Edisi 22 September 2010 | International Bali Post

16 Pages Number 180 2st Year

NATO says 9 service members killed in crash

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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Illegal tour guides rampant again Disparda Bali sets to raid promptly PAGE 8

Lady Gaga rally to ban on gays in the military AP Photo/Atlanta Journal & Constitution, Vino Wong

PAGE 12

A small plane sits on the road after making an emergency landing on Interstate 85 near Shallowford Road in Atlanta, Monday, Sept. 20, 2010. No injuries were reported and the plane’s pilot emerged unscathed after the gutsy maneuver.

Plane lands on busy highway northeast of Atlanta Associated Press Writer ATLANTA – Authorities say a small plane made a smooth emergency landing without hitting any cars on a busy stretch of Interstate 85 in northeast Atlanta just as the city’s evening rush hour began.

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Television shots showed traffic snarled for miles as the Piper Saratoga blocked at least four lanes of traffic about 5 p.m. Monday. It was hauled away a couple hours later. Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said no injuries were reported.

The plane landed on a southbound stretch of the interstate a few miles from Peachtree DeKalb Airport, where it was headed. The pilot, identified as Matt Conway

by WSB-TV, told the station that mechanical problems forced him to land.

Rooftop protest after Sydney asylum-seeker death Agence France Presse

SYDNEY – Asylum-seekers protested from the roof of a Sydney immigration centre for a second day on Tuesday after a Fijian man plunged to his death in front of horrified onlookers. The group of 11 protesters, including nine Sri Lankan Tamils and an Iraqi, are pleading for a review of their cases and have threatened to jump from the twostorey building, media reported.

Negotiators and security guards are on the scene at Villawood detention centre in Sydney’s western suburbs. The men, who have been on the roof since Monday and have reportedly refused food and water for more

than 24 hours, unfurled a banner saying “We need help and freedom”.

The protest follows the death of Fiji’s Josefa Rauluni, 36, who leaped from a roof at Villawood after receiving deportation orders.

His nephew was among a crowd of people watching.

Activists said the incident had deeply traumatised inmates at Villawood, which houses 300

people and reopened this year to cope with a surge in asylum-seekers arriving in Australia. “The first person I spoke to, he was a babbling mess and just ended up crying and wasn’t able to say anything other than ‘I saw it, I saw it, I saw it’ and just kept bawling his eyes out,” refugee advocate Brami Jagen told public broadcaster ABC. Continued on page 6

Sri Lankan asylum-seekers try to stop a refugee (C, in black) from jumping off the roof of the Villawood detention centre during an immigration protest near Sydney on September 21, 2010. The protest follows the death of Fiji’s Josefa Rauluni, age 36, who lept from a roof at Villawood after receiving deportation orders on September 20.

AFP PHOTO / Torsten BLACKWOOD

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International

Wednesday, September 22 , 2010

Bali News Pretima Stealers Unforgiven Action

Balinese Character and Morality Has Shifted Gianyar (Bali Post) -

The reveal of pretima stealers have made everyone shocked as those who have been playing on the sacred symbols of Hindu (pretima) were actually Balinese themselves. Government, religion figures also spirituals leaders has to introspect themselves against this problem. Those ceremonial has to be balanced with spiritual light to save the Balinese characteristic and morals from being shifted.

These pretima stealers actions are signs of these being shifted. Ida Pedanda Made Gunung, last Monday (20/9) when asked about the phenomena said that he felt he was unsuccessful enough in educating or giving directions to the Hindu Balinese.

This was admitted without blaming anyone else. Other figures also felt the same too. In the middle of those lightening given to the people there are still those who would do such thing, “It’s very sad, those incidents shows the shifting characters and morals of a Balinese.”

The degradation not only happen in this pretima stealing, yet also other crime acts done by first hand Balinese. The priest (pedanda) from geria Purnawati, Blahbatuh hoped this incident will be something to be learn

from especially for the Balinese so they will correct themselves. The priest sees the action done was not only motivated because of economy but more on the shifting moral. In the future, how about all sectors will do a more moral guidance for the people and for the Hindus, especially the stealers to do an own introspection. The stealing don’t just happen because of a chance, but also how to take care of those actions by staying at temple overnight (pekemitan). Every village or Pura (temple) has its people from non-residents to youngsters, this should be functioned and directed by the Pura.

For the stealers punishment, besides a national law based punishment it is also needed a culture sanction also a spiritual guidance for them so as they are off from jail they won’t do it again.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has let Bali House of Representatives to plan on the making of Balinese cock fighting gambling “tajen” regional rules. “If it’s going to be made, there are three things needed

to be aware of,” Balinese Province Government Head of Public Relations Division, Ketut Teneng, last Monday (20/9), stated Governor’s sayings.

Firstly, those rules are not against the law above it, “If it’s against the law above it then it’s not suitable at all.”

http://2.bp.blogspot.com

Cock fighting or tajen is being carried out by the people in Bali

Denpasar (Bali Post) –

The extreme weather lately caused by the increasing sea temperature around Bali has been uncertain and not good for climbing. And it is predicted that this kind of weather will continue until February 2011.

“If we see the prediction all this time, I asked everyone to be aware of the weather and suggest don’t do any climbing activities,” Head of Climatology Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Services Division Area III Denpasar, Nyoman Suarsa, when telephoned last Monday (20/9).

Suarsa mentioned there are sev-

eral factors that caused the extreme weather. Besides what’s mentioned above, there’s also a phenomenon of wind diversion around Bali so there’s a bigger pile of wind and caused a high chance of rain. Not only that, there are also strong winds caused by the increasing speed and direction of the wind. These conditions have to be aware by everyone and suggested not to do any outdoor nature activities, “for now we suggested not to do any climbing.”

From what’s seen by the BMKG, the rain lately has been happening in all areas, not only South Bali but also North Bali and West Bali, “Rain is pouring everywhere in Bali.” (kmb12)

In Marga, Five Electricity Poles Fell Down Tabanan, DenPost

IBP/Agung Dharmada

Ida Pedanda Made Gunung More over, this should spread to other people so to block it government, the people and parents, must increase together the characteristic and moral of our people. How? By formal and informal education also local teachings to be brought up again. Also for those retired educators can help make an organization (pesraman) with the purpose to bring back the characteristic and morality of a Balinese that’s been degrading. (dar)

Cock Fighting Gambling ”Tajen” Regional Rules, Don’t Damage Religion Values Renon, DenPost

Weather Not Supporting Climbing

Secondly, the rules are not damaging religion and culture values, “This has to be counted as if it does don’t make it.”

Thirdly, don’t make it to suffer the Balinese, “If these three things are thought of and counted then there won’t be any problem.”

Meanwhile for blood sacrifice (tabuh rah), Teneng replied that it has been going well all this time, “So, I don’t think it needs regional rules to it because tabuh rah will go on as it is a culture ritual.”

He asked those members who are creating the “tajen” rules to have deep research on it and involve Indonesia Hindu Dharma Group (PHDI), public and culture figures, and other components, “If the “tajen” rules are made for tourist attraction there’s no problem.

What’s important is there’s no gambling within it. It’ll be the same with bull races (kerapan sapi) or others, that’s fine.” (106)

Heavy rain with strong winds have been hitting Tabanan City and it surrounds these past few days now has caused concern. In a number of location such as in Pahlawan Street, vehicles drivers have to be careful as there’s a more than half meter hole filled with water ready to take victims. Not only there, in some government offices in the heart of the city also seen waters floating around such as in the Regent’s office last Monday (20/9) around the west side of the public division rooms.

The height of the water reached a quarter meter causing workers has to diverge their way in. Head of Tabanan Public Relations and Protocols Regional Secretary, Wayan Sarba, who also looked at the “new pool” was curious as this never happened before. Sarba speculated this is caused by the blocked drainage, “It was never like this before.

Maybe the drainage is blocked by rubbishes so the water stayed there.”

In a different location, a number of electricity poles owned by State Electricity Company (PLN) around Marga Village roads, Dajan Puri also Geluntung Village, Marga Sub district, fell down. Besides causing traffic, locals there initiated to move those poles

to a safer location yet scared of electrified, they then contacted the PLN. In the other side, traffic polices are busy taking care of the traffics.

Village official from Marga Dajan Puri Village, Gusti Nyoman Mulyadi, when met on location stated that the pole came down because some trees fell down first and caught in the cables, “Because the poles aren’t strong enough to take the tree, so the poles also fell down.”

According to Mulyadi, a number of polise here are old already and it’s rusted. It is known since 1980 the poles there were never changed. Even though there are no casualties but he hoped there will be a serious attention to it from the involved government institutions, “We hoped government will look over this problem so it won’t repeat again.”

On the other side, Head of Tabanan Nation Safety and Public Protection (Kesbanglinmas), Artha Adnyana promised will demand for fee post the disaster to those areas disadvantaged by nature disasters. Only just, none can be liquefied right now and only can be given next year as the board doesn’t have any budget anticipating such disasters, “We will data it first and we will demand it for the 2011 budget.” (dir)

Denpost/Gagah Prahaditha

The picture show the electric pole fell down in Tabanan Regency

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

Bali News

International

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

3

Australians appeal death sentences in Indonesia Agence France-Presse

DENPASAR - Two Australian drug smugglers on death row in Indonesia said Tuesday they regretted their “stupid” crime as they appealed against their death sentences. Andrew Chan, 26, and Myuran Sukumaran, 29, members of the so-called Bali Nine gang, are seeking 20 years to life in prison for a 2005 attempt to smuggle 8.3 kilograms (18 pounds five ounces) of heroin into Australia from Bali island.

Reading their statements in halting Indonesian at the Denpasar district court, they offered public apologies for their crime and asked to be given a second chance. “I regret my past behaviour. I seek forgiveness from Indonesians for my actions, which caused trouble to everyone and my family,” Chan said in a calm and steady voice.

“When I was jailed five years ago I foolishly thought I knew everything. While in court my lawyer advised me to say I was innocent. “I thought I could walk free without being punished, although I’d committed the crime. I apologise that I didn’t respect the

court at the time. I regret that I committed a stupid act.”

The prisoners said they had contributed to prison life by holding computer lessons for fellow inmates. Chan had also led church services in English. Chan said he wanted to live and work as a pastor or counsellor “so I can provide guidance to young people to not commit the mistake I did”.

Sukumaran also said he was sorry and ashamed of his “stupid” behaviour. “I was so stupid, so very stupid as I’d heeded bad advice and as a result I should receive a harsh punishment,” he said. “I took a long time to realise that I must

think of others and not only of myself. My actions harmed others.” Defence lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis told the court the two were very young and “determined to change”. Another Bali Nine member, Scott Rush, 24, is also appealing against his death sentence.

Five others — Martin Stephens, Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj and Thanh Nguyen — are serving life sentences. Renae Lawrence, the only woman in the group, received 20 years but has had her sentence reduced by almost two years for good behaviour.

AFP PHOTO / SONNY TUMBELAKA

Australian drug smuggler Andrew Chan (R), one of the so-called “Bali Nine” gang, is guarded by police prior to attending his appeal at a court in Denpasar on the resort island of Bali on September 21, 2010. Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan on death row in Indonesia said they regretted their “stupid” crime as they appealed against their death sentences for a 2005 attempt to smuggle 8.3 kilograms (18 pounds, five ounces) of heroin into Australia from Bali island.

Tawur Agung Manawa Ratna in Jero Wacik cancels his attendance KKP declaration in Nusa Penida falls apart Puseh Temple of Seraya Semarapura (Bali Post) -

Kebo Iwo Mask to be danced Tawur Agung ritual in relation to the ngusaba mapahayu nini and tawur agung manawa ratna was held Saturday (Sep 18) in the middle courtyard of Puseh Temple, Seraya Customary Village, Karangasem. At that time, the mask of Kebo Iwa was taken from Blahbatuh, Gianyar, and performed a show for the sake of devotional service or ngayah.

The Tawur Agung was officiated by four higher priests, namely Ida Pandita Dukuh Acharya Daksha from Geria Penatih Denpasar, Ida Pedanda Ketut Dwija Nugraha from Geria Budakeling, Ida Pedanda Gede Ngurah Kaleran from Sanur and Ida Rsi Bujangga Ganda Kusuma from Geria Penatih

Denpasar. Chief of the local customary village, Made Putu Suarsha revealed so Monday (Sep 20).

The rituals organized were consisting of ngusabha desa mapahayu nini, mupuk pedagingan, ngenteg linggih, mapedudusan agung and manawa ratna. According to him, the ceremony was held because his party had never held similar rituals so far.

To complete the tawur agung ritual, some sacred dances were performed such as wayang gedogan, rejang dewa and Sidakarya mask dance as well as the Kebo Iwo mask dance specifically brought in from Blahbatuh, Gianyar, and presented by a dancer group from Denpasar.

Chairman of the Organizing

IBP/Budana

Topeng dance with Kebo Iwa mask and the Tawur Agung procession in Puseh Seraya Temple

Committee, Nengah Pringgo, said the initiative of performing the Kebo Iwo mask as the younger brother of Gajah Mada, a unifier of the nation, considering Seraya belonged to an ancient village and had a history in connection with 40 superior soldiers becoming the core power of the King of Karangasem as a special unit having an immunity to any weapons.

Association of the presence of Kebo Iwo with Seraya 40 troops in the past could not be found out in any chronicles or literary palmyra manuscripts. Nevertheless, position of Seraya along with the capability of its troops in the past was quite famous so that they served as the elite troops of Karangasem Kingdom, particularly in conquering the king of Lombok.

Putu Suarha added that tawur agung ritual was carried out before the peak implementation of ritual falling on the fourth full moon in Balinese calendar on Thursday (Sep 23). At the same time, it was also organized the ritual of ngaturang pemahayu to all deities across Seraya Village comprising all sanctums of the village such as the three village temple, clan temple, and other smaller temples. Additionally, the village also held tutuwur as witness of such grandiose ritual in relation to local cherished deities at Nyuhtebeh, Manggis, Tumbu Village, and Lean and Banyuning Hamlet, Bunutan Village. The ritual took place through Wednesday (Sep 29).

Preparation of Klungkung Regency Government to hold a declaration of aquatic regional conservation (KKP) in Nusa Penida finally fell apart. It was caused by one of the two ministers scheduled to attend the event, namely Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik cancelled his presence.

Meanwhile, Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Fadel Mohamad expressed his readiness to attend provided that Minister of Culture and Tourism would also come. “Possibly, the declaration will indeed be postponed,” Chairman of the KKP Committee who is also Deputy Regent of Klungkung, Tjok Gede Agung, said Monday (Sep 20).

The delay of KKP declaration clearly disappointed the Nusa Penida community, especially those getting involved in the activities. In addition, the hope of Nusa Penida community to soon be advanced and developed, especially in terms of waters region through KKP declaration also instantly faded.

According to Tjok Agung, when having audience with the Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs on Friday (Sep 17) to convey the schedule certainty of KKP declaration and to reconfirm who would be attending the activity, Fadel Mohamad had expressed his readiness to attend. However, it much depended on Jero Wacik as such an activity was also associated with tourism.

“Well, when we had audience

with Ministry of Culture and Tourism, it was said the Minister could not attend the event. Similarly, when I met him informally in Karangasem, Jero Wacik admitted he could not attend because he might travel to Japan to lead the APEC meeting and would be back home on Saturday (Sep 25) night,? pointed out Tjok Agung.

Likewise, he admitted to not know exactly how long the delay of KKP declaration took place. He obviously expected that KKP declaration could be re-scheduled to early October. ?Now, we are just waiting for the certainty of the schedule from Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Ministry of Fishery and Maritime Affairs,” he added.

Previously, KKP declaration was scheduled on the upcoming Saturday (Sep 25) at the pier of Nusa Penida. The day before, Friday (Sep 24), two ministers scheduled to be present (Jero Wacik and Fadel Mohamad), including the Minister of Women Empowerment, Linda Gumelar, along with several other guests like the US ambassador would be entertained to enjoy the natural beauty of the underwater panorama of Jungutbatu, Nusa Penida.

Even, the committee had also prepared a special menu denoting the potential food products of Nusa Penida specially made from seaweed, such as juice, bread and lawar. Guests attending the event would also be presented with a variety of Nusa Penida handicrafts produced by woman group such as cepuk and keeling weaving works. (kmb20)

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News

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

International

North Korea to hold key party convention next week AP

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea confirmed Tuesday a major communist party convention will be held next week, as observers speculated that the secretive regime’s aging leader was ready to give his son an important position to pave the way for his succession.

Now 68, and reportedly in poor health two years after suffering a stroke, Kim Jong Il is believed to be bolstering his plan to take the Kim dynasty into a third generation by appointing his heir to top party posts at the Workers’ Party convention.

Delegates will meet Sept. 28 to elect new party leaders, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday in a dispatch from Pyongyang.

The report did not explain why the meeting, initially set for “early September,” had been postponed.

North Korea has been struggling to cope with devastating flooding and a typhoon that killed dozens of people and destroyed roads, railways and homes earlier this month, according to state media.

Delegates across the country were appointed “against the background of a high-pitched drive for effecting a new great revolutionary surge now under way on all fronts for building a thriving na-

tion with the historic conference,” the KCNA report said.

State media have been building up the rhetoric ahead of the conference, the first major Workers’ Party gathering since the landmark 1980 congress where Kim Jong Il, then 38, made his political debut, in an appearance seen as confirmation that he would eventually succeed his father, North Korea founder Kim Il Sung.

Kim Jong Il took over in 1994 when his father died of heart failure in what was communism’s first hereditary transfer of power.

Now, he seems to be prepping his third and youngest son, Kim Jong Un, for a similar transition.

Tuesday’s announcement could mean that North Korea ended internal debate and “reached a final conclusion” on the succession process, said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at Seoul-based University of North Korean Studies. “I believe North Korea has decided to give the successor an official title but not to make it public to the outside world.”

Speculation on the North’s succession intensified since Kim suffered a reported stroke in 2008, sparking concerns about instability in the nuclear-armed country if he were to die without anointing a successor. Kim is also said to be suffering from diabetes and a kidney ailment

AP

FILE - In this Aug. 27, 2010 file photo released by China’s official Xinhua news agency, Chinese President Hu Jintao, right, meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Changchun, in northeast China’s Jilin province.

Ahmadinejad:

Iran is full of freedom Iran’s president claimed with a straight face Monday that his country is a veritable cradle of liberty. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted that political opponents are free to demonstrate, refusing to acknowledge that groups like the opposition Green Movement have been driven underground by a vicious government crackdown.

“When we discuss the subject of freedoms and liberty it has to be done on a comparative basis and to keep in mind that democracy at the end of the day means the rule of the majority, so the minority cannot rule,” Ahmadinejad said.

“In Iran I think nobody loses their job because of making a statement that reflects their opinion. ... From this point of view, conditions in Iran are far better than in many other places in the world.”

Ahmadinejad, who is in New York for the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly, delivered this dubious claim while outside dozens of demonstrators protested with tape across their mouths to show how Iran silences critics.

While Iran’s leader spoke in Farsi,

the Associated Press reporters who interviewed him in New York suspect he understands English because he corrected his interpreter.

The insolent Iranian, famous for denying the Holocaust, also appeared to have cleaned up his act a bit.

Instead of his usual shlubby windbreakers and slacks, Ahmadinejad showed up for the interview in a gray pinstriped suit and a pinstriped white shirt - but no tie.

Ahmadinejad insisted he had nothing to do with the arrests of three American hikers who were taken prisoner on the Iraqi border more than a year ago.

“We’re very glad that that lady was released,” he said, referring to Sarah Shourd, who was released recently and steadfastly insists she did

nothing wrong.

Her two hiking companions, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, are still in Iranian hands. “(Due) to the humanitarian perspective of the Islamic Republic chose to adopt on the subject, she was released on bail,” Ahmadinejad said.

“And we hope that the other two will soon be able to prove and provide evidence to the court that they had no ill intention in crossing the border, so that their release can also be secured.”

Ahmadinejad insisted yet again that Iran was not seeking to build a nuclear bomb - a claim the U.S., Israel, and much of the world does not believe.

“We are saying that the arsenal of nuclear bombs (worldwide) have to be destroyed as well,” he said.

Ahmadinejad also said “the future belongs to Iran” and that the U.S. has to deal with it.

“The United States’ administrations ... must recognize that Iran is a big power,” he said.

Van carrying 30 kids plunges into Pakistani river AP

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan – A van carrying about 30 schoolchildren plunged into a river in Pakistan-held Kashmir on Tuesday, and four injured children and the driver were rescued, police said. Most of the others are confirmed or feared dead.

Local police chief Ghulam Akber said authorities managed to save the driver and four chil-

dren after the accident in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistanheld Kashmir.

But school teacher Bashir Mughal said rescue workers arrived more than an hour after the accident, and it was local villagers who plucked the four children from the water.

Eleven bodies have been recovered from various points in the river, but the other children are still missing, said Akber.

Rescue workers managed to re-

moved the van from the river, but they didn’t find any children inside, said Mughal.

The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the van as he was driving along an elevated road next to the Jhelum River, said Akber. It plunged 50 feet (15 meters) into the river.

The area was affected by Pakistan’s devastating floods that started in July, but that didn’t appear to have been a factor in the crash.

AP

Pakistani children who survived floods play outside temporary shelters

Hotel Activities A Rhythm of Paradise

by Gus Teja at The Laguna

International

IBP

NUSA DUA - The Laguna, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali presents “The Beauty of Giving – A Rhythm of Paradise by Gus Teja” on Thursday, 23 September 2010 at Cascade Bar at 17.30hrs. Agus Teja, known as Gus Teja, is a talented Balinese young musician from Junjungan village in Ubud, Bali, who creates his own musical instruments with specialisation in bamboo. Guitar, ancient bamboo flute and percussion provide a voice to wisdom and illumination. Gus Teja invites you to join his performances at The Laguna and receive a complimentary CD of Gus Teja’s latest album “Rhythm of Paradise”. Experience like Balinese as we will provide you traditional Balinese sarong, Balinese hat (udeng) or Balinese sash.

Savour the lavish cocktails and exquisite snacks while you enjoy the performances. A choice of 60

minutes authentic spa treatments; Balinese massage, Kelapa (Coconut) scrub or Lengis Nyuh (Coconut Oil) hair treatment using indigenous products enhance your memorable night to remember. US$ 85++/person/package and price is subject to 21% government tax and service charge The event above is also designed in conjunction to support The Laguna’s annual UNICEF Check Out for Children Challenge 2010 which is a part of the annual fundraising challenge among the staff at Starwood Hotels and Resorts Asia Pacific. A photo exhibition showcased the award – winning Balinese artists specially photographed by young Bali based local photographer, Doddy Obenk and traditional Batik demonstration from Balibatiku followed by Batik exhibition and auction enhance the charity support experience. 100% of proceeds from the auction will be donated to UNICEF and the items

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

5

sold from the exhibition, 50% of all proceeds will be donated to UNICEF. Thousands of children are set to benefit from The Laguna’s latest fundraising event where vital funds will be raised for UNICEF immunization projects in the Asia Pacific region.

As part of The Luxury Collection, The Laguna Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali is a haven of relaxed luxury offering the highest level of personalised service to discerning travellers. Located in the exclusive Nusa Dua resort area, on Bali’s most beautiful beach, a tranquil haven of tropical gardens and sparkling lagoons, the resort features 271 guestrooms and suites reflect a contemporary Balinese style. A Lagoon Access Rooms allow the guest to step from their private balcony directly into crystal-clear lagoon waters, 24 hours personalised Butler service, 3 restaurants and bars, meeting facilities and spa.

Temple Ceremony Calendar of Event (Sep 3- 23 2010) 4 h – “Tumpek Wayang”, day devoted to “Sanghyang Iswara”, the lord of puppeteers, when blessing ceremony is given to shadow – puppet play sets for proper function and magical power.

Temple Festival at: - Pr.aspahit, Jembrana.

- Pr. Panti Gelgel, Ds. Pangembungan, Sesetan, Badung.

- Pedharman Dalem Sri Aji Kresna Kepakisan, Besakih.

- Pedharman Dalem Sukawati, Besaih.

- Pedharman Kaba-Kaba , Besakih.

- Pedharman Dalem Bakas, Besakih.

- Pr. Pedharman Mengwi, Besakih.

- Pr. Penataran Giri Purwa, Ds. Kutarejo, Tegal Dalimo, Banyuwangi.

5th _ Temple Festival at: - Pr. Maospahit, Ds. Gerenceng Denpasar.

8th _ Temple Festival at: - Pr. Ulun Kulkul, Besakih.

- Pr. Melanting, Ds. Camenggaon, Sukawati.

- Pr. Penataran Agung, Teluk Padang, Karangasem.

- Pr. Pasek Gelgel, Ds. Pangembungan, Bongkasa, abiansemal.

- Pr. Pasek Bandesa, Ds. Riyang Gede, Penebel Tabanan.

- Pr. Pasek Banjar Jawa, Buleleng.

- Pr. Gaduhan Jagat, Ds. Singakerta, Ubud.

- Pr. Masceti Tengah, Ds. Mancawarna, Tampaksiring.

- Pr. Penataran Batulepang, Ds. Kamasan, Klungkung.

- Pr. Paibon Pasek Gobleg, Ds. Kedonganan, Kuta - Pr. Pasek Gelgel, Ds. Songan, Batur,

Kintamani.

- Pr. Pasanggerahan Agung, Ds. Bebandem, Karangasem.

- Pr. Penataran Dalem Peed, Nusa Penida.

- Mr.Pasek Perateka, Ds. Pekandelan, Sidemen, Karangasem.

- Mr.Pasek Perateka Taman Sari, Sukasada.

- Pr. Kawitan Jero Wenayu, Ds. Wenayu, Bedulu, Gianyar.

- Pr. Jati, Ubud.

- Pr. Gua, Besakih.

10th _ Temple Festival at: - Merajan Geriya Kebon – Tabanan.

- Pr. Candi Gora, Ds. Tianyar, Karangasem.

14th _ Temple Festival at: - Pr. Puseh Jagat Dalem Dukut, Nusa Penida.

- Pr. Dalem, Ds. Batuyang, Batubulan.

- Pr. Pasek Magending, Kediri, Tabanan.

- Pr. Pasek Undagi, Ds. Timpag, Kerambitan, Tabanan.

- Pr. Desa + Pura Pucak, Br. Taman Bedulu, Gianyar.

- Mr.Pasek Tangkas Kori Agung, Ds. Sulahan.

- Mr.Pasek Padang Rata, Ds. Padang, Karangasem.

- Pr. Telaga Sakti/Dalem Tarukan, Ds. Ambengan, Nusa Penida.

- Pr. Dalem, Ds. Padangan, Pupuan, Tabanan.

- Pr. Yogha, Br. Teba Jero, Kaba-Kaba, Kediri Tabanan.

- Pr. Dalem Purwa, Br. Kawan, Bangli.

15th _ Temple Festival at: - Pr. Agung Pasek Gelgel, Ds. Sibang Kaja, abiansemal.

- Pr. Dalem Samprangan, Gianyar.

- Pr. Ds. Galiran, Bhakti Seraga, Buleleng.

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, September 22, 2010

News Philippines weighs charges over hostage standoff AP

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III said Manila’s mayor, a recently retired police chief and journalists were among a dozen people who could be charged over last month’s disastrous hostage standoff that killed eight Hong Kong tourists and damaged ties with China.

The recommended charges, both criminal and administrative, were part of a government investigation report on the Aug. 23 hostage crisis that has been handed over to the Chinese ambassador.

Aquino said Monday he will decide whether to approve the filing of charges, including against one of his close aides, after government lawyers have studied the lengthy report and he has returned from an upcom-

ing U.S. trip.

The president told a nationally televised news conference that his administration wanted to speedily render justice to the victims and help the survivors “get back to their lives.”

“We are repairing relations with (China),” Aquino said.

The 11-hour hostage standoff and bungled rescue attempt on a bus parked at a historic Manila park — which millions watched on live TV — strained ties with China and its territory of Hong Kong. Both warned against travel to the Philippines, and thousands of tourists canceled bookings.

The crisis was Aquino’s first major test, coming less than two months into his presidency, and highlighted problems within the underfunded police force and his new Cabinet

AFP/Pool/File –

British soldiers walk towards a military helicopter during a patrol of Afghanistan’s Helmand province

NATO says 9 service members killed in crash AP

KABUL, Afghanistan – Nine service members with the international coalition in Afghanistan died Tuesday after their helicopter crashed in the volatile south where troops are ramping up pressure on Taliban insurgents.

One other coalition service member, an Afghan National Army soldier and a U.S. civilian were injured in the crash and were transported to a military medical center for treatment, NATO said.

The alliance did not disclose the location of the crash, which is under investigation.

Ahmad Wali Karzai, the brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, told The Associated Press that the chopper went down in Zabul province, but officials there said they have no confirmed reports of any crash.

Though helicopters more regu-

larly crash because of mechanical issues in Afghanistan, some have been brought down by insurgent fire.

However, NATO said in a statement, “There are no reports of enemy fire in the area.”

Choppers are used extensively by both NATO and the Afghan government forces to transport and supply troops spread out across a mountainous country with few roads. Losses have been relatively light, despite insurgent fire and difficult conditions, and most crashes have been accidents caused by maintenance problems

or factors such as dust.

In April, three service members were killed when a U.S. Air Force Osprey went down seven miles (11 kilometers) from Qalat, capital of Zabul province about 200 miles (300 kilometers) southwest of Kabul. It was the first crash of the costly tilt-rotor aircraft in a combat zone, the U.S. military said. In July 2009, NATO reported that two Canadian troops and a Briton were killed in a helicopter crash in Zabul.

The deaths raise to 32 the number of international troops killed so far this month in Afghanistan.

Aussie newborn orphaned after parents die in crash AP

ADELAIDE, Australia – A 13day-old premature baby is an orphan after her parents were killed in a car crash while driving home from visiting her in a hospital.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper

reported that Justin Schollbach and Leah James were killed last Tuesday after one of their twice-daily visits to daughter Lucy at Sydney’s Royal Hospital for Women.

Lucy Schollbach was born 12 weeks premature on Sept. 1, weighing just 2.9 pounds (1.3 kilograms).

She was their first child.

The newspaper reported Monday that 33-year-old James had five other children aged 6 to 15.

The baby is expected to stay in hospital until November. She is under the care of a government department until it is decided who will raise her.

AP –

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III

Rooftop...

From page 1 “The second time I called it was a different person, as soon as he heard my voice he started sobbing and saying ‘He’s dead, he’s dead, why are they doing this to us?’”

Another advocate questioned how staff from private security firm SERCO dealt with the standoff.

“SERCO officers actually put mattresses on the floor and told him to jump,” Sara Nathan told ABC. “He obviously avoided the mattress and jumped off it, away from it. But the fact that they actually told him to jump is upsetting the refugees, and the fact that another SERCO officer climbed the ladder to try and grab him and handcuff him.”

The Sydney Morning Herald printed a letter from Rauluni dated September 19 — the day before his

death — in which he threatened suicide if he was sent back to Fiji under its current military rule.

“I would rather you put me on a raft and usher me down to the South Pole,” he wrote, according to the Herald. “If you want to send me to Fiji, then send my dead body.”

Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor described the death as a “tragedy” and said SERCO would provide a full report.

“SERCO is engaging with those clients that are on the roof and talking to them so the matter can be resolved properly and peaceably,” O’Connor told Sky News. “We don’t want to be inflaming this issue. It is certainly a tragic circumstance for the individual in question and his family.”

International

Indonesia Today

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

7

Indonesia hunts terror suspects after deadly raids Agence France-Presse

MEDAN - Indonesian police said Tuesday they were hunting terrorists who escaped a series of raids on the weekend targeting a group blamed for a spate of hold-ups carried out to fund future attacks.

The country’s US-backed anti-terror police shot dead three suspects and arrested 15 others in operations Sunday on Sumatra island as part of ongoing investigations into bank robberies and terror-related activity.

Police said agents opened fire and killed two militants when they tried to use women and children as human shields after security forces surrounded a house in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra province.

A third terrorist was killed in a separate raid, police said. The operations also netted three kilogrammes (6.6 pounds) of TNT explosives and weapons including an assault rifle.

Members of the elite Detachment 88 counter-terrorism squad would remain in and around the North Sumatra capital, Medan, where 15 militants who escaped the raids were believed to be at large.

“We believe that they are still in North Sumatra province,” police chief Bambang Hendarso Danuri told reporters in Medan.

The Islamic militants are linked to regional extremist network Jemaah Islamiyah and unidentified foreign

groups that are plotting attacks in the mainly Muslim archipelago, police said.

The group was also connected to militants who were discovered training in Aceh province, northern Sumatra, in February, leading to the killing and arrest of scores of suspects. Police said they were behind crimes including a bank robbery in Medan on August 18 in which heavily armed gunmen escaped with around 40,000 dollars.

“They committed the robbery to collect funds to buy firearms, grenades and other weapons to commit terror acts in Indonesia, especially North Sumatra,” Danuri said late Monday.

“We’ll continue to investigate but we suspect they’re supported by overseas networks,” he added when asked if there was a link to Al-Qaeda.

Wearing motorcycle helmets and using hand signals to coordinate their movements, 16 gunmen killed a police officer and wounded two guards during the Medan heist, the most spectacular of a series of recent armed robberies.

AFP PHOTO/FILES

In this photograph taken August 18, 2010 by an amateur photographer, robbers armed with high-powered weapons, part of 16 gunmen, make their exit from the CIMB Niaga bank after the gang robbed the branch in broad daylight and shot dead a police officer in Medan city, capital of North Sumatra province, making off with around 40,000 USD in cash.

New reserve requirement policy Forest-damaging activity reducing amid to reduce market liquidity elephants’ habitat in West Lampung Antara

JAKARTA - Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Darmin Nasution said the central bank’s decision to raise reserve requirement to 8 percent of deposits is aimed at reducing liquidity funds in the market and curbing inflation pressure.

“The amount of funds put in SBI (Bank Indonesia Certificates) reached Rp350 trillion before the new policy was issued. If the policy is to be introduced in two months’ time, it will only reduce the amount of funds put in SBI by as much as Rp50 trillion,” he said in the government’s reply to the House of Representatives (DPR)’s question on assumed macro economic conditions unveiled in the draft 2011 state budget on Monday night.

BI issued a policy to reduce reserve

requirement to increase liquidity funds in the market during the height of global financial crisis in 2008 in reaction to declining confidence in the banking industry, he said.

In the meantime, the government also transferred funds from Bank Indonesia to three state-owned banks despite huge liquidity funds in the market, he said.

“So what we are doing right now is to reduce the excessive liquidity funds,” he said.

He also said the central bank would continue to keep its key rate (BI Rate) at 6.5 percent to boost credit growth while at the same time keeping inflationary pressure in check.

“So as far as we still can use other instruments we will keep the BI Rate unchanged,” he said.

Antara

LIWA - Forest-damaging activity in West Lampung District is causing the shrinking of the natural habitat of the Sumatran Elephant (Elephant maximus sumatranus) and as a consequence the animals often stray into human settlements.

“The elephants often become a threat to people living near forests when they roam near or around villages,” a resident of Bandar Dalam Village, Ismanto, said.

The threat had become so serious that residents of Bandar Dalam Village, Bengkunat Belimbing Sub-district, were now conducting patrols around their

village every night, he said.

The increasing number of elephants that often came near the village was troubling its residents because the animals always damaged crops and, when agitated, could even destroy houses and attack people.

“This is happening because the animals’ natural habitat is shrinking as a result of human activity that damage forests,” he said.

Several days ago, a number of elephants invaded the village but the locals, equipped only with simple tools, were able drive away them away. .

Meanwhile, West Lampung Dsitrict Chief Mukhlis Basri said the conflict between humans and elephants was caused by forest damage.

“We can say with certainty that the major cause of the conflict between humans and elephants is forest damage by various sorts of human activity,” he said.

The local administration was quite aware of the problem but was not able to do much to solve it, Mukhlis said, “We don’t have enough personnel and funds to solve the problem. However, we frequently tell the local people to protect and preserve the forests,” he said.

He hoped the central government would help the Lampung administration to solve the problem of damaged forests and prevent more conflicts between humans and elephants.

Marine biologist conference in Wakatobi postponed Antara

KENDARI - The conference of around 90 international marine biologists, scheduled this month in Wakatobi district, Southeast Sulawesi, had been postponed to an unspecified time.

Wakatobi district head Hugua said here on Tuesday that the world marine biologists were originally scheduled to meet in Wakatobi this

month to discuss various issues related to global warming.

“The meeting initiated by the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States had been postponed and we have no idea when it will be rescheduled,” Hugua said.

According to Hugua, the conference of world marine biologists in Wakatobi district would be a follow up to the result of the World Ocean

Conference (WOC) in Manado, North Sulawesi, in May 2009.

Hugua said that at the World Ocean Conference which was initiated by Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) in Manado, the participants agreed to organize a follow-up meeting in Wakatobi in September this year.

“Thus the meeting of world marine biologists in Wakatobi will be a follow-up of WOC in Manado.

Wakatobi was appointed to host the

meeting because the district has the most complete corral reefs in the world’s corral reefs triangle,” Hugua said.

Hugua admitted had NOAA asked him to facilitate the world marine biologists meeting in the district but unluckily it was postponed.

“NOAA Director Dr Jane Lubchenco himself has asked me to facilitate the meeting,” Hugua admitted.

He said NOAA chose Wakatobi to host the meeting because the corral reefs in the district have important role in the global warming process. The corral reefs in Wakatobi waters, according to Hugua, produce oxygen which has a direct positive impact on the prevention of global warming.

Therefore he said it was the world needs to protect and preserve the corral reefs in Wakatobi waters.

8

Internationa

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Bali Today Illegal tour guides rampant again

Disparda Bali sets to raid promptly Bali Post

DENPASAR - The existence of unlicensed tour guides is now getting rampant again. Those rogue perpetrators serving tourists illegally without proper understanding on Balinese culture is alleged to have reached dozens of people.

“At the moment, the presence of illegal tour guides, especially Mandarin tour guides, can now be observed again roaming around at some tourist destinations. Previously, they had time to subside after the issuance of regional regulation governing the tour guides in Bali,” said Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Tour Guides (HPI), I Made Sukadana, in Denpasar Bali on Monday (Sep 20). Sukadana added that Bali Government Tourism Office (Disparda) had to immediately take appropriate inspection against those illegal tour guides because HPI had no authority to do so. He expected that HPI could be involved in the inspection because HPI members knew better about the situation of illegal tour guides in the field.

“Inspection against illegal tour guides must be done continuously, though not 100 percent could be eradicated. At least, their presence can be mitigated,” he said. According to him, the registered tour guides in HPI Bali until 2008 amounted to some 8,000 licensed tour guides. Meanwhile, approximately 5,000 of them remain active. They are divided into 14 divisions (languages) including the domestic division (Indonesian). The largest number is the English-speaking tour guides, followed by that of Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Italian, German and French.

According to Sukadana, requirements to become tour guide, especially in Bali, participants should not only be of local residents, but should

also attend some upgrading sessions such as intensive training organized

by HPI Bali and Bali Government Tourism Office to get a kind of license or permit at the end. Additionally, participants should have minimal educational background of Diploma III. Meanwhile, the Head of Bali Government Tourism Office (Disparda Bali), Ida Bagus Subhiksu, said that his party would immediately perform an inspection to Mandarin-speaking tour guides in response to the current complaints delivered by HPI Bali.

“As a matter of fact, we have routinely conducted an inspection regarding to the existence of illegal tour guides, including foreign tourists practicing as a tour guide in accordance with the Regional Regulation No. 5/2008 concerning with tour guides,” he said.

Likewise, it was revealed that foreigners were only allowed to serve as tour leader. They were strictly prohibited from any guiding activities, especially in Bali. (par)

http://smacepiring.files.wordpress.com

A tour guide using Balinese attire explaining to a group of students in the bus while they visit Bali for vacation. The existence of unlicensed tour guides is now getting rampant again. Those rogue perpetrators serving tourists illegally without proper understanding on Balinese culture is alleged to have reached dozens of people.

Community-based Tourism: Kuta Carnival A New Source of Hope for Prosperity promotes Bali’s tourism Antara

DENPASAR - Themed “Heal the World”, the 8th Kuta Carnival 2010 is aimed at making the world a better place to live, including its tourism and culture, event organizer Morgan Made Suartha said here on Tuesday.

“This is an international event which should be held annually to appreciate Bali as a tourist destination,” he said.

Morgan, who is also a Kuta public figure, said the event which will be held along the Kuta beach from Sept 29 to Oct 3, may be different from last year’s Kuta Carnival, however its culture art performance would still be attractive.

Besides, a culinary competition involving local and international chefs will also be held.

Kuta Carnival, Morgan added, will be taken part by artists, spiritualists and a creative Indonesia youth parade.

“The culture carnival will remain the main program in the art performances, both traditional and modern,” Morgan said accompanied by Kuta Carnival initiator Made Supatra Karang.

Morgan further said this event will try to promote Indonesian tourism to keep Kuta safe and peaceful as a world tourist destination.

Made Supatra Karang said the carnival which was held for the first time eight years ago was inspired by “Kuta Recovery” program after the bombing attack in Bali in October 12, 2002, is also means to raise the number of tourists coming to Bali.

“This year ’s Carnival we hope will not lose its spirit of encouraging Bali’s tourism because of the tragedy some years ago,” the tourism expert said.

He hoped Kuta Carnival will be held every year despite its shortcomings in its realization which has an attraction empowered orientation, promotion and expedition.

“Kuta Carnival is supposed to sustain Kuta and Bali as world tourism destinations. So does this event, hopefully to draw the attention of the government, stakeholders and the people in general,” he said.

Furthermore, in the five days of the carnival there will be three main agendas including “Paddle for Peace”, turtle release and flower pollen.

Pie of tourism does not always taste sweet. Those getting involved in person or indirectly may taste so. However, the remaining does not enjoy any impact of the increase of tourist visit to Bali. Probably, it is actually a matter of imbalance on development policy.

By and large, development in general is ideally intended to improve people’s prosperity. Its proceedings should be distributed and could be enjoyed evenly. Otherwise, the imbalance can trigger social envy. If unresolved immediately, this may turn into protracted problem. It is not surprising if community then proposed the removal of Denpasar City and the airport to other region in order the new region could also drive a better economic growth. Meanwhile, another protested that its region was just used as stopover of cruise passenger. After landing, guests spent holidays or had excursion to other neighboring destination. It is considered, the region was merely taken advantage for ‘urinating’ and guests spent no single penny.

Various attempts have indeed been undertaken by local government to gradually diminish such imbalance. One of them is by launching tourism village in regencies. By this initiative, guests are driven to explore local village to know more about their unique-

ness. They were expected to not only have a sightseeing tour but also take advantage of local accommodation facilities. The program denotes one of the community involvements in tourism or better known as community-based tourism.

Additionally, guests will have more convenient time to explore the splendor of the village and get in closer touch with the local community. This will enable local people to provide everything required by guests during their stay at the village. They are starting from unique tradition, beauty of nature, challenging adventure to delicious and country-style culinary. Of course, these would enrich their personal experience as one of the objectives of traveling.

Simantri or integrated farming system initiated by Governor Pastika is another program that also expected to empty out into agricultural-based tourism. Basically, it is commenced by empowering farmers through the implementation of eco-friendly facilities of rice productions. At the end, it also wants to achieve prosperity, quality health and better environment.

Last but not least, government should also map the great potential retained by each region and make a policy in such a way that each region is included in particu-

lar tour package. Basically each region has unique and attractive potentials like arts, livelihood, tools, tourist destinations, customs and other treasures. Besides, government can lead new investment to less developed regions and establish inter-regency cooperation in distributing job opportunities. In reality, there are some regencies undergoing rapid growth in handicraft industry and informal sector enterprises, while others have abundant unemployment. Local labor force should be given priority to fill in the opportunities as they are supporters of local culture and responsible for its conservation.

Bali has a great potential of pristine destination. This should be managed and preserved accordingly for its sustainability.

When this can be achieved, people will have more job opportunities without leaving agriculture or other previous job. Conversely, tourists will have a wide choice of destination and attraction to visit. Hopefully, such development could be supported by all components of community, so the ‘social envy’ could be gradually diminished without moving the ‘existing infrastructure’ but discovering each local potential and how to get a share of the opportunities. (BTN/punia)

al

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Balinese Culture

UN-WTO establish Belimbing as tourism village Antara

TABANAN - United Nations World Tourism Organization established Belimbing village in Pupuan, Tabanan become the tourism village. The establishment was attended by the head of Tabanan Regency, Ni Putu Eka Wiryastuti and the representative of UN-WTO, I Gede Ardika.

Ardika said “the village has beautiful scenery and it has the chance to be developed into tourism village.” He also said that the people in the village are spirited in developing the village as one of the tourism destination in Tabanan re-

gency.

Ardika emphasized that the most important thing is to preserve the local value and culture to attract tourists. If the village already develops then the welfare of the people will also increase gradually.

For that reason, Ardika hoped that the power of people as one of the basic aspect in developing the tourism village must be accommodated properly and must cooperate with the other elements.

The establishment of Belimbing village as tourism village was done by the signing of the pact by Eka Wiryastuti. The head of the regency hope that the local values in the vil-

lage can be preserved.

“There is great hope that as the tourism village in Tabanan, Belimbing village should have the clear identity. The government will give its full support in developing the village,” Eka said.

She also explained that in developing tourism sites, the seven basic principles must be used. They are secure, order, clean, beautiful, weather, and hospitality, it will give good memory to the tourists visited the tourism sites.

“I hope that Belimbing village can create their own special souvenirs so the tourists will always remember with the village,” she added.

Soto Babad

(Clear Tripe Soup) OVERVIEW: This is usually served with sambel tomat as a contrasting condiment. The sugar cane is used to help soften the tripe rather than to add any sweetness to the soup.

INGREDIENTS: 600 gr beef tripe, cleaned and washed well 3 liter water 1 liter beef stock 1 cup beef spice paste 5 cm sugar can stem, split lengthwise (optional) 2,5 cm ginger, peeled and sliced lengthwise 4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar 200 gr giant white radish, peeled and diced in 1 cm cubes http://blog.baliwww.com

The photograph shows the view of rice fields in Belimbing Village, Tabanan Regency.

5 sprigs celery leaf chipped 1 tbsp fried shallots

PREPARATION: Rinse tripe well under running water until very clean.

Bring water to boil in a large pan, add tripe and simmer until soft approx 1 hour.

Strain water and cool tripe in ice water. Cut in pieces approx 2,5 cm x 1cm. Bring beef, beef spice paste, sugar cane, ginger, garlic and vinegar to boil. Add tripe and radish. Simmer until vegetables are soft. Garnish with celery leaf and fried shallots.

Helpful hints: Any type of summer squash or Chinese winter melon can be used instead of giant white radish (Japanese daikon). This soup reheats well using cabbage; the cooking time will be much shorter. Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with fried shallots. (www.baliguide.com/balifood) C.045 ibp

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10

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Destinations

International

Enjoy Beautiful Golf Experience IBP

When you visit Bali and love to do golf, you surely can try several golf courses in Bali that give you beautiful golf experience. With the international Bali Golf Course and beautiful of landscape will be your value interest to play the golf that is served in three several gold club in Bali Island.

Here are several golf courses that you should try during your holiday in Bali. Get ready to join the game and served by the professional staff and caddy will complete your lovely holiday in the Paradise Island of Bali. Golf in Bali is a fantastic and exciting golf playing experience in paradise Bali Island.

Nusa Dua Bali Golf and Country Club

Nusa Dua Bali Golf and Country Club, voted ‘One of Asia’s 5 Best Golf Courses’(Fortune Magazine USA) will offer visitors to Bali a truly unique golfing experience due to the fantastic setting of the course.

Golfers will experience three distinct playing environments throughout the 18-hole course. The setting

of holes 1 through 9 features creeks, canyons, and native vegetation filled with tropical birds. The golf course architect team of Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright incorporated small hand-built stone walls to terrace the sides of fairways and tees in order to emulate the rice fields terraces of the Bali countryside. The setting for holes 10 through 16 present the golfer with lush gently sculptured fairways through a mature coconut grove. The coconut palms, some as tall as 100 feet, provide vertical definition to the golf course. The 17th hole plays out to the beautiful blue Indian Ocean and usually into a cool ocean breeze. The 18th hole plays from the beach back to the clubhouse along side a 16-acre lake.

Nirwana Bali Golf Country Club

Nirwana Bali Golf Country Club is a visual masterpiece of dramatic ocean views and lush Balinese landscapes. Greg Norman has designed it golf course, Nirwana Bali Golf Course offers a spectacular challenge and a unique world-class experience for golfers of all skill levels. The golf course that is designed by legendary golfer Greg Norman

with hole 18 th is one of the most photographed and challenging golf courses in the world. With three holes running along the cliffs of the Indian Ocean and terraced rice paddies providing unique hazards and this course has been tested the accuracy and consistency of a PGA Professional and still be enjoyable for the average golfer. It is set on the southwest coast of Bali with 45 minutes drive from Bali’s International Airport. Nirwana Bali Golf Club is the centerpiece of the fully integrated Nirwana Bali Resort. You can come and experience the ultimate golf course in Bali or you can join the Nirwana Bali Golf Package.

New Kuta Golf

New Kuta Golf is a new golf course set on the 85 hectares land right on the limestone cliff with stunning view of the Indian Ocean. It is a great golf course with 18 holes located 20 minutes drive from Bali’s International Airport to the southern part of Bali and blessed the magnificent of sunset. New Kuta Golf is designed with four of tees for each of the 18 holes there’s enough variety to ensure a satisfying for all skill

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Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club

Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club is one of the golf courses located in the mountain and sightseeing area with beautiful panorama of Tamblingan Lake. It is situated in the plateau area of Bedugul Bali, the cool temperature surrounds the golf course, and the green rain forest covers your view from the

course hence making your golf experiences are more enjoyable and full fun. The world-class of golf tournament have been executed in this place and serve with the professional staff and caddy who guide you on your lovely golf game. Bali Handara Kosaido is located about 1000 meter above sea level and 3 hours drive from Bali’s International Airport. Some of the places of interest around the golf course like Beratan Lake, Ulun Danu Temple can be visited on your way to the golf course and in our package we have provided one hour, Bedugul Tour to visit this tourist places.

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levels. The golf course will invite you to experience this championship layout firsthand to discover much more than just a golf course.

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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

11

BUSINESS US exits longest recession since World War II Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON - The US economy exited recession in June 2009, the National Bureau of Economic Research said Monday, officially calling the end to the longest downturn in more than half a century.

More than eight million jobs were lost in the slump that was triggered by dodgy Wall Street mortgage investments.

President Barack Obama said the end of the “Great Recession” would come as little solace to the millions of people who are still out of work “Even though economists may say that the recession officially ended last year, obviously for the millions of people who are still out of work, people who have seen their home values decline, people who are struggling to pay the bills day to day, it’s still very real for them.”

The NBER, a non-profit research group recognized as the arbiter of US economic cycles, underscored that slow pace of recovery, as it issued a statement confirming “the recession lasted 18 months, which makes it the longest of any recession since World War II.” “The committee did not conclude that economic conditions since that month have been favorable or that the economy has returned to operating at normal capacity,” it said.

At the same time panel mem-

bers warned economic activity could remain below normal well into the expansion.

Earlier on Monday, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said the US economy would grow at a slower-than-expected rate of 1.5 percent this year.

The Paris-based OECD said US growth would be far less than the 3.2 percent predicted in May and would increase to only 2.3 percent next year raising the specter of a painfully slow recovery.

“The United States is slowly recovering from a severe recession... with economic growth projected to remain low for some time,” the OECD said.

The body added that “unemployment is likely to stay elevated for a relatively long period.”

“Continuation of targeted support for the labor market may also be necessary until private sector employment picks up more strongly.”

The NBER announcement was widely expected by economists.

“What matters now is how long the recovery will take,” according to Augustine Faucher of

Moody’s Economy.com. “The odds of a second recession are too high for comfort.”

Despite economists’ warnings of a double-dip recession, the panel said the economy had already recovered enough that any new slide would be an entirely new recession.

“The committee decided that any future downturn of the economy would be a new recession and not a continuation of the recession that began in December 2007.”

“The basis for this decision was the length and strength of the recovery to date.”

Unlike many countries where a recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of shrinking growth domestic product, in the United States it is determined by a seven-member NBER panel.

Although the depth of the crisis had already been clear, the NBER confirmed it was longer than those which began in 1973 and 1981 and which both lasted 16 months.

The NBER announcement gave a boost to US stock markets with the blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average surging over 145 points, or around 1.4 percent.

China pact lures foreign investors to Taiwan Agence France-Presse

TAIPEI - Some of the world’s biggest firms were among almost 30 foreign groups vowing major investments in Taiwan amid growing interest in the island since it signed a trade pact with China, officials said.

Qualcomm and GlaxoSmithKline joined 25 other firms from Japan, Europe and the United States to sign letters of intent to spend over 100 billion Taiwan dollars (3.2 billion US) in total in two years, the economic ministry said.

The proposed investment projects became feasible after Taiwan signed the historic Economic Cooperation Framework Agree-

ment (ECFA) with China in June, according to the ministry.

“The signing of the ECFA will not only benefit Taiwan and China, but has also made Taiwan attractive to investors from the world,” economic minister Shih Yen-hsiang said Tuesday.

If realised, the investment projects will create up to 13,000 jobs, he said.

Among the projects, Hewlett-Packard Co. plans to invest 3.6 billion Taiwan dollars in the establishment of a research and development unit, the ministry said.

The landmark ECFA, which took effect in mid-September, conferring preferential tariffs on Taiwan and China, is the most

sweeping pact ever penned by the two sides.

It has been widely characterised as the boldest step yet towards reconciliation between the former rivals, who split after the end of a civil war in 1949.

Taiwan’s ruling Kuomintang party has hailed the agreement, saying it will bolster the island’s economy, but the anti-China Democratic Progressive Party and its allies claim it will undermine its de facto independence.

Although Taiwan and China have been governed separately for more than six decades, Beijing considers the island part of its territory and has vowed to get it back, by force if necessary.

AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO

Malaysia based low cost air carrier Air Asia X CEO Azran Osman Rani (C), accompanied by Chief Commercial darren Wright (2nd L), Malaysian Ambassador to Japan Sharuddin bin Md Som (2nd R) and attendants display a 5,000 yen price or 58 USD for the campaign price of a one way ticket between Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur during a press conference in Tokyo on September 21, 2010. The AirAsia X will open flight between Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo’s Haneda airport in December.

AirAsia X to launch Japan route in December Agence France-Presse

TOKYO - Malaysian longhaul budget airline AirAsia X said Tuesday it would enter the Japanese market in December by launching regular flights between Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo.

The carrier will introduce three flights a week connecting the Malaysian capital with Tokyo’s Haneda airport, AirAsia X’s chief executive officer Azran OsmanRani said in Tokyo.

It will be the first foreign budget airline authorised to use Haneda, which will begin handling an expanded array of international fights in October when it opens a fourth runway and a new terminal.

Haneda is considered more practical than its sister airport Narita as it is located only 30 minutes from Tokyo. It can take more than twice that time to reach Narita, located 60 kilometres (40 miles) from the capital.

AirAsia X plans to sell a oneway ticket for 5,000 yen (58 dollars) for an economy seat from Japan as an opening discount, compared with economy fares of more than 200,000 yen offered by current route operators.

Fares from Malaysia could be as low as 31 dollars, the company said.

“As far as other airports in Japan,

yes, we remain very interested,” Azran told a news conference. “We could operate at least three different airports over ... a couple of years.”

Azran also said that his carrier plans to introduce new routes to Australia and China, as well as new destinations in the Middle East and Europe.

AirAsia’s entry into the Japanese market will further boost competition in a space that is set to become increasingly crowded.

Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) earlier this month unveiled plans to launch a low-cost carrier operating both international and domestic short-haul routes out of Kansai International Airport, Osaka, in the second half of 2011.

Qantas Airways’ budget Jetstar airline already flies between Japan and Australia.

Flagship carrier Japan Airlines, receiving government funds after filing for bankruptcy last year, has also said it is considering launching a budget airline.

An affiliate of regional low-cost carrier AirAsia and Virgin Group, AirAsia X was launched in January 2007. AirAsia and AirAsia X have common shareholders, including AirAsia founder and CEO Tony Fernandes.

The group currently has 94 aircraft.

Azran said it had also placed an order for 25 Airbus A330s and 10 A350s.

12

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Entertainment

International

Lady Gaga rally to ban on gays in the military Agence France Presse

PORTLAND, Maine - Pop sensation Lady Gaga threw the full weight of her stardom Monday behind efforts to repeal a US ban on gays serving openly in the military, decrying it as “against all that we stand for as Americans.” She electrified a crowd of several hundred in a park in the northeast US state of Maine, home to two Republican senators who Lady Gaga and other gay rights activists hope will break with their party and support ending the ban.

AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach

Recording artist Lady Gaga speaks at a rally in support of repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for gay service members, in Portland, Maine, on Monday, Sept. 20, 2010.

The openly bisexual singer — an icon in the gay community — has urged senators to vote to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” a law that requires gay military personnel to hide their sexual orientation or face dismissal.

“Equality is the prime rib of America,” she told the crowd. “But because I’m gay I don’t get to enjoy the greatest cut of meat my country has to offer.”

She appeared to be alluding to the explosively controversial “meat dress” that she wore to the MTV Music Awards earlier this month — a provocation she seemed to confirm was an effort to draw attention to the inequality of the 1993 rule that requires gays to disclose their sexual orientation or face dismissal.

“I’m here because ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is wrong, it’s unjust, and fundamentally it is against all that we stand for as Americans,” she said to rapturous applause. Dismissing what she called the use of homophobia as a defense in the argument that gays should not openly serve, she proposed turning the tables on sol-

HLN’s Nancy Grace goes to TV court field Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK – The teenager furrowed her brow and fixed Nancy Grace with a glare from across the television studio. But the girl was messing with the wrong person. “You’re trying to act like a bully right now,” Grace told her. “I’m not going to be bullied.”

Anyone who has seen the fierce former prosecutor clamp down on missing person cases on her prime-time HLN show knows who wins that test of wills.

Grace has brought her style of justice into daytime TV’s busy courtroom genre and hopes to stand out, in part, by not being in a courtroom. She referees disputes but stays out of judicial robes and off the bench in the daily, syndicated show “Swift Justice” that premiered last week. She uses polygraphs and interviews witnesses who appear through Skype-like technology on huge screens on her set. And there will be no doubting her rulings. “Case closed,” she says, in what may quickly become her catch phrase.

In a genre where there’s “Judge Judy” and everybody else, Grace’s high profile and willingness to try new things give “Swift Justice” the best

chance at succeeding among the three new syndicated legal shows debut this fall, said Bill Carroll, a programming analyst for Katz Television, which represents local stations seeking ad time in the syndication market. Seven existing shows, including “People’s Court” and “Judge Joe Brown,” also chase Judy in the ratings.

Grace recognizes the dominance of “Judge Judy.” It’s one of the few shows that her father watches regularly back home in Georgia. “Why even pretend to be her?” Grace said. “Why even try?”

Before getting into television,

Grace spent a decade as a prosecutor of felony cases in the Atlanta area. The prosecutor mindset — getting in the trenches and asking questions — is what she’s most comfortable with and she builds her show around that experience.

She studies the facts of each case and even writes out an opinion before each taping (each show has two cases). Grace has been surprised during her first batch of shows at how often her opinion changes when she talks to some of the people involved.

AP Photo/Swift Justice Productions

In this May 2010 publicity image released by Swift Justice Productions, host Nancy Grace, right, is shown on the set of her show, “Swift Justice with Nancy Grace.”

diers who claim they can’t perform their duties adequately alongside a gay colleague.

“If you are not honorable enough to fight without prejudice, go home!” she said in her fiery 20minute speech before hugging veterans who had been dismissed by the US military because their sexual orientation was disclosed.

“The real problem is the straight soldier who hates the gay soldier. A law should send home the homophobic,” she said. The Senate was set to vote Tuesday on a bill that includes a repeal of the ban, but Arizona Senator John McCain, the Republican who lost to Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential vote, was expected to block the vote.

The Maine lawmakers Lady Gaga is lobbying with her rally, Senators Olympia Snow and Susan Collins, have not said how they will vote on the issue.

Kevin Kelly, a spokesman for Collins, said the senator “is undecided. She has encouraged Senator (Harry) Reid (the majority leader) to

work with Republican leaders to come up with an agreement to allow for Republican amendments.”

A “yes” vote by at least 60 of the Senate’s 100 members would end debate and allow a full vote on the bill to proceed.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both backed the repeal this year, and said a Pentagon study due at the end of 2010 would help guide the new rules for military service.

Lady Gaga singled out McCain for his filibuster, and in a message to her 6.4 million fans on Twitter urged fans to call their senators to end the delay tactic.

McCain, a former naval officer with strong ties to the military, said he was not opposed to ending the ban, but did not want it repealed before a thorough study is conducted on its impact on military effectiveness and morale. On Monday, he told reporters, “I encourage the debate and discussion,” even giving a nod to Lady Gaga.

No baby talk for dad-to-be Bardem Agence France Presse

SAN SEBASTIAN - Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem refused to talk about his prospective new life as a father, when he presented his new film “Eat Pray Love” with co-star Julia Roberts at a film festival in Spain on Monday. The two stars arrived for the San Sebastian film festival in northern Spain late on Sunday amid a media frenzy.

On Monday they attended a news conference, and organisers had requested journalists not to ask them about their personal lives.

But one reporter was undeterred, inquiring of Bardem whether becoming a father next year would upset his professional career. It was Roberts who jokingly responded with one word in Spanish: “Cuidado!” (Be Careful!).

Bardem’s wife and fellow Spaniard Penelope Cruz, 36, is four-anda-half months pregnant with her first child, her agent announced last week.

The couple married in an intimate ceremony in the Bahamas in July.

Bardem, 41, won the Oscar for best supporting actor for his role as a vicious murderer in the 2007 movie “No Country For Old Men”, making Cruz and him one of only a handful of Hollywood couples who have both won an Academy Award.

The actor had plenty to say about

AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito

Javier Bardem

his next project, a film, as yet untitled, with US director Terrence Malick, which is to begin shooting next month.

“I’m one of the few privileged people in the world to work with this master,” he said of Malick, who is a “visual poet.” “He has a very unorthodox way of working and that’s what attracted me a lot.”

Malick, 66, has made just four feature films in his career, including “The Thin Red Line” and “Badlands,” all critically acclaimed.

Roberts, 42, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2001 for her role as a trash-talking environmental crusader in “Erin Brockovich”, was to collect the San Sebastian festival’s honorary Donostia Award later Monday.

Life Style

International

Young Greeks demonstrate against the government’s austerity measures in Athens on June 5, 2010.

A survey has shown that seven out of 10 young Greeks want to leave Greece for a better life abroad.

AFP PHOTO / Louisa Gouliamaki

Educated young Greeks flee their country to find work abroad Agence France Presse

ATHENS - In a cafe in central Athens, two young men drink coffee and discuss plans for their future, going over preparations that will uproot them from the Greek capital to London. Kostas Karanikos and Komninos Arvanitakis — both 26, both graduates, unemployed and struggling to find work — have decided to try their luck in Britain.

They are among seven out of 10 young Greeks that a survey has shown want to leave Greece for a better life abroad. Komninos has been without a job since finishing his nine months’ military service last summer. “It’s a nightmare,” he says. “I love my country, all my friends and family are here, but after one year, what can I expect? I expect nothing. There’s little to look forward to here in Greece,” he says.

“We don’t have a lot of choices, that’s the sad truth,” agrees Kostas.

According to the survey by Kapa research for the To Vima newspaper, 73.6 percent of educated young

Greeks say they would move abroad if they had the chance.

Of those, 42 percent — as many as a quarter of a million young Greeks — are already making plans to leave, said the poll of 5,442 people aged 22 to 35 and with at least two years’ higher education. Latest figures show Greek unemployment at 11.8 percent and reveal the young are hardest hit, with almost one in four 15 to 29 year olds — or 22.8 percent — out of work during the second quarter of 2010.

As Greece’s recession deepens, and with government plans for further cutbacks, 86 percent surveyed believe the worst is yet to come.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

13

Nokia delays flagship N8 again Reuters

HELSINKI – Nokia said it would delay again its flagship smartphone N8 model, hitting its shares on the day new chief executive Stephen Elop started at the helm of the world’s top cellphone maker. The N8 is seen by analysts as Nokia’s first top-range model to challenge Apple’s iPhone more than three years after its launch. Its success is seen as being crucial for Nokia’s profit margins.

“A single device does not normally have a significant impact on Nokia’s ... development. But with the N8 the firm has much more at stake,” analysts at FIM Bank says in a note.

“The new delay is once again a blow to Nokia’s already tarnished image and it could also endanger the firm’s Q3 earnings target,” it said. Nokia shares were 1.7 percent lower at 7.74 euros by 0821 GMT, underperforming 0.1 percent firmer STXE 600 Technology index.

A company spokesman said the first phones were still scheduled to leave factories by the end of September, but deliveries to consumers who had preordered the phone would be delayed by a few weeks.

“In some markets, we had planned to start delivering the N8s

to our pre-order customers by the end of September. To ensure a great user experience, we have decided to hold the shipments for a few weeks to do some final amends,” the company said in a statement, adding that the N8s would reach consumers in October.

Nokia announced the delay only a few days after the September 15 closure of its showcase event of the year, Nokia World. “This is embarrassing,” said John Strand, chief executive of Danish telecoms consultancy Strand Consult.

The N8 smartphone, first to use Nokia’s new Symbian software, was originally scheduled to reach consumers in June. In April, Nokia warned that the software renewal would take longer than it had expected due to quality problems and said that the N8 would reach consumers by the end of September.

The weak smartphone offering and problems with software were see as the main reasons for Nokia to replace its chief executive.

Stephen Elop, from Microsoft, started at his job as Nokia’s chief executive on Tuesday.

The N8 stands out among its rivals for its 12 megapixel camera but has a slower processor than Samsung’s top model Galaxy S and the latest iPhone.

“Morale in Greece is very low,” says Komninos, who has applied for over 100 jobs in the past year with limited success. He has a masters degree in political sciences, and Kostas in design, but the only jobs they can find are low skilled and poorly paid, often with no proper contract or overtime pay.

“There is a brain drain in Greece,” says Lois Labrianidis, an economic geographer from Thessaloniki University. “It has been going on for quite a long time.” His estimate is that between 110,000 and 135,000 graduates are working abroad, nine percent of the total of Greek graduates.

Tigers found at record altitude in boost for survival hopes Agence France Presse

AFP/File

A Siberian tiger, also known as a Manchurian tiger, bares its teeth at a tiger park in China. A television crew filmed a “lost” population of tigers living at a higher altitude than any others known, raising hopes of linking isolated groups of the big cats across Asia, the BBC said Monday.

LONDON – A television crew filmed a “lost” population of tigers living at a higher altitude than any others known, raising hopes of linking isolated groups of the big cats across Asia, the BBC said Monday. The cats were spotted roaming in the hills in the remote Himalayan nation of Bhutan by a conservationist and a team from the BBC’s Natural History Unit at a height of 4,100 metres (13,450 feet), said the broadcaster on its website.

“Tigers are thought of as jungle creatures and there is pressure on their habitats from all sides. Yet we now know they can live and breed at this altitude which is a safer habi-

tat for them,” said tiger expert and conservationist Alan Rabinowitz, who led the expedition.

The team set up hidden cameras wedged into gullies and trees for six weeks to capture the first hard proof that the animals could live at such high altitude, following earlier anecdotal evidence, the BBC said. The footage shows a male tiger and a female tiger at 4,100 metres and other tigers living at 3,000 metres, it added. Colour footage shows one tiger sniffing the air, while a night shot shows one of the animals prowling.

The female is lactating, suggesting they are breeding, said BBC cameraman Gordon Buchanan, who set up the camera traps that automatically filmed

any creature that moved in front of them. He said he was “convinced that there must now be cubs somewhere on this mountain.”

“This is such a significant discovery for tiger survival,” he said.

“The fact they can live here is just so important, for tigers in the wild, for their future.”

Rabinowitz said the discovery would boost an ambitious plan for a “corridor” across Asia in which tiger populations are safe from humans. “Bhutan was the missing link in this tiger corridor,” he said.

Conservation group WWF says numbers of tigers have plunged to fewer than 3,200 from 100,000 over the past century.

14

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Sport

International Spain La Liga fixtures Tuesday Osasuna v Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao v Real Mallorca, Real Madrid v Espanyol (1900 GMT) Wednesday Barcelona v Sporting Gijon, Real Zaragoza v Hercules, Almeria v Levante, Valencia v Atletico Madrid (1900 GMT) Thursday Getafe v Malaga, Villarreal v Deportivo La Coruna, Sevilla v Racing Santander (1900 GMT)

Mertesacker return delayed for Bremen Agence France Presse

AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi from Argentina reacts after he was injured during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Atletico de Madrid at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept 19, 2010.

Messi-less Barca target first home league win

BREMEN, Germany - Germany defender Per Mertesacker’s expected return to action for the Werder Bremen v Hanover derby has been delayed due to a lack of form.

Mertesacker fractured his eye socket playing for Germany a fortnight ago and had expected to play for his Bundesliga side wearing a protective mask on Tuesday.

However a lack of training during his injury lay-off means the 25year-old centre-back, who feared for his sight after being elbowed in

Wenger charged over Sunderland spat Agence France Presse

Agence France Presse

MADRID - Champions Barcelona go in search of their first league home win of the season on Wednesday when they host Sporting Gijon at Camp Nou. Pep Guardiola’s side lost 2-0 to promoted Hercules in their first home match in the league but have bounced back with a 5-1 routing of Panathinaikos in the Champions League and a fine 2-1 win at rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Barca sit sixth, one point behind Real Madrid and three points behind leaders Valencia, but must do without star man Lionel Messi for the next 10 days after the Argentine damaged ligaments in his right ankle in the final minute of the Atletico win. Messi was the subject of a robust challenge from Czech defender Tomasz Ujfalusi who was sent off for the challenge which left Guardiola seething.

“We are happy with the Atletico win and it could have finished 51 with the number of chances we had,” said Guardiola. “However, we are sad about the Messi incident. It is not only Cristiano Ronaldo (of Real Madrid) who needs protecting. The referees should protect all the players.”

With Messi out the goals burden falls more on the shoulders of Spanish striker David Villa, a 40million-euro signing from Valencia, who hopes to add to the solitary league goal he scored on his debut. It will be a special game for Villa who started his career at hometown club Sporting Gijon before becoming a world star with Valencia, Spain and now Barcelona.

Villa’s old club Valencia were expected to struggle without his goals but the 2004 league champions top

the table on a perfect nine points two ahead of Sevilla and Real Madrid.

Valencia host fourth-placed Atletico Madrid at the Mestalla stadium on Wednesday looking to maintain their flawless start to the campaign. Atletico have tasted back to back defeats to Aris Salonica in the Europa League and Barcelona in league after a promising start that began with a European Super Cup win over Inter Milan and two league victories.

Both Valencia and Atletico are expected to challenge for the Champions League spots this season and this is a crucial duel as the head-tohead record would count should both sides finish level on points.

Unbeaten Sevilla lie two points behind Valencia on seven points and hope to consolidate their strong start in the league with a home win over Racing Santander on Thursday. Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid had a brief taste of top spot on Saturday before being replaced by Valencia and hope for another three points at home to Espanyol on Tuesday.

Real were below par in a fortunate 2-1 win at Real Sociedad on Saturday with a deflected Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick gifting them three points.

Mourinho blamed the hectic match calendar for an average per-

formance saying it was unfair to play Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday and then Sociedad three days later, however, there is no respite for his side as they take to the field again on Tuesday.

“A draw would have been a fair result,” admitted Mourinho. “However, a team that plays in the Champions League on Wednesday has to play on Sunday and can’t be asked to play on Saturday.”

Real conceded their first goal under Mourinho at Sociedad and looked vulnerable at the back which prompted Mourinho to smash a water bottle into the glass in the dugout. The Portuguese coach watched his side jeered in their last league outing at the Santiago Bernabeu when they defeated Osasuna 1-0 so a polished display against Espanyol is expected from the hard-to-please Real public.

Elsewhere Athletic Bilbao host Real Mallorca on Tuesday with Bilbao’s Spanish international striker Fernando Llorente looking to maintain his goal-a-game record after scoring in all three of Bilbao’s league matches.

In other matches, promoted Levante travel to Almeria on Wednesday looking for their first points of the season after losing their opening three games.

the face in a Euro 2012 qualifier against Azerbaidjan on September 7, is not match fit. “I had a ten-day layoff without training, and I don’t feel ready. I just have to wait for the green light from doctors,” he said Tuesday.

It means Werder are without their two main central defenders, as Brazsilian Naldo is also out injured.

That means a likely start for Frenchman Mickael Silvestre.

In next month’s Euro 2012 matches Germany play Turkey at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on October 8 and Kazakhstan in Astana four days later.

LONDON - Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been hit with an improper conduct charge following his spat with a match official at the end of his team’s draw with Sunderland, the Football Association confirmed Monday. Wenger faces an 8,000 pound fine and a one-match touchline ban if he accepts the charge under the FA’s fast-track disciplinary process.

It follows an incident at the Stadium of Light on Saturday when a furious Wenger remonstrated with fourth official Martin Atkinson after Sunderland had equalised in the fifth minute of injury time.

Wenger appeared to gently push Atkinson on the back after Darren Bent had scored 15 seconds after the end of the allotted four minutes of stoppage time.

“Arsenal manager Arsene

Wenger has been charged with using insulting and/or abusive language and behaviour amounting to improper conduct,” a statement on the FA’s website, www.thefa.com, read. “The charges relate to Wenger’s conduct towards match officials at the conclusion of Arsenal’s match against Sunderland on September 18.

“Under the FA’s new fast-track procedures, Wenger has until Thursday, September 23 to respond to the charge and he has been offered a standard sanction of a one-match touchline ban and an 8,000 pound fine should he accept the charge.

“If he denies the charge, the case will be heard by a Regulatory Commission.”

Wenger later denied accosting Atkinson. “Take the pictures and look at it. I complained to nobody,” Wenger insisted in a curt post-match press conference.

Arsenal’s manager Arsene Wenger, looks on ahead of their English Premier League soccer match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Saturday, Sept.

18, 2010.

AP Photo/Scott Heppell

Sport

International

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

15

Bayern ‘better than last year’, claims van Gaal Agence France Presse

AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic

Serbia’s players, from left: Viktor Troicki, Janko Tipsarevic, Novak Djokovic, Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac celebrate victory against Czech Republic after their Davis Cup semifinal match in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010.

Serbia face France in Belgrade

BERLIN - Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal on Monday claimed that his team is playing “much better than last year”, despite having made their worst start to a league season for 33 years.

“I’m not going to reproach anyone,” said van Gaal, as reported by the SID sport news agency.

“I’ve analysed the season and I can’t say we’re playing badly.

We’re playing much better than last year.” After four matches of the Bundesliga season, Bayern are in ninth place with five points — seven points behind leaders Mainz — and have a goal difference of 1. At the same stage last season, Bayern were in eighth place, with five points, but a positive +2 goal difference.

They went on to win the Bundesliga and the German Cup before losing 2-0 to Inter Milan in the final of the Champions League.

Bayern’s next three matches will be crucial as they bid to relaunch their season. On Tuesday they visit in-form Hoffenheim,

currently second in the table with 10 points from a possible 12, before hosting surprise leaders Mainz at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

The following Tuesday they visit Swiss outfit Basel for their second Champions League group stage match, having begun their campaign with a hard-fought 2-0 win at home to Roma last week.

Victory against Basel would put them in a strong position to qualify for the last 16 ahead of a double-header with Romanians CFR Cluj.

Van Gaal, however, says he will not put extra pressure on his players and believes it is down to them to correct the Bavarian giants’ stuttering form. “It’s all in the head,” he said.

“The players know what happens when we win so few points.

The pressure comes from the outside; from the media, the directors.

“It’s normal. We’re a big team and we should be right at the top. “The season still has a long way to go.

In March, April, May it will be crucial, and that’s when we’ll have to make sure we’re there.”

Agence France Presse

PARIS - Belgrade will host this year’s Davis Cup final between Serbia and France, the International Tennis Federation announced on Monday. The December 3-5 match-up pits first-time finalists Serbia against nine-time champions France, who last appeared at this stage of the competition back in 2002.

Serbia reached the final for the first time in their 16-year history in the competition after coming from behind to defeat Czech Republic 3-2 in their semi-final in Belgrade at the weekend.

Serbia are bidding to become only the 13th Davis Cup champion nation after a spectacular run to the 2010 final. The country only made their World Group debut in 2008, winning their first World Group tie earlier this year.

Janko Tipsarevic was the hero of his country’s victory over Czech Republic, sending the 17,000 spectators into a frenzy with his 6-0, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 victory over Radek Stepanek in the deciding rubber.

With Novak Djokovic sidelined on the first day, Victor Troicki lost

to Stepanek 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in the opening rubber, before Tipsarevic levelled the tie with a 7-5, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7/5) victory over Tomas Berdych. Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic then suffered a 36, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 defeat by Berdych and Stepanek, before the Serb No. 1 set up the decisive rubber with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 triumph over Berdych.

Afterwards Tipsarevic paid tribute to the home supporters, saying: “Thank you, that’s what we needed, you raised us from the dead.” Djokovic added: “Whoever comes to Belgrade won’t be the favourite.” France cruised into the final weith a 5-0 whitewash of Argentinas in Lyon.

Leading 4-0 after Gilles

Simon’s 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 defeat of Eduardo Schwank earlier in the day, France secured the rout when Arnaud Clement beat Horacio Zeballos 7-5, 6-1 in the final singles rubber on Sunday. It was France’s second straight 5-0 win in the competition, following a quarter-final demolition of defending champions Spain.

They also defeated Germany 41 in the first round. Sunday’s two singles matches were rendered dead rubbers by the straight sets victory of Clement and Michael Llodra against Schwank and Zeballos in Saturday’s doubles match, which gave France an unassailable 3-0 lead. France last won the title in 2001, overcoming Australia 3-2 in Melbourne.

AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson

Munich’s head coach Louis van Gaal of the Netherlands looks on prior to the German first division Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Cologne in Munich, southern Germany, on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010.

Mexico’s Rojas takes WBC super fly title Agence France Presse

SAITAMA - Second-ranked Tomas Rojas of Mexico scored a unanimous points victory against Japan’s Kohei Kono to take the

vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight title on Monday. The 30-year-old Mexican, who became the interim champion in July last year, scored heavily with a barrage of uppercuts and straights

against the Japanese.

Kono went on the attack in the final round, firing a right hook that put Rojas on the canvas, but the effort could not overturn the wide points margin.

“It was a good fight. He (Kono) fought bravely like other Japanese boxers. I was able to win despite the down in the end. I hope to come back to Japan and fight again,” said Rojas.

Rojas improved his record to 34

wins, including 23 KOs, against 12 defeats, one draw and one null and void. The 29-year-old Kono, ranked top in the WBC, saw his record reduced to 25 wins, including nine KOs, against five defeats.

16

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

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

Sport

Hamilton: Monza mishap will help me raise my game Former world champion Lewis Hamilton insists that his mistake in the Italian Grand Prix just over a week ago has now been banished firmly to the history books – and as he refuses to ‘dwell on the negatives’, the McLaren-Mercedes star asserts that the costly error will if anything only motivate him to ‘raise his game’ even further.

Hamilton conceded potentially valuable points at Monza when, from fifth on the starting grid and during the course of a characteristically feisty and aggressive opening lap around the legendary Autodromo, he attempted an ambitious overtaking manoeuvre on the third-placed Ferrari of Felipe Massa. When the Brazilian turned in, the resultant touch was enough to break the steering on the 2008 title-winner’s MP4-25 – and put him out of the race a handful of corners later.

The DNF was also sufficient to cost the 25-year-old his erstwhile world championship lead, having entered the weekend tipped to dominate, with Monza the most likely of the six final circuits to play most prominently to the strengths of McLaren’s challenger. In the immediate aftermath of his very public indiscretion, Hamilton expressed his fear that it is just such lapses that ‘lose world championships’ but as he looks ahead to Singapore now, he does so with a

far more measured and positive outlook.

“In bad situations, you soak up all the lessons that need learning,” he told his personal website. “You absorb that information, put the bad experiences to one side, use the benefits and move on. I got up on the Monday morning [after the Italian Grand Prix] and I was already focussed on the next race, improving the car and closing in on the world championship.

“I’ve drawn a line under Monza now. It’s one of those experiences that happens in motor racing. It’s not the first time my race has ended on the first lap – and it probably won’t be the last, unfortunately. You can’t dwell on the negatives – we are still in a good position, and we need to capitalise on that. I’ve learnt from the experience and, while it was extremely disappointing, those things are sometimes what you need to sharpen your mind and raise your game and motivation at an extremely crucial time in the season.”

Arriving in Singapore, Hamilton

lies five points adrift of new world championship leader Mark Webber, with the Australian’s Red Bull Racing team-mate Sebastian Vettel, his own McLaren team-mate and compatriot Jenson Button and Ferrari’s double world champion Fernando Alonso all within a victory of each other points-wise, and a thrilling climax to proceedings looking to be in-store.

It was the Stevenage-born ace who triumphed under the spotlights of Singapore this time last year, but with the tight and tortuous nature of the Marina Bay Street Circuit widely expected to play right into the hands of Red Bull, Hamilton is maintaining an open mind ahead of the weekend.

“Winning in Singapore last year was one of the most satisfying victories of my F1 career,” he affirmed.

“The whole team pushed for that result right from the start of the weekend, we overcame a number of problems and we never gave up until it was in the bag. Crossing the line was a brilliant feeling!

Tweaks made to Singapore circuit S I N G A P O R E atmosphereSingapore Grand Prix organisers have made minor revisions to the circuit ahead of this weekend’s race in a bid to improve safety and driver comfort. After complaints in recent years about severe bumps, resurfacing has taken place between Turn 3 and Turn 7, as well as between Turn 14 and 19.

The pitlane has also been lowered by one centimetre since last year’s event - which should ensure a smoother transition when drivers rejoin the track.

The controversial Turn 10 ‘Singapore Sling’ chicane - scene of Kimi Raikkonen’s crash in 2008 has also been altered. With the design of the corner having been a

cause for concern among drivers over the past two years, the kerbs have been re-profiled to make the turn more gradual.

As well as undertaking changes for safety reasons, Singapore organisers have also made an effort to improve the look of the venue - with track walls now painted in bright colours, and runoff areas also decorated.