Not PublishedWe, the International Bali Post would like to apologize in advance becuase we will not be published on Monday, February 8,

2016 because the Chinese New Year

In terms of demand, things like household and government consump-tion, investment and overseas exports are expected to increase. Foreing im-ports on the other hand are expected to slowdown due to the influence of the continued strengthening of the US dol-lar agains beth Indonesian rupiah.

Household consumption, she said, has the potential to increase in line with the increase of minimum

wage (UMP) earlier this year as well as the decline in fuel prices, LPG and electricity tariffs. Govern-ment consumption is also expected to increase due to development plans initiated in 2014-2015 that will be continued in 2016.

Dewi Setyowati explained that the performance of foreign exports show improvements due to the strengthening of the economies of

Bali’s trading partners including China, Australia, Japan, Korea and the United States as well as some European countries. “Their eco-nomic conditions are improving so our exports are also increasing,” she said on Wednesday (Feb. 3).

In terms of supply, several business sectors are also predicted to grow, such as accommodations, agriculture, construction, trade and transport. The industrial economy however is expected to decline. “So, in 2016, overall economic growth is expected to reach 6.53 give or take

0.5 percent,” she explained.The growth of Bali’s economy in

2016 will become visible in the near future (Chinese New Year Celebra-tions - ED), when Bali will be visited by some 20,000 tourists from China. “So, these 20,000 visitors will be transported on 200 direct flights from China to Bali. In terms of accommoda-tions alone this represents substantial revenue,” said Dewi Setyowati.

Bali’s inflation rate for 2016, she added, is also estimated to increase slightly compared to last year - in the range of 4 percent give or take

1 percent. The driving force of in-flation is the supply and demand of food commodities for celebrations like Galungan and Kuningan (that will occur twice this year) Nyepi celebrations and other. (kmb21)

Page 6

I N T E R N A T I O N A L 16 Pages Number 308th year

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Friday, February 5, 2016

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.listen2my-

radio.com or live video streaming at http://radioglobalfmbali.com and http://ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.

Services paralyzed as Greeks strike against pension reforms

Friday, February 5, 2016

Page 8

Suarez scores four as Barca rout Valencia 7-0

MEXICO CITY — Yoko Ono has brought an anti-violence mes-sage to Mexico City with the opening of a participative-performance exhibit dubbed “Tierra de Esperanza,” or “Land of Hope.”

The 82-year-old Ono told a crowd Tuesday at the city’s Museum of Memory and Tolerance that “I have come here to bring world peace.”

Visitors to the exhibit can place stamps calling for peace on maps of Mexico or the world. Since 2006, Mexico has been awash in drug-fueled violence that has left more than 100,000 people dead or missing.

Museum-goers can also try to put

back together broken plates. Audience participation is key: One exhibit fea-tures a white telephone at the center of a labyrinth that Ono will call. Other parts of the exhibit describe the ef-

fects of violence against women. (ap)

Angelil died on Jan. 14 after a long battle with throat cancer in the suburban Las Vegas home that he shared with Dion and their three children. He was 73.

The Wednesday memorial will be held at The Colosseum at Cae-sars Palace starting at 7 p.m., with a livestream available online for the two-hour broadcast.

Event organizers said the singer with one of the most popular voices in the world will speak at the event celebrating Angelil’s life.

The widow didn’t speak pub-licly at his Jan. 22 funeral at the Notre-Dame Basilica, the site of their wedding 21 years ago. Their eldest son, René-Charles, gave the

eulogy to a crowd of nearly 700 people before Angelil was buried at the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery in a private graveside ceremony. The family on the pre-vious day had spent nearly seven hours greeting fans and mourners at a public visitation at the same Montreal church.

At the Las Vegas memorial, the mother and son will be joined by Angelil’s children from previous marriages and his brother, Dion’s publicist Kim Jakwerth said. There will also be music and speeches from guests ranging from Dion’s longtime agent and friends in the music business to Caesars execu-tives and a Las Vegas charity.

Born in Montreal to a Canadian mother and Syrian father, Angelil was a former singer-turned-man-ager who discovered a 12-year-old Dion and mortgaged his house to finance her first album.

He guided her career most of her life, most critically as she learned a new language to sing in English to become a widespread interna-tional success. By the late 1990s and 2000s, her soaring voice had become dominant on the radio. The theme from “Titanic,” the smash “My Heart Will Go On,” has been her defining hit, and she has had other hits that have sold millions of copies around the world.

Angelil was constantly seen by her side. He is also credited with launching Dion’s residency at Cae-sars in 2002, which helped shaped the current entertainment landscape on the Las Vegas Strip. (ap)

HONG KONG — Hou Hsiao-hsien’s cinematic kung fu masterpiece “The Assassin” may have missed out on an Oscar nod, but it tops nominees at the Asian Film Awards.

The nine nominations include best film, best di-rector, best cinematography, and best actress for Shu Qi. Hou won best director at Cannes last year for his painterly dramatic film.

Indian period drama, “Bajirao Mastani” earned five of the nominations announced Wednesday, as did Hong Kong cop thriller “Port of Call,” which received 13 nominations at the Hong Kong Film Awards last week.

“Port of Call” was absent from the best film cat-egory, where “The Assassin” competes with “Bajirao Mastani,” ‘’Mountains May Depart,” ‘’Three Stories Of Love,” ‘’Mr. Six” and “Veteran.”

The Asian Film Awards marks its 10th anniversary this year. The Asian Film Awards Academy hands out the awards as part of an effort to promote budding

filmmakers in the region and enhance collaboration among regional film industries.

The academy said it received 1,600 submissions from 32 countries, narrowed to 36 films from nine Asian countries competing for the top honors. Hong Kong director Jonnie To leads the jury.

Jury member Sean Lau Ching-wan said he’s most looking forward to watching great performances. “I think I’ll be mainly looking at actor’s performances and watch who bring the characters to life,” he said.

Donnie Yen’s performance in “Ip Man 3” was nominated in the best actor category alongside Nagase Masatoshi, Feng Xiaogang, Lee Byung-hun and John Arcilla from the Philippines. For best actress, Shu Qi faces competition from Zhao Tao, Haruka Ayase, Kim Hye-soo and Karena Lam.

In the directing category, Hou faces off with Jia Zhangke, Koreeda Hirokazu, Guan Hu and Ryoo Seung-wan. The awards will be handed out in Macau on March 17. (ap)

Celine Dion to speak but won’t sing at Rene Angelil memorial

LAS VEGAS — Celine Dion will address the audience, but she isn’t expected to sing at the memorial in Las Vegas for Rene Angelil, her husband and manager credited launching with her career.

Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press, File

This July 26, 2013, file photo shows Canadian music star Celine Dion, right, and husband Rene Angelil posing for photos after being decorated with the Order of Canada in Quebec City.

Painterly ‘The Assassin’ leads nominees at Asian Film AwardsYoko Ono brings ‘Land of Hope’

peace exhibit to Mexico

TORRENTIAL rains throughout most of Bali on Wednesday (Feb. 3) caused flooding and fallen trees in a number of areas in Denpasar and Badung and other parts of Bali. Trees fell in Kintamani Bangli, and Klung-

kung) on Jalan Bypass I.B. Mantra in Gelgel village and the compound wall

of Dalem Temple at Timbrah, Karangasem was toppled by an avalanche. The Ketapang-Gilmanul boat crossing was also disrupted. Several parts of Badung were flooded including: Kuta, Jalan Tangkuban Perahu and Kerobokan Kelod.

Denpasar was the worst hit by the heavy rains, with flood prone areas such as the housing complex on Jalan Gunung Payung, Jalan Tangkuban Perahu, Kerta Dalem hamlet, Sidakarya, Jalan Imam Bon-jol, Gang Air Mancur and Gang Nyobrida, SDN 9 Sesetan elementary school and several other places all becoming submerged. The elementary school had to move their computers and other materials to higher ground to avoid being destroyed by the flood waters.

Continue to page 2River ...

Bali’s economic growth projected to go up 6.53 percent in 2016

DENPASAR - Chief Representative Officer of the Bank Indo-nesia (BI) for the region of Bali, Dewi Setyowati, predicted that Bali’S economic growth will increase by 6.53 percent.

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

Torrential rains flushing most areas of Bali on Wednesday (Feb. 3) caused a number of areas in Denpasar and Badung to be hit by floods. The extreme weather also led a number of fallen trees in Bali.

Denpasar and Badung hit by floods some trees topple in Bali

Several roads in the cutlrue-based city of Denpasar including; Jalan Pulau Buton, Jalan Tukad Melangit, Jalan Tukad Irawadi, Jalan Waturenggong turned into rivers. Two man holes on Jalan Sudriman overflowed causing wa-ter to stagnate in from of SMAN 2 Denpasar High School where several vehicles became stranded in the “pond”. “My car could was stalled in a a traffic jam in the the deep water on the street that caused many engines to fail,” said a member of Commission III of the Bali House of Representa-tives, I.B. Gede Udiyana, who was trapped in the flood on Jalan Teuku Umar.

Jalan Siulan, Jalan WR Suprat-man, (on the bridge between Toh-pati and Batubulan), and many parts of Renon, Suwung and Sesetan were also flooded.

Reports from the Denpasar Di-saster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) stated that a number of homes and other locations were flooded in knee high water. The BPBD had to evacuate residents from the Padang Asti housing complex on Jalan Tangkuban Perahu, by rubber din-goes that were supplied by BPBD Bali. Many rivers in Denpasar

also swelled and overflowed into residential areas. “Water level in the Mati River dam reached 2.60 meters,” said a BPBD monitoring officer.

The Denpasar Public Works reported severe flooding on Jalan Mertasari Gang Mahabharata (Housing of Mahabharata), Jalan Sidakarya near Suwung Batan Ken-dal market, housing on Jalan Tukad Batanghari V as well as the housing of Bumi Ayu, Sanur. “Water levels were high enough to enter into residential courtyards. The water on Jalan Batanghari almost entered peoples houses there because to low terraces,” said Division Head of Ir-rigation at Denpasar Public Works, Ngurah Putra Sanjaya.

In West Denpasar, floods oc-curred in Padangsambian village on Jalan Padang Kartika, Padang Kertha, Uma Dwi, at the Purnawira housing complex as well as the surrounding area. “Flooding here (Padangsambian—Ed) seems to be the highest,” said Ngurah Sanjaya.

According to Sanjaya, the rain-water took extra time to recede be-cause the sea was at high tide during the rain storm. “There was a high intensity of water rushing down-stream and seawater in the south was at high tide. As a downstream could not be flushed out to sea as quickly as usual,” he explained.

Along with flooding, many trees fell as well. One fell in front of the IX / Udayana military commander headquarters and an old tamarind tree toppled in the parking lot. A fairly large branch of a tree on Jalan Hayam Wuruk also fell, blocking the road and forcing traffic to be diverted gas station next to the fallen branch.

There was also a fallen tree on

Jalan Raya Puputan and in another in front of the Consul General of Japan. “There are four points where trees were reported to have fallen. of fallen,” said the Head of the Denpasar Sanitation and Landscap-ing Agency (DKP), I Ketut Wisada, when met on Jalan Hayam Wuruk, Wednesday.

Regional Secretary of Denpasar, AAN Rai Iswara, instructed all re-

lated agencies including subdistrict heads and headmen to participate in monitoring the impact of the flood in their respective areas. “All rel-evant agencies including the BPBD, Public Works and Sanitation and Landscaping Agency (DKP) and the Health and Social Services, need to be ready to respond to any disaster,” he ordered. (kmb12/kmb27)

International2 15International Activities

Founder : K.Nadha, General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti Editors: Gugiek Savindra, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sueca, Sugiartha, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Suasrina, Buleleng: Dewa kusuma, Gianyar: Manik Astajaya, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Dewa Farendra. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Friday, February 5, 2016Friday, February 5, 2016

EvEry Temple and Shrine has a special date for it an-nual 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 consid-ered 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 “umbul-umbul”, 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, carry-ing 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.

Balinese Temple Ceremony

COVER STORYFrom page 1River ...

According to General Manager (GM) of BSMP, William Santoso, Bali Theatre choose to performs Kecak Dance from other Balinese dances because it is originated from Bona, Gianyar, which is one of vil-lages near Bali Safari and Marine Park. “This is one of our efforts to help villages near Bali Safari to develop and preserve their culture,” he said.

He stated Bali Safari want to in-troduced the original Kecak Dance to tourists so they can enjoy and learned about the diversity of Bali-nese culture. “We try to give some-thing new and different for tourists and Balinese people who have watch Kecak Dance. This original performance choreographed by

Mr. Sidia combine Kecak Dance and Tek Tok Dance, so it is an interesting performance to watch,” he explained when met before the show on Tuesday.

Bali’s iconic kecak dance traces its contemporary roots to the vil-lage of Bone in Gianyar where, in the 1930s, dance-master Wayan Limbak, working in conjunction with the German artist and musi-cian, Walter Spies, reworked the ancient sanghyang dance of trance and exorcism.

The end result of that artistic collaboration is the mesmerizing dance form that continues to be the cultural highlight of many visitors’ trip to Bali. Concentric circles of scores of half-naked male

performers chant and sing in eerie counterpoint as the battle of good versus evil taken from the epic tale of the epic Ramayana unfolds. In a daring new format that guarantees to enchant both an older generation familiar with the Kecak and a new generation viewing the dance for the very first time.

Following in the footsteps of Limbak, I Made Sidia - one of In-donesia’s leading choreographers and dramatists, has breathed new

life into this favorite from the Ba-linese dance repertoire. Departing from established convention, Sidia has managed to preserve the es-sence of the original Kecak while interweaving elements the Tek Tok Dance – another dance heavily reliant on the syncopated rhythms of the human voice. Ushering the performance into the modern age and apropos to the state-of-the-art performance venue to the Bali Theatre, “Kecak Masterpiece”

will be supported by sophisticated lighting, compelling music and sound effects - all combining in a way certain to viscerally move the audience.

“Kecak Masterpiece” will be presented each afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30 pm daily, except Mondays. Theatre packages offer choices of a stand-alone dance performance or a dance performance followed by animal Balinese Buffet dinner at 6:00 pm. (kmb18)

Bali Theatre presents “Kecak Masterpiece” A spectacular Kecak show originated from Bona

IBP/Courtesy of BSMP

GIANyAr – Set to debut in February 2016, the Bali Safari & Marine Park (BSMP) will present the “Kecak Masterpiece” – a one-hour spectacular performance presented by 115 dancers on Indonesia’s largest indoor stage at the Bali Theatre.

IBP/Courtesy of BSMP

IBP/Courtesy of BSMP

DUE to the heavy rain and strong wind that oc-curred on Wednesday, I Gusti Ngurah rai Inter-national Airport had to close for a half an hour on Wednesday (Feb.3). As a result, a number of flights were forced to be delayed or redirected to other air-ports. “The airport was closed between 11.30 AM until 13.00 PM,” said General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah rai Airport, Trikora Harjo.

A total of 17 flights were disrupted due to bad weather; twelve were delayed including two international flights and five flights from Jakarta were diverted to Juanda Airport, Surabaya.

Haruman Sulaksono, Operational Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I Juanda International Airport, Surabaya, confirmed this saying “At least five flights were diverted to Juanda Interna-tional Airport due to weather conditions in Bali,” he said.

Sulaksono explained that in the case of bad weather, the airport is not allowed to close down. Instead the weather conditions need to be reported to the pilots who are landing or taking off. “The airport will inform the pilot, then the pilot will determine whether he will choose to land or divert the airplane to another airport,” he said.

This is to avoid any accidents in airports that are experienc-ing bad weather, he explained. (par/ant)

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

An old tamarind tree toppled in the parking lot of IX/Udayana military commander headquar-ters.

Rain and strong wind

Ngurah Rai Airport closes for a 1.5 hour

ANTARA FOTO/Widodo S. Jusuf

A plane passed the Bali’s toll road before landing in Ngurah Rai International Airport. Due to the heavy rain and strong wind that occurred on Wednesday, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport had to close for a half an hour on Wednesday (Feb.3).

14 InternationalFashionFriday, February 5, 2016 3International Bali News Friday, February 5, 2016

“If I have freedom and no kind of conditions to do that or that, I would do it, with pleasure,” the 73-year-old Spaniard said at the opening of a new store in London’s luxury Mayfair district.

“I like my shoes to be outside there. Not copied, like in China, but the real thing!” said the flamboyant Blahnik, a close friend of the late Princess Diana who lives in Bath in southern England.

Blahnik, whose designs were popularised by the US television se-ries “Sex and the City,” has resisted the overtures of global fashion gi-ants to stay independent -- and now has eight solo stores in Dubai, Hong

Kong, London, Madrid, Moscow and New York.

He said he would only stop being independent “after I drop dead,” adding: “I love freedom, I adore freedom of any kind.”

“People say I need to do that, I need to do that, I really can do that. I can’t work that way.

“It took me so long to live in my conditions,” he said in accented English.

Blahnik’s designs have appeared on the feet of some of the most glamorous women in the world.

Asked which celebrities had the best ones, he named actresses Raquel Welch and Brigitte Bardot

but said he was disillusioned by modern-day stars.

“They are not those great old stars that used to wear flat shoes and be so sexy,” said Blahnik, whose shoes can sell for more than $1,000 (916 euros) a pair.

Blahnik decried the modern trend of women wearing trainers, saying they “could destroy” their feet.

“But they say that about shoes all the time, that they destroy women’s feet. Nonsense!”

Born on November 7, 1942 in the Canary Islands, Blahnik is the son of a Czech father and a Spanish mother and grew up on her banana plantation.

His parents wanted him to be-come a diplomat but US Vogue’s leg-endary editor Diana Vreeland steered him towards fashion design.

Blahnik’s new store, which opened at a glitzy launch on Tues-

day, is in the Burlington Arcade -- a gallery built in 1819 near Piccadilly Circus close to some of the British capital’s most expensive shops.

He faces some busy months with a new documentary on his life and an exhibition with 500 of his de-signs to be launched at the Venice Film Festival in September.

“It’s going to be in the places of Europe that I love best. It’s going to end up in Spain, but first of all it’s going to be in Venice because I worked in Venice for years and it’s the most beautiful city.”

He said it would also travel to Prague, his father’s native city, and be displayed in the world-famous Hermitage Museum in Saint Pe-tersburg.

“Can you imagine? It’s a great privilege and I don’t know why. Be-cause I do shoes, after all.” (afp)

NEW YORK — Will preppy ever go out of style? Not if Tommy Hilfiger can help it. But guardians of prep like Hilfiger most definitely

need to adapt, he said Wednesday as he presented his Hilfiger Edition line aimed at “feeling necessary, youthful and ready for right now,”

according to the show’s notes.These are wardrobe building

blocks for men, American classics that Hilfiger has been putting out

for 30 years, but with some notable twists aimed at the younger set.

“These guys want preppy but they want preppy in a new way, and

we’re giving it to them a little bit oversized again,” Hilfiger said in an interview ahead of his presenta-tion on the third day of New York Fashion Week: Men’s. “We were very slim for quite a few years but now we’re doing it a little bit more oversized. Better fabrica-tions, more interesting detail and a real nod to military and functional details.”

Many of the trousers were slouchy, though some suits were narrow and tightly tailored. A relaxed pajama-style suit came in a glen plaid of red and blue with nautical braided trim and a drawstring waist. One pair of red trousers had blue tuxedo striping on outer seams and a long coat in navy blue was fitted with gold buttons.

The global brand put visible stitching along some wider hems on pants and rolled out roomy and functional outerwear in wool with nylon or canvas detailing. There was a rugby shirt in a playful patchwork and luxe cashmere coats in camel, elevating the fall collection.

Hilfiger focused a lot on nautical and military vibes.

“We love gold bullion buttons,” he said. “We still have chinos, ox-fords, bomber jackets, blazers, but done in new ways.”

So back to a key question for the company: Will preppy ever go out of style?

“Preppy will always be. It al-ways has been,” Hilfiger said, “but it has to be new and fresh. It has to be relevant for the consumer today. Otherwise she or he will not even bite.” (ap)

‘Manolos’ for the people? Luxury shoe designer opens up

LONDON - Could “Manolos” come to the high street? The legendary shoe designer Manolo Blahnik told AFP he could work with retailers such as H&M and Topshop -- but only if they give him the creative freedom he needs.

IBP/Net

Tommy Hilfiger puts out prep aimed at younger set

AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

The Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2016 collection is modeled during Mens Fashion Week, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in New York.

“Various typical Chinese New Year souvenirs are especially being offered to the tourists from China and Hong Kong,” Ni Nyoman Sukiati, a Balinese craftswoman,

stated on Thursday.To welcome the upcoming Lu-

nar Year 2016, various souvenirs, such as wall decorations, hanging lanterns bearing Chinese characters,

and porcelain god statues are on sale at some supermarkets, shops, and tourism sites.

Sukiati believes that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Bali will increase following the implementa-tion of the visa-free policy for sev-eral countries, including China.

“Chinese tourists, who spend their holidays here in Bali, will

certainly want to buy some Balinese souvenirs,” she remarked.

Beside the Chinese souvenirs, Balinese craftsmen have cre-ated some unique and creative merchandise, such as bracelets, necklaces, and brooches, which are also considered as the main export commodities to be shipped to some destination countries such

as the United States, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and Europe.

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Bali, the realization of non-oil products and handicrafts during 2015 reached US$498.6 million, a decrease of 7.02 percent compared to US$536.3 million in 2014. (ant)

DENPASAR - Bali recorded a 7.02 percent fall in export earning to US$498.68 million in 2015 from US$536.33 million in the previous year. Despite the decline, Bali recorded a significant surplus with imports reaching only US$131.99 million that year, head of the Bali

branch of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) Adi Nugroho said on Tuesday.

In December, 2015, Bali’s exports made via a number of Indonesian seaports reached US$42.16 million, up 2.93 percent from November’s exports of US$40.96 million.

The December’s export value also was higher than export earning of US$40.89 million in the same month the year before.

Adi Nugroho said the largest destination of Bali’s export in 2015 was the United States accounting for 23.28 percent of Bali’s exports

in value, followed by Singapore ac-counting for 8.89 percent, Australia 8.88 percent, Japan for 6.69 percent and Hong Kong 6.33 percent.

Bali’s main export commodities are fish and shrimps accounting for 24.69 percent of the total value, jewelry for 13.78 percent, non

knitted garment for 11.04 percent, timber products 8.89 percent and furniture 8.26 percent. Adi Nugroho said Bali’s exports were made via Benoa of Denpasar 44.03 percent, East Java 50.33 percent, Central Java 0.03 percent and Jakarta 5.62 percent. (ant)

DENPASAR - Former presi-dent of Indonesia Susilo Bam-bang Yudhoyono has stated that Indonesia is likely to be a strong country in 2045 even as it faced opportunities and challenges at home and abroad.

“Indonesia will become a strong state in 2045 and also a developed country by the end of the 21st cen-

tury,” he said while giving a public lecture at Udayana University, Bali, on Tuesday.

Before touching 100 years after independence, Indonesia will have a great chance to be a powerful and a developed country.

“I am optimistic because we are already a part of the G20 countries. We have proven that as one of the

major economic countries, we could always extricate ourselves from a crisis and survive,” Yud-hoyono affirmed.

In addition, the rich natural re-sources and Indonesians’ increased per capita income are also consid-ered factors that will lead to great opportunities.

Currently, Indonesians’ per

capita income has grown by 350 percent from the initial amount of Rp1,118 ten years before.

However, Indonesia must be able to face some challenges such as a successful transformation, unity and hard work.

Led by its effective and vision-ary leaders, Indonesia should maintain good cooperation at bilat-

eral, regional and global levels, and pursue the values of transparency and accountability.

“Just imagine Indonesia as a sovereign state, complete with jus-tice, prosperity and unity. Global partnership and beneficial coop-eration should be carried out in a transparent way,” Yudhoyono noted. (ant)

Indonesia to be a strong country in 2045

In 2015, export earning down 7 percent

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

Bali’s entrepreneurs and craftsmen are ready to offer some unique and affordable souvenirs to foreign tourists who plan on celebrating the upcoming Chi-nese New Year in the Island of God.

Bali welcomes tourists with typical souvenirs for Chinese New Year

DENPASAR - Bali’s entrepreneurs and craftsmen are ready to offer some unique and affordable souvenirs to foreign tour-ists who plan on celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year in the Island of God.

Bali News International4 Friday, February 5, 2016 13InternationalFriday, February 5, 2016

Cambridge University student Giulio Regeni, 28, disappeared on Jan. 25, the five-year anniversary of the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule. His body has been taken to a Cairo morgue, a morgue worker and security of-ficials said.

In the run-up to the anniver-sary, police detained activists and warned people not to demonstrate. No significant protests took place. A friend of Regeni said he disap-peared after leaving his home in an upper middle-class district in Cairo to meet a friend downtown.

Last year, Islamic State militants kidnapped a Croatian man from the outskirts of Cairo and later be-headed him, but such incidents are rare and there was a heavy police presence in downtown Cairo when Regeni went missing.

Although the cause of death is still unclear, Regeni’s case could

hurt Egypt’s efforts to project an image of stability and attract more tourism and foreign investment after years of political turmoil and Islamist militant violence.

“An investigation into signs of torture on the body is under way,” one of the security officials told Re-uters. “He was found on the side of a road.” A source in the office of the Public Prosecutor said prosecutors had inspected the body and found stab marks on Regeni’s shoulders and cuts on his ear and nose.

Regeni was found semi-naked at the start of the highway from Cairo to Alexandria, the source said.

Italian Industry Minister Fed-erica Guidi cut short a two-day visit to Egypt on Wednesday night after Regeni’s death was reported. On behalf of the Italian government, Guidi asked Egypt to investigate his death before her return to Rome, her ministry’s press office said.

A copy of Regeni’s CV, provided by another friend, indicated he spoke four languages and had won several scholarships. His research focused on trade unions in Egypt after the 2011 uprising that ended President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule.

Human rights groups say Egyp-tians are often detained by police on little evidence and beaten or coerced. Scores have disappeared since 2013. Egypt denies allega-tions of police brutality.

Islamist militants have killed hundreds of police and soldiers since the army toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 after mass protests against his rule.

Militants have also targeted foreigners. A Russian passenger plane crashed in the Sinai in late October, killing all 224 people on board. Islamic State said it planted a bomb on board.

So far, Egypt has publicly said it has found no evidence that the MetroJet flight was brought down by terrorism. (rtr)

SEOUL — South Korea and Japan vowed to shoot down any debris that falls on their territories from a long-range rocket that North Korea plans to fire this month, with Seoul saying Thursday that it has detected launch preparations by Pyongyang.

North Korea has informed international organizations that it will launch an observation satellite aboard a rocket between Feb. 8 and 25. South Korea, the United States and others say such a move would be a cover for a banned test of a missile that could strike the U.S. mainland.

The launch announcement follows an outpouring of global condemnation over the North’s fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6. If North Korea’s past patterns are any clue, angry warnings by Seoul, Washington and their allies probably won’t dissuade a coming launch.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry said Thursday that the North is pushing ahead with the launch plans at its west coast Tongchang-ri launch site. Spokesman Moon Sang Gyun said South Korea is using Aegis-equipped destroyers, aircraft, sophisticated radars and other surveillance assets to monitor the North’s launch prepara-tions but refused to provide further details.

Recent commercial satellite images showed an increased num-ber of vehicles at North Korea’s Sohae launch station on Feb. 1, compared to a week earlier. This suggests that the North is prepar-ing for a space launch in coming weeks, according to 38 North, a North Korea-focused website run by the U.S-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

However, the website said it was impossible to tell from the satellite imagery whether a space launch vehicle was present.

South Korean and U.S. officials said a launch would threaten regional security and violate U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban the North from engaging in any nuclear and ballistic activities.

Diplomats at the U.N. Security Council have already pledged to pursue fresh sanctions on North Korea over its recent nuclear test. (ap)

Signs of torture on body of Italian student found in Egypt

Seoul, Tokyo threaten to intercept N. Korean rocket debris

Kyodo News via AP

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force “Oosumi” carries PAC-3 missile interceptors as the transport vessel sails through Seto Inland Sea off Kure, Hiroshima prefecture, western Japan Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016 to prepare for a planned rocket launch by North Korea.

REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

A child’s shoe is seen in front of debris from a Russian airliner which crashed at the Hassana area in Arish city, north Egypt in this November 1, 2015 file photo.

CAIRO - An Italian student who went missing in Cairo has died and an investigation has been launched into signs of torture on his body, which was found dumped next to an Egyptian road, security officials said on Thursday.

MANGUPURA - The Badung Trade Agency inspected both modern and tradi-tional markets in Kuta and North Kuta on Tuesday (Feb. 5) in order to verify the price of goods ahead of Galungan and Chinese New Year.

Section Head of Consumer Protection, Made Sosiawati, on the sidelines of the inspection, said it is important to validate consumer goods that are in circulation so as to ensure that consumers are protected from harm.

“It is hoped that regular inspections by the Trade Agency (BPOM), and coaching by relevant Badung agencies will help make sellers, consumers and Badung people

in general feel safe and comfortable,” he said.

Head of the Badung Trade Agency, I Ketut Karpiana, added that inspections of traditional markets, and modern stores such as supermarkets and mini markets in Badung, will be held regularly by the BPOM and related agencies. “In addition to provid-ing guidance to merchants we also remind them to provide the best service that they

can to their customers,” he said. In ad-dition to targeting those who sell food and drinks, electronic stores are also being inspected to make sure that the products that they sell comply with the Indonesian National Standard or SNI. (kmb27)

He also explained that the local variety of rice that is cultivated in Mengani village is all grown using organic fertilizer and most of the fields are plowed using cattle. Organic paddy is not only good but also cheaper for farmers to grow. “I do not want to use chemical fertil-izers. The organic is much better and economically cheaper,” he said.

Rindi, who has been farming for some 8 decades, added that growing organic paddy is also very easy as the soil only needs to be fertilized once -when it is being tilled and the harvest yields are also promising. “Our harvest yields are normal and seldom do we experience pest attacks. This area is very suitable for the develop-ment of organic farming,” he said.

Similar opinions were expressed by another local farmer, I Gusti Made Sarjana who said that his rice paddy harvest yields are so good that he never has to buy rice and so he is reluctant to grow non-irrigated crops such as tangerines or coffee. “I do not want to turn this paddy field into a plantation. My rice yield are quite good,” he said.

Division Head of the Food and Horticulture for the Bangli Agriculture Agency, I Wayan Tagel Sujana, explained that in 2016 Mengani village will be used as the center of organic paddy development, on an area of some 20 hectares. “The water here is isolated from con-tamination and chemical waste, making this area ideal for the cultivation of organic paddy,” he concluded.

To get to Mengani village from the town of Bangli, visitors can pass through Belantih village in Kintamani, or for those coming from Badung Plaga, Petang is on the way. From Belantih village, it takes about 45 minutes to reach Mengani. Along the way the verdant green leaves interspersed with the yellow fruits of the tangerine plantations will will the eyes. There are also coffee plantations in this cool climate.

The beauty of the mountains around Bedugul, Taban-an with their hazy turquoise colour will also captivate visitors. The fresh breeze that blows through the valley also helps to calm the over saturated mind.

As one approaches Mengani village, the mountain atmosphere with its increasing numbers of farming seen swigging their hoes and sickles is enough to make one forget the damaged roads. Expanses of farmlands come into site as one enters the village and the free colour of the coffee plants and tangerine tress blends harmoniously with the

adjacent yellowing paddy and bowing fruit sway in tune with soft gurgling of the flowing water. (kmb45)

IBP/File

The Trade Agency inspect a traditional market in Kuta

Price of goods before Galungan and Chinese New Year Trade Agency raids modern and traditional markets

Mengani farmers cultivate organic riceThe district of Bangli’s agricultural potential is ever growing, with several products having been developed

to meet people’S needs and market trends. Mengani village in the subdistrict of Kintamani for example has been growing organic rice for nearly 20 years and unlike many other areas, paddy fields here are not central-ized but scattered throughout some 2,000 hectares. Local farmer I Wayan Rindi explained that the numerous springs found in the area inspired farmers here to expand the number of paddy fields in order to be able to supply the growing need for food. “Initially there were very few paddy fields but over time they increased in number. Today the subak group has 60 members,” he said.

IBP/File

The organic rice paddy planted in Mengani village in the subdistrict of Kintamani, Bangli

Bali News Friday, February 5, 2016 5InternationalFriday, February 5, 201612 International

BUSINESS

SINGAPORE - Oil prices extended their rebound in Asia Thursday, buoyed by a weaker dollar, bargain buying and fresh speculation of a possible output cut by the OPEC producers’ group.

Traders brushed aside bearish data showing another increase in US commercial crude inventories, but analysts said any rally in a market awash with barrels of oil is bound to be short-lived.

The US Department of Energy said Wednesday that commercial crude stockpiles in the world’s top oil consumer soared by 7.8 million barrels in the week ending January 29. That was almost double market expectations and took total crude inventories to 502.7 million, top-ping 500 million barrels for the first time on record, exacerbating market concerns over the global glut that has depressed prices for nearly two years.

Daniel Ang, an analyst with Phillip Futures in Singapore, said prices initially dropped on the in-ventories surge, but bargain hunters moved in as the dollar weakened, reversing the trend.

Oil is traded in dollars so a soft-ening of the US currency makes crude cheaper for holders of other units, perking up demand.

“When oil becomes cheaper, discount buying kicks in, pushing prices higher. So you see a bullish momentum forming,” Ang told AFP. Comments by Ecuador, one of OPEC’s poorer members, that there might be a special OPEC meeting later this month have also revived hopes for an output cut, according to other analysts.

But Ang said any price rise must have a solid foundation, otherwise it would not last.

“The current trend now is that producers which are hurting very badly from the low oil prices would say there might be an output cut. But the countries that really have the influence are not saying any-thing,” he said.

“So I think we should wait for concrete movements not just hearsay.” A price rebound last week driven by talks of possible coordination between Russia and OPEC to slash production fizzled out after traders realised there was no substance to it. (afp)

The ambitious Trans Pacific Part-nership (TPP) aims to slash tariffs and trade barriers for an enormous 40 percent of the global economy -- but pointedly does not include Beijing.

“TPP allows America -- and not countries like China -- to write the rules of the road in the 21st cen-tury,” US President Barack Obama said after the pact was signed in New Zealand.

The deal -- whose birth was fraught by domestic opposition in the US and in other key players, such as Japan -- is a key plank of Obama’s so-called “pivot” to Asia, as he seeks to counter the rising power of China.

Along with a rebalancing of the US military machine towards the western Pacific, the TPP is rec-ognition of the growing might of

China, which has come to dominate the region, threatening American influence.

Supporters of the deal say har-nessing the power of free trade in such a dynamic part of the world is vital if the US is to fend off China’s challenge to its supremacy.

Trade ministers from 12 par-ticipating countries -- Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam -- signed the pact in Auckland early Thursday.

Beijing was muted in its reac-tion to the deal, saying its officials were studying the 6,000-page document.

A commerce ministry statement said China would “actively partici-pate in and facilitate highly trans-parent, open and inclusive free trade

arrangements in the region”. Despite Obama’s comments, the

US has also sought to play down any overt anti-China rhetoric.

US trade representative Michael Froman, in Auckland, said the agreement was “never directed against” any specific country and “it’s important to have a construc-tive economic relationship” with China.

Although the signing marks the end of the negotiating process, member states still have two years to get the deal approved at home before it becomes legally binding.

“We will encourage all countries to complete their domestic ratifica-tion processes as quickly as pos-sible,” New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said.

In Japan -- the second biggest economy in the bloc, and one that was a relative latecomer to the process -- mainstream politicians and economists have generally supported the TPP as positive for

Tokyo’s export-driven growth even amid concerns over its impact on its prized agriculture industry.

The Canadian government, which has changed since the deal was negotiated, signed up Thursday but has yet to decide whether to go through with ratification.

While the 12 trade ministers were shaking hands in Auckland, thousands of protesters clogged the streets outside to voice their opposition.

They argue the TPP will cost jobs and impact on sovereignty in Asia-Pacific states.

American economist and No-bel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz believes the TPP “may turn out to be the worst trade agreement in decades.

“In 2016, we should hope for the TPP’s defeat and the beginning of a new era of trade agreements that don’t reward the powerful and pun-ish the weak,” he recently wrote in The Guardian newspaper. (afp)

Oil prices extend rebound in Asia

Trade del-egates pose for a photo-graph after signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. Trade minis-ters from 12 Pacific Rim countries including the United States have ceremo-nially signed the free-trade deal.

Biggest ever trade deal signed as US seeks to counter China

AUCKLAND - The biggest trade deal in history was signed Thursday, yoking 12 Pacific rim countries in a US-led initiative aimed at wresting influence from booming China.

David Rowland/SNPA via AP

DENPASAR - Discussions about the possibility of relocating Kerobokan Prison resurfaced following recent gang clashed. Governor of Bali, Made Mangku Pastika, suggested that the prison be moved to the present locaiotn of the Suwung landfill giv-en that the area of land there is extensive and located far form residential areas.

However, the acting chief of Kerobokan Pris-on, Kusbiyantoro, assesses that it is not healthy to build a proison there. “Currently, the location at Suwung functions as a landfill. We are concerned that this will have a negative impact on the im-age of the prisoners. Also as the name implies, a landfill is not a healthy place. What happens when 900 inmates all get sick with diarrhea? A decent place needs to be found, they’re also hu-man beings and residents of Bali,” said the acting prison chef recently.

Kusbiyantoro explained that the construction of the prison will be handed over to third parties. Currently, the State Property Rescue Agency (BPKN) said that they are still calculating the es-timated cost of the relocation that will be handled by a third party. The land and its contents will be taken over and a more suitable building built in another location,” he said, adding that presently Kerobokan Prison is 300 percent over capacity with 972 inmates in a space with a capacity for 332 inmates. “Cells that should accommodate 2 inmates, instead accommodate 16. How can they sleep?” he questioned.

Apart from the need to be relocated, Kusbi-yantoro, explained that Kerobokan Prison also requires additional human resources -especially wardens divided into four teams. Currently, one team only consists of 13 officers, while ideally it should con site of 25 to 30 officers.

“Yes ... this is a problem. Right the prison has 162 employees, 40 of whom are women. A team of just 13 officers have to supervise 900 inmates. There are also 7 upper level posts that are not all filled due to lack of human resources,” he said. (kmb32)

DENPASAR - Supply and demand affect inflation rates and fluctuations tend to be most felt around religious holidays as the demand for certain prod-ucts increases. “In order to maintain low and stable inflation locally in 2016, the Bali regional inflation controller team (TPID) is making efforts to stabilize the prices of volatile commodities by implementing low-cost markets or bazaar,” said Deputy Chairman of the TPID Bali, Dewi Setyowati, in Denpasar on Tuesday (Feb. 2).

Dewi said that the bazaars will be held before the celebrations of Galungan, Kun-ingan and Chinese New Year in February in anticipation of price increase on prod-ucts that are in high demand during this period, as recommended by a high level meeting held on January 19th, 2016.

“To ensure that the activities of the low-cost markets have an impact on a wider area, they will he held in various

locations throughout the province of Bali and will involve district and municipal and provincial TPID,” she said.

Dewi added the low-cost markets start-ing taking place on January 29 at Pasar Anyar in Singaraja and at Abuan village in Bangli on January 31. Between Febuary 2nd and the 16th low costs bazaars will be held at 14 locations spread across Bangli, Badung, Tabanan, Klungkung, Denpasar and Gianyar.

“The implementation of the low-cost markets is also an effort to ensure that consumers can shop more wisely and avoid the speculative nature of traders who exploit the occasion of religious holidays in order to raise prices that then serve as anchors in the pricing of com-modities,” he said.

Dewi expects that the low-cost markets will provide an immediate impact on the maintenance of stable prices and thus pro-vide tranquility for the public.(kmb32)

Relocating overcrowded prison to Suwung landfill

Assessed to be unhealthy

Bazaar to curb inflation

IBP/Suasrina

The Chinese is preparing the celebration of the Chinese New Year in Konco in Kintamani. The Chinese New Year which will fall this weekend make the Chinese all around Bali make preparation including cleaning their holy place.

IBP/file

The scavengers are looking for things that can be sold back in Suwung landfill.

6 International

W RLDFriday, February 5, 2016 11Friday, February 5, 2016International

“We need to handle position-ing and branding and manage de-preciation, as well as package all (exported) products in a way that

creates the desired perception or image of our country,” the president stated at a coordinating meeting of ministries and government-owned

companies’ public relations staff at the State Palace on Thursday.

Every state, including India and the United States, has been successful at creating its branding, President Jokowi affirmed.

Country branding is important to showcase the image of trade, tour-

ism, and investment. In order to support the image, the

development of infrastructure and facilities needs to be accelerated.

On the occasion, President Jokowi urged the government’s public relations staff to dissemi-nate information on every pro-

gram being implemented by the government among the people and foreigners.

“Not necessarily the good in-formation, the people also have the right to know every case or problem occurring in the country,” the president stated. (ant)

REUTERS/Garry Lotulung

A volunteer cleans a statue ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations at Vihara Dharma Bhakti Temple in Jakarta, Indonesia, February 3, 2016.

JAKARTA - Australia is expanding efforts to encourage two-way tourism between Australia and Indonesia as a key driver of shared economic growth and more knowledge of each other’s country.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson said tourism powers economies and supports communities.

“We want to increase tourism in both directions. The Indonesian Government has already recognised the potential economic boost a strong tourism industry can deliver,” the ambassador was quoted as saying by the Australian Embassy here on its website.

According to the ambassador, Australian tourism can help In-donesia realise that vision. More than a million Australians visit Indonesia every year. Australian tourists contribute 18 trillion IDR (AUD$1.8 billion) a year to the Indonesian economy, Ambassador Grigson said on Tuesday.

He said as Indonesia seeks to develop its tourism industry beyond Bali, ease of travel is integral to its success. Indonesia has already experienced a 19 per cent increase in tourists from countries which were granted visa free access in 2015.

“A quarter of all tourists to Bali are Australian. We want to see more Australians come to Indonesia and experience sunrise at Mount Bromo, taste the spices of Padang and watch the sunset at Borobu-dur,” Grigson told Indonesian tourism industry representatives in a speech in Jakarta.

Beyond these economic benefits, tourism builds links between people. It challenges stereotypes. It opens up new worlds and greater understanding.

“I want more Indonesians to visit Australia.We have world class cuisine, galleries and unique experiences. With famous wildlife, fabulous wine and fantastic weather, Australia beats any other destination,” he said.

Australia was the tenth most popular destination for Indonesian tourists in 2014 with a total of 149,800 visitors, up 7.6 per cent from 2013.

More Indonesians travelling to Australia will make expanded flight routes between Australia and Indonesia more viable in the long-term, bringing benefits to both our economies.

“Indonesian investors may also be missing out on opportunities to capitalise on some of the major tourism infrastructure projects currently underway in Australia. In 2014 alone, investment in the Australian tourism industry was valued at $53.7 billion,” he said.

He added that the more Australians and Indonesians experience each other’s countries, the deeper their connections become.

“The tourism industry is integral to the prosperity of both our countries. Now is the time for us to reach out to each other as neigh-bours and shape our futures together,” Grigson said. (ant)

HONG KONG - A 5.2-magni-tude earthquake struck Timor island in eastern Indonesia early Thursday, US seismologists said, but no tsunami warning was immediately issued.

The shallow quake struck at around 4:30 am local time (2030 GMT), some 11 kilometres (7 miles) north of the city of Kupang, the US Geological Survey said.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where the meeting of continental plates causes high seismic activity, and is frequently hit by earthquakes. (afp)

Country branding required to face competition era

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has emphasized that in this era of competition, every country must be able to create its branding.

Moderate 5.2 quake hits Indonesia

Australia, Indonesia boosting tourism and

economic growth

Well over 20,000 supporters of a Communist party-backed union were marching through central Athens, while around 10,000 more people — including about 1,000 lawyers in suits and ties — were gathering for a separate demonstra-tion. A heavy police presence was deployed in the capital, as previous protests have often degenerated into riots.

Unions are angry at pension re-forms that are part of Greece’s third international bailout. The left-led government is trying to overhaul the country’s ailing pension sys-tem by increasing social security contributions to avoid pension cuts, but critics say the reforms will lead many to lose two-thirds of their in-come to contributions and taxes.

Opposition to the reform has been vociferous, uniting a disparate group of professions, including farmers, artists, taxi drivers, law-yers, doctors, engineers and seamen

among others. Demonstrations were also planned in Thessaloniki — where about 200 taxi drivers drove through the city center honk-ing their horns in protest Thursday — and other Greek cities.

Thursday’s general strike is the most significant the coalition gov-ernment of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has faced since he initially came to power about a year ago. As an opposition party, Tsipras’ radical left Syriza party had led opposition to pension reforms, but he was forced into a dramatic policy U-turn last year when he faced the stark choice of signing up to a third bailout or the country being kicked out of the eurozone. Syriza has even issued a statement backing Thursday’s strike. Athens pensioner Yannis Kouvalakis said Tsipras’ government “fooled” Greeks by promising to reverse austerity cuts.

“Because they are from the left,

what happened? Was the situation saved? Things got worse. They’d said they’d give some money to pensioners or the unemployed, increase the minimum wage to 750 euros (per month),” he said. “They cut five euros from my pension ... What can they give? Forget it.”

The strike comes as the gov-ernment negotiates with Greece’s international debt inspectors, who returned to Athens this week to review progress on the country’s bailout obligations. The central Athens hotel where the inspectors were staying was heavily guarded by police.

Ferries between Greece’s is-lands and the mainland remained tied up in port as part of the strike, while only limited public transport was operating in Athens for a few hours in the day and taxis also stayed off the streets. More than a dozen domestic flights were can-celed, while farmers maintained their blockades of highways that have forced motorists into lengthy detours. State-run hospitals were functioning on emergency staff, while state schools, many shops and gas stations were shut. (ap)

PARIS — France’s top secu-rity official said investigators have dismantled 25 migrant smuggling networks in the country’s north in the past year.

Interior Minister Bernard Ca-zeneuve said about 700 people were involved in the networks in the Calais region, temporary home to about 4,000 migrants camped in squalid conditions on the edge of the Channel in hopes of slipping across to a better life

in England.Speaking Thursday to Europe

1 radio, Cazeneuve also defended his ban on protests in Calais, which he said was imposed in response to a demonstration in support of migrants that ended with a group of people breaking into the port and boarding a ship. He said the unrest showed the risks were too great of confrontations involving both pro-migrant activists, and extremists on the right. (ap)

LAGOS, Nigeria — A shipping security expert says the crew of an oil tanker hijacked in Nigerian waters is from Russia, Georgia and the Philippines and that they are probably being held hostage for ransom.

Dirk Steffen of Denmark-based Risk Intelligence says claims that the Greek-owned MT Leon Dias was boarded by separatists espous-ing an independent state of Biafra in southeast Nigeria likely is a cover

to lend legitimacy to a kidnapping for ransom.

He says the hijackers abandoned the ship Sunday and took five hos-tages with them. They include the Filipino captain and third engineer, the chief engineer and electri-cian from Russia and a fitter from Georgia.

Nigeria’s navy said the ship is now off the coast of neighboring Benin, guarded by that country’s navy. (ap)

Services paralyzed as Greeks strike against

pension reformsATHENS — Services across Greece ground to a halt Thurs-

day as workers joined in a massive general strike that canceled flights, ferries and public transport, shut down schools, courts and pharmacies, and left public hospitals with emergency staff.

AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris

Members of the PAME Communist-affiliated hold a banner reads in Greek ‘’Social Security’’ during a 24-hour nationwide general strike in Athens, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016.

Russian, Filipino seamen held

hostage in Nigeria

AP Photo/Thibault Camus

A migrant walks in the migrant camp in Calais, northern France, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016. About 4,000 people from Syria, Sudan and other countries are estimated to be camped out in Calais as they try to reach Britain, some recently moving into new facilities but most still sleeping in what’s been called Europe’s biggest slum.

France dismantles 25 migrant smuggling

networks over a year

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SINGARAJA - Sanctuary of Jaya Prana and Layon Sari is located in a grove of Teluk Terima, Sumberklampok village, Gerokgak, approximately 67 km west of Singaraja town. This sanctuary retains a romantic love story like the story of Romeo and Juliet in Europe or Sampek Engtay in China. Jaya Prana and Layon Sari is an ideal couple during the administration of Wanekeling kingdom, Kalianget, in the past. Due to the beauty of Layon Sari, the king fell in love with her and with his wiles the king killed Jaya Prana. Meanwhile, Layon Sari who does not want to be married by the king chooses to commit suicide after her beloved husband.

IBP/Net

Sanctuary of Jaya Prana

After a year as a McLaren reserve he parted ways with the team and then got a lifeline when the deal be-tween Pastor Maldonado’s sponsor PDVSA and Renault collapsed.

“Two years out would have been the end,” said Magnussen when asked by Autosport if his F1 career could have withstood a second year on the sidelines. “If you’re world champion, you might be able to come back.

“But in my position, being out for two years would have been the end of my F1 career. “This was make or break. Luckily, I made it.” Mag-nussen described the opportunity, racing alongside Jolyon Palmer, as a second chance he was keen to make the most of.

“This is a massive opportunity be-cause not many drivers get a second chance,” he said. “I’ve been given a second chance and a very good chance with a top team. “I can’t tell you how happy I am. I’m looking forward to getting into the car.”

Magnussen admitted he only

signed the contract the day before Renault’s launch, but initial talks had started as early as last year before accelerating last month. “There was some contact with the [Renault] guys around the time they were getting se-rious about taking over Lotus but then it went quiet for a bit,” he said.

“Then at the beginning of the year, we started having contact again. “It’s taken a while. I’ve waited for a long time. It’s been a bit up and down but finally it is done.” The Dane, who will have his seat fitting on Friday, had alternatives in mind if he had lost out on an F1 seat.

He tested Porsche’s LMP1 car and the Mercedes DTM contender over the winter. “I had a few options, none of them were completely sure,” he said.

“In some ways, it was nice to be able to try different racecars, which I wouldn’t have been able to do.

“It was nice to try a DTM car, nice to try an LMP1 car but yeah I’m look-ing forward to being back in F1. That was always the goal.” (rtr)

JEONGSEON — No super-steep gradients, no rock-hard ice, no death-defying speeds. It’s not what Christof Innerhofer had in mind for the downhill course for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. The Italian skier prefers only the toughest challenges and the Jeongseon piste — the first downhill developed in South Korea — is much tamer than what World Cup racers are accustomed to.

“Downhill is (called) downhill because you must go 130-160kph (80-100mph). When you see the speed and you see 96 kph (60 mph) a lot of people will say, ‘What is this for downhill? I can do this, too.’ This is a little bit sad.”

“They don’t need slow motion here,” added Innerhofer, who took silver in downhill and a bronze in combined on a much more chal-lenging course at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Innerhofer, though, was one of the few skiers critical of the course during the first test event for the next Winter Olympics.

Kjetil Jansrud led a chorus of approval after leading the opening World Cup training session Thursday.

“It’s one of the first downhills in a long, long time where we’ve had winter conditions and real good snow and sun, so just that alone makes for a good downhill,” Jansrud said.

The Norwegian skier, an athletes’ rep, said Innerhofer could come to him with any concerns or criticism and he’d take it to course set-ter Hannes Trinkl, or said the Italian could go directly to officials himself. “If you ask a lot of people some are going to say it’s slow because they like it when it’s fast. Some are going to say it’s perfect because they like it the way it is. That’s part of the game,” said Jan-srud, who averaged 100.02 kph (62 mph) during his run. Innerhofer placed 32nd, more than two seconds behind. (ap)

Kevin Durant turned the conversation back to the court and away from his impending free agency with a final-second jump shot that lifted the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 117-114 victory over Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

With daily reports focusing on Durant’s possible departure from Oklahoma City following this season, the All-Star forward provided a timely reminder that his loyalty at this moment remains with the Thunder.

Oklahoma City and Orlando were locked at 114-114 when Durant pulled off a nifty cross-over dribble and fired a three-pointer that found the bottom of the basket with less than a second remaining.

Prior to fending off Magic defenders, Durant had spent much of his time shaking off questions about potential new suitors.

“It’s out of my control. Guys are going to write stories about what they want to write about (and where I could go),” Durant told reporters prior to scoring 37 points in Wednesday’s game. “(The free agency talk) is ramped up a bit. I just try to stay locked in to where I am.”

Durant, 27, has spent his entire career with the Thunder franchise dating back to their days in Seattle before they moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.

But after failing to win an NBA title alongside run-ning mate Russell Westbrook, speculation has mounted that Durant could ply his trade elsewhere and there

are no shortage of rumoured suitors for the four-time league scoring champion. He has been linked to the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and most recently, the defending champion Golden State War-riors, in various stories swirling around him.

“It’s just a part of this (free agency) process,” Durant said. “When the time comes we’ll talk about it. Right now I’m 100 percent locked in to helping (the Thunder) be the best we can be.” (rtr)

Magnussen: 2016 Renault deal saved my Formula 1 career

New Renault signing Kevin Magnussen says his Formula 1 career would have been over if he had not secured a race seat for this season. The Dane raced for McLaren in 2014 but lost out to Jenson Button for a seat alongside Fernando Alonso at the team last season.

REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Renault Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn (2ndR), Renault Formula One racing driver Kevin Magnus-sen of Denmark (R) and teammate Jolyon Palmer of Britain (2ndL), and reserve driver Esteban Ocon (L) pose during the official presentation of the new Renault RS16 car at the company’s research center, the Technocentre, in Guyancourt, near Paris, France, February 3, 2016.

‘No slow motion needed’ on tame Pyeongchang downhill course

Durant puts free agency talk on back burner to sink Magic

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) dribbles the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) defends during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

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Barely seven minutes had elapsed when Neymar stole the ball from a careless Andre Gomes in midfield, raced for-ward and passed to Suarez who rifled a shot across goal past Matthew Ryan.

Barca went two up when Sergio Busquets sent a long ball down the right which Aleix Vidal pulled back for Suarez to blast past Ryan. “Great result which puts us closer to the objective,” Suarez told Movistar. “There’d have to be a catastrophe to not play the final.”

Valencia struggled to contain a Barca side with Neymar, Messi and Suarez creating danger al-most at will.

Gary Neville’s side rarely got

near goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as Barcelona produced one of their best performances of the season with Andres Ini-esta and Messi playing in their ninth King’s Cup semi-final in 10 seasons. Messi scored the third after a neat backheel from Neymar.

On the stroke of halftime Bar-celona were awarded a penalty when Shkodran Mustafi brought Messi down and was sent off but Neymar hit the post to leave the score 3-0 at the interval.

Russian Denis Cheryshev came on as a substitute for his Valencia debut just before Messi scored Barca’s fourth in the 59th minute, taking a backheel from Suarez and weaving past two

defenders.Valencia had the ball in the

net in the 69th minute after Cheryshev laid on for Rodrigo but it was ruled out for offside and Messi soon completed his hat-trick.

“I couldn’t imagine a debut like this. I know it’s Barcelona but we can’t give such an image (of ourselves),” Cheryshev, on loan from Real Madrid, said. “Like this we won’t go any-where.”

Suarez scored twice in the last seven minutes, a header from Adriano’s cross and a shot from Arda Turan’s square ball taking the Uruguayan’s tally to nine goals in five matches and 35 for the season.

The second leg, in which Barcelona can afford to rest leading players, should be a mere formality in Valencia next Wednesday. (rtr)

PARIS — Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored again as Paris Saint-Germain beat Lorient 3-1 to set a new French league record of 33 consecutive games unbeaten on Wednesday.

After creating the opening goal for strike partner Edinson Cavani early in the first half, Ibrahimovic grabbed his league-leading 20th of the sea-son shortly after the break as PSG eclipsed the record set by Nantes 21 years ago.

Left-back Layvin Kurzawa added another goal midway through the sec-ond half to cap a fine night for PSG, which leads second-place Monaco by 24 points after just 24 games and could clinch a fourth straight title as early as March.

“It was a difficult game, and we had a bit of problem playing the way we wanted,” Kurzawa said. “But ev-eryone’s happy that we’re continuing our unbeaten run.” PSG has not lost in the league since a 3-2 defeat away to Bordeaux on March 15.

“The record means something, but the performance itself was pretty mixed. We reacted more than we dic-tated play, which hasn’t happened to us for a while,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc said. “But I take my share of responsibility for that, because by rotating the squad so much it’s normal that we encounter some problems. (But) it keeps certain players fresh, and they need it. First and foremost, I think about the team.”

PSG faces Chelsea in two weeks in the first leg of their last 16 matchup in the Champions League, and the result of that match could bear heavily on Blanc’s future.

His contract expires at the end of the season and he recently said talks were no more advanced, although with 72 wins and only six losses in his 100

league games as PSG coach, he has some serious bargaining power.

Cavani, who has been relegated to the bench in recent games, made an immediate impact in the sixth minute. Ibrahimovic found him with a pass and he rounded goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte before finishing comfort-ably.

But the lead was short-lived as fullback Raphael Guerreiro equalized by latching onto a back-heel pass from striker Majeed Waris.

“You can only admire their un-beaten record,” Lorient coach Sylvain Ripoll said. “The final score is a bit harsh. There was everything to play for at halftime, but we didn’t start the second half so well.”

Ibrahimovic turned in a cross from Kurzawa 10 minutes after the break and Cavani hit the post shortly after with an astute lob.

After Lorient substitute Jimmy Cabot had a goal correctly ruled out for offside, Kurzawa went from provider to finisher with a well-taken volley after Lorient failed to properly clear the ball.

PSG’s daunting unbeaten run in-cludes 30 wins and just three draws, whereas Nantes was less dominant with 19 wins and 13 draws.

Blanc’s team heads into Sunday’s showdown at bitter rival Marseille in ominous form and a plus-50 goal difference.

Meanwhile, Nice climbed above Angers and into third place thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win against struggling Toulouse, which was languishing in 19th place. Winger Hatem Ben Arfa scored Nice’s winner in the 82nd after making a brilliant solo run down the left and beating 17-year-old goalie Alban Lafont for his 11th goal of the season. Despite taking an early lead, Angers lost 2-1 at Reims. (ap)

WAtfoRd skipper Troy Deeney said he would warn team mate Juan Carlos Paredes about play-acting after the defender fell to the ground theatri-cally following a clash with Chelsea striker Diego Costa during the 0-0 Premier League draw on Wednesday night.

The flashpoint came at the end of the first half when Paredes went down clutching his face after what appeared to be minimal contact from Costa and an unimpressed Deeney said he would speak to the Ecuadorian to prevent a repeat.

“It’s new-age football. There’s a little touch and everyone’s rolling around. It’s just handbags. In Sunday League that wouldn’t happen because you’d be laughed at,” Deeney told

British media after the game.“I don’t like to see it, and we’ll have

a word with Paredes on our side. He didn’t help himself. It was soft, that’s the best word.”

Watford coach Quique Sanchez Flores, who coached the controver-sial Costa when he was in charge of Atletico Madrid, was keen to dismiss the incident.

“Nothing happened. Contact in the Premier League is very normal. This kind of player always is looking to find contact in every single challenge,” he said. “It’s nothing new.

“I understand Costa because I coached Costa, and every single player he wants to challenge them. Paredes was very hard, very strong also, but nothing hap-pened. Nothing strange.” (rtr)

NeWcAStle was among the top spenders in Europe in the winter transfer window in a last-gasp bid to escape relega-tion from the lucrative English Premier League. Its $42 million splurge had little effect at Ever-ton on Wednesday.

Newcastle started three of its new signings at Goodison Park and was beaten 3-0 to stay third from bottom in the standings, two points from safety.

Ross Barkley converted two late penalties - one of them a so-called “Panenka” down the middle - to add to the opening goal from winger Aaron Lennon, as Everton collected a first league win since Dec. 26.

In the only other Premier League match, sustained late pressure failed to yield a goal for Chelsea in a 0-0 draw at Watford, which kept the champion unbeat-en in nine games in the interim spell of coach Guus Hiddink, but in 13th place - 11 points off the European positions.

Chelsea was sparked into life by the introduction of Eden Hazard from the bench in the 73rd minute, but couldn’t find a way past Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who saved well from Branislav Ivanovic and Diego Costa.

Newcastle coach Steve Mc-Claren would have been bank-ing on an improvement after splashing out last month on Jonjo Shelvey, Henri Saivet and An-dros Townsend, who all started against Everton in a revamped midfield.

Yet, his side was lucky to es-cape a bigger beating, with Ever-ton also hitting the goal frame on three occasions. “We just went back to what we were three or four months ago,” McClaren said. “It wasn’t acceptable.”

Newcastle has taken just five points from eight matches since their last league victory, at Tot-tenham on Dec. 13.

Lennon put Everton ahead early, swiveling just inside the area after collecting Tom Clever-ley’s pass and placing a low shot

inside the post.Barkley, playing in his 100th

league game, was one of the players to be denied by the goal frame, but secured victory for Everton from the penalty spot in the 88th after Lennon was fouled. The England midfielder converted another spot kick in injury time, dinking the ball

home after he was tripped by Jamaal Lascelles.

The substitute was sent off for the foul. “Phenomenal footballer, phenomenal person,” Everton manager Roberto Martinez said of Barkley. “He took responsi-bility with both penalties and showed how he is an assured, technical footballer.” (ap)

lIMA - A hemisphere-wide out-break of the Zika vírus prompted au-thorities in Peru to fumigate the Man-siche soccer stadium ahead of Cesar Vallejo’s Copa Libertadores match against Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

Sao Paulo’s team doctor was also questioned about his players’ health when the Brazilian squad entered the Andean nation the day before the game, which ended 1-1.

Officials across Latin America

are battling the disease, which is spread by the Aedes aegypti mos-quito, and authorities have launched campaigns to eradicate the larvae that gather in standing water.

The outbreak is now affecting

at least 25 countries and territories, most of them in Latin America and the Caribbean, and could infect up to 4 million people in the Americas, according to the World Health Or-ganization. Peru registered its first

case last week and thousands more have been reported in Brazil.

The second leg of the tie takes place next Wednesday in Sao Paulo, with the winner moving on to the group stages. (rtr)

REUTERS/Albert Gea

Barcelona’s Luis Suarez celebrates a goal against Valencia.

Suarez scores four as Barca rout

Valencia 7-0BARceloNA - luis Suarez scored four goals and lionel

Messi grabbed a hat-trick as Barcelona all but wrapped up their King’s Cup semi-final by crushing Valencia 7-0 in the first leg at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

PSG sets French league record with 33rd game unbeaten

AP Photo/Michel Euler

PSG’s Edison Cavani celebrates his opening goal with his team-mates during a French League One soccer Match, Paris Saint Germain against Lorient at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016.

Peru fumigates soccer stadium to head off Zika

AP Photo/Frank Augstein

Watford’s goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes makes a save during the Eng-lish Premier League soccer match between Watford and Chelsea at the Vicarage Road stadium in London, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016.

Watford skipper to talk to Paredes about play-acting

Big-spending Newcastle stumbles again in Premier League

AP Photo/Jon Super

Newcastle’s manager Steve McClaren looks on during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Newcastle at Goodison Park Stadium, Liverpool, Eng-land, Wednesday Feb. 3, 2016.

98 Friday, February 5, 2016 Friday, February 5, 2016

Sp rt

Barely seven minutes had elapsed when Neymar stole the ball from a careless Andre Gomes in midfield, raced for-ward and passed to Suarez who rifled a shot across goal past Matthew Ryan.

Barca went two up when Sergio Busquets sent a long ball down the right which Aleix Vidal pulled back for Suarez to blast past Ryan. “Great result which puts us closer to the objective,” Suarez told Movistar. “There’d have to be a catastrophe to not play the final.”

Valencia struggled to contain a Barca side with Neymar, Messi and Suarez creating danger al-most at will.

Gary Neville’s side rarely got

near goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen as Barcelona produced one of their best performances of the season with Andres Ini-esta and Messi playing in their ninth King’s Cup semi-final in 10 seasons. Messi scored the third after a neat backheel from Neymar.

On the stroke of halftime Bar-celona were awarded a penalty when Shkodran Mustafi brought Messi down and was sent off but Neymar hit the post to leave the score 3-0 at the interval.

Russian Denis Cheryshev came on as a substitute for his Valencia debut just before Messi scored Barca’s fourth in the 59th minute, taking a backheel from Suarez and weaving past two

defenders.Valencia had the ball in the

net in the 69th minute after Cheryshev laid on for Rodrigo but it was ruled out for offside and Messi soon completed his hat-trick.

“I couldn’t imagine a debut like this. I know it’s Barcelona but we can’t give such an image (of ourselves),” Cheryshev, on loan from Real Madrid, said. “Like this we won’t go any-where.”

Suarez scored twice in the last seven minutes, a header from Adriano’s cross and a shot from Arda Turan’s square ball taking the Uruguayan’s tally to nine goals in five matches and 35 for the season.

The second leg, in which Barcelona can afford to rest leading players, should be a mere formality in Valencia next Wednesday. (rtr)

PARIS — Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored again as Paris Saint-Germain beat Lorient 3-1 to set a new French league record of 33 consecutive games unbeaten on Wednesday.

After creating the opening goal for strike partner Edinson Cavani early in the first half, Ibrahimovic grabbed his league-leading 20th of the sea-son shortly after the break as PSG eclipsed the record set by Nantes 21 years ago.

Left-back Layvin Kurzawa added another goal midway through the sec-ond half to cap a fine night for PSG, which leads second-place Monaco by 24 points after just 24 games and could clinch a fourth straight title as early as March.

“It was a difficult game, and we had a bit of problem playing the way we wanted,” Kurzawa said. “But ev-eryone’s happy that we’re continuing our unbeaten run.” PSG has not lost in the league since a 3-2 defeat away to Bordeaux on March 15.

“The record means something, but the performance itself was pretty mixed. We reacted more than we dic-tated play, which hasn’t happened to us for a while,” PSG coach Laurent Blanc said. “But I take my share of responsibility for that, because by rotating the squad so much it’s normal that we encounter some problems. (But) it keeps certain players fresh, and they need it. First and foremost, I think about the team.”

PSG faces Chelsea in two weeks in the first leg of their last 16 matchup in the Champions League, and the result of that match could bear heavily on Blanc’s future.

His contract expires at the end of the season and he recently said talks were no more advanced, although with 72 wins and only six losses in his 100

league games as PSG coach, he has some serious bargaining power.

Cavani, who has been relegated to the bench in recent games, made an immediate impact in the sixth minute. Ibrahimovic found him with a pass and he rounded goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte before finishing comfort-ably.

But the lead was short-lived as fullback Raphael Guerreiro equalized by latching onto a back-heel pass from striker Majeed Waris.

“You can only admire their un-beaten record,” Lorient coach Sylvain Ripoll said. “The final score is a bit harsh. There was everything to play for at halftime, but we didn’t start the second half so well.”

Ibrahimovic turned in a cross from Kurzawa 10 minutes after the break and Cavani hit the post shortly after with an astute lob.

After Lorient substitute Jimmy Cabot had a goal correctly ruled out for offside, Kurzawa went from provider to finisher with a well-taken volley after Lorient failed to properly clear the ball.

PSG’s daunting unbeaten run in-cludes 30 wins and just three draws, whereas Nantes was less dominant with 19 wins and 13 draws.

Blanc’s team heads into Sunday’s showdown at bitter rival Marseille in ominous form and a plus-50 goal difference.

Meanwhile, Nice climbed above Angers and into third place thanks to a hard-fought 1-0 win against struggling Toulouse, which was languishing in 19th place. Winger Hatem Ben Arfa scored Nice’s winner in the 82nd after making a brilliant solo run down the left and beating 17-year-old goalie Alban Lafont for his 11th goal of the season. Despite taking an early lead, Angers lost 2-1 at Reims. (ap)

WAtfoRd skipper Troy Deeney said he would warn team mate Juan Carlos Paredes about play-acting after the defender fell to the ground theatri-cally following a clash with Chelsea striker Diego Costa during the 0-0 Premier League draw on Wednesday night.

The flashpoint came at the end of the first half when Paredes went down clutching his face after what appeared to be minimal contact from Costa and an unimpressed Deeney said he would speak to the Ecuadorian to prevent a repeat.

“It’s new-age football. There’s a little touch and everyone’s rolling around. It’s just handbags. In Sunday League that wouldn’t happen because you’d be laughed at,” Deeney told

British media after the game.“I don’t like to see it, and we’ll have

a word with Paredes on our side. He didn’t help himself. It was soft, that’s the best word.”

Watford coach Quique Sanchez Flores, who coached the controver-sial Costa when he was in charge of Atletico Madrid, was keen to dismiss the incident.

“Nothing happened. Contact in the Premier League is very normal. This kind of player always is looking to find contact in every single challenge,” he said. “It’s nothing new.

“I understand Costa because I coached Costa, and every single player he wants to challenge them. Paredes was very hard, very strong also, but nothing hap-pened. Nothing strange.” (rtr)

NeWcAStle was among the top spenders in Europe in the winter transfer window in a last-gasp bid to escape relega-tion from the lucrative English Premier League. Its $42 million splurge had little effect at Ever-ton on Wednesday.

Newcastle started three of its new signings at Goodison Park and was beaten 3-0 to stay third from bottom in the standings, two points from safety.

Ross Barkley converted two late penalties - one of them a so-called “Panenka” down the middle - to add to the opening goal from winger Aaron Lennon, as Everton collected a first league win since Dec. 26.

In the only other Premier League match, sustained late pressure failed to yield a goal for Chelsea in a 0-0 draw at Watford, which kept the champion unbeat-en in nine games in the interim spell of coach Guus Hiddink, but in 13th place - 11 points off the European positions.

Chelsea was sparked into life by the introduction of Eden Hazard from the bench in the 73rd minute, but couldn’t find a way past Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who saved well from Branislav Ivanovic and Diego Costa.

Newcastle coach Steve Mc-Claren would have been bank-ing on an improvement after splashing out last month on Jonjo Shelvey, Henri Saivet and An-dros Townsend, who all started against Everton in a revamped midfield.

Yet, his side was lucky to es-cape a bigger beating, with Ever-ton also hitting the goal frame on three occasions. “We just went back to what we were three or four months ago,” McClaren said. “It wasn’t acceptable.”

Newcastle has taken just five points from eight matches since their last league victory, at Tot-tenham on Dec. 13.

Lennon put Everton ahead early, swiveling just inside the area after collecting Tom Clever-ley’s pass and placing a low shot

inside the post.Barkley, playing in his 100th

league game, was one of the players to be denied by the goal frame, but secured victory for Everton from the penalty spot in the 88th after Lennon was fouled. The England midfielder converted another spot kick in injury time, dinking the ball

home after he was tripped by Jamaal Lascelles.

The substitute was sent off for the foul. “Phenomenal footballer, phenomenal person,” Everton manager Roberto Martinez said of Barkley. “He took responsi-bility with both penalties and showed how he is an assured, technical footballer.” (ap)

lIMA - A hemisphere-wide out-break of the Zika vírus prompted au-thorities in Peru to fumigate the Man-siche soccer stadium ahead of Cesar Vallejo’s Copa Libertadores match against Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

Sao Paulo’s team doctor was also questioned about his players’ health when the Brazilian squad entered the Andean nation the day before the game, which ended 1-1.

Officials across Latin America

are battling the disease, which is spread by the Aedes aegypti mos-quito, and authorities have launched campaigns to eradicate the larvae that gather in standing water.

The outbreak is now affecting

at least 25 countries and territories, most of them in Latin America and the Caribbean, and could infect up to 4 million people in the Americas, according to the World Health Or-ganization. Peru registered its first

case last week and thousands more have been reported in Brazil.

The second leg of the tie takes place next Wednesday in Sao Paulo, with the winner moving on to the group stages. (rtr)

REUTERS/Albert Gea

Barcelona’s Luis Suarez celebrates a goal against Valencia.

Suarez scores four as Barca rout

Valencia 7-0BARceloNA - luis Suarez scored four goals and lionel

Messi grabbed a hat-trick as Barcelona all but wrapped up their King’s Cup semi-final by crushing Valencia 7-0 in the first leg at the Nou Camp on Wednesday.

PSG sets French league record with 33rd game unbeaten

AP Photo/Michel Euler

PSG’s Edison Cavani celebrates his opening goal with his team-mates during a French League One soccer Match, Paris Saint Germain against Lorient at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016.

Peru fumigates soccer stadium to head off Zika

AP Photo/Frank Augstein

Watford’s goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes makes a save during the Eng-lish Premier League soccer match between Watford and Chelsea at the Vicarage Road stadium in London, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016.

Watford skipper to talk to Paredes about play-acting

Big-spending Newcastle stumbles again in Premier League

AP Photo/Jon Super

Newcastle’s manager Steve McClaren looks on during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Newcastle at Goodison Park Stadium, Liverpool, Eng-land, Wednesday Feb. 3, 2016.

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SINGARAJA - Sanctuary of Jaya Prana and Layon Sari is located in a grove of Teluk Terima, Sumberklampok village, Gerokgak, approximately 67 km west of Singaraja town. This sanctuary retains a romantic love story like the story of Romeo and Juliet in Europe or Sampek Engtay in China. Jaya Prana and Layon Sari is an ideal couple during the administration of Wanekeling kingdom, Kalianget, in the past. Due to the beauty of Layon Sari, the king fell in love with her and with his wiles the king killed Jaya Prana. Meanwhile, Layon Sari who does not want to be married by the king chooses to commit suicide after her beloved husband.

IBP/Net

Sanctuary of Jaya Prana

After a year as a McLaren reserve he parted ways with the team and then got a lifeline when the deal be-tween Pastor Maldonado’s sponsor PDVSA and Renault collapsed.

“Two years out would have been the end,” said Magnussen when asked by Autosport if his F1 career could have withstood a second year on the sidelines. “If you’re world champion, you might be able to come back.

“But in my position, being out for two years would have been the end of my F1 career. “This was make or break. Luckily, I made it.” Mag-nussen described the opportunity, racing alongside Jolyon Palmer, as a second chance he was keen to make the most of.

“This is a massive opportunity be-cause not many drivers get a second chance,” he said. “I’ve been given a second chance and a very good chance with a top team. “I can’t tell you how happy I am. I’m looking forward to getting into the car.”

Magnussen admitted he only

signed the contract the day before Renault’s launch, but initial talks had started as early as last year before accelerating last month. “There was some contact with the [Renault] guys around the time they were getting se-rious about taking over Lotus but then it went quiet for a bit,” he said.

“Then at the beginning of the year, we started having contact again. “It’s taken a while. I’ve waited for a long time. It’s been a bit up and down but finally it is done.” The Dane, who will have his seat fitting on Friday, had alternatives in mind if he had lost out on an F1 seat.

He tested Porsche’s LMP1 car and the Mercedes DTM contender over the winter. “I had a few options, none of them were completely sure,” he said.

“In some ways, it was nice to be able to try different racecars, which I wouldn’t have been able to do.

“It was nice to try a DTM car, nice to try an LMP1 car but yeah I’m look-ing forward to being back in F1. That was always the goal.” (rtr)

JEONGSEON — No super-steep gradients, no rock-hard ice, no death-defying speeds. It’s not what Christof Innerhofer had in mind for the downhill course for the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. The Italian skier prefers only the toughest challenges and the Jeongseon piste — the first downhill developed in South Korea — is much tamer than what World Cup racers are accustomed to.

“Downhill is (called) downhill because you must go 130-160kph (80-100mph). When you see the speed and you see 96 kph (60 mph) a lot of people will say, ‘What is this for downhill? I can do this, too.’ This is a little bit sad.”

“They don’t need slow motion here,” added Innerhofer, who took silver in downhill and a bronze in combined on a much more chal-lenging course at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Innerhofer, though, was one of the few skiers critical of the course during the first test event for the next Winter Olympics.

Kjetil Jansrud led a chorus of approval after leading the opening World Cup training session Thursday.

“It’s one of the first downhills in a long, long time where we’ve had winter conditions and real good snow and sun, so just that alone makes for a good downhill,” Jansrud said.

The Norwegian skier, an athletes’ rep, said Innerhofer could come to him with any concerns or criticism and he’d take it to course set-ter Hannes Trinkl, or said the Italian could go directly to officials himself. “If you ask a lot of people some are going to say it’s slow because they like it when it’s fast. Some are going to say it’s perfect because they like it the way it is. That’s part of the game,” said Jan-srud, who averaged 100.02 kph (62 mph) during his run. Innerhofer placed 32nd, more than two seconds behind. (ap)

Kevin Durant turned the conversation back to the court and away from his impending free agency with a final-second jump shot that lifted the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 117-114 victory over Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

With daily reports focusing on Durant’s possible departure from Oklahoma City following this season, the All-Star forward provided a timely reminder that his loyalty at this moment remains with the Thunder.

Oklahoma City and Orlando were locked at 114-114 when Durant pulled off a nifty cross-over dribble and fired a three-pointer that found the bottom of the basket with less than a second remaining.

Prior to fending off Magic defenders, Durant had spent much of his time shaking off questions about potential new suitors.

“It’s out of my control. Guys are going to write stories about what they want to write about (and where I could go),” Durant told reporters prior to scoring 37 points in Wednesday’s game. “(The free agency talk) is ramped up a bit. I just try to stay locked in to where I am.”

Durant, 27, has spent his entire career with the Thunder franchise dating back to their days in Seattle before they moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.

But after failing to win an NBA title alongside run-ning mate Russell Westbrook, speculation has mounted that Durant could ply his trade elsewhere and there

are no shortage of rumoured suitors for the four-time league scoring champion. He has been linked to the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and most recently, the defending champion Golden State War-riors, in various stories swirling around him.

“It’s just a part of this (free agency) process,” Durant said. “When the time comes we’ll talk about it. Right now I’m 100 percent locked in to helping (the Thunder) be the best we can be.” (rtr)

Magnussen: 2016 Renault deal saved my Formula 1 career

New Renault signing Kevin Magnussen says his Formula 1 career would have been over if he had not secured a race seat for this season. The Dane raced for McLaren in 2014 but lost out to Jenson Button for a seat alongside Fernando Alonso at the team last season.

REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Renault Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn (2ndR), Renault Formula One racing driver Kevin Magnus-sen of Denmark (R) and teammate Jolyon Palmer of Britain (2ndL), and reserve driver Esteban Ocon (L) pose during the official presentation of the new Renault RS16 car at the company’s research center, the Technocentre, in Guyancourt, near Paris, France, February 3, 2016.

‘No slow motion needed’ on tame Pyeongchang downhill course

Durant puts free agency talk on back burner to sink Magic

Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter Jr. (22) dribbles the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) defends during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

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6 International

W RLDFriday, February 5, 2016 11Friday, February 5, 2016International

“We need to handle position-ing and branding and manage de-preciation, as well as package all (exported) products in a way that

creates the desired perception or image of our country,” the president stated at a coordinating meeting of ministries and government-owned

companies’ public relations staff at the State Palace on Thursday.

Every state, including India and the United States, has been successful at creating its branding, President Jokowi affirmed.

Country branding is important to showcase the image of trade, tour-

ism, and investment. In order to support the image, the

development of infrastructure and facilities needs to be accelerated.

On the occasion, President Jokowi urged the government’s public relations staff to dissemi-nate information on every pro-

gram being implemented by the government among the people and foreigners.

“Not necessarily the good in-formation, the people also have the right to know every case or problem occurring in the country,” the president stated. (ant)

REUTERS/Garry Lotulung

A volunteer cleans a statue ahead of the Lunar New Year celebrations at Vihara Dharma Bhakti Temple in Jakarta, Indonesia, February 3, 2016.

JAKARTA - Australia is expanding efforts to encourage two-way tourism between Australia and Indonesia as a key driver of shared economic growth and more knowledge of each other’s country.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson said tourism powers economies and supports communities.

“We want to increase tourism in both directions. The Indonesian Government has already recognised the potential economic boost a strong tourism industry can deliver,” the ambassador was quoted as saying by the Australian Embassy here on its website.

According to the ambassador, Australian tourism can help In-donesia realise that vision. More than a million Australians visit Indonesia every year. Australian tourists contribute 18 trillion IDR (AUD$1.8 billion) a year to the Indonesian economy, Ambassador Grigson said on Tuesday.

He said as Indonesia seeks to develop its tourism industry beyond Bali, ease of travel is integral to its success. Indonesia has already experienced a 19 per cent increase in tourists from countries which were granted visa free access in 2015.

“A quarter of all tourists to Bali are Australian. We want to see more Australians come to Indonesia and experience sunrise at Mount Bromo, taste the spices of Padang and watch the sunset at Borobu-dur,” Grigson told Indonesian tourism industry representatives in a speech in Jakarta.

Beyond these economic benefits, tourism builds links between people. It challenges stereotypes. It opens up new worlds and greater understanding.

“I want more Indonesians to visit Australia.We have world class cuisine, galleries and unique experiences. With famous wildlife, fabulous wine and fantastic weather, Australia beats any other destination,” he said.

Australia was the tenth most popular destination for Indonesian tourists in 2014 with a total of 149,800 visitors, up 7.6 per cent from 2013.

More Indonesians travelling to Australia will make expanded flight routes between Australia and Indonesia more viable in the long-term, bringing benefits to both our economies.

“Indonesian investors may also be missing out on opportunities to capitalise on some of the major tourism infrastructure projects currently underway in Australia. In 2014 alone, investment in the Australian tourism industry was valued at $53.7 billion,” he said.

He added that the more Australians and Indonesians experience each other’s countries, the deeper their connections become.

“The tourism industry is integral to the prosperity of both our countries. Now is the time for us to reach out to each other as neigh-bours and shape our futures together,” Grigson said. (ant)

HONG KONG - A 5.2-magni-tude earthquake struck Timor island in eastern Indonesia early Thursday, US seismologists said, but no tsunami warning was immediately issued.

The shallow quake struck at around 4:30 am local time (2030 GMT), some 11 kilometres (7 miles) north of the city of Kupang, the US Geological Survey said.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where the meeting of continental plates causes high seismic activity, and is frequently hit by earthquakes. (afp)

Country branding required to face competition era

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has emphasized that in this era of competition, every country must be able to create its branding.

Moderate 5.2 quake hits Indonesia

Australia, Indonesia boosting tourism and

economic growth

Well over 20,000 supporters of a Communist party-backed union were marching through central Athens, while around 10,000 more people — including about 1,000 lawyers in suits and ties — were gathering for a separate demonstra-tion. A heavy police presence was deployed in the capital, as previous protests have often degenerated into riots.

Unions are angry at pension re-forms that are part of Greece’s third international bailout. The left-led government is trying to overhaul the country’s ailing pension sys-tem by increasing social security contributions to avoid pension cuts, but critics say the reforms will lead many to lose two-thirds of their in-come to contributions and taxes.

Opposition to the reform has been vociferous, uniting a disparate group of professions, including farmers, artists, taxi drivers, law-yers, doctors, engineers and seamen

among others. Demonstrations were also planned in Thessaloniki — where about 200 taxi drivers drove through the city center honk-ing their horns in protest Thursday — and other Greek cities.

Thursday’s general strike is the most significant the coalition gov-ernment of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has faced since he initially came to power about a year ago. As an opposition party, Tsipras’ radical left Syriza party had led opposition to pension reforms, but he was forced into a dramatic policy U-turn last year when he faced the stark choice of signing up to a third bailout or the country being kicked out of the eurozone. Syriza has even issued a statement backing Thursday’s strike. Athens pensioner Yannis Kouvalakis said Tsipras’ government “fooled” Greeks by promising to reverse austerity cuts.

“Because they are from the left,

what happened? Was the situation saved? Things got worse. They’d said they’d give some money to pensioners or the unemployed, increase the minimum wage to 750 euros (per month),” he said. “They cut five euros from my pension ... What can they give? Forget it.”

The strike comes as the gov-ernment negotiates with Greece’s international debt inspectors, who returned to Athens this week to review progress on the country’s bailout obligations. The central Athens hotel where the inspectors were staying was heavily guarded by police.

Ferries between Greece’s is-lands and the mainland remained tied up in port as part of the strike, while only limited public transport was operating in Athens for a few hours in the day and taxis also stayed off the streets. More than a dozen domestic flights were can-celed, while farmers maintained their blockades of highways that have forced motorists into lengthy detours. State-run hospitals were functioning on emergency staff, while state schools, many shops and gas stations were shut. (ap)

PARIS — France’s top secu-rity official said investigators have dismantled 25 migrant smuggling networks in the country’s north in the past year.

Interior Minister Bernard Ca-zeneuve said about 700 people were involved in the networks in the Calais region, temporary home to about 4,000 migrants camped in squalid conditions on the edge of the Channel in hopes of slipping across to a better life

in England.Speaking Thursday to Europe

1 radio, Cazeneuve also defended his ban on protests in Calais, which he said was imposed in response to a demonstration in support of migrants that ended with a group of people breaking into the port and boarding a ship. He said the unrest showed the risks were too great of confrontations involving both pro-migrant activists, and extremists on the right. (ap)

LAGOS, Nigeria — A shipping security expert says the crew of an oil tanker hijacked in Nigerian waters is from Russia, Georgia and the Philippines and that they are probably being held hostage for ransom.

Dirk Steffen of Denmark-based Risk Intelligence says claims that the Greek-owned MT Leon Dias was boarded by separatists espous-ing an independent state of Biafra in southeast Nigeria likely is a cover

to lend legitimacy to a kidnapping for ransom.

He says the hijackers abandoned the ship Sunday and took five hos-tages with them. They include the Filipino captain and third engineer, the chief engineer and electri-cian from Russia and a fitter from Georgia.

Nigeria’s navy said the ship is now off the coast of neighboring Benin, guarded by that country’s navy. (ap)

Services paralyzed as Greeks strike against

pension reformsATHENS — Services across Greece ground to a halt Thurs-

day as workers joined in a massive general strike that canceled flights, ferries and public transport, shut down schools, courts and pharmacies, and left public hospitals with emergency staff.

AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris

Members of the PAME Communist-affiliated hold a banner reads in Greek ‘’Social Security’’ during a 24-hour nationwide general strike in Athens, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016.

Russian, Filipino seamen held

hostage in Nigeria

AP Photo/Thibault Camus

A migrant walks in the migrant camp in Calais, northern France, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016. About 4,000 people from Syria, Sudan and other countries are estimated to be camped out in Calais as they try to reach Britain, some recently moving into new facilities but most still sleeping in what’s been called Europe’s biggest slum.

France dismantles 25 migrant smuggling

networks over a year

Bali News Friday, February 5, 2016 5InternationalFriday, February 5, 201612 International

BUSINESS

SINGAPORE - Oil prices extended their rebound in Asia Thursday, buoyed by a weaker dollar, bargain buying and fresh speculation of a possible output cut by the OPEC producers’ group.

Traders brushed aside bearish data showing another increase in US commercial crude inventories, but analysts said any rally in a market awash with barrels of oil is bound to be short-lived.

The US Department of Energy said Wednesday that commercial crude stockpiles in the world’s top oil consumer soared by 7.8 million barrels in the week ending January 29. That was almost double market expectations and took total crude inventories to 502.7 million, top-ping 500 million barrels for the first time on record, exacerbating market concerns over the global glut that has depressed prices for nearly two years.

Daniel Ang, an analyst with Phillip Futures in Singapore, said prices initially dropped on the in-ventories surge, but bargain hunters moved in as the dollar weakened, reversing the trend.

Oil is traded in dollars so a soft-ening of the US currency makes crude cheaper for holders of other units, perking up demand.

“When oil becomes cheaper, discount buying kicks in, pushing prices higher. So you see a bullish momentum forming,” Ang told AFP. Comments by Ecuador, one of OPEC’s poorer members, that there might be a special OPEC meeting later this month have also revived hopes for an output cut, according to other analysts.

But Ang said any price rise must have a solid foundation, otherwise it would not last.

“The current trend now is that producers which are hurting very badly from the low oil prices would say there might be an output cut. But the countries that really have the influence are not saying any-thing,” he said.

“So I think we should wait for concrete movements not just hearsay.” A price rebound last week driven by talks of possible coordination between Russia and OPEC to slash production fizzled out after traders realised there was no substance to it. (afp)

The ambitious Trans Pacific Part-nership (TPP) aims to slash tariffs and trade barriers for an enormous 40 percent of the global economy -- but pointedly does not include Beijing.

“TPP allows America -- and not countries like China -- to write the rules of the road in the 21st cen-tury,” US President Barack Obama said after the pact was signed in New Zealand.

The deal -- whose birth was fraught by domestic opposition in the US and in other key players, such as Japan -- is a key plank of Obama’s so-called “pivot” to Asia, as he seeks to counter the rising power of China.

Along with a rebalancing of the US military machine towards the western Pacific, the TPP is rec-ognition of the growing might of

China, which has come to dominate the region, threatening American influence.

Supporters of the deal say har-nessing the power of free trade in such a dynamic part of the world is vital if the US is to fend off China’s challenge to its supremacy.

Trade ministers from 12 par-ticipating countries -- Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam -- signed the pact in Auckland early Thursday.

Beijing was muted in its reac-tion to the deal, saying its officials were studying the 6,000-page document.

A commerce ministry statement said China would “actively partici-pate in and facilitate highly trans-parent, open and inclusive free trade

arrangements in the region”. Despite Obama’s comments, the

US has also sought to play down any overt anti-China rhetoric.

US trade representative Michael Froman, in Auckland, said the agreement was “never directed against” any specific country and “it’s important to have a construc-tive economic relationship” with China.

Although the signing marks the end of the negotiating process, member states still have two years to get the deal approved at home before it becomes legally binding.

“We will encourage all countries to complete their domestic ratifica-tion processes as quickly as pos-sible,” New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said.

In Japan -- the second biggest economy in the bloc, and one that was a relative latecomer to the process -- mainstream politicians and economists have generally supported the TPP as positive for

Tokyo’s export-driven growth even amid concerns over its impact on its prized agriculture industry.

The Canadian government, which has changed since the deal was negotiated, signed up Thursday but has yet to decide whether to go through with ratification.

While the 12 trade ministers were shaking hands in Auckland, thousands of protesters clogged the streets outside to voice their opposition.

They argue the TPP will cost jobs and impact on sovereignty in Asia-Pacific states.

American economist and No-bel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz believes the TPP “may turn out to be the worst trade agreement in decades.

“In 2016, we should hope for the TPP’s defeat and the beginning of a new era of trade agreements that don’t reward the powerful and pun-ish the weak,” he recently wrote in The Guardian newspaper. (afp)

Oil prices extend rebound in Asia

Trade del-egates pose for a photo-graph after signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. Trade minis-ters from 12 Pacific Rim countries including the United States have ceremo-nially signed the free-trade deal.

Biggest ever trade deal signed as US seeks to counter China

AUCKLAND - The biggest trade deal in history was signed Thursday, yoking 12 Pacific rim countries in a US-led initiative aimed at wresting influence from booming China.

David Rowland/SNPA via AP

DENPASAR - Discussions about the possibility of relocating Kerobokan Prison resurfaced following recent gang clashed. Governor of Bali, Made Mangku Pastika, suggested that the prison be moved to the present locaiotn of the Suwung landfill giv-en that the area of land there is extensive and located far form residential areas.

However, the acting chief of Kerobokan Pris-on, Kusbiyantoro, assesses that it is not healthy to build a proison there. “Currently, the location at Suwung functions as a landfill. We are concerned that this will have a negative impact on the im-age of the prisoners. Also as the name implies, a landfill is not a healthy place. What happens when 900 inmates all get sick with diarrhea? A decent place needs to be found, they’re also hu-man beings and residents of Bali,” said the acting prison chef recently.

Kusbiyantoro explained that the construction of the prison will be handed over to third parties. Currently, the State Property Rescue Agency (BPKN) said that they are still calculating the es-timated cost of the relocation that will be handled by a third party. The land and its contents will be taken over and a more suitable building built in another location,” he said, adding that presently Kerobokan Prison is 300 percent over capacity with 972 inmates in a space with a capacity for 332 inmates. “Cells that should accommodate 2 inmates, instead accommodate 16. How can they sleep?” he questioned.

Apart from the need to be relocated, Kusbi-yantoro, explained that Kerobokan Prison also requires additional human resources -especially wardens divided into four teams. Currently, one team only consists of 13 officers, while ideally it should con site of 25 to 30 officers.

“Yes ... this is a problem. Right the prison has 162 employees, 40 of whom are women. A team of just 13 officers have to supervise 900 inmates. There are also 7 upper level posts that are not all filled due to lack of human resources,” he said. (kmb32)

DENPASAR - Supply and demand affect inflation rates and fluctuations tend to be most felt around religious holidays as the demand for certain prod-ucts increases. “In order to maintain low and stable inflation locally in 2016, the Bali regional inflation controller team (TPID) is making efforts to stabilize the prices of volatile commodities by implementing low-cost markets or bazaar,” said Deputy Chairman of the TPID Bali, Dewi Setyowati, in Denpasar on Tuesday (Feb. 2).

Dewi said that the bazaars will be held before the celebrations of Galungan, Kun-ingan and Chinese New Year in February in anticipation of price increase on prod-ucts that are in high demand during this period, as recommended by a high level meeting held on January 19th, 2016.

“To ensure that the activities of the low-cost markets have an impact on a wider area, they will he held in various

locations throughout the province of Bali and will involve district and municipal and provincial TPID,” she said.

Dewi added the low-cost markets start-ing taking place on January 29 at Pasar Anyar in Singaraja and at Abuan village in Bangli on January 31. Between Febuary 2nd and the 16th low costs bazaars will be held at 14 locations spread across Bangli, Badung, Tabanan, Klungkung, Denpasar and Gianyar.

“The implementation of the low-cost markets is also an effort to ensure that consumers can shop more wisely and avoid the speculative nature of traders who exploit the occasion of religious holidays in order to raise prices that then serve as anchors in the pricing of com-modities,” he said.

Dewi expects that the low-cost markets will provide an immediate impact on the maintenance of stable prices and thus pro-vide tranquility for the public.(kmb32)

Relocating overcrowded prison to Suwung landfill

Assessed to be unhealthy

Bazaar to curb inflation

IBP/Suasrina

The Chinese is preparing the celebration of the Chinese New Year in Konco in Kintamani. The Chinese New Year which will fall this weekend make the Chinese all around Bali make preparation including cleaning their holy place.

IBP/file

The scavengers are looking for things that can be sold back in Suwung landfill.

Bali News International4 Friday, February 5, 2016 13InternationalFriday, February 5, 2016

Cambridge University student Giulio Regeni, 28, disappeared on Jan. 25, the five-year anniversary of the uprising that ended Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule. His body has been taken to a Cairo morgue, a morgue worker and security of-ficials said.

In the run-up to the anniver-sary, police detained activists and warned people not to demonstrate. No significant protests took place. A friend of Regeni said he disap-peared after leaving his home in an upper middle-class district in Cairo to meet a friend downtown.

Last year, Islamic State militants kidnapped a Croatian man from the outskirts of Cairo and later be-headed him, but such incidents are rare and there was a heavy police presence in downtown Cairo when Regeni went missing.

Although the cause of death is still unclear, Regeni’s case could

hurt Egypt’s efforts to project an image of stability and attract more tourism and foreign investment after years of political turmoil and Islamist militant violence.

“An investigation into signs of torture on the body is under way,” one of the security officials told Re-uters. “He was found on the side of a road.” A source in the office of the Public Prosecutor said prosecutors had inspected the body and found stab marks on Regeni’s shoulders and cuts on his ear and nose.

Regeni was found semi-naked at the start of the highway from Cairo to Alexandria, the source said.

Italian Industry Minister Fed-erica Guidi cut short a two-day visit to Egypt on Wednesday night after Regeni’s death was reported. On behalf of the Italian government, Guidi asked Egypt to investigate his death before her return to Rome, her ministry’s press office said.

A copy of Regeni’s CV, provided by another friend, indicated he spoke four languages and had won several scholarships. His research focused on trade unions in Egypt after the 2011 uprising that ended President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule.

Human rights groups say Egyp-tians are often detained by police on little evidence and beaten or coerced. Scores have disappeared since 2013. Egypt denies allega-tions of police brutality.

Islamist militants have killed hundreds of police and soldiers since the army toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 after mass protests against his rule.

Militants have also targeted foreigners. A Russian passenger plane crashed in the Sinai in late October, killing all 224 people on board. Islamic State said it planted a bomb on board.

So far, Egypt has publicly said it has found no evidence that the MetroJet flight was brought down by terrorism. (rtr)

SEOUL — South Korea and Japan vowed to shoot down any debris that falls on their territories from a long-range rocket that North Korea plans to fire this month, with Seoul saying Thursday that it has detected launch preparations by Pyongyang.

North Korea has informed international organizations that it will launch an observation satellite aboard a rocket between Feb. 8 and 25. South Korea, the United States and others say such a move would be a cover for a banned test of a missile that could strike the U.S. mainland.

The launch announcement follows an outpouring of global condemnation over the North’s fourth nuclear test on Jan. 6. If North Korea’s past patterns are any clue, angry warnings by Seoul, Washington and their allies probably won’t dissuade a coming launch.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry said Thursday that the North is pushing ahead with the launch plans at its west coast Tongchang-ri launch site. Spokesman Moon Sang Gyun said South Korea is using Aegis-equipped destroyers, aircraft, sophisticated radars and other surveillance assets to monitor the North’s launch prepara-tions but refused to provide further details.

Recent commercial satellite images showed an increased num-ber of vehicles at North Korea’s Sohae launch station on Feb. 1, compared to a week earlier. This suggests that the North is prepar-ing for a space launch in coming weeks, according to 38 North, a North Korea-focused website run by the U.S-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

However, the website said it was impossible to tell from the satellite imagery whether a space launch vehicle was present.

South Korean and U.S. officials said a launch would threaten regional security and violate U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban the North from engaging in any nuclear and ballistic activities.

Diplomats at the U.N. Security Council have already pledged to pursue fresh sanctions on North Korea over its recent nuclear test. (ap)

Signs of torture on body of Italian student found in Egypt

Seoul, Tokyo threaten to intercept N. Korean rocket debris

Kyodo News via AP

Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force “Oosumi” carries PAC-3 missile interceptors as the transport vessel sails through Seto Inland Sea off Kure, Hiroshima prefecture, western Japan Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016 to prepare for a planned rocket launch by North Korea.

REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

A child’s shoe is seen in front of debris from a Russian airliner which crashed at the Hassana area in Arish city, north Egypt in this November 1, 2015 file photo.

CAIRO - An Italian student who went missing in Cairo has died and an investigation has been launched into signs of torture on his body, which was found dumped next to an Egyptian road, security officials said on Thursday.

MANGUPURA - The Badung Trade Agency inspected both modern and tradi-tional markets in Kuta and North Kuta on Tuesday (Feb. 5) in order to verify the price of goods ahead of Galungan and Chinese New Year.

Section Head of Consumer Protection, Made Sosiawati, on the sidelines of the inspection, said it is important to validate consumer goods that are in circulation so as to ensure that consumers are protected from harm.

“It is hoped that regular inspections by the Trade Agency (BPOM), and coaching by relevant Badung agencies will help make sellers, consumers and Badung people

in general feel safe and comfortable,” he said.

Head of the Badung Trade Agency, I Ketut Karpiana, added that inspections of traditional markets, and modern stores such as supermarkets and mini markets in Badung, will be held regularly by the BPOM and related agencies. “In addition to provid-ing guidance to merchants we also remind them to provide the best service that they

can to their customers,” he said. In ad-dition to targeting those who sell food and drinks, electronic stores are also being inspected to make sure that the products that they sell comply with the Indonesian National Standard or SNI. (kmb27)

He also explained that the local variety of rice that is cultivated in Mengani village is all grown using organic fertilizer and most of the fields are plowed using cattle. Organic paddy is not only good but also cheaper for farmers to grow. “I do not want to use chemical fertil-izers. The organic is much better and economically cheaper,” he said.

Rindi, who has been farming for some 8 decades, added that growing organic paddy is also very easy as the soil only needs to be fertilized once -when it is being tilled and the harvest yields are also promising. “Our harvest yields are normal and seldom do we experience pest attacks. This area is very suitable for the develop-ment of organic farming,” he said.

Similar opinions were expressed by another local farmer, I Gusti Made Sarjana who said that his rice paddy harvest yields are so good that he never has to buy rice and so he is reluctant to grow non-irrigated crops such as tangerines or coffee. “I do not want to turn this paddy field into a plantation. My rice yield are quite good,” he said.

Division Head of the Food and Horticulture for the Bangli Agriculture Agency, I Wayan Tagel Sujana, explained that in 2016 Mengani village will be used as the center of organic paddy development, on an area of some 20 hectares. “The water here is isolated from con-tamination and chemical waste, making this area ideal for the cultivation of organic paddy,” he concluded.

To get to Mengani village from the town of Bangli, visitors can pass through Belantih village in Kintamani, or for those coming from Badung Plaga, Petang is on the way. From Belantih village, it takes about 45 minutes to reach Mengani. Along the way the verdant green leaves interspersed with the yellow fruits of the tangerine plantations will will the eyes. There are also coffee plantations in this cool climate.

The beauty of the mountains around Bedugul, Taban-an with their hazy turquoise colour will also captivate visitors. The fresh breeze that blows through the valley also helps to calm the over saturated mind.

As one approaches Mengani village, the mountain atmosphere with its increasing numbers of farming seen swigging their hoes and sickles is enough to make one forget the damaged roads. Expanses of farmlands come into site as one enters the village and the free colour of the coffee plants and tangerine tress blends harmoniously with the

adjacent yellowing paddy and bowing fruit sway in tune with soft gurgling of the flowing water. (kmb45)

IBP/File

The Trade Agency inspect a traditional market in Kuta

Price of goods before Galungan and Chinese New Year Trade Agency raids modern and traditional markets

Mengani farmers cultivate organic riceThe district of Bangli’s agricultural potential is ever growing, with several products having been developed

to meet people’S needs and market trends. Mengani village in the subdistrict of Kintamani for example has been growing organic rice for nearly 20 years and unlike many other areas, paddy fields here are not central-ized but scattered throughout some 2,000 hectares. Local farmer I Wayan Rindi explained that the numerous springs found in the area inspired farmers here to expand the number of paddy fields in order to be able to supply the growing need for food. “Initially there were very few paddy fields but over time they increased in number. Today the subak group has 60 members,” he said.

IBP/File

The organic rice paddy planted in Mengani village in the subdistrict of Kintamani, Bangli

14 InternationalFashionFriday, February 5, 2016 3International Bali News Friday, February 5, 2016

“If I have freedom and no kind of conditions to do that or that, I would do it, with pleasure,” the 73-year-old Spaniard said at the opening of a new store in London’s luxury Mayfair district.

“I like my shoes to be outside there. Not copied, like in China, but the real thing!” said the flamboyant Blahnik, a close friend of the late Princess Diana who lives in Bath in southern England.

Blahnik, whose designs were popularised by the US television se-ries “Sex and the City,” has resisted the overtures of global fashion gi-ants to stay independent -- and now has eight solo stores in Dubai, Hong

Kong, London, Madrid, Moscow and New York.

He said he would only stop being independent “after I drop dead,” adding: “I love freedom, I adore freedom of any kind.”

“People say I need to do that, I need to do that, I really can do that. I can’t work that way.

“It took me so long to live in my conditions,” he said in accented English.

Blahnik’s designs have appeared on the feet of some of the most glamorous women in the world.

Asked which celebrities had the best ones, he named actresses Raquel Welch and Brigitte Bardot

but said he was disillusioned by modern-day stars.

“They are not those great old stars that used to wear flat shoes and be so sexy,” said Blahnik, whose shoes can sell for more than $1,000 (916 euros) a pair.

Blahnik decried the modern trend of women wearing trainers, saying they “could destroy” their feet.

“But they say that about shoes all the time, that they destroy women’s feet. Nonsense!”

Born on November 7, 1942 in the Canary Islands, Blahnik is the son of a Czech father and a Spanish mother and grew up on her banana plantation.

His parents wanted him to be-come a diplomat but US Vogue’s leg-endary editor Diana Vreeland steered him towards fashion design.

Blahnik’s new store, which opened at a glitzy launch on Tues-

day, is in the Burlington Arcade -- a gallery built in 1819 near Piccadilly Circus close to some of the British capital’s most expensive shops.

He faces some busy months with a new documentary on his life and an exhibition with 500 of his de-signs to be launched at the Venice Film Festival in September.

“It’s going to be in the places of Europe that I love best. It’s going to end up in Spain, but first of all it’s going to be in Venice because I worked in Venice for years and it’s the most beautiful city.”

He said it would also travel to Prague, his father’s native city, and be displayed in the world-famous Hermitage Museum in Saint Pe-tersburg.

“Can you imagine? It’s a great privilege and I don’t know why. Be-cause I do shoes, after all.” (afp)

NEW YORK — Will preppy ever go out of style? Not if Tommy Hilfiger can help it. But guardians of prep like Hilfiger most definitely

need to adapt, he said Wednesday as he presented his Hilfiger Edition line aimed at “feeling necessary, youthful and ready for right now,”

according to the show’s notes.These are wardrobe building

blocks for men, American classics that Hilfiger has been putting out

for 30 years, but with some notable twists aimed at the younger set.

“These guys want preppy but they want preppy in a new way, and

we’re giving it to them a little bit oversized again,” Hilfiger said in an interview ahead of his presenta-tion on the third day of New York Fashion Week: Men’s. “We were very slim for quite a few years but now we’re doing it a little bit more oversized. Better fabrica-tions, more interesting detail and a real nod to military and functional details.”

Many of the trousers were slouchy, though some suits were narrow and tightly tailored. A relaxed pajama-style suit came in a glen plaid of red and blue with nautical braided trim and a drawstring waist. One pair of red trousers had blue tuxedo striping on outer seams and a long coat in navy blue was fitted with gold buttons.

The global brand put visible stitching along some wider hems on pants and rolled out roomy and functional outerwear in wool with nylon or canvas detailing. There was a rugby shirt in a playful patchwork and luxe cashmere coats in camel, elevating the fall collection.

Hilfiger focused a lot on nautical and military vibes.

“We love gold bullion buttons,” he said. “We still have chinos, ox-fords, bomber jackets, blazers, but done in new ways.”

So back to a key question for the company: Will preppy ever go out of style?

“Preppy will always be. It al-ways has been,” Hilfiger said, “but it has to be new and fresh. It has to be relevant for the consumer today. Otherwise she or he will not even bite.” (ap)

‘Manolos’ for the people? Luxury shoe designer opens up

LONDON - Could “Manolos” come to the high street? The legendary shoe designer Manolo Blahnik told AFP he could work with retailers such as H&M and Topshop -- but only if they give him the creative freedom he needs.

IBP/Net

Tommy Hilfiger puts out prep aimed at younger set

AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

The Tommy Hilfiger Fall 2016 collection is modeled during Mens Fashion Week, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in New York.

“Various typical Chinese New Year souvenirs are especially being offered to the tourists from China and Hong Kong,” Ni Nyoman Sukiati, a Balinese craftswoman,

stated on Thursday.To welcome the upcoming Lu-

nar Year 2016, various souvenirs, such as wall decorations, hanging lanterns bearing Chinese characters,

and porcelain god statues are on sale at some supermarkets, shops, and tourism sites.

Sukiati believes that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Bali will increase following the implementa-tion of the visa-free policy for sev-eral countries, including China.

“Chinese tourists, who spend their holidays here in Bali, will

certainly want to buy some Balinese souvenirs,” she remarked.

Beside the Chinese souvenirs, Balinese craftsmen have cre-ated some unique and creative merchandise, such as bracelets, necklaces, and brooches, which are also considered as the main export commodities to be shipped to some destination countries such

as the United States, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and Europe.

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Bali, the realization of non-oil products and handicrafts during 2015 reached US$498.6 million, a decrease of 7.02 percent compared to US$536.3 million in 2014. (ant)

DENPASAR - Bali recorded a 7.02 percent fall in export earning to US$498.68 million in 2015 from US$536.33 million in the previous year. Despite the decline, Bali recorded a significant surplus with imports reaching only US$131.99 million that year, head of the Bali

branch of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) Adi Nugroho said on Tuesday.

In December, 2015, Bali’s exports made via a number of Indonesian seaports reached US$42.16 million, up 2.93 percent from November’s exports of US$40.96 million.

The December’s export value also was higher than export earning of US$40.89 million in the same month the year before.

Adi Nugroho said the largest destination of Bali’s export in 2015 was the United States accounting for 23.28 percent of Bali’s exports

in value, followed by Singapore ac-counting for 8.89 percent, Australia 8.88 percent, Japan for 6.69 percent and Hong Kong 6.33 percent.

Bali’s main export commodities are fish and shrimps accounting for 24.69 percent of the total value, jewelry for 13.78 percent, non

knitted garment for 11.04 percent, timber products 8.89 percent and furniture 8.26 percent. Adi Nugroho said Bali’s exports were made via Benoa of Denpasar 44.03 percent, East Java 50.33 percent, Central Java 0.03 percent and Jakarta 5.62 percent. (ant)

DENPASAR - Former presi-dent of Indonesia Susilo Bam-bang Yudhoyono has stated that Indonesia is likely to be a strong country in 2045 even as it faced opportunities and challenges at home and abroad.

“Indonesia will become a strong state in 2045 and also a developed country by the end of the 21st cen-

tury,” he said while giving a public lecture at Udayana University, Bali, on Tuesday.

Before touching 100 years after independence, Indonesia will have a great chance to be a powerful and a developed country.

“I am optimistic because we are already a part of the G20 countries. We have proven that as one of the

major economic countries, we could always extricate ourselves from a crisis and survive,” Yud-hoyono affirmed.

In addition, the rich natural re-sources and Indonesians’ increased per capita income are also consid-ered factors that will lead to great opportunities.

Currently, Indonesians’ per

capita income has grown by 350 percent from the initial amount of Rp1,118 ten years before.

However, Indonesia must be able to face some challenges such as a successful transformation, unity and hard work.

Led by its effective and vision-ary leaders, Indonesia should maintain good cooperation at bilat-

eral, regional and global levels, and pursue the values of transparency and accountability.

“Just imagine Indonesia as a sovereign state, complete with jus-tice, prosperity and unity. Global partnership and beneficial coop-eration should be carried out in a transparent way,” Yudhoyono noted. (ant)

Indonesia to be a strong country in 2045

In 2015, export earning down 7 percent

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

Bali’s entrepreneurs and craftsmen are ready to offer some unique and affordable souvenirs to foreign tourists who plan on celebrating the upcoming Chi-nese New Year in the Island of God.

Bali welcomes tourists with typical souvenirs for Chinese New Year

DENPASAR - Bali’s entrepreneurs and craftsmen are ready to offer some unique and affordable souvenirs to foreign tour-ists who plan on celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year in the Island of God.

Several roads in the cutlrue-based city of Denpasar including; Jalan Pulau Buton, Jalan Tukad Melangit, Jalan Tukad Irawadi, Jalan Waturenggong turned into rivers. Two man holes on Jalan Sudriman overflowed causing wa-ter to stagnate in from of SMAN 2 Denpasar High School where several vehicles became stranded in the “pond”. “My car could was stalled in a a traffic jam in the the deep water on the street that caused many engines to fail,” said a member of Commission III of the Bali House of Representa-tives, I.B. Gede Udiyana, who was trapped in the flood on Jalan Teuku Umar.

Jalan Siulan, Jalan WR Suprat-man, (on the bridge between Toh-pati and Batubulan), and many parts of Renon, Suwung and Sesetan were also flooded.

Reports from the Denpasar Di-saster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) stated that a number of homes and other locations were flooded in knee high water. The BPBD had to evacuate residents from the Padang Asti housing complex on Jalan Tangkuban Perahu, by rubber din-goes that were supplied by BPBD Bali. Many rivers in Denpasar

also swelled and overflowed into residential areas. “Water level in the Mati River dam reached 2.60 meters,” said a BPBD monitoring officer.

The Denpasar Public Works reported severe flooding on Jalan Mertasari Gang Mahabharata (Housing of Mahabharata), Jalan Sidakarya near Suwung Batan Ken-dal market, housing on Jalan Tukad Batanghari V as well as the housing of Bumi Ayu, Sanur. “Water levels were high enough to enter into residential courtyards. The water on Jalan Batanghari almost entered peoples houses there because to low terraces,” said Division Head of Ir-rigation at Denpasar Public Works, Ngurah Putra Sanjaya.

In West Denpasar, floods oc-curred in Padangsambian village on Jalan Padang Kartika, Padang Kertha, Uma Dwi, at the Purnawira housing complex as well as the surrounding area. “Flooding here (Padangsambian—Ed) seems to be the highest,” said Ngurah Sanjaya.

According to Sanjaya, the rain-water took extra time to recede be-cause the sea was at high tide during the rain storm. “There was a high intensity of water rushing down-stream and seawater in the south was at high tide. As a downstream could not be flushed out to sea as quickly as usual,” he explained.

Along with flooding, many trees fell as well. One fell in front of the IX / Udayana military commander headquarters and an old tamarind tree toppled in the parking lot. A fairly large branch of a tree on Jalan Hayam Wuruk also fell, blocking the road and forcing traffic to be diverted gas station next to the fallen branch.

There was also a fallen tree on

Jalan Raya Puputan and in another in front of the Consul General of Japan. “There are four points where trees were reported to have fallen. of fallen,” said the Head of the Denpasar Sanitation and Landscap-ing Agency (DKP), I Ketut Wisada, when met on Jalan Hayam Wuruk, Wednesday.

Regional Secretary of Denpasar, AAN Rai Iswara, instructed all re-

lated agencies including subdistrict heads and headmen to participate in monitoring the impact of the flood in their respective areas. “All rel-evant agencies including the BPBD, Public Works and Sanitation and Landscaping Agency (DKP) and the Health and Social Services, need to be ready to respond to any disaster,” he ordered. (kmb12/kmb27)

International2 15International Activities

Founder : K.Nadha, General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti Editors: Gugiek Savindra, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sueca, Sugiartha, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Suasrina, Buleleng: Dewa kusuma, Gianyar: Manik Astajaya, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Dewa Farendra. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Friday, February 5, 2016Friday, February 5, 2016

EvEry Temple and Shrine has a special date for it an-nual 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 consid-ered 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 “umbul-umbul”, 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, carry-ing 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.

Balinese Temple Ceremony

COVER STORYFrom page 1River ...

According to General Manager (GM) of BSMP, William Santoso, Bali Theatre choose to performs Kecak Dance from other Balinese dances because it is originated from Bona, Gianyar, which is one of vil-lages near Bali Safari and Marine Park. “This is one of our efforts to help villages near Bali Safari to develop and preserve their culture,” he said.

He stated Bali Safari want to in-troduced the original Kecak Dance to tourists so they can enjoy and learned about the diversity of Bali-nese culture. “We try to give some-thing new and different for tourists and Balinese people who have watch Kecak Dance. This original performance choreographed by

Mr. Sidia combine Kecak Dance and Tek Tok Dance, so it is an interesting performance to watch,” he explained when met before the show on Tuesday.

Bali’s iconic kecak dance traces its contemporary roots to the vil-lage of Bone in Gianyar where, in the 1930s, dance-master Wayan Limbak, working in conjunction with the German artist and musi-cian, Walter Spies, reworked the ancient sanghyang dance of trance and exorcism.

The end result of that artistic collaboration is the mesmerizing dance form that continues to be the cultural highlight of many visitors’ trip to Bali. Concentric circles of scores of half-naked male

performers chant and sing in eerie counterpoint as the battle of good versus evil taken from the epic tale of the epic Ramayana unfolds. In a daring new format that guarantees to enchant both an older generation familiar with the Kecak and a new generation viewing the dance for the very first time.

Following in the footsteps of Limbak, I Made Sidia - one of In-donesia’s leading choreographers and dramatists, has breathed new

life into this favorite from the Ba-linese dance repertoire. Departing from established convention, Sidia has managed to preserve the es-sence of the original Kecak while interweaving elements the Tek Tok Dance – another dance heavily reliant on the syncopated rhythms of the human voice. Ushering the performance into the modern age and apropos to the state-of-the-art performance venue to the Bali Theatre, “Kecak Masterpiece”

will be supported by sophisticated lighting, compelling music and sound effects - all combining in a way certain to viscerally move the audience.

“Kecak Masterpiece” will be presented each afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30 pm daily, except Mondays. Theatre packages offer choices of a stand-alone dance performance or a dance performance followed by animal Balinese Buffet dinner at 6:00 pm. (kmb18)

Bali Theatre presents “Kecak Masterpiece” A spectacular Kecak show originated from Bona

IBP/Courtesy of BSMP

GIANyAr – Set to debut in February 2016, the Bali Safari & Marine Park (BSMP) will present the “Kecak Masterpiece” – a one-hour spectacular performance presented by 115 dancers on Indonesia’s largest indoor stage at the Bali Theatre.

IBP/Courtesy of BSMP

IBP/Courtesy of BSMP

DUE to the heavy rain and strong wind that oc-curred on Wednesday, I Gusti Ngurah rai Inter-national Airport had to close for a half an hour on Wednesday (Feb.3). As a result, a number of flights were forced to be delayed or redirected to other air-ports. “The airport was closed between 11.30 AM until 13.00 PM,” said General Manager of I Gusti Ngurah rai Airport, Trikora Harjo.

A total of 17 flights were disrupted due to bad weather; twelve were delayed including two international flights and five flights from Jakarta were diverted to Juanda Airport, Surabaya.

Haruman Sulaksono, Operational Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I Juanda International Airport, Surabaya, confirmed this saying “At least five flights were diverted to Juanda Interna-tional Airport due to weather conditions in Bali,” he said.

Sulaksono explained that in the case of bad weather, the airport is not allowed to close down. Instead the weather conditions need to be reported to the pilots who are landing or taking off. “The airport will inform the pilot, then the pilot will determine whether he will choose to land or divert the airplane to another airport,” he said.

This is to avoid any accidents in airports that are experienc-ing bad weather, he explained. (par/ant)

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

An old tamarind tree toppled in the parking lot of IX/Udayana military commander headquar-ters.

Rain and strong wind

Ngurah Rai Airport closes for a 1.5 hour

ANTARA FOTO/Widodo S. Jusuf

A plane passed the Bali’s toll road before landing in Ngurah Rai International Airport. Due to the heavy rain and strong wind that occurred on Wednesday, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport had to close for a half an hour on Wednesday (Feb.3).

Not PublishedWe, the International Bali Post would like to apologize in advance becuase we will not be published on Monday, February 8,

2016 because the Chinese New Year

In terms of demand, things like household and government consump-tion, investment and overseas exports are expected to increase. Foreing im-ports on the other hand are expected to slowdown due to the influence of the continued strengthening of the US dol-lar agains beth Indonesian rupiah.

Household consumption, she said, has the potential to increase in line with the increase of minimum

wage (UMP) earlier this year as well as the decline in fuel prices, LPG and electricity tariffs. Govern-ment consumption is also expected to increase due to development plans initiated in 2014-2015 that will be continued in 2016.

Dewi Setyowati explained that the performance of foreign exports show improvements due to the strengthening of the economies of

Bali’s trading partners including China, Australia, Japan, Korea and the United States as well as some European countries. “Their eco-nomic conditions are improving so our exports are also increasing,” she said on Wednesday (Feb. 3).

In terms of supply, several business sectors are also predicted to grow, such as accommodations, agriculture, construction, trade and transport. The industrial economy however is expected to decline. “So, in 2016, overall economic growth is expected to reach 6.53 give or take

0.5 percent,” she explained.The growth of Bali’s economy in

2016 will become visible in the near future (Chinese New Year Celebra-tions - ED), when Bali will be visited by some 20,000 tourists from China. “So, these 20,000 visitors will be transported on 200 direct flights from China to Bali. In terms of accommoda-tions alone this represents substantial revenue,” said Dewi Setyowati.

Bali’s inflation rate for 2016, she added, is also estimated to increase slightly compared to last year - in the range of 4 percent give or take

1 percent. The driving force of in-flation is the supply and demand of food commodities for celebrations like Galungan and Kuningan (that will occur twice this year) Nyepi celebrations and other. (kmb21)

Page 6

I N T E R N A T I O N A L 16 Pages Number 308th year

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Friday, February 5, 2016

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.listen2my-

radio.com or live video streaming at http://radioglobalfmbali.com and http://ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.

Services paralyzed as Greeks strike against pension reforms

Friday, February 5, 2016

Page 8

Suarez scores four as Barca rout Valencia 7-0

MEXICO CITY — Yoko Ono has brought an anti-violence mes-sage to Mexico City with the opening of a participative-performance exhibit dubbed “Tierra de Esperanza,” or “Land of Hope.”

The 82-year-old Ono told a crowd Tuesday at the city’s Museum of Memory and Tolerance that “I have come here to bring world peace.”

Visitors to the exhibit can place stamps calling for peace on maps of Mexico or the world. Since 2006, Mexico has been awash in drug-fueled violence that has left more than 100,000 people dead or missing.

Museum-goers can also try to put

back together broken plates. Audience participation is key: One exhibit fea-tures a white telephone at the center of a labyrinth that Ono will call. Other parts of the exhibit describe the ef-

fects of violence against women. (ap)

Angelil died on Jan. 14 after a long battle with throat cancer in the suburban Las Vegas home that he shared with Dion and their three children. He was 73.

The Wednesday memorial will be held at The Colosseum at Cae-sars Palace starting at 7 p.m., with a livestream available online for the two-hour broadcast.

Event organizers said the singer with one of the most popular voices in the world will speak at the event celebrating Angelil’s life.

The widow didn’t speak pub-licly at his Jan. 22 funeral at the Notre-Dame Basilica, the site of their wedding 21 years ago. Their eldest son, René-Charles, gave the

eulogy to a crowd of nearly 700 people before Angelil was buried at the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges cemetery in a private graveside ceremony. The family on the pre-vious day had spent nearly seven hours greeting fans and mourners at a public visitation at the same Montreal church.

At the Las Vegas memorial, the mother and son will be joined by Angelil’s children from previous marriages and his brother, Dion’s publicist Kim Jakwerth said. There will also be music and speeches from guests ranging from Dion’s longtime agent and friends in the music business to Caesars execu-tives and a Las Vegas charity.

Born in Montreal to a Canadian mother and Syrian father, Angelil was a former singer-turned-man-ager who discovered a 12-year-old Dion and mortgaged his house to finance her first album.

He guided her career most of her life, most critically as she learned a new language to sing in English to become a widespread interna-tional success. By the late 1990s and 2000s, her soaring voice had become dominant on the radio. The theme from “Titanic,” the smash “My Heart Will Go On,” has been her defining hit, and she has had other hits that have sold millions of copies around the world.

Angelil was constantly seen by her side. He is also credited with launching Dion’s residency at Cae-sars in 2002, which helped shaped the current entertainment landscape on the Las Vegas Strip. (ap)

HONG KONG — Hou Hsiao-hsien’s cinematic kung fu masterpiece “The Assassin” may have missed out on an Oscar nod, but it tops nominees at the Asian Film Awards.

The nine nominations include best film, best di-rector, best cinematography, and best actress for Shu Qi. Hou won best director at Cannes last year for his painterly dramatic film.

Indian period drama, “Bajirao Mastani” earned five of the nominations announced Wednesday, as did Hong Kong cop thriller “Port of Call,” which received 13 nominations at the Hong Kong Film Awards last week.

“Port of Call” was absent from the best film cat-egory, where “The Assassin” competes with “Bajirao Mastani,” ‘’Mountains May Depart,” ‘’Three Stories Of Love,” ‘’Mr. Six” and “Veteran.”

The Asian Film Awards marks its 10th anniversary this year. The Asian Film Awards Academy hands out the awards as part of an effort to promote budding

filmmakers in the region and enhance collaboration among regional film industries.

The academy said it received 1,600 submissions from 32 countries, narrowed to 36 films from nine Asian countries competing for the top honors. Hong Kong director Jonnie To leads the jury.

Jury member Sean Lau Ching-wan said he’s most looking forward to watching great performances. “I think I’ll be mainly looking at actor’s performances and watch who bring the characters to life,” he said.

Donnie Yen’s performance in “Ip Man 3” was nominated in the best actor category alongside Nagase Masatoshi, Feng Xiaogang, Lee Byung-hun and John Arcilla from the Philippines. For best actress, Shu Qi faces competition from Zhao Tao, Haruka Ayase, Kim Hye-soo and Karena Lam.

In the directing category, Hou faces off with Jia Zhangke, Koreeda Hirokazu, Guan Hu and Ryoo Seung-wan. The awards will be handed out in Macau on March 17. (ap)

Celine Dion to speak but won’t sing at Rene Angelil memorial

LAS VEGAS — Celine Dion will address the audience, but she isn’t expected to sing at the memorial in Las Vegas for Rene Angelil, her husband and manager credited launching with her career.

Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press, File

This July 26, 2013, file photo shows Canadian music star Celine Dion, right, and husband Rene Angelil posing for photos after being decorated with the Order of Canada in Quebec City.

Painterly ‘The Assassin’ leads nominees at Asian Film AwardsYoko Ono brings ‘Land of Hope’

peace exhibit to Mexico

TORRENTIAL rains throughout most of Bali on Wednesday (Feb. 3) caused flooding and fallen trees in a number of areas in Denpasar and Badung and other parts of Bali. Trees fell in Kintamani Bangli, and Klung-

kung) on Jalan Bypass I.B. Mantra in Gelgel village and the compound wall

of Dalem Temple at Timbrah, Karangasem was toppled by an avalanche. The Ketapang-Gilmanul boat crossing was also disrupted. Several parts of Badung were flooded including: Kuta, Jalan Tangkuban Perahu and Kerobokan Kelod.

Denpasar was the worst hit by the heavy rains, with flood prone areas such as the housing complex on Jalan Gunung Payung, Jalan Tangkuban Perahu, Kerta Dalem hamlet, Sidakarya, Jalan Imam Bon-jol, Gang Air Mancur and Gang Nyobrida, SDN 9 Sesetan elementary school and several other places all becoming submerged. The elementary school had to move their computers and other materials to higher ground to avoid being destroyed by the flood waters.

Continue to page 2River ...

Bali’s economic growth projected to go up 6.53 percent in 2016

DENPASAR - Chief Representative Officer of the Bank Indo-nesia (BI) for the region of Bali, Dewi Setyowati, predicted that Bali’S economic growth will increase by 6.53 percent.

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

Torrential rains flushing most areas of Bali on Wednesday (Feb. 3) caused a number of areas in Denpasar and Badung to be hit by floods. The extreme weather also led a number of fallen trees in Bali.

Denpasar and Badung hit by floods some trees topple in Bali