Apple's investment in Indonesia continues despite US tariffs: Ministry

 The Ministry of Investment and Downstream/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) stated that Apple's plan to build an AirTag factory in Batam will resume amid a reciprocal tariff to be applied.

"It will continue," the ministry's Deputy for Investment Promotion, Nurul Ichwan, remarked

He revealed that the US technology giant had purchased land for the factory in Batam and expressed its seriousness about investing in Indonesia.

"The company had purchased the land. It is impossible not to invest," Ichwan remarked.

However, he assumed that implementing the reciprocal tariff policy would affect the performance of US companies.

Hence, Ichwan emphasized that those companies must strengthen their markets and production in other countries to boost competitiveness.

"The company will lose the global value of its products if it builds the factory in the US but markets the products in other countries too," he noted.

Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that Indonesia and the United States agreed to complete negotiations on reciprocal import tariffs within 60 days.

"We agreed to complete these negotiations within 60 days," he stated in a press conference titled "Latest Developments in Indonesia-United States Trade Negotiations and Diplomacy" in Washington, D.C., on April 18.

During the ongoing negotiations, both countries agreed on a reference framework and scope of discussion, which includes partnerships on trade and investment, critical minerals, and supply chain reliability or resilience.

According to the minister, the meeting results will be followed up with various meetings of one to three rounds.

"We hope that within 60 days, the framework can be realized in an agreement approved between Indonesia and the United States," Hartarto noted.

He elaborated that the 60-day deadline would be dedicated to completing discussions on issues, while the subsequent 30 days (within the 90-day pause) would focus on implementing the agreement.

President Prabowo to send envoy for Pope Francis' funeral

 President Prabowo Subianto plans to send an envoy to attend Pope Francis' funeral at the Vatican, Rome, on April 26.

Indonesian Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi stated on Wednesday that the president will likely be unable to attend the funeral in person.

"Due to several reasons, the president will likely not be able to attend the Pope's funeral in person. He plans to send an envoy," Hadi told reporters.

He is currently awaiting the outcome of the coordination regarding the certainty of attendance and the selection of the president's envoy who will later depart for Rome to attend Pope Francis' funeral.

On a separate occasion, Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono outlined several candidates for the envoy, including Indonesian seventh President Joko Widodo; Deputy Minister of Finance Thomas Djiwandono, who served as General Chair of the 2024 National Christmas Celebration Committee; and the former minister of energy and mineral resources Ignasius Jonan, who led the committee for Pope Francis' Apostolic Visit to Indonesia in September 2024.

Pope Francis' funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday (April 26) at 10:00 local time in St. Peter's Square, Vatican, Rome.

Dean of the College of Cardinals of the Holy See, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the funeral mass, which will also be attended by cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and priests from around the world.

The Eucharistic procession will then conclude with the Ultima commendatio and Valedictio, marking the start of Novemdiales, or nine days of mourning and mass for the repose of Pope Francis.

From St. Peter's Basilica, the body of the late Pope Francis will be taken to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, Italy, to be buried according to his will.

Several world leaders have confirmed their attendance at Pope Francis' funeral, including United States President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German President and Chancellor Frank Walter Steinmeier and Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Argentine President Javier Gerardo Milei, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Pope Francis died at the age of 88 at his residence at 7:35 a.m. Vatican time on Easter Monday.

Liverpool players will hold Premier League title gathering on Wednesday night to watch crucial Arsenal game

 Liverpool players will gather to watch Arsenal's clash with Crystal Palace, captain Virgil van Dijk has revealed. 

Arne Slot's men maintained their 13-point lead over the Gunners at the top of the table with a 1-0 win over Leicester on Sunday thanks to Alexander-Arnold's strike. 

The Reds are now one win away from claiming their second Premier League title ahead of hosting Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday. 

However, Liverpool can win the league if Arsenal lose to Crystal Palace at the Emirates on Wednesday night. 

And Van Dijk says he and his team-mates will hold a gathering to watch the match - but expects the party to be delayed for a little longer. 

‘We could be (gathering). I expect Arsenal to win at home but if it doesn’t happen, then it would be nice for us all to be together,' the Reds skipper said. 

'However that might look, we’ll discuss in the next couple of days.'

In 2020 Liverpool players gathered similarly as they won the league after Manchester City lost at Chelsea.

Van Dijk also said that it's beyond his ‘wildest dreams’ that Liverpool are so far ahead in the table. 

He said: ‘I came in from a disappointing Euros, had two and a half weeks off, then came straight in with no preseason so everything was a bit uncertain. 

'But from day one when we started to work, the confidence grew and we saw what we are capable of and what we tried to implement under the new regime.

'Consistency is the main thing. I think we found it from the start and I think it's also the most difficult thing to get and keep but we did that well and if I expected us to be in this position now? No. And not because I don't believe in the boys, but it's more that I think to be 13 points clear at this stage of the season, I think that's even past my wildest dreams. 

'We’ve worked so hard to be in this situation and now we have an opportunity to finish it off.’

Jurgen Klopp in no rush to return to management amid Real Madrid interest

 Jürgen Klopp is unlikely to return to management before the summer of next year – if at all – as the former Liverpool manager continues to be linked with Real Madrid.

The German is in the early days of his job as the head of global soccer at Red Bull, where he is in the throes of squad planning for the six clubs whom the drinks brand control, ahead of next season.

Klopp has pledged from the start to throw himself into the job with Red Bull and has in the past tended to stay long term in coaching roles.

He left Liverpool at the end of last season to recharge and the Red Bull role suited the way he wanted to live, without the intense day-to-day pressure of managing one of the biggest clubs in the world. He has, nevertheless, travelled to Japan and to Brazil to meet the clubs whom he now oversees, as well as those in Europe and New York.

There has been a run of reports in the Spanish media suggesting that, with regard to Real, he is the first choice of Anas Laghari, one of those figures jostling for position to succeed Florentino Pérez as president. While the 78-year-old has been Real president for 22 of the last 25 years, there are clearly questions about who comes next. Laghari has worked on financing at Real via Key Capital Partners as well as being a founder of A22 Sports, which runs the Super League project on behalf of Real and Barcelona.

It has always been suggested in Spain that Pérez is now in his last term as president although this has never been officially confirmed. He was elected unopposed in January for a term that lasts until 2029. With part or all of the club likely to be privatised at some point it was expected at the last two AGMs that a referendum for members on the measure would be held, but no such announcement has come. 

Klopp is reportedly the first choice of Laghari although what influence he is likely to exert in the event of Carlo Ancelotti’s departure at the end of the season is unclear. Another strong contender is José Ángel Sánchez, who runs the club as de facto chief executive.

Klopp’s plan currently goes no further than Red Bull and having given himself a change of lifestyle there have been no indications that he is ready to go back to full-time management now – and there are no guarantees he ever will. He is understood to have enjoyed becoming a grandfather for the first time.

He has always liked the idea of international management with Germany the most likely option after the United States men’s team or even England. It was always assumed that a man who thrives on the biggest stage would pursue a return to one of the top clubs as soon as he had enjoyed some time away but since the turn of the year he has been absorbed by the Red Bull job. After the World Cup in 2026 it is likely that many leading nations will be looking for new managers, including England.

Klopp’s former club Liverpool will win the Premier League on Wednesday night if Crystal Palace beat Arsenal.

Indonesia, Russia deepen strategic ties in digital technology

  Indonesia and Russia have agreed to deepen strategic cooperation in communication and digital technology, further strengthening their 75-year diplomatic relations.

Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria highlighted that the cooperation encompasses various areas, including the development of 5G cellular technology networks, broadband expansion, digital ecosystems, e-commerce, postal services, and the latest digital technologies.

"We are open to cooperation in various possibilities, including telecommunications, digital ecosystems, e-commerce, postal services, and emerging technologies," he stated after a meeting with Russian Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communication, and Mass Communication, Andrey Zarenin, in Jakarta

Patria emphasized Indonesia's interest in enhancing international connectivity, including through bandwidth expansion for global internet and data transmission.

He noted that Indonesia requires a fast internet network at a low cost, like in Russia, where users can access speeds of 100 Mbps for under US$4.

Indonesia and Russia had earlier collaborated on digital talent training for state civil servants (ASN) and also held public lectures at several universities in Indonesia, Patria remarked.

The deputy minister also expressed hope for further cooperation in the media industry to facilitate information exchange between Russia and Indonesia and develop digital skills.

"We hope this meeting can generate an initiative to create an MoU between Indonesia and Russia to emphasize the commitment to digital development and also the media," he affirmed.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Zarenin expressed Russia's readiness to strengthen synergy with Indonesia in digital transformation.

He believes this can be realized through the exchange of best technologies and expertise, as well as the establishment of the Indonesia-Russia Joint Commission for Information Technology and Digital Society.

"I see the future of Indonesia-Russia relations and its wider opportunities," he stated.

Zarenin also highlighted the opportunity for cooperation with leading technology companies from Russia related to fiber optic backbone network infrastructure solutions and Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology.

"I am sure we will initiate important agreements in information technology and media between governments and companies," he noted.

Middle East tour sparks optimism for Gaza conflict resolution: Prabowo

  Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed confidence that his diplomatic visits to the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Egypt, Qatar, and Jordan would lead to "breakthroughs" in addressing the raging violent conflict in Gaza, Palestine.

The president shared his optimistic viewpoint with the press before returning to Indonesia at Marka Airbase in Amman, Jordan, on Monday (April 14) afternoon local time.

"Praise be to God, as we have gained a clear 'update.' We can expect to witness positive breakthroughs in the near future," he remarked, as quoted from a voice recording received here on Monday night.

Prabowo also stressed that his administration recognizes the importance of considering the interests of different parties, with a special emphasis on the rights of the people of Palestine.

The Indonesian head of state concluded his five-nation Middle East diplomatic tour with a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan at Al Husseiniya Palace in Amman earlier on the same day.

During the meeting, he reiterated Indonesia's unwavering support for the fight for freedom and independence of the Palestinian nation.

"Indonesia is truly committed to supporting the Palestinian people's right to live in an independent state," he remarked.

The president also stressed the importance of identifying and prioritizing peaceful, fair, and balanced solutions to the protracted, devastating conflict.

Meanwhile, King Abdullah II praised the Indonesian government's contributions to conflict resolution in the Middle East while expressing optimism about Prabowo's leadership.

"I am truly convinced that under your leadership, Indonesia will play a crucial role for all of us in addressing various issues," he told the Indonesian leader.

In previous visits on his diplomatic tour, Prabowo met with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

At a press conference before departing for the UAE in Jakarta on April 9, the president highlighted that the goals of his tour encompassed garnering support from Middle East leaders for his plan to evacuate Palestinians from Gaza for medical treatment in Indonesia.

NASA Data Suggests Our Universe Might Be Inside a Black Hole

 A new study using data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope on 263 galaxies has brought forward new evidence for a surprising theory.

The theory suggests that our universe could be inside a black hole that formed in a much larger universe, according to Digi24.

Researchers from Kansas State University have discovered that most galaxies in our universe rotate in the same direction.

This challenges the idea that our universe is isotropic, meaning there should be an equal number of galaxies rotating in both directions.

Lior Shamir, an associate professor of computer science, explained that there are two main possible reasons for this.

One explanation is that the universe was born in rotation. This fits with the theory of black hole cosmology, which suggests that our universe exists inside a black hole in a larger universe.

According to this theory, the Milky Way and all other galaxies would be inside a black hole formed in a much bigger universe.

This idea goes against several widely accepted theories in cosmology, such as the Big Bang theory, which claims that the Big Bang marked the start of our universe.

Though the new findings are intriguing, they don't definitively prove that the universe is inside a black hole.

More evidence is needed to fully understand the implications of this model. Another possible explanation for galaxies rotating in the same direction is that the Milky Way's rotation might distort the data.

If this is the case, scientists would need to adjust their methods for measuring distances in the universe.

Adjusting these measurements could also explain other mysteries in cosmology, like why the expansion rates of the universe and large galaxies don't quite match up with expectations.

The study was published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

While the theory is still far from being proven, it opens up fascinating new possibilities for understanding our universe and its origins.

Reform UK treasurer Candy sweet on merger of payments firms

 Sky News has learnt that VibePay, in which Candy Ventures is the largest shareholder, has agreed a deal to sell itself to Banked, a so-called 'pay by bank' platform.

The all-share deal, which is expected to be announced on Tuesday, will see Mr Candy's investment vehicle holding a stake of roughly 25% in the combined group, according to insiders.

One source said the deal would value the enlarged company at in excess of $100m.

As part of the transaction, the VibePay founder, Luke Massie, and Candy Ventures director Steven Smith will join the board of Banked.

VibePay specialises in 'conversational commerce', providing personalised offers and peer-to-peer payments to its users, connecting them to brands, sellers and banks.

People close to the deal said that the takeover would help address a market opportunity by rewarding debit customers who have been overlooked by credit card operators, with debit card payments making up nearly 90% of all UK card payments but representing just a tiny fraction of payment rewards.

Banked counts global financial giants including Bank of America, Citi, FIS and NAB among its strategic investors and partners.

It has previously raised more than $60m in funding, while VibePay has raised over $10m from its backers.

The deal is understood to be awaiting approval from the City regulator.

In response to an enquiry from Sky News, Mr Candy said: "I've been a strong supporter of VibePay, and I'm excited about the future with Banked.

"The global vision of the Banked founders is truly inspiring, and I see immense potential in the combined vision for the next generation of payments.

"This is a positive moment for the UK technology sector, with two British companies coming together to drive forward a global ambition.

"I'm proud to be a part of this journey and am eager to champion this story both in the UK and internationally."

Mr Massie added: "We've spent years building technology that genuinely connects people - not just for transactions, but for experiences.

"By joining forces with Banked, we now have the infrastructure, global reach, and merchant access to supercharge what we've built, and deliver real value to consumers at scale."

Banked bought Waave, an Australian pay-by-bank provider, last October, strengthening its international presence, while it has a partnership with NAB - one of Australia's biggest lenders - to offer a service to Amazon customers in the country.

"The real value in Pay by Bank goes beyond cheap and secure payments; it's in making spending work for everyone," said Brad Goodall, Banked's chief executive.

"The combination of Banked and VibePay will drive Pay by Bank adoption through innovative consumer incentives - on par with credit cards - and empower merchants with deep data insights to drive acquisition and retention like never before.

The companies declined to comment formally on the value of the acquisition or the valuation of the combined entity.

Sebastien Chabal’s stunning mental health revelation

 which is hosted by French media personality Guillaume Pley – published an interview with Chabal where he made the stunning revelations about his mental health.

“I have no memory of a single second of a rugby match I played,” he told Pley. “And I don’t remember a single one of the 62 Marseillaises [the French anthem] I experienced.

‘I don’t have this memory of past moments’

“I have a few childhood memories. I think it’s because people told me about them. I don’t have this memory of past moments.

“When I talk about it at home with my wife, I tell her that I have the impression that it wasn’t me who played rugby. And since I always thought I was a bit of an imposter, since I got there a bit by chance.

“With the fact of not remembering, I have the impression that it wasn’t me.”

Chabal, who had stints at club level with Top 14 outfits Lyon and Racing 92 as well as in the Premiership with Sale Sharks, did not use the word “concussion” during the interview and revealed that he has not consulted a neurologist.

“Go see a doctor, for what? The memory will not return,” he said.

He also said he has no recollection of the birth of his daughter.

The 47-year-old made 62 Test appearances for Les Bleus between 2000 and 2011 and was reportedly the highest-paid rugby player in the world while at Racing 92 in 2010.

Not the first ex-player to raise the issue of head trauma

Chabal is the latest former professional player who has brought the issue of head trauma in rugby to the fore.

In December 2023, it was revealed that 295 former players are suing World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union for allegedly failing to put in place reasonable measures to protect the health and safety of players.

Included in that group are England’s 2003 World Cup-winners Steve Thompson and Phil Vickery as well as former Wales star Gavin Henson.

The players are suing for negligence, alleging that the aforementioned governing bodies failed to protect them from the risks of repetitive concussive and sub-concussive blows, leading to neurological conditions such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), early-onset dementia and other impairments.

That case is still in its pre-trial phase.

World Rugby have expressed sympathy for the players but are adamant that any legal action would limit their ability to offer direct support.

Man Utd and Amorim increasingly keen on "special" forward

Manchester United are now increasingly keen on signing a "special" forward this summer, and his price tag may have dropped by £65m, according to a report.

Man Utd lacking creativity

Man United's goalscoring issues this season have been well-documented, with Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund failing to hit the heights expected of them, but another major problem has been a lack of service for the strikers.

The Red Devils have created just 54 big chances in the Premier League this season, the 13th-highest total in the top flight, which indicates they may need to bring in a new winger or attacking midfielder this summer, alongside a centre-forward.

Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo is well-liked, with United planning to make the winger their first summer signing, and there is a feeling a deal could be possible for a fee of around £50m.

There are some other options from within the Premier League, however, with Southampton's Tyler Dibling also of interest, although the reported £100m price tag may have been off-putting for potential suitors.

However, according to a new report from Caught Offside, Dibling's price tag may have now dropped considerably, with it being revealed a deal could be possible for a fee of around €40m (£35m), which would be a £65m price reduction.

Man United and Ruben Amorim are becoming increasingly keen on signing the Southampton winger, who is now high up their list of targets, with the manager eager to bring in a top young attacker.

A whole host of clubs could be set to battle it out for the 19-year-old, however, with Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, RB Leipzig and West Ham United also expressing an interest, so there may be fierce competition for his signature.

"Special" Dibling could launch career at Old Trafford

The young forward has been a breakout star for Southampton this season, making 27 league appearances, but it was always going to be a tall order to stand out in a very poor side, who could go down as one of the worst teams in Premier League history.

That said, the Englishman caught the eye with his performance at Old Trafford earlier in the campaign, receiving praise from Fabrizio Romano.

Having also been lauded as a "special talent" by journalist Josh Bunting, it is clear the starlet has a lot of potential, so it is promising news that Man United are in the race for his signature.

The recent news that a deal could amount to just £35m is also a welcome update, given that a £100m price tag would have been very hard to justify, with Dibling yet to prove himself at the top level over a sustained period.

Indonesia seeks negotiations over US reciprocal tariffs

 The Indonesian government has decided to pursue negotiations in response to the United States' (US) 32 percent import tariff imposed on Indonesia, which US President Donald Trump described as "reciprocal."

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that instead of imposing a retaliatory tariff, the Indonesian government chose to use diplomacy as a strategy in seeking mutually-beneficial solutions for the two countries.

"Indonesia is preparing an action plan by taking into account several things, including imports and investment from the US," he said in a limited coordination meeting held online

The approach has been taken considering the long-term interests in bilateral trade relations and to maintain the investment climate and the national economic stability.

The government is also assessing the potential impact of the tariff policy on several export-oriented, labor-intensive sectors, such as the footwear industry, which are deemed vulnerable to global market fluctuations.

To this end, the government is committed to continuing to provide support through various incentives aimed at maintaining business competitiveness and continuity.

The government will also continue to coordinate with relevant stakeholders, including business associations, to ensure that aspirations from industry players are included in the policymaking process.

In this regard, business player associations are invited to a forum scheduled for Monday, April 7, to discuss and provide input regarding the tariff policy of the US government.

In addition to responding to the tariff, the government is also preparing strategic steps to welcome the opening of the European market, which is a significant market after China and the US.

President Trump on Wednesday announced "reciprocal" tariffs on several countries, including Indonesia, which is slapped with a 32 percent import tariff.

The Trump administration has also imposed a 10 percent baseline tariff on imports from all countries.

Minister urges concerted anti-poverty efforts in C Java's Pemalang

 Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf has called on Pemalang District Head Anom Widyantoro and his administration to work in synergy and with clear direction to reduce poverty in the district.

"A law stipulates that poverty alleviation must be carried out through well-directed, collaborative, and sustained efforts," the minister stated during a dialogue with local officials in charge of social affairs in Pemalang, Central Java

As cited in a statement here on Sunday, Yusuf emphasized that aligning commitments and actions among stakeholders is crucial, noting that the lack of coordination has been one of the major obstacles to effective poverty reduction in Indonesia.

Moreover, the poverty rate among Pemalang residents still exceeds Indonesia's national average, he added.

"Experience has shown us the need to avoid ego in poverty handling. What must be done is to alleviate poverty through directed, concerted, and continuous efforts, as mandated by the law," he reiterated.

The minister further called on Pemalang’s local government to support the updating of the National Integrated Socio-Economic Data (DTSEN), which is essential for accurately targeting social assistance programs.

Yusuf noted that the Ministry of Social Affairs has allocated Rp530.859 billion (nearly US$32 million) to provide social aid to 147,445 families in the region.

With regional governments performing well in poverty alleviation, the aid beneficiaries are expected to become more self-reliant within five years, eliminating the need for continued assistance, he added.

The minister also set a target for officials managing the Family Hope Program (PKH) to ensure that at least 10 beneficiaries graduate from the program annually to further reduce poverty rates.

Pemalang District Head Widyantoro welcomed the minister’s recommendations, stating that his administration is prepared to review its current efforts and update relevant data to help Pemalang rise out of the list of the five poorest districts in Central Java.