Edisi 16 Februari 2011 | International Bali Post

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

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Governor requested Ngurah Rai Airport closed PAGE 8

AFP PHOTO/STR

US country trio, Canadian rockers win at Grammys

Agence France Presse MANAMA – Two Shiite demonstrators were killed in clashes with Bahraini police, sparking calls to step up anti-government protests on Tuesday and a walkout from parliament of the main Shiite opposition bloc. The Islamic National Accord Association which has 18 seats in the 40-member house has “suspended its membership in the Bahraini parliament” of the Shiitemajority kingdom, a member, MP Khalil al-Marzooq, told AFP by telephone.

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WEATHER FORECAST CITY

TEMPERATURE OC

DENPASAR

25 - 31

JAKARTA

25 - 32

BANDUNG

20 - 30

YOGYAKARTA

24 - 32

SURABAYA

24 - 33

SUNNY

Bahraini protestors run for cover after police fired tear gas canisters to disperse them in the village of Diraz, northwest of Bahrain, on February 14, 2011 during a demonstration called for on Facebook and inspired by similar initiatives which led to the ouster of the regimes in Tunisia and Egypt.

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The decision was taken because of “the deterioration in security and the negative and brutal way in which (the authorities) dealt with the protesters, killing two of them,” he said.

Fadel Salman Matrouk was shot dead in front of a hospital on Tuesday where mourners gathered for the funeral of Msheymah Ali who

died of his wounds after police dispersed a protest in a village east of Manama on Monday, he said.

Marzooq said both men were “martyrs.” The interior ministry said that “some of the people participating in the the funeral on Tuesday clashed with forces from a security patrol,” leading to Matrouk’s death.

“An investigation is under way to determine the circumstances surrounding the case,” it said. The interior ministry also announced the death of a protester late on Monday “due to his wounds” and opened an inquiry into whether police resorted to “unjustified use of arms” in dispersing the protest in Diya village.

News of the two deaths prompted

activists, who posted pictures of both men on a Facebook page, to call for a huge turnout at their funerals and to step up anti-government protests.

Witnesses told AFP that protests were held Monday in a string of Shiitemajority villages to the west, east and north of the capital as well as in the historic Balad al-Qadim quarter of Manama city centre.

Turnout at the rallies ranged from between a few dozen to hundreds of people, they said. “There were no arrests during the the demonstrations, but the police in some cases clashed with the protesters,” a police official told AFP. Continued on page 6

Valentine kissing contest still going at 36 hours Associated Press Writer

PATTAYA, Thailand – It was one long kiss — one world-breaking embrace for mankind. Seven determined couples locked lips for more than 36 hours to celebrate Valentine’s Day in this southern Thai beach resort town, a landmark “kissathon” that organizers claim marked the longest recorded smooch in history.

The previous record — 32 hours, 7 minutes and 14 seconds

— was set in 2009 by a couple in Germany, according to Guinness World Records.

Fourteen mostly Thai pairs entered the contest when it kicked off Sunday morning at 6 a.m. local time. By Monday afternoon, half were still puckering up on the white-marble corridor a shopping mall, where tourists gawked and smiled at the spectacle, snapping pictures with glowing mobile phones behind a red rope.

Continued on page 6

AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong

Laksana Tiranarat, right, and husband Ekkachai pose with a certificate after winning the World’s Longest Continuous Kiss contest and set a new record at 46.24.09 hours in Pattaya, southeastern Thailand Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011.

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International

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Bali News Hindus requested to increase social sensitivity Jakarta (Bali Post)—

Hindu devotees were asked to continue improving the sensitivity and social solidarity in daily life. “Enforcing social solidarity is a major virtue in societal life,” said Chairman of the National Committee of the Nyepi Celebration, Erlangga Mantik, on the sidelines of socio-religious devotional works held in the Segara Cilincing Temple, Jakarta, Sunday (Feb 13).

In the context of humanity, said Mantik, kinship also posed a cord of affection with other fellows, and it never might be disconnected amongst the fellows. “Disconnection of affection with other people is bad news for unity and brotherhood,” he said.

Solidarity, according to Mantik, should become potency in building a more advanced Indonesia. Meanwhile, in terms of religious context, social solidarity could develop social sensitivity to affirm the brotherhood in maintaining Indonesia.

Related to social devotional works, Mantik explained that such activity was a part of a series of events in welcoming the Nyepi or Day of Silence for Caka New Year 1933. For this year, the celebration of Nyepi took the theme “Realizing Harmonious and Prosperous

Life through Austerities of Nyepi.’

Mantik expected that by such socioreligious activities, the interfaith harmony could increasingly be enhanced.

Socio-religious devotional works such as distributing basic necessities and free medical treatment was in cooperation with the Hindu Dharma Women of Indonesia and Abdi Dharma Jagadhita Foundation. Approximately, there were 900 parcels of basic foodstuff and thousands of residents around the temple attended the activities.

Local residents hoped such an activity could be carried out every year or every major celebration of Hindu religious holiday such as Galungan and Nyepi. “We are very helpful and this gift can lighten the burden of my family,” said Reni, the mother of two daughters. (son)

From Tirtayatra, Almost Fell To The Gorge

Bus Carrying Singaraja High School Passengers Tabanan, DenPost

One of the 12 busses carrying a group of Singaraja State High School No. 1 (SMAN 1), the eight bus with number plate DK 9020 UE, almost fell to the gorge while passing a bridge at Banjar Bukit Catu, Candikuning Village, Baturiti, last Saturday (12/2) evening. The bus who was coming from Denpasar towards Singaraja was from visiting temples activities (tirtayatra). The eighth bus got caught stuck then one of its wheels slipped causing a bus door facing a 40 meters

deep gorge under it. The conditions caused panic for the pupils and have to depart them through driver door.

The bus position caused both direction route traffic jammed also other busses to reverse and go through vegetable markets in order to find a main road again. Meanwhile in the scene only motorcycles can go through.

Local residents then demanded bus driver to find a crane car to move the bus’s position from disturbing the traffic also as the roads going to be passed by vegetables sellers. (121)

Strained atmosphere in Kuta

A thug runs amuck while brandishing sword to residents Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Police officers of Kuta Police secured a young man named Oldy Wowat, 22, from Manado, on Friday (Feb 11) early morning. The man touted as a thug, ran amuck and brandished a sword to the local residents.

As consequence, atmosphere at the scene was strained because residents did not dare approach the suspect. The incident occurred on Jalan Patasari, Pondok Dewa Brata, Kuta.

Information obtained on Sunday (Feb 13) told that the suspect was alleged to have a problem with someone.

However, since the person was not found at the scene, at the end he acted brutally. The suspect wielded a sword

with a length of one meter and brandished it to local people. “It is not known for sure what his problem is,” a police source said on Sunday.

Local residents were afraid because the suspect was allegedly in a drunken condition. He was also running around hither and thither while looking for someone. Such condition made people flee for securing themselves. Ultimately, the incident was reported to Kuta Police. Quickly, I Gede Ganefo, Chief of Kuta Police ordered a number of his men to follow up the incident.

Process of arresting the suspect took a long time. Moreover, the suspect armed with a sword and his mind was affected by alcohol. By all means,

police should set a strategy to calm down the suspect. “The suspect brandished a sharp weapon if there were people approaching him. And it was very dangerous for the safety of residents,” said a resource person while asking his name to be made secret.

Having made a hard effort, the suspect was finally overpowered and the sword carried was confiscated. Furthermore, the suspect was taken to police station for further process in Kuta Police. “Until now, we are still interrogating the suspect to get more details. He was arrested and evidence in the form of a sword was confiscated. We are also still investigating about his motive,” said Chief Ganefo, Sunday. (kmb12)

Enforcement of Regional Regulation:

Not absolutely followed by dismantling actions Denpasar (Bali Post)—

The regents across Bali remained firm in their opinion in order the Regional Regulation (Perda) No.16/ 2009 on Bali Regional Spatial Layout Plan (RTRW) could be revised.

If the regulation also setting forth the radius of temple sanctity was still forced to apply, they worried that a lot of established and licensed accommodations should be demolished. As consequence, it had potential to cause turmoil in society. Responding to the concerns, Deputy Chairman of Customary Village General Assembly (MUDP) of Bali Province, Ida I Dewa Gde Ngurah Swastha, asserted that implementation of Regulation No.16/2009, especially concerning with the implementation of Bhisama (religious stipulation) on Temple Sanctity was not absolutely followed by demolition.

“Bhisama is not retroactive. BNR (Bali Nirwana Resort Hotel—Ed) initiating the issuance of Bhisama on the Sacred Zone alone was not dismantled,” said Ida I Dewa Gde Ngurah Swastha in the open house of Governor of Bali Made Mangku Pastika with the regents/mayor throughout Bali, spiritual leaders, media personalities, community leaders and NGOs in Wiswa Sabha Hall, Office of the Governor of Bali, Sunday (Feb 13).

Swastha who led the signing pro-

cess of Bhisama on the Temple Sanctity in 1994 affirmed that temple sanctity area should not necessarily be interpreted that the zone should be left vacant, and remained rice fields. The zone still had possibility to be built with infrastructures like traditional markets, stalls and shops including houses for those taking care of the temple and the like. However, the construction of hotels, inns, golf courses, discotheques, massage parlors, dim cafes and other facilities that were potential to tarnish the temple sanctity should not be built.”As a matter of fact, it was the thing required by our Bhisama,” he affirmed.

Swastha added that issuance of Bhisama on Temple Sanctity had passed through a bitter process of struggle. He added that student component supported by Hindu Dharma Council of Indonesia (PHDI) and the Higher Priests had struggled until the last bloodshed for the birth of Bhisama considered as an important instrument in the rescue of Bali. “Bhisama cannot be revoked or amended and it is sacred,” he reminded.

According to Swastha, it had occurred a deviation and phobia against the Bhisama to a number of circles. Many of them assumed that enforcement of Regional Legislation on Regional Spatial Layout Plan also adopting the radius of

temple sanctity would be followed by a massive demolition against the facilities that had already existed in the radius of the temple sanctity without discrimination. “The licensed buildings, of course, will not be demolished,” he said while reminding of the local governments to be always consistent in the future and no longer issue new permits in the areas violating the provisions of the RTRW regulations.

Swastha added that the matter of disciplining the border, buildings and the like were the authority of public order officers (Satpol PP).

Though it was criminal, but it was not the domain of police, Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the attorney general office so that the regents/mayor and the governor did not need to worry.

The demolition would not happen if the regent/mayor and governor did not instruct the Satpol PP to do so. Most importantly, one thing to carry out today was that regional leaders and parliaments should have the same perception to secure the implementation of existing legal products consistently. “The buildings that have not had license and not yet been built should be closely monitored. Never breach the Bhisama. If it is breached, then Bali will be destroyed. In years to come, there should be no more offenses. Let bygones be bygones,” he asserted.

z Founder : K.Nadha, z General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti z Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Wirya, Yudi Winanto zDenpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. z Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. z Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Bali News

International

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Forest Expanded Three Hectares

by Padangtegal Residents Gianyar (Bali Post)

If the investors are going to take over green zone to build hotels, restaurants and more, the Padangtegal residents in Ubud, Gianyar are doing something else. In the past few years the Monkey Forest in Ubud, Gianyar has been successfully extended three hectares more of the previous eight hectares existed.

The forest was owned by the Padangtegal Village, Ubud, Gianyar also its management and expansion. This is one way to grow preservation based tourism as the forest itself has succeed in inviting tourists to see it the past years.

Based on Sunday’s (13/2) supervision, the green zone (forest –red) in Padangtegal has been unique as in here there are many monkeys to meet and become the tourist object. Besides expanding it, the residents are also preserving other animals living in the forest.

Padangtegal Village Head, I Made Dana, stated that this expansion was done based on the villagers’ agreement. The expansion was not only for touristic purpose but also a way to preserve the nature especially green zones

that kept decreasing in this area.

Even though its goal been reached, but in 2010 they were disappointed of not getting Kalpataru, an award on environment preservation.

The Living Environment Agency stated that the Monkey Forest expansion got loss to many similar activities in Indonesia. Yet for 2011 it is hoped there will be an attention given for this for a preservation done for years, “Hopefully we will reach it this year.” Now the Monkey Forest has reached 12 hectares. (kmb16)

Tourists are watching the monkeys drinking on a pond in the Monkey Forrest in Ubud, Gianyar.

IBP/ist

Over Stacked Materials Fall Off Motorcycles Crash, Five Injured Semarapura (Bali Post)

The motorcycles crash happening at a general street in Dlod Banjarangkan, Klungkung, last Saturday (12/2) evening caused five motorcycle drivers bounced off their vehicles and injured. The accident happened due to an overstacked materials of stones falling off to the narrow and dark (without lighting) road.

Three from five victims had serious injuries. Gusti Ngurah Agung Adnyana (23) from Dusun Negari, Banjarangkan, nephew of Head of Klungkung Health Agency dr. Gusti Ngurah Agung Swastika, had his right foot broken, scratch wound on the chin and cheek. He is now treated in Klungkung General Hospital and waiting for his orthopaedic operation schedule.

Other two also treated in Klungkung General Hospital were Nyoman Arya Antara (32) and Wayan Sudiarta (33) from Banjar Kawan, Tohpati, Banjarangkan. Arya was experiencing breathing difficulties and headache due to being hit while Sudiarta had his left hand broken and wound on the head.

Agung Adnyana stated that at 7 pm local time he was on his way home from work at a drink factory in Banjarangkan using a motorcycle. While on the way home to Negari, he did not see the falling off stones on the road. Ironically besides the road being dark, the materials owner did not put any signs to warn road users. So Adnyana then hit those stones and bounced off also causing several motorcycle drivers from the opposite way fall off as well. The same situation was stated by other victims. “This is fatal.

Luckily it didn’t cause any casualties,” Ketut Ariana, Nyoman Arya’s uncle, explained.

Until now it is still not known who owns the materials. “We coordinated with Head of Public Works (IB. Adnyana –red) and it is stated that it’s not owned by government,” Agung Swastika (victim Agung Adnyana’s unclered) stated. Swastika hoped who ever own those materials have to be responsible of this situation, “Minimum it has to have signs.

Moreover there are rules stating how long stacked materials can be placed on a road.” (kmb20)

Tourism Hospital Plan IDR 40 Million For Badung Mangupura (Bali Post) –

The Health Ministry has shown its eagerness in helping developing Badung General Hospital to be Tourism Hospital as IDR 40 million budget will be given soon to Badung as a first capital. In the near time the content of budget responsibility (DIPA) will be handed over to the Badung Regent.

This was received by Badung Regent, AA Gde Agung, accompanied by Regional Secretary, Kompyang R Swandika, and Head of Regional Development and National Protection Board, Wayan Suambara, during a meeting with Health Development General Director, dr. Supriyanto, SpP MARS, last Friday (11/2).

Suambara confirmed the event last

Sunday (13/2) by mentioning that principally the Ministry has responded positively over the efforts to build tourism hospital in Badung. The Health Minister received the letter on developing Badung General Hospital from the Regent and gave a disposition to the General Director to respond it so.

In the letter the Regent has requested IDR 1, 2 billion budget for physical construction and medical equipments.

Moreover Suambara stated that the Ministry has stated its commitment in creating the tourism hospital and after fund is available there were discussions for the next steps. Based on the procedure, after having the first budget received, Badung Government has to choose a suitability study con-

sultant or does feasibility study (FS) also create master plan. Badung has chose Ministry to do both and for that there has been teams of feasibility study arrangers and master plan creators prepared for this international standard hospital.

As planned, the tourism hospital in Badung will provide 500 rooms with 138 for wings tourism and 362 for general public services. If the tourism hospital came true, then Badung will have one of the international hospital with JCI (Joint Commission International) standard which is an accreditation produced by America and Indonesia has just got two of them which are Siloam Karawaci Hospital and Santosa Hospital. (kmb25)

Villa in Banjar Beach Burn Singaraja (Bali Post)

Residents of Dusun Ambengan, Banjar Village, Banjar was surprised by the burnt villa building owned by a foreigner the village’s beach last Sunday (13/2) around 8 am in the morning. The whole building in the areal has gone and only has it walls standing.

The villa named Vila Banjar Beach has two buildings, one main villa building and the other a smaller building used as security post. The fire started here then due to fast speed wind the fire caught the main building too. the building with grass leaves rooftop was quickly burnt, not able

to save valuables such as 24 inch television, one genzet, one grass mower, two gas stoves, one VCD player, three air conditioners, five fans and more. The loss is suspected to have reached IDR 1 billion.

Statements from several local residents living nearby it stated the incident happened fast. The villa owned

by Mr. Mart (53) these past few days have been empty with no guestes and the securities are also on their holiday. Meanwhile when firefighter came to the scene, the gates were locked causing difficulties to turn down the fire.

Head of Banjar Police, Adjunct

Police Commissioner Burhannudin, accompanied by Banjar Sub District Leader, Putu Ayu Reika Nurhaeni, who was on location during the incident happened stated that it is suspected the fire happened due to a short circuit in the security post as burnt wires are found, “Firstly it burnt the warehouse and the security post then it goes on to the villa buildings located 5 meters to the north.”

Yet Burhanudin is not brave yet to state what have caused it surely as he has to wait for forensic lab investigation, “For the causer we don’t know yet but it’s most likely due to a short circuit.” (kmb15)

4

News

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

International

Japan’s ruling party seeks to punish powerbroker Agence France Presse

TOKYO – Top officials in the Democratic Party of Japan on Monday proposed to suspend the party membership of political powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa over a funding scandal that has sharply divided the ruling party. DPJ executives agreed on the proposal at their meeting Monday and plan to present it at the party’s Standing Officers Council as early as Tuesday, officials said.

The punitive move came after court-appointed lawyers indicted Ozawa last month on charges of involvement in false financial statements filed in 2004 and 2005 by the body that manages his campaign funds.

If his membership is officially suspended, Ozawa will be stripped of all

AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS

Japan’s ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa receives a package of chocolate after he gave a lecture on his policy in Tokyo on February 14, 2011.

party titles and financial support. “The decision is what the DPJ showed as its responsibility,” Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who is also the DPJ’s president, told a news conference.

Ozawa, a former party chief and the biggest faction boss of the DPJ, is a veteran backroom operator and last September narrowly failed to oust Kan in a leadership battle. In a long-running legal saga, a citizens’ review panel forced the judiciary to reopen the case against Ozawa in October, after prosecutors had dropped it citing a lack of evidence.

The 68-year-old, dubbed the “Shadow Shogun” of Japanese poli-

tics, has long been dogged by the campaign finance scandal, which has seen his offices raided by prosecutors and three of his former aides indicted.

The DPJ has been sharply divided over the scandal. Kan and his aides attempted to persuade Ozawa to leave the party, while his advocates have strongly resisted the internal pressure.

At the executive meeting, at least three members expressed opposition to the suspension, according to Jiji Press news agency, adding that the party is likely to be further divided over the issue.

Filipino peace talks open in Norway Associated Press Writer

NESBRU, Norway – Peace talks between the Philippine government and Marxist rebels have resumed after a six-year break, with the rebels demanding the “expeditious” release of a communist leader and four other prisoners.

Communist Party leader Allan Jazmines was arrested Monday just hours before a cease-fire went into effect for the duration of the weeklong talks being held outside Oslo.

In his opening statement, rebel negotiator Luis Jalandoni urged the government to release Jazmines and four other imprisoned rebel leaders. However he stopped short of making their re-

lease a condition for the talks to get under way.

The negotiations are aimed at ending a four-decade-long insurgency that has killed tens of thousands of combatants and civilians. The Philippine government and communist rebels are upbeat but cautious as they reopen peace talks Tuesday aimed at ending a four-decade-long insurgency that has killed at least 120,000 combatants and civilians.

A truce has been declared during the weeklong talks outside Oslo, the first formal peace negotiations between the two sides since 2004. It’s the first time since the on-and-off talks opened 25 years ago that the rebels have agreed to a cease-fire while negotiations are being held.

“We are looking forward to the negotiations and expect positive results,”

rebel negotiator Luis Jalandoni told The Associated Press after arriving in the snow-clad Norwegian capital on Monday.

But later, shortly before the cease-fire took effect, the Philippine military said its forces had captured a senior communist rebel leader.

Army troops and police captured Allan Jazmines at a rebel safehouse in Baliuag town in Bulacan province before nightfall Monday, military chief of staff Gen. Ricardo David Jr. said. He was served warrants for murder and rebellion.

There was no immediate reaction Tuesday morning from government officials and rebel leaders involved in the talks. Five Philippine presidents have failed to crush the Maoist rebellion, which is one of Asia’s longest-running armed conflicts.

AP Photo/Scanpix, Morten Holm

Philippines’ government representative Alexander A. Padilla, left, and Luis G. Jalandoni of the communist National Democratic Front exchange documents before resuming their peace talks in Asker, some 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of Oslo, Norway, Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011.

Berlusconi to face trial over prostitution scandal Reuters

AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN

Protesters gather during a demonstration called “if not now, when?” organized by Italian women in protest at “degrading” media coverage of the recent sex scandals surrounding Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi — and attitudes to women in general on February 13, 2011 in Milan.

MILAN – An Italian judge ordered Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Tuesday to stand trial on charges of paying for sex with an underage girl and abuse of office, according to a statement from the judge’s office. Trial has been set to start on April 6, according to the statement from Judge Cristina Di Censo’s office.

Though the court date would not mean Berlusconi has to appear in person, the decision is a severe blow to the 74-year-old premier. He has been struggling to recover from a party split which has cost him a secure majority in parliament.

Berlusconi, a billionaire business-

man turned politician, has denied doing anything illegal in the case and says he has been targeted by politically motivated judges backed by the left who are determined to bring him down. Italy’s constitutional court last month removed the automatic immunity from trial Berlusconi had previously enjoyed. The prime minister is also due to face trial in three unrelated embezzlement and fraud trials in the coming weeks.

Prosecutors accuse Berlusconi of paying for sex with a nightclub dancer when she was under 18, which is against the law in Italy.

They also accuse him of abusing the powers of his office by pressuring police to have her released from custody over theft allegations.

Berlusconi has dismissed the investigation against him as “disgusting and disgraceful” but he has come under pressure from groups including the Vatican and Italy’s main business lobby, Confindustria. Polls show his image has suffered.

The premier has been working hard in recent weeks to shore up his precarious majority in parliament by recruiting deputies from smaller splinter parties and has rejected calls to resign over the affair.

Using material from investigators’ wiretaps, newspapers have splashed accounts of “bunga bunga” sex parties attended by would-be starlets stripping and cavorting for Berlusconi and his friends and leaving with bundles of cash and jewelry.

International

Activities

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

5

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

Dalem Kangin Sidemen - Karangasem.

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

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

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

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

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

6

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

News Japan police go after wrestlers in sumo scandal Agence France Presse

REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El-Ghany

Egyptian policemen take part in a protest demanding for higher wages in front of the Interior Ministry in Cairo February 14, 2011.

Egypt’s military seeks to restore stability Reuters

CAIRO – Egypt’s army was expected to step up efforts to restore stability on Tuesday, hoping a promise to ensure a swift transition to civilian rule would end splinter protests that have flared since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. Facing a wave of protests by workers ranging from banking staff to tourist guides, the military rulers urged people to return to their jobs to avoid more damage to an economy hurt by the 18-day uprising.

A powerful dust storm affecting Cairo was expected to deter worker demonstrations on Tuesday, which is also a national holiday to mark the Prophet Mohammad’s birthday, so the response to the appeal was more likely to become clear on Wednesday. The military was holding talks with activists at the forefront of the revolt that ended Mubarak’s 30-year rule to reassure them of their commitment to democracy and a smooth and orderly transition of power.

But with anger still smoldering over rising prices, low wages and economic hardship, the military faces a delicate balancing act in restoring stability while allaying suspicions about its readiness to relinquish power.

Egypt’s revolution sent shock waves around the Middle East as well as global financial markets worried about the effect on oil supplies. Police in Bahrain, neighbor of the world’s biggest oil exporter Saudi Arabia, clashed with funeral-goers mourning a Shi’ite protester shot dead on Monday

during an anti-government “Day of Rage”, and one person was killed in the melee.

Thousands of Iranian opposition activists rallied in support of the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia on Monday and a semi-official news agency said one person was shot dead and several wounded by protesters.

Using their newfound freedom of expression and protest, workers on Monday rallied in Cairo and other cities to complain about low pay and poor working conditions.

Protests, sit-ins and strikes have occurred at state-owned institutions across Egypt, including the stock exchange, textile and steel firms, media groups, the postal services and railways, since Mubarak resigned.

“VICTORY MARCH”

Pro-democracy leaders say Egyptians will demonstrate again if their demands for radical change are not met. They plan a big “Victory March” on Friday to celebrate the revolution — and perhaps to re-

mind the military of the power of the street. In Tahrir Square, the scene of bloody clashes between activists and police during the revolution, traffic flowed freely on Tuesday directed by military policemen as a couple of burned-out vehicles were taken away as part of the cleanup.

There were scuffles on Monday as the last protesters were removed by the military along with the remnants of their camp. Tanks and armored vehicles around the square and other Cairo locations were now stationary and sandbagged in.

In “Communique No. 5” read out on state television on Monday, a military spokesman said: “Noble Egyptians see that these strikes, at this delicate time, lead to negative results.”

The military has promised free and fair elections, suspended the constitution and dissolved parliament, dismantling the apparatus that has kept Mubarak in power since he took over from Anwar Sadat, who was assassinated by Islamist soldiers in 1981.

TOKYO – Japanese police for the first time ever Tuesday sought criminal prosecutions of nine sumo wrestlers and sports figures in a damaging scandal over illegal gambling and yakuza mob ties. The ancient and highly ritualistic national sport is already under the spotlight after news of illegal drug use, brutal training methods and in recent weeks claims of bout-rigging.

Police handed files to prosecutors outlining claims that five active wrestlers, three patrons or financial supporters, and one member of a crime syndicate were involved in gambling on baseball games, the Sankei daily said. Betting in Japan is allowed only on horse racing and some motor sports.

Prosecutors must now decide whether to indict and try the nine, who were not named by police or in Japanese media reports. It is the first time in the history of sumo — a sport which dates back some 1,500 years — that Japanese police handed over a case to prosecutors against serving sumo wrestlers, lo-

cal media said.

Last year, scores of sumo grapplers, who are expected to act as role models in Japan, admitted to betting illegally on baseball in gambling rings that were allegedly organised by bookmakers linked to organised crime.

Reportedly about 30 more sumo figures, including the now expelled but formerly high-ranked “ozeki” wrestler Kotomitsuki, have admitted to involvement in gambling, and local media have speculated that more will face prosecutors.

This month sumo authorities had to call off the spring tournament over the match-fixing scandal, the first such cancellation in over half a century.

At least 14 mid-ranked wrestlers stand accused of bout-rigging and three have admitted to fixing fights and trading wins after incriminating cellphone text messages obtained by police were leaked to the press. Police found the evidence indicating bout-rigging during the investigation into illegal baseball gambling, but they are not investigating these claims because fixing sumo bouts is not a crime.

Valentine...

From page 1 “We didn’t think we would find anybody that could break the record,” said Somporn Naksuetrong, the manager of Pattaya’s Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks museum, which organized the competition. That seven couples apparently did, he said, “is amazing.”

By late Monday evening, three more pairs had dropped out and four couples were still left smooching. The last left kissing wins a diamond ring worth 50,000 Thai Baht (1,606 dollars), and a 100,000 Baht (3,213 dollar) cash

prize.

According to the rules, the lovebirds’ lips cannot part at any time. They are allowed to drink things like water, coffee, milk or juice — but only through straws while continuing to kiss. They also have to remain embraced during bathroom breaks possible every three hours — accompanied by contest monitors.

The harshest rule: no sitting or sleeping. One woman participating with her boyfriend fainted just half an hour after it began Sunday.

Two killed...

From page 1 Security forces were deployed in force along the main routes into Manama in a bid to head off rallies called on the Internet, mirroring similar online initiatives around the Arab world.

The Facebook page which called for a February 14 uprising, inspired by the protests which ousted the regimes in Tunisia and Egypt, had attracted more than 22,000 “likes” by Tuesday. A message on the page read: “This is your chance to open the way for political and social reforms in line with changes taking place in the Middle East. On February 14, we will chant together: ‘The people want reform of the regime.’”

As in other Arab countries, tech-savvy Bahrainis are using

the Internet to demand that the government create jobs for unemployed young people and increase wages. Shiite-majority Bahrain is ruled by the Sunni AlKhalifa family of King Hamad, which retains a tight grip on the premiership and key ministries.

In the 1990s, the Arab state which faces Iran across the Gulf waterway, was plagued by a wave of Shiite-led unrest that has abated since 2001 reforms restored parliament.

But the Shiite opposition opposes the elected house’s legislative powers being shared with an appointed upper house and accuses authorities of trying to alter the archipelago’s demographic make-up by naturalising Sunni immigrants.

International

Indonesia Today

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

7

MPR speaker to meet president over violence Antara

JAKARTA - Chairman of the People‘s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Taufik Kiemas said he would talk with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discuss various violent incidents related to sensitive religious and racial issues of late.

AFP PHOTO / Rachman EFFENDI

Abu Bakar Bashir (C), 72, regarded as a spiritual leader of militant Islam in Indonesia and a vocal supporter of Al-Qaeda-style jihad, is escorted by the prosecutor from the National Police headquarters jail to his trial at the South Jakarta court on February 14, 2011.

Indonesia’s radical cleric on trial for terrorism Associated Press

JAKARTA – Indonesia’s bestknown radical cleric went on trial Monday on charges of setting up a terror cell accused of plotting highprofile assassinations and attacks on foreigners in the world’s most populous Muslim nation. Abu Bakar Bashir, 72, faces a maximum penalty of death if found guilty.

“These charges against me are fabricated,” the smiling, whitebearded cleric before arriving at the tightly guarded South Jakarta District Court in an armored personnel carrier. “All I ever wanted to do was defend Islam.”

Indonesia, a mostly moderate and secular nation of more than 237 million people, has been hit by a string of suicide bombings blamed on Jemaah Islamiyah, the al Qaidalinked network co-founded by

Bashir just over a decade ago.

More than 260 people have been killed since 2002, many of them foreign tourists. Bashir, seen as a driving force behind the country’s small but increasingly vocal hardline fringe, has been tried in recent years for conspiracy in those attacks.

But only lesser charges, such as violating immigration laws, for which he spent 26 months in jail, have ever stuck. This time, prosecutors insist, they have enough evidence for a terror conviction.

The fiery cleric was accused of helping set up, fund, arm and mobilize foot soldiers for a new terror cell uncovered last year in westernmost Aceh province as part of efforts to carve out an Islamic state.

Police say Al Qaida-in-Aceh was planning Mumbai-style rifle and bombings on Western hotels and embassies and several high profile assas-

sinations, including on Indonesian President Susilo BambangYudhoyono.

The cell was also blamed for commando-styled robberies on banks last year, allegedly to help buy weapons, and several deadly attacks on police stations.

“The aim was to spread panic and to divide the people and the ruling government, thus paving the way for a takeover,” prosecutor Muhammad Taufik said.

The courthouse, rung by more than 2,000 police, was packed with his supporters, most of the men wearing white skull caps and the women fully shrouded in black veils.

They interrupted Taufik’s reading of the 93-page indictment with shouts of “God is Great!” every time the cleric was mentioned by name.

Judges adjourned the trial until next week, when Bashir’s lawyers are due to respond to the charges.

Police find mastermind suspect of Cikeusik incident Antara

JAKARTA - Police have found the suspect who has masterminded the clashes between residents and Ahmadiyah followers in Cikeusik, Pandeglang, Banten on Sunday last week.

“The suspect in Banten is the UJ. We have collected information and are now waiting for more complete examinations,” Police Chief Gen Timur Pradopo said here on Monday. The suspect was seen among residents gathering there. There was no indication of the involvement of certain community, he said.

Police said information on the suspect who is there at the witness questioning was obtained in the incident scenes if (TKP) and in from the local people.

“I think conditions for further in-

vestigation and for taking the suspect to the court have been met,” the Police chief said.

Currently, the Police have arrested eight suspects linked to the Ahmadiyah case that occurred in Cikeusik, Pandeglang, Banten.

The suspects who were detained were three in total. Five others still need further investigations.

The clashes have led to the fall of eight victims of whom three died, namely Karno and Mulyadi who are brothers, residents Cikeusik and another one named Roni, a resident of Jakarta. Five others who were injured were named Pipip, resident of Cilegon, Dias (Jakarta) Ahmad (Jakarta), Deden Darmawan (Jakarta) and M Ahmad (Ciledug, South Tangerang).

Police have earlier named eight suspects in the clash between a

crowd of local people and Ahmadiyah members which occurred on Sunday (Feb 6) in Cikeusik Sub-District, Pandeglang District, Banten.

“We have already detained three suspects while the five others are now still undergoing questioning,” National Police Headquarters spokesman Senior Commissioner Boy Rafli Amar said here Monday.

The investigation was being conducted by referring to some video footing on the clash in Cikeusik that the police had obtained.

The National Police Headquarters was assisting the Banten Police in investigating the case and arresting those who were involved in the violence.

“We are in search for those who are responsible for the unrest and urg them to surrender,” Boy said.

“We would meet directly with President Susilo Bambang to discuss the violence,” Taufik Kiemas after receiving dozens of community leaders at the parliament building said here on Monday.

Previously, dozens of community leaders complained about the inability of the state in resolving various SARA violence such as the assault of the Ahmadis in Cikeusik, Pandeglang, Banten and the riot in Temanggung, Central Java last week.

The community leaders were received by Taufik Kiemas and MPR Vice Chairmen Lukman Hakim and Melanie Leimena.

The community leaders included Catholic Priest Romo Geni, Yeni Wahid of the Wahid Institute, Musda Mulya, Albertus Patty, Adhie Massardi, Usman Hamid, Wimar Witular, Djohan Effendi, Hendardi, and others.

Taufik further explained that his side shared the same opinion of the community leaders and fully support efforts to fight against violence.

“We will hold the meeting as soon as possible,” said Taufik Kiemas.

Meanwhile, MPR Vice Chairman Lukman Hakim said there were two things that can be done by the MPR. The first is to hold regular meetings with leaders of state high institutions.

“Secondly, the MPR should encourage the government to hold a dialog in a forum to discuss SARAbased violence,” said Lukman.

Meanwhile, Romo Geni said that violence in whatever name should be stopped in Indonesia.

“We just want the violence to stop. And the one that can do it is the MPR,” says Geni.

In the meantime, Yeni Wahid said the visit of the public figures to the MPR because the MPR is the holder of people‘s sovereignty.

“That`s why there is nothing wrong if the issue reported to the MPR,” she said.

“MPR Leaders can hold a dialogue and ask it directly to the President as to why this is happening,” said Yeni said.

Japanese businessmen reaffirm commitment to assist RI‘s infrastructure development Antara

JAKARTA - Japanese business leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to helping the Indonesian government implement its infrastructure development program as part of the ASEAN-Indonesia connectivity system.

A number of Japanese business leaders led by the head of Japan‘s Kaidanren (chamber of commerce), Hiromasa Yonekura expressed their commitment at a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at his office here on Monday.

Indonesia‘s chief economic minister Hatta Rajasa, who flanked President Yudhoyono at the meeting, said the Japanese business leaders were ready to cooperate with Indonesia as the biggest member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to realize the ASEAN connectivity by

2015.

Hatta said the Japanese business leaders also expressed their commitment to the development of priority metropolitan area included as one of the Indonesian development corridors.

President Yudhoyono on the occasion briefed about the country‘s economic development which keeps progressing and therefore would need quick infrastructure development growth.

“The President presents five areas where cooperation needs to be increased namely transportation, food sector, renewable energy development including geothermal, environment and power plants,” Hatta said.

Before meeting with the President the Japanese business leaders were received by vice president Boediono and visited the office of the coordinating minister for economic affairs, Hatta Rajasa.

8

International

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Bali Today Governor requested Ngurah Rai Airport closed During Nyepi Day Antara

Denpasar, Bali Governor, Made Mangku Pastika, send a letter to four Ministers of Indonesian Cabinet regarding the closing of Ngurah Rai International Airport during Nyepi Day, on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

The head of Transformation and Information Division in Bali Government said “the letter is sent to Minister of Internal Affair Gamawan Fauzi, Minister of Foreign Affair Marty Natalegawa, Minister of Transportation Freddy Numbery and Minister of Communication and Information Tifatul Sembiring.

The letter is also sent to the related department all around Indonesia. The letter was sent last November in order to give an early notice the airlines, national or foreign, which fly to Bali.

There is great hope that those airlines will not schedule any flights to Bali on that day. Nyepi Day is the celebration of New Year for the Hindus in Bali. On Nyepi, the Hindus carried on “Catur Brata Penyepian” which is the four forbidden things.

The “Catur Brata Pneyepian” consist of can not run on any kind of fire or lights (amati geni), can

not work (amati karya), can not go out (amati lelungaan) and can not carry out any entertainment activity (amati lelanguan).

Santa said that the airport will be closed for 24 hours started on 6am on March 5 through 6 am on the following days. The letter from the governor must be obeyed by all departments in Bali whether it is private of government.

Santha said that the management of Ngurah Rai Airport had sent the notice to all airlines regarding the closing of the airport.

The early notice will give the chance for the tourists who want to come to Bali to arrange their schedule.

There is great hope that the tourists will come earlier or even delay their trip to Bali for one day in order to not get stuck in the airport during Nyepi day.

http://v4.lscache8.c.bigcache.googleapis.com

Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Ngelawang nearly extinct in Bali Three Indigenous Wisdoms in Human-Animal Relation Antara

Denpasar – The exotics of a communal art or Ngelawang which can be seen on Galungan Day few years back, is slowly decreased and even almost extinct. A lecturer in Indonesian Art Institute Denpasar (ISI), Kadek Suartaya, said “the ngelawang started in the 1970’s and it became the necessity during Galungan and Kuningan commemoration.”

He said that the art performance filled with many Balinese traditional arts but now has been defeated by the development of technology. “Currently, it is very difficult to find art groups in Bali that play Ngelawang even tough some small children still do it occasionally,” Suartaya added.

Ngelawang means that traveling all around the neighborhood. At the beginning, Ngelawang is a sacred and magical art which is supported by the strong psycho-religious.

The sacred materials such as Barong and Rangda are lifted throughout the village by the people as the ritual for all of the inhabitants. “The sacred items are highly respected by the people and some of them even take a part of the Rangda or Barong that fall to the ground. They believe that it will give good fortune to them.”

Suartaya said.

The tradition is the symbol of destroying the evil in our world and it has the same meaning with Galungan where the good (Dharma) defeated the Evil (Adharma)

http://www.tanahlot.net

Ngelawang procession

Nature is so kind to its dwellers, namely plants, animal and human. It has provided all things or sustenance required for the survival around the clock. All require the presence of one another. However, human being is the most determining elements among the three because he is the only creature bestowed with the capability of thinking.

One of the basic principles in Hinduism is the belief in the soul. All creatures are brought to life by vital energy or soul (atman). It represents the fragment of God (Brahman).

Since material body bonds them, they could not identify their pure self.

Human being endowed with power, words and mind has dominant role in maintaining the relations. He considers God dwells inside all creatures.

On that account, he respects them all as equal creation.

Animal particularly cattle, for instance, has helped human being in living their life. Cow has provided him with the power to plough his soil in the rice field or garden, milk for children and adult, and its dung for fertilizing the soil. Meanwhile, other cattle give human some eggs or fleshes.

As a means of thanksgiving, Hindu devotees in Bali celebrate a day in 210 days as special ceremony to their cattle. It is called Tumpek

Kandang falling on Saturday Kliwon Wuku Uye. On that day, the Hindus in Bali will celebrate it by presenting some oblations showing a deep gratitude for being given with the energy assistance, healthy drink or delicious food. The same respect is given to cultivated plants that are honored through Tumpek Pengatag or Bubuh (Saturday Kliwon Wariga) and human itself has birthday (otonan) celebrated once in 210 days on the same day as his birth, not birthdate (on the same date). From the morning, girls or household mothers will be busy preparing everything for the ritual. It would be a great chance if you could see the Balinese perform the procession.

Since human being has a mind, there is an opportunity for him to get reunion with God because he can think and learn about God. This denotes another belief of Hinduism, namely moksha. Meanwhile, animal and plant do not have this opportunity. However, human being can provide help for this purpose in order the soul of animal and plant can reach higher level in their next life.

Dharma Caruban manuscript describes the correct way to slaughter animals and to take plants for the use of rituals. Before slaughtering them, they are given particular

mantra in the hope they could reach higher level of life in the next reincarnation. This treatment is equally given to any plants, fish (ekapada), fowl (dwipada) and four-legged animals (catur pada).

Regarding to this human-animal relation, there is another manuscript, namely Darmaning Pemaculan or Shri Tattwa, describing about spiritual farming-related activities, ranging from how to build different sizes of dam, land cultivation and plant’s disease eradication to rituals held in each phase of the activity. In handling plant’s disease, local farmers remain to say prayers in order God or His manifestation keeps the animal properly, not disturb the plants. As the compensation for the animals, devotees will present proper food (lelabaan). Otherwise, the farmers will set up trap or natural poison.

When getting in touch with human life, all animals are treated as God’s creation and communication maintained. Human offers thanksgiving oblation for the help extended; invocation for better life when animals are in use for rituals ingredients; acknowledgment and repressive action to plant diseases if they attack human plants. In short, he remains to give proper treatment as equal God’s creation. (BTN/punia)

International

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Balinese Culture

Oil waste pipeline of Manggis Shed ruptures Amlapura (Bali Post)—

Tourists who were diving in the Candidasa Beach waters, Karangasem, had not dared to dive.

It was triggered by oil spills in the waters of the Pertamina Transit Shed at Manggis, Karangasem, Monday (Feb 7).

Oil spills, dirty sea water and beach due to a variety of wastes such as plastic trash stuck fast on the coral reefs in the coastal areas around Candidasa were complained by a number of local tourist practitioners, Friday (Feb 11).

In the member meeting of the Indonesia Hotels and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Karangasem Chapter, the Chairman Wayan Kariasa also expressed the need for cleaning up the plastic waste along the river to the sea. The rubbish getting washed away during the rainy season caused the sea water dirty.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson of Karangasem Regency Government, Made Sosiawan, said the broken pipeline of oil waste in Manggis Shed had been overcome.

Additionally, monitoring had also been done by assigning the Karangasem Environment Agency (BLH) in cooperation with BLH Bali to Manggis Shed several days ago. “Oil spills into the sea had been overcome, while diving tours around the Candidasa area has been in normal operation,” said Sosiawan.

The flexible joint pipe of MFO backloading from Manggis,

Karangasem Shed had ruptured.

About 10 kilo liters or 10,000 liters of oil waste had spilled into the sea around the pier of Pertamina Transit Shed of Manggis, since Monday (Feb 7) around 9:00 p.m.

Local Time.

The incident was admitted by the Operations Head of Manggis Fuel Terminal, Andarias A. Rambu, in Karangasem on Friday (Feb 11).

However, the rupture of the fuel pipeline from tanker to the shed tank could have been quickly overcome, so that it did not cause any serious marine pollution.

The incident of the adequately large oil spill was feared to contaminate the sea as the surrounding sea and beach were taken advantage for tourist attraction. Many tourists enjoyed various marine tourist attractions like diving and snorkeling along the waters of Padangbai to the beach of Kubu, Karangasem.

Rambu said that MFO pipeline rupture was caused by high pressure due to differences in the size of oil pipeline from the jetty to the ship. Admittedly, the MFO backloading pumping from the dock III using the pump with capacity of 150KL/hour and hose with a diameter of 6 inches was performed on Monday (Feb 7) night. Sarfas recipient in the Dewi Alor barge used a modified twoway T Piece Reducer connected to the next pipeline and the path to the barge receiver tank used a different size of hose. Having been investigated, it was the different pres-

sure in the pipeline causing the flexible joint of the MFO backloading pump outlet to rupture.

Rambu recognized the incident occurred from 7:00 p.m. on Monday (Feb 7) when the MFO pumping was carried out from the pier to Dewi Alor barge. The rupture and leakage were just known at 9:15 p.m. At that time, the control room officers received a report from the duty officer seeing the MFO in the gutter area of the pump. Then, the officers took action quickly. The pumping officer, Wayan Budiastawa, immediately headed for the pump to shut down the pump and responded by another officer, Wayan Narda. He promptly came to the oil catcher numbers 1 and 2 to close the output door of oil catcher.

Information on the case immediately spread so the other officers arrived to help them. “Our officer swiftly came to location to control and isolate the spills inside and outside the site to prevent environmental pollution due to the incident,” explained Rambu.

It was added, at the same time was also established a team totaling 18 workers to suck up the MFO spills in the gutter by using vacuum truck and MFO transfer pumps to the bridger. In addition, the off-site personnel assisted by 11 workers also took preventive measures against the oil spill by using oil boom ex to remove any residual oil spreading into the sea and to collect the polluted soil and sand coming to 8 sacks to be dried. (013)

Ayam Pelalah (Shredded Chicken with Chilies & Lime) OVERVIEW: You can use any type of leftover chicken (roast, steamed or fried) for this delightfully tangy chicken salad INGREDIENTS : 1 whole chicken, weighing about 1.2 kg (2 ½ lb) 1 cup chicken spice paste ½ cup tomato sambal 3 tbsp freshly squeezed limejuice PREPARATION: 1. Rub the chicken outside and inside with the spice paste, and season with salt and crushed black pepper.

2. Place on wire rack in oven and roast first at 220 Celsius (420 F) for 20 min, then reduce heat to 180 Celsius (350 F) and roast until done. Frequently baste chicken with a mixture of coconut oil and chicken spice paste.

3. When cool, remove and discard the skin. Remove meat from bones and shred by hand into fine strips.

4. Combine chicken stripes with remaining ingredients. Mix well and season to taste. Serve at room temperature with steamed rice. (www.baliguide.com/ balifood)

Urutan Celeng (Fried Pork Sausages) OVERVIEW: This is always found in stalls selling roasted whole pig. Be Celeng, better known to visitors to Bali by its Indonesian name, Babi Guling. Not one part of the pig is wasted, and even the skin is deep fried as a crisp garnish. In Bali, this sausage is usually hung in a tree to dry to keep it away from the dogs and chickens.

INGREDIENTS: 600 gr (1¼ lb) boneless pork leg or shoulder, cut in 1 cm (1/2in) cubes ½ cup basic spice paste 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black peppercorns, crushed 2 tbsp tamarind pulp, seeds and fibres removed vegetable oil for frying 1 meter (3ft) pork intestine or sausage casings PREPARATION: Combine pork meat with basic spice paste, salt, pepper and tamarind paste. Mix well for 5 minutes. Tie one end of pork intestines with string. Insert large round nozzle into pastry piping bag and fill it with the meat mixture. Place open end of intestine over nozzle of piping bag and fill intestine tightly. Tie end with string. Dry sausage for 8 hours on wire rack in oven at very low heat.

Deep fry in oil over medium heat until golden brown.

C.045 ibp

This dish is traditionally served with lawar (Vegetable Salad made from green beans) or with young jackfruits. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Destinations

International

West Bali National Park IBP

West Bali National Park is nature conservation with pure ecosystem managed by zone system for multiple research purpose involving the education, tourism and recreation.

It is one of the national park located west side of Bali Island with beautiful panoramic, unique nature ecosystem and fresh atmosphere. West Bali National Park or most the local people call Taman National Bali Barat is one of the tourist destinations in Negara Regency and many visited by tourists.

It is situated in west side of Bali Island and close to Gilimanuk Port or about 4 hours drive away from Bali’s International Airport. Some of the Bali West National Park Area located in Grokgak sub district, Singaraja Regency and some of the area located in Melaya Sub district, Jembrana Regency. It is very easy to locate it from Denpasar direction to follow the main road go to Gilimanuk Port or Singaraja town to Gilimanuk Port.

According to Republic Indonesia Forestry Minister decision written on

the official letter no 493/Kpts-II/1995 that West Bali National Park own 19.002,89 ha which is consisted of 15.587,89 ha land and 3.415 ha ocean. The conservation effort toward the ecosystem at this park goes to three objective activities as follows: 1. To protect the ecosystem those support the life 2. Pickling the variety of flora and fauna including the habitat 3. Exploiting everlastingly the nature resources including the ecosystem West Bali National Park area is a green are spread out along the main road Denpasar – Gilimanuk – Singaraja about 150 kilometers. Topographic of this park own constant gradation between mount, hill, valley, bay and sea.

The mountain area is involving up to 71% from the total park area as protected forest with multifarious faunas like deer, forest pig, lion, birth etc. meanwhile the flat area is about 29% located in north part of main road Gilimanuk – Singaraja until Java Sea. If we look from the conception, this area is a Giri/Gunung or mounts which is completed by the forest

(Wanagiri). According to Kidung Utama Tantri script there is a word mention Ning Wana Ukir which gives the direction that the Wana Giri philosophy is well written to describe the total of this world.

West Bali National Park own high potential of flora and fauna those are consisted of 14 variety of protected floras involving Sawo Kecik (Manilkara Kauki), Sono Keling (Dalbergia Latifolia). From the fauna, Jalak Bali Birth (Leucopsar Rothscildi) is one of the endemic fauna in Bali Island there are pure habitat found in this park along to Prapat Agung and surrounding area.

Other faunas can be found at this park involving cow, deer, mouse deer, venison, wild cat, grey and black monkeys. Beside of the above animals, a couple of reptiles and other 60 rash of births also can be found. The condition of coral reef at this park is highly varied with unique combination and multifarious of habitats. In year 1998, it was recorded 110 kinds of coral including 22 mushroom corals and up to now, it was recorded that this park own 222 kinds of fish.

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

11

BUSINESS Ecuador orders Chevron pay $8 bln over oil damage Agence France-Presse

China’s inflation rises as food costs surge Associated Press

BEIJING – A double-digit jump in food prices pushed China’s inflation higher in January, adding to pressure on Beijing to cool living costs with more interest rate hikes and other measures.

Consumer prices rose 4.9 percent, driven by a 10.3 percent jump in food costs, data showed Tuesday.

That was up from December’s 4.6 percent rate and close to November’s 28-month high of 5.1 percent.

Beijing has hiked interest rates three times since October to cool rapid economic growth and tamp down inflation. But analysts say it needs to do more to curb soaring bank lending while it also tries to increase food supplies to bring down prices.

“The government is battling with all sorts of problems coming from every front,” said Standard Chartered economist Jinny Yan. “The peak of inflation is yet to be seen.”

Inflation is politically dangerous for Beijing because it erodes the Chinese public’s economic gains and threatens acceptance of communist rule. China’s poorest families spend up to half their incomes on food and are hit hard by price rises.

The government has set a 4 percent inflation target this year, but private sector analysts expect up to 6 percent, which would include an even sharper rise for food.

In January, the price of fresh fruit soared by 34.8 percent over a year

earlier, while eggs rose 20.2 percent, the National Bureau of Statistics reported.

Adding to a squeeze on food supplies, China’s wheat-growing northeast is in the grip of a severe drought that threatens its crop.

Beijing has launched a $1 billion emergency campaign of cloudseeding and expanded irrigation.

Economists say Beijing responded too slowly to rising inflation pressures after China rebounded quickly from the 2008 global financial crisis on the strength of massive stimulus spending and a flood of lending by state-owned banks.

Economic growth that hit 9.8 percent in the final quarter of last year is expected to slow this year but stay strong, supporting higher demand for food and consumer goods and helping to push up prices.

Analysts expect at least two more rate hikes by midyear but say monetary policy alone cannot resolve China’s economic challenges.

“Inflation is unlikely to come down substantially in the first half of the year,” said Mark Williams of Capital Economics. Rate hikes

alone “aren’t going to bring more crops to the markets.”

Inflation could spill over into higher Chinese export prices. That might raise costs for Western consumers but also could help countries such as Vietnam and India compete with China as suppliers of clothing, furniture and other low-cost goods.

Global Sources, a company that connects Chinese suppliers with foreign customers, said this week that a survey of 232 Chinese companies found 74 percent of them raised prices last year — some by up to 20 percent — due to higher costs for materials and components.

A separate Global Sources survey of 385 foreign buyers last month found 31 percent were increasing purchases from Vietnam due to higher Chinese prices.

Higher inflation also might prompt Beijing to slow the rise of its currency, the yuan, against the U.S. dollar to help its exporters compete. That might add to strains with Washington and other governments that complain the yuan is kept undervalued, giving China’s exporters an unfair advantage and adding to its huge trade surplus.

QUITO – A court in Ecuador ordered US oil giant Chevron to pay an estimated $8 billion for causing environmental damage in the Amazon region, in a ruling that both sides plan to challenge.

Chevron blasted the decision as a “product of fraud,” while lawyers representing the Ecuadoran Amazon communities that filed the decades-old lawsuit claim $8 billion is far too low.

“We’re preparing an appeal because we believe that the amount is insufficient compared to the damages caused,” said attorney Pablo Fajardo, noting the ruling came from a court in the town of Lago Agrio in the province of Sucumbios, near the Colombian border.

The plaintiffs were seeking more than $27 billion, claiming Chevron was responsible for damage between 1964 and 1990 in the Amazon rainforest caused by oil extraction by Texaco, a company it bought in 2001.

They say soil and rivers were contaminated and that local residents reported higher rates of cancer.

Chevron inherited the lawsuit, which was originally filed in 1993. It claims it was absolved of liability because Texaco paid $40 million in cleanup efforts, approved by the government, before it was bought by Chevron.

“The Ecuadoran court’s judgment is illegitimate and unenforceable,” Chevron said in a statement. “It is the product of fraud and is contrary to the legitimate scientific evidence.”

Fajardo described the court’s fine as slightly more than $8 billion, while The Wall Street Journal reported the total is $8.6 billion, more than half of which would go toward restoring polluted soil.

Environmental activists applauded the ruling.

“Chevron has spent the last 18 years waging unprecedented public relations and lobbying campaigns to avoid cleaning up the environmental and public health catastrophe it left in the Amazon rainforest,” US-based Amazon

Watch and Rainforest Action Network said in a statement.

The organizations called the court’s decision “historic and unprecedented,” saying it was the first time indigenous people won a lawsuit against a multinational corporation in the country where the damage occurred.

Chevron pledged to appeal, arguing that earlier rulings by US and international courts will bar enforcement of the decision.

“Chevron does not believe that today’s judgment is enforceable in any court that observes the rule of law,” it said in the statement. “Chevron intends to see that the perpetrators of this fraud are held accountable for their misconduct.”

The lawsuit on behalf of Ecuadoran Amazon communities was originally filed in New York in 1993.

The Ecuadorans allege that Texaco dumped billions of gallons of toxic waste into the Amazon.

Chevron, the second-largest energy company in the United States, has long claimed the process was tainted.

In 2009, Chevron posted videos online purporting to show a bribery scheme implicating the judge presiding over the lawsuit. The judge recused himself days after the videos were released.

This award passes the record of $5 billion initially imposed on ExxonMobil Corp. for an oil spill off the coast of Alaska in 1989. But that amount was later reduced to $500 million after a series of appeals by Exxon.

Last year, British oil giant BP contributed $20 billion to a compensation fund for cleanup efforts and victims of its massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The disaster, which began with a deadly April blast aboard the BP-leased Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, sullied the coastline from Texas to Florida, killing wildlife and devastating key local industries such as tourism and fishing.

Chevron closed at $96.95 per share in trading Monday on the New York Stock Exchange, up by $1.22 per share.

12

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Entertainment

International

US country trio, Canadian rockers win at Grammys Agence France Presse

LOS ANGELES – US country trio Lady Antebellum emerged as surprise winners Sunday at the Grammys, taking five awards in a disappointing night for rapper Eminem at the music industry’s annual mega-bash.

Canadian indie band Arcade Fire won the coveted best album top award at the climax of the three-and-half-hour show in Los Angeles, while Lady Gaga — who turned up in an egg, in inimitable style — garnered three gongs.

Superstar rapper Jay-Z also won three Grammys — including two for “Empire State of Mind,” his duet with Alicia Keys — as did soul star John Legend, who won best R and B album for “Wake Up!” in collaboration with The Roots. Eminem, who had been nominated in 10 categories and was hoping to cap a comeback year, had to settle for two wins after a show including performances by rock legend Mick Jagger, folk icon Bob Dylan and diva Barbra Streisand.

Jazz bassist and singer Esperanza Spalding, who is one of President Barack Obama’s favorite musicians, was named best newcomer at the music industry’s annual awards, beating teen sensation Bieber among others shortlisted. Lady Antebellum

appeared shocked by their success, in winning in five of the six categories for which they had been nominated including best song and best record for “Need You Now,” from their best-selling album of the same name.

“We are completely floating ...

We’re on a cloud,” said female band member Hillary Scott after the show, while Charles Kelley, leader singer of the Nashville-based band, added: “It definitely feels pretty surreal.”

The trio were only prevented from winning a clean sweep of all six categories in which they were nominated by Arcade Fire, who won album of the year Grammy for their record “The Suburbs.”

Eminem, who performed “Love the Way You Lie” with Rihanna at LA’s

Staples Center, had garnered the most nominations with nods in 10 categories — but ended the evening with only two — best rap album and best rap solo. The show began with a tribute to soul legend Aretha Franklin, with singers including Christina Aguilera belting out a string of Franklin’s hits including “Respect,” “Think” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman.”

The “Queen of Soul,” recovering from reported cancer surgery, send a video message thanking everyone for their prayers and promising to be back for next year’s show. Of the veterans who did perform Sunday, Jagger was the most explosive, rocking the show with a version of the Blues Brothers’ classic “Everybody Needs Somebody.”

Dressed in a purple gown Streisand, who rarely performs in public these days, sang “Evergreen,” while Dylan growled his way through “Maggie’s Farm” backed by an acoustic band, with a harmonica flourish at the end.

AFP/Getty Images/Kevin Winter

Musicians Hillary Scott, Josh Kear and Charles Kelley of the band Lady Antebellum accept the Song Of The Year Award for “Need You Now” onstage during the 53rd annual Grammy awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Sheen: He’s ready to work on ‘Two and a Half Men’

Singer Bob Dylan performs onstage during the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 13 in Los Angeles, California.

Associated Press Writer

AFP/Getty Images/File/KEVIN WINTER

Bob Dylan to launch Asian tour Agence France Presse

TAIPEI – Legendary American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will kick off tour of Asia in April with his first ever performance in Taiwan, organisers said Tuesday. Dylan, the reluctant voice for disaffected youth in the 1960s, will perform in Taipei on April 3, a prospect that has led thousands of fans to rush for the ticket booths, according to the Taipeibased Very Aspect Culture Group.

“In the 24 hours since we started sales Monday, over 40 percent of the scheduled 10,000 tickets have been snatched up,” said Edie Chen, an executive at the company, adding prices went as high as Tw$8,000 ($272).

Although he has never visited before, the 70-year-old American icon is loved in Taiwan, defying a trend that has seen Western music lose market share to Mandarin songs over the past 20 years. His fans reportedly include Morris Chang, chairman of the world’s biggest contract microchip maker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., but he is an idol for the very young, too.

Chen said a 400 tickets carrying a price tag of just Tw$800 ($27), and therefore favoured by cost-conscious young people, were snapped up within 10 minutes. “That really surprised me,” she added.

Dylan’s songs such as “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are a-Changin’” became anthems for the civil rights and anti-war movements. The Asian tour will also take Dylan to Japan, Hong Kong and Vietnam, Chen said, adding that it was not yet certain if he would also perform in China.

LOS ANGELES – Charlie Sheen is off work from “Two and a Half Men” but still making jokes, including about when his top-rated sitcom might resume production. The CBS series went on hiatus last month after Sheen was briefly hospitalized following a 911 call in which a neighbor said the actor was intoxicated and in pain.

In an interview on “The Dan Patrick Show,” which airs in syndication on radio and on satellite TV provider DirecTV, Sheen said he was prepared to get back on the set but those in charge of the series weren’t. “They said, `You get ready and we’ll get ready.’ And I got ready and went back and nobody’s there,” he said. “I’m here and I’m ready.

They’re not. Bring it, you know?”

Sheen said he tends to “unravel pretty quickly,” so suggested producers should put him to work now. Asked

about when shooting would resume, he joked, “I believe August of 2014 at this pace. I don’t know, it’s supposed to be like the 28th or the 29th. That’s what it is! It’s the 29th in a non-leap year.” A spokesman for Sheen said previously he hoped to return to work by the end of February.

CBS and producer Warner Bros.

Television declined comment on when production might resume on the Monday night sitcom that has filmed only 16 of the season’s planned 24 episodes. The network and studio have expressed concern for the actor’s well-being. In the interview with former ESPN anchor Patrick, Sheen acknowledged that he’s had “some problems lately” and said staying away from crack cocaine is good advice unless a person can “manage it socially.”

Asked if he could, Sheen replied, “Yeah, yeah, but that kinda blew up in my face ... like an exploding crack pipe.” He said he is sober now. Sheen’s

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File

FILE - This Jan. 28, 2009 file photo shows Charlie Sheen in Los Angeles.

publicist, Stan Rosenfield, initially cited the actor’s history of hernia problems when Sheen was hospitalized.

He later said his client went into rehab, but he did not say why.

Sharon Obsbourne, ‘Charm School’ star settle case Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – Sharon Osbourne and a former contestant on her VH1 show “Rock of Love Charm School” have settled a battery and negligence lawsuit on the eve of trial. Attorneys for Osbourne and Megan Hauserman confirmed they settled the case, which was about to begin with opening state-

AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file

FILE - In this July 28, 2010 file photo, Sharon Osbourne arrives at the CBS CW Showtime press tour party in Beverly Hills, Calif.

ments on Monday.

Hauserman sued Osbourne in March 2009, claiming she was struck and had her hair pulled by the wife of musician Ozzy Osbourne during an episode of the show. VH1 promoted the fracas as “Sharon and Megan’s big fight.”

In the video, the women exchange insults, Osbourne pours a drink on Hauserman and then the two are surrounded by a rush of people.

Both Osbourne’s attorney, Howard Weitzman, and Hauserman’s attorney, Roderick Lindblom, said they could not discuss the settlement.

Science

International

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

13

NASA craft snaps pics of comet in Valentine fling Associated Press Writer

PASADENA, Calif. – A NASA spacecraft zipped past a comet half the size of Manhattan in a Valentine’s Day rendezvous that scientists hope will shed light on these icy solar system bodies.

Speeding at 24,000 mph, Stardust zoomed by comet Tempel 1 on Monday night, snapping six dozen highresolution pictures along the way. At nearest approach, the craft passed within 112 miles of the potatoshaped comet — closer than the original prediction.

Instead of erupting in cheers, mission controllers at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory were left wondering why shots from the flyby were not downloading in the order that they want. NASA had planned to wow the world by playing back the images in reverse order, starting with five close-up pictures of Tempel 1’s nucleus. Instead, the first images to pop up on scientists’ computer screens showed the comet as a tiny speck.

“We still don’t understand fully why this didn’t work the way we planned,” said Chris Jones, an associate director at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which managed the mission. All the flyby pictures were stored aboard Stardust. “They’re not lost,” Jones said. The glitch means scientists will have to wait several more hours for everything to down-

load to study changes on the comet’s surface.

The Valentine flyby, which occurred 210 million miles from Earth, is the first time that a comet has been visited up close by two different spacecraft. Onboard dust detectors revealed Stardust took several hits as it swooped past Tempel 1. The craft is armed with bumpers designed to protect it from comet shards as large as half an inch.

“We made it through,” said mission control commentator Mykal Lefevre, of Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver. Shortly after closest approach, Stardust turned its antenna toward Earth to begin the downlink. The playback was delayed an hour due to inclement weather at a ground station in Spain.

When the close-up images didn’t show up as planned, project leaders were seen pacing around mission control or huddling in groups to troubleshoot. Space enthusiasts who stayed up all night watching the coverage streamed by NASA grew weary and signed off from Twitter and other social networking sites after failing to get an up-close peek

AP Photo/NASA, Pat Rawlings, File

FILE - This 2005 file rendering by artist Pat Rawlings, released by NASA, shows the Deep Impact spacecraft’s encounter with comet Tempel 1. After eyeing a comet for the past four years, a NASA spacecraft will finally make its move.

of Tempel 1.

Comets are like frozen time capsules because they’re thought to contain primordial material preserved from the aftermath of the solar system’s birth some 4.5 billion years

ago. Studying comets could yield clues to how the sun and planets formed. The last time NASA visited Tempel 1, it ended in violence. In 2005, Deep Impact fired a copper bullet that slammed into the surface and gouged a crater.

The high-speed collision spewed such a huge plume of dust that it obscured Deep Impact’s view. It was not immediately known whether Stardust photographed the Deep Impact crater.

Microsoft upgrade to let phones connect to Xbox Associated Press Writer

BARCELONA, Spain – Now that it has hooked up with Nokia Corp. phones, Microsoft Corp. hopes to connect its phone software to the Xbox this year too. It’s also planning other improvements that include a faster Web browser and quicker switching between phone applications.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced the upgrades Monday in a keynote speech at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. On Friday, Nokia Corp. said it would ditch its smart-phone software in favor of using Windows Phone 7, which launched late last year.

Microsoft showed a video of three people using an Xbox game console with a Kinect camera. One of them, standing in front of the camera, “dodged” balls that appeared on the TV screen, sent by the two other players from their Windows phones.

In another upgrade, Microsoft plans to introduce a form of “multitasking” for third-party applications. To switch quickly between apps, the user can hold down the “back” button, which reveals a list of recently-used applications, displayed like a row of “cards” on the screen. It’s a design reminiscent of Palm Inc.’s webOS software, which attracted few customers de-

spite receiving favorable reviews when it was released in 2009.

Hewlett-Packard Co. bought Palm last year and plans to use the software in a range of products, including tablets and PCs. Microsoft also plans to upgrade its browser to make it more responsive. Microsoft runs a version of its Internet Explorer that lags behind smart-phone browsers when it comes to speed.

Windows phones will get their first, previously announced software update in March. It will add a cutand-paste feature. The more wideranging updates revealed Monday will come later in the year.

Butterflies make partial comeback in Mexico Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Miguel Tovar, file

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2007 file photo a couple of monarch butterflies perch on a tree.

MEXICO CITY – The number of monarch butterflies migrating from Canada and the U.S. to Mexico has increased this year, a hopeful sign following a worrying 75 percent drop in their numbers last year, experts reported Monday. The total amount of forest covered by the colonies — millions of orange-and-black butterflies that hang in clumps from the boughs of fir trees — more than doubled from last year’s historic low.

But concerns persist about the monarchs’long-term survival, because their numbers remain well below average. This winter, there are 9.9 acres

(4 hectares) of colonies, more than double the 4.7 acres (1.9 hectares) last year, the lowest level since comparable record-keeping began in 1993.

“These figures are encouraging, compared to last year, because they show a trend toward recovery,” said Omar Vidal, director of the conservation group World Wildlife Fund Mexico, which sponsored the study along with the government Commission on Natural Protected Areas and the cell phone carrier Telcel.

Despite the rebound experienced by this mysterious scientific phenomenon, historically a huge tourist draw, the latest numbers are well below the almost 20 acres (8 hectares) covered in the 2008-09 winter season and the record

high of 45 acres (18.2 hectares) in 199697. “Fluctuations in insect populations are normal in nature,” the study’s sponsors said in a statement. “With regard to the monarch butterfly, these fluctuations could be due mainly to climatic conditions,” including especially cold or dry years in the United States and Canada, where the butterflies that make the trip are born. But experts said natural variation doesn’t fully account for a long-term decline in average numbers.

The butterfly population also has been hurt by deforestation of the mountaintop pine forests in Mexico’s western Michoacan state that serve as “blankets” to protect the insects against winter rain and cold.

The WWF, private companies, international groups and Mexican state and federal governments have been battling deforestation over the past decade. They sent police to raid illegal sawmills and started alternative income projects, such as tree nurseries, for the farm communities that own land in federally protected reserves.

Lincoln Brower, an expert on monarch butterflies and zoology professor at the University of Florida, said this year’s recovery is good news, but adds that each time the butterflies “recover,” they slip to lower and lower numbers. “What is ominous is that all of the last seven years have been below average,” he said.

14

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Sport

International

Man Utd to smash £100 mn revenue mark Agence France Presse

AP Photo/Alastair Grant

Fulham’s Zoltan Gera, falls under pressure from Chelsea’s Ramires, during their English Premier League soccer match at Fulham’s Craven Cottage Stadium in London, Monday, Feb. 14, 2011.

Ancelotti concedes Premier League title as Chelsea held Agence France Presse

LONDON – Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti conceded defeat in the Premier League title race after his side played out a goalless draw at Craven Cottage on Monday night. His goalkeeper Petr Cech saved a Clint Dempsey penalty in the last minute of a game with precious few chances.

But the draw means Chelsea are now 12 points behind leaders Manchester United with as many games to play. And Ancelotti admits the FA Cup and the Champions League are Chelsea’s only hopes of trophies this season. He said: “Now (12 points adrift) is too much. Our aim is to play every game like we played tonight: use the spirit and the attitude.

“Obviously it’s very difficult to come back to fight for the title, but we have a very important aim to reach until the end with the FA Cup. “We want to come back quickly into the top four, and the Champions League returns next week. “The most important thing is to finish in the top four. I think we will be able to do this if we play like we did tonight.

“I’m an optimist and there’s good reason to have confidence.

I try to be objective every time.

The football we showed tonight

was good, and we have to continue it.” Chelsea striker Fernando Torres had another disappointing display after he was chosen to start ahead of Didier Drogba.

But Ancelotti believes his 50million pound striker he bought on transfer deadline day will prove to be worth the outlay. And he defended his decision to play Torres alone, claiming Drogba merely needed a break, after the Italian manager insisting last week the pair can play together in the same starting line-up. Ancelotti added: “Fernando played well. He used his ability to move. He had some opportunities in the first half and I took him out just to use Didier fresh and with power.

“That’s the only reason I changed him. His performance was better than that against Liverpool. It was a normal rotation. We have a lot of games and I want to maintain the players fresh.” David Luiz was assured in his first start for Chelsea,

until the last minute when he pushed Clint Dempsey for the penalty.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes, meanwhile, was aggrieved at ending with a draw after holding Chelsea at bay for much of the game. And he criticised referee Mike Dean for failing to rule that the penalty be retaken, after he claimed Drogba encroached on Dempsey as he was going to take it.

Hughes said: “Given the circumstances at the end, it’s disappointment. We came up against a strong Chelsea side who posed questions of us in the second half, and we had to be strong and resilient.

“We’ve been playing well of late and showed real character to dig in and create chances at the other end.

“The penalty should have been retaken anyway because Drogba was encroaching in the box. Mike Dean saw it: he was alongside Clint as he kicked it. “Mike Dean saw that, so it should have been retaken. It’s a moot point, though, I suppose.”

LONDON – Manchester United were predicted Monday to become the first Premier League club to smash the 100 million pound barrier for commercial revenue alone. The most recent accounts from Old Trafford showed revenues rising to 24 million pounds over the first quarter of the accounting year, and it is thought the second, up to December 31, will be just as strong.

United’s new aproach to commercial opportunities, agreed with owners the Glazer family and implemented by commercial director Richard Arnold, has allowed the club to rapidly expand that area of their revenue.

The last annual figures showed a 16 percent growth in commercial income to 81 million and last week global logistics giant DHL became the latest company to confirm an extended “partnership” with the Old Trafford outfit, their three-year deal allowing them to take charge of the distribution of United’s massive merchandising operation.

Even if United, chasing a 19th league title, do not get to the magic 100 million mark this year, it is only

a matter of time before they make it.

And with revenue streams continuing to grow in other sectors, chief executive David Gill is confident that the spread across all three areas; media, matchday and commercial means United are insulated against future problems in other areas. “One of the strengths of this club compared to others is that we get income from all revenue streams,” he said.

“Our match day revenue is around 40 percent of our overall turnover, we are part of a great competition in the Premier League that continues to grow and the commercial sector has gone up from 20 percent to 30 percent. “That will stand us in very good stead. They are all high margins and will continue to give us the money Sir Alex Ferguson needs to keep the club at the top. There is a strong desire within our great supporter base for that to happen.”

To place United’s financial strength into context, rapidly rising neighbours Manchester City made 11th place in last year’s football ‘rich-list’ and their overall turnover was only 125 million. Speculation about a potential £1.6billion takeover bid from Qatar lingers, even though the club response remains the same.

Brazil great Ronaldo confirms retirement Agence France presse

SAO PAULO – Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldo, whose goalscoring genius led Brazil to the 2002 World Cup title, confirmed his retirement on Monday at the age of 34. The tearful Corinthians striker announced his decision at a press conference in Sao Paulo, saying that although leaving football felt like “death,” his body could no longer match the demands he was putting on it.

“I’m stopping my career as a professional footballer,” he said, his voice breaking. “It’s been a beautiful, emotional, marvelous career.

“These last two years, I’ve had a long series of injuries, from one side to the other, one leg to the other, one muscle to the other. The pain pushed me to think about the end of my ca-

reer.” Ronaldo also revealed that he suffered from a thyroid problem that had made it difficult to control his weight.

“Four years ago, in Milan, I discovered that I suffered from an under-active thyroid that slowed down my metabolism and that to control it, I had to take hormones that weren’t authorized in football as they were considered a form of doping,” he said. “Lots of people must regret having made jokes about my weight. But I feel no anger towards anyone.”

Having earlier indicated that he hoped to play on until the end of the year, injuries and Corinthians’ early elimination from the Copa Libertadores prompted him to bring forward his retirement. “These pains made me bring forward the end of my career,” he said.

Brazilian football star Ronaldo, of Corinthians, listens to a question during the official announcement of his retirement from the fields, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 14, 2011.

AFP PHOTO/Mauricio LIMA

Sport

International

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

15

Strycova, Arvidsson, Anderson ousted at Memphis Agence France Presse

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Czech top seed Barbora Zahlavova Strycova, Swedish second seed Sofia Arvidsson and South African eighth seed Kevin Anderson were ousted Monday at a 1.32 milliondollar WTA and ATP event. Dutch standout Michaella Krajicek defeated Strycova 6-1, 6-3 in 70 minutes to book a second-round meeting with US qualifier Alexa Glatch in the 32-player women’s indoor tournament.

US lucky loser Alexandra Stevenson eliminated Arvidsson 63, 6-1 to book a second-round date with compatriot Coco Vandeweghe.

Strycova’s ouster left Czech seventh seed Renta Voracova as the only seed player in her half of the draw following Sunday’s ouster of US No. 8 Vania King and Russian No. 4 Alla Kudryavtseva.

In the first match of the men’s

event, Anderson was beaten 5-7, 63, 7-6 (7/4) by American Robert Kendruck, who will face either US wild card James Blake or Brazil’s Ricardo Mello in the second round.

Also falling Monday was women’s fifth seed Olga Govortsova of Belarus, who lost 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 to French qualifier Stephanie Foretz Gacon.

The last of Gacon’s seven double faults handed Govortsova a break to pull even at 4-4 in the final set but the lone French player in the women’s draw broke back and held to advance after two hours and 22 minutes. British qualifier Heather Watson will face Gacon in the second round.

Russia’s Evgeniya Rodina rallied to down Croatian wild card Ajla Tomljanovic 1-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) and put herself into the path of US third seed Melanie Oudin, who was set to open later Monday against Russian Anastasia Pivovarova.

Pacquiao balances pugilism and politics AP Photo/Bob Leverone

Los Angeles Lakers’ Pau Gasol (16), of Spain, comes in late and fouls Charlotte Bobcats’ Gerald Henderson during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Monday, Feb. 14, 2011. Charlotte won 109-89.

Bobcats continue mastery of Lakers, 109-89 Associated Press Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson was so upset he spoke to reporters for 5 seconds and then walked away. Kobe Bryant sneaked out of the locker room before addressing the press at all. A once promising road trip has quickly turned sour for the two-time defending champions, although they probably should have seen their most lopsided loss of the season coming.

The Charlotte Bobcats somehow own them. Gerald Wallace had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Gerald Henderson added 18 points and helped slow Bryant, and the Bobcats cruised to a 109-89 victory on Monday night to extend one of the more unusual one-sided matchups in the NBA. The Bobcats have won eight of the past 10 meetings. The Lakers, 58 all-time against the NBA’s newest team, hold a losing record against only one other club — the Boston Celtics. This latest loss, full of missed shots and poor defense and coming on the heels of an ugly defeat in Orlando, left Jackson steamed.

“I’m embarrassed about what we did and that’s it,” Jackson said as he began to stroll away. “Thank you.”

The Lakers then continued to keep the locker room closed to reporters, allowing Bryant to slip out and head to the bus after he scored 20 points.

But Bryant missed 11 of his first 16 shots, got to the foul line only four times and committed five fouls as he played despite missing shootaround with an illness.

The weary Lakers, who had started this extended trip 4-0, will close it out Wednesday at Cleveland.

“Everything we do is obviously going to be compared to what we’ve done the last two seasons,” guard Derek Fisher said. “But this is an entirely different team. Half of our roster is new, so there are still things we’re learning about ourselves.” So are the Bobcats, who completed a bizarre eight-day stretch in which they also beat Eastern Conference heavyweights Boston and Atlanta and lost to unheralded Indiana and New Jersey as they try to secure the final playoff spot in the East. But the Bobcats always seem to beat the Lakers.

“I think even though they’re bigger than us, we’re quicker and more

athletic than them,” Wallace said.

“We get up and run up and down the floor. We’re able to control their bigs and control Kobe for the most parts of the game. I think that’s what helps us out a lot in this matchup.” This one wasn’t even close — and got ugly in the fourth quarter.

Jackson had used all but one of his full timeouts before Wallace’s 3pointer at the third-quarter buzzer put Charlotte ahead 78-60. Bryant then picked up two quick fouls, giving him five and helping the Bobcats reach the penalty with 10:51 left. It appeared Jackson tried to teach his starters a lesson, keeping them in the game until midway through the period as Charlotte’s lead ballooned with reserves Henderson and Nazr Mohammed (16 points) leading the charge.

“Pretty upset about what happened out there,” said Pau Gasol, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Reuters

NEW YORK – While Manny Pacquiao balances his roles as world’s greatest fighter and representative of the Sarangani province in the Philippine Congress, trainer Freddie Roach was mapping out a strategy to beat “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Congressman Pacquiao, a world champion at eight different weight classes, will utilize a legislative recess to defend his World Boxing Organization welterweight title against former three-division champion Mosley on May 7 in Las Vegas.

“The first four rounds may be a little crucial, a little dangerous,” Roach told reporters at a promotional news conference on Monday.

“He’s a good counter-puncher and can punch a little bit but I think we can break him down. “If you walk in too aggressively he will catch you.” Pacquiao, meanwhile, was keeping an eye on the clock to catch a train to Washington where he was scheduled to meet with U.S. Senate

Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat.

“We will discuss some political matters,” said Pacquiao, declining to offer details on the agenda. Pacquiao said he still enjoyed boxing but also wanted to thrive in his new role.

“You need to love your job and what you’re going to do, and it’s just time management,” he said about balancing his dual roles. “I love both jobs.” Pacquiao said he has been a busy politician. “I’m the one who pushed the bill for anti-human trafficking,” he said. “I’m doing good in Congress. There’s a lot of stuff to do.”

He also worked to obtain funds to build a hospital and hopes construction will begin this spring to finally bring medical services to his province.

“I want to be a champion as a public servant,” he said.

Fight organizers said all but a few hundred seats at the MGM Grand arena were already sold, adding that the bookmakers’ early line listed Pacquiao as a 7-to-1 favorite. This information seemed to excite the Mosley camp.

AP Photo/Craig Ruttle

Boxers Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, left, and “Sugar” Shane Mosley pose at a news conference in New York Monday, Feb. 14, 2011, to promote their May 7, 2011 boxing match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

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

Sport

Red Bull Racing team’s German Sebastian Vettel drives during a training session at Jerez racetrack, on February 12, 2011 in Jerez.

World champion Sebastian Vettel has renewed talk about a future at the Ferrari team, saying it would be a dream to race for the Italian squad one day. In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, the Red Bull driver admitted he was happy with his current team, but insisted he would like be drive for the Maranello outfit in the future.

“Let’s put it this way: I love to race, I know motor racing history and I know Ferrari is a legend,” he told the newspaper. “To have your name written among the names of the

world champions is special, but having it in the list of the Ferrari drivers would be special too.

“Yes, it’s my dream to race for Maranello one day. However I’m still

young, there is time. At the moment I’m happy to be in Red Bull, without them I would have never arrived in F1.”

When asked where he would race if he couldn’t race for Red Bull this year, he said: “I would probably offer Alonso and Massa a vacation, I would get busy booking them a nice hotel.

Even though I’m not sure they’d shake my hand.” Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz believes Vettel will stay at

his team as long as he has a competitive car, but the Austrian suggested he would let the German driver go if he had to go elsewhere to continue winning. “As long as we can offer him a car capable to win he won’t leave for Ferrari or anywhere,” Mateschitz told AUTOSPORT. “A winning car is our duty. Except for strange circumstances Sebastian must be in a position to be able to win every race.

“If we cannot offer this to him, why

should we obstruct his career by a contract? If he cannot win with us but with somebody else we cannot stop him, even by a contract. If we give him a winning car he will stay.

“But there are always mothers with beautiful daughters around... and we can look for another Sebastian in our young driver scheme.”

AFP PHOTO / JORGE GUERRERO.

Phillip Island 2012 date under threat MOTOGP commercial rightsholder Carmelo Ezpeleta says a date change is critical to the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island keeping its place on the calendar next year. Poor weather has blighted the event in recent seasons, with Friday practice delayed by a flooded track in 2010, and strong winds and very low temperatures causing problems for riders throughout the weekend.

Valentino Rossi said at the time that the riders would push for the race

to be moved from its current October slot to an early-season date as soon as possible, and now Ezpeleta says this has become a firm demand if Phillip Island wants to retain the race. ‘’Our position has not changed at all,’’ he was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press. ‘’We want the race moving to earlier in the year for 2012, and the corporation is aware of our position.’’

Ezpeleta added that he was expecting suggestions from the Australian

Grand Prix Corporation imminently, and that it was not just extreme events like last year’s practice washout that had prompted the move, but the consistently difficult weather conditions encountered at the track in October. “[Corporation chairman] Ron Walker told me in an email that he would come back to me as soon as possible with dates for 2012,’’Ezpeleta said. ‘’In 2010, we were very close to cancelling the race. If all the weekend the weather was like Friday, which could happen, then we cannot run the event. ‘’This is the matter we are discussing, and it is not just the rain, but the problem at Phillip Island is rain and the cold and then the tyres are not up to temperature. The riders have strongly requested to us to change the date.’’

The Phillip Island authorities have preferred to keep their MotoGP event at the opposite end of the calendar from the Formula 1 grand prix in Melbourne, but Ezpeleta sees no reason why the two events could not be twinned. ‘’If it is one week before the Formula 1 they can have a motorsport week in Victoria,’’ he said.