Edisi 30 March 2017 | Internasional Bali Post

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

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

16 Pages Number 62 9th year

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Thursday, March 30, 2017

Drake ends Sheeran’s Billboard 200 reign, smashes streaming record NEW YORK - Drake ended Ed Sheeran’s two week reign atop the Billboard 200 album chart on Monday, selling a monster 505,000 copies of his new album “More Life,” according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan.

The Canadian rapper, the world’s best-selling artist of 2016, took the No. 1 spot, setting a new streaming record and bringing home the biggest U.S. sales week for any album since his 2016 release “Views.”

Nielsen said 257,000 units were earned from streaming, beating Drake’s previous record-setting 163,000 streaming units for “Views.”

The Billboard 200 album chart tallies units from album sales, song sales (10 songs equal one album) and streaming activity (1,500 streams equal one album).

Drake’s new release pushed British singer-songwriter Sheeran’s “Divide” into second place on the Billboard 200 with some 118,000 units sold.

Rapper Rick Ross landed in the No.3 spot with his new album “Rather You Than Me.” Sheeran however remained top of the digital songs chart, which measures online single sales, thanks to “Shape of You,” which sold another 97,000 units in its 11th week on the chart. (rtr)

Siwer Mas, one of the beautiful Ogoh-Ogoh made by The Balinese from Banjar Tainsiat, Denpasar. The Hindus in Bali do Ogoh-ogoh parade before the Nyepi celebration.

The swashbuckling film sees the return of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow.

IBP/net

First reactions to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 5’ at CinemaCon

LAS VEGAS — The Walt Disney Studios unveiled the films while also redeeming its lagging fifth installment in their “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise reputation.

Gizmodo writer Germain Lussier “Dead Men Tell No Tales” Tuesday night at CinemaCon in wrote that “Dead Men Tell No Tales” Las Vegas.

Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP, File

In this Oct. 8, 2016 file photo, Drake performs onstage in Toronto. Drake’s new album “More Life” has broken the U.S. record for the number of streams from a single album in one week.

Initial reactions from those in attendance, including press, theater owners and exhibitors, were largely positive, celebrating a return to form for the franchise and the well-done VFX. Official reviews are under embargo until May 22.

The swashbuckling film sees the return of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa and introduces a new young cast including Brenton Thwaites and Kaya Scodelario. Javier Bardem plays a ghostly villain with a vengeance

as they all search for the trident of Poseidon on the high seas. Orlando Bloom also returns as Will Sparrow, who hasn’t been in a “Pirates” film since 2007’s “At World’s End.” “Dead Men Tell No Tales” is the first “Pirates” film since 2011’s “On Stranger Tides” and the first to be directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg. To date, the franchise has grossed over $3.73 billion worldwide for the studio, and there is some pressure on this fifth film to continue the enormous successes of the previous

was the best since the first, adding that, “while that isn’t saying much, it does occasionally capture that magic.”

Collider.com editor in chief Steven Weintraub praised the action set pieces and said it was better than the fourth.

Slashfilm.com editor Peter Sciretta called it a “pleasant surprise.”

“Continues the legacy, focuses on the characters and the world,” Sciretta wrote.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” hits theaters on May 26. (ap)

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Thursday, March 30, 2017

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IBP/Wawan

Commercialization of ogoh-ogoh and pengerupukan meaning NIGHT of Pengerupukan or the Nyepi Day’s Eve is usually graced by Balinese Hindus with a unique and sacred tradition, namely parading ogoh-ogoh or papier mâché demon throughout their respective village. However, over the times, many Balinese people do not know in-depth about the function of ogoh-ogoh on the pengerupukan.

Ida Pandita Mpu Jaya Prema Ananda said that ogoh-ogoh is a symbol of bhuta kala or demon presented with offerings in the tawur kesanga, so that at the beginning the ogoh-ogoh was very much made sacred by the Hindus.

In the past, people did not make ogoh-ogoh because at that time they were already satisfied with the ritual implementation without excessive symbol. However, when Bali is advanced and the art is developed, it is considered necessary to make

the symbol of bhuta kala functioned to only visualize when priests officiate over caru ritual. When the caru offerings are ‘savored,’ the ogohogoh was moved in order that bhuta transforms into gods (in the concept known as bhuta ya, dewa ya).

“Apparently a group of young people is not satisfied with the ogohogoh that is just moved around the tawur kesanga. With the reasons of expensive cost in the making, they consider it necessary to parade it around. Right now, we see the

ogoh-ogoh is paraded around on the streets of village. Moreover, in some places the tawur kesanga is held at one of the corners while the ogoh-ogoh is placed at the opposite corner. Seemingly there is no relation between the ogohogoh and tawur kesanga. Tawur kesanga may be organized in the morning, while the ogoh-ogoh is paraded in the afternoon. A worrying thing is that the ogoh-ogoh is consecrated (dipasupati) and then paraded around the village until it becomes damaged, but it is forgotten to burn physically and psychically (dipralina). No wonder, there are many mass clashes in Bali, the bhuta kala is alive and nobody burns and transforms it into god,” said Ida Pandita Mpu Jaya Prema Ananda on Wednesday (Mar. 22).

Moreover, ogoh-ogoh develops into commercialization. Some people think that the ogoh-ogoh is not associated with tawur kesanga, so that the ogoh-ogoh is made modern and no need to be in the form of bhuta kala, such as a café girl riding a motorcycle and other forms.

However, Ida Pandita Mpu Jaya Prema Ananda assessed that the ogoh-ogoh must remain to have nuance of ritual commercialization as it is related to Nyepi celebration denoting a major feast day of Hinduism. Moreover, every year the Hindu Dharma Council gives a warning that ogoh-ogoh must still be in the form of bhuta kala, not a symbol of religious figures.

Nevertheless, the warning must be added that the ogoh-ogoh must be associated with tawur kesanga and

then burned after using.

“Do not put the ogoh-ogoh into carnival. On that account, I have ever suggested that the fondness of Balinese people to make ogoh-ogoh is organized on other days, such as on the anniversary of the city of Denpasar. Well, at that time people can make ogoh-ogoh in any version.

However, Balinese people seem uncomfortable to make ogoh-ogoh beyond Nyepi. It is hard for them to ask for donations unless in the name of religion,” he concluded. (win)

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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Thursday, March 30, 2017

Bali News

International

Bali observes noise-free Day of Seclusion

DENPASAR - The Indonesian tourist resort island of Bali, with a population of 4.3 million and thousands of tourists, remained quiet and tranquil on Tuesday during the Hindu Day of Seclusion.

IBP/kmb

The Nyepi Day on Kuta Beach

ANTARA News correspondent reported from Tabanan District and Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali, that Balis Hindu followers chose to stay indoors to perform the Tapa Brata seclusion ritual and to introspect for 24 hours from 6 a.m. Central Indonesian Standard Time (WITA) on Tuesday.

Tapa Brata covers the observance of silence through the rituals of amati karya, or abstain from work and other activities; amati geni, or abstain from turning on the lights; amati lelungan, or avoid traveling; and amati lelanguan, or abstain from lust and entertainment.

Danpasar City, a tourist resort and an economic center facing daily traffic jams, turned totally quiet and tranquil as though it were an unpopulated island. Roads and alleys appeared deserted apart from the presence of several “pecalang,” or customary village security officials, who stood guard at the road sections and the ends of alleys.

A deserted look was also noticed at the Perumnas Monang-Maning housing complex, a settlement area that is home to some 2.5 thousand families, in Denpasar. “This morning, the weather is clear after the rain fell from 2 to 5 a.m. local time. We can only hear the chirping of the birds in the neighborhoods where the residents keep birds in their cages,” Ketut, a local resident, remarked.

The same could also be witnessed in almost all villages in the districts of Marga and Tabanan, where the villagers also enjoyed the quietude.

Foreign tourists who are on a holiday, coinciding with the Hindu Day of Silence in Bali, are only allowed to carry out activities in areas around their hotels.

The harmonious life and co-existence on the seclusion day are observed in accordance with the agreement and calls of the interfaith council in Bali for the successful implementation of the Holiday of Seclusion. “The joint calls signed by leaders of the interfaith council were approved by the Bali governor, regional police, and military leaders,” I. Komang Giriyasa, spokesman of the Bali office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, noted on Tuesday. (ant)

Accuracy of statistics important in policy making

DENPASAR - Bank Indonesia emphasized the importance of understanding and development of statistics in decision making by the authorities. At central bank, for example, good statistical data are very critical to support policy analysis.

This was conveyed by Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Sugeng, at the opening of the Regional Statistics Conference (RSC) on Thursday (Mar. 22) in Nusa Dua, Bali.

With the theme ‘Enhancing Statistics, Prospering Human Life,’ the conference focused on the development of statistics to support decision-making at various institutions which in turn can be beneficial in improving the quality of life.

Implementation of this conference posed collaboration between Bank Indonesia (BI) and the International Statistical Institute (ISI) supported by the Central Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Association of Indonesia and the Statistical Community Forum. The conference took place for three days on March 22-24, 2017.

The conference is hoped to improve and communicate the development of statistical compilation methodology, innovation and the use of the latest statistics in the region in particular and the international community.

Updating an understanding on best practice and new breakthroughs in the application of statistics is very useful to strengthen the basis for policy making that touches all the sectors of society.

The conference was attended by approximately 400 people consisting of researchers, practitioners, academicians and policy makers from various countries. It is in the effort to share knowledge and experience in the development and application of statistical science in research, innovation and policy formulation.

Dr. Boediono, former Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, also became the keynote speaker of the conference along with Stephen Greenville, former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia and

Eli Remolona, Chief Representative Bank for International Settlements in Asia Pacific.

The conference was preceded with a two-day seminar. In cooperation with the European Central Bank, the Bank of Indonesia featured the development of statistical use in the central bank. In addition, the BI also featured the topic on the Utilization of Big Data in collaboration with the Bank for International Settlements--Irving Fisher Committee.

“With a holistic development, particularly related to the economic field, the use of statistics is expected to further benefit the decision-making and public life in general,” said Sugeng.

President of the ISI, Pedro Silva, added that as professional scientific organization it has always shared knowledge on statistics worldwide.

He assumed that the presence of statisticians in the region is expected to provide a significant impact on the region. “Statistics can be said to work when passing through

a correct method, so that do not consider statistics as a pleasure. We can be delighted with the statistics as long as it gives added value to human welfare,” said Silva.

He hoped the meeting should be able to contribute to the government through Bank Indonesia in determining policies through valid and reliable data. “We encourage the government through accurate and reliable statistical

data in building a welfare society in all fields,” he concluded. (kmb42)

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Activities

International

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Aston Denpasar Switch Off The Light In 60 Minutes

Earth Hour, is a campaign that invites the public to take a climate action to make a better change for the earth. On this Saturday, 25 March 2017 at 08:30 pm local time, Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center participated in the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement; switch

off the light in 60 minutes as part of the climate action.

The event started with welcome speech by Lilik Amini as Director of Sales of Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center, continued with a presentation by Earth Hour Denpasar NGO about Earth Hour itself to the audience who were

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

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

gathered on drop off lobby. The presentation was empowering the audience to take action on climate change.

At 08:30 pm sharp, all the lights in the hotel building was switched off, and replaced with 100 LED bulbs shaped into figures 60+ which use solar energy through a battery that has been converted by the solar cell.

Kecak Dance which lasted 15 minutes was also presented by 40 male employees of the hotel, the dance tells Hanoman initiative to

provide illumination to the dark world with lit the torch made from coconut fibers formed into number 60+, and the torch was handed over to Lilik Amini. The event continued with the video about Earth Hour which lasted 10 minutes. In addition, there was a performance by acoustic band Mama yukero with their songs theme “Nature”. Door prizes of 2 hotel vouchers also distributed to the lucky one. Coffee breaks were also provided by kitchen team that can be enjoyed by the guests dur-

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ing the event.

READ The 10th Anniversary of BVA “We believe that climate action can be done anywhere, even when you are miles away from home.

Thanks to the Earth Hour Denpasar, due to a remarkable collaboration we can participate in creating a better future, especially for the Planet Earth where we live for, both for ourselves and for generations to come.” Said Lilik Amini, Director of Sales of Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center.

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Thursday, March 30, 2017

Health

International

Bali News

International

DHA supplements during pregnancy don’t raise kids’ IQ

ADELAIDE - Children of women who took DHA supplements during pregnancy are no smarter than peers whose mothers didn’t take the supplements, a recent study concludes.

In the third follow-up of children born during a trial of DHA supplementation in pregnancy, there were no significant differences in IQ or other cognitive processes at age 7 – the same result researchers found in earlier rounds of testing.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a type of omega-3 fatty acid, an important nutrient for the brain, and is needed for development during pregnancy, said lead study author Jacqueline Gould, of the Child Nutrition Research Center at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in Adelaide.

“The main source of DHA for the growing baby is the mother’s diet. However, the exact amount of DHA that needs to be eaten by the mother is unknown,” Gould told Reuters Health in an email.

“DHA-rich fish oil supplements have been marketed by manufacturers as beneficial for child brain development. Use of these supplements has become common in developed countries, but the effects of DHA have been unclear,” Gould said.

For the original trial, Gould and her colleagues randomly assigned pregnant women to groups that would receive either 800-milligram DHA supplements or dummy pills to be taken daily during the second half of pregnancy.

When the babies were 18 months old and again when they were 4 years old, testing showed no differences in intelligence, cognitive, language or motor skills in the two groups of children.

In the most recent follow-up, children were 7 years old, the earliest age at which intelligence testing can predict adult intelligence, the study team notes in JAMA. A total of 543 children, 85 percent of the original trial group, participated in the testing.

The kids were given IQ tests and parents answered questions about their children’s behavior and “executive function,” which includes skills like self-regulation and mental control.

The mean IQ score for both groups of children was about 97 to 98 points. Language skills, school performance and executive functioning also didn’t differ between groups.

The study team found that perceptual reasoning skills were slightly better in the DHA group. But parent-rated behavioral problems were also slightly higher in the DHA group.

Although the study didn’t find an effect on IQ, there are other possible benefits to taking DHA during pregnancy, Gould noted.

“Randomized controlled trials that have given a high-dose of DHA, or a placebo, have found that supplements may reduce the risk of preterm births and may lower the risk of a child developing allergies if they have a family history of allergy,” she said.

“Healthy pregnant women eating a balanced and varied diet are unlikely to enhance their child’s brain development by taking DHA supplements,” Gould said.

Fish is an excellent source of DHA, as well as protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals, she added.

“There is some general confusion around whether fish is safe for pregnant women to eat due to possible methyl mercury contamination, however, there are several species that are considered safe such as salmon and tinned light tuna,” Gould said. Brains and liver are also rich in DHA, and smaller amounts can be found in egg yolks and the lean tissue of red meat.

DHA has been shown in some studies to benefit cognitive development when given after a baby is born, said Susan Carlson, a researcher at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City who wasn’t involved in the study. (rtr)

IBP/net

Healthy pregnant women eating a balanced and varied diet are unlikely to enhance their child’s brain development by taking DHA supplements.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

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Cleveland FES Center/Handout via REUTERS

Bill Kochevar, 56, is using computer-brain interface technology and an electrical stimulation system to move his own arm after eight years of paralysis, in this undated handout photo.

Brain implant lets paralyzed man feed himself using his thoughts CLEVELAND - A paralyzed man in Cleveland fed himself mashed potatoes for the first time in eight years, aided by a computer-brain interface that reads his thoughts and sends signals to move muscles in his arm, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.

The research, published in the journal Lancet, is the latest from BrainGate, a consortium of researchers testing brain-computer interface technology designed to give paralyzed individuals more mobility. Prior tests of the technology allowed paralyzed people to move a robotic arm or a cursor on a keyboard just by using their thoughts.

The team at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation Center used the brain-computer interface and an electrical stimulation system that allowed Bill Kochevar, 56, to control his own arm.

To achieve this, the team implanted two sensors, each about the size of a baby aspirin, loaded with 96 electrodes designed to pick up nerve activity in the movement centers of the brain.

The sensors record brain sig-

nals created when Kochevar imagines moving his arm, and relay them to a computer. The computer sends the signals to the electrical stimulation system, which directs impulses through about 30 wires implanted in muscles in Kochevar’s arm and hand to produce specific movements.

Kochevar, who was paralyzed below his shoulders in a cycling accident eight years ago, first learned to use the system to move a virtual reality arm on a computer screen. He accomplished that on the first day he tried it, said Case Western’s Robert Kirsch, the study’s senior author.

For the movement phase of the trial, Kochevar had to go through 45 weeks of rehabilitation to restore muscle tone that had atrophied over the years of inactivity.

Using the brain interface system, he can now move each joint in his right arm individually, just by thinking about it. To accomplish tasks like drinking through a straw, or scratching his face with a dry sponge, Kochevar is aided by an arm support, a device he also controls with his thoughts. (rtr)

IBP/eka

Nyepi in Bali is a very special event because human activity totally stops.

CO2 reduces to 50 percent on Nyepi

MANGUPURA - Related to Nyepi of Caka New Year 1939, the national weather service (BMKG) will take measurement of air quality. Two components of air quality to be measured are greenhouse gases and particulate or dust. Nyepi in Bali is a very special event because human activity totally stops.

“Observations like this were already carried out in 2013 and 2015. This year, it will be resumed to strengthen conclusions of the previous measurement. Previous results indicated the existence of significant reduction in greenhouse gases and particulate,” said Division Head of the R & D and Quality of BMKG, Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan, accompanied by Division Head of Data and Information of BMKG for Region III Denpasar, I Nyoman Gede Wiryajaya, on Thursday (Mar. 23).

He explained that the data obtained in 2013 and 2015 indeed showed reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) gas in the

area of Denpasar and Badung of around 30-50 percent, while the reduction in other gases reached almost 70 percent. “Although the overall activities stop, the reduction cannot reach 100 percent. According to him, there are still contributions of the activities of trees and nature. Besides, it is predicted to originate from residue of CO2 from the previous days,” he explained.

Ardhasena said that the measure is meant to prove the data that human activities are significantly contributing to the increase in greenhouse gases and contaminated substances.

The situation in Bali is very special because there are no human activities on the island. “The situation cannot be found in other locations because the activity on the whole Island of Bali totally stops. So, the emissions or concentrations of greenhouse gases and particulates caused by human activity can be measured,” he said.

He added that religious activities such as the celebra-

tion of Nyepi show to the world that in Indonesia there are real activities that contribute to mitigation efforts of global warming and climate change. Technically, the measurement will be carried out at five locations on day three before and after the celebration as well as compared to the Nyepi Day. The location of observations will represent the entire island namely in the southern Badung, Jembrana, Karangasem, Bedugul and Singaraja.

Ardhasena added that there are two ways to respond to climate change, namely by adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation is by responding to the impacts that have happened, while mitigation one of which is through the implementation of Nyepi that can contribute to the mitigation where it reduces the causes of global warming. “Bali is the only country in the world that can show it. We prove it direct by numbers.

Moreover, this has been presented at various international meetings,” he concluded. (kmb23)

Trump’s Indonesia business partner says planned resort to respect Bali traditions

JAKARTA - The Indonesian business partner of the Trump group has pledged to respect Hindu traditions and follow building height restrictions at a luxury hotel and golf resort it is developing near a temple on the island of Bali.

The MNC Group, run by Indonesian billionaire Hary Tanoesoedibjo, aims to start operations at the resort next to the Indian Ocean in 2019 or 2020, said a company official.

The Bali project, which will include a six-star hotel, villas and a golf course, will be developed by

MNC and managed by the Trump Hotel Collection, a subsidiary of the Trump Organization founded by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“At the moment (the Trump project in Bali) is in the design stage. The tallest (structure) is only three-storeys,” said Herman Bunjamin, vice president director at PT MNC Land Tbk , the MNC Group’s property unit.

The company would follow local government rules in Bali stipulating that a building could not be taller than 15 metres (50 ft), and respect

the Hindu religion, he said.

Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, while Bali is home to a majority of the country’s Hindu minority.

“Temples will not be disturbed, temples location will not be changed,” Bunjamin told reporters.

The resort is refurbishing an existing hotel complex near the Tanah Lot temple, a sensitive cultural and spiritual site for many Balinese.

Tanoesoedibjo has previously denied a media report suggesting

there had been resistance from locals with some refusing to sell extra land, saying “there’s no issue with the residents”.

Bunjamin said the company would focus on 110 hectares (272 acres) of land it already had and would only look to expand if there were land owners who wanted to sell at the right price.

MNC also has another partnership with the Trump Organization to manage a luxury resort in Bogor on Java island.

Tanoesoedibjo, the chairman

and chief executive of MNC Group, has previously said his group plans to invest between $500 million and $1 billion in the two resorts.

On Friday, MNC also launched a new luxury hotel partnership with Hyatt Hotels Corp to operate Indonesia’s first Park Hyatt in the capital Jakarta.

MNC is investing up to 2.7 trillion rupiah ($202.58 million) in the hotel project, which will also include an office tower, Tanoesoedibjo said. (rtr)

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Bali News

Thursday, March 30, 2017

International

Thursday, March 30, 2017

International

Australia holds emergency meet with China after extradition treaty failure

Under the guidance of the “Sesetan Heritage Omed-Omedan Festival (SHOF) – the “OmedOmedan” or “Kissing Festival” convenes in the central square of Banjar Kaja.

After the Silence, Omed Omedan Tradition is held

DENPASAR - For more than a century, the residents of Banjar Kaja, Sesetan - an urban village in South Denpasar, gather on the day following Bali’s official day of silence – Nyepi for a truly unique ceremony.

Under the guidance of the “Sesetan Heritage Omed-Omedan Festival (SHOF) – the “Omed-Omedan” or “Kissing Festival” convenes in the central square of Banjar Kaja. Originating from the term for

“pulling and pushing” in Balinese, Omed-Omedan sees the unmarried young men and women of the community gather to celebrate the Hindu New Year by exchanging kisses.

Beginning with religious prayers,

the ceremony sees groups of young men and women, standing in two separate groups and face off while awaiting the “go” signal given by a religious leader.

Signal given, the groups cautiously approach each other before young men reach out and “pull” young women closer for a passionate kiss. Meanwhile, married members of the community and

not participating in the canoodling throw buckets of cold water over the young kissing couples in order to cool their ardor.

Apparently, the water doesn’t always work. Many married couples in the community claim they first met at the Omed-Omedan ceremony.

As reported by Beritabali.com, SHOF has set the date of Wednesday, March 29, 2017, to take place in

from the Banjar Kaja Selatan.

The Mayor of Denpasar and the Deputy Mayor have both voiced their support for this year’s OmedOmedan event.

And, before any roaming Lothario gets his hopes up, it should be noted that while spectators are welcome to view the Omed-Omedan,passionate participation is generally limited to local residents. (kmb)

Candidasa Beach in East Bali Public Works Minister Discounts Need for a North- Polluted by Styrofoam Debris from Floating Dock Project South Toll Road for Bali JEMBRANA - Hopes in Bali for the construction of a toll road connecting the Kuta-Tanah Lot-Soka-Seririt-Jembrana corridor may have suffered a major setback following recent statements made by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono, in Bali on Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

Beritadewata.com quotes Hadimuljono, referring to a major toll road built in West Java, saying: “We have learned from the Cipularang Toll Road. When it was still a national highway many small traders, souvenir sales shop, drink stalls and alike operated along the road. Their number – stretching along the entire road’s length, was not insignificant. But, once the Cipularang Toll Road opened all of these

traders disappeared.”

Because of this, the Minister is asking for a detailed and comprehensive study to be conducted to determine the social impact of building a toll road. In the absence of such a study demonstrating the need for a toll road, Hadimuljono argues it is better to develop the existing highway, rather than acquire large tracts of land for a toll road that will take control of land away from people who will not benefit from the proposed toll road passing through their communities.

Despite the Minister’s statements made during a visit to Bali, the Head of Public Works for Bali, I Nyoman Astawa Riadi, insisted that opportunities remain open to potential investors wishing to build a highway to connect south and north Bali.

KARANGASEM - a floating dock erected at the village of Bugbug on Candidasa Beach in East Bali has been decimated by large waves on Thursday, March 23, 2017, spreading styrofoam debris along a large area of beachfront.

The unsightly and widespread styrofoam trash prompted protests from local residents and visiting tourists, many of who tried to clean up the beach.

Protests and complaints were also delivered to the local Secretary of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRIKarangasem), Wayan Kariasa, who confirmed many accommodation operators had contacted him. “All guests are complaining.

There are those who planned to stay for two weeks but checked out after seeing the dirty beach at Candidasa. The beach is a

mess.This has to be quickly resolved,” said Kariasa.

Kariasa said the Central Government project to build floating docks and breakwaters 100 meters offshore in front of the Hotel Asyana. The PHRI Secretary said he had no idea of the function or use of the floating docks.

Kariasa called on those involved in the project to tow the floating structures to safety to prevent further damage to the beach.

Local residents blame the floating docks for polluting the beachfront and damage to local coral gardens then the docks collide with coral at low tide.

The Public Works Department has promised local tourism officials that they will urgently clean the beachfront. (kmb)

13

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

A bank employee puts new 70 Baht bank notes into an envelope before they start selling the notes printed by the Thai Central Bank in Bangkok, Thailand, June 8, 2016.

Thailand sends ousted PM Thaksin $494 million tax bill

BANGKOK - Thai tax authorities have sent ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra a whopping 17 billion baht ($494 million) tax bill over the sale of shares in a telecoms company more than a decade ago, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

The claim is over the sale of shares in Shin Corp. to Singapore’s Temasek Holdings.

Thaksin’s legal team would appeal to the revenue department within 30 days, his lawyer, Noppadon Pattama, told reporters.

“We need to exercise our right to appeal to show that no legal miracle can happen to collect tax from Dr Thaksin,” he said.

Allies of Thaksin say the new tax claim is politically motivated.

He has lived in exile since being overthrown in 2006 to avoid corruption charges, but his populist movement remains at the heart of political division in Thailand.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters the tax claim was not aimed at bullying the Shinawatras.

A court ruled against an attempt by tax authorities to claim 12 billion baht ($350 million) from the share sale from Thaksin’s children

in 2010, Noppadon said. The court said they could not be taxed because the shares were owned by Thaksin and his wife, he said.

Noppadon said that the sale of the shares was tax exempt because it was done through the stock exchange.

The army overthrew the government led by Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, in 2014 in the name of ending political turmoil.

Last month, the junta started reconciliation hearings with political parties ahead of elections that could happen as early as next year, but those talks do not touch on Thaksin’s fate. (rtr)

SYDNEY - Australia’s foreign minister held an emergency meeting with the Chinese ambassador in the wake of Canberra’s failure to ratify an extradition treaty with China, a source familiar with the situation said on Wednesday.Australia cancelled a parliamentary vote on Tuesday to finally ratify an extradition treaty with China, 10 years after it was signed, with the government set for an embarrassing defeat amid opposition on the grounds of China’s humanitarian record. Eager to head-off any possible diplomatic fallout, Bishop met with China’s ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, on Tuesday, the source said. The Australian newspaper reported that the ambassador expressed “disappointment” at the cancelled vote.

The meeting came just hours after China’s Foreign Ministry called on Australia to approve the treaty. In Beijing, ministry spokesman Lu Kang did not answer a question about the meeting between Bishop and Cheng, but repeated that approving the treaty would help both countries fight crossborder crime and was in their joint interests.

“We hope that Australia keeps in mind the broader picture of bilateral relations and both countries’ interests and can continue to promote the relevant domestic process so this treaty can go into enforcement as soon as possible,” Lu told a daily news briefing.

If Australia had ratified the pact, it would have become one of the few Western countries besides France and Spain to enter into an extradition treaty with China. The failure to enact the treaty is a rare dent to Sino-Australia relations, which have soared in recent months, culminating in the spate of trade agreements signed last week following the five-day visit of Chinese China Premier Li Keqiang.

Beyond the diplomatic blow, it is also a setback in China’s overseas hunt for corrupt officials and business executives who have fled abroad with their assets, dubbed Operation Fox Hunt. And it comes at a time when Australia is seeking closer cooperation with Chinese law enforcement to stem a rising tide of synthetic drugs trafficked from southern China, and when three Australian employees of casino operator Crown Resorts Ltd remain in Chinese custody following their arrest in November 2016 for alleged gambling offences. (rtr)

REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo

Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sits with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang as they watch an Australian Football League (AFL) game at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Australia, March 25, 2017.

Nepal asks climbers to clean quake-littered Everest camp

KATHMANDU - Nepal is urging climbers on Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, to help remove garbage from a camp abandoned two years ago after an earthquake triggered avalanches killing 18 people, as officials prepare to handle a rush of climbers.

Tourism and mountain climbing are the main sources of income for the Himalayan nation and make up

4 percent of its economy. Climbing is recovering from a series of earthquakes in 2015 that killed a total of 9,000 people.

Ten huge canvas bags each capable of holding 80 kg (176 lbs) of trash are to be placed at the ruined site of Camp Two on Mount Everest for climbers to deposit garbage they have retrieved, said Tourism Department official Durga Dutta Dhakal.

“This way we hope to bring down the trash without any extra cost, using helicopters that return empty after dumping climbing ropes at the high camp,” he told Reuters on Wednesday.

The helicopters operate during the climbing season that typically runs from March to May to dump climbing ropes.

Sherpas would be paid to pick up

the trash, said veteran climber Russell Brice, a New Zealander who runs the Himalayan Experience guiding company. “We will pay $2 for each kilo of trash the sherpas bring down,” Brice said.

Mountaineers have removed more than 16 tonnes of trash from Everest in the past, but there are no estimates of how much still litters the mountain. Camp Two,

located at 6,400 metres (21,000 feet) above sea level above the treacherous Khumbu Icefall known for crevasses and avalanches, is a major camping site for climbers of Mount Everest and Lhotse, the world’s fourth highest peak.

More than 600 people scaled the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) Everest summit last year from the Nepali and Chinese sides. (rtr)

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International

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Bali News

International

BUSINESS

Thursday, March 30, 2017

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Selling water: Coke, Pepsi look to make water rain money

NEW YORK — Bottled water is starting to seem more like soda, and sometimes taste like it, too. As bottled water surges in popularity, Coke, Pepsi and other companies are using celebrity endorsements, stylish packaging and fancy filtration processes like “reverse osmosis” to sell people on expanding variations of what comes out of the tap. They’re also adding flourishes like bubbles, flavors or sweeteners that can blur the lines between what is water and what is soda.

For this year’s Super Bowl, PepsiCo even ran an ad for its new Lifewtr, promoting the drink in a spotlight typically reserved for sodas. Also running their first Super Bowl ads were Fiji and Bai Brands, which sell “enhanced waters” made with fruit juice and stevia sweetener.

Michael Simon, Bai’s chief marketing officer, says its drinks “give people that healthy profile they’re looking for, but now they no longer have to sacrifice on taste with the neutrality of water.”

Bottled water has been gaining ground for years, and overtook soda as the No. 1 drink in the U.S. by sales volume last year, industry tracker Beverage Marketing Corp. said. Some of the fizzy, sweetened drinks are considered water by the companies or industry trackers in some cases, as the distinctions between them lose meaning. Companies aren’t as interested in the big, economy packs of plain bottled water that have been fueling the growth, says Ali Dibaj, a Bernstein analyst who covers the industry, since those are less profitable than sodas and are a “horrible business to be in.”

So Coke and Pepsi are focusing on pricier options that compete

with brands like Evian and Perrier. And they’re introducing fizzy and fruity varieties to get a better foothold in increasingly crowded marketplace where options like LaCroix and others are gaining popularity. Showing just how blurry the lines are getting, PepsiCo launched a drink last week that it describes as “sorta juice, sorta soda, sorta sparkling water.” Such options can capture people looking to cut back on sodas or juices, and may get people who might buy lower-priced waters to upgrade.

“You can get up the ladder in terms of water and get out of the categories that don’t drive a lot of value,” Coca-Cola’s incoming CEO James Quincey said in September. Quincey cites Smartwater, which has enjoyed sales growth in North America, as a way for Coke to profitably expand its water business. The brand is billed as “vapor distilled” and features actress Jennifer Aniston in its ads.

He also said that in the crowded Chinese market, Coke is upgrading people to a water brand it markets as “socially responsible” with a different blend of minerals, which costs twice as much. Exactly what makes water seem like it’s worth the extra money varies, but image

NAIROBI — The price of ivory in China has dropped sharply as the country plans to end the legal trade in ivory later this year, a leading elephant conservation group said in a new report Wednesday.

Chinese demand for tusks has been driving African elephants toward extinction, experts say. The Chinese government in recent years has taken steps to stop the trade in ivory, which is used for ornamentation and souvenirs. China’s ivory factories are to be shut down by Friday, followed by the closing of retail outlets by the end of this year.

The new report surveys the price of ivory in markets across China between 2014 and early this year. It found the price dropped from $2,100 per kilogram in early 2014 to $730 in February.

Conservationists say tens of thousands of elephants have been killed in Africa in recent years as demand for ivory in Asia, particularly China, increased. Past estimates of Africa’s elephant population have ranged from 420,000 to 650,000. Some conservationists estimate that up to 20,000 elephants are killed by poachers every year to meet demand.

Unique, Magoak-goakan Tradition in Kintamani

Kintamani customary village held magoak-goakan tradition on Thursday (Mar. 23). The tradition was attended by approximately 4,000 people ranging from children, adolescents, adults to the elderly. The tradition was organized in a series of Nyepi Desa at the local customary village. From the morning, thousands of people putting on middle traditional attires have thronged the village square or sacred land to implement magoak-goakan tradition.

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

In this Thursday, March 16, 2017, photo, bottles of Lifewtr and Smartwater are displayed in Philadelphia. As bottled water surges in popularity, Coke, Pepsi and other companies are using celebrity endorsements, stylish packaging and fancy filtration processes like “reverse osmosis” to sell people on expanding variations of what comes out of the tap. They’re also adding flourishes like bubbles, flavors or sweeteners that can blur the lines between what is water and what is soda. is key.

PepsiCo had toyed with names like “Qua” and “Om” before settling on Lifewtr. The company points to the artwork featured on its bottles, and the “reverse osmosis” filtration the water undergoes, with electrolytes added for taste. “This is where consumers are heading,” said Todd Kaplan, vice president of

marketing at PepsiCo, about lowercalorie drinks like Lifewtr.

Both Lifewtr and Smartwater, which account for a small portion of the overall packaged water market, are made with municipal water and were selling for $2.79 for a 1-liter bottle at a 7-Eleven in New York City. The convenience store chain’s private label brand

was selling for $1.50 for the same size bottle.

The challenge for Coke and Pepsi is people like Andrew Allen.

The New York City resident said he is trying to drink more water, but isn’t loyal to a particular brand and buys whatever he can get a deal on.

“I just wanted to stop drinking soda — just give it up,” Allen said.(ap)

“This is a critical period for elephants,” said Iain Douglas-Hamilton, president and founder of Save the Elephants, which carried out the research.

“With the end of the legal ivory trade in China, the survival chances for elephants have distinctly improved. We must give credit to China for having done the right thing by closing the ivory trade. There is still a long way to go to end the excessive killing of elephants for ivory, but there is now greater hope for the species.”

Other factors behind the drop

in the price of ivory include an economic slowdown in China resulting in fewer people being able to afford luxury goods, and a crackdown on corruption that has dissuaded business people from buying expensive ivory items as “favors” for government officials, the new report says.

“Findings from 2015 and 2016 in China have shown that the legal ivory trade especially has been severely diminished,” said Lucy Vigne, a researcher with Save The Elephants.

The 130 licensed outlets in China gradually have been reducing the

quantity of ivory items on display for sale, and recently have been cutting prices to improve sales, the report says.

By 2015, some of China’s main licensed retail ivory outlets were closed at the time of the researchers’ visit due to slow sales. In other cases, vendors were replacing elephant ivory displays with mammoth ivory dug out of the Russian tundra.

China continues to be the largest consumer of mammoth ivory, whose price also has dropped from $1,900 per kilogram in 2014 to $730 this year, the report said.(ap)

Chinese demand for elephant ivory drops, new report says

Not infrequently, the participants should turn upside down due to the sloping arena. In addition, a number of participants, especially women, were crushed by the other participants. Nevertheless, it did not reduce the enthusiasm of residents to follow the tradition.

Amid the activities, chief of Kin-

tamani customary village, Nyoman Sukadia, said that magoak-goakan tradition has been started at 8:00 until midnight. This activity is routinely held every year considering this tradition is the legacy of ancestors that must continue to be preserved.

“The magoak-goakan tradition

has something to do with religious ceremonies of Nyepi Desa of Kintamani village. This event has been organized since the full moon of Balinese ninth month (Mar. 12) and the ceremony ended at 00:00 on Wednesday,” he said.

Sukadia explained that the magoak-goakan tradition aims to more establish relationship among the residents of Kintamani customary village. Moreover, this tradition is intended for preservation of the natural environment and wildlife.

The ceremony takes place on the full moon of the Balinese ninth month and during which is also held Jagra and Miasa.

“From there, we’ve been re-

quired to preserve and honor our fellow beings. At that time, we should not slaughter chicken nor sell it. In addition, residents are not allowed to speech words that may offend others and may not do negative things. They may only be allowed to do positive things,” he explained.

He disclosed that when the magoak-goakan tradition was held, all Kintamani customary villagers were dissolved together in joy. They should not conduct any activities like work. “So, for today (Thursday—Ed), residents absolutely do no activities, but focus on following this activity so that they all can have fun in this

tradition,” he said.

After magoak-goakan activities, it was resumed with the search for firewood. Residents are required to find a dead tree or dried tree branches without carrying tools such as axes and so forth. They should not cut down trees that are still alive.

“Meanwhile, the day after tomorrow (Saturday—Ed) is the preservation that has something to do with land and the earth. All residents should not dig because it is the nature conservation and preservation. Essentially what has become a tradition should be followed by all residents of Kintamani,” said Sukadia. (kmb)

Kehen Temple Mostly Visited by European Travelers

Bali is indeed reasonable to be dubbed as the Island of One Thousand Temples. One of them is the Kehen Temple located in Bangli district. This temple is known as

the heritage of kingdom era. It is taken advantage into a tourist destination by the government of Bangli. Amid the rampant spiritual tourism in Bali, how about the visit

to the temple located at Cempaga village lately?

Kehen Temple becomes one of prideful heritages of Bangli society. The temple located at the foot of Bukit Bangli looks so majestic when seen from the highway. Entrance gates made of sandstone are decorated with intricate carvings.

Not only that, radiance of classic nuance is still very strong. The entrance is flanked by statues of large elephants. It is almost identical to the original one. There is also a statue like a puppet character seeming to help maintain the beauty of the temple.

Cool mountainous nature is very pronounced at this temple.

In the middle courtyard grows a large banyan tree supposedly to have been hundreds of years old.

Nobody dares to cut down this tree

indiscriminately. Understandably, it is then made sacred. Utilization is only permitted for ceremonial purposes.

The beauty offered is more than that. From the middle courtyard, visitors can also see the wonderful charm of the Bangli town with its green trees. Having been going around, the main building in middle courtyard is equally magnificent.

Some meru shrines embellished with carvings in gold leaf paint are in line. Our eyes do not want to stop looking. Due to the potential owned, the temple is included in cultural heritage taken advantage as tourist attraction by district government.

Operations Manager of the tourist attraction, I Ketut Arta, said that the appeal owned by Kehen Temple is able to hypnotize foreign travel-

ers to visit. They dominantly come from Europe. Amid many attractions offering temple as destination, it does not cause the temple belonging to cultural heritage to lose its prestige. “There are always tourist visit even though many others offer similar attractions, it does not have an impact. Travelers look for its uniqueness,” he said recently.

Incoming visitors, he said, usually first visit the Penglipuran tourism village whose distance is not so far away. In holiday season, the number of visits reaches hundreds of people per day. The appeal of this temple is in the form of building featuring typical Balinese carvings. In addition, it also has a history of its own for Bangli.

“This is an old temple so that it is becoming one of the attractions,” he added. (kmb)

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Thursday, March 30, 2017

W

International

RLD

British PM May fires starting gun on Brexit

LONDON - Prime Minister Theresa May filed formal Brexit divorce papers on Wednesday, pitching the United Kingdom into the unknown and triggering years of uncertain negotiations that will test the endurance of the European Union.

Nine months after Britons voted to leave, May notified EU Council President Donald Tusk in a letter that the UK is quitting the bloc it joined in 1973.

The prime minister, an initial opponent of Brexit who won the top job in the political turmoil that followed the referendum vote, now has two years to settle the terms of the divorce before it comes into effect in late March 2019.

“Now that the decision has been made to leave the EU, it is time to come together,” May said in a statement issued by her office.

“When I sit around the negotiating table in the months ahead, I will represent every person in the whole United Kingdom – young and old, rich and poor, city, town, country and all the villages and hamlets in between,” she said.

On the eve of Brexit, May, 60, has one of the toughest jobs of any recent British prime minister: holding Britain together in the face of renewed Scottish independence demands, while conducting arduous talks with 27 other EU states on finance, trade, security and other complex issues.

The outcome of the negotiations will shape the future of Britain’s $2.6 trillion economy, the world’s fifth biggest, and determine whether London can keep its place as one of the top two global financial centres.

For the EU, already reeling from successive crises over debt and refugees, the loss of Britain is the biggest blow yet to 60 years of efforts to forge European unity in the wake of two devastating world wars.

Its leaders say they do not want to punish Britain.

But with nationalist, anti-EU parties on the rise across Europe, they cannot afford to give London generous terms that might encourage other member states to break away.

BREXIT LETTER

May’s notice of the UK’s intention to leave the bloc under Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty was handdelivered to Tusk in Brussels by Tim Barrow, Britain’s permanent representative to the EU. Barrow handed the letter to Tusk, the EU summit chair and former Polish prime minister, in the Council President’s offices on the top 11th floor of the new Europa Building.

That moment formally set the clock ticking on Britain’s two-year exit process.

May signed the Brexit letter on Tuesday, pictured alone at the cabinet table beneath a clock, a British flag and an oil-painting of Britain’s first prime minister, Robert Walpole. (rtr)

REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Anti-Brexit protesters, one wearing a giant Theresa May head, hold placards outside Parliament on the day the Prime Minister will announce that she has triggered the process by which Britain will leave the European Union, in London, March 29, 2017.

International

Thursday, March 30, 2017

11

Indonesia man swallowed by python, villagers and reports say

REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Campaigners stage a protest to demand more liberal abortion laws, in Dublin, Ireland March 8, 2017.

Ireland must loosen abortion laws - Council of Europe rights commissioner

DUBLIN - Ireland must loosen its strict abortion laws and replace them with a regime more respectful to women’s rights, the Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner said on Wednesday.

Rules on terminating a pregnancy in once stridently Catholic Ireland are among the world’s most restrictive and a referendum on widening access could be held if a citizens’ assembly set up by government recommends it in a decision expected next month.

At present, terminations are allowed only if a mother’s life is in danger, after a total ban was lifted in 2013, a provision Commissioner Nils Muiznieks said still has a “chilling” effect on doctors who must decide who meets restrictive requirements.

The Council, not part of the European Union, is a pan-European body concerned primarily with the region’s human rights.

“It’s an unjust regime because it doesn’t actually affect the number of abortions. If a woman has means to travel, she will do so, so that leave poorer women to fend for themselves in Ireland,” Muiznieks told Reuters in a telephone interview.

This deepens social inequalities and often leads to traumatic, clandestine procedures, Muiznieks said in a Council of Europe report covering a range of human rights issues in Ireland.

“Culturally, politically, socially, Ireland has changed significantly and I think that is not reflected in the current regime,” he said.

Muiznieks joined the United Nations Human Rights Committee in recommending that at a very minimum, the Irish government should decriminalise abortion and widen the law to allow for abortion

in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, rape or incest.

In a letter responding to the recommendations, Ireland’s government said the current laws do not prevent a doctor communicating in a normal way with regards to a patient’s care.

The report was also critical of the government’s handling of past abuses of women and children at Church-run institutions, saying enquiries into different cases had been inconsistent and redress proposed to victims inadequate.

The comments came after Ireland said it may widen an inquiry into so-called “mother-and-baby homes” -- one of three areas where shortcomings were identified in the report -- after the remains of babies ranging from new-born to threeyears-old were found in the sewers of one such home this month.

While the Catholic Church ran many of Ireland’s social services in the 20th century, they did so with state funding and the report expressed concern that in most cases, the state’s accountability “has not been fully accepted, if at all” The government’s response did not specifically mention “motherand-baby homes” but it said authoraties will give the recommendations careful attention.

“The approach of the government heretofore has been quite ad-hoc. The people have waited a long time, if you’re going to do it, do it right. These are quite serious human rights violations we’re talking about,” Muiznieks said.

“The government cannot wash its hands of the human rights violations that took place. It’s quite uncomfortable to have this mirror in front of you but the only way to move on is to provide justice.” (rtr)

JAKARTA — A 25-year-old Indonesian man has been swallowed whole by a python on the island of Sulawesi, villagers and news reports said. A six-minute video on the website of the Tribun Timur publication shows villagers slicing open the python’s carcass to reveal the legs and torso of the dead victim, named Akbar.

Junaedi, the secretary of Salubiro village in West Sulawesi province, told The Associated Press that villagers began searching for Akbar on Monday night after realizing he hadn’t returned from working on his palm oil crops the previous day.

Junaedi said Wednesday that the search party found scattered palm oil fruit, a picking tool and a boot, and then spotted the engorged 7-meter (23-foot) -long reticulated python.

“When its stomach was cut, we first saw his boot and legs near the neck,” he said. “It seems he was attacked from behind because we found a wound on his back.”

Reticulated pythons grab onto their prey with dozens of sharp curved teeth and then squeeze it to death before swallowing it whole.

They are widespread in Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Reports of humans being killed by pythons are extremely rare. In the wild they are known to eat monkeys, pigs and other mammals.

Junaedi said Akbar’s absence wasn’t noticed until Monday because his wife was visiting her parents in another province. The alarm was raised when his uncle called on him and found his house locked. Like many Indonesians, Junaedi uses one name, as did Akbar. (ap)

Indonesia’s KPK, AGO & Police ink cooperation agreement on eradicating corruption

JAKARTA - The Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the Attorney Generals Office (AGO), and the National Police have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation for eradicating corruption.

“This MoU is the renewal of our old agreement signed in 2016, which will expire soon, so it must be renewed today.

The new MoU will be valid until March 2019,” KPK Chief Agus Rahardjo stated at the National Police Headquarters here on Wednesday.

As part of the MoU, if any of the agencies conducts a search of the office of the other party and seizes anything, it must inform the leadership of the other side.

The MoU also stipulates that the three sides will cooperate to conduct educational and training courses related to corruption eradication.

One of the matters that sets the new MoU apart from the old one is the issuance of an electronic notification to start investigation, or e-SPDP, Rahardjo remarked.

“Looking ahead, the SPDP will be issued online, so the KPK, National Police, and AGO will have the same information and data related to the handling of corruption cases,” he noted.

As part of the old MoU, the exchange of information related to the investigation of cases among the three institutions was carried out manually.

He said three officials have been appointed to function as liaison officials to implement the MoU. The three appointees are the director for the development of networks among commissions and agencies at the KPK, the chief of the legal and foreign relations bureau at the AGO, and the chief of the legal aid bureau at the National Police. (ant)

AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim

French President Francois Hollande, left, talks with his Indonesian counterpart Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during a meeting at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Hollande is on a two-day visit to the country as part of a regional tour to boost ties with Asia.

France pledges $2.6 billion for Indonesia as Hollande visits

JAKARTA — France pledged $2.6 billion in investments for Indonesia and affirmed deepening ties with Southeast Asia’s biggest economy during a visit Wednesday by President Francois Hollande. Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo welcomed the new commitment by French investors to increase their involvement in the energy, infrastructure and retail industries.

Jokowi and Hollande witnessed the signing of five memorandums of understanding covering defense, sustainable urban development, research, technology and tourism, and also agreed to increase cooperation on maritime issues, fisheries and creative industries such as film and fashion.

“We have had a strategic partnership since 2011 and we want to deepen it through a number of agreements,” Hollande said at a news conference. He said France is keen to boost the sale of Airbus jets to airlines in Indonesia, an archipelago of about 14,000 islands and

more than 250 million people.

Hollande’s two-day visit to Jakarta is the last leg of his Southeast Asian tour. He also visited Malaysia and Singapore. It is the first visit by a French head of state to Indonesia since 1986.

The two leaders said they support the “two-state solution” to ending the conflict between Israel and Palestine and acknowledged the importance of spreading the values of tolerance to combat extremism and terrorism. Jokowi said he was grateful that the French government had not gone ahead with a plan to nearly triple a tax on palm oil to 300 euros ($327) a ton.

Palm oil is a booming industry in Indonesia and neighboring Malaysia, but is also notorious for the destruction of tropical forests and abuses in its plantation work force, which numbers 16 million people in Indonesia alone.

“We appreciate that the French government has not supported discriminatory treatment against Indonesian palm oil,” Jokowi said. Indonesia has a plan to make the palm oil industry sustainable, he said. (ap)

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Thursday, March 30, 2017

Destination

International

Thursday, March 30, 2017

International

F1 opener puts overtaking in the spotlight Formula One drivers at the first corner at the start of the Australian Grand Prix.

Pura Taman Saraswati Temple

GIANYAR - The Pura Taman Saraswati is a beautiful water temple in central Ubud, accessible from the Jalan Kajeng side street off the main road of Jalan Raya Ubud, just behind Café Lotus. The temple is a great stopover along your leisure walks through Ubud town, offering sightseeing and photo opportunities with its classical Balinese temple architecture and a beautiful foyer featuring ponds filled with blooming pink lotuses. Entry into Pura Taman Saraswati is free but, as with any temple visit in Bali, a sash and sarong around

the waist is compulsory. You can also drop into Café Lotus for a minimum dinner cover charge of IDR 200,000 or USD 15, which will get you the best view over the lotuses and to the temple’s open stage, where regular traditional dance performances are held in the evenings from 19:30. You can enter the temple behind its amphitheatre at any time of the day and admire the calming atmosphere, architectural features and sandstone bas reliefs that honour the Hindu goddess of knowledge and arts, Saraswati. (IBP/net)

Sindu Market SANUR - Sindu Market, often spelled ‘Sindhu’ and referred to locally as ‘Pasar Tradisional Desa Sanur’, is the main fresh market within the whole Sanur village area, located near the northern end of Sanur’s Jalan Danau Tamblingan road. Also referred to locally as ‘Pasar Sindu’ for short, the market is better known among regular visitors as a night market, where you can discover a bustling street food vendor scene that occupies most of its front parking space after sundown. Before sunrise, however, the Sindu Market is already very much alive, particularly within the main area sheltered under its large warehouse-like structure. Although it carries ‘traditional’ in its name, the market is clean and modernized, with around 150 stands along white ceramic tiled lanes. Each of these are designated to different sellers, offering everything from fresh fruits, vegetables and spices, to flowers and young coconut leaves for daily Hindu Balinese offerings.

Surrounding this central row of stalls are individ-

ual kiosks, offering kitchen utensils and household tools, batiks and other traditional textiles, as well as several warungs (small food stalls) selling nasi campur mixed rice, refreshments and cold drinks.

You can be sure to enjoy cheap, local prices here.

Despite the modern layout of the Sindu Market, the traditional aspect remains in the hard bargaining, which you can practice here yourself. These main fresh stalls usually become quiet after 08:00, while some of the surrounding kiosks stay open throughout the day. Then, in the afternoon, the parking space readies for transformation, as the market becomes what visitors refer to as the Sanur Night Market (aka Sindu Night Market) or ‘Pasar Malam Sindu’. By 18:00, local food stalls and carts roll in, cook and grill up local delights, ranging from lamb satays, bakso meatball soup to nasi goreng fried rice – all at budget prices. A serving of ten satay sticks with steamed rice starts from only IDR 20,000 (USD 1.50). (IBP/net)

LONDON - Formula One entered a bold new era in Sunday’s Australian season-opener with bigger tyres, faster cars and a winning Ferrari but the lack of overtaking is causing concern.

“What overtaking?,” said Brazilian veteran Felipe Massa when the Williams driver was asked how difficult it had been to get past rivals.

Melbourne’s Albert Park has never ranked high on the list of circuits with the most overtaking manoeuvres but fans saw hardly any after the opening lap.

Force India’s Sergio Perez took both Toro Rossos while team mate Esteban Ocon was in a three-car

battle that saw him and Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg sweep past Fernando Alonso’s McLaren. But they were rare highlights of a race without crashes or a safety car.

“It was hard to follow and drive close behind others,” complained Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who has built up a reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting overtakers.

The problem came as no surprise to the likes of triple champion

Lewis Hamilton, who had flagged up in testing that the new aerodynamic regulations had a downside and could lead to processional racing.

The cars are creating far more downforce, taking some corners flat out and throwing out more turbulent air that makes it harder for followers to get close.

TURBULENT AIR “Even in the years before it’s been difficult to follow once you get within one and a half, or one second, just because of the turbulent air which messes up the aerodynamics of the car and that

way we don’t have that much grip,” explained Mercedes’s Valtteri Bottas.

“Now, as more of the grip from the car is relying on the aero, it’s a bigger effect.

“And the cars are wider so I think there’s more turbulent air so now it’s more like two seconds or even two and a half because you actually feel quite a big effect from the car in front and that way in the corners it’s more difficult to follow.”

The next race is on April 9 in Shanghai, a circuit that last year saw more overtaking than any other with 128 passes. Hamilton alone

REUTERS/Jason Reed

made 18 of them -- more than the entire 20 driver grid produced in Melbourne. If there are far fewer cars overtaking there, then Formula One has a problem.

“It’s always generally been tough to follow... I hope that doesn’t mean for the rest of the year that it’s more of a train,” Hamilton said on Sunday.

“I don’t know if it was exciting for you guys to watch, but for me personally I want to be closer up with the cars and (doing) more close wheel-to-wheel battling.

“It’s really through strategy and pitstops that we are racing right now.” (rtr)

Federer, Nadal reach Miami quarters, Wawrinka falls

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Rafael Nadal of Spain reaches for a forehand against Nicolas Mahut of France (not pictured) on day eight of the 2017 Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. Nadal won 6-4, 7-6(4).

MIAMI - Roger Federer survived a stern test from Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut on Tuesday to reach the Miami Open quarterfinals while top-seeded Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka was eliminated on his birthday.

Federer clinched the 7-6(5) 7-6(4) victory on his third match point shortly after Wawrinka fell 4-6 6-2 6-1 to 16th-seeded German teenager Alexander Zverev.

Bautista Agut played the match of his life, hitting the ball deep with relentless precision in an effort to keep Federer pinned to the baseline, giving the 18-times grand

slam champion everything he could handle. But Federer’s class proved the difference in the tiebreaks as he improved to 6-0 lifetime against Agut and advanced to a quarterfinal match against Czech 10th seed Tomas Berdych.

Wawrinka, who turned 32 on Tuesday, lost to Federer in the Indian Wells final nine days ago and was denied a chance of setting up a possible rematch in Miami.

A day after saving three match points and beating John Isner, the 19-year-old Zverev dominated the final two sets against Wawrinka, breaking twice in the second and

three times in the third to earn a quarter-final encounter with either Belgian David Goffin or Australian Nick Kyrgios.

All the top seeds had competitive matches on Tuesday, with Japanese second seed Kei Nishikori also taken to three sets before ousting Federico Delbonis of Argentina 6-3 4-6 6-3.

Fifth seed Rafa Nadal won in straight sets, but also had to be near his best to beat Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-4 7-6(4).

Next up for Nadal is American Jack Sock, while Nishikori meets Italian Fabio Fognini. (rtr)

8

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Sp rt Motivated Brazil becomes 1st to qualify for 2018 World Cup With a convincing 3-0 victory over Paraguay on Tuesday and results going its way elsewhere in South American qualifying, the Brazilians ensured they’ll join host Russia at the World Cup next year.

Not bad for a group filled with players who endured the 7-1 trashing by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinal — a group many fans not

long ago treated with disdain.

The road to qualification was rocky in the beginning, though.

Dunga’s surprising appointment as head coach after Brazil lost its home World Cup distanced many fans. Frustration built after a quarterfinal elimination to Paraguay at the 2015 Copa America.

Elimination in the group stage

at Copa America Centenario in the United States in 2016 ended Dunga’s run as Brazil coach. In that time, defeats gave popularity to a new Brazilian saying every time something goes terribly wrong: “Every day is a new 7-1.”

Brazil’s football confederation didn’t need merely a successor for Dunga. It needed a national hero. The most popular choice was Corinthians coach Tite, who was overlooked after the 2014 World Cup debacle. Tite was not in charge of the Brazil team

AP Photo/Nelson Antoine

Brazil’s Neymar celebrates a goal declared invalid by referee Victor Carrillo of Peru during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Paraguay at the Arena Corinthians Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, March 28, 2017.

Fasten your seatbelts: Cristiano Ronaldo Airport is here FUNCHAL — Cristiano Ronaldo now has an international airport named after him. The Real Madrid striker was joined Wednesday by dozens of guests and hundreds of fans in his native Madeira Islands for an official ceremony renaming the local airport as Aeroporto Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal’s president and the prime minister flew to the island and unveiled a commemorative plaque.

The 32-year-old Ronaldo is a local hero in Madeira, where he

is seen as a rags-to-riches success.

Ronaldo is not the first soccer player with his name on an airport.

In Northern Ireland, an airport was renamed George Best Belfast City Airport in 2006, a year after the local player and former Manchester United winger died. (ap) Fans wait at the Madeira international airport outside Funchal, the capital of Madeira island, Portugal, Wednesday March 29, 2017.

that won gold at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, with Neymar back in fine form, but his advice was surely heeded. That title gave Brazil some confidence back, players say.

When World Cup qualifiers resumed in September last year, Tite’s team was ready to dominate. A 3-0 win at Ecuador was followed by a 2-1 home victory over Colombia made Brazilians sure they were on the right path. With the 3-0 victory over Argentina in the same stadium where Brazil had been humiliated against Germany, the coach’s reputation was enhanced.

Results and style have become so impressive that Brazil secured one of the top four South American direct places at the World Cup with four matches remaining in the qualifying tournament. It has become a team to fear again, as adversaries such as Uruguay’s coach Oscar Tabarez acknowledged. When Tite took over, Brazil was sixth in the standings.

Now, the coach who made the contemporary Brazil team more like the Brazil of old is in celebration mode. “Thank you, my good God. I will have a caipirinha this big,” the coach said, showing with his hands that he wanted an extra-large drink.

Brazil no longer depends entirely on Neymar, and it can play without its teenage target-man Gabriel Jesus and still score many goals.

The strong defense has conceded only two goals in eight matches.

There are still weaknesses, including the lack of experience of the

Lopetegui off to promising start with Spain’s national team

coach against teams from outside South America and the corruption scandals that affect its football confederation. But the momentum is clearly wearing yellow again.

“Everything changed,” winger Marcelo said. “You can see the atmosphere, how much players are giving. Everyone is working hard in each training, giving our lives.”

Under the new management, Brazil won eight straight matches and secured 24 of its 33 points. Secondplace Colombia has 24 points total from its 14 games.

Neymar is also different, more mature. In the 4-1 thrashing of Uruguay last Thursday, he gave the world a moment of revelation.

Before he scored Brazil’s third goal, Neymar could have fallen in a challenge with defender Coates, who had already been booked.

Instead of diving, though, the Barcelona star stayed on his feet and netted the best goal of the night. “There were many fouls on me,” Neymar said of the Paraguayan defense. “But I don’t care anymore. They can hit me as much as they want. It is the only way they will stop me.”

Some of the veterans of that 7-1 loss to Germany are key to Brazil’s success too. Wingers Dani Alves and Marcelo and midfielder Paulinho are all starters. And they want to avenge the humbling defeat. “We are just getting started,” Paulinho said. “Adversaries better watch out because Brazil is coming with it all.” (ap) AP Photo/Armando Franca

SAO PAULO — Less than three years after the most humiliating loss in its proud football history, a resurgent Brazil has become the first team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.

9

MADRID — Julen Lopetegui is proving to be a worthy replacement for Vicente del Bosque. The Spain coach, unbeaten since taking over Del Bosque’s job in July, has quickly put the national team back on track as a top European contender. Spain has won six of its eight games under Lopetegui, the latest a convincing 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday in Saint-Denis in a friendly.

“France has had one of the best teams in the last few years, so this victory, at their stadium, has more value,” the 50-year-old Lopetegui said. “France will remain a great rival in the upcoming years.”

Lopetegui’s stint with Spain began with a 2-0 win in a friendly at Belgium not long after the team’s disappointing campaign under Del Bosque in the 2016 European Championship, when it was eliminated by Italy in the round of 16.

Del Bosque, who had also failed to succeed at the 2014 World Cup,

retired after Euro 2016 and the Spanish federation decided to take a chance on Lopetegui, who had been without a job since being fired from FC Porto earlier in the year.

It had been Lopetegui’s only head coaching job with a major club, but he was well-regarded by the federation after doing well with Spain’s youth squads.

Among the other good results for Spain since Lopetegui took over were draws at Italy in European qualifying and at England in a friendly at Wembley Stadium.

Spain leads the difficult Group G of European World Cup qualifying with 13 points from five matches.

Italy has the same number of points but Spain is ahead on goal difference. The decisive match between the teams will be in September in Spain. Only the group winner automatically qualifies for the World Cup, with the second-place team having to face a playoff.

A former goalkeeper who was a member of the national team in

the 1994 World Cup, Lopetegui has maintained an offensive-minded squad as a coach.

Spain has outscored its opponents 23-4 in the eight matches with Lopetegui, including an 8-0 rout of Lichtenstein in European qualifying.

“We are playing with confidence under Lopetegui,” said midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who was coached by Lopetegui when Spain won the Under-21 European Championship in 2013. Lopetegui was unbeaten in 20 games as coach of Spain’s under-21 squad.

Lopetegui has added many of Spain’s youngsters to the main squad, mixing them with veteran stars such as Andres Iniesta in an attempt to gradually revamp the national team after it won two European Championships and a World Cup under Del Bosque and former coach Luis Aragones. It’s his time to try to succeed, and so far he has shown he has the potential to do it. (ap)

Barcelona condemn ‘unfair and disproportionate’ Messi ban

Barcelona have condemned FIFA’s decision to impose a four-match international ban on striker Lionel Messi for verbally abusing a match official in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Chile last week.

Messi was dealt the suspension and a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs ($10,069.48) by FIFA’s disciplinary panel and is due to miss three more of Argentina’s remaining four World Cup qualifiers after sitting out Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Bolivia.

“FC Barcelona expresses its surprise and indignation at the decision by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend Leo Messi following the FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture between Argentina and Chile,” the club said.

“The club considers the four-match suspension imposed on the Argentine player to be unfair and totally disproportionate.

“Finally, FC Barcelona wishes to reiterate its support for Leo Messi, an exemplary player in terms of conduct, both on and off the pitch.”

The 29-year-old Messi will also miss Argentina’s games away to Uruguay and home to Venezuela and Peru.

The five-times world player of the year will be eligible again when the country’s last World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on Oct. 10.

Argentina are fifth in their World Cup qualifying

group, a point behind the automatic qualification spots.

The top four qualify directly for the World Cup in Russia next year and the fifth-placed side go into a playoff against a team from Oceania for another place in the global showpiece event. (rtr)

REUTERS/Daniel Rodrigo

Argentina’s Lionel Messi arrives to the stadium.

AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos

Spain’s head manager Julen Lopetegui gives instructions during a 2018 World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Spain and Israel, at El Molinon Stadium, in Gijon, northern Spain, Friday, March 24, 2017.

8

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Sp rt Motivated Brazil becomes 1st to qualify for 2018 World Cup With a convincing 3-0 victory over Paraguay on Tuesday and results going its way elsewhere in South American qualifying, the Brazilians ensured they’ll join host Russia at the World Cup next year.

Not bad for a group filled with players who endured the 7-1 trashing by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semifinal — a group many fans not

long ago treated with disdain.

The road to qualification was rocky in the beginning, though.

Dunga’s surprising appointment as head coach after Brazil lost its home World Cup distanced many fans. Frustration built after a quarterfinal elimination to Paraguay at the 2015 Copa America.

Elimination in the group stage

at Copa America Centenario in the United States in 2016 ended Dunga’s run as Brazil coach. In that time, defeats gave popularity to a new Brazilian saying every time something goes terribly wrong: “Every day is a new 7-1.”

Brazil’s football confederation didn’t need merely a successor for Dunga. It needed a national hero. The most popular choice was Corinthians coach Tite, who was overlooked after the 2014 World Cup debacle. Tite was not in charge of the Brazil team

AP Photo/Nelson Antoine

Brazil’s Neymar celebrates a goal declared invalid by referee Victor Carrillo of Peru during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Paraguay at the Arena Corinthians Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, March 28, 2017.

Fasten your seatbelts: Cristiano Ronaldo Airport is here FUNCHAL — Cristiano Ronaldo now has an international airport named after him. The Real Madrid striker was joined Wednesday by dozens of guests and hundreds of fans in his native Madeira Islands for an official ceremony renaming the local airport as Aeroporto Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal’s president and the prime minister flew to the island and unveiled a commemorative plaque.

The 32-year-old Ronaldo is a local hero in Madeira, where he

is seen as a rags-to-riches success.

Ronaldo is not the first soccer player with his name on an airport.

In Northern Ireland, an airport was renamed George Best Belfast City Airport in 2006, a year after the local player and former Manchester United winger died. (ap) Fans wait at the Madeira international airport outside Funchal, the capital of Madeira island, Portugal, Wednesday March 29, 2017.

that won gold at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, with Neymar back in fine form, but his advice was surely heeded. That title gave Brazil some confidence back, players say.

When World Cup qualifiers resumed in September last year, Tite’s team was ready to dominate. A 3-0 win at Ecuador was followed by a 2-1 home victory over Colombia made Brazilians sure they were on the right path. With the 3-0 victory over Argentina in the same stadium where Brazil had been humiliated against Germany, the coach’s reputation was enhanced.

Results and style have become so impressive that Brazil secured one of the top four South American direct places at the World Cup with four matches remaining in the qualifying tournament. It has become a team to fear again, as adversaries such as Uruguay’s coach Oscar Tabarez acknowledged. When Tite took over, Brazil was sixth in the standings.

Now, the coach who made the contemporary Brazil team more like the Brazil of old is in celebration mode. “Thank you, my good God. I will have a caipirinha this big,” the coach said, showing with his hands that he wanted an extra-large drink.

Brazil no longer depends entirely on Neymar, and it can play without its teenage target-man Gabriel Jesus and still score many goals.

The strong defense has conceded only two goals in eight matches.

There are still weaknesses, including the lack of experience of the

Lopetegui off to promising start with Spain’s national team

coach against teams from outside South America and the corruption scandals that affect its football confederation. But the momentum is clearly wearing yellow again.

“Everything changed,” winger Marcelo said. “You can see the atmosphere, how much players are giving. Everyone is working hard in each training, giving our lives.”

Under the new management, Brazil won eight straight matches and secured 24 of its 33 points. Secondplace Colombia has 24 points total from its 14 games.

Neymar is also different, more mature. In the 4-1 thrashing of Uruguay last Thursday, he gave the world a moment of revelation.

Before he scored Brazil’s third goal, Neymar could have fallen in a challenge with defender Coates, who had already been booked.

Instead of diving, though, the Barcelona star stayed on his feet and netted the best goal of the night. “There were many fouls on me,” Neymar said of the Paraguayan defense. “But I don’t care anymore. They can hit me as much as they want. It is the only way they will stop me.”

Some of the veterans of that 7-1 loss to Germany are key to Brazil’s success too. Wingers Dani Alves and Marcelo and midfielder Paulinho are all starters. And they want to avenge the humbling defeat. “We are just getting started,” Paulinho said. “Adversaries better watch out because Brazil is coming with it all.” (ap) AP Photo/Armando Franca

SAO PAULO — Less than three years after the most humiliating loss in its proud football history, a resurgent Brazil has become the first team to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.

9

MADRID — Julen Lopetegui is proving to be a worthy replacement for Vicente del Bosque. The Spain coach, unbeaten since taking over Del Bosque’s job in July, has quickly put the national team back on track as a top European contender. Spain has won six of its eight games under Lopetegui, the latest a convincing 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday in Saint-Denis in a friendly.

“France has had one of the best teams in the last few years, so this victory, at their stadium, has more value,” the 50-year-old Lopetegui said. “France will remain a great rival in the upcoming years.”

Lopetegui’s stint with Spain began with a 2-0 win in a friendly at Belgium not long after the team’s disappointing campaign under Del Bosque in the 2016 European Championship, when it was eliminated by Italy in the round of 16.

Del Bosque, who had also failed to succeed at the 2014 World Cup,

retired after Euro 2016 and the Spanish federation decided to take a chance on Lopetegui, who had been without a job since being fired from FC Porto earlier in the year.

It had been Lopetegui’s only head coaching job with a major club, but he was well-regarded by the federation after doing well with Spain’s youth squads.

Among the other good results for Spain since Lopetegui took over were draws at Italy in European qualifying and at England in a friendly at Wembley Stadium.

Spain leads the difficult Group G of European World Cup qualifying with 13 points from five matches.

Italy has the same number of points but Spain is ahead on goal difference. The decisive match between the teams will be in September in Spain. Only the group winner automatically qualifies for the World Cup, with the second-place team having to face a playoff.

A former goalkeeper who was a member of the national team in

the 1994 World Cup, Lopetegui has maintained an offensive-minded squad as a coach.

Spain has outscored its opponents 23-4 in the eight matches with Lopetegui, including an 8-0 rout of Lichtenstein in European qualifying.

“We are playing with confidence under Lopetegui,” said midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who was coached by Lopetegui when Spain won the Under-21 European Championship in 2013. Lopetegui was unbeaten in 20 games as coach of Spain’s under-21 squad.

Lopetegui has added many of Spain’s youngsters to the main squad, mixing them with veteran stars such as Andres Iniesta in an attempt to gradually revamp the national team after it won two European Championships and a World Cup under Del Bosque and former coach Luis Aragones. It’s his time to try to succeed, and so far he has shown he has the potential to do it. (ap)

Barcelona condemn ‘unfair and disproportionate’ Messi ban

Barcelona have condemned FIFA’s decision to impose a four-match international ban on striker Lionel Messi for verbally abusing a match official in Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Chile last week.

Messi was dealt the suspension and a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs ($10,069.48) by FIFA’s disciplinary panel and is due to miss three more of Argentina’s remaining four World Cup qualifiers after sitting out Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Bolivia.

“FC Barcelona expresses its surprise and indignation at the decision by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend Leo Messi following the FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture between Argentina and Chile,” the club said.

“The club considers the four-match suspension imposed on the Argentine player to be unfair and totally disproportionate.

“Finally, FC Barcelona wishes to reiterate its support for Leo Messi, an exemplary player in terms of conduct, both on and off the pitch.”

The 29-year-old Messi will also miss Argentina’s games away to Uruguay and home to Venezuela and Peru.

The five-times world player of the year will be eligible again when the country’s last World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on Oct. 10.

Argentina are fifth in their World Cup qualifying

group, a point behind the automatic qualification spots.

The top four qualify directly for the World Cup in Russia next year and the fifth-placed side go into a playoff against a team from Oceania for another place in the global showpiece event. (rtr)

REUTERS/Daniel Rodrigo

Argentina’s Lionel Messi arrives to the stadium.

AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos

Spain’s head manager Julen Lopetegui gives instructions during a 2018 World Cup Group G qualifying soccer match between Spain and Israel, at El Molinon Stadium, in Gijon, northern Spain, Friday, March 24, 2017.

10

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Destination

International

Thursday, March 30, 2017

International

F1 opener puts overtaking in the spotlight Formula One drivers at the first corner at the start of the Australian Grand Prix.

Pura Taman Saraswati Temple

GIANYAR - The Pura Taman Saraswati is a beautiful water temple in central Ubud, accessible from the Jalan Kajeng side street off the main road of Jalan Raya Ubud, just behind Café Lotus. The temple is a great stopover along your leisure walks through Ubud town, offering sightseeing and photo opportunities with its classical Balinese temple architecture and a beautiful foyer featuring ponds filled with blooming pink lotuses. Entry into Pura Taman Saraswati is free but, as with any temple visit in Bali, a sash and sarong around

the waist is compulsory. You can also drop into Café Lotus for a minimum dinner cover charge of IDR 200,000 or USD 15, which will get you the best view over the lotuses and to the temple’s open stage, where regular traditional dance performances are held in the evenings from 19:30. You can enter the temple behind its amphitheatre at any time of the day and admire the calming atmosphere, architectural features and sandstone bas reliefs that honour the Hindu goddess of knowledge and arts, Saraswati. (IBP/net)

Sindu Market SANUR - Sindu Market, often spelled ‘Sindhu’ and referred to locally as ‘Pasar Tradisional Desa Sanur’, is the main fresh market within the whole Sanur village area, located near the northern end of Sanur’s Jalan Danau Tamblingan road. Also referred to locally as ‘Pasar Sindu’ for short, the market is better known among regular visitors as a night market, where you can discover a bustling street food vendor scene that occupies most of its front parking space after sundown. Before sunrise, however, the Sindu Market is already very much alive, particularly within the main area sheltered under its large warehouse-like structure. Although it carries ‘traditional’ in its name, the market is clean and modernized, with around 150 stands along white ceramic tiled lanes. Each of these are designated to different sellers, offering everything from fresh fruits, vegetables and spices, to flowers and young coconut leaves for daily Hindu Balinese offerings.

Surrounding this central row of stalls are individ-

ual kiosks, offering kitchen utensils and household tools, batiks and other traditional textiles, as well as several warungs (small food stalls) selling nasi campur mixed rice, refreshments and cold drinks.

You can be sure to enjoy cheap, local prices here.

Despite the modern layout of the Sindu Market, the traditional aspect remains in the hard bargaining, which you can practice here yourself. These main fresh stalls usually become quiet after 08:00, while some of the surrounding kiosks stay open throughout the day. Then, in the afternoon, the parking space readies for transformation, as the market becomes what visitors refer to as the Sanur Night Market (aka Sindu Night Market) or ‘Pasar Malam Sindu’. By 18:00, local food stalls and carts roll in, cook and grill up local delights, ranging from lamb satays, bakso meatball soup to nasi goreng fried rice – all at budget prices. A serving of ten satay sticks with steamed rice starts from only IDR 20,000 (USD 1.50). (IBP/net)

LONDON - Formula One entered a bold new era in Sunday’s Australian season-opener with bigger tyres, faster cars and a winning Ferrari but the lack of overtaking is causing concern.

“What overtaking?,” said Brazilian veteran Felipe Massa when the Williams driver was asked how difficult it had been to get past rivals.

Melbourne’s Albert Park has never ranked high on the list of circuits with the most overtaking manoeuvres but fans saw hardly any after the opening lap.

Force India’s Sergio Perez took both Toro Rossos while team mate Esteban Ocon was in a three-car

battle that saw him and Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg sweep past Fernando Alonso’s McLaren. But they were rare highlights of a race without crashes or a safety car.

“It was hard to follow and drive close behind others,” complained Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who has built up a reputation as one of the sport’s most exciting overtakers.

The problem came as no surprise to the likes of triple champion

Lewis Hamilton, who had flagged up in testing that the new aerodynamic regulations had a downside and could lead to processional racing.

The cars are creating far more downforce, taking some corners flat out and throwing out more turbulent air that makes it harder for followers to get close.

TURBULENT AIR “Even in the years before it’s been difficult to follow once you get within one and a half, or one second, just because of the turbulent air which messes up the aerodynamics of the car and that

way we don’t have that much grip,” explained Mercedes’s Valtteri Bottas.

“Now, as more of the grip from the car is relying on the aero, it’s a bigger effect.

“And the cars are wider so I think there’s more turbulent air so now it’s more like two seconds or even two and a half because you actually feel quite a big effect from the car in front and that way in the corners it’s more difficult to follow.”

The next race is on April 9 in Shanghai, a circuit that last year saw more overtaking than any other with 128 passes. Hamilton alone

REUTERS/Jason Reed

made 18 of them -- more than the entire 20 driver grid produced in Melbourne. If there are far fewer cars overtaking there, then Formula One has a problem.

“It’s always generally been tough to follow... I hope that doesn’t mean for the rest of the year that it’s more of a train,” Hamilton said on Sunday.

“I don’t know if it was exciting for you guys to watch, but for me personally I want to be closer up with the cars and (doing) more close wheel-to-wheel battling.

“It’s really through strategy and pitstops that we are racing right now.” (rtr)

Federer, Nadal reach Miami quarters, Wawrinka falls

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Rafael Nadal of Spain reaches for a forehand against Nicolas Mahut of France (not pictured) on day eight of the 2017 Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center. Nadal won 6-4, 7-6(4).

MIAMI - Roger Federer survived a stern test from Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut on Tuesday to reach the Miami Open quarterfinals while top-seeded Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka was eliminated on his birthday.

Federer clinched the 7-6(5) 7-6(4) victory on his third match point shortly after Wawrinka fell 4-6 6-2 6-1 to 16th-seeded German teenager Alexander Zverev.

Bautista Agut played the match of his life, hitting the ball deep with relentless precision in an effort to keep Federer pinned to the baseline, giving the 18-times grand

slam champion everything he could handle. But Federer’s class proved the difference in the tiebreaks as he improved to 6-0 lifetime against Agut and advanced to a quarterfinal match against Czech 10th seed Tomas Berdych.

Wawrinka, who turned 32 on Tuesday, lost to Federer in the Indian Wells final nine days ago and was denied a chance of setting up a possible rematch in Miami.

A day after saving three match points and beating John Isner, the 19-year-old Zverev dominated the final two sets against Wawrinka, breaking twice in the second and

three times in the third to earn a quarter-final encounter with either Belgian David Goffin or Australian Nick Kyrgios.

All the top seeds had competitive matches on Tuesday, with Japanese second seed Kei Nishikori also taken to three sets before ousting Federico Delbonis of Argentina 6-3 4-6 6-3.

Fifth seed Rafa Nadal won in straight sets, but also had to be near his best to beat Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-4 7-6(4).

Next up for Nadal is American Jack Sock, while Nishikori meets Italian Fabio Fognini. (rtr)

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Thursday, March 30, 2017

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International

RLD

British PM May fires starting gun on Brexit

LONDON - Prime Minister Theresa May filed formal Brexit divorce papers on Wednesday, pitching the United Kingdom into the unknown and triggering years of uncertain negotiations that will test the endurance of the European Union.

Nine months after Britons voted to leave, May notified EU Council President Donald Tusk in a letter that the UK is quitting the bloc it joined in 1973.

The prime minister, an initial opponent of Brexit who won the top job in the political turmoil that followed the referendum vote, now has two years to settle the terms of the divorce before it comes into effect in late March 2019.

“Now that the decision has been made to leave the EU, it is time to come together,” May said in a statement issued by her office.

“When I sit around the negotiating table in the months ahead, I will represent every person in the whole United Kingdom – young and old, rich and poor, city, town, country and all the villages and hamlets in between,” she said.

On the eve of Brexit, May, 60, has one of the toughest jobs of any recent British prime minister: holding Britain together in the face of renewed Scottish independence demands, while conducting arduous talks with 27 other EU states on finance, trade, security and other complex issues.

The outcome of the negotiations will shape the future of Britain’s $2.6 trillion economy, the world’s fifth biggest, and determine whether London can keep its place as one of the top two global financial centres.

For the EU, already reeling from successive crises over debt and refugees, the loss of Britain is the biggest blow yet to 60 years of efforts to forge European unity in the wake of two devastating world wars.

Its leaders say they do not want to punish Britain.

But with nationalist, anti-EU parties on the rise across Europe, they cannot afford to give London generous terms that might encourage other member states to break away.

BREXIT LETTER

May’s notice of the UK’s intention to leave the bloc under Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty was handdelivered to Tusk in Brussels by Tim Barrow, Britain’s permanent representative to the EU. Barrow handed the letter to Tusk, the EU summit chair and former Polish prime minister, in the Council President’s offices on the top 11th floor of the new Europa Building.

That moment formally set the clock ticking on Britain’s two-year exit process.

May signed the Brexit letter on Tuesday, pictured alone at the cabinet table beneath a clock, a British flag and an oil-painting of Britain’s first prime minister, Robert Walpole. (rtr)

REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Anti-Brexit protesters, one wearing a giant Theresa May head, hold placards outside Parliament on the day the Prime Minister will announce that she has triggered the process by which Britain will leave the European Union, in London, March 29, 2017.

International

Thursday, March 30, 2017

11

Indonesia man swallowed by python, villagers and reports say

REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

Campaigners stage a protest to demand more liberal abortion laws, in Dublin, Ireland March 8, 2017.

Ireland must loosen abortion laws - Council of Europe rights commissioner

DUBLIN - Ireland must loosen its strict abortion laws and replace them with a regime more respectful to women’s rights, the Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner said on Wednesday.

Rules on terminating a pregnancy in once stridently Catholic Ireland are among the world’s most restrictive and a referendum on widening access could be held if a citizens’ assembly set up by government recommends it in a decision expected next month.

At present, terminations are allowed only if a mother’s life is in danger, after a total ban was lifted in 2013, a provision Commissioner Nils Muiznieks said still has a “chilling” effect on doctors who must decide who meets restrictive requirements.

The Council, not part of the European Union, is a pan-European body concerned primarily with the region’s human rights.

“It’s an unjust regime because it doesn’t actually affect the number of abortions. If a woman has means to travel, she will do so, so that leave poorer women to fend for themselves in Ireland,” Muiznieks told Reuters in a telephone interview.

This deepens social inequalities and often leads to traumatic, clandestine procedures, Muiznieks said in a Council of Europe report covering a range of human rights issues in Ireland.

“Culturally, politically, socially, Ireland has changed significantly and I think that is not reflected in the current regime,” he said.

Muiznieks joined the United Nations Human Rights Committee in recommending that at a very minimum, the Irish government should decriminalise abortion and widen the law to allow for abortion

in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, rape or incest.

In a letter responding to the recommendations, Ireland’s government said the current laws do not prevent a doctor communicating in a normal way with regards to a patient’s care.

The report was also critical of the government’s handling of past abuses of women and children at Church-run institutions, saying enquiries into different cases had been inconsistent and redress proposed to victims inadequate.

The comments came after Ireland said it may widen an inquiry into so-called “mother-and-baby homes” -- one of three areas where shortcomings were identified in the report -- after the remains of babies ranging from new-born to threeyears-old were found in the sewers of one such home this month.

While the Catholic Church ran many of Ireland’s social services in the 20th century, they did so with state funding and the report expressed concern that in most cases, the state’s accountability “has not been fully accepted, if at all” The government’s response did not specifically mention “motherand-baby homes” but it said authoraties will give the recommendations careful attention.

“The approach of the government heretofore has been quite ad-hoc. The people have waited a long time, if you’re going to do it, do it right. These are quite serious human rights violations we’re talking about,” Muiznieks said.

“The government cannot wash its hands of the human rights violations that took place. It’s quite uncomfortable to have this mirror in front of you but the only way to move on is to provide justice.” (rtr)

JAKARTA — A 25-year-old Indonesian man has been swallowed whole by a python on the island of Sulawesi, villagers and news reports said. A six-minute video on the website of the Tribun Timur publication shows villagers slicing open the python’s carcass to reveal the legs and torso of the dead victim, named Akbar.

Junaedi, the secretary of Salubiro village in West Sulawesi province, told The Associated Press that villagers began searching for Akbar on Monday night after realizing he hadn’t returned from working on his palm oil crops the previous day.

Junaedi said Wednesday that the search party found scattered palm oil fruit, a picking tool and a boot, and then spotted the engorged 7-meter (23-foot) -long reticulated python.

“When its stomach was cut, we first saw his boot and legs near the neck,” he said. “It seems he was attacked from behind because we found a wound on his back.”

Reticulated pythons grab onto their prey with dozens of sharp curved teeth and then squeeze it to death before swallowing it whole.

They are widespread in Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia.

Reports of humans being killed by pythons are extremely rare. In the wild they are known to eat monkeys, pigs and other mammals.

Junaedi said Akbar’s absence wasn’t noticed until Monday because his wife was visiting her parents in another province. The alarm was raised when his uncle called on him and found his house locked. Like many Indonesians, Junaedi uses one name, as did Akbar. (ap)

Indonesia’s KPK, AGO & Police ink cooperation agreement on eradicating corruption

JAKARTA - The Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), the Attorney Generals Office (AGO), and the National Police have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation for eradicating corruption.

“This MoU is the renewal of our old agreement signed in 2016, which will expire soon, so it must be renewed today.

The new MoU will be valid until March 2019,” KPK Chief Agus Rahardjo stated at the National Police Headquarters here on Wednesday.

As part of the MoU, if any of the agencies conducts a search of the office of the other party and seizes anything, it must inform the leadership of the other side.

The MoU also stipulates that the three sides will cooperate to conduct educational and training courses related to corruption eradication.

One of the matters that sets the new MoU apart from the old one is the issuance of an electronic notification to start investigation, or e-SPDP, Rahardjo remarked.

“Looking ahead, the SPDP will be issued online, so the KPK, National Police, and AGO will have the same information and data related to the handling of corruption cases,” he noted.

As part of the old MoU, the exchange of information related to the investigation of cases among the three institutions was carried out manually.

He said three officials have been appointed to function as liaison officials to implement the MoU. The three appointees are the director for the development of networks among commissions and agencies at the KPK, the chief of the legal and foreign relations bureau at the AGO, and the chief of the legal aid bureau at the National Police. (ant)

AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim

French President Francois Hollande, left, talks with his Indonesian counterpart Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during a meeting at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, March 29, 2017. Hollande is on a two-day visit to the country as part of a regional tour to boost ties with Asia.

France pledges $2.6 billion for Indonesia as Hollande visits

JAKARTA — France pledged $2.6 billion in investments for Indonesia and affirmed deepening ties with Southeast Asia’s biggest economy during a visit Wednesday by President Francois Hollande. Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo welcomed the new commitment by French investors to increase their involvement in the energy, infrastructure and retail industries.

Jokowi and Hollande witnessed the signing of five memorandums of understanding covering defense, sustainable urban development, research, technology and tourism, and also agreed to increase cooperation on maritime issues, fisheries and creative industries such as film and fashion.

“We have had a strategic partnership since 2011 and we want to deepen it through a number of agreements,” Hollande said at a news conference. He said France is keen to boost the sale of Airbus jets to airlines in Indonesia, an archipelago of about 14,000 islands and

more than 250 million people.

Hollande’s two-day visit to Jakarta is the last leg of his Southeast Asian tour. He also visited Malaysia and Singapore. It is the first visit by a French head of state to Indonesia since 1986.

The two leaders said they support the “two-state solution” to ending the conflict between Israel and Palestine and acknowledged the importance of spreading the values of tolerance to combat extremism and terrorism. Jokowi said he was grateful that the French government had not gone ahead with a plan to nearly triple a tax on palm oil to 300 euros ($327) a ton.

Palm oil is a booming industry in Indonesia and neighboring Malaysia, but is also notorious for the destruction of tropical forests and abuses in its plantation work force, which numbers 16 million people in Indonesia alone.

“We appreciate that the French government has not supported discriminatory treatment against Indonesian palm oil,” Jokowi said. Indonesia has a plan to make the palm oil industry sustainable, he said. (ap)

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International

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Bali News

International

BUSINESS

Thursday, March 30, 2017

5

Selling water: Coke, Pepsi look to make water rain money

NEW YORK — Bottled water is starting to seem more like soda, and sometimes taste like it, too. As bottled water surges in popularity, Coke, Pepsi and other companies are using celebrity endorsements, stylish packaging and fancy filtration processes like “reverse osmosis” to sell people on expanding variations of what comes out of the tap. They’re also adding flourishes like bubbles, flavors or sweeteners that can blur the lines between what is water and what is soda.

For this year’s Super Bowl, PepsiCo even ran an ad for its new Lifewtr, promoting the drink in a spotlight typically reserved for sodas. Also running their first Super Bowl ads were Fiji and Bai Brands, which sell “enhanced waters” made with fruit juice and stevia sweetener.

Michael Simon, Bai’s chief marketing officer, says its drinks “give people that healthy profile they’re looking for, but now they no longer have to sacrifice on taste with the neutrality of water.”

Bottled water has been gaining ground for years, and overtook soda as the No. 1 drink in the U.S. by sales volume last year, industry tracker Beverage Marketing Corp. said. Some of the fizzy, sweetened drinks are considered water by the companies or industry trackers in some cases, as the distinctions between them lose meaning. Companies aren’t as interested in the big, economy packs of plain bottled water that have been fueling the growth, says Ali Dibaj, a Bernstein analyst who covers the industry, since those are less profitable than sodas and are a “horrible business to be in.”

So Coke and Pepsi are focusing on pricier options that compete

with brands like Evian and Perrier. And they’re introducing fizzy and fruity varieties to get a better foothold in increasingly crowded marketplace where options like LaCroix and others are gaining popularity. Showing just how blurry the lines are getting, PepsiCo launched a drink last week that it describes as “sorta juice, sorta soda, sorta sparkling water.” Such options can capture people looking to cut back on sodas or juices, and may get people who might buy lower-priced waters to upgrade.

“You can get up the ladder in terms of water and get out of the categories that don’t drive a lot of value,” Coca-Cola’s incoming CEO James Quincey said in September. Quincey cites Smartwater, which has enjoyed sales growth in North America, as a way for Coke to profitably expand its water business. The brand is billed as “vapor distilled” and features actress Jennifer Aniston in its ads.

He also said that in the crowded Chinese market, Coke is upgrading people to a water brand it markets as “socially responsible” with a different blend of minerals, which costs twice as much. Exactly what makes water seem like it’s worth the extra money varies, but image

NAIROBI — The price of ivory in China has dropped sharply as the country plans to end the legal trade in ivory later this year, a leading elephant conservation group said in a new report Wednesday.

Chinese demand for tusks has been driving African elephants toward extinction, experts say. The Chinese government in recent years has taken steps to stop the trade in ivory, which is used for ornamentation and souvenirs. China’s ivory factories are to be shut down by Friday, followed by the closing of retail outlets by the end of this year.

The new report surveys the price of ivory in markets across China between 2014 and early this year. It found the price dropped from $2,100 per kilogram in early 2014 to $730 in February.

Conservationists say tens of thousands of elephants have been killed in Africa in recent years as demand for ivory in Asia, particularly China, increased. Past estimates of Africa’s elephant population have ranged from 420,000 to 650,000. Some conservationists estimate that up to 20,000 elephants are killed by poachers every year to meet demand.

Unique, Magoak-goakan Tradition in Kintamani

Kintamani customary village held magoak-goakan tradition on Thursday (Mar. 23). The tradition was attended by approximately 4,000 people ranging from children, adolescents, adults to the elderly. The tradition was organized in a series of Nyepi Desa at the local customary village. From the morning, thousands of people putting on middle traditional attires have thronged the village square or sacred land to implement magoak-goakan tradition.

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

In this Thursday, March 16, 2017, photo, bottles of Lifewtr and Smartwater are displayed in Philadelphia. As bottled water surges in popularity, Coke, Pepsi and other companies are using celebrity endorsements, stylish packaging and fancy filtration processes like “reverse osmosis” to sell people on expanding variations of what comes out of the tap. They’re also adding flourishes like bubbles, flavors or sweeteners that can blur the lines between what is water and what is soda. is key.

PepsiCo had toyed with names like “Qua” and “Om” before settling on Lifewtr. The company points to the artwork featured on its bottles, and the “reverse osmosis” filtration the water undergoes, with electrolytes added for taste. “This is where consumers are heading,” said Todd Kaplan, vice president of

marketing at PepsiCo, about lowercalorie drinks like Lifewtr.

Both Lifewtr and Smartwater, which account for a small portion of the overall packaged water market, are made with municipal water and were selling for $2.79 for a 1-liter bottle at a 7-Eleven in New York City. The convenience store chain’s private label brand

was selling for $1.50 for the same size bottle.

The challenge for Coke and Pepsi is people like Andrew Allen.

The New York City resident said he is trying to drink more water, but isn’t loyal to a particular brand and buys whatever he can get a deal on.

“I just wanted to stop drinking soda — just give it up,” Allen said.(ap)

“This is a critical period for elephants,” said Iain Douglas-Hamilton, president and founder of Save the Elephants, which carried out the research.

“With the end of the legal ivory trade in China, the survival chances for elephants have distinctly improved. We must give credit to China for having done the right thing by closing the ivory trade. There is still a long way to go to end the excessive killing of elephants for ivory, but there is now greater hope for the species.”

Other factors behind the drop

in the price of ivory include an economic slowdown in China resulting in fewer people being able to afford luxury goods, and a crackdown on corruption that has dissuaded business people from buying expensive ivory items as “favors” for government officials, the new report says.

“Findings from 2015 and 2016 in China have shown that the legal ivory trade especially has been severely diminished,” said Lucy Vigne, a researcher with Save The Elephants.

The 130 licensed outlets in China gradually have been reducing the

quantity of ivory items on display for sale, and recently have been cutting prices to improve sales, the report says.

By 2015, some of China’s main licensed retail ivory outlets were closed at the time of the researchers’ visit due to slow sales. In other cases, vendors were replacing elephant ivory displays with mammoth ivory dug out of the Russian tundra.

China continues to be the largest consumer of mammoth ivory, whose price also has dropped from $1,900 per kilogram in 2014 to $730 this year, the report said.(ap)

Chinese demand for elephant ivory drops, new report says

Not infrequently, the participants should turn upside down due to the sloping arena. In addition, a number of participants, especially women, were crushed by the other participants. Nevertheless, it did not reduce the enthusiasm of residents to follow the tradition.

Amid the activities, chief of Kin-

tamani customary village, Nyoman Sukadia, said that magoak-goakan tradition has been started at 8:00 until midnight. This activity is routinely held every year considering this tradition is the legacy of ancestors that must continue to be preserved.

“The magoak-goakan tradition

has something to do with religious ceremonies of Nyepi Desa of Kintamani village. This event has been organized since the full moon of Balinese ninth month (Mar. 12) and the ceremony ended at 00:00 on Wednesday,” he said.

Sukadia explained that the magoak-goakan tradition aims to more establish relationship among the residents of Kintamani customary village. Moreover, this tradition is intended for preservation of the natural environment and wildlife.

The ceremony takes place on the full moon of the Balinese ninth month and during which is also held Jagra and Miasa.

“From there, we’ve been re-

quired to preserve and honor our fellow beings. At that time, we should not slaughter chicken nor sell it. In addition, residents are not allowed to speech words that may offend others and may not do negative things. They may only be allowed to do positive things,” he explained.

He disclosed that when the magoak-goakan tradition was held, all Kintamani customary villagers were dissolved together in joy. They should not conduct any activities like work. “So, for today (Thursday—Ed), residents absolutely do no activities, but focus on following this activity so that they all can have fun in this

tradition,” he said.

After magoak-goakan activities, it was resumed with the search for firewood. Residents are required to find a dead tree or dried tree branches without carrying tools such as axes and so forth. They should not cut down trees that are still alive.

“Meanwhile, the day after tomorrow (Saturday—Ed) is the preservation that has something to do with land and the earth. All residents should not dig because it is the nature conservation and preservation. Essentially what has become a tradition should be followed by all residents of Kintamani,” said Sukadia. (kmb)

Kehen Temple Mostly Visited by European Travelers

Bali is indeed reasonable to be dubbed as the Island of One Thousand Temples. One of them is the Kehen Temple located in Bangli district. This temple is known as

the heritage of kingdom era. It is taken advantage into a tourist destination by the government of Bangli. Amid the rampant spiritual tourism in Bali, how about the visit

to the temple located at Cempaga village lately?

Kehen Temple becomes one of prideful heritages of Bangli society. The temple located at the foot of Bukit Bangli looks so majestic when seen from the highway. Entrance gates made of sandstone are decorated with intricate carvings.

Not only that, radiance of classic nuance is still very strong. The entrance is flanked by statues of large elephants. It is almost identical to the original one. There is also a statue like a puppet character seeming to help maintain the beauty of the temple.

Cool mountainous nature is very pronounced at this temple.

In the middle courtyard grows a large banyan tree supposedly to have been hundreds of years old.

Nobody dares to cut down this tree

indiscriminately. Understandably, it is then made sacred. Utilization is only permitted for ceremonial purposes.

The beauty offered is more than that. From the middle courtyard, visitors can also see the wonderful charm of the Bangli town with its green trees. Having been going around, the main building in middle courtyard is equally magnificent.

Some meru shrines embellished with carvings in gold leaf paint are in line. Our eyes do not want to stop looking. Due to the potential owned, the temple is included in cultural heritage taken advantage as tourist attraction by district government.

Operations Manager of the tourist attraction, I Ketut Arta, said that the appeal owned by Kehen Temple is able to hypnotize foreign travel-

ers to visit. They dominantly come from Europe. Amid many attractions offering temple as destination, it does not cause the temple belonging to cultural heritage to lose its prestige. “There are always tourist visit even though many others offer similar attractions, it does not have an impact. Travelers look for its uniqueness,” he said recently.

Incoming visitors, he said, usually first visit the Penglipuran tourism village whose distance is not so far away. In holiday season, the number of visits reaches hundreds of people per day. The appeal of this temple is in the form of building featuring typical Balinese carvings. In addition, it also has a history of its own for Bangli.

“This is an old temple so that it is becoming one of the attractions,” he added. (kmb)

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Bali News

Thursday, March 30, 2017

International

Thursday, March 30, 2017

International

Australia holds emergency meet with China after extradition treaty failure

Under the guidance of the “Sesetan Heritage Omed-Omedan Festival (SHOF) – the “OmedOmedan” or “Kissing Festival” convenes in the central square of Banjar Kaja.

After the Silence, Omed Omedan Tradition is held

DENPASAR - For more than a century, the residents of Banjar Kaja, Sesetan - an urban village in South Denpasar, gather on the day following Bali’s official day of silence – Nyepi for a truly unique ceremony.

Under the guidance of the “Sesetan Heritage Omed-Omedan Festival (SHOF) – the “Omed-Omedan” or “Kissing Festival” convenes in the central square of Banjar Kaja. Originating from the term for

“pulling and pushing” in Balinese, Omed-Omedan sees the unmarried young men and women of the community gather to celebrate the Hindu New Year by exchanging kisses.

Beginning with religious prayers,

the ceremony sees groups of young men and women, standing in two separate groups and face off while awaiting the “go” signal given by a religious leader.

Signal given, the groups cautiously approach each other before young men reach out and “pull” young women closer for a passionate kiss. Meanwhile, married members of the community and

not participating in the canoodling throw buckets of cold water over the young kissing couples in order to cool their ardor.

Apparently, the water doesn’t always work. Many married couples in the community claim they first met at the Omed-Omedan ceremony.

As reported by Beritabali.com, SHOF has set the date of Wednesday, March 29, 2017, to take place in

from the Banjar Kaja Selatan.

The Mayor of Denpasar and the Deputy Mayor have both voiced their support for this year’s OmedOmedan event.

And, before any roaming Lothario gets his hopes up, it should be noted that while spectators are welcome to view the Omed-Omedan,passionate participation is generally limited to local residents. (kmb)

Candidasa Beach in East Bali Public Works Minister Discounts Need for a North- Polluted by Styrofoam Debris from Floating Dock Project South Toll Road for Bali JEMBRANA - Hopes in Bali for the construction of a toll road connecting the Kuta-Tanah Lot-Soka-Seririt-Jembrana corridor may have suffered a major setback following recent statements made by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono, in Bali on Wednesday, March 22, 2017.

Beritadewata.com quotes Hadimuljono, referring to a major toll road built in West Java, saying: “We have learned from the Cipularang Toll Road. When it was still a national highway many small traders, souvenir sales shop, drink stalls and alike operated along the road. Their number – stretching along the entire road’s length, was not insignificant. But, once the Cipularang Toll Road opened all of these

traders disappeared.”

Because of this, the Minister is asking for a detailed and comprehensive study to be conducted to determine the social impact of building a toll road. In the absence of such a study demonstrating the need for a toll road, Hadimuljono argues it is better to develop the existing highway, rather than acquire large tracts of land for a toll road that will take control of land away from people who will not benefit from the proposed toll road passing through their communities.

Despite the Minister’s statements made during a visit to Bali, the Head of Public Works for Bali, I Nyoman Astawa Riadi, insisted that opportunities remain open to potential investors wishing to build a highway to connect south and north Bali.

KARANGASEM - a floating dock erected at the village of Bugbug on Candidasa Beach in East Bali has been decimated by large waves on Thursday, March 23, 2017, spreading styrofoam debris along a large area of beachfront.

The unsightly and widespread styrofoam trash prompted protests from local residents and visiting tourists, many of who tried to clean up the beach.

Protests and complaints were also delivered to the local Secretary of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRIKarangasem), Wayan Kariasa, who confirmed many accommodation operators had contacted him. “All guests are complaining.

There are those who planned to stay for two weeks but checked out after seeing the dirty beach at Candidasa. The beach is a

mess.This has to be quickly resolved,” said Kariasa.

Kariasa said the Central Government project to build floating docks and breakwaters 100 meters offshore in front of the Hotel Asyana. The PHRI Secretary said he had no idea of the function or use of the floating docks.

Kariasa called on those involved in the project to tow the floating structures to safety to prevent further damage to the beach.

Local residents blame the floating docks for polluting the beachfront and damage to local coral gardens then the docks collide with coral at low tide.

The Public Works Department has promised local tourism officials that they will urgently clean the beachfront. (kmb)

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REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

A bank employee puts new 70 Baht bank notes into an envelope before they start selling the notes printed by the Thai Central Bank in Bangkok, Thailand, June 8, 2016.

Thailand sends ousted PM Thaksin $494 million tax bill

BANGKOK - Thai tax authorities have sent ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra a whopping 17 billion baht ($494 million) tax bill over the sale of shares in a telecoms company more than a decade ago, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

The claim is over the sale of shares in Shin Corp. to Singapore’s Temasek Holdings.

Thaksin’s legal team would appeal to the revenue department within 30 days, his lawyer, Noppadon Pattama, told reporters.

“We need to exercise our right to appeal to show that no legal miracle can happen to collect tax from Dr Thaksin,” he said.

Allies of Thaksin say the new tax claim is politically motivated.

He has lived in exile since being overthrown in 2006 to avoid corruption charges, but his populist movement remains at the heart of political division in Thailand.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan told reporters the tax claim was not aimed at bullying the Shinawatras.

A court ruled against an attempt by tax authorities to claim 12 billion baht ($350 million) from the share sale from Thaksin’s children

in 2010, Noppadon said. The court said they could not be taxed because the shares were owned by Thaksin and his wife, he said.

Noppadon said that the sale of the shares was tax exempt because it was done through the stock exchange.

The army overthrew the government led by Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, in 2014 in the name of ending political turmoil.

Last month, the junta started reconciliation hearings with political parties ahead of elections that could happen as early as next year, but those talks do not touch on Thaksin’s fate. (rtr)

SYDNEY - Australia’s foreign minister held an emergency meeting with the Chinese ambassador in the wake of Canberra’s failure to ratify an extradition treaty with China, a source familiar with the situation said on Wednesday.Australia cancelled a parliamentary vote on Tuesday to finally ratify an extradition treaty with China, 10 years after it was signed, with the government set for an embarrassing defeat amid opposition on the grounds of China’s humanitarian record. Eager to head-off any possible diplomatic fallout, Bishop met with China’s ambassador to Australia, Cheng Jingye, on Tuesday, the source said. The Australian newspaper reported that the ambassador expressed “disappointment” at the cancelled vote.

The meeting came just hours after China’s Foreign Ministry called on Australia to approve the treaty. In Beijing, ministry spokesman Lu Kang did not answer a question about the meeting between Bishop and Cheng, but repeated that approving the treaty would help both countries fight crossborder crime and was in their joint interests.

“We hope that Australia keeps in mind the broader picture of bilateral relations and both countries’ interests and can continue to promote the relevant domestic process so this treaty can go into enforcement as soon as possible,” Lu told a daily news briefing.

If Australia had ratified the pact, it would have become one of the few Western countries besides France and Spain to enter into an extradition treaty with China. The failure to enact the treaty is a rare dent to Sino-Australia relations, which have soared in recent months, culminating in the spate of trade agreements signed last week following the five-day visit of Chinese China Premier Li Keqiang.

Beyond the diplomatic blow, it is also a setback in China’s overseas hunt for corrupt officials and business executives who have fled abroad with their assets, dubbed Operation Fox Hunt. And it comes at a time when Australia is seeking closer cooperation with Chinese law enforcement to stem a rising tide of synthetic drugs trafficked from southern China, and when three Australian employees of casino operator Crown Resorts Ltd remain in Chinese custody following their arrest in November 2016 for alleged gambling offences. (rtr)

REUTERS/David Gray/File Photo

Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sits with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang as they watch an Australian Football League (AFL) game at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Australia, March 25, 2017.

Nepal asks climbers to clean quake-littered Everest camp

KATHMANDU - Nepal is urging climbers on Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, to help remove garbage from a camp abandoned two years ago after an earthquake triggered avalanches killing 18 people, as officials prepare to handle a rush of climbers.

Tourism and mountain climbing are the main sources of income for the Himalayan nation and make up

4 percent of its economy. Climbing is recovering from a series of earthquakes in 2015 that killed a total of 9,000 people.

Ten huge canvas bags each capable of holding 80 kg (176 lbs) of trash are to be placed at the ruined site of Camp Two on Mount Everest for climbers to deposit garbage they have retrieved, said Tourism Department official Durga Dutta Dhakal.

“This way we hope to bring down the trash without any extra cost, using helicopters that return empty after dumping climbing ropes at the high camp,” he told Reuters on Wednesday.

The helicopters operate during the climbing season that typically runs from March to May to dump climbing ropes.

Sherpas would be paid to pick up

the trash, said veteran climber Russell Brice, a New Zealander who runs the Himalayan Experience guiding company. “We will pay $2 for each kilo of trash the sherpas bring down,” Brice said.

Mountaineers have removed more than 16 tonnes of trash from Everest in the past, but there are no estimates of how much still litters the mountain. Camp Two,

located at 6,400 metres (21,000 feet) above sea level above the treacherous Khumbu Icefall known for crevasses and avalanches, is a major camping site for climbers of Mount Everest and Lhotse, the world’s fourth highest peak.

More than 600 people scaled the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) Everest summit last year from the Nepali and Chinese sides. (rtr)

14

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Health

International

Bali News

International

DHA supplements during pregnancy don’t raise kids’ IQ

ADELAIDE - Children of women who took DHA supplements during pregnancy are no smarter than peers whose mothers didn’t take the supplements, a recent study concludes.

In the third follow-up of children born during a trial of DHA supplementation in pregnancy, there were no significant differences in IQ or other cognitive processes at age 7 – the same result researchers found in earlier rounds of testing.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a type of omega-3 fatty acid, an important nutrient for the brain, and is needed for development during pregnancy, said lead study author Jacqueline Gould, of the Child Nutrition Research Center at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute in Adelaide.

“The main source of DHA for the growing baby is the mother’s diet. However, the exact amount of DHA that needs to be eaten by the mother is unknown,” Gould told Reuters Health in an email.

“DHA-rich fish oil supplements have been marketed by manufacturers as beneficial for child brain development. Use of these supplements has become common in developed countries, but the effects of DHA have been unclear,” Gould said.

For the original trial, Gould and her colleagues randomly assigned pregnant women to groups that would receive either 800-milligram DHA supplements or dummy pills to be taken daily during the second half of pregnancy.

When the babies were 18 months old and again when they were 4 years old, testing showed no differences in intelligence, cognitive, language or motor skills in the two groups of children.

In the most recent follow-up, children were 7 years old, the earliest age at which intelligence testing can predict adult intelligence, the study team notes in JAMA. A total of 543 children, 85 percent of the original trial group, participated in the testing.

The kids were given IQ tests and parents answered questions about their children’s behavior and “executive function,” which includes skills like self-regulation and mental control.

The mean IQ score for both groups of children was about 97 to 98 points. Language skills, school performance and executive functioning also didn’t differ between groups.

The study team found that perceptual reasoning skills were slightly better in the DHA group. But parent-rated behavioral problems were also slightly higher in the DHA group.

Although the study didn’t find an effect on IQ, there are other possible benefits to taking DHA during pregnancy, Gould noted.

“Randomized controlled trials that have given a high-dose of DHA, or a placebo, have found that supplements may reduce the risk of preterm births and may lower the risk of a child developing allergies if they have a family history of allergy,” she said.

“Healthy pregnant women eating a balanced and varied diet are unlikely to enhance their child’s brain development by taking DHA supplements,” Gould said.

Fish is an excellent source of DHA, as well as protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals, she added.

“There is some general confusion around whether fish is safe for pregnant women to eat due to possible methyl mercury contamination, however, there are several species that are considered safe such as salmon and tinned light tuna,” Gould said. Brains and liver are also rich in DHA, and smaller amounts can be found in egg yolks and the lean tissue of red meat.

DHA has been shown in some studies to benefit cognitive development when given after a baby is born, said Susan Carlson, a researcher at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City who wasn’t involved in the study. (rtr)

IBP/net

Healthy pregnant women eating a balanced and varied diet are unlikely to enhance their child’s brain development by taking DHA supplements.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

3

Cleveland FES Center/Handout via REUTERS

Bill Kochevar, 56, is using computer-brain interface technology and an electrical stimulation system to move his own arm after eight years of paralysis, in this undated handout photo.

Brain implant lets paralyzed man feed himself using his thoughts CLEVELAND - A paralyzed man in Cleveland fed himself mashed potatoes for the first time in eight years, aided by a computer-brain interface that reads his thoughts and sends signals to move muscles in his arm, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.

The research, published in the journal Lancet, is the latest from BrainGate, a consortium of researchers testing brain-computer interface technology designed to give paralyzed individuals more mobility. Prior tests of the technology allowed paralyzed people to move a robotic arm or a cursor on a keyboard just by using their thoughts.

The team at Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Functional Electrical Stimulation Center used the brain-computer interface and an electrical stimulation system that allowed Bill Kochevar, 56, to control his own arm.

To achieve this, the team implanted two sensors, each about the size of a baby aspirin, loaded with 96 electrodes designed to pick up nerve activity in the movement centers of the brain.

The sensors record brain sig-

nals created when Kochevar imagines moving his arm, and relay them to a computer. The computer sends the signals to the electrical stimulation system, which directs impulses through about 30 wires implanted in muscles in Kochevar’s arm and hand to produce specific movements.

Kochevar, who was paralyzed below his shoulders in a cycling accident eight years ago, first learned to use the system to move a virtual reality arm on a computer screen. He accomplished that on the first day he tried it, said Case Western’s Robert Kirsch, the study’s senior author.

For the movement phase of the trial, Kochevar had to go through 45 weeks of rehabilitation to restore muscle tone that had atrophied over the years of inactivity.

Using the brain interface system, he can now move each joint in his right arm individually, just by thinking about it. To accomplish tasks like drinking through a straw, or scratching his face with a dry sponge, Kochevar is aided by an arm support, a device he also controls with his thoughts. (rtr)

IBP/eka

Nyepi in Bali is a very special event because human activity totally stops.

CO2 reduces to 50 percent on Nyepi

MANGUPURA - Related to Nyepi of Caka New Year 1939, the national weather service (BMKG) will take measurement of air quality. Two components of air quality to be measured are greenhouse gases and particulate or dust. Nyepi in Bali is a very special event because human activity totally stops.

“Observations like this were already carried out in 2013 and 2015. This year, it will be resumed to strengthen conclusions of the previous measurement. Previous results indicated the existence of significant reduction in greenhouse gases and particulate,” said Division Head of the R & D and Quality of BMKG, Ardhasena Sopaheluwakan, accompanied by Division Head of Data and Information of BMKG for Region III Denpasar, I Nyoman Gede Wiryajaya, on Thursday (Mar. 23).

He explained that the data obtained in 2013 and 2015 indeed showed reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) gas in the

area of Denpasar and Badung of around 30-50 percent, while the reduction in other gases reached almost 70 percent. “Although the overall activities stop, the reduction cannot reach 100 percent. According to him, there are still contributions of the activities of trees and nature. Besides, it is predicted to originate from residue of CO2 from the previous days,” he explained.

Ardhasena said that the measure is meant to prove the data that human activities are significantly contributing to the increase in greenhouse gases and contaminated substances.

The situation in Bali is very special because there are no human activities on the island. “The situation cannot be found in other locations because the activity on the whole Island of Bali totally stops. So, the emissions or concentrations of greenhouse gases and particulates caused by human activity can be measured,” he said.

He added that religious activities such as the celebra-

tion of Nyepi show to the world that in Indonesia there are real activities that contribute to mitigation efforts of global warming and climate change. Technically, the measurement will be carried out at five locations on day three before and after the celebration as well as compared to the Nyepi Day. The location of observations will represent the entire island namely in the southern Badung, Jembrana, Karangasem, Bedugul and Singaraja.

Ardhasena added that there are two ways to respond to climate change, namely by adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation is by responding to the impacts that have happened, while mitigation one of which is through the implementation of Nyepi that can contribute to the mitigation where it reduces the causes of global warming. “Bali is the only country in the world that can show it. We prove it direct by numbers.

Moreover, this has been presented at various international meetings,” he concluded. (kmb23)

Trump’s Indonesia business partner says planned resort to respect Bali traditions

JAKARTA - The Indonesian business partner of the Trump group has pledged to respect Hindu traditions and follow building height restrictions at a luxury hotel and golf resort it is developing near a temple on the island of Bali.

The MNC Group, run by Indonesian billionaire Hary Tanoesoedibjo, aims to start operations at the resort next to the Indian Ocean in 2019 or 2020, said a company official.

The Bali project, which will include a six-star hotel, villas and a golf course, will be developed by

MNC and managed by the Trump Hotel Collection, a subsidiary of the Trump Organization founded by U.S. President Donald Trump.

“At the moment (the Trump project in Bali) is in the design stage. The tallest (structure) is only three-storeys,” said Herman Bunjamin, vice president director at PT MNC Land Tbk , the MNC Group’s property unit.

The company would follow local government rules in Bali stipulating that a building could not be taller than 15 metres (50 ft), and respect

the Hindu religion, he said.

Indonesia has the world’s largest Muslim population, while Bali is home to a majority of the country’s Hindu minority.

“Temples will not be disturbed, temples location will not be changed,” Bunjamin told reporters.

The resort is refurbishing an existing hotel complex near the Tanah Lot temple, a sensitive cultural and spiritual site for many Balinese.

Tanoesoedibjo has previously denied a media report suggesting

there had been resistance from locals with some refusing to sell extra land, saying “there’s no issue with the residents”.

Bunjamin said the company would focus on 110 hectares (272 acres) of land it already had and would only look to expand if there were land owners who wanted to sell at the right price.

MNC also has another partnership with the Trump Organization to manage a luxury resort in Bogor on Java island.

Tanoesoedibjo, the chairman

and chief executive of MNC Group, has previously said his group plans to invest between $500 million and $1 billion in the two resorts.

On Friday, MNC also launched a new luxury hotel partnership with Hyatt Hotels Corp to operate Indonesia’s first Park Hyatt in the capital Jakarta.

MNC is investing up to 2.7 trillion rupiah ($202.58 million) in the hotel project, which will also include an office tower, Tanoesoedibjo said. (rtr)

2

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Bali News

International

Bali observes noise-free Day of Seclusion

DENPASAR - The Indonesian tourist resort island of Bali, with a population of 4.3 million and thousands of tourists, remained quiet and tranquil on Tuesday during the Hindu Day of Seclusion.

IBP/kmb

The Nyepi Day on Kuta Beach

ANTARA News correspondent reported from Tabanan District and Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali, that Balis Hindu followers chose to stay indoors to perform the Tapa Brata seclusion ritual and to introspect for 24 hours from 6 a.m. Central Indonesian Standard Time (WITA) on Tuesday.

Tapa Brata covers the observance of silence through the rituals of amati karya, or abstain from work and other activities; amati geni, or abstain from turning on the lights; amati lelungan, or avoid traveling; and amati lelanguan, or abstain from lust and entertainment.

Danpasar City, a tourist resort and an economic center facing daily traffic jams, turned totally quiet and tranquil as though it were an unpopulated island. Roads and alleys appeared deserted apart from the presence of several “pecalang,” or customary village security officials, who stood guard at the road sections and the ends of alleys.

A deserted look was also noticed at the Perumnas Monang-Maning housing complex, a settlement area that is home to some 2.5 thousand families, in Denpasar. “This morning, the weather is clear after the rain fell from 2 to 5 a.m. local time. We can only hear the chirping of the birds in the neighborhoods where the residents keep birds in their cages,” Ketut, a local resident, remarked.

The same could also be witnessed in almost all villages in the districts of Marga and Tabanan, where the villagers also enjoyed the quietude.

Foreign tourists who are on a holiday, coinciding with the Hindu Day of Silence in Bali, are only allowed to carry out activities in areas around their hotels.

The harmonious life and co-existence on the seclusion day are observed in accordance with the agreement and calls of the interfaith council in Bali for the successful implementation of the Holiday of Seclusion. “The joint calls signed by leaders of the interfaith council were approved by the Bali governor, regional police, and military leaders,” I. Komang Giriyasa, spokesman of the Bali office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, noted on Tuesday. (ant)

Accuracy of statistics important in policy making

DENPASAR - Bank Indonesia emphasized the importance of understanding and development of statistics in decision making by the authorities. At central bank, for example, good statistical data are very critical to support policy analysis.

This was conveyed by Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Sugeng, at the opening of the Regional Statistics Conference (RSC) on Thursday (Mar. 22) in Nusa Dua, Bali.

With the theme ‘Enhancing Statistics, Prospering Human Life,’ the conference focused on the development of statistics to support decision-making at various institutions which in turn can be beneficial in improving the quality of life.

Implementation of this conference posed collaboration between Bank Indonesia (BI) and the International Statistical Institute (ISI) supported by the Central Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Association of Indonesia and the Statistical Community Forum. The conference took place for three days on March 22-24, 2017.

The conference is hoped to improve and communicate the development of statistical compilation methodology, innovation and the use of the latest statistics in the region in particular and the international community.

Updating an understanding on best practice and new breakthroughs in the application of statistics is very useful to strengthen the basis for policy making that touches all the sectors of society.

The conference was attended by approximately 400 people consisting of researchers, practitioners, academicians and policy makers from various countries. It is in the effort to share knowledge and experience in the development and application of statistical science in research, innovation and policy formulation.

Dr. Boediono, former Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, also became the keynote speaker of the conference along with Stephen Greenville, former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia and

Eli Remolona, Chief Representative Bank for International Settlements in Asia Pacific.

The conference was preceded with a two-day seminar. In cooperation with the European Central Bank, the Bank of Indonesia featured the development of statistical use in the central bank. In addition, the BI also featured the topic on the Utilization of Big Data in collaboration with the Bank for International Settlements--Irving Fisher Committee.

“With a holistic development, particularly related to the economic field, the use of statistics is expected to further benefit the decision-making and public life in general,” said Sugeng.

President of the ISI, Pedro Silva, added that as professional scientific organization it has always shared knowledge on statistics worldwide.

He assumed that the presence of statisticians in the region is expected to provide a significant impact on the region. “Statistics can be said to work when passing through

a correct method, so that do not consider statistics as a pleasure. We can be delighted with the statistics as long as it gives added value to human welfare,” said Silva.

He hoped the meeting should be able to contribute to the government through Bank Indonesia in determining policies through valid and reliable data. “We encourage the government through accurate and reliable statistical

data in building a welfare society in all fields,” he concluded. (kmb42)

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Activities

International

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Aston Denpasar Switch Off The Light In 60 Minutes

Earth Hour, is a campaign that invites the public to take a climate action to make a better change for the earth. On this Saturday, 25 March 2017 at 08:30 pm local time, Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center participated in the world’s largest grassroots environmental movement; switch

off the light in 60 minutes as part of the climate action.

The event started with welcome speech by Lilik Amini as Director of Sales of Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center, continued with a presentation by Earth Hour Denpasar NGO about Earth Hour itself to the audience who were

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

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

gathered on drop off lobby. The presentation was empowering the audience to take action on climate change.

At 08:30 pm sharp, all the lights in the hotel building was switched off, and replaced with 100 LED bulbs shaped into figures 60+ which use solar energy through a battery that has been converted by the solar cell.

Kecak Dance which lasted 15 minutes was also presented by 40 male employees of the hotel, the dance tells Hanoman initiative to

provide illumination to the dark world with lit the torch made from coconut fibers formed into number 60+, and the torch was handed over to Lilik Amini. The event continued with the video about Earth Hour which lasted 10 minutes. In addition, there was a performance by acoustic band Mama yukero with their songs theme “Nature”. Door prizes of 2 hotel vouchers also distributed to the lucky one. Coffee breaks were also provided by kitchen team that can be enjoyed by the guests dur-

15

ing the event.

READ The 10th Anniversary of BVA “We believe that climate action can be done anywhere, even when you are miles away from home.

Thanks to the Earth Hour Denpasar, due to a remarkable collaboration we can participate in creating a better future, especially for the Planet Earth where we live for, both for ourselves and for generations to come.” Said Lilik Amini, Director of Sales of Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center.

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

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

16 Pages Number 62 9th year

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Drake ends Sheeran’s Billboard 200 reign, smashes streaming record NEW YORK - Drake ended Ed Sheeran’s two week reign atop the Billboard 200 album chart on Monday, selling a monster 505,000 copies of his new album “More Life,” according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan.

The Canadian rapper, the world’s best-selling artist of 2016, took the No. 1 spot, setting a new streaming record and bringing home the biggest U.S. sales week for any album since his 2016 release “Views.”

Nielsen said 257,000 units were earned from streaming, beating Drake’s previous record-setting 163,000 streaming units for “Views.”

The Billboard 200 album chart tallies units from album sales, song sales (10 songs equal one album) and streaming activity (1,500 streams equal one album).

Drake’s new release pushed British singer-songwriter Sheeran’s “Divide” into second place on the Billboard 200 with some 118,000 units sold.

Rapper Rick Ross landed in the No.3 spot with his new album “Rather You Than Me.” Sheeran however remained top of the digital songs chart, which measures online single sales, thanks to “Shape of You,” which sold another 97,000 units in its 11th week on the chart. (rtr)

Siwer Mas, one of the beautiful Ogoh-Ogoh made by The Balinese from Banjar Tainsiat, Denpasar. The Hindus in Bali do Ogoh-ogoh parade before the Nyepi celebration.

The swashbuckling film sees the return of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow.

IBP/net

First reactions to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean 5’ at CinemaCon

LAS VEGAS — The Walt Disney Studios unveiled the films while also redeeming its lagging fifth installment in their “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise reputation.

Gizmodo writer Germain Lussier “Dead Men Tell No Tales” Tuesday night at CinemaCon in wrote that “Dead Men Tell No Tales” Las Vegas.

Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP, File

In this Oct. 8, 2016 file photo, Drake performs onstage in Toronto. Drake’s new album “More Life” has broken the U.S. record for the number of streams from a single album in one week.

Initial reactions from those in attendance, including press, theater owners and exhibitors, were largely positive, celebrating a return to form for the franchise and the well-done VFX. Official reviews are under embargo until May 22.

The swashbuckling film sees the return of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa and introduces a new young cast including Brenton Thwaites and Kaya Scodelario. Javier Bardem plays a ghostly villain with a vengeance

as they all search for the trident of Poseidon on the high seas. Orlando Bloom also returns as Will Sparrow, who hasn’t been in a “Pirates” film since 2007’s “At World’s End.” “Dead Men Tell No Tales” is the first “Pirates” film since 2011’s “On Stranger Tides” and the first to be directed by Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg. To date, the franchise has grossed over $3.73 billion worldwide for the studio, and there is some pressure on this fifth film to continue the enormous successes of the previous

was the best since the first, adding that, “while that isn’t saying much, it does occasionally capture that magic.”

Collider.com editor in chief Steven Weintraub praised the action set pieces and said it was better than the fourth.

Slashfilm.com editor Peter Sciretta called it a “pleasant surprise.”

“Continues the legacy, focuses on the characters and the world,” Sciretta wrote.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” hits theaters on May 26. (ap)

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Thursday, March 30, 2017

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IBP/Wawan

Commercialization of ogoh-ogoh and pengerupukan meaning NIGHT of Pengerupukan or the Nyepi Day’s Eve is usually graced by Balinese Hindus with a unique and sacred tradition, namely parading ogoh-ogoh or papier mâché demon throughout their respective village. However, over the times, many Balinese people do not know in-depth about the function of ogoh-ogoh on the pengerupukan.

Ida Pandita Mpu Jaya Prema Ananda said that ogoh-ogoh is a symbol of bhuta kala or demon presented with offerings in the tawur kesanga, so that at the beginning the ogoh-ogoh was very much made sacred by the Hindus.

In the past, people did not make ogoh-ogoh because at that time they were already satisfied with the ritual implementation without excessive symbol. However, when Bali is advanced and the art is developed, it is considered necessary to make

the symbol of bhuta kala functioned to only visualize when priests officiate over caru ritual. When the caru offerings are ‘savored,’ the ogohogoh was moved in order that bhuta transforms into gods (in the concept known as bhuta ya, dewa ya).

“Apparently a group of young people is not satisfied with the ogohogoh that is just moved around the tawur kesanga. With the reasons of expensive cost in the making, they consider it necessary to parade it around. Right now, we see the

ogoh-ogoh is paraded around on the streets of village. Moreover, in some places the tawur kesanga is held at one of the corners while the ogoh-ogoh is placed at the opposite corner. Seemingly there is no relation between the ogohogoh and tawur kesanga. Tawur kesanga may be organized in the morning, while the ogoh-ogoh is paraded in the afternoon. A worrying thing is that the ogoh-ogoh is consecrated (dipasupati) and then paraded around the village until it becomes damaged, but it is forgotten to burn physically and psychically (dipralina). No wonder, there are many mass clashes in Bali, the bhuta kala is alive and nobody burns and transforms it into god,” said Ida Pandita Mpu Jaya Prema Ananda on Wednesday (Mar. 22).

Moreover, ogoh-ogoh develops into commercialization. Some people think that the ogoh-ogoh is not associated with tawur kesanga, so that the ogoh-ogoh is made modern and no need to be in the form of bhuta kala, such as a café girl riding a motorcycle and other forms.

However, Ida Pandita Mpu Jaya Prema Ananda assessed that the ogoh-ogoh must remain to have nuance of ritual commercialization as it is related to Nyepi celebration denoting a major feast day of Hinduism. Moreover, every year the Hindu Dharma Council gives a warning that ogoh-ogoh must still be in the form of bhuta kala, not a symbol of religious figures.

Nevertheless, the warning must be added that the ogoh-ogoh must be associated with tawur kesanga and

then burned after using.

“Do not put the ogoh-ogoh into carnival. On that account, I have ever suggested that the fondness of Balinese people to make ogoh-ogoh is organized on other days, such as on the anniversary of the city of Denpasar. Well, at that time people can make ogoh-ogoh in any version.

However, Balinese people seem uncomfortable to make ogoh-ogoh beyond Nyepi. It is hard for them to ask for donations unless in the name of religion,” he concluded. (win)

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.