VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

NASA said on Saturday that it was scrapping Tuesday's plans to launch Artemis, the U.S. return to the moon after five decades, noting concerns about a tropical storm headed to Florida.

Tropical Storm Ian is expected to hit Florida, home to the Kennedy Space Center, next week, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

Apart from weather and technical challenges like a fuel leak, Artemis I, the uncrewed test flight, signals a major turning point for NASA's post-Apollo human spaceflight program, after decades focused on low-Earth orbit with space shuttles and the International Space Station. Artemis will be headed to the moon, as a stepping stone for a future flight to Mars.

Named for the goddess who was Apollo's twin sister in ancient Greek mythology, Artemis aims to return astronauts to the moon's surface as early as 2025, though many experts believe that time frame will likely slip. (Reuters)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday after a meeting with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that he wants to deepen the energy partnership between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters, Scholz said that the partnership should go beyond fossil fuels to include hydrogen and renewable energies.

Germany, until recently heavily dependent on Russia for gas, has been seeking to diversify its energy supply since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

Scholz, on a two-day trip to the Gulf, said he also addressed issues involving human and civil rights in talks with the prince.

Prominent German politicians from an array of parties called on Scholz to address the matters in an article on Saturday in Der Spiegel.

"You can assume that nothing was left unsaid," he said when asked if he had also discussed the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Khashoggi's killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul four years ago triggered a global outcry and put pressure on Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler.

A U.S. intelligence report released a year ago said the prince had approved the operation to kill or capture Khashoggi, but the Saudi government denied any involvement by the crown prince and rejected the report's findings.

In a sign of thawing relations, U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron have visited the country and met with the prince. (Reuters)

The Indian government appreciates Indonesia's readiness, especially the province of Bali, as the organizer of the G20 Summit. The G20 Summit will be held in Nusa Dua, 15-16 November 2022.

"Bali is a very well-known tourist destination in the eyes of the world and is indeed very appropriate. Bali was chosen as the venue, because seen from the hotel infrastructure and others it is very adequate," said the G20 Coordinator of the Indian Delegation, Harsh Vardhan Shringla in Denpasar, Friday (23/9). /2022).

Shringla also expressed his admiration for Bali for involving and cooperating with village officials to participate in securing the G20 Summit. Indonesia's preparation, he said, would be a lesson for India, which will host the 2023 G20 Summit.

Meanwhile, Governor Tjokorda explained the readiness of all devices in his region to support the successful implementation of the G20 Summit. "All hotels passed six assessment parameters, including completeness of infrastructure, understanding of disasters, early warning systems, and the ability to respond to disasters," he said.

According to Tjokorda, these parameters are an effort to prepare hotels in Bali for the G20 Summit in the event of a disaster. Such as fires, riots, natural disasters, and ready to evacuate visitors to complete equipment.

Regarding hotel readiness in terms of disaster preparedness, the feasibility assessment process is carried out by the Bali Hotel Association (BHA). And the Bali Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the National Police, the Meteorology, Climatology, Geophysics Agency (BMKG), and SAR.

In addition, these hotels are also guaranteed in terms of security, because they already have a certificate issued by the Bali Police. Hotels and villas, he said, are also required to have a Cleanliness certificate. (RRI)

Director of the Protection of Indonesian Citizens (WNI) of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Judha Nugraha said, Indonesian citizens in Russia are in safe condition. This is after the announcement of partial mobilization delivered by President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (21/09/2022).

Judha ensured that coordination with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Moscow continued. "We continue to coordinate with representatives and the condition of Indonesian citizens is safe," said Judha Nugraha at a press briefing on Thursday (22/09/2022).

The Indonesian government is also preparing a contingency plan, taking into account further conditions in Russia. Judha explained that this was done in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Number 5 of 2018.

"We continue to coordinate and prepare contingency plans, as mandated by Permenlu number 5 of 2018. Every representative is required to have a plan," he said.

On the same occasion, the Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Teuku Faizasyah, stated that Indonesia was observing closely through representatives in Ukraine and Russia. So, according to him, it is also intended to provide an assessment of the extent to which these things have the potential to cause security escalation in conflict areas.

"We continue to observe and follow developments. Including the statements issued by President Putin," he said.

The presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi who is currently in the 77th UN General Assembly (SMU) Session. It is said to be a good opportunity for Indonesia to communicate and consult with various parties related to the Russia-Ukraine issue.

"Hopefully, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will be able to provide an update. Departing from the various consultations that were carried out," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on partial mobilization, which began on Wednesday (21/09/2022). In a message broadcast on national television, Putin said the partial mobilization was aimed at "liberating" the Donbas region of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the partial mobilization will only recruit citizens who are now in reserve status. "Only people in the military reserves will be recruited," he said.

"Priority will be on people who serve in the armed forces and have military specialization and experience. The decree on partial mobilization has been signed".

Quoted from Sky News, an explanation of Russia's partial mobilization. According to the decree published on the Kremlin website, the call will only apply to reserves with military experience. (RRI)