16 Pages Number 46 2st Year
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Monday, March 8, 2010
Chinese tourists remain third biggest, Japanese decrease
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Blasts kill 24, injure dozens as Iraqis vote Agence France Presse
BAGHDAD – Iraqis on Sunday braved waves of bomb, mortar and rocket attacks that killed 24 people to vote in parliamentary elections that Al-Qaeda vowed to wreck.
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Baghdad bore the brunt of the violence, with dozens of mortars raining down on the capital as voting stations opened for the war-shattered nation’s second parliamentary election since US-led forces ousted dictator Saddam Hussein Fallujah, Baquba, Samarra and other cities across the country were also hit by mortar rounds or bombs, many of them exploding near polling stations. But the capital saw the deadliest attacks. A Katyusha rocket flattened a residential building, killing 12 and wounding 10, officials said, adding that a second blast killed four and wounded eight when another building was targeted by a bomb, security officials said. Four more people were killed by mortar attacks in Baghdad and four others by bombs that between them wounded 40, the officials said. The attacks come despite a massive security operation in place for Sunday’s voting, with 200,000 police and soldiers deployed in Baghdad alone. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said the attacks “are only noise to impress voters but Iraqis are a people who love challenges and you will see that this will not damage their morale.” Maliki cast his vote in Baghdad’s fortified “Green Zone”
which earlier Sunday took several mortar hits. Abu Adel, a 57-year-old retired man, was one of the tens of thousands across the country who queued up at polling stations to cast their votes despite the danger. “It is a duty to participate in the democratic process,” he said as he voted at the Omar al-Mokhtar polling centre in central Baghdad. Sunni Arabs are expected to turn out in force at voting centres, in stark contrast to 2005 when they boycotted nationwide polls in protest at the rise to power of the nation’s long-oppressed Shiite majority. Factfile: Iraq That boycott deepened the sectarian divide and heightened unrest which killed tens of thousands of Iraqis in the aftermath of the 2003 US-led invasion and which has only eased in the past two years. The election will usher in a government tasked with tackling a multitude of problems, including still high levels of violence, an economy in tatters and state ministries mired in a culture of endemic corruption. Seven years after the war, much of Baghdad remains bomb damaged, most homes receive only a few hours of mains electricity a day and lack clean drinking water, and a quarter of the Iraqi population is illiterate. Continued on page 6
AP Photo/Karim Kadim
Rescuers search for bodies under the rubble at the scene of a blast which leveled a building in northeastern Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 7, 2010 which killed scores of people, including four children, according to police and hospital officials.
Three teenagers try to kill themselves Denpasar (Bali Post)
Only because small problems, teenagers are trying to solve it with wrong solution, one of them by commits suicide. Three teenagers were trying to kill themselves on Sunday, march 7th 2010. All of the victims were rushed into Sanglah hospital. The first one was a woman who came in
unconscious state. She was drinking poisonous substance to kill herself. The second one was a 23 years old lady who cut her wrist with a razor blade. The third victim was a 17 years old boy who drinks a bottle of soft drink mixed with medicine. The second victim was taken to the hospital by her boyfriend. He explained that the girl was trying to kill her-
self after they had a big fight. “At first, we had a fight and suddenly she took a razor blade and cut her hand,” he added. While the third victim was trying to commit suicide after he had disagreement with his father. The victims are still in the hospital for further treatment. Wrong identification
Because he was very thirsty, Marten drink a catalyst which he thought was water. The, he was rushed to Sanglah hospital. One of his friends explained that before the incident, they were fixing a boat in Benoa harbor. Unaware, Marten drink the poisonous catalyst next to him. Currently, he still treated intensively in the hospital.(san)
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International
Monday, March 8, 2010
Bali News KONI Postpone Swimming, Commercializes uwecapura Stadium Semarapura (Bali Post)
National Sports Federation (KONI) of Klungkung Regency struck the swimming sports participation in the 2011 Bali Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) X in Jemberana. In fact, swimming is one of the potential sport branches in Klungkung. It was proven by the emergence of reliable swimmers such as Gede Siman Sudartawan, who currently often appears in the national and even ASEAN level. Yes, KONI has officially struck the sport branch and did not involve it in the 2011 Porprov X in Jemberana,? said Spokesperson of KONI, Ketut Sugiana, last Friday (Mar 5). Official deletion of the pool was performed in the preparation for KONI meeting of Klungkung Regency facing the upcoming Porprov at Suwecapura Stadium. The meeting was chaired by Secretary of KONI, Nyoman Mudarta. Deletion of swimming branch was
made due to the absence of governance where Regency Management of Indonesia Swimming Federation (PRSI) of Klungkung Regency had expired as of May 2009. ?KONI has requested the formation of new management. In fact, up to these days it has not been formed,? he added Sugiana. Deletion of this sport branch means Klungkung will only send 14 sport branches out of 21 sport branches put into competition in the 2011 Porprov X in Jemberana. On
that account, the contingent force of Klungkung Regency will only consist of 300 people (officials and athletes). Aside from striking the swimming branch, the meeting also decided to ?commercialize? the Suwecapura Stadium at Gelgel. In that sense, every organization or sports event using the stadium must pay the rental fee. This action is taken to address shortfalls in the KONI in relation to the preparation of Porprov. (kmb20)
Worrying, Air Quality in Denpasar A large number of vehicles passing back and forth on the highway indirectly had significant impact on air quality conditions. Moreover, gas emission of many vehicles is above the standard quality that has been determined. These conditions result in air quality on the highway has now entered into the concerned category. This can be seen from the results of the test of vehicle exhaust emissions that has been done for several times by the Denpasar Environment Agency. Emission test was conducted at several strategic points whose volume of vehicle traffic was fairly crowded. At the end of last year, the Denpasar Environment Agency conducted emissions test at three locations, namely Jalan Mahendradatta, Jalan Raya Sesetan and Jalan Hayam Wuruk. Result of the emission test indeed indicated the increased quality shown by diminishing number of vehicles categorized to have not passed in the gas emissions test or its exhaust gas was above the threshold compared to the result in the last 2008. Division Head of Control and Pollution, Denpasar Environment Agency (BLH) IGN Alit Sudibya when met not long ago expressed the general ambience of air quality in
Denpasar was not too worried. This was influenced by geographical condition of Denpasar city located on the beach. On that account, the intensity of air circulation was very smooth. In addition, there were no large-scale industries within the urban region. However, these conditions differed greatly from the air quality on the highway. Some points of roads indicate concerned air quality. Preview on polluted air quality at a number of roads in Denpasar was shown by the results of emissions test in 2008. From 1,645 four-wheel vehicles involved in the emission test, 930 units of four-wheeled vehicles or 56.53 percent of the total samples tested had exhaust gas emission above the threshold of standard quality or did not pass the test. Emission test was intended to obtain data on air pollution from mobile sources, particularly motor vehicles on the highway. ?This is what we need to socialize to the public about the importance of good air quality for health. In addition, with this vehicle emission test the owners know the condition of their vehicle?s engine,? explained Alit Sudibya. Alit Sudibya said the new vehicle did not guarantee to have emission gas under the standard quality. The proof,
no less new manufactured vehicles, their emission gas was above standard quality. However, it did close the possibility that older vehicles remained to have normal engine output. ?Actually, this highly depends on the engine maintenance,? said Alit Sudibya accompanied by officers of PPLH of Bali Region. The impact of too high gas emissions will affect human health because if the high concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) will reduce the oxygen in the blood, so it leads to the impact on the thinking disorder. Similarly, if the hydrocarbon (HC) on the threshold, it causes eye irritation, coughing, sleepy, skin rash, and changes in the genetic code. Meanwhile, emission tests conducted in last 2009 began to increase rather than previous year. The proof, out of the 963 units of vehicles undergoing emission test, in fact 29.49 percent did not pass. Such emission test has been taking place at three strategic locations in the city of Denpasar. The three locations chosen consisted of Jalan Mahendradatta, Jalan Raya Sesetan and Jalan Hayam Wuruk, Denpasar. Number of vehicles tested successfully reached 963 units. Of that amount, 284 units of vehicles did not pass the test. (ara)
IBP/edi
Workers are continuing to finish a bridge in Ida Bagus Mantra road. The project which cost 175 billion rupiah will be finished in 2011.
Dengue Fever Breaks Out, Keep Body’s Condition and Environmental Hygiene Within the past few weeks, Dengue Fever started to spread and infect the community. Occasional summer heat and intermittent rain indeed strongly support the spread of this disease. Booming patients of Dengue Fever, apart from other tropical infectious diseases, made the room capacity of Sanglah Hospital always fully occupied. Based on the data within a week, Dengue Fever patients treated at Sanglah Hospital reached 100 persons with an average increase of 20 new patients. Not only at Sanglah Hospital, Wangaya Hospital also encountered the same condition. DF patients treated during the past 10 days amounted to 96 patients. Increasing number of DF patients did not only overwhelm State Hospitals. One of the private hospitals, Kasih Ibu Hospital Denpasar, received many DF patients so some patients should be referred to other hospitals because of insufficient capacity of the room. Based on the data of patients having got inpatient treatment at Kasih Ibu Hospital, Denpasar, during the past week they reached the 19 patients with 63 outpatient treatment. Head of Bali Health Services, Nyoman Sutedja, not long ago said that under condition with intermittent rain and hot weather, people needed to be alert and maintain a healthy environment as doing mosquito?s nest eradication and maintain stamina. ?It can be said fogging is not too effective to eliminate this DF, in this case Aedes aegypti mosquito. What should be done is to keep the environment
clean, especially keeping no mosquito larvae as well as increasing endurance,? advised Sutedja. Head of Pediatrics Division of Sanglah Hospital, BNP Arhana, not long ago said that by improving endurance, especially in infants was essential in order to combat diseases caused by viruses. ?It is not easy to combat diseases caused by viruses. Therefore, increasing endurance is very important. For infants, for instance, administration of breast-feeding is better than formulaic milk. Other than having minimal contamination, it also further increases the baby?s immune system,? he said. In addition, applying the habit of washing hands within the family was also very important. According to Arhana, hand denoted a carrier of transmission of diseases both caused by viruses or bacteria. Similarly, keeping the environment clean was also worth noting in the transitional seasons like this. ?If you do not maintain a healthy environment, dengue fever will be increasingly threatened,? he added. If already infected, maintaining the body fluids should be considered because the body infected by diseases like fever and diarrhea needed liquids to maintain the body condition. Continued Arhana, treatment with antibiotics did not always resolve the problem. ?Not all infectious diseases can be cured by antibiotic. Administration of antibiotic is only performed to infectious diseases caused by bacteria. So, it should be examined first and keep the body fluids intake,? he added. (kmb24)
z Founder : K.Nadha, z Chief Editor: ABG Satria Naradha z Managing Editor: Wirata,Palgunadi z Editors: Alit Purnata, Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Darmasunu, Daniel Fajry, Diah Dewi, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Sutiawan, Wirya, Yudi Winanto zDenpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan, Tabanan: Surpi. Jakarta: Nikson, Suharto Olii, Indu P. Adi, Ahmadi Supriyanto, Achmad Nasrudin, Hardianto, Darmawan S. Sumardjo, Heru B Arifin, Asep Djamaluddin, Ade Irawan, Ipik Tanoyo. NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani, Nur Haedin, Suyadnya. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. z Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. z Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publiser: PT Bali Post
Bali News
International
3
Monday, March 8, 2010
Simantri Works on Areas Sidewalks at Besakih with More Than 35 Percent Need Improving Poor Households
Batara Turun Kabeh Ceremony
Amlapura (Bali Post) —
Bali Post
Denpasar - Integrated farming systems (Simantri) launched by Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika and Vice Governor AA Puspayoga since 2009 have been well received among the farmers. This is proven by the increase of the number of targeted Farmer Union Group (Gapoktan) to be built from 10 in its early stages to 40 in the 2010 year 2010. This was stated by the Head of Bali Agricultural Office Ir. Putra Suryawan, on Friday (5 / 3) yesterday in Renon. Each Gapoktan will receive a grant of 200 million rupiah. In the year 2009, a budget of 2 billion rupiah had been disbursed, while in the year 2010, it increases by four-fold to 8 billion rupiah. Out of the 40 Gapoktan, most are located in Buleleng and Karangasem. The first and second largest regencies in Bali’s will host the most Simantri groups as they have the majority of poor households. This is in accordance with the priorities of the Simantri program which target villages with poor household rate above 35 percent. From 40 Gapoktan, 12 will be built in Buleleng villages, 9 in Karangasem, 6 in Bangli, 4 in Tabanan, 3 in Klungkung, 2 each in Jembrana and Gianyar, and 1 each in Badung and Denpasar. In addition to the percentage requirement of poor households, every Simantri village must have a characterized commodity as a point of leverage. For example, the village of Tulamben in Karangasem is granted the program for it has cashew and peanuts as their commodities. Besides, the appointed
Gapoktan should be willing and able to implement the pre-designed integrated programs. ‘’This step should be taken to ensure they carry out the Simantri program themselves,’’ he said. While the Office of Agriculture will only facilitate and provide guidance or assistance, the ultimate goal is to increase the welfare of farmers in the area. He also recognized the characteristic of Balinese farmers who in average have 0,3-0,5 Ha farm land holdings per household and 25 average ownership of cattle, pigs and goats. He hoped that some farmer groups which had joined Gapoktan will not only develop their own farming locally but also improve their business nationally. This is in accordance with the objectives of Simantri program to increase acreage and quantity of agricultural products, livestock and fisheries by increasing their production and populations. Organic fertilizers and pesticides will always be present to help farmers. Through Gapoktan, farmers will be able to grow and improve the quality of their resources so that the diversification of business and employment in the rural areas will also
increase. ‘’So, Simantri combines a number of livestock and staple farmers, and their processing results in a group of farmers called Gapoktan. The main activity is to combine crop and livestock integration along with all of their accompaniments,’’ he said. As an illustration he mentions Bina Karya Bakti Gapoktan from Musi Village, Gerokgak Buleleng has been developing 8 Ha of corn populations, 4 Ha of peanuts, 400 Kgl organic fertilizer, 200 breadfruit trees, 20 cows, 1 unit of communal stable, 1 unit of bio gas installation, 1 unit each of food, compost and bio-urine processor. All of these developments were funded as much as 181,460,000 rupiah by the Government of Bali. But when carrying out 10 Gapoktan in 2009, he acknowledged some problems. Among them are: the minimum use of land; the less intensive performance of farming, the conventional livestock farming used because it was carried out in small scale; improper recycling process of livestock waste. In addition, there were marketing constraints and underdeveloped processing results. (sua)
Many sidewalks and gutters at Besakih have damaged or perforated. They need improving promptly, especially ahead of the Tawur Gentuh exorcism rite and Ida Betara Turun Kabeh (IBTK) ceremony whose peak fall on the full moon of the tenth month in Balinese calendar, Monday (Mar 29). It was said by a member of Karangasem House from Selat, I W Sekep Aryana Manusabat, last Sunday (Mar 7) in Karangasem. According to him, the repair of the sidewalks was very urgent because actually it should have been worked since the Pancabali Krama ceremony of last year as many parts of them were damaged. However, they were not yet repaired, allegedly Bali Provincial Government which usually did it was lacking of funding. According to him, most importantly was how to make pedestrian could pass it comfortably. Based on current experience, every organization of ritual or any substantial ceremony, people from every nook and cranny of Bali and even from across the archipelago came to say prayers, so they often triggered congestion. When tens of thousands of people thronged the temple, they caused traffic jam and even some parts of road body were used for parking. Therefore, people who walked home or went to temple should be on foot. In many cases, pedestrians often found it difficult because the road got traffic
jam, while the sidewalks were broken. Sekep added the traffic congestion during the ritual events needed anticipating avoiding any congestion on the peak of ceremony. In addition, janitors also continued to use previous work experience, how to make the upcoming IBTK more comfortable. Moreover, Besakih as the mother temple of Bali also had attraction to international tourists. Never let the image of Bali decreased in the eyes of the world because we did not care about cleanliness and comfort of the environment, until the plastic garbage scattered. ?When heavy rains and floods occurred, the gutter often exploded into the road body because the waterway was blocked by trashes,? said Sekep. On the other hand, Chairman of the Committee of IBTK, I Wayan Gunatra said smoothness of traffic and sanitation maintenance had been considered. It would be attempted to reduce congestion during the IBTK by utilizing the existing parking area. Meanwhile, devotees saying prayers using vehicle must also comply with traffic directions. ?The matter of sanitation will be handled by dozens of good sweepers, both of Bali Provincial Government and Karangasem Regency. It is important to socialize the hygiene persistently and it should start.
Constantly Decreasing ADD
Difficulties to Run Village Programs Semarapura (Bali Post) —
Current village authorities are having difficulties in implementing the program designed in the Village Budget (APBDes) due to the decreasing allocation of village funds (ADD) received by each village in Klungkung Regency. ‘’The ADD we received came from the budget remaining after being used by local governments,’’ said the Chief of Selat Village, Nengah Buda when asked for confirmation at a local village office recently. Specifically for Selat Village, Buda said, the received ADD has been steadily declining since 2008. In 2008, thee ADD received was 124 million. In 2009, it has decreased by 39 million to 85 million rupiah. ‘’For
the 2010 year, we have not known of how much ADD we would be receiving. Most likely, it will be much lower compared to previous years,’’ Buda asserted.
He added the declining ADD received in 2009 compared to one in 2008 is causing some village programs can not be held optimally. One of them is the Selat’s Early Childhood Education (PAUD) School Building in Tabu Region. Development of the pre-school equivalent educational facility had been funded based on the assistance of Bali Provincial Government. However, other facilities such as bathrooms and clean water pumps are not yet available. The finished building is only one unit up until now. No separating walls
were made between the study rooms of children with the teachers and principle’s office. Meanwhile, the number of students registered in the facility named Widya Kumara is as many as 48 people and teaching staff (principals and teachers) as many as 5 people. ‘’Funds from ADD in 2009 have already been used to buy land to build the PAUD building. The price was 60 million rupiah for the 4 acre land,’’ he said. Buda hopes that development of other facilities can be covered by the ADD fund in 2010. ‘’That is if there will be any funds,’’ he added. While awaiting the provision of facilities such as clean water and bathrooms, the principal and teachers had to teach the PAUD students in the Widya Kumara Kindergarten located in Banjar Tabu. (Kmb20)
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News
Monday, March 8, 2010
International
Thailand’s ‘Red Shirts’ gear up for decisive week AFP
BANGKOK (AFP) – Supporters of Thailand’s fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra started trying to build momentum Sunday for a mass rally next week that could decide the fate of their anti-government movement. The so-called “Red Shirts” say they expect hundreds of thousands of people to gather in the capital on March 14, just over two weeks after a court seized 1.4 billion dollars of the deposed tycoon’s fortune. Organisers are holding a series of meetings beginning Sunday to motivate nationwide protesters, mostly from the rural poor, who resent what they see as an elitist and undemocratic government in Bangkok. “I would like to urge those who love democracy, justice, equality, and those who think that I have been bullied without mercy and humanity, to join the rally,” Thaksin wrote on Saturday on Twitter. The rally promises to be the biggest since last April, when up to 100,000 Reds protested against current prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, followed by riots which left two people dead and derailed a major Asian summit. The Reds have held a string of protests since another court decision removed Thaksin’s allies from government and brought Abhisit to power in December 2008, after a blockade of Bangkok’s airports by rival, royalist “Yellow Shirts”. Thaksin was toppled in a coup in 2006 and is living in exile, mainly in Dubai, to avoid a two-year jail sentence for graft imposed in absentia. He has vowed to fight the confiscation of his wealth. The country remains deeply divided between the largely Thaksinloving Reds and the Yellows, who view Thaksin as corrupt and are backed by the Bangkok-based elites of the palace, military and bureaucracy. On Sunday, provincial Red Shirt leaders were set to meet the rankand-file in Rayong, a major industrial hub near Bangkok, where organisers said tens of thousands were expected to gather from 5pm
(1000 GMT). They said meetings were planned throughout the week in central, northern and western Thailand. Around 200 mainly taxi-driving Reds besieged a Bangkok police station late Saturday after the arrest of Phornwat Thongthanaboon, a Thaksin supporter accused of posting a YouTube video warning of violence after the court ruling. Police also said Sunday they had arrested another man, a 23-year-old student linked to the Reds, suspected of grenade attacks that were directed at branches of the country’s biggest bank on the day after the verdict. Abhisit, who plans to push ahead with a trip to Australia from March 13 to 17, told local media that intelligence reports indicated the possibility of a sabotage next weekend, although organisers say the rallies will be peaceful. “Our aim is to topple the government, to force them to make a choice between suppressing us and stepping down,” Red Shirt leader Jaran Ditsatapichai told reporters earlier this week. But the number of supporters they actually draw to Bangkok will be crucial in deciding whether the Reds have any chance of pushing out the government before Thailand’s next elections, due in December 2011. Paul Chambers, a Thailand expert at Germany’s Heidelberg University, said the demonstration and its ability to match last year’s turnout will be a “crucial event to prove whether their cause will persevere.” “Whether these numbers reach higher than 100,000 will be a good measure of their continuing political potential,” Chambers added. The Red Shirts said earlier this week that they expected anywhere between 400,000 and 600,000, with many coming from Thaksin’s stronghold in the northeast in thousands of buses and pick-up trucks. The Reds’ success will also depend on building support among Bangkok’s traditionally pro-Yellow Shirt middle class, and in the ranks of Thailand’s powerful army, which so far has backed Abhisit.
AFP/File
The Malaysian national flag flies near a Catholic church in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia Catholics accept ‘desecration’ apology AFP
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) – Catholic authorities in Malaysia on Sunday accepted an apology from a Muslim magazine after its writers took part in a Catholic service and allegedly desecrated the communion wafer. “We accept the public apology. It is laudable,” Father Lawrence Andrew, the editor of the Catholic “Herald” newspaper, told AFP. “We trust they will not repeat it. We are not holding any grudges.” Two journalists from the “Al Islam” magazine took the wafer and spat it out after entering a Catholic church to investigate claims that Muslims were illegally converting to Christianity. “Al Islam magazine apologises... because the article had unintentionally hurt the feelings of Christians, especially Catholics,” it said on its
website Utusan Karya on Friday. “It is also not the intention of Al Islam to insult the Christian religion nor to desecrate their house of worship,” said the monthly magazine which reports on issues concerning Malaysian Muslims. The apology came after the archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Murphy Pakiam criticised the government’s “failure to act” over the incident. “The journalists have displayed utmost disrespect for the Catholic community when they admit receiving and spitting out the Holy Communion,” he said.
However, Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail defended the handling of the incident, saying the pair did not understand the significance of the wafer, which Catholics believe represents the body of Jesus Christ. Muslim-majority Malaysia has been beset by religious disputes in recent months. The multi-ethnic country was hit with a spate of firebombings against churches and mosques in January, triggered by a dispute over the use of the word “Allah” as a translation for “God” by non-Muslims. The rows have strained relations between majority Muslim Malays and minorities including ethnic Chinese and Indian communities who fear the country is being “Islamised.” About nine percent of Malaysia’s 28 million population are Christians, including 850,000 Catholics.
China warns again against Hong Kong democracy push AP
AFP/File
Supporters of Thailand’s fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the so-called ‘Red Shirts’
HONG KONG – China has warned that a plan by pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong to use a special election as a de facto referendum on democratic reform is a threat to stability in the former British colony. While Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, it maintains a separate political system and enjoys Western-style civil liberties typically denied on the mainland. But Beijing has continued to deny full
democracy. Hong Kong’s leader is chosen by an 800-member committee stacked with pro-China figures and its legislature is half elected, half picked by special interest groups. Pro-democracy activists have argued for years that the wealthy financial hub of 7 million people is mature enough to choose its own leaders. In their latest campaign, five opposition legislators — one from each of Hong Kong’s five major electoral districts — resigned in January, triggering a special election. Opposition parties plan to field candidates in the by-elec-
tion, hoping to turn the territory-wide contests into a de facto referendum on democratic reform. “There are political groups that have launched the so-called ‘five district referendum campaign,’ even proposing sensational and extreme slogans like ‘civic uprising’ and ‘liberating Hong Kong,’” Peng Qinghua, the head of China’s liaison office in Hong Kong, said when he met with Hong Kong delegates on the sidelines of the annual meeting of China’s parliament in Beijing on Saturday.
International IMIGRATION Australian Consulate General Jalan Tantular 32 Renon Denpasar Phone: +62 361 241118 Fax: +62 361 221195 (General) +62 361 241120 (Immigration)
General Info
Monday, March 8, 2010
HOSPITAL Denpasar There are 4 major hospitals usually used by foreigners Denpasar General Hospital (RSUP Sanglah), Kasih Ibu Hospital, Rumah Sakit Wongaya and Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada.
HOSPITAL Bangli Bangli General Hospital Jl. Kesumayuda 27, Bangli Phone : +62 366 91521 Gianyar
Royal Danish & Norwegian Mimpi Resort Jimbaran, Bali Phone +62.361.701 070 The Czech Republic Jalan Pengembak No. 17 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.286 465 France Consulate Agency Jalan Merta Sari Gang II No. 8 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.285 485 The Federal Republic of Germany Jalan Pantai Karang No 17 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.288 535 The Republic of Hungary Jalan By Pass No 219 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.287 701 Italian Consulate Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Jimbaran, Bali Phone +62.361.701 005 Honorary Consulate of Mexico Jalan Mohamad Yamin 1 A, Renon, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.223 266 Honorary Consulate of The Netherlands Jalan Raya Kuta 127, Bali Phone +62.361.761 506 Honorary Consulate of Spain Komplek Istana Kuta Galleria Blok Vallet 2 No 11. Jalan Patih Jelantik Kuta, Bali Phone +62.361.769 286 USA Consulate Agency Jalan Hayam Wuruk No. 188 Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.222 426 Consulate General of Japan Jalan Raya Puputan No. 170 Renon, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.227 628 Honorary Consulate of British Jalan Tirta Nadi No. 20 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.270 601 Swiss and Austria Consulate Jalan Patih Jelantik, Komplek Pertokoan Istana Galleria Phone +62.361.751 735 Honorary Consulate of Brazil Jalan Legian No. 186, Bali Phone +62.361.757 775 Honorary Consulate of Thailand Jalan Raya Puputan Renon 81, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.263 310 Embassy of India Jalan Raya Puputan Renon 42-44, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.241 978 Honorary Consulate of Sweden anf Finland Segara Village Hotel, Jalan Segara Ayu, Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.282 223 Honorary Consulate of Malaysia Alam Kulkul Boutique Resort, Jalan Pantai Kuta, Bali Phone +62.361.752 520
RSUP Sanglah is the main provincial public hospital. Its facilities have improved since the emergency ward had been built in 1991. Difficult/critical cases would not become a problem anymore since it has complete equipments. It is located on Jl. Kesehatan Selatan 1 Sanglah Denpasar with : Phone : 227 911 – 15 Fax : 226 363 Kasih Ibu Hospital is a private hospital which caters for less serious cases such as diarrhea, intestinal disorders, anemia, asthma and minor accidents. Kasih Ibu is also equipped to care for pregnant women. This hospital is located on Jl. Teuku Umar 120 Denpasar. Phone : 223 036 Fax : 268 690. Rumah Sakit Wongaya (Public Hospital; Psychiatric Unit) Jl. Kartini, Denpasar. Phone : 222 142. Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada , (Private) Jl. Sudirman No 50, Denpasar Phone : 227 560, 234 824 In relating with health, Bali also has insurance and medical evacuation company, that is: AEA International - SOS Assistance Bali. PT Abhaya Eka Astiti, Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 24X, Kuta 80361. Phone : 755 768 Fax : 755 768 One thing that should be noted by tourists here is that the Blood Bank in Bali normally carries no stock of Rhesus (Rh) Negative blood. Badung Bali Medical Clinics There are some medical clinics that are well known by foreigners in Bali. Some of them are western owned and operated : Bali International Medical Center (BIMC) Bali International Medical Centre (BIMC) provides excellent Primary Health Care & Emeregency Medical Services for tourists, traveler, and expatriate living in Bali. Emeregency Room, Ambulance, Clinic Services, Insurance & Medical Evacuations also available. Open 24 hours Phone : 761 2631. Located Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No.100X, Kuta, Bali 80361 - Indonesia. http://www.bimcbali.com International SOS Clinic Bali Opened in 1999, offers International SOS members and visitors to Bali comprehensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency medical service. Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai 505X, Kuta 80361, Bali - Indonesia Phone : 720 100 Fax : 721 919 E-mail : info@sos-bali.com ttp ://www.sos-bali.com Bali Nusa Dua Emergency Clinic Jl Pratama No. 81 Phone : 771 324 Kuta Clinic Jl. Raya Kuta Phone : 753 268 Dental Clinic Dr Indra Guizot, Jl. Patimura 19, Denpasar Phone : 222 445, 234 375 DDS. Ritjie Rihartinah, Jl Pratama No. 81 Nusa Dua Phone : 771 324 Retno W. Agung, Jln. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.4A Br. Tamansari – Sanur Phone : 288 501
Clinic Mas Jl. Raya Mas, Ubud Phone : +62 361 974573 Toyo Clinic Jl. Pengosekan, Ubud Phone : +62 361 978078 Permata Bunda Clinic Jl. Patih Jelantik 50 X, Gianyar Phone : +62 361 942082 Ubud Clinic Jl Raya Ubud No.36 Campuhan, Ubud Phone : +62 361 974911 Gianyar General Hospital Jl. Ciung Wanara 2, Gianyar Phone : +62 361 943049 Karangasem Karangasem General Hospital Jl. Ngurah Rai, Karangasem Phone : +62 363 21001 Klungkung Klungkung General Hospital Jl. Flamboyan 40-4, Klungkung Phone : +62 366 21371 Negara Negara General Hospital Jl. Gelar, Negara Phone : +62 365 41006 Tabanan Laboratorium Clinic Jl. Gunung semeru No. 8, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 819260 Mengwi Clinic Jl. I Gusti Ngurah Rai 46, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 880550 Darma Kerti Hospital Jl. Teratai 16, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 812359 Tabanan General Hospital Jl. Pahlawan 14, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 811027 Singaraja Prodia Clinic Jl. RA Kartini 12, Singaraja Bali 0362 - 24-516 Singaraja Hospital Jl. Ngurah Rai 30, Singaraja Bali 0362 - 22-573 Pet Clinics Kayumas: (0361) 226934 Sayang Binatang: (0361) 483121 Satwa Kertha Husada: (0361) 263018 Pantai Sindhu: (0361) 287518 Sidakarya: (0361) 724492 Pedungan: (0361) 720026
TAXIS Praja Taxi : (0361) 289090 Bali Taxi : (0361) 701111 Ngurah Rai Taxi : (0361) 724724 Pan Wirthi Taxi : (0361) 723366 Komotra Taxi : (0361) 758855
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News Mini-cyclone, record floods hit Australia AFP
AFP/Turkish Army/File –
This handout picture shows a Turkish frigate capturing pirates in the Gulf of Aden
Norwegian ship hijacked off Madagascar AP
OSLO, Norway – A chemical tanker with 21 crew members has been hijacked by Somali pirates near Madagascar, the Norwegian owner said Saturday. It was not clear whether anyone in the crew, all from Myanmar, had been injured in the attack early Friday or whether any ransom had been demanded. Svenn Pedersen, CEO and managing director of Norway’s Th. Broevigtank Shipowners, said the UBT Ocean chemical tanker was on its way from the United Arab Emirates to Tanzania when it was hijacked about 300 miles (500 kilometers) from its destination. “The captain made contact saying pirates were on board and then the contact was cut off. Nothing has been heard from the ship since then,” Pedersen said. He said the 9,000-ton vessel is registered in the Marshall Islands and was carrying fuel oil. Edward Ion, a spokesman for the
vessel’s technical manager, Ship Management Associates in Singapore, said attempts have been made to re-establish contact with the vessel, but it has so far been unsuccessful. “We’re making every effort,” he said, adding the company is cooperating with local authorities and monitoring agencies and anti-piracy forces in the region. “Obviously we’re very concerned about this.” The hijacking is one of the southernmost attacks the pirates have ever launched, and serves as yet another indicator that increased naval patrols in the Gulf of Aden are pushing the pirates’ range further south and east into the Indian Ocean. Duncan Findlay, an official with Ship Management Associates, said the ship complied with industry
guidelines because it was registered with, and reported to, the UK Maritime Trade Operations, a group that oversees the route the vessel was taking. According to the company, the vessel was not registered with the EU Naval Force-run Maritime Security Centre for the Horn of Africa because the ship would not go near the Horn of Africa. “It would have been the incorrect coordination center because the ship was 1,000 nautical miles south of the Horn of Africa,” Ion said. On Friday, a French frigate involved in an EU anti-piracy mission off Somalia detained 22 suspected pirates from six separate boats in the Indian Ocean. According to the French Defense MInistry, the suspects are being held on the frigate.
Obama urges action on health care without delay AFP
WASHINGTON (AFP) – US President Barack Obama on Saturday renewed his appeal to Congress to vote on his health care reform, arguing that any delay would allow insurance companies to continue their old practices. “We are very close. And so I ask Congress to finish its work,” Obama said in his weekly radio address. “I ask them to give the American people an up or down vote. And let’s show our citizens that it’s still possible for Washington to look out for their interests and their future.”
Last month, Obama hosted an unusual day-long health care “summit” with key Republicans and included four of their main ideas in his proposal. Republican leaders however have said the changes were not enough. Since then, the president has been pushing Congress to pass his historic health care overhaul by a party-line vote. Democratic congressional aides have said they hope to pass a final bill before the start of a two-week Easter recess at the end of the day on March 26. They say that would enable lawmakers to focus more on the bleak
US jobs picture in the months ahead. Obama warned that if lawmakers let this opportunity pass for another year or another decade, more Americans would lose their family’s health insurance if they lost their job - or even switched job. “More small businesses will be forced to choose between health care and hiring,” he continued. “More insurance companies will raise premiums and deny coverage.” Obama also warned that the rising costs of Medicare and Medicaid - the government-run health insurance programs for the senior and the poor — would sink the US government “deeper and deeper into debt.”
MELBOURNE (AFP) – Melbourne was bracing itself Sunday for further storms after a minicyclone ripped through Australia’s second largest city, bringing with it hail stones the size of tennis balls. The storm dumped heavy rain across the southern state of Victoria, and smashed into the regional capital with winds of up to 100 kilometres (62 miles) an hour, cutting power to 100,000 homes. Some 26 millimetres (one inch) of rain fell on Melbourne within an hour while other areas recorded up to 70 millimetres during the Saturday storm. “Yesterday we had golf-to-tennis ball-sized hail and certainly there’s a prospect of similar sized hail somewhere in the state today,” Richard Carlyon, the Bureau of Meteorology’s senior forecaster, told ABC radio. “Whether it’s Melbourne I’m not so sure about... but if it’s not Melbourne, I think there’s a very good prospect of large hail being reported somewhere in the state.” In the city centre the National Gallery of Victoria suffered flooding, while the Docklands Stadium was among those buildings damaged during the violent storm, which washed out horse races. Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Wasyl Drosdowsky said the hail that hit in one suburban area was up to 10 centimetres (four inches) in diameter.
“(It was) tennis ball size roughly,” he said. “As far as we can tell, that’s close to the biggest hail we’ve seen in Melbourne.” As the city readied for further violent storms Sunday, once-in-a-century floods were peaking in the state of Queensland in the country’s northeast, parts of which have been in drought for almost a decade. Townships in the state’s cottongrowing south were cut off by rising flood waters and in St George the Balonne River reached 13.5 metres (44 feet), its highest level since records began in 1890. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the cost of the flooding would be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, as there had been major damage to highways and rail lines had been washed away. “This is a massive water event which has smashed all the records known here in the southwest,” she told reporters Sunday as she toured St George. “All this water ultimately is going to mean great things for local (farmers) but there is a lot of pain to be felt in these communities before we can see total recovery.” In the nearby tiny town of Nindigully, residents were marvelling at the amount of water surrounding the rural outpost. “Overall, we are happy to have experienced this flood because of the beauty of vast expanses of water through the bush that you never forget,” Steve Burns, the owner of the 146-yearold Nindigully Pub told AAP.
Blasts kill 24... From page 1 Northern Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region, which is almost free of violent attacks and whose economy is booming, is one of the country’s few bright spots. Iraq has vast oil deposits and in recent months has signed 10 massive deals with foreign companies, but income will take years to flow into government coffers and for the moment much of the population remains poor. The United States hopes the election will bolster Iraq’s fledgling democracy, make it a beacon in a region where free and fair elections are the exception, and pave the way to a smooth pullout of American troops. Maliki, the Shiite head of the State of Law Alliance, is bidding to become the first Iraqi voted back into office at the will of the people who for decades had no choice but Saddam’s Baath Party. His rivals include Iyad Allawi, a Shiite former prime minister who heads the Iraqiya list, a rival secular coalition that has strong support in Sunni areas. Also seeking the top job are Ahmed Chalabi, a former deputy premier once favoured but now loathed by Washington; Adel Abdel Mahdi, the country’s Shiite vice president; and Baqer Jaber Solagh, the finance min-
ister. Chalabi, Mahdi and Solagh all represent the Iraq National Alliance, the main Shiite religious list. Under the Iraqi electoral system no one party will emerge with the 163 seats needed to form a government on their own and the ensuing horse-trading to form a governing coalition could take months. So far, 4,380 American soldiers have died since the invasion, according to an AFP tally based on the independent website icasualties.org. Iraq Body Count, a Britain-based group, estimates that between 95,000 and 104,000 civilians were killed in the same period. Although violence is at a post-invasion low, attacks occur almost daily in Baghdad and other hotspots. More than 350 people died in unrest last month. Related article: Key dates since US-lead invasion Al-Qaeda in Iraq in a statement on Friday threatened to kill voters, days after a series of suicide attacks and bombings killed dozens. The Islamic State of Iraq, the Qaeda front in the country, said it was imposing a “curfew” on Sunday and anyone who dared defy it would “expose himself to the anger of Allah and ... all kinds of weapons of the mujahedeen.”
International
Indonesia Today
Monday, March 8, 2010
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18 foreign yachts to visit Central Java Antara
SEMARANG - The Central Java Cultural and Tourism Agency said that about 18 foreign incursion boats or yachts are scheduled to call at the Tanjung Emas port of Semarang, for a visit to the province. “Actually, at least 18 foreign yachts will be mooring at Tanjung Emas,” Head of the Central Java Cultural and Tourism Agency Gatot Bambang Hastowo said here Sunday. He said some other foreign tourism operators are still having neAFP PHOTO / CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN
Indonesian police at work while bodies are evacuated, following an intense exchange of gunfire in a raid on a camp of suspected Islamist militants, in Lamkabeu on March 6, 2010. Three policemen and a terror suspect were killed during the March 4 raid in Sumatra island’s northern Aceh province, Indonesian police said.
Three police, one militant killed in Aceh: police Agence France-Presse
BANDA ACEH - Three policemen and a terror suspect were killed during this week’s raid on Islamist militants in Sumatra Island’s northern Aceh province, Indonesian police said Saturday. Police spokesman Edward Aritonang said the three security men and the terror suspect were found dead after an intense exchange of gunfire on Thursday. “At the location, we found four dead bodies. They consist of three paramilitary police members and a terror suspect,” Aritonang said, without further elaboration. It was the second terror suspect reported to have been killed in raids on alleged militants in a remote, for-
ested part of Aceh Besar district over the past two weeks. Two civilians were also killed by stray bullets in the operations, police said. Fourteen suspected militants have been charged following their arrest in the raids which, police said Saturday, were ongoing. The police said they discovered a blog on Friday in which it claimed as to belonging to the Al-Qaeda branch in Aceh. The blog stated that some mem-
bers had survived the raids in Aceh and called for fellow Muslims to follow their steps, according to reports by local media. “We are still investigating who’s responsible for the blog and whether it was truly linked to the armed group in Aceh. We want to know whether the blog was genuine,” Aritonang said. Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Friday that the alleged militants were not linked to GAM, which once waged an insurgency in Aceh. Semi-autonomous Aceh, a deeply Islamic province, saw a three-decade separatist war that claimed around 15,000 lives before it ended in 2005.
gotiations on visits to Central Java. “The 18 yachts had already received a green light to go to Central Java,” he said. He said if each of the yachts brought 500 passengers, the number of foreign tourists to the province will increase significantly. Earlier, Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo said that in 2009 a total of 15 yachts visited the province, bringing 9,379 tourists from many countries. The total number of tourists to Central Java in 2009 reached 19 million, with an average length of stay of 1.94 days.
Wild elephants destroy houses in Riau’s Bengkalis Antara
BENGKALIS - A number of wild elephants destroyed three houses in Petani village, Mandau sub-district, Bengkalis, on Thursday and Friday, local residents said. But there were no fatalities in the wild elephants’ attacks as the house tenants could escape in time, Poiman, 45, told ANTARA here Saturday. “We (local residents) have agreed to drive the wild elephants out of the village,” he said. Over the past week, the herbivorous animals have been entering the Petani village area — home of more than 200 families. On Friday night, the wild elephants destroyed the villagers’ crops and two houses, he said. The villagers had tried to drive
them out by turning on lanterns, burning used tires and firing bamboo canons but failed to expel them. Instead the animals approached the people, causing them to get panic and run away. According to another villager, Sonia, 43, the elephants had also damaged crops on five hectares of the locals’ farm land and a house on Thursday. Patris, whose house was seriously damaged by the wild elephants, said the people’s safety was at stake so that 11 families had taken refuge in safer places. Some of the displaced families moved to their relatives’ houses, which were far away from their village, the 40-year-old Patris said. Besides destroying three houses, the wild elephants also caused minor damage to at least 20 other houses.
Mahfud: Century case should be referred to criminal court Antara
TANJUNGPINANG - Constitutional Court chairman Mahfud MD said the Bank Century case should be referred to a criminal court to prove who was guilty in the alleged criminal offenses or violations of the law. “It should be brought to a criminal court for a ruling,” he said after giving a lecture at Hotel Comfort here on Saturday. He said by taking the case to a criminal court it would be known if criminal effenses or law violations, corruption or manipulations had really happened. “They can all be verified from those whose names have been mentioned in the House inquiry committee’s meeting such as bank officials,” he said. Mahfud said he believed the Corruption Eradication Commission
(KPK) would have the courage to unveil the case so long as they have indictment relating to bribery or corruption. “So far the KPK has shown courage and it fears no one so long as it has an indictment against a criminal law,” he said. Mahfud said if the case is to be brought to the constitution court (MK) as a political case there must first be a political opinion from the House of Representatives supported by 75 percent of its members. “It will take long. And only after that will an impeachment be able to be carried out. It will be impossible to do it without the process,” he said. He said the constitutional court could not push for the case to be brought there, adding the constitutional court would only stand-by and would
not do it unless no one filed it. “MK would only stand by and is not allowed to actively take case,” he said. Mahfud said conviction in the criminal court has nothing to do with impeachment. “They are not related. If the House of Representatives or the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) would not impeach it will never happen although they are proven guilty in court,” he said. The majority of the House of Represenatives decided in a vote recently that irregularities had occured in connection with the government’s decision to bailout the Century Bank in the midst of the world’s economic crisis in 2008. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a speech on Thursday meanwhile supported the decision saying it was needed to save the country’s economy and banking sector.
AFP PHOTO / MOCHAMMAD RISYAL HIDAYAT
An Indonesian activist from Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) throws his shoes toward an image of US President Barack Obama during an anti-Obama protest in Surabaya on March 5, 2010. Protesters claim Obama is responsible for a war on Muslims. The White House announced in early February that Obama and his family will visit Indonesia in March, a trip eagerly awaited by some in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country since Obama’s inauguration.
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Monday, March 8, 2010
Bali Today Chinese tourists remain third biggest, Japanese decrease Antara
DENPASAR - Chinese holiday makers remain the third biggest visitors in the Indonesian resort island of Bali after those of Australia and Japan, an official said. In January 2010, the total number of Chinese tourists visiting Bali reached 15,849, a 31.44 percent decline compared to the same period last year, the head of Bali’s bureau of statistics, Ida Komang Wisnu, said here Sunday. In January 2009, 23,117 Chinese tourists spent their holiday in Bali, he said. The tourists of mainland China directly flew to Bali. None came here by cruise ships, Wisnu said. Last year, 206,151 Chinese tourists visited the resort island or an increase of 56.98 percent compared to 131,319 the year before. Bali has so far had 766 Mandarin-speaking guides who are ready to accompany the coming Chinese tourists who want to enjoy the cultural uniqueness and natural beauty of the resort island.
While Chinese tourists remain third biggest, the Japanese tourists to Bali have dropped by 23.86 pct from 25,357 in January 2009 to 19,308 in January 2010. “The drop was worse than in December 2009 their number reached 28,048, a 31.16 pct decline,” said Wisnu. She said the number of Japanese holidaying in Bali in the last few years had been decreasing and this development needs to be anticipated in the hope they would still be coming to the island resort for a holiday. Last year their number reached 333,905, a 7.2 pct drop compared to 2008’s 359,824. Ida Komang Wisnu added that while the Japanese tourists coming to Bali had been declining, their number is still second after Australia on the list of those from the 10 countries visiting Bali.
Japan contributed 10.77 pct of the total number of f179,273 foreign tourists to Bali in January 2010, a 2.71 pct increase compared to the same month last year. Of the tourists from 10 countries to Bali, those from four countries had increased in number significantly, and those from six countries had declined. The four countries are Australia with an increase of nearly 60 pct from 27,966 in January 2009 to 44,412 in January 2010, South Korea 26.49 pct from 8,105 to 10,252, Holland 40.10 pct from 4,444 to 6,226, and Russia by 2.51 pct from 8,901 to 9,124. The six countries whose tourists to Bali had declined are Japan and China by 31.44 pct, Taiwan 8.55 pct, Malaysia 28 pct, France 6.17 pct, and the United States 8.36 pct, Ida Komang Wisnu said.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com
Two Japanese tourists take a walk at Kuta, Bali Island. The Japanese tourists to Bali have dropped by 23.86 pct from 25,357 in January 2009 to 19,308 in January 2010.
Ngurah Rai Airport, a gateway to Paradise Island (1)
From emergency strip to international airport By Diah Dewi Now, Ngurah Rai airport has been able to served 9 millions passengers per year. Behind its ability to served passengers over its capacity, lies story that worth to read about. The book that entitled ‘’Ngurah Rai Airport Bali – Gateway to Paradise”, tells us all about it. In these four edition articles, International Bali Post will try to sum up all the stories about Ngurah Rai Airport since 1930 to 2010 and its vital role in developing tourism industry in Bali. At the end of this continuous article, International Bali Post will also provide some hopes and critics from the tourism stakeholders that want to make Ngurah Rai Airport a world class quality airport. To become what it is today, Ngurah Rai Airport has gone through a lots of changes. This airport was used to be an emergency strip that utilized the Dutch army purposes. It is only having a 700 meters airstrip which started on 1930 by Department Voor Veerker en Waterstaats (similar to Department of Public Works). By the year of 1931, the airstrip finally open to small plane that used to called
‘’Pesawat Capung” because it’s dragonfly-like features. Because of its location, this airstrip referred as Tuban Airport. The name stayed for years thereafter. The commercial plane started to land in Bali on 1935, when the Royal Netherlands Indies Airways landed regularly in this airport. Within the same year, Qantas Empire Airways also submitted letter to Director of Civil Aviation Depart-
ment Verkeer en Waterstaats to land its plane and stayed overnight in Bali on regular basis. Besides being used as commercial ones, this airport also have a different function during the war, especially on the start of World War II in 1942. Some living witnesses called that the frequency of flights becoming intensive during the year. In fact, because Bali was the home base of Dutch army, Japan bombed Bali in 1942 and aimed to destroy the airstrip. But realizing the strategic position of Bali to distribute Japanese soldiers to the east and central part of Indonesia, Japan also used Tuban as their strategic base. At the time, Japan also lengthened the airstrip. During the Japan’s occupation, Tuban airstrip went through some improvement changes. The airstrip extended to 1,200 meters from 700 meters. The better improvement was done during the President Soekarno leadership. On that era, Tuban also went through a lot of changes, the most memorize changes is the capacity increase for Tuban Airport to serve long haul flights. Soekarno as president was
very often visited Bali. The first arrival of Soekarno to this airport was on the year of 1955. In 1959, Tuban Airport started serving international flights from various airlines around the world. To land in this airport, the flights must first ask the permission from the central government because in the Immigration, Customs, and Quarantine department was not operating at Tuban Airport. In this particular times, central government start to realized the importance of tourism as one of the country’s incomes. In order to increase the income from tourism, government started to develop the infrastructure of Tuban Airport. The government initiated the construction of international terminal building and the airstrip towards the west was lengthened from 1,200 meters to 2,700 meters x 45 meters, with an overrun of 2 x 100 meters, through land reclamation of about 1,500 meters coastal area. This moves called Airport Tuban project and it started in 1963. This gigantic project –during that time, was done under direction of Soebandio Wirjowigunowho led the Tuban
Airport at that time. Besides being done by doing the reclamation process, this project also have to use heavy equipments that came from Russia and United States of America (USA). With the progress development and the completion of temporary terminal and runway, the government inaugurated an international flight at Tuban Airport on 10 August 1966. Since then, many international carriers started to open its routes through Bali, such as Thai Airways and Air Cambodia that have a regular flight to Bali. After a long and winding road, the airport finally ready to fully-operated. The official ceremony that happened on August 1, 1969 also officially changed the Tuban Airport named into Ngurah Rai International Airport. This name was taken from the name of an independence-day hero from Bali, Brigadir Jenderal Anumerta I Gusti Ngurah Rai. Born in Carangsari Village, he was a well-respected figure and the pride of the people of Bali as he was very courageous in leading the war against the Dutch NICA. (To be continued…)
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Monday, March 8, 2010
Balinese Culture Telkomsel involving 1,000 students in social activity Denpasar (Bali Post) -
Telkomsel as a cellular operator is not only focusing on its business activities but also conducted social activities. On Sunday, March 7th 2010, Telkomsel was participating in the beach cleaning act which was pioneered by Kuta Society Association (LPM). Telkomsel also gave 170 units of garbage bins to Kuta district. The bins will be placed on Kuta beach and Bakung Sari Street Kuta. Luh Putu Suryani, the Spv Community & Segmented Customer Telkomsel Branch Denpasar, said that the social activity done by Telkomsel is one of the efforts to keep Bali clean and beautiful. Approximately, 1,000 members of Telkomsel School Community (TSC) took part in the activity. Suryani said that is is a positive act because it can teach the students to responsible to the environment. She also said that the participation of Telkomsel in the activity is the token of appreciation and gratitude for the customers for the great respond especially to the students on the free 1,000 SMS program by Kartu As. “In order to receive the free SMS, the customers only must send
Photo by Telkomsel
Spv Community & Segmented Customer Telkomsel Branch Denpasar, Luh Putu Suryani (right) is handing over the garbage bin to the Head of Kuta Subdistrict I Gede Supartha, S. STP. MM. Telkomsel donated 170 units of garbage bins to Kuta Sub district that will be place along the Kuta Beach and St. Bakung Sari. SMS worth 1,000 rupiah and the bonus can be used for 24 hours,” she added. In adition to the social activity, Telkomsel also give other program to the member of TSC such as scholarship abroad and try out for the test to enter colleague. The company also cre-
ated a competition called FutsalAsik Superschool and a workshop entitled “1 Day for The Future”. The activities are done to open the knowledge of the student about their future profession. The school wanted to join the community can contact the nearest Telkmosel office
Jukut Belimbing (Star Fruit Leaves in Sweet Sauce) Star fruits trees grow in many Balinese gardens, a convenient source of leaves for vegetable dishes. The leaves are crunchy with a slightly bitter tang. If not available substitute with spinach leaves.
INGREDIENTS: 400 gr star fruit leaves, washed ½ cup basic spice paste 2 cups coconut milk 2 salam leaves 300 gr beef rump, minced 30 cm square of banana leaf ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp black peppercorn, crushed PREPARATION: Bring 3 liters (12 cups) of lightly salted water to the boil in a stockpot. Add star fruit leaves. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain leaves, and then cools to room temperatures in ice water. Drain and dry well. Place half of the spice paste into saucepan and sauté for 2 minutes. Add coconut milk and salam leaf, reduce heat and simmer until sauce thickens. Season minced beef with the remaining spice paste. Place on banana leaf and roll up very tightly into the shape of a sausage. Steam for 15 minutes. Allow to cool, open banana leaf and break meat into its original minced consistency. Mix the coconut milk and mince beer well and add star fruit leaves and mix again. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature with steamed rice. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)
Ayam Pelalah (Shredded Chicken with Chilies & Lime) OVERVIEW: You can use any type of leftover chicken (roast, steamed or fried) for this delightfully tangy chicken salad INGREDIENTS : 1 whole chicken, weighing about 1.2 kg (2 ½ lb) 1 cup chicken spice paste ½ cup tomato sambal 3 tbsp freshly squeezed limejuice PREPARATION: 1. Rub the chicken outside and inside with the spice paste, and season with salt and crushed black pepper. 2. Place on wire rack in oven and roast first at 220 Celsius (420 F) for 20 min, then reduce heat to 180 Celsius (350 F) and roast until done. Frequently baste chicken with a mixture of coconut oil and chicken spice paste. 3. When cool, remove and discard the skin. Remove meat from bones and shred by hand into fine strips. 4. Combine chicken stripes with remaining ingredients. Mix well and season to taste. Serve at room temperature with steamed rice. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)
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KUTA is the most famous tourist places in Bali. It is famous with the spectacular white sandy beach, several of hotels from luxury and until budget hotels are available, hilarious nightlife, plenty of restaurants with international cuisine, bars, pub, Water Boom Park and shopping center. It is one stop place for holiday in Bali by offering the plenty of selection we need and make it the right place to visit on your vacation in Bali. At three hundred year ago, in this place had been built a Konco (Buddhist Temple) located beside of Tukad Mati (Dead River) where it river can be navigable at that time. The boat steps into the hinterland of Kuta, so that Kuta is a port trade. Mads Longe is a merchant from Denmark in 19 century had built its trade station in the river periphery. During living in Bali, he often becomes the medium between king of Bali and Dutch. Mads Longe has mysteriously died and his grave is located inside of Konco (Buddhist Temple) right in the river periphery. Kuta is quiet fisherman countryside in the past, but now it has been turned into the hilarious town and it is completed by post office, police office, market, pharmacy, photo center, and shop. There are a lot of hotels which are designed luxury and comfortable set in a long side of white sandy beach of Kuta. Kuta is situated in 11 KM southern part of Denpasar town and it can be easily reached by public transportation from Tegal Bus Station about 15 minutes. Kuta is the fastest growing tourist place in Bali and it is the heaven for foreign countries tourists. Kuta is well equipped by tourist facilities like white sandy beach, bars, restaurants, cafeteria, disco and others spectacular nightlife. We can also meet a lot of good shops selling multifarious items of tourist need like clothes, cassette ribbon, airplane ticket, souvenir, handicraft, sport gear and others. It is a popular place with the surfing activity besides of beautiful sunset. Mostly the tourists come and stays in this place are coming from the low budget traveler especially young tourist. There is a new tourism object in Kuta built in the center of this place called Bali Bomb Monument to commemorate the Bali Bomb Tragedy on 12 October 2002. Bomb which burst at Sari Club and also Paddy’S club have killed 202 people. (www.balistarisland.com)
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Monday, March 8, 2010
11
BUSINESS Japan finance minister says too early to end stimulus plan Agence France-Presse AFP PHOTO/Carl Court/FILES
TOKYO - It is too early for Japan to end its massive stimulus spending because the world’s second biggest economy is still slowly recovering from a severe recession, the finance minister said Sunday.
This file picture taken on February 24, 2010 in central London shows a man walking past the new premises for a branch of Metro Bank. Faced with public outrage over excessive bankers’ pay, the bosses of Britain’s five biggest banks have taken the unprecedented step of spurning bonuses worth millions of pounds.
“We actually want to move to an exit strategy soon but it would make things worse,” Finance Minister Naoto Kan said in a programme on the public broadcaster NHK. “I think it is too early to take steps towards fiscal belt-tightening in the immediate future,” he said. Japan’s lower house last week passed a record 92.3 trillion yen (1.0 trillion dollar) budget for the year from April that will add to an already enormous mountain of public debt as Tokyo tries to stimulate a recovery. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has warned that Japan’s pub-
British bank bosses shun bonuses to avoid backlash
lic debt, bloated by repeat bouts of stimulus spending, will soar to 200 percent of the country’s gross domestic product by 2011. Japan plunged into a yearlong recession in 2008 as its exports collapsed amid the global financial crisis. It returned to growth in the second quarter of 2009, but the recovery remains fragile with high public debt, falling consumer prices and weak domestic demand all major concerns for policymakers. The Nikkei economic daily reported last week that the central Bank of Japan would likely consider more monetary easing to fight stubborn deflation.
Sarkozy announces loans for crisis-hit French farmers Agence France-Presse
PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced Saturday an extra 800 million euros in subsidised loans for farmers hit by the financial crisis, taking to 1.8 billion euros a package for the sector. “The money will be there to finance everything to allow you to tide over the financial crisis,” he said at the Paris agricultural show during a round table meeting with farmers’ unions. “I will do for the French agriculture sector — a strategic and key sector — what we have tried to do for the financial crisis,” he said. Sarkozy in October announced one billion euros (1.3 billion dollars) in aid for embattled French farmers, whose revenues were slashed by around a third last year. Dairy farmers saw their incomes halved. The French leader also announced Saturday an extra 50 mil-
lion euros in aid for badly indebted farmers, taking the total amount to 100 million euros. He pledged to take moves to ensure that markets are better regulated. “From November France will head the G20. We will take the initiative to promote real market regulations for primary agricultural goods to prevent growing speculation,” he said. “The farmer is an entrepreneur. He should be able to live off prices and not subsidies,” Sarkozy added. Earlier this week, Sarkozy launched a drive to reverse an accelerating decline in French industry, protect jobs and raise manufactured output by 25 percent over five years. The French leader said 6.5 billion euros (8.84 billion dollars) would be assigned to support research and investment from funds raised by a special bond — “the grand national loan” — he intends to issue later this year.
Agence France-Presse
LONDON - Faced with public outrage over excessive bankers’ pay, the bosses of Britain’s five biggest banks have taken the unprecedented step of spurning bonuses worth millions of pounds. As the dust settles on the annual results season, analysts said the sector was keen to fix its battered reputation after being accused of helping to spark the global financial crisis that dragged the world into a painful recession. The chief executives of Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered all decided to renounce their bonus entitlements for 2009, with some even donating their rewards to charity. “I am not surprised by the behaviour of bank chief executives,” said senior strategist Howard Wheeldon at BGC Brokers in London. “They are seeking to carry the responsibility, if not the can, for the part that their respective banks may or may not have been responsible for, in the mess that we have seen unfold over the past two years or so.” He told AFP: “They are of course responding to public opinion too — but they are also seeking to protect their senior staff who are, after all, legally entitled to receive all that has been previously agreed that they will earn.” While bosses relinquished their bonuses, remaining senior staff at the banks will still receive bumper financial rewards on top of their salaries — even after the government decided to slap a 50-percent tax rate on bank
employee bonuses above 25,000 pounds (27,700 euros, 37,600 dollars). The so-called “supertax” could generate more than 2.5 billion pounds in taxation revenues, according to a recent survey by the Financial Times. Last week, the head of global banking titan HSBC pledged his bonus to charity despite rising profits at the Asia-focused group as he sought to deflect public criticism over the controversial issue of executive pay. HSBC, which unlike many rivals received no state bailouts, said chief executive Michael Geoghegan would donate up to four million pounds to charity in what was described as a personal decision. HSBC’s move was swiftly followed by Standard Chartered, whose chief executive Peter Sands decided to give his 2.1-million-pound bonus to charity. This too the group called a personal decision. Sands made the gesture despite guiding the emerging markets bank to record profits and income during 2009. Standard Chartered said: “Like most bankers, we are conscious that the world has changed and that we must work together with regulators, governments and the rest of the industry to secure a better financial system, if we are to support the global recovery and to focus on the socially-useful aspects of banking. “The issue of bonuses has been much in the spotlight ... We pay for good performance and we do not reward failure. And we have continued to produce record income and profits on a sustained basis,” the bank added. Bank bosses are eager to defuse public anger about the bonus culture,
which many observers blame for encouraging the kind of excessive risktaking that tipped the world economy into crisis. Barclays threw down the gauntlet to its rivals when it declared that top executives had dropped their bonuses. That set the tone for other banks because Barclays survived the global financial crisis intact, without taxpayer handouts, and also saw its profits rocket by 114 percent in 2009. The state-rescued Lloyds Banking Group followed suit last week when its chief executive Eric Daniels revealed he would not collect his annual bonus of 2.3 million pounds. Lloyds, which is 41.3-percent state owned after being bailed out with billions of pounds of taxpayers’ cash, said it was “mindful of the ongoing public debate on the issue of bonuses in the banking sector.” Royal Bank of Scotland, which is 84-percent state-owned, also announced that its chief executive Stephen Hester would waive his bonus of 1.6 million pounds despite narrowing losses in 2009. However, banks have still dished out bonus pools to their best workers, arguing that some of their top talent could jump ship if they were not paid the going rate. RBS said it was determined that there would be “no reward for failure” and pointed out that “senior executives responsible for the overall losses” — such as former chief executive Fred Goodwin — had left the company. Britain’s banking landscape has undergone huge changes since 2007, with major lenders such as RBS and LBG partly nationalised in the wake of the financial crisis.
12
Entertainment
Monday, March 8, 2010
International
Bullock, ‘Transformers’ make Razzies worst list Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES – Sandra Bullock warmed up for the Academy Awards with a stop at the Razzies to collect a dubious honor: a worstactress prize for her romantic comedy flop “All About Steve.” Bullock swung by the Razzies on the eve of her expected triumph at Sunday’s Oscars, where she is considered the favorite to win best actress for “The Blind Side.” If she wins Sunday, Bullock will be the first person to win an Oscar and a Razzie over the same weekend. “I think this is an extraordinary award,” said Bullock, who had promised throughout awards season that if she won the Razzie, she would accept it in person. “And I didn’t realize that, in Hollywood, all you had to do was say you’d show up, and then you’d get the award. If I’d known that, I would have said I was appearing at the Oscars a long time ago.” “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” was picked as last year’s worst picture and won two other Razzies, worst director for Michael Bay and worst screenplay for Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Bay and his team probably will not lose any asleep over it. Though reviled by critics, “Transformers” took in $402.1 million domestically, No. 2 on the 2009 box-office chart behind “Avatar.” Bullock, who also shared the Razzie for worst screen couple with
“All About Steve” co-star Bradley Cooper, was the first acting winner to show up at the Razzies since Halle Berry won worst-actress for “Catwoman” five years ago. As she took the stage, Bullock pulled a little red wagon filled with DVDs of “All About Steve,” saying she was giving a copy to everyone in the audience of about 300. Bullock implied that many Razzie voters had not actually seen the movie but cast ballots for her hoping to get her to show up at the awards. Bullock said if they watched the DVD — “I mean really watch it” — and decided it was not the worst performance of the year after all, then she would come back next year and “give back the Razzie. ... then we’ll go drink afterwards.” The worst-actor Razzie went to siblings Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas for “Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience.” The Jonas’ pal Miley Cyrus, star of “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” lost the worst-actress category to Bullock. But her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, was named worst supporting actor for the big-screen “Hannah Montana.” Sienna Miller received the worst supporting-actress Razzie for the
AP Photo/Dan Steinberg
Actress Sandra Bullock accepts her Razzie award for worst actress in a feature film in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 6, 2010.
action tale “G.I. Joe.” Will Ferrell’s action comedy flop “Land of the Lost” had come in tied with “Transformers” for the Razzies lead with seven nominations, but it
An image of Johnny Depp, as the Mad Hatter in the new “Alice in Wonderland” film, stares down through the plastic tent covering the red carpet outside the Kodak Theatre as preparations continue for Sunday’s Academy Awards in Los Angeles, on Saturday, March 6, 2010. AP Photo/Amy Sancetta
“Alice in Wonderland” opens strongly at box office Reuters
LOS ANGELES – “Alice in Wonderland” set a new record for a March release at the weekend box office in North America, earning an estimated $41 million on its opening day, distributor Walt Disney Co said on Saturday. Director Tim Burton’s 3D collaboration with Johnny Depp opened across the United States and Canada on Friday, and is also playing in about 40 foreign countries. The North American tally ranks at No. 19 among single-day debuts, said tracking firm Box Office Mojo. The previous opening-day record for a March film was $28 million, set by “300” in 2007. The ancient epic also holds the record for an opening weekend in March
with $71 million. “Alice” looks set to smash that tally, likely surpassing $100 million, when three-day sales data are issued on Sunday. Pundits had conservatively forecast an opening weekend above $75 million. The last movie to reach that level was “Avatar,” which opened to $77 million in December on its way to world domination. Depp stars as the Mad Hatter, while Australian actress Mia Wasikowska plays Alice. Burton’s girlfriend Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway round out the headliners as the Red Queen and White Queen, respectively. Reviews were mixed, with critics more enthused by the movie’s visual splendor than its narrative essence.
was nearly shut out in every category. Once ballots had been counted from the roughly 650 Razzies voters, “Land of the Lost” was tied for
the group’s worst remake, rip-off or sequel prize. Razzies founder John Wilson, who always votes last, gave the tie-breaking vote to “Land of the Lost.”
Stevie Wonder receives top French award South African writer Nadine Gordimer, British actor Roger Moore and Lebanese diva PARIS – US singer-songwriter Stevie Fairuz. “As citizen, administrator and culture minWonder was Saturday awarded one of France’s top cultural honours, which he dedi- ister I just called to say we love you,” cated to his deceased mother 30 years after Mitterrand told Wonder, mixing French and English and referring to one of Wonder’s bighe was tapped to receive it. “I receive this honour in memory of my gest hits which featured in the film “The mother and in memory of all of those that Woman in Red.” Mitterand praised Wonder as “music’s have made it possible for me to stand here today,” said an emotional Wonder, clad in familiar genius.” A political activist who marine blue striped suit, as he received the fought for Martin Luther King day (signed into law in 1983) Commander of Arts and honouring the slain civil Letters award from rights leader, Wonder French Culture Minister more recently backed US Frederic Mitterrand. President Barack “As I was... listening Obama’s run for office in to what you were saying, 2008. I had a flash in my During the ceremony, memory, the memory of he made a pitch for 1964, when I came to Obama’s push to extend Paris, France for the first health coverage to millions time. I came with my of uninsured Americans. mother,” 59-year-old “I’m very encouraged Wonder told Mitterrand. you have it here, in this His mother died in 2006. country,” he said, referStanding next to ring the France’s nearMitterrand was former universal coverage. culture minister Jack “Don’t change.” Lang, who first named Wonder is expected to Wonder for the medal receive a lifetime achievethat has been bestowed AFP/Bertrand Langlois ment award at a French over the years to personStevie Wonder ceremony Saturday night. alities ranging from
Agence France Presse
Life Style
International
Monday, March 8, 2010
13
Top home-school texts dismiss Darwin, evolution Associated Press Writer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Home-school mom Susan Mule wishes she hadn’t taken a friend’s advice and tried a textbook from a popular Christian publisher for her 10-year-old’s biology lessons. Mule’s precocious daughter Elizabeth excels at science and has been studying tarantulas since she was 5. But she watched Elizabeth’s excitement turn to confusion when they reached the evolution section of the book from Apologia Educational Ministries, which disputed Charles Darwin’s theory. “I thought she was going to have a coronary,” Mule said of her daughter, who is now 16 and taking college courses in Houston. “She’s like, ‘This is not true!’” Christian-based materials dominate a growing home-school education market that encompasses more than 1.5 million students in the U.S. And for most home-school parents, a Bible-based version of the Earth’s creation is exactly what they want. Federal statistics from 2007 show 83 percent of home-schooling parents want to give their children “religious or moral instruction.” “The majority of home-schoolers self-identify as evangelical Christians,” said Ian Slatter, a spokesman for the Home School Legal Defense Association. “Most home-schoolers will definitely have a sort of creationist component to their home-
school program.” Those who don’t, however, often feel isolated and frustrated from trying to find a textbook that fits their beliefs. Two of the best-selling biology textbooks stack the deck against evolution, said some science educators who reviewed sections of the books at the request of The Associated Press. “I feel fairly strongly about this. These books are promulgating lies to kids,” said Jerry Coyne, an ecology and evolution professor at the University of Chicago. The textbook publishers defend their books as well-rounded lessons on evolution and its shortcomings. One of the books doesn’t attempt to mask disdain for Darwin and evolutionary science. “Those who do not believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God will find many points in this book puzzling,” says the introduction to “Biology: Third Edition” from Bob Jones University Press. “This book was not written for them.” The textbook delivers a religious ultimatum to young readers and par-
AP Photo/James Crisp
In this photo Friday, Feb. 26, 2010, Thirteen year-old Louisa Perry-Farr, left, works on her science while her ten year old sister Thea Perry-Farr works on her Logic in the dining room of their home in Lexington, Ky.
ents, warning in its “History of Life” chapter that a “Christian worldview ... is the only correct view of reality; anyone who rejects it will not only fail to reach heaven but also fail to see the world as it truly is.” When the AP asked about that passage, university spokesman Brian Scoles said the sentence made it into the book because of an editing error
Chinese youth accused of not being fighting fit Reuters
BEIJING – China must urgently address the physical fitness of the nation’s youth or run the risk of raising a generation incapable of fighting the Japanese in a future war, the head of the country’s top sports university said Thursday. The government must immediately invest some of its new wealth in ensuring that children take regular exercise, Beijing Sports University presi-
dent Yang Hua told the sports group of the largely ceremonial advisory body to China’s annual parliament. “It is time for the Chinese nation to improve the physical fitness of our next generation,” said Yang. “If we miss the next three to five years a whole generation will be next to useless. “If there was another war against Japan, would the younger Chinese be able to fight the Japanese one-on-one? “The government has enough money for banquets and for luxuri-
REUTERS/Sheng Li
Children exercise during a weight-losing summer camp in Shenyang, Liaoning province, August 3, 2009.
ous office buildings, do they not have money for children’s physical education?” he added. Japan invaded and occupied much of China between 1931 and 1945. Rancour over Japanese wartime atrocities has subsided as a diplomatic flashpoint, but it continues to shape Chinese public attitudes toward Japan and its people. The fitness of China’s young dominated the opening session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference’s sports group, a normally sedate gathering turned into a media circus this year by the presence of hurdler Liu Xiang. The former Olympic and world champion 110 meter hurdler, unconventionally dressed in jeans with his shirt tails hanging out, was making his first appearance as one of the 22 members of the committee. “A healthy body is the foundation of everything,” he said. “I hope I can be an example to attract more attention to athletics, and encourage our children to be stronger and stronger.” The emphasis on academic education in China — Chinese teenagers preparing for the university entrance exams often study for more than 12 hours a day — has been blamed for the lack of exercise undertaken by young.
and will be removed from future editions. The size of the business of homeschool texts isn’t clear because the textbook industry is fragmented and privately held publishers don’t give out sales numbers. Slatter said homeschool material sales reach about $1 billion annually in the U.S. Publishers are well aware of the
market, said Jay Wile, a former chemistry professor in Indianapolis who helped launch the Apologia curriculum in the early 1990s. “If I’m planning to write a curriculum, and I want to write it in a way that will appeal to homeschoolers, I’m going to at least find out what my demographic is,” Wile said.
Methane seen as growing climate risk Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON – Methane, a potent global warming gas, is bubbling out of the frozen Arctic faster than had been expected. Methane had become trapped in the permafrost over time and a warming climate is now resulting in its release, researchers report in Friday’s edition of the journal Science. “The amount of methane currently coming out of the East Siberian Arctic Shelf is comparable to the amount coming out of the entire world’s oceans,” said Natalia Shakhova, of the University of Alaska Fairbanks International Arctic Research Center and the co-author. Concerns about global warming have centered on rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but scientists note that methane can be 30 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. Historically, methane concentrations in the world’s atmosphere have ranged between 0.3 and 0.4 parts per million in cool periods
to 0.6 to 0.7 in warm periods. Current methane concentrations in the Arctic average about 1.85 parts per million, the scientists said, the highest in 400,000 years.
AFP/File/Slim Allagui
A general view of the Artic Ocean in 2008. Methane is leaking into the atmosphere from unstable permafrost in the Arctic Ocean faster than scientists had thought and could worsen global warming, a study said Thursday.
14
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sport
International
Real Madrid battle from two-goal deficit to top Spanish league Agence France Presse
AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES
Manchester United’s English midfielder Paul Scholes (2nd R) celebrates scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, central England, on March 6, 2010.
Ferguson salutes Scholes’s century as United go top Agence France Presse
MADRID – Real Madrid battled back from 2-0 down to beat Sevilla 3-2 on Saturday and go top of the Spanish first division with Rafael Van der Vaart grabbing a dramatic stoppage time winner. After 10-man Barcelona were held 2-2 by Almeria, the incentive was on Real who had the chance to go ahead of the Catalans on goal difference, and they managed it in dramatic fashion at the Bernabeu. They slumped two-goals down an own-goal from Xabi Alonso and a Ivica Dragutinovic free-kick which caught out Real keeper Iker Casillas. But Real piled on the pressure with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos drawing their side level. It appeared as though Real would have to settle for a draw before a grandstand finish saw Van der Vaart slot home from close range. A brace from Leo Messi rescued a point for Barcelona at modest Almeria. Domingo Cisma put the home side in front after he beat Carles Puyol in the air to head past keeper Victor Valdes. Messi equalised, though, after a contentious free-kick was awarded for a foul on Zlatan Ibrahimovic. An own-goal from Puyol and then the expulsion of Ibrahimovic for kicking out put Almeria firmly in the driving seat but Messi was Barca’s saviour, scoring his second from close range mid-way through the second half. Earlier, a fine strike from Jose Guardado helped Deportivo la
Coruna come from behind to beat Tenerife 3-1 and boost their European ambitions. Deportivo had plenty of early possession but poor defending saw Juanlu Hens give Tenerife the lead. Juan Rodriguez headed Deportivo level and while they continued to press forward it was Tenerife that went nearer to scoring again when Juan Nino saw a closerange shot saved well by keeper Daniel Aranzubia shortly before half time. powerful left-footed drive from Guardado found the corner after 55 minutes and from there Deportivo never looked back with Diego Colotto adding to their lead. Valencia were well-beaten by Atletico Madrid 4-1 but they still have a three-point cushion above fourth place ahead of Sunday’s match with Racing Santander. Mallorca’s remarkable season continues and they will be looking to maintain their strong home form, which has seen them lose just once all season, against Sporting Gijon. The battle for a European place is fierce and Villarreal, under new coach Juan Carlos Garrido, got back into the frame with victory over Deportivo la Coruna last weekend. “Garrido has tried to give the team more balance and he knows a lot about defending and how to maintain the possession. It was not normal for us to concede so many goals before. I hope we can get into the Europa League and I know the players will battle until the end,” said defender Gonzalo Rodriguez.
WOLVERHAMPTON – Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Paul Scholes after the midfielder scored his 100th Premier League goal as Manchester United returned to the top of the table with a 1-0 win at Wolves. Former England international Scholes settled a hard-fought contest with a well-taken goal 17 minutes from time at Molineux that left reigning champions United two points clear of title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal. “He’s a fantastic player,” said United manager Ferguson of 35year-old one-club man Scholes, who made no mistake with his chance from Nani’s cross. “One hundred league goals from a midfield player is outstanding and he’s a fantastic player. “The way we play him nowadays, we sit him a bit deeper and maybe it takes away the goal threat he could always give you as a young player,” Ferguson explained. “But when the opportunity arose he was the best player to have it.” United were without Wayne Rooney due to a knee problem that makes the England striker doubtful for Wednesday’s Champions League game against AC Milan at Old Trafford. But Ferguson, who saw Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic play in central defence for just the fifth
time in the Premier League this season, feels his team are starting to find their best performances at the right time. United have just nine league games of the season remaining as they look to win a record fourth straight Premier League title and Ferguson said: “I think the form of the team has been good. “We’re managing to do without players from time to time and it was the first time that back four has played in a year-and-a-half,” the veteran Scottish manager added. “That tells you that the squad strength we have and that’s important at this time of the year. We’re not far away from getting Owen Hargreaves back and (Federico) Macheda’s back in training which is a bonus for us because he can get you a goal and that may be important without Michael Owen.” Scholes was delighted to chalk up his 100th league goal and felt the victory would boost United ahead of Wednesday’s game with Milan where Ferguson’s men have a 3-2 advantage after their first leg win in Italy in the last 16 tie. “I’m very pleased with that,” said
Scholes. “To score goals is what you need to do to win games and thankfully I managed to put it away. “It was a difficult game. It was a tough pitch and they’re a tough team to play against but a 1-0 win is exactly what we needed at this stage of the season, so we’re happy with that.” Scholes added: “It’s always nice to be top of the league. It’s a good time to go top, with nine games left for us now, and it gives us confidence ahead of Wednesday as well.” Defeat left Wolves deep in relegation trouble with just one win in 10 league matches. Their tally of 21 Premier League goals is the lowest in the division but manager Mick McCarthy, whose decision to field a weakened side in December’s 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford led to a suspended fine for Wolves, believes his side have enough quality to stay up. “The only way that our luck will change is by playing that way. It will change because we played well,” McCarthy said after a loss that left Wolves above the relegation zone on goal difference alone. “There are plenty of games to go and there are games coming along that we can win.”
AFP PHOTO/Pedro ARMESTRE
Real Madrid’s Brazilian defender Marcelo (L) vies with Sevilla’s goalkeeper Andres Palop (R) during a Spanish league football match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, on March 6, 2010 in Madrid.
International
Sport
Monday, March 8, 2010
15
Suns beat Pacers in game marred by 2 fights Associated Press Writer
AFP PHOTO/Rafa Rivas
Spain’s Tommy Robredo (R) and Marcel Granollers (L) celebrate after winning a set against Switzerland’s Yves Allegro and Stanislas Wawrinka during their Davis Cup tennis match in Logrono, northern Spain, on March 6, 2010. Granollers and Robredo won 7-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
PHOENIX – Amare Stoudemire scored 30 points for the third consecutive game and the Phoenix Suns beat the Indiana Pacers 113-105 on Saturday night for the 1,900th victory in franchise history in a game marred by two fights and eight technical fouls. Things got heated with 46.7 seconds remaining in the third period when the Pacers’ Earl Watson appeared to push the Suns’ Channing Frye. Indiana’s Danny Granger then took a swipe at Frye, who swung back. The Pacers’ Roy Hibbert and the Suns’ Jason Richardson joined the altercation, and both were hit with technicals, along with Granger. Frye was assessed two technical fouls, an automatic ejection. For the remainder of the game, Granger was booed every time he touched the ball. Things were also testy midway through the second period when Indiana’s Josh McRoberts and Phoenix’s Louis Amundson scuffled. Both received technicals. Early in the fourth quarter, Indiana coach
Jim O’Brien was hit with a technical for arguing with officials. Grant Hill added 22 points for the Suns, Jason Richardson had 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Jared Dudley also had a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Granger led the Pacers with 24 points, Hibbert scored 22, including 12 for 12 from the foul line, and Troy Murphy had 19 points and 16 rebounds. The game began with poor shooting as the Suns began 5 for 15 and the Pacers 4 for 20. After that, the Suns’ marksmanship improved dramatically and finished the half at 52.6 percent (20 for 38) with a 63-57 lead, while Indiana wound up at 34.7 percent (17 for 49). The Pacers cut into a 12-point deficit at 6351 with 3-pointers by Granger and Earl Watson, who stole an inbounds pass from Amundson, in the final 2.8 seconds. Indiana stayed close with the aid of its offensive rebounding. The Pacers had 24 secondchance points off 10 offensive boards. Stoudemire had 17 points at the half, including nine straight during a two-minute span late in the second quarter.
Phoenix Suns’ Jared Dudley (3) and Steve Nash (13), hold back Indiana Pacers’ Danny Granger (33) and Roy Hibbert after an altercation during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 6, 2010 in Phoenix. The Suns won 113-105.
France, Czechs, Croatia into Davis Cup quarter-finals Agence France Presse
PARIS – France set-up a potential Davis Cup quarter-final blockbuster against defending champions Spain after extending their 72-year stranglehold over Germany on Saturday. France cruised past Germany in their World Group first round tie when Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber and Christopher Kas 6-1, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in Toulon. France will face Spain in the last eight if the champions get past Switzerland in Logrono. Spain, playing without the injured Rafael Nadal, opened a 2-1 lead in their tie when Marcel Granollers and Tommy Robredo defeated Yves Allegro and Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6 (10/8), 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. “Both of us played well. We had a difficult spell in the third set, but we hit back,” said Robredo. Croatia, the 2005 champions, saw off Ecuador 3-0 and will face either bitter rivals Serbia or 32-time champions USA for a place in the semi-finals. Marin Cilic and Ivo Karlovic coasted to a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 7-5 win over Nicolas Lapentti and Giovanni Lapentti in Saturday?s doubles to give Croatia an unassailable 3-0 lead. In Belgrade, Bob Bryan and John Isner kept the US in their tie when they defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Janko Tipsarevic 7-6 (10/8), 5-7, 7-6 (10/8), 6-3 to leave Serbia 2-1 in front going into the final day. Isner will face world number two Novak Djokovic on Sunday needing a win to keep the tie alive. “I think the doubles is going to help John a lot,” said American captain Patrick McEnroe. “The fact he has two matches under his belt now, I think we?re going to see him play his best tennis; obviously it?s a very tough match against Novak but we?re looking forward to it.” Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi kept
India’s hopes alive, beating Igor Kunitsyn and Teimuraz Gabashvili in straight sets in Moscow. The Indian doubles specialists, who won 14 Grand Slam titles during their career, outclassed the Russian duo 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to make the tie score 2-1 to Russia ahead of Sunday’s reverse singles. “We play well together and we both enjoy playing doubles,” Bhupathi said. “Today we played very well.” The winner of the tie faces either Sweden or Argentina in the last eight. The Argentines took a 2-1 lead in Stockholm when David Nalbandian partnered Horacio Zeballos to a 6-2, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5) victory over Robert Lindstedt and Robin Soderling. Nalbandian only arrived on Thursday after looking as though he would miss the tie with a leg injury. The former Wimbledon finalist has only just returned to action after undergoing hip surgery in May. “After nine months out it?s not easy to play well but I think I did well today,” said Nalbandian. “Horacio played a great match too. He was incredible. I tried to push him all the way and he never let me down. We took every chance they gave us.” Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek gave the Czech Republic a 3-0 victory over Belgium in Bree, beating Steve Darcis and Olivier Rochus 76 (7/0), 6-0, 6-3. The Czechs, runners-up in 2009, will face the winners of the delayed Chile-Israel encounter in the quarter-finals, where they would be away to Chile or home to Israel. Nicolas Massu gave the Chileans a 1-0 lead Saturday after winning the opening singles against Dudi Sela 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4.
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Alexander stops Urango to unify light-welter titles Agence France Presse
UNCASVILLE – Unbeaten Devon Alexander stopped Juan Urango in the eighth round Saturday to unify the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Council light-welterweight titles. Referee Benjy Esteves stopped the fight 1:12 into the eighth round after a pair of uppercuts by US standout Alexander sent Colombia’s Urango to the first knockout defeat of his career. Alexander improved to 20-0 with his 13th victory inside the distance while Urango fell to 22-3 with one drawn. The 22-year-old American added Urango’s IBF crown to his WBC title belt with a devastating right uppercut in the eighth and another stunning blow to the temple followed by a final uppercut that send Urango down to end the fight. “Speed kills anything,” Alexander said. “I knew he was a brawler, that he would keep coming. I knew if I didn’t stand in front of
him I would be the champion. He didn’t hurt me at all.” Alexander stopped Britain’s Junior Witter to claim the vacant WBC title last August, the same month Urango returned the light welterweight ranks with an 11th-round stoppage of American Randall Bailey for the IBF crown. The only prior losses for Urango, 29, were to former champion Ricky Hatton of England in 2007 and current welterweight title holder Andre Berto last May. Alexander used footwork and effective jabs to seize command. Although Urango scored well at times with right hooks, Alexander stayed with his tactics and pressed his advantage. Alexander opened a cut above the South American’s left eye in round two but stayed patient rather than risk getting into a flurry with the hard-punching Colombian. “When I see blood, I want to go for it, but (I stayed) focused, stuck to the game plan and now I’m the IBF champion,” Alexander said. “I can beat anybody.”
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Monday, March 8, 2010
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
Sport
Massa says new teams bad for F1
AFP PHOTO/JOSEP LAGO
McLaren’s British Lewis Hamilton makes a pit stop during a training session on February 28, 2010 at Catalunya’s racetrack in Montmelo, near Barcelona.
Hamilton ‘nearly quit’ over ’09 scandal LEWIS Hamilton has revealed that he was on the brink of walking away from Formula 1 after he was adjudged to have misled the stewards at last year’s Australian Grand Prix. The furore over the evidence Hamilton and McLaren team manager Dave Ryan gave the officials as they investigated Jarno Trulli and Hamilton’s change of position during a safety car period led to Ryan parting company with the team and McLaren receiving a suspended three-race ban. Hamilton was heavily criticised over the scandal, and said rather than pondering leaving McLaren over the incident, he considered quitting F1 altogether. “There was a lot to take on board after what had gone on,” he told the British newspaper media. “I care about how people perceive me. It was a feeling of ‘shoot, maybe I shouldn’t be in the sport’ rather than not in my team. This is my dream team and I am fortunate to have been here from the begin-
ning [of my career]. “I never had a desire to drive for anyone else. So it was not a desire to leave the team, just to stop racing. For a split second it was ‘this is too much to take. How do I recover from this?’” The Briton credited the support he received in the wake of the affair for convincing him to continue racing. “There was support from my family, team, fans, amazing letters and I thought ‘you know what, I made a mistake but I am being given a second chance by all these people and support,’” said Hamilton. “I never for a second didn’t want to do it, I love racing. Sometimes it is hard to face the music; hard to face people when you know that as soon as you turn your back they are talking about you. “And for a long period of time,
for months, I would walk into a room and I am sure there are some people who walked into the room and they feel cool but for me I just didn’t feel positive, it was negative energy and I don’t like that. “But slowly I began to realise that it was not all negative energy and I had a lot of support and respect from people. It made me stronger. It was a real strong experience.” Hamilton added that he was determined to avoid similar situations in the future. “I don’t want to be in that position again,”he said. “It’s like when you put your hand out to a certain dog and it bites you, you won’t do the same again. It’s similar. I have been bitten once and you don’t want to get bit again. I don’t ever want to be in that position again and I don’t feel I ever will be. “I can’t say what will happen in the future but I have always said I love the sport, I love winning and winning in the right way. Integrity is very important to me.”
FELIPE Massa has hit out at the new teams joining Formula 1 this season, suggesting that their relatively slow pace is bad for the championship and could pose a danger for the frontrunners. Massa’s Ferrari team has been strongly critical of the way the increased F1 entry was handled, and the Brazilian said the newcomers’ lack of speed is a concern for him too. “I hope they won’t be a danger,” said Massa in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reprinted on Ferrari’s website. “There are six/ seven teams one second apart while those teams are four seconds behind. It’s not good for the sport and not good for them: it’s like two different series. “They’ll suffer. And we’ll suffer too, when we have them in front of us during qualifying.” Lotus and Virgin were several seconds off the pace in preseason testing, but are confident they will get up to speed given time and mileage, AFP PHOTO/JOSEP LAGO while fellow new- Ferrari’s Brazilian Felipe Massa walks in comer Hispania will the paddock during a training session on not run until Bahrain February 28, 2010 at Catalunya’s racetrack in Montmelo, near Barcelona. next weekend.