Edisi 30 Maret 2011 | International Bali Post

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

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Denpasar Marine and Fishery Department tackle bird flu PAGE 8

AP Photo/Karim Kadim

An Iraqi soldier inspects the scene of a rocket attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, March, 29, 2011. The rocket landed near a small hotel across the Tigris River from the heavily fortified area that houses government offices and foreign embassies.

Jeremy Irons stars in Showtime’s ‘The Borgias’ PAGE 12

Hostage siege kills 10 at Iraq government building Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD – Gunmen wearing military uniforms and suicide bomb belts stormed a local government headquarters in northern Iraq on Tuesday in an attempt to take hostages that killed at least 10 people, officials said.

Three lawmakers who were inside the Salahuddin provincial council building in Tikrit when the

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gunmen overran the compound are missing, said provincial governor Ahmed Abdullah. He said the law-

makers were not answering their mobile phones and could not immediately be located — indicating they may be held hostage.

“We’ve lost contact with three provincial council members who were inside the building when the attack took place,” Abdullah said in a telephone interview from Amman, Jordan, where he was receiving updates

on the assault via mobile phone.

He described a fierce shootout between the gunmen, who have overtaken the council headquarters’ second floor, and Iraqi security forces who surrounded the building. He said the attackers were also hurling grenades at Iraqi forces. The governor said 10 people were killed in the siege.

Continued on page 6

In Britain, many are weary of royal wedding mania Associated Press Writer

LONDON – There’s still a month to go until the royal wedding and yet some Britons are already asking: Is it over yet? While millions around the world are following every detail of the wedding planning — the guest list, the cake, the carriage, the dress — others are desperately trying to tune it out.

In the British press, scores of stories about the April 29 nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton sit alongside grimmer news: An earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan, war in Libya, and a diet of spending cuts, job losses and inflation in Britain. It’s no surprise many people are not in a party mood.

“I’m tired of hearing all about it,” said Andreas Dopner, 24, a postgraduate researcher at

London’s Imperial College. “You see it on television, the Internet, everywhere. I don’t believe in having a royal family and I think the money could be spent better elsewhere.”

For many British businesses, the wedding is good news. International interest in the nuptials and the predicted pro-Britannia “feel-good factor” will bring in extra tourists, giving a boost to hotels, restaurants, shops and royal-related tourist attractions.

Continued on page 6

Ellie Phillips holds up a specially commissioned airline style sick bag for people who have had too much of the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, are seen in a London gallery, Friday, March, 25, 2011.

AP Photo/Alastair Grant

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International

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Bali News Devotees throng around, queue card applied Bangli (Bali Post)—

IBP/file

A farmer is claening his rice field. Economic growth of Bali targeted to reach 6.3 percent in 2011 remains to be dominantly enjoyed by the upper and middle class.

Bali’s economy in first quarter of 2011

Economic growth stays to be enjoyed by elite group Bali Post

DENPASAR - Economic growth of Bali targeted to reach 6.3 percent in 2011 remains to be dominantly enjoyed by the upper and middle class. The distribution gap of development outcomes is caused by some reasons. Among others, government is considered less serious in improving the domestic resources, such as the agricultural sector in the broad sense and small industries to close the existing gap.

The Dean of Faculty of Economics, Warmadewa University (Unwar), I Wayan Arjana, said if inequality was not addressed, the economic gap would lead to social inequality. “I am afraid if Bali will be like Jakarta because more growths are only enjoyed by the entrepreneurs and business elite whose income progressively increases, rather than enjoyed by the majority of people,” said Arjana in Denpasar, Monday (Mar 28).

Income inequality, poverty and unemployment remain to become a serious problem. They were really big problems and challenges of government until next few years to come.

Nevertheless, this condition could be resolved if government, employers and communities could work together to build Bali by relying on domestic economic resources. “To overcome the problems, Bali should encourage labor-intensive sectors, such as SMEs and agriculture. I think it is the most important for government to be pursued at this time,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI) of Bali Chapter, Prof.

Nyoman Suparta, also considered that

government indeed had made various efforts to boost this sector, but it remained far from the expectation of farmers. Subsidies programed by government remained unable to overcome various problems, moreover if any products subsidized were tricked by entrepreneurs. Fertilizer subsidies, for instance, pursuant to calculation of government, had been sufficient, but in reality, it was different. There were speculators doubling as entrepreneurs running monkey business behind it.

“Ideally, the agricultural sector should serve as the base and backbone of the economic development in Indonesia, especially in Bali. Considering that more than 60 percent of the people getting involved in this sector, government must strengthen it continuously,” he asserted. Though Bali’s economy relied on the tourism sector, the agricultural sector, said Suparta, should also get more attention because the sector stayed to be cultivated by Balinese people.

In the meantime, Prof. Dr. Ramantha, the Dean of Faculty of Economics of Udayana University, previously stated that growth failure of the agricultural sector in Bali so far indi-

cated the economic imbalance of the region. Therefore, to promote the agricultural sector was needed a comprehensive policy including incentives to investors who were interested to invest their capital in the sector. “Such an incentive can be in the form of easiness in licensing, tax incentives and other incentives. In addition, this investment sector must be more driven by designing the pro-investment policies,” he explained.

Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Bali Province recorded the inflation rate from January to February 2011 was 1.02 percent and the rate of yearon-year inflation from February 2011 to February 2010 amounted to 7.58 percent. Inflation occurred because of falling prices indicated by decline in the index of goods and services group such as foodstuff at 0.91 percent, clothing and education at 0.26 percent, as well as recreation and sport at 0.09 percent. Meanwhile, the group living through an increase of index consisted of food, cigarettes and tobacco at 0.47 percent, housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel at 0.43 percent, health group at 0.69 percent and others at 0.03 percent. (par)

Temple anniversary in Ulun Danu Temple, Batur, whose peak falling on full moon of the tenth month in Balinese calendar, Saturday (Mar 19), up to now remains to be flooded by devotees.

Thousands of devotees who would like to say prayers have been coming from the morning.

Unavoidably, it causes traffic congestion on the road section leading to the temple.

As observation of Bali Post in the temple on Monday (Mar 28), aside from devotees saying prayers, quite a few others also paid devotional works. They committed clean-up services and performed sacred dances such as Baris Dance. One of them was the Metro Customary Village, Bangli. The villagers presented Baris Rudal in the middle courtyard.

The Baris dance was presented by eight male dancers while bringing along with a spear. Wearing colorful attires, they were not much different from the other Baris Dance in general. Unavoidably, it received great applause from devotees who were going to do

praying in the innermost courtyard of the temple. “While waiting for the queue of worship, we watch this sacred dance performance first,” said Gus De, a resident from Gerenceng Hamlet, Denpasar, who would say prayers to the temple.

In the meantime, to arrange the line of praying in the innermost courtyard (uttama mandala), the ritual committee should apply a queue card. It consisted of red, white, green, and blue card. Each card was provided for approximately 1,200 devotees. The amount was adjusted to the capacity of the innermost courtyard. “Right now is the turn of white card holders to say prayers.

Meanwhile, holders of other cards should wait patiently until this worship session is over,” said one of the committees through loudspeaker.

In the meantime, the turn of carrying out penganyar ritual in the Ulun Danu Temple, Batur, last Monday was the staff of the Klungkung Regency. Hundreds of regency officials had been seen from the morning in the temple to perform their obligations to conduct the nganyarin. (kmb12)

IBP/ist

The situation during the ceremony in Ulun Danu Temple in Batur.

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Bali News

International

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

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Two African youths sentenced to 18 years Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Defendant Michael Onyedika Onuorah and Austine Bosah Uchena alias Lala were respectively sentenced to 18 years in prison on the trial in Denpasar District Court, Monday (Mar 28).

The panel of judges chaired by Istiningsih Rahayu declared the dark-skinned men were guilty of violating article 112 paragraph (2) in conjunction with article 113 paragraph (1) of the Act No. 35/ 2009 concerning with narcotics.

Decision of the judges surprised the defendant Michael Onyedika who was previously prosecuted eight years in prison by the prosecutor Ketut Sujaya.

Meanwhile, decision for Lala was the same as the previous prosecution. Based on the results of examination at trial, the judges concluded the two defendants were worth sentencing to 18 years.

Aside from the same prison sentence, the judges also imposed an equal penalty amounting to IDR 2 billion and subsidiary two years in prison. Such fines were exactly the same as that filed by prosecutor in the previous trial. In response to judge’s decision, the defendant Michael looked very shocked. The judges then gave opportunity to the defendant or the prosecutor to think about it.

“If he is not satisfied with the decision, please submit an appeal,” suggested Istiningsih.

Just to remind, the arrest of the two defendants began from the

capture of Baverly A Fulache (defendant in a separate file) on Tuesday, July 13, 2010. This woman was captured with the evidence of one suitcase containing meth of 2,087.70 grams (gross).

From examination results, the clear crystal powder would be taken to Jakarta. To develop the investigation, under police supervision, Baverly was subsequently taken to Jakarta. In Jakarta, Baverly was accommodated in room 202 room of Hotel Kartika Chandra, Jalan Gatot Subroto Kav 18-20 Jakarta. Then, first defendant ordered Enny Malini alias Chika (defendant in separate file) to take the meth. The suitcase was once replaced, before finally handed over to the second defendant. Chika herself was arrested while taking the meth in the place of Baverly.

From Chika’s hands, the meth worth billions of rupiahs changed hands to both defendants under police supervision. Handover was carried out in front of the ATM booth of BCA located at Pinangsia Office Complex, Lippo Karawaci, Tangerang, Banten, on July 14, 2010. After receiving the goods from Chika, the first defendant entrusted it in the house of the second defendant. After the goods changed hands again, police searched the house of the second defendant. Ultimately, police found a suitcase containing the meth in the computer room. At that time, both defendants were arrested. (015)

The Case of 649,762 Missing Motor Vehicles in Bali DENPASAR - Recent figures on the number of people paying motor vehicle taxes in Bali suggests more than 600,000 vehicle are missing, potentially operating without paying any annual road taxes.

According to DenPost, variances in the number of vehicles on the books of the Bali traffic police and data maintained by provincial revenue auditors count some 649,762 vehicles in Bali as operating without paying any road tax.

The Bali vehicle registry office shows that through 2010 there were 2,365,437 vehicle operating in Bali.

But, from that total, only 1,715,675 were paying their yearly tax bill leaving 649,762 vehicle unaccounted for. Of the 1,715,675 vehicles paying their road taxes, 15,5% (266,396) are four-wheeled vehicles while the remaining 84.5% (1,449,279) are twowheeled motorcycles.

When police and provincial tax officials official were asked to explain the discrepancy of 649,762 missing vehicles, they counted

among the “missing” vehicles those operated by people who are not paying their road taxes, missing vehicles, old vehicles no longer in use, vehicles destroyed by fire or accidents, and those under criminal concealment of cars and motorcycles.

Provincial revenue officials and police from the motor registry department are examining ways to bring errant motorists and their vehicles into line. In this regard, joint street side inspections by tax officials and the police are planned as one of several remedial steps.

Many observers, however, question the resolve of the police to address the problem of unregistered vehicles operating in Bali. If the current figures suggesting that 26% of all the vehicles on the road are illegal is correct, this revelation automatically begs the question as to why the frequent road side inspection of passing vehicles seldom results in the confiscation of unregistered vehicles and the apprehension of their operators.

IBP/File

A dog is injected to prevent the spread of rabies.

To prevent rabies, vaccinators take proactive measures Denpasar (Bali Post)—

To prevent the transmission of rabies in the region, the Denpasar Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs in collaboration with BAWA Foundation and Yudhistira Foundation conducted a mass vaccination to dogs belonging to residents. Unlike in previous years where vaccination centered in hamlet hall, this year’s vaccination activities will be carried out proactively. In other words, vaccinators will come directly to the house of people keeping dogs to provide vaccination services.

Last Monday (Mar 28), vaccination activity was focused on eight hamlets scattered in the hamlets of Dangin Puri Kaja, North Denpasar.

Those hamlets included the Kaliungu Kaja, Kalang Anyar, Tainsiat, Taman Sari, Sari Buana, Uma Sari, Karang Sari and Lumbung Sari. According to Hamlet Head of Kaliungu, A.A. Raka Arnaya, the vaccination services through proactive system were conducted as directed by Denpasar Mayor IB Rai Dharmawijaya Man-

tra to make Denpasar free from rabies cases. “This proactive system applied for rabies vaccination activities this year is really effective. The last year’s is considered less optimal because only some few citizens who were willing to come to hamlet hall for vaccinating their dog. By direct services to their homes, we hope no more dogs are left unvaccinated,” he said.

Apart from providing rabies vaccination services, the vaccinators also made socialization to dog own-

ers on the ways how to handle dogs suffering from diseases, including some tips how to maintain and protect pet dogs from rabies, which until now had claimed fatalities over a hundred people. In the recent activities, vaccinators did not find any pet dog indicated to have been infected by rabies. Nevertheless, the Denpasar Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs would continue to intensify preventive efforts in order Denpasar could be free from rabies cases. (kmb13)

Unecessary raid cause unrest DENPASAR - Raids by Bali Customs and Excise officials carried out on Kuta restaurants, bars and nightspot are drawing criticism from members of the Badung House of Representatives (DPRD-Badung) who say the raids cause unrest and uncertainty among local businesses. As reported

by DenPost, the raids are not only resulting in the confiscation of alcoholic beverages purchased by the businesses but also carry hefty fines of as much as Rp. 20 million (US$2,200) per business.

Puspa Negara, a member of Commission B of the DPRD-Badung, told how Customs and Excise officers are confiscating alcoholic beverage products that have been purchased from

formal distributors approved by the Customs and Excise Department.

Puspa Negara, a legislator representing the Legian area, said enforcement officer should be targeting their enforcement efforts on the distributors who apparently are selling products not bearing the proper tax stamps and not the local businesses who sell these products. Said Puspa Negara: “The businesses are buying alcoholic products from formal distributors. How do they know if the products are legal or not? whether they are bearing the proper customs stamp or not?”

He also criticized the failure of Customs and Excise officers to coordinate their sweeps and raids with regional officials, choosing instead

to conduct unilateral enforcement operations. The Legian lawmaker said the authority of Customs and Excise officers extended to entry ports and not to points of sales in the community.

He was also angered by the Rp. 20 million fines being levied against retail outlets. “These people are small traders, they have already suffered from the confiscation of their inventories. Now they must also pay a fine!

In he past the merchandise was only confiscated. Now there are fines.

Where are these fines being deposited?” protested Puspa Negara. The DPRD-Bali will soon summon Customs and Excise officials to the House to answer a number of questions.

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News

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

International

Tsunami-swept island cut off from power and water Associated Press Writer

OSHIMA, Japan – After more than two weeks without a proper bath, some residents on this tsunami-hit island decided to take matters into their own hands.

“My skin is starting to itch,” 75year-old Kumao Nakano said, as his neighbors assembled a makeshift bathhouse. “We’re going to use this bathroom, which somehow was left standing. We found this old boiler, so we can heat water and pour it into the bathtub for everyone to use.”

Six tsunamis swept onto this island off Japan’s devastated northeast coast after the powerful offshore earthquake on March 11. The disaster severed water and electricity from the mainland, and it may be months before they are restored.

Survivors from this community of 3,500 are banding together and resurrecting bygone practices to get by.

“I go to the river two or three times a day to get water,” said Sayuri Nakayama, 25, nodding toward a steep path at the start of a half-mile trek. She rinsed a pot clean of rice, so she could use it to heat water to wash her one-yearold daughter Elena. Her laundry, scrubbed by hand, hung around her.

Televisions, blow dryers, space heaters lay jumbled amid the splintered wreckage around her, the appliances all quiet now without power.

An old wood-burning stove, dragged into a small clearing with a view of the ocean below, has become the meeting place for this part of the island, known as Isokusa.

Residents, many now living on the upper floors of a nearby hotel, sit on logs and feed scraps of their ruined homes into the stove to stay warm. “The thing I miss most is electricity,” said Sadao Komatsu, 61, as he leaned into the heat.

Residents subsisted for a couple of weeks on bread and canned food, but now rice and other staples have begun to arrive by small boat. A large crane on a barge is slowly clearing the main bay of debris, including several houses whose roofs stick out of the water.

Reiko Kikuta, 45, stood on the shore and watched as two yellow tractors tried to pull her two-story home out of the sea with thick ropes threaded through holes in the roof.

“The third tsunami carried my house away,” she said. Her family sold fish to hotels and restaurants in the area. “We’ve moved into our warehouse for now.”

Many families relied on the ocean for their income, raising seaweed, scallops and oysters.

This year’s crop has been ruined, along with most of the boats and equipment. The streets are littered with smashed oysters, and nets and buoys hang from trees along the shore.

AP

Reiko Kikuta, right, and her husband Takeshi Kikuta stand on the port

AFP/ECPAD

Rafale jets of the French Air Force take part in military operations in Libya.

Post-Kadhafi Libya in view at London meeting Agence France Presse

LONDON – International powers meet in London on Tuesday to map out a post-Kadhafi future for Libya with France and Britain urging the rebels to lead a push for democracy. More than 35 countries, including seven Arab states, gather as rebel gains made in part thanks to Western air strikes have been halted by government forces on the outskirts of Moamer Kadhafi’s birthplace, Sirte.

Britain, France, Germany and the United States had agreed that the London talks should aid “the political transition in Libya,” said a French presidency statement. And in a pre-meeting video conference with his fellow leaders Monday, Prime Minister David Cameron said he hoped the summit would “strengthen and broaden the coalition of countries committed to implementing the UN resolutions”.

Later Monday, in an address to the nation, President Barack Obama warned that a military campaign to oust Moamer Kadhafi could repeat the bloodshed and misery of Iraq.

“If we tried to overthrow Kadhafi by force, our coalition would splinter. We would likely have to put US troops on the ground, or risk killing many civilians from the air,” the president argued.

Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy had earlier issued a joint call for Kadhafi to go because his regime “has completely lost its legitimacy” and his followers should desert Kadhafi “before it is too late”.

They urged Libya’s rebel national council and civil society leaders to steer the country towards democracy.

“We call on all Libyans who believe that Kadhafi is leading Libya into a disaster to take the initiative now to organise a transition process,” the British and French leaders said.

The path to transition “could include the Interim National Transitional Council”, the main rebel representatives, who should “begin a national political dialogue, leading to a representative process of transition, constitutional reform and preparation for free and fair elections.” France is

the only Western country to have officially recognised the rebels. Qatar followed suit on Monday.

On the sidelines of the meeting, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who flew into London late Monday, may hold talks with Mahmoud Jibril, the Libyan opposition leader whom she met in Paris two weeks ago. However, the British government could not confirm if any opposition representatives would be present in London.

The West decided at a meeting in the French capital on March 19 to authorise military action in support of UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which called for citizens to be protected from pro-regime forces and a no-fly zone to be implemented. Ten days later, hundreds of strikes on Kadhafi’s tanks and armoured cars have transformed the opposition campaign, allowing rebels to push westwards from their stronghold of Benghazi and gain control of a string of towns. NATO finally agreed Sunday to take over full command of military operations in Libya from a USled coalition, resolving an issue which has dogged international thinking.

Smoke seen, controlled at New Hampshire nuclear plant Reuters

BOSTON – Smoke billowing from an equipment elevator at a New Hampshire nuclear plant briefly triggered an “unusual event” on Monday but did not impact operations or affect any employees, officials said.

Smoke was detected in a transformer attached to a service elevator in a support building at Seabrook Station in Seabrook, said

Jim Van Dongen, spokesman for the state’s department of safety.

The plant’s own fire brigade addressed the “unusual event,” the lowest of four emergency classifications for a nuclear plant, he said.

There were no injuries, no evacuation and no impact to ongoing operations, officials said. Van Dongen

said only two or three such “unusual events” have been reported since the plant began operating in 1990.

Seabrook Station is owned and operated by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources and is situated on 900 acres near the southern New Hampshire coast, about 40 miles north of Boston.

A fishing boat is anchored in the water in front of the nuclear power station in Seabrook, New Hampshire

Reuters

Activities

International

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

5

BSWA hosted 2011 annual spa workshop IBP

SANUR - Bali Spa and Wellness Association (BSWA) proudly hosted the 5th annual spa workshop held in conjunction with the Bali International Spa and Wellness Expo (BISW) from 9-10 March at Sanur Paradise Plaza, Bali. The two-day workshop had sessions targeted all stakeholders of the spa industry, the therapist, spa manager/owners and the general public involved in spa industry.

Aside from workshops, BSWA in cooperation with PIBI school organized the first therapist competition. This event is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Bali Destination Directorate General. BISW was officially launched by the Minister of Health Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih together with Lulu Widjaja president of BSWA and Nyoman Suijana, Vice Chairman of Governance and Law division of PHRI. The workshop explored a compelling program that improves therapist skills and ability as well as professionalism. The session topics covered standardization and qualification of spa therapist nowadays, hygiene and sanitation in spa and fitness area and time management. The session for spa managers explained about leading provider of service excellence that goes far above and beyond current industry standards.

Breakthroughs in spa business were offered among them planning for new creative spa ex-

perience, maximizing spa revenue, retail in spa business and a special session on yoga. Around 70 participants joined the workshop.

While the session for public held on day two, described challenges and trends in spa industry such as registering products in Indonesia, medical spa & anti aging spa influence to nature and traditional spa. More than 60 persons attended the seminar.

Nine local companies and beach masseuse from Bualu Jimbaran area joined the spa therapist massage competition on Wednesday. The winners were therapist from star properties The Edge, The Laguna Resort and Spa and Mandara Spa. The first place winner from The Edge was awarded the trophy by representatives from PIBI, BSWA, and Department of Culture and Tourism.

Each champion therapist also received scholarship from PIBI and cash from BSWA. “We are sure that through this event and many other similar events in the future, we will maintain Bali as a favorite spa destination and strive to keep improving the quality of all aspects within the spa industry such as labor skills, sources, and knowledge,” comments Lulu Widjaja, president of BSWA. She also mentioned that the first ever therapist competition was a great success and BSWA will have the therapist competition held annually. A gala dinner will be held for the expo closing on Friday March 11, attended by the Ministry of Tourism from MICE division.

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

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

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

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

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

In front of important shrine one sees, besides these umbrellas soars, tridents and other weapons, the “umbulumbul”, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the Temple gate put up “Penjor”, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land.

Most beautiful to see are the girls in their colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the Temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which the carry their load on their heads.

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

News Australian PM’s computer hacked: report Agence France Presse

AFP/File

North Korean commuters wait for a bus beneath posters showing the volcanic Mount Paekdu (L)

Two Koreas in talks on potential volcano threat Agence France Presse

SEOUL – North and South Korea began talks Tuesday about a potential volcanic threat from the peninsula’s highest mountain, in a rare moment of cooperation after months of confrontation.

The meeting at the South Korean border town of Munsan follows heightened concern about natural disasters, after an earthquake and tsunami devastated northeastern Japan and crippled an atomic power plant there.

The North’s chief delegate Yun Yong-Gun expressed concern at radioactive leakage from the Japanese plant after his 13-member team including three experts crossed the border early Tuesday.

“We are actively watching for fear that radioactive contamination may reach us,” he said at the beginning of the talks with four South Korean delegates, according to Yonhap news agency.

Following the Japanese disaster, Pyongyang’s earthquake bureau proposed joint research into possible activity at Mount Paekdu on the border between North Korea and China — a peak considered sacred by both sides. The mountain is mentioned in the South’s national anthem, while North Korea says its current leader Kim JongIl was born there. North Korean schoolchildren are required to visit the peak to pay respects to the ruling Kim dynasty.

Since its last eruption in 1903, the 2,740-metre (9,042-foot) mountain has been inactive. But

experts say it may have an active core, citing topographical signs and satellite images.

The South’s National Institute of Environmental Research said in a recent report that an eruption could lower temperatures by two degrees Celsius for two months in Northeast Asia, devastating agriculture.

Geologist Yoon Sung-Hyo of Pusan National University told Yonhap last week that a massive release of sulphuric gas was detected from the mountain last November.

Yoon said it was almost impossible to predict when the volcano might erupt, but the South could provide monitoring equipment if the North allowed access. The talks could also have a political impact, according to professor Kim Yong-Hyun of Seoul’s Dongguk University.

Relations have been icy since the South accused the North of torpedoing a warship in March 2010 with the loss of 46 lives.

Pyongyang denies the charge, but went on to shell a South Korean

island last November, killing four people. Military talks broke down in February when the North continued to refuse to accept blame for the incidents.

Kim said the North was putting out feelers for possible dialogue with Seoul. “The meeting is between experts but it could serve as a breakthrough in the frozen ties between the two Koreas,” he told AFP. Unification Minister Hyun In-Taek said last week that the joint research, if well coordinated by both sides, could develop into “a whole new level” of cross-border projects.

Concerns about the stability of Mount Paekdu increased after a magnitude-7.3 earthquake hit northeastern China in 2002. Some experts say the North’s underground nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009 may also have destabilised its core. In the event of an eruption, a huge lake could overflow and deluge surrounding areas, in addition to other potentially massive damage.

SYDNEY – Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s parliamentary computer and the foreign and defence ministers’ machines are all suspected of being hacked, with China under suspicion, reports said Tuesday.

Sydney’s Daily Telegraph said American intelligence officials tipped off the government that several thousand emails may have been accessed from the computers of at least 10 ministers.

As well as Gillard, they reportedly included Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Defence Minister Stephen Smith. The paper said the espionage occurred over more than a month, beginning in February.

“Four separate government sources confirmed that they had been told Chinese intelligence agencies were among a list of foreign hackers that are under suspicion,” it said.

One of the sources said the revelations were “deeply concerning”.

“These claims need to be examined seriously,” they said. Security experts cited by another News Limited newspaper, The Australian, said they believed the hackers may have been

Hostage...

From page 1 A senior intelligence official gave a higher toll of 12 dead and said as many as 60 were wounded. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

Authorities said the attackers blew up a car outside the council headquarters to create a diversion before launching their raid. Wearing

looking for clues on government attitudes to major resource projects.

Intelligent Risk chief executive Neil Fergus said interest in Australian commercial secrets may have prompted the attacks. “There are massive resources projects on the drawing board in Australia, they loom very large in the thinking of a number of other countries,” he said.

“Whether we green-light projects is of critical importance. I would not understate the possibility of that, given Australia’s resources boom and its importance to a number of our key trading partners.” Attorney-General Robert McClelland refused to confirm or deny the incident.

“It’s the long standing practice of successive Australian governments not to comment on the operations of security and intelligence agencies,” he said in a statement. “Australia’s security and intelligence agencies, as a matter of course, work closely and cooperatively with their international counterparts on cyber security.

“The Australian government takes the issue of cyber security very seriously and is constantly strengthening cyber security measures,” he said.

Gillard similarly refused to comment when asked by reporters in Perth. military uniforms — including one with a high rank — the gunmen identified themselves as Iraqi soldiers at a security checkpoint outside the government compound but opened fire on guards when they were told they needed to be searched.

Salahuddin government spokesman Ali al-Saleh said at least some officials and government employees escaped before the gunmen could capture them. Tikrit is located 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Baghdad.

In Britain...

From page 1 But there also will be an exodus, with several million Britons heading abroad, thanks to the lucky timing of the wedding day — a holiday for most — between the Easter weekend and the May Day public holiday.

Clever employees quickly calculated they could get an 11-day break by taking only three days off work. “I’ve booked it myself for that very reason,” said Sean Tipton of the Association of British Travel Agents, which has seen a surge in overseas bookings for the wedding period.

Those still in Britain on April 29 will find central London be bedecked with Union Jacks, tens of thousands gathering along the wedding procession route, millions watching on TV — and millions more trying to ignore it. “It tends to be kind of an older-generation event,” said London student William Dobson, 19. “Young people are much more interested in having a good weekend rather than seeing the wedding.”

Even for the uninterested, the wedding may be hard to avoid. But

for those determined to do so, alternatives are available. A Welsh Nationalist group, unimpressed with English royal excess, is holding an “Escape The Wedding Camp” in the countryside for those who really want to get away from it all. A theater company in northeast England is staging a reading of “Cinderella 2,” tale of a fairytale romance gone sour.

In southwest England, Bristol’s Trinity community arts center is holding an Alternative Royal Wedding Party featuring children’s games, DJs and a fake-wedding service allowing guests to get hitched to a friend or a stranger. Center manager Emma Harvey said the royal wedding was not uppermost in the minds of residents of the ethnically diverse, economically deprived area.

“It’s not necessarily a massive thing on people’s radar,” she said. “There is a sense that it is quite a decadent occasion.” Others wish Kate and William well, but are sick of the commercialization and the hype surrounding the wedding.

Indonesia Today

International

RI ready to send peace keeping force to Libya

7

RI to promote East Asia Summit Antara

Antara

JAKARTA - Indonesia is ready to send its Peace Keeping Mission Force to Libya, an official said. “If necessary, we are ready to send a Peace Keeping Mission Force,” Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said here at the Presidential Palace complex, Tuesday.

According to Purnomo, Indonesia would be ready to be involved into any peace keeping mission as it is one of the Southeast Asian countries that send most armed force for such mission.

The participation in keeping the world’s peace was also stated in the Constitution, Purnomo said.

However, Indonesia would send its peace keeping force to Libya if there is any commitment, either in the form of truce or negotiation, from the warring parties to bring peace to the country.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

FOTO ANTARA/Widodo S. Jusuf

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (right) met the Foreign Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd in the presidential office on Tuesday, March 29, 2011. In its capacity as Asean chairman, the government of Indonesia will promote East Asia Summit to discuss regional security and politics.

JAKARTA - In its capacity as Asean chairman, the government of Indonesia will promote East Asia Summit to discuss regional security and politics.

Presidential special staff for international relations Teuku Faizasyah said that the main focus in the EAS was also discussed when President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at his office received Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Ruud on Tuesday.

“President Yudhoyono and Rudd discussed Indonesian position as Asean chairman and the agenda to be discussed at the East Asia Summit,” Teuku said.

He added that there was APEC forum to discuss economic matters but the issues related to regional politics and security could

be discussed at East Asia Summit.

“According to President Yudhoyono, there was APEC for economic matter but for regional politics and security there should be East Asia forum,” Teuku said.

East Asia Meeting is regularly conducted in conjunction with Asean Summit and the meeting with Asean dialog partners.

Present at East Asia Summit 2010 in Hanoi were the leaders of Asean countries, Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Asked if President Yudhoyono and Kevin Rudd discussed Australian media report on Wikileaks, Teuku said, “No.”

Parcel bombs come from outside Jakarta Antara

JAKARTA - Jakarta metropolitan police chief Inspector General Sutarman hinted here Tuesday that a number of parcel bombs that scared Jakartans might also have come from outside the city.

In helping the police detect the whereabouts of the terrorists, the function of those also taking part in securing the safety of the people and order the agency to raise its alertness, he said.

In connection with this purpose, 800 members of the security police personnel and members of other security agencies were gathered here to be upgraded to enable them to secure their respective neighborhoods, he said.

“With good early detection capabilities, the terror suspects’ whereabouts can be traced, he said.

A series of bomb threats had rocked parts of Indonesia over the past few weeks.

A Jakarta metropolitan police bomb squad had even detonated a suspicious package that a local resident named Iskandar had received on March 19.

Earlier in the day, the Jakarta metropolitan police also disposed

of a package received by Jakartabased Muhammadiyah University Rector Masyitoh Chusnan.

On March 15, four packages containing books with bombs planted in them were sent to Ulil Abshar Abdalla, activist of the Islam Liberal Network, Goris Mere, the chief of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency, Yapto Soeryosumarno, the chief of the Pancasila Youth organization, and Ahmad Dhani, a musician.

Then, a plastic bag containing a bomb was also found in Cibubur, Bogor district.

A Bank Central Asia (BCA) building at Serpong Road, Banten Province, also received a bomb threat on March 18. On March 19, a church at Titi Papan Road in Medan, North Sumatran province, also received a bomb threat.

In response to these bomb threats, House of Representatives Speaker Marzuki Alie urged the police to immediately unveil the perpetrators of the recent parcel bomb scare so that it would not turn into

a political issue.

Indonesia has been fighting terrorist cells in the country since the 2002 Bali bombings that claimed 202 lives, including 88 Australian holiday makers.

Two years before the terrorists attacked the resort island of Bali, Indonesia was rocked by the Christmas Eve bombings in 2000.

The latest bombing incident occurred in July 2009. At that time, two suicide bombers simultaneously attacked two luxurious hotels in South Jakarta, killing several people.

‘’Forest as life support” theme of Indonesian Environment Day 2011 Antara

FOTO ANTARA/Puspa Perwitasari

Several people that join the Guardian of PSSI Revolution blocked the entrance door of PSSI headquarter at Gelora Bung Karno Complex on Tuesday, March 29. The action that include handcuffing their hands since Monday night was an action to demand government on facilitating a PSSI congress to elect the new chief of PSSI.

JAKARTA - Indonesia will celebrate World Environment Day (WED) 2011 on June 5 under the theme “Forests as Life Support”.

“Forests have a crucial meaning for our survival as an oxygen producer; forests also regulate the water cycle and reduce air pollution. They are a biodiversity source,” Environmental Affairs Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta said here Monday. World Environment Day this year coincides with the launching of “The International Year of Forests” and the United Nations Environment Program has set the theme as “Forests: Nature at Your Service.”

The minister said public awareness of forests and environmental protection must be increased given the crucial role of forests.

The ministry will also hold an Indonesian Environmental Week to highlight the World Environment Day celebration.

Deputy Minister in charge of Environmental Communication and Public Empowerment Ilyas Asaad said the peak event of the World Environment Day activities will be led by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace on June 8, 2011. On the occasion, the head of state will present environmental awards of Kalpataru, Adipura and Adiwiyata.

The Indonesian Environmental Week 2011 will be organized on June 1-5, at the Senayan East Parking Complex, Jakarta, and offer activities such as A Million Trees a Million Bicycles, Green Music Festival, Eco Driving Rally, and Eco Creative.

8

International

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Bali Today Denpasar Marine and Fishery Department tackle bird flu Antara

Denpasar – Denpasar Marine and Fishery Department spray disinfectant to all poultry entering the city. The head of veterinary division in the department, I Gusti Ayu Astriwati, said “the prevention act is done once a week but now after the spread of bird flu, our officers spray the poultry every day started on 11 am through 2.30 pm.”

She said that the spray is done in all entrance to Bali as well as the traditional market and slaughter houses. “Today, we don it on the east entrance to Denpasar and on the next day we will do it on the west part such as Ubung and Penatih,” she added.

Every car carrying poultry that pass the Ida Bagus Mantra road is stopped by the officers. They will be checked regarding their paper work and sprayed by disinfectant.

Astriwati said “in average, a car can carry 200 chickens and we need to be informed on the origin of the animals and where they are heading.”

The department is preparing 100 bottles of disinfectant in order to

tackle the spread of the bird flu. The disinfectant is a chemical substance that can prevent infection and contamination by bacteria.

“The dose use is different for different kind of animal. For chicken is needed 10 liter of water mixed with 5 milliliters of disinfectant,” she explained.

Personnel from Animal and Husbandry Department of Denpasar spreading antibactery to the avians that entering Denpasar. This action was held to minimize the spread of avian influenza in Bali.

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

Land conversion is not kindled by high tax, but economic value Almost all regencies in Bali live through the shrinkage of agricultural land area in harmony with the rapid population growth and development progress. The formerly productive land used to plant rice and various kinds of other commodities has now been ‘overgrown’ by concrete. So far, the unproductive land and high tax to be paid are always used as an excuse to ‘stand up for’ the action of land conversion. Is it truly so?

Land conversion also occurs in Klungkung Regency. Conspicuous development undergone by the region is indicated by activities such as the opening of new roads and land consolidation (LC) program. Paddy field in the Regency of Klungkung amounts to 4,013 hectares, dry land (9,631 ha), state forest (202 ha), plantation (10,060 ha) and others (7,594 ha). The opening of new roads occurs along the area of Tegalbesar, Sidayu, Watu Klotok until Tihingadi, Kusamba. Meanwhile, the LC program is undertaken at the area of Uma Lemak and Kacang Dawa. If noted, the average of land conversion rate is 9 hectares every year.

The region of Sidayu, Takmung

and Banjarangkan eastward until Tihingadi, Kusamba were formerly the leading rice producers in Klungkung Regency. However, the construction of IB Mantra Bypass Road had automatically converted tens of hectares of the land since several years ago. It does not stop right there, construction of the road section (currently still under process of completion—Ed) also has a side impact exacerbating the land conversion. “Yes, some of my lands were affected by the land release for the construction of bypass road,” said one of the Sidayu citizens, Wayan Parna.

Opening of the new roads was recognized to have positive impact for residents of Sidayu. Aside from making the access closer, unlike before the existence of bypass road where Sidayu was an isolated area from the capital of Klungkung (Semarapura—Ed), the land prices also increased dramatically. “In the past, the land price was IDR 500,000/are at best. Now, the price has reached IDR 100 million/are.

Even, the landowner is not willing to release it at this price,” he added.

Does the drastic hike in the selling price have an impact on the tax obligation to be paid? When asked so, Parna said that taxation he paid

did not much change. From year to year, he only paid IDR 100,000 per year for his lands located in five different locations. The extent of land varied from 15 are to 25 are per location. Similar condition was undergone by the other landowners around the bypass road section. “Indeed, I so far also heard that high tax value and unproductive land were the reason of land conversion,” said Parna.

He estimated the land conversion was predominantly caused by economic value. He exemplified the land area of 25 are. If planted with rice, the maximal yield obtained was IDR 3 million per three months. If the land was used for business or contracted, it could generate IDR 3 million or more per month. “Just have a look at now, along the bypass road side many lots of land are leased for sand sale businesses, namely the businesses in high demand today. Landowners can make much money without having to work. Moreover, they should not necessary lease the entire land of the 15 are to 25 are.

The remaining land can still be planted with rice or other food crops,” he said while mentioning the price of land lease around the bypass road was between IDR

50,000 and IDR 150,000 /are/ month.

Such condition was justified by a subdivision head in the Regional Revenue Services, in charge of Financial and Asset Management of Klungkung Regency, Made Andi.

He said the value of taxes paid by landowners should be adjusted to the selling price of the tax object.

But, so far the tax paid by community did not change from the previous land and property tax (PBB) after the hike of selling price. “Indeed, there should be data collection on the tax object every year.

It is undertaken by tax officers. We (Regional Revenue Services, Finance and Asset Management— Ed) only handle the tax collection,” he said while adding that tax payment was in accordance with the rules issued by the central government and referred to the selling price of the tax object.

Previously, the Head of Klungkung Agricultural, Plantation and Forestry Services, Wayan Muliartha, said the largest land conversion occurred on the opening of IB Mantra Bypass road access. After the opening of new roads, buildings appeared in numbers, both buildings for business, handicrafts, trading and other ac-

tivities. Undeniably, he added that every opening of new roads was surely followed by development in the surrounding areas. “As a result, the land that was formerly productive for agricultural land shifted to non-agricultural function,” he said.

The land conversion definitely had an impact on the decline in agricultural production in Klungkung.

Meanwhile, a legislator of the Klungkung House, A.A. Agung Gde Bagus, estimated the rampant land conversion was specifically caused by irresolute action of local government to map the area. It was irresolute and too slow. It was indicated by the fact that Klungkung Regency was unable to accomplish the Regional Regulation on Spatial Layout Master Plan (RTRW). Moreover, according to him, land conversion could have a bad impact on the program launched by Bali Provincial Government to make Bali Clean and Green. “How can it be green, if productive land for agriculture has been overgrown by concrete?” questioned Agung Bagus while hoping the assertiveness of the justiciary team through the public order officers (Satpol PP) to conduct supervision against illegal development. (bal)

International

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Balinese Culture Mayungan Anyar Hamlet Retains Agrotourism Potential If government is serious about developing new destinations as an effort to attract more tourists to stay longer on this island, Mayungan Anyar Hamlet can potentially be developed into agrotourism. The hamlet belonging to Antapan Village territory, Tabanan has uniqueness of its own. “Mayungan Hamlet has agrotourism attraction along with its Five Enchantments,” said Eka Mahadewi in Nusa Dua recently.

This lecturer of Bali Tourism Institute (STP Bali) then explained the five types of enchantments consisted of characterized environmental conditions, undulating topography and beautiful hills. Similarly, the village had a variety of vegetables, horticultural plants and characteristic crop. “In terms of historical development, Mayungan Hamlet produced various vegetables being able to provide supply for the Baturiti subdistrict long time ago,” she said.

Historically, continued Eka, the village was capable of producing vegetables that provided supplies for Baturiti subdistrict as well as other areas from the past times. Meanwhile, in the field of technology, local villagers remaining to use traditional manners along with its subak irrigation system could become the main attraction.

Its products comprised the combination of activity to enjoy the natural scenery of plantation and agriculture with other activities, such as enjoying the scenery around the tourist object while picking pineapples, tomatoes, oranges and other fruits. “And the current trend at the village is that visitors can do additional activities such as hiking and cycling around the location of agrotourism,” said the administrator of the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Badung Chapter calmly.

Mayungan Hamlet also had an-

cestral cultural heritages such as Chinese ceramics originated in the Ming Dynasty times (thirteenth to fourteenth century), pieces of slonding gamelan blades, buffer of slonding blades, and the Okokan arts. The panoramic view of terraced rice field combined with sunset generated an interesting scene. Likewise, there were also tourist attractions of Ngingil and Cepung Waterfall that were no less interesting.

However, Eka added that the road leading to the village stayed to become a significant constraint. Road access to the village was extremely damaged and not worthy to be passed through. Then, connecting bridge of Tohjiwa Village in Badung Regency and Talangpati Village in Tabanan Regency had not been improved yet properly. For this moment, these objects could only be reached by motorcycle or four-wheeled private car because there was no public transport. (BTN/Doc)

Bali canned fish export reach 607 tons Antara

DENPASAR – During January 2011, the number of caned fish export from Bali was 607 tons worth $1.54 million. The number decreased 29% compare to the number of export in January 2010 which gained $2.17 million.

The head of public relation division in Bali Government, I Ketut Teneng, said “the volume of export was also decreased

compared to the same month last year which was 1,001 tons.”

He explained that the number of canned fish export is highly affected by the economic condition abroad and the availability of fish in Bali. The quality of fish from Bali is very good so it is demanded by the customers abroad.

“The canned fish is one of the 11 commodities that can enter the international market,” Teneng said. The total of Bali export in January 2011 was $10.35 million,

increased 8% compared to the same month in 2010 which was $9.53 million The fishery export contributed 25% from the total income gained

by Bali in January 2011.

Meanwhile, the Head of Bali Marine and Fishery Department, I Gusti Putu Nuriartha, said that the canned fish is mostly produced by the factory in Jembrana Regency. In addition to canned fish, there are also tuna fish, crab, and scrimp.

BE CELENG BASE MANIS (Pork in Sweet Soya Sauce) OVERVIEW: This delicious sweet pork dish with a hint of ginger and plenty of chilies to spice it up often appear on festive occasions, when a whole pig is slaughtered and there’s plenty of meat available.

INGREDIENTS: 2 tbsp coconut oil 5 shallots, peeled and sliced 5 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced 600 gr (1 ¼ lb) boneless pork leg or shoulder cut in 2 cm (3/4 in) cubes 8 cm (3 in) ginger, peeled and sliced 4 tbsp sweet soy sauce (Kecap Manis) 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tsp black peppercorns 2 cups chicken stock 6-10 bird’s eye chilies, left whole PREPARATION: 1. Heat oil in a wok or heavy saucepan. Add shallots and garlic and saute for 2 minutes over medium heat or until lightly colored.

2. Add pork and ginger, continue to sauté for 2 more minutes over high heat. Add sweet and salty soy sauce and crushed black pepper, continue to sauté for 1 minute.

3. Pour in chicken stock and simmer over medium heat for approximately 1 hour. When cooked, there should be very little sauce left and the meat should be shiny and dark brown. If the meat becomes too dry during cooking, add a little chicken stock. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

JUKUT ARES

(Chicken Soup with Banana Stems) OVERVIEW: The tender center of young banana palms is used for this dish in Bali, these can be replaced by round cabbage, although this needs to be salted for only 10 minutes.

INGREDIENTS: 600 gr (1¼ lb) young banana palm stem 6 tbsp salt ½ cup basic spice paste 1.5 lt (6 cups) duck stock 2 salam leaves 1 stalk lemongrass, bruised salt to taste ½ tbsp black peppercorn, crushed fried shallots to garnish PREPARATION: Peel off hard outside layers of the banana stem, cut in half lengthwise and place flat side on carving board.

With a sharp knife cut in thin slices. Sprinkle a flat tray with salt, place sliced banana stem on it and sprinkle generously with salt again. Marinade for 45 minutes.

Place slices on top of each and press by hand to extract the juice. Repeat process until stems are very dry and soft. Rinse stems thoroughly under running water. Strain and dry well. Combine duck stock and spice paste and bring to boil. Add salam leaves and lemongrass. Simmer for 5 minutes then add shredded banana stem and bring back to boil. Simmer for one hour until stems are soft, but still crunchy. If using cabbage, the cooking time will be much shorter.

Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with fried shallots. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

C.045 ibp

9

International Destinations Enjoy the uniqueness of Nusa Lembongan

10

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Like the water flows, myriad of foreign tourists throng the island of Nusa Lem bongan. So, it is not mistaken if this bijou island becomes one of the most popular marine tourist attractions.

Every day, they come to the tiny island located in the Klungkung Regency.

Even, during peak season the number of tourists coming can reach 1,500 people.

Sweetness of honey belongs to Nusa Lembongan makes a number of cruise companies selling holiday package over there. One of them is Bounty Cruise based at Benoa Harbor. In the morning at around 9:30 am Local Time, Bounty Cruise has started its voyage to Nusa Lembongan. Passengers are just like a king because they are served by the crews amicably. Like the facility on a luxury cruise, breakfast is available aboard.

In order to enjoy the facility, tourists must purchase a ticket at IDR 700,000 for foreign tourists and IDR 500,000 for domestic tourists. Interestingly, there is a holiday package specially intended for local residents of Bali at very cheap and affordable price, namely IDR 300,000 per person.

With such budget, we are able to enjoy many games and facilities. Eat-

ing as you like, can take advantage of the games like banana boat, snorkeling, enjoying the beautiful streets of Nusa Lembongan Island up to playing water slide. However, if you want to try diving or jet skiing additional cost will be charged.

Owner of the Bounty Cruise, Gede Wiratha, said it was time for the people of Bali to know more. “Foreign tourists come to Bali for a holiday. Why do not we vacation in our own home? Therefore, we give special price to the local community. They also need to enjoy the beauty of Bali,� he said with a distinctive style.

The voyage from Benoa to Nusa Lembongan Island takes approximately one hour by speed at 20-25 knots or 45 kilometers per hour. During the voyage, we get to enjoy some entertainment, ranging from watching films to sing along on the boat deck. Songs played by the bands are adjusted to the tourist market. On Monday, for example, is specifically serving tourists from China, so the song played is a Mandarin song.

At around 10:30 am, the voyage of Bounty Cruise has reached the pontoon.

Pontoon boats are used for berthing because Nusa Lembongan does not have a quay yet. The pontoon is like a small

island equipped with a number of facilities, ranging from restaurants to a variety of games. This place is also used as a transit point to the island of Nusa Lembongan by using a boat with a distance of about one kilometer.

Nusa Lembongan

Nusa Lembongan is a small island of calcareous land. The life of local people seems to give isolated impression considering there has no adequate transportation service. A number of villas and hotels have been established on steep hills and the beach. Even, on the narrow roadside measuring 2.5 meters

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the cave varies from about 1 to 1.75 meters. Sometimes, we have to duck and crouch to reach the existing rooms.

Gala-Gala house was made in 1961 until 1976 by a village resident named Made Byasa who worked as a puppeteer. Such a unique work of Byasa was inspired by the life story of the Pandavas during their living in the forest. For 17 years Byasa had worked day and night to realize such monumental work. Since the age of 75 years, his old body kept on digging and when he was 93 years old he stopped, then he died at the age of 96 years.

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has already existed a number of art shops and Internet cafes.

To go to a number of objects on the island, we use tarpaulin-roofed pickups. After driving about five miles, we arrive at the center of seaweed village. At this place, we will find farmers who are cleaning the seaweed and also process it.

An attractive place to visit here is the unique underground house located in the cave known as Gala-Gala house. To enter this house, we have to go down the stairs, because this house is located 10 meters under ground of limestone. The height of

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

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

11

BUSINESS British economy shrank 0.5% in fourth quarter Agence France-Presse

LONDON – Britain’s economy shrank 0.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared with the third quarter, a slight improvement on the previous official estimate, data revealed on Tuesday.

The Office for National Statistics last month estimated that gross domestic product (GDP) had contracted by 0.6 percent in the fourth quarter, the final three months of last year.

“GDP growth contracted by 0.5

percent in the latest quarter, revised from a fall of 0.6 percent previously published,” the ONS said in a statement. It added that between October and December, GDP was 1.5 percent higher compared with the fourth quarter of 2009.

Oil below $104 as traders eye Libya, US economy Associated Press Writer

SINGAPORE – Oil prices extended losses below $104 a barrel Tuesday in Asia as traders eyed gains by Libyan rebels seeking to topple Moammar Gadhafi and restart crude exports from the OPEC nation.

Benchmark crude for May delivery was down 50 cents to $103.48 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The contract dropped $1.42 on Monday to settle at $103.98.

In London, Brent crude was down 48 cents at $114.10 a barrel on the ICE futures exchange.

Oil prices have come off near two-year highs above $106 last week after coalition bombing pushed back Gadhafi forces and allowed rebels to retake key oil ports.

Fighting is expected to become more fierce as rebels approach the capital Tripoli — a Gadhafi stronghold.

Trading volume of oil futures fell last week to its lowest level this year as investors remained glued to not only the Middle East, but also Japan. The Japanese government said it would release 22 days worth of

inventories from its strategic petroleum reserves to ease shortages in the regions devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

“This decline in volumes reflects a market now watching and waiting as it assesses the impact of the government responses to recent events,” Goldman Sachs said in a report.

Traders are also mulling whether the U.S. economic recovery is strengthening. The Conference Board index of consumer confidence will be released later Tuesday, and analysts will be looking for signs that buying sentiment has improved in tandem with the falling unemployment rate.

“If we see a disappointing consumer confidence number and a higher dollar there is a very real chance” of oil falling to $100 or below before the end of the week, energy consultant The Schork Group said.

The U.S. dollar has weakened so far this year, making oil cheaper for investors with other currencies.

In other Nymex trading for April contracts, heating oil was steady at $3.02 a gallon and gasoline fell 0.4 cent at $3.02 a gallon. Natural gas dropped 1.4 cents to $4.36 per 1,000 cubic feet.

http://upload.wikimedia.org

Online auction site eBay Inc moved to bolster its ability to take on No. 1 Web retailer Amazon.com Inc with a $1.96 billion takeover bid for e-commerce service provider GSI Commerce.

EBay buys GSI for $1.96 billion to take on Amazon Reuters

NEW YORK – Online auction site eBay Inc moved to bolster its ability to take on No. 1 Web retailer Amazon.com Inc with a $1.96 billion takeover bid for e-commerce service provider GSI Commerce.

EBay would gain expertise in helping major retailers fill online orders and build relationships with big toy, electronics and book sellers which have helped Amazon grow.

EBay said on Monday it had offered GSI shareholders $29.25 per share in cash, a premium of 50.9 percent from the stock’s closing price on Friday.

The deal would be eBay’s largest acquisition since it bought Internet phone company Skype for $2.6 billion in 2005, and comes as growth in its main auctions business is slowing.

“It’s one of the few fulfillment operations that could rival Amazon,” BGC Partners analyst Colin Gillis said. “Amazon is fulfilling its thirdparty sellers more and more. eBay is all third-party sellers.”

On Nasdaq, GSI soared 50.7 percent to close at $29.20, while eBay fell 4.3 percent to $30.34 on concerns it may be paying too much and might eventually need to invest more money on GSI’s technology. Both stocks held steady in extended trading.

Amazon shares edged down 1 percent to end at $169.35.

Among GSI’s clients are

Aeropostale Inc, Toys R Us, and TJX Cos Inc’s Marshalls chain.

GSI, which owns Web businesses such as Rue La La and ShopRunner, also provides retailers with technology, payment processing and customer care services for their e-commerce operations.

Online shopping accounts for about 8 percent of total U.S. retail spending, rising 11 percent during the most recent holiday season, according to data firm comScore, almost twice the pace of bricks-andmortar sales.

EBay estimated in February that its online marketplaces unit is set to grow into a $7-8 billion business by 2013, from $5.7 billion in 2010. In contrast, Amazon pulls in annual sales of more than $30 billion.

While PayPal has been a growth driver for eBay, the company has struggled with other deals, such as its purchase of 28.4 percent of classifieds site Craigslist, which led to a court fight after eBay launched its own classifieds business.

Still, Fred Moran, an analyst with Benchmark Capital, called the price “reasonable,” saying it comes out to 13 times this year’s expected earnings before certain expenses, which he said “is right in line with the ecommerce peer group.”

As part of the deal, eBay would sell off GSI’s licensed sports merchandise business, as well as 70 percent of Rue La La, which offers oneday-only Web deals to its members,

and ShopRunner, a members-only online shopping service that offers free shipping.

EBay said those business were not important to its long-term growth strategy.

Those holdings would become part of a new company run by GSI founder and Chief Executive Michael Rubin.

EBay said it would lend Rubin’s new company $467 million, bringing the deal’s value to $2.4 billion.

EBay said the acquisition, expected to close in the third quarter, would have little effect on its fiscal 2011 adjusted earnings forecast, and boost 2012 earnings. The deal would hurt 2011 net income by 30 cents to 34 cents per share, the company said.

GSI has until May 6 to solicit bids from other parties during the so-called “go shop” period.

While PayPal has been driving eBay’s growth for years, the company is also trying to lift its more familiar marketplaces unit — a high-margin but mature business that connects online buyers and sellers — especially as Amazon has enjoyed double-digit revenue growth.

Goldman Sachs & Co, and Peter J. Solomon Company are acting as financial advisers to eBay, while Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP is its legal adviser. Morgan Stanley is advising GSI and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is advising a special committee of GSI’s board. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is acting as GSI’s legal advisor.

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Entertainment

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Jackie Chan, HK stars to raise funds for Japan Agence France Presse

HONG KONG – Action hero Jackie Chan and other Hong Kong celebrities will hold a charity concert on April 1 to raise funds for disaster-stricken Japan, where more than 27,000 are dead or missing. “We as members of the entertainment industry wish to bring hope and support to the people of Japan,” said Chan, one of the initiators of the concert, in a statement.

The veteran movie star will be joined by performers from Taiwan, China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia for the concert at Hong Kong’s Victoria Park.

The event will feature a theme song called “Succumb not to sorrow”, which is based on a popular Japanese poem that praises the tenacity of Japanese people in the face of hardship.

The organising committee, which comprises 19 art and film groups, said they aimed to raise funds for relief packs — that include food, drinking water, personal care products and blanket — for up to 80,000 disaster victims.

More than 27,000 people are dead or missing since a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami hit northeast Japan on March 11, also crippling a nuclear plant.

International

In this publicity image released by Showtime, Jeremy Irons portrays Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI, left, and Francois Arnaud portrays his son Cesare Borgia, in the Showtime original series, “The Borgias.”

AP Photo/Showtime, Jonathan Hession

Jeremy Irons stars in Showtime’s ‘The Borgias’ Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK – Jeremy Irons couldn’t resist. The role he was invited to play — Rodrigo Borgia — is a towering historical figure who, five centuries ago, becomes pope through whatever-it-takes scheming, then ruthlessly defends his claim to the papacy against mounting efforts to unseat him.

AFP/File

Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan performs at the opening ceremony of the Sportaccord Combat Games, in Beijing in 2010.

Helen Mirren makes impression in Hollywood Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Jason Redmond

Actress Helen Mirren removes a bracelet that fell into wet cement while she was placing her hand and footprints in cement during a ceremony at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Monday, March 28, 2011, in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES – Helen Mirren is still making an impression in Hollywood. The Oscar winning actress sank her feet in wet cement outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Monday, joining a long list of celebrity hand and foot prints in the courtyard of the famed Hollywood tourist spot.

The ceremony comes less than two weeks before the release of her latest movie, “Arthur.” She plays the nanny to the irresponsible billionaire played by Russell Brand.

Mirren won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 film “The Queen.”’ She also got Oscar nominations for her roles in “The Madness of King George,” “Gosford Park” and “The Last Station.”

As perhaps the Western World’s biggest boss, the new Pope Alexander VI denies himself nothing, including family, whose support he drafted in his rise to the top, and an additional mistress supplementing the mother of his children. Thus begins the ungodly power trip that is “The Borgias,” a new Showtime drama series.

Created, written and produced by Neil Jordan (“The Crying Game,” “Michael Collins”), “The Borgias” has a two-hour premiere on Sunday at 9 p.m. EDT, with seven subsequent episodes airing Sundays at 10 p.m.

EDT. “The list of adjectives that were used to describe him by his contemporaries are all the colors of the rainbow,” Irons says with wonder. “From charming, thoughtful, a man of God, to licentious, carnal, a murderer!

And I thought, `Well, this is fascinating.’”

Particularly within the sacred walls of the Vatican, the bald ambition of the future pope is chilling to

behold as the series begins in 1492 and Borgia plots his game plan as a long-shot candidate to succeed the dying Pope Innocent VIII. But perhaps the most impressive sequence in the first installment is the papal coronation. During the lavish procession, then the crowning, Alexander registers a mix of fierce triumph and all-consuming awe.

“You go for this job, and when you get there — wooooooo — you’re on the top of the mountain with no one around you. There’s no one to call, except, you know, Him.” Irons points heavenward. “I think that’s both humbling and frightening.”

During that scene, a range of colors of the character play across his face as gathering evidence of his human complexity. That complexity is something Irons will get to explore at length.

“That’s the great thing about doing a series as opposed to a film,” says Irons. “You’ve got time for a character to behave in what appears to be

inconsistent ways. You’re able to say, `This scene is about that strand in the man, and THIS scene is about another strand,’ and you play each scene for all it’s worth. Then, gradually, you draw those strands together and you say, `Wow, THAT’S the guy — an extraordinary guy!’”

The five-month “Borgias” shoot took Irons to Budapest, Hungary, where he joined his series co-stars, who include Joanne Whalley as Rodrigo’s longtime mistress and matriarch of his family household; Francois Arnaud as the son Rodrigo forces into the priesthood and is grooming to be a future pope, even as he uses him, a Cardinal, as his dirty-dealing consigliere; and David Oakes as his other son, a bully who leads the Papal armies to further the pope’s interests.

Even Rodrigo’s sweet 12-yearold daughter, Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger), must serve her father’s ends. He will soon marry her off to seal favor with a political rival.

‘Wimpy Kid’ knocks out ‘Sucker Punch’ at box office Agence France Presse

LOS ANGELES – “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules,” the second screen adaptation from the popular kids book series, earned $23.8 million at the weekend box office, industry data showed Monday. The original film, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” was released just last March, opening to $22.1 million and ultimately grossing $64 million in the United States.

Box office tracker Exhibitor Relations reported that second place went to “Sucker Punch,” an action fantasy flick about a group of young

vixens busting out of an insane asylum, which debuted at $19.1 million dollars.

Last week’s box office winner “Limitless,” a sci-fi film starring Bradley Cooper as an author who taps his brain’s full potential after sampling a revolutionary new drug, fell to third with $15.1 million in sales. Fourth place went to the Matthew McConaughey-starring drama “The Lincoln Lawyer” which grossed $10.8 million.

Paramount’s eccentric animated film “Rango,” with the voice talent of Johnny Depp in a tale about a

chameleon who becomes sheriff to clean up the town of Dirt, was fifth with $9.8 million in ticket sales.

Science fiction romp “Paul” took in $7.9 million to make sixth place, followed by “Battle: Los Angeles” about a unit of alien-fighting US Marines, which made $7.6 million in tickets sold across North America.

The gothic fairytale retelling “Red Riding Hood,” was eighth with $4.3 million in sales. The ninth spot went “The Adjustment Bureau” with $4.3 million, while “Mars Needs Moms!” fell two places to take the number 10 spot, with $2.3 million.

Science

International

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

13

Italy offers olive branch over ‘stolen’ Getty statue Agence France Presse

AFP/Alexander Joe

Steam billows from Kempton Park Power Station in Johannesburg on March 28, 2011. The global fight over fossil fuels has hit home in South Africa as the coal-dependent country debates its energy future before hosting UN climate talks later this year.

S.Africa takes heat for burning coal Agence France Presse

JOHANNESBURG – The global fight over fossil fuels has hit home in South Africa as the coal-dependent country debates its energy future before hosting UN climate talks later this year. Africa’s largest economy is overhauling its energy policy, looking to more than double its power supply by adding more than 50,000 megawatts of electricity to the grid at a cost of 860 billion rand ($125 billion, 90 billion euros).

But as the country seeks to ease power shortages that caused paralysing blackouts in 2008, environmentalists say it is not doing enough to cut its reliance on coal-fired power — currently more than 90 percent of the electricity supply. The scrutiny is intensifying as South Africa prepares to host the next major round of United Nations climate talks in the eastern port city of Durban from November 28 to December 9.

The talks — the successor to the Kyoto Protocol and last year’s conference in Cancun, Mexico — will

see global leaders try to make meaningful progress toward a binding international agreement to curb climate change. The meetings will be key in deciding the future of the Kyoto emissions targets, which expire next year.

Environmentalists say South African President Jacob Zuma faces embarrassment at the talks if his government doesn’t move to massively slash the country’s dependence on coal. “What is the president going to do?” asked Richard Worthington, head of the climate programme at

World Wildlife Fund South Africa.

“Say, ‘Oh, welcome to South Africa, we want to play a leadership role on climate change. But excuse us, we’re not going to do what we said we’d do in Copenhagen and Cancun.’

I don’t think the president wants to be in that position.” South Africa had pledged at the 2009 talks in Copenhagen to cut emissions 42 percent by 2025. But the country’s draft energy plan proposed cutting carbon emissions just 30 percent by 2030.

Zuma’s cabinet last week approved a new version of the plan that officials said would scale up renewable and nuclear energy, with new power generation coming 42 percent from renewable sources, 23 percent from nuclear and just 15 percent from coal. But the full plan will not be released until late March, and it is still unclear what emissions levels or the final electricity mix will be.

LOS ANGELES – An Italian politician offered an olive branch to the Getty Museum on Monday, in a long-running dispute over antiquities allegedly looted for display in California. Gian Mario Spacca, governor of Italy’s Marche region, called on the Los Angeles-based cultural center to “behave ethically” by returning works which did not belong to it, or at least to agree to a deal to share them.

A Getty spokeswoman welcomed Spacca’s visit — he toured the Museum on Friday — but pointed out that the main contested work, the socalled Getty Bronze, was subject to ongoing legal action in Italy. “We have not come to declare war on the Getty ... We are here to try to resolve the dispute in a way that will benefit this great museum, the people of Italy and, most important, art lovers around the world,” Spacca told reporters.

Specifically he proposed a “cultural exchange” deal to share custody of the 2,300-year-old “Victorious Youth” statue — commonly known here as the Getty Bronze — by Greek artist Lisippo. “The Italian people expect a museum as prestigious as the

Getty should not be trafficking in illegal art,” Spacca said, adding: “The Getty should show the world it can act like a world-class cultural institution and behave ethically.”

Getty spokeswoman Julie Jaskol said Spacca toured the museum near Malibu, north of Los Angeles. “It was a friendly meeting and we were pleased that the (governor) and his group were able to visit the Getty Villa,” she said.

But she added: “We were clear at the start of our conversation that the ‘Statue of a Victorious Youth,’ known as the Getty Bronze, was not a matter for discussion since legal issues regarding this object are ongoing in Italy.” The nearly 1.5 m (five-foot) bronze is one of several star attractions at the Getty, one of the world’s top museums.

The latest Italian offer came after a 5th century BC marble statue, the “Venus of Morgantina,” was returned earlier this month as part of an agreement made in 2007 with California museum. Italy claims the marble statue was stolen by looters at the end of the 1970s and handed over to an art trafficker who forged documents to prove legitimate ownership and smuggled it to Switzerland.

AFP/Mark Ralston

Governor Gian Mario Spacca from the region in Italy known as Marcha, stands in front of a projected image of the “Getty Bronze’’ during a press conference at the Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles.

To the brain the pain of rejection really hurts Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – The pain of rejection is more than just a figure of speech. The regions of the brain that respond to physical pain overlap with those that react to social rejection, according to a new study that used brain imaging on people involved in romantic breakups.

“These results give new meaning to the idea that rejection `hurts,’” wrote psychology professor Ethan Kross of the University of Michigan and his colleagues. Their findings are reported in Tuesday’s edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Co-author Edward Smith of Columbia University explained that the research shows that psychological or

social events can affect regions of the brain that scientists thought were dedicated to physical pain. In a way, we’re saying “it’s not a metaphor,” Smith said in a telephone interview.

The study involved 40 volunteers who went through an unwanted romantic break-up in the previous six months and who said thinking about the break-up caused them to feel intensely rejected.

Functional MRI’s were used to study their brains in four situations: When viewing a photo of the expartner and thinking about the break-up; when viewing a photo of a friend and thinking of a positive experience with that person; when a device placed on their arm produced a gentle, comforting warmth, and when that device became hot

enough to cause pain, though not physical damage.

The two negative situations — thinking about the loss of a partner and the burn — caused response in the overlapping parts of the brain, the study found.

Previous studies had not shown a relationship between physical and emotional pain, but those had used a less dramatic event, such as simply being told someone doesn’t like you, Smith said. In this case, the volunteers were people who had actually been rejected and were still feeling it, he said.

There is evidence that emotional stress, such as the loss of a loved one, can affect people physically, and Smith said studies like this may help researchers devise ways to aid people who are sensitive to loss or rejection.

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Sport

International

Bale injury means race for Real Madrid clash Agence France Presse

LONDON – Wales winger Gareth Bale is a doubt for Tottenham’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid after sustaining a grade one hamstring strain while on international duty. Bale, 21, withdrew from Gary Speed’s squad to face England last Saturday after pulling up in training and he was sent for a scan on the injury Monday.

Results revealed the winger had suffered a grade one strain - the recovery time for which usually stands from between seven and 10 days.

Spurs will continue to monitor Bale’s condition ahead of this weekend’s match against Wigan, but his participation in the first leg of the Champions League quarter with Real next Tuesday could be in doubt if he does not respond well to the conditioning of the injury. “Gareth has returned to Spurs Lodge and took part in controlled straight-line running so we could assess him,” Tottenham said in a statement.

“We sent him for an ultrasound scan examination this afternoon and that has confirmed the presence of a minor grade one hamstring strain.

“Gareth has reported no pain or stiffness after taking part in the running this morning and we shall continue to monitor him and see how he responds to his conditioning programme throughout the week.”

Tottenham became embroiled in a club versus country row with Wales after the Football Association of Wales (FAW) claimed that Bale had suffered the injury before reporting for international duty. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp hit back at those suggestions, claiming that the former Southampton winger was fully fit when he left Tottenham to join up

with Wales after the club’s 0-0 draw against West Ham. Tottenham’s head of medical services, Wayne Diesel, echoed Redknapp’s claims on Monday: “Gareth did not report any hamstring issues when we assessed our players after our fixture with West Ham United which means he was free to report for international duty, nor did the Football Association of Wales raise any problems with us prior to his first training session with the national team on Tuesday following two days of rest.

“He was passed fit to train by the FAW medical team and it was only after 40 minutes of his first training session on Tuesday, which included some high intensity runs, Gareth complained of tightness in his right hamstring and was pulled out of the remainder of the session as a precaution.

“We requested the player be sent immediately for a scan which subsequently revealed the hamstring strain that forced his withdrawal from the squad.” Bale has missed a large part of the last three months with a back injury that he sustained against Newcastle in January.

The problem kept him out of the first leg of the club’s last-16 win over AC Milan and restricted him to a substitute appearance in the return leg. The goalless draw with the Hammers was his first start for the club in two months.

AP Photo/Tom Hevezi

Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale, right, is tackled by West Ham United’s Mark Noble during their English Premier League soccer match at the White Hart Lane stadium, London, Saturday, March 19, 2011.

Bayern confirm interest in Neuer MUNICH - Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has revealed that the German giants are keen to sign Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer this summer.

Bayern have struggled to keep pace with Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund this season and are looking to strengthen their goalkeeping position, despite the emergence of 22-yearold Thomas Kraft.

Neuer has been linked with a move away from Schalke and the Germany international has made it clear that he wishes to stay in the Bundesliga, with Bayern now at the head of the queue for his signature. “We haven’t made any signings yet. We all know that we can’t do any transfer business now the market’s closed,” Hoeness said to Sport1. “This doesn’t stop us from making plans for the future, though, and we’re thinking about the capture of a new goalkeeper among other things. I can reveal that Schalke’s Manuel Neuer is one of the candidates to join us.”

Swarm of bees halts Brazilian junior match A swarm of bees called a halt to a junior match after they found their way onto the pitch half an hour into a game in Brazil. Nautico were playing away to Ypiranga-PE in Santa Cruz do Capiperibe when referee Andrea Amorim was targeted by the insects who were attracted by her yellow shirt.

“At first, I thought it might be some kind of ploy by our opponents [to get the match suspended] since we were losing 1-0,” Nautico coach Sergio China, told Globo.

“But when the referee dived to the ground I saw it was really serious. She was the most attacked, perhaps because of her shirt,” he added. “We didn’t get an explanation [for the bee attack] but we’d only have tried to find out why, if the game had been cancelled.” Amorin resumed the match and China’s team hit back to win 3-1.

Sport

International

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

15

Anthony scores 39, Knicks top Magic in OT Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK – Carmelo Anthony scored 39 points, his best effort since coming to New York, and the Knicks pulled out a 113-106 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday night to snap a six-game losing streak. Hours after saying the game was “almost a must win” for the Knicks, Anthony added 10 rebounds, and the Knicks got some help when Dwight Howard fouled out in the extra session, then picked up his NBA-leading 17th technical foul.

Amare Stoudemire had 20 points for the Knicks, who won for just the second time in 11 games and inched closer to their first playoff berth since 2004.

Howard rebounded from a quiet first half to finish with 29 points and 18 rebounds, but Orlando didn’t score after he picked up his sixth foul going for a rebound with 1:17 remaining in a two-point game.

Jason Richardson made the tying 3-pointer in regulation and scored 24 for the Magic, who had a five-game winning streak snapped and lost for only the third time in 16 games against the Knicks. Hedo Turkoglu scored 18 points, but he also fouled out, leaving the Magic furious with the officiating down the stretch.

Chauncey Billups made the goahead 3-pointer with 3:16 left in overtime, then Anthony was alone after an Orlando miss for a dunk and a 108104 lead with 2:46 remaining. Howard cut it to two by tipping in his own miss, but he was whistled for No. 6 when

Billups went down as Howard tried to grab another offensive board.

Howard then was hit with the tech for tossing the ball into the backcourt, moving him one away from another one-game suspension, and Billups made the free throw for a three-point lead. The Magic then got another bad break when Richardson was called for an offensive foul away from the ball on Anthony after they became tangled, negating what would have been a tying 3-point basket by Turkoglu.

The Knicks finished it off at the line as the Magic players on the bench yelled their frustration toward the referees and fans. Billups scored 17 and Toney Douglas had 16 for the Knicks, who shook things up Monday by holding their first morning shootaround at home this season. It was there that Anthony said the game was “almost a must win.”

They did by finally beating the Magic in a game that was postponed Nov. 2, after debris fell into the arena during an overnight cleaning of asbes-

tos-related materials.

Anthony made another with a hand in his face for a 96-90 lead with 2:03 to play in regulation. The Magic closed to 98-97 on a 3-pointer by Gilbert Arenas with 32 seconds remaining, but Anthony drove and found Douglas along the baseline, and his short jumper counted when Howard was called for goaltending with 10.2 seconds left.

Richardson nailed a 3 to tie it at 100 with 5.7 to go — aided by defender Jared Jeffries not even putting his hands up to contest — and Anthony was just short trying to follow his own miss, sending it to overtime.

The Magic were without point guard Jameer Nelson because of a sprained left knee, giving Arenas his first start with Orlando but robbing the Magic of perhaps their best clutch player. Backup forward Quentin Richardson (back spasms) also was out and reserve guard J.J. Redick (lower abdominal strain) remains out, leaving the Magic thin on the perimeter.

AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, right, runs into Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard as he goes up with the ball during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 28, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Federer holds off Monaco at Miami tennis event Blatter urges Brazil to speed up World Cup stadia Agence France Presse

MIAMI – Roger Federer fought through a tough first set and turned it on in the second to beat Juan Monaco 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 as the Swiss clocked his 20th win of the season to advance at the Miami ATP Masters 1000. The third seed, who won the event at Crandon Park twice,

improved his record on the season to 20-3 in a campaign dominated so far by the 20-match winning streak of second-seeded Serb rival Novak Djokovic.

Top seed Rafael Nadal followed suit as he beat fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez for the seventh time in nine meetings, taking a 6-3, 6-3 decision.

AFP/Getty Images/File/Mike Ehrmann

Roger Federer fought through a tough first set and turned it on in the second to beat Juan Monaco 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 as the Swiss clocked his 20th win of the season to advance at the Miami ATP Masters 1000.

Federer’s clean and clinical thirdround victory Monday in one and three-quarters hours over the Argentine, improved his overall Miami mark to 38-10. “It was tough not having played him very often,” said the Swiss. “This is as slow as it gets out on the hard court. It’s a bit of clay almost except that you can’t slide.

“I thought he played well in the later stages of the first set and then also in the second. I had a return game which worked well, and was able to serve it out. So it was a good finish for me.” Federer will next play longtime friend Olivier Rochus, a winner over Russian Mikhail Youzhny 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.

The night session was plagued by rain showers, which resulted in two matches having to be carried over to Tuesday. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France and Alexandr Dolgopolov were in the third set with Dolgopolov ahead 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 3-2 when rain halted their match. Kim Clijsters’s night match against Ana Ivanovic was also moved to Tuesday morning.

Seventh-seeded Wimbledon finalist Tomas Berdych beat Argentine Carlos Berlocq 7-6 (10/8), 7-5.

Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia beat German Philipp Petzschner 6-3, 6-3 in their third-round contest. Germany’s Florian Mayer stopped Spanish 11th seed Nicolas Almagro 6-1, 3-6, 6-1.

Agence France Presse

GENEVA – FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday urged Brazil to speed up its 2014 World Cup preparations, warning that Rio and Sao Paulo might not be ready to host Confederations Cup matches a year beforehand. “If you make a comparison between the state of play in South Africa and Brazil three years before the World Cup, Brazil is behind Africa. It shouldn’t be said but it’s a fact,” the head of world football’s governing body told journalists.

AFP/File “If they carry on working like that FIFA president Sepp Blatter when we have the Confederations Cup... a year before the World Cup as a rehearsal, there won’t be matches in Rio and no matches in Sao Paulo,” he added. “The World Cup stadiums are still not ready.”

Blatter said he was waiting for “a bit of effect” from the five-time World Cup winners “because it’s not moving forward, it’s not moving forward very fast”.

“What they should do in Brazil is put a little bit more speed in the organisation,” he added.

But Brazilian Sports Minister Orlando Silva responded to Blatter’s criticism by saying work in 10 of the 12 cities was progressing “at full speed”. “We have some problems with the Natal and Sao Paulo stadiums but in the other cities the work is going ahead at full speed,” Silva said.

“I understand FIFA’s worry and concern, but we don’t want to talk with them.

We only want to work so the calendar is maintained.”

Silva, however, added that he too was concerned with the state of progress in works in the transport sector, notably airports. Work on almost all of the 12 World Cup venues in the country is behind schedule, while airports in Brazil are also saturated, with flight delays and cancellations a common daily occurrence.

Retired Brazilian soccer legend Pele claimed last month that Brazil was “running the risk of being red-faced in the way it is managing the World Cup”.

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

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

Sport

Alonso: Australia was no disaster Fernando Alonso says there was nothing “disastrous” about Ferrari’s performance at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Although the Spaniard and his team arrived in Melbourne as one of the favourites to fight for victory, the reality was different, and the Italian squad did not have the pace to match Red Bull or McLaren.

Hopkins prepared for tough comeback JOHN Hopkins says he knows he faces a very tough task at Jerez this weekend as he returns to MotoGP to substitute for Alvaro Bautista at Suzuki.

After Bautista broke his leg in a practice crash in Qatar last weekend, Suzuki called up its former rider Hopkins to deputise for the Spanish Grand Prix at least. It had already lined up the American, who is now a Suzuki racer in British Superbikes, as a potential stand-in following the decision to scale back to a single MotoGP bike for Bautista.

Hopkins had a brief run on the 2011 Suzuki during a filming ride at Losail in the test prior to the grand prix weekend, but having last raced in MotoGP with Kawasaki in 2008, he admitted there was a lot of readjustment to do.

“I’m under no illusions that this will be tough weekend for me, as I’ve not been on a GP machine for a couple of years or ridden the new control tyres - except for the filming I did in Qatar a couple of weeks ago – so I realise this will be a step up from what I have been riding recently,” he said.

“The bikes have moved on in the last three years, but when I rode the GSV-R at Losail it seemed so familiar and I immediately had a good feeling, but that was at filming pace, so it’s going to be a lot different at race pace! “I know the Jerez track well, so it’s not like I need to learn a new circuit and I also know the team well so that that will help a lot.

“I will certainly be trying as hard as I can to get a good result and make sure that I don’t disappoint anybody – myself included. I want to say a big thank-you to Suzuki and [sponsor] Rizla for giving me this opportunity and I intend to pay back their faith with a good performance on my return to MotoGP.” Hopkins also sent his best wishes to Bautista, who is expected to attend the Jerez race with the team as he recovers from the surgery on his leg.

“I was shocked by what happened to Alvaro, especially after such good winter testing, and I really wish him a speedy and full recovery,” said Hopkins. “I wanted the opportunity to get back on a MotoGP bike, but not under these circumstances.”

Alonso finished in a distant fourth position, and he admitted it had not been the start of the season he wanted. But the two-time champion made it clear there was nothing to worry about, and is sure he would have been closer to the podium if not for a poor start.

“It wasn’t the start that we all wanted but nor is it anything to get worried about,” said Alonso. “I already said it at the track: 12 points is not far below the world champion’s average last year and two title contenders finished behind me.

“So overall the Australian Grand Prix can’t be defined as disastrous.

Certainly, in qualifying we were very far from Vettel’s Red Bull and far from Hamilton’s McLaren but in the race the situation improved perhaps not compared to Sebastian but certainly against the others.

“The start was a pity: if I hadn’t found myself down in ninth place at

the beginning of the first lap I’d have been able to fight to the finish for the two lower steps of the podium.”

The Spaniard insisted Ferrari’s performance in Australian did not come as a big shock to him, as no one knew what the real pecking order was after testing.

“For me there weren’t any big surprises, particularly because I didn’t arrive in Melbourne with a clear idea of how the grid would line up,” he said. “From the tests, especially this year, it was difficult to have a realistic picture of the situation.

“The only positive surprise was the behaviour of the Pirelli tyres which, at least at Albert Park, showed less degradation than what we saw at the test.

“We will see how things go in Malaysia at Sepang, on a track that is very different to the semi-street circuit of Albert Park.”