Edition Monday, July 30, 2018 | International Bali Post

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Monday, July 30, 2018

Murakumi says can’t publicly oppose death penalty for sarin gas attackers TOKYO - Bestselling author Haruki Murakami says he cannot publicly oppose the hanging of the sarin gas attackers despite his objections to the death penalty, but Japan should not use the case as a pretext for sticking to the capital punishment.

The reclusive Japanese writer made the rare comment in an article in the Mainichi daily Sunday, just days after Japan executed the last members of the Aum Shinrikyo members on death row.

Murakami said on the newspaper’s English-language website that “as a general argument” he opposes capital punishment.

But having interviewed those who suffered and lost loved ones for his book “Underground” on the 1995 sarin subway attack, “I cannot publicly state, as far as this case is concerned, ‘I am opposed to death penalty’,” he wrote.

Yet Murakumi said the Aumrelated cases did not come to a close

with the latest executions.

“If there was any intention of ‘bringing a closure to those cases,’ or an ulterior motive of making the institution called the death penalty a more permanent one by using this opportunity, that is wrong, and the existence of such a strategy must never be allowed,” he said.

Murakami said he was in the courtroom when the death sentence was handed down to one of the 13.

The shock made him feel “as if a blunt weight was inside my chest” for the following days.

Hering news of the Aum executions, “I similarly feel the existence of that weight in my chest”, he said.

On July 6 Japan hanged the Aum guru and six former senior disciples for their involvement in the attack on the Tokyo subway that killed 13 people, left others with lifetime injuries and plunged the capital into chaos. (afp)

Monday, July 30, 2018 In this file photo taken on December 16, 2015 US actress Carrie Fisher (R) poses with a storm trooper as she attends the opening of the European Premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in central London.

Carrie Fisher makes posthumous return to ‘Star Wars’

LOS ANGELES - “Star Wars: Episode IX” begins filming next week, Disney said Friday, in a shock announcement revealing it will feature both Carrie Fisher in a posthumous appearance and series star Mark Hamill.

Bestselling author Haruki Murakami

IBP/net

The final installment of the Skywalker saga -- which began in 1977 with “Episode IV: A New Hope” -- is due for release worldwide in December next year.

It picks up the saga after the protagonist, Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, appeared to have been killed off in the last episode. Fisher’s Princess Leia was still alive at the end of 2017’s “The Last Jedi” but the actress herself died a year earlier, in December 2016.

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” said J.J. Abrams, who is back at the helm for “Episode IX,” having directed “Episode VII: The Force Awakens” in 2015.

“Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga with-

out her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character,” he added in a statement.

Disney said Fisher’s role would be gleaned from previously unreleased footage from “The Force Awakens,” with the blessing of her daughter, Billie Lourd.

It is not the first time Fisher’s likeness has featured in a “Star Wars” movie despite being absent from its filming.

“Rogue One,” a 2016 spin-off from the main series, directed by Gareth Edwards, had been in theaters for a couple of weeks when Fisher’s death from a heart attack was announced.

A much younger version of Fisher as Leia appears in that

movie, thanks to the controversial application of computer wizardry to animate her image.

Returning cast members for the final episode include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran and Joonas Suotamo.

Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant are among the new faces, while old “Star Wars” hands Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams return as C-3PO and Lando Calrissian.

Composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the “Star Wars” saga, continues his unbroken run for the next adventure. (afp)

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Aulia AHMAD / AFP

An Indonesian man examines the remains of houses, after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck, in Lombok on July 29, 2018. A powerful earthquake on the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok killed at least 10 people, injured dozens and damaged hundreds of homes on July 29, officials said.

Strong quake kills 17, injures scores, on Indonesia holiday island

A powerful earthquake which struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday killed at least 17 people, injured scores and damaged thousands of homes, officials said. Five children were among those killed by the shallow 6.4-magnitude early-morning quake, which sent people running outside in panic and triggered landslides on popular mountain hiking routes.

Scores of aftershocks sparked fear among survivors. More than 120 were recorded, the biggest with a magnitude of 5.7, Indonesia’s meteorology agency said.

Local officials have declared a three-day state of emergency.

President Joko Widodo is due to visit the island Monday morning, his spokesman said.

“Based on reports, 17 people died, 162 were injured and thousands of homes were damaged,” Indonesian disaster mitigation agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement, adding that five

of the dead were children.

One Malaysian was killed and six injured, the Malaysian foreign ministry said. “All of them were at the foot of Mount Rinjani when the incident happened,” it said, referencing the spectacular volcano that dominates the island.

The 30-year-old victim was inside a restroom when the entire building collapsed and crushed her, the New Straits Times quoted another Malaysian climber, Khairul Azim, as saying. Khairul said his own group was unable to leave the Sembalun area because many

roads including the main one had been damaged.

The constant aftershocks sparked terrified shouts among scores of people made homeless in the eastern village of Sembalun in the district of the same name, an AFP reporter said.

Some 200 people from 35 families whose house were damaged or destroyed had pitched tents there.

The roof of a health clinic had collapsed and its walls had cracked.

“People are traumatised and too scared to return home for fear the aftershocks could destroy their

homes completely,” the reporter said. “Everytime there is an aftershock they cry out in fear and tremors can still be felt constantly.”

Evacuees told AFP they badly needed blankets and instant food because there was no time to bring anything when they fled their homes.

Popular trekking trails on Mount Rinjani were closed because of landslides, according to the disaster agency.

One local trek organiser described how rocks rained down on two Spanish hikers and their guide as they were caught on a mountain trail.

“My trekking guide who was accompanying two tourists from Spain suffered from minor injuries

during the jolt. They were hiking from Segara Anak Lake to Plawangan and rocks were falling on them during the quake,” said Karyadi, the owner of a guesthouse where the pair were staying. The two Spaniards were also slightly hurt.

“Our guests were in shock because of the incident,” said Karyadi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

Continued to page 6

News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http:// radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.

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International

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International

Monday, July 30, 2018

15

Developping Bali’s agricultural sector

Government and academics working together

DENPASAR - Farmers in Bali are facing a number of challenges, particularly the temptation to sell their land to developers and lack of access to water, but also issues with farm pests. Bali’s provincial government has been continuously working with institutes of higher learning to conducts studies aimed at finding applicable solutions to said challenges.

“We always work with academic researchers as well as the Bureau of Farming Technology Research (BPTP)”, explained Head of the Province of Bali’s Department of Staple Crops, Horticulture and Gardens, Ida Bagus Wisnuardhana on Saturday (28/7).

According to Wisnuardhana, cooperation and coordination between said parties has been going well with government and researchers working together on these issues. Results of the research are used for recommendations for implementa-

tion in the field.

“If we see a need to conduct specific research, then we provide a budget for it. If they have a bdget then they take the initiative to conduct the research”, he added.

For some time now, said Wisnuardhana, farmers in Bali have been facing the serious challenge of maintaining working rice fields in the face of temptations to sell off or lease land to developers. Every year somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 hectares of arable land are converted into buildings despite the existence of zoning by-laws that forbid such conversions.

“IN 2017 there was a surge to 900 hectares of arable land that was converted to purposes other than farming. What is more, rice paddies that require considerable amounts of water have to complete with the domestic sector for access to water. So during the dry season, our rice paddies do not get enough water”, explained Wisnuardhana.

The problem of lack of water is addressed by creating dams and reservoirs. Farm pests, though somewhat problematic are a less serious problem, as it depends on the climate.– the same way that humans tend to fall ill when there are large fluctuations in weather conditions, pest are also sensitive to such fluctuation.

“As long as less than 3 percent of a given area of land is being attacked by pests, it is considered safe, but if more than 3 percent is affected we take action” said Wisnuardhana.

Despite much groaning about falling prices during harvest, Wisnuardhana added that it is normal to that the price of farm products should go up and down depending on the season. The way to increase revenue during harvest season is to create products based on these food that have a longer shelf life and to market these goods. Having famers work with hotels and restaurants in one good way to ensure a more stable revenue throughout the year. (kmb32)

Healthy Living with Friday Yoga at Lighthouse Rooftop

Located on a vibrant district but far enough away from the busy street of Kuta, Aston Kuta Hotel & Residence held Friday Yoga every Friday at the Lighthouse Rooftop with concept ‘Connect with Your Body’.

Yoga now became a trend of healthy lifestyle. Yoga is a way to achieve balance and harmony between the mind, body, and spirit, both individually and in relationship with the world around us.

Held at the Lighthouse Rooftop 7th

IBP/kmb

Communication Ministry to facilitate provincial ambassadors to Asian Games

DENPASAR - The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemkominfo) will bear the transportation and accommodation costs for 64 people elected to become “Indonesian Supporters Ambassadors” from all provinces in Indonesia to attend the 2018 Asian Games Opening.

“In fact, the Kemkominfo will provide full support for the dissemination, publication, and in-

formation about the 2018 Asian Games,” Director General of Information and Public Communication of Kemkominfo Rosarita Niken Widyastuti stated here on Tuesday.

In connection with the dissemination of information regarding the prestigious sports event, Widyastuti remarked that the Kemkominfo has an Indonesian Supporters Ambassador application program that can be downloaded via android.

The application will feature a daily quiz that can be followed by the public, so that later two winners of the quizzes can be announced for each province in the country.

Until now, the application has been used by more than 800 thousand people and tens of thousands of Indonesians, who have expressed their willingness to be ambassadors for the 2018 Asian Games supporters program.

In addition to the Indonesian Supporters Ambassadors program, the ministry has organized a Gate and Village Contest based on the design of the Asian Games and the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

“The photos will then be sent to the Asian Games Archway Competition application. The winners in each province will also be facilitated to attend the opening or

watch events at several 2018 Asian Games sports venues,” Rosarita remarked on the sidelines of attending the Asian Games torch parade in Denpasar.

As part of the series of activities to enliven the Asian Games, the Kemkominfo also held a People`s Party with several competitions, such as dance competitions, online photo competitions, and trivia games. (ant)

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

floor, the stunning setting of fresh air, blue ocean and sky view will spoiled us during the class. Lead by a professional instructor, we will be invited to morning flow yoga to ensure we get the most experience whether you are a beginner or expert. By doing a yoga routine, the body will connected which led to peace for mindful alignment and health increase. Not only good for physics, yoga is also one kind of a stress release.

Friday Yoga is held every Friday

morning from 07.30 am – 08.30 am for IDR 150,000net includes international buffet breakfast and choice of healthy juice and IDR 50,000net for yoga class only (KTP/KITAS holder). For reservation and more information you can contact +62 361 754 999 or Whatsapp to +62 818 0588 5888.

About Aston Kuta Hotel & Residence

Located in the quaint area of Kuta and only 5-minute away from

I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and boasting 209 guestrooms including 41 premier suites and 8 functional rooms, Aston Kuta Hotel & Residence is the best facility for leisure and business.

About Archipelago International

Archipelago International is Indonesia’s largest hotel management chain with a portfolio of over 120 hotels and 15,000 rooms.

As a continually expanding brand, Archipelago International has a

development pipeline exceeding 100 properties in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

Archipelago International core brands include: favehotel, NEO, Quest, Harper, Aston, Alana and Kamuela. Archipelago International’s properties range from ultraluxurious villas with private pools to select-service, economy-class hotels to serviced-apartment residences, thus offering Indonesia’s largest and most comprehensive hospitality network

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Monday, July 30, 2018

International

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International

Monday, July 30, 2018

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Virgin Galactic space rocket leaves the stratosphere A step closer to putting tourists in space

BILLIONAIRE Richard Branson has taken a supersonic step closer to achieving his ambition to transport tourists into space when his longdelayed Virgin Galactic project completed a rocket-powered test flight on Thursday. It travelled at 2.47 times the speed of sound.

SpaceShipTwo, dubbed VSS Unity, was carried by companion craft, White Knight, to an altitude of 46,500 feet over California’s Mojave Desert. It then separated from its mother ship and blasted into the stratosphere. It’s rockets blazed for 42 seconds before making a an almost vertical climb to 170,800 feet, approximately halfway to the edge of space.

“Oh that is a million dollar view out the window Dave” says co-pilot Mike “Sooch” Masucci.

The ship – which cost almost half a billion dollars – made its way back to Earth, successfully landing at the

Mojave Air and Space Port.

“It was a thrill from start to finish,” said David Mackay, who co-piloted Unity alongside Mike “Sooch” Masucci. “Unity’s rocket motor performed magnificently again and Sooch pulled off a smooth landing.

“This was a new altitude record for both of us in the cockpit, not to mention our mannequin in the back, and the views of Earth from the black sky were magnificent.”

This was Unity’s 14th outing and was hailed as the most successful yet for the project.

T h i s

flight was higher and faster than ever and the first to reach the mesosphere ich Virgin Galactic describes as an “under-studied atmospheric layer” because it’s beyond the range of balloon flight.

The event bodes for Branson’s hopes to eventually carry passengers int space. Virgin Galactic hopes to begin commercial space flights by the end of 2018.

However there is competition

Elon Musk CEO of Tesla and Lead Designer of SpaceX also has his heart on putting civilians in space and has also declared his aim of doing so by the end of 2018.

All the seats on the Unity are have been sold until at least 2021. The first 100 passengers paid $200,000 and further 600 more put down a sizeable deposit on a $250,000 ticket to experience zero-gravity for six minutes and the ability to look down on Planet Earth.

Space X tickets have not been released for sale and no date has been given as to when they will be. (net)

IBP/kmb

The Batur Volcano Museum

Holidaying while learning about volcanoes at the Batur Volcano Museum

BANGLI - There are many ways to enjoy time off, including by visiting museums. The Batur Volcano Museum is a rather interesting place where visitors can learn all about volcanoes.

Director of the Batur Volcano Museum, Desak Made Andariani when met recently explained that the museum is set on a 1,09 hectares of land and houses a collection of geological artifacts. The first floor of the museum features

rocks that came to the surface between 1049 and the year 2000, rocks from before then are referred to as prehistoric. The second floor of the museum has a collection of taxidermy animals and trees. The geopark also includes cultural artifacts such as ancient stone inscriptions and prehistoric statues.

The museum is visited by an average of about 100 people a day. Most of the museums visitors are foreign tourists from China and elsewhere who come to the museum before go-

ing down in the BAtur caldera. On school holidays there is a surge in visitors as students from all over Bali and other parts of Indonesia also visit the museum as part of their studies. “So this museum is a place to enjoy but also to learn”, explained Andariani.

The Batur Volcano Museum (Museum Gunung Api Batur) is opne from Monday to Friday from 8AM to 4PM and from 8AM to 2Pm on weekends. More information is available from the museum guides. (kmb40)

Creative artisans come up with new designs for Sokasi baskets

BANGLI - Artisans in Bangli have been consistenly coming up with new designs for their crafts.

Dewa Rai Nyoman Sudiasa from Banjar Tegalasah Kaja, Tembuku Village for example, started using new materials to decorate his sokasi baskets last year in order to remain competitive on the basket market.

He explained that he first got the idea after visiting a craft show in Yogyakarta where he saw thin cloth being used on baskets. Previously Nyoman had created innovative designs for his baskets using wood paint, and gold leaf, but decided to give paper a try.

“Because it worked well, I tried to use this new material on wood then on bamboo and finally with woven bamboo. The results were much better on bamboo than on wood and thin paper is easier to use

than wood paint”, he explained. Paper with images of flowers, butterflies and other things is gluesd on to the baskets with a special kind of glue before the baskets are dried. “This is special paper from America that does not fall apart when wet”, he explained, adding that this style has become quite popular with local buyers.

Nyoman sells his baskets at traditional markets in Denpasar, Bangli, Badung, Gianyar and Klungkung. “My baskets are sold for anywhere between IDR 10,000 and IDR 400,000, depending on the size and how complicated the pattern is”, he said adding that he sells more baskets before religious holidays including cremation season when many people are seeking such baskets. “Sales tend to go up about 2 months before Galungan and Kuningan then sales drop again”, explained Sudiasa. (kmb41)

IBP/kmb

Artisans in Bangli have been consistenly coming up with new designs for their crafts.

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Monday, July 30, 2018

International

Monday, July 30, 2018

International

Hotel Occupancy rates in Ubud over70%

Powerful storm hits disaster-ravaged Japan

GIANYAR - Occupancy rates of hotels and homestays in Gianyar- particularly Ubud have been going up steadily. At the end of July data showed that average occupancy rates were over 70%”, said head of the Hotel and Homestay Association (UHSA) I.B. Wiryawan, on Friday (27/7).

Several homestays are fully booked and may are almost full. Gus De -as Wiryawan is known, said that such high occupancy rates are expected to remain stable until sometime in August. “We also keep track of how long guests expect to stay, so we know that rooms will be full until August”, he explained.

Most of the tourist who stay in homestays in Ubud are from Europe, especially Sweden and Belgium but there also a lot of tourists from The Netherlands, France and elsewhere. “SO we are seeing a new market of people coming to Ubud, while the French and Dutch remain loyal to visiting Ubud”, he said, adding that there are also a lot of tourists from Australia visiting Ubud.

Tourists from Asia –particularly from China, tend to only visit Ubud for the day, as they prefer to stay in Southern Bali. “ Rarely do Chinese tourists stay in Ubud, and if they do it usually not for more

than one night”, said Gus De. With the increased occupancy rates, Gus De said that many homestays have increased their prices per night by about IDR 50,000. So places that normally cost IDR 200,00 now cost IDR 250,00 per night while the most expensive can coast as much as IDR 600,000 per night. “Almost everyone raises their proices during the high season”, he added.

Vice- regent of Gianyar A.A. Bagus Ari Brahmanta confirmed that occupancy rates in Ubud had already reached 70% with increased numbers of tourists all around. “In Ubud this can clearly be seen by the crowdedness of restaurants, at Ubud Palace and at the Ubud Art Market”, he said, adding that all tourists attractions managed by the Regency of Gianyar are also filled with tourists – particularly Trta Empul. “The largest number of passing visitors are still Chinese”, he concluded. (kmb 35)

Gianluigi GUERCIA / AFP

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (front L) chats with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2ndR) as they pose for a group picture during the 10th BRICS summit (acronym for the grouping of the world’s leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on July 27, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

IBP/kmb

Most of the tourist who stay in homestays in Ubud are from Europe, especially Sweden and Belgium but there also a lot of tourists from The Netherlands, France and elsewhere.

Galungan Cina at Museum Neka The beauty of togetherness

THE long history of cultural, religious, political, artistic and trade relations between Indonesia and China date back over half a millennium and continue to have profound influences on both countries. Though mostly harmonious these relations have also been marked by some deeply troubling events and as a consequence some less than harmonious attitudes and actions have occurred over the years often eclipsing the generally positive interactions that in fact flourish in day-to-day relations.

Bali has a particularly close relationship with Chinese culture that began long ago but is perhaps most notably described in the love story that took place in the 12th century between Balinese

IBP

Painting by I Wayan Juni Antara on display at Neka Museum’s Galungan Cina exhibition

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King Jaya Pangus of Kintamani and Chinese princess Kang Cing Wie of the Kang Dynasty that continues to resonate to this very day. There are various renditions of the story but in essence they fell madly in love and the cultural influences that the Chinese princess brought with her have become part of Balinese culture in general with particular influence in the area of Kintamani where this legendary couple lived.

There were of course many Chinese merchants and cultural envoys visiting Bali and other parts of Indonesia before and after this story, however certain distinct influences like the use of pis bolong (chinese coins) and the barong landung (chinese style barong) and other influences from Chinese culture took root with this couple and have made their way all over the island and have become integrated into Balinese culture.

On July 25th, 2018 Neka Museum in collaboration with artist community Segara Lor from Udiksnas University opened an exhibition entitled “Galungan Cina” in celebration of the harmonious relations between these two cultures. According to some accounts, what has become one of Bali’s most important religious holidays – Galungan and Kuningan was born out of the love story between King Jaya Pangus and princess Kang Cing Wie. As curator and cultural art historian I Made Susanta Dwitanaya explained: “the title of the exhibition was chosen as a way to show how Balinese culture is one that is based on inclusion rather than exclusion, whereby influences from other cultures – in this case Chinese culture, are not feared, rejected or vilified but rather considered as enriching and incorporated into the broader world view of Balinese culture itself”.

Segara Lor invited guest artist Tien Hong to join them in this exhibition as a Balinese painter whose family descends from China. Hong is from Desa Lampu, Kintamani where the majority of residents are also of Chinese descent. His family and neighbors have been living in Bali for many generations and although they acknowledge their roots in China and maintain certain traditions, they also practice Balinese religious and cultural customs. “Yes I am of Chinese descent but I am also very much Balinese. Never once in my life have I felt like a foreigner here, nor have I ever

witnessed any kind of strained relations based on differences in ethnicity in my village. In fact Desa Lampu was given a national award for most harmonious inter-ethnic relations. I believe this is a testament to the possibility of such harmonious relations between all peoples in Indonesia”.

Galungan Cina features a diverse range of works by 19 artists: Wayan Sudiarta, Tien Hong, Komang Trisno Adi Wirawan, Made Kartiyoga, Kadek Antara, Dewa Gede Purwita, Riski Nanda Riwaldi, Nyoman Arisana, Ni Luh Pangestu Widya Sari, I Gusti Agung Prawira Yuda, Ida Bagus Pandit Prastu, I Made Hendra Putrawan, kadek Jefri Wibowo, Putu Suhartawan, Kadek Omo Santika, and Dewa Johana.

All of the works in the exhibition refer in some way to the influence of Chinese culture in Bali, whether tangible or intangible and pay tribute the wealth that comes from such cultural interactions. The high quality and great diversity of the works themselves also echoes the distinct ability of Balinese culture in particular and Indonesian culture in general to allow for great diversity while preserving a fundamental identity. It is perhaps this ability to remain coherent while embracing difference that defines the unusually beautiful identity of this island and the nation of which it is part.

“Neka Museum is dedicated to supporting local, national and international artists of note and we are especially pleased to welcome alumni from Udisknas University’s Fine Arts department who have formed into the art community Segara Lor to present this exhibition – Galungan Cina, which speak to the long history of harmonious relations between Bali and China. We hope that this exhibition can demonstrate the beauty and power of unity in diversity and serve as an example for all of us who make up this great diverse nation”, explained founder of Neka Museum, Pande Wayan Suteja Neka Galungan Cina will be on display at Neka Museum, Jl Raya Sagingan, Ubud, until August 15th, 2018 and us a must see for any art lover and anyone interested in the wonderful dance between Bali and China that continues to yield much beauty, harmony and togetherness.

Turkey’s Erdogan warns US over sanctions threat

ANKARA - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned the US in comments published Sunday that sanctions would not force Ankara to “step back” after Donald Trump threatened to punish Turkey if a US pastor was not freed.

“You cannot make Turkey take a step back with sanctions,” Erdogan said in his first comments since relations soured after Trump threatened the measures on Thursday if Pastor Andrew Brunson was not released.

“The US should not forget that it could lose a strong and sincere partner like Turkey if it does not change its attitude,” he was quoted as saying by Hurriyet daily.

“The change of attitude is Trump’s problem, not mine,” he told journalists during a visit to South Africa, calling the US threats “psychological warfare”.

Relations between the NATO allies have worsened over the jailing of Brunson, who ran a Protestant church in the Aegean city of Izmir.

He was held in a Turkish jail for almost two years on terror charges but was placed under house arrest on Wednesday.

Trump on Thursday hit back at the move, calling for his immediate release and warning that the US

would impose “large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment” of Brunson.

Ties had already been strained over multiple issues including Washington’s support of a Syrian Kurdish militia which Turkey views as a terrorist group and the failure to extradite the Pennsylvania-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen.

Erdogan in September suggested Turkey could free Brunson if the US handed over Gulen -- an offer brushed off by Washington.

- No ‘bargaining chip’ Ankara accuses Gulen of ordering the 2016 failed overthrow of Erdogan, a claim he strongly denies.

The Washington Post on Friday reported a deal between Ankara and Washington was made to secure the release of a Turkish woman imprisoned in Israel in exchange for the freedom of Brunson.

Ebru Ozkan, 27, had been held for over a month by Israel on charg-

es of passing hundreds of dollars to a “terrorist” group, but she returned to Turkey on July 16.

The newspaper said the agreement was “personally sealed” by Trump but fell apart when Brunson was transferred to house arrest.

Erdogan addressed the claims, stressing that Turkey had “never made Pastor Brunson a bargaining chip.”

However, he said Ankara had asked for Washington’s help in securing Ozkan’s return home.

“But we didn’t say: ‘In return for this, we will give you Brunson’.

Nothing like this was discussed,” Erdogan insisted.

Brunson risks up to 35 years in jail if found guilty of charges of carrying out activities on behalf of two groups deemed by Turkey to be terror organisations -- the Gulen movement and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Brunson rejects the accusations while US officials have repeatedly insisted the pastor is innocent. (afp)

TOKYO - A powerful storm slammed into Japan on Sunday, churning across western areas already hard hit by floods and landslides earlier this month and injuring some 20 people.

Typhoon Jongdari, with winds of up to 180 kilometres (110 miles) an hour, made landfall at Ise in Mie prefecture at around 1 am (1600 GMT Saturday), according to the meteorological agency.

More than 170 domestic flights were cancelled for Sunday and train services disrupted.

A total of 21 people have been injured in the past days as the storm brought violent winds and torrential rains, the government said.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned that the storm could continue to bring heavy rain even after the epicentre had passed by.

“Get hold of information on damage, cooperate closely with municipal offices and make utmost efforts to help evacuate local residents,” he central government officials on Sunday.

The typhoon weakened after making landfall and was downgraded to a tropical storm but many provinces stayed on alert.

“We have been on emergency alert the whole time since the rain disaster” in early July, said Koji Kunitomi, a crisis management official in the western prefecture of Okayama.

“Fortunately, so far, we haven’t seen new flooding,” he told AFP. The storm, after unleashing torrential rain over eastern and Japan, moved west and then south on Sunday.

TV footage showed high waves

smashing onto rocks and seawalls southwest of Tokyo and trees buffeted by strong winds and heavy rain.

Waves shattered the window of an ocean-view restaurant at a hotel in the resort town of Atami southwest of Tokyo late Saturday.

“We didn’t expect this could happen... Waves gushed into the restaurant as the window broke but we are grateful that customers followed evacuation instructions,” an official at the hotel told AFP. “Fortunately no one was seriously hurt,” she said, adding five people suffered cuts from broken glass as they fled.

The storm moved across the western region of Chugoku, where record rainfall early this month unleashed flooding and landslides which killed around 220 people.

It was Japan’s worst weatherrelated disaster in decades, and thousands of those affected are still in temporary shelters or damaged homes.

The storm was hitting the nation’s southern land mass of Kyushu late Sunday.

The authorities in Kyushu urged residents to evacuate before rain intensifies.

The weather agency warned of heavy rain, landslides, strong winds and high waves.

In Japan evacuation orders are not mandatory and people often remain at home, only to become trapped later by rapidly rising water or sudden landslides.

Japan is now in typhoon season and is regularly hit by major storms during the summer and autumn. (afp)

Jiji Press / AFP

In this photo taken on July 28, 2018, people protect themselves with umbrellas as heavy rains caused by Typhoon Jongdari fall in Tokyo.

12

International

Monday, July 30, 2018

Bali News

International

BUSINESS

Monday, July 30, 2018

5

US economy grew at a brisk 4.1 percent rate last quarter

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy accelerated last quarter at an annual rate of 4.1 percent, the government estimated Friday, as consumers spent tax-cut money, businesses stepped up investment and exporters rushed to ship their goods ahead of retaliatory tariffs.

President Donald Trump said he was thrilled with what he called an “amazing” growth rate — the strongest quarterly figure since 2014 — and said it wasn’t “a onetime shot.” But most economists took issue with that forecast, saying the pace of growth in the AprilJune quarter won’t likely last in the months ahead.

The Commerce Department said the gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the United States — posted its best showing since a 4.9 percent annual increase in the third quarter of 2014.

Trump, who has repeatedly attacked the Obama administration’s economic record, had pledged during the 2016 presidential race to double annual economic growth to 4 percent or more. And at a White House appearance Friday with his top economic advisers and Vice President Mike Pence, the president boasted that “we’ve accomplished an economic turnaround of historic proportions.”

He predicted that the economy would fare “extraordinarily well” in the current July-September quarter and that growth for 2018 as a whole would be the best in 13 years.

But forecasters cautioned that the April-June pace was due mainly,

though not entirely, to temporary factors. Most analysts are forecasting that growth this year could reach 3 percent, which would be the best since a 3.5 percent gain in 2005. But many think the annual 4.1 percent growth rate last quarter is likely the high point for any one quarter. Many think annual growth in the second half of this year will be 2.5 percent to 3 percent.

“We believe quarter two will represent a growth peak as the boost from tax cuts fades, global growth moderates, inflation rises, the Fed tightens monetary policy and trade protectionism looms over the economy,” said Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics.

The latest GDP figure was nearly double the 2.2 percent growth rate in the first quarter, which was revised up from a previous estimate of 2 percent annual growth.

Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of economic activity, reached a 4 percent annual growth rate after a lackluster 0.5 percent rate in the first quarter.

Consumers began spending their higher take-home pay on autos and other big-ticket items, spurred by the $1.5 trillion tax cut Trump pushed through Congress in December.

Another key factor that bolstered growth was a rush by exporters of

soybeans and other products to move their shipments to other countries before retaliatory tariffs in response to Trump’s tariffs on imports took effect. Exports surged at a 9.3 percent annual rate in the second quarter, while imports grew at a scant 0.5 percent rate.

Trump called the narrowing of the trade deficit “one of the biggest wins in the report.”

The narrowing trade deficit added a full percentage point to growth last quarter, though economists have expressed concern that a full-blown trade war between the United States and China, the world’ s two biggest economies, will hurt growth in both countries.

Business investment grew at a solid 7.3 percent annual rate. Government spending also posted a solid gain, rising at a 2.1 percent annual rate. The result was boosted by a budget deal at the start of the year that added billions to defense and domestic spending.

But housing, which has struggled this year, shrank at a 1.1 percent annual rate after an even sharper 3.4 percent annual decline in the first quarter.

“The second quarter was a strong quarter, but it was juiced up by the tax cuts and higher government spending,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist Moody’s Analytics.

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

In this Jan. 18, 2017 file photo, construction personnel work on a building project just south of Chicago’s Loop. The U.S. economy surged in the April-June quarter, growing at an annual rate of 4.1 percent.

Zandi forecast that growth for 2018 will reach 3 percent, which would be the best rate since before the Great Recession. In 2019, he expects solid 2.6 percent growth.

But in 2020 — a presidential election year — Zandi is forecasting growth of just 0.9 percent, a pace so slow it will raise the threat of a recession.

“We will come pretty close to stalling out in 2020 because the growth we are seeing now is not sustainable,” Zandi said.

The GDP report released Friday

included a revision of previous years’ figures. The revisions showed that growth in 2017 came in at 2.2 percent, slightly below the 2.3 percent previously reported.

The current economic expansion, which began in June 2009, is now the second-longest on record but also the weakest. The GDP revisions didn’t change that narrative. Annual growth has averaged just 2.2 percent since mid-2009 through the end of last year, the same as previously reported. (ap)

European Central Bank says rates will remain low for months FRANKFURT - The European Central Bank is stressing that interest rates will stay low well into next year even as the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to keep raising rates in coming months.

The central bank for the 19 countries that use the euro left its key rates and monetary stimulus settings unchanged at a meeting Thursday at its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

ECB President head Mario Draghi was asked at a news conference about accusations by U.S. President Donald Trump that Europe is purposefully pushing its currency down with low interest rates to gain a trade advantage.

But Draghi said the ECB monetary stimulus efforts were simply a reflection that Europe and the United

States economies had emerged from the financial crisis at different periods.

The eurozone economy has not had as much time to strengthen and therefore needs lower rates.

“We said several times that the exchange rate is not a policy target,” he said.

Stimulus policies such as zero interest rates can weaken a currency. But Draghi noted that euro has actually appreciated when measured against all of Europe’s trading partners.

He said that while the eurozone economy is enjoying solid growth, “significant monetary policy stimulus is still needed.”

The bank had said at the previous meeting, on June 14, that it would phase out its 2.4 trillion-euro ($2.8 trillion) bond-buying stimulus program

by year-end, and would keep interest rates on hold “through the summer” of 2019. Speculation on what “through the summer” means has ranged from July to September or even later.

Draghi declined to be more precise during the news conference.

The ECB is withdrawing stimulus as the economy grows, but doing it so slowly that its path is diverging sharply from that of the Fed, which is already raising rates.

The rich world’s major central banks — also including the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan— are slowly withdrawing stimulus measures they deployed to support the economy during and after the global financial crisis and Great Recession.

The end of the stimulus will have wide-ranging effects, such as increas-

ing borrowing costs for governments and home buyers. By raising returns on safe assets such as bonds and savings accounts, it could also make those holdings more attractive relative to stocks and change investor attitudes toward the risks of the longstanding bull market. The ECB is proceeding gingerly to avoid market disruptions.

ECB officials have expressed confidence that inflation is sustainably trending toward their goal of just under 2 percent. It came in at 2 percent in June, although when excluding volatile items like oil and food, prices remain weaker. The central bankers are still keeping a wary eye on recent signs of weaker growth, and on the chance that a trade conflict between the United States and other countries could hurt global business

and the export-dependent European economy.

Draghi welcomed a tentative agreement between the EU and U.S. on Wednesday that put a halt to any new tariffs and sought to reduce existing ones.

“It shows that there is a willingness to discuss trade issues in a multilateral trade framework again,” he said.

The ECB’s short-term benchmark rate was kept unchanged at a record low of zero. By comparison, the Fed’s key rate is in a range between 1.75 percent and 2 percent and more increases are expected this year. The bond-buying program, meanwhile, pumps newly created money into the banking system in an attempt to raise inflation and growth by making credit easier to get. (ap)

Ulun Danu Beratan, Center for Water Recreation

Ulun Danu Beratan tourist attraction is not only beautiful. This object located in the tourist area of Bedugul, Baturiti, Tabanan or about 50 kilometers north of Denpasar also poses a center for tourist attraction. Aside from cultural attractions, the area is also equipped with various vehicles of water recreation.

In combination with exotic surrounding atmosphere, the water tourist attractions here can create wonderful memories. Starting from traditional boat, paddle boat, speed boat to fishing on the lake shore is equally attractive. By taking these attractions, visitors can enjoy the natural atmosphere of the lake.

Traditional boat can accommodate four to five passengers for 30

minutes. By riding this boat around the lake, visitors will be able to capture the activity of family in the boat. Alternatively, visitors can also do fishing by boat. “During holiday season, many visitors take paddle boat. They are mostly domestic travelers from Surabaya and Jakarta,” said Operations Manager of the Ulun Danu Beratan, Wayan Mustika. Visitors can also take

pictures with a variety of animals in the Safari Park of Ulun Danu Beratan. This miniature park is located in the garden area at the front, right on the left side of the entrance into the object. Various kinds of cute pets will be able to make your traveling atmosphere more memorable.

Balinese rare birds and those from outside the region and overseas can also be encountered here.

Charming flowers of large and small size can become a beautiful backdrop for your snapshots or selfie.

In the north, there is a hanging flying fox that will be very sweet when you take photos with it. Likewise there are eagles with multicolored feathers, hornbill, small and large owls, black python, albino python, Brazilian chameleon and iguana.

This cool tourist attraction also provides playground for children but it sits at different location. The playground includes slides, swings, scales and climbers. All the attraction are located in the wild, namely

in the right side of the entrance to the tourist center. “This children playground is quite entertaining.

Children that cannot enjoy water recreation can take advantage of this playground for free,” he said.

Other than local children, many foreign travelers are also interested in this attraction. They even mingle with local children to make interaction in their way. “We intentionally provide various facilities of attraction, so that all visitors from various backgrounds can enjoy the fun offered here,” concluded Mustika. (kmb)

Unwinding at Banjar Hot Springs

Tanah Lot tourist attraction remains best-loved by domestic and foreign travelers. As seen on Christmas holiday season last year, travelers mostly consisting of students from several cities in Java and Sumatra thronged the destination relying on the sunset and beauty of the temple in the middle of the sea. Moreover, the students boosted the tourist visit before yearend 2015. In addition, Christmas holiday coinciding with full moon is believed to be an auspicious day by the Hindus in Bali, so that it was not only thronged by

travelers but also by local people wishing to worship at the Tanah Lot Temple.

Operations Manager of the Tanah Lot, Ketut Toya Adnyana, said that tourist visit to Tanah Lot incredibly increased. On SaturdaySunday the visit usually reaches about 7,000 to 8,000 people. “From the existing data, the number of tourist visits from January to December 24, 2015 has reached 3,049,089. We are optimistic to surpass the number of tourist visits in 2014,” he said.

He added that the target of tour-

ist visit has been reached in the previous month. “Ahead of Christmas and New Year’s holidays, we also make a coordination meeting with Tabanan Police to anticipate the long holiday season of Christmas and New Year. It poses a preparation for the long holiday,” added Toya Adnyana.

He added that visitors making a visit to Tanah Lot came from various regions, such as Jakarta, Malang, Surabaya, Makassar and Solo. “They are averagely from outside the town to enjoy their long holiday,” said Toya. (kmb)

6

Monday, July 30, 2018

W

International

International

RLD

Fresh headache for embattled Australia PM after poll loss

SYDNEY - Embattled Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s grip on power ahead of upcoming national polls was under renewed scrutiny Sunday after disappointing by-election results.

Ye Aung THU / AFP

A dog attempts to climb onto a table to get out of floodwaters in the Bago region, some 68 km away from Yangon, on July 29, 2018. Heavy monsoon rains have pounded Karen state, Mon state and Bago region in recent days and show no sign of abating, raising fears that the worst might be yet to come.

Myanmar floods kill at least five, displace 54,000 people

BAGO - Rising floodwaters have killed at least five people and forced tens of thousands from their homes across swathes of Myanmar, a government official told AFP on Sunday, as heavy monsoon rains continue to batter the Mekong region.

Dramatic images showed vast areas of farmland completely submerged in muddy waters stretching to the horizon, with only the rooftops of some houses visible.

Some stranded people were plucked from the churning inundations by rescuers in boats, while others waded through waist-deep water to escape, carrying children on their shoulders while trying to keep precious belongings out of the water.

“There are more than 54,000 displaced people affected by the flooding around the country,” a Ministry of Social Welfare official told AFP. The official confirmed that five people had been killed but said this

figure was expected to rise.

Evacuation orders had been issued in several areas, while some 163 camps have been set up for displaced people in southern, eastern and central parts country.

The floods in Myanmar come as a particularly heavy monsoon continues to pummel the region, bringing downpours that contributed to the collapse of a dam last week in Laos, which left scores dead or missing. Myanmar is hit by severe flooding every year and climate scientists in 2015 ranked it top of a global list of nations hardest hit by extreme weather.

That year more than 100 people died in floods that also displaced hundreds of thousands across the country.

Myanmar’s worst natural disaster of recent times was Cyclone Nargis, which lashed huges stretches of the country’s coast, leaving at least 138,000 dead or missing in May 2008. (afp)

Strong quake...

holiday island of Bali, although there were no immediate reports of damage there.

From page 1

The epicentre of the earthquake struck 50 km (30 miles) northeast of Lombok’s main city Mataram, the United States Geological Survey said, far from the main tourist spots on the south and west of the island. USGS said two of the aftershocks measured more than 5-magnitude.

The jolt was felt some 100 km (60 miles) away in the bustling

- ‘We ran outside’ -

“The earthquake was very strong... and everybody in my house panicked, we all ran outside,” said Zulkifli, a resident of North Lombok near the epicentre.

“All my neighbours also ran outside and the electricity was suddenly cut off,” Zulkifli told AFP. No tsunami alert was issued.

Five seats were up for grabs after four opposition politicians and one from a minor party fell foul of a constitutional rule barring dual citizens from serving in parliament.

Saturday’s by-elections were billed as a key test for Turnbull and Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten, with the governing Liberal-National coalition hoping to win a seat to double its wafer-thin parliamentary majority of one.

With Labor tipped to retain all four of its seats, including two that had been seen as too close to call -- Longman in Queensland state and Braddon in Tasmania state -- Shorten emerged as the clear winner.

“These by-elections were a very simple question -- did people want more of the same or did they want better from their government,” Shorten told reporters in Queensland on Sunday.

“I think, in large numbers, they said we want better from the government... We had the better candidates (and) the better policies.”

Turnbull spent Sunday downplaying suggestions the results, particularly in Longman where there was

a 10 percent swing against the coalition’s candidate, placed his leadership in peril ahead of national polls.

Turnbull, a moderate Liberal, has battled disquiet from right-wingers in the coalition after he ousted former PM Tony Abbott in a party-room vote in September 2015.

“This was a conventional swing in one electorate,” Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.

“I assure you, when we come to the federal campaign, Australians will see there is a very clear choice then... We will look very seriously and thoughtfully and humbly at the way in which the voters have responded.”

National upper-house elections have to be called by mid-May and lower-house polls by early November next year, though they are usually held on the same day. Turnbull has said he would call an election in the first half of 2019.

Following the by-elections, analysts said the government could lose power and its hold on marginal seats in the critical state of Queensland at the next national election.

The results also raised questions over whether key coalition policy proposals, including tax cuts for large companies, should be changed or shelved.

The tax cuts were heavily criticised by Labor during their by-election campaigns as handouts for big business at the expense of the average worker. (afp)

IBP/net

Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull

“People in East Lombok and Mataram felt the strong quake for 10 seconds, residents were panicking and running outside of their homes,” Nugroho said earlier, adding people had run for open spaces such as football fields.

At the holiday island’s hotels, tourists raced outside as the quake struck. At the Katamaran Hotel and Resort in Senggigi beach, some 30 guests gathered in the lobby for around half an hour before venturing back to their rooms.

“They calmed down and returned to their rooms once we explained the earthquake did not trigger a tsunami. Everything is back to normal now,” receptionist Ni Nyoman Suwarningsih told AFP. The quake also rocked the tiny Gili islands off northeast Lombok, which are popular with honeymooners, divers and partygoers.

“Fortunately there was no panic during the earthquake even though it was quite strong,” said

Lilis Letisha, receptionist at the Ombak Paradise Hotel on Gili Air island. Indonesia, an archipelago of thousands of islands, sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismic activity hotspot.

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

Monday, July 30, 2018

11

Indonesia graft buster returns to work after acid attack

JAKARTA — An anti-corruption investigator almost blinded by an acid attack urged Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to set up a factfinding team to solve his case as he returned to work Friday 16 months after the assault.

Activists and anti-graft officials, showing solidarity by wearing white shirts and red arm bands, cheered and clapped Novel Baswedan as he arrived at the headquarters of the Corruption Eradication Commission in Jakarta.

A banner with a picture of Baswedan was emblazoned with the words: “Mr. President, where is your promise?” and “16 months the case of Novel in the darkness.”

Baswedan was leading investigations into an epic graft scandal that implicated prominent politicians when he was attacked last year as he left dawn prayers. No one has been arrested and Baswedan has criticized police handling of the investigation.

“I hope Mr. President wants to know the real facts,” he told reporters.

After the attack, Baswedan underwent months of medical treatment in Singapore to treat his damaged eyes.

He said vision in his left eye is not fully restored but it has recovered much better than he’d thought possible.

“I thought I could not see as you all can see, but now, I can see,” he said. “I will use my vision for good and useful things as God’s blessings given to me,” Baswedan said. “This blessing should be followed by action, by working. I love my job and now I’m back.”

Baswedan was leading investigations into in a case in which 80 people, mostly officials and legislators, and several companies allegedly used the introduction of a $440 million electronic identity card system in 2011 and 2012 to steal more than a third of the funds.

Senior Golkar party politician and former speaker of parliament Setya Novanto was sentenced in April to 15 years in prison for his role in coordinating the $170 million theft of public money.

Baswedan has also been involved in investigations of alleged corruption involving senior police.

Corruption is endemic in Indonesia and the anti-graft com-

mission, one of the few effective institutions in the country of more than 260 million people, is frequently under legislative attack by lawmakers who want to reduce its powers.

Agus Rahardjo, chief of the anti-graft commission, said

AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

A man looks at a poster in front of the office of the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), welcoming the return of its investigator Novel Baswedan, Friday, July. 27, 2018. The anti-corruption investigator almost blinded by an acid attack urged Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to set up a fact-finding team to solve his case as he returned to work Friday 16 months after the assault.

President Jokowi calls for national unity

MAKASAR - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the Indonesian people to maintain national unity and prevent disunity, following the implementation of the regional head elections recently. “We should keep the national asset by promoting unity, harmony and brotherhood, as well as mutual help and avoid mockery due to pilkada,” Jokowi said at Karebosi square, here, Sunday.

The people must also maintain politeness and religious values, the Head of State said before hundreds of thousands of people participating in a fun walk dubbed “the best friend of the people”.

The pilkada held in 171 regions was over, now it`s time to work hard

Baswedan’s return to work will bring new spirit and inspiration for the commission in its fight against corruption. “He is our role model to make the best contribution to the nation,” Rahardjo said. (ap)

and maintain the national unity as well as to show politeness and friendliness, he said. “Let`s maintain the national unity, don`t mock each other. Our nation is huge, let`s protect it together by promoting national unity,” he stated.

President Jokowi has conducted working visits to South Sulawesi for eight times so far. Andi Amran Sulaiman, agriculture minister concurrently chairman of the organizing committee of the fun walk, said the OC distributed some 700 thousand coupons for the event.

“There are 700 thousand coupons that have been distributed to the public. The presence of Mr Jokowi today has shown that our President is populist,” Sulaiman said. (ant)

Asian Games - Committee chief inspects palembang

PALEMBANG - Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee Chairman Erick Thohir visited Palembang on Saturday to inspect the preparation for the Asian Games 2018, which is only a few days away. “I came here to assure Palembang`s readiness 20 days ahead of the event. As far I have seen, everything has been good like in Jakarta, West Java, and Banten,” he stated on the sidelines of inauguration of 24 Hours Emergency Unit service at Siloam Hospital at Jakabaring Sports City.

He noted that centralization of venues at JSC has made it easy for Palembang to co-host

the event. Palembang has been appointed to co-host the Asian biggest sporting event with Jakarta from Aug 18 to Sept 2. The capital city of South Sumatra province has recently completed its Light Rail Transit (LRT) system that will ease transportation of contingents from the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II airport to JSC. Six apartment towers have also been set up to accommodate athletes and officials who will be involved in the event, which is to be attended by 45 countries. Thohir, however, noted that maximum efforts must be made in order to assure perfect

preparation of facilities for the big event.

He added that the event in Indonesia this year is different from the last in Incheon, South Korea, in that the number of participating countries was 20 percent higher.

He remarked that the committee has received a list of athletes and officials to be involved in the event, which totals around 17,195, and three thousand out of them will go to Palembang.

Palembang will host 14 events, including bowling, tennis, shooting, rowing, women football, skateboarding, rock climbing, and others. (ant)

10

Destination

Monday, July 30, 2018

International

Whyte keeps world title dream alive with gritty win over Parker

LONDON - Briton Dillian Whyte’s once unlikely dream of a tilt at a world heavyweight title after a violent and troubled childhood moved a step closer on Saturday with a unanimous points win over New Zealand’s former world champion Joseph Parker.

No Mas Ubud

UBUD - This small bar up from Ubud’s Jalan Monkey Forest Road claims to offer simple bites and stiff drinks in cosy and laidback ambiances, all in a mission to welcome anyone looking for good company where they can dissolve their problems - be it anything from failed relationships to bad app ideas. The local bar features live gigs, ranging

from live bands performing Top 40 hits to death metal, and local and international guest DJs for some good vibes on some evenings in the week. The bar’s well-stocked.

A small Bintang is at IDR 25,000 (under USD 2), and there’s a whole selection of boozes and cocktails to try out for an easygoing night up in Ubud. (net)

Bar Luna

UBUD - Bar Luna is the sister venue of the famous Casa Luna restaurant enterprises, located in the basement of Casa Luna on Jalan Raya Ubud. Brainchild of the creator of the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, the Bar Luna Literary Club has become a gathering event and place for hipsters, featuring local and visiting authors from all over the world to its Tuesday and Thursday literary nights.

The events often feature live music performed by local musicians. The charming and cosy, Bohemian-style cafe presents an eclectic menu of Balinese and international dishes.

Look out for their happy hours with two-for-one cocktails nightly from 17:00 – 19:00 for a great deal. (net)

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Whyte, who has been defeated just once in his professional career in 2015 by present champion Anthony Joshua, withstood a late rally from Parker to win with the judges scoring it 113-112, 115-110, 114-111.

The 30-year-old Jamaica-born Whyte, who was shot and stabbed in his youth, will hope to move on to a bout with either Joshua or American Deontay Wilder.

Parker, suffering his second successive defeat -- he lost to Joshua in March and with it his WBO belt -- faces a tough battle to get back into the world title mix.

“I want to fight Joshua in a rematch (in April),” said Whyte, who is nicknamed ‘The Body Snatcher’.

“We would be ready. I might be out again in October.

“I’m still so inexperienced and have so much to learn. There is still another 40 percent to come. It was a great fight, I love this man (Parker), we showed respect it was really good.”

Parker was gracious in defeat.

“I gave it my best, the better man won,” the 26-year-old told Sky. “It has been an amazing journey, but it is just the beginning.”

Parker went down in the second round and received a count, although it appeared it was due to a clash of heads rather than a punch from Whyte.

The Briton started to work his way into the bout from the fourth round, even if he swung some wild punches that met fresh air, as Parker tired.

By the sixth Whyte was landing more effectively and Parker looked spent.

Parker’s corner tried to rally their man telling him before he went out for the eighth that Whyte was exhausted and had achieved nothing in the preceding round.

Whyte quickly disabused Parker of that

IBP/net

Briton Dillian Whyte’s (L) moved a step closer on Saturday with a unanimous points win over New Zealand’s former world champion Joseph Parker. notion as he put him on the canvas with a left hook.

Parker needed a knockout to win and out of the blue he raised his game in the 11th and penultimate round landing several punches to the extent Whyte for the first time looked troubled.

Parker threw caution to the wind in the final round and put Whyte down with less than 30 seconds to go, the Briton clambering to his feet and just holding on.

- ‘I’m bad’ There was a classic heavyweight encounter in the bout preceding the main event between unpredictable Briton Dereck Chisora and Cameroon-born Frenchman Carlos Takam, two fighters who have had their

chance at world title glory.

Chisora remarkably got the win he desperately required after three losses in his last six bouts -- including against Whyte.

Having looked outclassed early on, he came up with a cracking punch to put Takam down in the eighth. Although the 37-year-old got back up, Chisora sent him back to the canvas with his next punch.

The referee brought the curtain down in all likelihood on the loser’s hopes of another tilt at the world title but 34-year-old Zimbabweborn Chisora said he could dream again.

“It was tough but this fight was very emotional for me. I want to dedicate it to my daughter and missus. Takam is a true tough African boy,” said Chisora.

“In the later rounds I thought it’s time

to send it home. He didn’t hurt me -- I’m English nobody can hurt us.

“I’m bad. There’s no two ways about it but when I step in the arena I want to fight for the fans.”

Further down an impressive undercard Rio Olympic bronze medallist Joshua Buatsi eased to his seventh win since turning professional, making light work of Latvia’s Andrejs Pokumeiko, knocking him out in the first round of their light heavyweight bout.

The 25-year-old’s promoter Eddie Hearn predicts great things for Buatsi, who is managed by Joshua.

“You are watching the best prospect in world boxing,” said Hearn.

“In world level he is going to be special.” (afp)

Toyota’s Tanak back in world title hunt after Finland win

JYVASKYLA - Estonia’s Ott Tanak steered his Toyota to an impressive victory on the dirt-track forest roads at the Rally of Finland on Sunday, clinching his second win of the season after leading all weekend.

Norway’s Mads Ostberg in a

Citroen and home hope Jari-Matti Latvala of Toyota were second and third in this eighth of 13 dates on the WRC calendar.

Tanak, who won a similar style of rally in Argentina in April, climbs to third in the world rankings but is still 46 points adrift of

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Estonian driver Ott Tänak and co-driver Martin Järveoja get airborne with their Toyota Yaris WRC car during the Ruuhimäki 1 Special Stage of the WRC Rally Finland near Jyväskylä, Finland on July 29, 2018.

Belgian Thierry Neuville of Hyundai who slumped to a ninth-place finish here.

Taking his foot off the gas after watching Esapekka Lappi roll his Toyota Sunday morning, Tanak eventually won by 32.7sec.

The winner had held a comfortable lead overnight of 39 and 44sec over his two closest rivals with Sunday’s racing including just four specials raced over a total of 45.72km. (afp)

8

Monday, July 30, 2018

Monday, July 30, 2018

Sub Silva scores twice as Man City rallies to beat Bayern Pep Guardiola finished Manchester City’s US tour with a deserved 3-2 victory over former club Bayern Munich, but his evening was soured with an injury to new signing Riyad Mahrez. Two goals from substitute Bernardo Silva helped Manchester City come from 2-0 down to end a run of two defeats in this International Champions Cup campaign with youngster Lukas Nmecha scoring in between.

Mahrez, however, went down twice with what looked like an ankle problem. He was eventually forced off after just 27 minutes and looked in discomfort. With the traditional English season opener - the Community Shield - taking place next Sunday at Wembley against Chelsea, coach Guardiola will assess the Algerian’s fitness as the start of the Premier League campaign looms into view.

Meanwhile Guardiola’s squad flew back to Manchester at the end of the Saturday match. City’s opening games against Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool had both ended in narrow defeats, but with Guardiola opting for familiarity -- eight players in the starting lineup here had begun all three games of this US tour -- it was another young side full of running.

“We analyzed our mistakes in the previous games and did it better against Bayern Munich,” said Guardiola. “We were able to play good and overcome the situation when we were 2-0 down.”

Bayern’s main men Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery looked dangerous on the ball, yet with Mahrez afforded plenty of space in midfield the English champions dominated the early stages and really should have opened the scoring.

Mahrez, who had already spent a few minutes getting treatment after being challenged, sent German-born City striker Nmecha through only for his shot be saved by Sven Ulreich.

It wasn’t long before Nmecha had the opportunity to make amends as another classy through ball from Mahrez set him

RHONA WISE / AFP

Manchester City’s Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva (R) vies for the ball with Bayern Munich’s German defense Jonathan Meier during the International Champions Cup friendly match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester City at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on July 28, 2018. free, but this time he was denied by the post. That was to prove a costly couple of misses because on 14 minutes, Bayern were ahead.

- Finds space -

The lively Rafinha found space on the right and his cross was headed in by Meritan Shabani. It was a good team goal and on 23 minutes, Ribery and Robben combined for number two. The French midfielder’s lofted through ball found the Dutchman in the area and his two touches - one to control and one to expertly lift the ball past Claudio Bravo - were top class.

And all of a sudden, a difficult evening for Guardiola darkened on 27 minutes when Mahrez was forced to leave the field with an injured ankle. “We will see, maybe it is not a problem,” said Guardiola. The Algerian limped off to be replaced by

Portuguese midfielder Silva, who scored the goal his team’s display had deserved on the stroke of half-time.

The former Monaco star ran unchallenged 25 yards out and produced an excellent low, curling finish leaving Ulreich with no chance. The Bayern keeper was being kept busy and on 51 minutes, he was picking the ball out of the back of the net once more after Silva fed Foden and when his curling shot was parried, Nmecha was on hand to steer home from close.

No-one could begrudge this young City side a share of the spoils, but the game was turned on its head with 20 minutes remaining. A first City appearance for 17-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder Adrian Bernabe quickly resulted in a third goal for Guardiola’s side. The former Barcelona youngster teed up Silva who wriggled clear in the area before drilling low past Ulreich for the winner. (afp)

Shaqiri shines in debut as Liverpool rout United Liverpool scored three second half goals as they wrapped up their pre-season tour of America on Saturday with a dominating 4-1 victory over Manchester United at Michigan Stadium. Xherdan Shaqiri put a stamp on his Liverpool debut with a spectacular bicyclekick goal to round out the scoring in the International Champions Cup match in front of a crowd of 101,000.

Shaqiri, of Switzerland, was one of five recent high profile signings which saw Liverpool shell out more than 200 million pounds ($260 million US) in an attempt to close the gap on Premier League champions Manchester City.

It was a nice w a y

for the Reds to finish up their US exhibition swing as they now travel back to Merseyside before continuing their preparations for the season with a training camp in France beginning next week. Sadio Mane converted a penalty to open the scoring for Liverpool in the 28th minute.

Manchester United’s 22-year-old midfielder Andreas Pereira tied the game 1-1 in the 31st minute off a free kick. But Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool squad seized command in the second half, starting with Daniel Sturridge’s 66th-minute strike.

Shaqiri, 26, did the heavy lifting on the play, outmuscling a United defender and then slipping a pass back to Sturridge who made it 2-1. Sheyi Ojo then scored off a spot-kick in the 74th minute.

That set the stage for Shaqiri to bring the packed stadium to its feet eight minutes later with his overhead kick from inside the box off a nice feed from B e n Wo o d b u r n . (afp)

Prolific Bakambu puts China transfer saga behind him Cedric Bakambu says that he made “a good choice” leaving Spain for the riches of Chinese football -- and he is proving it by hitting 11 goals in as many games. The Frenchborn Congolese striker joined Chinese Super League (CSL)

Greg Baker / AFP

In this file photo taken on March 1, 2018, Congolese football player Cedric Bakambu (2nd R) smiles as he is introduced at a press conference by his new team Beijing Guoan in Beijing. Cedric Bakambu says that he made “a good choice” leaving Spain for the riches of Chinese football -- and he is proving it by hitting 11 goals in as many games.

side Beijing Guoan from Villarreal earlier this year in a protracted move shrouded in mystery.

The cost of the transfer was never disclosed, but reports in Spain and France said that 40 million euros was paid to release Bakambu from his Villarreal contract, allowing him to move on a free transfer.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) consequently announced in February that clubs who evade their 100 percent levy on incoming foreign players face crippling point deductions. The 27-year-old, who by some estimations became the most expensive African footballer ever with the move to the Chinese capital, has been an instant hit and played a major part in helping Roger Schmidt’s side top the CSL with half the season gone.

Speaking on the eve of Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Shanghai Shenhua -- Bakambu was again on the scoresheet -- the forward said: “I think I made a good choice to come here.

“It is a new experience and I enjoy a lot my new life here in China.” Speaking to AFP after the game, the former France under-20 international said he did not care what people thought about him moving to China from La Liga at the pinnacle of his career. He is thought to earn about 18 million euros a year and previously admitted the cash was a major incentive.

“I know why I am here and it does not matter what others think,” he said in his first substantive comments to international media since arriving in China. “I do what I want to do

and the most important thing in life is that I am happy, the rest does not matter.” Unlike some other foreign players who move to China, Bakambu brought his family with him.

“I like my life here in China and Beijing because I have good friends in my team, I am with my family, I am scoring goals and we are winning a lot of games,” said Bakambu, reportedly on the radar of English Premier League clubs before choosing China.

- ‘That’s quality’ -

Bakambu is among a cast of overseas players lured to the Asian country on handsome contracts that most clubs in Europe cannot match. But his transfer was more unusual than most, dragging on for weeks as Guoan refused to say that he had signed even though he was pictured training with them.

German coach Schmidt, who took over at Guoan a year ago following his sacking by Bayer Leverkusen, was fulsome in his praise of Bakambu.

“He’s a very, very good striker and he does not need many opportunities to score,” said the 51-year-old, whose side have lost just once in 14 games this season. Bakambu on Saturday put Guoan in front with a predatory close-range finish, but the visitors conceded an injury-time equaliser.

“It was very hard to get great chances to score but at the right moment he was there and that’s not a coincidence -that’s quality,” said Schmidt. “He has done that very often this season, so he was a very good transfer for our club.” (afp)

JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP

Liverpool FC Sheridan Shaqiri (R) shoots and scores during the second half of the 2018 International Champions Cup football match against Manchester United at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on July 28, 2018. Liverpool FC beat Manchester United 4-1 in their friendly.

9

Chelsea edge past Inter Milan on penalties

Chelsea beat Inter Milan 5-4 on penalties as goalkeeper Willy Caballero saved from Milan Skriniar in the shootout following a 1-1 draw in their opening game of the International Champions Cup. Spain international Pedro struck after just eight minutes in Nice, slotting in a rebound after Inter keeper Samir Handanovic saved from a lively Alvaro Morata.

It was a second goal in as many games for Pedro, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Saturday, after he netted the winner in Monday’s 1-0 victory over Perth Glory in Australia.

Inter levelled early in the second half through Roberto Gagliardini, whose drilled shot proved too much for Argentina’s Caballero after fellow half-time substitute Tiemoue Bakayoko gave the ball away.

New Chelsea signing Jorginho

nearly won it with a curling effort that forced Handanovic into a fine sprawling stop, while Tammy Abraham couldn’t hit the target as he tried to steer home an Emerson cross.

Twenty-year-old Argentine Lautaro Martinez, who joined Inter from Racing Club at the start of July, almost snatched a winner for the Italians in stoppage time when his sharp first-time strike was well kept out by Caballero.

Caballero, who was dropped at the World Cup following a 3-0 group stage loss to Croatia, saved from Skriniar with his legs in the shootout before Cesar Azpilicueta converted the decisive spot-kick.

Chelsea play Premier League rivals Arsenal in Dublin on Wednesday before wrapping up their preseason campaign at home to Lyon on August 7, two days after facing Manchester City in the Community Shield. (afp)

8

Monday, July 30, 2018

Monday, July 30, 2018

Sub Silva scores twice as Man City rallies to beat Bayern Pep Guardiola finished Manchester City’s US tour with a deserved 3-2 victory over former club Bayern Munich, but his evening was soured with an injury to new signing Riyad Mahrez. Two goals from substitute Bernardo Silva helped Manchester City come from 2-0 down to end a run of two defeats in this International Champions Cup campaign with youngster Lukas Nmecha scoring in between.

Mahrez, however, went down twice with what looked like an ankle problem. He was eventually forced off after just 27 minutes and looked in discomfort. With the traditional English season opener - the Community Shield - taking place next Sunday at Wembley against Chelsea, coach Guardiola will assess the Algerian’s fitness as the start of the Premier League campaign looms into view.

Meanwhile Guardiola’s squad flew back to Manchester at the end of the Saturday match. City’s opening games against Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool had both ended in narrow defeats, but with Guardiola opting for familiarity -- eight players in the starting lineup here had begun all three games of this US tour -- it was another young side full of running.

“We analyzed our mistakes in the previous games and did it better against Bayern Munich,” said Guardiola. “We were able to play good and overcome the situation when we were 2-0 down.”

Bayern’s main men Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery looked dangerous on the ball, yet with Mahrez afforded plenty of space in midfield the English champions dominated the early stages and really should have opened the scoring.

Mahrez, who had already spent a few minutes getting treatment after being challenged, sent German-born City striker Nmecha through only for his shot be saved by Sven Ulreich.

It wasn’t long before Nmecha had the opportunity to make amends as another classy through ball from Mahrez set him

RHONA WISE / AFP

Manchester City’s Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva (R) vies for the ball with Bayern Munich’s German defense Jonathan Meier during the International Champions Cup friendly match between FC Bayern Munich and Manchester City at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on July 28, 2018. free, but this time he was denied by the post. That was to prove a costly couple of misses because on 14 minutes, Bayern were ahead.

- Finds space -

The lively Rafinha found space on the right and his cross was headed in by Meritan Shabani. It was a good team goal and on 23 minutes, Ribery and Robben combined for number two. The French midfielder’s lofted through ball found the Dutchman in the area and his two touches - one to control and one to expertly lift the ball past Claudio Bravo - were top class.

And all of a sudden, a difficult evening for Guardiola darkened on 27 minutes when Mahrez was forced to leave the field with an injured ankle. “We will see, maybe it is not a problem,” said Guardiola. The Algerian limped off to be replaced by

Portuguese midfielder Silva, who scored the goal his team’s display had deserved on the stroke of half-time.

The former Monaco star ran unchallenged 25 yards out and produced an excellent low, curling finish leaving Ulreich with no chance. The Bayern keeper was being kept busy and on 51 minutes, he was picking the ball out of the back of the net once more after Silva fed Foden and when his curling shot was parried, Nmecha was on hand to steer home from close.

No-one could begrudge this young City side a share of the spoils, but the game was turned on its head with 20 minutes remaining. A first City appearance for 17-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder Adrian Bernabe quickly resulted in a third goal for Guardiola’s side. The former Barcelona youngster teed up Silva who wriggled clear in the area before drilling low past Ulreich for the winner. (afp)

Shaqiri shines in debut as Liverpool rout United Liverpool scored three second half goals as they wrapped up their pre-season tour of America on Saturday with a dominating 4-1 victory over Manchester United at Michigan Stadium. Xherdan Shaqiri put a stamp on his Liverpool debut with a spectacular bicyclekick goal to round out the scoring in the International Champions Cup match in front of a crowd of 101,000.

Shaqiri, of Switzerland, was one of five recent high profile signings which saw Liverpool shell out more than 200 million pounds ($260 million US) in an attempt to close the gap on Premier League champions Manchester City.

It was a nice w a y

for the Reds to finish up their US exhibition swing as they now travel back to Merseyside before continuing their preparations for the season with a training camp in France beginning next week. Sadio Mane converted a penalty to open the scoring for Liverpool in the 28th minute.

Manchester United’s 22-year-old midfielder Andreas Pereira tied the game 1-1 in the 31st minute off a free kick. But Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool squad seized command in the second half, starting with Daniel Sturridge’s 66th-minute strike.

Shaqiri, 26, did the heavy lifting on the play, outmuscling a United defender and then slipping a pass back to Sturridge who made it 2-1. Sheyi Ojo then scored off a spot-kick in the 74th minute.

That set the stage for Shaqiri to bring the packed stadium to its feet eight minutes later with his overhead kick from inside the box off a nice feed from B e n Wo o d b u r n . (afp)

Prolific Bakambu puts China transfer saga behind him Cedric Bakambu says that he made “a good choice” leaving Spain for the riches of Chinese football -- and he is proving it by hitting 11 goals in as many games. The Frenchborn Congolese striker joined Chinese Super League (CSL)

Greg Baker / AFP

In this file photo taken on March 1, 2018, Congolese football player Cedric Bakambu (2nd R) smiles as he is introduced at a press conference by his new team Beijing Guoan in Beijing. Cedric Bakambu says that he made “a good choice” leaving Spain for the riches of Chinese football -- and he is proving it by hitting 11 goals in as many games.

side Beijing Guoan from Villarreal earlier this year in a protracted move shrouded in mystery.

The cost of the transfer was never disclosed, but reports in Spain and France said that 40 million euros was paid to release Bakambu from his Villarreal contract, allowing him to move on a free transfer.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) consequently announced in February that clubs who evade their 100 percent levy on incoming foreign players face crippling point deductions. The 27-year-old, who by some estimations became the most expensive African footballer ever with the move to the Chinese capital, has been an instant hit and played a major part in helping Roger Schmidt’s side top the CSL with half the season gone.

Speaking on the eve of Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Shanghai Shenhua -- Bakambu was again on the scoresheet -- the forward said: “I think I made a good choice to come here.

“It is a new experience and I enjoy a lot my new life here in China.” Speaking to AFP after the game, the former France under-20 international said he did not care what people thought about him moving to China from La Liga at the pinnacle of his career. He is thought to earn about 18 million euros a year and previously admitted the cash was a major incentive.

“I know why I am here and it does not matter what others think,” he said in his first substantive comments to international media since arriving in China. “I do what I want to do

and the most important thing in life is that I am happy, the rest does not matter.” Unlike some other foreign players who move to China, Bakambu brought his family with him.

“I like my life here in China and Beijing because I have good friends in my team, I am with my family, I am scoring goals and we are winning a lot of games,” said Bakambu, reportedly on the radar of English Premier League clubs before choosing China.

- ‘That’s quality’ -

Bakambu is among a cast of overseas players lured to the Asian country on handsome contracts that most clubs in Europe cannot match. But his transfer was more unusual than most, dragging on for weeks as Guoan refused to say that he had signed even though he was pictured training with them.

German coach Schmidt, who took over at Guoan a year ago following his sacking by Bayer Leverkusen, was fulsome in his praise of Bakambu.

“He’s a very, very good striker and he does not need many opportunities to score,” said the 51-year-old, whose side have lost just once in 14 games this season. Bakambu on Saturday put Guoan in front with a predatory close-range finish, but the visitors conceded an injury-time equaliser.

“It was very hard to get great chances to score but at the right moment he was there and that’s not a coincidence -that’s quality,” said Schmidt. “He has done that very often this season, so he was a very good transfer for our club.” (afp)

JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP

Liverpool FC Sheridan Shaqiri (R) shoots and scores during the second half of the 2018 International Champions Cup football match against Manchester United at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan on July 28, 2018. Liverpool FC beat Manchester United 4-1 in their friendly.

9

Chelsea edge past Inter Milan on penalties

Chelsea beat Inter Milan 5-4 on penalties as goalkeeper Willy Caballero saved from Milan Skriniar in the shootout following a 1-1 draw in their opening game of the International Champions Cup. Spain international Pedro struck after just eight minutes in Nice, slotting in a rebound after Inter keeper Samir Handanovic saved from a lively Alvaro Morata.

It was a second goal in as many games for Pedro, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Saturday, after he netted the winner in Monday’s 1-0 victory over Perth Glory in Australia.

Inter levelled early in the second half through Roberto Gagliardini, whose drilled shot proved too much for Argentina’s Caballero after fellow half-time substitute Tiemoue Bakayoko gave the ball away.

New Chelsea signing Jorginho

nearly won it with a curling effort that forced Handanovic into a fine sprawling stop, while Tammy Abraham couldn’t hit the target as he tried to steer home an Emerson cross.

Twenty-year-old Argentine Lautaro Martinez, who joined Inter from Racing Club at the start of July, almost snatched a winner for the Italians in stoppage time when his sharp first-time strike was well kept out by Caballero.

Caballero, who was dropped at the World Cup following a 3-0 group stage loss to Croatia, saved from Skriniar with his legs in the shootout before Cesar Azpilicueta converted the decisive spot-kick.

Chelsea play Premier League rivals Arsenal in Dublin on Wednesday before wrapping up their preseason campaign at home to Lyon on August 7, two days after facing Manchester City in the Community Shield. (afp)

10

Destination

Monday, July 30, 2018

International

Whyte keeps world title dream alive with gritty win over Parker

LONDON - Briton Dillian Whyte’s once unlikely dream of a tilt at a world heavyweight title after a violent and troubled childhood moved a step closer on Saturday with a unanimous points win over New Zealand’s former world champion Joseph Parker.

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UBUD - This small bar up from Ubud’s Jalan Monkey Forest Road claims to offer simple bites and stiff drinks in cosy and laidback ambiances, all in a mission to welcome anyone looking for good company where they can dissolve their problems - be it anything from failed relationships to bad app ideas. The local bar features live gigs, ranging

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A small Bintang is at IDR 25,000 (under USD 2), and there’s a whole selection of boozes and cocktails to try out for an easygoing night up in Ubud. (net)

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The events often feature live music performed by local musicians. The charming and cosy, Bohemian-style cafe presents an eclectic menu of Balinese and international dishes.

Look out for their happy hours with two-for-one cocktails nightly from 17:00 – 19:00 for a great deal. (net)

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Whyte, who has been defeated just once in his professional career in 2015 by present champion Anthony Joshua, withstood a late rally from Parker to win with the judges scoring it 113-112, 115-110, 114-111.

The 30-year-old Jamaica-born Whyte, who was shot and stabbed in his youth, will hope to move on to a bout with either Joshua or American Deontay Wilder.

Parker, suffering his second successive defeat -- he lost to Joshua in March and with it his WBO belt -- faces a tough battle to get back into the world title mix.

“I want to fight Joshua in a rematch (in April),” said Whyte, who is nicknamed ‘The Body Snatcher’.

“We would be ready. I might be out again in October.

“I’m still so inexperienced and have so much to learn. There is still another 40 percent to come. It was a great fight, I love this man (Parker), we showed respect it was really good.”

Parker was gracious in defeat.

“I gave it my best, the better man won,” the 26-year-old told Sky. “It has been an amazing journey, but it is just the beginning.”

Parker went down in the second round and received a count, although it appeared it was due to a clash of heads rather than a punch from Whyte.

The Briton started to work his way into the bout from the fourth round, even if he swung some wild punches that met fresh air, as Parker tired.

By the sixth Whyte was landing more effectively and Parker looked spent.

Parker’s corner tried to rally their man telling him before he went out for the eighth that Whyte was exhausted and had achieved nothing in the preceding round.

Whyte quickly disabused Parker of that

IBP/net

Briton Dillian Whyte’s (L) moved a step closer on Saturday with a unanimous points win over New Zealand’s former world champion Joseph Parker. notion as he put him on the canvas with a left hook.

Parker needed a knockout to win and out of the blue he raised his game in the 11th and penultimate round landing several punches to the extent Whyte for the first time looked troubled.

Parker threw caution to the wind in the final round and put Whyte down with less than 30 seconds to go, the Briton clambering to his feet and just holding on.

- ‘I’m bad’ There was a classic heavyweight encounter in the bout preceding the main event between unpredictable Briton Dereck Chisora and Cameroon-born Frenchman Carlos Takam, two fighters who have had their

chance at world title glory.

Chisora remarkably got the win he desperately required after three losses in his last six bouts -- including against Whyte.

Having looked outclassed early on, he came up with a cracking punch to put Takam down in the eighth. Although the 37-year-old got back up, Chisora sent him back to the canvas with his next punch.

The referee brought the curtain down in all likelihood on the loser’s hopes of another tilt at the world title but 34-year-old Zimbabweborn Chisora said he could dream again.

“It was tough but this fight was very emotional for me. I want to dedicate it to my daughter and missus. Takam is a true tough African boy,” said Chisora.

“In the later rounds I thought it’s time

to send it home. He didn’t hurt me -- I’m English nobody can hurt us.

“I’m bad. There’s no two ways about it but when I step in the arena I want to fight for the fans.”

Further down an impressive undercard Rio Olympic bronze medallist Joshua Buatsi eased to his seventh win since turning professional, making light work of Latvia’s Andrejs Pokumeiko, knocking him out in the first round of their light heavyweight bout.

The 25-year-old’s promoter Eddie Hearn predicts great things for Buatsi, who is managed by Joshua.

“You are watching the best prospect in world boxing,” said Hearn.

“In world level he is going to be special.” (afp)

Toyota’s Tanak back in world title hunt after Finland win

JYVASKYLA - Estonia’s Ott Tanak steered his Toyota to an impressive victory on the dirt-track forest roads at the Rally of Finland on Sunday, clinching his second win of the season after leading all weekend.

Norway’s Mads Ostberg in a

Citroen and home hope Jari-Matti Latvala of Toyota were second and third in this eighth of 13 dates on the WRC calendar.

Tanak, who won a similar style of rally in Argentina in April, climbs to third in the world rankings but is still 46 points adrift of

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Estonian driver Ott Tänak and co-driver Martin Järveoja get airborne with their Toyota Yaris WRC car during the Ruuhimäki 1 Special Stage of the WRC Rally Finland near Jyväskylä, Finland on July 29, 2018.

Belgian Thierry Neuville of Hyundai who slumped to a ninth-place finish here.

Taking his foot off the gas after watching Esapekka Lappi roll his Toyota Sunday morning, Tanak eventually won by 32.7sec.

The winner had held a comfortable lead overnight of 39 and 44sec over his two closest rivals with Sunday’s racing including just four specials raced over a total of 45.72km. (afp)

6

Monday, July 30, 2018

W

International

International

RLD

Fresh headache for embattled Australia PM after poll loss

SYDNEY - Embattled Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s grip on power ahead of upcoming national polls was under renewed scrutiny Sunday after disappointing by-election results.

Ye Aung THU / AFP

A dog attempts to climb onto a table to get out of floodwaters in the Bago region, some 68 km away from Yangon, on July 29, 2018. Heavy monsoon rains have pounded Karen state, Mon state and Bago region in recent days and show no sign of abating, raising fears that the worst might be yet to come.

Myanmar floods kill at least five, displace 54,000 people

BAGO - Rising floodwaters have killed at least five people and forced tens of thousands from their homes across swathes of Myanmar, a government official told AFP on Sunday, as heavy monsoon rains continue to batter the Mekong region.

Dramatic images showed vast areas of farmland completely submerged in muddy waters stretching to the horizon, with only the rooftops of some houses visible.

Some stranded people were plucked from the churning inundations by rescuers in boats, while others waded through waist-deep water to escape, carrying children on their shoulders while trying to keep precious belongings out of the water.

“There are more than 54,000 displaced people affected by the flooding around the country,” a Ministry of Social Welfare official told AFP. The official confirmed that five people had been killed but said this

figure was expected to rise.

Evacuation orders had been issued in several areas, while some 163 camps have been set up for displaced people in southern, eastern and central parts country.

The floods in Myanmar come as a particularly heavy monsoon continues to pummel the region, bringing downpours that contributed to the collapse of a dam last week in Laos, which left scores dead or missing. Myanmar is hit by severe flooding every year and climate scientists in 2015 ranked it top of a global list of nations hardest hit by extreme weather.

That year more than 100 people died in floods that also displaced hundreds of thousands across the country.

Myanmar’s worst natural disaster of recent times was Cyclone Nargis, which lashed huges stretches of the country’s coast, leaving at least 138,000 dead or missing in May 2008. (afp)

Strong quake...

holiday island of Bali, although there were no immediate reports of damage there.

From page 1

The epicentre of the earthquake struck 50 km (30 miles) northeast of Lombok’s main city Mataram, the United States Geological Survey said, far from the main tourist spots on the south and west of the island. USGS said two of the aftershocks measured more than 5-magnitude.

The jolt was felt some 100 km (60 miles) away in the bustling

- ‘We ran outside’ -

“The earthquake was very strong... and everybody in my house panicked, we all ran outside,” said Zulkifli, a resident of North Lombok near the epicentre.

“All my neighbours also ran outside and the electricity was suddenly cut off,” Zulkifli told AFP. No tsunami alert was issued.

Five seats were up for grabs after four opposition politicians and one from a minor party fell foul of a constitutional rule barring dual citizens from serving in parliament.

Saturday’s by-elections were billed as a key test for Turnbull and Labor opposition leader Bill Shorten, with the governing Liberal-National coalition hoping to win a seat to double its wafer-thin parliamentary majority of one.

With Labor tipped to retain all four of its seats, including two that had been seen as too close to call -- Longman in Queensland state and Braddon in Tasmania state -- Shorten emerged as the clear winner.

“These by-elections were a very simple question -- did people want more of the same or did they want better from their government,” Shorten told reporters in Queensland on Sunday.

“I think, in large numbers, they said we want better from the government... We had the better candidates (and) the better policies.”

Turnbull spent Sunday downplaying suggestions the results, particularly in Longman where there was

a 10 percent swing against the coalition’s candidate, placed his leadership in peril ahead of national polls.

Turnbull, a moderate Liberal, has battled disquiet from right-wingers in the coalition after he ousted former PM Tony Abbott in a party-room vote in September 2015.

“This was a conventional swing in one electorate,” Turnbull told reporters in Sydney.

“I assure you, when we come to the federal campaign, Australians will see there is a very clear choice then... We will look very seriously and thoughtfully and humbly at the way in which the voters have responded.”

National upper-house elections have to be called by mid-May and lower-house polls by early November next year, though they are usually held on the same day. Turnbull has said he would call an election in the first half of 2019.

Following the by-elections, analysts said the government could lose power and its hold on marginal seats in the critical state of Queensland at the next national election.

The results also raised questions over whether key coalition policy proposals, including tax cuts for large companies, should be changed or shelved.

The tax cuts were heavily criticised by Labor during their by-election campaigns as handouts for big business at the expense of the average worker. (afp)

IBP/net

Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull

“People in East Lombok and Mataram felt the strong quake for 10 seconds, residents were panicking and running outside of their homes,” Nugroho said earlier, adding people had run for open spaces such as football fields.

At the holiday island’s hotels, tourists raced outside as the quake struck. At the Katamaran Hotel and Resort in Senggigi beach, some 30 guests gathered in the lobby for around half an hour before venturing back to their rooms.

“They calmed down and returned to their rooms once we explained the earthquake did not trigger a tsunami. Everything is back to normal now,” receptionist Ni Nyoman Suwarningsih told AFP. The quake also rocked the tiny Gili islands off northeast Lombok, which are popular with honeymooners, divers and partygoers.

“Fortunately there was no panic during the earthquake even though it was quite strong,” said

Lilis Letisha, receptionist at the Ombak Paradise Hotel on Gili Air island. Indonesia, an archipelago of thousands of islands, sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismic activity hotspot.

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

Monday, July 30, 2018

11

Indonesia graft buster returns to work after acid attack

JAKARTA — An anti-corruption investigator almost blinded by an acid attack urged Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to set up a factfinding team to solve his case as he returned to work Friday 16 months after the assault.

Activists and anti-graft officials, showing solidarity by wearing white shirts and red arm bands, cheered and clapped Novel Baswedan as he arrived at the headquarters of the Corruption Eradication Commission in Jakarta.

A banner with a picture of Baswedan was emblazoned with the words: “Mr. President, where is your promise?” and “16 months the case of Novel in the darkness.”

Baswedan was leading investigations into an epic graft scandal that implicated prominent politicians when he was attacked last year as he left dawn prayers. No one has been arrested and Baswedan has criticized police handling of the investigation.

“I hope Mr. President wants to know the real facts,” he told reporters.

After the attack, Baswedan underwent months of medical treatment in Singapore to treat his damaged eyes.

He said vision in his left eye is not fully restored but it has recovered much better than he’d thought possible.

“I thought I could not see as you all can see, but now, I can see,” he said. “I will use my vision for good and useful things as God’s blessings given to me,” Baswedan said. “This blessing should be followed by action, by working. I love my job and now I’m back.”

Baswedan was leading investigations into in a case in which 80 people, mostly officials and legislators, and several companies allegedly used the introduction of a $440 million electronic identity card system in 2011 and 2012 to steal more than a third of the funds.

Senior Golkar party politician and former speaker of parliament Setya Novanto was sentenced in April to 15 years in prison for his role in coordinating the $170 million theft of public money.

Baswedan has also been involved in investigations of alleged corruption involving senior police.

Corruption is endemic in Indonesia and the anti-graft com-

mission, one of the few effective institutions in the country of more than 260 million people, is frequently under legislative attack by lawmakers who want to reduce its powers.

Agus Rahardjo, chief of the anti-graft commission, said

AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

A man looks at a poster in front of the office of the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), welcoming the return of its investigator Novel Baswedan, Friday, July. 27, 2018. The anti-corruption investigator almost blinded by an acid attack urged Indonesia’s President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to set up a fact-finding team to solve his case as he returned to work Friday 16 months after the assault.

President Jokowi calls for national unity

MAKASAR - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the Indonesian people to maintain national unity and prevent disunity, following the implementation of the regional head elections recently. “We should keep the national asset by promoting unity, harmony and brotherhood, as well as mutual help and avoid mockery due to pilkada,” Jokowi said at Karebosi square, here, Sunday.

The people must also maintain politeness and religious values, the Head of State said before hundreds of thousands of people participating in a fun walk dubbed “the best friend of the people”.

The pilkada held in 171 regions was over, now it`s time to work hard

Baswedan’s return to work will bring new spirit and inspiration for the commission in its fight against corruption. “He is our role model to make the best contribution to the nation,” Rahardjo said. (ap)

and maintain the national unity as well as to show politeness and friendliness, he said. “Let`s maintain the national unity, don`t mock each other. Our nation is huge, let`s protect it together by promoting national unity,” he stated.

President Jokowi has conducted working visits to South Sulawesi for eight times so far. Andi Amran Sulaiman, agriculture minister concurrently chairman of the organizing committee of the fun walk, said the OC distributed some 700 thousand coupons for the event.

“There are 700 thousand coupons that have been distributed to the public. The presence of Mr Jokowi today has shown that our President is populist,” Sulaiman said. (ant)

Asian Games - Committee chief inspects palembang

PALEMBANG - Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee Chairman Erick Thohir visited Palembang on Saturday to inspect the preparation for the Asian Games 2018, which is only a few days away. “I came here to assure Palembang`s readiness 20 days ahead of the event. As far I have seen, everything has been good like in Jakarta, West Java, and Banten,” he stated on the sidelines of inauguration of 24 Hours Emergency Unit service at Siloam Hospital at Jakabaring Sports City.

He noted that centralization of venues at JSC has made it easy for Palembang to co-host

the event. Palembang has been appointed to co-host the Asian biggest sporting event with Jakarta from Aug 18 to Sept 2. The capital city of South Sumatra province has recently completed its Light Rail Transit (LRT) system that will ease transportation of contingents from the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin II airport to JSC. Six apartment towers have also been set up to accommodate athletes and officials who will be involved in the event, which is to be attended by 45 countries. Thohir, however, noted that maximum efforts must be made in order to assure perfect

preparation of facilities for the big event.

He added that the event in Indonesia this year is different from the last in Incheon, South Korea, in that the number of participating countries was 20 percent higher.

He remarked that the committee has received a list of athletes and officials to be involved in the event, which totals around 17,195, and three thousand out of them will go to Palembang.

Palembang will host 14 events, including bowling, tennis, shooting, rowing, women football, skateboarding, rock climbing, and others. (ant)

12

International

Monday, July 30, 2018

Bali News

International

BUSINESS

Monday, July 30, 2018

5

US economy grew at a brisk 4.1 percent rate last quarter

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy accelerated last quarter at an annual rate of 4.1 percent, the government estimated Friday, as consumers spent tax-cut money, businesses stepped up investment and exporters rushed to ship their goods ahead of retaliatory tariffs.

President Donald Trump said he was thrilled with what he called an “amazing” growth rate — the strongest quarterly figure since 2014 — and said it wasn’t “a onetime shot.” But most economists took issue with that forecast, saying the pace of growth in the AprilJune quarter won’t likely last in the months ahead.

The Commerce Department said the gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the United States — posted its best showing since a 4.9 percent annual increase in the third quarter of 2014.

Trump, who has repeatedly attacked the Obama administration’s economic record, had pledged during the 2016 presidential race to double annual economic growth to 4 percent or more. And at a White House appearance Friday with his top economic advisers and Vice President Mike Pence, the president boasted that “we’ve accomplished an economic turnaround of historic proportions.”

He predicted that the economy would fare “extraordinarily well” in the current July-September quarter and that growth for 2018 as a whole would be the best in 13 years.

But forecasters cautioned that the April-June pace was due mainly,

though not entirely, to temporary factors. Most analysts are forecasting that growth this year could reach 3 percent, which would be the best since a 3.5 percent gain in 2005. But many think the annual 4.1 percent growth rate last quarter is likely the high point for any one quarter. Many think annual growth in the second half of this year will be 2.5 percent to 3 percent.

“We believe quarter two will represent a growth peak as the boost from tax cuts fades, global growth moderates, inflation rises, the Fed tightens monetary policy and trade protectionism looms over the economy,” said Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics.

The latest GDP figure was nearly double the 2.2 percent growth rate in the first quarter, which was revised up from a previous estimate of 2 percent annual growth.

Consumer spending, which accounts for about 70 percent of economic activity, reached a 4 percent annual growth rate after a lackluster 0.5 percent rate in the first quarter.

Consumers began spending their higher take-home pay on autos and other big-ticket items, spurred by the $1.5 trillion tax cut Trump pushed through Congress in December.

Another key factor that bolstered growth was a rush by exporters of

soybeans and other products to move their shipments to other countries before retaliatory tariffs in response to Trump’s tariffs on imports took effect. Exports surged at a 9.3 percent annual rate in the second quarter, while imports grew at a scant 0.5 percent rate.

Trump called the narrowing of the trade deficit “one of the biggest wins in the report.”

The narrowing trade deficit added a full percentage point to growth last quarter, though economists have expressed concern that a full-blown trade war between the United States and China, the world’ s two biggest economies, will hurt growth in both countries.

Business investment grew at a solid 7.3 percent annual rate. Government spending also posted a solid gain, rising at a 2.1 percent annual rate. The result was boosted by a budget deal at the start of the year that added billions to defense and domestic spending.

But housing, which has struggled this year, shrank at a 1.1 percent annual rate after an even sharper 3.4 percent annual decline in the first quarter.

“The second quarter was a strong quarter, but it was juiced up by the tax cuts and higher government spending,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist Moody’s Analytics.

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

In this Jan. 18, 2017 file photo, construction personnel work on a building project just south of Chicago’s Loop. The U.S. economy surged in the April-June quarter, growing at an annual rate of 4.1 percent.

Zandi forecast that growth for 2018 will reach 3 percent, which would be the best rate since before the Great Recession. In 2019, he expects solid 2.6 percent growth.

But in 2020 — a presidential election year — Zandi is forecasting growth of just 0.9 percent, a pace so slow it will raise the threat of a recession.

“We will come pretty close to stalling out in 2020 because the growth we are seeing now is not sustainable,” Zandi said.

The GDP report released Friday

included a revision of previous years’ figures. The revisions showed that growth in 2017 came in at 2.2 percent, slightly below the 2.3 percent previously reported.

The current economic expansion, which began in June 2009, is now the second-longest on record but also the weakest. The GDP revisions didn’t change that narrative. Annual growth has averaged just 2.2 percent since mid-2009 through the end of last year, the same as previously reported. (ap)

European Central Bank says rates will remain low for months FRANKFURT - The European Central Bank is stressing that interest rates will stay low well into next year even as the U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to keep raising rates in coming months.

The central bank for the 19 countries that use the euro left its key rates and monetary stimulus settings unchanged at a meeting Thursday at its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

ECB President head Mario Draghi was asked at a news conference about accusations by U.S. President Donald Trump that Europe is purposefully pushing its currency down with low interest rates to gain a trade advantage.

But Draghi said the ECB monetary stimulus efforts were simply a reflection that Europe and the United

States economies had emerged from the financial crisis at different periods.

The eurozone economy has not had as much time to strengthen and therefore needs lower rates.

“We said several times that the exchange rate is not a policy target,” he said.

Stimulus policies such as zero interest rates can weaken a currency. But Draghi noted that euro has actually appreciated when measured against all of Europe’s trading partners.

He said that while the eurozone economy is enjoying solid growth, “significant monetary policy stimulus is still needed.”

The bank had said at the previous meeting, on June 14, that it would phase out its 2.4 trillion-euro ($2.8 trillion) bond-buying stimulus program

by year-end, and would keep interest rates on hold “through the summer” of 2019. Speculation on what “through the summer” means has ranged from July to September or even later.

Draghi declined to be more precise during the news conference.

The ECB is withdrawing stimulus as the economy grows, but doing it so slowly that its path is diverging sharply from that of the Fed, which is already raising rates.

The rich world’s major central banks — also including the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan— are slowly withdrawing stimulus measures they deployed to support the economy during and after the global financial crisis and Great Recession.

The end of the stimulus will have wide-ranging effects, such as increas-

ing borrowing costs for governments and home buyers. By raising returns on safe assets such as bonds and savings accounts, it could also make those holdings more attractive relative to stocks and change investor attitudes toward the risks of the longstanding bull market. The ECB is proceeding gingerly to avoid market disruptions.

ECB officials have expressed confidence that inflation is sustainably trending toward their goal of just under 2 percent. It came in at 2 percent in June, although when excluding volatile items like oil and food, prices remain weaker. The central bankers are still keeping a wary eye on recent signs of weaker growth, and on the chance that a trade conflict between the United States and other countries could hurt global business

and the export-dependent European economy.

Draghi welcomed a tentative agreement between the EU and U.S. on Wednesday that put a halt to any new tariffs and sought to reduce existing ones.

“It shows that there is a willingness to discuss trade issues in a multilateral trade framework again,” he said.

The ECB’s short-term benchmark rate was kept unchanged at a record low of zero. By comparison, the Fed’s key rate is in a range between 1.75 percent and 2 percent and more increases are expected this year. The bond-buying program, meanwhile, pumps newly created money into the banking system in an attempt to raise inflation and growth by making credit easier to get. (ap)

Ulun Danu Beratan, Center for Water Recreation

Ulun Danu Beratan tourist attraction is not only beautiful. This object located in the tourist area of Bedugul, Baturiti, Tabanan or about 50 kilometers north of Denpasar also poses a center for tourist attraction. Aside from cultural attractions, the area is also equipped with various vehicles of water recreation.

In combination with exotic surrounding atmosphere, the water tourist attractions here can create wonderful memories. Starting from traditional boat, paddle boat, speed boat to fishing on the lake shore is equally attractive. By taking these attractions, visitors can enjoy the natural atmosphere of the lake.

Traditional boat can accommodate four to five passengers for 30

minutes. By riding this boat around the lake, visitors will be able to capture the activity of family in the boat. Alternatively, visitors can also do fishing by boat. “During holiday season, many visitors take paddle boat. They are mostly domestic travelers from Surabaya and Jakarta,” said Operations Manager of the Ulun Danu Beratan, Wayan Mustika. Visitors can also take

pictures with a variety of animals in the Safari Park of Ulun Danu Beratan. This miniature park is located in the garden area at the front, right on the left side of the entrance into the object. Various kinds of cute pets will be able to make your traveling atmosphere more memorable.

Balinese rare birds and those from outside the region and overseas can also be encountered here.

Charming flowers of large and small size can become a beautiful backdrop for your snapshots or selfie.

In the north, there is a hanging flying fox that will be very sweet when you take photos with it. Likewise there are eagles with multicolored feathers, hornbill, small and large owls, black python, albino python, Brazilian chameleon and iguana.

This cool tourist attraction also provides playground for children but it sits at different location. The playground includes slides, swings, scales and climbers. All the attraction are located in the wild, namely

in the right side of the entrance to the tourist center. “This children playground is quite entertaining.

Children that cannot enjoy water recreation can take advantage of this playground for free,” he said.

Other than local children, many foreign travelers are also interested in this attraction. They even mingle with local children to make interaction in their way. “We intentionally provide various facilities of attraction, so that all visitors from various backgrounds can enjoy the fun offered here,” concluded Mustika. (kmb)

Unwinding at Banjar Hot Springs

Tanah Lot tourist attraction remains best-loved by domestic and foreign travelers. As seen on Christmas holiday season last year, travelers mostly consisting of students from several cities in Java and Sumatra thronged the destination relying on the sunset and beauty of the temple in the middle of the sea. Moreover, the students boosted the tourist visit before yearend 2015. In addition, Christmas holiday coinciding with full moon is believed to be an auspicious day by the Hindus in Bali, so that it was not only thronged by

travelers but also by local people wishing to worship at the Tanah Lot Temple.

Operations Manager of the Tanah Lot, Ketut Toya Adnyana, said that tourist visit to Tanah Lot incredibly increased. On SaturdaySunday the visit usually reaches about 7,000 to 8,000 people. “From the existing data, the number of tourist visits from January to December 24, 2015 has reached 3,049,089. We are optimistic to surpass the number of tourist visits in 2014,” he said.

He added that the target of tour-

ist visit has been reached in the previous month. “Ahead of Christmas and New Year’s holidays, we also make a coordination meeting with Tabanan Police to anticipate the long holiday season of Christmas and New Year. It poses a preparation for the long holiday,” added Toya Adnyana.

He added that visitors making a visit to Tanah Lot came from various regions, such as Jakarta, Malang, Surabaya, Makassar and Solo. “They are averagely from outside the town to enjoy their long holiday,” said Toya. (kmb)

4

Bali News

Monday, July 30, 2018

International

Monday, July 30, 2018

International

Hotel Occupancy rates in Ubud over70%

Powerful storm hits disaster-ravaged Japan

GIANYAR - Occupancy rates of hotels and homestays in Gianyar- particularly Ubud have been going up steadily. At the end of July data showed that average occupancy rates were over 70%”, said head of the Hotel and Homestay Association (UHSA) I.B. Wiryawan, on Friday (27/7).

Several homestays are fully booked and may are almost full. Gus De -as Wiryawan is known, said that such high occupancy rates are expected to remain stable until sometime in August. “We also keep track of how long guests expect to stay, so we know that rooms will be full until August”, he explained.

Most of the tourist who stay in homestays in Ubud are from Europe, especially Sweden and Belgium but there also a lot of tourists from The Netherlands, France and elsewhere. “SO we are seeing a new market of people coming to Ubud, while the French and Dutch remain loyal to visiting Ubud”, he said, adding that there are also a lot of tourists from Australia visiting Ubud.

Tourists from Asia –particularly from China, tend to only visit Ubud for the day, as they prefer to stay in Southern Bali. “ Rarely do Chinese tourists stay in Ubud, and if they do it usually not for more

than one night”, said Gus De. With the increased occupancy rates, Gus De said that many homestays have increased their prices per night by about IDR 50,000. So places that normally cost IDR 200,00 now cost IDR 250,00 per night while the most expensive can coast as much as IDR 600,000 per night. “Almost everyone raises their proices during the high season”, he added.

Vice- regent of Gianyar A.A. Bagus Ari Brahmanta confirmed that occupancy rates in Ubud had already reached 70% with increased numbers of tourists all around. “In Ubud this can clearly be seen by the crowdedness of restaurants, at Ubud Palace and at the Ubud Art Market”, he said, adding that all tourists attractions managed by the Regency of Gianyar are also filled with tourists – particularly Trta Empul. “The largest number of passing visitors are still Chinese”, he concluded. (kmb 35)

Gianluigi GUERCIA / AFP

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (front L) chats with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2ndR) as they pose for a group picture during the 10th BRICS summit (acronym for the grouping of the world’s leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on July 27, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

IBP/kmb

Most of the tourist who stay in homestays in Ubud are from Europe, especially Sweden and Belgium but there also a lot of tourists from The Netherlands, France and elsewhere.

Galungan Cina at Museum Neka The beauty of togetherness

THE long history of cultural, religious, political, artistic and trade relations between Indonesia and China date back over half a millennium and continue to have profound influences on both countries. Though mostly harmonious these relations have also been marked by some deeply troubling events and as a consequence some less than harmonious attitudes and actions have occurred over the years often eclipsing the generally positive interactions that in fact flourish in day-to-day relations.

Bali has a particularly close relationship with Chinese culture that began long ago but is perhaps most notably described in the love story that took place in the 12th century between Balinese

IBP

Painting by I Wayan Juni Antara on display at Neka Museum’s Galungan Cina exhibition

13

King Jaya Pangus of Kintamani and Chinese princess Kang Cing Wie of the Kang Dynasty that continues to resonate to this very day. There are various renditions of the story but in essence they fell madly in love and the cultural influences that the Chinese princess brought with her have become part of Balinese culture in general with particular influence in the area of Kintamani where this legendary couple lived.

There were of course many Chinese merchants and cultural envoys visiting Bali and other parts of Indonesia before and after this story, however certain distinct influences like the use of pis bolong (chinese coins) and the barong landung (chinese style barong) and other influences from Chinese culture took root with this couple and have made their way all over the island and have become integrated into Balinese culture.

On July 25th, 2018 Neka Museum in collaboration with artist community Segara Lor from Udiksnas University opened an exhibition entitled “Galungan Cina” in celebration of the harmonious relations between these two cultures. According to some accounts, what has become one of Bali’s most important religious holidays – Galungan and Kuningan was born out of the love story between King Jaya Pangus and princess Kang Cing Wie. As curator and cultural art historian I Made Susanta Dwitanaya explained: “the title of the exhibition was chosen as a way to show how Balinese culture is one that is based on inclusion rather than exclusion, whereby influences from other cultures – in this case Chinese culture, are not feared, rejected or vilified but rather considered as enriching and incorporated into the broader world view of Balinese culture itself”.

Segara Lor invited guest artist Tien Hong to join them in this exhibition as a Balinese painter whose family descends from China. Hong is from Desa Lampu, Kintamani where the majority of residents are also of Chinese descent. His family and neighbors have been living in Bali for many generations and although they acknowledge their roots in China and maintain certain traditions, they also practice Balinese religious and cultural customs. “Yes I am of Chinese descent but I am also very much Balinese. Never once in my life have I felt like a foreigner here, nor have I ever

witnessed any kind of strained relations based on differences in ethnicity in my village. In fact Desa Lampu was given a national award for most harmonious inter-ethnic relations. I believe this is a testament to the possibility of such harmonious relations between all peoples in Indonesia”.

Galungan Cina features a diverse range of works by 19 artists: Wayan Sudiarta, Tien Hong, Komang Trisno Adi Wirawan, Made Kartiyoga, Kadek Antara, Dewa Gede Purwita, Riski Nanda Riwaldi, Nyoman Arisana, Ni Luh Pangestu Widya Sari, I Gusti Agung Prawira Yuda, Ida Bagus Pandit Prastu, I Made Hendra Putrawan, kadek Jefri Wibowo, Putu Suhartawan, Kadek Omo Santika, and Dewa Johana.

All of the works in the exhibition refer in some way to the influence of Chinese culture in Bali, whether tangible or intangible and pay tribute the wealth that comes from such cultural interactions. The high quality and great diversity of the works themselves also echoes the distinct ability of Balinese culture in particular and Indonesian culture in general to allow for great diversity while preserving a fundamental identity. It is perhaps this ability to remain coherent while embracing difference that defines the unusually beautiful identity of this island and the nation of which it is part.

“Neka Museum is dedicated to supporting local, national and international artists of note and we are especially pleased to welcome alumni from Udisknas University’s Fine Arts department who have formed into the art community Segara Lor to present this exhibition – Galungan Cina, which speak to the long history of harmonious relations between Bali and China. We hope that this exhibition can demonstrate the beauty and power of unity in diversity and serve as an example for all of us who make up this great diverse nation”, explained founder of Neka Museum, Pande Wayan Suteja Neka Galungan Cina will be on display at Neka Museum, Jl Raya Sagingan, Ubud, until August 15th, 2018 and us a must see for any art lover and anyone interested in the wonderful dance between Bali and China that continues to yield much beauty, harmony and togetherness.

Turkey’s Erdogan warns US over sanctions threat

ANKARA - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned the US in comments published Sunday that sanctions would not force Ankara to “step back” after Donald Trump threatened to punish Turkey if a US pastor was not freed.

“You cannot make Turkey take a step back with sanctions,” Erdogan said in his first comments since relations soured after Trump threatened the measures on Thursday if Pastor Andrew Brunson was not released.

“The US should not forget that it could lose a strong and sincere partner like Turkey if it does not change its attitude,” he was quoted as saying by Hurriyet daily.

“The change of attitude is Trump’s problem, not mine,” he told journalists during a visit to South Africa, calling the US threats “psychological warfare”.

Relations between the NATO allies have worsened over the jailing of Brunson, who ran a Protestant church in the Aegean city of Izmir.

He was held in a Turkish jail for almost two years on terror charges but was placed under house arrest on Wednesday.

Trump on Thursday hit back at the move, calling for his immediate release and warning that the US

would impose “large sanctions on Turkey for their long time detainment” of Brunson.

Ties had already been strained over multiple issues including Washington’s support of a Syrian Kurdish militia which Turkey views as a terrorist group and the failure to extradite the Pennsylvania-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen.

Erdogan in September suggested Turkey could free Brunson if the US handed over Gulen -- an offer brushed off by Washington.

- No ‘bargaining chip’ Ankara accuses Gulen of ordering the 2016 failed overthrow of Erdogan, a claim he strongly denies.

The Washington Post on Friday reported a deal between Ankara and Washington was made to secure the release of a Turkish woman imprisoned in Israel in exchange for the freedom of Brunson.

Ebru Ozkan, 27, had been held for over a month by Israel on charg-

es of passing hundreds of dollars to a “terrorist” group, but she returned to Turkey on July 16.

The newspaper said the agreement was “personally sealed” by Trump but fell apart when Brunson was transferred to house arrest.

Erdogan addressed the claims, stressing that Turkey had “never made Pastor Brunson a bargaining chip.”

However, he said Ankara had asked for Washington’s help in securing Ozkan’s return home.

“But we didn’t say: ‘In return for this, we will give you Brunson’.

Nothing like this was discussed,” Erdogan insisted.

Brunson risks up to 35 years in jail if found guilty of charges of carrying out activities on behalf of two groups deemed by Turkey to be terror organisations -- the Gulen movement and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Brunson rejects the accusations while US officials have repeatedly insisted the pastor is innocent. (afp)

TOKYO - A powerful storm slammed into Japan on Sunday, churning across western areas already hard hit by floods and landslides earlier this month and injuring some 20 people.

Typhoon Jongdari, with winds of up to 180 kilometres (110 miles) an hour, made landfall at Ise in Mie prefecture at around 1 am (1600 GMT Saturday), according to the meteorological agency.

More than 170 domestic flights were cancelled for Sunday and train services disrupted.

A total of 21 people have been injured in the past days as the storm brought violent winds and torrential rains, the government said.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned that the storm could continue to bring heavy rain even after the epicentre had passed by.

“Get hold of information on damage, cooperate closely with municipal offices and make utmost efforts to help evacuate local residents,” he central government officials on Sunday.

The typhoon weakened after making landfall and was downgraded to a tropical storm but many provinces stayed on alert.

“We have been on emergency alert the whole time since the rain disaster” in early July, said Koji Kunitomi, a crisis management official in the western prefecture of Okayama.

“Fortunately, so far, we haven’t seen new flooding,” he told AFP. The storm, after unleashing torrential rain over eastern and Japan, moved west and then south on Sunday.

TV footage showed high waves

smashing onto rocks and seawalls southwest of Tokyo and trees buffeted by strong winds and heavy rain.

Waves shattered the window of an ocean-view restaurant at a hotel in the resort town of Atami southwest of Tokyo late Saturday.

“We didn’t expect this could happen... Waves gushed into the restaurant as the window broke but we are grateful that customers followed evacuation instructions,” an official at the hotel told AFP. “Fortunately no one was seriously hurt,” she said, adding five people suffered cuts from broken glass as they fled.

The storm moved across the western region of Chugoku, where record rainfall early this month unleashed flooding and landslides which killed around 220 people.

It was Japan’s worst weatherrelated disaster in decades, and thousands of those affected are still in temporary shelters or damaged homes.

The storm was hitting the nation’s southern land mass of Kyushu late Sunday.

The authorities in Kyushu urged residents to evacuate before rain intensifies.

The weather agency warned of heavy rain, landslides, strong winds and high waves.

In Japan evacuation orders are not mandatory and people often remain at home, only to become trapped later by rapidly rising water or sudden landslides.

Japan is now in typhoon season and is regularly hit by major storms during the summer and autumn. (afp)

Jiji Press / AFP

In this photo taken on July 28, 2018, people protect themselves with umbrellas as heavy rains caused by Typhoon Jongdari fall in Tokyo.

14

Traveling

Monday, July 30, 2018

International

Bali News

International

Monday, July 30, 2018

3

Virgin Galactic space rocket leaves the stratosphere A step closer to putting tourists in space

BILLIONAIRE Richard Branson has taken a supersonic step closer to achieving his ambition to transport tourists into space when his longdelayed Virgin Galactic project completed a rocket-powered test flight on Thursday. It travelled at 2.47 times the speed of sound.

SpaceShipTwo, dubbed VSS Unity, was carried by companion craft, White Knight, to an altitude of 46,500 feet over California’s Mojave Desert. It then separated from its mother ship and blasted into the stratosphere. It’s rockets blazed for 42 seconds before making a an almost vertical climb to 170,800 feet, approximately halfway to the edge of space.

“Oh that is a million dollar view out the window Dave” says co-pilot Mike “Sooch” Masucci.

The ship – which cost almost half a billion dollars – made its way back to Earth, successfully landing at the

Mojave Air and Space Port.

“It was a thrill from start to finish,” said David Mackay, who co-piloted Unity alongside Mike “Sooch” Masucci. “Unity’s rocket motor performed magnificently again and Sooch pulled off a smooth landing.

“This was a new altitude record for both of us in the cockpit, not to mention our mannequin in the back, and the views of Earth from the black sky were magnificent.”

This was Unity’s 14th outing and was hailed as the most successful yet for the project.

T h i s

flight was higher and faster than ever and the first to reach the mesosphere ich Virgin Galactic describes as an “under-studied atmospheric layer” because it’s beyond the range of balloon flight.

The event bodes for Branson’s hopes to eventually carry passengers int space. Virgin Galactic hopes to begin commercial space flights by the end of 2018.

However there is competition

Elon Musk CEO of Tesla and Lead Designer of SpaceX also has his heart on putting civilians in space and has also declared his aim of doing so by the end of 2018.

All the seats on the Unity are have been sold until at least 2021. The first 100 passengers paid $200,000 and further 600 more put down a sizeable deposit on a $250,000 ticket to experience zero-gravity for six minutes and the ability to look down on Planet Earth.

Space X tickets have not been released for sale and no date has been given as to when they will be. (net)

IBP/kmb

The Batur Volcano Museum

Holidaying while learning about volcanoes at the Batur Volcano Museum

BANGLI - There are many ways to enjoy time off, including by visiting museums. The Batur Volcano Museum is a rather interesting place where visitors can learn all about volcanoes.

Director of the Batur Volcano Museum, Desak Made Andariani when met recently explained that the museum is set on a 1,09 hectares of land and houses a collection of geological artifacts. The first floor of the museum features

rocks that came to the surface between 1049 and the year 2000, rocks from before then are referred to as prehistoric. The second floor of the museum has a collection of taxidermy animals and trees. The geopark also includes cultural artifacts such as ancient stone inscriptions and prehistoric statues.

The museum is visited by an average of about 100 people a day. Most of the museums visitors are foreign tourists from China and elsewhere who come to the museum before go-

ing down in the BAtur caldera. On school holidays there is a surge in visitors as students from all over Bali and other parts of Indonesia also visit the museum as part of their studies. “So this museum is a place to enjoy but also to learn”, explained Andariani.

The Batur Volcano Museum (Museum Gunung Api Batur) is opne from Monday to Friday from 8AM to 4PM and from 8AM to 2Pm on weekends. More information is available from the museum guides. (kmb40)

Creative artisans come up with new designs for Sokasi baskets

BANGLI - Artisans in Bangli have been consistenly coming up with new designs for their crafts.

Dewa Rai Nyoman Sudiasa from Banjar Tegalasah Kaja, Tembuku Village for example, started using new materials to decorate his sokasi baskets last year in order to remain competitive on the basket market.

He explained that he first got the idea after visiting a craft show in Yogyakarta where he saw thin cloth being used on baskets. Previously Nyoman had created innovative designs for his baskets using wood paint, and gold leaf, but decided to give paper a try.

“Because it worked well, I tried to use this new material on wood then on bamboo and finally with woven bamboo. The results were much better on bamboo than on wood and thin paper is easier to use

than wood paint”, he explained. Paper with images of flowers, butterflies and other things is gluesd on to the baskets with a special kind of glue before the baskets are dried. “This is special paper from America that does not fall apart when wet”, he explained, adding that this style has become quite popular with local buyers.

Nyoman sells his baskets at traditional markets in Denpasar, Bangli, Badung, Gianyar and Klungkung. “My baskets are sold for anywhere between IDR 10,000 and IDR 400,000, depending on the size and how complicated the pattern is”, he said adding that he sells more baskets before religious holidays including cremation season when many people are seeking such baskets. “Sales tend to go up about 2 months before Galungan and Kuningan then sales drop again”, explained Sudiasa. (kmb41)

IBP/kmb

Artisans in Bangli have been consistenly coming up with new designs for their crafts.

2

Bali News

Monday, July 30, 2018

International

Activities

International

Monday, July 30, 2018

15

Developping Bali’s agricultural sector

Government and academics working together

DENPASAR - Farmers in Bali are facing a number of challenges, particularly the temptation to sell their land to developers and lack of access to water, but also issues with farm pests. Bali’s provincial government has been continuously working with institutes of higher learning to conducts studies aimed at finding applicable solutions to said challenges.

“We always work with academic researchers as well as the Bureau of Farming Technology Research (BPTP)”, explained Head of the Province of Bali’s Department of Staple Crops, Horticulture and Gardens, Ida Bagus Wisnuardhana on Saturday (28/7).

According to Wisnuardhana, cooperation and coordination between said parties has been going well with government and researchers working together on these issues. Results of the research are used for recommendations for implementa-

tion in the field.

“If we see a need to conduct specific research, then we provide a budget for it. If they have a bdget then they take the initiative to conduct the research”, he added.

For some time now, said Wisnuardhana, farmers in Bali have been facing the serious challenge of maintaining working rice fields in the face of temptations to sell off or lease land to developers. Every year somewhere in the neighborhood of 600 hectares of arable land are converted into buildings despite the existence of zoning by-laws that forbid such conversions.

“IN 2017 there was a surge to 900 hectares of arable land that was converted to purposes other than farming. What is more, rice paddies that require considerable amounts of water have to complete with the domestic sector for access to water. So during the dry season, our rice paddies do not get enough water”, explained Wisnuardhana.

The problem of lack of water is addressed by creating dams and reservoirs. Farm pests, though somewhat problematic are a less serious problem, as it depends on the climate.– the same way that humans tend to fall ill when there are large fluctuations in weather conditions, pest are also sensitive to such fluctuation.

“As long as less than 3 percent of a given area of land is being attacked by pests, it is considered safe, but if more than 3 percent is affected we take action” said Wisnuardhana.

Despite much groaning about falling prices during harvest, Wisnuardhana added that it is normal to that the price of farm products should go up and down depending on the season. The way to increase revenue during harvest season is to create products based on these food that have a longer shelf life and to market these goods. Having famers work with hotels and restaurants in one good way to ensure a more stable revenue throughout the year. (kmb32)

Healthy Living with Friday Yoga at Lighthouse Rooftop

Located on a vibrant district but far enough away from the busy street of Kuta, Aston Kuta Hotel & Residence held Friday Yoga every Friday at the Lighthouse Rooftop with concept ‘Connect with Your Body’.

Yoga now became a trend of healthy lifestyle. Yoga is a way to achieve balance and harmony between the mind, body, and spirit, both individually and in relationship with the world around us.

Held at the Lighthouse Rooftop 7th

IBP/kmb

Communication Ministry to facilitate provincial ambassadors to Asian Games

DENPASAR - The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemkominfo) will bear the transportation and accommodation costs for 64 people elected to become “Indonesian Supporters Ambassadors” from all provinces in Indonesia to attend the 2018 Asian Games Opening.

“In fact, the Kemkominfo will provide full support for the dissemination, publication, and in-

formation about the 2018 Asian Games,” Director General of Information and Public Communication of Kemkominfo Rosarita Niken Widyastuti stated here on Tuesday.

In connection with the dissemination of information regarding the prestigious sports event, Widyastuti remarked that the Kemkominfo has an Indonesian Supporters Ambassador application program that can be downloaded via android.

The application will feature a daily quiz that can be followed by the public, so that later two winners of the quizzes can be announced for each province in the country.

Until now, the application has been used by more than 800 thousand people and tens of thousands of Indonesians, who have expressed their willingness to be ambassadors for the 2018 Asian Games supporters program.

In addition to the Indonesian Supporters Ambassadors program, the ministry has organized a Gate and Village Contest based on the design of the Asian Games and the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

“The photos will then be sent to the Asian Games Archway Competition application. The winners in each province will also be facilitated to attend the opening or

watch events at several 2018 Asian Games sports venues,” Rosarita remarked on the sidelines of attending the Asian Games torch parade in Denpasar.

As part of the series of activities to enliven the Asian Games, the Kemkominfo also held a People`s Party with several competitions, such as dance competitions, online photo competitions, and trivia games. (ant)

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

floor, the stunning setting of fresh air, blue ocean and sky view will spoiled us during the class. Lead by a professional instructor, we will be invited to morning flow yoga to ensure we get the most experience whether you are a beginner or expert. By doing a yoga routine, the body will connected which led to peace for mindful alignment and health increase. Not only good for physics, yoga is also one kind of a stress release.

Friday Yoga is held every Friday

morning from 07.30 am – 08.30 am for IDR 150,000net includes international buffet breakfast and choice of healthy juice and IDR 50,000net for yoga class only (KTP/KITAS holder). For reservation and more information you can contact +62 361 754 999 or Whatsapp to +62 818 0588 5888.

About Aston Kuta Hotel & Residence

Located in the quaint area of Kuta and only 5-minute away from

I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and boasting 209 guestrooms including 41 premier suites and 8 functional rooms, Aston Kuta Hotel & Residence is the best facility for leisure and business.

About Archipelago International

Archipelago International is Indonesia’s largest hotel management chain with a portfolio of over 120 hotels and 15,000 rooms.

As a continually expanding brand, Archipelago International has a

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Archipelago International core brands include: favehotel, NEO, Quest, Harper, Aston, Alana and Kamuela. Archipelago International’s properties range from ultraluxurious villas with private pools to select-service, economy-class hotels to serviced-apartment residences, thus offering Indonesia’s largest and most comprehensive hospitality network

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

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

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Monday, July 30, 2018

Murakumi says can’t publicly oppose death penalty for sarin gas attackers TOKYO - Bestselling author Haruki Murakami says he cannot publicly oppose the hanging of the sarin gas attackers despite his objections to the death penalty, but Japan should not use the case as a pretext for sticking to the capital punishment.

The reclusive Japanese writer made the rare comment in an article in the Mainichi daily Sunday, just days after Japan executed the last members of the Aum Shinrikyo members on death row.

Murakami said on the newspaper’s English-language website that “as a general argument” he opposes capital punishment.

But having interviewed those who suffered and lost loved ones for his book “Underground” on the 1995 sarin subway attack, “I cannot publicly state, as far as this case is concerned, ‘I am opposed to death penalty’,” he wrote.

Yet Murakumi said the Aumrelated cases did not come to a close

with the latest executions.

“If there was any intention of ‘bringing a closure to those cases,’ or an ulterior motive of making the institution called the death penalty a more permanent one by using this opportunity, that is wrong, and the existence of such a strategy must never be allowed,” he said.

Murakami said he was in the courtroom when the death sentence was handed down to one of the 13.

The shock made him feel “as if a blunt weight was inside my chest” for the following days.

Hering news of the Aum executions, “I similarly feel the existence of that weight in my chest”, he said.

On July 6 Japan hanged the Aum guru and six former senior disciples for their involvement in the attack on the Tokyo subway that killed 13 people, left others with lifetime injuries and plunged the capital into chaos. (afp)

Monday, July 30, 2018 In this file photo taken on December 16, 2015 US actress Carrie Fisher (R) poses with a storm trooper as she attends the opening of the European Premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in central London.

Carrie Fisher makes posthumous return to ‘Star Wars’

LOS ANGELES - “Star Wars: Episode IX” begins filming next week, Disney said Friday, in a shock announcement revealing it will feature both Carrie Fisher in a posthumous appearance and series star Mark Hamill.

Bestselling author Haruki Murakami

IBP/net

The final installment of the Skywalker saga -- which began in 1977 with “Episode IV: A New Hope” -- is due for release worldwide in December next year.

It picks up the saga after the protagonist, Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, appeared to have been killed off in the last episode. Fisher’s Princess Leia was still alive at the end of 2017’s “The Last Jedi” but the actress herself died a year earlier, in December 2016.

“We desperately loved Carrie Fisher,” said J.J. Abrams, who is back at the helm for “Episode IX,” having directed “Episode VII: The Force Awakens” in 2015.

“Finding a truly satisfying conclusion to the Skywalker saga with-

out her eluded us. We were never going to recast, or use a CG character,” he added in a statement.

Disney said Fisher’s role would be gleaned from previously unreleased footage from “The Force Awakens,” with the blessing of her daughter, Billie Lourd.

It is not the first time Fisher’s likeness has featured in a “Star Wars” movie despite being absent from its filming.

“Rogue One,” a 2016 spin-off from the main series, directed by Gareth Edwards, had been in theaters for a couple of weeks when Fisher’s death from a heart attack was announced.

A much younger version of Fisher as Leia appears in that

movie, thanks to the controversial application of computer wizardry to animate her image.

Returning cast members for the final episode include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran and Joonas Suotamo.

Naomi Ackie and Richard E. Grant are among the new faces, while old “Star Wars” hands Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams return as C-3PO and Lando Calrissian.

Composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the “Star Wars” saga, continues his unbroken run for the next adventure. (afp)

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Aulia AHMAD / AFP

An Indonesian man examines the remains of houses, after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck, in Lombok on July 29, 2018. A powerful earthquake on the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok killed at least 10 people, injured dozens and damaged hundreds of homes on July 29, officials said.

Strong quake kills 17, injures scores, on Indonesia holiday island

A powerful earthquake which struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday killed at least 17 people, injured scores and damaged thousands of homes, officials said. Five children were among those killed by the shallow 6.4-magnitude early-morning quake, which sent people running outside in panic and triggered landslides on popular mountain hiking routes.

Scores of aftershocks sparked fear among survivors. More than 120 were recorded, the biggest with a magnitude of 5.7, Indonesia’s meteorology agency said.

Local officials have declared a three-day state of emergency.

President Joko Widodo is due to visit the island Monday morning, his spokesman said.

“Based on reports, 17 people died, 162 were injured and thousands of homes were damaged,” Indonesian disaster mitigation agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement, adding that five

of the dead were children.

One Malaysian was killed and six injured, the Malaysian foreign ministry said. “All of them were at the foot of Mount Rinjani when the incident happened,” it said, referencing the spectacular volcano that dominates the island.

The 30-year-old victim was inside a restroom when the entire building collapsed and crushed her, the New Straits Times quoted another Malaysian climber, Khairul Azim, as saying. Khairul said his own group was unable to leave the Sembalun area because many

roads including the main one had been damaged.

The constant aftershocks sparked terrified shouts among scores of people made homeless in the eastern village of Sembalun in the district of the same name, an AFP reporter said.

Some 200 people from 35 families whose house were damaged or destroyed had pitched tents there.

The roof of a health clinic had collapsed and its walls had cracked.

“People are traumatised and too scared to return home for fear the aftershocks could destroy their

homes completely,” the reporter said. “Everytime there is an aftershock they cry out in fear and tremors can still be felt constantly.”

Evacuees told AFP they badly needed blankets and instant food because there was no time to bring anything when they fled their homes.

Popular trekking trails on Mount Rinjani were closed because of landslides, according to the disaster agency.

One local trek organiser described how rocks rained down on two Spanish hikers and their guide as they were caught on a mountain trail.

“My trekking guide who was accompanying two tourists from Spain suffered from minor injuries

during the jolt. They were hiking from Segara Anak Lake to Plawangan and rocks were falling on them during the quake,” said Karyadi, the owner of a guesthouse where the pair were staying. The two Spaniards were also slightly hurt.

“Our guests were in shock because of the incident,” said Karyadi, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

Continued to page 6

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