Edisi 26 Mei 2010 | International Bali Post

16 Pages Number 99 2st Year

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

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Bird watching: Admiring another charm of Paradise Island PAGE 8

AFP PHOTO/JUNG YEON-JE

Brittany Murphy’s husband is found dead at home

A South Korean conservative activist burns a North Korean flag showing a picture of its leader Kim Jong-Il during an antiNorth Korea rally in Seoul on May 25, 2010 after South Korea announced reprisals against North Korea for the sinking of a warship. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il ordered troops and civil organisations on combat alert after South Korea accused his country of sinking a warship, a defector group said.

North Korea threatens military action in disputed waters

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SEOUL – North Korea on Tuesday threatened military action if the South continued to violate its waters off the west coast, further stoking tension on the peninsula after the sinking of a South Korean warship.

The increasingly war-like rhetoric hit Seoul’s financial markets, prompting financial policymakers to call an emergency meeting on Wednesday to look for ways to calm investors.

“Should the South side’s intrusions into the territorial waters of our side continue, the DPRK (North Korea) will put into force practical military measures to defend its waters as it had already clarified and the south side will be held fully accountable for all the ensuing consequences,” North Korea’s KCNA news agency quoted a senior official as saying.

The furious war of words — the North referred to the South’s government as “military gangsters, seized by fever for a war” — fol-

lows a report by international investigators last week which accused the hermit North of torpedoing the Cheonan corvette in March, killing 46 sailors. On Monday, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak cut trade with his impoverished neighbor and blocked its commercial ships from sailing through the South’s waters. He also plans to take the issue to the U.N. Security Council.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in China on Tuesday that Washington and Beijing would work together to come up with an “effective, appropriate” response to the sinking. Both China and the United States say they want to see peace and stability on the peninsula, but agreeing on how to pursue it may be hard.

Continued on page 6

Russian tour bus crashes in Turkey, 16 killed Associated Press Writer

ANKARA, Turkey – A bus carrying Russian tourists skidded off a highway in southern Turkey and fell off a bridge Tuesday, killing 16 people and injuring 25 others, officials said.

The bus broke through iron barriers, flipped over and fell about 20 feet (six meters) onto its roof in a river bed, NTV television footage showed. Rescue workers struggled to pull the bodies and injured from the wreckage, Deputy Gov. Mehmet Seyman of the Mediterranean province of Antalya said.

Fourteen Russian passengers, their Turkish tour guide and the bus driver were killed. It was not immediately clear how many people in total had been on board.

“We woke up as the bus flipped over,” the state-run Anatolia news agency quoted one of the injured passengers, Lena Rasuleva, as saying. “I fell unconscious and opened my eyes in the hospital.”

At least one baby and a toddler were among the injured, including Rasuleva’s daughter, Diana, Anatolia reported. NTV television, citing local authorities, said the driver was sleeping at the wheel.

Continued on page 6

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International

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Bali News Many broken sidewalks in Denpasar Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Endeavors of Denpasar City Government to enhance the infrastructure development, in fact still encounters many obstacles. For instance, a number of existing sidewalks in Denpasar are still damaged or out of order. At least, there are 61 km of damaged sidewalks in Denpasar.

Head of Denpasar Public Works I Ketut Winarta accompanied by the Division Head of Highway Construction Services I Wayan Suratha, last Monday (May 24), said that the length of sidewalks in Denpasar City based on the existing data reached 233.93 km, spreading across the four subdistricts. Of this amount, only about 135 km was in good condition, while other 37 km was in the medium condition. The remaining about 61 km was in a damaged condition or flush with the asphalt.

Related to the damage, his party had scheduled regular repairs. This was taken because the funds allocated for the maintenance of roads and sidewalks in fiscal year 2010 were very limited reaching only IDR 5.21 billion more.

“Because of limited budget, the

maintenance of roads and sidewalks in the city of Denpasar can not be conducted simultaneously.

However, the Denpasar Public Works still put emphasis based on priority scale, by considering the level of damage,” said Winarta.

Winarta also added the total length of the existing sidewalks did not entirely belong to the road of the regency. Approximately more than 45.25 km belonged to provincial roads, while other 61.70 km belonged to national roads. For the maintenance of sidewalks in the provincial and national roads, Winarta said, his party remained to make coordination with the Bali Public Works. “If the province indeed had funds for the maintenance, we will ask for immediate repair. Otherwise, Denpasar City Government through the Public Works will attempt to fix it,” Suratha added.

According to him, the damaged sidewalks in Denpasar City were generally caused by old enough aged. In addition, it was also caused by frequent paving so many sidewalks were flush with the asphalt. “Aside from being old, the sidewalks being flush with the asphalt is often used for car parking so they turn damaged quickly,” he said.

Furthermore, Suratha said, except for being used as a parking lot, the damaged sidewalks were also caused by roots of roadside trees and fiber optic cabling. Normally, after installing the cables, the workers did not return it immediately so that the Office of Public Works had to deploy some employees to fix it.

When asked about the length of sidewalks that had been repaired, Winarta said it was difficult to specify considering the damage of

IBP/ist

The picture show a broken sidewalk in Sanur area sidewalks was incidental. In addition, the funds allocated for maintenance had included in to the road maintenance. “But from the allocated fund in 2010, IDR 4.05 billion is used for the procurement of materials, including asphalt. Having been

put into tender, the value of contract agreed was IDR 3.71 billion more, namely for maintenance in four subdistricts. One of them is the improvement of sidewalk located on Jalan Danau Tondano worth IDR 95 million,” explained Winarta. (kmb12)

In Denpasar, population 20,000 get VAR, while 3,000 others do not census reaches 90 percent Within five months, 23,000 people bitten by dog Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Within five months of the year 2010, it was recorded 23,182 cases of dog bites in Bali and around 20,103 cases got anti-rabies vaccine (VAR). This means about 80,000 vials of VAR had been spent. This figure is not much different from the year 2009 where there were 53,000 bite cases a year and spent about 107, 000 vials of VAR. “In terms of development of the bite cases for the year 2010, they are almost the same as in 2009 so it is predicted the necessary funds required is almost the same, maybe even more,” said the Head of Bali Health Services, Nyoman Sutedja, when met in his office last Monday (May 24).

Total funding allocated for the purchase of VAR in 2009 was IDR 15 billion.

Meanwhile, if seen from the latest data where there were some 23,000 bite cases, only 20,000 victims getting the VAR, while approximately 3,000 other bite cases did not get the VAR. Regarding to this matter, Sutedja said the victims who did not get the VAR might think that bitten by dog was normal and harmless. “Today, some people

start thinking if bitten by a dog is normal. Just like when Bali has not been contracted by rabies. Such assumption is of course wrong,” he said.

He hoped that the public remained vigilant and tried to get the VAR if bitten by a dog or other animals transmitting rabies (HPR). If the VAR stock was empty, people should not be afraid if a little late to get the VAR. “Late for one or two days will not matter,” he said. Other than getting the VAR, the awareness to keep the dog with a tie and to vaccinate it should be certainly continued. If the dog was released, the owner should let the dog be eliminated.

Sutedja continued, out of the 19,000 VAR stock purchased by the funds of Bali Provincial Government worth IDR 2.5 billion only left 1,900 vials. This illustrated the high bite cases. Other than Bali Provincial Government, the inventories of VAR has now been held by regencies such as by Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan and in the near future Karangasem was also expected to do so. Total funds expended to purchase the VAR for sup-

plying all regencies was IDR 3 billion. Then, to cover the needs of the VAR supply running low, according to Sutedja, his party had proposed additional funds to Bali Provincial Government as much as IDR 2 billion and VAR support to the central government.

Regarding to the frequent unavailability of VAR at some rabies centers in the regencies, such as in Tabanan and Karangasem, according to Sutedja, it required coordination of respective regency. For instance, when VAR stock started running low, each rabies center had to quickly contact the Bali Health Services so it could send the VAR assistance. Or if there was regency having more VAR stocks, it could be shared with regencies having a high bite case.

Meanwhile, for the case of a cat bite occurred in Buleleng, based on examination to sample of cat bite it showed negative result.

“So, there is no indication on the spread of rabies in animals other than dogs in Bali,” said Sutedja.

For the case in Buleleng, other than bitten by cat, the victim had been bitten by dog. (kmb24)

Denpasar (Bali Post)—

2010 Population Census (SP) which has been running about for one month in Denpasar seems to have reaped the maximum enough results. At least, 90 percent of Denpasar residents had been recorded. If waiting until the deadline, the population census in Denpasar is ensured to be completed. Head of Central Statistics Bureau (BPS) of Denpasar, I Wayan Suta, when contacted last Monday (May 24) said his party had recorded 90 percent of the population of Denpasar. Even, his officials managed to record a number of the ship cabin crews (ABK) and the homeless who presumably had no permanent place of residence. In reality, he admitted to find a little difficulty in collecting the data of the homeless.

“However, we could resolve such a difficulty,” Suta said.

Furthermore, Suta said since his party had reached nearly 90 percent of the population having the identity card of Denpasar, so starting last Monday (May 24) his party opened the BPS complaint service desk. Such complaint desk, said Suta, was specifically intended for residents of Denpasar that had not been recorded. “Yes, we have opened the service today (last Mon-

day—ed). And this complaint service is intended for residents who had not recorded previously,” explained Suta.

Nevertheless, since the 2010 Population Census was not over, officials would continue to target the population which had not been enumerated directly.

This meant that there were some people who had not had time to be interviewed in person by the officials. “Maybe, when first time we visited them the concerned persons were working or returning to their home village. Therefore, we should meet them again because the interview could not be represented,” he asserted.

But what happened in the field, it remained to be found a number of rogue officials. One of them was by providing a sheet of paper containing some questions for the house owner. The pattern was used by the officials because they found difficulty to meet the house owner. When asking for confirmation related to this pattern, in fact it was not justified. Suta said the way was not included in the working patterns of the officials. “If there were such a pattern, please do not follow them up. Because, other than listing process, the officials should meet in person with the residents,” he explained. (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

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Pura Hyang Api,

Too Much Psychological Burden

Where to Pray For Animal Safety

High School Students Found Hanged

Implementation of piodalan (ceremonial celebration) in Pura Hyang Api, Kelusa Village, District Payangan, which lasted for 42 days (a month in Balinese calendar) became a place for people to beg for salvation, especially for those who have cattle.

In addition to the activities carried out by holding a tabuh rah (blood sacrificing), during piodalan the pemedek (worshiper) who came also pleaded for tirta wewalungan.

What is the meaning of this tirta wewalungan?

Villagers, along with rhythmic chants of traditional gamelan, appeared amid loud noises of gongs from the middle Pura Hyang Api’s front yard is conducting activities of tabuh rah on Monday (24 / 5) yesterday. The temple which is located between the Tegalalang and Payangan Chedi Subdistricts indeed has

uniqueness that is held every piodalan. Not only the holding of tabuh rah, but also when people pray in the temple, they would asked for Tirta (holy water) which are believed able to save their livestock from the intrigues of the bad intention. The Tirta touted as tirta wewalungan.

Chief of Village Pekraman Kelusa, Wayan Jawi said, when prayers were held at Pura Hyang Api, there are two real tirta petitioned by congregation. Starting from tirta Ring Panjak and tirta wewalungan. Tirta ring panjak, according to Jawi as any other regu-

lar tirta is acquired after praying in the temple. While for tirta Wewalungan, is Tirta specifically requested by worshipers for the safety of livestock or animals belong to them. Tirta Wewalungan is intentionally asked to be made in the temple, when there is a wish from pemedek. This Tirta requested from the blessings of Brahma worshiped in Pura Hyang Api to eliminate all the epidemics that threaten their animals.

This tradition has emerged from generation to generation and were proven to be true, he explained. (Kmb16)

Artists Regret over Tabanan’s Absence in FLS2N Tabanan (Bali Post) –

Tabanan’s Literary artist regret over the region’s absence in the National Student Arts Competition and Festival (FLS2N) or Arts Provincial Olympic for Junior High School (SMP) where this region actually have brilliant achievements in the arts subject. Last year, Tabanan actually succeed in this festival and gained 1st place from the whole nation.

Last Monday (24/5), literary artist, Gusti Putu Bawa Samar Gantang, mentioned his regret over the art potential that’s not dug very well. He admitted that he knew Tabanan will not join in a Technical Meeting at Denpasar last week. At that time, Samar Gantang said not one art supervisors came to the meeting. “We regret over Tabanan’s absence in this competition. Maybe the Tabanan Education Agency was busy with politics so they ignored this competition. When the National Identity card photo copies of the teachers who are supporting one of the candidates

were collected, the Education Agency just take their own action. An art competition has been disregarded,” Samar Gantang criticized.

Said the leak poetry creator, the potential of Tabanan’s arts are amazing. In last year’s FLS2N, the craft (carving) competition represented by a National Junior High School No.2 (SMPN 2) Marga student, succeeded in taking 1st position. In the poetry creation competition also succeeded in being a winner and even represented Bali in the national competition. Meanwhile in the national’s poster competition, represented by National High School No. 1 (SMAN 1) Kediri student, excelled in getting 1st position from the whole nation. “Tabanan are very counted as an enemy in the arts yet was often ignored by Tabanan itself. Science Olympic was much looked after, Art was like the stepchild,” the teacher with the ontel bike complained. Samar Gantang mentioned,

Tabanan sub district is very great at literature and dance, Pupuan and Baturiti are great at painting while Penebel, Selemadeg, Kediri and Kerambitan are great at traditional arts such as singing traditional ballads (mekidung) and nyastra. The potential in art should never be a stepchild, but a potential that must be respected.

Head of Education, Youth and Sports Tabanan, I Wayan Adnyana, mentioned this competition was dealt by each Head of the fields. Adnyana admitted did not know exactly which teams were sent and which categories were not joined. Head of High/ Vocational Schools Section, I Gede Mastaadi admitted have pointed SMAN 1 Kediri as a representative for High School. While Head of Junior High School Section, Ketut Astayoga, was failed to be confirmed. But for sure, Tabanan’s participation in this competition was not heard nor clear. (kmb14)

Hypnotized, Millions of Rupiah Gone Gianyar (Bali Post) –

Hypnotizing crime is back in Gianyar. This time the victim is a worker for Tradition Village Cooperative of Gianyar, Dewa Ngurah Suyadnya (46), who lives at Manik Street, Candibaru area, Gianyar Village. The victim was hypnotized last Monday (24/5) and reported it to the Gianyar Police Sector. The incident caused the victim loss around IDR 25 Million.

When reporting it to the police, the victim’s statement was all over the place. Less than half an hour, Suyadnya was still half unconscious from his thoughts. After several minutes, he was back to normal.

Founded at his house, Suyadnya admitted around 10.10 am wita, a man wearing a white shirt and jeans came to his small shop to buy cigarettes.

After giving the cigarettes and matches, the man started to smoke.

When the smoke was blown twice by the man, Suyadnya then did not remember a thing. “After my wife asked for money to buy a new gas tube, I was woken up,” Suyadnya explained.

After conscious, the man who bought the cigarettes was gone from its place. The cigarettes were not even paid. When Suyadnya was going to get the money, it was gone from its place. IDR 20 million owned by the

village that was put in a plastic bag was also gone from the small shop’s table drawer. He then straight away reported it to the police.

“We are investigating and trying to find the hypnotizer based on the characteristic futures given by the victim,” Head of Gianyar Police Sector, Adjunct Police Commissioner Gede Putra Astawa confirmed. It is unclear about the method used but from the victim’s statement it is predicted to be a hypnotization. This case will be continued to be investigated. “We can only suggest the residents to be more careful when meeting someone you don’t know,” Astawa explained. (kmb16)

Tabanan (Bali Post) -

A student of SMAN 1 Kediri Made Agus Mahaputra Giri (16) from Banjar Tanah Sari, Pajahan Pupuan hanged himself in his room in the Housing Land of BTN, Banjar Anyar village, Kediri, on Sunday (23 / 5) night. Before performing the reckless action, he confided with friends via SMS. He had time to say goodbye to his girlfriend.

From the SMS, he sounded desperate to end his life because he was haunted by his fear after a hitting a man to death, and delinquent payment of school fees.

This teenager found hanging by his uncle Wayan Budiasa (51) at 22:00 pm.

He found the victim hanging with a few layers of rope that previously purchased by his nephew. Budiasa shouted for his wife when he saw the victim’s body hung. He immediately cut the rope and immediately lowers the body of the victim. When the victim’s body was still warm, he then was rushed to BRSUD Tabanan. But it was too late and the victim’s life was not able to be saved.

In order to continue his education at SMAN 1 Kediri, Agus was staying with his uncle who was a civil servant and live in the Housing Land of BTN Kediri. Before performing the action, on Sunday (23 / 5) evening at around 17:00 pm, the victim who had just come back from his home town showed strange signs.

Without explaining his purpose, Agus told his uncle to buy a rope in a

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stall. After that, he was engrossed in exchanging SMS. Before entering the room Budiasa had joked with his nephew. At around 22:00 pm, when it was raining, Budiasa went to the corner of the kitchen to check the leak.

That’s when he saw the victim hanging on his door. The event was immediately reported to the Kediri police.

Police crime scene did not find any signs of violence. In order to know the motive of the act, police unpack the victim’s phone SMS. From 17:25 o’clock pm until around 17:45 pm, the victim sent SMSs to a friend named Mirna for four times, and received three replies. Plus, an SMS to his girlfriend Gek Juliantika Liana, a junior high school adolescents in grade III Pupuan at around 21:32 pm. To Gek Liana, the contact called Cynkq, he said goodbye and hoping for her to get a better guy. While to Mirna, Agus claimed to have been tired of his life because a lot of problems he’s experiencing.

He admitted failing to pay the tuition for five months and then the accident when he hit people to death during Galungan. He claimed to be haunted by the fear of his guilt. As someone who was joking around, Agus had said that he was preparing for his funeral. His close friend had a chance to prevent his actions by saying it is a great sin to kill himself and asked him to tell what the problem was. But it did not discourage his intention to hang himself. (RTC 14)

Trial of murder to shoe store’s owner

Son sentenced to six years, mother of the accused demands justice Denpasar (Bali Post)— The accused Wayan Agus alleged to be involved in the murder to the husband-wife having the Sejahtera Shoe Store, Sugianto Halim—Feny Maria Sulianto, was finally sentenced to six years in prison on trial at Denpasar District Court, last Monday (May 24).

Panel of Judges chaired by Sigit Sutanto declared the accused to have violated the article 340 in connection with of article 55 paragraph 1 of the first point of the Criminal Code (premeditated murder).

Sentence of six years imprisonment imposed was immediately responded by cries of the accused’s mother Made Deti Artini. The woman who faithfully accompanied her son every trial could accept the sentence that should be lived by her son. However, it was unfair to her, if Arif was allowed to roam freely. “I can accept the punishment because my son is also guilty. However, the law enforcement must also be fair

to drag Arif. My son was impossible to kill if he was not trapped,” she said while crying.

Meanwhile, Edward Tobing acting as legal counsel of the victim agreed with the mother of Agus.

His party felt sorry for the penalty which had to be lived by Agus.

“With the verification of the article 340 of Penal Code, police inevitably must investigate Arif. No more excuses stating the persons responsible for this case are only Agus and Fahrudin,” he said.

The judge agreed with prosecutors about the deeds committed by the defendant. Based on investigation in the trial reinforced by testimony of witnesses and admission of the defendant, it was considered sufficient to prove the defendant’s fault. Objection made by defendant on the involvement in such murder case had indeed more justified the deeds of defendant. On the valuation, the judge declared there was no justification or forgiving that could remove the error of defendant. (015)

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News

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

International

Tanker and carrier collide off Singapore Reuters

SINGAPORE/KUALA LUMPUR – An oil tanker and a bulk carrier collided in waters between Malaysia and Singapore on Tuesday morning, spilling an estimated 2,500 tonnes of oil, but traffic in Asia’s busiest shipping lane was not affected.

The Malaysian flagged MT Bunga Kelana 3 was carrying about 62,000 tonnes of light crude oil, the country’s coast guard said.

Singapore port authorities said the spill measured about 4 kilometers by 1 kilometer and was located 6 kilometers south of Singapore’s southeastern tip at 2:20 p.m. local time.

Singapore and Malaysia activated oil-spill response companies and a clean-up operation involving 20 craft was under way. There were no reports of injuries among the 50 crew members.

The incident happened in the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) of the Singapore Strait, 13 kilometers (8 miles) from the tip of the island nation, the city-state’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) said.

The spill, equivalent to about 18,000 barrels, is dwarfed by the ap-

proximately 175,000 barrels of oil that has poured into the Gulf of Mexico since the deadly April 20 offshore explosion that sank the Deepwater Horizon rig.

It was less than a tenth the size of Singapore’s worst such oil spill since the MPA was created. As much as 29,000 tonnes of heavy marine fuel oil leaked into Singapore waters from the tanker Evoikos in 1997 after it collided with the Orapin Global tanker.

“This is a relatively small amount in the general scheme of things, and it is not like the Gulf of Mexico, which is continuing to leak,” said Victor Shum from oil consultancy Purvin & Gertz in Singapore.

“If it is contained within an oil retaining booms, it may not disrupt shipping traffic. There is no comparison. That one has really no limit at this stage.”

In terms of the impact of Singapore’s spill on the environment, Shum said: “I think certainly the concerns are there. Even if it is contained, it will take some time to clean up.” The 1997 Evoikos spill took three weeks to clean up. Singapore and Malaysia were applying oil dispersants and containment booms for the clean up, MPA said.

AFP/File/Roslan Rahman

A US soldier on patrol in the Bayaa neighbourhood of southwest Baghdad in 2007. Gunmen swooped on Baghdad jewellers in a morning rampage, killing 14 people and bombing almost a dozen stores after robbing them, an interior ministry official said.

Iraq: Gunmen rob gold shops in Baghdad, kill 15 Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD – Masked gunmen attacked gold shops in Baghdad Tuesday, killing 15 people before they fled with a large quantity of gold, police and hospital officials said.

AFP/File/Roslan Rahman

Ships are seen anchored off Singapore’s coastline. Emergency teams scrambled to contain a 2,500-tonne oil spill near one of the world’s busiest ports after two vessels collided in the Singapore Strait, officials said.

The gunmen came to the southwestern neighborhood of Baiyaa in five cars shortly before noon, their faces covered with traditional Arab headscarves. They set off a roadside bomb near the shops, killing four bystanders and wounding three, city police officials said.

Then they opened fire on 12 shops, killing nine gold shop owners or their workers and two bystanders. They threw percussion grenades into the shop as a distraction, then fled, police said.

A hospital official confirmed the number of casualties. All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not au-

thorized to talk to the media.

As Iraq’s sectarian violence has ebbed, a new threat from violent crime has cropped up. Tuesday’s attack was one of the deadliest in the upswing.

Many of those involved in the crime wave are believed to be battleexperienced former insurgents unable to find legitimate work. They often bring the same brutality to their crimes that they showed in the fighting that nearly pushed the country to the brink of Sunni-Shiite civil war in 2006 and 2007.

The result has been a wave of thefts and armed robberies, hitting homes, cars, jewelry stores, currency

exchanges, pawn shops and banks.

There are few statistics tracking the number and kinds of crimes, in part because the government remains focused on the bombings and other insurgent attacks that continue to plague Baghdad and Iraq’s north.

But in the minds of the public, crime has become at least as consuming as the violence directly related to the war. And like the lack of electricity and other services, crime is now a top complaint of Iraqis.

Some members of Iraq’s security forces are also involved, perhaps a sign that militants are still infiltrating the security services.

In one of the most sensational crimes in recent years, several members of Iraq’s presidential guards — which protect senior officials — broke into the state-run Rafidain Bank on July 28 and stole about 5.6 billion Iraqi dinars, or $4.8 million.

Ethiopian PM celebrates controversial election win Agence France Presse

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopia’s long-time ruler Meles Zenawi on Tuesday celebrated a landslide election victory which the opposition slammed as fraudulent and European observers as unfair.

Tens of thousands of ruling party supporters thronged a city square after the electoral commission released preliminary results late on Monday showing the ruling coalition had a wide lead across the country.

But the opposition charged the 55-year-old strongman, who has ruled sub-Saharan Africa’s second

most populous country for two decades, had rigged his way to re-election in Sunday’s polls.

“I don’t see any reason why we should accept the results that were completely fraudulent,” said Merara Gudina, one of the top leaders of the main opposition coalition Medrek.

“They took over all aspects of the electoral administration, including the count,” he said, referring to the ruling EPRDF coalition.

“We are currently looking at what measures we should take next at a party meeting today,” he added.

In 2005, the opposition scored its best showing ever and claimed Meles

stole the vote, sparking violence that left 200 people dead and drew international criticism of the Horn of Africa’s ruling regime. The European Union observation mission on Tuesday took a tougher line than on election day and said the campaign and the polls were marked by restrictions on political freedom and the unfair use of state resources by the regime.

“The title of our preliminary report is high turnout on election day but marred by narrowing political space and (an) uneven political field,” Thijs Berman, the head of the European Union’s observsation mission, told reporters.

AFP/File/Simon Maina

Supporters of Ethiopia People Revolutionary Front (EPRDF) hold a poster bearing the image of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi during the last day of the electiohn campaign on 20 May. Ethiopia’s long-time ruler Meles Zenawi celebrated a landslide election victory which the opposition slammed as fraudulent and European observers as unfair.

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

Wednesday, May 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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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

News

Spanish bullfighter recovering after throat goring Associated Press Writer

MADRID – A Spanish bullfighter left intensive care Monday and was recovering satisfactorily in a Madrid hospital after a bull’s horn ripped through his throat, pierced his tongue and smashed his palate.

Aparicio, 41, suffered the grotesque goring Friday evening during a bullfight at Madrid’s Las Ventas bullring. The matador lost his balance, fell to the ground and in an instant the 530-kilogram (1,168 pound) bull drove his right horn through Aparicio’s throat and out his mouth.

The beast withdrew the horn rapidly and Aparicio managed to run to the side of the ring for help.

Aparicio was initially treated at the ring’s emergency medical unit, then transferred to the city’s October 12th Hospital where he underwent a six-hour operation.

The October 12th Hospital said in a statement that Aparicio’s condition was “evolving favorably” and that his prognosis was “less serious.”

Most major bullrings in Spain and abroad are equipped with top flight teams of surgeons, traumatologists and anesthetists.

Smaller bullrings are obliged to have ambulances on standby during fights Improved medical treatment over the years has cut down the number of deaths by gorings, a fact attested to by a statue to penicillin discoverer Dr. Alexander Fleming being saluted by a bullfighter in name of his all his colleagues outside Madrid’s venue. The last matador to die from a goring in Spain was Jose Cubero Sanchez “Yiyo” in 1985.

Maximo Garcia Padros, chief surgeon at Las Ventas, told reporters on Friday after initial treatment by the

BEIJING – A torrent of floods caused by heavy storms have killed 115 people in southern China, with 21 people still missing as weather reports show rains beginning to subside.

Emergency rescue teams have been dispatched across southern China to help the 685,000 people evacuated as a result of the flooding, which has caused $2.2 billion in damages, a statement on the Ministry of Civil Affairs website said.

Agence France Presse

BANGKOK – A Thai court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges, which carry a maximum penalty of death, in connection with recent violent protests.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s government has accused Thaksin of inciting unrest and bankrolling the mass rallies by the opposition “Red Shirts”, many of whom seek the return of the former telecoms tycoon.

“A court found there was enough evidence so it issued an arrest warrant,” Naras Savestanan, deputy chief of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), told reporters after the closeddoor hearing at the Criminal Court.

“Now it’s the attorney general’s job to enforce the warrant,” he said.

Thaksin was ousted in a bloodless military coup in 2006 and lives in selfimposed exile, mainly in Dubai, to avoid a jail term for corruption.

He said the terrorism charges were “politically motivated” and accused the

government of human rights abuses.

“During my entire political career I have adhered to non-violence and the constitutional monarchy,” he said in a statement issued by his legal adviser.

“I have never supported violence,” Thaksin said. “The arrest warrant against me is unfair. I am ready to prove that I am not a terrorist and the accusation is politically motivated.”

If found guilty, Thaksin could in theory face the death penalty, but the warrant appears aimed at boosting attempts to extradite Thaksin, who has found sanctuary in several countries.

The government has exerted pressure on countries he has visited and moved to freeze his finances. Abhisit said the court ruling and the severity of the charge would help the government’s efforts to have Thaksin extradited.

“It will make our work with foreign countries easier,” he told reporters.

“We still have to monitor his movements and seek cooperation in line with existing agreements. As of now many countries are banning him, but not all.”

Russian...

From page 1 Each year, thousands of people are killed in traffic accidents on Turkey’s roads because of careless driving or poor road conditions.

Many of the roads consist of just two lanes, are badly lit and poorly patrolled by police.

The bus was traveling from the

North Korea...

From page 1 (AP Photo/Domingo Botan)

In this photo made Friday, May 21, 2010, Spanish matador Julio Aparicio is carried to infirmary after being gored by a bull during a bullfight during the San Isidro Feria at the Las Ventas bullring in Madrid. medical team that that Aparicio’s life of its report. was not in danger but they had to wait “A tracheotomy was performed for a CAT scan at hospital to rule out and the affected structures were rebrain damage. paired without surgical complica“The horn penetrated into the oral tions arising.” Most people at the cavity, causing a fracture in the up- ring did not fully realize Aparicio he per palate,” the hospital said in one had been gored.

Floods kill 115 in southern China Associated Press Writer

Thai court approves ‘terrorism’ warrant for ex-PM

But one official said Tuesday that the worst may be over. “The rain was pretty severe earlier, but now the weather is improving,” said the official surnamed Chen who answered the phone at the Hunan Water Bureau information office. Like many Chinese officials he would give only his surname.

China’s rainy season, which began this month, follows the worst drought in a century for southern China’s Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi regions. The drought affected 61 million people, leaving millions

without drinking water and 12 million acres (about 5 million hectares) left barren since last year.

The floods hit 13 provinces, including Guangdong, Sichuan and Zhejiang, and damaged more than 80,000 homes and affected more than 10 million people, said a statement posted on the State Flood Control and Disaster Relief Headquarters website.

China’s huge land mass means severe storms can cause floods in one region, while other parts of the country can experience drought.

Washington condemned the sinking, while China has been largely silent about the behavior of its volatile ally.

Russia, which like China and the United States holds a veto in the Security Council, urged restraint. President Dmitry Medvedev urged both sides to “prevent a further escalation on the situation on the Korean peninsula.”

Most analysts doubt either side would risk a war, which would be suicidal for the North and economy-ruining for the South. The initial markets falls were triggered by a story by the South’s Yonhap news agency quoting a local report that the North was gearing up for war. It later emerged that the report said only that the North would fight back if it was attacked.

“The Yonhap report ... chilled investor sentiment as it highlighted South Korea’s geopolitical risks. And the timing for such news could not be worse, as market sentiment was already shaky with renewed euro zone financial fears,” said Hwang Keum-dan, a stock market analyst at Samsung Securities.

Key economic and financial authorities will meet early on Wednesday to discuss ways to stabilize local financial markets.

Some in the market saw the selling — which took stocks on the main index to their lowest close in 15 weeks — as overdone and triggered mostly

resort of Alanya, which is popular with Russian and German tourists, to the scenic Pamukkale waterfall near the central city of Denizli.

About 3 million Russian tourists visit Turkey annually. Earlier this month, Turkey and Russia agreed to mutually lift entry visa requirements for visits of up to 30 days in an effort to boost tourism and business.

by foreign selling.

“North Korea and related risks have always been there. It is like telling investors to quit the Japanese market because it has earthquakes. War is wanted neither by the North nor the South,” one fund manager at a foreign investment management house said.

FURIOUS RHETORIC

Both sides have stepped up their rhetoric over the Cheonan incident, one of their deadliest since the 1950-53 Korean War. The North charged South Korea’s government with fabricating the issue, partly to help the ruling party in next week’s local elections — important to cement President Lee’s power in the second half of his single five-year term.

The incident appears to have done nothing to dent Lee’s popularity, which one recent opinion poll shows running at well over 40 percent, unusually high for recent South Korean presidents halfway through their term.

A strong showing for Lee’s party in the June 2 local election, which many expect, will give him greater authority to push aside a fragmented opposition in parliament and continue with sweeping pro-business reforms.

His rule has also seen relations with the North turn increasingly chilly as he turned his back on a decade of generous aid to the North by his predecessors which had failed to end its attempts to build nuclear weapons.

International

Indonesia Today

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

7

Komodo dragon attacks man in Indonesia: police Agence France-Presse

AFP PHOTO/FILES/ROMEO GACAD

In a file picture taken on February 10, 2010 a komodo dragon roams in an enclosure at the Ragunan Zoo in Jakarta. A komodo dragon attacked an Indonesian man as he ate lunch at a building site on one of the giant lizards’ protected island habitats, police said on May 24, 2010.

KUPANG - A komodo dragon attacked an Indonesian man as he ate lunch at a building site on one of the giant lizards’ protected island habitats, police said Monday.

Construction worker Agustinus Jenaru, 20, was having a meal break when the powerful monitor, apparently attracted by the smell of food, crept up from behind and bit him on the arm, police official Mega Laksana Putra said.

“The man screamed for help. He put up a struggle and managed to free himself,” Putra said.

There are no medical facilities on Rinca, a komodo sanctuary in east-

ern Indonesia, so Jenaru was flown to hospital on Bali island, he said.

Until recently komodos were believed to hunt with a “bite and wait” strategy using toxic bacteria in their saliva to weaken or kill their prey, before descending in numbers to feast.

But in 2005 researchers found that dragons’ jaws are armed with highly sophisticated poison glands that can cause paralysis, spasms and shock through haemorrhaging.

The world’s largest monitor lizard, komodos can grow up to three metres (10 feet) and weigh up to 140 kilograms (310 pounds). They are unique to a small group of islands in eastern Indonesia.

China, Hong Kong investments in RI up after ACFTA’s signing Antara

JAKARTA - Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Chief Gita Wirjawan said Chinese and Hong Kong investments in Indonesia increased during the 2003-2009 periods or after the signing of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA).

Gita said Chinese entrepreneurs mainly invested their money in the industrial sector in several Indonesian provinces, namely West Java, Jakarta, Banten, Lampung and Cen-

tral Kalimantan.

Investors from Hongkong who became interested in Indonesia after the signing of FTA sank funds in the real estate, industrial zone, office

building, construction and mining sectors in West Java, Jakarta, Banten, Lampung, and Central Kalimantan.

According to BKPM data, realized Chinese investment in the 2003-2009 period amounted to an average of US$57.4 million per year or about 0.7 percent of the overall value of foreign investment in e period with the number of workers absorbed recorded at 2,996 per year.

The numbers were higher than in

Government to use Norwegian aid to save peat land forests Antara

JAKARTA - The government plans to direct climate change aid commitment from Norway worth US$1 billion for saving peat land forests in Sumatra, Kalimantan and Papua, Gusti M Hatta said.

“We will direct it for saving peat land forests and it will be discussed with governors. We are made more optimistic by the aid,” the environment minister said here on Monday.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono plans to go to Oslo, Norway on May 27 to attend an international conference on climate change

and forests to be attended by representatives from dozens of countries.

Along with Norway prime minister, Jens Stoltenberg, the Indonesian president would lead the conference which would discuss mechanism for reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) in developing countries.

The conference is aimed at facilitating voluntary partnership between advanced countries and developing countries that have tropical forests with regard to implementing the REDD with a total commitment worth US$3.5 billion.

Besides discussing further the

Copenhagen meeting that pledged US$3.5 billion for developing countries for 2010 to 2011, Indonesia would also sign a letter of intent with Norway for US$1 billion in climate change funding.

“So far many have already committed to extending climate change funds such as from the US, Japan, Australia, Britain, France and Germany but none of it has been realized,” he said.

He said his side had already sought confirmation about it from Australia hoping the aid could be enjoyed by people living around the forests up to 50 percent while only 10 percent would go to the central government and the rest to regions possessing forests.

Indonesian court shoots down Temasek anti-trust appeal Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Indonesia’s Supreme Court said Monday it had rejected another appeal by Singaporean investment giant Temasek Holdings Pte. Ltd. against rulings that it had breached anti-

monopoly laws.

The KPPU ruled in 2007 that Temasek was guilty of engaging in monopolistic practices and anticompetitive behavior in Indonesia’s cellular phone market through its stakes in two telephone operators.

It ordered the state-linked invest-

ment firm to divest its holdings in either PT Telkomsel or PT Indosat, Indonesia’s two largest mobile operators by subscriber numbers.

The court ruled against the appeal earlier this month but the decision was only posted on its website on Monday, without explanation.

the 1999-2002 periods when the annual amount of realized Chinese investment averaged only US$2.5 million and the number of absorbed workers was 188 per year.

Hongkong investment after ACFTA’s signing reached US$160 million per year and the average number of workers absorbed 5,682 per year. Compared to other countries investing in Indonesia, the amount of realized Hong Kong in-

vestment ranked eighth and that of Chinese investment 16th.

On the other hand, realized Indonesian investment in China until mid2009 amounted to US$2.7 million by a total of 511 companies.

Overall, Gita said, the problems Chinese investors were facing when they planned to invest in Indonesia mainly had to do with management conflicts, land-related issues, environmental issues and misuse of facilities.

Indonesia seeks 10 years for Noordin’s driver Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Indonesian prosecutors on Monday sought 10 years’ jail for the alleged driver of late terror leader Noordin Mohammad Top. Amir Abdillah, 34, is facing charges including plotting to assassinate the president, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and concealing information about a terrorist group.

He was arrested in the wake of twin suicide bombings on luxury hotels in Jakarta last July which killed seven people, the last in a strong of deadly attacks blamed on Malaysian-born Noordin and his extremist network.

Noordin was killed by police in a raid in September.

Abdillah “knew about the plot to bomb the hotels, he knew about the plan to kill President SBY, he hid information about terror suspects and assisted them,” prosecutor Chairul Fauzi told the South Jakarta district court. Prosecutors did not seek the maximum death sentence because the accused had confessed to his crimes, showed regret and was cooperative, he added.

Two Islamic extremists carrying backpacks filled with homemade bombs blew themselves up at the neighbouring JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels in downtown Jakarta on July 17. Prosecutors said Abdillah was in a car near the hotels with fellow-Islamist Syaifudin Jaelani as he issued the orders via mobile phone to the bombers to initiate their attacks.

Jaelani was killed by police in the wake of the bombings.

They also said Abdillah drove Noordin to meetings with terrorists, booked a hotel room in West Java where the attacks were planned, and transported explosive materials to a house where a truck bomb was being assembled. The truck bomb was intended for an attack on Yudhoyono around Independence Day on August 17 last year, but it never took place.

Dressed in a grey shirt and white Muslim cap, Abdillah appeared calm throughout the hearing.

“I regret my past deeds,” he told reporters at the court.

Noordin led a radical splinter faction of the Jemaah Islamiyah terror network which he called “Al-Qaeda in the Malay Archipelago.”

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Internationa

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Bali Today BHA: ”Green” for everyone Antara

DENPASAR - The Bali Hotels Association (BHA),a group of over 100 star-rated hotels in Bali held an environment workshop at Kuta’s Hard Rock Hotel, as a part of series to provide a new concept of green for everyone.

“The workshop contributes to BHA’s endeavors to furthermore educate and train its employees as part of its social responsibility to provide a better and cleaner future for all local communities”, Gareth Warne, BHA Director of Environment, and GM of Nusa Lembongan Resort & Sail Sensations Catamaran, said in Denpasar, Monday.

The workshop covered an unusually wide range of green subjects from solar water heating to biofuel production, from kitchen oil to consultancy on sustainable development.

During eight lectures over 100 participants had been informed of practical hands on solutions on saving energy, water management, recycling, carbon offset, and green corporate social responsibility programs.

The available choice of green technologies and solutions such as LED lighting run on just 20 percent of conventional energy consumption.

Also, biodegradable plastic products dissolving into virtually nothing after about one year amazed experts and laymen alike.

Certificates of appreciation were given out

to 30 BHA hotels participating in EcoBali’s and Tetra Pak’s ‘Environmental Awareness and Recycling of Beverage Cartons Program’.

The very successful initiative is a major promoter of environmental good practice and education within Bali’s hotel industry.

An MoU signed between BHA, Tetra Pack Indonesia, and EcoBali is cementing future cooperation in the recycling and green education sector.

Presentations were given by Contained Energy, Caritas Switzerland; Plant a Tree Today (PATT), Little Tree, Eco-Leadership, Gadjah Tunggal Plastindo (OXO12), Tetra Pack Indonesia, as well as EcoBali. The event itself was sponsored by Gadjah Tunggal Plastindo and Tetra Pack Indonesia.

Another BHA workshop on energy and waste management is planned for the end of 2010.

The Bali Hotels Association is a professional organization star-rated hotels and resorts in Bali.

Members include general managers from 100 hotels and resorts, representing 14,500 hotel rooms and 22,000 employees in Bali.

Bali ready to become the locomotive of South Sulawesi As the primary world tourism, Bali also actively plays important role in promoting Indonesian tourism and even Bali is preparing itself to become the driving forces of other regional tourism.

Governor of Bali, Mangku Pastika was optimistically ready to become a locomotive driving the tourism for other regions, including the South Sulawesi Province. Nevertheless, the locomotive could not move very well, if the carriage it pulled did not support, or even was damaged.

This matter was confirmed by Governor of Bali in his speech after signing the agreement and cooperation script (MoU) in culture and tourism between Bali Provincial Government and South Sulawesi Province in Wiswa Sabha Hall recently. “Bali is indeed becoming the locomotive, but the coach should also run smoothly, otherwise, it would be difficult for the locomotive to pull,” Pastika joked.

Mangku Pastika warmly welcomed the cooperation in culture and tourism because his party would like to give an impact to the region having a tourist attraction in order it could manage its destination properly. “I know South Sulawesi has such great potential to be developed and restructured to become a tourist attraction. At the end, the proceedings could make the society prosperous,” he said.

It was said, to manage the tourism sector it could not be relied on tourist attraction owned, but the support and participation of citizens was nec-

essary, especially the comfort and security. “In managing tourism, it is needed the comfort and safety for tourists. The sector is very risky to conflict and protests from residents. If this happens, tourists would be afraid to come to the area,” he said.

Meanwhile, Governor of South Sulawesi, Syahrul Yasin Limpo expected through the signing of cooperation agreement in the field of culture and tourism with Bali Provincial Government would be able to increase the tourist visits to the region.

“Bali is a world tourist destination. Therefore, we expect the promotion through Bali could increase the tourist visits to South Sulawesi region in years to come,” he said. The potential tourist objects in South Sulawesi were quite diverse, such as cultural attractions in Tana Toraja and natural tourist attraction also truly supported the area.

“Tanah Toraja is one of the mainstays of our cultural attractions made into the mascot for tourism in South Sulawesi, other than supporting accommodation, such as hotels and restaurants and a resort development near the tourist area,” explained Syahrul Yasin.

His party is now expanding the existing airport in Tana Toraja, so that tourists could access directly the tourist attraction having a unique and unparalleled culture in the country. “We are optimistic that cooperation with Bali Provincial Government in the future will give treasures of tourist attraction, not only Bali but also South Sulawesi Province,” said Governor of South Sulawesi Syahrul Yasin Limpo. (BTN/014)

BTN/FILE

In this file photo show rice field in the Island of Bali. Activities of farmers in the rice field, for instance, will have various attractions. From the dawn until the nightfall, they are loyally cultivated their land beyond doing other side jobs.

Bird watching:

Admiring another charm of Paradise Island Are you getting bored with cultural attractions offered by Bali? Do not worry, forget it for a while. Simply divert your attention to more light things to see around Bali. Activities of farmers in the rice field, for instance, will have various attractions.

From the dawn until the nightfall, they are loyally cultivated their land beyond doing other side jobs.

With the subak system inherited from some a thousand years ago, they cultivate their land with regular irrigation.

The system can survive because it adopts modern techniques, too. Both go hand in hand in keeping with the modernization.

Mechanization and agricultural technology are in one side, while ancient tradition in another side. It was Mpu Kuturan who introduced the ritual guidance for subak through his famous palm-leaf manuscript Darmaning Pemaculan featuring the preparation of seedlings up to storing the post-harvest husked rice in granary.

Other than observing their daily works, visitors can also see their ‘struggle’ against disturbing birds. When they are preparing some seedlings, some spotted doves will steal the sprouts. Farmers are forced to cover the newly seedlings by alang-alang grass until they reach some five to six days old. Another enemy is the slow white heron along with its friend.

Though such long-legged birds do not eat the sprouts but they disturb enough because usually walk around haphazardly in the seedling area where their prey like small frogs or grasshoppers go. Probably, your coming through bird watching can keep those birds away from seedling area.

When the paddy plant has bear young fruit, cereal eater birds will come without invitation. They consist of several families like scaly breasted munia, white-headed munia. In a large crowd, they ordinarily like

to suck the young milky content of the rice, moreover if it belongs to local variety like sticky rice. The latter is more delicious. If this attack is neglected or gets less attention within few days the entire paddy may be empty. Therefore, farmers attempt to dismiss them by generating various sounds.

Some of them can be carried out by making split bamboo log, propeller or even install some scarecrows at every corner. Of course, it will be accompanied by installation of some ropes to move them. To make easier in overseeing the birds, farmer will even build temporary high hut. But, a little negligence of farmer will be taken advantage by those birds.

If you are lucky enough, your bird watching may encounter some manyar birds or golden weaver belonging to munia family. Uniquely, this bird builds a hanging nest on trees, bamboo higher grass or coconut made from plaited grasses. Moreover, this bird can also make a basinet for their baby. When they grow older, they will be ready to sway on the stalk of rice.

Some other interesting birds to see in the rice field are Javan kingfisher (Balinese: tenggek) with its blue feather and red or white beek, white breasted water hen (krekuwak) usually walk and slip into the spaces between paddy plants.

In essence, local farmers do not have a habit to kill the annoying birds.

They just dismiss them by eco-friendly methods such as by generating sounds manually, by wind or even water. If the attack is rampant and considered stubborn, they will hold ngelepeh ceremony by offering sacrifice at Bedugul Temple. Hopefully, by offering some oblation gods mastering the birds could control their subjects. Last but not least, have a nice bird watching while looking closer at farmer’s activity in the rice field. (BTN/punia)

al

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Balinese Culture

Contemporary wayang performance in 2010 BAF Antara

DENPASAR – Puppet masters from Sidakamoyako art group from Japan will take part in the 32nd annual Bali Art Festival (BAF) which will be held started on June 12th through July 10th 2010.

I Kadek Suardana, the head of Arti Bali Foundation, said “they will perform electrical wayang show which can give different ways to perform wayang in the future.” There is great hope that the contemporary wayang show will give new knowledge to the puppet masters in Bali.

“In performing the puppet or wayang show, there will be no collaboration with the local artists. The artists from Japan will perform it by themselves,” Suardana said. The local committee will only assist them in preparing for the performance. The artists from japan will perform on June 27th 2010 in Ayodia stage in Art Center Denpasar.

Suardana said “the people who are interested with wayang should see the performance because it will be great experiences to see a new perspective in perform the wayang. He said that there are two art groups from Japan that will take part in this year’s BAF.

http://sudewi2000.files.wordpress.com

Puppet master is playing his puppeteers during a show. Puppet masters from Sidakamoyako art group from Japan will take part in the 32nd annual Bali Art Festival (BAF) which will be held started on June 12th through July 10th 2010.

The other art group is “Wyarhita” which consist of 20 artists and they will collaborate with Balinese artists during their performance.

I Nyoman Cerita, the head of Suara Kanti Art Group which will collaborate with the artists from Japan, said that the member of Suara Kanti will become the music players during the

performances.

There is great hope that the performances will produce something unique and interesting. There are nine art groups from six countries take part in the 2010 BAF. Japan, India, and US send 2 art groups and one art group come from Sweden, Canada, and France.

BASE JUKUT

(Spice Paste For Vegetables) INGREDIENTS: 175 gr shallots, peeled and chopped 150 gr cloves garlic, peeled & chopped 450 gr laos, peeled and thinly sliced 4 tsp coriander seeds 175 gr fresh turmeric, peeled and sliced 250 gr large red chilies, seeded & chopped 40 gr bird’s-eye chilies 100 gr kencur roots, peeled and chopped 5 tsp dried shrimp paste 150 ml Coconut oil 1 tsp salt 1¼ tsp black pepper ground 4 ea salam leaf, whole 3 ea stalk lemon grass, bruised PREPARATION: 1. Combine all ingredients except salam leafs and Lemon grass, salt and water in food processor and grind coarsely.

2. Place ground ingredients in heavy saucepan, add remaining ingredients and simmer over medium heat for approximately 60 minutes or until water is evaporated and marinade changes to golden color. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

Shiitake and assorted tubers: Coming in luscious soup for fun

Mushroom can become an alternative of meat. When it comes with other tuber ingredients, it can generate luscious vegetable.

Shiitake mushroom, for instance, is an ingredient offering myriad possibilities of good food. Let’s try to make a soup serving based on shiitake in combination with assorted tubers like potato and carrot. With the presence of chicken broth, it turns to become a perfect combination.

Ingredients: 100 gram shiitake (sliced thinly), 100 gram carrot (sliced cubically), 100 gram potato (sliced cubically), 1 stalk of leek (sliced), 500 ml chicken broth, 10 gram Bombay onion (sliced), 100 gram country bean, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp refined sugar.

Spices: 3 cloves garlic (ground), ½ tsp pepper powder, 1 sachet of soup spice Method: · Boil the chicken broth and put all ingredients into the pan. Wait until all ingredients are done. · Add salt, refined sugar, garlic, soup spice and let them boil. Then, put Bombay onion and sliced leek into the batter in the pan. · Take out and serve while it is still hot. (BTN/punia)

9

10

International Destinations Subak Museum

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

http://1.bp.blogspot.com

SUBAK Museum is a museum colleting the Balinese traditional agriculture tools and old documentation to remind all young generation about Subak Organization which has famous in the world. It is located in Sanggulan countryside, Kediri sub district and Tabanan regency precisely 20 Km west part of Denpasar town.

This museum is opened for public and to be one of tourist destinations in Tabanan regency, west part of Bali. It is strategically located in Tabanan town and close with other tourist destinations in this regency.

Tabanan regency is one of the regencies in Bali own the widest rice field, so that frequently this regency is called by the Rice Barn of Bali Island. Sanggulan countryside has been choose as a place of Subak Museum because considering that Subak Rijasa in this regency that in year 1979 have reached the National Champion in Intensification Program that lifting Bali’s name in the national level. Beside of that Tabanan regency owns more Subak Organization if it is compared with other regencies. The development of Subak Museum is inspirited by intention of all Balinese culture lovers. This museum is expected to preserve Subak as a local cultural asset which have meritorious in developing and improving agricultural rice field production, especially rice and traditional irrigation system.

This system is very famous in foreign countries

International Bali Post Classifieds Contact us

because own the similar irrigating system like Fai in Thailand and Zangera in Philippine with the chasm and its specification do not like Subak which is existing in Bali. Subak is wet farm farmer organization to get the water irrigation from the sources.

Subak Museum is consisted of the closed and opened building. The closed building is consisted of the exhibition stand where we can meet the demonstration of the object related to farmer work, visual audio building narrating the Subak activities in its bearing with the water irrigation management, library and office. Open building is the visualization of Subak demonstration in mini form which is consisted of a pool as relocation place of irrigation, a tunnel to flow the water from pool to the water relocation. The objects and farmer equipments are displayed in the exhibition building is the equipments and object are arranged in a such manner from the equipment for the opening of agriculture farm, making the irrigation items, farm processing, crop conservation, harvesting, making rice and kitchen equipments.

In tourism effort, this time can be form as a tourist destination, especially for incoming tourist from the big countries like America , Europe, Japan , etc that this museum as a unique place of interest in Bali. (www.balistarisland.com)

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

11

BUSINESS Trade ban to cause North Korea huge losses: research group Agence France-Presse

SEOUL - South Korea’s ban on most trade with North Korea will cost the impoverished communist state hundreds of millions of dollars a year, according to figures from a Seoul research group.

The state-run Korea Development Institute said in a report seen Tuesday that the North had a 333 million dollar trade surplus with its neighbour last year.

Seoul on Monday banned most cross-border trade after an international investigation found that a North Korean submarine had torpedoed a South Korean warship on March 26, killing 46 sailors.

“The sanctions are expected to bring significant pain to the North Korean government,” institute researcher Lee Seok said in the report.

The South also banned the North’s merchant ships from using its sea lanes, meaning they face bigger fuel bills from taking longer routes.

It excluded a jointly run industrial estate at Kaesong, just north of the border, from the trade ban.

The institute said the North had consistently achieved a surplus in purely commercial trade with the South, excluding aid and government-led economic cooperation projects. The surplus amounted to 333 million dollars in 2009. The communist state’s exports were mainly farm products or seafood.

The North earned another 40 million dollars from workers’ wages at Kaesong last year, which are unaffected at present.

The government-funded Korea Institute for National Unification separately estimated the North’s likely annual trade losses at more than 250 million dollars.

This includes an extra one million dollars in extra fuel costs for ships, it said in a report published by Dong-A Ilbo newspaper.

But analysts cautioned that Seoul’s trade cut-off could push its neighbour further into the arms of China, which is already the North’s main trade partner and energy sup-

plier.

“The North will strengthen its economic cooperation further with China to make up for a loss in trade with the South,” Kim Yong-Hyun of Seoul’s Dongguk University told AFP. “The South’s economic leverage is weakening and actually on the brink of collapse.”

Dong Yong-Seung of Samsung Economic Research Institute in Seoul agreed that the South’s move could deepen the North’s economic dependence on China. But he said it could also create a shortage of hard currency in the North, causing it problems in settling business deals with China.

The trade ban caused jitters among South Koreans trading with the North, including those at Kaesong, where 42,000 North Koreans work at 110 South Koreanfunded plants.

Even though the estate was excluded from the ban, factory owners are suffering from chilled relations.

“That (ban) was like slapping a death penalty on us,” Park YongMan, owner of a garment factory in Kaesong, told Yonhap news agency. “Orders have completely dried up.”

Lee Kwan-ho, an official at Seopyong Energy, which imports smokeless coal from North Korea, said his company could not survive if the deterioration in relations continued.

Choi Yong-gwan, head of an association of South Korean businessmen that supports inter-Korean trade, said Seoul was abandoning the opportunity to open up the reclusive North.

“North Koreans now understand the taste of money,” Choi said. “Abandoning economic cooperation is equal to withdrawing our most effective means of prying the country open.”

AFP PHOTO / Jason Lee / POOL

China’s Premier Wen Jiabao (R) talks with US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner (L) during a meeting at Zhongnanhai in Beijing on May 25, 2010.

Fears grow that banks could send euro crisis global Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON - After months of fragile economic growth, fears are mounting that the global recovery could be derailed by a debt crisis that began in one small corner of Europe.

At first investors voiced only mild concern about events in Athens. News that Greece had fiddled deficit figures did little except increase the country’s cost of borrowing and raise eyebrows at the European Union’s Brussels headquarters.

But as world stock markets were pummeled in recent weeks and the euro fell sharply against the dollar, that concern has given way to scarcely concealed panic.

Respected commentators are beginning to echo the twitterverse’s shrill warnings that a once obscure debt problem could prompt another Great Recession.

If a one-trillion-dollar (750-billion-euro) EU rescue package fails to calm markets, “US GDP growth could be reduced by half to one percent over the next couple of years,” Deutsche Bank analysts warned clients.

“If the rescue program fails altogether, we are looking at a potentially much more negative picture, with the distinct possibility of a double-dip recession.”

Greece, with debt of nearly 300 billion euros (372 billion dollars), agreed this month to spending cuts and higher taxes in exchange for a 110-billion-euro bailout package from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

Still, with another crisis looming,

experts point out that the downturn’s symptoms look eerily similar to the last one, with nods at the financial system, and banks in particular.

Daniel Tarullo, a member of the Federal Reserve’s board, recently suggested a repeat of the 2008 crisis that saw the near collapse of the US financial sector was “not out of the question.”

“One avenue through which financial turmoil in Europe might affect the US economy is by weakening the asset quality and capital positions of US financial institutions,” Tarullo told Congress last week.

Banks, he said, were going through spasms that “brought back memories of developments during the recent global financial crisis.”

Then, faced with doubts about the health of competitors’ balance sheets, banks began closing down credit lines, sparking a domino effect throughout the financial system.

The fear is that banks will again stop trusting each other, according to Uri Dadush, a former director of international trade at the World Bank who is now with the Carnegie Endowment.

“Even though US bank exposure is relatively limited... the banking systems in Europe and the United States are so interconnected, and European banks have a lot of exposure,” he said.

The top ten US banks are estimated to hold around 60 billion dollars in debt from “peripheral” European nations, around a tenth of their principal capital.

Their banking counterparts across the Atlantic, particularly in

France and Germany have much more significant exposure.

The gap between inter-bank borrowing costs in Europe and the United States has exploded in recent months, which analysts say is a sign of growing concern.

“Broader recovery concerns and potentially elevated counterparty credit risk could be the main drivers,” said Geoffrey Yu of UBS. “Either way, investor concerns have expanded from beyond the eurozone into a broader arena.”

As if to underline the concern, stock markets around the world were weighed down Monday by news that the Spanish government was forced to bailout CajaSur, a local savings bank.

Trade may also be hit.

As the euro was pummeled by investors, US and Asian exports have become more costly for Europeans, who many fear will be able to buy less as the recovery slows.

Around a quarter of US manufacturing exports go to Europe. The sector employs an estimated 11.6 million Americans.

Ironically, the single European currency’s fall in value may make Europe more competitive, boost exports and offer the continent an exit from the crisis.

“The euro devaluation can help,” said Dadush, “a 20 percent devaluation of the euro is a big deal, but everyone has to realize that the benefits of the devaluation are going to be spread quite unevenly.”

Regardless, a crisis that began with dodgy accounting now looks a whole lot more serious.

12

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Entertainment

International

Brittany Murphy’s husband is found dead at home THE husband of Brittany Murphy was found dead by his mother-in-law late Sunday at the Los Angeles home he shared with the late actress, the coroner’s office said. Simon Monjack’s death was reported as a possible heart attack and appeared to be from natural causes, Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said. Monjack was 39. “He was discovered by Brittany’s mom as being unresponsive” in the master bedroom of the Hollywood Hills home at about 9:40 p.m. Sunday, Winter said. Sharon Murphy called paramedics, who pronounced him dead.

AP Photo/Peter Kramer, File

In this Feb. 5, 2008 file photo, Simon Monjack, left, and actress Brittany Murphy, attend the Monique Lhuillier 2008 Fall Collection during Fashion Week, in New York. Monjack was found dead at his Los Angeles home late Sunday, May 23, 2010, five months his wife, actress Brittany Murphy died, police said

Police: Slipknot bassist found dead in Iowa hotel PAUL Gray, the bassist for Grammy-winning metal band Slipknot, was found dead Monday in an Iowa hotel room but there was no indication of foul play, police said. A hotel employee found Gray, 38, dead in a room at the TownePlace Suites in Urbandale, a suburb of Des Moines, police said in a statement. An autopsy was planned for Tuesday. “Paul Gray was an awesome person on and off stage. He will be missed by many including myself,” Jacoby Shaddix, lead singer of metal band Papa Roach, said in a statement late Monday. “His spirit will live on through the killer music he wrote.”

Gray had been staying at the hotel for “a couple days,” Urbandale Sgt. Dave Disney said, declining further comment. Gray lived in the nearby suburb of Johnston. Amy Sciarretto, a publicist at Slipknot’s record company, Roadrunner Records, confirmed Gray’s death but declined further comment. Known for its grotesque masks, trashing sound and aggressive, dark lyrics, Slipknot released its self-

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, file

In this Feb. 13, 2005 file photo, Paul Gray from the group Slipknot arrives for the 47th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles

titled debut in 1999, and it sold about 2 million copies. Most of the band’s members grew up in the Des Moines area.

“It’s a devastating loss. Paul was a wonderful human being,” said Andy Hall, music director of Des Moines rock station Lazer 103.3 who said he’d known Gray for 10 years. Hall said Gray was a talented bass player and one of the friendliest, most caring people he knew. “This is a big blow, not only to the community of Des Moines but fans of metal at large, worldwide,” Hall said, noting that his station planned to broadcast an hour-long tribute to Gray on Monday night.

Slipknot emerged in the mid-1990s with an aggressive mix of heavy metal and a vocal style that included growling, rapping and singing. The band has been known for extreme behavior during live performances, including urinating and vomiting on stage, according to biographies. The band won a Grammy in 2006 for best metal performance for the song “Before I Forget,” and concert industry trade publication Pollstar ranked Slipknot 18th in its Top 20 Concert Tours list in 2009.

In 2003, Gray acknowledged that he was on drugs when his red 2001 Porsche collided with another car that year in Des Moines. No one was seriously injured.

Under a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped charges of possession of marijuana, cocaine and syringes. Media reports at the time noted that court records included a handwritten note from Dr. Joe Takamine that described discussions with Gray that were “very frank and open about his sporadic use of various drugs and of the long periods of abstinence in between.” Tom Ramirez, a drummer from Des Moines who became friends with Gray in high school, said he ran into Gray at a concert a few months ago and thought Gray “looked great.” Ramirez remembered Gray as someone who always made time for his fans and old friends in Des Moines.

There were no signs of foul play or physical injury to his body, Winter said. Prescription medications belonging to Monjack were found in his bedroom, but there was no immediate indication that he overdosed, Winter said. An autopsy was planned Tuesday, but a final cause of death would await results of planned toxicology tests, Winter said. Murphy died last Dec. 20 after collapsing in the home. At his wife’s funeral, a visibly emotional Monjack talked about

their relationship and called her his best friend and soul mate. The two married in 2007. He had said they were planning a family and contemplating a move to New York.

Monjack is credited as producer and co-writer of the 2001 film “Two Days, Nine Lives” and executive producer of the 2006’s “Factory Girl.”

Murphy, best known for her major roles in “Clueless,” “Girl Interrupted” and “8 Mile,” died at age 32.

The Los Angeles County coroner’s

office concluded her death was accidental but likely preventable. The coroner’s report said medications found in her system were consistent with treatment of a cold or respiratory infection. Monjack and Murphy’s mother had reported the actress was ill with flulike symptoms in the days before her death.

Investigators found numerous prescription medications in her home, but an autopsy found no evidence that Murphy abused drugs.

Katy Perry Not Marrying Russell Brand In India KATY Perry has dismissed reports she and fiance Russell Brand are to wed in India, insisting pal Rihanna had her facts wrong when she recently revealed all about the big bash. Rihanna recently told Los Angeles DJ Ryan Seacrest she was struggling to come up with ideas for the “I Kissed a Girl” singer’s Indian-themed bachelorette party, and let it slip that the couple was planning to return to the place where they became engaged at the end of 2009 to exchange vows later this year.

But, appearing on the same radio show on Monday, Perry insisted Rihanna was “a little confused.” She said, “I heard a rumor that someone dropped where we were getting married on a little radio program... I haven’t told her where were are getting married. She thinks we were getting married in India.” Perry refused to offer any clues about where she and Brand would be exchanging vows, but revealed it would be a “location” ceremony. She coyly revealed, “I think it’s better to take people out of their comfort zone and mesh the group together.”

Lohan ordered to wear alcohol monitoring bracelet the skin if a person has been drinking and sends the signal to the company that monitors it, court spokesman BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – LindAllan Parachini said. say Lohan left court Monday with a Lohan should be familiar with the heavy new piece of jewelry, but it alcohol detection device. She was wasn’t her favorite kind of bling. seen wearing one when she left the Lohan sported an ugly, alcoholPromises rehab center in Malibu in monitoring ankle bracelet that came 2007. She posed for a promotional with tough restrictions on her probapicture that year wearing a bikini, the tion that could cut into her career ankle bracelet and spike heels. plans. The measures were ordered afLohan’s attorney, Shawn ter Lohan angered Superior Court Chapman Holley, told Judge Revel Judge Marsha Revel by failing to that Lohan was planning to travel show up for a hearing last week in to Texas to film a movie titled “MaBeverly Hills and instead attended chete.” the Cannes Film Festival in Revel suggested the actress France. might have to delay the project and Photos from Cannes showed was unmoved when Holley sugthe actress partying on a yacht into gested Lohan could fulfill the prothe late hours on the day she was bation requirements in Texas. supposed to be in court in Beverly Revel stressed that she was preHills. pared to spend a half-hour reading A bench warrant was issued for Lohan and Holley a list of her reaher arrest then lifted when her lawAP Photo/Jae C. Hong, Pool yer posted bail and Lohan flew Actress Lindsay Lohan, left, talks to her sons for ordering the bracelet, drug back to the United States over the attorney Shawn Chapman Holley during tests and an alcohol-education proweekend. a hearing in Beverly Hills, Calif., Monday, gram. Holley conferred with Lohan then accepted the judge’s decision Lohan’s lawyer said the actress May 24, 2010.

Associated Press Writer

had her passport stolen in Canne and couldn’t travel in time to attend the hearing.

Lohan, wearing a dark gray pants suit, arrived in court a few minutes late and appeared somber and concerned when she conferred with her attorney about the move to attach the bracelet and require drug and alcohol testing every week in the Los Angeles area.

The bracelet gets a signal through

Life Style

International

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

13

Britain bans doctor who linked autism to vaccine Associated Press Writer

LONDON – The doctor whose research linking autism and the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella influenced millions of parents to refuse the shot for their children was banned Monday from practicing medicine in his native Britain. Dr. Andrew Wakefield’s 1998 study was discredited — but vaccination rates have never fully recovered and he continues to enjoy a vocal following, helped in the U.S. by endorsements from celebrities like Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy

AP Photo/Steve Parsons/PA File

In this photo taken on July 17, 2007 file photo, Dr Andrew Wakefield in London. The doctor who sparked an international vaccine scare by claiming autism was linked to a common vaccine has been banned from practising medicine in Britain, the country’s top medical body ruled on Monday. Dr. Andrew Wakefield was the first to publish research suggesting a connection between the measles vaccine and autism. After the vaccine scandal hit, Wakefield moved to the U.S. and set up an autism center in Texas, where he faces similar skepticism from the medical community.« Read less

Wakefield was the first researcher to publish a peer-reviewed study suggesting a connection between autism and the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella. Legions of parents abandoned the vaccine, leading to a resurgence of measles in Western countries where it had been mostly stamped out. There are outbreaks across Europe every year and sporadic outbreaks in the U.S. “That is Andrew Wakefield’s legacy,” said Paul Offit, chief of infectious diseases at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “The hospitalizations and deaths of children from measles who could have easily avoided the disease.”

Wakefield’s discredited theories had a tremendous impact in the U.S., Offit said, adding: “He gave heft to the notion that vaccines in general cause autism.” In Britain, Wakefield’s research led to a huge decline in the number of children receiving the MMR vaccine: from 95 percent in 1995 — enough to prevent measles outbreaks — to 50 percent in parts of London in the early 2000s. Rates have begun to recover, though not enough to prevent outbreaks. In 2006, a 13-yearold boy became the first person to die from measles in Britain in 14 years.

“The false suggestion of a link between autism and the MMR vaccine has done untold damage to the UK vaccination program,” said Terence Stephenson, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. “Overwhelming scientific evidence shows that

No evidence organic foods benefit health: study Reuters -

NEW YORK – Consumers who opt for organic foods often believe they are improving their health, but there is currently no strong evidence that organics bring nutrition-related health benefits, a new research review finds. A “disappointingly small” number of well-designed studies have looked at whether organic foods may have health benefits beyond their conventional counterparts’, according to the review, by researchers with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Health in the UK. Moreover, they found, what studies have been done have largely focused on short-term effects of organic eating — mainly antioxidant activity in the body — rather than longer-term health outcomes. And most of the antioxidant studies failed to find differences between organic and conventional diets.

The review, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, adds to findings reported last year by the same research team. In that study, the researchers combed through 162 articles published in the scientific literature over the last 50 years, and found no evidence that organic and conventional foods differ significantly in their nutrient content. For the current review, the researchers were able to find only 12 published studies that met their criteria for evaluating the health effects of organic foods. “A surprising and important finding of this review is the extremely limited nature of the evidence base on this subject, both in terms of the number and quality of studies,” write Dr. Alan D. Dangour and his colleagues.

Research in the area does appear to be increasing, Dangour’s team notes; 4 of the 12 studies they reviewed were published in 2008 or 2009. But in the future, the researchers add, studies — both in humans and animals — need to be better-designed. Of the 12 studies the researchers identified, 6 were short-term clinical trials that looked at whether specific organic foods changed markers of antioxidant activity in participants’

blood. Those trials showed no strong evidence that organic eating boosted antioxidant activity, but the studies were also very limited in scope: they were small — with the largest including 43 men — and lasted no longer than a few weeks. Out of the other 6 studies, one found an association between organic foods and a lower risk of the allergic skin condition eczema among nearly 2,800 Dutch children age 2 or younger.

In that study, parents were surveyed several times about their children’s diet and any episodes of eczema over the first two years of life. Researchers found that children who consumed strictly organic dairy products showed a lower risk of eczema than those consumed conventional dairy foods. However, the study had several key limitations, including its reliance on parents’ reports of eczema. And the basic design of the study does not allow for any conclusions about whether children’s consumption of organic dairy was the reason for the lower eczema risk. While questions remain as to whether organic foods have any extra nutritional value, people buy organic for a number of other reasons as well.

REUTERS/Mike Blake

Chili peppers are displayed for sale from an organic roadside stand in Ranch Santa Fe, California October 5, 2007

it is safe.” On Monday, Britain’s General Medical Council, which licenses and oversees doctors, found Wakefield guilty of serious professional misconduct and stripped him of the right to practice medicine in the U.K. Wakefield said he plans to appeal the ruling, which takes effect within 28 days. The council was acting on a finding in January that Wakefield and two other doctors showed a “callous disregard” for the children in their study, published in 1998 in the medical journal Lancet. The medical body said Wakefield took blood samples from children at his son’s birthday party, paying them 5 pounds (about $7.20) each and later joked about the incident.

The study has since been widely rejected. From 1998-2004, studies in journals including the Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine, Pediatrics and BMJ published papers showing no link between autism and the measles vaccine. Wakefield moved to the U.S. in 2004 and set up an autism research center in Austin, Texas, where he gained a wide following despite being unlicensed as a doctor there and facing skepticism from the medical community. He quit earlier this year. Offit said he doubted Britain’s decision to strip the 53-year-old Wakefield of his medical license would convince many parents that vaccines are safe. “He’s become almost like a Christ-like figure and it doesn’t matter that science has proven him wrong,” Offit said. “He is a hero for parents who think no one else is listening to them.”

Wakefield told The Associated Press Monday’s decision was a sad day for British medicine. “None of this alters the fact that vaccines can cause autism,” he said. “These parents are not going away; the children are not going to go away and I most certainly am not going away,” he said on NBC’s “Today Show.” Wakefield claimed the U.S. government has been settling cases of vaccine-induced autism since 1991. However, two rulings by a special branch of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in March and last year found no link between vaccines and autism. More than 5,500 claims have been filed by families seeking compensation for children they claim were hurt by the vaccine.

Paleothermometer could tell if dinosaurs warm, cold-blooded Agence France - Presse

WASHINGTON – New technology developed by US researchers should shed light on whether dinosaurs were cold-blooded or warmblooded animals, a study released Monday said. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) researchers unveiled what they said was the first method for direct measurement of the body temperatures of large extinct vertebrates using analyses of isotopes in animals’ bones, teeth, and eggshells. The findings were published in the early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

“This is not quite like going back in time and sticking a thermometer up a creature’s back end,” said researcher John Eiler, a geochemistry professor Caltech. “But it’s close.” To study changes in temperature regulation in extinct animals requires knowing what their body temperatures once were. The team’s method looks at the concentrations of two rare isotopes — carbon-13 and oxygen18. “Heavy isotopes like to bond, or clump together, and this clumping effect is dependent on temperature,” said lead author Robert Eagle, a Caltech postdoctoral scholar. “At very hot temperatures, you get a more

random distribution of these isotopes, less clumping. At low temperatures, you find more clumping.”

After proving their method on living elephants and sharks, the team turned to the extinct. They examined a 12-million-year-old fossil from a relative of the rhinoceros, as well as from a cold-blooded member of the alligator family tree. “We found we could measure the expected body temperature of the rhino-like mammal, and could see a temperature difference between that and the alligator relative, of about six degrees centigrade,” Eagle explained. “When we look at tooth enamel, for instance, what we get is a record of the head temperature of the animal when the tooth grew,” Eiler said. But “if you want to know what his big-toe temperature was two years later, too bad.”

With an accurate paleothermometer working, the researchers want to look further back at body temperatures of less-known vertebrates. “Before mammals and birds,” Eagle said, “we have no good idea what physiology these ancient creatures had.” Now it is the dinosaurs’turn to get a closer temperature look.

“We’re looking at eggshells and teeth to see whether the most conspicuous dinosaur species were warm- or coldblooded,” Eiler explained.

14

Sport

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

International

Magic take Celtics to OT and on to Game 5 Associated Press Writer

BOSTON – Put away the brooms. Hold off on those “Beat L.A!” chants. The Boston Celtics still have some work to do before they can play for their second NBA title in three years. Dwight Howard had 32 points and 16 rebounds, and Jameer Nelson made back-to-back 3-pointers in overtime to lead the Orlando Magic to a 96-92 victory over Boston on Monday night to avoid a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference finals.

Dressing in the same locker room where the Philadelphia Flyers celebrated their comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the Boston Bruins in the NHL’s East semifinals, the Magic avoided elimination and sent the series back to Orlando for Game 5 on Wednesday night. The Bruins also lost Game 4 in overtime. “We know that we were down 3-0, and we didn’t want to go home (for the season),” Howard said. “It starts with me and Jameer. Me and Jameer showed our leadership by playing hard. We’ve got to be the leaders for this team. It’s not about points, but just showing everybody, ‘Hey, follow us and we’ll lead the way.’”

No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. “At some point, somebody is going to come from 3-0 down and win a series. The only thing I knew for sure was it would start by winning Game 4,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “I figured that one out. You have to win Game 4. ... This was a must-win.”

Paul Pierce had 32 points and 11 rebounds, and Kevin Garnett had 14 points and 12 boards for Boston. Ray Allen hit consecutive 3-pointers in overtime, but Pierce missed two tries in the final minute as the Celtics failed to complete the sweep.

“They don’t want to leave. We’re going to have to throw them out,” said Celtics forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis. “It’s just like somebody renting a house.” Nelson finished with 23 points and nine assists for the defending Eastern Conference champions, who led by 10 in the second quarter and were up 85-78 with 2:24 left in regulation before Boston scored eight of the next nine points to force overtime at 86-all. Neither team scored for the first 2:18 of the period before Nelson hit a 3-pointer and then added another 43 seconds later. Allen made a 3-pointer and, after Howard dunked and drew a foul — but missed a free throw — Allen hit another 3 to make it 94-92.

Howard followed up Nelson’s miss with 53 seconds left to make it

96-92, then Garnett sailed a pass over Pierce’s head and into the crowd.

Pierce missed a pair of 3-point attempts in the closing seconds. “There were a couple of plays down the stretch offensively that we botched, plain and simple. We’re kicking ourselves. We had a great opportunity,” Allen said.

“There’s no need to panic. We like the position we’re in. But it’s a lesson: We have to take care of the small things and we’ll get to where we want to be.”

Orlando’s revival came just in time to avoid a Celtics walkover that had fans in the new Boston Garden chanting “Beat L.A!” early in the second half of Saturday night’s 23-point Boston victory. The Lakers lead the Suns 2-1 in the Western Conference finals, with Game 4 on Tuesday night in Phoenix. But there was no more chanting about the Lakers on Monday night.

“I know they (the Celtics players) heard it. They had no choice but to hear it,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “I don’t know if they believed it. We didn’t play well, I know that. I hope that wasn’t the reason.”

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson (14) drives past Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) and forward Glen Davis (11) in overtime of Game 4 in the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Boston, Monday, May 24, 2010. Orlando won 96-92

Federer eases into Tennis star Ivanovic confident of getting over fears French Open 2nd round Agence France - Presse

Agence France - Presse

PARIS – Ana Ivanovic, who had the world at her feet after her sensational 2008 French Open win, admits she cried herself to sleep at night when her career went into an embarrassing tailspin. The 22-yearold Serbian beauty with the girl-next-door looks and the multi-million dollar deals, shot to number one in the world after her Roland Garros triumph.

But then the dream turned sour. Illness and a loss

(AFP/Jacques Demarthon)

Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic returns the ball to Taiwan’s Kai-Chen Chang during their women’s first round match in the French Open tennis championship at the Roland Garros stadium

of form in 2009 saw her ranking slip and she finished outside of the top 20 for the first time since 2004.

Things didn’t look much better in January this year when she left the Australian Open in tears. “It was no fun at all. There were lots of tears and lots of hard times and lots of doubts and fears, everything, but it’s something that you learn. You overcome it and it makes you a better player and person after that,” said Ivanovic, who started her 2010 Roland Garros campaign with a straight sets win over Taiwan’s Chang Kai-Chen.

Ivanovic came into Paris unseeded and ranked at 42 but buoyed by a run to the semi-finals of the Rome claycourt event, beating top tenners Victoria Azarenka and Elena Dementieva on the way. She gives credit to her work with Heinz Gunthardt, who coached Steffi Graf, as part of the reason for her more optimistic frame of mind. “I think I’m a completely different player than I was a couple of years ago. The improvements are immense. And since I started working with Heinz, it’s really been every day I could see improvements.”

“We worked a lot on my serve and also on my groundstrokes to be more free and actually swing through the ball better. It’s just making me feel more comfortable in the court.” Next up for Ivanovic is a second-round clash with Russia’s Alisa Kleybanova, the 28th seed. It will be another test, but the former champion believes a return to the top 10 is just a matter of time. “I really feel I belong at the top and I can get back to the top,” she said. “It’s just the little steps and trusting myself when I’m out there, when I’m hitting the ball, just trusting the movement and the stroke.”

PARIS – Top seed and defending champion Roger Federer began his campaign for a 17th Grand Slam title with a comfortable 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 win over Australia’s Peter Luczak in the French Open first round on Monday.

Federer, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning his first Roland Garros crown here in 2009, will face Colombia’s Alejandro Falla for a place in the last 32.

The Swiss star was barely troubled by the 71st-ranked Luczak, who has never won a match at the French Open in four attempts. But the normally unflappable star mo-

mentarily lost his cool when he squandered a first set point in the opener and disputed a call with umpire Emmanuel Joseph. The minor disagreement didn’t shake the champion, who wrapped up the first set on his next opportunity before taking a two-set lead with breaks in the fourth and sixth games of the second set.

Federer carved out two more breaks in the fifth and seventh games of the third set as his 30-year-old Australian opponent ran out of steam and ideas. The match was his after 1hr 48min courtesy of a razor-sharp backhand.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer serves to Australia’s Peter Luczak during their men’s first round match in the French Open tennis championship at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris.

(AFP/Patrick Kovarik)

Sport

International

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

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England beats Mexico 3-1 in World Cup warmup Associated Press Writer

WEMBLEY, England – England’s players left coach Fabio Capello frustrated at their lack of aggression in an unconvincing 3-1 victory over Mexico on Monday. While defenders Ledley King and Glen Johnson scored and Peter Crouch had a contentious goal, problems on defense made it an uncomfortable night for England at Wembley Stadium. England, which opens its World Cup campaign against the United States on June 12, relied on goalkeeper Robert Green and a tactical change at halftime to beat its fellow World Cup qualifier.

“The manager wanted more aggression from the whole team,” England midfielder Steven Gerrard said. “They had too much possession in the first half, we stood off them and let them play. In the second half we got in their faces and stopped them playing. We need to be more aggressive.” Returning after a three-year international absence, King headed in England’s opener in the 17th minute after Crouch’s setup across the net.

And Crouch, King’s Tottenham teammate, managed to score a second — with the help of his arm — in the 34th from a rebound after

goalkeeper Oscar Perez touched Wayne Rooney’s header onto the crossbar.

England, though, was being outplayed, with Green twice denying Mexico’s Arsenal forward Carlos Vela, while Carlos Salcido hit the goal post. Guillermo Franco claimed a goal for the visitors seconds before halftime when left back Leighton Baines cleared Rafael Marquez’s header at the far post straight to the forward, who scored from close range. “Mexico are technically very good — they are faster than us and it was not easy getting the ball back,” Capello said. “Not

all the teams we play against will be like this, but it is very important to press the ball and win it back quickly.”

Capello made several changes at halftime with Green, captain Rio Ferdinand, who partnered King in central defense, and Crouch replaced by Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and Tottenham forward Jermain Defoe.

James Milner, who had been ineffective in central midfield with Michael Carrick, was shifted out to the left, with Gerrard moving into the middle. “We need to be able to

AFP PHOTO/Paul Ellis

The England football team pose for a group photo before their international friendly football match against Mexico at Wembley Stadium in London on May 24, 2010 adapt to different formations during a game and also for different opposition,” Gerrard said. And two minutes into the second half,

Johnson restored England’s twogoal cushion with a curling shot from 20 yards and the home side looked more comfortable.

Mourinho’s time at Inter is over, says Moratti Agence France - Presse

ROME – Jose Mourinho’s time as Inter Milan coach is over said the Champions League winners’ president Massimo Moratti after having dined with him on Monday according ton the Ansa news agency. Moratti said that the 47-year-old Portuguese’s attitude had been one that had already made his mind up to leave and take over at Spanish giants Real Madrid, who despite spending hundreds of millions on star players last summer ended up without a trophy.

Mourinho is seen as the obvious coach to turn to to deliver silverware having become the youngest coach to win the Champions League twice - he also won it with Porto in 2004 - and guiding Inter to an unprecedented treble for an Italian club of the Champions League, the league title and the Italian Cup. “I believe yes,” said Moratti responding to a question as to

whether he thought Mourinho’s work was finished at Inter. “His attitude was that of somebody who believes he is going to Real Madrid,” added Moratti, who said it had been an interesting discussion.

Mourinho’s agent held talks with Real Madrid bosses in the Spanish capital on Monday over the Portuguese coach’s possible move to the club from Inter Milan. The agent, Jorge Mendes, who also represents Real’s Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo, held talks for about 90 minutes with the club’s director general Jorge Valdano and sporting director Miguel Pardeza. Spanish sports dailies AS and Marca, reported on Sunday that Mourinho will sign a fouryear deal with Real Madrid worth 10 million euros (12.5 million dollars) a year.

Inter Milan’s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on May 22.

(AFP/File/Christophe Simon)

The stumbling block to the deal remains the talks with Inter Milan, who are demanding 16 million euros to let him leave the Italian side, they said. His current contract with Inter Milan was due to expire in 2012 but has on several occasions expressed his dislike for Italian football. Mourinho told Portuguese television station TVI on Sunday that the deal is almost a certainty but he wants to meet with Real officials first to get a clear understanding of what his role at the club would be.

“Things are practically ironed out. I want to meet the people, feel the pulse, know exactly what they want from me and the conditions, not the structures, because these I already know, to avoid any doubts when I begin my work,” he said.

Mourinho, who won the Premier League with Chelsea after leaving Porto, also had a warning for Real’s squad - which is loaded with stars such as Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain, in addition to Ronaldo. “The stars now are

Inter, they are the European champions. My message to the players of Real, if I come to coach them, is that they are not stars, the star is not the coach, the star is the team,” he said. “If they all accept this like when I was at Porto, Chelsea or Inter, the victories will come.” Mourinho, who has not lost a home match for the past seven seasons, follows Ernst Happel and Ottmar Hitzfeld as a member of the select band of coaches to have won the Champions League with two different clubs.

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

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

Sport

Kubica warns against overoptimism

Robert Kubica has warned his Renault team not to be overoptimistic despite his strong showing in the Monaco Grand Prix.

Kubica qualified on the first row in Monte Carlo and went on to finish in third place behind the two Red Bulls, thus claiming his second podium in six races. However, the Renault driver is not getting carried away, and he is aware that it will be hard to repeat the performance this weekend in Turkey.

Robert Kubica has warned his Renault team not to be overoptimistic despite his strong showing in the Monaco Grand Prix. Kubica qualified on the first row in Monte Carlo and went on to finish in third place behind the two Red Bulls, thus claiming his second podium in six races

Yamaha willing to retain Rossi, Lorenzo YAMAHA’S racing chief Lin Jarvis says the Japanese squad would like to retain its rider lineup unchanged in the 2011 season.

Valentino Rossi’s contract comes to an end this year, but Jarvis is willing to retain the Italian and teammate Jorge Lorenzo, and he reckons Yamaha is still a very attractive team. “That’s our program,” Jarvis was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. “They cost too much together? I don’t think it’s just a matter of money. We can give them an adequate retainer for their value, plus a very interesting technical situation and bike.”

He added: “I don’t like market talk so early in the season. However, we must accept it, so we are doing our talks and we hope to be able to define the 2011 team by mid season, let’s say by Laguna Seca, in order to be able to focus on results during the second half of the season.” He said, however, that his company is not ready to enter a financial fight with Ducati for Lorenzo, the Spaniard having received offers from the Italian manufacturer in the past.

“We certainly have no interest in fighting over the retainer. Fiat are very happy and they would like to go on with the same people. In any case, we’ll sort out the riders first.”

HRC vice-president Shuei Nakamoto added that Honda is also interested in having Rossi or Casey Stoner in its line-up. “We haven’t drawn a program for next year yet. Maybe we’ll do it in July. But the four best riders

have their contracts expiring so it’s normal we are interested in all of them, Valentino too.

“Because Honda is not content with podiums, we want to win.

We’ve asked [Casey’s father and manager] Colin Stoner if they would like to come with us. However, we absolutely didn’t get into the details - like number of years or retainer - at all.”

AFP PHOTO / JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER

Fiat Yamaha’s riders Spanish Jorge Lorenzo (R) and Italian Valentino Rossi ride during the GP race of the French Grand Prix on May 23, 2010, at Le Mans’ circuit, western France.

“The race in Monaco was our strongest performance so far this season, but it’s important that this result doesn’t make us overoptimistic because I think it will be difficult to repeat that pace this weekend,” said Kubica. “However, I still think we can be competitive in Turkey because the circuit characteristics are similar to Barcelona where we had good performance from the car. I’m also hoping that the new updates we have for this race will help us close the gap and qualify a little bit higher up than we did in Barcelona.”

The Pole admitted he has been surprised by the amount of points scored so far, despite a promising winter of testing. “We had some idea during winter testing of what the car was capable of, we understood its strengths and we worked on maximising them,” he added.

“But I’m still a bit surprised to have scored so many points, which shows what a good job we are doing as a team. We have taken the opportunities that have come our way, especially in unusual races like Australia or the wet qualifying session in

Malaysia.

“We’ve also taken our opportunities when the car has been strong, as we did in Monaco. So I think we can be very pleased with what we have achieved and proud of all the hard work at the factory to bring new parts for the car every weekend. But we know there is still a long way to go this season and we need to continue pushing hard and improving the car.”

Team boss Eric Boullier said he is not making predictions for this weekend’s race given the different nature of the circuit when compared with Monaco.

“I never like to make predictions, but we have to remember that Istanbul Park is a circuit with completely different characteristics to Monaco. We know that the car works well on tight, twisty circuits, but, as we saw in Barcelona, we still need to find some performance on circuits with a more classic layout. We will have some more developments in time for this weekend and they should place us somewhere between our Barcelona and Monaco pace, which will give us a good opportunity to fight well inside the points.”