media that he was tortured and even dismembered.

A Saudi dissident in Quebec said on Sunday he believes the kingdom hacked his phone and listened to calls he had with Jamal Khashoggi prior to the journalist’s disappearance.

“For sure, they listened to the conversation between me and Jamal and other activists, in Canada, in the States, in Turkey, in Saudi Arabia,” Omar Abdulaziz said in an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Saudi King Salman spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by phone on Sunday, the Saudi foreign ministry said, telling Erdogan: “No-one will get (to) undermine the strength of this relationship.”

According to a Turkish presidential source, who asked not to be named, Erdogan and the king discussed “the issue of shedding light on the case of Jamal Khashoggi” and also emphasised the “importance of creating a joint working group within the framework of the investigation.”

In the US, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Saudi Arabia should take Trump’s warning over the journalist’s fate seriously.

“When the president warns, people should take him at his word,” he told Fox. “If the Saudis are involved, if Khashoggi was killed or harmed or whatever, bad outcome here. He (Trump) will take action.” (afp)

GIANYAR — Purnama Beach at Sukawati village remained a favorite location for people to hold a Banyupinaruh ceremony on Sunday (Oct. 10). Moreover, the coastal condition was in low tide so that people were more enthusiastic to do purificatory rite (melukat). Unfortunately, the road access on the coast remains ravaged after being hit by high waves some time ago.

According to a local resident, Ni Wayan Devi Triani, she and family every time always take a bath on the beach every celebrating Banyupinaruh. It becomes an alternative as the other destinations of melukat, such as Tirta Empul Tampaksiring, are ascertained to be crowded and fully occupied. “If going to Tirta Empul, the line must be snaking.

So this beach is closer and faster to reach,” said this teenager from Sukawati.

The head of the Gianyar Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), A.A Gde Oka Digjaya, stated that in securing the implementation of Banyupinaruh, his agency had set the hazardous beach areas. “The hazardous beach areas have been mapped out for a long time, but now we monitor the density of

visitors, such as on the Purnama Beach, Sukawati,” he said.

His agency also prepared guard posts along the coast of Gianyar such as the guard posts on Lebih Beach, Masceti Cucukan Beach, Rangkan Beach and Lembeng Beach. “Dozens of my personnel routinely go around while watching visitors so they don’t cross the line.

This is to minimize the incident of being dragged by waves,” he explained.

He admitted that sometimes visitors are stubborn despite being advised by the officers. As a result, the officers must also provide extra supervision so that visitors are not dragged along by sea currents. Until Sunday afternoon, the implementation of Banyupinaruh along Gianyar Beach took place smoothly.

“Until this afternoon, the implementation of Bayu Pinaruh takes place in a controlled manner,” he said.

As is known, every Banyupinaruh Day or Redite (Sunday) Wuku Sinta, almost all the Hindus in Bali are looking for a source of water or spring to perform melukat. The opportunity for Banyupinaruh falling a day after the celebration of the coming down of holy knowledge, Saraswati, is widely taken advantage to do purificatory rite physically and psychically. In addition to the beach, a number of Griya (home to Brahmin priest) also becomes the venue of people to do such rituals. The other destinations of melukat quite crowded by Hindu pilgrims include the Tampaksiring and Sebatu. (kmb35)

MANDEL NGAN / AFP

In this file photo taken on May 20, 2017 US President Donald Trump (R) and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman al-Saud take part in a bilateral meeting at a hotel in Riyadh.

Dominique FAGET / AFP

Foam that has gathered in the polluted Yamuna river flies about in the wind in New Delhi on September 23, 2018.

Delhi braces for pollution with emergency plan

NEW DELHI - Delhi’s biggest coal power plant was set to shut down Monday as a new emergency plan to improve air quality in one of the world’s most polluted cities came into force, Indian officials said.

Under the new strategy, restrictions on construction sites and traffic will be imposed depending on the air quality in the megacity of some 20 million people.

When the air is classed as “poor”, as it was on Monday, authorities will ban the burning of garbage in landfills as well as fire crackers and certain construction activities.

When the air is “very poor” diesel generators will be halted, parking fees hiked and more public transport provided. “Severe” measures include closing brick kilns.

When it reaches “severe+”, a new category, authorities will stop the entry of trucks except those with essential goods and regulate the number of cars on the road.

The Badarpur thermal plant was due to permanently close on Monday because of its high contribution to pollution in the city.

Smog spikes during winter in Delhi, when air quality often eclipses the World Health Organization’s safe levels.

Cooler air traps pollutants -- such as from vehicles, building sites and farmers burning crops in regions outside the Indian capital -- close to the ground.

Authorities in the sprawling city attempted to implement similar measures last winter but to little avail.

This is partly because authorities are powerless to prevent some sources of pollution.

“Our aim is to stop the air quality from deteriorating further though certain factors are out of our control such as crop burning, wind speed and lack of public transportation,” environment authority official Bhure Lal told AFP. (afp)

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

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International

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

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This picture taken on October 13, 2018 shows devotees getting cleanse by a priestess during the “Tolak Bala (warding off misfortune) rituals at the Pura Campuhan Windhu Sagara temple on the Padang Galak beach in Denpasar, Bali.

The temple is famed for its healing powers, and attracts hundreds of devotees daily, some seeking cures for various illnesses.

Trader Peter Tuchman works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. The market’s recent decline was set off by a sharp drop in bond prices and a corresponding increase in yields last week and early this week.

Higher rates both a sign of US economic might and risk to it

WASHINGTON — This week’s dizzying sell-offs in the financial markets have been a rude reminder that the U.S. economy is no longer relying on ultra-low interest rates to fuel growth.

Borrowing costs are rising for companies, homebuyers and the U.S. government — all of which could eventually dampen economic growth.

Yet the climb in interest rates also reflects an economy that’s still managing to accelerate on the energy of an expansion now in its 10th year — the secondlongest such streak on record.

The pace of growth has picked up this year in part because of President Donald Trump’s tax cuts, which have also increased the federal budget deficit and contributed to the higher rates now spreading through the economy.(ap)\

European Central Bank confident in plan to remove stimulus FRANKFURT — Top European Central Bank officials expressed confidence at their last meeting that inflation is trending toward levels consistent with a strong economy — more confirmation that their 2.5 trillion-euro ($2.9 trillion) stimulus program will cease at year end.

The written account released Thursday of the Sept. 13 meeting showed that the strength of Europe’s economic upswing and accompanying wage increases for workers “continued to support confidence in the sustained convergence of inflation” toward the bank’s goal of just under 2 percent annually.

The comments confirm the bank is on the way to ending the stimulus

at year end, although it has made clear that interest rates will not be increased before well into 2019.

The ECB is gradually joining the U.S. Federal Reserve in withdrawing extraordinary stimulus measures used to support the global economy in the years following the Great Recession. The Fed has already ended its purchases and started raising interest rates.

A rise in interest rates is among the big concerns of investors who have been pushing down stock markets this week, as it could make loans more expensive and dent growth.

Inflation was 2.1 percent in September in the 19 countries that use

the euro. The ECB officials were increasingly confident inflation will stay in line with its goal even after the monthly bond purchases to pump newly created money into the economy come to a scheduled end in December.

The bank officials cautioned that disruptions in global trade remain a potential weakness for the global economy. But they said that “adverse confidence effects on trade and investment arising from trade tensions had hitherto been limited,” according to the written account.

U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs, or import taxes, on Chinese goods and the Chinese have retaliated with tar-

iffs of their own, raising fears that increasing protectionism will hold back global growth.

The account summarizes the discussions among officials responsible for setting monetary policy in the eurozone but omits names and any votes taken.

The members of the bank’s governing council confirmed at the meeting an early timetable under which the purchases were reduced to 15 billion euros a month from 30 billion euros from October.

The purchases are a way of injecting newly created money into the financial system with the aim of increasing inflation and making more credit available to businesses.

Inflation had fallen to worrisome levels near or below zero in the wake of the Great Recession and the eurozone’s woes over high bank and government debt in some countries.

The ECB’s key interest rates remain at record lows of zero for lending to banks and minus 0.4 percent on deposits it takes from commercial banks.

The withdrawal of stimulus by central banks in the rich world could have wide-ranging effects on markets, as rising interest rates on safer investments such as bonds and bank deposits increases their attractiveness relative to stocks and other riskier assets.(ap)

Banyu Pinaruh: Bali‘s Ritual of Cleansing one’s Inner and Outer Self

The beautiful island of Bali is not only blessed with astonishing nature but people around the world are also drawn here by Bali’s captivating culture and spiritual traditions that are still well preserved to this very day. One of these enchanting traditions will take place along some of the island’s most beautiful beaches when the Banyu Pinaruh ritual takes place on 22 January 2017.

Banyu Pinaruh is a ritual for self-cleansing performed by Hindu followers on the Island that takes place on Sunday after Saraswati celebrations.

On the day of Banyu Pinaruh, all Balinese head to beaches, rivers, springs or other water resources to

cleanse themselves both physically and spiritually. The ritual starts at dawn around 05.30 in the morning just as the first rays of the sun begin to appear, when people start to walk to the beach as symbol of embracing the spirit and energy of a new day. Just like other rituals on

the Island, there will be chanting of prayers as well as offerings of flowers and other gifts to the gods.

People then wade into the water to wash themselves, which is followed by the ritual of ‘kum-kuman’, meaning washing with holy water that has been made fragrant

by various flowers that together have been blessed by the priest.

Not only locals, but everyone including tourists are welcome to join in this tradition. Aside from washing one’s physical body, Banyu Pinaruh is, moreover, intended to cleanse all negative thoughts and darkness that has remained in the mind and hearts, not only through the water but most importantly through the knowledge and wisdom imparted and celebrated during Saraswati day.

The Banyu Pinaruh ritual also

features the tradition of drinking a local beverage called Racem.

Uniquely, racem is a local drink which is also loved many international tourists.

This is your perfect opportunity to truly experience the magical spirit that is Bali. Be sure to rise early before dawn and join in this unique tradition held along some of Bali‘s best beaches that include Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Melasti, Pandawa Beach, and many more around Bali.(net)

Black Roasted Suckling Pig, Have You Ever Tried?

Foodies of Balinese delicacies have certainly been familiar with the name of the roasted suckling pig. One of the culinary centers of roasted suckling pig can be found in Kerambitan subdistrict, Tabanan.

Unfortunately, to date the basic ingredient of this roasted suckling pig is not the black Bali pig posing typical Balinese pig.

Most culinary entrepreneurs tend to prefer landrace due to faster harvest whereas the taste is much different. What are the steps of preservation of the black Balinese pig suspected of getting rarer?.

Black pig (local pig of Bali) is provided with organic feed, so the texture of the meat is very chewy.

Indeed, it requires longer raising period than landrace pigs.

Unfortunately this black pig is now getting very rare, even almost extinct. The desire to preserve Balinese black pig population eventually emerged from the Kerambitan sub-district head, I Gede Sukanada.

He wanted in the Kerambitan Festival IV to be held next October; the cuisine of Balinese black pig can be enjoyed by foodies of roasted suckling pig in particular.

“Earlier, we invite a number of foodies of roasted suckling pig to enjoy the taste of black pork that we name free event,” said I Gede Sukanada amid the event of black roasted suckling pig at Mandung hamlet, Sembung Gede, Kerambitan, Sunday (Apr. 8).

Through this event he would like to get some inputs so the taste of black roasted suckling pig can be accepted by the tongue of foodies.

The efforts to preserve Balinese black pigs will be initiated by giving black piglets to the poor whose funding source is supported

by UPK funds (formerly PNPM).

“Next month, we are going to launch black pig breeding to the poor and the piglets are ready,” he explained.

Provision of Balinese pig breeding in May is expected to support the Kerambitan Festival IV to be held in October. “On the one hand, we give the piglets. After growing bigger, we plan to make a bazaar in October that will serve the black Balinese roasted suckling pig. Meanwhile, the benefits of this activity will be allocated for the conservation of Tyto Alba owl population at Timpag

village,” he said.

As understood, Timpag village keeps trying to maintain the population of Tyto Alba owls. The owl is taken advantage to prevent the occurrence of rodent pests. Indeed it is very good. Besides, it does not harm the natural potential, and can overcome the pest attack of rats with owls. At the same time, it also maintains the balance of nature itself. One of the most urgent things is the intention to build the home to the owl breeding because this owl is not proficient in looking for a place to stay. (kmb)

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Lewinsky affair not an abuse of power, says Hillary Clinton WASHINGTON - Hillary Clinton has said her husband Bill’s affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky was not an abuse of power and he was right to not resign from the US presidency in the wake of the scandal.

The two-decades old episode has come under renewed scrutiny in the #MeToo era, with critics questioning whether the power imbalance between a sitting president and an intern made it impossible for the relationship to be considered consensual.

Some, like New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, have said that Clinton should have stepped down after he was impeached by a Republican-controlled House in late 1998 for lying about the affair.

But speaking on CBS News on Sunday, former presidential candidate and secretary of state Hillary Clinton said she disagreed.

“Absolutely not,” she replied when asked whether her husband should have resigned.

Pressed on whether the relationship was an abuse of power, Clinton said: “No, no” and noted that Lewinsky, who was 22-years-old at the time, “was an adult.”

“There was an investigation and it, as I believe, came out in the right place,” she added.

In 1999, the Senate held a month-long trial of president Clinton that ultimately fell well short of the two-thirds majority required to convict and remove him from office.

Lewinsky, for her part, long maintained the affair was consensual, but in an essay published in Vanity Fair earlier this year wrote she had begun to re-evaluate that view.

Bill Clinton has also been accused by several other women of sexual misconduct in cases going back to the 1970s, prompting a reckoning of his place in history by Democrats in light of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements. (afp)

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Indonesia athlete inspires with comeback at Asian Para Games

Indonesian Muhammad Fadli Imamuddin capped off a remarkable comeback from a careerending motorcycle crash by winning three medals as a cyclist at the 2018 Asian Para Games.

Imamuddin, known to his fans as Fadli, scooped gold, silver and bronze with a three-man team in the men’s team sprint event in Jakarta.

GULSHAN KHAN / AFP

Instructors Ashlyn Tachuana (19) (R) and Letlhogonono Keohitlhetse (L), 22, demonstrate self defence methods during a session with NGO Action Breaks Silence (ABS) called “Empowerment through self-defence for women and girls” which aims to create a world free form fear of gender based violence, at Mbuyisa Makhubu Primary School in the are of Orlando West, in the South African township of Soweto, on October 10, 2018.

As rape crisis grows, South African pupils learn how to fight back

His win Friday was the first gold medal for the Indonesian para cycling team. “Fadli’s victory has encouraged other athletes,” his coach Rizan Setyo told AFP Saturday.

Passionate Indonesian fans broke into thunderous applause after the race as Fadli kissed his wife, who was carrying their son, then hugged his coaches and kissed the ground in a sign of gratitude.

Fadli has become a byword for determination among many Indonesian athletes competing in the Games after fighting back from injury to become a world-leading competitor in a new discipline.

In 2015, just moments after clinching an Asian Road Racing Championship event at Sentul International Circuit, Fadli was ploughed into by a Thai competitor, sending him tumbling onto the asphalt and breaking his left leg.

The limb was later amputated after

multiple surgeries.

While adjusting to life with a prosthetic leg, the 34-year-old was called by the Indonesian Cycling Federation asking if he was interested in competing as a para cycling athlete.

Buoyed by the opportunity to become a world champion, Fadli says he jumped at the chance and immediately began training.

Within a year of having his leg amputated, he finished fourth at the 2017 Asian Para Cycling Championship.

“When people were still crying and lamenting about my fate, I had already moved on and tried to be active once again,” Fadli recently told AFP while training for the Games.

His silver-medal finish on Monday was flush with symbolism as it was won at the same venue as the crash which ended his illustrious motorcycle career. But Fadli’s return to sport --- less than three

years after his accident -- has been inspiring for other Indonesian para athletes.

“He is an icon. In para cycling he is considered a role model and the big brother for all athletes,” Fadilah Umar, the head coach national para-cycling team said.

Despite his impressive three times medal haul, Fadli said he had bigger goals in mind while competing at the Games.

He said he wanted to become an inspiration for his son, who was born just two weeks after his accident, and for people with disabilities who wanted to become professional athletes.

“My son is my biggest supporter, if I didn’t do anything I would not be able to become the best role model for him,” he said.

The third 2018 Asian Para Games concludes in Jakarta on Saturday.

Forty-three nations participated with almost 3,000 athletes competing in 18 different sports.(afp)

SOWETO - In a classroom in the South African township of Soweto, girls listen carefully, knowing they need to learn how to avoid the threat of rape that hangs over their daily lives.

Hillary Clinton

IBP/net

“You are going to pretend that it is the rapist’s testicles,” says trainer Dimakatso Monokoli, holding out a padded target.

An 11-year-old girl charges without flinching and delivers a powerful knee slam.

It is part of a day of self-defence and rape avoidance strategies taught at the Thabisang school, where chairs and desks have been pushed back to the pink walls of the classroom.

Official statistics suggest that more than 110 rapes are recorded by the police every day in South Africa.

But such numbers are widely seen as inaccurate due to underreporting. Some studies suggest only one in 13 rapes is reported to the police.

Recent news stories have triggered fresh horror among South Africans over the prevalence of rape.

In September, a 17-year-old was raped in a hospital maternity ward

by a man pretending to be a doctor one day after she had given birth.

Around the same time, a sevenyear-old girl was raped in the toilets of a popular chain restaurant in the capital Pretoria, with a video footage emerging of the naked man moments after the attack.

For the African National Congress Women’s League, drastic action is needed.

“We have tried our best... there’s nothing that seems to lower (the number of attacks). Hence, we are calling for chemical castration,” ANCWL secretary general Meokgo Matuba said after the two rapes.

- Spotting the risk Back in another classroom in Soweto, Monokoli teaches not only self-defence, but how girls can read and react to potentially risky situations.

“Don’t ever, ever make the mistake of being in the same room

as someone you don’t feel comfortable with because your guts have warned you,” she says.

“They have sent a message -you are not supposed to be alone with that person.”

If you are attacked, she says: “Scream as much as you can.”

Monokoli works for Action Breaks Silence (ABS), a South African charity that works with schools to educate girls in selfdefence.

It also runs a “Hero Empathy” programme for boys to try to preempt abusive and violent behaviour.

ABS founder Debi Steven was herself raped as a child, and has spent decades teaching and advising at schools and companies.

“Violence has been normalised in South Africa,” she told AFP. “There is so much rape that people have become desensitised to it.” (afp)

BAY ISMOYO / AFP

This picture taken on September 25, 2018 shows Indonesia’s para-cycling athlete Muhammad Fadli Imammuddin (L) preparing for training at a velodrome in Jakarta, a week before the start of the 2018 Asian Para Games. Indonesian Muhammad Fadli Imamuddin capped off a remarkable comeback from a career-ending motorcycle crash by winning three medals as a cyclist at the 2018 Asian Para Games.

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Destination

International

Nurmagomedov challenges Mayweather to clash

Gunung Kawi Temple GIANYAR - Bali’s own Valley of the Kings is Gunung Kawi Temple in Tampaksiring. This collection of candi is beautifully situated in a river valley surrounded by rice fields and jungle.

Gunung Kawi Temple is a collection of ten candi, created to evoke the appearance of temple fronts and designed to provide residence for the souls of ancient kings. The candi are hewn into the valley walls on both sides of the Pekerisan River. The Gunung Kawi Temple does have an interesting history. Inscriptions over each Candi approximate the date of construction to be in the 11th C. It is believed that each temple served as a memorial to a deified royalty principally because they are shaped like the burial towers, or Candi’s, found throughout Central Java. But in Java they are free standing whilst those found at Gunung Kawi are actually hewn relief’s in solid rock. While the exact origin of the candi is unknown, there is evidence to suggest that the first set of five were built to honor King Anak Wungsu, whose rule over central and east Bali extended from AD 1050 to about AD 1080. It is possible that one was built for him and the other four for his wives, who would have ceremonially committed suicide after his death.

Gunung Kawi Temple is two rows of ancient royal tombs on the banks of the Pakerisan River

deep in a ravine overlooked by terraced rice-fields. The holy Pakersian River flows through the centre of Gunung Kawi cutting the site into two separate sections with a bridge to connect one side to the other. It is believed the holy waters of the Pakerisan sanctify Gunung Kawi, and the beauty of the place evokes a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.

On the east side of the river are situated five candi which constitute the main group in this complex. Across the bridge are four candi on the west side. The remaining candi at the southern end is often referred to as the ‘tenth tomb’. At the bottom of the stairway and to your righthand side through a small field (about one kilometer) is where the tenth tomb is located. The legend to this amazing place is intriguing. It is believed that the mythical giant Kebo Iwo carved out all of the ancient tombs in one night with his fingernails.

There are 3 temples which so called the name as Gunung Kawi in Bali those are Gunung Kawi in Sebatu countryside, Gunung Kawi Temple in Keliki countryside and Gunung Kawi Temple in Babitra countryside. Behind the small temple you can find a couple of meditation caves, which indicates that this is a pre-Hindu place where monks and pilgrims came together to meditate. (IBP/net)

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LOS ANGELES - Mixed martial arts fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken a page out of Conor McGregor’s playbook and issued a challenge to undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather.

Nurmagomedov’s challenge came in a video posted on Instagram by Mayweather’s promoter Leonard Ellerbe who indicated he ran into the UFC fighter at a fight card in Russia.

“Let’s go Floyd. We have to fight now: 50-0 versus 27-0,” Nurmagomedov said with Ellerbe standing next to him smiling. “We are two guys who never lose. In the jungle there is only one king. Of course, I am the king because he cannot drop McGregor but I drop him easily.

Let’s go.”

Nurmagomedov did not say whether he wished to fight Mayweather in a boxing or UFC match.

Like McGregor, the Russian has no previous experience as a professional boxer.

McGregor made millions last

year by taking on Mayweather in lopsided boxing match. Mayweather appeared to toy with McGregor in the early rounds before stopping the Irishman in the 10th to improve to 50-0.

Last weekend, Nurmagomedov retained his UFC lightweight crown, beating McGregor by fourth-round submission.

He then climbed out of the Octagon to fight with a member of McGregor’s entourage who had been taunting him. McGregor also took some punches from members of Nurmag o m e d o v ’s team. (afp)

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena on October 05, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nurmagomedov will defend his title against Conor McGregor at UFC 229 on October 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Bolt fumes over drug test notice

It is for Job Vacancy, Property, Selling or Buying Please Contact Gugiek : 08123840500

PETER PARKS / AFP

Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt celebrates scoring a goal for A-League football club Central Coast Mariners in his first competitive start for the club against Macarthur South West United in Sydney on October 12, 2018.

SYDNEY - Sprint legend Usain Bolt says he’s stunned after being handed a drug testing notice despite retiring from athletics and having no professional contract as he bids to launch a football career in Australia.

The 100m world record-holder quit athletics last year and is yet to be offered a deal by Australia’s Central Coast Mariners, where he is currently on trial.

“So guys I’ve retired from track and field looking to become a footballer but look at this,” Bolt said Monday via an Instagram video as he zoomed in on the notice.

The demand for the out of competition test -- to collect urine and blood -- appears to have been issued by Football Federation Australia.

“How am I going to get a drug test today? I’m not even a professional footballer yet. Seriously,” said Bolt.

“So I asked the lady, ‘Why am I

getting drug tested when I haven’t signed for a club yet?’ and she said they told her I’m an elite athlete so I have to get tested. Okay then.”

Despite his displeasure, it appears the Australian Sports AntiDoping Authority guidelines mean he is eligible to be tested.

Their legislation defines an athlete as a “person who competes in sport” if “the sport has an antidoping policy”.

The eight-time Olympic champion, who dominated sprinting after taking double individual gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, is now bidding to become a professional footballer.

He made his case on Friday by scoring two goals for the Mariners in a pre-season friendly.

The superstar, a massive Manchester United fan, has been handed a chance to train with the A-League side for an indefinite period in order to pursue his dream. (afp)

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP

In this file photo taken on May 03, 2018 Arsenal’s French defender Laurent Koscielny eyes the ball during the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Arsenal FC at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid. Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny, who missed France’s World Cup triumph in Russia due to injury, said on Sunday October 14, 2018 his international career was “finished”.

Arsenal’sKoscielny says France career ‘finished’ Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny, who missed France’s World Cup triumph in Russia due to injury, said on Sunday his international career was “finished”.

The 33-year-old had intended to retire from France duty following the tournament, but the defender was ruled out of Didier Deschamps’ squad for the finals after rupturing his Achilles tendon in May. “The injury is one thing, the World Cup win is another. I think the victory certainly hurt me much more psychologically than my injury,” Koscielny told Canal Plus.

“The World Cup will remain a dark stage of my career and my life.”

“I think I’ve given what I could to the France team. I’m 33 now. I’ve been to two Euros, a World Cup. For me, my injury hasn’t changed anything,” he said.

“It’s over with Les Bleus. I will always be a France supporter but what is sure is that I will never put on the blue shirt again.”

Koscielny has yet to return for Arsenal since hurting himself during the second leg of last season’s Europa League semi-final defeat by Atletico Madrid. “I have a new mindset. There will be the Laurent before and the Laurent after the injury. I want to carry on at Arsenal and I want to come back soon,” he said. “I don’t know what level I’m going to have because I haven’t resumed training yet, but I want to fight in any event.”

Koscielny made his France debut in November 2011 in a friendly against the United States.

He earned the last of his 51 caps in a 3-1 victory over Russia in March.(afp)

Mancini off the mark as Italy awaken after winless year

Roberto Mancini got his first competitive win as Italy’s journey back from the abyss of their World Cup qualifying failure began to take shape with a last-gasp 1-0 win over Poland in the Nations League.

It was the first competitive win for the four-time world champions since a 1-0 victory over Albania in World Cup qualifiers on October 9, 2017.

That was followed by the devastating failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years after a playoff defeat to Sweden at the San Siro in November last year.

Italian football has been in turmoil ever since. Although Mancini took over last May, the Italian football federation is still to elect a new president.

It was perhaps not surprising that Cristiano Biraghi’s last-gasp winner in Chorzow on Sunday night was celebrated as if the national side had won the tournament.

Despite Mancini’s insistence that it would not be a drama if Italy lost the match, the League A Group 3 clash was a relegation playoff, with Po-

land dropping to League B. “The salvation of Italy and the turning point for Mancini,” wrote La Repubblica, hailing the win as a “birth certificate for a new national side.”

Former Manchester City boss Mancini’s only success since taking over five months ago was a 2-1 win in a friendly against Saudi Arabia before the World Cup. “A new cycle has already begun,” said the 53-year-old former Italian international.

“We’ll go with pride to see the president of the republic,” he added of Monday’s meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome to mark the 120th anniversary of the Italian FA. “All of Italian football will be there, it’s important to go with a morale-boosting win like yesterday and for this we are proud,” said Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) president Giovanni Malago. “I see a new generation of young Italians emerging. In recent years there has been a lack of foresight.”

- ‘No magicians’ Mancini said a “new era has already begun”, although he cautioned that “there are no magicians”. “We simply started working, getting to know the players.

“I don’t like to think that the worst has passed for us, because for us it has never got that bad. There was never any specific kind of problem.”

Italian coach Fabio Capello believes “Mancini’s choices have b o r n e fruit,” as

the national side can now aspire to finishing top of their Nations League group ahead of European champions Portugal.

“The coach knows his players and tries to construct the match based on what he has,” said the former England and Russia coach.

Mancini stuck with the same eleven he started with in last Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against the Ukraine.

He then opted to bring on Kevin Lasagna for his international debut in the second half over Lazio ace Ciro Immobile, and the 26-year-old, who plays for Serie B side Carpi, set up Biraghi for the winner.

Nicolo Barella, 21, was also chosen to start over Lorenzo Pellegrini in midfield after making his international debut in Genoa.

Fiorentina defender Biraghi was playing just his third game for Italy after earning his first call-up last month at the age of 26. “Last night Mancini’s choice was a winner,” said Capello. “(Barella) is a player who gives a change of pace in midfield, he gives something more, in terms of quality and quantity, that we were lacking before.”

The result ensures Italy stayed in the top tier ahead of December’s draw for Euro 2020 qualifying, and can still win their Nations League group.

It also gives the Azzurri a boost as they prepare to host Portugal in the San Siro on November 17 -just over a year after they lost their World Cup playoff to Sweden at the same stadium.

Portugal have six points from two games, with Italy on four points after three games with Poland relegated to League B with one point.

Portugal then host Poland three days later.(afp)

Italy’s head coach Roberto Mancini is pictured prior to the friendly football match Italy vs Ukraine on October 10, 2018 at the Luigi-Ferraris stadium in Genoa.

9

US women headed back to World Cup after rout of Jamaica The United States will defend their Women’s World Cup title next year, securing their berth with a 6-0 rout of Jamaica in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF regional qualifier on Sunday.

Canada also punched their ticket to France in emphatic style, thumping Panama 7-0 in Frisco, Texas, to set up a

blockbuster clash with the USA in the final of the CONCACAF women’s championship on Wednesday.

The United States, three-time World Cup winners who were stung by a quarter-final exit at the Rio Olympics, put Jamaica away early. Tobin Heath opened the scoring and added her second

in the 29th -- part of a five-goal first half that also included goals from Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz and Alex Morgan.

The US cruised through the second half, adding an exclamation point with Morgan’s penalty in the 84th minute.

While both finalists secured World Cup berths, all was not

AP Photo/Andy Jacobsohn

United States defender Becky Sauerbrunn defends against Jamaica forward Jody Brown during the second half of a CONCACAF women’s World Cup qualifying tournament soccer match in Frisco, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018.

lost for Panama and Jamaica. The winner of the third-place match on Wednesday will also gain direct entry to the World Cup, while the fourth-placed team will play off for a berth against Argentina.

That means Panama’s women can still duplicate the Panamanian men’s achievement of reaching the World Cup for the first time at Russia 2018.

And Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz are still in with a chance of becoming the first Caribbean side to qualify for the Women’s World Cup. In the first match of the day’s double-header, Christine Sinclair and Adriana Leon scored two goals apiece and Jessie Fleming, Janine Beckie and Rebecca Quinn added one each for Canada, who secured their seventh Women’s World Cup appearance.

Sinclair, who took her tally

of international goals to 177, ignited Canada with a header in the 44th minute after they had been frustrated in the early going by Panama. “The first half was nervy,” said Canada coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller. “We expected our possession on the ball would have created more chances.

“We thought it was an in-front game, playing in front of their back four, but, it was actually an in-behind game and we identified that in the break. There were a few changes, but, it was more down to being comfortable and bringing that Canadian DNA.” Sinclair added another header in the 49th, two minutes after Fleming’s strike.

Beckie scored in the 58th, Quinn in the 63rd, and substitute Leon produced two quick goals in the 76th and 78th as Canada, ranked fifth in the world by FIFA, poured it on.(afp)

8

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP

In this file photo taken on May 03, 2018 Arsenal’s French defender Laurent Koscielny eyes the ball during the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Arsenal FC at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid. Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny, who missed France’s World Cup triumph in Russia due to injury, said on Sunday October 14, 2018 his international career was “finished”.

Arsenal’sKoscielny says France career ‘finished’ Arsenal centre-back Laurent Koscielny, who missed France’s World Cup triumph in Russia due to injury, said on Sunday his international career was “finished”.

The 33-year-old had intended to retire from France duty following the tournament, but the defender was ruled out of Didier Deschamps’ squad for the finals after rupturing his Achilles tendon in May. “The injury is one thing, the World Cup win is another. I think the victory certainly hurt me much more psychologically than my injury,” Koscielny told Canal Plus.

“The World Cup will remain a dark stage of my career and my life.”

“I think I’ve given what I could to the France team. I’m 33 now. I’ve been to two Euros, a World Cup. For me, my injury hasn’t changed anything,” he said.

“It’s over with Les Bleus. I will always be a France supporter but what is sure is that I will never put on the blue shirt again.”

Koscielny has yet to return for Arsenal since hurting himself during the second leg of last season’s Europa League semi-final defeat by Atletico Madrid. “I have a new mindset. There will be the Laurent before and the Laurent after the injury. I want to carry on at Arsenal and I want to come back soon,” he said. “I don’t know what level I’m going to have because I haven’t resumed training yet, but I want to fight in any event.”

Koscielny made his France debut in November 2011 in a friendly against the United States.

He earned the last of his 51 caps in a 3-1 victory over Russia in March.(afp)

Mancini off the mark as Italy awaken after winless year

Roberto Mancini got his first competitive win as Italy’s journey back from the abyss of their World Cup qualifying failure began to take shape with a last-gasp 1-0 win over Poland in the Nations League.

It was the first competitive win for the four-time world champions since a 1-0 victory over Albania in World Cup qualifiers on October 9, 2017.

That was followed by the devastating failure to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years after a playoff defeat to Sweden at the San Siro in November last year.

Italian football has been in turmoil ever since. Although Mancini took over last May, the Italian football federation is still to elect a new president.

It was perhaps not surprising that Cristiano Biraghi’s last-gasp winner in Chorzow on Sunday night was celebrated as if the national side had won the tournament.

Despite Mancini’s insistence that it would not be a drama if Italy lost the match, the League A Group 3 clash was a relegation playoff, with Po-

land dropping to League B. “The salvation of Italy and the turning point for Mancini,” wrote La Repubblica, hailing the win as a “birth certificate for a new national side.”

Former Manchester City boss Mancini’s only success since taking over five months ago was a 2-1 win in a friendly against Saudi Arabia before the World Cup. “A new cycle has already begun,” said the 53-year-old former Italian international.

“We’ll go with pride to see the president of the republic,” he added of Monday’s meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome to mark the 120th anniversary of the Italian FA. “All of Italian football will be there, it’s important to go with a morale-boosting win like yesterday and for this we are proud,” said Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) president Giovanni Malago. “I see a new generation of young Italians emerging. In recent years there has been a lack of foresight.”

- ‘No magicians’ Mancini said a “new era has already begun”, although he cautioned that “there are no magicians”. “We simply started working, getting to know the players.

“I don’t like to think that the worst has passed for us, because for us it has never got that bad. There was never any specific kind of problem.”

Italian coach Fabio Capello believes “Mancini’s choices have b o r n e fruit,” as

the national side can now aspire to finishing top of their Nations League group ahead of European champions Portugal.

“The coach knows his players and tries to construct the match based on what he has,” said the former England and Russia coach.

Mancini stuck with the same eleven he started with in last Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against the Ukraine.

He then opted to bring on Kevin Lasagna for his international debut in the second half over Lazio ace Ciro Immobile, and the 26-year-old, who plays for Serie B side Carpi, set up Biraghi for the winner.

Nicolo Barella, 21, was also chosen to start over Lorenzo Pellegrini in midfield after making his international debut in Genoa.

Fiorentina defender Biraghi was playing just his third game for Italy after earning his first call-up last month at the age of 26. “Last night Mancini’s choice was a winner,” said Capello. “(Barella) is a player who gives a change of pace in midfield, he gives something more, in terms of quality and quantity, that we were lacking before.”

The result ensures Italy stayed in the top tier ahead of December’s draw for Euro 2020 qualifying, and can still win their Nations League group.

It also gives the Azzurri a boost as they prepare to host Portugal in the San Siro on November 17 -just over a year after they lost their World Cup playoff to Sweden at the same stadium.

Portugal have six points from two games, with Italy on four points after three games with Poland relegated to League B with one point.

Portugal then host Poland three days later.(afp)

Italy’s head coach Roberto Mancini is pictured prior to the friendly football match Italy vs Ukraine on October 10, 2018 at the Luigi-Ferraris stadium in Genoa.

9

US women headed back to World Cup after rout of Jamaica The United States will defend their Women’s World Cup title next year, securing their berth with a 6-0 rout of Jamaica in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF regional qualifier on Sunday.

Canada also punched their ticket to France in emphatic style, thumping Panama 7-0 in Frisco, Texas, to set up a

blockbuster clash with the USA in the final of the CONCACAF women’s championship on Wednesday.

The United States, three-time World Cup winners who were stung by a quarter-final exit at the Rio Olympics, put Jamaica away early. Tobin Heath opened the scoring and added her second

in the 29th -- part of a five-goal first half that also included goals from Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz and Alex Morgan.

The US cruised through the second half, adding an exclamation point with Morgan’s penalty in the 84th minute.

While both finalists secured World Cup berths, all was not

AP Photo/Andy Jacobsohn

United States defender Becky Sauerbrunn defends against Jamaica forward Jody Brown during the second half of a CONCACAF women’s World Cup qualifying tournament soccer match in Frisco, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018.

lost for Panama and Jamaica. The winner of the third-place match on Wednesday will also gain direct entry to the World Cup, while the fourth-placed team will play off for a berth against Argentina.

That means Panama’s women can still duplicate the Panamanian men’s achievement of reaching the World Cup for the first time at Russia 2018.

And Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz are still in with a chance of becoming the first Caribbean side to qualify for the Women’s World Cup. In the first match of the day’s double-header, Christine Sinclair and Adriana Leon scored two goals apiece and Jessie Fleming, Janine Beckie and Rebecca Quinn added one each for Canada, who secured their seventh Women’s World Cup appearance.

Sinclair, who took her tally

of international goals to 177, ignited Canada with a header in the 44th minute after they had been frustrated in the early going by Panama. “The first half was nervy,” said Canada coach Kenneth Heiner-Moller. “We expected our possession on the ball would have created more chances.

“We thought it was an in-front game, playing in front of their back four, but, it was actually an in-behind game and we identified that in the break. There were a few changes, but, it was more down to being comfortable and bringing that Canadian DNA.” Sinclair added another header in the 49th, two minutes after Fleming’s strike.

Beckie scored in the 58th, Quinn in the 63rd, and substitute Leon produced two quick goals in the 76th and 78th as Canada, ranked fifth in the world by FIFA, poured it on.(afp)

10

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

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International

Nurmagomedov challenges Mayweather to clash

Gunung Kawi Temple GIANYAR - Bali’s own Valley of the Kings is Gunung Kawi Temple in Tampaksiring. This collection of candi is beautifully situated in a river valley surrounded by rice fields and jungle.

Gunung Kawi Temple is a collection of ten candi, created to evoke the appearance of temple fronts and designed to provide residence for the souls of ancient kings. The candi are hewn into the valley walls on both sides of the Pekerisan River. The Gunung Kawi Temple does have an interesting history. Inscriptions over each Candi approximate the date of construction to be in the 11th C. It is believed that each temple served as a memorial to a deified royalty principally because they are shaped like the burial towers, or Candi’s, found throughout Central Java. But in Java they are free standing whilst those found at Gunung Kawi are actually hewn relief’s in solid rock. While the exact origin of the candi is unknown, there is evidence to suggest that the first set of five were built to honor King Anak Wungsu, whose rule over central and east Bali extended from AD 1050 to about AD 1080. It is possible that one was built for him and the other four for his wives, who would have ceremonially committed suicide after his death.

Gunung Kawi Temple is two rows of ancient royal tombs on the banks of the Pakerisan River

deep in a ravine overlooked by terraced rice-fields. The holy Pakersian River flows through the centre of Gunung Kawi cutting the site into two separate sections with a bridge to connect one side to the other. It is believed the holy waters of the Pakerisan sanctify Gunung Kawi, and the beauty of the place evokes a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere.

On the east side of the river are situated five candi which constitute the main group in this complex. Across the bridge are four candi on the west side. The remaining candi at the southern end is often referred to as the ‘tenth tomb’. At the bottom of the stairway and to your righthand side through a small field (about one kilometer) is where the tenth tomb is located. The legend to this amazing place is intriguing. It is believed that the mythical giant Kebo Iwo carved out all of the ancient tombs in one night with his fingernails.

There are 3 temples which so called the name as Gunung Kawi in Bali those are Gunung Kawi in Sebatu countryside, Gunung Kawi Temple in Keliki countryside and Gunung Kawi Temple in Babitra countryside. Behind the small temple you can find a couple of meditation caves, which indicates that this is a pre-Hindu place where monks and pilgrims came together to meditate. (IBP/net)

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LOS ANGELES - Mixed martial arts fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov has taken a page out of Conor McGregor’s playbook and issued a challenge to undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather.

Nurmagomedov’s challenge came in a video posted on Instagram by Mayweather’s promoter Leonard Ellerbe who indicated he ran into the UFC fighter at a fight card in Russia.

“Let’s go Floyd. We have to fight now: 50-0 versus 27-0,” Nurmagomedov said with Ellerbe standing next to him smiling. “We are two guys who never lose. In the jungle there is only one king. Of course, I am the king because he cannot drop McGregor but I drop him easily.

Let’s go.”

Nurmagomedov did not say whether he wished to fight Mayweather in a boxing or UFC match.

Like McGregor, the Russian has no previous experience as a professional boxer.

McGregor made millions last

year by taking on Mayweather in lopsided boxing match. Mayweather appeared to toy with McGregor in the early rounds before stopping the Irishman in the 10th to improve to 50-0.

Last weekend, Nurmagomedov retained his UFC lightweight crown, beating McGregor by fourth-round submission.

He then climbed out of the Octagon to fight with a member of McGregor’s entourage who had been taunting him. McGregor also took some punches from members of Nurmag o m e d o v ’s team. (afp)

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov poses during a ceremonial weigh-in for UFC 229 at T-Mobile Arena on October 05, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nurmagomedov will defend his title against Conor McGregor at UFC 229 on October 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Bolt fumes over drug test notice

It is for Job Vacancy, Property, Selling or Buying Please Contact Gugiek : 08123840500

PETER PARKS / AFP

Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt celebrates scoring a goal for A-League football club Central Coast Mariners in his first competitive start for the club against Macarthur South West United in Sydney on October 12, 2018.

SYDNEY - Sprint legend Usain Bolt says he’s stunned after being handed a drug testing notice despite retiring from athletics and having no professional contract as he bids to launch a football career in Australia.

The 100m world record-holder quit athletics last year and is yet to be offered a deal by Australia’s Central Coast Mariners, where he is currently on trial.

“So guys I’ve retired from track and field looking to become a footballer but look at this,” Bolt said Monday via an Instagram video as he zoomed in on the notice.

The demand for the out of competition test -- to collect urine and blood -- appears to have been issued by Football Federation Australia.

“How am I going to get a drug test today? I’m not even a professional footballer yet. Seriously,” said Bolt.

“So I asked the lady, ‘Why am I

getting drug tested when I haven’t signed for a club yet?’ and she said they told her I’m an elite athlete so I have to get tested. Okay then.”

Despite his displeasure, it appears the Australian Sports AntiDoping Authority guidelines mean he is eligible to be tested.

Their legislation defines an athlete as a “person who competes in sport” if “the sport has an antidoping policy”.

The eight-time Olympic champion, who dominated sprinting after taking double individual gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, is now bidding to become a professional footballer.

He made his case on Friday by scoring two goals for the Mariners in a pre-season friendly.

The superstar, a massive Manchester United fan, has been handed a chance to train with the A-League side for an indefinite period in order to pursue his dream. (afp)

6

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Lewinsky affair not an abuse of power, says Hillary Clinton WASHINGTON - Hillary Clinton has said her husband Bill’s affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky was not an abuse of power and he was right to not resign from the US presidency in the wake of the scandal.

The two-decades old episode has come under renewed scrutiny in the #MeToo era, with critics questioning whether the power imbalance between a sitting president and an intern made it impossible for the relationship to be considered consensual.

Some, like New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, have said that Clinton should have stepped down after he was impeached by a Republican-controlled House in late 1998 for lying about the affair.

But speaking on CBS News on Sunday, former presidential candidate and secretary of state Hillary Clinton said she disagreed.

“Absolutely not,” she replied when asked whether her husband should have resigned.

Pressed on whether the relationship was an abuse of power, Clinton said: “No, no” and noted that Lewinsky, who was 22-years-old at the time, “was an adult.”

“There was an investigation and it, as I believe, came out in the right place,” she added.

In 1999, the Senate held a month-long trial of president Clinton that ultimately fell well short of the two-thirds majority required to convict and remove him from office.

Lewinsky, for her part, long maintained the affair was consensual, but in an essay published in Vanity Fair earlier this year wrote she had begun to re-evaluate that view.

Bill Clinton has also been accused by several other women of sexual misconduct in cases going back to the 1970s, prompting a reckoning of his place in history by Democrats in light of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements. (afp)

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018

11

Indonesia athlete inspires with comeback at Asian Para Games

Indonesian Muhammad Fadli Imamuddin capped off a remarkable comeback from a careerending motorcycle crash by winning three medals as a cyclist at the 2018 Asian Para Games.

Imamuddin, known to his fans as Fadli, scooped gold, silver and bronze with a three-man team in the men’s team sprint event in Jakarta.

GULSHAN KHAN / AFP

Instructors Ashlyn Tachuana (19) (R) and Letlhogonono Keohitlhetse (L), 22, demonstrate self defence methods during a session with NGO Action Breaks Silence (ABS) called “Empowerment through self-defence for women and girls” which aims to create a world free form fear of gender based violence, at Mbuyisa Makhubu Primary School in the are of Orlando West, in the South African township of Soweto, on October 10, 2018.

As rape crisis grows, South African pupils learn how to fight back

His win Friday was the first gold medal for the Indonesian para cycling team. “Fadli’s victory has encouraged other athletes,” his coach Rizan Setyo told AFP Saturday.

Passionate Indonesian fans broke into thunderous applause after the race as Fadli kissed his wife, who was carrying their son, then hugged his coaches and kissed the ground in a sign of gratitude.

Fadli has become a byword for determination among many Indonesian athletes competing in the Games after fighting back from injury to become a world-leading competitor in a new discipline.

In 2015, just moments after clinching an Asian Road Racing Championship event at Sentul International Circuit, Fadli was ploughed into by a Thai competitor, sending him tumbling onto the asphalt and breaking his left leg.

The limb was later amputated after

multiple surgeries.

While adjusting to life with a prosthetic leg, the 34-year-old was called by the Indonesian Cycling Federation asking if he was interested in competing as a para cycling athlete.

Buoyed by the opportunity to become a world champion, Fadli says he jumped at the chance and immediately began training.

Within a year of having his leg amputated, he finished fourth at the 2017 Asian Para Cycling Championship.

“When people were still crying and lamenting about my fate, I had already moved on and tried to be active once again,” Fadli recently told AFP while training for the Games.

His silver-medal finish on Monday was flush with symbolism as it was won at the same venue as the crash which ended his illustrious motorcycle career. But Fadli’s return to sport --- less than three

years after his accident -- has been inspiring for other Indonesian para athletes.

“He is an icon. In para cycling he is considered a role model and the big brother for all athletes,” Fadilah Umar, the head coach national para-cycling team said.

Despite his impressive three times medal haul, Fadli said he had bigger goals in mind while competing at the Games.

He said he wanted to become an inspiration for his son, who was born just two weeks after his accident, and for people with disabilities who wanted to become professional athletes.

“My son is my biggest supporter, if I didn’t do anything I would not be able to become the best role model for him,” he said.

The third 2018 Asian Para Games concludes in Jakarta on Saturday.

Forty-three nations participated with almost 3,000 athletes competing in 18 different sports.(afp)

SOWETO - In a classroom in the South African township of Soweto, girls listen carefully, knowing they need to learn how to avoid the threat of rape that hangs over their daily lives.

Hillary Clinton

IBP/net

“You are going to pretend that it is the rapist’s testicles,” says trainer Dimakatso Monokoli, holding out a padded target.

An 11-year-old girl charges without flinching and delivers a powerful knee slam.

It is part of a day of self-defence and rape avoidance strategies taught at the Thabisang school, where chairs and desks have been pushed back to the pink walls of the classroom.

Official statistics suggest that more than 110 rapes are recorded by the police every day in South Africa.

But such numbers are widely seen as inaccurate due to underreporting. Some studies suggest only one in 13 rapes is reported to the police.

Recent news stories have triggered fresh horror among South Africans over the prevalence of rape.

In September, a 17-year-old was raped in a hospital maternity ward

by a man pretending to be a doctor one day after she had given birth.

Around the same time, a sevenyear-old girl was raped in the toilets of a popular chain restaurant in the capital Pretoria, with a video footage emerging of the naked man moments after the attack.

For the African National Congress Women’s League, drastic action is needed.

“We have tried our best... there’s nothing that seems to lower (the number of attacks). Hence, we are calling for chemical castration,” ANCWL secretary general Meokgo Matuba said after the two rapes.

- Spotting the risk Back in another classroom in Soweto, Monokoli teaches not only self-defence, but how girls can read and react to potentially risky situations.

“Don’t ever, ever make the mistake of being in the same room

as someone you don’t feel comfortable with because your guts have warned you,” she says.

“They have sent a message -you are not supposed to be alone with that person.”

If you are attacked, she says: “Scream as much as you can.”

Monokoli works for Action Breaks Silence (ABS), a South African charity that works with schools to educate girls in selfdefence.

It also runs a “Hero Empathy” programme for boys to try to preempt abusive and violent behaviour.

ABS founder Debi Steven was herself raped as a child, and has spent decades teaching and advising at schools and companies.

“Violence has been normalised in South Africa,” she told AFP. “There is so much rape that people have become desensitised to it.” (afp)

BAY ISMOYO / AFP

This picture taken on September 25, 2018 shows Indonesia’s para-cycling athlete Muhammad Fadli Imammuddin (L) preparing for training at a velodrome in Jakarta, a week before the start of the 2018 Asian Para Games. Indonesian Muhammad Fadli Imamuddin capped off a remarkable comeback from a career-ending motorcycle crash by winning three medals as a cyclist at the 2018 Asian Para Games.

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International

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

BUSINESS

Bali News

International

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

5

This picture taken on October 13, 2018 shows devotees getting cleanse by a priestess during the “Tolak Bala (warding off misfortune) rituals at the Pura Campuhan Windhu Sagara temple on the Padang Galak beach in Denpasar, Bali.

The temple is famed for its healing powers, and attracts hundreds of devotees daily, some seeking cures for various illnesses.

Trader Peter Tuchman works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. The market’s recent decline was set off by a sharp drop in bond prices and a corresponding increase in yields last week and early this week.

Higher rates both a sign of US economic might and risk to it

WASHINGTON — This week’s dizzying sell-offs in the financial markets have been a rude reminder that the U.S. economy is no longer relying on ultra-low interest rates to fuel growth.

Borrowing costs are rising for companies, homebuyers and the U.S. government — all of which could eventually dampen economic growth.

Yet the climb in interest rates also reflects an economy that’s still managing to accelerate on the energy of an expansion now in its 10th year — the secondlongest such streak on record.

The pace of growth has picked up this year in part because of President Donald Trump’s tax cuts, which have also increased the federal budget deficit and contributed to the higher rates now spreading through the economy.(ap)\

European Central Bank confident in plan to remove stimulus FRANKFURT — Top European Central Bank officials expressed confidence at their last meeting that inflation is trending toward levels consistent with a strong economy — more confirmation that their 2.5 trillion-euro ($2.9 trillion) stimulus program will cease at year end.

The written account released Thursday of the Sept. 13 meeting showed that the strength of Europe’s economic upswing and accompanying wage increases for workers “continued to support confidence in the sustained convergence of inflation” toward the bank’s goal of just under 2 percent annually.

The comments confirm the bank is on the way to ending the stimulus

at year end, although it has made clear that interest rates will not be increased before well into 2019.

The ECB is gradually joining the U.S. Federal Reserve in withdrawing extraordinary stimulus measures used to support the global economy in the years following the Great Recession. The Fed has already ended its purchases and started raising interest rates.

A rise in interest rates is among the big concerns of investors who have been pushing down stock markets this week, as it could make loans more expensive and dent growth.

Inflation was 2.1 percent in September in the 19 countries that use

the euro. The ECB officials were increasingly confident inflation will stay in line with its goal even after the monthly bond purchases to pump newly created money into the economy come to a scheduled end in December.

The bank officials cautioned that disruptions in global trade remain a potential weakness for the global economy. But they said that “adverse confidence effects on trade and investment arising from trade tensions had hitherto been limited,” according to the written account.

U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs, or import taxes, on Chinese goods and the Chinese have retaliated with tar-

iffs of their own, raising fears that increasing protectionism will hold back global growth.

The account summarizes the discussions among officials responsible for setting monetary policy in the eurozone but omits names and any votes taken.

The members of the bank’s governing council confirmed at the meeting an early timetable under which the purchases were reduced to 15 billion euros a month from 30 billion euros from October.

The purchases are a way of injecting newly created money into the financial system with the aim of increasing inflation and making more credit available to businesses.

Inflation had fallen to worrisome levels near or below zero in the wake of the Great Recession and the eurozone’s woes over high bank and government debt in some countries.

The ECB’s key interest rates remain at record lows of zero for lending to banks and minus 0.4 percent on deposits it takes from commercial banks.

The withdrawal of stimulus by central banks in the rich world could have wide-ranging effects on markets, as rising interest rates on safer investments such as bonds and bank deposits increases their attractiveness relative to stocks and other riskier assets.(ap)

Banyu Pinaruh: Bali‘s Ritual of Cleansing one’s Inner and Outer Self

The beautiful island of Bali is not only blessed with astonishing nature but people around the world are also drawn here by Bali’s captivating culture and spiritual traditions that are still well preserved to this very day. One of these enchanting traditions will take place along some of the island’s most beautiful beaches when the Banyu Pinaruh ritual takes place on 22 January 2017.

Banyu Pinaruh is a ritual for self-cleansing performed by Hindu followers on the Island that takes place on Sunday after Saraswati celebrations.

On the day of Banyu Pinaruh, all Balinese head to beaches, rivers, springs or other water resources to

cleanse themselves both physically and spiritually. The ritual starts at dawn around 05.30 in the morning just as the first rays of the sun begin to appear, when people start to walk to the beach as symbol of embracing the spirit and energy of a new day. Just like other rituals on

the Island, there will be chanting of prayers as well as offerings of flowers and other gifts to the gods.

People then wade into the water to wash themselves, which is followed by the ritual of ‘kum-kuman’, meaning washing with holy water that has been made fragrant

by various flowers that together have been blessed by the priest.

Not only locals, but everyone including tourists are welcome to join in this tradition. Aside from washing one’s physical body, Banyu Pinaruh is, moreover, intended to cleanse all negative thoughts and darkness that has remained in the mind and hearts, not only through the water but most importantly through the knowledge and wisdom imparted and celebrated during Saraswati day.

The Banyu Pinaruh ritual also

features the tradition of drinking a local beverage called Racem.

Uniquely, racem is a local drink which is also loved many international tourists.

This is your perfect opportunity to truly experience the magical spirit that is Bali. Be sure to rise early before dawn and join in this unique tradition held along some of Bali‘s best beaches that include Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Melasti, Pandawa Beach, and many more around Bali.(net)

Black Roasted Suckling Pig, Have You Ever Tried?

Foodies of Balinese delicacies have certainly been familiar with the name of the roasted suckling pig. One of the culinary centers of roasted suckling pig can be found in Kerambitan subdistrict, Tabanan.

Unfortunately, to date the basic ingredient of this roasted suckling pig is not the black Bali pig posing typical Balinese pig.

Most culinary entrepreneurs tend to prefer landrace due to faster harvest whereas the taste is much different. What are the steps of preservation of the black Balinese pig suspected of getting rarer?.

Black pig (local pig of Bali) is provided with organic feed, so the texture of the meat is very chewy.

Indeed, it requires longer raising period than landrace pigs.

Unfortunately this black pig is now getting very rare, even almost extinct. The desire to preserve Balinese black pig population eventually emerged from the Kerambitan sub-district head, I Gede Sukanada.

He wanted in the Kerambitan Festival IV to be held next October; the cuisine of Balinese black pig can be enjoyed by foodies of roasted suckling pig in particular.

“Earlier, we invite a number of foodies of roasted suckling pig to enjoy the taste of black pork that we name free event,” said I Gede Sukanada amid the event of black roasted suckling pig at Mandung hamlet, Sembung Gede, Kerambitan, Sunday (Apr. 8).

Through this event he would like to get some inputs so the taste of black roasted suckling pig can be accepted by the tongue of foodies.

The efforts to preserve Balinese black pigs will be initiated by giving black piglets to the poor whose funding source is supported

by UPK funds (formerly PNPM).

“Next month, we are going to launch black pig breeding to the poor and the piglets are ready,” he explained.

Provision of Balinese pig breeding in May is expected to support the Kerambitan Festival IV to be held in October. “On the one hand, we give the piglets. After growing bigger, we plan to make a bazaar in October that will serve the black Balinese roasted suckling pig. Meanwhile, the benefits of this activity will be allocated for the conservation of Tyto Alba owl population at Timpag

village,” he said.

As understood, Timpag village keeps trying to maintain the population of Tyto Alba owls. The owl is taken advantage to prevent the occurrence of rodent pests. Indeed it is very good. Besides, it does not harm the natural potential, and can overcome the pest attack of rats with owls. At the same time, it also maintains the balance of nature itself. One of the most urgent things is the intention to build the home to the owl breeding because this owl is not proficient in looking for a place to stay. (kmb)

4

Bali News

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

International

Bali sold cheaply in China DENPASAR — Currently China dominates the number of tourist visits to Bali. However, the high rate of Chinese tourist visits is flavored with unpleasant news. There is an issue if Bali destination has been sold cheaply in the bamboo curtain country or China. This was even revealed directly by a number of tourism players having been specifically handling Chinese tourists.

“Roughly, yes, Bali is sold very cheaply in China by certain agencies.

It’s very cheap, even increasingly competing for cheaper rates,” said the Head of Bali Liang Division (Mandarin Market Share) of ASITA Bali, Elsye Deliana, in Denpasar, on Sunday (Oct. 10).

According to Elsye, the practice of selling cheap has been going on since the past 2-3 years. She suspected there is a mafia game which is certainly very detrimental to Bali. Pursuant to the data of the past year, Bali was only ‘sold’ for CNY 999 or around IDR 2 million. This cheap price includes return flight ticket, meals and accommodation at hotel for 5 days and 4 nights.

Lately, the price has even dropped to CNY 777 or around IDR 1.5 million. Then, it dropped again to CYN 499 or around IDR 1 million and the latest was CYN 299 or around IDR 600,000. “Just think about it, with IDR 600,000 guest can get a ticket to Bali and return to China. Besides, the rate also includes meals and accommodation at hotel for 5 days and 4 nights.

So, it can be imagined how the quality looks like,” complained this woman familiarly addressed as Meilan.

Elsye called it a low-cost trip or zero tour fees. She questioned why such a low price could appear. In addition, Chinese tourists are only taken to visit tourist attractions for one day while in Bali. Additionally, the destinations are the cheap ones such as Uluwatu. The rest, they are proceeded to visit art shops owned by Chinese businessmen as well. These art shops are claimed to have subsidized Chinese tourists so they get cheap prices to come to Bali. “However, tourists must visit the art shops and buy products there,” she added.

Deputy Chairman of Bali Liang, Bambang Putra, said that the art shops owned by Chinese businessmen are not selling Balinese handicrafts. Instead they are peddling latex-based items such as mattresses, sofas and pillows.

“The reason is that Indonesia produces rubber so the goods are much cheaper. Actually, the items are actually Chinese-made goods as well. There are also silk shops and others,” he said.

Bambang added that payment patterns in those art shops are allegedly using the WeChat application with a barcode scan system. In other words, the money coming in from Chinese tourists returned to China. Of course, Bali does not get any benefits. More seriously, Bali only receives the rubbish. More than that, the most significant impact on Bali is certainly tourists feel to have been cheated.

“They come to Bali, but do not know Bali. For them, Bali is not interesting. The itineraries are only shopping to stores that sell latex because Indonesia produces rubber, so they will not come back again,” he explained.

Secretary of Bali Liang (National Chinese Committee), Herman, also mentioned other series of problems ranging from the existence of illegal guides, illegal travel agencies and pre-wedding photographers from China using tourist visas but working here to the workers in Chinese network shops that do not hold work visas. The government must resolve this problem as the case having been equally faced by the governments of Thailand and Vietnam. “In Thailand, Chinese tourists are not allowed to enter if they do not bring around IDR 5 million in the account,” he said while being approved by the National Chinese Committee, Chandra Salim.

Chairman of the ASITA for Chinese Market Committee, Herry Sudiarto, added the government must dare to take decisive action to safeguard Bali in the future. “If left like this, it will obviously get worse in the future. Strict regulations must be made in order to protect the legal and crack down on the illegal ones,” he concluded. (kmb32)

IBP/kmb

Currently China dominates the number of tourist visits to Bali.

However, the high rate of Chinese tourist visits is flavored with unpleasant news.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

International

13

Saudi Arabia vows retaliation if punished over missing critic DUBAI - Saudi Arabia warned it would retaliate against any sanctions imposed on the oil-rich kingdom over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as more Western companies distanced themselves from the Gulf State.

IBP/kmb

Purnama Beach at Sukawati village remained a favorite location for people to hold a Banyupinaruh ceremony.

Banyupinaruh, people do purificatory rite on the beach

US President Donald Trump has threatened the kingdom with “severe punishment” if Khashoggi, who has been critical of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed inside its Istanbul mission.

But Riyadh vowed to hit back on Sunday against any punitive measures as its stock market tumbled, with the fallout from the crisis threatening to imperil Prince Mohammed’s much-hyped economic reform drive.

“The kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats or attempts to undermine it whether through threats to impose economic sanctions or the use of political pressure,” an official said, according to state news agency SPA. The official said Riyadh would “respond to any action with a bigger one”, pointing out that the oil superpower “plays an effective and vital role in the world economy”.

According to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television, the kingdom has “over 30 measures” it could implement.

Following Riyadh’s assertion it would retaliate, Britain, France and Germany released a joint statement saying they were treating Khashoggi’s disappearance “with the utmost seriousness”.

“There needs to be a credible investigation to establish the truth about what happened, and -- if relevant -- to identify those bearing responsibility for the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, and ensure that they are held to account.”

This message had been conveyed “directly to the Saudi authorities”, said the statement, signed by Britain’s foreign minister Jeremy Hunt, his French counterpart JeanYves Le Drian and Germany’s Heiko Maas.

- ‘Baseless allegations’ Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, vanished after entering the consulate on October 2.

Saudi Arabia insists Khashoggi left the building safely and dismissed accusations that authorities had ordered his murder by a hit squad as “lies and baseless allegations”.

Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi was killed inside the mission and claims have been leaked to media that he was tortured and even dismembered.

A Saudi dissident in Quebec said on Sunday he believes the kingdom hacked his phone and listened to calls he had with Jamal Khashoggi prior to the journalist’s disappearance.

“For sure, they listened to the conversation between me and Jamal and other activists, in Canada, in the States, in Turkey, in Saudi Arabia,” Omar Abdulaziz said in an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Saudi King Salman spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by phone on Sunday, the Saudi foreign ministry said, telling Erdogan: “No-one will get (to) undermine the strength of this relationship.”

According to a Turkish presidential source, who asked not to be named, Erdogan and the king discussed “the issue of shedding light on the case of Jamal Khashoggi” and also emphasised the “importance of creating a joint working group within the framework of the investigation.”

In the US, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said Saudi Arabia should take Trump’s warning over the journalist’s fate seriously.

“When the president warns, people should take him at his word,” he told Fox. “If the Saudis are involved, if Khashoggi was killed or harmed or whatever, bad outcome here. He (Trump) will take action.” (afp)

GIANYAR — Purnama Beach at Sukawati village remained a favorite location for people to hold a Banyupinaruh ceremony on Sunday (Oct. 10). Moreover, the coastal condition was in low tide so that people were more enthusiastic to do purificatory rite (melukat). Unfortunately, the road access on the coast remains ravaged after being hit by high waves some time ago.

According to a local resident, Ni Wayan Devi Triani, she and family every time always take a bath on the beach every celebrating Banyupinaruh. It becomes an alternative as the other destinations of melukat, such as Tirta Empul Tampaksiring, are ascertained to be crowded and fully occupied. “If going to Tirta Empul, the line must be snaking.

So this beach is closer and faster to reach,” said this teenager from Sukawati.

The head of the Gianyar Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), A.A Gde Oka Digjaya, stated that in securing the implementation of Banyupinaruh, his agency had set the hazardous beach areas. “The hazardous beach areas have been mapped out for a long time, but now we monitor the density of

visitors, such as on the Purnama Beach, Sukawati,” he said.

His agency also prepared guard posts along the coast of Gianyar such as the guard posts on Lebih Beach, Masceti Cucukan Beach, Rangkan Beach and Lembeng Beach. “Dozens of my personnel routinely go around while watching visitors so they don’t cross the line.

This is to minimize the incident of being dragged by waves,” he explained.

He admitted that sometimes visitors are stubborn despite being advised by the officers. As a result, the officers must also provide extra supervision so that visitors are not dragged along by sea currents. Until Sunday afternoon, the implementation of Banyupinaruh along Gianyar Beach took place smoothly.

“Until this afternoon, the implementation of Bayu Pinaruh takes place in a controlled manner,” he said.

As is known, every Banyupinaruh Day or Redite (Sunday) Wuku Sinta, almost all the Hindus in Bali are looking for a source of water or spring to perform melukat. The opportunity for Banyupinaruh falling a day after the celebration of the coming down of holy knowledge, Saraswati, is widely taken advantage to do purificatory rite physically and psychically. In addition to the beach, a number of Griya (home to Brahmin priest) also becomes the venue of people to do such rituals. The other destinations of melukat quite crowded by Hindu pilgrims include the Tampaksiring and Sebatu. (kmb35)

MANDEL NGAN / AFP

In this file photo taken on May 20, 2017 US President Donald Trump (R) and Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman al-Saud take part in a bilateral meeting at a hotel in Riyadh.

Dominique FAGET / AFP

Foam that has gathered in the polluted Yamuna river flies about in the wind in New Delhi on September 23, 2018.

Delhi braces for pollution with emergency plan

NEW DELHI - Delhi’s biggest coal power plant was set to shut down Monday as a new emergency plan to improve air quality in one of the world’s most polluted cities came into force, Indian officials said.

Under the new strategy, restrictions on construction sites and traffic will be imposed depending on the air quality in the megacity of some 20 million people.

When the air is classed as “poor”, as it was on Monday, authorities will ban the burning of garbage in landfills as well as fire crackers and certain construction activities.

When the air is “very poor” diesel generators will be halted, parking fees hiked and more public transport provided. “Severe” measures include closing brick kilns.

When it reaches “severe+”, a new category, authorities will stop the entry of trucks except those with essential goods and regulate the number of cars on the road.

The Badarpur thermal plant was due to permanently close on Monday because of its high contribution to pollution in the city.

Smog spikes during winter in Delhi, when air quality often eclipses the World Health Organization’s safe levels.

Cooler air traps pollutants -- such as from vehicles, building sites and farmers burning crops in regions outside the Indian capital -- close to the ground.

Authorities in the sprawling city attempted to implement similar measures last winter but to little avail.

This is partly because authorities are powerless to prevent some sources of pollution.

“Our aim is to stop the air quality from deteriorating further though certain factors are out of our control such as crop burning, wind speed and lack of public transportation,” environment authority official Bhure Lal told AFP. (afp)

14

Science

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

International

IBP/net

In a new study, the hippocampus (blue) was active during parts of films times when one event ended and another began. That boundary-marking may help the brain package continuous experiences into discrete memories.

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

3

Government asked to fix facilities of tourist objects

How your brain is like a film editor

THE brain’s hippocampi may be the film editors of our lives, slicing our continuous experiences into discrete cuts that can be stored away as memories. That’s the idea raised by a new study that analyzed brain scan data from people watching films such as Forrest Gump.

“Research like this helps us identify ‘What is an event, from the point of view of the brain?’ ” says memory psychologist Gabriel Radvansky of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

Many laboratory tests of memory involve taking in discrete, dull lists of information. “So much research is done with these little bits and pieces — words, pictures, things like that,” Radvansky says. But those dry tidbits aren’t what the human brain usually handles. “The mind is built to deal with complex events.”

As a closer approximation to real life, researchers used brain imaging data collected earlier as part of a larger project: While undergoing a functional MRI, 15 people watched Forrest Gump, and 253 people watched Alfred Hitchcock’s television drama Bang! You’re Dead. A separate group of 16 observers watched each of the productions and pressed buttons to indicate when they thought one event ended and another began.

With the data in hand, cognitive neuroscientists Aya BenYakov and Rik Henson, both of the University of Cambridge, aligned participants’ brain activity with the transition points marked by the 16 observers. A brain structure called the hippocampus, known to be important for memory and navigation, seemed particularly active at these junctures, the team reports October 8 in the Journal of Neuroscience. When the researchers looked at hippocampus behavior over the entire shows, the brain structure was most active when the observers had indicated a shift from one event to another.

That response “was actually quite striking,” Ben-Yakov says.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be this strong and this clear.”

These transitions didn’t always involve jumps to new places or times in the story. One such boundary came near the beginning of Forrest Gump as Forrest sits quietly on a bench. Suddenly, he blurts out his famous greeting: “Hello. My name’s Forrest. Forrest Gump.” The hippocampus may have helped slice that continuous bench scene into two events: before talking and after talking. Such divisions may help package information into discrete pieces that can then be stored as memories, the researchers suspect.

Of course, films only approximate firsthand experiences, Ben-Yakov says. It’s not clear how the hippocampus behaves when people are personally involved in events. “Our goal is to understand real life,” she says. (IBP/net)

Bali News

International

IBP/net

This mouse pup has two biological fathers and no mother. The mouse was produced in a lab from stem cells from two male mice. It did not survive to adulthood.

Gene editing creates mice with two biological dads for the first time

FOR the first time, researchers have created mice with two dads. No female contributed to the rodents’ genetic makeup.

This unusual reproduction took place in a lab where researchers gathered fathers’ stem cells, and used them to produce embryos that were implanted into surrogate mothers. The technique required scientists to edit the animals’ genes in order for the mice to mature enough to be born. Even so, mouse pups with only fathers died a few days after birth, researchers report October 11 in Cell Stem Cell. By contrast, previous research and this study have shown that some gene-edited mice with only mothers can survive to adulthood and have offspring of their own.

The researchers did the experiments to learn why mammals can reproduce only sexually — requiring two parents of the opposite sex — while other vertebrates, including turkeys, snakes and sharks, can sometimes reproduce with only one parent, says study coauthor Qi Zhou of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. Females of those species can sometimes cause an unfertilized egg to produce offspring, a process called parthenogenesis.

Researchers have previously made zebrafish with only an individual father’s DNA. But no one before now has reported achieving male-only reproduction, or androgenesis, with mammals.

In the new work, mouse pups with two mothers were smaller than usual and had other abnormalities, the researchers found. Those deficits happened because some genes that the pups inherited from their mothers were imprinted, or marked with molecules known as methyl groups that are attached to DNA in spots near the gene.

Imprinting may cause some genes to be more active and others less active.

So the researchers used a molecular scissors

known as CRISPR/Cas9 to snip out three imprinted regions near important genes in stem cells that were then used to produce embryos. Of 210 of these embryos implanted in surrogate mothers, about 14 percent were born. Those gene-edited pups grew normally and became adults with normal fertility.

Making embryos from stem cells of two male mice wasn’t as successful.

To even get embryos made from two dads’ stem cells to form, the researchers had to snip out six imprinted pieces of DNA. Still, only 1.2 percent of 1,023 embryos with the six edits produced pups.

Those pups were twice the size of normal pups and died soon after birth. Cutting out a seventh imprinted region resulted in pups of normal size, but only two pups lived more than 48 hours and neither survived to adulthood.

Still, the work is an important first step in understanding what the imprinted regions do during normal development, says B. Duygu Özpolat, a developmental biologist at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Mass., who was not involved in the work.

That knowledge might help correct birth defects caused by imprinting errors, she says.

Making mammals from single sex parents might also help endangered species that have animals of only one sex left, Özpolat says. For instance, the last male northern white rhinoceros died earlier this year, leaving only two females. Gene editing might help researchers bring white rhinos back by making all-female populations from lab grown stem cells.

“It might be too expensive, and might not work for every species, but it’s something,” Özpolat says. As for human same sex couples hoping to have a biological baby together, she says, “that’s the far future for the moment.”

Zhou adds that it could be too dangerous to try the technique in people. There’s no guarantee that the imprinted regions involved in mouse reproduction are the same ones involved in human reproduction. At any rate, he says, “to apply this technique into human is not one of our goals.” (IBP/net)

GIANYAR — The executive must repair the existing facilities in a number of tourist objects managed by the Gianyar district government. It is considered important so that tourists will not be disappointed when making a visit. Moreover, Gianyar district government plans to raise the admission ticket price of tourist attractions. This was conveyed by a member of the Gianyar House of Representatives, Wayan Gede Sudarta, on Sunday (Oct. 14).

He said that safeguarding infrastructure as a tourism support facility is the initial capital to maintain the comfort of tourists, primarily the infrastructure in the tourist area. “It is about keeping Gianyar in long-term so that tourists remain to come to Gianyar to spend their holidays,” he said.

He added that many things need to be addressed in safeguarding the government-run tourist attractions. For instance, it is related to the problems of park arrangement to the cleanliness of the environment and toilet. “At least, this standard must get a priority from the government, so that tourists can feel at home,” he said.

Before paying attention to these facilities, this Golkar Party politician also reminded the executives not to raise the price of admission ticket to tourist objects in a hurry before fixing the facilities. “If the levies increase, but the services are not balanced, tourists might turn away from Gianyar,” he complained.

Sudarta also reminded that the increase in admission ticket price should be reviewed so that it will not to just increase to catch up with the regionally generated revenue (PAD). “The increase in levies must be carefully reviewed, not just pursuing the PAD because we keep Gianyar for long-term,” he affirmed. (kmb35)

IBP/kmb

Local Balinese wine actually has won many awards through various competitions overseas such as the Hatten Wines.

Wine increases hotel and restaurant’s turnover

MANGUPURA — Perceptions that imported wines are better than local wines still exists in the tourism industry. Actually, local Balinese wine actually has won many awards through various competitions overseas such as the Hatten Wines, one of the local brands that won 2017’s Winery of The Year in Asia and the highest award in Korea a few months ago. This means that local wine actually has the same quality as imported products and is in accordance with the tastes of tourists, especially foreign tourists.

Wayan Gede Sudarta

IBP/kmb

“Until now, our products are well accepted by the market and they are very happy,” said Ida Bagus Rai Budarsa, Founder and CEO of Hatten Wine Indonesia, when becoming a speaker in the seminar on wine in the Green Restaurant and Culinary Events (GRACE) 2018 at Bali Dynasty Resort. Kuta, Badung, on Sunday (Oct. 10).

According to Rai Budarsa, the issues in the Bali’s market mainly concern with quality, continuity and price. Imported products are generally constrained by continuity. In a sense, if the products are now available, the imported wine products are not certainly available next month.

Meanwhile, the Hatten Wines

are always ready to provide the products according to the commitment to always supporting the tourism industry.

“For example, if the product is not available, the quality is not good, the industry (hotels and restaurants—Ed) cannot sell,” he explained. Rai Budarsa added that hotels and restaurants are considered as business partners in order to be able to grow together. By offering good quality wine and good prices, surely it can increase sales turnover at hotels and restaurants.

“Wine provides a very good income for restaurants. Just imagine, if someone could eat maybe one plate or he adds two plates, how much would it cost?

Let’s say the price might be IDR 100,000. But a bottle of wine can be IDR 500,000-IDR 600,000. It can increase the turnover of hotels or restaurants,” he explained.

Rai Budarsa continued that Hatten Wines has been paying attention to vineyards, production of wine with the best equipment, and education on wine to support tourism industry in Bali. He said that his company purchases grapes as the ingredients from farmers in Buleleng. There is a team specifically in charge of providing guidance for farmers so as to produce quality wine.

One of the team members is even Indonesian who had learned to cultivate grapes in France. (kmb32)

2

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Bali News

International

Budget of IMF-WB estimated to be under IDR 500 billion

Bali gets additional GRDP of IDR 1.2 trillion

MANGUPURA - Budget plafond for the IMF-WB event amounts to IDR 855 billion. Of the IDR 855 billion, only IDR 566 billion was used and may be reduced to below IDR 500 billion.

In addition to the budget that can be suppressed, the economic impact obtained from the annual meeting 2018 is that Bali is expected to get an additional Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of IDR 1.2 trillion.

“Of the IDR 855 billion to date, the figure is IDR 566 billion.

Maybe we will lower it later. We have already negotiated with Mr. Susiwijono. Later after being audited, we will know exactly how much it is. Maybe it will be under IDR500 billion,” said Luhut Binsar

Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in the press briefing on Saturday (Oct. 10).

Estimated budget in use is under IDR 500 billion because the committee did not buy new items. For instance, the Mercedes vehicles

used by delegate heads are manufactured in 2013 and 2015, they are not new.

When escorting President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, from Ngurah Rai Airport to hotel, Luhut told Jim about the problems he had experienced. One of them is about

Stephen Jaffe / International Monetary Fund / AFP

Finance ministers and Bank governors pose for a group photo during the beginning of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual meeting in Nusa Dua, on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali on October 13, 2018.

the budget for car rental. Moreover, the car used by Jim Yong Kim, said Luhut, is Mercedes manufactured in 2015 and was a taxi vehicle.

Hearing the statement from Luhut, Jim Yong Kim laughed.

With the assumption of 19,000 participants, the Bali’s economy will grow 6.54 percent. However, based on the latest data, the total participants coming were 36,619 people. If the participants were really 36,619 people, Bali’s economy is expected to grow by more than 6.54 percent.

In addition, there were 32,700 jobs created and the expansion of the airport apron can increase the arrival to 1.2 million passengers. Hotel occupancy rate also increased from 60-70 percent to 70-80 percent. “So, it is an extraordinary thing. One of the strategies to overcome our deficit count is to increase tourism,” he said.

A total of 3,000 delegates also registered to visit various tourist destinations, namely Bali, Lombok, Mandalika, Gili Trawangan, Labuan Bajo, Komodo and Lake Toba. There are several hundred billions that can be obtained from these tourist visits.

The state guests were also amazed because Indonesia could manage while handling disasters in Lombok, Palu, Asian Games, Asian Para Games and the current IMFWB Annual Meeting. “So, their term is like this, your bandwidth is really great. How a big country like Indonesia can manage them well?” said Luhut imitating the impression received from the delegates. The success of the IMF-WB will make investors confident to invest.

Meanwhile, Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, said that Bali as the venue of IMF-World Bank Annual

Meeting 2018 is a great honor, trust and pride. This affirmed that all components of Balinese society namely the customs, religious and culture are very cohesive and solid to welcome the IMF-WB event.

As short-term benefits, Bali is assisted with infrastructure development by central government. They consist of Ngurah Rai underpass to resolve congestion problems to Nusa Dua. This infrastructure is completed with a total of IDR 174 billion. Another is the development of Ngurah Rai Airport’s parking expansion. Thus, the circulation of aircraft can be faster. The garbage at Suwung landfill becoming a problem for years can now be resolved with a budget of IDR 250 billion. So, the tourism image of Bali will grow stronger. “Although the image of Bali is strong, it must be constantly built because Bali competes against other countries,” he said.

Employment opportunities increased to 32,000 and the GRDP is believed to increase above IDR 1.2 trillion this year. Bali’s economic growth without the IMF-WB is around 5.9 percent in 2018. However, with the IMF–WB event, he believed the Bali’s economic growth is above 6.5 percent. “This is a blessing for Bali,” he said.

Meanwhile, the long-term benefit of the meeting is serving as a medium to promote tourism of Indonesia and Bali. Approximately 14,000 participants from 189 countries will become spokespersons in their respective country about Bali and Indonesia. “For us, this is a free promotion for Bali. With regional budget, this requires a large fund for promotion to the 189 countries,” he added. (kmb42)

Ubud tourism village icon

IMF delegates make no visit to homestay GIANYAR —A number of tourist objects in Gianyar district have been visited by delegates of the World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, the high number of visits is ensured to have no direct impact on room occupancy in the Ubud area. Chiefly the homestay as one of the icons of Ubud was not even visited.

Chairperson of the Ubud Home Stay Association (UHSA), I.B. Wiryawan, said the current level of

occupancy for homestays remains in the range of 50 percent. According to him, this condition is normal as October belongs to low season. “In the previous month, it skyrocketed to 80 to 90 percent. However, the range has dropped by 40 to 50 percent in the last few weeks,” he said.

This man familiarly addressed as Gus De also confirmed that until last Sunday the homestay in Ubud and its surrounding area had not received any confirmation

related to the visit by the delegates of the IMF-WB. “Until now, there has been no delegates’ visit to the homestay, whereas we are really waiting,” he said.

This condition was also very much regretted. Moreover, a number of delegates also visited tourist attractions and museums at the tourism village, but they did not even visit the homestays. Actually, all this time the homestays offer a lot of Balinese cultural activi-

ties, as one of the icons of Ubud as a tourism village. “Yesterday there was tourism village festival in Ubud Square, but apparently no delegates were directed to the event,” he revealed.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Gianyar Tourism Office, A.A. Bagus Ari Brahmanta, acknowledged if the visit of the IMF-WB delegates had not yet impacted the room occupancy. Moreover, the current occupancy remains at 40 to

50 percent. “Well, indeed this visit does not directly affect the room occupancy,” he said.

This official familiarly addressed as Gung Ari even observed the visit of the delegates to Gianyar district will provide a long-term impact. Those getting impressed with Balinese culture will come again to travel. “So, it is not enjoyed right now but in long-term. It has great impact, there are delegates who return personally,” he said. (kmb35)

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

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International

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

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INTERCONTINENTAL DANANG NAMED AMONG “THE BEST RESORTS IN THE WORLD” BY CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER 2018 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS Condé Nast Traveler announced the results of its 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards recognising InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in the reputable list of the best resorts in the world and top 3 resorts in Asia.

This year, the 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey sets another record with more than 429,000 travelers voted for their

favourite hotels and resorts, cities, cruise ships and island destinations with millions of ratings and tens of thousands of comments. The awards are known as the longestrunning, most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as ‘the best of the best of travel’.

Highly praised for its spectacular architecture, unique location

and impeccable services, the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort ranked third among “Top Resorts in Asia”. Remarkably, the resort was also honoured in the prestigious list of “The Best Resorts in the World”.

Speaking on the award win, Juan Losada, the resort’s General Manager said: “We are delighted to be recognised as one of the

best resorts in the world by our discerning guests and readers of such a prestigious luxury travel publication. This is testament to our commitment to delivering the best experience to our guests. We are humbled with the accolade and having travelers consistently vote our property with the highest rates, is an exceptional achievement for our team. We look forward to

delivering even greater level of luxury experience to our guests who choose to stay with us”.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is one-of-a-kind resort that redefines the definition of luxury in the region. Suspended over mythical Monkey Mountain, the resort is a flagship property of IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) in Vietnam.

16 Pages Number 211 10th year

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

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

‘Genius’ behind ‘Teletubbies’ in new go-to-sleep kids show LONDON - “Teletubbies” creator Andrew Davenport has come up with a new show “guaranteed to stop children climbing the walls”, BBC bosses claimed Sunday.

Davenport, an actor and puppeteer known as the “J.K. Rowling of the under-fives”, also wrote and made the worldwide hit “In the Night Garden”.

The British public broadcaster believes that his new series called “Moon and Me” will transport the next generation of toddlers to the Land of Nod. It got its world premiere Sunday at the MIPJunior children’s entertainment market in Cannes, France. Davenport introduced the show by video link from Atlanta, Georgia, where he is rushing to finish the first series for the BBC’s pre-school CBeebies channel.

Commissioning editor Michael Towner called Davenport a “genius” and said the show’s calming combination of story and song is “guaranteed to stop children

climbing the walls”.

“If any of you didn’t have a lump in your throat towards the end of that, you are not human and you shouldn’t be working with children,” he added, after the first work-in-progress episode was shown.

A mix of puppetry and stopmotion animation, “Moon and Me” turns on a doll called Peppianna who lives in a toy house with her five friends including Mr Onions -- who begins every sentence by saying “onions” -- Collywobble, Lilyplant and Lambkin.

Full of typically Davenport catchphrases such as “Tiddle toddle”, the show also contains a magical character called Moon Boy that could double for its c r e a t o r. (afp)

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

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images/AFP

A fan cosplays as Venom from the Marvel Universe during the 2018 New York Comic-Con at Javits Center on October 7, 2018 in New York City.

Villainous ‘Venom’ again rules in North American theaters

LOS ANGELES - Sony’s superhero film “Venom” held onto the lead this weekend in North American box offices, again followed by last weekend’s No. 2 “A Star Is Born,” industry tracker Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

“Venom” took in an estimated $35.7 million for the three-day weekend, dropping from last weekend’s $80 million, while Warner Bros.’ well-reviewed “Star” had $28 million in ticket sales, down from $41.2 million.

Universal’s highly touted astronaut drama “First Man,” from Oscar-winning director Damien Chazelle, took in just $16.5 million in its opening weekend, to place third.

“Venom” stars Tom Hardy as a journalist who becomes the superpowerful host for an alien symbiote; his character is a villain in the “Spider-Man” world. Panned by critics, the film, which also stars

Michelle Williams, nevertheless has had strong global ticket sales.

“A Star Is Born,” the third remake of a 1937 film by the same name, marks the directing debut of actor Bradley Cooper, who plays a hard-drinking country/ rock musician who falls in love with a young singer played by pop superstar Lady Gaga, only to see her star rise as his tumbles.

“First Man” opened with high expectations, reuniting Chazelle with Ryan Gosling, his star from popular musical “La La Land.”

Because of its adult-skewing audience, analysts predict a long run for the film, which recounts Neil Armstrong’s journey to the

moon in 1969.

Fourth place went to Sony’s “Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween,” which had ticket sales of $16.2 million. The familyfriendly sequel, based on the children’s book series by R.L. Stine, stars Wendi McLendonCovey and Madison Iseman.

In fifth was Warner Bros. animation “Smallfoot,” with earnings of $9.3 million. The comic film flips the usual Bigfoot tale on its head, telling the story of a group of Yeti terrified when they come across a human. Voices are by Channing Tatum, James Corden, Zendaya, Common and others. (afp)

Eric CABANIS / AFP

Residents stand by a broken bridge on the river Trapel following floods on October 15, 2018 in Villegailhenc, near Carcassone, southern France. Six people died following storm and flash floods during the night of October 15 in the Aude department in southern France, authorities said.

13 dead as flooding hits southwestern France

At least 13 people died as violent rainstorms turned rivers into raging torrents in southwestern France on Monday in the latest episode of wild weather in Europe, officials said.

Flash floods swamped a number of towns and villages around the fortress city of Carcassonne, leaving a trail of overturned cars, damaged roads and collapsed homes.

An elderly nun was swept to her death as rising waters smashed through a nunnery in the village of Villardonnel to the north of Carcassonne. Meanwhile, at least four people died overnight in the hard-hit village of Villegailhenc, local authorities said Monday.

As Prime Minister Edouard Philippe headed to the scene, the

French interior ministry said a total of 13 people had died after the equivalent of three months’ of rainfall in just a few hours.

“There’s water everywhere in the house. Everything is flooded,” Helene Segura told AFP by telephone from Villegailhenc where at least one small bridge had collapsed.

“When I look out the window, I can only see water and mud everywhere. It’s sad when you’re 70 years’ old like me and you need to redo your house, change the

furniture and all the upholstery,” she said.

Authorities rushed in helicopters and 600 firemen to help with rescue operations, particularly those in the floodplain of the Aude river which hit its highest level in 100 years, according to the Vigicrues flood agency.

In the town of Trebes, near Carcassonne, the water in the Aude rose eight metres (26 feet) in just five hours, officials said.

Around 1,000 people were evacuated in the area of Pezens, also near Carcassonne in the Aude area, due to fears that a nearby dam could burst.

The storms were triggered

when a front of warm and humid air from the Mediterranean Sea slammed into colder air around the Massif central mountain range in central France, inundating an area from the eastern Pyrenees to Aveyron further north.

Violent storms on Sunday also hit Portugal, leaving 28 with minor injuries and hundreds of thousands without power amid flooding in the region around the capital Lisbon.

The heavy rain, which later rolled on through Spain, was the tail end of hurricane Leslie in the Atlantic which weakened to a post-tropical storm as it made landfall.

Last week, an unrelated weather system moving across the Mediterranean left 12 dead in the Spanish island of Majorca and another two died in southeastern France.

Firemen responded to more than 250 calls overnight, as 160 to 180 mm (6 to 7 inches) of rain fell within five hours in Carcassonne.(afp) News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http://radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.