Edisi 25 Maret 2010 | International Bali Post

16 Pages Number 57 2st Year

Private guards kill Somali pirate for first time

Price: Rp 3.000,-

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

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On the area where it had been already arranged, a parking lot will be built. The picture show that several trucks park in the area.

Land arrangement in front of Latu Market Suspected to become café Mangupura (Bali Post) -

The arranging process in front of Latu market in Abiansemal, suspected to be use as night life entertainment or café. According the information in the area, at first the area will be use as parking lot. The project itself already violates the law where it is too close to the river.

The locals said that they are very disappointed with the project because it is using a productive land and also violate the regulation about the river. After further investigation, the project is also don’t have the permit from the authorize department in Badung regency.

In addition to café, there is a possibility that private villas also will be built in the area. The source of the information explained that

the investor was coming from the owner of the mineral water company in Bali.

In order to make the project can run smoothly, there is a member of Badung house of representative who supports the project.

While the head of Abiansemal district, IB Oka Dirga, admitted that the project doesn’t have the proper permit. “I don’t know what the project is for but we will investigate it right away,” he added. (ded)

Hotel Sanur Beach Bali won Best Tax Payer 2009 HOTEL Sanur Beach Bali received the 2009 Tax Award for the Best Tax Payer for Star-rated Hotels in Denpasar Regency. Hotel Sanur Beach Bali was honored by the Mayor of Denpasar Regency for being the largest tax contributor in the category of best tax payer of hotel and restaurant. This program recognizes Hotel Sanur Beach Bali contribution to the community and government. With these contributions and others from major hotels, it is the tourism industries fervent hope that the infrastructure in Bali is improved continuously in order to attract more tourists to come and to return to Bali.

Located right on the sandy beach of Sanur and surrounded by 7 hectares of tropical garden, Hotel Sanur Beach Bali features 426 rooms and suites, 2 large pools and a choice of restaurants and bars

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International

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Bali News Bali-Java Motortheft Syndicate Captured Mastermind Shot at Leg Denpasar (Bali Post)-

Syndicate of Java-Bali motortheft could be captured by mobile detective unit (Buser) of Bali Police. Five suspects, including the mastermind and perpetrators were sent to detention cell.

Even, the mastermind namely the suspect Suriyanto alias Anto alias Ryan was shot at leg by police since he attempted to run away when asked to show another scene.

Spokesperson of Bali Police Gde Sugianyar, last Tuesday (Mar 23) revealed the conspiracy case of Java-Bali motortheft. Before the mass media crews, he explained its mobile detective unit actually had captured the mastermind, last Friday (Mar 19). The suspect Ryan was arrested at his boarding house on Jalan Segina III, Denpasar.

The success of capturing the suspect made the investigator perform an intensive probe. It was revealed four other perpetrators comprising Ketut Mangku, Misbah alias Undren, Mustakim alias Joni, and Ketut Arta alias Ketut Baru were arrested as well. ?The four suspects were captured on Monday (Mar 22),? explained Sugianyar.

This ex-Chief of Balikpapan Resort Police said the disclosure began when police received a report from one of the people named Ni Wayan Ringin, 35, a resident of Kelandesa, Kuta. Victim claimed to have lost her motorcycle when parked at his home. “Police carried

out investigation to crime scene and probed the witnesses at the time,” he explained.

Results of the investigation indicated the mode in use by perpetrator was similar to the case ensued on Jalan Pulau Bungin and Jalan Segina, Denpasar. Their mode often targeted some boardinghouses where perpetrator usually took advantage of the key left on the bike, by means of T-letter key and made a switch.

Even, based on the description the victim, characteristics of the perpetrator were also similar to the suspect Ryan. Police did investigation in the field arming with the information on the characteristics of perpetrator. After some time, the officers saw the suspect Ryan around Jalan Teuku Umar, Denpasar. The suspect was driving a Vixion motorbike with police plate 6671 IA. Officers had followed the suspect until his boarding house. Surprisingly, at the boarding house of the suspect Ryan was also found a mo-

torcycle Honda Supra with police plate DK 3934 EX. Such condition convinced the police that Ryan was truly a perpetrator of motortheft. ?To make the suspect easier in bringing along the motorbike, perpetrator usually mounted a counterfeit police plate,? he said.

The suspicion of police was resumed by conducting raids. The suspect Ryan was arrested without resistance. Room of the suspect was searched and police found counterfeit keys, motorbike registration and identity card. The suspect along with the evidence was then secured at Bali Police. ‘’So far, the suspect claimed to have acted at 9 scenes,? he revealed.

Furthermore, while performing the action, each defendant had its own role. One had a role as a jockey, wrecker of motorbike and as a seller.

Most stolen motorcycles were sold directly to Banyuwangi. “The case is still being developed. For the time being, only five suspects could be arrested,” he added. (kmb21)

Given Infusion, Platelet of Ngurah Ardiana Drops Denpasar (Bali Post)-

The spirit of AA Ngurah Gede Ardiana Yudhisthira, one of the third-grade students majoring in social sciences of SMAN 4 Denpasar was worth making into a paragon. Even though he suffered from dengue fever and caught typhoid, Ngurah Ardiana did not give up. He ventured to come to his school and faced the tests of national exam though he was still infused.

Last Tuesday (Mar 23), Ngurah Ardiana was still supported by his family to the classroom on second floor with infusion remaining to hang. He was also watched over by the family for changing the infusion in the class. After accomplishing the English language test, he

returned to Surya Husada Hospital for continuing the treatment.

Headmaster of SMAN 4 Denpasar, Wayan Rika, suggested Ngurah Ardiana not to push himself because he still had opportunity to take a follow-up exam. However, since he got permission from his physician, it was entirely up to the family of Ardiana.

Behind it, Wayan Rika gave positive appreciation to the achievement motivation of his student.

They had prepared themselves thoroughly, but bad luck beyond human capabilities was unavoidable. “Let us pray for Ardiana in order he could graduate with a good performance,” he said.

According to his family, Ardiana had suffered from dengue fever

since last Saturday. As there was no indication of typhoid, the physician recommended him to take inpatient treatment while monitoring his health condition. Moreover, the platelet of Ardiana once declined to 41. When interviewed, Ardiana himself insisted on following the national exam at the school until the end. The reason, his preparation has been well done and his physical condition began to recover. Meanwhile, the time in hospital was used to have a rest. “I have confidence to pass even though I answered the test while being infused,” he said.

In SMAN 4 Denpasar, it was recorded 279 students attended the national exam. On the English test last Tuesday most students considered it pretty easy. (025)

Disdikpora Bali Complains BSNP Issues a Circular Denpasar (Bali Post)-

Muddle in the implementation of National Exam (UN) of Senior High School / Vocational High School due to incompetent performance of the Percetakan Negara printing house made the Head of Bali Educational, Youth and Sports Services (Disdikpora), I Wayan Suasta, reacted strongly in order such chaos would not happen again in the upcoming implementation of national exam for secondary school (SMP/MTS) and SMPLB (school for the disable).

The number one man in the ranks of Disdikpora Bali immediately made a written complaint to Director of Perum Percetakan Negara by letter No. 423.7/1843/Disdikpora dated March 22, 2010. Such complaint letter was also forwarded to the Governor of Bali, Head of the National Standards of Educational Agency (BSNP) and Head of Research and Development Agency at Ministry of National Education. On responding to the complaint, BSNP as the institution being responsible for the administration of national exam issued a Circular No: 2079/BSNP/III/ 2010.

Contacted on last Tuesday (Mar 23), the Head of Disdikpora Bali, I Wayan Suasta,confirmed that BSNP had issued a circular to anticipate the chaos occurring in the implementation of the national exam of academic year 2009/ 2010. In essence, the circular letter signed by the Head of BSNP Prof. Dr. Djemari Mardapi provided solutions to the school and organizer of the national exam in the region to take certain actions in anticipating a number of problems that might arise in the field.

“Particularly, if the number of national exam answer sheets of students is not sufficient or mixed up,” he said.

To anticipate the problem, said Suasta, BSNP asked the school to prepare blank papers marked by school stamp to be used by students to answer the national exam. Students were also asked to fill out their name, number and name of the package code of the subjects where

the answer sheet of students were then put into an envelope by the supervisor. Furthermore, the answer sheet would be moved to the National Examination answer sheets by the officer from state higher education (PTN) at scanning location and witnessed by UN officials stated in a piece of official report.

“Therefore, BNSP had already offered solutions to overcome the problems that ensued during the implementation of national exam of senior high school/vocational high school including similar problems that may happen in the upcoming examination of secondary school. At the same time, it poses a response to our complaint to Perum Percetakan Negara printing house,” he said.

Suasta added his party had to send a complaint letter to Perum Percetakan Negara because its performance had made his party very confused and hindered the smooth implementation of the national examination for senior high school/vocational high school. Moreover, such stateowned printing press was also acting as a printer for the test sheets of national exam of secondary school in Bali Province so the same chaos might happen again if not given a warning.

According to Suasta, there were three important clauses warned in the complaint letter.

Firstly, it was about the mistake related to different contents from the label written on the cover. Secondly, it lacked for computer answer sheet in the exam test package and the unavailability of reserve answer sheet in the reserve exam test package so some students did not get the answer sheet evenly.

Thirdly, his party also questioned about the late distribution of the exam materials to the region and sub region or schools as the UN organizer.

“We expect, the unsatisfactory performance of the Perum Percetakan Negara in the implementation of national exam for SMA / SMK would not happen again in the implementation of the upcoming national exam for secondary school held on next Monday (Mar 29),” he said hopefully. (kmb13/08)

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Bali News

International

Dozens of Smuggled Birds Secured Negara (DenPost)-

The ranks of Gilimanuk harbor police (KP3), Tuesday (Mar 23) morning managed to secure tens of birds worth millions of rupiahs smuggled in the bus. Such chirp birds were smuggled by Iman Safii from Surabaya.

The officers managed to baffle the smuggling begun by the examination of Zena intercity bus with police plate N 7367 UA of Denpasar-Surabaya route at post 2 Tuesday morning. When one of the baggages was opened, the officers were suspicious on seeing a perforated cardboard and having been checked in fact it contained 11 myna birds and 17 white-rumped Shama birds but one of them was dead.

When the officers performed a check, Imam Safii could not present the documents of the birds carried with

the destination to Denpasar. Then, Imam and his 28 birds were brought to the office of KPT Wilker of Gilimanuk.

Head of Gilimanuk Harbor Police (KP3), I Putu Suarta accompanied by Chief of Criminal Detective IGP Umaedi with permission of Chief of Jembrana Resort Police said after examined those birds were then submitted to the Integrated Agricultural Quarantine (KPT) of Gilimanuk.

Other than having no permit, the birds belonged to prohibited animals from entry into Bali.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of KPT Wilker of Gilimanuk, I Ketut Sonen with permission of the Head of KPT Bali, I Ketut Diarmita, when asked for his confirmation justified if the cooperation of KPT Wilker of Gilimanuk with KP3 Gilimanuk could baffle the smuggling of birds.

For further process toward the finding of birds without document, his party would make coordination with KPT Bali to ascertain whether the birds would be eliminated or rejected. (021)

A Cycling Tourist Run over

by Truck near Candidasa Amlapura (Bali Post)-

Misfortune hit a foreign tourist named Patsy Lim Siang Lang, 48, last Tuesday (Mar 23) at the Sang Hyang Amu area, near Candidasa, Karangasem. When enjoying a bike riding tour, he was nudged and run over by truck so that both legs were broken.

Based on information of witnesses at the scene and police investigations, such traffic accident was alleged to have been caused by negligence of the truck driver, Made Sudiantara, 36. The driver from Banjar Babung, Gunaksa, Klungkung was allegedly negligent.

The victim was enjoying bicycle from Candidasa to Amlapura direction. Meanwhile, the truck driven by

the perpetrator was previously running behind the victim and when overtaking the bicycling tourist did not pay attention to the safe distance.

The victim was nudged by left-front body of the truck, so the bike and victim were bounced. Eventually, the bicycle was dragged by the truck.

Meanwhile, the victim was thrown to the left and Legs of the victim were once run over by the truck tire.

As consequence, both legs were broken and suffered from some blisters.

Victim was once rushed to Emergency Room of the Karangasem Hospital for immediate treatment.

But, there medical officers gave up and referred the victim to the International SOS Hospital in Denpasar.

Acting Spokesperson of

Karangasem Resort Police Syamsul Hayat with permission of Chief of Karangasem Resort Police confirmed the case. Perpetrator had been examined, while the truck was confiscated as evidence.

In the meantime, a number of hotel operators around Candidasa often complained about the deeds of motorists or truckers who were often speeding on the highway of Candidasa tourist resort. Motorcyclists were often a speeding recklessly on the route. Although the path was dangerous, the related institution set less traffic signs and road users rarely obeyed them. Such condition caused the Candidasa prone to accident and triggered many protests among the foreign tourists.

As for Installation of Electoral Attributes

DKP Reports 34 Violations Denpasar (Bali Post)-

The banner installation of Denpasar mayoral election before and after the campaign still refers to the existing provision, namely Mayoral Regulation No. 17/2007 on the Placement of City Advertisement. In other words, some points are not allowed to install socialization banner and other campaign properties such as over the road median park, sidewalks, civic center area, Renon, Puputan Badung Square, and other prohibited areas as stipulated in the Mayoral Regulation. If referring to these rules, there were at least 34 banner socializations belonging to Mayor-Deputy Mayor candidates the violated in Denpasar.

This matter was confirmed by the Head of Denpasar Sanitation and Landscaping Services (DKP), I Ketut Wisada, when met in his of-

fice, last Tuesday (Mar 23). From the results of monitoring by his staff in the field, it was found at least 34 banners owned by the candidates that were not in accordance with the provision. Such violations happened on Jalan Imam Bonjol, Jalan Melati, Jalan Hasanuddin, Jalan Teuku Umar, and several other roads in Denpasar.

To discipline the violating banners, said Wisada, it had become the authority of his team consisting of several other relevant agencies, namely Supervisory Committee, Electoral Commission, Public Order Officers, Denpasar Metro Police, and DKP itself. “If only for a general advertisement or commercial banners, we have the authority to take action if they violate. However, for the electoral banners, it must be based on the team?s consensus,” explained Wisada.

Wisada said the findings of violation noted by DKP were reported to Supervisory Committee last Sunday. Related to the actions taken, it was still waiting for the response of the team led by Supervisory Committee itself considering these banners related to political celebration in Denpasar. “Concerning with the matter of preparedness of officers and vehicles, we are ready whenever required,” he said.

Meanwhile, a number of banners belonging to Dharma-Negara candidate declared to violate on Jalan Hasanuddin had been repaired by the volunteer team. Previously, the banner surpassed the road border but last Tuesday it had been moved to the side. Only one banner belonging to Subawa-Udiyana candidate set over the road median park at the end of Jalan Hasanuddin was still installed on the location. (kmb12)

Thursday, March 25, 2010

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Anticipating JKBM Patientil

The House Approves Budget before the Revised One Denpasar (Bali Post)-

The large number of patients using the services of Bali Mandara Health Insurance (JKBM) which was in effect since 2010 this year, in fact resulted in significant impact on the use of third-class treatment rooms. On that account, no less government-owned hospitals are beginning to be overwhelmed by JKBM users. Without exception, the hospital belongs to Denpasar City government is always flooded by JKBM patients. On that account, the municipal government prepares the community health centers to serve inpatient treatment and operates for 24 hours.

To meet this desire, Denpasar Health Services have proposed to use of the budget ahead of the change. This budget use was intended for the procurement of equipment and infrastructure related to the improvement of services in community health centers. One of the clinics that have been designed to serve the patient is the community health center IV in South Denpasar.

The proposal on the use of budget ahead of the change worth IDR 750 million already got green light

from the ranks of the local parliament. “We have agreed to approve the proposal submitted by the Denpasar Health Services for the sake of larger society,” said the Head of Commission D at Denpasar House, Wayan Sugiarta accompanied by Wayan Suarka at his office, last Tuesday (Mar 23).

Sugiarta said to operate the community health center for 24-hours required at least 60 medical officers.

Since opened for 24 hours, the medical officer should apply shift hours.

“There is no problem related to location, we just need additional medical officers,” he said.

The proposal on the use of budget before the change, said Sugiarta, could also be done for the procurement of vaccines for humans exposed to dog bites. Particularly, the threat of rabies recently was getting greater and the number of people bitten by dogs also increased. Therefore, to anticipate the vaccine procurement, Denpasar Health Services also proposed a funding ahead. “I think if very urgent, the Services could also propose the use of funds ahead of the change,” Sugiata said last Tuesday. (kmb12)

Disposing Waste into the Sea KLH Admonishes Seaweed Venture Semarapura (Bali Post)-

Seaweed business located at Jumpai territory, Klungkung, PT Indonusa Ala Emas Prima, was reprimanded by the Office of Environmental Agency (KLH) for its action of disposing waste into the sea. Not only that, the business owner also neglected his obligation to report the data on the standard quality limits of waste that should be made every few months.

“Yes, we have made inspection to location. Previously, we also once reprimanded the owner so his party would no more dispose the waste directly into the sea by making a catchment pond,” said the Head of Klungkung Environmental Agency, Dewa Gde Oka Kusumajaya, last Tuesday (Mar 23).

According Dewa Kusumajaya, his party did not only inspect the location at that time. But, his party has undertaken it repeatedly. Related to the violation made, the Environmental Agency had often reminded in order the business owner made corrections.

“We will conduct a regular monitoring and check the standard quality of waste disposed into the sea by the company,? he said.

If the result of laboratory test indicated the waste disposed to the sea was beyond the threshold of quality standard, KLH would automatically request the business owner to close the sewerage channels by attempting to make catchment pond at the area of company. “However, if under the threshold of quality standards, according to the rules it is still al-

lowed,” he added.

Admittedly, any small chemical compounds disposed into the sea would clearly affect any damage in the surrounding environment. On that account, although having restricted budget, KLH would make an effort to do the monitoring. Because, he had confidence there was possibility that few other companies around the beach also did the same thing (disposing waste into the sea). “The observed ones amounted to few companies. In addition to the Klungkung land, there are also some in the region of Jungutbatu, Lembongan and Nusa Penida. Probably, there were more companies that could not been observed,” he said while adding the civil public order officers (Satpol PP) had very important role to discipline the situation. The current controlling of the Satpol PP resulted in more and more business applied to complete their business license.

Previously, the Satpol PP disciplined PT Indonusa Alga Emas Prima that was found disposing waste into the sea using a pipeline either for the waste of boiling seaweed or kitchen waste. Indeed, according to the Laboratory Head of PT Indonusa Alga Emas Prima, Agung Anggreni, the waste from the process of boiling the seaweed had passed through the processing measure. So, the waste disposed is safe to environment. ?Indeed, the kitchen waste is directly disposed.

We?ve instructed the officer to close it,? said Anggreni.

4

News

Thursday, March 25, 2010

International

After century-long fight US enacts health reforms AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) – President Barack Obama signed into law historic, sweeping reforms Tuesday that lay out health care coverage for almost every American and realize the dreams of generations of past US leaders.

“Today, after almost a century of trying, today after over a year of debate, today, after all the votes have been tallied, health insurance reform becomes law in the United States of America,” Obama said.

“The bill I’m signing will set in motion reforms that generations of Americans have fought for and marched for and hungered to see,” he told a jubilant, packed audience at a White House signing ceremony.

Delighted lawmakers and guests cheered and whistled as Obama made good on his campaign vow to overhaul America’s embattled health care system, enacting a huge shift in US policy and the biggest social legislation in over four decades. The House of Representatives narrowly approved the Senate-passed legislation by 219-212 late Sunday, using the Democratic majority to muscle the measure through a united Republican opposition.

With a package of fixes still to be voted on, the 940-billion-dollar overhaul will extend coverage to some 32 million Americans who currently have none, ensuring 95 percent of under-65 US citizens will have health insurance.

The historic signing came a century after president Theodore Roosevelt first called for a national approach to US health care, and after past leaders such as Bill Clinton tried and failed to reform the creaky, costly system.

For the first time ever, almost all Americans will be required to buy insurance or face fines. Among other key reforms, the new law bans insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, from dropping clients who get sick or from setting lifetime caps.

Americans back health care bill,

by slim margin: poll “You’ve made history,” Vice President Joe Biden told a beaming Obama. “Mr President, you’ve done what generations of not just ordinary, but great men and women have attempted to do.

“You have turned, Mr President, the right of every American to have access to decent health care into reality for the first time in American history.”

In the ceremonial East Room, where president Lyndon Johnson signed the civil rights bill into law in 1964, there was a party atmosphere as euphoric Democrats gathered to witness the act, sharing hugs and slapping palms.

Among them were Vicki and Caroline Kennedy, the widow and niece of the late Ted Kennedy, who struggled for almost five decades to enact health care reform, the cause of his life.

Obama used some 20 different pens to sign the 2,000-plus page bill, intending to give most of them to guests as souvenirs of the momentous occasion.

The Senate is expected this week to take up the changes needed to their initial legislation and approve them separately under rules that prevent Republicans from using a parliamentary tactic, the filibuster, to indefinitely delay and kill the measure.

Abortion takes center stage in US health care debate But Obama still has a hard sell defending the reforms ahead of the key congressional mid-term November elections, with Republicans deeply angered by the legislation, which they say is too costly.

“We’ve heard a lot today about how historic this bill is, and it’s true,” said Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman Michael Steele in a statement. “It is an historic betrayal of the clear will of the American people. It is an historic loss of liberty.”

House Republican Minority Leader John Boehner added: “This is a somber day for the American people. Americans have never felt more disconnected from their government than they do today.”

AFP

US President Barack Obama signs the health insurance reform bill in the East Room of the White House

AP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

Analysis: Israel weathers round with White House AP

WASHINGTON – In the war of wills between the Obama administration and Israel over settlement construction, Israel has weathered — if not won — another round.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s awkwardly timed visit to Washington this week closed with a meeting with President Barack Obama that seemed intended to pull the curtain on the dispute without resolving it.

Netanyahu never had to apologize, nor publicly roll back a Jewish housing plan for east Jerusalem that embarrassed and infuriated his U.S. backers.

Netanyahu’s visit to the White House on Tuesday evening went on for hours longer than planned, a possible sign of a thaw. But in a break with custom and an apparent sign of the prickly relations between the two governments, reporters were not invited to see the two shake hands and begin their discussions.

Paying a visit to Washington that had been planned before the housing crisis flared, Netanyahu met top Obama administration officials while at the same time publicly and firmly rebuffing the administration’s criticism of Israel’s long-standing policy of building homes for Jews in east Jerusalem.

The visit could have been a celebration of the inauguration of peace talks recently engineered by a U.S. envoy after months of trying. New talks were a campaign pledge for Obama, whose willing-

ness to criticize Israel unnerved both the close ally and its staunch supporters in Washington.

Those new talks are still promised but delayed indefinitely by the latest crisis, and Netanyahu’s two days in Washington served to showcase differences with Washington.

Netanyahu was greeted upon landing Monday by critical remarks from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Speaking to members of a pro-Israel lobby, she stated bluntly that Israel’s construction in east Jerusalem jeopardized peace talks and undermined the U.S. role as a mediator.

Hours later, Netanyahu told the same forum, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, that Israel would continue building homes in the city at the center of the Jewish faith. “Jerusalem is our capital. It’s not a settlement,” the Israeli leader said, to a prolonged standing ovation.

On Tuesday, he reiterated that idea in stronger terms in meetings on Capitol Hill, where he was received warmly, and made sure to pass those comments on to reporters afterward.

The Palestinian demand for a halt to construction in Jerusalem as a precondition for talks, he said, was “unreasonable and illogical.”

Netanyahu’s comment was directed at the Palestinians, but the U.S. administration has been making a

nearly identical request.

While rhetorical sparring continued, statements from the U.S. and Israel indicated that both want to move on. They want to see IsraeliPalestinian peace talks launched soon and not delayed indefinitely by the fight.

A similar spat last year ended in a similar fashion: The Obama administration pressured Israel to halt all settlement construction in the West Bank to get peace talks started, but Netanyahu agreed to a limited slowdown, not to a full freeze. Faced with Israel’s refusal, the administration gave way.

Something similar may be afoot now — a half-measure offered by Israel that Washington accepts because it fears the consequences of a full confrontation with Israel and its powerful supporters in the United States.

Netanyahu’s effusive reception on Capitol Hill was evidence of the power of Israel’s arguments about the choices it makes for self-defense and the sway of its politically active supporters in the United States.

The threat that Iran might soon possess a nuclear weapon has made Israel’s case stronger and limited the pressure tactics available to a peaceminded American president.

The recent fight was triggered by Israel’s announcement two weeks ago that it will build 1,600 new apartments in east Jerusalem, the largely Arab city section it captured from Jordan in 1967. Israel annexed the area in a move the international community has never recognized.

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

Thursday, March 25, 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

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

News Pakistan military kills 11 Taliban: officials AFP

AFP/File –

Armed Somali pirates carry out preparations to a skiff in Hobyo, northeastern Somalia

Private guards kill Somali pirate for first time

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AFP) – Pakistan’s military on Wednesday launched an assault on Taliban hideouts in the northwest tribal belt, killing 11 militants in firefights and bombing raids, officials said.

The operation came hours after a US drone aircraft fired two missiles into a compound in North Waziristan tribal district near the Afghan border, killing at least six suspected militants in the latest strike by the spy planes.

Pakistani troops began operations just after midnight Wednesday to flush out militants from the outskirts of Kalaya, the main town in the Orakzai tribal district, a senior security official in the northwest city Peshawar said.

Helicopter gunships also shelled the militants in the same area of Orakzai, part of the lawless tribal belt along the Afghan border which is infested with Taliban and Al-Qaeda extremists.

“At least 11 militants were killed in this clean-up operation,” the senior security official told AFP, refusing to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Major Fazal-ur-Rehman, spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps,

confirmed that security forces were battling insurgents in Orakzai and there were “militants losses”, but did not give the numbers.

An intelligence official said the shelling destroyed five mud brick compounds used by Taliban militants, while an administrative official based in Kalaya confirmed the death toll.

Under US pressure, Pakistan has in the past year significantly increased operations against militants in its northwest including the tribal belt.

The rugged tribal terrain became a stronghold for hundreds of extremists who fled neighbouring Afghanistan after the US-led invasion in late 2001.

Washington says the militants use Pakistan’s semi-autonomous tribal belt to plot and stage attacks against NATO troops stationed in Afghanistan.

The United States has also stepped up missile strikes in the tribal belt. The raid late Tuesday was the latest in nearly 100 US drone strikes that have killed more than 830 people in Pakistan since August 2008.

Pakistan’s foreign minister and army chief were in Washington on Wednesday for talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, where they were expected to push to secure armed drones for their own military.

AP

NAIROBI, Kenya – The European Union Naval Force says private security guards aboard a merchant ship off the coast of East Africa fired on and killed a Somali pirate after a group of pirates attacked their vessel.

EU Naval Force spokesman Cmdr. John Harbour said Wednesday the killing of the pirate is believed to be the first by a private security team. Merchant ships traveling through pirate-infested waters in

the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean have increasingly begun putting armed security onboard to thwart pirate attacks.

An EU Naval Force frigate was dispatched to the scene Tuesday and

launched a helicopter that located the pirates. Seven pirates were found, including one who had died from small caliber gunshot wounds. The six remaining pirates were taken into custody.

AFP/File –

Pakistani naval soldiers demonstrate their skills on a beach in Karachi on March 23.

Fresh Israeli airstrike on Gaza Strip AFP

AFP/File –

File picture shows medics treating an injured man at a hospital in Gaza City March 22.

GAZA CITY (AFP) – Israeli warplanes launched an air raid overnight near the Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip but there were no injuries, Palestinian security officials said Wednesday.

The air raid targeted an area militants have used to fire rockets into southern Israel in recent days, officials said.

An Israeli army spokesman said that planes had carried out a raid against a hangar that contained weapons, in response to rocket fire into Israel.

Approximately 35 rockets have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the year, and over 330 rockets have been fired into the Jewish state since the end of a 22-day Israeli offensive in January 2009.

One such attack earlier this month killed a Thai labourer.

International

Indonesia Today

Thursday, March 25, 2010

7

RI secures $100 million loans for power project Antara

JAKARTA - Indonesia has secured US$100 million in loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) to help overhaul its power distribution network in an effort to save energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The ADB Board of Directors said in a press statement the Manilabased bank Tuesday approved a loan of US$50 million for the Java-Bali Electricity Distribution Performance Improvement Project.

The AFD meanwhile agrees to provide a cofinancing loan of the same amount to be administered by the ADB. The project is expected to be able to rehabilitate the overburdened distribution network of the two islands and support the introduction of energy efficient compact fluorescent

lamps and light emitting diodes, the statement said.

In addition, the project will also support state power utility PLN‘s plan to invest US$1.2 billion in the efficient distribution sector between 2010 and 2014.

The project will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector by 330,000 tonnes per year and allow the substantial energy savings of 200 megawatts of equivalent distribution system capacity, Sohail Hasnie, Principal Energy Specialist in ADB‘s Southeast Asia Depart-

ment, said.

As a result, it will enable PLN to connect about 1.2 million additional customers to the Java-Bali network, Hasnie said.

The ADB loan will be payable in 25 years including a grace period of five years with interest determined according to its LIBOR-based lending facility.

Meanwhile, the AFD loan will be payable in 15 years including a grace period of five years with interest set according to the Euro Interbank Offered Rate.

Former Kopassus chief denies American journalist‘s allegations AFP PHOTO / AMAN RAHMAN

Dead sharks caught by fishermen, are seen at the port of Banyuwangi, East Java on March 24, 2010. Many local fishermen hunt for sharks for local consumtion and sell the fins for regional market, mostly to Singapore and China for the famous Chinese fin soups. This large scale commercial exploitation of sharks recently led to drastic decline in shark populations globally.

Indonesia sees need for more troops in Papua Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - The Indonesian military is considering sending thousands of extra troops to restive Papua province where it stands accused of widespread human rights abuses, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Rear Marshal Sagom Tamboen said up to four battalions from a “Rapid Reaction Strike Force” division based in Jakarta could be sent to the restive province to “maintain the territory’s unity within eastern Indonesia”.

“There are many things we took into consideration... including tackling the separatist movement and terrorism,” he told AFP. “In case of an emergency, it takes at least eight hours to send troops from Jakarta to Papua. If we have (more) troops there, automatically we can save time and can react swiftly,” he said.

He did not say how many troops were currently stationed in Papua but an independent analyst said there were about 10 battalions.

Poorly armed Papuan separatists have waged a low-level insurgency against Indonesian rule for decades

but are not seen as posing any serious threat to Jakarta’s control of the resource-rich region.

Tamboen said the planned deployment — which has not yet been approved by the government — had nothing to do with recent shootings targeting police and employees of US mining giant Freeport McMoRan. An Australian mine technician, a Freeport security guard and a policeman were killed near Freeport’s massive gold and copper mine last July, the first of a spate of such attacks which have left several other people injured.

Many indigenous Papuans accuse Indonesian security forces of human rights abuses and complain that the province’s natural riches are being stolen by outsiders.

A report last year by New Yorkbased Human Rights Watch backed up the Papuans’ claims and urged Western governments such as Australia to cut military aid for the Indonesian Special Forces.

Indonesia denies allegations of systematic rights abuses but bars foreign journalists from independently reporting in the province.

Antara

JAKARTA - A former Army Kopassus (Special Force) commander has dismissed allegations by an American journalist that the force was involved in political murders in the runup to the general elections in Aceh in 2009.

“There had been no Kopassus presence, either open or covert, in Aceh since 2004 so how could any member of the force have been involved in any activity, including 2009 general election activity, there,” said Major General Soenarko, a former Kopassus commander who in 2009 headed the Aceh regional military command.

In a statement to ANTARA News on Tuesday, Soenarko admitted that political life in Aceh prior to and during the 2009 legislative election in Aceh was marked by great dynamism. He as Aceh military command chief actively helped the provincial police to ensure security and order during the local polls “but not a

single Kopassus member was there, much less was any element of the force involved in practical politics there.”

American journalist Allan Nairn‘s claim that Kopassus had had a hand in a few politically-motivated murders during the 2009 legislative election period in Aceh was “a totally unfounded accusation,” he said.

“It`s slander, nonsense. The journalist concerned also knows it is because he did ask me for a clarification. I don`t know why he still spread the accusation through his blog,” Soenarko said.

Soenarko who is now head of the Army‘s Infantry Center said Kopassus as an integral part of the reformed National Defense Forces (TNI) had become committed to preserving its strict neutrality in practical politics. “If Kopassus had really taken part in practical politics in Aceh, we would have been hanged,” he said.

Soenarko said Nairn‘s allegations could be part of “the agenda of a

certain party” although he did not know who the party was.

Allan Nairn, the American journalist, in his blog last March 21, released an article titled “Breaking News: Indonesian Army, Kopassus, Implicated in New Assassinations.

Forces Chosen by Obama for Renewed US Aid Ran? 09 Activist Murders.”

In his article, Nairn quoted a number of sources, including local administration officials, police, the wives of the alleged murder victims, Kopassus officers, to conclude that Kopassus was implicated in the murder of at least eight Aceh Party members.

He said the murders were committed on instructions from Kopassus higher-ups in Jakarta.

Earlier in the past, Nairn also became known for his reports on alleged human rights violations committed by Indonesian military in East Timor (now Timor Leste) which eventually led the United States to impose an embargo on the TNI in 1993.

Three foreigners deported from Mataram Antara

MATARAM - Mataram’s immigration office has since January this year deported three foreigners, -two Malaysians and one Australian - for violating Indonesian immigration rules.

“The three foreigners deported from Mataram were Salsabila binti Yunan and Siti Khatijah binti Yasin of Malaysia and Sean David Clifford of Australia,” local Immigration Office spokesman M Adnan said here on Wednesday.

He said deportation of foreigners had happened often in West Nusatenggara (NTB). Six foreigners were deported in 2008 and nine in 2009 for violating various immigration procedures.

Asked about illegal immigrants who frequently entered West Nusa Teggara, Adnan said it was none of the immigration office business but the government’s to deal with it.

He said the foreigners from various countries came to Mataram neither as tourists nor job seekers but

as asylum seekers because they felt unsafe in their own conflict-torn countries.

Every year hundreds of illegal immigrants from Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries came to Lombok Island and Sumbawa island in West Nusa Tenggara.

“Some of the illegal immigrants from Iraq in Mataram even staged a hunger strike by stitching their their mouth for failing to get assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

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Internationa

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Bali Today Bali promote framing as tourism site in ”SIMANTRI” Antara

Denpasar – Bali Government wanted to make the integrated pattern of farming which is currently being developed in 50 locations in Bali as a agro tourism based on integrated farming system (Simantri).

I Ketut Teneng, the head of documentation and publication division, said “from 50 locations in Bali, Belantih village in Kintamani, Bangli become the most prepare place.”

The development of integrated farming in Belantih emphasizes more on the coffee product where it is already exported abroad. The framers produce coffee with orange flavor using environmental friendly process.

“The special development done by farmers in Belantih village attracts the attention of many businessmen abroad to buy the product,” Teneng added. He added that some businessmen even come to Bali and visit the village to observe the integrated farming process.

In 2009, five businessmen visited the village and the number

increasing slightly this year. They were coming from Australia, US, Netherlands, and China.

Teneng said that in developing Simantri, the government also cooperating with the travel agent association (ASITA). There is great hope that ASITA can also help to promote the alternative tourist attraction in Bali.

The farmers in Belantih already received the certificate that the production process is environmentally friendly.

Forty of the head of travel agents throughout the world will visit the village during the harvest time which will fall in June. The preparation had been done by the government and hopefully, the head of travel agents will promote and sell the tourism package that connected to the village in their own country.

In Simantri, the tourists also can take part in the farm such as watering the plant or even harvesting them.

In 2010, Bali’s government prepared 8 billion rupiah to develop 40 other units if integrating farming system. The fund is four times higher than the budget in the previous year.

Tourists walk along in the coffee plantation. Bali’s government wants to make the integrated agricultural system that now being conduct in several areas in Bali to become agro tourism sites.

Aston Denpasar supporting ‘Save a teen’ IBP DENPASAR - There are approximately 1.5 million Indonesian teenagers drop out of school or cannot continue their education each year – data from the Ministry of National Education Year 2007/2008. This means that every single minute there are four teenagers who drop out of school. Teenagers (age 13-18 years) are the next generation and future leaders.

To save the future of Indonesian youth to be able to continue their education; Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center is committed to support the fundraising program of Putera Sampoerna Foundation (PSF) called “Save a Teen” program. As a commitment from Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center to support the youth education is by signing the MOU with Putera Sampoerna Foundation for the “Save a Teen” program that held at Aston Denpasar Hotel and Convention Center on Friday, March 19, 2010.

The signing ceremony attended by Irmansjah Madewa, General Manager of Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center and Vira Soekadirman, Director of Sales PSF. Irmansjah Madewa, General Manager of Aston Denpasar Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center, comments “This is the evi-

dence of commitment from Aston Denpasar to Indonesia’s education progress. We invite hotel guests to help Indonesian youth reach their goals by donating just one dollar, or approximately 10,000 rupiahs when they check-in. This program will begin from March 19 and will continue for the next six months. All the donations collected will be channeled to Putera Sampoerna Foundation to help Indonesian youth to continue their education”.

Vira Soekadirman, Director of Sales Putera Sampoerna Foundation expresses her gratitude for Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention Center commitment saying, “We thank Aston Denpasar for trusting us, as the first hotel in Bali which supports the Save a Teen campaign. According to the Education Ministry 2008’s data, in the province of Bali there are 20,913 students aged 6-18 years drop out of school. Therefore, with a high commitment from the Government of Bali Province, we plan to build international-standard junior high schools with a special boarding house for academically gifted student but come from financially- disadvantaged family. Let’s do this together for the education of our nation’s next generations”. (iah)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com

The fourth annual MRA BIT to be held on June IBP

DENPASAR - The organizers of the 4th Annual MRA Bali International Triathlon have announced that this year’s event will offer athletes an opportunity to participate in a sprint distance race.

To be held on June 20, 2010, this year’s race will provide athletes the chance to race either an Olympic distance race, (1,500 meter swim, 40 kilometer bike and 10 kilometer run), or a shorter Sprint distance race (500 meter swim, 20 kilometer bike and 5 kilometer run). Sprint distance athletes will begin in a separate wave, commencing within 30 minutes after the start of the main Olympic distance race. The shorter sprint distance will be open to both individual and 3-member team participation.

Both categories will feature trophies handcrafted by Bali’s renowned Jenggala Ceramics for each age group category winners, as well as a variety of other fabulous prizes. As in past years, all athletes will receive special t-shirts, finisher’s medals, and invitations to attend both a VIP pre-race party a “high carbohydrate” pasta party catered by race sponsor Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay. The Four Seasons Resort and

InterContinental Bali Resort - both located on Jimbaran Bay have combined forces as supporting sponsors of Bali’s only annual international triathlon event.

“Our title sponsor, the MRA Group, suggested that we include a Sprint distance this year to increase participation by those athletes who may be attempting a triathlon for the first time, or who are more comfortable racing a shorter distance” said Robb Strom, one of the race organizers.

“We loved the idea and recently worked out the details,” continued Strom.

The MRA Bali International Triathlon was recently named one of the 100 best races around the world in the March 2010 issue of Triathlete magazine and one of the 10 best vacation triathlons in the world.

Athletes participating in this year’s race, as in past races, will come from all over the world to take advantage of this unique destination race. While in Bali, they can partake of a wide range of activities, including scuba diving, elephant riding, White Water River rafting, parasailing, and jet skiing. Bali is famous for its spa properties, and athletes will be treated to free post-race massages by local Balinese therapists. (iah)

al

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Balinese Culture Local businessmen must cooperate during free trade era IBP

Denpasar – The ASEAN-Cina Free Trade Area (ACFTA) had passed. The treat given by AFYTA must make the local businessmen cooperate better. I Gde Sumarjaya Linggih, the head Bali Chambers of Commerce, said that the businessmen could not work by themselves in trying to compete in the free trade, especially because China and other countries offer cheaper price.

“The local businessmen must work together to face the flood of import products,” he added.

Sumarjaya explained that as an association, the chambers of commerce also will act to face the free trade.

Association is the perfect tools to increase the cooperation between businessmen in Bali. The businessmen provide various kinds of products which can be sold cheaply.

He also said that the attention and assistance by the government is es-

sential for the businessmen. In other countries, incentive from the government is very important so it can make the price of local products competitive.

Sumarjaya said that the countries throughout the world are not fighting physically but economically, in the sense that the country that has strong economy could rule the world. This condition can be seen in China and India where they have great economic value. (iah)

Udang Pantung Kuning (Lobster in Yellow Sauce)

A vendor sale giant rubber baloons made in China at Sidoarjo. In order to survive in this free trade era, local entrepreneurs should stick together. Besides that the government also have to supports local entrepreneurs, said Sumarjaya Linggih, the newly elected Bali Chapter’s head of Indonesia’s Chamber of Commerce (KADIN).

OVERVIEW: A real gourmet treat from Bali, this could also be made with huge prawns. In Bali, coconut chunks are roasted directly on charcoal, then the charred skin scrapped off and the flesh grated for making the coconut milk.

FOTO ANTARA/Bhakti Pundhowo

INGREDIENTS: 4 sml lobsters, weighing about 500 gr each or 1 kg large prawns 5 cups water 2 lemongrass, bruised 2 fragrant lime leaves 4 cups coconut milk few drops white vinegar fried shallots to garnish SPICE PASTE: 5 red chilies, seeded and chopped 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 7 shallots, peeled and chopped 5 cm fresh turmeric, peeled and chopped 5 cm ginger, peeled and chopped 4 candlenuts 1 ½ tsp coriander ½ tsp dried shrimp paste toasted 1 sml tomato, peeled and seeded 2 tbsp oil 1 ½ tbsp tamarind pulp 1 salam leaf 1 lemon grass, bruised PREPARATION: Prepare spice paste by grinding or blending all ingredients except oil, tamarind, salam leaf and lemongrass. Heat oil, add spice paste and all other ingredients. Cook over moderate heat for about 5 minutes, then cool.

Wash lobsters and leave whole. Bring water to the boil, add lobsters and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove lobsters, plunge in iced water for 1 minutes, then drain and remove meat. Return shells to the pot of water, keeping lobster meat aside.

Add spice paste, lemongrass, lime leaves and vinegar to the water with the shells and simmer until 4 cups of stock remain. Add coconut milk and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain stock and return to pan. Add lobster and simmer for 1 minute. Serve garnished with fried shallots and accompanied by white rice.

Helpful hints: if using prawns instead of lobster, peel the raw prawns and put prawns shells 4 cups of water. Simmer for 5 minutes, then combine this stock with coconut milk, prawns and all other ingredients, simmering until cooked. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Destinations

International

Lovina Beach

http://ronny-borzel.com

LOVINA is one of the famous tourist places in north part of Bali which own beautiful of calm sea water, blackish chromatic sand and the sea with its dolphin. One of the favorite fascinations in Lovina is dolphin watching tour. Hundreds of dolphins can be seen in the morning time around 1 km offshore. We can see the dolphin attractions in this place like jumping. It is not fail to draw if the tourist has the time to see the sunset here. Lovina area is also supported by the number of tourism fascination which is can be reached from this location. Places of interests around Lovina are Hot Water Banjar, Wihara Budha (Buddies shrine), Gigit Waterfall and some countryside exist around the location.

Lovina is officially located in Kalibukbuk area and covering some countryside like Pemaron, Tukad Mungga, Anturan and Kalibukbuk countryside. Kalibugbug countryside it self is located in Buleleng sub district, meanwhile the Kaliasem and Temukus countryside are located in Banjar sub district where it both of them are belong to Buleleng regency. The eastern countryside is called Pemaron about 5 Km west of Singaraja, and the western countryside is Temukus about 12 Km west of Singaraja.

The centre of activities in Lovina area is located 10 Km from Singaraja town. Nowadays, Lovina area is becoming the center of tourism activities in north part of Bali and offer many kind of accommodations, restaurants, bars,

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beach activities, art shops, bank, transportations etc. The accommodations in this area are a available from the star hotel class until small hotel even the home stay for the low budget travelers. As a tourist area and center of tourism in Singaraja, Lovina get the biggest visit from tourist who visiting north part of Bali . It is estimated by 90% from tourist who pay a visit to north part of Bali will in Lovina.

There are no clear sources or evidence hit the name of Lovina genesis. Pursuant to the reference of the children from Anak Agung Panji Tisna, the clan of famous Buleleng King that the name of Lovina is given by him which is located in Kaliasem countryside, where at the first time he build a bungalow as a resort.

He said that the name of Lovina is taken away from a name of small hotel in India that is lafeina whereabouts he stayed and write the book with the title of Ni Ketut Widhi. This book is translated into some languages. In memory of the hotel name, hence the ownership lands give the Lovina name. But there is also other version that is Lovina Name is given caused by its 2 Santen trees are planted by him and grow embracing each other. In this case Lovina is coming from Latin Language that mean is loving each other or love. Then Lovina’s name is interpreted as abbreviation from Love and Ina and it is interpreted as Love to Indonesia. (http://www.balistarisland.com)

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

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

Thursday, March 25, 2010

11

BUSINESS OECD mulls code of conduct for banks on tax Reuters

SINGAPORE - The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is considering coming up with a code of conduct for banks on how they help clients with taxes, a senior official said on Wednesday.

“We could develop, with the banking sector, a code of conduct in the tax sector,” Jeffrey Owens, who heads the OECD’s tax division, told reporters on the sidelines of a private banking conference in Singapore.

The code of conduct will involve all banks “with a lot of emphasis on investment banks,” he said.

He said the idea was still being discussed and could be put up for discussion at a meeting in September.

UBS settled a U.S. tax probe last year after it emerged that it had helped rich Americans hide money in secret Swiss accounts, but banking secrecy in top wealth management center Switzerland and else-

where is still under pressure.

The OECD has been pushing financial centers around the world to be more transparent in a bid to combat tax evasion, and has put some on a gray list of countries that have not fully implemented internationally agreed tax standards.

Owens also said the OECD has begun a peer review process of laws regarding information exchange of 18 jurisdictions, including Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Jersey, and that the initial reports could be out before of the year.

World leaders agreed at a G20 summit in London last year to crack down on tax evasion and banking secrecy, and the group asked the OECD to publish and

update lists of tax havens.

Singapore, which met OECD tax standards last year, has been promoting itself as a base for banks such as UBS, Credit Suisse and Citigroup to manage money for rich local and foreign clients.

Office workers walk past the Bank of China tower in Hong Kong on March 23, 2010. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development is considering coming up with a code of conduct for banks on how they help clients with taxes, a senior official said on Wednesday.

AFP PHOTO / MIKE CLARKE

BofA to start reducing mortgage principal Reuters

WASHINGTON - Bank of America on Wednesday announce plans to start forgiving mortgage loan principal for troubled homeowners who owe more than 120 percent of their home’s value or are battling ever-

expanding “negative amortization” loans.

According to a summary of the program obtained by Reuters, Bank of America pledged to offer an “earned principal forgiveness” of up to 30 percent in two stages. The lender will first offer an interest-free forbearance of

AFP PHOTO/Stan Honda / FILES

principal that the homeowner can turn into forgiven principal annually over five years, provided they stay current on their payments.

The forgiveness can allow a homeowner to bring the loan value back down to 100 percent of the home’s value over five years, according to the plan, confirmed by sources close to the matter.

The plan, to begin in May, is among the first by a U.S. mortgage lender that takes a systematic approach to reducing mortgage principal to tackle the thorny issue of preventing foreclosures when home values drop well below the amount owed.

People walk on February 10, 2009 outside the New York Stock Exchange. Bank of America on Wednesday announce plans to start forgiving mortgage loan principal for troubled homeowners who owe more than 120 percent of their home’s value or are battling ever-expanding “negative amortization” loans.

A Bank of America spokesman declined comment.

Announcement of the program in Washington comes as U.S. lawmakers and housing advocates are becoming increasingly vocal about the need for principal writedowns in order to save homes on a large scale. Amid stubbornly high unemployment, homeowners are seen as more likely to simply abandon an unaffordable mortgage when they have no equity or are deep “underwater” on the loan.

The U.S. Treasury’s mortgage modification program has largely relied on reducing interest rates, and has been criticized for failing to address a steep and painful reduction in home values.

The announcement also will come two days after two Washington state residents sued Bank of America for allegedly reneging on a promise it made to modify troubled mortgages when it took $25 billion in taxpayer bailout money.

The lawsuit alleged that the lender has “seriously strung out, delayed and otherwised hindered” modifications because it had financial incentives to do so.

Negative amortization

Under the plan, Bank of America also will slash the principal balance on the worst of the high-risk mortgages written during the height of the housing boom, the so-called “payment option” adjustable rate mortgages that had a negative amortization feature that allowed the principal balance to grow.

On such loans that are delinquent and in danger of imminent default, the lender will announce that it will cut principal to as low as a 95 percent of the property’s value.

Bank of America lender also will expand its modification program to consider payment reductions on prime hybrid adjustable rate mortgages that have floating interest rates after two years and will extend its National Homeowner Retention Plan by six months until the end of 2012.

The bank expects to be operationally ready to start the earned principal reduction plan in May. It plans to identify mortgages that may be eligible for these programs and proactively contact homeowners to request documents to verify eligibility.

12

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Entertainment

International

Gisele Bundchen: ’My Pregnancy Was A Sacred Moment For Me’ Gisele Bundchen insisted on having her pregnant belly airbrushed out of fashion photo-shoots while she was expecting because she refused to share the “sacred” experience with the world.

The Brazilian beauty first sparked rumors she was to be a mom last May when she and her football hero husband Tom Brady were spotted leaving an obstetrician’s office just three months after they wed in Santa Monica, California.

Brady denied the claims at the time but the reports refused to go away - and the supermodel only fuelled the rumors by staying silent, despite being pictured out and about sporting a bulging stomach.

She also featured in a number of new advertising campaigns for top fashion labels, including coat company London Fog, but her baby bump was replaced in the shots with images of her usual slender frame. London Fog boss Dari

Marder said, “Although Gisele was photographed while pregnant, most of the shots have been retouched to respect her privacy during this wonderful and personal time in her life. Nobody is sexier or more beautiful than Gisele Bundchen in nothing but a London Fog trench coat, even with her visible baby bump.”

Now, three months after giving birth to baby Benjamin, Bundchen reveals it was her decision to ban fashion bosses from picturing her pregnant. She tells Vogue magazine, “I felt like my pregnancy was a sacred moment for me. I stayed in Boston and I didn’t work apart from the contracts I have, and then I only let them use my face.”

Oprah Winfrey settles headmistress’ US lawsuit

Police Called Over Cheryl Cole Rape Threat POLICE are investigating claims singer Cheryl Cole was the target of a rape threat, according to a U.K. report. British TV presenter Dermot O’Leary, who stars alongside the Girls Aloud beauty on Simon Cowell’s talent show “The X Factor,” alerted cops to a voice message on his phone aimed at Cole. In the message the caller allegedly made vile threats about the 26 year old, reports Britain’s The Sun. A source tells the publication, “The message was of a sexual, threatening and sickening nature. Dermot was horrified when he heard it. He thought at first it was a sick wind-up (practical joke), but soon realized there was something sinister going on. Somehow this caller has tried to get hold of her number and somehow accidentally got Dermot’s. If they were prepared to go to that effort, who knows what they would be prepared to do?”

Cole is reportedly aware of the message, but the singer’s spokesperson reveals she has not listened to it. A police representative said, “We are investigating claims of an offensive message being left on a mobile telephone. It follows a complaint from a member of the public.”

OPRAH Winfrey has settled a defamation lawsuit filed by a headmistress she had accused of performing poorly at her South African girls school, where some students claimed they were abused, lawyers said Tuesday. The lawsuit by former headmistress Nomvuyo Mzamane claimed Winfrey defamed her in remarks made in the wake of the 2007 sexabuse scandal at the school.

Mzamane said she had trouble finding a job after Winfrey stated she had “lost confidence” in her and was “cleaning house from top to bottom.”

A trial had been set to start next week in federal court in Philadelphia.

Winfrey and several schoolgirls had been expected to testify. A joint statement released late Tuesday by lawyers for both sides said Winfrey and Mzamane met to resolve their differences. “The two parties met woman to woman without their lawyers and are happy that they could resolve this dispute peacefully to their mutual satisfaction,” the statement said.

Winfrey was visiting her school last week when U.S. District Judge Eduardo Robreno refused to dismiss the lawsuit, concluding Mzamane had presented enough evidence to go to trial. Court papers suggest Mzamane is again working at a school in Africa, but a Winfrey spokeswoman declined to say if the meeting took place during Winfrey’s trip. The parties do not plan to discuss terms of the settlement, according to the spokeswoman, who works with Winfrey’s production company, Harpo Productions, which also was a defendant in the suit.

A dorm matron at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls has been charged in South Africa with abusing six students.

Winfrey has called the allegations crushing given her own stated history of childhood sexual abuse. The dorm matron, Tiny Virginia Makopo, has pleaded not guilty to 14 charges. Mzamane claimed that she was never told of the sexual abuse. However, Winfrey’s lawyers said in their pretrial memo this month that Mzamane failed to discipline Makopo despite her history of run-ins with students and fellow staff. One of Mzamane’s lawyers, Timothy McGowan, declined to comment Tuesday beyond what was in the joint statement.

Mzamane, born in Lesotho, formerly worked at the private Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia and was living in the city when she sued two years ago.

She earned $150,000 a year as Winfrey’s headmistress.

Winfrey had planned to defend the case on free speech and other grounds, arguing she merely voiced her opinions. Mzamane’s lawyers, who noted Winfrey’s huge media reach, contended listeners would think the remarks were based on facts she had gleaned from the school’s internal investigation.

AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File

In this June 25, 2008 file photo, U.S. television presenter Oprah Winfrey arrives for the dinner birthday party of former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela in central London’s Hyde Park. Winfrey has settled a defamation lawsuit filed by the ex-headmistress of her girls school in South Africa, lawyers said Tuesday March 23, 2010. The lawsuit by former headmistress Nomvuyo Mzamane claimed Winfrey defamed her in remarks made in the wake of a 2007 sex-abuse scandal at the school.

Life Style

International

In this photo taken Monday, March 22, 2010, Workers, from left, Johan Du Preez, Susan Dupreez and Rouxle Crafford clear honey from dead bee hives at a bee farm east of Merced, Calif.

The mysterious 4-year-old crisis of disappearing honeybees is deepening. A quick federal survey indicates a heavy bee dieoff this winter, while a new study shows honeybees’ pollen and hives laden with pesticides. Two federal agencies along with regulators in California and Canada are scrambling to figure out what is behind this relatively recent threat, ordering new research on pesticides already in use.

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Bees in more trouble than ever after bad winter Associated Press Writer

MERCED, Calif. – The mysterious 4-year-old crisis of disappearing honeybees is deepening. A quick federal survey indicates a heavy bee die-off this winter, while a new study shows honeybees’ pollen and hives laden with pesticides. Two federal agencies along with regulators in California and Canada are scrambling to figure out what is behind this relatively recent threat, ordering new research on pesticides used in fields and orchards. Federal courts are even weighing in this month, ruling that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency overlooked a requirement when allowing a pesticide on the market.

And on Thursday, chemists at a scientific conference in San Francisco will tackle the issue of chemicals and dwindling bees in response to the new study. Scientists are concerned because of the vital role bees play in our food supply. About onethird of the human diet is from plants that require pollination from honeybees, which means everything from apples to zucchini.

Bees have been declining over decades from various causes. But in 2006 a new concern, “colony collapse disorder,” was blamed for large, inexplicable die-offs. The disorder, which causes adult bees to abandon their hives and fly off to die, is likely a combination of many causes, including parasites, viruses, bacteria, poor nutrition and pesticides, experts say. “It’s just gotten so much worse in the past four years,” said Jeff Pettis, research leader of the Department of Agriculture’s Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Md. “We’re just not keeping bees alive that long.”

This year bees seem to be in bigger trouble than normal after a bad winter, according to an informal survey of commercial bee brokers cited in an internal USDA document. Onethird of those surveyed had trouble finding enough hives to pollinate California’s blossoming nut trees, which grow the bulk of the world’s almonds. A more formal survey will be done in April.

“There were a lot of beekeepers scrambling to fill their orders and that implies that mortality was high,” said Penn State University bee researcher Dennis vanEngelsdorp, who worked

on the USDA snapshot survey. Beekeeper Zac Browning shipped his hives from Idaho to California to pollinate the blossoming almond groves.

He got a shock when he checked on them, finding hundreds of the hives empty, abandoned by the worker bees.

The losses were extreme, three times higher than the previous year.

“It wasn’t one load or two loads, but every load we were pulling out that was dead. It got extremely depressing to see a third of my livestock gone,” Browning said, standing next to stacks of dead bee colonies in a clearing near Merced, at the center of California’s fertile San Joaquin Valley. Among all the stresses to bee health, it’s the pesticides that are attracting scrutiny now. A study published Friday in the scientific journal PLOS (Public Library of Science) One found about three out of five pollen and wax samples from 23 states had at least one systemic pesticide — a chemical designed to spread throughout all parts of a plant.

EPA officials said they are aware of problems involving pesticides and bees and the agency is “very seriously concerned.” The pesticides are not a risk to honey sold to consumers, federal officials say. And the pollen that people eat is probably safe because it is usually from remote areas where pesticides are not used, Pettis said.

But the PLOS study found 121 different types of pesticides within 887 wax, pollen, bee and hive samples.

“The pollen is not in good shape,” said Chris Mullin of Penn State University, lead author.

None of the chemicals themselves were at high enough levels to kill bees,

he said, but it was the combination and variety of them that is worrisome.

University of Illinois entomologist May Berenbaum called the results “kind of alarming.” Despite EPA assurances, environmental groups don’t think the EPA is doing enough on pesticides. Bayer Crop Science started petitioning the agency to approve a new pesticide for sale in 2006. After reviewing the company’s studies of its effects on bees, the EPA gave Bayer conditional approval to sell the product two years later, but said it had to carry a label warning that it was “potentially toxic to honey bee larvae through residues in pollen and nectar.”

The Natural Resources Defense Council sued, saying the agency failed to give the public timely notice for the new pesticide application.

In December, a federal judge in New York agreed, banning the pesticide’s sale and earlier this month, two more judges upheld the ruling. “This court decision is obviously very painful for us right now, and for growers who don’t have access to that product,” said Jack Boyne, an entomologist and spokesman for Bayer Crop Science.

“This product quite frankly is not harmful to honeybees.”

Boyne said the pesticide was sold for only about a year and most sales were in California, Arizona and Florida. The product is intended to disrupt the mating patterns of insects that threaten citrus, lettuce and grapes, he said. Berenbaum’s research shows pesticides are not the only problem.

She said multiple viruses also are attacking the bees, making it tough to propose a single solution. “Things are still heading downhill,” she said.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

13

Study: Last Supper paintings supersize the food Associated Press Writer

Has even the Last Supper been supersized? The food in famous paintings of the meal has grown by biblical proportions over the last millennium, researchers report in a medical journal Tuesday. Using a computer, they compared the size of the food to the size of the heads in 52 paintings of Jesus Christ and his disciples at their final meal before his death.

If art imitates life, we’re in trouble, the researchers conclude.

The size of the main dish grew 69 percent; the size of the plate, 66 percent, and the bread, 23 percent, between the years 1000 and 2000.

Supersizing is considered a modern phenomenon, but “what we see recently may be just a more noticeable part of a very long trend,” said Brian Wansink, a food behavior scientist at Cornell University. The study was his idea. For biblical context, he sought help from his brother, Craig Wansink, professor of religious studies at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, Va., and an ordained Presbyterian minister.

The Bible says the Last Supper took place on a Passover evening but gives little detail on specific

foods besides bread and wine.

“There’s nothing else mentioned.

They don’t say there’s a fruit cup or carrot cake,” though other foods such as fish, eel, lamb and even pork have appeared in paintings through the years, Brian Wansink said. For the study, he used paintings featured in the book “Last Supper,” published in 2000 by Phaidon Press. They include perhaps the most famous portrayal of the meal, by Leonardo da Vinci.

Computer technology allowed them to scan, rotate and calculate images regardless of their orientation in the paintings.

Details are in the April issue of the International Journal of Obesity. The study is “not very meaningful science,” said Martin Binks, a behavioral health psychologist and a consultant at Duke University Medical Center. “We have real life examples of the increase in portion size — all you have to do is look at what’s being sold at fastfood restaurants.” A more contemporary test would be to analyze portion sizes in Super Bowl commercials, he suggested. “That would be a much more meaningful snapshot of how this society’s relationship to food has changed,” Binks said.

AP Photo/Cornell University, Jason Koski

In this March 16, 2010 photo provided by Cornell University, Prof.

Brian Wansink, holds a plate illustrating how food portion size has grown over the centuries, in front of a projection of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.. The food in famous paintings of the Last Supper has grown by biblical proportions over the last millennium, researchers report in a medical journal Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

14

Sport

Thursday, March 25, 2010

International

Knicks rally behind Gallinari, beat Denver 109-104 Agence France - Presse

NEW YORK – Danilo Gallinari scored 17 of his 28 points during a spirited duel with Carmelo Anthony in the third quarter, and the New York Knicks beat the Denver Nuggets 109-104 on Tuesday night. Al Harrington added 23 points for the Knicks, who climbed out of an early 12-point hole and took control late in the third period. David Lee finished with 12 points and 16 rebounds.

Anthony scored 36 points and Chauncey Billups had 25 for the Nuggets, who lost their second straight as they try to hold onto the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Their magic number for clinching a postseason spot remained at three. The Nuggets had won the last four meetings — Anthony scored a careerhigh 50 in the last matchup — their longest winning streak ever against the Knicks. They seemed on their way to easily extending that run before the game changed after halftime.

Denver played its eighth game under Adrian Dantley since coach George Karl was diagnosed with throat cancer. Anthony and Gallinari became involved in a sometimes testy back and forth

midway through the third quarter, and the Knicks got the better of it.

After Anthony’s basket gave the Nuggets a two-point lead with 3:37 to go, Gallinari hit consecutive 3pointers to ignite an 11-0 spurt to end the period. Harrington’s 3 with 3.9 seconds left sent New York to the fourth with an 83-74 advantage.

Anthony scored 12 in the quarter, appearing he would get the better of Gallinari earlier in the period, when the Nuggets were going to their All-Star on every trip and he seemed amused and annoyed by the Italian’s attempts to check him. He jawed at Gallinari after some of his baskets, but Gallinari gave as good as he got. The lead was still nine with 5:25 to play after Gallinari was fouled on a reverse and made the free throw, but six straight Denver points

by Anthony made it 101-98 with 3:16 left. The Nuggets would twice get it to one on 3-pointers by J.R. Smith, but missed a chance to grab the lead when Anthony’s drive bounced out with about 43 seconds to play.

Toney Douglas’ jumper with 27 seconds remaining extended New York’s lead to 107-104. Anthony had another drive spin out, Gallinari made two free throws, and the Nuggets misfired on some 3-point attempts. Denver let one get away at the start of a difficult five-game trip that includes stops at Boston, Orlando and Dallas. The Nuggets jumped to a 12-0 lead as the Knicks missed their first seven shots. The Knicks switched to a zone and fought back to trim it to 27-26 after one, despite shooting just 36 percent in the period.

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

New York Knicks center David Lee (42) blocks Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony in the first quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, March 23, 2010.

Hungry Jankovic ready to Nalbandian says Nations Cup experiment worth a try take a big bite at Miami Agence France - Presse

MIAMI – David Nalbandian crawled off the canvas from an abdominal injury this month and flew to Stockholm to help Argentina defeat Sweden 3-2 in the first round of the Davis Cup. But the one-time Wimbledon finalist said Tuesday at the start of the ATP Miami Masters that the proposal for a Nations Cup event that could replace a multi-week Davis Cup commitment would be worth seriously considering.

“You have to try something,” Nalbandian

(AFP/Getty Images/File/Matthew Stockman)

David Nalbandian, pictured on March 12, crawled off the canvas from an abdominal injury this month and flew to Stockholm to help Argentina defeat Sweden 3-2 in the first round of the Davis Cup.

said. “I like a lot what you feel on the court during Davis Cup — it’s much difference than the ATP or Grand Slams. “But Davis Cup is tough on our schedule, Those should be weeks off for us, time to prepare for the clay season or the hardcourt season or just to rest. “Sometimes in Davis Cup you have to go to Asia, Europe or Australia. That part is tough. The Nations Cup idea could be good. But you have to try, like the (ill-fated ATP) round-robin experiment. It’s tough to say without trying.”

The two-time Davis Cup finalist said that his comeback from hip surgery last May in Barcelona will hopefully begin in Miami, with hundreds of his countrymen in attendance.

“This is maybe the start of another career for me,” Nalbandian said. “When you are away from the game, you miss the competition. You need to feel the nerves you feel before matches.

“But the tough part is always the same — the travel and all the time away from home. Those bad things are still here. As for his Miami hopes, they are understandably limited for the 28-yearold wildcard.

“I’m looking at getting matches,” Nalbandian said. “I need time on court. I could say I want to win the tournament, but I don’t have a lot of court time. I don’t need recovery time now. What I need to do is to play. I believe I’ll feel good in a month after more matches and more confidence.” Nalbandian, now ranked 161st, was drawn into the quarter of the draw headed by Rafael Nadal with a first-round match against 43rd-ranked Pole Lukasz Kubot.

Jankovic’s success at Indian Wells came more MIAMI – Jelena than half a year after her Jankovic is on the prowl last trophy in Cincinnati. for further prey after tak“I beat a lot of good ing the WTA title at Indian players in Indian Wells. My Wells, with the Serbian game is together,” Jankovic star vowing Tuesday to said. “I believe more in my take a bite out of the Mishots and I go out knowing ami Masters. “I’m still that I’m playing good tenhungry, I still want to do nis and believing much well,” said the bubbly more in myself. It doesn’t Jankovic, who defeated take much prompting for the Dane Caroline Wozniacki usually smiling player to rein the final. I’m kind of member her low periods of like an animal.”

2009. There were times Jankovic finished when I wasn’t feeling my number one on the WTA game, and was not confiTour in 2008 then lost all dent, but I am now and I (AFP/Getty Images/Chris Mcgrath) form by over-training and look forward to playing Jelena Jankovic bulking up to her detrihere,” Jankovic said. ment, but she has worked her way back to “I’m feeling very strong. There are so fighting-fit form. “I will win a Grand Slam. many great players out there. I just want I believe in myself,” Jankovic said. “I’m to try my best. We’ll see how things will thinking that I can do it. If I can win Indian work out.” The women’s field is headed Wells, I think I can win a Slam also. It’s just by Svetlana Kuznetsova, the 2006 chama matter of time and doing the right things.” pion, with world number one Serena WilThe 25-year-old enjoys a bye into the liams out with her continuing left knee second round at Miami, with the seventh injury. Wozniacki, newly promoted to secseed saying that her confidence is back to ond in the rankings at age 19, is seeded top level. “When I come to the court I want second with three-time champion Venus to fight to the last point. I like competing, I Williams third. Williams is unruffled by like the challenges,” Jankovic said. “I al- the fact that her younger sibling Serena, ways try my best to win — sometimes I do, last year ’s losing finalist to Victoria sometimes not — but it’s part of the game.” Azarenka, is missing.

Agence France - Presse

Sport

International

Thursday, March 25, 2010

15

Santa Cruz says home games could be champion for City Agence France - Presse

MANCHESTER, England – Roque Santa Cruz believes Manchester City’s run of home matches can help them into the Champions League as they prepare to host Everton on Wednesday. City are the only Premier League side yet to be beaten at home this season and they have won nine of their 13 league matches at Eastlands.

Victory over David Moyes’s side will move Roberto Mancini’s team, who have a game in hand on Tottenham Hotspur, a point above Spurs and into fourth place - the final Champions League spot on offer to English clubs. City’s run-in includes away matches against Burnley and Arsenal before they travel to West Ham on the final day of the season. But after Everton, they entertain Wigan, Birmingham, Manchester United and close-rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham at Eastlands.

Paraguay forward Santa Cruz, who scored in City’s 2-1 win at Fulham on Sunday, thinks that home form could prove decisive, starting with the match against Everton. “It’s massively important,” said Santa

Cruz. “It’s the game that will put us ahead of Tottenham.

“To feel that we are close to that fourth spot is massively important and we need to make sure that we win that game. Everybody’s happy because we’re still in contention for fourth spot and Fulham was a massive win for us. The games coming up will be decisive for us. We’re playing at home and we need to get the points.”

City will be without former Everton defender Joleon Lescott, who suffered a hamstring injury in the warm-up at Fulham, and Mancini is also without left back Wayne Bridge and Michael Johnson through injury.

Bridge’s absence means Javier Garrido is likely to continue at full-

back and the Spaniard feels that striker Carlos Tevez has been every bit as influential as Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney this season. Tevez made a controversial pre-season move to Eastlands from Old Trafford.

And while Rooney has scored 33 goals this season, Argentina striker Tevez has managed 22 despite enduring spells on the sidelines.

“Wayne Rooney has been great for United this season and Carlos Tevez is maybe our Rooney,” Garrido said.

“When Carlos plays, the team respond. They feel he is one player who will always give his best. We are in a good position, and the right frame of mind. Of course, we have to do well in the last few games most of which are at home. We have to be strong but it’s in our own hands.”

Ancelotti sets Chelsea title points target Agence France - Presse

LONDON – Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has set his side a target of 86 points to win the English Premier League title this season. The Blues are currently third, on 65 points, but a victory away to bottom of the table Portsmouth on Wednesday would leave them just a

(AFP/File/Ian Kington)

Chelsea’s Italian Manager Carlo Ancelotti, seen here on March 15, has set his side a target of 86 points to win the English Premier League title this season.

point behind leaders and reigning champions Manchester United with seven league games of the season to play.

Chelsea, however, will first be looking to bounce back quickly from the disappointment of dropping two points in a 1-1 draw away to Blackburn Rovers last weekend when they take the field at Fratton Park on Wednesday. “I like statistics and I think that, in the past, with 86 points every team has won the title,” Ancelotti said on Tuesday. “I think that we need to get 86 points to win. We have less opportunity to win after last week because we lost two points at Blackburn, but we can have a chance again to win this title and we will do everything we can to do so. It’s very important for us,” the Italian added.

“Now I want to believe we can win the championship and I want to stay focused on my job and give my players knowledge to win their next games. I always said that I want to give respect to my players and I want to have respect. I think this is the right behaviour and I think that, this season, everything is right with the players. I am happy with my players’ attitude. We are disappointed about the last matches. We are out of the Champions League and lost our position at the top of the table, but everyone has kept putting in the right behaviour. The players, the club, we want to stay together at this difficult moment. This is the best thing to do at this particular moment.”

Chelsea’s last 16 exit from the Champions League at the hands of Inter Milan led to speculation Ancelotti would have to win a trophy this season or face being sacked by Roman Abramovich, the Blues Russian billionaire owner.

But Ancelotti insisted: “My future is definitely at Chelsea next season “I can confirm that. I have two more years of contract and I have no problem confirming this.”

(AFP/File/Paul Ellis)

Manchester City’s Roque Santa Cruz (right) celebrates a goal with Carlos Tevez during an English Premier League match against Sunderland in 2009. Santa Cruz believes Manchester City’s run of home matches can help them into the Champions League as they prepare to host Everton.

Juve plan Gila and Vargas raid Turin - As part of their plan to lure Cesare Prandelli to Turin in the summer, Juventus also hope to sign Fiorentina duo Alberto Gilardino and Juan Vargas.

The Bianconeri are planning on completely overhauling the current structure of the club this summer after one of the worst seasons on record.

Juventus were expected to not just challenge but win major honours after significant investment in the transfer market at the end of last season.

However, the project was effectively ripped up in January when the club sacked Ciro Ferrara after a dismal run in Serie A and elimination from both the Champions League and Coppa Italia. Alberto Zaccheroni was brought in as a caretaker boss, but things haven’t improved dramatically with Juventus still in sixth place in Serie A. Tuttosport understands that Juventus

will not offer him the job on a permanent basis in the summer and that the favourite for the post is Prandelli.

There were claims earlier this month that the Fiorentina Coach had already accepted an offer to move to Turin, although they were later denied. However, the speculation refuses to go away and the Turin media believe Juventus are shaping their rebuilding process around Prandelli. That means keeping Felipe Melo, the Brazilian midfielder who has flopped this season, but was effectively signed off the back of a very good year under Prandelli at Fiorentina.

It also implies that Juventus will sign players Prandelli trusts like Gilardino and Vargas, although the club’s directors are also said to be certain of making an approach for Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini this summer.

Juventus hopes to sign Fiorentina duo Alberto Gilardino and Juan Vargas

ap

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

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

Sport

Hamilton: Lie scandal made me stronger

Lewis Hamilton returns to the Australian Grand Prix this weekend a year on from the lying scandal that engulfed him and McLaren adamant that the experience helped make him a better man, rather than being one that should be totally forgotten. The McLaren driver was awarded a podium finish at Melbourne last year after claiming to stewards that Jarno Trulli had overtaken him during a safety car period - even though he had followed team orders to let the Toyota driver through.

Lewis Hamilton returns to the Australian Grand Prix this weekend a year on from the lying scandal that engulfed him and McLaren adamant that the experience helped make him a better man, rather than being one that should be totally forgotten

Alonso predicts four-team fight FERNANDO Alonso believes Ferrari’s success in the Bahrain Grand Prix means nothing for this weekend’s event in Australia, as he predicts a tight four-way team tussle for the victory. The Spaniard kicked off his Ferrari career in perfect style with a triumph in the season opener, but he reckons that rivals Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes will all be vying it out at the front of the grid in Melbourne.

Writing on his official blog, Alonso said: “The one-two win at Sakhir gave us confidence and was a great result for the hard work during the winter on the track and at the works, but we can’t take anything for granted.

“We have to stay with our feet on the ground, keeping calm and staying concentrated: in Melbourne we’re starting from square one. Nothing has changed for me: there are four teams and eight drivers who can fight for victory and we have to give it our all to stay ahead of everybody else.”

Alonso has also added caution to the outspoken remarks about the state of F1 following the far from enthralling race in Bahrain. He has joined other leading figures in stating that the sport needs to think carefully before reacting. “I think that many of us have given some hot-headed comments immediately after the race in Bahrain,” he said. “It’s true that the race at Sakhir wasn’t especially spectacular - although for

us Ferraris it was great and exciting – but it’s too early to talk about changing the rules. We have to wait and see different races and check the situation, without being emotional.

Something that confuses the fans is changing the rules all the time.”

Alonso’s comments about holding back before seeing if there is a need for change have been backed

by his team boss Stefano Domenicali. The Italian told the official Ferrari website: “It is much too early to jump to conclusions and we should not react in an emotional way. We must wait and see how the races evolve throughout the season and then the subject can be studied calmly, based on sufficient evidence.”

Fernando Alonso believes Ferrari’s success in the Bahrain Grand Prix means nothing for this weekend’s event in Australia, as he predicts a tight four-way team tussle for the victory

Although the eventual outing of the truth meant Hamilton was stripped of the top three finish, and at the centre of a controversy that nearly caused him to quit the sport, the 2008 world champion reckons that some good did come out of the events. “I’ve always had great experiences here and I don’t look at last year’s experience as a bad one,” said Hamilton, speaking during a promotional event for Vodafone in Sydney on Wednesday. “I look at it as a stepping stone in my life and something I learned a whole lot from. Every time I’ve come here, my first year in Melbourne I got a first podium position in my first grand prix. In 2008 I came here and I won.

Last year, don’t forget I had a great race. I came from dead last on the grid up into fourth place. So it was still a good experience.”

“2009 was a tough year altogether. I learned a lot throughout about team building and lifting up the team. The team does so much, but at the end of the day I’m the one who has to jump in and get the results for the team.” Hamilton insists that he does not want to waste time re-analysing the events of last year, with his focus instead being on securing McLaren’s first win of the season. “Being a racer you’re always looking forward,” he said. “When you’re in a race car travelling at 200mph you have to look far, far forward. And I approach my life day by day. We are in the fast lane. It goes by fast and you have to be ready for what is coming up. Not what has happened in the past.”

Hamilton is bullish that McLaren can improve on its third placed finish from the season opener in Bahrain, with the Albert Park set to play to the MP4-25’s strengths better than Bahrain did. “Sometimes your car suits it better than others - this circuit should work to the strengths of our car,” he added. “We feel stronger coming in to this race and hopefully we can get more points - for myself and Jenson. We do have a chance of winning this weekend. And hopefully we’ll be able to get that edge. Confidence is something you build on. I don’t want to come here and say ‘yeah we’re going to win’. I feel confident I have a great strong team behind me and Jenson goes well here in Australia. So I’m confident we can go better.”