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Wednesday, March 21, 2018

’Sex and the City’ actress Cynthia Nixon to run for New York governor

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018

NEW YORK - Actress and liberal activist Cynthia Nixon, one of the stars of the hit television series “Sex and the City,” announced on Monday she would run for governor of New York, challenging incumbent Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic nomination.

REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/File Photo

Actress Cynthia Nixon arrives at the 71st Tony Awards New York City, U.S., June 11, 2017.

“I love New York, and today I’m announcing my candidacy for governor,” Nixon, 51, said on Twitter.

Her campaign sets up a battle for the Sept. 13 primary between a celebrity on the left of the Democratic Party and a moderate governor who is often mentioned as a possible presidential hopeful in 2020.

Cuomo, 60, the son of late New York Governor Mario Cuomo, is seeking his third term. The general election is Nov. 6. If successful in both the primary and general elections, Nixon would become New York’s first female and first openly gay governor.

A statement by Nixon’s campaign called her a progressive alternative to Cuomo, referring to the governor as a centrist whose aides were mired in

legal trouble. It also made note of the state’s role in operating New York City’s antiquated and much maligned subway system.

An accompanying video, which shows Nixon at home with her wife, Christine Marinoni, and their young son Max, also addresses income inequality.

“Our leaders are letting us down,” Nixon says in the video. “We are the most unequal state in the entire country, with both incredible wealth and extreme poverty.”

Nixon is aligned with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat who is politically to the left of Cuomo. The two men have feuded over issues such as public transit and housing in the nation’s largest city. (rtr)

Broadway stars Lin-Manuel Miranda and Platt release #MarchforOurLives song LOS ANGELES - Two of Broadway’s biggest stars teamed up to release a song on Monday in support of the March for Our Lives gun control movement started by students at a Florida high school.

“Hamilton” musical creator LinManuel Miranda and Ben Platt, the Tony-winning star of teen musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” recorded a mashup of two songs from the respective shows called “Found/ Tonight.”

A portion of the proceeds from the song will support the March for Our Lives initiative aimed at pressuring U.S. lawmakers to tighten laws on gun ownership.

Students from Marjory Stone-

man Douglas High School are organizing marches in Washington D.C. and elsewhere in the United States on March 24 after 17 students and teachers at their school in Parkland, Florida, were killed in a mass shooting last month.

“It’s so inspiring to see young people standing up for what is probably the most important cause right now in this country, and demanding action,” Platt, 24, said in a statement. “I hope that this song can play some small part in bringing about real change.”

Miranda said he was “awestruck by the strength and leadership of the students and their ability to speak truth to power.”

The emotional song and a music video combines the “Hamilton” song “Story of Tonight” with “You Will Be Found” from Tony-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen.”

It was among the top five trending items on YouTube on Monday.

“I just listened to it and I can’t stop crying I’m gonna listen to this forever holy heck,” Emma Gonzalez, one of the student leaders, said on Twitter.

March for Our Lives has also received support and hefty financial donations from the likes of Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, director Steven Spielberg and singers Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and Demi Lovato. (rtr)

Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army members pull down Kurdish statue in the center of Afrin, Syria March 18, 2018.

After the battle

Aid, gunfire and looting in Syria’s Afrin

AFRIN - A day after Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies seized control of Afrin, a Turkish aid group started distributing relief supplies in the town centre on Monday, but residents continued to leave after widespread reports of looting. Triumphant Syrian rebel fighters stood on a fallen statue, firing shots in the air, while military vehicles patrolled streets still littered with the debris from Turkey’s eight-week offensive to drive out Kurdish YPG fighters.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

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Shops were closed and some people left for villages outside Afrin, the main town in a pocket of Kurdish-controlled territory in northwest Syria. One resident said the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army rebel fighters who swept into Afrin on Sunday morning had been looting shops and homes.

“The Free Syrian Army came and entered into Afrin and supposedly we were going to be safe. But it turned out to be the opposite,” said the man, who did not give his name.

“The Free Syrian Army looted our cars, looted our houses, looted

our shops. It has become like we are all homeless (even) in our houses.

No food, no drink, no security.”

Syria’s foreign ministry, in a letter to the United Nations published by state media, said Afrin residents’ belongings were looted and their houses destroyed in the Turkey-led campaign. An FSA spokesman in the region was not immediately available for comment. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman said Ankara was taking reports of looting in Afrin seriously. “We are looking into the incidents. Apparently they have happened. Some

groups apparently did not follow the orders that were given by their commanders,” Ibrahim Kalin told CNN. Another man in Afrin, loading mattresses, carpets and other goods onto the back of a tractor trailer, said his family moved to the town from Bulbul, 30 km (20 miles) away, when Turkey launched its air and ground offensive in January. “The bombardment started so we fled to Afrin. Now we are returning from Afrin to our home because it’s safer,” he said.

The United Nations said two thirds of 323,000 residents had fled the wider Afrin region since the

start of Turkey’s campaign to drive out Kurdish YPG fighters, who it says are an extension of Kurdish militants waging a prolonged insurgency in southern Turkey. It appealed for urgent supplies to “stem the catastrophic situation” for tens of thousands of people in Afrin and in Ghouta, where Syrian government forces are fighting to crush the last major rebel-held enclave on the edge of the capital.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called on Monday for greater access to the civilian population of Afrin, saying that Turkey’s Red Crescent lacked credibility among the Syrian Kurds after the Turkish military operation.

Turkey, however, has promised to support people in Afrin and on Monday its emergency relief agency

AFAD was distributing aid in the centre of the town.

“Since yesterday when the Turkish Army and Free Syrian Army entered here our duty started for the humanitarian affairs,” said AFAD’s director Mehmed Gulluoglu. “Today we are here for need assessment and also for the first distribution. We are distributing food, hygiene kits and some prepared food and some blankets any case.”(rtr) News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http:// radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Bali News

International

International

Activities

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

15

Not easy to meet criteria of tourism village GIANYAR — Innovations in tourism sector stay indispensable, especially those initiated and managed by villagers in the form of tourism villages. The innovation from, by and for society is considered strategic not only within the framework of sustainable tourism development but also related to the development of people’s economy. However, it is not easy to realize and manage a tourism village. The initiative and active participation of rural communities is a crucial factor.

Of the 76 villages in Gianyar district, so far only nine villages have been designated as tourism village namely Singapadu Tengah, Singapadu Kaler, Taro, Kerta, Batubulan, Kemenuh, Mas, Kendran and Kedisan. The potentials developed by communities at each village are quite varied, but most of them are related to nature and culture. Other than having been set by the government, people at some villages are also trying to make theirs into a tourism village.

According to the Head of Gianyar Tourism Office, A.A. Ari Brahmanta, the government appreciated to the public vivacity to advance their village. The development of village potentials in the form of tourism village is very positive in moving the local community’s economy up to the preservation of culture and environment. District government is ready to support the development of tourism villages. “The support could be in the provision and improvement of infrastructure and nonphysical assistance such as coaching,” he said while accompanied by Section Head of Tourism Resources, Desak Made Utari, on Monday (Mar. 19).

He explained some things need to be considered in the development of tourism villages, termed as 6M (man, managerial, money, material, market and method). However, among these factors, the most important is ‘man’ or human resources. In this case, there must be a community response and driving figures. If the community is passive, the government will be difficult to develop the potential owned by the village.

“We do not want to make a tourism village haphazardly. The whole villages in Gianyar actually have a potential to be tourism village. But how, are they ready? Now, it depends on the village leader. If they have the will, I think it can be realized. Moreover, we know the benefits of tourism villages, in addition to mobilizing village economy, is also reducing poverty, opening employment and preserving culture and environment,” he explained.

Furthermore, he revealed that based on Gianyar Regent Regulation No.127/2016 on the Procedures of Tourism Village Establishment in Gianyar district, there are several stages to be fulfilled in determining tourism village. Among others, the village should apply to the district government by submitting data on the potential owned and meet the criteria specified. After that, the tourism office will do verification. If the criteria are met, the village concerned can be designated as tourism village by a regent decree.

“This year many tourism village candidates have submitted their proposal. We will deploy a team to do verification. If meeting the requirements, they can be defined as a tourism village. Tourism village should be an administrative village or it can designate particular areas to represent,” he said.

Meanwhile, hamlet chief of Panglan, Pejeng, Tampaksiring, I Made Kamardiyana, conveyed that government support is necessary in the development of tourism potential. The government is expected to find solutions for the constraints faced by the community such as inadequate infrastructure, limited funds and understanding of the tourism sector.

He pointed out that younger generation of Panglan is trying to synergize organic agriculture with tourism leading to the formation of tourism village. Organic farming centered on one-hectare of land in the Subak Kana area will be a major development and tourist attraction center. However, in its passage, there are various obstacles faced so that the development is still not maximal.

“So far, there have been visitors coming here, including foreign tourists. However, the number remains very little as the promotion is limited. We are not ready, if for example, many tourists come because our infrastructure has not been supportive. Facilities and infrastructure at the location of organic farming stays very limited. So, we still really expect the government support,” he said. (kmb25)

The tourists are visiting Taman Ayun Temple.

IBP/file

Tourism has not yet created equity DENPASAR — In 2017, TripAdvisor set Bali as the best destination, which even surpassed London (England) and Paris (France). Both destinations are sequentially in the second and third positions under Bali. Meanwhile, in the fourth to tenth positions were respectively occupied by Roma (Italy), New York (USA), Crete (Greece), Barcelona (Spain), Siem Riep (Cambodia), Prague (Czech) and Phuket (Thailand).

Nevertheless, this achievement is not in line with the welfare of Balinese people. Inequality remains to become a classic problem faced

by Bali today. Actually, the tourism development has generated a lot of dollars. But in reality it cannot be enjoyed evenly by the entire community of the Island of the Gods.

“Tourism pies cannot be enjoyed by the Balinese evenly. For example, the Hotel and Restaurant Tax (PHR) is enjoyed by Badung district in the majority. Meanwhile, the tourism is supported by all the Balinese people,” said Deputy Chairman of the Bali House of Representatives, I Nyoman Sugawa Korry, in Denpasar, on Monday (Mar. 19).

According to Sugawa Korry, this has an impact on the development outcomes tending to be imbalanced. It also appears from the striking differences in per capita income, human development index, and gini ratio. He has

proposed the revision to the Law No.28/2009 on Regional Tax and Levy. Mainly, the law should also include a source of income in the form of tourism levies. All this time, hotel and restaurant taxes are handed over to producing district especially Badung, while the cultural tourism in Bali is supported by all districts/ municipality.

“In the past, the policy was intended for star-rated hotels built in Sanur and Kuta, while other districts are supporters so the hotel and restaurant tax revenue only goes to Badung. Currently, other districts are just like receiving ‘mercy’ and it is very subjective.

There is ‘like and dislike’ as well as there can be other motives,” he explained.

Sugawa Korry added that revision against the Law No. 28/2009 must be done so the hotel and restaurant tax now distributed directly by Badung to recipient districts is not only a mercy, but

can become the right of the supporting districts. Thus, justice can just be created. In addition to the Law No.28/2009, he also proposed to central government to revise the Law No.33/2004 on Financial Balance between Central Government and Local Government. All this time, the balancing funds received

by Bali is not comparable to the foreign exchanges contributed by the Island of the Gods through the advancement of tourism.

“In the Law No.33/2004 is stated the sharing funds is only valid for natural resources. Since Bali does not have it, it becomes unfair whereas there are two sources of revenue sharing from natural resources and other resources. Well, the elaboration on the other natural resources in the Law No. 33/2004 is not further clarified. We demand there must be a revision made by proposing tourism to be included in the law,” he concluded. (kmb32)

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14

Technology

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

International

Self-driving car industry faces critical test after first death

WASHINGTON - The death of a woman in Arizona struck by a self-driving car with no human control, the first fatality involving a fully autonomous vehicle, is an event the nascent industry has long dreaded and comes at a sensitive time.

Monday’s accident involving an Uber Technologies Inc car is shaping up as the first significant test of how policy makers and the public will respond to the new technology. The incident occurred as companies have been pushing for regulatory clearance to offer self-driving car ride services as soon as next year. On Friday, Uber and Alphabet Inc’s Waymo car unit had written U.S. senators urging them to approve sweeping self-driving car legislation “in the coming weeks.”

Automakers and technology companies such as Uber, General Motors Co and Toyota Motor Corp have made substantial investments that hinge on significant revisions to existing vehicle safety regulations written under the assumption that a licensed human would always be in control of a vehicle.

Auto and technology industry officials have warned that there could be accidents and deaths involving self-driving cars, but they have said countless additional lives would be saved as robotic systems programmed to obey traffic laws took over for distracted, sleepy or impaired human drivers.

Mark Rosenker, a former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said on Monday the public should not overreact to the Uber incident. He noted that 6,000 pedestrians and nearly 40,000 people die annually on U.S. roads in more than 6 million crashes

annually.

“This is going to be a unfortunate obstacle that we are going to have to deal with to regain (the public’s) belief that these devices are safe,” Rosenker said.

The incident prompted Uber to suspend all testing of self-driving cars.

The immediate impact of the fatality may be to further delay or change a landmark bill pending in Congress to speed the testing of self-driving cars that was already stalled by objections from a handful of Democrats over safety concerns.

Senator John Thune, a Republican who chairs the Commerce Committee, said the “tragedy underscores the need to adopt laws and policies tailored for selfdriving vehicles.”

However, two Democratic U.S. senators on Thune’s committee, Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, said the Uber incident demands a tough response.

“This tragic incident makes clear that autonomous vehicle technology has a long way to go before it is truly safe for the passengers, pedestrians, and drivers who share America’s roads,” Blumenthal said in a statement.

The Trump administration has been working to dismantle regulatory roadblocks to self-driving cars, but it has also said it is focused on ensuring safety. “The goal is to develop common sense regulations that do not hamper innovation,

3

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Ogoh-ogoh of ‘millennial style’

Integrating traditional art and technology development CREATIVITY in the making of ogoh-ogoh (papier mâché demon) continues to grow. Every year, there are always innovations such as the use of motor engine technology in the making of the ogoh-ogoh so it is no longer static but able to move.

Besides, there are also the ones using computer technology and internet to control the ogoh-ogoh movement. As a work of art related to cultural traditions, ogoh-ogoh of the ‘millennial style’ apparently is not inseparable from the influence of technology.

This indicates that modernization will not undermine tradition but makes it richer.

three years, to each sell up to 80,000 self-driving vehicles annually if they could demonstrate to regulators they are as safe as current vehicles.

Concerns over the safety of autonomous vehicles flared in July 2016 when a man driving a Tesla Model S in semi-autonomous “Autopilot” mode died when his car struck a tractor-trailer.

In January 2017, federal safety regulators concluded there was no defect in the Tesla Autopilot system, and that the driver should have maintained control. (rtr)

The desire to display the best is human nature. Similarly, one’s feeling may never be satisfied with one achievement. Construction of the ogoh-ogoh skeleton is one of the rapid developments. If in the early days, ogoh-ogoh construction was conventional as the ogoh-ogoh structure can only be made in a sitting position. Then, it evolved into ogoh-ogoh standing on two legs and evolved again into ogoh-ogoh standing on one foot. Meanwhile, currently the ogoh-ogoh skeleton construction is designed magnificently so that the ogoh-ogoh shape can be made in such a way to look like floating.

The increasingly unique construction of the ogoh-ogoh is certainly not separated from the use of design with iron materials. Thus, technical calculations should be included in order to make the ogoh-ogoh iron construction reliable. Another challenge is the integration of this iron frame with natural materials such as woven bamboo as the body of the ogoh-ogoh.

Ketut Gede Arya Narendra, Chief of Tainsiat customary youth club whose ogoh-ogoh entitled Ratu

Sumedang claimed to still use bamboo, but the ogoh-ogoh bone structure is using iron. In addition, the ogohogoh receiving wide appreciation from the society also uses motor engine technology so that it is able to move. So, the ogoh-ogoh entitled Queen Sumedang telling about black magic looks like alive. “We hope that people can receive our ogoh-ogoh work this year and will continue to be creative next years,” he said.

Different from Dharma Laksana customary youth club of North Panjer, Denpasar, it made the ogoh-ogoh that can be driven by using internet connection. “To welcome Nyepi of this year, the ogoh-ogoh can be controlled online by using the feature of ‘Google Assistant’ installed on smart phone,” said the designer of the system, Made Dwi Krisna.

He added the ogoh-ogoh entitled Shiva Sarabha is able to receive voice commands sent by the ogoh-ogoh operator with ‘Google Assistant’ feature using smart phones and then the ogoh-ogoh translates the commands into movement. “I assemble the components in the ogoh-ogoh such as message-receiving and processing wireless modem, ethernet shields,

having explored and deployed all NAO’s capabilities within the framework of their university degree course.

Since July 2015, a new type of hotel has opened in a theme park.

NAO was selected to provide the reception and conciergerie services. He welcomes the guests and provides them with information in a variety of languages.

7 NAO joined the “ROBOTS” show created by the renowned choreographer Blanca Li in 2013.

The first show in the world with robots in the starring roles, it has already charmed European and North American audiences. (net)

DENPASAR — Discussion on the revision of Regional Regulation No.3/1992 on Balinese Language, Scripts Literature is approaching final stage. Another important point emerging is related to Balinese language institute, script, and literature.

All this time, the institute in question actually exists but does not work optimally. Actually, there are 15 academicians, both professors and doctors, writers, artists, observers and activists of Balinese language, script and literature recruited to strengthen the institution named the Language Agency.

“The draft is almost final, just waiting for approval. This Balinese language, script and literature agency has a broader protection, development, utilization and fostering function than the existing inactive

language agency,” said Chairman of Special Committee, Nyoman Parta, after a meeting with Regional Development Planning Board (Bappeda), Law and Human Rights Bureau, Bali Education Agency as well as academicians in the Parliamentary House on Monday (Mar. 19).

According to Parta, all this time the language agency has not functioned since its management is under the organization of bureaucratic agency. Meanwhile, the members attached to campus culture are not accustomed to getting into the budgeting flow of APBD. In order to preserve, his commission has requested that Balinese language, script, and literature agency has proposed an activity program at the end of March.

“Bappeda has promised to prepare the budget,” he explained.

After self-driving Uber car kills woman, industry faces critical test. while preserving safety,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said on March 1. A spokesman for Chao had no additional comment Monday.

Chao is reviewing a petition that GM filed in January with NHTSA requesting an exemption to have a small number of autonomous vehicles operate in a ride-share program without steering wheels or human drivers.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said Monday in a statement the incident demonstrated “there are enormous

risks inherent to testing unproven technologies on public roads. It is critical that pedestrians and drivers are safeguarded.”

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Monday the incident is a “wake up call to the entire AV industry and government to put a high priority on safety.”

In September, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a measure that would allow automakers to win exemptions from safety rules that require human controls. A Senate version would allow automakers, within

IBP/net

Who is NAO? PARIS - 58 cm in height, NAO is our first humanoid robot. He has continually been evolving since the beginning of his adventure in 2006.

Currently in his 5th version, about 10 000 NAO have already been sold throughout the world.

NAO is an interactive com-

REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

Bali News

International

An elderly woman plays with a robot named NAO, manufactured by Softbank Robotics, in her retirement home in Bordeaux, France, March 16, 2018.

panion robot.

Their experience with NAO In France, at a specialised centre of the “Autistes sans Frontière” association, NAO and Lucas have forged a special bond.

Impassive and always positive, NAO encourages Lucas without judging him. Since their encounter, Lucas is calmer and his contact with adults has become easier.

The Australian “rUNSWift” team from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) carried off the Standard Platform League cup at the RoboCup 2015 competition (robotics world cup event) after

IBP/kmb

As a work of art related to cultural traditions, ogoh-ogoh of the ‘millennial style’ apparently is not inseparable from the influence of technology. relays, arduino (an open-source platform used for building electronic projects) and dimmers for about two weeks,” he said.

The ogoh-ogoh with the internet technology, he said, is connected

to smart phone via internet connection. After that, the operator opens the ‘Google Assistant’ feature in the smart phone by giving voice commands. Afterward, the voice is processed by components inside the

ogoh-ogoh and then it can move according to the specified commands.

Inside the ogoh-ogoh, there is also a hydraulic tool and ‘drone’ propeller serving as the driving force of the ogoh-ogoh’s part. (ara/ant)

Parta has confidence that Balinese language, script and literature agency formulated this time can work optimally. Its duties and functions have also been clearly articulated in the regional regulation draft. In the context of protecting, for example, the agency is tasked with collecting, inventorying and recording all palmleaf manuscripts, Balinese folklore as well as other local wisdom.

“Furthermore, it did the process of digitizing and printing books.

Besides, it also makes data collection and recognition of some folklore as a result of intellectual work of the Balinese so as not to be claimed by outsiders,” added this PDI-P politician from Guwang, Gianyar.

Related to coaching, continued Parta, the Balinese language, script and literature agency will strengthen

the teachers and extension officers of the Balinese language existing throughout the island. Teachers or educators with outstanding performance will be given the priority of continuing their education to graduate and post-graduate studies. This can be made possible by the Bali Education Agency. On the other hand, the agency also acts as a think tank providing direction related to the use of Balinese language and script.

“For example, at the airport there is advancement on the usage of Balinese terms in giving the announcement to board the plane. However, there are still a lot of mistakes, like the reading of 21:00 said to be selikur (twenty-one) but should be ‘nine.’

This is where it plays a role to provide direction,” he explained.

When separately confirmed,

the Head of the Bappeda Bali and Research and Development Bureau, I Wayan Wiasthana Ika Putra, said that budgeting for Balinese language, script and literature agency is in principle consistent with the norms, standards, procedures and criteria (NSPK). In the upcoming April, the development meeting plan (Musrenbang) is going to create RKPD 2019. At that time, all regional agencies including the culture agency that oversees the institution will submit a proposal and then discussed.

“We have the task of facilitating in accordance with local financial capacity. Later, we will see how the program of this institution will look like. Of course, it will be followed by rational budgeting. In short, we are ready,” he said. (kmb32)

Balinese language, scripts and literature agency to be ’revived’

4

Bali News

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

International

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

International

Market flooded with outside supplies

Local farmers should ‘move’ to prepare ritual needs

RITUAL needs such as banana and coconut are very high, especially during holy days, no exception in Klungkung district.

However, in the fulfillment, it remains very dependent on other regions, in which one of them is Lombok. Local farmers have not made this a business opportunity.

One morning, the atmosphere of Galiran Market in Klungkung was very crowded. No wonder because there are a number of holy days in the near future. People from all over the corners came to purchase ritual paraphernalia. Bargaining also sweetened the situation. It showed a traditional impression. In the parking lot, many vehicles were lined neatly. Someone came out, while some others were entering so as to add the crowd.

On the east side, a large enough building looked so quite crowded.

Here people could see interesting scenery. Various commodities piled up starting from chili, onion and garlic to other spices ingredients.

Not to forget, it also included local fruits. Of the existing commodities, garlic is highly demanded by buyers. Hundreds of clusters are lined up neatly in the kiosk yard. Some is being unloaded from large trucks.

The color is green along with bunches of small and large size.

It shows different names. Having been traced further, the most common fruit in the community is not coming from Klungkung farmers but from Lombok. “The number of local banana is a little, it’s usually sold directly to retailers,” said a collector, Ketut Mertadi, recently.

While waiting for buyers, this man from Gianyar said that banana supply comes every day. The number jumps sharply ahead of holy days, like Galungan, Kuningan

and Nyepi. He himself can sell up to 500 bunches. His consumers do not just from Klungkung, but also from Blahbatuh, Gianyar. “On holidays, the demand increases as many people buy,” he said.

A good quality banana almost has no rotten pieces. The price is affordable where a small bunch is sold for the range of IDR 25,000 in accordance with its type. “The price depends on the size and the type of banana,” he said.

Such tantalizing prospect became the right reason for him to resign from becoming a banana salesman having been pursued for several years. Currently, he already has a number of customers.

Another merchant, Ketut Sumida, also has similar reason. Very little local farmers provide banana supply for the market to meet the needs for ceremonies. Similar condition also happens to coconut of daksina. This is also imported from outside the region. Each day he should bring in some sacks of coconut. The price is IDR 2,500 per item. “All the coconuts are brought in from outside the region just like the banana,” he said.

Head of the Klungkung Agriculture Agency, Ida Bagus Gde Juanida, did not dismiss it. No doubt local farmers have not seen the fruit market opportunities. “The matter of having not seen the opportunity could be true. Land availability to plant can also become the cause of the little harvest,” he explained.

Nevertheless, his agency still encourages farmers to plant. At least the harvest yield can meet their needs. “There is no special program for banana planting. We will encourage them to do that. Hopefully, farmers can take advantage of this opportunity,” he said. (sos)

banana supply comes every day.

IBP/sos

S.Korea to send K-pop singers to Pyongyang in late March

During the past five years farmers get new hope because their cacao products are recognized internationally and even more valuable.

Cacao becomes main export commodity of Jembrana farmers IBP/olo

ALL this time, the agricultural products, especially cacao, is still underestimated. Moreover, farmers in Jembrana had been traumatized for years due to diseases attacking their crops.

However, during the past five years farmers get new hope because their cacao products are recognized internationally and even more valuable.

Cacao of Jembrana has a distinctive flavor compared to that of other regions in Indonesia. This commodity can even penetrate European export market currently being pushed

by President Joko Widodo. Over the past five years, dozens of Subak Abian groups have been established to develop standardized cacao and have more selling points than their previous results.

“One of the differences of the Jembrana cacao lies in the fat contents.

Soil texture here is hard but sandy.

Probably, this condition makes the cacao plant different,” said the Division Head of Plantation at the Jembrana Agriculture and Food Agency, I Komang Ariada, when met recently.

It makes a number of cacao bean processing companies in France interested. Other than for ingredient of groceries or drinks, this cacao bean can also be used for cosmetic ingredient, especially for fat from cacao oil.

Since several years ago, a number of subak groups have regenerated land cultivation with organic system.

Gradually, from the beginning only a few subak groups participated but the members have reached dozens.

To farmers, it gives more income because the selling price of cacao production is higher. Other than increasing production, in the future it also begins processing cacao mainly from small and medium enterprises.

Of the total 138 subak abian groups in Jembrana, this year more than 40 subak groups apply for the certification program, an increase from pre-

vious year reaching about 38 subak abian groups.

Director of Kalimajari Foundation, Agung Widi, said that Jembrana cocoa is indeed different and qualified as evidenced by the achievement of a number of awards such as the UTZ, Organic EU from USDA and the latest award at the Cocoa Excellence 2017 in France some time ago.

Widi hoped that people are more proud of the existence of Jembrana cacao. Farmers do not only produce cacao bean but also their derivative products. “We want people to not only drink or consume chocolate but also drink or consume typical Jembrana chocolate,” he added.

One of the subak groups currently enjoying the results of this cacao plantation is the Subak Abian Dwi Mekar, Pohsanten village. A local subak member, Made Sugandi, 44, is a successful farmer due to cacao farm management. His land sits on the slopes of Pasatan, which formerly just produced a little, but now becomes a ‘gold field.’ The cacao he planted four years ago has been very productive. Moreover, the selling price of the crop is higher after applying fermentation method studied. “The key is consistent, never be farmers halfheartedly. Everything needs a process from planting and maintenance,” said Sugandi.

Farming must go through the process to harvest. Plant maintenance must be done. By changing the type of cacao and applying regular maintenance, currently his plantation of 10

hectares has given a result. Moreover, the fermentation processing makes the price higher. Cacao production also increased dramatically from 800 kilograms per hectare to 1.8 tons per hectare.

Cacao plant has now been designated as the core industry commodity in Jembrana district. Based on the data, Jembrana is the largest cacao producer in Bali with 6,226 hectares of plantation with the involvement of 13,000 families of farmers.

Deputy Regent of Jembrana, Made Kembang Hartawan, is also very concerned with the quality of this Jembrana cacao. He hoped to maintain the quantity and quality.

All subak abian groups are expected to join this program. “Last year, Jembrana cacao managed to send 55 tons of fermented beans and in the next year should be more. Hopefully, the current international buyers consisting of France and Japan can be followed by other countries as long as the quality is maintained even improved,” said Kembang.

Additionally, Deputy Regent Kembang suggested the farmers to take advantage of their cacao estate into agro tourism. In some developed countries, the bean is processed into some derivative products. Countries are very rarely including the package ranging from nursery, planting to fermentation process. “I very rarely see this and Jembrana is very potential for this. Moreover, Bali remains a favorite tourist destination,” he encouraged. (olo)

13

REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) talks with minister in charge of reviving local economies Shigeru Ishiba during the plenary session of the parliament in Tokyo July 16, 2015.

Uncertainty prevails as scandal clouds Japan Abe’s future

SEOUL - A group of South Korea’s K-pop singers will visit Pyongyang from March 31, the South said on Tuesday, a reciprocal visit after North Korea sent performers to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

The South Koreans, numbering about 160, will visit North Korea until April 3, the South’s Ministry of Unification said in a statement, for the first such performances in more than a decade.

The group will include K-pop girl group Red Velvet and music industry veterans Cho Yong-pil and Lee Sun-hee, the ministry said, after talks on the performances between the neighbours’ delegations at the truce border village of Panmunjom.

Cho was the last South Korean singer to perform in the North, at a concert in Pyongyang in 2005.

“While we’re on the stage, I believe it will be difficult to portray personal feelings towards denuclearisation,” said singer and record producer Yoon Sang, who led the South’s delegation at Tuesday’s talks.

“Our first task will be to instill the same awe in North Korean audiences as we do our South Korean ones and make sure nothing is awkward,” he told a media briefing.

Further negotiations, such as deciding the songs to be performed, would be done in written form, he added.

The visitors will hold two shows in Pyongyang, one at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, which was the backdrop to a landmark performance by the New York Philharmonic in 2008.

The other show will be held at the Ryukyung Chung Ju Yung Gymnasium, which was a joint project between North and South, named after Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung.

Officials will visit the North from March 22 to 24 to inspect the sites and ensure they can accommodate the singers, the ministry added.

The deal is the latest step in the detente that began after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said at the beginning of the year that he intended to improve ties.

North Korea has since agreed to hold summits with the South and the United States, apart from participating last month in the Olympics in South Korea. (rtr)

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is facing his biggest political crisis since taking office more than five years ago, as suspicions swirl about a land sale to a school operator with ties to his wife.

Abe has denied that he or his wife, Akie, intervened in the heavily discounted sale of state-owned land to the school operator, Moritomo Gakuen, or that he sought to alter documents related to the deal.

Finance Minister Taro Aso, a close Abe ally, has also denied involvement in alterations officials in his ministry made to the documents.

But a spate of weekend opinion polls showed support for Abe’s cabinet sinking as low as 31 percent, with majorities saying he bears some responsibility.

The sagging support could dash his hopes of winning a third threeyear term as leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in a September party election. A victory would put him on track to become Japan’s longest-serving premier.

Below are possible scenarios for Abe’s political future.

ABE’S RATINGS RECOVER, HE WINS THIRD TERM Last year, Abe, 63, also saw his ratings plummet over the Mo-

ritomo land deal and other matters. The LDP suffered a historic trouncing in a Tokyo assembly election.

But he recovered in the polls, and his LDP-led coalition won a two-thirds “super majority” in a snap lower house election in October, helped by fragmentation of the opposition parties, low turnout and his stern stance toward North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

That could happen again, especially if there are no further big revelations in the Moritomo affair, no fresh scandals appear and Abe demonstrates skill on the diplomatic front.

Abe could decide to sacrifice Aso - who has said he has no intention of resigning - but that could backfire by focusing criticism even more firmly on the prime minister and depriving him of a “breakwater” against public ire.

If his ratings recover and his backers in the LDP hold firm, Abe could win a third term as party leader and stay in office into 2021.

ABE RESIGNS BEFORE SEPTEMBER If Abe’s ratings fall further and stay low, he may decide to step down before the September vote, although having quit once, he is probably reluctant to do so again. Abe abruptly resigned in 2007 after a year in office plagued by scandals in his cabinet, a deadlocked parliament and poor health.

If he steps down, Abe may try to throw his support behind former foreign minister Fumio Kishida, 60, to succeed him with backing from other party heavyweights. Kishida now serves as LDP policy chief.

The LDP would have to hold a special leadership vote, but could just poll members of parliament rather than including rank-and-file members. That would give Kishida, a low-key lawmaker seen as less hawkish than Abe, an edge over former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is popular with the party as a whole but less so among lawmakers.

Both Kishida and Ishiba have expressed concerns about Japan’s bulging public debt. (rtr)

Reuters PLUS ESPORTS2017

A fan poses with a poster of K-pop performer Eunhyuk ahead of the SMTOWN SPECIAL STAGE in HONG KONG concert.

12

International

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

BUSINESS

Bali News

International

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Besakih Temple Sits at the Foot of Mount Agung

5

Mount Agung in Balinese language is also known as Giri To Langkir to express its majesty. Giri means ‘mountain,’ To means ‘person,’ while Langkir means ‘towering.’ R. Goris, a literary scholar, compares the word to meaning ‘person’ to the family of languages ??found in other places having almost identical spellings that indicate the original equation. For example, the people of Bugis, Makassar and Toraja mention the person with the word ‘tou’ or ‘tow,’ the Sasak people on Lombok Island say ‘tau,’ the Bima people on Sumbawa Island say ‘dou,’ while the Filipinos say ‘tawuw.’

REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

Finance ministers and Central Bank presidents pose for the official photo at the G20 Meeting of Finance Ministers in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 19, 2018.

G20 pushes for free trade as U.S. vows to defend national interest

BUENOS AIRES - World financial leaders pleaded for an endorsement of free trade on Monday amid worries about U.S. metals tariffs and looming trade sanctions on China, but Trump administration officials said they would not sacrifice U.S. national interests. The Buenos Aires meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors of the world’s 20 biggest economies was meant to discuss a brightening economic outlook, the future of work, cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, and corporate tax avoidance.

But trade dominated the discussions after President Donald Trump on March 8 announced global tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminium. Trump is expected on Friday to announce new tariffs on up to $60 billion worth of Chinese technology and consumer goods annually, to punish Beijing over its drive to acquire U.S. intellectual property, sources told Reuters.

G20 officials fretted about the dangers that a potential trade war posed to world economic growth.

“The first risk is the risk of inward looking policies and protectionism,” European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici told reporters after the first day of talks. Protectionism could damage growth, he added. A draft G20 communique seen by

Reuters last week said something similar but it was not clear if it would be retained in the final version of the statement to be published on Tuesday and which has to be agreed by unanimity.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin pushed back at the meeting, saying the U.S. could not sacrifice its own interests so that the system worked. “There’s no doubt that the secretary represents the president’s very strong view that we believe in free trade,” one U.S. official told reporters.

“But the environment we’re in now, where the expectation is America totally subordinates its national interests in order for the free trade system to work, is just one we don’t accept. So, we’ve been very clear, we believe in free trade with reciprocal terms

that leads to more balanced trade relationships,” he said.

Others at the G20 meeting shared Europe’s concerns. “There is a solid understanding among the global community that free trade is important,” Haruhiko Kuroda, Japan’s central bank governor, told reporters. The U.S. steel and aluminium tariffs have raised global alarm that the U.S. would dismantle the trading system based on World Trade Organization rules in favor of unilateral actions.

Canada and Mexico are exempt from the tariffs, which enter into force on March 23 and are mainly aimed at China. But the European Union wants to be exempted, too.

“I’ve been clear with (U.S. Tr e a s u r y S e c r e t a r y ) S t e v e Mnuchin that we are waiting for

a full exemption from these new American tariffs for the European Union as a whole,” French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told reporters. “I think we should reach that goal. It’s difficult (but) it’s not out of reach,” he added.

Without an exemption, the EU will retaliate with a series of measures it is already preparing, Moscovici said.

After meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in Washington, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said he and Ross agreed that U.S.-EU talks on the tariffs should intensify.

“We are convinced that free trade is the best solution to guarantee the well-being of our peoples. We want that world trade remains fair and void of dumping measures,” Altmaier said.

CHINA TARIFF THREAT The broad anti-China tariffs and investment restrictions under consideration as part of a U.S. intellectual property probe have raised concerns that retaliation

could hit world trade and choke off the strongest global growth since the G20 head of state summits began during the financial crisis a decade ago.

An early draft of the G20 communique seen by Reuters contained the phrase that G20 finance ministers stood by an agreement reached by their leaders in July last year in Hamburg.

That agreement said: “We note the importance of bilateral, regional and plurilateral agreements being open, transparent, inclusive and WTO-consistent, and commit to working to ensure they complement the multilateral trade agreements.”

The Hamburg agreement, signed by all G20 leaders including Trump, said G20 countries would fight protectionism, including all unfair trade practices, although it also said they recognise the role of “legitimate trade defence instruments.” “The problem is that everybody understands the Hamburg wording differently,” a senior European official said. (rtr)

The word Langkir in Sanskrit can also be interpreted as the Mahadev or Supreme God (Master Plan for the Besakih Temple Development). In the Sangkul Putih palm-leaf manuscript is mentioned: “… Kang um is the ring tolangkir Bhatara Pasupati Ngaran …” means: “… the deity abiding on Mount Agung is named Bhatara Pasupati …”

The word Tolangkir is derived from the word to (tu) meaning ‘honorable’ and langkir meaning ‘stepping’ or ‘the glorified or honored mountain’ as the abode of (Lord) Hyang Pasupati most honored by Balinese people (Pasar Agung Temple development committee). Mount Agung is called Giri To Langkir because of its size and height, another word for explaining the Supreme.

Considering the majesty of Mount Agung, it was then established the abode of Hyang Pasupati named Besakih Temple.

Besakih Temple belongs to Sad Kahyangan (six main temples) of Bali. This temple consists of 86 groups of temples. This group is divided into 18 (eighteen) common temples, 4 Catur Lawa temples, 11 Padharman temples, 6 non-Padharman temples, 29 clan temples and 11 temples do not belong to the group.

All groups of the temples were built in stages. They were estimated to be first built by King Wira Dalem Kesari Warmadewa (913 AD), and then continued by Sri Kesari Warmadewa whose wife is Sri Gunapriya Dharmapatni (1007 AD). Rapid development occurred during the administration of Dalem Waturenggong where Danghyang Nirartha and Empu Kuturan played great role (Nala, 1996: 1).

Chronicle of Gunung Agung dated Çaka 11 noted the eruption in the same year and displacement of four mountains stated as Candra Sangkala or chronogram reading Rudhira Bumi.

Rudhira and Bumi respectively means number 1 (one) so that Rudhira Bhumi means number 11 (eleven) or 89 AD. The Çaka Year 13 stated as chronogram of

Gni Bhudara: Gni means ‘number three’ and Bhudara means ‘one,’ so that in the Çaka 13 meaning 92 AD it is said to erupt again.

The eruption caused a tremendous earthquake accompanied by incessant heavy rains day and night for two months.

After that, Lord Putra Jaya, Lord Gni Jaya and Goddess Danuh came down to Bali. Among the three, Lord Putra Jaya is the most glorified with the title Lord Mahadev abiding on top of Mount Agung as Lord Shiva, then Lord Gni Jaya abides on top of Mount Lempuyang and Goddess of Danuh abides in Lake Batur worshipped as Lord Vishnu.

At Besakih Temple, there is worship for gods namely; Kiduling Kreteg Temple where to worship Lord Brahma; Gelap Temple (Lord Ishvara), Ulun Kulkul Temple (Lord Mahadev), and Batumadeg Temple (Lord Vishnu). Penataran Agung Temple is located in the middle because it is considered the most distinguished. Here is where Hindu devotees say prayers every year in the ceremony known as Bhatara Turun Kabeh falling on full moon of the tenth month in Balinese calendar (April). Then, every ten years is held a ceremony known as Panca Wali Krama and most importantly is the ceremony held every 100 (one hundred) years, known as the Eka Dasa Rudra.

When Did Mount Agung Erupt?

In the chronicle of Mount Agung is mentioned that Mount Agung erupted for the second time in Çaka Year 70 or 148 AD, Friday (Sukra) Kliwon Wuku Tolu of the fifth month according to Balinese calendar. Meanwhile, in the crater of the Mount Agung was found a substance called Salodaka (sulfur). It is considered to have supernatural power by residents in Bali and used as a means of grandiose Hindu rituals.

Then, Mount Agung erupted for the third time in Çaka 111 (one hundred eleven) with the chronogram of Wak Çasih Wak where each word means number 1 (one) or 189

IBP/file

AD. At this time was held the first Eka Dasa Rudra at Besakih Temple.

Later, the Eka Dasa Rudra was not performed for several times.

The next Eka Dasa Rudra was held in 1963 AD precisely on March 18, 1963, falling on full moon of the tenth month (Balinese calendar), Sukra Pon Julungwangi Çaka 1885, but was then not cancelled. At that time (1963), a great eruption of Mount Agung happened and caused the Island of Bali to be in pitch black.

According to traditional mythological sources, a figure named Sri Wira Dalem Kesari founding the Merajan Selonding approximately in 250 AD located in the west of Penataran Agung Temple, where the Selonding gamelan instrument is now stored. He is said to have repaired the Besakih Temple. The word Dalem is the title of a king in Bali. Thus, the meaning of Dalem Kesari is most likely the King Kesari Warmadewa who ruled around 917 AD. This is indicated by inscriptions at Puseh Penempahan Temple and Belanjong (Sanur).

Among the inscriptions, only those at Belanjong that have the date or chronogram: Cara Wahni Murti. Cara means ‘the star’ and has number 5, Wahni means ‘fire’ number 3, murti means the body of Lord Shiva has number 8.

Therefore, after being read from the rear, the whole chronogram shows Caka 835 or 913 AD. During the reign of Sri Udayana, Besakih Temple also received

great attention. This can be found in two inscriptions whose copy is now stored in Merajan Selonding and Gedung Sakti inscription in Selat (Karangasem). It has chronogram ‘Nawa Sangapit Lawang’ and ‘Lawang Apit Lawang.’ Both chronograms have the same meaning: nawa means 9, apit means 2 and lawang means 9 (symbol of 9 holes in human body). The whole chronogram becomes Caka Year 929 or 1007 AD. Since the year 1007 belongs to the era of Udayana Warmadewa, apparently the king paid enough attention to Besakih Temple.

During the reign of the kings belonging to descendants of Sri Kresna Kepakisan, Besakih Temple received more special arrangement.

This can be found in the palmleaf manuscript of Raja Purana Besakih that specifies the type of ceremony, name of shrine, land property, composition of the pangemong (supporting devotees) and well-organized ceremonial levels.

Other than two inscriptions dating 1444 AD and 1454 AD that carry the inauguration of the autonomy of “Desa Hila-hila Hulundang Ing Besuki” it is also carried that outsiders as well as royal officers are not allowed to collect taxes in the region of Besakih Temple and the people of Besakih have duty to maintain Besakih Temple and the shrine of Sasuhunan Kidul. Such a condition continued until the conquest of the Klungkung kingdom by the Dutch in 1908.

During the Dutch colonial era,

the Dutch government paid great attention to Besakih Temple as proved in 1918-1923 when natural disasters destroyed many buildings; the government held a massive restoration. Furthermore, after Indonesian got its independence, the local government of Bali handled the repair and ceremonies at Besakih Temple. In 1967 supervision and maintenance of Besakih Temple by the governor of Bali was submitted to the Hindu Dharma Council of Indonesia (PHDI) and was then mandated again to Prawartakan Besakih Foundation. This foundation then carried out the repairs to damages caused by natural disasters.

Great attention of the Bali government along the district and municipal government across Bali is given to the improvements that continue until now. Other than the attention of customary and religious institutions through meetings of Sulinggih and Walaka, religious seminars and other meetings on the ceremonies at Besakih Temple should be carried out in accordance with the norms including the implementation of grandiose rituals held periodically such as the Eka Dasa Rudra in 1979 (Çaka 1900), Panca Walikrama in 1989 (Çaka 1910) and Candi Narmada at Batu Klotok, Panca Walikrama in Lake Batur and Tri Bhuana Ritual in 1993, Eka Bhuana Ritual in 1996 in the courtyard of Besakih Temple as a series of the Eka Dasa Rudra. (kmb)

6

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

W

International

International

RLD

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Britain is investigating whether Facebook did enough to secure data after reports that a political consultancy hired by Donald Trump improperly accessed information about 50 million Facebook users.

UK investigating Facebook’s response to alleged data breach

Minister lauds parties who want peaceful elections

IBP/net

LONDON - Britain is investigating whether Facebook did enough to secure data after reports that a political consultancy hired by Donald Trump improperly accessed information about 50 million Facebook users, Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said on Tuesday.

Denham is seeking a warrant to search the offices of London-based consultancy Cambridge Analytica after a whistleblower revealed it had harvested the private information of millions of people to support

Trump’s 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.

Facebook shares closed down nearly 7 percent on Monday, wiping nearly $40 billion off its market value as investors worried that new

legislation could damage the company’s advertising business and hurt its appeal to users.

The investigations of Cambridge Analytica and Facebook were part of a wider probe into the use of personal

data, said Denham, whose office is tasked with enforcing Britain’s data protection laws.

“We are looking at whether or not Facebook secured and safeguarded personal information on the platform and whether when they found out about the loss of the data they acted robustly and whether or not people were informed,” she told BBC Radio.

Denham said she would investigate whether Facebook had met its data protection obligations.

Cambridge Analytica denies media reports that it misused data, and says it deleted all Facebook data obtained from a third-party application in 2014 after learning the information did not adhere to data protection rules. (rtr)

PARIS - Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was held in custody on Tuesday and questioned by magistrates investigating whether late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi helped finance his 2007 election campaign, an official in the French judiciary said.

It is the second major judicial investigation to fall on the 63-yearold, who served as president from 2007-2012. He already faces trial on separate charges of illicit spending overruns during his failed re-election campaign in 2012.

A lawyer for Sarkozy could not immediately be reached for comment.

The former president has dismissed the Libya allegations as “grotesque” and a “crude manipulation”.

France opened an inquiry into the Libya case in 2013, after reports by French website Mediapart based on claims by a Franco-Lebanese businessman, Ziad Takieddine, who said he had transferred 5 million euros

($6 million) from Gaddafi’s former intelligence chief Abdullah Senussi to Sarkozy’s campaign director.

Months after he took office in 2007, the French leader came in for criticism for hosting a state visit by Gaddafi during which the Libyan leader pitched his trademark Bedouinstyle tent next to the Elysee Palace.

Gaddafi’s first visit to a Western leader in decades, which was accompanied by the signing of several business deals, came after Sarkozy helped get five Bulgarian nurses accused of infecting children with HIV released from jail in Libya.

Sarkozy was later one of the chief advocates of a NATO-led military campaign that resulted in Gaddafi’s overthrow and killing at the hands of rebel forces in 2011.

French judicial procedure allows for investigators to hold a person for questioning for up to 48 hours, after which the magistrates must say whether they have grounds for turn-

ing a preliminary inquiry into a full investigation.

The latter can, but does not always, lead to a trial.

The Libya-funding inquiry appeared to have gone quiet until January, when French businessman Alexandre Djouhri, suspected by investigators of funneling money from Gaddafi to finance Sarkozy’s campaign, was arrested in Britain on a warrant issued by France.

A lawyer for Djouhri last month accused French authorities of politicising the case and manipulating it against his client. French authorities had no comment.

Sarkozy’s predecessor, Jacques Chirac, was convicted in 2011, after his retirement, of misusing public funds to keep political allies in phantom jobs. That made the now ailing Chirac the first French head of state convicted since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain in 1945. (rtr)

Former French leader Sarkozy held over Libyan funding inquiry

REUTERS/Patrick Hertzog/Pool/File Photo

France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi attend a ceremony for the signature of 10 billion euros of trade contracts between the two countries at the Elysee Palace in Paris, December 10, 2007.

11

President Jokowi Holds Bilateral Talk With New Zealand PM

IBP/net

Jokowi raises gender, economic issues during visit to New Zealand

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) raised gender and economic issues during a meeting with New Zealand Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy in a state visit to Wellington, also marking the 60th anniversary of Indonesia-New Zealand diplomatic relations. Bey Machmudin, head of the presidential press bureau, noted in a statement received by ANTARA on Monday that the president highlighted gender equality as a means to forge bilateral relations.

“I have been informed of Her Majesty`s interests in realizing gender equality. Although our population is predominantly Muslim, but women`s progress in Indonesia is remarkable,” he noted.

President Jokowi is one of the world`s champions for the “HeForShe” campaign. The global campaign, initiated by the UN Women, has a goal of achieving equality by encouraging men and boys to serve as the agents of change and take action against inequalities faced by women and girls. As part of his commitment to improve women`s representation in decision-making processes, the president has doubled the number of women ministers at the cabinet level, from four to eight.

“I have eight women ministers from 34 ministers, and they hold strategic portfolios,” Jokowi, who was accompanied

by Indonesia`s first woman For-

eign Minister Retno Marsudi, remarked. In addition to the shared vision on addressing gender equality issues, President Jokowi noted that Indonesia and New Zealand are both archipelagic nations. With such geographical conditions, he believes that the challenge of connectivity holds significance for both countries.

“With such geographical conditions, the development of infrastructure and connectivity is my priority, so that all regions in Indonesia can be equally developed,” he added. Indonesia and New Zealand have shared sound relations based on the two principles of mutual respect and benefit.

Hence, Jokowi opined that these sound relations should be maintained through various forms of cooperation, including in the fields of economy and people-to-people contacts. The energy sector, especially geother-

mal, for instance, is one of the areas of cooperation that has long been carried out by Indonesia and New Zealand. This cooperation was initiated in 1970, with the development of power plant projects.

The last issue that the president highlighted in his speech was inter-community cooperation or people-to-people contacts.

As many as 5,500 Indonesian citizens live in New Zealand, including 1,290 students studying at schools and universities.

“Thank you for treating Indonesian citizens and students well,” Jokowi stated.

At the end of his speech, President Jokowi invited David Gascoigne, the husband of Governor-General Reddy, to visit Indonesia. “I am sure His Majesty will love Indonesia, with its great variety of culture and art. I am waiting for His Majesty to visit Indonesia,” he remarked. (ant)

JAKARTA - Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has said he appreciates all parties who want peaceful simultaneous regional head elections, based on good ideas and programs for regional progress and people`s welfare. The minister remarked in a statement here on Tuesday that the regional head elections, locally known as Pilkada, should be dignified democratic festivity, free of of SARA (Ethnic, Religious, Racial and Intergroup) campaigns, hate speech, “hoax” or false news, corruption, and money politics.

Regarding the candidate of regional head who is involved in legal matters, Tjahjo affirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs is in a position not to intervene.

Tjahjo said he himself respected the law enforcement measures taken by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the Police, or the Attorney General, because they have operational standards of their respective procedures that cannot be intervened by other institutions.

The politician of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) also said President Joko Widodo`s policy insists that the government should not intervene in any decision that has been made by law enforcement agencies.

The move of KPK, which has conducted several hand-held operations and named regional heads or regional head candidates as suspects of corruption, was done in the context of law enforcement. (ant)

American found dead in Madiun

MADIUN - Madiun Police has handled the case of the death of an American, whose body was found in his bedroom at a boarding house in Mojorejo Village, Taman Sub-district, Madiun city, East Java. The victim, named David James (64), had been living in the boarding house for the past one year. “We have brought the body to the Regional Public Hospital (RSUD) of Dr. Soedono in Madiun for further examination,” Head of Criminal Unit of Regional Police of Madiun Adjunct Commissioner Logos Bintoro stated here on Monday.

According to Logos, the cause of the foreigner`s death has not been found yet. However, the results of the first investigation conducted by the police showed no signs of violence in the victim`s body. Logos has ordered the reporters to check with the local immigration office on the victim`s expired passport.

The foreigner`s body was found by his friend and the security of the boarding house on Monday morning. The victim`s friend came to the house to meet David. His suspicion became stronger as David did not open the door despite repeated knocking.

David`s friend then called the home keeper to open the room, and they found the victim dead. They immediately reported it to neighborhood Association (RT) and the police.

Hariyanto, the house keeper, noted that David had been living in the boarding house for a year. He rarely went out of his room as he was busy with his online business.

“He seemed to be okay, but he was seldom seen out, except for buying food,” he revealed. The police are still conducting further investigation of the case. The victim`s room, which is located in the second floor, has been sealed by the police. (ant)

10 10

Destination

Wednesday, March 2018 Tuesday, March 20,21, 2018

International International

Resurgent Del Potro returns to the top with Indian Wells triumph

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International International

Triumphant Osaka draws Serena Williams in first round at Miami

CALIFORNIA - An emotional problem,” the 29-year-old recalled Juan Martin del Potro could barely earlier this week at the BNP Paribas MIAMI - Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka will have little believe he had finally won a Mas- Open. time to celebrate in her first career victory with the Japanese draw“I got depressed at home for a ters 1000 series title at the 51st ing eight-time champion Serena Williams in the first round of next attempt at Indian Wells on Sunday long while, and I wasn’t happy doweek’s Miami Open. but is determined to keep the ing the effort to recover my wrist.

Osaka scored a commanding 6-3 6-2 victory over Russian Daria trophies coming in his late career That’s what I was thinking about, Kasatkina in a battle of 20-year-olds at the BNP Paribas Open at quitting tennis. renaissance.

Indian Wells on Sunday.

“But thank God I’m here and The tall Argentine with a rocket “I was extremely stressed and extremely nervous, but my plan of a forehand has endured years of healthy, and I’m playing tennis was to fake that I’m very calm,” Osaka told reporters. injury-induced heartbreak but on again. I’m doing this because I “I just knew that she was going to fight for every point, too, so Sunday was back at the very top love it.”

I couldn’t afford to lose points based on nerves, and I had to keep The Argentine has regained of the game, beating no less than making the right decisions.”

Roger Federer in an enthralling form over the last two seasons but Osaka had defeated former grand slam champion Maria Sharapoalthough he entered Sunday’s final Indian Wells final. va, fifth seed Karolina Pliskova and then world number one Simona “It’s so big,” Del Potro said. “I on a 10-match winning streak, he Halep on her way to the title and the $1,340,860 first place money. cannot believe I won this tourna- was still inevitably playing under“It was hard for me to get my nerves in check in the first game, ment, beating Roger in a great final dog to Swiss world number one especially since - I don’t know why I decided to serve first,” Federer. and level of tennis.

Osaka said.

Never short of fighting spirit “I’m number six in the world, “We were playing some long points, and I wasn’t really trying I think? Which is so good to me. even when his joints were unable to hit hard today, because I felt like it would be better for her to And I’m excited to keep working to back it up, del Potro saved three take my pace. ... I just want to keep winning titles match points and blew one of his “I wanted her to do whatever she wanted to do, and I was just own on the way to a victory that like this if I can.” going to sit back and see what she does. I feel like I wasn’t that Del Potro was tipped as a future snapped Federer’s 17-match winaggressive today. I was just more consistent.” world number one in 2009 after ning streak this year.

Williams lost to sister Venus at Indian Wells in the third match “It was an unbelievable match the then 20-year-old reached the REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari of her return after having a child and is likely to face Osaka for French Open semi-finals, the Aus- in all ways. We played a great First-placed Ducati Team rider Andrea Dovizioso Italy, second-placed Repsol Honda rider the first time onofWednesday, the third day’s play in the women’s Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs tralian Open quarter-finals before level of tennis. The people were Marc Marquez of Spain, and third-placed Movistar Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi of Italy pose draw in Miami. (rtr) Valtteri Bottas during a press excited on every single point,”conference Del on the podium. capturing his maiden grand slam Potro said. at Flushing Meadows.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay He failed to break the dominance of Federer, Rafa Nadal, calm in the tie-break of the second Novak Djokovic and Andy Mur- set, but then the calmness came ray in the years following, though, again in the end of the match and I and a string of career-threatening played good in the tie-break.”

Del Potro, who had already wrist injuries hampered his game and almost forced him to give up won his first title of the season at Acapulco earlier in March, on tennis.

“I was close to quitting tennis will be looking for the 23rd of because I had three surgeries on his career at next week’s Miami my wrist and I couldn’t fix the Open. (rtr)

Battling BottasDovizioso pips Marquez to win looks for a step MotoGP opener in Qatar up Down Under

QATAR - Italian Andrea Dovizioso won the Qatar Prixseason for Ducati MELBOURNE - Valtteri Bottas knows he needs to step up his gameGrand from last if heby is the blink of an eye on Sunday as MotoGP served to have any chance of keeping his place at Mercedes and has targeted a top-two finish at this up a seasonopening thriller at the floodlit Losail circuit. weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old won only three Australia with 14th, eighth and fifth races last year despite getting a places in his three races for former drive for the dominant Mercedes team Williams. team alongside world champion He failed to even start the 2015 Lewis Hamilton. race in Melbourne after suffering With a host of other drivers a back injury in qualifying which coveting the Mercedes seat for next required an overnight stay in year when Bottas’s contract is up, hospital. the Finn knows this term he has to “I haven’t found it to be one of produce - starting at Albert Park my strongest circuits in the past,” on Sunday. he added.

“I do have big goals,” he told “You know, I’ve always had reporters at the track on Tuesday. a bit of mixed results but that’s “I need to try and step up my something I want to change. I can’t game and want to start the season have bad races for myself. well here in Melbourne. Last year, “IJayne wantKamin-Oncea-USA to be consistent in every TODAY Sports I was third in the race so for sure place, so I think there were some Juan Martin Del Potro poises with the championship trophy need to do better than that.” positives in the race last year, so after defeating Roger Federer (not pictured) in the men’s finals Before last year’s podium, Bot- hopefully we can build on that and in BNP Paribas Open at the Wells Garden. tasthe had a pretty poor record in Indian be quick in theTennis qualifying as well.”

Honda’s reigning world champion Marc MarHis team mate Hamilton has quez finished a mere 0.027 seconds behind the won only twice in Australia and man who took last season’s title battle down to finished second for the second year the wire. in a row last season on his way to Valentino Rossi, the Italian great starting his 23rd his fourth world title. grand prix season at the age of 39 and with a new twoBottas is very much aware that year Yamaha contract freshly signed, joined them on his primary function as Mercedes the podium after the night-time race. chase a fifth successive construcDovizioso had started eighth but seized the lead tors’ and drivers’ title double is to from Frenchman Johann Zarco, who had set the pace step into the breach should somefrom pole position, with five laps to go and pulled away thing go wrong for the Briton. with Marquez in close pursuit.

“IfSpaniard Lewis is made havinghis a bad day, or last corner of the The move at the bad race for any reason then I need last lap but failed to make it stick, with Dovizioso using to Ducati’s be able topower fight for the win the MotoGP win. the to take his of ninth race,” he said.

Britain’s Cal Crutchlow was fourth for LCR Honda, “So I’m just goingrider, to really the best non-factory with foZarco dropping to cus on my performance, go day-byeighth as his tyres lost performance. day, lap-by-lap “It session-by-session, was a perfect race, perfect weekend,” said and try to be at my best every single after three times Dovizioso of his first win in Qatar time I’m on track.” (rtr)

finishing runner-up.

“We did a really bad start but I was calm. I recovered very slowly and saved a lot the tyres and was able to push at the end,” added the Italian.

“As always with Marc, the last lap is very difficult but I was able to beat him again.”

Marquez, winner of four of the last five MotoGP titles, did all he could at a track he sees as one of his most difficult.

“When Dovi was pushing I was losing the front, losing the rear but anyway I arrived close in the last corner. I tried,” said the Spaniard.

“Again he beat me, but I’m very happy. Here a podium was the main target.”

In a tightly-fought race, with the pack jostling for position behind Zarco before Dovizioso’s move, the gap between winner and Honda’s Dani Pedrosa in seventh place was just 4.6 seconds.

Rossi took the chequered flag 0.797 behind Dovizioso with Spanish team mate Maverick Vinales, last year’s winner in Qatar, sixth.

“I expect more compared to last year, because with this year’s bike I feel good,” said Rossi, who won one race in 2017 and finished fifth overall despite breaking Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports his leg at the end of August. (rtr) Naomi Osaka

8

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Sp rt France coach Deschamps to discuss Pogba’s form at United

PARIS - France’s struggling Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba cannot be happy with his situation at the Premier League club, national team coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday. The 25-year-old Pogba, who is preparing for friendlies against Colombia on Friday and World Cup hosts Russia next Monday, has been out of form under Jose Mourinho this season.

He has not started in United’s last three games. He missed the match against Liverpool through injury, came on as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat by Sevilla in the Champions League and was left on the bench in their FA Cup quarter-final win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Asked if he would try to restore Pogba’s confidence during his time with the squad, Deschamps told a news conference: “It’s not just Paul.

This happens... that a player undergoes a specific situation in a club. It may be Paul, others at another time,

and I will do as always, I will speak with them, to understand, because I do not have all the information. “(Regarding Pogba)... I do not know why and how for now but obviously, this is a situation he won’t appreciate in relation to everything he’s done. The reasons can be many and varied. He can’t be happy with what he’s going through with his club.” Pogba started his career at United and returned to the club from Juventus for 89 million pounds ($124.80 million) in 2016.

Young Manchester United have ex-

tended Ashley Young’s deal for an extra year by triggering a one-year option in the versatile England wing back’s contract, British media said on Monday. The 32-year-old Young, who is in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for their next two friendlies, has been in fine form for United, keeping left-back Luke Shaw out of the side.

The former Aston Villa winger’s deal at Old Trafford was due to finish this season but his performances under Jose Mourinho saw him recalled to the national team squad in November.

Young was on the bench for Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win at home to Brighton & Hove Albion but was brought on at halftime for Shaw, whose future at United appears uncertain.

Shaw has played just 15 games for United this season, and only seven times in the Premier League, with Young, who joined the club from Villa in 2011, preferred in a wing back role. England visit the Netherlands on Friday and host Italy on Tuesday in their buildup to the World Cup in Russia in June. (rtr)

Ivanovic replaced by Kolarov as Serbia captain ahead of World Cup BELGRADE - Serbia have stripped long-serving Branislav Ivanovic of the captaincy and handed it to fellow defender Aleksandar Kolarov as they start the build-up to the World Cup in Russia with two friendlies, coach Mladen Krstajic said on Monday. “Kolarov, the new captain, and (Nemanja) Matic, his deputy, have the power to follow in Ivanovic’s footsteps,” Krstajic told a news conference ahead of warm-up games with Morocco on Friday and Nigeria on March 27.

“We have made a decision which remains an internal matter but I want to make it clear there is no misunderstanding with Ivanovic who remains part of the team,” said Krstajic. The experienced Ivanovic, who has

scored 12 goals in 100 internationals and is one of only three survivors from the 2010 World Cup, has captained Serbia since 2012 when he took over from ex-Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic.

During the qualifying campaign for the 2018 tournament, the 34-yearold former Chelsea player, now plying his trade with Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, was often criticised by fans and pundits, with many believing he has lost a yard of pace.

“Ivanovic has given a lot to Serbia and vice versa. But all players have to realise that they are starting the build-up to the World Cup with a clean slate and no one can take a spot in the 23-man squad for granted,” added Krstajic. Kolarov, 32, who

plays for Italy’s Champions League quarter-finalists Roma, has scored 10 goals in 72 games for Serbia.

The Balkan nation qualified for the 32-team World Cup after an eight-year absence from major tournaments, having made an early exit at the 2010 finals. Ivanovic’s demotion has come after the Serbian FA (FSS) sacked coach Slavoljub Muslin straight after he led the country to the World Cup and appointed the inexperienced Krstajic.

Muslin was criticised for what were perceived as unconvincing though productive performances in an unfamiliar 3-4-3 formation and for refusing to inject fresh blood into the team as he did not call upon several promising youngsters. A

former defender who played for Bundesliga clubs Werder Bremen and Schalke, Krstajic will make his competitive debut as a head coach at any level when Serbia take on Costa Rica in their Group E opener in Samara on June 17.

Brazil and Switzerland are in the same section and Manchester United midfielder Matic acknowledged that Serbia face an uphill task to reach the knockout stages.

“It’s an extremely tough group,” he said. “Brazil need no introduction or accolades and the other two teams are very strong as well. Right now we are focused solely on our opening game against Costa Rica.” (rtr)

Fiorentina to rename training ground after Astori

IBP/net

Italian club Fiorentina are to rename their training ground the “Centro Sportivo Davide Astori” in honour of their former captain, who died suddenly at the age of 31 earlier this month.

Astori, who played 289 Serie A matches over 10 seasons and won 14 caps for Italy, died of what authorities said was cardiac arrest in his hotel room ahead of a league game against Udinese.

“We’ve made this decision because that was his home,” Fiorentina

president Mario Cognigni told Italian media outlet Mediaset. “He went there every day for training and used to spend time there with his family too.

“We believe that honouring him in this way is the right thing to do so the training ground will now be called Centro Sportivo Davide Astori. We will do it as soon as possible.”

The defender’s death left Italian football in shock and thousands of fans turned out along with players and coaches at his funeral on March 8. (rtr)

9

No extra pressure to match Salah’s hot streak, says Firmino Liverpool forwards are focused on the club’s progress and under no pressure to match playmaker Mohamed Salah’s goal-scoring exploits this season, striker Roberto Firmino has said.

Egyptian Salah leads the race for the European Golden Shoe award, ahead of Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, after notching an impressive 36 goals and 12 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions in his debut season at Liverpool.

“No way! We have very good chemistry here at Liverpool,” Firmino told Goal when asked if he felt any burden of expectations to equal his team mate’s goal-scoring run.

“Many speak of the strength of our attack, which also has (Sadio) Mane, but we have a team full of great quality that is effective in attack.

“We have to think collectively. The more players score, the better. Liverpool are the ones who win in this situation.”

Firmino has scored 23 goals this season while Mane netted 14 as Liverpool lead the Champions League goalscoring charts with 28 so far and their tally of 73 goals in the Premier League is second only to that of leaders Manchester City.

The high-scoring Merseyside club, who are third in the league, will meet rivals City in a mouth-watering Champions League quarter-final tie next month.

Firmino also said that compatriot Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona in January had changed the way Liverpool play and made them more unpredictable. Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace in the league on March 31. (rtr)

Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino in action as Watford’s Sebastian Prodl looks on

US-Canada-Mexico World Cup bid unconcerned about anti-US sentiment

Soccer officials from the United States, Mexico and Canada said on Monday they were unconcerned about any antiAmerican feeling as they began their final push to host the 2026 World Cup. Having presented their bid book to FIFA, world soccer ’s governing body, on Friday, the heads of the Canadian, Mexican and U.S. soccer federations, Steven Reed, Decio de Maria and Carlos Cordeiro conducted a conference call from Kuala Lumpur to publicise their bid more widely.

FIFA is due to choose between the three-way “United2026” bid and one from Morocco at a congress in Moscow on June 13.

The three presidents said theirs was a technically sound, low-risk bid that featured state-of-the-art

facilities, operational certainty and the promise of riches to fill FIFA’s coffers.

They shrugged off any suggestion of anti-U.S. sentiment stemming from a probe in which U.S. prosecutors have brought corruption, racketeering and money laundering charges against 42 people and entities and described a culture of corruption around the awarding of media and marketing rights to soccer games. The bid may also have to contend with irritation in several African and Middle Eastern countries at U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

“This is not geopolitics,” Cordeiro told the call. “We are talking about football and what, fundamentally, at the end of the day, is in the best interest of foot-

ball and our football community, and we’ve had no backlash.

“Our vision is a very simple one. We offer FIFA an unprecedented united opportunity to stage the 2026 World Cup. We believe strongly that this decision will be made on its merits.”

But it may not be that simple.

Chicago was widely seen to have the best technical bid in the race to stage the 2016 Summer Olympics, but was eliminated in the first round of voting -- the victim of anti-American sentiment and disputes with the International Olympic Committee.

United2026 officials said they sensed no reluctance by delegates to award a World Cup to a country where they might be subject to subpoenas and wire taps

by U.S. legal authorities. (rtr)

8

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Sp rt France coach Deschamps to discuss Pogba’s form at United

PARIS - France’s struggling Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba cannot be happy with his situation at the Premier League club, national team coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday. The 25-year-old Pogba, who is preparing for friendlies against Colombia on Friday and World Cup hosts Russia next Monday, has been out of form under Jose Mourinho this season.

He has not started in United’s last three games. He missed the match against Liverpool through injury, came on as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat by Sevilla in the Champions League and was left on the bench in their FA Cup quarter-final win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Asked if he would try to restore Pogba’s confidence during his time with the squad, Deschamps told a news conference: “It’s not just Paul.

This happens... that a player undergoes a specific situation in a club. It may be Paul, others at another time,

and I will do as always, I will speak with them, to understand, because I do not have all the information. “(Regarding Pogba)... I do not know why and how for now but obviously, this is a situation he won’t appreciate in relation to everything he’s done. The reasons can be many and varied. He can’t be happy with what he’s going through with his club.” Pogba started his career at United and returned to the club from Juventus for 89 million pounds ($124.80 million) in 2016.

Young Manchester United have ex-

tended Ashley Young’s deal for an extra year by triggering a one-year option in the versatile England wing back’s contract, British media said on Monday. The 32-year-old Young, who is in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for their next two friendlies, has been in fine form for United, keeping left-back Luke Shaw out of the side.

The former Aston Villa winger’s deal at Old Trafford was due to finish this season but his performances under Jose Mourinho saw him recalled to the national team squad in November.

Young was on the bench for Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win at home to Brighton & Hove Albion but was brought on at halftime for Shaw, whose future at United appears uncertain.

Shaw has played just 15 games for United this season, and only seven times in the Premier League, with Young, who joined the club from Villa in 2011, preferred in a wing back role. England visit the Netherlands on Friday and host Italy on Tuesday in their buildup to the World Cup in Russia in June. (rtr)

Ivanovic replaced by Kolarov as Serbia captain ahead of World Cup BELGRADE - Serbia have stripped long-serving Branislav Ivanovic of the captaincy and handed it to fellow defender Aleksandar Kolarov as they start the build-up to the World Cup in Russia with two friendlies, coach Mladen Krstajic said on Monday. “Kolarov, the new captain, and (Nemanja) Matic, his deputy, have the power to follow in Ivanovic’s footsteps,” Krstajic told a news conference ahead of warm-up games with Morocco on Friday and Nigeria on March 27.

“We have made a decision which remains an internal matter but I want to make it clear there is no misunderstanding with Ivanovic who remains part of the team,” said Krstajic. The experienced Ivanovic, who has

scored 12 goals in 100 internationals and is one of only three survivors from the 2010 World Cup, has captained Serbia since 2012 when he took over from ex-Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic.

During the qualifying campaign for the 2018 tournament, the 34-yearold former Chelsea player, now plying his trade with Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, was often criticised by fans and pundits, with many believing he has lost a yard of pace.

“Ivanovic has given a lot to Serbia and vice versa. But all players have to realise that they are starting the build-up to the World Cup with a clean slate and no one can take a spot in the 23-man squad for granted,” added Krstajic. Kolarov, 32, who

plays for Italy’s Champions League quarter-finalists Roma, has scored 10 goals in 72 games for Serbia.

The Balkan nation qualified for the 32-team World Cup after an eight-year absence from major tournaments, having made an early exit at the 2010 finals. Ivanovic’s demotion has come after the Serbian FA (FSS) sacked coach Slavoljub Muslin straight after he led the country to the World Cup and appointed the inexperienced Krstajic.

Muslin was criticised for what were perceived as unconvincing though productive performances in an unfamiliar 3-4-3 formation and for refusing to inject fresh blood into the team as he did not call upon several promising youngsters. A

former defender who played for Bundesliga clubs Werder Bremen and Schalke, Krstajic will make his competitive debut as a head coach at any level when Serbia take on Costa Rica in their Group E opener in Samara on June 17.

Brazil and Switzerland are in the same section and Manchester United midfielder Matic acknowledged that Serbia face an uphill task to reach the knockout stages.

“It’s an extremely tough group,” he said. “Brazil need no introduction or accolades and the other two teams are very strong as well. Right now we are focused solely on our opening game against Costa Rica.” (rtr)

Fiorentina to rename training ground after Astori

IBP/net

Italian club Fiorentina are to rename their training ground the “Centro Sportivo Davide Astori” in honour of their former captain, who died suddenly at the age of 31 earlier this month.

Astori, who played 289 Serie A matches over 10 seasons and won 14 caps for Italy, died of what authorities said was cardiac arrest in his hotel room ahead of a league game against Udinese.

“We’ve made this decision because that was his home,” Fiorentina

president Mario Cognigni told Italian media outlet Mediaset. “He went there every day for training and used to spend time there with his family too.

“We believe that honouring him in this way is the right thing to do so the training ground will now be called Centro Sportivo Davide Astori. We will do it as soon as possible.”

The defender’s death left Italian football in shock and thousands of fans turned out along with players and coaches at his funeral on March 8. (rtr)

9

No extra pressure to match Salah’s hot streak, says Firmino Liverpool forwards are focused on the club’s progress and under no pressure to match playmaker Mohamed Salah’s goal-scoring exploits this season, striker Roberto Firmino has said.

Egyptian Salah leads the race for the European Golden Shoe award, ahead of Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, after notching an impressive 36 goals and 12 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions in his debut season at Liverpool.

“No way! We have very good chemistry here at Liverpool,” Firmino told Goal when asked if he felt any burden of expectations to equal his team mate’s goal-scoring run.

“Many speak of the strength of our attack, which also has (Sadio) Mane, but we have a team full of great quality that is effective in attack.

“We have to think collectively. The more players score, the better. Liverpool are the ones who win in this situation.”

Firmino has scored 23 goals this season while Mane netted 14 as Liverpool lead the Champions League goalscoring charts with 28 so far and their tally of 73 goals in the Premier League is second only to that of leaders Manchester City.

The high-scoring Merseyside club, who are third in the league, will meet rivals City in a mouth-watering Champions League quarter-final tie next month.

Firmino also said that compatriot Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona in January had changed the way Liverpool play and made them more unpredictable. Liverpool travel to Crystal Palace in the league on March 31. (rtr)

Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino in action as Watford’s Sebastian Prodl looks on

US-Canada-Mexico World Cup bid unconcerned about anti-US sentiment

Soccer officials from the United States, Mexico and Canada said on Monday they were unconcerned about any antiAmerican feeling as they began their final push to host the 2026 World Cup. Having presented their bid book to FIFA, world soccer ’s governing body, on Friday, the heads of the Canadian, Mexican and U.S. soccer federations, Steven Reed, Decio de Maria and Carlos Cordeiro conducted a conference call from Kuala Lumpur to publicise their bid more widely.

FIFA is due to choose between the three-way “United2026” bid and one from Morocco at a congress in Moscow on June 13.

The three presidents said theirs was a technically sound, low-risk bid that featured state-of-the-art

facilities, operational certainty and the promise of riches to fill FIFA’s coffers.

They shrugged off any suggestion of anti-U.S. sentiment stemming from a probe in which U.S. prosecutors have brought corruption, racketeering and money laundering charges against 42 people and entities and described a culture of corruption around the awarding of media and marketing rights to soccer games. The bid may also have to contend with irritation in several African and Middle Eastern countries at U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

“This is not geopolitics,” Cordeiro told the call. “We are talking about football and what, fundamentally, at the end of the day, is in the best interest of foot-

ball and our football community, and we’ve had no backlash.

“Our vision is a very simple one. We offer FIFA an unprecedented united opportunity to stage the 2026 World Cup. We believe strongly that this decision will be made on its merits.”

But it may not be that simple.

Chicago was widely seen to have the best technical bid in the race to stage the 2016 Summer Olympics, but was eliminated in the first round of voting -- the victim of anti-American sentiment and disputes with the International Olympic Committee.

United2026 officials said they sensed no reluctance by delegates to award a World Cup to a country where they might be subject to subpoenas and wire taps

by U.S. legal authorities. (rtr)

10 10

Destination

Wednesday, March 2018 Tuesday, March 20,21, 2018

International International

Resurgent Del Potro returns to the top with Indian Wells triumph

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International International

Triumphant Osaka draws Serena Williams in first round at Miami

CALIFORNIA - An emotional problem,” the 29-year-old recalled Juan Martin del Potro could barely earlier this week at the BNP Paribas MIAMI - Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka will have little believe he had finally won a Mas- Open. time to celebrate in her first career victory with the Japanese draw“I got depressed at home for a ters 1000 series title at the 51st ing eight-time champion Serena Williams in the first round of next attempt at Indian Wells on Sunday long while, and I wasn’t happy doweek’s Miami Open. but is determined to keep the ing the effort to recover my wrist.

Osaka scored a commanding 6-3 6-2 victory over Russian Daria trophies coming in his late career That’s what I was thinking about, Kasatkina in a battle of 20-year-olds at the BNP Paribas Open at quitting tennis. renaissance.

Indian Wells on Sunday.

“But thank God I’m here and The tall Argentine with a rocket “I was extremely stressed and extremely nervous, but my plan of a forehand has endured years of healthy, and I’m playing tennis was to fake that I’m very calm,” Osaka told reporters. injury-induced heartbreak but on again. I’m doing this because I “I just knew that she was going to fight for every point, too, so Sunday was back at the very top love it.”

I couldn’t afford to lose points based on nerves, and I had to keep The Argentine has regained of the game, beating no less than making the right decisions.”

Roger Federer in an enthralling form over the last two seasons but Osaka had defeated former grand slam champion Maria Sharapoalthough he entered Sunday’s final Indian Wells final. va, fifth seed Karolina Pliskova and then world number one Simona “It’s so big,” Del Potro said. “I on a 10-match winning streak, he Halep on her way to the title and the $1,340,860 first place money. cannot believe I won this tourna- was still inevitably playing under“It was hard for me to get my nerves in check in the first game, ment, beating Roger in a great final dog to Swiss world number one especially since - I don’t know why I decided to serve first,” Federer. and level of tennis.

Osaka said.

Never short of fighting spirit “I’m number six in the world, “We were playing some long points, and I wasn’t really trying I think? Which is so good to me. even when his joints were unable to hit hard today, because I felt like it would be better for her to And I’m excited to keep working to back it up, del Potro saved three take my pace. ... I just want to keep winning titles match points and blew one of his “I wanted her to do whatever she wanted to do, and I was just own on the way to a victory that like this if I can.” going to sit back and see what she does. I feel like I wasn’t that Del Potro was tipped as a future snapped Federer’s 17-match winaggressive today. I was just more consistent.” world number one in 2009 after ning streak this year.

Williams lost to sister Venus at Indian Wells in the third match “It was an unbelievable match the then 20-year-old reached the REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari of her return after having a child and is likely to face Osaka for French Open semi-finals, the Aus- in all ways. We played a great First-placed Ducati Team rider Andrea Dovizioso Italy, second-placed Repsol Honda rider the first time onofWednesday, the third day’s play in the women’s Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs tralian Open quarter-finals before level of tennis. The people were Marc Marquez of Spain, and third-placed Movistar Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi of Italy pose draw in Miami. (rtr) Valtteri Bottas during a press excited on every single point,”conference Del on the podium. capturing his maiden grand slam Potro said. at Flushing Meadows.

“Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay He failed to break the dominance of Federer, Rafa Nadal, calm in the tie-break of the second Novak Djokovic and Andy Mur- set, but then the calmness came ray in the years following, though, again in the end of the match and I and a string of career-threatening played good in the tie-break.”

Del Potro, who had already wrist injuries hampered his game and almost forced him to give up won his first title of the season at Acapulco earlier in March, on tennis.

“I was close to quitting tennis will be looking for the 23rd of because I had three surgeries on his career at next week’s Miami my wrist and I couldn’t fix the Open. (rtr)

Battling BottasDovizioso pips Marquez to win looks for a step MotoGP opener in Qatar up Down Under

QATAR - Italian Andrea Dovizioso won the Qatar Prixseason for Ducati MELBOURNE - Valtteri Bottas knows he needs to step up his gameGrand from last if heby is the blink of an eye on Sunday as MotoGP served to have any chance of keeping his place at Mercedes and has targeted a top-two finish at this up a seasonopening thriller at the floodlit Losail circuit. weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old won only three Australia with 14th, eighth and fifth races last year despite getting a places in his three races for former drive for the dominant Mercedes team Williams. team alongside world champion He failed to even start the 2015 Lewis Hamilton. race in Melbourne after suffering With a host of other drivers a back injury in qualifying which coveting the Mercedes seat for next required an overnight stay in year when Bottas’s contract is up, hospital. the Finn knows this term he has to “I haven’t found it to be one of produce - starting at Albert Park my strongest circuits in the past,” on Sunday. he added.

“I do have big goals,” he told “You know, I’ve always had reporters at the track on Tuesday. a bit of mixed results but that’s “I need to try and step up my something I want to change. I can’t game and want to start the season have bad races for myself. well here in Melbourne. Last year, “IJayne wantKamin-Oncea-USA to be consistent in every TODAY Sports I was third in the race so for sure place, so I think there were some Juan Martin Del Potro poises with the championship trophy need to do better than that.” positives in the race last year, so after defeating Roger Federer (not pictured) in the men’s finals Before last year’s podium, Bot- hopefully we can build on that and in BNP Paribas Open at the Wells Garden. tasthe had a pretty poor record in Indian be quick in theTennis qualifying as well.”

Honda’s reigning world champion Marc MarHis team mate Hamilton has quez finished a mere 0.027 seconds behind the won only twice in Australia and man who took last season’s title battle down to finished second for the second year the wire. in a row last season on his way to Valentino Rossi, the Italian great starting his 23rd his fourth world title. grand prix season at the age of 39 and with a new twoBottas is very much aware that year Yamaha contract freshly signed, joined them on his primary function as Mercedes the podium after the night-time race. chase a fifth successive construcDovizioso had started eighth but seized the lead tors’ and drivers’ title double is to from Frenchman Johann Zarco, who had set the pace step into the breach should somefrom pole position, with five laps to go and pulled away thing go wrong for the Briton. with Marquez in close pursuit.

“IfSpaniard Lewis is made havinghis a bad day, or last corner of the The move at the bad race for any reason then I need last lap but failed to make it stick, with Dovizioso using to Ducati’s be able topower fight for the win the MotoGP win. the to take his of ninth race,” he said.

Britain’s Cal Crutchlow was fourth for LCR Honda, “So I’m just goingrider, to really the best non-factory with foZarco dropping to cus on my performance, go day-byeighth as his tyres lost performance. day, lap-by-lap “It session-by-session, was a perfect race, perfect weekend,” said and try to be at my best every single after three times Dovizioso of his first win in Qatar time I’m on track.” (rtr)

finishing runner-up.

“We did a really bad start but I was calm. I recovered very slowly and saved a lot the tyres and was able to push at the end,” added the Italian.

“As always with Marc, the last lap is very difficult but I was able to beat him again.”

Marquez, winner of four of the last five MotoGP titles, did all he could at a track he sees as one of his most difficult.

“When Dovi was pushing I was losing the front, losing the rear but anyway I arrived close in the last corner. I tried,” said the Spaniard.

“Again he beat me, but I’m very happy. Here a podium was the main target.”

In a tightly-fought race, with the pack jostling for position behind Zarco before Dovizioso’s move, the gap between winner and Honda’s Dani Pedrosa in seventh place was just 4.6 seconds.

Rossi took the chequered flag 0.797 behind Dovizioso with Spanish team mate Maverick Vinales, last year’s winner in Qatar, sixth.

“I expect more compared to last year, because with this year’s bike I feel good,” said Rossi, who won one race in 2017 and finished fifth overall despite breaking Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports his leg at the end of August. (rtr) Naomi Osaka

6

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

W

International

International

RLD

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Britain is investigating whether Facebook did enough to secure data after reports that a political consultancy hired by Donald Trump improperly accessed information about 50 million Facebook users.

UK investigating Facebook’s response to alleged data breach

Minister lauds parties who want peaceful elections

IBP/net

LONDON - Britain is investigating whether Facebook did enough to secure data after reports that a political consultancy hired by Donald Trump improperly accessed information about 50 million Facebook users, Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham said on Tuesday.

Denham is seeking a warrant to search the offices of London-based consultancy Cambridge Analytica after a whistleblower revealed it had harvested the private information of millions of people to support

Trump’s 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.

Facebook shares closed down nearly 7 percent on Monday, wiping nearly $40 billion off its market value as investors worried that new

legislation could damage the company’s advertising business and hurt its appeal to users.

The investigations of Cambridge Analytica and Facebook were part of a wider probe into the use of personal

data, said Denham, whose office is tasked with enforcing Britain’s data protection laws.

“We are looking at whether or not Facebook secured and safeguarded personal information on the platform and whether when they found out about the loss of the data they acted robustly and whether or not people were informed,” she told BBC Radio.

Denham said she would investigate whether Facebook had met its data protection obligations.

Cambridge Analytica denies media reports that it misused data, and says it deleted all Facebook data obtained from a third-party application in 2014 after learning the information did not adhere to data protection rules. (rtr)

PARIS - Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was held in custody on Tuesday and questioned by magistrates investigating whether late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi helped finance his 2007 election campaign, an official in the French judiciary said.

It is the second major judicial investigation to fall on the 63-yearold, who served as president from 2007-2012. He already faces trial on separate charges of illicit spending overruns during his failed re-election campaign in 2012.

A lawyer for Sarkozy could not immediately be reached for comment.

The former president has dismissed the Libya allegations as “grotesque” and a “crude manipulation”.

France opened an inquiry into the Libya case in 2013, after reports by French website Mediapart based on claims by a Franco-Lebanese businessman, Ziad Takieddine, who said he had transferred 5 million euros

($6 million) from Gaddafi’s former intelligence chief Abdullah Senussi to Sarkozy’s campaign director.

Months after he took office in 2007, the French leader came in for criticism for hosting a state visit by Gaddafi during which the Libyan leader pitched his trademark Bedouinstyle tent next to the Elysee Palace.

Gaddafi’s first visit to a Western leader in decades, which was accompanied by the signing of several business deals, came after Sarkozy helped get five Bulgarian nurses accused of infecting children with HIV released from jail in Libya.

Sarkozy was later one of the chief advocates of a NATO-led military campaign that resulted in Gaddafi’s overthrow and killing at the hands of rebel forces in 2011.

French judicial procedure allows for investigators to hold a person for questioning for up to 48 hours, after which the magistrates must say whether they have grounds for turn-

ing a preliminary inquiry into a full investigation.

The latter can, but does not always, lead to a trial.

The Libya-funding inquiry appeared to have gone quiet until January, when French businessman Alexandre Djouhri, suspected by investigators of funneling money from Gaddafi to finance Sarkozy’s campaign, was arrested in Britain on a warrant issued by France.

A lawyer for Djouhri last month accused French authorities of politicising the case and manipulating it against his client. French authorities had no comment.

Sarkozy’s predecessor, Jacques Chirac, was convicted in 2011, after his retirement, of misusing public funds to keep political allies in phantom jobs. That made the now ailing Chirac the first French head of state convicted since Nazi collaborator Marshal Philippe Petain in 1945. (rtr)

Former French leader Sarkozy held over Libyan funding inquiry

REUTERS/Patrick Hertzog/Pool/File Photo

France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi attend a ceremony for the signature of 10 billion euros of trade contracts between the two countries at the Elysee Palace in Paris, December 10, 2007.

11

President Jokowi Holds Bilateral Talk With New Zealand PM

IBP/net

Jokowi raises gender, economic issues during visit to New Zealand

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) raised gender and economic issues during a meeting with New Zealand Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy in a state visit to Wellington, also marking the 60th anniversary of Indonesia-New Zealand diplomatic relations. Bey Machmudin, head of the presidential press bureau, noted in a statement received by ANTARA on Monday that the president highlighted gender equality as a means to forge bilateral relations.

“I have been informed of Her Majesty`s interests in realizing gender equality. Although our population is predominantly Muslim, but women`s progress in Indonesia is remarkable,” he noted.

President Jokowi is one of the world`s champions for the “HeForShe” campaign. The global campaign, initiated by the UN Women, has a goal of achieving equality by encouraging men and boys to serve as the agents of change and take action against inequalities faced by women and girls. As part of his commitment to improve women`s representation in decision-making processes, the president has doubled the number of women ministers at the cabinet level, from four to eight.

“I have eight women ministers from 34 ministers, and they hold strategic portfolios,” Jokowi, who was accompanied

by Indonesia`s first woman For-

eign Minister Retno Marsudi, remarked. In addition to the shared vision on addressing gender equality issues, President Jokowi noted that Indonesia and New Zealand are both archipelagic nations. With such geographical conditions, he believes that the challenge of connectivity holds significance for both countries.

“With such geographical conditions, the development of infrastructure and connectivity is my priority, so that all regions in Indonesia can be equally developed,” he added. Indonesia and New Zealand have shared sound relations based on the two principles of mutual respect and benefit.

Hence, Jokowi opined that these sound relations should be maintained through various forms of cooperation, including in the fields of economy and people-to-people contacts. The energy sector, especially geother-

mal, for instance, is one of the areas of cooperation that has long been carried out by Indonesia and New Zealand. This cooperation was initiated in 1970, with the development of power plant projects.

The last issue that the president highlighted in his speech was inter-community cooperation or people-to-people contacts.

As many as 5,500 Indonesian citizens live in New Zealand, including 1,290 students studying at schools and universities.

“Thank you for treating Indonesian citizens and students well,” Jokowi stated.

At the end of his speech, President Jokowi invited David Gascoigne, the husband of Governor-General Reddy, to visit Indonesia. “I am sure His Majesty will love Indonesia, with its great variety of culture and art. I am waiting for His Majesty to visit Indonesia,” he remarked. (ant)

JAKARTA - Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has said he appreciates all parties who want peaceful simultaneous regional head elections, based on good ideas and programs for regional progress and people`s welfare. The minister remarked in a statement here on Tuesday that the regional head elections, locally known as Pilkada, should be dignified democratic festivity, free of of SARA (Ethnic, Religious, Racial and Intergroup) campaigns, hate speech, “hoax” or false news, corruption, and money politics.

Regarding the candidate of regional head who is involved in legal matters, Tjahjo affirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs is in a position not to intervene.

Tjahjo said he himself respected the law enforcement measures taken by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the Police, or the Attorney General, because they have operational standards of their respective procedures that cannot be intervened by other institutions.

The politician of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) also said President Joko Widodo`s policy insists that the government should not intervene in any decision that has been made by law enforcement agencies.

The move of KPK, which has conducted several hand-held operations and named regional heads or regional head candidates as suspects of corruption, was done in the context of law enforcement. (ant)

American found dead in Madiun

MADIUN - Madiun Police has handled the case of the death of an American, whose body was found in his bedroom at a boarding house in Mojorejo Village, Taman Sub-district, Madiun city, East Java. The victim, named David James (64), had been living in the boarding house for the past one year. “We have brought the body to the Regional Public Hospital (RSUD) of Dr. Soedono in Madiun for further examination,” Head of Criminal Unit of Regional Police of Madiun Adjunct Commissioner Logos Bintoro stated here on Monday.

According to Logos, the cause of the foreigner`s death has not been found yet. However, the results of the first investigation conducted by the police showed no signs of violence in the victim`s body. Logos has ordered the reporters to check with the local immigration office on the victim`s expired passport.

The foreigner`s body was found by his friend and the security of the boarding house on Monday morning. The victim`s friend came to the house to meet David. His suspicion became stronger as David did not open the door despite repeated knocking.

David`s friend then called the home keeper to open the room, and they found the victim dead. They immediately reported it to neighborhood Association (RT) and the police.

Hariyanto, the house keeper, noted that David had been living in the boarding house for a year. He rarely went out of his room as he was busy with his online business.

“He seemed to be okay, but he was seldom seen out, except for buying food,” he revealed. The police are still conducting further investigation of the case. The victim`s room, which is located in the second floor, has been sealed by the police. (ant)

12

International

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

BUSINESS

Bali News

International

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Besakih Temple Sits at the Foot of Mount Agung

5

Mount Agung in Balinese language is also known as Giri To Langkir to express its majesty. Giri means ‘mountain,’ To means ‘person,’ while Langkir means ‘towering.’ R. Goris, a literary scholar, compares the word to meaning ‘person’ to the family of languages ??found in other places having almost identical spellings that indicate the original equation. For example, the people of Bugis, Makassar and Toraja mention the person with the word ‘tou’ or ‘tow,’ the Sasak people on Lombok Island say ‘tau,’ the Bima people on Sumbawa Island say ‘dou,’ while the Filipinos say ‘tawuw.’

REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

Finance ministers and Central Bank presidents pose for the official photo at the G20 Meeting of Finance Ministers in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 19, 2018.

G20 pushes for free trade as U.S. vows to defend national interest

BUENOS AIRES - World financial leaders pleaded for an endorsement of free trade on Monday amid worries about U.S. metals tariffs and looming trade sanctions on China, but Trump administration officials said they would not sacrifice U.S. national interests. The Buenos Aires meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors of the world’s 20 biggest economies was meant to discuss a brightening economic outlook, the future of work, cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, and corporate tax avoidance.

But trade dominated the discussions after President Donald Trump on March 8 announced global tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminium. Trump is expected on Friday to announce new tariffs on up to $60 billion worth of Chinese technology and consumer goods annually, to punish Beijing over its drive to acquire U.S. intellectual property, sources told Reuters.

G20 officials fretted about the dangers that a potential trade war posed to world economic growth.

“The first risk is the risk of inward looking policies and protectionism,” European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Pierre Moscovici told reporters after the first day of talks. Protectionism could damage growth, he added. A draft G20 communique seen by

Reuters last week said something similar but it was not clear if it would be retained in the final version of the statement to be published on Tuesday and which has to be agreed by unanimity.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin pushed back at the meeting, saying the U.S. could not sacrifice its own interests so that the system worked. “There’s no doubt that the secretary represents the president’s very strong view that we believe in free trade,” one U.S. official told reporters.

“But the environment we’re in now, where the expectation is America totally subordinates its national interests in order for the free trade system to work, is just one we don’t accept. So, we’ve been very clear, we believe in free trade with reciprocal terms

that leads to more balanced trade relationships,” he said.

Others at the G20 meeting shared Europe’s concerns. “There is a solid understanding among the global community that free trade is important,” Haruhiko Kuroda, Japan’s central bank governor, told reporters. The U.S. steel and aluminium tariffs have raised global alarm that the U.S. would dismantle the trading system based on World Trade Organization rules in favor of unilateral actions.

Canada and Mexico are exempt from the tariffs, which enter into force on March 23 and are mainly aimed at China. But the European Union wants to be exempted, too.

“I’ve been clear with (U.S. Tr e a s u r y S e c r e t a r y ) S t e v e Mnuchin that we are waiting for

a full exemption from these new American tariffs for the European Union as a whole,” French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire told reporters. “I think we should reach that goal. It’s difficult (but) it’s not out of reach,” he added.

Without an exemption, the EU will retaliate with a series of measures it is already preparing, Moscovici said.

After meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in Washington, German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said he and Ross agreed that U.S.-EU talks on the tariffs should intensify.

“We are convinced that free trade is the best solution to guarantee the well-being of our peoples. We want that world trade remains fair and void of dumping measures,” Altmaier said.

CHINA TARIFF THREAT The broad anti-China tariffs and investment restrictions under consideration as part of a U.S. intellectual property probe have raised concerns that retaliation

could hit world trade and choke off the strongest global growth since the G20 head of state summits began during the financial crisis a decade ago.

An early draft of the G20 communique seen by Reuters contained the phrase that G20 finance ministers stood by an agreement reached by their leaders in July last year in Hamburg.

That agreement said: “We note the importance of bilateral, regional and plurilateral agreements being open, transparent, inclusive and WTO-consistent, and commit to working to ensure they complement the multilateral trade agreements.”

The Hamburg agreement, signed by all G20 leaders including Trump, said G20 countries would fight protectionism, including all unfair trade practices, although it also said they recognise the role of “legitimate trade defence instruments.” “The problem is that everybody understands the Hamburg wording differently,” a senior European official said. (rtr)

The word Langkir in Sanskrit can also be interpreted as the Mahadev or Supreme God (Master Plan for the Besakih Temple Development). In the Sangkul Putih palm-leaf manuscript is mentioned: “… Kang um is the ring tolangkir Bhatara Pasupati Ngaran …” means: “… the deity abiding on Mount Agung is named Bhatara Pasupati …”

The word Tolangkir is derived from the word to (tu) meaning ‘honorable’ and langkir meaning ‘stepping’ or ‘the glorified or honored mountain’ as the abode of (Lord) Hyang Pasupati most honored by Balinese people (Pasar Agung Temple development committee). Mount Agung is called Giri To Langkir because of its size and height, another word for explaining the Supreme.

Considering the majesty of Mount Agung, it was then established the abode of Hyang Pasupati named Besakih Temple.

Besakih Temple belongs to Sad Kahyangan (six main temples) of Bali. This temple consists of 86 groups of temples. This group is divided into 18 (eighteen) common temples, 4 Catur Lawa temples, 11 Padharman temples, 6 non-Padharman temples, 29 clan temples and 11 temples do not belong to the group.

All groups of the temples were built in stages. They were estimated to be first built by King Wira Dalem Kesari Warmadewa (913 AD), and then continued by Sri Kesari Warmadewa whose wife is Sri Gunapriya Dharmapatni (1007 AD). Rapid development occurred during the administration of Dalem Waturenggong where Danghyang Nirartha and Empu Kuturan played great role (Nala, 1996: 1).

Chronicle of Gunung Agung dated Çaka 11 noted the eruption in the same year and displacement of four mountains stated as Candra Sangkala or chronogram reading Rudhira Bumi.

Rudhira and Bumi respectively means number 1 (one) so that Rudhira Bhumi means number 11 (eleven) or 89 AD. The Çaka Year 13 stated as chronogram of

Gni Bhudara: Gni means ‘number three’ and Bhudara means ‘one,’ so that in the Çaka 13 meaning 92 AD it is said to erupt again.

The eruption caused a tremendous earthquake accompanied by incessant heavy rains day and night for two months.

After that, Lord Putra Jaya, Lord Gni Jaya and Goddess Danuh came down to Bali. Among the three, Lord Putra Jaya is the most glorified with the title Lord Mahadev abiding on top of Mount Agung as Lord Shiva, then Lord Gni Jaya abides on top of Mount Lempuyang and Goddess of Danuh abides in Lake Batur worshipped as Lord Vishnu.

At Besakih Temple, there is worship for gods namely; Kiduling Kreteg Temple where to worship Lord Brahma; Gelap Temple (Lord Ishvara), Ulun Kulkul Temple (Lord Mahadev), and Batumadeg Temple (Lord Vishnu). Penataran Agung Temple is located in the middle because it is considered the most distinguished. Here is where Hindu devotees say prayers every year in the ceremony known as Bhatara Turun Kabeh falling on full moon of the tenth month in Balinese calendar (April). Then, every ten years is held a ceremony known as Panca Wali Krama and most importantly is the ceremony held every 100 (one hundred) years, known as the Eka Dasa Rudra.

When Did Mount Agung Erupt?

In the chronicle of Mount Agung is mentioned that Mount Agung erupted for the second time in Çaka Year 70 or 148 AD, Friday (Sukra) Kliwon Wuku Tolu of the fifth month according to Balinese calendar. Meanwhile, in the crater of the Mount Agung was found a substance called Salodaka (sulfur). It is considered to have supernatural power by residents in Bali and used as a means of grandiose Hindu rituals.

Then, Mount Agung erupted for the third time in Çaka 111 (one hundred eleven) with the chronogram of Wak Çasih Wak where each word means number 1 (one) or 189

IBP/file

AD. At this time was held the first Eka Dasa Rudra at Besakih Temple.

Later, the Eka Dasa Rudra was not performed for several times.

The next Eka Dasa Rudra was held in 1963 AD precisely on March 18, 1963, falling on full moon of the tenth month (Balinese calendar), Sukra Pon Julungwangi Çaka 1885, but was then not cancelled. At that time (1963), a great eruption of Mount Agung happened and caused the Island of Bali to be in pitch black.

According to traditional mythological sources, a figure named Sri Wira Dalem Kesari founding the Merajan Selonding approximately in 250 AD located in the west of Penataran Agung Temple, where the Selonding gamelan instrument is now stored. He is said to have repaired the Besakih Temple. The word Dalem is the title of a king in Bali. Thus, the meaning of Dalem Kesari is most likely the King Kesari Warmadewa who ruled around 917 AD. This is indicated by inscriptions at Puseh Penempahan Temple and Belanjong (Sanur).

Among the inscriptions, only those at Belanjong that have the date or chronogram: Cara Wahni Murti. Cara means ‘the star’ and has number 5, Wahni means ‘fire’ number 3, murti means the body of Lord Shiva has number 8.

Therefore, after being read from the rear, the whole chronogram shows Caka 835 or 913 AD. During the reign of Sri Udayana, Besakih Temple also received

great attention. This can be found in two inscriptions whose copy is now stored in Merajan Selonding and Gedung Sakti inscription in Selat (Karangasem). It has chronogram ‘Nawa Sangapit Lawang’ and ‘Lawang Apit Lawang.’ Both chronograms have the same meaning: nawa means 9, apit means 2 and lawang means 9 (symbol of 9 holes in human body). The whole chronogram becomes Caka Year 929 or 1007 AD. Since the year 1007 belongs to the era of Udayana Warmadewa, apparently the king paid enough attention to Besakih Temple.

During the reign of the kings belonging to descendants of Sri Kresna Kepakisan, Besakih Temple received more special arrangement.

This can be found in the palmleaf manuscript of Raja Purana Besakih that specifies the type of ceremony, name of shrine, land property, composition of the pangemong (supporting devotees) and well-organized ceremonial levels.

Other than two inscriptions dating 1444 AD and 1454 AD that carry the inauguration of the autonomy of “Desa Hila-hila Hulundang Ing Besuki” it is also carried that outsiders as well as royal officers are not allowed to collect taxes in the region of Besakih Temple and the people of Besakih have duty to maintain Besakih Temple and the shrine of Sasuhunan Kidul. Such a condition continued until the conquest of the Klungkung kingdom by the Dutch in 1908.

During the Dutch colonial era,

the Dutch government paid great attention to Besakih Temple as proved in 1918-1923 when natural disasters destroyed many buildings; the government held a massive restoration. Furthermore, after Indonesian got its independence, the local government of Bali handled the repair and ceremonies at Besakih Temple. In 1967 supervision and maintenance of Besakih Temple by the governor of Bali was submitted to the Hindu Dharma Council of Indonesia (PHDI) and was then mandated again to Prawartakan Besakih Foundation. This foundation then carried out the repairs to damages caused by natural disasters.

Great attention of the Bali government along the district and municipal government across Bali is given to the improvements that continue until now. Other than the attention of customary and religious institutions through meetings of Sulinggih and Walaka, religious seminars and other meetings on the ceremonies at Besakih Temple should be carried out in accordance with the norms including the implementation of grandiose rituals held periodically such as the Eka Dasa Rudra in 1979 (Çaka 1900), Panca Walikrama in 1989 (Çaka 1910) and Candi Narmada at Batu Klotok, Panca Walikrama in Lake Batur and Tri Bhuana Ritual in 1993, Eka Bhuana Ritual in 1996 in the courtyard of Besakih Temple as a series of the Eka Dasa Rudra. (kmb)

4

Bali News

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

International

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

International

Market flooded with outside supplies

Local farmers should ‘move’ to prepare ritual needs

RITUAL needs such as banana and coconut are very high, especially during holy days, no exception in Klungkung district.

However, in the fulfillment, it remains very dependent on other regions, in which one of them is Lombok. Local farmers have not made this a business opportunity.

One morning, the atmosphere of Galiran Market in Klungkung was very crowded. No wonder because there are a number of holy days in the near future. People from all over the corners came to purchase ritual paraphernalia. Bargaining also sweetened the situation. It showed a traditional impression. In the parking lot, many vehicles were lined neatly. Someone came out, while some others were entering so as to add the crowd.

On the east side, a large enough building looked so quite crowded.

Here people could see interesting scenery. Various commodities piled up starting from chili, onion and garlic to other spices ingredients.

Not to forget, it also included local fruits. Of the existing commodities, garlic is highly demanded by buyers. Hundreds of clusters are lined up neatly in the kiosk yard. Some is being unloaded from large trucks.

The color is green along with bunches of small and large size.

It shows different names. Having been traced further, the most common fruit in the community is not coming from Klungkung farmers but from Lombok. “The number of local banana is a little, it’s usually sold directly to retailers,” said a collector, Ketut Mertadi, recently.

While waiting for buyers, this man from Gianyar said that banana supply comes every day. The number jumps sharply ahead of holy days, like Galungan, Kuningan

and Nyepi. He himself can sell up to 500 bunches. His consumers do not just from Klungkung, but also from Blahbatuh, Gianyar. “On holidays, the demand increases as many people buy,” he said.

A good quality banana almost has no rotten pieces. The price is affordable where a small bunch is sold for the range of IDR 25,000 in accordance with its type. “The price depends on the size and the type of banana,” he said.

Such tantalizing prospect became the right reason for him to resign from becoming a banana salesman having been pursued for several years. Currently, he already has a number of customers.

Another merchant, Ketut Sumida, also has similar reason. Very little local farmers provide banana supply for the market to meet the needs for ceremonies. Similar condition also happens to coconut of daksina. This is also imported from outside the region. Each day he should bring in some sacks of coconut. The price is IDR 2,500 per item. “All the coconuts are brought in from outside the region just like the banana,” he said.

Head of the Klungkung Agriculture Agency, Ida Bagus Gde Juanida, did not dismiss it. No doubt local farmers have not seen the fruit market opportunities. “The matter of having not seen the opportunity could be true. Land availability to plant can also become the cause of the little harvest,” he explained.

Nevertheless, his agency still encourages farmers to plant. At least the harvest yield can meet their needs. “There is no special program for banana planting. We will encourage them to do that. Hopefully, farmers can take advantage of this opportunity,” he said. (sos)

banana supply comes every day.

IBP/sos

S.Korea to send K-pop singers to Pyongyang in late March

During the past five years farmers get new hope because their cacao products are recognized internationally and even more valuable.

Cacao becomes main export commodity of Jembrana farmers IBP/olo

ALL this time, the agricultural products, especially cacao, is still underestimated. Moreover, farmers in Jembrana had been traumatized for years due to diseases attacking their crops.

However, during the past five years farmers get new hope because their cacao products are recognized internationally and even more valuable.

Cacao of Jembrana has a distinctive flavor compared to that of other regions in Indonesia. This commodity can even penetrate European export market currently being pushed

by President Joko Widodo. Over the past five years, dozens of Subak Abian groups have been established to develop standardized cacao and have more selling points than their previous results.

“One of the differences of the Jembrana cacao lies in the fat contents.

Soil texture here is hard but sandy.

Probably, this condition makes the cacao plant different,” said the Division Head of Plantation at the Jembrana Agriculture and Food Agency, I Komang Ariada, when met recently.

It makes a number of cacao bean processing companies in France interested. Other than for ingredient of groceries or drinks, this cacao bean can also be used for cosmetic ingredient, especially for fat from cacao oil.

Since several years ago, a number of subak groups have regenerated land cultivation with organic system.

Gradually, from the beginning only a few subak groups participated but the members have reached dozens.

To farmers, it gives more income because the selling price of cacao production is higher. Other than increasing production, in the future it also begins processing cacao mainly from small and medium enterprises.

Of the total 138 subak abian groups in Jembrana, this year more than 40 subak groups apply for the certification program, an increase from pre-

vious year reaching about 38 subak abian groups.

Director of Kalimajari Foundation, Agung Widi, said that Jembrana cocoa is indeed different and qualified as evidenced by the achievement of a number of awards such as the UTZ, Organic EU from USDA and the latest award at the Cocoa Excellence 2017 in France some time ago.

Widi hoped that people are more proud of the existence of Jembrana cacao. Farmers do not only produce cacao bean but also their derivative products. “We want people to not only drink or consume chocolate but also drink or consume typical Jembrana chocolate,” he added.

One of the subak groups currently enjoying the results of this cacao plantation is the Subak Abian Dwi Mekar, Pohsanten village. A local subak member, Made Sugandi, 44, is a successful farmer due to cacao farm management. His land sits on the slopes of Pasatan, which formerly just produced a little, but now becomes a ‘gold field.’ The cacao he planted four years ago has been very productive. Moreover, the selling price of the crop is higher after applying fermentation method studied. “The key is consistent, never be farmers halfheartedly. Everything needs a process from planting and maintenance,” said Sugandi.

Farming must go through the process to harvest. Plant maintenance must be done. By changing the type of cacao and applying regular maintenance, currently his plantation of 10

hectares has given a result. Moreover, the fermentation processing makes the price higher. Cacao production also increased dramatically from 800 kilograms per hectare to 1.8 tons per hectare.

Cacao plant has now been designated as the core industry commodity in Jembrana district. Based on the data, Jembrana is the largest cacao producer in Bali with 6,226 hectares of plantation with the involvement of 13,000 families of farmers.

Deputy Regent of Jembrana, Made Kembang Hartawan, is also very concerned with the quality of this Jembrana cacao. He hoped to maintain the quantity and quality.

All subak abian groups are expected to join this program. “Last year, Jembrana cacao managed to send 55 tons of fermented beans and in the next year should be more. Hopefully, the current international buyers consisting of France and Japan can be followed by other countries as long as the quality is maintained even improved,” said Kembang.

Additionally, Deputy Regent Kembang suggested the farmers to take advantage of their cacao estate into agro tourism. In some developed countries, the bean is processed into some derivative products. Countries are very rarely including the package ranging from nursery, planting to fermentation process. “I very rarely see this and Jembrana is very potential for this. Moreover, Bali remains a favorite tourist destination,” he encouraged. (olo)

13

REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) talks with minister in charge of reviving local economies Shigeru Ishiba during the plenary session of the parliament in Tokyo July 16, 2015.

Uncertainty prevails as scandal clouds Japan Abe’s future

SEOUL - A group of South Korea’s K-pop singers will visit Pyongyang from March 31, the South said on Tuesday, a reciprocal visit after North Korea sent performers to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

The South Koreans, numbering about 160, will visit North Korea until April 3, the South’s Ministry of Unification said in a statement, for the first such performances in more than a decade.

The group will include K-pop girl group Red Velvet and music industry veterans Cho Yong-pil and Lee Sun-hee, the ministry said, after talks on the performances between the neighbours’ delegations at the truce border village of Panmunjom.

Cho was the last South Korean singer to perform in the North, at a concert in Pyongyang in 2005.

“While we’re on the stage, I believe it will be difficult to portray personal feelings towards denuclearisation,” said singer and record producer Yoon Sang, who led the South’s delegation at Tuesday’s talks.

“Our first task will be to instill the same awe in North Korean audiences as we do our South Korean ones and make sure nothing is awkward,” he told a media briefing.

Further negotiations, such as deciding the songs to be performed, would be done in written form, he added.

The visitors will hold two shows in Pyongyang, one at the East Pyongyang Grand Theatre, which was the backdrop to a landmark performance by the New York Philharmonic in 2008.

The other show will be held at the Ryukyung Chung Ju Yung Gymnasium, which was a joint project between North and South, named after Hyundai Group founder Chung Ju-yung.

Officials will visit the North from March 22 to 24 to inspect the sites and ensure they can accommodate the singers, the ministry added.

The deal is the latest step in the detente that began after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said at the beginning of the year that he intended to improve ties.

North Korea has since agreed to hold summits with the South and the United States, apart from participating last month in the Olympics in South Korea. (rtr)

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is facing his biggest political crisis since taking office more than five years ago, as suspicions swirl about a land sale to a school operator with ties to his wife.

Abe has denied that he or his wife, Akie, intervened in the heavily discounted sale of state-owned land to the school operator, Moritomo Gakuen, or that he sought to alter documents related to the deal.

Finance Minister Taro Aso, a close Abe ally, has also denied involvement in alterations officials in his ministry made to the documents.

But a spate of weekend opinion polls showed support for Abe’s cabinet sinking as low as 31 percent, with majorities saying he bears some responsibility.

The sagging support could dash his hopes of winning a third threeyear term as leader of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in a September party election. A victory would put him on track to become Japan’s longest-serving premier.

Below are possible scenarios for Abe’s political future.

ABE’S RATINGS RECOVER, HE WINS THIRD TERM Last year, Abe, 63, also saw his ratings plummet over the Mo-

ritomo land deal and other matters. The LDP suffered a historic trouncing in a Tokyo assembly election.

But he recovered in the polls, and his LDP-led coalition won a two-thirds “super majority” in a snap lower house election in October, helped by fragmentation of the opposition parties, low turnout and his stern stance toward North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

That could happen again, especially if there are no further big revelations in the Moritomo affair, no fresh scandals appear and Abe demonstrates skill on the diplomatic front.

Abe could decide to sacrifice Aso - who has said he has no intention of resigning - but that could backfire by focusing criticism even more firmly on the prime minister and depriving him of a “breakwater” against public ire.

If his ratings recover and his backers in the LDP hold firm, Abe could win a third term as party leader and stay in office into 2021.

ABE RESIGNS BEFORE SEPTEMBER If Abe’s ratings fall further and stay low, he may decide to step down before the September vote, although having quit once, he is probably reluctant to do so again. Abe abruptly resigned in 2007 after a year in office plagued by scandals in his cabinet, a deadlocked parliament and poor health.

If he steps down, Abe may try to throw his support behind former foreign minister Fumio Kishida, 60, to succeed him with backing from other party heavyweights. Kishida now serves as LDP policy chief.

The LDP would have to hold a special leadership vote, but could just poll members of parliament rather than including rank-and-file members. That would give Kishida, a low-key lawmaker seen as less hawkish than Abe, an edge over former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, who is popular with the party as a whole but less so among lawmakers.

Both Kishida and Ishiba have expressed concerns about Japan’s bulging public debt. (rtr)

Reuters PLUS ESPORTS2017

A fan poses with a poster of K-pop performer Eunhyuk ahead of the SMTOWN SPECIAL STAGE in HONG KONG concert.

14

Technology

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

International

Self-driving car industry faces critical test after first death

WASHINGTON - The death of a woman in Arizona struck by a self-driving car with no human control, the first fatality involving a fully autonomous vehicle, is an event the nascent industry has long dreaded and comes at a sensitive time.

Monday’s accident involving an Uber Technologies Inc car is shaping up as the first significant test of how policy makers and the public will respond to the new technology. The incident occurred as companies have been pushing for regulatory clearance to offer self-driving car ride services as soon as next year. On Friday, Uber and Alphabet Inc’s Waymo car unit had written U.S. senators urging them to approve sweeping self-driving car legislation “in the coming weeks.”

Automakers and technology companies such as Uber, General Motors Co and Toyota Motor Corp have made substantial investments that hinge on significant revisions to existing vehicle safety regulations written under the assumption that a licensed human would always be in control of a vehicle.

Auto and technology industry officials have warned that there could be accidents and deaths involving self-driving cars, but they have said countless additional lives would be saved as robotic systems programmed to obey traffic laws took over for distracted, sleepy or impaired human drivers.

Mark Rosenker, a former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said on Monday the public should not overreact to the Uber incident. He noted that 6,000 pedestrians and nearly 40,000 people die annually on U.S. roads in more than 6 million crashes

annually.

“This is going to be a unfortunate obstacle that we are going to have to deal with to regain (the public’s) belief that these devices are safe,” Rosenker said.

The incident prompted Uber to suspend all testing of self-driving cars.

The immediate impact of the fatality may be to further delay or change a landmark bill pending in Congress to speed the testing of self-driving cars that was already stalled by objections from a handful of Democrats over safety concerns.

Senator John Thune, a Republican who chairs the Commerce Committee, said the “tragedy underscores the need to adopt laws and policies tailored for selfdriving vehicles.”

However, two Democratic U.S. senators on Thune’s committee, Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, said the Uber incident demands a tough response.

“This tragic incident makes clear that autonomous vehicle technology has a long way to go before it is truly safe for the passengers, pedestrians, and drivers who share America’s roads,” Blumenthal said in a statement.

The Trump administration has been working to dismantle regulatory roadblocks to self-driving cars, but it has also said it is focused on ensuring safety. “The goal is to develop common sense regulations that do not hamper innovation,

3

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Ogoh-ogoh of ‘millennial style’

Integrating traditional art and technology development CREATIVITY in the making of ogoh-ogoh (papier mâché demon) continues to grow. Every year, there are always innovations such as the use of motor engine technology in the making of the ogoh-ogoh so it is no longer static but able to move.

Besides, there are also the ones using computer technology and internet to control the ogoh-ogoh movement. As a work of art related to cultural traditions, ogoh-ogoh of the ‘millennial style’ apparently is not inseparable from the influence of technology.

This indicates that modernization will not undermine tradition but makes it richer.

three years, to each sell up to 80,000 self-driving vehicles annually if they could demonstrate to regulators they are as safe as current vehicles.

Concerns over the safety of autonomous vehicles flared in July 2016 when a man driving a Tesla Model S in semi-autonomous “Autopilot” mode died when his car struck a tractor-trailer.

In January 2017, federal safety regulators concluded there was no defect in the Tesla Autopilot system, and that the driver should have maintained control. (rtr)

The desire to display the best is human nature. Similarly, one’s feeling may never be satisfied with one achievement. Construction of the ogoh-ogoh skeleton is one of the rapid developments. If in the early days, ogoh-ogoh construction was conventional as the ogoh-ogoh structure can only be made in a sitting position. Then, it evolved into ogoh-ogoh standing on two legs and evolved again into ogoh-ogoh standing on one foot. Meanwhile, currently the ogoh-ogoh skeleton construction is designed magnificently so that the ogoh-ogoh shape can be made in such a way to look like floating.

The increasingly unique construction of the ogoh-ogoh is certainly not separated from the use of design with iron materials. Thus, technical calculations should be included in order to make the ogoh-ogoh iron construction reliable. Another challenge is the integration of this iron frame with natural materials such as woven bamboo as the body of the ogoh-ogoh.

Ketut Gede Arya Narendra, Chief of Tainsiat customary youth club whose ogoh-ogoh entitled Ratu

Sumedang claimed to still use bamboo, but the ogoh-ogoh bone structure is using iron. In addition, the ogohogoh receiving wide appreciation from the society also uses motor engine technology so that it is able to move. So, the ogoh-ogoh entitled Queen Sumedang telling about black magic looks like alive. “We hope that people can receive our ogoh-ogoh work this year and will continue to be creative next years,” he said.

Different from Dharma Laksana customary youth club of North Panjer, Denpasar, it made the ogoh-ogoh that can be driven by using internet connection. “To welcome Nyepi of this year, the ogoh-ogoh can be controlled online by using the feature of ‘Google Assistant’ installed on smart phone,” said the designer of the system, Made Dwi Krisna.

He added the ogoh-ogoh entitled Shiva Sarabha is able to receive voice commands sent by the ogoh-ogoh operator with ‘Google Assistant’ feature using smart phones and then the ogoh-ogoh translates the commands into movement. “I assemble the components in the ogoh-ogoh such as message-receiving and processing wireless modem, ethernet shields,

having explored and deployed all NAO’s capabilities within the framework of their university degree course.

Since July 2015, a new type of hotel has opened in a theme park.

NAO was selected to provide the reception and conciergerie services. He welcomes the guests and provides them with information in a variety of languages.

7 NAO joined the “ROBOTS” show created by the renowned choreographer Blanca Li in 2013.

The first show in the world with robots in the starring roles, it has already charmed European and North American audiences. (net)

DENPASAR — Discussion on the revision of Regional Regulation No.3/1992 on Balinese Language, Scripts Literature is approaching final stage. Another important point emerging is related to Balinese language institute, script, and literature.

All this time, the institute in question actually exists but does not work optimally. Actually, there are 15 academicians, both professors and doctors, writers, artists, observers and activists of Balinese language, script and literature recruited to strengthen the institution named the Language Agency.

“The draft is almost final, just waiting for approval. This Balinese language, script and literature agency has a broader protection, development, utilization and fostering function than the existing inactive

language agency,” said Chairman of Special Committee, Nyoman Parta, after a meeting with Regional Development Planning Board (Bappeda), Law and Human Rights Bureau, Bali Education Agency as well as academicians in the Parliamentary House on Monday (Mar. 19).

According to Parta, all this time the language agency has not functioned since its management is under the organization of bureaucratic agency. Meanwhile, the members attached to campus culture are not accustomed to getting into the budgeting flow of APBD. In order to preserve, his commission has requested that Balinese language, script, and literature agency has proposed an activity program at the end of March.

“Bappeda has promised to prepare the budget,” he explained.

After self-driving Uber car kills woman, industry faces critical test. while preserving safety,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said on March 1. A spokesman for Chao had no additional comment Monday.

Chao is reviewing a petition that GM filed in January with NHTSA requesting an exemption to have a small number of autonomous vehicles operate in a ride-share program without steering wheels or human drivers.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters said Monday in a statement the incident demonstrated “there are enormous

risks inherent to testing unproven technologies on public roads. It is critical that pedestrians and drivers are safeguarded.”

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said Monday the incident is a “wake up call to the entire AV industry and government to put a high priority on safety.”

In September, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a measure that would allow automakers to win exemptions from safety rules that require human controls. A Senate version would allow automakers, within

IBP/net

Who is NAO? PARIS - 58 cm in height, NAO is our first humanoid robot. He has continually been evolving since the beginning of his adventure in 2006.

Currently in his 5th version, about 10 000 NAO have already been sold throughout the world.

NAO is an interactive com-

REUTERS/Regis Duvignau

Bali News

International

An elderly woman plays with a robot named NAO, manufactured by Softbank Robotics, in her retirement home in Bordeaux, France, March 16, 2018.

panion robot.

Their experience with NAO In France, at a specialised centre of the “Autistes sans Frontière” association, NAO and Lucas have forged a special bond.

Impassive and always positive, NAO encourages Lucas without judging him. Since their encounter, Lucas is calmer and his contact with adults has become easier.

The Australian “rUNSWift” team from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) carried off the Standard Platform League cup at the RoboCup 2015 competition (robotics world cup event) after

IBP/kmb

As a work of art related to cultural traditions, ogoh-ogoh of the ‘millennial style’ apparently is not inseparable from the influence of technology. relays, arduino (an open-source platform used for building electronic projects) and dimmers for about two weeks,” he said.

The ogoh-ogoh with the internet technology, he said, is connected

to smart phone via internet connection. After that, the operator opens the ‘Google Assistant’ feature in the smart phone by giving voice commands. Afterward, the voice is processed by components inside the

ogoh-ogoh and then it can move according to the specified commands.

Inside the ogoh-ogoh, there is also a hydraulic tool and ‘drone’ propeller serving as the driving force of the ogoh-ogoh’s part. (ara/ant)

Parta has confidence that Balinese language, script and literature agency formulated this time can work optimally. Its duties and functions have also been clearly articulated in the regional regulation draft. In the context of protecting, for example, the agency is tasked with collecting, inventorying and recording all palmleaf manuscripts, Balinese folklore as well as other local wisdom.

“Furthermore, it did the process of digitizing and printing books.

Besides, it also makes data collection and recognition of some folklore as a result of intellectual work of the Balinese so as not to be claimed by outsiders,” added this PDI-P politician from Guwang, Gianyar.

Related to coaching, continued Parta, the Balinese language, script and literature agency will strengthen

the teachers and extension officers of the Balinese language existing throughout the island. Teachers or educators with outstanding performance will be given the priority of continuing their education to graduate and post-graduate studies. This can be made possible by the Bali Education Agency. On the other hand, the agency also acts as a think tank providing direction related to the use of Balinese language and script.

“For example, at the airport there is advancement on the usage of Balinese terms in giving the announcement to board the plane. However, there are still a lot of mistakes, like the reading of 21:00 said to be selikur (twenty-one) but should be ‘nine.’

This is where it plays a role to provide direction,” he explained.

When separately confirmed,

the Head of the Bappeda Bali and Research and Development Bureau, I Wayan Wiasthana Ika Putra, said that budgeting for Balinese language, script and literature agency is in principle consistent with the norms, standards, procedures and criteria (NSPK). In the upcoming April, the development meeting plan (Musrenbang) is going to create RKPD 2019. At that time, all regional agencies including the culture agency that oversees the institution will submit a proposal and then discussed.

“We have the task of facilitating in accordance with local financial capacity. Later, we will see how the program of this institution will look like. Of course, it will be followed by rational budgeting. In short, we are ready,” he said. (kmb32)

Balinese language, scripts and literature agency to be ’revived’

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018

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Not easy to meet criteria of tourism village GIANYAR — Innovations in tourism sector stay indispensable, especially those initiated and managed by villagers in the form of tourism villages. The innovation from, by and for society is considered strategic not only within the framework of sustainable tourism development but also related to the development of people’s economy. However, it is not easy to realize and manage a tourism village. The initiative and active participation of rural communities is a crucial factor.

Of the 76 villages in Gianyar district, so far only nine villages have been designated as tourism village namely Singapadu Tengah, Singapadu Kaler, Taro, Kerta, Batubulan, Kemenuh, Mas, Kendran and Kedisan. The potentials developed by communities at each village are quite varied, but most of them are related to nature and culture. Other than having been set by the government, people at some villages are also trying to make theirs into a tourism village.

According to the Head of Gianyar Tourism Office, A.A. Ari Brahmanta, the government appreciated to the public vivacity to advance their village. The development of village potentials in the form of tourism village is very positive in moving the local community’s economy up to the preservation of culture and environment. District government is ready to support the development of tourism villages. “The support could be in the provision and improvement of infrastructure and nonphysical assistance such as coaching,” he said while accompanied by Section Head of Tourism Resources, Desak Made Utari, on Monday (Mar. 19).

He explained some things need to be considered in the development of tourism villages, termed as 6M (man, managerial, money, material, market and method). However, among these factors, the most important is ‘man’ or human resources. In this case, there must be a community response and driving figures. If the community is passive, the government will be difficult to develop the potential owned by the village.

“We do not want to make a tourism village haphazardly. The whole villages in Gianyar actually have a potential to be tourism village. But how, are they ready? Now, it depends on the village leader. If they have the will, I think it can be realized. Moreover, we know the benefits of tourism villages, in addition to mobilizing village economy, is also reducing poverty, opening employment and preserving culture and environment,” he explained.

Furthermore, he revealed that based on Gianyar Regent Regulation No.127/2016 on the Procedures of Tourism Village Establishment in Gianyar district, there are several stages to be fulfilled in determining tourism village. Among others, the village should apply to the district government by submitting data on the potential owned and meet the criteria specified. After that, the tourism office will do verification. If the criteria are met, the village concerned can be designated as tourism village by a regent decree.

“This year many tourism village candidates have submitted their proposal. We will deploy a team to do verification. If meeting the requirements, they can be defined as a tourism village. Tourism village should be an administrative village or it can designate particular areas to represent,” he said.

Meanwhile, hamlet chief of Panglan, Pejeng, Tampaksiring, I Made Kamardiyana, conveyed that government support is necessary in the development of tourism potential. The government is expected to find solutions for the constraints faced by the community such as inadequate infrastructure, limited funds and understanding of the tourism sector.

He pointed out that younger generation of Panglan is trying to synergize organic agriculture with tourism leading to the formation of tourism village. Organic farming centered on one-hectare of land in the Subak Kana area will be a major development and tourist attraction center. However, in its passage, there are various obstacles faced so that the development is still not maximal.

“So far, there have been visitors coming here, including foreign tourists. However, the number remains very little as the promotion is limited. We are not ready, if for example, many tourists come because our infrastructure has not been supportive. Facilities and infrastructure at the location of organic farming stays very limited. So, we still really expect the government support,” he said. (kmb25)

The tourists are visiting Taman Ayun Temple.

IBP/file

Tourism has not yet created equity DENPASAR — In 2017, TripAdvisor set Bali as the best destination, which even surpassed London (England) and Paris (France). Both destinations are sequentially in the second and third positions under Bali. Meanwhile, in the fourth to tenth positions were respectively occupied by Roma (Italy), New York (USA), Crete (Greece), Barcelona (Spain), Siem Riep (Cambodia), Prague (Czech) and Phuket (Thailand).

Nevertheless, this achievement is not in line with the welfare of Balinese people. Inequality remains to become a classic problem faced

by Bali today. Actually, the tourism development has generated a lot of dollars. But in reality it cannot be enjoyed evenly by the entire community of the Island of the Gods.

“Tourism pies cannot be enjoyed by the Balinese evenly. For example, the Hotel and Restaurant Tax (PHR) is enjoyed by Badung district in the majority. Meanwhile, the tourism is supported by all the Balinese people,” said Deputy Chairman of the Bali House of Representatives, I Nyoman Sugawa Korry, in Denpasar, on Monday (Mar. 19).

According to Sugawa Korry, this has an impact on the development outcomes tending to be imbalanced. It also appears from the striking differences in per capita income, human development index, and gini ratio. He has

proposed the revision to the Law No.28/2009 on Regional Tax and Levy. Mainly, the law should also include a source of income in the form of tourism levies. All this time, hotel and restaurant taxes are handed over to producing district especially Badung, while the cultural tourism in Bali is supported by all districts/ municipality.

“In the past, the policy was intended for star-rated hotels built in Sanur and Kuta, while other districts are supporters so the hotel and restaurant tax revenue only goes to Badung. Currently, other districts are just like receiving ‘mercy’ and it is very subjective.

There is ‘like and dislike’ as well as there can be other motives,” he explained.

Sugawa Korry added that revision against the Law No. 28/2009 must be done so the hotel and restaurant tax now distributed directly by Badung to recipient districts is not only a mercy, but

can become the right of the supporting districts. Thus, justice can just be created. In addition to the Law No.28/2009, he also proposed to central government to revise the Law No.33/2004 on Financial Balance between Central Government and Local Government. All this time, the balancing funds received

by Bali is not comparable to the foreign exchanges contributed by the Island of the Gods through the advancement of tourism.

“In the Law No.33/2004 is stated the sharing funds is only valid for natural resources. Since Bali does not have it, it becomes unfair whereas there are two sources of revenue sharing from natural resources and other resources. Well, the elaboration on the other natural resources in the Law No. 33/2004 is not further clarified. We demand there must be a revision made by proposing tourism to be included in the law,” he concluded. (kmb32)

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018

’Sex and the City’ actress Cynthia Nixon to run for New York governor

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018

NEW YORK - Actress and liberal activist Cynthia Nixon, one of the stars of the hit television series “Sex and the City,” announced on Monday she would run for governor of New York, challenging incumbent Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic nomination.

REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/File Photo

Actress Cynthia Nixon arrives at the 71st Tony Awards New York City, U.S., June 11, 2017.

“I love New York, and today I’m announcing my candidacy for governor,” Nixon, 51, said on Twitter.

Her campaign sets up a battle for the Sept. 13 primary between a celebrity on the left of the Democratic Party and a moderate governor who is often mentioned as a possible presidential hopeful in 2020.

Cuomo, 60, the son of late New York Governor Mario Cuomo, is seeking his third term. The general election is Nov. 6. If successful in both the primary and general elections, Nixon would become New York’s first female and first openly gay governor.

A statement by Nixon’s campaign called her a progressive alternative to Cuomo, referring to the governor as a centrist whose aides were mired in

legal trouble. It also made note of the state’s role in operating New York City’s antiquated and much maligned subway system.

An accompanying video, which shows Nixon at home with her wife, Christine Marinoni, and their young son Max, also addresses income inequality.

“Our leaders are letting us down,” Nixon says in the video. “We are the most unequal state in the entire country, with both incredible wealth and extreme poverty.”

Nixon is aligned with New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat who is politically to the left of Cuomo. The two men have feuded over issues such as public transit and housing in the nation’s largest city. (rtr)

Broadway stars Lin-Manuel Miranda and Platt release #MarchforOurLives song LOS ANGELES - Two of Broadway’s biggest stars teamed up to release a song on Monday in support of the March for Our Lives gun control movement started by students at a Florida high school.

“Hamilton” musical creator LinManuel Miranda and Ben Platt, the Tony-winning star of teen musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” recorded a mashup of two songs from the respective shows called “Found/ Tonight.”

A portion of the proceeds from the song will support the March for Our Lives initiative aimed at pressuring U.S. lawmakers to tighten laws on gun ownership.

Students from Marjory Stone-

man Douglas High School are organizing marches in Washington D.C. and elsewhere in the United States on March 24 after 17 students and teachers at their school in Parkland, Florida, were killed in a mass shooting last month.

“It’s so inspiring to see young people standing up for what is probably the most important cause right now in this country, and demanding action,” Platt, 24, said in a statement. “I hope that this song can play some small part in bringing about real change.”

Miranda said he was “awestruck by the strength and leadership of the students and their ability to speak truth to power.”

The emotional song and a music video combines the “Hamilton” song “Story of Tonight” with “You Will Be Found” from Tony-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen.”

It was among the top five trending items on YouTube on Monday.

“I just listened to it and I can’t stop crying I’m gonna listen to this forever holy heck,” Emma Gonzalez, one of the student leaders, said on Twitter.

March for Our Lives has also received support and hefty financial donations from the likes of Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, director Steven Spielberg and singers Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and Demi Lovato. (rtr)

Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army members pull down Kurdish statue in the center of Afrin, Syria March 18, 2018.

After the battle

Aid, gunfire and looting in Syria’s Afrin

AFRIN - A day after Turkish troops and their Syrian rebel allies seized control of Afrin, a Turkish aid group started distributing relief supplies in the town centre on Monday, but residents continued to leave after widespread reports of looting. Triumphant Syrian rebel fighters stood on a fallen statue, firing shots in the air, while military vehicles patrolled streets still littered with the debris from Turkey’s eight-week offensive to drive out Kurdish YPG fighters.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

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Shops were closed and some people left for villages outside Afrin, the main town in a pocket of Kurdish-controlled territory in northwest Syria. One resident said the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army rebel fighters who swept into Afrin on Sunday morning had been looting shops and homes.

“The Free Syrian Army came and entered into Afrin and supposedly we were going to be safe. But it turned out to be the opposite,” said the man, who did not give his name.

“The Free Syrian Army looted our cars, looted our houses, looted

our shops. It has become like we are all homeless (even) in our houses.

No food, no drink, no security.”

Syria’s foreign ministry, in a letter to the United Nations published by state media, said Afrin residents’ belongings were looted and their houses destroyed in the Turkey-led campaign. An FSA spokesman in the region was not immediately available for comment. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman said Ankara was taking reports of looting in Afrin seriously. “We are looking into the incidents. Apparently they have happened. Some

groups apparently did not follow the orders that were given by their commanders,” Ibrahim Kalin told CNN. Another man in Afrin, loading mattresses, carpets and other goods onto the back of a tractor trailer, said his family moved to the town from Bulbul, 30 km (20 miles) away, when Turkey launched its air and ground offensive in January. “The bombardment started so we fled to Afrin. Now we are returning from Afrin to our home because it’s safer,” he said.

The United Nations said two thirds of 323,000 residents had fled the wider Afrin region since the

start of Turkey’s campaign to drive out Kurdish YPG fighters, who it says are an extension of Kurdish militants waging a prolonged insurgency in southern Turkey. It appealed for urgent supplies to “stem the catastrophic situation” for tens of thousands of people in Afrin and in Ghouta, where Syrian government forces are fighting to crush the last major rebel-held enclave on the edge of the capital.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) called on Monday for greater access to the civilian population of Afrin, saying that Turkey’s Red Crescent lacked credibility among the Syrian Kurds after the Turkish military operation.

Turkey, however, has promised to support people in Afrin and on Monday its emergency relief agency

AFAD was distributing aid in the centre of the town.

“Since yesterday when the Turkish Army and Free Syrian Army entered here our duty started for the humanitarian affairs,” said AFAD’s director Mehmed Gulluoglu. “Today we are here for need assessment and also for the first distribution. We are distributing food, hygiene kits and some prepared food and some blankets any case.”(rtr) News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http:// radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.