Edisi 29 Januari 2015 | International Bali Post

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

16 Pages Number 30 7th year

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

Taylor Swift shakes off hacking on social media NEW YORK - Taylor Swift on Tuesday scoffed at a hacker who took over her social media accounts and threatened to release nude pictures, with the pop star saying none existed.

The singer’s Twitter and Instagram accounts were briefly seized by at least one hacker who vowed to release naked pictures of Swift if supporters paid enough in the form of the virtual currency bitcoin.

“Any hackers saying they have ‘nudes’?”

Swift wrote after retaking control of her Twitter account. “Psssh you’d love that wouldn’t you! Have fun photoshopping cause you got NOTHING.”

Little was known about the presumed hacker, whose account was suspended

by Twitter. The user who threatened to release nude photos had the Twitter handle @lizzard and signed as lizard in Japanese. @lizzard, in a Twitter biography before the account was suspended, claimed -- incongruously -- to be affiliated at once with the Islamic State extremist group, the hactivist collective Anonymous and North Korea.

Swift joked about the hacking, writing, “This is why I’m scared of technology.”

Swift, whose “1989” was by far the best-selling US album released last year, famously pulled all of her music from Spotify

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as she said that the streaming service insufficiently compensated artists, charges denied by the Swedish company.

But Swift is intensively active on other parts of the Internet.

She is one of only four people with more than 50 million followers on Twitter.

The others are US President Barack Obama and fellow pop stars Katy Perry and Justin Bieber. (afp) IBP/FIle Photo

Sean Penn to get French cinema honour

Christina Aguilera to perform ahead of NBA All-Star Game NEW YORK — Ariana Grande isn’t the only big-voiced singer performing at the NBA All-Star Game: Christina Aguilera has been added to the lineup.

NBA announced Tuesday that Aguilera will perform ahead of the 64th annual game on Feb. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. She will sing a “New York-themed medley” during player introductions and be joined by dance troupe The Rockettes.

Grammy-winning Aguilera’s hits include “Genie in a Bottle,” ‘’Beautiful,” ‘’Ain’t No Other Man” and “Say Something” with A Great Big World. Next month she will return as a mentor on NBC’s “The Voice” after a two-season break.

The All-Star game will air live on TNT. Grande will perform during the halftime show. (ap)

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File

PARIS - Sean Penn is to get an honorary French film award in a Paris ceremony next month in recognition of him being a cinema “living legend”, the organisers said in a statement.

The 54-year-old is a “mythical actor, a politically active personality and an exceptional director,” said the French Academy of Cinema.

As “a standalone icon in American cinema,” he will receive an honorary Cesar award during the academy’s annual prize ceremony in the French capital on February 20 -- two days before the Oscars in the US. Penn, who won Oscars for his performances in “Milk” and “Mystic River”, has earned a strong leftwing reputation for his public potshots at then-president George W. Bush, support of gay marriage, and for starting a foundation to help Haiti after its 2010 earthquake.

He was married to Madonna in the 1980s, then to “House of Cards” star Robin Wright from 1996 to 2010. Since last year he has been seeing actress Charlize Theron, and Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP is taking steps to adopt her three-year-old Sean Penn, left, and Charlize Theron son. (afp)

WEATHER FORECAST Dps

23 - 32

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

Thursday, January 29, 2015 Thailand summons US diplomat over critical remarks

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Chelsea into League Cup final after fiery win over Liverpool

Blizzard howls its way into Boston but largely spares NYC

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Lots of green spaces in Bali planted with concrete

DENPASAR - The development of property sector in Bali, especially in the area of Denpasar and Badung, has negative impact on the agricultural sector. Lots of green open spaces on the Island of the Gods are planted with concrete as they are considered more profitable than farming.

Such condition was recognized

by Chairman of the Indonesian Economists Association (ISEI) of Bali Chapter, Prof. Dr Ketut Rahyuda, where it was inseparable from the people’s mentality that was easily tempted.

“Now, the green area has been

transformed into the land of concrete because the people of Bali are now easier to be seduced. Balinese people will simplify their assets into a car and act more

consumptively,” said Rahyuda in Denpasar, Wednesday (Jan 21).

He admitted to be difficult in managing one’s mental that was easily tempted by material. For example, if the price of land in an area reached the highest of IDR 1 billion per 100 square meters, local people would be tempted to sell their land. “The higher the price of land in Denpasar is, the more easily people having land in Den-

pasar to go bankrupt,” he said.

Such condition, he said, was inseparable from the increase in the tax rate, while people were unable to pay high tax rates. Thus, the short option was to sell the land. “Rising price of land is also followed by the increase in taxes. It can make people helpless because they are not able to to pay taxes.

Moreover, when the landowners do not have a qualified job, it even drives their mind to sell the land,” he explained.

Seeing this condition, he said the government should issue a strict policy in managing urban areas and people’s assets. Otherwise, Balinese people would no longer have land in Denpasar. The policy should be implemented by local government in their regional spatial planning.

“Temptations of many developers have spread to Denpasar, especially the land alongside the city of Denpasar which has good location and price.

Continued on page 6

News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http://radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.

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A farmer worked in the rice field near the housing complex in Badung Regency, Bali Island. The development of property sector in Bali, especially in the area of Denpasar and Badung, has negative impact on the agricultural sector.

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International

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Bali News

Fuel price drops, prices of commodities start adjusting

IBP/File

“Ngayah”, is one of the tradition of the Balinese where they work together to prepare for certain ceremony

Menyama braya tradition increasingly disappears

MANY things have changed from the behavior of Balinese people of this era. The tradition of menyama braya (fraternity) formerly known to Balinese people as a mutual cooperation for the sake of life to share happiness and love seems to have faded in harmony with the passage of time. Balinese people are now inclined to be individual, and rarely do joint activities. As consequence, the proverb ‘to share the good and the bad’ or the mutual assistance will come into extinction.

According to Prof. Gede Sri Darma, DBA, fraternity was one of the local wisdoms that should be preserved, even developed.

Local wisdom implied equality, fraternity and social recognition that we were brothers. As a social unity of brotherhood, the attitude and behavior of considering the others as brothers should be invited together in joy and sorrow.

“Thinking pragmatically, practically, modestly and fast poses one of the many changes occurred in the behavior of Balinese people. Fraternity, mutual cooperation and dialogue have been abandoned by Balinese people, especially in urban areas,” said the Rector of the Undiknas

University.

The expression ‘time is money’ was recognized by Sri Darma to currently apply in the economy of Bali. Only some few Balinese people still had a sense of mutual aid or applied the fraternity tradition. For example, in the past the offerings were made by mutual cooperation, but today everything was purchased, while environmental sanitation was not longer cared.

“All people want practical matters and compare everything to material or money. Indeed the economy can actually rotates with this behavioral change where everything is measured economically. As consequence, Balinese known for their friend-

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liness, hospitality and social behavior then changed, turned violent, robbed, stole and even killed,” he explained.

He also revealed the impact of foreigners enjoying the land and property business in Bali that would affect the difficulty of maintaining Balinese culture.

“Have a look at today, young people have left the ethical and hospitality of Balinese culture, while digital culture and pragmatism have overwhelmed the Island of Bali. Soon, it will become a super metropolis without hospitality. All people think individually and pragmatically as well as the philosophical values of Pancasila will no longer exist,” he concluded. (kmb27)

DENPASAR - The prices of basic necessities gradually dropped following the price reduction of fuel. As well, the price of Putri Sejati rice with the content of 25 kg decreased as much as IDR 5,000 from IDR 250,000 to IDR 245,000. Similarly, the price of sugar dropped from IDR 425,000 per 50 kg to IDR 422,000 per 50 kg.

According to Nengah Nasih, a grocery store owner in Denpasar, the decline in the prices of basic necessities occurred at the distributor level. “The prices have started to adjust after the twice fuel price decrease. Probably, it is influenced by the declining cost of transportation,” said Nengah Nasih, Tuesday (Jan 27).

According to her, the price of basic necessities such as sugar, rice and flour would possibly decrease if the fuel prices did not increase. “There is a possibility to drop again if the price of fuel did not fluctuate,” she said.

Meanwhile, the management of modern market also decreased the prices of basic necessities after the decrease in fuel prices effective from Friday (Jan 23). General Manager of Corporate Communication of Alfaria Trijaya Resources Tbk., Nur Rachman, said that some items whose price was lowered included the commodities such as rice, sugar and cooking oil.

For instance, the price of 5-kg Setra Ramos rice dropped from IDR 59,900 to IDR 55,900, while the 2-kg package from IDR 24,900 to IDR 22,900.

Meanwhile, the local 1-kg granulated sugar dropped from IDR 11,700 to IDR 11,200. The price of 2-liter cooking oil dropped from IDR 23,900 to IDR 22,000, while the 1-liter size dropped

from IDR 13,200 to IDR 11,500.

“The range of price drop varied.

Rice reached 5-8 percent while sugar reached 4-8 percent. Meanwhile, in the other regions the price drop range was not much different,” he explained.

Admittedly, there were many other products whose price would be cut. He also asked the supplier to immediately lower the selling price to retailers.

“The process of trimming costs cannot be done immediately because the consumer selling price is depending on the official selling price (HPP) from suppliers. But in essence, as performer of retail business industry, we will be responsive to government policy,” he said confidently.

Chief Representative of Bank Indonesia for Bali Region, Dewi Setyowati, explained that rationally the decrease in fuel and LPG prices would bring in subsequent impact. Food commodities and food products, for instance, whose transportation from the location of harvest or production to market requiring transportation costs, would have a chance for price adjustment due to lower transportation costs.

“Conditions of the transportation tariff adjustments and other goods prices will highly depend on the realities faced by traders, so that the price of commodities belonging to traders can be decreased,” he explained.

Traders were expected to have a paradigm of equality in the face of fuel price hike policy where they directly responded to it with the rise in the price of commodities and when the decline in fuel prices occurred they should also make adjustment by reducing the price of commodities. (kmb27)

One of the gas station in Denpasar

IBP/File

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Activities

Thursday, January 29, 2015

15

Photo Exhibition at Santrian Gallery

SANUR - Having divine vibration, inspiring and alluring are the impressions of the photography exhibition on the old artists taking the theme “Tejakula and Blangsinga.” Although in a frame, style and expression of the lenses, they can inspire visitors to love the arts of Bali.

The art inspired by Hinduism makes foreign travelers amazed.

The inspiring dancer is I.B. Oka Wirjana from Blangsinga and Ni Luh Menek and Gede Tirta Ngis from Tejakula. Meanwhile, the works of the arts are presented by photographers Doddy Obenk and Tjandra Hutama Kurniawan. The exhibition presenting 10 photographs of Blangsinga and 20 photographs of Tejakula lasts for a month from January 15 to February 15, 2015.

Doddy Obenk reveals the figure of the 86-year-old I.B. Oka Wirjana familiarly called Oka Blangsinga. He is a well experienced dancer of Kebyar Duduk where he has been devoting himself for more than 75 years in the world of classical Balinese dance.

Meanwhile, Ni Luh Menek and Gede Tirta Ngis remain active in art domain so far at Tejakula village, Buleleng.

Ni Luh Menek, 75, is a famous Teruna Jaya and Palawakya dancer.

Meanwhile, Gede Putu Tirta Ngis is a player of Wayang Wong or Human Puppet. The mask of Wayang Wong is made sacred which is only performed at temple during a religious ceremony.

Against the secular mask resembling the sacred mask can be taken out of Tejakula village, but the dance and choreography are the same as the one presented at the temple.

Tjandra Hutama Kurniawan said that in the past the photographers only snapped off and went away. However, in this exhibition he should learn and explore the character of the object photographed. Similarly, the process of making the photos at Tejakula took him 1.5 years.

“We directly come to Tejakula, communicate and stay. There, we got to know about the culture, traditions and habits, what is allowed and what is not. The mask is sacred. So, we must

IBP/kmb

understand about it and pay attention so that we can get the spirits of the objects to be photographed,” he explained.

Opening session of the exhibition was jazzed

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I Made Yadnya

Directing staff as football players

When playing football, a coach will attempt to direct its players to achieve a score as much as possible.

While in the hospitality industry, a General Manager (GM) serving as a leader will try to reach the highest room occupancy. So, what is the relationship of football coach to a leader of a hotel? Apparently, the GM of Kuta Central Park Hotel, I Made Yadnya, is not much different from a football coach.

Previously, Made Yadnya has occupied the same task in several hotels in Bali such as the Nusa Dua Beach, Melia Bali, Sheraton Laguna, Mirage Hotel, Good Way Hotel, J-Boutique Hotel, Aston Tuban and Kuta Central Park until now.

When met at his workplace, Kuta Central Park, Made Yadnya said that managing or leading a hotel was not much different from a football coach.

Both had the same team. However, it was only different in the matter of field. “Honestly, as leader I learned a lot from a football coach. The coach has a lot of teams needed to be directed and it is not much different from my team at hotel,” said the man from Tanjung Benoa.

In addition, said Made Yadnya, the vision owned was also the same namely making score successfully.

“Scoring a successful and good goal is the primary objective. Meanwhile, the goal at hotel is achieving the hotel

occupancy target as expected. The point is there should not be losses or guest complaint. Suppose there is a complaint, it means there is a need for tactic and trick to fix it,” he said.

“I am grateful because the occupancy rate of Kuta Central Park is very nice and the team is very compact. However, we will not be easily satisfied because the competition is very tight in Kuta. We will maintain the best service and dedication to both the first-coming and repeater guests,” he said.

This badminton hobbyist also emphasized that it was not only the leader having contribution to the success of goal at hotel but also the whole management. For example, the hotel management should be able to emulate and apply the existing characters of the football team, such as sportsmanship, competition, discipline, hard working, energetics and optimism.

“Competitive measure is a key to harmony and upholding sportsmanship is the key to peace, applying discipline is the key to success and hard work is the key to achievement of goal. Meanwhile, the physical and spiritual health is the key to performing energetically and optimism is the key to fight against despair. All the elements are applied to me and all of the hotel’s beloved team,” he added.

(BTN/ocha)

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up with Kebyar Duduk dance performance by Oka Blangsinga. In the meantime, at the closing will be staged the Wayang Wong of Tejakula and a performance by maestro Ni Luh Menek. (kmb)

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

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

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

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

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

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

Health

Probe links sugary drinks with earlier menstruation

PARIS - Girls who consume lots of sugary drinks start menstruating at a younger age, a study said Wednesday.

The findings are important because early onset of menstruation is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in later life, the paper said, although other experts saw flaws in the probe.

Writing in the journal Human Reproduction, researchers said they had monitored the health of more than 5,500 American girls between 1996 and 2001. They had been part of a wider study involving nearly 17,000 children.

The girls were aged between nine and 14 when they joined the project and had not yet started their periods.

During the five-year study, those who drank between one-and-a-half servings of sweetened drinks per day had their first period 2.7 months earlier than those who had two or fewer sweet drinks a week, the investigators found.

The earlier menstruation occurred regardless of the girls’ height-toweight ratio -- their body mass index (BMI) -- their calorie intake and exercise.

“Our study adds to increasing concern about the widespread consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks in the USA and elsewhere,” said Karin Michels of Harvard Medical School, who led the probe.

The average age for first menstruation was 12 years and seven months.

A 2.7-month earlier onset translates into a “modest impact” on breast cancer risk, the study said. Previous work had found that starting menstruating one year earlier increases the cancer

IBP/net

Girls who consume lots of sugary drinks start menstruating at a younger age, a study said Wednesday. The findings are important because early onset of menstruation is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in later life, the paper said, although other experts saw flaws in the probe.

risk by about five percent.

Doctors are already concerned about a separate issue -- the everearlier onset of puberty in young girls, which remains unexplained.

The latest study was based on statistics, and was not powered to explore the causes.

The authors point to previous research that says high, swift doses of sugar cause a rapid increase in levels of the hormone insulin, which in turn

has a knock-on effect on concentrations of sex hormones.

The group of girls in the study was 93 percent white, and the amount of sweetened drinks they consumed “is likely low” compared with that of other groups, the researchers said.

Sweetened beverages comprised non-diet sodas, non-carbonated fruitbased drinks and sweetened ice tea.

A serving was classified as one can or glass.

Independent commentators were cautious of the findings, pointing in particular at the source of the data.

It was the girls themselves, or their parents, who reported on body size and drink consumption -- a method famously prone to error.

“It’s fair to ask whether the selfreporting on height is a bit overestimated and whether on weight it is under-estimated,” said Michel Colle, a paediatrician in Bordeaux,

southwestern France.

“If so, this would completely distort the BMI and thus the conclusions themselves.”

Ieuan Hughes, a paediatrician at Britain’s University of Cambridge, said the study also failed to factor in the children’s location, parents’ occupation and whether they were migrants -- other potential factors.

“The reference to breast cancer is overly alarmist,” he added. (afp)

Planning may start in brain’s amygdala PARIS - Thinking of a new career?

Buying a home? Have you consulted your amygdala? These almond-shaped clusters of neurons deep in the brain may play a vital part in long-term planning, said a study published Monday.

Experiments conducted on lab monkey amygdala may also help the search for new treatments for depression, drug addiction, binge eating and other behavioural problems in humans, its authors hope.

Until now, planning was thought to be a task generally for the brain’s frontal lobe, where “higher order” skills such as weighing the consequences of one’s actions and distinguishing

between good and bad are located.

But scientists led by Fabian Grabenhorst at Britain’s University of Cambridge wanted to see how the amygdala -- the organ comprising two cell clusters, one in each temporal lobe located at either side of the brain -- contributes to long-term planning.

The amygdala has long been associated with primal and short-term drivers like fear and aggression, but also, more distantly, with behaviour that is linked to reward.

Two male rhesus monkeys were put through an experiment in which they were trained to choose between accepting an immediate fruit juice

reward, or wait and receive a bigger dose later.

The more they restrained themselves, the bigger the reward grew -- and like shrewd investors, both monkeys generally tended to save up.

Once the animals were trained, the team implanted electrodes in the monkeys’ brains to observe the decision-making sequence.

Early in the process, neurons in the amygdala were activated in a pattern that reflected “several trials ahead” whether the monkey would save up towards specific goals, according to the study.

“These activity patterns could be

used by the frontal lobe to translate goal signals into concrete action plans,” Grabenhorst told AFP by email.

The monkeys were humanely killed after the experiment, the scientists said, and their brains dissected to verify the electrodes had been implanted in exactly the right spot.

“The different types of planning activity we observed were encoded by different amygdala neurons that were closely intermingled,” the scientist said.

They “could not have been distinguished” by a non-invasive brain scan, he said.

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The amygdala is an ancient brain structure shared by primates, so what happened in the monkeys very likely happens in our brains, too.

The findings, reported in the journal Nature Neuroscience, “may open up new avenues” for treating a range of psychiatric problems, including severe depression, substance addiction and eating disorders, Grabenhorst said.

“Amygdala dysfunction is known to underlie a variety of psychiatric disorders,” he said.

“Some of these disorders are characterised by a lack of motivation to make plans for the future or by a dysfunctional pursuit of rewards.” (afp)

Thursday, January 29, 2015

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Balinese people may not harm Bali MANGUPURA - The attitude of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Susi Pudjiastuti, still thinking about the future of our children and grandchildren in addressing the Benoa Bay reclamation plan, received appreciation from the Chairman of the Bali Tourism Society Alliance, Gusti Kade Sutawa. Such attitude should be made a role model for the officials in Bali, so that this island would not be damaged in the hands of Balinese people.

“I very much appreciate the statement of Mrs. Susi who still thinks clearly and does not want to step wrongly and be blamed by future generations when Benoa Bay has been damaged by reclamation. The officials in Bali have to think as what Mrs. Susi does in long term,” said Gusde.

According to him, Balinese people were currently inclined to think pragmatically in addressing the existing problems. They did not think in long-term by considering our children and grandchildren to come. As expected, Bali relying on tourism should be able to be enjoyed in a sustainable manner.

“Reclamation tends to destroy rather than benefiting. Moreover, we have already had a dark history associated with the reclamation made to Serangan Island remaining dormant so far. Then, the South Bali tourism does not require it any longer because at the moment it has been densely occupied,” he said.

Even, this former Chairman of Bali Jokowi-JK Volunteer from tourism element asked the desire

to make a new island should be terminated and was not necessary to be re-examined. “Do not only think in money-oriented manner.

Do not let this Bali be damaged

by Balinese people themselves. To that end, the officials must introspect themselves and the legislator in the special committee should also think of the younger generation, do not think in short-term,” he affirmed.

He added that Bali needed a figure who really dared to struggle for Bali, did not just beg to run for a people’s representative of the RI. “We must encourage Mrs. Susi to immediately meet the president with the people’s representatives from Bali to explain about the fear of Balinese people related to the impact of reclamation. We also hope that other natives to Bali in central government can speak out about the suffering of Balinese people as their moral responsibility because they have been entrusted to represent them in central government,” he said.

This tourism activist confirmed the waters should not be reclaimed because nature was the same as

IBP/Wawan

Motorists passed posters that encourage people to reject the Benoa Bay reclamation plan on the street of Denpasar. The attitude of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Susi Pudjiastuti, still thinking about the future of our children and grandchildren in addressing the Benoa Bay reclamation plan, received appreciation. our biological mother. Whoever did not take care of nature would equally mean that they dared to go up against nature. “Whoever does not take care of nature then the nature will be destroyed. Let’s make introspection. Do not only

consider one interest. Other than positive law, there is also a moral law here,” he said.

He argued that South Bali served as the buffer of Bali. For Balinese people, the beach and ocean were sacred. “It is the same

Belimbing tourism village in Tabanan

Lots of potential, but not fulfilled yet

TABANAN - When traveling to Singaraja via Pupuan, you will pass through Belimbing village. Belimbing is one of eight tourism villages in Tabanan that has received funding

from the central government through the National Program for Community Empowerment (PNPM).

Unfortunately, despite having a lot of potential for tourism, the

IBP/Wira Sanjiwani

When traveling to Singaraja via Pupuan, you will pass through Belimbing village. Unfortunately, despite having a lot of potential for tourism, the lack of infrastructure, accommodations and human resources has meant that the management of the Belimbing tourism village has not been able to take full advantage of this potential.

lack of infrastructure, accommodations and human resources has meant that the management of the Belimbing tourism village has not been able to take full advantage of this potential.

The Head of the Tabanan Tourism Government Agency, Wayan Adnyana, explained that Tabanan presently has 40 tourism villages though only eight of them have received assistance form the central government. One of the 8 villages to receive funding is Belimbing village. According to Wayan, Belimbing has great potential as a tourism village with major points of interest including the Mekori Temple that has famous historical value, the particular culture of the population, lush forests, agro-tourism, a trekking path and a waterfall which is however still hard to access due to lack of infrastructure. The development of Belimbing as a tourist village started in 2010, “but the development is still ham-

pered by the lack of facilities and accommodations”, said Adnyana.

The development of a tourism village needs more than just talk, added Yadnyana, stating that things like human ressources and funds to manage the village also have to be made available. Other than tourist sites, the development of homestays at Belimbing village is also important.

“It is not necessary to build hotels, bungalows and villas. Homestays, managed by the local community are quite sufficient” said Adnyana emphatically.

Homestay development is intended to enocourage travelers to not only drop by Belimbing village and visit tourist attractions but instead to stay for a few days. Longer lengths of stay, allow tourism income to go directly to local the people. “educating local people on all these matters is vital, unfortunately the funding provided for education and market studies was quite limited”, he said. (kmb24)

as Sakenan on Serangan Island and it’s a campuhan or tributary.

Environmentally, if the Benoa Bay reclamation is forced, it will obviously have an impact that damages the buffer of Bali,” he concluded. (kmb27)

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

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Klungkung regency eliminate dozens of stray dogs SEMARAPURA - Bite cases of stray dogs started to bloom in Klungkung. This time, two toddlers of Babung, Gunaksa village, Dawan, became the victims of dog bites. More seriously, the dog biting both toddlers was declared positive to rabies. To anticipate the outbreak of rabies dog bite, residents of Babung were busy doing elimination to dozens of stray dogs roaming around at local village, Sunday (Jan 25).

Hamlet chief of Babung, Nyoman Danu, when asked for his confirmation at the office of Gunaksa headman on Monday (Jan 26) said he did not deny the elimination of stray dogs in his territory last Sunday. He also admitted the elimination was kindled by a dog bite case affecting his resident.

Two toddlers of 1.5 years old were bitten by stray dog in succession within the past three days. The first dog bite afflicted the 1.5-year son of I Ketut Rantun, Friday (Jan 23). After the incident, the toddler was rushed to Klungkung Hospital and it should be stitched because the top of his temple was torn as bitten by the dog when playing at home.

After the toddler of Rantun, the same dog also bit the temple of 1.5year toddler of I Wayan Sukarta.

However, the injury was not as severe as the injury experienced by the toddler of Rantun. Sukarta’s

toddler was attacked by dog when playing at his home yard. People who knew the incident immediately killed the dog en masse. Interestingly, the residents initially did not know if they killed a rabies dog.

The case was revealed after the officer came to dig out the dog carcass having been buried by residents to be checked in laboratory.

“At first we did not know. But after taking it to laboratory, at that night we were informed if the dog biting our residents was positive to rabies,” said Danu.

According to Danu, after knowing the truth, people then agreed to eliminate stray dogs roaming around at Babung hamlet. The dog elimination did not only involve residents, but also the subdistrict field extension officers. Even, approximately 20 dogs could be eliminated by the officers by using blowpipe. “Other than eliminating, at the same time the officers

also vaccinated the dogs owned by residents,” said Danu.

Then, what about the condition of both toddlers bitten by the stray dog? Accompanied by hamlet chief of Tengah, Wayan Tisna, he said that both victims had been treated at home. Even, to ascertain the victim’s health, the officers of Public Health Center had regularly checked them every day. “Until now, the condition of our residents bitten by the stray dog is healthy because they have been controlled by the officers at the victim’s house every day,” said Danu.

Responding to the rabies dog bites, the elimination was not only wanted by residents of Babung but also by residents of Tengah hamlet that also proposed the elimination against stray dogs living at local hamlet. According to the hamlet chief of Tengah, Wayan Tisna, the number of stray dogs in the area tended to increase.

“Other than our residents, the residents of Gunaksa are also proposing the elimination of the stray dogs at Gunaksa village. However, the proposals of elimination have still not been approved because the officials were still preparing the poison,” said Tisna. (119)

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Blizzard howls its way into Boston but largely spares NYC

The area also was dealing with bitter cold: The low in Boston on Wednesday is expected to be 10 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chill minus 5, and forecasters said it would not get above freezing for the next week or so.

In New York, forecasters apologized for their predictions of a possible historic storm, and politicians defended their near-total shutdown on travel. Some residents grumbled about the forecasts being overblown, but others sounded a better-safe-than-sorry note and even expressed sympathy for the weatherman.

Forecasters originally warned the storm could bring up to 3 feet (about a meter) of snow and punishing hurricane-force winds.

But on Tuesday they downgraded most of those numbers, saying Boston and the northeastern New England region would fare the worst, but even then not as bad as expected.

The Boston area had more than a foot (30 centimeters) of snow, while the far eastern tip of New York’s suburban Long Island had more than 2 feet (about half a meter). Snowplow operators around New England struggled to keep up, and Boston police drove several dozen doctors and nurses to work at hospitals. The National Weather Service said a 78 mph (125 kph) gust was reported on Nantucket, and a 72 mph (115 kph) one on Martha’s Vineyard.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie defended his statewide ban on travel as “absolutely the right decision to make” in light of the dire forecast. As the storm pushed into the Northeast on Monday, the region came to a near standstill, alarmed by forecasters’ dire predictions. More than 7,700 flights were canceled, and schools, businesses and government offices closed.

As dawn broke, New York City had an almost eerie feel to it.

No airplanes in the sky and no trains running underground made for an unexpected quiet. A few municipal trucks rumbled down empty streets.

But as the storm pushed northward, it tracked farther east than forecasters had been expecting, and conditions improved quickly in its wake. By midmorning Tuesday, New Jersey and New York City lifted driving bans, and subways and trains started rolling again, with a return to a full schedule expected Wednesday.

A National Weather Service forecaster in New Jersey apoloAP Photo/Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Dan Gould gized on Twitter for the off-target forecast. “You made a lot of John Slasell wades through waist-deep snow as he snow blows the sidewalk along Slater St. in Webster, Mass. tough decisions expecting us to get it right, and we didn’t. Once A blizzard slammed New England on Tuesday, piling up more than 2 feet of snow. again, I’m sorry,” Gary Szatkowski tweeted. (ap) BOSTON — New Englanders hit by a blizzard packing knee-high snowfall and hurricane-force winds began digging out Wednesday as some New Yorkers and others spared its full fury questioned whether forecasts were overblown. The storm was a bitter, paralyzing blast to New England, with at least 2 feet (about half a meter) of snow in most of Massachusetts, potentially making it one of the top snowstorms of all time there. It began Monday evening and continued most of Tuesday. A blizzard warning for Boston ended Tuesday evening as the snow tapered off, but one remained in effect for the south coast, Cape Cod and nearby islands.

IBP/Sos

The elimination of stary dogs is needed to prevent the spread of rabies.

Making small ‘ogoh-ogoh’, student reaps millions of rupiahs

GIANYAR - Ahead of the Pengerupukan celebration is utilized by some traders to sell ogoh-ogoh or papier mâché demon.

Uniquely, around Sukawati area there are some traders starting to sell small ogohogoh with a variety of ornaments. Certainly this creativity attracts the attention of numerous customers from all over Bali with the profits reaching millions of rupiahs.

Wayan Mayun, one of the small ogohogoh makers around Sukawati, described that such an art had been created from three years ago. He was inspired by the creativity of his son, Gde Sukariyasa, who was just in the seventh grade. “Ogoh-ogoh was originally created by my first son who is now in the ninth grade. After that, I help him so that his works look neater and more attractive,” he said, Monday (Jan 27).

He described the small ogoh-ogoh was made from a thin sponge, palm fiber, paper, spray paint and wood as the pedestal. It was preceded with the making of frame by wood. After that, the sponge was cut in such

IBP/Manik

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

Wayan Mayun is showing the small “ogoh-ogoh” that he makes.

a way so that formed an ogoh-ogoh. Next, it was sprayed with paint of preferred colors.

Having completed the process of makeover with thick carved cardboard, it was then stained with gold leaf paint. “Now, every day my son makes ogoh-ogoh with the help of his younger brother, while I just need to monitor them. Within two days, they can produce four pieces of small ogoh-ogoh,” he said.

The small ogoh-ogoh with a variety of colors and ornaments was very popular among children. Even, the order givers were not only from around Sukawati or Gianyar, but also from other counties like Tabanan, Badung, Denpasar, Klungkung to Buleleng, “It has been exported to almost all counties in Bali with the selling price from IDR 70,000 to IDR 250,000,” he explained.

Today, before the celebration of Pengrupukan, he always produces small ogoh-ogoh reaching 400 pieces. Even, that number has not met all the orders. When asked about the profit, he told it reached millions of rupiahs. “Right now, all the items I work are the orders. The profit is enough for pocket money and tuition of my children other intended for expenses of the feast,” he said. (kmb35)

Gunmen storm luxury Libyan hotel, killing American, 9 others TRIPOLI, Libya — In the latest sign of Libya’s descent into chaos, gunmen stormed a luxury hotel used by diplomats and businessmen in the capital Tuesday, killing 10 people, including an American, a French citizen and three people from Asia. Two attackers were killed following an hourslong standoff that included a car bomb that exploded in the parking lot of the seaside Corinthia Hotel. It was unclear if other gunmen were involved in the attack, which also killed five Libyan guards.

Twitter posts and a statement on social media purported to say a Tripoli affiliate of the Islamic State group was behind the attack.

However, there was little evidence outside of that to back up the claims in a country awash in armed extremist groups who would be equally suspect.

The SITE Intelligence Group, a U.S.-based militant monitoring group, reported that the two dead gunmen were identified online as sympathizers of the Islamic State group and said they targeted the hotel because it houses diplomatic missions and “crusader” security companies.

However, The Associated Press was unable

to independently confirm the claims, which didn’t conform with the group’s earlier postings from Libya.

Militants claiming the attack on behalf of a group called the Islamic State of the Tripoli Province posted a brief video showing burned cars in the hotel’s parking lot and said it was to avenge the 2013 abduction by American commandos of a Libyan al-Qaida operative, Nazih Abdul-Hamed al-Ruqai, also known as Abu Anas al-Libi. Al-Libi died earlier this month in a New York hospital of complications from liver surgery while awaiting trial for the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

The hotel assault highlights the growing threat from militant groups that operate with near impunity in Libya, a country torn between rival governments, tribes and militias since the 2011 toppling and killing of dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The country’s post-Gadhafi transition has collapsed, with two rival governments and parliaments — each backed by different militias — ruling in the country’s eastern and western regions. (ap)

AP Photo/ @AliTweel via AP video

In this image made from video posted by a Libyan blogger, the Cortinthia Hotel is seen under attack in Tripoli, Libya, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015.

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International

International

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Bali News

BUSINESS

AP Photo

In this Jan. 22, 2015 photo, a clerk counts Chinese currency notes at a bank branch in Huaibei in central China’s Anhui province. China’s yuan has become one of the five most widely used currencies in global payments, an international financial transactions agency announced Wednesday, Jan. 28.

5

Gambang, a unique Balinese gamelan instrument

China’s yuan now world’s 5th payments currency BEIJING - China’s yuan has become the world’s fifth most widely used payments currency, with the value of cross-border deals settled in it more than doubling in 2014, data from transactions organisation SWIFT showed Wednesday.

The data comes as China looks to make the yuan used more internationally in line with its standing as the world’s secondlargest economy, while at the same time keeping its value tightly controlled.

The yuan, also known as the renminbi (RMB), overtook the Canadian dollar and the Australian dollar to enter the top five of world payment currencies in November, according to a SWIFT statement.

It has climbed eight spots in fewer than two years, having been in 13th place in January 2013.

The yuan’s share of global payments by value reached a new high of 2.17 percent in December, SWIFT said, closing in on the Japanese yen’s 2.69 percent.

Total yuan payments rose 102 percent last year, the statement added, dwarfing the overall annual rise of 4.4 percent for all currencies.

Some analysts predict the yuan will one day rival the US dollar in international markets.

“It is a great testimony to the internationalisation of the RMB and confirms its transition from an ‘emerging’ to a ‘business as usual’ payment currency,” Wim Raymaekers, head of banking markets at SWIFT, said in the statement.

The US dollar remains the top payments currency with a share of 44.64 percent last month, followed by the euro (28.3 percent) and the British pound (7.92 percent), SWIFT data showed.

China has set up yuan clearing arrangements with 10 countries and regions and signed currency swap agreements with 28 central banks.

The commerce ministry said last week it will only issue figures for inward and outward investment in yuan, dropping the dollar statistic, a move that the agency acknowledged was partly an effort to push the local currency’s greater international role.

Earlier this month, Customs only issued trade values in yuan at its quarterly briefing, with the official dollar amount made available later on its website. (afp)

Thursday, January 29, 2015

REUTERS/Edgar Su

Ships load and unload containers at the Tanjong Pagar Container Terminal in Singapore December 31, 2014.

Singapore on Wednesday became the latest country to ease monetary policy in a surprise move as plunging oil prices hit inflation and the central bank looks to boost the tepid economy.

Singapore eases monetary policy in surprise move SINGAPORE - Singapore on Wednesday became the latest country to ease monetary policy in a surprise move as plunging oil prices hit inflation and the central bank looks to boost the tepid economy.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the city-state’s central bank, said it would slow the appreciation of the local dollar against a basket of other currencies by reducing the slope of its policy band. The MAS also lowered its inflation outlook “largely due to the decline in global oil prices”.

The news sent the local dollar plunging. The greenback bought Sg$1.3569 at one stage, its highest since August 2010 and well up from Sg$1.3441 on Tuesday.

Singapore uses the exchange rate as a key monetary policy tool, guiding the local dollar against a basket of currencies of its main trading partners within an undisclosed band.

“This measured adjustment to the policy stance is consistent with the more benign inflation outlook in 2015 and appropriate for ensuring mediumterm price stability in the economy,” the MAS said in an unscheduled

policy statement.

It normally issues policy statements twice a year in April and October.

“The reason the MAS decided to reduce the slope of the band is the sharp recent drop in inflation,” research house Capital Economics said in a commentary.

Consumer prices shrank 0.2 percent year on year in December and 0.3 percent in November, while official figures showed the economy expanded at a slower-than-expected 2.8 percent last year.

The MAS predicted prices could fall as much as 0.5 percent this year or grow 0.5 percent, compared with previous an October forecast of 0.51.5 percent growth.

Inflation rates around the world have been falling as the price of oil has sunk more than 50 percent since June to sit at almost six-year lows.

Wednesday’s decision by the central bank follows similar moves

in South Korea, China and India where governments are fighting to ward of deflation and kickstart their economies. Canada, Turkey and Denmark have also lowered their rates recently.

And last week the European Central Bank, which already has rates at record lows, unveiled an unprecedented bond-buying scheme in response to data showing prices fell in December for the first time in five years.

Howie Lee, an investment analyst with Phillip Futures in Singapore, said a weaker local dollar will be good for the trade-reliant island’s exports, making them more competitive in the international market.

“Singapore’s exports have been carrying the weight of a strong Singapore dollar and high pass-through labour costs,” he said in a market commentary.

“With the reduction in band slope, one load is at least taken off Singapore’s shoulder. Singapore stocks could be boosted as goods and services become more competitive regionally.” (afp)

AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati

Heather Mack, right, and her boyfriend Tommy Schaefer, both from Chicago, Ill., talk with their friends before their trial at the Denpasar District Court in Bali, Indonesia before their trial Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. They are accused of murdering the woman’s mother Sheila von-Wiese Mack, who was found stuffed inside a suitcase last August.

DENPASAR - It has been well proved that gambang art has uniqueness. Unfortunately, it has high level of difficulty when playing this kind of classical gamelan set, so that many young people are reluctant to involve deeply in playing it.

“On seeing this phenomenon, I think it necessary to contribute my ideas through a book,” said Wayan Sinti.

According to this composer, the lack of Balinese people who wanted to play the gambang gamelan music encouraged him to write about this classical gamelan. Based on his observations over the years, the gambang gamelan had not got attention for more than two generations.

“Younger generation is more interested in the art easier to play like gong kebyar or bleganjur than gambang,” he said.

Sinti also touched when he read the book entitled Music in Bali by Colin McPhee describing that from the 1930s it was very difficult to get people who wanted to sing in association with the gambang gamelan music. “Having read the book, I have been

inspired to revive the gambang gamelan since 1974,” said.

After passing through a long process, said a former teacher of the Balinese gamelan conservatory (Kokar), in 2002 he managed to combine the gambang gamelan music with the Malat text. “Hopefully, this discovery or the book writing will at least encourage the art troupes to be more interested and get feedback as described in this book,” hoped the artist who frequently traveled overseas.

Sinti also added that the ballad of gambang gamelan music was unique enough so that many people played it in different gamelan format such as slonding, gong luang, charuk, saron, pelegongan, gong kebyar, and so forth. Gambang had a uniqueness starting from the instrument, unordered arrangement of tones, shapes of beater, playing techniques, relationship between the blades and its lawah, as well as linkages of gambang to its vocal. Gambang along with the text should be played related to the gangsa and the four sets of gambang. (kmb)

Black sticky rice cake symbolizes Lord Vishnu

DENPASAR - Hindu community in Bali has a culinary named black sticky rice cake or jaja injin. It is so called because the ingredient is made from black sticky rice. This traditional cake is very nice because the presentation is equipped with grated coconut and brown sugar sauce. Children, teenagers and old people like to savor the cake because it is very easy to find. Children and teenagers commonly enjoy it as refreshment.

In contrast to the peasants, they are eating the cake to temporarily retain their hunger after working hard in the rice field. Sitting leisurely while drinking coffee or tea and accompanied with black sticky rice will make the atmosphere very beautiful.

According to Grandma Padma, black sticky rice cake was one of the contents that must be present in the oblation of religious rituals, especially for nyatur ritual namely a ritual dedicated to venerate gods in four directions, and nebusin ritual for the person who had died or had an accident. This ritual served as an invocation for forgiveness for any sins committed during one’s lifetime.

Oblation of the ritual applied cakes made from rice ingredients of four colors consisting of black sticky rice, white sticky rice, red rice and yellow rice. Black sticky rice symbolized Lord Vishnu with position in the north, white sticky rice symbolizes Lord Ishvara in the east, brown rice symbolized Lord Brahma in the south and yellow rice symbolized Lord Mahadev in the west.

To prepare the cake is just like

cooking rice. At first, the black sticky rice is fully soaked overnight. In order not to be too dark, it can be mixed with white sticky rice with the proportion to taste. Afterward, boil and take out after being cooked. Prepare some amount of grated coconut. Dissolve brown sugar in water and boil it until feeling sticky. To serve, the black sticky rice cake is topped with grated coconut and sprinkle with brown sugar sauce. (kmb)

IBP/File Photo

Artist played Gambang instrument. It has been well proved that gambang art has uniqueness. Unfortunately, it has high level of difficulty when playing this kind of classical gamelan set, so that many young people are reluctant to involve deeply in playing it.

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

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AP Photo/Thai Foreign Ministry

In this photo released by Thai Foreign Ministry, American charge d’affairs in Bangkok, W. Patrick Murphy, left, talks with Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwi during a meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015.

Thailand summons US diplomat over critical remarks

International

Malaysia to issue interim report on missing plane on March 7

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Civil aviation authorities in Malaysia will release a required report on the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 a day before the one-year anniversary, but it won’t have any conclusion on what happened because the search is ongoing.

The report to be released March 7 will focus on investigations into the search for the plane, which is believed to have crashed in the remote southern Indian Ocean, Deputy Transport Minister Aziz Kaprawi said Wednesday. The one-year report is required by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The plane disappeared the morning of March 8 last year while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board. The Australian

firmed the two had met, but did not comment further. Thailand, a longstanding U.S. ally, has been under martial law since the military staged a coup last May. Last week, the country’s militaryappointed legislature voted to ban ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from politics for five years for overseeing a rice subsidy program that lost billions of dollars. Yingluck is also facing criminal charges that carry a 10-year prison term.

In a speech to students at Chulalongkorn University on Monday, Russel — America’s highest-level diplomat to visit Thailand since the coup — said the perception of fairness is important to justice.

“I’ll be blunt here: When an elected leader is deposed, impeached by the authorities that implemented the coup, and then targeted with criminal charges while basic democratic processes and institutions are interrupted, the international community is left with the impression that these steps could be politically driven,” Russel said.

Russel also expressed concern over “significant restraints on freedom of expression” in Thailand today, and said the country’s political process does not represent “all elements of Thai society” — a reference to reforms, including the writing of a new constitution, which are going ahead without input from the popularly elected former ruling party. (ap)

HANOI, Vietnam — An American-built helicopter once used in the Vietnam War crashed Wednesday during a training mission in the Southeast Asian nation, killing all four soldiers aboard, the military said.

Lt. Gen. Vo Van Tuan, army deputy chief of staff, said the Huey chopper disappeared from radar about eight minutes after taking off from an

air base in Ho Chi Minh City.

Online Vietnamnet newspaper quoted Col. Le Van Hanh, political commissar of air force division 370, as saying that the pilots reported engine failure and had tried to fly to a farm on the city’s outskirts where it crashed.

Tuan said the aircraft had originally belonged to American forces, but it was seized by communist forces after the war ended in 1975.

State media have reported the Vietnamese military took control of about 50 US-made Hueys after the war, and many of them are still in use for military training missions and in search and rescue operations.

In July, a Russian-made helicopter on a training mission crashed near Hanoi, killing 20 people on board.

One soldier survived with severe burns. (ap)

Vietnam War-era helicopter crashes, killing 4 soldiers

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Lawyer hopeful of new appeal for Australians on death row

REUTERS/Beawiharta

Indonesia soldiers and rescue personnel prepare to put a coffin of a passenger of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 into the cargo compartment of a Trigana airplane at Iskandar airbase in Pangkalan Bun, January 27, 2015. Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said Wednesday that 92 victims still missing after an AirAsia plane crash could have been swept away or be lost on the seabed after no more bodies were found in the jet’s fuselage.

AP Photo/Rob Griffith, File

In this March 31, 2014 file photo, HMAS Success sails as a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion flies past while searching for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in the southern Indian Ocean, near the coast of Western Australia.

Lots of green spaces...

From page 1 People will hunt to sell or buy the land,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) of Bali Chapter, Prof. Nyoman Suparta, judged that structural policies and shifting in socio-economic values had resulted in compulsion for farmers to sell their lands. “Excessive development in tourism, industry, trade and other sector has contributed great share on the necessity,” he said.

As mentioned, incapability of paying taxes due to increase in selling value of tax object (NJOP), the absence of subsidies for land-owning farmers on tax liability, difficulty of obtaining irrigation water, low selling price of harvest yield, more increasingly threatened existence of subak, availability of opportunities in other sector and shortage of interest in

young generation to pursue agricultural sector have encouraged farmers to sell their lands.

“If the condition is left unchecked, it can lead to degradation of land, water resources and further weakening in the competitiveness of farmers,” he said.

Based on the data owned by the HKTI Bali, most land conversions in agricultural field were transformed into various tourism facilities such as hotels, restaurants, villas as well as the construction of housing, offices, industries, and others. In addition, the land conversion had also occurred in the moor or plantation and forest area.

Meanwhile, many gardens or moor lands were converted into residential buildings, farm buildings, villa or short-term industrial plants with low water absorbability. (kmb27)

11

INDONESIA

coordinators of the search have said the current phase could take another year and there is still no guarantee of success. No debris has ever been found.

Some family members calling themselves Voice 370 appealed to Malaysian, Australian and Chinese authaorities not to abandon the search anytime soon. The majority of the passengers were from China.

“We have stated it before and reiterate it again, that we are prepared for any eventuality, including the fact that our loved ones may never come back. However, almost all families are unanimous in our stand that we do not want to declare our loved ones dead, without a shred of evidence,” they said on Facebook. (ap)

BANGKOK — Thailand’s military government summoned the U.S. charge d’affairs for talks on Wednesday after a top U.S. diplomat roiled the junta during a visit by calling for an end to martial law and saying the impeachment of a former prime minister could be politically motivated.

Daniel Russel, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, made the comments during a university speech in Bangkok on Monday. On Wednesday, coup leader-turned-Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said he was “saddened” by the remarks and said “the U.S. does not understand the way we work.”

Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, who met with U.S. charge d’affairs W. Patrick Murphy, said Russel’s comments had “hurt” many Thais and showed a lack of understanding of Thai politics.

Don said Murphy was summoned not to protest, but to explain the government’s point of view. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy con-

International

Hopes fade of finding more AirAsia crash victims

JAKARTA - A lawyer for two Australian drug smugglers facing imminent execution in Indonesia said Tuesday there were “serious mistakes” in their convictions that he hoped to challenge in a fresh legal appeal.

His comments came as Indonesian President Joko Widodo again insisted he would not grant clemency for drug traffickers on death row. Jakarta earlier this month executed six drug offenders, including five foreigners, sparking a diplomatic storm.

Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, the leaders of the so-called “Bali Nine” drug-trafficking gang, were arrested in 2005 for attempting to smuggle eight kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin out of Indonesia.

Chan’s appeal for presidential clemency, typically a death row convict’s last chance to avoid the firing squad, was rejected earlier this month, removing the final hurdle to putting him to death alongside Sukumaran.

Sukumaran’s clemency appeal had been rejected earlier. Authorities had insisted that both men had to be executed together, since they committed their crimes together, and had been waiting for the result of Chan’s appeal.

However, the pair’s legal team

hope to put forward a fresh judicial review of their convictions, despite the fact it is against the law to file more than one such review.

Both convicts have already filed one judicial review as part of their lengthy appeal process.

Nevertheless, their lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis told reporters he was “optimistic” the new appeal would be allowed.

“I do believe there has been a misapplication of the law. There have been serious mistakes by previous judges,” he said, adding that both had displayed good behaviour during almost 10 years behind bars on the resort island of Bali.

However, he conceded that efforts to lodge the appeal had been hampered as the pair had not been granted permission to leave prison to head to court -- as is required -- because doing so would require a lot of security.

But Tony Spontana, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office, insisted: “A legal opportunity after a death row convict gets a clemency decision is impossible.”

In an interview with CNN, Widodo -- known as Jokowi -- reiterated there would be no clemency for drug traffickers on death row.

“We are not going to compromise for drug dealers. No compromise. No compromise.” (afp)

JAKARTA - Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said Wednesday that 92 victims still missing after an AirAsia plane crash could have been swept away or be lost on the seabed after no more bodies were found in the jet’s fuselage.

Flight QZ8501 went down in the Java Sea on December 28 in stormy weather with 162 people on board, during what was supposed to be a short trip from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.

So far just 70 bodies have been recovered. Authorities had hoped that the majority of the passengers and crew would be in the plane’s main section, but after several days searching the fuselage, they said no more bodies could be located.

“They could be on the seabed, or have been swept away by waves and currents,” S.B. Supriyadi, a search and rescue agency official who has been coordinating the hunt, told AFP. The military, which has provided

the bulk of personnel and equipment for the operation, withdrew from the search Tuesday due to the failure to find more victims, and after several failed attempts to lift the damaged fuselage.

The civilian search and rescue agency has said it will push on with the hunt for at least a week, with three aircraft, several ships, and divers.

While Supriyadi suggested it would be tough to find any more victims, agency chief Bambang Soelistyo said he was “optimistic”.

He added that search and rescue teams were being given two days’ break and would push on with the hunt afterwards.

The agency said that the main aim

of the operation is to find more bodies not to lift the plane’s fuselage, which has split in two.

However, analysts have reacted with surprise to the suggestion that the rest of the wreckage might be left on the seabed, as retrieving it would help with the investigation into the crash.

The jet’s black boxes -- the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder -- have been recovered, and investigators are analysing them. A preliminary report into the accident is being completed this week.

Just moments before the plane disappeared off the radar, the pilot had asked to climb to avoid a major storm but was not immediately granted permission due to heavy air traffic. (afp)

AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim

Brides and grooms sit on top of an Indonesian Army vehicle during a mass wedding ceremony organized in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. Thousands of couples registered for the mass marriage sponsored by the Indonesian Armed Forces.

10

Destination

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Sports

International

International

Rose dribbled to his left and created space to get the shot off over Klay Thompson, skipping around the court in delight after the Warriors called timeout. Rose finished with 30 points, and his final basket overshadowed a night when he committed a career-worst 11 turnovers and made just 13 of 33 shots.

Thompson misfired on a running bank shot as time expired to finish off Golden State’s first loss at Oracle Arena in more than two months.

The Warriors had forced overtime on Draymond Green’s tying tip-in

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with 1.4 seconds left in regulation.

Dallas suffered a third-straight defeat for the first time this season, beaten 109-90 by Memphis.

Zach Randolph had 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Marc Gasol added 15 points and a game-high six assists for the Grizzlies, who won have won eight of nine to move two games clear atop the Southwest Division. Chandler Parsons and Monta Ellis scored 19 apiece to lead the Mavericks, who failed for the third time to get coach Rick Carlisle his 600th career victory.

Toronto set a new franchise record for wins before the All-Star break, notching their 30th victory with a 104-91 win at Indiana.

DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points and Kyle Lowry added 19 for the Raptors, who pushed their giant lead in the Atlantic Division to 111/2 games.

Rodney Stuckey scored 22 points for the Pacers, who have lost eight of nine. Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving matched his season high with 38 points as the Cavaliers won their seventh straight, beating Detroit 103-95.

Milwaukee had seven players reach double figures in points as the Bucks won 109-102 at Miami.

Washington came from 19 points behind to win 98-92 at the Los Angeles Lakers, sending the hosts to their ninth consecutive loss. (ap)

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) during overtime of an NBA basketball game in Chicago on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

Djokovic, Wawrinka set up epic showdown, ill Serena through

MELBOURNE - Top seed Novak Djokovic and champion Stan Wawrinka set up ‘The Djoker v The Man 3.0’ at Melbourne Park after impressive quarter-final victories on Wednesday, while an ill Serena Williams moved a step closer to her 19th grand slam title.

The American, however, will first

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have to overcome the pure hitting of Madison Keys after the 19-year-old ended the fairytale run of Serena’s older sister Venus, despite suffering from a thigh injury that hampered her movement.

With many suggesting prior to the tournament it could signify an epochal shift in both games, the

teenager represents the up and comers in the semi-finals after Djokovic and Wawrinka crushed the last hopes of ‘Generation Next’ in the men’s draw. Djokovic, seeking to become the second man to win a fifth Australian Open title, beat Canada’s Milos Raonic 7-6(5) 6-4 6-2 in the late match on Rod Laver

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7

Rose OT basket gives Bulls victory, ends Warriors streak

OAKLAND, California — Chicago’s Derrick Rose hit a stepback jumper with 7 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Bulls a thrilling 113-111 win against Golden State on Tuesday, ending the Warriors’ franchise-record 19-game home winning streak. The Bulls maintained a 3-1/2 game lead atop the Central Division, while two other divisional leaders — Memphis and Toronto — had more comfortable victories.

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Serena Williams of the U.S. hits a return to Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia during their women’s singles quarter-final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 28, 2015. Serena defeated Cibulkova to win the match.

Arena, hours after Wawrinka had easily dispatched fifth seed Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-4 7-6(6).

“Definitely expecting a marathon like the last couple of years.

I’m sure that both of us will give our best to perform our best tennis,” Djokovic said in a courtside interview. “We always ask for the best of each other.”

It will be the third successive year Djokovic and Wawrinka have met at the Australian Open, with the man winning those epic clashes ultimately going on to clinch the title.

As defending champion in 2013, Djokovic prevailed 12-10 in the fifth set in their fourth round clash.

Last year, Wawrinka won the fifth set 9-7 in their quarter-final, indicating fans on Friday should be set for another epic encounter. “You know when you play Novak, especially in semi-final in a grand slam, you have to play your best game,” Wawrinka said. “You have to play your best tennis if you want to push him. So far I’m playing great. I’m confident with my game.”

PARTY POOPER American teenager Keys proved to be the ultimate party pooper with her victory over Venus while at the same time indicating the mantle of American women’s tennis should be in safe hands when it is moved on from the two sisters. Serena and Venus had been hoping to provide

fans with the first all-Williams sisters clash at a grand slam since the 2009 Wimbledon final in the semi-finals.

Keys, who was inspired at four years old to take up the game after seeing Venus play at Wimbledon, refused to succumb to sentimentality and demonstrated the ball striking and power hitting, which had destroyed players of the calibre of double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, in a 29-minute first set.

An adductor injury that forced her out of the Wimbledon third round last year, just days after she had stormed to the Eastbourne title, however, flared up again in the second set, which brought back some desperate memories. “It was definitely a flashback to Wimbledon for me,” Keys said of the injury that forced her to take an injury break while trailing 4-1 in the second set. “It was quite an overwhelming moment and scary ... and I had the nightmare of ‘I don’t want this to happen again’.”

Keys, now coached by former number one Lindsay Davenport, however, showed her maturity and mental toughness once she settled to overpower Venus and battle through the injury to advance to her first grand slam semi-final.

“It’s definitely an amazing moment,” she added. “I’m enjoying those moments for little bits of time and then refocusing and thinking about the next round.” (rtr)

8

International

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Sp rt

Chelsea into League Cup final after fiery win over Liverpool

LONDON — Branislav Ivanovic headed Chelsea into the League Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Tuesday, settling an enthralling semifinal in extra time. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Ivanovic rose to meet Willian’s free kick in the 94th minute at Stamford Bridge to secure Chelsea’s progress. “This is a game where we showed the real character of the team and we are happy, very happy,” Ivanovic said.

The Premier League leaders were fortunate to complete the heated and compelling game with 11 men after Diego Costa avoided punishment for stamping on Liverpool duo Emre Can and Martin Skrtel. With Costa risking a retrospective ban, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho defended his striker and blamed the media.

“What you call stamps and Sky (television) calls crimes, I have to say absolutely (were) accidental,” Mourinho told reporters. By denying Brendan Rodgers a first final as Liverpool manager, Mourinho can now prepare for the first since returning to Chelsea in 2013. Chelsea, which won the competition in 2005 and 2007 under Mourinho, will discover its opponent for the March 1 final at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

Tottenham leads Sheffield United 1-0 heading to Bramall Lane. If there was any doubting the significance of England’s second-tier knockout competition it came with the teamsheet.

Unlike on Saturday when a weakened Chelsea was humiliated 4-2 here by third-tier Bradford, Mourinho was taking this trophy more seriously.

Chelsea was back at full strength, with top-scorer Costa restored to the line-up. The Spain striker made his mark early on, by leaving a mark on Can’s right ankle. The stamp came in front of the benches and fourth official Phil Dowd, but Costa avoided even a yellow card. “He could easily hurdle over the young player and he directs his studs right on to his ankle, which could’ve been nasty,” Rodgers said.

Costa was the aggrieved player in the 22nd minute when he was tripped

by Skrtel and referee Michael Oliver dismissed the penalty appeal. “It’s so clear, so clear, and that is difficult to

AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015.

accept,” said Mourinho, who raged at the time on the touchline as the game became increasingly fiery.

It was Mourinho’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, who preserved parity. The sprawling Belgian saved from Alberto Moreno and used his outstretched left leg to deny Philippe Coutinho. Liverpool was exhibiting the attacking verve that was the hallmark of last season’s run to second in the Premier League, but had been lacking in the opening months of this season. The visitors, however, could find no way past Courtois.

The second half witnessed another flare-up involving Costa, which Oliver seemed to miss.

After Skrtel’s sliding tackle, Costa stepped on the defender’s left boot.

“There’s no need to do it. That’s the sad thing of it,” Rodgers said. “He’s a top-class player and he’s clever enough that the officials don’t see it.” Costa then used his boot for shooting not

stamping, but a scrappy shot was blocked by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet’s left leg.

Mignolet, who was dropped in December before regaining his place after Brad Jones was injured, then tackled Costa as the striker tried to round him.

In the search for a winner, Rodgers brought on misfiring striker Mario Balotelli for Lazar Markovic. But the Italian’s main contribution was allowing Ivanovic to evade him to head in the winner. Away goals only count after 120 minutes, but Ivanovic’s third goal of the season ensured Chelsea is back in the League Cup final after a six-year absence.

There was time for one last flare-up, though.

Both Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and Costa were booked after tangling. For Gerrard, defeat reduces his chances of ending his Liverpool career in May with a trophy. “For us to be successful, it’s got to hurt at times as well,” Rodgers said. (ap)

Valencia ties Spain striker Alcacer until 2020

VALENCIA, Spain — Valencia says Spain striker Paco Alcacer has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2020.

The 21-year-old Alcacer is one of Spain’s most promising young talents. He has helped Valencia rise into fourth place in La Liga this season, and has eight goals in all competitions.

Alcacer says, “I am happy and proud to stay at Valencia for five more years.” He has three goals in five appearances for Spain. (ap)

International

Thursday, January 29, 2015

9

Barca president slams FIFA rules over transfer ban BARCELONA - Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu believes FIFA regulations concerning under-age player transfers needs to be revised and that current rules would have prevented Lionel Messi from joining the club. The Catalan side have been banned from signing players during this transfer window and the next one for breaking the rules over the signing of foreign under-18 players.

Now Real Madrid are also being investigated by FIFA over the transfer of 51 players and there are rumours that the activities of other La Liga clubs could be examined.

The ban is a major blow for Barca, who have been held up as an example for their development of youth players through their cel-

ebrated Masia academy, where they nurtured the talent of Argentineborn Messi after he arrived at the club aged 13. Bartomeu is angry at the way they have been treated.

“The problem is with FIFA and they need to change this article 19 (over the transfer of youth players) as it doesn’t make any sense,” the president told Spanish radio. “Leo Messi couldn’t have come to Barca according to FIFA. FIFA have a problem and they can’t have a rule which so many kids are not complying with. At the moment, it is Barca who are paying for five kids.

“Barca have suffered injustices in the past and this is another example.

“Clearly there are going to be other clubs involved, (Spanish federation president Angel Maria) Villar

already told us that other Spanish teams were being investigated. “I don’t want other clubs to be investigated. I want FIFA to change the rules and (FIFA President Sepp) Blatter to consider this.”

A failed appeal against the transfer ban last December plunged the Barca board into crisis, playing a part in the firing of sports director Andoni Zubizarreta and Bartomeu’s decision to bring forward presidential elections.

“If there wasn’t so much tension, then I wouldn’t have called the elections,” Bartomeu said of the vote taking place at the end of this season. “I wanted to complete our mandate and the club is functioning reasonably well but I think it was the right thing to do.” (rtr)

AC Milan woes extended with 1-0 Cup loss to 10-man Lazio MILAN — Ten-man Lazio held on to beat struggling AC Milan 1-0 on Tuesday and reach the Italian Cup semifinals, putting Rossoneri coach Filippo Inzaghi’s job in jeopardy. In Serie A, Milan is 10th with a fivematch winless streak and was beaten 3-1 by Lazio on Saturday.

Inzaghi, a former standout striker for Milan, is in his first season as a top-division coach, having previously managed the Rossoneri’s youth side.

Lazio took the lead in the 38th with a penalty from Lucas Biglia after a hand ball by Michelangelo Albertazzi.

Lazio defender Lorik Cana was sent off for fouling Jeremy Menez from behind in the 45th. Milan had a goal from Giampaolo Pazzini waved off for a hand ball by the forward in the 69th.

Lazio then nearly doubled the lead when Keita Balde Diao hit the post in the 78th and another potential goal from Milan’s Alessio Cerci was waved off for offside in added time.

In the semifinals, Lazio will face the winner of next week’s match between Inter Milan and Napoli. In the other quarterfinals, it’s Juventus vs. Parma and Roma vs. Fiorentina.

At the San Siro, Lazio was in control from the start. Nine minutes in, striker Miroslav Klose took advantage of an errant pass from Ignazio Abate but missed the target.

Another defensive mistake set up a chance for Keita in the 15th but Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati charged forward to break the play up.

Earlier Tuesday, Milan defender

Philippe Mexes was banned for four matches for grabbing Lazio captain Stefano Mauri by the neck on Saturday.

On Monday, Milan reported that forward Stephan El Shaarawy broke

a bone in his right foot at the end of Saturday’s loss. The Italy striker will have to wear a brace for six weeks before beginning rehabilitation and could miss the rest of the season. (ap) AP Photo/Luca Bruno

AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi grimaces as AC Milan’s Alessio Cerci lies on the field during an Italian Cup, quarterfinal match, between AC Milan and Lazio, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 27 , 2015.

Ghana’s head coach Avram Grant, gestures during their African Cup of Nations Group C soccer match against South Africa in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Grant jumps in deep end with Ghana MONGOMO, Equatorial Guinea - Avram Grant admits he has jumped into the deep end taking over Ghana just before the African Nations Cup finals but after almost a month with his new players reckons he is getting on swimmingly.

The former Chelsea manager saw his team through to the quarter-finals in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday after a storming comefrom-behind win against South Africa in their final group match in Mongomo where a double substitution midway through the second half was followed by two goals in 10 minutes.

“Having to learn every day about my team has not been easy but I think I now know enough about all of them,” he said after the 2-1 victory ensured top place in Group C and a quarter-final in Malabo on Sunday.

“The Nations Cup is nothing new to me. I’ve been watching it all my life. Obviously being here is a little different to what I’ve done before but I did a lot of research and preparation.

“We had a good training camp and I’ve had a chance to also see how the players react after losing and after wining. You saw how we bounced back after we lost our first match.”

Grant was under immediate

pressure from a skeptical media and public after Ghana let a lead slip and lost to a last-gasp goal against Senegal in their opening group game but beat Algeria and South Africa to advance.

HOMEWORK

Ghana, who have a rich history in the tournament, turned to Grant just one month before the finals having taken three months to replace Kwesi Appiah, who was dismissed not long after last year’s World Cup. The Israeli had a month to do his homework before pre-tournament training started on New Year’s Day in Accra, followed by a brief training camp in Spain with some scrimmages against European club side.

He has tinkered with the team in each of his three games in charge but got it spot on Tuesday as Ghana totally dominated the second half against South Africa to reach the last eight for a fifth successive tournament.

“The game was in our hands.

I’m very happy for the players, they showed once again as they did in the previous game their spirit and the determination. We came through the Group of Death,” Grant added. (rtr)

8

International

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Sp rt

Chelsea into League Cup final after fiery win over Liverpool

LONDON — Branislav Ivanovic headed Chelsea into the League Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Tuesday, settling an enthralling semifinal in extra time. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Ivanovic rose to meet Willian’s free kick in the 94th minute at Stamford Bridge to secure Chelsea’s progress. “This is a game where we showed the real character of the team and we are happy, very happy,” Ivanovic said.

The Premier League leaders were fortunate to complete the heated and compelling game with 11 men after Diego Costa avoided punishment for stamping on Liverpool duo Emre Can and Martin Skrtel. With Costa risking a retrospective ban, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho defended his striker and blamed the media.

“What you call stamps and Sky (television) calls crimes, I have to say absolutely (were) accidental,” Mourinho told reporters. By denying Brendan Rodgers a first final as Liverpool manager, Mourinho can now prepare for the first since returning to Chelsea in 2013. Chelsea, which won the competition in 2005 and 2007 under Mourinho, will discover its opponent for the March 1 final at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday.

Tottenham leads Sheffield United 1-0 heading to Bramall Lane. If there was any doubting the significance of England’s second-tier knockout competition it came with the teamsheet.

Unlike on Saturday when a weakened Chelsea was humiliated 4-2 here by third-tier Bradford, Mourinho was taking this trophy more seriously.

Chelsea was back at full strength, with top-scorer Costa restored to the line-up. The Spain striker made his mark early on, by leaving a mark on Can’s right ankle. The stamp came in front of the benches and fourth official Phil Dowd, but Costa avoided even a yellow card. “He could easily hurdle over the young player and he directs his studs right on to his ankle, which could’ve been nasty,” Rodgers said.

Costa was the aggrieved player in the 22nd minute when he was tripped

by Skrtel and referee Michael Oliver dismissed the penalty appeal. “It’s so clear, so clear, and that is difficult to

AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the English League Cup semifinal second leg soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015.

accept,” said Mourinho, who raged at the time on the touchline as the game became increasingly fiery.

It was Mourinho’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, who preserved parity. The sprawling Belgian saved from Alberto Moreno and used his outstretched left leg to deny Philippe Coutinho. Liverpool was exhibiting the attacking verve that was the hallmark of last season’s run to second in the Premier League, but had been lacking in the opening months of this season. The visitors, however, could find no way past Courtois.

The second half witnessed another flare-up involving Costa, which Oliver seemed to miss.

After Skrtel’s sliding tackle, Costa stepped on the defender’s left boot.

“There’s no need to do it. That’s the sad thing of it,” Rodgers said. “He’s a top-class player and he’s clever enough that the officials don’t see it.” Costa then used his boot for shooting not

stamping, but a scrappy shot was blocked by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet’s left leg.

Mignolet, who was dropped in December before regaining his place after Brad Jones was injured, then tackled Costa as the striker tried to round him.

In the search for a winner, Rodgers brought on misfiring striker Mario Balotelli for Lazar Markovic. But the Italian’s main contribution was allowing Ivanovic to evade him to head in the winner. Away goals only count after 120 minutes, but Ivanovic’s third goal of the season ensured Chelsea is back in the League Cup final after a six-year absence.

There was time for one last flare-up, though.

Both Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and Costa were booked after tangling. For Gerrard, defeat reduces his chances of ending his Liverpool career in May with a trophy. “For us to be successful, it’s got to hurt at times as well,” Rodgers said. (ap)

Valencia ties Spain striker Alcacer until 2020

VALENCIA, Spain — Valencia says Spain striker Paco Alcacer has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2020.

The 21-year-old Alcacer is one of Spain’s most promising young talents. He has helped Valencia rise into fourth place in La Liga this season, and has eight goals in all competitions.

Alcacer says, “I am happy and proud to stay at Valencia for five more years.” He has three goals in five appearances for Spain. (ap)

International

Thursday, January 29, 2015

9

Barca president slams FIFA rules over transfer ban BARCELONA - Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu believes FIFA regulations concerning under-age player transfers needs to be revised and that current rules would have prevented Lionel Messi from joining the club. The Catalan side have been banned from signing players during this transfer window and the next one for breaking the rules over the signing of foreign under-18 players.

Now Real Madrid are also being investigated by FIFA over the transfer of 51 players and there are rumours that the activities of other La Liga clubs could be examined.

The ban is a major blow for Barca, who have been held up as an example for their development of youth players through their cel-

ebrated Masia academy, where they nurtured the talent of Argentineborn Messi after he arrived at the club aged 13. Bartomeu is angry at the way they have been treated.

“The problem is with FIFA and they need to change this article 19 (over the transfer of youth players) as it doesn’t make any sense,” the president told Spanish radio. “Leo Messi couldn’t have come to Barca according to FIFA. FIFA have a problem and they can’t have a rule which so many kids are not complying with. At the moment, it is Barca who are paying for five kids.

“Barca have suffered injustices in the past and this is another example.

“Clearly there are going to be other clubs involved, (Spanish federation president Angel Maria) Villar

already told us that other Spanish teams were being investigated. “I don’t want other clubs to be investigated. I want FIFA to change the rules and (FIFA President Sepp) Blatter to consider this.”

A failed appeal against the transfer ban last December plunged the Barca board into crisis, playing a part in the firing of sports director Andoni Zubizarreta and Bartomeu’s decision to bring forward presidential elections.

“If there wasn’t so much tension, then I wouldn’t have called the elections,” Bartomeu said of the vote taking place at the end of this season. “I wanted to complete our mandate and the club is functioning reasonably well but I think it was the right thing to do.” (rtr)

AC Milan woes extended with 1-0 Cup loss to 10-man Lazio MILAN — Ten-man Lazio held on to beat struggling AC Milan 1-0 on Tuesday and reach the Italian Cup semifinals, putting Rossoneri coach Filippo Inzaghi’s job in jeopardy. In Serie A, Milan is 10th with a fivematch winless streak and was beaten 3-1 by Lazio on Saturday.

Inzaghi, a former standout striker for Milan, is in his first season as a top-division coach, having previously managed the Rossoneri’s youth side.

Lazio took the lead in the 38th with a penalty from Lucas Biglia after a hand ball by Michelangelo Albertazzi.

Lazio defender Lorik Cana was sent off for fouling Jeremy Menez from behind in the 45th. Milan had a goal from Giampaolo Pazzini waved off for a hand ball by the forward in the 69th.

Lazio then nearly doubled the lead when Keita Balde Diao hit the post in the 78th and another potential goal from Milan’s Alessio Cerci was waved off for offside in added time.

In the semifinals, Lazio will face the winner of next week’s match between Inter Milan and Napoli. In the other quarterfinals, it’s Juventus vs. Parma and Roma vs. Fiorentina.

At the San Siro, Lazio was in control from the start. Nine minutes in, striker Miroslav Klose took advantage of an errant pass from Ignazio Abate but missed the target.

Another defensive mistake set up a chance for Keita in the 15th but Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati charged forward to break the play up.

Earlier Tuesday, Milan defender

Philippe Mexes was banned for four matches for grabbing Lazio captain Stefano Mauri by the neck on Saturday.

On Monday, Milan reported that forward Stephan El Shaarawy broke

a bone in his right foot at the end of Saturday’s loss. The Italy striker will have to wear a brace for six weeks before beginning rehabilitation and could miss the rest of the season. (ap) AP Photo/Luca Bruno

AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi grimaces as AC Milan’s Alessio Cerci lies on the field during an Italian Cup, quarterfinal match, between AC Milan and Lazio, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Jan. 27 , 2015.

Ghana’s head coach Avram Grant, gestures during their African Cup of Nations Group C soccer match against South Africa in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Grant jumps in deep end with Ghana MONGOMO, Equatorial Guinea - Avram Grant admits he has jumped into the deep end taking over Ghana just before the African Nations Cup finals but after almost a month with his new players reckons he is getting on swimmingly.

The former Chelsea manager saw his team through to the quarter-finals in Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday after a storming comefrom-behind win against South Africa in their final group match in Mongomo where a double substitution midway through the second half was followed by two goals in 10 minutes.

“Having to learn every day about my team has not been easy but I think I now know enough about all of them,” he said after the 2-1 victory ensured top place in Group C and a quarter-final in Malabo on Sunday.

“The Nations Cup is nothing new to me. I’ve been watching it all my life. Obviously being here is a little different to what I’ve done before but I did a lot of research and preparation.

“We had a good training camp and I’ve had a chance to also see how the players react after losing and after wining. You saw how we bounced back after we lost our first match.”

Grant was under immediate

pressure from a skeptical media and public after Ghana let a lead slip and lost to a last-gasp goal against Senegal in their opening group game but beat Algeria and South Africa to advance.

HOMEWORK

Ghana, who have a rich history in the tournament, turned to Grant just one month before the finals having taken three months to replace Kwesi Appiah, who was dismissed not long after last year’s World Cup. The Israeli had a month to do his homework before pre-tournament training started on New Year’s Day in Accra, followed by a brief training camp in Spain with some scrimmages against European club side.

He has tinkered with the team in each of his three games in charge but got it spot on Tuesday as Ghana totally dominated the second half against South Africa to reach the last eight for a fifth successive tournament.

“The game was in our hands.

I’m very happy for the players, they showed once again as they did in the previous game their spirit and the determination. We came through the Group of Death,” Grant added. (rtr)

10

Destination

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Sports

International

International

Rose dribbled to his left and created space to get the shot off over Klay Thompson, skipping around the court in delight after the Warriors called timeout. Rose finished with 30 points, and his final basket overshadowed a night when he committed a career-worst 11 turnovers and made just 13 of 33 shots.

Thompson misfired on a running bank shot as time expired to finish off Golden State’s first loss at Oracle Arena in more than two months.

The Warriors had forced overtime on Draymond Green’s tying tip-in

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with 1.4 seconds left in regulation.

Dallas suffered a third-straight defeat for the first time this season, beaten 109-90 by Memphis.

Zach Randolph had 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Marc Gasol added 15 points and a game-high six assists for the Grizzlies, who won have won eight of nine to move two games clear atop the Southwest Division. Chandler Parsons and Monta Ellis scored 19 apiece to lead the Mavericks, who failed for the third time to get coach Rick Carlisle his 600th career victory.

Toronto set a new franchise record for wins before the All-Star break, notching their 30th victory with a 104-91 win at Indiana.

DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points and Kyle Lowry added 19 for the Raptors, who pushed their giant lead in the Atlantic Division to 111/2 games.

Rodney Stuckey scored 22 points for the Pacers, who have lost eight of nine. Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving matched his season high with 38 points as the Cavaliers won their seventh straight, beating Detroit 103-95.

Milwaukee had seven players reach double figures in points as the Bucks won 109-102 at Miami.

Washington came from 19 points behind to win 98-92 at the Los Angeles Lakers, sending the hosts to their ninth consecutive loss. (ap)

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) during overtime of an NBA basketball game in Chicago on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

Djokovic, Wawrinka set up epic showdown, ill Serena through

MELBOURNE - Top seed Novak Djokovic and champion Stan Wawrinka set up ‘The Djoker v The Man 3.0’ at Melbourne Park after impressive quarter-final victories on Wednesday, while an ill Serena Williams moved a step closer to her 19th grand slam title.

The American, however, will first

ULUWATU - It is located a few kilometers northwards of Uluwatu, adjacent to Bingin and Labuan Sait surfing beach. The name Suluban is derived from a Balinese word meaning ‘to run or pass under something’.

So, Suluban Beach signifies that visitors who want to visit the beach must go through a rock cave on the beach before finally reaching the broad and white sandy beach with pounding waves that will pamper the adrenaline of surfers.

Its water is very clear and the waves are high enough. That’s why it is the best known beach among surfers of the world. Some tourism facilities such as restaurant, bar, surf equipment rental and repair shop are available here.

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have to overcome the pure hitting of Madison Keys after the 19-year-old ended the fairytale run of Serena’s older sister Venus, despite suffering from a thigh injury that hampered her movement.

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IBP/File Photo

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7

Rose OT basket gives Bulls victory, ends Warriors streak

OAKLAND, California — Chicago’s Derrick Rose hit a stepback jumper with 7 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Bulls a thrilling 113-111 win against Golden State on Tuesday, ending the Warriors’ franchise-record 19-game home winning streak. The Bulls maintained a 3-1/2 game lead atop the Central Division, while two other divisional leaders — Memphis and Toronto — had more comfortable victories.

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Serena Williams of the U.S. hits a return to Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia during their women’s singles quarter-final match at the Australian Open 2015 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 28, 2015. Serena defeated Cibulkova to win the match.

Arena, hours after Wawrinka had easily dispatched fifth seed Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-4 7-6(6).

“Definitely expecting a marathon like the last couple of years.

I’m sure that both of us will give our best to perform our best tennis,” Djokovic said in a courtside interview. “We always ask for the best of each other.”

It will be the third successive year Djokovic and Wawrinka have met at the Australian Open, with the man winning those epic clashes ultimately going on to clinch the title.

As defending champion in 2013, Djokovic prevailed 12-10 in the fifth set in their fourth round clash.

Last year, Wawrinka won the fifth set 9-7 in their quarter-final, indicating fans on Friday should be set for another epic encounter. “You know when you play Novak, especially in semi-final in a grand slam, you have to play your best game,” Wawrinka said. “You have to play your best tennis if you want to push him. So far I’m playing great. I’m confident with my game.”

PARTY POOPER American teenager Keys proved to be the ultimate party pooper with her victory over Venus while at the same time indicating the mantle of American women’s tennis should be in safe hands when it is moved on from the two sisters. Serena and Venus had been hoping to provide

fans with the first all-Williams sisters clash at a grand slam since the 2009 Wimbledon final in the semi-finals.

Keys, who was inspired at four years old to take up the game after seeing Venus play at Wimbledon, refused to succumb to sentimentality and demonstrated the ball striking and power hitting, which had destroyed players of the calibre of double Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, in a 29-minute first set.

An adductor injury that forced her out of the Wimbledon third round last year, just days after she had stormed to the Eastbourne title, however, flared up again in the second set, which brought back some desperate memories. “It was definitely a flashback to Wimbledon for me,” Keys said of the injury that forced her to take an injury break while trailing 4-1 in the second set. “It was quite an overwhelming moment and scary ... and I had the nightmare of ‘I don’t want this to happen again’.”

Keys, now coached by former number one Lindsay Davenport, however, showed her maturity and mental toughness once she settled to overpower Venus and battle through the injury to advance to her first grand slam semi-final.

“It’s definitely an amazing moment,” she added. “I’m enjoying those moments for little bits of time and then refocusing and thinking about the next round.” (rtr)

6

Thursday, January 29, 2015

W

RLD

AP Photo/Thai Foreign Ministry

In this photo released by Thai Foreign Ministry, American charge d’affairs in Bangkok, W. Patrick Murphy, left, talks with Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwi during a meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015.

Thailand summons US diplomat over critical remarks

International

Malaysia to issue interim report on missing plane on March 7

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Civil aviation authorities in Malaysia will release a required report on the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 a day before the one-year anniversary, but it won’t have any conclusion on what happened because the search is ongoing.

The report to be released March 7 will focus on investigations into the search for the plane, which is believed to have crashed in the remote southern Indian Ocean, Deputy Transport Minister Aziz Kaprawi said Wednesday. The one-year report is required by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The plane disappeared the morning of March 8 last year while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board. The Australian

firmed the two had met, but did not comment further. Thailand, a longstanding U.S. ally, has been under martial law since the military staged a coup last May. Last week, the country’s militaryappointed legislature voted to ban ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from politics for five years for overseeing a rice subsidy program that lost billions of dollars. Yingluck is also facing criminal charges that carry a 10-year prison term.

In a speech to students at Chulalongkorn University on Monday, Russel — America’s highest-level diplomat to visit Thailand since the coup — said the perception of fairness is important to justice.

“I’ll be blunt here: When an elected leader is deposed, impeached by the authorities that implemented the coup, and then targeted with criminal charges while basic democratic processes and institutions are interrupted, the international community is left with the impression that these steps could be politically driven,” Russel said.

Russel also expressed concern over “significant restraints on freedom of expression” in Thailand today, and said the country’s political process does not represent “all elements of Thai society” — a reference to reforms, including the writing of a new constitution, which are going ahead without input from the popularly elected former ruling party. (ap)

HANOI, Vietnam — An American-built helicopter once used in the Vietnam War crashed Wednesday during a training mission in the Southeast Asian nation, killing all four soldiers aboard, the military said.

Lt. Gen. Vo Van Tuan, army deputy chief of staff, said the Huey chopper disappeared from radar about eight minutes after taking off from an

air base in Ho Chi Minh City.

Online Vietnamnet newspaper quoted Col. Le Van Hanh, political commissar of air force division 370, as saying that the pilots reported engine failure and had tried to fly to a farm on the city’s outskirts where it crashed.

Tuan said the aircraft had originally belonged to American forces, but it was seized by communist forces after the war ended in 1975.

State media have reported the Vietnamese military took control of about 50 US-made Hueys after the war, and many of them are still in use for military training missions and in search and rescue operations.

In July, a Russian-made helicopter on a training mission crashed near Hanoi, killing 20 people on board.

One soldier survived with severe burns. (ap)

Vietnam War-era helicopter crashes, killing 4 soldiers

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Lawyer hopeful of new appeal for Australians on death row

REUTERS/Beawiharta

Indonesia soldiers and rescue personnel prepare to put a coffin of a passenger of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 into the cargo compartment of a Trigana airplane at Iskandar airbase in Pangkalan Bun, January 27, 2015. Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said Wednesday that 92 victims still missing after an AirAsia plane crash could have been swept away or be lost on the seabed after no more bodies were found in the jet’s fuselage.

AP Photo/Rob Griffith, File

In this March 31, 2014 file photo, HMAS Success sails as a Royal New Zealand Air Force P3 Orion flies past while searching for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in the southern Indian Ocean, near the coast of Western Australia.

Lots of green spaces...

From page 1 People will hunt to sell or buy the land,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) of Bali Chapter, Prof. Nyoman Suparta, judged that structural policies and shifting in socio-economic values had resulted in compulsion for farmers to sell their lands. “Excessive development in tourism, industry, trade and other sector has contributed great share on the necessity,” he said.

As mentioned, incapability of paying taxes due to increase in selling value of tax object (NJOP), the absence of subsidies for land-owning farmers on tax liability, difficulty of obtaining irrigation water, low selling price of harvest yield, more increasingly threatened existence of subak, availability of opportunities in other sector and shortage of interest in

young generation to pursue agricultural sector have encouraged farmers to sell their lands.

“If the condition is left unchecked, it can lead to degradation of land, water resources and further weakening in the competitiveness of farmers,” he said.

Based on the data owned by the HKTI Bali, most land conversions in agricultural field were transformed into various tourism facilities such as hotels, restaurants, villas as well as the construction of housing, offices, industries, and others. In addition, the land conversion had also occurred in the moor or plantation and forest area.

Meanwhile, many gardens or moor lands were converted into residential buildings, farm buildings, villa or short-term industrial plants with low water absorbability. (kmb27)

11

INDONESIA

coordinators of the search have said the current phase could take another year and there is still no guarantee of success. No debris has ever been found.

Some family members calling themselves Voice 370 appealed to Malaysian, Australian and Chinese authaorities not to abandon the search anytime soon. The majority of the passengers were from China.

“We have stated it before and reiterate it again, that we are prepared for any eventuality, including the fact that our loved ones may never come back. However, almost all families are unanimous in our stand that we do not want to declare our loved ones dead, without a shred of evidence,” they said on Facebook. (ap)

BANGKOK — Thailand’s military government summoned the U.S. charge d’affairs for talks on Wednesday after a top U.S. diplomat roiled the junta during a visit by calling for an end to martial law and saying the impeachment of a former prime minister could be politically motivated.

Daniel Russel, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, made the comments during a university speech in Bangkok on Monday. On Wednesday, coup leader-turned-Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said he was “saddened” by the remarks and said “the U.S. does not understand the way we work.”

Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, who met with U.S. charge d’affairs W. Patrick Murphy, said Russel’s comments had “hurt” many Thais and showed a lack of understanding of Thai politics.

Don said Murphy was summoned not to protest, but to explain the government’s point of view. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy con-

International

Hopes fade of finding more AirAsia crash victims

JAKARTA - A lawyer for two Australian drug smugglers facing imminent execution in Indonesia said Tuesday there were “serious mistakes” in their convictions that he hoped to challenge in a fresh legal appeal.

His comments came as Indonesian President Joko Widodo again insisted he would not grant clemency for drug traffickers on death row. Jakarta earlier this month executed six drug offenders, including five foreigners, sparking a diplomatic storm.

Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan, the leaders of the so-called “Bali Nine” drug-trafficking gang, were arrested in 2005 for attempting to smuggle eight kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin out of Indonesia.

Chan’s appeal for presidential clemency, typically a death row convict’s last chance to avoid the firing squad, was rejected earlier this month, removing the final hurdle to putting him to death alongside Sukumaran.

Sukumaran’s clemency appeal had been rejected earlier. Authorities had insisted that both men had to be executed together, since they committed their crimes together, and had been waiting for the result of Chan’s appeal.

However, the pair’s legal team

hope to put forward a fresh judicial review of their convictions, despite the fact it is against the law to file more than one such review.

Both convicts have already filed one judicial review as part of their lengthy appeal process.

Nevertheless, their lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis told reporters he was “optimistic” the new appeal would be allowed.

“I do believe there has been a misapplication of the law. There have been serious mistakes by previous judges,” he said, adding that both had displayed good behaviour during almost 10 years behind bars on the resort island of Bali.

However, he conceded that efforts to lodge the appeal had been hampered as the pair had not been granted permission to leave prison to head to court -- as is required -- because doing so would require a lot of security.

But Tony Spontana, a spokesman for the attorney general’s office, insisted: “A legal opportunity after a death row convict gets a clemency decision is impossible.”

In an interview with CNN, Widodo -- known as Jokowi -- reiterated there would be no clemency for drug traffickers on death row.

“We are not going to compromise for drug dealers. No compromise. No compromise.” (afp)

JAKARTA - Indonesia’s search and rescue agency said Wednesday that 92 victims still missing after an AirAsia plane crash could have been swept away or be lost on the seabed after no more bodies were found in the jet’s fuselage.

Flight QZ8501 went down in the Java Sea on December 28 in stormy weather with 162 people on board, during what was supposed to be a short trip from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.

So far just 70 bodies have been recovered. Authorities had hoped that the majority of the passengers and crew would be in the plane’s main section, but after several days searching the fuselage, they said no more bodies could be located.

“They could be on the seabed, or have been swept away by waves and currents,” S.B. Supriyadi, a search and rescue agency official who has been coordinating the hunt, told AFP. The military, which has provided

the bulk of personnel and equipment for the operation, withdrew from the search Tuesday due to the failure to find more victims, and after several failed attempts to lift the damaged fuselage.

The civilian search and rescue agency has said it will push on with the hunt for at least a week, with three aircraft, several ships, and divers.

While Supriyadi suggested it would be tough to find any more victims, agency chief Bambang Soelistyo said he was “optimistic”.

He added that search and rescue teams were being given two days’ break and would push on with the hunt afterwards.

The agency said that the main aim

of the operation is to find more bodies not to lift the plane’s fuselage, which has split in two.

However, analysts have reacted with surprise to the suggestion that the rest of the wreckage might be left on the seabed, as retrieving it would help with the investigation into the crash.

The jet’s black boxes -- the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder -- have been recovered, and investigators are analysing them. A preliminary report into the accident is being completed this week.

Just moments before the plane disappeared off the radar, the pilot had asked to climb to avoid a major storm but was not immediately granted permission due to heavy air traffic. (afp)

AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim

Brides and grooms sit on top of an Indonesian Army vehicle during a mass wedding ceremony organized in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. Thousands of couples registered for the mass marriage sponsored by the Indonesian Armed Forces.

12

International

International

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Bali News

BUSINESS

AP Photo

In this Jan. 22, 2015 photo, a clerk counts Chinese currency notes at a bank branch in Huaibei in central China’s Anhui province. China’s yuan has become one of the five most widely used currencies in global payments, an international financial transactions agency announced Wednesday, Jan. 28.

5

Gambang, a unique Balinese gamelan instrument

China’s yuan now world’s 5th payments currency BEIJING - China’s yuan has become the world’s fifth most widely used payments currency, with the value of cross-border deals settled in it more than doubling in 2014, data from transactions organisation SWIFT showed Wednesday.

The data comes as China looks to make the yuan used more internationally in line with its standing as the world’s secondlargest economy, while at the same time keeping its value tightly controlled.

The yuan, also known as the renminbi (RMB), overtook the Canadian dollar and the Australian dollar to enter the top five of world payment currencies in November, according to a SWIFT statement.

It has climbed eight spots in fewer than two years, having been in 13th place in January 2013.

The yuan’s share of global payments by value reached a new high of 2.17 percent in December, SWIFT said, closing in on the Japanese yen’s 2.69 percent.

Total yuan payments rose 102 percent last year, the statement added, dwarfing the overall annual rise of 4.4 percent for all currencies.

Some analysts predict the yuan will one day rival the US dollar in international markets.

“It is a great testimony to the internationalisation of the RMB and confirms its transition from an ‘emerging’ to a ‘business as usual’ payment currency,” Wim Raymaekers, head of banking markets at SWIFT, said in the statement.

The US dollar remains the top payments currency with a share of 44.64 percent last month, followed by the euro (28.3 percent) and the British pound (7.92 percent), SWIFT data showed.

China has set up yuan clearing arrangements with 10 countries and regions and signed currency swap agreements with 28 central banks.

The commerce ministry said last week it will only issue figures for inward and outward investment in yuan, dropping the dollar statistic, a move that the agency acknowledged was partly an effort to push the local currency’s greater international role.

Earlier this month, Customs only issued trade values in yuan at its quarterly briefing, with the official dollar amount made available later on its website. (afp)

Thursday, January 29, 2015

REUTERS/Edgar Su

Ships load and unload containers at the Tanjong Pagar Container Terminal in Singapore December 31, 2014.

Singapore on Wednesday became the latest country to ease monetary policy in a surprise move as plunging oil prices hit inflation and the central bank looks to boost the tepid economy.

Singapore eases monetary policy in surprise move SINGAPORE - Singapore on Wednesday became the latest country to ease monetary policy in a surprise move as plunging oil prices hit inflation and the central bank looks to boost the tepid economy.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the city-state’s central bank, said it would slow the appreciation of the local dollar against a basket of other currencies by reducing the slope of its policy band. The MAS also lowered its inflation outlook “largely due to the decline in global oil prices”.

The news sent the local dollar plunging. The greenback bought Sg$1.3569 at one stage, its highest since August 2010 and well up from Sg$1.3441 on Tuesday.

Singapore uses the exchange rate as a key monetary policy tool, guiding the local dollar against a basket of currencies of its main trading partners within an undisclosed band.

“This measured adjustment to the policy stance is consistent with the more benign inflation outlook in 2015 and appropriate for ensuring mediumterm price stability in the economy,” the MAS said in an unscheduled

policy statement.

It normally issues policy statements twice a year in April and October.

“The reason the MAS decided to reduce the slope of the band is the sharp recent drop in inflation,” research house Capital Economics said in a commentary.

Consumer prices shrank 0.2 percent year on year in December and 0.3 percent in November, while official figures showed the economy expanded at a slower-than-expected 2.8 percent last year.

The MAS predicted prices could fall as much as 0.5 percent this year or grow 0.5 percent, compared with previous an October forecast of 0.51.5 percent growth.

Inflation rates around the world have been falling as the price of oil has sunk more than 50 percent since June to sit at almost six-year lows.

Wednesday’s decision by the central bank follows similar moves

in South Korea, China and India where governments are fighting to ward of deflation and kickstart their economies. Canada, Turkey and Denmark have also lowered their rates recently.

And last week the European Central Bank, which already has rates at record lows, unveiled an unprecedented bond-buying scheme in response to data showing prices fell in December for the first time in five years.

Howie Lee, an investment analyst with Phillip Futures in Singapore, said a weaker local dollar will be good for the trade-reliant island’s exports, making them more competitive in the international market.

“Singapore’s exports have been carrying the weight of a strong Singapore dollar and high pass-through labour costs,” he said in a market commentary.

“With the reduction in band slope, one load is at least taken off Singapore’s shoulder. Singapore stocks could be boosted as goods and services become more competitive regionally.” (afp)

AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati

Heather Mack, right, and her boyfriend Tommy Schaefer, both from Chicago, Ill., talk with their friends before their trial at the Denpasar District Court in Bali, Indonesia before their trial Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. They are accused of murdering the woman’s mother Sheila von-Wiese Mack, who was found stuffed inside a suitcase last August.

DENPASAR - It has been well proved that gambang art has uniqueness. Unfortunately, it has high level of difficulty when playing this kind of classical gamelan set, so that many young people are reluctant to involve deeply in playing it.

“On seeing this phenomenon, I think it necessary to contribute my ideas through a book,” said Wayan Sinti.

According to this composer, the lack of Balinese people who wanted to play the gambang gamelan music encouraged him to write about this classical gamelan. Based on his observations over the years, the gambang gamelan had not got attention for more than two generations.

“Younger generation is more interested in the art easier to play like gong kebyar or bleganjur than gambang,” he said.

Sinti also touched when he read the book entitled Music in Bali by Colin McPhee describing that from the 1930s it was very difficult to get people who wanted to sing in association with the gambang gamelan music. “Having read the book, I have been

inspired to revive the gambang gamelan since 1974,” said.

After passing through a long process, said a former teacher of the Balinese gamelan conservatory (Kokar), in 2002 he managed to combine the gambang gamelan music with the Malat text. “Hopefully, this discovery or the book writing will at least encourage the art troupes to be more interested and get feedback as described in this book,” hoped the artist who frequently traveled overseas.

Sinti also added that the ballad of gambang gamelan music was unique enough so that many people played it in different gamelan format such as slonding, gong luang, charuk, saron, pelegongan, gong kebyar, and so forth. Gambang had a uniqueness starting from the instrument, unordered arrangement of tones, shapes of beater, playing techniques, relationship between the blades and its lawah, as well as linkages of gambang to its vocal. Gambang along with the text should be played related to the gangsa and the four sets of gambang. (kmb)

Black sticky rice cake symbolizes Lord Vishnu

DENPASAR - Hindu community in Bali has a culinary named black sticky rice cake or jaja injin. It is so called because the ingredient is made from black sticky rice. This traditional cake is very nice because the presentation is equipped with grated coconut and brown sugar sauce. Children, teenagers and old people like to savor the cake because it is very easy to find. Children and teenagers commonly enjoy it as refreshment.

In contrast to the peasants, they are eating the cake to temporarily retain their hunger after working hard in the rice field. Sitting leisurely while drinking coffee or tea and accompanied with black sticky rice will make the atmosphere very beautiful.

According to Grandma Padma, black sticky rice cake was one of the contents that must be present in the oblation of religious rituals, especially for nyatur ritual namely a ritual dedicated to venerate gods in four directions, and nebusin ritual for the person who had died or had an accident. This ritual served as an invocation for forgiveness for any sins committed during one’s lifetime.

Oblation of the ritual applied cakes made from rice ingredients of four colors consisting of black sticky rice, white sticky rice, red rice and yellow rice. Black sticky rice symbolized Lord Vishnu with position in the north, white sticky rice symbolizes Lord Ishvara in the east, brown rice symbolized Lord Brahma in the south and yellow rice symbolized Lord Mahadev in the west.

To prepare the cake is just like

cooking rice. At first, the black sticky rice is fully soaked overnight. In order not to be too dark, it can be mixed with white sticky rice with the proportion to taste. Afterward, boil and take out after being cooked. Prepare some amount of grated coconut. Dissolve brown sugar in water and boil it until feeling sticky. To serve, the black sticky rice cake is topped with grated coconut and sprinkle with brown sugar sauce. (kmb)

IBP/File Photo

Artist played Gambang instrument. It has been well proved that gambang art has uniqueness. Unfortunately, it has high level of difficulty when playing this kind of classical gamelan set, so that many young people are reluctant to involve deeply in playing it.

4

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Bali News

International

International

Klungkung regency eliminate dozens of stray dogs SEMARAPURA - Bite cases of stray dogs started to bloom in Klungkung. This time, two toddlers of Babung, Gunaksa village, Dawan, became the victims of dog bites. More seriously, the dog biting both toddlers was declared positive to rabies. To anticipate the outbreak of rabies dog bite, residents of Babung were busy doing elimination to dozens of stray dogs roaming around at local village, Sunday (Jan 25).

Hamlet chief of Babung, Nyoman Danu, when asked for his confirmation at the office of Gunaksa headman on Monday (Jan 26) said he did not deny the elimination of stray dogs in his territory last Sunday. He also admitted the elimination was kindled by a dog bite case affecting his resident.

Two toddlers of 1.5 years old were bitten by stray dog in succession within the past three days. The first dog bite afflicted the 1.5-year son of I Ketut Rantun, Friday (Jan 23). After the incident, the toddler was rushed to Klungkung Hospital and it should be stitched because the top of his temple was torn as bitten by the dog when playing at home.

After the toddler of Rantun, the same dog also bit the temple of 1.5year toddler of I Wayan Sukarta.

However, the injury was not as severe as the injury experienced by the toddler of Rantun. Sukarta’s

toddler was attacked by dog when playing at his home yard. People who knew the incident immediately killed the dog en masse. Interestingly, the residents initially did not know if they killed a rabies dog.

The case was revealed after the officer came to dig out the dog carcass having been buried by residents to be checked in laboratory.

“At first we did not know. But after taking it to laboratory, at that night we were informed if the dog biting our residents was positive to rabies,” said Danu.

According to Danu, after knowing the truth, people then agreed to eliminate stray dogs roaming around at Babung hamlet. The dog elimination did not only involve residents, but also the subdistrict field extension officers. Even, approximately 20 dogs could be eliminated by the officers by using blowpipe. “Other than eliminating, at the same time the officers

also vaccinated the dogs owned by residents,” said Danu.

Then, what about the condition of both toddlers bitten by the stray dog? Accompanied by hamlet chief of Tengah, Wayan Tisna, he said that both victims had been treated at home. Even, to ascertain the victim’s health, the officers of Public Health Center had regularly checked them every day. “Until now, the condition of our residents bitten by the stray dog is healthy because they have been controlled by the officers at the victim’s house every day,” said Danu.

Responding to the rabies dog bites, the elimination was not only wanted by residents of Babung but also by residents of Tengah hamlet that also proposed the elimination against stray dogs living at local hamlet. According to the hamlet chief of Tengah, Wayan Tisna, the number of stray dogs in the area tended to increase.

“Other than our residents, the residents of Gunaksa are also proposing the elimination of the stray dogs at Gunaksa village. However, the proposals of elimination have still not been approved because the officials were still preparing the poison,” said Tisna. (119)

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Blizzard howls its way into Boston but largely spares NYC

The area also was dealing with bitter cold: The low in Boston on Wednesday is expected to be 10 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chill minus 5, and forecasters said it would not get above freezing for the next week or so.

In New York, forecasters apologized for their predictions of a possible historic storm, and politicians defended their near-total shutdown on travel. Some residents grumbled about the forecasts being overblown, but others sounded a better-safe-than-sorry note and even expressed sympathy for the weatherman.

Forecasters originally warned the storm could bring up to 3 feet (about a meter) of snow and punishing hurricane-force winds.

But on Tuesday they downgraded most of those numbers, saying Boston and the northeastern New England region would fare the worst, but even then not as bad as expected.

The Boston area had more than a foot (30 centimeters) of snow, while the far eastern tip of New York’s suburban Long Island had more than 2 feet (about half a meter). Snowplow operators around New England struggled to keep up, and Boston police drove several dozen doctors and nurses to work at hospitals. The National Weather Service said a 78 mph (125 kph) gust was reported on Nantucket, and a 72 mph (115 kph) one on Martha’s Vineyard.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie defended his statewide ban on travel as “absolutely the right decision to make” in light of the dire forecast. As the storm pushed into the Northeast on Monday, the region came to a near standstill, alarmed by forecasters’ dire predictions. More than 7,700 flights were canceled, and schools, businesses and government offices closed.

As dawn broke, New York City had an almost eerie feel to it.

No airplanes in the sky and no trains running underground made for an unexpected quiet. A few municipal trucks rumbled down empty streets.

But as the storm pushed northward, it tracked farther east than forecasters had been expecting, and conditions improved quickly in its wake. By midmorning Tuesday, New Jersey and New York City lifted driving bans, and subways and trains started rolling again, with a return to a full schedule expected Wednesday.

A National Weather Service forecaster in New Jersey apoloAP Photo/Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Dan Gould gized on Twitter for the off-target forecast. “You made a lot of John Slasell wades through waist-deep snow as he snow blows the sidewalk along Slater St. in Webster, Mass. tough decisions expecting us to get it right, and we didn’t. Once A blizzard slammed New England on Tuesday, piling up more than 2 feet of snow. again, I’m sorry,” Gary Szatkowski tweeted. (ap) BOSTON — New Englanders hit by a blizzard packing knee-high snowfall and hurricane-force winds began digging out Wednesday as some New Yorkers and others spared its full fury questioned whether forecasts were overblown. The storm was a bitter, paralyzing blast to New England, with at least 2 feet (about half a meter) of snow in most of Massachusetts, potentially making it one of the top snowstorms of all time there. It began Monday evening and continued most of Tuesday. A blizzard warning for Boston ended Tuesday evening as the snow tapered off, but one remained in effect for the south coast, Cape Cod and nearby islands.

IBP/Sos

The elimination of stary dogs is needed to prevent the spread of rabies.

Making small ‘ogoh-ogoh’, student reaps millions of rupiahs

GIANYAR - Ahead of the Pengerupukan celebration is utilized by some traders to sell ogoh-ogoh or papier mâché demon.

Uniquely, around Sukawati area there are some traders starting to sell small ogohogoh with a variety of ornaments. Certainly this creativity attracts the attention of numerous customers from all over Bali with the profits reaching millions of rupiahs.

Wayan Mayun, one of the small ogohogoh makers around Sukawati, described that such an art had been created from three years ago. He was inspired by the creativity of his son, Gde Sukariyasa, who was just in the seventh grade. “Ogoh-ogoh was originally created by my first son who is now in the ninth grade. After that, I help him so that his works look neater and more attractive,” he said, Monday (Jan 27).

He described the small ogoh-ogoh was made from a thin sponge, palm fiber, paper, spray paint and wood as the pedestal. It was preceded with the making of frame by wood. After that, the sponge was cut in such

IBP/Manik

W

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Wayan Mayun is showing the small “ogoh-ogoh” that he makes.

a way so that formed an ogoh-ogoh. Next, it was sprayed with paint of preferred colors.

Having completed the process of makeover with thick carved cardboard, it was then stained with gold leaf paint. “Now, every day my son makes ogoh-ogoh with the help of his younger brother, while I just need to monitor them. Within two days, they can produce four pieces of small ogoh-ogoh,” he said.

The small ogoh-ogoh with a variety of colors and ornaments was very popular among children. Even, the order givers were not only from around Sukawati or Gianyar, but also from other counties like Tabanan, Badung, Denpasar, Klungkung to Buleleng, “It has been exported to almost all counties in Bali with the selling price from IDR 70,000 to IDR 250,000,” he explained.

Today, before the celebration of Pengrupukan, he always produces small ogoh-ogoh reaching 400 pieces. Even, that number has not met all the orders. When asked about the profit, he told it reached millions of rupiahs. “Right now, all the items I work are the orders. The profit is enough for pocket money and tuition of my children other intended for expenses of the feast,” he said. (kmb35)

Gunmen storm luxury Libyan hotel, killing American, 9 others TRIPOLI, Libya — In the latest sign of Libya’s descent into chaos, gunmen stormed a luxury hotel used by diplomats and businessmen in the capital Tuesday, killing 10 people, including an American, a French citizen and three people from Asia. Two attackers were killed following an hourslong standoff that included a car bomb that exploded in the parking lot of the seaside Corinthia Hotel. It was unclear if other gunmen were involved in the attack, which also killed five Libyan guards.

Twitter posts and a statement on social media purported to say a Tripoli affiliate of the Islamic State group was behind the attack.

However, there was little evidence outside of that to back up the claims in a country awash in armed extremist groups who would be equally suspect.

The SITE Intelligence Group, a U.S.-based militant monitoring group, reported that the two dead gunmen were identified online as sympathizers of the Islamic State group and said they targeted the hotel because it houses diplomatic missions and “crusader” security companies.

However, The Associated Press was unable

to independently confirm the claims, which didn’t conform with the group’s earlier postings from Libya.

Militants claiming the attack on behalf of a group called the Islamic State of the Tripoli Province posted a brief video showing burned cars in the hotel’s parking lot and said it was to avenge the 2013 abduction by American commandos of a Libyan al-Qaida operative, Nazih Abdul-Hamed al-Ruqai, also known as Abu Anas al-Libi. Al-Libi died earlier this month in a New York hospital of complications from liver surgery while awaiting trial for the 1998 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

The hotel assault highlights the growing threat from militant groups that operate with near impunity in Libya, a country torn between rival governments, tribes and militias since the 2011 toppling and killing of dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The country’s post-Gadhafi transition has collapsed, with two rival governments and parliaments — each backed by different militias — ruling in the country’s eastern and western regions. (ap)

AP Photo/ @AliTweel via AP video

In this image made from video posted by a Libyan blogger, the Cortinthia Hotel is seen under attack in Tripoli, Libya, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015.

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Thursday, January 29, 2015

Health

Probe links sugary drinks with earlier menstruation

PARIS - Girls who consume lots of sugary drinks start menstruating at a younger age, a study said Wednesday.

The findings are important because early onset of menstruation is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in later life, the paper said, although other experts saw flaws in the probe.

Writing in the journal Human Reproduction, researchers said they had monitored the health of more than 5,500 American girls between 1996 and 2001. They had been part of a wider study involving nearly 17,000 children.

The girls were aged between nine and 14 when they joined the project and had not yet started their periods.

During the five-year study, those who drank between one-and-a-half servings of sweetened drinks per day had their first period 2.7 months earlier than those who had two or fewer sweet drinks a week, the investigators found.

The earlier menstruation occurred regardless of the girls’ height-toweight ratio -- their body mass index (BMI) -- their calorie intake and exercise.

“Our study adds to increasing concern about the widespread consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks in the USA and elsewhere,” said Karin Michels of Harvard Medical School, who led the probe.

The average age for first menstruation was 12 years and seven months.

A 2.7-month earlier onset translates into a “modest impact” on breast cancer risk, the study said. Previous work had found that starting menstruating one year earlier increases the cancer

IBP/net

Girls who consume lots of sugary drinks start menstruating at a younger age, a study said Wednesday. The findings are important because early onset of menstruation is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in later life, the paper said, although other experts saw flaws in the probe.

risk by about five percent.

Doctors are already concerned about a separate issue -- the everearlier onset of puberty in young girls, which remains unexplained.

The latest study was based on statistics, and was not powered to explore the causes.

The authors point to previous research that says high, swift doses of sugar cause a rapid increase in levels of the hormone insulin, which in turn

has a knock-on effect on concentrations of sex hormones.

The group of girls in the study was 93 percent white, and the amount of sweetened drinks they consumed “is likely low” compared with that of other groups, the researchers said.

Sweetened beverages comprised non-diet sodas, non-carbonated fruitbased drinks and sweetened ice tea.

A serving was classified as one can or glass.

Independent commentators were cautious of the findings, pointing in particular at the source of the data.

It was the girls themselves, or their parents, who reported on body size and drink consumption -- a method famously prone to error.

“It’s fair to ask whether the selfreporting on height is a bit overestimated and whether on weight it is under-estimated,” said Michel Colle, a paediatrician in Bordeaux,

southwestern France.

“If so, this would completely distort the BMI and thus the conclusions themselves.”

Ieuan Hughes, a paediatrician at Britain’s University of Cambridge, said the study also failed to factor in the children’s location, parents’ occupation and whether they were migrants -- other potential factors.

“The reference to breast cancer is overly alarmist,” he added. (afp)

Planning may start in brain’s amygdala PARIS - Thinking of a new career?

Buying a home? Have you consulted your amygdala? These almond-shaped clusters of neurons deep in the brain may play a vital part in long-term planning, said a study published Monday.

Experiments conducted on lab monkey amygdala may also help the search for new treatments for depression, drug addiction, binge eating and other behavioural problems in humans, its authors hope.

Until now, planning was thought to be a task generally for the brain’s frontal lobe, where “higher order” skills such as weighing the consequences of one’s actions and distinguishing

between good and bad are located.

But scientists led by Fabian Grabenhorst at Britain’s University of Cambridge wanted to see how the amygdala -- the organ comprising two cell clusters, one in each temporal lobe located at either side of the brain -- contributes to long-term planning.

The amygdala has long been associated with primal and short-term drivers like fear and aggression, but also, more distantly, with behaviour that is linked to reward.

Two male rhesus monkeys were put through an experiment in which they were trained to choose between accepting an immediate fruit juice

reward, or wait and receive a bigger dose later.

The more they restrained themselves, the bigger the reward grew -- and like shrewd investors, both monkeys generally tended to save up.

Once the animals were trained, the team implanted electrodes in the monkeys’ brains to observe the decision-making sequence.

Early in the process, neurons in the amygdala were activated in a pattern that reflected “several trials ahead” whether the monkey would save up towards specific goals, according to the study.

“These activity patterns could be

used by the frontal lobe to translate goal signals into concrete action plans,” Grabenhorst told AFP by email.

The monkeys were humanely killed after the experiment, the scientists said, and their brains dissected to verify the electrodes had been implanted in exactly the right spot.

“The different types of planning activity we observed were encoded by different amygdala neurons that were closely intermingled,” the scientist said.

They “could not have been distinguished” by a non-invasive brain scan, he said.

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International

The amygdala is an ancient brain structure shared by primates, so what happened in the monkeys very likely happens in our brains, too.

The findings, reported in the journal Nature Neuroscience, “may open up new avenues” for treating a range of psychiatric problems, including severe depression, substance addiction and eating disorders, Grabenhorst said.

“Amygdala dysfunction is known to underlie a variety of psychiatric disorders,” he said.

“Some of these disorders are characterised by a lack of motivation to make plans for the future or by a dysfunctional pursuit of rewards.” (afp)

Thursday, January 29, 2015

3

Balinese people may not harm Bali MANGUPURA - The attitude of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Susi Pudjiastuti, still thinking about the future of our children and grandchildren in addressing the Benoa Bay reclamation plan, received appreciation from the Chairman of the Bali Tourism Society Alliance, Gusti Kade Sutawa. Such attitude should be made a role model for the officials in Bali, so that this island would not be damaged in the hands of Balinese people.

“I very much appreciate the statement of Mrs. Susi who still thinks clearly and does not want to step wrongly and be blamed by future generations when Benoa Bay has been damaged by reclamation. The officials in Bali have to think as what Mrs. Susi does in long term,” said Gusde.

According to him, Balinese people were currently inclined to think pragmatically in addressing the existing problems. They did not think in long-term by considering our children and grandchildren to come. As expected, Bali relying on tourism should be able to be enjoyed in a sustainable manner.

“Reclamation tends to destroy rather than benefiting. Moreover, we have already had a dark history associated with the reclamation made to Serangan Island remaining dormant so far. Then, the South Bali tourism does not require it any longer because at the moment it has been densely occupied,” he said.

Even, this former Chairman of Bali Jokowi-JK Volunteer from tourism element asked the desire

to make a new island should be terminated and was not necessary to be re-examined. “Do not only think in money-oriented manner.

Do not let this Bali be damaged

by Balinese people themselves. To that end, the officials must introspect themselves and the legislator in the special committee should also think of the younger generation, do not think in short-term,” he affirmed.

He added that Bali needed a figure who really dared to struggle for Bali, did not just beg to run for a people’s representative of the RI. “We must encourage Mrs. Susi to immediately meet the president with the people’s representatives from Bali to explain about the fear of Balinese people related to the impact of reclamation. We also hope that other natives to Bali in central government can speak out about the suffering of Balinese people as their moral responsibility because they have been entrusted to represent them in central government,” he said.

This tourism activist confirmed the waters should not be reclaimed because nature was the same as

IBP/Wawan

Motorists passed posters that encourage people to reject the Benoa Bay reclamation plan on the street of Denpasar. The attitude of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Susi Pudjiastuti, still thinking about the future of our children and grandchildren in addressing the Benoa Bay reclamation plan, received appreciation. our biological mother. Whoever did not take care of nature would equally mean that they dared to go up against nature. “Whoever does not take care of nature then the nature will be destroyed. Let’s make introspection. Do not only

consider one interest. Other than positive law, there is also a moral law here,” he said.

He argued that South Bali served as the buffer of Bali. For Balinese people, the beach and ocean were sacred. “It is the same

Belimbing tourism village in Tabanan

Lots of potential, but not fulfilled yet

TABANAN - When traveling to Singaraja via Pupuan, you will pass through Belimbing village. Belimbing is one of eight tourism villages in Tabanan that has received funding

from the central government through the National Program for Community Empowerment (PNPM).

Unfortunately, despite having a lot of potential for tourism, the

IBP/Wira Sanjiwani

When traveling to Singaraja via Pupuan, you will pass through Belimbing village. Unfortunately, despite having a lot of potential for tourism, the lack of infrastructure, accommodations and human resources has meant that the management of the Belimbing tourism village has not been able to take full advantage of this potential.

lack of infrastructure, accommodations and human resources has meant that the management of the Belimbing tourism village has not been able to take full advantage of this potential.

The Head of the Tabanan Tourism Government Agency, Wayan Adnyana, explained that Tabanan presently has 40 tourism villages though only eight of them have received assistance form the central government. One of the 8 villages to receive funding is Belimbing village. According to Wayan, Belimbing has great potential as a tourism village with major points of interest including the Mekori Temple that has famous historical value, the particular culture of the population, lush forests, agro-tourism, a trekking path and a waterfall which is however still hard to access due to lack of infrastructure. The development of Belimbing as a tourist village started in 2010, “but the development is still ham-

pered by the lack of facilities and accommodations”, said Adnyana.

The development of a tourism village needs more than just talk, added Yadnyana, stating that things like human ressources and funds to manage the village also have to be made available. Other than tourist sites, the development of homestays at Belimbing village is also important.

“It is not necessary to build hotels, bungalows and villas. Homestays, managed by the local community are quite sufficient” said Adnyana emphatically.

Homestay development is intended to enocourage travelers to not only drop by Belimbing village and visit tourist attractions but instead to stay for a few days. Longer lengths of stay, allow tourism income to go directly to local the people. “educating local people on all these matters is vital, unfortunately the funding provided for education and market studies was quite limited”, he said. (kmb24)

as Sakenan on Serangan Island and it’s a campuhan or tributary.

Environmentally, if the Benoa Bay reclamation is forced, it will obviously have an impact that damages the buffer of Bali,” he concluded. (kmb27)

2

International

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Bali News

Fuel price drops, prices of commodities start adjusting

IBP/File

“Ngayah”, is one of the tradition of the Balinese where they work together to prepare for certain ceremony

Menyama braya tradition increasingly disappears

MANY things have changed from the behavior of Balinese people of this era. The tradition of menyama braya (fraternity) formerly known to Balinese people as a mutual cooperation for the sake of life to share happiness and love seems to have faded in harmony with the passage of time. Balinese people are now inclined to be individual, and rarely do joint activities. As consequence, the proverb ‘to share the good and the bad’ or the mutual assistance will come into extinction.

According to Prof. Gede Sri Darma, DBA, fraternity was one of the local wisdoms that should be preserved, even developed.

Local wisdom implied equality, fraternity and social recognition that we were brothers. As a social unity of brotherhood, the attitude and behavior of considering the others as brothers should be invited together in joy and sorrow.

“Thinking pragmatically, practically, modestly and fast poses one of the many changes occurred in the behavior of Balinese people. Fraternity, mutual cooperation and dialogue have been abandoned by Balinese people, especially in urban areas,” said the Rector of the Undiknas

University.

The expression ‘time is money’ was recognized by Sri Darma to currently apply in the economy of Bali. Only some few Balinese people still had a sense of mutual aid or applied the fraternity tradition. For example, in the past the offerings were made by mutual cooperation, but today everything was purchased, while environmental sanitation was not longer cared.

“All people want practical matters and compare everything to material or money. Indeed the economy can actually rotates with this behavioral change where everything is measured economically. As consequence, Balinese known for their friend-

International

liness, hospitality and social behavior then changed, turned violent, robbed, stole and even killed,” he explained.

He also revealed the impact of foreigners enjoying the land and property business in Bali that would affect the difficulty of maintaining Balinese culture.

“Have a look at today, young people have left the ethical and hospitality of Balinese culture, while digital culture and pragmatism have overwhelmed the Island of Bali. Soon, it will become a super metropolis without hospitality. All people think individually and pragmatically as well as the philosophical values of Pancasila will no longer exist,” he concluded. (kmb27)

DENPASAR - The prices of basic necessities gradually dropped following the price reduction of fuel. As well, the price of Putri Sejati rice with the content of 25 kg decreased as much as IDR 5,000 from IDR 250,000 to IDR 245,000. Similarly, the price of sugar dropped from IDR 425,000 per 50 kg to IDR 422,000 per 50 kg.

According to Nengah Nasih, a grocery store owner in Denpasar, the decline in the prices of basic necessities occurred at the distributor level. “The prices have started to adjust after the twice fuel price decrease. Probably, it is influenced by the declining cost of transportation,” said Nengah Nasih, Tuesday (Jan 27).

According to her, the price of basic necessities such as sugar, rice and flour would possibly decrease if the fuel prices did not increase. “There is a possibility to drop again if the price of fuel did not fluctuate,” she said.

Meanwhile, the management of modern market also decreased the prices of basic necessities after the decrease in fuel prices effective from Friday (Jan 23). General Manager of Corporate Communication of Alfaria Trijaya Resources Tbk., Nur Rachman, said that some items whose price was lowered included the commodities such as rice, sugar and cooking oil.

For instance, the price of 5-kg Setra Ramos rice dropped from IDR 59,900 to IDR 55,900, while the 2-kg package from IDR 24,900 to IDR 22,900.

Meanwhile, the local 1-kg granulated sugar dropped from IDR 11,700 to IDR 11,200. The price of 2-liter cooking oil dropped from IDR 23,900 to IDR 22,000, while the 1-liter size dropped

from IDR 13,200 to IDR 11,500.

“The range of price drop varied.

Rice reached 5-8 percent while sugar reached 4-8 percent. Meanwhile, in the other regions the price drop range was not much different,” he explained.

Admittedly, there were many other products whose price would be cut. He also asked the supplier to immediately lower the selling price to retailers.

“The process of trimming costs cannot be done immediately because the consumer selling price is depending on the official selling price (HPP) from suppliers. But in essence, as performer of retail business industry, we will be responsive to government policy,” he said confidently.

Chief Representative of Bank Indonesia for Bali Region, Dewi Setyowati, explained that rationally the decrease in fuel and LPG prices would bring in subsequent impact. Food commodities and food products, for instance, whose transportation from the location of harvest or production to market requiring transportation costs, would have a chance for price adjustment due to lower transportation costs.

“Conditions of the transportation tariff adjustments and other goods prices will highly depend on the realities faced by traders, so that the price of commodities belonging to traders can be decreased,” he explained.

Traders were expected to have a paradigm of equality in the face of fuel price hike policy where they directly responded to it with the rise in the price of commodities and when the decline in fuel prices occurred they should also make adjustment by reducing the price of commodities. (kmb27)

One of the gas station in Denpasar

IBP/File

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Activities

Thursday, January 29, 2015

15

Photo Exhibition at Santrian Gallery

SANUR - Having divine vibration, inspiring and alluring are the impressions of the photography exhibition on the old artists taking the theme “Tejakula and Blangsinga.” Although in a frame, style and expression of the lenses, they can inspire visitors to love the arts of Bali.

The art inspired by Hinduism makes foreign travelers amazed.

The inspiring dancer is I.B. Oka Wirjana from Blangsinga and Ni Luh Menek and Gede Tirta Ngis from Tejakula. Meanwhile, the works of the arts are presented by photographers Doddy Obenk and Tjandra Hutama Kurniawan. The exhibition presenting 10 photographs of Blangsinga and 20 photographs of Tejakula lasts for a month from January 15 to February 15, 2015.

Doddy Obenk reveals the figure of the 86-year-old I.B. Oka Wirjana familiarly called Oka Blangsinga. He is a well experienced dancer of Kebyar Duduk where he has been devoting himself for more than 75 years in the world of classical Balinese dance.

Meanwhile, Ni Luh Menek and Gede Tirta Ngis remain active in art domain so far at Tejakula village, Buleleng.

Ni Luh Menek, 75, is a famous Teruna Jaya and Palawakya dancer.

Meanwhile, Gede Putu Tirta Ngis is a player of Wayang Wong or Human Puppet. The mask of Wayang Wong is made sacred which is only performed at temple during a religious ceremony.

Against the secular mask resembling the sacred mask can be taken out of Tejakula village, but the dance and choreography are the same as the one presented at the temple.

Tjandra Hutama Kurniawan said that in the past the photographers only snapped off and went away. However, in this exhibition he should learn and explore the character of the object photographed. Similarly, the process of making the photos at Tejakula took him 1.5 years.

“We directly come to Tejakula, communicate and stay. There, we got to know about the culture, traditions and habits, what is allowed and what is not. The mask is sacred. So, we must

IBP/kmb

understand about it and pay attention so that we can get the spirits of the objects to be photographed,” he explained.

Opening session of the exhibition was jazzed

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I Made Yadnya

Directing staff as football players

When playing football, a coach will attempt to direct its players to achieve a score as much as possible.

While in the hospitality industry, a General Manager (GM) serving as a leader will try to reach the highest room occupancy. So, what is the relationship of football coach to a leader of a hotel? Apparently, the GM of Kuta Central Park Hotel, I Made Yadnya, is not much different from a football coach.

Previously, Made Yadnya has occupied the same task in several hotels in Bali such as the Nusa Dua Beach, Melia Bali, Sheraton Laguna, Mirage Hotel, Good Way Hotel, J-Boutique Hotel, Aston Tuban and Kuta Central Park until now.

When met at his workplace, Kuta Central Park, Made Yadnya said that managing or leading a hotel was not much different from a football coach.

Both had the same team. However, it was only different in the matter of field. “Honestly, as leader I learned a lot from a football coach. The coach has a lot of teams needed to be directed and it is not much different from my team at hotel,” said the man from Tanjung Benoa.

In addition, said Made Yadnya, the vision owned was also the same namely making score successfully.

“Scoring a successful and good goal is the primary objective. Meanwhile, the goal at hotel is achieving the hotel

occupancy target as expected. The point is there should not be losses or guest complaint. Suppose there is a complaint, it means there is a need for tactic and trick to fix it,” he said.

“I am grateful because the occupancy rate of Kuta Central Park is very nice and the team is very compact. However, we will not be easily satisfied because the competition is very tight in Kuta. We will maintain the best service and dedication to both the first-coming and repeater guests,” he said.

This badminton hobbyist also emphasized that it was not only the leader having contribution to the success of goal at hotel but also the whole management. For example, the hotel management should be able to emulate and apply the existing characters of the football team, such as sportsmanship, competition, discipline, hard working, energetics and optimism.

“Competitive measure is a key to harmony and upholding sportsmanship is the key to peace, applying discipline is the key to success and hard work is the key to achievement of goal. Meanwhile, the physical and spiritual health is the key to performing energetically and optimism is the key to fight against despair. All the elements are applied to me and all of the hotel’s beloved team,” he added.

(BTN/ocha)

IBP/kmb

up with Kebyar Duduk dance performance by Oka Blangsinga. In the meantime, at the closing will be staged the Wayang Wong of Tejakula and a performance by maestro Ni Luh Menek. (kmb)

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

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

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

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

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

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Price: Rp 3.000,-

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Taylor Swift shakes off hacking on social media NEW YORK - Taylor Swift on Tuesday scoffed at a hacker who took over her social media accounts and threatened to release nude pictures, with the pop star saying none existed.

The singer’s Twitter and Instagram accounts were briefly seized by at least one hacker who vowed to release naked pictures of Swift if supporters paid enough in the form of the virtual currency bitcoin.

“Any hackers saying they have ‘nudes’?”

Swift wrote after retaking control of her Twitter account. “Psssh you’d love that wouldn’t you! Have fun photoshopping cause you got NOTHING.”

Little was known about the presumed hacker, whose account was suspended

by Twitter. The user who threatened to release nude photos had the Twitter handle @lizzard and signed as lizard in Japanese. @lizzard, in a Twitter biography before the account was suspended, claimed -- incongruously -- to be affiliated at once with the Islamic State extremist group, the hactivist collective Anonymous and North Korea.

Swift joked about the hacking, writing, “This is why I’m scared of technology.”

Swift, whose “1989” was by far the best-selling US album released last year, famously pulled all of her music from Spotify

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as she said that the streaming service insufficiently compensated artists, charges denied by the Swedish company.

But Swift is intensively active on other parts of the Internet.

She is one of only four people with more than 50 million followers on Twitter.

The others are US President Barack Obama and fellow pop stars Katy Perry and Justin Bieber. (afp) IBP/FIle Photo

Sean Penn to get French cinema honour

Christina Aguilera to perform ahead of NBA All-Star Game NEW YORK — Ariana Grande isn’t the only big-voiced singer performing at the NBA All-Star Game: Christina Aguilera has been added to the lineup.

NBA announced Tuesday that Aguilera will perform ahead of the 64th annual game on Feb. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. She will sing a “New York-themed medley” during player introductions and be joined by dance troupe The Rockettes.

Grammy-winning Aguilera’s hits include “Genie in a Bottle,” ‘’Beautiful,” ‘’Ain’t No Other Man” and “Say Something” with A Great Big World. Next month she will return as a mentor on NBC’s “The Voice” after a two-season break.

The All-Star game will air live on TNT. Grande will perform during the halftime show. (ap)

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File

PARIS - Sean Penn is to get an honorary French film award in a Paris ceremony next month in recognition of him being a cinema “living legend”, the organisers said in a statement.

The 54-year-old is a “mythical actor, a politically active personality and an exceptional director,” said the French Academy of Cinema.

As “a standalone icon in American cinema,” he will receive an honorary Cesar award during the academy’s annual prize ceremony in the French capital on February 20 -- two days before the Oscars in the US. Penn, who won Oscars for his performances in “Milk” and “Mystic River”, has earned a strong leftwing reputation for his public potshots at then-president George W. Bush, support of gay marriage, and for starting a foundation to help Haiti after its 2010 earthquake.

He was married to Madonna in the 1980s, then to “House of Cards” star Robin Wright from 1996 to 2010. Since last year he has been seeing actress Charlize Theron, and Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP is taking steps to adopt her three-year-old Sean Penn, left, and Charlize Theron son. (afp)

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Lots of green spaces in Bali planted with concrete

DENPASAR - The development of property sector in Bali, especially in the area of Denpasar and Badung, has negative impact on the agricultural sector. Lots of green open spaces on the Island of the Gods are planted with concrete as they are considered more profitable than farming.

Such condition was recognized

by Chairman of the Indonesian Economists Association (ISEI) of Bali Chapter, Prof. Dr Ketut Rahyuda, where it was inseparable from the people’s mentality that was easily tempted.

“Now, the green area has been

transformed into the land of concrete because the people of Bali are now easier to be seduced. Balinese people will simplify their assets into a car and act more

consumptively,” said Rahyuda in Denpasar, Wednesday (Jan 21).

He admitted to be difficult in managing one’s mental that was easily tempted by material. For example, if the price of land in an area reached the highest of IDR 1 billion per 100 square meters, local people would be tempted to sell their land. “The higher the price of land in Denpasar is, the more easily people having land in Den-

pasar to go bankrupt,” he said.

Such condition, he said, was inseparable from the increase in the tax rate, while people were unable to pay high tax rates. Thus, the short option was to sell the land. “Rising price of land is also followed by the increase in taxes. It can make people helpless because they are not able to to pay taxes.

Moreover, when the landowners do not have a qualified job, it even drives their mind to sell the land,” he explained.

Seeing this condition, he said the government should issue a strict policy in managing urban areas and people’s assets. Otherwise, Balinese people would no longer have land in Denpasar. The policy should be implemented by local government in their regional spatial planning.

“Temptations of many developers have spread to Denpasar, especially the land alongside the city of Denpasar which has good location and price.

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News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http://radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.

IBP/Wawan

A farmer worked in the rice field near the housing complex in Badung Regency, Bali Island. The development of property sector in Bali, especially in the area of Denpasar and Badung, has negative impact on the agricultural sector.