Edisi 11 Februari 2010 | International Bali Post

16 Pages Number 29 2st Year

Bolivian candidate sentenced to make adobe bricks

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Thursday, February 11, 2010

Mount Agung close for climbing activities PAGE 8

Fans delighted by DeGeneres’ ‘Idol’ debut

IBP/edi

Hindus pray in the Penataran Ped in the pujawali ritual on Wednesday, February 10th 2010.

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‘’Pujawali” in Penataran Ped temple Semarapura (Bali Post) –

The peak ceremony in Penataran Ped temple in Nusa Penida, Klungkung, was held on Wednesday, February 10th 2010. The ceremony is being held once in every six month on Wednesday or Buda Cemeng Klawu.

Thousands of Hindus took part in the ceremony or “pujawali” yesterday. The Hindus started to pray in Segara temple continued in taman temple, Ratu Gde temple, and the last in Penataran Ped.

WEATHER FORECAST CITY

TEMPERATURE OC

DENPASAR

24 - 32

JAKARTA

24 - 32

BANDUNG

20 - 28

YOGYAKARTA

23 - 31

SURABAYA

24 - 34

SUNNY

BRIGHT/CLOUDY

Ketut Sarjana, one of the committee, said that the ceremony was started since February 1st 2010. The pujawali was started by the mecaru procession to the beach at 9 o’clock local time.

Two sacred dances, Jangkang and

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Free health service

Similar to the previous day, Bali

Post Media Group cooperated with Bounty Cruises gave free health service. The Hindus crowded in the wantilan of Kahyangan Jagat Penataran Ped temple, where the health service was given. Fiftyfive people were examined on the occasion and most of them had minor desease such as cold. Doctors and paramedic from Trijata and Manuaba hospitals took part in the service. Trijata sent three doctors and Manuaba sent seven doctors.(08)

Doctor says vendor may have been in rubble 27 days Associated Press Writer

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Baris dance was performed during the melasti. The ceremony will last for five days and it will end on Monday, February 15th 2010.

Sarjana said that 65 villages are in charge of the temple but in this pujawali only 23 villages involved as the committee. The weather on the sea is also very good so many people can get across to Nusa Penida Island.

REUTERS/Ben Barkay via Reuters TV

A young earthquake survivor gestures after being pulled out of the rubble by rescuers in Port-au-Prince in this January 19, 2010 video grab.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The tale seems dubious: that a rice vendor survived 27 days trapped under the rubble of a flea market following Haiti’s devastating earthquake.

Skeptical health workers said no one could live that long without water and the last confirmed survivor found was a 16-year-old girl removed from rubble 15 days after the Jan. 12 quake. The only sources for the story were the two Haitian men who showed up at a clinic carrying the vendor, dehydrated and malnourished with rail-thin legs.

But then the patient became lucid enough to tell his tale Tuesday. And while his account has not been independently verified, doctors now say the 28-year-old man could have survived on water and possibly some fruit beneath the rubble.

The man — identified as Evans Monsigrace — told doctors he had just finished selling rice for the day at a downtown Port-au-Prince flea market when the quake hit. He said he didn’t suffer any major injuries and was trapped on his side in an area where food and drink vendors were selling their goods.

“Based on that (his story), we believe him,” said Dr. Dushyantha Jayaweera, a physician at the University of Miami Medishare field hospital where hundreds of patients have been treated since the quake.

The story began when two men first took the vendor to a Salvation Army medical center in Port-au-Prince on Monday, saying he had been trapped since the earthquake. He was later moved to the University of Miami hospital because of his critical condition.

Continued on page 6

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International

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Bali News Alleged to be Drunk by Arrack, Poland Tourist Dies Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Guests and employees of Ramada Resort, Tanjung Benoa, South Kuta, Badung, last Tuesday (Feb 9) morning, were in an uproar. One of the in-house guests of the hotel, Miroslaw Andrzej, 48, from Poland, was found dead. Allegedly, the victim’s death was due to drinking too much arrack, so he was severely drunk.

Chief of South Kuta Sector Police, Nanang Prihasmoko, when asked for his confirmation last Tuesday justified the incident.

His party remained to commit more profound investigation related to the cause of victim’s death. ”Based on provisional results, the victim’s death was alleged to have been caused by drinking too much alcohol. However, for the exact cause, we are still waiting for the results of the forensic medical report from hospital,” he explained.

Regarding to the chronology of the discovery of the body, Chief Nanang said, it was first

discovered by his wife, Danota Gromelska at 09.00 am Local time. The wife saw her husband was dead. Even, the victim’s mouth looked to discharge foam. ”His wife reported the incident directly to the hotel reception and then reported to us (South Kuta Sector Police-ed),” explained Chief Nanang.

Well, from the crime scene, it was found no signs of violence on the victim’s body. However, police found the victim’s mouth discharged foam. Not only that, police also secured a bottle of arrack that allegedly belonged to the victim. ”We suspect, the arrack was

drunk by victim. Thus, it caused him severely drunk and eventually died,” he explained to the media crew last Tuesday.

Chief Nanang also explained, before the victim died, there was a witness seeing that the victim went into the hotel room (room 204-ed) in a state of staggering.

He walked zigzagly and the victim was allegedly drunk. ”We still go into the investigation.

Meanwhile, we allege he has drunk too much alcoholic drink.

Now, the victim’s body had been taken to Sanglah Hospital for forensic medical examinaiton,” he added. (kmb21)

Spanish Citizen Snatched, IDR 22 Million Vanishes Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Snatching action experienced by foreign citizen remains to happen persistently. Almost every day, there are always foreigners who claim to have been snatched. Recent case was undergone by Eva Etiro Tur, a citizen of Spain. Victim claimed to have been mugged in the east of Kawan minimarket, Seminyak Kuta, Badung, last Sunday (Feb 7) at 8:00 pm Local Time.

In a statement of the victim, a bag that was within her grasp could beseized by the perpetrator. Perpetrator acted quickly, so the victim could not identify the character. Moreover, the situation at the time was a little dark. ”The victim claimed to be snatched by strangers,” said one of the officers of Denpasar Metro Police, last Tuesday (Feb 9).

Given, before the incident occured, the victim was walking around the scene. Well, as soon as she arrived at the scene, the victim stopped for a

moment. At the same time, the perpetrator came by riding a motorbike and robbed the victim’s bag. ”How surprised the victim was when her bag was grabbed,” the officer said while asking his name not to be published.

On knowing she was grabbed , the victims living temporarily at Tun House Room 17 on Jalan Nakula, Seminyak, Kuta, Badung, then cried for help. Unfortunately, the perpetrator hurried away and his footsteps disappeared. ”Victim admitted to lose a leather bag containing a wallet, handphone, digital camera, gold ring and two credit cards,” he said.

Against this case, the victim claimed to suffer a loss worth IDR 22.2 million. This case was reported to Denpasar Metro Police to be followed up. Up to now, the Kuta Sector Police are still investigating the snatchig case, including to make coordination with the Badung Resort Police whether it had something to do with the gang captured earlier. (kmb21)

Outpatients Find MICE Tourism Expected To Contribute Difficulty to Use JKBM More to Local Communities Renon (Denpost)—

Denpasar (Bali Post)—

During the period of this year 2010, some major events will be held in Indonesia, especially in Bali. The tourism of meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) in Bali stays to be based on cultural tourism expected to give direct contribution to local communities.

Thus was affirmed by Chairman of Society of Indonesian Professional Convention Organizers (SIPCO), last Tuesday (Feb 9). Of several important events scheduled to beorganized along this year, some of which could have been ensured that they would be held in Indonesia. ”We can not say in detail because they arestill in the bidding process,” said Juarez replacing John Panca to lead SIPCO Bali. Last year, many of MICE events were held in Indonesia (Bali and Jakarta). ”However, not all of them were exposed to the mass media,” he said.

Tourists belonging to this category, he added, had higher spending power than those coming merely for leisure purposes. He also denied that such MICE tourists, especially incentive has given less

contribution directly to local communities. This minor problem arose because these tourists had their own characteristic living at prestigious area and were considered to have a short time for getting in touch with the local community they visited. ”Do not misjudge, in the excursion they also make a visit to traditional craft centers. On that occasion, there must be economic interaction that could not be underestimated,” he said while describing some large electronics company from Japan that provided incentives of vacation to their employees to Bali recently.

For that purpose, he needed an improvement in competencies of SIPCO’s members that have now reached 150 people. In the age of twenty years (1990-2010), he saw several improvement in the capability of handling MICE tourism. ”Convention tourism, for instance, its organization is not only enough to know how to turn on sound system, lighting and so forth. It is not so simple as that,” he said. A professional convention organizer should also have complete competence in the field of ticketing, immigration, licensing and so on.

On that account, SIPCO Bali will organize a course in the upcoming April. It is this kind of model used to improve the knowledge heldfor several times in the context of basic and advanced competencies. Even, it had been done in Singapore and Hong Kong.

In the current development, Bali can be said to have not been ideal enough for large conventions accommodating more than 200 participants. ”Since we have a convention center facility as it is, so if organizing the bigger one, it must be disseminated,” he explained. In Indonesia, only Jakarta and Bali that have had such facilities. Bali, of course, remained to use the paradigm of cultural tourism as its basic, while its bidding process was undertaken overseas.

If at the current time there is impression that most big events were handled by a number of companies from Jakarta, Juarez did not argue it. PCO companies of local Bali indeed looked weaker in terms of financial aspect. However, in terms of competence, he admitted that his members were credible enough to organize a major international event. (055)

The outpatients of Sanglah Hospital before the Bali Mandara Health Insurance (JKBM) came into effect were hard to use the JKBM facility. Although ones already had a recommendation letter indicating not to have any health insurance, they could not enjoy the benefits of JKBM program touted to help people having Bali ID card. Let alone ID card of Bali, a native Balinese who undertook outpatient treatment should struggle to collect all requirements of JKBM. Such experience was encountered

by Nyoman Dagong, apatient of native to Bali who was born at Banjar Dukuh Sari, Kerobokan, Badung.

Dagong has received outpatient treatment far before the presence of JKBM programs effective since the beginning of last January. His illness was severe enough namely a disorder on heart and lungs. When he would like to get free service through JKBM facilty, the procedure was very difficult. Although he has been already in the hospital, he was required to seek the referral letter to community health center, and then it was forwarded to the regency hospital. Meanwhile, he himself was in the hospital having the original Bali’s ID card and the recommendation letter issued by the head of Dukuh Sari Hamlet, Kerobokan. ”We can not obtain JKBM services.

We were told to submit referral letter to community health center and Regency Hospital. Meanwhile, my parent-in-law and me have been in Sanglah Hospital to get outpatient treatment before the implementaiton of JKBM. Is there no policy for small people like us,” said Nyoman Arief when accompanying his parent to Heart Policlinic, last Tuesday (Feb 9).

Because they have been already in Sanglah Hospital, it was not possible for them to go back to the house to obtain the requirements starting from referral letter from community health center to Badung Hospital located at Kapal, Mengwi. ”Our house is far from here, sir. Kerobokan Kelod to Badung Hospital is far and it is impossible for us to travel back and forth. We should cover the expense for the treatment of our parent-in-law. JKBM could not be enjoyed due to obstacle of complicated procedures,” he said.

Nyoman Arief questioned why patients who have long been treated in Sanglah Hospital should go back to search for referral letter. It is very different from new patients and have never been treated at Sanglah Hospital. ”This incident should be made into a learning by government in order this deficiency could be improved. And if it can be facilitated why it should be compounded. We are a native Balinese not migrant. ,” he said. (259)

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

Bali News

International

Thursday, February 11, 2010

3

Dengue Fever Patient Dies Just 30 Minutes After Entering RSUP Denpasar, Bali Post

A 14-year-old girl, Gusti Putu Arista Dewi from Banjar Tegal Kelodan, Dauh Peken, Tabanan, died from an infection caused by dengue fever (DB). She was declared beyond help after undergoing a medical examination in the Emergency Room of Sanglah Public Hospital (RSUP) on Monday (8 / 2) at 22:00. She went limp due to her condition, precisely 30 minutes after entering the RSUP. Arista’s death was unfortunate because she came to the RSUP a little late. By the time the medical team recorded her temperature, it was at 40 degrees, meaning the patient was in a very weak and critical condition. The medical team then diagnosed Arista with dengue fever stage IV, known as dengue shock syndrome (DSS). The RSUP devoted three specialists to the patient, ranging from an internal disease specialist, a cardiologist and an anesthesiologist. Unfortunately, the patient’s condition continued to weaken, until finally she died.

Her body was taken to the funeral home by her family.

According to DenPost monitoring, since the beginning of this year there were three patients diagnosed with dengue fever who died, including Arista. The first patient came from Gianyar, whereas the second patient is ABK that had just finished fishing at the time. Patients in RSUP diagnosed with DB or DHF (dengue hemorrhagic fever) are quite a lot.

Last Tuesday, it was noted that 71 patients of DB were still hos-

pitalized in RSUP, both children and adult patients.

The number of diagnosed patients of DB in Sanglah Public Hospital since January, ranked first in. The data from the Medical Record Section of RSUP in January, noted that 338 patients undergo DB hospitalization. Next, chemotherapy patients are in second place with a number of 129 cases. Moreover, there are 77 patients admitted with classical dengue occupying the third position.

Meanwhile, cases of diarrhea are occupying the fourth position with the number of patients in January 2010 as many as 66 people.

In Wangaya hospital, last January, there are 221 DB patients and 316 diarrhea patients. Later on, in February, only 7 patients of DB and 13 patients of diarrhea were recorded.

The special children inpatient room in RSUP Sanglah, Jempiring Room, also began to be stuffed with dengue fever (DB) patients which is also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Based on DenPost monitoring, on Monday (8 / 2) there are 10 children

treated patients in Jempiring Room diagnosed with DHF, with 7 of them treated in the intensive room because they were diagnosed with DHF stage III, also called DSS. Surprisingly, there were four DB patients in Jempiring room who live in the same house in Jalan Pulau Batanta, Banjar Seblanga.

The four children who are still in a family environment are Made Agus Adnyana Putra (5), Komang Alit (2.5) – Agus’s brother and two other cousins of his: Kadek Bayu Prayoga (4) and Komang Aditya (2). Agus’s brother, Alit, was sent home for recovery. Agus went to RSUP on last Wednesday (3 / 2), while Bayu’s and Aditya’s conditions, who went in on Thursday (4 / 2) and Friday (5 / 2) have improved.

Agus still looks weak as seen in room Jempiring. In the same room, was also treated Ni Luh Sintia Wati (3), who lives on Jalan Pulasari, Gang Tunjung Biru, Nusa Dua, also affected by DB. She entered RSUP since Saturday (6 / 2). Agus and Sintia was convicted of having DSS.

To Prevent Influenza Pandemic Indonesia Receives Grants worth 13.5 Million Euros Bali Receives Two Ambulances Jakarta (Bali Post)—

European Union through the World Health Organization (WHO) provided a grant of 13.5 million euros in order to prevent and control bird flu (Avian Influenza), and specifically 22 units donated two units of ambulances where two of them were received by Sanglah Hospital Denpasar and Tabanan Regional Hospital . It was stated in the seminar entitled Preparing Indonesia for Facing Influenza Pandemic initiated by the European Union in Jakarta, last Tuesday (Feb 9).

EU ambassador to Indonesia, Julian Wilson, said the need to cooperate against the threat of bird flu and human was very clear. European Union itself, Wilson said, providing 70 percent of global funds of the Avian and Human Influenza Facility (AHIF) were intended for the pre-

vention and control of bird flu in Indonesia.

He said, through the Implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Avian Influenza (INSPAI) program it has helped Indonesia substantially, such as by providing infection control training for 100 referral hospitals of bird flu prevention, quality control training for birdflu laboratory network, and healthy food market pilot project in 10 regions and support for research to detect virus mutation as early as possible.

Meanwhile, the WHO Representative to Indonesia Stephan Jost praised what had been done the Indonesian government to prevent the threat of bird flu pandemic. Such reality, Stephan said, put Indonesia in a good position to face the challenge of H1N1 infection pandemic. ”WHO will continue to provide support and assistance in re-

sponding to the challenges from both influenza viruses to protect the health of the people of Indonesia,” he said.

Director General of Disease Control and Environmental Sanitization of Ministry of Health, Tjandra Yoga Aditama, said since a few years ago Indonesia had adopted a National Strategic Plan for avian influenza control created as an effective response to this problem. He said, the virus continued to circulate and become a threat to human health.

Although various theories emerged among scientists, Tjandra said that the risk factors in relation to the transfer of the virus from poultry to humans has not been clearly identified. ” In all scenarios, the environmental pollution is alleged to play a role in infection to human,” he said. (010)

IBP/edi

The Hindus who conduct pray in Penataran Agung Ped temple on Wednesday, February 10th 2010 use Bounty Cruise to get to Nusa Penida Island. The ship make easier to the Hindus to take part in the ceremony but also to take the tourists to the island.

Required a Leader Being Able to Guard Balinese Culture Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Badung poses the showcase window of Bali as a the door of cultural tourism area. On that account, it needs a leader who can poise the needs of tourism on the one hand, and keeping Balinese culture on the other hand. Bali tourism is cultural tourism inspired by Hinduism.

Therefore, the leader must be able to guard well the Balinese culture.

Thus was revealed by a lecturer from the Denpasar State Institute of Hindu Dharma (IHDN) Gde Rudia Adiputra, and a lecturer from Hindu University of Indonesia (Unhi) Wayan Budi Utama, lastTuesday (Feb 9) when asked for their comments related to the Bali Post poll stating the leader of Badung has to keep ahead the Balinese culture.

Rudia Adiputra said as tourist destination, especially the South Badung, it was like sugar which always attended by urbanites from all directions. It required great attention from the leader of Badung in years to come, so that population was not until the super overload. These conditions did not close the possibility of social and cultural pressures if not controlled properly. Here was required a leader of Badung that could control the negative excesses of tourism, so the Balinese culture remained well conserved along with the natural environment sustainably. ”We expect the values of Balinese culture would not lose because of the sociocultural pressures. ”The tradition of pakedek pakenyung or shared happiness and concept of harmonious life should remain to exist,” he said. Our collecive task, including the future leader of Badung is to continue guarding the cultural values of Bali in order to remain stable. If Balinese culture remains stable, Bali will always become interesting place to visit as a regional cultural tourism. Similarly, the results of this tourism activity should be able

to improve the quality of Balinese human resources.

In the meantime, Wayan Budi Utama said Badung denoted the window of Bali as a cultural tourism area.

Therefore, Badung required a leader who could poise the needs of tourism on the one hand, and keeping Balinese culture on the other hand.”Bali tourism is a cultural tourism inspired by Hinduism. Therefore, the leader must be able to guard well the Balinese culture,” he said.

Budi Utama who is also the Head of Postgraduate Program of Religious and Cultural Studies at Hindu University of Indonesia, said the future leader of Badung must also be able to balance the North Badung with the South Badung region. North Badung as agricultural areas were expected to support the activities of tourism in the South Badung, so that economic inequality would not occur. Agricultural products of North Badung should be used for tourism purposes. If the results of the North Badung farming could be utilized optimally for the sake of tourism, it would increase the farmers’ welfare. Likewise, agriculture denoting the root of Balinese culture must be well guarded.

Improvement of farmers’ welfare is important to eliminate the number of poor households (RTM) existing in Badung. In order to produce quality agricultural products, of course it would need assistance from the government. So, human resources of farmers needs improving in terms of their education and skills. Also, future leader must pay more attention to the education of community if they want to be a host in their own house.

When the urban ites armed with the adquate education and skills flocked to Badung, while the quality of human resources of local residents are not prepared properly, they would lose and become spectators in their own region. (08)

4

Thursday, February 11, 2010

News

International

China jails young man for joining political party BEIJING – A 20-year-old factory worker who joined a banned political party because he was unhappy with one-party rule in China was sentenced to jail for 18 months Wednesday, his mother said.

A court in southern China’s boomtown city of Shenzhen found Xue Mingkai guilty of subversion of state power because he joined the U.S.-based China Democracy Party last April, Xue’s mother Wang Shuqing said.

Xue was the latest of several people jailed in recent months for subversion or other vaguely defined laws that critics say are often used to silence dissent.

“This is very wicked, our country,” Wang told The Associated Press by phone. “Chinese people have no human rights.”

AP

In this undated photo provided by Xue Mingkai’s mother Wang Shuqing, Xue Mingkai, dressed as a security

Human rights groups had said Xue faced up to 10 years in jail and three others he was in contact with had also been arrested and tried for subversion, in Liaoning, Hunan and Hubei provinces. The rulings on those cases could not immediately be found.

China allows a small number of officially recognized parties, although they serve as advisers to, rather than competitors with, the ruling Communist Party.

Xue’s lawyers argued their client was not guilty because becoming a member of a political party did not amount to subversion, according to court documents posted on the Web site of the Chinese Human Rights Defenders group. His lawyers said Xue hoped eventually to start his own party.

“Since I was young I did not like the abuses of the one-party dictatorship and I wanted to establish a party to participate in politics and change the Chinese Communist Party’s way of governing,” Xue said during interrogation, according to a submission by the defense.

Founded by dissidents in 1998, the China Democracy Party was uashed six months later by the Communist Party. Dozens of founding members were arrested and sentenced to up to 13 years in prison, most on charges of subverting state power.

After the crackdown, some of the founding members fled to the United States.

A court Tuesday jailed for five years Tan Zuoren, an activist who investigated the deaths of thousands of children in the country’s massive 2008 earthquake, on the charge of inciting subversion of state power. In December, prominent dissident Liu Xiaobo was jailed 11 years on the same charge.

AFP/File

Snow-covered houses are seen in Kabul on February 8. Another 39 bodies have been recovered from the site

Officials: Afghan avalanches kill 157 people KABUL – At least 157 people have been killed in a series of avalanches that blocked a mountain pass north of Kabul, trapping hundreds more in their snowbound vehicles, Afghan officials said Wednesday.

Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary said rescuers have recovered the 157 bodies from the Salang Pass, a key road that connects the Afghan capital with the north, over the past two days.

At a press conference in Kabul, Bashary said 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) of road have been cleared for ambulances, bulldozers and other road-clearing equipment to get through. About 2,600 people have been rescued so far, he said.

A series of avalanches that began Monday along the 12,700-feethigh (3,800-meter) pass closed off

roads and stranded hundreds of people in snowbound vehicles.

Some of the victims were found frozen to death inside their vehicles, while in other cases, their bodies were strewn along the road, he said.

More than two dozen avalanches hit the pass, blocking 2.1 miles (3.5 kilometers) of road and burying hundreds of vehicles.

Some 400 police, along with 100 local volunteers, have been involved in the frantic effort to dig out survivors in the last 24 hours, he said.

Bashary said 135 bodies have been taken to Parwan province to the

north while the remainder were taken to Baglan in the south.

Search-and-rescue teams reached dozens more of the stranded this morning, he said.

On Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said that Afghan forces had managed to evacuate more than 400 of the injured, with 180 taken by coalition helicopters to Bagram Airbase for medical treatment, said Defense Minister Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak.

Some 500 Afghan soldiers were also mobilized to join the police and others in rescue efforts. The international coalition contributed four Chinook helicopters, while the army sent two choppers, several ambulances and several bulldozers, the Afghan National Army said.

Israeli warplanes bomb southern Gaza JERUSALEM (AFP) – Israeli warplanes bombed several sites in southern Gaza overnight in response to rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave, the army and Palestinian medics said on Wednesday.

No one was wounded or killed in the strikes, which destroyed an abandoned building in Gaza’s only airport, according to medics.

The airport was shut down and largely destroyed after the out-

break of the 2000 Palestinian uprising, or intifada, and has not been used since.

The attacks came in response to rocket fire from the impoverished enclave over the past several days, the army said in a statement. The rocket fire did not cause any casualties.

Israel has repeatedly targeted the vast network of tunnels used to smuggle food and construction materials as well as weapons from Egypt into Gaza, which has been under a

punishing blockade since Hamas seized control there in June 2007.

Gaza’s borders have been mostly quiet since a devastating Israeli offensive in December 2008 and January 2009. Some 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed in the 22-day war.

File photo shows Israeli soldiers on patrol along the border with the Gaza Strip.

AFP/File

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

General Info

Thursday, February 11, 2010

HOSPITAL Denpasar There are 4 major hospitals usually used by foreigners Denpasar General Hospital (RSUP Sanglah), Kasih Ibu Hospital, Rumah Sakit Wongaya and Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada.

HOSPITAL Bangli Bangli General Hospital Jl. Kesumayuda 27, Bangli Phone : +62 366 91521 Gianyar

Royal Danish & Norwegian Mimpi Resort Jimbaran, Bali Phone +62.361.701 070 The Czech Republic Jalan Pengembak No. 17 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.286 465 France Consulate Agency Jalan Merta Sari Gang II No. 8 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.285 485 The Federal Republic of Germany Jalan Pantai Karang No 17 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.288 535 The Republic of Hungary Jalan By Pass No 219 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.287 701 Italian Consulate Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Jimbaran, Bali Phone +62.361.701 005 Honorary Consulate of Mexico Jalan Mohamad Yamin 1 A, Renon, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.223 266 Honorary Consulate of The Netherlands Jalan Raya Kuta 127, Bali Phone +62.361.761 506 Honorary Consulate of Spain Komplek Istana Kuta Galleria Blok Vallet 2 No 11. Jalan Patih Jelantik Kuta, Bali Phone +62.361.769 286 USA Consulate Agency Jalan Hayam Wuruk No. 188 Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.222 426 Consulate General of Japan Jalan Raya Puputan No. 170 Renon, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.227 628 Honorary Consulate of British Jalan Tirta Nadi No. 20 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.270 601 Swiss and Austria Consulate Jalan Patih Jelantik, Komplek Pertokoan Istana Galleria Phone +62.361.751 735 Honorary Consulate of Brazil Jalan Legian No. 186, Bali Phone +62.361.757 775 Honorary Consulate of Thailand Jalan Raya Puputan Renon 81, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.263 310 Embassy of India Jalan Raya Puputan Renon 42-44, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.241 978 Honorary Consulate of Sweden anf Finland Segara Village Hotel, Jalan Segara Ayu, Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.282 223 Honorary Consulate of Malaysia Alam Kulkul Boutique Resort, Jalan Pantai Kuta, Bali Phone +62.361.752 520

RSUP Sanglah is the main provincial public hospital. Its facilities have improved since the emergency ward had been built in 1991. Difficult/critical cases would not become a problem anymore since it has complete equipments. It is located on Jl. Kesehatan Selatan 1 Sanglah Denpasar with : Phone : 227 911 – 15 Fax : 226 363 Kasih Ibu Hospital is a private hospital which caters for less serious cases such as diarrhea, intestinal disorders, anemia, asthma and minor accidents. Kasih Ibu is also equipped to care for pregnant women. This hospital is located on Jl. Teuku Umar 120 Denpasar.

Phone : 223 036 Fax : 268 690.

Rumah Sakit Wongaya (Public Hospital; Psychiatric Unit) Jl. Kartini, Denpasar.

Phone : 222 142.

Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada , (Private) Jl. Sudirman No 50, Denpasar Phone : 227 560, 234 824 In relating with health, Bali also has insurance and medical evacuation company, that is: AEA International - SOS Assistance Bali.

PT Abhaya Eka Astiti, Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 24X, Kuta 80361.

Phone : 755 768 Fax : 755 768 One thing that should be noted by tourists here is that the Blood Bank in Bali normally carries no stock of Rhesus (Rh) Negative blood.

Badung Bali Medical Clinics There are some medical clinics that are well known by foreigners in Bali. Some of them are western owned and operated : Bali International Medical Center (BIMC) Bali International Medical Centre (BIMC) provides excellent Primary Health Care & Emeregency Medical Services for tourists, traveler, and expatriate living in Bali.

Emeregency Room, Ambulance, Clinic Services, Insurance & Medical Evacuations also available. Open 24 hours Phone : 761 2631. Located Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No.100X, Kuta, Bali 80361 - Indonesia. http://www.bimcbali.com International SOS Clinic Bali Opened in 1999, offers International SOS members and visitors to Bali comprehensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency medical service.

Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai 505X, Kuta 80361, Bali - Indonesia Phone : 720 100 Fax : 721 919 E-mail : info@sos-bali.com ttp ://www.sos-bali.com Bali Nusa Dua Emergency Clinic Jl Pratama No. 81 Phone : 771 324 Kuta Clinic Jl. Raya Kuta Phone : 753 268 Dental Clinic Dr Indra Guizot, Jl. Patimura 19, Denpasar Phone : 222 445, 234 375 DDS. Ritjie Rihartinah, Jl Pratama No. 81 Nusa Dua Phone : 771 324 Retno W. Agung, Jln. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.4A Br. Tamansari – Sanur Phone : 288 501

Clinic Mas Jl. Raya Mas, Ubud Phone : +62 361 974573 Toyo Clinic Jl. Pengosekan, Ubud Phone : +62 361 978078 Permata Bunda Clinic Jl. Patih Jelantik 50 X, Gianyar Phone : +62 361 942082 Ubud Clinic Jl Raya Ubud No.36 Campuhan, Ubud Phone : +62 361 974911 Gianyar General Hospital Jl. Ciung Wanara 2, Gianyar Phone : +62 361 943049 Karangasem Karangasem General Hospital Jl. Ngurah Rai, Karangasem Phone : +62 363 21001 Klungkung Klungkung General Hospital Jl. Flamboyan 40-4, Klungkung Phone : +62 366 21371 Negara Negara General Hospital Jl. Gelar, Negara Phone : +62 365 41006 Tabanan Laboratorium Clinic Jl. Gunung semeru No. 8, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 819260 Mengwi Clinic Jl. I Gusti Ngurah Rai 46, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 880550 Darma Kerti Hospital Jl. Teratai 16, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 812359 Tabanan General Hospital Jl. Pahlawan 14, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 811027 Singaraja Prodia Clinic Jl. RA Kartini 12, Singaraja Bali 0362 - 24-516 Singaraja Hospital Jl. Ngurah Rai 30, Singaraja Bali 0362 - 22-573 Pet Clinics Kayumas: (0361) 226934 Sayang Binatang: (0361) 483121 Satwa Kertha Husada: (0361) 263018 Pantai Sindhu: (0361) 287518 Sidakarya: (0361) 724492 Pedungan: (0361) 720026

TAXIS Praja Taxi : (0361) 289090 Bali Taxi : (0361) 701111 Ngurah Rai Taxi : (0361) 724724 Pan Wirthi Taxi : (0361) 723366 Komotra Taxi : (0361) 758855

5

6

Thursday, February 11, 2010

News NZ teen kidnaps puppy to save it from euthanasia

AP –

Felix Patzi, candidate for governor of the La Paz department, makes 1,000 bricks as his punishment after pleading guilty to drinking and driving in Patacamaya in Bolivia’s La Paz department, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Patzi served as education minister during the first term of Bolivia’s President Evo Morales, who asked Patzi to withdraw his candidacy after his Feb. 4 arrest. Bolivia will hold regional elections on April 4.

Bolivian candidate sentenced to make adobe bricks Bolivia – A governing party candidate in Bolivia is making 1,000 adobe bricks as part of a drunk-driving sentence handed down under the community justice system backed by the country’s pro-indigenous government.

Felix Patzi, an Aymara Indian who was running for governor of La Paz, made 300 bricks by Tuesday afternoon.

Patzi has acknowledged he drove drunk and he gave up his

candidacy at the request of President Evo Morales.

He apologized to Bolivia’s first Indian president on Monday. He says he would like to resume his candidacy, but will

leave that decision to his community.

Bolivia’s constitution allows for “community justice” punishments as traditionally meted out by Indian communities.

Chinese ‘hire’ girlfriends to fob off pushy parents

AFP/File –

File photo shows a couple kissing on the subway in Beijing.

BEIJING (AFP) – Single people in China have come up with an innovative way of pleasing their pushy parents during the annual Lunar New Year holiday — they are renting fake dates.

Advertisements posted by people seeking to pay young men or women to come home with them for Spring Festival — China’s most important family holiday that kicks off this weekend — are scattered all over popular web portals.

“500 yuan (73 dollars) a day, you don’t have to sleep with me, I can sleep on the floor in the same room, but you have to be a good actress,” one man said Wednesday on baidu.com, under the heading “Looking to rent a girlfriend”.

A lot of 20-something Chinese have no siblings due to the nation’s one-child policy, and many come under heavy pressure to marry once they hit their late 20s.

“I haven’t yet found a suitable girlfriend and my parents are pushing too

hard,” said another posting on Chinaren.com under the title “desperately looking for a girlfriend to go home with me for Chinese New Year”.

“I’m searching for a girl around 23 years old (and not more than two years below or above that), 160 to 175 centimetres high, average looking is OK,” it added.

Other people have posted advertisements offering their services to accompany desperate singletons home.

According to the state-run Global Times, a female student at the prestigious Peking University placed an ad offering 10,000 yuan a day to a man willing to go home with her for Spring Festival.

She said in the posting that her parents had told her to bring a man home or “you can forget about coming home for the holiday”, the report said.

One organisation, called the Xiao Bai Alliance, is helping bring “special friends” together for the holiday to please anxious parents, the report said.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – A New Zealand teenager faced legal action after he stole his own injured puppy from a clinic to save it from euthanasia when the family couldn’t afford expensive surgery after it was hit by a car.

The story appears headed for a happy ending, however. The public rallied to the plight of Bronson Stewart and 5-monthold puppy Buck on Wednesday, raising money to save the dog by paying the bill, local media reported.

After Buck was hit by a car two weeks ago neither Stewart, 19, nor his father Kevin could afford the 2,500 New Zealand dollars ($1,730) for the puppy’s broken leg to be pinned back together or the $555 (NZ$800) for the leg to be amputated.

The family, which lives on welfare in the North Island city of Wanganui, instead offered to pay the veterinary clinic $3.50 a week, but the clinic declined.

The veterinarian then refused to return the pup, saying it was best the little dog be euthanized because he was in agony.

“I just knew I had to get my dog back. He’s like my brother,”

Stewart told TV One’s “Closeup” program Wednesday.

“They can’t just kill him because I haven’t got any money.”

Stewart went to the veterinary clinic last Friday and asked to see Buck, grabbed the little dog and ran home.

New Zealand’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) then threatened the teenager with prosecution for cruelty to an animal unless he got veterinary care for the dog, which was suffering considerable pain.

A determined Stewart said he would rather be put behind bars than see his dog put down. “I’ll go to jail for my dog,” he told TV One. After the story was publicized, local people rallied to Buck’s aid.

Wanganui SPCA manager Val Waters told New Zealand Press Association that people had donated $624 to save Buck and the office had fielded “hundreds” of calls from people offering further donations.

That should be enough to pay for the surgery to repair Buck’s leg, according to Waters.

“The dog will be just fine,” Waters said.

Doctor...

From page 1 “He came in delirious, asking to die,” said Nery Ynclan, a University of Miami media officer in Haiti, noting that Creole translators were at the field hospital.

Ynclan said the rice vendor was in stable condition Tuesday and being treated for dehydration and malnutrition. He was nibbling on chocolate, she said.

“Someone could not survive 28 days without water,” Ynclan said. “You can go nine weeks without food.”

Doctors have said that disaster survivors may be able to sustain themselves with a water supply and without medical attention for up to two weeks Jayaweera said the man originally claimed he had not had any water or food. The man, however, had normal kidney function with heart palpitations, suggesting he at least had drank something but not enough to avoid getting dehydrated, the doctor said.

Still, doctors at the field hospital and at a Salvation Army medical center had no way to confirm the story.

A videotape shot by Michael Andrew, an Arizona-based

freelance photographer and a volunteer at the Salvation Army medical center, shows doctors on Monday trying without success to insert a needle into the man’s arm to give him fluid. Doctors there then referred the man to the field hospital at the airport, Andrew told The Associated Press.

The Salvation Army, in a brief posting on its Web site, said the two men, whom it didn’t identify, found the man in the debris of the market Monday. But Andrew said Tuesday it wasn’t clear whether others had provided food and water to the man and that many details of the case had yet to be learned.

It also wasn’t known why teams of international search and rescue workers were not alerted to the man’s reported circumstances in the wrecked market.

The man’s mother, who was at the field hospital, told workers that people clearing rubble downtown discovered him and alerted his brothers.

The Haiti quake killed 230,000 people, the Haitian government said Tuesday.

International

Indonesia Today

Thursday, February 11, 2010

7

Indonesia hotel bombing suspect goes on trial Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - A suspected member of late terror leader Noordin Mohammad Top’s network went on trial in Indonesia Wednesday charged over twin suicide attacks on luxury hotels in Jakarta last year.

The bombings killed seven people as well as the two suicide bombers and marked the bloody end of a four-year hiatus in attacks attributed to Noordin and Al-Qaeda-linked regional terror network Jemaah Islamiyah.

Noordin’s alleged driver, Amir Abdillah, could face multiple death sentences if convicted on charges that include carrying out an act of terrorism, providing explosive materials and harbouring terrorist suspects.

Prosecutors said he was also part of a plot to assassinate Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and had booked a room at the JW Marriott hotel which the bombers used to prepare their attacks.

“He assisted in an act of terrorism by way of purposely using violence and stirring an atmosphere of terror and widespread fear,” prosecutor Totok Bambang said.

Two Islamic extremists with backpacks filled with homemade bombs blew themselves up at the neighbouring JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton hotels in downtown Jakarta on July 17.

Three Australians, a New Zealander and a Dutch couple were among the dead as the bombers tar-

geted a meeting of foreign businessmen and a restaurant popular with Western guests.

Abdillah wore the white garb of a devout Muslim, joked with journalists and smiled during the hearing, but was not required to enter a plea.

Asked by journalists outside the court whether he regretted his actions, he thought for a few seconds and replied: “Yes”.

Police have said his arrest shortly after the hotel blasts was crucial to subsequent operations which ultimately led to the killing or capture of Malaysian Islamist Noordin and several of his accomplices.

Noordin, who was killed by police in September, led a splinter faction of Jemaah Islamiyah which he dubbed “Al-Qaeda in the Malay Archipelago”.

In addition to the hotel blasts, he was blamed for a 2003 attack on the Marriott, the 2004 bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta and 2005 attacks on tourist restaurants on Bali, killing almost 50 people in total. Jemaah Islamiyah carried out the 2002 bombings of nightspots on the resort island of Bali which killed 202 people, mainly Western tourists, as well as other attacks targeting Indo-

Noordin Mohammad Top’s alleged driver, Amir Abdillah (L), talks to his lawyer during his trial at a South Jakarta court on February 10, 2010.

AFP PHOTO / BAY ISMOYO

nesian Christians.

Noordin and his followers dreamt of creating an Islamic caliphate spanning much of Southeast Asia and advocated the use of indiscriminate violence to protect Muslims from perceived oppression around the world.

He was inspired by Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden’s call for global jihad against the West and allegedly received funding from Al-Qaeda for the first Marriott bombing.

Police say more than a dozen of his accomplices have been killed and six arrested since the July 17 blasts, including a Saudi national who allegedly provided funding for the attack.

The dead suspects include a florist who worked at one of the hotels and helped the suicide bombers penetrate the establishments’ airport-style security and conduct extensive pre-attack surveillance.

One of the bombers stayed for sev-

eral days as a guest at the Marriott before launching his suicide mission.

The prosecution alleged Abdillah had also transported explosive materials to a rented house on the outskirts of Jakarta where extremists were building a truck bomb to be used against the president.

“The plan was to crash the car into the president’s convoy with eight sacks of bombs,” Bambang said.

Soros hopes RI’s democracy to become livelier Antara

JAKARTA - George Soros, founder of the Open Society Institute, has expressed hope democracy in Indonesia would become more lively.

After a meeting with Vice

President Boediono here on Wednesday, Soros said he had come to Indonesia to review his support to Tifa Foundation which was dedicated to the creation of an open society.

He met Boediono accompanied

by Tifa Foundation executive Yuli

Ismartono.

Soros said Tifa Foundation had done its tasks properly. He hoped the foundation could more intensively activate democratic processes in Indonesia.

He said the Open Society Institute fully supported democracy in

Indonesia and hoped that Tifa Foundation could help Indonesian democracy become livelier.

George Soros was born on August 12, 1930, in Budapest, Hungary.

In 1956, he moved to the United States, and started working as a financial analyst. In 1969, he founded his

first offshore hedge fund, which grew immensely through speculation.

With a net worth estimated as $11 billion, George Soros is the 29th richest person in the world, according to Forbes magazine.

President receives US Pacific Command Chief Antara

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (R) shakes hands with Robert F. Willard, commander of the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) prior to their meeting in Jakarta on February 10, 2010. Yudhoyono and Willard had the meeting in the field of defence weeks before the US President Barack Obama visits the country where he lived during part of his childhood.

JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at his office here on Wednesday received Admiral Robert F. Willard, commander of the United States Pacific Command.

The head of state was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa, and Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro when receiving the US admiral.

They were believed to have talked about the planned visit of US President Barrack Obama to Indonesia next March.

President Obama and his family will make a state visit to Indonesia in

the second half of March 2010, according to a White House statement recently.

During his visit Obama would formally launch the US-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, an initiative through which the United States will broaden and strengthen relations with Indonesia to tackle important regional and global issues.

Admiral Robert F. Willard is a Los Angeles native and a 1973 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He has a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University and is an MIT Seminar XXI alumnus. As a Flag Officer, Willard twice served on the Joint Staff, was Deputy and Chief of Staff for U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii,

commanded Carrier Group Five aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and commanded the U.S. Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan.

In March 2005, Willard became the 34th Vice Chief of Naval Operations; in May 2007, he assumed command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet; and on October 19, 2009, he became the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.

Admiral Willard’s decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and various other awards, according to Willard’s biography published on the website of the US Pacific Command.

8

Internationa

Thursday, February 11, 2009

Bali Today Mount Agung close for climbing activities Antara

DENPASAR – The security officers and guides on guard on Gunung Agung climbing post in Besakih area, Karangasem, forbid all climbing activities. This is because the poor weather condition which happened throughout Bali.

Nyoman Sudarsana, the member of Gunung Agung Climbing Guide (KPWKG) said “heavy rain and strong wind often happened. It is very dangerous for climbing activities in almost all tracks on the mountain.”

He said that currently there are no secure tracks to climb Mount Agung. The climbers must pass a 50 centimeters wide path which is surrounded by deep trench to get to the top of the mountain. “The trench is hundred of meters deep so it is very dangerous if the climber slip and fall in it,” Sudarsana added.

In addition to the trench, some of the path also has more than 75 degrees of elevation so it is very difficult especially for the beginners.

For that reason, all of the people who wanted to climb the mountain should postpone their intention until the weather conditions improve. Some of the guides already refuse to take the climber up the mountain but some of the climber keep go up the mountain illegally.

Sudarsana said “it is very dangerous to climb the mountain without the guidance of the guide. Several incidents happened when the climbers force their way up.”

Few years ago, three climbers from Bandung were lost in Mount Agung. From the three climbers, only one person was being able to find. He was dead.

Mohamad Iqbal was found dead by the search and rescue team and Eko Saputro Sudirman and Yunita Indah Safitri were no where to be found.

They were suspected to fall into the trench.

Sudarsana urged the climbers to postpone their intention to climb the highest mountain in Bali.

http://www.richard-seaman.com

A photo of the Mount Agung’s peak. The security officers and guides on guard on Gunung Agung climbing post in Besakih area, Karangasem, forbid all climbing activities. This is because the poor weather condition which happened throughout Bali.

Tourism Promotion through Foreign TV Bali must have travel agents rule

Although tourist visit to Bali significantly increased, the promotion of Bali tourism should remain and continue to do.

Even, within this year 2010, Bali Government Tourism Office makes a new breakthrough namely by promoting Bali tourism through foreign TV station. On that account, it requires special allocation of sufficiently large amount of fund.

Meanwhile, for the promotion of tourism events in Bali, its party remains to make cooperation with it Bali Travel News (BTN). As stated by Head of Bali Government Tourism Office, IB Subhiksu.

Furthermore, other forms of promotion done previously by spreading leaflets, booklets, brochures, CDs and VCDs are still performed, likewise, direct campaign to the places in the world potential market like ITB Berlin (March), ITB Singapore (October) and Dema in Orlando USA (November). Promotion carried out at home is done by joining the Gebyar Nusantara Jakarta (May) and the promotion in Batam (October).

Access to information about Bali tourism over the Internet with periodical data update is performed any time in order Bali remains to become a popular tourist destination choice for national and international tourists. In addition, his party

also embraces tourism stakeholders such as the Bali Village joins in the event of ITB Berlin all the times.

Subhiksu said, according to information set out in the calendar of events 2010 published by Bali Government Tourism Office carries many interesting events ranging from cultural / Hindu religious ceremony to the art festivals. Bali Art Festival and other festivals such as A Touch of Creativity, Kuta Carnival, Bali Kite Festival, Nusa Dua Fiesta, Bali Write & Reders Festival, Sanur Village Festival and Spirit Festival. “Well, I expect this event to be widely disseminated by the BTN even if need they are packed into interesting news,” he added.

Besides, he added, the potency of rural areas will also be made into an integrated area targeting 40 villages. This integrated region does not only have agricultural potential, but also marine, agriculture, culture, art and so on. These villages will be explored, so that they will become new tourism potential.

To further introduce all activities existing in Bali, particularly those relating to tourism and culture, Bali Government Tourism Office will also make coordination with all existing working units of regional apparatus (SKPD). For example, Department of Agriculture organizes orchid festival and so forth that will synergized by the Government Tourism Office. (kmb)

Antara

DENPASAR – Bali’s Governor, Made Mangku Pastika, stated that Bali should have special rules about tourism travel agent. “We need the rules in order to give better service to the tourists visited Bali,” he added.

The governor explained that in 2009, the number of travel agents noted were 635 agents but not all of them operating or reported their yearly activities.

“I hope that in the future, after the rules apply, all travel agents must give full report every six months,” governor added.

Meanwhile, the vice head of Bali House of Representative, Gusti Bagus Alit Putra, said that the rule must organize all parts of the travel agents. “The rules will also organize about the car that being use by the agents,” he added.

The tourism package also will be arranged base on the rules because there are some complaints by the tourists where the tourism package that they buy on the internet is different with the actual one.

Alit Putra said “the similar case should not happen in the future. To sell the package, the travel agents must have special permit. We hope that the rules can be applied soon. ”

al

Thursday, February 11, 2009

Balinese Culture Coconut Sweet Potato Cake

Inter-religious leaders in Bali remember Gus Dur

Ingredients

Antara

DENPASAR - A group of inter-religious leaders gathered at Al Ihsan Mosque on Tuesday night to pray for late former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Representing Balinese Hindus in observing the 40th anniversary of the demise of the noted leader whose popular nickname was Gus Dur were Pemangku Anak Agung Rai and Pemangku Anak Agung Oka. At the prayers, Muslim and Christian communities in the Indonesian island resort of Bali were respectively represented by KH Agus Toha Al Amnan and Priest Jimmy Hendrik.

About 300 people from various religious backgrounds were also present to remember Gus Dur as a pluralist who had attempted to safeguard Indonesia’s unity in diversity.

Each religious leader prayed for Wahid in accordance with his faith.

Priest Jimmy Hendrik said the prayers were to be maintained because it was the legacy of Gus Dur whose life was dedicated to protecting all the people in the country.

“Our nation is so pluralistic but the fact that we can be one nation as fought for by our nation’s guru, Gus Dur, is indeed an excellent progress,” he said.

Sharing his views, Balinese Hindus leader, Anak Agung Rai, said Gus Dur won the Balinese people’s highest respect.

“Through these prayers, we pay our tribute to him,” he said.

Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, former president who had once led the Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization, passed away on December 30, 2009 at the age of 69.

He was not only respected nationally but also internationally.

(Getuk Lindri)

FOTO ANTARA/ Ujang Zaelani

A group of inter-religious leaders gathered to pray for late former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid or better known as Gus Dur. The same procession also done at Al Ihsan Mosque on Tuesday night attends by a group of inter-religious leaders in Bali.

In observance of the 40th anniversary of his demise on Sunday, tens of thousands of people flocked the Tebuireng Islamic boarding school to pay tribute to him.

In Jakarta, an interfaith group of people marked the 40th anniversary of his death with the launching and discussion of a book on the late leader written by Demien Demitra.

The book entitled “Sejuta Doa untuk Gus Dur” (A Million Prayers for Gus Dur) was Demien’s second book on the former president. His first book, titled “Sejuta Hati untuk Gus Dur” (A Million Hearts for Gus Dur) was launched on January 8, 2010.

In his second book Demien highlighted Gus Dur’s background as a pluralist while the first book chronicled Gus Dur’s life since birth.

“Gus Dur was a true pluralist. He remained steadfast in his convictions but was also very tolerant about differences in human life in the fields of religion, culture and gender,” he said.

* 2 lbs. cassava * 200 gram granulated sugar * ½ tsp. vanila * 1 cup steamed freshgrated coconut, mixed with 1 tsp. salt * 100 cc water * food color

Directions Put in sugar and vanila in a large stockpot with water and bring it to a boil.

Steam cassava until soft. Peel cassava. Mash cassava while still hot and pour the water mixture and food color (what ever color you like) and blend well.

Use the equipment as shown on the left hand side to mold the mixture. Then put them onto a serving platter, and sprinkle with grated coconut.

Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate for an hour and serve chilled. (http://asiarecipe.com)

Sticky Rice Cake in Brown Sugar Sauce (Biji Salak) Ingredients * Rice Cakes 1 cup glutinous rice flour * ½ cup tapioca starch * ¾ cup water * ¼ tsp. salt

Directions To make Rice Cake: Place rice flour and tapioca starch in a deep mixing bowl and make a well in the center.

Add water and salt, mix well and knead dough until it can be rolled and shaped. Dough should not be to dry.

Roll small rice cakes ½-inch in diameter. Cut diagonally 1-inch in length.

Bring 8 cups of water to a oil. Put it the rice cakes, bring back to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set the rice cakes aside.

Ingredients * Sauce 3 cups water * 1 cup coconut milk * ½ cup palm sugar syrup * 1 pandan leaf * Pinch of salt

Directions To make the sauce: Combine water, coconut milk, palm sugar, pandan leaf, and a pinch of salt in a small stockpot. Bring to a boil.

Add rice cakes and simmer for 20 minutes.

Cool and serve at room temperature, topped with a tablespoon of fresh grated coconut.

Helpful hints: When preparing the rice cakes, use the amount of water given in the recipe only as a guideline; the quality of flour varies greatly and affects the amount of liquid it absorbs. Add sufficient water to result in a soft, smooth dough. If the rice cakes are dry when shaped, they will be very tough after cooking. (http:// asiarecipe.com)

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10

Destinations

Thursday, February 11, 2010

International

Nusa Lembongan Island

http://www.lysator.liu.se

NUSA Lembongan, a small island between Bali and Nusa Penida in Badung Strait, is the perfect holiday hideaway with few visitors and pristine un-spoilt beaches. A low, protected island about 11 km southeast of mainland Bali, measuring only four by three km and ringed with mangrove swamps, and palms and white sandy beaches. Inland the terrain is scrubby and very dry, with volcanic stonewalls and processional avenues crisscrossing the small cactus-covered hills. Overlooking Sanghiang Bay with its clear blue waters, the Nusa Lembongan Resort offers a panoramic view of eastern Bali and the majestic silhouette of Mount Agung. Known for its great surf, the excellent crystal-clear waters also make it a perfect place for snorkeling and diving. It’s still a basic place, but interesting, and there are some lovely places to stay.

The island is small enough to explore on foot, offering pristine beaches and coves, majestic views of Mount Agung, unique Balinese architecture, and the friendliness of a simple country folk. With a lack of arable land and a severe shortage of

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meated with its smell.

Visit the seaweed gardens at low tide; they look like gigantic underwater botanical gardens. Two kinds are grown, the small red pinusan and the large green kotoni. Almost the entire crop is exported to Hong Kong for use in the cosmetics and food processing industries. After harvesting, gatherers leave a floating offering of rice and flowers that gently drifts away on the outgoing tide.

Life on Nusa Lembongan is very relaxing, with cool breezes, little traffic, no big hotels, no pollution, no stress, no photocopy machines, and hardly any telephones. Best of all, there are almost no pedagang acung (pushy vendors) and few thieves. Jungut Batu’s charming “tree house” bungalow-style accommodations with outdoors open-air ‘mandi’, rickety wooden furniture, sand floor restaurants and offices are reminiscent of Kuta Beach 20 years ago. Crops are meager, and the only fruit available is melon. All other food must be imported from the market in Denpasar or from the neighboring island of Nusa Penida. (http:/ /www.indonesia-tourism.com)

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tourist attractions, the island’s economy is limited to its underwater wealth-seaweed. A secondary occupation is catering to visiting surfers.

Between Nusa Lembongan and the adjacent of Nusa Ceningan Island, the population is only 60,000.

There are just two villages on Nusa Lembongan, the large, spread out administrative center of Lembongan Village, and Jungut Batu village. Surfers and backpackers hang out in the latter, about 150 per month, for an average stay of three to five days. The only other visitors are European, Japanese, and Australian day-trippers on excursion boats. Jungut Batu offers the island’s best accommodations and water sport opportunities. There’s motorcycle traffic between the two villages and it’s easy to get a lift. Both villages are heavily involved in the cultivation of seaweed. Before government-supported commercial seafood production in 1980, the people of the island lived on maize, cassava, tuber, beans, and peanuts. Today most everyone is involved in one way or another with cultivation of “sea vegetables,” and the air is per-

HUB: Telp. (0361) 424896 081 238 94908, 081 238 94909 C. 490474-bgn-2

C.500357-rpa

Thursday, February 11, 2010

11

BUSINESS Toyota crisis shakes hometown, and Japan Inc. too Agence France-Presse

AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI

A poster by the main civil servants union (ADEDY) calling for the nationwide strike on February 10 hangs in front of the Greek parliament in Athens on February 9, 2010. Thousands of Greek civil servants went on strike Wednesday against wage cuts, paralyzing flights and disrupting rail traffic as Athens grappled to fight a debt crisis that has shaken Europe.

Greek public workers strike against austerity drive Agence France-Presse

ATHENS - Thousands of Greek civil servants went on strike Wednesday against wage cuts, paralyzing flights and disrupting rail traffic as Athens grappled to fight a debt crisis that has shaken Europe.

The day-long strike comes amid reports that Germany is considering how to help Athens and contain any spillover to the other 15 countries that share the euro.

The action — which is set to cripple the work of ministries, local administrations, educational institutions and tax offices — will be another test of the resolve of Greece’s Socialist government.

Flights across Greece were suspended Wednesday as air traffic controllers joined the protest. The two main Greek carriers, Olympic Air and Aegean, cancelled flights for the day.

The main union of public workers, which alone counts some 300,000 members, will stage protests in Athens and the second city of Salonika against the “unjust and meaningless sacrifices.

The state-run railways cut services following a nine-hour walkout announcement unions but international train traffic will not be affected.

Since the government revealed late last year that the country’s finances were in much worse shape than had been thought, the markets have punished Greece as they fear unions will beat back any cost-cutting plans.

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Monday asked civil servants to accept bonus cuts saying they “must be the first to set an example.”

The Greek crisis has driven up borrowing costs for governments across Europe, with pressure mounting on a number of other heavily-indebted eurozone members, and sent the euro sliding against the dollar.

The European Commission voiced concern Tuesday that Greece’s fiscal crisis could affect other parts of the 16-nation eurozone.

There is a “serious risk of spillover into other parts of the euro area,” EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

But Alumnia ruled out the need for help from the International Monetary Fund and urged European leaders to offer “clear support” for Greece in return for real efforts from Athens to resolve its budget crisis.

A report in the Financial Times Deutschland Wednesday suggested that Germany was preparing an aid plan for Greece, following weeks of speculation that eurozone nations

may need to help Athens to avoid a humiliating turn to the IMF that would shatter confidence in the euro.

The newspaper said German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble was working on both a bilateral basis and at the European level on putting together a package to help Athens.

The Greek government Tuesday pressed on with its efforts to slash expenditure and raise revenue to narrow its 12.7 percent deficit — more than four times the eurozone limit of three percent of gross domestic product.

Labour Minister Andreas Loverdos announced a two-year hike in the average retirement age to 63 years by 2015 while other ministers met for a second day to finalise the country’s new tax policy.

The European Commission last month rubber-stamped a three-year Greek crisis plan presented by the government.

But the government is to face opposition over its plans from workers, with Greece’s main private sector union GSEE to stage a nationwide strike on February 24 in opposition to the pension reform.

TOYOTA CITY - There is a saying in Toyota’s hometown that when the auto giant sneezes, the whole city falls ill.

But the symptoms of its recall crisis look set to be felt far beyond “Japan’s Detroit”.

No flashy signs or advertisements are necessary to remind visitors to the company town in central Japan that it is the birthplace of the world’s largest carmaker. The name — Toyota City — speaks for itself.

But the group’s influence extends well beyond the city limits, and concerns are mounting across Asia’s biggest economy that Toyota’s massive global safety recalls will tarnish the brand image of Japan Inc as a whole.

Japan’s biggest company — which employs more than 300,000 people around the world — has long been a source of pride for the nation.

Its cars dominate the roads, used by millions of Japanese including the royal family and the prime minister.

Toyota’s success mirrored the country’s post-war economic miracle, driven by the success of its carmakers and other exporters.

Nowhere are the company’s woes felt more keenly than in the eponymous city, renamed in 1959 in recognition of Toyota’s growing importance.

The automaker’s recalls of more than eight million vehicles around the world to fix faulty accelerator pedals and brakes are another major setback to the local economy, after Toyota sales slumped in last year’s economic crisis.

“When Toyota catches a cold and sneezes, everyone gets pneumonia here,” said Kazuhiko Yamada, president of Honmachi Holdings, a company that maintains machinery in Toyota factories.

“The financial crisis had hit us in the stomach, and just when we thought global demand was picking up, we got another blow from the recalls.

This time it’s in our face,” said Yamada, himself a former Toyota employee.

Businesses large and small, from parts suppliers to restaurants, revolve around Toyota like satellites.

“Toyota is number one for us,” said 69-year-old Hatsue

Aoyama, who runs a cafe where many Toyota retirees gather.

“Needless to say, with the crisis and these (recall) problems, everyone is glum. We have seen better days. It’s really sad,” she added.

It’s not just Toyota City that is worried.

Rival Honda — itself recalling hundreds of thousands of cars to fix defects — has warned the problems could damage confidence in all Japanese cars.

And fears are growing that Toyota’s woes will make consumers overseas think twice about buying Japanese goods in general.

“Toyota is the representative of Japan Inc. The issue may shake the credibility of the whole of Japan and its technology,” said Tatsuya Mizuno, an auto analyst at Mizuno Credit Advisory.

Founded in the 1930s by loom-maker Kiichiro Toyoda, the company became the saviour of a local economy battered by a collapse in silk prices due to the Great Depression.

The company posted record sales of 26.29 trillion yen (292 billion dollars) in the year to March 2008, but was hammered by the subsequent global downturn, posting its first-ever annual loss last year.

Toyota has expanded into various fields such as telecommunications, advertising, real estate, insurance and shipping services. It also owns a dozen major parts makers, including Denso, itself a Fortune 500-listed company.

“It’s because of Toyota that we were able to lead stable lives.

It is a source of comfort and pride,” said 62-year-old Rieko Iwai, whose father-in-law, husband and son are former or current employees of the Toyota group.

“When I have a grandchild, it would be nice if he worked for Toyota. Toyota has strong foundations so I don’t think it will topple that easily.”

Toyota’s presence is such that locals are reluctant to openly criticise the company and its current chief Akio Toyoda, the grandson of the group’s founder and son of one of its former presidents, who took charge last year.

“He is what you would expect of a third-generation leader.

He doesn’t know the field,” said one man who has worked with Toyoda in the past and asked not to be named.

“He is like a soldier who has practised firing shots but who has never been into battle.”

12

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Entertainment

International

Fans delighted by DeGeneres’ ‘Idol’ debut Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – Ellen DeGeneres hit the right notes with “American Idol” viewers. Fans took to the Internet to express their pleasant surprise over the 52-year-old funnylady’s debut as the singing competition’s fourth judge.

DeGeneres assumed her judging panel post for Tuesday’s episode chronicling the first round of “Hollywood Week,” the cutthroat post-audition phase in which 181 contestants will be narrowed down to 24 semifinalists.

The majority of folks posting about DeGeneres on Twitter praised her performance. Some said they were only tuning in for DeGeneres, but not everyone was a devotee. A denim ensemble worn by Degeneres, also host of “The Ellen Degeneres Show,” was mocked by a few tweeters.

When Fox announced that DeGeneres, an Emmy winner with no formal music experience, would be the new judge last September, fans were divided over the unlikely replacement for Paula Abdul, the sugary sweet pop singer who judged “Idol” since it debuted in 2002 then left amid contract negotiations after the eighth season ended last year.

“Ellen completely met my expectations,” said Dave Della Terza, founder of VoteForTheWorst.com,

which encourages viewers to champion bad — but entertaining — singers. “She was trying way too hard.

Her critiques weren’t funny because no one wants to see a standup act at the judges’ table.”

But Andy Dehnart, editor of the popular reality TV blog realityblurred.com and a lecturer at Stetson University, said DeGeneres seemed “more polished and on-point than the people who’ve been sitting at that table for eight years.”

DeGeneres is on the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi.

“Ellen DeGeneres keeps surprising us,” he said. “She excels as a talk show host, and if she keeps up what she did tonight, she’ll easily establish herself as the best judge.”

As expected, DeGeneres’ critiques were punctuated with humor, but she didn’t hold back the cruelties either. She joked something seemed wrong with a beatboxer’s microphone — just before sending him home. An admittedly drowsy DeGeneres later informed one dull singer that the performance “almost put me right out.”

DeGeneres and the other judges were wowed by several guitar-playing singers during Tuesday’s episode. DioGuardi dubbed quirky 24year-old musician Andrew Garcia’s rendition of “Straight Up” from former judge Abdul “genius” while DeGeneres called 24-year-old sales representative Jannell Wheeler’s version of “American Boy” by Estelle “amazing, amazing.”

Vampire author Anne Rice set to release video book Inman says “The Sherlock Holmes Experience,” based on two stories by Conan Doyle, has been NEW YORK – Anne downloaded thousands of Rice is giving the video times. book a try. The author of The Rice project begins “Interview With a Vam“a strategic publishing repire,” “The Vampire lationship” with Rice’s litLestat” and many other faerary agency, Janklow & vorites has agreed to terms Nesbit Associates, accordwith the video book coming to Vook. No other spepany Vook on a multimecific writers were identidia edition of “The Masfied, but clients at Janklow ter of Rampling Gate,” a & Nesbit include David vampire story published in McCullough, Edward P. Redbook magazine in Jones and the late Michael 1984 and set in an EnCrichton. gland mansion in the 19th “They (Vook) came in century. about two months ago “Vook represents a and showed us some of very exciting combination their wares. I think it’s of new technological elevery interesting and I ments, that I think is long think the publishing overdo in publishing,” world needs to really Rice said in a statement AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi,File released Wednesday by FILE- This Oct. 26, 2005 file photo shows author start looking for new Vook. “I’m excited that Anne Rice speaking during an interview at her ways to find readers,” said Lynn Nesbit of `The Master of Rampling home in San Diego.

Janklow & Nesbit, who Gate’ is going to have new saying new formats are needed for said other writers at the agency life in this form, and cannot wait to see the finished product. I’m not the Internet age. The product inte- expressed strong interest in sure that my mind can conceive of grates text, video and social network- video books, although she declined to provide names. all the possibilities of this new ing.

Vook, based in Alameda, Calif., The Rice video book, which form. I’m learning. And it feels has been producing video books for includes an author interview, will good.”

Opinions are still mixed among Simon & Schuster and the be released March 1 and can be publishers and authors about video HarperCollins imprint HarperStudio purchased through the iPhone, books, or vooks, with some call- and also making works out of public iPod touch and other digital deing them a gimmick and others domain texts. Vook founder Bradley vices. The list price is $6.99.

Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Fox, Michael Becker

In this undated publicity image released by Fox, new ‘American Idol,’ judge Ellen DeGeneres is shown.

Rachel Weisz moving into ‘Dream House’ Agence France Presse

LOS ANGELES – Oscar-winning British actress Rachel Weisz is to star in a thriller about a family that moves into a home with a gruesome history, entertainment industry reports said Tuesday.

Weisz, who won a supporting actress Academy Award for her performance in the 2005 drama “The Constant Gardener,” will star alongside British “James Bond” Daniel Craig in the film titled “Dream House,”

Daily Variety reported.

Weisz and Craig play a married couple who relocate to a quaint New England town only to discover that their idyllic new home was the murder scene of a mother and her two children. Australian actress Naomi Watts will play a neighbour of the couple in the film, which is to be directed by Oscar-nominated Irish film-maker Jim Sheridan.

Weisz, 39, was most recently seen in the Peter Jackson-directed drama “The Lovely Bones.”

AFP/Getty Images/File/Jason Merritt

Actress Rachel Weisz arrives at the premiere of Paramount Pictures’ “The Lovely Bones” at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on December 7, in Hollywood, California. Weisz is to star in a thriller about a family that moves into a home with a gruesome history, entertainment industry reports said Tuesday.

Life Style

International

Thursday, February 11, 2010

13

China says it has 6,000 captive tigers Agence France Presse

BEIJING – China said Tuesday it had nearly 6,000 tigers in captivity and could breed 1,000 more every year, amid international controversy over the benefits of farming the endangered species.

The numbers were announced by Yin Hong, vice head of the State Forestry Administration, according to a spokesman at the agency who refused to be named.

“There are close to 6,000 tigers that have been artifically bred and raised in China,” the official China News Service quoted Yin saying.

“These tigers can breed over 1,000 baby tigers every year.”

Yin’s comments came as China prepares to ring in the Year of the Tiger, which begins February 14, amid mounting worldwide concern over dwindling numbers of the great cats.

Yin said there were just 50 to 60

AFP/File/Str

wild tigers left in China. Conservation groups have said recently fewer than 50 still roam the country.

There are four varieties of wild tigers in China, and one of them — the South China tiger — has not been spotted in the wild since the late 1970s. In the 1950s, there were around 4,000 of the subspecies.

Degradation of the animal’s habitat and poaching of the tiger and its prey are blamed for its rapid disappearance.

In the 1980s, China set up tiger farms to try and preserve the big cats, intending to release some into the wild.

But experts warn it will be difficult for captive tigers to re-adapt to

A tiger cools off from summer heat in a pool at a zoo in Hefei, east China’s Anhui province. China said it had nearly 6,000 tigers in captivity and could breed 1,000 more every year, amid international controversy over the benefits of farming the endangered species.

the wild, and the sheer number of the endangered animals kept in farms now poses a challenge.

“The government now realises it’s a problem but they haven’t figured out how to deal with the existing tigers yet,” Xie Yan, director of the China programme for the Wildlife Conservation Society, told AFP. The existence of tiger farms in China and other countries has sparked international controversy.

In July, Keshav Varma, leader of the World Bank’s Global Tiger Initiative, called for tiger farming to be phased out, saying there was a danger this could hasten the extinction of the endangered species.

“Would it create new markets and an even higher demand for wild tiger products — for those who want a luxury good — the ‘real thing?’” he asked.

Xie said farms in China make little money, apart from tourists, and some are pushing for a 1993 ban on the trade in tiger parts and related products to be reversed so they can profit from the animals once they die. Experts, however, say this would encourage poaching.

Autism risks detailed in children of older mothers A woman’s chance of having a child with autism increase substantially as she ages, but the risk may be less for older dads than previously suggested, a new study analyzing more than 5 million births found.

“Although fathers’ age can contribute risk, the risk is overwhelmed by maternal age,” said University of California at Davis researcher Janie Shelton, the study’s lead author.

Mothers older than 40 were about 50 percent more likely to have a child with autism than

those in their 20s; the risk for fathers older than 40 was 36 percent higher than for men in their 20s.

Even at that, the study suggests the risk of a woman over 40 having an autistic child was still less than 4 in 1,000, one expert noted.

The new research suggests the father’s age appears to make the most difference with young mothers. Among children whose mothers were younger than 25, autism was twice as common when fathers were older than 40 than when dads were in their 20s.

The findings contrast with recent

AFP/File/Liu Jin

A boy with autism at a treament center. Women over 40 are nearly twice as likely to give birth to an autistic child than a mother under 30, researchers said in a study that found more evidence of links between autism and maternal age.

research that suggested the father’s age played a bigger role than the mother’s. Researchers and other autism experts said the new study is more convincing, partly because it’s larger. Older mothers are known to face increased risks for having children with genetic disorders, and genes are thought to play a role in autism.

The study was released Monday in the February issue of the journal Autism Research. Maureen Durkin, a University of Wisconsin researcher who also has studied the influence of parents’ age on autism, said it’s important to note that the increased risks are small and that most babies born to older mothers do not develop autism.

Durkin said the overall low risk for autism “may be the most important take-home message,” especially for prospective parents The study was based on records of all 5.6 million births in California between Jan. 1, 1990 and Dec. 31, 1999, and on cases of autism diagnosed before age 6.

That number totaled more than 13,000; the study involved 12,159 autistic children for whom information on both parents’ ages was also available.

The researchers took into account factors that might affect autism diagnosis, including parents’ education and race.

A human embryonic stem cell line derived at Stanford University is seen in this handout photo released to Reuters by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, March 9, 2009.

REUTERS/Julie Baker

UK firm gets final green light for stem cell trial Reuters

LONDON – British biotech company ReNeuron and a team of doctors in Scotland have won final approval to start a pioneering clinical trial to assess whether stem cell therapy can help patients disabled by stroke.

The treatment involves injecting neural stem cells developed from human fetuses into patients’ brains in the hope they will repair areas damaged by stroke, thereby improving both mental and physical function.

The final green light from Britain’s Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC), announced on Wednesday, follows months of delays and questions, reflecting the ground-breaking nature of the research. The trial is the first of its kind in the world.

ReNeuron received an okay from

Britain’s main drugs watchdog back in January 2009 but still needed a recommendation from the GTAC before it could start the Phase I clinical trial.

Shares in the company gained 12.5 percent to 7.85 pence by 0845 GMT on the news. The first patient in the study is now expected to receive treatment through the National Health Service at the Institute of Neurological Sciences, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, during the second quarter of this year.

In total, 12 patients will get ReNeuron’s ReN001 cell therapy between six and 24 months after having an ischaemic stroke — caused by a blockage of blood flow in the brain — and their progress will be followed for two years.

The procedure involves the direct injection of millions of cells into the affected brain region.

14

Sport

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Bernard Hopkins, left, and Roy Jones Jr., right, speak to reporters during a news conference, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, in New York, to announce a rematch to be held April 3 in Las Vegas.

AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

Jones, Hopkins ready for fight 17 years in making Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK – After nearly two decades of bitter squabbling, Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins still can’t share the same table. Instead, the former champions appeared behind separate podiums Tuesday with placards that had only their own names and likenesses. The stage inside the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square was set up to resemble a debate, with each of the 40-something fighters given time to explain why they believe they’ll win their long-awaited April rematch.

“Roy Jones ain’t nothing to do with Bernard Hopkins’ legacy and career, up to now, because there will be a final chapter, and that’s important to me,” Hopkins said.

To which Jones simply replied: “He didn’t win the first time and he won’t win this time.”

Yes, it’s been 17 years since Jones defeated Hopkins to win a middleweight belt, and they’ve both built Hall-of-Fame-worthy careers. Jones won eight titles in four divisions and became the first fighter to climb from middleweight champion to heavyweight champion in a century. Hopkins

set a record with 20 straight defenses of the middleweight crown and went 12 years without a loss.

Now in the twilight of their careers, two fighters who could never agree on much of anything have agreed to fight, perhaps finally realizing that they need each other.

“This fight is very important to me because it’s personal,” said Hopkins, who admitted he’s watched his 1993 loss to Jones “about a million times.”

“A lot of fighters don’t have history,” Hopkins said. “We’ve got 17plus-year history.”

For years they talked about a

International

James leads Cavaliers to 12th straight win Associated Press Writer

CLEVELAND – LeBron James scored 32 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to their 12th straight win Tuesday night, a 104-97 victory over the New Jersey Nets.

The win gives Cleveland the longest winning streak in the NBA this season. The Cavaliers (42-11) also have the best record in the league.

New Jersey (4-47) has the NBA’s worst record and has lost seven straight. The Nets played without point guard Devin Harris, who has a sprained left shoulder. Courtney Lee led the Nets with 24 points.

James, who was named the Eastern Conference’s player of the week for the fifth time this season Monday, was 13-of-21 from the field with 11 assists and three rebounds.

Jawad Willams scored a careerhigh 17 points while Anderson Varejao added 15 for Cleveland.

The Nets built an eight-point lead in the first quarter thanks primarily to 11 points by Jarvis Hayes, who hit three 3-pointers. Cleveland scored the last seven points of the quarter and went ahead for good early in the second period.

The Cavaliers’ spurt was capped when with a highlight reel play at

both ends of the court. It began when Shaquille O’Neal blocked Brook Lopez’s shot at the basket. The 7foot-1, 325-pound center grabbed the ball and dribbled up the floor before finding James on the wing.

James made a perfect alley-oop pass to Varejao, who finished the play with a dunk, bringing the crowd to its feet. O’Neal then gave Varejao a resounding chest bump and the Nets called timeout. James converted his own dunk off a lob pass from Daniel Gibson moments later.

The Cavaliers led by six points at halftime and stretched the margin to 10 on two occasions. The Nets cut the lead to four late in the period, but the Cavaliers put the game away with away with a 13-2 run to start the fourth quarter. Jawad Williams hit two 3-pointers while James added a 3-pointer and a fast break dunk, which built the lead to 91-74. Lopez scored 23 points and Hayes added 19 for the Nets.

The Cavaliers are a league-best 23-3 at home, winning 10 straight and 21 of 22. The Nets have lost 15 straight on the road and are 1-27 away from home.

Cleveland hosts Orlando on Thursday night in a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Finals, which the Magic won in six games.

rematch, and it almost happened after Hopkins knocked out Felix Trinidad to become undisputed middleweight champion in 2001.

Hopkins remembers visiting Jones in Pensacola, Fla., five or six years ago and waiting in a hotel lobby for hours until they finally met — but nothing came of it.

Executives from HBO tried to get them to agree to terms, back when a rematch would have been the biggest thing in the sport, but egos and selfinterests always intervened. They even wound up arguing over who was to blame for the fight not happening.

Haas advances, Roddick readies for San Jose ATP action Agence France Presse

SAN JOSE, California – Fourth-seeded German Tommy Haas needed a tiebreaker to get past wild card Devin Britton 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) in the first round of the ATP Tour’s SAP Open.

“His serve was working really well for him - not only really hard but with good placement and I could not get a good read on it,” Haas said.

“Also serving and volleying on second serve and mixing it up, that really surprised me. I played good at the times I needed. The first match is always tough anyway because you never know how you’re going to feel.”

Sixth-seeded German Philipp

Kohlschreiber also advanced, downing American Rajeev Ram 67 (7/9), 6-1, 6-3, and seventhseeded American Sam Querrey beat Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 6-2. Germany’s Bjorn Phau beat eighth-seeded Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-1.

American Michael Russell, who played in his first professional tournament two years ago when he was 15, beat lucky loser Im Kyu Tae of Korea 7-6 (8/6), 6-1.

Im got his place in the draw when American Mardy Fish withdrew with a left knee injury.

Fish, who planned to continue playing doubles here with Querrey, had surgery on the knee in September and was able to compete in the Australian Open.

“For whatever reason the knee is not where it needs to be and not 100 percent,” Fish said in a statement.

Top-seeded Andy Roddick, who meets qualifier Ryler DeHeart in his opening match Wednesday, has also battled a sore knee after he was injured in Shanghai last October.

He also had to contend with a sore shoulder in his five-set loss to Marin Cilic in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

“It was a little touch and go for a while about playing here,” the world number seven said. “But I got the clearance I needed after the Australian Open. The first match will be telling. If I get through that one I should be OK. I’m going to have to work my way into this tournament.”

AP Photo/Mark Duncan

Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, left, dunks on New Jersey Nets’Yi Jianlian, from China, in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, in Cleveland. James scored 32 points and had 11 assists in the Cavaliers’ 104-97 win.

Sport

International

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Mancini salutes Vieira and Johnson Agence France Presse

MANCHESTER, England – Roberto Mancini paid tribute to two players at either ends of their careers after Manchester City boosted their bid for a fourth-place finish in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Bolton.

Carlos Tevez, from the penalty spot, and Emmanuel Adebayor scored the goals that secured the three points at Eastlands on Tuesday, but City also enjoyed terrific performances from two full debutants.

England under-21 winger Adam Johnson, 22, proved unstoppable for long spells of the game and won the penalty from which Tevez gave City the lead.

Meanwhile, alongside him in midfield, France international Patrick Vieira also made his full debut for the wealthy club and turned in an impressive display including a superb pass that set up the second goal.

“He played very well, that’s why I bought him,” said Mancini of Johnson, signed from Middlesbrough during the January transfer window.

“When you’re a young player you want to play well and have a chance and that’s why this game was important for him. He did well for the penalty and went on from there.

“He can learn to play behind the striker, on the right wing, on the left wing, he can play in different positions, different situations and be an important player for us.

“I am happy for Patrick because that was his first full game in one month and he came through without a problem. I know Patrick well and I know he can play better but for now, it was just important he came through alright.

“People talk about his age but

Edwin van der Sar (pictured) believes that Manchester United have done well to stay in touch with Chelsea despite the injury problems that have dogged the season at Old Trafford.

AFP/File/Yuri Kadobnov

Man Utd returning to full power: van der Sar Agence France Presse

AP Photo/Simon Dawson

Manchester City’s Patrick Vieira, left, competes for the ball with Bolton Wanderers’ Tamir Cohen during their English Premier League soccer match at the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester, England, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010.

I played until I was 36 and I played very well! When I was 36, I won the Scudetto and the Italian Cup. I hope Patrick can play the next 15 games for me.”

Victory keeps City slightly ahead of three other clubs chasing fourth place, and the coveted final spot in next season’s Champions League, if only by virtue of hav-

ing games in hand on their rivals.

Like City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham have all failed to hit real consistency and Mancini concedes that once this weekend’s FA Cup commitments are out of the way, his team must focus on stringing together a good run of league results, particularly away from Eastlands.

Totti Agrees With Materazzi In Winter Break Debate Roma - Roma captain Francesco Totti has commented on the provisioned winter break set out for next season.

Agreeing with Inter defender Marco Materazzi, the Giallorossi striker believes that it is unfair for foreign players, as they do not get to enjoy the entire Christmas break, having to rush back in order to be available for matches.

“I read what Materazzi pub-

15

licly wrote on his official website about next season and the winter break and in particular, about the scheduled matches over this period,” ‘Er Pupone’ stated to Corriere Dello Sport.

“I want to say that I totally agree with his thoughts.

“I am also convinced that it would be correct moving the Coppa Italia match from January 6 to December 23, which would

give the possibility for the foreign players in our league the chance to have some quality family time during the entire festive period.

“The players should be consulted when making these types of decisions, as we can provide some useful insight into how the decisions will affect us,” summed up Totti.

Bp/ist

Francesco Totti

BIRMINGHAM – Edwin van der Sar believes that Manchester United have done well to stay in touch with Chelsea despite the injury problems that have dogged the season at Old Trafford.

United go into their meeting with Aston Villa on Wednesday two points off Carlo Ancelotti?s side, who are in action at Everton on the same evening.

Sir Alex Ferguson?s options at the back have been limited throughout the campaign, with Dutch goalkeeper van der Sar and defenders Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, John O’Shea, Rafael and Gary Neville all enduring stints on the sidelines.

Ferdinand is still suspended and O?Shea is likely to miss the rest of the campaign with a thigh problem.

But even if Vidic does not return from a calf injury at Villa Park, United have finally been able to benefit from having increased options at the back.

Key to that has been the return of van der Sar, who has missed months of the campaign as a result of his own finger and knee injuries and the illhealth of his wife, who suffered a brain haemorrhage in December.

The 39-year-old has played a central role in United’s recent upturn in form and Ferguson’s side travel to Villa Park looking for a fifth straight

Premier League win for just the second time this season.

Van der Sar, whose current contract expires in the summer, said: “We’re right up there with Chelsea, just a couple of points behind so the last three months of the season are shaping up to be very interesting.

“It’s all to play for. There are a lot of big games in a short period, with the Champions League also starting up again soon.

“Luckily we have most of our players back. We’re still missing three or four but it’s better than the 11 or 12 that were missing earlier in the season and over Christmas.

“It feels really good to be back. It’s been a stop-start season for me which has been frustrating. “It was disappointing because I’m not used to being out of action and not being able to play.

“It feels great to be back in the swing of things and playing for United again.”

Although Martin O?Neill’s side are chasing a place in the Champions League and won 1-0 at Old Trafford in December, United will be boosted by their impressive record at Villa Park.

Ferguson’s team were held to a goalless draw there last season but are unbeaten there in the league since losing 3-1 on the opening day of the season in 1995.

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Thursday, February 11, 2010

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

Sport

Horner warns FIA over engine freeze

RED Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has warned that more manufacturers could leave Formula 1 if the FIA does not act on equalising engine performance.

AFP/foto

Christian Horner

Red Bull unveils its new RB6 RED Bull Racing has become the last of the current teams to unveil its new car, after pulling the covers off its RB6 in the Jerez pitlane on Wednesday morning.

The Adrian Newey-designed machine appears to be a logical evolution of the 2009 RB5 that proved to be Formula 1’s pacesetter in the second half of the season.

Preview pictures of the car

were published by Red Bull shortly before the launch took place in the Jerez pit-lane.

The car features a more extreme V-nose solution than on last year’s car, with highly-crafted sidepods and the shark fin engine cover that has appeared on rival competitors’ machinery. The car also features an intricate front-wing design and has been fully developed around the double-diffuser concept that had to

be incorporated onto the RB5 mid-season last year.

Mark Webber will give the car its first laps during the second preseason test at Jerez, with the outfit looking at a full-scale world championship challenge this year.

Red Bull Racing had opted to skip the first pre-season test at Valencia last week in order to give itself more development time for the new car.

BP/ist

The new Red Bull Racing car

Having pushed hard over the winter for the sport’s governing body to ensure that the output of different engines in F1 was rebalanced, with his Renault power-unit believed to be behind the opposition, Horner fears that if the situation is left unchecked it could result in a single car maker dominating the season.

And he believes that could be the spur for rival manufacturers to leave the sport - in the wake of Honda, Toyota and BMW all having turned their backs on it over the last two seasons.

“The problem with the engine freeze is that you freeze in an advantage,” he said at the launch of Red Bull Racing’s new RB6 on Wednesday.

“I think the Renault has some good aspects and Renault, when the freeze came, took it a bit more literally than some of the other manufacturers. I think there is disparity currently within engine performance.

“On a fair and equitable basis, we rely on the governing body to ensure that you don’t have large dis-

parity between engines. Because the problem is that as the chassis converge in performance, the engines will become a key performance differentiator, and the idea of freezing the engine was largely to eliminate the performance differential between the engines.”

He added: “I think the problem is if you don’t allow some development, then you freeze in an advantage for one team or a disadvantage for another. So there has to be a balancing of that, otherwise we will end up with Mercedes-powered cars winning all the races - which I think is not good for F1. And other manufacturers may choose to leave F1 off of the back of that.

“The engine isn’t supposed to be a key performance differentiator and therefore hopefully the ruling body will balance out somewhat the differences there at the moment.”

Horner said that he was happy to leave the matter with the FIA, who made it clear last season that it was looking into the relative performance of the different engines. “The FIA has all the facts and it is for it to deal with,” stated Horner.