Edisi 14 April 2011 | International Bali Post

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

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‘The Unwritten’ bridges fiction to reality PAGE 12

IBP/ist

A beautiful sunrise is seen on Mount Batur. UNESCO will send an assessor team to inspect the readiness of the people stay around Mount Batur, Bali and Kars Pacitan in Eastern Java.

UNESCO to send geopark assessor to Mount Batur Jakarta (Bali Post)-

UNESCO will send an assessor team to inspect the readiness of the people stay around Mount Batur, Bali and Kars Pacitan in Eastern Java. Both areas are registered as the goepark area.

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The Director of Tourism Destination Development in Indonesian Tourism and Cultural Ministry, Achyaruddin said Wednesday “the assessor will give assessment on the dossier we had been submitted last year and we hope that both areas can be established as geopark this year.”

The latest news from UNESCO stated that the UN department will send Prof. Ibrahim Komoo from Malaysia and Prof. Patrick Mc Keever from Ireland to Batur and Pacitan started on June 6 through June 13 2011.

Achyaruddin who lead the preparation for those two areas stated that he is quite certain that Mount Batur and Pacitan will become world geopark this year. If the ambition come true then both are could become new icons of Indonesian Tourism.

Many benefits will be gained by the country if both areas become goepark. According to him, the goepark in Indonesia will enter the Global Geopark Network or GGN so it will be promoted internationally and will attract special interest from tourists all over the world.

The registration number given

by UNESCO and the GGN certificate will make the goepark go international and besides attracting tourists, it will also attract investors to invest their money in Indonesia.

“Another benefit is that,” Achyaruddin explained “Indonesia will renowned to be committed in sustainable tourism development which is the current world issue.”

Prof. Ibrahim Komoo was visited Mount Batur in April 2010.

Continued on page 6

GSCFFI Ubud: Rise of Empu Kuturan Spirit Antara

Ubud – The Global Social Change Film Festival & Institute (GSCFFI) which will be held in Arma Museum, Ubud, Gianyar started on April 13 through 17, 2011 will increase the spirit gave by Empu Kuturan, the changes and unite figure of Hindus in Bali.

An artist, Taufik Rahzen, said “the event in coincidence fall on the moment of Empu Kuturan in Bali about a thousand years ago.”

He added that there should be another event following the GSCFFI which is “Kuturan International Film Festival.

The festival is the form of the rise of the spirit of Empu Kuturan who built Samuan Tiga Temple in Bedahulu, Blahbatuh District.

“The GSCFFI is different with Empu Kuturan but because the moment is at the same time so we will carry out the Empu Kuturan Festival next year,” Taufik said.

Meanwhile, the director of the festival, Cyntia Philips, explained that Ubud is chosen as the first host for the event is because the committee wants to make the event as a global event.

“The most important part is because Ubud has the cultural potential which is very unique and appreciate the creative spirit of every individual,” she said.

Cyntia also describe that the event will filled with film show, discussion, and movie making workshop which is focusing on girl theme.

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International

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Bali News Burned by students of primary school Meanwhile, in Gianyar the emerging caterpillars was made toys and then burned as carried out by school children of SDN 4 Taro primary school at Belong Hamlet, Taro Village, Tegallalang Subdistrict on Tuesday. The students took the caterpillars one by one when they were adhering on the wall and the school building. “If they are disturbing, they will definitely be killed by the students.

Since the condition is not so bad, then the caterpillars are still allowed to adhere on one of the trees located on the school ground,” said Hamlet Chief of Belong, Taro Village, I Wayan Reta.

He explained that emergence of yellowish brown caterpillars was just known on Tuesday (Apr 12) morning by the students, teachers and citizens. “We just received the report and we have not taken any action yet,” he said.

At present, he said, the learning process remained to run normally because those caterpillars did not enter into the classroom.

“Even if there is one or two caterpillars entering into the room, they can still be overcome,” he said.

Nevertheless, said Reta, his party did hope that local government official could intervene to do the spraying so that those caterpillars would not spread into the people’s houses. Aside from entering the school area, the caterpillars also entered into the housing complex of BTN Griya Swakarsa, Pering Village, Blahbatuh Subdistrict. “The caterpillars were adhering on the erythrina trees near the Padmasana shrine,” said I Wayan Arta Numadi, one of the occupants living in the housing complex. To anticipate their further spread, said Arta Numadi, his party along with other residents had cut down those trees in mutual assistance. “We have killed those caterpillars hilariously,” he added. (kmb26)

Many lands in Denpasar turn displaced Denpasar (Bali Post)— Denpasar Spatial Planning and Housing Services register a lot of displaced lands in the city spreading throughout 80 locations.

“The data are based on the results of data collection carried out during 2010, and we estimate in 2011 they are nearly the same,” said the Head of Denpasar Spatial Planning and Housing Services, I Made Kusuma Diputra, Tuesday (Apr 12).

He explained the lands that were not utilized by the owners scattered in the city’s main roads. Such conditions made the provincial capital as an international tourist destination looked like a haunted city. However, the bad impression could be got rid of by taking advantage of the lands for the benefit of society. “We do not have intention to take over the displaced land, but use it for a public space as stipulated in the latest government regulation concerning with the use of displaced lands,” he said.

Kusuma Diputra said the rules mentioned if there was displaced land over a period of five years then it could be used by local government for public purposes. Such utilization was executed by local government together with landowners who did not use it.

It could be utilized for a City Park or ample parking lot. “Probably, we will take advantage of those displaced lands largely for parking lot managed together,” he said.

The extent of displaced lands located in dozens of locations was quite a lot, averagely more than 500 square meters. In addition to extensive enough, some of those lands were situated at a strategic location. However, on entering 2011, there were also a small portion of the displaced land that had been sold by the owner and built by new their owners. In the meantime, I Wayan Gomudha, a Balinese spatial expert, said there were quite a lot of displaced lands downtown Denpasar. (kmb)

A man shows a tree which is filled by caterpillar.

IBP/File

Caterpillar attack increasingly widespread Now in Jembrana and Gianyar Negara (Bali Post)—

Caterpillar invasion in Bali has now been increasingly widespread. If previously they were found in Buleleng and Denpasar, now those caterpillars appeared in Jembrana and Gianyar. They were found adhering on the ylang-ylang tree near Taman Temple at Satria Hamlet, Pendem Village, Jembrana. Meanwhile in Gianyar, similar caterpillars were found in the Taro area and made a toy by primary school students before being burned.

Outbreaks of those caterpillars made local residents quite shocked.

However, a covey of those caterpillars crawling and nesting on the tree as high as 15 meters did not go into the homes of residents so that they remained calm though they worried if their number increased. Location of the trees adhered by caterpillars was right next to the wall fence of Taman Temple.

Information compiled on Tuesday (Apr 12) afternoon, the location where the caterpillars first emerged is better known as the haunted Tibu Sempit or literally means a narrow deep pool in a stream. Many people died of drowning there. The river water flows into the Ijo Gading River. One of the local residents of Satria Village, Kadek Artika, 30, residing near the Taman Temple when met on Monday afternoon admitted to be surprise when he saw the lower part of the ylang-ylang tree were crowded by coveys of caterpillars.

Moreover, those caterpillars were also seen on the twigs. Strangely, those caterpillars did not exist on the other large trees around the ylangylang tree.

He confessed to just see the caterpillars on Monday morning when he was about to go to the river. Though they only clustered on the twigs of ylang-ylang tree, the emergence of caterpillars made him and his family a little worried. Moreover, location of his residence was not so far. He also admitted if the river or pool of the river was known to be haunted.

Similar concerns were conveyed

by Moh Yasin, a resident from Loloan Barat who worked at of the bakery factories not far from the location of caterpillar discovery. He claimed to be surprised because it was the first time for him to see such an incident. Though he had long worked at Satria, he never saw such amount of caterpillars.

On the other hand, the Head of Jembrana Agricultural, Forestry and Maritime Affairs, Nengah Ribawa, accompanied by coordinator of pest organism prevention (POPT) of Jembrana, Nyoman Jana, when asked for his confirmation on Tuesday, justified there were caterpillars on ylang-ylang tree trunks near the Taman Temple at Pendem Village.

However, the population was only

about 300 to 500. Hundreds of those caterpillars only assembled on the lower trunk.

Different testimony was given by another resident living in the surrounding area, Nyoman Jana. He claimed to have come down to location and asked local resident. He got information if those caterpillars had appeared before, but the number was not so much. By and large, when they passed through the phase of cocoon, their population would soon disappear. As an anticipative measure against the increasing numbers, his party had alerted a means of spraying. Meanwhile, caterpillar population at the Satria Hamlet was not until spreading into the residents’ house.

Theoretically, the process from egg to caterpillar and then changed into a chrysalis usually lasting for a month because those caterpillars had a change of skin for five times. Jana further explained that as long as the natural process ran normally and the population of worm-eating birds like turtle doves and other species remained a lot, it was estimated the number of emerging caterpillars would not be likely to rise.

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, Tabanan: Surpi. 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: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalan Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

News

International

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Kerobokan Jail, Prisoners Sleep like Salted Fish Denpasar (Bali Post) – The jail that’s suppose to fill only 323 prisoners was instead 1,100 causing them sleeping like drying salted fishes which was found in a sudden raid last Monday (11/4) by Indonesia Republic House of Representatives Third Commission under the lead of Fahri Hamsah. “This condition is worrying. Everyone has to think of it so that the handling of detainees and prisoners can be civilized,” he explained during a dialogue at the Law and Human Rights Representative Office for Bali Province last Tuesday (12/4).

It is added, the condition is ironic knowing Bali is one of Indonesia’s window in the world’s eyes. “What if the foreigners found out that in Indonesia the prisoners sleep like salted fishes being dried,” Hamsah clarified.

The messy situation was also completed with the buy-sell of jail cells. Those who have more money would buy a better and comfortable one while those who don’t would be crowding one space. The Third Commission will suggest Law and Human Rights Ministry to see the Kerobokan Jail and supply a better facility for the prisoners. The commission also promised to coordinate with budget committee in fixing or extending Kerobokan Jail.

Meanwhile in the coming future, Police was also hoped to have done justice in the right way as for those crimes that could be finished in a family way then it doesn’t have to be brought further. Head of the Law and Human Rights Office for Bali, Taswem Tarib, welcomes well the Third Commission’s will to help. He didn’t deny if a buy-sell cell rooms are happening in Kerobokan Jail, “I will take care of this and if I fail I’m ready to be fired.”

Besides the Kerobokan Jail, the Third Commission also reminded Head of Denpasar Immigration, Firdaus Amir, to be more careful as there have been many foreigners receiving resident permit in Bali which usually can be misused.

(015)

IBP/file

The picture show Kerobokan Prison.

Spanish Found Hanging Smuggling Methamphetamine, Denpasar (Bali Post) – Cupi Bernao (42) a foreigner from Spain was found hanging in his house at Perumahan Puri Kuta Damai no. 35 B last Monday (11/ 4). The Spanish man was then brought to Sanglah Hospital’s Forensic Department Installation around 9.30 pm local time of the same day.

Head of the Installation dr. Dudut Rustyadi, SpF, stated last Tuesday (12/4) from the examination upon the body it is found there are diagonal bruise from the bottom to the back of his neck and blisters on his

left and right foot. Even though they are typical wounds from hanging victims, the death of Carlos is still waiting for its Police investigation and as his family side hasn’t come, autopsy hasn’t been done either.

Dudut explained that on Thursday (7/4) they received a foreigner from Netherlands named Lew Lou Wing (64) found dead on a road side’s drainage which suspected strongly caused by a road accident.

His bruises and blisters were mostly on the right of his body and also an open wound on his right part of the head. (san)

16 Years Prosecuted Denpasar (Bali Post) – Accused Australian Michael Sacatides (43) has been proved to have imported 1,7 kg of methamphetamine to Indonesia in Denpasar District Court last Tuesday (12/4) resulting 16 years prosecution with IDR 1 billion fine to subsides three months of jail given to him. Public Prosecutors Ketut Sujaya and Gusti Putu Atmaja explained that accused was proven to have violated section 113 paragraph (2) Indonesian Law

No.35 Year 2009 on Narcotics.

Prosecutors did not see any forgiveness over accused acts although they did think over of what could’ve lessened and burden the punishment. After listening over his prosecution, accused through his legal counsel Erwin Siregar will plea.

“The prosecution were too vague, many facts from the trial are being ignored,” Siregar explained.

Sacatides was captured when he arrived in Ngurah Rai Airport’s ar-

rival gate from Bangkok at 1st October 2010. When passing by X-Ray security check, there was a suspicious illegal item inside the black luggage he brought. After checked by ion-scan, 40 percent of the luggage contained methamphetamine.

The workers then open up the luggage and confiscated four packets of it weighing each 410.19 grams, 307.34 grams, 358.13 grams and 594.16 grams, totalling 1,699.82 (015)

REI Built First Integrated Settlement in Bali Denpasar - Region Coordinator Council (DPD) of Indonesia Real Estate (REI) Bali had pioneering cooperation with Tabanan Government to build first integrated settlement in Bali. “We are still pioneering integrated settlement in Tabanan Regency,” said Wayan Suantra, the head committee of Musda VII REI Bali after he met

Denpasar City Secretary AA Rai Iswara on Tuesday.

He said the building plan is still in reviewing process with regency government. The review process needed longer moment. Because of it Suantra could not ensure when the plan realizes as well the housing unit building process. “The integrated settlement needs good review in ac-

cord with local government policy and local wisdom so it will not emerge problems in the future,” said him.

This integrated settlement aiming to realize integrated housing area in Bali. He explained if this integrated settlement later is not only a housing area but it also contains education facilities, social, and government facili-

ties in a certain area. While the Musda implementation takes place on April 13-14, it will discuss four major problems such as infrastructure support, tax, expense in housing sector, and the settlement development.

Besides the four majors, in this Musda VII event also will hold new coordinator election of DPD REI Bali. But Suantra did not want to give

information about the chairman candidate because REI management is prioritizing deliberation and consensus. REI is a nationwide association of companies that based on same business, activity, and profession in building sector and housing management like office, shops, resort, and other real estate services.

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News

Thursday, April 14, 2011

International

Bibi Netanyahu-Justin Bieber meeting called off Israel finds itself rattled on several fronts these days: Hamas rocket attacks in Gaza have increased, Arab unrest could test several key regional alliances, and Palestinian leaders plan to seek statehood recognition at the United Nations in September. So Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did what any other world leader wrestling with mounting diplomatic pressures would do: He decided to meet Justin Bieber.

In a bid to put Israel firmly on the popcult radar and bolster slumping national morale, Netanyahu had agreed to some quality time with the Canadian tween heart-throb who is in Israel this week to give a concert.

Alas, however, political concerns once again stymied plans for the pop-PM summit. The meeting, which had been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday evening, came

apart after Bieber declined an idea by the prime minister’s office to include Israeli children victimized by the recent round of Hamas rocket attacks in the event. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports, citing Israel’s Channel 2: The prime minister was scheduled to host the young singer at his office in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, before Bieber’s Thursday night concert.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, gives a speech during his meeting with EU ambassadors in Jerusalem, Monday, April 11, 2011. Netanyahu on Monday accused the international community, “people with good intentions,” he called them, of putting peace even further out of reach by telling the Palestinians they don’t have to negotiate.

AP Photo/Yin Dongxun, Pool

Zapatero rules out new moves to cut Spain deficit Agence France Presse

AFP PHOTO / Frederic J. BROWN

Spain’s Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero gestures during a press conference at the Spanish embassy in Beijing on April 13, 2011.

BEIJING – Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Wednesday ruled out new budget cuts to help reduce his country’s public deficit, after winning China’s renewed support for buying Spanish debt. Spanish and Chinese firms signed deals worth about one billion euros ($1.4 billion) during Zapatero’s lightning visit to Beijing, aimed at securing fresh investment to shore up Madrid’s embattled economy.

“There are no new plans on the horizon to have to take any new (deficit reduction) measures. None,” Zapatero said. “The government hopes to push through new stimulus measures,” the prime minister said, insisting that his administra-

tion would see through those reforms already undertaken and would not “lower its guard”.

Zapatero’s socialist government has slashed spending and passed pension reforms in its effort to reassure markets worried that Spain’s public deficit is unsustainably high. It has also reformed the labour market in an attempt to revive the economy and fight an unemployment rate of just over 20 percent, the highest in the industrialised world.

The country’s central bank estimated late last month that Spain’s public deficit will be equal to 6.2 percent of gross domestic product this year before falling to 5.2 percent on 2012. The government itself predicts the deficit will hit 6.0 percent in 2011 and 4.4 percent next year, a sharp im-

provement but still well above the European Union’s 3.0 percent ceiling.

“The Spanish economy is still in a difficult situation requiring the pursuit of ambitious and demanding policies to correct the fiscal imbalances, while pressing ahead with structural reforms conducive to growth and with the restructuring and recapitalisation of the banking system,” the bank said.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday in a meeting with Zapatero that Beijing was ready to buy more Spanish government debt and invest in the restructuring of the savings banks — crucial support for Madrid’s efforts.

Zapatero, who headed from Beijing to Singapore on Wednesday, is seeking new investments to shore up Spain’s economy as it tries to avoid a crisis in refinancing and raising new debt.

Evacuees slam Japan nuclear plant operator Associated Press Writer

TOKYO – Angry residents forced from their homes near Japan’s tsunami-stricken nuclear power plant gathered in protest at the Tokyo headquarters of the plant’s operator Wednesday, demanding compensation as the company’s president pledged to do more to help those affected by the crisis.

“I can’t work and that means I have no money,” said Shigeaki Konno, 73, an auto repair mechanic, who lived seven miles (11 kilometers) from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant before he was evacuated along with tens of thousands of others due to radiation fears.

“The talk about compensation is not concrete. We need it quickly.”

The protest by about 20 small business owners from communities near the plant reflects growing public frustration with Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s handling of the nuclear crisis that erupted when a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake on March 11 wrecked its cooling systems and backup generators.

TEPCO’s president, Masataka Shimizu, and other company executives bowed in apology, once again, on Wednesday, after Shimizu pledged to do more to help compensate residents unable to return home or work due to the accident. Cash payments are being “readied as soon as possible,” Shimizu said.

He said the company “will do our utmost” to get the plant’s reactors under control and curb radiation

leaks that prompted the government to revise its rating of the incident to the worst possible, on a par with the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

TEPCO manager Kensuke Takeuchi told Konno and the other protesters the company was not yet prepared to give any money, but he promised to convey their demands to higher level management.

“You are eating a warm meal every day,” said Konno, complaining that the two pieces of bread provided daily at the evacuation center where he is staying were not fit to be fed to dogs.

“I am not asking for anything more than I am entitled to. I just want my due,” said Ichijiro Ishikawa, 69, a construction worker who lived eight miles (13 kilometers) from the plant.

Graphic on recovery work at the stricken Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant in Japan.

International

Activities

Thursday, April 14, 2011

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Hotel Tugu Bali and Alliance Française present ‘French Stories’ IBP

Hotel Tugu Bali is opening its grand doors once more and invites Bali’s Jazz lovers to the intimate Bali Agung lobby to prepare for an unforgettable night of silky jazz sounds and contemporary grooves.

In collaboration with the global institute and non-profit organization ‘Alliance Française’ Tugu Bali presents the most recent acoustic project, ‘FRENCH STORIES’ from renown pianist Cedric Hanriot, that includes original compositions and well-known pieces from the history of Chanson Française and composers and singers such as Brel, Ferre, Gainsbourg, Aznavour, Piafall presented in a contemporary jazz style encompassing the styles of ambient groove, jazz, world music and hip-hop.

The art of enjoying fine dining with superb music are occasions long established by the boutique Hotel Tugu Bali. Well known for their exclusive line-ups, these events bring together music-minded people, international stars including Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto, pianist Boris Kraljevic, guitarist Louis Bertignac and Hip-Hop artist N’Dea Davenport have all performed memorable shows at Tugu Bali.

Cedric Hanriot, a professional music graduate from Berkley, has performed at many prestigious venues worldwide including the Iridium New York, the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the International Jazz Soloist Contest in Monaco and the Universal Exposition 2010 in Shanghai. For his latest project ‘FRENCH STORIES’, Cedric’s fellow musicians at this event will be Gautier Garrigue on the drums and Bertrand Beruard on the bass.

Hotel Tugu Bali is famed for its extensive collection of arts and antiques and its support of the preservation of cultural heritage in Indonesia. By creating a venue for the very best of East and West this glamorous jazz and dinner event promises to be an unforgettable night of art, music and romance.

Temple Ceremony Calendar Event for March 21 through April 23, 2011 21 Mar Betara Turun Kabeh Ceremony Besakih - Karangasem Bukit Jati Temple Bangli Batur Temple Kalanganyar - Bangli Masceti Pejengaji Temple Tegallalang - Gianyar Dalem Temple Tangsud,Sukawati - Gianyar Penambangan Badung Temple Denpasar Lempuyang Madia Temple Karangasem Batur Temple Bangli Desa Temple Singakerta,Ubud - Gianyar Pasek Gelgel Temple Marga - Tabanan Gaduh Temple Ketapian, Sumerta - Denpasar Pasek Bendesa Temple Tuakilang - Tabanan Pasek Agung Temple Tatag Kelod,Peguyangan Denpasar Agung Pasek Bendesa Temple Tonja - Denpasar Pasek Gegel Angsri Temple Baturiti - Tabanan Pasek Gelgel Baleagung Temple Braban - Tabanan Dukuh Sakti Belatung Temple Timpag,KerambitanTabanan Puseh Dukuh Sakti Belatung Rendang - Karangasem Pitamaha Temple Palangkaraya - Kalimantan Tengah Candra Praba Temple Komplek Polri,JelambarJakarta Barat Agung Jagatnatha Temple Denpasar Pemerajan Agung Temple Puri Petak - Gianyar Dadya Agung Bendesa Tangkas Abiansemal - Badung Puseh Temple Sidemen - Karangasem Agung Giri Natha Temple Semarang - Center of Java 2 April Puseh Temple , Village Temple Sukawati Gianyar Pasek Gelgel-Bebetin Temple Sawan Buleleng Maspahit Temple Sesetan Denpasar Pasek Bendesa Manik Mas Tegallalang Gianyar Panti Pasek Gaduh Temple Sesetan - Denpasar Pedarman Arya Kanuruhan Temple Besakih Karangasem 5 April Kahyangan Tiga Temple Batur Kintamani - Bangli Batur Temple Camenggaon, Sukawati Gianyar

Luhur Bhujangga Temple Canggu,Kuta Badung Kawitan Kayu Selem Temple Batur, Kintamani Bangli 12 April Puseh Temple , Desa Temple Gianyar Luhur Dalem Segening Temple Kediri Tabanan Sanghyang Tegal Temple Taro,Tegallalang Gianyar 16 April Dalem Tarukan Temple Cemenggon, Sukawati-Gianyar Penataran Dalem Ketut Temple Pejeng Kaja Gianyar Puseh Manakaji Temple Peninjoan - Bangli Kawitan Gusti Celuk Temple Mengwi Badung 20 April Segara Temple Lombok Island Dwijawarsa Temple Malang East Java Puncak Tinggah Temple Baturiti Tabanan Kawitan Batur Pande Tonja Temple Tonja - Denpasar Penyungsungan Pasek Tohjiwa Wanagiri,Selemadeg Tabanan Penataran Agung Temple Sidemen Karangasem Samuan Tiga Temple Bedulu Gianyar Kawitan Jati Luwih Bhujangga Jatiluwih Tabanan 21 April Dalem Taman Temple Peguyangan Denpasar 23 April Puri Agung Dalem Tarukan Pejeng,Tampaksiring Gianyar Rambut Siwi Temple Jembrana Batu Bolong Temple Canggu,Kuta Badung Pasek Temple Klaci,Tabanan Agung Pasek Temple Dauh Waru - Jembrana Ratu Pasek Temple Sangsit Buleleng Pasek Tangkas Temple Gede Tabanan Pedharman Batur Sari Ngiis Temple Jegu,Penebel Tabanan Desa Temple Banyuning Buleleng Srijong Temple Tabanan Puncak Mundi Temple Klumpu,Nusa PenidaKlungkung

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.

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

News

Briton in Australia-India rowing bid Agence France Presse

SYDNEY – A British rower who has paddled across some of the world’s biggest seas to raise environmental awareness left Australia Wednesday hoping to cross the Indian Ocean and complete a personal hat-trick. Roz Savage, 42, set off from the western Australian city of Fremantle bound for Mumbai’s Gates of India monument, an epic 6,500 kilometre (4,000 mile) journey that will take between five and six months.

Savage has already crossed the Pacific and Atlantic oceans solo in her 23-foot (seven-metre) rowboat, dodging fierce storms and neardrownings.

The Indian Ocean voyage — her longest single row to date — will cap the “Big Three”. The keen environmental campaigner hopes to raise money and awareness about ocean pollution. “It’s mostly a question of holding it together mentally, staying reasonably happy and focused and just keep sticking the oars in the water,” Savage told reporters ahead of her departure.

“It sounds pretty straightforward but 12 hours of rowing a day can be a little bit challenging at times.” She

will subsist on freeze-dried meals and nuts and convert saltwater into drinking water with a miniature desalination plant on board.

Savage had originally planned to make her way to Zanzibar, off eastern Africa, but said escalating piracy had forced her to rethink the route. She will update her blog regularly but will not be publishing exactly where she is in order to elude the pirates.

“I’m trying to get the message out there that we need to take better care of the earth if we’re going to have a long-term and healthy future as a species,” Savage said. “It’s not just about raising awareness, but to take some action too.”

AFP PHOTO / ROZSAVAGE.COM / BIRDSEYE VIEW PHOTOGRAPHY

This photo taken on April 13, 2011 shows British rower Roz Savage, 42, setting off from the Western Australian city of Fremantle, bound for Mumbai’s Gates of India monument, an epic 6,500 kilometre (4,000 mile) journey that will take between five and six months.

Egypt’s Mubarak detained, army wins protest respite Reuters

CAIRO – Hosni Mubarak was ordered detained for 15 days on Wednesday, winning the ruling army generals a respite from protests by quashing suspicions that they were shielding their former commander from investigation.

Mubarak, driven from presidential office on February 11 by mass demonstrations against his 30-year rule, was admitted to hospital on Tuesday suffering what state media called a “heart crisis.” Reports conflicted on the seriousness of his illness.

The public prosecutor had summoned and questioned Mubarak over the killing of protesters, embezzling of public funds and abuse of power. More than 380 protesters were killed in 18-days of demonstrations that led to Mubarak’s

UNESCO From page 1 The government had analyzed some area to be the geopark but Mount Batur and Kars Pacitan are chosen is because both of them

downfall.

“Former President Hosni Mubarak was detained for 15 days for investigation,” state television reported. It said his two sons, Alaa and Gamal, have also been questioned as part of the probe and ordered detained. In his first public comment since stepping down, broadcast on Al Arabiya on Sunday, Mubarak denied wrongdoing.

An army helicopter landed near Mubarak’s hospital in Sharm elSheikh on Wednesday to take the former president to Cairo, Al Jazeera reported. One security source told Reuters that Mubarak could be moved to Cairo or the outskirts to assist the probe. There was no official confirmation. Another security source earlier said Mubarak was expected to stay in Sharm elSheikh.

The official news agency also said it was not yet determined where Mubarak would be taken. It reported heavy security around the hospital in the Red Sea resort.

The source said Mubarak’s sons were taken to a prison on the outskirts of Cairo, joining a list of exministers and officials under investigation and held in the same jail.

Gamal, 47, Mubarak’s younger son, held a top post in the ruling party. Many Egyptians believed he was being groomed for top office, although both father and son denied any such plan.

“This is a serious step forward in holding the president accountable and ends any suspicion that the state and the military were in cahoots with Mubarak,” said Hassan Nafaa, a political scientist and activist for reform.

have the unique earth structures at international level and they can be developed into tourism destination with can compete internationally.

In addition to those points above, there are also the support

by the locals and the local government which are very active in to make both areas as geopark.

The road leading to the areas are very adequate and that is another extra value of Mount Batur and Kars Pacitan.

(010)

Bomber kills 10 in Afghan gathering in east Reuters

ASADABAD, Afghanistan - A suicide bomber killed ten people in an attack on Wednesday on a gathering of tribal elders in Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar province, a volatile area where insurgents have gained ground in recent months. The attack took place in Asmaar district when elders from two tribes, some of them former warlords, were meeting to resolve a dispute, provincial police chief Khalilullah Ziaee said.

The suicide bomber blew himself up in the middle of the group, targeting former mujahideen commander Mohammad Zarin, who died along with nine others. At least seven people were wounded, Ziaee said.

Zarin fought the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan during the 1980s, before the fall of the Moscow-backed Kabul government.

Violence in Afghanistan last year

reached the highest levels since the austere Taliban government was overthrown by U.S.-led Afghan forces in late 2001, with record casualties on all sides.

The number of civilians killed in Afghanistan in 2010 rose 15 percent from the previous year to 2,777, according to the United Nations, with insurgents responsible for around three-quarters of those deaths.

Kunar shares a long and porous border with lawless areas of neighbouring Pakistan which insurgents use as a safe haven to gather their forces and from which to launch attacks against Afghan government and its Western backers.

Last week, Afghan officials said a joint operation by Afghan and NATOled forces killed around 130 militants in two districts of Kunar. The Taliban still controls another district in the province they overran weeks ago.

Belarus says detains first bombing suspects Reuters

MINSK - Belarus has detained the first suspects in the investigation into a bomb explosion at a metro station and they almost certainly include the person who carried out the attack, the state prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday. A total of 12 people were killed and about 200 injured in the explosion on April 11 at a central metro station in the capital Minsk.

“The first suspects in the blast case have been detained,” Pyotr

Kiselyov, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office, said. “One of the detained is most likely to be the perpetrator (of the bombing), he said. He did not say how many people had been held or provide any other details.

Separately, a law enforcement source told Reuters that two persons had been detained and at least one of them was a Belarussian citizen. The April 11 blast, described by prosecutors as “an act of terrorism”, was the first such attack of its kind in the heavily policed ex-Soviet state.

International

Indonesia Today

Thursday, April 14, 2011

7

Government allocates Rp450 billion for airport railway‘s land acquisition Antara FOTO ANTARA/Widodo S. Jusuf

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (right) speak with Coordinating Minister of Politic and Security Djoko Suyanto. The Indonesian government will act soon in releasing the 22 Indonesian sailors held hostage by Somali pirates aboard MV Sinar Kudus in the Somali waters since March 16, 2011.

Government to act fast over hostage taking Antara

JAKARTA - The Indonesian government will act soon in releasing the 22 Indonesian sailors held hostage by Somali pirates aboard MV Sinar Kudus in the Somali waters since March 16, 2011.

“The government is obliged to ensure the immediate release of our citizens. Therefore, various options and policies have been chosen to do so,” Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said on Tuesday.

Somali pirates, who hijacked the MV Sinar Kudus off the coast of East Africa on its voyage to Holland, demanded a US$2.6 million ransom for the release of the ship and crew, but then they raised the ransom demand to US$3.5 million and then again to US$9 million. The shipment itself is valued at US$1.4 trillion.

Since the Sinar Kudus owned by PT Samudera Indonesia was hijacked and its crew members were taken hostage by the Somali pirates, the government has prepared a number of steps including continued contact with the ship‘s owner. The hijacked “Sinar Kudus” ship is now located half a mile from Somali‘s coastline.

“Various options have been discussed. There has been communication between the ship`s owner and pirates. The ship`s owner is in constant contact with the government.

We do hope the problem can be resolved as soon as possible,” the foreign minister said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday said the government would take all possible option to release the Indonesian sailors. He asked the people to support and give its trust to the government to overcome the hostage-taking drama in Somalia.

“All possible ways and options will be taken into account by the

government but we cannot explain all of them to the public because it deals with the security and safety of the 20 Indonesian sailors who are being held hostage by the Somali pirates,” President Yudhoyono said when chairing a cabinet meeting at his office on Tuesday.

According to Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, the government is preparing a number of options but not all of the options could be made public for the sake of the sailors‘ safety.

Deputy chairman of Commission I of the House of Representatives in charge of defense, security and foreign affairs Tubagus Hasanuddin forwarded four alternatives in freeing the 22 Indonesian crew members held by pirates in Somalia.

“The first alternative would be direct negotiations with pirates on the ransom,” he said here Tuesday.

The second he said by way of the local authorities, in other words involving a third party. “The third would also be a third party as mediator and the fourth by force by deploying commandos,” the former general who turned politician said.

Of the four alternatives, Tubagus Hasanuddin said the second would be rather difficult to realize, because the Somali government authorities lack effectiveness and it would also be difficult to resort diplomatic means with Somalia.

Political Research Director of the Center for Indonesian National Policy Studies (CINAPS) Guspiabri Sumowigeno supported the fourth alternative. He said the Indonesian government could use a military force to face the Somali pirates.

“So far, we have been staying silent and passive regarding pirates.

We act only when there are our nationals who become victims,” said Guspiabri.

He said that Indonesia did not

need to maintain its passive attitude because it was not in line with its profile which was increasingly become high in the global constellations. After all, the international geopolitical landscape has changed and Indonesia as one of the big developing countries is expected to play a bigger and concrete role.

Basically, no matter whether it is the military option or diplomatic one that should be taken, the important thing is to release the hostages immediately. This has become the government‘s determination.

Therefore, the government will take fast steps. “The government will take faster steps to solve the problem,” Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad told a dialog meanwhile. He said he was not the correct person to discuss with the public the various steps to be taken by the government.

Yet, he said, President Yudhoyono has held several meetings to discuss solutions to the hostage taking of the Indonesian nationals by the Somali pirates. And in this case, there have been a number of steps that would be taken by the government immediately.

Earlier in the day, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto told a press conference at the Presidential Office that the government had directly prepared steps since it was informed of the hostage taking incident. The government in taking the steps will give priority to the safety of the Indonesian sailors.

“Since receiving a report on the hijacking, the government has been doing its best. The president held meetings to discuss efforts with the relevant ministers, such as the chief security minister, foreign minister, the National Intelligence chief and police,” said Djoko.

JAKARTA - The government has allocated Rp450 billion for the acquisition of land needed to build the Manggarai-Soekarno Hatta airport railway.

“The funds are available in the transportation ministry,” Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, said here Wednesday.

Minister Hatta instructed that the plan for the railway project be completed immediately.

“We ask for the immediate completion, then the design and land acquisition should be dealt with in the near future,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo hoped that the Bill on Land Acquisition for Public Interests could be passed into law to help support the development of infrastructure projects.

After attending a coordinating meeting at the economic affairs coordinating ministry here Wednesday Governor Fauzi said the ManggaraiSoekarno Hatta airport railway project was still facing land acquisition problems.

“Regarding land acquisition, we

have not reached a deal yet, but we have prepared the route alignment,” Fauzi Bowo said regarding a plan to build a railway connecting the Manggarai railway station and Soekarno Hatta airport.

The train could take the Bukit Duri and Pluit routes, he said.

In addition to the Manggarai rail project, the coordinating meeting also discussed the Metropolitan Priority Area (MPA) project to be funded by Japan. The basic element has been discussed since last March, and will be continued until May through an advisory committee meeting, according to the governor.

Jakarta currently has many infrastructure projects, and in principle the MPA should not hamper the other ongoing projects, he said.

“The projects should be incorporated and integrated including with the development of special economic zones,” he said.

President opens tripartite cooperation agency consultation meeting Antara

JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono opened the National and Regional Tripartite Cooperation Agency consultation meeting at the State Palace here on Wednesday.

“I find this tripartite meeting important because a lot of problems can be solved through the Tripartite Cooperation Agency (LKS Tripartite),” President Yudhoyono said in his opening address.

The head of state then called on related ministers and governors to actively cooperate and coordinate in making the Tripartite Cooperation Agency to function effectively.

President Yudhoyono said the

LKS Tripartite should be supported so that it could optimally implement its role in providing the government with inputs for the solution of labor problems. The LKS Tripartite, according to the president, is an important element to achieve the twin goals of the business world namely the improvement of labor welfare and business development.

According to the president, the contribution from the government, business world, and the working group has successfully reduced the impact of 2008 global crisis.

He added that the cooperation has been able to reduce lay-offs in Indonesia. Preventing lay-offs is one of seven steps to overcome the impact of global financial crisis.

8

Internationa

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Bali Today Aussie facing 16 years in Bali prison Bali prosecutors are seeking a 16-year sentence for Michael Sacatides, an Australian accused of smuggling 1.7kg of methamphetamine.

Michael Sacatides, 43, was arrested at Bali’s international airport on October 1 last year when customs officers allegedly found 1.7kg of the drug, known as ice, concealed in his luggage after he arrived on a flight from Thailand.

Sacatides had been facing the prospect of a possible death sentence but prosecutors in the Denpasar District Court on Tuesday instead sought a sentence of 16 years.

In requesting the sentence, prosecutor Ida Bagus Atmaja told the court that the alleged attempt by Sacatides to import the substance into Bali had damaged government efforts to combat drug abuse and had also tarnished the image of Bali as a tourist destination.

However, Atmaja added that because Sacatides had no prior convictions this worked in his favour in terms of the sentence being sought.

Atmaja also requested that time already served be taken into consideration and that Sacatides be allowed to have his sentence reduced by another three months if he pays a fine of one billion Indonesian rupiahs (about $A110,500).

But defence lawyer Erwin Siregar questioned the sentence request, saying the prosecution had failed to prove the drugs belonged to Sacatides.

‘Based on facts revealed in the trial, the owner (of the drugs) has never been

proven,’ Siregar said.

‘That there’s such drugs entering Indonesia from Thailand, there is. But the owner was never revealed.’

Sacatides, a kickboxing trainer from Sydney’s west, has always maintained his innocence, claiming he had no idea the drugs - worth an estimated $A390,000 - were in the suitcase he was carrying when he arrived in Bali.

He told investigators at the time of his arrest that he had borrowed the luggage from an Indian associate, Akaleshi Tripathi, whom he knew from Bangkok, where he had been living and working for almost two years.

Tripathi, alias Peter, has never been located.

The defence will be given an opportunity to respond to the prosecution’s request when the trial resumes on April 19, before the judges de-

liver their decision, which is likely to come within weeks.

Under the Indonesian court system, prosecutors make their sentence request before the defendant is found guilty or acquitted.

If convicted, Sacatides will join other Australians serving time in Kerobokan Prison, including three members of the Bali Nine who are on death row.

Scott Rush, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are facing the death penalty for their part in a 2005 attempt to smuggle more than 8kg of heroin from Bali to Australia.

Another six members of the so-called Bali Nine are serving sentences of between 20 years and life in prison, while the Gold Coast’s Schapelle Corby is serving 20 years for smuggling more than 4kg of marijuana into Bali in 2004.

Calonarang: The King, the Witch and the Priest At the beginning of 7th century, a Balinese prince becomes the king of Java, the great Erlangga.

His mother, Mahendradatta, was a Javanese princess who ruled Bali with her Balinese husband, Dharmodayana, until the husband, suspecting her of practicing evil magic, exiled her to the forest.

When Erlangga’s father died, leaving Mahendradatta as a rangda or a widow, she conspired to use her band of pupils trained in the black arts to destroy Erlangga’s kingdom. Her chief grudge against Erlangga because of fancied insults to her beautiful daughter, Ratna Menggali – the noblemen of Daha had refused her in marriage for fear of her mother’s evil reputation.

Calonarang (Erlangga’s mother who practising evil magic) went with her pupils to the cemetery and they prayed and danced in honour of Begawati, the deity of black magic, to help them destroy Daha.

The goddess appeared and danced with them, granting her permission, warning the witch, however, to preserve the center of the kingdom untouched. The witches danced at the crossroads and soon people fell in great numbers.

Discovering the cause of the epidemic, Erlangga ordered his soldiers to go and kill the witch. They stole into her house while she slept and stabbed her in the heart, but Calonarang awoke unhurt and consumed the daring soldiers with her own fire.

The witch went once more into the cemetery and danced with her pupils, dug out corpses, cutting them into pieces, eating the members, drinking the blood, and wearing the entrails as necklaces. Begawati appeared again and joined in the bloody banquet, but warned Calonarang to be careful.

The witches danced once more at the crossroads and the dreadful epidemic ravaged the land, the vassals of Erlangga died before they could even bury the corpses they bore to the cemeteries.

The desperate king sent for Mpu Bharada, the holy man from Lemah Tulis,

the only living being who could vanquish the witch. Mpu Bharada planned his campaign carefully. He sent Bahula, his young assistant, to ask for the witch daughter’s in marriage. Highly flattered, the mother gave her consent and after a happy and passionate honeymoon, Bahula learned from his wife the secret of Calonarang’s power.

The possession of a little magic book

which he stole and turned over to his master.

The holy man copied it and had it returned before the disappearance could be noticed. The book was a manual of righteousness and had to be read backwards. The holy man was then able to restore life to those victims whose bodies had not yet decayed. Armed with the new knowledge, he accused the witch of her crimes, but she challenged him by setting an

enormous Banyan tree on fire by a single look of her fiery eyes. Bharada foiled the enraged witch by restoring the tree, and she turned her fire against the holy man. Unmoved, he killed her with one of her own mantras, but she died in her monstrous form and Bharada, to absolve her of her crimes and enable her to atone for them, revived her, gave her human appearance, and then killed her again. (BTN/Doc)

al

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Balinese Culture

Sport Tourism

A New Era in Travel London literally buzzed with people shouting, cheering and clapping when the city was formally elected the venue for the 2012 summer Olympics. A big international sporting event is a blessing for any city; it is a means of introducing themselves to the rest of the world. For Bali, an international sporting event, such as the Olympic, is still a far-off dream.

In 2001, Bali, for the first time, hosted an international women’s tennis tournament staged at the Grand Hyatt Resort Nusa Dua. The Wismilak International tournament drew world circuit players to the island. Bali means tourism, and tennis is a sport, resulting in the fact that sport tourism is quite a compatible concept.

Until now the tournament has achieved a well-deserved reputation, from top players and spectators alike, as being an organized event that offers an excellent level of hospitality. Visiting international tennis players have the opportunity to participate in the tournament as well as wind down and relax with recreational activities such as sailing, spa treatments and cooking classes.

Sporting activities and events entice people to travel. The concept of health through physical activity for all age levels has sparked renewed interest in participation. By combining Bali and tennis, the tournament has also brought about a new milestone that connects tourism and sport in Bali.

Bali has always been an island where sport and tourism has experienced a harmonious relationship, especially at the beach between surfers and would-be surfers, locals and visitors. Waves and surfers have long supported the development of Kuta beach making it a wildly popular icon amongst international surfers: amateurs or professionals, advanced board riders or rookies. Surfing connects people from many different backgrounds as they are united by

their common love for the ocean.

This is in line with the vision of some of the islands the more serious leaders within the tourism industry: tourism plays an important role in promoting domestic, national, international culture, promoting friendship and understanding among people and communities of different backgrounds. In the domain of sport, it can be likened to the universal spirit of the Olympics movement.

Tourists from two politically opposing countries are able to share a dinner table in a restaurant away from home; players from opposing countries shake hands, exchange smiles and show their mutual respect of each other before and after playing their game. Together sport and tourism respectively have the ability to encourage people to put aside their differences and strengthen the bonds of friendship.

The term “sport tourism” was first used in the late 1960s to describe the special form of tourism which was combined with sporting activities. Some may say that tourism is about recreational activities, while sport is about championships. In Bali however, it was initially recreational surfing that created surfing champions of both regional and more recently international status. Bali and its surrounding islands provide some of the most perfect wave conditions for surfers to train and develop their skills. But we must not forget that it was in fact visiting tourists that first introduced the sport of surfing to the island.

Sport tourism is actually a golden opportunity for Bali. The island is relatively unpolluted with a long beautiful coastline and stunning scenic landscapes. Bali offers the perfect environment to host certain international sporting events. Surfing, windsurfing and fitness are all part of this trend. Tennis, golf, cycling and

rafting can also be included. A local cigarette company, Djie Sam Soe, organized a successful cycling event last year. The event provided worldwide audiences with magnificent images of panorama throughout Java as well as Bali on the end leg of the race. All along the roadside to the finishing line in Denpasar, enthusiastic crowds cheered on the competing cyclists giving some much needed support and motivation.

Urban culture is particularly conscious about fitness and this obsession contributes greatly to the current trend in the tourism industry. Visitors these days not only travel for the attractions of traditional culture, many carefully choose their holiday destinations because of the sporting activities that are made available.

For recreational purposes and of course hosting championship events, there is the need for sporting facilities.

Some are provided quite simply by Mother Nature, whilst others are manmade. In Bali keen golfers are lucky to enjoy some outstanding facilities and the island is equipped with several luxurious 18-hole world class courses; Lombok and Java also have some well established courses. In terms of marketing strategies, many hotels brochures proudly reveal just how close they are to a golf course, even though it is not part of their infrastructure. Distance to the golf course can actually prove to be a hotels major selling point as for avid players a round of two is the ultimate holiday activity.

Golf as an activity is a matter of style; it has become a lifestyle commodity of the business world. Business meetings, lobbying and networking are all part of the game. By ironically, despite the number of golf courses in Indonesia it is a game played only by an elite minority. The level of golf facilities in Indonesia, particularly in Bali, by far outclasses the standard of their golf players. The world is still waiting for a golf champion from Indonesia.

Duck Curry OVERVIEW: Ducks waddling along the banks of the rice fields or following the flag held by their owner (or his children) are a common sight in Bali. On festive occasions, duck is great favorite. Spiced stuffed duck baked in banana leaf is one popular recipe; this curry-like dish is another. Chicken could be used as a substitute for duck if preferred.

INGREDIENTS: 1 whole duck, weighing about 2 kg 8 cups coconut milk 2 lemon grass, bruised 2 salam leaves 1 tbsp salt 1 tsp black peppercorns, crushed fried shallots SPICE PASTE: 12 shallots, peeled and sliced 6 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced 4 red chilies 2.5 cm galangal (laos), peeled and sliced 2.5 cm kencur, peeled and sliced 5 cm fresh turmeric, peeled and sliced 2 tsp coriander, crushed 3 candlenuts 1 tsp dried shrimp paste ¼ tsp black peppercorns, crushed pinch of freshly grated nutmeg 2 cloves 3 tbsp oil PREPARATION: Cut the duck into 12 pieces and pat dry.

Prepare the spice paste by grinding or blending all ingredients except oil. Heat the oil and sauté the spice paste for 2 minutes. Add the duck, increase heat and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the coconut milk and all ingredients except fried shallots and simmer, uncovered, until the duck is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Garnish with fried shallots and serve with white rice. (http://www.baliguide.com/balifood)

C.045 ibp

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Thursday, April 14, 2011

Destinations

International

Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest IBP

Alas Kedaton is a small forest with the width about 6-7 ha located in the middle of the rice field in Tabanan regency, west part of Bali. The total size of this forest, temple and its supporter facility is about 12 ha. In this forest, there is a temple called Alas Kedaton Temple and owns the natural environments that is looked green with its fresh air and create the calm, quite and holy atmosphere.

The monkeys in Alas Kedaton are very tame and free gallivanting in temple yard, so that the calm atmosphere is sometime solved by noise voice of the monkey, which are playing around and scrambling of food. The monkeys who dwell in this forest, there are jump up and down in temple wall, take a bath in moat or there is also hang out in few leaves representing impression view.

The monkey like as custodian of temple, which are always ready to greet all visitor who are paying

a visit to this place. Beside monkeys, in Kedaton forest also can be met the bats and some other animals. At least 24 types of grove plant have been identified in Alas Kedaton.

Alas Kedaton is located in Kukuh countryside, Marga Sub district, Tabanan Regency. The journey go to this place can be done easily by using motor vehicle follow the major roadway from Denpasar to Tabanan.

On the way go to this tourist place, we will see the beautiful nature view where in front of us will meet the carpet of rice field and irrigation voice at the side of road to bear the impression/peaceful atmosphere.

Alas Kedaton Temple have three yard that are external yard, middle and center yard. In the center and middle yard are encircled by wall and the outside yard is representing an open yard. The interesting point of this temple is the inside yard representing holy yard, its situation lower than the middle

yard. This thing is different compare with the general temples in Bali that are more goes to inside the temple, the more higher the place will be. Beside of that another interesting point of this temple owns four entrances.

The temple ceremony in alas Kedaton temple is carried out every 210 days a year. It is on Anggarakasih Medangsia (Balinese Hindu Calendar) or on every Tuesday where on that time the society do the worship or pray to request the safety and prosperity. The unique in this ceremony is do not use the fire and do not hence Penjor and also finished before the sunset or before the night is come.

In growth of handling of this tourist destination, Alas Kedaton has several become a training location about tourism nature, environmental handling and agro tourism. Alas Kedaton is many visited by the tourist from local and foreign countries which are generally a lot of paying a visit on August,

International Bali Post Classifieds BALI CENTRAL CANOPY

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December until January, while the local tourist generally pay a visit on holiday season and feast day of Ramadan (Moslem holiday) and this place is good to be visited in the day time. In front of Alas Kedaton temple there are quite a

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

Thursday, April 14, 2011

11

BUSINESS

Japan government downgrades economy view on earthquake Reuters

TOKYO – Japan’s government on Wednesday downgraded its assessment of the economy for the first time in six months, saying it is showing weakness after a devastating earthquake and tsunami last month battered the northeast coast.

The revision is in line with the Bank of Japan, which also cut its assessment of the economy last week in the wake of the March 11 disaster, saying it would remain under “strong downward pressure” for some time.

“The economy is showing weakness recently due to the influence of the Great East Japan Earthquake,” the government said in its monthly economic report for April. That compared with the previous month’s report that said the pickup in the economy was only weakly self-sustaining and there was concern about the influence of the quake.

The government also downgraded its views on key aspects of the economy, including exports, industrial production and private consumption, after the disaster and subsequent nuclear safety crisis disrupted supply chains and triggered power shortages.

“The condition of the economy is no longer flat or at a standstill, but rather the direction is downward,” said Shigeru Sugihara, director of macroeconomic analysts at the Cabinet Office.

The government expects the weakness to continue for the near term but with a pickup resuming along with a recovery in production, reflecting solid overseas economies and the effects of various policy measures.

The government also warned of downside risks to the outlook that could stem from power supply constraints, slow progress in restoring supply chains and the impact of rising oil prices.

The government also cut its assessment on exports for the first time in four months, saying there are concerns about a decline due to last month’s disaster. Previously, it said exports were showing movement toward picking up.

The Cabinet Office also cut its assessment on industrial production for the first time in five months, saying manufacturing activity was stagnating.

The government’s monthly report also cut its view on private consumption for the first time in two months, saying that some weakness was seen recently.

Toyota to halt Europe production for 8 days Associated Press Writer

TOKYO – Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it will suspend production in Europe for eight days due to parts shortages following last month’s massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The move underscored how the supply crunch in the wake of the March 11 twin disasters is affecting Toyota’s operations beyond Japan. The world’s No. 1 automaker announced last week it would suspend car production in North America in April. Toyota said it will halt European output at five plants on eight days between April 21 and May 2 — auto assembly factories in Britain, France and Turkey, and engine plants in Britain and Poland. After the stoppages, the plants will run at limited capacity in May. The magnitude-9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami on March 11 destroyed auto parts factories in northeastern Japan, causing severe shortages for Toyota and other automakers.

Mamoru Kato, an auto analyst from Tokai Tokyo Securities Co. Ltd., said if the supply crunch drags on, Toyota could incur “big losses” in the April-June quarter.

“The company simply cannot manufacture cars due to parts shortages. In

North America and Europe, Toyota procures almost all engine parts from Japan. Suspended production in Japan and North America is a big blow to Toyota,” he said.

In Japan, Toyota is currently shutting down output except at three plants, which are running at limited capacity.

Toyota said it suffered a production loss of 260,000 cars in Japan from March 14 to April 8 alone. The disasters also cost production losses of 50,000 cars in Europe and 35,000 cars in North America.

Toyota said it will resume car production at all its plants in Japan at half capacity from April 18 to 27, but production will then stop from April 28 to May 9, a period that includes Golden Week holidays when factories would normally close.

Toyota spokeswoman Shiori Hashimoto said Wednesday it remained unclear when the company would return to full production in Japan. Toyota hasn’t decided production plans for after May 9.

Production in Japan alone accounts for 43 percent of Toyota’s global production last year. In North America, where Toyota produces nearly 20 percent of its total output, the company said it would impose a series of one-day shutdowns at its North American plants from April 15-25.

Obama to lay out US deficit plans Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama is set to try and wrest control of Washington’s fevered debate over the economy and bulging deficit, sure to be a dominant theme of his 2012 reelection bid.

The White House says the president will lay out his vision for constraining the fiscal gap, as fresh political battles over spending escalate less than a week after the dramatic climax to a 2011 budget fight.

Advance details of Obama’s speech are at the capitals George Washington University are sketchy.

But aides hint at some reform of costly health programs like Medicare for the elderly, tax hikes for the wealthy and a trimming of the trillions spent on the military — all recipes for pitched political conflict.

Cuts will be with a “scalpel and not a machete,” they say, seeking to safeguard Obama’s core aspirations for education and energy reform, and portraying the slashing approach of conservative Republicans as extreme.

Republicans meanwhile are challenging the president with new boldness, after claiming what many commentators scored as a victory in securing $39 billion in new spending cuts in a last-gasp deal averting a government shutdown last week.

“The buzz continues to build about the president’s much anticipated ‘budget do-over’ speech,” said Eric Cantor, the number two Republican in the House of Representatives.

“He will outline his plan to hike taxes on families and business owners in order to get a grasp on our deficit and debt crisis.”

Republicans frequently use painful US debt figures — a projected annual deficit of 1.6 trillion dollars this year and a cumulative public debt of 14.27 trillion dollars as a political weapon.

But Democrats hit back that the last Democratic president Bill Clinton bequeathed budget surpluses to George W. Bush, who they say ran up debt with tax cuts for the rich and wars that were not paid for.

The president’s political goals Wednesday seem two-fold: to seek leverage in a short-term row in extending the US debt ceiling; and to define the coming campaign debate over spending.

The White House is already warning of a financial “Armageddon” should Congress fail to raise the US borrowing limit from $14.29 trillion dollars it is set to exceed in May. Republican leaders, aware of the likely severe crisis of confidence and possible

recessionary results of a failure to act say the ceiling will be raised — but are seeking new budget cuts in return.

The White House says the issues of the debt ceiling and constraining the runaway deficit are separate, and that Republicans should not “play chicken” with the economy.

But Obama’s decision to give a speech on deficit cutting is seen as an indirect acknowledgement of Republican demands.

In the long-term, Obama’s speech will help define the dominant economy and jobs debate heading into his 2012 reelection battle, amid a palpable feeling among many Americans that the country needs to tighten its belt.

Republicans have swung their first punch with a plan by Congressman Paul Ryan to slash government spending by $6 trillion over the next decade.

The plan calls for reform and spending curbs on health and retirement programs for the poor and the elderly but would also cut tax rates faced by corporations and the wealthiest Americans in a bid to unleash growth.

Obama has made it know that he finds the plan unfair.

“It places all the burden on the middle class, on seniors, on the disabled, on people in nursing homes, through its rather drastic reform” of health programs for the poor and the elderly, his spokesman Jay Carney said.

Obama may indirectly respond to Ryan’s gambit by going some way to embrace embracing a rival plan being formulated by a bi-partisan group of six senators with similar goals, but a less stark approach.

But his top Republican foe, House Speaker John Boehner, declared on Tuesday that Ryan “has set the bar” hinting at the intensity of the fight to come. “If the president begins the discussion by saying we must increase taxes on the American people ... my response will be clear: tax increases are unacceptable and are a nonstarter,” he said.

Obama has solid political reasons for seeking to dominate the budget debate.

A Gallup poll taken in February put his approval rating for tackling the deficit — at only 27 percent.

Even more importantly, among critical independents who rallied to his banner in 2008 but who deserted Democrats in 2010 mid-term elections, his rating on the issue was a lowly 19 percent. But as he courts vital independent voters, Obama must at least keep one eye on his own core Democratic coalition, parts of which appear to believe he is already conceding too much to Republicans.

12

Entertainment

Thursday, April 14, 2011

International

‘The Unwritten’ bridges fiction to reality Associated Press Writer

PHILADELPHIA – In the swirling story that permeates the series “The Unwritten,” the protagonist Tom Taylor is enveloped by the uncertain fear that exploits of boy wizard Tommy Taylor might be more than just stories loved by millions.

AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand

US actor John Travolta (L), and John Gotti Jr., the son of late mob boss John Gotti, pose for a photo during a press conference by Fiore Films, an independent production company, to announce the signing of John Travolta to star in the feature film, “Gotti: Three Generations” in New York, April 12, 2011.

Travolta relishes ‘untold’ mob story Agence France Presse

NEW YORK – John Travolta says his upcoming performance as an infamous New York mafia boss will offer audiences a movie they can’t refuse. The star, set to play late Gambino crime family boss John Gotti joined director Nick Cassavetes and the mobster’s son John “Junior” Gotti to reveal details about the film “Gotti: Three Generations.”

“This is probably the most interesting untold story in this country.

What a character to approach!”

Travolta told a press conference in New York, where the film, also starring Joe Pesci and possibly Lindsay Lohan, will be shot later this year.

Travolta, wearing a green tie and his hair close-cropped, called Gotti, who died in prison in 2002, an old school mafioso who lived by “a moral code.”

In his long and bloody career as head of one of the historic five New

York Italian mafia families, Gotti won public sympathy for his stylish appearance and wit. He was known as the “Dapper Don” and also the “Teflon Don” for his longtime ability to beat federal prosecutors in court.

“I like the glamor he had,” Travolta said. “He charmed the press, he charmed his family.” The dark side, said Travolta, who famously played a laconic gunman in “Pulp Fiction,” included “the paranoia, the fear, the putting the family at risk.” To research the part, Travolta plans to study as much original video footage as possible and to “understand how a syndicate like this works.”

Pointing into the hotel room where journalists crammed in with dozens of Gotti family members and associates, Travolta said “there’s a plethora of knowledge here that I tap.”

Rather, Tom and Tommy might be one and the same, separated only by the porous boundary of reality intersecting sharply with the printed page.

Such is the scope of the story written and drawn by Mike Carey and Peter Gross and Ryan Kelly, whose work on the Vertigo series has drawn critical acclaim for its mixing of classic literature with comic book sensibility that posits the stark claim that classic literature is more than just entertainment but also a means to keep humanity grounded while a sinister cabal guides civilization for its own nefarious end. Those topics take root in “The Unwritten: Dead Man’s Knock,” a 144-page softcover collection that debuted Friday on The New York Times’ paperback graphic books best-sellers list.

In it, Tom Taylor continues his long, mysterious journey trying to reconcile the fact that his father, Wilson Taylor, didn’t just give his literary whiz kid necromancer Tom’s name, but may have created them both.

Since the first issue of “The Unwritten” was released in June 2009, it has carved out a niche in comic shops, and among readers, for what writer Carey called the “core themes of the interface between reality and fiction and the ways in which stories affect the real world.”

And with the 24th issue coming out later this month, that aim has remained steady, he and Gross told The Associated Press in an interview about their collaboration, which sparked in the previous series “Lucifer.”

“This is roughly comparable to ‘Lucifer,’ where we had an end point in mind, but we leave the details of how we’re going to get there a little flexible,” Carey said about Tom Taylor and his companions, Lizzie Hexam (she of Charles Dickens’ “Our Mutual Friend”) and Richie Savoy, the reporter seeking the juicy scoop.

So far, the trio have endured a near-immortal but brutal assassin, have braved public scorn and, in the current volume, are grappling with forces beyond their control over the publication of a 14th Tommy Taylor novel that may, or may not, be written by someone else in a bid to undermine the actual author, Wilson Taylor. In the midst of all that, they’re still dealing with a vampire nemesis who is not supposed to be real and wrestling with their own identities, too.

AP Photo/DC Comics

In this graphic novel cover image released by DC Comics, “The Unwritten: Dead Man’s Knock,” is shown. Since the first issue of “The Unwritten” was released in June 2009, it has carved out a niche in comic shops, and among readers, for what writer Mike Carey called the “core themes of the interface between reality and fiction and the ways in which stories affect the real world.”

Sesame Street beams American dream to Pakistan Agence France Presse

ISLAMABAD – The United States has turned to oversized puppets in its newest attempt to win hearts and minds in Pakistan, funding a $20 million remake of popular children’s TV programme Sesame Street. The US show that popularised characters like Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch and the Cookie Monster is being remade for a Pakistani audience, to promote “shared values and ideas” said USAID’s education chief in Islamabad, Larry Dolan.

Girl power and tolerance are among the messages to be spread by colourful puppets such as “Rani”, a science-loving 6-year-old girl with plaits who is friends with a teenage bookworm and a hard-working donkey. But in a deeply conservative Muslim country where the Taliban

bomb girls’ schools and millions of women live in “purdah”, meaning that they are concealed from men outside their family, such values are hardly universal.

The “Pakistan Children’s Television” show will broadcast 78 episodes from September, but in an impoverished country of up to 180 million people, only three million children are estimated to have access to the small screen. The show’s makers hope to reach 700,000 children and 300,000 parents in total with the help of spin-off projects — 600 live performances are planned across 90 districts, and books and multi-media versions are in the works.

Dolan says the show has entertained not only the West for more than 40 years, but been used to striking effect in other developing nations — encouraging understanding of

HIV in South Africa and girls’ freedom in Egypt. “It’s role is simply — look at the society here and intolerance lies at the root of many many complex problems. The approach we are taking here with Pakistan TV is to promote tolerance,” said Dolan.

Rani’s father is a flower gardener and her mother a housewife, not educated but “adamant her daughter should have every opportunity in life,” according to a written brief of the characters, shown to AFP. The donkey longs to be a pop star, “illustrating how, through hard work all dreams are possible” says the brief, encapsulating the American dream.

Dolan said USAID was giving $20 million to the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop in the city of Lahore, the creative directors of the show.

Science

International

Thursday, April 14, 2011

13

Bird brains have a dinosaur source, says study Agence France Presse

PARIS – A winsome dino called Bambiraptor has helped scientists determine that birds inherited a good sense of smell from dinosaurs — and then improved the faculty.

AFP/Ohio University/File/Witmerlab

This handout photo shows a 3D image featuring skulls (top-bottom) of a dinosaur, extinct bird and modern bird. A winsome dino called Bambiraptor has helped scientists determine that birds inherited a good sense of smell from dinosaurs — and then improved the faculty.

Birds are long thought to have evolved from small two-footed dinosaurs that over a long period grew feathers, took to dwelling in trees and eventually started to fly. The first identifiable bird was Archaeopteryx, which lived around 150 million years ago.

A common assumption is that these early avians had a poor sense of smell, as evolutionary pressure would have shaped brain resources in favour of vision, balance and coordination rather than olfaction. Not so, suggests new research published on Wednesday in a journal of Britain’s Royal Society.

Researchers in Canada used computed tomography — the famous CT scan used in medical diagnosis — to get a 3D image of the skulls of dinosaurs, extinct birds and modern birds.

They measured the likely size of the

olfactory bulb, a part of the brain that is used in smell. Among modern-day birds and mammals, a larger olfactory bulb means that the sense of smell is better.

The 157 samples traced the olfactory lineage of modern birds to a group of small carnivores called theropods whose larger family also included the Tyrannosaurus rex.

Early birds, says the study, had about the same olfactory capacity as a modern pigeon — pretty good and certainly better than expected.

Then, around 95 million years ago, birds that were the ancestor of modern birds, evolved an even better sense of smell. Included in the fossils from this time was Bambiraptor, one of the key pieces of evidence for bird evolution. A fast-moving critter about the size of

a dog, Bambiraptor was unable to fly, but its body was probably covered in feathers and its skeleton was astonishingly similar to fleet-footed birds like roadrunner.

It had roughly the smell capacity as turkey vultures and albatrosses today, which rely on smell to forage or navigate over long distances, the researchers found.

“Our discovery that small velociraptor-like dinosaurs such as Bambiraptor had a sense of smell as developed as these birds suggests that smell may have played an important role while these dinosaurs hunted for food,” said Darla Zelenitsky, a University of Calgary palaeontologist. Among modern birds, sense of smell varies widely, the study found.

Relatively primitive birds such as ducks and flamingos have relatively large olfactory bulbs, while birds that are considered smarter, such as crows, finches and parrots, have smaller ones, presumably to compensate for higher brainpower.

Indonesian clinic touts smoking as cancer cure Agence France Presse

JAKARTA – An Indonesian woman exhales cigarette smoke into the mouth of a gaunt, naked patient at a Jakarta clinic, where tobacco is openly touted as a cancer cure. The Western patient is suffering from emphysema, a condition she developed from decades of smoking. Along with cancer and autism, it’s just one of the ailments the Griya Balur clinic claims it can cure with cigarettes.

“I missed this,” says the woman, a regular customer, with an American accent, as Phil Collins?s “I Can Feel It” blares in the background.

Griya Balur would be shut down in many parts of the world, but not in Indonesia, one of the developingcountry new frontiers for big tobacco as it seeks to replace its dwindling

profits in the health-conscious West.

Long traditions of tobacco use combined with poor regulation and the billions of dollars that flow into government coffers from the tobacco industry mean places like Griya Balur go unchallenged. The “treatment” for the emphysema sufferer includes the blowing of smoke from “divine cigarettes” infused with “nanotechnology” to remove their cancer-causing “free radicals”, through a tube into her diseased lungs.

Smoke is also blown into her ears and nose, while she holds a cup of aspirin over her right eye. The Phil Collins music, it seems, has no curative properties. Griya Balur founder Dr. Gretha Zahar told AFP she had treated 60,000 people with tobacco smoke over the past decade.

With a PhD in nanochemistry

from Padjadjaran University in Bandung, West Java, Zahar believes that by manipulating the mercury in tobacco smoking can cure all diseases including cancer, and even reverse the ageing process.

“Mercury is the cause of all illnesses. In my cigarettes — we call them Divine Cigarettes — there are scavengers that extract the mercury from the body,” she said.

On her website she says she does not need to subject her theories to clinical tests or publish them in peer-reviewed journals, nor does she have the money to “fight” with “Western medical scientists”. Zahar?s claims were recently presented to the Constitutional Court where farmers and legislators from the tobacco-growing hub of Central Java are challenging a law that recognises the leaf as addictive.

AFP/File/Romeo Gacad

Cancer and autism are just a few of the ailments the Griya Balur clinic in Jakarta claims it can cure with “divine cigarettes”.

iPads take a place next to crayons in kindergarten Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Joel Page

Kindergartener Lucius Rice, 6, center, demonstrates to Kindergarten teachers Sue larue, left to right, Kelly McCarthy and Amy Himerl, how to uses an iPad as literacy teacher Maurie Dufour, right, looks on, Tuesday, April 12, 2011 in Auburn, Maine.

PORTLAND, Maine – Kindergarten classes are supplementing crayons, finger paints and flashcards with iPads, a development that excites supporters but that detractors worry is wasted on pupils too young to appreciate the expense. Next fall, nearly 300 kindergartners in the central Maine city of Auburn will become the latest batch of youngsters around the country to get iPad2 touchpad tablets to learn the basics about ABCs, 1-23s, drawing and even music.

“It’s definitely an adventure, and it’ll be a journey of learning for teachers and students,” said Auburn kindergarten teacher Amy Heimerl, who received an iPad on Tuesday ahead

of the full deployment in the fall.

“I’m looking forward to seeing where this can take us and our students.”

But the $200,000 that Superintendent Tom Morrill is proposing to spend on iPads — which retail for around $500 — might be better spent on some other school program, said Sue Millard of Auburn, who has children in the fourth grade and high school. She also questions whether kindergartners are old enough to appreciate the effort. “I understand you have to keep up with technology, but I think a 5-year old is a little too young to understand,” she said.

Maine was the first state to equip students statewide with computers when it distributed Apple laptops to

all seventh- and eighth-graders in 2002 and 2003. The program has since expanded, with laptops parceled out to about 50 percent of high school students.

The state Department of Education says it believes Auburn is the first school district in Maine that will give iPads to kindergartners. The school board last week unanimously approved the plan to give all kindergartners iPads next fall.

The iPad is a powerful education tool with hundreds of teaching applications, Morrill said. With its touchpad screen, it’s simple to use and can bring learning to life with imagery and sounds, he said. “It’s a revolution in education,” Morrill said.

14

Sport

Thursday, April 14, 2011

International

United through as 10-man Chelsea exit Champions League Agence France Presse MANCHESTER – Manchester United powered into the semi-finals of the Champions League here Tuesday, downing Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford to clinch a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Goals from Mexican striker Javier Hernandez and South Korean international Park Ji-Sung either side of a lone Chelsea effort from Didier Drogba clinched a deserved victory for United in front of 74,672 fans.

The win put Sir Alex Fergu son’s side into a semi-final against either Schalke 04 or holders Inter Milan, who play each other on Wednesday. “Overall we were the better side, though, it was I thought as well a competitive game and played in a good spirit but also a great advert for the Premier League,” said Ferguson.

“I think we’ve hit our form and the players are relishing the challenge on three fronts.” United, leading 1-0 from last week’s first leg at Stamford Bridge, were worthy victors against a Chelsea side who struggled to match their opponents’ precision in the final third.

Defeat piled the pressure on Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who in all probability will see his team finish the season without a trophy. Chelsea’s misery was summed up by Ancelotti’s decision to remove £50 million striker Fernando Torres at half-time after another lacklustre contribution from the Spaniard, still goalless after 11 hours since joining the club. Ancelotti took defeat graciously.

“We had good control of the game in the opening 25 minutes but didn’t take our chances,” said the Italian, who twice guided AC Milan to the trophy. “Our performance was not so bad but United deserved the win. “We have to move on from this disappointment and ensure we finish in the top four places (to make the Champions League).”

An open first half saw Chelsea, lining up in their more familiar 43-3 formation, enjoy plenty of

possession and territory without ever really threatening United’s goal.

An increasingly niggly opening spell saw three Chelsea players find their way into referee Olegario Benquerenca’s book, Ramires, Malouda and John Terry all picking up yellow cards against a lone caution for United’s John O’Shea. Two minutes from half-time United got the goal that their more incisive play merited. A lovely ball from O’Shea saw Ryan Giggs race into the Chelsea area and the veteran’s low cross found Hernandez who buried from point-blank range.

Ancelotti had clearly seen enough of the misfiring Torres for one night, and Chelsea came out for the second half with Drogba at centre-forward. Drogba did not take long to make more of an impression than Torres, turning his marker and sending a low shot flying just wide on 56 minutes. Moments later Patrice Evra was booked for wrestling the Ivorian striker to the ground on the edge of the area.

Yet Drogba’s arrival could not alter the fundamental inferiority of Chelsea’s approach work, and again it was United who looked likeliest to score. Nani forced a smart save from Petr Cech on 68 minutes with a curling shot, and Hernandez should have grabbed a second when he headed a teasing Rooney cross wide a minute later. Chelsea’s problems deepened on 70 minutes when Ramires followed through on Nani to pick up his second yellow and be sent off.

Yet just as Chelsea looked dead and buried, Drogba gave Chelse a flicker of hope with a fine goal on 77 minutes.

AP Photo/Jon Super

Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand, top, celebrates after team mate Ji-Sung Park scored a goal against Chelsea during their Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Tuesday April 12, 2011.

Beckham keeping his playing options open Agence France Presse

LOS ANGELES – David Beckham says he is keeping his options open about returning to the MLS for another season after his five-year contract expires with the Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season.

The former England captain Beckham said in Toronto Tuesday that he wants to play somewhere next year but hasn’t made up his mind if it will be in North America. He is also not ruling out a return to Europe.

Asked about coming back to the MLS, Beckham told the Toronto Star “there’s a chance,” though he cau-

tioned that he has not yet decided what he would do after this year. “I think it is important that I just concentrate on my play this year,” he added.

Last month in another interview, Beckham hinted at a return to the English Premier League. “This is my last contract year in the USA, but who knows what will happen?” he told The People.

Beckham, who is married to former pop group Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, says he still gets excited about professional football. Beckham turns 36 next month.

“I feel fit. I feel good in games. I feel I am performing well,” Beckham said. “So, I need to continue that and then in a few months, I will think about what I have to do and what I want to do.

“I love the game like I did when I was 21 years old. I look after myself so for the moment there is no reason for me to stop.”

Beckham, who is the highest paid MLS player at $6.5 million a year, also has his sights set on playing in the 2012 Olympics in London. He has played in 115 career matches for England.

Real Madrid close on Dortmund’s Sahin: report Agence France Presse

AFP/File/Patrik Stollarz

Dortmund’s Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin in action during the German first division Bundesliga match against St. Pauli.

BERLIN – Real Madrid have made contact with Borussia Dortmund’s Turkish playmaker Nuri Sahin over a move to the Spanish giants, according to a report in Wednesday’s edition of the German daily, Bild. Bild claim that Sahin, voted the best player in the first half of the current German season, has received an offer from Real, where Sahin’s friend Mesut Ozil is already

on the books.

Sahin, 22, is under contract with Dortmund until 2013 but a clause in his contract means he can leave the club in July if he is the subject of an offer of at least six million euros from another team.

Dortmund, who currently lead the Bundesliga by five points, have failed in previous attempts to open talks with the German-born Turkish international over a contract exten-

sion.

“I’m aware that my name has been linked with lots of clubs recently, but I’ve always said that I wanted to remain fully focused on the championship with Dortmund,” Sahin told Bild. “Everything else doesn’t interest me.” Sahin came through the youth system at Dortmund and made his Bundesliga debut in 2005 at the age of 16 years and 335 days.

Sport

International

Thursday, April 14, 2011

15

Lakers snap 5-game skid, but Andrew Bynum injured Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – Andrew Bynum awkwardly sprawled onto the court, staying down for an uncomfortably long moment. The 7-foot center then walked cautiously to the locker room with more than one teammate staring at his perpetually problematic knees. The Los Angeles Lakers ended their five-game losing streak Tuesday night. They’ll find out what it cost on Wednesday.

Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, but Bynum hyperextended his right knee in the two-time defending NBA champions’ 102-93 victory over the San Antonio Spurs’ role players.

The Lakers’ hopes for a third straight title might have taken a significant blow when Bynum fell after stepping on DeJuan Blair’s foot during the second quarter. Los Angeles’ superb low-post defender will have an MRI on Wednesday while the Lakers wrap up the regular season at Sacramento.

Bynum downplayed the injury while walking comfortably out of Staples Center, and the Lakers are cautiously hoping for news that won’t derail their playoff run be-

fore it begins. Yet it’s tough not to assume the worst with Bynum and his rickety 23-year-old knees.

“There’s always concern,” said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who acknowledged Bynum could be out for at least a few games. “We’ve seen him go down a couple of times that have been debilitating, so there’s a concern. It was kind of a freaky play, but they usually are, and that’s what basketball is.”

Bryant describes the shot-blocking center as the Lakers’ most important defensive player, and his absence from the 2008 NBA finals was one reason Los Angeles lost to Boston before winning the next two championship series with Bynum in the middle. Bynum had surgery last

summer to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.

“He allows us to be the dominant team we’re capable of being,” said Derek Fisher, who scored 13 points.

“It’s hard to think about not having him for any significant length of time. It was tough to see. He’s so important to what we do, so to even think for a second that he might be out, the impact that would have on him after all of his work, it’s tough to deal with in the moment.”

Lamar Odom scored 23 points as the Lakers struggled to hold off the Spurs, who rested stars Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker with the Western Conference’s top seed already wrapped up.

Serena Williams gets back on tennis court Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File

FILE - In this July 3, 2010, file photo, Serena Williams of the United States, hits a forehand return to Russia’s Vera Zvonareva during their women’s singles final at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon.

Serena Williams grabbed her racket and got out on a tennis court Tuesday, which she said was her “first day back” after a series of health problems, including blood clots in her lung. The 13-time Grand Slam singles champion and former No. 1-ranked player has not played an official match since she won the title at Wimbledon in July.

On Tuesday, Williams tweeted: “Cool news guys stay tuned.. Ill update u with a pic.. U ready??” Then, a little later, she tweeted again: “Look who I spotted on the court. Her first day back...” That posting came with a link to a photo of Williams in a neon pink bodysuit, standing at the baseline and midway through her service motion with a racket in her right hand.

Her agent, Jill Smoller, confirmed Williams put in some work Tuesday. “She was out hitting some balls today. Taking it day by day depending on how she’s feeling and was very happy to be back on the court,” Smoller wrote in an email to The Associated Press.

Shortly after claiming her fourth singles championship at the All England Club last year, Williams cut her foot on glass at a restaurant, an injury that led to two operations. The second surgery was in October, and she said she spent 10 weeks in a cast and 10 weeks in a walking boot.

The 29-year-old American was diagnosed in February with blood clots in her lung. After that, she said she needed treatment for a hematoma — a gathering of blood under the skin — on her stomach. Williams has not said when she might return to competition.

Despite all of the time away from the tour, she is still at No. 10 in this week’s WTA rankings. Her older sister Venus is 15th this week; she hasn’t played since January because of a hip injury.

Harry How/Getty Images/AFP

Shannon Brown #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers is called for a charging foul on James Anderson #25 of the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on April 12, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

In-form Contador eyes third straight victory Agence France Presse

MADRID – Controversial threetime Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, unbeaten in Spain since the start of the season, continues his warm-up for the Giro d’Italia on Wednesday in the Tour of Castilla y Leon. The Tour of Castilla y Leon, which he won last year, may be just a formality for the 28-year-old Saxobank rider.

The Spaniard is in sparkling form ahead of the Tour of Italy on May 7-29, his main objective in the early part of the season, having already won the Tour of Murcia and the Tour of Catalonia this year, after a fourth place in the Tour of Portugal. That followed the end of his suspension for alleged doping offences.

Contador tested positive for a tiny amount of the banned musclebuilding substance clenbuterol during last July’s Tour de France, which he went on to win.

But he was cleared to compete

when the Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) in February rescinded an initial decision to hand down a oneyear competition ban. It accepted the rider’s claim that he had unknowingly consumed drug-contaminated meat and was therefore not negligent.

But the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the World AntiDoping Agency announced separately last month they plan to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne over the acquittal. Contador is free to continue racing until and unless the CAS rules against him.

His chief rivals in the Tour of Castilla y Leon, which concludes Sunday, are expected to be his countrymen Igor Anton of Euskaltel and Carlos Sastre of Geox. The most challenging stage comes on Friday from Benavente to Laguna de los Peces, which includes two 1st category climbs, ahead of Saturday’s individual time-trial.

16

Thursday, April 14, 2011

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

Sport

Lotus targets diffuser boost for Spain

AFP PHOTO / Saeed Khan

Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso of Spain negotiates at a corner during the third practice session for Formula One’s Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang on April 9, 2011.

Alonso admits tyre marbles a worry Fernando Alonso has called on Pirelli to try and tweak its tyres to prevent the high levels of ‘marbles’ that were seen at last weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix. Formula 1 drivers had voiced some concern about marbles during winter testing, but Pirelli was not sure if the problem then was caused by the lower temperatures in Europe at the time.

However, with the marbles showing up again in Malaysia, the company is set to work on trying to improve the situation - something Alonso believes will be vital for forthcoming races.

“It was more difficult than Australia for sure,” said Alonso. “There

is some concern for places like Canada, Singapore, Monaco, that you catch a lapped car, they let you past, you go inside, you take some marbles and then on the next corner you miss the braking point and you go straight.

“Malaysia was a very wide cir-

cuit, and you can come back to the track, but there will be some difficulties in some narrow tracks. We need to be careful and we need to get used to these new things as well.”

Pirelli’s Paul Hembery told AUTOSPORT in Malaysia that the marbles in Malaysia were not the same as those seen in winter testing.

“They are slightly different,” he said. “We had strips in winter testing, big strips. These are actually smaller pieces that actually get picked up on the tyres.”

Texas secures 10-year MotoGP deal TEXAS has secured a 10-year deal to host a MotoGP race in the United States from the 2013 season, it was announced on Tuesday evening. The circuit, currently under construction, will also be hosting a Formula 1 grand prix from the 2012 season. Organisers also announced on Tuesday that the track will be known as Circuit of the Americas.

The agreement with Dorna includes the three categories of the championship. “We are delighted to be adding the Circuit of the Americas to the MotoGP calendar,” said Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta. “It is an honor to expand our Champion-

ship to Texas, which has a rich history of producing World Championship riders.

“We have had a wonderful and special relationship with Kevin Schwantz for twenty years and often talked about a mutual dream of increasing the popularity of MotoGP in the US and raising our already successful worldwide profile.

“Now, with what Tavo Hellmund is doing in Austin, we have realized that situation and are looking forward to this new venture together. The 10-year agreement is a sign of our confidence and commitment to the future success of

MotoGP racing in Austin.” The United States currently hosts two MotoGP events in Indianapolis and Laguna Seca.

Former world champion Kevin Schwantz, the manager of 3FourTexas MGP, added: “For me this is a dream come true, that the FIM MotoGP World Championship will be in my home state of Texas. I am such a believer in the sport and know how popular motorcycling is in Texas. I am sure that this will be a resounding long term success.”

Organisers said construction of circuit is progressing well and is scheduled for completion sometime in mid 2012.

TEAM Lotus is set to become the latest outfit to introduce a 2011style blown diffuser, with the team planning to have it ready in time for the Spanish Grand Prix. With a number of outfits working hard on implementing their own version of the concept pioneered by Red Bull Racing, Team Lotus has high hopes that the performance boost it should get from the update will lift it firmly into the midfield battle.

Heikki Kovalainen told AUTOSPORT: “We know there are big chunks of performance potentially coming if we nail it. We are working on it, and hopefully we will get it for Spain.

“The feeling is that there should be some good numbers coming from there, so I look forward to that.

Hopefully we can unlock it and get it working properly.” Kovalainen sees no reason why Team Lotus cannot make big progress before then too, as he feels the team still has good performance to come for when

it finally gets on top of the powersteering issues that have hampered it in the first two races of the season.

“In Malaysia we delivered exactly what we were hoping for, and if you look at the midfield most teams have been stuck there,” he said.

“After that is the tough one, to then break into top ten. That is when it will get tricky for us as well and we still need to grow. We need better facilities; we need more people in the team. We still need to grow and we are still a young team.

“But I think to join the group and battle inside the group, we are almost there. We just need some decent upgrades, bigger than the opponents hopefully, and also sort out the reliability issues - we still have problems with the power steering as well – and it is affecting us even a little bit when it is performing well.

“So when you put all those fixes in place, then I think we can genuinely start racing the guys ahead of us, which will be fantastic.”

Smokes comes from the tyres of Team Lotus driver Jarno Trulli of Italy during the Formula One’s Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang on April 10, 2011.

AFP PHOTO / Saeed Khan