VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Embassy in Mexico City commemorated the 200^th anniversary of Mexican Independence on Sunday (26/9). During the commemoration, the Indonesian Embassy performed dances from many regions in Indonesia, namely Batak, Betawi, Balinese and Minangkabau. The performance involved Darmasiswa alumni, recipients of the Indonesian Arts and Culture Scholarship at the Francisco I Madera Theater, Tuxtla Gutierrez. This year’s anniversary of Mexico's Independence is different from the previous one, because it involved foreign embassies in Mexico, including the Indonesian Embassy in Mexico City.

Indonesian Ambassador to Mexico, Cheppy T. Wartono conveyed the importance of introducing cultures between Indonesia and Mexico to increase people-to-people contact, so it can open opportunities for further cooperation to materialize the welfare of the two countries. The event of Indonesian cultural performances in Chiapas was continued to explore economic cooperation by Ambassador, Cheppy Wartono, Governor of Chiapas, Dr. Rutilio Escandón Cadenas and Minister of Agriculture of Chiapas, Mtra  Zaynia Andrea Gil Vázquez through a meeting on Monday (27/9).

Chiapas is a state in Mexico which is fertile, green, and rich in natural wealth and it has lots of potential. Beginning with the commemoration of the 200 years of Mexican independence through Indonesian cultural performances, it is expected that it will continue with concrete cooperation between the Governments of Chiapas-Mexico and Indonesia.

The national airline Garuda Indonesia received a number of international recognitions at the "Skytrax World Airline Awards 2021" through the consistency of Garuda Indonesia as the best global airline. In this event, Garuda won awards in seven leading categories, namely Top 15 World's Best Airline, Top 4 World's Best Airline Cabin Crew, Top 5 World's Best Airport Service, Top 20 World's Best First Class Airlines, Top 20 World's Best Business Class Airlines, Top 10 World's Best Economy Class Airlines, and Top 6 Best Airline Staff in Asia.

Garuda Indonesia and its subsidiary, Citilink also received a special award by winning the "2021 Covid-19 Airline Excellence Awards". The predicate which is only given to 41 airlines in the world is based on an assessment of the implementation of the best health protocols carried out in all operational service lines of global airlines. The various achievements were previously officially announced through the "Skytrax World Airline Awards" website https://www.worldairlineawards.com on Tuesday (28/9). On the same occasion, Garuda Indonesia also succeeded in establishing its existence as the best airline in Indonesia by winning the titles "Best Airline in Indonesia", "Best Cabin Crew in Indonesia", and "Best Airline Staff in Indonesia".

Skytrax as an international air transportation rating agency from London, England assessed the 2021 Skytrax World Airline Awards based on the results of a survey conducted on global airline passengers from September 2019 to July 2021. President Director of Garuda Indonesia, Irfan Setiaputra said that this achievement means alot for Garuda Indonesia to always provide the best flight services in times full of challenges. He also explained that this is a matter of pride amid the Covid-19 pandemic that has a significant impact on the aviation industry and Garuda Indonesia can bring the nation's identity to the world stage through this achievement of global recognition.

The atmosphere of the cold war can still be felt in the Korean peninsula. North and South Koreas are still feuding and there is no sign of real peace. Various maneuvers in the form of military statements and actions are still ongoing. The role of major powers, which used to be the main factor in the splitting of North and South Koreas, still greatly influences the ups and down of tensions.

Recent diplomatic discourse has surfaced from Pyongyang regarding an emergency rapprochement or hotline. As quoted by various international mass media, North Korean state agency, KCNA reported that Kim Jong-un is willing to restore a hotline that can connect leaders and high-ranking officials of the two countries to communicate. KCNA also reported the North Korean leader's statement  that the resumption of emergency relations would be a means of realizing the hopes of the entire Korean nation.

Kim Jong-un's political rhetoric regarding the hotline came days after North Korea test-fired two hypersonic missiles towards the sea of Japan. This missile is said to have the potential to become one of the fastest and most accurate weapons in the world and can be equipped with a nuclear warhead.

Since the statement made by Kim Jong-un, until Friday October 1, there has been no response from South Korea. The hotline has not been restored  since North Korea disconnected it last August. The move was carried out by North Korea in reaction to South Korea's joint military exercises with the United States which is known to have always supported South Korea. On one hand, the United States seems to be consistent with its stance since the separation of the two Koreas after the end of the Second World War. On the other hand, North Korea's relationship with another super power at that time, the Soviet Union, was cut short when the country broke apart in the early 1990s. Yet, things improved again after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un held a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in April 2019. However, unlike Washington, the Kremlin did not openly support North Korea.

To be sure, both the United States and Russia certainly view the Korean peninsula as an important region in the geopolitical perspective of the East Asia region. Korean seas are also a world trade route, not only for Russia and the United States, but also for China and Japan. Seeing this reality, the conflict in the Korean peninsula and its resolution efforts will still involve major countries.

Ranupani is the most popular area for climbers of Mt. Semeru. Being located at an altitude of 2100 meters above sea level, the Ranupani village is the last village to climb Mt. Semeru. Every day, many tourists come by car, jeep, and motorbike to Ranupani village. Ranupani Tourism Village can be reached in several ways. For tourists from Lumajang City, they can go to Senduro and pass Alas Burno to arrive at this tourism village. Meanwhile, tourists coming from Malang can pass through the Tumpang market. They can also go through National Road III by taking a private vehicle or public transportation.

If you travel to Ranupani, you can also visit the lakes of Ranu Regulo and Ranu Kumbolo. Apart from traveling the natural tourism, you can also taste culinary of  various foods, including potato chips, stir-fried Tumewu, Tropong chili sauce, pre-onion chili sauce, Semenan nuggets, Semenan spring rolls, cement chips, and Tengger eggplant jam. If you are looking for souvenirs to take home, you can buy handicrafts made of bamboo as well as woven fabrics and batik.

Ranupani Tourism Village has also cultural performances, such as Jaran Kepang which has become one of the cultural attractions in the Ranu Pani area. To preserve culture, the tourism village has also built an amphitheater as a place for performing arts and cultures. For you who want to stay here, don't worry, there are 41 homestays available. There are also restaurant facilities and clean toilets. If one day you will go to Ranupani when the pandemic is over, don't forget to capture the natural beauty of this tourism village with your camera.