Edisi 15 Maret 2010 | International Bali Post

16 Pages Number 51 2st Year

Strong 6.6 magnitude quake hits northern Japan

Price: Rp 3.000,-

PAGE 6

I

N

T

E

R

N

A

T

I

O

N

A

L

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

Monday, March 15, 2010

Foreign tourist length of stay decline needs depth research PAGE 8

ABC, Lifetime among winners of GLAAD Media Awards PAGE 12

AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn

Supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra march beside Democracy Monument during a protest on Sunday, March 14, 2010 in Bangkok, Thailand. Leaders of tens of thousands of protesters who swarmed into Bangkok from Thailand’s rural areas Sunday threatened mass street demonstrations if the government didn’t respond to their demand for a dissolution of Parliament within 24 hours.

Not published We, the Bali Post International would like to apologize in advance because we will not be published on Tuesday, March 16th 2010 due to Nyepi Day Happy Nyepi Day, Caka New Year 1932

Protesters surge into Bangkok wanting new election Associated Press Writer

WEATHER FORECAST O

CITY

TEMPERATURE C

DENPASAR

28 - 32

JAKARTA

25 - 32

BANDUNG

20 - 29

YOGYAKARTA

24 - 34

SURABAYA

26 - 34

SUNNY

BRIGHT/CLOUDY

RAIN

HOTLINE

For placing advertisment, please contact: Eka Wahyuni

0361-225764

BANGKOK – Leaders of tens of thousands of protesters who swarmed into Bangkok from Thailand’s rural areas Sunday threatened mass street demonstrations if the government didn’t respond to their demand for a dissolution of Parliament within 24 hours.

The demonstrators, popularly known as the Red Shirts, want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call new elections, which they believe will allow their political allies to regain power. They believe Abhisit came to power illegitimately with the connivance of the military and other parts of the traditional Thai ruling class who were jealous and fearful of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s popularity while in office from 2001 until he was ousted in a 2006 coup.

“We’re demanding the government give up the administrative power by dissolving the Parlia-

ment and returning power to the people,” a protest leader, Veera Musikapong, told a sea of redshirted followers. “We’re giving the government 24 hours from now (to respond to our demand).”

The protesters, who had Saturday given a similar ultimatum which expired Sunday, said they will march on key locations in the city if the government fails to respond by noon Monday (0500 GMT; midnight EST). These are to include the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Regiment, where Abhisit has been living in recent days.

In his weekly radio address Sunday morning, Abhisit indicated he

had no plans to dissolve Parliament. “issolution and call for resignations are normal in a democratic system. But we have to make sure the dissolution of Parliament will solve the problem and won’t make the next election troublesome,” Abhisit said.

He also denied rumors that a military coup was possible and said he would not impose a state of emergency that would give the army broad powers to deal with the protests.

Traffic in Bangkok was light, businesses were shuttered and social events canceled as many feared the four-day demonstrations, which officially began Sunday but have been

building for two days as caravans of protesters pour in from the north and northeast, would repeat past violence. But protesters stressed they would use only peaceful means in their quest for new elections.

One protest leader, Jatuporn Prompan, described it as “the biggest war of the common people in the country’s history,” and said he expected a million people to gather by noon Sunday. But police Gen. Wichai Sangprapai, commander in the main protest area, estimated that the number of protesters throughout Bangkok could reach 150,000 Sunday.

Local newspapers estimated the numbers at between 80,000 and 100,000, although more were still arriving from outlying areas, traveling in trucks, buses, motorcycles and boats down the Chao Phraya River.

Continued on page 6

2

International

Monday, March 15, 2010

Bali News Mad Dog Bites Nine Residents Instead VAR at Bangli Hospitals Empty Bangli (Bali Post)

Residents of Undisan, Tembuku, Bangli Regency, last Thursday (Mar 11) night, were made panic because a dog belonging to one of the local residents was raging and violent. The dog bit nine residents living at different and distant locations. These residents thronged the Bangli Hospital to get anti-rabies vaccine (VAR). However, the vaccine stock was in fact empty.

VAR stock in Bangli Hospital was empty. They eventually were taken to Gianyar Hospital to get immediate help, both VAR and anti-tetanus serum (ATS). Such condition was very regretted by Deputy Head of Bangli House, I Made Sudiasa, last Friday (Mar 12).

Rabies disease is not a new thing.

It should have been anticipated by government,? he said. On addressing the problem, three legislators led by Deputy Head of Bangli House I Made Sudiasa, directly made a raid last Friday. In addition to checking the truth and to get an explanation why the VAR stock was empty, these Bangli legislators also wanted to check in person because hospital services continued to be highlighted by the Bangli community.

Sudiasa who is also from Undisan, Tembuku, claimed to feel very con-

cerned about the incident of VAR unavailability when required. For that purpose, his party urged that in the future such condition might not happen again.

Urgent things, especially in the middle of the threat of rabies to Bali, VAR stock should always be prioritized.

Regarding to the incident of nine residents bitten by a dog, Sudiasa told that the dog alleged to be infected by rabies bit at different locations. It started from the rice fields to housing complex. Residents who were bitten felt worried over the rabies trauma afflicting one of the residents at the neighboring village. As a result, they immediately flocked to Bangli Hospitals. Unfortunately, they did not get service.

Sudiasa admitted that no VAR stock was available at Bangli Hospital within the past few weeks. Request had been submitted to the Bangli Health Services, but had not been met. He could not take action against the nine residents from Undisan bitten by the dog.

In addition to the empty VAR, dog bites should also be giving ATS action. Because the same was not available, eventually they were referred to the nearest hospital to immediately get help.

We continue to ask for confirmation to the Health Services in order to be provided with VAR, but not yet fulfilled. Based on the latest information, Bangli requested 50 vials of VAR to Bali Health Services. Out of such 50 vials, 20 of them will be allocated for Bangli Hospital, 20 vials for Public Health Services, and the remaining 10 vials for the community health services,” he said. (kmb17)

Nyepi, Regional Migrants Leave Bali Negara (Bali Post) By the Nyepi holiday, many new regional migrants returned home or went out of Bali. Gilimanuk as one of the entrance gates to the island of Bali as usual will also be closed from all activities of crossing in honor of Balinese Hindus celebrating the Nyepi festivity.

Similarly, it has become a tradition that regional migrants also deliberately left Bali at that time. The increase in the number of ship passenger crossing to the Ketapang Harbor, Banyuwangi was expected to increase on Sunday (Mar 14) and Monday (Mar 15); right a day before the port will be closed.

Operation Manager of the ASDP or Gilimanuk Harbor Authority, Ospar Silaban, last Friday (Mar 12), said to serve the local migrants who would like to leave Bali Island during Nyepi, the port had prepared all passenger motor ships. His party did not deny that at the moments before Nyepi the number of passengers leaving Bali always increased. Even, since Friday afternoon it had already

started to show a number of motorcycles and cars leaving Bali. This situation was different from a normal day, only a few vehicles that entered.

Ospar predicted an increase in the number of passengers to reach one hundred percent before Nyepi. However, that number could stay to increase, because the holiday of this year’s Nyepi was longer than in previous years. A total of 27 ships were deployed for passengers to anticipate the surging of passengers to Java Island. There are 17 passenger motor ships and 10 Landing Craft Tank prepared to serve the passengers,” he said.

Despite the surge, his party had confidence the number of serving ships would not result in the queue.

Long queue occurred when the crossing was forced to be closed because of bad weather condition in the Bali Strait. ‘?Hopefully, the weather would be fine and friendly, even if it is impossible, the crossing will be closed,” explained the man of Medan descendant. (sur)

Bodyguards of Obama Make Survey To Monkey Two Water Reservoirs Dormant, Forest Destination Residents Face Clean Water Crisis Had Been Proposed

In response to that matter, Managing Director of Bangli Hospital, I Made

Gianyar (Bali Post)

Amlapura (Bali Post)?

Two water reservoir projects in Karangasem built with a total budget of IDR 6 billion up to these days are dormant. The two reservoirs located at Puragai, Pempatan Village, Rendang are broken and its upholstery plastic was torn before its water could be enjoyed by local residents of the surrounding areas. Such reservoir built with billions of rupiahs as if they were built on the river flow.

As a result, said the Head of Commission II, Karangasem House, Nyoman Oka Antara, last Friday (Mar 12) in Amlapura, during the long dry season local residents remained to face clean water crisis. To meet the needs of clean water, residents were

forced to buy water in jerrycan or the-have could buy water from the tank truck.

Oka Antara said the reservoirs or the larger ones intended to contain rainwater at the Banjar Daya, Ban, Kubu, Karangasem, could not be taken advantage by local residents, either because such reservoirs were made without a safety. Cliff next to the reservoir underwent landslides and the avalanches spilled out into the reservoir. Water of the reservoir was turbid and foul, so that local residents could not take advantage for their consumption. Therefore, the water was often used to swim by children. “Residents like at Pedahan and Munti Gunung mountain ranges remained to face clean water crisis and conse-

quently they kept on begging downhill. Such condition drove them to be poor and could not raise cattle or pigs because there was no clean water,” said Oka Antara from Tianyar Barat, Kubu.

On the other hand, the Regent of Karangasem, I Wayan Geredeg, admitted the reservoir could not be harnessed because it had been made technically less precise. The reservoir was built on river basin, so that forest leaves and sticks got into the reservoir. He denied all the projects in Karangasem were redundant. Five other reservoirs had been operated although limited to the surrounding residents because they were still waiting for pipeline for the water distribution. “Later on, the reservoirs will be managed the local village,” said Geredeg. (013)

The arrival of the US President Barrack Obama in Bali is also scheduled to visit the Monkey Forest tourist resort of Ubud. Last Friday (Mar 12), about 30 bodyguards of Obama (United States Secret Service) surveyed the area of Monkey Forest tourist resort.

Such readiness checks were carried out by White House security apparatus for two times.

Security group chartering bus arrived at the scene at 12:45 pm Local Time. Few moments earlier, a number of personnel from National Police Headquarters, Bali Police, and the Udayana Military Command IX were also visible at the site inhabited by around 560 monkeys. After arriving at Monkey Forest area, some personnel banned journalists and photographers ap-

proached, let alone took pictures.

Location checking was conducted and closed for media reportage,? explained the source of this newspaper in police department.

Meanwhile, by the arrival of Obama estimated within this week, the Padangtegal Customary Village also increased its local security. Head of Padangtegal Customary Village, Made Dana, warmly welcomed the planned visit of the first black president of the United States. This could become a part of the promotion of tourism of Bali in general, and Gianyar in particular. “Regarding to whether the Monkey Forest tourist resort will be closed or opened during Obama?s visit, Dana said, it will be solely depend on the authority of the security protocol,” he explained. (kmb16)

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, 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

Monday, March 15, 2010

3

Nyepi Preparation in Sanglah Hospital

Awaiting Obama’s Arrival

1200 Vial of VAR Indonesian Navy Were Dropped Deploys Seven Warships Denpasar (Bali Post) —

Seven warships will be deployed by the Indonesian Navy before the arrival of President Barack Obama to Bali. The seven warships will be on alert, guarding the coasts of Bali for a week. This indicates that the security measures prepared by The Presidential Secret Service, the Indonesian Military and Police are very tight.

Commander of Navy’s Main Base Region V Surabaya, Marine Brig.

Halim A. Hermanto, explains the seven battleships are deliberately borrowed from the Surabaya Navy Base. Later, the warships will be standing by the coasts of Bali. ‘’Of course, they will be monitoring activities in the sea,’’ he said. As Bali is still considered as a likely target for the threat of terrorism, of course it is very necessary to take these security measures, especially at the entrances that could potentially be infiltrated by radical groups. ‘’We will also coordinate with the IX Regional Military Command of Udayana and

Bali Police Department,’’ he said.

Besides the seven warships, hundreds of Navy soldiers have also been prepared. These soldiers will guard and secure President Obama during his stay in Bali.

Meanwhile, Marine Colonel (P) Wayan Suarjaya which has just been serving as Denpasar’s Navy Commander, also reveals the same thing. To secure the island, the sea and coastal security should definitely be increased because it is often used as gate way for terror acts often done by radical groups.

Not only terrorists, sea routes are also often used by ordinary criminals.

Cautious attitude should continue to be increased. Hidden pathways potentially be used to infiltrate will be monitored closely. ‘’Thus, Bali security can be guaranteed and far from the actions of all forms of evil,’’ he asserted.

Colonel Suarjaya is replacing Marine Colonel (P) Ketut Aria Budiana.

Previously, Colonel Suarjaya was serving as Coordination Unit Commandant (Satkor) of Western Fleet for combat frigates, while Colonel Aria Budiana was replaced as he will undergo The Military Sesko study. The handover event was held in Denpasar Navy Headquarters yesterday. (kmb21)

President Obama

Ascertained to Visit Bali Denpasar (Bali Post) —

Certainty of President Barack Obama’s visit to Bali was stated by Bali Police Chief Inspector General Pol. Drs. Sutisna. It was revealed after Chief Sutisna coordinating with a group of United State’s Secret Service (USSS), on Friday (12 / 3). President Obama will certainly visit Bali. ‘’However, we do not know the relevant places where he would go,’’ explained Chief Sutisna.

In fact, the President who had spent his childhood in Menteng, Jakarta, will be staying at one of the hotels in Bali.

However, Sutisna did not mention the name of the hotel which will be used as a place to stay. ‘’He (President Obama-red) is also determined to stay at a hotel in Bali,’’ he said.

When asked about when President Obama will come to Bali, the two-star general has not known for sure. The USSS group was also admitting to have not known the exact date.

Based on the information collected

in Bali Department of Police Headquarter yesterday mentions that the sites to be visited by President Obama will take place in South Bali. While the hotel where the World’s most important person will stay is said to be located around Nusa Dua area. ‘’His accommodation will be in Nusa Dua. But regarding which hotel, I am not sure,’’ he explained to the media crew yesterday.

Meanwhile, the fifteen agents of the USSS had arrived at Bali Department of Police Headquarter for the second time, said Police Chief Sutisna, only to strengthen coordination and security. Previously, they had come with President Obama’s security agenda. ‘’This time (yesterday-red), it was just for assurance,’’ he explained.

Regarding the security approach that will be taken, the police chief explains in detail. The first line of protection will be handled by the team from the USSS. Meanwhile,

the second and third line will be handled by Indonesian Military, Police Department, and Presidential Secret Service. ‘’We expect the arrival of President Obama to Bali will go according to plan and with no interference whatsoever,’’ he said.

Demonstration

On the other hand, Bali Police Head of Liaison Kombes Pol. Gde Sugianyar says, until now there has been no notification that there will be demonstrations related to the arrival of President Obama to Bali.

So far, the circulating information states that the President Obama’s visit is actually welcomed by the people of Bali. In addition to Bali’s fame as international tourism destination, the arrival of the first African-American President of the United States in the island will add even more attraction to this area. (kmb21)

Anticipating Trashes from Holyday Ceremonies, Badung Deploys 986 DKP Officers Mangupura (Bali Post) —

Badung’s Department of Hygiene and Landscape (DKP) is alerting as many as 986 janitors in relation o anticipate the upcoming Tawur Kesanga. Officers are prepared at their posts, especially on the highways and markets. It is predicted that there will be no significant increase in the volume of waste during Nyepi Holyday. ‘’ We are concentrating at the ngerupuk (celebration on the night

before the Nyepi day). Starting from morning until late at night after the ogoh-ogoh parade is finished. At that moment, the waste will increase significantly. In contrary, during Nyepi we feel there will be no significant improvement,’’ said Wayan Suteja Head of Badung DKP, when contacted on Friday (12 / 3).

According to Suteja, the cleaning effort of trash will be focused on ngerupuk night, especially in concentrated areas such as Mengwi

and Kuta. The reason is because both areas’ ceremonial implementation of Tawur Kesanga and ogohogoh parade will attract the most public attention.

For this reason, especial in Mengwi, DKP Badung is deploying as many as 50 janitors and five trucks, whereas 100 janitors and 15 trucks will be deployed in Kuta. ‘’They include other janitors, whose duties start immediately after the parade of ogoh-ogoh,’’said Suteja. (DED)

To anticipate the Nyepi holyday on Tuesday (16 / 3), Sanglah Hospital has arranged a variety of preparations. One of them is to prepare VAR stock. Sanglah Hospital HR Director Drs. I Dewa Agung K. Sudarsana, M.M. accompanied by Head of Medical Care of Sanglah Hospital Dr. Ken Wirasandhi, MARS says, for the availability of VAR during Nyepi, Sanglah Hospital has stocked as many as 1200 vials of VAR. ‘’Inventories are expected to meet the needs of patients for about 3 days,’’ Sudarsana said when met on Friday (12 / 3).

According to Sudarsana, too accommodate health services during the Nyepi, Sanglah Hospital has set up 188 staff which consists of physicians, residents, specialists, nurses and general staff. Just in case of disaster during Nyepi, Sanglah Hos-

pital also has standing by doctors, head of SMF, and other structural installation that can be contacted at any time.

Health services will be focused on the Emergency Unit and if there are patients who should be picked up by ambulance, the hospital has prepared four ambulance drivers to pick them up. Generally, patients who had to go to hospital during Nyepi day were to be delivered by Pecalang (traditional guards) after getting permission from their banjar.

For HD or blood dialysis patients, Sanglah Hospital has prepared a special room for them. There are about 38 HD patients who had signed up. They will arrive early so they will not have to get out during Nyepi day. ‘’The rooms are set up at the outpatient polyclinic,’’ added Sudarsana. (kmb24)

Local Dog Eliminated, Race Dog Shows Off Amlapura (Bali Post) -

Head of Pesedahan Customary Village, Manggis, Karangasem, Ketut Artana, last Friday (Mar 12) in the meeting of all Heads of Customary Village in relation to increase its role in tackling rabies in Karangasem, judged the Karangasem Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Maritime Services and the elimination team of stray dogs was discriminative in eliminating dogs related to the rabies outbreak in Karangasem. Local dogs at a village were entirely eliminated, while race dogs were excluded, and even some residents proudly showed off their favorite race dogs.

In fact, Artana said, it was a race dogs not the local dogs first bringing in the virus suspected as rabies to Bali.

The proof, from the old days in Bali there was no rabies, and only recently infected and immediately became epidemic. ?We are not discriminating dog elimination, however, it should be selective and only those suspected of being sick were killed,? he said.

Artana added the local dogs in Bali were maintained with many benefits.

In addition to the home guards, dogs were also widely used for ingredients of exorcism rite or caru. Even, at Pesedahan Village dogs were employed to guard people?s garden.

Dogs were assigned to dismiss monkeys so that fewer monkeys went downhill from the forest of Tenganan hill ranges and disrupted farmers? gardens.

On the other hand, Head of Karangasem Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Maritime Services, Nengah Mantha Ekayudha, said the rabies carrier animal management team had eliminated at least 21,000 local dogs. Even, at a village like Tegallingah the wild dogs had been eliminated one hundred percent. Related to the expectations of Head of

Customary Village in Karangasem so as not to eliminate dogs recklessly, his party confirmed. Given, the bangbungkem or reddish-feathered dog with the black mouth?s muzzle should be still maintained as long as their health was well maintained, and not to be left wild.

Mantha also recognized that dogs were also taken advantage by Balinese people other than used for guarding their house and for caru, local people assigned to guard their garden, too. It was exemplified that residents of Bugbug Village also had a dog or let their dogs nest in the cave or holes in the foot of Gumang Hills.

The goal, more than 300 populations of monkeys from the Gumang Hills would not go downhill and damage the plants of farmers. Given a dog at Bugbug, Tenganan, Pesedahan, and Gumung taken advantage by local residents to guard their garden and had been vaccinated. By doing so, it was expected the monkeys would be free from rabies transmitted by dog populations at its surrounding.

Mantha Eka Yudha admitted to feel concerned because all this time rabies spread to the Karangasem because the dog?s movement from Tabanan and Badung to Karangasem. Some residents of Karangasem who wandered about asked for puppy at the infected area, thus spread to Karangasem. He suspected the dog at Samuh, Candidasa was affected by rabies, so people had to be very careful.

On the other hand, the Regent of Karangasem I Wayan Geredeg recently admitted there was no elimination or control toward the dog population. According to him, population of the race dogs in Karangasem was not in large number and generally looked after by the rich, so they were well maintained, not wild and likely had been routinely vaccinated. (013)

4

News

Monday, March 15, 2010

International

Russian regional vote is mid-term test for Medvedev Reuters

YEKATERINBURG, Russia (Reuters) – Millions of Russians began voting in regional elections on Sunday in a mid-term test of President Dmitry Medvedev’s pledge to loosen the Kremlin’s grip on the political system.

The regional and municipal votes across the country were set to gauge the popularity of the ruling United Russia party amid anger at rising prices and unemployment after the global crisis ended 10 years of rapid economic growth.

A repeat of widespread violations reported by the opposition in regional elections last year could boost a series of anti-government protests on March 20, six days after the poll.

Around 32 million of Russia’s 110 million registered voters are eligible to vote in polls, which include elections for eight regional parliaments. Opposition parties predicted a low turnout by voters disillusioned by a tightly controlled process.

“Nothing will change, it’s almost like it was under the Communists,” said driver Alexei Ivchenko, 46, in Yekaterinburg, Russia’s fifth largest city. He voted for the left-leaning opposition Fair Russia as a protest against the authorities.

The elections come half way through Medvedev’s four year term as he struggles to demonstrate progress on a pledge to loosen the tight control of the political system introduced during Vladimir Putin’s eight years in the Kremlin.

Despite a series of relatively liberal speeches by Medvedev, analysts have struggled to point to any significant deviation from policies introduced by Putin, now prime minister and dominant partner in Russia’s ruling “tandem.”

Accusations of voting violations were so widespread in a Moscow city council vote last October — overwhelmingly won by United Russia — that three usually loyal opposition parties walked out of

parliament in a rare public protest.

They were coaxed back by Medvedev’s promise of a fairer vote this time.

Golos, Russia’s largest independent election monitoring body, said it has seen no sign that Sunday’s elections would be an improvement. “We see less and less political competition all the time,” said Golos head Liliya Shibanova.

Campaigning for Sunday’s votes was marred by the barring of candidates from the liberal Yabloko party from two regional polls after officials ruled that several thousand voter signatures required to get the party on the ballot were invalid.

Federal election officials have dismissed opposition complaints of bias and say Russian elections are more open than those in Western Europe.

Putin’s United Russia is expected to dominate the elections, drawing on its immense resources, entrenched position and popular leader. Facing a fragmented opposition, United Russia’s national approval rating in February was between 50 and 65 percent, according to recent polls.

“We need stability and order in the country,” said engineer Alexander Martyugin, 52, after voting for United Russia in the center of Yekaterinburg. “Who else is there to vote for?”

But Putin’s party faces growing anger over rapid hikes in prices for communal services and transport, which helped prompt 10,000 people to gather in the western region of Kaliningrad in January for one of the largest opposition protests in a decade.

In most regions United Russia will face three parties — the Communists, Fair Russia and the nationalist Liberal Democrats, which are all relatively cautious in their opposition to the Kremlin.

First results are expected after the close of polls in the west of Russia at 8 p.m. Moscow time (12 p.m. EST).

AFP

Afghans inspect the site of a suicide attack in Kandahar.

Toll in Afghan suicide attack hits 35: official AFP

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFP) – A sophisticated Taliban assault on a key southern Afghan city killed 35 people, officials said Sunday as the militants claimed it was in revenge for plans to wipe them out.

A series of massive explosions rocked Kandahar late Saturday in what appears to be one of the biggest coordinated assaults by the militants since their insurgency began more than eight years ago.

The interior ministry’s spokesman said the dead included police officers and civilians, and that another 57 people were injured.

“A total of 35 people were killed — 13 police officers and 22 civilians,” Zemarai Bashery told reporters, adding the injured included 40 civilians and 17 police officers.

The city had been hit by five suicide bomb attacks and improvised bomb explosions at 8 pm (1530 GMT) on Saturday, he said.

Kandahar’s provincial governor Turyalai Wisa earlier said 31 people were killed in seven blasts, which included two suicide car bomb attacks.

Wisa said at least 10 of the dead were attending a wedding party, and the death toll could rise as rescue workers were still searching rubble for bodies.

A Taliban spokesman, named as Yousuf Ahmadi, told AFP the militants had carried out the attack, which began at Kandahar’s main prison and targeted other government buildings around the city.

Wisa said one of the blasts, a suicide car bomb, was outside the city prison — scene of a major Taliban attack in mid-2008 which resulted in

a mass breakout — and another near provincial police headquarters.

Some of the explosions were caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a specialty of the Taliban militants, who consider Kandahar their spiritual home.

Around 25 shops and up to seven houses near the prison were destroyed, Wisa said.

Another explosion took place early Sunday close to the Kandahar office of a Japanese construction company, injuring five employees, including four Pakistanis and one Afghan. No other details were available.

In a phone call from an undisclosed destination, the Taliban spokesman said the attacks were retaliation for comments by the commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan that Kandahar would be targeted in military efforts to eradicate the Taliban.

24 killed in western Mexico; 11 in one shootout AP

AFP

A police car with two bullet holes in Guerrero state, Mexico.

ACAPULCO, Mexico – A series of shootings killed 24 people Saturday in a Pacific coast state plagued by drug gang violence.

Nearly half died in one shootout between soldiers and armed men.

The gunbattle erupted when attackers opened fire on soldiers patrolling the small town of Ajuchitlan del Progreso, said Valentin Diaz, director of the Guerrero state investigative police. Ten gunmen and one soldier were killed, he said.

Diaz said the shootout broke out in the middle of the day in the center of the town as it was full of by-

standers. He said state police were investigating and soldiers had reinforced security.

President Felipe Calderon has deployed tens of thousands of troops to Guerrero and other drug-trafficking hotspots across Mexico in an effort to root out cartels. Gang violence has surged since the crackdown began three years ago, claiming more than 17,900 lives.

Thirteen other people were killed in Guerrero in several other incidents before dawn, according to a state police report.

Two decapitated men were found on a scenic road packed with nightclubs in the resort city of Acapulco.

Another man was found shot to death on the edge of the city.

Gunmen, meanwhile, killed five police officers on patrol in Tuncingo, a rural area outside Acapulco. In the same area, police found the bullet-ridden bodies of five other men, including two who had been beheaded.

Police mentioned no possible motives, and it was unclear if the killings were related.

Several cartels are fighting over drug dealing turf and trafficking routes in Guerrero. Gang violence occurs almost every day in the state, but Saturday was unusually bloody.

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

Monday, March 15, 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

News

Monday, March 15, 2010

Swiss media: 60 people report abuses by priests AP

AFP/File –

File photo shows members of a Japanese earthquake rescue team.

Strong 6.6 magnitude quake hits northern Japan AFP

TOKYO, Japan (AFP) – A strong, 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit northern Japan Sunday afternoon, said the Japanese government, which did not issue a tsunami warning.

The quake happened at 5:08 pm (0808 GMT) off the Pacific coast of Fukushima prefecture, the Japanese Meteorological Agency said.

“It is possible that the tidal level would change slightly. But there is no worry about damage,” the agency said.

Some train services automatically stopped immediately after the quake, before resuming normal operations.

US statesman Kissinger out of Seoul hospital AP

SEOUL, South Korea – Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was released from a hospital in the South Korean capital Sunday after recovering from stomach pains, a hospital spokesman said.

Kissinger’s condition was “not serious” while he was being treated at Seoul’s Severance Hospital and he had recovered after a day of medical treatment, spokesman Han Jinho said.

Han said Kissinger didn’t receive any major treatment like surgery, but didn’t elaborate.

A healthy-looking Kissinger thanked nurses and shook hands with them before leaving the hospital. He didn’t speak to journalists waiting for him.

The 86-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate arrived in Seoul earlier in the week to attend a security forum. He also met with South Korea’s President Lee Myung-bak.

Kissinger served as secretary of state for U.S. presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

AP –

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, right

GENEVA – Around 60 people have reported being victims of abuse by Catholic priests in Switzerland, a Swiss abbot said in an interview published by a newspaper Saturday.

Abbot Martin Werlen of the Benedictine Abbey of Einsiedeln said some of the allegations were reported to the Swiss Bishops Conference’s commission on abuses, according to Swiss daily Neue Zuercher Zeitung. Werlen indicated that others were reported to different dioceses.

Werlen, who is a member of the commission on abuses at the Bishops Conference, did not specify where the alleged cases occurred or when they might have happened.

Neue Zuercher Zeitung said on its Web site the 60 alleged cases happened over the last 15 years.

Werlen acknowledged in the in-

terview that some of the alleged abuses may have happened at the school of the Einsiedeln abbey.

“I’ve tried to address the cases I knew of and tried to process them,” he was quoted as saying.

Werlen could not be reached for comment, but Father Urban of the Abbey of Einsiedeln confirmed the authenticity of the interview.

The Bishops Conference’s commission on abuses was set up in 2002 and has been looking into alleged abuses since, Werlen said, according to the interview.

Switzerland needs a central contact point coordinating different bodies dealing with such allegations, he was quoted as saying.

Werlen’s statement was the latest report of abuse by Catholic clergy or church employees in Europe, which has recently seen new allegations of sexual and physical abuse in Germany, the Netherlands and Austria.

Protesters...

From page 1 A force of 50,000 soldiers, police and other security personnel was mobilized in the capital area.

There were no reports of violence, and both Abhisit and Jatuporn praised authorities for facilitating the protesters’ easy entry into the capital. Abhisit said the government has asked protest leaders to monitor any groups among the demonstrators who may want to provoke violence.

Despite newspaper headlines warning of a “red tide” about to swamp the city, the protests took on an almost festive atmosphere with musical performances and dancing interspersed with political speeches.

The march is regarded by some as the last chance for Thaksin to return to Thailand.

The protesters, formally known as the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, are made up of followers of Thaksin, along with other people who oppose the coup that toppled him.

Forcing the government out of power, Thaksin loyalists say, could pave the way for his pardon and return.

Thaksin, who resides in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, faces a two-year prison term for abuse of power. But he remains especially popular among the rural and urban poor who are thankful for the cheap medical care, low interest loans and other measures his government enacted to alleviate poverty.

On Saturday night, Thaksin telephoned the protesters’ People TV station to deny rumors that he had been expelled from the United Arab Emirates and was in neighboring Cambodia. Thaksin said he was on a visit to Europe.

Thailand has been in constant political turmoil since early 2006, when demonstrations accusing Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power began. In 2008, when Thaksin’s political allies came back to power for a year, his opponents occupied the prime minister’s office compound for three months and seized Bangkok’s two airports for a week.

Recent polls in Bangkok indicate a large segment of the population, irrespective of their political beliefs, is fed up with the protests, which have battered the economy, including the lucrative tourism industry.

The Red Shirts’ last major protest in Bangkok in April deteriorated into rioting that left two people dead, more than 120 people injured and buses burned on major thoroughfares.

The army was called in to quash the unrest.

Many embassies have warned their citizens to stay away from areas of the city where violence could erupt.

“This government has no intention to crack down on the protesters because that doesn’t benefit anyone,” Abhisit said, adding the government would strictly follow legal procedures if forced to disperse lawbreakers.

International

Indonesia Today

Monday, March 15, 2010

7

To prevent terror infiltration, Jambi police tighten security Antara

AFP PHOTO / Mochammad RISYAL HIDAYAT

Indonesian women protest against US President Barack Obama’s visit, in Surabaya, East Java, on March 14, 2010. Thousands of Indonesian Muslims staged peaceful rallies in cities across the country to protest US President Barack Obama’s visit later this month.

Hardline Indonesian Muslims protest Obama visit Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Thousands of Indonesian Muslims on Sunday staged peaceful rallies in cities across the country to protest US President Barack Obama’s visit later this month.

Around 2,000 protesters from the hardline Muslim group Hizbut Tahrir, which aims to establish a Muslim caliphate, shouted “Islam united... will not be defeated. Reject Obama” and tore printouts of the American flag as they marched around the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar.

In Central Java’s Solo city, another 500 of the group’s supporters carried posters saying “Expel

Obama.. Leader of colonizer” and “America.. The Real Terrorists”.

“There are two types of visitors, good and bad. Obama is bad. He might be of a different skin colour from George Bush, but he still oppressed the Muslims,” the group’s spokesman Nur Alam said, referring to former US president George W. Bush.

“He might have grown up in Indonesia, but that’s no basis for not

rejecting him. He is a cruel figure, his hands are full of blood and he has no sympathy,” he added.

Obama is generally very popular in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country as he spent several years of his childhood in Jakarta in the late 1960s.

He is scheduled to leave the United States on March 21 for the trip, which also includes stops in Guam and Australia.

Obama will seek to use his visit to Indonesia to build on a speech he gave last year to the Islamic world from Cairo urging improved ties with the United States, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said last week.

Japanese tourist drowns in Bintan coastal waters Antara

TANJUNGPINANG - A Japanese tourist identified as Yuji Kaido (66) was found dead apparently after being dragged by the strong current into the sea when swimming in the tourist resort of Bintan Lagoon, Lagoi, Bintan district, Riau Island province.

Bintan police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner YS Widodo said here Sunday that Kaido, holder of passport No TH7728280 was most probably dragged deep into the sea around

4:30 pm on Saturday (March 13) when swimming with his girl friend, Miss Sahathai (38), of Thailand.

“Kaido could not be saved after sinking in the sea for ten minutes,” the police chief said.

Widodo added that Kaido and Miss Sahathai, the holder of passport No U742271 spending their holiday in the Bintan Lagoon resort and when out into the sea at about 04.00 pm.

“About 30 minutes later a coast guard heard calls for help from the drowning victim and his girlfriend,” Widodo said.

According to him, only Miss Sahathai could be saved by the coast guard.

After being identified, Kaido’s body was taken to a general hospital for autopsy, while Miss Sahathai taken a Bintan Lagoon Resort clinic.

“We also have established coordination with the Japanese Consulate General in Medan to send the body to Japan, while awaiting the victims’ relatives to take the victim,” he said.

In addition, the police had also questioned witnesses and the coast guard.

JAMBI - A total of 179 policemen were deployed to conduct security checks on cars and buses in an effort to prevent terror suspects from entering Jambi province.

The province’s police spokesman Adjunct Senior Commissioner Almansyah said here Saturday the security checks were necessary to stop possible terror infiltrators.

Since the security check operation in Jambi city and its outskirts was launched this week, the deployed policemen had yet to find any terror infiltrator and dangerous goods, he said.

Jambi directly borders on the provinces of West Sumatra, Riau, and South Sumatra.

The West Sumatran police had also taken anticipative measures to prevent terror suspects in Aceh province from entering the province.

The West Sumatran police secured some strategic sites; include banks, hotels, hospitals, seaports and Minangkabau International Airport.

Over the past few weeks, the Indonesian police’s anti-terror personnel have been hunting a group of armed terror suspects in Aceh Besar district.

Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf said the terror suspects wanted to make his province a base for their operations in Southeast Asia.

In Pamulang sub-district, South Tangerang, Banten Province, antiterror policemen also gunned down three terror suspects, including long-wanted terror kingpin Dulmatin last Tuesday.

In the raids, the police also arrested three other terror suspects.

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

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

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

Jakarta government makes old towns as the creative city Antara

JAKARTA - The Jakarta city government in cooperation with the British Council is to turn the Old Town in the western part of the capital into creative hub, a spokesperson said.

The cooperation is conducted by presenting performances of 3 Dimensions Video Mapping, namely moving images by using a projector that illuminates the Jakarta History Museum building, said Aurora Tambunan, assistant to the Jakarta vice governor, said Saturday.

“This event is part of the city government’s program to revitalize the Old Town as a place for creative people, so that the Old Town can become a creative industry hub,” she said.

Aurora said, the vision of the Jakarta city government was to make the old town a cultural heritage as it holds heritage buildings with high economic potential.

Meanwhile, British Council director Keith Davies said the event was the fulfillment of the Council’s commitment to support the creative community in the Old Town and strengthen relationships between the United Kingdom and Indonesia.

The arts Video Mapping per-

formance was opened by Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo in the hope that starting from this event it can generate creative activities and entice tourists to come to the Old Town.

“Convey to all corners of the world, that the Old town is interesting to visit,” said Fauzi Bowo in a speech in front of Jakarta citizens when signing an agreement with the British Council at the Video Mapping playback event.

The arts 3 Dimensions Video Mapping performance was the work of the leading multimedia artists from England D-Fuse and young movie maker from Indonesia Sakti Parantenan from the “Sembilan Matahari Film” and Adi Panuntun, photographer Feri Latief, and author Taqarrabie.

Besides this event, Aurora said, the revitalization program of the Old Town area was done by using two strategies, which consider heritage buildings and events in the Old Town area.

In addition, the city government in cooperation with the Jakarta Arts Institute (IKJ) will hold training for students who can regularly come to the Old Town and with the British Council in a three-year partnership to hold a variety show called “Weekend in the Old Town,” Aurora said.

8

Internationa

Monday, March 15, 2010

Bali Today Tourists enjoying their time at one of the Bali’s tourism objects at Gianyar. The foreign tourists length of stay in Bali are declining according to Bali’s Governor Made Mangku Pastika.

Complaint of Pastika represented by Vice Governor Puspayoga when delivering the information of accountability report of provincial leader on the decline in the average length of stay of foreign tourists in Bali needed researching in depth.

Bali Post/Dar

Foreign tourist length of stay decline needs depth research Bali Post

DENPASAR — Complaints of Governor of Bali Made Mangku Pastika represented by Vice Governor Puspayoga when delivering the information of accountability report of provincial leader on the decline in the average length of stay of foreign tourists in Bali needed researching in depth.

“Governor of Bali was not satisfied with temporary answer because of the global crisis,” said a member of the Functional Group (Golkar) Party Faction, Nyoman Sugawa Korry and Tjokorde Gede Ngurah following the general view of the House, last Friday (Mar 12) regarding to Regional Regulation Draft on Tourist Travel Business Service (UJPW).

According to him, the issue needed to be looked together so that all parties would not careless and complacent soon. Yet it was possible that such external factors should be anticipated promptly. For instance, it could pertain to the quality of Bali tourism product at the time, evaluation on the drawback of promotion system, or competitiveness among the destinations, influencing factor of disease and security issues. ”In fact, many influential factors need examining which ones is the most determining on that decline,” said Rawan Atmaja in his general view.

Governor of Bali represented

by Puspayoga stated the average length of stay of foreign tourists decreased from 13.6 days in 2008 to

just 8.75 days in the 2009. Such decreased length of stay also had an impact on individual expenditures of foreign tourists diminishing from 148.40 dollars per day in 2008 to 137.90 dollars per day in 2009, whereas the tourists visit significantly increased 18.26 percent in 2009 compared to the previous year.

This gave the impression that Bali was increasingly sold cheaply to foreign tourists. ”For instance, the more and more foreign tourists urinating in the toilet, we should get more levies, why did it decrease instead?

What’s wrong with this condition?” he questioned.

While joking, Tjokorde Ngurah asked whether the decline was caused by a number of rare animals like Komodo dragon and elephant coming into Bali so Bali cultural tourism dwindled. Bali no longer needed to bring in elephant, among the zoos should make cooperation. “On that account, there will be a child of elephant born,” he said.

Spokesperson of Mandara Jaya Faction Gede Ngurah Wididana observed the drop in average length of stay of foreign tourists was due to saturation of tourists to Bali tourism

product that was felt more and more monotonous. Bali was too exploited by the capitalists as the strength of Bali, while its culture and the environment were neglected.

It was also caused by the weakening of the power of local human resources due to influence of global culture, instant culture and demoralized community of Bali. There would be no healthy competition between the small and strong. Therefore, his party hoped that a mutual Regional Regulation Draft on UJPW could build a synergy rather than overlapping with other travel regulations.

In the meantime, Spokesperson of Democratic Faction Tjok Asmara Gede Sukawati stated to overcome the saturation of tourists, the provincial government should work together to develop new destinations. Tourism objects especially those having the nuance of environmental conservation, cultural tourism and spiritual tourism. Additionally, he hoped the existence of strict sanctions set forth in the Regional Regulation on UPJW because the trading practices of heads among the travel agent and tour guides were still rampant in Bali. (029)

Cepuk Weaving Craft in Nusa Penida:

Minimal Understanding on Motives, Marketing Hampered Cepuk weavers in Nusa Penida begin to grow.

However, they face various problems affecting their productivity. The condition is due to lacking of knowledge in terms of design and style needed by the market. So, what should the government do to Nusa Penida weavers to make them go public?

by providing trainings. It includes the training that could enrich their knowledge on making a new design motif as well as training to build relationships/ good marketing network.

Division Head of Industrial Affairs, Klungkung Cooperatives, SMEs, Industry and Trade Services, Made Karmajaya, admitted the his party regularly held training for craftsmen. Especially for weaving crafters in Nusa Penida, he admitted to have held training about the use of natural colors. Such coloring agents in use consisted of natural ingredients growing in the surrounding environment. Currently, it was said there were 12 units of Cepuk weaving business at the area of Pejukutan Village, plus 20 units of cagcag weaving and 9 units of ATBM Tanglad Village.

POTENCY of Cepuk weaving crafts in Nusa Penida is very large.

Unfortunately, to work on the potential, it needs hard work and unyielding mentality. “The main problem is marketing. Our craftsmen do not have a network to market their products,” revealed the Head of Nusa Penida subdistrict, Made Sudiarka Jaya in Nusa Penida, last Thursday (Mar 11).

According to him, Nusa Penida communities keeping on developing the Cepuk weaving handicraft business, both belonging to cagcag motive and ordinary motive, is done by using nonmechanical loom (ATBM), particularly the people of Tanglad and Pejukutan Village. “Actually, the Cepuk weaving crafts keep on growing. Yet, our craftsmen still have minimal understanding to develop the design and the market needs. When they accomplish the products, they do not have a fixed network to market them,” added Sudiarka Jaya.

On that account, he expected very much the related agencies in Klungkung Regency and Bali Province to follow up the obstacles encountered

Exhibition “Last year, we once invited them to participate in exhibition during Bali Arts Festival. But, they were not ready.

This year, we will offer the opportunity to them again. In addition to introducing the product to the wider community, participation in the exhibition is also one step to capture the market,” he said.

A weaver from Karang Gede Hamlet, Tanglad, Ni Wayan Jantes, mentioned at the moment she deeply involved in weaving as a side job of the main occupation as a cattle rancher.

Within a day with the working time for about 5 hours she could weave a sheet of cloth measuring two meters. “I just work for other people. For the results of a single sheet of cloth I was paid IDR 10, 000,” he said.

Meanwhile, the business owner sold the fabric between IDR 125, 000 to IDR 200, 000, depending on the quality, motives and types. “For cagcag woven cloth is more expensive than the ordinary ones,” Jantes added. (bal)

Bali Post/Bal

A woman at Nusa Penida weaving at her workshop. Cepuk weavers in Nusa Penida begin to grow. However, they face various problems affecting their productivity. The condition is due to lacking of knowledge in terms of design and style needed by the market.

al

Monday, March 15, 2010

Balinese Culture Gedang Mekuah

ISI Denpasar to cooperate with FWM Antara

DENPASAR – Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) Denpasar, is considering the prospect to cooperate with For World Music (FWM), an organization which promote the awareness and understanding on traditional art performances.

I Wayan Rai, the rector of ISI Denpasar, said “the cooperation is in progress by cultural exchange and performances done throughout the world.” He explained that to start the cooperation, the representatives of ISI Denpasar had conducted a meeting with the President Director of FWM,

Prof Lewis.

“Many things had been discussed in the meeting especially the efforts to make ISI Denpasar go international through art creation and activities,” Rai added.

There is great hope that through the cooperation with For World Music, ISI will have broader network all around the world and make it easier to work with other universities. Prof Lewis who is also a lecturer in ethnomusicology, said that FWM will conduct cultural tourism and exhibition program in 2010. The program will be carried out throughout the world.

The program will star on June and

will be done in Turkey, China, countries in Africa and Latin America, and Indonesia. In Indonesia, the art activities will be done in Java and Bali.

On of the activities is to take the participants to visit and learn Balinese culture in ISI Denpasar. Prof Lewis said that ISI Denpasar is chosen because the achievement and its reputation in the world. ISI Denpasar also has good human resources and complete facilities.

Rai said that hopefully, the art program will give benefit to both side. The students of ISI Denpasar can get knowledge about world art and maybe can create new concepts and idea during the program.

Tourism in Kuta show ”glocalization” process Antara

DENPASAR – The phenomena of culture as the base of tourism development in Kuta show there is a process of “glocalisation”, the local and global culture connected each other and bond together.

I Ketut Sumadi, a lecturer in Hindu Dharma Institute (IHDN) Denpasar, said “the culture of village is Tri Hita Karana which is the harmonic relationship between human and the environment, with God, and with each others. Kuta can develop rapidly but there is still

very strong base.”

Kuta has many things can made the area one of the most famous tourism site in Bali such as beautiful beach, the modesty of the people, way of life, and the art and culture. All of those things grow and unite to develop tourism in Bali. It is also the one that attract tourists to visit the island.

Sumadi said that the development whether it is the present or the future should not affected the basic of the village in Kuta. It must stay strong in the storm of foreign culture.

However, on the other side, the

development of market, tourism hegemony, and pragmatic lifestyle are adapting in glocalization process.

“The process, the factors, and the meaning of the base in development of tourism in Kuta are the focus of my research. I have been conducting the study for more than a year,” Sumadi added.

The development of tourism in Kuta has a very long history. It started when Kuta become the harbor and the center of commerce during the colonial era and then develop into well known tourist destination.

(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)

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

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

Dry sausage for 8 hours on wire rack in oven at very low heat. Deep fry in oil over medium heat until golden brown.

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

9

10

Monday, March 15, 2010

Destinations

International

Bedugul Botanical Garden

http://kemoning.info

International Bali Post Classifieds Contact us

TICKET PROMO PLUS DELIVERY DPS - JKT DPS - JOG DPS - SUB Dps - Upg DPS - SIN DPS - BKK

360.000 330.000 280.000 470.000 $ 365.00 $ 635.00

Lion Air Wing Air Wing Air Lion Air (RT) Garuda (RT) Thai Airways

Mohon Hubungi :

(0361) 750002 / (0361) 791 6788 BALI SHALOM HOLIDAY Melayani juga: Hotel, Tour, Rent Car, Holyland Note: syarat dan ketentuan berlaku

C.501541-tkt

BEDUGUL Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya is the huge tropical garden located in Bedugul, plateau area in Bali. It is situated in the cool atmosphere with rain forest and hill surrounds it. This botanical garden is opened on 1959 and owns 154,5 ha land located Tabanan regency, northwest part of Bali. It is close to the beautiful lake which is called Beratan Lake and Ulun Danu Temple. It is completed by more than 1187 plant types and multifarious of floras. In this area, there is orchid garden with the collection of 320 orchid types from Bali, Java, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Sulawesi and also Irian Jaya.

We can also meet the rose garden with the collection of various rose from rust colored until green chromatic.

Bedugul Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya is also completed by 524 birches which are still in its original forest. In this place we can meet the collection from America, South America, China, Japan, Australia, Africa and also Netherlands. Cyathea Garden is one of the specific gardens owning the various collections of Paku-pakuan (tropical vegetable) which can be

eaten as vegetable by Balinese and some of them are used for decoration. The tree from this nail Cyatheas are often exploited as growth media of various orchid types. Cactus collections are consisted of 104 types.

This cactus is obtained from Africa, America, Germany, Switzerland and also Indonesia. The crop season at botanical garden is taken 94 types plants that are the collection from the exploitation for Balinese life ceremony, temple ceremony, devoting/ offering and others purpose. It also owns the collection of drug crop with 84 types/species.

Beside of the crop collections, Bedugul Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya also owns the traditional Balinese houses and it function as guest house for scientist who is doing observation. It is also opened for public including tourists and to be one of favorite tourist destinations in Bali especially for domestic tourists. The most crowded visitors at this place are on Lebaran Period (Moslem holiday), Balinese Holidays, National Holidays and New Year period. (www.balistarisland.com)

... 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

g

www.solo-cctv.com

Rekam 24 jam Non Stop - Internet on line Apapun kebutuhan CCTV Anda, ada di sini!

Garansi Barang & Jasa... PASTI ! !

Dengan tenaga berpengalaman, instalasi dijamin rapi Hubungi:

Jln. Buluh Indah No. 23 Denpasar Telp. (0361) 2764411-088802911054 C.492248-elk

PKM - KONTRAKTOR BUILDING & ELECTRICAL Consulting - Design - Build

House, Villa, Pool, Ruko Price Start @ 1,75 jt / m2 Standar Building Material Email:pkm@bali-net.org

Telp : (0361) 8823214 C.493865-kont

C.500470-rpa

Monday, March 15, 2010

11

BUSINESS China faces tough year, Wen rejects pressure on yuan

This file photo taken on January 20, 2009 shows foreign labourers working at a construction site in Singapore.

With one in three of the five million people living on the tiny island now a foreigner and citizens complaining about competition for jobs, housing and medical care, the government is taking a fresh look at its opendoor policy.

Agence France-Presse

BEIJING - China faces a difficult year as it works to maintain economic growth and spur development, but it will not be bullied into changing its exchange rate policy, Premier Wen Jiabao said Sunday.

In a wide-ranging press conference at the end of China’s annual session of parliament, Wen said Beijing was not ready to withdraw stimulus measures put in place in late 2008 to pull the world’s thirdlargest economy out of the crisis.

He also warned Beijing would not cede to foreign pressure to boost the value of its currency, nor would it allow the United States to push it too far on the thorny issues of Taiwan and Tibet.

“This year is going to be the most complicated year for the economy,” Wen told hundreds of reporters gathered at the Great Hall of the People for his only formal press conference of the year.

“We will maintain the continuity and stability of our macroeconomic policies,” he said, adding that as circumstances change, Beijing would make every effort to make its policies “more flexible”.

The Communist government launched a 586-billion-dollar stimulus package in late 2008 to boost domestic demand as a way to make up for falling exports, which plummeted when key US and European markets tumbled into recession.

Beijing has since returned to double-digit growth — a blistering 10.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009 — prompting fears of economic overheating and asset bubbles that could later lead to a bust.

Chinese consumer prices rose for the fourth straight month in February while new lending slowed sharply, official data showed last week — leading analysts to predict Beijing still had time to implement tough tightening measures.

Wen said that for now, the focus remained on consolidating China’s recovery.

“The economic situation remains complicated... even if the world economy were to pick up, the main global economic problems have not completely disap-

peared,” he said.

China’s trade partners have repeatedly called for Beijing to allow the yuan to appreciate, saying it is kept artificially low to boost exports.

US President Barack Obama last week called on China to adopt a “market-oriented” exchange rate policy, which he said would make an “essential contribution” to rebalancing the world economy after the crisis.

But Wen rejected those calls, and said the currency’s value was not to blame for foreign trade deficits.

“We are opposed to the practice of engaging in mutual fingerpointing among countries or taking strong measures to force other countries to appreciate their currencies,” said Wen. “This kind of practice is not in the interest of the reform of the renminbi (yuan) exchange rate regime.”

The premier said China had made “strong efforts” since the outbreak of the international financial crisis to keep the yuan at a “stable level”.

The value of the yuan has become a major sticking point in relations between China and the United States, which are badly strained over a number of other issues including a spate of trade disputes, Tibet, Taiwan and Internet freedom.

Wen launched a fresh salvo in the war of words with Washington, saying US arms sales to Taiwan and Obama’s talks last month with the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, at the White House had violated China’s sovereignty.

He reiterated China’s position that responsibility for the problems in Sino-US relations did not lie with Beijing, but with Washington.

“We hope the US will face the issues squarely and take concrete steps” to remedy the situation, he said.

“A peaceful US-China relationship makes both countries winners,” Wen said.

AFP PHOTO / FILES / ROSLAN RAHMAN

Door narrows for foreign workers in Singapore Agence France-Presse

SINGAPORE - Construction workers from Bangladesh, hotel staff from the Philippines, waitresses from China, shipyard welders from Myanmar, technology professionals from India — Singapore has them all.

For years the rich but workerstarved city-state, built by mainly Chinese immigrants, had rolled out the welcome mat for foreigners, whose numbers rose drastically during the economic boom from 20042007.

But with one in three of the five million people living on the tiny island now a foreigner and citizens complaining about competition for jobs, housing and medical care, the government is taking a fresh look at its open-door policy With the grumbling getting louder and general elections expected to be called before they are due in 2012, the government has unveiled measures to reduce reliance on foreigners and assure citizens they remain the priority.

“There are social and physical limits to how many more we can absorb,” Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam told parliament in February.

He said the government will make it costlier for companies to hire foreigners by raising the levies they must pay for every non-Singaporean or non-resident they hire.

The government also earmarked 5.5 billion Singapore dollars (3.9 billion US) over the next five years to upgrade Singaporean workers’ skills to boost their productivity, make them more competitive and raise incomes.

It imposed measures to cool down rising home prices, also blamed on foreigners buying into the prop-

erty market, and pledged it will further tighten the process of accepting permanent residents and new citizens.

Of Singapore’s population of nearly five million last year, 533,200 were permanent residents and 1.25 million were foreigners on employment passes, along with their families, official statistics show.

“I think it is shaping up to be one of the hottest issues in Singapore today,” political commentator Seah Chiang Nee told AFP. Economist Song Seng Wun of CIMB-GK Research said that apart from helping local companies rise up the value chain, the new measures will also address potential election issues.

Singapore’s last elections, held in 2006, saw the ruling People’s Action Party returned to power for six years, continuing its uninterrupted rule over the island since 1959.

“The government has to be seen doing something in areas that are potential flashpoints,” Song said.

Disenchantment over foreign workers gained momentum during a severe economic slump that began in the third quarter of 2008, when tradereliant Singapore became the first Asian economy to slip into recession.

Drastic job and salary cuts were implemented, affecting many whitecollar workers.

In coffee shops, Internet forums, letters to newspapers and sessions with members of parliament, citizens became more vocal about the rapidly growing numbers of foreigners in their ranks.

The most common complaint is that Singaporeans are losing jobs to foreigners who are willing to accept much lower salaries.

“Foreigners are a damn pain in the butt. I seriously wonder if they

are here to work or just snatch jobs from our locals,” said one posting on the popular online forum sammyboy.com.

“The country is fast becoming an unfamiliar place to many Singaporeans. The sense of national pride is disappearing by the day,” said a posting by Nur Muhammad on The Online Citizen.

Seah, who runs the political website www.littlespeck.com, said much of the resentment comes from Singaporeans who have to compete directly with foreign engineers, accountants, hotel managers and IT professionals.

“Most Singaporeans do not feel angry against low-skilled foreign workers... It is more aimed at those who come in as white collar workers and get the jobs that Singaporeans can do,” he said.

Citizens have also complained about having to share space in crowded trains with a large number of foreigners, or compete with them for places in government schools and public housing.

Foreign labourers are accused of loitering, spitting in public and leaving litter behind. Another sore point for locals is dealing with waitresses and sales people who can hardly understand English.

Some employers have argued they do not hire Singaporeans for certain jobs because locals are choosy and often lack the natural social and communication skills in service professions like manning hotel front desks.

In some ways, Singapore is a victim of its own success.

A campaign in the 1970s for families to have only two children was so effective that the country is now well below the 60,000 babies needed per year just to naturally replace the resident population.

12

Monday, March 15, 2010

Entertainment

International

ABC, Lifetime among winners of GLAAD Media Awards Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK – Joy Behar, Cynthia Nixon and the ABC drama series “Brothers & Sisters” are among this year’s recipients of media awards from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

Presented Saturday in New York, winners of the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards also include the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show,” the Lifetime network film “Prayers for Bobby” and a report on CNN’s “American Morning” program called “Why Will Won’t Pledge Allegiance.”

The ABC daytime drama “One Life to Live” and an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” were also recognized, as were the Spanish-lan-

guage networks Univision and Telemundo.

Among winners in nonelectronic media, The New York Times was awarded for overall outstanding newspaper coverage, and Detective Comics was named outstanding comic book. “Sex and the City” star Nixon was honored with the Vito Russo Award, which is named after a founding member of GLAAD and is presented to a gay media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights

Michael Jackson’s luxury furniture up for auction Agence France Presse

LOS ANGELES – The luxury furniture Michael Jackson commissioned before his death will go under the hammer in June in Las Vegas along with other personal items from the King of Pop, Julien’s Auctions announced Friday.

The 22 pieces of furniture Jackson ordered from Italy’s

AFP/Pool/File/Beth A. Keiser

The luxury furniture Michael Jackson (pictured in 2001) commissioned before his death will go under the hammer in June in Las Vegas along with other personal items from the King of Pop, Julien’s Auctions announced Friday.

Colombostile Artisans to fill the home where he was to live during his “This is It” London concert series will be featured in the June 25 “Music Icons” auction at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

Before the event, the furniture and a recreation of Jackson’s home in Kent, England will be exhibited at Newbridge Silverware’s Museum of Style Icon’s, in Ireland, from March 16 to May 30, Julien’s said in a statement. The exhibit will then be shown in Las Vegas from June 14-25.

“Michael’s fans and the public will experience how the entertainer’s home would have looked like with his custom designed” furniture, the auction house said.

The collection includes several armchairs upholstered in mother of pearl or platinum-gold leaf (estimated at 18,500 dollars) and two with gold double-headed eagle embroidery (60,000 dollars).

It also includes a 17th century style gilt ebonized wood writing desk with mother of pearl inlay (120,000 dollars) and a Baroque red velvet and gilt sofa with stone inlay (150,000 dollars).

The auction will also feature more than 200 items from Jackson’s life and career, including a signed “Beat It” jacket (estimated at 8,000-12,000 dollars), Jackson’s white Swarovski Crystal Glove (30,000 dollars) and signed “Bad” Lyrics (2,000-4,000 dollars).

From other music icons, the auction includes a lock of Elvis Presley’s hair (8,000 dollars), a Fender guitar used onstage by Jimi Hendrix (150,000-200,000 dollars), and Britney Spears stage costumes.

for the gay community. Behar, a cohost of ABC’s “The View,” received the Excellence in Media Award.

The GLAAD Media Awards salute fair, accurate and inclusive representation of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives in the media. The remainder of this year’s awards — chosen from a total of 152 nominees in 32 categories — will be presented at ceremonies held in Los Angeles and San Francisco in April and June, respectively.

Cynthia Nixon

Metallica boosts security for Venezuela concert Agence France Presse

CARACAS – US heavy metal group Metallica has planned extensive security measures for its concert Friday at a Caracas baseball stadium after rioting fans sparked chaos and violence in Bogota.

But organizers are heeding to lessons learned during Wednesday’s riots, and have called on a large contingent of police officers, civil protection officers, firefighters and private security agents to ensure an orderly concert in Caracas.

The 50,000-strong expected crowd will also have to go through

metal detectors before they can enter Rinconada stadium.

Hundreds of angry fans who could not get tickets to the Bogota concert tried to storm the venue on Wednesday at Simon Bolivar park to catch a glimpse of the Californian metal legends’ first concert in Colombia in 11 years. Police on horseback fought back and eventually dispersed the crowd.

Some 170 people were arrested for rioting, vandalism and destruction of property, although they were released on Thursday for lack of evidence, Bogota Metropolitan Police said. Three officers were also injured.

AFP/File/Mayela Lopez

Metallica’s James Hetfield (right) and bassist Robert Trujillo perform in San Jose, Costa Rica on March 7. US heavy metal group Metallica has planned extensive security measures for its concert at a Caracas baseball stadium after rioting fans sparked chaos and violence in Bogota.

Police are investigating a group of fans on online social networking website Facebook that urged fans to cause disruption if they could not get tickets for the concert attended by 35,000 people.

It was not the first incident of the band’s Latin American tour.

In January in Santiago, a riot broke out during the concert, forcing police to use water cannons and arrest 120 people.

Friday’s performance will also be the first visit in 11 years to Venezuela by James Hetfield (vocals and guitar), Kirk Hammett (guitar), Lars Ulrich (drums) and Robert Trujillo (bass).

The four California veterans are noisier and darker than ever, doing what they know best — with thrashing guitars and howling vocals at a heart-stopping pace — after releasing their first studio album in five years in September 2008.

It is the last leg of a Latin American tour that took the group to Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile and Argentina. On Saturday, Metallica performs in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The group then pursues its “Death Magnetic” tour in Europe, performing in Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Northern Ireland, Hungary, Croatia, Portugal, France, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Greece and Romania. It will also make stops in Israel and Turkey.

Life Style

International

Monday, March 15, 2010

13

Why Does Daylight Saving Time Begin at 2 a.m.?

AFP/Vanderlei Almeida

A female anteater (Tamandua Mirim) carries her baby at the zoo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. n the heart of the historical Sao Cristovao neighborhood, close to Rio’s open-air football stadium of Maracan, the zoo is home to over 500 mammals, 900 reptiles and 1,000 birds representing 400 species from the Brazilian ecosystem.

Rio’s zoo a maternity ward for endangered species Agence France Presse

RIO DE JANEIRO – Rio’s zoo has been abuzz with activity in recent months, welcoming new arrivals to its collection of animals as it battles to try to save many of the nation’s endangered species.

Among its rare residents are the black-collared anteater, the Ararajuba Golden Parakeet and the yellowbreasted capuchin — just some examples of Brazil’s rich and colorful wildlife threatened by extinction.

Now to ensure their survival, the Rio de Janeiro zoo has morphed into a maternity ward of sorts, with some of these animals being born in captivity for the first time.

In the heart of the historical Sao Cristovao neighborhood, close to Rio’s open-air football stadium of Maracan, the zoo is home to over 500 mammals, 900 reptiles and

1,000 birds representing 400 species from the Brazilian ecosystem.

“This is the first time species like the anteater or toucan birds with spotted beaks have reproduced.

These births prove that these species are well adapted to captivity,” biologist Rodrigo Costa said with delight.

He noted that the TamuandaMirim anteater faces extinction in Rio state, as it is originally from the Atlantic Forest.

This humid tropical forest, which covered all of Brazil’s coast when it was discovered in 1500, is considered

the richest, most diverse ecosystem in the world. But the forest will disappear within 40 years if it continues to be destroyed at the current pace.

Having animals reproduce and successfully give birth in captivity is no easy task and requires much patience.

“For toucans, we studied how they adapted, what they ate, how they made their nest and the couple itself. We switched around males and females until they really got along,” Costa explained. The successful couple are the proud parents of two little ones.

When temperatures peaked at over 40 degrees C (104 degrees F) during the southern hemisphere’s record-breaking February summer, he had to pierce bird nests to aerate them, he said. Bears and wolves were fed frozen fruit and ice creams.

THIS Sunday most U.S. residents will gain an hour of daylight as it’s time to spring forward.

Few people will likely wake up exactly at 2:00 a.m. local time to move the clock hand, or dial, forward an hour. But that’s when daylight saving time officially begins on the second Sunday in March. It ends on the first Sunday in November, when clocks are turned back at 2:00 a.m. local time to read 1:00 a.m. That is, for everyone except those who live in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and by most of Arizona, with the exception of the Navajo Nation.

Why two o’clock? The thinking goes it’s late enough that most people would be at home, with few bars and restaurants being affected.

In addition, it prevented the date from switching to yesterday; it would be confusing if, say, we changed the clocks at midnight back to 11 p.m. The time is also early enough that the clock-hand change occurs before early shift workers and early churchgoers might be impacted, according to the WebExhibits, an online museum.

Turning clocks back in the fall could mean an extra hour at bars, which tend to close at 2 a.m., right?

Not so, according to the California

Energy Commission. Bars actually close at 1:59 a.m., so they are already closed when daylight saving time begins.

When it began

Daylight saving time has a rocky past. Established in the United States in 1918, daylight saving time was a contentious matter and was repealed in 1919. The standardized clock changes, however, were reestablished nationally early in World War II and observed from Feb. 9, 1942 through Sept. 30, 1945.

After the war, U.S. states were free to choose whether to observe daylight saving time, and if they did, the calendar start dates of the time change. The result was time confusion for travelers and newscasters. In 1966, Congress enacted the Uniform Time Act, which stated that if any state observed daylight saving time, it had to follow a uniform protocol, beginning and ending on the same dates throughout the country.

The start and end dates have changed over the years, with the most recent change in 2007 setting the start date on the second Sunday in March and end date on the first Sunday in November - adding four weeks to the total stint compared with years prior.

Foto/AFP

Graphic to be used as a reminder of daylight saving time

Stock market dips ‘linked to heart attack surge’ Agence France Presse

AFP/Stan Honda

An information board posts the latest prices and graphs above the floor of the New York Stock Exchange earlier this month. Doctors have found a relation between stock market fluctuations and heart attack frequency, a preliminary study by North Carolina’s Duke University Medical Center said Saturday.

ATLANTA, Georgia – Doctors have found a relation between stock market fluctuations and heart attack frequency, a preliminary study by North Carolina’s Duke University Medical Center has said.

“In analyzing our local patient population... during the recent period of increased volatility in the stock market, we found that when stock market values decreased, heart attacks seemed to increase, and then decreased when stock trends improved,” said the study’s lead investigator Mona Fiuzat on Saturday.

The results of the research were presented at the American College

of Cardiology?s 59th annual scientific conference held this weekend in Atlanta.

“While more and larger studies are needed to examine the reason for these findings, it?s important for healthcare providers to be aware of social stressors that may potentially affect their patients,” Fiuzat said.

The study focused on patients registered at the Duke Hospital Catheterization Lab between January 2006 and July 2009, using data from the Duke Databank for Cardiovascular Disease.

It included patients who suffered a heart attack within three days prior to undergoing a heart procedure. Data was then plotted against the stock market daily values during the same

period of time.

Researchers said that while earlier studies showed a link between traumatic events such as the September 11, 2001 attacks and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and an increased risk of “cardiac events,” there was limited data on the impact of financial markets.

“These results appear to be consistent with studies looking at other environmental stressors and their impact on cardiovascular events,” said Fiuzat.

She concluded that “learning stress management strategies may be beneficial, especially for people with or at high risk of heart disease.”

14

Sport

Monday, March 15, 2010

International

Nadal returns to action with Indian Wells win Agence France Presse

INDIAN WELLS, California – Reigning champion Rafael Nadal, playing his first match in more than a month, reached the third round of the BNP Paribas Open Saturday with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Rainer Schuettler.

Nadal hadn’t played since retiring with a right knee injury while trailing Andy Murray by two sets in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in January.

Nadal’s victory over Schuettler offered little opportunity to gauge his game given the chilly, windy conditions that prevailed as darkness fell in the California desert.

“When I went to practice in the morning, it was perfect conditions,” Nadal said. “And when I went on court, the weather completely changed, so it was difficult to adapt.”

Nadal, who sped to a 5-1 lead with two breaks of serve in the

opening set, then lost three games in a row before closing out the set.

He needed only one break of serve, in the seventh game, and didn’t face a break point in the second frame as he closed out the match.

Nadal said he felt comfortable on his forehand, but had particular trouble with the wind behind him on his backhand. “I feel if I only touch the ball, the ball was out,” said Nadal, who was pleased to get the victory under his belt. “The only thing is try to win the match, play acceptable, and I did.”

Nadal next faces Croatian Mario Ancic, a 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 winner over France’s Julien Benneteau.

Ancic, a 2004 Wimbledon semi-fi-

nalist, missed most of last year after being diagnosed with mononucleosis that had first been diagnosed as a bad flu in 2008.

Serbian Novak Djokovic, seeded second behind Roger Federer in the first Masters 1000 tournament of 2010, survived some erratic play to emerge with a 6-1, 0-6, 6-2 victory over American Mardy Fish — the man Djokovic beat in the final here in 2008.

Djokovic blazed through the first set in 39 minutes — then dropped the second in just 28.

“I had a terrible start,” Djokovic said of the second set. “Mardy played some good points, I made a lot of unforced errors.”

(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, hits a shot to Reiner Schuettler, of Germany, during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif., Saturday, March 13, 2010.

Vidic expects great things Knicks end Mavericks’ 13-game win streak, 128-94 from Ferdinand partnership

(AP Photo/Mike Fuentes)

New York Knicks forward Wilson Chandler (21) goes for a shot against Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas on Saturday, March 13, 2010.

Associated Press Writer

Agence France Presse

DALLAS – Bill Walker scored a careerhigh 23 points, Wilson Chandler added 22 and the New York Knicks snapped Dallas’ 13-game winning streak and avenged a 50point loss to the Mavericks earlier this season with a 128-94 victory on Saturday night.

The Mavericks had their most lopsided win in franchise history in the first meeting between the teams, a 128-78 rout of the Knicks on Jan. 24 at Madison Square Garden. This time, it was the Knicks’ turn for a runaway.

Rookie Toney Douglas had 21 points, Al Harrington added 20 points, and David Lee contributed 15 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks, who’d lost 14 of their previous 17 and nine straight in Dallas.

Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points and 12 rebounds, and and Jason Kidd added 15 points for Dallas, which hadn’t lost since Feb. 16.

The Knicks shot 56 percent from the field (50 for 89) and 16 of 30 from 3-point range.

Slow starts had become a habit for the Mavericks during their streak, and the Knicks carried a 30-25 edge into the second quarter.

Harrington had 15 points in the first half and Douglas 13 to help the Knicks take 58-48 lead at the break. Douglas was making his third start of the season and first since Nov. 18.

The Knicks opened the third quarter with a 20-9 spurt, capped by Tracy McGrady’s three-point play, to expand their advantage to 78-57.

McGrady had 11 third-quarter points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and the Knicks took a 91-66 lead into the final quarter. New York went on to lead by as many as 37 points in the fourth quarter behind 16 points from Walker.

MANCHESTER – Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic believes there is still more to come from his partnership with Rio Ferdinand as the pair gear up for the closing stage of the Premier League title race.

Ferdinand’s season has been interrupted by back problems and Vidic’s appearances have also been restricted by an ankle injury.

But the central defenders are set to play together for just the third time this year when Fulham visit Old Trafford on Sunday.

They have returned in front of goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who has also struggled with his fitness this season, with successive clean sheets in the 1-0 victory over Wolves and the 4-0 thumping of AC Milan.

Serbia international Vidic feels it

will take a while longer for him and Ferdinand to reach peak form despite such an impressive start to their renewed relationship.

“We’ve both been injured for a while and I think we need a few more games before we hit top form,” Vidic said. “But nothing has changed since we’ve been out - we always know how to play together.

“We understand each other - he knows how I will react in certain situations and it’s the same the other way round.

“It’s frustrating when you’re out and hard to watch the games because you want to be out there helping your team. But we’re back now and hopefully the injuries are behind us.”

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also feels that the return of his firstchoice centre-back pairing will be key to United’s run in.

(AFP/File/Andrew Yates)

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic (right) believes there is still more to come from his partnership with Rio Ferdinand as the pair gear up for the closing stage of the Premier League title race. Both central defenders are set to play together for just the third time this year when Fulham visit Old Trafford on Sunday.

Sport

International

Monday, March 15, 2010

15

Arsenal boosted by victory, Fabregas return Agence France Presse

HULL, England – Nicklas Bendtner claimed a dramatic stoppage-time winner to push Arsenal level with Premier League leaders Chelsea thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 victory at struggling Hull on Saturday.

(AFP/Andrew Yates)

Arsenal’s forward Nicklas Bendtner (L) scores the late second goal in their English Premier League football match against Hull City at the KC Stadium in Kingston upon Hull. Arsenal stayed right on Chelsea’s heels thanks to a stoppage-time 2-1 victory over ten-man Hull.

Arsene Wenger’s men looked like they would have to settle for a point against 10-man City, until Bendtner pounced when goalkeeper Boaz Myhill could only parry a shot from Denilson.

Relegation-threatened Hull were up against it from the moment their skipper George Boateng earned a fully-merited second yellow card in first-half injury time.

But Phil Brown’s side almost held out until Bendtner, who along with Andrey Arshavin had been guilty of wasting a string of presentable second-half chances, sealed a fifth consecutive league victory to leave the hosts in deep trouble at the bottom.

Chelsea’s resounding 4-1 victory over West Ham earlier in the day ensured that it would take a fivegoal winning margin for Arsenal to usurp their rivals at the top ahead of Manchester United taking on Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Having been forced to separate the warring Jimmy Bullard and Nick Barmby earlier this week, Brown continued the theme by handing the former his first home start since a three-month injury lay-off, while the latter had to settle for a place on the bench.

Arsenal enjoyed the majoriy of

possession early on and territorial advantage when they made that dominance pay after 14 minutes. A neat three-man build-up found Bendtner on the edge of the Hull box.

The Dane’s square pass to Arshavin found him confronted by Bernard Mendy and Boateng, but with the help of a kind bounce, the Russian wormed his way into a shooting chance, which he duly dispatched with an exquisite angled finish, fashioned with the outside of his right boot from 15 yards.

Hull striker Jozy Altidore’s turn and shot from the edge of the area trundled harmlessly wide.

Bullard’s speculative effort from a partially cleared corner succeeded only in disturbing Arsenal’s travelling supporters behind Manuel Almunia’s goal, but the returning midfielder was afforded a rather less difficult way to find the net from the penalty spot shortly before the half hour.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink appeared marginally offside as he set off in pursuit of Dean Marney’s hopeful punt into the Arsenal area.

The Dutchman took a touch with his head before he was unceremoniously bundled over by Sol Campbell.

Referee Andre Marriner pointed

to the spot, although he declined to issue what many felt would be the subsequent red card to the Arsenal defender.

Bullard needed no second invitation to find the top corner from 12 yards despite Almunia guessing the right way.

There was precious little time for the hosts to celebrate as Boateng, who had earlier been booked for a petulant confrontation with Bendtner, failed to make it to the interval after earning a second caution with an ugly knee-high challenge on Bacary Sagna. Hull’s defeat means they stretched their unwanted run to one win in 15 games.

Arsene Wenger saw Arsenal maintain their Premier League title challenge with a 2-1 win at Hull and was then further buoyed by the imminent return of midfield star Cesc Fabregas.

Nicklas Bendtner’s injury-time goal sealed a hard-fought win at struggling Hull to seal a fifth consecutive league victory and keep the pressure on title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.

The dramatic finale mirrored Arsenal’s recent success at Stoke City, and has seen them develop a reputation for leaving things uncomfortably late.

Fiorentina bounce back from Euro heartache Agence France Presse

ROME – Fiorentina came back from a goal down to defeat Napoli 3-1 on Saturday, bouncing back in style from their shattering midweek Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.

Ezequiel Lavezzi gave Napoli the lead early in the second half, but Alberto Gilardino levelled on the hour mark.

Gilardino added a second three minutes from time before Stevan Jovetic scored Fiorentina’s third in stoppage time.

It was Fiorentina’s first win in Naples in 15 years and adding to their delight was the performance of 16-year-old Kouma Babacar who had a hand in both goals.

The result moved the Florence side into ninth place in Serie A while Napoli stay seventh, five points off the Champions League places.

“This victory has great significance and is one of the most important of the season,” said Gilardino.

“We were determined and hadn?t picked up many points recently, but today got three in an extremely difficult ground.”

Leaders Inter Milan suffered just their third loss of the season as they fell 3-1 at Catania on Friday, in a defeat that threw the Italian title

chase wide open.

The Sicilians claimed their first win in 44 years over their Serie A rivals - who were reduced to ten men - thanks to second half goals from Maxi Lopez, a Giuseppe Mascara penalty, and a last-gasp Jorge Martinez winner.

Argentine striker Diego Milito had looked as if he had put Inter on their way to victory when he scored the opening goal after 54 minutes under the driving rain in the Stadio Angelo Massimino.

But coach Jose Mourinho could only watch aghast from the stands as he served out the last game of a three-match touchline ban, as his side were demolished in the last 15 minutes of play.

Maxi Lopez got the equaliser for Catania with a close range shot after 73.

And they moved ahead with a penalty after Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari got his second yellow card nine minutes from time for a blatant hand ball less than two minutes after coming on in place of Argentine Esteban Cambiasso.

The stadium erupted in joy as Martinez picked up a high clearance to put the result beyond any doubt.

It was Inter’s heaviest defeat this season as Mourinho’s side left Sicily with a four-point advantage on AC Milan, who could move to

within just a point of the leaders when they host midtable Chievo on Sunday.

The game at Catania has been

brought forward to Friday to allow Mourinho’s side to prepare for their Champions League trip to Chelsea on Tuesday where they are defend-

ing a 2-1 lead.

Inter director Marco Branca said: “Only the result went wrong, but it?ll be a different game with Chelsea.”

(AP Photo/Franco Castano’)

Fiorentina’s players celebrate at the end of a Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Fiorentina in Naples’ San Paolo stadium, Italy, Saturday, March 13, 2010. Fiorentina beat Napoli 3-1.

16

Monday, March 15, 2010

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

Sport

Pacquiao dominates Clottey for decision Associated Press Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas – Fighting on the star, Manny Pacquiao showed once again why he is such a star. With the biggest fight crowd in the U.S. in 17 years cheering him on at Cowboys Stadium, Pacquiao dominated a strangely passive Joshua Clottey from the opening bell Saturday night to retain his welterweight title and cement his status as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

The fight wasn’t close, and it was never in doubt. It was so one-sided that even those in the cheap seats among the crowd of 50,994 could tell without looking at the giant video screens over the ring that Pacquiao was in total command.

One ringside judge gave Pacquiao every round, while the two others gave him all but one. The Associated Press scored it a shutout for the Filipino sensation.

It wasn’t as flashy as his knockout of Ricky Hatton or as savage as the beating he gave Oscar De La Hoya, but there was no doubt Pacquiao was in command the entire way against a fighter who kept his gloves up high in front of his face and chose to engage him only in spurts. Clottey’s strategy worked to keep him upright, but he was never competitive in the biggest fight of his career. “He’s a very tough opponent,” Pacquiao said.

“He was looking for a big shot.”

Pacquiao was supposed to have been fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. instead of Clottey, but the megafight fell apart over a dispute over blood testing. He took out any frustrations over losing the biggest fight of his career by beating up Clottey on the biggest stage of his career.

“I want that fight, the world wants that fight, but it’s up to him,” Pacquiao said. “I’m ready to fight any time.”

That time won’t come soon.

Mayweather is fighting Shane Mosley on May 1, and the earliest the two could get together would be in the fall and only if Mayweather backs off his demands for blood testing.

The fight this night was more of an event than a real competition, bringing in the biggest crowd in the U.S. for a fight since Julio Cesar Chavez fought Pernell Whitaker at the Alamodome in 1993. It paid off handsomely for Pacquiao, though, who earned at least $12 million and built on the reputation he has gained as one of the greatest fighters of his time.

Promoters not only sold out the 45,000 seats available for the bout, but added thousands more standing room only “party passes” for fans who could get a glimpse of the action and see every drop of sweat on the huge overhead screens.

“It’s one of the most incredible stories not just in boxing but anywhere,” promoter Bob Arum said.

“Fourteen years ago he was sleeping in a cardboard shack in the Philippines and tonight he puts 51,000

people in this palace in Dallas.”

The tone of the fight was set early, with Pacquiao advancing against his taller opponent and throwing punches with both hands from all angles. It was the same style that gave him spectacular wins in his last three fights and, though Clottey was clearly the bigger fighter, he fought back only sparingly. “Everything’s working now,” trainer Freddie Roach told Pacquiao after the third round. “It’s easy.”

It was easy, too, much to the delight of the crowd and much to the delight of an entire country back in Pacquiao’s homeland. There, traffic came to a halt and huge numbers of Filipinos, including army troops and allied American soldiers, jammed theatres in shopping malls and military camps nationwide to root for Pacquiao. In what has now become a familiar scene, Filipinos repeatedly yelled his name and threw punches in the air after the country’s boxing hero was declared the winner.

Unlike most of Pacquiao’s fights, this one lacked suspense from the opening seconds of the fight, when Clottey assumed the peek-a-boo position he would remain in except for brief spurts the entire bout. “He

has speed, I lost the fight,” Clottey said. “He’s fast, that’s why I was taking my time.”

Arum said he wasn’t disappointed in the effort put out by Clottey, who was guaranteed to make at least $1.25 million.

“What was he supposed to do? If he played offense he’d get knocked out,” Arum said. “I can’t blame the kid for trying to wear him down.”

Clottey seemed content to hold his hands high in a peek-a-boo style through much of the early rounds, trying to pick off Pacquiao’s punches and perhaps rally late. But he gave away round after round, despite landing some clean punches on the rare occasions when he would throw a combination.

“You gotta take a chance,” Clottey’s trainer, Lenny DeJesus, implored him after the sixth round.

“You’re in a fight and you gotta start taking chances.”

Clottey didn’t, though, and his prize was that he was the first fighter in Pacquiao’s last six fights to make it to the final bell. The only suspense when it came time to announce the decision was whether the three ringside judges would give Clottey any of the rounds.

AP Photo/Eric Gay

Manny Pacquiao, right, of the Philippines, hits Joshua Clottey, from Ghana, during their WBO boxing welterweight title fight in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, March 13, 2010.