Day: April 23, 2023

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Police (Polri) recorded 933 traffic accidents in several regions in Indonesia from Tuesday (April 18) to Friday (April 21), or during four days of the 2023 Ketupat Operation.Polri's Ketupat Operation is aimed at securing the exodus and return flows of Indonesian citizens duringEid al-Fitron April 22. This year, the operation is carried out for 14 days, from April 18 to May 1. Polri's spokesperson for the 2023 Ketupat Operation Senior Commissioner Erdi Adrimurlan Chaniago, in a press release issued on Saturday (April 22), stated that the number of traffic accidents on Friday (April 21), or one day before Eid al-Fitr, stood at 486 cases. "Data of traffic accidents on Friday (April 21) is 486 incidents, with a detail of 55 people dead, 53 people severely injured, and 688 people slightly injured," he explained. If compared to Friday's data, the figure on Thursday (April 20) is lower, namely 187 cases of traffic accidents with a detail of 31 people dead, 20 severely injured, and 253 slightly injured. baca-jugaRelated news: President Jokowi asks residents to travel safely during Eid On Wednesday (April 19), there were 136 traffic accidents with no death or severely-injured victims. However, as many as 224 people were slightly injured in some accidents. Meanwhile, on Tuesday (April 18), there were 124 traffic accidents with a detail of 15 people dead, nine severely injured, and 138 slightly injured. The information on traffic accidents was compiled from data from 2023 Ketupat Operation posts spread across Indonesia. For this year's Eid al-Fitr, the Indonesian government has projected the number of Eid exodus travelers to reach 123 million. The figure reflects an increase as compared to the number of exodus travelers in 2022, which stood at 85 million. baca-jugaRelated news: Minister appeals to exodus travelers to return on April 26-29 Related news: Police chief, TNI head, Transport Minister review exodus flow

Source: Antara News Agency

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) lauded Indonesian Police's performance in providing security and comfort for residents during Eid al-Fitrcelebration and Eid exodus."This year's homecoming flow is relatively smooth. We lauded the hard work of the Police Chief and his officials who have anticipated and guided travelers properly," PBNU Secretary General Saifullah Yusuf stated, as per the statement here on Sunday. Yusuf pointed out that the police have anticipated traffic congestion by arranging contra-flow in toll roads and informing the public about alternative routes to relieve traffic jams at main exodus routes. "Residents have been well-informed, and they understand when they must travel and depart," he stated. The secretary general said with the police performancein handling the homecoming flow, he is optimistic the return flow will be smooth as well. Meanwhile, Yusuf urged travelers to be aware of travel planning by seeking the latest information from the police to avoid traffic congestion. "Now, we will see how residents develop their awareness to plan their travel, particularly during their return trip. Seek information from official resources, including the police, to decide the best time to depart," he emphasised. The Islamic organisation's secretary general also said that the number of travellers on this year's Eid exodus is surging significantly, as they are no longer being restricted by COVID-19 travel restrictions. Earlier, the Transportation Ministry estimated that at least 123.8 million residents would return to their hometowns during this year's Eid exodus, an increase from 85 million in 2022. Of the total projected travellers this year, 99.22 million are expected to travel by land, including 27.32 million residents by private car and 22.77 million by bus. "Despite (this year's Eid exodus) recording the largest number of travellers, the traffic congestion is not too bad. There are indeed jams at several places, but those have been promptly relieved by the quick action of police officers and other stakeholders," Yusuf remarked. baca-jugaRelated news: President Jokowi asks residents to travel safely during EidRelated news: Lampung monitoring exodus posts to curb COVID spreadRelated news: Some 362 thousand exodus train travelers departed from Jakarta: KAI

Source: Antara News Agency

About 60 percent of South Koreans in their 20s and 30s said unification with North Korea is not necessary, a survey showed Sunday, amid a prolonged impasse in inter-Korean relations and denuclearization talks.

The survey, commissioned by a civic media group called Barun Media Citizen Action, found that 61 percent of people in their 20s and 30s say Korean reunification is "not absolutely necessary."

In comparison, 24 percent of them say unification with North Korea is "absolutely necessary."

North Korea has ramped up tensions by carrying out a flurry of weapons tests, including a recent launch of what it claimed to be a solid-fuel Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile.

According to the survey of 1,001 people, 91 percent of them have unfavorable views of China and 88 percent have unfavorable views of North Korea.

In contrast, 67 percent have favorable views of the United States and 63 percent have favorable views of Japan.

The poll, conducted by pollster KOPRA from April 13-18, had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

President Yoon Suk Yeol plans to award South Korea's highest military order to three Korean War veterans from the U.S. during his state visit next week, the presidential office here said Sunday.

Yoon is set to depart for Washington on Monday for a six-day state visit marking the 70th anniversary of the two countries' alliance.

During the visit, Yoon plans to hold a luncheon event with 300 key figures from South Korea and the U.S., and award the Taegeuk Order of Military Merit to three American servicemen who fought for South Korea in the 1950-53 Korean War, the presidential office said in a press release.

It will mark the first time a South Korean president bestows a military order outside of the country.

The three awardees are retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett, retired Navy Capt. Elmer Royce Williams and Baldomero Lopez, a late first lieutenant who served in the Marine Corps. A nephew will attend the awarding ceremony on behalf of the late Lopez.

Puckett led the Eighth Army Ranger Company through the battle for Hill 205 on November 25, 1950, while Williams is known for his solo dogfight with seven Soviet pilots in November 1952. Lopez heroically smothered a hand grenade with his own body during the Incheon Landing on Sept. 15, 1950, and saved his subordinates' lives.

Yoon plans to commemorate the sacrifices of Korean War veterans and underline the meaning of the Korea-U.S. alliance during the luncheon.

A grandson of Gen. James Alward Van Fleet, commander of the U.S. 8th Army from 1951-53, and the eldest daughter of Gen. Paik Sun-yup, commander of the Korean Army's 1st Division and a Korean War hero, will also join the event as invited guests.

Source: Yonhap News Agency

Director General of the Department of Information Revealed that now there are 212 Thai people registered to evacuate. Initially, there were no reports of Thai people injured. As for the return trip to Thailand, it is expected to be early this week.

Progress of helping Thai people in Sudan after the Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to closely monitor the situation and ordered to carry out assistance to Thai people as quickly and safely as possible

Mrs. Kanchana Phatrachok, Director-General of the Department of Information and spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Revealed about helping Thai people in Sudan that all relevant units Especially the Thai embassy in Cairo. embassy in riyadh and the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Jeddah have cooperated closely to prepare a plan to evacuate Thai people Especially students return to Thailand safely.

Currently, there are 212 Thais registering for immigration, about 200 of whom are Thai students from the southern border provinces. Studying in Khartoum

The evacuation is expected to travel overland to an area. After that, it will go to a point where the Air Force can pick up the plane. Initially, there were no reports of Thai people injured. All parties involved try their best to take action. everyone must be safe As for the return trip to Thailand, it is expected to be early this week. Because there are limitations, so I don't want to cause expectations. But everything is ready. .-Thai News Agency

Source: Thai News Agency