16
Sport
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sauber working on team rescue deal
Former team principal Peter Sauber is believed to be working alongside BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen to evaluate a rescue package for the BMW Sauber Formula 1 team, following the German manufacturer’s decision to withdraw from the sport at the end of the season.
Bp/doc
Peter Sauber
‘Lucky’ Massa eager to return to racing Felipe Massa says he understands how severe his Hungaroring accident was, but remains determined to race again at the earliest opportunity. The Ferrari driver is set to be released from hospital in Budapest tomorrow as he continues to recover from the head injuries he sustained when he was struck by a spring that had detached from Rubens Barrichello’s car in qualifying last Saturday. “I know I’m lucky to be alive - I don’t remember anything about the accident but I will race again,” Massa told the News of the World. He added that he had been extremely confused when he was woken from the induced coma he had been
placed in following his surgery, but that when he heard how the Hungarian Grand Prix had unfolded he was confident he could have won. “When I woke up I didn’t know why I was in hospital, so I was asking ‘why am I here?’” Massa said. “I was pulling all the tubes and Eduardo, my brother, tried to stop me - so we had a fight. The accident was so unlucky but I know I’m lucky to be alive. I don’t remember anything of what happened. “It was my race, so when I awoke from the coma I couldn’t believe it when they told me Lewis [Hamilton] had won and Kimi [Raikkonen] was second.” Massa was visited in hospital yesterday by his friend and former
team-mate Michael Schumacher, who is making a surprise Formula 1 comeback to deputise for him at Ferrari while he recovers. Schumacher said he had been pleasantly surprised by how quickly Massa’s condition had improved. “It was good to finally see Felipe, I feel better now,” said Schumacher. “Although I’ve been constantly in contact with him through Nicolas and Jean [Todt] and I always knew everything, it’s always better to see things with your own eyes.” “I’m surprised by how good his condition is, considering that the accident happened last week. We’ve been together and spoke a bit about everything. I feel really relieved now.”
(AP Photo/MTI, Zsolt Szigetvary)
Luiz Antonio Massa, left, and Eduardo “Dudu” Massa, father and brother of the Ferrari team’s Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa, flash a thumb-up gesture outsidethe Honved Hospital in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. Massa is recovering from a life-saving surgery in the hospital after he crashed and suffered serious injuries during the time trial of the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix on the Hungaroring circuit, outside Budapest last Saturday, July 25, 2009.
A spokesman for Sauber told AUTOSPORT that the 65-year-old Swiss was looking at all possibilities to ‘achieve a positive outcome’ for the team. Sauber, who sold the team in 2005 to BMW following more than 25 years as a racing car constructor in F1 and sports prototypes, told a hastily convened press briefing in Switzerland that he had vowed to do all he could to save the jobs of his former employees. “I will do everything humanly possible,” Sauber was quoted on Bild’s website as saying. “I can’t do wonders and I certainly do not want to be team boss on the pitwall again. “The problem is that time is short and we need to find a solution quickly.” Citing a similar situation to the one faced by Honda, where Ross Brawn and Nick Fry brought together a financial deal to safe-keep what became the Brawn GP team, Sauber said the final decision remained with
BMW’s board of directors. “I’ve told all my people that I will use all my contacts, but I can’t guarantee anything. I am an advisor to BMW but ultimately only they can decide how to drive it forward.” Sauber told the press conference that offers of investment had already been received for a potential rescue package and that he had forwarded these to BMW. “The best solution would be a Ross Brawn-type solution at Honda,” he said. “You need at least ten years to amass a team which can produce a F1 car to the level required and if we let this team fall apart the chances are that Switzerland will never again have such an opportunity.” Sauber, who retains a 20 per cent shareholding in the team, remained confident a solution could be found to keep the Hinwil-based squad in F1, adding: “I must add that in my 17 years in F1 I have solved bigger problems.”
1 dead, 40 injured in Canada stage collapse
16 Pages Number 427 1st Year
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Monday, August 3, 2009
Balinese Hindus celebrated Sarawasti day PAGE 8
US, Asia lead tributes to former Philippines leader Aquino Agence France Presse
HONG KONG - The United States, Japan and Southeast Asia led international tributes to former Philippines president Corazon Aquino, who died Saturday after a battle with cancer.
Katie Holmes Hasn’t Been Offered ‘Sex And The City’ Role PAGE 12
People across the Catholic nation woke to the news early Saturday, as Aquino’s family announced the 76-year-old’s death and President Gloria Arroyo declared a 10-day period of mourning. President Barack Obama described her as a historic figure who helped restore democracy to her country. Obama “was deeply saddened” by news of Aquino’s death, read a statement late Friday from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Aquino “played a crucial role in Philippines history”, moving the country to democratic rule through her non-violent “People Power” movement over 20 years ago. “Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation. On behalf of the American people, the President extends his deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the nation of the Philippines,” the statement read. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed Aquino as an inspiration. “Cory Aquino was beloved by her nation and admired by the world for her extraordinary courage after the assassination of her husband, and later, during her service as president,” Clinton said in a statement. “She helped bring democracy back to the Philippines after many years of authoritarian rule with a faith in her country and its people that never wavered.” Aquino was propelled into the political spotlight in 1986, leading millions of Filipinos in protests against Ferdinand Marcos, who jailed thousands of dissidents during his brutal 20-year regime. Arroyo, in the United States on an official visit, said: “Aquino led a revolution that restored democracy and the rule of law to our nation at a time of great peril.” Continued on page 6
AP Photo/Aaron Favila, Pool
Filipino Bishop Angel Lagdameo, left, offers prayers to the late Philippine President Corazon Aquino at the La Salle school gym in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines on Sunday Aug. 2, 2009. Aquino, who swept away a dictator and then sustained democracy by fighting off seven coup attempts in six years, has died, her family said. She was 76.
Karachi building collapse toll rises to 24: police
WEATHER FORECAST CITY
TEMPERATURE OC
DENPASAR
19 - 32
JAKARTA
24 - 33
BANDUNG
20 - 29
YOGYAKARTA
21 - 33
SURABAYA
22 - 34
SUNNY
BRIGHT/CLOUDY
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AP Photo/Fareed Khan
Pakistani rescue workers search for bodies trapped in the rubble of a five-storey building which collapsed in Karachi, Pakistan on, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. A government official says a five-storey building collapsd in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi and has killed at least 16 people, almost all of them women and children.
KARACHI - The death toll from a building collapse in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi rose to 24 as rescue workers pulled out more bodies from the rubble, officials said Sunday. The five-storey building in the port city’s densely populated Khajoor Bazaar area collapsed late Friday, trapping dozens of people in the debris. Police on Saturday said 13 bodies had been recovered. “Rescue workers have recovered six more bodies, another five dead bodies are still trapped in the
rubble,” police official Irfan Meao told AFP by telephone. Eight others were injured in the incident. He said 11 of the dead were women while a child also died in the incident. “We are investigating the cause; the building may have been damaged because of last month’s heavy monsoon rain,” local government official Dilawar Khan told AFP. Last month Karachi’s first torrential rains of the monsoon season killed at least 26 people, mostly women and children, and injured hundreds. Karachi, with a population of 14 million people, is the economic of hub of Pakistan.
2
International
Monday, August 3, 2009
News WORLD NEWS
Chavez pulls plug on broadcasters, prompting outrage Agence France Presse
CARACAS - Thousands of demonstrators on Saturday gathered around the offices of 34 broadcasters that were taken off the air in Venezuela after President Hugo Chavez argued they abused free speech.
Putin dives MOSCOW - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Saturday dived to the bottom of the world’s deepest lake aboard a mini-submarine, in a highly mediatized stunt unusual even by the standards of the Russian hardman.
Israel shooting TEL AVIV -Israeli police hunt for a masked man who opened fire at a gay youth club in Tel Aviv, killing two people in an attack that has struck fear into the heart of the liberal seaside city’s homosexual community.
Malaysia criticised over protest crackdown KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia’s government faced criticism Sunday for arresting hundreds of people and using tear gas and water cannon to break up a protest against laws that allow detention without trial. Source: ap
Protestors railed against what they described as censorship, denouncing Chavez’s leftist government as a “dictatorship” in chants. Earlier crowds gathered in front of the national telecommunications regulator Conatel, which announced the closures. Conatel’s head, Diosdado Cabello, said Friday that 32 radio stations and two television stations would be shut down in the latest bid to tighten reins on the media as Chavez advances his leftist-populist program. “It is not that we have shut some radio stations, we are implementing the law. We have put them back in the hands of the people and not the bourgeoisie,” Chavez said in a televised address on Saturday. Cabello said the closures were due to the stations’ failures to meet legal operating requirements. The government has warned another 200 stations may face the same fate. As some stations fell silent, there were hundreds of supporters in Caracas and other cities voicing op-
position to the move. Carlos Correa, director of the free speech NGO Espacio Publico, argued that the government is trying to “break national-level means of offering critical or independent content.” “We are witnessing the largest ever clampdown on free speech Venezuela has ever seen, unprecedented in its democratic era,” Correa said. He also expressed outrage that the government’s new draft legislation on “media crimes” could send journalists to prison, and contains other proposed new legal limits on journalistic expression. One of the leading radio networks silenced Saturday was CNB — with five affiliates in Caracas, Valencia, Maracaibo, San Cristobal and Coro. Its news and feature programming was often critical of Chavez’s government. CNB owner Edgard Belfort said the move was “an opportunity to show us all that we are all stuck in this big problem. It is not just a problem for journalists, but a problem for all Venezuelans.”
AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos
Demonstrators protest against the closure of Venezuelan CNB radio station in Caracas, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. Venezuelan regulators revoked the broadcast rights of 34 radio stations on Friday, deepening a rift between Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez’s government and the private media. But Cabello insisted that the move nerable,” she said. was not censorship. He said there were Journalist Vladimir Villegas, a procedural legal problems in all the former director at VTV state televicases of shutdowns, such as lapsed li- sion, was troubled by the shutdowns. censes and improper license transfers. “I think that you can carry out soRadio is an important medium in cial transformation respecting diverVenezuela and News and Commu- sity without having to silence your nications Minister Blanca Eekhout critics,” he argued. has charged there is an “international In 2007, Venezuela’s government media campaign against the Venezu- did not renew the license of private elan revolution,” which she said national television network RCTV, made it necessary to step up media a tough anti-government critic. The regulation. government has threatened another “If media crimes cannot be pros- network, Globovision, with a shutecuted we will all be completely vul- down.
Raul Castro warns US, EU he will defend Cuban socialism Agence France Presse
HAVANA - Cuban President Raul Castro warned the United States and the European Union on Saturday that the country’s socialist political system was non-negotiable, adding he would not “restore capitalism” in Cuba. In a speech marking the end of the annual parliamentary session, which has been dominated by Cuba’s grave economic crisis, Castro said he would be willing to “discuss everything” except the island’s political and social system. The Cuban leader, who succeeded his ailing brother Fidel Castro as president three years ago, said he wanted to respond to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s statements linking dialogue with Cuba to democratic
reform in the country. “With all due respect, in response to Mrs Clinton, but also to the European Union... I was not chosen as president to restore capitalism to Cuba or to renounce the revolution,” he said to applause from lawmakers. “I was chosen to defend, maintain and continue to perfect socialism, not to destroy it,” said Castro. The former army chief, 78, reiterated that he would be willing to conduct a “respectful dialogue, between equals” with the United States. “We are ready to discuss everything, but not to negotiate over our political or social system. We must respect our differences,” he said. He described as “positive” some measures taken by the United States towards Cuba since President Barack Obama took office, includ-
ing a decision to lift some travel restrictions. But the Cuban leader noted that the longstanding US embargo on Cuba remains fully intact. He also called again for the “unconditional restitution” of Guantanamo Bay, which is home to a US naval base, describing the coastal area as the only place of Cuba where “torture has been practiced” since the 1959 revolution. On the domestic front, Raul Castro called on his countrymen to “save as much as you can” as Cuba struggles with its worst economic crisis since the 1990s. His comments came as the Cuban parliament on Saturday approved a series of belt-tightening measures. On Friday, the Cuban government downgraded its economic growth forecast for the second time in a week, and said that dire economic
straits forced a delay in the ruling Communist Party’s upcoming congress. Castro said growth would hit just 1.7 percent, a statement in official media said. That came after an earlier downgrade this week to 2.5 percent from six percent. The collapse in the price of nickel, the country’s principle export product, and a drop in earnings from tourism has hit the nation’s economy hard. But the country is also still dealing with the fallout from three hurricanes that struck the island last summer, causing damage estimated at 10 billion dollars — about 20 percent of Cuba’s GDP. The country’s legislature this session approved the creation of a new agency intended to tackle corruption, which will be attached the Council of State — headed by Raul Castro.
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Sport
International
Monday, August 3, 2009
15
Double-up Arshavin leads Arsenal to victory Agence France - Presse
LONDON – Russian international Andrey Arshavin came off the bench to score twice as Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the Emirates Cup on Saturday. All three goals came in the last five minutes. Cesc Fabregas lofted the ball over to the back post from the right, where Arshavin arrived to volley past Sergio Asenjo. However, German Pacheco then beat the offside trap to slot in an equaliser with just two minutes left. In one final twist, Arshavin latched onto a poor backward clearing header from Tomas Ujfalusi to slot the ball in from the tightest of angles. Arsenal welcomed back Czech winger Tomas Rosicky, who had been out of action for some 18 months with a string of niggling injuries, and his return was a welcome boost for manager Arsene Wenger following the loss of Samir Nasri to a broken leg. The Spanish side, who started with former Gunner Jose Antonio Reyes in attack and were captained by exManchester United forward Diego Forlan, could yet face Wenger’s men again in competitive action next month in the Champions League play-off. Arshavin, 28, arrived in England from Zenit St Petersburg during the January transfer window, but could not play in the Champions League. He impressed in the latter half of the season and hit four goals against Liverpool at Anfield. “The difference is now he knows how English football
works,” said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. “He knows as well he is part of the team from the start, and the team knows how important and how big an impact he can have on the results. Arshavin has what you cannot give to a player - he understands when there is an opportunity in the final third, and is certainly dangerous.” Earlier, Rangers defeated Paris St Germain 1-0 thanks to a 75th-minute goal from defender Madjid Bougherra. “I am pleased we did not concede a goal and I am happy with the performance,” said Rangers boss Walter Smith. “Our goalkeeper (Neil Alexander) did not have a great deal to do but you could also put that down to Paris St Germain not having the sharpness in front of goal.” Paris St Germain coach Antoine Kombouare was disappointed with his team’s lacklustre showing. “I am not happy because I don’t like to lose,” said Kombouare. “The team was not really passionate and didn’t show any aggression. They worked hard and we were good in our organisation. But we could not score any goals.”
(AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Arsenal’s Eduardo, right, battles for the ball with Athletico Madrid’s Cleber Santana during the Emirates Cup soccer match between Arsenal and Athletico Madrid at The Emirates Stadium in London, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.
Carragher wary of rejuvenated Owen Sad Ribery struggles as Agence France - Presse
LIVERPOOL, England - Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher admitted Sunday he was wary of the threat posed by former teammate Michael Owen at Manchester United. Carragher believes that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could have pulled off a masterstroke in signing the 29-year-old striker who had an injury-plagued spell at relegated Newcastle. “Signing Michael Owen was a clever piece of business by United and he has started really well in pre-season,” Carragher told the Sunday Mirror. “In a way I’m pleased he’s got a big move to a big club because he came in for a lot of criticism at Newcastle. Why? What did he do wrong up there? For me, Michael Owen is still a great player and great role model and I have this feeling he’ll be good for United. But he plays for our biggest rivals now so he’ll know I won’t want him to carry on scoring once the season starts.” He added: “He’s scored a lot of goals in the first few games for United and I hope he scores a few more pre-season because I want him to do well. “But as soon as the season starts I hope he has a drought.” Despite his respect for Owen’s talents, Carragher believes Liverpool’s forward pairing of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could not be bettered. “No other team in England has a partnership like Gerrard and Torres. There is no better partnership in the world at the moment. It’s strange to be talking about Stevie as a striker, but that’s what he has become and, for me, in that posi(AFP/File/ANDREW YATES) tion behind the main forward there Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, seen is no one better. When he’s playing here in 2008, admitted he was wary of the alongside Torres they have the ability to tear defences wide open in a threat posed by former teammate Michael Owen at Manchester United. split second.”
Bayern return to field Agence France - Presse
MUNICH, Germany - Bayern Munich’s French star Franck Ribery is injured and will miss his team’s start in the new Bundesliga season, the home fixture on August 8 at the Allianz Arena against Hoffenheim. Currently the man fans once hailed as “Kaiser Franck” is looking far from imperial and the additional recuperation period may give the 26-year-old midfielder time to carry out some public relations to polish up his image. The France international’s commitment to the mighty south German club has been looking very tarnished after a summer-long sequence of speculation about a possible move to Real Madrid, to Barcelona or even to Manchester United. In the end the bigspending Spanish club went away frustrated, making it clear the asking fee set by Bayern was over the top. Outspoken Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer blasted Ribery for, in his view, being more interested in his own career than the club and suggested that the player could still be sold - for 94 million euros. “Of course we would expect the market price, and if Cristiano Ronaldo is worth 94 million, then Ribery is worth a a comparable sum. But if no offer is forthcoming he must fulfil the terms of his contract until 2011,” he told Sport Bild newspaper. Commentators were not entirely convinced by a statement from Bayern management which said: “Bayern have at no time had and do not have the impression from Franck Ribery that he
would only use Bayern in order to further his own career. He has always given himself and his abilities to the service of the team.” As another season in Germany looms, Ribery’s attitude continues to make headlines. When the team assembled for the official preseason photo session, observers noted the Frenchman was unsmiling and distant. He may have been wishing he was at a different stadium - namely the Bernabeu in Madrid, hobnobbing with Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema as Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez proudly showed off his multi-million euro signings in the Spanish sun. New Munich manager Louis Van Gaal made it clear the France international would play for no more than 20 minutes in the first game of the season because of the tendonitis he has in his knee. The ex-Marseille player was ruled out of the team for the pre-season Audi Cup tournament involving Manchester United, AC Milan and Boca Juniors. The player currently tagged “the Bavarian Diva” by German media has missed all the side preparation matches since training resumed at Bayern Munich’s Black Forest camp in July. His condition poses a problem for France manager Raymond Domenech, preparing his side for the country’s next World Cup qualifying match against the Faroe Islands on August 12. Although the usually hyperactive midfielder may not be an essential part of the line-up to play the islanders, he will be called upon to perform in the ensuing ties against Romania and Serbia in September.
14
Sport
Monday, August 3, 2009
International
News
International
Monday, August 3, 2009
Phelps sets world record, beats Cavic in 100 fly
A year after Georgia war, tensions still simmer
ROME – Michael Phelps beat Milorad Cavic again. No doubt about it. With a defiant performance in a supposedly inferior suit, Phelps stayed close over the outward lap and rallied on the return to become the first swimmer to break 50 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly, beating the Serbian with a time of 49.82.
What at first seemed a small, remote conflict quickly erupted into a war with global implications as Russian forces drove deep into Georgia to repel a Georgian military attempt to retake the rebel region. Russian tanks, troops and fighter jets crushed Georgia’s military in a five-day blitzkrieg that shocked the international community. A year later, Russia has re-asserted itself as a power that can’t be ignored in the former Soviet Union, where Washington’s efforts to boost US influence deeply angered the Kremlin. Dismissing pleas from the West, Russia has entrenched its positions in South Ossetia and another rebel Georgian region, Abkhazia, gaining a key foothold in the strategic Caucasus region, a vital oil and gas transport corridor. Georgia, meanwhile, has seen its US-backed hopes of joining the NATO military alliance shattered and lost any chance of regaining control over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which make up about a fifth of its territory. “Russia won and the limits of Western ability to influence proceedings in the region were starkly exposed,” said James Nixey, a regional expert at London-based Chatham House. “Russia has certainly achieved its goal of saying that it is still the key regional player.”
Associated Press Writer
Cavic also broke 50 seconds, but 49.95 only got him a silver — and plenty of words to eat. He wasn’t nearly as close as last year’s Beijing Olympics, when Phelps famously won by one-hundredth of a second and Cavic always maintained that he actually touched first. “That satisfied me a little bit,” Phelps quipped with that crooked grin of his. “I set it up perfectly.” When Phelps saw his time at the Foro Italico, he hopped up on the lane rope separating him and Cavic, threw up his arms and let out a scream toward his mom and sister in the stands. Showing as much emotion as he ever has, Phelps also slapped the water and tugged at his Speedo LZR Racer
swimsuit — no doubt in reference to Cavic offering to get Phelps one of those supposedly faster polyurethane suits so he wouldn’t have any excuses. Phelps did just fine with his own attire. “It doesn’t matter what suit you wear,” Phelps said. “It matters how you train.” The two rivals finally shook hands, but that was about it. Nothing more needed to be said. “He congratulated me and kind of smiled a bit, but I have a feeling that our battle is going to go back and forth for a while,” Phelps said. Cavic did say one thing to Phelps: “You’re the man.” “He just looked at me and smiled,” Cavic said. “He knows it.” In one of the most memorable events of the Beijing Olympics, Phelps pulled out
an improbable victory on his final half-stroke to beat Cavic by the narrowest possible margin. Without that win, Phelps would not have broken Mark Spitz’s record with eight gold medals in a single games. Cavic has stewed over the loss ever since, believing he touched first but didn’t put as much pressure on the touchpad as Phelps, who adlibbed an extra lunge and crashed into the wall much harder. Even though all electronic and photographic evidence shows Phelps won, Cavic repeated his claims when he got to Rome. He also tried to get into Phelps’ head, saying it was the American’s own fault for sticking with a Speedo suit that isn’t as fast as polyurethane models such as the Arena X-Glide, which Cavic wears.
Williams, Bartoli advance to Stanford final Agence France - Presse
STANFORD, California - Venus Williams and France’s Marion Bartoli meet Sunday for the title at the WTA Bank of the West Classic in a repeat of the 2007 Wimbledon final.
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Venus Williams, left, and her sister Serena Williams wave to the crowd after beating Nadia Petrova, of Russia, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands, of the United States, during the Bank of the West tennis tournament in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.
Third seed Williams reached her 65th career singles final Saturday with a 6-0, 6-1 rout of fourth seeded Russian Elena Dementieva. Bartoli won a roller-coaster match against Samantha Stosur 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. Venus hammered Bartoli in straight sets when they played for the All England club title two years ago. Dementieva, winner of 13 career titles, was unable to make a lasting impression during her 64-minute thrashing at the hands of Williams, who is a fivetime Wimbledon winner. Dementieva was playing at Stanford for the first time as she prepares for the US Open starting August 31. The one-sided victory gave Williams a 31-7 record in 2009, with titles in Dubai and Acapulco. Williams, who served up five double faults to her opponent’s four, made up for the deficit with five breaks of the Russian, whose first-serve percentage finished at a low 43 percent. “I raised by level on important points,” said Williams. “Things really went well for me on court today.” Dementieva now stands 42-12 on the season after January’s backto-back titles in Auckland and Sydney. “She was just to good from the baseline,” admitted Dementieva. “I was always in trouble out there.” Williams’s victory gave her a ninth win in 11 meetings against Dementieva and was her sixth in succession over the Russian blonde. Bartoli started her two-hour victory with a break of Stosur in the pair’s second meeting in four seasons. But Bartoli lost her way in the second set as the French Open semi-finalist from Queensland Stosur stormed back to level with a pair of breaks. Bartoli re-established herself taking control of the third set to run out the victory despite ten aces from Stosur. The French winner has now reached back-to-back Stanford finals at the venue where she lost to Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak a year ago.
(AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Michael Phelps of the United States, right, winner of the gold medal of the Men’s 100m Butterfly is flanked by silver medalist Milorad Cavic of Serbia, at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.
Querrey follows bouncing Ball into LA showdown Agence France - Presse
LOS ANGELES - Qualifier Carsten Ball stretched his dream run at the Los Angeles Open all the way to Sunday’s final, where he faces former junior rival Sam Querrey in a battle of big servers, The Los Angeles-born Australian Ball will see his 205th ranking rise to 120th should he buck the odds and claim an ATP title ran past Argentine Leonardo Mayer 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) in their semi-final here. Sixth seed Querrey reached his third final as many events with an upset of two-time winner and top seed Tommy Haas 6-3, 7-5, with the Californian saving three break points in the final game to ice the win. “I’ve been playing a lot of matches recently,” said Querrey, who came up short in post-Wimbledon trophy bids at Newport and Indianapolis last month. “But the more matches you win, the better the confidence. I’ve been doing a lot of running on the track, 200 (metres), 400 (metres), that is starting to pay off. It may also help that I’ve been feeling pretty hyper on court.” Ball, who lives in nearby Newport Beach
and has happily commuted up to four hours per day ever since qualifying rounds more than a week ago, had never played an ATP-level match prior to this week. The 22-year-old son of 1974 Australian Open doubles finalist Syd Ball, fired 10 aces in the 91-minute win over Mayer, also playing the first semi-final of his career. “I’m really not thinking about the fact that I’m into a final,” said Ball, troubled a week ago by a back injury. “I just wanted to win the first round at qualifying and then go match by match. It’s a surprise to get this far but I’m looking forward to Sunday. Querrey is playing well. But I like the conditions, the court bounces high, that let’s you play aggressive and get to the net.” Querrey’s “Samurai” cheer squad of shirtless former high school mates with painted chests got up the nose of Haas, who said that he didn’t feel that jeering his errors was called for. “Those guys just showed they have no class, It’s up to Sam to take control of the situation if he wants to,” said the 31-year-old German who stood 16-3 since May after winning the Halle title and plying a Wimbledon semi-final against Roger Federer.
Sam Querrey serves to Tommy Haas, of Germany, during a semifinal match at the L.A. Tennis Open in Los Angeles, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Agence France Presse
TBILISI - On the night of August 7 last year, as rockets lit the sky and gunfire crackled along the border with Georgia’s rebel South Ossetia region, few could have guessed how much was about to change, not only for tiny Georgia.
— A long buildup —
The outbreak of the war — and its breathtaking speed — caught many by surprise.
The conflicts over South Ossetia and Abkhazia however had been on slow burn since both regions broke from Tbilisi’s control during wars in the early 1990s while tensions underpinning those conflicts date back many generations. Russia had long supported the regions’ rebel governments and Moscow’s relations with Tbilisi had been on a downward spiral since President Mikheil Saakashvili came to power in 2004 vowing to bring his country into NATO. When Saakashvili ordered his forces into South Ossetia, Russia responded on August 8 with a counter-attack that was quick and relentless. Russian land and air forces pushed Georgian troops out of South Ossetia and then sustained their charge, subsequently occupying swathes of territory both near that region and in western Georgia close to the border with Abkhazia. A European Union-brokered ceasefire brought an end to the fighting and within weeks Russia had recognised South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states — a move followed only by Nicaragua. Many questions remain over who started the war, with both Georgia and Russia accusing each other. But what is clear is that after years of losing ground to the West in the battle for influence here, Russia sent a strong message that resonated throughout the region. “Ex-Soviet countries were frightened by the war,” said Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief
of the journal Russia in Global Affairs. “Russia believes that to be truly secure it has to have some control over its neighbouring territories.” International condemnation of Russia’s role in the conflict was initially fierce, especially from the United States. But within a few months of the war it became clear that, in the long-term, the conflict in Georgia would have few negative consequences for Moscow. “Russia is set to be a force and there’s no getting away from that really. Yes, it made some people in the West more sceptical, but at the end of the day Russia is a player,” Nixey said. After suspending relations during the war, NATO and Russia resumed cooperation through the NATO-Russia Council in June. Ties with the United States have also improved since President Barack Obama came to power and promised to “reset” relations. — An uncertain future —
Meanwhile Russia has continued to defy the West in Georgia, building up its forces in South Ossetia and Abkhazia and preventing EU ceasefire monitors from gaining access to the regions. In moves condemned by Western countries, it also blocked the extension of United Nations and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe monitoring missions in Georgia, effectively ending international observation of the situation within the rebel provinces. Georgia has railed against Russia’s moves, but to little effect. The country’s international image was badly tarnished by the war, which many saw as an ill-advised military adventure. “The war has had catastrophic consequences for Georgia,” said Giorgi Khutsishvili, director of the
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AFP PHOTO / VANO SHLAMOV
A picture taken on July 30, 2009 shows 70-year-old Tsitsino Vazagashvili lighting a candle in front of icons and portraits of her daughter killed on August 9, 2008 during a Russian bombing. Nearly a year after it was reduced to rubble by a Russian bomb, 70-year-old Tsitsino Vazagashvili’s apartment block in the Georgian city of Gori has been completely rebuilt. Tbilisi-based International Centre for Conflicts and Negotiation. “The prospects of restoring its territorial integrity have been postponed indefinitely, possibly forever. And Georgia’s NATO and EU membership have become less possible — NATO cannot integrate a country with foreign military bases on its territory.” In fact, the war had consequences for NATO far beyond Georgia, slamming the breaks on the alliance’s eastward expansion to other countries like Ukraine, analysts said. “NATO countries do not want to run the risks of NATO’s enlargement,” Lukyanov said. Georgia did, however, manage to stave off the most dire predic-
tions that followed the war, with neither its government nor its economy collapsing. “There were a lot people who expected Georgia to descend into chaos after that kind of military defeat,” said Svante Cornell, research director with the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute. “Georgia has fared okay. It’s done better than a lot of people expected it to.” But relations with Russia and the separatists remain tense and analysts say another flare-up in the conflict can’t be ruled out. Foreign-backed negotiations in Geneva between Georgia, Russia and the rebels have made little progress and small-scale violence continues.
Spain’s tourism sector shaken by ETA attack in Majorca Agence France Presse
PALMA DE MAJORCASpain’s tourism sector, already battered by the economic crisis, now fears last week’s deadly bomb attack on the island of Majorca could scare off more holidaymakers at the height of the season. Majorca, which attracts millions of foreign tourists every year to its beaches and discos, was in shock over the killing by suspected Basque separatists of two policemen on Thursday in the beach resort of Palmanova. “We don’t deny that this attack has shaken the sector,” said Pedro Iriondo, head of the Association of Travel Agents in the
Balearics. Many of the mostly British tourists at Palmanova’s hotels, which have 30,000 rooms, were stunned by the massive security that followed the attack. Many remained in their hotel rooms for several hours afterwards. At the time of bombing, there were some 400,000 tourists on the island, which was temporarily sealed off. Spanish media have spoken of a “blow against the epicentre of tourism in the Balearics,” where the sector is already suffering from the economic crisis and competition from cheaper Mediterranean sunshine destinations, such as in Turkey and Tunisia. It has also lashed out at the treat-
ment of the attack by some foreign newspapers, notably in Britain, which it said focused on the effect on holidaymakers rather than the deaths of the two policemen. “We really didn’t expect this attack, given that Majorca is an island,” said Iriondo. But he noted that no travel agents have so far canceled tours since the bombing. Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega on Friday rejected suggestions that extensive coverage of the bombing in Britain and Germany would scare off tourists. “The people who visit here know that our tourist infrastructure is secure,” she said. But Spanish embassies contacted the governments of its main
tourist markets, such as Britain and Germany, following the attack to reassure them that the country is safe. As every year, the government has ordered the deployment of thousands of extra police to tourist destinations for the summer. The Balearic Islands, which groups Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, gets 80 percent of its gross domestic product from tourism, directly or indirectly. In 2008, it received 10 million tourists, including four million Germans and 3.4 million Britons. Since the beginning of the year, the islands saw 12.5 percent less tourists than in the previous year, according to statistics from the tourism ministry.
Spain as a whole received 57.4 million visitors last year, a 2.6 percent drop from 2007 and the first fall since the current record-keeping system was introduced in 1995. Last year it also lost its spot as the second-most visited country in the world to the United States, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation. France remained the world’s most popular holiday destination. The tourism sector accounts for about 11 percent of Spain’s jobs and gross domestic product, with the bulk of the industry’s income generated in Spain’s ageing “sun and beach” destinations that dot its southern coast.
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News
Monday, August 3, 2009
International
Life Style
International
Twin north-south crises expose Nigeria’s government
Fla. highrise has 32 stories, but just 1 tenant
LAGOS - Last week’s deadly extremist uprising in northern Nigeria is just the latest test of the fragility of President Umaru Yar’Adua’s government since coming to office in disputed polls two years ago.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Vangelakos’ southwest Florida condominium has marble floors, a large pool overlooking a river and modern furnishings that speak of affluence and luxury. What they don’t have in the 32-story building is a single neighbor. The New Jersey family of five purchased their unit four years ago, when Fort Myers was in the midst of a housing boom and any hints of an impending financial crisis were buried in lofty dreams of expansion and development. They made a $10,000 down payment and eagerly watched as builders transformed an empty lot into an opulent high rise, one that now symbolizes the foreclosure crisis.
Agence France Presse
For a greater part of this year, the administration has battled militants waging an “oil war” in the southern Niger Delta region, a crisis that has cost the country more than half of its traditional oil revenue. Northern Nigeria was last week rocked by some of the deadliest violence in recent years, claiming hundreds of lives in five days. The fighting erupted after an Islamic extremist sect styled along the lines of Afghanistan’s Taliban went on a spree of burning government institutions. But the seemingly unaffected and mild-mannered Yar’Adua, who himself is from the north, left the country in flames on Tuesday night for an official trip to Brazil, ordering his forces to crush the uprising once and for all. The main opposition Action Congress (AC) described the trip as “illadvised and ill-timed.” But the troops did just as directed, unleashing an all-out offensive that left hundreds — most of them suspected sect members — dead, including the top leadership. Human rights agencies want the clashes investigated for possible illegal killings. Analysts believe unless problems such as corruption, pervasive poverty and unemployment in the world’s eighth oil producer are tackled, widespread frustrations with the central government will continue to fertilise insurrections in Africa’s most populous nation. “The twin crises, in the Niger Delta and in the Islamist north, both
challenge the security apparatus of the Yar’Adua regime, but more fundamentally expose the fallacy of the united nation-state, ‘Nigeria’,” said Sebastian Spio-Garbrah of Eurasia Group, a international think-tank. “In the Niger Delta you have militias who openly preach secession and now in the Islamist north, you have anti-modernist rejectionist imams who are preaching a sort of separationist ideology,” he added. The new scale of an Islamist rebellion has brought fears of the proliferation of violent religious groups and sects active in other parts of Africa, such as the Maghreb. For a Paris-based specialist on Nigerian affairs with the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), Marc-Antoine Perouse de Montclos, the Islamist sects pose less impact to Nigeria than the militants in the southern oil hub. “The Islamist threat seems much less serious for Nigeria than the rebellion in the Niger Delta because it has an impact on the revenue of the country from reduced oil production”. “What happens in the Delta is much more serious than this Islamist blip which seems much more controllable,” he said, adding the majority of Muslims in Nigeria follow a more tolerant form of the religion. Nigeria, undoubtedly one of Africa’s most important nations because of its oil wealth and population, has an unenviable reputation for corruption, rigged elections, military rule, severe electricity shortfalls and e-mail scams.
“The future was going to be southwest Florida,” said Victor Vangelakos, 45, a fire captain who planned to eventually retire and live permanently in the condo. Most of the other tenants in the 200-unit condo didn’t close on their contracts, and the few that did have transferred to an adjacent building owned by the same company because more people live there. The Vangelakos’ mortgage lender will not allow them to do the same. That leaves them as the sole residents of the Oasis Tower One. “It’s a beautiful building,” said their attorney, John Ewing, who is representing 27 others who made deposits
AP Photo/Sunday Alamba
A Nigerian troop walks past burnt out motorbikes at Maiduguri, Nigeria, Saturday, Aug 1, 2009. Banks and markets reopened in this northern Nigerian city after five days of fierce fighting between police and a radical Islamist sect. The city was largely quiet Saturday _ the streets of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, had been cleared of bodies and the blood spilled during gunbattles that left at least 300 people dead.
The swift and brutal reaction by the security forces to end the latest troubles in the north, analysts said, was muscle-flexing by a government widely criticised by its own nationals as slow and ineffective. It could also have been meant to send warning signals to the militants in the south who have ruined subsaharan Africa’s second largest economy. “Attacks against symbols of the state such as police and prisons often signify a perception of ineffectiveness or lack of presence of the
Senior soldiers behind Iraq bank heist: ministry Agence France Presse
BAGHDAD - Two Iraqi army officers, including a member of the presidential protection unit, were behind a Baghdad bank heist earlier this week that left eight guards dead, the interior ministry said on Saturday. Spokesman Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf said three people had been arrested and that security forces were hunting other suspects after Tuesday’s 4.8billion-dinar (3.8 million dollar) robbery, one of Iraq’s biggest ever. Those in custody were arrested on Thursday, he said. “The main man who carried out the crime is a captain in the Iraqi army, in the presidential protection brigade,” Khalaf told a Baghdad news conference. “His name is Jafar Lazim Eshkaya al-Timimi.” He said that army Lieutenant Ameen
Associated Press Writer
Karim Zeyada al-Fadhly had also been detained in connection with the heist, and added that “another soldier was arrested and he is under investigation.” “There are others being searched for,” Khalaf added, telling reporters that the group had carried out the robbery for personal reasons. Eight police guards were found dead in the basement of the bank after the pre-dawn raid. At the time police said the robbers were probably insurgents looking to replenish their funds. Police also said it appeared as if the raiders had inside help, as the heist took place a day after a large cash transfer to the bank and no doors or windows were damaged. Khalaf said the money was found in a house in the central Baghdad shopping district of Karrada, the same neighbourhood as the branch of the stateowned Al-Rafidain bank that was robbed.
state, a powerless state,” said an African diplomat. “It’s not about resolving the problem but to show that the state exists,” he added. Information Minister Dora Akunyili said the security forces’ response to the latest Islamist rebellion “is a clear message to any other militant group that government does not tolerate militancy.” President Yar’Adua came to power in 2007 promising to rectify wrongs of past regimes — tackling endemic corruption, providing elec-
tricity and improving the lot of Nigerians. But the impatient locals have turned to nickname him “Baba Go Slow” in an apparrent euphemism of the country’s notorious traffic jams known here as “go-slows”. Nigeria, the world’s eight biggest oil producer, derives more than 90 percent of its foreign exchange revenue from oil exports. Most of its 140 million people are among some of the poorest in the world placed at 158 out of 177 on the UN Human Development Index.
China suspends officials after pollution protest: state media Agence France Presse
BEIJING - Authorities in central China have suspended two officials and detained the head of a chemical plant after villagers protested at pollution that had allegedly killed two people, state media said Sunday. The suspension Saturday of the chief and one deputy chief of Liuyang county’s environmental protection department came after about 1,000 people took to the streets last week over the plant, the Xinhua news agency reported. Authorities also detained the legal representative from the plant, which locals have accused of emitting toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, putting the safety of the drinking water at risk, according to Xinhua. The news agency said it was not able to obtain the names of the two officials and the plant’s representative. It said villagers in the county, in China’s densely populated Hunan province, had
been protesting since the death over two months ago of two people who were later found to have excessive levels of cadmium in their bodies. The protests culminated last week, when demonstrators gathered outside local government headquarters and a police station in the town of Zhentou, part of Liuyang county. They demanded free health check-ups, free medical treatment and compensation for ruined crops and land. Six of them were detained in the protests, Xinhua said, without explaining if they were later released. Xinhua earlier quoted Hunan officials as saying the plant had been plagued by environmental problems since opening in 2004 and was ordered to close in March of this year. Rapid economic growth in recent decades and routine flouting of rules have taken their toll on China’s environment, activists say. China sees tens of thousands of public protests each year, many tied to anger over polluting industries.
AP Photo/Christine Amario
In this photo taken Thursday, July 30, 2009, the 32story building, in which the only tenants are the Vangelakos family, is seen in Ft. Myers, Fla. Most of the other tenants in the 200-unit condo didn’t close on their contracts, and the few that did have transferred to an adjacent building owned by the same company because more people live there.
on units. “The problem is, it’s a very lonely building.” When the Vangelakos’ travel from Weehawken, N.J., to spend a week or a few days in their Florida home, they have exclusive use of the pool, game room and gym, but they miss having a few tenants around. “Being from the city, it’s very eerie,” Vangelakos said. “It’s almost like a scary movie.” A large, circular fountain in front of the building is dry. The automatic glass doors that lead to the front lobby are locked. On the front desk is a guest sign-in sheet. The last entry: Feb. 13, 2009. “It’s like time froze here six months ago,” Ewing said. Vangelakos said they closed on the apartment in the fall, unaware the other tenants had failed to follow through. When they visited around Christmas, they didn’t think much of the emptiness. They were just happy to be there. “We wanted to believe,” Cathy Vangelakos said. “We were looking for what we were offered.” On subsequent visits, however, the building grew more deserted. The lights on the pool and palm trees were off. Their garbage shoot was sealed, a trash bin placed in front of their unit instead. Despite the empty units, they faithfully parked in their assigned spot on the second story of the parking garage. Then those lights went off, too. Then there were security concerns. One night, someone pounded on their door at 11 p.m. They called the front desk at the next door building, which contacted police. A search turned up no one, though a pool entrance was open. Another morning they awoke to find lounge chairs in the pool. The parents and their children sleep with their cell phones by their beds. “I’m not a chicken, but this is a big building,” Cathy Vangelakos said. Betsy McCoy, vice president and associated general counsel with The Related Group, which sold the family their unit, said they have tried to help find a solution — even offering them a unit in the building next door, free of cost, while the situation is resolved. “They haven’t wanted to take us up on that,” McCoy said Friday. “They frankly rejected every solution and offer and proposal that we’ve come up with.” McCoy said some of the interested buyers who put down deposits lost their jobs, others were unable to get mortgages and some were just nervous when the financial collapse came. The Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area in Lee County has some of the worst economic stress — a combination of foreclosures, unemployment and bankruptcies — in the country, according to The Associated Press’ monthly analysis of more than 3,100 U.S. counties.
Monday, August 3, 2009
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2 new Mozart works presented in Austria Associated Press Writer
SALZBURG, Austria – Researchers have unveiled two piano pieces newly identified as written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The International Mozarteum Foundation says the concerto movement and the prelude were likely created when Mozart was between 7 and 8 years old. The works are part of “Nannerl’s Music Book,” a well-known manuscript containing the prodigy’s earliest compositions. The foundation says analyses confirm Mozart’s father transcribed the pieces as his son played them on the keyboard, as Mozart was not yet versed in musical notation. Austrian pianist Florian Birsak played the pieces for reporters Sunday in Mozart’s home city of Salzburg. Mozart lived from 1756 to 1791. He began composing at age 5 and created more than 600 works.
AP Photo/Camay Sungu, File
FILE - This is a Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2000 file photo of a statue of famed Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart stands in front of a house in Salzburg Austria. More than two centuries after his death, the leg-
Nissan rolls out electric car at new headquarters Associated Press Writer
YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn drove quietly out of the Japanese automaker’s soon-to-open headquarters Sunday in the first public viewing of its new zero-emission vehicle. It was the first time the external design was shown of Nissan Motor Co.’s environmentally friendly electric automobile, set to go on sale in Japan, the U.S. and Europe next year. The blue hatchback had a sporty design and a recharging opening in the front. Designer Shiro Nakamura said the vehicle was designed to avoid a stereotypical futuristic design. “This is not a niche car,” he said. “We didn’t make it unusual looking. It had to be a real car.” Nissan has promised that the Leaf, which goes into mass-production as a global model in 2012, will be
about the same price as a gas-engine car such as the 1.5 million yen ($15,000) Tiida, which sells abroad as the Versa, starting at about $10,000. Ghosn drove out on stage with former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi sitting next to him, and with a Yokohama governor and mayor in the rear seats. “This car represents a real breakthrough,” Ghosn told reporters and guests at a showroom in the new headquarters. He said the new car and new office building in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, marked two fresh starts for Nissan, which hopes to take the lead in zero-emission vehicles. Nissan, which has an alliance with Renault SA of France, has fallen behind Japanese rivals Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in gas-electric hybrids that have become increasingly popular recently.
Oldest Animal Fossils Found in Lakes, Not Oceans Conventional wisdom has it that the first animals evolved in the ocean. Now researchers studying ancient rock samples in South China have found that the first animal fossils are preserved in ancient lake deposits, not in marine sediments as commonly assumed. These new findings not only raise questions as to where the earliest animals were living, but what factors drove animals to evolve in the first place. For some 3 billion years, singlecelled life forms such as bacteria dominated the planet. Then, roughly 600 million years ago, the first multi-cellular animals appeared on the scene, di-
versifying rapidly. The oldest known animal fossils in the world are preserved in South China’s Doushantuo Formation. These fossil beds have no adult specimens - instead, many of the fossils appear to be microscopic embryos. “Our first unusual finding in this region was the abundance of a clay mineral called smectite,” said researcher Tom Bristow, now at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. “In rocks of this age, smectite is normally transformed into other types of clay. The smectite in these South China rocks, however, underwent no such transformation and have a special
chemistry that, for the smectite to form, requires specific conditions in the water - conditions commonly found in salty, alkaline lakes.” The researchers collected hundreds of rock samples from several locations in South China. All their analyses suggest these rocks were not marine sediments. “Moreover, we found smectite in only some locations in South China, and not uniformly as one would expect for marine deposits,” Bristow said. “Taken together, several lines of evidence indicated to us that these early animals lived in a lake environment.”
AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye
Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn poses with the automaker’s new electronic vehicle ‘Leaf’ during an opening ceremony of the company’s new headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.
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Entertainment
Monday, August 3, 2009
Paul McCartney Plans His Final Tour Former Beatles star Paul McCartney’s next tour will be his last - the music legend is planning a series of massive gigs next year to mark his retirement from the road. The 67 year old icon is reportedly in negotiations to set up concerts across the globe, including China’s famous Tiananmen Square and Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, Germany - the famous crossing point of the Berlin Wall when the country was divided during the Cold War. And the gigs will mark the end of McCartney’s touring career, according to British newspaper The Sun. A source tells the publication, “Paul wants to go out with a bang. He’s played countless stadiPaul McCartney ums over his 50-year career and is on the hunt for the most unusual locations he can find. He realizes that the older he gets, the less his body will be able to cope with the demands of extended periods on the road. He might play the odd benefit gig - but other than that he’ll be putting his feet up and enjoying retirement. The tour in 2010 is likely to last well over a year, by which time he will be almost 70.” McCartney’s last global trek was 2003’s In The World Tour; he has since toured the U.S. and appeared at numerous music festivals, one-off shows and charity events.
Seth Rogen Embarrased By Megan Fox Rejection Seth Rogen was left cowering with embarrassment on late night TV on Thursday when one of his most red-faced moments on a chat show was played over and over again. The star told pal Jimmy Kimmel he was still upset over the way sexy star Megan Fox snubbed his advances when the odd couple appeared on the comic’s show in 2007 - and the host made a point of digging out the clip. Rogen explained, “Often the male guest takes it upon themselves to plant a small kiss perhaps on the cheek of the female guest as they come out. I was thinking, ‘When in my life will I ever get the chance to kiss this woman? Now’s my chance.’ So I tried to do it and... she physically stopped me from doing it and basically rejected me on television.” Kimmel then showed the clip of Rogen’s rejection over and over, even slowing it down, so viewers could see him pucker up and then look dejected. Red-faced Rogen said, “That was so much worse than I remember... It’s creepy of me, like, I looked weird in that... I’m one step away from the boob grab.”
International
Katie Holmes Hasn’t Been Offered ‘Sex And The City’ Role An insider told Britain’s The Sun newspaper, “The character they want her to play is a really ballsy, highpowered company executive who tangles with Samantha.” But Holmes’ representatives are baffled by the reports, insisting there is “no truth” to the claims, according to GossipCop.com. The Sex and the City movie sequel is expected to begin shooting in late August/early September. Born Kate Noelle Holmes on December 18, 1978 in Toledo, OH, Katie Holmes embodies the wholesomeness and charm of the prototypical All-American girl while exhibiting just enough dark undertones to let her audience know that America’s Sweetheart has a few tricks up her sleeve. As angst-ridden tomboy Joey Potter on the WB network’s Dawson’s Creek, Holmes went from relative unknown to, as indicated by a 1999 Teen People ranking, one of the “21 Hottest Stars Under 21.”
Agence France Presse
AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco
Supporters of Honduras’ ousted President Manuel Zelaya, holding up effigies depicting, from left, Honduras’ Chief of the Armed Forces Romeo Vasquez, Honduras’ former President Carlos Flores, Honduras’ interim President Roberto Micheletti, Cardinal Orcar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga and media member Rodrigo Wong Arevalo, attend a public meeting at the Francisco Morazan square in Tegucigalpa, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.
Protester dies as Honduras regime threatens crackdown Agence France Presse
TEGUCIGALPA - A Honduran teacher died three days after he was shot in the head while protesting the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya, as the military-backed regime threatened to crackdown on future demonstrations. Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise
Indian actress and reality television star Shilpa Shetty reacted furiously to allegations she was involved in a film shoot that breached protocol at a Hindu temple. Authorities at the Sakhigopal temple in Puri last week lodged a police complaint about the Bollywood star and her crew filming inside the sacred building, press reports said. But Shetty, who shot to fame over a race row on the British television show Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, dismissed the charges as “preposterous.” “We didn’t even shoot in the temple, and the channel obviously took permission to shoot at the footsteps without which we couldn’t have proceeded,” she wrote on her blog on Saturday. “I still don’t know why the FIR (first information report) is in my name because I was there hired as an actor to perform for the channel.” She described the dispute as a waste of time when India had “a huge backlog of more important judiciary matters” and said she had been brought up to behave properly in and around temples.
Roger Abraham Vallejo, 38, who was shot Wednesday during a protest in the Mercado Zonal Belen, in northern Tegucigalpa, succumbed to his injury on Saturday. Witnesses have said he was shot when hundreds of police officers charged a crowd of pro-Zelaya marchers. “All I know is that the police killed him for struggling for a just cause,” his 78 year-old mother Maria Soriano told AFP, as hundreds of Zelaya sympathizers crammed into a hall to mourn Vallejo. Vallejo became the third Zelaya supporter killed since the leftist president was bundled out of his bed gunpoint and kicked out of the country in a military-supported June 28 coup. “The blood that is being spilled will not be in vain, because we are
going to fight tirelessly” to reverse the military-supported coup, said Zelaya, from the Nicaraguan town of Ocotal, on the border with Honduras. “The people have the right to insurrection when someone takes power by force of arms, and we are using that right,” Zelaya said. The ousted president is organizing what he has called his “Popular Peaceful Army,” made up of hundreds of Hondurans who crossed into Nicaragua to support his cause. On Friday he threatened the interim Honduran regime with “generalized violence” if the coup was not reversed. Honduran police, perhaps anticipating further clashes, issued a warning late Saturday. Their statement said they said they would fully enforce the Honduran penal code forbidding protest marches “when they could affect free
circulation and the rights of others.” People who organize or lead “in an illicit manner any demonstration” face up to four years prison and hefty fines, the statement read. The coup has been roundly condemned abroad, and the regime, headed by acting president Roberto Micheletti, has been trying to find a peaceful solution to the crisis that does not involve restoring Zelaya to power. Micheletti said he was surprised that Zelaya had taken to the hills and “called for an insurrection.” And in an interview with local HRN news he criticised the United States’ line, saying he was surprised at US support for Zelaya. Washington has said that Zelaya is the country’s only president. US ambassador to Honduras Hugo Llorens even flew to Nicaragua and traveled to the border to meet the deposed president last week. “We are extremely surprised with the attitude taken by the (US) ambassador, and we call on him for a correction; he cannot be interfering in issues that are strictly of Honduras,” Micheletti said.
Iran hangs three for murder, drug trafficking Agence France Presse
AFP/File
Indian actress and reality television star Shilpa Shetty is seen posing for a photo with a priest at the Suvarna Temple in Mumbai, on July 26. Shetty reacted furiously to allegations she was involved in a film shoot that breached protocol at another Hindu temple.
Monday, August 3, 2009
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Saudi swine flu death toll rises to four as vaccines ordered
Katie Holmes has shot down rumors she’s been offered a role in the upcoming Sex and the City movie sequel. The Hollywood star was alleged to be the favourite to land a part as a feisty businesswoman rivaling Kim Cattrall’s man-eating character Samantha Jones in a follow-up to the 2008 box office smash.
Bollywood star Shetty dismisses temple complaint
Seth Rogen
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International
TEHRAN - Iran has hanged three men convicted of murder and drug trafficking in the central city of Isfahan, the government newspaper Iran reported on Sunday. The men executed in prison on Saturday were identified as Babak,
who was convicted of killing a man in 2003, Ghorban-Ali, 22, who had stabbed another young man to death and Hassan, 33, convicted of selling heroin. The latest reported hangings bring to at least 192 the number of people executed in the Islamic republic so far this year, according to
an AFP count based on news reports. In 2008, Iran executed 246 people, second only to China. Tehran says the death penalty is essential to maintain public security and only applied after exhaustive judicial proceedings. Murder, rape, armed robbery, drugs trafficking and adultery are all punishable by death in Iran.
RIYADH - Two Saudi men have died of swine flu, bringing to four the total such deaths in the Gulf state, which on Saturday said it has ordered four million vaccine doses ahead of the mass influx of Muslim pilgrims. A 32-year-old nurse who first showed symptoms of A(H1N1) three weeks ago died on Friday in the central province of Al-Qassim, the health ministry said, quoted by the official SPA news agency. A 25-year-old man, a heavy smoker, died in a hospital in southern Saudi Arabia the same day after suffering from throat and chest inflammation and developing a fever, it said. An Indonesian woman and a Saudi man have also died in the past week from the virus in the kingdom. The swine flu deaths have stoked fears over the expected influx of millions of pilgrims from around the world to the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina, in western Saudi Arabia, over the next five months. Health Minister Abdulla al-
Rabia told a press conference that Saudi Arabia was awaiting four million swine flu vaccines from international companies ahead of the influx. “Four million vaccine doses were reserved and of course, buying the vaccines is not easy as there is global competition,” he said. Rabia said the vaccines would be given primarily to pilgrims residing in Saudi Arabia, people who work on the organisation of the pilgrimage and residents of Mecca and Medina. The first shipment is expected to arrive by the end of October, he said, adding that the number of swine flu cases in the kingdom has reached 595. The umrah, or minor pilgrimage to Mecca, normally peaks during the month of Ramadan which covers August-September, when more than a million people could arrive in Mecca and Medina. On July 22, Arab health ministers agreed to ban certain vulnerable groups including the elderly and young children from the Mecca pilgrimage in an effort to contain the spread of swine flu.
Remains of US pilot missing 18 years in Iraq found
Michael “Scott” Speicher Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - The remains of the first American lost in the Persian Gulf War have been found in Iraq, the military said Sunday, after struggling for nearly two decades with the question of whether he was dead or alive. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology has positively identified the remains of Captain Michael “Scott” Speicher, whose disappearance has bedeviled investigators since his jet was shot down over the Iraq desert on the first night of the 1991 war. The top Navy officer said the discovery illustrates the military’s commitment to bring its troops home. “Our Navy will never give up looking for a shipmate, regardless of how long or how difficult that search may be,” said Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations. “We owe a tremendous debt
of gratitude to Captain Speicher and his family for the sacrifice they have made for our nation and the example of strength they have set for all of us.” The Pentagon initially declared Speicher killed, but uncertainty and the lack of remains - led officials over the years to change his official status a number of times to “missing in action” and later “missing-captured.” After years, the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq finally gave investigators the chance to search inside Iraq. And it led to a number of leads, including what some believed were the initials “MSS” scratched into the wall of an Iraqi prison. The search also led investigators to excavate a potential grave site in Baghdad in 2005, track down Iraqis said to have information about Speicher and make numerous other inquiries in what officials say has been an exhaustive search. Officials said Sunday that they got new information from an Iraqi citizen in early July, leading Marines stationed in Anbar province to a location in the desert which was believed to be the crash site of Speicher’s jet. The Iraqi said he knew of two other Iraqis who recalled an American jet crashing and the remains of the pilot being buried in the desert. “One of these Iraqi citizens stated that they were present when Captain Speicher was found dead at the crash site by Bedouins and his remains buried,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
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Monday, August 3, 2009
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Monday, August 3, 2009
New Zealand snowboarder dies in avalanche
BUSINESS IMF: Worst over for U.S. but recovery to be slow
Associated Press Writer
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A New Zealand man died in an avalanche while snowboarding on South Island, police said Sunday. The 30-year-old Queenstown man was the second person to die in an avalanche in the South Island mountains in nine days, after an Australian tourist was buried while heli skiing. The New Zealand man was snowboarding off-trail outside Coronet Skifield, police Inspector Warren Kemp said. Police said searchers located him about two hours after he was buried Sunday. He was flown to a hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Kemp said police would not release details about the man’s identity until his family had been informed. New Zealand’s Mountain Safety Council issued an avalanche alert July 24, after warm winds triggered “dangerous” conditions along South Island’s Southern Alps. It warned skiers, snowboarders, climbers and hikers to avoid backcountry travel until the danger subsides.
US, Asia lead tributes... From page 1 AP Photo/The Canadian Press - John Ulan
A devastating thunderstorm rolls into the site of the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alberta Canada Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. A vicious storm ripped through an outdoor country music festival in central Alberta around suppertime on Saturday, toppling the concert stage and killing one person and injuring 15 others. Camrose Police Chief Darrell Kambeitz confirmed the one death and said all 15 injured were taken to hospitals.
1 dead, 40 injured in Canada stage collapse Associated Press Writer
CAMROSE, Alberta - Fans screamed and ran for cover as a fierce thunderstorm caused an outdoor stage to collapse at a country music festival in central Alberta. Police said one person was killed and up to 40 others injured. Thousands of fans were camped out at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, 60 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Edmonton, when strong winds and heavy rain struck about 6 p.m. on Saturday. The concert is billed as Canada’s largest country music festival. Camrose Police Chief Darrell Kambeitz confirmed the one death and said 15 of the injured were taken to hospitals. Canadian media said four of those injured were in critical condition. Kambeitz later said up to 40 people could have been injured, with some treated at the site. Fearing a tornado, panicked fans scrambled to find loved ones and shelter. “We were all racing for the exit,” said Lori Trelenberg of Sherwood Park, Alta. “It was devastation. It was strong and powerful. The stage just sort of crumbled.”
The Nashville-based Billy Currington band was playing when the power went out and the stage collapsed. One band member was pulled from the wreckage with a badly injured arm. Kevin Costner and his band Modern West were next to perform when the storm hit. CFCW radio personality Danny Hooper was on the stage when the storm hit. “I can’t describe the sky - it was brown and purple and green,” Hooper said on CFCW. “The massive wind blew me backwards.” Maria Brandon and her sister, who were watching the show from bleachers near the stage, were injured as they tumbled into the wreckage. “It was the most terrifying experience of our lives,” she said. Kambeitz, the police chief, told The Canadian Press that reports of dozens of people be-
ing trapped at the site were not true. “The concert at Big Valley Jamboree was delayed and the concert bowl was being cleared when a small portion of the main stage collapsed,” he said. Vancouver-based country music singer Jessie Ferrel said it was a terrifying experience. “It felt like bombs were going off around us in this concrete and steel building. Huge hits of power hitting the building, and then the lights were off,” she told CTV News. “People were missing and trying to find each other and there was a woman who was trying to tell everyone to stop panicking and she was panicking.” The four-day festival in central Canada started Thursday and was scheduled to wrap up Sunday. It was not clear if authorities would continue the jamboree on Sunday, Kambeitz said. Social networking sites were quickly abuzz with reaction. On Twitter, the Oak Ridge Boys sent this message: “Our prayers are with the Big Valley Jamboree. We have been there six times, including last summer. We know these folks.”
Pope Benedict XVI hailed the former leader as a “woman of deep and unwavering faith” and praised the former leader of the Catholic nation for her “courageous commitment to the freedom of the Filipino people” and “her firm rejection of violence and intolerance”. Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a message of sympathy to his Philippine counterpart Arroyo over Aquino’s passing, state news agency Xinhua reported. She was “an outstanding leader of the Philippines, and she is also a good friend of the Chinese people,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said, according to Xinhua. Japan’s Prime Minister Taro Aso hailed Aquino’s contribution to friendly ties between the two countries. “We would like to sincerely renew our deep respect for her achievement,” Aso said. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the Philippines’ nearest neighbour Indonesia said in a statement he was “saddened by the news” and offered his “heartfelt condolences.” She was “greatly admired in Indonesia” and “one of the greatest daughters of the Filipino nation,” he said. “She will be remembered as a heroic woman who waged a courageous struggle for democracy and justice in the Philippines. As President and as citizen, she consistently carried herself with dignity and integrity.” Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also praised Aquino’s contribution to peace and development of democracy in the Philippines. “Her tireless devotion to peace, stability and democracy for the people of the Republic of the Philippines is well recognised throughout the world and will always be remembered and cherished by all of us with admiration and respect,” a message posted on the Foreign Ministry web site said. Singapore, in a statement from the ministry of foreign affairs, lauded her as “a remarkable woman” who worked tirelessly for the betterment of the Philippines.
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Reuters
AP Photo/Ben Neary
In this photo made Thursday, June 25, 2009, Carl Rupp poses next to a tractor on his form south of Torrington, Wyo.
WASHINGTON - The sharp contraction in the U.S. economy “seems to be ending” but recovery will be slow with risks still looming from the weak labor and housing markets, the International Monetary Fund said on Friday. The IMF, in its annual report on the U.S. economy, stuck to earlier forecasts that gross domestic product will shrink by 2.6 percent in 2009 and then rise by 0.8 percent in 2010. The report was prepared before U.S. data on Friday showed the economy contracted by a 1.0 percent annual rate in the second quarter. “As a result of their increasingly strong and comprehensive policy measures, the sharp fall in economic output seems to be ending, and confidence in financial stability has strengthened,” the IMF said in its report, which followed consultations with U.S. officials and institutions. “Nevertheless, with financial strains still elevated, the recovery is likely to be gradual, and risks are tilted to the downside,” it said. The IMF said unwinding fiscal and monetary stimulus measures would have to wait until a sustainable recovery is underway. But they need to develop exit strategies from stimulus programs, strengthen financial regulation and in the medium term cut budget deficits. Charles Kramer, head of the IMF’s North American Division, said the United States may need more stimulus measures if economic and financial conditions worsen significantly.
Still, he said, policy-makers should be thinking about how to end the generous fiscal and monetary policy measures put in place over the last 10 months. The IMF’s North American division deputy, Marcello Estevao, said rising unemployment is the greatest threat to recovery efforts. “The weakness in the labor market is going to reflect into the weakness in the housing market. When people lose jobs, wages don’t grow as much, it’s harder for people to pay their mortgage, Estevao said. He said the IMF sees U.S. GDP growing “a little bit” in the second half, with a sustained recovery not starting until the second quarter of 2010. The IMF’s forecast for unemployment was unchanged, seeing 2009 unemployment averaging 9.3 percent and rising to 10.1 percent for 2010. The IMF directors said the Federal Reserve would need to maintain a diverse set of tools to respond to evolving market conditions, and it recommended that assets it holds from bailed-out financial institutions, known as the Maiden Lane facilities, be transferred to the U.S. Treasury to protect the central bank from credit risk. The value of assets that the Fed has taken over from American International Group, for example, have been reduced by several billion dollars in recent months. The IMF welcomed the Obama administration’s efforts to revamp the U.S. financial regulatory system, and said this should aim to discourage size and complexity among financial firms to limit potential systemic risks in the system.
Slice of central US safe from recession shrinking Germany ups pressure on GM for Opel deal Associated Press Writer
Reuters
TORRINGTON, Wyo. – Carl Rupp and his neighbors follow the old rancher’s creed: “Keep your money in your pocket.”
FRANKFURT - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier phoned GM’s chief executive to underscore Germany’s expectations for the sale of GM’s Opel unit, a newspaper reported on Saturday. Without citing sources, mass-circulation newspaper Bild said Steinmeier phoned GM’s Fritz Henderson on Friday to say that German government financial guarantees would only be available for an investor that was long-term and that would secure jobs. Steinmeier is also vice chancellor in the current coalition government and the Social Democrat (SPD) party candidate to succeed conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel in elections scheduled for September 27. The German states where Opel has manufacturing plants and the federal government have expressed a preference for a bid by Canadian auto parts maker Magna, while sources close to the negotiations have said GM likes RHJ International.
Rupp has farmed his whole life. He lives in Goshen County, a rural spot along the Nebraska line where cattle outnumber humans 16 to 1 and you can still see the ruts cut by wagons that hauled pioneers along the Oregon Trail. “We’re very conservative,” said Rupp, 62. “We don’t go out too far on a limb.” That prudent financial bent, matched with the high prices paid for crops and energy in the past few years, has largely protected Goshen County and a core group of several hundred other counties in 10 states from the recession’s chokehold. The Associated Press Economic Stress Index shows they make up a “safe zone” that covers a long swath of middle America, from the Great Plains south to Texas. But the safe zone is shrinking. Energy production and prices are sliding, especially for coal and natural gas. Crop prices are dropping, too, as there’s less demand in Asia for American wheat, corn and soybeans. There were 800 counties in the safe zone a year ago, a number that dropped to about 300 counties in May and slid further to 200 counties in June. “To say that you’re doing pretty well is just to say that it’s the best-looking puppy in a pretty ugly litter,” said Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal, who recently imposed a 10 percent budget cut across his state’s government in response to falling tax revenue from the energy sector. The contiguous counties in the safe zone
start in Montana and North Dakota, and cascade into Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma, and end in northern Texas and eastern New Mexico. Those in the safe zone had an AP Economic Stress score under 5 in June, making them the economically healthiest in the United States. The AP calculates a score from 1 to 100 based on each county’s unemployment, foreclosure and bankruptcy rates. The higher the score, the higher the economic stress. The safe zone is largely rural — all but a dozen of the counties have populations of less than 25,000 people, many of whom make a living in agriculture. As the rest of the nation was riding the mortgage bubble, many farmers and ranchers in the safe zone who suffered through the agriculture crisis of the 1980s took on comparatively little debt. And when the recession hit, it didn’t dampen demand for the row crops grown on the Great Plains. Consumption of food and feed grains has increased 3 to 4 percent annually in recent years, while a federal mandate that gasoline contain certain levels of ethanol has also kept demand for corn and soybeans high. “The last few years, ag has been pretty good,” said Rupp, who sells alfalfa to dairies and feedlots. “In the long run, if there is such a thing, it’s more stable than being in a county with energy as a primary industry. We miss out on the booms and busts, but overall we’re in pretty good shape.”
Magna wants to expand Opel’s full-scale car assembly business and forecasts high growth rates, particularly in Russia, home of its bidding partner, Sberbank. RHJ aims to shrink production to return Opel to profit and may be open to selling it back to GM at a later date. One German state premier said a decision on a new start for Opel could come as early as this week, though a member of the German government’s Opel Task Force has said the talks between GM and the two competing bidders could drag on longer than expected. The endgame of the battle for control of Opel will likely be played out in the Opel Trust, which has formally owned 65 percent of the carmaker ever since GM entered bankruptcy in June and must approve any binding deal. Opel Trust’s board is comprised of two GM representatives and two for Germany — one for the federal government and a delegate for the four states in which Opel has plants. A fifth “neutral” board member has no vote.
An Opel logo is seen on the roof of an Opel dealer in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday July 28, 2009. Canadian auto parts maker Magna has increased the amount of upfront capital it will inject in its offer for General Motors’ European unit Opel, a German government source said on Tuesday. AP Photo/Virginia Mayo
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Monday, August 3, 2009
International
Congress moves to extend autos ‘clunkers’ plan Reuters
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Congress moved to triple the funding for the government’s successful “Cash for Clunkers” auto rebate program, which has brought car buyers back into showrooms and raised the outlook for an industry beset by abysmal sales, bankruptcies and job cuts. The program, which gives drivers a rebate to turn in an old car to buy a new one, received a boost on Friday when the U.S. House approved $2 billion for it on top of the initial $1 billion approved in June to stimulate auto sales. “The downward spiral has been broken,” said Mike Jackson, chief executive of U.S. dealership
group, AutoNation Inc. “We saw a stabilization in sales in the second quarter, and there will be a recovery in automotive sales.” Ford Motor Co shares closed up 61 cents, or 8.25 percent, to a new 52-week closing high of $8.00, as the rapid success of the program, initially funded with $1 billion, raised the outlook for the em-
battled auto industry. Ford shares were as low as $1.02 in November. Automakers are due to report U.S. sales next week. The speed with which consumers exhausted the clunker fund appeared to have caught the White House and Congress off guard, but President Barack Obama moved swiftly to call the program a boon to the economy. The incentive program offers consumers up to $4,500 to trade in gas guzzlers for more fuel efficient vehicles. Trade-ins cannot be more than 25 years old or get more than 18 miles per gallon in most cases.
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The program was approved in June and was expected to last through October. “The pace of sales has picked up dramatically,” Ford’s U.S. marketing and sales operations, Ken Czubay, said about business over the past month. The U.S. Department of Transportation formally started collecting data and approving vouchers this week, but dealers were able to offer incentives beginning July 1. Government and industry officials estimated that sales of nearly 250,000 vehicles have been made over the past month. Obama administration officials
JAKARTA - A plane carrying 16 people went missing in a mountainous area of Indonesia’s restive Papua province on Sunday, officials said.
Jl. Kepundung 67 A, e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id Jl. Palmerah Barat 21 F
AP Photo/NOAA, File
File - This image provided by NOAA shows a Aug. 10, 2007 file photo of a DeHavilland DHC6 Twin Otter similar to the one belonging to Merpati Nusantari airline that has gone missing over Indonesia’s Papua region early Sunday Aug. 2, 2009. Merpati Nusantari airline director of operations Capt. Nikmatullah says the Twin Otter plane was on a regular flight Sunday when it lost contact with officials on the ground.
The Merpati Airlines plane carrying 13 passengers and three crew was flying from Jayapura to Oksibil town when it lost contact with air traffic control, transport safety chief Herry Bhakti Singayuda told AFP. “We’re still trying to locate it,” he said. District mountain transport head Dumaroni suggested that weather may have been a factor, adding that everyone on board the plane was Indonesian. “To get to Oksibil, the plane has to pass mountains and the weather is always changing... it can just turn cloudy anytime,” he told AFP. Singayuda said the plane went missing around 40 minutes after it left Jayapura at 1:30 pm Papua time (0430 GMT), while Dumaroni said the plane lost contact much earlier,
at 0128 GMT. “It left Sentani airport (in Jayapura) at 10:15 am and was supposed to arrive at Oksibil at 11:05 am but lost contact at 10:28 am. Until now, it hasn’t arrived in Oksibil,” he said. Indonesia, which relies heavily on air links across the archipelago, has one of Asia’s worst air safety records. The European Union banned all Indonesian-registered aircraft from flying over its airspace in June 2007, acting on a report from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which criticised the country’s safety standards. The European Commission last month had taken Garuda Airlines and three other Indonesian carriers off its aviation blacklist after air transport authorities addressed safety concerns.
KPU discusses Supreme Court decision
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Plane carrying 16 goes missing in Indonesia: officials
considered suspending the program on Friday but opted to keep it going at least through the weekend. Leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives swiftly pushed through the $2 billion extension of the program through September 30, 2010, despite opposition from some members who objected to new industry subsidies. The 316 House votes in favor sent a strong message to the Senate, which is expected to weigh the House bill next week before taking a month-long break. The House recessed on Friday for a monthlong vacation.
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Jakarta - The General Elections Commission (KPU) held a plenary session here Saturday to discuss among other things about the follow up of Supreme Court (MA) decision that annulled several articles of the KPU‘s regulation no.15/2009. “We will hear the legal affairs analysis conducted by the (KPU)`s legal affairs bureau. We have received inputs and responses from the people, which we will study,” the KPU`s staff
member, Endang Sulastri said before opening of the meeting. The MA in a recent ruling annulled Article 22, section C and Article 23, Sub-articles 1 and 3 of KPU Regulation 15/2009 regarding the method to distribute second-phase legislative seats. Due to the decision, a number of political parties would get fewer seats in the parliament. Regarding the KPU‘s measure over the MA‘s decision, the KPU should consider the installation
schedule of the provincial and district/town legislative assembly members which among others will take place on early August 2009, she said. “This is one of the matters that will be discussed, which have to do with the legal position and the legal argument,” she cited, adding that her side also analyze all of inputs and facts received which will then be followed by the decision to be taken. On March 16, 2009, MA through its decision no.58/P.PTS/VII/13 and the KPU P/HUM/TH.2009 ordered
the KPU to cancel and revoke Article 38 paragraph 2 letter b and article 37 letter b KPU Regulation no. 15/2009. Both articles are set on the seat member of the provincial Legislative second stage. Then, on May 14, MA through through its decision no. 59/P.PTS/ VII/15 P/HUM/TH.2009 ordered the KPU to cancel and revoke Article 22 letter c, and article 23 paragraph letter 1 and 3 fo the KPU‘s rule 15/2009. In addition, MA also ordered the
KPU to revise the KPU‘ decision No 259/Kpts/KPU/2009 about the determination of political party gain in the parliamentary seats. Then, on June 2, MA issued a decision number 60/P.PTS/VII/16 P/HUM/ TH.2009 that ordered the KPU to revoke the order and cancel the article 45 letter b and section 46 paragraph 2 letter b of the same regulations. Finally, on June 10, MA ordered KPU to cancel and revoke Article 25 and improve the article 25 of the KPU regulation no 15/2009
Search on for missing Australian diver Antara Specialis in :
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Mataram - The Mataram branch of the Search and Rescue (SAR) agency has deployed two boats in the search for an Australian professional diver who has gone missing on Gili Trawangan islet, north of Lombok Island. “We have assigned two of our boats and 19 men to conduct a search around Gili Trawangan islet,” the chief of the SAR agency`s Mataram unit, Ida Bagus Gede Budisma SH, said here Saturday. The disappearance of Matthew Hamlin (26) since last Thursday (July 30) was for the first time reported by his girl-friend, Karen, who had seen him last when he left her at their accommodation on Gili
Trawangan islet, to go swimming off the beach. Budisma said the search would not be focused on a certain area in the sea because there were no clues or estimations of where Hamlin could have really gone when he was in the water. The only tangible indicaton the search team had was a statement from two friends of the couple that they had seen Hamlin walk toward the beach. The team also heard that Hamlin had planned to do some snorkeling in the Gulf of Nare and BangkoBangko, located south of Lombok Island. “So we will have to look for him at many locations where he might have gone,” Budisma said. The search for Hamlin would be
kept up for seven days, he said. Meanwhile, the head of the Gili Trawangan village administration, Zainuddin, said local residents would also help to locate the Australian who was 162 centimeters tall, had blue eyes and short cut hair. The search would also be done throughout Gili Trawangan islet which is three kilometers long and two kilometers wide, including at all existing lodgings. Hamlin‘s girl-friend, Karen, could not say where he had gone missing, at sea or on his way to the beach, because, when he left, she had remained at their lodging. Zainuddin said Hamlin‘s disappearance had also been reported to the Australian consulate general in Denpasar, Bali
AP Photo/Trisnadi
Indonesian dancers perform during Jember fashion carnaval in Jember, East Java, Indonesia, Sunday Aug. 2, 2009.
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Monday, August 3, 2009
Bali Today Balinese Hindus celebrated Sarawasti day Antara
Denpasar – Hindus in Bali celebrated “Saraswati” day on Saturday, August 1st 2009 which is the day to commemorate the birth of science and knowledge. The ceremony was carried out in Jagatnata temple in Denpasar. Students started from elementary school through university didn’t study on that day but they carried out ceremony and pray in their own school and in the temple. The ceremony accompanied by Balinese traditional music, gong, and holy song called “kidung”. The Saraswati day falls every 210 days and it being celebrated by offering “banten” made from coconut leaves, fruits and various kinds of foods. The offering is the symbol of gratitude toward God. I Ketut Sumadi, a lecturer in Denpasar Hindu Dharma Institute (IHDN), said “the Goddess of Saraswati is the symbol of knowledge and she describes as a beautiful woman with dignity. The Saraswati Goddess has four hands, each hold different things which symbolize the knowledge. One hand holds
“keropak” which symbolize the effort to learn science, the other hold lotus flower which means holiness, “genitri” symbolize long life education, and musical instrument symbolize knowledge is beautiful. Mr. Sumadi said that the knowledge also similar to water which flows constantly and can not be blocked. “If someone thinks that he or she is very smart and stop learning then it would be a very huge mistake. There is so much to earn and the knowledge could make someone wiser and didn’t arrogant,” he added. For that reason, every school in Bali places the statue of Saraswati Goddess as the symbol of knowledge. Most of the schools and government offices closed during the Saraswati day. The traffic in Puputan Badung filed was very crowded because many people wanted to pray in the temple.
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Balinese girls pray in Jagatnata temple during the celebration of Saraswati day. in Bali celebrated “Saraswati” day on Saturday, August 1st 2009 which is the day to commemorate the birth of science and knowledge.
Badung need more Balawista officers Antara
BADUNG – Badung regency which has many water tourism sites still need more water rescue officers (Balawista). AA Raka Yuda, the head of Tourism sites and interest division in Badung Tourism Department, said that currently Badung has 128 Balawista officers spread in 16 posts. “The number of officers is lesser than the requirements especially compared to the area of Badung regency. There is should be 22 posts for 63 kilometers of shore line and 178 Balawista officers,” he added. The government will fulfill the need gradually. Another post will be built soon in Dream Land beach in Pecatu, southern Kuta. Mr. Yuda said “ideally, each post guarded by at least 7 officers but currently only four or five officers on guard in each post.” Even tough the condition is not ideal but the officers always guard the tourists who enjoy the scenery of Bali. They keep the security and able to conduct rescue attempt if needed. In order to increase the professionalism of the Balawista officers, Badung government had given them the proper training with international standard.
Some 3,500 Tamiflu tablets distributed to Denpasar hospitals Antara
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Balawista officers conducted training in Kuta beach.
DENPASAR - To anticipate the spread of influenza type A (H1N1) or swine flu, some 3,500 tamiflu tablets have been distributed to hospitals and clinics in Denpasar. “We have distributed around 3,500 tamiflu tablets to all hospitals and clinics in Denpasar to anticipate the spread of H1N1 virus in the city,” local health office spokesperson Luh Sri Armini said here on Saturday. Sri Armini said the swine-flu mortality rate was relatively low and the persons infected with the virus were able to recover sooner, but it was better for those who had the symptoms to immediately have their health examined by doctors in hospitals, and follow a healthy life style. Besides distributing tamiflu to hospitals and clinics in Denpasar, Sri Armini said, public health officer had also been actively familiarizing people about swine flu and providing them with information on the way how to prevent H1N1 virus from spreading. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry on Wednesday last week reported 28 new type-A influenza (H1N1) or swine flu cases which brought
the total number of sufferers in Indonesia to 444, including one fatality. The ministry said the 28 new cases happened in seven provinces, namely Jakarta (13 ), East Java (5 ), Yogyakarta (3), West Javat (3), Banten (2), Bali (1), and North Sulawesi (1). The 28 swine flu-infected people are Indonesian nationals, and four of them had earlier traveled to Singapore and Thailand. The health ministry’s Director General of Disease Control and Sanitation, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, said swine flu had now made victims in 15 provinces, namely Bali, Banten, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, South Kalimantan, Riau Island, North Sulawesi, South Sumatera, North Sumatera, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, and Jambi. He said swine flu spreads fast because the virus was communicated from human to human through direct contact, coughing or items touched by infected people. The disease could be fatal but globally the number of deaths due to the type-A influenza was still very small, namely 0.4 percent. In Indonesia, of the total 444 cases, only one person had died so far, he said.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Balinese Culture Tetabuhan Arak, Berem, Tuak, and Cuka: Butha Kala’s Drinks Wherever you are traveling in Bali, it is easy to find the Balinese doing ritual activities. There are rituals held privately at home or at the family’s holy place, and those held collectively at the Pura (temple) or many other sacred places like the beach, water resources, at the market, rice field and involving the krama (member) of the village or banjar. Gambelan (Balinese traditional music) sound is played incessantly, the smoke of fragrant incense and the sound of the hand bells of Pemangku (Balinese priest) who recites various mantra, makes the situation very merry and full of magical enchantment. The rituals that are performed by the Balinese are according to the concept of Panca Yadnya (5 kinds of rituals as the shape of honest and straight forward sacred sacrifice) there is Dewa Yadnya, the ritual that is presented to Sang Hyang Widhi with all of His manifestations, Pitra Yadnya the ritual that is dedicated to the pitara (ancestor), Butha Yadnya, a ritual to the Butha kala, Manusa Yadnya, a ritual for human beings, Rsi Yadnya, ritual for the Maha Resi. Those five kinds of rituals are aimed to keep the security and promote a harmonic life between Bhuwana Agung and Bhuwana Alit (the universe and all it contains). Many kinds of sesajen (offering) that are dedicated during that ritual are a symbol of sincerity and purity of the Balinese for the gift of prosperity that is given by Sang Hyang Widhi, Gods and Goddess, the ancestor spirit, Maha Resi (Great priest), and still guarding the balance of the universe, the harmony of the power of nature, time and dimension (Butha Kala), and also the harmonic relationship between human beings. The offering materials consist of solid substances, that is several Balinese cakes (jaja), fruits, meats, cooked rice, flowers, janur (young coconut leaf) and others. All these materials are arranged to create a beautiful, lovely, and tremendous sesajen (offering). Whereas the liquid substance contains arak, berem, tuak, cuka, and water. These liquid substances in this offering are called tetabuhan/tabuh, because the way to dedicate is by menabuhkan (pouring) it to the ground or besides the offering three times. According to the Balinese faith, this tetabuhan of arak, tuak, berem, and cuka is because they are the favorite drinks of Butha Kala, magic creatures who also guard the safety of the universe. By giving the tribute in the form of their favorite foods and drinks, those creatures will never disturb the ritual celebration, then they also
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The picture of bhuta kala participate to keep the universe and human life in prosperity. With the belief of Butha Kala, the mysterious power of nature in its various manifestations, many mysterious stories are spread between people. A lot of places in Bali, whether mountains, rivers, rice fields or a big trees are considered to be sacred because it is believed that magic creatures stay there. The information about the mysterious events, creatures, and places often become a hot story in many mass media that are published in Bali. A lot of Balinese traditional painters pour their ideas on canvas about mysterious creatures with scary faces, and the mystery of the universe is absorbed and transformed into paintings. The drinks such as tuak, arak, berem, contain alcohol, and if consumed in a large quantities will cause ineberation. But, if just a little bit is taken, it will warm the body. During the rainy season like now, alcoholic drinks can be mixed with tea or coffee. Some say that arak mixed with certain spices or roots, is a strong potion and able to increase sexual desire. Tetabuhan arak, berem, tuak, and cuka is one of the Balinese offerings dedicated to Butha Kala.(BTN/*)
Bp/ist
The Hindus packed on the beach a day after the Saraswati day on Sunday, August 2nd 2009, which is called “Banyu Pinaruh”. The Hindus believe that by taking a bath in the sea, they can purify themselves from the sin they made all year.
BUBUH INJIN
(Black Rice Pudding) OVERVIEW: Different versions of this Balinese snack are a great favorite with visitors to Bali. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup black glutinous rice ¾ cup white glutinous rice 2 pandan leaves 5 cups water ½ cup palm sugar syrup 1½ cup freshly squeezed thick coconut milk PREPARATION: 1. Rinse both lots of rice well for 2 minutes under running water. Drain 2. Put 5 cups water, both lots of rice and pandan leaf into heavy stockpot. Simmer over medium heat approximately 40 minutes. 3. Add palm sugar syrup and continue to cook until most liquid has evaporated. Season with a pinch of salt. Remove from heat and allow cooling. 4. Serve at room temperature, topped with freshly squeezed coconut milk. Helpful hints: As fresh coconut milk turns rancid fairly quickly, a pinch of salt is usually added to the milk to help preserve it for few hours. A more effective alternative is to cook the coconut milk with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch diluted in a little water: heat gently, stirring constantly for a couple of minutes. This coconut sauce will keep overnight. Milk made from instant powdered coconut will not turn rancid, although the flavor is not as good as fresh coconut milk.
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Monday, August 3, 2009
Bali Today Balinese Hindus celebrated Sarawasti day Antara
Denpasar – Hindus in Bali celebrated “Saraswati” day on Saturday, August 1st 2009 which is the day to commemorate the birth of science and knowledge. The ceremony was carried out in Jagatnata temple in Denpasar. Students started from elementary school through university didn’t study on that day but they carried out ceremony and pray in their own school and in the temple. The ceremony accompanied by Balinese traditional music, gong, and holy song called “kidung”. The Saraswati day falls every 210 days and it being celebrated by offering “banten” made from coconut leaves, fruits and various kinds of foods. The offering is the symbol of gratitude toward God. I Ketut Sumadi, a lecturer in Denpasar Hindu Dharma Institute (IHDN), said “the Goddess of Saraswati is the symbol of knowledge and she describes as a beautiful woman with dignity. The Saraswati Goddess has four hands, each hold different things which symbolize the knowledge. One hand holds
“keropak” which symbolize the effort to learn science, the other hold lotus flower which means holiness, “genitri” symbolize long life education, and musical instrument symbolize knowledge is beautiful. Mr. Sumadi said that the knowledge also similar to water which flows constantly and can not be blocked. “If someone thinks that he or she is very smart and stop learning then it would be a very huge mistake. There is so much to earn and the knowledge could make someone wiser and didn’t arrogant,” he added. For that reason, every school in Bali places the statue of Saraswati Goddess as the symbol of knowledge. Most of the schools and government offices closed during the Saraswati day. The traffic in Puputan Badung filed was very crowded because many people wanted to pray in the temple.
BP/Eka
Balinese girls pray in Jagatnata temple during the celebration of Saraswati day. in Bali celebrated “Saraswati” day on Saturday, August 1st 2009 which is the day to commemorate the birth of science and knowledge.
Badung need more Balawista officers Antara
BADUNG – Badung regency which has many water tourism sites still need more water rescue officers (Balawista). AA Raka Yuda, the head of Tourism sites and interest division in Badung Tourism Department, said that currently Badung has 128 Balawista officers spread in 16 posts. “The number of officers is lesser than the requirements especially compared to the area of Badung regency. There is should be 22 posts for 63 kilometers of shore line and 178 Balawista officers,” he added. The government will fulfill the need gradually. Another post will be built soon in Dream Land beach in Pecatu, southern Kuta. Mr. Yuda said “ideally, each post guarded by at least 7 officers but currently only four or five officers on guard in each post.” Even tough the condition is not ideal but the officers always guard the tourists who enjoy the scenery of Bali. They keep the security and able to conduct rescue attempt if needed. In order to increase the professionalism of the Balawista officers, Badung government had given them the proper training with international standard.
Some 3,500 Tamiflu tablets distributed to Denpasar hospitals Antara
BP/doc
Balawista officers conducted training in Kuta beach.
DENPASAR - To anticipate the spread of influenza type A (H1N1) or swine flu, some 3,500 tamiflu tablets have been distributed to hospitals and clinics in Denpasar. “We have distributed around 3,500 tamiflu tablets to all hospitals and clinics in Denpasar to anticipate the spread of H1N1 virus in the city,” local health office spokesperson Luh Sri Armini said here on Saturday. Sri Armini said the swine-flu mortality rate was relatively low and the persons infected with the virus were able to recover sooner, but it was better for those who had the symptoms to immediately have their health examined by doctors in hospitals, and follow a healthy life style. Besides distributing tamiflu to hospitals and clinics in Denpasar, Sri Armini said, public health officer had also been actively familiarizing people about swine flu and providing them with information on the way how to prevent H1N1 virus from spreading. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry on Wednesday last week reported 28 new type-A influenza (H1N1) or swine flu cases which brought
the total number of sufferers in Indonesia to 444, including one fatality. The ministry said the 28 new cases happened in seven provinces, namely Jakarta (13 ), East Java (5 ), Yogyakarta (3), West Javat (3), Banten (2), Bali (1), and North Sulawesi (1). The 28 swine flu-infected people are Indonesian nationals, and four of them had earlier traveled to Singapore and Thailand. The health ministry’s Director General of Disease Control and Sanitation, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, said swine flu had now made victims in 15 provinces, namely Bali, Banten, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, South Kalimantan, Riau Island, North Sulawesi, South Sumatera, North Sumatera, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, and Jambi. He said swine flu spreads fast because the virus was communicated from human to human through direct contact, coughing or items touched by infected people. The disease could be fatal but globally the number of deaths due to the type-A influenza was still very small, namely 0.4 percent. In Indonesia, of the total 444 cases, only one person had died so far, he said.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Balinese Culture Tetabuhan Arak, Berem, Tuak, and Cuka: Butha Kala’s Drinks Wherever you are traveling in Bali, it is easy to find the Balinese doing ritual activities. There are rituals held privately at home or at the family’s holy place, and those held collectively at the Pura (temple) or many other sacred places like the beach, water resources, at the market, rice field and involving the krama (member) of the village or banjar. Gambelan (Balinese traditional music) sound is played incessantly, the smoke of fragrant incense and the sound of the hand bells of Pemangku (Balinese priest) who recites various mantra, makes the situation very merry and full of magical enchantment. The rituals that are performed by the Balinese are according to the concept of Panca Yadnya (5 kinds of rituals as the shape of honest and straight forward sacred sacrifice) there is Dewa Yadnya, the ritual that is presented to Sang Hyang Widhi with all of His manifestations, Pitra Yadnya the ritual that is dedicated to the pitara (ancestor), Butha Yadnya, a ritual to the Butha kala, Manusa Yadnya, a ritual for human beings, Rsi Yadnya, ritual for the Maha Resi. Those five kinds of rituals are aimed to keep the security and promote a harmonic life between Bhuwana Agung and Bhuwana Alit (the universe and all it contains). Many kinds of sesajen (offering) that are dedicated during that ritual are a symbol of sincerity and purity of the Balinese for the gift of prosperity that is given by Sang Hyang Widhi, Gods and Goddess, the ancestor spirit, Maha Resi (Great priest), and still guarding the balance of the universe, the harmony of the power of nature, time and dimension (Butha Kala), and also the harmonic relationship between human beings. The offering materials consist of solid substances, that is several Balinese cakes (jaja), fruits, meats, cooked rice, flowers, janur (young coconut leaf) and others. All these materials are arranged to create a beautiful, lovely, and tremendous sesajen (offering). Whereas the liquid substance contains arak, berem, tuak, cuka, and water. These liquid substances in this offering are called tetabuhan/tabuh, because the way to dedicate is by menabuhkan (pouring) it to the ground or besides the offering three times. According to the Balinese faith, this tetabuhan of arak, tuak, berem, and cuka is because they are the favorite drinks of Butha Kala, magic creatures who also guard the safety of the universe. By giving the tribute in the form of their favorite foods and drinks, those creatures will never disturb the ritual celebration, then they also
BP/doc
The picture of bhuta kala participate to keep the universe and human life in prosperity. With the belief of Butha Kala, the mysterious power of nature in its various manifestations, many mysterious stories are spread between people. A lot of places in Bali, whether mountains, rivers, rice fields or a big trees are considered to be sacred because it is believed that magic creatures stay there. The information about the mysterious events, creatures, and places often become a hot story in many mass media that are published in Bali. A lot of Balinese traditional painters pour their ideas on canvas about mysterious creatures with scary faces, and the mystery of the universe is absorbed and transformed into paintings. The drinks such as tuak, arak, berem, contain alcohol, and if consumed in a large quantities will cause ineberation. But, if just a little bit is taken, it will warm the body. During the rainy season like now, alcoholic drinks can be mixed with tea or coffee. Some say that arak mixed with certain spices or roots, is a strong potion and able to increase sexual desire. Tetabuhan arak, berem, tuak, and cuka is one of the Balinese offerings dedicated to Butha Kala.(BTN/*)
Bp/ist
The Hindus packed on the beach a day after the Saraswati day on Sunday, August 2nd 2009, which is called “Banyu Pinaruh”. The Hindus believe that by taking a bath in the sea, they can purify themselves from the sin they made all year.
BUBUH INJIN
(Black Rice Pudding) OVERVIEW: Different versions of this Balinese snack are a great favorite with visitors to Bali. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup black glutinous rice ¾ cup white glutinous rice 2 pandan leaves 5 cups water ½ cup palm sugar syrup 1½ cup freshly squeezed thick coconut milk PREPARATION: 1. Rinse both lots of rice well for 2 minutes under running water. Drain 2. Put 5 cups water, both lots of rice and pandan leaf into heavy stockpot. Simmer over medium heat approximately 40 minutes. 3. Add palm sugar syrup and continue to cook until most liquid has evaporated. Season with a pinch of salt. Remove from heat and allow cooling. 4. Serve at room temperature, topped with freshly squeezed coconut milk. Helpful hints: As fresh coconut milk turns rancid fairly quickly, a pinch of salt is usually added to the milk to help preserve it for few hours. A more effective alternative is to cook the coconut milk with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch diluted in a little water: heat gently, stirring constantly for a couple of minutes. This coconut sauce will keep overnight. Milk made from instant powdered coconut will not turn rancid, although the flavor is not as good as fresh coconut milk.
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Monday, August 3, 2009
International
Congress moves to extend autos ‘clunkers’ plan Reuters
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Congress moved to triple the funding for the government’s successful “Cash for Clunkers” auto rebate program, which has brought car buyers back into showrooms and raised the outlook for an industry beset by abysmal sales, bankruptcies and job cuts. The program, which gives drivers a rebate to turn in an old car to buy a new one, received a boost on Friday when the U.S. House approved $2 billion for it on top of the initial $1 billion approved in June to stimulate auto sales. “The downward spiral has been broken,” said Mike Jackson, chief executive of U.S. dealership
group, AutoNation Inc. “We saw a stabilization in sales in the second quarter, and there will be a recovery in automotive sales.” Ford Motor Co shares closed up 61 cents, or 8.25 percent, to a new 52-week closing high of $8.00, as the rapid success of the program, initially funded with $1 billion, raised the outlook for the em-
battled auto industry. Ford shares were as low as $1.02 in November. Automakers are due to report U.S. sales next week. The speed with which consumers exhausted the clunker fund appeared to have caught the White House and Congress off guard, but President Barack Obama moved swiftly to call the program a boon to the economy. The incentive program offers consumers up to $4,500 to trade in gas guzzlers for more fuel efficient vehicles. Trade-ins cannot be more than 25 years old or get more than 18 miles per gallon in most cases.
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The program was approved in June and was expected to last through October. “The pace of sales has picked up dramatically,” Ford’s U.S. marketing and sales operations, Ken Czubay, said about business over the past month. The U.S. Department of Transportation formally started collecting data and approving vouchers this week, but dealers were able to offer incentives beginning July 1. Government and industry officials estimated that sales of nearly 250,000 vehicles have been made over the past month. Obama administration officials
JAKARTA - A plane carrying 16 people went missing in a mountainous area of Indonesia’s restive Papua province on Sunday, officials said.
Jl. Kepundung 67 A, e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id Jl. Palmerah Barat 21 F
AP Photo/NOAA, File
File - This image provided by NOAA shows a Aug. 10, 2007 file photo of a DeHavilland DHC6 Twin Otter similar to the one belonging to Merpati Nusantari airline that has gone missing over Indonesia’s Papua region early Sunday Aug. 2, 2009. Merpati Nusantari airline director of operations Capt. Nikmatullah says the Twin Otter plane was on a regular flight Sunday when it lost contact with officials on the ground.
The Merpati Airlines plane carrying 13 passengers and three crew was flying from Jayapura to Oksibil town when it lost contact with air traffic control, transport safety chief Herry Bhakti Singayuda told AFP. “We’re still trying to locate it,” he said. District mountain transport head Dumaroni suggested that weather may have been a factor, adding that everyone on board the plane was Indonesian. “To get to Oksibil, the plane has to pass mountains and the weather is always changing... it can just turn cloudy anytime,” he told AFP. Singayuda said the plane went missing around 40 minutes after it left Jayapura at 1:30 pm Papua time (0430 GMT), while Dumaroni said the plane lost contact much earlier,
at 0128 GMT. “It left Sentani airport (in Jayapura) at 10:15 am and was supposed to arrive at Oksibil at 11:05 am but lost contact at 10:28 am. Until now, it hasn’t arrived in Oksibil,” he said. Indonesia, which relies heavily on air links across the archipelago, has one of Asia’s worst air safety records. The European Union banned all Indonesian-registered aircraft from flying over its airspace in June 2007, acting on a report from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which criticised the country’s safety standards. The European Commission last month had taken Garuda Airlines and three other Indonesian carriers off its aviation blacklist after air transport authorities addressed safety concerns.
KPU discusses Supreme Court decision
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Plane carrying 16 goes missing in Indonesia: officials
considered suspending the program on Friday but opted to keep it going at least through the weekend. Leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives swiftly pushed through the $2 billion extension of the program through September 30, 2010, despite opposition from some members who objected to new industry subsidies. The 316 House votes in favor sent a strong message to the Senate, which is expected to weigh the House bill next week before taking a month-long break. The House recessed on Friday for a monthlong vacation.
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Jakarta - The General Elections Commission (KPU) held a plenary session here Saturday to discuss among other things about the follow up of Supreme Court (MA) decision that annulled several articles of the KPU‘s regulation no.15/2009. “We will hear the legal affairs analysis conducted by the (KPU)`s legal affairs bureau. We have received inputs and responses from the people, which we will study,” the KPU`s staff
member, Endang Sulastri said before opening of the meeting. The MA in a recent ruling annulled Article 22, section C and Article 23, Sub-articles 1 and 3 of KPU Regulation 15/2009 regarding the method to distribute second-phase legislative seats. Due to the decision, a number of political parties would get fewer seats in the parliament. Regarding the KPU‘s measure over the MA‘s decision, the KPU should consider the installation
schedule of the provincial and district/town legislative assembly members which among others will take place on early August 2009, she said. “This is one of the matters that will be discussed, which have to do with the legal position and the legal argument,” she cited, adding that her side also analyze all of inputs and facts received which will then be followed by the decision to be taken. On March 16, 2009, MA through its decision no.58/P.PTS/VII/13 and the KPU P/HUM/TH.2009 ordered
the KPU to cancel and revoke Article 38 paragraph 2 letter b and article 37 letter b KPU Regulation no. 15/2009. Both articles are set on the seat member of the provincial Legislative second stage. Then, on May 14, MA through through its decision no. 59/P.PTS/ VII/15 P/HUM/TH.2009 ordered the KPU to cancel and revoke Article 22 letter c, and article 23 paragraph letter 1 and 3 fo the KPU‘s rule 15/2009. In addition, MA also ordered the
KPU to revise the KPU‘ decision No 259/Kpts/KPU/2009 about the determination of political party gain in the parliamentary seats. Then, on June 2, MA issued a decision number 60/P.PTS/VII/16 P/HUM/ TH.2009 that ordered the KPU to revoke the order and cancel the article 45 letter b and section 46 paragraph 2 letter b of the same regulations. Finally, on June 10, MA ordered KPU to cancel and revoke Article 25 and improve the article 25 of the KPU regulation no 15/2009
Search on for missing Australian diver Antara Specialis in :
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Mataram - The Mataram branch of the Search and Rescue (SAR) agency has deployed two boats in the search for an Australian professional diver who has gone missing on Gili Trawangan islet, north of Lombok Island. “We have assigned two of our boats and 19 men to conduct a search around Gili Trawangan islet,” the chief of the SAR agency`s Mataram unit, Ida Bagus Gede Budisma SH, said here Saturday. The disappearance of Matthew Hamlin (26) since last Thursday (July 30) was for the first time reported by his girl-friend, Karen, who had seen him last when he left her at their accommodation on Gili
Trawangan islet, to go swimming off the beach. Budisma said the search would not be focused on a certain area in the sea because there were no clues or estimations of where Hamlin could have really gone when he was in the water. The only tangible indicaton the search team had was a statement from two friends of the couple that they had seen Hamlin walk toward the beach. The team also heard that Hamlin had planned to do some snorkeling in the Gulf of Nare and BangkoBangko, located south of Lombok Island. “So we will have to look for him at many locations where he might have gone,” Budisma said. The search for Hamlin would be
kept up for seven days, he said. Meanwhile, the head of the Gili Trawangan village administration, Zainuddin, said local residents would also help to locate the Australian who was 162 centimeters tall, had blue eyes and short cut hair. The search would also be done throughout Gili Trawangan islet which is three kilometers long and two kilometers wide, including at all existing lodgings. Hamlin‘s girl-friend, Karen, could not say where he had gone missing, at sea or on his way to the beach, because, when he left, she had remained at their lodging. Zainuddin said Hamlin‘s disappearance had also been reported to the Australian consulate general in Denpasar, Bali
AP Photo/Trisnadi
Indonesian dancers perform during Jember fashion carnaval in Jember, East Java, Indonesia, Sunday Aug. 2, 2009.
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Monday, August 3, 2009
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Monday, August 3, 2009
New Zealand snowboarder dies in avalanche
BUSINESS IMF: Worst over for U.S. but recovery to be slow
Associated Press Writer
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A New Zealand man died in an avalanche while snowboarding on South Island, police said Sunday. The 30-year-old Queenstown man was the second person to die in an avalanche in the South Island mountains in nine days, after an Australian tourist was buried while heli skiing. The New Zealand man was snowboarding off-trail outside Coronet Skifield, police Inspector Warren Kemp said. Police said searchers located him about two hours after he was buried Sunday. He was flown to a hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Kemp said police would not release details about the man’s identity until his family had been informed. New Zealand’s Mountain Safety Council issued an avalanche alert July 24, after warm winds triggered “dangerous” conditions along South Island’s Southern Alps. It warned skiers, snowboarders, climbers and hikers to avoid backcountry travel until the danger subsides.
US, Asia lead tributes... From page 1 AP Photo/The Canadian Press - John Ulan
A devastating thunderstorm rolls into the site of the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alberta Canada Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. A vicious storm ripped through an outdoor country music festival in central Alberta around suppertime on Saturday, toppling the concert stage and killing one person and injuring 15 others. Camrose Police Chief Darrell Kambeitz confirmed the one death and said all 15 injured were taken to hospitals.
1 dead, 40 injured in Canada stage collapse Associated Press Writer
CAMROSE, Alberta - Fans screamed and ran for cover as a fierce thunderstorm caused an outdoor stage to collapse at a country music festival in central Alberta. Police said one person was killed and up to 40 others injured. Thousands of fans were camped out at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, 60 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Edmonton, when strong winds and heavy rain struck about 6 p.m. on Saturday. The concert is billed as Canada’s largest country music festival. Camrose Police Chief Darrell Kambeitz confirmed the one death and said 15 of the injured were taken to hospitals. Canadian media said four of those injured were in critical condition. Kambeitz later said up to 40 people could have been injured, with some treated at the site. Fearing a tornado, panicked fans scrambled to find loved ones and shelter. “We were all racing for the exit,” said Lori Trelenberg of Sherwood Park, Alta. “It was devastation. It was strong and powerful. The stage just sort of crumbled.”
The Nashville-based Billy Currington band was playing when the power went out and the stage collapsed. One band member was pulled from the wreckage with a badly injured arm. Kevin Costner and his band Modern West were next to perform when the storm hit. CFCW radio personality Danny Hooper was on the stage when the storm hit. “I can’t describe the sky - it was brown and purple and green,” Hooper said on CFCW. “The massive wind blew me backwards.” Maria Brandon and her sister, who were watching the show from bleachers near the stage, were injured as they tumbled into the wreckage. “It was the most terrifying experience of our lives,” she said. Kambeitz, the police chief, told The Canadian Press that reports of dozens of people be-
ing trapped at the site were not true. “The concert at Big Valley Jamboree was delayed and the concert bowl was being cleared when a small portion of the main stage collapsed,” he said. Vancouver-based country music singer Jessie Ferrel said it was a terrifying experience. “It felt like bombs were going off around us in this concrete and steel building. Huge hits of power hitting the building, and then the lights were off,” she told CTV News. “People were missing and trying to find each other and there was a woman who was trying to tell everyone to stop panicking and she was panicking.” The four-day festival in central Canada started Thursday and was scheduled to wrap up Sunday. It was not clear if authorities would continue the jamboree on Sunday, Kambeitz said. Social networking sites were quickly abuzz with reaction. On Twitter, the Oak Ridge Boys sent this message: “Our prayers are with the Big Valley Jamboree. We have been there six times, including last summer. We know these folks.”
Pope Benedict XVI hailed the former leader as a “woman of deep and unwavering faith” and praised the former leader of the Catholic nation for her “courageous commitment to the freedom of the Filipino people” and “her firm rejection of violence and intolerance”. Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a message of sympathy to his Philippine counterpart Arroyo over Aquino’s passing, state news agency Xinhua reported. She was “an outstanding leader of the Philippines, and she is also a good friend of the Chinese people,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said, according to Xinhua. Japan’s Prime Minister Taro Aso hailed Aquino’s contribution to friendly ties between the two countries. “We would like to sincerely renew our deep respect for her achievement,” Aso said. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of the Philippines’ nearest neighbour Indonesia said in a statement he was “saddened by the news” and offered his “heartfelt condolences.” She was “greatly admired in Indonesia” and “one of the greatest daughters of the Filipino nation,” he said. “She will be remembered as a heroic woman who waged a courageous struggle for democracy and justice in the Philippines. As President and as citizen, she consistently carried herself with dignity and integrity.” Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also praised Aquino’s contribution to peace and development of democracy in the Philippines. “Her tireless devotion to peace, stability and democracy for the people of the Republic of the Philippines is well recognised throughout the world and will always be remembered and cherished by all of us with admiration and respect,” a message posted on the Foreign Ministry web site said. Singapore, in a statement from the ministry of foreign affairs, lauded her as “a remarkable woman” who worked tirelessly for the betterment of the Philippines.
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Reuters
AP Photo/Ben Neary
In this photo made Thursday, June 25, 2009, Carl Rupp poses next to a tractor on his form south of Torrington, Wyo.
WASHINGTON - The sharp contraction in the U.S. economy “seems to be ending” but recovery will be slow with risks still looming from the weak labor and housing markets, the International Monetary Fund said on Friday. The IMF, in its annual report on the U.S. economy, stuck to earlier forecasts that gross domestic product will shrink by 2.6 percent in 2009 and then rise by 0.8 percent in 2010. The report was prepared before U.S. data on Friday showed the economy contracted by a 1.0 percent annual rate in the second quarter. “As a result of their increasingly strong and comprehensive policy measures, the sharp fall in economic output seems to be ending, and confidence in financial stability has strengthened,” the IMF said in its report, which followed consultations with U.S. officials and institutions. “Nevertheless, with financial strains still elevated, the recovery is likely to be gradual, and risks are tilted to the downside,” it said. The IMF said unwinding fiscal and monetary stimulus measures would have to wait until a sustainable recovery is underway. But they need to develop exit strategies from stimulus programs, strengthen financial regulation and in the medium term cut budget deficits. Charles Kramer, head of the IMF’s North American Division, said the United States may need more stimulus measures if economic and financial conditions worsen significantly.
Still, he said, policy-makers should be thinking about how to end the generous fiscal and monetary policy measures put in place over the last 10 months. The IMF’s North American division deputy, Marcello Estevao, said rising unemployment is the greatest threat to recovery efforts. “The weakness in the labor market is going to reflect into the weakness in the housing market. When people lose jobs, wages don’t grow as much, it’s harder for people to pay their mortgage, Estevao said. He said the IMF sees U.S. GDP growing “a little bit” in the second half, with a sustained recovery not starting until the second quarter of 2010. The IMF’s forecast for unemployment was unchanged, seeing 2009 unemployment averaging 9.3 percent and rising to 10.1 percent for 2010. The IMF directors said the Federal Reserve would need to maintain a diverse set of tools to respond to evolving market conditions, and it recommended that assets it holds from bailed-out financial institutions, known as the Maiden Lane facilities, be transferred to the U.S. Treasury to protect the central bank from credit risk. The value of assets that the Fed has taken over from American International Group, for example, have been reduced by several billion dollars in recent months. The IMF welcomed the Obama administration’s efforts to revamp the U.S. financial regulatory system, and said this should aim to discourage size and complexity among financial firms to limit potential systemic risks in the system.
Slice of central US safe from recession shrinking Germany ups pressure on GM for Opel deal Associated Press Writer
Reuters
TORRINGTON, Wyo. – Carl Rupp and his neighbors follow the old rancher’s creed: “Keep your money in your pocket.”
FRANKFURT - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier phoned GM’s chief executive to underscore Germany’s expectations for the sale of GM’s Opel unit, a newspaper reported on Saturday. Without citing sources, mass-circulation newspaper Bild said Steinmeier phoned GM’s Fritz Henderson on Friday to say that German government financial guarantees would only be available for an investor that was long-term and that would secure jobs. Steinmeier is also vice chancellor in the current coalition government and the Social Democrat (SPD) party candidate to succeed conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel in elections scheduled for September 27. The German states where Opel has manufacturing plants and the federal government have expressed a preference for a bid by Canadian auto parts maker Magna, while sources close to the negotiations have said GM likes RHJ International.
Rupp has farmed his whole life. He lives in Goshen County, a rural spot along the Nebraska line where cattle outnumber humans 16 to 1 and you can still see the ruts cut by wagons that hauled pioneers along the Oregon Trail. “We’re very conservative,” said Rupp, 62. “We don’t go out too far on a limb.” That prudent financial bent, matched with the high prices paid for crops and energy in the past few years, has largely protected Goshen County and a core group of several hundred other counties in 10 states from the recession’s chokehold. The Associated Press Economic Stress Index shows they make up a “safe zone” that covers a long swath of middle America, from the Great Plains south to Texas. But the safe zone is shrinking. Energy production and prices are sliding, especially for coal and natural gas. Crop prices are dropping, too, as there’s less demand in Asia for American wheat, corn and soybeans. There were 800 counties in the safe zone a year ago, a number that dropped to about 300 counties in May and slid further to 200 counties in June. “To say that you’re doing pretty well is just to say that it’s the best-looking puppy in a pretty ugly litter,” said Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal, who recently imposed a 10 percent budget cut across his state’s government in response to falling tax revenue from the energy sector. The contiguous counties in the safe zone
start in Montana and North Dakota, and cascade into Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma, and end in northern Texas and eastern New Mexico. Those in the safe zone had an AP Economic Stress score under 5 in June, making them the economically healthiest in the United States. The AP calculates a score from 1 to 100 based on each county’s unemployment, foreclosure and bankruptcy rates. The higher the score, the higher the economic stress. The safe zone is largely rural — all but a dozen of the counties have populations of less than 25,000 people, many of whom make a living in agriculture. As the rest of the nation was riding the mortgage bubble, many farmers and ranchers in the safe zone who suffered through the agriculture crisis of the 1980s took on comparatively little debt. And when the recession hit, it didn’t dampen demand for the row crops grown on the Great Plains. Consumption of food and feed grains has increased 3 to 4 percent annually in recent years, while a federal mandate that gasoline contain certain levels of ethanol has also kept demand for corn and soybeans high. “The last few years, ag has been pretty good,” said Rupp, who sells alfalfa to dairies and feedlots. “In the long run, if there is such a thing, it’s more stable than being in a county with energy as a primary industry. We miss out on the booms and busts, but overall we’re in pretty good shape.”
Magna wants to expand Opel’s full-scale car assembly business and forecasts high growth rates, particularly in Russia, home of its bidding partner, Sberbank. RHJ aims to shrink production to return Opel to profit and may be open to selling it back to GM at a later date. One German state premier said a decision on a new start for Opel could come as early as this week, though a member of the German government’s Opel Task Force has said the talks between GM and the two competing bidders could drag on longer than expected. The endgame of the battle for control of Opel will likely be played out in the Opel Trust, which has formally owned 65 percent of the carmaker ever since GM entered bankruptcy in June and must approve any binding deal. Opel Trust’s board is comprised of two GM representatives and two for Germany — one for the federal government and a delegate for the four states in which Opel has plants. A fifth “neutral” board member has no vote.
An Opel logo is seen on the roof of an Opel dealer in Antwerp, Belgium, Tuesday July 28, 2009. Canadian auto parts maker Magna has increased the amount of upfront capital it will inject in its offer for General Motors’ European unit Opel, a German government source said on Tuesday. AP Photo/Virginia Mayo
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Entertainment
Monday, August 3, 2009
Paul McCartney Plans His Final Tour Former Beatles star Paul McCartney’s next tour will be his last - the music legend is planning a series of massive gigs next year to mark his retirement from the road. The 67 year old icon is reportedly in negotiations to set up concerts across the globe, including China’s famous Tiananmen Square and Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, Germany - the famous crossing point of the Berlin Wall when the country was divided during the Cold War. And the gigs will mark the end of McCartney’s touring career, according to British newspaper The Sun. A source tells the publication, “Paul wants to go out with a bang. He’s played countless stadiPaul McCartney ums over his 50-year career and is on the hunt for the most unusual locations he can find. He realizes that the older he gets, the less his body will be able to cope with the demands of extended periods on the road. He might play the odd benefit gig - but other than that he’ll be putting his feet up and enjoying retirement. The tour in 2010 is likely to last well over a year, by which time he will be almost 70.” McCartney’s last global trek was 2003’s In The World Tour; he has since toured the U.S. and appeared at numerous music festivals, one-off shows and charity events.
Seth Rogen Embarrased By Megan Fox Rejection Seth Rogen was left cowering with embarrassment on late night TV on Thursday when one of his most red-faced moments on a chat show was played over and over again. The star told pal Jimmy Kimmel he was still upset over the way sexy star Megan Fox snubbed his advances when the odd couple appeared on the comic’s show in 2007 - and the host made a point of digging out the clip. Rogen explained, “Often the male guest takes it upon themselves to plant a small kiss perhaps on the cheek of the female guest as they come out. I was thinking, ‘When in my life will I ever get the chance to kiss this woman? Now’s my chance.’ So I tried to do it and... she physically stopped me from doing it and basically rejected me on television.” Kimmel then showed the clip of Rogen’s rejection over and over, even slowing it down, so viewers could see him pucker up and then look dejected. Red-faced Rogen said, “That was so much worse than I remember... It’s creepy of me, like, I looked weird in that... I’m one step away from the boob grab.”
International
Katie Holmes Hasn’t Been Offered ‘Sex And The City’ Role An insider told Britain’s The Sun newspaper, “The character they want her to play is a really ballsy, highpowered company executive who tangles with Samantha.” But Holmes’ representatives are baffled by the reports, insisting there is “no truth” to the claims, according to GossipCop.com. The Sex and the City movie sequel is expected to begin shooting in late August/early September. Born Kate Noelle Holmes on December 18, 1978 in Toledo, OH, Katie Holmes embodies the wholesomeness and charm of the prototypical All-American girl while exhibiting just enough dark undertones to let her audience know that America’s Sweetheart has a few tricks up her sleeve. As angst-ridden tomboy Joey Potter on the WB network’s Dawson’s Creek, Holmes went from relative unknown to, as indicated by a 1999 Teen People ranking, one of the “21 Hottest Stars Under 21.”
Agence France Presse
AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco
Supporters of Honduras’ ousted President Manuel Zelaya, holding up effigies depicting, from left, Honduras’ Chief of the Armed Forces Romeo Vasquez, Honduras’ former President Carlos Flores, Honduras’ interim President Roberto Micheletti, Cardinal Orcar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga and media member Rodrigo Wong Arevalo, attend a public meeting at the Francisco Morazan square in Tegucigalpa, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.
Protester dies as Honduras regime threatens crackdown Agence France Presse
TEGUCIGALPA - A Honduran teacher died three days after he was shot in the head while protesting the ouster of President Manuel Zelaya, as the military-backed regime threatened to crackdown on future demonstrations. Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise
Indian actress and reality television star Shilpa Shetty reacted furiously to allegations she was involved in a film shoot that breached protocol at a Hindu temple. Authorities at the Sakhigopal temple in Puri last week lodged a police complaint about the Bollywood star and her crew filming inside the sacred building, press reports said. But Shetty, who shot to fame over a race row on the British television show Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, dismissed the charges as “preposterous.” “We didn’t even shoot in the temple, and the channel obviously took permission to shoot at the footsteps without which we couldn’t have proceeded,” she wrote on her blog on Saturday. “I still don’t know why the FIR (first information report) is in my name because I was there hired as an actor to perform for the channel.” She described the dispute as a waste of time when India had “a huge backlog of more important judiciary matters” and said she had been brought up to behave properly in and around temples.
Roger Abraham Vallejo, 38, who was shot Wednesday during a protest in the Mercado Zonal Belen, in northern Tegucigalpa, succumbed to his injury on Saturday. Witnesses have said he was shot when hundreds of police officers charged a crowd of pro-Zelaya marchers. “All I know is that the police killed him for struggling for a just cause,” his 78 year-old mother Maria Soriano told AFP, as hundreds of Zelaya sympathizers crammed into a hall to mourn Vallejo. Vallejo became the third Zelaya supporter killed since the leftist president was bundled out of his bed gunpoint and kicked out of the country in a military-supported June 28 coup. “The blood that is being spilled will not be in vain, because we are
going to fight tirelessly” to reverse the military-supported coup, said Zelaya, from the Nicaraguan town of Ocotal, on the border with Honduras. “The people have the right to insurrection when someone takes power by force of arms, and we are using that right,” Zelaya said. The ousted president is organizing what he has called his “Popular Peaceful Army,” made up of hundreds of Hondurans who crossed into Nicaragua to support his cause. On Friday he threatened the interim Honduran regime with “generalized violence” if the coup was not reversed. Honduran police, perhaps anticipating further clashes, issued a warning late Saturday. Their statement said they said they would fully enforce the Honduran penal code forbidding protest marches “when they could affect free
circulation and the rights of others.” People who organize or lead “in an illicit manner any demonstration” face up to four years prison and hefty fines, the statement read. The coup has been roundly condemned abroad, and the regime, headed by acting president Roberto Micheletti, has been trying to find a peaceful solution to the crisis that does not involve restoring Zelaya to power. Micheletti said he was surprised that Zelaya had taken to the hills and “called for an insurrection.” And in an interview with local HRN news he criticised the United States’ line, saying he was surprised at US support for Zelaya. Washington has said that Zelaya is the country’s only president. US ambassador to Honduras Hugo Llorens even flew to Nicaragua and traveled to the border to meet the deposed president last week. “We are extremely surprised with the attitude taken by the (US) ambassador, and we call on him for a correction; he cannot be interfering in issues that are strictly of Honduras,” Micheletti said.
Iran hangs three for murder, drug trafficking Agence France Presse
AFP/File
Indian actress and reality television star Shilpa Shetty is seen posing for a photo with a priest at the Suvarna Temple in Mumbai, on July 26. Shetty reacted furiously to allegations she was involved in a film shoot that breached protocol at another Hindu temple.
Monday, August 3, 2009
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Saudi swine flu death toll rises to four as vaccines ordered
Katie Holmes has shot down rumors she’s been offered a role in the upcoming Sex and the City movie sequel. The Hollywood star was alleged to be the favourite to land a part as a feisty businesswoman rivaling Kim Cattrall’s man-eating character Samantha Jones in a follow-up to the 2008 box office smash.
Bollywood star Shetty dismisses temple complaint
Seth Rogen
News
International
TEHRAN - Iran has hanged three men convicted of murder and drug trafficking in the central city of Isfahan, the government newspaper Iran reported on Sunday. The men executed in prison on Saturday were identified as Babak,
who was convicted of killing a man in 2003, Ghorban-Ali, 22, who had stabbed another young man to death and Hassan, 33, convicted of selling heroin. The latest reported hangings bring to at least 192 the number of people executed in the Islamic republic so far this year, according to
an AFP count based on news reports. In 2008, Iran executed 246 people, second only to China. Tehran says the death penalty is essential to maintain public security and only applied after exhaustive judicial proceedings. Murder, rape, armed robbery, drugs trafficking and adultery are all punishable by death in Iran.
RIYADH - Two Saudi men have died of swine flu, bringing to four the total such deaths in the Gulf state, which on Saturday said it has ordered four million vaccine doses ahead of the mass influx of Muslim pilgrims. A 32-year-old nurse who first showed symptoms of A(H1N1) three weeks ago died on Friday in the central province of Al-Qassim, the health ministry said, quoted by the official SPA news agency. A 25-year-old man, a heavy smoker, died in a hospital in southern Saudi Arabia the same day after suffering from throat and chest inflammation and developing a fever, it said. An Indonesian woman and a Saudi man have also died in the past week from the virus in the kingdom. The swine flu deaths have stoked fears over the expected influx of millions of pilgrims from around the world to the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina, in western Saudi Arabia, over the next five months. Health Minister Abdulla al-
Rabia told a press conference that Saudi Arabia was awaiting four million swine flu vaccines from international companies ahead of the influx. “Four million vaccine doses were reserved and of course, buying the vaccines is not easy as there is global competition,” he said. Rabia said the vaccines would be given primarily to pilgrims residing in Saudi Arabia, people who work on the organisation of the pilgrimage and residents of Mecca and Medina. The first shipment is expected to arrive by the end of October, he said, adding that the number of swine flu cases in the kingdom has reached 595. The umrah, or minor pilgrimage to Mecca, normally peaks during the month of Ramadan which covers August-September, when more than a million people could arrive in Mecca and Medina. On July 22, Arab health ministers agreed to ban certain vulnerable groups including the elderly and young children from the Mecca pilgrimage in an effort to contain the spread of swine flu.
Remains of US pilot missing 18 years in Iraq found
Michael “Scott” Speicher Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - The remains of the first American lost in the Persian Gulf War have been found in Iraq, the military said Sunday, after struggling for nearly two decades with the question of whether he was dead or alive. The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology has positively identified the remains of Captain Michael “Scott” Speicher, whose disappearance has bedeviled investigators since his jet was shot down over the Iraq desert on the first night of the 1991 war. The top Navy officer said the discovery illustrates the military’s commitment to bring its troops home. “Our Navy will never give up looking for a shipmate, regardless of how long or how difficult that search may be,” said Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations. “We owe a tremendous debt
of gratitude to Captain Speicher and his family for the sacrifice they have made for our nation and the example of strength they have set for all of us.” The Pentagon initially declared Speicher killed, but uncertainty and the lack of remains - led officials over the years to change his official status a number of times to “missing in action” and later “missing-captured.” After years, the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq finally gave investigators the chance to search inside Iraq. And it led to a number of leads, including what some believed were the initials “MSS” scratched into the wall of an Iraqi prison. The search also led investigators to excavate a potential grave site in Baghdad in 2005, track down Iraqis said to have information about Speicher and make numerous other inquiries in what officials say has been an exhaustive search. Officials said Sunday that they got new information from an Iraqi citizen in early July, leading Marines stationed in Anbar province to a location in the desert which was believed to be the crash site of Speicher’s jet. The Iraqi said he knew of two other Iraqis who recalled an American jet crashing and the remains of the pilot being buried in the desert. “One of these Iraqi citizens stated that they were present when Captain Speicher was found dead at the crash site by Bedouins and his remains buried,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
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News
Monday, August 3, 2009
International
Life Style
International
Twin north-south crises expose Nigeria’s government
Fla. highrise has 32 stories, but just 1 tenant
LAGOS - Last week’s deadly extremist uprising in northern Nigeria is just the latest test of the fragility of President Umaru Yar’Adua’s government since coming to office in disputed polls two years ago.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Vangelakos’ southwest Florida condominium has marble floors, a large pool overlooking a river and modern furnishings that speak of affluence and luxury. What they don’t have in the 32-story building is a single neighbor. The New Jersey family of five purchased their unit four years ago, when Fort Myers was in the midst of a housing boom and any hints of an impending financial crisis were buried in lofty dreams of expansion and development. They made a $10,000 down payment and eagerly watched as builders transformed an empty lot into an opulent high rise, one that now symbolizes the foreclosure crisis.
Agence France Presse
For a greater part of this year, the administration has battled militants waging an “oil war” in the southern Niger Delta region, a crisis that has cost the country more than half of its traditional oil revenue. Northern Nigeria was last week rocked by some of the deadliest violence in recent years, claiming hundreds of lives in five days. The fighting erupted after an Islamic extremist sect styled along the lines of Afghanistan’s Taliban went on a spree of burning government institutions. But the seemingly unaffected and mild-mannered Yar’Adua, who himself is from the north, left the country in flames on Tuesday night for an official trip to Brazil, ordering his forces to crush the uprising once and for all. The main opposition Action Congress (AC) described the trip as “illadvised and ill-timed.” But the troops did just as directed, unleashing an all-out offensive that left hundreds — most of them suspected sect members — dead, including the top leadership. Human rights agencies want the clashes investigated for possible illegal killings. Analysts believe unless problems such as corruption, pervasive poverty and unemployment in the world’s eighth oil producer are tackled, widespread frustrations with the central government will continue to fertilise insurrections in Africa’s most populous nation. “The twin crises, in the Niger Delta and in the Islamist north, both
challenge the security apparatus of the Yar’Adua regime, but more fundamentally expose the fallacy of the united nation-state, ‘Nigeria’,” said Sebastian Spio-Garbrah of Eurasia Group, a international think-tank. “In the Niger Delta you have militias who openly preach secession and now in the Islamist north, you have anti-modernist rejectionist imams who are preaching a sort of separationist ideology,” he added. The new scale of an Islamist rebellion has brought fears of the proliferation of violent religious groups and sects active in other parts of Africa, such as the Maghreb. For a Paris-based specialist on Nigerian affairs with the Institute of Research for Development (IRD), Marc-Antoine Perouse de Montclos, the Islamist sects pose less impact to Nigeria than the militants in the southern oil hub. “The Islamist threat seems much less serious for Nigeria than the rebellion in the Niger Delta because it has an impact on the revenue of the country from reduced oil production”. “What happens in the Delta is much more serious than this Islamist blip which seems much more controllable,” he said, adding the majority of Muslims in Nigeria follow a more tolerant form of the religion. Nigeria, undoubtedly one of Africa’s most important nations because of its oil wealth and population, has an unenviable reputation for corruption, rigged elections, military rule, severe electricity shortfalls and e-mail scams.
“The future was going to be southwest Florida,” said Victor Vangelakos, 45, a fire captain who planned to eventually retire and live permanently in the condo. Most of the other tenants in the 200-unit condo didn’t close on their contracts, and the few that did have transferred to an adjacent building owned by the same company because more people live there. The Vangelakos’ mortgage lender will not allow them to do the same. That leaves them as the sole residents of the Oasis Tower One. “It’s a beautiful building,” said their attorney, John Ewing, who is representing 27 others who made deposits
AP Photo/Sunday Alamba
A Nigerian troop walks past burnt out motorbikes at Maiduguri, Nigeria, Saturday, Aug 1, 2009. Banks and markets reopened in this northern Nigerian city after five days of fierce fighting between police and a radical Islamist sect. The city was largely quiet Saturday _ the streets of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, had been cleared of bodies and the blood spilled during gunbattles that left at least 300 people dead.
The swift and brutal reaction by the security forces to end the latest troubles in the north, analysts said, was muscle-flexing by a government widely criticised by its own nationals as slow and ineffective. It could also have been meant to send warning signals to the militants in the south who have ruined subsaharan Africa’s second largest economy. “Attacks against symbols of the state such as police and prisons often signify a perception of ineffectiveness or lack of presence of the
Senior soldiers behind Iraq bank heist: ministry Agence France Presse
BAGHDAD - Two Iraqi army officers, including a member of the presidential protection unit, were behind a Baghdad bank heist earlier this week that left eight guards dead, the interior ministry said on Saturday. Spokesman Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf said three people had been arrested and that security forces were hunting other suspects after Tuesday’s 4.8billion-dinar (3.8 million dollar) robbery, one of Iraq’s biggest ever. Those in custody were arrested on Thursday, he said. “The main man who carried out the crime is a captain in the Iraqi army, in the presidential protection brigade,” Khalaf told a Baghdad news conference. “His name is Jafar Lazim Eshkaya al-Timimi.” He said that army Lieutenant Ameen
Associated Press Writer
Karim Zeyada al-Fadhly had also been detained in connection with the heist, and added that “another soldier was arrested and he is under investigation.” “There are others being searched for,” Khalaf added, telling reporters that the group had carried out the robbery for personal reasons. Eight police guards were found dead in the basement of the bank after the pre-dawn raid. At the time police said the robbers were probably insurgents looking to replenish their funds. Police also said it appeared as if the raiders had inside help, as the heist took place a day after a large cash transfer to the bank and no doors or windows were damaged. Khalaf said the money was found in a house in the central Baghdad shopping district of Karrada, the same neighbourhood as the branch of the stateowned Al-Rafidain bank that was robbed.
state, a powerless state,” said an African diplomat. “It’s not about resolving the problem but to show that the state exists,” he added. Information Minister Dora Akunyili said the security forces’ response to the latest Islamist rebellion “is a clear message to any other militant group that government does not tolerate militancy.” President Yar’Adua came to power in 2007 promising to rectify wrongs of past regimes — tackling endemic corruption, providing elec-
tricity and improving the lot of Nigerians. But the impatient locals have turned to nickname him “Baba Go Slow” in an apparrent euphemism of the country’s notorious traffic jams known here as “go-slows”. Nigeria, the world’s eight biggest oil producer, derives more than 90 percent of its foreign exchange revenue from oil exports. Most of its 140 million people are among some of the poorest in the world placed at 158 out of 177 on the UN Human Development Index.
China suspends officials after pollution protest: state media Agence France Presse
BEIJING - Authorities in central China have suspended two officials and detained the head of a chemical plant after villagers protested at pollution that had allegedly killed two people, state media said Sunday. The suspension Saturday of the chief and one deputy chief of Liuyang county’s environmental protection department came after about 1,000 people took to the streets last week over the plant, the Xinhua news agency reported. Authorities also detained the legal representative from the plant, which locals have accused of emitting toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, putting the safety of the drinking water at risk, according to Xinhua. The news agency said it was not able to obtain the names of the two officials and the plant’s representative. It said villagers in the county, in China’s densely populated Hunan province, had
been protesting since the death over two months ago of two people who were later found to have excessive levels of cadmium in their bodies. The protests culminated last week, when demonstrators gathered outside local government headquarters and a police station in the town of Zhentou, part of Liuyang county. They demanded free health check-ups, free medical treatment and compensation for ruined crops and land. Six of them were detained in the protests, Xinhua said, without explaining if they were later released. Xinhua earlier quoted Hunan officials as saying the plant had been plagued by environmental problems since opening in 2004 and was ordered to close in March of this year. Rapid economic growth in recent decades and routine flouting of rules have taken their toll on China’s environment, activists say. China sees tens of thousands of public protests each year, many tied to anger over polluting industries.
AP Photo/Christine Amario
In this photo taken Thursday, July 30, 2009, the 32story building, in which the only tenants are the Vangelakos family, is seen in Ft. Myers, Fla. Most of the other tenants in the 200-unit condo didn’t close on their contracts, and the few that did have transferred to an adjacent building owned by the same company because more people live there.
on units. “The problem is, it’s a very lonely building.” When the Vangelakos’ travel from Weehawken, N.J., to spend a week or a few days in their Florida home, they have exclusive use of the pool, game room and gym, but they miss having a few tenants around. “Being from the city, it’s very eerie,” Vangelakos said. “It’s almost like a scary movie.” A large, circular fountain in front of the building is dry. The automatic glass doors that lead to the front lobby are locked. On the front desk is a guest sign-in sheet. The last entry: Feb. 13, 2009. “It’s like time froze here six months ago,” Ewing said. Vangelakos said they closed on the apartment in the fall, unaware the other tenants had failed to follow through. When they visited around Christmas, they didn’t think much of the emptiness. They were just happy to be there. “We wanted to believe,” Cathy Vangelakos said. “We were looking for what we were offered.” On subsequent visits, however, the building grew more deserted. The lights on the pool and palm trees were off. Their garbage shoot was sealed, a trash bin placed in front of their unit instead. Despite the empty units, they faithfully parked in their assigned spot on the second story of the parking garage. Then those lights went off, too. Then there were security concerns. One night, someone pounded on their door at 11 p.m. They called the front desk at the next door building, which contacted police. A search turned up no one, though a pool entrance was open. Another morning they awoke to find lounge chairs in the pool. The parents and their children sleep with their cell phones by their beds. “I’m not a chicken, but this is a big building,” Cathy Vangelakos said. Betsy McCoy, vice president and associated general counsel with The Related Group, which sold the family their unit, said they have tried to help find a solution — even offering them a unit in the building next door, free of cost, while the situation is resolved. “They haven’t wanted to take us up on that,” McCoy said Friday. “They frankly rejected every solution and offer and proposal that we’ve come up with.” McCoy said some of the interested buyers who put down deposits lost their jobs, others were unable to get mortgages and some were just nervous when the financial collapse came. The Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area in Lee County has some of the worst economic stress — a combination of foreclosures, unemployment and bankruptcies — in the country, according to The Associated Press’ monthly analysis of more than 3,100 U.S. counties.
Monday, August 3, 2009
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2 new Mozart works presented in Austria Associated Press Writer
SALZBURG, Austria – Researchers have unveiled two piano pieces newly identified as written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The International Mozarteum Foundation says the concerto movement and the prelude were likely created when Mozart was between 7 and 8 years old. The works are part of “Nannerl’s Music Book,” a well-known manuscript containing the prodigy’s earliest compositions. The foundation says analyses confirm Mozart’s father transcribed the pieces as his son played them on the keyboard, as Mozart was not yet versed in musical notation. Austrian pianist Florian Birsak played the pieces for reporters Sunday in Mozart’s home city of Salzburg. Mozart lived from 1756 to 1791. He began composing at age 5 and created more than 600 works.
AP Photo/Camay Sungu, File
FILE - This is a Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2000 file photo of a statue of famed Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart stands in front of a house in Salzburg Austria. More than two centuries after his death, the leg-
Nissan rolls out electric car at new headquarters Associated Press Writer
YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn drove quietly out of the Japanese automaker’s soon-to-open headquarters Sunday in the first public viewing of its new zero-emission vehicle. It was the first time the external design was shown of Nissan Motor Co.’s environmentally friendly electric automobile, set to go on sale in Japan, the U.S. and Europe next year. The blue hatchback had a sporty design and a recharging opening in the front. Designer Shiro Nakamura said the vehicle was designed to avoid a stereotypical futuristic design. “This is not a niche car,” he said. “We didn’t make it unusual looking. It had to be a real car.” Nissan has promised that the Leaf, which goes into mass-production as a global model in 2012, will be
about the same price as a gas-engine car such as the 1.5 million yen ($15,000) Tiida, which sells abroad as the Versa, starting at about $10,000. Ghosn drove out on stage with former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi sitting next to him, and with a Yokohama governor and mayor in the rear seats. “This car represents a real breakthrough,” Ghosn told reporters and guests at a showroom in the new headquarters. He said the new car and new office building in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, marked two fresh starts for Nissan, which hopes to take the lead in zero-emission vehicles. Nissan, which has an alliance with Renault SA of France, has fallen behind Japanese rivals Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in gas-electric hybrids that have become increasingly popular recently.
Oldest Animal Fossils Found in Lakes, Not Oceans Conventional wisdom has it that the first animals evolved in the ocean. Now researchers studying ancient rock samples in South China have found that the first animal fossils are preserved in ancient lake deposits, not in marine sediments as commonly assumed. These new findings not only raise questions as to where the earliest animals were living, but what factors drove animals to evolve in the first place. For some 3 billion years, singlecelled life forms such as bacteria dominated the planet. Then, roughly 600 million years ago, the first multi-cellular animals appeared on the scene, di-
versifying rapidly. The oldest known animal fossils in the world are preserved in South China’s Doushantuo Formation. These fossil beds have no adult specimens - instead, many of the fossils appear to be microscopic embryos. “Our first unusual finding in this region was the abundance of a clay mineral called smectite,” said researcher Tom Bristow, now at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. “In rocks of this age, smectite is normally transformed into other types of clay. The smectite in these South China rocks, however, underwent no such transformation and have a special
chemistry that, for the smectite to form, requires specific conditions in the water - conditions commonly found in salty, alkaline lakes.” The researchers collected hundreds of rock samples from several locations in South China. All their analyses suggest these rocks were not marine sediments. “Moreover, we found smectite in only some locations in South China, and not uniformly as one would expect for marine deposits,” Bristow said. “Taken together, several lines of evidence indicated to us that these early animals lived in a lake environment.”
AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye
Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn poses with the automaker’s new electronic vehicle ‘Leaf’ during an opening ceremony of the company’s new headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009.
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Sport
Monday, August 3, 2009
International
News
International
Monday, August 3, 2009
Phelps sets world record, beats Cavic in 100 fly
A year after Georgia war, tensions still simmer
ROME – Michael Phelps beat Milorad Cavic again. No doubt about it. With a defiant performance in a supposedly inferior suit, Phelps stayed close over the outward lap and rallied on the return to become the first swimmer to break 50 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly, beating the Serbian with a time of 49.82.
What at first seemed a small, remote conflict quickly erupted into a war with global implications as Russian forces drove deep into Georgia to repel a Georgian military attempt to retake the rebel region. Russian tanks, troops and fighter jets crushed Georgia’s military in a five-day blitzkrieg that shocked the international community. A year later, Russia has re-asserted itself as a power that can’t be ignored in the former Soviet Union, where Washington’s efforts to boost US influence deeply angered the Kremlin. Dismissing pleas from the West, Russia has entrenched its positions in South Ossetia and another rebel Georgian region, Abkhazia, gaining a key foothold in the strategic Caucasus region, a vital oil and gas transport corridor. Georgia, meanwhile, has seen its US-backed hopes of joining the NATO military alliance shattered and lost any chance of regaining control over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which make up about a fifth of its territory. “Russia won and the limits of Western ability to influence proceedings in the region were starkly exposed,” said James Nixey, a regional expert at London-based Chatham House. “Russia has certainly achieved its goal of saying that it is still the key regional player.”
Associated Press Writer
Cavic also broke 50 seconds, but 49.95 only got him a silver — and plenty of words to eat. He wasn’t nearly as close as last year’s Beijing Olympics, when Phelps famously won by one-hundredth of a second and Cavic always maintained that he actually touched first. “That satisfied me a little bit,” Phelps quipped with that crooked grin of his. “I set it up perfectly.” When Phelps saw his time at the Foro Italico, he hopped up on the lane rope separating him and Cavic, threw up his arms and let out a scream toward his mom and sister in the stands. Showing as much emotion as he ever has, Phelps also slapped the water and tugged at his Speedo LZR Racer
swimsuit — no doubt in reference to Cavic offering to get Phelps one of those supposedly faster polyurethane suits so he wouldn’t have any excuses. Phelps did just fine with his own attire. “It doesn’t matter what suit you wear,” Phelps said. “It matters how you train.” The two rivals finally shook hands, but that was about it. Nothing more needed to be said. “He congratulated me and kind of smiled a bit, but I have a feeling that our battle is going to go back and forth for a while,” Phelps said. Cavic did say one thing to Phelps: “You’re the man.” “He just looked at me and smiled,” Cavic said. “He knows it.” In one of the most memorable events of the Beijing Olympics, Phelps pulled out
an improbable victory on his final half-stroke to beat Cavic by the narrowest possible margin. Without that win, Phelps would not have broken Mark Spitz’s record with eight gold medals in a single games. Cavic has stewed over the loss ever since, believing he touched first but didn’t put as much pressure on the touchpad as Phelps, who adlibbed an extra lunge and crashed into the wall much harder. Even though all electronic and photographic evidence shows Phelps won, Cavic repeated his claims when he got to Rome. He also tried to get into Phelps’ head, saying it was the American’s own fault for sticking with a Speedo suit that isn’t as fast as polyurethane models such as the Arena X-Glide, which Cavic wears.
Williams, Bartoli advance to Stanford final Agence France - Presse
STANFORD, California - Venus Williams and France’s Marion Bartoli meet Sunday for the title at the WTA Bank of the West Classic in a repeat of the 2007 Wimbledon final.
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Venus Williams, left, and her sister Serena Williams wave to the crowd after beating Nadia Petrova, of Russia, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands, of the United States, during the Bank of the West tennis tournament in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.
Third seed Williams reached her 65th career singles final Saturday with a 6-0, 6-1 rout of fourth seeded Russian Elena Dementieva. Bartoli won a roller-coaster match against Samantha Stosur 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. Venus hammered Bartoli in straight sets when they played for the All England club title two years ago. Dementieva, winner of 13 career titles, was unable to make a lasting impression during her 64-minute thrashing at the hands of Williams, who is a fivetime Wimbledon winner. Dementieva was playing at Stanford for the first time as she prepares for the US Open starting August 31. The one-sided victory gave Williams a 31-7 record in 2009, with titles in Dubai and Acapulco. Williams, who served up five double faults to her opponent’s four, made up for the deficit with five breaks of the Russian, whose first-serve percentage finished at a low 43 percent. “I raised by level on important points,” said Williams. “Things really went well for me on court today.” Dementieva now stands 42-12 on the season after January’s backto-back titles in Auckland and Sydney. “She was just to good from the baseline,” admitted Dementieva. “I was always in trouble out there.” Williams’s victory gave her a ninth win in 11 meetings against Dementieva and was her sixth in succession over the Russian blonde. Bartoli started her two-hour victory with a break of Stosur in the pair’s second meeting in four seasons. But Bartoli lost her way in the second set as the French Open semi-finalist from Queensland Stosur stormed back to level with a pair of breaks. Bartoli re-established herself taking control of the third set to run out the victory despite ten aces from Stosur. The French winner has now reached back-to-back Stanford finals at the venue where she lost to Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak a year ago.
(AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Michael Phelps of the United States, right, winner of the gold medal of the Men’s 100m Butterfly is flanked by silver medalist Milorad Cavic of Serbia, at the FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.
Querrey follows bouncing Ball into LA showdown Agence France - Presse
LOS ANGELES - Qualifier Carsten Ball stretched his dream run at the Los Angeles Open all the way to Sunday’s final, where he faces former junior rival Sam Querrey in a battle of big servers, The Los Angeles-born Australian Ball will see his 205th ranking rise to 120th should he buck the odds and claim an ATP title ran past Argentine Leonardo Mayer 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) in their semi-final here. Sixth seed Querrey reached his third final as many events with an upset of two-time winner and top seed Tommy Haas 6-3, 7-5, with the Californian saving three break points in the final game to ice the win. “I’ve been playing a lot of matches recently,” said Querrey, who came up short in post-Wimbledon trophy bids at Newport and Indianapolis last month. “But the more matches you win, the better the confidence. I’ve been doing a lot of running on the track, 200 (metres), 400 (metres), that is starting to pay off. It may also help that I’ve been feeling pretty hyper on court.” Ball, who lives in nearby Newport Beach
and has happily commuted up to four hours per day ever since qualifying rounds more than a week ago, had never played an ATP-level match prior to this week. The 22-year-old son of 1974 Australian Open doubles finalist Syd Ball, fired 10 aces in the 91-minute win over Mayer, also playing the first semi-final of his career. “I’m really not thinking about the fact that I’m into a final,” said Ball, troubled a week ago by a back injury. “I just wanted to win the first round at qualifying and then go match by match. It’s a surprise to get this far but I’m looking forward to Sunday. Querrey is playing well. But I like the conditions, the court bounces high, that let’s you play aggressive and get to the net.” Querrey’s “Samurai” cheer squad of shirtless former high school mates with painted chests got up the nose of Haas, who said that he didn’t feel that jeering his errors was called for. “Those guys just showed they have no class, It’s up to Sam to take control of the situation if he wants to,” said the 31-year-old German who stood 16-3 since May after winning the Halle title and plying a Wimbledon semi-final against Roger Federer.
Sam Querrey serves to Tommy Haas, of Germany, during a semifinal match at the L.A. Tennis Open in Los Angeles, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Agence France Presse
TBILISI - On the night of August 7 last year, as rockets lit the sky and gunfire crackled along the border with Georgia’s rebel South Ossetia region, few could have guessed how much was about to change, not only for tiny Georgia.
— A long buildup —
The outbreak of the war — and its breathtaking speed — caught many by surprise.
The conflicts over South Ossetia and Abkhazia however had been on slow burn since both regions broke from Tbilisi’s control during wars in the early 1990s while tensions underpinning those conflicts date back many generations. Russia had long supported the regions’ rebel governments and Moscow’s relations with Tbilisi had been on a downward spiral since President Mikheil Saakashvili came to power in 2004 vowing to bring his country into NATO. When Saakashvili ordered his forces into South Ossetia, Russia responded on August 8 with a counter-attack that was quick and relentless. Russian land and air forces pushed Georgian troops out of South Ossetia and then sustained their charge, subsequently occupying swathes of territory both near that region and in western Georgia close to the border with Abkhazia. A European Union-brokered ceasefire brought an end to the fighting and within weeks Russia had recognised South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states — a move followed only by Nicaragua. Many questions remain over who started the war, with both Georgia and Russia accusing each other. But what is clear is that after years of losing ground to the West in the battle for influence here, Russia sent a strong message that resonated throughout the region. “Ex-Soviet countries were frightened by the war,” said Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief
of the journal Russia in Global Affairs. “Russia believes that to be truly secure it has to have some control over its neighbouring territories.” International condemnation of Russia’s role in the conflict was initially fierce, especially from the United States. But within a few months of the war it became clear that, in the long-term, the conflict in Georgia would have few negative consequences for Moscow. “Russia is set to be a force and there’s no getting away from that really. Yes, it made some people in the West more sceptical, but at the end of the day Russia is a player,” Nixey said. After suspending relations during the war, NATO and Russia resumed cooperation through the NATO-Russia Council in June. Ties with the United States have also improved since President Barack Obama came to power and promised to “reset” relations. — An uncertain future —
Meanwhile Russia has continued to defy the West in Georgia, building up its forces in South Ossetia and Abkhazia and preventing EU ceasefire monitors from gaining access to the regions. In moves condemned by Western countries, it also blocked the extension of United Nations and Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe monitoring missions in Georgia, effectively ending international observation of the situation within the rebel provinces. Georgia has railed against Russia’s moves, but to little effect. The country’s international image was badly tarnished by the war, which many saw as an ill-advised military adventure. “The war has had catastrophic consequences for Georgia,” said Giorgi Khutsishvili, director of the
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AFP PHOTO / VANO SHLAMOV
A picture taken on July 30, 2009 shows 70-year-old Tsitsino Vazagashvili lighting a candle in front of icons and portraits of her daughter killed on August 9, 2008 during a Russian bombing. Nearly a year after it was reduced to rubble by a Russian bomb, 70-year-old Tsitsino Vazagashvili’s apartment block in the Georgian city of Gori has been completely rebuilt. Tbilisi-based International Centre for Conflicts and Negotiation. “The prospects of restoring its territorial integrity have been postponed indefinitely, possibly forever. And Georgia’s NATO and EU membership have become less possible — NATO cannot integrate a country with foreign military bases on its territory.” In fact, the war had consequences for NATO far beyond Georgia, slamming the breaks on the alliance’s eastward expansion to other countries like Ukraine, analysts said. “NATO countries do not want to run the risks of NATO’s enlargement,” Lukyanov said. Georgia did, however, manage to stave off the most dire predic-
tions that followed the war, with neither its government nor its economy collapsing. “There were a lot people who expected Georgia to descend into chaos after that kind of military defeat,” said Svante Cornell, research director with the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute. “Georgia has fared okay. It’s done better than a lot of people expected it to.” But relations with Russia and the separatists remain tense and analysts say another flare-up in the conflict can’t be ruled out. Foreign-backed negotiations in Geneva between Georgia, Russia and the rebels have made little progress and small-scale violence continues.
Spain’s tourism sector shaken by ETA attack in Majorca Agence France Presse
PALMA DE MAJORCASpain’s tourism sector, already battered by the economic crisis, now fears last week’s deadly bomb attack on the island of Majorca could scare off more holidaymakers at the height of the season. Majorca, which attracts millions of foreign tourists every year to its beaches and discos, was in shock over the killing by suspected Basque separatists of two policemen on Thursday in the beach resort of Palmanova. “We don’t deny that this attack has shaken the sector,” said Pedro Iriondo, head of the Association of Travel Agents in the
Balearics. Many of the mostly British tourists at Palmanova’s hotels, which have 30,000 rooms, were stunned by the massive security that followed the attack. Many remained in their hotel rooms for several hours afterwards. At the time of bombing, there were some 400,000 tourists on the island, which was temporarily sealed off. Spanish media have spoken of a “blow against the epicentre of tourism in the Balearics,” where the sector is already suffering from the economic crisis and competition from cheaper Mediterranean sunshine destinations, such as in Turkey and Tunisia. It has also lashed out at the treat-
ment of the attack by some foreign newspapers, notably in Britain, which it said focused on the effect on holidaymakers rather than the deaths of the two policemen. “We really didn’t expect this attack, given that Majorca is an island,” said Iriondo. But he noted that no travel agents have so far canceled tours since the bombing. Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega on Friday rejected suggestions that extensive coverage of the bombing in Britain and Germany would scare off tourists. “The people who visit here know that our tourist infrastructure is secure,” she said. But Spanish embassies contacted the governments of its main
tourist markets, such as Britain and Germany, following the attack to reassure them that the country is safe. As every year, the government has ordered the deployment of thousands of extra police to tourist destinations for the summer. The Balearic Islands, which groups Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, gets 80 percent of its gross domestic product from tourism, directly or indirectly. In 2008, it received 10 million tourists, including four million Germans and 3.4 million Britons. Since the beginning of the year, the islands saw 12.5 percent less tourists than in the previous year, according to statistics from the tourism ministry.
Spain as a whole received 57.4 million visitors last year, a 2.6 percent drop from 2007 and the first fall since the current record-keeping system was introduced in 1995. Last year it also lost its spot as the second-most visited country in the world to the United States, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation. France remained the world’s most popular holiday destination. The tourism sector accounts for about 11 percent of Spain’s jobs and gross domestic product, with the bulk of the industry’s income generated in Spain’s ageing “sun and beach” destinations that dot its southern coast.
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News WORLD NEWS
Chavez pulls plug on broadcasters, prompting outrage Agence France Presse
CARACAS - Thousands of demonstrators on Saturday gathered around the offices of 34 broadcasters that were taken off the air in Venezuela after President Hugo Chavez argued they abused free speech.
Putin dives MOSCOW - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Saturday dived to the bottom of the world’s deepest lake aboard a mini-submarine, in a highly mediatized stunt unusual even by the standards of the Russian hardman.
Israel shooting TEL AVIV -Israeli police hunt for a masked man who opened fire at a gay youth club in Tel Aviv, killing two people in an attack that has struck fear into the heart of the liberal seaside city’s homosexual community.
Malaysia criticised over protest crackdown KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia’s government faced criticism Sunday for arresting hundreds of people and using tear gas and water cannon to break up a protest against laws that allow detention without trial. Source: ap
Protestors railed against what they described as censorship, denouncing Chavez’s leftist government as a “dictatorship” in chants. Earlier crowds gathered in front of the national telecommunications regulator Conatel, which announced the closures. Conatel’s head, Diosdado Cabello, said Friday that 32 radio stations and two television stations would be shut down in the latest bid to tighten reins on the media as Chavez advances his leftist-populist program. “It is not that we have shut some radio stations, we are implementing the law. We have put them back in the hands of the people and not the bourgeoisie,” Chavez said in a televised address on Saturday. Cabello said the closures were due to the stations’ failures to meet legal operating requirements. The government has warned another 200 stations may face the same fate. As some stations fell silent, there were hundreds of supporters in Caracas and other cities voicing op-
position to the move. Carlos Correa, director of the free speech NGO Espacio Publico, argued that the government is trying to “break national-level means of offering critical or independent content.” “We are witnessing the largest ever clampdown on free speech Venezuela has ever seen, unprecedented in its democratic era,” Correa said. He also expressed outrage that the government’s new draft legislation on “media crimes” could send journalists to prison, and contains other proposed new legal limits on journalistic expression. One of the leading radio networks silenced Saturday was CNB — with five affiliates in Caracas, Valencia, Maracaibo, San Cristobal and Coro. Its news and feature programming was often critical of Chavez’s government. CNB owner Edgard Belfort said the move was “an opportunity to show us all that we are all stuck in this big problem. It is not just a problem for journalists, but a problem for all Venezuelans.”
AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos
Demonstrators protest against the closure of Venezuelan CNB radio station in Caracas, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. Venezuelan regulators revoked the broadcast rights of 34 radio stations on Friday, deepening a rift between Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez’s government and the private media. But Cabello insisted that the move nerable,” she said. was not censorship. He said there were Journalist Vladimir Villegas, a procedural legal problems in all the former director at VTV state televicases of shutdowns, such as lapsed li- sion, was troubled by the shutdowns. censes and improper license transfers. “I think that you can carry out soRadio is an important medium in cial transformation respecting diverVenezuela and News and Commu- sity without having to silence your nications Minister Blanca Eekhout critics,” he argued. has charged there is an “international In 2007, Venezuela’s government media campaign against the Venezu- did not renew the license of private elan revolution,” which she said national television network RCTV, made it necessary to step up media a tough anti-government critic. The regulation. government has threatened another “If media crimes cannot be pros- network, Globovision, with a shutecuted we will all be completely vul- down.
Raul Castro warns US, EU he will defend Cuban socialism Agence France Presse
HAVANA - Cuban President Raul Castro warned the United States and the European Union on Saturday that the country’s socialist political system was non-negotiable, adding he would not “restore capitalism” in Cuba. In a speech marking the end of the annual parliamentary session, which has been dominated by Cuba’s grave economic crisis, Castro said he would be willing to “discuss everything” except the island’s political and social system. The Cuban leader, who succeeded his ailing brother Fidel Castro as president three years ago, said he wanted to respond to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s statements linking dialogue with Cuba to democratic
reform in the country. “With all due respect, in response to Mrs Clinton, but also to the European Union... I was not chosen as president to restore capitalism to Cuba or to renounce the revolution,” he said to applause from lawmakers. “I was chosen to defend, maintain and continue to perfect socialism, not to destroy it,” said Castro. The former army chief, 78, reiterated that he would be willing to conduct a “respectful dialogue, between equals” with the United States. “We are ready to discuss everything, but not to negotiate over our political or social system. We must respect our differences,” he said. He described as “positive” some measures taken by the United States towards Cuba since President Barack Obama took office, includ-
ing a decision to lift some travel restrictions. But the Cuban leader noted that the longstanding US embargo on Cuba remains fully intact. He also called again for the “unconditional restitution” of Guantanamo Bay, which is home to a US naval base, describing the coastal area as the only place of Cuba where “torture has been practiced” since the 1959 revolution. On the domestic front, Raul Castro called on his countrymen to “save as much as you can” as Cuba struggles with its worst economic crisis since the 1990s. His comments came as the Cuban parliament on Saturday approved a series of belt-tightening measures. On Friday, the Cuban government downgraded its economic growth forecast for the second time in a week, and said that dire economic
straits forced a delay in the ruling Communist Party’s upcoming congress. Castro said growth would hit just 1.7 percent, a statement in official media said. That came after an earlier downgrade this week to 2.5 percent from six percent. The collapse in the price of nickel, the country’s principle export product, and a drop in earnings from tourism has hit the nation’s economy hard. But the country is also still dealing with the fallout from three hurricanes that struck the island last summer, causing damage estimated at 10 billion dollars — about 20 percent of Cuba’s GDP. The country’s legislature this session approved the creation of a new agency intended to tackle corruption, which will be attached the Council of State — headed by Raul Castro.
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Monday, August 3, 2009
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Double-up Arshavin leads Arsenal to victory Agence France - Presse
LONDON – Russian international Andrey Arshavin came off the bench to score twice as Arsenal beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the Emirates Cup on Saturday. All three goals came in the last five minutes. Cesc Fabregas lofted the ball over to the back post from the right, where Arshavin arrived to volley past Sergio Asenjo. However, German Pacheco then beat the offside trap to slot in an equaliser with just two minutes left. In one final twist, Arshavin latched onto a poor backward clearing header from Tomas Ujfalusi to slot the ball in from the tightest of angles. Arsenal welcomed back Czech winger Tomas Rosicky, who had been out of action for some 18 months with a string of niggling injuries, and his return was a welcome boost for manager Arsene Wenger following the loss of Samir Nasri to a broken leg. The Spanish side, who started with former Gunner Jose Antonio Reyes in attack and were captained by exManchester United forward Diego Forlan, could yet face Wenger’s men again in competitive action next month in the Champions League play-off. Arshavin, 28, arrived in England from Zenit St Petersburg during the January transfer window, but could not play in the Champions League. He impressed in the latter half of the season and hit four goals against Liverpool at Anfield. “The difference is now he knows how English football
works,” said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. “He knows as well he is part of the team from the start, and the team knows how important and how big an impact he can have on the results. Arshavin has what you cannot give to a player - he understands when there is an opportunity in the final third, and is certainly dangerous.” Earlier, Rangers defeated Paris St Germain 1-0 thanks to a 75th-minute goal from defender Madjid Bougherra. “I am pleased we did not concede a goal and I am happy with the performance,” said Rangers boss Walter Smith. “Our goalkeeper (Neil Alexander) did not have a great deal to do but you could also put that down to Paris St Germain not having the sharpness in front of goal.” Paris St Germain coach Antoine Kombouare was disappointed with his team’s lacklustre showing. “I am not happy because I don’t like to lose,” said Kombouare. “The team was not really passionate and didn’t show any aggression. They worked hard and we were good in our organisation. But we could not score any goals.”
(AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Arsenal’s Eduardo, right, battles for the ball with Athletico Madrid’s Cleber Santana during the Emirates Cup soccer match between Arsenal and Athletico Madrid at The Emirates Stadium in London, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009.
Carragher wary of rejuvenated Owen Sad Ribery struggles as Agence France - Presse
LIVERPOOL, England - Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher admitted Sunday he was wary of the threat posed by former teammate Michael Owen at Manchester United. Carragher believes that United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could have pulled off a masterstroke in signing the 29-year-old striker who had an injury-plagued spell at relegated Newcastle. “Signing Michael Owen was a clever piece of business by United and he has started really well in pre-season,” Carragher told the Sunday Mirror. “In a way I’m pleased he’s got a big move to a big club because he came in for a lot of criticism at Newcastle. Why? What did he do wrong up there? For me, Michael Owen is still a great player and great role model and I have this feeling he’ll be good for United. But he plays for our biggest rivals now so he’ll know I won’t want him to carry on scoring once the season starts.” He added: “He’s scored a lot of goals in the first few games for United and I hope he scores a few more pre-season because I want him to do well. “But as soon as the season starts I hope he has a drought.” Despite his respect for Owen’s talents, Carragher believes Liverpool’s forward pairing of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could not be bettered. “No other team in England has a partnership like Gerrard and Torres. There is no better partnership in the world at the moment. It’s strange to be talking about Stevie as a striker, but that’s what he has become and, for me, in that posi(AFP/File/ANDREW YATES) tion behind the main forward there Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, seen is no one better. When he’s playing here in 2008, admitted he was wary of the alongside Torres they have the ability to tear defences wide open in a threat posed by former teammate Michael Owen at Manchester United. split second.”
Bayern return to field Agence France - Presse
MUNICH, Germany - Bayern Munich’s French star Franck Ribery is injured and will miss his team’s start in the new Bundesliga season, the home fixture on August 8 at the Allianz Arena against Hoffenheim. Currently the man fans once hailed as “Kaiser Franck” is looking far from imperial and the additional recuperation period may give the 26-year-old midfielder time to carry out some public relations to polish up his image. The France international’s commitment to the mighty south German club has been looking very tarnished after a summer-long sequence of speculation about a possible move to Real Madrid, to Barcelona or even to Manchester United. In the end the bigspending Spanish club went away frustrated, making it clear the asking fee set by Bayern was over the top. Outspoken Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer blasted Ribery for, in his view, being more interested in his own career than the club and suggested that the player could still be sold - for 94 million euros. “Of course we would expect the market price, and if Cristiano Ronaldo is worth 94 million, then Ribery is worth a a comparable sum. But if no offer is forthcoming he must fulfil the terms of his contract until 2011,” he told Sport Bild newspaper. Commentators were not entirely convinced by a statement from Bayern management which said: “Bayern have at no time had and do not have the impression from Franck Ribery that he
would only use Bayern in order to further his own career. He has always given himself and his abilities to the service of the team.” As another season in Germany looms, Ribery’s attitude continues to make headlines. When the team assembled for the official preseason photo session, observers noted the Frenchman was unsmiling and distant. He may have been wishing he was at a different stadium - namely the Bernabeu in Madrid, hobnobbing with Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema as Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez proudly showed off his multi-million euro signings in the Spanish sun. New Munich manager Louis Van Gaal made it clear the France international would play for no more than 20 minutes in the first game of the season because of the tendonitis he has in his knee. The ex-Marseille player was ruled out of the team for the pre-season Audi Cup tournament involving Manchester United, AC Milan and Boca Juniors. The player currently tagged “the Bavarian Diva” by German media has missed all the side preparation matches since training resumed at Bayern Munich’s Black Forest camp in July. His condition poses a problem for France manager Raymond Domenech, preparing his side for the country’s next World Cup qualifying match against the Faroe Islands on August 12. Although the usually hyperactive midfielder may not be an essential part of the line-up to play the islanders, he will be called upon to perform in the ensuing ties against Romania and Serbia in September.
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Monday, August 3, 2009
Sauber working on team rescue deal
Former team principal Peter Sauber is believed to be working alongside BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen to evaluate a rescue package for the BMW Sauber Formula 1 team, following the German manufacturer’s decision to withdraw from the sport at the end of the season.
Bp/doc
Peter Sauber
‘Lucky’ Massa eager to return to racing Felipe Massa says he understands how severe his Hungaroring accident was, but remains determined to race again at the earliest opportunity. The Ferrari driver is set to be released from hospital in Budapest tomorrow as he continues to recover from the head injuries he sustained when he was struck by a spring that had detached from Rubens Barrichello’s car in qualifying last Saturday. “I know I’m lucky to be alive - I don’t remember anything about the accident but I will race again,” Massa told the News of the World. He added that he had been extremely confused when he was woken from the induced coma he had been
placed in following his surgery, but that when he heard how the Hungarian Grand Prix had unfolded he was confident he could have won. “When I woke up I didn’t know why I was in hospital, so I was asking ‘why am I here?’” Massa said. “I was pulling all the tubes and Eduardo, my brother, tried to stop me - so we had a fight. The accident was so unlucky but I know I’m lucky to be alive. I don’t remember anything of what happened. “It was my race, so when I awoke from the coma I couldn’t believe it when they told me Lewis [Hamilton] had won and Kimi [Raikkonen] was second.” Massa was visited in hospital yesterday by his friend and former
team-mate Michael Schumacher, who is making a surprise Formula 1 comeback to deputise for him at Ferrari while he recovers. Schumacher said he had been pleasantly surprised by how quickly Massa’s condition had improved. “It was good to finally see Felipe, I feel better now,” said Schumacher. “Although I’ve been constantly in contact with him through Nicolas and Jean [Todt] and I always knew everything, it’s always better to see things with your own eyes.” “I’m surprised by how good his condition is, considering that the accident happened last week. We’ve been together and spoke a bit about everything. I feel really relieved now.”
(AP Photo/MTI, Zsolt Szigetvary)
Luiz Antonio Massa, left, and Eduardo “Dudu” Massa, father and brother of the Ferrari team’s Brazilian Formula One driver Felipe Massa, flash a thumb-up gesture outsidethe Honved Hospital in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. Massa is recovering from a life-saving surgery in the hospital after he crashed and suffered serious injuries during the time trial of the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix on the Hungaroring circuit, outside Budapest last Saturday, July 25, 2009.
A spokesman for Sauber told AUTOSPORT that the 65-year-old Swiss was looking at all possibilities to ‘achieve a positive outcome’ for the team. Sauber, who sold the team in 2005 to BMW following more than 25 years as a racing car constructor in F1 and sports prototypes, told a hastily convened press briefing in Switzerland that he had vowed to do all he could to save the jobs of his former employees. “I will do everything humanly possible,” Sauber was quoted on Bild’s website as saying. “I can’t do wonders and I certainly do not want to be team boss on the pitwall again. “The problem is that time is short and we need to find a solution quickly.” Citing a similar situation to the one faced by Honda, where Ross Brawn and Nick Fry brought together a financial deal to safe-keep what became the Brawn GP team, Sauber said the final decision remained with
BMW’s board of directors. “I’ve told all my people that I will use all my contacts, but I can’t guarantee anything. I am an advisor to BMW but ultimately only they can decide how to drive it forward.” Sauber told the press conference that offers of investment had already been received for a potential rescue package and that he had forwarded these to BMW. “The best solution would be a Ross Brawn-type solution at Honda,” he said. “You need at least ten years to amass a team which can produce a F1 car to the level required and if we let this team fall apart the chances are that Switzerland will never again have such an opportunity.” Sauber, who retains a 20 per cent shareholding in the team, remained confident a solution could be found to keep the Hinwil-based squad in F1, adding: “I must add that in my 17 years in F1 I have solved bigger problems.”
1 dead, 40 injured in Canada stage collapse
16 Pages Number 427 1st Year
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Monday, August 3, 2009
Balinese Hindus celebrated Sarawasti day PAGE 8
US, Asia lead tributes to former Philippines leader Aquino Agence France Presse
HONG KONG - The United States, Japan and Southeast Asia led international tributes to former Philippines president Corazon Aquino, who died Saturday after a battle with cancer.
Katie Holmes Hasn’t Been Offered ‘Sex And The City’ Role PAGE 12
People across the Catholic nation woke to the news early Saturday, as Aquino’s family announced the 76-year-old’s death and President Gloria Arroyo declared a 10-day period of mourning. President Barack Obama described her as a historic figure who helped restore democracy to her country. Obama “was deeply saddened” by news of Aquino’s death, read a statement late Friday from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Aquino “played a crucial role in Philippines history”, moving the country to democratic rule through her non-violent “People Power” movement over 20 years ago. “Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation. On behalf of the American people, the President extends his deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the nation of the Philippines,” the statement read. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed Aquino as an inspiration. “Cory Aquino was beloved by her nation and admired by the world for her extraordinary courage after the assassination of her husband, and later, during her service as president,” Clinton said in a statement. “She helped bring democracy back to the Philippines after many years of authoritarian rule with a faith in her country and its people that never wavered.” Aquino was propelled into the political spotlight in 1986, leading millions of Filipinos in protests against Ferdinand Marcos, who jailed thousands of dissidents during his brutal 20-year regime. Arroyo, in the United States on an official visit, said: “Aquino led a revolution that restored democracy and the rule of law to our nation at a time of great peril.” Continued on page 6
AP Photo/Aaron Favila, Pool
Filipino Bishop Angel Lagdameo, left, offers prayers to the late Philippine President Corazon Aquino at the La Salle school gym in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines on Sunday Aug. 2, 2009. Aquino, who swept away a dictator and then sustained democracy by fighting off seven coup attempts in six years, has died, her family said. She was 76.
Karachi building collapse toll rises to 24: police
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Pakistani rescue workers search for bodies trapped in the rubble of a five-storey building which collapsed in Karachi, Pakistan on, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. A government official says a five-storey building collapsd in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi and has killed at least 16 people, almost all of them women and children.
KARACHI - The death toll from a building collapse in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi rose to 24 as rescue workers pulled out more bodies from the rubble, officials said Sunday. The five-storey building in the port city’s densely populated Khajoor Bazaar area collapsed late Friday, trapping dozens of people in the debris. Police on Saturday said 13 bodies had been recovered. “Rescue workers have recovered six more bodies, another five dead bodies are still trapped in the
rubble,” police official Irfan Meao told AFP by telephone. Eight others were injured in the incident. He said 11 of the dead were women while a child also died in the incident. “We are investigating the cause; the building may have been damaged because of last month’s heavy monsoon rain,” local government official Dilawar Khan told AFP. Last month Karachi’s first torrential rains of the monsoon season killed at least 26 people, mostly women and children, and injured hundreds. Karachi, with a population of 14 million people, is the economic of hub of Pakistan.