Edisi 07 Agustus 2013 | International Bali post

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

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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Not Published We, the International Bali Post will not be published on Thursday, August 8 and Friday, August 9 due to Idul Fitri Day. Thank You

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IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

The cliff around Jimbaran Bay crowded with hotels that can be dangerous for environment in the future. According to experts, blue print of tourism industry in Bali need to be put in a firm regulation because there are many tourism infrastructures’ development violating environment and building regulation.

Blue print of Bali tourism remains indefinite Bali Post

DENPASAR - Implementation of the blueprint for tourism development in Bali seems to remain vague. It is reflected in the violation of tourism development that is inappropriate with the designation, such as the annexation to the radius of temple sanctity, coastal borderline and development in the green belt.

It proves if the implementation remains in shambles.

A tourism practitioner of Bali, Wayan Mertha, said that Bali as an international tourist destination should determine the direction of future tourism development by establishing zonation. Therefore, the development of tourism in Bali could be well managed.

“If only the government had a

clear regulation regarding the location to be developed for investment, it shall become barrier to limit the investment. Besides, it also serves as a major step towards the determination for the future prospects of Bali,” said Wayan Mertha.

Wayan Mertha doubling as lecturer at the Bali Tourism Institute

(STP) Bali deplored the statement of the Governor of Bali mentioning if the government could not force the investors to invest in Northern, Eastern and Western Bali in the effort to create equitable economic growth.

Actually, as a regulator the government had the authority to regulate any investments coming into Bali.

“If there is a statement saying the governor cannot force the investors, in my opinion, it is not quite right.

As the regulator, the government is entitled to set any incoming investment. To that end, Bali requires a great step, a kind of blue print regarding the master plan of Bali.

This must be answered, what kind

of Bali we want to make in the future,” he said.

Secretary of the Indonesian Economists Association (ISEI) Bali, Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Raka Suardana, also considered the government had not been able to grow a fair economy that could be enjoyed by all classes. Therefore, the government’s efforts remained in the level of planning and just a dream to people.

“The blueprint to determine the direction of middle-term and short-term development must be affirmed. So, in the future whoever leads will have clear guidelines in determining the direction of the development, especially

in order to address the imbalanced economic growth,” he said.

Uncertainty related to the blueprint had been causing the physical and economic development in Bali to experience inequality. Many investors flocked to southern part of Bali, while the northern and eastern part remained to leave a lot of unused lands.

“With a clear blueprint, Bali can determine the direction and future development opportunities related to the economic empowerment. The economic inequality occurred so far poses one of the effects of the unclear development concept,” he said. (kmb27)

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International

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Bali News After bomb blast in Buddhist temple

Vehicles from outside Bali examined Tabanan (Bali Post)—

Incident of bomb blasts in the Buddhist temple in Jakarta added a new task to the Tabanan Police. To anticipate a similar action, personnel of the Tabanan Police performed a security inspection to every vehicle coming from outside Bali that would lead to Denpasar, Monday (Aug 5). It targeted at the explosives and sharp weapons.

The inspection was centered in the Adipura police post doubling the entrance into the town of Tabanan. All vehicles with license place other than DK were stopped.

Then, the officers swiftly inspected every corner of the vehicles, including the suspicious luggage. Incidentally, there was a convoy of vehicles from outside Bali heading for Denpasar. “It is the instruction from the Tabanan Police Chief. We just focus on examining the vehicles from outside Bali that will lead to Denpasar,” said Made Oka, Chief of Tabanan Town Police with permission from the Chief of Tabanan Police amidst the examination.

He described the bombing tragedy in Jakarta could possibly spread to Bali.

Therefore, his party took quick response by examining the vehicles entering into Bali.

Moreover, a lot of vehicles from outside Bali were heading for Denpasar during the long Eid holiday season. The vehicles examined were mostly luxury cars with license plate of big cities in Java such as

Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang and Surabaya.

They were domestic tourists who were going to spend holidays in Bali. It was evident from the number of passengers including their luggage.

Other than private vehicles, police also examined various types of box vehicles.

Without a doubt, police officers opened the door of those box vehicles, and then observed through the entire freights. Unfortunately, after a two-hour examination, police did not find any suspicious items.

Having been examined, all vehicles were allowed to resume their journey.

According to Oka, similar raid would be continued. However, it would be made at different location. Hopefully, with the tight examination, the criminals could not come into Bali. “We are alerted all the times since the bomb exploded while securing the homecoming traffic,” said Oka. The raid, he said, would also be held in the tourist areas so that the long holiday season in Bali could run safely. (kmb30)

IBP/File

The police inspected the cars entering Bali to anticipate the terorism act.

Thief of sanctified effigies After bomb explosion in Jakarta in Petang stays undetected Security at Padangbai monitored Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Police officers seem unable to do much against the culprits of the sanctified effigy (pretima) theft at a number of regions.

So far, the culprits could have not been identified, let alone be arrested. Similarly, related to the theft of sanctified effigies in Petang, the culprits could not have been revealed after three months of the incident.

The lineups of Petang Police, Badung Police and even the Bali Police had established a special team to uncover the case. So far, police authority was unable to detect the existence of the culprits. More tragically, the temple burglary was getting rampant. Reportedly, police had difficulty to track the culprits because they lacked of evidence.

Spokesperson of the Badung Police, I Made Dina, when asked for his confirmation, admitted on Monday (Aug 5) if the culprits of the burglary against the four

temples in Petang could not be indentified so far. Nevertheless, the authority of Petang Police, Badung Police and Bali Police continued to intensely uncover the case and catch the culprit.

“It is not yet known who is responsible for the action. It stays undetected. We continue to make coordination and ask about the progress of the investigation,” explained Made Dina while adding if his party had established a special team. “We are also assisted by the authority of Bali Police to immediately uncover the case,” he said.

Related to the incident, his party had interrogated a number of witnesses. However, the information of the witnesses was unable to help identify the culprits. “Right now, they (thieves) are cleverer than the other culprits arrested a few years ago.

Now, they are no longer targeting sanctified effigies, but jewelry, coins and others,” he explained. (kmb21)

by Police Headquarters

Amlapura (Bali Post)—

After the bomb explosion in Jakarta, the security was enhanced, including the security in the crossing harbor of Padangbai-Lembar.

It was visible from the arrival of two officials of the supervisory team from the National Police Headquarters, Monday (Aug 5) to monitor the security at Padangbai.

Security tightening at Padangbai was recognized by Chief of Karangasem Police, Rudy Efendy, at Padangbai. However, he said the arrival of the supervisory team from the National Police Headquarters had nothing to do with the bomb blast outside the region, but had been scheduled earlier.

The two officials of the supervisory team of the Ketupat Agung Operation monitoring the security at Padangbai consisted of Heru Pranoto and Anang Hidayat. Meanwhile, on Monday afternoon the Chief of

Bali Police, Arif Wachyunadi, also made an monitoring.

Karangasem Police Chief Rudy Efendy said the inspection to passenger luggage was carried out manually because his party had no X-ray device. The manual device used consisted of mirror to see the bottom part for four-wheeled vehicle and above, a metal detector and explosive sniffer dog. During the 24-hour of security, his party involved 43 police personnel on duty in turn. Meanwhile, the personnel of the quick response unit were equipped with three units of P2 Sabhara firearm, while for personnel at Yeh Malet Post was also equipped with one unit of similar firearm.

Chief Rudy Efendy said that in the examination had not been found any items related to criminal both sharp weapon and explosive. (013)

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Bali News

International

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

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Money laundering-based investment allegedly rampant in Bali Bali Post

DENPASAR - Money laundering-based investment allegedly rampant in Bali. According to economist expert, Viraguna Bagoes Oka, rapid pace of investment into Bali actually can be divided into four types of investment, namely the economic investment based on medium-term and long-term, speculative investment, money laundering-based investment and prestigious investment.

Lately, the rampant investment alleged to occur in Bali was the money laundering-based investment. Practices of this kind of investment were targeting the purchase of property or land because the property investment in Bali was very profitable. “Bali has become the target of speculative investment and money launderingbased investment. It occurs because Bali has become an investment magnet, where all people are happy to invest in Bali. However, it is without the filter or selection and adequate supervision made by the government and the authorities,” said the man having a 25-year experience in the field of financial investigation.

He added that to track the practices of money laundering-based investment was rather difficult. However, if there was supervision against the investment transactions from the authorized agencies such as the Center for Reporting of Financial Transaction Analysis (PPATK), the culprits and sources of fund of the money

laundering could be identified. “The function of the PPATK should work properly. Money changer, banks, property agencies are also required to report their transactions to the PPATK so that if there is an indication of money laundering it can be traced by applying follow-the-money method so that the source of funds is clear whether it is from criminal acts such as corruption or other crimes,” said the former Representative Head of Bank Indonesia in Denpasar.

Similar opinion was delivered by a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics, Udayana University, Desi Apriliani.

She said that by viewing the rapid growth of investment to Bali and weak selection and investment supervision had made Bali a prone destination to money laundering. Therefore, she considered the government and the authorities were necessary to make extra efforts to prevent the money laundry practices and track the investments whose funds alleged to be derived from the proceeds of crime.

“If someone is proved to have made investment for money laundering, the officers of law enforcement must take action to process the investment.

When observing the proliferation of money laundering in Bali, we can see if the investment has philosophical and sociological correlation. If both aspects are comfortable but legally have awkwardness, it is worth processing,” she explained.

The culprits of money laundering were very clever in making investment so that their illicit money could become lawful or legal. According to her, the money laundering was a transnational crime so that it was very difficult to trace. However, at the stage of placement process, it could be anticipated with the restriction of cash transactions. “This endeavor can prevent the money laundering. Restriction to cash transaction must be executed optimally and consistently. Then, the role of the PPATK must also be optimized,” she concluded. (kmb29)

Police deploy X-Ray check at Gilimanuk Port Antara

DENPASAR - Bali police are using X-rays at the Gilimanuk and Padangbai ports over the 2013 Idul Fitri holiday season to detect suspicious and dangerous objects being carried by the crowds of home-bound travellers, local police said.

“We have been running X-ray scans at the Gilimanuk and Padangbai ports since the ‘Ketupat Agung’ Operation on August 2 - 18, 2013,” Bali Police spokesman Senior Commissioner Hariadi stated here on Tuesday.

He remarked that the X-ray machines, provided by the National Police Headquarters to the Bali provincial government, were assigned to the Bali police for placement and use at the province’s two ports.

“We use these sophisticated instruments to secure the island against the entry of terrorists and to detect suspicious and dangerous objects,” Hariadi confirmed.

According to Hariadi, all Lebaran holiday travellers arriving at the Gilimanuk ferry port in Bali will be thoroughly frisked in keeping with security initiatives.

He noted that travellers would have to pass through security checkpoints, where officials would examine their cars, luggage, and identity cards.

“All Lebaran holiday travellers arriving at the Gilimanuk port will be checked to prevent the possibility of any threats to security in Bali,” he stated, adding that these stepped-up security checks would continue until passenger traffic peaks on Wednesday.

Security at tourist spots tighten Antara

DENPASAR - The Bali Police has increased security at tourist spots in light of the Idul Fitri holiday.

“Security officers have launched ‘Operation Ketupat’ in several tourist spots in Bali. This holiday season, Bali will see an influx of tourists and locals celebrating Idul Fitri. Therefore, there is a need for the police to have all necessary security measures in place,” said Sr Comr Hariadi, spokesperson for the Bali Regional Police, on Tuesday.

The Bali Regional Police will be deploying a total of one thousand three hundred personnel for the launch of Operation Ketupat, from August 2 - 15, 2013.

“Ketupat” is a rice cake, which is usually served with curry during Lebaran.

Sr Comr Hariadi mentioned that security will be heightened around the beaches of Kuta, Legian, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Uluwatu, and Jimbaran in Badung District. These beaches are usually packed with thousands of visitors during Idul Fitri.

The police will also increase security at the Sukawati traditional market, Taman Safari Park, Bali Zoo, Ubud, and the Monkey Forest in Gianyar District.

The police has established command posts in a number of tourist spots in Tabanan District, including the Kebun Raya Bedugul Botanical Garden and Tanah Lot. In Buleleng District, posts have been established at the Lovina beach, Danau Buyan lake, and Bali’s National Park.

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

Tourists flocked at Kuta during holiday season. The Bali Police has increased security at tourist spots in light of the Idul Fitri holiday.

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Bali News

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

International

Security at Sangsit fish landing harbor tightened Singaraja (Bali Post)— Ahead of the Eid, the security of freight activities at the Sangsit Fish Landing Center (PPI), Sawan subdistrict, was tightened. The freights loaded and unloaded by the harbor porters were examined closely by police officers in anticipation against the entry of hazardous goods.

IBP/File

The Head of Bali Police, left, inpected the security system in Sangsit Harbor, Buleleng

Reclamation harms Karangasem

AKAR Bali dares to die in rejecting Benoa Bay reclamation Amlapura (Bali Post)— Chairman of the People’s Alliance Harmony (AKAR) Bali, a non-government organization, Nyoman Oka Antara, said on Monday (Aug 5) in Karangasem that coastal reclamation was very detrimental to the environment or surrounding beaches.

Therefore, if the Governor of Bali Mangku Pastika insisted on saying that Benoa Bay reclamation could go on and was non-negotiable, then his party from the AKAR Bali would take firm action, dared to die in rejecting the reclamation.

According to Oka Antara from Kubu, if Governor Pastika refused to revoke the decree on the Benoa Bay reclamation having broken the laws, then his party would hold a demonstration, even involved the other organizations. Aside from violating a number of provisions, he said the reclamation would threaten the coastal environment of Bali. Before the reclamation of Benoa Bay, and after reclamation of Serangan as well as the sea backfill for the runway extension of the Ngurah Rai Airport, the abrasion effects had been felt. The sea backfill for the runway extension had caused abrasion to the beach nearby.

Meanwhile, after the reclamation of the beach and the sea of Serangan in the 1990s, the abrasion in Karangasem was increasingly ferocious. Numerous beaches in Karangasem such as the Labuan Amuk, Sengkidu, Candidasa, Jasri, Ujung, Seraya Barat and even Kubu Beach had been eroded by the coastal abrasion. The beaches collapsed into the sea at an average of 25 meters. As a result, a cemetery at Jasri eroded, so the Dalem Temple had to be relocated far landwards. Similarly, the Dalem Temple of Ujung Mantri at Ujung Beach had long been moved to local village as the coastal abrasion penetrated more than 300 meters toward the main land. Before the abrasion, children could still play football on the beach because it still extensively spread to the east with ample sand.

Due to the abrasion on the mainland, dozens of Yeh Kali residents that first settled on the beach should relocate their home far away from the beach. A cemetery at Pilihan, Tianyar Timur and Tianyar Barat had also been eroded by the abrasion.

“The sea water has continued to rise. When it is coupled with the backfill of the vast sea in Bali, we increasingly worry the coastal territory of Bali will disappear,” said the founder of the AKAR Bali. It was founded in 1995 in Kuta, Badung. According to Oka Antara doubling as Chairman of the Commission B of the Karangasem House, his party founded the AKAR Bali to participate in maintaining Bali along with Balinese people so that it remained sustainable and secure. “If there is a problem harming Bali in the future, we’ll respond to it,” he said.

He said that his party was apprehensive. Aside from causing the shrinkage to beach area due to the abrasion, it also threatened to cause social conflicts between fishermen and the investors. He pointed out that many beaches in Karangasem had vanished as having been eroded by the abrasion, while fishermen lost their lands and spaces to park their boat. As consequence, they scrambled for parking lot and when their land got near the land of villas owned by investors, especially foreigners, they were displaced.

According to him, actually, it was not the reclamation to the sea water keeping on rising absolutely required, but it required a dredging to locations like the Candidasa Beach. White sand in the sea of Candidasa should be dredged and then taken to the beach.

Thus, the beach could be restored to the original condition as before the 1980s, in which the beach was ample and having white sand. The collapsed beaches due to the abrasion should be protected with levees and the marine sand should be dredged to backfill the levees, so the beach turned wider and beautiful. “It does not require any sea reclamation,” he said. (013)

As observation at the PPI on Monday (Aug 5), a number of police officers from the Sawan Police seemed to inspect the luggage of every vessel docking at the harbor. Most of those vessels were from Madura. By and large, the vessels carried fish and other freights for sale in Buleleng or the other parts of Bali. Chief of Sawan Police, Nyoman Kartika, said his party was tightening the security at the PPI harbor because it was also often used for the homecoming traffic by sea. In addition to checking the luggage of passengers, they also

checked the identity of the passengers. “We examine their luggage and identity card,” he said.

Police Chief was unwilling to give any comment when asked if the PPI harbor was actually intended for freight transportation only, but was also often taken advantage for crossing human passengers. However, he admitted that he still appealed to the homecoming passengers to be more careful. “We also suggested the shipmaster to transport goods and people pursuant to the capacity,” he said. (kmb15)

Balinese residents must work on informal sector Denpasar (Bali Post)— Positive economic growth of Bali causes the island to be invaded by seasonal migrants. Unfortunately, many of the urban migrants running the business in informal sector result in an economic flaming because some staples disappear from the market on certain feast days. To that end, Balinese residents must be willing to work on the sector.

A lecturer from the Udayana University, Prof. Dr. I Made Kembar Sri Budhi, said the informal sector such as street vendors, barbers and other businesses was the target of seasonal migrants settling in Bali.

Even, the existence of the urbanite was considered to have begun to dominate the sector. It was reflected from the number of businesses that closed during the celebration of the Eid al-Fitr 1434 H. “Indeed, the urbanite dominantly drives the economy of Bali, especially in Denpasar. Just look at during the Eid celebration, many traders close their business premises because they averagely go home so that it is difficult to find out any food such as meatballs, satay and others,” said Prof. Dr. I Made Kembar Sri Budhi, not long ago.

According to him, the seasonal migrants would continue to target the existing informal sector because local people were less interested in the sector. The homecoming moment of those seasonal migrants should be taken advantage by Balinese resi-

dents to seize the informal sector.

“Business opportunities left behind by the seasonal migrants during their homecoming must be addressed and examined properly. If Balinese residents are still too selective when looking for job opportunities, they will not be unable to become a king in their home country forever,” he said.

He explained the increasing participation of local communities in the informal sector would have double impact. Aside from improving the local people’s economy, it would also suppress the incoming migrants into Bali. “It highly depends on the people of Bali whether they can take the existing opportunities,” he said.

He said the Eid celebration moment had positive impact on local businesses. The loss of a number of groceries in the market could also influence the consumption behavior.

“With the unavailability of food previously offered by the seasonal migrants, their consumption will be automatically diverted to their local products. By that way, the local entrepreneurs will be benefited,” he said.

Based on the existing data, Bali spreading across the area of 5,632.8 square kilometers should ideally have a carrying capacity of 1.5 million people only. However, in reality the island is dwelt by 4.1 million people.

The population exceeding the carrying capacity occurs because Bali has become the target of a number of seasonal migrants from several regions in Indonesia wishing to get a livelihood. (kmb27)

Bali News

International

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

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Non-oil export earning increase Antara

DENPASAR - Bali reported a 6 percent increase in earning from the exports of commodities other than oil and gas to US$204.5 million in the first five months of the year compared with the same period last year.

“Foreign trade is still encouraging although the countries of destination such as Europe and the United States are still struggling to wriggle themselves out of economic woes,” the regional office of the Central Statistic Agency (BPS) said.

Bali’s export earning is almost certain to be higher if the economy recovered in its main destination countries.

Bali exports its commodities via Ngurah Rai airport and seaports including East Java’s Tanjung Perak port.

Suarsa said exports from Bali are dominated by products of medium and small industries including cottage industries accounting for 78.5 percent of its total exports.

Among the products of small industries are garments , canned fish, footwear , bags and plastic goods, he said.

He also recorded increase in foreign exchange earning from the sales of non-oil/gas com-

modities on growing number of tourists visiting the island as many of the tourists to Bali are business people.

Meanwhile, an exporter said exports of Bali’s handicraft products increased to Russia.

“Exports to Russia are relatively small but growing from time to time,” I Made Mudita, an exporter from Gianyar said.

Mudita said exports to Russia increased to follow the growing number of Russian tourists visiting Bali.

According to BPS data, in the first five months of this year, there were 40,290 Russians visiting Bali, up from 38,180 in the same period last year.

Exports to Russia grew from only US$108,000 in January to US$295,000 in February and to US$315,000 in March and to US$503,000 in May. “Russian tourists are bigger spenders stay longer, at least a week in Bali,” Mudita said.

ISI accepts 31 new foreign students Antara

DENPASAR - The Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI) of Denpasar, Bali, has accepted 31 new foreign students for 2013 academic year.

The number is smaller than 58 students in the previous academic year.

The 31 new students came from 18 countries including from Japan, the United States, Poland, Britain, Lithuania, Slovakia, Argentina, Russia and Turkey, I Gusti Bagus Priatma, head of the administration bureau of the institute, said here on Tuesday.

The students will study Balinese culture and arts including Balinese dances, Priatma said.

They will study for three semesters with Darmawisata scholarship offered by the Indonesian government, he said.

ISI Rector Dr I Gede Arya Sugiartha said 535 foreign students have studied at the institute since 1998. Some of the graduates have opened Balinese dance schools in their countries helping preserving the Balinese culture and arts, Arya Sugiartha said.

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

The festive moment of the Indonesian Independence Day is never inseparable from the traders of red-andwhite trinkets. In Buleleng, this seasonal trader has mushroomed in several strategic locations downtown Singaraja.

Ahead of August 17

Only a few people buy red-and-white trinkets Bali Post

SINGARAJA - The festive moment of the Indonesian Independence Day is never inseparable from the traders of red-and-white trinkets. In Buleleng, this seasonal trader has mushroomed in several strategic locations downtown Singaraja. Unfortunately, the demand for the red-and-white trinkets remains low.

Observation in the field indicated the seasonal traders were mostly from Bandung (West Java). They offered their merchandise on the main roadside. The trinkets on sale varied such as the flag from the smallest to the biggest size. In addition, the traders also sold a wide range of decorations for government buildings and offices of private companies.

One of the traders, Ujang, when met on Jalan Ahmad Yani, Singaraja, said that the demand for the redand-white trinkets was still quiet. Averagely, he could only sell two pieces of trinkets each day. Although it was still quiet, he had confidence if his merchandise would be sold well when approaching the August 17.

“Right now is indeed still quiet, but when entering August 18 and the peak of August 17, the demand especially for the purchase in large quantities by government agencies will increase,” he said.

According to him, from his experience of selling various red-and-white trinkets, the profit was reasonable. On average, every piece of the trinket sold he got a profit of IDR 1,500. Even, the profit was ascertained to increase if consumers purchased in large quantities. In terms of price, the product was sold at the price range from IDR 5,000 to IDR 420,000 per piece. “The price and material are similar, and the profit is reasonable,” he added.

Meanwhile, a buyer from Banyupoh village, Gerokgak, claimed if he happened to come to town, so that he tried to buy the red-and-white trinket to be installed on his motorcycle or car. The price was quite affordable for him. Moreover, it showed a sense of nationalism to the country that would celebrate the Independence Day. “Yes, it is not too expensive, and it is also used to celebrate our Independence Day,” he explained. (kmb)

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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

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International

RLD

Wildfire rages overnight near Athens Associated Press Writer

ATHENS, Greece - Firefighters and soldiers are battling a wildfire that broke out overnight and burned through forest near Greece’s capital city, Athens. Authorities have managed to prevent the flames from moving into a nature reserve near the city’s northern suburbs.

The fire department says nearly 300 firefighters, soldiers and volunteers struggled through the night to contain the blaze that broke out in the Varibobi area north of Athens. At first light Tuesday they were joined by 10 water-dropping planes and two helicopters. At least four homes in the area were burned.

The blaze broke out late Monday night, the fire department said in a statement. Earlier Monday, another large wildfire burned about 10 homes as it raged through a hamlet near Marathon, north of Athens.

Egypt: Envoys seek a bridge between hard choices AP Photo/Hani Mohammed, File

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013 file photo, a Yemeni soldier stops a car at a checkpoint in a street leading to the U.S. embassy in Sanaa, Yemen.

US tells citizens in Yemen to leave immediately Reuters

SANAA - The United States told its citizens in Yemen on Tuesday to leave immediately and ordered the evacuation of non-essential U.S. government staff because of the threat of terrorist attacks.

The State Department announcement was the latest warning since Washington issued a worldwide travel alert on Friday that prompted the closure of several Western embassies in Yemen and U.S. missions across the Middle East and Africa.

Based on intelligence including intercepted communication between al Qaeda leaders, Washington has warned of possible attacks in the region.

Some officials pinpointed Yemen, home to Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), one of the most active affiliates of the network established by Osama bin Laden and where the United States uses drones to hunt militants.

On Tuesday, its latest sortie killed four. “The Department urges U.S. citizens to defer travel to Yemen and those U.S. citizens currently living in Yemen to depart immediately,” the statement posted on its website said.

“On August 6, 2013, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government

personnel from Yemen due to the continued potential for terrorist attacks,” it added.

Britain said on Tuesday it had withdrawn all staff from its embassy in the capital Sanaa, adding there was “a very high threat of kidnap from armed tribes, criminal and terrorists”.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu-Bakr al-Qirbi criticised the measures but said they would not affect relations with the United States.

“Unfortunately, these measures, although they are taken to protect their citizens, in reality they serve the goals that the terrorist elements are seeking to achieve,” Qirbi told Reuters.

“Yemen had taken these threats seriously and had taken all the necessary measures to protect all the foreign missions in the country,” he added.

Restoring stability in Yemen has become a priority for the United States and its Gulf allies, concerned about al Qaeda militants operating in a country that adjoins top oil export Saudi Arabia and overlooks major shipping lanes.

WANTED

The country’s Supreme Security Committee earlier issued a statement saying it had received information that al Qaeda militants were plotting to carry out attacks on public facilities during the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday this week.

The committee also published a list of 25 senior al Qaeda militants it said were being sought by security forces and offered a bounty of 5 million Yemeni riyals for information leading to their capture.

“Information has become available that terrorist elements of the al Qaeda network were planning to carry out terrorist acts targeting public installations and facilities, especially in a number of Yemeni provinces, in the latter days of the holy month of Ramadan and during the Eid al-Fitr holiday,” it said.

AQAP had previously targeted international airlines and plotted other attacks from Yemen, U.S. officials say.

Associated Press Writer

CAIRO — Top U.S., European and Arab envoys visited a jailed Muslim Brotherhood leader Monday on a mission to ease tensions between Egypt’s military-backed government and supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi. No details of the meeting emerged, but a European Union official spoke of confidence-building measures, and the two rival camps appeared to be facing critical choices 33 days after the military overthrew democratically elected Morsi.

For the military, failure to disperse the Islamists’ Cairo sit-ins peacefully would leave it little choice but to use force, provoking a bloodbath that would tarnish its image and cost it world support. For the Muslim Brotherhood, a deadly confrontation would risk a ban from politics and a sweeping crackdown.

Already, some 250 people have been killed since Morsi’s ouster, including at least 130 in two major clashes between security forces and supporters of the deposed president on July 8 and again on July 26-27.

The talks between U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and Khairat el-Shater took place in the prison where the Muslim Brotherhood figure is being held.

Burns was accompanied by Foreign Ministers Khalid bin Mohamed Al-Attiyah of Qatar and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, and EU envoy Bernardo Leon. No details of the meeting were given. U.S. senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham arrived in Cairo on Monday at President Barack Obama’s request to press senior Egyptians for a quick return to civilian rule.

A European Union official in Brussels said diplomats were working on confidence-building measures such as releasing detained Brotherhood officials, dropping charges against other group members and dispersing the pro-Morsi sit-ins held at two squares on opposite ends of the Egyptian capital.

Yet neither side in the stalemate has shown much interest in making concessions. “Our position of full reversal of (the) military coup is unchanged,” tweeted a Brotherhood spokesman, Gehad el-Haddad.

Ahmed el-Muslemani, a spokesman for Adly Mansour, the current interim president, said not a “single step” of the military-sponsored political road map announced the day of Morsi’s ouster would be changed as part of any mediation. He also ruled out a referendum on the transition plan.

Mohammed Aboul-Ghar, leader of the liberal Social Democratic party, said the Brotherhood has already moved beyond Morsi but has yet to offer the military-backed government any concessions on the sit-ins that would lure it to the negotiating table. “My reading is that until now the Americans and the Europeans got nothing solid (from the Brotherhood) to offer to the Egyptian leadership. It means all what they have from the Brotherhood is below expectations,” he told The Associated Press.

Egypt’s highest security body, led by interim President Mansour, says the clock is ticking on the sit-ins, suggesting the government is running out of patience.

“There is a time frame for (tolerating) all this and then it will be clear to everyone that those in the sit-in camps are not renouncing violence, thus leaving the state in a self-defense position,” Mustafa Hegazy, Mansour’s political adviser, told the AP.

Sports

International

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

7

Stoner’s MotoGP test return restricted by rain at Motegi Casey Stoner’s Honda MotoGP test return on Tuesday was limited to just six laps due to rain at Motegi. The 27-year-old Australian was making the first of four test appearances for Honda Racing Corporation’s research and development team.

The tests are aimed at improving the existing RC213V racer and developing parts for the new production-based bike that Honda will sell to customer teams next year.

Stoner - who has switched to four wheels in the V8 Supercar

Development Series this year - had completed just a handful of laps on the current bike before the rain came and halted the rest of the day’s plans. Honda had intended to give Stoner a run on the new

machine during the afternoon.

“It was good to get back on the bike, if only for a few laps,” said Stoner, who won the second of his pair of world titles with Honda.

“We only managed to get one run in before the rain arrived, which was a little disappointing.

“It was really nice to get that first run, it’s been nine months since I’ve been on

a bike and it’s going to take me some time to get used to everything again!

“The bike and the track felt good and I hope that we can get some better testing in tomorrow with some dry track ‘time and run some more laps.” Honda insists the tests are not a precursor to a race return for Stoner.

IBP/ist

Pennetta, Wickmayer advance at Rogers Cup Jockeys ‘distraught’ after rider Simone Montgomerie dies

Associated Press Writer

TORONTO — Flavia Pennetta and Yanina Wickmayer advanced to the second round of the Rogers Cup on Monday. Pennetta defeated Urszula Radwanska 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, and Wickmayer ousted American Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Mattek-Sands replaced Britain’s Laura Robson, who pulled out because of a right wrist injury.

Known for colorful outfits, Mattek-Sands wore black socks and wrist bands with a streak of green in her blonde hair.

In other matches, Mona Barthel edged Jie Zheng 6-7 (3), 6-3, 7-6 (1), and Dominika Cibulkova topped Jana Cepelova 7-5, 6-4. Sorana Cirstea defeated qualifier Olga Savchuk 6-2, 6-3.

The 32nd-ranked Robson was coming off a strong performance at Wimbledon where she reached the fourth round — the first British woman to do so since 1998. Later, 14th-ranked American Sloane Stephens was scheduled to play Kristina Mladenovic.

Flavia Pennetta

IBP/ist

FELLOW riders are distraught over Simone Montgomerie’s death, says the Australian Jockeys’ Association. The 26year-old, who was mother to a young daughter, died after being thrown from her mount into the path of other horses at the Darwin Cup meeting.

“Riders across Australia are clearly shocked and distraught by what has happened,” said the AJA’s Des O’Keeffe. He said she was the 502nd jockey to have died since Australian racing began 200 years ago.

“Simone was a really warm, vivacious young woman. It’s a tragedy you couldn’t possibly try to explain,” he told BBC Sport.

After her fall from Riahgrand in the Wolf Blass Lightning Plate race, the remainder of the Darwin Cup meeting, which had a crowd of about 20,000, was abandoned with three contests - including the Cup itself - remaining.

“It’s unclear exactly what happened other than the horse seemed to lost its footing. She fell and then other horses ran over her,” said O’Keefe, general manager of the 850-member association which has about 200 female members.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of riders who were there and they are absolutely shattered that this has happened.

“They are well aware, even if they might not discuss it, that this is an inherently dangerous occupation. It’s the reality that this is one possible outcome of the job.”

He said it was likely a tribute would be arranged for racing on Saturday in memory of the rider.

“The AJA and the racing industry as a whole has already, and will continue to, provide as much support as possible to Simone’s partner and family, and to other riders affected by this tragedy,” he added.

8

International

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Sp rt

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

Bayern’s new head coach Pep Guardiola reacts at the bench during the German soccer cup first round match between 4th League club BSV Rehden and FC Bayern Munich in Osnabrueck, Monday, Aug. 5, 2013.

Bayern begins defense of German Cup with 5-0 win Associated Press Writer

BERLIN — Thomas Mueller scored a hat trick as Bayern Munich opened its German Cup defense with a 5-0 win over fourth-tier side BSV Rehden on Monday. “Such a game is always dangerous,” Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. “So we’re happy.”

Xherdan Shaqiri opened the scoring in the 18th, deflecting in Arjen Robben’s shot from close range after the Rehden defense failed to clear the ball. Mueller was unmarked when he scored just before halftime with a header from Rafinha’s cross.

Rehden goalkeeper Milos Mandic denied Mario Mandzukic with an acrobatic save early in the second half, and Mueller hit the crossbar from the resultant corner.

However, the Bayern attacker dusted himself off to make it 3-0 from the penalty spot after he was brought down in the area

in the 58th, and he completed his hat trick in with a header in the 64th.

Mueller was still furious with himself for missing another chance late on, before Robben wrapped up the scoring two minutes from time. “We’re not perfect yet,” Robben said. “We’re not at 100 percent but that’s normal. We’re ready for the Bundesliga regardless. We’ll be there on Friday.”

Earlier Monday, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored one goal and set up another for Schalke to defeat fifth-tier FC Noettingen 2-0 to

advance to the second round.

Huntelaar struck in the 30th minute but the visitors were made to wait until the fourth minute of stoppage time before the Dutchman could set up offseason signing Leon Goretzka to secure the result.

“They played well in the first half, hit the crossbar twice,” Huntelaar said. “We were bad, you have to be honest.”

Second-division side Paderborn defeated third-tier MSV Duisburg 3-2, and another second-division side, Union Berlin, won 2-1 at third-division Jahn Regensburg.

No systematic doping in Turkish football, says FIFA Reuters

BERNE - There is no systematic doping in Turkish soccer, FIFA said on Monday after launching an investigation following a spate of drug violations in athletics. World soccer’s ruling body explained in a statement that it had contacted the Turkish FA which agreed to reassess the samples taken over the past year.

“In total more than 600 samples were reassessed and the initial findings have shown not one single suspicious result,” FIFA added.

“FIFA is very satisfied about those findings. We took the decision to investigate further because of the very alarming reports in the media,” said chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak. “The outcome is clear, there are no signs of systematic doping in Turkish football.”

The Turkish Athletics Association announced on Monday that 31 athletes had been banned for two years for doping violations.

International

Wednesday, We W edn d esday, August 7, 2013

9

PSG and Monaco prepare for battle of big-spenders Reuters

PARIS - Paris P St Germain will start strong favourites to retai i their Ligue 1 crown but a rocky sumretain and the money being splurged on mer, a new manager m mean the plot has been thickened transfers by Monaco M considerably as the season looms.

No sooner had h they won a first title in 19 years than made public his wish to join Real coach Carlo Ancelotti Ancc Madrid. snubs, former France national After several big-name bigg manager Blanc, m anager Laurent Blan n by no means a first-choice for the Qatari-backed club, was w appointed after limited experience with Bordeaux. sporting Shortly after sporti n director Leonardo, the man behind llast ast summer’s signings of o Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, resigned, could re esigned, saying he coul l no longer do his job because of a 13month mo onth ban for pushing a referee. r farewell Leonardo’s farewe e offering though was engineering the signing off Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani from Napoli Napoll for a French record fee of 64 million euros euroo ($84.74 million) and his partnership with wiit Ibrahimovic promises to be one of the most mo formidable in Europe. m “I think that Cavani and Ibra will perfectly fecc fit together. Ibra is tall and strong but he’s also able to play deeper in a playmaking season, it was the case and we often were role. Last se e in the box,” Leonardo told daily missing someone som m Le Parisien. looks even stronger than the one Blanc’s squad sqq with no major departures and assembled for Ancelotti A Marquinhos defenders Marquinh o from Roma and Lucas Digne from Lille Lill le having joined. will possible trophy,” Blanc told a news “The w ill of PSG is to win every evv conference, conference e, hours before his team clinched the French Supercup by beating Bordeaux 22-1 -1 last weekend.

“With the players (we have), we can’t be timid. We will have to be bold. teams possession, find space on the pitch, to attack. I I like my tea ams to control possess i tendd to field many attacking attackinn players.”

ARROWS BOWS AND AR R from Olympique Lyon chairman Despite the assertion asss Jean-Michel Aulas Aull that PSG are “99.9 percent” sure to champions, the danger posed by Monaco is be crowned cham m clear and present. present.

Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, the Owned by Rus s promoted side havee spent around 150 million euros to sign Falcao, FC Porto pair Joao Moutinho Colombia striker Radamel Radaa and an nd James Rodriguez and and French internationals Eric Abidal and Jeremy Toulalan. widely-tipped They are wi idely-tipped to fight PSG G for the title yet coach Claudio Ranieri has warned against expecting too muchh too soon.

“We want to bbee back on the Europeann scene so we have to be on the podium season,” as soon as this se eason,” he said of the aim a to get Monaco into the Champions League.

“But it won’t be eeasy asy since the squad has hha been dramatically renewed,” he told Reuters. “We will have to re-create a team, ann identity, a history. We won’t do it overrivals night. “We know our riv vals are way ahead from m this point of view while we are almost starting from scratch.””

Marseille, runner-up, Olympique Marseil lle, last season’s runner r- may struggle to keep pace with PSG and Monaco but have kept their most covetedd players and brought in France forward midfielder Gianelli Imbula.

Dimitri Payet and last season’s Ligue 2 best player, p AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau

AS Monaco soccer player player Radamel Falcao Falc c of Colombia controes the ball during a training session se ession of AS Monaco Monac c soccer team in La Turbie, near Monaco, southeas southeastern stern France, Tuesday, Tuesda a July 23, 2013.

REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney arrives at Don Muang International Airport, ahead of Saturday’s soccer friendly against the Thailand Singha All Stars as part of the team’s Asia tour, in Bangkok July 11, 2013.

Man Utd striker ‘will need to force Chelsea move’ Wayne Rooney must force his Manchester United departure if he wants to leave, says ex-Red Devils player Paul Ince. United say the striker is not for sale after rejecting a second Chelsea bid - of £25m plus add-ons - while Rooney is understood to be intent on leaving.

“If Wayne wants to go, then it is up to him to force that issue,” said Blackpool manager Ince.

“But Wayne has not said he wants to go or wants to stay; it would be nice to know what Wayne Rooney wants.” Rooney, 27, has been left out of their squad for Tuesday’s friendly in Stockholm with a shoulder injury.

Speculation has surrounded the England international’s future since ex-United manager Sir Alex Ferguson stated in May that he had asked for a transfer.

That request - which sources close to the player insist did not occur - followed a season in which the player struggled for form and fitness, was usurped as main striker at the club by Robin van Persie and was dropped for the high-profile Champions League second round, second leg clash with Real Madrid.

Ferguson’s successor, David Moyes, has continually stressed that Rooney is not for sale. But that has not deterred Chelsea, who had an initial bid of about £20m turned down by United in July.

Rooney has won five Premier League titles, one Champions League and two League Cups since joining United from Everton for a deal worth up to £27m in 2004.

Ince - a combative midfielder who won 53 caps for England and played for several clubs including West Ham, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Liverpool - suggested that after nine trophy-laden campaigns at Old Trafford, Rooney could now be looking for a fresh start.

“I do know that there comes a stage where players get stale,” he said following Blackpool’s 1-0 Capital Cup defeat by Preston on Monday.

“When you look at most players who go to Man Utd, apart from the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, they have something like a six-year tenure and then they move on.

“Whether that is the case for Wayne, I don’t know, but I do know that he needs to be playing football this season.

“He will not be prepared to play second fiddle to anybody because he is a world-class player and you expect world-class players to be playing football.”

10

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Destination

International

Tamanbali Raja IBP BANGLI - Tamanbali Raja tourist attraction is located at Tamanbali, Bangli, about 5 kilometers from the center of Bangli government ofďŹ ce.

At this location, visitors can witness the natural beauty of countryside in the form of rice ďŹ eld overlay. In addition, visitors can also enjoy the splendor of the pool at the location believed to be the relics of the reigning monarch at the time. In

terms of the building position, it is clearly seen if the region seems to have been associated with the presence of royal palace that might serve as the royal relaxation place.

The pool occurring at Tamanbali Raja has similarity with the existing pool at Tirta Gangga, Karangasem. In the eastern part of the pool stands a building that resembles a gazebo.

This condition makes Tamanbali Raja looks elegant when seen from a distance.

IBP/File Photo

HOUSE FOR RENT

International

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

11

Holiday travelers claim train services better Antara

AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

Curious onlookers and members of the media gather outside the Ekayana Grha Buddhist temple where a bomb went off on Sunday night, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, Aug. 5, 2013.

Explosion at monastery

President orders investigation

JAKARTA - Local train services this year are better than ever before, according to a number of holiday travellers.

Hani, one of the travellers who boarded a train at the Senen Railway Station on Tuesday, said train authorities have implemented a new boarding system for the comfort of the passengers.

“The new boarding system allows passengers to board a train one hour before its departure,” Hani added, while waiting for the Solo-bound Bengawan train.

According to her, train services at the Senen station have become much better this year.

She said the management team of the station has imposed stringent rules, and this has led to a reduction in crime.

“With the implementation of the new boarding system and the absence of crime, we feel more secure and comfortable,” she added.

Lukman, another passenger, said the security measures undertaken by the PT Kereta Api Indonesia and the police have reduced the worries and fears of passengers.

Lukman added that the presence of security, health, and information command posts at the Senen train station alleviates fear among passengers.

On Monday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inspected the station to get first-hand information about the services available for home-bound travellers.

“I took a few minutes of my time to board a train and ensure that all the passengers were seated in air-conditioned compartments,” the president wrote on his Twitter account on Tuesday.

On his Twitter account, he also mentioned that he had interacted with a number of passengers on board the train.

“The number of passengers at the Senen Railway Station has increased by 170 percent this year. I boarded the train and greeted the passengers in the air-conditioned economy class,” he noted.

The president also showed his appreciation to PT Kereta Api Indonesia, which will transport passengers and their motorcycles to reduce road accidents involving motorcyclists.

Antara

JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered police to reveal the perpetrators of an explosion at ‘Vihara Ekayana’ Buddhist shrine here on Sunday.

The President said on his Twitter account on Tuesday that the blast had disturbed the public. “We are disturbed with the explosion which took place at the Buddhist monastery at a time when the fasting month of Ramadan is to end.”

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto has previously said that maintaining peace and security was not merely the responsibility of security officers but also of the people.

He said that the people needed to cooperate and remain on alert, taking active part in reporting any suspicious events to security apparatuses.

“The current ‘Operation Ketupat’ launched by police actually had the job not only to safeguard the Idul Fitri traffic flow but also worship places.

However, terrorists always look for opportunities to take actions when security officers are careless,” the coordinating minister.

He said that in order to prevent undesired events, the people’s sensitiveness and alertness were needed.

“The most important thing is that our sensitiveness in reporting all acts, events and suspected things to apparatuses,” he said.

He explain that without cooperation among the people and apparatuses, efforts to eliminate terrorism would be hampered.

In the meantime, when referring to the investigation into Vihara Ekayana Buddhist temple, the minister said that that police were still investigating it.

In the meantime, Minister of Religious Affairs Suryadharma Ali stated on Monday that the bomb attack at Ekayana Monastery in Jakarta tested the religious harmony of Indonesia.

“The bomb explosion at the monastery was to test the religious harmony between Muslims and Buddhists.

They should not be provoked,” Ali said during his visit to Ekayana Monastery in Duri Kepa sub-district, West Jakarta, on Monday.

The source of the explosion was suspected to be a bomb, weighing three kilograms, placed inside a green plastic bag.

“This is an uncivilized and condemnable incident. Moreover, it occurred during the Ramadan. It defiled the holy month of Ramadan,” the minister said, noting that bombing incidents occurred in the country especially ahead of religious holidays.

The explosion hit the Ekayana monastery at Jalan Mangga II/8 in Duri Kepa on Sunday at around 7 pm, covering the entrance to the building in smoke.

The force of the blast was concentrated at the service entrance, where a suspicious bag made of green plastic, estimated to weigh around three kilograms, was found.

The recovery team discovered a cellular phone, iron shrapnel, cables, and a square battery at the scene.

One person was reported injured by the explosion, suffering minor injuries to his hand.

AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

Passengers wait for their train at Senen station in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2013. Local train services this year are better than ever before, according to a number of holiday travellers.

12

International

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

BUSINESS

IMF: Japan needs ‘credible’ mid-term economic plan Agence France-Presse

WA S H I N G TO N - T h e I M F said Japan’s “three arrows” economic stimulus program is boosting growth Monday but warned that the country must still follow through with fiscal and structural reforms.

It urged Tokyo to adopt a “credible” medium-term program that includes raising consumption taxes and deregulating farming and the service industry.

In its annual review of Japan’s economy, the International Monetary Fund said aggressive stimulus efforts

by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had given a strong boost to growth.

And it forecast that the economy would hold to a two percent pace this year and inflation would pick up gradually.

But the IMF warned that, in addition to monetary and fiscal stimulus efforts, the government must follow through with the so-called “third arrow” economic reforms.

“All three arrows need to be launched for the policies to succeed.

Uncertainty about the ambition of fiscal and structural reforms is adding to underlying risks,” the Fund said.

“Failure to follow through on fiscal and structural reforms could, however, lead to overreliance on monetary policy with negative consequences for Japan and the global economy.”

The IMF reiterated its strong support of “Abenomics”, the threepoint program to revitalize Japan’s economy after more than a decade of stagnation.

The IMF said the efforts also appear to be bearing fruit in terms of sparking inflation, which the Bank of Japan wants to push to 2.0 percent to be able to sustain consumption and overall economic growth.

Year-on-year, prices remain lower, but, in a promising sign, gained in the three months to May, the IMF said.

The stimulus efforts have sent the yen lower, enhancing exports, and have boosted share values on Japan’s stock markets as well as property values.

Even so, Japan’s recovery outlook remains “favorable, but unusually uncertain,” the IMF said.

In this March 18, 1954 photo, Philip L. Graham, left, and Eugene Meyer look at the first The Washington Post Times Herald, in Washington.

The Washington Post, Charles Del Vecchio

Amazon buys Washington Post for $250 million Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON - The Washington Post, the legendary newspaper that broke the Watergate scandal, is being sold to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as it seeks to survive the onslaught of the Internet.

Donald Graham, grandson of Eugene Meyer, who bought the Post during the Great Depression in 1933, stunned the US media industry on Monday, announcing the sale of the storied title to Bezos for $250 million.

Graham, chief executive of the Washington Post Co., had given no hint that the newspaper of record for the nation’s capital was up for sale, despite sinking earnings and plunging subscriptions.

But he admitted that he and his niece, Post publisher Katharine Weymouth, “have no answers” to the challenge the newspaper faces

from the Internet, after seven years of falling revenues, which finally led to the deal.

“I, along with Katharine Weymouth and our board of directors, decided to sell only after years of familiar newspaper-industry challenges made us wonder if there might be another owner who would be better for the Post,” Graham said in a statement.

“Jeff Bezos’ proven technology and business genius, his longterm approach and his personal decency make him a uniquely good new owner for the Post.”

Annual operating losses more than doubled to $53.7 million last year and were $14.8 million in the second quarter of this year.

Multi-billionaire Bezos, who created Amazon, the world’s dominant online retailer, said he was buying the Post in his personal capacity and hoped to shepherd it through the evolution away

from traditional newsprint.

“The Internet is transforming almost every element of the news business: shortening news cycles, eroding long-reliable revenue sources, and enabling new kinds of competition, some of which bear little or no news-gathering costs,” he said in a statement to Post employees.

The deal involves only the newspaper assets of the Washington Post Co., including its free commuter daily The Express, the Spanish language newspaper El Tiempo Latino, and Robinson Terminal, a warehouse asset.

The Washington Post Co. will retain the large educational testing service Kaplan, Foreign Policy magazine, Slate.com, and a cable television operation, as well as the Post’s downtown headquarters in the US capital.

Weymouth, granddaughter of legendary post publisher Katha-

rine Graham, will stay on as the newspaper’s CEO and publisher, Bezos said, along with other top management.

The sale underscored the desperation of the US newspaper industry for new cash support to survive the rapid transition of the news business to the Internet, where a lot of content remains free. The Post, like several leading US newspapers, recently erected a paywall on its website.

The sale announcement came just days after the New York Times offloaded the Boston Globe newspaper for $70 million to the owner of the Boston Red Sox baseball team -- 20 years after paying $1.1 billion for the paper.

Like the Post, the Globe had been bleeding subscribers to its physical newspaper and has been challenged to persuade consumers to pay to read it online.

International

W

RLD

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

13

Australia PM Rudd criticises Rupert Murdoch role in election race Reuters CANBERRA - Global media mogul Rupert Murdoch has waded into Australia’s election race, calling a key ruling party platform unaffordable and drawing accusations from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd that he was trying to oust his struggling government.

Murdoch, whose News Corp controls about 70 percent of Austra-

lia’s newspaper market, questioned in a Twitter message how an ambitious $34 billion super broadband being built by Rudd’s Labor was affordable in a slowing economy.

“Oz politics! We all like ideal of NBN, especially perfect for Foxtel. But first how can it be financed in present situation?” tweeted the Australian-born Murdoch, whose global media empire is now based in the United States.

NBN is the national broadband

network, a plan to provide an internet connection to every home.

But the opposition has promised to spend less on the network and scale back its capability, reflecting tighter financial conditions with economic growth forecast to slow to 2.5 percent this fiscal year.

Murdoch, who owns 50 percent of pay-TV operator Foxtel, was strongly criticised on the opening day of the election campaign on

AP Photo/Issei Kato, Pool, File

Fukushima radioactive water leak an ‘emergency’ This means the amount of contaminated water seeping into the Pacific Ocean could accelerate rapidly, it said. There has been spate of water leaks and power failures at the plant, devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Its operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco), has been criticised heavily for its lack of transparency over the leaks.

Tepco admitted for the first time last month that radioactive groundwater had breached an underground barrier and been leaking into the sea, but said it was taking steps to prevent it.

However, the head of a Nuclear Regulatory Authority task force,

Shinji Kinjo, told the Reuters news agency on Monday that the countermeasures were only a temporary solution. Tepco’s “sense of crisis is weak,” Mr Kinjo said. “This is why you can’t just leave it up to Tepco alone” “Right now, we have an emergency,” he added. If the underground barrier is breached, the watchdog warns, the water could start to seep through shallower areas of earth.

Once it reaches the surface, it could start to flow “extremely fast”, says Mr Kinjo. Contaminated water could rise to the ground’s surface within three weeks, the Asahi newspaper predicted on Saturday.

... that he doesn’t really like us, and would like to give us the old heaveho,” said Rudd, whose minority government trails the conservative opposition 48 percent to 52 percent in the latest opinion polls.

Rudd said Murdoch’s views on the election campaign largely mirrored those of conservative opposition leader Tony Abbott, who has promised to downsize the planned broadband network.

Spain ‘must follow EU law’ on Gibraltar border checks

FILE - In this Wednesday, March 6, 2013 file photo, workers wearing protective gears take a survey near tanks of radiation contaminated water at Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Okuma town, Fukushima prefecture, northeast of Tokyo.

Japan’s nuclear watchdog has said the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant is facing a new “emergency” caused by a build-up of radioactive groundwater. A barrier built to contain the water has already been breached, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority warned.

Monday when his best-selling Daily Telegraph newspaper ran a frontpage headline “Kick This Mob Out” over a picture of Rudd.

Rudd, who has claimed underdog status ahead of a September 7 general election, told reporters on Tuesday there was no doubt the Australia-born Murdoch was determined to engineer election defeat for Labor after six years in power.

“I think he’s made it fairly clear

SPANISH checks at the border with Gibraltar must “fully respect EU law and remain proportionate”, the European Commission has said. Tensions have escalated after increased vehicle searches caused major delays for tourists and locals.

Spain has also said it is considering a new 50 euro (£43) fee to cross the border with the British territory. The foreign secretary says he has told Gibraltar the UK stands “shoulder to shoulder” with it amid the tensions.

William Hague said he had spoken to Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo to reiterate the UK’s commitment to the people of Gibraltar at “time of increasing Spanish pressure and rhetoric”.

“We agreed that it was important to respond to actions, not rhetoric, and I confirmed that we would continue to raise our concerns with Spain,” he said in a statement. Earlier, Prime Minister David Cameron said he was “seriously concerned” about the escalating tensions.

Spain disputes UK sovereignty over Gibraltar, a limestone out-

crop near the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula, which has been ruled by Britain since 1713.

‘Technical meeting’ Vehicles were delayed for up to seven hours at the end of July because of stricter checks by Spanish border guards. Spain has argued it has a duty to prevent smuggling.

The European Commission said Gibraltar was not part of the passport-free Schengen zone and therefore Spain was “obliged to carry out checks on persons and on goods”, but must abide by EU law.

“The commission urges both Spain and Gibraltar to allow for smooth and efficient border crossings while taking into account these obligations,” it said in a statement.

The commission said it had received assurances at the beginning of 2013 that border checks would be “proportionate”, but said it had suggested “a technical meeting with the Spanish authorities in order to address the issues raised by the border checks, including the alleged excessive waiting times”.

The contaminated water is thought to have come from the 400 tonnes of groundwater pumped into the plant every day to cool the reactors.

Tepco ‘in trouble’ Tepco admitted on Friday that a cumulative 20 trillion to 40 trillion becquerels of radioactive tritium may have leaked into the sea since the disaster. It has been clear for months now that the operators of the Fukushima plant are in deep trouble, says the BBC’s Rupert Wingfield-Hayes.

The only course of action, he continues, is to pump water out. But this has to be stored, and more than 1,000 giant holding tanks surrounding the plant are nearly all full, he adds. Tepco said on Monday it plans to start pumping out a further 100 tonnes of groundwater a day.

AP Photo/Marcos Moreno

Gibraltar sits accoss the water from the Spanish town of La Linea de Concepcion, Spain Monday Aug. 5, 2013.

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Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Health

International

Taste test: Lab-grown hamburger short on flavor Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere

In this May 16, 2013 photo, Estelle Levy shows cookies in her bakery in Paris. France, the country that gave us the words restaurant, bistro and cuisine, is changing how it eats.

As French idea of restaurant changes, so does law

LONDON — The food of the future could do with a pinch of seasoning — and maybe some cheese. Two volunteers who took the first public bites of hamburger grown in a laboratory gave it good marks for texture but agreed there was something missing.

“I miss the salt and pepper,” said Austrian nutritionist Hanni Ruetzler.

U.S. journalist Josh Schonwald confessed to a difficulty in judging a burger “without ketchup or onions or jalapenos or bacon.” Both tasters shunned the bun, lettuce and sliced tomatoes offered to them to concentrate on the flavor of the meat itself.

Mark Post, the Dutch scientist who led the team that grew the meat from cattle stem cells, regretted having served the patty without his favorite topping: aged gouda cheese. “That would have enhanced the whole experience tremendously,” he told The Associated Press. He said he was pleased with the reviews: “It’s not perfect, but it’s a good start.”

Post, whose team at Maastricht University in the Netherlands developed the burger over five years, hopes that making meat in labs could eventually help feed the world and fight climate change — although that goal is probably a decade or two away, at best.

“The first (lab-made) meat products are going to be very exclusive,” said Isha Datar, director of New Harvest, an international nonprofit that promotes meat alternatives. “These burgers won’t be in Happy Meals before someone rich and famous is eating them.”

Sergey Brin, a co-founder of Google, announced that he funded the 250,000-euro ($330,000) project, saying he was motivated by a concern for animal welfare. “We’re trying to create the first cultured beef hamburger,” he said in a videotaped message. “From there, I’m optimistic we can really scale up by leaps and bounds.” Scientists agreed that improving the flavor probably won’t be hard.

“Taste is the least (important) problem since this could be controlled by letting some of the stem cells develop into fat cells,” said Stig Omholt, director of biotechnology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.

Associated Press Writer

PARIS — The country that gave us the words restaurant, bistro and cuisine is changing how it eats.

For the first time in France, fast food overtook traditional restaurant receipts as the economic crisis deepened, and the share of people who pack a lunch for work is rising faster by the year. Meanwhile, lurid reports of the increasing number of traditional restaurants resorting to frozen prepackaged meals to hold down their prices have shaken France’s sense of culinary identity.

French lawmakers have swung into action to protect their cuisine, which the government officially considers a matter of national pride — even to the point of persuading UNESCO in 2010 to put French cuisine on its World Heritage List.

“I don’t want chefs replaced by microwaves,” said Daniel Fasquelle, a lawmaker in the French Assembly who voted recently for a measure that would require restaurants to print “fait maison” — or homemade — on menus next to dishes that were created from scratch.

Fasquelle said the legislation, which was approved in the lower house and goes to the Senate in the

fall, is weaker than what he and other culinary warriors want but represents a step in the right direction. Fasquelle is part of a movement seeking to limit what can be called a “restaurant” to places where more than half the food is made in-house. The idea is to protect “true cuisine” and force the fakers — who would have to find a more appropriate word, such as “caterer” — to fess up.

The harsher measure died in the Assembly earlier this year but Fasquelle and his cohorts plan to propose it again in September. The legislative pushes have parallels to requirements French bakeries were subjected to in 1998, when the word “boulangerie” was legally reserved for establishments that made bread from scratch — and using a freezer at any point in the process strictly prohibited.

Amid the parliamentary uproar, most French workers — increasingly pressed for time and money — are unlikely to probe too deeply.

Lunches that have traditionally run two hours or even three hours in the south are being cut short by the

modern work day. According to a 2011 study, the French midday break is down to an average of 22 minutes, compared with nearly 90 minutes two decades ago. And a study this spring found that a fifth of French workers are bringing their food from home to eat at work — double the percentage just three years ago, according to a survey this spring from industry consultant Gira Conseil.

According to the study, fast food expenditures have surpassed traditional restaurants for the first time, making up 54 percent of receipts.

But don’t think that French fast food means strictly McDonald’s, whose sales in France are slumping this year, according to their most recent quarterly results.

One of the biggest drivers of the fast food trend are the very French boulangeries that were subject to regulation back in the ‘90s. These days they’ve become masters of serving up delicious quick meals for the price of a Big Mac and fries — and these come under the category of “fast food.”

AP Photo / David Parry, PA

American author and journalist Josh Schonwald, tastes a burger made from cultured beef grown in a laboratory from stem cells of cattle during the world’s first public tasting event for the new food product in London, Monday Aug. 5, 2013.

Activities

International

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

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Furama Vilas & Spa IBP

The Furama Vilas & Spa, Bali is nestled amidst padi fields in the Banjar Bindu district in mountainous Ubud, covering over 2000m2 verdant lands.

Accessible to the popular Ubud market via the resort’s free shuttle service, the Concierge can also arrange for transportation to other tourist attractions based on guest’s needs.

19 Deluxe Pool Villas (265m) exude an idyllic appeal in the tranquil surroundings. Soft furnishings in a simple yet tasteful style create an atmosphere of warmth and cosines. The private plunge pool and gazebo for in-villa massage treatments are added luxuries for guests’ daily indulgence.

The 5 Royal Pool Villa are fashioned like the Deluxe Pool Villas and the 480m compound houses two villas instead of one. A common patio area encourages relaxing evening chats and in-villa dining.

All villas are well equipped with modern conveniences, ideal for discerning executive types and vacationing couples to lounge around and unwind in maximum comfort, inviting you into a memorable holiday experience.

IBP/File Photo

Calendar Event for July 10 through August 10, 2013 10 Jul Buda Kliwon Ugu Pura Dalem Tarukan - Pulasari Peninjauan Tembuku Bangli Pura Pasek Gelgel Boading Kaba Kaba Tabanan Pura Pemayun Banyuning Tengah Buleleng Pura Desa Bubunan Seririt Buleleng Pura Agung Gunung Raung Tarokaja Taro Tegallalang 17 Jul Buda Paing Wayang Pura Dang Khayangan Dalem Dukuh Kuda Sekaan Bangli 20 Jul Tumpek Wayang Pura Majapahit Jembrana Bathara Ratu Gede Celuk Sukawati Bathara Ratu Widyadari Cemenggaon Sukawati Pura Panti Gelgel Pengembungan Sesetan Denpasar Bathara Ratu Allit lan Ratu Lingsir Singakerta Ubud Pura Pedarman Dalem Sukawati Besakih Pura Pedarman Mengwi Besakih Pura Pedarman Kaba Kaba Besakih Pura Pedarman Dalem Bakas Besakih Pura Dadya Agung Pasek Gelgel Pegatepan Gelgel klungkung Pura Pemerajan Agung Sulang Dawan Klungkung Pura Padharman Dinasti Dalem Sri Aji Kresna Kepakisan Besakih ( Dalem Klungkung ) Pura Penataran dan Pasraman Kuta Rejo , Kendal Rejo Tegal Delimo Banyuwangi Pura Jala Sidhi Amerta Juanda Surabaya 22 Jul Purnama Sasih Kasa Aci-aci Penaung Taluh Penataran Agung Besakih Pura Tirta Besakih Pura Purnama Cemangon Sukawati Pura Amrta Jati Kompleks ALRI Pangkalan Jati Jakarta Selatan Pura Jagatnatha Kota Singaraja Pura Dang Hyang Tulus Dewa Desa ApuanSusut-Bangli Pura Jagatdhita Selong-Lombok Timur Pura Agung Pasek Gelgel Gobleg-Banjar

Buleleng Pura Puseh Batur Kintamani Pr. Asah (Alas Harum) Dusun Batur Kintamani Pura Dalem Kedewatan Celuk-Sukawati Pura Agung Mandara Giri Gunung SemeruLumajang Jawa Timur Pura Pengubengan Besakih Pura Penataran Agung Sukawati Pura Bukit Mentik Gunung Lebah-Batur Kintamani Mr. Agung Puser Jagat Meranting Batu Kanding-Nusa Penida Pura Luhur Candi Narmada Tanah Kilap Desa PemogaN Denpasar Selatan Pura Panca Tirta Sido Luhur Bakanheni Lampung Selatan Pura Ponjok Batu Tejakula Buleleng 24 Jul Buda Wage Kelawu Pura Penataran Agung Teluk Padang Karangasem Pura Melanting Cemenggaon Sukawati Pura Penataran Ped Nusa Penida Pura Pasek Pengembungan Bongkasa Abiansemal Pura Pasek Bendesa Reyang Gede Penebel Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Banjar Jawa Banjar Jawa Tengah Buleleng Pura Gaduhan Jagat Desa Singakerta Ubud Pura Masceti Tegeh Mancawarna Sanding Tampaksiring Pura Penataran Batupelang Kamasan klungkung Pura Paibon Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Kedonganan Kuta Pura Guwa Besakih Pura Basukian Besakih Odalan Ida Ratu Pucak Pameneh/Bukit Kiwa Tengen Penataran Agung Besakih Pura Jati Ubud Pura Melanting Ubud Pura Dalem Peed Nusa Penida Pura Sad Kahyangan Penida Desa Sakti Nusa Penida

Pura Penataran Agung Anyar Liligundi Bebandem Karangasem 30 Jul Anggar Kasih Dukut Pura Dalem Batuyang Batubulan Pura Dalem Pasek Gelgel Mengening Kediri Tabanan Pura Pasek Undagi Timpag Kerambitan Tabanan Pura Desa/ Pura Pucak Banjar Taman Bedulu Gianyar Pura Puser Jagat,Dalem Dukut, Puri Sukun Nusa Penida Pura Dalem Purwa Banjar Kawan Bangli Pura Desa Ketewel Sukawati 31 Jul Buda Umanis Dukut Pura Agung Pasek Gelgel Sibangkaja Abiansemal Pura Dalem Samprangan Gianyar Pura Paiobon Dukuh Segening Serongga Kelod Gianyar 4 Aug Redite Kliwon Watugunung Pura Penataran Agung Mahagotra Tirta Harum Srisrengga Desa Nyalian Banjarangkan Klungkung 6 Aug Tilem Sasih Kasa Pura Dalem Seme Jawa Desa Kukuh Marga Tabanan 10 Aug Hari Raya Saraswati Pura Pasek Tangkas - Gempinis Dalang Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel - Sayan Bongkasa Abiansemal Pura Watugunung Bima Pura Agung Jagat Karana Surabaya Pura Aditya Jaya - Rawamangun Jakarta Timur Pura Pemaksan Banyuning Timur Buleleng Pura Agung Wira Lokha Natha Cimahi Jawa Barat Pura Dadia Agung Bendesa Tangkas Kori Agung Pusat Gerih Desa Gerih Abiansemal Badung Pura Kawitan Bendesa Aban Baturning Desa Mambal Abiansemal

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

Entertainment

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Cars and bugs _ Shakespeare in the Parking Lot Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK — Acting in one of Shakespeare’s plays is difficult enough without having to dodge a 3,600-pound SUV. That’s just one of the challenges facing the cast performing “Richard III” this summer in a working outdoor municipal parking lot at the corner of Ludlow and Broome streets in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

There also are joggers, bikers and dog walkers, lost tourists and the drug-addled.

There are sirens, bugs and car alarms, and the smells from a nearby French-Cuban restaurant. And, of course, cars zipping in and out.

“This is not easy. If it was, nobody would come and watch,” says Hamilton Clancy, the producing artistic director of The Drilling Company, which for years has staged the downtown shows.

“The beauty of the parking lot is that people come and go, stay for five minutes or an hour, and they all get an introduction to the Bard that they wouldn’t ordinarily.” The tradition dates back 17 years and was inherited by The Drilling Company, which relies on word-of-mouth and the element of surprise to attract an audience.

All performances are free.

“The only thing I ever ask is I put out a hat at the end of the show and we say, ‘If you’ve got something to throw in, it’s much appreciated,’” says Clancy, who is directing “Richard III” through Aug. 17.

The bare-boned but enthusiastic summer productions have as many as 77 plastic chairs

that are placed in rows around a section of concrete that acts as the stage. If a car needs to get in or out, the actors pause and the patrons pick up their seats and make room. “People just come, chairs get moved back, blankets get put out,” Clancy says.

As night falls, car headlights become spotlights and street lamps switch on with a buzz, adding something thrilling to the gritty neighborhood. Some 225 people showed up for a performance of “Cymbeline” earlier this sweltering summer.

But the challenges of putting on a show have gotten harder, thanks to the city. Until now, authorities had allowed the 25-member company to perform relatively unhassled, but a municipal rule change now requires it to pay for eight parking spots per night and also get additional insurance. Total bill this summer: $2,400.

“For a small operation that’s operating off the bucket, a $2,400 hit is no small hit, right?” asks Clancy, who seems more bemused than bitter. The Drilling Company’s entire yearly budget is less than $16,000. “Isn’t it crazy?

This is a civic thing.”

AP Photo/Mark Kennedy

This July 29, 2013 photo shows actors rehearsing for “Richard III” in a parking lot in New York. Acting in one of Shakespeare’s plays is difficult enough without having to dodge a 3,600-pound SUV.

Play about Bradley Manning wins drama prize Associated Press Writer LONDON — A play about WikiLeaks source Bradley Manning has won a drama award in Britain. “The Radicalization of Bradley Manning” was named winner of a James Tait Black Memorial Prize on Tuesday.

The play by Tim Price focuses on Manning’s teenage years in Wales, where he lived with his British mother, and his transformation into a troubled U.S. soldier who leaked troves of confidential documents to the anti-secrecy organization.

James Tait Black Memorial Prizes are Britain’s oldest literary awards, and have introduced a drama category for the first time.

It comes with a 10,000 pound ($15,000) check.

Manning was convicted in the U.S. last week of 20 offenses, including espionage, theft and computer fraud. The crimes carry a combined maximum prison term of 136 years.

AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

In this July 30, 2013 photo, Army Pfc. Bradley Manning is escorted out of a courthouse in Fort Meade, Md. Few Americans in living memory have emerged from obscurity to become such polarizing public figures _ admired by many around the world, fiercely denigrated by many in his homeland.