Edisi 26 Maret 2010 | International Bali Post

16 Pages Number 58 2st Year

Australians upset over LA kangaroo stunt

Price: Rp 3.000,-

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

Friday, March 26, 2010

‘Chronic Pain and Hard to Recover’: Tourists Start to Ignore Kintamani PAGE 8

PAGE 16

WRC plans single engine per season

Pasut beach

The picture show the beautiful Pasut beach IBP/upi

Negelected tourism site in Tabanan Bali Post

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Tabanan - Pasut Beach is one of the tourism sites in Tabanan regency which has the potential to be developed. The beautiful black sandy beach has very nice waves, but unfortunately the tourism potential is not properly explored.

On weekends, the locals often The act made the beach is decome to the beach with their fam- stroyed and there is a bigger treat ily. Instead of develop the beach as for the environment. The abrasion tourist site, the sand on the beach is now happens almost in all parts is taken and sold through the com- of the beach. mittee of the local village.

Continued on page 6

Betara Turun Kabeh in Besakih

Melasti procession is held tomorrow

Amlapura (Bali Post) –

The procession of taking the “tirta” or holy water from several complex of Besakih temple is being held on Friday, March 26th 2010. The procession is done due with the Betara Turun Kabeh ceremony which will be held on Monday, March 29th 2010.

I Wayan Gunatra, the head of the committee, said that the process to take pretima or holy objects from all complex of the temple will be done at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

Continued on page 6

IBP/bud

One of the offering is being prepared for the Betara Turun Kabeh ceremony

2

International

Friday, March 26, 2010

Bali News Decided, 20 Students of SMKN 1 Singaraja to Take Follow-up Exam Denpasar (Bali Post)

Incompetent performance of the Percetakan Negara printing house potentially threatening the passing of 20 participants in the national exam (UN) of the Tourism Department in SMKN 1 Singaraja was addressed quickly by the Head of Bali Educational, Youth and Sport Services (Disdikpora) I Wayan Suasta. There is valid evidence that the 20 students were working on the wrong math tests due to negligence of the printing house. On that account, all students were given the opportunity to attend a special follow-up examination for Mathematics subjects. Meanwhile, the computer answer sheet (LJK) used to answer the wrong question of the Mathematics was declared to be cancelled or would not be assessed.

Yes, they will be given the opportunity to follow the national exam by using the math question that is really intended for the Vocational High School of Tourism Department. Although the implementation of UN coincided with the follow-up exam for those who did not follow the main UN on account of being sick, the status of Mathematics test for the twenty students of the Tourism Department of SMKN 1 Singaraja remains as the main UN,” Suasta told Bali Post, last Wednesday (Mar 24).

Once getting the information on wrong tests of the Mathematics and have already done by the students, Suasta admitted to contact two members of the National Standard Agency

of Education (BSNP) all at once namely Prof. Mungin Edi Wibowo and Prof.

Edi Baskoro. On that occasion, Suasta urged the BSNP to struggle for the 20 students of the UN participants and the decision should not harm the students.

Moreover, there were valid evidences that the confusion was caused by incompetent performance of the printing house and not caused by the UN organizer in Bali. Finally, the two members of BSNP recommended providing an opportunity for the 20 students to take the follow-up exam. “Frankly speaking, we are very disappointed with the performance of the printing house.

Many problems arise in the UN of this year in Bali,” he lamented.

According to Suasta, the oral re-

quests conveyed verbally to the two members of BSNP would be followedup by written letter of application to BSNP as institution. By that way, there was a written guarantee from BSNP that the 20 students were well-deserved to be given the opportunity to follow the UN because they were in the aggrieved party. In essence, we do not want any students in Bali to be victims of the printing inaccuracies,? he asserted and added that Disdikpora Bali had sent written complaint to Director of Perum Percetakan Negara by letter No. 423.7/1843/ Disdikpora dated March 22, 2010 in order similar confusion would not happen again in the upcoming UN for secondary school. (kmb13)

As for the Voting

Denpasar Mayoral Election Uses Punching System Denpasar (Bali Post)?

Regulations of every state?s activity come one after another. Undeniably, it may turn up the confusion among the public. One of them is the voting procedures in every implementation of a regional leader election, legislative elections and presidential election. Previously, the presidential election and legislative election applied voting procedures by ticking the ballots, while the upcoming election will be changed again.

Denpasar Electoral Commission ensured the voting procedures in the next mayoral and deputy mayoral election would apply ballot punching method.

This matter was emphasized by a member of Campaign Working Group of Denpasar Electoral Commission, I Gede John Darmawan, when met in his office, last Wednes-

day (Mar 24). In fact, for this system, his party had made socialization to each hamlet in Denpasar. “At the moment, our team are committing socialization targeting 453 hamlets throughout Denpasar,” explained John Darmawan last Wednesday.

Determination of how to vote by punching ballot in the upcoming mayoral election, he said, was not without a clear basis. Admittedly, it showed ever-changing impression that might cause confusion and vulnerable in the society. However, they were done due to the existing regulations requiring the implementation of the system. The regional leader election, including the mayoral election, remains to refer to the laws and regulations on regional government, namely Law No. 32/2004.

Regional leader election and mayoral election were different from legislative and presidential election held

previously. The two elections implemented different laws. Presidential election referred to the Law No. 45/ 2008 on the presidential election, while the legislative election used the legal basis of Law No. 10/2008. The law specified that the voting procedure applied was ticking system. ?However, the mayoral election remains to refer to the Law No. 32/2004, while the system is still using the punching ballot in determining the political choice by the people, he said.

Against this pattern, John Darmawan claimed to be far more efficient. Because, on the ballot could be obviously seen the former punching, so that would facilitate the voting officials, including the witnesses to determine and read the public votes. ?In terms of its efficiency and effectiveness, I think this punching system is better, he said. (kmb12)

House and Hotel Burglarized by Stealers Denpasar (Bali Post)

Action of theft by weighing continues to occur in the jurisdiction of Denpasar Metro Police.

Recently, a resident’s home and a hotel were burglarized. Of the two incidents, the material losses suffered amounted to 220 million.

These cases had been reported to police station and are still being handled.

Based on information gathered in the police station, last Wednesday (Mar 24), the stealing action first afflicted the Bugari Resort Hotel, Room No. 23, Nusa Dua, last Monday (Mar 22). Room occupied by Johan Brian Robin, 30, from France, was known to have been burglarized at 09:00 am Local Time. The thief entered into the victim’s hotel room through the window.

Allegedly, the thief pried the window and then broke in the victim’s property. This was proven

by the damage in the window of hotel room. Belongings of the victim taken away consisted of Sony laptop, an Onyq hand phone. Total losses of victim reached IDR 20 million.

Meanwhile, on the following day, a house belonging to Ketut Hary Wiguna, 35, living in the housing complex of Citra Soputan at the Abian Timbul Hamlet, Denpasar, was also burglarized by thief. Perpetrator entered into the house by prying the main door.

Some valuables were also successfully taken away by perpetrator.

Among them, there were a unit of play station (PS), wallet, driving license, registration document of motorbike and car, ATM card, cash worth IDR 1.1 million, white gold wedding rings with diamond jewel of around 750-carat, a digital camera and 1 gold dragon stamp. Victim claimed to suffer a loss of IDR 200 million. (kmb21)

2009 Legislative Election People?s Political Participation Rate Only 70.99 Percent Denpasar (Bali Post)

To realize the level of public political participation in every election celebration in this country still needs improving. The problem lies in the number of abstaining voters in every election remaining quite a lot. Even, National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) recorded the people?s political participation in the 2009 presidential election was only 70.99 percent and 72.56 percent in the legislative election. Therefore, in the upcoming 2014 election, political participation of the people was expected to have reached 75 per cent.

This finding was revealed in the workshop on the coordination of international assistance to Indonesian democracy in Denpasar, on last Wednesday (Mar 24). The workshop organized by the National Development Planning Board presented two sources, namely Director of Political and Communications of Bappenas R. Siliwanti and Lili Hasanuddin of UNDP. Siliwanti said the long-term development goals of the national long mid-year 2010-2014 was improving

the quality of democracy marked by the index figure of democracy in Indonesia on the average of 73 percent and in the end of next 2014 could reach 75 percent. Realizing this achievement, Bappenas has had a number of programs used to reach better political participation.

It was considered that this achievement could be realized by seeing the high public interest of international community and Indonesia?s development partners to support the development of democracy. Therefore, Bappenas has prepared the measures like developing and improving the communication and coordination patterns of central and local government.

On the other hand, Lili Hasanuddin in her presentation revealed the challenges of democratic development in this country. She mentioned several issues becoming obstacles in the development of democracy, in which voters had accurate data in every election. Not only that, the distribution of election logistics also sometimes became a hindrance in the development of democracy in Indonesia. (kmb12)

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

Bali News

International

Friday, March 26, 2010

3

Sanglah Hospital Could Have DNA Test Independently Denpasar (Bali Post)

For those who would like to make sure their status, especially in terms of the evidence to determine parental identity or unidentified bodies through DNA tests do not necessarily perform it outside Bali because in this year the Forensic Medical Installation of Sanglah Hospital is capable of performing DNA tests independently.

Head of Forensic Medical Installation of Sanglah Hospital, I.B. Putu Alit, said earlier the hospital could only take DNA samples and for its examination it should cooperate with a laboratory examination in Jakarta.

However, this year all the tests starting from sample taking, lab tests up to issuing the result could be carried out at Sanglah Hospital.

This year we?ve got requests

for DNA tests. Firstly, it was done in the case of determining the identity of the body of drowning victim in the Moluccas waters.

The second request was to determine the parental proof,? Alit said not long ago. Alit continued the cost of DNA examination reached IDR 10.5 million included the sample taking and examination of DNA samples of mother and child.

According to Alit, it is a fair price for a DNA test. (san)

Hotel Sanur Beach Bali has appointed I Made Oka Wiranata as a new Sous Chef. Chef Oka will work closely with Executive Chef to provide the best quality cuisine and continue the superior guest service culture that Sanur Beach Bali strives for. Chef Oka comes with over ten years of experience in various restaurants with leading hotel chains. His specialty in Indonesian food is recognized and rewarded by Bali Salon Culinaire 2004 when he won a Gold Medal for individual hot cooking for Indonesian Food Category. In 2006 Chef Oka also received a Bronze Medal for team hot cooking for Western Food Category. Chef Oka’s experience in managing kitchens in large outlets will be a huge advantage for Hotel Sanur Beach Bali.

Physical Development Stays to be Priority for National Exam on Third Day Problematic, Too.SMK Students Gianyar in 2011 Answer False Math Tests Gianyar (Bali Post)

Physical development or infrastructural sector seemingly remains to become priority in budget planning and revenue of Gianyar Regency in 2010. This was related to the dominance of priority proposal of each village mentioned in the development plan meeting of subdistricts. From the 280 proposals originating in seven subdistricts and 70 villages, first rank was occupied by physical development activities and then respectively followed by social, economic and public administration sector.

Thus was stated in the forum meeting of the working unit of regional apparatus (SKPD) of Gianyar Regency held on last Wednesday (Mar 24). The meeting posing a working agenda of Gianyar Agency for Regional Development (Bappeda) in the 2011 Regional Budget Draft was divided into four separate groups. They consisted of the general category, social, economic and physical or infrastructural sector. The meeting was organized at different locations and no single member of the House attending the meeting because of recess reasons.

Other than attended by

SKPD, such first meeting forum was also attended by delegates from the subdistrict development plan meeting to oversee the results stipulated in 280 proposals. At the moment, priority proposals of subdistricts often vanished when entering into the discussion session in SKPD forum and regency development plan meeting. “This year, we are sure there will be no proposals disappearing in the SKPD meeting forum and regency development plan meeting, said the Head of Bappeda Gianyar, IB Nyoman Rai after the meeting.

Confidence that the village priority proposals would not vanish as in the subdistrict development plan meeting depended on the arguments delivered by representatives of subdistrict in the regency development plan meeting that would be scheduled on the upcoming April 5 and 6, he explained.

From the SKPD meeting forum, hundreds of priority proposal drafts were agreed by SKPD. The draft would be then discussed again in the Regency development plan meeting by considering the financial condition of the region derived from Gianyar Regional Budget, Provincial Budget and National Budget, he added. (kmb16)

Singaraja (Bali Post)

Implementation of the national examination (UN) in Buleleng Regency on the third day, last Wednesday (Mar 24), faced another problem. Math question sheets intended for Tourism Department was presented with that of Accounting Department. More seriously, such mixed up questions were already done by the students and just known by them right after the completion.

It happened in SMKN 1 Singaraja.

A number of 20 students in the school did the false math tests. The math tests that should be answered

were the mathematics for tourism, but the one done was math tests for accounting majors. This mistake once caused the students get panic.

As a result, it was decided that students who did the false math tests had an opportunity to take followup exam next week.

Head of Buleleng Educational Services, Gede Suyasa, last Wednesday (Mar 24) did not deny the occurrence of errors in the math tests. Given, a mistake about it was known after the students complained because materials of the math tests were never taught. Hav-

ing been checked, in fact the math tests done by students of tourism should be the tests for accounting major. “On the envelope was written about the math tests for the department of tourism, but in fact it is a math for accounting. The error is not on our side,” he said.

Since it was already done, said Suyasa, those students should take follow-up exam next week. ?I immediately check in person and coordinate this issue. Because the matter was done then we direct these students to take follow-up exam next week,? he said. (kmb15)

Check ID Card, Satpol PP Frisks Market Visitors Negara (Bali Post)

The ranks of public order officers (Satpol PP) of Jembrana Regency, last Wednesday (Mar 24) performed an ID card check to visitors of traditional market. This was done because not all Jembrana residents had administration information system on population (SIAK) ID card as proof of identity.

To motivate the public to proactively manage the administration of residents, a team of Satpol PP was assigned to inspect a number of traditional markets and admonished local residents who have not had multiplefunctioned identity cards.

From the observation held in Jembrana Market, Dauh Waru Village, last Wednesday (Mar 24), dozens of residents examined could not show their SIAK-ID card. They were mostly local traders and admitted not to carry ID cards because their home was close to location of market. When checked, one of the visitors at the market claimed that her ID card has expired since a few days ago and was in the process of renewal.

Meanwhile, Nengah Dimada, 25, a resident from Tegal Asih Hamlet, Batuagung, Jembrana, honestly admitted that he did not have SIAK-ID

as under the making process. As consequence, when having medical services he had to pay by his own money.

Other than at Jembrana Market, similar operation was also held at Tegalcangkring Market, Mendoyo.

Chief of Jembrana Satpol PP, I Ketut Wiratma, when contacted to ask for his confirmation said his party would carry out the operation on a regular basis in an effort to uphold the orderly administration of the residents in Jembrana.

Wiratma recommended that residents whose SIAK-ID card was not finished to proactively contact local village apparatus. (021)

4

News

Friday, March 26, 2010

International

Sodomy trial of Malaysia’s Anwar to resume in May KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – The sodomy trial of Anwar Ibrahim will resume in May following a threemonth interruption after the Malaysian opposition leader tried to force the judge to step down, the High Court said Thursday.

AFP

Riot police stand alert during an anti-government protest in Bangkok.

Two more blasts in protest-hit Thailand BANGKOK (AFP) – Thailand upgraded security measures Thursday after two more blasts hit government buildings, the latest in a string of minor attacks since antigovernment protests erupted this month.

The rallies mounted by redshirted supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra have been met with a heavy security deployment, including a lockdown on parliament that has triggered an opposition boycott.

Authorities said that the new blasts, which hit a provincial hall on Bangkok’s northern outskirts and a government building west of the capital on Wednesday, had hit weak spots in the operation involving 50,000 personnel.

“We have to adjust our operation to curtail the attacks,” Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban told reporters.

“Intelligence reports say they want to create unrest to show that the government cannot control the situation, but I want to reassure the Thai people that the government is in control,” he said.

The blasts, which follow eight other minor explosions since the protests began on March 14 to push for fresh elections, caused minor damage but no injuries.

Most of the incidents have involved grenades, but police investigating the provincial hall explosion, which left a small crater 20 centimetres (eight inches) deep, said they believed it was a bomb fuelled by TNT. Metropolitan police commander Santhan Chayanont ordered police to increase the number of checkpoints and patrols, particularly on main roads and at key government facilities, and enforce searches for weapons and explosives.

Prime Minister Abhisit

Vejjajiva on Tuesday extended a tough security law enacted for the demonstrations, applying it to Bangkok and nearby districts for an additional week as the “Red Shirts” vowed fresh action.

Opposition Puea Thai lawmakers boycotted parliament for a second day Thursday to protest tight measures including concrete and razor-wire barricades surrounding the building and thousands of soldiers and police on duty.

The president of the upper house, Prasobsuk Boondej, also criticised the military presence as an over-reaction and said some senators had problems entering the building.

Abhisit, who has said the measures are aimed at preventing a repeat of the siege on parliament in 2008, rejected opposition allegations that the response was “a version of a coup”.Soldiers and police “have not come to seize legislative power, they want to ensure that we can exercise our legislative power, in fact they are protecting democracy,” the premier said in parliament.

The “Red Shirts” are planning a mass rally in Bangkok on Saturday, which they say will exceed in size the street parade they mounted last weekend when they drew 65,000 people and caused traffic congestion in parts of the city.

On Thursday they threatened to move their protest encampment, currently in the capital’s old quarter, to the crowded downtown district if their opponents pursue plans to obtain legal orders to halt the rolling demonstrations.

The Thaksin loyalists, who have won headlines with stunts including donating their own blood to splash on Abhisit’s home and offices, on Thursday shaved the heads of volunteers on their protest stage in a gesture of defiance.

The politically charged trial has been disrupted since mid-February, when Anwar claimed that Judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah was biased against the defense. Mohamad Zabidin denied Anwar’s allegation and refused to recuse himself from the case, prompting Anwar’s lawyers to turn to a higher court to seek the judge’s dismissal.

Anwar dropped the attempt to disqualify the judge last week, hoping to dispel criticism he was delaying the trial. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of sodomizing a male former aide — a charge he claims was concocted by the government to cripple his opposition movement. Government authorities deny any conspiracy.

Judge Mohamad Zabidin ruled Thursday that hearings will resume

May 10 and are expected to continue through the end of August. He scheduled the dates after the defense team said Anwar and his top lawyer, who are both members of Parliament, were involved in legislative sessions.

The trial began in early February with testimony from Saiful Bukhari Azlan, the 24-year-old man who accused Anwar of forcing him to have anal sex at a condominium in June 2008. Most of Saiful’s testimony was recorded behind closed doors because of its graphic nature.

Anwar’s lawyers say a medical examination of Saiful conducted after the alleged sodomy showed no conclusive evidence of penetration.

Sodomy is an illegal act — even if consensual — in this Muslim-majority country.

Anwar reiterated Thursday his claim that Prime Minister Najib Razak’s administration fabricated the charge to remove him from the political scene and weaken his opposition alliance after it made unprecedented inroads during 2008 elections.

“This is malicious,” Anwar told reporters. “It shouldn’t have started in the first place. This is wasting public resources and people’s time.

This is fitting into (the government’s) political game.”

It is the second time that Anwar, 62, has been accused of sodomy. In 1998, he lost his post as then-deputy prime minister and spent six years in jail on convictions for sodomy and abuse of power. Anwar was freed in 2004 when a court overturned the sodomy conviction.

Analysis: Netanyahu’s choice: Peace or settlements JERUSALEM – Following a seemingly chilly reception at the White House, Benjamin Netanyahu is learning the hard way that he can’t have it all.

The Israeli leader will not likely be able to settle east Jerusalem with Jews and maintain strong relations with the Obama administration, to pander to far-right coalition partners and negotiate credibly with the Palestinians, or to alienate important allies and expect decisive international action against archenemy Iran.

Israel infuriated Washington earlier this month when it announced plans to build 1,600 new Jewish homes in the disputed part of Jerusalem during a visit by Vice President Joe Biden.

A fresh announcement Wednesday of 20 new Jewish homes planned in the heart of an Arab neighborhood prompted a White House demand for clarification even as Netanyahu was in Washington trying to ease tensions.

With Israel’s international standing in tatters and its relationship with Washington at a low point, Netanyahu’s moment of truth appears close. Will he stick to his hawkish roots or conclude, as his two predecessors Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert did, that occupying captured lands and their large Arab populations imperils Israel’s future as a Jewish state?

So far, Netanyahu is showing no signs of bending on east Jerusalem,

AP

AP – FILE- In this March 22, 2010 file photo Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

despite the international uproar over the new Israeli housing projects.

An unusual decision to keep reporters away from a meeting between Netanyahu and President Barack Obama at the White House and some pointed criticism from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at a pro-Israel conference indicated the latest U.S.-Israeli diplomatic row is not over.

Last-minute talks Wednesday between Netanyahu and U.S. Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell — held just before the Israeli leader ended his two-day visit to Washington — failed to heal the U.S.-Israeli row over east Jerusalem settlement building, U.S. officials said on condition

of anonymity because the closed-door talks were confidential.

The Americans say the east Jerusalem housing projects — which were announced shortly after Israel and the Palestinians agreed to the first U.S.mediated indirect peace talks in more than a year — are provocative and prejudge the outcome of negotiations.

But recent comments by Clinton and the head of the U.S. Central Command could have even more sweeping implications.

Both Clinton and Gen. David Petraeus said that lack of progress toward solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict impedes other U.S. goals around the world and fuels extremism.

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

General Info

Friday, March 26, 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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6

Friday, March 26, 2010

News

Australians upset over LA kangaroo stunt AFP

SYDNEY (AFP) – Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Thursday described as “pretty off” reports that tourism officials put a distressed kangaroo in a cage on a busy Los Angeles street to promote the country.

Tourism Australia was forced to defend its use of the kangaroo in a January “G’Day USA” marketing campaign in Beverly Hills after a video was posted on YouTube showing it swaying back and forth in apparent distress.

Rudd said he hadn’t seen the footage but expressed concern at what he had heard about the treatment of the animal, which is featured on Australia’s coat of arms.

“I?m pretty worried about the reports that I?ve seen, pretty worried, and it sounds pretty off to me,” Rudd told reporters.

“Many of us grew up in the days of Skippy, and you know something? If you?ve grown up in the days of Skippy you want to make sure that our national symbol is being properly respected in the way in which Australia projects itself abroad.”

Iconic 1960s television series “Skippy the Bush Kangaroo” followed the exploits of the animal, her young owner Sonny and rangers of the Waratah park.

The popular children’s serial was shown in more than 80 countries and was one of Australia’s earliest cultural exports.

Tourism Australia spokeswoman Rachel Crowley said the performing ‘roo in Los Angeles — a 10-year-old male named Fesnick — came from a reputable animal handler and was displayed only in four-hour stints.

But animal expert Tim Faulkner told News Limited newspapers the animal was clearly unwell.

“The animal is obviously distressed, there is no question about it,” Faulkner said after viewing the footage.

“The sort of stress I see here suggests it has endured long-term problems.”

Bob Irwin, the father of late wildlife icon Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin, issued a statement from his hospital bed where he is recovering from a heart attack.

“It is a terrible image for Australia

MOSCOW – Russian television has aired a video of a wedding guest shooting himself in the head with a rubber bullet in a game of Russian roulette.

An excerpt from a wedding video airing on NTV television shows a

AP

ADELAIDE, Australia – About 100 Australian police are being investigated for circulating racist and pornographic e-mails via an internal system, a scandal blamed for one officer’s suicide, a top official said Thursday.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland said the officers had let down the community by forwarding the offensive e-mails.

“It’s a mix of racist and pornographic and otherwise offensive material,” Overland told reporters. “There are varying degrees of involvement and varying degrees of seriousness.”

Overland refused to elaborate on the content of the e-mails, saying none of it was illegal but all of it was offensive and in breach of department policy.

He also would not confirm whether the racist material concerned Indians or Africans, two minority groups that have been the target of violence in Victoria state and have criticized police conduct in recent months.

The months-long investigation led to two officers receiving what is called a Section 68 — notice that the commissioner has lost confidence in the officers and giving them a chance to explain why they should not be dismissed — for introducing the material into the police system.

The other officers were being questioned for further circulating the emails, sometimes adding inappropriate

comments of their own.

Overland confirmed that a police officer who committed suicide earlier this week was one of two given the Section 68.

Tony Vangorp, 47, tendered his resignation Friday and returned to the police station Monday night and shot himself. Overland said Vangorp had not been responsible for any racist e-mails.

“A tragic event has happened,” Overland said. “It’s deeply, deeply regrettable and we need to learn the lessons but it doesn’t mean that I can or should avoid my responsibilities around the good order and governance of Victoria Police.”

The state police department has 13,800 employees, including police officers, public servants and protective security officers.

“How can a community have confidence in this organization if we allow racist, sexist, pornographic, inappropriate material to circulate freely around the organization?” Overland said. “We can’t do it.”

Overland last week acknowledged a small minority of police officers were racist, in response to a report that said the department suffered from a “culture of racism.”

The independent report claimed that African teens have been racially targeted, taunted and bashed by police across Melbourne. The report came as the state’s Indian population was also claiming a number of racially motivated attacks by Australians.

Pasut beach...

From page 1

AFP/File –

An Australian red kangaroo is pictured at Sydney Wildlife World. to send to the world, seeing a magnificent kangaroo treated in such a cruel way,” said Irwin.

“Where the bloody hell is the government? I trust the government will also take Tourism Australia to task on their poor judgment.”

Tourism Australia previously came under fire for the 2006 “Where the Bloody Hell Are You?” campaign, which was deemed too offensive to be screened in some countries and was described by Rudd as a “rolled gold disaster”.

Wedding guest severely injured at Russian roulette AP

Police in Australia investigated for racist e-mail

man addressing the groom, then whipping out a pistol, pointing it to his head and pulling the trigger with a click.

The man gives the gun to another man who then shoots himself in the temple and falls to the ground.

The Komsomolskaya Pravda daily reported Tuesday that the victim in

the December incident was hospitalized with a severe head wound. It says the man who gave him the gun has been charged with hooliganism.

The origins of Russian roulette are not clear, but Czarist-era officers are believed to have taken chances with revolvers that held one bullet.

I Wayan Diasa, the head of Tabanan Tourism and Cultural Department, said that Pasut beach is actually has the potential to be come famous tourist site in Tabanan similar to Yeh Gangga, Kelanting and Soka Beach.

He explained that currently, there are more local people visiting the beach rather than foreign tourists.

The government had conducted some arrangement on the area but the sign where people can swim and where they can’t is not available yet.

It is very dangerous because the beach has very high waves. However, the beach is very suitable for fishing because it has many kinds of fish.

“The beach is not arranged prop-

erly because there are so many similar beaches in Tabanan,” Diasa said.

However, the people seemed to be not interested with tourism, instead they sold the black sand with high price. Everyday, up to 30 trucks of sand are taken from the beach where each sand worth 200,000 rupiah.

On December 21st 2009, the locals had sent a letter to the governor to stop the sand theft on Pasut beach. However, the sand stealing keeps happening until on Wednesday, the civil police came and stop the illegal action.

I Wayan Puja Astawa, the head of Tibubiu village, said that he didn’t know how much exactly the sand which was taken from the beach but it is approximately 3,600 trucks of sand worth 720 million rupiah. (kmb 14)

Betara...

From page 1 The Hindus from 12 villages throughout Besakih will take part in the procession. Next, the pretima will be taken to the main hall.

“The preparation for the Betara Turun Kabeh is already 95%,” he added. The procession Melasti or cleaning the pretime on the beach will be done on Saturday, March 27th 2010.

Gunatra explained that since a day after the Nyepi day, hundreds of Hindus are taking part in the preparation of the ceremony such as making the offerings and decorating the temple with penjor and others.

Jro Mangku Gede Umbara, the elder in Pasar Agung Temple said that the similar ceremony will be held every year on the tenth full moon. (013)

International

Indonesia Today

Friday, March 26, 2010

7

Indonesian prisons a breeding ground for terror: analyst Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Indonesian terrorists are using their time in jail to recruit and plan new attacks in blatant disregard for prison rules which often are not enforced, a senior security analyst said Wednesday.

International Crisis Group expert Sidney Jones said several of the leaders of a new terror alliance discovered in Aceh province last month had met in prison or through prison contacts.

These included one of the group’s chief ideologues, Aman Abdurrahman, who had “conducted

regular religious study sessions” and laid plans with other terrorists during his time behind bars, she said.

Abdurrahman was arrested over his involvement in a bomb-making cell in 2004 and was released from Sukamiskin correctional facility in Bandung in July, 2008.

“We went to Sukamiskin and

both the wardens and the prison administrators, this was a couple of years ago, were completely unaware of who Aman Abdurrahman was,” Jones said.

She said they were not even aware that he was holding religious study sessions with other inmates.

“There is supposed to be a ban on hand phones (for prisoners) but it is not enforced and there doesn’t seem to be any capacity to be able to do that,” she said, adding that she met one terrorist inmate who

had 15 mobile phones.

“I don’t think you need a special prison for terrorists, I think you can just use basic control techniques, for example making sure they don’t have hand phones in their cells. It shouldn’t be that difficult.”

Abdurrahman was arrested again recently after police discovered the “Al-Qaeda in Aceh” group, an alliance of extremists from various networks from Indonesia and the Philippines.

Dulmatin, a senior leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah militant outfit who

masterminded the 2002 Bali bombings, was shot dead by police in follow-up raids in Jakarta.

Police seized three remote-controlled bomb detonators, firearms and tens of thousand of bullets, including those for assault rifles such as M16 and AK-47s during the raids.

Jones said Indonesia needed to consider separating hardline ideologues like Abdurrahman from other prisoners and monitoring certain inmates more closely after they were released.

Indonesian brewers fret over excise tax hike Agence France-Presse

AFP PHOTO / MUHAMMAD RISYAL HIDAYAT

A zoo keeper holds two thirteen day-old Komodo dragons in Surabaya on March 25, 2010. The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard, and can be found on the Komodo and Flores islands in eastern Indonesia.

JAKARTA - Indonesian brewers on Wednesday slammed a government plan to slap a 200-percent excise tax on alcoholic drinks, saying it will only fuel the burgeoning black market.

The government in the mainly Muslim country plans to replace a luxury tax on alcoholic drinks ranging from 40 to 75 percent with the much higher excise duty in order to raise revenue and curtail drinking.

But Indonesian Malt Beverage Producers Association (GIMMI) spokesman Ipung Nimpuno said the move was a massive blow to the local brewing industry.

“The government’s idea to bring in more income for the country is good but the execution of the new

excise tax is inappropriate as it will create a bigger alcohol black market,” he said.

He said the black market already accounted for 80 percent of the trade in alcoholic drinks in Indonesia and the new duty would only hurt legal producers, who would be forced to increase prices.

Members of GIMMI, including producers of the local Bintang and Anker beers, would pay an additional 800 billion rupiah (88 million dollars) in tax annually. Directorate General of Customs spokesman Evy Suhartantyo said the tax regime for alcoholic drinks was “balanced”.

“It offsets the scrapping of the luxury tax. The increase also is in accordance with our aim to reduce consumption of alcoholic beverages,” he said.

Sail Banda 2010 to be Indonesia‘s largest marine event Managed jointly by Sail Indonesia, the Indonesian Navy, Indonesian Marine Foundation Yayasan Cinta Bahari, and the Indonesian Sailing Federation, Sail Banda is to be Indonesia‘s largest marine event this year. This year, the Maluku provincial government gets the honor to host the international marine event that will be concentrated on the islands of Ambon, Banda, and Southwest Maluku (MBD) district town of Wonreli in Kisar Yotowawa.

Sail Banda local committee spokesman Cak Saimima has said at least 200 boats and yachts would join the event.

“Our target is that at least 200 boats and yachts will participate in the event, and some 62 of them have already registered. We still have three months left to meet our target,” Cak Saimima said on Tuesday.

He said the event was intended to introduce Maluku‘s marine tourism potentials to the international community, and to convince them that the province was really safe for tourists after the year-long sectarian conflict.

Sail Banda 2010 will kick off on Saturday, July 24, 2010 with a yacht rally from Darwin, Australia, to Banda islands and on to Ambon.

During the following three months, the participants of Sail Indonesia will have a special right and gain advantages to participate in a series of a series of Cultural Festivals at the different stopovers across Indonesia on the islands of Timor, Banda, Ambon, Buton, Lembata, Wakatobi, Flores, Sulawesi, Bali,

Java, Borneo, Belitung and finally on to Batam or Bintan just south of Singapore.

“Therefore we are making every effort to be a good host and organizer of Sail Indonesia 2010,” Saimima said, adding that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on December 14, 2009 appointed Banda, Ambon, and Southwest Maluku (MBD) district town of Wonreli in Kisar Yotowawa island to be the location of the international event.

The participants will visit historical and megalithic sites and villages in Kisar island, and in Banda they will visit interesting and amazing places such as marine parks, Belgica Fort, House of Bung Hatta, House of Iwa Kusuma Sumantri, and agro tourist sites, and then proceed to Natsepa Beach, Hunimua Beach, Pintu Kota Beach, Manuala Beach, Namalatu Beach, Pasir Putih Beach, Amsterdam Fort, Old Mosque (Kaitetu), Old Hila Church, and Siwalima Museum in Ambon.

Other events that have been prepared by the Maluku provincial government are a Welcome Party, Kora-kora (traditional boats) attraction, Archeology Exhibition, City Tour, Marine and Agro Tourism, Cultural and Art Night at Belgica Fort in Banda; Welcome Party, Traditional Ships Parade, City Tour and Marine Tourism, ‘Ambon Tempo Doloe,‘ ‘Jujaro Mongare‘ Election, ‘Layang-Layang (Kite) Festival, Cultural Carnival and Farewell Party in Ambon; Welcome Party, City Tour, and Celebration of The Anniversary of Republic of Indonesia‘s Independence in Kisar island.

As part of the upcoming international marine event of Sail Bada 2010, Maluku Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office chief Poli Kayhattu said the 7th National Conference on marine, small islands, and coastal resources management would be held in Ambon on August 3-7 this year.

Kayhattu said at least two international experts on coastal resources management have confirmed to be keynote speakers at the conference.

He said that besides the inter-

national experts from China and Maldives, Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa and Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad would also address the conference.

The coastal resources management conference is part of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry‘s biennial activity, and the one this year in Ambon is themed, “To Knit the Integration of Marine, Small Islands, and Coastal Resources Management for Food Resilience and People‘s Welfare.”

The point of the programs and activities to make Sail Banda a success is to make Banda, Ambon, and Kisar tourist destination to materialize the government‘s Seven Charm Program of “Sapta Pesona” in Maluku.

He said the government of Maluku Province also tried to develop the quality of tourism services including the guides.

The program will be held in Ambon, Banda and Kisar by the Cultural and Tourism Office of Moluccas Province. (Antara)

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Internationa

Friday, March 26, 2010

Bali Today ‘Chronic Pain and Hard to Recover’:

Tourists Start to Ignore Kintamani Bangli (Bali Post)—

A bitter truth must be accepted by society of Kintamani today. The reason, almost all travel agents in Bali began to divert their tourist destination from Kintamani. This condition occurred due to reality that Kintamani tourism had been convicted to be in chronic pain and difficult to get better. Its symptom was indicated by the arrogance of street vendors and sanitation of Kintamani destination beginning to look sloppy due thronged by hawkers in the area of Penelokan.

Based on the recent data, the percentage of Bali tourists visit to Kintamani was predicted to reach only 19 percent of the 6-7 million in the 2009. Conversely, the nice story happened in the 1990s where many tourists would feel to have not visited Bali if they did not see Kintamani. However, most tourists today prefer to visit other objects in Bali considered more comfortable and safer. Actually, Penelokan was once nominated as one of the destinations having the most beautiful panorama in the world by a research agency several years ago.

A discourse once echoed by Bangli Regency few years ago was that Kintamani started improving.

It was followed up by executing vigorous movement through comparative study to ASITA Bali, PHRI and BTDC. However, the team of

Bangli Regency only left in neverending story or never realized. It was stated in the dialogue between the tourism businesspeople with the Bangli Revenue Services in the month of Bangli Hotel and Restaurant Tax (PHR) model in Kintamani, last Wednesday (Mar 24).

Tomy Sutrisno from ASITA Bali admitted Kintamani actually was very potential to be sold to tourists. In the past, all travel agencies mentioned Kintamani tour in their itinerary.

However, lately travel agents began to turn away and surely there was a cause behind the change. Assessed, Kintamani was not disorganized optimally. It ranged from street vendors to the unfair price competition between one restaurant and another struggling for the tourism pie. It would be very nice if they could come together like Jimbaran. Formerly,

BP/doc

The picture show the mountain in Kintamani area there were hundreds of traders, but now they have joined together into a dozen with the same selling price.

He was optimistic with panoramic beauty owned by Kintamani.

If managed optimally, travel agents that used to sell but began to forget

might turn to sell Kintamani again.

“All tourists need cleanliness and comfort. Meanwhile, travel agents do not want to be complained by their guests,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Regent of Bangli I Made Gianyar said there

was a lawsuit from PHRI Bangli requesting that the revenue of tourism could be entirely taken advantage for tourism in Bangli. As a result, the revenue obtained could be used to improve the tourism facilities in Kintamani. (kmb17)

Ida Betara Turun Kabeh Ceremony at Besakih:

To Invoke Bliss and Keep away from Demonic Qualities On the full moon or Purnama Kedasa, Monday (Mar 29), Hindu devotees will again organize the Ida Betara Turun Kabeh ceremony at Penataran Agung Besakih Temple. As a matter of fact, this ceremony is part of the series which includes the Tawur Agung Kesanga exorcism rite held on the black moon or Tilem Caitra of the ninth month in the Balinese calendar, Monday (Mar 15).

The Tawur Agung cycle, which falls once a year, is called Tabuh (Tawur) Gentuh. If it comes once every 10 years when the Caka Year ends with 0 (rah windhu), it is called Panca Bali Krama, and when the cycle comes in 100 years it is called Eka Dasa Ludra.

“Then, after Tabuh Gentuh, fifteen days later, exactly on the full moon of Sasih Kedasa (Mar 29) – namely the first full moon of the Caka New Year – people hold ceremonies Ida Batara Turun Kabeh,” said an observer of religion and culture, Ida Bagus Gede Agastia, last Tuesday (Mar 9).

He said, in the Ida Batara Turun Kabeh ceremony, the Hin-

dus nedunin or inviting Ida Batara or deities at Pura Catur Dala (temples of 4 directions) to descend to the Pura Besakih complex, consisting of Pura Kiduling Kerteg, Pura Ulun Kulkul and Pura Batu Madeg. At the Ida Batara Turun Kabeh ceremony, deities at Pura Catur Dala are invited to come to the center of Pura Penataran Agung Besakih, in accordance with the concept of padma kuncup or lotus buds.

At the ceremony, Ida Batara Turun Kabeh is offered with rituals like mapeselang and ayun widi, which previously was started with Melasti or the purification procession for ritual paraphernalia. The destination of Melasti is selected at the source of holy water nearby.

In contrast to the ceremony Ida Batara Turun Kabeh, the 10-year cycle (Panca Bali Krama), the destination of Melasti procession is decided on Batu Klotok Beach, Klungkung.

What is the essence of the Ida Betara Turun Kabeh ceremony?

According to Ida Bagus Agastia, on Tilem Kesanga, the sun, moon and earth were positioned in a straight

line. The sun lies right above the equator, called wiswayana. At such a position, people perform a ceremony Tawur bhuta yajña, better known as Tawur Kesanga, one day before the Nyepi holiday.

The Tawur ceremony is aimed at cleansing or nyomia the earth. Fifteen days after Tawur Kesanga, when the earth is sacred, namely on the full moon right on the tenth month of the Balinese calendar, people then organize the Ida Batara Turun Kabeh ceremony. On the first full moon of the Caka New Year, the moonlight is truly perfect.

The moment is considered as subadewasa or an auspicious day to perform the Ida Batara Turun Kabeh ceremony. It is in this ceremony that devotees worship the manifestation of God as the source of light. In the ceremony devotees invoke bliss or vitality of life. This encourages the awareness of people that the nature of human self is the light of God (amretsya putra), expected to always develop the divine nature or divinity (daivi sampat) and keep the self away from demonic properties (asuri sampat.)

Bondage of Darkness

“So, the essence of Tawur Kesanga or Pengrupukan is Bhuta Yajña, while Ida Betara Turun Kabeh is Deva Yajña,” he said.

“Through the Ida Betara Turun Kabeh ceremony, people want to be free from the shackles of darkness, including the darkness of the mind,” said a former member of this Regional Representatives of the RI. As a matter of fact, this ceremony develops universal perspective (Brahmanda). Therefore, people directly feel the effects of the sun and moon on the earth and living life. However, spiritually it shows that Hinduism is beam-oriented (divine). Consequently, the word Deva comes from div, meaning light. The Hindu found themselves a divine man to further build the divine society, namely individuals and communities emanating the sacred light of God. Ethically, the Hindus want to eliminate the darkness or demonic qualities within the self (asuri sampat) and foster godlike qualities (daivi sampat). “This is the true foundation, being essential

for human development and the Hindu civilization,” he said.

In addition to developing an integral universal insight, the series of ceremonies also builds awareness of the human presence in the universe, and the human presence before the Almighty God. Hindu devotees, as taught in the Vedic scriptures, pay attention to the smallest environment up to the universe, namely watching the solar, stellar and terrestrial motion and position. When the sun and moon occur in an upright position or above the equator coinciding with the black moon or the Tilem Kesanga, the Hindus organize the bhuta yajña or the Tawur Kesanga exorcism rite. After implementing it, the Hindus enter into the Caka New Year by first conducting Brata Penyepian on the Nyepi festivity, consisting of tapa, brata, yoga and samadhi entering into the realm of emptiness and perfection.

“At the time of the tenth full moon or Purnama Kedasa, devotees hold Ida Betara Turun Kabeh ceremony, to plead for welfare and holy light,” he said.

(BTN/BP)

al

Friday, March 26, 2010

Balinese Culture Bubuh Injin

Yeh Pulu Relief:

(Black Rice Pudding)

Description of Life in Bali Ancient Kingdom

OVERVIEW: Different versions of this Balinese snack are a great favorite with visitors to Bali.

Bali is a bijou island, but the content of traditional values, arts, history and culture is not as small as the area.

Artistic heritage, history and culture almost spread throughout the nine regencies and city existing on the Island of the Gods. The search on the heritage, arts and cultural relics of this time is to Yeh Pulu Relief.

Relief of the ancient rock stone is located at the Bedulu (Bedahulu) Village, Blahbatuh Subdistrict, Gianyar Regency. Location to Tampaksiring and Kintamani is only about 40 minutes drive from Denpasar City. The entrance to the tourist attraction of holy water is not far from the main road east of Goa Gajah Temple, to the right, into the village street. Visitors should be careful because there are many road junctions without a clue heading for the object of Yeh Pulu Relief, or ask the way to local residents.

The monument in the form of relief becoming the main attraction to tourists, especially foreign tourists, was discovered in 1925 by a courtier or Ubud Royal family. The name was

taken from the barrel (or container of rice in the past) located at the central axis of purified water nestling in the west of the relief. The word yeh in Balinese language means water and pulu means a barrel.

The appeal of this monument is not only because of the uniqueness of relief sculpture immortalized on the rock stone wall of the hill, but also due to the spread of rice field view along the two-hundred-meters and the sound of clinking water on the left-right path to location is always neatly trimmed and maintained sustainably, emanating a natural beauty.

With such a natural atmosphere, the clear and the sharpness of splashing water are always flowing along the trench making the ambience around this object really peaceful and enchanting. On that account, it is not mistaken if the niches (caves) in southern relief suspected as the hermitage of the last Balinese ancient King before the collapse of Bali to Majapahit administration in 1343.

Relief with magical nuance and meaningful is 25 meters long and 2

meters high. Many researches conducted by experts from home and overseas to recognize the implicit meaning behind the wall relief of the rock cliffs on the hills. As consequence, it drove many commentaries and analysis to uncover the mystery behind the veil of the true meaning of the relief. Overall, the theme of this story recounts the life in the forest atmosphere and daily life in the ancient kingdom of Bali. In addition to the Balinese classical carvings, this monument also has niches of Bedahulu Royal Hermitage before his death against the army of the Majapahit kingdom in 1343 AD. Yeh Pulu Relief poses one of the many historical classical monuments of Bali originating in ancient Bali (14th century AD) retaining full knowledge of art, which until now is still sustainable and be cared by the members of Subak, as one of the classical organizations that in particular organizes farmers and manage all aspects of rice field cultivation.

For tourists who would like to visit this object first should purchase admission ticket of the object, at IDR 6,000 for adult and IDR 3,000 for child. (BTN/014)

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup black glutinous rice ¾ cup white glutinous rice 2 pandan leaves 5 cups water ½ cup palm sugar syrup 1½ cup freshly squeezed thick coconut milk PREPARATION: 1. Rinse both lots of rice well for 2 minutes under running water. Drain 2. Put 5 cups water, both lots of rice and pandan leaf into heavy stockpot. Simmer over medium heat approximately 40 minutes.

3. Add palm sugar syrup and continue to cook until most liquid has evaporated. Season with a pinch of salt.

Remove from heat and allow cooling.

4. Serve at room temperature, topped with freshly squeezed coconut milk.

Helpful hints: As fresh coconut milk turns rancid fairly quickly, a pinch of salt is usually added to the milk to help preserve it for few hours. A more effective alternative is to cook the coconut milk with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch diluted in a little water: heat gently, stirring constantly for a couple of minutes. This coconut sauce will keep overnight.

Milk made from instant powdered coconut will not turn rancid, although the flavor is not as good as fresh coconut milk. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

Oseng-Oseng Wortel (Stir Fried Carrots) Ingredients * 250 g (8 oz) carrots * 4 Shallots * 1 Clove garlic * 1/2 Green or red chilli or * 1 pn Of chilli powder * 4 tb Good stock or 1 ts Dark soya sauce and 4 tb -water * 2 tb Vegetable oil

Directions Did my first cooking out of my new Indonesian cookbook last night. I fixed a stir fried carrot dish to back up a pork/soy stew (originally posted by Jen Kuiper) and plain white rice. Both are very easy to fix and quite good.

Here’s the particulars.

These are carrots, cut into matchsticks and cooked in a little oil or butter. The word wortel doesn’t sound Indonesian and isn’t. It is borrowed from the Dutch name for the carrot, since it was the Dutch who introduced this vegetable to Indonesia.

Peel, wash, and cut the carrots into small sticks. Slice the shallots and chilli. Crush the garlic. In a wok, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or clarified butter. Saute the slice shallots and chilli for 1 minute, then add the garlic and the carrots. Stir continuously for a minute or so and then put in the stock, or soya sauce and water. Cover and continue to cook for 4 minutes. Uncover, taste, and add salt if necessary. Cook for a further 2 minutes, stirring all the time. Serve hot. (http://asiarecipe.com)

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10

Destinations

Friday, March 26, 2010

International

Penglipuran Village Penglipuran Village is a traditional countryside owning unique characteristic life, socializing and culture. It is located in Kubu Village, Bangli Sub district and Bangli Regency. The natural nature and environments of countryside is designating the pittance touch of modernization influence. This countryside is supported by cool atmosphere because it is located on the height land about 700 m above sea level and according to history of all old doyens that this countryside is taken away from the word Pengeling Pura what its meaning remember to ancestor, but there is also telling that the word of Penglipur mean the entertainer.

It is said that at former empire era, all king often use this area as a place to amuse themselves, because its nature is beautiful and can give the peacefulness and inspiration at the time of experiencing a problem.

The houses exist in this countryside from north to the south is look

very beautiful in particular the Balinese traditional entrance gate which are made similar each other. When we step down to this village, we will meet the Balinese houses are oriented northeastwards to Mount Agung which is located in north-east of Bali Island.

The structure of house building between one house and others are equal in particular to condition, form, size and function from the building except building of family bed room is freeform. The family temple building is places the same direction to the Agung Mount, kitchen is located in upstate from the lawn and the building of Bale Sakaenem is the six beamed building which its function for ceremony place. The place for look after the livestock and the place to plant assorted vegetable are referred as non irrigated dry field which is called Teba. Its Construction material is made from wood except family residence. It is predominated by substance from bamboo because around this

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countryside is bamboo producer.

The countryside is lead by a leader which is Bendesa or Kelian or Penyarikan or Patengan and he/she is assisted by Sinoman. The social system is recognized by the 12 group terms that are number 1 until 12 as member of Pemerincik that is commissioned member converse the problem or plan and its result is submitted to the member.

They are very trusting of 12 groups and have represented the tradition in heritage away back. The Consanguinity System in this countryside is Patrilinial system that is according to father lineage.

This countryside religion leader is called as Jero Bayan which is consisted of 3 Jero Bayans that is a Jero Bayan Mucuk and 2 people of Jero Bayan Nyoman.

The specific cultural potential like pattern of building architecture remains to be traditional, the beautiful nature and environment with cool atmosphere, hence this countryside is the ideal place to visit during your vacation in Bali. (www.balistarisland.com)

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Friday, March 26, 2010

11

BUSINESS A man walks in front of the headquarters of bank of Greece during a protest of civil servants against government’s recent economic austerity measures, in Athens on March 23, 2010.

AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS

Eurozone moves towards IMF-led aid deal for Greece Agence France-Presse

BRUSSELS - Eurozone leaders moved to confront the Greek debt crisis with plans for a summit, only the second such gathering in their history, as divisions over a bailout for Athens shook the bloc’s unity.

Greece’s partners in the 16-nation eurozone were close to concluding an accord that would give the International Monetary Fund the central role in granting Athens loans, a European diplomatic source told AFP. But the deal would also provide for tough sanctions for eurozone budget transgressors, in line with Germany’s priorities, the source said.

The deal, which would see eurozone nations top-up the main IMF loan, was brokered between France and Germany.

It was due to be announced Thursday morning in Brussels at a specially convened summit of eurozone leaders called

by EU president Herman Van Rompuy.

It would precede the full summit of 27 EU leaders on Thursday and Friday.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has held firm all week against calls from her European Union partners for the EU to take the lead role in helping Athens.

“The eurozone aid will only be forthcoming as a complement to IMF loans,” the source underlined.

“It’s mixed assistance, but the IMF will play a central role,” added the source, who also stressed the German drive for tighter rules on eurozone members’ budgetary management.

Germany wanted to “simplify complicated current procedures” and allow Brussels to trigger more automatic sanctions against countries that breached com-

mitments on annual deficits and accumulated debt, said the source.

These penalties could include the loss of voting rights at European ministerial meetings and fines, the source added.

The deal appeared to show that while Merkel had resisted pressure to let the EU pay the lion’s share of any bailout for the Greeks, she had conceded a limited European role rather than IMF intervention exclusively.

And there were signs earlier Tuesday that France too, in the face of German resistance, had stepped back from demands for full eurozone solidarity.

A French government source indicated that Paris was softening its resistance to a series of Merkel demands — on IMF involvement, on timing and on the scope of sanctions that could be introduced.

“Different views” in Europe will “doubtless come together somewhere in the middle,” a French government source said.

German parliamentary sources said Merkel had told lawmakers that compromise in Berlin was conditional on Greece first going to the IMF. After days of growing pressure from EU partners, the Germany daily Die Welt reported that Merkel would sign up provided eurozone countries accepted stricter rules on budgetary management.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on Tuesday backed Van Rompuy’s call for a summit of Eurogroup leaders before the full EU gathering.

Concerns over Greece’s debt crisis weighed on the euro.

The euro dropped to 1.3455 dollars in Tokyo morning trade from 1.3482 in New York late Tuesday. Against the yen, it slipped to 121.74 from 122.10.

“The euro is being sold by speculators in response to information on how Europe will deal with the Greece issue, for example rumours that the IMF will play a role” in granting Athens loans, said Resona Bank dealer Masato Otsubo.

“The euro’s weakness is likely to continue due to these speculators,” he added.

In Athens meanwhile, several thousand people again marched in protest at the austerity measures the government has introduced to tackle the country’s massive debt.

The demonstration was called by the main civil service union Adedy, whose members have been hard hit by the government cuts.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou says his country faces the prospect of bankruptcy without some form of support, particularly to reduce the interest rate it is forced to pay to borrow money on international debt markets.

Greece has the highest deficit in the eurozone — estimated at 12.7 percent of output in 2009 — and risks a financial crunch as it needs to raise some 20 billion euros (27 billion dollars) for debt redemptions due by the end of May.

Singapore is best city for Asian expats: survey Agence France-Presse

SINGAPORE - Singapore retained its number one spot as the best place to live for Asian expats followed

by Sydney, a survey by human resources consultancy ECA International showed Wednesday.

The survey showed Singapore’s top ranking was due largely to its infrastructure, health services, low crime rates and better air quality.

Other Asian cities including Hong Kong, Beijing and New Delhi ranked behind Singapore largely because of the poor air quality found in these places, the survey said.

“Air pollution remains a significant problem in a number of Asian locations. New Delhi, Beijing and Hong Kong are amongst the worst locations studied in terms of air quality,” ECA International said.

“Health facility provision is also a problem for many parts of the region,” it said.

Hong Kong placed eighth in the list of the top 15 best locations, the survey said. Beijing took 100th spot and New Delhi ranked 185th.

Within the top 15 list, Kobe placed third followed

by Yokohama, Tokyo, and Copenhagen with Australia’s administrative capital Canberra taking the seventh spot.

East Asia launches 120 billion dollar currency swap pact Agence France-Presse

SEOUL - East Asian nations Wednesday officially launched a 120-billion-dollar regional currency swap agreement, giving them a safety net against future liquidity shortages.

The Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) covers South Korea, China, Japan and the 10member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Its successful launch shows their commitment “to further enhance regional capacity to safeguard against downside risks and challenges in the global economy,” according to a joint statement issued by Seoul’s finance ministry.

The agreement will allow each member to swap local currency for dollars for an amount in proportion to its contribution.

East Asian finance ministers, meeting in the Thai city of Chiang Mai in 2000, endorsed a network of bilateral currency swap deals to avoid a recurrence of the 1997-98 regional financial crisis.

The expanded CMIM pact was agreed in May 2009 at a meeting of the so-called ASEAN plus Three in the Indonesian resort of Bali.

Japan and China will each provide 32 percent, 38.4 billion dollars, of the total. South Korea will contribute 19.2 billion or 16 percent, with the remaining 24 billion shared between the 10 ASEAN members.

The decision on providing currency swaps will be made within one week of a request when two-thirds of members vote in favour. The money must be returned within 90 days but can be rolled over up to seven times, meaning that payback can be delayed for two years, Seoul’s finance ministry said.

Ministers who met in Bali last year stressed the initiative is intended only to supplement and not to supplant the International Monetary Fund.

They called it a “natural” step on the path to closer regional economic cooperation.

12

Friday, March 26, 2010

Entertainment

International

Robert Culp, who starred in ‘I Spy,’ dead at 79 Robert Culp, the actor who teamed with Bill Cosby in the racially groundbreaking TV series “I Spy” and was Bob in the critically acclaimed sex comedy “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” died Wednesday after collapsing outside his Hollywood home, his manager said. Culp was 79.

Manager Hillard Elkins said the actor was on a walk when he fell. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead just before noon. The actor’s son was told he died of a heart attack, Elkins said, though police were unsure if the fall was medically related.

ap

Robert Culp, the actor who teamed with Bill Cosby in the racially groundbreaking TV series “I Spy” and was Bob in the critically acclaimed sex comedy “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” died Wednesday after collapsing outside his Hollywood home, his manager said

Los Angeles police Lt. Robert Binder said no foul play was suspected. Binder said a jogger found Culp, who apparently fell and struck his head.

“I Spy” greatly advanced the careers of Culp and Cosby and forged a lifelong friendship. Cosby said Wednesday Culp was like an older brother to him.

“The first born in every family is always dreaming of the older brother or sister he or she doesn’t have, to protect, to be the buffer, provide the wisdom, shoulder the blows and make things right,” he

said. “Bob was the answer to my dreams. No matter how many mistakes I made on ‘I Spy,’ he was always there to teach and protect me,” Cosby said.

Candace Culp, the actor’s exwife, said she was devastated. “He was a wonderful, creative man who contributed so much to his business, as an actor, as a writer, as a director,” she said. Robert Culp lately had been working on writing screenplays, Elkins said. “I Spy,” which aired from 1965 to 1968, was a television milestone in more ways than one. Its combination of humor and

adventure broke new ground, and it was the first integrated television show to feature a black actor in a starring role.

Culp played Kelly Robinson, a spy whose cover was that of an ace tennis player. (In real life, Culp actually was a top-notch tennis player who showed his skills in numerous celebrity tournaments.). Cosby was fellow spy Alexander Scott, whose cover was that of Culp’s trainer. The pair traveled the world in the service of the U.S. government. Culp followed “I Spy” with his most prestigious film role, in “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.” The work of first-time director Paul Mazursky, who also co-wrote the screenplay, lampooned the lifestyles of the sexual revolution of the 1960s. Bob and Carol (Culp and Natalie Wood) introduced wife-swapping to their best friends, Ted and Alice (Elliott Gould and Dyan Cannon).

Miley Cyrus Says It’s Time For Gloria Estefan To Lead March In Cuba Everyone To Stop Tweeting Gloria Estefan has organized a march in her native Cuba to support a women’s campaign group in the country. The singer has thrown her support behind the Ladies in White - Las Damas de Blanco - a group of women whose husbands and sons are among journalists, political dissidents, writers and poets who were rounded up and jailed in 2003 for opposing the regime of former president Fidel Castro.

The group marches every year to mark the anniversary of the arrests, known as the Black Spring, but one of their recent protests in Havana on March 17th was marred by violence, with police forcibly hauling the women away. The incident infuriated Estefan and she has

now backed their campaign by organizing another march in Havana on March 25th.

The Grammy-winner is calling for her fellow Cubans to join the march and support the women.

She says in a statement, “The moment has come for us as well; Cubans who live in freedom and anyone who would like to join us, to show our strength, support and spirit to the Damas and to the Cuban people. Let’s walk together like the Damas de Blanco; with dignity, in silence, with a flower of hope in our hands and dressed in white to represent purity of thought, actions and new beginnings! We will walk for the love of freedom.”

Miley Cyrus has become one of Twitter.com’s biggest foes after spending years ‘tweeting’ about her every move. The 17year-old pop sensation announced she’d be quitting the popular social networking site last year and now she’s trying to convince other celebrities to give up the tweet.

The “Party in the U.S.A.” singer says, “I was tired of telling everyone what I’m doing. I hate when I read things and celebrities say, ‘I have no personal life.’ That’s because you write about everything that you’re doing.

“I’d tweet ‘I’m here’ and wonder why a thousand fans were outside the restaurant. Hello, you just told them.” She admits that since she turned her back on Twitter.com, her life is a lot simpler: “I’m a lot less on my phone and a bit more social. I have a lot more real friends, not friends that are on the internet that I’m talking to - that’s not cool, not safe and mostly not real. “I’ve started telling kids that it’s dangerous, it wastes your life and you should be outside playing sports instead of sitting in front of any type of screen! Everything is so much better when you’re not wrapped up in that.”

“It’s lame when I’m hanging out with my friends and they’re so busy taking pictures to put on Facebook, instead of enjoying what they’re doing. You’re gonna look back and have 10 million pictures, but you’re not in one of them because you were too busy clicking away. I think it’s best to stop telling people about it and enjoy the moment you’re in yourself.”

Life Style

International

Friday, March 26, 2010

13

Study adds evidence that bone drugs work, are safe Associated Press Writer

A new study gives reassuring news about the safety of Fosamax and Reclast, bone-building drugs taken by millions of American women. It found that long-term use does not significantly raise the risk of a rare type of fracture near the hip.On balance, these drugs prevent far more fractures than any they may cause when used to treat the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis, said the study’s leader, Dr. Dennis Black of the University of California, San Francisco.

“If we treated 1,000 osteoporotic women for three years, we estimate you would prevent 100 fractures,” at a possible cost of one or fewer of the unusual bone breaks examined in this study, he said.

Results were published online Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine.

Lots of older people, especially postmenopausal women, take these drugs, called bisphosphonates. They range in cost from $100 for a threemonth supply of the generic version of Merck & Co. Inc.’s Fosamax pills to as much as $1,200 for an infusion of Novartis AG’s Reclast, given as an annual infusion. Other brands are GlaxoSmithKline PLC’s Boniva and Warner Chilcott PLC’s Actonel.

Studies show they lower the risk of spine and hip fractures, which can be debilitating and often lead to a downward spiral and death in the elderly.

The drugs are widely considered safe. However, some case reports

have tied them to unusual fractures of the upper thigh bone, just below the hip, that seem to occur without provocation or injury. Patients “just step, they hear a crack, and they suffer a fracture,” Black said.

To study this risk, researchers combined results from three large studies involving more than 14,000 women who were given Fosamax, Reclast or dummy treatments for three to 10 years.

In all, 284 hip and leg fractures occurred, including 12 of the unusual upper-thigh type. There was a trend toward more of these unusual fractures among bisphosphonate users, but the difference was small enough to have occurred by chance.

This is reassuring, although the study cannot rule out risk, Black said.

“There are too few fractures for definitive proof. But what it does show is that these are very, very rare,” he said.

The study was sponsored by

Possible new human ancestor found in Siberia Reuters

WASHINGTON – Genetic material pulled from a pinky finger bone found in a Siberian cave shows a new and unknown type of prehuman lived alongside modern humans and Neanderthals, scientists reported on Wednesday.

The creature, nicknamed “Woman X” for the time being, could have lived as recently as 30,000 years ago and appears only distantly related to modern humans or Neanderthals, the researchers reported.

“It really just looked like something we had never seen before,” Johannes Krause of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, told a telephone briefing. “It was a sequence that looked something like humans but really quite different.”

Writing in Nature, Krause and colleagues said they sequenced DNA from the mitochondria, a part of the cell, which is passed down virtually intact from a woman to her children. They compared it to DNA from humans, Neanderthals and apes.

The sequence indicates the hominin’s line diverged about a million years ago from the line that gave rise to both humans and Neanderthals and that split about 500,000 years ago.

That makes it younger than Homo erectus, the pre-human that spread out of Africa to much of the world about 1.9 million years ago.“It is some new creature that has not been on our radar screen so far,” said Svaante Paabo, a colleague of Krause’s who specializes in analyzing ancient DNA. And it would have lived near to both modern humans and Neanderthals. “There were at least three ... different forms of humans in this area 40,000 years ago,” Paabo said.

Krause and Paabo are careful not to name the creature a new species just yet. They are now working to sequence nuclear DNA — the DNA that makes up most of the genetic code, which will tell a great deal more about “Woman X”.

Merck and Novartis. Several authors work for the companies, and others consult for them or other makers of osteoporosis treatments.

Other reasons the study cannot completely rule out risk is that not many participants took the drugs longer than three years and many took a lower dose of Fosamax than is commonly used now, Dr. Elizabeth Shane of Columbia University writes in an editorial in the journal.

Still, the results show that “many more common and equally devastating hip fractures are prevented by bisphosphonates than are potentially caused by the drugs,” she concludes.

Shane is co-leader of an expert panel for the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research that is evaluating the risk of these unusual fractures. Her university has received research grants from drugmakers but she has no personal financial ties to any.

The safety of bisphosphonates may take on even more interest in the future: Two recent studies hint that these drugs might help prevent breast cancer. The cancer studies are not definitive — better ones are under way now, and should give an answer in a year or two. Any safety concerns could dampen enthusiasm for wider use of this class of drugs.

AP Photo/Brian Branch-Price, file

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2005 file photo, the Merck & Co. product, Fosamax, is shown. A new study gives reassuring news about the safety of Fosamax and Reclast, bone-building drugs taken by millions of American women. It found that long-term use does not significantly raise the risk of a rare type of fracture near the hip.

Last Chance to Get a Good Look at Mars Until 2012 On Thursday night, March 25, many people may look up at the sky and ask the question, “What’s that bright star next to the moon?”

The answer for Thursday night is Mars, but that answer changes night by night as the moon travels along the ecliptic, the path the sun, moon and planets follow across the sky.

If you ask the question again on Monday night, March 29, the answer will be the ringed planet Saturn.

Such conjunctions of the moon and planets are regular reminders of how rapidly the moon moves across the sky.

Mars was in opposition to the Sun on Jan. 29, when it appeared 14 arcseconds in diameter, 1/120 of the diameter of the moon. Two months later, it is much farther away, and has shrunk to only 10 arcseconds in diameter.

This will be your last chance to get a good look at Mars until it approaches the Earth again in 2012 [see more Mars photos].

The sky these spring evenings presents a striking contrast between its western half, filled with the bright stars and constellations of winter, and its eastern half, with Regulus the only bright star. Mars sits in solitary splendor in Cancer, one of the most insignificant zodiac constellations, just above the plane of the Milky Way.But there is much lurking beyond the dim stars of spring, for we are entering the realm of the galaxies.

AFP/USGS/File

A handout image from the US Geological Survey in 2008 shows a mosaic of the Schiaparelli hemisphere of the planet Mars projected into point perspective, a view similar to that which one would see from a spacecraft. A journey from Earth to Mars could eventually take just 39 days, according to a rocket scientist who has the ear of the US space agency.

14

Sport

Friday, March 26, 2010

International

Bryant’s 24 points pull Lakers over Spurs Associated Press Writer

SAN ANTONIO – Kobe Bryant scored 24 points and the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 92-83 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

Lamar Odom added 19 points and Ron Artest had 16, but it was Bryant who put the Spurs away for good. He scored 10 in the fourth quarter, including two backbreaking 3-pointers that San Antonio couldn’t shake off.

Bryant backpedaled to halfcourt with his shooting hand still hanging high over his head after both shots. The Lakers then eased out of San Antonio with a come-from-behind win to start a five-game road trip.

Manu Ginobili scored 24 points and George Hill had 21, but the Spurs got little help from anyone else. San Antonio had no other scorers in double figures, and got a dreadful 2-of-11 night from Tim Duncan, who finished with six points and 12 rebounds.

The Spurs led for much of the game, but after Bryant took over in the fourth, San Antonio wilted

late against the best in the West. And the worst isn’t behind the Spurs: Next up is LeBron James and Eastleading Cleveland on Friday. The Lakers, meanwhile, continued coasting.

Paul Gasol had 10 points and 12 rebounds as the Lakers headed for Oklahoma City on Friday on their second-longest winning streak of the season. It’s the last lengthy trip for Los Angeles before the playoffs begin next month.

The Lakers left well-rested. Having played just twice in the previous seven days, Lakers coach Phil Jackson said before the game he expected some lively legs. Sure enough, the Lakers had all the stamina at the end.

Bryant pulled up over Roger Mason Jr. to hit his first of two 3-pointers in the fourth, putting the Lakers up 80-74 with 5:41 left. Two minutes later, another one from the cor-

ner stretched the lead to 11.

The Lakers ran away from a game in which they mostly trailed. Not until Shannon Brown hit a 3-pointer with 1:30 left in the third quarter did the Lakers take the lead for the first time since the first quarter.

Hill got off to a blazing start and had 20 at halftime, but missed all three of his shots in the second half and mustered just one more point. It blemished what began as another promising game for Hill, who made his 10th start in place of Tony Parker.

The Spurs fell to 6-4 without Parker, who isn’t expected to return from a broken hand until the playoffs.

Guard Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers takes a shot against Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center on March 24, 2010 in San Antonio, Texas.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP

Gasquet bows again with Miami loss Tiger Woods prac-

Agence France Presse

tices his swing outside his home in Windermere, Florida, February 18, 2010.

REUTERS/Sam Greenwood/Pool

Tiger to hold first press conference at Masters Associated Press Writer

ORLANDO, Fla. – Tiger Woods will speak before he plays in the Masters. Woods is scheduled to hold his first press conference in nearly five months at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 5, according to a tentative interview schedule that Augusta National released Wednesday.

It will be his first press conference in nearly five months, and his first time facing a room full of reporters since he crashed his SUV into a tree on Nov. 27, setting off shocking revelations of rampant infidelity.

The Masters only recently began conducting a press conference on Monday of tournament week, usually a player with only moderate news interest because most of the media isn’t there yet.

Woods is the only player scheduled for an interview that day. Given the sensational nature of his downfall, what he says could trump the NCAA basketball championship game held

later that night.

“Our focus that Monday will be on crowning the next national champion,” NCAA spokesman Erik Christianson said.

Arnold Palmer, one of the most popular players in golf history, suggested that Woods be more open with reporters.

“It’s up to him to do and say whatever he feels he needs to do to redeem the situation, put it in the proper place,” Palmer said. “ ... I suppose the best thing he could do would be open up and just let you guys shoot at him.

And that’s just my thought.”

The last time Woods held a press conference was Nov. 15 after he won the Australian Masters in Melbourne for his 82nd career victory. His middle-of-the-night accident occurred 12 days later. Woods typically has his press conference at the majors on Tuesday.

Among those scheduled to speak the day after Woods are Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy and Jack Nicklaus.

MIAMI – Frenchman Richard Gasquet’s ATP slump deepened on Wednesday with a 7-6 (7/2), 1-6, 6-4 loss to Belgian Olivier Rochus in the first round of the Miami Masters hardcourt tournament.

Since reaching the final of his season opener at Sydney against Marcos Baghdatis, 74th-ranked Gasquet has done little of note, losing six of seven matches with his only victory coming against Carlos Moya, who was returning from injury, in Acapulco.

Gasquet went down at Miami despite 13 aces in a contest lasting little more than two hours. The Frenchman committed five double-faults and was broken twice by his 59th-ranked foe.

It was in Miami a year ago when Gasquet

tested positive for cocaine, a result that took months to clear up after a ban and a final ruling in his favour last December from the Court for Arbitration of Sport in Switzerland.

The positive test came after a nightclub visit where he said he kissed a girl who had ingested the illegal substance. His lawyers successfully argued that the nightclub kisses had caused the positive test.

“Of course I need to get more confidence,” Gasquet said. “This is a special place for me and I just need time to come to terms with everything that has happened.

“I’m not playing badly. Already this is better than last year for me since I had to pull out last year with the shoulder injury.”Gasquet’s ATP slump deepened on Wednesday with a 7-6 (7/ 2), 1-6, 6-4 loss to Rochus in the first round of the Miami Masters hardcourt tournament.

Richard Gasquet of France returns a shot againt Olivier Rochus of Germany during day two of the 2010 Sony Ericsson Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Florida.

(AFP/Getty Images/Al Bello)

Sport

International

Friday, March 26, 2010

15

Ancelotti still wary despite Chelsea Premiership win Agence France Presse

PORTSMOUTH – Carlo Ancelotti refused to declare Chelsea’s end of season stutter was over despite a resounding 5-0 win at Premier League bottom club Portsmouth, which lifted his side to within a point of Manchester United at the top of the table.

Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda both scored twice as Ancelotti’s side banished the memory of last week’s Champions League defeat by Inter Milan and subsequent 1-1 draw at Blackburn in style.

Blues manager Ancelotti said Chelsea’s season would only be back on track if they beat Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

“We needed to win and I hope the bad moment is finished,” the Italian added. “We have to wait until Saturday because this is a very important test for us.

“We have lost confidence in the last week but we got back to playing good football and this is a good thing for the future.

“This performance gives us confidence.

We are involved in the Premier League and FA Cup and have eight or nine games until the end of the season so we need to maintain this spirit.”

He continued: “We needed a bit of luck for the first goal but after that we controlled the game and produced a good performance.”

Chelsea had dropped only one point in their previous 13 Premier League meetings with Portsmouth but needed a helping hand

to establish their authority 13 minutes before half-time.

There seemed little danger when David James raced out of his goal to clear Deco’s flick on but the England goalkeeper completely missed his kick and allowed Drogba to stroll through and slot the ball into an unguarded net.

Ancelotti must have suspected the visitors’ luck was changing when Malouda escaped with only a yellow card after elbowing Portsmouth defender Ricardo Rocha, who was carried off with a suspected fractured cheekbone.

Malouda made the most of his reprieve by scoring twice in the space of ten minutes at the start of the second half before Drogba doubled his tally in the 77th minute.

However, the most important goal of an embarrassingly one-sided win could be England midfielder Frank Lampard’s stoppagetime tap in, which wiped out United’s goal difference advantage.

With Chelsea travelling to Old Trafford on April 3, Ancelotti knows his side might have to win all of their remaining seven league games to claim a first championship since 2006.

AFP PHOTO/ADRIAN DENNIS

Portsmouth’s Irish player Steve Finnan (R) vies with Chelsea’s Ivorian striker Didier Drogba during the English Premier League football match between Portsmouth and Chelsea at Fratton Park in Portsmouth, southern England on March 24, 2010.

Inter go four points clear from Milan Agence France Presse

ROME – Cameroon forward Samuel Eto’o scored a brace as Serie A leaders Inter Milan ended their recent blip with a 3-0 victory over rock bottom Livorno to move four points clear at the top of the table.

AS Roma won 2-0 away to Bologna to join AC Milan in joint second place after the seven time European champions crashed 1-0 at Parma.

Roma host Inter on Saturday and the champions’ Colombia defender Ivan Cordoba said his team cannot afford to give their rivals any more encouragement. Already Roma have clawed back 10 points on Inter since October.

“Roma deserve great credit for what they have done, it’s been an impressive comeback and hence we have to keep pushing because we know how good they are and we can’t afford to give them any hope,” said Cordoba, while not ruling out Milan’s chances.

“At the start of the season Milan were one of the few teams expected to fight for the title and they’re still doing so and that’s credit to them too but we can’t think about them we have to concentrate on ourselves and what we’re doing.”

Inter came into this match reeling from a dire run of one win in seven league matches and a measly eight points from a possible 21 that had seen neighbours Milan reduce their lead to just one point at the weekend.

But a top versus bottom clash was just the tonic Jose Mourinho’s men needed to emphatically return to winning ways ahead of their crucial title trip to Roma on Saturday.

Inter had been far from impressive in the early stages and it was the basement sitters who had the best chances.

But it was from one of those very opportunities, when Nico Pulzetti failed to beat Julio Cesar from close range, that Inter charged up the other end to take the lead.

On 36 minutes Julio Cesar threw the ball out to captain Javier Zanetti who helped it on to Portugal winger Ricardo Quaresma, making a rare start, and he fed Thiago Motta whose slide-rule pass found the Cameroon forward on the left of the area and he cut inside his marker before unleashing an unstoppable right foot shot past goalkeeper Rubinho.

Four minutes from the break it was two as Goran Pandev collected Cristian Chivu’s crossfield pass and chipped the ball into the area where Eto’o connected with an overhead bicycle kick to double the champions’ advantage.

In between those two strikes, Eto’o had actually missed his best chance as Quaresma’s inch perfect cross from the left found him eight yards out but he shot too close to Rubinho who saved.

Any doubts about the final result were dispelled just past the hour mark as Thiago Motta fed the overlapping Maicon in the box and the Brazil full-back lashed a fierce drive past his countryman at the near post.

Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto’o (C) shoots and scores flanked by Livorno defender Romano Perticone (L) during their Serie A football match Inter Milan vs Livorno at San Siro Stadium in Milan on March 24, 2010.

AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE

Man Utd’s Hargreaves says may never be pain free Agence France Presse

LONDON – Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves admits he may never be free of pain during matches as a result of the knee injuries that have sidelined him for 18 months.

Hargreaves finally made his long-awaited comeback after major surgery on both knees in a United reserves match last week and he was due to follow up that 45-minute appearance with another run-out for the English champions’ second-string team at Accrington on Thursday.

But the 29-year-old is honest enough to concede that the severe nature of his injuries means he may not be completely pain-free for the rest of his career.

Renowned Colorado-based surgeon Dr Richard Steadman told the midfielder his knees were in a worse state than he had ever come across in 35 years of practising.

And, although Hargreaves has experienced a vast improvement in the problem, he still often feels discomfort.

“I wouldn’t say I am pain-free and I don’t know if I can play through it,” he said.

“My training has improved over the last weeks and that is a very positive sign for me. I believe that it will continue to im-

prove and progress.

“But I am still in the process of getting some injections to try to manage the pain because if I didn’t have any I would have played at the beginning of the season.

“It’s about training, getting these injections and trying to go forward.”

The knee injuries first began to trouble Hargreaves towards the end of his time at Bayern Munich and he made just 25 appearances during his first season at United.

But the injury was getting worse and it wasn’t until he placed his trust in Steadman, who salvaged the careers of Roy Keane and Ruud van Nistelrooy amongst others, that Hargreaves realised how great the extent of the damage truly was.

Now he just hopes to play a part in United’s bid to win the Premier League and Champions League this season and is aware that his chances of making England’s World Cup squad for the finals in South Africa are slim.

“Tendons are something that a lot of people think they know about, but don’t really,” he said.

“My first season at United I had the pain and was able to play through it but basically I shouldn’t have been playing. “In the end, the pain was just too high and I had to have surgery.

16

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

Friday, March 26, 2010

Sport

WRC plans single engine per season World Rally Championship Commission president Morrie Chandler has revealed plans to force manufacturers to run a single engine through the season.

Chandler admitted the plans were unlikely to be implemented in time for next season, but he said they were at the core of the FIA’s hopes of continuing to contain costs in the WRC. He believes the one engine per season plan is viable and could be policed in the WRC, but has concerns about its use in other international rally series.

“The ultimate intention for us is to get to the situation where you have one engine for a year,” said Chandler. “In the WRC, we will keep the cap on it [rising costs of engine development], but in other series - such as the IRC - where they can change their engine every event, the costs are going to rise.”

Chandler accepted there would have to be a significant amount of development done to produce an engine which lasted for the whole season and he acknowledged waivers would have to be produced.

“Obviously,” he said, “we’ll have to get a rule because something will happen to an engine when there’s an exceptional technical breakdown, which is nobody’s fault, and the engine will need changing. This is not coming for next year, but that’s the obligation [to make one engine per year work].

“There’s no point in us saying every engine has a one-year life,

we can’t police this outside of the WRC. The solution in my mind is that we have to make the World Rally Championship so affordable that that’s where people go and those who don’t care about money can go elsewhere and have a new engine for every rally. That way, they’re not going to damage our sport, and our sport will be available to those who have more limited funds, but they have the skills.”

Ford’s technical director Christian Loriaux admitted it would be possible to run one engine per year, but he added that the development costs were currently prohibitive.

“Everything is possible with an engine,” said Loriaux. “The engine in your road car will last 200,000 miles, so, yes, we can make a competition engine that will last a season. But the costs will be very high.

“What we will have to do is make an engine that lasts 8,000 competitive kilometres and then goes bang at 8,005 kilometres. The way to do this is to test a car under those conditions, but what happens when our test engine blows up at 5,000 kilometres? We have to start again.

And, when we have done 8,000 kilometres, we have to validate those figures by doing it again - and then for a third time.

“Suddenly, we have had to test for more than 24,000 kilometers on asphalt, gravel and snow. That would cost a lot of money.”

BP/ist

Sebastian Loeb is seen during world rally championship

Webber denies pondering retirement

AFP PHOTO/William WEST

Australian Red Bull driver Mark Webber listens to a question from the media as teams prepare for Formula One’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 25, 2010. The Australian Grand Prix will run on March 25-28.

Mark Webber has insisted that retiring from Formula 1 is far from his mind, despite Lewis Hamilton suggesting that the Australian could walk away from the sport at the end of the season if this year goes well for him.

Hamilton told the Australian press that he suspected Webber, who has raced in F1 since 2002, would retire if he could leave on a high after a successful 2010 season.

“He has as good an opportunity as anyone to win the championship this year. I’m not sure how long he plans to stay in Formula 1 but I get the sense it’s one of the years he really wants to finish on top and perhaps call it a day,” Hamilton was quoted as saying.

“That’s not from me. I don’t know how old he is now but he’s had a long Formula 1 career and everyone wants to end at a high. And he’s probably got the best chance to ever finish on a high this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s considering it - that he wants to win the championship this year and call it a day.”

But today Webber denied that he was approaching this year with retirement in mind. “[I am] very motivated, enjoying my job and looking forward to a great season, it is the way I have approached every year,” he said. “I have no intention of retiring give or take whatever season I have.”

The Red Bull driver added that he had no problem with Hamilton’s comments, though.

“It is Lewis’ opinion and he is free to have it and I don’t have a problem with what he said,” said Webber. “I am happy driving for the guys I am driving for, it is a good situation and I am looking forward to it.”