December 25, 2021

Gift Cards Platform GiftChill Adds Solana (SOL) to Its Payment Methods

SOL’s addition comes only days after GiftChill added several other popular coins/tokens to include DogeCoin, Shiba Inu, and Kishu Inu as a form of payment.

Solana added as payment method on GiftChill

ROUGEMONT, Switzerland, Dec. 24, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GiftChill (giftchill.co.uk) is excited to announce the addition of the Solana (SOL) token as a means to pay for gift cards through the platform. Sales of gift cards on the GiftChill platform have dramatically increased since adding the newer coins.

Through the addition of SOL, and all of our previous cryptocurrency options, GiftChill has become a leader in real-life use cases of digital cryptocurrency. GiftChill’s innovative platform enables anyone to convert digital currency into gift cards accepted all over the world. Today, on the GiftChill site, you can use Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Doge, Shiba, Cardano, Chromia, Solana, XRP, and the stable-coins BUSD, USDC, and USDT to purchase gift cards for physical and online stores throughout the world.

More about GiftChill: The site, which offers over one hundred different gift cards, was created to be the one-stop-shop for gift card purchases online. Through their focus on the purchasing power of cryptocurrency, GiftChill can offer its users gift cards at the best price by eliminating the processing fees of credit card companies.

More about Solana: Solana, a decentralized computing medium, uses the SOL token for transactions on its platform. The project is unique in that it aims to solve many of the blockchain’s scalability issues through its combined use of the Proof of Stake and “proof of history” consensus algorithms. Per the exchange service Coinbase, “Solana claims to be able to support 50,000 transactions per second without sacrificing decentralization.”

If you would like more information on GiftChill’s addition of Solana, its gift cards, cryptocurrency options, or any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact the GiftChill team at Support@giftchill.co.uk

Solana coin can be used to purchase gift cards on GiftChill

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment

Solana added as payment method on GiftChill

December 25, 2021

COVID situation under control ahead of year-end holidays: ministry

The COVID-19 situation in Indonesia has remained under control ahead of the year-end holidays, spokesperson for COVID-19 vaccinations at the Ministry of Health, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, has emphasized.

“We hope that there will be no increase (in COVID-19 cases) at the end of the year or the beginning of 2022. We must maintain the declining trend (in COVID-19 cases),” she said in an online press statement on Friday.

The pandemic situation has been deemed under control since there has been a 4-percent decline in cases, with total weekly new cases nationally reaching 1,401, Tarmizi explained.

A 4-percent decline has also been recorded in the weekly mortality rate compared to the previous week, she noted.

Related news: Omicron ups risk of household transmission: ministry

The testing rate in Indonesia is currently at 5.01 per thousand people per week, with a weekly positivity rate of 0.1 percent, she informed.

In addition, the positivity rate in all 34 provinces in the country is below 2 percent, she said.

“We have also maintained the use of COVID-19 treatment facilities, including ICUs, at a safe level,” she added.

According to Tarmizi, bed occupancy (BOR) in hospitals is still under control since the BOR in 34 provinces is still below 20 percent.

The spokesperson emphasized that the government will continue to conduct surveillance, contact tracing, and vaccinations to anticipate the third wave of COVID-19 along with the spread of the Omicron variant.

Source: Antara News

December 25, 2021

Soekarno-Hatta Airport readies Terminal 2F for migrant workers

Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten Province is preparing Terminal 2F to exclusively serve Indonesian migrant workers returning from abroad, an airport official said.

“As per the transportation minister’s directives, we will ready Terminal 2F to welcome the arrival of Indonesian migrant workers. The move will also reduce the burden on Terminal 3. As such, the health protocols for international travellers can be implemented properly,” the president director of state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero), Muhammad Awaluddin, said in a statement on Saturday.

Related news: Indonesia remains vigilant of Omicron threat during holiday season

By preparing the terminal for migrant workers, he said the standard service for all passengers, including migrant workers, will be improved.

Starting this month, Terminal 2F has also been used by passengers of Malindo Air serving the Kuala Lumpur – Jakarta flight route.??“In general, Terminal 2F is ready to exclusively serve migrant workers returning home,” he said. ??Facilities at Terminal 2F include holding bays, check points for airport health officers to validate health certificates, booths for PCR Covid tests, immigration, customs and excise facilities, along with transportation to quarantine sites.

Related news: Hotels for quarantine and holidaying should be separate: Task force

As a main gateway to Indonesia, Soekarno-Hatta Airport has operated properly and adapted quickly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he noted.

Angkasa Pura II continues to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that regulations could be properly carried out amid the pandemic, he said.

Source: Antara News

December 25, 2021

Rismaharini reviews social granary readiness in 2 East Java districts

Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini reviewed the readiness of social granaries in disaster-prone areas in Tulungagung and Trenggalek districts, East Java province, on Saturday.

“We have prepared social granaries for the southern coastal areas due to the potential for tsunami and earthquake assessed by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG),” she remarked here before leaving for Trenggalek district on Saturday.

It is hoped that a disaster would not occur, she said. Still, the people need to prepare, she added.

During her visit, she inspected supporting equipment at a social granary in Keboireng village, Besuki sub-district, such as cookware for emergency public kitchens, rescue tools for evacuation, food stock, generators, tents, blankets, as well as water purification and sterilization devices.

The minister said that she was satisfied with the preparations at the granary and the local emergency response unit.

Related news: Minister asks social work graduates to help tackle nation’s problems

There are three social granaries in Tulungagung district—in Keboireng and Besole villages, Besuki sub-district, as well as Kalibatur village, Kalidawir sub-district, she added.

“The social granaries are placed in vulnerable regions, which have been mapped by the BMKG. The strategic placement of the granaries at the evacuation points aims to facilitate the community during an emergency situation,” the minister explained.

In addition, she said she expected the granaries to accommodate refugees who cannot reach refugee camps.

Related news: Risma calls to evoke spirit of unity by remembering Indonesian heroes

“Thus, if the additional assistance comes late, the community can use the aid stored in the granaries,” she remarked.

Furthermore, the distribution of social granaries in each region is different as it is based on the result of the vulnerable zones mapping, Rismaharini noted.

On Saturday, she also symbolically handed over aid worth Rp338,108,759 to Tulungagung district.

Meanwhile, she provided aid worth Rp361,380,642 for Trenggalek district.

Earlier, the head of BMKG, Dwikorita Karnawati, said that according to one study, an 8.7-magnitude earthquake is likely to occur in the southern region of East Java province, which could potentially trigger a 30-meter tsunami.

Source: Antara News

December 25, 2021

President Jokowi wishes Indonesian Christians Merry Christmas

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), through his official Instagram account, wished Merry Christmas to Christian communities on Saturday, December 25.

President Jokowi also expected that the pandemic would not lessen the joy of welcoming the 2021 Christmas celebrations.

The president observed that for two years, Christmas celebrations had been muted, with limitations in place due to the pandemic.

“Almost two years into a pandemic that has suffocated our lives, it has also been two years my Christian brothers and sisters have gone through Christmas Day in these limitations,” Jokowi stated through his official Instagram account @jokowi, Saturday, December 25.

chRelated news: Coordinating Minister reviews preparations for Christmas Mass

Nevertheless, the head of state is optimistic that the pandemic that struck the world, including Indonesia, would not reduce the joy of Christians in celebrating Christmas.

“I hope the pandemic does not dampen the joy and joy of all of you celebrating Christmas with your loved ones,” he remarked.

Through this upload, the head of state included a Christmas text animation, with illustrations of people decorating lights that are on and exchanging gifts with one another while maintaining health protocols by wearing masks.

Source: Antara News

December 25, 2021

Coordinating minister reviews security during Christmas in Surabaya

Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD visited several churches in Surabaya, East Java, to review the security situation amid Christmas activities in churches.

“This morning, I am grateful for the opportunity to visit the church to ensure smooth Christmas celebration activities,” the minister noted while reviewing activities at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Polisi Istimewa Road, Tegalsari Sub-district, Surabaya.

East Java Regional Police Chief Inspector General Nico Afinta, Brawijaya/V Regional Military Command Chief Major General Nurcahyanto, and East Java Province acting Regional Secretary Heru Tjahjono were also present during the coordinating minister’s visit to Surabaya churches.

Related news: Coordinating Minister reviews preparations for Christmas Mass

The police and military chiefs as well as regional authorities reported that public security was maintained during Christmas activities and celebrations in Surabaya, he stated.

After visiting the Cathedral, Mahfud then headed to the Indonesia Christian Church (GKI) at Diponegoro Road, Tegalsari Sub-district.

“I see the optimism and joy in the Christmas celebrations and, God Willing, Christmas activities in Indonesia will be peaceful and safe,” the minister stated.

Meanwhile, Vicar General of Roman Catholic Diocese of Surabaya Yosef Budi Susilo welcomed the coordinating minister’s visit to review Christmas activities in Surabaya and East Java.

Related news: Christians habituated to ‘new normal’ Christmas amid pandemic: PGI

“We always coordinate our activities with the Surabaya and East Java police forces, and I believe this makes us feel safe in conducting Christmas activities,” Susilo stated.

The vicar general also expressed gratitude to the regional military command chief for allowing military troops to back up security maintenance during Christmas in Surabaya and East Java.

Earlier on Friday (Dec 24, 2021), the Police’s General Control Inspector Commissioner General Agung Budi Maryoto also visited churches in Surabaya to review security measures and COVID-19 health protocol enforcement.

Source: Antara News

December 25, 2021

Remission granted to 12,641 inmates on Christmas Day

Some 12,641 Christian and Catholic inmates in Indonesian prisons received special Christmas Day remission from the Law and Human Rights Ministry’s Directorate General of Prisons.

Out of the total inmates granted remission, majority of the inmates totaling 12,562 received sentence reduction, while the remaining 79 inmates were awarded special remission, thereby allowing for an earlier release, the directorate general’s Public Relations and Protocol Department Head Rika Aprianti said in a statement here on Saturday.

“The government granted remission as a mark of appreciation for inmates, who have improved themselves during their incarceration period,” Aprianti stated.

Out of the total 273,992 prisoners incarcerated in correctional facilities nationwide as of December 23, 2021, some 19,609 belong to Christian and Catholic denominations, the department head noted.

Related news: Coordinating minister reviews security during Christmas in Surabaya

The 12,562 inmates received varied sentence cuts, with 2,296 inmates receiving a 15-day remission, 7,884 inmates granted 30-day remission, 1,854 inmates awarded a remission of one month and 15 days, and the remaining 528 inmates granted a two-month remission, she stated.

Out of the 79 inmates released earlier after receiving remission, some 28 inmates received a 15-day remission, 34 inmates were awarded a 30-day remission, 15 inmates were granted remission of one month and 15 days, and two people received a two-month remission, Aprianti noted.

The department head remarked that the two provinces, with large number of inmates granted Christmas remission were North Sumatra, with 2,456 inmates, and East Nusa Tenggara, with 1,158 inmates.

Related news: Coordinating Minister reviews preparations for Christmas Mass

“Inmates, who have fulfilled administrative and legal requirements, can receive the Christmas remission. Apart from reducing their sentence, we hope this would also motivate inmates to improve themselves,” Aprianti stated.

She encouraged inmates, who had yet to receive remissions, to be patient and continue to improve themselves during their incarceration period.

“We hope through this remission, inmates would embrace the spirit of Christmas and be grateful to the Almighty God. Remission is granted because inmates have improved themselves and served God well,” Aprianti remarked.

Source: Antara News

December 25, 2021

Religious denominations in Indonesia granted equal protection: Mahfud

Coordinating Minister of Political, Legal, and Human Rights Mahfud MD reiterated the Indonesian government’s resolve to ensure equal rights and grant equal protection for religious denominations and organizations.

“Indonesia protects all religions in the country, as it does not recognize only a single religion that completely dictates activities in the country,” the coordinating minister said during his visit to the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Tegalsari Sub-district, here, on Saturday.

Indonesia is not a secular state that completely separates religion from the state, he noted.

Related news: Christians habituated to ‘new normal’ Christmas amid pandemic: PGI

“Indonesia is neither a religious nor a secular state, but we are a Pancasilaist state that protects residents belonging to religious denominations,” he remarked.

Mahfud remarked that Indonesian founders firmly believe that all religions preach kindness for humankind.

“We may observe differences in religious rituals and organizations, but in the end, all religions teach kindness. Indonesia is not a country that sanctions only a single religion. Hence, we must provide equal protection to all religions and their adherents,” the coordinating minister stated.

As a Pancasilaist country, with belief in God as one of its core tenets, the government is obliged to protect religious activities and adherents in Indonesia, Mahfud noted.

Related news: Religious Affairs Ministry issues circular on Christmas celebrations

“Indonesia does not recognize only a single religious denomination, and the Pancasila principle of ‘Belief in the Almighty God’ is actualized by the government’s determination to protect all religious faiths,” he stated.

Earlier, Mahfud had visited the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) at Diponegoro Road, Surabaya, to observe Christmas activities in the city.

East Java Regional Police Chief Inspector General Nico Afinta, Brawijaya/V Regional Military Command Chief Major General Nurcahyanto, and East Java Province acting Regional Secretary Heru Tjahjono also joined the coordinating minister’s visit to Surabaya churches.

Source: Antara News