SEMINYAK The Iranian Chris-tian convert and his team, have set a record as part of a symbolic action to protest against the “Severe religious restrictions, and Christian convert persecution” and in support of all who have been harassed for their belief. They took a Christmas tree deep in the ocean, the deepest a Christmas tree [...]

KUALA LUMPUR British billionaire Richard Branson will finally wear a red skirt and serve as a stewardess on Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia in May after losing a Grand Prix bet with the founder of the airline. Virgin boss Branson and AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes had agreed in 2010 that whichever of their teams (then [...]

KUTA Customs officers of the Ngurah Rai airport in Bali has aborted an attemp to smuggle 288 grams of hashish into Bali by a German citizen, Martin Robert Moller. “In the effort the suspect hid the drugs in his body. He inserted two capsules into his rectum and swallowed 20 other capsules,” Head of Regional [...]

DENPASAR A British woman on trial for drug trafficking in Indonesia should be imprisoned for 15 years, prosecutors have told a Bali court. The maximum penalty is death, but prosecutors requested the lesser sentence for Lindsay Sandiford, 56, after taking into account her age and her co-operation during investigations. Her lawyers have asked for time [...]

GIANYAR The existence of an illegal villa in Gianyar regency, Bali, is potentially threatening Ubud attractions in the region is famous for its natural beauty. “So far we do not know the level of influence, but gradually it will threatens Ubud area,” said Chairman Ubud Hotels Association (UHA) Heri Sumawan in Ubud. He is willing [...]

DENPASAR The US government will set aside US$19 million in aid for Indonesia judiciary to improve its public services. The fund will be allocated in four years to support development of Indonesian court and prosecution services, director of Misi USAID in Indonesia Andrew Sisson. The development of the legal systems is part of efforts to [...]

KUTA The management of Kuta beach has stated that visitors will be allowed to celebrate New Year’s Eve with fireworks and firecrackers. Several regions and customary villages in Bali had prohibited firecrackers following a series of accidents last year. “We have coordinated with the police [on the policy], visitors and tourists will be allowed to [...]

DILI Australia withdrew its last remaining police officers from East Timor as international forces wind up a 13-yearpresence in Asia’s youngest nation, where thousands have died in political turmoil. The eight Australian officers serving with the UN Police boarded a Darwin-bound plane from the capital Dili as the United Nations prepares to officially end its [...]