Edisi 07 Maret 2014 | International Bali Post

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

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Entertainment

Friday, March 7, 2014

The abs strike back in ‘300’ sequel

WEATHER FORECAST 23 - 32 Dps

Associated Press Writer

The glistening abs are back in “300: Rise of an Empire,” and they’ve been doing crunches. Like its forerunner, the 2007 hit “300,” ‘’Rise of an Empire” again plunges us into bloody, hyper-stylized Greek history: mythology with muscles. The computer-generated warfare franchise is now a third of the way to a six-pack.

Made clearly to capitalize on the popularity of “300,” ‘’Rise of an Empire” is something like collected behind-the-scenes from the Persian invasion featured in “300.” Whereas the first film chronicled, ab by ab, the Spartans’ heroic stand in the Battle of Thermopylae against Xerxes’s Persian invasion, “Rise of an Empire” is about the concurrent naval fight, the Battle of Artemisium.

This may be war by sea, but the ingredients of “300” are largely unaltered.

An outnumbered band of Greeks staves off a tyrannical Persian army below roiling skies of red and gray. Manly honor is fetishized to a comical degree. Blood spills like soup.

These two films, very much intertwined, provoke a number of questions: Did everyone forget their shirts? Is this a workout video? Or is this just the most absurdly ridiculous thing ever?

Yes and no. In “Rise of an Empire,” Zack Snyder moves from the director’s

chair to producer (and co-screenwriter with Kurt Johnstad), leaving Noam Murro to helm the film. But Snyder’s imprint is unmistakable, with his visual style carried over, mimicking the extremes of Frank Miller’s comic book illustrations (the inspiration of both movies).

These are easy films to make fun of.

It’s why perhaps the best thing to come out of “300” was the viral video “It’s Raining Men,” a clip of the movie’s Mediterranean men in various states of brotherly togetherness, set to the disco tune.

But they’re also precisely the movies they seek to be: Some kind of grandly warped, excessively heightened dream of mythical battle. It’s as if Douglas Sirk made a combat video game.

At least it’s the women who reign in “Rise of an Empire,” though one wouldn’t expect that given its seconds into the film when naked breasts make their first gratuitous appearance. The

NEW YORK — Tony-winning Idina Menzel — or Adele Dazeem if you’re John Travolta — is enjoying massive success with “Let It Go” from the animated film “Frozen,” but the entertainer is still perplexed that she’s finally triumphing on the pop charts with a show tune-esque track.

“I’ve had a lot of self-introspection about this. This business is so hard, especially the music business, and I’ve tried so hard to crossover, to convince people just because I was in a Broadway show I didn’t have the street cred to be a rock or a pop singer,” she said in a recent interview. “And then the one time I have it, it’s the arrangement from the Disney movie.” “I’m singing at the Oscars — I’ve never sang at Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP

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

Friday, March 7, 2014 Pakistan resumes Taliban talks as 6 soldiers die

Brazil warms up in style; Spain, France win

Seoul: NK artillery launched near Chinese flight

Page 6

Page 8

Page 13

Schapelle Corby’s sister Mercedes talks to journalists in Bali, Indonesia, Thursday, March 6, 2014. She apologised to Indonesia “from the bottom of my heart” for an interview that sparked calls for her sibling to be thrown back in jail.

AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Eva Green in “300: Rise of an Empire.” male actors here — Sullivan Stapleton as the Greek hero Themistokles, Santoro, back as the bronzed Xerxes — are easily outdone by the females.

Idina Menzel, ‘Frozen’ heat up pop charts Associated Press Writer

16 Pages Number 58 6th year

the Grammys,” Menzel added, laughing.

Menzel’s musical moment grew even stronger when “Let It Go” won best original song at Sunday’s Academy Awards (the Oscar went to the songwriters and producers, Robert Lopez and Kristen AndersonLopez). The song has sold close to 1.5 million tracks and is a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The “Frozen” album, a platinum success, is the soundtrack to spend the most time at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with five weeks and counting; it recently beat the record set by the “Titantic” soundtrack, which featured Celine Dion’s epic, Oscar-winning “My Heart Will Go On.” “I’ve had ups and downs ... and I’m aware of when something’s happening and has an energy of its own,” said Menzel, who voices the lead character Elsa in the film, which won the best animated feature Oscar. “I’m aware enough to know of something special and to try and be in the moment.”

Menzel is having more than a moment in music though, thanks to Travolta, who uttered “Adele Dazeem” at the Oscars instead the singer’s name.

He has since apologized.

This Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 photo shows Tony Award winning actress, singer and songwriter, Idina Menzel, in New York. Menzel performed the Oscar award-winning song “Let It Go” from the “Frozen” soundtrack at the Academy Awards.

Corby sister apologized for interview Agence France-Presse

DENPASAR - The sister of Australian drug mule Schapelle Corby on Thursday apologised to Indonesia “from the bottom of my heart” for an interview that sparked calls for her sibling to be thrown back in jail.

Australia’s Channel Seven aired a documentary last Sunday in which Mercedes Corby suggested her sister had been set up, claiming the drugs she was caught with “could have been from Indonesia”.

It included footage of Schapelle Corby as she was whisked from jail in a van after her release on parole last month, and showed candid video of the first moments back with her family.

The documentary angered Indonesian authorities, who suggested Corby was seeking to profit from her crime. There has been unconfirmed speculation of a lucrative deal with

Channel Seven, which the broadcaster has denied.

Indonesian Justice Minister Amir Syamsuddin, under significant domestic pressure, warned of a “big possibility” that Corby’s parole could be revoked.

“From the bottom of my heart I am very sorry to the people of Indonesia if my interview on Australian TV caused unease,” Mercedes Corby said in statement sent to News Corporation.

“I apologise if my words were disrespectful to Indonesia.

I did not intend any disrespect.

AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati

“Our family are happy and grateful that Schapelle is free on parole. We thank the Indonesian government,” she added.

Corby was arrested in 2004 at Bali’s main airport with 4.1 kilograms (nine pounds) of marijuana in her surf gear, and subsequently jailed.

She has always proclaimed her innocence. The saga has riveted Australians and generated significant sympathy in her home country, where her plight has been given blanket coverage.

When an Indonesian minister visited to warn that her parole was in peril on Tuesday, he said Corby brandished a knife and threatened to kill herself, although her family have since denied it was a serious suicide bid.

Continued on page 6

2

International

Friday, March 7, 2014

Bali News

Wall of Dalem Trunyan Temple collapsed

DENPASAR – In an effort to promote the island of Bali and increase its number of visitors from China, Archipelago International hosted a Fam-Trip on 24-26 February 2014 for a group of travel agents based in two of China’s provinces, Xiamen and Fuzian.

A Familiarization Trip or a Fam-Trip is a marketing program designed to acquaint event planners with a specific destination. The trip therefore gave a “snapshot” look at Archipelago’s Bali-based hotels allowing the travel agents to experience the different features & facilities of each hotel. It also enabled the agents to see firsthand exactly what guests can expect from the individual hotels, putting them in better stead to recommend the accommodations to their customers or employees.

The group consisted of 31 personnel and they were given the full Archipelago International experience. On the first day, the group stayed at favehotel Bypass; a quality budget hotel complete with MICE facilities and a location right at the heart of the main thoroughfare, Bypass Ngurah Rai. On the second day, the agents stayed at Quest Kuta –

IBP/File

Nine people bitten by rabies dog Bali Post

SINGARAJA - Dog bite cases happened again in Buleleng. The dog positively infected with rabies has bitten its owner and other residents. Based on the report received by the Buleleng Agriculture and Livestock Agency, a total of nine residents were bitten by dog having been positively infected with rabies. Four residents were from Yadnya Kerti hamlet, Ularan village, Seririt subdistrict, while five others were residents from Ngis hamlet, Tembok village, Tejakula subdistrict. All rabies dog bite victims were under surveillance and had to get an injection of anti-rabies vaccine (VAR) in their respective public health center.

Information gathered from the Buleleng Livestock Agency on Wednesday (Mar 5), a rabid dog bite case occurred at Ngis hamlet,

Tembok village as reported on February 26, 2014. Local dog belonging to a resident Nyoman Sadiarta blindly bit his neighbors in two consecutive days.

The stray dog owned by Nyoman Sadiarta bit his neighbors namely Nyoman Resi, Ketut Pas and Wayan Gambir. The three victims were bitten on the hand, palm and the left calf (Feb 22). On the following day (Mar 23), the dog attacked again one more resident, namely Wayan Pasek, causing his heel to get injured and bleed.

Before biting the victim, the behavior of dog owned by Sadiarta was suddenly violent and attacked the residents visiting him. The dog was acquired from local neighbor and about four months old. Sadiarta then reported the incident to the field extension officer (PPL) of the Buleleng Agriculture and Livestock Agency. Afterward, the

Tuban, a modern, sophisticated and contemporary chic hotel located close by to Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The group also visited and experienced the new 4 star Aston Ungasan Hotel & Convention Center which has amazing views across Tanjung Benoa’s harbor. They also explored Grand Aston Bali Beach Resort before a final visit to favehotel Umalas; a quality budget hotel in Bali’s classy district just minutes from Seminyak.

“As one of the main markets for Indonesia’s tourism, it is critical that Chinese travelers have access to as much information about Bali as possible.

We were delighted to host the Fam-Trip program for some of China’s travel agents, because it not only gave us a chance to demonstrate why Archipelago International is one of the leading hotel

IBP/Courtesy of Archipelago International

management groups in the country, but it also enabled us to fulfill our own responsibility to provide quality hospitality and memorable experiences for the agents so that they can

Calendar Event for March 5 through May 21, 2014

The Dalem Trunyan Temple

samples of the dog were then tested in the Veterinary Center (B-Bvet), Bali Livestock Agency. The lab test results indicated if the Sadiarta’s dog was positively infected with rabies. It has been eliminated to avoid further bite victims.

Apart from Tembok village, residents of Yadnya Kerti hamlet, Ularan village, Seririt subdistrict, were also restless after many residents were bitten by the dog belonged to Ketut Sudimba, a local resident. Four residents at the village including the dog owner Sudimba were bitten by the dog (Mar 1). Meanwhile, three neighbors consisting of Nengah Triasih was bitten on the hand, Gusti Kadek on the palm of the hand and Mrs. Jro Made on her finger. The dog bite victims had also received the anti-rabies vaccine in the nearest public health center.

From the results of field inves-

tigation by the officers and the information from the dog owner, before the incident the dog of Sudimba had a fight with a stray dog whose owner was unclear. A few days later, behavior of the four-month dog suddenly turned violent. Since then, the dog formerly being docile was directly biting its owner and three other people. Having examined the dog’s head sample, in fact, it was positive to rabies. Meanwhile, the dog having fought with the dog belonging to Sudimba was not found by the officers. Allegedly, the dog whose owner was unclear transmitted rabies to dog owned

by Sudimba.

The Head of Buleleng Agriculture and Livestock Agency, Nyoman Swatantra, accompanied

by Animal Health Division Head Wayan Susila when asked for his confirmation justified the dog bite

15

IBP

BANGLI - The overflowing water of Lake Batur in Kintamani did not only soak dozens of homes at Trunyan village, but also caused the compound wall of Dalem Temple at local cemetery of Trunyan to collapse. It was revealed by Headman of Trunyan, Wayan Arjana, Wednesday (Mar 5).

He said the collapse of the compound walls actually occurred on Monday (Mar 3). The Dalem Temple itself was located around the cemetery commonly visited by many travelers. The collapse of the temple compound wall, said Arjana, took place at noon. Allegedly, the wall collapsed as it was not strong enough to hold the water pressure due to abrasion occurred in the mouth of the lake. As results, the travelers making a visit to Trunyan village cemetery were slightly disturbed.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bangli Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Wayan Sugiharta, also said the collapse of the temple compound wall was caused by damp condition of the wall. In addition to knocking down the wall, the overflowing lake water also threatened to soak the floor of the Dalem Temple.

Sugiharta said that to temporarily anticipate the entry of water his party would create a soil sack embankment to be placed on the temple compound wall. “Obviously, we still continue to make coordination regarding the handling because the temple is located close to the lake water. For the time being, we cannot estimate the amount of losses,” he added. (ina)

Friday, March 7, 2014

Archipelago International hosts farm-trip for China’s travel agents

Overflowing lake water

Bali Post

Activities

International

was positive to rabies that occurred at Tembok village and Ularan village. He said the officers were still making observation after the dog bite declared positive to rabies at two separate villages. The agency performed elimination by targeting dogs owned by residents alleged to have been infected with rabies.

In addition, the dogs owned by residents had been injected with anti-rabies vaccine (VAR). Even, the vaccination scheduled this week would be targeting Bhuana Kerti hamlet, Ularan village. It was intended to prevent the transmission of rabies at the village.

“We’ve received the reports and handled it according to the standard operating procedures and status of the village was still being observed. Particularly for the Ularan village, the stray dog will be vaccinated within this week,” he said. (mud)

 Founder : K.Nadha,  General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti  Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Suasrina, Buleleng: Adnyana, 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

5 Mar Hari Urip 6 Mar Hari Patetegan 7 Mar Pengeradanan Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Kabayan Penebel Tabanan 8 Mar Saraswati Pura Pasek tangkas Gempinis Dalang Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Sayan Abiansemal Pura Watu Gunung Bima Pura Agung Jagat Karana Surabaya Pura Aditya Jaya Jakarta Pura Pemaksan Banyuning Timur Pura Agung Wira Loka Cimahi Jawa Barat 9 Mar Hari Banyu Pinaruh 10 Mar Soma Ribek Pura Jati Jembrana Pura Kawitan Bayu Gaiyang Bangli Tirta Wening Surabaya Pura Desa Lingga Wana Abang Karangasem 11 Mar Sabuh Mas 12 Mar Hari Pagerwesi Pura Labang Sindu JiwaUbud Pura Kehen Bangli Pura Wira Bhuana Magelang Jawa tengah Pura Padang Sakti Denpasar Timur Pura Payogan Agung Ketewel Gianyar Pura Gaduh Pangiasan Dauh Puri Denpasar Pura Masceti Tampak Siring Pura Dalem Ularan Denpasar Pura Siwa Penebel Tabanan Pura Luhur Sliki Banyuwangi Pura Gunung Lebah Ubud Pura Puseh Sukawati 15 Mar Purnama Sasih Kesanga Pura Nataran Sasih Pejeng Gianyar Pura Bukit Mentik Gunung lebah Batur Kintamani 17 Mar Kajeng Kliwon Uwudan 22 Mar Tumpek Landep Pura Mutering Jagat Dalem Sidakarya

Denpasar Pura Agung Pasek Tabanan Pura Pasek Tangkas Tabanan Pura Kerta Banyuning Buleleng Pura Dalem Tenggaling Singapadu Gianyar Pura Bhujangga Jembrana Pura Dalem pingit Tegalalang Pura Penataran Pande Pandean Mengwi Pura Ida Ratu Pande Besakih Pura Penataran AGung Tulikup Pura Kumuda Saraswati Ubud Pura Batur Arya Tabanan 23 Mar Radite Umanis Ukir Sanggah Gede Dukuh Segening Tegal Tugu Gianyar 26 Mar Buda Cemeng Ukir Pura Pajenengan Kawitan Arya Gelgel Kelungkung Pura Pasar Agung Besakih Pura Pasek Bendesa Legian Kuta Badung Pura Gde Gunung Agung Munggu Badung Pura Puseh Bebalang Bangli Pura Dalem Peruncak Badung Pura Pasek Bendesa Hyang Krobokan Badung Pura Kereban Langit Mengwi Badung 28 Mar Melasti Pakiyisan Ke Segara Pura Pasek Gelgel Kukuh Marga 30 Mar Tilem Kesanga Tawur Agung 31 Mar Hari Raya Nyepi 1 May Buda Kajeng Kliwon Enyitan

2 May Bhatara Sri Ida Ratu Geng Besakih Pura Penataran Agung Besakih Ida Ratu Raja Puraus Besakih Merajan Saloding Besakih 6 May Anggara Kasih Juluwangi Pura Thirta Harum Tegal Wangi Bangli Pura Baratan Baturiti Pura Batu Klotok Klungkung

Pura Pasek Tohjiwa Wanasari Tabanan Pura Ibu Wanagiri Selemadeg Tabanan Pura Manik Bingin Dukuh Sidemen 7 May Pura Penataran Gana Bebalang Bangli Pura Dalem Gede Pande Bangli Pura Puncak Sari Sangeh Abian Semal Pura Puseh Penegil Dharma Kubu Tambahan Bangli Pura Dalem Maya Blahbatuh Gianyar Pura Linggih Betara Kayu Selem Penataran Agung Besakih 13 May Purnama Sasih Jiyestha Pura Dwija Warsa Malang Pura Pucak Tinggah Angsri Baturiti Pura Kawitan Luhur Bhujangga Jati Luwih Penebel Pura Kawitan Batur Pande Tonja Tonja Denpasar Pura Penataran Agung Sidemen Karangasem Pura Maospahit Grenceng Denpasar 15 May Sugihan Jawa Pura Kawitan Tangkas Kori Agung Tangkas Klungkung Pura Siang Kangin Peninjoan Tembuku Bangli Pura Ida Ratu Mas Penataran Agung Besakih Pura Ida Bhatara Bang Tulus Besakih 16 May Sugihan Bali Dan Kajeng Kliwon 18 May Penyekeban 19 May Penyajaan Galungan 20 May Penampahan Galungan 21 May Hari Raya Galungan Pura Wakika Kupang NTT Pura Agung Girinatha Sumbawa Besar NTB Pura Dukuh Sakti Dukuh Kediri Tabanan Pura Atambuananta Kutamba NTT Pura Webananta Kupang NTT Pura Giripati Mulawarman Pontianak Pura Mustika Dharma Cijantung Jakarta Timur

continue convincing Chinese tourists to come this magical, international destination.” Said Norbert Vas, Vice President Sales & Marketing Archipelago International.

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.

14

Fashion

Friday, March 7, 2014

International

Rihanna at McCartney Paris show; Suzy Menkes quits

Associated Press Writer

PARIS — High fashion equals high drama, the latest installment of Paris Fashion Week proved Monday. A hooded Rihanna tried her best to pass unnoticed at the Stella McCartney show but caused yet more mayhem. Meanwhile, the world’s most influential fashion critic, Suzy Menkes, announced she’s ditching newspapers after a quarter of a century, though she denied there’s an end in sight for the print industry.

Elsewhere, Swinging Sixties icon Marianne Faithfull lambasted a reporter after getting squashed at a fashion show. Here are some highlights from the fall-winter ready-to-wear collections.

RIHANNA NOT INCOGNITO AT STELLA MCCARTNEY

Try as she might to be discreet — enveloped in a green-black Stella McCartney hooded coat with huge cat eye shades — Rihanna just had no luck. Within seconds of her arrival Monday, her star-power magnetism drew in the paparazzi, who followed her backstage where she hobnobbed with British model of the moment Cara Delevigne.

A radiant McCartney, meanwhile, hugged the pop star and exclaimed: “She is amazing.” STELLA HAS FUN WITH ZIPPERS, STIRRUPS, ROPE McCartney’s show brimmed with ideas and plays on utilitarian features.

Zippers featured as abstract embroidery all over coats and suits that glistened like ripples of water.

This sporty theme — a McCartney signature — was seen again as mountaineering cords were used as embroidered motifs on storm gray tweeds.

Menswear pants sported stirrups — elastic bands wrapped under platform shoes — hybrids of an office shoe mixed with a sneaker in red, black, beige, gold and a beautiful pale blue.

Apart from a spattering of tie-dye looks that appeared a bit washed out, it was a great collection. Only such a classy designer as McCartney can channel a sporty, outdoorsy and menswear muse and still produce a feminine show.

END OF AN ERA AS SUZY MENKES QUITS NEWSPAPERS

She’s the doyenne of fashion, with the instantly recognizable curled fringe. And now newspaper critic Suzy Menkes, 70, is ending her 25year reign as fashion editor for the International Herald Tribune (now the International New York Times).

MARIANNE FAITHFULL BLASTS REPORTER

After being squashed on the front row as journalists tried to get near Rihanna, Seventies British singing icon Marianne Faithfull got annoyed.

She blasted a reporter for asking the “Diamonds” singer, sitting four seats down, a question about “12 Years a Slave” winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Faithfull, 66, who first found fame as Mick Jagger’s girlfriend in the 60s, attended the Paris show to support longtime friend McCartney.

She overheard the Oscars question for Rihanna and interrupted grumpily: “That’s a ridiculous question... Get a new job!” To which the journalist replied: “What’s your job?”

3

Bali Post

DENPASAR - Denpasar Municipality has not been serious in working on the Denpasar City Tour program. Actually, the potential owned by Denpasar to package the city tour program is actually quite large. Even, the echo of city tour has no longer been heard or it is in a dead faint because the attractions on offer are those of very same things. Ideally, there should be an arrangement so it can draw the visit of more travelers.

He said the municipal government should reflect on the management of Seoul Museum in South Korea. For example, the vast acreage and high comfort as a place of learning could draw travelers to come, both local and foreign travelers, especially school children who wanted to know better about the ancient and modern history of Korea.

“Even, the collection of remnants originating in the Majapahit kingdom gets the most extensive space. In comparison to the Bajra Sandhi becoming the proud of Denpasar has not met the requirements as the category of museum,” he said.

To that end, he said there should be courage and breakthrough made by the Mayor with the support of the Denpasar House for the development of museum equipped with advanced technology facilities and comfortable rooms. Thus, travelers or school children could learn contently in the museum.

“In essence, it should be focused because Denpasar has the accessibility that supports the city position being close to tourist destinations scattered in Bali. Even, the distance to Ngurah Rai International Airport is only 20 minutes,” he said.

IBP/Eka

People visit bird market at Denpasar City, Bali Island. This bird market also visit by foreign tourists as part of city tour that offers by Denpasar Municipality.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Denpasar Municipality, Dewa Rai, stated that his party would keep on developing the Denpasar city tour program by organizing various cultural events. “One of the efforts is to increase tourist visits, including to tourist resorts of the city by improving the object such as through revitalization of traditional markets as made at Intaran, Sindhu Sanur,”

he explained.

Denpasar Municipality, said Dewa Rai, had also made arrangement to Z curve from Pemecutan Palace to Satria Palace, including the improvement at Catur Muka roundabout as the effort to encourage the program.

The city tour program of Denpasar had actually taken place since tourism began to flourish in Bali. It was visible

from the establishment of Bali Hotel (now, Inna Bali Hotel) located in the heart of Denpasar. However, the more serious idea to work on the city tour was raised again when AA Puspayoga officiated as the Mayor of Denpasar.

Together with his deputy who was a tourism practitioner, (late) I Ketut Robin, he intended to make the city tour a flagship tourism program in the city of Denpasar. (kmb27)

Garuda Indonesia joins Skyteam Antara

SAME OLD SLIMANE AT SAINT LAURENT BUT WITH SPARKLES, 60s

Designer Hedi Slimane continued with his 70s feel for fall-winter but upped the disco sequins and added a dash of the 60s for good effect. (A little like his Las Vegas menswear show, but less successful.) Was it the anticipation of sixties wild child Marianne Faithfull on the front row that pushed him to fuse his signature designs with swinging minis, Mary Quant-style black and white striped patent leather boots, neat white neck bows, and polka dots?

There were the hits and misses.

The misses were the heavy handed looks: the huge black fur coat with giant white polka dots that didn’t

Friday, March 7, 2014

‘Denpasar City Tour’ turns dormant It was expressed by a member of the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (BPPI), Mangku Nyoman Kandia, when met in Denpasar.

According to him, the infrastructure supporting the development of city tour had not been worked on to the fullest. For example, the traditional market attraction offered to travelers was not followed by a clear arrangement and it still looked dirty. So, it made it difficult to attract travelers to visit the traditional markets.

He said that Denpasar City Tour package had been packaged by travel agencies in Bali far before the Denpasar was transformed into a city around the 1970s. Even, the name of Denpasar as the capital of Bali Province had been used as a place to stay for foreign travelers when the Bali Hotel was built in 1920. Later in 2020, it had been 100 years of tourism in Bali.

“Compared to the tourist cities around the world, Denpasar does not have the infrastructure to support the tourism such as the technology-based information, less focused website promotion media and substandard toilets for foreign and domestic travelers,” he explained.

“I’m going to Conde Nast,” she told The Associated Press, saying she’s excited to move on from papers. “I’m especially thrilled to be online because with newspapers, you know... But I’ve had a wonderful career in print,” she added.

When asked if she thought that the time was up for newspapers, which have experienced a steady decline in sales worldwide with the rise of online news, she replied: “No, of course not!”

Menkes’ new post will be International Editor for Vogue magazine, across all countries except the U.S.

Bali News

International

AP Photo/Michel Euler

A model wears creations by French fashion designer Hedi Slimane for St Laurent ready-towear fall/winter 2014-2015 fashion collection presented in Paris, Monday, March 3, 2014. make much of a creative statement; or the rather ordinary navy coats; and one wacky look that mixed a Scottish tartan cape, a gold-red patterned mini-dress with a wide rimmed black hat.

But the hits included looks with some interesting creative touches: prickly, studded, knee-high boots, a micro leopard-print dress with a gray marl menswear jacket, and a saleable warm beige fur cardigan with “Le Smoking”-style shoulders. It was

luxury-meets-East London.

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI PERFUMES THE AIR, NOT THE CLOTHES

Sweet rose perfume wafted through the air. But Giambattista Valli’s fallwinter show itself turned away from the saccharine, feminine styles that have graced recent seasons — and the collection was all the better for it.

The first looks were the strongest,

a series of complex black-and-white mottled gowns with A-line skirts.

They showcased great textural play with optical patterns that at times resembled the markings of a butterfly, alongside exaggerated proportions.

(The butterfly effect is an on-trend style also seen at the Celine and Chloe shows.)

The show’s flower prints weren’t that new or inspiring, but Valli perfected a beautiful new silhouette of open fabric swirls at the hip.

IBP/Parwata

The nation’s flag carrier Garuda Indonesia on Wednesday officially joined the SkyTeam, an alliance of 5-star airlines.

NUSA DUA - The nation’s flag carrier Garuda Indonesia on Wednesday officially joined the SkyTeam, an alliance of 5-star airlines.

Garuda Indonesia is the 20th members of the alliance in a ceremony held here attended by CEOs of major airlines in the world.

This is a new era for Garuda Indonesia to be connected with other 5-star global airlines members of the SkyTeam,” President of SkyTeam Leo van Wijk said.

Garuda CEO Emirsyah said by joining SkyTeam, Garuda Indonesia places itself in the center of global aviation and international market.

“SkyTeam is an alliance of global airlines facilitating passengers to be connected with global networks of airlines with many destinations,” Emirsyah said Other members of the SkyTeam include Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Saudia, TAROM and Vietnam Airlines.

SkyTeam alliance has a total of 506 million passengers per year with 14,000 flights per day and 958 destinations in 173 countries.

4

Friday, March 7, 2014

Bali News

International

Increases, maternal mortality rate in Badung Bali Post

IBP/File

The situation in Bali during last year’s Nyepi

Nyepi, public meeting campaign nullified across Indonesia Bali Post

DENPASAR - Nullification of public meeting campaign as a form of respect to Nyepi (Day of Silence) celebration for the Hindus will not just happen in Bali. The Central Electoral Commission has decided to nullify the public meeting campaign in all provinces in Indonesia at the peak of the Nyepi celebration on March 31, 2014. It was announced by Chairman of Bali Electoral Commission, Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi, Wednesday (Mar 5).

“In the national campaign schedule based on the Decree No.267/2013 stipulated by Central Electoral Commission, it is mentioned that at the peak of Nyepi celebration there will be no public meeting campaign in Indonesia. Meanwhile, in Bali, there will be no public meeting campaign for five days on March 28-31 and April 1 in relation to the Nyepi celebration,” said Raka Sandhi.

According to him, the decision to nullify the public meeting campaign across Indonesia at the peak of Nyepi celebration was based on the rationale to respect the Hindus who were celebrating their holiday because the Hindus were not only in Bali, but also spread throughout Indonesia.

Thus, there was guarantee that Nyepi celebration by the Hindus across Indonesia would not be disturbed by campaign activities.

“It is in honor of the Nyepi celebration. Moreover, the Central Electoral Commission and political party leaders have also agreed to nullify at the central level. So, let’s jointly honor and maintain the celebration of Nyepi in order to be free from public meeting campaign,” he said.

Raka Sandhi said the nullification of public meeting campaign in Bali did not necessarily mean to reduce the chance of political parties and regional representative council candidates to campaign. However, the schedule had been set so that all participants of the election got the same op-

portunity and proportion. “It is the principle of organizing the election with respect to religious holiday without diminishing the right of campaign for the participating candidates. It is guaranteed that all the participating candidates can get the same and fair opportunity to hold campaign as other provinces in Indonesia,” he affirmed.

As reported previously, the Electoral Commission had set the schedule of public meeting campaign (involving a crowd of people in public open space) in Bali for political parties participating in the election in Bali and the candidates of Bali regional representative council (DPD) started on March 16 until April 5, 2014. The Bali Elec-

toral Commission divided the campaign into 4 zones of public general meeting for the election of members of the House of Representatives (DPR-RI) and the Bali House (DPRD Bali), namely Zone I (Denpasar, Gianyar), Zone II (Badung, Tabanan), Zone III (Jembrana, Buleleng) and Zone IV (Klungkung, Bangli and Karangasem). Each political party of the 12 participating political parties in the electoral campaign had the opportunity for one time in each zone.

Meanwhile, the schedule for the public meeting campaign for the Regional Representative Council (DPD) candidates was divided into 8 zones namely Denpasar, Badung, Tabanan, Jembrana, Buleleng, Bangli and Klungkung (one zone), Karangasem and Gianyar. Each candidate had the campaign opportunity for two times in each zone so they did a total of 16 times of public meeting campaign throughout Bali. (wid)

MANGUPURA - In the past three years, the maternal mortality rate (AKI) in Badung tends to increase when compared to previous years. However, the increase is claimed not to have been caused by less maximal health care services. The Badung government considers the trigger is pretty much sourcing from the high migration.

The Head of Badung Health Agency, I Gde Putra Suteja, said on Wednesday (Mar 5) the increase in the maternal mortality rate in Badung was caused by several factors, including migration, quality of health care as well as nonobstetric factor such as heart disease and malignancy of HIV/AIDS. The maternal mortality could also be caused by obstetric factors such as hemorrhage, eclampsia and infection. These factors stayed to happen in Badung.

Regarding the increasing trend of the maternal mortality rate in Badung, Suteja said, the migration factor was still very significant. Many people were not monitored, primarily the migrants. Some few of them brought along congenital disease suffered from the area of origin. When they died, they did not have the identity card of Badung.

A similar sentiment was expressed by the Division Head of Family Health, Badung Health Agency, I Wayan Segara.

Despite claiming not to memorize the data, he mentioned the increase in maternal mortality rate in Badung was not significant. “The increase is not much.

But, it is something beyond the expectation and must be cautious,” he said.

He said the maternity mortality rate in Badung was lower than some other counties in Bali. However, when compared to that of Denpasar City, indeed the maternal mortality rate of Badung County was higher.

Related to migration factor, Segara explained it was very influential in the data collection. All this time, as long as the people settled in Badung, the maternal mortality data were directly put into the Badung County. In reality, the housewife was not necessarily having the identity card of Badung. “Although some of them have the identity card of Badung, most of them already have higher risk from the region of origin,” he said.

In 2014, the data collection method would be changed. In accordance with the directive of Bali government, each maternal death without the identity of Badung County would not be included in the data collection of Badung.

“In this case, the maternal mortality rate in Badung is expected to decline.

By all means, it can be accompanied with improvement of health care and active participation of the community,” he said. (kmb25)

International

W

Friday, March 7, 2014

RLD

13

Seoul: NK artillery launched near Chinese flight

Associated Press Writer

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean officials on Thursday criticized a North Korean artillery launch that they say happened minutes before a Chinese commercial plane reportedly carrying 202 people flew in the same area. It wasn’t immediately clear what danger, if any, the launch Tuesday posed to the China Southern Airlines plane traveling from Tokyo to Shenyang, China, but Seoul Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok called it a “serious threat” that Pyongyang failed to notify international aviation authorities of its launch plans in the area.

Kim said the plane was traveling at an altitude of 10 kilometers (6 miles), while the projectile’s peak altitude was 20 kilometers (12 miles). He said the flight passed through the area about five minutes after the projectile hit the water.

An unidentified North Korean army spokesman said in a statement Wednesday night that rocket drills conducted from Feb. 21 until Tuesday were part of regular training. He said that neither regional security nor the international navigation were in danger because the North took “scrupulous advance security measures for flight orbit and targets in the designated waters.” Asked about the incident, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman called for all sides to continue improving relations and to refrain from provocations.

Seoul officials say the suspected

artillery launch Tuesday and others that included Scud missiles in previous days were protests of ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills that Pyongyang considers invasion preparation. Washington and Seoul say the drills, which prompted threats of nuclear war from the North a year ago, are defensive in nature and meant to deter North Korean aggression.

It was not immediately clear what kind of artillery the North launched.

But South Korean officials believe the recent series of launches were in part an effort to test 300-mm multiple rocket launchers, according to the South’s Chosun Ilbo. If fired from near the demilitarized zone separating the rival Koreas, the newspaper reported, such rockets could reach the headquarters of the South Korean army, navy and air force.

Despite the recent firings and

AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon

South Korean army’s tanks maneuver during a military exercise in Paju near the border with North Korea, South Korea, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

launches, outside analysts say the North is taking a softer stance toward the U.S.-South Korean military drills this year than last year because it wants better ties with the outside world to revive its struggling economy.

Also Thursday, Seoul said that North Korea rejected Seoul’s pro-

posal to hold talks on reunions of families divided by the 1950-53 Korean War. South Korea wants to make such reunions, which were held last month for the first time in more than three years, egular events, but analysts say Pyongyang worries that could take away a key piece of political leverage with the South.

The Korean Peninsula remains officially at war because the Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. Tension spiked sharply a year ago as North Korea responded furiously to last year’s drills and to international condemnation of its third nuclear test in February 2013.

Crimea: 11,000 pro-Russian troops in control Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov

Riot police stand at the entrance of the regional administrative building during a rally in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine — ProRussian forces numbering more than 11,000 controlled all access to Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and have blockaded all military bases that have not yet surrendered, Crimea’s new leader said. The West has joined the new Ukrainian leadership in Kiev in demanding that Russia pull its forces from Crimea, but little progress was reported after a flurry of diplomatic activity in Paris on Wednesday involving U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The European Union leaders will meet for an emergency session in Brussels on Thursday to decide what sorts of sanctions they can impose on Russia over its actions in Ukraine. Moscow has threatened to retaliate if any punitive measures are put in place. A U.N. special envoy sent to Crimea came under threat from armed men who forced him to leave the region.

Concern that the turmoil could engulf eastern Ukraine grew after hundreds of demonstrators — many chanting “Russia! Russia!

— stormed a government building on Wednesday in Donetsk, a major industrial center near the Russian border. Clashes between protesters and police broke out early Thursday in Donetsk as police cleared demonstrators from the building. Dozens were detained.

The European Union on Wednesday extended $15 billion in aid to help support the new Ukrainian government, which took over in late February after months of protests drove out the Moscow-supported president, Viktor Yanukovych.

The EU also imposed asset freezes against 18 people held responsible for embezzling state funds in Ukraine, including Yanukovych, his son and some of his closest allies.

Crimea’s new leader, Sergei Aksyonov, said his government was in regular contact with the Russian officials, including those in a large Russian delegation now in Crimea.

12

International

Friday, March 7, 2014

BUSINESS

Agence France-Presse

AP Photo/J Pat Carter

An airline passenger sits next to the Miami airport travel board, Monday, Feb. 17, 2014, in Miami. There were very few flight delays or cancellations.

Global air passenger traffic climbs 8% in January

GENEVA - Global air passenger traffic rose by 8.0 percent in January compared to the same month in 2013, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said Wednesday.

The year “is off to a strong start, with travel demand accelerating over the healthy results achieved in 2013,” IATA chief Tony Tyler said in a statement.

The soaring numbers came amid “stronger growth in advanced economies and emerg-

ing market regions,” he said.

January outperformed the previous month, when air passenger traffic rose 6.8 percent year-on-year and was well above the full year growth last year of 5.2 percent.

International air traffic swelled 7.8 percent in January

Friday, March 7, 2014

5

Facing AEC 2015

Eurozone recovery strengthening, data suggests

Agence France-Presse

Bali News

International

while domestic routes grew 8.2 percent, IATA said.

Passenger numbers were up across all regions, soaring 18.1 percent in the Middle East.

Airlines in that region are benefitting from a number of strong economies and solid growth in business-related premium travel, especially in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, IATA said.

Air passenger numbers meanwhile jumped 8.0 percent in the Asia-Pacific region and

6.4 percent in Europe.

North American carriers meanwhile only posted 3.5-percent growth, while passenger numbers were up 4.4 percent in Latin America and 2.7 percent in Africa.

When it comes to domestic travel, China reported the greatest growth, with passenger numbers up a fifth in January, with an already solid expansion boosted further by the timing of the Lunar New Year, IATA said.

BRUSSELS - The eurozone’s economic recovery is strengthening, data released Wednesday suggested, although growth remains moderate with hard-pressed consumers keeping a tight check on spending.

Gross domestic product growth accelerated to 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 in the eurozone, enough of an improvement on 0.1 percent in the previous quarter, the EU’s data agency said.

The eurozone had escaped a record 18month recession in the second quarter last year with growth of 0.3 percent, but then stagnated.

In its final figures for October to December growth, Eurostat confirmed that investments and exports drove recovery in the final quarter.

However, household spending rose by just 0.1 percent, the same rate as in the third quarter.

“The consumer revival required to broaden and strengthen the economic recovery (was) still conspicuous by its absence,” said Jonathan Loynes, chief European economist at Capital Economics.

Retail sales figures released separately showed a 1.6 monthly gain in January, but Loynes noted this followed a drop of roughly the same amount in December.

Slovenia posted the strongest growth at 1.2 percent while Cyprus registered a slide of 0.1 percent along with Estonia while Finland saw a fall of 0.3 percent.

The bloc’s biggest economy Germany showed growth of 0.4 percent in the October-December period, better than analyst forecasts for 0.3 percent, while the French economy grew 0.3 percent, below forecasts.

Italy managed only 0.1 percent growth.

However a key forward-looking indicator, a survey of companies compiled by data firm Markit, showed that business activity in the 18-nation eurozone powered to its strongest growth in over two-and-ahalf years.

Markit Economics said its Eurozone Composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for February rose to 53.3, the highest level since June 2011.

A figure above 50 suggests an upturn while one below shows a decline.

The upturn in the service sector gave the main boost to overall activity, while manufacturing also contributed.

Ireland posted the steepest expansion of business activity, while Germany was second placed.

Italy also returned to growth and recovery continued in Spain, the survey showed.

Bali human resource quality must be strengthened Bali Post

DENPASAR - In 2015, Indonesia with nine countries in the Southeast Asian region will become the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). As the implication, all goods or services including labor can be channeled into the ASEAN region. Facing the AEC 2015, the human resources of Bali should be strengthened so as not to lose competitiveness.

Chairman of the Bali Regional Council of the Indonesian Training Institute Association (HILLSI), I Made Juana, said on Wednesday (Mar 5) the AEC 2015 was part of the ASEAN community development. Such condition would

become a challenge for workers in Bali. “The government’s policy in dealing with the challenges of the AEC is that to prioritize the strengthening of its human resources,” added Juana.

Therefore, the advantages of

Bali having a local genius had to be shown off. To prepare the quality of human resources of Bali in facing the competition against foreign labor, his party empowered the Private Training Institute (LPKS) to produce competent

graduate students as needed. Additionally, it also attempted to improve human resource certification activities in Bali through the establishment acceleration of the competency infrastructure.

“The Bali Regional Council of the Private Training Institute is an organization of training institutes across Bali. It is particularly in terms of acceleration of infrastructure development for human resources competency in Bali,”

said Juana.

According to him, at this time the Bali Regional Council empowered 102 assessors to access vocational students in the counties and municipality in Bali. On that account, it was required to increase the assessors and implementation of regular training in order to produce reliable workforce. He hoped the workforce of Bali could compete when facing the AEC 2015. (rah)

Subak system facing great challenge Antara

Ubiquitous land conversions on Indonesian island resort of Bali will sooner or later eliminate the traditional agriculture system, locally known as subak, if nothing is done about it.

Agricultural land conversion into villas and hotels in Bali for the interests of tourism and other businesses is growing at an alarming rate and threatening not only the local ecology but also productive farmland where subak irrigation system is applied.

Uncontrolled land conversion in some parts of Bali has resulted in ecological imbalance and degradation, leading to the destruction of subak.

I Wayan Windia of Udayana University has noted that the destruction of subak will affect all aspects of life on the paradise island.

“The destruction of subak due to the use of land for purposes other than agriculture has been discussed since a long time, but it has never been addressed completely,” Windia pointed out in Denpasar last Saturday.

He noted that if the subak in Bali gets destroyed, the culture of Bali that has been passed on from generation to generation would also disappear sooner or later.

“The destruction of subak will destroy all economic sectors in Bali because they are all interrelated,” he added, explaining that economic sectors, particularly tourism, on the island are based on local culture and tradition.

But he pointed out that in reality the tourism sector has destroyed the agricultural area and the subak in Bali.

Besides that, Windia explained that the elimination of the Sedahan-Agung institution has weakened the subak irrigation method.

The Sedahan-Agung institution was established in the 1970s, in every sub-district, for its officials to coordinate the activities of subak in order

to help the heads of subak solve their problems, and to collect land-tax from subak farmers.

However, because of a central government regulation, the SedahanAgung was eliminated, because of which, no officials from the institution can solve the problem pertaining to subak.

“Sedahan-Agung served as the protector of subak agricultural method under the district heads and mayors but now it has been eliminated,” he noted.

According to him, the absence of the Sedahan-Agung institution has made the subak traditional irrigation and agriculture organization seem like an orphan.

Meanwhile, Bali agricultural observer Gede Sedana stated in Denpasar on Tuesday that various efforts must be made to maintain the subak traditional agriculture method and to develop ecotourism in its areas.

Sedana noted that the development of ecotourism, in the areas where subak is being applied, will positively empower the local farmers.

“Empowering the farmers on the basis of sustainable nature will improve their welfare, manage the wealth of the local economy, and improve the integrity of local ecosystem,” agricultural observer Gede Sedana stated here on Tuesday.

The dean of Dwijendra University’s Faculty of Agriculture noted that ecotourism development is based on natural attraction with regard to support rural and cultural tourism.

According to him, ecotourism includes a number of important aspects concerning sightseeing tours, natural environment, local community involvement, local culture, and sustainability of the environment.

Gede Sedana then explained that subak, the traditional irrigation system in Bali, has various roles and functions

to ensure food security, to control flood and erosion, and to maintain biological diversity.

Further, he stated that the government should give serious attention to subak and three other areas that have been recorded by UNESCO in its World Heritage List.

In June 2012, UNESCO officially acknowledged the traditional subak agricultural method on its World Heritage List.

Subak is a social organization of farmers who regulate irrigation during the cultivation of paddy on Bali Island for their own mutual benefit.

Therefore, the government should pay more attention to the farmers who practice subak, a traditional farming and irrigation method peculiar to the Indonesian island resort of Bali.

“The Balinese farmers need serious attention from the government especially after UNESCO’s decision to include subak in the World Cultural Heritage list,” Gede Sedana pointed

out.

According to Education and Cultural Deputy Minister Windu Nuryanti, the struggle to get the subak system included in the World Cultural Heritage list has been a 12-year-long process.

Naturally, the farmers in Bali have welcomed UNESCO`s decision and are determined to maintain and preserve the traditional irrigation system in their farmlands. Subak is a traditional irrigation system that has been practiced in Bali for hundreds of years. It plays a very important part in the life of the Balinese people who own rice farms.

This system ensures that water is fairly distributed during the dry season.

Members of the Subak social organization have equal rights, regardless of their caste, title or size of land holding.

In light of this, Windia of Udayana University has again expressed hope

that the central, provincial and district governments will give the farmers land and building tax relief to help them maintain their traditional system.

“Besides that, the government is also expected to provide scholarship programs for the farmers’ children, so that they can pursue higher education,” Windia noted.

He reminded the government that it was very important to pay serious attention to farmers and to ensure that subak is not known as a world cultural heritage that exists in an unkempt and dirty state. Hence, he added that the government should pay attention to the needs of farmers, so that they are happy to work.

According to him, the attention should start from providing suitable water irrigation systems, the necessary seeds, the marketing of their products, tax subsidies and education scholarships up to university level for farmers` children with high grades and high achievements.

6

Friday, March 7, 2014

W

RLD

International

International

Abu Dhabi airport technical failure halts flights Associated Press Writer

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Gulf airline Etihad Airways say all flights into its hub of Abu Dhabi were diverted this morning due to a technical failure at the airport.

The state-backed carrier said late on Thursday morning that some flights were again being allowed to land but that “significant delays” were expected to continue.

Etihad did not say specifically what caused the diversions, though it happened as dense fog descended over much of the United Arab Emirates.

Etihad and its larger competitors Qatar Airways and Dubai-based Emirates are growing rapidly, and use their Gulf bases as major long-haul aviation transit hubs.

Abu Dhabi International Airport is undergoing a major expansion that includes the construction of a new terminal complex.

Indian police arrest 14 for clashes in capital

AP Photo/Mohammad Zubair, File

FILE - In this Sunday, July 10, 2011 file photo, a Pakistani army soldier takes a position during a military operation against militants in Pakistan’s Khurram tribal region.

Pakistan resumes Taliban talks as 6 soldiers die

Associated Press Writer

NEW DELHI — Indian police say they’ve arrested 14 people after supporters of rival political parties clashed in the streets of the capital, wounding dozens of people. The clashes occurred Wednesday evening, after the Election Commission announced earlier in the day that India’s general election will start April 7.

According to police, members of the upstart Aam Aadmi Party, or Common Man’s Party, attacked the main office of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi.

Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said Thursday that the 14 who were arrested were accused of rioting and assembling illegally. Similar clashes also occurred in Lucknow, the capital of northern Uttar Pradesh state. The run-up to the election has exposed widespread disgust in India over corruption and disenchantment with the storied Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty.

Associated Press Writer

PARACHINAR, Pakistan — The Pakistani government pushed forward with Taliban peace negotiations on Wednesday, despite recent militant attacks that include a roadside bomb in the country’s northwest that killed six soldiers.

Negotiators representing both the government and the Tehrik-eTaliban Pakistan, as the Pakistani Taliban is formally called, met for the first time in three weeks to find a way to end an insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives.

The government suspended the talks after a faction of the Pakistani Taliban killed 23 troops it had been holding captive.

The peace talks promoted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have proceeded in fits and starts since Sharif took office last year.

In January both sides named negotiators who met twice before the talks were suspended. The process appeared to gain new life over the weekend when the Pakistani Taliban declared a one-month ceasefire and the government responded by saying it would halt airstrikes against militant hideouts in the tribal areas.

The future of the negotiating

process was then called into question Monday when militants killed 11 people in an attack on a judicial compound in the heart of the city.

The killing of eight troops this week, including six just hours before the negotiators met Wednesday, have also strained the process.

Rahimullah Yousafzai, one of the negotiators representing the Pakistani government, told The Associated Press that the negotiators had decided to push forward with the process because the Pakistani Taliban had said they were not responsible for the recent attacks.

“In this situation, we opted to continue the talks, and we hope the Taliban will condemn these attacks and trace those who are behind it,” Yousafzai said.

Negotiators representing the government and the Taliban met Wednesday at a seminary run

by Maulana Samiul Haq, one of the Taliban’s negotiators, in the

northwestern city of Akora Khattak. Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar and several of his top commanders are said to have studied at the seminary.

Haq told reporters after the meeting that the Taliban committee was seeking a meeting with the prime minister. He praised the Taliban for announcing the ceasefire and said he had asked the militants to track down whoever was responsible for the recent violence.

The head of the committee representing the government, Irfan Sadiqui, said they had discussed various options for how the negotiating process could continue. He refused to share any details.

One of the challenges of negotiating a peace settlement, say analysts, is that there are many groups and factions behind the violence in the northwest, with many operating outside the Pakistani Taliban’s control.

AP Photo

Activists of India’s opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and those of Aam Aadmi Party, or Common Man’s Party, wearing white caps clash in Lucknow, India, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

Corby sister...

From page 1 Corby was diagnosed with depression and psychosis during her time in prison, and her brother-in-law Wayan Widyartha told Australian media that she was stressed and struggling mentally.

“She is stressed now as she can’t go out because many journalists are pursuing her,” he was quoted as saying by the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

“I hope all media can please let us get comfortable... so that the parole can be carried out successfully until 2017.”

Corby was jailed for 20 years, but the end of her sentence was brought forward to 2016 for good behaviour. She must remain in Indonesia until 2017 as a parole condition.

Friday, March 7, 2014

11

INDONESIA Government plans to issue third package of economic measures Antara

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government is planning to introduce a third package of economic measures to improve the performance of the country’s current account, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said.

“We are preparing a third package of measures. Hopefully, it can be completed in this first quarter,” he said here on Wednesday.

The third package of measures is designed in such a way that it will attract foreign investors to reinvest their profit in the country instead of

bringing it back home, he said.

“If the profit is reinvested in Indonesia, it will reduce (the current account) deficit,” he said.

Hatta said the government will also continue its oil-to-gas conversion program to reduce oil and gas imports which have so far

contributed a lot to the country’s trade deficit.

“Oil and gas imports will soar if we do not control them by accelerating the oil-to-gas conversion program. Apart from that, we have to increase exports. We are serious about controlling the

current account deficit because we want to keep it below 2 percent,” he said.

To prevent the national economy from the impact of global economic slowdown, the government introduced a first package of economic measures in late August 2013.

The first package of measures was aimed to curb the widening current account deficit, stabilize the rupiah’s exchange rate, maintain high economic growth, improve people’s purchasing

power, and keep inflation rate in check.

Later in December 2013, the government introduced a second package of economic policies to reduce the import of consumer goods and encourage exports.

The two packages of measures have proven effective to lower the country’s current account deficit to 3.2 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP) in late 2013 from 4.4 percent in the second quarter of 2013.

10

Friday, March 7, 2014

Destinations

Panelokan IBP

Panelokan is situated on the southern part of Batur Tengah Village of Kintamani District, around 20 kms from the town of Bangli or some 63 km from Denpasar, the capital of Bali Province.

Many guests, domestic or foreign choose this place so they can enjoy the cold but refreshing air of the mountainous land. Of course, while they taste the stunning views of the solid black lavas of Mount Batur’s eruption in 1917 that devastated the surrounding village.

Batur has scenic views and is part of Kintamani that is in the northern side of Bangli Regency. Penelokan (Look Out Point) is the best place to see sceneries offered by Mount and Lake Batur. It is about 1,500 meters above sea level. Its temperature is at the average 22 degrees Celsius at noon and 16 degrees Celsius during the night.

And we invite those adventurous to climb the mountain until reaching the peak. The crater seems to be a beautiful painting carved to the mountain.

In addition to seeing the mountain, Batur also offers the charming Lake Batur with its clean water and the unique graveyard and Barong Brutuk of Trunyan Village that cannot be found anywhere else in Bali.

International

Sports

International

Friday, March 7, 2014

7

Blazers rout Hawks 102-78; Korver’s streak ends Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Oregon — Nicolas Batum of France had 14 points and a career-high 18 rebounds Wednesday as the Portland Trail Blazers downed Atlanta 102-78, a loss that marked the end of Hawks guard Kyle Korver’s NBA-record streak of 127 games with a 3-pointer. Korver had surpassed Dana Barros’ record of 89 straight, set from 1994-96, earlier this season. He was 0 for 5 from 3-point range against the Blazers.

Mo Williams added 15 points off the bench for Portland, which had six players in double figures.

Cartier Martin had 16 points off the bench for the Hawks, who have lost four straight and 12 of their last 13 as they fight to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Charlotte’s Al Jefferson scored 34 points in a 109-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers that gave the Bobcats their fifth straight home win.

Jefferson was 16 of 25 from the field and had eight rebounds for the Bobcats (28-33), who equaled their combined win total from the previous two seasons. Jefferson, whose 38-point, 19-rebound effort Monday night was overshadowed by LeBron

James’ career-high 61-point outing, has scored at least 20 points in 21 of his last 24 games.

Evan Turner had 22 points for the, who lost back-to-back games for only the second time this season. At Orlando, Florida, James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, as the Houston Rockets came back from a double-digit, first-half deficit to beat the Magic 101-89.

Dwight Howard added 19 points and 14 rebounds in his second trip to Orlando to face his former team. Houston trailed in the second quarter by as many as 14 points, but battled back to win for the 13th time in 15 outings. Arron Afflalo led the Magic with 18 points.

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum, top, of France, puts up a shot as Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, in Los Angeles.

Zvonareva optimistic despite loss at Indian Wells Associated Press Writer

INDIAN WELLS, California — Vera Zvonareva lost to China’s Peng Shuai in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open

on Wednesday — and found a reason to be optimistic.

“It was a tough match,” Zvonareva said after the 4-6, 6-0, 7-5 loss that dropped the Russian to 1-3 this season. “I

took a little risk in the last game because I had to and unfortunately it didn’t work out for me. I made a couple of mistakes and I think that helped her to break me in the last game. I think my game is better

than it was in Australia, so I can’t complain too much.”

In Australia, where she lost to Casey Dellacqua in the opening round of the Australian Open, Zvonareva was playing her first match since the London Olympics in August 2012. The 2009 Indian Wells champion sat out all of last year and had surgery to correct right shoulder problems that bothered her throughout 2012, when her ranking dropped from No. 7 to No. 98.

Zvonareva, who will be 30 on Sept. 7, has college degrees in physical education and international economic relations, and she said there were times when she wondered if it might not be time to put tennis aside and pursue other interests. But she loves AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Vera Zvonareva, of Russia, returns a shot against Peng Shuai, of China, during a first round match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 5, 2014, in Indian Wells, Calif.

playing too much to quit as long as she feels she can return to the level that had produced 12 singles and six doubles titles and made her No. 2 in the world in 2010.

“I have to keep working,” said Zvonareva, who also is playing doubles in the tournament. “Any matches that I can get is great for me, either in singles or doubles or whatever. Playing out there against the top players in the world is how you’re going to get your game back. You can practice as much as you want, but playing is different. I just need to get matches.”

In other early matches on opening day of the 12-day, $10.5 million event, Shelby Rogers was a 6-0, 6-4 winner over the Czech Republic’s Petra Cetkovska; Lauren Davis beat Taiwan’s Yung-Jan Chan 6-4, 6-3; Serbia’s Bojana Jovanovski topped Alison Riske 3-6, 6-3, 6-3; Germany’s Annika Beck beat Switzerland’s Stefanie Voegele 6-2, 2-6, 7-5; Austria’s Yvonne Meusburger ousted the Czech Republic’s Iveta Melzer 6-4, 6-2; and Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer beat Slovakia’s Anna Schmiedlova 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Silvia Soler-Espinoza of Spain also moved into the second round when wild-card entry Nadia Petrova of Russia retired due to a lower right leg injury at 1-1 in the opening set.

8

International

Friday, March 7, 2014

Sp rt

Brazil warms up in style; Spain, France win Associated Press Writer

LONDON — Brazil showed its national team is in better shape than the country’s stadiums with a 5-0 thrashing of South Africa on Wednesday, and defending champion Spain overcame Italy 1-0 in its final big test before the tournament kicks off, as teams prepared for the World Cup in a series of friendly matches. With less than 100 days before the opening game, four World Cup stadiums are still under construction in Brazil and much work outside the venues remains to be done.

But in Johannesburg, the fivetime world champions proved they are more than ready on the pitch, dispatching the Bafana Bafana with a ruthless display at Soccer City as Barcelona striker Neymar claimed his second career hat trick for the Selecao. Pedro Rodriguez scored Spain’s second-half winner in a rematch of the 2012 Euro final that Italy lost 4-0. It was Spain’s final game before coach Vicente del Bosque names his squad to defend its title.

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi couldn’t break Romania’s defence as his team was held to a goalless draw. Cristiano Ronaldo was more prolific, as the Ballon d’Or winner became Portugal’s all-time leading scorer Wednesday, netting twice in a 5-1 win over Cameroon. Ronaldo took his international tally to 49 and overtook Pauleta, who retired in 2006 after scoring 47 goals in 88 games. Ronaldo was making his 110th appearance.

“I knew it would come eventually,” Ronaldo said. “It’s special because I’ve been in the national team for 10 years now. It’s all down to hard work.” Former World Cup winners England and Germany put on lame performances but still managed to win. Belgium, tipped as a serious contender in Brazil, drew 2-2 against Ivory Coast.

Having struggled both on and off the field since reaching the 2006 World Cup final — reaching its nadir at the 2010 World Cup when the team went on strike — France showed an attractive face to end the Netherlands’ 17-match unbeaten run with goals from Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema and Blaise Matuidi.

“I thought my defense played well for the first 25 minutes. But we lost our way a bit after the first goal. It’s not the defense’s fault ... we lost the ball too much in midfield,” Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said through a translator. “We can’t afford to give possession away like that. It was a good test against a good team and that’s what I told the players.”

France regained some credibility with the prestigious win and Benzema continued his fine form. The former Lyon striker has scored 11 in his past 13 games with Real and is winning over the fans after several months of doubt during which he lost his place in France’s starting lineup. “He’s showing the same form he does for Real Madrid. He’s very precise in everything he does,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “He’s feeling confident and you can see it on his face. He’s beaming because he’s full of confidence.”

At Wembley, Roy Hodgson’s

team had a poor game and was held until the 82nd minute when Adam Lallana beat two men and crossed the ball for Daniel Sturridge to head it home. Germany looked like a shadow of itself at home against Chile but eked out a 1-0 win, with Mario Goetze scoring against the run of play in the 16th minute.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari fielded a team similar to the one that won the Confederations Cup last year for his players’ final friendly before the announcement of the World Cup squad. Neymar took his international tally to 30 goals, with Chelsea playmaker Oscar and Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho also getting on the scoresheet.

Despite Fred’s poor form over the past few months, Scolari kept faith with the Fluminense striker, who again struggled against the Bafana Bafana and was substituted after 62 minutes. In contrast, the 22-year-old Neymar teased South Africa defenders throughout.

He scored his first goal before the interval with a low leftfooted shot, made it 3-0 with a subtle chip and rounded off his team’s win

International

Friday, March 7, 2014

Benzema stars as France beats Netherlands 2-0 Associated Press Writer

PARIS — Karim Benzema kept up his prolific form by scoring a superb goal and helping to create another as France beat the Netherlands 2-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly on Wednesday. Running onto a pass from midfielder Blaise Matuidi in the 32nd minute, Benzema let the ball bounce over his shoulder and did not even break stride as he thumped a powerful shot over goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen’s hands.

Matuidi added the second goal in the 41st, with Benzema playing a key part in a sweeping move. Benzema has been in fine form for Real Madrid, scoring 11 in his past 13 games and winning over the fans.

It’s some contrast to a few months ago, when he was struggling with Madrid and lost his place in France’s starting lineup to Olivier Giroud after going 15 international games without a goal.

“He’s showing the same form he does for Real Madrid. He’s very precise in everything he does,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “He’s feeling confident and you can see it on his face. He’s beaming because he’s full of confidence.”

Benzema has now scored four goals in his last five matches for France and his dynamic overall performance should see him definitively reinstated as first-choice striker at the World Cup. “Things evolve. Right now, Karim’s playing at such a high level that it’s beneficial for us, but that’s not a reason for me to condemn Olivier,” Deschamps said. “It’s good to have two strikers with different profiles.”

It was France’s first game since it overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Ukraine 3-0 and qualify for the World Cup in a dramatic playoff.

from close range.

Scolari will name his squad on May 7 and there is no doubt Neymar will be selected if he stays fit.

Having lost his momentum at Manchester United, where he only plays intermittently, Shinji Kagawa scored from the spot and had an assist as Japan continued its preparations for Brazil with a comfortable 4-2 win over New Zealand.

The hosts were 4-0 by the 17th minute after Shinji Okazaki scored a brace and Masato Morishige added another goal.

Russia defeated Armenia 2-0 courtesy of first-half goals from Alexander Kokorin and Dmitry Kombarov.

Vietnam international defender Tran Dinh Dong has been handed a record 28-game suspension by the country’s football federation after breaking the leg of an opponent in a domestic league match. Dong

of Song Lam Nghe An was also fined 20 million dong ($950) for the foul on Hung Vuong An Giang midfielder Nguyen Anh Hung, who is expected to be sidelined for a year.

Dong, who is not eligible to return to action this year, said he would appeal the verdict which

also stipulated he should pay Hung’s medical bills. Song Lam Nghe An coach Nguyen Huu Thang said the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) had not acted fairly in deciding upon the punishment for last week’s incident.

“I will fine him if he does wrong. I think the VFF issued

AP Photo/Themba Hadebe

Brazil’s Neymar celebrates after scoring a goal during their international friendly soccer match against South Africa at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

the fine under pressure from public opinion, not based on reality,” he was quoted as saying by local media earlier this week.

“We will appeal because his absence would strongly affect our name and V-League results.”

The VFF said they handed out the record punishment for

a local player in order to send a message that similar incidents were not acceptable. “The punishment is meant to be a warning to players throughout the nation, where violent behaviour on the field has gradually become more popular,” the VFF said in a statement earlier this week.

AP Photo/Petros Karadjias

Andriy Yarmolenko, left, with his teammate Denys Garmash of Ukraine celebrate his goal against U.S. during an international friendly match at Antonis Papadopoulos stadium in southern city of Larnaca, Cyprus, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

Ukraine beats US 2-0 in friendly Associated Press Writer

LARNACA, Cyprus — Ukraine’s national football team gave its troubled country something to cheer about on Wednesday when it beat the United States 2-0 in an international friendly.

The match had been overshadowed by the turmoil in Ukraine and its players said before the game that they were dedicating it to their people back home. The friendly was shifted from Kharkiv to Cyprus due to the political protests that have followed Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.

Andriy Yarmolenko scored in the 12th minute and Marko Devic in the 68th as Ukraine exposed the shaky American central defense of Oguchi Onyewu and Anthony Brooks.

Ukraine coach Mykhailo Fomenko

said the troubles at home were on his players’ minds but he was satisfied with the result.

“Of course we do it for our supporters, for our country,” Fomenko said. “I asked (the players) to make our people happy, we had to show that we’re all united.” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said his team’s thoughts go out to the Ukrainian people.

“This whole build-up you feel for that country, you feel for that nation and there’s nothing more than wishing them well and to solve these issues peacefully, this is certainly what we wish them, what we pray for them,” Klinsmann said.

Before kickoff, Ukraine players linked arms on shoulders during their national anthem and both teams bowed their heads for a moment’s

silence for victims of the violence in Ukraine. A banner in the stands read “Ukraine is Undivided!” on the top and “One Country — One Team!” on the bottom. The crowd of 1,573 at Papadopoulos Stadium, which has a capacity of about 10,000, was so small that players could be heard talking with each other during the game.

Ukrainian fans sang their nation’s anthem in the final moments.

“Our country is facing difficult times now, we must support our team and our country,” said Oleg Ivanovskyi a fan from Kiev currently residing in Larnaca. “Ukraine lives and will live.

This friendly match is important for us to show the friendship between the U.S. and Ukraine. The friendship between the two countries is more important than the score.”

will end on Saturday. Chelsea are gaining momentum in ominous fashion as the home straight to the title race looms and while Manchester City will have three games in hand after the weekend, a nine-point deficit to Jose Mourinho’s side would leave them precious little margin for error.

Perhaps a glimmer of optimism for Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers, Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger and City’s Manuel Pellegrini is that Tottenham have the best away record in the top flight and are still harbouring top-four hopes themselves.

Despite not playing fluently, they are fifth and victory at Chelsea would leave them just a point behind City and three adrift of arch-rivals Arsenal who they host next week. Tim Sherwood’s side have picked up 29 points on the

road this season, winning nine games out of 14.

Chelsea have been strong at home, though, winning 12 and drawing two as Mourinho’s incredible statistic of never having lost a league game at Stamford Bridge rolls on.

Champions Manchester United have the chance to edge a little closer to the top four with a Saturday lunchtime kickoff at West Bromwich Albion who earlier in the season won at Old Trafford for the time in 35 years.

Albion fans mocked United manager David Moyes that day, suggesting he would be “sacked in the morning” but it was their manager Steve Clarke who was cast aside and West Brom are now hovering just above the relegation zone with new boss Pepe Mel under pressure.

Chelsea primed to steal a march on title rivals

Reuters

Vietnam defender banned 28 games for leg-breaking tackle Reuters

9

AP Photo/Christophe Ena

Karim Benzema of France, left, kicks the ball next Netherlands’ Bruno Martins Indi during the international friendly match between France and Netherlands at the Stade de France stadium, outside Paris, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

LONDON - Chelsea have a gilt-edged opportunity to open up a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League this weekend and there is nothing their main title rivals can do about it. With secondplaced Liverpool having a week off and Arsenal and Manchester City in FA Cup action, all the chasers can do is hope Tottenham Hotspur can end one of the longest jinx’s in English football and upset the odds at Stamford Bridge.

Twenty four years have passed and 15 managers have come and gone at the north London club since Tottenham last won at Chelsea - a miserable sequence that even the most optimistic Spurs fans would struggle to believe

8

International

Friday, March 7, 2014

Sp rt

Brazil warms up in style; Spain, France win Associated Press Writer

LONDON — Brazil showed its national team is in better shape than the country’s stadiums with a 5-0 thrashing of South Africa on Wednesday, and defending champion Spain overcame Italy 1-0 in its final big test before the tournament kicks off, as teams prepared for the World Cup in a series of friendly matches. With less than 100 days before the opening game, four World Cup stadiums are still under construction in Brazil and much work outside the venues remains to be done.

But in Johannesburg, the fivetime world champions proved they are more than ready on the pitch, dispatching the Bafana Bafana with a ruthless display at Soccer City as Barcelona striker Neymar claimed his second career hat trick for the Selecao. Pedro Rodriguez scored Spain’s second-half winner in a rematch of the 2012 Euro final that Italy lost 4-0. It was Spain’s final game before coach Vicente del Bosque names his squad to defend its title.

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi couldn’t break Romania’s defence as his team was held to a goalless draw. Cristiano Ronaldo was more prolific, as the Ballon d’Or winner became Portugal’s all-time leading scorer Wednesday, netting twice in a 5-1 win over Cameroon. Ronaldo took his international tally to 49 and overtook Pauleta, who retired in 2006 after scoring 47 goals in 88 games. Ronaldo was making his 110th appearance.

“I knew it would come eventually,” Ronaldo said. “It’s special because I’ve been in the national team for 10 years now. It’s all down to hard work.” Former World Cup winners England and Germany put on lame performances but still managed to win. Belgium, tipped as a serious contender in Brazil, drew 2-2 against Ivory Coast.

Having struggled both on and off the field since reaching the 2006 World Cup final — reaching its nadir at the 2010 World Cup when the team went on strike — France showed an attractive face to end the Netherlands’ 17-match unbeaten run with goals from Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema and Blaise Matuidi.

“I thought my defense played well for the first 25 minutes. But we lost our way a bit after the first goal. It’s not the defense’s fault ... we lost the ball too much in midfield,” Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said through a translator. “We can’t afford to give possession away like that. It was a good test against a good team and that’s what I told the players.”

France regained some credibility with the prestigious win and Benzema continued his fine form. The former Lyon striker has scored 11 in his past 13 games with Real and is winning over the fans after several months of doubt during which he lost his place in France’s starting lineup. “He’s showing the same form he does for Real Madrid. He’s very precise in everything he does,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “He’s feeling confident and you can see it on his face. He’s beaming because he’s full of confidence.”

At Wembley, Roy Hodgson’s

team had a poor game and was held until the 82nd minute when Adam Lallana beat two men and crossed the ball for Daniel Sturridge to head it home. Germany looked like a shadow of itself at home against Chile but eked out a 1-0 win, with Mario Goetze scoring against the run of play in the 16th minute.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari fielded a team similar to the one that won the Confederations Cup last year for his players’ final friendly before the announcement of the World Cup squad. Neymar took his international tally to 30 goals, with Chelsea playmaker Oscar and Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho also getting on the scoresheet.

Despite Fred’s poor form over the past few months, Scolari kept faith with the Fluminense striker, who again struggled against the Bafana Bafana and was substituted after 62 minutes. In contrast, the 22-year-old Neymar teased South Africa defenders throughout.

He scored his first goal before the interval with a low leftfooted shot, made it 3-0 with a subtle chip and rounded off his team’s win

International

Friday, March 7, 2014

Benzema stars as France beats Netherlands 2-0 Associated Press Writer

PARIS — Karim Benzema kept up his prolific form by scoring a superb goal and helping to create another as France beat the Netherlands 2-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly on Wednesday. Running onto a pass from midfielder Blaise Matuidi in the 32nd minute, Benzema let the ball bounce over his shoulder and did not even break stride as he thumped a powerful shot over goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen’s hands.

Matuidi added the second goal in the 41st, with Benzema playing a key part in a sweeping move. Benzema has been in fine form for Real Madrid, scoring 11 in his past 13 games and winning over the fans.

It’s some contrast to a few months ago, when he was struggling with Madrid and lost his place in France’s starting lineup to Olivier Giroud after going 15 international games without a goal.

“He’s showing the same form he does for Real Madrid. He’s very precise in everything he does,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “He’s feeling confident and you can see it on his face. He’s beaming because he’s full of confidence.”

Benzema has now scored four goals in his last five matches for France and his dynamic overall performance should see him definitively reinstated as first-choice striker at the World Cup. “Things evolve. Right now, Karim’s playing at such a high level that it’s beneficial for us, but that’s not a reason for me to condemn Olivier,” Deschamps said. “It’s good to have two strikers with different profiles.”

It was France’s first game since it overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Ukraine 3-0 and qualify for the World Cup in a dramatic playoff.

from close range.

Scolari will name his squad on May 7 and there is no doubt Neymar will be selected if he stays fit.

Having lost his momentum at Manchester United, where he only plays intermittently, Shinji Kagawa scored from the spot and had an assist as Japan continued its preparations for Brazil with a comfortable 4-2 win over New Zealand.

The hosts were 4-0 by the 17th minute after Shinji Okazaki scored a brace and Masato Morishige added another goal.

Russia defeated Armenia 2-0 courtesy of first-half goals from Alexander Kokorin and Dmitry Kombarov.

Vietnam international defender Tran Dinh Dong has been handed a record 28-game suspension by the country’s football federation after breaking the leg of an opponent in a domestic league match. Dong

of Song Lam Nghe An was also fined 20 million dong ($950) for the foul on Hung Vuong An Giang midfielder Nguyen Anh Hung, who is expected to be sidelined for a year.

Dong, who is not eligible to return to action this year, said he would appeal the verdict which

also stipulated he should pay Hung’s medical bills. Song Lam Nghe An coach Nguyen Huu Thang said the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) had not acted fairly in deciding upon the punishment for last week’s incident.

“I will fine him if he does wrong. I think the VFF issued

AP Photo/Themba Hadebe

Brazil’s Neymar celebrates after scoring a goal during their international friendly soccer match against South Africa at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

the fine under pressure from public opinion, not based on reality,” he was quoted as saying by local media earlier this week.

“We will appeal because his absence would strongly affect our name and V-League results.”

The VFF said they handed out the record punishment for

a local player in order to send a message that similar incidents were not acceptable. “The punishment is meant to be a warning to players throughout the nation, where violent behaviour on the field has gradually become more popular,” the VFF said in a statement earlier this week.

AP Photo/Petros Karadjias

Andriy Yarmolenko, left, with his teammate Denys Garmash of Ukraine celebrate his goal against U.S. during an international friendly match at Antonis Papadopoulos stadium in southern city of Larnaca, Cyprus, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

Ukraine beats US 2-0 in friendly Associated Press Writer

LARNACA, Cyprus — Ukraine’s national football team gave its troubled country something to cheer about on Wednesday when it beat the United States 2-0 in an international friendly.

The match had been overshadowed by the turmoil in Ukraine and its players said before the game that they were dedicating it to their people back home. The friendly was shifted from Kharkiv to Cyprus due to the political protests that have followed Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.

Andriy Yarmolenko scored in the 12th minute and Marko Devic in the 68th as Ukraine exposed the shaky American central defense of Oguchi Onyewu and Anthony Brooks.

Ukraine coach Mykhailo Fomenko

said the troubles at home were on his players’ minds but he was satisfied with the result.

“Of course we do it for our supporters, for our country,” Fomenko said. “I asked (the players) to make our people happy, we had to show that we’re all united.” U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said his team’s thoughts go out to the Ukrainian people.

“This whole build-up you feel for that country, you feel for that nation and there’s nothing more than wishing them well and to solve these issues peacefully, this is certainly what we wish them, what we pray for them,” Klinsmann said.

Before kickoff, Ukraine players linked arms on shoulders during their national anthem and both teams bowed their heads for a moment’s

silence for victims of the violence in Ukraine. A banner in the stands read “Ukraine is Undivided!” on the top and “One Country — One Team!” on the bottom. The crowd of 1,573 at Papadopoulos Stadium, which has a capacity of about 10,000, was so small that players could be heard talking with each other during the game.

Ukrainian fans sang their nation’s anthem in the final moments.

“Our country is facing difficult times now, we must support our team and our country,” said Oleg Ivanovskyi a fan from Kiev currently residing in Larnaca. “Ukraine lives and will live.

This friendly match is important for us to show the friendship between the U.S. and Ukraine. The friendship between the two countries is more important than the score.”

will end on Saturday. Chelsea are gaining momentum in ominous fashion as the home straight to the title race looms and while Manchester City will have three games in hand after the weekend, a nine-point deficit to Jose Mourinho’s side would leave them precious little margin for error.

Perhaps a glimmer of optimism for Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers, Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger and City’s Manuel Pellegrini is that Tottenham have the best away record in the top flight and are still harbouring top-four hopes themselves.

Despite not playing fluently, they are fifth and victory at Chelsea would leave them just a point behind City and three adrift of arch-rivals Arsenal who they host next week. Tim Sherwood’s side have picked up 29 points on the

road this season, winning nine games out of 14.

Chelsea have been strong at home, though, winning 12 and drawing two as Mourinho’s incredible statistic of never having lost a league game at Stamford Bridge rolls on.

Champions Manchester United have the chance to edge a little closer to the top four with a Saturday lunchtime kickoff at West Bromwich Albion who earlier in the season won at Old Trafford for the time in 35 years.

Albion fans mocked United manager David Moyes that day, suggesting he would be “sacked in the morning” but it was their manager Steve Clarke who was cast aside and West Brom are now hovering just above the relegation zone with new boss Pepe Mel under pressure.

Chelsea primed to steal a march on title rivals

Reuters

Vietnam defender banned 28 games for leg-breaking tackle Reuters

9

AP Photo/Christophe Ena

Karim Benzema of France, left, kicks the ball next Netherlands’ Bruno Martins Indi during the international friendly match between France and Netherlands at the Stade de France stadium, outside Paris, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

LONDON - Chelsea have a gilt-edged opportunity to open up a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League this weekend and there is nothing their main title rivals can do about it. With secondplaced Liverpool having a week off and Arsenal and Manchester City in FA Cup action, all the chasers can do is hope Tottenham Hotspur can end one of the longest jinx’s in English football and upset the odds at Stamford Bridge.

Twenty four years have passed and 15 managers have come and gone at the north London club since Tottenham last won at Chelsea - a miserable sequence that even the most optimistic Spurs fans would struggle to believe

10

Friday, March 7, 2014

Destinations

Panelokan IBP

Panelokan is situated on the southern part of Batur Tengah Village of Kintamani District, around 20 kms from the town of Bangli or some 63 km from Denpasar, the capital of Bali Province.

Many guests, domestic or foreign choose this place so they can enjoy the cold but refreshing air of the mountainous land. Of course, while they taste the stunning views of the solid black lavas of Mount Batur’s eruption in 1917 that devastated the surrounding village.

Batur has scenic views and is part of Kintamani that is in the northern side of Bangli Regency. Penelokan (Look Out Point) is the best place to see sceneries offered by Mount and Lake Batur. It is about 1,500 meters above sea level. Its temperature is at the average 22 degrees Celsius at noon and 16 degrees Celsius during the night.

And we invite those adventurous to climb the mountain until reaching the peak. The crater seems to be a beautiful painting carved to the mountain.

In addition to seeing the mountain, Batur also offers the charming Lake Batur with its clean water and the unique graveyard and Barong Brutuk of Trunyan Village that cannot be found anywhere else in Bali.

International

Sports

International

Friday, March 7, 2014

7

Blazers rout Hawks 102-78; Korver’s streak ends Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Oregon — Nicolas Batum of France had 14 points and a career-high 18 rebounds Wednesday as the Portland Trail Blazers downed Atlanta 102-78, a loss that marked the end of Hawks guard Kyle Korver’s NBA-record streak of 127 games with a 3-pointer. Korver had surpassed Dana Barros’ record of 89 straight, set from 1994-96, earlier this season. He was 0 for 5 from 3-point range against the Blazers.

Mo Williams added 15 points off the bench for Portland, which had six players in double figures.

Cartier Martin had 16 points off the bench for the Hawks, who have lost four straight and 12 of their last 13 as they fight to stay in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Charlotte’s Al Jefferson scored 34 points in a 109-87 victory over the Indiana Pacers that gave the Bobcats their fifth straight home win.

Jefferson was 16 of 25 from the field and had eight rebounds for the Bobcats (28-33), who equaled their combined win total from the previous two seasons. Jefferson, whose 38-point, 19-rebound effort Monday night was overshadowed by LeBron

James’ career-high 61-point outing, has scored at least 20 points in 21 of his last 24 games.

Evan Turner had 22 points for the, who lost back-to-back games for only the second time this season. At Orlando, Florida, James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, as the Houston Rockets came back from a double-digit, first-half deficit to beat the Magic 101-89.

Dwight Howard added 19 points and 14 rebounds in his second trip to Orlando to face his former team. Houston trailed in the second quarter by as many as 14 points, but battled back to win for the 13th time in 15 outings. Arron Afflalo led the Magic with 18 points.

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum, top, of France, puts up a shot as Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, in Los Angeles.

Zvonareva optimistic despite loss at Indian Wells Associated Press Writer

INDIAN WELLS, California — Vera Zvonareva lost to China’s Peng Shuai in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open

on Wednesday — and found a reason to be optimistic.

“It was a tough match,” Zvonareva said after the 4-6, 6-0, 7-5 loss that dropped the Russian to 1-3 this season. “I

took a little risk in the last game because I had to and unfortunately it didn’t work out for me. I made a couple of mistakes and I think that helped her to break me in the last game. I think my game is better

than it was in Australia, so I can’t complain too much.”

In Australia, where she lost to Casey Dellacqua in the opening round of the Australian Open, Zvonareva was playing her first match since the London Olympics in August 2012. The 2009 Indian Wells champion sat out all of last year and had surgery to correct right shoulder problems that bothered her throughout 2012, when her ranking dropped from No. 7 to No. 98.

Zvonareva, who will be 30 on Sept. 7, has college degrees in physical education and international economic relations, and she said there were times when she wondered if it might not be time to put tennis aside and pursue other interests. But she loves AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Vera Zvonareva, of Russia, returns a shot against Peng Shuai, of China, during a first round match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 5, 2014, in Indian Wells, Calif.

playing too much to quit as long as she feels she can return to the level that had produced 12 singles and six doubles titles and made her No. 2 in the world in 2010.

“I have to keep working,” said Zvonareva, who also is playing doubles in the tournament. “Any matches that I can get is great for me, either in singles or doubles or whatever. Playing out there against the top players in the world is how you’re going to get your game back. You can practice as much as you want, but playing is different. I just need to get matches.”

In other early matches on opening day of the 12-day, $10.5 million event, Shelby Rogers was a 6-0, 6-4 winner over the Czech Republic’s Petra Cetkovska; Lauren Davis beat Taiwan’s Yung-Jan Chan 6-4, 6-3; Serbia’s Bojana Jovanovski topped Alison Riske 3-6, 6-3, 6-3; Germany’s Annika Beck beat Switzerland’s Stefanie Voegele 6-2, 2-6, 7-5; Austria’s Yvonne Meusburger ousted the Czech Republic’s Iveta Melzer 6-4, 6-2; and Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer beat Slovakia’s Anna Schmiedlova 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Silvia Soler-Espinoza of Spain also moved into the second round when wild-card entry Nadia Petrova of Russia retired due to a lower right leg injury at 1-1 in the opening set.

6

Friday, March 7, 2014

W

RLD

International

International

Abu Dhabi airport technical failure halts flights Associated Press Writer

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Gulf airline Etihad Airways say all flights into its hub of Abu Dhabi were diverted this morning due to a technical failure at the airport.

The state-backed carrier said late on Thursday morning that some flights were again being allowed to land but that “significant delays” were expected to continue.

Etihad did not say specifically what caused the diversions, though it happened as dense fog descended over much of the United Arab Emirates.

Etihad and its larger competitors Qatar Airways and Dubai-based Emirates are growing rapidly, and use their Gulf bases as major long-haul aviation transit hubs.

Abu Dhabi International Airport is undergoing a major expansion that includes the construction of a new terminal complex.

Indian police arrest 14 for clashes in capital

AP Photo/Mohammad Zubair, File

FILE - In this Sunday, July 10, 2011 file photo, a Pakistani army soldier takes a position during a military operation against militants in Pakistan’s Khurram tribal region.

Pakistan resumes Taliban talks as 6 soldiers die

Associated Press Writer

NEW DELHI — Indian police say they’ve arrested 14 people after supporters of rival political parties clashed in the streets of the capital, wounding dozens of people. The clashes occurred Wednesday evening, after the Election Commission announced earlier in the day that India’s general election will start April 7.

According to police, members of the upstart Aam Aadmi Party, or Common Man’s Party, attacked the main office of the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi.

Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said Thursday that the 14 who were arrested were accused of rioting and assembling illegally. Similar clashes also occurred in Lucknow, the capital of northern Uttar Pradesh state. The run-up to the election has exposed widespread disgust in India over corruption and disenchantment with the storied Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty.

Associated Press Writer

PARACHINAR, Pakistan — The Pakistani government pushed forward with Taliban peace negotiations on Wednesday, despite recent militant attacks that include a roadside bomb in the country’s northwest that killed six soldiers.

Negotiators representing both the government and the Tehrik-eTaliban Pakistan, as the Pakistani Taliban is formally called, met for the first time in three weeks to find a way to end an insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives.

The government suspended the talks after a faction of the Pakistani Taliban killed 23 troops it had been holding captive.

The peace talks promoted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have proceeded in fits and starts since Sharif took office last year.

In January both sides named negotiators who met twice before the talks were suspended. The process appeared to gain new life over the weekend when the Pakistani Taliban declared a one-month ceasefire and the government responded by saying it would halt airstrikes against militant hideouts in the tribal areas.

The future of the negotiating

process was then called into question Monday when militants killed 11 people in an attack on a judicial compound in the heart of the city.

The killing of eight troops this week, including six just hours before the negotiators met Wednesday, have also strained the process.

Rahimullah Yousafzai, one of the negotiators representing the Pakistani government, told The Associated Press that the negotiators had decided to push forward with the process because the Pakistani Taliban had said they were not responsible for the recent attacks.

“In this situation, we opted to continue the talks, and we hope the Taliban will condemn these attacks and trace those who are behind it,” Yousafzai said.

Negotiators representing the government and the Taliban met Wednesday at a seminary run

by Maulana Samiul Haq, one of the Taliban’s negotiators, in the

northwestern city of Akora Khattak. Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Mohammad Omar and several of his top commanders are said to have studied at the seminary.

Haq told reporters after the meeting that the Taliban committee was seeking a meeting with the prime minister. He praised the Taliban for announcing the ceasefire and said he had asked the militants to track down whoever was responsible for the recent violence.

The head of the committee representing the government, Irfan Sadiqui, said they had discussed various options for how the negotiating process could continue. He refused to share any details.

One of the challenges of negotiating a peace settlement, say analysts, is that there are many groups and factions behind the violence in the northwest, with many operating outside the Pakistani Taliban’s control.

AP Photo

Activists of India’s opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and those of Aam Aadmi Party, or Common Man’s Party, wearing white caps clash in Lucknow, India, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

Corby sister...

From page 1 Corby was diagnosed with depression and psychosis during her time in prison, and her brother-in-law Wayan Widyartha told Australian media that she was stressed and struggling mentally.

“She is stressed now as she can’t go out because many journalists are pursuing her,” he was quoted as saying by the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

“I hope all media can please let us get comfortable... so that the parole can be carried out successfully until 2017.”

Corby was jailed for 20 years, but the end of her sentence was brought forward to 2016 for good behaviour. She must remain in Indonesia until 2017 as a parole condition.

Friday, March 7, 2014

11

INDONESIA Government plans to issue third package of economic measures Antara

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government is planning to introduce a third package of economic measures to improve the performance of the country’s current account, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said.

“We are preparing a third package of measures. Hopefully, it can be completed in this first quarter,” he said here on Wednesday.

The third package of measures is designed in such a way that it will attract foreign investors to reinvest their profit in the country instead of

bringing it back home, he said.

“If the profit is reinvested in Indonesia, it will reduce (the current account) deficit,” he said.

Hatta said the government will also continue its oil-to-gas conversion program to reduce oil and gas imports which have so far

contributed a lot to the country’s trade deficit.

“Oil and gas imports will soar if we do not control them by accelerating the oil-to-gas conversion program. Apart from that, we have to increase exports. We are serious about controlling the

current account deficit because we want to keep it below 2 percent,” he said.

To prevent the national economy from the impact of global economic slowdown, the government introduced a first package of economic measures in late August 2013.

The first package of measures was aimed to curb the widening current account deficit, stabilize the rupiah’s exchange rate, maintain high economic growth, improve people’s purchasing

power, and keep inflation rate in check.

Later in December 2013, the government introduced a second package of economic policies to reduce the import of consumer goods and encourage exports.

The two packages of measures have proven effective to lower the country’s current account deficit to 3.2 percent of the national gross domestic product (GDP) in late 2013 from 4.4 percent in the second quarter of 2013.

12

International

Friday, March 7, 2014

BUSINESS

Agence France-Presse

AP Photo/J Pat Carter

An airline passenger sits next to the Miami airport travel board, Monday, Feb. 17, 2014, in Miami. There were very few flight delays or cancellations.

Global air passenger traffic climbs 8% in January

GENEVA - Global air passenger traffic rose by 8.0 percent in January compared to the same month in 2013, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said Wednesday.

The year “is off to a strong start, with travel demand accelerating over the healthy results achieved in 2013,” IATA chief Tony Tyler said in a statement.

The soaring numbers came amid “stronger growth in advanced economies and emerg-

ing market regions,” he said.

January outperformed the previous month, when air passenger traffic rose 6.8 percent year-on-year and was well above the full year growth last year of 5.2 percent.

International air traffic swelled 7.8 percent in January

Friday, March 7, 2014

5

Facing AEC 2015

Eurozone recovery strengthening, data suggests

Agence France-Presse

Bali News

International

while domestic routes grew 8.2 percent, IATA said.

Passenger numbers were up across all regions, soaring 18.1 percent in the Middle East.

Airlines in that region are benefitting from a number of strong economies and solid growth in business-related premium travel, especially in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, IATA said.

Air passenger numbers meanwhile jumped 8.0 percent in the Asia-Pacific region and

6.4 percent in Europe.

North American carriers meanwhile only posted 3.5-percent growth, while passenger numbers were up 4.4 percent in Latin America and 2.7 percent in Africa.

When it comes to domestic travel, China reported the greatest growth, with passenger numbers up a fifth in January, with an already solid expansion boosted further by the timing of the Lunar New Year, IATA said.

BRUSSELS - The eurozone’s economic recovery is strengthening, data released Wednesday suggested, although growth remains moderate with hard-pressed consumers keeping a tight check on spending.

Gross domestic product growth accelerated to 0.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 in the eurozone, enough of an improvement on 0.1 percent in the previous quarter, the EU’s data agency said.

The eurozone had escaped a record 18month recession in the second quarter last year with growth of 0.3 percent, but then stagnated.

In its final figures for October to December growth, Eurostat confirmed that investments and exports drove recovery in the final quarter.

However, household spending rose by just 0.1 percent, the same rate as in the third quarter.

“The consumer revival required to broaden and strengthen the economic recovery (was) still conspicuous by its absence,” said Jonathan Loynes, chief European economist at Capital Economics.

Retail sales figures released separately showed a 1.6 monthly gain in January, but Loynes noted this followed a drop of roughly the same amount in December.

Slovenia posted the strongest growth at 1.2 percent while Cyprus registered a slide of 0.1 percent along with Estonia while Finland saw a fall of 0.3 percent.

The bloc’s biggest economy Germany showed growth of 0.4 percent in the October-December period, better than analyst forecasts for 0.3 percent, while the French economy grew 0.3 percent, below forecasts.

Italy managed only 0.1 percent growth.

However a key forward-looking indicator, a survey of companies compiled by data firm Markit, showed that business activity in the 18-nation eurozone powered to its strongest growth in over two-and-ahalf years.

Markit Economics said its Eurozone Composite Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for February rose to 53.3, the highest level since June 2011.

A figure above 50 suggests an upturn while one below shows a decline.

The upturn in the service sector gave the main boost to overall activity, while manufacturing also contributed.

Ireland posted the steepest expansion of business activity, while Germany was second placed.

Italy also returned to growth and recovery continued in Spain, the survey showed.

Bali human resource quality must be strengthened Bali Post

DENPASAR - In 2015, Indonesia with nine countries in the Southeast Asian region will become the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). As the implication, all goods or services including labor can be channeled into the ASEAN region. Facing the AEC 2015, the human resources of Bali should be strengthened so as not to lose competitiveness.

Chairman of the Bali Regional Council of the Indonesian Training Institute Association (HILLSI), I Made Juana, said on Wednesday (Mar 5) the AEC 2015 was part of the ASEAN community development. Such condition would

become a challenge for workers in Bali. “The government’s policy in dealing with the challenges of the AEC is that to prioritize the strengthening of its human resources,” added Juana.

Therefore, the advantages of

Bali having a local genius had to be shown off. To prepare the quality of human resources of Bali in facing the competition against foreign labor, his party empowered the Private Training Institute (LPKS) to produce competent

graduate students as needed. Additionally, it also attempted to improve human resource certification activities in Bali through the establishment acceleration of the competency infrastructure.

“The Bali Regional Council of the Private Training Institute is an organization of training institutes across Bali. It is particularly in terms of acceleration of infrastructure development for human resources competency in Bali,”

said Juana.

According to him, at this time the Bali Regional Council empowered 102 assessors to access vocational students in the counties and municipality in Bali. On that account, it was required to increase the assessors and implementation of regular training in order to produce reliable workforce. He hoped the workforce of Bali could compete when facing the AEC 2015. (rah)

Subak system facing great challenge Antara

Ubiquitous land conversions on Indonesian island resort of Bali will sooner or later eliminate the traditional agriculture system, locally known as subak, if nothing is done about it.

Agricultural land conversion into villas and hotels in Bali for the interests of tourism and other businesses is growing at an alarming rate and threatening not only the local ecology but also productive farmland where subak irrigation system is applied.

Uncontrolled land conversion in some parts of Bali has resulted in ecological imbalance and degradation, leading to the destruction of subak.

I Wayan Windia of Udayana University has noted that the destruction of subak will affect all aspects of life on the paradise island.

“The destruction of subak due to the use of land for purposes other than agriculture has been discussed since a long time, but it has never been addressed completely,” Windia pointed out in Denpasar last Saturday.

He noted that if the subak in Bali gets destroyed, the culture of Bali that has been passed on from generation to generation would also disappear sooner or later.

“The destruction of subak will destroy all economic sectors in Bali because they are all interrelated,” he added, explaining that economic sectors, particularly tourism, on the island are based on local culture and tradition.

But he pointed out that in reality the tourism sector has destroyed the agricultural area and the subak in Bali.

Besides that, Windia explained that the elimination of the Sedahan-Agung institution has weakened the subak irrigation method.

The Sedahan-Agung institution was established in the 1970s, in every sub-district, for its officials to coordinate the activities of subak in order

to help the heads of subak solve their problems, and to collect land-tax from subak farmers.

However, because of a central government regulation, the SedahanAgung was eliminated, because of which, no officials from the institution can solve the problem pertaining to subak.

“Sedahan-Agung served as the protector of subak agricultural method under the district heads and mayors but now it has been eliminated,” he noted.

According to him, the absence of the Sedahan-Agung institution has made the subak traditional irrigation and agriculture organization seem like an orphan.

Meanwhile, Bali agricultural observer Gede Sedana stated in Denpasar on Tuesday that various efforts must be made to maintain the subak traditional agriculture method and to develop ecotourism in its areas.

Sedana noted that the development of ecotourism, in the areas where subak is being applied, will positively empower the local farmers.

“Empowering the farmers on the basis of sustainable nature will improve their welfare, manage the wealth of the local economy, and improve the integrity of local ecosystem,” agricultural observer Gede Sedana stated here on Tuesday.

The dean of Dwijendra University’s Faculty of Agriculture noted that ecotourism development is based on natural attraction with regard to support rural and cultural tourism.

According to him, ecotourism includes a number of important aspects concerning sightseeing tours, natural environment, local community involvement, local culture, and sustainability of the environment.

Gede Sedana then explained that subak, the traditional irrigation system in Bali, has various roles and functions

to ensure food security, to control flood and erosion, and to maintain biological diversity.

Further, he stated that the government should give serious attention to subak and three other areas that have been recorded by UNESCO in its World Heritage List.

In June 2012, UNESCO officially acknowledged the traditional subak agricultural method on its World Heritage List.

Subak is a social organization of farmers who regulate irrigation during the cultivation of paddy on Bali Island for their own mutual benefit.

Therefore, the government should pay more attention to the farmers who practice subak, a traditional farming and irrigation method peculiar to the Indonesian island resort of Bali.

“The Balinese farmers need serious attention from the government especially after UNESCO’s decision to include subak in the World Cultural Heritage list,” Gede Sedana pointed

out.

According to Education and Cultural Deputy Minister Windu Nuryanti, the struggle to get the subak system included in the World Cultural Heritage list has been a 12-year-long process.

Naturally, the farmers in Bali have welcomed UNESCO`s decision and are determined to maintain and preserve the traditional irrigation system in their farmlands. Subak is a traditional irrigation system that has been practiced in Bali for hundreds of years. It plays a very important part in the life of the Balinese people who own rice farms.

This system ensures that water is fairly distributed during the dry season.

Members of the Subak social organization have equal rights, regardless of their caste, title or size of land holding.

In light of this, Windia of Udayana University has again expressed hope

that the central, provincial and district governments will give the farmers land and building tax relief to help them maintain their traditional system.

“Besides that, the government is also expected to provide scholarship programs for the farmers’ children, so that they can pursue higher education,” Windia noted.

He reminded the government that it was very important to pay serious attention to farmers and to ensure that subak is not known as a world cultural heritage that exists in an unkempt and dirty state. Hence, he added that the government should pay attention to the needs of farmers, so that they are happy to work.

According to him, the attention should start from providing suitable water irrigation systems, the necessary seeds, the marketing of their products, tax subsidies and education scholarships up to university level for farmers` children with high grades and high achievements.

4

Friday, March 7, 2014

Bali News

International

Increases, maternal mortality rate in Badung Bali Post

IBP/File

The situation in Bali during last year’s Nyepi

Nyepi, public meeting campaign nullified across Indonesia Bali Post

DENPASAR - Nullification of public meeting campaign as a form of respect to Nyepi (Day of Silence) celebration for the Hindus will not just happen in Bali. The Central Electoral Commission has decided to nullify the public meeting campaign in all provinces in Indonesia at the peak of the Nyepi celebration on March 31, 2014. It was announced by Chairman of Bali Electoral Commission, Dewa Kade Wiarsa Raka Sandi, Wednesday (Mar 5).

“In the national campaign schedule based on the Decree No.267/2013 stipulated by Central Electoral Commission, it is mentioned that at the peak of Nyepi celebration there will be no public meeting campaign in Indonesia. Meanwhile, in Bali, there will be no public meeting campaign for five days on March 28-31 and April 1 in relation to the Nyepi celebration,” said Raka Sandhi.

According to him, the decision to nullify the public meeting campaign across Indonesia at the peak of Nyepi celebration was based on the rationale to respect the Hindus who were celebrating their holiday because the Hindus were not only in Bali, but also spread throughout Indonesia.

Thus, there was guarantee that Nyepi celebration by the Hindus across Indonesia would not be disturbed by campaign activities.

“It is in honor of the Nyepi celebration. Moreover, the Central Electoral Commission and political party leaders have also agreed to nullify at the central level. So, let’s jointly honor and maintain the celebration of Nyepi in order to be free from public meeting campaign,” he said.

Raka Sandhi said the nullification of public meeting campaign in Bali did not necessarily mean to reduce the chance of political parties and regional representative council candidates to campaign. However, the schedule had been set so that all participants of the election got the same op-

portunity and proportion. “It is the principle of organizing the election with respect to religious holiday without diminishing the right of campaign for the participating candidates. It is guaranteed that all the participating candidates can get the same and fair opportunity to hold campaign as other provinces in Indonesia,” he affirmed.

As reported previously, the Electoral Commission had set the schedule of public meeting campaign (involving a crowd of people in public open space) in Bali for political parties participating in the election in Bali and the candidates of Bali regional representative council (DPD) started on March 16 until April 5, 2014. The Bali Elec-

toral Commission divided the campaign into 4 zones of public general meeting for the election of members of the House of Representatives (DPR-RI) and the Bali House (DPRD Bali), namely Zone I (Denpasar, Gianyar), Zone II (Badung, Tabanan), Zone III (Jembrana, Buleleng) and Zone IV (Klungkung, Bangli and Karangasem). Each political party of the 12 participating political parties in the electoral campaign had the opportunity for one time in each zone.

Meanwhile, the schedule for the public meeting campaign for the Regional Representative Council (DPD) candidates was divided into 8 zones namely Denpasar, Badung, Tabanan, Jembrana, Buleleng, Bangli and Klungkung (one zone), Karangasem and Gianyar. Each candidate had the campaign opportunity for two times in each zone so they did a total of 16 times of public meeting campaign throughout Bali. (wid)

MANGUPURA - In the past three years, the maternal mortality rate (AKI) in Badung tends to increase when compared to previous years. However, the increase is claimed not to have been caused by less maximal health care services. The Badung government considers the trigger is pretty much sourcing from the high migration.

The Head of Badung Health Agency, I Gde Putra Suteja, said on Wednesday (Mar 5) the increase in the maternal mortality rate in Badung was caused by several factors, including migration, quality of health care as well as nonobstetric factor such as heart disease and malignancy of HIV/AIDS. The maternal mortality could also be caused by obstetric factors such as hemorrhage, eclampsia and infection. These factors stayed to happen in Badung.

Regarding the increasing trend of the maternal mortality rate in Badung, Suteja said, the migration factor was still very significant. Many people were not monitored, primarily the migrants. Some few of them brought along congenital disease suffered from the area of origin. When they died, they did not have the identity card of Badung.

A similar sentiment was expressed by the Division Head of Family Health, Badung Health Agency, I Wayan Segara.

Despite claiming not to memorize the data, he mentioned the increase in maternal mortality rate in Badung was not significant. “The increase is not much.

But, it is something beyond the expectation and must be cautious,” he said.

He said the maternity mortality rate in Badung was lower than some other counties in Bali. However, when compared to that of Denpasar City, indeed the maternal mortality rate of Badung County was higher.

Related to migration factor, Segara explained it was very influential in the data collection. All this time, as long as the people settled in Badung, the maternal mortality data were directly put into the Badung County. In reality, the housewife was not necessarily having the identity card of Badung. “Although some of them have the identity card of Badung, most of them already have higher risk from the region of origin,” he said.

In 2014, the data collection method would be changed. In accordance with the directive of Bali government, each maternal death without the identity of Badung County would not be included in the data collection of Badung.

“In this case, the maternal mortality rate in Badung is expected to decline.

By all means, it can be accompanied with improvement of health care and active participation of the community,” he said. (kmb25)

International

W

Friday, March 7, 2014

RLD

13

Seoul: NK artillery launched near Chinese flight

Associated Press Writer

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean officials on Thursday criticized a North Korean artillery launch that they say happened minutes before a Chinese commercial plane reportedly carrying 202 people flew in the same area. It wasn’t immediately clear what danger, if any, the launch Tuesday posed to the China Southern Airlines plane traveling from Tokyo to Shenyang, China, but Seoul Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok called it a “serious threat” that Pyongyang failed to notify international aviation authorities of its launch plans in the area.

Kim said the plane was traveling at an altitude of 10 kilometers (6 miles), while the projectile’s peak altitude was 20 kilometers (12 miles). He said the flight passed through the area about five minutes after the projectile hit the water.

An unidentified North Korean army spokesman said in a statement Wednesday night that rocket drills conducted from Feb. 21 until Tuesday were part of regular training. He said that neither regional security nor the international navigation were in danger because the North took “scrupulous advance security measures for flight orbit and targets in the designated waters.” Asked about the incident, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman called for all sides to continue improving relations and to refrain from provocations.

Seoul officials say the suspected

artillery launch Tuesday and others that included Scud missiles in previous days were protests of ongoing U.S.-South Korean military drills that Pyongyang considers invasion preparation. Washington and Seoul say the drills, which prompted threats of nuclear war from the North a year ago, are defensive in nature and meant to deter North Korean aggression.

It was not immediately clear what kind of artillery the North launched.

But South Korean officials believe the recent series of launches were in part an effort to test 300-mm multiple rocket launchers, according to the South’s Chosun Ilbo. If fired from near the demilitarized zone separating the rival Koreas, the newspaper reported, such rockets could reach the headquarters of the South Korean army, navy and air force.

Despite the recent firings and

AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon

South Korean army’s tanks maneuver during a military exercise in Paju near the border with North Korea, South Korea, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

launches, outside analysts say the North is taking a softer stance toward the U.S.-South Korean military drills this year than last year because it wants better ties with the outside world to revive its struggling economy.

Also Thursday, Seoul said that North Korea rejected Seoul’s pro-

posal to hold talks on reunions of families divided by the 1950-53 Korean War. South Korea wants to make such reunions, which were held last month for the first time in more than three years, egular events, but analysts say Pyongyang worries that could take away a key piece of political leverage with the South.

The Korean Peninsula remains officially at war because the Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. Tension spiked sharply a year ago as North Korea responded furiously to last year’s drills and to international condemnation of its third nuclear test in February 2013.

Crimea: 11,000 pro-Russian troops in control Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov

Riot police stand at the entrance of the regional administrative building during a rally in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 5, 2014.

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine — ProRussian forces numbering more than 11,000 controlled all access to Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and have blockaded all military bases that have not yet surrendered, Crimea’s new leader said. The West has joined the new Ukrainian leadership in Kiev in demanding that Russia pull its forces from Crimea, but little progress was reported after a flurry of diplomatic activity in Paris on Wednesday involving U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The European Union leaders will meet for an emergency session in Brussels on Thursday to decide what sorts of sanctions they can impose on Russia over its actions in Ukraine. Moscow has threatened to retaliate if any punitive measures are put in place. A U.N. special envoy sent to Crimea came under threat from armed men who forced him to leave the region.

Concern that the turmoil could engulf eastern Ukraine grew after hundreds of demonstrators — many chanting “Russia! Russia!

— stormed a government building on Wednesday in Donetsk, a major industrial center near the Russian border. Clashes between protesters and police broke out early Thursday in Donetsk as police cleared demonstrators from the building. Dozens were detained.

The European Union on Wednesday extended $15 billion in aid to help support the new Ukrainian government, which took over in late February after months of protests drove out the Moscow-supported president, Viktor Yanukovych.

The EU also imposed asset freezes against 18 people held responsible for embezzling state funds in Ukraine, including Yanukovych, his son and some of his closest allies.

Crimea’s new leader, Sergei Aksyonov, said his government was in regular contact with the Russian officials, including those in a large Russian delegation now in Crimea.

14

Fashion

Friday, March 7, 2014

International

Rihanna at McCartney Paris show; Suzy Menkes quits

Associated Press Writer

PARIS — High fashion equals high drama, the latest installment of Paris Fashion Week proved Monday. A hooded Rihanna tried her best to pass unnoticed at the Stella McCartney show but caused yet more mayhem. Meanwhile, the world’s most influential fashion critic, Suzy Menkes, announced she’s ditching newspapers after a quarter of a century, though she denied there’s an end in sight for the print industry.

Elsewhere, Swinging Sixties icon Marianne Faithfull lambasted a reporter after getting squashed at a fashion show. Here are some highlights from the fall-winter ready-to-wear collections.

RIHANNA NOT INCOGNITO AT STELLA MCCARTNEY

Try as she might to be discreet — enveloped in a green-black Stella McCartney hooded coat with huge cat eye shades — Rihanna just had no luck. Within seconds of her arrival Monday, her star-power magnetism drew in the paparazzi, who followed her backstage where she hobnobbed with British model of the moment Cara Delevigne.

A radiant McCartney, meanwhile, hugged the pop star and exclaimed: “She is amazing.” STELLA HAS FUN WITH ZIPPERS, STIRRUPS, ROPE McCartney’s show brimmed with ideas and plays on utilitarian features.

Zippers featured as abstract embroidery all over coats and suits that glistened like ripples of water.

This sporty theme — a McCartney signature — was seen again as mountaineering cords were used as embroidered motifs on storm gray tweeds.

Menswear pants sported stirrups — elastic bands wrapped under platform shoes — hybrids of an office shoe mixed with a sneaker in red, black, beige, gold and a beautiful pale blue.

Apart from a spattering of tie-dye looks that appeared a bit washed out, it was a great collection. Only such a classy designer as McCartney can channel a sporty, outdoorsy and menswear muse and still produce a feminine show.

END OF AN ERA AS SUZY MENKES QUITS NEWSPAPERS

She’s the doyenne of fashion, with the instantly recognizable curled fringe. And now newspaper critic Suzy Menkes, 70, is ending her 25year reign as fashion editor for the International Herald Tribune (now the International New York Times).

MARIANNE FAITHFULL BLASTS REPORTER

After being squashed on the front row as journalists tried to get near Rihanna, Seventies British singing icon Marianne Faithfull got annoyed.

She blasted a reporter for asking the “Diamonds” singer, sitting four seats down, a question about “12 Years a Slave” winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Faithfull, 66, who first found fame as Mick Jagger’s girlfriend in the 60s, attended the Paris show to support longtime friend McCartney.

She overheard the Oscars question for Rihanna and interrupted grumpily: “That’s a ridiculous question... Get a new job!” To which the journalist replied: “What’s your job?”

3

Bali Post

DENPASAR - Denpasar Municipality has not been serious in working on the Denpasar City Tour program. Actually, the potential owned by Denpasar to package the city tour program is actually quite large. Even, the echo of city tour has no longer been heard or it is in a dead faint because the attractions on offer are those of very same things. Ideally, there should be an arrangement so it can draw the visit of more travelers.

He said the municipal government should reflect on the management of Seoul Museum in South Korea. For example, the vast acreage and high comfort as a place of learning could draw travelers to come, both local and foreign travelers, especially school children who wanted to know better about the ancient and modern history of Korea.

“Even, the collection of remnants originating in the Majapahit kingdom gets the most extensive space. In comparison to the Bajra Sandhi becoming the proud of Denpasar has not met the requirements as the category of museum,” he said.

To that end, he said there should be courage and breakthrough made by the Mayor with the support of the Denpasar House for the development of museum equipped with advanced technology facilities and comfortable rooms. Thus, travelers or school children could learn contently in the museum.

“In essence, it should be focused because Denpasar has the accessibility that supports the city position being close to tourist destinations scattered in Bali. Even, the distance to Ngurah Rai International Airport is only 20 minutes,” he said.

IBP/Eka

People visit bird market at Denpasar City, Bali Island. This bird market also visit by foreign tourists as part of city tour that offers by Denpasar Municipality.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Denpasar Municipality, Dewa Rai, stated that his party would keep on developing the Denpasar city tour program by organizing various cultural events. “One of the efforts is to increase tourist visits, including to tourist resorts of the city by improving the object such as through revitalization of traditional markets as made at Intaran, Sindhu Sanur,”

he explained.

Denpasar Municipality, said Dewa Rai, had also made arrangement to Z curve from Pemecutan Palace to Satria Palace, including the improvement at Catur Muka roundabout as the effort to encourage the program.

The city tour program of Denpasar had actually taken place since tourism began to flourish in Bali. It was visible

from the establishment of Bali Hotel (now, Inna Bali Hotel) located in the heart of Denpasar. However, the more serious idea to work on the city tour was raised again when AA Puspayoga officiated as the Mayor of Denpasar.

Together with his deputy who was a tourism practitioner, (late) I Ketut Robin, he intended to make the city tour a flagship tourism program in the city of Denpasar. (kmb27)

Garuda Indonesia joins Skyteam Antara

SAME OLD SLIMANE AT SAINT LAURENT BUT WITH SPARKLES, 60s

Designer Hedi Slimane continued with his 70s feel for fall-winter but upped the disco sequins and added a dash of the 60s for good effect. (A little like his Las Vegas menswear show, but less successful.) Was it the anticipation of sixties wild child Marianne Faithfull on the front row that pushed him to fuse his signature designs with swinging minis, Mary Quant-style black and white striped patent leather boots, neat white neck bows, and polka dots?

There were the hits and misses.

The misses were the heavy handed looks: the huge black fur coat with giant white polka dots that didn’t

Friday, March 7, 2014

‘Denpasar City Tour’ turns dormant It was expressed by a member of the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (BPPI), Mangku Nyoman Kandia, when met in Denpasar.

According to him, the infrastructure supporting the development of city tour had not been worked on to the fullest. For example, the traditional market attraction offered to travelers was not followed by a clear arrangement and it still looked dirty. So, it made it difficult to attract travelers to visit the traditional markets.

He said that Denpasar City Tour package had been packaged by travel agencies in Bali far before the Denpasar was transformed into a city around the 1970s. Even, the name of Denpasar as the capital of Bali Province had been used as a place to stay for foreign travelers when the Bali Hotel was built in 1920. Later in 2020, it had been 100 years of tourism in Bali.

“Compared to the tourist cities around the world, Denpasar does not have the infrastructure to support the tourism such as the technology-based information, less focused website promotion media and substandard toilets for foreign and domestic travelers,” he explained.

“I’m going to Conde Nast,” she told The Associated Press, saying she’s excited to move on from papers. “I’m especially thrilled to be online because with newspapers, you know... But I’ve had a wonderful career in print,” she added.

When asked if she thought that the time was up for newspapers, which have experienced a steady decline in sales worldwide with the rise of online news, she replied: “No, of course not!”

Menkes’ new post will be International Editor for Vogue magazine, across all countries except the U.S.

Bali News

International

AP Photo/Michel Euler

A model wears creations by French fashion designer Hedi Slimane for St Laurent ready-towear fall/winter 2014-2015 fashion collection presented in Paris, Monday, March 3, 2014. make much of a creative statement; or the rather ordinary navy coats; and one wacky look that mixed a Scottish tartan cape, a gold-red patterned mini-dress with a wide rimmed black hat.

But the hits included looks with some interesting creative touches: prickly, studded, knee-high boots, a micro leopard-print dress with a gray marl menswear jacket, and a saleable warm beige fur cardigan with “Le Smoking”-style shoulders. It was

luxury-meets-East London.

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI PERFUMES THE AIR, NOT THE CLOTHES

Sweet rose perfume wafted through the air. But Giambattista Valli’s fallwinter show itself turned away from the saccharine, feminine styles that have graced recent seasons — and the collection was all the better for it.

The first looks were the strongest,

a series of complex black-and-white mottled gowns with A-line skirts.

They showcased great textural play with optical patterns that at times resembled the markings of a butterfly, alongside exaggerated proportions.

(The butterfly effect is an on-trend style also seen at the Celine and Chloe shows.)

The show’s flower prints weren’t that new or inspiring, but Valli perfected a beautiful new silhouette of open fabric swirls at the hip.

IBP/Parwata

The nation’s flag carrier Garuda Indonesia on Wednesday officially joined the SkyTeam, an alliance of 5-star airlines.

NUSA DUA - The nation’s flag carrier Garuda Indonesia on Wednesday officially joined the SkyTeam, an alliance of 5-star airlines.

Garuda Indonesia is the 20th members of the alliance in a ceremony held here attended by CEOs of major airlines in the world.

This is a new era for Garuda Indonesia to be connected with other 5-star global airlines members of the SkyTeam,” President of SkyTeam Leo van Wijk said.

Garuda CEO Emirsyah said by joining SkyTeam, Garuda Indonesia places itself in the center of global aviation and international market.

“SkyTeam is an alliance of global airlines facilitating passengers to be connected with global networks of airlines with many destinations,” Emirsyah said Other members of the SkyTeam include Aeroflot, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Saudia, TAROM and Vietnam Airlines.

SkyTeam alliance has a total of 506 million passengers per year with 14,000 flights per day and 958 destinations in 173 countries.

2

International

Friday, March 7, 2014

Bali News

Wall of Dalem Trunyan Temple collapsed

DENPASAR – In an effort to promote the island of Bali and increase its number of visitors from China, Archipelago International hosted a Fam-Trip on 24-26 February 2014 for a group of travel agents based in two of China’s provinces, Xiamen and Fuzian.

A Familiarization Trip or a Fam-Trip is a marketing program designed to acquaint event planners with a specific destination. The trip therefore gave a “snapshot” look at Archipelago’s Bali-based hotels allowing the travel agents to experience the different features & facilities of each hotel. It also enabled the agents to see firsthand exactly what guests can expect from the individual hotels, putting them in better stead to recommend the accommodations to their customers or employees.

The group consisted of 31 personnel and they were given the full Archipelago International experience. On the first day, the group stayed at favehotel Bypass; a quality budget hotel complete with MICE facilities and a location right at the heart of the main thoroughfare, Bypass Ngurah Rai. On the second day, the agents stayed at Quest Kuta –

IBP/File

Nine people bitten by rabies dog Bali Post

SINGARAJA - Dog bite cases happened again in Buleleng. The dog positively infected with rabies has bitten its owner and other residents. Based on the report received by the Buleleng Agriculture and Livestock Agency, a total of nine residents were bitten by dog having been positively infected with rabies. Four residents were from Yadnya Kerti hamlet, Ularan village, Seririt subdistrict, while five others were residents from Ngis hamlet, Tembok village, Tejakula subdistrict. All rabies dog bite victims were under surveillance and had to get an injection of anti-rabies vaccine (VAR) in their respective public health center.

Information gathered from the Buleleng Livestock Agency on Wednesday (Mar 5), a rabid dog bite case occurred at Ngis hamlet,

Tembok village as reported on February 26, 2014. Local dog belonging to a resident Nyoman Sadiarta blindly bit his neighbors in two consecutive days.

The stray dog owned by Nyoman Sadiarta bit his neighbors namely Nyoman Resi, Ketut Pas and Wayan Gambir. The three victims were bitten on the hand, palm and the left calf (Feb 22). On the following day (Mar 23), the dog attacked again one more resident, namely Wayan Pasek, causing his heel to get injured and bleed.

Before biting the victim, the behavior of dog owned by Sadiarta was suddenly violent and attacked the residents visiting him. The dog was acquired from local neighbor and about four months old. Sadiarta then reported the incident to the field extension officer (PPL) of the Buleleng Agriculture and Livestock Agency. Afterward, the

Tuban, a modern, sophisticated and contemporary chic hotel located close by to Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The group also visited and experienced the new 4 star Aston Ungasan Hotel & Convention Center which has amazing views across Tanjung Benoa’s harbor. They also explored Grand Aston Bali Beach Resort before a final visit to favehotel Umalas; a quality budget hotel in Bali’s classy district just minutes from Seminyak.

“As one of the main markets for Indonesia’s tourism, it is critical that Chinese travelers have access to as much information about Bali as possible.

We were delighted to host the Fam-Trip program for some of China’s travel agents, because it not only gave us a chance to demonstrate why Archipelago International is one of the leading hotel

IBP/Courtesy of Archipelago International

management groups in the country, but it also enabled us to fulfill our own responsibility to provide quality hospitality and memorable experiences for the agents so that they can

Calendar Event for March 5 through May 21, 2014

The Dalem Trunyan Temple

samples of the dog were then tested in the Veterinary Center (B-Bvet), Bali Livestock Agency. The lab test results indicated if the Sadiarta’s dog was positively infected with rabies. It has been eliminated to avoid further bite victims.

Apart from Tembok village, residents of Yadnya Kerti hamlet, Ularan village, Seririt subdistrict, were also restless after many residents were bitten by the dog belonged to Ketut Sudimba, a local resident. Four residents at the village including the dog owner Sudimba were bitten by the dog (Mar 1). Meanwhile, three neighbors consisting of Nengah Triasih was bitten on the hand, Gusti Kadek on the palm of the hand and Mrs. Jro Made on her finger. The dog bite victims had also received the anti-rabies vaccine in the nearest public health center.

From the results of field inves-

tigation by the officers and the information from the dog owner, before the incident the dog of Sudimba had a fight with a stray dog whose owner was unclear. A few days later, behavior of the four-month dog suddenly turned violent. Since then, the dog formerly being docile was directly biting its owner and three other people. Having examined the dog’s head sample, in fact, it was positive to rabies. Meanwhile, the dog having fought with the dog belonging to Sudimba was not found by the officers. Allegedly, the dog whose owner was unclear transmitted rabies to dog owned

by Sudimba.

The Head of Buleleng Agriculture and Livestock Agency, Nyoman Swatantra, accompanied

by Animal Health Division Head Wayan Susila when asked for his confirmation justified the dog bite

15

IBP

BANGLI - The overflowing water of Lake Batur in Kintamani did not only soak dozens of homes at Trunyan village, but also caused the compound wall of Dalem Temple at local cemetery of Trunyan to collapse. It was revealed by Headman of Trunyan, Wayan Arjana, Wednesday (Mar 5).

He said the collapse of the compound walls actually occurred on Monday (Mar 3). The Dalem Temple itself was located around the cemetery commonly visited by many travelers. The collapse of the temple compound wall, said Arjana, took place at noon. Allegedly, the wall collapsed as it was not strong enough to hold the water pressure due to abrasion occurred in the mouth of the lake. As results, the travelers making a visit to Trunyan village cemetery were slightly disturbed.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bangli Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Wayan Sugiharta, also said the collapse of the temple compound wall was caused by damp condition of the wall. In addition to knocking down the wall, the overflowing lake water also threatened to soak the floor of the Dalem Temple.

Sugiharta said that to temporarily anticipate the entry of water his party would create a soil sack embankment to be placed on the temple compound wall. “Obviously, we still continue to make coordination regarding the handling because the temple is located close to the lake water. For the time being, we cannot estimate the amount of losses,” he added. (ina)

Friday, March 7, 2014

Archipelago International hosts farm-trip for China’s travel agents

Overflowing lake water

Bali Post

Activities

International

was positive to rabies that occurred at Tembok village and Ularan village. He said the officers were still making observation after the dog bite declared positive to rabies at two separate villages. The agency performed elimination by targeting dogs owned by residents alleged to have been infected with rabies.

In addition, the dogs owned by residents had been injected with anti-rabies vaccine (VAR). Even, the vaccination scheduled this week would be targeting Bhuana Kerti hamlet, Ularan village. It was intended to prevent the transmission of rabies at the village.

“We’ve received the reports and handled it according to the standard operating procedures and status of the village was still being observed. Particularly for the Ularan village, the stray dog will be vaccinated within this week,” he said. (mud)

 Founder : K.Nadha,  General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti  Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Suasrina, Buleleng: Adnyana, 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

5 Mar Hari Urip 6 Mar Hari Patetegan 7 Mar Pengeradanan Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Kabayan Penebel Tabanan 8 Mar Saraswati Pura Pasek tangkas Gempinis Dalang Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Sayan Abiansemal Pura Watu Gunung Bima Pura Agung Jagat Karana Surabaya Pura Aditya Jaya Jakarta Pura Pemaksan Banyuning Timur Pura Agung Wira Loka Cimahi Jawa Barat 9 Mar Hari Banyu Pinaruh 10 Mar Soma Ribek Pura Jati Jembrana Pura Kawitan Bayu Gaiyang Bangli Tirta Wening Surabaya Pura Desa Lingga Wana Abang Karangasem 11 Mar Sabuh Mas 12 Mar Hari Pagerwesi Pura Labang Sindu JiwaUbud Pura Kehen Bangli Pura Wira Bhuana Magelang Jawa tengah Pura Padang Sakti Denpasar Timur Pura Payogan Agung Ketewel Gianyar Pura Gaduh Pangiasan Dauh Puri Denpasar Pura Masceti Tampak Siring Pura Dalem Ularan Denpasar Pura Siwa Penebel Tabanan Pura Luhur Sliki Banyuwangi Pura Gunung Lebah Ubud Pura Puseh Sukawati 15 Mar Purnama Sasih Kesanga Pura Nataran Sasih Pejeng Gianyar Pura Bukit Mentik Gunung lebah Batur Kintamani 17 Mar Kajeng Kliwon Uwudan 22 Mar Tumpek Landep Pura Mutering Jagat Dalem Sidakarya

Denpasar Pura Agung Pasek Tabanan Pura Pasek Tangkas Tabanan Pura Kerta Banyuning Buleleng Pura Dalem Tenggaling Singapadu Gianyar Pura Bhujangga Jembrana Pura Dalem pingit Tegalalang Pura Penataran Pande Pandean Mengwi Pura Ida Ratu Pande Besakih Pura Penataran AGung Tulikup Pura Kumuda Saraswati Ubud Pura Batur Arya Tabanan 23 Mar Radite Umanis Ukir Sanggah Gede Dukuh Segening Tegal Tugu Gianyar 26 Mar Buda Cemeng Ukir Pura Pajenengan Kawitan Arya Gelgel Kelungkung Pura Pasar Agung Besakih Pura Pasek Bendesa Legian Kuta Badung Pura Gde Gunung Agung Munggu Badung Pura Puseh Bebalang Bangli Pura Dalem Peruncak Badung Pura Pasek Bendesa Hyang Krobokan Badung Pura Kereban Langit Mengwi Badung 28 Mar Melasti Pakiyisan Ke Segara Pura Pasek Gelgel Kukuh Marga 30 Mar Tilem Kesanga Tawur Agung 31 Mar Hari Raya Nyepi 1 May Buda Kajeng Kliwon Enyitan

2 May Bhatara Sri Ida Ratu Geng Besakih Pura Penataran Agung Besakih Ida Ratu Raja Puraus Besakih Merajan Saloding Besakih 6 May Anggara Kasih Juluwangi Pura Thirta Harum Tegal Wangi Bangli Pura Baratan Baturiti Pura Batu Klotok Klungkung

Pura Pasek Tohjiwa Wanasari Tabanan Pura Ibu Wanagiri Selemadeg Tabanan Pura Manik Bingin Dukuh Sidemen 7 May Pura Penataran Gana Bebalang Bangli Pura Dalem Gede Pande Bangli Pura Puncak Sari Sangeh Abian Semal Pura Puseh Penegil Dharma Kubu Tambahan Bangli Pura Dalem Maya Blahbatuh Gianyar Pura Linggih Betara Kayu Selem Penataran Agung Besakih 13 May Purnama Sasih Jiyestha Pura Dwija Warsa Malang Pura Pucak Tinggah Angsri Baturiti Pura Kawitan Luhur Bhujangga Jati Luwih Penebel Pura Kawitan Batur Pande Tonja Tonja Denpasar Pura Penataran Agung Sidemen Karangasem Pura Maospahit Grenceng Denpasar 15 May Sugihan Jawa Pura Kawitan Tangkas Kori Agung Tangkas Klungkung Pura Siang Kangin Peninjoan Tembuku Bangli Pura Ida Ratu Mas Penataran Agung Besakih Pura Ida Bhatara Bang Tulus Besakih 16 May Sugihan Bali Dan Kajeng Kliwon 18 May Penyekeban 19 May Penyajaan Galungan 20 May Penampahan Galungan 21 May Hari Raya Galungan Pura Wakika Kupang NTT Pura Agung Girinatha Sumbawa Besar NTB Pura Dukuh Sakti Dukuh Kediri Tabanan Pura Atambuananta Kutamba NTT Pura Webananta Kupang NTT Pura Giripati Mulawarman Pontianak Pura Mustika Dharma Cijantung Jakarta Timur

continue convincing Chinese tourists to come this magical, international destination.” Said Norbert Vas, Vice President Sales & Marketing Archipelago International.

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

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Entertainment

Friday, March 7, 2014

The abs strike back in ‘300’ sequel

WEATHER FORECAST 23 - 32 Dps

Associated Press Writer

The glistening abs are back in “300: Rise of an Empire,” and they’ve been doing crunches. Like its forerunner, the 2007 hit “300,” ‘’Rise of an Empire” again plunges us into bloody, hyper-stylized Greek history: mythology with muscles. The computer-generated warfare franchise is now a third of the way to a six-pack.

Made clearly to capitalize on the popularity of “300,” ‘’Rise of an Empire” is something like collected behind-the-scenes from the Persian invasion featured in “300.” Whereas the first film chronicled, ab by ab, the Spartans’ heroic stand in the Battle of Thermopylae against Xerxes’s Persian invasion, “Rise of an Empire” is about the concurrent naval fight, the Battle of Artemisium.

This may be war by sea, but the ingredients of “300” are largely unaltered.

An outnumbered band of Greeks staves off a tyrannical Persian army below roiling skies of red and gray. Manly honor is fetishized to a comical degree. Blood spills like soup.

These two films, very much intertwined, provoke a number of questions: Did everyone forget their shirts? Is this a workout video? Or is this just the most absurdly ridiculous thing ever?

Yes and no. In “Rise of an Empire,” Zack Snyder moves from the director’s

chair to producer (and co-screenwriter with Kurt Johnstad), leaving Noam Murro to helm the film. But Snyder’s imprint is unmistakable, with his visual style carried over, mimicking the extremes of Frank Miller’s comic book illustrations (the inspiration of both movies).

These are easy films to make fun of.

It’s why perhaps the best thing to come out of “300” was the viral video “It’s Raining Men,” a clip of the movie’s Mediterranean men in various states of brotherly togetherness, set to the disco tune.

But they’re also precisely the movies they seek to be: Some kind of grandly warped, excessively heightened dream of mythical battle. It’s as if Douglas Sirk made a combat video game.

At least it’s the women who reign in “Rise of an Empire,” though one wouldn’t expect that given its seconds into the film when naked breasts make their first gratuitous appearance. The

NEW YORK — Tony-winning Idina Menzel — or Adele Dazeem if you’re John Travolta — is enjoying massive success with “Let It Go” from the animated film “Frozen,” but the entertainer is still perplexed that she’s finally triumphing on the pop charts with a show tune-esque track.

“I’ve had a lot of self-introspection about this. This business is so hard, especially the music business, and I’ve tried so hard to crossover, to convince people just because I was in a Broadway show I didn’t have the street cred to be a rock or a pop singer,” she said in a recent interview. “And then the one time I have it, it’s the arrangement from the Disney movie.” “I’m singing at the Oscars — I’ve never sang at Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP

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

Friday, March 7, 2014 Pakistan resumes Taliban talks as 6 soldiers die

Brazil warms up in style; Spain, France win

Seoul: NK artillery launched near Chinese flight

Page 6

Page 8

Page 13

Schapelle Corby’s sister Mercedes talks to journalists in Bali, Indonesia, Thursday, March 6, 2014. She apologised to Indonesia “from the bottom of my heart” for an interview that sparked calls for her sibling to be thrown back in jail.

AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Eva Green in “300: Rise of an Empire.” male actors here — Sullivan Stapleton as the Greek hero Themistokles, Santoro, back as the bronzed Xerxes — are easily outdone by the females.

Idina Menzel, ‘Frozen’ heat up pop charts Associated Press Writer

16 Pages Number 58 6th year

the Grammys,” Menzel added, laughing.

Menzel’s musical moment grew even stronger when “Let It Go” won best original song at Sunday’s Academy Awards (the Oscar went to the songwriters and producers, Robert Lopez and Kristen AndersonLopez). The song has sold close to 1.5 million tracks and is a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The “Frozen” album, a platinum success, is the soundtrack to spend the most time at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with five weeks and counting; it recently beat the record set by the “Titantic” soundtrack, which featured Celine Dion’s epic, Oscar-winning “My Heart Will Go On.” “I’ve had ups and downs ... and I’m aware of when something’s happening and has an energy of its own,” said Menzel, who voices the lead character Elsa in the film, which won the best animated feature Oscar. “I’m aware enough to know of something special and to try and be in the moment.”

Menzel is having more than a moment in music though, thanks to Travolta, who uttered “Adele Dazeem” at the Oscars instead the singer’s name.

He has since apologized.

This Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 photo shows Tony Award winning actress, singer and songwriter, Idina Menzel, in New York. Menzel performed the Oscar award-winning song “Let It Go” from the “Frozen” soundtrack at the Academy Awards.

Corby sister apologized for interview Agence France-Presse

DENPASAR - The sister of Australian drug mule Schapelle Corby on Thursday apologised to Indonesia “from the bottom of my heart” for an interview that sparked calls for her sibling to be thrown back in jail.

Australia’s Channel Seven aired a documentary last Sunday in which Mercedes Corby suggested her sister had been set up, claiming the drugs she was caught with “could have been from Indonesia”.

It included footage of Schapelle Corby as she was whisked from jail in a van after her release on parole last month, and showed candid video of the first moments back with her family.

The documentary angered Indonesian authorities, who suggested Corby was seeking to profit from her crime. There has been unconfirmed speculation of a lucrative deal with

Channel Seven, which the broadcaster has denied.

Indonesian Justice Minister Amir Syamsuddin, under significant domestic pressure, warned of a “big possibility” that Corby’s parole could be revoked.

“From the bottom of my heart I am very sorry to the people of Indonesia if my interview on Australian TV caused unease,” Mercedes Corby said in statement sent to News Corporation.

“I apologise if my words were disrespectful to Indonesia.

I did not intend any disrespect.

AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati

“Our family are happy and grateful that Schapelle is free on parole. We thank the Indonesian government,” she added.

Corby was arrested in 2004 at Bali’s main airport with 4.1 kilograms (nine pounds) of marijuana in her surf gear, and subsequently jailed.

She has always proclaimed her innocence. The saga has riveted Australians and generated significant sympathy in her home country, where her plight has been given blanket coverage.

When an Indonesian minister visited to warn that her parole was in peril on Tuesday, he said Corby brandished a knife and threatened to kill herself, although her family have since denied it was a serious suicide bid.

Continued on page 6