Edisi 8 Januari 2010 | International Bali Post

Troops storm hotel, end siege in Indian Kashmir

16 Pages Number 5 2nd Year

PAGE 6 e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com. http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Friday, January 8, 2010

Garuda promote ”Tirtha Yatra” package PAGE 8

Vampires rule People’s Choice Awards PAGE 12

International bali Post/litpur

Balinese traditional boat or “jukung” is seen on Padangbai harbor. The area attracted foreign tourists who visited Bali

Bali Strait crossing could be closed Negara (Bali Post) –

The sea traffic in Bali still will still face problems in the next few days. Bad weather occurs on Bali coastal area and made Gilimanuk harbor was closed for half an hour on Tuesday, January 5th 2010.

WEATHER FORECAST CITY

TEMPERATURE OC

DENPASAR

24 - 32

JAKARTA

25 - 32

BANDUNG

19 - 28

YOGYAKARTA

22 - 33

SURABAYA

24 - 33

SUNNY

BRIGHT/CLOUDY

RAIN

HOTLINE

For placing advertisment, please contact: Eka Wahyuni

0361-225764

The management of the harbor considered it was necessary to close the transport from and to the harbor because the bad weather made the waves are high and the view was very limited. The condition was very dangerous for seafaring.

Based on the report from Denpasar meteorology and geophysics department, the heavy rain will still occur in the next few days.

Dewa Nyoman Kari, the head of Gilimanuk harbor, said that the owner of the ship should not force

the ship to sail during bad weather.

The wind speed could up to 18 knots while the waves could be 1.5 meters in height or more. Heavy rain could make the sailor view is very limited and the danger of collision is very high.

Strong winds and high waves could make the ship sink. The management of the harbor is checking the weather in Bali strait because it is difficult to be predicted. The possibility of closing the harbor could happen in the next few days if the weather doesn’t improve.

Kari said “the step is done for the safety of the passengers. I believe it won’t cause long queue because the number of people crossing the strait is still normal.”(sur)

Sanglah Hospital Treats Patient of Bird Flue Suspect Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Again, Sanglah Hospital takes care of a patient of bird flue suspect from Banjarangkan, Klungkung. Such female patient with initial name RR, 65, coming to Sanglah Hospital, last Tuesday (Jan 5), denoted a referral patient from Klungkung Hospital.

Secretary of Bird Flu Management of Sanglah Hospital, Ken Wirasandhi, justified that Sanglah Hospital currently treated a patient

of bird flu suspect. “She is called suspect because the patient came with grievance of short-winded.

At her house, she breeds several chicken. Few days ago, many of her chickens died. Based on the result of examination, in fact, those chickens were positive to H5N1,” said Ken when met on last Wednesday (Jan 6).

Ken continued that the chicken belonging to patient died, last Saturday (Jan 2) and patient suffered from short-winded few days later.

However, according to Ken, the patient has fallen sick before those chickens died.

“It was known that patient was sick before her chicken died and got short-winded after that. In fact, the patient also suffered from other disease tending to result in shortwinded if she had a relapse,” Ken said.

Nevertheless, the patient stayed to get treatment and observation at Nusa Indah Room as a patient of bird flue suspect. Up to this mo-

ment, Ken added that the condition of patient was getting better.

“Based on experience, if it were bird flu, the development of the disease was progressive, but to this patient from Klungkung, she looked to be getting better. Even, she could have a walk. Hopefully, it is not bird flue,” expected Ken. Up to last Wednesday, the patient remained to get medical treatment at Nusa Indah isolation room and has obtained tamiflu medicine. (kmb24)

2

International

Friday, January 8, 2010

Bali News Hundreds of Babies in Tabanan Lack of Proper Nutrition Tabanan (Bali Post)—

Although the development in health sector keeps on intensifying, in reality, hundreds of babies under five years old remain to lack of proper nutrition. In the meantime, in fact, not all active babies are taken to integrated services post (Posyandu) to perform weighing in order to know the condition of baby as recommended by government’s program.

The Head of Tabanan Health Services, I Ketut Sumiarta, last Wednesday (Jan 6), stated that Tabanan currently had 24,346 babies. Out of that number and the active babies attending the weighing were known only 18,814 that had good nutrition status, 190 babies with hyper nutrition and 491 babies lacked of proper nutrition.

Based on the endeavors taken within the past few years, there were no babies having the status of malnutrition. However, it was regretted that some 4,851 babies were not active in the weighing program at integrated services post. Consequently, their condition was difficult to monitor whereas the post actively provided services to community.

Sumiarta said that there were

many babies having the status of lacking of proper nutrition caused by a number of factors such as the baby was looked after by others, divorce of parents or both parents equally worked. As consequence, the need of baby’s consumption did not get maximal attention. In addition, there were many members of community or mothers having no understanding about nutrition and the best food that should be given to baby. Maternal milk in this regard played important role that might not be neglected.

Similarly, particular disease suffered also became the cause of lacking of proper nutrition. “As long as the monitoring held by our officers, the condition of babies with lacking of proper nutrition has not directed to malnutrition. We have handled the malnutrition case few years ago and

there are no more such cases today,” he revealed.

Concerning with babies that were not weighed regularly, the mothers usually did not actively come to the integrated services post or did not come on the weighing activity. Whereas, he said, the weighing of babies was very essential to know their health and development. On that account, his party would intensify the socialization and good understanding on the integrated services post. Meanwhile, regarding to babies with the status of hypernutrition, they remained in condition that did not harm their health. They were just stated to surpass the standard limit pursuant to the normal growth of a baby with good nutrition status. (kmb14)

JKBM in Badung Finds a Problem Tens of Patients Unable to Have Hemodialysis Denpasar (Bali Post)—

In fact, the Bali Mandara Health Insurance (JKBM) in Badung encountered a problem. The program launched by Bali Provincial Government does not cover the cost of hemodialysis service. As consequence, tens of poor patients from Badung regularly performing hemodialysis were almost unable to enjoy the benefit of such health facility.

Based on the data at Badung Health Services, there were 51 poor patients undergoing regular hemodialysis. Before the implementation of JKBM, those poor patients used certificate of indigent (SKTM) to get free hemodialysis. However, by the launching of JKBM, automatically SKTM was no more valid, so these 51patients were almost unable to get free hemodialysis.

“Our residents needing hemodialysis service were nearly unable to get it

free of charge,” said the Head of Commission D of Badung House, I Wayan Mendra, last Wednesday (Jan 6).

For that purpose, Mendra said that Commission D made coordination right away with Badung Health Services, Sanglah Hospital, Badung Hospital and Tabanan Hospital. He added, a number of 23 health services covered by JKBM program did not include the hemodialysis service. Whereas, in one of the articles on the Decree of Minister of Health No. 316/2009, is mentioned that poor patient, homeless people, beggar and neglected children are covered by community health insurance (Jamkesmas).

Departing from the Decree of Minister of Health, the meeting of Commission D with related institutions finally agreed that 51 indigent patients remained to get free hemodialysis service by means of Jamkesmas program with requirements that such patients

should bring recommendation letter from Social Services certifying they were truly poor patients. In the meantime, the Head of Badung Health Services, AA Mayun D Atmaja, admitted that he was apprehensive on knowing JKBM did not cover the hemodialysis service for indigent patients. The cost of hemodialysis services was adequately expensive namely IDR 800,000. According to him, for the patients, hemodialysis denoted an absolute treatment that should be committed twice a week during the lifetime. If hemodialysis were not executed up to two times the patients may possibly die.

Furthermore, Mayun appealed the community not to be restless because Badung Regency Government itself used the fund obtained from central government to provide hemodialysis services especially for indigent patients. (ded)

Taman Griya Demands Fission Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Residents of Taman Griya Housing Complex, Jimbaran, demanded the fission of its territory. This demand occurred on responding the ineffective civil service administration provided at the settlement inhabited by 10,000 populations. Besides, it concerned with public and social facilities triggering the demand of fission.

Community figure from Jimbaran who is also a member of Badung House, I Ketut Suda Arsa, last Wednesday (Jan 5), said that his party received many aspirations from the residents of Taman Griya proposing the territorial fission. Local residents complained about the imbalanced number of 10,000 populations that was only served by one Hamlet Head.

According to him, the Taman Griya Housing was categorized into densely populated settlement. The problem was no less complicated, ranging from administrative affairs, security, and infrastructure in the form of road to the shortage of streetlight.

“This problem resulted in vile image at Taman Griya,” he said. According to Suda Arsa, the Taman Griya hamlet has met the requirements for territorial fission. Ideally, it could become five hamlets. Through such fis-

sion, it was expected that various problems regarding to public services such as civil administration up to social and public facilities could be accomplished accordingly. As information, the Taman Griya Housing comprised several clusters, like that of Dalung Permai that also demanded territorial fission. However, Dalung Permai has been divided into some hamlets.

Different from the aphorism of Suda Arsa, the Hamlet Head of Taman Griya, Wayan Yusa, even rejected on the existence of the demand to propose the territorial fission. He told that there was no problem regarding to the civil service administration or facilities in such housing.

Yusa explained that Taman Griya was divided into seven groups assisting the civil service administration and other tasks of Hamlet Head. If the territorial fission were being performed, it would find obstacles related to social and public facilities.

In the meantime, the Head of Jimbaran Village, Made Tarip Widharta, has not received the proposal of territorial fission yet from local residents. Nevertheless, his party would support such fission plan if it would indeed be required very much. (ded)

IDR 2.3 Billion to Subsidize Final School Exam Denpasar (Bali Post)—

In this financial year 2010, Badung Regency Government allocates a budget of IDR 2.3 billion to subsidize the implementation of final school exam (UAS). Such subsidy is distributed to all state and private schools ranging from primary school, secondary school up to senior high school/vocational high school. The Head of Badung Educational, Youth and Sport Services (Disdikpora), Cokorda Raka Darmawan, said that matter to Bali Post, last Wednesday (Jan 6).

According to Darmawan, the policy of Badung Regency Government to subsidize the cost of UAS clearly alleviated the burden of students’ parent in accomplishing the education of their children. By such subsidy, it was expected that all students could attend the final exam and no more students would dropout because of inability to pay the exam fee.

“Hopefully, this subsidy could alleviate the burden of parents of student when their children attend the final exam where the educational cost usually increases,” he said.

He added, the subsidy worth IDR 2.3 billion would be mostly allocated

to finance the UAS of vocational high school. The budged provided by Badung Regency Government to subsidize the UAS of senior high school/ vocational high school including the Exam of Expertise Competence (UKK) reaching over IDR 1.36 billion. It consisted of UAS and UKK of vocational high school that would be attended by 2,274 students where each student was allocated at IDR 600,000.

Meanwhile, for the subsidy of final exam at senior high school, Badung Regency Government would allocate the budget worth IDR 264,7 million targeting to 2,647 students where each was allocated for IDR 100,000.

He added that a large amount of budget was also allocated to subsidize of UAS implementation for elementary education. For secondary school, the participating students were registered 7,357. Each student was subsidized for IDR 75,000 so the total budget would become IDR 551.7 million.

Meanwhile, 8,768 students would attend the UAS for primary school.

Badung Regency Government would allocate subsidy worth IDR 131.52 million where each student was allocated for IDR 15,000. (kmb13)

z Founder : K.Nadha, z Chief Editor: ABG Satria Naradha z Managing Editor: Wirata,Palgunadi z Editors: Alit Purnata, Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Darmasunu, Daniel Fajry, Diah Dewi, Martinaya, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Sutiawan, Wirya, Yudi Winanto zDenpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan, Tabanan: Surpi. Jakarta: Nikson, Suharto Olii, Indu P. Adi, Ahmadi Supriyanto, Achmad Nasrudin, Hardianto, Darmawan S. Sumardjo, Heru B Arifin, Asep Djamaluddin, Ade Irawan, Ipik Tanoyo. NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani, Nur Haedin, Suyadnya. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. z Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. z Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publiser: PT Bali Post

Bali News

International

Friday, January 8, 2010

3

Broken by Girlfriend

A Resident of Gelgel Kampong Grabs HP and Money Semarapura (DenPost)—

BP/doc

The picture shows Batur Lake and Mount Batur. The construction of Geological Park around the Mount Batur begins to be put into question after the presence of Vulcanology Museum around the Penelokan, Kintamani

Geological Park of Mt. Batur Put into Question Denpasar (Bali Post)—

The construct of Geological Park around the Mount Batur begins to be put into question after the presence of Vulcanology Museum around the Penelokan, Kintamani. “Who initiated such geological park concept, frankly speaking, is unknown up to these days. Additionally, there is no clarity when it could be realized,” said a member of Bali House from Kintamani, Wayan Gunawan, last Wednesday (Jan 6).

Before putting into a concrete implementation, the idea should meet some requirements. Chiefly in terms of operational management, it should put priority on the nature conservation of Batur, because the tourist attraction relied on the beauty of panorama. “In truth, the management of Batur tourist resort is not so difficult because its nature has been alluring

and attractive,” he said.

Even, he said that in terms of nature’s beauty, the splendor of Mount Batur in combination with its valley and lake was unparalleled. “The beauty of its nature has been complete.

It only requires a creativity and seriousness to manage by putting priority on the nature conservation,” he added.

On that account, the intention of a

number of parties that would like to realize the Batur Geological Park should be emphasized on the effort to preserve the nature of Batur properly.

On the other hand, no matter what performed by particular parties to develop the geological park should be able to accommodate the local labor because it empties out into the prosperity of the community. (029)

Many Illegal Limousines Operate in Nusa Dua Denpasar (Bali Post)—

After the complaint of drivers about the permit of additional taxi transport, now the problem on illegal limousines operating in Nusa Dua tourist resort comes into view. These luxurious cars run back and forth on Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai. They could easily enter into the area of starred hotels in Nusa Dua without given any warning. Those luxurious cars of Volvo and Mercedes type even had six doors used to convey VIP guests.

A member of Commission I, Ketut Tama Tenaya, expressed these grievances at Bali House, following the hearing with the executive on last Tuesday (Jan 5) at Renon. The former Deputy Head of Badung House from Nusa Dua stated that the tariff set up reached up to millions of rupiahs per hour. Technical Implementer of Bali Transportation Services, Krisdayanto, after the hearing admitted to have not issued any permit like that of taxi transport. On that account, his party

would assess the matter comprehensively what kinds of vehicle needed giving a permit. In the hearing, the member of Bali House, Nova Sewi Putra, questioned why the permit of taxi only was complained, while that of rent a car or minibus operated to convey guests were not.

The Head of Commission I of Bali House, Made Arjaya, agreed to form a team to assess the permit matter chiefly that of taxi because it has not been assessed for long time, including by involving the assessor team from Udayana University. Expected, a week later the team could invite the operators and drivers to find out the ideal number of permit for taxi in Bali. This assessment was performed to avoid any disputes in the field. For instance, there were grievances of Bali Taxi obtaining the largest number of permit, namely 250 permits out of the 500 quotas.

“We need to check whether Bali Taxi needs such amount of permit,” he said. Previously, taxi drivers pro-

tested against the issuance of permits for some 930 new taxis. Such issuance did not only result in envy, it also caused the income of drivers decrease.

In the meantime, the Technical Implementer of the Head of Bali Transportation Services, Krisdayanto, said that the issuance of such 930 permits was based on the study made in 2005. The result of such study stayed feasible to be used up to 2012.

In the meantime, the Assistant II of Bali Regional Secretary, Ketut Wija, stated that the increase of such taxi permit was based on the request of taxi operator. All companies proposed additional permit considering the 10 percent increase of passenger every year. “If the permit was not issued, the taxi operator will perform a demonstration,” he said. Regarding to the increase of more permits belonging to Bali Taxi, Wija said, because Bali Taxi proposed the most permits, while other taxi operators propose in fewer numbers. (029)

The deed of Latif Tri Atmaja, 19, a resident of Gelgel Kampong, Klungkung, was far too much. Since his love was broken, he was determined to snatch the hand phone and cash belonging to his former girlfriend, namely Gusti Ayu Widia Dirgantari, 23, a resident of Pande Hamlet, Lebah, Semarapura Kangin, Klungkung, last Tuesday (Jan 5). As consequence of his deed, his girlfriend eventually reported the case to Klungkung Resort Police.

Information obtained at location, last Wednesday (Jan 6), told that such snatching occurred around 5:00 pm Local Time. The incident began when the victim (Widia—ed) met the reported (Atmaja—ed) at the house of Muklis Asegar, a resident of Gelgel Kampong to talk about their love relationship. Well, when they met each other, the

victim decided to break her relationship to him.

Like to be struck by lightening, the reported hearing such statement was unacceptable. He then covered her mouth by his palm. More than that, since his heart was broken the reported snatched the handphone and wallet of the victim containing cash worth IDR 4,300,000. Even, he left the victim alone. The victim feeling unacceptable reported the case to Klungkung Resort Police.

Spokesperson of Klungkung Resort Police, Dewa Gde Putra Sugawa when asked about his confirmation justified such snatching. According to Sugawa, the incident was caused by unacceptability of his love broken by the girlfriend. The police officer remained to investigate further the case and asked information to victim, while perpetrator has been arrested at Headquarter of Klungkung Resort Police. (741)

Justiciary Team Closes Stone Crusher Factory at Negari Being Illegal, Indomaret also Sealed Too Semarapura (Den Post)—

Justiciary Team of Klungkung Regency Government began not selectively in controlling the Asphalt Mixing Plant (AMP) and Stone Crusher. Having taken firm action to the three mixing plants at former area of C-class excavation of Gunaksa, Klungkung, last Wednesday (Jan 6), the justiciary team sealed the stone crusher machine operated on Jalan Bypass IB Mantra, right at Negari Hamlet, Tegal Besar, Banjarangkan, Klungkung.

The sealing of such stone crusher was performed because the owner (PT Sinar Bali) only had a recommendation from the Public Works Services—Highway Construction and Maintenance Services (Bina Marga). The owner should follow up the recommendation to submit a permit to Klungkung Government.

However, after examined, in fact, the stone crusher had no permit from Regency Government. On that account, Chief Unit of Civil Servant Police or Satpol PP Klungkung, Komang Sharma Suyasa, together with teens of personnel came to location to enforce the regulation at around 09:00 am Local Time. Moreover, the factory operating for several months has violated the regional legislation No. 4/2005 on environmental pollution and destruction.

The sealing of the stone crusher machine by means of chain and pad-

lock was without resistance from the owner. After negotiating, the member of Satpol PP sealed a number of heavy equipments operated last Wednesday by using chain and padlock.

Other than sealing those heavy equipments, the justiciary team also controlled a temporary stall belonging to Komang Ayu Jegeg located beside the factory. However, the control of that stall got opposition from the owner. However, the member of Satpol PP could confiscate and take a number of goods belonging to that woman from Sekartaji Village, Nusa Penida onto the truck. Since the number of Satpol PP personnel was more, Komang Ayu could do nothing. She submitted to her fate when those goods were confiscated by Satpol PP. “The stall belonging to Komang Ayu has violated the Regional Legislation No. 2/1987 regarding to the border limit of road, so we also control it,” revealed Komang Dharma Suyasa at location on last Wednesday.

Meanwhile, after sealing the stone crusher machine at Negari, the justiciary team resumed their control to Indomaret project on Jalan Gajah Mada Klungkung. At that location, the team asked the construction workers to stop their development activities of Indomaret Supermarket that was in preparing foundation. Moreover, the project has not had any permit from the Klungkung Regency Government. (741)

4

News

Friday, January 8, 2010

International

Gunmen kill 7 at Egypt church after Christmas Mass AP

CAIRO – Egyptian security were searching Thursday for the gunmen who opened fire into a crowd of churchgoers and killed seven in southern Egypt as they left a midnight Mass for Coptic Christmas.

The attack took place in the town of Nag Hamadi in Qena province, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the famous ancient ruins of Luxor.

Egypt’s Interior Ministry said the attack Wednesday just before midnight was suspected as retaliation for the November rape of a Muslim girl by a Christian man in the same town.

The statement said witnesses have identified the lead attacker.

The head of provincial security, Mahmoud Gohar, told reporters in that security agents have identified the lead attacker, an alleged known criminal, and his location has been determined. No arrests have been made yet.

Gohar said security was beefed up in the town and neighboring villages, and checkpoints were erected in the area as tensions ran high among the town’s Christian population. Gohar said an angry crowd from a nearby church smashed two police cars shortly after the attack.

Gohar said the attack happened in the main street about 200 meters (yards) from the church. He said nine people were injured in the attack, including three who were in critical condition.

Christians, mostly Coptic, account for about 10 percent of Egypt’s predominantly Muslim population. As Islamic conservatism gains ground, Christians have increasingly complained about discrimination by the Muslim majority.

Clashes between Muslims and Christians are not uncommon in southern Egypt and in recent years have begun seeping into the capital.

Vendetta killing is also common among southern Egyptians, and is usually over land or family disputes.

Bishop Kirollos of the Nag Hamadi Diocese told The Associated Press six male churchgoers and one security guard were killed. He said he had left St. John’s church just min-

utes before the attack and headed to his residence 600 yards away.

“A driving car swerved near me, so I took the back door. By the time I shook hands with someone at the gate, I heard the mayhem, lots of machine gun shots,” he said in a telephone interview.

He said he saw five bodies lying on the ground from his vantage point. The bishop said he was concerned about violence on the eve of Coptic Christmas, which falls Thursday, because of previous threats following the rape of the 12-year-old girl in November.

He got a message on his mobile phone saying: “It is your turn.”

“I did nothing with it. My faithful were also receiving threats in the streets, some shouting at them: ‘We will not let you have festivities,’” he said.

Because of the threats, he said he ended his Christmas Mass one hour early.

He said Muslim residents of Nag Hamadi and neighboring villages rioted for five days in November and torched and damaged Christian properties in the area after the rape.

“For days, I had expected something to happen on Christmas Day,” he said. The bishop said police have asked him to stay at home for fear of further violence.

Kirollos said the dead were mostly young male teens. Qena is one of Egypt’s poorest and most conservative areas.

An Amnesty International report said sectarian attacks on the Coptic Christian community, comprising between 6 million and 8 million people in Egypt, increased in the year 2008. Sporadic clashes between Coptic Christians and Muslims left eight people dead.

The bishop said the attack could have been driven by vengeance.

Yet, highlighting his fear for the Christian minority, Kirollos said the attack was carried out by “Muslim radicals.”

“Suppose it is vengeance, where was the security?,” he said.

“We are facing a religious war and lax security.”

AP

People chant anti-American slogans during a protest in Jalalabad, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday,.

Blast injures governor of Afghanistan’s Khost AP

KABUL – A bomb exploded in a garbage container outside the governor’s compound in Afghanistan’s restive Khost province on Thursday, slightly injuring the governor, an Interior Ministry spokesman said.

The midday blast broke windows in the building and Gov. Tahr Khan Sabari was cut by the glass but not seriously injured, ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary told The Associated Press. He said no one else was injured. Khost borders Pakistan, where a suicide bomber on Dec. 30 killed seven CIA employees at an agency base.

The province is one of Afghanistan’s most troubled. On Wednesday, at least 15 people were injured in a blast outside a shop in Khost city, the provincial center.

Earlier, three rockets were fired into a residential area of Kabul,

wounding three civilians.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement that two of the rockets hit a house and the third landed in a garden. Local police said the attack was in the Qalafa neighborhood, about three miles (five kilometers) southeast of central Kabul.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

But NATO’s Afghan operation pointed the finger at the Taliban.

“The Taliban-led enemy has again demonstrated an absolute disregard for the Afghan people and their lives,” said U.S. Lt. Gen. David Rodriguez, commander of NATO’s

International Security Assistance Force, in a statement.

Also Thursday, two U.S. senators visiting Afghanistan said American drone strikes just over the border in Pakistan are critical in defeating terrorists in the region.

Attacks by the unmanned aircraft are a controversial element of U.S. strategy. Pakistan has publicly condemned them as a violation of its sovereignty and civilian deaths in the strikes stoke anger against the U.S. But senators John McCain and Joseph Lieberman told journalists in Kabul that they support the strategy.

McCain said the strikes “have knocked al-Qaida and other Islamic extremist organizations off-balance” and that the U.S. is working with Afghanistan and Pakistan to reduce civilian suffering caused by them.

Mexican president says crime now 3rd priority AP

AP

Pope Shenouda III, the head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox church, leads prayers at the Coptic Cathedral.

MEXICO CITY – Mexican President Felipe Calderon said Wednesday that jobs and reducing poverty will be his top two priorities in 2010, while the fight against drug cartels that dominated the first half of his presidency placed third.

In a televised speech, the conservative president promised historic levels of investment in roads, seaports and airports to create jobs as Mexico emerges from a deep economic recession.

“Creating jobs, that is the most important thing for a family to get ahead in life,” said Calderon, whose election campaign cast him as “the

jobs president,” only to see the drug war overshadow that slogan.

Calderon has sent more than 45,000 soldiers into drug-hotspots in recent years to fight powerful cartels.

Violence related to the war on gangs has cost more than 15,000 lives since he took office in late 2006.

But in Wednesday’s speech, Calderon listed “creating jobs” and “fighting extreme poverty” as the first and second objectives for 2010.

The apparent change in emphasis reflects figures that show nationwide unemployment topping 5 percent in November. But that number may be an underestimate, since most of Mexico has no unemployment insurance system and unemployed people

usually seek to eke out a living as street vendors or in other occupations in the informal sector.

Calderon repeated at least five times during the speech that “2010 will be the year of economic recovery.”

The country’s economy grew 2.9 percent in the third quarter over the previous one, but officials estimate Mexico’s GDP will fall about 7 percent in 2009. The country’s Treasury Department says it expects the economy will grow by around 3 percent in 2010.

Calderon said he will fight poverty by “spending more money to build schools, hospitals,” as well as on cash-support programs for poor families.

International IMIGRATION Australian Consulate General Jalan Tantular 32 Renon Denpasar Phone: +62 361 241118 Fax: +62 361 221195 (General) +62 361 241120 (Immigration)

General Info

Friday, January 8, 2010

HOSPITAL Denpasar There are 4 major hospitals usually used by foreigners Denpasar General Hospital (RSUP Sanglah), Kasih Ibu Hospital, Rumah Sakit Wongaya and Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada.

HOSPITAL Bangli Bangli General Hospital Jl. Kesumayuda 27, Bangli Phone : +62 366 91521 Gianyar

Royal Danish & Norwegian Mimpi Resort Jimbaran, Bali Phone +62.361.701 070 The Czech Republic Jalan Pengembak No. 17 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.286 465 France Consulate Agency Jalan Merta Sari Gang II No. 8 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.285 485 The Federal Republic of Germany Jalan Pantai Karang No 17 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.288 535 The Republic of Hungary Jalan By Pass No 219 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.287 701 Italian Consulate Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Jimbaran, Bali Phone +62.361.701 005 Honorary Consulate of Mexico Jalan Mohamad Yamin 1 A, Renon, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.223 266 Honorary Consulate of The Netherlands Jalan Raya Kuta 127, Bali Phone +62.361.761 506 Honorary Consulate of Spain Komplek Istana Kuta Galleria Blok Vallet 2 No 11. Jalan Patih Jelantik Kuta, Bali Phone +62.361.769 286 USA Consulate Agency Jalan Hayam Wuruk No. 188 Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.222 426 Consulate General of Japan Jalan Raya Puputan No. 170 Renon, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.227 628 Honorary Consulate of British Jalan Tirta Nadi No. 20 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.270 601 Swiss and Austria Consulate Jalan Patih Jelantik, Komplek Pertokoan Istana Galleria Phone +62.361.751 735 Honorary Consulate of Brazil Jalan Legian No. 186, Bali Phone +62.361.757 775 Honorary Consulate of Thailand Jalan Raya Puputan Renon 81, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.263 310 Embassy of India Jalan Raya Puputan Renon 42-44, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.241 978 Honorary Consulate of Sweden anf Finland Segara Village Hotel, Jalan Segara Ayu, Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.282 223 Honorary Consulate of Malaysia Alam Kulkul Boutique Resort, Jalan Pantai Kuta, Bali Phone +62.361.752 520

RSUP Sanglah is the main provincial public hospital. Its facilities have improved since the emergency ward had been built in 1991. Difficult/critical cases would not become a problem anymore since it has complete equipments. It is located on Jl. Kesehatan Selatan 1 Sanglah Denpasar with : Phone : 227 911 – 15 Fax : 226 363 Kasih Ibu Hospital is a private hospital which caters for less serious cases such as diarrhea, intestinal disorders, anemia, asthma and minor accidents. Kasih Ibu is also equipped to care for pregnant women. This hospital is located on Jl. Teuku Umar 120 Denpasar.

Phone : 223 036 Fax : 268 690.

Rumah Sakit Wongaya (Public Hospital; Psychiatric Unit) Jl. Kartini, Denpasar.

Phone : 222 142.

Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada , (Private) Jl. Sudirman No 50, Denpasar Phone : 227 560, 234 824 In relating with health, Bali also has insurance and medical evacuation company, that is: AEA International - SOS Assistance Bali.

PT Abhaya Eka Astiti, Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 24X, Kuta 80361.

Phone : 755 768 Fax : 755 768 One thing that should be noted by tourists here is that the Blood Bank in Bali normally carries no stock of Rhesus (Rh) Negative blood.

Badung Bali Medical Clinics There are some medical clinics that are well known by foreigners in Bali. Some of them are western owned and operated : Bali International Medical Center (BIMC) Bali International Medical Centre (BIMC) provides excellent Primary Health Care & Emeregency Medical Services for tourists, traveler, and expatriate living in Bali.

Emeregency Room, Ambulance, Clinic Services, Insurance & Medical Evacuations also available. Open 24 hours Phone : 761 2631. Located Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No.100X, Kuta, Bali 80361 - Indonesia. http://www.bimcbali.com International SOS Clinic Bali Opened in 1999, offers International SOS members and visitors to Bali comprehensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency medical service.

Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai 505X, Kuta 80361, Bali - Indonesia Phone : 720 100 Fax : 721 919 E-mail : info@sos-bali.com ttp ://www.sos-bali.com Bali Nusa Dua Emergency Clinic Jl Pratama No. 81 Phone : 771 324 Kuta Clinic Jl. Raya Kuta Phone : 753 268 Dental Clinic Dr Indra Guizot, Jl. Patimura 19, Denpasar Phone : 222 445, 234 375 DDS. Ritjie Rihartinah, Jl Pratama No. 81 Nusa Dua Phone : 771 324 Retno W. Agung, Jln. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.4A Br. Tamansari – Sanur Phone : 288 501

Clinic Mas Jl. Raya Mas, Ubud Phone : +62 361 974573 Toyo Clinic Jl. Pengosekan, Ubud Phone : +62 361 978078 Permata Bunda Clinic Jl. Patih Jelantik 50 X, Gianyar Phone : +62 361 942082 Ubud Clinic Jl Raya Ubud No.36 Campuhan, Ubud Phone : +62 361 974911 Gianyar General Hospital Jl. Ciung Wanara 2, Gianyar Phone : +62 361 943049 Karangasem Karangasem General Hospital Jl. Ngurah Rai, Karangasem Phone : +62 363 21001 Klungkung Klungkung General Hospital Jl. Flamboyan 40-4, Klungkung Phone : +62 366 21371 Negara Negara General Hospital Jl. Gelar, Negara Phone : +62 365 41006 Tabanan Laboratorium Clinic Jl. Gunung semeru No. 8, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 819260 Mengwi Clinic Jl. I Gusti Ngurah Rai 46, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 880550 Darma Kerti Hospital Jl. Teratai 16, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 812359 Tabanan General Hospital Jl. Pahlawan 14, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 811027 Singaraja Prodia Clinic Jl. RA Kartini 12, Singaraja Bali 0362 - 24-516 Singaraja Hospital Jl. Ngurah Rai 30, Singaraja Bali 0362 - 22-573 Pet Clinics Kayumas: (0361) 226934 Sayang Binatang: (0361) 483121 Satwa Kertha Husada: (0361) 263018 Pantai Sindhu: (0361) 287518 Sidakarya: (0361) 724492 Pedungan: (0361) 720026

TAXIS Praja Taxi : (0361) 289090 Bali Taxi : (0361) 701111 Ngurah Rai Taxi : (0361) 724724 Pan Wirthi Taxi : (0361) 723366 Komotra Taxi : (0361) 758855

5

6

Friday, January 8, 2010

News

Troops storm hotel, end siege in Indian Kashmir AFP

SRINAGAR, India (AFP) – Commandos stormed a hotel in Indian Kashmir on Thursday where two militants had been holed up for nearly 24 hours, killing the gunmen and bringing an end to the siege.

The four-storey hotel in Srinagar, the summer capital of the volatile Himalayan region, was on fire before police announced both the pro-Pakistan extremists had been killed in a morning assault by security forces.

The gunmen — one a Pakistani and the other an Indian Kashmiri, according to police — had taken refuge in the hotel on Wednesday after throwing grenades and opening fire in Srinagar’s main market area.

One police officer was killed in the attack and one bystander succumbed to his injuries Thursday.

“The operation as far as we are concerned is over,” Kuldeep Khuda, the state police chief, told reporters at the scene.

The Indian-administered section of Muslim-majority Kashmir has been wracked by a separatist and anti-India insurgency for two decades, though violence has fallen in recent years.

Divided into Indian and Pakistanicontrolled zones, Kashmir has been the trigger for two wars between the South Asian rivals since their independence from Britain in 1947.

A pro-Pakistan militant group, Jamiat-ul-Mujahedin, claimed it was behind the assault, which left five police and four civilians injured. Police pointed the finger at the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).

India blames LeT for the deadly attacks on Mumbai in 2008 that claimed the lives of 166 people after a highly organised rampage by 10 Islamist gunmen who attacked two luxury hotels among other targets.

Overnight in Srinagar, police fired teargas to disperse scores of anti-India and pro-militant youths who threw

AFP –

Flames engulf the hotel where militants were holed up during a gun battle with Indian security forces stones at security forces, chanting “Kashmiri Mujahedeen, we are with you” and “We want freedom”.

Khuda said the police had cleared the building from the top floor before encountering and killing the first militant early Thursday.

“The other terrorist tried to set the building on fire... and he tried to make his escape but he was shot down,” he said.

Wednesday’s assault came as Indian Kashmir’s chief minister marked his first year in office by pledging to slash the security force presence in the region if violence continued to decline.

Incidents of unrest in Kashmir were down by about 25 percent last year, according to police figures, and India responded by pulling out some 30,000 troops from the region.

In the mid-1990s, part of Lal Chowk,

the main city square that was under siege, was destroyed in a fire that erupted during a gunbattle between rebels and security forces.

The last such attack in the city was staged by two militants on a paramilitary camp in October 2007. The two gunmen were eventually killed while three soldiers were wounded.

Joginder Singh, owner of another hotel in Lal Chowk, said the latest attack “was a nightmarish experience.”

“For the whole night heavy fighting was on and I and my staff were not able to come out. We thought we will die any moment,” said Singh, adding that one of his employees was injured Thursday morning by a stray bullet.

Unrest in Indian Kashmir has left more than 47,000 people dead since the insurgency started two decades ago, according to official figures.

S.Lanka presidential challenger vows press freedom AFP

AFP –

Sri Lanka’s opposition presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka looks on during the launch of his election

COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s former army chief on Thursday launched his manifesto for the January 26 presidential elections, promising greater press freedom and a battle against rampant corruption.

Sarath Fonseka, 59, the main opposition challenger to President Mahinda Rajapakse, said he would scrap the press council which is empowered to shut down news organisations and would introduce a freedom of information act.

Fonseka has already announced he would, if elected, introduce laws to amend the all-powerful executive presidency and revert the country to a parliamentary democracy within six months.

“I will abolish the executive presidency, the press council and replace it with a freedom of information bill,” Fonseka said in a speech.

Fonseka was himself accused orches-

trating attacks against journalists when he was the army chief leading the military’s successful offensive to defeat the Tamil Tiger rebels. More than a dozen journalists and media workers have been killed in the past four years and several journalists have been arrested for cricitising the government. Fonseka’s campaign received a boost on Wednesday when the country’s main minority Tamil coalition pledged support for him.

Rajapakse has also stepped up his campaign by granting salary increases to all teachers, raising pensions and slashing interest rates on agricultural loans.

The president had called the early poll to capitalise on the victory over Tamil Tigers, who launched their battle for a Tamil homeland in 1972.

Fonseka and Rajapakse have been at loggerheads since the end of the conflict in May. Fonseka quit after accusing the government of sidelining him and falsely suspecting him of trying to stage a coup.

New Zealand, Australia to probe whaling protest collision AFP

WELLINGTON (AFP) – New Zealand and Australia said Thursday they would investigate a Japanese whaling ship’s alleged ramming of a protest boat in Antarctic waters, as activists claimed only luck prevented someone being killed.

The two countries, opponents of Japan’s whaling programme, also urged protesters from the militant Sea Shepherd anti-whaling organisation and the whalers to stop risking human lives in the isolated Southern Ocean.

The whalers and Sea Shepherd protesters blame each other for Wednesday’s collision, which ended with the six crew members on the Ady Gil being rescued by another protest vessel.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the country’s maritime authorities had responsibility for the New Zealand-registered Ady Gil, a hi-tech trimaran which had its bow demolished in the collision with the Shonan Maru No.2.

Related article: Anti-whalers fight to save stricken superboat Separately, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard ordered the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to probe the incident, which occurred in Australia’s area of responsibility for search and rescue.

“It’s clear that emotions are running high and that lives are at risk.

In fact it seems miraculous to me, having seen the video, that lives were not lost during this incident,” Gillard told reporters.

McCully joined Gillard in urging the protesters and whalers not to put lives at risk.

“The New Zealand government is totally opposed to Japanese whaling taking place in the Southern Ocean, but we’re also opposed to killing human beings down there as well.”

Japan has complained to Wellington about the collision involving the New Zealand-registered protest boat, top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano, said in Tokyo.

“We have lodged strong protests with the New Zealand government,” Hirano said in a regular press con-

ference.

“We have strongly demanded that similar incidents are not be repeated.”

But Sea Shepherd chief Paul Watson said his organisation would continue harassing the Japanese whaling fleet despite the setback.

Related article: Film stars back antiwhalers “It handicaps us, it’s a two million dollar hit on our organisation, plus it takes away our fast interceptor vessel but this is a war,” he told AFP by satellite phone from the Southern Ocean.

“As far as I’m concerned, these whales are worth far more than our ships.”

Ady Gil skipper Pete Bethune said the blame for the collision lay squarely with the Japanese ship and he said it was lucky there were no fatalities, although one crew member suffered broken ribs.

“We were lucky there was no-one in the sleeping quarters or someone would have died,” Bethune told Radio New Zealand.

“I think what was demonstrated yesterday was the Japanese whalers are just a bunch of thugs.”

But Glenn Inwood, a New Zealand-based spokesman for the Japanese Institute of Cetacean Research, which conducts the whaling, said the protesters were to blame.

Referring to calls by Australia and New Zealand for an easing of the confrontation, Inwood said the whaling vessels were already acting with restraint. Japan slams protestors “The Japanese vessels are protecting themselves from a campaign of violent harassment,” he told AFP. Asked if the whalers would cooperate fully with the investigations, Inwood said that would be an issue between the Japanese and New Zealand governments.

Watson said Sea Shepherd would cooperate with the inquiries but did not expect them to achieve much.

An international moratorium on commercial whaling was imposed in 1986 but Japan kills hundreds of the animals each year using a loophole that allows “lethal research” on whales.

AFP/Sea Shepherd/Ho –

The Sea Shepherd’s ship Ady Gil after it was hit by Japanese whaling vessel Shonan Maru No. 2 (background)

Indonesia Today

International

Friday, January 8, 2010

7

House Bank Century Committee to re-summon five BI officials Antara

FOTO ANTARA/Widodo S. Jusuf

Chief of The House Bank Century Inquiry Committe Idrus Marham (right) and BI’s Deputy Governor Muliaman D. Hadad (left) walk to the meeting roon at House Office on Thursday, January 7, 2010.

JAKARTA - The House Bank Century Inquiry Committee on Thursday morning will re-summon five Central Bank (BI) high officials and former functionaries for questioning at Parliament building.

Chief of the committee, Idrus Marham, said two of the Central Bank officials to be questioned at 10.00 west Indonesian time (WIB) were BI’s Deputy Governors Budi Mulia and Muliaman D Hadad.

The other three BI officials former Director for Bank Supervision Zainal Abidin, Director of Banking Research and Regulation Halim Alamsyah and Vice Director for Bank Supervision Heru Kristiana would be questioned at noon.

“We will question them more about the 2001 merging of three ailing banks into Bank Century,” he said, adding that the committee would finish their investigation over the three bank’s merger and BI’s Short Term Funding Facility (FPJP) given to Century Bank on Thursday (Jan 7).

“The house committee will have an internal meeting tonight to issue some provisional conclusions over the merger and FPJP theme. We expect all issues related to Century Bank case will be clarified to the related authorities before the end of the

committee’s working period on March 4, 2010,” Idrus said.

The house committee, based on several agendas set up in the internal meeting last Monday (Jan 4), was also scheduled to question Century Bank’s former owner Robert Tantular today.

On Wednesday (Jan 6), the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) examined another BI official, Budi Armanto, (director with the Directorate of Bank Supervision) in connection with the Century Bank bailout case especially about Mandatory Supervisory Actions (MSA).

MSA refers to actions to improve a bank following a notification from the central bank that the capital adequacy ratio of the bank concerned is already minus and therefore the bank is put under supervision.

The questions are about MSA,” Budi said after the grilling.

He said KPK investigators have asked about the steps that have been taken by the Century Bank management after the bank was put under central bank supervision.

Budi had also been questioned about the withdrawal of funds in the bank by affiliated parties or those connected with the bank’s shareholders.

Former Chief Detective testifies in Antasari court trial Antara

JAKARTA - The National Police’s former chief detective, Commissioner General Susno Duadji, gave alleviating testimony at a court session trying former Corruption Eradication Commission’s (KPK) chief Antasari Azhar on Thursday.

Susno’s appearance at the South Jakarta District Court session drew a sharp reaction from public prosecutor Cirus Singa who questioned Susno’s presence in the court. He asked Susno to show written authorization from his institution to attend the court hearing.

“Usually a police officer who wants to testify in court brings an official authorization letter with him,” Sinaga said.

Antasari’s lawyer, Juniver Girsang, countered the prosecutor’s argument saying that Susno had come to the court as a citizen and

thus did not need an official letter from his institution.

“This is in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedures (KUHAP),” he said.

Antasari is on trial for allegedly masterminding the murder of businessman Nasrudin Zulkarnain.

Jamu to be used in public health services Antara

KENDAL, C Java - Jamu or traditional Indonesian herbal medicine will in future be used in public health services alongside conventional drugs, Health Minister Endang Rahayu S. said here Wednesday.

“Even now, jamu is already being officially used in public health services, albeit still in a promotional sense and for preventive purposes,” Endang said after launching a program to scientifically certify a number of jamu products.

Jamu was now still being used to promote it among the public and as preventive medication, but eventually it will also be applied in curative processes, the minister said.

“Then, jamu will also serve as a means to rehabilitate a person’s health, or in recuperating from an illness,” she said.

Therefore, the government had deemed it necessary to sponsor the scientific certification of jamu through qualitative and quantitative research.

To support the use of jamu in public health services, there would also be physicians and clinics specializing in jamu-based medicine, and jamu or herbal dispensaries, Endang said.

Developments in the states of health of patients being treated in jamu clinics would also be put on record as part of the quantitative and qualitative studies of jamu’s efficacy in curing illnesses.

The minister said Indonesia had thousands of herbal medicines whose curative properties were already known decades ago. Now it was time to produce them according to scientifically established standards and procedures, and make them part of the country’s pharmacopoeia “before other parties do so,” Endang said.

Nasrudin was shot after playing golf at Modernland Golf Course in Tangerang, west of Jakarta, on March 14, 2009.

The murder case also involved former South Jakarta police resort chief Senior Commissioner Williardi Wizard, businessman Sigit Haryo Wibisono and businessman Jerry Hermawan Lo in addition to several executors.

Susno Duadji himself is being investigated by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for his al-

leged involvement in the disbursement of Budi Sampoerna’s funds at troubled Century Bank. He also came in the public spotlight after a record of wiretapped telephone conversations of businessman Anggodo Widjojo played in a Constitutional Court session proved he had had a liaison with the brother of fugitive corruption suspect Anggoro Widjojo.

In the phone conversation, Susno and Anggodo discussed what appeared to be actions to frame two KPK deputy chiefs.

KPK postpones questioning session with Anggodo Antara

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on Thursday postponed a questioning session with businessman Anggodo Widjojo because KPK investigators still wanted to obtain a deeper understanding of certain pertinent matters.

“The questioning of Anggodo has been postponed because KPK investigators want to obtain a deeper understanding of related matters,” KPK spokesman Johan Budi told newsmen here on Thursday.

Johan Budi did not elaborate on the reason for the postponement and only said the businessman would be questioned on Friday.

The KPK spokesman had previously said

a summons had already been served on Anggodo but on Thursday he corrected his statement by saying the summons was sent only earlier in the day.

“In fact, we sent the summons to Anggodo today (Thursday) for questioning on Friday,” Johan Budi said, correcting his earlier statement about the letter.

He said Anggodo Widjojo would be questioned on Friday for a bribery attempt and for efforts to hamper an investigation being carried out by KPK. Anggodo Widjojo is the younger brother of Anggoro Widjojo who has been named by the KPK as a suspect for bribery in the supply of an Integrated Radio Communication System to the Forestry Ministry.

8

Internationa

Friday, January 8, 2010

Bali Today Bali contribute 38% to Indonesian tourists visitation Antara

DENPASAR – The number of foreign tourists visited Bali was 2.3 million people or 38% from the total number of foreign tourists coming to Indonesia which was 5.7 million tourists. http://upload.wikimedia.org

Ida Komang Wisnu, the head of Bali Statistics Department, said “Ngurah Rai International Airport has important role compare to the other airports which receive foreign tourists from throughout the world.”

Soekarno-Hatta Jakarta contribute 21% from the total number of foreign tourists visited Indonesia, Batam 15% and other airports such as Medan and Makasar was 24%. Wisnu said that the number of foreigners visited Bali during January through November 2009 was 2.1 million people.

The number increase 13% compared to the same period last year which was 1.9 million tourists. “The number was not in-

cluded December which is predicted higher than the number of tourists in November,” Wisnu added.

Australia is still the number one country that sends its citizen to Bali as tourists. The number of tourists from Australia last year was 398,787 people. The number increased 39% compared to the previous year.

Most of the tourists were using air transport and only 862 people were coming from the sea using cruise ship.

Australia contributed 18% from the total number of tourists visited Bali. Next on the list were Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, France, and England.

Garuda Indonesia cooperated with several tourism agents, promote “Tirtha Yatra” package or spiritual trip to Mount Salak in Bogor for two days. The participants will travel through Jakarta and the package will cost only IDR2 million.

Garuda promote ”Tirtha Yatra” package Antara

DENPASAR – PT. Garuda Indonesia cooperated with several tourism agents, promote “Tirtha Yatra” package or spiritual trip to Mount Salak in Bogor for two days. The participants will travel through Jakarta and the package will cost only IDR2 million.

Bagus Y Siregar, the General Manager of PT Garuda Indonesia, said “the flight will be done at night time in order to cover the lees amount of domestic passengers at that time.”

He explained that the “Tirtha Yatra” package can increase the load factor for night flights up to 70%.

“The demand for religious travel is quite high especially after we cooperated with travel agents,” Bagus said.

Garuda Indonesia also gives special reward for the travel agent which can sell the package the most.

The company will give special voucher to the agent. Bagus said “hopefully by giving the reward, they will try harder to sell the pack-

age and ticket.”

While for the international flights, Bagus said there were no drastic changes. The highest increase was happened during the Christmas and New Year holiday.

Approximately for 10 days, the domestic load factor was reaching the highest point which was 100%.

After January 5th 2010, the load factor decreased to its normal state which was 80%. “The peak was started on December 26th through December 31st 2009,” he added.

Ayana appoints new executive chef IBP

JIMBARAN - Ayana Resort and Spa Bali is pleased to announce the appointment of Giordano Faggioli as Executive Chef to oversee its 13 restaurants and bars, InRoom Dining and banqueting services.

Giordano brings more than 20 years’ experience in luxury hotels and restaurants to his role, including Executive Chef positions at the St Regis Beijing, and Four Seasons Resorts in Chiang Mai and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

The Italian native, who grew up in a small farming town of just 1500 people, said he jumped at the opportunity to work at Ayana, which has been honored with several industry awards following its re-branding last Photo by Ayana Resort and Spa

Giordano Faggioli

April under the management of West Paces Hotel Group. The most recent accolade was Asia’s Leading Luxury Resort at the World Travel Awards 2009 in London.

“I had heard many good things about the property and was excited to work with Horst Schulze and his team at West Paces,” Giordano said.

From the region of Emilia Romagna in northern Italy, renowned for its homemade fresh pasta, cured meats, asparagus, and seafood fresh from the Adriatic Sea, Giordano’s career has seen him travel widely in south-east Asia. He said the opportunity to work in Bali was a bonus to joining Ayana’s team.

“The Balinese are well-known for their hospitality and friendliness, and now I can understand why this is so often voted the World’s Number One Island. It truly is a beautiful place with

beautiful people.”

He arrived in Bali just before the busy Christmas and New Year period, and just as AYANA unveiled its latest renovation, of Damar Terrace restaurant, one of seven restaurants spread out around the 77-hectare property. Giordano said he has been amazed at the sheer quality and diversity of the culinary experiences at Ayana.

“This is the type of resort that food and wine connoisseurs dream of,” said Giordano.

General Manager Charles de Foucault said Giordano’s strong background at high-end restaurants and luxury hotels would further enhance the dining experiences available at Ayana’s restaurants.

“Giordano possesses a wealth of experience and creativity, and we look forward to seeing the ‘Giordano touch’ take our culinary service to new heights.” (iah)

al

Friday, January 8, 2010

Balinese Culture Jaja Batun Bedil

A Journey into the History and Mystery of Bali Undeniably, bliss or happiness has become a dream and destination of most people. Career and material achievement are the bridge to reach it. However, when arriving at the height of these, sometimes people encounters there is something lost. Ultimately, they travel to several parts of the world to look for a satisfying answer of this matter.

Many favorite destinations of the world now offer the combination of leisure and spirituality as if these two words had become new mantra in travel trend. Traveling for this purpose is focused on the experience and journey. It digs out selfpotential and human achievement in the past, chiefly on self-realization and his relation to nature and the Creator. This kind of tourism is appropriate for those wishing to pursue the answer above.

In the journey of time, local history records that the Balinese community has a bright achievement in spiritual development. Some footprints can be encountered through the heritage at favorite destinations.

Gunung Kawi sanctuary, for instance, becomes a proof of spiritual activity established during the administration of the King Anak Wungsu (11th century). Next to the cave temples occurs a series of meditation cells. The

rock was cut to make some cloisters and meditation cells. At this location, ancient people can practice their meditation. It is a truly tranquil place situated at the Petanu riverside.

Another important location is nestled at the Elephant Cave or Goa Gajah, Gianyar. It is estimated to have been founded during the reign of Warmadeva Dynasty (10th century).

The sanctuary is known as Kunjarapada where Kunjara (Sanskrit) means elephant and pada means location. In the mass, this name represents that it became the last destination of Maharishi Agastya in providing his spiritual enlightenment in Bali.

Today, visitors can trace back and enjoy a variety of experiences in spiritual travel, ranging from visiting great temples to ancient sanctuaries used to practice yoga. Even, yoga class has now been offered at several hotels, villas and yoga centers at main destinations of Bali. Meanwhile, for relaxation and rejuvenation visitors can try some spa treatments in the combination of traditional method and ingredients with modern technique.

These are often promoted through illustrious catchphrases mentioning as product of mind, body and soul. To sum up, by visiting Bali you can enrich your experience related to spiritual and wellness. Though the tradi-

tion has been created hundreds of years ago, its practice and benefits remain relevant to modern life today.

More than that, Bali as a tourist destination also implements the concept of indigenous wisdom called Tri Hita Karana (THK). It stands for an integrated application of social, environmental and spiritual aspect in tourism development and practices. Approximately one hundred hotels or villas and tourist objects throughout Bali participate in the annual competition of THK Awards. It is intended to implement and preserve this sublime concept in their business practices. By doing so, it is expected they could give the best satisfaction to customer, surrounding community and the operator going hand in hand with the conservation of nature.

Ultimately, inspired by Hinduism, indigenous wisdom and local tradition, the island has a variety of treasures, endless activities and ‘mystery’ to explore. They have become integrated part of Balinese life.

Many visitors come and go. Some get interested to join the ceremony, to roam pristine villages, or even to stay at ashrams for weeks. Hopefully, one of the activities above can become an answer for those wishing to balance their life with any achievement at hand. (BTN/punia)

(Sticky Rice Cake In Brown Sugar Sauce Overview: The uninteresting appearance of this dessert belies its delightful flavor and creamy texture.

Dumplings: 1 cup glutinous rice flour ½ cup tapioca flour ¾ cup water ¼ tsp salt Make dumplings first. Place rice and tapioca flour in deep mixing bowl and make a well in the center. Add water and salt, mix well and knead dough until it can be rolled and shaped. Dough should not be too dry. Roll small dumplings 1 cm (1/2 in) in diameter. Bring 4 liters (8 cups) of water to boil. Add dumplings, bring back to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set dumplings aside.

Sauce: 3 cups water 1 cup coconut milk 1/3 cup palm sugar syrup 1 pandan leaf Pinch of salt To make sauce, combine water, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandan leaf, and pinch of salt in small stockpot. Bring to boil. Add flour dumplings and simmer for 20 minutes. Cool and serve at room temperature.

To make palm sugar syrup Combine 2 cups of chopped palm sugar with 1 cup of water and 2 pandan leaves. Bring to boil, simmer 10 minutes, strain and store in refrigerator. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

Gedang Mekuah (Green Papaya Soup with Seafood) Overview: Unripe papayas are often used as a vegetable in Bali.

If these are not available, you can use summer squash or Chinese winter melon.

Ingredients: 1 unripe papaya, weighing roughly 750 gr (1½ lb) 1 cup spice paste for seafood 1 liter chicken stock ¼ liter coconut milk 2 salam leaves 1 stalk lemon grass, bruised ¼ tsp powdered black pepper 100 gr shrimps, clams, and mussels 100 gr diced firm fish 1 tsp salt Fried shallots to garnish Preparation: 1. Heat stock, add seafood, marinade and bring to boil. Simmer 2 minutes 2. Add salam leaves, lemongrass and papaya, simmer gently until the papaya is 95% tender. Add coconut milk and seafood and continue to simmer (do not boil) until papaya and seafood is tender.

3. If the stock reduces too much, add more stock 4. Season to taste with pepper and salt and garnish with fried shallots.

Note: If you wish to prepare a lighter version of this soup then leave coconut milk and seafood out. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

9

10

Destinations

Friday, January 8, 2010

International

Kintamani KINTAMANI is the most favorite tourist destinations in Bali with the active volcano of mount Batur and beautiful lake. Kintamani is surrounded by the captivating nature and there are six ancient villages around cauldron of Batur Lake which is often conceived by Bali Age Village. The local people from these Bali Age villages own the unique cultures, houses and life style. Kintamani Area is consisted of some Villages those are Kedisan Village , Buahan, Abang, Trunyan, Songan, South Batur, Middle Batur, North Batur, Sukawana and Kintamani Village . The total of resident in these area are about 15 thousand who are mostly working as farmer, merchant, or work at industrial tourism.

Mount Batur is located at Kintamani and it has erupted about 24 times since year 1800 and still active up to now. Since the mount erupting, it has impacted to the local society life around this mount, like removing altar (Temple), improve or repairing the village and re-arrange the tradition. Lake Batur is the biggest lake in Bali and functioning as irrigation source to all farmers around it and it is also for all Bali society generally. Kintamani area has been founded some lodging, hotels and restaurants which are

located in Kintamani and Penelokan Village. It is a famous tourist place because Kintamani area owns the beautiful panorama and it is encircled by the cold atmosphere.

Kintamani is beautifully seen at the day time around 10:00 am until 15:00 pm especially having fine weather where entire Kintamani area will be able to be seen clearly. Generally, all tourists who pay a visit to this place will arrive in the day time where they can enjoy the panorama or enjoy the lunch in the local restaurant with lake view. Mostly restaurants at Kintamani generally own very beautiful view where tourist merging into their lunch in this restaurant and meanwhile enjoy the panorama.

Kintamani is located in Kintamani sub district, Bangli Regency and about 50 km from Denpasar Town or about 2 hours by car. All roads are generally in good condition to access to this place. The fog will descend and blanket entire area of Kintamani with cold temperature in particular at late afternoon until the whole of night.

The most amazing panorama at Kintamani can be seen in the morning time, when the sunrise emerges on the surface of earth precisely on the mount Batur. (www.balistarisland.com)

International Bali Post Classifieds Contact us

THE CCTV SYSTEM TOTAL SOLUTION

... gets maximum benefits with minimum charge Denpasar : +62 361 22-5764 Jakarta : +62 21 535-6271

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

r pe Su ve Sa

Hub:

SICA SECURITY Rimo Trade Center Jl. Diponogoro Lt. II No. C5 Telp. 8047438 233259 ext. 209

G.1039-ibp

G.1036-ibp

G.2055-ibp

Specialis in :

CAMERA CCTV DIGITAL SYSTEM, SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM, ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM Ruko Graha Mahkota No. B-9, Jl Teuku Umar Denpasar

Telp. 254-908 ; 254-909 Fax. 254-961 G.1042-ibp

G.1043-ibp

G.2090-ibp

Friday, January 8, 2010

11

BUSINESS This file photo taken on February 17, 2009 shows a woman walking past Bank of East Asia advertising in Hong Kong.

AFP PHOTO / FILES / MIKE CLARKE

Asia urged to mull common currency, monetary fund Agence France-Presse

SINGAPORE - Asia should consider a common currency and push for a regional monetary fund as economic integration picks up speed, a former top Japanese finance official said Thursday.

Eisuke Sakakibara, who served as Japan’s vice finance minister for international affairs during the Asian financial crisis, admitted that a common currency may be some time off but argued it was time to think about the idea.

“It may be several decades to create an Asian currency, but it may be the time to start thinking about it because Asian economic integration is gradually approaching the level of Europe,” he told a regional forum in Singapore.

His comments come as the global economy slowly moves out of its worst crisis in more than 70 years, with most analysts acknowledging Asian nations were leading the way.

Key Asian states have been moving to tear down trade barriers and streamline disparate trading rules and procedures in a bid to better link their economies.

A network of free trade agreements

has already been signed and more are under negotiation. And on January 1, a giant free trade zone covering 1.7 billion consumers in China and 10 Southeast Asian nations went into effect.

Sakakibara, now a university professor in Tokyo, also said an Asian version of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has become more relevant given the region’s deepening economic linkages.

Such a fund will help ensure that central banks have enough to shield their currencies from speculative attacks like those during the 1997-1998 Asian crisis.

“East Asian countries together now own close to five trillion dollars of foreign reserves... If we could use about five percent of those foreign reserves, it would be around 250 billion dollars which is enough to create the common fund,” he said.

“I think it is about time that we start

to... try to coordinate our foreign exchange policies and eventually try to coordinate our monetary policies.”

He added that a regional monetary fund “today is possible and probably desirable.”

Japan proposed the creation of an Asian Monetary Fund during the 1997 meltdown after the IMF came under heavy fire for the way it handled the crisis.

Sakakibara, who was Japan’s top currency official at the time, had said the United States opposed the idea, fearing an Asian fund could dilute the influence of the Washington-based IMF. He told the forum on Thursday that a 120 billion dollar currency swap fund to be launched by East Asian economies in March could be developed to become an Asian Monetary Fund, adding it could be “supplementary” to the IMF and not replace it.

Japan’s new finance minister says wants yen to weaken Agence France-Presse

TOKYO - Japan’s new Finance Minister Naoto Kan said Thursday that he wanted the yen to weaken, causing the currency to drop on the foreign exchange market.

“My thinking is that it would be preferable if the correction continues toward a weaker yen,” he said at his first press conference since being named to replace outgoing Hirohisa Fujii.

Kan said he would cooperate with the central bank to steer the yen to an appropriate level, in a break from his

predecessor’s tolerance of a stronger currency.

The dollar rose to 92.67 yen in the wake of the remarks, from around 92.2 yen shortly before Kan spoke. While Japan has not intervened in the currency market since March 2004, allowing the yen to find its own level against the dollar, the finance minister’s comments on currencies can have a big impact on trading.

Fujii, who is stepping down for health reasons, has repeatedly said that in principle Tokyo should refrain from market intervention to weaken the yen and protect exporters.

AFP PHOTO / TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA

Newly appointed Japanese Finance Minister Naoto Kan

Fed members see high unemployment as long-term worry Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON - Federal Reserve members expressed concern at a policy meeting last month that unemployment would “remain elevated for quite some time,” and limit economic growth, minutes released Wednesday showed.

The minutes from the December 15-16 Federal Open Market Committee showed a range of economic views from central bank policymakers and staff but persistent worries on joblessness and how it may impact the recovery from recession.

“The weakness in labor markets continued to be an important concern to meeting participants, who generally expected unemployment to remain elevated for quite some time,” the minutes showed.

“Although the November employment report was considerably better than anticipated, several participants observed that more than one good report would be needed to provide convincing evidence of recovery in the labor market.”

The report on November unemployment showed job losses narrowed to 11,000, offering hope of a return to growth in the ailing labor market, as the unemployment rate dipped slightly to 10.0 percent.

But Fed members “noted that the slowing pace of employment declines mainly reflected a diminished pace of layoffs; few firms were hiring,” the minutes stated.

“Moreover, the unusually large fraction of those individuals with jobs who were working part time for economic reasons, as well as the uncommonly low level of the average workweek, pointed to only a gradual decline in unemployment as the economic recovery proceeded.”

The minutes stated that “the prognosis for labor markets remained an important factor in the outlook for consumer spending,” which is the main driver of US economic activity.

“Uncertain job prospects, modest growth in real incomes, tight credit, and wealth levels that remained relatively low despite this year’s rise in equity prices and stabilization in house prices were seen as likely to weigh on consumer confidence and the growth of consumer spending for some time to come,” the minutes said.

Against this backdrop, “a few members” suggested that the central bank might might need “to provide more policy stimulus” by expanding the planned asset purchases, which some call quantitative easing, to pump more money into the financial system.

By contrast, one member saw “improvement in financial market conditions” enough to warrant a pullback in Fed asset purchases.

The Fed staff report presented to members meanwhile “suggested that the recovery in economic activity was gaining momentum,” the minutes said.

It noted that “the pace of job losses slowed noticeably in recent months, and total hours worked increased in November” even though the unemployment rate “remained quite elevated.”

The staff review noted that industrial production “sustained the broad-based expansion that began in the third quarter,” and that consumer spending “increased at a solid pace in October.”

At the December meeting, the central bank extended its record low interest rates and reaffirmed this policy would remain in place “for an extended period” to support a still-precarious economic recovery.

The Fed maintained the federal funds base rate of a range of zero to 0.25 percent, which has been in place for the past year under a plan to revive economic activity.

The panel headed by Chairman Ben Bernanke did acknowledge some improvement in economic conditions, notably in the troubled labor market, but indicated this was not enough to shift away from a massive stimulus effort.

12

Friday, January 8, 2010

Entertainment

International

Vampires rule People’s Choice Awards LOS ANGELES – The people have chosen vampires. “The Twilight Saga,” “True Blood” and “The Vampire Diaries” all sucked up trophies Wednesday at the 36th annual People’s Choice Awards. “Twilight” won four trophies, including favorite movie, franchise and onscreen team for the dreamy trio of Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, who also picked up the breakout male actor award.

The undead HBO fable “True Blood” and the soapy supernatural CW series “The Vampire Diaries” were respectively selected as favorite TV obsession and favorite new TV drama. Other winners in categories spanning movies, TV and music included “Inglourious Basterds” as favorite independent movie and Lady Gaga as favorite pop and breakout music artist. Queen Latifah, who returned as host of the fan-favorite ceremony for the fourth

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

Taylor Lautner accepts the award for favorite breakout movie actor at the People’s Choice Awards on Wednesday Jan. 6, 2010, in Los Angeles.

consecutive year, kicked off the show at the Nokia Theatre with a jazzy name-dropping number.

Stars such as Hugh Jackman, Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Ashton Kutcher, Taylor Swift and Ellen DeGeneres were on hand to accept their awards selected by Internet votes. “One for each of Sandra Bullock’s toes,” joked 11-time People’s Choice Awards champion DeGeneres. Other TV winners included “American Idol” as favorite competition show, “Glee” as favorite new TV comedy, Steve Carell as favorite TV comedy actor, Alyson Hannigan as favorite TV comedy actress, “The Big Bang Theory” as favorite TV comedy, “House” as favorite TV drama,

Hugh Laurie as favorite TV drama actor and “Supernatural” as favorite fantasy TV show.

Winners in the movie categories included Bullock as favorite movie actress, Jackman as favorite action star, “The Proposal” as favorite comedy movie and “Up” for favorite family movie. Sacha Baron Cohen, appearing as himself and not as his alter-egos Borat or Bruno, presented Johnny Depp with a special award as favorite movie actor of the decade.

“The only reason that any of us are up here is because of you,” Depp told the audience. Throughout the show, Latifah appeared in spoofs of “Twilight” and “Paranormal Activity,” which featured a cameo by Cloris Leachman clad in a sexy leather ensemble. The show also featured performances by Mary J. Blige, Cobra Starship and Nicole Scherzinger, as well as debut footage from “Clash of the Titans,” “Robin Hood” and “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.”

Sylvester Stallone Has A Eva La Rue Engaged To Former Fiancé Metal Plate In His Neck Due To ‘Expendables’ SYLVESTER Stallone was forced to undergo major surgery after an epic fight scene for new action blockbuster The Expendables went wrong - he fractured his neck in a freak accident.

Stallone, 63, who performed his own stunt work on the set of the movie, was left reeling in pain after one fight with wrestling star Stone Cold Steve Austin turned so “vicious” he had to undergo corrective surgery - and now has a plate in his neck.

He tells Britain’s FHM magazine, “It was seven guys, kicking

each other’s a**, one guy tougher than the next. No joke, our stunt guys were begging for mercy. My fight with Stone Cold Steve Austin was so vicious that I ended up getting a hairline fracture in my neck.

I’m not joking. I haven’t told anyone this, but I had to have a very serious operation afterwards. I now have a metal plate in my neck.”

Stallone stars alongside fellow tough guys Bruce Willis, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke and Jason Statham in the movie, in which a group of mercenaries attempt to overthrow a South American dictator.

MIAMI star Eva La Rue is engaged to ex-boyfriend Joe Cappuccio again - nearly a year after they first called off their wedding plans. The actress broke off her engagement to the seafood businessman in February and the couple then decided to part ways, according to RadarOnline.com. They reconciled in November and now they’re once again hoping to exchange vows - after Cappuccio proposed for the second time during an island vacation.

She says, “It’s a new one (ring)!

We just got engaged a few days ago.

We got engaged in Bora Bora just last week. It was just awesome. He had a table set up by the water, so we had a private dinner on the beach, then we went swimming with the

manta rays. It was awesome! I’m still bubbling.” And the adventurous star is hoping to tie the knot in a wild wedding in Thailand.

She adds, “We’re actually thinking we’re going to elope but with family and a couple of friends. We thinking about (getting married in) Thailand - because there’s a tent camp there that’s got elephants - they have an elephant safari. We were thinking we would get married on elephants!

We just thought that would be so awesome because we love to travel, so we thought what’s more exotic and awesome than getting married on elephants in Thailand?” The 43-yearold actress was previously married to her All My Children co-star John Callahan and actor John O’Hurley.

Christina Aguilera: ‘Motherhood Inspired New Album’ ‘MOTHERHOOD Inspired New Album’Christina Aguilera credits her son with inspiring her new album, insisting motherhood has completely changed her musical style. The singer’s fourth album, Biopic, hits stores in March - and Aguilera warns fans to expect a different sound from her previous recordings.

Aguilera, who gave birth to son Max in February 2007, explains, “I had a really hard time being light before. I’d get a little weird about it being too clichéd. My first record was very clichéd pop - what everyone else wanted. Stripped was in-

spired by a lot of pain and Back to Basics still had some sort of relation to my past.”

“My new one is just about the future - my son in my life, motivating me to want to play and have fun.”

However, she insists she’s not yet ready to retire her raunchy stage outfits - even though she’s now a mother.

Aguilera adds, “As far as motherhood affecting me creatively goes like, ‘I shouldn’t be wearing that because I’m a mom’ it hasn’t. That wouldn’t be fair to me. It’s important to keep a strong sense of yourself when you’re a mom. You’re still you.”

Life Style

International

Mitsubishi 3D glasses are shown in front of an 82-inch Mitsubishi Home Theater TV with 3DReady technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010. The showroom floor opens on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010.

AP Photo/Paul Sakuma

TV makers ready to test depths of market for 3-D Associated Press Writer

LAS VEGAS – This is supposedly the year 3-D television becomes the hot new thing: Updated sets and disc players are coming out, and 3-D cable channels are in the works. But it’s not clear the idea will reach out and grab mainstream viewers. Besides having to spring for expensive new TVs, people would have to put on awkward special glasses to give the picture the illusion of depth. That limits 3-D viewing to times when viewers can sit down and focus on a movie or show.

It’s one thing to put on 3-D glasses in a theater, but “at home, you’re with other people in the living room, running to the kitchen and doing other things,” said Greg Ireland of the research firm IDC. Unfazed by the potential hang-ups, the biggest TV makers began revealing their 3-D models Wednesday before the official opening of the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics Co.’s consumer division, said in an interview that 10 to 14 percent of the roughly 35 million TVs sold in the U.S. this year will be 3-D-capable.

Samsung is determined to make 3-D a big feature on its more expensive TVs this year. It’s teaming with DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. to make the Bluray 3-D version of the movie “Monsters vs. Aliens” an exclusive for buyers of Samsung’s 3-D TVs. Panasonic Corp. said it will debut four 3-D sets this spring, but they won’t be LCD sets, the most common type of flat

panel. Instead, Panasonic is using plasma panels, saying the viewing quality will be superior to 3-D on LCDs. Sony Corp. said its 3-D sets will be out this summer.

Some will come with glasses, others will be “3-D ready,” which means that buyers will have to complement with a separate plug-in device and glasses for 3-D viewing.

LG Electronics Inc. said it will introduce 47-inch and 55-inch flat-panel TVs with 3-D capabilities in May. LG didn’t announce exact prices for its new sets. But Tim Alessi, director of product development at LG Electronics USA, said 3-D TV sets will likely cost $200 to $300 more than comparable flat-panel sets without 3-D capabilities, which already run more than $1,000. Even Vizio Inc., which is one of the TV market share leaders in the U.S. but mainly sells inexpensive sets, said it would have 3-D capabilities on its larger, higher-end sets.

Manufacturers aren’t counting on 3D to take over instantly. Color TV and

high definition caught on over many years. Like those earlier advances, 3-D programming requires upgrades throughout the TV and movie infrastructure, from shooting to editing to distribution. Incidentally, Samsung and Dreamworks are working with Technicolor, which pioneered color movies, to get 3-D right. Of course, movies in 3-D have been around since the 1950s and from time to time have been billed as the next big thing in entertainment. And technically speaking, 3-D viewing in the home has been possible for the past few years. But there has been no good way to get 3-D movies and shows to watch.

That obstacle is being swept away this year, as plans for a 3-D version of the Blu-ray disc have solidified. Players are expected this spring. Also, satellite broadcaster DirecTV Inc. said Wednesday that it will send out software upgrades to most of its set-top boxes in June that will enable 3-D reception.

Friday, January 8, 2010

13

Experts: Cold snap doesn’t disprove global warming Associated Press Writer

Beijing had its coldest morning in almost 40 years and its biggest snowfall since 1951. Britain is suffering through its longest cold snap since 1981. And freezing weather is gripping the Deep South, including Florida’s orange groves and beaches. Whatever happened to global warming?

Such weather doesn’t seem to fit with warnings from scientists that the Earth is warming because of greenhouse gases.

But experts say the cold snap doesn’t disprove global warming at all — it’s just a blip in the long-term heating trend.

“It’s part of natural variability,” said Gerald Meehl, a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo. With global warming, he said, “we’ll still have record cold temperatures. We’ll just have fewer of them.”

Deke Arndt of the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C., noted that 2009 will rank among the 10 warmest years for Earth since 1880. Scientists say man-made climate change does have the potential to cause more frequent and more severe weather extremes, such as heat waves, storms, floods, droughts and even cold spells. But experts interviewed by The Associated Press did not connect the current frigid blast to climate change.

So what is going on? “We basically have seen just a big outbreak of Arctic air” over populated areas of the Northern Hemisphere, Arndt said. “The Arctic air has really turned itself loose on us.” In the atmosphere, large rivers of air travel roughly west to east around the globe between the Arctic and the tropics. This air flow acts like a fence to keep Arctic air confined. But recently, this air flow has become bent into a pronounced zigzag pattern, meandering north and south. If you live in a place where it brings air up from the south, you get warm weather. In fact, record highs were reported this week in Washington state and Alaska.

But in the eastern United States, like some other unlucky parts of the globe, Arctic air is swooping down from the north.

And that’s how you get a temperature of 3 degrees in Beijing, a reading of minus-42 in mainland Norway, and 18 inches of snow in parts of Britain, where a member of Parliament who said the snow “clearly indicates a cooling trend” was jeered by colleagues.

The zigzag pattern arises naturally from time to time, but it is not clear why it’s so strong right now, said Michelle L’Heureux, a meteorologist at the Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The center says the pattern should begin to weaken in a week or two. Jeff Masters, director of meteorology for Weather Underground, a forecasting service, said he expects more typical winter weather across North America early next week.

That will be welcome news in the South, where farmers have been trying to salvage millions of dollars’ worth of strawberries and other crops. On Miami Beach, tourists bundled up in woolen winter coats and hooded sweatshirts Wednesday beneath a clear blue sky. Some brazenly let the water wash over their feet and a few even lay out in bikinis and swimming trunks. A brisk wind blew and temperatures hovered in the 50s. “Last year we were swimming every day,” said Olivia Ruedinger of Hamburg, Germany. “I miss that.”

New ‘strawberry’ crab species found off Taiwan Associated Press Writer -

TAIPEI, Taiwan – A marine biologist says he has discovered a new crab species off the coast of southern Taiwan that looks like a strawberry with small white bumps on its red shell.

National Taiwan Ocean University professor Ho Ping-ho says the crab resembles the species living in the areas around Hawaii, Polynesia and Mauritius. But it has a distinctive clam-shaped shell about 1 inch (2.5

centimeters) wide, making it distinct. Taiwanese crab specialist Wang Chia-hsiang confirmed Ho’s finding.

Ho said Tuesday his team found two female crabs of the new species

last June off the coast of Kenting National Park, known for its rich marine life. The crabs died shortly thereafter, possibly because the water in the area was polluted by a cargo ship that ran aground.

In this undated image released from the National Taiwan Ocean University, a new species of crab (Neoliomera Pubescens) is displayed. A marine biologist said he has discovered a new crab species off the coast of southern Taiwan that looks like a strawberry with small white bumps on its red shell.

AP Photo/National Taiwan Ocean University

14

Sport

Friday, January 8, 2010

International

Federer and Nadal ease into Doha tennis last eight Agence France - Presse

DOHA – Roger Federer, aiming to regain a title he last won four years ago, reached the quarter-finals of the Qatar Open with a performance which for the second successive day suggested he is starting the new season well rested and in fine shape. The Grand Slam record-breaker won 6-2, 6-4 against Evgeny Korolev, a young and rising Russian on the verge of the world’s top 50 who hit ambitiously but looked capable of achieving more than he actually did.

Federer contained him well, moved excellently, prevented his inexperienced opponent from feeling comfortable, and from time to time had moments of sublime attacking, which helped maintain an intimidating aura. “This was a more dangerous match than my first one because he is a big ball striker and plays aggressive on forehand and backhand,” Federer said. “Conditions were difficult today, it was very slow out there and I had to be patient and grind it out, so I was happy with the way I adapted and with the way the match went.”

Federer was helped by several moments when Korolev beat himself - perhaps overly aware of Federer’s reputation - notably after he broke the great man’s serve to get back to 2-3, only to play a poor service game himself. Then unaccountably Korolev failed to appeal against a line call on the opening point of the final game, when he was

serving to save the match. Hawkeye was showing as on the line a drive which had been called out, but the Russian missed his chance to get the decision overturned.

By contrast at 15-30 Federer appealed against another ‘out’ call, on his own drive this time, and got it reversed, taking the score to 15-40 and giving him two match points. Korolev fought back bravely and saved both of them but still lost that game and the match.

Had he appealed, as Federer did, he should have reached 5-5 with all to play for. Federer is seeded to play a final on Saturday against his greatest rival, Rafael Nadal, who looked particularly pumped up after dismissing Potito Starace, a former top 30 player from Italy, by 6-2, 6-2.

Asked if he were particularly keen to start this year well, after going the last eight months of 2009 without a title, Nadal replied: “It’s always important to start every season well.” But the former world number one did vol-

unteer that he had worked exceptionally hard during the off season, strengthening the muscles above and below his knees, in an effort to reduce the repeated problems he has had with them. “The season is long,” Nadal said.

“If I want to have chances I have to be there all the time, fighting every match, trying like this, the right way, all the time. If I do I will have chances (to win big titles). I don’t know if it will be now or in three months time. But I will have them.”

Nadal next plays Steve Darcis, a Belgian qualifier who was too fresh and fast for Younes El Aynaoui, winning 6-3, 6-1 against an opponent who the day before became the oldest player since Jimmy Connors in 1995 to win a singles match on the ATP World Tour. Even though competing twice in two days proved too much for a 38-year-old body which had not competed on tour since 2008, El Aynaoui still had cause to remember fondly his one-sided loss.

Rondo shines as NBA Celtics douse Heat in overtime Agence France - Presse

(AFP/Getty Images/Ronald Martinez)

Rajon Rondo’s (pictured in December) 25 points included a buzzer-beating layup to force overtime as Boston notched a 112-106 NBA triumph over Miami despite 44 points from the Heat’s Dwyane Wade.

MIAMI, Florida – Rajon Rondo’s 25 points included a buzzer-beating layup to force overtime as Boston notched a 112-106 NBA triumph over Miami despite 44 points from the Heat’s Dwyane Wade. Rondo caught a lob from Paul Pierce at the end of regulation and put it in the basket to send the game to overtime tied 101-101.

Ray Allen scored 22 points and Kendrick Perkins added 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who trailed by 11 midway through the fourth quarter. Even Wade’s season-high 44 points, which included a steal and a dunk that put Miami up by two with 0.6sec to play in regulation, proved too little.

Rondo struck again in overtime, and his basket with 34.3 to play in the extra session sealed the win for Boston. Paul Pierce scored 17 and Rasheed Wallace added 16 for Boston. For the Heat, Udonis Haslem scored 19 off the bench and Jermaine O’Neal added 14. The fourth quarter was a wild ride as the Heat missed 15 of 16 shots in the final minutes to fall from an 11-point lead to a four-point deficit with less than a minute to play.

When Allen drained a threepointer, the Heat looked done. But Wade responded with two free throws with 5.5 seconds left that tied the game.

Then he stripped the ball from Allen and slammed home a dunk to put Miami up 101-99 - a lead that Rondo quickly erased.

(AFP/Karim Jaafar)

Swiss world number one Roger Federer returns the ball to Evgeny Korolev of Russia during their Qatar Open ATP match at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex in Doha.

Federer won 6-2, 6-4.

Pacquiao/Maywheater is off Manny Pacquiao’s promoters say his prospective bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. is off after mediation failed to resolve differences over drug testing, scrapping what was likely to have been the richest fight in boxing history. The bout was planned for March 13 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, but Top Rank said it couldn’t reach an agreement with Golden Boy Promotions, which represented Mayweather in the negotiations, after nine hours of mediation on Tuesday and more discussions on Wednesday.

Although neither side was allowed to publicly discuss the specifics of their dispute, Mayweather apparently balked at a compromise over the stringent drug-testing requirements his camp insisted upon. “I knew this was going to happen,” said a weary Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter. “You had to play it out.”

The promoters went into the lengthy mediation Tuesday. Both sides claimed every other detail for the fight had been decided, but Mayweather had demanded random blood testing in addition to unlimited urine testing, with Pacquiao unwilling. The fighters’ representatives apparently thought they had a compromise after the mediation. The promoters were widely expected to formally announce the bout Wednesday - but subsequent discussions with Mayweather during the day led Top Rank to declare the fight canceled.

Arum was left fuming by Mayweather, who fought under Top Rank promotion for several years. “I’ve been saying this for years: He’s a psychological coward who doesn’t want to fight anybody who has a chance of beating him,” Arum said.

“He walked away from a rematch with Oscar (De La Hoya) that would have paid him a fortune because De La Hoya held him close in the first fight (in May 2007).”

After stellar pay-per-view numbers from their previous fights, both Pacquiao and Mayweather stood to make more than $25 million from the welterweight bout. Mayweather returned to the ring

Manny Pacquiao’s promoters say his prospective bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. is off after mediation failed to resolve differences over drug testing, scrapping what was likely to have been the richest fight in boxing history after a 21-month absence in September with a victory over Juan Manuel Marquez, while Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) pounded Miguel Cotto in November for his 13th straight victory since 2005.

Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) initially appeared eager to fight Pacquiao in a bout between two contenders for the title of pound-for-pound champion of the world. Both fighters quickly agreed to the initial points of a deal, with the fight scheduled for March so it wouldn’t interfere with Pacquiao’s run for political office in the Philippines.

But Schaefer then infuriated Top Rank by refusing to travel to a meeting with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who offered to pay lavishly to hold the fight in the NFL team’s opulent new stadium. Schaefer ’s actions, apparently at Mayweather’s behest, meant the fight went to the MGM Grand in Mayweather’s adopted hometown with no real competition.

Sport

International

Friday, January 8, 2010

15

Beckham back in groove - but Inter still motoring Agence France - Presse

ROME – David Beckham began his second loan spell with AC Milan on Wednesday in style as the rossoneri came from behind to beat Genoa 5-2 and leapfrog Juventus into second place in Serie A. Beckham, who scored in the same fixture last season after being loaned out from LA Galaxy, looked hungry for action as he earned a starting place with fellow midfield veteran Clarence Seedorf out through injury.

The three points took AC Milan onto 34 points from 17 games - eight behind reigning champions Inter, who returned from their winter break with a 1-0 win over Chievo to maintain their eight-point lead - though Beckham and company have a game in hand. Jose Mourinho’s Inter were deprived of a number of midfield stars, handing a rare start to wantaway French midfielder Patrick Vieira, reportedly bound for Manchester City.

But they still took the points courtesy of a 12th minute goal on the counter attack from striker Mario Balotelli. It was not all good news for Inter, as their Romanian international defender Cristian Chivu fractured his skull in a clash of heads in the 46th minute while Balotelli was subjected to racist abuse. Balotelli, born in Palermo but of Ghanaian heritage, is regularly subjected to such insults but this time spoke out.

“Every time I come to Verona I realise that the supporters disgust me more and more. It’s completely un-

acceptable,” Balotelli told Sky Sports.

Juventus are third, a point behind AC Milan having played a game more, after winning 2-1 at Parma. Midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic scored after just three minutes and an own-goal had them 2-0 up by the break.

The ‘Old Lady’ hung on for the three points despite having on-loan defender Martin Caceres sent-off in the second-half. Juventus suffered an injury worry as French striker David Trezeguet went off with an apparent sprained ankle after being tackled by Parma’s veteran defender Christian Panucci in the 18th minute. With Inter streaking clear the onus was on Milan - and the returning Beckham to show their steel and, after a false start, they did just that, once they had recovered from Giuseppe Sculli’s shock opener - a stooping header past a flat-footed defence after 25 minutes.

Ten minutes earlier, Milan should have been ahead after Giuseppe Biava fouled Massimo Ambrosini but Ronaldinho placed his kick too close

to Marco Amelia. But the keeper then fouled Ambrosini for another spotkick.

This time Ronaldinho drilled the ball low inside the opposite corner as Amelia guessed wrong in going the same way as for the first kick.

Beckham then fired into the side netting as Milan began belatedly to force the pace.

And the pressure told as Thiago Silva fired them ahead in the 37th minute after Amelia was only able to parry Ambrosini’s initial vicious effort.

Two minutes after the restart it was 31, Ronaldinho sending through a cute pass to Luca Antonini, and he teed up Marco Borriello to clip home from close range.

AC Milan’s English midfielder David Beckham eyes the ball before their Serie A football match AC Milan vs Genoa at San Siro Stadium in Milan.

Milan won 5-2.

(AFP/Giuseppe Cacace)

Man City reveal scale of Guti poised for Real Madrid return Sheikh Mansour’s investment Agence France - Presse

Agence France - Presse

(AFP/File/Ian Kington)

Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez celebrates after scoring against Wolverhampton Wanderers during their Premier League match at Molineux Stadium. Financial records show that new owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nayan has invested 395 million pounds in a bid to transform Manchester City into a leading force in European football.

LONDON – The scale of Abu Dhabi’s commitment to turning Manchester City into a leading force in European football was underlined on Wednesday when the club published its first financial figures since its takeover by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nayan. They reveal that the Sheikh has invested 395 million pounds in the club by converting loans of 305 million pounds into equity before buying further shares of just under 90 million.

In the year to the end of May 2009, City registered an operating loss of 92.6 million pounds, the second largest registered by an English club behind the 140 million pound figure registered by Chelsea in 2005. The operating loss came in a year in which City broke the British transfer record by spending 32.5 million pounds on bringing Robinho to the club.

City’s chief financial and administration officer Graham Wallace said that, despite the huge losses, the club was generating increased revenues and aimed to balance the books over the longer term. “The financial results reflect a period of rapid change at the club, the result of longterm planning and investment by the Board and our owners, to create a sustainable business in the future,” Wallace said.

“We have always said that this transformation will take a number of years and these figures reflect that.” Mansour’s conversion of his investment into equity mirrors the approach taken by Roman Abramovich at Chelsea and underlines the much stronger financial position City find themselves in compared to Liverpool and Manchester United, both of whom have been saddled with the burden of financing the huge debts incurred by their current owners during their purchases of the clubs.

Wallace added: “The owners’ decision to convert debt to equity is in line with their previously-stated financial strategy and is fantastic news for supporters of Manchester City, whose club is now on a secure financial foundation that gives a tremendous platform to build from in future years.”

MADRID – Veteran Real Madrid midfielder Guti appears on his way back to playing for the Spanish giants after falling out with Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini at the end of October. Guti trained with the rest of his teammates Wednesday for the first time since the reported falling out and is hoping to play against Mallorca in the Spanish league this weekend.

“I am ready if Pellegrini wants me,” he told reporters when asked if he would be part of the Real squad which faces Mallorca on Saturday. A product of Real?s youth system, the 33-year-old is one of the longest-serving members of the squad but he has been out of action since the club’s embarrassing 4-0

Spanish Cup defeat against third division side Alcorcon on October 27.

According to media reports Guti had a half-time argument in Alcorcon with Pellegrini, and insulted the coach when he was told that he was going to be substituted at half-time. The player, whose full name Jose Maria Gutierrez, also made an obscene gesture to Alcorcon fans at the start of the second half when sitting on the Real bench after someone launched an insult directed at him.

Pellegrini left Guti off his squad for several matches after the defeat against Alcorcon and then the player was sidelined with a tear to a thigh muscle. The former Spain international joined Real’s youth academy in 1985 and made his first-team debut in December 1995.

Real Madrid’s Brazilian midfielder Kaka (L) and teammate Guti take part in a training session at the Real Madrid sport city in Madrid. Guti appears on his way back to playing for the Spanish giants after falling out with Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini at the end of October.

(AFP/Dominique Faget)

16

Sport

Friday, January 8, 2010

Brawn: Schumacher has not faded Michael Schumacher’s talent and ability will not have been faded by time, according to Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn. Schumacher turned 41 last Sunday, and will be the oldest driver to race in Formula 1 since Nigel Mansell’s abortive season with McLaren in 1995. But despite his age, Brawn believes that the seven-time champion’s competitive edge will remain as sharp as ever, citing his performances in recent karting events, in which he has beaten the likes of Vitantonio Liuzzi, Rubens Barrichello and Felipe Massa.

“I have got no doubts that the talent and the ability are still there,” Brawn told AUTOSPORT. “You see little flashes of it when he takes part in competitions like the Race of Champions and karting races. “They are not an absolute measure, but always the same guys win in them that win in F1. The guys that Schumacher beat in those events says a lot.” Brawn added that he does not doubt Schumacher’s determination or enthusiasm for his return to F1 after three years in retirement.

When he was in discussions with Schumacher about a possible return last year, he received assurances from the German that he was fully committed to racing again. “We saw last year when he had the opportunity to drive for Ferrari that it re-lit the passion,” said Brawn. “I asked him whether he really wanted to do it [come back] and he said that he did.”

Schumacher will have his first run for Mercedes at Valencia in the first week of February, when pre-season testing kicks off after the winter ban.

It will be his first outing in a contemporary F1 car since he tested a Ferrari F2008 at Barcelona in April 2008 - his more recent Ferrari test having taken place in a two-year-old machine.

Michael Schumacher’s talent and ability will not have been faded by time, according to Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn

Malaysia set to extend MotoGP deal MALAYSIAN MotoGP organisers are set to sign a five-year extension to keep the race at the Sepang circuit at least until the 2015 season. According to Malaysian media, the Sepang International Circuit (SIC)’s board of directors yesterday accepted a proposal from MotoGP rights holder Dorna to renew the deal.

The new agreement is still subject to the ministry’s approval. The circuit’s chief said the new deal only makes sense if a Malaysian rider is taking part in the championship. “If we agree to the deal with Dorna, it comes with the understanding that we will have a Malaysian rider competing until 2015,” SIC chief executive officer, Razlan Razali, told The

Star newspaper.

“Dorna will also help us to develop our home grown Super Series programme. The aim is to develop young talent to participate in future world championships.

After all, what is the point of having a Malaysian Motorcycle GP with no promising local talent coming up?”

Malaysian MotoGP organisers are set to sign a fiveyear extension to keep the race at the Sepang circuit at least until the 2015 season

Heidfeld still confident of F1 drive NICK Heidfeld has conceded that Michael Schumacher’s comeback hurt his own Formula 1 chances for 2010 - but remains upbeat he can secure a good option for his long-term future in the next few weeks. The German had been favourite to land a seat at Mercedes GP if negotiations between the team and Schumacher had not been successful.

However, Schumacher’s surprise F1 return has left Heidfeld facing an uncertain future – with speculation now linking him with both Renault or even a third-driver role at Mercedes. Writing on his website, Heidfeld said that Schumacher’s decision had hit him – but he said he had no bitter feelings about the situation.

“Of course over the holidays my current job situation did not let go of me, even after Michael Schumacher’s decision was pub-

lished just before Christmas,” he said. “This is certainly a great thing for Formula 1 and I wish good luck to Michael and Mercedes. This decision affects me directly because it means there is a relevant less space for next year. I am not naive when I say, especially after the past few weeks, a lot of unexpected things can happen in Formula 1.”

Heidfeld said he would continue to push hard to find a seat for 2010 – and made it clear his focus was on going somewhere that would be best for his long-term career. “Now we have to look forward and focus on the best long-term option for my future in Formula 1. I will continue to train hard, conduct talks with the appropriate people and to challenge my chance with all my might,” he said. “I hope in the coming weeks to be able to announce something concrete about my future plans.”

Nick Heidfeld has conceded that Michael Schumacher’s comeback hurt his own Formula 1 chances for 2010 - but remains upbeat he can secure a good option for his long-term future in the next few weeks