Edisi 11 Juli 2011 | International Bali Post

I

Extravagant penjor of Galungan Symbol of Bali’s prosperity dashing out

N

T

E

R

N

A

T

I

O

N

A

L

16 Pages Number 144 3st Year Price: Rp 3.000,-

e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com. http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Printer Sean Leo reads the final edition of the News of the World newspaper as the final edition of the News of the World newspaper rolls off the press at the News International print works in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire on July 10, 2011.

PAGE 8

William and Kate take in polo, Hollywood celebs PAGE 12

AFP PHOTO / POOL / IAN NICHOLSON

After 168 years

UK’s News of the World bids farewell to readers Associated Press Writer

LONDON — Britain’s best-selling Sunday tabloid the News of the World signed off with a simple front page message — “THANK YOU & GOODBYE” — leaving the media establishment here reeling from the expanding phone-hacking scandal that brought down the muckraking newspaper after 168 years.

Journalists crafted the newspaper’s own obituary before sending the tabloid’s final edition to the printing presses Saturday night, apologizing for letting its

WEATHER FORECAST CITY

TEMPERATURE OC

DENPASAR

21 - 30

JAKARTA

24 - 32

BANDUNG

19 - 30

YOGYAKARTA

19 - 32

SURABAYA

19 - 31

SUNNY

BRIGHT/CLOUDY

RAIN

HOTLINE For placing advertisment, please contact: Eka Wahyuni

0361-225764

readers down but stopping short of acknowledging recent allegations that staff paid police for information.

“We praised high standards, we

demanded high standards but, as we are now only too painfully aware, for a period of a few years up to 2006 some who worked for us, or in our name, fell shamefully short of those

standards,” read a message posted on the tabloid’s website. “Quite simply, we lost our way. Phones were hacked, and for that this newspaper is truly sorry.”

Rupert Murdoch, whose News Corp. media empire owns the paper, will arrive in London on Sunday on a scheduled visit, a person familiar with his itinerary told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Continued on page 6

‘Ram Attains Moksha’ ballet concludes BAF 2011 GOVERNOR of Bali Made Mangku Pastika officially closed the whole series of the 33rd Bali Arts Festival (BAF) 2011 in Ardha Candra Amphitheater, Bali Art Center on Saturday (Jul 9) evening. The closing ceremony was graced by performance of colossal ballet entitled ‘Ram Attains Moksha’ presented

by SMKN 3 Sukawati, Gianyar, becoming a final performance in the most extravagant annual art event in Bali. At the closing ceremony, Governor Mangku Pastika also handed over award certificates to winners of various

types of competitions organized during BAF 2011.

In his speech, Governor Mangku Pastika hoped that BAF implementation displaying a variety of various cultural presentations to really function as a reinforcement of traditional values, including a window of cultural information and medium of diplomacy for Balinese artists in preserving the land and culture of Bali. By doing so, Balinese culture could survive among the onslaughts of global culture.

Continued on page 6

IBP/Sumatika

Governor of Bali Made Mangku Pastika officially closed the whole series of the 33rd Bali Arts Festival (BAF) 2011 in Ardha Candra Amphitheater, Bali Art Center on Saturday (Jul 9) evening. The closing ceremony was graced by performance of colossal ballet entitled ‘Ram Attains Moksha’ presented by SMKN 3 Sukawati, Gianyar.

2

International

Monday, July 11, 2011

Bali News Odd Butterfly Found in Sangsit

Lempuyang Temple:

A sanctum to invoke recovery and guidance

Sawan (Bali Post) –

DEITY venerated in Lempuyang Temple is Gni Jaya posing a manifestation of Lord Ishvara.

Pujawali or temple anniversary is habitually organized every six months with peak of ceremony falling on Umanis Galungan (one day after Galungan). On the temple anniversary, sanctified effigy of the deity is enthroned in Penataran Agung Temple at Purwayu Village.

At that time, he is believed to come down and bestows his devotees. Of course, it was an auspicious moment to say prayers before his appearance.

Procession of the pujawali had took place since Thursday (Jul 7), while sanctified effigy of the deity was put back in storing chamber on Sunday (Jul 10) afternoon.

During that time, the deity was presented with ritual procession, said one of the local temple priests, Jero Gede Mangku Wangi on Saturday (Jul 9).

No fewer than 6,000 Hindu devotees throughout Bali and even from outside Bali took their time to say prayers.

Aside from begging a grace, they also invoked in order the universe could attain safety and prosperity.

Jero Mangku Wangi said outside the temple anniversary there were people coming to say prayers every day, especially on auspicious days.

Some prayed in Penataran Temple, Telaga Mas or until Pasar Agung Temple. Devotees with stronger physical and mental condition to climb could arrive in the main temple located on the peak.

In essence, this sad kahyangan temple consisted of four temple courtyards, namely Penataran Temple, purificatory rite at Telaga Mas Temple, Pasar Agung and the main Lempuyang Temple. Meanwhile, there was also storing chamber of sanctified effigy located at Purwayu Village. Right now, the courtyard of Pasar Agung Temple is under construction of widening the area.

It was said, as the abode of venerated deity, Mount Lempuyang and surrounding areas had been sanctified from time immemorial. In accordance with bhisama (religious stipulation) of elder deity, the base of Mount Lempuyang was made of gold, ruby and diamond. They were believed to be panca datu (five metal foundations) that should never be disturbed.

Currently, the evergreen Mount Lempuyang was covered by dense

Banjar Peken, Sangsit Village, Sawan residents found an unusual butterfly as it has a weird form. Besides it has a huge body, it also has a 15 cm tail and a united tail to its two wings. This was first found on Galungan day last Wednesday (6/7) in the midnight by Jero Sulaba who lives behind the Sangsit traditional market when she was about to do her prayers in a holy room. Yet when going in, something fell.

“Because it has a weird form, I then took this butterfly,” she explained last Thursday (8/7).

It is seen that this butterfly is 20 cm long, has six legs where two on the body and the others on the head also smaller. In its head it is also seen there were furs like horns. Sulaba placed this butterfly in a closely sealed container and for three days without food it is still alive. “A normal butterfly would’ve died by now as there is no air and food, yet this one can fly again,” she clarified. (kmb15)

33rd Bali Arts Festival

Complained, Artists Slept on the Floor Singaraja (Bali Post) –

IBP/File

The Hindus are praying in Lempuyang Temple forest. Other than this temple, there were also a number of temples on the slopes of mountain such as the Lempuyang Madya.

“Mountain is a sacred zone, let alone there are great temples. On that account, we must maintain the sacredness physically and spiritually. Physically, we may not damage the forest but preserve it as it also poses the source of water catchment, so that the springs continue to flow throughout the year. Meanwhile, spiritually we may not disobey the rules or provisions regarding to purities to attain safety when visiting the temple,” he said.

Aside from being covered by dense forest, the Mount Lempuyang has also become the native home to various rare species of wildlife such as black furred monkey. Population living through the most rapid growth is the ordinary monkey. Lately, this kind of monkey started misbehaving around the main Lempuyang Temple, especially when they were hungry. Every devotee must be careful when bringing luggage because the herd of monkeys had dared to ask for fodder. If there were devo-

tees bringing along with closed basket (keben) or package considered to contain food it was often grabbed. If they were not fed, clothes of devotees would be held consistently.

Jero Mangku Wangi conveyed that venerated deity in Lempuyang Temple was very generous to his devotees.

Many people invoked enlightenment or guidance if they wanted to seek knowledge, including the sacred Vedic science. Additionally, some devotees also asked for blessing such as safety and recovery from illnesses. From observation of Bali Post, a few days ago some devotees from Buleleng said prayers and waited up all the night long as well as performed clean-up services around the courtyard of the main Lempuyang Temple. The Buleleng resident said that his father just recovered from his illness without surgery.

He also got blessing whereas his father was sentenced to undergo twice surgeries. Jero Mangku Wangi added the main Lempuyang Temple had a number of shrines such as assembly hall, shrine of deity Gni Jaya, Lord Ishvara, and Tirta Pingit. (bud)

A number of traditional artists from Buleleng complained about the accommodation they got when they were about to perform in the 33rd Bali Arts Festival at Artcenter Denpasar several days ago where hundreds of them slept on the floor of a classroom with a carpet in the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Denpasar and couldn’t perform maximally due to the pains they got as stated by one of the gong kebyar players in Singaraja last Friday (8/ 7). Besides that there were also no suitable bathrooms and causing some of them ill. “There was a colleague vomiting before performing,” he explained.

This young artist admitted did not know who prepares this accommodation yet from the known budget given by the government these artists could get a more suitable accommodation before they perform.

“Artists from Denpasar, Tabanan and Gianyar maybe don’t need to stay yet we’re from Buleleng of course wants to stay first before performing the next day and the accommodation should be better so we can perform better,” stated this young artists who remains anonymous.

Gus Eka, one of the teachers in

gong kebyar for Sanggar Santhi Budaya and also who have joined also performed in the Bali Arts Festival for gong kebyar since he was little confirmed that all this time Buleleng artists performing in the Festival never got a suitable accommodation which actually it is better for the artists and for a big event like this artists should get a good support from materials and morals.

“From material until now artists got something suitable which is a stimulant fee from government,” he stated.

Yet from moral side, the appreciation needs to be increased by the Regency’s committee, community committee and the Festival’s committee too. “Such as in giving a suitable place for rest,” he explained.

This accommodation doesn’t need to be a starred hotel, yet something better than being on the floor of a campus for example, would be a good alternative for these artists especially Bali Arts Festival likes to involve many artists. “Suitable or not is relative but to me all these years traditional artists especially for gong kebyar who is the jewel in Bali Arts Festival hasn’t got its suitable resting place, food and bathroom facility in Denpasar. This needs everyone’s thought,” Gus Eka clarified. (kmb15)

z Founder : K.Nadha, z General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti z Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Wirya, Yudi Winanto zDenpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. z Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. z Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 0215357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Bali News

International

3

Monday, July 11, 2011

Creation mask amazes audience of BAF 2011 STUDENTS of Hindu Dharma Institute (IHDN) of Denpasar appeared to entertain the audience of the 33rd Bali Arts Festival (BAF) 2011 by showing off an attractive mask creation in Wantilan Hall of Bali Art Center, Denpasar, Saturday (Jul 9).

This creation mask dared to make something different with improvisation of interesting show and the use of diverse properties so the atmosphere of the play looked more alive and closer to the audience.

The creation mask dance presented by 10 dancers and 35 gamelan musicians performed the storyline of Commander in Chief Ki Pasung Grigis. It was recounted that Chief Minister Gajah Mada successfully conquered Bali in the effort to realize his Palapa Oath namely uniting the archipelago.

One of the Bali’s leading chief ministers named Ki Pasung Grigis could be detained. Gajah Mada did not want to waste the capabilities of his captive, Ki Pasung Grigis, who was famous for his supernatural power and expertise in fighting. With his expertise in political strategy and sweet promise, Gajah Mada seduced Ki Pasung Grigis to join the kingdom of Majapahit and realize the mission to unite the archipelago.

Ki Pasung Grigis approved the offer. He was eventually freed and appointed a Commander in Chief.

Shortly after the appointment, Ki Pasung Grigis was assigned to conquer Sumbawa Kingdom led by the king Sri Dedelanatha. Fierce fighting took place between both parties. Sri Dedelanatha was not willing if his territory would be annexed although for the sake of a mission to maintain the unification of the archipelago because he considered that defending his kingdom from the attack of another king-

dom was a noble act. On the other side, Ki Pasung Grigis did not give up in the effort to unite the archipelago pursuant to the mission of Gajah Mada.

The battle lasted slowly and eventually they both fall as great hero in defending their homeland and undertaking respective duties and obligations. With the defeat of the Sumbawa kingdom, Chief Minister Gajah Mada managed to unite the archipelago under his Palapa Oath.

Presentation of the creation mask was warmly welcomed by spectators thronging the area of Wantilan Hall of Bali Art Center, Denpasar. The storyline looked more vivid as supported by a complete property.

Gamelan music composition and dance movement were also very attractive, dynamic and entertaining and they could prevent the audience from leaving their seat. On that account, it was quite successful to win the heart of visitors during the last day of BAF 2011.

Dance director, Dewa Ketut Wisnawa, hoped the art of masks could obtain a place in the heart of BAF visitors. “Hopefully, the storyline featured in this presentation could encourage the spirit of patriotism, unity and integrity of the archipelago,” he explained. (wid)

Laras Durma Bamboo Accompanied Berko Arts Denpasar (Bali Post) –

One of the rare performance arts which long ago were presented in religious ceremonies also arts entertainment for the kings of the Puri Kraton (kingdom) called Berko was shown in the 33rd Bali Arts Festival by Sekaa Seni Berko from Banjar Pancadarwa, Pendem Village, Negara, Jembrana at Angsoka stage last Saturday (9/7).

Berko stands for Bero - bero Neko and consists of tabuh (instrumental gamelan) and dance accompanied by gamelan made of bamboo with Laras Durma which was made same with Pelog or Pelegongan created by late Pan Mider, I Komang Gandra and I Ketut Lasna.

Berko was created on the Gago rice season in one of the gardens of Banjar Pancadarwa. Its classic times were year 1925-1944 then never performed again until 1999 when several performance artists want to bring up this rare art from Jembrana such as I Nyoman Mawar, I Nyoman Kayun

and I Wayan Dibia.

Berko uses two kinds of gamelan, pengembat and patus, consisting of three kancilan, one undir, two kendang, one tawa-tawa or kemple, kecek, gem and a number of seruling (flutes).

What’s more, accompanied by sesendon and palawakia they performed Tabuh Pengungkab Sabda, Tabuh Pengundang, Tabuh Panyembrama and then different tabuh for different scenes of a Ramayana ballet dance danced by four people. Tabuh with great dance Dam tells the part of Hanoman who was told by Rama to search for Dewi Sita that was kidnapped

by Rahwana from Alengka Pura. Then tabuh with dance Ding tells Rama who was waiting for Sita to come which then continued with Dayang stories.

Sita was then seen happy to be back at Ayodya Palace accompanied by tabuh and great dance Condong. The last scene showing the united Rama and Sita was accompanied by tabuh and dance Baris Lepas. (bit)

IBP/File

The Tanah Ampo Harbor which is located in Karangasem Regency

Thousands of tourists cancel to anchor at Tanah Ampo Denpasar (Bali Post)— Sun Princess cruise ship carrying 2,081 foreign tourists cancelled to anchor at Tanah Ampo Harbor, Karangasem.

The ship sizing 261 meters in length finally anchored in the waters of Benoa, Denpasar.

Cruise Manager Asia of Destination Asia, Ketut Sidia Yasa, said at Benoa on Saturday (Jul 9) that the cruise ship only berthed in Bali for one day and at that night would continue the journey to Australia.

“Indeed, it was previously scheduled to dock at Tanah Ampo Harbor. However, upon consideration of the crew, it was finally decided to anchor in the waters of Benoa. This ship berths for only a day after visiting several countries in Asia,” he said.

According to him, as a tour operator in Bali, his party would invite tourists to visit a number of attractions. Among

others, his party had offered the city of Denpasar, Elephant Park at Taro Village, Gianyar, Indonesia Institute of Arts (ISI) Denpasar, Kuta and challenging rafting adventure at Carangsari, Badung.

“We had already made a schedule and classified the tourist destinations that would be visited pursuant to the need of tourists,” he said.

Further, he explained that tourist arrivals by sea showed a significant increase and all tourists were very excited to drop in Bali. “Most of these tourists are from Australia and Asian countries. They are very interested in seeing the natural beauty of Bali,” he said.

Meanwhile, General Manager of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) III of Benoa Branch, Iwan Sabatini, confirmed that previously the cruise ship was planned to anchor at Tanah Ampo, Karangasem Regency, on the same day. Actually, his party had been

preparing everything to welcome the cruise ship at Tanah Ampo.

“But after performing inspection to Benoa and Tanah Ampo, the Carnival team then decided to anchor in the waters of Benoa. In their site inspection, the Carnival team had praised the readiness of Tanah Ampo including the scenery around the harbor,” he said.

Based on scheduled arrival of cruise ship in 2012 in Indonesia, there are about 215 ships and 137,279 passengers. Meanwhile, the number of tourist visits in 2011 by cruises includes Bali reached 50,230 or 44 percent, Java (23,027 or 20 percent) and Nusa Tenggara (28,338 or 25 percent). Then cruise ship dropping in the harbor in Sulawesi reached 3,862 passengers (3 percent), Sumatra (3,862) or 3 percent and the Papua (1,350), Kalimantan (800) and Maluku (646) or one percent. (par)

4

News

Monday, July 11, 2011

International

Independent South Sudan “free at last” Reuters

JUBA - Tens of thousands of South Sudanese danced and cheered as their new nation declared independence on Saturday, a hard-won separation from the north that still leaves simmering issues of disputed borders and oil payments unresolved.

The president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, stood next to his old civil war foe the president of Sudan, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, who now leads just the north, at a ceremony to mark the birth of the new nation.

Under-developed, oil-producing

AFP PHOTO/MICHELE SIBILONI

A South Sudanese man disguised as the Statue of Liberty of the US attends celebrations marking South Sudan’s independence in Juba on July 9, 2011 as it seceded from the north and became the world’s newest nation.

Iran fires missiles into Indian Ocean Agence France Presse

Iran said it fired two medium range missile into the Indian Ocean six months ago under the eyes of “American spy planes,” local media reported on Saturday, quoting a top military commander.

“In Bahman (Iranian month which runs from January 21 to February 19, two Revolutionary Guard missiles with the range of 1,900 kilometres (1,180 miles) were fired from Semnan (central Iran) to the designated targets in the Indian Ocean,” said the unit’s aerospace chief, Amir Ali Hajizadeh said.

“This took place with the Americans present in the area ... We allowed the American spy planes to be in the area but so far they have not said anything about it,” he added, without elaborating on the missiles fired. The elite Guards wrapped up a 10-day military drill codenamed Great Prophet-6 on Wednesday, during which a number of ballistic missiles were fired.

Tehran’s archfoe, the United States, reacted by saying that “Iran, rather than getting itself back in the good graces of the international community ... seems to be bragging about its capabilities, conducting secret programmes, parading new missiles in front of the press.”

Tehran says it has a wide range of missiles in its arsenal, and regularly boasts about developing projectiles with substantial range and capabilities. Western military experts, however, cast doubt over its claims. The Guards carry out such exercises every year, particularly in the Gulf region, and Tehran insists the manoeuvres are purely defensive.

Iranian leaders, however, have repeatedly warned the missiles could reach Israeli territory as well as US bases in the Middle East.

“Iran’s missiles have a maximum range of 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles) and are designed to reach US targets in the region and the Zionist regime,” Hajizadeh said at the start of the military drills.

FILE - In this photo released by the semiofficial Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA), an Iran’s Shahab-3 missile is launched by the Revolutionary Guard, during a maneuver outside the city of Qom, Iran, Tuesday, June 28, 2011.

AP Photo/ISNA, Ruhollah Vahdati, File

South Sudan won its independence in a January referendum — the climax of a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of fighting with the north.

Security forces at first tried to control the streets in the south’s dusty capital Juba, but retreated as jubilant crowds moved in overnight and through the day, waving flags, dancing and chanting “South Sudan o-yei, freedom o-yei.” Some revelers fainted in the blistering heat as South Sudan’s parliamentary speaker, James Wani Igga, read out the formal declaration of independence.

“We, the democratically elected representatives of the people ...

hereby declare Southern Sudan to be an independent and sovereign state,” said Igga before Sudan’s flag was lowered, the South Sudan flag was raised and the new anthem sung. Kiir took the oath of office.

People threw their hands in the air, embraced and wept. “We got it.

We got it,” one man said as he hugged a woman. The presence of Bashir, who campaigned to keep Africa’s largest state united, was a key gesture of goodwill.

It will also be an embarrassment to some Western diplomats at the event. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Bashir on charges of war crimes in Darfur.

Bashir gave a speech congratulating the new country. “The will of the people of the south has to be respected,” he said, adding that both states had to maintain peace.

Israeli security forces detain an unidentified protester during a joint pro-Palestinian demonstration held by foreign, Israeli and Palestinian demonstrators in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, Saturday, July 9, 2011.

AP Photo/Oren Ziv

120 foreign activists detained by Israel Associated Press Writer

JERUSALEM — Some 120 foreign activists were being held in Israeli jails Saturday, awaiting possible deportation, after arriving at Tel Aviv’s airport over the weekend as part of a solidarity mission with the Palestinians, a government official said.

Others who managed to get through Israeli border controls traveled to the West Bank where some joined a demonstration against Israel’s separation barrier. Associated Press Television footage showed some foreign activists, along with Palestinians, cutting through the barrier’s barbed wire fence with clippers. Another protester started a small brush fire.

The Israeli military said about 150 protesters gathered near the barrier just north of Jerusalem. Some threw rocks at soldiers who fired tear gas to disperse them, the army said. There were no reports of serious injuries.

One of the activists, Michael Berg, 36,

from St. Louis, said he attended the protest but was not involved in vandalism. Organizers said a small number of the foreigners who participated in cutting the fence were among those who had flown in on the solidarity mission, while others had arrived in the West Bank previously.

The Palestinians oppose the barrier as a land grab because it frequently juts into the West Bank, swallowing up Palestinian farmland and properties. Israel says the structure, built in response to a wave of suicide bombings a decade ago, is a security measure.

Israel had previously expressed concern about the “fly-in,” saying it feared some of those trying to reach the West Bank would engage in violence.

Initially, some 600 foreign activists planned to fly to Tel Aviv over the weekend for what they said would be a peaceful weeklong mission in the West Bank. Israel controls all access to the West Bank, and those trying to reach it have to enter through Israeli-held crossings.

Activities

International

Monday, July 11, 2011

5

More accolades for Aston International IBP

JAKARTA - Despite being known for its focus on down to earth mid market hotels Aston is also repeatedly recognized for high service standards and has recently been awarded 5 Certificated of Excellence from the worlds largest travel website TripAdvisor.

The hotels recognized by TripAdvisor for getting consistent great feedback from guests are the Aston Tuban Inn - Bali, the Aston Marina - Ancol, Aston Braga Hotel and Residences - Bandung and Astons ever so popular 100 Sunset Boutique Hotel in Kuta – Bali as well as both of Astons high end Kamuela Villa resorts in Bali – the Kamuela Villas Seminyak and the Kamuela Villas & Suites – Sanur.

“To have 5 out of our 35 hotels be recognized by the traveling public in South East Asia’s largest market certainly speaks volumes of Aston’s service proposition and quality” says the groups VP Sales & Marketing Norbert Vas in a statement following receipts of the five

Certificates of Excellence. Vas also said the company recently received note of having been awarded a best smart budget hotel design award that will be announced to the public in September.

Aston entered the Indonesian market in the late nineties and has since then become the leading hospitality management company in the Indonesian archipelago offering a fast growing network of hotels, condotels, resorts, serviced apartments and villas.

Aston Hotels and Resorts currently operate under the 5 star Grand Aston, 4 star Aston, 3 star Aston City and Quest and 2 star favehotel brands but the company also offers luxury villa resorts under the Royal Kamuela and Kamuela labels as well as an eclectic selection of non standardized and unique boutique hotels.

With a proven track record of success, Aston has a very definitive vision of the future - to be universally recognized as the preferred hospitality management company in Asia Pacific.

Temple Ceremony Calendar Event for May 25 through July 8, 2011 25 May Buda Pon Tolu Catur Temple Buwana Sanding Tampaksiring 26 May Wraspati Wage Tolu Peninjoan Temple Besakih - Karangasem 1 Jun Buda Keliwon Gumbreg Pasek Gelgel Kukuh Marga Tabanan Pasek Gelgel Dukuh Selemadeg Tabanan Puseh Guwang Village Sukawati Merajan Pasek Ketewel Ketewel Merajan Pangeran Tangkas Kuro Agung Jeroan Sading Dalem Setra Batu Nunggul Swana Nusa Penida 8 Jun Buda Paing Wariga Merajan Pasek Gaduh Kayubihi Bangli 11 Jun Tumpek Uduh/Pengatag Puseh / Village Temple Batuan Sukawati Pasek Bendesa Kekeran Mengwi Manik Mas Besakih - Karangasem 15 Jun Buda Wage Warigadean Kepisah Sumerta Denpasar Pasek Gelgel Gerih Abiansemal Badung Puncaksari Penarukan Peninjoan Bangli Bangun Sakti Besakih - Karangasem Antegsari Kaba-Kaba Kediri Tabanan Pesimpangan Batur Pande Kaba-Kaba Kediri Tabanan 17 Jun Sukra Umanis Warigadean Odalan Ida Ratu di Penataran Agung Besakih - Karangasem Odalan Ida Ratu Puraus Merajan Salonding Besakih 19 Jun Redite Pon Julungwangi Panti Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Banjar - Singaraja 21 Jun Anggar Kasih Julungwangi Tirtaharum Tegalwangi Bangli Pasek Tohjiwa Wanasari Tabanan Pasek Tangguntiti Jakatebel Tabanan Pasek Bendesa Sangsit Sangsit Buleleng Dalem Waturenggong Taro Tegalalang

Ibu (Pura Kaja) Wanasari Selemadeg Tabanan Pasek Gelgel Tulikup - Gianyar Manik Bingin Sidemen - Karangasem 22 Jun Buda Umanis Julungwangi Penetaran Gana Bebalang Bangli Dalem Gede Banjar Pande Bangli Puncaksari Sangeh Abiansemal - Badung Dadia Agung Pasek Sanak Sapta Resi Gianyar Merajan Pasek Tohjiwa Tohjiwa Jakatebel Merajan Pasek Prateka Batusesa Mr. Jeroan Dauh Cemenggon Puseh Penegil Darma Kubutambahan Singaraja 30 Jun Wraspati Wage Sungsang Kawitan Tangkas Kori Agung Desa Tangkas Klungkung Siang Kangin Tampuagan Tembuku Bangli Odalan Ida Ratu Mas Penataran Agung Besakih Merajan Pasek Gelgel Petemon Odalan Ida Bhatara Bang Tulus Dewa Besakih - Karangasem 6 Jul Buda Keliwon Dunggulan Wakika Temple Kupang, NTT Agung Girinatha Temple Sumbawa Besar NTB Dukuh Sakti Temple Dukuh Kediri-Tabanan Atambuananta Temple Kutamba NTT Webananta Temple Kupang, NTT Giripati Mulawarman Temple Pontianak Mustika Dharma Temple Cijantung I Jakarta Timur Mustika Dharma Kompleks Kopassus Cijantung Jakarta Timur 7 Jul Wraspati Umanis Dunggulan Watukaru Temple Tabanan Lempuyang Luhur Temple Karangasem Kentel Gumi Temple Klungkung Pasek Gaduh Temple Umadesa Kediri Tabanan Pasek Kubayan Temple Wangaya Gede Penebel Tabanan Merajan Pasek Temple Tohjiwa Tiyingan - Klungkung Merajan Pasek Gaduh Temple Umadesa 8 Jul Sukra Paing Dunggulan Ulun Suwi Temple Jimbaran - Badung Luhur Temple Cemenggon, Sukawati - Gianyar Pasek Ubung Temple Ubung - Denpasar

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 “umbulumbul”, 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.

6

Monday, July 11, 2011

News After 168 years...

From page 1

AP Photo/Koji Sasahara

A series of photographs showing the tsunami waves hitting heavy oil tanks for the Unit 5 reactor of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex is shown on the screen as Yotaro Hatamura, second from right with glasses, chairperson of the Investigation Committee on the Accident at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations of Tokyo Electric Power Co., and other members attend the 2nd investigation committee meeting in Tokyo Friday, July 8, 2011.

Quake jolts northeast Japan, nuclear workers evacuated Reuters

TOKYO - A strong earthquake jolted northeastern Japan on Sunday, triggering an evacuation at the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant but there was no sign of further damage at the facility or reports of casualties along the coast.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued, and then lifted, a tsunami alert after the 7.1 magnitude quake which hit the same area that was devastated by a massive quake and tsunami on March 11.

Officials said a 10 cm wave had been recorded.

“The shaking lasted rather long and became gradually stronger,” an official at Iwaki City, Fukushima told national broadcaster NHK. “I saw a book shelf shaking but nothing fell off. We are advising people not to go near the coast.”

At least 21,000 people were killed or went missing during the March disaster, which also cut power to the Fukushima nuclear plant and triggered a radiation cri-

sis.

There were no reports of injuries or damage from the quake so far, national broadcaster NHK said. The meteorological agency said the earthquake had occurred at a depth of 10 km (6 miles) off the northeastern coast just before 10 am local time.

Tokyo Electric Power said workers at Fukushima had been evacuated to higher ground, adding that there was no immediate signs of further damage at the facility where workers have been struggling to build a cooling system to stabilize the reactors.

The company said that despite the evacuations, water was still being pumped into the reactors to cool

them, and nitrogen was also still being injected in two of the reactors, a safeguard meant to prevent further hydrogen explosions.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially estimated the quake’s magnitude of 7.3, but then revised that estimate down to a 7.0 magnitude.

The March 11 earthquake that struck off the coast of northeastern Japan had a magnitude of 9.0 and caused a tsunami that caused extensive damage along the coast and measured about 14 meters at the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Japan’s government has come under fire for its handling of the disaster, putting pressure on unpopular Prime Minister Naoto Kan to resign.

Buying the News of the World in 1969 gave the Australian-born Murdoch his first foothold in Britain’s media. He went on to snap up several other titles, gaining almost unparalleled influence in British politics through the far-reaching power of his papers’ headlines.

Now he is facing a maelstrom of criticism and outrage over the sequence of events set off by allegations the paper’s journalists paid police for information and hacked into the voicemails of young murder victims and the grieving families of dead soldiers.

The recent revelations culminated in the decision to close the paper and put 200 journalists out of work — but the move failed to stem broader questions about corruption at the newspaper and press regulation in the U.K. The sordid affair has played out at breakneck pace in the media and prompted soul-searching at the highest levels of officialdom.

Prime Minister David Cameron has called for a new press regulation system and pledged a public inquiry into what went wrong; the head of Murdoch’s U.K. newspa-

per operations has alluded that more revelations are yet to come.

As the News of the World’s final issue went to press, Assistant Police Commissioner John Yates expressed his “extreme regret” that he did not act to reopen police inquiries into phone hacking two years ago. In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, he said “it’s clear I could have done more.”

But Murdoch has opted to remain largely silent amid the fallout, issuing one official statement describing the allegations as “deplorable and unacceptable.”

He spoke briefly to reporters in Sun Valley, Idaho, on Saturday, where he is attending a media conference, to back the leadership of his U.K. news operations.

The final edition of the tabloid hits newsstands on Sunday, and the newspaper’s front and back pages are covered with a collage of images of past exclusives and scoops.

The front page bears an epitaph, “the world’s greatest newspaper 1843 - 2011" and a smaller headline with the words: “After 168 years, we finally say a sad but very proud farewell to our 7.5 million loyal readers.”

‘Ram Attains Moksha’...

From page 1 “Nevertheless, BAF actually has laid a strong foundation for endurance of Balinese culture,” he said.

As one of the regular agendas, said former Police Chief of Bali, BAF should continue to make breakthroughs in the management of cultural arts performance and product exhibitions of artist creativity including strategies to keep away BAF from monotonous impression.

As consequence, BAF implementation could really provide spaces for the artists to present their works of art so that people could appreciate the artistic presentation while providing a contextual understanding and educate the public on the richness and cultural diversity owned by Balinese people as well as open the horizon on the culture of the nation and world community.

“In BAF implementation, this measure needs responding by positive thoughts. By doing so, BAF can become a medium of cultural diplomacy in the context of safeguarding the civilization and culture,” he said.

Ultimate performance

Meanwhile, SMK 3 Sukawati presenting a ballet entitled ‘Ram Attains Moksha’ could amaze spectators thronging the Ardha Candra Amphitheater by a highquality of art performance. The ballet serving as the ultimate per-

formance was indeed very colossal.

The vocational high school of art led

by I Ketut Suandi Gunastra involved some 200 dancers and gamelan players consisting of students of the eleventh and twelfth grade as well as a number of teachers to support the ultimate performance. The art attraction of this academic art community also took advantage of various properties and dramatic effects to create spectacular and memorable impressions.

In brief, the ‘Rama Attains Moksha’ adapted from the Ramayana epic told about the story of Vishnu avatar in the form of Sri Ram coming down to earth to eradicate savagery. Vishnu Loka turned stifling, so Lord Brahma then sent Lord Kala to meet Sri Ram as Vishnu Avatar in Ayodya to come back to Vishnu Loka. The arrival of Lord Kala made Sri Ram aware that it was time for him to leave this mundane world.

Furthermore, the kingdom was handed over to his sons consisting of Kusa and Lawa. Sri Ram ordered maharishis, his subjects and royal servants to prepare a sacred fire that would lead him to carry out the ultimate journey. Arrival of Sri Ram in Heaven had triggered fierce clashes between peacekeepers of Heaven and Yama Loka (Hell) until causing a struggle for Sri Ram. At the end, this dispute could be mediated and resolved by Lord Brahma who then escorted the Vishnu avatar to Vishnu Loka. (ian)

International

Indonesia Today

Monday, July 11, 2011

7

Indonesia elects new chief to avoid FIFA sanctions Reuters

SOLO - Indonesia’s football association (PSSI) elected a new head on Saturday, ending months of a bitter leadership row and avoiding sanctions from world governing body FIFA.

AFP PHOTO / Bay ISMOYO

A protester from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wearing a cow costume holds a placard during a protest outside Indonesian foreign ministry office in Jakarta on July 8, 2011 where Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa and his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd were meeting.

Indonesia to resume Australia cattle imports Agence France-Presse

Indonesia will import 180,000 cattle from Australia in the third quarter following Canberra’s lifting of a ban on livestock exports, an Indonesian economic minister said Friday.

Coordinating minister for economics Hatta Rajasa said after meeting Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd that Indonesia would also improve conditions at all abattoirs in the country.

“Indonesia will also implement independent audits to those abattoirs,” Rajasa said.

Rudd said Indonesia imple-

mented its own animal welfare standards through its import permits.

“Australia also welcomes Indonesia’s statement today that import permits for 180,000 cattle have been issued as of around nine o’clock this morning,” Rudd said.

Australia on Wednesday lifted a month-long ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia and resumed the trade with additional safeguards in place to address animal cruelty concerns.

“Indonesia already has animal welfare regulations which refer to the international standards. Our importers have to meet our stan-

dards and our regulations adhere to an international standard and Islam’s halal regulations,” Rajasa said.

Australia imposed the ban on live cattle shipments to Indonesia after a documentary showing graphic acts of cruelty to cows in the archipelago’s abattoirs sparked an angry public backlash.

Live exports, which also include sheep, were worth Aus$1.14 billion ($1.23 billion) in 2010 according to the most recent figures, of which Indonesia accounted for Aus$320 million, making it Australia’s biggest market.

Djohar Arifin Husin, a former secretary general of the Indonesian Sports Committee, will be the next chief of PSSI after he defeated the other candidates in two rounds of voting.

The PSSI had been told it must hold elections or face suspension by the game’s governing body, which would have jeopardised Indonesia’s participation in the second round of 2014 World Cup Asian qualifying later this month.

“There are no sanctions so far for Indonesia. I think the first condition of the congress is in place so we can be rather optimistic,” FIFA observer Primo Carvaro, who attended the elections in Solo in central Java, told reporters.

FIFA Executive Committee member Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Asia’s vice-president on the executive, welcomed the election result on Saturday.

In a statement from Amman he said: “All Indonesians deserve to see their national team rising to join the champions of Asia and beyond.

“I look forward to visiting Indonesia in the near future to meet with the new PSSI leadership and discuss means of future cooperation to develop football in Indonesia across the board.”

Husin polled 61 votes after being backed by supporters of local oil tycoon Arifin Panigoro and army general George Toisutta.

His nearest opponent, Agusman Effendi, got 38 votes and was backed by supporters of former PSSI chairman Nurdin Halid.

Previous elections had failed amid chaotic scenes, and FIFA banned both Panigoro and Toisutta from standing for chairman because of their involvement in launching a breakaway Indonesian League (LPI) that attracted teams from the PSSI-supported Indonesia Super League (ISL).

FIFA appointed a normalization committee earlier this year to organize the election after opponents of Halid, who was jailed in 2007 for misusing funds but continued to run the PSSI from his cell, forced their way into PSSI elections.

“Now we must focus on moving forward and how to improve in the future, hopefully with support from everyone,” said Husin.

Indonesia, ranked 132nd by FIFA, have been drawn to play Turkmenistan in the second round of Asian qualifying, with the first leg to take place on July 23 in Ashgabat before the return in Jakarta five days later.

RI‘s industrial product exports projected to grow 8.3 percent Antara

JAKARTA - Indonesia‘s industrial product exports are projected to grow by 8.3 percent in each of the next five years to reach US$134 billion in 2015, an official said.

“Exports can grow at a faster pace thanks to rising investment in the manufacturing sector which will eventually boost the volume and types of export products,” Director General of International Industrial Cooperation at the Industry Ministry Agus Tjahajana said here on Friday.

In the year to April industrial

product exports rose by 35 percent to US$38.7 billion from a year earlier. The figure was expected to increase to US$98 billion at the end of this year, he said.

He said Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, China, Japan, South Korea, the United States and Australia would be potential markets for Indonesian products.

“The MP3EI (master plan for the acceleration and expansion of Indonesia`s economic development) will hopefully become the engine of the country`s export growth,” he said.

The government, he said would

make every effort to improve infrastructures to spur exports. In addition, it would also attract investment from countries producing high-technology products.

“The investment climate is getting better. What we have to do now is to improve infrastructures,” he said.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) show Indonesia‘s exports in the five months through May reached US$80.28 billion, a 33.37 percent increase compared with the same period last year. Non-oil/nongas exports reached US$64.25 billion, up by 31.31 percent.

AFP PHOTO / Anwar MUSTAFA

Djohar Arifin Husin (C), former National Sports Council secretarygeneral, answer journalists questions after he was elected the new chairman of The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) in Solo on July 9, 2011.

8

International

Monday, July 11, 2011

Bali Today Extravagant penjor of Galungan

Symbol of Bali’s prosperity dashing out Bali Post

DENPASAR - Balinese community has been familiar with penjor denoting a part of religious ceremony namely Galungan festivity and piodalan or temple anniversaries. Penjor consists of many kinds of material used as a meaningful symbol. The meanings themselves are related to contents of nature (macrocosm) and content of human petition presented to Supreme God. However, the symbol of prosperity intended to achieve a balance of all aspects of life such as Tri Hita Karana cannot have been fully enjoyed by Balinese community in terms of economic aspect. Even, it is dominantly enjoyed by communities from outside Bali.

It happened because materials used as a symbol such as young coconut leaf, tubers (e.g. sweet potatoes), fruits (e.g. coconut, cucumber, banana, pineapple, etc.), crops (e.g. corn, rice etc) and assorted snacks are dominantly supplied by regions outside Bali.

Rector of Undiknas Denpasar, Prof. Dr. Gede Sri Darma, acknowledged that penjor was made on the basis of profound gratitude for abundance of fortune. Unfortunately, sustenance obtained from nature was not sufficient to meet the needs of feast, so the remaining ones were brought in from other regions.

“Balinese community should be aware and willing to change in responding the current needs of penjor

ingredients by means of using local results. On that account, by changing the raw materials of penjor will generate the economy of Bali,” said Prof. Sri Darma in Denpasar, Saturday (Jul 9).

Meanwhile, to meet those needs, the community was advised to participate in planting quality raw materials by utilizing open land such as in Karangasem and Bangli.

“By doing so, the community could certainly use raw materials available in Bali as an expression of gratitude to Supreme God. Why should we be thankful for raw materials brought in from other region?” he said.

According to him, dominance of imported products in day-to-day life of Hindus devotees was inseparable from the sense of prestige and social status. Quality of young coconut leaf and knick-knacks of Bali could only last for about two to three days, while imported products could last much longer.

“We should be proud to have

IBP/Net

Penjor Galungan was erected during the Galungan celebration. Balinese community has been familiar with penjor denoting a part of religious ceremony namely Galungan festivity and piodalan or temple anniversaries. Penjor consists of many kinds of material used as a meaningful symbol. abundant results of natural resources.

Government should also be serious and not only be busy with themselves and willing to handle the subjects

when there is a project,” he affirmed.

Prof. Sri Darma added that there were three keys to achieve Bali’s economic rapid and even growth. Among

them, the community had to preserve Balinese culture and Balinese people should realize the cultural values of penjor and chains of social life. (par)

Bali Cocoa Conference boon to RI‘s industry THE Indonesian International Cocoa Conference (IICC) in Bali from July 7-8, 2011 is expected to have a positive impact on the domestic cocoa industry.

This belief is based on the fact that Indonesia is now producing cocoa beans in such a large quantity that it has replaced Ivory Coast as the world‘s largest cocoa producer and exporter.

The chairman of the conference‘s organizing committee, Antonius Pasaribu, said in Nusa Dua, Bali, that the 5th Indonesian International Cocoa Conference and Dinner 2011 would be held to discuss the latest developments in the cocoa industry.

The Indonesian government in mid-2008 announced a large national program to revitalize the cocoa industry, known as Gernas Pro Kakao.

Since the announcement of the Gernas Pro Kakao program, West Sulawesi Governor Anwar Adnan

Saleh expressed optimism early this year that his province was able to turn Indonesia into the largest cocoa producing country.

Anwar said the Gernas Pro Kakao program was intended to replace up to 70,000 hectares of cocoa, rehabilitate another 140,000 hectares and intensify farming on 300,000 hectares bringing the total planted area to around 900,000 hectares of productive cocoa.

The West Sulawesi governor said Ivory Coast at present was the world‘s largest cocoa producing country while Indonesia is on the third place, but he was optimistic that the latter will be the first in years to come.

“The Gernas Pro Kakao program has a target to improve the production and quality of the commodity to exceed Ivory Coast in 2014,” the governor said.

In light of this, 5th IICC organizing committee chairman Antonius

Pasaribu said this year‘s international conference, organized by Indonesian Cocoa Association (Askindo), has gained very positive response from various stakeholders worldwide.

“They will actively participate in the international cocoa conference as speakers and moderators,” Antonius said.

He added that in the conference, themed “Working Together for a Better Cocoa Future”, the participants would discuss a number of interesting issues such as the current condition of the cocoa industry, cocoa sustainability, certification, and the cocoa future prospect.

Some 80 percent of national cocoa production came from eastern Indonesian regions while the rest come from other provinces such as Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, and Aceh.Meanwhile, Aceh Cocoa Forum (FKA) has set itself a target to make Aceh province one of the largest cocoa producing ar-

eas in Indonesia in 2020.

“Such a target will be reached following the improvement of cocoa development by the people at the commodity`s production centers in Aceh,” FKA chairman Hasanuddin Darjo said on Monday.

He said Aceh has around 70,000 hectares of cocoa farm with the productive land of 40 thousand hectares.

“That is why Aceh exports around 15-20 thousand tons of dried cocoa beans to a number of countries,” Hasanuddin said. Meanwhile, Vice Minister of Trade Mahendra Siregar has ever said that Indonesia has a great opportunity to be the largest cocoa producer in the world for its ability to produce cocoa beans in large enough quantities.

He said at the time that as the number three in world‘s largest cocoa producer after Ivory Coast and Ghana, Indonesia should increase its production of the commodity.

Besides boosting the production, he said the quality of Indonesian cocoa should also be improved because the commodity had special characteristics that were not owned by other countries.

Indonesia has earlier exported about 80 percent of its cocoa beans, but with the imposition of the export tax, exports could be cut for domestic grinders.

The government hopes that in 2011 its exports of cocoa beans would drop from 80 percent to 50 percent. The government has since April 1, 2010 imposed a 15 percent tax on cacao bean exports in order to boost local processing industry and increase the added value of farmers cacao production.

About 93 percent of Indonesia‘s 1.5 million hectares of cocoa plantations are owned by smallholders.

According to the Indonesian Cocoa Association, the cocoa bean exports from Indonesia‘s main growing region of Sulawesi island increased 2.1 percent last year. (Antara)

International

Monday, July 11, 2011

Balinese Culture

Bali protested Indonesian Government policy To start cow import Antara

DENPASAR – Bali Government will protest if Indonesian Government starts to import cows from Australia because the current cattle condition is adequate to fulfill the local need. The government plan to restart the import in October 2011.

The Head of Bali Cattle Department, I Putu Sumantra, said “Bali’s Governor, Made Mangku Pastika will sent a letter of protest to Indonesian Government if they decided to restart the cow export.”

Bali will be affected the most by

the policy because it could decrease the price of the local cow. The cattle population in Indonesia is around 14.4 million and it is spread throughout the nation. According to the Sumantra, the number is adequate to fulfill the domestic demand.

He added that the government should develop the local potential and utilize the current cattle and if it is still not enough then the import can be done.

Balinese farmers are quite happy with import halt from Australia because it could increase the price of

the local cattle. It means that the hard work of the farmers in raising the cows are paid off.

Before the import halted, the cows in Bali only worth up to 17,000 rupiah per kilogram while right now, the price can be 23,000 rupiah per kilogram. Sumantra explained that the supply is enough to fulfill the demand.

Currently, the cows from Bali are being sent to Jakarta and West Java.

If the import will be restarted then it obviously will reduce the number of cows from Bali demanded by the customers.

Embankment Accommodation Caught Fire Negara (Bali Post) –

An accommodation building for the workers of embankment owned by Rudianto (73) from Denpasar in Awen, Negara located nearby the embankment caught on fire Saturday (9/7) afternoon suspected due to a short circuit of an Air Condition cable

on the back of it. Luckily there were no casualties yet its material loss predicted millions of rupiah.

Yance AT (44) with his wife and kids who lives in the accommodation was seen nearby during the incident. It was one of his kids that screamed seeing a fire com-

ing from the back of the house and so Yance tried to turn it off before it spreads by the wind. Yet he then called Negara Police and fire brigade which then four units came to turn it off taking 2 hours to make it completely gone. The house is totally burnt including its items inside it. (kmb26)

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.

C.045 ibp

Serve with plain rice.

9

10

Monday, July 11, 2011

Destinations

International

Nusa Dua Bali IBP

Nusa Dua is an elite resort area with international five star hotels and resorts existing on the costal side in south part of Bali. It is located in Badung Regency and about 25 minutes drive from Bali’s International airport. Nusa Dua with 350 ha size is the sample luxury resort area and one of best tourism places in the world. In fact, the name of Nusa Dua is coming from two small islands located in the south part of Bali Island (Nusa mean the island and Dua mean two) that is dissociated with the white sand.

Nusa Dua Area is start built in year 1974,as a result from study of French consultant, SCETO ( Societe Centrale pour l’equpeent Touristique Ouetre-Mer) in the year 1970 and also feasibility study conducted by PCI (Pacific Consultants International) year 1971-1973 for financing of World Bank aid.

The Indonesian Government has delivered this area management to PT. BTDC (Bali Tourism Development Corporation) which existing under the law and regulation of Republic Indonesia Government no.27 year 1972, on 12 November 1972.

This area owns the most complete tourism facilities in Bali and Indonesia like five star hotels, luxury accommodations, villas, convention hall, shopping center and beautiful beaches.

There are also the sports activities are available in this are like tennis court, squash and golf course. Each hotel is completed by five star restaurant facilities, bar, pub and beach activities.

International Bali Post Classifieds Contact us

... gets maximum benefits with minimum charge Denpasar : +62 361 22-5764 Jakarta : +62 21 535-6271

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

Monday, July 11, 2011

BUSINESS China June import growth weakest in 20 months Reuters

BEIJING - China’s import growth fell sharply to its slowest pace in 20 months in June in further evidence of the broad impact of monetary tightening on the economy, while a wider trade surplus suggested capital inflows will remain a challenge for authorities.

The substantial drop in June import growth, which decelerated to a 19.3 percent annual pace from May’s 28.4 percent, is bound to heighten investor concerns about how swiftly the world’s second-largest economy is slowing.

But, coming a day after data showed June inflation hit a 3-year peak, analysts took the jump in the trade surplus as a sign that China might have to raise rates further, both to rein in prices and to combat capital inflows.

“The trade surplus surged in June,” said Liu Li-Gang, an economist with ANZ. “We would interpret this to mean the moderation in export and import growth is not big enough to prevent the government from tightening further.”

“The big trade surplus means PBOC will continue to experience large capital inflows. The PBOC will have to address this inflow problem, so it’s unlikely they will pause monetary policy.”

A slew of indicators in the past few weeks have pointed to a moderation in the heady pace of China’s growth, from purchasing manager surveys of new orders to Taiwan’s exports to the mainland.

But the People’s Bank of China has made clear inflation remains a priority for policy. Most analysts agree the resultant growth from that policy mix will be slower than the near doubledigit pace of the past few years but there is little risk of a hard landing.

The government is due to announce second-quarter economic growth data on Wednesday.

“Imports were below expectations,” noted David Cohen, an economist at Action Economics in Singapore. “We are perhaps seeing some reflection of loss of momentum in China’s growth. After all, there has been tightening in policy.

“The numbers are consistent with decelerating growth, with the soft land-

AFP PHOTO

Chinese shoppers buy food at a supermarket in Hefei, east China’s Anhui province on July 9, 2011. China said its politically sensitive inflation rate accelerated in June to the highest level in three years, as the government struggles to rein in soaring food costs. ing that many people are looking for.”

Last week, the central bank raised interest rates for the third time this year, underlying the government’s confidence in the economy’s ability to cope with tighter monetary policy.

Sunday’s data showed June exports rose 17.9 percent from a year ago, slowing from a 19.4 percent rise in May and pointing to the weakness in overseas demand that has seen exports and new orders soften across most of Asia.

Exports hit a record high of $162 billion in June, while imports for the month were $139.7 billion. That left the country with a trade surplus of $22.3 billion in June, compared with $13.1 billion in May. The median forecast of economists polled by Reuters was for exports to rise 18.7 percent and imports to grow 25.0 percent, resulting in a trade surplus of $16.3 billion.

On a calendar-adjusted basis, exports expanded 16.4 percent in June from a year earlier, while imports jumped 19.2 percent, the customs agency said.

Exports rose 3.1 percent in June from May, while imports fell 3 percent month-on-month. On a calendaradjusted basis, June exports rose 4.2 percent from May, while imports fell 2.6 percent from May. China’s inflation data has become its most closely-watched indicator in recent months as investors look for

clues on whether Beijing is about to shift its policy stance after nine months of steady tightening.

The consumer price index for June rose 6.4 percent from a year earlier, slightly above economists’ forecasts for a 6.3 percent increase, with sharp rises recorded in food, consumer goods and property.

Worryingly, there were signs that inflation pressures were spreading and may persist even if global commodity prices continue to fall. Nonfood prices climbed 3 percent in their biggest jump since records began in 2002.

Analysts are concerned that record pork prices, a key driver of China’s food inflation in recent months, are also unlikely to ease anytime soon — a view shared by pork producers due to a pig shortage.

China has raised rates five times since October, alongside nine increases in the required reserve ratio for banks. Several economists think Beijing has already fired its preemptive shot at inflation and is near the end of its policy tightening.

Indeed, China’s stock market has risen and onshore swaps too have increasingly priced in chances that policy rates have peaked.

A slim majority of analysts surveyed by Reuters this week thought China would raise rates once more this year before standing pat until June 2012.

11

Jobs growth stalls, setting back recovery hopes Reuters

WASHINGTON - U.S. jobs growth ground to a near halt in June as employers hired the fewest workers in nine months, frustrating hopes the economy would bounce back quickly from a slowdown in the first half of the year.

Nonfarm payrolls rose only 18,000, the Labor Department said on Friday. It was the weakest reading since September and below even the most pessimistic forecast in a Reuters poll of economists.

The dismal report, which showed the unemployment rate climbing to a six-month high of 9.2 percent, stood in stark contrast with recent data on manufacturing and retail sales that had shown activity starting to perk up.

“This report has dashed hopes that the economy was about to accelerate again,” said Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts. “It is showing a much bleaker picture than other indicators and we must hope that it is overstating the extent of the slowdown.”

Investors, who had positioned for a fairly strong number after a bullish reading on private hiring from payrolls processor ADP, took a dim view of the report and sold U.S. stocks. Global equities retreated from five-week highs and oil prices slumped.

But prices for Treasury debt rallied on views the Federal Reserve would keep overnight interest rates near zero well into next year. The dollar rose against a broad basket of currencies as investors turned risk averse.

Adding to the weak tenor of the report, the department said the economy created 44,000 fewer jobs in April and May than previously thought.

Government was the biggest drag in June, but the weakness was widespread and could pressure the Fed to consider further action to help the economy. Officials, however, have set a high bar after completing a $600 billion bond-buying program last week.

Still, economists are holding to their belief that the economy will soon pull away from its first-half soft patch and do not see a new recession on the horizon.

Joel Naroff of Naroff Economic Advisors in Holland, Pennsylvania, noted that other recent data has been more positive. “We haven’t

seen the economy faltering further, instead we have seen the economy coming back,” he said.

Motor vehicle manufacturers are ramping up production as a shortage of parts from Japan eases and retailers reported better-thanexpected sales in June. In addition, gasoline prices have dropped 38 cents from their lofty levels in May, which should bolster consumer spending.

The employment data dealt a blow to the Obama administration, which has struggled to get the economy to absorb the 14.1 million unemployed Americans. The economy is the top concern among voters and will feature prominently in President Barack Obama’s bid for re-election next year.

Two years after the recession ended, employment is still nearly 7 million jobs below its January 2008 peak. At the employment growth pace of the last three months, it would take nearly seven years to replace the lost jobs.

The data could stiffen the resolve of Democrats to push for near-term stimulus as they seek a deal with Republicans to cut the U.S. budget deficit.

In an appearance at the White House, Obama said an impasse in budget negotiations that is blocking a needed increase in the nation’s debt limit had contributed to the reluctance by businesses to hire.

“The sooner we get this done, the sooner that the markets know that the debt limit ceiling will have been raised,” he said.

Republicans pointed the blame at Democrats.

“Today’s report is more evidence that the misguided ‘stimulus’ spending binge, excessive regulations, and an overwhelming national debt continue to hold back private-sector job creation in our country,” House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner said in a statement.

The private sector added 57,000 jobs last month, while government employment shrank 39,000 — the eighth straight monthly decline — as local and state governments continued to wield a budget ax.

Factory payrolls rebounded 6,000 after contracting in May for the first time in seven months, reflecting a step-up in motor vehicle production. Construction employment fell 9,000 last month after declining 4,000 in May. The length of the average workweek fell to 34.3 hours from 34.4 hours.

12

Monday, July 11, 2011

Entertainment

International

William and Kate take in polo, Hollywood celebs Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES — Prince William played well enough in a charity polo match Saturday to earn public kisses from his wife and then mingled with a dazzling array of Hollywood royalty eager to meet the newlyweds on their visit to Southern California.

AP Photo/Jae Hong

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge congratulates her husband Prince William, Duke of Cambridge at the trophy ceremony after his team won the charity polo match at The Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet club on Saturday, July 9, 2011 in Carpinteria Calif.The event was held in support of The American Friends of The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

At the midpoint of their tour, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wowed a crowd at a sunsplashed polo field and then swung to the glamour of a black-tie evening event that drew Nicole Kidman, Tom Hanks, Barbra Streisand, Blake Lively and Jennifer Lopez, among many others.

The soiree at the restored 1920s-era Belasco Theatre in downtown Los Angeles was organized by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, of which William is president, to promote up-and-coming British talent in the industry.

William’s wife, the former Kate Middleton, wore a flowing lilac dress with white waistband by Alexander McQueen. Fans cheered as they strode a red carpet and the couple responded by walking over and shaking a few hands.

“Before I start, I’d just like to thank Colin Firth for my opening line: I have a voice,” William quipped in brief remarks to the star-studded audience, referring to Firth’s role as King George VI in the acclaimed film “The King’s Speech.” William also urged Hollywood to em-

brace the new wave of British talent.

“Please give them the opportunities you have always extended to some of the brightest and best that Britain has to offer,” he said. “When American and British creative talent gets together, magic happens.” The guests included executives of major studios and entertainment companies along with such luminaries as James Gandolfini, Don Cheadle, Dana Delaney, Jack Black and Kristin Chenoweth.

The day’s royal events began up the coast at Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County, where William scored four goals as his team went on to win the overall polo match. The crowd at the sunsplashed Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club rushed onto the field despite an announcer’s pleas for them to return their seats, and finally security used a line of rope to push them back.

After stragglers were pushed back and decorum was restored, William’s wife, the former Kate Middleton, presented each competitor a blue Tiffany & Co. box with a white ribbon, and a big silver trophy to her husband’s team. The last player to the podium was William. When the crowd yelled, “Kiss!,” she obliged and gave him a slight embrace and a kiss on each cheek.

The return of the couple to the field restored the atmosphere. After the crowd’s rush, a fight nearly erupted when a photographer was pushed over a barrier by a spectator struggling to catch a glimpse of the royals and landed hard on his camera.

Inspired serial-killer musical mocks scary movie Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK — The 1991 classic horror movie “Silence of the Lambs” screams a lot of things. “Musical comedy” is not the first that jumps to mind. In a flourishing return to New York, Jon and Al Kaplan’s raucously funny theatrical tribute, “Silence! The Musical,” is doing all it can to change that.

The unauthorized parody of the film that made Hannibal Lecter a household name is sure to keep theatergoers on the edge of their seat, although the only scary thing about this show is how consistently amusing its goofy brand of humor is.

The Kaplans (music and lyrics) and Hunter Bell (book) lovingly, if irreverently, poke fun at everything about the Academy Award-winning movie, from its notable

leads, Jodi Foster and Anthony Hopkins — both of whom won Oscars for their roles — to its less distinguished sequel.

Jenn Harris’ exaggerated impression of Foster as Clarice Starling, the resolute but tormented FBI agent, is decadently cute and surprisingly doesn’t get tiresome, as overblown as it is. “Silence,” which opened Saturday at off-Broadway’s Theatre 80, masterfully taps into the kind of silly but raw, say-anything appeal that made the musical “Avenue Q” a big hit.

It originated as a series of songs that acquired viral popularity online. The full theatrical adaptation came later and has proven a success, although its staging displays room for development, particularly in a somewhat uneven second act that doesn’t quite deliver on the promise of the first.

In this theater publicity image released by Jim Randolph Media Relations, Brent Barrett portrays Hannibal Lecter, right, and Jenn Harris portrays Clarice Starling in a scene from “Silence! The Musical,” in New York.

AP Photo/Jim Randolph Media Relations, Carol Rosegg

IBP/afp

From left: Israeli producer Chaim Sharir, actor Sasson Gabay, director Joseph Madmony and screenwriter Erez Kavel pose before a press conference on July 3 at the 46th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) in Karlovy Vary. Israeli film “Restoration”, directed by Madmony, won the main prize

Israeli film wins at Czech film festival Agence France Presse

Israeli film “Restoration”, directed by Joseph Madmony, won the main prize at the 46th international film festival in the Czech spa city of Karlovy Vary on Saturday. A jury led by Hungarian director Istvan Szabo chose the film starring Sasson Gabai about a struggling furniture restoration workshop out of 12 movies competing for the 30,000-dollar (21,000-euro) Crystal Globe prize.

French director Pascal Rabate won the prize for the best director for his comedy “Holidays by the Sea”. US actor, screen-

writer and director John Turturro, who presented the world premiere of his film “Somewhere Tonight” at the festival, received the festival president’s prize in the city about 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Prague.

British actress Judi Dench, the “M” of the James Bond movies since “GoldenEye” shot in 1995, received the Crystal Globe for her contribution to world cinematography after the festival started on July 1.

Another star guest at the festival was US actor, director and producer John Malkovich (“Dangerous Liaisons”, “Burn After Reading”), who presented his designer collection of men’s clothing at the festival.

Science

International

Monday, July 11, 2011

13

Is ocean garbage killing whales?

AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECK

A never-before displayed Triceratops greets visitors at the all-new 14,000 square foot Dinosaur Hall permanent exhibition at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles July 7, 2011 during a press preview.

New US exhibit probes dinosaur mysteries Agence France Presse

Dinosaurs have captivated the public for decades, but a new US exhibit aims to show that there is still much about the giant reptiles that baffles experts and amateurs alike. The 1,300 square meter (14,000 square foot) gallery at the Los Angeles natural history museum is set to open on July 16 and is seen as an important step in upgrading the museum ahead of its 100th anniversary in 2013.

The gallery will feature some 300 fossils and 20 skeletons accompanied by detailed signs explaining some of the questions experts wrestle with, like what dinosaurs ate, how they reproduced and why they disappeared.

“The emphasis (is) on how do we know what we know,” chief curator Luis Chiappe, who heads the museum’s dinosaur institute, told AFP. “It’s the nature of science. We know a lot about dinosaurs, but we

also don’t know a lot about them.”

The exhibit — which uses the specimens to illustrate how scientists pose questions and sometimes answer them — is in part aimed at instilling wonder in visitors who have grown up watching dinosaurs on television and in movies.

“When you turn on the television and you watch some of the dinosaurs documentaries, they make you feel as if we knew everything about that, and that’s not the case.

There is so much that we need to discover,” Chiappe said.

MILLIONS of tonnes of plastic debris dumped each year in the world’s oceans could pose a lethal threat to whales, according to a scientific assessment to be presented at a key international whaling forum this week. A review of research literature from the last two decades reveals hundreds of cases in which cetaceans — an order including 80odd species of whales, dolphins and porpoises — have been sickened or killed by marine litter.

Entanglement in plastic bags and fishing gear have long been identified as a threat to sea birds, turtles and smaller cetaceans. For large ocean-dwelling mammals, however, ingestion of such refuse is also emerging as a serious cause of disability and death, experts say.

Grisly examples abound. In 2008, two sperm whales stranded on the California coast were found to have a huge amount — 205 kilos (450 pounds) in one alone — of fish nets and other synthetic debris in their guts.

One of the 50-foot (15-metre) animals had a ruptured stomach, and the other, half-starved, had a large plug of wadded plastic blocking its digestive tract. Seven

male sperm whales stranded on the Adriatic coast of southern Italy in 2009 were stuffed with half-digested squids beaks, fishing hooks, ropes and plastic objects.

In 2002, a dead minke whale washed up on the Normandy coast of France had nearly a tonne of plastic in its stomach, including bags from two British supermarkets.

“Cuvier’s beaked whales in the northeast Atlantic seem to have particularly high incidences of ingestion and death from plastic bags,” notes Mark Simmonds, author of the report and a member of scientific committee of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), which meets this week from July 11-14 on the British island of Jersey. How widespread the problem is, and whether it could threaten an entire population or species, remains unknown.

“In many areas of the world, stranded whale carcasses are not recorded or examined, and in areas where strandings are recorded, examination of gut contents for swallowed plastics is rare,” said Chris Parsons, a marine biologist at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

IBP/ist

Body of a dead humpback whale is seen in Omonville-la-Rogue, north-west France, a rare species to the Channel.

All polar bears have a touch of the Irish Reuters

LONDON - Scientists have found that the female ancestor of all polar bears was a brown bear which lived in present-day Britain and Ireland during the last ice age — 20,000 to 50,000 years ago.

Changes in climate affecting the North Atlantic ice sheet probably gave rise to periodic overlaps in bear habitats and these overlaps then led to interbreeding between bears, causing maternal DNA from brown bears to be introduced into polar bears, according to a study by British and American researchers.

The findings, published online in

the journal Current Biology, should help guide future conservation efforts for polar bears, which are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Polar and brown bears are very different species in terms of body size, skin and coat colour, fur type, tooth structure, and many other physical features, the researchers explained.

And in terms of behaviour, they’re also quite distinct — polar bears are expert swimmers that have adapted to an Arctic lifestyle, while brown bears are climbers that prefer mountain forests and the river valleys of Europe, Asia and North America.

“Despite these differences, we know that the two species have interbred opportunistically and probably on many occasions during the last 100,000 years,” said Beth Shapiro of Penn State University, who led the study.

“Most importantly, previous research has indicated that the brown bear contributed genetic material to the polar bear’s mitochondrial lineage — the maternal part of the genome, or the DNA that is passed exclusively from mothers to offspring. “But, until now, it was unclear just when modern polar bears acquired their mitochondrial genome in its present form.”

14

Sport

Monday, July 11, 2011

International

Venezuela lead group, Brazil and Paraguay draw Reuters

CORDOBA - Substitute Fred struck in a last-minute equaliser to give holders Brazil a 2-2 draw with Paraguay before unfancied Venezuela upset Ecuador 1-0 to go top of Group B at the Copa America on Saturday. Midfielder Cesar Gonzalez scored the goal that stunned Ecuador and put Venezuela two points clear of Brazil and Paraguay with one match to go in their group.

Brazil, for whom playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso laid on both goals with similar defencesplitting passes, took the lead six minutes before halftime at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Cordoba. Midfielder Ramires gained possession at the breakdown of a Paraguay attack and fed Ganso, who touched the ball perfectly through to Jadson and he wasted no time shooting from the edge of the area low into the bottom corner.

Roque Santa Cruz equalised 11 minutes after the interval when the Brazilian defence failed to clear Marcelo Estigarribia’s cross from the left into the middle of the box and the striker shot into the bottom corner past Julio Cesar.

Paraguay went ahead 12 minutes later when the ever-dangerous Estigarribia robbed Daniel Alves on the left of the area and squared to the middle where substitute Nelson Haedo Valdez’s shot came off Lucio but he put it away at the second attempt. Brazil snatched the equaliser when striker Fred took a perfect through

pass into the box from Ganso and fired low past goalkeeper Justo Villar.

Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino, rather than ruing Brazil’s late equaliser, said he was pleased with the progress shown by his team in a tight tournament since they reached the last eight at the 2010 World Cup. “Beyond the result, I can say that after two matches here, we have played better than in the World Cup and we have fewer points,” Argentine Martino told the post-match news conference.

FIRST GOAL

The goal by midfielder Jadson, replacing Robinho in the only change to Brazil’s side from the 0-0 draw with Venezuela in La Plata last Sunday, was the first in the group after the opening two matches had finished scoreless.

Brazil coach Mano Menezes, regretting their defensive mistakes, said: “It would have been unfair to have come away from this match defeated. Paraguay did little to beat us.

“We had two other good chances that we missed through making the wrong choice (at the finish)... The final round of (group)games has become decisive because of what (the four teams) have done up to now.” At the Padre Ernesto Martearena stadium in Salta, Venezuela footballers took another big step in shaking off their tag as a baseball nation, by deservedly beating Ecuador for only their third ever win in the competition.

“Maestrico” (Little Master) Gonzalez scored the only goal just past the hour when he fired in a shot from outside the box past static goalkeeper Marcelo Elizaga, who was unsighted by one of his defenders.

Ecuador, without Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia, who is nursing an ankle injury, squandered several chances to save the game with hurried efforts to score an equaliser. The group placings will be settled on Wednesday when Paraguay meet Venezuela in Salta (2215 GMT) and Brazil face Ecuador in Cordoba (0045 on Thursday).

AFP PHOTO / OMAR TORRES

Paraguayan goalkeeper Justo Villar (R) tries to block a kick by Brazilian forward Neymar during a 2011 Copa America Group B first round football match held at the Mario Kempes stadium in Cordoba, 770 Km northwest of Buenos Aires, on July 9, 2011.

Japan beats Germany 1-0 to make Women’s WCup semis Associated Press Writer

WOLFSBURG Germany — Japan knocked two-time defending champion Germany out of the Women’s World Cup on Saturday, advancing to the semifinals with a 1-0 win when substitute Karina

Japan players celebrate as Germany’s Lena Goessling sits on the pitch after Japan won 1-0 the quarterfinal match between Germany and Japan at the Women’s Soccer World Cup in Wolfsburg, Germany, Saturday, July 9, 2011.

AP Photo/Jens Meyer

Maruyama outran the defense and scored on an angled shot in extra time.

Japan absorbed relentless pressure during the match, gaining its first World Cup semifinal and handing Germany its first loss in the tournament in a dozen years. Standout midfielder Homare Sawa spotted Maruyama’s deep run in the 108th minute, served her perfectly and Maruyama slipped it past goalie Nadine Angerer to silence the sellout crowd of 26,067 and an expectant nation.

“I saw her running, I saw the gap in the defense and I gave the assist,” Sawa said. The 32-yearold’s field vision and precision passing earned her player of the match award. “I take my hat off to her,” said Germany coach Silvia Neid. “It is her fifth World

Cup and she still plays so well.”

Germany threw everything forward in the final dozen minutes, but it didn’t matter. As throughout the tension-filled match, the bounces didn’t go the hosts’ way. “I am so happy. We all fought together until the end,” Maruyama said. “It was not my success, but that of the whole team.”

Germany’s fear of elimination appeared to douse its creativity and the quarterfinal turned into a test of survival. In the end it was the “Japanese game” that coach Norio Sasaki promised that made the difference — one precision pass and lightness of feet outdid two hours of grinding and pushing by the hosts. Germany had not lost a World Cup game going back to a quarterfinal defeat to the United States in 1999.

Sport

International

Monday, July 11, 2011

15

Chinese fans shocked by news of Yao’s retirement Associated Press Writer

BEIJING — Yahoo! Sports’ report that Yao Ming is retiring left saddened Chinese basketball fans in disbelief. Thousands of fans flooded online forums on Saturday reacting to the news.

One wrote: “He’s China’s top athlete...it’s a pity to lose such a sports icon.”

Other fans like Liu Kan, a 28year-old security guard in central Beijing, said Chinese fans should thank the 7-foot-6 Yao for bringing a sense of pride to Chinese sports. “His retirement will be a huge loss for China since he’s one of our biggest stars,” Liu said.

“The news still hasn’t sunk in, so I ‘m in denial until he officially announces his retirement.”

China’s most popular online portals, sina.com and sohu.com, headlined the news of Yao’s possible retirement prominently on their homepages. “Declaring the

end of a Yao era,” said the headline of a sohu.com story.

Over the past nine seasons with the Houston Rockets, Yao has taken on the status of a national icon in China. He almost single-handedly expanded the NBA’s reach throughout Asia, spiking merchandise sales and TV ratings for games after the Rockets made him the top overall pick in the 2002 draft.

Yao, who turns 31 in September, has been plagued by leg and foot injuries, missing 250 regular-season games over the past six

seasons. Despite the shock, some Chinese fans felt it was time for the country next generation of sports stars to emerge.

“It’s not healthy to put so much hope on one player and China is capable of producing more talent in the coming years,” said Wang, who works at an insurance company in Beijing. “As a fan, I’m sad to hear he is leaving, but this is probably for the best.”

China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported Yao is expected to hold a news conference on July 20 to announce his plans.

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File

FILE - This Nov. 17, 2002 file photo shows Houston Rockets’ Yao Ming reacting after scoring against the Los Angeles Lakers, in Los Angeles. Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Yao Ming is retiring from basketball.

Djokovic defeat leaves Serbia tie in balance Reuters

LONDON - Novak Djokovic’s first outing since he won the Wimbledon crown ended in disappointment when he and Nenad Zimonjic failed to earn Davis Cup

champions Serbia the winning point in their quarter-final tie against Sweden on Saturday. Six days after conquering the All England Club, world number one Djokovic would have fancied his chances of wrapping up the tie for Serbia as his team

mates had won both of the opening singles.

However, Djokovic, who sat out Friday’s action with a knee complaint, and Zimonjic stumbled to a 6-4 7-6 7-5 defeat by Simon Aspelin and Robert Lindstedt in Halmstad.

Serbia’s players Novak Djokovic,

“It is incredible, the kind of match you dream of winning. We met one of the world’s best doubles players and the world’s best singles player, and I would suggest it is our best match,” Lindstedt told Swedish media.

However, he added: “This is not the environment that he (Djokovic) is used to. If I played him in singles I would struggle to get games, but we are very happy to have played

this well today and beat such a strong team.”

Serbia will now hope Djokovic will be back in action on Sunday as they need to win one of the two reverse singles if they are to keep alive their chances of defending their title.

“We are coming into the third day 2-1 up which is the most important thing and tomorrow we will try to end this tie,” Djokovic said.

right, and Nenad Zionjic, during the double match of the Davis Cup quarter finals in Halmstad, Sweden, July 9 2011. Sweden’s players Robert Lindstedt and Simon Aspelin defeated Serbia by 6-4, 7-6, 7-5.

AP photo / Scanpix Sweden / Maja Suslin

Rider Gesink’s helper Garate out of Tour Spanish rider Juan Manuel Garate, one of the key helpers for Tour de France contender Robert Gesink, has withdrawn from the race because of injury, his Rabobank team said Sunday. Garate left the Tour prior to Sunday’s ninth stage due to injuries picked up in a crash during Wednesday’s fifth stage.

The Spaniard sustained a shoulder injury in that crash but continued, only to suffer inflammation in his groin in compensating for the pain.

Rabobank team manager Erik Breukink told AFP: “Juan has been suffering for the past

few days with the pain and his shoulder, and to try and alleviate the pain he has compensated by changing position slightly on the bike. “Unfortunately this has caused inflammation in his groin. He had a very bad night and this morning we decided it’s no longer reasonable for him to continue.”

The loss of Garate is a further blow for Gesink, who came into the race with high hopes of improving on his sixth place finish last year but who has been suffering from a lower back injury sustained in the same crash as Garate.

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

16

Sport

Monday, July 11, 2011

McLaren admits it has failed to respond McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh admits his team has been hit hard by the regulation changes introduced for this weekend’s British Grand Prix. The Woking-based squad seemed to be one of the most affected by the changes to the blown diffuser rules, with Jenson Button qualifying in fifth over 1.5 seconds off pole position.

Team-mate Lewis Hamilton finished down in tenth nearly two seconds off the pace. Whitmarsh conceded his team expected to be hit by the changes, and said McLaren has probably not responded well to them. “I think we can bore everyone silly about diffusers, exhaust gases, etc,” said Whitmarsh. “The fact is that the last 18 months everyone has been working hard to develop exhaust blown diffusers.

“We’ve worked particularly hard in that area and we have had lots of twists and turns and changes, and the fact is that during the course of this weekend there have been some changes and we did not put on a competitive showing in qualifying and we know that.

“Do we know precisely why? Not entirely. But I think it is reasonable to assume that in all those changes, we haven’t been

able to respond to them or the impact on us was greater. “To go from what looked like a competitive car to what looked like a fairly uncompetitive one, there is no magic. That is what has happened. We understand that and we accept it.”

Whitmarsh is adamant that McLaren will not give up on this year’s championship, although he admitted the focus must be on trying to regain its competitiveness as soon as possible.

He added: “We suspected we were going to get hurt and based on the evidence so far we definitely have been but whatever the rules are, we will adapt and we will compete. W are not giving up, we are not going to give up tomorrow and we are not going to give up on this championship. We are going to try and win races.

McLaren Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton drives at the Silverstone circuit on July 9, 2011 during the third practice session of the of the Formula One Grand Prix.

Di Resta says the best is yet to come PAUL di Resta thinks there is even more to come from himself and Force India this season after delivering the best qualifying performance of his career at Silverstone. The Briton will line up an impressive sixth for his home grand prix and thinks that with the team’s update package now working well, there is every reason to feel even more confident for the races to come.

“It is the first time since Barcelona [where the updates were first introduced] we are back at a proper track where you rely

AP Photo/Tim Hales

Britain’s Force India Formula 1 driver Paul di Resta, center, walks through the pits after the third practice session at the Silverstone circuit, Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 9, 2011.

on the aerodynamics, and the car has worked well since we have put all these updates on,” explained di Resta. “It was difficult to gauge where we were. We knew we were improving with them and it is nice to confirm that they have worked and we are going forward.

“Coming for the Nurburgring we have some other bits coming, so it will be interesting to see where they are going to lead to. “Maybe this track suited us, I don’t really know. All you can do is go to the grip you’ve got. Even with the regulation change we seem to be very comfortable with where the car is and nothing is sticking out that is causing huge problems.”

Di Resta said that his final qualifying lap, which left him just a few hundredths of a second away from being the fastest British driver, was at the absolute limit. “Our aim and ambition was to get into Q3,” he said. “We have been relatively very competitive when we have been on track this weekend; whether it is wet or dry, and even in the morning it felt quite good.

“There was some rain interruption in Q2. My engineer was quite keen to get out early and I said no, we need to be waiting here to make sure we are out on track at the end of the session.

That is when you do the lap.

“We got through and the last lap I did on Q3 was on the edge.

There was not much else coming out of that car. It was one of those laps where you come in and are happy you have achieved it. This place does seem to develop quite a bit of commitment and, having not driven on the GP track or raced on it with the new generation Silverstone, and being in front of my home crowd, is obviously very good.” Despite earning headlines because he out qualified Lewis Hamilton, di Resta said that he did not take any specific pleasure from achieving that feat.

“I want to beat the other 23 drivers,” he said. “Lewis had a different strategy in qualifying. He went out on an old set at the beginning and maybe got caught out in the rain, but it is not for me to comment on. I just try to do the best job possible for myself.

“But you could say I would probably rather have beaten Jenson, as he only beat me by a few hundredths. So I think that would have been a better one for me, and I narrowly missed out on him. That would be the angle I would go at.”

AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF