A total of 16.1 million foreign tourists visited Indonesia throughout 2019, falling short of the government’s target of attracting 20 million tourists, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) announced on Monday, warning that the coronavirus outbreak could cloud the outlook this year.The figure reflects a sluggish 1.88 percent growth in tourist arrivals from 2018, which recorded 15.81 million individuals entering the country, because of a significant surge in tourist arrivals in the summer season, which lasted between June and August, according to BPS data.“We still have work to attract more foreign tourists to come into Indonesia,” said BPS head Suhariyanto during a press conference in Jakarta. The agency recorded a contraction of 2.03 percent of foreign arrivals in December last year, which saw 1.37 million foreign tourists. Read also: Indonesia tourism, trade prone to Wuhan coronavirus impactAccording to BPS data, 9.8 million foreign tourists visited Indonesia by using airlines, followed by 4.1 million using sea transportation and 2.1 million using land transportation.Suhariyanto said that Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta saw the most foreign arrivals in 2019, recording 6.23 million and 2.41 million, respectively.BPS data showed that in 2019, Bali recorded an increase in foreign arrivals of 3.55 percent compared to 2018, while Jakarta recorded a decrease of 14.05 percent compared to 2018. Meanwhile, Batam recorded 1.94 million of foreign arrivals through sea transportation in 2019, an increase of 3.21 percent. Suhariyanto said Malaysia sent the most tourists to Indonesia, followed by Singapore and China in 2019.“However, the coronavirus outbreak in China will no doubt lower foreign arrivals from China to Indonesia this year,” said Suhariyanto.Read also: Indonesia closes doors to travelers from ChinaAs of Monday, the coronavirus had killed 362, all but one in China, and had infected nearly 17,392 globally, surpassing infections caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the result of another strain of coronavirus that originated in China in 2003.The Indonesian government declared on Sunday that it would ban all travel to and from China to prevent the spread of the deadly and highly contagious coronavirus.The ban, which took effect at 12 a.m. on Monday, prevents visitors who have stayed in China for 14 days or more from visiting or transiting in Indonesia. The government will suspend visa-free and visa-on-arrival provisions for Chinese citizens.
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Asia shares set to gain after manufacturing data, tech stocks boost
Asian shares were on track to open higher on Tuesday, after strong manufacturing data and gains in tech stocks boosted global equities and the US dollar overnight.Hong Kong futures HSIc1 were up 0.65 percent and Nikkei futures NKc1 were above the Nikkei 225 index’s previous close, pointing to an opening gain of about 0.88 percent. Australian shares were also poised to open higher.Global equities, the dollar and oil futures kicked off the week with gains as manufacturing data from the United States, Europe and China indicated a factory recovery is holding up despite rising cases of COVID-19. The manufacturing data lifted oil prices LCOc1 more than 1 percent and drove the US Treasury curve to steepen, an indication of improved investor sentiment.Spot gold XAU was down 0.19 percent in early trade, retreating from a record high of US$1,984.66 set on Monday amid support from virus fears.After wrapping up talks on Monday over another round of coronavirus economic stimulus, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she will meet with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows the following day to continue the discussion.The “only good thing we can say on the political impasse in Washington is that negotiations remain ongoing,” analysts at National Australia Bank said in a market note.Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Evans on Monday called forcefully for more US government spending to support the economy, saying “demand trouble is brewing” as existing relief policies expire.Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump told reporters after the market close that a “permanent lockdown” policy is not a “viable path forward” to combating the coronavirus pandemic.Topics : In the United States, manufacturing activity accelerated to its highest level in nearly 1-1/2 years in July as orders increased despite a resurgence in new infections, the Institute for Supply Management said.US stocks received an additional lift from Microsoft, which jumped 5.6 percent after it formally declared interest in TikTok’s US operations on Sunday.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.89 percent, the S&P 500 gained 0.72 percent and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.47 percent to set a record closing high.“It has been an upbeat US trading session and Asia will absorb the leads accordingly,” Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone, said in a market note.
Cairns couple shares love of Queenslanders with social media following
Katie Fulton with her son Xavier Cox, three months, and partner Andrew Cox in their Denbeigh St Queenslander. PICTURE: ANNA ROGERSCAIRNS couple Andrew Cox and Katie Fulton have used social media to share their renovation journey with like-minded Queenslander enthusiasts.In late 2015, they bought an attractive three-bedroom home at 17 Denbeigh St, Parramatta Park, with the intention of throwing themselves headfirst into a new DIY project.“We wanted to buy a house together and for some time had been admirers of Queenslanders,” said Ms Fulton, a schoolteacher.“We came to Cairns from the Torres Strait and decided to buy our dream home. “This was the first place we looked at. We then went to see about 15 others, but came back to this one. It already had a lot of charm about it but we could see there was some work that could be done by Andrew, which would save us a lot of money.”While her husband installed new fencing, decking and completely overhauled the yard, Ms Fulton was homing in on the home’s interior. “I was researching ideas on how to decorate a Queenslander and a lot of the results that appeared on Google were from Instagram,” she said. “There was a whole network of people, including some from Cairns, who were using social media to share ideas on preserving and restoring Queenslanders.More from newsCairns home ticks popular internet search terms3 days agoTen auction results from ‘active’ weekend in Cairns3 days ago“These people understood the nuances of Queenslanders, such as shutters that won’t close properly and squeaky floors.” Using her smart phone, Ms Fulton began sharing their creative journey on Instagram under the name “Canecutters Cottage”. The account quickly gained popularity and now has close to 2000 followers, with several of her snaps even appearing in national home and living publications. During this time they have also been raising their first child, Xavier.When it comes to Queenslanders, she said prevention was “better than a cure”.“Preserve the detail in things, even down to the yard. Maintenance will be more affordable than trying to recuperate these homes,” she said. “With Queenslanders, it also helps to blend the old with the new. Appreciate some of the finer details but give the home modern things we all appreciate like airconditioning and a new kitchen.”After 18 months the couple is now moving to another, larger Queenslander to better accommodate a growing family.Open homes for 17 Denbeigh St, Parramatta Park, are today and tomorrow from 11.30am-12.15pm and Monday from 5.30-6.15pm.
Should Sex Ed Teach Abstinence? Most Americans Say Yes
Barna.com 5 September 2017Family First Comment: Abstinence expects the best – and leaves nothing to ‘chance’!When asked whether they personally believe it’s OK for teens to have sex, assuming the sex is consensual and a contraceptive is used, 37 percent of all adults affirm such sexual activity among teens—and males much more so than females (46% and 28%, respectively). Sexual behavior is a topic on which generations predictably disagree, and Millennials really stand apart. Among Millennials, more than half (54%) feel consensual, safe sex among teens is OK.While seven in 10 adults (71%) believe sex education classes should primarily use practical skills to reinforce waiting for sex, a smaller majority of Millennials agree (57%). This compares to much higher rates among Gen X (74%), Boomers (75%) and Elders (85%). The other 43 percent of Millennials believe sex education should communicate that teen sex is OK, so long as young people consent and use contraception. Overall, only 29 percent of adults agree with this approach. Additionally, Millennials (38%) are more likely to say federal funding should be used to support this point of view compared to Boomers (9%) and Elders (6%).Family Status Shapes PerspectivesThose with children under 18 (77%) strongly believe sex education should support a message of waiting, while those without minor children still favor this idea albeit to a lesser degree (68%). Even so, parents who are actively raising children are more likely to say teen sex is OK (48% vs. 31% of those not raising children). Given that Millennials and Gen X are most likely to currently have children under 18, these statistics indicate that young parents may struggle with the tension between their broader progressive values and a desire for their own children to be selective.Married people (80%) and those who have been divorced (76%) are most likely to say the primary message of sex education should reinforce waiting, in contrast with the 57 percent of those who have never been married and 58 percent of those who have ever cohabited. Nearly all married (91%) and divorced (92%) people also believe it’s at least somewhat important that teens be encouraged to avoid sex. Among those who have never been married, three-quarters (73%) agree. It’s possible the experience of commitment in marriage fosters a less lenient view of sexuality, or that holding stringent perspectives encourages people to pursue marriage.Faith Influences Sex Education ApproachesFaith is the single most powerful factor influencing adults’ views of teen sex and sex education. When asked what primary message sex education classes should offer, 78 percent of self-identified Christians and 86 percent of practicing Christians agree it should be a message that uses practical skills to reinforce waiting for sex. By comparison, 52 percent of non-Christians agree. The group most enthusiastic about this approach is evangelicals, with 94 percent in agreement. Church activity makes a difference as well. Among weekly church attenders, 84 percent agree that sex education should encourage teens to wait. This presents a marked contrast with those who attend monthly (79%) or less often (63%).READ MORE: https://www.barna.com/research/sex-ed-teach-waiting-say-yes/?utm_source=Barna+Update+List&utm_campaign=4282c6a738-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_09_5&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8560a0e52e-4282c6a738-172178989&mc_cid=4282c6a738&mc_eid=60396d5a96
Boracay to host global MSME forum in 2020
MALAY, Aklan – The Department of Tradeand Industry is preparing to host the global Micro Small and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs) forum next year. “Our Trade and Industry specialistMarie Sherylyn Aquia has met with local officials in Malay to discuss necessarypreparations in the said global forum,” Ituralde said. The BAA plans to strengthen globalactions in order to harness the opportunities presented by open andincreasingly integrated markets and to take advantage of new opportunities thatallow these enterprises to more significantly participate in the global trade.(With APEC/PN) The Global MSME Forum 2020 will serveas a culminating activity for the implementation of the Asia-Pacific EconomicConference (APEC)-Boracay Action Plan Agenda (BAA). 
The initiative started when thePhilippines hosted the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting in theisland on 2015. DTI-Aklan chief Carmen Ituralde saidthe Bureau of the International Trade Relations will initiate the forum inBoracay Island. 
Mane: We are lucky to have Thiago in our team
Liverpool striker, Sadio Mane, has admitted the club are lucky to have Thiago Alcantara. The Spain international made his debut in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Chelsea, in which Mane scored both goals. read also:Mane destroys Chelsea as Liverpool star nets quickfire doubleAdvertisement Loading… Promoted Content7 Of The Wealthiest Universities In The World7 Ways To Understand Your Girlfriend BetterTV Characters Who Hated Each Other But Later Became FriendsTop 7 Best Car Manufacturers Of All Time10 Risky Jobs Some Women DoBest & Worst Celebrity Endorsed Games Ever MadeThe 10 Best Secondary Education Systems In The WorldThis Guy Photoshopped Himself Into Celeb Pics And It’s Hysterical10 Irresistibly Gorgeous Asian ActressesFascinating Ceilings From Different CountriesTop 10 TV Characters Meant To Be IconicWhich Country Is The Most Romantic In The World?
“Not only me, all the world knows what he is capable of doing,” said Mane about Thiago after the match. “He is one of the best players in the world, so we are lucky to have Thiago in our team. And I think today he showed that he is a great player.” FacebookTwitterWhatsAppEmail分享 
Aunt Becky Cites New Evidence that May Exonerate Her in College Cheating Scandal
(Boston, MA) — New evidence in the college cheating scandal may exonerate Aunt Becky.As a result, actress Lori Loughlin is asking for a delay for setting a trial date over charges in the massive admissions cheating scandal.The “Full House” star and her husband fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli filed the motion after new evidence showed the ring leader of the admissions scam claiming federal investigators badgered him into “lying” about clients paying donations versus bribes.College Admissions Ringleader Rick Singer Says FBI Told Him to Lie About Bribery https://t.co/7rPL9FL1me— TMZ (@TMZ) February 27, 2020 The evidence emerged in the case of another parent who’s being prosecuted. In notes taken from the phone of the scam’s mastermind, he suggests he told his clients they were paying donations to schools instead of bribes like prosecutors say. Evidence produced by prosecutors in the college admissions cheating scheme exonerates Lori Loughlin and her fashion designer husband, the couple’s attorneys said. https://t.co/i1DVtzCM1f— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 27, 2020
Warrican and Benn bowl Barbados to victory
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Not even a stunning half-century from rookie Fabian Allen could prevent Jamaica Scorpions from a sudden collapse, as they crashed to a 26-run defeat to Barbados Pride in their final match of the Regional four-day championship here yesterday.Starting the final day at Kensington Oval on 114 for one in pursuit of 341 for victory, Scorpions were dismissed for 314, in the second session, after suffering a swift lower order meltdown.Chadwick Walton, unbeaten on 70 overnight, made 93 while Trevon Griffith, who started the day on 25, made 53.Allen, in only his fourth first-class game, smashed an entertaining 60 off 35 deliveries and Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood chimed in with 44.Scorpions reached lunch on 241 for five – with another 100 runs required in the final two sessions of the contest.But Test left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican claimed five for 87 and veteran spinner Sulieman Benn, also a left-armer, picked up three for 90, as Scorpions lost their last five wickets for 73 runs.The defeat for Scorpions was their fifth of the campaign and their fourth in five outings in the latter half of the competition, after leading at the mid-season break.Starting the day in control of the run chase, Walton and Griffith extended their second wicket stand to 137 before being separated.Scorpions were increasing their stranglehold on the game when Grifftih swung Warrican to Ashley Nurse at mid-on at 162 for two. Just inside the hour mark, Walton perished with his fifth first-class century in sight, superbly taken at short leg by Kyle Corbin off off-spinner Kenroy Williams.All told, Walton faced 181 deliveries in a shade over 3-1/4 hours at the crease and counted seven fours and four sixes.Scenting a way back, Pride claimed Paul Palmer cheaply for five to a juggling catch at leg slip by Jonathan Carter off Warrican, as Scorpions slumped to 176 for four.Blackwood and the experienced Devon Thomas then came together to steady the innings, in a 65-run, fifth-wicket stand which seemed to be carrying Scorpions safely to the break.But Blackwood fell on the stroke of lunch, when he edged Benn to Nurse at slip at 241 for five, after he had struck three fours and a six in a breezy 66-ball knock.It all went haywire for Scorpions after lunch, with three wickets tumbling for five runs in the space of 20 balls to leave Scorpions on the verge of defeat at 251 for eight.However, Allen brandished his bat to good effect, blasting three fours and six sixes to rally the innings and give Scorpions hope.He put on a vital 44 for the ninth wicket with captain Nikita Miller (4) which rattled Pride before Warrican had Miller caught at slip by Benn.Allen’s last-ditch effort ended when he holed out to Kevin Stoute at cover off Warrican.PRIDE 1st innings 377SCORPIONS 1st innings 224PRIDE 2nd innings 187SCORPIONS 2nd innings (target: 341 runs) (o/n 114 for one)C. Walton c Corbin b Williams 93J. Campbell lbw b Nurse 10T. Griffith c Nurse b Warrican 53J. Blackwood c Nurse b Benn 44P. Palmer c Carter b Warrican 5D. Thomas lbw b Benn 24F. Allen c Stoute b Warrican 60D. Green lbw b Benn 1D. Bulli b Warrican 0N. Miller c Benn b Warrican 4J. Taylor not out 6Extras: (b-11, w-2, nb-1) 14Total: (all out, 87.1 overs) 314Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-162, 3-167, 4-176, 5-241, 6-246, 7-250, 8-251, 9-295.Bowling: Nurse 15-5-54-1, Greaves 13-2-39-0 (w-2, nb-1), Benn 24-4-90-3, Warrican 26.1-5-87-5, Williams 9-0-33-1.
Jamaica complete easy four-wicket win
BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Jamaica completed an easy four-wicket win over Leeward Islands here Tuesday, after Leeward Islands suffered a batting meltdown on the final day of the fourth round encounter in the Regional Under-19 Championship.Resuming at Conaree on 44 for two, the Leewards were dismissed cheaply for 126 with Kristoph Virgo claiming four for 40 and David Bird, three for 21.Paul Miller made 27 not out from 88 balls with a six but the batting collapsed around him to leave the Leewards staring at defeat.When the innings slumped to 78 for six, he staged the best stand of the innings, putting on 27 for the seventh wicket with Javani Tyson (10).Set 71 for victory, Jamaica were led to victory by Andre McCarty who top-scored with a run-a-ball 25.They lost Darren Small without scoring to the second ball of the innings without a run on the board but McCarty smashed three fours and two sixes in a 39-run, second wicket stand with opener Shavar Christie (10) to stabilise the run chase. Zawandi White picked up two for 13.
Cricket chiefs still planning for T20 World Cup in 2020 despite virus
London (AFP) – Global cricket chiefs said planning for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup in Australia was still going ahead as scheduled after they discussed the huge disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday.The conference call brought together the chief executives of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) 12 full member nations and three associate representatives.Global cricket is at a standstill as a result of COVID-19, with stark warnings issued over the damaging economic fallout.Thursday’s meeting received updates on contingency planning for all ICC global events, including the T20 World Cup, due to start in October, and next year’s women’s Cricket World Cup.Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts said his organisation was working closely with the ICC, the Australian government and local organisers to gain a “comprehensive understanding” of what it would take to host the T20 World Cup as planned.“We are also jointly exploring all other options in relation to staging the event and will take the right decisions at the right time so we can host a wonderful celebration of the sport and keep everyone involved safe and well,” he added.ICC medical committee chairman Peter Harcourt said the next step for cricket chiefs was to create a “roadmap” for the resumption of the international game.“This will consider everything from player preparation to government restrictions and advisories and bio-bubbles,” he said.“The scale and complexity of getting cricket started again cannot be underestimated, particularly with respect to a global event. The more teams, venues and cities involved in an event, the greater the risk which has to be assessed and managed.”The outbreak of the virus has also placed a huge question mark over whether next year’s inaugural World Test Championship final at Lord’s can take place as scheduled should teams be unable to play all their qualifying matches.The ICC added Thursday that discussions about the Championship’s future would be held at a later date “when there is a greater understanding of the impact of the cricket that has been lost”.