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The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
From toy to threat: ‘Killer kites' bring chaos to Indonesian airspace
TANGERANG, (Indonesia): From a distance, they looked like harmless black specks dancing in the sky. But for aviation security, they were a red alert. On a quiet afternoon in Neglasari, a sub-district just kilometres from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, a patrol team sprang into action. Its target? Kites. Four uniformed officers stepped out of an open-backed truck and fanned out across a cemetery. They scanned the sky for rogue kites – and the ground, for the children flying them. Leading the operation was Ito Sucipto, the sub-district's head of public security and order. His mission was simple: Stop the kites before they went anywhere near a plane. That day, three boys aged between 12 and 16 ran down narrow alleys as the patrol closed in. A homemade reel lay abandoned between gravestones. Overhead, a kite flailed in the wind. Not far away, a commercial plane began its descent. 'Stop, stop! Do not run, come back!' Ito shouted. 'That kite could bring down a plane.' One officer grabbed the string. Another reeled it in. The kite vanished into the patrol vehicle – one of a handful confiscated in recent weeks. It is a familiar scene in one of Indonesia's most unusual crackdowns, on an airborne threat hiding in plain sight. Kite flying is a popular pastime in the country, but kites flown in restricted aviation zones have been a menace for years and is one that is hard to cut out completely. Patrols were ramped up in Jakarta after kite-flying surged during the school holidays from June 28 to July 12, causing chaos in the skies. Between July 4 and 6 alone, 21 flights were disrupted: nine were diverted, six had landings aborted, five cancelled approaches and one aircraft turned back. All were blamed on kites. Every case occurred within the Flight Operations Safety Area, or KKOP, a strictly controlled red zone covering Neglasari and districts within a 15km radius of the Jakarta airport. On July 7, AirNav Indonesia, which manages the country's air traffic control, issued a Notam – a Notice to Airmen – warning of the danger. 'We regret that today there are still people who ignore advisories to stop flying kites around the airport area,' said the AirNav president director, Captain Avirianto Suratno, in a statement. 'We sincerely ask the public, especially those near the airport, to stop flying kites. Because it is extremely dangerous and severely threatens the safety of aircraft and the lives of their passengers,' he added. People seen flying kites at a paddy field which is located within 15km of Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta international airport's flight operations safety area, a strictly controlled red zone. - Photo: ST From toy to threat In Indonesia, kite-flying is more than a hobby. In places like Bali, it is a sacred ritual – a way to thank the gods and pray for good harvests. Some fly kites to make a statement. 'Residents flew kites intentionally to pressure the local government – demanding things like sports fields,' aviation analyst Alvin Lie told The Straits Times. 'If ignored, they flew them at night with lights, tied them down, and walked away.' Children learn to make their own kites from bamboo and coloured paper. Others buy them at roadside stalls for as little as 1,000 rupiah (about eight Singapore cents). But the risks go far beyond mischief. Between May and July 2020, seven Garuda Indonesia flights were affected by stray kites. In one alarming case, strings and bamboo sticks became tangled in a plane's propeller. The carrier reportedly spent about US$4,000 (S$5,100) on inspections and repairs. On Oct 23, 2020, a Citilink ATR 72-600 hit a kite while landing in Yogyakarta. The remains latched onto the landing gear. The twin-turboprop passenger plane landed safely, but officials warned the outcome could have been catastrophic had the kite struck a propeller or been sucked into an engine. On July 19, 2024, a Bell 505 helicopter crashed in Bali after its rotors sliced into kite strings. The pilot, a crew member, an Indonesian passenger, and two Australian tourists survived, but two of them were seriously injured. Flying kites, drones or any aerial object in restricted airspace is illegal under Indonesia's 2009 Aviation Law. Offenders face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to one billion rupiah (S$79,000). The danger is not limited to the skies: Kites can injure – or kill – on the ground. 'Kite strings have caught on utility poles and power lines, causing short circuits that spark fires and blackouts,' Ito said. They have also become a silent killer on roads. 'There was a case where a five-year-old died and a father nearly lost his hand because of kite strings. They were riding a motorcycle and the string got tangled and acted like a blade, cutting deep into the flesh,' he added. The aerial threat is worsened by drones and laser pointers that beam blinding lights at aircraft – especially at night. 'Anything that enters restricted airspace can be dangerous,' Ito said. 'And we cannot take that risk.' Worries and warnings Still, the skies over Jakarta show little sign of clearing – even with daily patrols sweeping backyards, paddy fields and cemeteries. A check by ST over two evenings in Tangerang – where Soekarno-Hatta is located – found kites flying openly in several areas, mostly launched by children. Some flew small paper kites; others handled larger ones that soared higher and drifted farther. A wire fence is all that separates densely packed kampungs from the airport's runways. Steady winds make the area ideal for kite-flying – and dangerously close to protected airspace. On the ground, Ito keeps coaxing. He does not scold or shout. Instead, he gathers children, explains the risks, and sometimes quizzes them, hoping that the message will stick. 'We prioritise persuasion,' he said. 'Children are scared just by being warned. We involve parents to help guide and educate.' Madil, a 42-year-old odd-job labourer who goes by one name, told the patrol officers: 'I promise my nephews will not fly kites in the cemetery again. If you catch them again, you can rip their faces off.' At a rice field in Benda – another red zone sub-district – airport porter Ahmad, also 42, was flying a kite with his son. 'Yes, we know the danger, so we are cautious,' he told ST. 'Like today, the wind is blowing the other way, away from the airport, so we come out to play.' Many residents say they simply have little else to do. Herman, 55, said: 'There should not be an outright ban. Do we ban the planes that are making us go deaf and disrupting our TV and phone signals? If there were alternative activities for the children, surely they would go for that. But there is not.' Despite the incidents and tighter rules, kites are still being flown, though in fewer numbers. Lie said the lack of lasting change stems from weak enforcement and patchy public education. 'There has never been a comprehensive campaign that is integrated and repeated every year. The village heads change, the sub-district chiefs change, the police chiefs change – there is no ongoing campaign,' he added. And so the cycle continues. 'What happens is after an incident, (a public concern) heats up like anget-anget ayam – warm chicken – and then people quickly forget again,' he added. The Indonesian phrase captures a deeper challenge: a public concern flares briefly, only to fade fast. Taming the kites remains a major hurdle in the push for long-term aviation safety in Indonesia. - The Straits Times/ANN
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USA Today
14 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Livesport Prague Open 2021: Ito [103rd] vs. Valentova [129th] Prediction, Odds and Match Preview
Aoi Ito (No. 103 ranking) will meet Tereza Valentova (No. 129) in the Round of 32 of the Livesport Prague Open 2021 on Monday, July 21. Valentova is the favorite against Ito for this match, with -325 odds compared to the underdog's +240 in the Round of 32. Tennis odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Saturday at 2:35 PM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Aoi Ito vs. Tereza Valentova matchup info Ito vs. Valentova Prediction Based on the implied probility from the moneyline, Ito has a 76.5% to win. Ito vs. Valentova Betting Odds Ito vs. Valentova matchup performance & stats Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change. Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice. Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Straits Times
Kites are causing problems near Indonesia's main airport
Find out what's new on ST website and app. People seen flying kites at a paddy field which is located within 15km of Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta international airport's flight operations safety area, a strictly controlled red zone. – From a distance, they looked like harmless black specks dancing in the sky. But for aviation security, they were a red alert. On a quiet afternoon in Neglasari, a sub-district just kilometres from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, a patrol team sprang into action. Its target? Kites. Four uniformed officers stepped out of an open-backed truck and fanned out across a cemetery. They scanned the sky for rogue kites – and the ground, for the children flying them. Leading the operation was Mr Ito Sucipto, the sub-district's head of public security and order. His mission was simple: Stop the kites before they went anywhere near a plane. That day, three boys aged between 12 and 16 ran down narrow alleys as the patrol closed in. A homemade reel lay abandoned between gravestones. Overhead, a kite flailed in the wind. Not far away, a commercial plane began its descent. 'Stop, stop! Do not run, come back!' Mr Ito shouted. 'That kite could bring down a plane.' One officer grabbed the string. Another reeled it in. The kite vanished into the patrol vehicle – one of a handful confiscated in recent weeks. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Mindef, SAF units among those dealing with attack on S'pore's critical information infrastructure Asia How China's growing cyber-hacking capabilities have raised alarm around the world Asia At least 34 killed as tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam's Halong Bay Singapore 1 dead, 1 injured after dispute between neighbours at Yishun HDB block Singapore Vessels from Navy, SCDF and MPA to debut at Marina Bay in NDP maritime display Asia Autogate glitch at Malaysia's major checkpoints causes chaos for S'porean and foreign travellers Asia SIA, Scoot, Cathay Pacific cancel flights as typhoon nears Hong Kong Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore It is a familiar scene in one of Indonesia's most unusual crackdowns, on an airborne threat hiding in plain sight. Kite flying is a popular pastime in the country, but kites flown in restricted aviation zones have been a menace for years and is one that is hard to cut out completely. Patrols were ramped up in Jakarta after kite-flying surged during the school holidays from June 28 to July 12, causing chaos in the skies. Between July 4 and 6 alone, 21 flights were disrupted: nine were diverted, six had landings aborted, five cancelled approaches and one aircraft turned back. All were blamed on kites. Every case occurred within the Flight Operations Safety Area, or KKOP, a strictly controlled red zone covering Neglasari and districts within a 15km radius of the Jakarta airport. On July 7, AirNav Indonesia, which manages the country's air traffic control, issued a Notam – a Notice to Airmen – warning of the danger. 'We regret that today there are still people who ignore advisories to stop flying kites around the airport area,' said the AirNav president director, Captain Avirianto Suratno, in a statement. 'We sincerely ask the public, especially those near the airport, to stop flying kites. Because it is extremely dangerous and severely threatens the safety of aircraft and the lives of their passengers,' he added. From toy to threat In Indonesia, kite-flying is more than a hobby. In places like Bali, it is a sacred ritual – a way to thank the gods and pray for good harvests. Some fly kites to make a statement. 'Residents flew kites intentionally to pressure the local government – demanding things like sports fields,' aviation analyst Alvin Lie told The Straits Times. 'If ignored, they flew them at night with lights, tied them down, and walked away.' Children learn to make their own kites from bamboo and coloured paper. Others buy them at roadside stalls for as little as 1,000 rupiah (about eight Singapore cents). But the risks go far beyond mischief. Led by Mr Ito Sucipto (wearing cap), officers from Neglasari subdistrict's public security order look for rogue kites and counsel children caught flying them near Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta international airport. ST PHOTO: ARLINA ARSHAD Between May and July 2020, seven Garuda Indonesia flights were affected by stray kites. In one alarming case, strings and bamboo sticks became tangled in a plane's propeller. The carrier reportedly spent about US$4,000 (S$5,100) on inspections and repairs. On Oct 23, 2020, a Citilink ATR 72-600 hit a kite while landing in Yogyakarta. The remains latched onto the landing gear. The twin-turboprop passenger plane landed safely, but officials warned the outcome could have been catastrophic had the kite struck a propeller or been sucked into an engine. On July 19, 2024, a Bell 505 helicopter crashed in Bali after its rotors sliced into kite strings. The pilot, a crew member, an Indonesian passenger, and two Australian tourists survived, but two of them were seriously injured. Flying kites, drones or any aerial object in restricted airspace is illegal under Indonesia's 2009 Aviation Law. Offenders face up to three years in prison or a fine of up to one billion rupiah (S$79,000). The danger is not limited to the skies: Kites can injure – or kill – on the ground. 'Kite strings have caught on utility poles and power lines, causing short circuits that spark fires and blackouts,' Mr Ito said. They have also become a silent killer on roads. 'There was a case where a five-year-old died and a father nearly lost his hand because of kite strings. They were riding a motorcycle and the string got tangled and acted like a blade, cutting deep into the flesh,' he added. The aerial threat is worsened by drones and laser pointers that beam blinding lights at aircraft – especially at night. 'Anything that enters restricted airspace can be dangerous,' Mr Ito said. 'And we cannot take that risk.' Worries and warnings Still, the skies over Jakarta show little sign of clearing – even with daily patrols sweeping backyards, paddy fields and cemeteries. A check by ST over two evenings in Tangerang – where Soekarno-Hatta is located – found kites flying openly in several areas, mostly launched by children. Some flew small paper kites; others handled larger ones that soared higher and drifted farther. A wire fence is all that separates densely packed kampungs from the airport's runways. Steady winds make the area ideal for kite-flying – and dangerously close to protected airspace. On the ground, Mr Ito keeps coaxing. He does not scold or shout. Instead, he gathers children, explains the risks, and sometimes quizzes them, hoping that the message will stick. 'We prioritise persuasion,' he said. 'Children are scared just by being warned. We involve parents to help guide and educate.' Flying kites, drones or any aerial object in restricted airspace is illegal under Indonesia's 2009 Aviation Law. ST PHOTOS: ARLINA ARSHAD Mr Madil, a 42-year-old odd-job labourer who goes by one name, told the patrol officers: 'I promise my nephews will not fly kites in the cemetery again. If you catch them again, you can rip their faces off.' At a rice field in Benda – another red zone sub-district – airport porter Ahmad, also 42, was flying a kite with his son. 'Yes, we know the danger, so we are cautious,' he told ST. 'Like today, the wind is blowing the other way, away from the airport, so we come out to play.' Many residents say they simply have little else to do. Mr Herman, 55, said: 'There should not be an outright ban. Do we ban the planes that are making us go deaf and disrupting our TV and phone signals? If there were alternative activities for the children, surely they would go for that. But there is not.' Despite the incidents and tighter rules, kites are still being flown, though in fewer numbers. Mr Lie said the lack of lasting change stems from weak enforcement and patchy public education. 'There has never been a comprehensive campaign that is integrated and repeated every year. The village heads change, the sub-district chiefs change, the police chiefs change – there is no ongoing campaign,' he added. And so the cycle continues. 'What happens is after an incident, (a public concern) heats up like anget-anget ayam – warm chicken – and then people quickly forget again,' he added. The Indonesian phrase captures a deeper challenge: a public concern flares briefly, only to fade fast. Taming the kites remains a major hurdle in the push for long-term aviation safety in Indonesia.
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Couche-Tard's failed bid for 7-Eleven parent sparks debate over M&A in Japan
[TOKYO] Alimentation Couche-Tard's decision to walk away in frustration from an attempted acquisition of Seven & i Holdings set off a debate in Tokyo as to what lessons foreign companies with ambitions for M&A should draw. The bid was audacious from the start. A takeover of the group behind 7-Eleven convenience stores – one of Japan's most recognisable brands – would have been the largest by a foreign entity in the country's history. Moreover, the founding Ito family members were so opposed to the deal that they turned to one of their archrivals to try and block it. Still, the Japanese government, which has been pushing for companies to take a more investor-friendly approach, did not raise strong political opposition, even though Seven & i had sought greater protection under a law that could have scuttled a deal. While Couche-Tard, a Canadian group, placed the blame squarely on intransigence from Seven & i's management, the failure of the deal runs counter to the broader trend in the investing landscape, according to Nicholas Smith, a strategist at CLSA. 'Seven & i is just an obstructive character in an ongoing success story,' said Smith. 'Activist trades and shareholder proposals are on fire. Private equity sees Japan as one of the most attractive markets in the world and is hiring aggressively. Management can't afford to relax one bit.' Stephen Dacus, the new chief executive officer of Seven & i, now has to prove that the Japanese retailer can grow and boost its efficiency on its own. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Its shares fell 9 per cent on Thursday (Jul 17) after Couche-Tard walked away from the bid. Seven & i plans to sell its superstore business for US$5.4 billion, and is proposing a two trillion yen (S$17.3 billion) share buyback and a listing of its US business. Its rejection of the deal is a sign of more aggressiveness in Japanese firms, said Jesper Koll, expert director at Monex Group. 'The issue is not that this is old-style Japan protectionism, quite the opposite,' he noted. 'This is actually an injection of energy and competitive spirits into a Japan-led management team that is actually very international.' The history of attempted takeovers of marquee Japanese companies by outsiders is mixed. KKR, CVC Capital Partners and Blackstone walked away from a buyout of Toshiba after meeting stiff resistance from management. Concerns about the valuation, complexity and political nature of the deal were all headwinds that eventually resulted in a consortium led by a domestic fund prevailing. Hon Hai Precision Industry, better known as Foxconn, pulled off a deal in 2016 to take a controlling stake in Japanese electronics maker Sharp for 389 billion yen. The Taiwanese electronics contract manufacturer had pursued the Japanese company for years. Foxconn founder Terry Gou had lobbied Japanese lawmakers, co-opted banks and sweetened its offer to outmanoeuvre a Japanese government-backed bidder. 'The implications of today's news will only be understood a year from now, and will hinge on whether management succeeds in accelerating group reforms and turning around the situation in both Japan and the US,' said Michael Jacobs, an investment analyst at T Rowe Price Japan on Thursday. Unsolicited offers have quite often met strong resistance regardless of where the prospective buyers come from. Japanese motor maker Nidec made an unsolicited bid for Makino Milling Machine, shocking many Japanese companies that had never imagined they could become a takeover target by a Japanese firm. Nidec, like Couche-Tard, withdrew the bid earlier this year due to strong opposition. In another closely watched case, Taiwan's Yageo made a takeover bid for Shibaura Electronics, prompting a counterbid from Japanese rival Mineba Mitsumi. Others argued that the failure of the Couche-Tard deal had nothing to do with the nationalities or cultures of the companies involved. The issue was simply money, and Couche-Tard's 6.8 trillion yen bid was not enough. 'Seven & i did what any US company would do,' said James Halse, CEO and chief investment officer at Senjin Capital. 'It was up to Couche-Tard to put in a knockout offer.' BLOOMBERG
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Couche-Tard's failed bid to acquire Seven & i sparks Japan M&A debate
By Hideyuki Sano and Alice French Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.'s decision to walk away in frustration from an attempted acquisition of Seven & i Holdings Co. set off a debate in Tokyo as to what lessons foreign companies with ambitions for M&A should draw. The bid was audacious from the start. 7-Eleven convenience stores have one of Japan's most recognizable brands and a takeover would have been the largest by a foreign entity in the country's history. Moreover, the founding Ito family members were so opposed to the deal that they turned to one of their archrivals to try and block it. Still, the government, which has been pushing for companies to take a more investor-friendly approach, did not raise strong political opposition, even though Seven & i had sought greater protection under a law that could have scuttled a deal. While Couche-Tard placed the blame squarely on intransigence from Seven & i's management, the failure of the deal runs counter to the broader trend in the investing landscape, according to Nicholas Smith, a strategist at CLSA. 'Seven & i is just an obstructive character in an ongoing success story,' said Smith. 'Activist trades and shareholder proposals are on fire. Private equity sees Japan as one of the most attractive markets in the world and is hiring aggressively. Management can't afford to relax one bit.' Stephen Dacus, the new chief executive officer of Seven & i, now has to prove that the Japanese retailer can grow and boost its efficiency on its own. The shares fell 9 per cent on Thursday after Couche-Tard walked away from its bid. The company plans to sell its superstore business for $5.4 billion, and is proposing a ¥2 trillion share buyback and a listing of its US business. Seven & i's rejection of the deal is a sign of more aggressiveness in Japanese firms, according to Jesper Koll, expert director at Monex Group Inc. 'The issue is not that this is old-style Japan protectionism, quite the opposite,' said Koll. 'This is actually an injection of energy and competitive spirits into a Japan-led management team that is actually very international.' The history of attempted takeovers of marquee Japanese companies by outsiders is mixed. KKR, CVC Capital Partners and Blackstone Inc. walked away from a buyout of Toshiba Corp. after meeting stiff resistance from management. Concerns about the valuation, complexity and political nature of the deal were all headwinds that eventually resulted in a consortium led by a domestic fund prevailing. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, pulled off a deal in 2016 to take a controlling stake in Japanese electronics maker Sharp Corp. for ¥389 billion. The Taiwanese electronics contract manufacturer had pursued the Japanese company for years. Foxconn founder Terry Gou had lobbied Japanese lawmakers, co-opted banks and sweetened its offer to outmaneuver a Japanese government-backed bidder. 'The implications of today's news will only be understood a year from now, and will hinge on whether management succeeds in accelerating group reforms and turning around the situation in both Japan and the US,' said Michael Jacobs, an investment analyst at T. Rowe Price Japan on Thursday. Unsolicited offers have quite often met strong resistance regardless of where the prospective buyers come from. Japanese motor maker Nidec Corp. made an unsolicited bid for Makino Milling Machine Co., shocking many Japanese companies that had never imagined they could become a takeover target by a Japanese firm. Nidec, like Couche-Tard, withdrew the bid earlier this year due to strong opposition. In another closely watched case, Taiwan's Yageo Corp made a takeover bid for Shibaura Electronics, prompting a counter bid from Japanese rival Mineba Mitsumi Inc. Others argued that the failure of the Couche-Tard deal had nothing to do with the nationalities or cultures of the companies involved. The issue was simply money and Couche-Tard's ¥6.77 trillion ($45.8 billion) bid simply wasn't enough. 'Seven & i did what any US company would do,' said Jamie Halse, CEO & CIO at Senjin Capital Pty Ltd. 'It was up to Couche- Tard to put in a knockout offer.'
