VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInew,Jakarta: PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC) recorded that it had transported 21,144 passengers on D-1 of the 2024 Vesak Day long holiday and collective leave.

"Entering the Vesak Day long weekend , Whoosh Fast Train passengers on Wednesday (22/5) reached 21,144 passengers, an increase of around 30 percent compared to normal days," said KCIC General Manager Corporate Secretary Eva Chairunisa in a statement in Jakarta, Thursday.

He said that the public's favorite departure schedule on Wednesday is from 11.30 WIB until the last schedule at 20.30 WIB where the occupancy reaches 80 to 100 percent.

Eva said that KCIC has anticipated the high public interest in going on holiday by operating a total of 48 Whoosh trip schedules.

"KCIC provides 28 thousand seats per day to serve people who want to vacation during this long weekend . "This number has increased by 20 percent when compared to the seating capacity that KCIC provided last April," said Eva. "

For departures on May 23, tickets departing from Halim Station to Padalarang and Tegalluar stations from departures at 06.00 WIB to 16.10 WIB, the occupancy is already above 95 percent. .

Based on the data collected, Eva continued, tickets sold on May 23-26 had reached 36 thousand tickets. This number will continue to increase due to ongoing sales in various channels .

Eva reminded prospective KCIC passengers to time their journey to the station so they don't experience delays.

"Passengers are expected to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. This is because the boarding gate will be closed 5 minutes before departure for passenger safety reasons." closed Eva.

Eva added that for people who want to get further information about facilities, KCIC can contact the information center at the station or the KCIC Contact Center via 150909, WhatsApp chat to 0815-1032-0909, email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , as well as ⁠ Instagram reply and DM to @keretacepat_id.

VOInews, Jakarta: The White House on Wednesday (22/5) reiterated its rejection of unilateral recognition of the Palestinian state after three European countries, namely Ireland, Norway and Spain, recognized the Palestinian state.

Responding to the actions of the three European countries, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that any Palestinian state must be formed through direct negotiations with Israel.

"What I can tell you is we believe the only way you're going to achieve a two-state solution that benefits both Israel and the Palestinians is through direct negotiations between the two sides," he told reporters at the White House.

The three European countries said Wednesday that they would officially recognize a Palestinian state on May 28, a move that was a major blow to Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long opposed a Palestinian state, and most recently rejected it on Wednesday when he said recognition by Ireland, Norway and Spain "is a gift to terrorism and will not bring peace."

He charged that a Palestinian state would become a "terrorist state," and insisted that his government "will not agree to this" and "will not stop him from defeating Hamas."

Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's finance minister, separately threatened to take "harsh punitive measures" against the Palestinian Authority (PA) in retaliation for recognizing a Palestinian state, including cutting the government's tax revenues.

"At the last cabinet meeting, many ministers, including me, firmly put forward demands for harsh punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority for its unilateral actions against Israel, including its efforts to obtain unilateral recognition and its support for the legal case against Israel in The Hague," Smotrich said .

Tax revenues - known in Palestine and Israel as "maqasa" - are collected by the Israeli government on behalf of the Palestinian Authority on Palestinian imports and exports, and Israel in return gets a 3 percent commission.

His income is estimated at around 188 million US dollars (around Rp. 3 trillion) every month and is the main source of income for the Palestinian Authority.

"What the United States can do through tough diplomacy and 'informal' diplomacy, led by the president's secretary of state, myself and others is realizing the vision of an integrated region, a secure Israel, and a two-state solution," Sullivan said.

He said this when asked about Israel's longstanding refusal to get involved in any process that would lead to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

“Israel is a sovereign country, ultimately they have to decide what they are going to do. "What we can do as friends is try to make efforts to make this happen," he added.

UNDP Global Water Senior Technical Advisor, Dr. Mary M. Matthews during thw interview made avalaible by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday (21/05/24) (Photo : NK-VOI) -

VOInews, Bali : UNDP seeks an integrated approach in overcoming the challenge of access to quality water. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), together with representatives of its office in Indonesia, played an important role in promoting sustainable water solutions at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali.

Carrying the forum theme, "Water for Shared Prosperity," UNDP is committed to ensuring fair and sustainable access to clean water for all.

Met after the press conference, UNDP Global Water Senior Technical Advisor, Dr. Mary M. Matthews said that UNDP has a role to overcome various challenges so that all levels of society can enjoy clean drinking water.

"We're working on UNDP to help to address these challenges in the most fast and effective way. So that not only people in urban areas but people in rural areas who don't have access to clean save drinking water will also have that and that's something that UNDP was dedicated to do it", Mary said.

Marry added that if everyone looked at the value of water like money then we would see a different world.

"Very much like having the world water forum here in Bali, which has been absolutely wonderful, it's a delight to be here. And I think it's wonderful that it's hosted here in Indonesia. It's a wonderful opportunity to truly showcase the success and challenges that face the entire region. When it comes to water, water quality, water access, water security, global water in an association as a challenge that collectively. We have to look at this, if we start thinking about water and valuing water the way we value money we will see a very different world and it's time to start thinking about that right now.", She said.

UNDP's commitment to water security also extends to 170 other countries. By embracing digitalization, innovation and various financing mechanisms, UNDP seeks to drive progress towards equitable access to clean water and sustainable water management for all.

The 10th World Water Forum provides a unique platform for UNDP to share its expertise, encourage collaboration and advocate for water as a fundamental pillar of shared prosperity. As a global integrator for water governance, UNDP is dedicated to build a water-secure future for all//VOI-NK

Reading Bugs Indonesia activist, Ihdinal Hikmatin Tajdidah during the training in Aceh (foto : Perpusnas) -

VOInews, Aceh : Reading aloud is an effort to foster a love of reading from an early age and children's interest in books. They are taught to interact with books from an early age.

Children who are often read to aloud and chatted with by their parents, indirectly stimulate their cognitive abilities to develop.

This was conveyed by Reading Bugs Indonesia activist, Ihdinal Hikmatin Tajdidah, when providing Reading Aloud training, in Aceh, Tuesday (21/5/2024).

The main targets of this training are teachers at the elementary level, parents and librarians.

"Children need to get used to reading aloud from an early age, it can even be started during the pregnancy phase," added Ihdinal.

"The reading aloud technique is not just about teaching children how to read but also how to create an atmosphere so that children are interested in listening to the other person reading," said National Library Librarian, Rani Kustiani.

The illustrations in storybooks will build children's imagination so that interaction between teachers and children is needed.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Tuesday (21/05/24), after conducting the training, participants were given the opportunity to practice Reading Aloud in front of kindergarten children//VOI