Edisi 30 Juni 2010 | International Bali Post

16 Pages Number 122 2st Year

China struggles to save 107 buried in landslide

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

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Hotel and restaurant debt 7.3 billion

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Famous octopus predicts Argentina W.Cup exit Agence France Presse

Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock ‘completes divorce’

OBERHAUSEN, Germany – An octopus in Germany who has shot to fame for correctly predicting the result of all of the country’s World Cup matches so far on Tuesday forecast a win over Argentina in the quarter-finals.

Two plastic boxes containing tasty morsels, one with a Germany flag and one with an Argentina flag, were lowered into the tank that houses Paul the octopus at his home in Sea Life in Oberhausen, western Germany.

Continued on page 6

AFP/Patrik Stollarz

An octopus named Paul sits on a box with decorated with a German flag at the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, western Germany.

PAGE 12

Saudi acquitted of terrorism charges in Indonesia Associated Press Writer

JAKARTA, Indonesia – A retired Saudi Arabian teacher was acquitted Monday of charges he helped finance last year’s attacks on two luxury hotels in the capital that left seven dead and wounded more than 50.

A panel of judges at the South Jakarta District Court, however, sentenced Al Khelaiw Ali Abdullah to 18 months in prison for violating immigration laws. They said the 55-year-old, who had been running an Internet cafe east of Jakarta, entered the country several times since 2008 and ran business without a proper visa.

The July 17, 2009, attacks on the J.W. Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels in the world’s most populous Muslim nation ended a four-year lull in suicide bombings blamed on the al Qaida-linked regional network, Jemaah Islamiyah and its affiliates. Together, more than 260 people have died, many of them foreign tourists.

Abdullah was accused of lending money to Syaefudin Zuhri, one of the al-

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leged masterminds of last year’s hotel attacks, after meeting him and a man who later turned out to be one of the suicide bombers at the airport in Jakarta. Zuhri, who was killed by anti-terror police during a raid in October, helped the Saudi by sponsoring his six-month visa.

“From evidence presented at the trial, the panel concluded the defendant knew nothing about Zuhri’s background,” said presiding judge Ida Bagus Dwiyantara. “Therefore he was proven not guilty of the main charges (terrorism).” The same court earlier sentenced five militants to up to eight years in jail in connection with the bombings.

Retired Saudi Arabian teacher Al Khelaiw Ali Abdullah is escorted by plain-clothed police officers to a court room before his trial in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday, June 28, 2010. An Indonesian court says the retired Saudi Arabian teacher did not finance last year’s attacks on two luxury hotels.

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International

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Bali News Justiciary team of Bali taxi transport encounters numerous violations Driver does not use personal identity Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Justiciary team of Bali Taxi transport found that some companies did not meet the requirements according to Ministerial Decree of Transportation No. KM.35/2003. One of the most striking things was the discovery of drivers who did not complete themselves with identity on the dashboard of the vehicle driven. It was told by Spokesperson of Bali Provincial Government Putu Suardhika after making coordination with the Head of Bali Transportation Services, Made Santa, last Monday (Jun 28).

According to Putu Suardhika, the usage of driver’s identification was obligatory according to Ministerial Decree No. KM.35/2003. In addition to violations on the issue of driver’s identity, the team also found other violations, among others, on the use of corporate logo and company name that mostly were not in accordance with the applicable regulations, could not find a yellow hazard light placed on the right side of the taxi sign, and the existence of taxi companies that did not use taximeter.

As a follow-up of the coaching, it would be taken five measures. Firstly, Bali Transportation, Informatics and Communication Services formally sent a letter to the taxi transportation company based on violations encoun-

tered by justiciary team. Secondly, the logo of taxi company that had not been registered at the Regional Office of the Legal and Human Rights to immediately complete the requirements determined. Thirdly, the taxi operators should provide intensive training to vehicle’s owners becoming the members of the taxi company owned.

Fourthly, the taxi operators in Bali Province should refer to the Ministerial Decree of Transportation No. KM 35/2003 concerning with the implementation of Human Transportation on Public Road, and fifthly, this guidance was given the opportunity to make improvement pursuant to the findings of justiciary team for two (two) weeks and then the team would review the findings referred either to operator or to field.

On the other hand, it was said there were four statutory provisions made as reference by the team to take action on legal products managing the taxi transportation. The four provisions comprised the Act No.14/1992 regarding to Traffic and Road Transportation, Governmental Regulation (PP) No. 41/ 1993 concerning with Road Transportation, Ministerial Decree of Transportation on the Implementation Human Transportation on the Road by Public Transport, as well as the Act No.15/ 2001 about Trade Mark.

Justiciary team had guided six existing taxi operators in Bali on June 16, 18, 23, and June 24, 2010. The six operators guided were PT. Praja Bali Transportasi, Komotra Bali, KOWINU, Jimbaran Taxi Cooperative,

Drainage arrangement in Denpasar not optimal Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Stagnant water at some points of Denpasar highway when showered by rain indicates the drainage arrangement has not been optimal in the city.

As a proof, there is few protocol roads in Denpasar remain vulnerable to stagnant water when it rains. Although it does not last long, but this condition must be anticipated by relevant agencies.

A member of Commission B, Denpasar House, I Ketut Sugiata, met in his office, last Monday (Jun 28), said that drainage arrangement should be continued because until at the moment his party stayed to find out some drawbacks in the arrangement of drainage of Denpasar. More than that, the flushing was also very important to be carried out with the purpose to overcome the threat of flooding in Denpasar.

Meanwhile, the Head of Denpasar Public Works, I Ketut Winarta, did not dismiss the existence of a number of areas inundated by water when it rained. However, his party assessed the handling of floods should be done by several related agencies because

the complex cause of flooding.

Winarta also recognized a number of flood prevention programs had been conducted. In fact, in this year 2010, his party also programmed a flushing action of drainage. This year, his party had programmed at least 77.58 km long of flushing program. “Nearly 45 percent of the program had been realized. Now, let’s be back to the original problem, no matter how strong the attempt to do, if not accompanied by public awareness not to throw garbage into the gutter, the result would not be maximal,” Winarta said.

According to him, there were some flood prevention programs that had been and would be held in Denpasar.

In addition to gutter flushing, there was also the clean river program and the making a biopore aperture. Moreover, the program was followed by the making of canal shortcut at few places functioning to channel the rain water into the rivers.

Aside from the flushing and the making of biopore aperture, there were some physical programs, both financed through Regional Budget 2010 and cooperation with the Bali Public

Works. Some other programs were the making of the canal shortcut, gutter and the change in function of the dam into controllable dam. Especially for the handling of floods in Panjer and Renon, the dredging of irrigation canal would be allocated through the regional budget amendment. Similarly, a canal shortcut would be built from the Teba River to Badung River by Bali Public Works. “In addition, the matter of inundation at Jurang Asri, Jalan Dewata and Jalan Tukad Batanghari will be handled by the making of a canal shortcut as priority. Meanwhile, for the flushing program, it is now being focused by Bali Public Works on the area around the Renon Civic Center,” said Winarta.

In relation to the arrangement of drainage in Denpasar, Winarta recognized to have many agendas. However, classical problem remaining to haunt the program was the funding.

“As a matter of fact, we have already had many programs, but due to nonexistence of funds the program implementation could not be realized,” said Winarta. (kmb12)

Wahana Darma Cooperative, and the Ngurah Rai Taxi Cooperative. In every coaching, the team was always invited the representatives of PJWB. “We focus the guidance on the requirements of taxi transportation according to Ministerial Decree No. KM.35/2003 article 29 paragraph (3) c,” said Putu Suardhika.

As stipulated in Article 29 paragraph (3) c of Ministerial Decree Number KM.35/2003 nine items should be adhered to the operators and taxi drivers.

Firstly, the word “Taxi” should be placed above the roof outside of the vehicle and had to be lit in white or yellow color when in the state of empty and went out when taximeter was turned on. Secondly, it should be equipped with air conditioner. Thirdly, company logo and name were placed on the front door right in the center, where the company logo on the upper

row and the name of company under it.

Fourthly, yellow hazard light should be placed on the right side of the taxi sign. Fifthly, the driver’s identity card should be placed on the dashboard of vehicle and issued by each taxi company. Sixthly, the radio communication served as a means of communication between the driver with the operation control center and/or vice versa.

Seventhly, information on the initial cost, mileage, time and additional costs should be placed on the inner side of the rear door.

Eighthly, serial number of vehicles of every transportation company should be placed at the front, rear, right and left side as well as inner side of the vehicle. Ninthly, taximeter should be sealed by authorized agency and able to function properly and be re-calibrated pursuant to appropriate laws and prevailing regulations. (015)

Tackling Drugs Distributions

Indonesia National Drugs Agency Joined Korea Supreme Prosecutors Office Denpasar (Bali Post) –

Illegal drugs distribution has become a concern to the world as it has gone everywhere. Therefore actions to tackle it should be done especially in Indonesia. One of them was carried out by the Indonesia Republic National Drugs Agency (BNN) with Korea Republic Supreme Prosecutors Office (SPO).

With the theme ‘SPO-BNN Join Workshop On Anti Drug Cooperation Project’, the two countries (Indonesia and Korea) worked together in tackling it due to the never solved drugs problems. Not only in Asia but also around the globe, as lots of countries is still being discreet in handling it.

As a matter of fact, not much can be done yet. But it’s a concern as many made effort to sneak in drugs especially at ASEAN countries, one of them being Indonesia. ASEAN did not only become a place to transit, yet it became a strategic marketplace.

Ironically irresponsible people

used the location as drugs factories.

And so, an effective cooperation from each country is needed to tackle this distribution. “We are going to swap knowledge and technologies also trainings in order to tackle it,” Head of BNN Drs. Gories Mere stated at Nusa Dua on Monday (28/6).

It was explained, the workshop given was one of implementations to tackle the problem. Before, SPO Korea did cooperation with Laos, Cambodia, Filipina and Vietnam. In the workshop it will talk about drug control system by Korea and also an introduction to digital forensic equipment used to reveal drug cases.

On 25th June, ‘Launching Ceremony of SPO Korea’ was done in BNN’s building at Jakarta which is also an inauguration for SPO Korea representative office at BNN. This motion has been a support from the Korea Republic in tackling illegal drugs distribution through ASEAN countries. (kmb21)

z Founder : K.Nadha, z General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti z Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, 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. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Bali News

International

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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

No License Given

Hotel Investor Keeps Building Gianyar (Bali Post) –

A bad habit is still kept by those who are investing in Gianyar region. Moreover the investment was done in a green zone where there should be no buildings and yet, knowing it is violating, the Purnama Hotel Beach investors in the Purnama Beach area, Sukawati, Gianyar, still continue their construction activity.

IBP/doc

On Monday (28/6), Police Civil Service (Satpol PP) has to stop it as the hotel does not have a construction permit. Even it seems slow, yet Head of Gianyar Satpol PP, AA Oka Digjaya, gave warning to the contractors from PT. Hidaka Puri Utama and CV. Pondok Antik to stop the construction if they can’t show the permit.

From information collected, it was said that the beach hotel construction been happening for several months which there were 12 villas to be built and several facilities seemed almost completed. But because there is no

administration proves of the construction therefore a first warning letter was given to the investors representatives to halt the construction until they can show a construction permit from the Gianyar region government.

This was then accepted by the investors and Oka Digjaya confirmed the construction will be always under surveillance. Thus to stop it, the number of police who were less than the number of the construction workers, confiscated some equipments such as wheel barrows, spades, hoes, water pumps, grinder and more. (kmb16)

Yet Again, KMP Dharma Ferry I Dragged by Bali Strait Current Negara, DenPost

Lately, the weather has been disturbing the Gilimanuk-Ketapang route at Bali Strait. Previously, the passenger motor ship (KMP) Dharma Ferry I which suppose to land at Ketapang around 7 pm on Thursday (24/6) was drifted 100 meters to the south of the landing craft machine (LCM) pier. On Monday (28/6) the Dharma Ferry I that left at 7 am was dragged by the Bali Strait current again.

Head of Gilimanuk Harbormaster, Dewa Nyoman Kari, confirmed the incident happened. It was said the ship left Ketapang at 7 am and arrived 10.15 am at Gilimanuk. It’s also said that the ship was dragged to the south by the current yet landed safely at Gilimanuk. “Thankfully the ship can land safely and so the passengers are all safe. We still ask ship captains to be careful and aware also coordinate with us and pay attention to the weather forecasts,” Kari hoped.

The drifting happened also because of the crossing position taken by the captain was not quite accurate and also did not take account of the sea current. Before, the PT Dharma Lautan ship was also dragged. While landing on the pier, the ship was hit by a huge wave which then drifted the ship. Almost one hour the ship captain tried to fight the sea current and the strong wind.

Then the KMP Dharma Lautan 1 succeeded its sailing to the pier.

Since this previous incident, it was then instructed to all captains to be more aware. “We warned the ship captains to be careful in this bad weather,” Kari stated.

Meanwhile according to a KMP Dharma Ferry I passenger it was worrying. Even one expedition car that was crossing got halted because of the incident. “I am thankful even it was late but we landed safely, we just prayed in the middle of the ocean,” Wati, a private company worker from Jember, said.

So to increase the services at Gilimanuk harbor there’s an additional ship unit. There are more passengers wanting to cross as this condition happened. The new ship is KMP Potre Koneng owned by the same company. According to Dewa Kari, the added ship made the total of 27 ships used for crossing which are 17 KMP and 10 Landing Craft Tank (LCT) or goods ships. But for the KMP that just came two days ago is not operating maximum as it’s still being trialed. Besides the additions, there are four ships taken to dock at Surabaya which are KMP Gilimanuk I (Japanese made year 1964), LCT Trisna Dwitya (Singaporean made year 1975), LCT Baita Caturtya (Samarinda made year 1983) and LCT Putri Sri Tanjung 1 (red coloured – Samarinda made year 2004). “The four ships are docking for a month. Because there are less LCT so the goods vehicles has to queue,” Kari explained. (021)

The officer is cleaning the garbage. Garbage become great problem in bid cities in Bali and the government is trying to reduce the number of garbage by creating small waste management factories.

”Bulan Pejeng”, unique culture in Bali “Bulan Pejeng” in fact is a large bronze drum (nekara) of prehistoric from Bronze Age that were developed around 2000 years ago or in the beginning of century. This cultural heritage is one of the sacred article, kept in Penataran Sasih Temple in Pejeng Village, Gianyar and is located in the main street of TampaksiringKintamani so no difficulty to visit it.

According to popular folktale in society, “Bulan Pejeng” is the “moon” which fell down in Pejeng Village long time ago, making the village was always bright on day and night so the thieves could not do their jobs. Therefore, the “moon” was urinated so did not shine anymore until these days.

The name of Penataran Sasih Temple means “the place of the moon” Temple (moon=sasih) and might relate to the story of the “moon” fell from the sky

previously. Another story told of this Pejeng nekara as the ear-plug of Kebo Iwa, a powerful legendary figure who was able to carve Goa Gajah, steep bank temple of Gunung Kawi, etc.

The Pejeng nekara has been introduced internationally by G.E. Rumphius, an expert in Biology through his book Amboinsche Rariteitkamer, published in 1705.

Although he never been to Bali, but he had succeeded for using the information from Hendrik Leydekereker ’s. In fact, this nekara is a giant nekara with large size in every detail as in height of 186.5 m and a diameter of 1.60 m for its hit zone. Around the archeological experts, this nekara is also called as nekara with head, because it has four pairs of mask decoration with bulged-out eyes,

long-coned nose, and the ears wearing earrings made from coins.

The decoration of the mask is not only functioned as esthetic-decorative, but more for magical symbolism for the ancestors’ symbol of magic power which bring prosperity and protect the family or the society from any danger. Another decoration which has the magical symbolism is the decoration of octagonal star on the hit zone, border design, feather, and so on.

“Bulan Pejeng” is a masterpiece work of technology and metallurgy that reached its peak on Bronze Age. This cultural heritage is a significant mixture between modern and complicated metal technology and art creativity which full magical symbolism values as can be seen from its shape and patterns.

Aston Bali Resort Employees Complain to Council Mangupura (Bali Post) -

Dozens of employees of Aston Bali Resort & Spa, Tanjung Benoa, invaded the Badung DPRD office, Sempidi, Monday (28 / 6) yesterday.

The employee asked the representatives of the people to fight for the continuation of Badung fate of their jobs, following the bankruptcy status of PT Dewata Royal International (DRI), which was previously managing Aston Bali Resort and Spa. They are present among the employees, Officers F. SP Par. Unit Aston Bali Resort and Spa, the SP. Unit Bali Aston Bali Resort & Spa, PC FSP Par .- SPSI Badung, Bali SP and administrators. The employees and unions is received Chairman of the Badung DPRD I Made Sumer along with several other members of the Board of Badung and the Department of Social Welfare and Labor (Disosnaker) Badung.

One representative of SP Par. Unit Aston Bali Resort & Spa said, the employees basically rejected the layoffs of approximately 360 em-

ployees who worked at a local hotel and asked employees to keep working as usual. It is based on the condition of Aston Bali Resort and Spa which has been assessed in a healthy state. Hotel, during the managed PT DRI say never lose and do not deserve to be declared bankrupt. Company is not loss and currently still operating. Even the hotel occupancy rate reached more than 90 percent, he said.

In line with this, the representative of the Chairman of the DPD FSP Bali I Wayan Wenen revealed, until this second upheaval at the Aston still be muted. Therefore, bankruptcy PT DRI considered very strange and limited conflict PT officials concerned. We are a professional. We are not involved in this.

Now many employees are already restless with his fate. Our desire whoever owners we will continue to work very well, he said.

He reveals, the purpose of the employees requested that the Board can fight for the protection of employees still work without fiddled

with. Moreover, new management, employees can only work with the promise of work and the placement of zero is calculated for employees in positions which will be repeated.

In the meantime, Sumer states, Aston Bali Resort & Spa now under PT Karya Engineering Hotelindo (KTH) as the winner of the tender.

PT KTH own party, said Sumer, claims will continue the management agreement with Aston, replacing the DRI. PT KTH is also willing to rehire employees who are not in the bundle work with DRI, by giving the same rights, unless the period is calculated zero and placement in the position will be re-calculated.

Against the demands of the employees who requested to be hired without fiddle with appropriate initial conditions, Sumer request s Disosnaker Badung to facilitate the return and making approaches to all parties to talk about it again. We will also do so given tolerance approach to employees can work as normal as the expectations of the workers, he said. (DED)

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News

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

International

N.Korean leader’s son working as lawmaker: reports AFP

SEOUL (AFP) – The youngest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il was secretly elected to parliament last year in preparation for his eventual succession, news reports said Tuesday.

The name of Kim Jong-Un, 27, was absent from an official list of 687 Supreme People’s Assembly deputies elected on March 8, 2009.

But Dong-A Ilbo newspaper, citing a Western source informed in North Korean affairs, said JongUn was elected under the pseudonym of Kim Jong.

He ran for constituency number 216 to mark the February 16 birthday of Kim Jong-Il, it said.

Chosun Ilbo newspaper, also citing a Western source, said JongUn’s name was not on the published list because the North wanted to cover up his election.

The source said the communist state began building up a personality cult around Jong-Un after the election by teaching a song entitled “Footsteps” at primary schools.

A spokesman for South Korea’s main spy agency, the National Intelligence Service, played down the reports. There “seemed to be a low possibility” that Jong-Un had became a member of the rubberstamp parliament, he told AFP. But Yang Moo-Jin of Seoul’s

University of North Korean Studies said there was a “50-50” chance that Jung-Un had been secretly elected.

If the media reports were correct, “Pyongyang may have wanted Jong-Un’s election to be kept secret because of the political sensitivity of the power succession”, Yang told AFP. There have been widespread reports that Jong-Un is being groomed as eventual successor to his 68-year-old father, who suffered a stroke in August 2008.

Official media announced Saturday that the ruling party would convene a rare meeting of key delegates in September to elect new leaders. It will be only the third such meeting since the nation was founded in 1948. Analysts said it would probably designate Jong-Un as political heir.

Kim Jong-Il took over from his father, founding president Kim IlSung who died in 1994, in the communist world’s only dynastic succession.

But some analysts have questioned how much power the Swisseducated Jong-Un will wield given his age and inexperience.

Yonhap news agency, also citing a Western source, said Kim’s own power had weakened since his stroke and a hardline group was becoming more influential.

AFP/KCNA via KNS/File

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il (C) is seen with other leaders at the 12th Supreme People’s Assembly.

AFP/File

Kevin Rudd

Australia leadership coup ‘not done lightly’: MP AFP

SYDNEY (AFP) – A factional leader behind Australia’s dramatic leadership coup insisted the sudden takeover was “not done lightly” and denied ex-prime minister Kevin Rudd was dumped over his poor approval ratings.

Labor MP Bill Shorten, ending the powerbroker’s silence on last week’s party mutiny, also conceded the lightning events may have caused shock amongst the public.

Shorten was among a small group of Labor bosses who urged Julia Gillard to challenge Rudd in a parliamentary party vote, replacing the once popular leader with Australia’s first woman prime minister in a matter of hours.

“I suspect for every one of those

Caucus members, it was the single hardest decision we have ever made in politics. It wasn’t done lightly,” Shorten told the ABC’s Q and A programme late on Monday.

“I concede it was done quickly and I can understand a fair amount of shock, but it wasn’t done on the basis of an opinion poll.”

The former union boss said party leaders decided to act because Rudd’s government had lost its way with elections looming, and not on

the basis of his worrying slump in opinion polls.

“You couldn’t go anywhere without people, good people, people in your own electorate, saying to you ‘something’s gone really wrong with what the government’s doing’,” he said.

“That’s why we did it.”

Gillard, facing elections within months, has quickly set about reversing some of Rudd’s policies, notably by renewing talks with the powerful mining industry over a controversial new tax.

She has also rejected Rudd’s vision of a “Big Australia”, which embraced a forecast population boom of about 60 percent by 2050 and had prompted concerns over housing, congestion and the availability of water.

Petraeus faces questions from war-weary lawmakers AP

WASHINGTON – Gen. David Petraeus is on a mission to convince a war-weary Congress that he’s the man to turn around the war in Afghanistan and mend the military’s tattered relations with civilian leaders.

Lawmakers say he’s a shoo-in to replace Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was fired last week by President Barack Obama after he and his aides were quoted in a Rolling Stone magazine article disparaging the administration. Petraeus, who goes to Capitol Hill on Tuesday for a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will probably be confirmed as early as this week.

Petraeus is expected to continue McChrystal’s strategy in Afghani-

stan in large part because it is based on Petraeus’ own ideas about beating an insurgency. That plan calls for increasing troops to bolster security, while limiting the use of firepower in order to win the support of the local population.

While congressional leaders will praise Petraeus for his work in Iraq and his acumen for fighting a complex counterinsurgency, they also will want to know how soon it will be before there’s good news on the war.

“On the Democratic side, there is solid support. But there’s also the beginnings of fraying of that support” for the war, said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Armed Services Committee.

Petraeus is seen as someone who could convince lawmakers the war

is worth fighting and who could salvage relations between uniformed personnel fighting the war and their civilian counterparts.

“This is a chance to start over completely,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who is influential on military issues.

Graham said he would be “very concerned if nothing changes on the civilian side” because the civilianmilitary relationship has grown “dysfunctional.”

Lawmakers will also question Petraeus about whether he will be as strict as McChrystal was about the military’s rules of engagement. Some troops have charged that the restrictions on firepower have hurt their effectiveness and put them at risk.

AP

Gen. Davis Petraeus

12

Entertainment

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 1977 file photo, NBC News correspondent Edwin Newman, third left is surrounded by the rock group KISS, from second left, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley and their manager, Bill Aucoin, left, in New York.

AP Photo, file

Aucoin, manager who discovered Kiss, dies at 66 Associated Press Writer

Bill Aucoin, who discovered the rock group Kiss and helped build them into a musical and merchandising juggernaut, died Monday in Florida. He was 66. Aucoin died at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center in Aventura of surgical complications from prostate cancer, said Carol Kaye, a family spokeswoman.

A former television cinematographer, Aucoin discovered Kiss in New York City in 1973 and helped launch the makeup-wearing, firebreathing quartet into a moneymaking machine.

He financed the band’s first tour on his personal American Express credit card when money was tight, but he was well rewarded when the band’s popularity exploded in 1975 with the hit “Rock And Roll All Nite.”

“He was the fifth Kiss,” said drummer Peter Criss, who had Aucoin serve as the best man at his second wedding. “If it wasn’t for Bill, there would be no Kiss.”

Aucoin first saw the band at a

showcase gig at New York’s Diplomat Hotel, then brought it upstairs to meet with record company executive Neil Bogart, who signed it as the first act on his Casablanca Records label.

Criss said Aucoin had an eye for what was visually striking and recognized the vast merchandising potential of rock bands in a way that few others could. With Aucoin’s help, Kiss became as famous for the vast array of products bearing their likeness — including belt buckles, Halloween costumes and makeup kits, action figurines, vitamins and even a Kiss pinball machine — as they were for their music.

By 1978, they were voted the No. 1 band in America in a Gallup poll. “He was a genius,” Criss said.

“Anything you could do, he could do bigger.”

After parting with Kiss in the early 1980s, Aucoin managed Billy Squier and Billy Idol. He is survived by his longtime partner, Roman Fernandez, and two sisters, Betty Britton and Janet Bankowski.

Actor Chris Klein charged with DUI in LA Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File

FILE - This June 17, 2008 file photo, actor Chris Klein at the 2008 Crystal and Lucy Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif.

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles prosecutors say they have charged “American Pie” actor Chris Klein with drunken driving. City Attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan says Klein faces two misdemeanor driving under the influence charges and will be arraigned July 9.

Mateljan says Klein faces a minimum of three days in jail and up to a year sentence if convicted because of a prior drunken driving case. Klein played the character of Chris “Oz” Ostreicher in 1999’s “American Pie” and in the 2001 sequel. He was also featured in the 1999 film “Election.”

A phone message left for Klein’s manager, Cynthia Pette-Dante, was not immediately returned. The California Highway Patrol arrested Klein on June 16 after he was spotted weaving across a highway in the San Fernando Valley.

International

Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock ‘completes divorce’ Agence France Presse

WASHINGTON – Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock has finalized her divorce from husband Jesse James who was linked to a stripper, People magazine reported Tuesday.

Bullock, 45, filed for divorce in April from James, 41, in Austin, Texas, where she lives. The two had been married for five years.

Bullock’s representative told the celebrity magazine the divorce is now final. James, who hosts the reality TV show “Monster Garage,” issued a statement apologizing to his wife and children, and reportedly sought in-patient treatment at a clinic. It did not stop Bullock seeking a divorce though.

Official court papers published on the TMZ entertainment news website showed “the marriage had become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities,” preventing “any reasonable expectations of reconciliation.”

Bullock’s marriage unraveled just 10 days after she scooped a best actress Academy Award for her performance in “The Blind Side,” where she plays a southern housewife who adopts a troubled homeless teenager.

It was the latest in a series of honors for Bullock and in her acceptance speeches she has repeatedly paid tribute to her husband.

The two separated soon after allegations by tattooed stripper Michelle “Bombshell” McGee that she had been involved in an affair with James for several months.

AFP/Getty Images/File/Frazer Harrison

Actress Sandra Bullock and husband Jesse James are pictured together at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles, California in January 2010. Oscar-winner Bullock has finalized her divorce from Jesse James who was linked to a stripper, People magazine reported.

Oprah tops Forbes celebrity ‘power list’ Agence France Presse

WASHINGTON – Superstar US talkshow host Oprah Winfrey regained the title of the world’s most powerful celebrity in her fourth appearance in the top spot, said a survey published by Forbes magazine.

With 315 million dollars in earnings, Winfrey, 56, who next year is set to launch her own television channel, ousted Angelina Jolie as the top power player with the actress slipping from last year’s number one to the 18th spot.

In second place to the enduring talkshow diva, popular singer Beyonce Knowles jumped two positions with earnings of 87 million dollars, following a profitable year for her growing entertainment and fashion empire.

Director James Cameron, fresh from the success of his recordbreaking movie “Avatar,” came in third with earnings of 210 million dollars.

The top rankings are based on income over the past 12 months, as well as web references, press clippings, broadcast mentions and major magazine covers devoted to the celebrity, Forbes said.

At number four was the list’s highest-ranked newcomer — singing sensation and one-woman fashion

whirlwind Lady Gaga.

With huge tours and successful music ventures, the New York-born entertainer earned 62 million dollars over the last year.

Golfer Tiger Woods kept his high standing despite sensational reports of his kinky extra-marital affairs, maintaining the number five position and raking in 105 million dollars even in the wake of his selfimposed six-month break from the game.

Others in the top 10 included pop singer Britney Spears at six, and Irish rockers U2 at seven.

Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock, whose cheating husband kept her in the tabloid limelight, soared from last year’s 92nd spot to be this year’s number eight, with 56 million dollars in earnings.

Actor Johnny Depp was at number nine, while singer Madonna fell seven positions over her 2009 spot to round out the top 10 with 58 million dollars in earnings.

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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

News

China struggles to save 107 buried in landslide

Romania flood death toll climbs to 16 AFP

BUCHAREST (AFP) – The death toll in floods in Romania has climbed to 16, with another nine people listed as missing, the emergency situations inspectorate said on Tuesday.

“Since the flood started to affect Romania, sixteen people have died and nine are missing”, the spokesman for the inspectorate, Alin Maghiar, told AFP.

AFP

BEIJING (AFP) – Hundreds of rescuers in southwest China struggled in treacherous conditions Tuesday to pull out 107 people buried in a landslide, but said there was only a “slim” chance of finding survivors.

Around 600 rescuers were searching through the mud and debris for signs of life in Dazhai village in Guizhou province, local government spokeswoman Pi Yingfang told AFP, a day after the landslide.

“The rescue is under way but it’s still raining hard and the local terrain is complex, which is affecting the rescue process,” said Pi, who represents the authorities in Guanling county.

State television showed rescuers walking on a wide, thick trail of mud that appeared to have almost entirely covered houses in its wake, and diggers had arrived at the scene to begin sifting through the dirt and rocks.

More than 100,000 cubic metres of mud and rocks, the equivalent of 40 Olympic-size swimming pools, had fallen on the houses, the official People’s Daily newspaper said.

The landslide was the latest weather-related disaster to hit China, which has suffered from floods and landslides for more than two weeks since summer downpours have pounded parts of the nation’s south, east and centre.

So far this month, at least 235 people have died and more than 100 have gone missing in rain-related accidents, according to China’s civil affairs ministry.

Millions more have had to flee their homes and authorities said Sunday that nearly 69 million people had been affected.

The local rescue headquarters in Guanling said the victims had a “slim” chance of survival, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Villager Cen Chaoyang said he had managed to escape his house when he heard the landslide.

“I called for the others to flee, but it was too late. I saw some people behind me being buried,” he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

Australia convicts US doctor for 3 surgery deaths Associated Press Writer

AFP –

A rescuer carries an olderly woman from the landslide area in Guanling, south China’s Guizhou province Rescuers had to run five kilometres (three miles) to reach the site, which was initially inaccessible by car, and were forced to halt the search late Monday over fears of more landslides, the official China Daily newspaper said.

The National Meteorological Centre said authorities needed to strengthen inspections of areas where geological disasters could occur in China’s rain-soaked south to prevent

similar deadly accidents from happening.

This year’s floods are among the worst in the southern part of the country since 1998, when more than 3,600 people were killed and over 20 million displaced, Xinhua said.

At least 379 people have died in flooding in China this year, the government said at the weekend, putting economic losses at 82.4 billion yuan (12.1 billion dollars).

Iceland PM weds partner as gay marriage legalized AP

REYKJAVIK, Iceland – Iceland’s prime minister has married her partner under a new law legalizing same-sex marriage in the country.

One of her advisers, Hrannar B. Arnarsson, said Monday Prime

The last toll issued on Monday evening listed six dead.

Several regions of the Balkan countries have been affected by heavy rains since last week.

In the night of Monday to Tuesday alone, six people died in the north-eastern Botosani department, close to the Ukrainian border, according to local authorities there.

Several hundred people were evacuated from their homes.

Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir and writer Jonina Leosdottir were officially married Sunday, the day the law came into force.

The pair has been in a registered partnership since 2002 and had applied to have it converted into a marriage under the new law. No ceremony was held.

The law was passed without a dissenting vote in Iceland’s parliament June 11.

Social Democrat Sigurdardottir, 68, became Iceland’s prime minister last year, after the previous center-right government was ousted by a wave of protest triggered by the country’s economic crisis.

SYDNEY – An American doctor accused of botching a string of operations while he was the chief surgeon at an Australian hospital was found guilty Tuesday of killing three of his patients and grievously harming another.

Jayant Patel, 60, was ordered into police custody until Thursday’s sentencing after a jury returned guilty verdicts on all charges against him. Patel had pleaded innocent to three counts of manslaughter and one count of causing grievous bodily harm to four patients he treated while working as director of surgery between 2003 and 2005 at a public hospital in Queensland state.

He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. The trial came more than 25 years after questions were first raised about Patel’s competency, and marks a milestone for many former patients and their families who have waited years to face the man they accuse of irreparably damaging their lives. Patel did not visibly react when the guilty verdict was read out or when he was led away to jail. His wife, Kishoree Patel, left the courthouse in tears without speaking to reporters.

The trial heard that Patel had been banned by U.S. authorities from carrying out some of the procedures he undertook when he later moved to Australia. He had failed to inform his new employers about the restrictions.

At the trial, prosecutor Ross Martin described Patel as a “bad surgeon motivated by ego” who tried to restore his reputation by carrying out surgery he was not competent to perform.

Patel did not speak at the trial, but his defense lawyer said he was a hardworking doctor devoted to his patients, and that all of the patients named in the case had consented to the surgeries and knew the risks.

The Indian-born Patel was found guilty of the manslaughter of patients Mervyn John Morris, James Edward Phillips and Gerry Kemps, and the grievous bodily harm of Ian Rodney Vowles. Judy Kemps, Gerry’s widow, said she was relieved that the long ordeal had ended with justice.

“It’s been a long five years but it’s all over,” she told reporters outside the court. “I’m just so happy. I’m free. It’s closure all right.”

Patel graduated from medical school in Jamnangar, India, in 1976 and entered a residency program in New York state two years later. Patel’s competency was first questioned in the early 1980s, when he practiced in the United States.

In 1984, New York health officials fined Patel and placed him on probation for three years for failing to examine patients before surgery.

He later worked at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Portland, Oregon, which banned him from liver and pancreatic surgeries in 1998 after reviewing 79 complaints about him. The Oregon Board of Medical Examiners later cited him for “gross or repeated acts of negligence.”

In 2003, he took up a posting at the Bundaberg Base Hospital — a mid-size facility in Bundaberg, a small city in Queensland on the fringe of the Great Barrier Reef.

Patel left Australia in 2005, just as questions began to be raised about his record. An investigation in Australia led to an extradition request and in 2008 the FBI arrested Patel at his home in Oregon. He was brought back to Australia and the trial began that year.

At the trial, Martin said Patel was driven by ambition and a “toxic ego” in a pattern of negligence that included performing surgeries that U.S. authorities had banned him from undertaking, misdiagnosing patients and employing sloppy surgical techniques.

Famous...

From page 1 Watched by a scrum of photographers, Paul plumped for Diego Maradona’s all-stars crashing out to Joachim Loew’s side in Saturday’s eagerly anticipated encounter.

Earlier in the tournament, the eight-legged oracle correctly tipped Germany to beat Ghana and Austra-

lia in their group D matches and was also right to predict they would lose to Serbia.

And even though he was born in England, he also treacherously but correctly foretold Germany’s win over his native country in their last16 clash on Sunday.

International

Indonesia Today

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

7

‘Prince of Jihad’ jailed for five years in Indonesia Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - An Indonesian publisher and Islamist blogger known as the “Prince of Jihad” was sentenced to five years in jail Tuesday for abetting suicide attacks on two luxury hotels in Jakarta last year.

Women robed from head-to-toe in black Islamic dress shouted abuse at the judges as the sentence — lighter than the seven years sought by prosecutors — was handed down in the South Jakarta district court.

Mohammed Jibril Abdurahman, publisher of extremist literature and a militant blog, was arrested at his Ar-Rahmah media company weeks after the JW Marriott and RitzCarlton hotel bombings that killed seven people on July 17, 2009.

Jibril, the 25-year-old son of a radical cleric, shouted “Allahu akbar” (God is greater), smiled and raised his first in defiance as he was convicted of concealing information about terrorist crimes and falsifying documents.

“He was proven guilty of providing assistance and facilities and concealing information about terrorist crimes,” chief judge Haryanto said.

He said the accused was polite in court and therefore deserved a lighter sentence than the one sought by prosecutors or the maximum 15 years. There was also no evidence that Jibril had actively participated in the bomb plot.

The bombings ended a four-year hiatus in attacks attributed to Malaysian terror leader Noordin Mohammed Top, one of Asia’s most

wanted men who was killed in a police raid in September.

Scores of alleged terrorists have been arrested or killed in the aftermath of the bombings, including most of Noordin’s closest lieutenants. The operational commander of the attacks, Syaifudin Jaelani, was killed in October.

The court heard that Jibril had met Noordin and Jaelani ahead of the bombings and had boasted to his brother about an impending attack.

But the Pakistan-educated extremist who uses the online moniker of “Prince of Jihad” denied ever meeting Noordin and vowed to fight his conviction.

“I swear I’ve never met Noordin M. Top and God willing I will prove it,” he told reporters at court, wearing a grey shirt, ripped jeans and sandals.

“I will continue to fight. If I can’t prove that I’ve never met him in this world, I’m sure it will be proven in the hereafter.”

Prosecutors alleged Jibril wrote an email to his brother in the Saudi city of Mecca telling him about a meeting he had had with Noordin a year before the attacks.

In the email, Jibril talked about an operation which would be “bigger than the WTC attack,” referring

AFP PHOTO

Muhammed Jibril Abdurrahman (L) waves his hand as policemen escort him to a court room in Jakarta on June 29, 2010. An Indonesian publisher and Islamist blogger, Muhammed Jibril Abdurrahman known as the “Prince of Jihad”, was sentenced to five years in jail for abetting suicide attacks on two luxury hotels in Jakarta last year.

to the World Trade Center in New York, one of Al-Qaeda’s targets on September 11, 2001.

As the verdict was read, Jibril’s supporters leapt out of their seats and chanted “Allahu akbar”.

One of them pointed her finger angrily at the judges and shouted: “You judges only know how to eat,

Nissan to invest 20 million dollars in Indonesia plant Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Japanese carmaker Nissan said Tuesday it plans to invest 20 million dollars in its Indonesian assembly plant to double production capacity for the growing local market.

Chief executive Carlos Ghosn said Nissan targeted more than 10 percent growth in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy in 2013 and compared

the local market to rapidly growing emerging economies such as Brazil and Russia.

“We’ll start the expansion this year to boost production capacity to 100,000 cars from 50,000 currently,” he told reporters in Jakarta.

“Today we have about five percent market share. This is far below our potential.”

He said Nissan would also almost double its Indonesian sales

outlets to more than 80. Indonesia is seeking billions of dollars in foreign investment to help it achieve targets of 7.0percent growth by 2014.

But it is being held back by persistent corruption, legal uncertainty, red tape and a lack of adequate basic infrastructure.

“Indonesia can become an export force on the condition that the country improves its infrastructure,” Ghosn said.

Tiger attacks toddler in Indonesian zoo Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - A young Bengal tiger mauled a three-year-old girl after breaking free from its handlers at an Indonesian zoo, a spokeswoman said Tuesday, leaving the toddler with head injuries that required surgery.

The 10-month-old male tiger, called Ony, attacked Angelica Rosa while it was being transferred between enclosures

at Taman Safari Prigen zoo in East Java on Monday morning, p a r k s p o k e s w o m a n Ti s a Ananda said.

“Two keepers were walking the tiger on a leash to an exercise area when all of a sudden he ran very fast and attacked the girl,” Ananda told AFP. “It seems that the tiger, who’s only 10 months old, was excited to see the girl and wanted to play with her.”

Although still only a cub, Ony was strong enough to knock over one of the trainers and drag the other as it lunged at the girl, who was visiting the park with her parents.

“One of the two keepers fell while the other eventually stopped the tiger,” Ananda said.

The girl was rushed to hospital and was in a stable condition after undergoing surgery for head injuries, doctors said.

you know nothing about religion.

Open your eyes, open your ears.

May the prosecutors and judges be cursed by God.” The crowd also sang Arabic songs and called for the country’s anti-terror police unit to be “crushed”.

Jibril’s conviction comes a day

after a court cleared a Saudi man, Al Khelaiw Ali Abdullah, 54, of financing the twin suicide attacks.

Muslim-majority Indonesia has been wracked by terror attacks by homegrown Islamic extremists since 2000, including the 2002 Bali bombings which killed more than 200 people, mostly Western tourists.

RI, Turkey ready to sign 8 cooperation accords Antara

ANKARA - The Indonesian and Turkish governments were on Monday ready to sign 8 cooperation agreements as the basis for enhanced bilateral relations in the years ahead.

Indonesia’s readiness to sign the agreements was reported by Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono before the Indonesian head of state gave a briefing to the country’s delegation at the Sheraton Hotel here on Monday night.

Natalegawa said the documents were among others in the field of television broadcasting, defense industry cooperation, and several other fields.

“The eight cooperation documents are made up of five memorandums of understanding (MoUs), two agreements, and one program,” Natalegawa said, explaining to President Yudhoyono that Turkey at present has an outstanding role in the region and at international level.

In addition, Natalegawa said Turkey has the same characteristic as Indonesia in viewing a number of international issues.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Ambassador to Turkey Awang Bahrin said Indonesia and Turky all along have a long history. Compared to other countries in Asian region, Turkey has the sense of closeness with Indonesia.

“Indonesia and Turkey are highly regarded in the organization of Islamic countries,” Awang Bahrin said.

Therefore he asked President Yudhoyono to consider establishing Indonesian consulate general office in Istambul, because the country’s representative office in Turkey is in Ankara only.

“There are a lot of Indonesian related activities in Istambul and therefore we need to establish our consulate general office there,” the Indonesian envoy to Turkey said.

President Yudhoyono and his entourage arrived at Esenboga Airport here at 3:30 local time on Monday afternoon to meet with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul and the country’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday.

After the meeting with Abdullah Gul and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Yudhoyono will speak about Indonesia’s view on business opportunities at a session of the Turkish Parliament.

al

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Balinese Culture Jaja Begina

Cycle of Life Ceremony in Bali Balinese Hindu believe on reincarnation, cycle of life, before they can reach moksha, the highest condition of atman or soul where the soul is back to the main source, God, the soul must be born and reborn again.

Born, growth up, old, and die then born again are a must in Balinese Hindu. And in every step of those stages, Balinese will perform special ceremony. When the souls are ready to reborn again, they will enter into red and white elements of desire that are united in the sexual love, it symbols of sperm (red) and ovum (white).

The eventual merging of the two kamas begets what is often called Sang Hyang Jabang Bayi or fetus-Balinese always assume that the soul comes from heaven that is why a baby in Bali is called dewa or gods during his first year of life to honor the soul.

The ritual is beginning from pregnancy with the aim to fasten the soul in its body before birth. The seventh moth when the fetus is strong enough is a time for Magedong-gedongan or strength the soul in “new house” cer-

emony. It is a simple ceremony.

When the baby is born, his/her ariari or placenta will get special treatment. It puts on clay pot then brings to house compound. Baby’s father should wash it until clean from the blood then put it in a coconut together with some spices and some tools; it depends on the custom, before burry it in front of the house’s door. On the place where it buried will be put a cook’s cage or basket and candle or lamp to protect it from animal and unseen force. The fact this is a sign to community, there are a new baby in that house On the seventh days or depends on when the umbilical cord the ceremony is held to celebrate it. Just a simple ceremony, run by baby’s mother. The baby is then celebrate through tutug kambuhan or continuous to grow which fall on 42 days after birth. Commonly the parent will invite the priest to do the ceremony for the baby’s four siblings that company him when his born by giving special offering. Since this day baby’s parent is allowed to enter holly place again, before, since the birth

both are not allowed to enter holy place, Balinese called they are on cuntaka or prohibited time. Logically during this time baby’s parent is still in weak and busy condition, so they cannot do normal activities, including did a festival feast or communal activities.

Bigger ceremony is held at three months, named nyambutin or celebration ceremony. This time a baby is allowed to touch the ground and get his name. The child has entered the earthly world and the ceremonies are to welcome and guide the child during his or her first steps in life. This is how a child attains full incarnation of human status.

Then regular ceremony will be held, called otonan ceremony or happy birthday Balinese Hindu version, it is based on one cycle in the wuku year or Balinese calendar which is celebrate every 210 days or every six months, to remain and strength the soul in the child’s body. And this ceremony will be held until he or she becomes an adult, but some people still celebrate it until their old age. (BTN/Doc)

Balinese traditional music to accompany silent movies Antara

DENPASAR – Balinese traditional music will accompany the movie play event entitled “Old Bali” which will be held on Kedewatan Temple village, Ubud, Gianyar on July 1st through July 3rd 2010.

The music will be played by Ubud art group. Putu Sudiari, one of the committee of the event, said that there will be three movies played in the event

where two of them are silent movies.

To accompany the silent movies, the artists from Ubud art group will play Balinese traditional music. The movies which will be played are “GoonaGoona”, “Rolf de Mare” and “The Island of Bali”. All of them are telling a story about Bali in the late 1930’s.

Sdiari said “the artists already practice a lot and the music already being arranged so it will support the movie.” There is great hope that the

collaboration will give entertainment to the audiences.

The audiences can learn a lot from the movies especially about the development of art and culture of Bali.

Liv Gussing, the general Manager of Amandari Hotel Kedewatan, said that in addition to the three movies, there will be also movie about old America.

The event is held to commemorate the 21st anniversary of Amandari, an exclusive resort in Ubud.

Specific Balinese cakes known as Jaja Begina are unique in that they ultimately serve two purposes. Most importantly these cakes are traditionally used as offerings to appease the Gods in ceremonies and other religious occasions. But after the ceremony has been completed the colourful cakes are then eaten and enjoyed as a delicious treat to accompany a glass of aromatic Balinese mountainous coffee or sweet tea.

Jaja begina come in different shapes, sizes, textures and colours made from varying combinations of ingredients such as rice flour, sticky rice, palm sugar, fresh fruit and grated coconut. Most people buy their traditional cakes from the local markets from experts who have established small home industries specializing in one or more certain type of cake. Balinese cakes are an essential part of the islands religious and cultural heritage where they not only please the Gods, but also those who consume it. (BTN/Doc)

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

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

Here’s the particulars.

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

C.045 ibp

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

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Internationa

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Bali Today Hotel and restaurant debt 7.3 billion Antara

Denpasar – Indonesian Auditor Department announced that the debt on hotel and restaurants taxes up to 7.3 billion rupiah.

Ida Bagus Subrata, the head of Denpasar Revenue Department, said that the hotels that have the most debt are Aston Hotel which is 2 billion rupiah and Besakih Hotel which is 1.5 billion rupiah.

“Until this moment, they didn’t pay their debt. We already warn them to pay it right away,” he added. Subrata told both hotels must pay their debts next week, if the hotels didn’t pay attention on the warning, the government will seal the hotels.

Subrata also said that the hotels management explained that they suffer from high deficit. The hotel occupancy is high but the room price and other facilities are still below standard. The hotels managements are

BAF Agenda

also having difficulties in cover their investment.

The government can not act on those reasons but the taxes are the main source of income and all citizens must pay their taxes.

Meanwhile, Mudjiono, the member of Denpasar House of Representative, said that the government should not act hastily on those hotels. “They have the role in increasing the income of Denpasar including developing tourism so discussion must be done to handle the problem,” he added.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Time : 10.00 - 12.00 Activity : Dayak classical dance ‘’Corita Nya Muntuh Mula”

by Sanggau’s Cultural and Tourism department, West Kalimantan Place : Kalangan Ayodya Time : 10.00 - 12.00 Activity : Performance by Taman Penasar Sanggar Seni Rra Bhineda, Denpasar Place : Kalangan Angsoka

http://2.bp.blogspot.com

The pool side One of hotels in Bali. The Auditing Agency (BPK) can’t finished the tax debt that made by hotels and restaurants at Denpasar. The total amount of the debt reached Rp7.3 billion.

From arena of the 32nd Bali Arts Festival:

Classical arja operetta was exciting VISITORS of the 32nd Bali Arts Festival (BAF), last Monday (Jun 28), were happy to see children classical Arja operetta that was quite interesting and fun performed by Kertya Kencana Budaya art troupe, Buduk Hamlet, Bengkel Village, Kediri, Tabanan.

Interestingly, the arja players?especially the women dancers?consisted of teenage girls. On average they were interested to be arja dancers. If one day they stop because of getting married or other reasons, they should take leave or ask permission to Pura Pasek or art professional temple at the local hamlet because this arja operetta art has a close relationship to the temple.

Temple priest of Pura Swagina/ Pura Pasek, Bengkel, Kediri, Nyoman Bisma, said the arja arts had existed since long time ago and had

something to do with the Pura Swagina temple. Up to these days, the arja operetta art remains to exist. All the times there are kids who are willing and eager to join as a dancer.

Generally, they are students of elementary and junior high school. Especially for women dancers, once they get married, regeneration will be immediately undertaken and so forth.

On average, they are immensely delighted because they can make devotional services or ngayah through dancing and this art has something to do with the temple concerned. He said the arja troupe had once made similar performance in Bali Arts Festival in last 1984.

Angsoka Stage of Denpasar Art Center, where this classical arja troupe staged last Monday, was overwhelmed by audience. They appeared to be very absorbing in en-

Time : 18.30 - 20.00 Activity : Dance and Fashion Show from Balikpapan representatives Place : Gedung Ksirarnawa Time : 19.00 - 21.00 Activity : Teenage’s Arja by Sanggar Tari Sentana Mandala Banjar Belaluan,Singapadu, Gianyar Place : Kalangan Ayodya Time : 19.30 - 21.00 Activity : Puppeteers parade by Sekaa Wayang Wakul Piluk Jiner Baluk, Jembrana Place : Wantilan Time : 20.00 - 23.00 Activity : Gong kebyar parade by Sekaa Gong Dwi Karya Budaya Banjar Sanda, Pupuan, Tabanan with Sekaa Gong Murdaning Katon Jaya, Denpasar.

Place : Ardha Candra open stage

Bali Post/Eka Adhyasa

Two Balinese artists performed classical arja operetta in The 32nd Bali’s Art Festival.

joying the storylines served. Backed up by six female dancers, four male dancers, and tens of gamelan players, their performance was commenced by the barong dance, as the opening dance. Such barong effigy is made sacred and placed at Pura Swagina/Pura Pasek, Bengkel, Kediri Tabanan. Similarly, the headdress and attires of the arja dancers are kept in the related temple.

Last Saturday, the Kertya Kencana Budaya arja troupe presented a show entitled Diah Puspasari Kepandung (Diah Puspasari Abducted). Narrated, in the Kerta Negara Kingdom, the King Jayasena has an empress naming Diah Puspasari having very beautiful look, speaking gently and behaving good-hearted, while the King Jayasena is handsome, dignified and wise.

In fact, the beauty of Diah Puspasari made the King Buana Kosa from other kingdom to fall in love with her. King Buana Kosa would like to possess her. To get her, King Buana Kosa finally committed improper acts. He then kidnapped Diah Puspasari and brought along her to his kingdom. Having known that his beloved wife had been kidnapped, King Jayasena ultimately came to meet Bhuana Kosa. Duel among them was unavoidable then. In war, each of which exerted all the strengths and miracles, King Buana Kosa was eventually defeated. As consequence, the empress could be recaptured and then taken home to his Kingdom. This graceful couple, the king and queen, finally could live a happy life without disturbance from anyone. Likewise, in ruling his kingdom, the King Jayasena was highly respected by the entire subjects. (08)

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Destinations

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

International

Banjra Sandhi Monument

http://lh6.ggpht.com

BAJRA Sandhi Monument is monument of Balinese People Struggle . This Monument is recognized by the name of Bajra Sandhi because it’s form is looking like Bajra or Genta or bell used by all Hindu Priest in reading off Weda holy sentence (mantra) at religious ceremony. This monument is built in the year 1987 and it is opened by president of Megawati Sukarno Putri on 14 June 2003. The purpose of this monument is to immortalize the soul and spirit of Balinese People struggle, at one blow dig, looking after, developing and also preserve the culture of Bali to be bequeathed to a router generation as advancing capital stroke tread a world of loaded progressively with the challenge and resistance.

This monument is comprising of 33 diorama depicting the journey history from a period of prehistory (300.000 S.M) what its human being still go about and very base on the nature until the period of filling the independence (1950-1975) where Bali Island is built in all areas like politics, economic, and social cultural. By knowing and comprehending of the journey history, soul, and spirit of Bali People struggle from time to time, it is expected the tighten of the spirit and cultural to increase Bali tourism.

International Bali Post Classifieds Contact us

The Building Monument of Bajra Sandhi

The existence of physical building is strongly relating to the meaning of Hinduism philosophy, namely Yoni colossus. The monument is likely colossus device meanwhile the building base as yoni. From other side, the Yoni colossus is also describing the story of twiddling Mandhara Giri at Ksirarnawa which is taken away from passage of Adi Parwa (Hindu’s Book).

This building Monument is consisted of: Jar of Amertha symbol by Kumba (a kind of pot) what is seen on the top monument.

The Dragon Basuki tail exists near by Swamba and its head at entrance gate The body of Bedawang Akupa realized at its base of monument and the head at entrance gate Mount of Mandara Giri realized by the high of monument boosting Pool encircle the monument is supposing as Ksirarnawa (milk ocean).

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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

11

BUSINESS Strong yuan will benefit all economies, say economists Agence France-Presse

SINGAPORE - A stronger Chinese yuan would be beneficial to the global economy as well as China, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) consultant and other economists said Tuesday.

Speaking at a trade risk seminar in Singapore, IMF global consultant Rajan Govil said an appreciating yuan would address the current account disparities between Asia and the United States.

“I think it’s positive from the global perspective and (the) Chinese economy perspective,” he said at the seminar organised

by French risk analysis group Coface.

“It’s a very positive stance taken by the (Chinese) authorities and given the current account surpluses that China had, and given the global imbalances... this will help address that issue from a global perspective.”

China’s central bank earlier this month pledged to let the yuan trade more freely against the dollar

but ruled out dramatic moves in the currency or a one-off appreciation.

Govil’s comments follow IMF managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s statement on Monday that the yuan was still undervalued.

Standard Chartered Bank global head of trade finance Tan Kah Chye said a stronger yuan, or renminbi, would make China’s imports more attractive to Chinese consumers.

“Imports for the Chinese consumer are a lot cheaper, so from that perspective it is all good news,” he told the forum.

Coface chief economist Yves Zlotowski added that a robust yuan would ease concerns of unfair Chinese advantage resulting from allegations it was deliberately under-

valuing its currency.

However, Zlotowski did warn that the currency’s appreciation would add volatility to the Chinese corporate sector.

“Appreciation of the yuan is increasing risks in terms of corporate risks. What we have seen is we have many sectors in China... which are extremely vulnerable to exchange rates,” he told AFP. Zlotowski added that a weakening euro would give Beijing an excuse to control the pace of the yuan’s appreciation.

“My view is that you will have an appreciation, but a very slow one. I think you will have something (like) three to five percent a year against the US dollar...

The rhythm will be very gradual, will be very progressive,” he said.

French banks strong despite interbank tensions: central bank Agence France-Presse

PARIS - French banks are in a sound state despite a fall of confidence on the interbank market, on which banks lend to each other, the governor of the Bank of France Christian Noyer said on Tuesday.

Noyer also said that France would need at least “five or six years” of rigour to put its public finances on a sound footing without damaging growth.

Noyer told radio station Europe 1: “French banks are doing well, there is confidence between them, there are no big problems for us.”

But on a broader horizon “we have an interbank market which is less solid and less confident than it was.”

However, he said that banks in the eurozone would not have any problem in repaying on Thurs-

day 442 billion euros (542 billion dollars) of loans from the European Central Bank.

He said that this repayment date was a big event which “explains in part the tensions we see in the banking system.”

On the issue of the ability of French banks to make these payments due, he said that “French banks did not borrow much”, that “they have got themselves ready” and that “the ECB and Eurosystem (of eurozone central banks) will do what has to be done to provide necessary liquidity.”

Tension on the interbank market resulted in almost a standstill in lending in the eurozone in April.

Loans to the private sector rose slightly in May, by 0.2 percent, but this was not enough to overcome a risk of a loan shortage which could prejudice economic recovery.

Asked how long measures to

correct French public overspending would last, Noyer said: “I think it will take quite a few years, perhaps between five and ten years probably.”

He said: “Otherwise, if we want to go very quickly, that could have a negative effect on growth.

We have to do it progressively, that will take at least five or six years.”

He said that the government could manage to correct public finances “without damaging growth.”

Noyer said: “Today, the main risk for growth is that households, you, me, are frightened that in order to reestablish a balance, taxes will have to be increased massively.”

In that event, consumers would build up savings as a precaution, to the detriment of consumption and growth, he said.

AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO

A pedestrian passes before a share prices board in Tokyo on June 29, 2010. The head of the International Monetary Fund on Monday voiced confidence that Japan would manage its whopping fiscal deficit, despite concerns in much of the world about public debt.

IMF chief unfazed on Japan debt Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON - The head of the International Monetary Fund on Monday voiced confidence that Japan would manage its whopping fiscal deficit, despite concerns in much of the world about public debt.

“I don’t see any kind of immediate risk for Japanese public finance,” Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the international lender’s managing director, said in a group interview.

Strauss-Kahn contrasted the Asian economic power’s high stability with other nations such as Spain, which is undertaking austerity measures to plug a revenue shortfall.

“The situation of Japan has always been different from the rest of the world,” he said.

Japan, whose growth rates have barely budged since its speculative “bubble economy” imploded in the early 1990s, is saddled with a fiscal deficit of 227 percent of GDP, the highest level among the Group of 20 major economies.

A G20 summit this weekend in Canada set a goal of halving national deficits by 2013 but gave an exception to Japan, noting that its burden was financed domestically.

Japan’s new Prime Minister, Naoto Kan, has pledged an ambitious plan to tackle the deficit including through major changes in taxation.

Germany wants bank levy of up to 15 percent net profit Agence France-Presse

BERLIN - Germany wants to impose a levy on banks not to exceed 15 percent of their annual net profit to create a fund to prepare for potential future banking crises, according to a document seen by AFP on Monday.

According to the finance ministry’s draft bill, which Chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet is due to examine in late August, financial institutions would have to pay into the fund at a variable rate of 0.02 to 0.04 percent of their balance sheets, minus customer deposits each year.

In any case the amount of the levy would not exceed 15 percent of net profit of the previous year.

Germany, France and the United States are among leading governments pushing all members of the Group of 20 industrial and developing nations to enact such levies.

Others, including Canada, China

and India that did not need to prop up banks with taxpayer money during the financial crisis, are against such a levy.

G20 leaders failed to reach agreement on the issue at a weekend summit in Canada, deciding instead to push most discussions of regulation to their next meeting in November in South Korea.

The German government wants the levy to come into effect on December 31.

Banks with a balance sheet worth less than 10 billion euros (12 billion dollars) would pay 0.02 percent, those with 10-100 billion euros would contribute 0.03 percent, and 0.04 percent for those above.

Derivatives on bank balance sheets would face a surtax of 0.00015 percent.

The bill also includes a new twopronged approach for the orderly winding-down of failing lenders.

Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has said he hopes the levy will raise 1.2 billion euros per year.

12

Entertainment

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

FILE - In this Dec. 16, 1977 file photo, NBC News correspondent Edwin Newman, third left is surrounded by the rock group KISS, from second left, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley and their manager, Bill Aucoin, left, in New York.

AP Photo, file

Aucoin, manager who discovered Kiss, dies at 66 Associated Press Writer

Bill Aucoin, who discovered the rock group Kiss and helped build them into a musical and merchandising juggernaut, died Monday in Florida. He was 66. Aucoin died at Aventura Hospital and Medical Center in Aventura of surgical complications from prostate cancer, said Carol Kaye, a family spokeswoman.

A former television cinematographer, Aucoin discovered Kiss in New York City in 1973 and helped launch the makeup-wearing, firebreathing quartet into a moneymaking machine.

He financed the band’s first tour on his personal American Express credit card when money was tight, but he was well rewarded when the band’s popularity exploded in 1975 with the hit “Rock And Roll All Nite.”

“He was the fifth Kiss,” said drummer Peter Criss, who had Aucoin serve as the best man at his second wedding. “If it wasn’t for Bill, there would be no Kiss.”

Aucoin first saw the band at a

showcase gig at New York’s Diplomat Hotel, then brought it upstairs to meet with record company executive Neil Bogart, who signed it as the first act on his Casablanca Records label.

Criss said Aucoin had an eye for what was visually striking and recognized the vast merchandising potential of rock bands in a way that few others could. With Aucoin’s help, Kiss became as famous for the vast array of products bearing their likeness — including belt buckles, Halloween costumes and makeup kits, action figurines, vitamins and even a Kiss pinball machine — as they were for their music.

By 1978, they were voted the No. 1 band in America in a Gallup poll. “He was a genius,” Criss said.

“Anything you could do, he could do bigger.”

After parting with Kiss in the early 1980s, Aucoin managed Billy Squier and Billy Idol. He is survived by his longtime partner, Roman Fernandez, and two sisters, Betty Britton and Janet Bankowski.

Actor Chris Klein charged with DUI in LA Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File

FILE - This June 17, 2008 file photo, actor Chris Klein at the 2008 Crystal and Lucy Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif.

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles prosecutors say they have charged “American Pie” actor Chris Klein with drunken driving. City Attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan says Klein faces two misdemeanor driving under the influence charges and will be arraigned July 9.

Mateljan says Klein faces a minimum of three days in jail and up to a year sentence if convicted because of a prior drunken driving case. Klein played the character of Chris “Oz” Ostreicher in 1999’s “American Pie” and in the 2001 sequel. He was also featured in the 1999 film “Election.”

A phone message left for Klein’s manager, Cynthia Pette-Dante, was not immediately returned. The California Highway Patrol arrested Klein on June 16 after he was spotted weaving across a highway in the San Fernando Valley.

International

Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock ‘completes divorce’ Agence France Presse

WASHINGTON – Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock has finalized her divorce from husband Jesse James who was linked to a stripper, People magazine reported Tuesday.

Bullock, 45, filed for divorce in April from James, 41, in Austin, Texas, where she lives. The two had been married for five years.

Bullock’s representative told the celebrity magazine the divorce is now final. James, who hosts the reality TV show “Monster Garage,” issued a statement apologizing to his wife and children, and reportedly sought in-patient treatment at a clinic. It did not stop Bullock seeking a divorce though.

Official court papers published on the TMZ entertainment news website showed “the marriage had become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities,” preventing “any reasonable expectations of reconciliation.”

Bullock’s marriage unraveled just 10 days after she scooped a best actress Academy Award for her performance in “The Blind Side,” where she plays a southern housewife who adopts a troubled homeless teenager.

It was the latest in a series of honors for Bullock and in her acceptance speeches she has repeatedly paid tribute to her husband.

The two separated soon after allegations by tattooed stripper Michelle “Bombshell” McGee that she had been involved in an affair with James for several months.

AFP/Getty Images/File/Frazer Harrison

Actress Sandra Bullock and husband Jesse James are pictured together at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles, California in January 2010. Oscar-winner Bullock has finalized her divorce from Jesse James who was linked to a stripper, People magazine reported.

Oprah tops Forbes celebrity ‘power list’ Agence France Presse

WASHINGTON – Superstar US talkshow host Oprah Winfrey regained the title of the world’s most powerful celebrity in her fourth appearance in the top spot, said a survey published by Forbes magazine.

With 315 million dollars in earnings, Winfrey, 56, who next year is set to launch her own television channel, ousted Angelina Jolie as the top power player with the actress slipping from last year’s number one to the 18th spot.

In second place to the enduring talkshow diva, popular singer Beyonce Knowles jumped two positions with earnings of 87 million dollars, following a profitable year for her growing entertainment and fashion empire.

Director James Cameron, fresh from the success of his recordbreaking movie “Avatar,” came in third with earnings of 210 million dollars.

The top rankings are based on income over the past 12 months, as well as web references, press clippings, broadcast mentions and major magazine covers devoted to the celebrity, Forbes said.

At number four was the list’s highest-ranked newcomer — singing sensation and one-woman fashion

whirlwind Lady Gaga.

With huge tours and successful music ventures, the New York-born entertainer earned 62 million dollars over the last year.

Golfer Tiger Woods kept his high standing despite sensational reports of his kinky extra-marital affairs, maintaining the number five position and raking in 105 million dollars even in the wake of his selfimposed six-month break from the game.

Others in the top 10 included pop singer Britney Spears at six, and Irish rockers U2 at seven.

Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock, whose cheating husband kept her in the tabloid limelight, soared from last year’s 92nd spot to be this year’s number eight, with 56 million dollars in earnings.

Actor Johnny Depp was at number nine, while singer Madonna fell seven positions over her 2009 spot to round out the top 10 with 58 million dollars in earnings.

Life Style

International

Bobbie Ritt, right, watches as her husband, Ed Ritt, lifts weights at a couples exercise class for cancer patients, Thursday, June 24, 2010, at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland.

AP Photo/Don Ryan

Get moving: Cancer survivors urged to exercise Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Cancer survivors, better work up a sweat. New guidelines are urging survivors to exercise more, even — hard as it may sound — those who haven’t yet finished their treatment.

There’s growing evidence that physical activity improves quality of life and eases some cancer-related fatigue. More, it can help fend off a serious decline in physical function that can last long after therapy is finished.

Consider: In one year, women who needed chemotherapy for their breast cancer can see a swapping of muscle for fat that’s equivalent to 10 years of normal aging, says Dr. Wendy Demark-Wahnefried of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

In other words, a 45-year-old may find herself with the fatter, weaker body type of a 55-year-old.

Scientists have long advised that

being overweight and sedentary increases the risk for various cancers.

Among the nation’s nearly 12 million cancer survivors, there are hints — although not yet proof — that people who are more active may lower risk of a recurrence. And like everyone who ages, the longer cancer survivors live, the higher their risk for heart disease that exercise definitely fights.

The American College of Sports Medicine convened a panel of cancer and exercise specialists to evaluate the evidence. Guidelines issued this month advise cancer survivors to aim for the same amount of exercise as recommended for the average per-

son: about 2 1/2 hours a week.

Patients still in treatment may not feel up to that much, the guidelines acknowledge, but should avoid inactivity on their good days.

“You don’t have to be Lance Armstrong,” stresses Dr. Julia Rowland of the National Cancer Institute, speaking from a survivorship meeting this month that highlighted exercise research. “Walk the dog, play a little golf.”

But how much exercise is needed? And what kind? Innovative new studies are under way to start answering those questions, including: Oregon Health and Science University is training prostate cancer survivors to exercise with their wives. The study will enroll 66 couples, comparing those given twice-a-week muscle-strengthening exercises with pairs who don’t get active.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

13

MapQuest beta version has a cleaner, simpler look Associated Press Writer

DENVER – MapQuest was long the leader among websites giving people online directions, but Google Maps surpassed it in 2008. MapQuest wants those eyeballs back.

Starting Tuesday, the Denverbased mapping unit of AOL Inc. is testing a fresh look with features that some might say make it look a whole lot more like — Google Maps.

The beta version scraps MapQuest’s squiggly red logo in “cheap hotel” font for a simple nonserif font in shades of green and blue.

Instead of scrolling down to see a map, visitors see a map right away on the right side of the screen, just like at Google Maps. There’s also a single box for typing in searches instead of several.

The beta version makes it easier to ask for directions not just from point A to B, but also points C and D. Users can reorder their directional points by clicking and dragging on icons to get directions from point A to B to C, or from A to C to B. Once a route is mapped out, a toolbar at the top of the map allows you to search for shops, parks, gas stations or other spots along the way.

“It’s allowing it to be a place of discovery, rather than just a calculator,” said MapQuest’s general manager Christian Dwyer, who likened the new version to a “digital concierge.” It’s meant to be a simpler, more elegant, faster, more intuitive version that offers more information to plan a trip, Dwyer said.

If all goes well, the beta could be the default look of MapQuest in August, though users can still opt to use the older version.

True to parent company AOL’s mission to provide original content to attract traffic, MapQuest’s beta version links search results for particular hotel and restaurant addresses, for example, to websites or content about those addresses. Boosting traffic is critical for AOL. AOL’s revenue in the first three months of the year was down 23 percent from a year ago to

$664.3 million, while rivals Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc. reported increases.

In the online mapping category, Google Maps is the most popular with about 63.3 million unique visitors in May, followed by MapQuest with about 49.1 million unique visitors, according to figures from comScore Inc. Yahoo Maps and Bing Maps follow.

Among the 33.5 million people looking up directions on mobile devices, MapQuest captures about 8.5 million of them, according to comScore’s MobiLens service.

Part of Google’s catapulting over MapQuest may be due to links to Google Maps often appearing at the top of search results for locations. In fact, a Google search for “MapQuest” pulls up a link to MapQuest.com, right next to a map of its Denver headquarters provided not by MapQuest but by Google Maps.

The average MapQuest user comes to the site about twice a month, Dwyer said. He would like to see their return visits double. “Moving the frequency needle, that would be the ultimate goal.

And getting new users,” Dwyer said.

AP Photo/MapQuest

This website image provided by MaqQuest shows the current look the company’s home page MapQuest is testing a cleaner, simpler look with features that it hopes makes it easier for visitors to plan a road trip, from getting directions to figuring out where to stop along the way.

mSpot streams music collections to Android smartphones Agence France Presse

SAN FRANCISCO, USA – “Cloud” entertainment startup mSpot on Monday began letting people route home music collections to smartphones running on Googlebacked Android mobile software.

“With a rapidly growing number of fixed and portable devices capable of playing music, our service makes

‘entertainment anywhere’ a reality without the hassle of manually syncing devices,” said mSpot chief executive Daren Tsui. “We plan to be consumers’ first choice in this space by offering a service that is extremely portable, easy to use and reliable even when cell coverage is spotty.”

The mSpot service launched a private “beta” test of the service in May at a Google developers confer-

A new Samsung Galaxy S Android smartphone. “Cloud” entertainment startup mSpot on Monday began letting people route home music collections to smartphones running on Google-backed AFP/Getty Images/File/Ethan Miller

Android mobile software.

ence in San Francisco. It took only a few hours to hit the self-imposed cap of 50,000 beta users.

To use the service, people download a mini-program that scans home computers for digital music and then uploads the tunes to mSpot servers that can be accessed from Android smartphones or Internet-linked computers.

There is no charge for the first two gigabytes of mSpot storage, which is enough for approximately 1,600 songs. Additional storage capacity can be had at monthly fees ranging from 2.99 dollars for 10 gigabytes to 13.99 dollars for 100 gigabytes.

MSpot plans to expand the service to other kinds of smartphones. The service is similar to one that was of-

fered by Lala.com, which was closed after being bought by Apple to possibly incorporate its streaming music technology into iTunes online music store.

MSpot bills itself as a leading innovator of entertainment offered as services in the Internet “cloud.” An mSpot Mobile Movies service in the United States streams full-length films to some 50 different mobile gadgets including iPhones, iPads, and smartphones based on an array of software platforms.

The Palo Alto, California-based company reports that it delivers music, movies, radio and television shows to more than six million mobile customers across 10 wireless carriers.

14

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

WORLD CUP 2010

International

chief apologises Brazil, Netherlands qualify FIFA for World Cup errors for WCup quarterfinals Agence France Presse

JOHANNESBURG – England and Mexico received a fulsome apology from FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Tuesday over refereeing errors during their World Cup last 16 matches as he announced that FIFA would discuss the introduction of goal-line technology at a meeting next month in Cardiff.

The Swiss was reacting to two incidents on Sunday when England’s Frank Lampard had a goal disallowed even though it was clearly over the line in the clash with Germany which would have made it 2-2. The Germans went on to win 4-1.

Mexico were also left aggrieved when Argentinian striker Carlos Tevez was clearly offside when he scored their first goal and it was made worse when the incident was shown on the big screen.

Referee Roberto Rosetti was unable to disallow the goal as he is forbidden to take into account such evidence. Argentina went on to win 3-1.

“Personally I deplore it when you see evident referee mistakes but it’s not the end of a competition or the end of football, this can happen,” said Blatter.

“The only thing I can do is yesterday I have spoken to the two federations (England and Mexico) directly concerned by referees mistakes. “I have expressed to them apologies and I understand they are not happy and that people are criticising.

“I apologised to England and Mexico. The English said ‘thank you’ and accepted that you can win (some) and you lose (some), and the Mexicans bowed their head and accepted it.

Blatter said that the only technology that would be discussed would be goalline technology which would have made no difference to the Mexican game or indeed to the incident when Thierry Henry’s handball set up what proved to be the crucial goal in the France v Ireland World Cup play-off

Associated Press Writer

JOHANNESBURG – Make way for the Oranje and the Samba Kings in the World Cup quarterfinals. The Netherlands and Brazil advanced comfortably Monday, while anger simmered over refereeing blunders and FIFA’s refusal to adopt video technology to eliminate them.

Brazil brushed aside Chile 3-0 at Ellis Park as it pushes for a sixth title, while the Netherlands eased into the last eight with a 2-1 win against Slovakia.

Continuing their domination of Chile, which hasn’t beaten them in a decade, the Brazilians got goals from Juan and Luis Fabiano in the first half and Robinho in the 59th minute. The classy style that marks Brazilian soccer was present all night/ “It was a very good performance for Brazil,” playmaker Kaka said. “I’m happy with how we played. It shows that we are improving after each match, just as planned.” For the Netherlands, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder scored in each half as the Dutch also showed their creativity on offense. Slovakia’s Robert Vittek scored with a penalty kick on the final play of the match.

“We had a good first half hour.

And we started well in the second half,” coach Bert Van Marwijk said. “We should have scored 20, 3-0, maybe 4-0 there.”

Brazil and The Netherlands will meet in Port Elizabeth on Friday. “We played a difficult match.

Main thing is, we are through,” Robben said. “Probably the perfect game has still to come.”

The other remaining round of 16 matches — Paraguay-Japan and Spain-Portugal — take place Tuesday. Uruguay and Ghana were the first teams to qualify for the quarterfinals and they also meet on Friday. Argentina and Germany qualified Sunday, but only after refereeing mistakes that FIFA is refusing to comment on.

FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot faced hostile questioning from reporters, but said it was “obviously not the place” to debate refereeing errors or the merits of video technology.

TV replays showed that England was denied a goal against Germany on Sunday when Frank Lampard’s shot bounced down from the crossbar and over the goal line. Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda waved on play; the 38th-minute shot would have leveled the game 2-2. Germany went on to win 4-1.

Later Sunday, Argentina’s first goal in a 3-1 win against Mexico

TOPSHOTS / AFP PHOTO / YURI CORTEZ

Brazil’s striker Luis Fabiano (L,up) manoeuvres the ball past Chile’s goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to score during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 football match Brazil versus Chile on June 28, 2010 at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. was scored by Carlos Tevez from an offside position, but was allowed by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti after he consulted his assistant. Mexico players protested to the match officials after seeing replays on a stadium giant screen, which showed the infringement.

Guus Hiddink called on FIFA president Sepp Blatter to step down if he doesn’t introduce video technology. “Sepp Blatter should announce tomorrow that video replay will be implemented or he needs to resign,” said Hiddink, one of the world’s most respected coaches.

The organization that represents players around the world also demanded that referees be given the most modern tools to do their job.

“We can do it, the football world

wants it and yet it is still being thwarted. That is unacceptable,” FIFPro spokesman Tijs Tummers said.

Blatter hasn’t commented publicly since attending both controversial games, where he witnessed the refereeing errors. But he has strongly opposed introducing any video technology to help referees. At least one Germany player called for new goalline technology.

“If there is a possibility to use good technology, such as goal cameras or balls with chips, then maybe it should be used,” striker Miroslav Klose said. “I am not sure about video replays, but if you have a chip in the ball that sends a signal to the referee’s ear or beeps, then why not?

If you can have it in other sports, why not in football.”

(AFP/File/Jewel Samad)

German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer eyes the ball shot by England player Frank Lampard before the goal was disallowed during the 2010 World Cup round of 16 football match Germany vs. England on June 27 at Free State stadium in Bloemfontein. last November.

“The only principle we are going to bring back for discussion is goal-line technology,” said Blatter. “Football is a game that never stops and the moment there was a discussion if the ball was in or out, or there was a goal-scoring opportunity, do we give a possibility to a team to call for replays once or twice like in tennis?

“For situations like the Mexico game you don’t need technology. “Its obvious that that after what we have experienced so far it would be a nonsense not to reopen the technology topic in July (21-22) in Cardiff.”

Blatter also said that FIFA in October or November would unveil a new global plan to improve refereeing at competitions under its purview.

“We want to improve the match control,” he said.

Downcast England team return home Agence France Presse

LONDON – England’s downcast football team arrived back home on Tuesday after crashing out of the World Cup against arch-rivals Germany.

The players, many of whom were dressed in official England team suits, flew into London’s Heathrow airport about 6:20am (0520 GMT) and appeared weary as they walked across the tarmac to waiting cars.

They were led off the plane by David Beckham, who didn’t play because of injury, and followed by an entourage of wives, girlfriends and children back to what is likely to be a hostile public and press in Britain following their underwhelming performance in South Africa.

England manager Fabio Capello is waiting to hear from the Football As-

sociation whether he can keep his job.

The Italian says he wants to stay on but must wait two weeks while officials decide if he can complete his contract, which runs until 2012.

Under Capello’s original contract, the FA would have been able to end their relationship with him after the tournament without having to pay him substantial compensation.

The Italian also had an option to walk away but the break clause was removed just before the World Cup against a background of interest from Inter Milan in securing the coach’s services.

If the FA do decide to dispense with Capello’s services it could cost them as much as 12 million pounds given the Italian earns between four and five million pounds a year.

Sport

International

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

15

Taiwan’s Lu stuns Roddick at Wimbledon Agence France Presse

LONDON – Taiwan’s Lu Yen-Hsun sent Andy Roddick crashing out in the fourth round at Wimbledon on Monday with a stunning 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (5/7), 9-7 win over the threetime finalist. Unseeded Lu broke Roddick’s serve just once in the game - in the deciding game of the final set - to become the first Taiwanese man or woman to make the last eight of a Grand Slam.

(AFP/Adrian Dennis)

Taiwan’s Lu Yen-Hsun (pictured) believes his deceased father will be watching over him when he attempts to keep his Wimbledon dream alive in the quarter-finals.

The 26-year-old, ranked 82nd in the world, also became the first Asian man to make the last eight at the All England Club since Japan’s Shuzo Masuoka back in 1995.

He will now face Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, the third seed, in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. Lu, who let a 3-1 lead slip in the fourth set tie-break, said he feared his opportunity had gone when Roddick levelled at two sets all.

“I did not believe I could win the fifth set. There is no tie-break and he has a much better serve than me,” he told reporters. “I told myself I had to fight and if I stuck around long enough something would happen. I wanted a chance to close the match.

“I told myself when I was in trouble they wouldn’t over play. I would stay with him - I took my time and took my chance and we

were shaking hands at the end.”

This is Lu’s best Grand Slam performance - his previous best effort was a third round spot in the Australian Open in 2009 and he had never been beyond the second round at Wimbledon. Lu had never beaten Roddick in three previous attempts and the American was reeling in the aftermath of his defeat.

A dejected Roddick said: “The fifth set was probably the best I played. But when you dig yourself a hole it is hard to get out of it when you give someone confidence.

“He did a good job controlling the middle of the court and he served much better than he has against me before. I had shots but I didn’t take advantage. My returning was really bad.” In a match dominated by the servers there was only one break in the first four sets, coming when

Roddick broke in the tenth game of the first set to go 1-0 up.

But Lu dug deep to force tie breaks in the next two sets, taking them both, the first 7-3 and the second 7-4, to take a 2-1 lead.

Lu had a break point at 2-2 in the fourth but a Roddick drop shot foiled him and the American finished the game off with his 21st ace of the match.

The rest of the set went with serve until the by now almost inevitable tie-break. Lu was 3-0 up and had the match in his grasp, but Roddick recovered and had set point at 6-5 - taking it into the fifth set with yet another ace.

In the fifth game of the fifth set Roddick had two break points but Lu defended them and held his serve. Both swapped service games until the 16th game of the final set when Lu finished the match off.

Brian Shaw visits Cavaliers Armstrong uses Twitter to announce final Tour Associated Press Writer

CLEVELAND – The Cavaliers could be getting close to a major signing. No, not that one. The team’s 5-week-old coaching search took another turn on Tuesday as Los Angeles Lakers assistant Brian Shaw met in Cleveland with owner Dan Gilbert and front-office members about the Cavaliers’ coaching vacancy.

The visit comes just a few days before free agency opens with the Cavs hoping they can convince superstar LeBron James to resign and come back for an eighth season — and more. Cleveland would like to have a coach in place by July 1 to settle what has so far been a tumultuous offseason.

It is not yet known if the club has offered its coaching position to Shaw, who is also expected to be in town on Tuesday. The 43year-old Shaw has spent five seasons on Phil Jackson’s staff in Los Angeles. A 14-year NBA veteran, he has no head coaching experience but is considered a strong candidate to replace Jackson if the 11-time champion retires. Jackson, who has health concerns, is expected to announce his plans later this week.

The Cavaliers have been looking for a coach since firing Mike Brown on May 24 in the aftermath of their second-round playoff loss to Boston. The team was previously turned down by Tom Izzo, who rejected a reported $30 million offer to stay at Michigan State.

(AP Photo/ Francis Specker, File)

FILE - In this March 6, 2006, file photo, Los Angeles Lakers’ Jim Jackson, left, discusses plays with assistant coach Brian Shaw during a NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in Los Angeles. Shaw has been given permission to interview with the Cleveland Cavaliers about their coaching vacancy.

Agence France Presse

LOS ANGELES – Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong announced on his Twitter website Monday that this year’s Tour with his RadioShack teammates will his final one.

“And yes, this will be final Tour de France.

It’s been a great ride. Looking forward to three great weeks,” the 38-year-old American wrote.

Realizing his tweet included several mistakes Armstrong then re-tweeted, “Doh, sorry, meant “my” final Tour.” On Saturday in Belgium, Armstrong will lead team RadioShack to begin his bid for an eighth Tour de France title.

Monday’s announcement comes just one month after the Texan found himself embroiled in new doping allegations, dismissing accusations levelled by his former teammate Floyd Landis.

Landis, who was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title after a positive drug test, pointed the finger at numerous cyclists, including Armstrong, and said that doping was intrinsic at the elite level of the sport. Armstrong was quick to attack Landis’ credibility.

Armstrong successfully beat cancer in 1998 to go on and win seven consecutive yellow jerseys from the world’s toughest bike race in 1999-2005. He returned to the sport last year after a three-year ‘retirement’.

Armstrong placed third at the 2009 Tour race and this year he finished second in the Tour of Switzerland and third in the Tour of Luxembourg. He crashed out of the Tour of California on home soil in May. Armstrong will line up at this year’s race in

a team which includes former Tour runner-up Andreas Kloden of Germany, and American Levi Leipheimer among other experienced stage race campaigners.

(AFP/File/Pascal Pavani)

Lance Armstrong (pictured) has announced on his Twitter website that this year’s Tour with his RadioShack teammates will be his final one.

16

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

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

Alonso: Glass bottle on the track showed fans’ ‘disgust’

Sport

Double F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso has argued that the glass bottle that sat perilously on the track for several laps during Sunday’s European Grand Prix in Valencia was the product of fans’ ‘disgust’ at Lewis Hamilton’s scant penalty and the contrasting ‘injustice’ of the home hero’s ill-treatment at the hands of FIA stewards.

McLaren-Mercedes’ Hamilton was dealt a drive-through penalty for having broken the rules by overtaking the safety car on his way to the pits on lap nine of the race around the Spanish city’s harbourside streets, whilst Alonso waited dutifully in-line behind the MercedesBenz road car – brought out following erstwhile world championship leader Mark Webber’s terrifying acrobatics display – before making his own way to the pit-lane for new tyres at the end of the lap.

The consequent loss of time for the Spaniard – allied to the stewards’ excruciatingly slow decision to punish his former team-mate and bitter rival, meaning the Briton was able to build up a sufficient cushion so as not to lose a place when he eventually did serve his penalty – meant that the pair ended the race respec-

tively second (Hamilton) and eighth (Alonso). Prior to the appearance of the safety car, they had been running together on-track in second and third, and the Ferrari star was arguably the quicker of the two.

Whilst Hamilton acknowledged that the glass bottle seemingly thrown onto the circuit later on in the race was ‘really quite dangerous’ – given the speeds at which the drivers were travelling, and requiring some time before it was rescued by a gallant marshal – Alonso opined that it was a sign of spectators’ anger at the way in which he had unfairly lost out for respecting the rules.

“I feel sorry for the public who came to watch this race – 70,000 fans came to see the spectacle of F1 and they have seen a race ruined by the safety car and everything that followed on from that,” blasted the 22-

time grand prix-winner.

“The attitude of the public is understandable – they were disgusted by what they were seeing and the injustices that were happening. There was a bottle on the track, which is a reaction that is not normal and it should not have happened.”

“You always keep your eyes on the track and I saw it there in the middle of the road, thinking that if you hit that bottle at that speed there are all kinds of things that could happen,” added Hamilton, in an interview with the official F1 website.

“It could have broken my wing, it could have hit my tyre, it could have spat me off into the wall, I could have hit it and it would have been propelled towards the guy behind me – just as we saw last year in Hungary with Felipe [Massa].

This was really quite dangerous.”

Melandri confirmed to race in Catalunya MARCO Melandri says it is his intention to race in the Catalunya Grand Prix, just a week after being

forced to skip the Dutch TT with an injured shoulder.

The Italian suffered a nasty fall

IBP/ist

Marco Melandri

from the Gresini Honda prior to qualifying, with doctors confirming he shouldn’t race at Assen having suffered a major trauma in his shoulder.

However, while he admits he won’t be at ‘peak physical fitness’ this weekend, Melandri has now been given the all-clear to compete in Spain.

“I´m going to Barcelona with the clear objective of putting the disappointments of Silverstone and Assen behind me,” he said. “I will obviously have to wait and see how I feel on the bike after such a big crash in Holland but my determination to race again is huge.

“I have had a lot of treatment on the shoulder since Saturday and even though I still won’t be at peak physical fitness I am determined to get back out on track. I really want to build on the progress we made in practice at Assen, where we confirmed our recent progress with the set-up of the bike.

“I hope I am fit and able to continue the recent good work we’ve been doing so that we can have more to be pleased with by the end of the weekend.”

AFP PHOTO / RAFA RIVAS

Ferrari’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso walks in the paddock of the Valencia Street circuit on June 26, 2010, before the third free practice session of the Formula One Grand Prix of Europe.