BADUNG ~ Government officials here voiced their objection this week to a proposed extension of Ngurah Rai International Airport’s only runway, saying it would destroy protected mangrove areas. Officials of the Badung Development Plan Committee said the regency would not allow an expansion into the mangrove area on the eastern side of the airport. “It’s [...]

DENPASAR ~ Drug distribution in Bali has decreased sharply in recent years, due to low demand, Bali Police spokesman Antonious Reniban said. Police seized 12,623 grams of marijuana in 2005, 11,605 grams in 2006 and 6,929 grams in 200, he said. Officers seized 8,469 grams of heroin in 2005, 748.5 grams in 2006 and 55.7 [...]

By Mark Ulyseas For The Bali Times This is about cross-cultural fertilization… The land of the rising sun in harmony with the morning of the world. Of course, one can’t overlook the ubiquitous watering hole. The jazz, sake and vodka. Occasionally, I have spent leisurely hours wallowing at my favorite watering hole, downing gallons of [...]

By Sophia Read For The Bali Times SEMINYAK ~ Vincent Van Gogh once said, “I often think that the night is more alive and richly colored than the day,” and nowhere is this more true than beneath the surface of the ocean. Diving, or even snorkeling, at night, one enters a whole new world of [...]

By Amy Chavez For The Bali Times I have always been fascinated by the shops on Jl. Legian. How can they all sell the same stuff? And a lot of it is just cheap junk. Who would buy this stuff? Well, I’ll tell you who. “I give you good price,” says the Balinese woman, begging [...]

SAN FRANCISCO ~ Spending on computer technology will top US$1 trillion this year as the industry grows increasingly vital to national economies worldwide, according to a study by technology market intelligence firm IDC. An analysis of 82 countries and regions found that information technology (IT) businesses – computer hardware, software and services – are major [...]

Indonesia’s exports are projected to grow 14 to 15 percent in 2008, with strong commodity prices likely to offset weak demand from the country’s major trading partners, a minister said this week. Trade Minister Mari Pangestu said that Indonesia would also try to increase its exports to emerging markets. “We need to anticipate what is [...]

State electricity company PLN is to soon sign contracts with nine independent power producers to build new plants to meet demand outside the main island of Java. The contracts will be signed later this month, PLN Independent Power Producer Management deputy director Nasri Sebayang told local media. The plants will be in East Kalimantan, Central [...]

The government wants to cut its liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to Japan from 12 to 3 million tons per year after current contracts between the two nations expire, an official said. Indonesia has said that it needs more gas to meet soaring demand for power to fuel Southeast Asia’s largest economy amid record oil [...]

By William J. Furney Managing Editor The Bali Times DENPASAR ~ The countdown began this week to the first Olympic-sanctioned Asian Beach Games, to be held in Bali from October 18-26 next year. At a glittering event in Denpasar on Tuesday night, officials from the organizing committee, and politicians, gathered to start a countdown clock [...]

BOGOR, West Java ~ President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono urged developed nations to take the lead in fighting climate change as he opened international talks here on the issue. Ministers and senior officials from about 40 countries were holding two days of informal talks from Wednesday aimed at building a foundation for a major United Nations [...]

JAKARTA ~ Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said during a visit to Indonesia this week that he hoped to secure “a real solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis by the end of 2008. The president is on a tour of key Muslim powers in Asia to drum up support ahead of a US-sponsored meeting with Israel expected [...]