Edisi 05 Januari 2015 | International Bali Post

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Monday, January 5, 2015

Bono: I may never play guitar again after crash

Entertainment

write this, it is not clear that I will ever play guitar again.”

He added that his bandmates — The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen — “have reminded me that neither they nor Western civilization are depending on this.”

“I personally would very much miss fingering the frets of my green Irish falcon or my ... Gretsch,” Bono wrote. “Just for the pleasure, aside

from writing tunes. But then does the Edge, or Jimmy Page, or any guitarist you know have a titanium elbow, as I do now?”

The Edge is U2’s principal guitarist.

Bono said he hadn’t “been able to move around physically” since the accident, and would “have to concentrate hard” to be ready for a U2 tour due to start in May. (ap)

Page 6

AP Photo/Charles Sykes, file

In this July 20, 2011 file photo, Bono, right, and Adam Clayton, from the rock group U2, perform in concert as part of U2’s 360 Tour at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File

Madonna hits back at Mandela, King ‘bondage’ images

LOS ANGELES - Pop diva Madonna has hit back at criticism of images posted on her Facebook page showing iconic figures such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King in bondage to mirror her latest album cover.

Photo-shopped portraits of King and Mandela were posted on Madonna’s Facebook page on Friday to resemble artwork on the singer’s upcoming album, “Rebel Heart”, which shows Madonna’s face criss-crossed with black bands.

But the association of the famously risque singer with antiapartheid warrior Mandela and civil rights hero King appalled many commenters on Madonna’s page.

“Lower and lower on the scale of bad taste,” one unimpressed commenter remarked. “Going too far. Your bondage mask works for you since you sell sex but take it off the men of integrity,” added another.

Madonna remained defiant in the face of the criticism, pointing out the images were submitted by fans, and denying she was comparing herself to Mandela, King or any of the other personalities on her page given similar treatment, who included John Lennon, Joan of Arc and Britain’s late Princess Diana.

“I’m sorry, I’m not comparing my self to anyone...I’m admiring and acknowledging there Rebel Hearts...This is niether a crime or an insult or racist!” Madonna wrote in a post full of misspellings.

“I also did it with Michael jaclson and frida khalo and marilyn monroe...am I saying I am them..NO..I’m saying they are Rebel Hearts too.

“And I didn’t do it my fans did...And I just re posted those photos... my fans aren’t racist either..if they put me in the same category as these other people Thank You. “I hope one day to live up to 1 100th of what those people accomplished.” (afp)

e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com. http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Brazil’s Rousseff vows budget cuts, anti-corruption push in 2nd term

LONDON — Bono says he now has a titanium elbow and may never play guitar again due to injuries suffered in a New York City cycling accident.

The 54-year-old U2 frontman suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to his left eye socket, shoulder blade and left elbow, when he crashed his bike in Central Park in November. He required hours of surgery after what doctors called a “high-energy bicycle accident.”

On the band’s website Thursday, Bono said the “recovery has been more difficult than I thought. As I

WEATHER FORECAST 23 - 32 Dps

Gerrard headed for MLS after English season ends Page 8

U.S. slaps more sanctions on North Korea after Sony hack Page 13

Foreign visitors to Bali up in number

Panasunan Siregar said visitors DENPASAR - The number of foreign visitors to Bali rose 14.78 percent year-on-year to 3.41 from Australia rose 18.7 percent to million in the first 11 months of 2014.

“Most of the holidaymakers came via the Ngurah Rai international airport with the rest coming boarding cruise ships,” head of the provincial office of the Central Bureau of Statistics Panusunan

Siregar said. He said the number of visitors already overshot the target of 2.9 million for the whole year.

Increase was recorded in the number of visitors from nine of 10

main countries of origin. A decline was recorded in the number of Taiwan visitors from 119,705 visitors in the first 11 months if 2013 to 106,850 in the same period in 2014.

895,069 from 754,049.

The number of visitors from Australia made up 26.18 percent of the total number of foreign visitors to Bali followed by visitors from China totaling 539,371 or an increase of 49.28 percent; from Ma-

laysia rose 14.87 percent to 172,487 tourists and from Japan totaling 195,541 tourists or an increase of 1.64 percent. (ant) This news can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 at 9.30 until 10.00 am

Aside being flooded with debris, Kuta Beach still crowded with tourists that spending holiday in Bali Island during the year-end holiday season.

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

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International

Monday, January 5, 2015

Bali News

Monday, January 5, 2015

15

IBP/kmb

New Year celebrations took place in Lippo Mall Kuta. The event with the theme “New Year’s Eve Countdown Party 2015” which was held on Wednesday (31/12) in the Main Lobby of Lippo Mall Kuta.

Penelokan structuring hard to be realized

Excitement on New Year’s Eve

BANGLI - Bangli government promising to arrange the appearance of Penelokan tourist area in Kintamani at the beginning of this year seems quite difficult to realize. So far, the government and dozens of traders who occupied the kiosks in the parking lot of Penelokan still could not reach agreement on the amount of kiosk rental at the Geopark art market. Traders still insisted on seeking a reduction of rental rate, while the government remained on the rental rate in accordance with the rules.

One of the stall owners, Wayan Sumerta, admitted that so far between the traders and local government could not reach an agreement related to the amount of the kiosk rental at the Geopark Art Market.

Actually to discuss the issue, the government and traders already held several meetings. The last meeting was conducted before the Galungan feast recently.

Sumerta acknowledged the absence of agreement about the amount of kiosk rental happened as the traders remained on the original request asking the local government to give facilitation related to the amount of kiosk rental at IDR 300,000 per year. “However, the government still sets the rental price at IDR 3 million per year,” he explained. As both parties were

Activities

International

KUTA - New Year celebrations took place in Lippo Mall Kuta. The event with the theme “New Year’s Eve Countdown Party 2015” which was held on Wednesday (31/12) in the Main Lobby of Lippo Mall Kuta was assembled with variety of interesting activities.

equally ‘stubborn’ the meeting organized by both parties all this time finally could not result in an agreement.

He said that his party was forced to reject the intention of local government because traders considered the kiosk they occupied was on their private land. The kiosks to be demolished for parking lot was the result of land swap that currently used as a police station at Penelokan. “We respect the regulations.

But since the land we occupy is the result of land swap, it now becomes the right of residents. Please do not eliminate the historical condition,” he said. So far both party never reached an agreement, so that his party was still going to wait for the next step made by Bangli government. (ina)

According to Narima Dwitya, Marcomm Manager of Lippo Mall Kuta, activities organized in the form of entertainment, late night shopping, games and other special offers.

This exciting event is packed enlivened with a live performance of the famous band in Bali, special appearances from Jakarta female DJ, dance performances in the form of Belly Dance and Fire Dance. There is

also, flash mob of 100 dancers. They entertain visitors in the Main Lobby of Lippo Mall area of Kuta with an interesting and attractive dance.

At the end of the show, when the countdown begins to close 2014 and begins 2015, the event was celebrated with giant confetti cannons and pyro waterfall technique. In addition in enjoying the show, visitorst also spoiled

by Late Night Sale, presenting year-

end discounts up to 80%.

Visitors can also enjoy variety of culinary available in the area of food stalls. During the event, said Narima, Lippo Mall Kuta also held a variety of games with lots of prizes. Promo Free Beer is also provided for visitors who shop from at 19:00 to 00:00 pm.

She explained that this event was held as a token of appreciation to loyal customers, besides to

Profile

I Nyoman Agus Suparta: IBP/File

The dirty condition of Penelokan in Bangli

Regent asks waste management to be enhanced

IBP/File

The garbage is lying around everywhere. The Regent of Gianyar ask for a better waste management

GIANYAR - Waste management in Gianyar County in 2015 became one of the serious concerns of Gianyar Regent, Anak Agung Gde Agung Bharata. Seeing the condition of the less maximal waste management, the regent asked the Gianyar Sanitation and Landscaping Agency (DKP) to further improve services in terms of waste management next year.

One of them was in the matter of sanitation services. Appearance of Gianyar town in the New Year was expected to be cleaner than previous year. “A new shift should be made every eight hours so that the handling of waste can really be maximal,” he said on the sidelines of the New Year coffee morning.

To better optimize, the officers of the Gianyar Sanitation and Landscaping Agency could work in two shifts. Later, it could be improved again to three shifts. With the additional shift of janitor, the appearance of

Gianyar town could always be clean.

The Head of the Gianyar Sanitation and Landscaping Agency, Wayan Kujus Purwita, admitted that all this time the janitors working every day in waste management were divided into two shifts. To further improve the waste management services, then as the appeal of the leader, his party would make an additional shift into three shifts every day.

Based on the data, the volume of daily waste currently reached 450 cubic meters.

Such number was transported to Temesi landfill by the officers, not to mention on holidays which increased 30 percent to 585 cubic meters. It was handled by a total of 160 janitors, including the officers in the subdistrict market and landfill. To support the waste management activities, the Gianyar Sanitation and Landscaping Agency was supported by 15 dump trucks and 9 three-wheel motorcycles. (kmb16)

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Maintain responsibility and trust

The power of promotion lies in the management. Well, because of wishing to boost promotion, the Harper Kuta Bali Hotel appointed new team of Sales and Marketing Department.

He is Nyoman Agus Suparta. This figure is known to be friendly, young at heart and having brilliant ideas.

Agus first joined the Harper Kuta Bali on October 1, 2014. Actually, he is not a new face in the hospitality industry. With an experience for six years in sales and marketing department, it is enough for him to develop his career path. It is natural as he got a trust from the hotel management.

This man having a hobby in music and football started his career in tourism industry in 2006. Firstly, the graduate of the Bali Tourism Institute filled in the position as receptionist at Sari Segara Resort Villas & Spa. Within less than two years, Agus was promoted to develop his career in sales and marketing department of the same hotel.

Considering to have got an appropriate passion, Agus then decided to deepen his sales field by continuing career at one of the hotels located on Kuta Beach. At that time, he was entrusted to occupy the position as

IBP/Ocha

Assistant Sales Manager prior to get the current position as Sales Manager at the Harper Kuta Hotel.

In his new role at the Harper Kuta Bali Hotel, Agus will be responsible for business development. Besides, he also always makes cooperation with the Director of Sales and Marketing.

Getting a new business opportunity

for maximal achievement is one of the tasks of Agus.

“Responsibility and trust are the keys. In addition, to improve the cooperation, I will establish a good relationship and communication among the employees, chiefly in the Department of Sales and Marketing,” he revealed. (ocha)

maintaining awareness of Lippo Mall Kuta to the public.

“One of events that we offers is Late Night Sale with up to 80% discounts backed by our famous tenants, such as Matahari Department Store, Animale for Men, Yves Rocher, Dana Hadi, Ta Wan, Cosmic Diner, Starbucks, iBox, Geox, Skechers, New Balance and many others,” she explained.

She mentioned that the event was the result of cooperation between Lippo Mall Kuta and tenants in Lippo Mall Kuta which also provide exciting prizes in the form of shopping vouchers for visitors who shopped. (iah)

Balinese Temple Ceremony Every Temple and Shrine has a special date for it annual Ceremony, or “ Odalan “, every 210 days according to Balinese calendar, including the smaller ancestral shrine which each family possesses. Because of this practically every few days a ceremony of festival of some kind takes place in some Village in Bali. There are also times when the entire island celebrated the same Holiday, such as at Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi day, Saraswati day, Tumpek Landep day, Pagerwesi day, Tumpek Wayang day etc.

The dedication or inauguration day of a Temple is considered its birth day and celebration always takes place on the same day if the wuku or 210 day calendar is used. When new moon is used then the celebration always happens on new moon or full moon. The day of course can differ the religious celebration of a temple lasts at least one full day with some temple celebrating for three days while the celebration of Besakih temple, the Mother Temple, is never less than 7 days and most of the time it lasts for 11 days, depending on the importance of the occasion.

The celebration is very colorful. The shrine are dressed with pieces of cloths and sometimes with brocade, sailings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines.

In front of important shrine one sees, besides these umbrellas soars, tridents and other weapons, the “umbulumbul”, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the Temple gate put up “Penjor”, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land.

Most beautiful to see are the girls in their colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the Temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which the carry their load on their heads.

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Monday, January 5, 2015

Traveling

International

Big changes coming to Cuba tourism with US opening

HAVANA — U.S. tourists are roaming the streets of Old Havana, listening to lectures on Art Deco architecture and meeting with jazz musicians. What they aren’t doing yet — at least most of the time — is lounging in the sun and sipping mojitos at white-sand-beach resorts.

American citizens have been allowed to visit Cuba on such “people to people” trips since 2011, one of President Barack Obama’s first moves toward detente with the communist-run island — provided their scheduled activities are sufficiently educational, and down time is kept to a minimum.

Now, such cultural exchanges are not only expected to grow dramatically, they are expected to become more flexible and less bureaucratic following last week’s announcement by Cuba and the U.S. that they would work to restore normal diplomatic relations for the first time in more than 50 years.

Obama has said the U.S. is easing the rules on visiting Cuba, and that will mean major changes for the trips, which are currently so tightly regulated that operators must submit extensive documentation to the Treasury Department, including detailed justification for all activities to prove they are sufficiently educational. That may help cut the costs for trips that can cost much as a good used car back home.

For Americans who don’t have family on the island or fit into one of the handful of other categories for legal visits, the trips have been the only way to visit the island.

General tourism to Cuba is still prohibited by the half-century old trade embargo, and it would take an act of Congress to lift it.

“We can’t go to the beach and drink mojitos all day,” said Tony Pandola, who was leading an eight-day trip to the island this week with Global Expeditions of San Francisco, California, that included a guided architecture tour of Havana.

The new Treasury Department rules have not yet been released, but a White House statement suggests that educational travel to Cuba will now be covered by a “general license,” which means tour operators — and perhaps individuals, depending on how the regulations are written — will be able to head to Cuba and simply give the U.S. government their word that they’re not engaging in ordinary tourism.

Travelers may simply have to sign a form and board a charter flight, making it easier and cheaper to visit the island, experts say.

“As long as, with integrity,

they can say they’re going to engage with the Cuban people and learn about Cuba and talk about the United States then they don’t have to do anything other than say that’s what they’re doing,” said John McAuliff, executive director of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development, which has organized trips in the past.

The changes should add some flexibility to trips that tend to be pretty wonky, less of a sun-andsand vacation and more like a seminar. Jonathan Anderson, a 33year-old from Denver on the Global Expeditions tour was spending a sunny Sunday morning in Havana on an architecture tour, attended a dance exhibition the day before and met with a Cuban diplomat.

“It’s not very, very regimented because we can go out and see things but we have to conform to the rules,” said Anderson, who was on an eight-day trip with his parents that cost them about $6,000 each,

including a charter flight to the island. “But we’re not on a leash.

We can wander around.”

There are already scores of trips on all sorts of topics: baseball, architecture, dance, photography, bird-watching, cigars, churches, visits to colonial cities and to scenic rural parks. Visitors can run in the Havana Marathon or cheer for the Industriales baseball team.

Critics sometimes complain that the trips already veer into tourism, with occasional group chats and lectures on politics and culture thrown in.

And while education is the primary purpose of these trips, some travelers readily admit the appeal of Cuba is a mix of the exotic and the basic desire for sunny weather.

“I thought, OK, I’m going to go somewhere I have no idea about, that has music that I’m going to learn about that I really don’t have any idea about,” said Katja Von Tiesenhausen, a 41-year-old emer-

gency room doctor from Boston who was on a tour that included the Havana Jazz Festival.

Dozens of operators offer peopleto-people travel at prices that typically range from $2,000 to $6,000.

Some cater to specific groups such as academic and legal organizations and others are for the general public. The precise number of people who take them is unknown but experts say most of the 100,000 or so non-Cuban Americans who visit the island legally each year came by

this route. That is expected to increase amid renewed interest in the country following Obama’s Dec. 17 announcement of restored relations after two decades of hostility.

“In the last week, I’ve gotten more calls and emails than ever,” said Collin Laverty, president of Cuba Educational Travel, which last year brought 3,000 people to Cuba.

The easing of tourism regulations is a gamble for both the U.S. and Cuba. (ap)

AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

People watch The Thomson Dream cruise ship leave the bay just after sunset in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

Bali News

International

Monday, January 5, 2015

January, peak of bad weather

Besakih, Sidemen and Singarata prone to landslide

AMLAPURA - Entering January 2015, landslide began to threaten a number of areas in Karangasem County. In accordance with information of the Regional Weather Services (BMKG) III Denpasar, January was the peak of this rainy season. Three regions namely Besakih, Singarata and Sidemen experiencing rainfall above the normal were potentially hit by landslides. The Karangasem Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) alerted 12 personnel to give response as soon as possible when landslide occurred.

The Chief of BPBD Karangasem, Ida Bagus Ketut Arimbawa, revealed that his party currently made anticipation against bad weather predicted to peak in January. The area getting top supervision in accordance with the information from the Regional Weather Services (BMKG) III Denpasar included Besakih, Singarata and Sidemen. The three areas would experience rainfall above normal rate that were potentially hit by catastrophic landslides.

He revealed that in accordance with the mapping of disaster point in Karangasem, the three areas had the potential to experience

landslides due to soil structure and slope surface. “We have conveyed through a circular to subdistrict head to alert people against landslides during heavy rains. People living in the areas prone to landslides were expected to evacuate temporarily to a safer place,” he explained.

His party had also alerted 12 personnel to give quick response when landslide occurred. Besides, a total of 12 reserve personnel were also alerted when disaster occurred at many points simultaneously. Other than landslides, fallen trees also became a threat that haunted the community.

IBP/Mudiarta

Entering January 2015, landslide began to threaten a number of areas in Karangasem County.

In accordance with information of the Regional Weather Services (BMKG) III Denpasar, January was the peak of this rainy season.

People who had high trees that could endanger settlements were expected to cut them.

Ketut Arimbawa claimed to have prepared tree cutting tools, shovels and hoes to cope with landslides

and fallen trees. His party hoped the landslides threatening all the three areas could be anticipated by community so that the losses arising due to disaster could be suppressed. “In the event of a major

10-percent fuel tax torments

disaster, we will deploy the whole strength of the BPBD Karangasem including staff at the secretariat.

However, we hope it will not happen at the peak of this rainy season,” he concluded. (dwa)

Association claims provincial government lucky, people unlucky

AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

In this Dec. 1, 2014 photo, a damaged statue of Saint Tomas stands outside the chapel of the former University of Santo Thomas of Villanueva in Havana, Cuba.

AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

Tourists ride in vintage American convertible cars, on the Malecon in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014.

AP Photo/Desmond Boylan

In this Dec. 19, 2014 photo, tourists fill the famous La Bodeguita del Medio bar where U.S. author Ernest Hemingway used to drink in Old Havana, Cuba.

AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

A man using a bicycle taxi carries pink balloons to a birthday party in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014.

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DENPASAR - The decline in fuel price carried out by the government of Jokowi-JK at the beginning of the year apparently kindled a protest in the community of Bali. It happened because the government set the price of special Premium fuel at IDR 7,950 per liter or above the price set at IDR 7,600 per liter. It increased due to inclusion of fuel tax (PBBKB) imposed

by Bali government as much as 10 percent, while the government of other regions set at 5 percent.

Chairman of the National Oil and Gas Entrepreneurs Association (Hiswana Migas) of Bali Chapter, Ida Bagus Rai, said if the policy was burdensome to society, especially the lower class because the 10-percent fuel tax would affect prices, particularly those of staples.

“The policy on 10-percent fuel tax is going to benefit the government because the tax going to the treasury will be multiplied. However, the public as consumers will be unlucky. Other than the striking price difference, the policy will also affect the price of basic necessities,” he said in Denpasar.

According to him, the price of fuel played an important role in determining the fluctuations of the price of goods. Moreover, the price of fuel, especially the Premium, was then determined by market mechanism because it was no longer subsidized by the government.

“Now, the community can feel happy to enjoy the relatively affordable Premium fuel because the current world oil price lies in the range of USD 55.48 per barrel. However, it can be imagined when the world oil price rises, for example to USD 100 per barrel plus 10-percent fuel tax, how much will the price of Premium fuel be?” he said.

He said the government would still profit when fuel price rose following the market mechanism, but people would scream because the price would be increasingly unaffordable. “At the end, we as petrol station entrepreneurs will be afflicted by the impact because we are in direct contact with the public. Hopefully, the people will just grumble, but what we fear is anarchical action,” he said.

To that end, he hoped the government in this case the Bali government to revise the policy issued by reducing the fuel tax to 5 percent so as to alleviate the burden of the community.

“I think the government is not aware of the impact of the 10-percent fuel tax. Indeed, the government will be unexpectedly flooded with hundreds of billions of rupiahs from the fuel tax, but the people will scream, so that, in my opinion, it must be revised,” he said.

Assistant Manager of External Relations of Pertamina MOR V, Heppy Wulansari, when asked for her confirmation asserted if the determination of fuel tax was wholly at the local government, while her party only implemented the result of the policy.

“Fuel tax is entirely in the local government authority, so that we just run in accordance with the decision,” she said. She explained the components in determining the price of fuel included the basic price, VAT, fuel tax and operating margin. The price of Premium fuel excluding the tax reached IDR 6,608.70 per liter plus 10 percent of

VAT and 10 percent of fuel tax.

“Fuel tax is part of the regionally generated revenue (PAD) with the range of 5-10 percent. To my knowledge, only Bali Provinces set the fuel tax at 10 percent,” Heppy said.

Meanwhile, Director of YLPK Bali, I Putu Armaya, recognized that most consumers in Bali questioned and complained about the price difference occurred in the field. It happened due to Bali Regional Bylaw (Perda) No.1/2011 of Bali government about regional tax and in Article 37 was set forth the amount of (vehicle) fuel tax as much as 10 percent, so that the price of Premium in Bali was IDR 7,950 per liter with the difference of IDR 350 per liter compared to other regions that only imposed 5 percent.

“In my opinion, the Regional Bylaw needs to be revised, especially the Article 37, which states the amount of fuel tax reaching 10 percent. We will propose a 5-percent tax so that it will be the same as other regions. Now, almost 70 percent of consumers request to immediately revise the regional bylaw,” he concluded. (kmb27)

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Monday, January 5, 2015

Bali News

Monday, January 5, 2015

International

International

Food crisis, government sets regional food management

IBP/File

An inmate of Kerobokan Prison found bringing marijuana

The Kerobokan Prison

BANGLI - Drought commonly happening this time has an impact on crop failure of farmers in Bangli County. This condition inspires local government to draft a program in order to address the food crisis. According to the Chief of Bangli Food Security Agency, I Wayan Sarma, to address the food crop production in relation to condition of nature such as drought, the government handled insecure food areas.

“With the current and frequent condition of nature, we design a new program, namely the handling of food insecurity in the region,” said Sarma.

This program involved a team of Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SKPG). Later this team would be assigned to look at the situation in the field related to the condition of agriculture giving an indication of food insecurity.

Sarma also said the handling of food insecurity area was not only carried out in relation to dry season at all. However, his party also paid attention to other issues such as pests, crop seed availability and the facilities of production.

When asked about the budget allocated for the program, Sarma delivered that it involved the bud-

get worth IDR 37 million, and the budget itself had been included in priority of the provisional budget plafond.

The program was, according to Sarma, no other than anticipating food crisis. Despite the dry season, people would not be too badly affected. “Even though facing natural disturbances, farmers will not subject to severe impact,” he added.

Previously, one of the farmers from Yangapi, Tembuku subdistrict, Budiasa, recently said that dry season some time ago had affected to the delay of his harvest season.

He explained the delay of harvest season approximately reached one month. Ideally, the harvest period was about 3 months after planting paddy, but then it reached 4 months. “Necessarily, the harvest could have been made within the age of three months, but now it can just be made after four months,” he said.

Other than the delay of harvest time, the lack of water also affected the quality and quantity of rice produced. Paddy plants grew dwarf and yields reduced by 50 percent. “By all means, I can get 15 sacks, but now only 8 sacks, it has diminished considerably,” said Budiasa. (sos)

Chief of North Kuta Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Isaac Koko Hasio, confirmed on Thursday (Jan 1) the handover of the case to the subdistrict police station. Furthermore, the case was investigated and still being developed.

Meanwhile, according to police source, at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the wardens along the entire inmate performed cleanup services in the prison area. In addition, the wardens also checked the inmates to each block. At that time, WD was found not to join the cleanup services and even he hid in his cell. Of course it made the wardens suspicious and immediately carried out a search. When the wardens examined WD’s pants pocket, it was

found four rolls of dried marijuana.

Related to the incident, WD was immediately arrested and taken to North Kuta Police.

The resource person added if WD was a prisoner of drug case and had the address on Jalan Uluwatu II Gang Mawar, South Kuta. He was sentenced to 1 year 8 months and recently just served his sentence for ten months.

Separately, personnel of Kuta Police arrested a domestic traveler, Robert Martin Manalu, 22, during the celebration of New Year’s Eve 2015 in front of the Beachwalk on Jalan Pantai Kuta, Badung, Thursday (Jan 1). The man from North Sumatra was secured approximately at 1:30 p.m. looking

like a drunken man. “Being suspicious, the perpetrator was then secured and conducted a search against the body as well as his purse,” said Chief of Kuta Police, Nyoman Sebudi, accompanied by the Chief of Criminal Investigation Unit, Dewa Tagel.

When the officers searched his purse, it was found dried leaves suspected as marijuana wrapped in newspaper and put into cigarette packs. Furthermore, the suspect and the evidence were taken to police station. “After weighed, it reached 2.90 grams. We have arrested the suspect and the development of this case continues to be undertaken,” added Dewa Tagel. (kmb36)

U.S. slaps more sanctions on North Korea after Sony hack

HONOLULU/WASHINGTON - North Korea was hit with more sanctions on Friday designed to impede access to the U.S. financial system in the wake of a cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, which the Obama Administration has said was supported by the reclusive country.

The U.S. government named three entities, including North Korea’s military intelligence agency, and sanctioned 10 people with links to weapons sales and proliferation.

AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File

FILE - In this May 19, 2013 file photo, Hipolito Mora, leader of a local self-defense movement, stands with a side-arm as residents protest extortion fees and kidnappings by the Knights of Templar drug cartel in La Ruana, Mexico.

Mexico vigilante founder, 26 others held for deadly clash

MANGUPURA - Wardens of Kerobokan Prison arrested an inmate with the initials WD, 40, at his cell, Wednesday (Dec 31). At that time, the drug-case prisoner was caught carrying four rolls of marijuana. Furthermore, WD and the evidence were submitted to North Kuta Police.

IBP/Sosiawan

The damage rice field in Bangli is seen in the picture

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MORELIA, Mexico — A judge in the western state of Michoacan has begun homicide proceedings against the founder of a vigilante group and 26 of his followers who were involved in a deadly clash with a rival force in December.

Hipolito Mora founded a vigilante force to fight drug traffickers in Michoacan which later become part of an official rural police force that received guns, uniforms and pay from the government. On Dec. 16, Mora’s group had a shootout with a rival rural police force led

by Luis Antonio Torres, better known as “Simon the American,” that left 11 people dead in the remote mountain town of La Ruana, Michoacan.

After the shootout, authorities said Mexican military and federal police would assume security responsibilities in several municipalities, replacing the rural police.

In late December, both Mora and Torres, along with 35 of their followers, turned themselves in to authorities.

On Saturday, judge Maria Consuelo Lopez Ramirez said there was sufficient evidence against Mora and his followers of their involvement in 10 homicides during the shootout to merit the launch of proceedings. Mora’s son was killed in the clash, the only death not attributed to his group.

What sparked the shootout at a roadblock was unclear, with each side blaming the other. Authorities have said it stemmed from “animosity and conflicts between selfdefense groups.”

The vigilante groups emerged in 2013, as farmers and ranchers took up shotguns and hunting rifles to push back against organized gangs exerting control in the region, specifically the Knights Templar cartel.(ap)

Financial sanctions have been effective in bringing pressure on Iran and Russia, but they have had limited impact on North Korea, which has been sanctioned by the United States for more than 50 years. “It’s not as if they travel a lot abroad to western Europe or the United States ... They don’t have billions of dollars in western banks,” said Joel Wit of 38North, part of the U.S. Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

Pyongyang has denied involvement in the cyberattack. Washington said there was no evidence that any of the three entities or the individuals were linked to it.

Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew said in a statement that Washington had a “commitment to hold North Korea accountable for its destructive and destabilizing conduct.”

Lew said that even as a probe by the FBI continued “these steps underscore that we will employ a broad set of tools to defend U.S. businesses and citizens, and to

respond to attempts to undermine our values or threaten the national security of the United States.” The cyberattack that crippled Sony’s networks occurred as the company was preparing to release the film “The Interview,” a comedy centered on plans to assassinate North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un. Obama signed an executive order imposing the new sanctions, which deny designated persons access to the U.S. financial system, and authorize the Treasury Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to apply sanctions against officials of North Korea’s government and the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, and people acting on their behalf or in support of them.

“That will allow us at the time and place of our choosing to impose sanctions on any of those Korean officials,” a senior administration official told reporters during a telephone briefing.

The entities are Reconnaissance General Bureau, North Korea’s

intelligence organization; Korea Mining Development Trading Corp, which the Treasury Department described as North Korea’s primary arms dealer; and Korea Tangun Trading Corp, which the U.S. said is primarily responsible for procuring commodities and technology to support North Korea’s defense research and development programs.

The White House said on Friday that the Reconnaissance General Bureau was linked to North Korea’s capacity to wage cyber warfare, but it did not link it directly to the Sony hack attack. Korea Mining Development Trading Corp and Korea Tangun Trading Corp have been previously sanctioned. The 10 North Koreans named in the new sanctions worked for the two companies but are not part of the North’s top leadership.

Despite past sanctions that have been designed to curb North Korean’s nuclear capabilities, Pyongyang has pressed ahead with its nuclear program.(rtr)

AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon

A magazine with cartoons of U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is displayed at a book store in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

12

International

Monday, January 5, 2015

BUSINESS Bleak 2015 for Spaniards still engulfed by economic crisis will be evicted on February 18.

Three thousand social housing units have been sold by the cashstrapped Madrid regional government, causing hardship for renters.

The Vallecas meeting took place just before Christmas and Hidalgo said she could only give her children gifts that were donated by churches.

She said she may also be able to get some help from her mother or the father of her children, although he too is jobless.

The meeting was called by antieviction group “Stop Expulsions”, which holds such self-help gatherings once a week in Vallecas, a town badly hit by Spain’s economic crisis

“Since last night, there have been nine patients, including a 41-yearold man, who were exposed to fireworks,” the public relations officer of the Sanglah General Hospital Dr Kadek Nariyantha remarked on

SINGARAJA - Holiday season at the beginning of the New Year 2015 was interesting to enrich experience by watching the attraction and getting dolphin therapy. The opportunity was utilized by a number of hotels on Lovina Beach in the area of Singaraja in order to draw domestic and foreign travelers.

Watching dolphin attraction was a fascination of its own for visitors who first came to the tourist area of Lovina, Singaraja. As an attraction for Christmas and yearend holiday, and always crowded by travelers, the dolphin attraction could greatly amaze the eyes of the audience, from jumping, walking on water up to twisting its body like dancing in the middle of the pond. The audience was also invited to interact with dolphin, either shaking hands or kissing the dolphin. “It is very

nice to people who are new and first seeing the dolphin attraction. My experience in this holiday season becomes more exciting,” said Septiani, a visitor from Denpasar.

Furthermore, the cost to make a visit, see the dolphin attraction and get the therapy was only about IDR 700,000. Several visitors pretty much believed if the dolphin therapy was able to provide treatment for people with autism and stroke. The therapy was intended for children aged 4 to 12 years.

Another visitor, Galina from Russia, said that she was in Lovina for almost two months to get autism therapy and stroke for her seven-year-old son named Justin. “After two months of getting therapy, our son who initially could not walk, but now he could gradually walk well,” said Galina. (kmb34)

AP Photo/Maurizio Gambarini, pool

Merkel prepared to let Greece exit eurozone

In this picture taken Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, a man walks by “Asi” toy store with a banner reading “Thank you for this 72 years” as is soon to close its doors for the last time in Madrid, Spain.

Thursday.

Two of the nine residents from different age groups were seriously injured and were still being hospitalized, Nariyantha stated, adding that the other seven patients have been

given discharge from the hospital.

Last year, the number of victims of firecracker explosions reached 15 in Denpasar, of which five received intensive care at the hospital, the spokesman noted. (ant)

Holiday season, dolphin attraction admired by visitors

that erupted when the property bubble burst six years ago.

The group alerted the media to the case of 85-year-old Carmen Martinez Ayuso, who in November was evicted from the modest Vallecas apartment where she had lived for five decades.

The widow had co-signed a loan of 40,000 euros for her only son, using the flat as collateral. He lost his job four years ago and the family was unable to make payments.

The case sparked indignation across Spain and it served as a reminder that despite statistics showing the Spanish economy is on the mend, people are still suffering and facing a bleak new year. (afp)

AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

5

Monday, January 5, 2015

Nine injured by fireworks on NYE celebrations

DENPASAR - At least nine residents of Bali`s provincial city of Denpasar sustained injuries while handling firecrackers as New Year`s eve celebrations ended with a trip to the hospital for intensive treatment.

MADRID - Behind the iron door of a ground floor flat in Madrid’s working-class suburb of Vallecas around 30 people have gathered as Veronica Hidalgo announces she will be evicted from her home in 2015.

They take turns to speak, standing shoulder to shoulder in the face of an economic crisis that began in 2008 and continues to drag on for them.

“I have lived in social housing for the past two years. I paid 50 euros ($60) a month. It climbed to 400 euros,” explains 26-year-old Hidalgo at the meeting.

The regional government of Madrid has sold her 46-square-metre (495 square foot) apartment to a private company that drastically increased the monthly rent.

Hidalgo, an unemployed mother of two children aged four and eight, only has a monthly income of 323 euros. If she fails to pay her rent, she

Bali News

International

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is prepared to let Greece leave the eurozone if Greeks elect a government that jettisons the country’s current austerity course, Germany’s Der Spiegel news weekly reported Saturday.

The report, which cited sources close to the German government, comes as polls show a radical leftist party leading the field three weeks ahead of a snap election in Greece.

The Syriza party of Alexis Tsipras has pledged to reverse reforms imposed by Greece’s international creditors and renegotiate its bailout deal.

“The German government considers a eurozone exit (by Greece) to be almost inevitable if opposition leader Alexis Tsipras leads the government after the election and abandons budgetary discipline and does not repay the country’s debts,” Der Spiegel reported on its website.

Both Merkel and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble had come to view a potential Greek exit from the 19-currency eurozone in a less dramatic light, the report explained.

They both now felt such an outcome would be “bearable”, Der Spiegel quoted unnamed sources as saying.

The recovery underway in other formerly problem economies such as Ireland and Portugal, establishment of a permanent eurozone bailout fund and creation of a banking union all bolstered Berlin’s belief that the contagion from a fresh Greek crisis would be limited, the report added.

Greece’s parliament was dissolved Wednesday after the assembly failed to agree on a successor to outgoing President Karolos Papoulias in three successive votes.

The dissolution of parliament triggered a snap election that will take place on January 25. (afp)

IBP/Dewa Kusuma

Holiday season at the beginning of the New Year 2015 was interesting to enrich experience by watching the attraction and getting dolphin therapy.

IBP/kmb

The art studio located in the west of the Taman Ayun temple area.

Unique works and painting demo at Taman Ayun

MANGUPURA - Have you been familiar to make a trip to Taman Ayun tourist attraction, Mengwi, Badung? Once upon a time, you must try to look at the art studio located in the west of the temple area. Studio in a classical building displays various types of painting.

There are paintings on eggs and barong made of leaves and various types of local fruits.

In a not too large room, a variety of paintings on canvas of various styles are displayed. They are attached to walls, doors, pillars and plafond. The building is filled with large and small paintings measuring 1.5 meters x 1 meter and some others 20 centimeter x 30 centimeters.

More interestingly, there are artists in charge and making a demo of painting on canvas and eggs. They are natural artists from Mengwi village. Unfortunately, the demo is usually available after 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

The most unique paintings and favored by many travelers are of modern to spiritual style. Among them, there are paintings on temples, gods, Buddha and the daily life of Balinese people. “This work is in accordance with the conditions of the art continuously develops.

Anyway, this kind of spiritual painting is very much loved by travelers today,” said I Ketut Nuada, 51, the

painter usually making a demonstration at the studio.

Nuada said that spiritual paintings were made during full moon of the fourth month in Balinese calendar or October. It was an auspicious day due to the presence of the power of gods and to make a devotional service to the Lord. “To me, painting is a form of spiritual devotion to the Lord. It’s the same as meditation in addition to having economic value,” he explained.

According to him, the painting could be used as a tool to help us concentrate mind. It would always remind people of God, aside from learning about God’s character and the colors. He then pointed out the painting of beautiful Goddess Saraswati dressed in white standing on a lotus flower and holding four objects with meaningful symbols.

The spiritual painting, added Nuada, was made to purify our senses. Making a painting of the gods, for example, could give a positive vibration, so that it should be smartly displayed at home. “The existence of painting exhibition and demo are additional tourist attractions after looking around the majesty of the Taman Ayun area denoting a World Cultural Heritage determined by the UNESCO,” he explained. (kmb)

6

Monday, January 5, 2015

W

RLD

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff reacts during a breakfast meeting with the media at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia in this picture taken December 22, 2014.

Australian prime minister arrives in Baghdad BAGHDAD — Iraqi state-run TV says Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has arrived in Baghdad to discuss ways his country can boost Iraqi security forces in their fight against the Islamic State group.

Abbott and his Iraqi counterpart, Haider al-Abadi, discussed military cooperation between the two countries, including the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces, said Iraqiya television.

Brazil’s Rousseff vows budget cuts, anti-corruption push in 2nd term REUTERS/Joedson Alves

BRASILIA - Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff began her second term Thursday vowing to rein in government spending to curb inflation and pull Latin America’s largest economy out of a four-year slump. As she took the oath of office in Brasilia, Rousseff also promised to embark on an anti-corruption crusade in response to a multibillion-dollar graft scandal engulfing staterun oil company Petrobras that threatens to haunt her second term.

With investors fleeing Brazilian assets in disapproval of her management of the economy during her first term, and with a downgrade of the country’s debt hinted by at least one ratings agency, Rousseff, a 67-year-old leftist, pledged to pursue more marketfriendly policies. “More than anybody, I know Brazil needs to resume growth.

The first steps of this journey are an overhaul of public accounts, increasing domestic savings, beefing up investments and improving productivity,” Rousseff said in her inaugural address to Congress.

Rousseff didn’t provide specifics on the budget cuts, though she did promise to undertake the belt-tightening in a way that minimizes the pain for average Brazilians who rely on the government for social welfare benefits.

A career bureaucrat who had never run for public office before becoming the first woman to ascend to Brazil’s presidency in 2011, Rousseff spent the last four years juggling an economic downturn and high inflation. She was narrowly re-elected in October after a divisive campaign that touted her

International

record at reducing poverty and keeping unemployment near all-time lows.

To spearhead the change in economic policy, Rousseff previously named banker Joaquim Levy as finance minister. An orthodox economist who holds a doctorate from the University of Chicago, Levy is expected to enact budget cuts and other austerity measures to rebalance public accounts.

Those cuts, however, are likely to complicate what is expected to be another tough year for Brazil’s economy, given sluggish growth worldwide and a domestic marketplace increasingly accustomed to government largesse.

“It’s going to be a very rough year for her,” said former Congressman Alfredo Sirkis, a longtime critic to the left of Rousseff, citing an “explosive combination” of problems.

Anti-corruption Bill

Things will become even more complicated for Rousseff in February when the Supreme Court is expected to reveal the names of dozens of politicians who allegedly received funds from more than $3 billion in kickbacks

skimmed from the coffers of Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as Petrobras is formally known.

So far 39 people have been arrested in the scandal, including two former Petrobras directors and scores of executives from Brazil’s top construction companies. The construction executives are charged with channeling money from overpriced contracts to bribe officials and politicians. Rousseff, who was chairwoman of Petrobras when much of the graft took place, has denied knowledge of the corruption.

On Thursday, she pledged to send Congress an anti-corruption bill in the first half of the year and engage legislators in what she described as a “national pact against corruption.”

She also vowed to stamp out the graft at Petrobras to defend the company from “internal predators and external enemies.”

“We have to create mechanisms so that this never happens again,” Rousseff said. Meanwhile, she faces more trouble managing the unwieldy, multiparty coalition that helps her ruling Workers’ Party govern. (rtr)

The Iraqi army collapsed last summer in the face of a lightning Islamic State group blitz that left about a third of Iraq and Syria in militant hands.

Australian fighter jets are launching airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in northern Iraq as part of a U.S.-led coalition and 200 Australian special forces troops will soon enter Iraq to advise and assist local security forces. (ap)

Pic of Palin’s son standing on dog draws reaction A photo of one-time U.S. vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s young son standing on a dog to reach the kitchen sink is drawing sharp reaction both in support and in protest. The image of 6-year-old Trig, presumably preparing to wash dishes, and the reclining and seemingly relaxed black Lab-type animal is posted on the former Alaska governor’s Facebook page.

“May 2015 see every stumbling block turned into a stepping stone on the path forward. Trig just reminded me. He, determined to help wash dishes with an oblivious mama not acknowledging his signs for “up!”, found me and a lazy dog blocking his way. He made his stepping stone,” she wrote. The online response to the 2008 Republican vice presidential

nominee’s New Year’s Day post was fast and at times furious.

There were nearly 70,000 responses liking the photo along with a wide variety of comment. Some blamed Palin, her politics, or called it animal mistreatment. Others offered her support and said the dog would have moved if it had been hurt.

The president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals commented Saturday, the Oregonian reports. “PETA simply believes that people shouldn’t step on dogs, and judging by the reaction that we’ve seen to Sarah Palin’s Instagram photo, we’re far from alone in that belief,” Ingrid Newkirk said. Palin responded: “Dear PETA, Chill. At least Trig didn’t eat the dog.” (ap)

BRINDISI, Italy — For a second day, fierce heat from a slow-burning blaze kept firefighters and other investigators on Saturday from searching the hold and vehicle decks of a Greek ferry for more bodies. At least 11 people perished in the pre-dawn blaze on Dec. 28 aboard the Norman Atlantic, on a voyage between Greece and Italy. Authorities fear more bodies might be inside the vehicle deck where the fire began.

The ferry was towed into the Italian port of Brindisi on Friday morning. Port Capt. Mario Valente said Saturday that temperatures were “very high” inside the deck. Smoke still poured from the wreck. In early evening, Bari Prosecutor Ettore Cardinali told journalists that no bodies were found during a search of some of the passenger cabins and some deck areas.

“There is still the danger of fire,” Cardinali said. “Therefore, we still enter very carefully, little by little. It is still an initial search.”

As for accessing the vehicle deck,

Brindisi Port Authority president Hercules Haralambides said it wasn’t known when the garage area can be searched. “We can only hope that we are not confronted with a real tragedy” of more bodies, he said. Four Greek brothers waited at dockside for news of a missing cousin, a truck driver.

Tsakoumis Ioannis, one of the brothers, said an uncle was located in a hospital, where he is being treated for burns on his head and arms. Their cousin, Sofos Ioannis, is missing.

“What expectation can we have?”

Ioannis said, adding in frustration that the family hasn’t heard anything.

Valente said port authorities would assist the family as best they could.

“We hope their questions will soon find answers,” Valente said. Some survivors raised the possibility that truckers slept in their vehicles.

Greece on Friday indicated as many as 19 people are still unaccounted for, while the Italian prosecutor leading the investigation of the fire said a few days earlier the figure could be even higher.(ap)

Heat, smoke delay search of Greek ferry for bodies

International

Monday, January 5, 2015

11

INDONESIA Ice may have caused AirAsia crash PANGKALAN BUN, Indonesia - Weather was the “triggering factor” in the crash of AirAsia Flight 8501 with icing likely causing engine damage, Indonesia’s meteorological agency said, as divers found another body Sunday during a momentary respite from bad weather that has hampered rescue efforts.

The Airbus A320-200 crashed into the Java Sea a week ago carrying 162 people from Indonesia’s second city Surabaya to Singapore, and relief workers are hunting for the “black box” flight data recorders to determine the cause of the crash.

An initial report on the website of BMKG, Indonesia’s meteorological agency, suggested the weather at the time the plane went down sparked the disaster after it appeared to fly into storm clouds.

“Based on the available data received on the location of the aircraft’s last contact, the weather was the triggering factor behind the accident,” said the report.

“The most probable weather phenomenon was icing which can cause engine damage due to a cooling process. This is just one of the possibilities that occurred based on the analysis of existing meteorological data.”

Five major parts of the Airbus A320-200 have now been found off the island of Borneo, but rough weather throughout the week has hampered the relief process, a huge operation assisted by several countries including the United States and Russia.

As the weather cleared, a team of divers went down to the biggest part of the wreckage Sunday morning and recovered one body, bringing to 31 the number of victims found, but bad con-

ditions forced them to surface again.

“They managed to go down but the visibility at the sea bottom was zero, it was dark and the seabed was muddy, with currents of three to five knots,” search and rescue agency chief Bambang Soelistyo told reporters, adding that heavy rain and big waves were continuing to hamper the rescue effort.

“For that reason, the diving efforts must be temporarily stopped. We’ll try to deploy an ROV (remotely-operated underwater vehicle),” he said.

He said the fifth major part of the plane, located early Sunday, was about 10 metres by one metre (33 by 3.3 feet).

The search, focused on a patch of sea southwest of Pangkalan Bun, a town on Borneo, has also been extended east because parts of the plane may have been swept by currents, Soelistyo said.

The relief operation has prioritised finding the bodies of those on board the ill-fated flight, of whom 155 were Indonesian, with three South Koreans, one Singaporean, one Malaysian, one Briton and a Frenchman -- co-pilot Remi Plesel.

Indonesian pilot Setiawan, who is part of the ariel recovery effort combing the search area from above, told local television channel MetroTV that he had seen another three bodies floating in the sea early Sunday.

AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim

Indonesian police stand on the deck of a National Search And Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) ship during a search operation for the victims of AirAsia flight QZ 8501 on the Java Sea, Indonesia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015. Indonesian officials were hopeful Saturday they were honing in on the wreckage of the ill-fated jetliner after sonar equipment detected large objects on the ocean floor, one week after the plane went down in stormy weather.

Investigation

Indonesia has pledged to investigate flight violations by AirAsia, saying the ill-fated aircraft had been flying on an unauthorised schedule when it crashed. The airline has now been suspended from flying the Surabaya-Singapore route.

But the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said it had granted permission for the airline’s Sunday flight.

It was unclear how the airline, a unit of Malaysia-based AirAsia, had been able to fly without the necessary authorisation from its starting point.

The company has declined to comment until the probe is complete, but said it would “fully coop-

erate” with the government.

Before take-off, the pilot of Flight 8501 had asked for permission to fly at a higher altitude to avoid the storm, but the request was not approved due to other planes above him on the popular route, according to AirNav, Indonesia’s air traffic control.

In his last communication, Captain Iriyanto, an experienced former air force pilot, said he wanted to change course to avoid the menacing storm system. Then all contact was lost, about 40 minutes after the plane had taken off.

The families of victims have been preparing funerals as the bodies recovered are identified in

Surabaya, where a crisis centre has been set up at a police hospital with facilities to store 150 bodies.

About 100 grieving Catholic relatives and well-wishers, some of them in tears, crowded into a small church in the police headquarters for a memorial mass Saturday afternoon, singing hymns and praying for the victims to be found quickly.

“We are trying to cope as hard as we can but it is still a very difficult time for our family as we are still waiting for news,” said 25-year-old Sebastian Joseph Widodo, whose sister Florentina was on the plane.

“My faith is very central, especially at this time where there’s nothing much we can do,” he added. (afp)

AirAsia boss applies deft touch in crash response SURABAYA— IfAirAsia bounces back from its first fatal disaster, much of the credit will go to its effusive founder Tony Fernandes and a welloiled communications machine.

From the highly visible compassion shown by Fernandes to details such as changing the airline’s bright red logo to a somber gray online, experts say the Malaysia-based budget carrier’s initial response to the tragedy is a textbook example of how to communicate in a crisis.

AirAsia Flight 8501 crashed into the Java Sea on Sunday with 162 people on board. More than two dozen bodies have been recovered so far. It was the first deadly air accident for the 13-year-old carrier,

which has made air travel affordable for tens of millions of people in fast-growing Southeast Asia.

AirAsia’s handling of the disaster has drawn favorable comparisons with the bungled communications

by Malaysia Airlines after Flight 370 disappeared March 8. But experts say the situations faced by the two airlines are so different it’s unfair to liken them.

For one, it soon became apparent the AirAsia jet had crashed, while the location of the Malaysia Airlines plane has been a mystery since it vanished a short time into its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. As a bureaucratic, state-owned company, Malaysia Airlines faced constraints

that AirAsia didn’t and which resulted in its often lumbering and scripted communications.

A fatal crash is typically a make-orbreak event for an airline. Irrespective of the cause, the professionalism and authenticity of the airline’s response are crucial for its reputation to recover.

After nearly a century of commercial aviation, airlines have accumulated a trove of experience and knowledge about how to respond to disasters, though the lessons are not always learned or applied.

“Fernandes sounds authentic and credible,” said Caroline Sapriel, managing director of CS&A, which advises companies on crisis management.

“He is looking after the priorities — the families. He is showing a lot of empathy. He is using many channels to put that across.”

Since Sunday, Fernandes has been constantly in the spotlight, apologizing for the loss of life. An active Twitter user with nearly a million followers, he quickly took to social media to express shock and sympathy. On television, he has not shied away from answering questions while avoiding speculation about the cause of the crash, which occurred during bad weather.

“I apologize profusely for what they are going through. I am the leader of this company and I have to take responsibility,” Fernandes said

at a televised news conference.

Within hours of the flight disappearing from radar after taking off from Surabaya in Indonesia, he was in the city to meet with families of the passengers and crew. At the same time, the airline and its Indonesian unit in particular were issuing regular statements about the known facts in several languages and had set up a hotline for relatives.

If AirAsia continues in that vein, “it is probably going to prevent a crisis from turning into a reputational train wreck,” Sapriel said.

The accident investigation report will be of paramount importance for the families of those on board and the airline. (ap)

10

Destination

Monday, January 5, 2015

International

Fun Swimming in Tirta Arum Pool

MANGUPURA - If you are a swimmer or just like swimming, it is a good idea to try swimming in the Tirta Arum pool at Blahkiuh village, Abiansemal subdistrict, Badung. The location is very close to Sangeh tourist attraction or about 19 km north of Denpasar. The atmosphere is very beautiful and has complete and standard facilities.

Swimming athletes of Bali, the national and international swimmers have been familiar with this swimming pool owned by the Badung County. However, many people are utilizing it for taking a bath and relaxation. Certainly it is a convenient place because it also has a canteen selling food, drinks and snack.

Spacious parking and guarded by local people assures the security as they know the ins and outs of the area. Cool atmosphere at the location has a positive aura. Understandably, in the north of the pond, there is a broad shower denoting the park of the Mengwi royal palace to relax. In front, there is a small pool intended for children and beginners.

By all means, it is also monitored by a guard to assure the safety.

Meanwhile, in the west side there is a large swimming pool which has a length of 50 meters, a width of 21 meters, a depth of 2.5 meters and a shallowness of 130 meters.

The large pool is often utilized by the athletes before the Bali Art and Sport Games or the regional and

national championship. Nevertheless, school children, general public and many foreign travelers also use it to swim.

It has been equipped with some facilities such as toilets, changing rooms for women and men, showers and a place to unwind. The swimming pool is open every day from 06:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

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London - Fernando Alonso has been singled out as Mercedes’ main target for 2016 if the Formula 1 team cannot agree a new deal with Lewis Hamilton. Talks between Hamilton and Mercedes to thrash out a fresh deal were put on hold until after last season, so that the discussions would not get in the way of the title battle between the Briton and his teammate Nico Rosberg.

AUTOSPORT revealed last October that Alonso was on Mercedes’ radar and although renewal talks began with Hamilton last November, with both parties seeing no reason why a fresh contract cannot be sorted out, Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has suggested that Alonso is a fall back option in the event that talks break down.

“There’s no hurry, we’ll discuss it during the year,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport, with Hamilton’s current deal running out at the end of 2015.

When asked what would happen if a contract could not be sorted, he said: “I’m optimistic, the priority is to carry on with these drivers. Should it be impossible, then Alonso represents the top alternative, followed by [Valtteri] Bottas.” Wolff believes that Alonso remains one of the best drivers on the grid, despite the recent disappointing streak at Ferrari that prompted his decision to leave Maranello.

“He is a dangerous rival with any car,” he explained “If he is at the wheel of a car that can finish sixth, he will take it to third place.”

Alonso has rejoined McLaren for 2015, with the team suggesting that the Spaniard has a multi-year deal.

However, there are likely to be performance clauses in the contract that could allow him to leave in the event that the Woking-based team does not deliver.

Rival

Wolff also believes that Williams will be Mercedes’ main rival in 2015 - although would not be surprised if Red Bull returned to form after a disappointing campaign last year.

“I put Williams at the top of the list,” he said when asked where he thought the biggest threat would come from this year, “but I also fear a lot Red Bull: they have won four consecutive titles and will field every resource in order to fight again for the title.”

He also did not dismiss the possibility of Ferrari, and new signing Sebastian Vettel, delivering more than some expect.

“Never underestimate them,” he said. “It’s an icon and it’s important for it to be able to win again as soon as possible. I’m convinced it will soon be competitive again, maybe in 2015 already.” (net)

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AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens

Atlanta Hawks’ Jeff Teague, rear, defends Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard (0) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

Millsap scores 27 to lead surging Atlanta past Portland

PORTLAND, Oregon — Paul Millsap had 27 points as the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks beat the Portland Trail Blazers 115-107 on Saturday for their fourth straight win. Jeff Teague added 22 points and the Hawks, playing the second game of a back-to-back, improved to 11-5 on the road, including six straights wins.

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7

Mercedes confirms Alonso is plan B to Hamilton

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Fernando Alonso

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The loss ended a four-game winning streak for the Trail Blazers (26-8), who have lost just three games at home this season. LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland with 30 points and 12 rebounds. The Hawks (25-8) led by as many as 20 points in the second half.

Elsewhere in the league, Houston rebounded from its most lopsided defeat of the season to rout Miami 115-79, San Antonio got its 17th straight win over Washington 101-92, and Chicago beat Boston 109-104 in overtime for its ninth win in 10 games. James Harden

scored 28 points and Dwight Howard added 23 for the Rockets, who were coming off a 111-83 loss to New Orleans on Friday.

The Rockets used a 19-point second quarter from Howard to build a double-digit lead against Miami and coasted to their biggest win of the season.

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh scored 15 apiece for Miami, which has lost four in a row. San Antonio overcame Washington’s fast start to beat the Wizards without the injured Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard.

Cory Joseph scored 19 points, Tiago

Splitter added 16 and Patty Mills had 15 for San Antonio.

Washington’s last victory over San Antonio was in 2005, and their previous win in San Antonio was in 1999. Chicago got a big game from Pau Gasol, who had 29 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots, to beat the Celtics.

Aaron Brooks added 19 points for the Bulls, who were without starters Jimmy Butler (bereavement leave) and Mike Dunleavy (right ankle). Rookie Nikola Mirotic scored 10 points in his first start. (ap)

8

International

Monday, January 5, 2015

Sp rt

Gerrard headed for MLS after English season ends

LONDON — Steven Gerrard wants to win a trophy and lead Liverpool to a top-four finish in the English Premier League before he leaves his childhood club for Major League Soccer at the end of the season. A day after Gerrard announced he will leave the club and play abroad, the long-time captain confirmed on Saturday he will go to Major League Soccer, though he has yet to sign a deal with an MLS side.

“I’ll be going to play in America,” Gerrard said on Liverpool’s in-house TV channel. “I’m not over the line with any team just yet. I’m close and as soon as I know, I’ll make the announcement. I’d love nothing better than to try to win a trophy and leave the team in the top four.”

Gerrard’s move to the United States will bring the curtain down on a 17-year career at Anfield, where he

has won 10 trophies, including the Champions League in 2005.

But recently, his performances have struggled to reach the formidable levels of his peak years, and manager Brendan Rodgers decided to manage his match-time to protect him from fatigue.

While the 34-year-old Gerrard understood Rodgers’ decision, it was a moment that told him the

time was right to continue his career elsewhere.

“I’m bright enough to realize it is the right thing for everyone, but when you’ve been a starter and a mainstay in the team for such a long time, it was a very difficult conversation to have with the manager,” Gerrard admitted. “I had an idea it was going to come at some time I’m a human, not a robot.” (ap)

AP Photo/Jon Super

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard leaves the field at the end of the Champions League Group B soccer match between Liverpool and FC Basel at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014.

The match ended 1-1.

Porto wins 5-1 at Gil Nantes avoids upset Vicente to close on Benfica in French Cup PARIS — Sixth-tier side Club Franciscain was brought to earth by Nantes in the French Cup while topflight teams Lorient and Nice lost to lower opposition on Saturday.

Nantes’ 4-0 victory, including a Club Franciscain own-goal, ended the visitors’ ambition to become the first side from the Antilles to reach the round of 32. The small club traveled from the Caribbean island of Martinique to take on the 2000 champions in heavy rain at Stade de La Beaujoire.

Lorient and Nice became the first top-flight casualties, losing respectively 1-0 to third-tier club Avranches, and 2-0 at second division side Valenciennes.

Bastia came out on top of a tie between two Ligue 1 sides with a 2-0 win over six-time winner Lille after midfielder Floyd Ayite scored twice in the first half.

Ligue 1 club Evian-ThononGaillard, the 2013 runner-up, also advanced with a 3-0 win at sixth-

tier Bobigny. Playing on a poor surface, Evian didn’t score until the 68th minute.

Facing more sixth-tier opposition at Lusitanos Saint-Maur, Reims won 3-1 after overcoming a strong resistance from the Paris suburb team, which leveled through Sitou Ayi following Diego Rigonato’s opener. Gaetan Charbonnier put Reims back in command and Nicolas de Preville sealed the visitors’ win with an overhead kick.

At Nantes, Lucas Deaux opened the scoring with a well-taken shot from the edge of the box into the top corner after 14 minutes before Florian Narcissot headed the ball into his own net in the 32nd. The amateurs’ task was made nearly impossible early in the second half when Jorick Ephestion was sent off for a misjudged tackle on Issa Cissokho. Club Franciscain players looked spent in the closing stages, as Nantes scored twice more. (ap)

LISBON — Porto rolled to a 5-1 win at 10-man Gil Vicente on Saturday to reduce the overnight gap with Portuguese league leader Benfica. Porto pulled to within three points of Benfica before the defending champion visits Penafiel on Sunday.

Casemiro scored from Jackson Martinez’s pass in the 36th minute to set Porto on its way before Gil Vicente’s Jander was sent off with his second booking two minutes later.

Bruno Martins Indi, Yacine Brahimi, Oliver Torres and Martinez all scored in the second half, while Vitor Goncalves got the hosts’ consolation goal. Porto lost Alex

International

Monday, January 5, 2015

9

Griezmann nets 2 more in Atletico win over Levante BARCELONA — Antoine Griezmann headed in two more goals to lead Atletico Madrid to a 3-1 win over Levante, as the defending champions pulled to within one point of the Spanish league lead on Saturday. Sevilla remained the only undefeated team at home this season after it edged 10-man Celta Vigo 1-0 despite a lackluster performance, pulling away from both Villarreal and Malaga after they stumbled to end winning streaks.

With winter reinforcement Fernando Torres watching from the stands at Vicente Calderon Stadium, Griezmann added to his hat trick from the last round by scoring in the 18th and 47th minutes. The France forward first reached Siqueira’s cross at the near post to turn it past goalkeeper Diego Marino, and he followed that by nodding in a rebound after Marino stretched to save Mario Mandzukic’s initial try for his eighth league goal of the campaign.

Levante substitute Nabil El Zhar halved the difference in the 62nd, but Diego Godin headed in a third goal to secure the victory eight minutes from time. Atletico pulled level on points with Barcelona before it visits Real Sociedad on Sunday. Leader Real Madrid is one point ahead of its main title rivals with two games in hand.

Torres could debut in his return to his boyhood club on Wednesday when Atletico hosts Madrid in the Copa del

Rey. Diego Simeone’s side then faces a trip to Barcelona’s Camp Nou in the league next weekend. “Fernando is a player from this house that creates a lot of excitement,” said Godin. “He has come to do his part and you can see he wants to do well.

“This (win) will help us face a hard week of important matches.” Sevilla defender Nico Pareja curled in a free kick for the 32nd-minute winner after Celta’s Carles Planes received a direct red card for a low tackle in the 20th.

The undermanned Celta still managed to dictate the action until waning late, but Sevilla held on to rise past Valencia into provisional fourth place and the last Champions League spot. “We can’t be satisfied with the result,” Sevilla manager Unai Emery said. “We have to be self-critical. With an extra player, we should have had an easier time.”

Since winning at Barcelona on Nov. 1, Celta hasn’t scored a single goal, and its winless streak has reached eight rounds as it stayed in eighth place.

Bottom side Elche fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with visitors Villarreal, while Almeria striker Tomer Hemed scored twice to help earn a 2-1 win at Malaga to deal the hosts their first loss in four rounds.

Villarreal seemed set to extend its fiveround winning run after its fast-paced attack produced goals from strikers

AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

Atletico’s Diego Godin, right, celebrates his goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

Luciano Vietto in the 12th and Ikechuwku Uche in the 18th.

But Elche immediately responded with a flurry of chances before Jonathas beat ‘keeper Sergio Asenjo with a powerful volley in the 26th.

Victor Rodriguez then scored off the post in the 35th to complete the

comeback. Villarreal was left in sixth place, behind Valencia in fifth on goal difference.

Hemed opened for Almeria in the 39th when he and two teammates beat Malaga’s defenders to a lobbed free kick. Samuel Garcia equalized in the 73rd, only for Hemed to convert a

penalty three minutes later after he was fouled by Miguel Torres. Almeria’s second consecutive win under new coach Juan Ignacio Martinez lifted it three points above the relegation zone. Also, Deportivo La Coruna beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0. Bilbao remained winless in four rounds. (ap)

LONDON — West Brom thrashed fifth-tier Gateshead 7-0 in Tony Pulis’ first game as manager in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, while seventh-tier Blyth surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against second-division Birmingham. Striker Saido Berahino fired four goals at The Hawthorns for West Brom, including a hat trick in 11 minutes.

He volleyed the opener into the roof of the net in the 42nd, curled a tremendous shot beyond goalkeeper Adam Bartlett in the 46th, and completed his treble in the 53rd when he converted a cross from Chris Baird. Berahino got his fourth in the last minute after Chris Brunt, Victor Anichebe and James Morrison added their names onto the scoresheet in a ruthless display from the Premier League side.

“Until the first goal went in, we looked a little bit nervous,” Pulis said, before heaping praise on Berahino. “He’s obviously a very, very talented kid. I am looking forward to working with him.”

In a competition renowned for lower-league sides emerging victorious, Blyth looked set to overcome a five-tier difference and cause the upset

of the day against Birmingham when captain Robbie Dale scored twice in six first-half minutes. More than 3,600 were packed into Blyth’s park, and they gave their team a standing ovation at halftime, with the prospect of making the fourth round for only the second time in their 116-year history.

Then Birmingham exceeded Blyth’s quick double-strike with three goals in six minutes in the second half to win the tie. “We’re disappointed, but if someone had said before the game we were going to lose 3-2 and have a chance in the final minute we might have taken it,” Blyth manager Tom Wade said.

Dale, a barman in a side which also featured a taxi driver and plumber, wasn’t looking forward to working on Sunday. “I am due to open up at half past 11 on Sunday morning,” Dale said. “I asked the gaffer (manager) if I could do a shorter shift because I didn’t know what mood I will be in today.

(But) after a couple of goals I am planning to have a good night.” Elsewhere, Swansea avoided embarrassment by routing fourth-tier Tranmere 6-2, with Bafetimbi Gomis spearheading its attack with two goals. (ap)

West Brom rout Gateshead 7-0 in FA Cup third round

Sandro in the 90th to a second booking.

Also, Sporting Lisbon routed visiting Estoril 3-0 on two goals by Adrien Silva and a third by Islam Slimani. Sporting’s Nani was sent off with two bookings late. (ap)

AP Photo/PA, Nick Potts

West Bromwich Albion’s Chris Brunt, right, blocks a shot from Gateshead’s Alex Rodman during their English FA Cup third round soccer match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England, Saturday Jan. 3, 2015.

8

International

Monday, January 5, 2015

Sp rt

Gerrard headed for MLS after English season ends

LONDON — Steven Gerrard wants to win a trophy and lead Liverpool to a top-four finish in the English Premier League before he leaves his childhood club for Major League Soccer at the end of the season. A day after Gerrard announced he will leave the club and play abroad, the long-time captain confirmed on Saturday he will go to Major League Soccer, though he has yet to sign a deal with an MLS side.

“I’ll be going to play in America,” Gerrard said on Liverpool’s in-house TV channel. “I’m not over the line with any team just yet. I’m close and as soon as I know, I’ll make the announcement. I’d love nothing better than to try to win a trophy and leave the team in the top four.”

Gerrard’s move to the United States will bring the curtain down on a 17-year career at Anfield, where he

has won 10 trophies, including the Champions League in 2005.

But recently, his performances have struggled to reach the formidable levels of his peak years, and manager Brendan Rodgers decided to manage his match-time to protect him from fatigue.

While the 34-year-old Gerrard understood Rodgers’ decision, it was a moment that told him the

time was right to continue his career elsewhere.

“I’m bright enough to realize it is the right thing for everyone, but when you’ve been a starter and a mainstay in the team for such a long time, it was a very difficult conversation to have with the manager,” Gerrard admitted. “I had an idea it was going to come at some time I’m a human, not a robot.” (ap)

AP Photo/Jon Super

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard leaves the field at the end of the Champions League Group B soccer match between Liverpool and FC Basel at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014.

The match ended 1-1.

Porto wins 5-1 at Gil Nantes avoids upset Vicente to close on Benfica in French Cup PARIS — Sixth-tier side Club Franciscain was brought to earth by Nantes in the French Cup while topflight teams Lorient and Nice lost to lower opposition on Saturday.

Nantes’ 4-0 victory, including a Club Franciscain own-goal, ended the visitors’ ambition to become the first side from the Antilles to reach the round of 32. The small club traveled from the Caribbean island of Martinique to take on the 2000 champions in heavy rain at Stade de La Beaujoire.

Lorient and Nice became the first top-flight casualties, losing respectively 1-0 to third-tier club Avranches, and 2-0 at second division side Valenciennes.

Bastia came out on top of a tie between two Ligue 1 sides with a 2-0 win over six-time winner Lille after midfielder Floyd Ayite scored twice in the first half.

Ligue 1 club Evian-ThononGaillard, the 2013 runner-up, also advanced with a 3-0 win at sixth-

tier Bobigny. Playing on a poor surface, Evian didn’t score until the 68th minute.

Facing more sixth-tier opposition at Lusitanos Saint-Maur, Reims won 3-1 after overcoming a strong resistance from the Paris suburb team, which leveled through Sitou Ayi following Diego Rigonato’s opener. Gaetan Charbonnier put Reims back in command and Nicolas de Preville sealed the visitors’ win with an overhead kick.

At Nantes, Lucas Deaux opened the scoring with a well-taken shot from the edge of the box into the top corner after 14 minutes before Florian Narcissot headed the ball into his own net in the 32nd. The amateurs’ task was made nearly impossible early in the second half when Jorick Ephestion was sent off for a misjudged tackle on Issa Cissokho. Club Franciscain players looked spent in the closing stages, as Nantes scored twice more. (ap)

LISBON — Porto rolled to a 5-1 win at 10-man Gil Vicente on Saturday to reduce the overnight gap with Portuguese league leader Benfica. Porto pulled to within three points of Benfica before the defending champion visits Penafiel on Sunday.

Casemiro scored from Jackson Martinez’s pass in the 36th minute to set Porto on its way before Gil Vicente’s Jander was sent off with his second booking two minutes later.

Bruno Martins Indi, Yacine Brahimi, Oliver Torres and Martinez all scored in the second half, while Vitor Goncalves got the hosts’ consolation goal. Porto lost Alex

International

Monday, January 5, 2015

9

Griezmann nets 2 more in Atletico win over Levante BARCELONA — Antoine Griezmann headed in two more goals to lead Atletico Madrid to a 3-1 win over Levante, as the defending champions pulled to within one point of the Spanish league lead on Saturday. Sevilla remained the only undefeated team at home this season after it edged 10-man Celta Vigo 1-0 despite a lackluster performance, pulling away from both Villarreal and Malaga after they stumbled to end winning streaks.

With winter reinforcement Fernando Torres watching from the stands at Vicente Calderon Stadium, Griezmann added to his hat trick from the last round by scoring in the 18th and 47th minutes. The France forward first reached Siqueira’s cross at the near post to turn it past goalkeeper Diego Marino, and he followed that by nodding in a rebound after Marino stretched to save Mario Mandzukic’s initial try for his eighth league goal of the campaign.

Levante substitute Nabil El Zhar halved the difference in the 62nd, but Diego Godin headed in a third goal to secure the victory eight minutes from time. Atletico pulled level on points with Barcelona before it visits Real Sociedad on Sunday. Leader Real Madrid is one point ahead of its main title rivals with two games in hand.

Torres could debut in his return to his boyhood club on Wednesday when Atletico hosts Madrid in the Copa del

Rey. Diego Simeone’s side then faces a trip to Barcelona’s Camp Nou in the league next weekend. “Fernando is a player from this house that creates a lot of excitement,” said Godin. “He has come to do his part and you can see he wants to do well.

“This (win) will help us face a hard week of important matches.” Sevilla defender Nico Pareja curled in a free kick for the 32nd-minute winner after Celta’s Carles Planes received a direct red card for a low tackle in the 20th.

The undermanned Celta still managed to dictate the action until waning late, but Sevilla held on to rise past Valencia into provisional fourth place and the last Champions League spot. “We can’t be satisfied with the result,” Sevilla manager Unai Emery said. “We have to be self-critical. With an extra player, we should have had an easier time.”

Since winning at Barcelona on Nov. 1, Celta hasn’t scored a single goal, and its winless streak has reached eight rounds as it stayed in eighth place.

Bottom side Elche fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with visitors Villarreal, while Almeria striker Tomer Hemed scored twice to help earn a 2-1 win at Malaga to deal the hosts their first loss in four rounds.

Villarreal seemed set to extend its fiveround winning run after its fast-paced attack produced goals from strikers

AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

Atletico’s Diego Godin, right, celebrates his goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

Luciano Vietto in the 12th and Ikechuwku Uche in the 18th.

But Elche immediately responded with a flurry of chances before Jonathas beat ‘keeper Sergio Asenjo with a powerful volley in the 26th.

Victor Rodriguez then scored off the post in the 35th to complete the

comeback. Villarreal was left in sixth place, behind Valencia in fifth on goal difference.

Hemed opened for Almeria in the 39th when he and two teammates beat Malaga’s defenders to a lobbed free kick. Samuel Garcia equalized in the 73rd, only for Hemed to convert a

penalty three minutes later after he was fouled by Miguel Torres. Almeria’s second consecutive win under new coach Juan Ignacio Martinez lifted it three points above the relegation zone. Also, Deportivo La Coruna beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0. Bilbao remained winless in four rounds. (ap)

LONDON — West Brom thrashed fifth-tier Gateshead 7-0 in Tony Pulis’ first game as manager in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, while seventh-tier Blyth surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against second-division Birmingham. Striker Saido Berahino fired four goals at The Hawthorns for West Brom, including a hat trick in 11 minutes.

He volleyed the opener into the roof of the net in the 42nd, curled a tremendous shot beyond goalkeeper Adam Bartlett in the 46th, and completed his treble in the 53rd when he converted a cross from Chris Baird. Berahino got his fourth in the last minute after Chris Brunt, Victor Anichebe and James Morrison added their names onto the scoresheet in a ruthless display from the Premier League side.

“Until the first goal went in, we looked a little bit nervous,” Pulis said, before heaping praise on Berahino. “He’s obviously a very, very talented kid. I am looking forward to working with him.”

In a competition renowned for lower-league sides emerging victorious, Blyth looked set to overcome a five-tier difference and cause the upset

of the day against Birmingham when captain Robbie Dale scored twice in six first-half minutes. More than 3,600 were packed into Blyth’s park, and they gave their team a standing ovation at halftime, with the prospect of making the fourth round for only the second time in their 116-year history.

Then Birmingham exceeded Blyth’s quick double-strike with three goals in six minutes in the second half to win the tie. “We’re disappointed, but if someone had said before the game we were going to lose 3-2 and have a chance in the final minute we might have taken it,” Blyth manager Tom Wade said.

Dale, a barman in a side which also featured a taxi driver and plumber, wasn’t looking forward to working on Sunday. “I am due to open up at half past 11 on Sunday morning,” Dale said. “I asked the gaffer (manager) if I could do a shorter shift because I didn’t know what mood I will be in today.

(But) after a couple of goals I am planning to have a good night.” Elsewhere, Swansea avoided embarrassment by routing fourth-tier Tranmere 6-2, with Bafetimbi Gomis spearheading its attack with two goals. (ap)

West Brom rout Gateshead 7-0 in FA Cup third round

Sandro in the 90th to a second booking.

Also, Sporting Lisbon routed visiting Estoril 3-0 on two goals by Adrien Silva and a third by Islam Slimani. Sporting’s Nani was sent off with two bookings late. (ap)

AP Photo/PA, Nick Potts

West Bromwich Albion’s Chris Brunt, right, blocks a shot from Gateshead’s Alex Rodman during their English FA Cup third round soccer match at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England, Saturday Jan. 3, 2015.

10

Destination

Monday, January 5, 2015

International

Fun Swimming in Tirta Arum Pool

MANGUPURA - If you are a swimmer or just like swimming, it is a good idea to try swimming in the Tirta Arum pool at Blahkiuh village, Abiansemal subdistrict, Badung. The location is very close to Sangeh tourist attraction or about 19 km north of Denpasar. The atmosphere is very beautiful and has complete and standard facilities.

Swimming athletes of Bali, the national and international swimmers have been familiar with this swimming pool owned by the Badung County. However, many people are utilizing it for taking a bath and relaxation. Certainly it is a convenient place because it also has a canteen selling food, drinks and snack.

Spacious parking and guarded by local people assures the security as they know the ins and outs of the area. Cool atmosphere at the location has a positive aura. Understandably, in the north of the pond, there is a broad shower denoting the park of the Mengwi royal palace to relax. In front, there is a small pool intended for children and beginners.

By all means, it is also monitored by a guard to assure the safety.

Meanwhile, in the west side there is a large swimming pool which has a length of 50 meters, a width of 21 meters, a depth of 2.5 meters and a shallowness of 130 meters.

The large pool is often utilized by the athletes before the Bali Art and Sport Games or the regional and

national championship. Nevertheless, school children, general public and many foreign travelers also use it to swim.

It has been equipped with some facilities such as toilets, changing rooms for women and men, showers and a place to unwind. The swimming pool is open every day from 06:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

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London - Fernando Alonso has been singled out as Mercedes’ main target for 2016 if the Formula 1 team cannot agree a new deal with Lewis Hamilton. Talks between Hamilton and Mercedes to thrash out a fresh deal were put on hold until after last season, so that the discussions would not get in the way of the title battle between the Briton and his teammate Nico Rosberg.

AUTOSPORT revealed last October that Alonso was on Mercedes’ radar and although renewal talks began with Hamilton last November, with both parties seeing no reason why a fresh contract cannot be sorted out, Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff has suggested that Alonso is a fall back option in the event that talks break down.

“There’s no hurry, we’ll discuss it during the year,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport, with Hamilton’s current deal running out at the end of 2015.

When asked what would happen if a contract could not be sorted, he said: “I’m optimistic, the priority is to carry on with these drivers. Should it be impossible, then Alonso represents the top alternative, followed by [Valtteri] Bottas.” Wolff believes that Alonso remains one of the best drivers on the grid, despite the recent disappointing streak at Ferrari that prompted his decision to leave Maranello.

“He is a dangerous rival with any car,” he explained “If he is at the wheel of a car that can finish sixth, he will take it to third place.”

Alonso has rejoined McLaren for 2015, with the team suggesting that the Spaniard has a multi-year deal.

However, there are likely to be performance clauses in the contract that could allow him to leave in the event that the Woking-based team does not deliver.

Rival

Wolff also believes that Williams will be Mercedes’ main rival in 2015 - although would not be surprised if Red Bull returned to form after a disappointing campaign last year.

“I put Williams at the top of the list,” he said when asked where he thought the biggest threat would come from this year, “but I also fear a lot Red Bull: they have won four consecutive titles and will field every resource in order to fight again for the title.”

He also did not dismiss the possibility of Ferrari, and new signing Sebastian Vettel, delivering more than some expect.

“Never underestimate them,” he said. “It’s an icon and it’s important for it to be able to win again as soon as possible. I’m convinced it will soon be competitive again, maybe in 2015 already.” (net)

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Millsap scores 27 to lead surging Atlanta past Portland

PORTLAND, Oregon — Paul Millsap had 27 points as the Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta Hawks beat the Portland Trail Blazers 115-107 on Saturday for their fourth straight win. Jeff Teague added 22 points and the Hawks, playing the second game of a back-to-back, improved to 11-5 on the road, including six straights wins.

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7

Mercedes confirms Alonso is plan B to Hamilton

IBP/File Photo

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The loss ended a four-game winning streak for the Trail Blazers (26-8), who have lost just three games at home this season. LaMarcus Aldridge led Portland with 30 points and 12 rebounds. The Hawks (25-8) led by as many as 20 points in the second half.

Elsewhere in the league, Houston rebounded from its most lopsided defeat of the season to rout Miami 115-79, San Antonio got its 17th straight win over Washington 101-92, and Chicago beat Boston 109-104 in overtime for its ninth win in 10 games. James Harden

scored 28 points and Dwight Howard added 23 for the Rockets, who were coming off a 111-83 loss to New Orleans on Friday.

The Rockets used a 19-point second quarter from Howard to build a double-digit lead against Miami and coasted to their biggest win of the season.

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh scored 15 apiece for Miami, which has lost four in a row. San Antonio overcame Washington’s fast start to beat the Wizards without the injured Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard.

Cory Joseph scored 19 points, Tiago

Splitter added 16 and Patty Mills had 15 for San Antonio.

Washington’s last victory over San Antonio was in 2005, and their previous win in San Antonio was in 1999. Chicago got a big game from Pau Gasol, who had 29 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots, to beat the Celtics.

Aaron Brooks added 19 points for the Bulls, who were without starters Jimmy Butler (bereavement leave) and Mike Dunleavy (right ankle). Rookie Nikola Mirotic scored 10 points in his first start. (ap)

6

Monday, January 5, 2015

W

RLD

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff reacts during a breakfast meeting with the media at the Planalto Palace in Brasilia in this picture taken December 22, 2014.

Australian prime minister arrives in Baghdad BAGHDAD — Iraqi state-run TV says Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has arrived in Baghdad to discuss ways his country can boost Iraqi security forces in their fight against the Islamic State group.

Abbott and his Iraqi counterpart, Haider al-Abadi, discussed military cooperation between the two countries, including the training and equipping of Iraqi security forces, said Iraqiya television.

Brazil’s Rousseff vows budget cuts, anti-corruption push in 2nd term REUTERS/Joedson Alves

BRASILIA - Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff began her second term Thursday vowing to rein in government spending to curb inflation and pull Latin America’s largest economy out of a four-year slump. As she took the oath of office in Brasilia, Rousseff also promised to embark on an anti-corruption crusade in response to a multibillion-dollar graft scandal engulfing staterun oil company Petrobras that threatens to haunt her second term.

With investors fleeing Brazilian assets in disapproval of her management of the economy during her first term, and with a downgrade of the country’s debt hinted by at least one ratings agency, Rousseff, a 67-year-old leftist, pledged to pursue more marketfriendly policies. “More than anybody, I know Brazil needs to resume growth.

The first steps of this journey are an overhaul of public accounts, increasing domestic savings, beefing up investments and improving productivity,” Rousseff said in her inaugural address to Congress.

Rousseff didn’t provide specifics on the budget cuts, though she did promise to undertake the belt-tightening in a way that minimizes the pain for average Brazilians who rely on the government for social welfare benefits.

A career bureaucrat who had never run for public office before becoming the first woman to ascend to Brazil’s presidency in 2011, Rousseff spent the last four years juggling an economic downturn and high inflation. She was narrowly re-elected in October after a divisive campaign that touted her

International

record at reducing poverty and keeping unemployment near all-time lows.

To spearhead the change in economic policy, Rousseff previously named banker Joaquim Levy as finance minister. An orthodox economist who holds a doctorate from the University of Chicago, Levy is expected to enact budget cuts and other austerity measures to rebalance public accounts.

Those cuts, however, are likely to complicate what is expected to be another tough year for Brazil’s economy, given sluggish growth worldwide and a domestic marketplace increasingly accustomed to government largesse.

“It’s going to be a very rough year for her,” said former Congressman Alfredo Sirkis, a longtime critic to the left of Rousseff, citing an “explosive combination” of problems.

Anti-corruption Bill

Things will become even more complicated for Rousseff in February when the Supreme Court is expected to reveal the names of dozens of politicians who allegedly received funds from more than $3 billion in kickbacks

skimmed from the coffers of Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as Petrobras is formally known.

So far 39 people have been arrested in the scandal, including two former Petrobras directors and scores of executives from Brazil’s top construction companies. The construction executives are charged with channeling money from overpriced contracts to bribe officials and politicians. Rousseff, who was chairwoman of Petrobras when much of the graft took place, has denied knowledge of the corruption.

On Thursday, she pledged to send Congress an anti-corruption bill in the first half of the year and engage legislators in what she described as a “national pact against corruption.”

She also vowed to stamp out the graft at Petrobras to defend the company from “internal predators and external enemies.”

“We have to create mechanisms so that this never happens again,” Rousseff said. Meanwhile, she faces more trouble managing the unwieldy, multiparty coalition that helps her ruling Workers’ Party govern. (rtr)

The Iraqi army collapsed last summer in the face of a lightning Islamic State group blitz that left about a third of Iraq and Syria in militant hands.

Australian fighter jets are launching airstrikes against Islamic State group targets in northern Iraq as part of a U.S.-led coalition and 200 Australian special forces troops will soon enter Iraq to advise and assist local security forces. (ap)

Pic of Palin’s son standing on dog draws reaction A photo of one-time U.S. vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s young son standing on a dog to reach the kitchen sink is drawing sharp reaction both in support and in protest. The image of 6-year-old Trig, presumably preparing to wash dishes, and the reclining and seemingly relaxed black Lab-type animal is posted on the former Alaska governor’s Facebook page.

“May 2015 see every stumbling block turned into a stepping stone on the path forward. Trig just reminded me. He, determined to help wash dishes with an oblivious mama not acknowledging his signs for “up!”, found me and a lazy dog blocking his way. He made his stepping stone,” she wrote. The online response to the 2008 Republican vice presidential

nominee’s New Year’s Day post was fast and at times furious.

There were nearly 70,000 responses liking the photo along with a wide variety of comment. Some blamed Palin, her politics, or called it animal mistreatment. Others offered her support and said the dog would have moved if it had been hurt.

The president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals commented Saturday, the Oregonian reports. “PETA simply believes that people shouldn’t step on dogs, and judging by the reaction that we’ve seen to Sarah Palin’s Instagram photo, we’re far from alone in that belief,” Ingrid Newkirk said. Palin responded: “Dear PETA, Chill. At least Trig didn’t eat the dog.” (ap)

BRINDISI, Italy — For a second day, fierce heat from a slow-burning blaze kept firefighters and other investigators on Saturday from searching the hold and vehicle decks of a Greek ferry for more bodies. At least 11 people perished in the pre-dawn blaze on Dec. 28 aboard the Norman Atlantic, on a voyage between Greece and Italy. Authorities fear more bodies might be inside the vehicle deck where the fire began.

The ferry was towed into the Italian port of Brindisi on Friday morning. Port Capt. Mario Valente said Saturday that temperatures were “very high” inside the deck. Smoke still poured from the wreck. In early evening, Bari Prosecutor Ettore Cardinali told journalists that no bodies were found during a search of some of the passenger cabins and some deck areas.

“There is still the danger of fire,” Cardinali said. “Therefore, we still enter very carefully, little by little. It is still an initial search.”

As for accessing the vehicle deck,

Brindisi Port Authority president Hercules Haralambides said it wasn’t known when the garage area can be searched. “We can only hope that we are not confronted with a real tragedy” of more bodies, he said. Four Greek brothers waited at dockside for news of a missing cousin, a truck driver.

Tsakoumis Ioannis, one of the brothers, said an uncle was located in a hospital, where he is being treated for burns on his head and arms. Their cousin, Sofos Ioannis, is missing.

“What expectation can we have?”

Ioannis said, adding in frustration that the family hasn’t heard anything.

Valente said port authorities would assist the family as best they could.

“We hope their questions will soon find answers,” Valente said. Some survivors raised the possibility that truckers slept in their vehicles.

Greece on Friday indicated as many as 19 people are still unaccounted for, while the Italian prosecutor leading the investigation of the fire said a few days earlier the figure could be even higher.(ap)

Heat, smoke delay search of Greek ferry for bodies

International

Monday, January 5, 2015

11

INDONESIA Ice may have caused AirAsia crash PANGKALAN BUN, Indonesia - Weather was the “triggering factor” in the crash of AirAsia Flight 8501 with icing likely causing engine damage, Indonesia’s meteorological agency said, as divers found another body Sunday during a momentary respite from bad weather that has hampered rescue efforts.

The Airbus A320-200 crashed into the Java Sea a week ago carrying 162 people from Indonesia’s second city Surabaya to Singapore, and relief workers are hunting for the “black box” flight data recorders to determine the cause of the crash.

An initial report on the website of BMKG, Indonesia’s meteorological agency, suggested the weather at the time the plane went down sparked the disaster after it appeared to fly into storm clouds.

“Based on the available data received on the location of the aircraft’s last contact, the weather was the triggering factor behind the accident,” said the report.

“The most probable weather phenomenon was icing which can cause engine damage due to a cooling process. This is just one of the possibilities that occurred based on the analysis of existing meteorological data.”

Five major parts of the Airbus A320-200 have now been found off the island of Borneo, but rough weather throughout the week has hampered the relief process, a huge operation assisted by several countries including the United States and Russia.

As the weather cleared, a team of divers went down to the biggest part of the wreckage Sunday morning and recovered one body, bringing to 31 the number of victims found, but bad con-

ditions forced them to surface again.

“They managed to go down but the visibility at the sea bottom was zero, it was dark and the seabed was muddy, with currents of three to five knots,” search and rescue agency chief Bambang Soelistyo told reporters, adding that heavy rain and big waves were continuing to hamper the rescue effort.

“For that reason, the diving efforts must be temporarily stopped. We’ll try to deploy an ROV (remotely-operated underwater vehicle),” he said.

He said the fifth major part of the plane, located early Sunday, was about 10 metres by one metre (33 by 3.3 feet).

The search, focused on a patch of sea southwest of Pangkalan Bun, a town on Borneo, has also been extended east because parts of the plane may have been swept by currents, Soelistyo said.

The relief operation has prioritised finding the bodies of those on board the ill-fated flight, of whom 155 were Indonesian, with three South Koreans, one Singaporean, one Malaysian, one Briton and a Frenchman -- co-pilot Remi Plesel.

Indonesian pilot Setiawan, who is part of the ariel recovery effort combing the search area from above, told local television channel MetroTV that he had seen another three bodies floating in the sea early Sunday.

AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim

Indonesian police stand on the deck of a National Search And Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) ship during a search operation for the victims of AirAsia flight QZ 8501 on the Java Sea, Indonesia, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015. Indonesian officials were hopeful Saturday they were honing in on the wreckage of the ill-fated jetliner after sonar equipment detected large objects on the ocean floor, one week after the plane went down in stormy weather.

Investigation

Indonesia has pledged to investigate flight violations by AirAsia, saying the ill-fated aircraft had been flying on an unauthorised schedule when it crashed. The airline has now been suspended from flying the Surabaya-Singapore route.

But the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said it had granted permission for the airline’s Sunday flight.

It was unclear how the airline, a unit of Malaysia-based AirAsia, had been able to fly without the necessary authorisation from its starting point.

The company has declined to comment until the probe is complete, but said it would “fully coop-

erate” with the government.

Before take-off, the pilot of Flight 8501 had asked for permission to fly at a higher altitude to avoid the storm, but the request was not approved due to other planes above him on the popular route, according to AirNav, Indonesia’s air traffic control.

In his last communication, Captain Iriyanto, an experienced former air force pilot, said he wanted to change course to avoid the menacing storm system. Then all contact was lost, about 40 minutes after the plane had taken off.

The families of victims have been preparing funerals as the bodies recovered are identified in

Surabaya, where a crisis centre has been set up at a police hospital with facilities to store 150 bodies.

About 100 grieving Catholic relatives and well-wishers, some of them in tears, crowded into a small church in the police headquarters for a memorial mass Saturday afternoon, singing hymns and praying for the victims to be found quickly.

“We are trying to cope as hard as we can but it is still a very difficult time for our family as we are still waiting for news,” said 25-year-old Sebastian Joseph Widodo, whose sister Florentina was on the plane.

“My faith is very central, especially at this time where there’s nothing much we can do,” he added. (afp)

AirAsia boss applies deft touch in crash response SURABAYA— IfAirAsia bounces back from its first fatal disaster, much of the credit will go to its effusive founder Tony Fernandes and a welloiled communications machine.

From the highly visible compassion shown by Fernandes to details such as changing the airline’s bright red logo to a somber gray online, experts say the Malaysia-based budget carrier’s initial response to the tragedy is a textbook example of how to communicate in a crisis.

AirAsia Flight 8501 crashed into the Java Sea on Sunday with 162 people on board. More than two dozen bodies have been recovered so far. It was the first deadly air accident for the 13-year-old carrier,

which has made air travel affordable for tens of millions of people in fast-growing Southeast Asia.

AirAsia’s handling of the disaster has drawn favorable comparisons with the bungled communications

by Malaysia Airlines after Flight 370 disappeared March 8. But experts say the situations faced by the two airlines are so different it’s unfair to liken them.

For one, it soon became apparent the AirAsia jet had crashed, while the location of the Malaysia Airlines plane has been a mystery since it vanished a short time into its flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. As a bureaucratic, state-owned company, Malaysia Airlines faced constraints

that AirAsia didn’t and which resulted in its often lumbering and scripted communications.

A fatal crash is typically a make-orbreak event for an airline. Irrespective of the cause, the professionalism and authenticity of the airline’s response are crucial for its reputation to recover.

After nearly a century of commercial aviation, airlines have accumulated a trove of experience and knowledge about how to respond to disasters, though the lessons are not always learned or applied.

“Fernandes sounds authentic and credible,” said Caroline Sapriel, managing director of CS&A, which advises companies on crisis management.

“He is looking after the priorities — the families. He is showing a lot of empathy. He is using many channels to put that across.”

Since Sunday, Fernandes has been constantly in the spotlight, apologizing for the loss of life. An active Twitter user with nearly a million followers, he quickly took to social media to express shock and sympathy. On television, he has not shied away from answering questions while avoiding speculation about the cause of the crash, which occurred during bad weather.

“I apologize profusely for what they are going through. I am the leader of this company and I have to take responsibility,” Fernandes said

at a televised news conference.

Within hours of the flight disappearing from radar after taking off from Surabaya in Indonesia, he was in the city to meet with families of the passengers and crew. At the same time, the airline and its Indonesian unit in particular were issuing regular statements about the known facts in several languages and had set up a hotline for relatives.

If AirAsia continues in that vein, “it is probably going to prevent a crisis from turning into a reputational train wreck,” Sapriel said.

The accident investigation report will be of paramount importance for the families of those on board and the airline. (ap)

12

International

Monday, January 5, 2015

BUSINESS Bleak 2015 for Spaniards still engulfed by economic crisis will be evicted on February 18.

Three thousand social housing units have been sold by the cashstrapped Madrid regional government, causing hardship for renters.

The Vallecas meeting took place just before Christmas and Hidalgo said she could only give her children gifts that were donated by churches.

She said she may also be able to get some help from her mother or the father of her children, although he too is jobless.

The meeting was called by antieviction group “Stop Expulsions”, which holds such self-help gatherings once a week in Vallecas, a town badly hit by Spain’s economic crisis

“Since last night, there have been nine patients, including a 41-yearold man, who were exposed to fireworks,” the public relations officer of the Sanglah General Hospital Dr Kadek Nariyantha remarked on

SINGARAJA - Holiday season at the beginning of the New Year 2015 was interesting to enrich experience by watching the attraction and getting dolphin therapy. The opportunity was utilized by a number of hotels on Lovina Beach in the area of Singaraja in order to draw domestic and foreign travelers.

Watching dolphin attraction was a fascination of its own for visitors who first came to the tourist area of Lovina, Singaraja. As an attraction for Christmas and yearend holiday, and always crowded by travelers, the dolphin attraction could greatly amaze the eyes of the audience, from jumping, walking on water up to twisting its body like dancing in the middle of the pond. The audience was also invited to interact with dolphin, either shaking hands or kissing the dolphin. “It is very

nice to people who are new and first seeing the dolphin attraction. My experience in this holiday season becomes more exciting,” said Septiani, a visitor from Denpasar.

Furthermore, the cost to make a visit, see the dolphin attraction and get the therapy was only about IDR 700,000. Several visitors pretty much believed if the dolphin therapy was able to provide treatment for people with autism and stroke. The therapy was intended for children aged 4 to 12 years.

Another visitor, Galina from Russia, said that she was in Lovina for almost two months to get autism therapy and stroke for her seven-year-old son named Justin. “After two months of getting therapy, our son who initially could not walk, but now he could gradually walk well,” said Galina. (kmb34)

AP Photo/Maurizio Gambarini, pool

Merkel prepared to let Greece exit eurozone

In this picture taken Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, a man walks by “Asi” toy store with a banner reading “Thank you for this 72 years” as is soon to close its doors for the last time in Madrid, Spain.

Thursday.

Two of the nine residents from different age groups were seriously injured and were still being hospitalized, Nariyantha stated, adding that the other seven patients have been

given discharge from the hospital.

Last year, the number of victims of firecracker explosions reached 15 in Denpasar, of which five received intensive care at the hospital, the spokesman noted. (ant)

Holiday season, dolphin attraction admired by visitors

that erupted when the property bubble burst six years ago.

The group alerted the media to the case of 85-year-old Carmen Martinez Ayuso, who in November was evicted from the modest Vallecas apartment where she had lived for five decades.

The widow had co-signed a loan of 40,000 euros for her only son, using the flat as collateral. He lost his job four years ago and the family was unable to make payments.

The case sparked indignation across Spain and it served as a reminder that despite statistics showing the Spanish economy is on the mend, people are still suffering and facing a bleak new year. (afp)

AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

5

Monday, January 5, 2015

Nine injured by fireworks on NYE celebrations

DENPASAR - At least nine residents of Bali`s provincial city of Denpasar sustained injuries while handling firecrackers as New Year`s eve celebrations ended with a trip to the hospital for intensive treatment.

MADRID - Behind the iron door of a ground floor flat in Madrid’s working-class suburb of Vallecas around 30 people have gathered as Veronica Hidalgo announces she will be evicted from her home in 2015.

They take turns to speak, standing shoulder to shoulder in the face of an economic crisis that began in 2008 and continues to drag on for them.

“I have lived in social housing for the past two years. I paid 50 euros ($60) a month. It climbed to 400 euros,” explains 26-year-old Hidalgo at the meeting.

The regional government of Madrid has sold her 46-square-metre (495 square foot) apartment to a private company that drastically increased the monthly rent.

Hidalgo, an unemployed mother of two children aged four and eight, only has a monthly income of 323 euros. If she fails to pay her rent, she

Bali News

International

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is prepared to let Greece leave the eurozone if Greeks elect a government that jettisons the country’s current austerity course, Germany’s Der Spiegel news weekly reported Saturday.

The report, which cited sources close to the German government, comes as polls show a radical leftist party leading the field three weeks ahead of a snap election in Greece.

The Syriza party of Alexis Tsipras has pledged to reverse reforms imposed by Greece’s international creditors and renegotiate its bailout deal.

“The German government considers a eurozone exit (by Greece) to be almost inevitable if opposition leader Alexis Tsipras leads the government after the election and abandons budgetary discipline and does not repay the country’s debts,” Der Spiegel reported on its website.

Both Merkel and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble had come to view a potential Greek exit from the 19-currency eurozone in a less dramatic light, the report explained.

They both now felt such an outcome would be “bearable”, Der Spiegel quoted unnamed sources as saying.

The recovery underway in other formerly problem economies such as Ireland and Portugal, establishment of a permanent eurozone bailout fund and creation of a banking union all bolstered Berlin’s belief that the contagion from a fresh Greek crisis would be limited, the report added.

Greece’s parliament was dissolved Wednesday after the assembly failed to agree on a successor to outgoing President Karolos Papoulias in three successive votes.

The dissolution of parliament triggered a snap election that will take place on January 25. (afp)

IBP/Dewa Kusuma

Holiday season at the beginning of the New Year 2015 was interesting to enrich experience by watching the attraction and getting dolphin therapy.

IBP/kmb

The art studio located in the west of the Taman Ayun temple area.

Unique works and painting demo at Taman Ayun

MANGUPURA - Have you been familiar to make a trip to Taman Ayun tourist attraction, Mengwi, Badung? Once upon a time, you must try to look at the art studio located in the west of the temple area. Studio in a classical building displays various types of painting.

There are paintings on eggs and barong made of leaves and various types of local fruits.

In a not too large room, a variety of paintings on canvas of various styles are displayed. They are attached to walls, doors, pillars and plafond. The building is filled with large and small paintings measuring 1.5 meters x 1 meter and some others 20 centimeter x 30 centimeters.

More interestingly, there are artists in charge and making a demo of painting on canvas and eggs. They are natural artists from Mengwi village. Unfortunately, the demo is usually available after 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

The most unique paintings and favored by many travelers are of modern to spiritual style. Among them, there are paintings on temples, gods, Buddha and the daily life of Balinese people. “This work is in accordance with the conditions of the art continuously develops.

Anyway, this kind of spiritual painting is very much loved by travelers today,” said I Ketut Nuada, 51, the

painter usually making a demonstration at the studio.

Nuada said that spiritual paintings were made during full moon of the fourth month in Balinese calendar or October. It was an auspicious day due to the presence of the power of gods and to make a devotional service to the Lord. “To me, painting is a form of spiritual devotion to the Lord. It’s the same as meditation in addition to having economic value,” he explained.

According to him, the painting could be used as a tool to help us concentrate mind. It would always remind people of God, aside from learning about God’s character and the colors. He then pointed out the painting of beautiful Goddess Saraswati dressed in white standing on a lotus flower and holding four objects with meaningful symbols.

The spiritual painting, added Nuada, was made to purify our senses. Making a painting of the gods, for example, could give a positive vibration, so that it should be smartly displayed at home. “The existence of painting exhibition and demo are additional tourist attractions after looking around the majesty of the Taman Ayun area denoting a World Cultural Heritage determined by the UNESCO,” he explained. (kmb)

4

Monday, January 5, 2015

Bali News

Monday, January 5, 2015

International

International

Food crisis, government sets regional food management

IBP/File

An inmate of Kerobokan Prison found bringing marijuana

The Kerobokan Prison

BANGLI - Drought commonly happening this time has an impact on crop failure of farmers in Bangli County. This condition inspires local government to draft a program in order to address the food crisis. According to the Chief of Bangli Food Security Agency, I Wayan Sarma, to address the food crop production in relation to condition of nature such as drought, the government handled insecure food areas.

“With the current and frequent condition of nature, we design a new program, namely the handling of food insecurity in the region,” said Sarma.

This program involved a team of Food and Nutrition Surveillance System (SKPG). Later this team would be assigned to look at the situation in the field related to the condition of agriculture giving an indication of food insecurity.

Sarma also said the handling of food insecurity area was not only carried out in relation to dry season at all. However, his party also paid attention to other issues such as pests, crop seed availability and the facilities of production.

When asked about the budget allocated for the program, Sarma delivered that it involved the bud-

get worth IDR 37 million, and the budget itself had been included in priority of the provisional budget plafond.

The program was, according to Sarma, no other than anticipating food crisis. Despite the dry season, people would not be too badly affected. “Even though facing natural disturbances, farmers will not subject to severe impact,” he added.

Previously, one of the farmers from Yangapi, Tembuku subdistrict, Budiasa, recently said that dry season some time ago had affected to the delay of his harvest season.

He explained the delay of harvest season approximately reached one month. Ideally, the harvest period was about 3 months after planting paddy, but then it reached 4 months. “Necessarily, the harvest could have been made within the age of three months, but now it can just be made after four months,” he said.

Other than the delay of harvest time, the lack of water also affected the quality and quantity of rice produced. Paddy plants grew dwarf and yields reduced by 50 percent. “By all means, I can get 15 sacks, but now only 8 sacks, it has diminished considerably,” said Budiasa. (sos)

Chief of North Kuta Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Isaac Koko Hasio, confirmed on Thursday (Jan 1) the handover of the case to the subdistrict police station. Furthermore, the case was investigated and still being developed.

Meanwhile, according to police source, at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the wardens along the entire inmate performed cleanup services in the prison area. In addition, the wardens also checked the inmates to each block. At that time, WD was found not to join the cleanup services and even he hid in his cell. Of course it made the wardens suspicious and immediately carried out a search. When the wardens examined WD’s pants pocket, it was

found four rolls of dried marijuana.

Related to the incident, WD was immediately arrested and taken to North Kuta Police.

The resource person added if WD was a prisoner of drug case and had the address on Jalan Uluwatu II Gang Mawar, South Kuta. He was sentenced to 1 year 8 months and recently just served his sentence for ten months.

Separately, personnel of Kuta Police arrested a domestic traveler, Robert Martin Manalu, 22, during the celebration of New Year’s Eve 2015 in front of the Beachwalk on Jalan Pantai Kuta, Badung, Thursday (Jan 1). The man from North Sumatra was secured approximately at 1:30 p.m. looking

like a drunken man. “Being suspicious, the perpetrator was then secured and conducted a search against the body as well as his purse,” said Chief of Kuta Police, Nyoman Sebudi, accompanied by the Chief of Criminal Investigation Unit, Dewa Tagel.

When the officers searched his purse, it was found dried leaves suspected as marijuana wrapped in newspaper and put into cigarette packs. Furthermore, the suspect and the evidence were taken to police station. “After weighed, it reached 2.90 grams. We have arrested the suspect and the development of this case continues to be undertaken,” added Dewa Tagel. (kmb36)

U.S. slaps more sanctions on North Korea after Sony hack

HONOLULU/WASHINGTON - North Korea was hit with more sanctions on Friday designed to impede access to the U.S. financial system in the wake of a cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment, which the Obama Administration has said was supported by the reclusive country.

The U.S. government named three entities, including North Korea’s military intelligence agency, and sanctioned 10 people with links to weapons sales and proliferation.

AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File

FILE - In this May 19, 2013 file photo, Hipolito Mora, leader of a local self-defense movement, stands with a side-arm as residents protest extortion fees and kidnappings by the Knights of Templar drug cartel in La Ruana, Mexico.

Mexico vigilante founder, 26 others held for deadly clash

MANGUPURA - Wardens of Kerobokan Prison arrested an inmate with the initials WD, 40, at his cell, Wednesday (Dec 31). At that time, the drug-case prisoner was caught carrying four rolls of marijuana. Furthermore, WD and the evidence were submitted to North Kuta Police.

IBP/Sosiawan

The damage rice field in Bangli is seen in the picture

13

MORELIA, Mexico — A judge in the western state of Michoacan has begun homicide proceedings against the founder of a vigilante group and 26 of his followers who were involved in a deadly clash with a rival force in December.

Hipolito Mora founded a vigilante force to fight drug traffickers in Michoacan which later become part of an official rural police force that received guns, uniforms and pay from the government. On Dec. 16, Mora’s group had a shootout with a rival rural police force led

by Luis Antonio Torres, better known as “Simon the American,” that left 11 people dead in the remote mountain town of La Ruana, Michoacan.

After the shootout, authorities said Mexican military and federal police would assume security responsibilities in several municipalities, replacing the rural police.

In late December, both Mora and Torres, along with 35 of their followers, turned themselves in to authorities.

On Saturday, judge Maria Consuelo Lopez Ramirez said there was sufficient evidence against Mora and his followers of their involvement in 10 homicides during the shootout to merit the launch of proceedings. Mora’s son was killed in the clash, the only death not attributed to his group.

What sparked the shootout at a roadblock was unclear, with each side blaming the other. Authorities have said it stemmed from “animosity and conflicts between selfdefense groups.”

The vigilante groups emerged in 2013, as farmers and ranchers took up shotguns and hunting rifles to push back against organized gangs exerting control in the region, specifically the Knights Templar cartel.(ap)

Financial sanctions have been effective in bringing pressure on Iran and Russia, but they have had limited impact on North Korea, which has been sanctioned by the United States for more than 50 years. “It’s not as if they travel a lot abroad to western Europe or the United States ... They don’t have billions of dollars in western banks,” said Joel Wit of 38North, part of the U.S. Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Washington.

Pyongyang has denied involvement in the cyberattack. Washington said there was no evidence that any of the three entities or the individuals were linked to it.

Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew said in a statement that Washington had a “commitment to hold North Korea accountable for its destructive and destabilizing conduct.”

Lew said that even as a probe by the FBI continued “these steps underscore that we will employ a broad set of tools to defend U.S. businesses and citizens, and to

respond to attempts to undermine our values or threaten the national security of the United States.” The cyberattack that crippled Sony’s networks occurred as the company was preparing to release the film “The Interview,” a comedy centered on plans to assassinate North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un. Obama signed an executive order imposing the new sanctions, which deny designated persons access to the U.S. financial system, and authorize the Treasury Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to apply sanctions against officials of North Korea’s government and the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, and people acting on their behalf or in support of them.

“That will allow us at the time and place of our choosing to impose sanctions on any of those Korean officials,” a senior administration official told reporters during a telephone briefing.

The entities are Reconnaissance General Bureau, North Korea’s

intelligence organization; Korea Mining Development Trading Corp, which the Treasury Department described as North Korea’s primary arms dealer; and Korea Tangun Trading Corp, which the U.S. said is primarily responsible for procuring commodities and technology to support North Korea’s defense research and development programs.

The White House said on Friday that the Reconnaissance General Bureau was linked to North Korea’s capacity to wage cyber warfare, but it did not link it directly to the Sony hack attack. Korea Mining Development Trading Corp and Korea Tangun Trading Corp have been previously sanctioned. The 10 North Koreans named in the new sanctions worked for the two companies but are not part of the North’s top leadership.

Despite past sanctions that have been designed to curb North Korean’s nuclear capabilities, Pyongyang has pressed ahead with its nuclear program.(rtr)

AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon

A magazine with cartoons of U.S. President Barack Obama, left, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is displayed at a book store in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

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Monday, January 5, 2015

Traveling

International

Big changes coming to Cuba tourism with US opening

HAVANA — U.S. tourists are roaming the streets of Old Havana, listening to lectures on Art Deco architecture and meeting with jazz musicians. What they aren’t doing yet — at least most of the time — is lounging in the sun and sipping mojitos at white-sand-beach resorts.

American citizens have been allowed to visit Cuba on such “people to people” trips since 2011, one of President Barack Obama’s first moves toward detente with the communist-run island — provided their scheduled activities are sufficiently educational, and down time is kept to a minimum.

Now, such cultural exchanges are not only expected to grow dramatically, they are expected to become more flexible and less bureaucratic following last week’s announcement by Cuba and the U.S. that they would work to restore normal diplomatic relations for the first time in more than 50 years.

Obama has said the U.S. is easing the rules on visiting Cuba, and that will mean major changes for the trips, which are currently so tightly regulated that operators must submit extensive documentation to the Treasury Department, including detailed justification for all activities to prove they are sufficiently educational. That may help cut the costs for trips that can cost much as a good used car back home.

For Americans who don’t have family on the island or fit into one of the handful of other categories for legal visits, the trips have been the only way to visit the island.

General tourism to Cuba is still prohibited by the half-century old trade embargo, and it would take an act of Congress to lift it.

“We can’t go to the beach and drink mojitos all day,” said Tony Pandola, who was leading an eight-day trip to the island this week with Global Expeditions of San Francisco, California, that included a guided architecture tour of Havana.

The new Treasury Department rules have not yet been released, but a White House statement suggests that educational travel to Cuba will now be covered by a “general license,” which means tour operators — and perhaps individuals, depending on how the regulations are written — will be able to head to Cuba and simply give the U.S. government their word that they’re not engaging in ordinary tourism.

Travelers may simply have to sign a form and board a charter flight, making it easier and cheaper to visit the island, experts say.

“As long as, with integrity,

they can say they’re going to engage with the Cuban people and learn about Cuba and talk about the United States then they don’t have to do anything other than say that’s what they’re doing,” said John McAuliff, executive director of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development, which has organized trips in the past.

The changes should add some flexibility to trips that tend to be pretty wonky, less of a sun-andsand vacation and more like a seminar. Jonathan Anderson, a 33year-old from Denver on the Global Expeditions tour was spending a sunny Sunday morning in Havana on an architecture tour, attended a dance exhibition the day before and met with a Cuban diplomat.

“It’s not very, very regimented because we can go out and see things but we have to conform to the rules,” said Anderson, who was on an eight-day trip with his parents that cost them about $6,000 each,

including a charter flight to the island. “But we’re not on a leash.

We can wander around.”

There are already scores of trips on all sorts of topics: baseball, architecture, dance, photography, bird-watching, cigars, churches, visits to colonial cities and to scenic rural parks. Visitors can run in the Havana Marathon or cheer for the Industriales baseball team.

Critics sometimes complain that the trips already veer into tourism, with occasional group chats and lectures on politics and culture thrown in.

And while education is the primary purpose of these trips, some travelers readily admit the appeal of Cuba is a mix of the exotic and the basic desire for sunny weather.

“I thought, OK, I’m going to go somewhere I have no idea about, that has music that I’m going to learn about that I really don’t have any idea about,” said Katja Von Tiesenhausen, a 41-year-old emer-

gency room doctor from Boston who was on a tour that included the Havana Jazz Festival.

Dozens of operators offer peopleto-people travel at prices that typically range from $2,000 to $6,000.

Some cater to specific groups such as academic and legal organizations and others are for the general public. The precise number of people who take them is unknown but experts say most of the 100,000 or so non-Cuban Americans who visit the island legally each year came by

this route. That is expected to increase amid renewed interest in the country following Obama’s Dec. 17 announcement of restored relations after two decades of hostility.

“In the last week, I’ve gotten more calls and emails than ever,” said Collin Laverty, president of Cuba Educational Travel, which last year brought 3,000 people to Cuba.

The easing of tourism regulations is a gamble for both the U.S. and Cuba. (ap)

AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

People watch The Thomson Dream cruise ship leave the bay just after sunset in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

Bali News

International

Monday, January 5, 2015

January, peak of bad weather

Besakih, Sidemen and Singarata prone to landslide

AMLAPURA - Entering January 2015, landslide began to threaten a number of areas in Karangasem County. In accordance with information of the Regional Weather Services (BMKG) III Denpasar, January was the peak of this rainy season. Three regions namely Besakih, Singarata and Sidemen experiencing rainfall above the normal were potentially hit by landslides. The Karangasem Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) alerted 12 personnel to give response as soon as possible when landslide occurred.

The Chief of BPBD Karangasem, Ida Bagus Ketut Arimbawa, revealed that his party currently made anticipation against bad weather predicted to peak in January. The area getting top supervision in accordance with the information from the Regional Weather Services (BMKG) III Denpasar included Besakih, Singarata and Sidemen. The three areas would experience rainfall above normal rate that were potentially hit by catastrophic landslides.

He revealed that in accordance with the mapping of disaster point in Karangasem, the three areas had the potential to experience

landslides due to soil structure and slope surface. “We have conveyed through a circular to subdistrict head to alert people against landslides during heavy rains. People living in the areas prone to landslides were expected to evacuate temporarily to a safer place,” he explained.

His party had also alerted 12 personnel to give quick response when landslide occurred. Besides, a total of 12 reserve personnel were also alerted when disaster occurred at many points simultaneously. Other than landslides, fallen trees also became a threat that haunted the community.

IBP/Mudiarta

Entering January 2015, landslide began to threaten a number of areas in Karangasem County.

In accordance with information of the Regional Weather Services (BMKG) III Denpasar, January was the peak of this rainy season.

People who had high trees that could endanger settlements were expected to cut them.

Ketut Arimbawa claimed to have prepared tree cutting tools, shovels and hoes to cope with landslides

and fallen trees. His party hoped the landslides threatening all the three areas could be anticipated by community so that the losses arising due to disaster could be suppressed. “In the event of a major

10-percent fuel tax torments

disaster, we will deploy the whole strength of the BPBD Karangasem including staff at the secretariat.

However, we hope it will not happen at the peak of this rainy season,” he concluded. (dwa)

Association claims provincial government lucky, people unlucky

AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

In this Dec. 1, 2014 photo, a damaged statue of Saint Tomas stands outside the chapel of the former University of Santo Thomas of Villanueva in Havana, Cuba.

AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

Tourists ride in vintage American convertible cars, on the Malecon in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014.

AP Photo/Desmond Boylan

In this Dec. 19, 2014 photo, tourists fill the famous La Bodeguita del Medio bar where U.S. author Ernest Hemingway used to drink in Old Havana, Cuba.

AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

A man using a bicycle taxi carries pink balloons to a birthday party in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014.

3

DENPASAR - The decline in fuel price carried out by the government of Jokowi-JK at the beginning of the year apparently kindled a protest in the community of Bali. It happened because the government set the price of special Premium fuel at IDR 7,950 per liter or above the price set at IDR 7,600 per liter. It increased due to inclusion of fuel tax (PBBKB) imposed

by Bali government as much as 10 percent, while the government of other regions set at 5 percent.

Chairman of the National Oil and Gas Entrepreneurs Association (Hiswana Migas) of Bali Chapter, Ida Bagus Rai, said if the policy was burdensome to society, especially the lower class because the 10-percent fuel tax would affect prices, particularly those of staples.

“The policy on 10-percent fuel tax is going to benefit the government because the tax going to the treasury will be multiplied. However, the public as consumers will be unlucky. Other than the striking price difference, the policy will also affect the price of basic necessities,” he said in Denpasar.

According to him, the price of fuel played an important role in determining the fluctuations of the price of goods. Moreover, the price of fuel, especially the Premium, was then determined by market mechanism because it was no longer subsidized by the government.

“Now, the community can feel happy to enjoy the relatively affordable Premium fuel because the current world oil price lies in the range of USD 55.48 per barrel. However, it can be imagined when the world oil price rises, for example to USD 100 per barrel plus 10-percent fuel tax, how much will the price of Premium fuel be?” he said.

He said the government would still profit when fuel price rose following the market mechanism, but people would scream because the price would be increasingly unaffordable. “At the end, we as petrol station entrepreneurs will be afflicted by the impact because we are in direct contact with the public. Hopefully, the people will just grumble, but what we fear is anarchical action,” he said.

To that end, he hoped the government in this case the Bali government to revise the policy issued by reducing the fuel tax to 5 percent so as to alleviate the burden of the community.

“I think the government is not aware of the impact of the 10-percent fuel tax. Indeed, the government will be unexpectedly flooded with hundreds of billions of rupiahs from the fuel tax, but the people will scream, so that, in my opinion, it must be revised,” he said.

Assistant Manager of External Relations of Pertamina MOR V, Heppy Wulansari, when asked for her confirmation asserted if the determination of fuel tax was wholly at the local government, while her party only implemented the result of the policy.

“Fuel tax is entirely in the local government authority, so that we just run in accordance with the decision,” she said. She explained the components in determining the price of fuel included the basic price, VAT, fuel tax and operating margin. The price of Premium fuel excluding the tax reached IDR 6,608.70 per liter plus 10 percent of

VAT and 10 percent of fuel tax.

“Fuel tax is part of the regionally generated revenue (PAD) with the range of 5-10 percent. To my knowledge, only Bali Provinces set the fuel tax at 10 percent,” Heppy said.

Meanwhile, Director of YLPK Bali, I Putu Armaya, recognized that most consumers in Bali questioned and complained about the price difference occurred in the field. It happened due to Bali Regional Bylaw (Perda) No.1/2011 of Bali government about regional tax and in Article 37 was set forth the amount of (vehicle) fuel tax as much as 10 percent, so that the price of Premium in Bali was IDR 7,950 per liter with the difference of IDR 350 per liter compared to other regions that only imposed 5 percent.

“In my opinion, the Regional Bylaw needs to be revised, especially the Article 37, which states the amount of fuel tax reaching 10 percent. We will propose a 5-percent tax so that it will be the same as other regions. Now, almost 70 percent of consumers request to immediately revise the regional bylaw,” he concluded. (kmb27)

2

International

Monday, January 5, 2015

Bali News

Monday, January 5, 2015

15

IBP/kmb

New Year celebrations took place in Lippo Mall Kuta. The event with the theme “New Year’s Eve Countdown Party 2015” which was held on Wednesday (31/12) in the Main Lobby of Lippo Mall Kuta.

Penelokan structuring hard to be realized

Excitement on New Year’s Eve

BANGLI - Bangli government promising to arrange the appearance of Penelokan tourist area in Kintamani at the beginning of this year seems quite difficult to realize. So far, the government and dozens of traders who occupied the kiosks in the parking lot of Penelokan still could not reach agreement on the amount of kiosk rental at the Geopark art market. Traders still insisted on seeking a reduction of rental rate, while the government remained on the rental rate in accordance with the rules.

One of the stall owners, Wayan Sumerta, admitted that so far between the traders and local government could not reach an agreement related to the amount of the kiosk rental at the Geopark Art Market.

Actually to discuss the issue, the government and traders already held several meetings. The last meeting was conducted before the Galungan feast recently.

Sumerta acknowledged the absence of agreement about the amount of kiosk rental happened as the traders remained on the original request asking the local government to give facilitation related to the amount of kiosk rental at IDR 300,000 per year. “However, the government still sets the rental price at IDR 3 million per year,” he explained. As both parties were

Activities

International

KUTA - New Year celebrations took place in Lippo Mall Kuta. The event with the theme “New Year’s Eve Countdown Party 2015” which was held on Wednesday (31/12) in the Main Lobby of Lippo Mall Kuta was assembled with variety of interesting activities.

equally ‘stubborn’ the meeting organized by both parties all this time finally could not result in an agreement.

He said that his party was forced to reject the intention of local government because traders considered the kiosk they occupied was on their private land. The kiosks to be demolished for parking lot was the result of land swap that currently used as a police station at Penelokan. “We respect the regulations.

But since the land we occupy is the result of land swap, it now becomes the right of residents. Please do not eliminate the historical condition,” he said. So far both party never reached an agreement, so that his party was still going to wait for the next step made by Bangli government. (ina)

According to Narima Dwitya, Marcomm Manager of Lippo Mall Kuta, activities organized in the form of entertainment, late night shopping, games and other special offers.

This exciting event is packed enlivened with a live performance of the famous band in Bali, special appearances from Jakarta female DJ, dance performances in the form of Belly Dance and Fire Dance. There is

also, flash mob of 100 dancers. They entertain visitors in the Main Lobby of Lippo Mall area of Kuta with an interesting and attractive dance.

At the end of the show, when the countdown begins to close 2014 and begins 2015, the event was celebrated with giant confetti cannons and pyro waterfall technique. In addition in enjoying the show, visitorst also spoiled

by Late Night Sale, presenting year-

end discounts up to 80%.

Visitors can also enjoy variety of culinary available in the area of food stalls. During the event, said Narima, Lippo Mall Kuta also held a variety of games with lots of prizes. Promo Free Beer is also provided for visitors who shop from at 19:00 to 00:00 pm.

She explained that this event was held as a token of appreciation to loyal customers, besides to

Profile

I Nyoman Agus Suparta: IBP/File

The dirty condition of Penelokan in Bangli

Regent asks waste management to be enhanced

IBP/File

The garbage is lying around everywhere. The Regent of Gianyar ask for a better waste management

GIANYAR - Waste management in Gianyar County in 2015 became one of the serious concerns of Gianyar Regent, Anak Agung Gde Agung Bharata. Seeing the condition of the less maximal waste management, the regent asked the Gianyar Sanitation and Landscaping Agency (DKP) to further improve services in terms of waste management next year.

One of them was in the matter of sanitation services. Appearance of Gianyar town in the New Year was expected to be cleaner than previous year. “A new shift should be made every eight hours so that the handling of waste can really be maximal,” he said on the sidelines of the New Year coffee morning.

To better optimize, the officers of the Gianyar Sanitation and Landscaping Agency could work in two shifts. Later, it could be improved again to three shifts. With the additional shift of janitor, the appearance of

Gianyar town could always be clean.

The Head of the Gianyar Sanitation and Landscaping Agency, Wayan Kujus Purwita, admitted that all this time the janitors working every day in waste management were divided into two shifts. To further improve the waste management services, then as the appeal of the leader, his party would make an additional shift into three shifts every day.

Based on the data, the volume of daily waste currently reached 450 cubic meters.

Such number was transported to Temesi landfill by the officers, not to mention on holidays which increased 30 percent to 585 cubic meters. It was handled by a total of 160 janitors, including the officers in the subdistrict market and landfill. To support the waste management activities, the Gianyar Sanitation and Landscaping Agency was supported by 15 dump trucks and 9 three-wheel motorcycles. (kmb16)

 Founder : K.Nadha,  General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti  Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Suasrina, Buleleng: Dewa kusuma, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bagiarta. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto.  Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi.  Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp.

(0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Maintain responsibility and trust

The power of promotion lies in the management. Well, because of wishing to boost promotion, the Harper Kuta Bali Hotel appointed new team of Sales and Marketing Department.

He is Nyoman Agus Suparta. This figure is known to be friendly, young at heart and having brilliant ideas.

Agus first joined the Harper Kuta Bali on October 1, 2014. Actually, he is not a new face in the hospitality industry. With an experience for six years in sales and marketing department, it is enough for him to develop his career path. It is natural as he got a trust from the hotel management.

This man having a hobby in music and football started his career in tourism industry in 2006. Firstly, the graduate of the Bali Tourism Institute filled in the position as receptionist at Sari Segara Resort Villas & Spa. Within less than two years, Agus was promoted to develop his career in sales and marketing department of the same hotel.

Considering to have got an appropriate passion, Agus then decided to deepen his sales field by continuing career at one of the hotels located on Kuta Beach. At that time, he was entrusted to occupy the position as

IBP/Ocha

Assistant Sales Manager prior to get the current position as Sales Manager at the Harper Kuta Hotel.

In his new role at the Harper Kuta Bali Hotel, Agus will be responsible for business development. Besides, he also always makes cooperation with the Director of Sales and Marketing.

Getting a new business opportunity

for maximal achievement is one of the tasks of Agus.

“Responsibility and trust are the keys. In addition, to improve the cooperation, I will establish a good relationship and communication among the employees, chiefly in the Department of Sales and Marketing,” he revealed. (ocha)

maintaining awareness of Lippo Mall Kuta to the public.

“One of events that we offers is Late Night Sale with up to 80% discounts backed by our famous tenants, such as Matahari Department Store, Animale for Men, Yves Rocher, Dana Hadi, Ta Wan, Cosmic Diner, Starbucks, iBox, Geox, Skechers, New Balance and many others,” she explained.

She mentioned that the event was the result of cooperation between Lippo Mall Kuta and tenants in Lippo Mall Kuta which also provide exciting prizes in the form of shopping vouchers for visitors who shopped. (iah)

Balinese Temple Ceremony Every Temple and Shrine has a special date for it annual Ceremony, or “ Odalan “, every 210 days according to Balinese calendar, including the smaller ancestral shrine which each family possesses. Because of this practically every few days a ceremony of festival of some kind takes place in some Village in Bali. There are also times when the entire island celebrated the same Holiday, such as at Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi day, Saraswati day, Tumpek Landep day, Pagerwesi day, Tumpek Wayang day etc.

The dedication or inauguration day of a Temple is considered its birth day and celebration always takes place on the same day if the wuku or 210 day calendar is used. When new moon is used then the celebration always happens on new moon or full moon. The day of course can differ the religious celebration of a temple lasts at least one full day with some temple celebrating for three days while the celebration of Besakih temple, the Mother Temple, is never less than 7 days and most of the time it lasts for 11 days, depending on the importance of the occasion.

The celebration is very colorful. The shrine are dressed with pieces of cloths and sometimes with brocade, sailings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines.

In front of important shrine one sees, besides these umbrellas soars, tridents and other weapons, the “umbulumbul”, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the Temple gate put up “Penjor”, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land.

Most beautiful to see are the girls in their colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the Temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which the carry their load on their heads.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

16 Pages Number 12 7th year

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Monday, January 5, 2015

Bono: I may never play guitar again after crash

Entertainment

write this, it is not clear that I will ever play guitar again.”

He added that his bandmates — The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen — “have reminded me that neither they nor Western civilization are depending on this.”

“I personally would very much miss fingering the frets of my green Irish falcon or my ... Gretsch,” Bono wrote. “Just for the pleasure, aside

from writing tunes. But then does the Edge, or Jimmy Page, or any guitarist you know have a titanium elbow, as I do now?”

The Edge is U2’s principal guitarist.

Bono said he hadn’t “been able to move around physically” since the accident, and would “have to concentrate hard” to be ready for a U2 tour due to start in May. (ap)

Page 6

AP Photo/Charles Sykes, file

In this July 20, 2011 file photo, Bono, right, and Adam Clayton, from the rock group U2, perform in concert as part of U2’s 360 Tour at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File

Madonna hits back at Mandela, King ‘bondage’ images

LOS ANGELES - Pop diva Madonna has hit back at criticism of images posted on her Facebook page showing iconic figures such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King in bondage to mirror her latest album cover.

Photo-shopped portraits of King and Mandela were posted on Madonna’s Facebook page on Friday to resemble artwork on the singer’s upcoming album, “Rebel Heart”, which shows Madonna’s face criss-crossed with black bands.

But the association of the famously risque singer with antiapartheid warrior Mandela and civil rights hero King appalled many commenters on Madonna’s page.

“Lower and lower on the scale of bad taste,” one unimpressed commenter remarked. “Going too far. Your bondage mask works for you since you sell sex but take it off the men of integrity,” added another.

Madonna remained defiant in the face of the criticism, pointing out the images were submitted by fans, and denying she was comparing herself to Mandela, King or any of the other personalities on her page given similar treatment, who included John Lennon, Joan of Arc and Britain’s late Princess Diana.

“I’m sorry, I’m not comparing my self to anyone...I’m admiring and acknowledging there Rebel Hearts...This is niether a crime or an insult or racist!” Madonna wrote in a post full of misspellings.

“I also did it with Michael jaclson and frida khalo and marilyn monroe...am I saying I am them..NO..I’m saying they are Rebel Hearts too.

“And I didn’t do it my fans did...And I just re posted those photos... my fans aren’t racist either..if they put me in the same category as these other people Thank You. “I hope one day to live up to 1 100th of what those people accomplished.” (afp)

e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com. http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Brazil’s Rousseff vows budget cuts, anti-corruption push in 2nd term

LONDON — Bono says he now has a titanium elbow and may never play guitar again due to injuries suffered in a New York City cycling accident.

The 54-year-old U2 frontman suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to his left eye socket, shoulder blade and left elbow, when he crashed his bike in Central Park in November. He required hours of surgery after what doctors called a “high-energy bicycle accident.”

On the band’s website Thursday, Bono said the “recovery has been more difficult than I thought. As I

WEATHER FORECAST 23 - 32 Dps

Gerrard headed for MLS after English season ends Page 8

U.S. slaps more sanctions on North Korea after Sony hack Page 13

Foreign visitors to Bali up in number

Panasunan Siregar said visitors DENPASAR - The number of foreign visitors to Bali rose 14.78 percent year-on-year to 3.41 from Australia rose 18.7 percent to million in the first 11 months of 2014.

“Most of the holidaymakers came via the Ngurah Rai international airport with the rest coming boarding cruise ships,” head of the provincial office of the Central Bureau of Statistics Panusunan

Siregar said. He said the number of visitors already overshot the target of 2.9 million for the whole year.

Increase was recorded in the number of visitors from nine of 10

main countries of origin. A decline was recorded in the number of Taiwan visitors from 119,705 visitors in the first 11 months if 2013 to 106,850 in the same period in 2014.

895,069 from 754,049.

The number of visitors from Australia made up 26.18 percent of the total number of foreign visitors to Bali followed by visitors from China totaling 539,371 or an increase of 49.28 percent; from Ma-

laysia rose 14.87 percent to 172,487 tourists and from Japan totaling 195,541 tourists or an increase of 1.64 percent. (ant) This news can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 at 9.30 until 10.00 am

Aside being flooded with debris, Kuta Beach still crowded with tourists that spending holiday in Bali Island during the year-end holiday season.

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa