Edisi 02 Maret 2011 | International Bali Post

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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Kuta Beach alleged to be contaminated

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British press celebrates Oscar success PAGE 12 AFP PHOTO / MARCO LONGARI

A Libyan soldier who joined the rebellion against Khadafi stands next to an antiaircraft gun at an army barrack in Benghazi where dozens of civilians registered for a civil defense training amid fears of an air raid from Tripoli.

Gaddafi deploys forces as world raises Libya pressure Reuters

TRIPOLI – Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi deployed forces to a western border area on Tuesday in defiance of Western military and economic pressure, raising fears that one of the bloodiest Arab revolts may become more violent still. Suspicions grew that the veteran leader, in power for four decades, does not understand the strength of the forces now massed against him.

WEATHER FORECAST

“All my people love me. They would die to protect me,” he told the U.S. ABC network and the

TEMPERATURE OC

DENPASAR

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JAKARTA

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BANDUNG

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Agence France Presse

YOGYAKARTA

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SURABAYA

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BERLIN – Germany’s popular defence minister quit Tuesday a week after being stripped of his doctorate for alleged plagiarism, depriving Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government of its star performer. “I give particular thanks to the chancellor for all the support she has given me and her great trust and understanding,” Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg told reporters in Berlin.

“I was always ready to fight.

But I have reached the limits of my

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control over eastern Libya. Barely 12 hours after the United States said it was moving warships and air

Continued on page 6

German defence minister quits after plagiarism row

CITY

SUNNY

BBC on Monday, dismissing the armed muscle of a rebellion against his 41-year rule that has ended his

forces closer to the north African oil exporting country, Libyan forces re-asserted their presence at the remote Dehiba southern border crossing on Tuesday, decorating the border post with green Libyan flags.

Reporters on the Tunisian side saw Libyan army vehicles, and soldiers armed with Kalashnikov rifles.

strength.” The suave aristocrat, 39, became one of the most popular figures in Merkel’s cabinet since bursting on the scene in February 2009, impressing first as economy minister then at defence. Party rallies ahead of Merkel’s re-election in late 2009 saw the Franconian feted like a pop star he was even touted as a possible successor to the 56-year-old chancellor at the helm of Europe’s biggest economy.

“This is a big loss for Angela Merkel,” political scientist Gero Neugebauer told AFP. “She is losing

an important election campaigner.”

But he was never a hit with the media — the mass-circulation Bild being the notable exception — and papers gleefully went on the attack when accusations he had ripped off others’ work for his thesis emerged two weeks ago. Zu Guttenberg, who can trace his family back to the 12th century and whose wife is a direct descendent of the 19th century “Iron Chancellor” Otto von Bismarck, was ridiculed as “Baron Cut-AndPaste” and “Zu Googleberg.”

Continued on page 6

AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALL

German Defence Minister KarlTheodor zu Guttenberg (CSU)

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International

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Bali News Strawberry farmers at Lake Buyan

Ascertained to get no indemnity Singaraja (Bali Post)—

Strawberry farmers at Pancasari Village, Sukasada subdistrict, whose garden was submerged due to overflowing water of Lake Buyan, would certainly get no indemnity from the government.

This decision was made after the Buleleng of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Services performed a research at the village.

Head of Buleleng Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Services, Putu Mertha Jiwa, accompanied by the Division Head of Horticulture, Putu Oka Sastra, said Monday (Feb 28) that it was hard for the government to realize the assistance in order to alleviate the losses of farmers at Pancasari. As the plants submerged in the lake water were no longer productive, there was no basis for government to provide compensation. “Moreover, the farming at Pancasari has not implemented a greenhouse system, so that the investment is not too large,” he said.

On the other hand, Mertha Jiwa said that strawberry and vegetable gardens at Pancasari could be re-

cultivated after the lake water receded. However, the lake water was estimated to subside in relatively long time, namely in next 2 to 3 years. Though they had to wait for adequately long time to re-cultivate the land, local farmers could still produce strawberries and vegetables from the garden located far from the lakeside. “For a while, farmers are still able to produce from the garden located in another place,” explained Mertha Jiwa.

According to Mertha Jiwa, the damaged strawberry and vegetable gardens in the village of Pancasari due to overflowing water reached 50 hectares. He added that since the lake water overflowed his party had visited the location to conduct

a research. In addition, some farmers had also been trying to save their crops by moving plants to the estates safer and far from the lakeside. “Even though there were some submerged fruits, they were residuals of harvest and had low quality,” he said.

Until Monday, the water of Lake Buyan continued to rise due to persistent rainfall in the area. Meanwhile, the water of Lake Tamblingan also continued to rise and made people previously living in the area flee to higher location.

But until Monday, the evacuating residents could not feel secure because the lake water was continuously getting closer to the evacuation area they occupied. (kmb)

Ahead of Nyepi Price of basic necessities relatively stable Denpasar—BisnisBali

A few days ahead of Nyepi Day, the price of basic necessities is relatively stable in Badung Market, Monday (Feb 28). Price of spices like small red chili still ranged between IDR 80,000 and IDR 100,000 per kilogram, shallot ranged from IDR 23,000 to IDR 25,000 per kilogram and garlic ranged from IDR 20,000 to IDR 22,000 per kilogram. The price hike even occurred to large red chili, where it was originally IDR 12,000 per kilogram and then increased by IDR 3,000 to IDR 15,000 per kilogram. It was different from the price of rice.

Ahead of the holiday, the price of rice declined IDR 500 for Putri Sejati and C4 Bali. The price of Putri Sejati decreased to IDR 7,500 per kilogram, while the C4 Bali was IDR 6,500 per kilogram.

“The price of rice has got down since a week ago. Though the price rises, buyers will remain to exist because rice poses

a basic necessity,” said Mrs. Padmi, one of the basic necessity traders in Badung Market.

Price decrease did not occur to the other basic needs such as sugar and cooking oil. Sugar remained to be sold at IDR 10,000 per kilogram and non-packaged cooking oil was IDR 11,000 per kilogram.

“Actually, Nyepi Day does not have too much impact on food prices,” continued Padmi.

Snacks favored

Stable prices of basic necessities seemed to have no influence to snacks. Ahead of the holiday, snacks were always in demand as hunted by consumers. The most favored snacks were nuts such as peanuts, peas, jack beans and red beans.

“In addition to snacks, beans like kidney beans can also be used as a complement of Nyepi offerings,” said Yani, a snack trader in Badung Market. She herself had prepared stock of beans since five

days before Nyepi. As her experience in the previous years, the sales of snacks could bring promising profits. However, ahead of this Nyepi she did not dare to speculate for obtaining more profits. “The price of beans continues to rise. This month (February— Ed), for example, it has gone up five times. Buyers now prefer to purchase half a kilogram only, no longer one kilogram,” explained Yani. If in previous years, Yani could reap up to 50 percent gain, but this time she only targeted 20 percent.

Type of pulse experiencing a dramatic increase in price was jack beans. Previously, jack bean was only sold at IDR120 thousand per five kilograms. Today, the nut brought in from Klungkung is worth IDR160 thousand per five kilograms, with the selling price at IDR 35,000 per kilogram.

“Right now, we are still lacking of buyers. Two days before Nyepi, they usually begin shopping in crowd,” added Yani. (rindra)

IBP/File

The farmers are cutting down their grape trees

Kept Loss, Farmers Cut Off Grape Trees Singaraja (Bali Post) –

Grapes has been the prime fruit in Buleleng Regency yet now is on its extension s the past few months the grape farmers located in Banjar and Seririt Sub Districts have taken down its trees due to they couldn’t pay back the loss that’s happening on every harvest time.

As Bali Post observe in Temukus, Banjar and Kalianget Villages last Monday (28/2), the areal that was once planted with grapes now have changed to rice fields. What’s more, on the north of Raya Singaraja-Seririt Street for precise in Kalinaget, the grape trees are being taken down by a number of residents and has a sign saying “Sale”. “Maybe the owner kept getting loss and so it’s better having the land to be sold, Sir,” a resident who was getting leaves for his cow in the areal stated.

The resident, Gede Mariasa, also stated that this has been happening

everyday due to the rain that kept coming down, “What you see now is only on the road sides, if you get to see on the villages all grape gardens have changed to rice fields or left just like that.”

Mariasa admitted that he and his brother has a grape garden in the beach shores of Kalianget yet lately it has been unbeneficial and planned to be changed to a rice field. Apparently in every harvest time it only produce little results meanwhile the medicines for it have gone up, “The harvest only reach up to IDR 300 thousand. It’s better being a constructor then.”

Other information from farmers in Banjar Village stated that the change of grape gardens to rice fields happened since 2007. At that time it was already noted around 333 hectares of it have changed function. Lately those who have survived couldn’t do it anymore. (kmb15)

1.286 Ogoh-Ogoh in Gianyar Beware of Conflict Potential Areas Gianyar (Bali Post) –

Nyepi celebration in Gianyar especially during Ogoh-ogoh (effigies to scare away devils) parade caught serious attention from security officials.

Head of Politic, Nation and Public Protection Board (Kesbangpollinmas), IB Putra Siwagatha, stated a number of conflict areas will be secured during Nyepi last Monday (28/2).

For ogoh-ogoh parade, there will be 1.286 of them and it seems to have increased from the previous year’s of 900 ogoh-ogoh. Meanwhile from the seven sub districts in Gianyar Re-

gency, the most was in Sukawati with 327 ogoh-ogoh, followed by Blahbatuh 245, Gianyar 231, Ubud 216, Tampaksiring 105, Payangan 92 and Tegalalang 70.

For security during the parade, Sigawatha will hand it over to each village as this is as stated in the meeting with Sub District Leaders, Villages Council, Religion Community Forum (FKUB) and other involving forums, “Of course we will ask everyone’s attention so together we can protect and secure and create peacefulness for the Nyepi day.” (kmb16)

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Bali News

International

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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

STIKES Student Killer Jailed For Life Denpasar (Bali Post) –

IBP/File

Hundreds of Hindus packed Tanah Lot due to the Melasti rutial in connection with the Nyepi Day commemoration.

Tanah Lot starts to be overwhelmed by devotees performing Melasti BY the celebration of Nyepi or Day of Silence in the Caka Year 1933, almost all Hindus, without exception in Tabanan Regency, performed Melasti—purification for ritual paraphernalia— to the beach, especially to Tanah Lot. The Melasti procession itself at Tanah Lot has already started since Sunday (Feb 27) and will last until Friday (Mar 4). By and large, most Hindus holding Melasti to Tanah Lot come in the morning onwards. However, especially for residents of Beraban Village, the Melasti procession will be held on Wednesday (Mar 2). At that time, all customary hamlets within the territory of Beraban Village will gather at Bale Agung Temple to join the Melasti procession to Segara Kidul of Tanah Lot. Preparation of Melasti will have started at 7:00 a.m. Local Time in the Bale Agung Temple as the center of congregation of deities before resuming the procession to Segara Kidul of Tanah Lot. All customary villagers of Beraban ranging from small children to the elderly will join the procession. The Melasti procession will be followed by 44 temples existing in the territory of Beraban customary village and carried 5 barong effigies. On that day, all customary villagers will put on Balinese white customary attires symbolizing purity.

Melasti procession to Segara Kidul of Tanah Lot will begin at 3:00 p.m. Prior to departure, it will be conducted several series of processions such as picking up and welcoming the deities, performing purificatory rite to spring and then directly proceeded to the sea. Having arrived at Tanah Lot, it will commenced by or-

ganizing pemelastian pakelem ritual.

During the Melasti procession of Beraban Customary Village takes place, the road access from the north of Beraban Village until Tanah Lot will be closed for a while until entourage of Melasti procession arrives at sea. ”When the procession ceremony is on progress, visitors happening to be at Tanah Lot are unable to leave the object and vice versa. Similarly, visitors who would like to go to Tanah Lot tourist object cannot pass through until the procession arrives at sea,” said Operations Manager of Tanah Lot, Made Sujana, Monday (Feb 28).

Meanwhile, both foreign and domestic visitors are usually very enthusiastic to see the Melasti procession at Tanah Lot. Such momentous moment will also never be missed by visitors who are fond of immortaliz-

ing the magnificent crowds and myriad devotees saying prayers to Tanah Lot Temple.

Around 5:00 p.m., the entourage of Melasti procession will return to Bale Agung Temple proceeded by welcoming the deities to return to their abode at the long pavilion in Bale Agung Temple. All deities will abide in Bale Agung Temple until the Pengerupukan day. One day before the Pengerupukan, all members of customary hamlets (15 customary hamlets) within the Beraban Customary Village will offer Prani oblation divided into 2 sessions. At night, it will be held the Pememben ritual (meeting of all gods in unseen realm).

Ultimately, the ritual procession will be ended on Pengerupukan by organizing Caru Panca Sanak exorcism rites at 09:00 a.m., and then all deities will be escorted to their respective temple. (dir)

Accused Wayan Budi alias Panjul who has been suspected killed I Dewa Ayu Agung Dyah Cahyani got his trial last Monday (28/2) in Denpasar District Court.

The skinny man was convicted have violated Criminal Code section 338 or 365 paragraph (2) number 1 and paragraph (3) also section 339 with maximum punishment jailed for life.

In the trial led by Judge Istining Rahayu, prosecutor explained clearly what accused has done. The incident started on 5th September 2010 around 3 pm local time where accused was going towards Cahyani’s flat at IB Oka Street, Gang Rencong. Around 7 pm he then went to the fishing pond located 100 meters away from victim’s room and pretended coming fishing. Around 10 pm, accused saw the location was empty and almost other flats people were asleep and so he thinks it’s the perfect time to rob.

The next day on the same time, accused came again to location and accused went up to the opened ceiling. He peed but to avoid being dripped Panjul put his pee on his clothing. Accused then saw a light from the thin glass of the ceiling and so he opened it and went to the water place in the bathroom.

Victim was aware of accused

present as she asked who it is so then victim cried for help yet accused closed her mouth by his hands. Victim kept fighting back and managed to bite accused middle and point finger. As to make victim not shout anymore, accused then stabbed victim’s chest twice yet victim kept on fighting. Accused then threw her to her bed and while sitting on her he hit his knife several times until victim was no longer breathing. After knowing that, accused then looked over victim’s valuables and took laptop, cell phone, and other valuables. He also managed to go to the bathroom to clean him from bloods that got to his body and also took victim’s motorcycle.

The motorcycle was then left at Mengwi Village Market and the laptop was given to Sugeng which then sold to Komang Agus Sudiartha for IDR 1.600.000. Accused then received IDR 500 million also with the cell phone charger sold for IDR 200 thousand.

For that conviction, Legal Counselor Haposan Sihombing stated will not appeal an exception as it is clear what has been done. The next trial will have witnesses’ statements.

Meanwhile, victim’s family seemed to fill up the trial room.

Victim’s father has arrived before the trail started. (015)

Coming Nyepi, tens of motorcycles confiscated Negara, DenPost

Jembrana Police are doing Condition Creation (Cipta Condition) operation year 2011 for the coming Nyepi by having raids on motorcycle tracking, drinks, outlaws, fireworks/ crackers and more according to Jembrana Vice Head Police, Police Commissioner N Pawitra last Monday (28/2). One operation held on Saturday (26/2) and Sunday (27/2) evening at Sudirman Street, Negara and Berawah, Mendoyo had 58 unit motorcycles confiscated involved in tracking also gambling and alcohol consuming.

Pawitra accompanied by Human Relation, Police Commissioner Nengah Sukarta, stated all these mo-

torcycles were violating regulations, “We fined and confiscated them and will give it back after its trial.” This seemed to have given shock therapy to the youngsters who like track racing and also a danger to other road users, “We hoped the disciplinary of the people in using roads can be increased and this operation was done for Nyepi security.”

Meanwhile before that his side also secured seven café girls who worked at Delod Berawah which did not have domicile card and being trialled. For Nyepi security, Pawitra also directed 568 personnel to secure the 556 ogoh-ogoh (effigies to scare away devils) parade. (120)

IBP/file

Tens of motorcycles confiscated by Jembrana police.

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News

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

International

China rolls back press freedoms amid protest calls Associated Press Writer

BEIJING – China appears to be rolling back some press freedoms, barring foreign journalists from working near a popular Shanghai park and along a major Beijing shopping street after calls for weekly protests in those spots appeared online.

The new restrictions put the popular leisure spots on a par with Tibet as out-of-bounds areas where foreign reporters need special permission to work, and come after journalists were attacked and harassed while working in the areas over the weekend.

Bob Dietz, the Asia coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists, said the treatment of journalists in Beijing on Sunday was “the worst aggression against the foreign press we’ve seen since the Olympics in 2008.” “Such a heavyhanded response discredits the ruling Chinese Communist Party and highlights their fear of popular opposition,” Dietz said in a statement.

The violence and tighter restrictions follow anonymous online calls for peaceful protests every Sunday in dozens of Chinese cities, inspired by the demonstrations that have swept the Middle East. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu on

Tuesday urged foreign journalists to report assaults to the police and to observe China’s rules and regulations while doing their jobs.

Foreign journalists have traditionally been afforded greater freedom to report in China than local reporters, who face strong censorship and can be fired for reports considered overly critical of officials or government policies.

But foreign reporters who tried to take photos or shoot video on Beijing’s Wangfujing shopping street on Sunday were told they needed special permission to work there. An Associated Press photographer was told Tuesday that the area near People’s Square in Shanghai was also off limits.

Security in the capital is always very tight in early March when the country holds its annual two-week legislative session, and dissidents are routinely put under house arrest or taken in for questioning around this time. The session begins Saturday.

The reporting rules conveyed this week, however, are new and go against the more relaxed rules put in place in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics allowing reporters to work freely anywhere in China as long as they had the permission of the interviewee.

AP Photo/Andy Wong

Chinese policemen ask an Associated Press cameraman to leave the area near the shopping street of Wangfujing in Beijing Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011.

An Egyptian soldier stands guard outside the Egyptian Museum in Cairo on February 20, 2011 more than one week after Egypt’s long-time president Hosni Mubarak was forced out of office by an unprecedented wave of protests in the Arab world’s most populous country.

AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA

Egypt seizes Mubarak family funds Associated Press Writer

CAIRO – Egypt’s top prosecutor seized all the funds of ousted leader Hosni Mubarak and his family on Monday and banned them from travel abroad, the latest humiliation for the once-powerful family. It comes a day after authorities prevented Mubarak’s wife and son from flying out of the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

During the 18-day pro-democracy uprising, unconfirmed reports that Mubarak and his family might have amassed billions, or even tens of billions of dollars over their three decades in power, fueled protesters already enraged over massive corruption and poverty in Egypt.

Mubarak, the top ruling party leaders and other cronies, as well as the powerful military have all profited richly from the corrupt system.

Mubarak was forced out of the president’s office on Feb. 11 by military leaders, who have promised to meet many of the protesters’ demands. He is now believed to be living in seclusion with his family in

Sharm el-Sheikh. The attorney general had already frozen the assets of the ousted president, his wife, two sons and their wives on Feb. 20.

The latest move by the prosecutor came a day after authorities prevented Mubarak’s wife Suzanne and younger son Gamal from flying out of Sharm el-Sheikh. Airport officials said that they tried to board a private jet at the airport in the Red Sea resort town, where they have been staying since Mubarak stepped down.

Authorities told them they cannot leave without special permission, the officials said on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. It was not clear whether the ban was

issued because they tried to leave.

Nearly half the 80 million Egyptians live under or near the poverty line set by the World bank at $2 a day. Mubarak is suspected of turning a blind eye to corruption by family members and their associates, while many of the allegations of wrongdoing centered on the business activity of his two sons, Alaa and Gamal, as well as Gamal’s wife and her family. Unlike other Arab leaders, particularly those in the oilrich Gulf nations, Mubarak was far from ostentatious. Whatever wealth he and his family may have had was rarely — if ever — flaunted.

The most prominent symbol of their presumed fortune that has surfaced was a townhouse in London’s exclusive Knightsbridge district, which is listed under Gamal Mubarak’s name and where he was said to have lived while working as an investment banker in the early 1990s.

Nile treaty set for ratification Agence France Presse

KAMPALA – Egypt is set to lose its veto power on rights to Nile waters after Burundi signed a deal paving the way for the ratification of a new treaty on the great river, an official said on Tuesday. “After Burundi signed (Monday), now the agreement can come into force,” Daniel Meboya, regional spokesman at the Entebbe-based Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) that led the negotiations, told AFP in Kampala.

Burundi has now joined Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya in agreeing to the deal, which seeks to strip Egypt of its long-held rights to the Nile. Now

that six Nile countries have signed the accord, the country’s parliaments can move forward with ratification of the deal, Meboya said.

All six parliaments are expected to ratify the Cooperative Framework Agreement, which is then expected to create the Nile Basin Commission, a body that will decide on river projects in the region. Last year, after a decade of talks, four Nile nations inked a deal that allowed upstream countries to implement irrigation and hydropower projects without first seeking Egypt’s approval.

For decades, Egypt held veto rights over all upstream projects, following powers granted by a 1929 colonial-era

treaty with Britain. Egypt’s subsequent 1959 deal with Sudan gave the two downstream countries more than 90 percent control of Nile waters.

Egypt and Sudan boycotted the ceremony where the new treaty was unveiled, and vowed not to recognise any deal agreed without their consent.

At the May 2010 ceremony, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Ethiopia agreed to scrap both Egypt’s veto rights and the 90 percent control provision. The signing ceremony marked the close of negotiations, and the other affected countries, including Kenya, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo were given one year to ink the deal.

AFP/File/Mike Nelson

Pollution spews out of smokestacks from a factory a short distance from Nile cruise ships anchored near the Temple of Kom Ombo. Egypt is set to lose its veto power on rights to Nile waters after Burundi signed a deal paving the way for the ratification of a new treaty on the great river.

Activities

International

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

5

Dewi Sinta Hotel:

Relishing Sea View in Fusion with Terraced Rice Fields IBP

TABANAN - Physically, Dewi Sinta Hotel, Restaurant & Spa is not as grandiose as the hotels located in the premier tourist resorts of Nusa Dua, Sanur or Kuta. However, never misunderstand! The budget hotel located in the Tanah Lot tourist destination has its own uniqueness, both in terms of panorama or services extended. “Though it is a budget hotel, we provide services based on the standard of star-rated hotels,” said I Gusti Gde Aryadi, the owner of the hotel, last week.

Most importantly, continued Aryadi, he provided services for guests with friendliness, honesty and professionalism, so as to create impressive images for the only hotel in the favorite tourist area in Bali.

Familiar and familial atmosphere was not only intended for the staff, but also became a priority for every single traveler. “We also give awards for the best employees as a way to encourage the morale of our workers in providing the best ser-

vices,” added the pioneer of Tanah Lot tourist object calmly.

Dewi Sinta is the oldest hotel since the Tanah Lot was visited by many tourists. The entire building is designed by perfectly combining the traditional elements and stylish architecture to engender a convenient tourism sanctuary to unwind.

Aura of the sanctity exuded by the Tanah Lot Temple, Enjung Galuh Temple and Pakendungan Temple give more profound tranquility.

Meanwhile, the existing lush tropical gardens confer a typical countryside nuance.

There are 20 rooms consisting of 2 types on offer, namely standard and deluxe room with air conditioning, private bathroom with hot and cold water, IDD telephone, TV, and mini bar. In front of the hotel rooms stretches an enchanting terraced rice fields in combination with the verdant fairways of golf course and swimming pool. These added-value backdrops made this accommodation close to nature. Additionally, it is also equipped with spa treatment

facilities featuring with Balinese therapies to blissfully pamper guests with freshness and fitness.

In the meantime, Dewi Sinta is also equipped with restaurant offering a variety of menu choices such as Balinese, Indonesian, Chinese, Seafood and European cuisine. All delicacies are carefully prepared by well-experienced cooks. Interestingly, breakfast, lunch and dinner are optionally served in a la carte or buffet style.

Other amenities equipping the hotel property are an open stage and a conference room with a capacity of 300 people. Such facilities offer a dinner party with traditional cultural performances such as Kecak, Tektekan, Legong and shadow puppets. Best services, guaranteed security and good relationship with the surrounding communities led the hotel to achieve some outstanding achievements such as the Security Certificate from the Bali Police with gold predicate, bronze medal in THK Awards and the best taxpayer in Tabanan Regency.

Temple Ceremony Calendar Event for February 1 through March 2, 2011 1 February AnggarKasih Tambir Dalem Puri Temple in Batuan - Sukawati Dalem Kediri Silakarang in Silakarang Singapadu - Gianyar Dalem Temple in Sukawati Village - Gianyar Dalem Temple in Singakerta Village - Ubud Gianyar Dalem Lemben in Ketewel - Sukawati Gianyar Paibon Pasek Tangkas in Peliatan - Ubud Puseh ngukuhin in Keramas - Gianyar Pemerajan Agung Ki Telabah in Tuakilang Tabanan Karang Buncing in Blahbatuh - Gianyar Dalem Bubunan in Seririt - Buleleng Desa Badung Temple in Denpasar Merajan Pasek Gelgel Gobleg in Turupinghe Banjar - Buleleng Luwur Pedengenan Bedha in Bongan Tabanan Merajan Dukuh Sebudi in Keramas - Gianyar Merajan Pasek Ngukuhin in Keramas - Gianyar Pucak Payongan in Kedewatan - Ubud Gianyar Tanah Kilap “ Griya Anyar” in Suwung Kawuh - Denpasar Selatan Selukat Temple in Keramas - Blahbatuh Gianyar Dalem Tampuagan in tembuku - Bangli Dalem Waturenggong in Desa Taro - Gianyar Dalem Bentuyung in Ubud - Gianyar Puseh Temple in Ubud - Gianyar Dalem Temple Peliatan Ubud - Gianyar 2 February Buda Umanis Tambir, Tilem Kawulu Sari Bankar Titih Kapal - Badung Ulun Kulkul (Aci Sarin Tahun) Besakih Karangasem Dalem Yang Taluh Sidemen Karangasem

Dalem Kangin Sidemen - Karangasem.

16 February Buda Keliwon Matal Puseh & Desa Temple Sukawati Village - Gianyar Merajan Agung Batuyang - batubulan Pasek Gelgel Bebetin Sawan - Buleleng Maspahit Temple Sesetan - South Denpasar Pasek Bendesa Manik Mas Dukuh Kendran Tegalalang Panti Pasek Gaduh Sesetan - South Denpasar Merajan Pasek Kubayan Wangaya Gede Pedarman Arya Kanuruhan Besakih Karangasem 17 February Purnama Kesanga Penataran sasih Temple Pejeng - Gianyar Bukit Mentik Gunung Lebah Batur Village Kintamani - bangli 26 February Tumpek Kandang Day Puseh Temple Gianyar City Luhur Dalem Sagening Kediri - Tabanan Merajan Pasek Gelge Tegal Gede - Badung 2 March Buda Wage Menail Dalem Tarukan LinggihCemenggaon Sukawati Gianyar Pasek Dangke Bambang - Bangli Penataran Dalem Ketut Pejeng Pejeng Kaja Gianyar Puseh Menakaji Peninjoan - Bangli Merajan Agung Blangsinga Blahbatuh - Gianyar Kawitan Gusti Agung Blangsinga Blahbatuh Gianyar Kawitan Gusti Celuk Celuk - Sukawati - Gianyar Baler Sada Temple Banjar Pemebatan, Kapal Mengwi

Balinese Temple Ceremony EVERY Temple and Shrine has a special date for it annual Ceremony, or “ Odalan “, every 210 days according to Balinese calendar, including the smaller ancestral shrine which each family possesses. Because of this practically every few days a ceremony of festival of some kind takes place in some Village in Bali. There are also times when the entire island celebrated the same Holiday, such as at Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi day, Saraswati day, Tumpek Landep day, Pagerwesi day, Tumpek Wayang day etc.

The dedication or inauguration day of a Temple is considered its birth day and celebration always takes place on the same day if the wuku or 210 day calendar is used. When new moon is used then the celebration always happens on new moon or full moon. The day of course can differ the religious celebration of a temple lasts at least one full day with some temple celebrating for three days while the celebration of Besakih temple, the Mother Temple, is never less than 7 days and most of the time it lasts for 11 days, depending on the importance of the occasion.

The celebration is very colorful. The shrine are dressed with pieces of cloths and sometimes with brocade, sailings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines.

In front of important shrine one sees, besides these umbrellas soars, tridents and other weapons, the “umbul-umbul”, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the Temple gate put up “Penjor”, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land. Most beautiful to see are the girls in their colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the Temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which the carry their load on their heads.

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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

News Car runs down bicycling demonstrators in Brazil Associated Press Writer

AFP PHOTO / BEHROUZ MEHRI

(FILES) A combo of recent file pictures shows Iranian opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi (R) and Mehdi Karroubi. The two leaders have been arrested along with their wives and jailed at Tehran’s Heshmatiyeh prison, their websites reported on February 28, 2011.

Report: Iran opposition leaders jailed Associated Press Writer

TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian authorities have taken senior opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi to a prison in Tehran, a reformist website said Monday. A semiofficial news agency denied the report. Kaleme.com said Mousavi, his wife Zahra Rahnavard, as well as Karroubi and his wife, Fatemeh Karroubi, were transferred to Heshmatieh prison in the Iranian capital. It was not immediately clear when they were moved.

“According to the latest information obtained from reliable sources, Mousavi and Karroubi, together with their wives ... have been arrested and transferred to Heshmatieh prison,” kaleme.com said. But the semiofficial Fars news agency, which is close to the powerful Revolutionary Guard, denied the report. Fars quoted an unnamed judiciary official as saying the men were still under house arrest and have not been allowed to leave their homes or have any outside contact.

Calls placed by The Associated Press to judiciary officials went unanswered. The imprisonment, if confirmed, would mark a major escalation of Iran’s political crisis amid de-

German...

From page 1 Journalists had previously jumped on a series of minor scandals from an alleged mutiny after a death on a naval training ship off South America in November to his handling of a controversial Afghan airstrike in 2009. In December he was accused of turning a December visit to German troops in Afghanistan into a publicity stunt because

fiant calls from the opposition to stand up to the ruling system.

Earlier Monday, Iran’s state prosecutor, Gholam Hossein MOhseni Ejehi, said that authorities had cut all outside contact with the opposition leaders as part of a campaign to silence dissent. The official IRNA news agency quoted Ejehi as warning that authorities would take “other measures” against Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi if necessary.

“In the first step, their contacts such as meetings and telephone conversations have been restricted,” Ejehi was quoted by IRNA as saying. “Should circumstances arise, other measures will be taken.” Ejehi did not say where

they were being held.

Mousavi and Karroubi were placed under house arrest after urging supporters to attend a Feb. 14 rally.

Clashes between protesters and security forces during the demonstrations killed two and wounded dozens.

Karroubi’s website, sahamnews.org, said Iranian security forces took the two and their wives to an “unknown location” on Thursday.

Activists and opposition members have demanded Mousavi and Karroubi be released, vowing to stage demonstrations every Tuesday until they are freed. Ejehi said any attempt by opposition supporters to take to the streets will meet swift retribution.

he took along not only his wife but also a television chatshow host.

But the plagiarism row, which broke after a law professor close to the opposition went through his doctoral thesis, was what finally broke him.

Internet sleuths set up a collaborative website, or Wiki, to comb through the 475 pages, concluding that more than two-thirds of the dissertation contained evidence of unattributed copying. His alma

mater, Bayreuth University, withdrew his doctor title last week, with university president Ruediger Bormann saying the thesis was “not the result of correct scientific work.”

Zu Guttenberg had previously asked the university to take back the title, saying there were “serious technical faults which contravened proper academic standards.”

“I am a human being, who has weakness and who makes mistakes,” he had said.

SAO PAULO – A motorist sped his car through a pack of more than 100 cycling activists in southern Brazil, sending bikes and screaming riders flying through the air and landing hard on the asphalt in a scene captured on amateur video and posted online.

At least 40 cyclists were injured, with most suffering cuts and broken bones, but nobody was killed, authorities said. Police said the suspect, whose name they did not release, fled the scene of the incident Friday evening in Porto Alegre. He was brought in for questioning Monday after authorities found his abandoned car over the weekend.

The man claimed riders surrounded his vehicle and began beating on it, causing him to panic and fear for his life, police said. But the lead investigator in the case called that version of events “fanciful,” without giving other details.

Inspector Gilberto Montenegro told Globo TV network’s G1 website that the man could face charges of attempted homicide. Under Brazilian law, prosecutors can decide whether to bring charges only after police close their investigation, which may take 30 days. The man is currently free. Montenegro also said the number of people hit and injured rose to 40. Previously, police said 16 people were hurt.

Cyclists in the Critical Mass ride told the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper that no riders were threatening the motorist. “He drove behind us for two blocks, and people were trying to stay calm. Then in the third block he ... floored it on top of everyone,” Marcelo Guidoux Kalil told Folha. “It was a scene of war, with twisted bicycles and people bleeding on the ground.”

In the video, thuds and sharp sounds of metal on metal are heard as the car accelerates directly through the pack of cyclists.

Scores of riders and eyewitnesses screamed and asked bystanders to call police and ambulances as they began administering first aid to the victims.

Gaddafi...

From page 1 The previous day, there was no Libyan security presence at the border crossing. Dehiba is about 60 km (40 miles) from the town of Nalut. In another part of the west, residents said pro-Gaddafi forces deployed to reassert control of Nalut, about 60 km from the Tunisian border in western Libya, to ensure it did not fall into the hands of anti-Gaddafi protesters.

The United States said on Monday it was moving ships and planes closer to the country and British Prime Minister David Cameron said his government would work to prepare a “no-fly” zone to protect the Libyan people. The United States, whose Sixth Fleet operates out of Italy, said it was working on contingency plans, including humanitarian assistance. Analysts said military action against Gaddafi was unlikely.

Injecting a note of caution into Western military thinking, France said humanitarian aid must be the priority in Libya rather than military action to oust Gaddafi. The French government has sent two airplanes with medical equipment and staff to the Libyan city of Benghazi, now in the hands of anti-Gaddafi rebels, and more planes are to follow, government spokesman Francois Baroin said.

Asked about the possibility of military action to dislodge Gaddafi, Baroin told France 2 television: “It’s not a priority. The priority is humanitarian aid, it’s no longer diplomacy.”

GADDAFI SCOFFS AT REVOLT

Despite his continued hold on Tripoli, his last remaining stronghold, Gaddafi’s power to influence events in his vast desert country has shrunk dramatically in the past two weeks.

Numerous tribal leaders, officials, military officers and army units have defected to the rebels, taking with them large swathes of the country including the main energy-producing east. Sanctions will squeeze his access to funds.

But in his interview, Gaddafi, 68, looked relaxed and laughed at times during the interview at a restaurant on Tripoli’s Mediterranean coast and scoffed at the uprising.

He denied using his air force to attack protesters but said planes had bombed military sites and ammunition depots. He also denied there had been demonstrations and said young people were given drugs by al Qaeda and therefore took to the streets.

Libyan forces had orders not to fire back at them, he said. U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice called him “delusional.”

She said Washington was in talks with its NATO partners and other allies about military options. The United States also said about $30 billion in assets in the United States had been blocked from access by Gaddafi and his family. White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Monday that going into exile would be one option for Gaddafi in meeting international demands that he leave power.

There was mixed reaction from analysts to the news of Western military preparations. Algerian exile Abdullah Anas, an influential voice among north African Islamists, said Western military help for Libya’s revolutionaries would be a mistake.

He said any Western armed help would be exploited by al Qaeda as a sign of Western imperialism, as was the West’s 2003 invasion of Iraq. “It will be another call for jihad. It will benefit both Gaddafi and al Qaeda,” he said in an interview before the announcements. “The West should remember what happened in Iraq.”

Indonesia Today

International

Worker cleaning the outside of storeys building at Senayan area.

Indonesia’s inflation slowed for the first time in four months in February, prompting Bank of America Merrill Lynch to delay its forecast for an interest-rate increase to April from this week.

FOTO ANTARA/Andika Wahyu

Indonesia Inflation Slows

Easing Pressure to Raise Rate at March Meeting JAKARTA - Indonesia’s inflation slowed for the first time in four months in February, prompting Bank of America Merrill Lynch to delay its forecast for an interest-rate increase to April from this week.

Consumer prices in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy rose 6.84 percent last month from a year earlier, after gaining 7.02 percent in the previous month, the Central Bureau of Statistics said in Jakarta today. That’s less than the 7.13 percent median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of 15 economists.

Bank Indonesia, due to decide on monetary policy March 4, raised its reference rate by a quarter point to 6.75 percent in February. Deputy Governor Hartadi Sarwono said last week the central bank may refrain from adding to the increase for now as efforts to tame inflation are sufficient and the government’s suggestion to delay phasing out subsidized fuel sales may cap price gains.

“We have changed our call, given the lower headline inflation reading and delay in the fuel-subsidy rationing scheme to July,” said Chua Hak Bin, a Singapore-based economist at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. “The

Deputy Governor’s dovish remarks last week also increased the likelihood of a hold decision.”

Bank Indonesia may keep the key rate unchanged this week before monetary tightening continues in April as rising oil prices increase the risks to inflation, Chua said.

The rupiah was little changed at 8,819 per dollar as of 3:01 p.m. in Jakarta, according to data compiled

by Bloomberg.

Half of the 16 economists surveyed

by Bloomberg News expect Bank Indonesia to keep the reference rate unchanged this week, while the other eight expect an increase to 7 percent, according to a Bloomberg News survey. Food prices fell for the first time in four years in February, Rusman Heriawan, chairman of the Central Bureau of Statistics, said in Jakarta today. Inflation in March may be “low” due to deflation in food prices, he said.

“We aren’t surprised at February’s numbers because Bank Indonesia has allowed the rupiah to strengthen, so pressure on imported inflation is reduced,” said David E. Sumual, an economist at PT Bank Central Asia. “The government’s

removal of import duties on some food items also reduced pressure.”

Still, Indonesia should be wary of accelerating core inflation, he said. “It would be strange if Bank Indonesia held interest rates because it has said it will focus on core inflation.”

Consumer prices in Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, climbed 0.13 percent in February from the previous month. Year-on-year core inflation was 4.36 percent, gaining from 4.18 percent the previous month.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono seeks to expand the economy at an annual average rate of 6.6 percent and create 10.7 million jobs by the end of his second term in 2014, including through attempts to boost investment in infrastructure.

Indonesia’s economy grew at the fastest pace in six years last quarter to 6.9 percent. Fitch Ratings on Feb. 24 raised its outlook on the country’s debt rating to positive from stable, affirming its BB+ rating, one level below investment grade.

Indonesia’s exports rose 24.7 percent in January from a year earlier, the statistics office said. Imports surged 32.2 percent.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

7

Police to set up special detachment to deal with anarchism Antara

JAKARTA - Indonesian police will set up a special detachment to deal with anarchism, police chief General Timur Pradopo said here on Tuesday.”We have already made preparations for it and it will soon be simulated,” he said.

National police‘s head of public information Senior Commissioner Boy Rafli Amar said the anti-anarchism detachment would be set up in all regional police headquarters.

“There will be a special unit in every regional police command that will be ready to deal with anarchism,” he said.

He said the detachment would implement Standard Procedure Number 1/X/2010 on anarchism control and trainings would be carried out for it.

“The detachment is for meeting the challenges that keep developing. Therefore its existence is a must. Such a detachment has actually been in existent before but this one will be more specialized,” he said.

Boy said the detachment would consist of elements from the Mobile Brigade and Anti-riot Police and Mass Control Unit.

“In dealing with the mass so far efforts were made in case of anarchism in which shots might be made but this time it is about capacity building for personnel on the field,” he said.

The essence is that it is established in the framework of improving the quality of security service in dealing with problems that may lead to anarchism by groups of people or destruction by individuals, Boy said.

Three people were killed after a clash between a group of people and Ahmadiyah followers in Cikeusik, Pandeglang, Banten, early last month.

Two churches meanwhile had also been burned and another one vandalized in a rioting early that month in Temanggung, Central Java, that erupted following dissatisfaction over a court sentence on a defendant in a blasphemy case which was considered too lenient.

Indonesia FA looks to FIFA for help in leadership saga Reuter

JAKARTA - Indonesia’s soccer federation (PSSI) will ask FIFA for help in resolving an election crisis that threatens to bring the game to its knees in the country.

Demonstrations calling for the resignation of chairman Nurdin Halid turned violent last week after the PSSI’s electoral committee disqualified oil tycoon Arifin Panigoro and Army Chief of Staff General George Toisutta from standing against Nurdin, who is seeking a third term.

The leadership tussle took a further confusing twist when the PSSI’s appeals committee annulled all decisions relating to candidates stand-

ing in the election.

PSSI Secretary General Nugraha Besoes said the appeals committee’s decision had only muddied the waters ahead of the election in Bali on March 26.

“The (appeals committee) basically didn’t decide anything,” Nugraha was quoted as saying in Monday’s Jakarta Globe. “The decision was very unclear so I don’t think it can be enforced.

The appeals committee said it had been subjected to political interference in the decision whether to reinstate Toisutta and Panigoro as candidates. Indonesia’s representative on FIFA’s ethics committee, Dali Tahir, said the issue would be brought up at its next meeting.

“We received an e-mail from FIFA on Friday night and they stressed that the government should not interfere,” he told state news agency Antara.

“We’re anxious about this meeting because the agenda should have just been about the problems of other countries like Brunei, but now Indonesia is part of that meeting.”

The game has reached crisis point in Indonesia, where a breakaway domestic league was launched last month without recognition from world governing body FIFA. The league is the brainchild of Panigoro and is aimed at improving the level of the game in the country ranked 129th by FIFA. It is also backed by the sports minister.

AFP PHOTO / Bay ISMOYO

Indonesian soccer fans shouts slogans and show a poster of Football Association (PSSI) chief Nurdin Halid as a wanted person, during a rally in front of PSSI headquarter in Jakarta on February 23, 2011.

Indonesia’s soccer federation (PSSI) will ask FIFA for help in resolving an election crisis that threatens to bring the game to its knees in the country.

8

International

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Bali Today New hotels banned as Bali struggles with success

IBP/Doc

The water on Kuta Beach turned muddy within the past few days. Allegedly, it was not caused by weather, but the occurrence of pollution in a fairly large scale.

Kuta Beach alleged to be contaminated Bali Post

BADUNG - The water on Kuta Beach turned muddy within the past few days. Allegedly, it was not caused by weather, but the occurrence of pollution in a fairly large scale. Tourists also complained about the condition. Meanwhile, relevant agencies appealed to suspend the swimming activity on the Kuta Beach temporarily while waiting for the outcome of examination.

At least, there were four points suspected to undergo contamination, namely at the front gate of Legian Beach, in front of Hard Rock Hotel, in front of Kuta Beach Task Force Office, and in front of Osho Legian. According to Chairman of the Kuta Beach Task Force, I Gusti Ngurah Tresna, the color change of sea water was very significant, especially on Monday (Feb 28). The sea water initially clear changed into brown. Suspiciously, such brown color was not like the sea water increasing when it rained continuously. Brown color in the sea water was browner than the color of muddy water.

Although the condition did not affect the overall level of visit to

Kuta Beach, many tourists complained about the incident. Even, some of them were reluctant to swim. If there were some people swimming, they were very uncomfortable. In response to this condition, Tresna claimed to have made a report to the Badung Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Maritime Services.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Badung Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Maritime Services, I Made Badra, said his party had collected the water sample of Kuta Beach to be checked in laboratory. However, it could not be ascertained whether the water of Kuta Beach was dangerous or not because the examination had not accomplished yet.

“It takes two days to wait for the

laboratory results,” he said.

He explained that the change in color of sea water on Kuta Beach had begun to happen since the past two weeks. Culmination of the sea water condition getting worsened was since last Sunday (Feb 27).

Responding to the condition, Badra re-affirmed that his party was unable to take particular actions as examination of the sea water sample of Kuta Beach had not completed.

For a while, his party took preventive measures by asking the Kuta Task Force to enforce the ban on swimming for tourists who wanted to swim on Kuta Beach. It was taken to anticipate any inconveniences such as the possibility of skin irritation due to pollution. (kmb25)

On the edge of Bali’s palmfringed Kuta Beach, where thousands of tourists flock each day, four cranes are busy at work on a massive beachfront development.

Dubbed the Beach Walk, the $70 million “lifestyle resort” linking two luxury hotels with highend restaurants, shops and conference facilities, is a testament to Bali’s post-bombing resurgence as a tourist destination.

A decade ago, about 1.3 million foreign visitors came to the island, according to official figures. Then, after Islamic extremists bombed Kuta nightclubs in 2002, killing 202 people, the figure plummeted to 990,000.

But in 2010, despite a second bombing in 2005 which killed 20 people, foreign visitor numbers surged to a record 2.3 million.

This year, 2.5 million are expected, putting significant strain on the island’s infrastructure and sparking an explosion in hotel numbers.

With the Indonesian island’s rising appeal have come concerns its image as a tropical oasis is being tarnished by rampant development, overcrowding and gridlock.

“Tourists come to Bali to relax,” Bali Hotels Association secretary-general Perry Markus said.

“I can imagine how frustrated they will be if they end up getting stuck in horrendous traffic jams like in Jakarta.”

Fearing the island could become a victim of its own success, Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika in January took the extraordinary step of slapping a moratorium on new hotel development in the island’s three busiest areas.

They include the famous surfing strips of Kuta and Sanur, the exclusive beachfront resort district of Nusa Dua and the rice-terraced hills around Ubud.

With its warm climate, friendly people and smorgasbord of accommodation options, ranging from luxury beachside villas to bungalows in the rainforest, the appeal of Bali is easy to understand.

“I think we are one of the best destinations in Southeast Asia,” Bali Tourism Board chairman Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya said. “We make everybody happy when they come to Bali.”

But he too has noticed the increase in traffic jams along the narrow, potholed streets and has thrown his support behind the hotel moratorium.

“We don’t want the development of tourism in Bali to backfire,” he said.

There are now almost 50,000 rooms available across Bali on any given night, according to government figures. Most of these are in the congested south, where the moratorium on hotel development will be enforced.

“There is a lot of hotel accommodation already built in these three regencies (local council districts),” the head of the Bali government’s Investment Board, Nyoman Suwirya Patra, said. “So we need to spread out the building of accommodation to other regencies.”

It remains to be seen how effective the moratorium will be.

But as an added incentive to shift tourism facilities to less-developed areas, there are plans for a second international airport in Bali’s north and a new cruise ship terminal in the east.

Hotels Association secretarygeneral Markus believes the island’s appeal as a “quality destination” is also under pressure on another front — the recent success of low-cost chains like Tune Hotels, which promises “five-star beds at one-star prices”.

“We don’t want Bali to be viewed as a cheap destination because this island is too small. A cheap image will attract too many backpackers and result in overcrowding,” Markus said.

He said 80 percent of Bali’s hotel rooms are priced between $50 and $2,000 a night, but Tune, which follows the business model of low-cost airlines, charges just $15.

It is clean and comfortable but lacks the aesthetic charm Bali is famous for, such as luxuriant tropical gardens and rooms with homey rustic touches. At Tune, customers are charged extra if they want “non-essentials” such as towels, soap or air-conditioning.

“We don’t need any more budget hotels like Tune which will stir unhealthy competition and drive our poor local guest houses out of business,” Markus said.

“We want to project Bali as a quality destination so we can attract quality tourists who stay longer on the island and spend more.”

It is a concern not shared by tourists like Arif Budiman, a professional photographer from Malaysia who spent four nights at one of Tune Hotels’ two establishments in Bali.

“Here at Tune, you can’t see much of the traditional Bali concept,” he said. “But I don’t bother about that, as long as I can get a really clean room, good security, and most importantly, at a cheap price.” (Agence France-Presse)

International

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Balinese Culture Telkomsel network secure during Nyepi IBP

Denpasar – Telkomsel has prepared its network for Nyepi Day. The technical equipments and other anticipation have been done to support the customers during the Nyepi Day. The Manager Network Operation Support Telkomsel for Bali and Nusa Tenggara area, I Made Konten, said Tuesday that the network operation teams from Telkomsel conducted networks upgrading and network so the customers throughout Bali can still communicate during Nyepi.

The network capacity in Bali is adequate for all the customers as well as the electric capacity have

been prepared using battery backup system.

“In the past few years, Telkomsel has implemented the environmental friendly equipment and it also didn’t produce any sound so we hope that the people around the Telkomsel site can commemorate Nyepi Day peacefully. We, from the Telkomsel, would like to say Happy Nyipe Day, Caka New Year 1933,” Konten said.

Meanwhile, the Telkomsel Manager Branch Denpasar, Kusnandar said that during this year Nyepi Day, Telkomsel receive many request for the WEB2SMS application. He predicted the increase of the request for the application is because the affectivity of WEB2SMS.

“The WEB2SMS service is very effective during Nyepi or other holiday. The application allows the user to send SMS in broadcast system through the internet to all community or their registered customers who use kartuHALO, simPATI, or kartu AS,” he added.

He also explained that for community members or business partners, information sharing through WEB2SMS is very useful. The best part of the service is because the operating system is not manual, cheap price, can be use anytime and anywhere as long as they can access internet and the sender can be created according the community or business name.(kmb18)

Indonesian Curried Crab Ingredients • 4 crabs • 6 Shallots • 2 Stalks lemon grass • 2 ts Tamarind • 1/2 c Boiling water • 1 Handful coriander leaves • 3 Cloves garlic • 1 tb Fresh galangal • 2 To 3 birdseye chillies, -seeded • 4 Candlenuts • 1 t Blachan • 1 t Tumeric • Salt and pepper to taste • 3 tb Oil • 2 c Coconut milk Directions Cut the 4 crabs into quarters with a cleaver or large knife. With a hammer, gently crack the claws and harder sections of shell.

Finely chop 6 shallots and 2 stalks lemon grass.

Steep 2 teaspoons tamarind in half a cup of boiling water. Chop a handful of fresh coriander leaves.

In a food processor, grind together 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh galangal, 2-3 birdseye chillies, seeded, 4 candlenuts (or substitute 8-10 cashews) and 1 teaspoon blachan (hard dark brown shrimp paste), 1 teaspoon turmeric and salt and pepper to taste. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large wok or pan, and fry the paste until fragrant. Add shallots, lemon grass, crab pieces and 2 cups coconut milk. Simmer for quarter of an hour.

Strain the tamarind water and add half to the sauce.

Taste and add more if you wish. Ladle curvy into a serving dish and scatter the fresh coriander on top.

Serve with plain rice. (http://asiarecipe)

Indonesian Barbecued Shrimp Ingredients IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

Kusnandar (2 left) showing the prepaid GSM Card of Telkomsel. Same as years before, this year Telkomsel also preparing its network to serve Balinese on Nyepi celebration.

DIPPING SAUCE • 1/2 c Peanut butter • 1/2 c Water • 1 tb Brown sugar; packed • 1 tb Lemon juice • 1/2 ts Salt • 1/2 ts Red pepper sauce • 1 sm Garlic clove; crushed SHRIMP • 1 1/2 lb Shrimp; peeled • 2 tb Vegetable oil • 2 tb Water • 1 tb Lemon juice • 1 ts Brown sugar; packed • 1/2 ts Salt • 1/2 ts Red pepper suace • 2 Garlic cloves; crushed

C.045 ibp

Directions Prepare dipping sauce by mixing all ingredients until smooth. Cover until serving time. Make a shallow cut lengthwise down back of shrimp; wash out vein. Mix remaining ingredients in medium glass bowl. Add shrimp; stir to coat with marinade. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Remove shrimp from marinade; reserve marinade. Thread shrimp on 6, 15" metal skewers, leaving space between each. Cover and grill shrimp about 4" from medium coals, 10-20 minutes, turning and brushing 2-3 times with marinade, until shrimp are pink. Serve with sauce, and if desired, lime wedges. (http://asiarecipe.com)

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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Destinations

International

Kusamba Beach IBP

http://2.bp.blogspot.com

International Bali Post Classifieds BALI CENTRAL CANOPY

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materials to Nusa Penida twice a day.

The fisherman from Kusamba with the big boat and five crews can squire the material heavy as of 1,5 cargo ton to Nusa Penida. They can across the sea from Banjar Tri Buana, Banjar Bias Coastal and Kampung Island Coastal with 30 minutes until 2 hours time differences and it is depend to the type and transportation medium speed utilized. Beside of that, this boat can also squire the passengers who wish to enjoy the beautiful coral and the white sand coastal in the island cross of Bali .

Segara Beach in Kusamba is especially for the Hindu ritual activities which are often conducted the activity of Nganyut in line with Ngaben Ceremony (Cremation Ceremony).

We can also meet a fish market in this place which is usually held between 10 am until 4 pm. The strait between Bali and Nusa Penida Island is dwelt by a lot of fish, hence it is crowded by the white sail of fisherman boat decorates the sea around the Kusamba beach. At the west side of this coastal, especially in Banjar Batur, there are 40 families of fisherman as the traditional salt maker.

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Bali is famous with its beaches.

One of the beach that located on Klungkung regency is Kusamba Beach. Kusamba Beach is one of the favorite places of interest in Bali which is famous with the beautiful beach. The boat line with the outrigger belong to the fisherman from countryside are decorating the black sand unfolding along the coastal. Nusa Penida Island is across view which is only occupied by 40.000 people. Kusamba own the marvelous view with the splashing wave from the ocean and it is surrounded the tropical atmosphere with soft sea breeze.

Name of Kusamba is factually not far from the struggle history of Balinese in fight against the Dutch colonist. During the war against the Dutch in Kusamba on 23-24 May 1849, the Balinese hero had succeeds to make afraid the Dutch soldier and had killed the Dutch key man - Letnan General Michiel.

We can see the fisherman are looking after the prawn seed, send the rice, legume, fruits and other

Jl. Kepundung 67 A, e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id Jl. Palmerah Barat 21 F

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

11

BUSINESS Fed boss likely to get earful on higher gas prices Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will likely face sharp questioning this week from members of Congress about rising gas prices, faster inflation and high unemployment.

Just as the economy has gained some momentum, a new danger has emerged. Sharply higher fuel costs could prompt people to spend less on other things, slowing the recovery and possibly hiring.

That new risks — along with already elevated unemployment — are likely to be cited by Bernanke as reasons why the Fed must stick with its stimulus program and buy $600 billion worth of Treasury bonds through June.

At the same time, Bernanke is likely to downplay concerns that rising energy and food prices will trigger high inflation.

Bernanke is slated to kick off back-to-back appearances on Capitol Hill Tuesday, when he delivers the Fed’s twice-a-year economic report to Congress.

On the one hand, Bernanke will express confidence that the economy will gain more speed this year. But Bernanke will also acknowledge that economic growth still won’t be strong enough to quickly lower unemployment, now at 9 percent.

The Fed chief will likely stress that the United States can’t fully recover from the worst recession in decades until hiring improves.

“For Bernanke, the labor market is ground zero for a sustainable expansion,” said economist Sal Guatieri at BMO Capital Markets.

The Fed’s bond-purchase program is intended to spur more

spending and invigorate the economy by lowering rates on loans and boosting prices on stocks.

However, Republicans in Congress and some Fed officials worry that the program could trigger inflation and a wave of speculative buying on Wall Street that could lead to new bubbles in the prices of assets like stocks and bonds.

Bernanke has repeatedly defended the program, saying it is needed to energize growth and reduce unemployment. Fears of inflation are overblown, he has said.

Despite the run-up in prices for oil, food and other commodities, Bernanke and a majority of his Fed colleagues have insisted that inflation won’t get out of hand.

Workers have little power to demand big pay increases because the jobs market — while healing — is still weak. Many factories and other companies are operating well below full capacity because customer demand is far from booming. Those forces will prevent inflation from taking off, the Fed predicts.

Still, rising prices are a concern for ordinary Americans.

Gas prices jumped over the weekend to a new nationwide average of $3.37 a gallon — 26.7 cents a gallon more than a month ago.

Food prices in January rose at the fastest since the fall of 2008.

Prices for household staples including cereal, meat, eggs, poultry, fruits and vegetables marched up-

ward.

If gas prices rise to $3.75 a gallon and stay there for a year, it could mitigate the benefit of the Social Security tax cut, economists said.

The economy would still grow, but it wouldn’t get a boost from people spending more on goods and services.

If gasoline prices went as high as $5 a gallon, spending cuts by consumers and businesses could push the economy into a recession, analysts say. That’s a remote prospect but one that can’t be dismissed.

Bernanke testifies before the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday. The next day Bernanke appears before the House Financial Services Committee. At both sessions, Bernanke will talk about the Fed’s economic outlook.

The Fed is forecasting the economy to grow at a stronger pace this year — between 3.4 percent and 3.9 percent. But that won’t do much to help unemployment.

The Fed sees unemployment hovering around 9 percent this year and falling as low as 7.6 percent next year, when President Barack Obama seeks re-election. Normal unemployment is closer to 6 percent.

On inflation, the Fed says consumer prices won’t exceed 1.7 percent this year. That would be slightly higher than last year, but would still be considered low inflation by historical standards.

Japan PM faces revolt in budget bill Agence France-Presse

TOKYO – Japan’s beleaguered premier faced an internal party revolt on Tuesday when 16 of his own lawmakers failed to vote for his centre-left government’s record $1.1-trillion budget.

The revolt is a further blow for Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who after less than a year in office is battling approval ratings below 20 percent and the threat of legislative gridlock from the conservative opposition.

The rebels are supporters of Kan’s nemesis, scandal-tainted faction boss Ichiro Ozawa, often dubbed the “Shadow Shogun”, who failed in a bid last year to oust Kan, but who did vote with the government in the parliamentary vote.

The premier’s top spokesman Yukio Edano warned that the 16 breakaway lawmakers “will be dealt with severely” by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), which took power in a 2009 landslide but has since slipped badly in the polls.

“Those who missed the vote on purpose cannot possibly be accepted by the public as they can hardly be described as responsible members of the ruling party,” Edano, the chief cabinet secretary, told reporters.

Kan earlier told reporters the boycott was “regrettable” and said “it is urgent to approve the budget and enact it for the sake of the people”.

The premier faces tough hurdles in coming months as he seeks to ram economic stimulus measures through parliament and to find ways to whittle down a

public debt mountain twice the size of Japan’s five-trillion-dollar economy.

The 92.4 trillion yen budget for fiscal 2011 is almost certain to clear parliament before its April 1 deadline under Japanese constitutional rules, even if the opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) blocks it.

However, bills required to enact and finance the budget are in doubt, because Kan’s party lacks the two-thirds lower house majority to overcome opposition in the conservative-controlled upper chamber.

Most crucial among those threatened bills is one to issue 38.2 trillion yen worth of bonds to cover the deficit — without which the government could be headed for a cash shortage within months.

Also threatened would be a bill to raise child payments to help working families and aimed at lifting the low birth rate in rapidly greying Japan.

The DPJ splinter group compounds Kan’s hurdles, making it nearly impossible for him to gain the two-thirds majority needed for budget support bills — even if he wins the backing of smaller parties, which have so far rebuffed him.

Ozawa’s supporters first threatened to defy Kan last week when the DPJ suspended the membership of the powerbroker until the end of his trial over political funding irregularities, in which Ozawa maintains his innocence.

The LDP has meanwhile pushed for Kan to dissolve the lower house and call fresh elections, which the conservative party hopes would restore it as the governing party — a position it held for most of Japan’s post-war era.

China, India PMIs show inflation pressures Reuters

BEIJING/BANGALORE – Costs for Chinese and Indian factories jumped in February, pointing to a need for more measures to prevent inflation from undermining the world’s two fastestgrowing economies, surveys showed on Tuesday.

The February purchasing managers’ indexes provide the latest evidence of the growing inflationary pressure from the sharp rise in commodity prices that was already apparent in a round of global PMIs covering the month of

January.

The head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, warned on Monday that global economic growth could suffer if a rise in oil prices that has taken Brent crude above $100 a barrel was sustained for a long period.

Two China PMIs showed that manufacturing growth slipped to its slowest pace in at least six months in February, a sign that the government’s campaign to tame inflation was biting.

But gauges of factory input prices hit three-month highs in

both China’s official PMI and a private-sector PMI sponsored by HSBC. “It certainly supports our call for more interest-rate and reserveratio hikes, albeit less aggressive, in the near term,” Mingchun Sun, economist at Daiwa in Hong Kong, said in a research note.

India’s manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest clip in three months in February as new orders poured in, a PMI showed.

But at the same time, factory input prices rose at the fastest pace since the PMI records began in 2005. It also marked the index’s

eighth consecutive monthly rise.

India suffers from the highest inflation of any major Asian economy even after seven rate rises in a year. Although monetary policy can do little to control domestic inflation fueled by increases in global commodity prices, the risk is that the cost pressure will spread in the economy.

“Manufacturers are facing ever steeper increases in input costs, reflecting the tightness of labor markets and rising material costs, which will continue to add upward pressure on output prices.” said

Leif Eskesen, chief economist for India and ASEAN at HSBC, which sponsors the index.

In other PMIs, Russian manufacturing expanded in February at the fastest pace in three years as new orders growth quickened, prompting companies to step up hiring.

An Irish PMI had similar themes as the index showed the pace of factory activity at an 11-year high and Turkey’s PMI hit a record high.

A February PMI covering the euro zone is due to be released around 0900 GMT and is expected to show factory expansion was steady from January.

12

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Entertainment

HK star Lau channels China earnings to local films Associated Press Writer

HONG KONG – Hong Kong has produced Chinese cinema’s biggest names, but for this former British colony’s actors and directors, the future now lies in the thriving mainland market.

One of the territory’s biggest stars is no exception. Andy Lau is spending more time away from his hometown, shooting period epics in China and filling mainland stadiums with his national concert tours.

But the 49-year-old veteran actor-singer is trying to preserve the Hong Kong industry’s identity by channeling his earnings to lowerbudget productions that highlight the cultural heritage of this southern city, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

On Monday, Lau spoke with reporters in a bungalow-style home in the scenic suburban Hong Kong neighborhood of Clearwater Bay as he got ready to shoot scenes for one of his latest investments, “To Tse,” which means “Big Sister Tao” in the southern Chinese dialect

Cantonese.

The $4.6 million production directed by Ann Hui is about the scion of an aristocratic family, played by Lau, who belatedly bonds with a longtime servant for the family, played by veteran actress Deannie Yip. “When I invest in a movie, people say, ‘Aren’t you afraid?

Aren’t you afraid of losing money?

These aren’t the hottest stars. These aren’t the biggest productions.’

There are many questions. But sometimes I take action because I am moved by the sincerity of the project or the script,” Lau said.

“I really work very hard, work very long hours every day to earn my money. I do not spend my money foolishly. But I think it’s worth it when I invest my money in a way that makes me happy,” he said.

Lau didn’t reveal his current perpicture salary on Monday, but director Andrew Lau, no relation, once revealed in a TV interview that the actor had charged nearly HK$10 million ($1.3 million) for the hit 2002 crime thriller “Infernal Affairs.” Lau’s fee has likely risen since then given the booming mainland market.

Lau said he was barely spending any time in Hong Kong these days, instead busy belting out his hits for mainland fans and capitalizing on his stardom among entertainment-hungry Chinese audiences that accounted for a total box office of $1.55 billion last year. Lau has been the front man for most Chinese blockbusters in recent years, most recently a remake of the kung fu classic “Shaolin” and the fantasy-mystery “Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame.” “It’s been a long time since I experienced the atmosphere of shooting in Hong Kong,” he said.

International

British press celebrates Oscar success Agence France Presse

LONDON – Calls mounted on Tuesday for the queen to honour British Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth, a day after he was feted by Hollywood royalty for his portrayal of her stammering father in “The King’s Speech”. “What a knight,” splashed the Mirror’s editorial headline.

“Peerless Colin Firth gave a modest King’s Speech as he accepted his Oscar on a great night for Britain.

“Surely it can’t be long before we hear Her Majesty utter the words ‘Arise Sir Colin’,” the paper predicted.

The Sun led with the headline “Royal flush” on its editorial.

“F-f-flipping brilliant!” it continued. “Britain’s night of Oscar triumphs was pure gold.” Kate Muir, writing in The Times, suggested the film benefited from Hollywood becoming caught in the “perfect storm of Englishness.” “The great performances from Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter were obviously central, but there was also the behind-the-scenes machine being oiled by the old Hollywood hand and distributor Harvey Weinstein,” Muir wrote.

“To that, add the fact that the 6,000-strong Academy’s largest voting group consists of actors, who voted for the most thespian entry. The perfect storm of Englishness and royalty was complete.” The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw celebrated the triumphant film for not adhering to the usual Tinseltown rules. “When my mother told me my 80-something aunt had gone to the cinema, on her own, to see ‘The King’s Speech’, I realised how successful it has been in harnessing the awesome strength of the grey pound,” he said.

“People who haven’t gone to the cinema in 10 or 20 years are going to see ‘The King’s Speech’. Older people are generally ignored or patronised in the movies: so this film’s mighty triumph is a modest assertion of their existence,” he added. The Telegraph’s Toby Young reserved most of his passion for tearing apart the “snooze-a-thon” ceremony.

“The 83rd Academy Awards were mercifully short, clocking in at a mere three hours and 19 minutes, but in virtually every other respect this year was a new low,” said Young. “As for the hosts, don?t get me started.

James Franco and Anne Hathaway actually made me

AFP PHOTO/Rich Schmitt

Academy Award winner for Best Actor, Colin Firth and his wife Livia Giuggioli arrive at the Vanity Fair Dinner And After Party at the Sunset Tower Hotel celebrating the 83rd Academy Awards, 27 February 2011 in West Hollywood, California.

feel nostalgic for Billy Crystal, something I didn?t think was possible.” Meanwhile, ex-pat footballer David Beckham used his Twitter account to display his pride.

“What a great night for the Brits at the Oscars,” the England midfielder tweeted. “Well done to Colin, good speech. Congratulations to everyone who worked on ‘The King’s Speech’. Proud night.”

Sheen: ‘My efforts’ helped get pay for ‘Men’ crew Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – Charlie Sheen is not done talking. Amid high-profile interviews Monday that managed to upstage post-Oscars buzz, the “Two and a Half Men” star showed no signs of slowing his media blitz against the producers of his top-rated television comedy.

Television crews came and went from the actor’s hilltop home — which he dubbed “Sober Valley Lodge” — the setting for segments scheduled to air on “Extra” and NBC’s “Today” show. Sheen told The Associated Press he wasn’t satisfied with an agreement by Warner Bros. Television to pay the “Men” crew for only half of the eight episodes canceled when producers tired of their star’s off-screen antics.

He called it “a start” and said his efforts “are paying off,” but declared: “I won’t sleep until I get all eight. I

don’t care about me right now.” He told the AP he planned to keep up his media blitz until the show’s crew was paid for the rest of this season’s shows. He also said getting compensation for series costars Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones was “next” on his to-do list.

Warner Bros. denied that anything Sheen had done — which included threatening to sue the show’s producers and extolling the virtues of his hardpartying ways — contributed to the decision to pay the crew. “False,” said studio spokesman Paul McGuire.

Sheen’s media appearances Monday included dueling morning show interviews with “Today” and “Good Morning America,” a midday sit-down with celebrity website TMZ that was streamed online, and an evening chitchat with CNN’s Piers Morgan.

Through it all, Sheen insisted that he was fine and trying to put back together the pieces of his show.

“I’m on a mission right now,” Sheen

told Morgan. “It’s an operation right now to right some terrible wrongs.”

Sheen was scheduled Tuesday to appear on ABC’s “20/20,” an interview that days ago the network considered an exclusive. He has denied he was using drugs and produced a clean screening handled by celebrity website RadarOnline.com to bolster his case. He also rejected the notion that he was an addict, or that conventional rehabilitation treatments would work on him.

“I am on a drug,” Sheen told ABC. “It’s called Charlie Sheen. It’s not available because if you try it, you will die. Your face will melt off, and your children will weep over your exploded body.” Sheen’s comments appeared to be alienating many of those around him, including the Hollywood honchos who sign his $1.8 million-per-episode paychecks, his co-stars and even his fans.

AP Photo/ABC News

In this photo provided by ABC News, Andrea Canning interviews actor Charlie Sheen Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, in Los Angeles for a Special Edition of 20/20 to be aired Tuesday.

Science

International

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

13

Tiny spy planes could mimic birds, insects Associated Press Writer

SAN DIEGO – You’ll never look at hummingbirds the same again.

The Pentagon has poured millions of dollars into the development of tiny drones inspired by biology, each equipped with video and audio equipment that can record sights and sounds.

They could be used to spy, but also to locate people inside earthquakecrumpled buildings and detect hazardous chemical leaks. The smaller, the better. Besides the hummingbird, engineers in the growing unmanned aircraft industry are working on drones that look like insects and the helicopter-like maple leaf seed.

Researchers are even exploring ways to implant surveillance and other equipment into an insect as it is undergoing metamorphosis. They want to be able to control the creature. The devices could end up being used by police officers and firefighters.

Their potential use outside of battle zones, however, is raising questions about privacy and the dangers of the winged creatures buzzing around in the same skies as aircraft. For now, most of these devices are just inspiring awe. With a 6.5inch wing span, the remote-controlled bird weighs less than a AA battery and can fly at speeds of up to 11 mph, propelled only by the flapping of its two wings. A tiny video camera sits in its belly.

The bird can climb and descend vertically, fly sideways, forward and backward. It can rotate clockwise

and counterclockwise. Most of all it can hover and perch on a window ledge while it gathers intelligence, unbeknownst to the enemy.

“We were almost laughing out of being scared because we had signed up to do this,” said Matt Keennon, senior project engineer of California’s AeroVironment, which built the hummingbird.

The Pentagon asked them to develop a pocket-sized aircraft for surveillance and reconnaissance that mimicked biology. It could be anything, they said, from a dragonfly to a hummingbird. Five years and $4 million later, the company has developed what it calls the world’s first hummingbird spy plane. “It was very daunting up front and remained that way for quite some time into the project,” he said, after the drone blew by his head and landed on his hand during a media demonstration.

The toughest challenges were building a tiny vehicle that can fly for a prolonged period and be controlled or control itself.

AeroVironment has a history of developing such aircraft.

Over the decades, the Monrovia,

AP Photo/Reed Saxon

Matt Keennon, program director at AeroVironment, demonstrates a tiny, drone aircraft known as the ‘nanohummingbird,’ during a briefing at the company’s facility in Simi Valley, Calif., Friday, Feb. 25, 2011.

Calif.-based company has developed everything from a flying mechanical reptile to a hydrogen-powered plane capable of flying in the stratosphere and surveying an area larger than Af-

ghanistan at one glance. It has become a leader in the hand-launched drone industry.

Troops fling a four-pound plane, called the Raven, into the air. They

have come to rely on the real-time video it sends back, using it to locate roadside bombs or get a glimpse of what is happening over the next hill or around a corner.

Gene therapy raises hope for a future AIDS cure Pirate Henry Morgan’s cannons found in Panama?

Associated Press Writer

Associated Press Writer

PANAMA CITY – Archaeologists say six cannons recovered from a river in Panama that could have belonged to legendary pirate Henry Morgan are being studied and could eventually be displayed.

The group of Panamanian and foreign archaeologists say the cannons were found at the mouth of Panama’s Chagres River, the site where Morgan’s flagship, the Satisfaction, wrecked in 1671 while carrying him and his pirates to raid Panama City.

The team said Monday that the size and shape of the pieces looks very similar to the characteristics of small iron guns of the 17th century. The cannons were detected in 2008 and rescued in 2010. The archaeological survey was coordinated by the Waitt Institute with collaboration with Panama’s National Culture Institute.

In this undated photo released on Monday Feb. 28, 2011 by Panama’s Institute of Culture (INAC), archaeologists look at cannons that scientists believe may have belonged to British pirate, Captain Henry Morgan, near the Rio Chagres off Colon, Panama.

AP Photo/Donnie Reid, INAC

In a bold new approach ultimately aimed at trying to cure AIDS, scientists used genetic engineering in six patients to develop blood cells that are resistant to HIV, the virus that causes the disease. It’s far too early to know if this scientific first will prove to be a cure, or even a new treatment. The research was only meant to show that, so far, it seems feasible and safe.

The concept was based on the astonishing case of an AIDS patient who seems to be cured after getting blood cells from a donor with natural immunity to HIV nearly four years ago in Berlin. Researchers are seeking a more practical way to achieve similar immunity using patients’ own blood cells.

The results announced Monday at a conference in Boston left experts cautiously excited. “For the first time, people are beginning to think about a cure” as a real possibility, said Dr. John Zaia, head of the government panel that oversees gene therapy experiments.

Even if the new approach doesn’t get rid of HIV completely, it may repair patients’ immune systems enough that they can control the virus and not need AIDS medicines — “what is called a functional cure,” he said.

Carl Dieffenbach, AIDS chief at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, agreed. “We’re hopeful that this is sufficient to give

the level of immune reconstitution similar to what was seen with the patient from Germany,” he said.

This is the first time researchers have permanently deleted a human gene and infused the altered cells back into patients. Other gene therapy attempts tried to add a gene or muffle the activity of one, and have not worked against HIV. The virus can damage the immune system for years before people develop symptoms and are said to have AIDS — acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The virus targets special immune system soldiers called T-

cells. It usually enters these cells through a protein receptor, or “docking station,” called CCR5.

Some people (about 1 percent of whites; fewer of minorities) lack both copies of the CCR5 gene and are naturally resistant to HIV. One such person donated blood stem cells in 2007 to an American man living in Berlin who had leukemia and HIV. The cell transplant appears to have cured both problems, but finding such donors for everyone with HIV is impossible, and transplants are medically risky.

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

In a Feb. 25, 2011 photo, Dr. Pablo Tebas, left, and Jay Johnson pose for a photograph at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

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Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Sport

International

Super sub Vela saves West Brom again Agence France Presse

AFP PHOTO/ OLIVIER MORIN

AC Milan’s Swedish forward Pato celebrates after scoring during the serie A match AC Milan vs Napoli, on February 28, 2011, in San Siro stadium in Milan.

Pato inspires Milan to crucial Serie A win over Napoli Agence France Presse

MILAN, Italy – A brilliant performance by Brazilian striker Pato saw AC Milan inflict what could prove to be a fatal blow to Napoli’s Serie A title hopes here on Monday as the leaders cruised to a 3-0 win.

The 21-year-old - a somewhat controversial omission from last year’s World Cup finals squad set up Ghanaian Kevin-Prince Boateng for Milan’s second goal and then added a glorious third two minutes later to give them a five point lead over champions Inter Milan while Napoli are six points adrift of the leaders.

Swedish international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had opened the scoring for Milan early in the second-half from the penalty spot - a harsh call by referee Gianluca Rocchi for handball on Napoli defender Salvatore Aronica, who while the ball clearly hit his arm it did not seem to be deliberate on his part.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said he believed from his viewing point that Rocchi had called it correctly.

“Seen from the sidelines it was a penalty,” he said.

“But independent of that moment, Milan produced a good performance, and deserved the victory. “We really played very well, (Christian) Abbiati didn’t have to make a save and we created several chances. “The thing that really pleased me was that the team

was looking to make it 2-0, and even 3-0. “The six point lead is a tidy advantage, but there are still a lot of matches to go, including the derby with Inter, and Napoli cannot be discounted yet.”

His Napoli counterpart Walter Mazzarri said that it was not a penalty and that his team had been unnerved by it. However, he said there was still a lot of water to flow under the bridge before the title was won.

“We lost a final, but there are still 11 remaining,” he said. “We can lose at Milan, 1-0 or 3-0 changes nothing, now it is imperative that we get back to work and get back to how we were before this match.

“We never spoke of a target, we are just trying to do our best. Losing doesn’t change our routine, we are preparing for our next match against Brescia. “They (Milan) were too strong, and we were unable to impose our style of play, to pass the ball as we know how to do, and also we were tired having played in the Europa League last Thursday.

“But the penalty dictated the outcome of the match, after it, my guys got upset and became disjointed, they played like kids, and that played into Milan’s hands. “It is only by

playing one discovers things such as happened tonight, that we must remain calm, but we are learning all the time.”

Napoli - who exited the Europa League last week - gave few problems to Milan and the game went beyond them in the 77th minute when Pato found an onrushing Boateng and the World Cup star slotted the ball home to spark wild celebrations with the former Portsmouth player tearing off his shirt.

The 77,000 spectators were driven delirious with joy in the 79th minute.

Pato advanced with the ball, saw the Napoli ‘keeper off his line and chipped into the far corner prompting once again huge celebrations with captain Gennaro Gattuso even mimicking his infamous headbutt on Spurs assistant coach Joe Jordan as he embraced Allegri. Napoli found little in the final 10 minutes to raise their spirits as their two standout players this season Uruguayan striker and scorer of 20 goals Edinson Cavani and Slovakian playmaker Marek Hamsik failed to sparkle when it mattered most. Milan travel to out of form Juventus, who have lost four of their last six matches, next Saturday.

STOKE – Mexican international striker Carlos Vela grabbed relegation-threatened West Brom another point with another late goal here on Monday as they drew 1-1 with Stoke City in their Premier League clash.

Vela - on loan from Arsenal - had only been on the pitch two minutes before he made his mark just as he did in the 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Wolves over a week ago. Irishman Rory Delap had put Stoke 1-0 up early in the second-half in a match that got significantly better as it went on.

The point saw West Brom who have kept just one clean sheet this term and have garnered only 14 points from their last 19 matches - move out of the bottom three to fourth bottom, a point clear of Wolves who occupy the first relegation place.

Nothing much of note occurred in the first-half as Stoke’s habit of using their physical force prevented their more stylish opponents from expressing themselves in fluent fashion.

The visitors did test opposing goalkeeper Amir Begovic’s alertness twice but it took over half an hour for them to achieve that as the Bosnian twice went down to save from

former Celtic misfit Marc Antoine Fortune after good work by Graham Dorrans and Jerome Thomas.

Stoke showed little going forward save a rasping effort in the 42nd minute by Jermaine Pennant, whose shot scraped the woodwork. However, that changed in the second-half as the hosts showed a more ambitious side to their play and were rewarded in the 52nd minute as Delap rose unmarked to head past Scott Carson.

Begovic, though, came to Stoke’s rescue seven minutes later as he produced a save out of the top drawer to deny Dorrans, whose header from Steven Reid’s corner took a huge deflection off Ryan Shawcross. West Brom did finally beat Begovic in the 69th minute but Fortune’s header from the enterprising Reid’s cross clipped the bar - that was to be Fortune’s last contribution as he was replaced by leading scorer Nigerian international Peter Odemwingie.

However, it was to be Vela who rescued another point for the visitors as he swooped onto Reid’s cross and from close range slotted the ball past Begovic.

Begovic, though, once again came to Stoke’s rescue and prevented West Brom fromn taking all the points as he saved smartly from Vela twice with his legs in time added on.

Alves coy on Barca contract renewal Agence France Presse

BARCELONA – Barcelona defender Dani Alves has played down the importance of renewing his contract with the Spanish league leaders, saying Monday “life will go on” if the two sides fail to agree terms. The 27-year-old Brazil international’s contract runs out in June 2012 and renewal talks have dragged on amid reports of a possible move to Manchester City.

Sports daily Mundo Deportivo reported last month that Alves turned down the chance of a contract extenstion to 2015 that would have placed him in the same wage bracket as teammates like captain Carles Puyol. But Alves seems in no hurry.

“I am very optimistic about the renewal of my contract and I know that it will be resolved,” he told a news conference following a Barcelona training session. “Whether I remain

here is something that depends on the two sides. If both sides want it, I will continue here.

Otherwise, life will go on. I am not going to pull my hair out if in the end they decide I don’t deserve to stay here.”

Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has urged the club to sell Alves to Manchester City, saying the club should cut its losses. “Barca have a wage scale that cannot be ignored,” he told Barcelona-based newspaper El Periodico. “Barcelona are a sensational team with or without Alves. Is it better to have him with us? Sure. However, if Manchester City’s offer is for real it may be better to sell him rather than wait for his contract to end and then he will go for free.” Alves joined Barcelona in 2008 after six seasons with Sevilla.

Pre-Christmas reports from England claimed City were willing to pay 30 million pounds (35 million euros) for Alves.

Sport

International

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

15

Iran objects to London 2012 Olympics logo Associated Press Writer

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran objects to the logo for the 2012 London Olympics, contending it is racist because it resembles the word “Zion” and warning of a possible boycott of the games.

The secretary general of Iran’s National Olympic Committee said Iran sent a letter to International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.

The letter claims the 2012 logo spells out “Zion,” a biblical term widely recognized to refer to the city of Jerusalem.

In comments carried by the official IRNA news agency Monday, secretary general Bahram Afsharzadeh said the letter urges other Muslim states to oppose the “racist logo.”

“There is no doubt that negligence of the issue from your side may affect the presence of some countries in the games, especially Iran which abides by commitment to the values and principles,” the letter said.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for Israel’s destruction and questioned historical accounts of the Holocaust. Iranian athletes have refused to compete against Israelis.

The London logo shows the numbers “2012” in four jagged figures and until now has been criticized only for its design. The IOC said it received the letter and joined London organizers in rejecting Iran’s complaint. “Our response is as follows: The London 2012 logo represents the figure 2012, nothing else,” the IOC said.

The London organizers said the design was launched in 2007 after testing and consultation. “We are surprised that this complaint has been made now,” the committee said.

Querrey out for US-Chile Davis Cup tie Agence France Presse

NEW YORK – Sam Querrey, ranked 24th on the ATP Tour, will not join the United States team for its trip to Chile this week for a firstround Davis Cup tie, US captain Jim Courier said Monday. A right shoulder injury will sideline Querrey, who joins 15th-ranked Mardy Fish in skipping the showdown on clay in Santiago. Fish is suffering with a thyroid issue.

“Sam has been having trouble with his right shoulder and he got an MRI on Friday that revealed a slight impingement in his rotator cuff,” Courier said.

“Doctors have advised him to rest so we thought it was best that he not make the trip to Santiago and get ready for (ATP events in) Indian Wells and Miami.”

Andy Roddick, ranked eighth, and John Isner, ranked 32nd, will join the top-ranked doubles duo of Bob and Mike Bryan in representing the Americans in Chile. Roddick saw doctors last week after flulike symptoms kept him out of an ATP event in Delray Beach, Florida.

College senior Michael Shabaz and 2009 Wimbledon boys runnerup Jordon Cox will join the US squad in Chile as practice partners, Courier said.

AFP/Getty Images/File/Chris McGrath

Sam Querrey, pictured in 2010, ranked 24th on the ATP Tour

AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson

Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen (20) drives around Utah Jazz guard Raja Bell (19) during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Salt Lake City, Monday, Feb. 28, 2011.

Allen scores 25 to lead Celtics over Jazz 107-102 Associated Press Writer

SALT LAKE CITY – Ray Allen scored 25 points and Paul Pierce added 21, including a late 3pointer and pair of free throws, to help the Boston Celtics hold on for a 107-102 victory Monday night over the Utah Jazz. The loss spoiled the home debut of new Jazz players Devin Harris and Derrick Favors, who were acquired last week in the trade that sent for All-Star Deron Williams to New Jersey.

Al Jefferson had 28 points and a season-high 19 rebounds for Utah, which has dropped six straight at home — the team’s worst home skid since 1982.

Allen hit a 23-footer for a 103-99 Celtics lead with 42.3 seconds left.

Jefferson had a chance to cut it to one point but couldn’t convert a three-point play. Rajon Rondo then hit a 15-foot jumper to seal the win for Boston.

Harris finished with 19 points for the Jazz, who have lost 16 of 21, and Favors added nine points, four rebounds and a block in 15 minutes. The win gave the Celtics a series sweep after they routed the Jazz 110-86 on Jan. 21, shooting 55.2 percent in the process.

In that game, Williams had only five points for Utah.

The fans welcomed Harris with

open arms, chasing after him on Sunday as he visited a local outdoor mall, and giving him the loudest ovation of any Jazz player during pre-game introductions Monday. The home crowd also got their first close look at rookie Favors. “Hey, D-Will, thanks for the Favors,” read one sign in the arena. Though the Jazz would erase a 13-point first-half deficit, they couldn’t hold off the Celtics down the stretch. The Jazz, who are 1-2 since the Williams trade, jumped out to a 10-2 lead on 4-of-5 shooting. But the Celtics answered with a 12-0 run to take 14-10 lead and followed with a 13-0 run and led 30-21 after the first quarter.

Allen started the Celtics on their roll by hitting 3 of 3 from beyond the

arc in the first quarter, while the Jazz shot just 36.8 percent as a team.

The Jazz fought back. Down 42-31 after Pierce’s 3-pointer, Utah outscored the Celtics 15-4, capped by Harris’ fastbreak layup to tie the score at 46 with 3:19 left in the half.

Andrei Kirilenko’s spinning layup started Utah’s second-quarter run, and Paul Millsap added a pair of short jumpers. But it was defense that helped Utah get back in the game in the second quarter. The Jazz forced the Celtics into a pair of three-second violations, and held Boston to 38.8 percent shooting.

Jefferson had a double-double by halftime (18 points, 10 rebounds). He entered the game averaging 23.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and shooting 55 percent in February.

16

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Sport

Lotus ‘must be ready to act on KERS’ Team Lotus Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen steers his car during a training session on February 19, 2011 at Catalunya’s racetrack in Montmelo, near Barcelona.

AFP PHOTO/JOSEP LAGO

Heikki Kovalainen says Lotus must be ready to add KERS mid-season if the lack of the device is proving too costly.

Although Lotus could have used new engine supplier Renault’s energy recovery system, it decided to focus its resources on other areas of the car design rather than dealing with the complex packaging that KERS requires.

Kovalainen backs that decision - but believes Lotus should be prepared to change it plans as the year progresses as it suffers against KERS-equipped rivals. “If that is very obvious from the start of the season, then we have to react quickly to that,” he told AUTOSPORT in an exclusive interview. “I think we need to just play

it by ear and see where we are.

“The decision was made to put more resources in the aerodynamics of the car, rather than on KERS. Of course as a driver I favour KERS, I’d rather have it because in a racing situation it’s very important, and it’s probably about 0.3 seconds in pure laptime as well. But the team decided it was more important to get

the aerodynamics right, and add the KERS later on.

“It should be a reasonably good system, because Renault had it a couple of years ago and they’ve probably further developed it now.”

The team’s chief operating officer Keith Saunt said when the car was launched that KERS had more disadvantages than benefits for a squad in Lotus’ position. “If KERS was going to get us from eighth to sixth then we’d have it,” Saunt said.

“But when you look at the weight of it and some of the engineering challenges, I think it’s a good decision not to start with it.

“We might end up with it, who knows? But if we did we’ve got a

Bahrain GP decision set for this month FORMULA 1 chiefs will decide before the season-opening race in Australia about whether or not the Bahrain Grand Prix will be slotted into the calendar later this year.

There have been suggestions that the race could be rescheduled for the end of the campaign - possibly as a double-header with the nearby Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

F1’s commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone said on Tuesday that he has agreed with governing body the FIA that a final decision on the matter will be made in the next few weeks - as he even hinted about Bahrain getting slotted into the August summer break.

Speaking on the official F1 website about plans to reschedule the race, Ecclestone said: “To do that the FIA has to change the calendar, and Bahrain has to apply for a new slot.

“The FIA World Council will meet at the beginning of March and could look into the situation. I have already spoken with FIA President Jean Todt about the possibility of

finding a new date and we both agreed that a decision has to be made before the season starts.”

He added: “If the Crown Prince is of the opinion that his country is able to host a race we will return to

Bahrain. I think the teams are sensible enough even to race in Bahrain in the summer break, and despite high temperatures, because this is the way we can support the country.”

AFP PHOTO/PHIL WEYMOUTH

A general view shows the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on February 20, 2011. The Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix, the season’s curtain-raiser due to be held on March 13, has been placed in doubt after days of unrest in the island kingdom where the army has clashed with anti-Government demonstrators.

lot of experienced people who could turn their hands to it.”

Kovalainen thinks how Lotus can progress through 2011 will be a crucial sign of its growth as a Formula 1 team.

“This is the first year where we have to develop the car all the way through the year, rather than in the middle of the year start working on another project,” said Kovalainen.

“We are not big enough to work on two projects together, so we really need to learn how to work throughout the year.

“But even with the facility that we have now and the capacity we have now, I think we should be able to do it. It will be one of the key

things to get up to speed on the development race, because if you ever want to win the championship you need to be able to do that.” He is not expecting miracles from 2011’s T128, but wants to be in touch with the upper midfield.

“My personal goal for this year is to score points for the team whenever there’s a serious chance. You’ve got to be there,” Kovalainen said.

“We’ve got to be in the [middle] group, and occasionally in some special circumstances we’ve got to be in the top 10 in qualifying in some freak races. We should finish the races on the same lap [as the leaders], and not be two or three laps behind.”