Heavy rainfall is expected over Segamat, Kluang, Mersing, Kulai and Kota Tinggi in Johor, Jerantut, Maran, Kuantan, Bera and Rompin in Pahang, and Dungun and Kemaman in Terengganu.

Heavy rainfall was forecast to hit Keningau, Tambunan, Ranau, Kota Belud, Sandakan and Kudat in Sabah.

Northeast monsoon rains have caused floods in nine out of 10 districts in Johor as well as two districts in Pahang.

In Pahang, 1,055 people from 271 families in Rompin and 19 flood victims in Temerloh were evacuated as at noon on Monday.

Strong winds of between 40kph and 50kph with waves reaching 3.5m high are also forecast over the coastal areas of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and East Johor.

This can cause seawater flood estuaries and coastal areas, the statement said.

In Kudat, Sabah, a relief centre was opened on Monday after the water level rose.

According to the Fire and Rescue Department, 124 people from Kampung Korina, Kampung Naradang, Kampung Popot and Kampung Andap were evacuated.

The National Stadium was completed on Nov. 30 after three years of construction. It has five stories above ground and two below, and covers about 69,600 square meters, or about twice the size of the former National Stadium.

It will be the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies, track and field events, and the women’s soccer final at the Tokyo Olympics. The opening and closing ceremonies and track and field events at the Tokyo Paralympics will also take place at the new stadium.

The quake struck at 2:11 p.m. with epicenter 6 kilometers northwest of Padada.

Phivolcs said that the tremor was of tectonic origin and had a 30-kilometer depth of focus, sending people out of their houses and buildings in Digos City.

The tremor was also felt in other areas at various intensities:

Reported Intensities:

•         Intensity VII – Matanao & Magsaysay, Davao del Sur
•         Intensity VI – Kidapawan City; General Santos City; Bansalan, Davao del Sur; Alabel & Malapatan,
•         Sarangani; Koronadal City
•         Intensity V – Tulunan & Matalam, Cotabato; Cotabato City; Davao City; Glan, Sarangani
•         Intensity III – Kalilangan, Talakag & Dangcagan, Bukidnon
•         Intensity II – Impasugong, Bukidnon; Cagayan de Oro City; Dipolog City
•         Intensity I – Zamboanga del Sur

Instrumental Intensities:

•         Intensity VIII – Malungon, Sarangani
•         Intensity VI – Alabel, Sarangani; Kidapawan City
•         Intensity V – General Santos City; Koronadal City; Tupi, South Cotabato
•         Intensity III – Gingoog City
•         Intensity II – Zamboanga City; Kiamba, Sarangani

Residents in the area may expect further aftershocks and damage, Phivolcs added.

In October, a string of powerful temblors struck Mindanao, leaving several dead, dozens hurt and houses and buildings destroyed or damaged

Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN, introduced priorities during the country’s tenure on the UNSC at a press conference in New York on Thursday (local time).

The Ambassador said that Việt Nam would also try to engage in the reform of the council’s operations and the active cooperation between the council and regional organisations.

He said that Việt Nam would voice its opinions on major issues such as the protection of civilians and essential infrastructure work in conflict areas, the safeguarding of women and children during armed conflicts, the settlement of bombs and mines left by war, and the UN peacekeeping operations.

Countering the impacts of climate change on peace and security would also be among priorities for Việt Nam in the year, he stated.

Answering reporters’ questions on whether Việt Nam would work for stronger voices of non-permanent members at the UNSC, the diplomat said that the efforts of a sole member could not make any change. However, if all non-permanent members worked together, things might be different, he said.

Regarding the relationship between Việt Nam and the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK), especially after Việt Nam’s hosting of the second DPRK-US Summit in early 2019, Ambassador Quý said that Việt Nam and the DPRK had both multilateral and bilateral ties, and Việt Nam was striving to deliver to the DPRK its message that opening its doors and integrating into the world would make each country stronger and assist with its development.

Việt Nam had shared its experience with the DPRK in normalising the relationship with the US, he said, noting that Việt Nam and the US had lifted their relations to a comprehensive partnership.

Answering questions on whether Việt Nam would bring the East Sea issue to the UNSC discussions, Quý said that for a matter to be debated at the council, there should be support from at least nine member countries. Việt Nam would do what it should and could do at a suitable time, he added.

The Vietnamese representative also answered questions on other outstanding matters such as the reconstruction of Syria, the human rights situation in some countries as well as humanitarian relief activities of the UN.

Currently, Việt Nam has finished preparations to take the responsibilities of a non-permanent member of the UNSC. As the Chair of the UNSC starting in January 2020, Việt Nam will chair the council’s meetings, and after receiving the permission from the council, Việt Nam will represent the council as a UN agency. VNS

Read more at http://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/569840/viet-nam-introduces-priorities-during-tenure-on-un-security-council.html#Fu3AIuFO8TRghxt8.99

Ten paintings from Cambodian artist Khun Kolkateka and 30 photographs from German photographer Arjay Stevens will be displayed in the first exhibition of the Khmer Arts and Traditions cycle at the commercial contemporary art gallery.

After its official opening last Thursday, the exhibition will remain open to the public until January 10.

The founder of Sra’ Art Gallery, Cecile Eap, describes the Apsaras and Legends of Cambodia as an exhibition of mixed media inspired not just by the Princess, but by all of the legends of Cambodia.

On the ground floor of the gallery, artist Kolkateka’s paintings are displayed where each work represents the bridging of a variety of arenas – politics, society and culture – in the international realm toward Cambodia.

Born and raised in Phnom Penh, Kolkateka’s passion for Khmer art started at a young age while his taste for European art history and techniques were cultivated during his middle school and high school years.

“His love for Cambodia’s elaborate art style, combined with his deep interest in European art, creates a balance between the two worlds – his Kingdom and that of the West,” Eap says.

Kolkateka’s collection reflects the work of an artist with a profound connection to the rich history and culture of his country. His distinctive personal style emanates joy and peace and expresses the vibrant spirit of Cambodia’s past. “Cambodia resides in the hot spot of the cultural influences of India, China, and Europe through the French colonisation. This exhibition serves as a gateway to Cambodia’s myths and folktales, and Khmer lifestyle and aesthetics,” says Eap.

One of the artist’s most captivating pieces is entitled Choices – a painting which depicts a portrait of the late Princess in her youth. “The painting, inspired by Her Royal Highness Norodom Buppha Devi, depicts an Apsara gracefully holding a lotus flower. It is about making choices, which is a part of life. Some may choose to embrace what is and let go of what was, while some may choose the opposite,” explains Eap.

On the first floor, 30 photographs from photographer Stevens show Apsara dancers posing with elaborate hand gestures. Apsarases still represent Cambodia’s national identity in all kinds of art, particularly in dance.

Eap recounts: “After the forced standstill of all kinds of arts during the nightmare of the Khmer Rouge period from 1975-79, only 10 per cent of the dancers survived the massacres. But a handful of great masters have created a revival in that classical dance form.”

Stevens’ interest in Southeast Asia dates back to his first visit to the region in 1996. This would be followed by thousands of photographs of the Kingdom taken by him in the past two decades.

The exhibited photographs of Stevens showcase the portraits he took of the late Princess Buppha Devi.

“The Princess was giving a press conference about the new programme of the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in December 2017. She was sitting in a side room and Stevens asked her if he could take a photograph. She has known him for many years so she was very relaxed [while her photograph was being taken],” notes Eap.

Eap says the Princess also requested her portrait to be taken during an exhibition of Rodin’s drawings at the National Museum of Cambodia. “She asked him to deliver the print to the Royal Palace but ended up delivering them personally to her home. He believes the picture is still there with her family,” Eap says.

Another notable work of Stevens is his photograph book, which represents a parallelism of ancient Angkor bas-reliefs and the contemporary Apsara dancers of today, where today’s dancers have started injecting subtle modern changes in the costumes and dance forms of Apsarases.

Because of the legacy that Princess Buppha Devi left in Khmer art, Eap feels like this is the right time to host an art exhibition not just to pay homage to the late princess but also to commemorate the origin of Khmer arts and its influence over the works of artists in the Kingdom today.

“We wanted to be able to showcase the lasting influence that the late Princess has had on Cambodian culture, and have it in a space accessible to everyone,” she adds.

As a commercial art gallery, all the exhibited artworks are for sale, with the profits to be shared by the promoting artists and the gallery.

The Apsaras and Legends of Cambodia exhibition will be open until January 10 at Sra’Art Gallery located at No 7/9E0, Sothearos Boulevard, across the park from the National Museum and the Royal Palace, between Street 178 and Wat Ounaloum.

With new trails opening up and roads reaching previously inaccessible areas, adventurous mountain bikers are increasingly taking to Nepal’s hills and mountains.

The KaliX Mountain Biking Festival was wheeled out on Friday as an official Visit Nepal 2020 event, in recognition of mountain biking’s tourism. The KaliX festival joins established biking events like Yak Attack, YakRu, Pokhara IV, and the Grand Himalayan Enduro, which is part of the Enduro World Series. Nepal, and the world, appears to be slowly waking up to the country’s potential as a premier adventure biking destination, with features on Red Bull TV and National Geographic.

“Mountain biking was always there, but somewhere on the sideline,” said Raj Gyawali, founding director of the Kathmandu Kora Cycling Challenge and the travel company Social Tours. “Right now, more and more people are getting into sustainable ways of tourism. Mountain biking is one of those.”

Gyawali officially announced the KaliX festival on Friday at the Visit Nepal 2020 offices. The event will be held along the Kaligandaki gorge, said to be the deepest in the world, and follows a Visit Nepal 2020 directive to develop offerings for mountain bikers.

The portal nepalbycycle.com, which was also launched on Friday, will provide information on trails and the KaliX festival, which will have both competitive and recreational events for different styles of riding like enduro and cross-country. Alongside the event, associated trails will also be demarcated and dedicated mountain biking trails explored, said Gyawali.

The potential of mountain biking in Nepal has not yet been fully trapped, said Shyam Gyan Limbu, managing director of Gravity Nepal and race director for Grand Himalayan Enduro. Limbu, who started cycling in 2009, said that he’s seen a meteoric rise in the domestic popularity of the sport, but wanted to see it pushed as part of Visit Nepal 2020.

“One of the challenges we face is that mountain biking [in Nepal] is not as well known around the world, compared to other countries,” he said.

Mustang is one of the most popular destinations for visitors, he told the Post, but there is a swathe of other opportunities around the country.

Cycling tours have been benefiting from increased access in recent years. While trekkers may lament road construction in areas like Annapurna, Manang and Gorkha, it has actually favoured cyclists, according to Limbu. As soon as a path is cleared for a road, it almost instantly becomes rideable for cyclists, he said.

“On the Annapurna circuit, we used to carry our bikes 60 percent of the time, and ride 40 percent,” said Limbu.

Five-time Yak Attack winner Ajay Chettri calls it the “hike and bike”, something that tourists actually look for—he took a group over Gorkha’s Larke Pass via mountain bike. But with a new road, the Annapurna Circuit is easier to access while Manaslu may become a mountain biking destination in the coming decade.

Gyawali doesn’t necessarily agree that “rampant” road construction has been good for cyclists. The benefits of construction mostly came in the form of being able to access places previously unreached, such as Mustang.

The growing popularity of mountain biking has meant that there are between 2,000 and 3,000 bikers visiting Nepal every year, Gyawali estimates, but that’s not enough for the industry to survive. Events like KaliX could go some way towards bringing in more bikers but it would be best for Nepal to target Asia, rather than Europe or the Americas, says Chhetri.

“It’s expensive to come here and it’s far away for many,” he said. “The government should be targeting Asia as there are lots of mountain bikers here.”

Gyawali agrees, as there is growing interest in mountain biking in Asia, particularly in China, Indonesia and Thailand, which poses potential for growth.

But mountain biking is not just for tourists; there is a lot of domestic interest and potential. There are cycle rallies in Kathmandu that attract up to 3,000 people and that number is only likely to increase, bolstered by Lalitpur’s cycle lanes and Kathmandu’s proposed plans.

No matter what part of town one lives in, there is an available trail or two not far away. If one lives in the north, there’s Shivapuri; in the south, there are places such as Phulchowki, Hattiban and Chobhar; towards Bhaktapur, people can venture into the hills, to places like Nagarkot, said Chhetri. There are also tours that span from Chitwan to Tansen, to Pokhara.

“Those are good for people who don’t want to do hardcore stuff at high altitudes,” said Chhetri.

Although there are hopes that Visit Nepal 2020’s newfound acknowledgement of the sport could lead to a mountain biking boom, Gyawali remains circumspect.

“I never know with these things because there are so many factors that go into it,” he said. “But there’s no doubt about it—the sport is on the rise.”

For all the grim foreboding of air pollution, most particularly in Delhi and Kolkata but elsewhere too, the signal from Madrid cannot but be comforting for the people of India. Whether or not it would be justified quite yet to engage in a bout of drum-beating, it sure is an encouraging development that the country ~ for the first time ~ ranks among the top ten (Ninth rank) in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) that has been advanced at the ongoing UN conference on climate change in Madrid.

This is a distinct improvement from the eleventh position. The annual report is explicit on the point that India has fared well in the four crucial parameters ~ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, renewable energy, climate policy and energy use. The fact that no country has made it to the Top Three would suggest that overall the environment as well as the climate remain direly distressing. The slots have been left vacant as none of the countries assessed is “on a trajectory that is compatible with the Paris Agreement of 2015”.

Rightly has India asked the rich nations to “look in the mirror” and first assess whether those who actually developed their economies by emitting carbon in the past have delivered on their promises, instead of merely looking for new goalposts and treating disasters as an opportunity to “profit” from. “It’s time for reflection and assessment as we near the end of the pre-2020 period”, has been this country’s message to the comity of nations. The CCPI is a ranking of 57 countries. The European Union is collectively responsible for about 90 per cent of the global GHS emissions. The CCPI 2020 indicates that the EU collectively (22nd) and China (30th) rank below India in the list. The world’s second largest global emitter, the United States of America, has been ranked at the bottom of the scale, in the also-ran category. It has been placed in the company of Turkey, Poland, Japan, Russia, Canada and Australia. A lesson there for the likes of Donald Trump.

The improvement in India’s position is embedded in the current level of per capita emissions and use of energy. Both are still relatively low in India. The report states: “While the country receives an overall medium rating in the renewable energy category, India’s 2030 renewable energy target is rated as very high for its well-below 2 degree C compatibility”. While India’s overall rating in terms of Climate Policy has been remarkably high, the word of caution advanced by experts also calls for reflection.

Not the least because “the government has yet to develop a roadmap for the phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies that would consequently reduce the country’s high dependence on coal”. The fineprint must be that despite the achievement, India still has promises to keep and miles to go before any proud boast of a clean ambience.

With an HDI value of 0.707, Indonesia ranked 111 out of 189 countries and territories last year, the UN Development Program (UNDP) revealed at the launch of its latest Human Development Report in Sarinah, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday.

UNDP Indonesia resident representative Christophe Bahuet congratulated the country for its “historic achievement”, saying it was a result of a strong national commitment to improving human development in many aspects, including economic, health and education, which are measured by the HDI.

Indonesia’s HDI value has increased from 0.525 in 1990 when the annual HDR was first released by the UNDP.

Since then, the country’s average life expectancy grew from 62.3 years to 71.5 years, the number of years of schooling increased from 3.3 years to eight years and expected years of schooling climbed from 10.1 years to 12.9 years.

The archipelago’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita increased by 155.9 percent to US$11,256 in 2018 from $4,399 in 1999.

Despite the improvement, Bahuet also highlighted that inequality remained a problem that prevented the country from achieving its maximum potential.

“If you are an Indonesian man, your HDI is 0.727 but if you are a woman, your HDI is 0.681,” Bahuet said, adding that women were the largest victims of inequality.

Therefore, he suggested that the country make sure there were public policies to provide similar opportunities for all.

“Equality really matters as it can make further progress in HDI.”

The UNDP showed in its written statement that 17.4 percent of Indonesia’s HDI value was lost on account of inequality — a greater loss compared to most of its East Asian and Pacific neighbors, where the average loss on account of inequality stands at 16.6 percent.

The UNDP divides the index into the low, medium, high and very high categories. The range for the high category starts from 0.700 to 0.799. The latest report shows that there are 62 countries in the “very high” category, including Singapore at ninth place, Brunei Darussalam at 43rd and Malaysia at 61st. Indonesia is among 54 countries in the high category, along with Thailand at 77th place and Philippines at 106th.