Edition Monday, December 24, 2018 | International Bali Post

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Monday, December 24, 2018

Sexual assault case against Steven Seagal dropped

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood action star Steven Seagal will not face prosecution after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17, prosecutors said Friday.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said time had run out to pursue the case brought by a Dutch model who alleges she was groped in a hotel room in 2002. Prosecutors did not name the alleged victim, but lawyer Lisa Bloom identified her as Dutch model Faviola Dadis.

Dadis, who didn’t come forward until several years after the alleged assault, accuses Seagal of attacking her during what she thought was an audition in the W Hotel in Beverly Hills.

She claims Seagal slipped his hand underneath her clothing, fondled her breasts and groped her crotch.

She is one of several women who have come forward with allegations of

sexual assault or harassment against the 66-year-old “Under Siege” star. He has denied all claims of misconduct.

In paperwork released Friday, a prosecutor said the case was referred for further investigation which did not yield evidence “sufficient to meet the requirements of state law involving the statute of limitations.”

“Therefore, the case is declined due to the expiration of the statute of limitations,” it said.

The time limit for prosecution of sexual offenses ranges from six years to three in California, depending on the seriousness of the allegations. Bloom released a statement thanking the district

attorney for a “careful review” but saying prosecutors’ hands had been tied by “this unfair law which bars the courthouse door even to young women like my client, Faviola Dadis, who is highly credible.”

She said her client was a minor at the time of the incident but that California law still requires she have independent evidence that clearly corroborates her claims. “The law fails to recognize that few minors are emotionally ready to seek justice against their rapists until many years later,” she added.

“Instead, it offers rapists a ‘get out of jail free’ card if they simply pass an arbitrary time deadline. And the law seems to presume that victims are lying, creating an unfairly high evidentiary standard not required in other criminal cases. Few rapists commit their crimes in the presence of witnesses.” (afp)

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Monday, December 24, 2018

Allen Berezovsky / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

US actor Steven Seagal

Fashion designer Raf Simons to leave Calvin Klein

Angela Weiss / AFP

Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons

NEW YORK - Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons, considered one of the most talented of his generation, will leave Calvin Klein little more than two years after joining it, parent company PVH said Friday.

“Both parties have amicably decided to part ways after Calvin Klein, Inc decided on a new brand direction which differs from Simons’ creative vision,” the company said in a statement.

The arrival of the self-taught Simons in New York in August 2016 after four years at Dior caused a sensation. Dubbed “chief creative officer,” he had vast powers to revitalize the American brand, which relied on him to boost the profits of its high-end collection.

But there has been speculation since November about his potential

departure, after an official from PVH apportioned him some of the blame for declining sales.

PVH did not specify when Simons would leave, but according to The New York Times, his departure is immediate even though his contract expires in less than six months. No details have been given as to who will replace him or what he will do after his departure.

During his short stint at Calvin Klein, Simons garnered praise from the fashion world for his innovative collections, and he has received three awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Calvin Klein’s shows at New York Fashion Week were among the most popular but the fashion house will not organize any runway events at the next Fashion Week to take place in February, PVH said.

Simons’ last Fashion Week runway show in September was inspired by “Jaws,” the 1975 Steven Spielberg blockbuster film.

“The landscape of America -literal and psychological -- inspires Calvin Klein. A journey through America leads, inevitably, to the edge of the landscape: the beach,” where there is “this incredible idea of beauty, but also a tension,” Simons wrote in notes for the show.

Simons, 50, has been credited with giving the iconic American label renewed relevancy, his collections diving deep into the good, the bad and the ugly of the United States.

But several industry news sites had speculated about the departure of Simons, after the PVH group head blamed him during a thirdquarter earnings presentation for a lack of dynamism in sales. (afp)

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RONALD / AFP

Rescuers remove the body of a victim from a damaged building in Carita on December 23, 2018, after the area was hit by a tsunami on December 22 following an eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano. A volcano-triggered tsunami has left at least 168 people dead and hundreds more injured after slamming without warning into beaches around Indonesia’s Sunda Strait, officials said on December 23, 2018 voicing fears that the toll was set to rise.

222 dead as volcano-triggered tsunami hits Indonesia

A volcano-triggered tsunami has left at least 222 people dead and hundreds more injured after slamming without warning into beaches around Indonesia’s Sunda Strait, officials said Sunday, voicing fears that the toll would rise further.

Hundreds of buildings were destroyed by the wave, which hit the coast of southern Sumatra and the western tip of Java about 9:30 pm (1430 GMT) on Saturday after a volcano known as the “child” of Krakatoa erupted, national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. Dramatic video posted on social media showed a wall of water suddenly crashing into a concert by pop group “Seventeen” -- hurling band members off the stage and then flooding into

the audience.

In a tearful Instagram post, frontman Riefian Fajarsyah said the band’s bassist and road manager had been killed and his wife was missing. Search and rescue teams were scouring rubble for survivors, with 222 people confirmed dead, 843 people injured and 28 missing, Nugroho said.

Tsunamis triggered by volcanic eruptions are relatively rare, caused by the sudden displacement of water or “slope failure”, according to

the International Tsunami Information Centre. Unlike those triggered by earthquakes, they give authorities no time to warn residents of the impending threat.

The destructive wave left a trail of uprooted trees and debris strewn across beaches. A tangled mess of corrugated steel roofing, timber and rubble was dragged inland at Carita beach, a popular spot for daytrippers on the west coast of Java.

Photographer Oystein Andersen described how he was caught up

in the disaster while on the beach taking photos of Anak Krakatoa. “I suddenly saw a big wave,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

“I had to run, as the wave passed the beach and landed 15-20m inland. (The) next wave entered the hotel area where I was stay-

Not Published We, The International Bali Post would like to apologize in advance becuase we will not be published on December 25th, 26th and 27th.

Thank You

Merry Christmas

ing and downed cars on the road behind it.”

Asep Perangkat said he was with his family when the wave surged through Carita, carving a swathe of destruction. “Cars were dragged about 10 metres and so were containers,” Perangkat told AFP. Continued to page 6

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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Monday, December 24, 2018

International

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Activities

IBP/net

Arrangement of Chinese market

Govt should perform law enforcement

DENPASAR - The Association of Indonesia Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali fully supports the government’s efforts to curb Chinese mafia network shops committing unhealthy business practices. This organization even issued a joint decree with the Indonesia Tour Guides Association (HPI) Bali and Bali Tourist Transport Association (Pawiba) that agreed to improve according to applicable regulations, primarily after unfair business practices of Chinese market were exposed.

“The letter we’ve sent remains valid. So, we are very obedient to what the government has decided. The governor has already issued a letter to close the shops,” said Chairman of the ASITA Bali, Ketut Ardana, in Denpasar.

Ardana emphasized that his organization is not allergic to the existence of the shops. If the government later on allows the stores to be re-opened with various considerations, he hoped there will be regulations clearly governing it namely which ones are allowed or not allowed. At present, the most problematic is the matter of using foreign workers from China as shopkeepers and merchandise on sales also from China, while payments are directly deposited to China by using WeChat or Alipay.

“The issue of business ethics must be corrected if in the end the government decides to reopen. Of course, there must

be communication between the government and the shops wishing to do business. For example, it sounds funny if Chinese tourists coming into the store want to buy Chinese products. It doesn’t make sense,” he explained.

According to Ardana, tourists from any country coming to Bali must see Bali as a whole, starting from Bali’s nature, meeting Balinese people that are very friendly to Balinese culture becoming the spearheads of tourism. Together with the government, his organization has the same goal to fix the problem in the Chinese market going forward.

“If it can be regulated by the government, let’s say that 80-90 percent can be governed, they must sell local products (of Bali and other regions—Ed), while 10 percent may be products from outside. If the government cannot regulate the commission system, at least there is an appeal that it may not exceed certain amount. Law enforcement by the government must be imposed on this market,” he said.

Head of the Bali Liang Division (Chinese Market Share) of ASITA Bali, Elsye Deliana, claimed to have been involved in the sales mission to Beijing and Shanghai by BTB and Garuda Indonesia early December. This self-financed sales mission was carried out to arouse Bali tourism considering that Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is targeting 2 million Chinese tourist visits to Bali in 2019. Meanwhile, at present the closure of Chinese mafia network shops influences Chinese tourist arrivals to Bali.

“However, it happens that we are now in low season

during November and December. So there is a decline, and several cancellations are made by charter flights from there to here because we have agreed that Bali cannot be sold cheaply. Indeed it takes time to restore the market again,” he said.

In the sales mission, continued Elsye, it was conveyed that Bali still wanted Chinese tourists to come to the Island of the Gods. At the same time, the improvements have been made so that Bali has a ‘new face,’ namely the absence of zero-tour fees. Bali will rise again with a normal tour fee.

“This sales mission is very successful. As evidence, after returning from the sales mission, we get many incoming bookings. The very encouraging thing is that they are all paid tours, not the zero-tour fee. As a result, I am getting overwhelmed,” she explained.

According to Elsye, the amount of the tour fee depends on the hotel that Chinese tourists booked. The cheapest for 3-star hotels lies in the range of USD 100 per pax for 5 days, while the tour fee for 4- or 5-star hotel can reach USD 300 per pax. This proves that Bali does not need to be sold cheaply to bring in tourists from the bamboo curtain country like what happened lately.

When separately interviewed, Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, stated the shops committing unfair business practices cannot be opened immediately. “It may be opened with strict conditions and there must be a MoU first. Otherwise, they cannot,” he said. (kmb32)

Farmers’ products have to be purchased in cash

DENPASAR - Synergy between agriculture and tourism will soon be realized in Bali. Bali provincial government has submitted a Gubernatorial Regulation (Pergub) to the Ministry of Home Affairs that regulates it namely the matter of Marketing and Utilization of Agricultural, Fisheries and Local Industry Products in Bali.

“It carries some points, such as the obligation of hotels, restaurants, villas and supermarkets to use agricultural fisheries and local Balinese industrial products. They are obliged to use and market,” said Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, in Denpasar on Friday (Dec. 21).

Secondly, continued Koster, the purchase of agricultural products directly from farmers must be priced at a minimum

of 20 percent above the production cost. In addition, tourism players and supermarkets must pay in cash. They can also buy indirectly through regional government-owned enterprise or Perusda with the payment period of at least one month.

“In this case, Perusda will pay in cash directly to farmers.

So, the payment of farmers must not be delayed. It must be made directly,” he explained. Koster hoped that Gubernatorial Regulation can be approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs before closing the year 2018. That way, the Gubernatorial Regulation can begin to take effect in January 2019.

When the Gubernatorial Regulation is implemented, the impact will be very broad on farmers, primarily in building the linkages of tourism and agriculture with the systems and

regulations. This is at the same time a form of state presence to bring together tourism actors and farmers.

“All this time tourism runs itself, moves on by its own and advancing itself. In agriculture, our farmers cannot enjoy tourism optimally. For instance, during the harvest season of snakefruit, it coincides with the orange season and mangosteen season. In the harvest season, the price dropped. This means that here we have not met between tourism players and farmers,” he explained.

According to Koster, the current agricultural contribution is only 14.7 percent to the economic growth or GDP. In the meantime, tourism has contributed almost to 70 percent. (kmb32)

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

Bangli: Swasrina, Buleleng: Mudiarta, Gianyar: Manik Astajaya, Karangasem: Eka Parananda, Klungkung: Bagiarta. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto.  Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Santika Siligita Hotel presents Nasi Campur Bali

In this December, Santika Siligita Hotel presents the latest promo menu which of course always pampers your tongue Nasi Campur Bali, with a blend of fish-wrapped satay which is a characteristic of Bali, this Balinese Mixed Rice looks very delicious and affordable only IDR 60,000 net. Of course it is not complete without a sip of fresh from PG LYCO. December’s preferred mocktail is a blend of pineapple juice, ginger with lychee syrup and soda water which makes the taste of PG LYCO fresher and you can buy it for IDR 45,000 net.

Not only PG LYCO, Mengiat Restaurant also provides quite fresh cocktails in this December.

This month’s chosen cocktail is Mengiat Sunset, suitable to enjoy while waiting for “Sunset” in the evening . A combination of Vodka 9, Lime juice and Coco Pandan. It tastes quite fresh and light to be enjoyed only IDR 75,000 net.

Not only is Bali Mixed Rice, PG LYCO and Mengiat Sunset special in December, Santika Siligita Hotel also offers a promo at Uluwatu spa. Discount cut by 50% for all types of massage. Massage therapies start at IDR 150,000 at Uluwatu Spa.

Monday, December 24, 2018

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Monday, December 24, 2018

Traveling

International

Bali News

International

Battle of the barrels festival in Montepulciano, Tuscany

TUSCANY - The fields are turning golden brown from the emerald green of spring. The rolling hills of Tuscany shimmer from the heat of the summer sun. This is August when many Italians take their holiday, and it is the time of festivals in Tuscany.

Love the sound of Tuscany and Montepulciano?

Just a 20-minute drive from Montepulciano is the independent holiday getaway of Cignella. The former Tuscan farmhouse has been converted into nine self-contained villas and four apartments, each with their own personality and unique style. Daily breakfast can be added to the booking and facilities include a swimming pool (open May to October) surrounded by a raised lawn with plenty of seating and sun loungers. To make the most out of the region Cignella recommend bringing a car – there is private parking onsite.

All guests who book an apartment or village directly with Cignella will receive a welcome kit with necessities such as bread, milk, juice, eggs, tea, coffee, butter and of course pasta, plus basic kitchen cleaning products. Prices start from €900 per week for an apartment/villa and €89 per night

Monday, December 24, 2018

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(room only).

Ferragosto, the Night of Saint Lorenzo & The Bravio

There is the Ferragosto, the Night of Saint Lorenzo, the famous Palio of Sienna and a lesser known but highly entertaining weeklong Renaissance style celebration in the hilltop village of Montepulciano called the Bravio delle Botti.

The festival takes place on the last week of August along the main streets of the town. It is an original challenge between the eight Contradas, neighbourhoods, of the village that compete for a painted cloth banner.

Shanghai Weina cosmetics send more than 3000 beauty industry elite to Bali

Rolling the barrel

The Bravio is the actual name of the beautifully painted banner bearing the image of the Patron Saint of the town, Saint Giovanni.

Two athletes from each neighbourhood, called Spingitori, roll a 160lb empty wine barrel in an uphill race for over a mile along the streets of the town until they reach the front of the Cathedral in the Grand Plaza.

This a grueling physically demanding exertion that can be full of surprising drama. Barrels turn sidewise or crash into each other throwing the athletes into frustrating efforts to keep from falling

behind the leaders.

Montepulciano celebrates for a week prior to the race. Each Contrada will parade through the main square. Its residents dressed in Renaissance clothing in the colours of their district.

Communal dinners are held in the neighbourhoods and the whole village is decorated in the colourful flags of the 8 districts. Heralds trumpet out each parade from the windows of the medieval town hall with its crenellations and tall tower called the Palazzo Comunale

whose central tower dates back to the 16th century and reminds you

of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.

(IBP/net)

Between December 10 to December 27. 2018, During these 17 days period. Shanghai Weina cosmetics company led more than 3000 beauty industry elite to Bali, Indonesia , conducted an unprecedented 6 days 4 nights trip overseas. 3000 more than the elite class aboard 18 different flights arrived in Bali, opened the romantic journey.

Shanghai Weina cosmetics is committed to opening up the Chinese cosmetic market and leading the Korean cosmetic industry into the Chinese market to disseminate Korean cosmetic trends and culture. Wiener is an enterprise that provides beauty and happiness for attractive women. Every year

with thousands of Vena family members, we carry out local special beauty research and World Tourism abroad, broaden everyone’s horizons and world outlook while expanding the amount of knowledge. We have been to France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Dubai, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and other famous tourist attractions around the world.

In 2003, Verna cosmetics was established in Shanghai and built in 2004. And in order to develop better products return to you, set up a research institute and Research Institute of Seoul in South Korea and Jeju Island. The use of South Korean technology force and Chinese talent combined with a comprehensive en-

terprise to achieve product development, production, sales and service as one of the. D in 2013 won the silver medal, outstanding enterprises in Shanghai in 2015 and 2017 Shanghai silver cosmetics manufacturing cosmetics manufacturing award. In May 22, 2018, at the China Beauty Expo held in Shanghai New International Expo Center, our palace queen Su Sheng cream and “Bei Ni Fen red pomegranate Honey Face moisturizing energy emulsion” won the “American fashion awards”, known as the beauty industry Oscar prize. Companies continue to grow and develop new markets, to pursue new goals, and the beauty of China

throughout every corner of the earth.

Wiener now has nearly 200 single products, including skin care products and daily necessities.

There are 10 skin care brands. This year, the new cosmetics brand D. Yemeixiang is launched to provide scientific and professional solutions for different skin problems. Every year, Vina launches many new products, which lead the international trend to spread to Chinese beauty lovers, and is loved and sought after by many Chinese fans.

The slogan of President Li Shanyong’s public service activities is “where is Verna, where love is.”

President Li said, “Although we are a cosmetics company, we believe that the beauty of the soul is more

important than the beauty of the appearance. Caring for the disadvantaged groups is not sympathy for the disadvantaged groups, but a genuine love for beauty. Under the leadership of President Li, we have participated in various public welfare activities every year. Aid students in poor mountainous areas in China, study supplies and scholarships, first-time aid materials and funds to natural disasters, assistance to patients with difficult diseases and support centers for the disabled, etc. In order to realize corporate social responsibility, Vena extended a helping hand to the weak and children in society, and sprinkled Vena’s love all over China. (kmb)

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Monday, December 24, 2018

Bali News

International

Manggis district police help poor and disabled people assistance is obtained from donators. It aims to invite us all to love parents and people around us who need our help,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief of Karangasem Police, I Gusti Agung Ade Panji Anom, said that with the implementation of the activity, the Manggis Police Sector has supported the Si Putu program, a program to simplify the name of the program with something or name we often hear, where this integrated community service program, in

this case the humanity activity, can reduce school dropouts. He claimed the program to have lasted for quite a long time and aimed at humanitarian measures.

“Hopefully, through the assistance we provide, we can reduce their burden in living their life.

Similarly, the people getting this assistance are expected to motivate themselves so as to be more enthusiastic and resilient in living the life,” explained Panji Anom. (kmb41)

TOKYO - In a rare emotional address ahead of his abdication next year, Japanese Emperor Akihito said he took “deep comfort” that his long reign had been one of peace as he remembered the “countless lives” lost in World War II.

I Nengah Subangsawan

IBP/kmb

Porridge served with moringa leaf herbal drink for tourists

GIANYAR - No one may have thought that moringa leaves usually made into vegetables can also be taken advantage for making drinks.

This Balinese herbal drink is served to foreign guests. At the Lembah Ayung Restaurant, Gianyar, the moringa herbal drink (loloh) is a companion for Balinese porridge.

Chef of Lembah Ayung Restaurant, I Wayan Jayantika, stated the moringa herbal drink is made from Moringa leaves. To get the extract, the leaves must be squeezed. After

that, it is filtered to get a refreshing and healthy drink. “Actually, it can also be blended, but the results are not maximal. We prefer to squeeze it to get crushed and then filtered so that there is no pulp coming in the serving,” he said on Thursday (Dec. 20).

To produce a delicious taste, several ingredients must be added such as tamarind, salt and shallots.

Shallot is the most important and the addition of shallots coincides with the squeezing of moringa

leaves. “The additional ingredients will give a bitter, sour and salty flavor to the tongue and makes it refreshing,” he said.

Jayantika explained that additional shallot functions to neutralize the temperature of the body, so it grows to be fresher. Besides, the mixture of shallot and moringa leaves is also useful to facilitate the body’s metabolism. “To Balinese people, such herbal drink really benefits health, usually taken in the morning,” he explained.

Likewise, at Lembah Ayung Restaurant the moringa herbal drink served in the morning is used to accompany Balinese porridge. It is an option of breakfast menu for tourists.

Sometimes this herbal drink is also served with ice cubes, but on request.

“Thus, it makes this herbal drink is fresh. Once we have an order, we immediately prepare it without being stocked first,” he added.

Co-Founder of Pramana Experience, I Nyoman Sudirga Yusa, stated that herbal drink is a tradi-

tional beverage of Balinese people.

By and large, it is also used for traditional medicine. This is in accordance with the program of Bali governor generating traditional food, drinks and family medicinal plants. Moringa is one of the medicinal plants. On that account, at the Lembah Ayung Restaurant located at the Pramana Watu Kurung Resort, one of the properties managed by Pramana supports the program by serving Balinese traditional food and drinks. (kmb42)

Akihito, in a pre-recorded speech to mark his 85th birthday Sunday, also paid tribute to the Japanese people and Empress Michiko, the first commoner to join the tradition-bound imperial family who has been at his side for 60 years.

His voice trembling as he discussed the legacy of World War II, the emperor pointed to the “countless lives” lost in the conflict, which was fought under the name of his father Hirohito, who died in 1989.

Akihito also reiterated the importance of “accurately” teaching history to young people.

“I have believed it is important not to forget that countless lives were lost in World War II and that the peace and prosperity of post-war Japan was built upon the numerous sacrifices and tireless efforts made by the Japanese people, and to pass on this history accurately to those born after the war,” he said.

“It gives me deep comfort that the Heisei Era (his reign) is coming to an end, free of war in Japan,” he said.

During his reign, the soft-spoken Akihito has used his speeches and travels to express his strong pacifist views, which are sharply at odds with the aggressive expansionism Japan pursued under his

father’s rule.

His insistence on remembering history is in sharp contrast with conservative ideologues who have attempted to gloss over Japan’s wartime record.

The widely adored emperor will next year become the first Japanese royal to abdicate in more than two centuries.

His eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend the Chrysanthemum throne on May 1.

Akihito said his reign had been a quest to determine the role of the emperor as a “symbol of the state” under Japan’s pacifist post-war constitution, in contrast to his father Hirohito who was regarded as semi-divine. And he thanked Empress Michiko for standing by his side.

“As I come to the end of my journey as emperor, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the many people who accepted and continued to support me as the symbol of the state,” he said, his voice quavering.

“I am also truly grateful to the empress, who herself was once one of the people, but who chose to walk this path with me, and over 60 long years continued to serve with great devotion both the imperial family and the people of Japan.”

JIJI PRESS / JAPAN POOL / AFP

Japan’s Emperor Akihito delivers his speech during a press conference on his birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on December 20, 2018.

Akihito has worked to bring the royal household closer to the people and fre-

quently visited the disadvantaged and families hit by natural disasters. (afp)

No place like home: Dublin boom fuels housing spiral DUBLIN - Sharing a studio flat in Dublin with two other people, Greek security guard Aris complains about the housing crisis that forces him to live in cramped conditions.

“It’s quite rough,” said Aris, who splits the 850 euros ($970) a month rent for the 30-square-metre flat.

With scant storage space, personal belongings are relegated to the ground. A kitchen hob is within

PAUL FAITH / AFP

The moringa herbal drink (loloh) is a companion for Balinese porridge.

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Japanese emperor stresses his peaceful reign ahead of abdication

AMLAPURA - Manggis Subdistrict Police provided assistance for dozens of disadvantaged and disabled people. The assistance was given in the Sabhalanga hall of the Manggis SubDistrict Head, as a form of concern to pay attention to the poor in Karangasem, especially in the Manggis Sub-District.

Chief of Manggis Police, I Nengah Subangsawan, stated on Saturday (Dec. 22) there are 31 underprivileged people given the assistance in the form of 10 kg rice, 1 box of noodles and cash worth IDR 750,000. He said that his unit also handed over wheelchairs to two disabled people, crutches to two people and cash respectively worth IDR 750,000.

“This social activity can be carried out according to the plan where the source of funds for the

Monday, December 24, 2018

International

A boarded-up property is pictured in Dublin City centre on December 10, 2018. In Dublin, average rents have risen to between 1,600 euros and 2,000 euros, created by a “perfect storm” of factors including increased immigration, depleted stocks of social housing, an aversion to building tall structures and simple greed following a hardscrabble recession.

arm’s reach of one mattress, while the other two are pushed together.

“It’s not humane conditions to live in Dublin,” said 42-year-old, who moved to Ireland three years ago.

Rocketing prices have impoverished renters and pushed families into homelessness, leading to weekly protests in the streets of Dublin by affordable housing campaigners.

Aris’s situation is not rare in the capital, which is currently in the midst of a “perfect storm” that is driving the average rent to between 1,600 euros and 2,000 euros.

Increased immigration, depleted stocks of social housing, an aversion to building tall structures and simple greed following a hardscrabble recession are all factors.

Dublin’s increasing role as a tech hub is also bringing high-earners to the city, whilst Airbnb is capitalising on the popularity of the city as a weekend-break destination -- to the detriment of people looking for long-term rentals.

At one point this year, the property site Daft.ie said there were just

1,258 properties available for longterm rent in Dublin, while Airbnb offered 1,419 short-term lets.

- ‘People are desperate’ The irony is that Ireland witnesses an unprecedented property boom in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis -- a period known as the Celtic Tiger years.

Construction of new properties ground to a halt after the crash, setting the scene for the current squeeze on housing stock as the Irish population grows rapidly due to a high birth rate and significant immigration rates.

The results are clear in long-term rental advertisements: Rooms with vanishingly little floorspace are advertised for 1,000 euros and ranks of bunk beds in single rooms.

“There’s such a pent-up demand for housing across all the tenures, that people are desperate,” said John-Mark McCafferty, head of housing charity Threshold.

“There’s a whole suite of different situations, whether it’s people going into some level of poverty or people living in acutely overcrowded situations, and it’s affect-

ing people’s quality of life.”

At the bottom of the property ladder, people are falling off the lowest rung -- unable to keep up with rents that have risen 10 percent on average in the last year alone.

The most recent housing ministry figures show 1,295 families were in need of state-funded emergency accommodation during a single week in October.

In August, images of a young mother staying overnight with six of her children in a police station -- bedded down on metal waiting room chairs for want of emergency accommodation -- shocked the nation.

One month later balaclava-clad policemen and private security evicted protesters from a grandiose but empty house in central Dublin.

Many saw the move as heavyhanded.

Since then, major housing marches of thousands have been regular fixtures, led by activist group Take Back the City.

“Housing is a human right!” and “Homes for need not for greed!” have been staple chants in demonstrations. (afp)

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International

Monday, December 24, 2018

Bali News

International

BUSINESS In this Jan. 30, 2018, file photo, a container ship waits to be unloaded at the Port of Oakland in Oakland, Calif. The U.S. economy expanded at a solid 3.4 percent annual rate in the third quarter, slightly slower than the previous estimate as consumer spending and exports were revised lower.

Tanah Lot Tourist Attraction Returns to Hold Open House

TANAH Lot attraction has a unique event to release 2018 and welcome 2019. The event entitled ‘Open House’ is designed with art and culture aimed at establishing good relations with tourism agents, tour guides and drivers that always invite their guests to Tanah Lot located at Beraban village, Kediri, Tabanan. “The arrival of tourists at Tanah Lot certainly cannot be separated from the role and promotion of tourism agents, guides and drivers,” said Operations Manager of Tanah Lot, I Ketut Toya Adnyana, Monday (Dec. 17).

Strength in US growth at end of year likely to fade in 2019

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy has turned in a stellar performance this year. But mounting problems, from trade tensions to jittery financial markets and political gridlock in Washington, are expected to sharply slow growth in 2019.

The Commerce Department estimated Friday that the economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, grew at a brisk 3.4 percent annual percent rate in the JulySeptember quarter. That was barely down from an estimate of 3.5 percent that the government made a month ago. That performance followed a sizzling 4.2 percent annual growth rate in the April-June quarter.

And analysts have said they think growth has remained solid in the current October-December quarter, with many forecasting annual growth of around 2.5 percent to 2.8 percent.

That would put the economy on track to record growth for all of 2018 of around 3 percent. It would be the best performance since 2005 and well above the tepid annual growth rates of roughly 2 percent that have prevailed since the recession officially ended in 2009.

President Donald Trump has

often cited the upturn in growth this year as evidence that his economic program is succeeding. Economists agree that the $1.5 trillion tax cut Congress passed a year ago, along with a boost in defense and domestic spending approved by Congress in February, helped fuel growth this year.

But an array of risks lie ahead.

They range from a slowing global economy, disruptions caused by the tit-for-tat trade war between the United States and China, higher borrowing costs for consumers and businesses as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to control inflation and the potential shock to business and consumer confidence shaken from steep declines in stock prices.

Adding to those problems was a new element of uncertainty. A fight between Trump and Democrats in Congress over providing money for Trump’s proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border appeared

to be a harbinger of battles ahead as Democrats take control of the House in January.

“We have a dysfunctional government in Washington, and that is just adding to all the uncertainty about the economy,” said Sung Won Sohn, chief economist at SS Economics. “The political fights are coming on top of uncertainty over how the trade fight with China will get resolved and where the Fed goes next with monetary policy.”

The Fed raised its key policy rate on Wednesday for the fourth time this year but reduced its estimate of the number of rate hikes for 2019 from three to two. Still, the Fed’s actions and a news conference by Chairman Jerome Powell failed to ease fears on Wall Street that the central bank may overdo its rate tightening and end up pushing the economy into a recession.

Stocks plunged this week, extending a slide in which the major

U.S. indexes have shed more than 11 percent in December.

John Williams, the president of the Fed’s New York regional bank, sought to ease those concerns Friday. Williams noted that the Fed had changed the wording in its policy statement this week to say it “judges” that “some” further rate hikes will be needed, instead of saying that it “expects” further hikes. Williams said this was an effort to underscore that the Fed will be watching to see how the economy performs before deciding to boost rates next year.

Sohn said he expects growth to slow to around 2.3 percent next year.

“I don’t expect we will have a recession, but there will be a significant slowdown,” he said.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said he expects growth to slow only slightly to 2.7 percent in 2019. But then he foresees a much sharper slowdown to around 0.9 percent growth in 2020.

“I think the economy will come to a virtual standstill by the spring

of 2020,” Zandi said. “The government stimulus in the form of tax cuts and extra spending will have faded by then, and the economy will be struggling with higher interest rates.”

The Trump administration foresees a rather sunnier economic future. It projects that after reaching 3 percent growth this year, the economy will achieve sustained annual growth rates of around 3 percent over the next decade.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin called the market’s selloff on Wednesday after the Fed’s rate hike “completely overblown.”

He noted that the U.S. economy was still growing “significantly higher” than in Europe and other parts of the world.

In a statement Friday noting the one-year anniversary of Congress passing the $tax cut, Mnuchin said, “Tax cuts and regulatory relief actions by the Trump administration have led to more investment in America, strong economic growth, higher wages and more Americans going back to work.” (ap)

Monday, December 24, 2018

C151 Smart Villas™ Seminyak Receive Gold Circle Award 2018

SEMINYAK - C151 Smart Villas™ Seminyak has been received its recognition from the recently online agent partner Agoda.com “Gold Circle Award 2018”. The Gold Circle Award are affirmation of being a top performing property based on consistently stellar customer reviews on Agoda.com.

Other factors include providing competitive pricing and availability to the customers and a commitment to delivering a fantastic customer experience.

Recent Digital technology development required the villa

to participate and follow its development by building a positive image and reach customer directly by online, no doubt that the establish cooperation existed over 10 years shows its results with the achievement of these recognition.

This achievement give villa guest a clear indication of the high service quality standards they can expect when making decision to book the villa, the property is showcased as much more than a villa but as a guest experience, that will live with guests for many years and el-

evate the villa over its competitors.

It has become the pride of the entire team and proves that persistence, experience, hard work and good cooperation, is behind the success of a strong, solid and consistent team, with great management to lead them.

“Gold Circle Award 2018 is presented to all employees and will motivate and increase confidence in providing the best service and understand the importance of maintaining the quality of service and products” said Diah Suryandari – General Manager. (kmb)

5

The open house will be held at the Tanah Lot parking area and last for three days, starting on Sunday (Dec. 30, 2018) until Tuesday (Jan. 2019). The agents, guides and drivers that bring their guests to ??Tanah Lot area at the Open House get free drinks and snacks.

Such an event is packed like a celebration, where staff to managers will welcome guests.

The agents, guides and drivers who deliver their guests are prepared with tents equipped with a special table, so they can enjoy the dishes casually.

They can enjoy food and drinks while chatting. The guests were also given souvenirs in the form of clothes and table calendars containing pictures of Tanah Lot. For those who can dance, both the guests and tourists can also take advantage of that moment to dance, dance together or ngibing because they are presented with a Joged Bungbung folk dance. “Open house is a routine activity every year,” said Toya Adnyana.

This program with full togetherness, explained Toya Adnyana, aims to establish good relations with travel agencies, tour guides and drivers that usually take tourists to the Tanah Lot attraction. “This is an expression of gratitude and congratulation for the New Year 2019.

Hopefully, they can have memories here and in the future there will be good cooperation between tourist destination and travel agencies, guides and drivers,” he hoped.

Besides, through this open house, he hoped travel agencies felt as a large family of Tanah Lot attraction. Thus, it will not be awkward and take their guests to make a visit to the Tanah Lot tourist attraction going forward,” concluded Toya Adnyana. (kmb)

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Monday, December 24, 2018

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International

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International

Monday, December 24, 2018

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France’s ‘yellow vests’ target borders ahead of Christmas

PARIS - Three days from Christmas, fewer French “yellow vests” turned out for a sixth Saturday of protests, targeting border points as a fatal road accident brought the death toll to 10 since the movement began last month.

A total of 38,600 people took part in protests across the country, well down from the 66,000 by the same time the previous Saturday, the interior ministry said. There were 220 people detained nationwide, 81 of whom were taken into police custody, it added.

The number of demonstrators has been trending downwards since 282,000 people turned out for the first Saturday protest against planned fuel tax hikes on

November 17.

The movement, characterised by the high-visibility yellow vests worn by the protesters, then morphed into a widespread demonstration against Macron’s policies and style of governing.

Health minister Agnes Buzyn told Le Journal du Dimanche (The Sunday Newspaper) Macron’s government was “in step with the demands of the yellow vests” as she called for “a more construc-

tive dialogue”.

Prime minister Edouard Philippe told the same newspaper his relationship with Macron has only “intensified” during the crisis, rather than become strained, as has been reported.

“We talk a lot. We tell each other things,” he said.

- Leader in custody -

Saturday’s numbers were a sharp drop from last week, when Macron, a pro-business centrist, gave in to some of the movement’s demands.

In Paris, the scene of fierce clashes during previous demon-

strations, around 2,000 protesters joined rallies scattered around the city compared with 4,000 last week, police said.

As evening fell, violence broke out on the iconic Champs-Elysees avenue, where many shops had remained open for business in the busy weekend before Christmas.

Paris police said 142 people were detained and 19 taken into police custody in the French capital, including a “yellow vest” leader, Eric Drouet.

Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux tweeted that behind the violence was “a single face, cowardly, racist, anti-Semit-

222 dead...

From page 1

Abdul ABEISSA / AFP

Demonstrators of the French “yellow vests” (gilets jaunes) movement gather on the Champs Elysees avenue at the end of a protest in Paris on December 22, 2018 as the movement turned out in small numbers for a sixth Saturday of nationwide demonstrations.

“Buildings on the edge of the beach were destroyed, trees and electric poles fell to the ground.

In Lampung province, on the other side of the strait, Lutfi Al Rasyid said he fled the beach in Kalianda city, fearing for his life.

“I could not start my motorbike so I left it and I ran... I just prayed and ran as far as I could,” the 23-year-old told AFP. Kathy Mueller from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the toll was likely to rise as the conditions on the ground became clearer.

“The situation, and the death toll, will remain fluid over the next days and even weeks,” she told AFP. Teams of aid workers were helping to evacuate the injured and bring in clean water, tarpaulins and provide shelter, she added, saying the group was preparing for the possibility of diseases breaking out in the tsunami zone.

- Initial error -

Anak Krakatoa, which forms a small island in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, emerged around 1928 in the crater left by Krakatoa, which erupted in 1883 killing at least 36,000 people.

“The cause of the undersea landslide was due to volcanic activity of Anak Krakatoa, which coincided with a high tide due to the full moon,” Nugroho told reporters in Yogyakarta. He also said the death toll would likely increase.

Indonesian authorities initially claimed the wave was not a tsunami, but instead a tidal surge and urged the public not to panic.

Nugroho later apologised for the mistake on Twitter, saying because there was no earthquake

ic, putschist”.

He denounced the decapitation of an effigy of Macron, violent attacks on police after an officer’s motorcycle was taken by protesters on the ChampsElysee, and that outside the Sacre Coeur church some had sung a song by comedian and political activist Dieudonne, who has been convicted for antiSemitic insults.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner meanwhile said there had been a “real slowdown”, but some people “continue to come and protest, driven by hatred of institutions”. (afp)

it had been difficult to ascertain the cause of the incident early on.

“If there is an initial error we’re sorry,” he wro te.

The wave swamped parts of the coast around the Sunda Strait, leaving at least 164 people dead in worst affected Pandeglang district on Java’s western tip. Large numbers of casualties were recorded at two hotels in the area.

Eleven people died further north in Serang, while 48 were killed in South Lampung, on Sumatra island.

“This number is predicted to increase because not all victims have been successfully evacuated, not all health centres have reported victims and not all locations have got complete data,” Nugroho said.

Heavy equipment was being transported to badly hit areas to help search for victims and evacuation posts and public kitchens were being set up for evacuees, he added.

According to Indonesia’s geological agency, Anak Krakatoa had been showing signs of heightened activity for days, spewing plumes of ash thousands of metres into the air. The volcano erupted again just after 9:00 pm on Saturday, the agency said.

Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide.

Most recently in the city of Palu on Sulawesi island a quake and tsunami in September killed thousands of people.

On December 26, 2004 a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.3 undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in western Indonesia killed 220,000 people in countries around the Indian Ocean, including 168,000 in Indonesia. (afp)

AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, file

In this Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018 file photo, Indonesian President Joko Widodo gives a lecture to students at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, South Korea. Indonesia has finalized transfer of majority control over giant gold and copper mine from Freeport-McMoRan.

Indonesia gains majority ownership of giant Freeport mine

JAKARTA — Indonesia finalized the transfer of majority control over a giant gold and copper mine from U.S. company FreeportMcMoRan, the government said Friday, in a long-awaited deal that boosts the president’s re-election campaign.

The Phoenix, Arizona-based Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. initially owned about 90 percent of the Grasberg mine since it began operating in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua in 1973. The rest has been owned by the Indonesian government.

“Today is a historic moment,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo told a news conference at the presidential palace in the capital, Jakarta, attended by related ministers of his cabinet and Freeport-McMoRan chief executive Richard Adkerson.

“We will use this majority ownership entirely for people’s prosperity. Our income in tax, revenues and royalties will be bigger and better,” Widodo said.

The landmark deal worth $3.85 billion to take over a 51.2 percent stake in PT Freeport Indonesia from the U.S. company was paid by state-owned PT Inalum mining company after environmental and smelting issues were settled, Widodo said.

The two sides had been on a collision course since a presidential

regulation in 2012 imposed a limit of 49 percent on foreign ownership of companies issued new mining licenses. Foreign investors with ownership greater than 49 percent were required to sell shares to state-owned enterprises or privately owned Indonesian companies.

The mine in Papua, where a separatist movement simmers, has been the target of protests by Papuans who resent the region’s mineral wealth being exploited by the U.S. and Indonesia.

Widodo said people in Papua will also get 10 percent of ownership and regional taxes as well.

Apart from reduced ownership, Adkerson said the new permit given to Freeport Indonesia, which is valid until 2031, would give the company clarity over its operation in the country up to 2041 as the company could apply for a 10-year extension within five years before it expires.

He also said that Freeport agreed to convert its original agreement signed with the government of former dictator Suharto in 1991 to a new mining license. The original agreement expires in 2021.

Freeport will also increase its investment in smelting in Indonesia within five years, fulfilling a key demand of the government, which wants the country to get greater value from its mineral resources,

and will invest an estimated $14 billion in the mine.

Widodo’s announcement has fueled feel-good nationalism that analysts say is likely to give him a lift in the polls heading to an April election.

Syamsuddin Harris, a political

analyst from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences said that Widodo’s success in taking majority ownership would widen his already substantial lead over his challenger for a second time, former general and ultranationalist politician Prabowo Subianto.

Inalum increased its share of ownership in PT Freeport Indonesia from 9.36 to 51.23 percent.

“This is what we have been waiting for a long time,” Widodo said. “It means we have settled all issues and work can start.” (ap)

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Destination

Monday, December 24, 2018

International

Monday, December 24, 2018

International

Yule celebrates first World Cup win after Hirscher’s slalom slip

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO - Switzerland’s Daniel Yule won the men’s World Cup slalom at Madonna di Campiglio on Saturday, profiting from a rare slip-up by Austrian star Marcel Hirscher.

Virgin Beach AMLAPURA - The makeshift, slightly misspelt sign is a beautiful reminder of the days when Bali truly was a paradise. “Welcome to Virgin Beach,” it reads. “For rent.

Body board. Snokling (sic). Cheap sun chair. Toilets. Showers.”

What more could you possibly want for a perfect holiday?

We’d been driven to the beach by some expat Australians with inside knowledge. “You’ll love this place,” they’d insisted. “It’s a bit of a secret.

Beautiful sand, a lovely bay, great little beachside restaurants selling fresh fish. And hardly any tourists know about it. It’s just like Bali was in the 1970s when we first started coming here.” The expats had called it White Sand Beach, rather than Virgin Beach, though its Balinese name is Patir Putir. It lies about 5km northeast of Candidasa. Later when I googled “White Sand Beach” I found travellers’ reports listing it as one of the greatest discoveries of their Balinese holidays. But there were also a few taking umbrage at the name.

“The sand isn’t white,” nitpickers complained. “It’s more an insipid shade of yellow.” In fact, White Sands probably earned its name because most of the other

beaches along this stretch of Bali’s eastern coast are volcanic, black sand. I prefer the title Virgin Beach.

Compared to the overcrowded, crassly commercial beaches of Kuta or Seminyak, Patir Putir is unsullied and pristine.

Please don’t get the impression that Virgin Beach is perfect, or that there are no tourists, hawkers or sea lice. It’s just here the tourists are quiet and respectful, the hawkers sell things you might actually want to buy (like fresh coconuts, wooden kites or a foot massage for $4), and the surf is as clean. One of the reasons for Virgin Beach’s relative anonymity is that it can only be reached via a dirt track road or 10-minute boat trip from Candidasa. If driving, turn off the main road near the village of Perasi, follow the signs to Pasir Putih for about 2km and stop at the temple where locals will collect a visitor’s fee. From here, its a 600m, rather bumpy, descent. The full beauty of Pasir Putih doesn’t hit you until you reach the white sands. The beach is protected by rocky outcrops and its crescent-shaped length is framed with coconut trees and fishing boats.

We took a dip, read our books on

sun loungers provided by our chosen warung, then took a brief 30minute stroll along the single dirt road back street of Virgin Beach, with its temple, free-roaming roosters and boats that look like they haven’t been in the water for several decades. Lunch beckons. And our expats insist we must sample Virgin Beach’s take on nasi goreng.

However, our warung hosts have other ideas, bringing out the freshly-caught snapper they are offering for lunch (along with mahi-mahi), both served grilled with rice and salad. It was absolutely delicious, and less than $A10.

Eastern Bali has long been regarded as the quieter part of the island, dominated by its highest mountain Gunung Agung. We had seen “the mother mountain”, constantly cloaked in mist, as we’d driven north from our base, the new Australian-owned surfing resort, Hotel Komune, a 30-minute drive south of Candidasa. This part of Bali seems an age away from Kuta or Nusa Dua because it is so genteel and authentic. That’s not to say it is undeveloped. There are tourist restaurants and hotels all along the eastern coast, and its diving and snorkelling sites are legendary.

Marco BERTORELLO / AFP

Candidasa is the main tourist hub. Sadly, there’s no beach any more because most of the sand was washed away as the hotels were built. But the views are still spectacular. On the southern side of the bay known as Teluk Amak, you’ll find Padang Bai, popular with budget travellers because of its good beach and diving, its ferry connections to Lombok and Nusa Penida, and its plethora of great restaurants.

On our way back from Virgin Beach to Hotel Komune, we take a short diversion to Goa Lawah, literally Bat Cave, one of the nine

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most significant Sad Kahyangan temples in Bali. It’s charming, but a little odd. Be prepared for the stench of bat guano produced by the hundreds of tiny fruit bats which give the temple its name. Our guide tells us the temple was founded a thousand years ago, in 1007AD, as the holy place to worship Maheswara, the god of these parts.

By chance, we stumble across a colourful, seemingly happy funeral procession snaking through Keramas as we are about to arrive back at Hotel Komune. Eventually the dead person’s ashes will be scattered on the ocean. (IBP/net)

Switzerland’s Daniel Yule competes in the first run of the FIS Alpine World Cup Men’s Slalom on December 22, 2018 in Madonna di Campiglio, Italian Alps.

Hirscher -- winner of the two opening slalom events this season in Levi, Finland and Val d’Isere, France -- was in front after the first run, 0.14sec ahead of Norwegian rival Henrik Kristoffersen, with fellow Austrian Marco Schwarz at 0.32.

But both Hirscher and Kristoffersen lost out after costly mistakes in the second run in the Italian Dolomites.

Reigning seven-time overall World Cup champion Hirscher straddled two of the gates and finished down in 26th position.

Kristoffersen -- winner in the Italian ski resort in 2015 and 2016 and second last year -- skied off after missing the second gate.

The 25-year-old Yule’s consistency paid off with his fourth in the first run and second in the second sealing victory.

It also handed the Swiss skier his first World Cup win after podium finishes at Kitzbuehel and Schladming last January.

Yule clocked 1min 38.34sec after two runs to finish ahead of Austrian pair Marco Schwarz (0.34sec) and Michael Matt (0.50sec).

Britain’s Dave Ryding, posted the fastest time in the second run after his 27th-quickest in the first, to finish just off the podium in fourth overall at 0.54sec.

Hirscher remains top of the overall World Cup and slalom standings, completing a gruelling week during which he won three events in seven days.

The 29-year-old won the giant slalom and parallel giant slalom in Alta Badia, Italy before heading to Saalbach, Austria where he won the slalom. (afp)

Jerebko shines in Warriors win, Bryant lifts Wizards

LOS ANGELES - Jonas Jerebko was an unlikely catalyst as the two-time defending NBA champions Golden State held off the Dallas Mavericks 120-116 in Oakland, California, on Saturday.

On a team that features the superstar quartet of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, it was Sweden’s Jerebko receiving a massive ovation as he departed in the fourth quarter having scored 23 points in 21 minutes with three assists and six rebounds.

Durant led the Warriors with 29 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, but Jerebko’s relentless energy was crucial to the Warriors victory.

“He shot the ball really well, but he got a lot of offensive boards, too,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He had several plays that got the crowd into it with his hustle. He gave us a huge lift.”

Jerebko scored nine points in the fourth quarter -- contributing a tip-in, a dunk and a three-pointer as the Warriors powered to a 111-

96 lead.

He was back on the bench as Golden State saw their lead cut to one point. Dallas forward Harrison Barnes’ three-pointer with 33.5 seconds left bounced off the rim and Durant drained a three-pointer to seal the win.

The victory saw the Warriors, who have struggled to find the same dominance they displayed in their past two championship seasons, improve to 22-11, just a shade off the Western Conference lead shared at 21-10 by the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Denver had a one-game lead heading into the day, but suffered their biggest defeat of the season in a 132-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Danilo Gallinari and Tobias Harris scored 21 points apiece for the Clippers, who snapped the Nuggets’ four-game winning streak.

“I just thought our tempo set the tone,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “Our pace tonight, maybe as good as I’ve seen. We never stopped.”

Serbian forward Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 19 points before he was tossed in the third quarter when he received two quick technicals for arguing a foul call.

Jamal Murray added 18 points and Monte Morris chipped in 15 for the Nuggets, who hadn’t lost by more than 10 points this season.

It came down to the wire in Salt Lake City, where Paul George scored 43 points to lead the Thunder in a 107-106 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Bradley Beal’s first career tripledouble and an historic night for center Thomas Bryant propelled the Washington Wizards to a 149-146 victory over the Phoenix Suns in a triple-overtime thriller.

Beal’s 40 points included 10 in the third overtime. He added 15 assists and 11 rebounds for his first triple-double -- reaching double digits in three key statistical categories.

Bryant connected on all 14 of his shots from the field and three of three from the free throw line on the way to a career-high 31 points.

It was just the seventh game in NBA history in which a player made at least 14 baskets without a miss and the first since Gary Payton did it almost 24 years ago.

“He was the MVP of the game,” Beal said of Bryant. “Everybody wants to talk about my tripledouble... TB was by far the MVP tonight.” (afp)

IBP/AFP

Jonas Jerebko #21 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on December 22, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California.

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Monday, December 24, 2018

Monday, December 24, 2018

Man City stunned by Palace as Solskjaer works Man Utd magic

Manchester City handed the initiative in the Premier League title race to Liverpool after slipping to a shock home defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer began his reign as Manchester United manager with a buccaneering 5-1 win.

Chelsea lost 1-0 at home to Leicester in another surprise result, with Jamie Vardy’s winner allowing Arsenal to move level on points with their fourth-place London rivals after a 3-1 win over Burnley.

United are eight points back in the race for a top-four finish as goals from Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and a Jesse Lingard double in the Welsh capital meant that for once this season it was a good day for the red half of Manchester.

Liverpool opened up a four-point lead at the top with a highly impressive 2-0 win at Wolves on Friday to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign.

And City failed to cut the gap as they dropped points at home for the first time this season in a 3-2 defeat at the Etihad despite going ahead through Ilkay Gundogan’s header.

Jeffrey Schlupp levelled for Palace against the run of play just after the half-hour mark and two minutes later Andros Townsend thumped a stunning volley into the top corner from well outside the area.

Pep Guardiola summoned Sergio Aguero from the b e n c h soon after the break but City had a mountain to climb when Kyle Walker chopped down Max Meyer and Luka Milivojevic dispatched the resulting penalty.

“We cannot concede the penalty we conceded,” said Guardiola. “We have to try and avoid it.

Football is like this. Three shots on goal and three goals.”

Kevin De Bruyne was also thrown on to try and turn the game around and his intended cross that flew in off the post brought City back into the game five minutes from time.

But despite incessant pressure, the champions could not find an equaliser, handing Liverpool a huge boost ahead of their trip to City on January 3.

“You don’t pro-

duce that sort of performance by waving a magic wand or having a five-minute team talk,” said Palace boss Roy Hodgson. “There’s a lot of work that goes into that structure and we were excellent.”

- Man Utd transformed -

The axe finally fell on Jose Mourinho’s time in charge of United on Tuesday with the 20-time champions 19 points off the top after just 17 games and the decision to sack the Portuguese was justified by a transformation in performance from the side beaten 3-1 at Liverpool last weekend.

Paul Pogba was restored to the starting line-up and played a role in all of the

visitors’ first three goals as Rashford’s free-kick, a deflected long-range strike from Herrera and a brilliant team goal finished off by Martial put United in command before half-time.

Both sides benefited from dubious penalty calls as Victor Camarasa briefly halved Cardiff’s deficit in the first half before Lingard made it 4-1 after the break.

And another defence-splitting pass from Pogba freed Lingard to round off the scoring a minute from time.

Solskjaer, famous for the scoring the winner for United in the dramatic 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich, is refusing to give up on a top-four spot and spoke of his pride at taking the helm as caretaker manager.

“We’re eight points behind -- our job is to take one game at a time,” he said. “We always play well in the second half of the season, we always do.” United scored five goals in a Premier League game for the first time since Alex Ferguson’s final match in May 2013.

“They are good players, they are very good players, talented players,” Solskjaer said.

“They’ve approached the game properly, worked hard. A Man Utd team should never be outworked.”

Chelsea’s first defeat at Stamford Bridge under Maurizio Sarri allowed Arsenal pull level on 37 points after two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a 3-1 win against Burnl e y, t a k i n g him to a league-best 12 for the season.

Mesut Ozil made his return to Unai Emery’s starting line-up in the Premier League for the first time since November 11 and helped set up Aubameyang’s opener.

Watford moved up to seventh by beating West Ham 2-0 while Bournemouth are eighth as David Brooks’s double beat 10-man Brighton 2-0.

Southampton’s upturn in fortunes under Ralph Hasenhuettl continued with a 3-1 win at Huddersfield.

And Fulham remain rooted to the foot of the table despite avoiding defeat on the road for just the second time this season in a 0-0 draw at Newcastle. (afp) anchester United’s Norwegian caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between between Cardiff City and Manchester United at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales on December 22, 2018.

9

Activists demand Thailand release refugee soccer player

SYDNEY — Human rights groups along with current and former soccer players on Saturday called on FIFA and the Australian government to intervene to stop a Melbourne-based refugee and semi-professional soccer player being extradited from Thailand to Bahrain.

Hakeem al-Araibi, a 25-year-old former representative of Bahrain’s national team, was granted refugee status in Australia last year after fleeing his homeland, where he said he was persecuted and tortured. He was arrested while on holiday in Thailand last month due to an Interpol notice in which Bahrain sought his custody after he had been sentenced in absentia in 2014 to 10 years in prison for allegedly vandalizing a police station — a charge he denies.

At a news conference in Melbourne, former Australia captain Craig Foster and Amnesty International Australia lawyer Diana Sayed called on Australian Foreign Minister

Marise Payne, plus FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, to stop Thailand extraditing al-Araibi.

Speaking on behalf of a player representative body, Professional Footballers Australia, Foster said the global football community had a duty to ensure it did everything in its power to ensure the safe return to Australia of al-Araibi, who now plays semiprofessional soccer in Melbourne.

“Australia’s footballers implore FIFA and the AFC to comply with their own rules of governance to demand the return of Hakeem to Australia,” Foster said. “FIFA and the AFC have a constitutional obligation to not only observe the human rights of their participants but proactively promote such rights.”

Sayed said that Payne and the Australian government “must continue to pressure the Thai authorities to return Hakeem back to his home in Australia.”

Thai officials insist they are follow-

ing the law in holding him, but rights groups suggest he should not have been detained because of his refugee status, and that international law to which Thailand is a party bars sending him to Bahrain if he has a legitimate fear of persecution and torture.

In a statement earlier this month, FIFA urged that al-Araibi should be returned to Australia “at the earliest possible moment.”

“We know the history of human rights violations in Bahrain and so it makes Hakeem’s case and current detention in Thailand even more important for the international community, and for (the) Australian football federation and others to stand behind him at his time because there is a very real risk that he could be extradited back to Bahrain,” Sayed said.

While Payne has previously called for al-Araibi to be released, Foster said she should visit Thailand to “lend her personal and direct support” and to meet Thai Prime Minister Prayuth

Mandzukic on target as Juventus pile misery on Roma

Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal for Juventus to dump further hurt on crisis club Roma and keep the champions unbeaten and on track for an eighth straight Italian league title.

The Croatian World Cup runner-up headed in the winner 34 minutes into the match in Turin to put Juventus back eight points clear of Napoli.

The defeat could have been harsher but for Roma goalkeeper Robin Olsen denying Cristiano Ronaldo, with Douglas Costa having a late goal ruled out following a video assistant referee check because of a foul in the build-up.

“We are doing good things, we have reached the Champions League last sixteen and we’re winter champions,” said coach Massimiliano Allegri, referring to the name given to teams top before Christmas.

Serie A is however holding a round of fixtures on December 26 and 29, before pausing for three weeks. “We haven’t won anything yet,” added Allegri. “The important thing is to be a few points ahead of Napoli on the 29th of December.”

Juve -- who have only dropped points against Genoa -- travel to Atalanta and host Sampdoria in their final two matches before the end of the year.

Roma, after finishing third last season, are now 25 points behind Juventus and drop to 10th after their eighth defeat in as many trips to the Allianz Stadium. They have won just twice in the league since the end of September.

Napoli are way behind Juve but

consolidated second place when Raul Albiol headed his first goal of the season from a Dries Mertens corner against to beat struggling SPAL. “Thinking of Juventus is likely to demotivate us,” said coach Carlo Ancelotti. “We have to think about ourselves because this team can do more, we have room for improvement and I say it after today’s match, which was not amazing.” (afp)

Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP

Juventus’ Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic reacts after being tackled during the Italian Serie A Football match Juventus FC vs AS Roma on December 22, 2018 at the Juventus stadium in Turin.

Chan-ocha to discuss the matter.

A Thai court ruled last week alAraibi could be held for 60 days pending the completion of an extradition request by Bahrain.

Al-Araibi has been publicly critical of the Bahrain royal family’s alleged involvement in sports scandals. He also has alleged he was blindfolded and had his legs beaten while he was

held in Bahrain in 2012.

He said he believed he was targeted for arrest because of his Shiite faith and because his brother was politically active in Bahrain. Bahrain has a Shiite majority but is ruled by a Sunni monarchy, and has a reputation for harsh repression since its failed “Arab Spring” uprising in 2011. (afp)

AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe, File

In this Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, file photo, Thai prison guards lead Bahraini football player Hakeem al-Araibi from court in Bangkok, Thailand.

8

Monday, December 24, 2018

Monday, December 24, 2018

Man City stunned by Palace as Solskjaer works Man Utd magic

Manchester City handed the initiative in the Premier League title race to Liverpool after slipping to a shock home defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer began his reign as Manchester United manager with a buccaneering 5-1 win.

Chelsea lost 1-0 at home to Leicester in another surprise result, with Jamie Vardy’s winner allowing Arsenal to move level on points with their fourth-place London rivals after a 3-1 win over Burnley.

United are eight points back in the race for a top-four finish as goals from Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and a Jesse Lingard double in the Welsh capital meant that for once this season it was a good day for the red half of Manchester.

Liverpool opened up a four-point lead at the top with a highly impressive 2-0 win at Wolves on Friday to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign.

And City failed to cut the gap as they dropped points at home for the first time this season in a 3-2 defeat at the Etihad despite going ahead through Ilkay Gundogan’s header.

Jeffrey Schlupp levelled for Palace against the run of play just after the half-hour mark and two minutes later Andros Townsend thumped a stunning volley into the top corner from well outside the area.

Pep Guardiola summoned Sergio Aguero from the b e n c h soon after the break but City had a mountain to climb when Kyle Walker chopped down Max Meyer and Luka Milivojevic dispatched the resulting penalty.

“We cannot concede the penalty we conceded,” said Guardiola. “We have to try and avoid it.

Football is like this. Three shots on goal and three goals.”

Kevin De Bruyne was also thrown on to try and turn the game around and his intended cross that flew in off the post brought City back into the game five minutes from time.

But despite incessant pressure, the champions could not find an equaliser, handing Liverpool a huge boost ahead of their trip to City on January 3.

“You don’t pro-

duce that sort of performance by waving a magic wand or having a five-minute team talk,” said Palace boss Roy Hodgson. “There’s a lot of work that goes into that structure and we were excellent.”

- Man Utd transformed -

The axe finally fell on Jose Mourinho’s time in charge of United on Tuesday with the 20-time champions 19 points off the top after just 17 games and the decision to sack the Portuguese was justified by a transformation in performance from the side beaten 3-1 at Liverpool last weekend.

Paul Pogba was restored to the starting line-up and played a role in all of the

visitors’ first three goals as Rashford’s free-kick, a deflected long-range strike from Herrera and a brilliant team goal finished off by Martial put United in command before half-time.

Both sides benefited from dubious penalty calls as Victor Camarasa briefly halved Cardiff’s deficit in the first half before Lingard made it 4-1 after the break.

And another defence-splitting pass from Pogba freed Lingard to round off the scoring a minute from time.

Solskjaer, famous for the scoring the winner for United in the dramatic 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich, is refusing to give up on a top-four spot and spoke of his pride at taking the helm as caretaker manager.

“We’re eight points behind -- our job is to take one game at a time,” he said. “We always play well in the second half of the season, we always do.” United scored five goals in a Premier League game for the first time since Alex Ferguson’s final match in May 2013.

“They are good players, they are very good players, talented players,” Solskjaer said.

“They’ve approached the game properly, worked hard. A Man Utd team should never be outworked.”

Chelsea’s first defeat at Stamford Bridge under Maurizio Sarri allowed Arsenal pull level on 37 points after two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a 3-1 win against Burnl e y, t a k i n g him to a league-best 12 for the season.

Mesut Ozil made his return to Unai Emery’s starting line-up in the Premier League for the first time since November 11 and helped set up Aubameyang’s opener.

Watford moved up to seventh by beating West Ham 2-0 while Bournemouth are eighth as David Brooks’s double beat 10-man Brighton 2-0.

Southampton’s upturn in fortunes under Ralph Hasenhuettl continued with a 3-1 win at Huddersfield.

And Fulham remain rooted to the foot of the table despite avoiding defeat on the road for just the second time this season in a 0-0 draw at Newcastle. (afp) anchester United’s Norwegian caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between between Cardiff City and Manchester United at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales on December 22, 2018.

9

Activists demand Thailand release refugee soccer player

SYDNEY — Human rights groups along with current and former soccer players on Saturday called on FIFA and the Australian government to intervene to stop a Melbourne-based refugee and semi-professional soccer player being extradited from Thailand to Bahrain.

Hakeem al-Araibi, a 25-year-old former representative of Bahrain’s national team, was granted refugee status in Australia last year after fleeing his homeland, where he said he was persecuted and tortured. He was arrested while on holiday in Thailand last month due to an Interpol notice in which Bahrain sought his custody after he had been sentenced in absentia in 2014 to 10 years in prison for allegedly vandalizing a police station — a charge he denies.

At a news conference in Melbourne, former Australia captain Craig Foster and Amnesty International Australia lawyer Diana Sayed called on Australian Foreign Minister

Marise Payne, plus FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, to stop Thailand extraditing al-Araibi.

Speaking on behalf of a player representative body, Professional Footballers Australia, Foster said the global football community had a duty to ensure it did everything in its power to ensure the safe return to Australia of al-Araibi, who now plays semiprofessional soccer in Melbourne.

“Australia’s footballers implore FIFA and the AFC to comply with their own rules of governance to demand the return of Hakeem to Australia,” Foster said. “FIFA and the AFC have a constitutional obligation to not only observe the human rights of their participants but proactively promote such rights.”

Sayed said that Payne and the Australian government “must continue to pressure the Thai authorities to return Hakeem back to his home in Australia.”

Thai officials insist they are follow-

ing the law in holding him, but rights groups suggest he should not have been detained because of his refugee status, and that international law to which Thailand is a party bars sending him to Bahrain if he has a legitimate fear of persecution and torture.

In a statement earlier this month, FIFA urged that al-Araibi should be returned to Australia “at the earliest possible moment.”

“We know the history of human rights violations in Bahrain and so it makes Hakeem’s case and current detention in Thailand even more important for the international community, and for (the) Australian football federation and others to stand behind him at his time because there is a very real risk that he could be extradited back to Bahrain,” Sayed said.

While Payne has previously called for al-Araibi to be released, Foster said she should visit Thailand to “lend her personal and direct support” and to meet Thai Prime Minister Prayuth

Mandzukic on target as Juventus pile misery on Roma

Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal for Juventus to dump further hurt on crisis club Roma and keep the champions unbeaten and on track for an eighth straight Italian league title.

The Croatian World Cup runner-up headed in the winner 34 minutes into the match in Turin to put Juventus back eight points clear of Napoli.

The defeat could have been harsher but for Roma goalkeeper Robin Olsen denying Cristiano Ronaldo, with Douglas Costa having a late goal ruled out following a video assistant referee check because of a foul in the build-up.

“We are doing good things, we have reached the Champions League last sixteen and we’re winter champions,” said coach Massimiliano Allegri, referring to the name given to teams top before Christmas.

Serie A is however holding a round of fixtures on December 26 and 29, before pausing for three weeks. “We haven’t won anything yet,” added Allegri. “The important thing is to be a few points ahead of Napoli on the 29th of December.”

Juve -- who have only dropped points against Genoa -- travel to Atalanta and host Sampdoria in their final two matches before the end of the year.

Roma, after finishing third last season, are now 25 points behind Juventus and drop to 10th after their eighth defeat in as many trips to the Allianz Stadium. They have won just twice in the league since the end of September.

Napoli are way behind Juve but

consolidated second place when Raul Albiol headed his first goal of the season from a Dries Mertens corner against to beat struggling SPAL. “Thinking of Juventus is likely to demotivate us,” said coach Carlo Ancelotti. “We have to think about ourselves because this team can do more, we have room for improvement and I say it after today’s match, which was not amazing.” (afp)

Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP

Juventus’ Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic reacts after being tackled during the Italian Serie A Football match Juventus FC vs AS Roma on December 22, 2018 at the Juventus stadium in Turin.

Chan-ocha to discuss the matter.

A Thai court ruled last week alAraibi could be held for 60 days pending the completion of an extradition request by Bahrain.

Al-Araibi has been publicly critical of the Bahrain royal family’s alleged involvement in sports scandals. He also has alleged he was blindfolded and had his legs beaten while he was

held in Bahrain in 2012.

He said he believed he was targeted for arrest because of his Shiite faith and because his brother was politically active in Bahrain. Bahrain has a Shiite majority but is ruled by a Sunni monarchy, and has a reputation for harsh repression since its failed “Arab Spring” uprising in 2011. (afp)

AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe, File

In this Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018, file photo, Thai prison guards lead Bahraini football player Hakeem al-Araibi from court in Bangkok, Thailand.

10

Destination

Monday, December 24, 2018

International

Monday, December 24, 2018

International

Yule celebrates first World Cup win after Hirscher’s slalom slip

MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO - Switzerland’s Daniel Yule won the men’s World Cup slalom at Madonna di Campiglio on Saturday, profiting from a rare slip-up by Austrian star Marcel Hirscher.

Virgin Beach AMLAPURA - The makeshift, slightly misspelt sign is a beautiful reminder of the days when Bali truly was a paradise. “Welcome to Virgin Beach,” it reads. “For rent.

Body board. Snokling (sic). Cheap sun chair. Toilets. Showers.”

What more could you possibly want for a perfect holiday?

We’d been driven to the beach by some expat Australians with inside knowledge. “You’ll love this place,” they’d insisted. “It’s a bit of a secret.

Beautiful sand, a lovely bay, great little beachside restaurants selling fresh fish. And hardly any tourists know about it. It’s just like Bali was in the 1970s when we first started coming here.” The expats had called it White Sand Beach, rather than Virgin Beach, though its Balinese name is Patir Putir. It lies about 5km northeast of Candidasa. Later when I googled “White Sand Beach” I found travellers’ reports listing it as one of the greatest discoveries of their Balinese holidays. But there were also a few taking umbrage at the name.

“The sand isn’t white,” nitpickers complained. “It’s more an insipid shade of yellow.” In fact, White Sands probably earned its name because most of the other

beaches along this stretch of Bali’s eastern coast are volcanic, black sand. I prefer the title Virgin Beach.

Compared to the overcrowded, crassly commercial beaches of Kuta or Seminyak, Patir Putir is unsullied and pristine.

Please don’t get the impression that Virgin Beach is perfect, or that there are no tourists, hawkers or sea lice. It’s just here the tourists are quiet and respectful, the hawkers sell things you might actually want to buy (like fresh coconuts, wooden kites or a foot massage for $4), and the surf is as clean. One of the reasons for Virgin Beach’s relative anonymity is that it can only be reached via a dirt track road or 10-minute boat trip from Candidasa. If driving, turn off the main road near the village of Perasi, follow the signs to Pasir Putih for about 2km and stop at the temple where locals will collect a visitor’s fee. From here, its a 600m, rather bumpy, descent. The full beauty of Pasir Putih doesn’t hit you until you reach the white sands. The beach is protected by rocky outcrops and its crescent-shaped length is framed with coconut trees and fishing boats.

We took a dip, read our books on

sun loungers provided by our chosen warung, then took a brief 30minute stroll along the single dirt road back street of Virgin Beach, with its temple, free-roaming roosters and boats that look like they haven’t been in the water for several decades. Lunch beckons. And our expats insist we must sample Virgin Beach’s take on nasi goreng.

However, our warung hosts have other ideas, bringing out the freshly-caught snapper they are offering for lunch (along with mahi-mahi), both served grilled with rice and salad. It was absolutely delicious, and less than $A10.

Eastern Bali has long been regarded as the quieter part of the island, dominated by its highest mountain Gunung Agung. We had seen “the mother mountain”, constantly cloaked in mist, as we’d driven north from our base, the new Australian-owned surfing resort, Hotel Komune, a 30-minute drive south of Candidasa. This part of Bali seems an age away from Kuta or Nusa Dua because it is so genteel and authentic. That’s not to say it is undeveloped. There are tourist restaurants and hotels all along the eastern coast, and its diving and snorkelling sites are legendary.

Marco BERTORELLO / AFP

Candidasa is the main tourist hub. Sadly, there’s no beach any more because most of the sand was washed away as the hotels were built. But the views are still spectacular. On the southern side of the bay known as Teluk Amak, you’ll find Padang Bai, popular with budget travellers because of its good beach and diving, its ferry connections to Lombok and Nusa Penida, and its plethora of great restaurants.

On our way back from Virgin Beach to Hotel Komune, we take a short diversion to Goa Lawah, literally Bat Cave, one of the nine

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most significant Sad Kahyangan temples in Bali. It’s charming, but a little odd. Be prepared for the stench of bat guano produced by the hundreds of tiny fruit bats which give the temple its name. Our guide tells us the temple was founded a thousand years ago, in 1007AD, as the holy place to worship Maheswara, the god of these parts.

By chance, we stumble across a colourful, seemingly happy funeral procession snaking through Keramas as we are about to arrive back at Hotel Komune. Eventually the dead person’s ashes will be scattered on the ocean. (IBP/net)

Switzerland’s Daniel Yule competes in the first run of the FIS Alpine World Cup Men’s Slalom on December 22, 2018 in Madonna di Campiglio, Italian Alps.

Hirscher -- winner of the two opening slalom events this season in Levi, Finland and Val d’Isere, France -- was in front after the first run, 0.14sec ahead of Norwegian rival Henrik Kristoffersen, with fellow Austrian Marco Schwarz at 0.32.

But both Hirscher and Kristoffersen lost out after costly mistakes in the second run in the Italian Dolomites.

Reigning seven-time overall World Cup champion Hirscher straddled two of the gates and finished down in 26th position.

Kristoffersen -- winner in the Italian ski resort in 2015 and 2016 and second last year -- skied off after missing the second gate.

The 25-year-old Yule’s consistency paid off with his fourth in the first run and second in the second sealing victory.

It also handed the Swiss skier his first World Cup win after podium finishes at Kitzbuehel and Schladming last January.

Yule clocked 1min 38.34sec after two runs to finish ahead of Austrian pair Marco Schwarz (0.34sec) and Michael Matt (0.50sec).

Britain’s Dave Ryding, posted the fastest time in the second run after his 27th-quickest in the first, to finish just off the podium in fourth overall at 0.54sec.

Hirscher remains top of the overall World Cup and slalom standings, completing a gruelling week during which he won three events in seven days.

The 29-year-old won the giant slalom and parallel giant slalom in Alta Badia, Italy before heading to Saalbach, Austria where he won the slalom. (afp)

Jerebko shines in Warriors win, Bryant lifts Wizards

LOS ANGELES - Jonas Jerebko was an unlikely catalyst as the two-time defending NBA champions Golden State held off the Dallas Mavericks 120-116 in Oakland, California, on Saturday.

On a team that features the superstar quartet of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, it was Sweden’s Jerebko receiving a massive ovation as he departed in the fourth quarter having scored 23 points in 21 minutes with three assists and six rebounds.

Durant led the Warriors with 29 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, but Jerebko’s relentless energy was crucial to the Warriors victory.

“He shot the ball really well, but he got a lot of offensive boards, too,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He had several plays that got the crowd into it with his hustle. He gave us a huge lift.”

Jerebko scored nine points in the fourth quarter -- contributing a tip-in, a dunk and a three-pointer as the Warriors powered to a 111-

96 lead.

He was back on the bench as Golden State saw their lead cut to one point. Dallas forward Harrison Barnes’ three-pointer with 33.5 seconds left bounced off the rim and Durant drained a three-pointer to seal the win.

The victory saw the Warriors, who have struggled to find the same dominance they displayed in their past two championship seasons, improve to 22-11, just a shade off the Western Conference lead shared at 21-10 by the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Denver had a one-game lead heading into the day, but suffered their biggest defeat of the season in a 132-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Danilo Gallinari and Tobias Harris scored 21 points apiece for the Clippers, who snapped the Nuggets’ four-game winning streak.

“I just thought our tempo set the tone,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “Our pace tonight, maybe as good as I’ve seen. We never stopped.”

Serbian forward Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 19 points before he was tossed in the third quarter when he received two quick technicals for arguing a foul call.

Jamal Murray added 18 points and Monte Morris chipped in 15 for the Nuggets, who hadn’t lost by more than 10 points this season.

It came down to the wire in Salt Lake City, where Paul George scored 43 points to lead the Thunder in a 107-106 victory over the Utah Jazz.

Bradley Beal’s first career tripledouble and an historic night for center Thomas Bryant propelled the Washington Wizards to a 149-146 victory over the Phoenix Suns in a triple-overtime thriller.

Beal’s 40 points included 10 in the third overtime. He added 15 assists and 11 rebounds for his first triple-double -- reaching double digits in three key statistical categories.

Bryant connected on all 14 of his shots from the field and three of three from the free throw line on the way to a career-high 31 points.

It was just the seventh game in NBA history in which a player made at least 14 baskets without a miss and the first since Gary Payton did it almost 24 years ago.

“He was the MVP of the game,” Beal said of Bryant. “Everybody wants to talk about my tripledouble... TB was by far the MVP tonight.” (afp)

IBP/AFP

Jonas Jerebko #21 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on December 22, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California.

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Monday, December 24, 2018

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Monday, December 24, 2018

11

France’s ‘yellow vests’ target borders ahead of Christmas

PARIS - Three days from Christmas, fewer French “yellow vests” turned out for a sixth Saturday of protests, targeting border points as a fatal road accident brought the death toll to 10 since the movement began last month.

A total of 38,600 people took part in protests across the country, well down from the 66,000 by the same time the previous Saturday, the interior ministry said. There were 220 people detained nationwide, 81 of whom were taken into police custody, it added.

The number of demonstrators has been trending downwards since 282,000 people turned out for the first Saturday protest against planned fuel tax hikes on

November 17.

The movement, characterised by the high-visibility yellow vests worn by the protesters, then morphed into a widespread demonstration against Macron’s policies and style of governing.

Health minister Agnes Buzyn told Le Journal du Dimanche (The Sunday Newspaper) Macron’s government was “in step with the demands of the yellow vests” as she called for “a more construc-

tive dialogue”.

Prime minister Edouard Philippe told the same newspaper his relationship with Macron has only “intensified” during the crisis, rather than become strained, as has been reported.

“We talk a lot. We tell each other things,” he said.

- Leader in custody -

Saturday’s numbers were a sharp drop from last week, when Macron, a pro-business centrist, gave in to some of the movement’s demands.

In Paris, the scene of fierce clashes during previous demon-

strations, around 2,000 protesters joined rallies scattered around the city compared with 4,000 last week, police said.

As evening fell, violence broke out on the iconic Champs-Elysees avenue, where many shops had remained open for business in the busy weekend before Christmas.

Paris police said 142 people were detained and 19 taken into police custody in the French capital, including a “yellow vest” leader, Eric Drouet.

Government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux tweeted that behind the violence was “a single face, cowardly, racist, anti-Semit-

222 dead...

From page 1

Abdul ABEISSA / AFP

Demonstrators of the French “yellow vests” (gilets jaunes) movement gather on the Champs Elysees avenue at the end of a protest in Paris on December 22, 2018 as the movement turned out in small numbers for a sixth Saturday of nationwide demonstrations.

“Buildings on the edge of the beach were destroyed, trees and electric poles fell to the ground.

In Lampung province, on the other side of the strait, Lutfi Al Rasyid said he fled the beach in Kalianda city, fearing for his life.

“I could not start my motorbike so I left it and I ran... I just prayed and ran as far as I could,” the 23-year-old told AFP. Kathy Mueller from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the toll was likely to rise as the conditions on the ground became clearer.

“The situation, and the death toll, will remain fluid over the next days and even weeks,” she told AFP. Teams of aid workers were helping to evacuate the injured and bring in clean water, tarpaulins and provide shelter, she added, saying the group was preparing for the possibility of diseases breaking out in the tsunami zone.

- Initial error -

Anak Krakatoa, which forms a small island in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, emerged around 1928 in the crater left by Krakatoa, which erupted in 1883 killing at least 36,000 people.

“The cause of the undersea landslide was due to volcanic activity of Anak Krakatoa, which coincided with a high tide due to the full moon,” Nugroho told reporters in Yogyakarta. He also said the death toll would likely increase.

Indonesian authorities initially claimed the wave was not a tsunami, but instead a tidal surge and urged the public not to panic.

Nugroho later apologised for the mistake on Twitter, saying because there was no earthquake

ic, putschist”.

He denounced the decapitation of an effigy of Macron, violent attacks on police after an officer’s motorcycle was taken by protesters on the ChampsElysee, and that outside the Sacre Coeur church some had sung a song by comedian and political activist Dieudonne, who has been convicted for antiSemitic insults.

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner meanwhile said there had been a “real slowdown”, but some people “continue to come and protest, driven by hatred of institutions”. (afp)

it had been difficult to ascertain the cause of the incident early on.

“If there is an initial error we’re sorry,” he wro te.

The wave swamped parts of the coast around the Sunda Strait, leaving at least 164 people dead in worst affected Pandeglang district on Java’s western tip. Large numbers of casualties were recorded at two hotels in the area.

Eleven people died further north in Serang, while 48 were killed in South Lampung, on Sumatra island.

“This number is predicted to increase because not all victims have been successfully evacuated, not all health centres have reported victims and not all locations have got complete data,” Nugroho said.

Heavy equipment was being transported to badly hit areas to help search for victims and evacuation posts and public kitchens were being set up for evacuees, he added.

According to Indonesia’s geological agency, Anak Krakatoa had been showing signs of heightened activity for days, spewing plumes of ash thousands of metres into the air. The volcano erupted again just after 9:00 pm on Saturday, the agency said.

Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone nations on Earth due to its position straddling the so-called Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates collide.

Most recently in the city of Palu on Sulawesi island a quake and tsunami in September killed thousands of people.

On December 26, 2004 a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.3 undersea earthquake off the coast of Sumatra in western Indonesia killed 220,000 people in countries around the Indian Ocean, including 168,000 in Indonesia. (afp)

AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, file

In this Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018 file photo, Indonesian President Joko Widodo gives a lecture to students at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, South Korea. Indonesia has finalized transfer of majority control over giant gold and copper mine from Freeport-McMoRan.

Indonesia gains majority ownership of giant Freeport mine

JAKARTA — Indonesia finalized the transfer of majority control over a giant gold and copper mine from U.S. company FreeportMcMoRan, the government said Friday, in a long-awaited deal that boosts the president’s re-election campaign.

The Phoenix, Arizona-based Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. initially owned about 90 percent of the Grasberg mine since it began operating in Indonesia’s easternmost province of Papua in 1973. The rest has been owned by the Indonesian government.

“Today is a historic moment,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo told a news conference at the presidential palace in the capital, Jakarta, attended by related ministers of his cabinet and Freeport-McMoRan chief executive Richard Adkerson.

“We will use this majority ownership entirely for people’s prosperity. Our income in tax, revenues and royalties will be bigger and better,” Widodo said.

The landmark deal worth $3.85 billion to take over a 51.2 percent stake in PT Freeport Indonesia from the U.S. company was paid by state-owned PT Inalum mining company after environmental and smelting issues were settled, Widodo said.

The two sides had been on a collision course since a presidential

regulation in 2012 imposed a limit of 49 percent on foreign ownership of companies issued new mining licenses. Foreign investors with ownership greater than 49 percent were required to sell shares to state-owned enterprises or privately owned Indonesian companies.

The mine in Papua, where a separatist movement simmers, has been the target of protests by Papuans who resent the region’s mineral wealth being exploited by the U.S. and Indonesia.

Widodo said people in Papua will also get 10 percent of ownership and regional taxes as well.

Apart from reduced ownership, Adkerson said the new permit given to Freeport Indonesia, which is valid until 2031, would give the company clarity over its operation in the country up to 2041 as the company could apply for a 10-year extension within five years before it expires.

He also said that Freeport agreed to convert its original agreement signed with the government of former dictator Suharto in 1991 to a new mining license. The original agreement expires in 2021.

Freeport will also increase its investment in smelting in Indonesia within five years, fulfilling a key demand of the government, which wants the country to get greater value from its mineral resources,

and will invest an estimated $14 billion in the mine.

Widodo’s announcement has fueled feel-good nationalism that analysts say is likely to give him a lift in the polls heading to an April election.

Syamsuddin Harris, a political

analyst from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences said that Widodo’s success in taking majority ownership would widen his already substantial lead over his challenger for a second time, former general and ultranationalist politician Prabowo Subianto.

Inalum increased its share of ownership in PT Freeport Indonesia from 9.36 to 51.23 percent.

“This is what we have been waiting for a long time,” Widodo said. “It means we have settled all issues and work can start.” (ap)

12

International

Monday, December 24, 2018

Bali News

International

BUSINESS In this Jan. 30, 2018, file photo, a container ship waits to be unloaded at the Port of Oakland in Oakland, Calif. The U.S. economy expanded at a solid 3.4 percent annual rate in the third quarter, slightly slower than the previous estimate as consumer spending and exports were revised lower.

Tanah Lot Tourist Attraction Returns to Hold Open House

TANAH Lot attraction has a unique event to release 2018 and welcome 2019. The event entitled ‘Open House’ is designed with art and culture aimed at establishing good relations with tourism agents, tour guides and drivers that always invite their guests to Tanah Lot located at Beraban village, Kediri, Tabanan. “The arrival of tourists at Tanah Lot certainly cannot be separated from the role and promotion of tourism agents, guides and drivers,” said Operations Manager of Tanah Lot, I Ketut Toya Adnyana, Monday (Dec. 17).

Strength in US growth at end of year likely to fade in 2019

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy has turned in a stellar performance this year. But mounting problems, from trade tensions to jittery financial markets and political gridlock in Washington, are expected to sharply slow growth in 2019.

The Commerce Department estimated Friday that the economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, grew at a brisk 3.4 percent annual percent rate in the JulySeptember quarter. That was barely down from an estimate of 3.5 percent that the government made a month ago. That performance followed a sizzling 4.2 percent annual growth rate in the April-June quarter.

And analysts have said they think growth has remained solid in the current October-December quarter, with many forecasting annual growth of around 2.5 percent to 2.8 percent.

That would put the economy on track to record growth for all of 2018 of around 3 percent. It would be the best performance since 2005 and well above the tepid annual growth rates of roughly 2 percent that have prevailed since the recession officially ended in 2009.

President Donald Trump has

often cited the upturn in growth this year as evidence that his economic program is succeeding. Economists agree that the $1.5 trillion tax cut Congress passed a year ago, along with a boost in defense and domestic spending approved by Congress in February, helped fuel growth this year.

But an array of risks lie ahead.

They range from a slowing global economy, disruptions caused by the tit-for-tat trade war between the United States and China, higher borrowing costs for consumers and businesses as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to control inflation and the potential shock to business and consumer confidence shaken from steep declines in stock prices.

Adding to those problems was a new element of uncertainty. A fight between Trump and Democrats in Congress over providing money for Trump’s proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border appeared

to be a harbinger of battles ahead as Democrats take control of the House in January.

“We have a dysfunctional government in Washington, and that is just adding to all the uncertainty about the economy,” said Sung Won Sohn, chief economist at SS Economics. “The political fights are coming on top of uncertainty over how the trade fight with China will get resolved and where the Fed goes next with monetary policy.”

The Fed raised its key policy rate on Wednesday for the fourth time this year but reduced its estimate of the number of rate hikes for 2019 from three to two. Still, the Fed’s actions and a news conference by Chairman Jerome Powell failed to ease fears on Wall Street that the central bank may overdo its rate tightening and end up pushing the economy into a recession.

Stocks plunged this week, extending a slide in which the major

U.S. indexes have shed more than 11 percent in December.

John Williams, the president of the Fed’s New York regional bank, sought to ease those concerns Friday. Williams noted that the Fed had changed the wording in its policy statement this week to say it “judges” that “some” further rate hikes will be needed, instead of saying that it “expects” further hikes. Williams said this was an effort to underscore that the Fed will be watching to see how the economy performs before deciding to boost rates next year.

Sohn said he expects growth to slow to around 2.3 percent next year.

“I don’t expect we will have a recession, but there will be a significant slowdown,” he said.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said he expects growth to slow only slightly to 2.7 percent in 2019. But then he foresees a much sharper slowdown to around 0.9 percent growth in 2020.

“I think the economy will come to a virtual standstill by the spring

of 2020,” Zandi said. “The government stimulus in the form of tax cuts and extra spending will have faded by then, and the economy will be struggling with higher interest rates.”

The Trump administration foresees a rather sunnier economic future. It projects that after reaching 3 percent growth this year, the economy will achieve sustained annual growth rates of around 3 percent over the next decade.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin called the market’s selloff on Wednesday after the Fed’s rate hike “completely overblown.”

He noted that the U.S. economy was still growing “significantly higher” than in Europe and other parts of the world.

In a statement Friday noting the one-year anniversary of Congress passing the $tax cut, Mnuchin said, “Tax cuts and regulatory relief actions by the Trump administration have led to more investment in America, strong economic growth, higher wages and more Americans going back to work.” (ap)

Monday, December 24, 2018

C151 Smart Villas™ Seminyak Receive Gold Circle Award 2018

SEMINYAK - C151 Smart Villas™ Seminyak has been received its recognition from the recently online agent partner Agoda.com “Gold Circle Award 2018”. The Gold Circle Award are affirmation of being a top performing property based on consistently stellar customer reviews on Agoda.com.

Other factors include providing competitive pricing and availability to the customers and a commitment to delivering a fantastic customer experience.

Recent Digital technology development required the villa

to participate and follow its development by building a positive image and reach customer directly by online, no doubt that the establish cooperation existed over 10 years shows its results with the achievement of these recognition.

This achievement give villa guest a clear indication of the high service quality standards they can expect when making decision to book the villa, the property is showcased as much more than a villa but as a guest experience, that will live with guests for many years and el-

evate the villa over its competitors.

It has become the pride of the entire team and proves that persistence, experience, hard work and good cooperation, is behind the success of a strong, solid and consistent team, with great management to lead them.

“Gold Circle Award 2018 is presented to all employees and will motivate and increase confidence in providing the best service and understand the importance of maintaining the quality of service and products” said Diah Suryandari – General Manager. (kmb)

5

The open house will be held at the Tanah Lot parking area and last for three days, starting on Sunday (Dec. 30, 2018) until Tuesday (Jan. 2019). The agents, guides and drivers that bring their guests to ??Tanah Lot area at the Open House get free drinks and snacks.

Such an event is packed like a celebration, where staff to managers will welcome guests.

The agents, guides and drivers who deliver their guests are prepared with tents equipped with a special table, so they can enjoy the dishes casually.

They can enjoy food and drinks while chatting. The guests were also given souvenirs in the form of clothes and table calendars containing pictures of Tanah Lot. For those who can dance, both the guests and tourists can also take advantage of that moment to dance, dance together or ngibing because they are presented with a Joged Bungbung folk dance. “Open house is a routine activity every year,” said Toya Adnyana.

This program with full togetherness, explained Toya Adnyana, aims to establish good relations with travel agencies, tour guides and drivers that usually take tourists to the Tanah Lot attraction. “This is an expression of gratitude and congratulation for the New Year 2019.

Hopefully, they can have memories here and in the future there will be good cooperation between tourist destination and travel agencies, guides and drivers,” he hoped.

Besides, through this open house, he hoped travel agencies felt as a large family of Tanah Lot attraction. Thus, it will not be awkward and take their guests to make a visit to the Tanah Lot tourist attraction going forward,” concluded Toya Adnyana. (kmb)

4

Monday, December 24, 2018

Bali News

International

Manggis district police help poor and disabled people assistance is obtained from donators. It aims to invite us all to love parents and people around us who need our help,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief of Karangasem Police, I Gusti Agung Ade Panji Anom, said that with the implementation of the activity, the Manggis Police Sector has supported the Si Putu program, a program to simplify the name of the program with something or name we often hear, where this integrated community service program, in

this case the humanity activity, can reduce school dropouts. He claimed the program to have lasted for quite a long time and aimed at humanitarian measures.

“Hopefully, through the assistance we provide, we can reduce their burden in living their life.

Similarly, the people getting this assistance are expected to motivate themselves so as to be more enthusiastic and resilient in living the life,” explained Panji Anom. (kmb41)

TOKYO - In a rare emotional address ahead of his abdication next year, Japanese Emperor Akihito said he took “deep comfort” that his long reign had been one of peace as he remembered the “countless lives” lost in World War II.

I Nengah Subangsawan

IBP/kmb

Porridge served with moringa leaf herbal drink for tourists

GIANYAR - No one may have thought that moringa leaves usually made into vegetables can also be taken advantage for making drinks.

This Balinese herbal drink is served to foreign guests. At the Lembah Ayung Restaurant, Gianyar, the moringa herbal drink (loloh) is a companion for Balinese porridge.

Chef of Lembah Ayung Restaurant, I Wayan Jayantika, stated the moringa herbal drink is made from Moringa leaves. To get the extract, the leaves must be squeezed. After

that, it is filtered to get a refreshing and healthy drink. “Actually, it can also be blended, but the results are not maximal. We prefer to squeeze it to get crushed and then filtered so that there is no pulp coming in the serving,” he said on Thursday (Dec. 20).

To produce a delicious taste, several ingredients must be added such as tamarind, salt and shallots.

Shallot is the most important and the addition of shallots coincides with the squeezing of moringa

leaves. “The additional ingredients will give a bitter, sour and salty flavor to the tongue and makes it refreshing,” he said.

Jayantika explained that additional shallot functions to neutralize the temperature of the body, so it grows to be fresher. Besides, the mixture of shallot and moringa leaves is also useful to facilitate the body’s metabolism. “To Balinese people, such herbal drink really benefits health, usually taken in the morning,” he explained.

Likewise, at Lembah Ayung Restaurant the moringa herbal drink served in the morning is used to accompany Balinese porridge. It is an option of breakfast menu for tourists.

Sometimes this herbal drink is also served with ice cubes, but on request.

“Thus, it makes this herbal drink is fresh. Once we have an order, we immediately prepare it without being stocked first,” he added.

Co-Founder of Pramana Experience, I Nyoman Sudirga Yusa, stated that herbal drink is a tradi-

tional beverage of Balinese people.

By and large, it is also used for traditional medicine. This is in accordance with the program of Bali governor generating traditional food, drinks and family medicinal plants. Moringa is one of the medicinal plants. On that account, at the Lembah Ayung Restaurant located at the Pramana Watu Kurung Resort, one of the properties managed by Pramana supports the program by serving Balinese traditional food and drinks. (kmb42)

Akihito, in a pre-recorded speech to mark his 85th birthday Sunday, also paid tribute to the Japanese people and Empress Michiko, the first commoner to join the tradition-bound imperial family who has been at his side for 60 years.

His voice trembling as he discussed the legacy of World War II, the emperor pointed to the “countless lives” lost in the conflict, which was fought under the name of his father Hirohito, who died in 1989.

Akihito also reiterated the importance of “accurately” teaching history to young people.

“I have believed it is important not to forget that countless lives were lost in World War II and that the peace and prosperity of post-war Japan was built upon the numerous sacrifices and tireless efforts made by the Japanese people, and to pass on this history accurately to those born after the war,” he said.

“It gives me deep comfort that the Heisei Era (his reign) is coming to an end, free of war in Japan,” he said.

During his reign, the soft-spoken Akihito has used his speeches and travels to express his strong pacifist views, which are sharply at odds with the aggressive expansionism Japan pursued under his

father’s rule.

His insistence on remembering history is in sharp contrast with conservative ideologues who have attempted to gloss over Japan’s wartime record.

The widely adored emperor will next year become the first Japanese royal to abdicate in more than two centuries.

His eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend the Chrysanthemum throne on May 1.

Akihito said his reign had been a quest to determine the role of the emperor as a “symbol of the state” under Japan’s pacifist post-war constitution, in contrast to his father Hirohito who was regarded as semi-divine. And he thanked Empress Michiko for standing by his side.

“As I come to the end of my journey as emperor, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart the many people who accepted and continued to support me as the symbol of the state,” he said, his voice quavering.

“I am also truly grateful to the empress, who herself was once one of the people, but who chose to walk this path with me, and over 60 long years continued to serve with great devotion both the imperial family and the people of Japan.”

JIJI PRESS / JAPAN POOL / AFP

Japan’s Emperor Akihito delivers his speech during a press conference on his birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on December 20, 2018.

Akihito has worked to bring the royal household closer to the people and fre-

quently visited the disadvantaged and families hit by natural disasters. (afp)

No place like home: Dublin boom fuels housing spiral DUBLIN - Sharing a studio flat in Dublin with two other people, Greek security guard Aris complains about the housing crisis that forces him to live in cramped conditions.

“It’s quite rough,” said Aris, who splits the 850 euros ($970) a month rent for the 30-square-metre flat.

With scant storage space, personal belongings are relegated to the ground. A kitchen hob is within

PAUL FAITH / AFP

The moringa herbal drink (loloh) is a companion for Balinese porridge.

13

Japanese emperor stresses his peaceful reign ahead of abdication

AMLAPURA - Manggis Subdistrict Police provided assistance for dozens of disadvantaged and disabled people. The assistance was given in the Sabhalanga hall of the Manggis SubDistrict Head, as a form of concern to pay attention to the poor in Karangasem, especially in the Manggis Sub-District.

Chief of Manggis Police, I Nengah Subangsawan, stated on Saturday (Dec. 22) there are 31 underprivileged people given the assistance in the form of 10 kg rice, 1 box of noodles and cash worth IDR 750,000. He said that his unit also handed over wheelchairs to two disabled people, crutches to two people and cash respectively worth IDR 750,000.

“This social activity can be carried out according to the plan where the source of funds for the

Monday, December 24, 2018

International

A boarded-up property is pictured in Dublin City centre on December 10, 2018. In Dublin, average rents have risen to between 1,600 euros and 2,000 euros, created by a “perfect storm” of factors including increased immigration, depleted stocks of social housing, an aversion to building tall structures and simple greed following a hardscrabble recession.

arm’s reach of one mattress, while the other two are pushed together.

“It’s not humane conditions to live in Dublin,” said 42-year-old, who moved to Ireland three years ago.

Rocketing prices have impoverished renters and pushed families into homelessness, leading to weekly protests in the streets of Dublin by affordable housing campaigners.

Aris’s situation is not rare in the capital, which is currently in the midst of a “perfect storm” that is driving the average rent to between 1,600 euros and 2,000 euros.

Increased immigration, depleted stocks of social housing, an aversion to building tall structures and simple greed following a hardscrabble recession are all factors.

Dublin’s increasing role as a tech hub is also bringing high-earners to the city, whilst Airbnb is capitalising on the popularity of the city as a weekend-break destination -- to the detriment of people looking for long-term rentals.

At one point this year, the property site Daft.ie said there were just

1,258 properties available for longterm rent in Dublin, while Airbnb offered 1,419 short-term lets.

- ‘People are desperate’ The irony is that Ireland witnesses an unprecedented property boom in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis -- a period known as the Celtic Tiger years.

Construction of new properties ground to a halt after the crash, setting the scene for the current squeeze on housing stock as the Irish population grows rapidly due to a high birth rate and significant immigration rates.

The results are clear in long-term rental advertisements: Rooms with vanishingly little floorspace are advertised for 1,000 euros and ranks of bunk beds in single rooms.

“There’s such a pent-up demand for housing across all the tenures, that people are desperate,” said John-Mark McCafferty, head of housing charity Threshold.

“There’s a whole suite of different situations, whether it’s people going into some level of poverty or people living in acutely overcrowded situations, and it’s affect-

ing people’s quality of life.”

At the bottom of the property ladder, people are falling off the lowest rung -- unable to keep up with rents that have risen 10 percent on average in the last year alone.

The most recent housing ministry figures show 1,295 families were in need of state-funded emergency accommodation during a single week in October.

In August, images of a young mother staying overnight with six of her children in a police station -- bedded down on metal waiting room chairs for want of emergency accommodation -- shocked the nation.

One month later balaclava-clad policemen and private security evicted protesters from a grandiose but empty house in central Dublin.

Many saw the move as heavyhanded.

Since then, major housing marches of thousands have been regular fixtures, led by activist group Take Back the City.

“Housing is a human right!” and “Homes for need not for greed!” have been staple chants in demonstrations. (afp)

14

Monday, December 24, 2018

Traveling

International

Bali News

International

Battle of the barrels festival in Montepulciano, Tuscany

TUSCANY - The fields are turning golden brown from the emerald green of spring. The rolling hills of Tuscany shimmer from the heat of the summer sun. This is August when many Italians take their holiday, and it is the time of festivals in Tuscany.

Love the sound of Tuscany and Montepulciano?

Just a 20-minute drive from Montepulciano is the independent holiday getaway of Cignella. The former Tuscan farmhouse has been converted into nine self-contained villas and four apartments, each with their own personality and unique style. Daily breakfast can be added to the booking and facilities include a swimming pool (open May to October) surrounded by a raised lawn with plenty of seating and sun loungers. To make the most out of the region Cignella recommend bringing a car – there is private parking onsite.

All guests who book an apartment or village directly with Cignella will receive a welcome kit with necessities such as bread, milk, juice, eggs, tea, coffee, butter and of course pasta, plus basic kitchen cleaning products. Prices start from €900 per week for an apartment/villa and €89 per night

Monday, December 24, 2018

3

(room only).

Ferragosto, the Night of Saint Lorenzo & The Bravio

There is the Ferragosto, the Night of Saint Lorenzo, the famous Palio of Sienna and a lesser known but highly entertaining weeklong Renaissance style celebration in the hilltop village of Montepulciano called the Bravio delle Botti.

The festival takes place on the last week of August along the main streets of the town. It is an original challenge between the eight Contradas, neighbourhoods, of the village that compete for a painted cloth banner.

Shanghai Weina cosmetics send more than 3000 beauty industry elite to Bali

Rolling the barrel

The Bravio is the actual name of the beautifully painted banner bearing the image of the Patron Saint of the town, Saint Giovanni.

Two athletes from each neighbourhood, called Spingitori, roll a 160lb empty wine barrel in an uphill race for over a mile along the streets of the town until they reach the front of the Cathedral in the Grand Plaza.

This a grueling physically demanding exertion that can be full of surprising drama. Barrels turn sidewise or crash into each other throwing the athletes into frustrating efforts to keep from falling

behind the leaders.

Montepulciano celebrates for a week prior to the race. Each Contrada will parade through the main square. Its residents dressed in Renaissance clothing in the colours of their district.

Communal dinners are held in the neighbourhoods and the whole village is decorated in the colourful flags of the 8 districts. Heralds trumpet out each parade from the windows of the medieval town hall with its crenellations and tall tower called the Palazzo Comunale

whose central tower dates back to the 16th century and reminds you

of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.

(IBP/net)

Between December 10 to December 27. 2018, During these 17 days period. Shanghai Weina cosmetics company led more than 3000 beauty industry elite to Bali, Indonesia , conducted an unprecedented 6 days 4 nights trip overseas. 3000 more than the elite class aboard 18 different flights arrived in Bali, opened the romantic journey.

Shanghai Weina cosmetics is committed to opening up the Chinese cosmetic market and leading the Korean cosmetic industry into the Chinese market to disseminate Korean cosmetic trends and culture. Wiener is an enterprise that provides beauty and happiness for attractive women. Every year

with thousands of Vena family members, we carry out local special beauty research and World Tourism abroad, broaden everyone’s horizons and world outlook while expanding the amount of knowledge. We have been to France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Dubai, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and other famous tourist attractions around the world.

In 2003, Verna cosmetics was established in Shanghai and built in 2004. And in order to develop better products return to you, set up a research institute and Research Institute of Seoul in South Korea and Jeju Island. The use of South Korean technology force and Chinese talent combined with a comprehensive en-

terprise to achieve product development, production, sales and service as one of the. D in 2013 won the silver medal, outstanding enterprises in Shanghai in 2015 and 2017 Shanghai silver cosmetics manufacturing cosmetics manufacturing award. In May 22, 2018, at the China Beauty Expo held in Shanghai New International Expo Center, our palace queen Su Sheng cream and “Bei Ni Fen red pomegranate Honey Face moisturizing energy emulsion” won the “American fashion awards”, known as the beauty industry Oscar prize. Companies continue to grow and develop new markets, to pursue new goals, and the beauty of China

throughout every corner of the earth.

Wiener now has nearly 200 single products, including skin care products and daily necessities.

There are 10 skin care brands. This year, the new cosmetics brand D. Yemeixiang is launched to provide scientific and professional solutions for different skin problems. Every year, Vina launches many new products, which lead the international trend to spread to Chinese beauty lovers, and is loved and sought after by many Chinese fans.

The slogan of President Li Shanyong’s public service activities is “where is Verna, where love is.”

President Li said, “Although we are a cosmetics company, we believe that the beauty of the soul is more

important than the beauty of the appearance. Caring for the disadvantaged groups is not sympathy for the disadvantaged groups, but a genuine love for beauty. Under the leadership of President Li, we have participated in various public welfare activities every year. Aid students in poor mountainous areas in China, study supplies and scholarships, first-time aid materials and funds to natural disasters, assistance to patients with difficult diseases and support centers for the disabled, etc. In order to realize corporate social responsibility, Vena extended a helping hand to the weak and children in society, and sprinkled Vena’s love all over China. (kmb)

2

Bali News

Monday, December 24, 2018

International

International

Activities

IBP/net

Arrangement of Chinese market

Govt should perform law enforcement

DENPASAR - The Association of Indonesia Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali fully supports the government’s efforts to curb Chinese mafia network shops committing unhealthy business practices. This organization even issued a joint decree with the Indonesia Tour Guides Association (HPI) Bali and Bali Tourist Transport Association (Pawiba) that agreed to improve according to applicable regulations, primarily after unfair business practices of Chinese market were exposed.

“The letter we’ve sent remains valid. So, we are very obedient to what the government has decided. The governor has already issued a letter to close the shops,” said Chairman of the ASITA Bali, Ketut Ardana, in Denpasar.

Ardana emphasized that his organization is not allergic to the existence of the shops. If the government later on allows the stores to be re-opened with various considerations, he hoped there will be regulations clearly governing it namely which ones are allowed or not allowed. At present, the most problematic is the matter of using foreign workers from China as shopkeepers and merchandise on sales also from China, while payments are directly deposited to China by using WeChat or Alipay.

“The issue of business ethics must be corrected if in the end the government decides to reopen. Of course, there must

be communication between the government and the shops wishing to do business. For example, it sounds funny if Chinese tourists coming into the store want to buy Chinese products. It doesn’t make sense,” he explained.

According to Ardana, tourists from any country coming to Bali must see Bali as a whole, starting from Bali’s nature, meeting Balinese people that are very friendly to Balinese culture becoming the spearheads of tourism. Together with the government, his organization has the same goal to fix the problem in the Chinese market going forward.

“If it can be regulated by the government, let’s say that 80-90 percent can be governed, they must sell local products (of Bali and other regions—Ed), while 10 percent may be products from outside. If the government cannot regulate the commission system, at least there is an appeal that it may not exceed certain amount. Law enforcement by the government must be imposed on this market,” he said.

Head of the Bali Liang Division (Chinese Market Share) of ASITA Bali, Elsye Deliana, claimed to have been involved in the sales mission to Beijing and Shanghai by BTB and Garuda Indonesia early December. This self-financed sales mission was carried out to arouse Bali tourism considering that Indonesian Ministry of Tourism is targeting 2 million Chinese tourist visits to Bali in 2019. Meanwhile, at present the closure of Chinese mafia network shops influences Chinese tourist arrivals to Bali.

“However, it happens that we are now in low season

during November and December. So there is a decline, and several cancellations are made by charter flights from there to here because we have agreed that Bali cannot be sold cheaply. Indeed it takes time to restore the market again,” he said.

In the sales mission, continued Elsye, it was conveyed that Bali still wanted Chinese tourists to come to the Island of the Gods. At the same time, the improvements have been made so that Bali has a ‘new face,’ namely the absence of zero-tour fees. Bali will rise again with a normal tour fee.

“This sales mission is very successful. As evidence, after returning from the sales mission, we get many incoming bookings. The very encouraging thing is that they are all paid tours, not the zero-tour fee. As a result, I am getting overwhelmed,” she explained.

According to Elsye, the amount of the tour fee depends on the hotel that Chinese tourists booked. The cheapest for 3-star hotels lies in the range of USD 100 per pax for 5 days, while the tour fee for 4- or 5-star hotel can reach USD 300 per pax. This proves that Bali does not need to be sold cheaply to bring in tourists from the bamboo curtain country like what happened lately.

When separately interviewed, Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, stated the shops committing unfair business practices cannot be opened immediately. “It may be opened with strict conditions and there must be a MoU first. Otherwise, they cannot,” he said. (kmb32)

Farmers’ products have to be purchased in cash

DENPASAR - Synergy between agriculture and tourism will soon be realized in Bali. Bali provincial government has submitted a Gubernatorial Regulation (Pergub) to the Ministry of Home Affairs that regulates it namely the matter of Marketing and Utilization of Agricultural, Fisheries and Local Industry Products in Bali.

“It carries some points, such as the obligation of hotels, restaurants, villas and supermarkets to use agricultural fisheries and local Balinese industrial products. They are obliged to use and market,” said Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, in Denpasar on Friday (Dec. 21).

Secondly, continued Koster, the purchase of agricultural products directly from farmers must be priced at a minimum

of 20 percent above the production cost. In addition, tourism players and supermarkets must pay in cash. They can also buy indirectly through regional government-owned enterprise or Perusda with the payment period of at least one month.

“In this case, Perusda will pay in cash directly to farmers.

So, the payment of farmers must not be delayed. It must be made directly,” he explained. Koster hoped that Gubernatorial Regulation can be approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs before closing the year 2018. That way, the Gubernatorial Regulation can begin to take effect in January 2019.

When the Gubernatorial Regulation is implemented, the impact will be very broad on farmers, primarily in building the linkages of tourism and agriculture with the systems and

regulations. This is at the same time a form of state presence to bring together tourism actors and farmers.

“All this time tourism runs itself, moves on by its own and advancing itself. In agriculture, our farmers cannot enjoy tourism optimally. For instance, during the harvest season of snakefruit, it coincides with the orange season and mangosteen season. In the harvest season, the price dropped. This means that here we have not met between tourism players and farmers,” he explained.

According to Koster, the current agricultural contribution is only 14.7 percent to the economic growth or GDP. In the meantime, tourism has contributed almost to 70 percent. (kmb32)

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

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Santika Siligita Hotel presents Nasi Campur Bali

In this December, Santika Siligita Hotel presents the latest promo menu which of course always pampers your tongue Nasi Campur Bali, with a blend of fish-wrapped satay which is a characteristic of Bali, this Balinese Mixed Rice looks very delicious and affordable only IDR 60,000 net. Of course it is not complete without a sip of fresh from PG LYCO. December’s preferred mocktail is a blend of pineapple juice, ginger with lychee syrup and soda water which makes the taste of PG LYCO fresher and you can buy it for IDR 45,000 net.

Not only PG LYCO, Mengiat Restaurant also provides quite fresh cocktails in this December.

This month’s chosen cocktail is Mengiat Sunset, suitable to enjoy while waiting for “Sunset” in the evening . A combination of Vodka 9, Lime juice and Coco Pandan. It tastes quite fresh and light to be enjoyed only IDR 75,000 net.

Not only is Bali Mixed Rice, PG LYCO and Mengiat Sunset special in December, Santika Siligita Hotel also offers a promo at Uluwatu spa. Discount cut by 50% for all types of massage. Massage therapies start at IDR 150,000 at Uluwatu Spa.

Monday, December 24, 2018

15

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

16 Pages Number 6 11th year

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

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Monday, December 24, 2018

Sexual assault case against Steven Seagal dropped

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood action star Steven Seagal will not face prosecution after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17, prosecutors said Friday.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said time had run out to pursue the case brought by a Dutch model who alleges she was groped in a hotel room in 2002. Prosecutors did not name the alleged victim, but lawyer Lisa Bloom identified her as Dutch model Faviola Dadis.

Dadis, who didn’t come forward until several years after the alleged assault, accuses Seagal of attacking her during what she thought was an audition in the W Hotel in Beverly Hills.

She claims Seagal slipped his hand underneath her clothing, fondled her breasts and groped her crotch.

She is one of several women who have come forward with allegations of

sexual assault or harassment against the 66-year-old “Under Siege” star. He has denied all claims of misconduct.

In paperwork released Friday, a prosecutor said the case was referred for further investigation which did not yield evidence “sufficient to meet the requirements of state law involving the statute of limitations.”

“Therefore, the case is declined due to the expiration of the statute of limitations,” it said.

The time limit for prosecution of sexual offenses ranges from six years to three in California, depending on the seriousness of the allegations. Bloom released a statement thanking the district

attorney for a “careful review” but saying prosecutors’ hands had been tied by “this unfair law which bars the courthouse door even to young women like my client, Faviola Dadis, who is highly credible.”

She said her client was a minor at the time of the incident but that California law still requires she have independent evidence that clearly corroborates her claims. “The law fails to recognize that few minors are emotionally ready to seek justice against their rapists until many years later,” she added.

“Instead, it offers rapists a ‘get out of jail free’ card if they simply pass an arbitrary time deadline. And the law seems to presume that victims are lying, creating an unfairly high evidentiary standard not required in other criminal cases. Few rapists commit their crimes in the presence of witnesses.” (afp)

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

Monday, December 24, 2018

Allen Berezovsky / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

US actor Steven Seagal

Fashion designer Raf Simons to leave Calvin Klein

Angela Weiss / AFP

Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons

NEW YORK - Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons, considered one of the most talented of his generation, will leave Calvin Klein little more than two years after joining it, parent company PVH said Friday.

“Both parties have amicably decided to part ways after Calvin Klein, Inc decided on a new brand direction which differs from Simons’ creative vision,” the company said in a statement.

The arrival of the self-taught Simons in New York in August 2016 after four years at Dior caused a sensation. Dubbed “chief creative officer,” he had vast powers to revitalize the American brand, which relied on him to boost the profits of its high-end collection.

But there has been speculation since November about his potential

departure, after an official from PVH apportioned him some of the blame for declining sales.

PVH did not specify when Simons would leave, but according to The New York Times, his departure is immediate even though his contract expires in less than six months. No details have been given as to who will replace him or what he will do after his departure.

During his short stint at Calvin Klein, Simons garnered praise from the fashion world for his innovative collections, and he has received three awards from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Calvin Klein’s shows at New York Fashion Week were among the most popular but the fashion house will not organize any runway events at the next Fashion Week to take place in February, PVH said.

Simons’ last Fashion Week runway show in September was inspired by “Jaws,” the 1975 Steven Spielberg blockbuster film.

“The landscape of America -literal and psychological -- inspires Calvin Klein. A journey through America leads, inevitably, to the edge of the landscape: the beach,” where there is “this incredible idea of beauty, but also a tension,” Simons wrote in notes for the show.

Simons, 50, has been credited with giving the iconic American label renewed relevancy, his collections diving deep into the good, the bad and the ugly of the United States.

But several industry news sites had speculated about the departure of Simons, after the PVH group head blamed him during a thirdquarter earnings presentation for a lack of dynamism in sales. (afp)

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RONALD / AFP

Rescuers remove the body of a victim from a damaged building in Carita on December 23, 2018, after the area was hit by a tsunami on December 22 following an eruption of the Anak Krakatoa volcano. A volcano-triggered tsunami has left at least 168 people dead and hundreds more injured after slamming without warning into beaches around Indonesia’s Sunda Strait, officials said on December 23, 2018 voicing fears that the toll was set to rise.

222 dead as volcano-triggered tsunami hits Indonesia

A volcano-triggered tsunami has left at least 222 people dead and hundreds more injured after slamming without warning into beaches around Indonesia’s Sunda Strait, officials said Sunday, voicing fears that the toll would rise further.

Hundreds of buildings were destroyed by the wave, which hit the coast of southern Sumatra and the western tip of Java about 9:30 pm (1430 GMT) on Saturday after a volcano known as the “child” of Krakatoa erupted, national disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said. Dramatic video posted on social media showed a wall of water suddenly crashing into a concert by pop group “Seventeen” -- hurling band members off the stage and then flooding into

the audience.

In a tearful Instagram post, frontman Riefian Fajarsyah said the band’s bassist and road manager had been killed and his wife was missing. Search and rescue teams were scouring rubble for survivors, with 222 people confirmed dead, 843 people injured and 28 missing, Nugroho said.

Tsunamis triggered by volcanic eruptions are relatively rare, caused by the sudden displacement of water or “slope failure”, according to

the International Tsunami Information Centre. Unlike those triggered by earthquakes, they give authorities no time to warn residents of the impending threat.

The destructive wave left a trail of uprooted trees and debris strewn across beaches. A tangled mess of corrugated steel roofing, timber and rubble was dragged inland at Carita beach, a popular spot for daytrippers on the west coast of Java.

Photographer Oystein Andersen described how he was caught up

in the disaster while on the beach taking photos of Anak Krakatoa. “I suddenly saw a big wave,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

“I had to run, as the wave passed the beach and landed 15-20m inland. (The) next wave entered the hotel area where I was stay-

Not Published We, The International Bali Post would like to apologize in advance becuase we will not be published on December 25th, 26th and 27th.

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Merry Christmas

ing and downed cars on the road behind it.”

Asep Perangkat said he was with his family when the wave surged through Carita, carving a swathe of destruction. “Cars were dragged about 10 metres and so were containers,” Perangkat told AFP. Continued to page 6

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.