Edition Thursday, January 31, 2019 | International Bali Post

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

16 Pages Number 29 11th year

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

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Fyre Festival: Jenner and Hadid agencies could be subpoenaed over flop event

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

Thursday, January 31, 2019

CALIFORNIA - Lawyers can now summon modelling agencies representing the likes of Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Hailey Baldwin, who all promoted the ill-fated Fyre Festival, a judge has reportedly ruled.

It comes as part of a bankruptcy case involving the music festival on an island in the Bahamas in April 2017.

The order states IMG Models, which represents Baldwin and Hadid, DNA Model Management, which represents Emily Ratajkowski, and Kendall Jenner Inc must comply with subpoenas issued in the case.

The models and influencers took part in social media campaigns in the lead up to the festival, which was billed as a luxury weekend on a sandy private island.

A glossy advert for the festival featured the prominent supermodels sipping cocktails and frolicking on yachts.

Tickets for the event cost up to $75,000 (£58,000) and guests were encouraged to load up wristbands with money to be used for purchases during the event.

But when guests turned up, they found they were to sleep on rain-soaked mattresses in hurricane disaster tents on what had been a building site on a different island than originally advertised.

Instead of gourmet food, an image showed one festival-goer had been presented with two unbuttered basic pieces of brown bread, two thin slices of cheese and a handful of salad.

The founder of the event, Billy McFarland, was later sentenced to six years in prison on federal fraud charges related to the festival. (net)

Bella Hadid (L) and Kendall Jenner both promoted Fyre Festival.

IBP/net JOSEPH EID / AFP

Kelsy Karter: Singer shocks fans by getting tattoo of Harry Styles on her cheek

IBP/net

Singer Kelsy Karter has tattooed Harry Styles’ face onto her cheek.

A singer has caused a stir after appearing to get a tattoo of Harry Styles on her cheek.

Kelsy Karter, a big fan of the former One Direction star, shared pictures of the provocative artwork on Instagram.

The 24-year-old, a recording artist based in LA, has long said she is desperate to work with Styles - and the tattoo could well be an attempt to grab his attention.

One photograph on Karter’s profile shows the artwork on her reddened cheek, along with the caption: “mama, look what i made

me do.”

Another image shows her along with tattoo artist Roman Lacoste.

Whether real or fake, the post is her most-liked to date - amassing more than 31,000 likes at the time of writing.

The tattoo recreates a promotional shot taken for Styles’ eponymous 2017 album, where the singer posed with wet hair while wearing a blue velvet suit.

Reaction on Instagram tended to be one of shock - with many hoping the tattoo was temporary.

One person wrote: “Whoa. I

hope that is fake.”

Another user commented: “I hope that ain’t real, your face looks so beautiful naturally”.

Someone else said: “I love lots of actors and actresses but I wouldn’t get a tattoo of them on my face…” Earlier this month, Karter hinted at the tattoo in a tweet when she wrote: “Finally know what I’m getting Harry for his birthday.”

She has spoken of her admiration of Styles in the past, telling i-D in 2017 that she feels like “a female version” of him. (net)

You can find International Bali Post at: 1 Kuta Beach Club Jl. Bakung Sari Kuta 2 Wen Dys Kuta the Coffe Bear Jl. Pantai Kuta 3 Seminyak Paradiso Bali Hotel Jl. Camplung Tanduk 4 Ramayana Resort&Spa Jl. Bakung Sari Kuta 5 The Lokha Legian Resort&Spa Jl. Padma Legian Kuta 6 66 Corner Live Sport Emtertaiment Jl. Doble Six/Werkudara 23 7 Leghawa Grill Jl. D.Tamblingan No. 51 8 Retno Barr dan Restoran Jl. D.Tamblingan No.126 A Sanur 9 Elkomedor Jl. D.Tamblingan 140

10 Malaika Scret 11 Snack Shack 12 Warung Lokal 13 Cokro Cafee 14 T.J.Bar 15 J & N Kebab 16 Goanna Bar 17 Batu Jimbar 18 Ramayana Cafee

Jl. D.Poso No 68 Jl. D.Poso No. 50D Jl. D.Poso No. 39 Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur Jl. D.Tamblingan

19 Smirnof Cafee Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 20 Legwa Hotel Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 21 Nu Laser Cafee Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 22 Ganesa Book Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 23 All For Daiving Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 24 Barocca Jl.Petitenget 17 DKerobokan 25 Lantern Jl.Petitenget 17E Kerobokan 26 Shearlock Jl.Petitenget 17C Kerobokan Klod 27 Cafe Degan Jl.Petitenget 9 Kerobokan Klod

28 Kopi Made Jl. Raya Puputan No. 106 Dps 29 Dimsum Manan Jl. Raya Niti Mandala Renon No 148 30 Furama Jl. Raya Niti Mandala No. 148 Renon 31 Warung Subah Renon Jl. Mohamad Yamin No.18 32 Ayam Betutu khas Gilimanuk Jl. Merdeka No.88 Renon 33 Bali Bakery Jl. Hayam Wuruk 184 Denpasar

Rain water floods the grounds of an informal tent settlement housing Syrian refugees flooded by rain water in the area of Bar Elias, in the central Bekaa Valley on January 17, 2019.

Dangerous arctic chill sweeps over US Midwest

Tens of millions of people in the United States are bracing for a potentially life-threatening deep arctic chill forecast to hit swaths of the country on Wednesday.

Companies have told their workers to stay home, schools are closed and hundreds of flights have been canceled.

The US Postal Service -- known for its commitment to bringing the mail whatever the weather -- has even reportedly suspended deliveries in Iowa due to the severe cold.

Temperatures in almost a dozen states stretching more than 1,200 miles (1,930 kilometers) from the Dakotas to Ohio were forecast to be the coldest in a generation, if not on record.

“One of the coldest arctic air mass intrusions in recent memory is surging south into the Upper

Midwest before spreading across much of the eastern two-thirds of the country,” the National Weather Service said.

“Expect frigid temperatures, bitterly cold and life-threatening wind chills, likely leading to widespread record lows and low maximum temperatures from the Upper Midwest to the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.”

The cause is a swirl of arctic air that broke away from the polar vortex that usually encircles the North Pole.

The National Weather Service forecast temperatures between -10 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 to

-40 Celsius) by Wednesday across the Midwest, with wind chills making it seem as cold as -65 degrees Fahrenheit in one area of Minnesota.

Chicago, America’s third largest city, was expected to be colder than parts of Antarctica. Authorities in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin put emergency measures in place to handle the frigid weather.

“We need everyone to do your part and make sure you and your families are prepared,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

- Frostbite warnings Americans were asked to stay home if possible Wednesday, when temperatures are expected to be at their coldest. Scores of schools, businesses and government agen-

cies announced closures in multiple states.

“People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite in a matter of minutes,” warned the NWS. Lawrence Gottlieb of the University of Chicago Medical Center said the threat was significant “when temps fall below zero, especially when there is a strong wind.”

Some 160 warming centers were opened in Chicago, where temperatures could potentially equal or exceed the all-time record of -27 degrees Fahrenheit. With the wind chill, it would feel like -40 or -50, officials said.

“They are life-threatening conditions and temperatures,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel told a news

conference. In Minneapolis, officials allowed residents to stay on public buses and trains for warmth.

- Snow storm In the northeastern and southern United States, snow was falling. A cold emergency was declared in the US capital Washington, with additional services put on for the homeless.

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.

2

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Bali News

International

Activities

International

Thursday, January 31, 2019

15

DLHK needs fleet rejuvenation

DENPASAR - The efforts to make Denpasar free from garbage need a hard work. In addition to the inadequate presence of temporary disposal sites (TPS) at each village, the fleet to transport garbage is not optimal. Among the totally 46 garbage trucks owned by the Denpasar Environment and Sanitation Agency (DLHK), ten units need rejuvenation.

This was emphasized by Division Head of Waste and Hazardous and Poisonous Material Handling at the DLHK Denpasar, Ketut Adi Wiguna, on Tuesday (Jan. 29).

According to him, the fleet rejuvenation is carried out so that the waste transportation can be maximized.

All this time, the ten fleets can still transport waste to landfill. However, the volume is reduced. A garbage truck of good condition can transport 1.5 tons of waste. Since they are old, eventually the capacity reduces to 1 ton per once transport.

He said the fleets need to be rejuvenated because they have been already old. On average, the fleets were manufactured approximately in 1995 to the 2000s. “On that account, it needs to be replaced,” he said.

Adi Wiguna added even though being old, they are still operated at this time considering there are quite a lot of needs for the fleet to transport garbage belonging to the community. However, if forced to transport garbage like a new truck, they are feared to suffer damages and even break down because of the old condition with iron that has begun to brittle. Meanwhile, in terms of service, the ten trucks usually serving for four times at noon and afternoon finally reduced to maximally twice a day.

“Currently, we only have 46 garbage trucks. Ten of them have to be rejuvenated in order to provide more optimal transportation services.

However, due to our limited budget we are forced to use it but the burden is reduced. This kind of vehicle should have been rejuvenated maximally after 5 years,” he said.

Wiguna added that waste transportation in Denpasar City must have a minimum of 150 fleets distributed throughout the sub-districts. With such limited budget, his agency cannot meet these needs. The budget allocated in the amended Regional Budget (APBD) is only enough for the procurement of heavy equipment.

Thus, the procurement in 2019 is prioritized to buy heavy equipment that will be used to transport waste at each temporary disposal sites. (kmb12)

The matter of tourist contributions

Provincial govt claims to have got support from 5 ministries

DENPASAR - Bali provincial government claims to have received support from five ministries related to the plans to impose tourist contribution. They are the Ministry of Transportation, Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Home Affairs of the RI. The five ministries were previously invited by the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, last Friday.

“If I look at it substantially, almost all the ministries invited yesterday agreed and saw this as an extraordinary idea when we talked about building sustainable tourism in Bali,” said the Head of the Bali Revenue Services, I Made Santha, after attending the meeting with the Special Committee about the Contribution of Tourists to the Conservation of Nature and Culture of Bali in the Bali House of Representatives on Tuesday (Jan. 29).

According to Santha, the ministry representative coming at the invitation of the governor had indeed absorbed the ideas of the Bali provincial government regarding the contribution of tourists. It includes how to put the idea into a regulation. After that, the ministry will find a solution so that the plan for imposing tourist contributions can be applied and has the right legal instrument considering that tourism has been a blessing for Bali all this time. This blessing must be kept from being degraded. While now, Bali has been faced with the problem of waste, environmental pollution as well as the efforts to preserve nature, humans and the future of Balinese culture. On the other hand, Bali also has a burden to bring in 40 percent of the total target of tourist visits proclaimed nationally.

“When we talk about sustainable tourism development in Bali, it means there is a need to make improvements, and the improvement needs funding,” he added.

However, continued Santha, Bali’s fiscal strength is currently limited

because it only relies on vehicle taxes.

Regional revenue is only around IDR 3.5 trillion. That is why the idea arises to attract contributions from foreign tourists by collecting USD 10.

Moreover, this kind of policy has been implemented by 48 countries.

“Some people call it city tax while others call it tourism tax in other countries. I don’t know (whether it is charged through airfare—Ed) that’s what we will see. This needs coordination with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and then from the airport authorities themselves,” he explained.

Santha added that airline tickets are one of the solutions to charge tourists’ contributions, especially to foreign tourists. However, this has not been a decision because the bill of the regional bylaw (Perda) is still under discussion and continues to be finalized before being approved.

IATA’s letter Recently, on social media circulated a letter from IATA to the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster. The letter with IATA’s logo dated January 24, 2019 was signed by the Regional Vice President of Asia-Pacific, Conrad Clifford. IATA is a global trade association for airlines consisting of more than 290 airlines and covers 82 percent of total global air traffic.

In essence, IATA has not yet seen an official copy of the proposal of the Bali provincial government regarding foreign tourist contribution. The proposal was known from one of

the articles in the mass media. IATA in its letter called the proposal to be contrary to taxation policies having been approved and published by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) under the auspices of the United Nations. In this case, Indonesia also signed the Chicago Convention, where the Article 15 reads: “Contracting Member Countries may not charge fees, contributions or other levies in connection with the right to transit in or into or out of the territory of the country owned by an aircraft or passengers or property in it.”

Furthermore, it was written that international passengers departing from Denpasar airport currently pays for Aircraft Passenger Services worth IDR 225,000. From the IATA analysis, the imposition of 10 dollars in fees per foreign passenger leaving has the potential to reduce the number of passengers departing from Bali amounting to 190,000 passengers per year. At the end of his letter, IATA also wrote that he would be very happy if he could meet directly with the governor or the governor’s representative to discuss it further.

When asked about this letter, I Made Santha, Head of the Bali Revenue Service, briefly claimed not to know. Similar comment was also conveyed by the Chairperson of the Special Committee for Regional Regulation on Tourist Contributions in the Bali House of Representatives, Ketut Suwandhi. This aging Golkar Party politician even admitted to have not met with IATA because he would

meet the Indonesian Representative Board of Airlines (BAR Indo) first.

After that, I met IATA, INACA, Airport Authority, Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Moreover, the IATA is headquartered in Singapore. “Who said (there is a letter from IATA—Ed)? We haven’t consulted yet nor sent a letter. Until now, we have not received it yet,” he said.

Suwandhi added the meeting between the Special Committee and BAR Indo will discuss about the contribution of tourists through airline tickets. Since the legal instrument is not yet available, it is impossible to collect contributions in the form of taxes. “The amount is included (in airline tickets—Ed), but the items are different. It is the same as airport tax, but it belongs to the airport. This means it will take quite a long stage,” he explained.

Suwandhi hoped the ministry supporting the tourist contribution plan can immediately clarify the matter in terms of the legal instrument of contributions through the existing law.

After that, it must also be clarified the matter of collecting the contributions and the problem regarding the agency that will manage the contributions, whether the Bali Revenue Service (Bapenda) or other agencies because it is impossible to form a separate body.

Co-GM Commercial of Angkasa Pura, Rahadian Yogi, supported the plan for tourist contributions. However, he did not recommend collecting the contribution through special counters at the airport because it will reduce service value. “If collecting through airline ticket, it is not our authority. With the airlines, we have business to business cooperation,” he said. (kmb32)

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

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

HARD ROCK HOTEL BALI BRINGS LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT AND VIBE BACK TO KUTA BEACH

The Award Winning Hotel IntroducesA New Vibe with a renovated Centerstage and new Kids Waterpark Hard Rock Hotel Bali has unveiled it’snewlyrenovatedlive music venueCenterstage, and all new Kids Waterpark. Keeping up with the developing trends of the Balientertainment scene, Centerstage has been refreshed to bring a more modest elegant ambiance whilst maintaining its iconiccenter bar. The improvements consisted of three major elements: the stage, bar area, and new giant LED screens. The Centerstagerenova-

tion features 6 new giant LED screens adding 84sqm of digital delight complimenting the nightly live music performances. The main stage has been widened, the bar below has been decorated in gold stainless and new backlit bottle displays highlight the vast range of spirits available. A new VIP balcony has been added and can be booked for group parties or special events. Guests can also enjoy new scrumptious light bites

of the signature delicacies via Ipadmenu’s, includingBulgogi Beef Rib Burger, Souvalaki Wrap, Steamed Chicken Dim Sims and Buttermilk Fried Chicken Burger.

Public Toilets have also been upgraded with a look and feel that is more in tune with the modern Hard Rock brand and our beachside location. Hard Rock Hotel Bali’s newly renovated Centerstage offers free live entertainment, seven days a week.

The very popular kids pool for families and little ones is finally back open and is bigger and better than ever. Hard Rock Hotel Bali have just introduced abrand new Kids Waterpark that includes additional slides, larger waterfall bucket, and ultimately a lot more water action for smaller kids.

The Hard Rock Hotel Bali with 418 guest rooms and suites was thefirst Hard Rock Hotel in Asia and located in a prime area opposite

Kuta Beach. The property features 8 meeting rooms, the largest pool in Bali, more than 700 pieces of rare music memorabilia, 2 live music and entertainment venues nightly and 9 on-site food and beverage outlets including Hard Rock Café and Jamie’s Italian Kuta Beach by Jamie Oliver.

For more information or to book a stay at Hard Rock Hotel Bali, please visit http://bali.hardrockhotels.net/.

14

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Health

International

Blood pressure study offers first hope for staving off dementia

NEW YORK - Drastically lowering blood pressure may help protect memory and thinking skills later in life, researchers reported Monday — the first hopeful sign that it’s possible to lower rates of mental decline.

The large blood pressure study looked at more than 9,000 people over the age of 50 years old found that those who lowered their blood pressure to 120 — the top number, or systolic blood pressure — were 19 percent less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, the loss of memory and brain processing power that usually precedes Alzheimer’s disease. The results of the study, called Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial, or SPRINT, were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

It has long been known that aggressively lowering blood pressure can benefit those at high risk for heart disease, but this is the first time that the intervention has been shown to also help brain health.

“It offers genuine, concrete hope,” said Maria C. Carrillo, chief science officer of the Alzheimer’s Association in a statement Monday.

“Mild cognitive impairment is a known risk factor for dementia, and everyone who experiences dementia passes through MCI.” Preliminary findings also showed that participants were 17 percent less likely to develop dementia, but the results were not statistically significant because the study was cut short, so a definitive conclusion could not be made.

Because the results have been so promising, the Alzheimer’s Association announced that it will award more than $800,000 to support a follow-up trial which will extend follow-up for an additional two years to further investigate the impact of the treatment on reducing risk of dementia.

“The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to getting the answers about treating and preventing Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” said Carrillo. (afp) A man has his blood pressure checked at the Remote Area Medical (RAM) mobile dental and medical clinic on June 10, 2017, in Olean, New York.

Cases of polio-like illness pass 200 in 2018, CDC says

MORE than 200 people, mostly young kids, developed the polio-like condition known as acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in 2018, federal health officials report.

That makes last year the worst year on record for the condition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in its latest update. More cases may be reported for 2018 because it can take several weeks for the CDC to confirm a suspected case.

But the CDC still doesn’t have a prime suspect, saying several different viruses have been associated with the symptoms.

“So far in 2018, there are 201 confirmed cases of AFM in 40 states,” the CDC said in its update.

Another 163 suspected cases are being investigated.

The CDC says the condition, which resembles polio, is likely caused by a virus. Tests have shown several viruses in the bodies of patients, the CDC said.

“We detected coxsackievirus A16, EV-A71, and EV-D68 in the spinal

fluid of four of 527 confirmed cases of AFM since 2014, which points to the cause of their AFM. For all other patients, no pathogen (germ) has been detected in their spinal fluid to confirm a cause,” it said.

But doctors say it’s not always easy to find a virus in patients who are not acutely infected — meaning they are showing the symptoms of infection. AFM often appears as an infection wanes, and it can take days for doctors to suspect the condition and start testing.

More than 80 percent of patients have had fevers and respiratory illnesses of some sort. EV-A71 and EVD68 both cause respiratory infections.

Coxsackievirus A16 causes hand, foot and mouth disease. Several patients have also had rhinovirus, which causes the common cold.

It’s also unclear whether a virus is directly attacking nerves, as poliovirus does, or is causing an autoimmune reaction, as seen in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

“No deaths have been reported among cases confirmed in 2018,” the

Bali News

International

Impact of delayed garbage trucks to enter landfill

DENPASAR — Condition of garbage having piled up in Temporary Disposal Site (TPS) did not happen due to minimum number of disposal site. However, it was sparked by the hindrance of mobility of garbage trucks entering the Suwung Landfill (TPA). Trucks carrying garbage to the landfill could not move smoothly due to the presence of damaged heavy equipment. In addition, the area to disposal site in the landfill has narrowed since the arrangement made by central government.

This was confirmed by the Division Head of Waste and Hazardous and Poisonous Substance at the Denpasar Environment and Sanitation Agency (DLHK), I Ketut Adi Wiguna, on Monday (Jan. 28). Adi Wiguna added that conditions at the landfill had been running normally, and all the garbage transportation from temporary disposal site to landfill will be ensured to run smoothly. “The problem lies in the transportation to landfill, not in the lacking of fleet, but because the entry to the landfill is hampered,” he said.

He said the services implemented so far have been optimal. Moreover, the change in waste management by each self-management has been optimal. The DLHK is considered to have been very well-prepared in implementing the program to stop transportation of garbage from the roadside. So, the application of community-based waste management as well as self-management carried out at each village can continue to be maximized.

Adi Wiguna added that to manage the waste transportation from temporary disposal site to landfill, the DLHK deploys at least 70 garbage trucks spreading across 17 temporary disposal sites in Denpasar. However, he did not deny there are still many reports from the public saying that after the suspension of roadside transportation caused the garbage in the temporary disposal site to accumulate and even spilled onto the road.

“From the perspective of personnel, facilities and fleet, we are ready, and it has been optimal considering the volume of garbage in Denpasar is around 800 tons per day,” he explained.

He emphasized the garbage having accumulated in the disposal site does not happen due to the DLHK’s unpreparedness, but due to technical problems at the landfill. At this time, the Suwung landfill is being arranged.

So, it may cause a buildup of vehicles coming to the landfill. Of course, it greatly affects the circulation of transportation having been patterned to be slightly hampered, especially regarding the time.

“Garbage trucks have to queue if they want to go to Suwung landfill.

This is making the transportation tend to be delayed, but it can still be overcome. We admit the time is somewhat delayed,” explained Adi Wiguna.

Adi Wiguna hoped that people can tolerate this temporary condition.

This happens because the authority for the Suwung landfill lies in the Bali provincial government. “We hope the community will be patient and obey the garbage disposal system and participate in reducing waste by sorting out the waste itself,” he concluded. (kmb12)

IBP/net

breathing using a ventilator.

Cases are also fitting into the every-other-year pattern the CDC has noticed since 2014. The number of cases being investigated has dropped sharply in recent weeks. But last year had the most

cases on record. In 2014, when AFM first became widely noticed, 120 people were confirmed with the condition. This fell to 22 cases in 2015, went up to 149 cases in 2016 and again, fell to 35 cases in 2017. (net)

3

Garbage spills at disposal site

Flaccid myelitis, the frightening polio-like disease leaving some children partially paralyzed.

CDC said. (net) But some of the patients are severely disabled. The condition is marked by a particular type of paralysis or weakness associated with a pattern of damage to the spinal cord. Some young children have required helped

Thursday, January 31, 2019

IBP/kmb

Trucks carrying garbage to the landfill could not move smoothly due to the presence of damaged heavy equipment.

IBP/kmb

Regent of Klungkung, Nyoman Suwirta (R), after trying to directly enjoy the adventure tour of Merapi, recently.

Merapi tourism, post-disaster inspires Klungkung tourism

SEMARAPURA — The slopes of Mount Merapi, Special Region of Yogyakarta, are increasingly crowded with visitors. They do not want to climb a mountain or even see the crater at its peak. However, they want to feel the sensation of trying out Merapi adventure tours, with unspoiled travel routes. Moreover, the former impact of the eruption still exists and now it is precisely the main attraction as a means of education and tourism.

After a comparative study to Kulon Progo district, the entourage of Klungkung district government tried the Merapi adventure tour. This tour inspired how to manage the location that formerly should be kept away because of the threat of disaster has now become an attractive location as a disaster education medium to travel with different impressions.

It is not a beautiful, comfortable and quiet place, but a challenging tour spurring the adrenaline.

“This is one of the options to overcome the saturation of tourism in Bali. It is interesting to develop in Klungkung,” said Regent of Klungkung, Nyoman Suwirta, after trying to directly enjoy the adventure tour of Merapi, recently.

According to Regent Suwirta, the off-road tour of Merapi offers usual route but after being packed in such a way it becomes more attractive. Other than being rich in culture, sea and coral reef, Klungkung district also has simi-

lar areas that can be developed into adventure tourist destinations like in Yogyakarta, namely the area of the Bukit Tengah and Bukit Abah in Dawan sub-district and the area towards Mundi Peak in Nusa Penida sub-district.

This area with hilly contours can be packaged into an adventure tourist destination equipped with off-road vehicles. “We have almost the same area that can be developed like in Yogyakarta,” said Suwirta.

He stated that in developing the region it is necessary to try to conceptualize new tourist destinations, so that tourists coming to Klungkung are not saturated easily. In addition, with the concept and development of new tourist destinations, it will increase employment for the surrounding community. “Learning from here, I will invite the public, especially tourism activists to discuss about this,” he said.

What has been running on Merapi is an inspiration how to

bring tourists who do not always sell beauty. Many aspects can be made more interesting as alternative tourism as well as a means of education that can enrich the perspective of the community.

He admitted that starting something new is not easy. Various responses like the pros and cons always appear in the community.

For this reason, according to him, in making the concept must be done by sitting together to develop the areas with the attraction they have. “In making the concept, we must sit together to develop our region,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, this year the Klungkung district government plans to develop seven tourist destinations, namely the Atuh Beach at Pejukutan village, Swehan Beach and Teletubbies Hill at Tanglad village, Broken Beach and Tebing Klingking at Bunga Mekar village. The others are the Tirta Harum at Nyalian village and Tirtha Dedari in Getakan village, Banjarangkan. (kmb31)

4

Bali News

Thursday, January 31, 2019

International

Hit by earthquake and tsunami

BANGKOK - Toxic smog forced hundreds of Bangkok schools to close Wednesday, as authorities struggle to manage a pollution crisis that has stirred widespread health fears and taken on a political edge just weeks before elections.

AMLAPURA - As aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami devastating Central Sulawesi some time ago, transmigration participants canceled to depart. They canceled the transmigration program considering the current conditions of Central Sulawesi are still a concern due to the disaster. This was revealed by the Head of the Karangasem Manpower and Transmigration Agency (Disnaker), Nyoman Suadnya.

Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

IBP/kmb41

Considering the Central Sulawesi is currently hit by a major disaster, his agency is forced to suspend the departure of the prospective transmigrants to the location.

Soon issued a regional bylaw, marigold made into mascot of Bangli

The dance of Sekar Gumitir or marigold.

IBP/kmb40

BANGLI - Regent of Bangli, I Made Gianyar, is going to make marigold into the mascot of Bangli district, not just a discourse. After watching the inaugural trial of Bangli district dance of Sekar Gumitir or marigold as the mascot dance at Wantilan hall of Penglipuran tourism village on Monday (Jan. 28), Regent Made Gianyar claimed to immediately make a Regional Bylaw (Perda) to make the marigold into the mascot of Bangli district.

Gianyar said that his government will no longer be missed in choosing the flower as the district mascot.

Gianyar admitted earlier that Bangli had failed to make red hibiscus and

ylang-ylang as the mascot of Bangli because they have been taken earlier by other districts. “After watching today’s trial, one word, marigold is perfect for the mascot of Bangli district. I will follow it up with regional bylaw,” he explained.

According to Gianyar, marigold does not only have beautiful color, but also deep meaning. Other than symbolizing simplicity, it also has many benefits. This flower is durable, inexpensive, and the no less important, marigold is very suitable for growing in cool areas like Bangli district.

Aside from having economic, religious and artistic function, ac-

13

Hundreds of schools to shut as toxic smog chokes Bangkok

Transmigration participants cancel to depart

Suadnya stated that actually there are three household heads that cancelled their departure to Central Sulawesi in 2018. They are from Sidemen subdistrict.

Considering the Central Sulawesi is currently hit by a major disaster, his agency is forced to suspend the departure of the prospective transmigrants to the location. The effort is done because his agency does not want anything to happen to the transmigrants when arriving at the determined location.

“Indeed, they were scheduled to depart this December. But we are pending their departure. We do not want anything to happen to them. And we have also provided them with understanding, and explained the latest conditions of Central Sulawesi.

Thankfully, the residents understand it,” he said recently.

He explained if later there are other safer locations, the delayed participants can be sent to the location. To recover the conditions in a short time is not possible. And to restore the economic condition of residents, including infrastructure, will take quite a long time. “At least, the recovery takes five years.

So, with careful consideration, we do not send them to location of the transmigration,” he explained.

Furthermore, he said the three family heads from Sidemen subdistrict registered for transmigration program following the eruption of Mount Agung at the end of 2017. Previously, a total of 37 family heads already registered for the program. However, seeing the condition of Mount Agung was getting better, 34 families cancelled. (kmb41)

Thursday, January 31, 2019

International

cording to him, it also has religious values, glory, beauty and society.

By choosing marigold as the mascot, he hoped that everything good and useful is not difficult to find in Bangli district.

This regent from Bunutin village, Kintamani, also revealed that currently marigold is quite a trend and almost developed throughout the region in Bali. Since it has economic and multi-functional values, Regent Made Gianyar planned to make incense training using marigold as its raw material. When the price of marigold is cheap, people are expected to be able to process it into incense. (kmb40)

A woman helps a child to wear a face mask outside a school in Bangkok on January 30, 2019.

Toxic smog forced Bangkok authorities to issue an unprecedented order to shut nearly 450 schools on January 30, as authorities struggle to manage a pollution crisis that has stirred widespread concern.

The Thai capital has been shrouded in murky haze for weeks, sparking social media criticism of the uneven response by the government and prompting rare scenes of residents donning masks on streets and on public transport.

Reasons given for the lingering pall include exhaust from traffic, unfettered construction, the burning of crop stubble, and pollution from factories getting trapped in the city.

Authorities have seeded clouds to provoke rain, sprayed overpasses with water to catch micro-pollutants and even asked people not to burn incense sticks and paper during Chinese New Year celebrations.

The measures so far have drawn derision from many Bangkok residents, while stocks of pollution masks have run out in many shops.

But on Wednesday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration stepped up its health warnings, ordering all 437 city-controlled public schools to close from lunchtime through Friday, designating 1,500 square kilometres (580 square miles) of the city a “control area”.

“The situation will be bad until February 3 to 4, so I decided to close schools,” said Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, adding he hoped the move would also empty the road of cars on the school run.

Three to four of the city’s districts are “severely hit with smog”, he added.

A spokesperson for the prime minister’s office said private and vocational schools would be closed

as well, but did not give a number.

- ‘Public health crisis’At a downtown Bangkok school where parents arrived early to pick up their children, pupils said they knew about the risks posed by the dangerous pollutant particles, known as PM 2.5.

“I use a mask wherever I go,” said 12-year-old Chaiwawut Benpalee. “It will not affect us now, but it will in the future.”

Fleets of drones are set to be deployed to disperse sugary liquid solution to help clear the air of microscopic particles.

It is not clear how effective that will be given the scale of the smog cloaking the city.

Aswin also said City Hall may soon issue a warning against exercising in parks.

Air Visual, an independent online air quality index (AQI) monitor, on Wednesday pegged Bangkok at the “unhealthy” level of 171, up from 156 mid-month.

“It’s a public health crisis,” said Tara Buakamsri, Greenpeace country director for Thailand.

Measurements of harmful particulates are higher than some cities in China but well below the Indian capital New Delhi.

Siwatt Pongpiachan, a professor of environmental science at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), said that while the cold dry climate was part of the problem the government should “think seriously” about congestion measures limiting the number of cars on the road. (afp)

Chinese begin Lunar holiday exodus in the millions

BEIJING - Millions of Chinese have begun the annual exodus for the Lunar New Year, the world’s largest annual human migration, leaving major cities to return to their hometowns for the holiday.

The most important holiday in the Chinese calendar places great emphasis on family reunions, and travellers must get home by Monday to usher in the Year of the Pig the following day.

At Beijing Railway Station early on Wednesday, thousands were milling around in the cold, wrapped up in thick coats and wheeling their luggage.

They included a group of children with brightly coloured bags emblazoned with cartoon characters, a stark contrast to the dark, wintry morning.

Readying for a 32-hour journey from Beijing to Huaihua in Hunan province, central China, passengers kept themselves entertained on mobile phones while sipping tea from flasks.

Many who bought standing-only tickets were perched on their luggage along the aisle, or on tiny foldable stools sold on the Beijing platform. Others dozed in their cramped seats.

In the sleeper cabins there was a buzz in the air, with families chatting and sharing food and children playing along the corridors.

Rail operators expect some 413 million trips during this year’s holiday season, up 8.3 percent from a year ago, the official Xinhua news agency reported. (afp)

STR / AFP

This photo taken on January 27, 2019 shows a woman checking on dragon costumes made for dragon dance ahead of the Lunar New year in Boyang in China’s central Jiangxi province.

12

International

Thursday, January 31, 2019

BUSINESS ECB: Trade peace would remove big drag on eurozone growth

FRANKFURT - With gloom spreading over the economy of the 19 countries that use the euro, European Central Bank head Mario Draghi said Monday that much of the drag on growth would ease if “clarity and peace” were to break out in the trade dispute between the U.S. and China.

Draghi said that “the key factor that we have to look at is the persistence of all these various causes, various geopolitical factors,” such as uncertainty about tariffs and whether Britain will leave the European Union without a negotiated deal.

He said during a question and answer session in the European Parliament that many members of the bank’s governing council expressed the view during their meeting Thursday “that if there were all of a sudden clarity and peace in trade relations between the U.S. and China, much of the slowdown would probably wash out.”

The eurozone’s impetus from trade has sagged, even as domestic demand is helped by falling unemployment and rising wage.

U.S. and Chinese officials are to meet this week for trade talks that could stave off further hikes in punitive tariffs imposed by both sides. Draghi said issues clouding the outlook were anxiety about Brexit and the slowdown in China, though Draghi added that the ECB was confident that the Chinese government was “taking appropriate actions there.”

Economic growth in Europe slowed in the last half of 2018 and indicators at the start of this year have been weak against the background of concerns about slackening global trade and unsettling swings in stock prices.

The weak patch comes just after the ECB ended a nearly four-year stimulus program involving the purchase of 2.6 trillion euros ($3.0 trillion) in government and corporate bonds with newly created money, and with one of the bank’s key interest rate benchmarks below zero, at minus 0.4 percent. The eurozone grew 0.2 percent in the third quarter over the quarter before.

Last week Draghi shifted the central bank’s outlook to say that risks to the economy “have moved to the downside.”

Draghi said that the bank still had steps it could take if necessary to respond to a worsening in the economy: “We have instruments and in fact these instruments have already started acting.”

He mentioned the bank’s promise not to raise interest rates at least through the summer and to then keep reinvesting maturing bonds from the earlier purchases for an extended period of time after that, which puts off the withdrawal of that stimulus program. (ap)

Bali News

International

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Foreign Tourists Like Monkey Attraction at Alas Kedaton

5

Both domestic and foreign tourists love the action of monkeys when invited to take a pictures or selfie. The four-legged animal has an extraordinary style when being faced with camera. As requirements, the must be given to eat nuts, so they want to be quiet while chewing snacks like tubers. Besides, it must also be guided by a handler or local guide. Don’t try to do it by yourself!

AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris

Members of the government attend a Cabinet Meeting inside the Greek Parliament in Athens, on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Greece announced plans to issue a 5-years bond, in the first market test since the end of its international Bailout last August.

Greece: strong interest in first bond sale since bailout end

ATHENS - Greece has raised money on international bond markets for the first time since emerging from its bailout programs last summer, getting 2.5 billion euros ($2.87 billion) Tuesday in a five-year bond auction.

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos announced the results of the auction in parliament, ahead of the formal statement by the country’s Public Debt Management Agency.

“Today’s successful bond issue has been completed,” he said. The bond auction resulted in a yield of 3.6 percent on the bonds and a coupon below 3.5 percent Tsakalotos said the bond issue covers 36 percent of the country’s financing requirements for the year.

“The most important thing was the investor participation,” he said. “There was

a major shift from hedge funds to regular investors.”

Investors bid more than 10 billion euros in the auction, an amount that Tsakalotos said had “exceeded every expectation.”

While affordable, the yield is above what most other countries in the EU would pay for such debt. Germany’s 5-year bond yield is at minus 0.3 percent. The yield for Italy, which has a lot of public debt, is at 1.55 percent.

The Greek government is planning a cautious return to bond markets. Greece exited its third and last bailout program in August

with a cash buffer meant to cover financing needs for around two years. It delayed the bond auction due to turmoil in financial markets last year caused by a European political dispute over Italy’s budget.

Tuesday’s bond sale was ordered following the visit to Athens by bailout inspectors and after the government survived the departure of its junior coalition partner over disagreement on a deal to normalize relations with Macedonia.

Greece’s left-wing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is trailing conservatives in opinion polls ahead of general elections this year, and has promised to relieve Greeks hardest hit by the crisis. A minimum wage hike of nearly 11 percent goes into effect Friday. (afp)

Alas Kedaton attraction located at Kukuh village, Marga, Tabanan, or about 8 km North West of Denpasar City is indeed a tourist idol for traveling. They come in the afternoon or evening to continue watching sunset at Tanah Lot. “Tourists really like the attraction of this monkey,” said Ni Putu Marani, one of the local officers.

This forest does not only has monkeys as an attraction, but also giant bats (flying foxes) and tropical forests with various types of plants. Every day, this object is opened from 8:30 until 15:30. The admission ticket for adults costs IDR 20,000 and IDR 15,000 for child.

Meanwhile, the admission ticket for foreign adults is IDR 30,000 and IDR 20,000 for child. “Especially for Galungan, Kuningan and New Year’s Day specifically for local people, the admission ticket will be charged at IDR 5,000,” said Ni Putu Marani.

Tourists having held a ticket will be accompanied by a local guide who is also a souvenir merchant. The ticket is then presented to the officer at the lobby of the tourist attraction, then heading for the monkey attraction. Under direction of

local guide, visitors walk to the middle of the forest through a pathway to the right side of Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton Temple.

On the way, the atmosphere is cool because the area is rich in large plants. At each wall visitors will come across forest dwellers that can be invited to take pictures. Local

guide continues to explain the uniqueness of the temple, the attraction of the fruit bat show and snake show. “We invite tourists to witness the attraction of taking pictures with flying fox and snakes using Balinese customary clothes,” he added.

Formerly, the flying fox and snake show were located on the west side of the tourist

attraction, but it has now been moved to the east of forest area, to the right of the temple.

To take pictures with snakes, visitors must pay IDR 70,000 and IDR 60,000 for taking pictures with flying fox. After that, the local guide will direct you to their shops to browse or buy various kinds of souvenirs on offer. (kmb)

Usaba Kaulu at Asak Customary Village

CUSTOMARY village of Asak, Pertima, Karangasem, is one of the ancient villages in Karangasem.

Customs and traditions carried out through generations at this village are well maintained and preserved.

For instance, on the Usaba Kaulu, Thursday (Jan. 14), the local customary youth club held a pecaruan

agung or animal sacrifice by using a cow. This ritual took place tensely because after being given ritual the cow is released and then pursued by all the apparatuses of customary youth club.

Chief of Asak customary village, Jero Dukuh Ketut Suta, delivered that the ritual is purely

performed by local customary youth club. The preparation has been made since two weeks before the main event where they prepared the means of caru in the form of a bull. It was handed over to the secretary of customary youth club and placed in the area of the Patokan Truna and bathed every day at the Beji Yeh Inem spring.

Every night, the bull is guarded by its apparatuses.

When arriving at the peak of ritual on penanggal ping 6 Sasih Kaulu nuju Beteng, the bull of caru ritual is decorated with white and yellow fabric. Then, right in the forehead of the bull is marked with swastika image by whiting.

Before the peak of the ritual takes place, the bull must be consecrated.

Likewise, the entire apparatus of customary youth club do worship.

“Before the peak of ritual, secretary of the customary youth club announces the rules of cutting down the bull. If cutting down in front of

meeting hall, they will be imposed with a fine of IDR 250,000, while at village area they are fined at IDR 150,000,” said the chief.

The cow is then paraded around the Patokan Temple in the form of small shrine in the area of Kanginan customary hamlet. The shrine symbolizes the lingam of Lord Shiva. “For the first cutting down is given the opportunity to the eldest of youth club to mark the cow,” said Wayan Segara, spiritual section head of the Asak customary village.

After that, the cow was released out of the Patokan Temple. The whole apparatus of the customary youth club attempt to cut it down. In wounded and bleeding condition, the cow continues to be pursued around the village and cut together by using special knife of the customary youth. Blood sheds in the area of customary village are intended as a mark if the great pecaruan has been implemented.

When the cow dies, it is believed to bring in fertility and blessing. In this process, the customary youth club is prohibited from striking the tail and head of the cow. If the tail of the cow cuts off, it will be considered to have been faulty.

Any youth club members daring do it, they will be imposed to pay compensation for the cow.

This tradition is carried out to neutralize the bhuta kala or evil spirit in order to create a natural balance at Asak customary village in particular and Bali in general. Direction where the cow runs to even has its own significance. When running eastward, it is a sign of fertility and prosperity. When running southward, it is a sign of wisdom, eastward symbolizes a bright light avoiding them from all dangers and westward indicates a bad sign in the form of darkness. When the cow is running southward, local people hope their villages to be filled in with wisdom. (kmb)

6

Thursday, January 31, 2019

As opposition girds in Venezuela, Maduro makes concession

CARACAS - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he is willing to negotiate with the opposition and hold early congressional elections, in a concession as opponents plan another big demonstration.

“I am ready to sit down at the negotiating table with the opposition so that we could talk for the good of Venezuela,” Maduro told Russia’s RIA Novosti in an interview in Caracas, the agency reported Wednesday.

“It would be very good to conduct parliamentary elections at an earlier stage. It would be a good form of political discussion,” Maduro said, according to the Russian state news agency.

But at the same time he dismissed the possibility of holding a new presidential poll any time soon.

“Presidential elections in Venezuela have taken place, and if imperialists want new elections let them wait until 2025,” he said in an apparent reference to Washington.

His comments still appeared to be a concession in a long standoff as Maduro braves a tide of criticism in which the leader of congress and major countries led by the US press for Maduro to yield power in the oil-rich country beset by an acute economic crisis, crime and other woes.

Maduro won a second six-year term last year in elections that the domestic opposition and many foreign countries have dismissed as rigged.

Venezuela’s opposition plans protests Wednesday to urge the military, the lynchpin of Maduro’s beleaguered regime, to dump him in favor of self-declared interim leader Juan Guaido.

The 35-year-old head of the opposition controlled national assembly has called on Venezuelans to take to the streets for two hours

starting at noon (1600 GMT), banging pots and waving placards in the latest spasm of anger in the oil-rich country reduced to chaos, crime and poverty.

“Venezuela has risen up to dream of the country we want to be,” said Guaido, a previously little known figure who has growing international support including that of the US. “We must take to the street,” he said.

In an interview with the German daily Bild he called on EU countries to impose more sanctions on Maduro’s government.

With this protest Guaido is also stressing an offer of amnesty to military people who abandon Maduro, thus seeking to undermine a key pillar of the president’s regime.

He is also seeking to promote the entry of aid in a country struggling with shortages of just about everything -- from food and medicine to soap and even toilet paper.

Maduro has said such assistance would be the first step toward a US military intervention.

Guaido said this week that Wednesday’s demonstrations are designed to “demand that the armed forces side with the people.” He has been recognized by the US and other major countries as Venezuela’s interim leader.

Guaido says that under the constitution he is entitled to this position because, he says, Maduro usurped power with a bogus win in elections late last year to win another six-year term.

“The regime is in its final throes,” said Guaido. He said another big protest has been convened for Saturday.

That is also the deadline set by six European countries for Maduro, a former bus driver handpicked by the late socialist icon Hugo Chavez, to call new elections. (afp)

Dangerous...

From page 1

In Atlanta, some 300 flights were canceled Tuesday as the city prepares for the Super Bowl and more than 400 were canceled in Chicago, a major regional hub for US airlines.

In Canada, the icy temperatures -- stretching from Manitoba in the western Prairies region to the Atlantic seaboard -- prompted a rare “hazardous” cold warning from the government.

Environment Canada reported record-breaking snowfall at the Ottawa airport, where some 50 flights were canceled, with an accumulation of nearly a meter (more than three feet). An additional 200 flights were canceled at Toronto’s airport.

- Global warming? Scientists say climate change is causing more extreme weather, and one theory for polar vortex chills is that arctic air currents usually trapped around the North Pole are weakened and dislodged by a warming climate.

President Donald Trump used the occasion to again voice skepticism about climate change, tweeting: “What the hell is going on with Global Waming? (sic) Please come back fast, we need you!”

But the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which operates NWS, tweeted, “Winter storms don’t prove that global warming isn’t happening,” with a link to a 2015 explanatory article. (afp)

W

International

RLD

International

Thursday, January 31, 2019

INDONESIAN INDONESIAN

11

ELECTION 2019

Christof STACHE / AFP

Picture taken on November 30, 2018, shows a hotel room of the so-called Wursthotel (sausage hotel) in Rittersbach, southern Germany.

Wurst night ever?

Taste takes a holiday at German sausage hotel

GEORGENSGMUND - Sausages on the menu, sausage motifs on the wallpaper, sausage mobiles hanging from the ceiling -- and to top it off, a sausage-shaped pillow on your bed.

What sounds like a vegetarian’s nightmare is the audacious dream come true of Claus Boebel, a fourth-generation butcher and proprietor of what he calls the world’s first and only sausagethemed hotel.

Located in a tidy village, a 40-minute drive south of the German city of Nuremberg, the Bratwurst Hotel has done brisk business since its opening in September, with guests from across Europe and overseas popping in for a visit.

In a slope-roofed stone house, the inn with seven rooms and two conference spaces caters to foodies and tourists looking for a splash of local colour.

Behind the quirky initiative is a Hail Mary bid to keep alive the local butcher’s shop -- an institution in most towns that was once a pillar of Germany’s “Mittelstand” economy of small and mediumsized businesses -- in the face of big-box store competition and slacking meat consumption.

“I want to show that small craftsman shops like mine can survive when you have clever ideas,” said

Boebel, seated on a stool shaped like a tin of minced sausage.

“Plus I love life here in the countryside and, rather than leave, want to draw customers here to Rittersbach,” population 300, he added.

The Boebel family has produced and sold meats here since the 19th century. But Sunday roasts, big multi-generational meals at home and a heavily carnivorous diet are fading from German life, with meat consumption down eight percent since 1991.

And despite a slight increase of late in food spending in Germany, to around 10.6 percent of monthly household expenditure, the people of France (13.2 percent) and Italy (14.2 percent) still fork out significantly more.

Thus family businesses that pride themselves on quality produce often need to get creative to bring in the punters.

- ‘Tasteful’ decor Boebel, 48, is a rosy-cheeked entrepreneur of boundless enthusiasm who speaks in the rolling r’s of the Franconia regional dialect.

It’s not the first time he’s got creative to promote his brand, beginning in 2003 with his “Wurstbrief”, or sausage letter, featuring a vacuum-packed envelope with the meat and a postcard inside ready for mailing to friends and family.

Boebel’s bright green delivery car -- matching the hotel’s wooden window shutters and the striking facade of the butcher’s shop -- zips through the village’s narrow roads as a “Wurst taxi” bringing meat to hungry customers.

Never one to dream small, Boebel also launched a global online shop, sending his canned wares made from locally sourced livestock to a clientele in far-flung places like Hawaii and Jamaica.

But the hotel, in which he’s invested some 700,000 euros ($800,000) in the renovation, takes things to another level.

In the narrow lobby of the hotel, the word “sausage” is emblazoned on the wall in the languages of the world including Russian (kolbasa), Japanese (soseji) and Greek (loukaniko).

The decor includes coat racks recalling butcher’s knives and giant pigs on the frosted glass doors to the bathrooms, where sausage-shaped soap awaits in the shower. (afp)

YUSUF WAHIL / AFP

his picture taken on January 27, 2019 shows an Indonesian rescuer using a sniffer dog to search for survivors after a landslide in Gowa in South Sulawesi.

At least 68 people have been killed and thousands were forced to flee their homes after floods and landslides hit the island of Sulawesi, an official said on January 26, as some 6,700 people in 14 districts have been evacuated and are now living in shelters, schools, tents or mosques.

Indonesia flood, landslide death toll hits 70

Floods and landslides that battered Indonesia’s Sulawesi island have killed at least 70 people, authorities said Tuesday, as aerial footage underscored the scale of the disaster with whole villages wiped off the map.

Lashed by heavy rain, rivers swelled and burst their banks, inundating dozens of communities across 12 districts as well as parts of the

provincial capital Makassar.

The bodies of 70 victims have been found, while six are still missing, Syamsibar, head of South Su-

lawesi’s disaster mitigation agency, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP. Drone footage showed landslides had buried Pattallikang village in hard-hit Gowa district, with only a few buildings -- including a mosque -visible after an avalanche of mud and rock cascaded down a nearby hillside.

Nearly 9,500 people have been displaced by the extreme weather, and hundreds of houses, government buildings, schools and bridges have been damaged, the disaster mitigation agency said Monday.

Authorities say floodwaters are receding but a state of emergency

will remain in place until February 6, while rescuers look for those still missing and help repair damaged infrastructure.

Landslides and floods are common in Indonesia, especially during the monsoon season between October and April, when rains lash the vast Southeast Asian archipelago.(afp)

Jokowi underscores importance of TNI/Polri`s neutrality in elections

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has underscored the importance of the National Defense Forces (TNI)`s and Indonesian Police (Polri)`s neutrality in the 2019 legislative and presidential elections.

“TNI/Polri`s politics is state

politics. Therefore, they need to maintain neutrality and, more importantly, ensure smooth elections and peaceful conditions,” he stated, after giving directives to the TNI/ Polri leadership meeting 2019 at the State Palace here, on Tuesday.

He noted that TNI`s and Polri`s

neutrality in the general elections is key to maintaining security and public order.

TNI and Polri must play a solid role in the elections and hold synergy. “This is badly needed and will happen if TNI and Polri are solid and synergize to maintain security

and public order,” he remarked.

He further underscored the need for TNI and Polri to respond to the industrial revolution 4.0.

“I only remind them (TNI and Polri) that they must respond to the industrial revolution 4.0,” he added. This also has to do with the

use of virtual reality, AI, and 3D printing, which have been developed in other countries in terms of military, he revealed.

Jokowi was accompanied by TNI Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and Polri Chief General Tito Karnavian at the meeting.(ant)

10

Destination

Thursday, January 31, 2019

International

Thursday, January 31, 2019

International

Plucky Pelicans shock Rockets, Bucks bounce back in Detroit

Suluban Beach Hidden Cave Beach near Uluwatu MANGUPURA - Suluban Beach is one of Bali’s most unique coasts, concealed by natural limestone formations and accessed via steps and log ramps through narrow gaps in the rock. Canopied by a looming cliff face, this small beach may not be ideal for sunbathers, but serves pro surfers well as a base to paddle out and ride adjacent reef breaks, including around Uluwatu, just to the south.

Nicknamed ‘Blue Point’, Suluban Beach lies at the end of Jalan Mamo in the coastal area of Labuan Sait, the same locality shared by famous surf spots Padang Padang and Uluwatu.

Unless you’re staying at any of the villas that have recently popped up here (the likes of Blue Point Bay Villas), getting here from popular areas such as Kuta and Jimbaran is best by

hotel shuttle, taxi or motorbike.

Parking is at the roadside, right before the flight of stairs down to the beach. Parking fees are IDR 5,000 for bikes and IDR 15,000 for cars.

From here, you will need to endure a 10-minute walk down a flight of concrete steps. However, you won’t immediately find the beach at the end. Pass rows of locally-run cafés (serving cold Bintangs, light bites and ‘surfer snacks’ including local favourite ‘nasi campur’), surfboard rentals and art shops, with the Single Fin Bar up on your right, and you’ll eventually find the main beach entrance – down a narrow crag. Narrow and steep, you will usually need to let others on their way up and out first before making your descent. A long log parallel to a large cavern serves

as a boardwalk that leads you over some rocks and onto the soft sand, all while the sounds of crashing waves become more discernible. The cavern is also a favourite campsite as tents and bonfires become a frequent sight.

Meanwhile, further ahead, azure waters and sky are visible through narrow cliff openings.

There are several rocky openings and mini caves that you can explore and even claim as a ‘resting spot’ for the day, and which also lead to different sections of the beach. The best time is during low tide, which reveals more spaces and accessible sandy paths, together with tide pools which you and your friends can have a pleasurable soak in. Surfers come and go, high tide or low, with the prized breaks being only a short paddle out.

Balawista lifeguards are on duty at their cliff-top watchtower northwest of the beach, mostly observing the waves and the surfers. There are none on duty down at the beach area itself. Be sure to watch the tides, as currents can be strong, and waves can crash through cave openings, sometimes posing a hazard. Suluban Beach is also not recommended for young children. Early mornings are usually the best time to go to avoid the crowds and easily ‘claim’ your favourite spots, but it is most scenic at sunset. Head to the clifftops for different vistas. (net)

Place Your Add Here

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

Jon Jones

IBP/net

Light-heavyweight champ Jones approved for UFC 235 bout

LOS ANGELES - The New Orleans Pelicans shrugged off multiple injuries and uncertainty surrounding star Anthony Davis on Tuesday, rallying for a 121-116 NBA victory over the Houston Rockets.

One day after Davis requested a trade, and with five of the team’s top six scorers -- Anthony included -- absent because of injury, the Pelicans withstood a 37-point performance from Rockets star James Harden to triumph.

Jahlil Okafor scored 27 points for New Orleans. Jrue Holiday added 19 and Ian Clark chipped in 15 off the bench for a New Orleans team that used its 20th different starting lineup of the season thanks to injuries to Davis, Nikola Mirotic, Julius Randle and Elfrid Payton.

New Orleans took the lead for the first time in the game with 2:06 left in the third quarter on Kenrich Williams’ basket -- and they never trailed again.

Holiday played a key role with six blocked shots, helping slow scoring juggernaut Harden just enough to get the job done.

Harden notched his 24th straight game of at least 30 points, but his 17 in the fourth quarter weren’t enough to turn the tide.

Davis, sidelined by a finger injury, watched from the bench hours after he was fined $50,000 by the NBA because his agent’s public revelation of his desire to be traded violated league rules.

“That’s going to play out the way it plays out,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said before the game.

“I think everything that needed to be said has been said.”

Milwaukee’s MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 21 points and handed out 11 assists to lead the Bucks to a 115-105 victory over the Pistons in Detroit.

The Bucks, who lost to Oklahoma City on Sunday, underscored their bounce-back credentials with the win. They are the only NBA team that hasn’t lost two in a row at any point this season.

Brook Lopez scored 12 of his 14 points for Milwaukee in the first quarter as foul trouble limited Antetokounmpo.

Eric Bledsoe added 20 points, reserve Pat Connaughton scored 16 and Khris Middleton chipped in 15 for the Bucks, who have won seven of eight games and stretched their league-leading record to 36-13.

In Brooklyn, the Nets shook off the fatigue of the second night of a back-to-back, grinding out a 122-117 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

The Nets overcame a nine-point second-half deficit thanks to strong second-half performances from D’Angelo Russell and Shabazz Napier.

Napier’s three-pointer with 5:07 remaining in the third quarter put them up 71-67 and he drained a jump shot to make it 75-70.

Chicago cut the deficit to 107104 with 2:54 to play, but Joe Harris drained a three and put in a layup as the Nets held on.

Napier scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half, while Russell led all scorers with 30 points. (afp)

LOS ANGELES - Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was given a onefight license Tuesday by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to compete against Anthony Smith at UFC 235 in March.

After more than three hours, officials granted the rare license but attached several conditions for Jones if he wants another bout in Nevada.

The 31-year-old American will be required to be drug tested at least twice a month until UFC 235, then comply with a similarly rigorous testing schedule for the remainder of 2019 in order to fight in Nevada again.

Jones tested positive for trace amounts of a long-term metabolite of the anabolic steroid Turinabol multiple times in 2018, then tested negative in four consecutive drug tests from September to November before another positive test last month.

That prompted UFC to move its December 29 show from Nevada,

which would not license him after the positive, to California, where Jones was allowed to fight on short notice with extra drug testing, as California officials concluded the new positive tests and others with trace amounts before the fight were from a 2017 violation for which he had served a 15-month suspension.

Jones, a three-time banned fighter, recaptured his title with a third-round stoppage of Alexander Gustafsson.

Now his future depends on staying clean outside the Octagon as well as how he performs inside it.

“This is on you. It’s on your shoulders,” commissioner Anthony Marnell told Jones. “I like what I hear, I like what I see, but the proof is in the pudding.

“I’m happy you are back here.

You will always be treated with respect here and I wanted to make sure that you understood that. Welcome back to Nevada and do the right thing from this point going forward. As you know, we’re going to be visiting you frequently.”

The US Anti-Doping Agency, in a statement, said it found the samples in Jones’s positive tests to be residual based on amounts and said they provided no chance of performance enhancement.

“We agree with and support the NSAC decision today to license Jon Jones to fight in Nevada and while USADA does not have jurisdiction over the licensing, we appreciate being able to collaborate with the NSAC to ensure a fair outcome,” USADA said. (afp)

Copyright 2019 NBAE Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP

Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reaches for the rebound against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 18, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon.

8

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Guardiola not giving up on title bid despite Newcastle loss

Piatek scores twice as Milan beat Napoli to reach Coppa semis Krzysztof Piatek said it was “just the start” to his AC Milan career after scoring twice on his full debut as Gennaro Gattuso’s side beat Napoli 2-0 at the San Siro on Tuesday to reach the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

Piatek, signed from Genoa last week as a replacement for Gonzalo Higuain, put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute before doubling the lead before the half-hour mark with a fine individual strike.

It was the second time in four days that Milan had dealt a blow to Napoli’s hopes of winning a trophy this season, after a goalless draw on Saturday at the San Siro ultimately left Carlo Ancelotti’s men 11 points behind Serie A leaders Juventus.

“I expected a night like this. I said that I was ready and I got a brace, but this is just the start,” Piatek told Milan TV. “Both goals were great, even if they were different.

I felt good tonight and it was marvellous playing at the San Siro.”

Five-time winners Milan will face either Inter Milan or Lazio, who play on Thursday, over two legs in the last four as they look to go one better than their 4-0 final defeat by Juventus last season.

Piatek did not waste much time in endearing himself

Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City’s title hopes were still intact despite admitting Liverpool are poised to take a significant lead in their two-way battle for the Premier League crown.

Jurgen Klopp’s side can extend their advantage at the top to seven points with victory at home to Leicester on Wednesday after the reigning champions’ shock 2-1 defeat at struggling Newcastle on Tuesday.

The Spaniard’s 100th league game in charge turned sour at St James’ Park despite Sergio Aguero putting City ahead in a mere 24 seconds with the fastest Premier League goal of the season.

Guardiola, however, is far from ready to throw in the towel with more than three months of the campaign to play, and predicted plenty more twists and turns in Liverpool’s bid to end a 29-year wait to win English football’s top prize.

“We’re still in January,” said City manager Guardiola. “There’s a lot of time but of course, when you’re behind the leaders you don’t want to drop points and every game is one less but there are still a lot of matches to play.”

“A lead of seven points is a lot but we’re not in April or May. There are still many games left and anything can happen,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss added.

“There are a lot of tough games to play against sides trying to stay in this division, or playing to get into the Europa League or the Champions League. In our case we will do our best to be there and not to give up.”

- ‘Not our good night’ After surrendering an eight-game winning run at St James’ Park, second-placed City return to action at home to Arsenal on February 3, and their Spanish coach added: “We didn’t underestimate Newcastle -- no way. We’d never do that and that’s the reason why we’re still in four competitions.

“That’s why we recorded 100 points last season. It’s just sometimes we don’t play at the level we want to play and that can happen -- it was not our good night, and that’s something I understand completely.”

Newcastle moved five points clear of danger after securing back-to-back league wins for the first time since November after Salomon Rondon equalised midway through the second half before Matt Ritchie’s penalty 10 minutes from time completed their comeback.

This victory came with the Magpies poised to clinch a club-record

£20 million ($26 million, 23 million euros) move for Atlanta United’s Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron.

Meanwhile, Monaco’s Italian full-back Antonio Barreca is also set to join the northeast club, in a loan deal for the rest of the season ahead of the January 31 transfer window deadline.

After doing his old club a major favour in their title bid, Newcastle’s former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez said: “It’s nice to help Liverpool, fine, but saying that I don’t want to disrespect Manchester City.

“I can’t talk about the transfer window but we’re progressing with some names and if that happens it will be good news for us. The main thing is that we sign what we need, the price doesn’t matter and it’s not about breaking records, but the fact that it will be someone to help us to stay in this division.”

The Spaniard added: “We didn’t get off to the best of starts with their goal, but we fought hard and worked for each other until the last minute and earned our rewards with a win that we can hopefully build on.”(afp)

Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on January 29, 2019. Newcastle won the game 2-1.

Solskjaer’s salutes never-say-die United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saluted Manchester United’s fighting spirit as they rolled back the years with two goals in the final five minutes of a thrilling 2-2 draw against Burnley. United manager Solskjaer is most famous for scoring the winning goal for the Old Trafford club in the closing seconds of the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

That was one of many dramatic late victories for United during the Alex Ferguson era. And Solskjaer rode the same emotional rollercoaster at Old Trafford on Tuesday as United preserved the unbeaten start to his interim reign.

Although United failed to win for the first time in nine attempts since Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho before Christmas, it was still an encouraging escape act.

United trailed by two goals with just three minutes left, but Paul Pogba got one back with a penalty.

Then Ashley Young sent over a 92nd minute cross, Alexis Sanchez’s header was saved by Tom Heaton and Victor Lindelof pounced to net the rebound. “Coming up here, I was stopped so many times saying it was great spirit and great the way they came back,” said Solskjaer in the post-match press conference.

“The way they came back was fantastic. Now we have the answer: can they come back if they go onedown or two-down even? I’m very happy with the response.” Earlier, Solskjaer’s magical touch seemed to have deserted him when Andreas Pereira, handed just the third United league start of his career, gifted Burnley an opening goal after 51 minutes. (afp)

9

to the Milan fans, latching onto a hopeful long ball forward from Diego Laxalt, before calmly taking a touch and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

The Polish international continued to torment the visiting defence and made it two in the 27th minute.

Piatek appeared to have few options when he collected the ball on the left-hand side of the area, but he cut inside two defenders before unleashing a powerful drive past Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.

The 23-year-old has now scored an incredible eight goals in only three Coppa Italia games this season, having scored four for Genoa against Lecce in August and a double against Virtus Entella last month.

Lorenzo Insigne looked to be Napoli’s biggest danger, seeing a shot saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, before firing over the crossbar.

Napoli started to put some pressure on the hosts’ goal in the second half, with Donnarumma saving from Arkadiusz Milik and Adam Ounas.

But Milan held on to reach the semis, with Donnarumma saving his best stop for last as he denied Ounas again.

On Wednesday, Juventus continue their bid for a fifth straight Coppa Italia at free-scoring Atalanta, while Fiorentina host Roma.(afp)

AC Milan’s Polish new forward Krzysztof Piatek enters the pitch after a substitution during the Italian Serie A football match AC Milan vs Napoli on January 26, 2019 at the San Siro stadium in Milan.

Rodrigo treble inspires stunning Valencia Copa del Rey fightback

Rodrigo scored a hat-trick as Valencia staged a stunning late fightback at the Mestalla to stun ten-man Getafe 3-2 on aggregate to reach the Copa del Rey semifinals on Tuesday.

Valencia went into the game looking to fight back after a 1-0 first-leg defeat and keep alive their hopes of winning a first major title since lifting the Copa del Rey 11 years ago.

And Rodrigo’s treble, including two injury-time strikes, sent Marcelino’s men into a semifinal clash with either Real Madrid and Girona after a thrilling 3-1 second-leg victory.

“We have shown impressive character,” Rodrigo told BeIN

Sports. “We believed until the end, because of the support of the fans and because we were superior on the pitch, which is where football matters.”

The home side’s hopes were dashed inside the very first minute as Jorge Molina, who scored the only goal of the first game last week, put the visitors ahead.

Needing to win by two clear goals to progress, Valencia gave themselves hope of a comeback as Rodrigo levelled just after the hour mark, before Getafe centre-back Djene Dakonam was dismissed for a second yellow card with 16 minutes still to play.

Spain striker Rodrigo was on a one-man mission to pull

Valencia through, netting again in the 92nd and 93rd minutes to stun Getafe.

The match dragged into a ninth minute of added time, but Valencia held on to close out a barely believable win. “It’s a great night for Valencia,” said Marcelino, whose side have recovered from a poor start to the season and now sit seventh in La Liga. “We pinned the opposition back in the first half and continued it in the second.”

On Wednesday, holders Barcelona host last season’s runnersup Sevilla looking to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit, before Real Madrid take a 4-2 lead to Girona on Thursday.(afp)

JOSE JORDAN / AFP

Valencia’s Spanish forward Rodrigo Moreno celebrates at the end of the Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) quarter-final second leg football match between Valencia and Getafe at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on January 29, 2019.

8

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Guardiola not giving up on title bid despite Newcastle loss

Piatek scores twice as Milan beat Napoli to reach Coppa semis Krzysztof Piatek said it was “just the start” to his AC Milan career after scoring twice on his full debut as Gennaro Gattuso’s side beat Napoli 2-0 at the San Siro on Tuesday to reach the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

Piatek, signed from Genoa last week as a replacement for Gonzalo Higuain, put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute before doubling the lead before the half-hour mark with a fine individual strike.

It was the second time in four days that Milan had dealt a blow to Napoli’s hopes of winning a trophy this season, after a goalless draw on Saturday at the San Siro ultimately left Carlo Ancelotti’s men 11 points behind Serie A leaders Juventus.

“I expected a night like this. I said that I was ready and I got a brace, but this is just the start,” Piatek told Milan TV. “Both goals were great, even if they were different.

I felt good tonight and it was marvellous playing at the San Siro.”

Five-time winners Milan will face either Inter Milan or Lazio, who play on Thursday, over two legs in the last four as they look to go one better than their 4-0 final defeat by Juventus last season.

Piatek did not waste much time in endearing himself

Pep Guardiola insisted Manchester City’s title hopes were still intact despite admitting Liverpool are poised to take a significant lead in their two-way battle for the Premier League crown.

Jurgen Klopp’s side can extend their advantage at the top to seven points with victory at home to Leicester on Wednesday after the reigning champions’ shock 2-1 defeat at struggling Newcastle on Tuesday.

The Spaniard’s 100th league game in charge turned sour at St James’ Park despite Sergio Aguero putting City ahead in a mere 24 seconds with the fastest Premier League goal of the season.

Guardiola, however, is far from ready to throw in the towel with more than three months of the campaign to play, and predicted plenty more twists and turns in Liverpool’s bid to end a 29-year wait to win English football’s top prize.

“We’re still in January,” said City manager Guardiola. “There’s a lot of time but of course, when you’re behind the leaders you don’t want to drop points and every game is one less but there are still a lot of matches to play.”

“A lead of seven points is a lot but we’re not in April or May. There are still many games left and anything can happen,” the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss added.

“There are a lot of tough games to play against sides trying to stay in this division, or playing to get into the Europa League or the Champions League. In our case we will do our best to be there and not to give up.”

- ‘Not our good night’ After surrendering an eight-game winning run at St James’ Park, second-placed City return to action at home to Arsenal on February 3, and their Spanish coach added: “We didn’t underestimate Newcastle -- no way. We’d never do that and that’s the reason why we’re still in four competitions.

“That’s why we recorded 100 points last season. It’s just sometimes we don’t play at the level we want to play and that can happen -- it was not our good night, and that’s something I understand completely.”

Newcastle moved five points clear of danger after securing back-to-back league wins for the first time since November after Salomon Rondon equalised midway through the second half before Matt Ritchie’s penalty 10 minutes from time completed their comeback.

This victory came with the Magpies poised to clinch a club-record

£20 million ($26 million, 23 million euros) move for Atlanta United’s Paraguay forward Miguel Almiron.

Meanwhile, Monaco’s Italian full-back Antonio Barreca is also set to join the northeast club, in a loan deal for the rest of the season ahead of the January 31 transfer window deadline.

After doing his old club a major favour in their title bid, Newcastle’s former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez said: “It’s nice to help Liverpool, fine, but saying that I don’t want to disrespect Manchester City.

“I can’t talk about the transfer window but we’re progressing with some names and if that happens it will be good news for us. The main thing is that we sign what we need, the price doesn’t matter and it’s not about breaking records, but the fact that it will be someone to help us to stay in this division.”

The Spaniard added: “We didn’t get off to the best of starts with their goal, but we fought hard and worked for each other until the last minute and earned our rewards with a win that we can hopefully build on.”(afp)

Manchester City’s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Manchester City at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on January 29, 2019. Newcastle won the game 2-1.

Solskjaer’s salutes never-say-die United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saluted Manchester United’s fighting spirit as they rolled back the years with two goals in the final five minutes of a thrilling 2-2 draw against Burnley. United manager Solskjaer is most famous for scoring the winning goal for the Old Trafford club in the closing seconds of the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich.

That was one of many dramatic late victories for United during the Alex Ferguson era. And Solskjaer rode the same emotional rollercoaster at Old Trafford on Tuesday as United preserved the unbeaten start to his interim reign.

Although United failed to win for the first time in nine attempts since Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho before Christmas, it was still an encouraging escape act.

United trailed by two goals with just three minutes left, but Paul Pogba got one back with a penalty.

Then Ashley Young sent over a 92nd minute cross, Alexis Sanchez’s header was saved by Tom Heaton and Victor Lindelof pounced to net the rebound. “Coming up here, I was stopped so many times saying it was great spirit and great the way they came back,” said Solskjaer in the post-match press conference.

“The way they came back was fantastic. Now we have the answer: can they come back if they go onedown or two-down even? I’m very happy with the response.” Earlier, Solskjaer’s magical touch seemed to have deserted him when Andreas Pereira, handed just the third United league start of his career, gifted Burnley an opening goal after 51 minutes. (afp)

9

to the Milan fans, latching onto a hopeful long ball forward from Diego Laxalt, before calmly taking a touch and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

The Polish international continued to torment the visiting defence and made it two in the 27th minute.

Piatek appeared to have few options when he collected the ball on the left-hand side of the area, but he cut inside two defenders before unleashing a powerful drive past Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.

The 23-year-old has now scored an incredible eight goals in only three Coppa Italia games this season, having scored four for Genoa against Lecce in August and a double against Virtus Entella last month.

Lorenzo Insigne looked to be Napoli’s biggest danger, seeing a shot saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, before firing over the crossbar.

Napoli started to put some pressure on the hosts’ goal in the second half, with Donnarumma saving from Arkadiusz Milik and Adam Ounas.

But Milan held on to reach the semis, with Donnarumma saving his best stop for last as he denied Ounas again.

On Wednesday, Juventus continue their bid for a fifth straight Coppa Italia at free-scoring Atalanta, while Fiorentina host Roma.(afp)

AC Milan’s Polish new forward Krzysztof Piatek enters the pitch after a substitution during the Italian Serie A football match AC Milan vs Napoli on January 26, 2019 at the San Siro stadium in Milan.

Rodrigo treble inspires stunning Valencia Copa del Rey fightback

Rodrigo scored a hat-trick as Valencia staged a stunning late fightback at the Mestalla to stun ten-man Getafe 3-2 on aggregate to reach the Copa del Rey semifinals on Tuesday.

Valencia went into the game looking to fight back after a 1-0 first-leg defeat and keep alive their hopes of winning a first major title since lifting the Copa del Rey 11 years ago.

And Rodrigo’s treble, including two injury-time strikes, sent Marcelino’s men into a semifinal clash with either Real Madrid and Girona after a thrilling 3-1 second-leg victory.

“We have shown impressive character,” Rodrigo told BeIN

Sports. “We believed until the end, because of the support of the fans and because we were superior on the pitch, which is where football matters.”

The home side’s hopes were dashed inside the very first minute as Jorge Molina, who scored the only goal of the first game last week, put the visitors ahead.

Needing to win by two clear goals to progress, Valencia gave themselves hope of a comeback as Rodrigo levelled just after the hour mark, before Getafe centre-back Djene Dakonam was dismissed for a second yellow card with 16 minutes still to play.

Spain striker Rodrigo was on a one-man mission to pull

Valencia through, netting again in the 92nd and 93rd minutes to stun Getafe.

The match dragged into a ninth minute of added time, but Valencia held on to close out a barely believable win. “It’s a great night for Valencia,” said Marcelino, whose side have recovered from a poor start to the season and now sit seventh in La Liga. “We pinned the opposition back in the first half and continued it in the second.”

On Wednesday, holders Barcelona host last season’s runnersup Sevilla looking to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit, before Real Madrid take a 4-2 lead to Girona on Thursday.(afp)

JOSE JORDAN / AFP

Valencia’s Spanish forward Rodrigo Moreno celebrates at the end of the Spanish Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) quarter-final second leg football match between Valencia and Getafe at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on January 29, 2019.

10

Destination

Thursday, January 31, 2019

International

Thursday, January 31, 2019

International

Plucky Pelicans shock Rockets, Bucks bounce back in Detroit

Suluban Beach Hidden Cave Beach near Uluwatu MANGUPURA - Suluban Beach is one of Bali’s most unique coasts, concealed by natural limestone formations and accessed via steps and log ramps through narrow gaps in the rock. Canopied by a looming cliff face, this small beach may not be ideal for sunbathers, but serves pro surfers well as a base to paddle out and ride adjacent reef breaks, including around Uluwatu, just to the south.

Nicknamed ‘Blue Point’, Suluban Beach lies at the end of Jalan Mamo in the coastal area of Labuan Sait, the same locality shared by famous surf spots Padang Padang and Uluwatu.

Unless you’re staying at any of the villas that have recently popped up here (the likes of Blue Point Bay Villas), getting here from popular areas such as Kuta and Jimbaran is best by

hotel shuttle, taxi or motorbike.

Parking is at the roadside, right before the flight of stairs down to the beach. Parking fees are IDR 5,000 for bikes and IDR 15,000 for cars.

From here, you will need to endure a 10-minute walk down a flight of concrete steps. However, you won’t immediately find the beach at the end. Pass rows of locally-run cafés (serving cold Bintangs, light bites and ‘surfer snacks’ including local favourite ‘nasi campur’), surfboard rentals and art shops, with the Single Fin Bar up on your right, and you’ll eventually find the main beach entrance – down a narrow crag. Narrow and steep, you will usually need to let others on their way up and out first before making your descent. A long log parallel to a large cavern serves

as a boardwalk that leads you over some rocks and onto the soft sand, all while the sounds of crashing waves become more discernible. The cavern is also a favourite campsite as tents and bonfires become a frequent sight.

Meanwhile, further ahead, azure waters and sky are visible through narrow cliff openings.

There are several rocky openings and mini caves that you can explore and even claim as a ‘resting spot’ for the day, and which also lead to different sections of the beach. The best time is during low tide, which reveals more spaces and accessible sandy paths, together with tide pools which you and your friends can have a pleasurable soak in. Surfers come and go, high tide or low, with the prized breaks being only a short paddle out.

Balawista lifeguards are on duty at their cliff-top watchtower northwest of the beach, mostly observing the waves and the surfers. There are none on duty down at the beach area itself. Be sure to watch the tides, as currents can be strong, and waves can crash through cave openings, sometimes posing a hazard. Suluban Beach is also not recommended for young children. Early mornings are usually the best time to go to avoid the crowds and easily ‘claim’ your favourite spots, but it is most scenic at sunset. Head to the clifftops for different vistas. (net)

Place Your Add Here

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

Jon Jones

IBP/net

Light-heavyweight champ Jones approved for UFC 235 bout

LOS ANGELES - The New Orleans Pelicans shrugged off multiple injuries and uncertainty surrounding star Anthony Davis on Tuesday, rallying for a 121-116 NBA victory over the Houston Rockets.

One day after Davis requested a trade, and with five of the team’s top six scorers -- Anthony included -- absent because of injury, the Pelicans withstood a 37-point performance from Rockets star James Harden to triumph.

Jahlil Okafor scored 27 points for New Orleans. Jrue Holiday added 19 and Ian Clark chipped in 15 off the bench for a New Orleans team that used its 20th different starting lineup of the season thanks to injuries to Davis, Nikola Mirotic, Julius Randle and Elfrid Payton.

New Orleans took the lead for the first time in the game with 2:06 left in the third quarter on Kenrich Williams’ basket -- and they never trailed again.

Holiday played a key role with six blocked shots, helping slow scoring juggernaut Harden just enough to get the job done.

Harden notched his 24th straight game of at least 30 points, but his 17 in the fourth quarter weren’t enough to turn the tide.

Davis, sidelined by a finger injury, watched from the bench hours after he was fined $50,000 by the NBA because his agent’s public revelation of his desire to be traded violated league rules.

“That’s going to play out the way it plays out,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said before the game.

“I think everything that needed to be said has been said.”

Milwaukee’s MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 21 points and handed out 11 assists to lead the Bucks to a 115-105 victory over the Pistons in Detroit.

The Bucks, who lost to Oklahoma City on Sunday, underscored their bounce-back credentials with the win. They are the only NBA team that hasn’t lost two in a row at any point this season.

Brook Lopez scored 12 of his 14 points for Milwaukee in the first quarter as foul trouble limited Antetokounmpo.

Eric Bledsoe added 20 points, reserve Pat Connaughton scored 16 and Khris Middleton chipped in 15 for the Bucks, who have won seven of eight games and stretched their league-leading record to 36-13.

In Brooklyn, the Nets shook off the fatigue of the second night of a back-to-back, grinding out a 122-117 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

The Nets overcame a nine-point second-half deficit thanks to strong second-half performances from D’Angelo Russell and Shabazz Napier.

Napier’s three-pointer with 5:07 remaining in the third quarter put them up 71-67 and he drained a jump shot to make it 75-70.

Chicago cut the deficit to 107104 with 2:54 to play, but Joe Harris drained a three and put in a layup as the Nets held on.

Napier scored 17 of his 24 points in the second half, while Russell led all scorers with 30 points. (afp)

LOS ANGELES - Reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was given a onefight license Tuesday by the Nevada State Athletic Commission to compete against Anthony Smith at UFC 235 in March.

After more than three hours, officials granted the rare license but attached several conditions for Jones if he wants another bout in Nevada.

The 31-year-old American will be required to be drug tested at least twice a month until UFC 235, then comply with a similarly rigorous testing schedule for the remainder of 2019 in order to fight in Nevada again.

Jones tested positive for trace amounts of a long-term metabolite of the anabolic steroid Turinabol multiple times in 2018, then tested negative in four consecutive drug tests from September to November before another positive test last month.

That prompted UFC to move its December 29 show from Nevada,

which would not license him after the positive, to California, where Jones was allowed to fight on short notice with extra drug testing, as California officials concluded the new positive tests and others with trace amounts before the fight were from a 2017 violation for which he had served a 15-month suspension.

Jones, a three-time banned fighter, recaptured his title with a third-round stoppage of Alexander Gustafsson.

Now his future depends on staying clean outside the Octagon as well as how he performs inside it.

“This is on you. It’s on your shoulders,” commissioner Anthony Marnell told Jones. “I like what I hear, I like what I see, but the proof is in the pudding.

“I’m happy you are back here.

You will always be treated with respect here and I wanted to make sure that you understood that. Welcome back to Nevada and do the right thing from this point going forward. As you know, we’re going to be visiting you frequently.”

The US Anti-Doping Agency, in a statement, said it found the samples in Jones’s positive tests to be residual based on amounts and said they provided no chance of performance enhancement.

“We agree with and support the NSAC decision today to license Jon Jones to fight in Nevada and while USADA does not have jurisdiction over the licensing, we appreciate being able to collaborate with the NSAC to ensure a fair outcome,” USADA said. (afp)

Copyright 2019 NBAE Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images/AFP

Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reaches for the rebound against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 18, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon.

6

Thursday, January 31, 2019

As opposition girds in Venezuela, Maduro makes concession

CARACAS - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said he is willing to negotiate with the opposition and hold early congressional elections, in a concession as opponents plan another big demonstration.

“I am ready to sit down at the negotiating table with the opposition so that we could talk for the good of Venezuela,” Maduro told Russia’s RIA Novosti in an interview in Caracas, the agency reported Wednesday.

“It would be very good to conduct parliamentary elections at an earlier stage. It would be a good form of political discussion,” Maduro said, according to the Russian state news agency.

But at the same time he dismissed the possibility of holding a new presidential poll any time soon.

“Presidential elections in Venezuela have taken place, and if imperialists want new elections let them wait until 2025,” he said in an apparent reference to Washington.

His comments still appeared to be a concession in a long standoff as Maduro braves a tide of criticism in which the leader of congress and major countries led by the US press for Maduro to yield power in the oil-rich country beset by an acute economic crisis, crime and other woes.

Maduro won a second six-year term last year in elections that the domestic opposition and many foreign countries have dismissed as rigged.

Venezuela’s opposition plans protests Wednesday to urge the military, the lynchpin of Maduro’s beleaguered regime, to dump him in favor of self-declared interim leader Juan Guaido.

The 35-year-old head of the opposition controlled national assembly has called on Venezuelans to take to the streets for two hours

starting at noon (1600 GMT), banging pots and waving placards in the latest spasm of anger in the oil-rich country reduced to chaos, crime and poverty.

“Venezuela has risen up to dream of the country we want to be,” said Guaido, a previously little known figure who has growing international support including that of the US. “We must take to the street,” he said.

In an interview with the German daily Bild he called on EU countries to impose more sanctions on Maduro’s government.

With this protest Guaido is also stressing an offer of amnesty to military people who abandon Maduro, thus seeking to undermine a key pillar of the president’s regime.

He is also seeking to promote the entry of aid in a country struggling with shortages of just about everything -- from food and medicine to soap and even toilet paper.

Maduro has said such assistance would be the first step toward a US military intervention.

Guaido said this week that Wednesday’s demonstrations are designed to “demand that the armed forces side with the people.” He has been recognized by the US and other major countries as Venezuela’s interim leader.

Guaido says that under the constitution he is entitled to this position because, he says, Maduro usurped power with a bogus win in elections late last year to win another six-year term.

“The regime is in its final throes,” said Guaido. He said another big protest has been convened for Saturday.

That is also the deadline set by six European countries for Maduro, a former bus driver handpicked by the late socialist icon Hugo Chavez, to call new elections. (afp)

Dangerous...

From page 1

In Atlanta, some 300 flights were canceled Tuesday as the city prepares for the Super Bowl and more than 400 were canceled in Chicago, a major regional hub for US airlines.

In Canada, the icy temperatures -- stretching from Manitoba in the western Prairies region to the Atlantic seaboard -- prompted a rare “hazardous” cold warning from the government.

Environment Canada reported record-breaking snowfall at the Ottawa airport, where some 50 flights were canceled, with an accumulation of nearly a meter (more than three feet). An additional 200 flights were canceled at Toronto’s airport.

- Global warming? Scientists say climate change is causing more extreme weather, and one theory for polar vortex chills is that arctic air currents usually trapped around the North Pole are weakened and dislodged by a warming climate.

President Donald Trump used the occasion to again voice skepticism about climate change, tweeting: “What the hell is going on with Global Waming? (sic) Please come back fast, we need you!”

But the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which operates NWS, tweeted, “Winter storms don’t prove that global warming isn’t happening,” with a link to a 2015 explanatory article. (afp)

W

International

RLD

International

Thursday, January 31, 2019

INDONESIAN INDONESIAN

11

ELECTION 2019

Christof STACHE / AFP

Picture taken on November 30, 2018, shows a hotel room of the so-called Wursthotel (sausage hotel) in Rittersbach, southern Germany.

Wurst night ever?

Taste takes a holiday at German sausage hotel

GEORGENSGMUND - Sausages on the menu, sausage motifs on the wallpaper, sausage mobiles hanging from the ceiling -- and to top it off, a sausage-shaped pillow on your bed.

What sounds like a vegetarian’s nightmare is the audacious dream come true of Claus Boebel, a fourth-generation butcher and proprietor of what he calls the world’s first and only sausagethemed hotel.

Located in a tidy village, a 40-minute drive south of the German city of Nuremberg, the Bratwurst Hotel has done brisk business since its opening in September, with guests from across Europe and overseas popping in for a visit.

In a slope-roofed stone house, the inn with seven rooms and two conference spaces caters to foodies and tourists looking for a splash of local colour.

Behind the quirky initiative is a Hail Mary bid to keep alive the local butcher’s shop -- an institution in most towns that was once a pillar of Germany’s “Mittelstand” economy of small and mediumsized businesses -- in the face of big-box store competition and slacking meat consumption.

“I want to show that small craftsman shops like mine can survive when you have clever ideas,” said

Boebel, seated on a stool shaped like a tin of minced sausage.

“Plus I love life here in the countryside and, rather than leave, want to draw customers here to Rittersbach,” population 300, he added.

The Boebel family has produced and sold meats here since the 19th century. But Sunday roasts, big multi-generational meals at home and a heavily carnivorous diet are fading from German life, with meat consumption down eight percent since 1991.

And despite a slight increase of late in food spending in Germany, to around 10.6 percent of monthly household expenditure, the people of France (13.2 percent) and Italy (14.2 percent) still fork out significantly more.

Thus family businesses that pride themselves on quality produce often need to get creative to bring in the punters.

- ‘Tasteful’ decor Boebel, 48, is a rosy-cheeked entrepreneur of boundless enthusiasm who speaks in the rolling r’s of the Franconia regional dialect.

It’s not the first time he’s got creative to promote his brand, beginning in 2003 with his “Wurstbrief”, or sausage letter, featuring a vacuum-packed envelope with the meat and a postcard inside ready for mailing to friends and family.

Boebel’s bright green delivery car -- matching the hotel’s wooden window shutters and the striking facade of the butcher’s shop -- zips through the village’s narrow roads as a “Wurst taxi” bringing meat to hungry customers.

Never one to dream small, Boebel also launched a global online shop, sending his canned wares made from locally sourced livestock to a clientele in far-flung places like Hawaii and Jamaica.

But the hotel, in which he’s invested some 700,000 euros ($800,000) in the renovation, takes things to another level.

In the narrow lobby of the hotel, the word “sausage” is emblazoned on the wall in the languages of the world including Russian (kolbasa), Japanese (soseji) and Greek (loukaniko).

The decor includes coat racks recalling butcher’s knives and giant pigs on the frosted glass doors to the bathrooms, where sausage-shaped soap awaits in the shower. (afp)

YUSUF WAHIL / AFP

his picture taken on January 27, 2019 shows an Indonesian rescuer using a sniffer dog to search for survivors after a landslide in Gowa in South Sulawesi.

At least 68 people have been killed and thousands were forced to flee their homes after floods and landslides hit the island of Sulawesi, an official said on January 26, as some 6,700 people in 14 districts have been evacuated and are now living in shelters, schools, tents or mosques.

Indonesia flood, landslide death toll hits 70

Floods and landslides that battered Indonesia’s Sulawesi island have killed at least 70 people, authorities said Tuesday, as aerial footage underscored the scale of the disaster with whole villages wiped off the map.

Lashed by heavy rain, rivers swelled and burst their banks, inundating dozens of communities across 12 districts as well as parts of the

provincial capital Makassar.

The bodies of 70 victims have been found, while six are still missing, Syamsibar, head of South Su-

lawesi’s disaster mitigation agency, who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told AFP. Drone footage showed landslides had buried Pattallikang village in hard-hit Gowa district, with only a few buildings -- including a mosque -visible after an avalanche of mud and rock cascaded down a nearby hillside.

Nearly 9,500 people have been displaced by the extreme weather, and hundreds of houses, government buildings, schools and bridges have been damaged, the disaster mitigation agency said Monday.

Authorities say floodwaters are receding but a state of emergency

will remain in place until February 6, while rescuers look for those still missing and help repair damaged infrastructure.

Landslides and floods are common in Indonesia, especially during the monsoon season between October and April, when rains lash the vast Southeast Asian archipelago.(afp)

Jokowi underscores importance of TNI/Polri`s neutrality in elections

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has underscored the importance of the National Defense Forces (TNI)`s and Indonesian Police (Polri)`s neutrality in the 2019 legislative and presidential elections.

“TNI/Polri`s politics is state

politics. Therefore, they need to maintain neutrality and, more importantly, ensure smooth elections and peaceful conditions,” he stated, after giving directives to the TNI/ Polri leadership meeting 2019 at the State Palace here, on Tuesday.

He noted that TNI`s and Polri`s

neutrality in the general elections is key to maintaining security and public order.

TNI and Polri must play a solid role in the elections and hold synergy. “This is badly needed and will happen if TNI and Polri are solid and synergize to maintain security

and public order,” he remarked.

He further underscored the need for TNI and Polri to respond to the industrial revolution 4.0.

“I only remind them (TNI and Polri) that they must respond to the industrial revolution 4.0,” he added. This also has to do with the

use of virtual reality, AI, and 3D printing, which have been developed in other countries in terms of military, he revealed.

Jokowi was accompanied by TNI Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto and Polri Chief General Tito Karnavian at the meeting.(ant)

12

International

Thursday, January 31, 2019

BUSINESS ECB: Trade peace would remove big drag on eurozone growth

FRANKFURT - With gloom spreading over the economy of the 19 countries that use the euro, European Central Bank head Mario Draghi said Monday that much of the drag on growth would ease if “clarity and peace” were to break out in the trade dispute between the U.S. and China.

Draghi said that “the key factor that we have to look at is the persistence of all these various causes, various geopolitical factors,” such as uncertainty about tariffs and whether Britain will leave the European Union without a negotiated deal.

He said during a question and answer session in the European Parliament that many members of the bank’s governing council expressed the view during their meeting Thursday “that if there were all of a sudden clarity and peace in trade relations between the U.S. and China, much of the slowdown would probably wash out.”

The eurozone’s impetus from trade has sagged, even as domestic demand is helped by falling unemployment and rising wage.

U.S. and Chinese officials are to meet this week for trade talks that could stave off further hikes in punitive tariffs imposed by both sides. Draghi said issues clouding the outlook were anxiety about Brexit and the slowdown in China, though Draghi added that the ECB was confident that the Chinese government was “taking appropriate actions there.”

Economic growth in Europe slowed in the last half of 2018 and indicators at the start of this year have been weak against the background of concerns about slackening global trade and unsettling swings in stock prices.

The weak patch comes just after the ECB ended a nearly four-year stimulus program involving the purchase of 2.6 trillion euros ($3.0 trillion) in government and corporate bonds with newly created money, and with one of the bank’s key interest rate benchmarks below zero, at minus 0.4 percent. The eurozone grew 0.2 percent in the third quarter over the quarter before.

Last week Draghi shifted the central bank’s outlook to say that risks to the economy “have moved to the downside.”

Draghi said that the bank still had steps it could take if necessary to respond to a worsening in the economy: “We have instruments and in fact these instruments have already started acting.”

He mentioned the bank’s promise not to raise interest rates at least through the summer and to then keep reinvesting maturing bonds from the earlier purchases for an extended period of time after that, which puts off the withdrawal of that stimulus program. (ap)

Bali News

International

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Foreign Tourists Like Monkey Attraction at Alas Kedaton

5

Both domestic and foreign tourists love the action of monkeys when invited to take a pictures or selfie. The four-legged animal has an extraordinary style when being faced with camera. As requirements, the must be given to eat nuts, so they want to be quiet while chewing snacks like tubers. Besides, it must also be guided by a handler or local guide. Don’t try to do it by yourself!

AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris

Members of the government attend a Cabinet Meeting inside the Greek Parliament in Athens, on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Greece announced plans to issue a 5-years bond, in the first market test since the end of its international Bailout last August.

Greece: strong interest in first bond sale since bailout end

ATHENS - Greece has raised money on international bond markets for the first time since emerging from its bailout programs last summer, getting 2.5 billion euros ($2.87 billion) Tuesday in a five-year bond auction.

Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos announced the results of the auction in parliament, ahead of the formal statement by the country’s Public Debt Management Agency.

“Today’s successful bond issue has been completed,” he said. The bond auction resulted in a yield of 3.6 percent on the bonds and a coupon below 3.5 percent Tsakalotos said the bond issue covers 36 percent of the country’s financing requirements for the year.

“The most important thing was the investor participation,” he said. “There was

a major shift from hedge funds to regular investors.”

Investors bid more than 10 billion euros in the auction, an amount that Tsakalotos said had “exceeded every expectation.”

While affordable, the yield is above what most other countries in the EU would pay for such debt. Germany’s 5-year bond yield is at minus 0.3 percent. The yield for Italy, which has a lot of public debt, is at 1.55 percent.

The Greek government is planning a cautious return to bond markets. Greece exited its third and last bailout program in August

with a cash buffer meant to cover financing needs for around two years. It delayed the bond auction due to turmoil in financial markets last year caused by a European political dispute over Italy’s budget.

Tuesday’s bond sale was ordered following the visit to Athens by bailout inspectors and after the government survived the departure of its junior coalition partner over disagreement on a deal to normalize relations with Macedonia.

Greece’s left-wing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is trailing conservatives in opinion polls ahead of general elections this year, and has promised to relieve Greeks hardest hit by the crisis. A minimum wage hike of nearly 11 percent goes into effect Friday. (afp)

Alas Kedaton attraction located at Kukuh village, Marga, Tabanan, or about 8 km North West of Denpasar City is indeed a tourist idol for traveling. They come in the afternoon or evening to continue watching sunset at Tanah Lot. “Tourists really like the attraction of this monkey,” said Ni Putu Marani, one of the local officers.

This forest does not only has monkeys as an attraction, but also giant bats (flying foxes) and tropical forests with various types of plants. Every day, this object is opened from 8:30 until 15:30. The admission ticket for adults costs IDR 20,000 and IDR 15,000 for child.

Meanwhile, the admission ticket for foreign adults is IDR 30,000 and IDR 20,000 for child. “Especially for Galungan, Kuningan and New Year’s Day specifically for local people, the admission ticket will be charged at IDR 5,000,” said Ni Putu Marani.

Tourists having held a ticket will be accompanied by a local guide who is also a souvenir merchant. The ticket is then presented to the officer at the lobby of the tourist attraction, then heading for the monkey attraction. Under direction of

local guide, visitors walk to the middle of the forest through a pathway to the right side of Dalem Kahyangan Kedaton Temple.

On the way, the atmosphere is cool because the area is rich in large plants. At each wall visitors will come across forest dwellers that can be invited to take pictures. Local

guide continues to explain the uniqueness of the temple, the attraction of the fruit bat show and snake show. “We invite tourists to witness the attraction of taking pictures with flying fox and snakes using Balinese customary clothes,” he added.

Formerly, the flying fox and snake show were located on the west side of the tourist

attraction, but it has now been moved to the east of forest area, to the right of the temple.

To take pictures with snakes, visitors must pay IDR 70,000 and IDR 60,000 for taking pictures with flying fox. After that, the local guide will direct you to their shops to browse or buy various kinds of souvenirs on offer. (kmb)

Usaba Kaulu at Asak Customary Village

CUSTOMARY village of Asak, Pertima, Karangasem, is one of the ancient villages in Karangasem.

Customs and traditions carried out through generations at this village are well maintained and preserved.

For instance, on the Usaba Kaulu, Thursday (Jan. 14), the local customary youth club held a pecaruan

agung or animal sacrifice by using a cow. This ritual took place tensely because after being given ritual the cow is released and then pursued by all the apparatuses of customary youth club.

Chief of Asak customary village, Jero Dukuh Ketut Suta, delivered that the ritual is purely

performed by local customary youth club. The preparation has been made since two weeks before the main event where they prepared the means of caru in the form of a bull. It was handed over to the secretary of customary youth club and placed in the area of the Patokan Truna and bathed every day at the Beji Yeh Inem spring.

Every night, the bull is guarded by its apparatuses.

When arriving at the peak of ritual on penanggal ping 6 Sasih Kaulu nuju Beteng, the bull of caru ritual is decorated with white and yellow fabric. Then, right in the forehead of the bull is marked with swastika image by whiting.

Before the peak of the ritual takes place, the bull must be consecrated.

Likewise, the entire apparatus of customary youth club do worship.

“Before the peak of ritual, secretary of the customary youth club announces the rules of cutting down the bull. If cutting down in front of

meeting hall, they will be imposed with a fine of IDR 250,000, while at village area they are fined at IDR 150,000,” said the chief.

The cow is then paraded around the Patokan Temple in the form of small shrine in the area of Kanginan customary hamlet. The shrine symbolizes the lingam of Lord Shiva. “For the first cutting down is given the opportunity to the eldest of youth club to mark the cow,” said Wayan Segara, spiritual section head of the Asak customary village.

After that, the cow was released out of the Patokan Temple. The whole apparatus of the customary youth club attempt to cut it down. In wounded and bleeding condition, the cow continues to be pursued around the village and cut together by using special knife of the customary youth. Blood sheds in the area of customary village are intended as a mark if the great pecaruan has been implemented.

When the cow dies, it is believed to bring in fertility and blessing. In this process, the customary youth club is prohibited from striking the tail and head of the cow. If the tail of the cow cuts off, it will be considered to have been faulty.

Any youth club members daring do it, they will be imposed to pay compensation for the cow.

This tradition is carried out to neutralize the bhuta kala or evil spirit in order to create a natural balance at Asak customary village in particular and Bali in general. Direction where the cow runs to even has its own significance. When running eastward, it is a sign of fertility and prosperity. When running southward, it is a sign of wisdom, eastward symbolizes a bright light avoiding them from all dangers and westward indicates a bad sign in the form of darkness. When the cow is running southward, local people hope their villages to be filled in with wisdom. (kmb)

4

Bali News

Thursday, January 31, 2019

International

Hit by earthquake and tsunami

BANGKOK - Toxic smog forced hundreds of Bangkok schools to close Wednesday, as authorities struggle to manage a pollution crisis that has stirred widespread health fears and taken on a political edge just weeks before elections.

AMLAPURA - As aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami devastating Central Sulawesi some time ago, transmigration participants canceled to depart. They canceled the transmigration program considering the current conditions of Central Sulawesi are still a concern due to the disaster. This was revealed by the Head of the Karangasem Manpower and Transmigration Agency (Disnaker), Nyoman Suadnya.

Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP

IBP/kmb41

Considering the Central Sulawesi is currently hit by a major disaster, his agency is forced to suspend the departure of the prospective transmigrants to the location.

Soon issued a regional bylaw, marigold made into mascot of Bangli

The dance of Sekar Gumitir or marigold.

IBP/kmb40

BANGLI - Regent of Bangli, I Made Gianyar, is going to make marigold into the mascot of Bangli district, not just a discourse. After watching the inaugural trial of Bangli district dance of Sekar Gumitir or marigold as the mascot dance at Wantilan hall of Penglipuran tourism village on Monday (Jan. 28), Regent Made Gianyar claimed to immediately make a Regional Bylaw (Perda) to make the marigold into the mascot of Bangli district.

Gianyar said that his government will no longer be missed in choosing the flower as the district mascot.

Gianyar admitted earlier that Bangli had failed to make red hibiscus and

ylang-ylang as the mascot of Bangli because they have been taken earlier by other districts. “After watching today’s trial, one word, marigold is perfect for the mascot of Bangli district. I will follow it up with regional bylaw,” he explained.

According to Gianyar, marigold does not only have beautiful color, but also deep meaning. Other than symbolizing simplicity, it also has many benefits. This flower is durable, inexpensive, and the no less important, marigold is very suitable for growing in cool areas like Bangli district.

Aside from having economic, religious and artistic function, ac-

13

Hundreds of schools to shut as toxic smog chokes Bangkok

Transmigration participants cancel to depart

Suadnya stated that actually there are three household heads that cancelled their departure to Central Sulawesi in 2018. They are from Sidemen subdistrict.

Considering the Central Sulawesi is currently hit by a major disaster, his agency is forced to suspend the departure of the prospective transmigrants to the location. The effort is done because his agency does not want anything to happen to the transmigrants when arriving at the determined location.

“Indeed, they were scheduled to depart this December. But we are pending their departure. We do not want anything to happen to them. And we have also provided them with understanding, and explained the latest conditions of Central Sulawesi.

Thankfully, the residents understand it,” he said recently.

He explained if later there are other safer locations, the delayed participants can be sent to the location. To recover the conditions in a short time is not possible. And to restore the economic condition of residents, including infrastructure, will take quite a long time. “At least, the recovery takes five years.

So, with careful consideration, we do not send them to location of the transmigration,” he explained.

Furthermore, he said the three family heads from Sidemen subdistrict registered for transmigration program following the eruption of Mount Agung at the end of 2017. Previously, a total of 37 family heads already registered for the program. However, seeing the condition of Mount Agung was getting better, 34 families cancelled. (kmb41)

Thursday, January 31, 2019

International

cording to him, it also has religious values, glory, beauty and society.

By choosing marigold as the mascot, he hoped that everything good and useful is not difficult to find in Bangli district.

This regent from Bunutin village, Kintamani, also revealed that currently marigold is quite a trend and almost developed throughout the region in Bali. Since it has economic and multi-functional values, Regent Made Gianyar planned to make incense training using marigold as its raw material. When the price of marigold is cheap, people are expected to be able to process it into incense. (kmb40)

A woman helps a child to wear a face mask outside a school in Bangkok on January 30, 2019.

Toxic smog forced Bangkok authorities to issue an unprecedented order to shut nearly 450 schools on January 30, as authorities struggle to manage a pollution crisis that has stirred widespread concern.

The Thai capital has been shrouded in murky haze for weeks, sparking social media criticism of the uneven response by the government and prompting rare scenes of residents donning masks on streets and on public transport.

Reasons given for the lingering pall include exhaust from traffic, unfettered construction, the burning of crop stubble, and pollution from factories getting trapped in the city.

Authorities have seeded clouds to provoke rain, sprayed overpasses with water to catch micro-pollutants and even asked people not to burn incense sticks and paper during Chinese New Year celebrations.

The measures so far have drawn derision from many Bangkok residents, while stocks of pollution masks have run out in many shops.

But on Wednesday, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration stepped up its health warnings, ordering all 437 city-controlled public schools to close from lunchtime through Friday, designating 1,500 square kilometres (580 square miles) of the city a “control area”.

“The situation will be bad until February 3 to 4, so I decided to close schools,” said Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, adding he hoped the move would also empty the road of cars on the school run.

Three to four of the city’s districts are “severely hit with smog”, he added.

A spokesperson for the prime minister’s office said private and vocational schools would be closed

as well, but did not give a number.

- ‘Public health crisis’At a downtown Bangkok school where parents arrived early to pick up their children, pupils said they knew about the risks posed by the dangerous pollutant particles, known as PM 2.5.

“I use a mask wherever I go,” said 12-year-old Chaiwawut Benpalee. “It will not affect us now, but it will in the future.”

Fleets of drones are set to be deployed to disperse sugary liquid solution to help clear the air of microscopic particles.

It is not clear how effective that will be given the scale of the smog cloaking the city.

Aswin also said City Hall may soon issue a warning against exercising in parks.

Air Visual, an independent online air quality index (AQI) monitor, on Wednesday pegged Bangkok at the “unhealthy” level of 171, up from 156 mid-month.

“It’s a public health crisis,” said Tara Buakamsri, Greenpeace country director for Thailand.

Measurements of harmful particulates are higher than some cities in China but well below the Indian capital New Delhi.

Siwatt Pongpiachan, a professor of environmental science at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), said that while the cold dry climate was part of the problem the government should “think seriously” about congestion measures limiting the number of cars on the road. (afp)

Chinese begin Lunar holiday exodus in the millions

BEIJING - Millions of Chinese have begun the annual exodus for the Lunar New Year, the world’s largest annual human migration, leaving major cities to return to their hometowns for the holiday.

The most important holiday in the Chinese calendar places great emphasis on family reunions, and travellers must get home by Monday to usher in the Year of the Pig the following day.

At Beijing Railway Station early on Wednesday, thousands were milling around in the cold, wrapped up in thick coats and wheeling their luggage.

They included a group of children with brightly coloured bags emblazoned with cartoon characters, a stark contrast to the dark, wintry morning.

Readying for a 32-hour journey from Beijing to Huaihua in Hunan province, central China, passengers kept themselves entertained on mobile phones while sipping tea from flasks.

Many who bought standing-only tickets were perched on their luggage along the aisle, or on tiny foldable stools sold on the Beijing platform. Others dozed in their cramped seats.

In the sleeper cabins there was a buzz in the air, with families chatting and sharing food and children playing along the corridors.

Rail operators expect some 413 million trips during this year’s holiday season, up 8.3 percent from a year ago, the official Xinhua news agency reported. (afp)

STR / AFP

This photo taken on January 27, 2019 shows a woman checking on dragon costumes made for dragon dance ahead of the Lunar New year in Boyang in China’s central Jiangxi province.

14

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Health

International

Blood pressure study offers first hope for staving off dementia

NEW YORK - Drastically lowering blood pressure may help protect memory and thinking skills later in life, researchers reported Monday — the first hopeful sign that it’s possible to lower rates of mental decline.

The large blood pressure study looked at more than 9,000 people over the age of 50 years old found that those who lowered their blood pressure to 120 — the top number, or systolic blood pressure — were 19 percent less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment, the loss of memory and brain processing power that usually precedes Alzheimer’s disease. The results of the study, called Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial, or SPRINT, were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

It has long been known that aggressively lowering blood pressure can benefit those at high risk for heart disease, but this is the first time that the intervention has been shown to also help brain health.

“It offers genuine, concrete hope,” said Maria C. Carrillo, chief science officer of the Alzheimer’s Association in a statement Monday.

“Mild cognitive impairment is a known risk factor for dementia, and everyone who experiences dementia passes through MCI.” Preliminary findings also showed that participants were 17 percent less likely to develop dementia, but the results were not statistically significant because the study was cut short, so a definitive conclusion could not be made.

Because the results have been so promising, the Alzheimer’s Association announced that it will award more than $800,000 to support a follow-up trial which will extend follow-up for an additional two years to further investigate the impact of the treatment on reducing risk of dementia.

“The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to getting the answers about treating and preventing Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” said Carrillo. (afp) A man has his blood pressure checked at the Remote Area Medical (RAM) mobile dental and medical clinic on June 10, 2017, in Olean, New York.

Cases of polio-like illness pass 200 in 2018, CDC says

MORE than 200 people, mostly young kids, developed the polio-like condition known as acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) in 2018, federal health officials report.

That makes last year the worst year on record for the condition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in its latest update. More cases may be reported for 2018 because it can take several weeks for the CDC to confirm a suspected case.

But the CDC still doesn’t have a prime suspect, saying several different viruses have been associated with the symptoms.

“So far in 2018, there are 201 confirmed cases of AFM in 40 states,” the CDC said in its update.

Another 163 suspected cases are being investigated.

The CDC says the condition, which resembles polio, is likely caused by a virus. Tests have shown several viruses in the bodies of patients, the CDC said.

“We detected coxsackievirus A16, EV-A71, and EV-D68 in the spinal

fluid of four of 527 confirmed cases of AFM since 2014, which points to the cause of their AFM. For all other patients, no pathogen (germ) has been detected in their spinal fluid to confirm a cause,” it said.

But doctors say it’s not always easy to find a virus in patients who are not acutely infected — meaning they are showing the symptoms of infection. AFM often appears as an infection wanes, and it can take days for doctors to suspect the condition and start testing.

More than 80 percent of patients have had fevers and respiratory illnesses of some sort. EV-A71 and EVD68 both cause respiratory infections.

Coxsackievirus A16 causes hand, foot and mouth disease. Several patients have also had rhinovirus, which causes the common cold.

It’s also unclear whether a virus is directly attacking nerves, as poliovirus does, or is causing an autoimmune reaction, as seen in Guillain-Barré syndrome.

“No deaths have been reported among cases confirmed in 2018,” the

Bali News

International

Impact of delayed garbage trucks to enter landfill

DENPASAR — Condition of garbage having piled up in Temporary Disposal Site (TPS) did not happen due to minimum number of disposal site. However, it was sparked by the hindrance of mobility of garbage trucks entering the Suwung Landfill (TPA). Trucks carrying garbage to the landfill could not move smoothly due to the presence of damaged heavy equipment. In addition, the area to disposal site in the landfill has narrowed since the arrangement made by central government.

This was confirmed by the Division Head of Waste and Hazardous and Poisonous Substance at the Denpasar Environment and Sanitation Agency (DLHK), I Ketut Adi Wiguna, on Monday (Jan. 28). Adi Wiguna added that conditions at the landfill had been running normally, and all the garbage transportation from temporary disposal site to landfill will be ensured to run smoothly. “The problem lies in the transportation to landfill, not in the lacking of fleet, but because the entry to the landfill is hampered,” he said.

He said the services implemented so far have been optimal. Moreover, the change in waste management by each self-management has been optimal. The DLHK is considered to have been very well-prepared in implementing the program to stop transportation of garbage from the roadside. So, the application of community-based waste management as well as self-management carried out at each village can continue to be maximized.

Adi Wiguna added that to manage the waste transportation from temporary disposal site to landfill, the DLHK deploys at least 70 garbage trucks spreading across 17 temporary disposal sites in Denpasar. However, he did not deny there are still many reports from the public saying that after the suspension of roadside transportation caused the garbage in the temporary disposal site to accumulate and even spilled onto the road.

“From the perspective of personnel, facilities and fleet, we are ready, and it has been optimal considering the volume of garbage in Denpasar is around 800 tons per day,” he explained.

He emphasized the garbage having accumulated in the disposal site does not happen due to the DLHK’s unpreparedness, but due to technical problems at the landfill. At this time, the Suwung landfill is being arranged.

So, it may cause a buildup of vehicles coming to the landfill. Of course, it greatly affects the circulation of transportation having been patterned to be slightly hampered, especially regarding the time.

“Garbage trucks have to queue if they want to go to Suwung landfill.

This is making the transportation tend to be delayed, but it can still be overcome. We admit the time is somewhat delayed,” explained Adi Wiguna.

Adi Wiguna hoped that people can tolerate this temporary condition.

This happens because the authority for the Suwung landfill lies in the Bali provincial government. “We hope the community will be patient and obey the garbage disposal system and participate in reducing waste by sorting out the waste itself,” he concluded. (kmb12)

IBP/net

breathing using a ventilator.

Cases are also fitting into the every-other-year pattern the CDC has noticed since 2014. The number of cases being investigated has dropped sharply in recent weeks. But last year had the most

cases on record. In 2014, when AFM first became widely noticed, 120 people were confirmed with the condition. This fell to 22 cases in 2015, went up to 149 cases in 2016 and again, fell to 35 cases in 2017. (net)

3

Garbage spills at disposal site

Flaccid myelitis, the frightening polio-like disease leaving some children partially paralyzed.

CDC said. (net) But some of the patients are severely disabled. The condition is marked by a particular type of paralysis or weakness associated with a pattern of damage to the spinal cord. Some young children have required helped

Thursday, January 31, 2019

IBP/kmb

Trucks carrying garbage to the landfill could not move smoothly due to the presence of damaged heavy equipment.

IBP/kmb

Regent of Klungkung, Nyoman Suwirta (R), after trying to directly enjoy the adventure tour of Merapi, recently.

Merapi tourism, post-disaster inspires Klungkung tourism

SEMARAPURA — The slopes of Mount Merapi, Special Region of Yogyakarta, are increasingly crowded with visitors. They do not want to climb a mountain or even see the crater at its peak. However, they want to feel the sensation of trying out Merapi adventure tours, with unspoiled travel routes. Moreover, the former impact of the eruption still exists and now it is precisely the main attraction as a means of education and tourism.

After a comparative study to Kulon Progo district, the entourage of Klungkung district government tried the Merapi adventure tour. This tour inspired how to manage the location that formerly should be kept away because of the threat of disaster has now become an attractive location as a disaster education medium to travel with different impressions.

It is not a beautiful, comfortable and quiet place, but a challenging tour spurring the adrenaline.

“This is one of the options to overcome the saturation of tourism in Bali. It is interesting to develop in Klungkung,” said Regent of Klungkung, Nyoman Suwirta, after trying to directly enjoy the adventure tour of Merapi, recently.

According to Regent Suwirta, the off-road tour of Merapi offers usual route but after being packed in such a way it becomes more attractive. Other than being rich in culture, sea and coral reef, Klungkung district also has simi-

lar areas that can be developed into adventure tourist destinations like in Yogyakarta, namely the area of the Bukit Tengah and Bukit Abah in Dawan sub-district and the area towards Mundi Peak in Nusa Penida sub-district.

This area with hilly contours can be packaged into an adventure tourist destination equipped with off-road vehicles. “We have almost the same area that can be developed like in Yogyakarta,” said Suwirta.

He stated that in developing the region it is necessary to try to conceptualize new tourist destinations, so that tourists coming to Klungkung are not saturated easily. In addition, with the concept and development of new tourist destinations, it will increase employment for the surrounding community. “Learning from here, I will invite the public, especially tourism activists to discuss about this,” he said.

What has been running on Merapi is an inspiration how to

bring tourists who do not always sell beauty. Many aspects can be made more interesting as alternative tourism as well as a means of education that can enrich the perspective of the community.

He admitted that starting something new is not easy. Various responses like the pros and cons always appear in the community.

For this reason, according to him, in making the concept must be done by sitting together to develop the areas with the attraction they have. “In making the concept, we must sit together to develop our region,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, this year the Klungkung district government plans to develop seven tourist destinations, namely the Atuh Beach at Pejukutan village, Swehan Beach and Teletubbies Hill at Tanglad village, Broken Beach and Tebing Klingking at Bunga Mekar village. The others are the Tirta Harum at Nyalian village and Tirtha Dedari in Getakan village, Banjarangkan. (kmb31)

2

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Bali News

International

Activities

International

Thursday, January 31, 2019

15

DLHK needs fleet rejuvenation

DENPASAR - The efforts to make Denpasar free from garbage need a hard work. In addition to the inadequate presence of temporary disposal sites (TPS) at each village, the fleet to transport garbage is not optimal. Among the totally 46 garbage trucks owned by the Denpasar Environment and Sanitation Agency (DLHK), ten units need rejuvenation.

This was emphasized by Division Head of Waste and Hazardous and Poisonous Material Handling at the DLHK Denpasar, Ketut Adi Wiguna, on Tuesday (Jan. 29).

According to him, the fleet rejuvenation is carried out so that the waste transportation can be maximized.

All this time, the ten fleets can still transport waste to landfill. However, the volume is reduced. A garbage truck of good condition can transport 1.5 tons of waste. Since they are old, eventually the capacity reduces to 1 ton per once transport.

He said the fleets need to be rejuvenated because they have been already old. On average, the fleets were manufactured approximately in 1995 to the 2000s. “On that account, it needs to be replaced,” he said.

Adi Wiguna added even though being old, they are still operated at this time considering there are quite a lot of needs for the fleet to transport garbage belonging to the community. However, if forced to transport garbage like a new truck, they are feared to suffer damages and even break down because of the old condition with iron that has begun to brittle. Meanwhile, in terms of service, the ten trucks usually serving for four times at noon and afternoon finally reduced to maximally twice a day.

“Currently, we only have 46 garbage trucks. Ten of them have to be rejuvenated in order to provide more optimal transportation services.

However, due to our limited budget we are forced to use it but the burden is reduced. This kind of vehicle should have been rejuvenated maximally after 5 years,” he said.

Wiguna added that waste transportation in Denpasar City must have a minimum of 150 fleets distributed throughout the sub-districts. With such limited budget, his agency cannot meet these needs. The budget allocated in the amended Regional Budget (APBD) is only enough for the procurement of heavy equipment.

Thus, the procurement in 2019 is prioritized to buy heavy equipment that will be used to transport waste at each temporary disposal sites. (kmb12)

The matter of tourist contributions

Provincial govt claims to have got support from 5 ministries

DENPASAR - Bali provincial government claims to have received support from five ministries related to the plans to impose tourist contribution. They are the Ministry of Transportation, Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Home Affairs of the RI. The five ministries were previously invited by the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, last Friday.

“If I look at it substantially, almost all the ministries invited yesterday agreed and saw this as an extraordinary idea when we talked about building sustainable tourism in Bali,” said the Head of the Bali Revenue Services, I Made Santha, after attending the meeting with the Special Committee about the Contribution of Tourists to the Conservation of Nature and Culture of Bali in the Bali House of Representatives on Tuesday (Jan. 29).

According to Santha, the ministry representative coming at the invitation of the governor had indeed absorbed the ideas of the Bali provincial government regarding the contribution of tourists. It includes how to put the idea into a regulation. After that, the ministry will find a solution so that the plan for imposing tourist contributions can be applied and has the right legal instrument considering that tourism has been a blessing for Bali all this time. This blessing must be kept from being degraded. While now, Bali has been faced with the problem of waste, environmental pollution as well as the efforts to preserve nature, humans and the future of Balinese culture. On the other hand, Bali also has a burden to bring in 40 percent of the total target of tourist visits proclaimed nationally.

“When we talk about sustainable tourism development in Bali, it means there is a need to make improvements, and the improvement needs funding,” he added.

However, continued Santha, Bali’s fiscal strength is currently limited

because it only relies on vehicle taxes.

Regional revenue is only around IDR 3.5 trillion. That is why the idea arises to attract contributions from foreign tourists by collecting USD 10.

Moreover, this kind of policy has been implemented by 48 countries.

“Some people call it city tax while others call it tourism tax in other countries. I don’t know (whether it is charged through airfare—Ed) that’s what we will see. This needs coordination with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and then from the airport authorities themselves,” he explained.

Santha added that airline tickets are one of the solutions to charge tourists’ contributions, especially to foreign tourists. However, this has not been a decision because the bill of the regional bylaw (Perda) is still under discussion and continues to be finalized before being approved.

IATA’s letter Recently, on social media circulated a letter from IATA to the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster. The letter with IATA’s logo dated January 24, 2019 was signed by the Regional Vice President of Asia-Pacific, Conrad Clifford. IATA is a global trade association for airlines consisting of more than 290 airlines and covers 82 percent of total global air traffic.

In essence, IATA has not yet seen an official copy of the proposal of the Bali provincial government regarding foreign tourist contribution. The proposal was known from one of

the articles in the mass media. IATA in its letter called the proposal to be contrary to taxation policies having been approved and published by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) under the auspices of the United Nations. In this case, Indonesia also signed the Chicago Convention, where the Article 15 reads: “Contracting Member Countries may not charge fees, contributions or other levies in connection with the right to transit in or into or out of the territory of the country owned by an aircraft or passengers or property in it.”

Furthermore, it was written that international passengers departing from Denpasar airport currently pays for Aircraft Passenger Services worth IDR 225,000. From the IATA analysis, the imposition of 10 dollars in fees per foreign passenger leaving has the potential to reduce the number of passengers departing from Bali amounting to 190,000 passengers per year. At the end of his letter, IATA also wrote that he would be very happy if he could meet directly with the governor or the governor’s representative to discuss it further.

When asked about this letter, I Made Santha, Head of the Bali Revenue Service, briefly claimed not to know. Similar comment was also conveyed by the Chairperson of the Special Committee for Regional Regulation on Tourist Contributions in the Bali House of Representatives, Ketut Suwandhi. This aging Golkar Party politician even admitted to have not met with IATA because he would

meet the Indonesian Representative Board of Airlines (BAR Indo) first.

After that, I met IATA, INACA, Airport Authority, Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Moreover, the IATA is headquartered in Singapore. “Who said (there is a letter from IATA—Ed)? We haven’t consulted yet nor sent a letter. Until now, we have not received it yet,” he said.

Suwandhi added the meeting between the Special Committee and BAR Indo will discuss about the contribution of tourists through airline tickets. Since the legal instrument is not yet available, it is impossible to collect contributions in the form of taxes. “The amount is included (in airline tickets—Ed), but the items are different. It is the same as airport tax, but it belongs to the airport. This means it will take quite a long stage,” he explained.

Suwandhi hoped the ministry supporting the tourist contribution plan can immediately clarify the matter in terms of the legal instrument of contributions through the existing law.

After that, it must also be clarified the matter of collecting the contributions and the problem regarding the agency that will manage the contributions, whether the Bali Revenue Service (Bapenda) or other agencies because it is impossible to form a separate body.

Co-GM Commercial of Angkasa Pura, Rahadian Yogi, supported the plan for tourist contributions. However, he did not recommend collecting the contribution through special counters at the airport because it will reduce service value. “If collecting through airline ticket, it is not our authority. With the airlines, we have business to business cooperation,” he said. (kmb32)

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

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

HARD ROCK HOTEL BALI BRINGS LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT AND VIBE BACK TO KUTA BEACH

The Award Winning Hotel IntroducesA New Vibe with a renovated Centerstage and new Kids Waterpark Hard Rock Hotel Bali has unveiled it’snewlyrenovatedlive music venueCenterstage, and all new Kids Waterpark. Keeping up with the developing trends of the Balientertainment scene, Centerstage has been refreshed to bring a more modest elegant ambiance whilst maintaining its iconiccenter bar. The improvements consisted of three major elements: the stage, bar area, and new giant LED screens. The Centerstagerenova-

tion features 6 new giant LED screens adding 84sqm of digital delight complimenting the nightly live music performances. The main stage has been widened, the bar below has been decorated in gold stainless and new backlit bottle displays highlight the vast range of spirits available. A new VIP balcony has been added and can be booked for group parties or special events. Guests can also enjoy new scrumptious light bites

of the signature delicacies via Ipadmenu’s, includingBulgogi Beef Rib Burger, Souvalaki Wrap, Steamed Chicken Dim Sims and Buttermilk Fried Chicken Burger.

Public Toilets have also been upgraded with a look and feel that is more in tune with the modern Hard Rock brand and our beachside location. Hard Rock Hotel Bali’s newly renovated Centerstage offers free live entertainment, seven days a week.

The very popular kids pool for families and little ones is finally back open and is bigger and better than ever. Hard Rock Hotel Bali have just introduced abrand new Kids Waterpark that includes additional slides, larger waterfall bucket, and ultimately a lot more water action for smaller kids.

The Hard Rock Hotel Bali with 418 guest rooms and suites was thefirst Hard Rock Hotel in Asia and located in a prime area opposite

Kuta Beach. The property features 8 meeting rooms, the largest pool in Bali, more than 700 pieces of rare music memorabilia, 2 live music and entertainment venues nightly and 9 on-site food and beverage outlets including Hard Rock Café and Jamie’s Italian Kuta Beach by Jamie Oliver.

For more information or to book a stay at Hard Rock Hotel Bali, please visit http://bali.hardrockhotels.net/.

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

16 Pages Number 29 11th year

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

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Thursday, January 31, 2019

Fyre Festival: Jenner and Hadid agencies could be subpoenaed over flop event

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

Thursday, January 31, 2019

CALIFORNIA - Lawyers can now summon modelling agencies representing the likes of Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid and Hailey Baldwin, who all promoted the ill-fated Fyre Festival, a judge has reportedly ruled.

It comes as part of a bankruptcy case involving the music festival on an island in the Bahamas in April 2017.

The order states IMG Models, which represents Baldwin and Hadid, DNA Model Management, which represents Emily Ratajkowski, and Kendall Jenner Inc must comply with subpoenas issued in the case.

The models and influencers took part in social media campaigns in the lead up to the festival, which was billed as a luxury weekend on a sandy private island.

A glossy advert for the festival featured the prominent supermodels sipping cocktails and frolicking on yachts.

Tickets for the event cost up to $75,000 (£58,000) and guests were encouraged to load up wristbands with money to be used for purchases during the event.

But when guests turned up, they found they were to sleep on rain-soaked mattresses in hurricane disaster tents on what had been a building site on a different island than originally advertised.

Instead of gourmet food, an image showed one festival-goer had been presented with two unbuttered basic pieces of brown bread, two thin slices of cheese and a handful of salad.

The founder of the event, Billy McFarland, was later sentenced to six years in prison on federal fraud charges related to the festival. (net)

Bella Hadid (L) and Kendall Jenner both promoted Fyre Festival.

IBP/net JOSEPH EID / AFP

Kelsy Karter: Singer shocks fans by getting tattoo of Harry Styles on her cheek

IBP/net

Singer Kelsy Karter has tattooed Harry Styles’ face onto her cheek.

A singer has caused a stir after appearing to get a tattoo of Harry Styles on her cheek.

Kelsy Karter, a big fan of the former One Direction star, shared pictures of the provocative artwork on Instagram.

The 24-year-old, a recording artist based in LA, has long said she is desperate to work with Styles - and the tattoo could well be an attempt to grab his attention.

One photograph on Karter’s profile shows the artwork on her reddened cheek, along with the caption: “mama, look what i made

me do.”

Another image shows her along with tattoo artist Roman Lacoste.

Whether real or fake, the post is her most-liked to date - amassing more than 31,000 likes at the time of writing.

The tattoo recreates a promotional shot taken for Styles’ eponymous 2017 album, where the singer posed with wet hair while wearing a blue velvet suit.

Reaction on Instagram tended to be one of shock - with many hoping the tattoo was temporary.

One person wrote: “Whoa. I

hope that is fake.”

Another user commented: “I hope that ain’t real, your face looks so beautiful naturally”.

Someone else said: “I love lots of actors and actresses but I wouldn’t get a tattoo of them on my face…” Earlier this month, Karter hinted at the tattoo in a tweet when she wrote: “Finally know what I’m getting Harry for his birthday.”

She has spoken of her admiration of Styles in the past, telling i-D in 2017 that she feels like “a female version” of him. (net)

You can find International Bali Post at: 1 Kuta Beach Club Jl. Bakung Sari Kuta 2 Wen Dys Kuta the Coffe Bear Jl. Pantai Kuta 3 Seminyak Paradiso Bali Hotel Jl. Camplung Tanduk 4 Ramayana Resort&Spa Jl. Bakung Sari Kuta 5 The Lokha Legian Resort&Spa Jl. Padma Legian Kuta 6 66 Corner Live Sport Emtertaiment Jl. Doble Six/Werkudara 23 7 Leghawa Grill Jl. D.Tamblingan No. 51 8 Retno Barr dan Restoran Jl. D.Tamblingan No.126 A Sanur 9 Elkomedor Jl. D.Tamblingan 140

10 Malaika Scret 11 Snack Shack 12 Warung Lokal 13 Cokro Cafee 14 T.J.Bar 15 J & N Kebab 16 Goanna Bar 17 Batu Jimbar 18 Ramayana Cafee

Jl. D.Poso No 68 Jl. D.Poso No. 50D Jl. D.Poso No. 39 Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur Jl. D.Tamblingan

19 Smirnof Cafee Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 20 Legwa Hotel Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 21 Nu Laser Cafee Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 22 Ganesa Book Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 23 All For Daiving Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 24 Barocca Jl.Petitenget 17 DKerobokan 25 Lantern Jl.Petitenget 17E Kerobokan 26 Shearlock Jl.Petitenget 17C Kerobokan Klod 27 Cafe Degan Jl.Petitenget 9 Kerobokan Klod

28 Kopi Made Jl. Raya Puputan No. 106 Dps 29 Dimsum Manan Jl. Raya Niti Mandala Renon No 148 30 Furama Jl. Raya Niti Mandala No. 148 Renon 31 Warung Subah Renon Jl. Mohamad Yamin No.18 32 Ayam Betutu khas Gilimanuk Jl. Merdeka No.88 Renon 33 Bali Bakery Jl. Hayam Wuruk 184 Denpasar

Rain water floods the grounds of an informal tent settlement housing Syrian refugees flooded by rain water in the area of Bar Elias, in the central Bekaa Valley on January 17, 2019.

Dangerous arctic chill sweeps over US Midwest

Tens of millions of people in the United States are bracing for a potentially life-threatening deep arctic chill forecast to hit swaths of the country on Wednesday.

Companies have told their workers to stay home, schools are closed and hundreds of flights have been canceled.

The US Postal Service -- known for its commitment to bringing the mail whatever the weather -- has even reportedly suspended deliveries in Iowa due to the severe cold.

Temperatures in almost a dozen states stretching more than 1,200 miles (1,930 kilometers) from the Dakotas to Ohio were forecast to be the coldest in a generation, if not on record.

“One of the coldest arctic air mass intrusions in recent memory is surging south into the Upper

Midwest before spreading across much of the eastern two-thirds of the country,” the National Weather Service said.

“Expect frigid temperatures, bitterly cold and life-threatening wind chills, likely leading to widespread record lows and low maximum temperatures from the Upper Midwest to the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley.”

The cause is a swirl of arctic air that broke away from the polar vortex that usually encircles the North Pole.

The National Weather Service forecast temperatures between -10 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-23 to

-40 Celsius) by Wednesday across the Midwest, with wind chills making it seem as cold as -65 degrees Fahrenheit in one area of Minnesota.

Chicago, America’s third largest city, was expected to be colder than parts of Antarctica. Authorities in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin put emergency measures in place to handle the frigid weather.

“We need everyone to do your part and make sure you and your families are prepared,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.

- Frostbite warnings Americans were asked to stay home if possible Wednesday, when temperatures are expected to be at their coldest. Scores of schools, businesses and government agen-

cies announced closures in multiple states.

“People exposed to extreme cold are susceptible to frostbite in a matter of minutes,” warned the NWS. Lawrence Gottlieb of the University of Chicago Medical Center said the threat was significant “when temps fall below zero, especially when there is a strong wind.”

Some 160 warming centers were opened in Chicago, where temperatures could potentially equal or exceed the all-time record of -27 degrees Fahrenheit. With the wind chill, it would feel like -40 or -50, officials said.

“They are life-threatening conditions and temperatures,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel told a news

conference. In Minneapolis, officials allowed residents to stay on public buses and trains for warmth.

- Snow storm In the northeastern and southern United States, snow was falling. A cold emergency was declared in the US capital Washington, with additional services put on for the homeless.

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.