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16 Pages Number 181 2st Year

Afghanistan tackling almost 4,000 poll complaints PAGE 6

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Thursday, September 23, 2010

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

Indian workers dismantle the collapsed footbridge at The Jawaharlal Stadium, the main venue for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, in New Delhi on September 22, 2010.The Delhi Commonwealth Games were plunged into crisis 12 days from the start after the athletes’ village was described as “uninhabitable” and a footbridge collapsed at the main stadium.

Bali’s tuna production earns $53 million in Forex PAGE 8

Paris Hilton denied entry to Japan over cocaine conviction PAGE 12

AFP PHOTO/PEDRO UGARTE

Commonwealth Games chief rushing to New Delhi Associated Press Writer NEW DELHI – Commonwealth Games Federation chief Mike Fennell is rushing to New Delhi on an emergency visit amid widespread anger over India’s frenzied last-minute preparations for the event which is due to open a week from Sunday. Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Mike Hooper told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Fennell would arrive Thursday and had requested a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

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Fennell’s arrival comes as organizers struggle to cope with unfinished buildings, a filthy athletes’ village, a bridge collapse near the main stadium and numerous other problems. But even as star athletes withdrew and doubts over the staging of the Commonwealth Games gathered momentum, Indian offi-

cials were attempting to play down concerns as an international overreaction. “Athletes and guests should not bother about such small matters,” Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy told CNN-IBN television about the unclean accommodations, insisting that the Commonwealth

Games village would be immaculate by the time events begin Oct. 3. Officials from some delegations have already moved into the village, which is due to open to athletes from 71 countries by Friday. As to the collapse of the 90-meter pedestrian bridge — which injured 23 construction workers, five criti-

cally — New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told reporters: “The accident is not as big as being made out to be. We are giving adequate compensation to those injured.” The pedestrian bridge, which was still under construction, lead from a parking lot to the games’ main stadium. Dikshit is the equivalent of the city’s mayor. The Games, which bring together more than 7,000 athletes and officials from all over the British Commonwealth every four years, was supposed to showcase India’s emerging power in the international community. Continued on page 6

74 pilot whales stranded on New Zealand beach Associated Press Writer

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A pod of 74 pilot whales stranded themselves on a remote northern New Zealand beach — the second time in a month that a mass beaching has happened in the region, officials said Wednesday. Twenty-five of the animals were already dead when officials arrived at Spirits Bay beach, Department

of Conservation area manager Jonathan Maxwell said. In addition to the 49 still alive and stuck on the beach, another 50 were spotted just offshore, he said. “We need as many volunteers as possible, as it will be at least until tomorrow (Thursday) before we can look at refloating them, which means caring for them over the next two days,” he said. Continued on page 6

AFP PHOTO/HO/DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION

Two people inspect one of 25 pilot whales that died on September 22, 2010 after beaching themselves at Spirits Bay, 320 kilometres (200 miles) northwest of Auckland.

International

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Bali News A Week, Thousands of New Comers Sent Back Negara (Bali Post)-

by: IBP/Pramana Wijaya

Pascal Morabito, center, acompanied by his lawyers, give press confrence on on Tuesday (21/9) regarding the skull that was found in his villa

Founded Skulls No Connection To ”Pratima” Cases Denpasar (Bali Post) –

The founded skulls in the villa where Pascal Morabito (65) live at Panti Brawa Street, North Kuta, Badung, last Monday (13/9) until now is still investigated by Criminal Research investigators of Badung Police Resort. Yet those founded items had no connection to the stolen pratima that involved seven accused including an Italian, Roberto Gamba. This is told straight away by Pascal Morabito during a press conference with a number of media on Tuesday (21/9). Pascal Morabito joined by translators Dewa Putra Diasa and Dewa Rai Budiasa, stated his apologize of bringing those skulls to Bali. Truly, those skulls now confiscated by the police were only his private collection. Even before moved to Bali four years ago, it has been a decoration in his house in France, “I brought it from my country. I didn’t know that in Bali you can’t bring such stuffs.” What’s need to be known, Pascal clarified, it has nothing to do with the pratima case. Actually the designer

graduate gave appreciation to the police officials in revealing that case and also to those police who raided his villa, “I don’t mind the Badung Police raided my villa. Actually I appreciated it. Once again, I apologize and I apologize.” Connecting to the law process, Pascal admitted has been investigated by the Police although still as a witness. He also told the story of the skulls and how it got into his hands. He admitted it have bought it in Papua Nugini, “Those skulls were placed in my house (France, red) as

a collection. Because I have I have lots of statues collection made from wood and stones in Bali so I brought the skulls to Bali as well.” As told before, Criminal Research of Badung Police Resort troops led by Head of Union Adjunt Police Commissioner Soma Adnyana raided the villa lived by Pascal Morabito. In this villa, police found a weird item which is human skull. That item was then confiscated and investigated thoroughly. (kmb21)

Post one week after Eid Al Fitri, thousands of new comers coming to Bali through Gilimanuk Harbour has been sent back to their home. They are noted by National ID Card (KTP) Checking Post have violated the demography regulations. During the coming back current approximately 100 violations happened everyday such as new comers without or with invalid KTP. Gilimanuk Head Village, IGN Rai Budi last Tuesday (21/9) mentioned until Monday afternoon it has been noted 1395 violations where 572 people without KTP and 848 people brought invalid KTP. Meanwhile 1075 people have been sent back by using ships to

Ketapang, Banyuwangi. Most of those residents wanted to find work in Tabanan, Denpasar even Badung, “We sent them home because they did not have valid KTP and some could go through because of visits purpose also some continued to West Lesser Sundaes (NTB).” It’s very sad that some people are still bravely coming in to Bali without KTP when actually it has been warned through a poster also it has been going on for years in this door to Bali. Rai Budi as a good Negara resident and obey to the law, it is a must to have and bring KTP as our own identity, “If we forgot of it’s on process it’s a classic response, we still going to sent them back as it is a must owned.” (sur)

Rain, Landslide Hit Several Areas Semarapura (Bali Post)-

The all night rain on Monday (20/ 9) caused landslides on some areas in Klungkung Region such as on the gorge that has Pura (temple) Masayu Subak Dlod Banjarangkan above it which is around the Jepang Cave object. Yet that gorge has always been hit by landslides every time heavy rain comes. Luckily the landslide this time is not as worse so those soils that are blocking roads can be removed as fast as possible. Klungkung Region Government has allocated budget to make a safety barrier for the gorge

also to secure Pura Masayu above it. A number of locals on Tuesday (21/9) mentioned many efforts have been done to anticipate the landslide every time heavy rain comes. More over, Pura Masayu was just rehabbed lately and it’s still in new condition. It is worried if it doesn’t have any supervision then the pura can also be dragged down during the landslide. Besides that, landslide also happened in a laying down surface at Uma Lemek. The landslide hit its guard of stone walls and around 6 meters of it fell down. (kmb20)

Immigrants without ID cards Returned to Lombok Amlapura (Bali Post) -

A total of 46 immigrants through the port Padangbai, Karangasem when the reverse flow, were repatriated to their homes because no complete self resident’s identity or identity card. They were asked to take care of the identity beforehand, so that later if there is a problem of unwanted, can be immediately contacted his family in the area of origin. It was mentioned by Plt. Head official and Civil Registration Karangasem region, Drs. AAG Rama Putra, Tuesday (21 / 9) yesterday in Karangasem. Rama Putra who is also

Assistant III Setdakab Karangasem said, the team tightening of the identity of the passenger who is a resident migrants through East Bali entrance in the port Padangbai continue working. Officer examination is divided into two working groups (sip). While Head of Population Gede Sukerana added, based on team notes from Wednesday (1/9) until Monday (20 / 9) noted 46 residents migrants with no identity of identity card returned to Lombok or NTB region. Population netted without identity is most prevalent Monday (20) as many as 10 people, while the previ-

ous one to six people, than the average person can go through Padangbai Bali on average 350 people per days. Sukerana said the number of passengers or immigrants who enter through the port Padangbai, not as much of Java through Gilimanuk. So, passengers who do not come down until full or congestion. Immigrant identity examiner could work better, because not too dense. Sukerana said, tightening the legal basis of population identity between Other legislation, and the decree of the Governor of Bali while on district Regent Decree. (013)

IBP/Bali Putra

The gorge at Masayu Temple damaged when the heavy rain fall on Klungkung 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

ATM Robbers 13 Years Jailed Denpasar (Bali Post) –

Accused Roby Sugihartono and Suhadi Lumanto suspected to have been involved in the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) robbery in some places at Denpasar City, have been punished 13 years of jail by Denpasar District Court last Tuesday (21/9). Accused were also obligated to pay IDR 100 Million fine to subsidize six months jail. At the trial led by Judge Sigit Sutanto, Public Prosecutor Eddy Artawijaya stated accused was proved to have violated two sections at once which are section 363 paragraph 1 the 4th with section 64 paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code on robbery done by the two or more robbers also section 3 paragraph 1 alphabet a of the Law No. 15 year 2002 which has changed to Law No. 25 year 2003 about money washing crime, “We did not found apologizer reason from the accused acts.” The two accused did the robbery from September 2008 until February 2010. Around September 2008, Roby came to Bali and rented a house at Pulau Adi II Street No. 11 Denpasar. In that house, Roby and Max lived together with Agus Gurtono alias Black Sweet (separated case), Tendy Candra (wanted), Yusep Candra (wanted), Wilianto (separated case), Ngatemin (separated case), Linda

IBP/Eka Adhyasa

The defendants of the ATM robbers, Roby Sugihartono and Suhadi Lumanto listen to their verdict in Denpasar court on Tuesday, September 21st 2010. (wanted), Ronald and Pandu. At that place too, accused Roby and Max with their colleagues held a preparation meeting led by Hendri Hartanto (wanted) on putting on the skimmer and getting out the money using a fake ATM card. The skimmer functioned to steal the customer’s data which will be received by Marino V (wanted) then it is set by Hendri using a laptop. After that skimmer and pin stealing camera will be given to the two accuse which is placed on ATM machines. The skimmer placement has been done around September 2008 until December 2009 by the two accused in crowded areas such Kuta and Sanur. When accused Roby put on the

skimmer and camera, accused Mac was the one queuing in front of the machine so the action was not known. Skimmer and camera will then be left for four to five hours which then will be given to Hendri Hartanto where its results then will be sent to Marinov through e-mail. A year later, Marinov replied the e-mail whch has data of pin numbers, ATM cards, the owner and national codes. Those ata was then managed by accused Max to become new fake ATM card. By using it, then the two accused can take out money from the ATM machine. Due to accused acts, Bank Central Asia (BCA) had loss of IDR 5.854.158.355,03. (015)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Indonesia delays to send migrant workers to Malaysia, Kuwait and Jordan Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Indonesia makes sure that it will not send the Indonesian workers (TKI) to countries like Malaysia, Kuwait and Jordan. Such deadline will expire if those countries are capable of providing assurance along with safety protection to the labor forces. “Government does not want any kinds of persecution against the labor force working abroad. On that account, the government has commitment that it will send the workers if it has obtained an assurance on safety protection,” said Minister of Labor and Transmigration Muhaimin Iskandar in the International Industrial Relations Association / International Labor and Employment Relations Association (IIRA/ILERA), at the Inna Grand Bali Beach on Tuesday (Sep 21). In response to labor working abroad, this Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB stated that his party had provided with an appeal to the labor so they could conduct selfprotections. “One of them is by holding the passport and never entrusted it to others. No less important was asking for day-off once a week where the time could be used to coordinate with the embassy so their development can be monitored,” he said. Minister Muhaimin mentioned that up to these days there was a difference between government and the Indonesian migrant workers recruitment (PJTKI) regarding to charges of sending migrant workers to overseas. In principle, government attempted to

minimize the charges to as low as possible, so ultimately it would not incriminate the workers themselves. When asked if there were any PJTKI companies committing unlawful action, Minister Muhaimin would not tolerate them. Their license would be instantly withdrawn. Regarding to the possibility of violations committed by a number of PJTKIs previously, he said that their identity were still being investigated. “We are still examining their identity thoroughly whether they belonged to individual or company,” he said. However, behind the ban to Malaysia, Kuwait and Jordan, Muhaimin said, the public interest to become overseas workers remained quite large. Its annual growth reached 10 percent. Then, regarding to salaries, it would become the sole authority of respective embassy to arrange. If there were any salaries below the standard, then the government would automatically reject the agreement draft proposed. In the meantime, in his speech, Minister Muhaimin explained that Indonesia had a population of approximately 234,181,000 people. Labor force amounted to 116 million and 92.6 percent of them were working or about 107.4 million were active workers. The remaining 30.72 million or about 28.61 percent of them worked in formal sector. Therefore, Indonesia had to be careful in making and implement particular policies and decisions in industrial relations. (015)

Hundreds of roasted pigs Rabies prevention spends IDR 25 billion offered in Usabha Gumang Bali targeted to be rabies-free in 2012 Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Rabies cases having been endemic in Bali since 2008 pose a serious problem for Bali Province and regency/ municipality government in Bali. Various attempts have been made to address the more widespread outbreaks of highly lethal disease making the people of Bali trauma. No half-heartedly, a depleted budget intended for the rabies prevention has reached IDR 25 billion more. Even, the Bali Provincial Government is currently owed approximately IDR 7 billion to Sanglah Hospital for that purpose. Governor of Bali Made Mangku Pastika revealed so after the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Bali Provincial Government and regency government/municipality throughout Bali with the Bali Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) in relation to prevention of rabies in the Office of Governor of Bali on Tuesday (Sep 21). By making cooperation with two institutions highly committed in rabies prevention efforts, Mangku Pastika

targeted Bali to be free from rabies in 2012. He asserted, the commitment to realize Bali free from rabies certainly required extraordinary efforts recognized legally and humanly. More importantly, every component of society should also take active part in suppressing the number of rabies cases to minimal point. “After signing the MoU, Bali Provincial Government will hold a mass vaccination to humans and dogs,” he said. This former Chief of Bali Police added that the rabies epidemic had spread in Bali since 2008. In 2008, the cases of dog bites were recorded to reach some 50 thousand bites and approximately 24 thousand in 2009. Meanwhile, until this September 2010, the cases of dog bite throughout Bali had reached 41,172 cases. “On average, there are 165 cases of dog bites occurred in Bali every day during 2010,” he added. Since the rabies outbreak spread, he said, Bali had eliminated more than 100 thousand dogs and vaccinated more than 250 thousand dogs. These measures were done of course within the framework to prevent the spread of ra-

bies outbreaks. Related to commitment to realize Bali as a rabies-free island, he emphasized on the necessity of the urgent global cooperation implemented synergistically and sustainably. “At the moment, rabies is extremely threatening the human life and animals we care about. For Bali, the dogs are special because they are familiar to human life and have a myth upheld by the society,” he added. On that occasion, Director of WSPA Melly Wibisono declared that rabies treatment could not be carried out simply by elimination. She confirmed that vaccination and acting more humanly to a dog would be much more important and civilized. Meanwhile, Spokesperson of WSPA Namrata Chowdhary said that her party got involved in freeing Bali from rabies by means of training people so they had the ability to teach and prevent the rabies. In this cooperation, WSPA provided a financial assistance worth IDR 9 billion to fight against rabies outbreak in Bali. “Bali is unique. We do not agree to the mass elimination as it is unable to liberate from rabies and not humane,” she said. (kmb13)

Amlapura (Bali Post)—

Summit of the Usabha festivity held on Bukit Gumang Temple, Bugbug Customary Village, Karangasem, coincided with the full moon of Balinese calendar on Thursday (Sep 23). No less than 50 jempana or palanquins used to convey the pratima or sanctified effigy of deities from four villages were paraded. Similarly, some 1,000 suckling roasted pigs were presented by local devotees to Bukit Gumang Temple on Tuesday (Sep 21) by the nightfall in relation to mapinton, masosot or pay the vows. Frangipani trees around the temple frequently looked like roasted pigleaved. In many instances, local people put the roasted pig on a branch of frangipani as they lacked for space to put it because of narrow plain area on the top of Bukit Gumang. Male residents or household heads of Bugbug Village shouldered offerings. They put the roasted pig on the one end, while the offerings on another end. Almost every household head presented at least one roasted pig. Meanwhile, women or housewives were responsible for protecting or taking their children. Not less than

10,000 residents of Bugbug Village and other four supporting customary villages such as Bebandem, Ngis Manggis and Jasri as well as Bugbug thronged and climbed the somewhat high Bukit Gumang. Both local residents and foreigners married to local girl of Bugbug also came while taking their children to attend the mapinton prayer (a kind of reporting worship and invoking grace and protection) to elder deities venerated in Bukit Gumang Temple. All palanquins of local deities of the three surrounding villages consisting of Ngis Manggis, Jasri and Bebandem were carried by devotees and escorted by other devotees to Bukit Gumang temple. Meanwhile, the deities abiding at Datah, Abang was only worshipped through representation shrines or diayeng. Head of Bugbug Customary Village, I Wayan Mas Suyasa, said the implementation of the ngusabha ritual every full moon of the fourth month (in Balinese calendar) in even year, like this year was celebrated by grandiose procession. It was marked by the presence of Ida Ratu from all villages, while in the odd year the usabha ritual would take the smaller scale.

News

Thursday, September 23, 2010

UN anti-poverty goals get new financial pledges Associated Press Writer

UNITED NATIONS – A threeday summit to push global leaders to meet U.N. goals to significantly reduce poverty by 2015 wraps up Wednesday with new financial pledges from countries but no certainty there will be enough money and political commitment to meet the targets. With many countries under financial pressure from the effects of the global economic crisis as well as rising food and energy prices, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has repeatedly urged governments not to abandon the 1 billion people living on less than $1.25 a day. Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, in prepared remarks for delivery at the Millennium Development Goals summit Wednesday, urged other countries to show the same resolve as Britain in meeting their aid commitments, despite the fallout from the financial meltdown. Clegg pointed to “fragile spaces — like Afghanistan — where hate can proliferate and terrorist attacks can be planned, where organized criminals can harvest the drugs that ravage our streets, where families are persecuted, displaced, pushed

to seek refuge with us.” “So we do not see the Millennium Development Goals just as optimistic targets for far away lands,” he said. “They are not simply charity, nor are they pure altruism. They are also the key to lasting safety and future prosperity for the people of the United Kingdom.” Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul told the leaders Tuesday that the lack of security in his home country has made it harder to achieve the anti-poverty goals, known as the MDGs. “The enemies of peace and stability in Afghanistan are still active, orchestrating well-planned attacks against schools, clinics, teachers, doctors, government employees and even young children, particularly school girls,” Rassoul said. “Unfortunately, similar attacks continue against humanitarian aid organizations and their personnel.” The world leaders are reviewing efforts to implement anti-poverty goals adopted at a summit in 2000. These include cutting extreme poverty by half, ensuring universal primary education, halting and reversing the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and cutting child and maternal mortality — all by 2015.

AP Photo/Aaron Jackson

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks at a summit on the Millennium Development Goals at United Nations headquarters on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010.

International

Two Hong Kong marine police boats, left, follow a Hong Kong fishing vessel carrying seven activists as it sets sail for a group of islands in the East China Sea claimed by both China and Japan on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010. The protest mission comes as tensions flared between the two countries after Japan arrested a Chinese captain whose fishing boat collided with Japanese coast guard vessels near the disputed islands two weeks ago. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao threatened action against Japan on Tuesday if the captain isn’t immediately released. AP Photo/Kin Cheung

China premier threatens Japan over boat dispute Associated Press Writer

BEIJING – China’s premier threatened action against Japan if Tokyo does not immediately release a ship captain detained in his first comments amid a growing fight over disputed islands. Wen Jiabao’s remarks Tuesday night in New York were the first by a top Chinese leader on the issue that has led Beijing to suspend ministerial-level contacts with Tokyo. China also has said Wen would not meet with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan during U.N. meetings in New York this week. In comments carried on the website of China’s Foreign Ministry, Wen laid the blame for the dispute entirely at Japan’s door. Tokyo “bears full responsibility for the situation, and it will bear all consequences,” he said to a gathering of overseas Chinese. China-Japan relations are at their worst in half a decade, after Japan

arrested the Chinese captain of a fishing boat that collided two weeks ago with Japanese coast guard vessels near islands in the East China Sea claimed by both nations. Japan extended his detention Sunday, and China responded by suspending contacts. The dispute over the islands, known as Senkaku by Japan and Diaoyu or Diaoyutai in Chinese, comes as an increasingly confident China — its economy booming and military expanding — asserts its presence in the region. A Japanese government spokesman made a conciliatory gesture Wednesday morning, but it was not clear of he was aware of Wen’s comments at the time. “If possible, it would be good to

quickly hold high-level talks, including broad, strategic discussions,” Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku told reporters, saying that the countries should continue to strengthen their ties despite the dispute. The telephone at China’s Foreign Ministry rang unanswered Wednesday, a national holiday in China. On Tuesday, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu explained that Wen would not be meeting Japan’s Kan in New York because “The atmosphere is obviously not suitable for such a meeting.” Anti-Japanese protests have already flared in numerous locations around China, and the dispute has spilled into cultural ties. Beijing abruptly canceling invitations to 1,000 Japanese youth to the Shanghai expo and the Japanese pop group SMAP has called off a concert in Shanghai.

New book paints Obama ‘struggle’ on Afghan strategy Agence France Presse

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama struggled to craft his Afghan war strategy amid infighting and fierce dissent at the White House and with Pentagon officials, according to media reports Wednesday on a new book by veteran reporter Bob Woodward. Extracts from the book “Obama’s Wars” quoted in a report by the Washington Post said the US leader rejected any US effort for “longterm nation-building.” With access to administration officials and even Obama himself, Woodward paints a picture of a White House national security team consumed by dissension as

the president sought a way to extricate the US military from Afghanistan. “Everything we’re doing has to be focused on how we’re going to get to the point where we can reduce our footprint,” Obama is quoted as saying in the book, according to the Washington Post, where Woodward worked for decades. “It’s in our national security interest. There cannot be any wiggle room,” Obama is reported to have said. “This needs to be a plan about how we’re going to hand it off and get out of Afghanistan,” Obama said. Obama decided last December on a surge of 30,0000 troops to battle Afghan insurgents and set a July 2011 date to start an American withdrawal.

The president rejected a Pentagon request for 40,000 troops, Woodward said, chronicling Obama’s meetings with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the months leading up to his December announcement. “I’m not doing 10 years,” he told Gates and Clinton in a late October 2009 meeting. “I’m not doing longterm nation-building. I am not spending a trillion dollars,” he is quoted as saying, according to the Post. The deployment, accelerating the now nine-year war against Taliban fighters, brought the number of US forces in the country to more than 100,000.

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

Barack Obama

Hotel Activities

International

Thursday, September 23, 2010

The Conference of the Birds - A Tale of Magic, Music and Wonder IBP

UBUD - Celebrating the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival theme Harmony in Diversity, theatre fireFLY presents a physical theatre performance “The Conference of the Birds”, based on a 12 Century Sufi poem by Farid Ud Din Attar. The story tells of a group of diverse birds on a quest for Oneness. One of the most famous and quoted sections from The Conference of the Birds is about this unity they eventually achieved. The actors bring this timeless classic to life with music, singing, dancing and storytelling that blends Sufi traditional forms with contemporary styles in the majestic setting of the Purnama Open Theatre, Maya Ubud Resort & Spa. The multi-cultural, intergenerational fireFLY ensemble including Atta Melvin, Raditya Santosa, Oded Carmi, Virginia Hicks, Yuanita Ramadhani and Lindsey Wise appear in this vibrant adaptation. The cast is led by Sage Alia Kimball playing the Hoopoe who, with the spiritual ardour of Joan of Arc incites the birds to brave the arduous journey in search of their souls. Live instrumentation by Anello Capuano and ensemble features North African, Middle Eastern, Central Asian and Indian music. Choreography is by Eilat Tovi and direction by Rehane Abrahams. With live instrumentation, storytelling, singing and dancing, this theatrical odyssey brings to the stage a well loved classic of Islamic literature and promises to be a rare treat for the soul. The Conference of the Birds will be held every evening during the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 6-10 October at Purnama Open Theatre, Maya Ubud Resort & Spa at 7pm, except on Thursday, 7 October there will be a special performance for Schools Matinee at 11am.

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.

News

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Afghanistan tackling almost 4,000 poll complaints Agence France Presse

KABUL – Afghanistan’s electoral watchdog said Wednesday it was dealing with almost 4,000 complaints over the parliamentary election, which has been tainted by accusations of fraud and Taliban intimidation. Election officials said 4.3 million Afghans voted on Saturday despite insurgent threats and attacks, in their second parliamentary poll since the 2001 USled invasion overthrew the hardline Taliban regime. Counting has been completed in most of the country’s 34 provinces and partial results — subject to change as allegations of multiple and proxy voting are investigated — are being sent to Kabul for validation. An announcement on preliminary results is expected on October 9 with final results due October 30, according to the Independent Election Commission (IEC). The IEC says some fraud is “inevitable” but has affirmed its commitment to working with the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) “to eliminate the effect from the final results insofar as possible”. The ECC said it had received a total of 2,064 complaints relating to irregularities on polling day after a Tuesday deadline for submissions expired. ECC commissioner and spokesman Ahmad Zia Rafaat told AFP that 1,700 official complaints had been adjudicated relating to the pre-election process that began in April — bringing the total number so far to 3,764. Afghans can register complaints about any part of the electoral process within three days of an alleged irregu-

74 pilot... From page 1 Volunteers from Far North Whale Rescue, conservation officials and the local Maori community were preparing to stay at the beach overnight to help keep the whales alive, Maxwell said. They would have to battle a strong swell and high winds in an effort to refloat the animals Thursday. In mid-August at nearby Karikari Beach, a pod of 58 pilot whales stranded. Despite hundreds of helpers fighting to save them, just nine were eventually floated off the beach and

returned to the sea. A pod of 101 pilot whales stranded on the same beach in 2007. New Zealand has one of the world’s highest rates of whale strandings, mainly during their migrations to and from Antarctic waters, one of which begins around September. Since 1840, the Department of Conservation has recorded more than 5,000 strandings of whales and dolphins around the New Zealand coast. Scientists have not been able to determine why whales become stranded

Commonwealth... From page 1

AFP PHOTO/SHAH Marai

Afghan election workers sort ballot boxes at the Independent Election Commission (IEC) warehouse in Kabul on September 22, 2010. Afghanistan’s electoral watchdog says it is dealing with almost 4,000 complaints over the parliamentary September 18 election, which has been tainted by accusations of fraud and Taliban intimidation. larity, and many more are expected over problems with the post-election process, such as vote counting. “We keep receiving complaints every day,” said Rafaat. More than a million ballots were found to be fraudulent in the August 2009 poll that returned President Hamid Karzai for a second five-year term. More than 2,500 candidates stood for the 249 seats in parliament’s lower house, or Wolesi Jirga, but at least 1,300 polling centres were unable to open because security could not be guaranteed. Afghanistan’s main election observation body, the Free and Fair Election Foundation (FEFA) fielded 7,000 observers, and detailed thousands of vote day irregularities, including use of fake voter cards and bias of election workers. The Asia Network for Free Elec-

tions (ANFREL) released a report Wednesday saying the election was “marred by a series of security threats and misconduct” including political interference by local strong men in provinces. ANFREL said there were problems with a shortage of ballot papers, multiple and proxy voting, as well as problems with indelible ink — supposed to guard against a person voting more than once — that could be washed off. “We call upon the ECC and PECC to enforce electoral justice by investigating all complaints and concerns of the election stakeholders through proper adjudication channel; fair and transparent process,” the report said. ANFREL is a regional network of civil society organisations which works to promote and support democracy at national and regional levels in Asia, according to its website.

Italian police probe big explosives haul Reuters

AP Photo/Adriana Sapone

Italian police stand guard by a confiscated container, in the port of Gioia Tauro, near Reggio Calabria, southern Italy, on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010.

ROME – Italian authorities have seized 7 tons of powerful RDX explosive apparently being shipped from Iran to Syria and believe that at least part of the cargo may have been intended for Italy, police sources said on Wednesday. The cargo was found by anti-Mafia police in a shipping container in the southern port of Gioia Tauro. They are still trying to ascertain whether the explosives were in Italy because the ship transporting them was making a technical stop, or whether part of the cargo was intended to be unloaded in the port. RDX, also known as T4, is a powerful high explosive designed for military and industrial use.

Instead, it is becoming an embarrassment, highlighting the many problems that the country is still struggling to control. “C’wealth Games India’s Shame,” The Times of India newspaper reported Wednesday in a screaming headline. Fennell on Tuesday had written to the Indian government, urging it to finish the athletes’ village. In addition to shoddy conditions inside and outside the buildings, there also are problems with plumbing, wiring, furnishings, Internet access and cell phone coverage. New Zealand officials complained that there was excrement in many of the rooms, plumbing wasn’t working, and that there were no handrails around balconies or stairwells. “They have to come up with a clear plan to meet the needs of athletes and show they can provide consistent standards,” Hooper told AP. Hooper confirmed reports of excrement found in rooms in the village. The games have historically been dominated by England, Australia and Canada, and all three have voiced concerns about the conditions in India. “It’s hard to cancel an event of this magnitude, but we are close to the wire, and teams may start to take things into their own hands,” England chef de mission Craig Hunter told Britain’s Press Association. “Athletes will start getting on planes soon and decisions will have to be made. We need new levels of reassurance.” Australian discuss world champion Dani Samuels withdrew from the games Tuesday, citing concerns over health and security, according to her manager, Hayden Knowles. England’s world champion triple jumper Phillips Idowu

also pulled out, saying in a Twitter message that: “I can’t afford to risk my safety in the slightest. Sorry people, but I have children to think about. My safety is more important to them than a medal.” Australia’s 1990 Commonwealth Games gold medalist Jane Flemming expected more athletes to withdraw. “The fact that someone of Dani’s stature (has withdrawn) I’m sure is making a whole lot of others question their attendance,” Flemming told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. “It would not surprise me if we now see a whole flux of withdrawals.” Although no country has said it will pull out, New Zealand team manager Dave Currie delivered a foreboding message in a radio interview. “If the village is not ready and athletes can’t come, obviously the implications of that are that (the event) is not going to happen,” Currie told New Zealand radio network newstalkZB. Criticism of the games have become increasingly vocal in recent two weeks, with widespread accusations of corruption and mismanagement. Organizers were also struggling to cope with unfinished buildings, the filthy athletes’ village, an outbreak of dengue fever and security worries. Security has been increased after unidentified gunmen wounded two tourists Sunday outside one of the city’s top tourist attractions. An Islamic militant group took responsibility for the shooting. New Delhi, India’s capital and home to more than 12 million people, was chosen to host the 19th edition of the Commonwealth Games in November 2003. But between then and 2008, the country did little to prepare.

Indonesia Today

International

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Militants kill three police in Indonesia Agence France-Presse

MEDAN - Suspected Islamist militants killed three Indonesian police officers Wednesday in apparent retaliation for the arrest and killing of members of their group, police said. Twelve gunmen stormed a police station at Hamparan Perak, near Medan on Sumatra island, and opened fire shortly after midnight, police spokesman Iskandar Hasan said. “Three policemen were killed. It was a sudden attack and our officers weren’t ready,” he said. The victims were shot multiple times at close range, local media reported. A witness told AFP the attack was swift and appeared to have been well-planned. The gunmen arrived on motorcycles and used hand signals to coordinate their movements, he said. “I saw the riders enter the police station and out of the blue I heard bursts of gunfire that went on for about five minutes,” local resident Lindung Ginting said. “They looked very calm as they stepped out of the station. I saw them using hand signals to give commands.” Police believe the assailants were linked to a group targeted in a series of raids on Sunday, which resulted in the deaths of three alleged militants and the arrest of 15 others. The group are suspected of killing a police officer in a spectacular bank robbery in Medan city last month to raise funds for terrorist attacks. Police said 15 militants managed to escape Sunday’s raids and remain at large. Muslim-majority Indonesia is struggling to deal with the threat of homegrown Islamist militants who oppose the country’s secular, democratic system and want to create a caliphate across much of Southeast Asia.

AFP PHOTO / ATAR

Investigators seal off the Hamparan Perak police station in Sumatra island on September 22, 2010 following an attack by suspected Islamic militants that left three police officers dead in apparent retaliation for the arrest and killing of members of their group.

Indonesians vent anger over Indonesia seeks six years for Noordin’s father-in-law maid abuse in Malaysia Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - About 500 angry Indonesians staged a motorbike protest outside the Malaysian ambassador’s residence in Jakarta on Wednesday to condemn the abuse of Indonesian maids by Malaysian employers. Incensed by the latest case of rape and torture of an Indonesian domestic worker in Malaysia, protesters besieged Ambassador Syed Munshe Afdzaruddin’s house and demanded he leave Indonesia within two days. They also threatened to roam through a nearby shopping mall and order any Malaysian they find to go back to their country. “We want the Malaysian ambassador to leave Indonesia in two days. If he doesn’t, we’ll remove all the things in his house,” said Mustar Bonaventura, of nationalist youth group Bendera, which organised the rally. “Malaysia has really gone too far.

Again they’re torturing and raping our domestic workers. We’ve lost our patience. They’ve degraded Indonesia and its citizens.” Protesters shouted “Malaysians are insolent,” sang the Indonesian anthem and carried banners with messages like “Crush Malaysia”. Organisers said they would move to the Malaysian embassy later Wednesday to continue their demonstration, and target Malaysian shoppers. “We’ll tell the Malaysian shoppers in Senayan City mall to stop shopping in Indonesia and get out. But we’ll tell them nicely because we’re not like those Malaysians who are torturers and rapists,” Bonaventura said. Spats regularly erupt between Indonesia and Malaysia over an array of issues, particularly Malaysia’s treatment of the some two million Indonesians who work there. Indonesian activists shout slogans during a protest in front of the Malaysian Ambassador’s residence in Jakarta on September 22, 2010 to condemn the abuse of Indonesian maids by Malaysian employers.

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Indonesian prosecutors Tuesday sought six years in jail for the father-in-law of slain Southeast Asian terror mastermind Noordin Mohammed Top. Baharudin Latif, 55, is accused of sheltering Malaysian-born Top, who led a campaign of terror as the selfproclaimed leader of “Al-Qaeda in the Malay Archipelago” until his death in a police raid a year ago. Latif was arrested five months after suicide bomb attacks on the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta in July last year that killed seven people.

The hotel blasts were believed to be Top’s last attacks in a career that allegedly included the 2004 bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta and attacks on tourist spots in Bali in 2005. “The defendant is guilty of hiding and providing assistance to terror mastermind Noordin Mohammed Top,” prosecutor Firmansyah told the South Jakarta district court. “They shared a similar concept of jihad (holy war) with the objective to kill infidels (non-Muslims).” Noordin allegedly visited Latif’s house in Cilacap, Central Java, on several occasions and married his daughter, Arina Rahmah, in 2006. The couple had two children.

Latif’s son, Ata Sabiq Alim, 24, is standing trial separately on similar charges. “He acted as Noordin’s guard. He always escorted Noordin during his trips,” prosecutor Nana Mulyana said. Rahmah was arrested and questioned about her husband’s terrorist activities but she was released without charge after claiming she had no idea he was one of Asia’s most wanted men. Prosecutors said they did not seek the maximum 15 years’ jail term for the two defendants because they had been polite and cooperative in court.

Four Australian navy ships to visit Indonesia Antara

SURABAYA - Four Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships are scheduled to visit two major cities in Indonesia soon. Project manager of AusAID BRIDGE Program (Building Relations through Inter-cultural Dialog and Growing Engagement), Josephine Ratna, said here on Wednesday that the visit to Indonesia by four RAN ships was intended to cultivate Indonesia-Australian friendship. She said two of RAN ships, namely HMAS Success and HMAS Arunta, were scheduled to arrive at Makassar port in South Sulawesi on Friday, September 24, 2010. “The two of the four Australian Navy ships are expected to arrive at Hatta container port in Makassar at

9.30 Central Indonesia Standard Time (WIT) on Friday morning, Josephine said. While two other ships, namely HMAS Tobruk and HMAS Toowoomba, would arrive at Tanjung Perak port in Surabaya, East Java, on Saturday, September 25. She said HMAS Tobruk and HMAS Toowoomba would berth at Jamrud Utara pier at Tanjung Perak at 9.30 Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB) on Saturday morning. “We will also let the students in Makassar and Surabaya to visit the Australian Navy ships,” Josehpine said. She said BRIDGE would give an opportunity to the students in the two cities to visit the ships from 9 am to 3 pm local time.

AII/Myer Foundation/AusAID BRIDGE Program (Building Relations through Intercultural Dialogue and Growing Engagement) is currently the AII’s largest program. The BRIDGE program has been operating successfully since 2008 and is managed by the AII in conjunction with the Asia Education Foundation. The AII has received funds from The Myer Foundation and AusAID to support the program. The BRIDGE program is an innovative education project which funds visits by Indonesian teachers to Australian schools and supports development of school etwinning and an online collaborative curriculum strategy between Australian and Indonesian schools.

Internationa

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Bali Today Bali’s tuna production earns $53 million in Forex Antara

DENPASAR - Bali’s tuna production had been increasing despite bad weather, head of export division of the Bali Trade and Industry Agency Putu Bagiada said here on Wednesday.

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

Seller filleting fish at the fish market on Kedonganan village, Badung Regency. Bali’s tuna production had been increasing despite bad weather, head of export division of the Bali Trade and Industry Agency Putu Bagiada said here on Wednesday.

BPR in Bali free from foreign investors Bali Post

DENPASAR - So far there is no rural bank (BPR) in Bali acquired or owned by a foreign investor. Despite Bank Indonesia (BI) of Denpasar Branch declared that there were no provisions restricting foreigners, local people or those from outside Bali to acquire BPR, Head of Bank Indonesia of Denpasar Branch, Jeffrey Kairupan, said Tuesday (Sep 21) the decision to acquire or have acquired was entirely in the hands of the owner of BPR and investors. “If it has been in accordance with the existing provisions, all people have equal opportunity to acquire a BPR. The task of BI is only overseeing. Should there be any deviation within the process the central bank will warn,” he said. Jeffrey explained the condition of 138 rural banks in Bali so far remained pretty good. However, some 10-20 rural banks required special attention. BI would continue to nurture those rural banks seriously until their performance and level of health were getting better. “If within the passage of those BPRs could not be fostered, BI does not hesitate to put them into special supervision status of Bank Indonesia,” he said. According to him, so far there were no BPRs in Bali belonging to the special supervision status of BI. Nevertheless, BI stayed to expect that all owners and managers of BPR in Bali were committed to advancing their rural banks. “It must be born in mind that all banks including rural banks manage the public funds.

Bank Indonesia has a duty to ensure that these public funds are on banking safe hands. On that account, all rural banks must continue to improve their performance so that people’s confidence is getting improved,” he asserted. Jeffrey recognized that existence of unhealthy BPRs would automatically lose the public trust. The growth rate of BPR was currently quite conducive. This could be seen from the total loans reaching IDR 2.5 trillion, or grew by 25 percent within the past six months. Meanwhile, an economic observer of microfinance institution (LKM) in Denpasar, Nyoman Putra Mas, expected the holders of policy in monetary sector should give priority to local investors in the acquisition of BPR. In this connection, as the builder of BPR in Bali, government was also expected to be more assertive to filter the investors wishing to come in. Previously, Chairman of the Controlling Shareholder Forum (PSP) of BPR Bali, Prof. Nyoman Suparta on that occasion revealed that BPRs should improve and strengthen themselves in facing the tough challenges in the future. Competition against larger banks in the small-medium enterprises (SMEs) sector urged BPR to be healthier and better. “We have an interest to keep this industry healthy. By doing so, this industry grows bigger. Let us undertake the mission as good as possible by establishing a good corporate government, enhance the integrity and ethics as the PSP and commit the role and functions of PSP to promote trust and image of rural banks,” he said. (par)

He said Bali’s tuna exports in the January-July 2010 period reached US$53.7 million, a six percent increase compared to the same period of last year’s 50.6 million dollars. Tuna production both fresh and canned contributed 16.7 percent of Bali’s revenue from handicraft and non-oil exports reaching 320 million dollars this year. This made tuna production the second biggest contributor to Bali’s revenue after textile and textile products with 73 million dollars. However, tuna exports to the United States and Japan in the January-July 2010 period dropped 12,076 tons from last year’s 12,122 tons. Bali enjoyed a strong growth of exports in the first semester this year with a value of 320 million dollars, an increase of 21 percent compared that in the same period of last year. “Handicraft products from our light industry are still strongly sought after in

the export market,” said Putu referring to the substantial growth in exports of Bali’s light industries thanks to improved economic climate in Europe and the U.S. Exports of various kinds of handicraft items in the January-July 2010 period, he added, reached 139 million dollars, an increase of 26 percent from the 110 million dollars during the same period of last year. The positive tendency in the first semester of 2010 also occurred in the export of garments, canned fish and plastic goods reaching 112.5 million dollars, a 25 percent hike compared to the 89.8 million dollars during the January-July 2009 period. Exports of agricultural products, especially vanilla and the renowned Balinese coffee, reached 592,600 dollars, an increase of 24,2 percent compared to 447,000 U.S. dollars. Bali’s exports were are expected to grow further in the second semester in view of the positive economic situation in world major export markets, Bagiada said.

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2010:

Emerging and Established Writers from Around the Globe Southeast Asia’s most innovative and exhilarating literary festival will be known as the 2010 Citibank-Ubud Writers & Readers Festival (CUWRF-2010) with Citibank announced as the Naming Rights Sponsor for the next three years. This year’s Citibank-Ubud Writers & Readers Festival theme is “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika: Harmony in Diversity,” epitomizes the Festival’s objective to create a world class literary event that brings together diverse Indonesian and international voices for intercultural dialogue and exchange. The 2010 Citibank-Ubud Writers & Readers Festival will take place from 6 – 10 October, in Ubud, Bali, once again welcoming emerging and established writers from around the globe for five days of conversation, readings, workshops and performances in the most breathtaking venues. “We are delighted to announce Citibank as the Naming Rights Supporter for the 2010 Ubud Writers & Readers Festival. As part of one of the world’s largest financial services companies with a presence in more than 100 countries, Citibank is the logical partner for our Festival, bringing together voices from around the world.” Festival Director Janet De Neefe said Citibank will help promote the Ubud Writ-

ers & Readers Festival in twelve countries, attracting international audiences to a globalminded festival. “It is a pleasure to support this unique festival that embraces passion, art, and expression on our beautiful island. Bali has always been a place where people from all nationalities come to enjoy life to the fullest, and we believe it is time that Bali became an international meeting point,” said Irfan Ahmed, Card Business Head, Citibank N.A. Indonesia. In recent years, Indonesia has seen a rise in Indonesian literary works, reflecting a positive trend in the national cultural scene. With the Citibank-Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Citibank wants to motivate Indonesian writers to boost creativity even further. “In addition to this, Citibank also encourages Indonesians to read more and express their ideas through writing,” Irfan added. The annual Ubud Writers & Readers Festival celebrates and explores diversity within contemporary literature and culture, welcoming writers from more than thirty countries including Bosnia, Palestine, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Burma, India, Malta, Pakistan, UK, US, Philippines, Malaysia, Australia and Indonesia. The Festival was named by Harper’s Bazaar (UK) as “one of the six best literary festivals in the world.”(BTN/014)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Balinese Culture Sticky Rice Cake with Green Mung

France, the biggest buyers for Bali handicrafts Antara

DENPASAR – Customers from France imported Bali handicrafts and other non-oil and gas products for $30 million during January through July 2010. It was the highest number of buyers made by foreign country on Bali’s product. Putu Bagiada, the head of export division in Bali Industrial and Trade Department, said that the number of export to France increased almost 50% compare to the similar period last year which

was $20 million. The development of trade to France is predicted to be increased in the next few years because the government is increasing the number of direct flights to Europe so the number of tourists from France visit Bali will also increase. France is the third country on the list of the most buyers of Bali’s non-oil and gas product. The first one is USA with $58.3 million and the second country is Japan with $53.9 million. The increasing number of tour-

ists will affect the number of foreign trade for Bali’s product because some of the tourists who come to Bali will bring back souvenirs to their countries. If their friends or families like it, they will order some more products from Bali so it will increase the exports. Bagiada said that many foreign traders come to Bali to buy handicrafts and sell them in their native countries. In addition to France customers, the buyers of Bali’s products come from 26 countries throughout Europe such as Italy, Spain, England, and Germany.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com

Couple of tourists shopping in the one of art markets on Bali Island. Customers from France imported Bali handicrafts and other non-oil and gas products for $30 million during January through July 2010. It was the highest number of buyers made by foreign country on Bali’s product.

Around before the 1980s, there were many traditional organizations known as sekaa. Most of them abode in agricultural sector. Area of their activities ranged from cultivating the land up to conveying the rice bundles at post-harvest time to granary. They were carried out through mutual assistance among the members of the sekaa. For consumption, they were largely provided with one time meal at midday and once or two times snack with coffee. As accompaniment to the coffee, it was served traditional cakes such as sticky rice cake with green mung. Ingredients: 100g green mung, 200g white sticky rice, 1 cup of grated coconut and 1 cup of brown sugar sauce. Method: • Soak the white sticky rice for some 2 hours, while the green mung should be soaked for one night. • Drain and then mix the green mung thoroughly with the white sticky rice. Steam this batter. Add some water onto the half-cooked rice. If the water has run dry, steam it again until cooked. • Take out and serve it with the sprinkles of grated coconut and brown sugar. Now it is ready to serve. (BTN/punia)

Be Cotek:

Tasty Hot-Sweet Pony Fish Cotek or pony fish denotes a bijou and inexpensive marine fish in Bali. Two main characteristics of this fish are the oblong body and large eyes. Nevertheless, it remains to offer delicious taste, moreover, if it is deepfried and served with hot-sweet sauce. But, please be careful of its small bones. In the past, this fish was often used to pay the services of pengujur or people helping fishermen in dragging their traditional boat to and from the sea. Today, this fish can be purchased at traditional and super market. Ingredient: 400g pony fish or Cotek (finely cleanse and take out its intestines) Spices: 4 cloves shallot, 2 cloves garlic, 1 candlenut, 2 large chilies, 2 small chilies, 1 tbsp palm sugar and 1 pc medium-sized red tomato Others: 1 cup palm oil, ½ tsp salt and 1 pc lime Method: · Smear the cleansed fish by the lime juice and salt. Take a side for 15 minutes. · Fry the fish until crispy and take out. · Grind all spices and stir-fry until smelling fragrant. Add slices of palm sugar, salt and keep on stirring until running dry. · Put the fish on a plate and sprinkle with the hotsweet sauces. Now, it’s ready to serve. (BTN/punia)

C.045 ibp

Destinations Marine Adventures

International

Thursday, September 23, 2010

IBP

Diving is an exciting experience to explore the beautiful underwater life where we can see a real fantastic panorama of coral and colorful fishes. Bali has many choices of the dive venue which are very famous in all over the world like: Tulamben, Amed, Padang Bay, Menjangan Island, Nusa Penida, Lembongan Island and Nusa Dua. All of them have been supported by complete diving facilities. Diving in Bali will get unforgettable experience and this under water adventure is the most attractive and always looked for by the people. Enjoy the experience under the blue sea water with a minimum of wave, colorful coral and fishes and see the real of under water life in Bali. It’s very fantastic and don’t miss it. Nusa Dua Diving

Nusa Dua have a beautiful underwater panorama with a lot of fishes, coral grow from 3 ( tree ) meters slope down to max depth of 18 meters. beautiful barrier reef is extremely accessible to visitors due to its nearby location and shallow

depths. Nusa dua dive site is perfect for all divers and also ideal for diver training. Nusa Dua is a great choise for divers who want to dive without traveling far. Tulamben Diving – Ship Wreck

Tulamben is one of popular dive site in Bali and located in East Bali. its about 2 and half hours driver from Nusa Dua and Kuta area. Tulamben is beach entry dive and the ship as the dive site is about 40 meters from the beach. The American ship USAT Liberty built in 1915 and was destroyed by Japanese submarine on Jan 11, 1942 (World War II). It sank on sand floor at depth of 5 meters and slope down to max depth of 35 meters. Night diving on this ship wreck is very popular. Bali’s best wreck dive with bump-head parrot fish, napoleon wrasse and barracuda are regularly spotted around the wreck. Beside Ship Wreck, Tulamben also have many good sites for dive like: Tulamben Drop Off, Coral Garden, etc. Amed Diving

Amed is located in East Bali, Karangasem Regency and it’s about 2

hours and 45 minutes from Denpasar or Kuta Area and then need more about 5 minutes to Amed dive site. Coral grow 2 meters and slope down to 30 meters. Napoleon wrasses and Reef Sharks often seen in Amed water. Along the wall you will find beautiful and colorful corals (hard and soft) and a breeding area with thousands of small fish. The maximum depth is +/- 26 m. Sometimes there can be a current. Amed is also good site for night dive. Dive Amed area: Jemeluk, Bunutan, Japanese shipwreck and Gili Selang. Menjangan Island Diving

Menjangan Island is a small island which is located in North West Bali Island; this island is reached by a 30 minutes boat ride from Labuan Lalang. Menjangan Island is well known for its magnificent underwater world, have a beautiful corals and fishes. Menjangan Island has many good dive sites. If you want to explore all of that is need about 2 until 3 day. Even large pelagics are sometimes seen at Menjangan. Occasionally sightings of Whales, Whale sharks and Manta rays have been reported. Drift diving is usual, but

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Nusa Penida Diving – Drift Dive

Nusa Penida Island is a part of Klungkung Regency. Located in south east Bali Island, it’s about 1 hours by bout from Tanjung Benoa harbour. Nusa Penida has 2 meters coral grow and slope down to max depth 50 meters, Wonderful barrel sponges and

gorgonians can be seen in the deeper waters, and sea snakes can be seen on almost every dive. Occasional manta rays and schools of chevron barracuda add to the rich variety of smaller fish which seem to prefer the calmer waters. the big attraction here is that this area is a favourite spot for mola mola, Manta and Sharks. Nusa Penida Dive site: Crystal Bay, Blue Point, Manta Point and Ped.

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currents are quite mild and all levels of divers can enjoy this area.

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Thursday, September 23, 2010

BUSINESS India launches mobile phone share trading Agence France-Presse

MUMBAI - India has launched stock trading on mobile phones, hoping to capitalise on the country’s position as the world’s fastest-growing handset market by catering to techsavvy investors. Asia’s oldest stock market, the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), started trading in shares on mobile phones on Tuesday while the rival National Stock Exchange (NSE) plans to launch a similar service early next month. Trading on mobile phones is picking up globally, particularly in Asia, where equity markets are on the rebound from the global financial meltdown of 2008. The new form of trading kicked-off in India as share prices hit a near three-year high, led by strong overseas fund inflows and optimism that Asia’s third-largest economy could grow at nearly nine percent in coming years. Both the BSE and NSE have tied up with local mobile phone operators and software firms to provide a real-time data feed and trading products. Users will now be able to buy and sell shares, view live index and stock prices, as well as get margin and net investment positions on their phones. BSE chairman S. Ramadorai said: “We believe that this will advance the development of financial

inclusion through higher penetration of capital markets... by leveraging the mobile telecom infrastructure in the country.” At least 35 accredited BSE brokers are eligible to provide mobile trading to their clients while at the NSE, at least 800 brokers are lining up to do the same. “Mobile phone trading will pick up,” said Rajiv Prabhakar, an analyst with Mumbai brokerage firm Sharekhan, through which nearly one million people trade across India. India’s investor community is estimated at between 10 and 20 million but those behind the scheme hope to capitalise on the buoyant state of the country’s mobile phone sector. One in 10 of the world’s mobiles is sold in India, according to technology research specialists Gartner, and the country adds 15-17 million new mobile subscribers every month. There are now an estimated 650 million subscribers. But per capita ownership in a country of 1.2 billion people is still low at 57 phones per 100 people,

offering massive growth potential in the years ahead, particularly as 3G “smartphones” become more available across the country. Brokerages involved hailed the stocks initiative as empowering consumers. But industry experts say trading on mobile phones is unlikely to supplant online trading anytime soon and initial usage may be limited simply to viewing market data. “A new set of investors may not emerge with the opening of a new technology channel,” said Monish Shah, financial services director of Deloitte India. Mobile phone trading has picked up in Japan and South Korea. In Seoul, it accounts for nearly three percent of trading volume, according to stock exchange data. Mobile banking, introduced two years back in India, “is yet to pick up” a Reserve Bank of India official has said, as transaction volumes remain low. A recent Deloitte India study suggested nearly 70 percent of mobile phone users interviewed in Indian cities do not use mobile valueadded services.

India, U.S. finalizing $5.8 billion Boeing aircraft deal Reuters

NEW DELHI - India is aiming to finalize a $5.8 billion defense agreement with the United States before the November visit of President Barack Obama in a deal that would mark the biggest India-U.S. defense deal ever. The two countries are in talks for India to acquire 10 Boeing Co’s C17 Globemaster III planes, senior government officials said on Wednesday, adding the parties hope to make the announcement during Obama’s visit. “The $5.8 billion deal along with all potential support services and spares is the biggest-ever defense deal between the two countries till now,” a senior government official told Reuters. Another official said the actual announcement could be made dur-

ing President Obama’s visit. India and the U.S. are building a strategic alliance and security experts say New Delhi’s growing ties with Washington are seen as a counterweight against China’s growing military clout. India and the United States signed a landmark civilian nuclear deal in 2008 and another pact in July last year, facilitating the entry of U.S. companies like Lockheed and Boeing into India’s lucrative defense market. New Delhi expressed its interest in January to buy the heavy-lift C-17 Globemaster aircraft, capable of carrying large combat equipment and troops. “India will receive the most advanced version of the C-17 available, which will include the latest upgrades and capability,” said Vivek Lall, Boeing’s Vice President India, con-

firming the deal. Boeing has sold 221 C-17 Globemaster planes to several countries so far, including Qatar, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, the company said. India is looking to spend more than $50 billion over the next five years to modernize its armed forces and largely Soviet-era equipment, an effort that is in particular focus after the 2008 Mumbai attacks revealed security loopholes and the need to upgrade defenses. It is also expected to finalize a deal to buy 126 fighter jets. Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet is also competing with Lockheed Martin’s F-16 , France’s Dassault Rafale, Russia’s MiG-35, Sweden’s Saab JAS-39 Gripen and the Eurofighter Typhoon, produced by a consortium of European companies.

AFP PHOTO/Karen BLEIER

The US Federal Reserve building is seen on July 30, 2009 in Washington, DC. The US Federal Reserve avoided pulling the trigger on fresh stimulus spending at a top-level policy meeting, but said it was prepared to act if the tepid economic recovery cools further.

US Fed ‘prepared’ to act if recovery stalls AFP

WASHINGTON - The US Federal Reserve avoided pulling the trigger on fresh stimulus spending at a top-level policy meeting, but said it was prepared to act if the tepid economic recovery cools further. The bank’s open market committee held interest rates at record lows in a bid to shore up what it called a “modest” recovery, but shied away from a new — and controversial — round of spending. “The committee will continue to monitor the economic outlook and financial developments and is prepared to provide additional accommodation if needed to support the economic recovery,” the Fed said. During the depths of the recession the bank spent about one trillion dollars buying up long-term US debt and toxic mortgage products in an effort to lubricate blocked up financial markets. That may have helped stave off a rerun of the Great Depression, but there are widespread concerns that the private sector is not ready to stand on its own. With US growth projected to be an anemic 1.5 percent this year, many commentators have called on the Fed to once again open the sluice gates and let cash flow into the economy. At its August meeting, the bank took the baby step of agreeing to keep spending at current levels by plowing the proceeds from investments into US bonds. Since that meeting, a panel of top economists has declared the US recession over and a slew of data has pointed to a moderately better outlook, but that has not been enough to dampen concerns.

The Fed retained its bleak view of the health of the world’s largest economy, making further action possible when the panel meets again in early November. “(The Fed) statement effectively kicked the can six weeks down the road,” said Stephen Stanley of Pierpont Securities. The Fed’s top policy panel said the pace of recovery had “slowed in recent months” while warning the pace of economic growth would be “modest in the near term.” It pointed to now-familiar problems that plague the economy: high unemployment, low consumer spending and a moribund housing sector. Full text of Fed statement It also gave a thinly veiled warning about the risks of deflation, stating that inflation rates were “somewhat below” target levels. “The Fed clearly stated current levels of inflation are too low, and that the aim of current policy would be to address the deficiency,” according to Andrew Schiff of Euro Pacific Capital. Even with this bleak backdrop, Fed members again appeared to have tussled over when crisis measures are needed and if they would work. Kansas Fed Representative Thomas Hoenig, seen as an inflation hawk, voted against the policies, arguing that loose monetary policy would create imbalances over time. “The doves are ready now, while the hawks would need to see a significant deterioration in the outlook to sign off,” said Stanley. Tuesday’s meeting was the policy-making panel’s last before November’s mid-term elections.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Entertainment

International

Paris Hilton denied entry to Japan over cocaine conviction Agence France Presse

TOKYO - US socialite Paris Hilton left Japan for the United States on Wednesday after being denied entry over a conviction for cocaine possession in a Las Vegas court this week. The 29-year-old spent hours talking with Japanese immigration officials late Tuesday and again Wednesday before she dropped her request for entry and took off in her private jet, abandoning an Asian tour. The hotel empire heiress had flown into Tokyo’s Narita Airport from Las Vegas Tuesday for a promotional event, a day after pleading guilty to cocaine charges for which she received a suspended jail sentence. Hilton — who had planned to kick off a tour in Japan before flying to Malaysia and Indonesia — had been due to appear at a Tokyo event to promote her fashion and accessory lines, together with her sister Nicky, 26. TV pictures showed her in a blue tracksuit, a baseball cap and sunglasses as she headed for the airport exit, telling journalists: “I am going back home. I’m looking forward to coming back to Japan in the future. I love everyone.” She also told her followers on microblogging website Twitter: “About to take off. So disappointed to miss my fans in Asia. I promise to come back soon. I love you all! Love Paris xoxo” PR company Sunny Side Up Inc. said in a statement: “Paris Hilton

has decided to return to the US after a lengthy delay at Japanese immigration. “Paris is very disappointed and fought hard to keep her business commitments and see her fans, but she is forced to postpone her commitments in Asia.” The statement added that the celebrity “looks forward to returning in the future to a country she loves and has been coming to for the past 10 years”. Immigration officials in Japan, a country with a zero-tolerance policy to illegal drugs, had questioned her for hours after her arrival Tuesday before allowing her to stay in a hotel inside the airport overnight. She was not allowed to stay at the Hilton hotel — the chain founded by her great-grandfather Conrad Hilton — in the nearby town of Narita, five kilometres (three miles) from the airport, news reports said. Hilton shot to fame in 2003 when her former boyfriend leaked a video of their sexual escapades on the Internet. She also starred in the reality television series “The Simple Life”.

In 2007, Hilton spent 23 days in a Los Angeles county jail for violating probation over an alcohol-related reckless driving conviction. Earlier this year Hilton was arrested in South Africa after the Brazil-Netherlands World Cup game, on suspicion of possession of marijuana, but the case was dropped. A court in Las Vegas on Monday gave her two six-month suspended jail terms for possessing a small amount of cocaine and initially lying about it, and said she would be jailed for a year if she was convicted again. She was also fined 2,000 dollars, ordered to complete a drug rehabilitation programme and perform 200 hours of community service.

US socialite Paris Hilton leaves Narita international airport in Narita, suburban Tokyo on September 22, 2010 after she was denied entry to the country over a conviction for cocaine possession.

Hollywood film star Jet Li (R) of China is hugged by Alistair Henley, head of the International Red Cross in Beijing after Li was named a Red Cross Goodwill Ambassador in Beijing on September 21, 2010.

AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS

China film star Jet Li to meet Gates, Buffett Agence France Presse

BEIJING - Chinese film star Jet Li said Tuesday he would meet Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to chat about charity work ahead of a banquet for China’s uber-rich hosted by the US philanthropists this month. Li, a philanthropist himself who was speaking at a press briefing where he was named a Red Cross Goodwill Ambassador, confirmed he had been invited to the dinner on September 29, but initially refused due to his busy schedule. “Three days ago, I received an email from Gates, hoping I could make time because he and Buffett hoped I could go for a 30-minute chat before the dinner about the future we face as human beings, so I will go,” Li said. Gates and Buffett have convinced 40

wealthy individuals and their families in the United States to hand over more than half of their fortunes to a good cause as part of a project launched in June. They plan to learn about China’s approach to philanthropy at the banquet in Beijing, and have stressed they will not pressure any of the Asian nation’s superrich to give to charity. But the response has reportedly been lukewarm. Li, who founded his own charity One Foundation in 2006, encouraged people to give money or time for a good cause but said his homeland was a newcomer to the charity business. “China’s real development has only happened in the past 10 years,” he said, adding the United States had 100 years of experience in philanthropy. Li also called on the US film industry to give more to charity.

AFP PHOTO / JIJI PRESS

‘Wall Street’ sequel shows greed can still be good Associated Press Writer

Oliver Stone was making a statement on the glibly money-hungry times when his “Wall Street” came out in 1987 and, with it, the iconic figure of Gordon Gekko declaring that greed, for lack of a better word, was good. Twenty-three years later, greed is still getting a lot of people into a lot of trouble. The entire country, in fact. And so Stone’s latest, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” is the rare sequel that not only feels relevant but necessary.

AP Photo/20th Century Fox, Barry Wetcher

In this film publicity image released by 20th Century Fox, Michael Douglas portrays Gordon Gekko, left, and Shia LaBeouf portrays Jake Moore in a scene from, ‘Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.’

Of course, his hindsight is 20/20. Everyone’s is. But here, Stone takes the economic collapse of 2008 and places Gekko — played masterfully by Michael Douglas, returning to the role that earned him an Academy Award — in the middle of it. Having been released from federal prison after serving time for securities fraud, money laundering and racketeering, Gekko is now free to swim among even more dangerous sharks than he ever dreamed of being himself. The question becomes: How will he react? Will he use his shrewdness to try and beat them at their game, or will he actually have found a moral center during his time behind bars? That story line alone could have provided the basis for one meaty, worthwhile movie. “Money Never Sleeps” also crams in a father-daughter story, a few different mentorprotege stories and a romance. It’s big and loud and brash in an almost operatic way — and knowingly, joyfully so. For a movie about a depressing topic that we’re all-too familiar with, “Money Never Sleeps” is surprisingly entertaining. The dialogue from Allan Loeb and Stephen Schiff is biting and propulsive, and the hugely esteemed ensemble cast is a kick. Besides Douglas, who’s better than ever even as a toned-down snake, Shia LaBeouf is solid as an ambitious young trader — he feels like a grown-up, finally — and the two stars have a couple of electric exchanges.

Life Style

International

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Namibians fear dam will wash away honey, ancestors, traditions Agence France Presse

EPUPA FALLS, Namibia - Namibia’s Himba, distinctive for smearing their bodies with red ochre, say a planned dam that will flood the valleys where they live and their burial grounds also threatens their ancient traditions and lifestyle. “We survive from the Baynes mountains. It is where we can move our cattle in spring-time for grazing, where we get the honey sugar. It is our kitchen,” said Muhapikwa Muniombara. “If they build the dam, they’ll kill us,” said the 35year-old, who has traditional necklaces and bracelets adorning her ochre-tinged body. The largely nomadic Himba also bury their dead in the arid hills around the Kunene River which forms an oasis in the vast desert and part of Namibia’s northern border with Angola. Generations of these graves will be flooded by the mooted 1,700-gigawatt hydroelectric dam and the Himba worry their ancestors will be angered and could react badly, causing havoc with their lives. But moving the graves isn’t an option, Muniombara says, pointing to a dozen burial sites in the mountains surrounding her village of Okapare. “If they move the graves, the whole spirit is going to die,” Muniombara says. “If they remove the graves, everything will get dry, there won’t be more grazing.” The new dam will bring electricity and water to villages like Okapare, which has neither, but this does not convince Muniombara. “We don’t want the water. We don’t want electric-

ity. We have water at the fountains. We want to live naturally,” she says. The dam, first proposed in the 1990s, was originally meant to have been built farther up the river but it would have swallowed a popular tourist destination — the Epupa Falls, fringed by palm and baobab trees. So the government decided to move it toward Baynes. “The dam will not affect the Epupa Falls and is situated in a deep ravine approximately 40 kilometres (25 miles) downstream of the falls, with a low population density of Himba,” said Mike Everett of the Environmental Resources Management consultancy that conducted feasibility studies for the dam. Once Angola and Namibia give the final goahead to the project, the dam could take seven years to build, he says. A group of young Namibians at the Epupa Falls are eager, saying it will help to solve chronic power shortages. Namibia imports more than half of its electricity from South Africa, but hopes hydropower, new coal plants or even a nuclear plant could boost supplies and feed its money-spinning uranium mines. “I’m for it because we need energy and it

AFP PHOTO / STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN

This picture taken on August 20, 2010 shows the Epupa Falls on the Kunene river, Northern Namibia, at the border with Angola.For generations Namibia’s nomadic Himbas have buried their dead in the Baynes mountains along the Angolan border, where the Kunene River forms an oasis in the vast desert.

will create jobs. People go to school then they Muhenje. “The dam will bring development with go back to the village looking after their par- shops,” he says, in modern garb of jeans, a Tents’ goats again,” says 28-year-old Ratutji shirt and sunglasses.

Archaeologists find theater box at Herod’s palace Associated Press Writer

JERUSALEM – Israeli archaeologists have excavated a lavish, private theater box in a 400-seat facility at King Herod’s winter palace in the Judean desert, the team’s head said Tuesday. Ehud Netzer of Jerusalem’s Hebrew University said the room provides further evidence of King Herod’s famed taste for extravagance. Herod commissioned Roman artists to decorate the theater walls with elaborate paintings and plaster moldings around 15 B.C.,

Netzer said. Its upper portions feature paintings of windows overlooking a river and a seascape with a large sailboat. This is the first time this painting style has been found in Israel, Netzer said. Herod was the Jewish proxy ruler of the Holy Land under Roman occupation from 37 to 4 B.C. He is known for his extensive building throughout the area. The team first excavated the site — sitting atop a man-made hill 2,230 feet high — in 2007. Netzer described the site as a kind of “country club,” with a pool, baths

and gardens fed by pools and aqueducts. But archaeological evidence shows the theater’s life was shortlived, Netzer said. Builders deliberately destroyed it to preserve the conic shape of the man-made hill. After Herod’s death in the 1st century B.C., the complex became a stronghold for Jewish rebels fighting Roman occupation, and the palace site suffered significant battle damage before it was destroyed by Roman soldiers in A.D. 71, a year after they razed the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Frescos discovered in the Herodium complex, in the West Bank, south of Jerusalem, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010. Israeli archaeologists have excavated a lavish private box in a 400seat theater located at King Herod’s winter palace in the Judean desert. Head archaeologist Ehud Netzer says Herod commissioned Roman artists to decorate the theater walls with elaborate paintings and plaster moldings around 15 B.C.

AP Photo/Bernat Armangue

Zune to go international with Windows Phone 7 Agence France Presse

SAN FRANCISCO - Microsoft announced on Tuesday that its Zune digital entertainment service that competes with iTunes will expand internationally with the launch of its nextgeneration smartphone platform. Content and services at the online Zune Marketplace will be accessible through personal computers, Xbox 360 videogame consoles, and Windows Phone 7 handsets, according to the US-based software colossus. “The integration between Zune, Windows Phone 7 and Xbox LIVE is an exciting expansion in our entertainment offerings,” said Craig Eisler, a corporate vice president at the Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business Group. “Now, more people than ever will be able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility that the Zune service offers.” Zune software has been upgraded with new features and synchronized to work with smartphones running on Windows Phone 7 software to be released in October along with a slew of devices running on the platform. The update will let the new generation of Windows-powered smartphones mesh with the Zune Marketplace to compete with the synergistic pairing of Apple’s iPhone handsets and its iTunes online shop. Zune Marketplace boasts extensive

collections of digital films and music that can be rented or purchased and then watched “on the screen of your choice.” The new software will be available by year’s end in more than 20 countries including France, Britain, Germany, Spain and Italy, according to Microsoft. Availability of video or music will vary depending on content distribution deals or restrictions in countries.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Sport

International

Mainz stay top, Ribery injured in Bayern win Agence France Presse

AP Photo/Paul White

Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain from Argentina, center, tries to get past Espanyol’s Juan Daniel Forlin of Argentina during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010.

Higuain and Benzema off the mark as Real go top Agence France Presse

MADRID - Real Madrid moved to the La Liga summit with a flattering 3-0 home win over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday with Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema netting their first goals of the season after Cristiano Ronaldo had opened the scoring. The win means Real maintain their 100 percent home record under coach Jose Mourinho and move one point above Valencia at the top. Ronaldo got the opener on 28 minutes converting a fortunate penalty before Argentine Higuain scored his first goal of the campaign 11 minutes from time. With three minutes left substitute Benzema bagged his first league goal just six minutes after coming on. It was a heated game in which both sides had players sent off with Real defender Pepe sent off on the hour mark before Espanyol had defender Ernesto Galan dismissed three minutes later for crunching Ronaldo. Espanyol were reduced to nine men when defender Juan Forlin was sent off in the closing minutes for complaining about Benzema’s goal. Mourinho brought in Frenchman Lass Diarra for Sami Khedira in defensive midfield but stuck by his 42-3-1 system with two holding midfielders, Mesut Ozil as playmaker and the speedy Ronaldo and Angel di Maria supplying Higuain. It was visitors Espanyol who had the first chance after six minutes with Jose Callejon drilling a

left-footed volley narrowly wide of the post. A minute later his opposite number Carlos Kameni pulled off a terrific save to thwart di Maria pushing the Argentine’s shot over the bar. Espanyol were holding their own with some slick passing but came unstuck in the 28th minute in an unfortunate incident. Ronaldo smashed a free-kick into the Espanyol wall and the referee pointed to the penalty spot with Luis Garcia penalised for blocking the shot with his hand. It was harsh on Espanyol with Garcia unable to get out of the way of Ronaldo’s fierce drive and the striker was harshly booked for his action. Ronaldo slotted the spotkick home to Kameni’s left but was forced to retake the penalty after stopping his run up midway through the action. The Portuguese star put the retake in exactly the same spot with Kameni diving the wrong way again. Real were more comfortable in the second half but suffered a setback on the hour when Pepe collected a second yellow for fouling Callejon. Mourinho was pondering playing with one man less but three minutes later the numbers were evened up when Galan was shown a straight

red card for a late challenge on Ronaldo. Espanyol players were furious with the decision but rolled up their sleeves to give Real some hairy moments as they held a slender onegoal advantage. Higuain put the game to bed on 79 minutes accepting a Ronaldo pass before slotting past Kameni with his left foot and Benezema completed the scoring. Earlier Athletic Bilbao registered their first home league win at San Mames defeating Real Mallorca 30 on Tuesday to go fourth in the Spanish top-flight. Bilbao lie three points behind leaders Real, and their next match is at home to champions Barcelona on Saturday night. In other matches, Osasuna produced their first league win of the season with a 3-1 home triumph over promoted Real Sociedad on Tuesday. Barcelona go in search of their first league home win of the campaign on Wednesday when they host Sporting Gijon at Camp Nou. The defending champions, lying in seventh, will be without star man Messi for the next two league matches due to his ankle injury, however, the Argentine could be back for the Champions League match at Rubin Kazan on September 29.

BERLIN - Bundesliga leaders Mainz 05 beat Cologne 2-0 on Tuesday to stay top, while Bayern Munich face an anxious wait to hear the extent of Franck Ribery’s injury from their late 2-1 win at Hoffenheim. Having been stunned by a goal after just 36 seconds, Bayern hit back as Ribery’s fierce longrange shot was followed up by Thomas Mueller on 62 minutes before Munich defender Daniel van Buyten’s winner in added time. But Mueller’s equaliser could be costly as Ribery had to be helped off with what looked like a painful ankle injury on 64 minutes as he fell awkwardly after taking his shot. With Bayern facing Basel in next Tuesday’s Champions League match, Munich coach Louis van Gaal will be hoping the Frenchman can face the Swiss side. “It doesn’t look good, it looks like it is a bad ankle injury and we will have to wait and see what the tests show,” said a grim-faced van Gaal. Bayern got off to the worst possible start when they conceded the fastest goal in Hoffenheim’s history. The defending champions were stunned as midfielder Sebastian Rudy beat Munich’s defence on the right and squared for Hoffenheim’s Veded Ibisevic to score before Bayern hit back. German daily Bild reported in its Wednesday edition that Van Gaal was set to sign a year’s extension to his contract to stay with Bayern until 2012. Having coached Bayern to the German league and cup titles last season, van Gaal is in his second season with

Munich. “Nothing is signed. All I can say is that we are very happy with the work of Louis van Gaal,” said Bayern’s sporting director Christian Nerlinger. The result in Hoffenheim lifts Bayern up to seventh while the hosts are second. Mainz picked up their fifth straight win to keep their 100 percent record and open a five-point lead with their win over Cologne. The hosts took the lead when subsititute midfielder Lewis Holtby’s header beat Cologne goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon on 72 minutes before he scored his second in added time. Champions League side Werder Bremen slumped to their second consecutive league defeat when they were beaten 4-1 at Hanover. Bremen face defending holders Inter Milan next Wednesday in Italy, but Thomas Schaaf’s side are lacking in confidence after following up Saturday’s defeat at home to Mainz with this loss in Hanover. An own-goal by Germany defender Clemens Fritz after just 10 minutes put Bremen on the back foot until captain Torsten Frings converted a penalty after 36 minutes to put his side level. Hanover reclaimed the lead when Ivory Coast striker Didier Ya Konan scored in the 53rd minute before defender Christian Schulz scored the second on 79 minutes. To add insult in extra time, Hanover’s Norway striker Mohammed Abdellaoue added the fourth to put his side third and Bremen 12th. In Wednesday’s games, bottom side Schalke are at fourth-placed Freiburg and are desperate to avoid their fifth straight defeat.

AFP PHOTO THOMAS KIENZLE

Bayern Munich’s midfielder Franck Ribery waves to the medical staff after an injury during the German first division Bundesliga football match between 1899 Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich at the RheinNeckar-Arena stadium in Sinsheim, southern Germany, on September 21, 2010.

Spanish league results on Tuesday: Athletic Bilbao 3 (David Lopez 44, Dominguez 62-pen, Inigo Perez 90+2) Real Mallorca 0 Osasuna 3 (Pandiani 38, Camunas 42, Aranda 72) Real Sociedad 1 (Tamudo 16) Real Madrid 3 (Ronaldo 28-pen, Higuain 79, Benzema 87) Espanyol 0

English League Cup results Birmingham 3 (Hleb 24, Zigic 26, Gardner 28) Milton Keynes Dons 1 (Wilbraham 80) Brentford 1 (Alexander 41) Everton 1 (Coleman 6) — after extra-time, 1-1 after 90 mins Brentford win 4-3 on penalties Burnley 1 (Elliott 45) Bolton 0 Millwall 1 (Morison 62) Ipswich 2 (Priskin 23, McAuley 45) Peterborough 1 (Mackail-Smith 7) Swansea 3 (Sinclair 5, 41, 78) Portsmouth 1 (Lawrence 82) Leicester 2 (Morrison 3, Dyer 43) Stoke 2 (Higginbotham 23, Jones 79) Fulham 0 Sunderland 1 (Gyan 41) West Ham 2 (Piquionne 35, Obinna 59) Tottenham 1 (Keane 49) Arsenal 4 (Lansbury 15, Nasri 92-pen, 96-pen, Arshavin 105) AET, 1-1 after 90 mins) Wolverhampton 4 (Milijas 83-pen, Fletcher 92, Doyle 105, 119) Notts County 2 (Hughes 57, Smith 114)

Sport

International

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Safina stays alive as Ivanovic bundled out in Korea Agence France Presse

SEOUL - Former world number one Ana Ivanovic was bundled out of the WTA Korea Open on Wednesday, but there was better news for Dinara Safina who continued her comeback from injury with a battling win. The 22-year-old Serbian, who won the 2008 French Open before her slide down the rankings, blew a one set lead against Russia’s Vera Dushevina to crash out in the first round 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 at the rain-hit tournament. It was a disappointing end for Ivanovic, who made the fourth round of the US Open this month as she tries to recapture her best form under the guidance of former Steffi Graf coach Heinz Guenthardt. Safina, also a former world number one, fared better,

overcoming Romania’s Simona Halep 6-4, 6-4. The Russian was handed a wildcard as she fights back from a lower back injury and will now play her compatriot, the third seeded Maria Kirilenko, who beat Poland’s Urszula Radwanska in

straight sets. In other matches, Kimiko Date Krumm, the defending champion, beat fellow Japanese Junri Namigata while second seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia sent Australia’s Anastasia Rodionova packing.

Players call off weekend Serie A strike Agence France Presse

ROME – The Italian players union has called off its planned strike which threatened to wipe out this weekend’s Serie A programme after the latest round of talks with league representatives on Tuesday. The Italian Players’ Association (AIC) had threatnened to strike if clubs failed to reform the way players in the final year of their contracts were treated. Tuesday’s announcement was made by AIC president

Sergio Campana. It followed a series of meetings last week after which representatives from both sides expressed optimism at reaching a deal before Saturday’s kick-offs. The dispute was triggered by the recent expiry of a collective contract between the AIC and league bosses guaranteeing players’ rights. The strike has been called off until the end of November, by which time the players hope a new deal will have been signed.

Campana said: “We will pursue talks until November 30 on condition that federation president Giancarlo Abete makes assurances on the two issues that we don’t yet have agreement on. “They are on players who are to be sold on to be allowed to continue training with the team, and for clubs to drop plans to force players who are in their final year of contract and refusing to move to another club to buy out their contracts for 50 percent of their value.”

AP Photo/Massimo Pinca

Juventus’ Giorgio Chiellini, center, reacts after scoring, with teammate Felipe Melo, left, and Milos Krasic, right, during an Europa League, Group A, first-leg soccer match between Juventus and Lech Poznan , at the Turin stadium, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 16 2010.

IBP/ist

Ana Ivanovic

Hidayat crashes out of Japan Open Agence France Presse

TOKYO - Athens Olympic gold medallist Taufik Hidayat became the biggest casualty on Wednesday when he crashed in an unexpected loss to Japan’s Sho Sasaki in the Japan Open badminton tournament. The Indonesian fourth seed, who reached the final at the world championships last month, failed to take the last two points in the last two games before going down 18-21, 23-21, 21-19 in the men’s singles first round. Eighth seed Yao Jie of the Netherlands earlier in the day became the first seed to fall, losing to Sung Ji-Hyun of South Korea 21-18, 2115 in the women’s singles, but other favourites safely went through. “You say it was an unexpected defeat, but you never know whether you can win or lose. There’s always a possibility to lose any matches,” said Hidayat, the 2005 world champion, now 29. “It is not that he (Sasaki) played very well, I Just couldn’t play well. I couldn’t control the shuttle at all.” Sasaki, ranked 34th against Hidayat’s fourth in the world, said it was a dream just to play against the Indonesian. “It’s my first time to play against Taufik. I feel like it’s a dream to just play against him. I didn’t know how fast and heavy his shots would be. I just tried to show my best play to the Japanese people,” said Sasaki.

“My best shot is a smash, but today I didn’t hit it always. I tried to take the chance to hit it during each rally. I think that was the key to the victory,” added Sasaki after the 66-minute match. World number one Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia made quick work of Gurusaidatt Raja Manuri Venkata of India 21-5, 21-9, while defending champion Bao Chunlai of China outclassed Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka of Indonesia 2114, 21-10. Lee, the winner in Tokyo in 2007, and Bao, the 2009 champion, stayed on course for a probable quarter-final meeting in the 200,000-dollar event. Two-time Japan champion Peter Gade of Denmark, second seed, breezed past Wong Wing-ki of Hong Kong 21-13, 21-16. In the women’s first round, last year’s finalists Wang Yihan and Wang Xin of China, as well as 2007 winner Tine Baun of Denmark and Pi Hongyan of France stayed in form. Wang Yihan, seeking to become the first player to win three straight Japan title, whipped Jeanine Cicognini of Switzerland 21-10, 21-6, while Wang Xin breezed past Pai Hsiao-ma of Taiwan 21-16, 21-14. European champion Baun defeated Salakjit Ponsana of Thailand 21-13, 21-11, and Pi downed Japan’s Yu Hirayama 20-22, 21-10, 21-12.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

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

Sport

Alonso gunning for victory in Singapore Agence France Presse SINGAPORE - Spain’s Fernando Alonso is determined to build on the momentum of winning in Italy with another victory under the lights this week in Singapore as the Formula One title race heats up.

McLaren: High-downforce issues sorted MCLAREN’S principal race engineer Philip Prew says the team is confident its latest upgrades will mean a big improvement in highdownforce performance for Singapore. The last race in high-downforce trim in Hungary produced poor results for McLaren - which qualified fifth and 11th, with Jenson Button finishing only ninth. However Prew is expecting McLaren to take the fight to Ferrari and Red Bull in Singapore this weekend. “This is a big weekend, particularly big after the difficulty we had with a lack of pace in Hungary, which is our reference for highdownforce, slow-speed,” Prew said during the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes phone-in. “It should be competitive between Red Bull, Ferrari and ourselves.” Prew also speculated that the increased FIA load tests on front wings and floors could have an effect on the advantage enjoyed by Red Bull at the Hungaroring. “The regulations now in place over bodywork testing means it should be a level playing field,” he said. “The advantage that was felt to be being gained by Red Bull and Ferrari is harder to exploit, if that was indeed what they were doing. “I’d like to think it will be very close, but you’d have to be a bit

brave to say where we’ll all end up.” Prew added that as well as the upgrades for Singapore, much of McLaren’s progress has come from understanding how to make the most of its previous new parts. “We have some quite big upgrades but also our understanding of our car and how to exploit it, how to get downforce from the car, has improved since Hungary,” he said. “We’re optimistic that was can close the gap and we hope to be competitive. “Coming out of Hungary we recognised our pace was not where it

needed to be. Since then we have had a whole number of upgrades on the car, some have run already at Spa and Monza and they will carry over. “In addition, we have further upgrades here in Singapore; a new front wing and other devices that will look to improve downforce.” “We know some of the upgrades are working because we’ve seen them in previous races, albeit with different downforce levels. We’re hopeful that what we’ve added to the car over the last six weeks will be sufficient to close that gap up.”

IBP/ist

Lewis Hamilton drive his McLaren during Hungary Grand Prix

The 29-year-old produced a nearflawless drive for Ferrari at Monza to put him third behind Red Bull’s Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton of McLaren in the world championship standings with just five Grand Prix to go. “Despite failing to score in Belgium, where the accident on the first lap weighed heavily like a stone, Ferrari and I have scored more points than anyone else in these last four races,” he said. “That makes us even more confident and the fact these results came on tracks with very different characteristics to one another confirms for me that our car is pretty versatile.” Alonso has a good record on Singapore’s bumpy street circuit, winning controversially for Renault in 2008 when Nelson Piquet junior deliberately crashed, before a third-place finish last year behind Hamilton. The Briton crashed out on the first lap in Monza, colliding with Felipe Massa then sliding into a gravel trap to cap a miserable weekend and deal his championship dreams a blow. But he hopes to avoid similar mistakes on Sunday. “Winning in Singapore last year was one of the most satisfying victories of my Formula One career,” said Hamilton, who has now failed to score in two of his past three races.

“I’ve already drawn a line under Monza,” he added. “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.” After 14 of this year’s 19 races, Hamilton is second in the title race with 182 points, five behind Webber, with Alonso third on 166. Defending world champion Jenson Button is still in the hunt with 164 points while young German Sebastian Vettel is fifth, a point further adrift. This means that the top five are separated by just 24 points — one point fewer than the 25 awarded for a single race win. Australia’s Webber managed only sixth in Italy and knows he needs to do better in Singapore, where the track demands precision, nerve, and confidence. “I like Singapore. It’s unique as we race at night,” he said. “I’m hoping to improve on last year’s result, as it’s a high downforce street circuit that should suit our car. “It’s got some similarities to Monaco and Budapest and we did well at both those circuits, so I’m hoping for a strong result. We’ve yet to experience any wet running on a flood-lit track, so it will be interesting if that happens.”