Edisi 16 September 2010 | International Bali Post

16 Pages Number 176 2st Year

Spiritual Farming: From one green to some other greens

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

Nicole Kidman sweats new producer role PAGE 12

AFP PHOTO / Torsten BLACKWOOD

‘Realistic’ Stoner facing a ‘tough job’

(Front row) Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard (L) and Australian Governor-General Quentin Bryce (2nd L) are joined by Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer Wayne Swan (C), Stephen Conroy (2nd R), minister for broadband, communications and the digital economy, and former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd (R) for the official photo during a ceremony at Government House in Canberra on September 14, 2010.

PAGE 16

Conservatives threaten to shatter Australia PM’s rule Agence France Presse

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SYDNEY – Australia’s opposition leader Tony Abbott Wednesday threatened to bring down Julia Gillard’s fragile minority government, one day after it was sworn in, by persuading independent MPs to support him. Neither leader won an outright majority at August 21 polls but Gillard’s ruling Labor party was returned to office after the prime minister managed to broker the support of minority lawmakers.

But Abbott said he was determined to lure two rural “kingmaker” independents to his side by convincing them that Labor’s planned national broadband Internet network was a mistake — a move that would smash Gillard’s hold on power.

Continued on page 6

Eiffel Tower reopens after bomb threat, evacuation

Agence France Presse

PARIS – The Eiffel Tower has reopened a day after being evacuated because of a bomb threat from an anonymous caller. Paris police said Wednesday that no enhanced security measures were planned at France’s most visited monument, and an investigation has been handed over to the city prosecutor’s office.

Explosives experts found nothing suspicious, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Parts of a second tourist hub — the Saint-Michel subway station near Notre Dame Cathedral — were briefly evacuated following a similar threat. An attack there in 1995 killed eight and injured scores of people.

The head of France’s counterespionage agency was quoted over the weekend as saying the risk of an attack in France has never been higher.

Military officers stand guard after the evacuation of the Eiffel Tower and the park surrounding the Paris landmark following a bomb alert on September 14, 2010.

A police officer said about 25,000 people were in the area at the time of the alert but added that they left calmly shortly before 9:00 pm (1900 GMT).

AFP PHOTO / PATRICK KOVARIK

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International

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Bali News Entry and exit counter overrun by vehicles Dozens of regional migrants repatriated Negara (Bali Post)—

Backflow at Gilimanuk Harbor since last Monday (Sep 13) afternoon until Tuesday (Sep 14) continued from two directions. The entry counter to the harbor was crowded by private vehicles and tourist buses that wanted to go back to Java, whereas from the opposite direction, private vehicles dominated by motorcycles and passenger vehicles flowed continuously from Ketapang.

Among these migrants, some did not bring along with identity card despite identity check had been performed at Ketapang.

As consequence, the officers chiefly at Post II or entrance to Bali had to work extra. Other than inspecting their vehicle document, they should also check the baggage of passengers. Even, crowded situation from both directions was discernible when two ships unloaded simultaneously. Examination queues at Post II and identity card Post was unavoidable.

Since last Monday night, the entry counter had been crowded by hundreds of private cars going back to Java. In addition, it was also overrun by inter-provincial city buses for the route of Surabaya-Malang and Central Java. Due to many buses coming almost simultaneously, bus conductors diverted the bus queue to the front of Gilimanuk shopping complex or did not pass through the usual pathway namely through the parking maneuvers. As a result, more buses could get out of the ship than private cars.

Operations Manager of waters transportation services (ASDP) of Gilimanuk, Ospar Silaban, when asked for his confirmation justified the increasing number of vehicles using the ship services.

Similarly, the number of vehicles leaving Bali was also increasing. Such condition caused long queue at the harbor parking. According to him, there were 21 ships operated for the crossing services in the Bali Strait. The queue of vehicles ran out in the morning at 6:00 am Local Time.

Without identity cards

On the other side, the measure of Bali Police to alleviate the problems regarding to regional migrants coming without identity has not been perfect. In reality, there were dozens of migrants found to have no identity but had set foot at Gilimanuk Harbor.

They were ensnared when examined at identity check post at

Gilimanuk. Other than having no identity card, some others showed expired identity card. When more and more passengers came in, in fact, many of them did not bring along identity card. They were eventually repatriated to their place of origin or to Ketapang. According to Chief Village of Gilimanuk, IGN Rai Budi, based on the data obtained at the identity check post since one day after Idul Fitri there had been recorded dozens of migrants having no identity card.

“Until this afternoon, there were 43 violations of identity and some of them had been repatriated. Meanwhile, some were allowed to resume their journey as they confessed to go to Lombok, not to Bali. Rai Budi was glad to welcome the initiative of police to conduct a precaution at Ketapang. His party agreed that identity examination was conducted in multiple layers. “They (migrants) would be looking for cracks so they can enter Bali,” he said. (sur)

Jobless woman arrested after stealing a foreigner’s bag Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Zaenap, 45, from Wonorejo 4/ 37 community unit (RT) 008, neighborhood unit (RW) 006, Wonorejo, Tegalsari, Surabaya, East Java, is now forced to crouch in the cell of South Kuta Police. Such jobless woman was captured by mobile detective unit of South Kuta Police, last Sunday (Sep 12) at 7:30 pm Local Time because of stealing a bag belonged to Chong Hongjin.

The bag of foreigner containing a number of valuables was grabbed by the suspect.

The theft incident ensued in C a f e Te b e , M u a y a B e a c h , Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung.

At that time, the victim found the suspect stealing the bag. She was immediately arrested and handed over to South Kuta Police. “The

suspect has been arrested. Now, we’re still developing the case, including whether the suspect also took action on other scene,” said Chief of South Kuta Police Nanang Prihasmoko, last Tuesday (Sep 14).

According to Chief Nanang Prihasmoko, the theft action began when the victim was having meals at the cafe. Afterward, the victim went into the bathroom and placed her bag on the table.

At the same time, the suspect also came to the scene by pretending to do shopping. “Well, the suspect immediately grabbed the victim’s bag lying on the table.

Furthermore, the suspect attempted to escape,” he said.

When the suspect tried to flee, the victim came back to her table.

How surprised she was when

knowing her bag was taken by a theft. Of course, the victim called out and chased after the perpetrator. Not long after, the suspect could be arrested and immediately handed over to South Kuta Police. “The suspect and the evidence had been submitted to us.

Immediately, we are going to examine the suspect,” he explained.

Chief Nanang Prihasmoko said the investigation to the suspect was on progress. Based on preliminary results, the suspect was just in Bali for few days. She did not have any job and permanent residence. “Evidence secured consisted of laptop, camera and camcorder. As her testimony, she just stole for first time.

However, we are still making further investigation,” he concluded. (kmb21)

IBP/doc

A number of regional migrants just coming into Gilimanuk Harbor passed through identity check post. Since one day after holiday, dozens of migrants were repatriated as did not bring along identity card.

Bathroom of Emergency Room in Sanglah Hospital complained Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Since getting complaints about rental charges of bathroom by visitors, Sanglah Hospital had no longer imposed any charges since a month ago.

But after taking place for a month, new complaints emerged. According to the attendants and patients sitting in the waiting room located in front of the bathroom of Emergency Room, smell of urine wafted up to where they sat.

Moreover, condition of bathroom consisting of six rooms also looked dirty.

Actually, when there was an officer serving as gatekeeper, rental collector and cleaning service, the bathroom was clean and better maintained.

When asked for confirmation about the matter, Division Head of Public Relations of Sanglah Hospital, IGNA Putra Wibawa, last Tuesday (Sep 14), said that based on the current regulation state hospitals were not allowed to impose any charges for the bathroom facilities. If there was indeed a charge in Sanglah Hospital all this time, it was conducted in partnership with third party. In other words, to maintain the sanitation of bathroom the hospital made cooperation with external party.

As compensation, the cleaning service provider was entitled to get such rental charges.

However, since there was a com-

plaint letter about the charges, cooperation with the external party was waived and sanitation responsibility was taken over by in-house cleaning service. Putra admitted that cleaning service officers of Sanglah Hospital had fulfilled their obligation to maintain the bathroom.

Then, why is it still dirty? According to Putra, in the normal visit there were 318 cleaning service officers in Sanglah Hospital being capable of covering the entire tasks.

However, when more visits ensued as in the recent months, their work load increased, too. “Responsibility of cleaning service on duty in Emergency Room does not only clean the bathroom. Their main task is to pick up patients and clean the spacious Emergency Room,” said Putra. On that account, his party hoped the attendants and patients using the bathroom to maintain the sanitation well. One of the ways was by flushing the toilet after using and disposing rubbish into the container provided.

Habitually, there was one cleaning service officer on duty per shift in Emergency Room. To handle the public complaints about the dirty bathroom, the Sanglah Hospital would optimize the existing cleaning service so that later on there would be three officers on duty per shift. (kmb24)

z Founder : K.Nadha, z General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti z Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Wirya, Yudi Winanto zDenpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan, Tabanan: Surpi. Jakarta: Nikson,Hardianto,Ade Irawan . NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani, Nur Haedin, Suyadnya. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. z Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. z Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Bali News

International

Invasive monkeys thwart harvest of residents, so they divert to handicraft Semarapura (Bali Post)—

The attack by hundreds of monkeys in a number of areas of Nusa Penida such as Penangkidan, Punduk Ehe, Sompang, Penida, Sakti, Bunga Mekar and others is increasingly more serious. It resulted in great loss to local residents. Monkeys invaded the crops of any kind owned by residents. As consequence, in the harvest time residents could only produce 40 percent. Residents then should think hard to generate extra income. One of them was by moving to handicraft works.

Some villagers of Punduk Ehe like Mangku Sulatri and Sukerta revealed that existence of the monkeys had ensued since long time ago. However, they turned rampant recently. “All plants we planted in the dry field were harmed,” they said. No action could be taken to reduce the attacks. Indeed, they said that one of the villagers had shot the monkeys, but no effect.

“When a monkey dies, there will be more monkeys emerging,” he said while adding that the most frequently damaged were corn, beans and others. “Due to this harvest failure, we suffered a loss up to 60 percent,” he said.

Mangku Sulatri added they did not only disturb the plants, but also disturbed residents passing through nearby. Especially, they liked to disturb women bringing food to their dry field.

By and large, those monkeys jumped and swung on the head of residents bringing along the food. “On that account, if a woman wished to convey food to her dry fields she does not dare go alone. However, she should go with other friends,” he added.

Since they were unable to expel those monkeys, people then submitted to their destiny. Aside from remaining to do farming, they also took side job to handicraft work for additional earnings. They might produce bamboo cages for rooster, bamboo rice bowl and other crafts. “Meanwhile, there are also local residents carving a wooden panel,” said Sukerta. According to them, during the rainy season local residents cultivated corn, while during dry season they planted sweet potatoes or beans. (kmb20)

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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Incoming Residence Can’t Enter Without Denpasar ID Denpasar (Bali Post) -

Bali’s government not only checking the identity card of incoming people that arrived in Gilimanuk port, they also have several posts in other ports and bus station. The incoming people (Duktang) that newly arrived in Denpasar by bus AKAP via Terminal Ubung get the same checking treatment and got warrant if they can’t show their ID cards.

During the inspection that carried out

by Denpasar’s civil administration office, there are many incoming residence without identities are found. The inspection was done on Tuesday.

The inspection to anticipate the postmobilization incoming residences from their hometown after celebrating Ramadan. This sudden inspection performed since 07.00 targeting bus passengers that arrived in the largest bus station in Bali. Passengers who get off the bus identity are checked directly by the officers of the officers from both department as well several officers from police department.

Head of Mobilization for Population, Civil Administration Department of Denpasar, Pande Made Sri Artatika says from this inspection, there are 384 residents who had recently arrived in Bali.

The incoming residences were gathered from the 29 buses that stopped in Terminal Ubung. “There are three of them who got no ID Card,’’she said.

However Artatika say no immigrants return to his homeland as it promised some time ago. “Three people have a

warrant here, we do not send them home,’’ she explained.

Meanwhile, hundreds of others that being gathered by officers only asked to report to the head of their

neighborhood and get the temporary identity card (kipem).

Artatika stated that sudden inspection will be held until the flow of Lebaran holiday subsidize.

Denpasar plan to do this inspection until September 17, 2010. According to Artatika there is also the same inspection will be held in Benoa Port on 23 and 24 September. “We conduct the inspection on that dates because there are ships that will be coming to the port.’’ (kmb12)

IBP/doc

The incoming people are registered by the offcers and those who didn’t bring any indentification must return to their native area.

Excise and Customs officers Bali Booms Over pay special attention to Iranian Idul Fitri Holidays Many get involved in drug smuggling Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Numerous Iranian getting involved in drug abuse lately caused trauma among the Customs and Excise officers. In response to the situation, they even made a sort of new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by implementing intensive inspection to all Iranian citizens when they would leave the immigration inspection area.

Such testimony was delivered by Ketut Sumarta (Customs and Excise Officer of Ngurah Rai Airport) when serving as a witness at the trial of the defendant Rouhollah Serish Abadi bin Samad, 26, in Denpasar District Court, last Tuesday (Sep 14). The session was presided over by Judge Amzer Simanjuntak with Prosecutor Made Tangkas. Meanwhile, the defendant was accompanied by lawyer Made Kartika.

The witness described that when seeing the arrival of the

accused he already had suspicion. He said the defendant was nervous and paced about immigration counter. On seeing such suspicious appearance and gestures, Sumarta then followed the defendant until he took his large blue suitcase taken down from the baggage compartment of the airline. The officers were getting more and more suspicious because such a large suitcase carried by the defendant looked so light.

“Finally, I follow until he took the suitcase passing through the X-ray to leave the international terminal. When passing through the X-ray, I see there were two round virtual fruits in defendant’s luggage. Then, I resumed the scanning through ion-scan and in fact, it was positively found narcotics in the suitcase,” he continued.

Being inadequate to perform the X-ray and ion-scan, Sumarta confessed to take out all clothes in the suitcase and

re-examined it through X-ray.

As a result, the officials still found two virtual fruits in the luggage. At the end, the officers unpacked and discovered the methamphetamine weighing 1.047 kilograms at the bottom of the suitcase.

After intensively examined

by Customs and Excise officers, the defendant admitted to be picked up by a man named Ahmed at the Ngurah Rai Airport. But after waiting for until 2:00 am in the next morning, the officers could not found the man named Ahmed.

The witness added that since the arrest of Iranians attempting to smuggle methamphetamine by means of capsule, the standard operating procedure (SOP) at the Ngurah Rai Airport was tightened, especially for Iranians.

“However, we do not suspect all Iranians. We should remain to pay attention to their profile,” he explained. (015)

DENPASAR - The Secretary of the Bali chapter of Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Perry Markus, estimates that the peak season travel that generally accompanies the celebration of the end of the fasting month has filled most Bali hotels. Quoted in Kompas.com, Markus said, “our observations indicate that tourist numbers to Bali at this time are quite good, with hotel occupancies between 80-90%.”

Markus estimated that hotels in Bali will remain full for at least three days following the official holiday on September 10-11, 2010. Adding, “a large number of the tourists staying (in Bali) are domestic visitors, from places that include Jakarta and Surabaya.”

Such strong numbers staying in hotels, prompt concerns over whether the supporting services in Bali are able to carry these high numbers and if public order and security of the island can be maintained.

The estimation in the Kuta area of Bali experienced a five-fold increase in vehicular traffic over the Lebaran holidays as domestic visitors flooded the area.

Traffic jams and gridlock plagued Bali throughout the day on Sunday, September 12, 2010, as Indonesian holidaymakers swam, surfed, enjoyed beach massages and partook in the beach fare offered by roaming food vendors.

The State of Travel in Bali

Data from the Bali Tourism Authority from the end of 2009 put the total number of hotel rooms in Bali at 46,014 . In the same year, total foreign tourists were put at 2.2 million staying an average of 8.75 days. Meanwhile, the number of domestic tourists in 2009 stood at 3.5 million who stayed an average of 3 days on the island.

The number of accommodation providers in 2009 totaled 2,175 units hosting the 46.014 saleable rooms. This was comprised of 1,037 “melati hotels” at 20,516 rooms; 981 “pondok wisata” businesses at 4,380 rooms; and 157 starred hotels at 21,118 rooms. Of the entire total of 46,014 tourist rooms in Bali, 26,387 (57.3%) are located in the southern regency of Badung.

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Thursday, September 16, 2010

News

International

Clinton: Israel, Palestinians serious about peace JERUSALEM – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says Israeli and Palestinian leaders are already “getting down to business” in tackling the key issues at the heart of their conflict.

But Clinton gave no indication Wednesday that the sides are any closer to resolving the most immediate stumbling block to newly relaunched peace talks: a Palestinian threat to quit the negotiations if Israel doesn’t extend a curb on West Bank settlement construction.

Clinton is in Jerusalem for a second day of talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a day after meeting the leaders at a sum-

mit in Egypt.

Addressing reporters, Clinton said they already have “begun to grapple with the core issues” in their conflict.

But she made no mention of the settlement dispute.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyed in Jerusalem, Israel Wednesday, Sept.

15, 2010.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool

NKorea: Typhoon Musharraf to launch Kompasu killed Pakistan party on October 1 dozens of people Agence France Presse

Associated Press Writer

SEOUL, South Korea – A typhoon killed dozens of people and destroyed roads, railways and thousands of homes in North Korea early this month, the reclusive state’s media reported Wednesday. It was the first confirmation from the North of the extent of the damage inflicted by Typhoon Kompasu that hit the divided Korean peninsula on Sept. 2 — also killing five people in South Korea.

The typhoon struck as impov-

erished North Korea struggled to recover from flooding last month that battered its northwest. The official Korean Central News Agency reported Wednesday that landslides, strong winds and heavy rains caused by the typhoon killed “dozens” of people.

Heavy rains washed away 30,000 hectares (74,130 acres) of farmland, and landslides “completely ravaged” railroads and tracks. It said that about 8,380 houses were destroyed and many people were staying in public shelters.

AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service

In this photo released by Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service in Tokyo, North Korean residents look at floodwaters in Wonsan, North Korea, Friday, Sept. 3, 2010. Typhoon Kompasu killed dozens of people and destroyed roads, railways and thousands of homes in North Korea early this month, the reclusive state’s media reported Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010.

HONG KONG – Former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf said Wednesday he would soon launch a new party, touting his support among the Facebook generation as he vowed to remake the nation’s turbulent politics. The retired general also accused Afghan President Hamid Karzai of lacking “legitimacy” but urged the West to stay the course against the Taliban or risk destabilising the region still further.

“I’m going to declare a party on October 1... We have to bring about a new political culture in Pakistan,” he told reporters in Hong Kong after addressing an annual investors’ forum organised by the CLSA brokerage.

The 67-year-old Musharraf, who lives in self-imposed exile in London, shrugged off the threat of possible legal action arising from his years of military rule of Pakistan.

“There are elements opposed to me, political elements, and they are the ones who engineer these cases.

One has to face that. I’m very confident nothing can happen (on his eventual return home),” he said.

Musharraf, who plans to stand for parliament at the next general election in 2013, did not say where he would launch his new party — called the All Pakistan Muslim League.

Reports in Pakistan say the October 1 event is slated for London, and Musharraf has proclaimed his belief that he could become president again.

As army chief, Musharraf ousted civilian prime minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup in 1999. He was president from 2001 and has lived abroad since resigning in 2008.

Pakistan is back under civilian rule but President Asif Ali Zardari — the widower of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto — is under siege from rampant militants, a parlous economy and catastrophic floods.

Political analyst Mutahir Ahmed said that despite the Zardari government’s enormous unpopularity, Musharraf posed little threat. “I do not think they should be worried, although they lack credibility themselves,” Ahmed, a professor of international relations at Karachi University, told AFP in Islamabad.

“In the political history of Pakistan, retired generals have not been able to make a mark and their political forays have ended as failures,” he said.

Zardari and Bhutto’s 21-year-old son Bilawal is being groomed for his own political career, but Musharraf said Pakistan had to turn a page on its dynastic politics and claimed to have his own following among Pakistani youth.

He said that more than 80 percent of the 295,000-plus followers of his Facebook page were aged between 18 and 34. “Therefore I know that it is the youth who are yearning for change.”

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Musharraf made Pakistan a key ally of then US president George W. Bush in the “war on terror”, but faced a resurgence of Islamist militancy in the tribal northwest near Afghanistan. He had a dismal relationship with Karzai, who regained power last year in an election that was widely decried as fraudulent.

AFP PHOTO/MIKE CLARKE

Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf speaks to the press in Hong Kong on September 15, 2010. Musharraf was a guest speaker at the CLSA Investors’ Forum in the territory.

“There must be a legitimate government in Afghanistan... He does not have that legitimacy,” Musharraf told the CLSA forum. In contrast, the former military leader heaped praise on US General David Petraeus, calling the head of foreign forces in Afghanistan a “great commander”.

But with US President Barack Obama planning a troop drawdown from mid-2011, Musharraf warned that abandoning Afghanistan would “be playing into the hands of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda”, and said “quitting is not an option”.

Hotel Activities

International

Thursday, September 16, 2010

5

First Time, a Hotel Company has Four Hotels in the Top Four IBP

The Oberoi Vanyavilas ranked the best hotel in the world; Four Oberoi hotels ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in Asia; Four Oberoi hotels ranked amongst fifteen best in the world.

The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambhore; The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra; The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur and The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur have been ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively in Asia.

The Oberoi Vanyavilas, The Oberoi Amarvilas, The Oberoi Rajvilas and The Oberoi Udaivilas have also been ranked 1st, 5th, 13th and 15th respectively in the world.

These awards were announced by the world’s leading travel magazine brand - Travel + Leisure. The ranking is the result of a readers’ poll conducted by the magazine. Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards are amongst

the most prestigious in the international travel industry as it is the readers who define excellence in travel.

The readers rate their experiences and evaluate hotels across the world on the following characteristics – rooms and facilities, location, service, restaurants and food, and value.

Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi, Chairman, The Oberoi Group said, “I am extremely proud that four Oberoi hotels have been ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th in Asia. I am delighted The Oberoi Vanyavilas has been ranked the best in the world and four Oberoi hotels have been ranked amongst the fifteen best in the world.

“Our guests have given us high ranking because we have built and maintained our hotels with care and our employees have exceeded their expectations. The exceptional ranking is a recognition that we have excellent hotels and the best employees in the hospitality industry.”

Temple Ceremony Calendar of Event (Sep 3- 23 2010) 4 h – “Tumpek Wayang”, day devoted to “Sanghyang Iswara”, the lord of puppeteers, when blessing ceremony is given to shadow – puppet play sets for proper function and magical power.

Temple Festival at: - Pr.aspahit, Jembrana.

- Pr. Panti Gelgel, Ds. Pangembungan, Sesetan, Badung.

- Pedharman Dalem Sri Aji Kresna Kepakisan, Besakih.

- Pedharman Dalem Sukawati, Besaih.

- Pedharman Kaba-Kaba , Besakih.

- Pedharman Dalem Bakas, Besakih.

- Pr. Pedharman Mengwi, Besakih.

- Pr. Penataran Giri Purwa, Ds. Kutarejo, Tegal Dalimo, Banyuwangi.

5th _ Temple Festival at: - Pr. Maospahit, Ds. Gerenceng Denpasar.

8th _ Temple Festival at: - Pr. Ulun Kulkul, Besakih.

- Pr. Melanting, Ds. Camenggaon, Sukawati.

- Pr. Penataran Agung, Teluk Padang, Karangasem.

- Pr. Pasek Gelgel, Ds. Pangembungan, Bongkasa, abiansemal.

- Pr. Pasek Bandesa, Ds. Riyang Gede, Penebel Tabanan.

- Pr. Pasek Banjar Jawa, Buleleng.

- Pr. Gaduhan Jagat, Ds. Singakerta, Ubud.

- Pr. Masceti Tengah, Ds. Mancawarna, Tampaksiring.

- Pr. Penataran Batulepang, Ds. Kamasan, Klungkung.

- Pr. Paibon Pasek Gobleg, Ds. Kedonganan, Kuta - Pr. Pasek Gelgel, Ds. Songan, Batur,

Kintamani.

- Pr. Pasanggerahan Agung, Ds. Bebandem, Karangasem.

- Pr. Penataran Dalem Peed, Nusa Penida.

- Mr.Pasek Perateka, Ds. Pekandelan, Sidemen, Karangasem.

- Mr.Pasek Perateka Taman Sari, Sukasada.

- Pr. Kawitan Jero Wenayu, Ds. Wenayu, Bedulu, Gianyar.

- Pr. Jati, Ubud.

- Pr. Gua, Besakih.

10th _ Temple Festival at: - Merajan Geriya Kebon – Tabanan.

- Pr. Candi Gora, Ds. Tianyar, Karangasem.

14th _ Temple Festival at: - Pr. Puseh Jagat Dalem Dukut, Nusa Penida.

- Pr. Dalem, Ds. Batuyang, Batubulan.

- Pr. Pasek Magending, Kediri, Tabanan.

- Pr. Pasek Undagi, Ds. Timpag, Kerambitan, Tabanan.

- Pr. Desa + Pura Pucak, Br. Taman Bedulu, Gianyar.

- Mr.Pasek Tangkas Kori Agung, Ds. Sulahan.

- Mr.Pasek Padang Rata, Ds. Padang, Karangasem.

- Pr. Telaga Sakti/Dalem Tarukan, Ds. Ambengan, Nusa Penida.

- Pr. Dalem, Ds. Padangan, Pupuan, Tabanan.

- Pr. Yogha, Br. Teba Jero, Kaba-Kaba, Kediri Tabanan.

- Pr. Dalem Purwa, Br. Kawan, Bangli.

15th _ Temple Festival at: - Pr. Agung Pasek Gelgel, Ds. Sibang Kaja, abiansemal.

- Pr. Dalem Samprangan, Gianyar.

- Pr. Ds. Galiran, Bhakti Seraga, Buleleng.

Balinese Temple Ceremony EVERY Temple and Shrine has a special date for it annual Ceremony, or “ Odalan “, every 210 days according to Balinese calendar, including the smaller ancestral shrine which each family possesses. Because of this practically every few days a ceremony of festival of some kind takes place in some Village in Bali. There are also times when the entire island celebrated the same Holiday, such as at Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi day, Saraswati day, Tumpek Landep day, Pagerwesi day, Tumpek Wayang day etc.

The dedication or inauguration day of a Temple is considered its birth day and celebration always takes place on the same day if the wuku or 210 day calendar is used. When new moon is used then the celebration always happens on new moon or full moon. The day of course can differ the religious celebration of a temple lasts at least one full day with some temple celebrating for three days while the celebration of Besakih temple, the Mother Temple, is never less than 7 days and most of the time it lasts for 11 days, depending on the importance of the occasion.

The celebration is very colorful. The shrine are dressed with pieces of cloths and sometimes with brocade, sailings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines.

In front of important shrine one sees, besides these umbrellas soars, tridents and other weapons, the “umbul-umbul”, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the Temple gate put up “Penjor”, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land. Most beautiful to see are the girls in their colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the Temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which the carry their load on their heads.

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Thursday, September 16, 2010

News

Police shoot dead two protesters in Indian Kashmir Agence France Presse

SRINAGAR, India – Police in Indian Kashmir shot dead two protesters and wounded several others on Wednesday when they opened fire at the latest violent demonstration in the region, police told AFP. Officers fired at a rally in the southern town of Mendhar, a Muslim settlement in the Hindu-dominated Jammu area, about 450 kilometres (280 miles) from the summer capital Srinagar.

“The security forces had to open fire when protesters turned violent,” a police officer said, declining to give his name. “Two people have died. They opened fire only after teargas shelling and a cane (baton) charge failed.”

Indian Kashmir is a Muslim-majority region, but also includes the southern Hindumajority area of Jammu. The violence in Mendhar was the first in recent months in Jammu, suggesting a summer of unrest in the region is spreading.

Aga Mukhtair, a leading Muslim cleric in Mendhar, told AFP over the telephone that the rally was provoked by a group of Christians who tore pages from the Koran outside the White House on Saturday.

“It was a peaceful demonstration against desecration of the Koran and there was no violence at all,” he said. Five of those injured were in a critical condition and are being airlifted to hospital, officials said.

Protesters elsewhere in Indian Kashmir set fire to two government buildings overnight amid isolated skirmishes with security forces, police said.

Thousands of Indian police and paramilitaries patrolled streets across Kashmir to enforce a curfew, which was first imposed on Sunday.

On Monday, the region suffered its bloodiest day in three months of unrest, with 17 people

France refuses to extradite Rwanda genocide suspect Agence France Presse

(AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Kashmiri Muslim protesters run for cover as tear gas shell explode near them during a protest in Srinagar, India, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010.

Indian police patrolled the streets of Kashmir on Tuesday, threatening to shoot anyone defying a rigid curfew in the disputed region a day after 19 people died in battles between troops and protesters. killed in police shootings, including a mother-of-five who was a bystander. One police officer also died in mob violence.

Furious protests have erupted almost daily in Kashmir since a teenage student

was killed by a police teargas shell in Srinagar on June 11. A total of 90 civilians have died, according to an AFP tally, mostly in shootings by security forces.

Pakistani printers make fake Afghan voting cards Associated Press Writer PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Printers in this city near the Afghan border say they have produced thousands of fake voter registration cards at the request of Afghan politicians for use in that country’s parliamentary elections on Saturday. The cards, some shown to The Associated Press, add to evidence that fraud could undermine the elections and further destabilize the Western-backed government of President

Hamid Karzai.

A fraud-marred presidential election last year threatened the credibility of the Afghan administration at home and with the Western nations waging war on the country’s resurgent Taliban.

Regulation of voting has been improved, but an influx of fake cards raises the possibility of a person with multiple voter cards vot-

ing many times and could still cause problems in an insecure country where monitoring of polling stations will likely be spotty.

Three printers in a dimly lit section of Peshawar’s Storytellers’Bazaar told theAPthat Afghan election candidates had traveled to the walled heart of the ancient city about an hour from the border and provided them with samples of Afghan voter registration cards.

Conservatives........

From page 1 “I think that’s what we should be doing,” Abbott said, when asked whether he would try to persuade the independent MPs to defect.

“Exposing the waste and extravagance inherent in the government’s broadband plans, that becomes a very real prospect,” Abbott told ABC radio.

But country independents Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor have said Labor’s plan to bring broadband to 93 percent of Australian homes was crucial in winning their support. A third unaligned MP, Andrew Wilkie, whose vote is also crucial to Gillard holding on to her 76-74 lead in seats in the lower house, also supports the scheme.

“I don’t think we need another election,” Abbott said, indicating that he

AFP PHOTO PHILIPPE HUGUEN

(FILES) — A file photo taken on October 24, 2009 in Lille shows Rwandan doctor Eugene Rwamucyo, working in a city hospital in Maubeuge, northern France, posing during an interview.

would attempt to wrest power from Gillard by persuading the independents to switch sides, giving him enough seats to form a Liberal-led government.

Gillard dismissed the threats, saying Abbott had no Internet policy of his own to win the independents over and was only interested in negative attacks.

“Anybody can get on the radio and spew out criticisms — easily done, and of course the opposition will be doing that,” Gillard said. “But what really is the test here is what would you do differently? Mr Abbott can’t answer that.”

Windsor also poured cold water on the prospect, saying he wouldn’t “be pushing the government out of power

over one particular issue or another” and would only be swayed by corruption or serious maladministration

by Labor.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd, who Gillard deposed as leader in a sudden party coup three weeks before calling the election, also played down fears of infighting within the Labor administration.

Rudd, who had reportedly been devastated by his sudden June 24 ouster by his former deputy, said he now had a “productive and professional relationship” serving as Gillard’s foreign minister. “For me it is a great honour to now act as Australia’s foreign minister,” he told reporters.

VERSAILLES, France – A French court on Wednesday rejected Kigali’s request to extradite Rwandan doctor Eugene Rwamucyo, who is suspected of involvement in the 1994 genocide.

The court inVersailles, just outside Paris, also ordered the release of Rwamucyo, who was arrested while attending a funeral in May on the strength of an international warrantissuedbyRwandain2007.

“This is a relief because this matter is very political and so it’s a victory of law over politics,” said Rwamucyo’s lawyer, Philippe Meilhac.

Rwamucyo is wanted by Kigali for having allegedly planned and carryied out atrocities in the Butare region of southern Rwanda.

The doctor, aged in his 50s, is still the subject in Paris of a complaint filed by the families of genocide victims for crimes against humanity. His arrest came nearly three months after police detained Agathe Habyarimana, the widow of Rwanda’s assassinated expresident, and one of the alleged masterminds of the geno-

cide of Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

It also follows President Nicolas Sarkozy’s landmark trip to Kigali in March during which he said France would do everything possible to ensure that “all those responsible for the genocide are found and are punished.”

RwamucyolivedinBelgiumwith his family and until April worked as a doctor in a city hospital in Maubeuge, northern France. In an interview toAFPlast year, Rwamucyo had denied the allegations of genocide and accused the Tutsi-led government in Kigali of waging a campaign against him.

“They are trying to make people believe that all of the Hutus who held any position of responsibility at the time were thinking about killing Tutsis,” Rwamucyo said.

Rwanda has repeatedly accused France of allowing genocide suspects to live comfortable lives in French towns and villages and turning a blind eye to calls for them to face justice.

France has transferred three Rwandan suspects to Tanzania to face prosecution before the international tribunal, but judges have so far refused to extradite genocide suspects to Kigali.

Officer arrested in death of SAfrican teen Agence France Presse

JOHANNESBURG – South African authorities have arrested a police officer in the shooting death of a a 17-year-old girl who was among student protesters complaining that a teachers strike had given them insufficient time to prepare for exams.

In a statement Wednesday, the Independent Complaints Directorate, an independent government watchdog, said its investigators arrested the officer Tuesday after determining “the shooting was premeditated.” The investigators say the officer had earlier threatened to hurt the students if they protested Monday’s protest in the central Free State region was among several across the country following the end of a three-week nationwide strike by teachers and other government workers.

The strike was halted Sept. 6, shortly before a series of exams

International

Indonesia Today

Thursday, September 16, 2010

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Police probe deaths of three Russians in Indonesia Agence France-Presse

MAKASSAR - Police are investigating after three Russian military aircraft specialists died in Indonesia following a drinking session, officials said Tuesday.

The trio were part of a 12-man team who arrived last week in Makassar, the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, last week to help the Indonesian air force assemble and operate recently-purchased Sukhoi fighter jets, police said.

One of the three was found dead on Monday in an air force dormitory, local police chief Jhony Waenal Usman said, with the other two dying later that day in hospital.

Police didn’t specify their jobs but the Voice of Russia said that they worked as engineers.

Usman said post mortem examination results were still awaited but the victims all showed similar symptoms before they died.

“They suffered from dizzi-

ness, nausea, breathing difficulties and were foaming from their mouths,” he told reporters.

“Our forensic team is also investigating the evidence such as the leftover drink and medicines belonging to the victims.” Local news website Detikcom quoted an air force spokesman as saying that the men were killed from drinking alcohol and it may have been contaminated.

Twenty-five people including four foreigners died after drinking methanol-laced palm wine last year on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, while 13 were killed in similar fashion in Central Java earlier this year. A Russian jet was expected to arrive Wednesday to take the bodies back home, added Usman.

Forest conservation needs to be maintained Antara

JAKARTA - Forests are one of the world’s major carbon storages, for which forest conservation is much needed to prevent deforestation and climate change.

“We are making sure that the communities who live in the forests still feel the benefits of the program,” Marco Lambertini, chief executive of birdlife international, said in Jakarta Thursday.

Birdlife International is the biggest partnership organization of national nature conservation.

Singapore’s nature society was the Birdlife’s partner.

Narci said to preserve the forests, Birdlife International has employed more than 200 local staff personnel particularly highly skilled forest patrol officers.

He said because of that in the last three years, the program has produced results.

“In this context, Singapore Airlines (SIA) has donated 3 million dollars to big scale of long term environment projects and the

sustainability of global environment.” said Bay Soo Khiang, SIA Senior Executive Vice President for Marketing and Corporate Service.

He said that the donation from SIA will be used for supporting the “Prakarsa Harapan Rainforest” project under cooperation between the international NGOs including Birdlife International and Birdlife Indonesia.

The SIA contribution for protection and forest restoration in lowland tropical forests in Indonesia was a reflection of a conviction that the environment preservation effort has to be focused to make real differences and concrete result for the welfare of the Indonesian people.

According to him, the representatives of Singapore Airlines, Birdlife International and KEHI foundation had reached agreement to implement the programs.

KEHI foundation is an Indonesian non-profit organization appointed by the Birdlife Consortium to manage implementation of the program

FP PHOTO / RUHT SEMIONO / SUARA PEMBARUAN

In this photograph taken on September 13, 2010, wounded Christian church member Hasian Sihombing is attended to by a nurse at a hospital in Bekasi, outside Jakarta following a knife attack by unknown assailants on September 12, 2010 injuring Sihombing and a church priest.

Yudhoyono calls for immediate settlement of church attack Antara

JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked for an immediately settlement of the problem relating to the house of prayers of the Huria Batak Christian Protestant (HKBP) members and the recent attack on some of them.

In a press conference here on Tuesday President Yudhoyono said correct solutions of the problems had to be found.

“The ministers concerned the district head of Bekasi, religious leaders of the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) must sit and find a good way out. I wish it could be achieved,” he said.

To make the problem not to develop further he called against any intervention from any parties who have an ill will.

“There must not be any intervention that would only make the situation worse. There must be none but good intentions,” he said.

The President said the law must be enforced regardless of who would be affected.

“The law must be enforced moreover if it has to do with a sensitive issue including inter-religious relations. Bring anyone involved to justice,” he said.

President Yudhoyono meanwhile called on the people to continue to maintain the good relations

between different religious followers because Indonesia is a plural country and a rule has also been made available to regulate construction of a house of prayers.

He also called on the people to prevent violence and used wisdom to deal with it.

He said all government apparatus had to act swiftlier to overcome the problem.

Nine arrested

National Police chief General Bambang Hendarso Danuri on the occasion said the police had already arrested the suspects behind the attack of the church members on Sunday.

Police have arrested nine suspects behind the recent attack of Batak Christian Protestant Church (HKBP) members in Bekasi, West Java.

“The investigation is still ongoing but nine people we arrested have already been named suspects,” Jakarta Metropolitan Police Command chief Inspector General Timur Pradopo said.

The suspects known by their initials as AF, the leader, DTS, NN, AN, ISN, PN and KA may be charged under Article 351 on violent torture and Article 170 on group torture.

The police are still intensively investigating several other wit-

nesses, including the head of the Islam Defenders‘ Front (FPI)‘s Bekasi distict chapter, he said.

Apart from arresting the person that has stabbed the church members, the police had also confiscated the clothes of the victims, the clothes of the perpetrators, a plank and three motorcycles. The police also had video footage of the incident and autopsy results.

“The knife used by the attacker is still being searched for,” he said.

Regarding the motive behind it, Timur Pradopo said that the attackers thought that the church members had not abided by the local law prohibiting the holding of a religious service on the location of the incident. Timur said he would act firmly against the one who had stabbed one of the church-goers based on the law.

Asiah Lumbuan Toruan (49) and pastor Luspida (40) were attacked by unknown persons on Jalan Pondok Timur Asam, Cikeuting, Mustika Jaya, Bekasi, at around 8.45am on Sunday. Asiah suffered a stab wound on his right abdomen while Luspida suffered a bump on her head. After the attack the two were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Eight people on motorcycles attacked the two while they were walking towards the location of a religious service.

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Internationa

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Bali Today Balinese becoming more interested in reading Antara

DENPASAR - Bali residents‘ interest in reading has increased as indicated by a rise in the number of people visiting the province’s National Library, the region’s chief librarian said.

Bali’s National Library is now being visited by an average of 500 people per day compared to less than 100 per day some time ago, Ni Luh Putu Praharsini, head of Bali’s Library Affairs Agency, said here Tuesday.

The increase in the library’s visitors implied people were getting more interested in reading and more aware of the importance of gaining knowledge through reading, Praharsini said after handing awards to winners of a Reading Interest Contest 2010.

“Reading is very essential in

the education of the nation.

Therefore, we hope every citizen will become avid readers of books,” she said.

More than 60 percent of the visitors to Bali’s national Library were undergraduate students, while the rest were students ranging from elementary

to senior high schools, she said.

Undergraduate students dominated the visitors as they wanted to read and find references for their theses, she said.

“To anticipate a further increase in visitors, the library would remain open on Saturdays and Sundays.

The library would be closed on na-

tional and religious holidays,” she said.

The number of visitors, however, rose more distinctly at weekends and holidays than on regular days, she said.

The Bali administration was continuing to provide the library with new books every year, and now it had a collection of more than 200,000 volumes of 85,000 titles.

The number did not include magazines, dictionaries and encyclopedias, she said, adding that the administration had promised to allocate funds from the provin-

cial budget to procure new books every year.

“The book procurement will be based on the data of the most preferred books to read,” she said.

The most preferred books for the time being were children’s stories, history and literary works, she said.

“These types of books will be procured every year due to the public’s high interest in them,” she said.

The National Library would always procure books in their latest edition to keep up with current developments Praharsini said.

Spiritual Farming: From one green to some other greens Advancement of science of technology does not answer all problems encountered by human life. In agriculture, for instance, modern farmers can now have boosted the quantity of production, even in multiple amounts. On the one had, it’s a great success but on the other hand it still leaves a problem on the decline of environmental and human health quality.

Green revolution occurred between 1943 and 1970s through the implementation of chemical fertilizer and good irrigation system has conjured up the rice production. In short term, it became an efficacious medicine to resolve the famine in tropical countries.

Few decades later, it had an impact on the reduction of environmental quality, like pollution in water, land and others. Apart from the impact on the environment, it was also had an impact on human health like the rise of some new cancers.

Realizing these facts, now Bali has an initiative to become a green province and implement the integrated farming system (Simantri). Hopefully, implementation of the system could realize the Bali Organic plan and consequently minimize the environmental destruction. Green province campaign includes some aspects, namely green culture, green economy and Bali green and clean. Green culture is intended to change the societal behavior in managing their waste management and environment. Green economy hints that all economic activities should be in the eco-friendly orientation. These two aspects will empty out into the initiative of Bali Organic.

One of the aspects is applied in the

agricultural field. Socialization has been intensified while establishing farmer groups. Through breeding local cows, for instance, farmers are expected to get maximal benefits.

Other than increasing the number of cows, they will be able to take advantage the cow dung and urine for organic fertilizers. In the long run, it will reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Of course, this endeavor will reduce the production cost that should be spent by farmers and at the same time increase the quality of rice as well as improve the environmental quality.

As a matter of fact, simple practice of this concept could have been seen around 1970s. Farmers using cows to cultivate their land could also take advantage of their cow dung. It was spread out onto the rice field and its efficacy could last for at least for two planting seasons. In terraced rice field, it could uniquely be managed by establishing a cowshed in the upper stream. Later on, the collected dry cow dung was channeled to rice field through the water gutter.

However, since being urged by the demand to multiple the rice production, farmers left the method.

Introduction of hand tractor and chemical fertilizers gradually replaced the role of cows. The new method was expected to accelerate the land cultivation process. As consequence, cows were only serving as ‘family saving’ for farmers.

Simple eco-friendly pest control actually has been proposed in the palm-leaf manuscript entitled “Shri Tattwa or Darmaning Pemaculan.”

http://www.baliwoodworks.com Rice field

It has been applied by subak community in Bali from generation to generation until today. However, it seems to put more emphasis on the ritual aspect only, while herbal pesticide or other means of the oblation is only applied symbolically. For instance, bird raids are managed by offering two pieces of ketupat sidayu together with oblation and side dish of yellow dragonfly.

Meanwhile, Subash Palekar from India claimed to have developed the vedicbased farming. He has initiated his ‘spiri-

tual farming’ since 1988. In essence he said that God or nature has provided human with everything required to grow plants. So implementing the chemical fertilizers and pesticide means to oppose God and will result in bad impact to human. Cow dung and urine as well as compost are three beneficial ingredients being enough for farming both on irrigated and non-irrigated land. By doing so, he claims it is a ‘zero budget of natural farming’ as in his trilogy book entitled Philosophy of Spiritual Farming.

To sum up, all movements at least refer to the same keywords namely green, natural and eco-friendly concept. They denote milestone of new awareness on modern human to re-orientate their food production in quality. This awareness has triggered the orientation in the quality of life and environment. Hopefully, the aspiration of Bali as Green Province and other green concepts could be realized supported by entire community based on their awareness of a better quality life!

(BTN/punia)

al

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Balinese Culture

Australian market worries on the rabies issue Antara

Denpasar – The rabies problem in Bali could affect the tourism and industry which is directly connected with Australian market. Bagus Y Siregar, the Area Manager Australia and New Zealand in PT Garuda Indonesia, said that the papers in Australia was reporting the rabies spread in Bali.

“We as the businessmen who are connected with Australia started to worry with the rabies issue,” he added.

Bagus explained that some local media in Australia made rabies as their headline.

Currently there is no major effect on the issue but if it continues then it could become very bad. Bagus said that several question had appear from Australia. The tourists from the country is also started to worry on the issue.

“Our flights to Australia are very good. Until October 2010, it is always full and we don’t want the tourists who

travel to Bali cancel their trip because of the rabies issue,” Bagus said.

He urged the government to act promptly on the problem and it must be informed to the media. “The action taken by the government must also being informed to the foreign media including online media. It will give balance news to the readers,” Bagus said.

He added that currently, Garuda fly to three cities in Australia which is Sidney, Melbourne, and Perth.

“Load factor from Australia to Denpasar is above 85% and it is very good,” Bagus explained.

Garuda Indonesia in Denpasar received question from several people in China regarding the rabies issue and the company had explained that the government already conduct the step to prevent the spread of the rabies, such as dog vaccination and elimination.

http://media.vivanews.com

One of Bali’s resident hold her dog while a veterinarian shot it with rabies vaccine.

Bali potential to be MICE destination Bali Post

DENPASAR - Bali becoming a tourist destination, in fact, stays to have the same opportunity in making it into a Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition (MICE) destination. Moreover, Bali retains cultural diversity to support the implementation of MICE being different from other regions in Indonesia and in the world. However, the success of making Bali into a ma-

jor MICE destination remained to require the support of all parties, particularly government, communities and MICE organizer in Bali.

This potential was disclosed by Chairman of the Indonesia Congress and Convention Association (INCCA) of Bali Chapter Ida Bagus Lolec (Surakusuma) accompanied by Vice Chairman Ketut Jaman, Secretary Martin and Sumadi in his office, last

Kenus Mebase Bali (Balinese Squid)

Tuesday (Sep 14), in the midst of preparation for the third anniversary of INCCA Bali.

Lolec said that INCCA Bali inaugurated in last September 10, 2007, aimed to make a forum of companies running a business in organizing congresses and conventions as well as other related businesses to convention services, incentive travel and exhibition in Bali.

C.045 ibp

OVERVIEW: If you are only accustomed to eating deep-fried squid, you’ll be surprised by the difference when it is cooked Balinese style. If squid is unavailable, replace with large cuttlefish or any other firm fish fillets such as snapper or sea bass.

INGREDIENTS: 600 gr baby squid, cleaned and diced 1 tbsp freshly squeezed limejuice 1/3 tsp powdered black pepper 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp oil 5 shallots, peeled and sliced 2 large red chilies, seeded and sliced 1/2 cup spice paste for seafood 1 cup chicken stock 5 sprigs lemon basil, sliced Fried shallots and sprigs of lemon basil to garnish PREPARATION: Heat oil in wok, add shallots, chilies and squid and sauté for 2 minutes over high heat. Add seafood spice paste and continue to sauté for 1 more minute. Pour in chicken stock, add the sliced basil and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Season to taste and garnish with sprigs of lemon basil, fried shallots and serve with Coconut Rice. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Business

International

Bedugul Botanical Garden IBP

For those of you who like to see and know more about plantation, especially the tropical types, you can visit Bedugul Botanical Garden which located in Bedugul, plateau area in Bali. The garden is situated in the cool atmosphere with rain forest and hill surrounds.

This botanical garden is opened on 1959 and owns 154.5 ha land located Tabanan regency, northwest part of Bali. It is close to the beautiful lake which is called Beratan Lake and Ulun Danu Temple. It has inhabitants more than 1187 plant types and multifarious of floras. In this area, there is orchid garden with the collection of 320 orchid types from Bali, Java, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Sulawesi and also Irian Jaya. We can also meet the rose garden with the collection of various rose from rust colored until green chromatic.

Bedugul Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya is also completed by 524 birches which are still in its original forest.

In this place we can meet the collection from America, South America, China, Japan, Australia, Africa and also Netherlands.

Cyathea Garden is one of the specific gardens owning the various collections of Paku-pakuan (tropical vegetable) which can

be eaten as vegetable by Balinese and some of them are used for decoration. The tree from this nail Cyatheas are often exploited as growth media of various orchid types.

Cactus collections are consisted of 104 types. This cactus is obtained from Africa, America, Germany, Switzerland and also Indonesia. The crop season at botanical garden is taken 94 types plants that are the collection from the exploitation for Balinese life ceremony, temple ceremony, devoting/ offering and others purpose. It also owns the collection of drug crop with 84 types/ species.

Beside of the crop collections, Bedugul Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya also owns the traditional Balinese houses and it function as guest house for scientist who is doing observation. It is also opened for public including tourists and to be one of favorite tourist destinations in Bali especially for domestic tourists.

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Thursday, September 16, 2010

11

BUSINESS Possible mass strikes may take place in Britain Agence France-Presse

MANCHESTER – Could Britain soon see strikes on the scale of Greece or France? While its trade unions have backed joint action, questions remain about whether this will happen and its likely impact.

There has been a lot of fiery rhetoric at this week’s annual Trades Union Congress (TUC) about the need for coordinated action to fight proposed government austerity cuts, prompting headlines predicting “all-out strikes.”

Some union chiefs hail what has happened elsewhere in Europe — where millions have taken to the streets, causing widespread disruption — and are confident of strong support for such steps.

“I look at France and and I look at Greece and other places and I’m inspired by the fact that many unions are able to just mobilise together,” Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union and a leading voice for joint action, told AFP. But others worry that trying to fight the cuts with widespread strikes likely to be opposed by many members of the public could prove disastrous.

“It’s not just about putting your head down and running at them,” said Dave Ward, deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), who also highlighted the need for campaigning against the cuts in the community.

Trade unions in Britain have lost much of their influence since their heyday before former premier Margaret Thatcher’s free market reforms and limiting of trade union power in the 1980s.

Union membership among British employees has halved since its peak in 1979, now standing at 6.7 million. Only around 15 percent of private sector workers are now union members compared to nearly 57 percent in the public sector.

Such figures may be part of the reason why TUC chief Brendan Barber and other moderates now stress the importance of winning “hearts and minds” over the cuts as well as talking of strikes.

Les Bayliss, a candidate to become the next leader of Britain’s biggest union Unite, warned unions risk being painted as “the villains of the piece” instead of the government if they do go on strike.

Japan intervenes in forex market to stem yen’s rise Agence France-Presse

TOKYO - Japan on Wednesday intervened in currency markets for the first time since 2004 in a bid to stem the yen’s appreciation against the dollar, Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda said.

The move came one day after Prime Minister Naoto Kan reaffirmed his leadership in a ruling party election victory Tuesday, seeing off a candidate outspoken in his calls for intervention to help safeguard Japan’s recovery.

The yen traded at 84.57 to the dollar at around 0220 GMT following the intervention, after earlier surging to a fresh 15-year high of 82.86.

The euro strengthened to 109.77 yen from 107.75.

“We conducted a market intervention,” Noda told reporters. “We will continue to monitor the movement of the market and take determined steps, including intervention, when necessary.”

Noda said the move was made unilaterally, but added Japan had been in touch with foreign governments amid qualms from the likes of Europe and the United States that exchange rates should be kept free-floating.

“We’ve been in close cooperation

with authorities concerned, but I’d like to refrain from commenting on how each of them has reacted” to Japan’s action, Noda said.

There was no immediate comment from the US Treasury on Japan’s market move.

“Our country’s economy is still in a very severe situation with continued deflation,” said Noda.

The yen’s rapid appreciation “harms the stability of the economy and finances. We cannot tolerate it.”

Noda did not reveal the size of the intervention but Dow Jones Newswires cited traders as saying Japan’s Ministry of Finance had initially sold between 200 and 300 billion yen (2.4 billion and 3.6 billion dollars).

In a statement Bank of Japan governor Masaaki Shirakawa said uncertainty over the US economy meant downside risks to Japan “warrant attention”.

“The Bank of Japan strongly ex-

pects that the action taken by the Ministry of Finance in the foreign exchange market will contribute to stable foreign exchange rate formation.”

The central bank has come under government pressure to do more to offset the impact of the strong yen on Japan’s economy, and recently expanded a multi-billion-dollar loan scheme in an effort to help revive a recovery.

But the yen’s appreciation has put many Japanese exporters at a disadvantage against foreign rivals as it erodes their repatriated earnings.

A recent government survey suggested that many companies in Japan were considering moving production overseas if the yen stayed high, casting a shadow over the nation’s recovery.

The strong yen also makes imports cheaper, prolonging a cycle of deflation that has hurt Japan for years as consumers defer purchases in the hope of further price falls.

Wednesday’s move buoyed Tokyo shares, with the benchmark Nikkei 225 index paring earlier losses to surge 1.84 percent with exporters’ shares rising on news of the currency intervention.

Curbing tech piracy can stimulate Asian economies: report Agence France-Presse SINGAPORE - Asia can generate billions of dollars in new business and taxes and create hundreds of thousands of jobs within a few years if it cracks down on software piracy, an industry study showed Wednesday.

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) and research group IDC said nearly 60 percent of all software programmes installed on personal computers in the region are pirated.

Reducing piracy by 10 percentage points in four years would produce almost 41 billion dollars in economic activity, create 350,000 new jobs and generate nearly nine billion dollars in taxes, according to the joint study.

Achieving the same reduction in two years would boost the economic benefits for the region by 33 percent, a press statement said.

“Reducing software piracy is

an opportunity to inject muchneeded stimulus into Asia Pacific economies,” said Roland Chan, BSA’s senior regional director for marketing.

“This study clearly shows that aggressively fighting software piracy today means greater economic benefits tomorrow — for the region’s economy, not just the software industry.”

Piracy is defined as installing legitimate software beyond the number of computers allowed by a company’s licence, or the outright usage of counterfeit software peddled by “criminal enterprises” at cut-rate prices.

The report looked at 13 economies that make up 98 percent of the region’s packaged software market — Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

The BSA is an industry

group that works for copyright protection and counts among its members some of the world’s biggest technology companies, including Apple, Microsoft, Symantec and Adobe.

IDC is a global research firm specializing in information technology and telecommunications.

People shop around an IT mall in Singapore on September 15, 2010.

Asia can potentially enjoy an economic boost of 41 billion US dollars if the use of illegal computer software in the region is cut by 10 percentage points in four years, a report said September 15.

AFP PHOTO/ROSLAN RAHMAN

12

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Entertainment

International

Nicole Kidman sweats new producer role Agence France Presse

TORONTO – Nicole Kidman was feeling “very exposed and very nervous” as a first-time producer promoting her new film “Rabbit Hole” at a major film festival, she said Tuesday. The actress, who won an Academy Award in 2002 for her portrayal of early twentieth century English novelist Virginia Woolf in “The Hours,” literally sweated through a news conference at the Toronto film festival.

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese

James Caan arrives for the screening of the film “Henry’s Crime” during the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto Tuesday, September 14, 2010.

“The reason I’m wearing this jacket is because I’m sweating under here and I can’t take it off ‘cause this shirt shows it,” Kidman said.

“I feel very exposed, very nervous,” she explained.

“It’s a whole different ball game because it’s so personal when you’re in a film but you’re not responsible for the film. “I’m responsible for this film so it’s a big weight. But I’m glad that we made it.”

“Rabbit Hole” is based on David Lindsay-Abaire’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, and examines a couple mourning the loss of a child after a hit-and-run accident.

Aaron Eckhart, best known for his roles in “The Dark Knight” (2008) and “Thank You for Smoking” (2005), co-stars with Kidman in the film directed by John Cameron Mitchell.

James Caan still wary of toll booths after ‘Godfather’ Singer George Michael jailed for drug driving Agence France Presse

TORONTO - American actor James Caan became sentimental Tuesday over his most famous 1972 “Godfather” toll booth shooting scene, at the world premiere of his new film “Henry’s Crime.” Caan earned an Academy Award nomination for his role as Santino “Sonny” Corleone in Mario Puzo’s “The Godfather.” His character dies after being sprayed with bullets in a brutal mafia killing at a toll plaza.

In director Malcom Venville’s “Henry’s Crime,” which premiered at the Toronto film festival, Caan plays the cellmate of a disgruntled toll booth attendant (Keanu Reeves) who stumbles across an armed robbery and is mistaken by police as one of the robbers.

Caan wisecracked that he refused to be on set at the Buffalo, New York toll booth for the filming of the opening scene with Reeves.

“I refused to go to the toll booth, but in case Malcolm asked

me, I had the correct change,” he said, referencing the ambush while waiting for change from a toll booth attendant in “The Godfather.” “I just keep thinking if I had the correct change, I would have made a lot more money. I didn’t know they were going to make a (Godfather) II, so I would have refused to die” in the first chapter of the trilogy, he said.

He briefly appears in a flashback scene in the sequel. Asked if he ever gets tired of talking about “The Godfather,” Caan replied “No. I thank God for it.”

“Unlike actors that hide, or that don’t like to give autographs or be recognized... I’m very thankful that people still remember that I’m alive and all that,” he went on. “No. I don’t get tired of it. I mean, it was a blessing. God, I’m getting sentimental.”

“Henry’s Crime” also stars Vera Farmiga, best known for her Oscar-nominated performance in “Up in the Air,” as well as “The Vintner’s Luck” and “The Departed.”

Agence France Presse

LONDON - British pop star George Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in jail by a court on Tuesday after he admitted driving under the influence of cannabis when he crashed his car into a shop. The 47-year-old “Freedom” and “Careless Whisper” singer was arrested after his Range Rover smashed into a photography shop in north London in the early hours of July 4, the latest in a long

Jason Merritt/Getty Images/AFP

Actress Nicole Kidman speaks at “Rabbit Hole” press conference during the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival at the Hyatt Regency on September 14, 2010 in Toronto, Canada.

line of clashes with the law.

Michael, who was charged under his real name Georgios Panayiotou, sighed as the sentence was announced and a fan sobbed in the public gallery of Highbury Magistrates Court in London as he was taken to the cells.

“It does not appear that you took proper steps to deal with what is clearly an addiction to cannabis.

That’s a mistake which puts you and,

Bill Maher gets Hollywood Walk of Fame star Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES - Political satirist Bill Maher has been immortalized in Hollywood. With Larry King and “Family Guy” producer Seth MacFarlane standing nearby, HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” talk show host unveiled his Walk of Fame star

Tuesday outside the W Hotel at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street. Maher, who once hosted the late-night talk show “Politically Incorrect,” said he wanted to thank “George Bush, Sarah Palin and the pope.” It was the 2,417th star dedicated on the famous sidewalk.

AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

British singer George Michael arrives for sentencing at Highbury magistrates court in London, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010. George Michael is facing a fine or jail time after he admitted driving while under the influence of drugs. The singer pleaded guilty last month to driving under the influence and possession of cannabis following an incident on July 4 when his Range Rover crashed into a photo shop in north London.

on this occasion, the public at risk,” Judge John Perkins said. He said a jail term was inevitable because Michael had a conviction for driving while unfit dating back to 2006, adding that this time he had taken a “dangerous and unpredictable mix” of prescription drugs and cannabis.

“I accept entirely that you have shown remorse for the offence, that you are ashamed of it, that you admitted it,” Perkins said, but added that it was with “regret” that he could not find any mitigation against a prison sentence.

Perkins said Michael would serve four weeks in prison and after that he would be released and the remainder of the term would be spent under strict conditions.

The court also slapped Michael with a five-year driving ban and a fine of 1,250 pounds (1,500 euros, 1,930 dollars). Michael had admitted the driving offence at an earlier hearing in August. He also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis cigarettes. The singer was found by police slumped at the wheel of his Range Rover with the engine still running after the crash in July. Officers roused him and said he appeared “spaced out.”

The star’s lawyer, Mukul Chawla, said Michael had personally repaid the cost of the damage to the owner shop. “The only thing that Mr Michael has specifically asked his lawyers to address to the court is his profound shame and horror of having repeated the conduct of 2006,” Chawla told the court. Michael arrived at the court on Tuesday wearing dark glasses and waving to fans, some of whom screamed his name and tried to burst through police barriers to reach him.

Life Style

International

Thursday, September 16, 2010

13

Asia defies global newspaper meltdown Agence France Presse

HONG KONG - Asian newspapers are defying the global print media meltdown while their counterparts in the West spill red ink and lay off staff in droves as readers flock to online news.

Print advertising — the lifeblood of a newspaper’s revenue base — has plunged 47 percent in the hard-hit North American market since 2005, while the outlook for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) remains tepid, says a new study by global consultancy Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

However, Asia’s newspaper advertising is expected to rise 3.1 percent annually through 2014 to 27.3 billion US dollars, according to PwC’s “Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 20102014.”

The trend toward online news has been slower in Asia where newspapers remain popular, including Japan which has the world’s highest newspaper readership.

“In Asia Pacific and Latin America...newspaper readership has held up and is increasing, which accounts for their stronger performance in recent years and faster growth rates compared with North America and EMEA in the next five years,” the report said.

Spending in Asia’s newspaper sector will rise at 2.3 percent annually through 2014, it added. In Hong Kong, the city’s myriad Chinese and English-language newspapers wage a daily battle for readers in one of the world’s most saturated newspaper markets.

Leading tabloid Apple Daily boosts its coverage with fanciful animated depictions of gruesome and violent news stories, and employs an army of young reporters who will stop at little to get the story.

“It is cut-throat competition,” says Cheng Ming-yan, Apple’s chief editor, adding, “We’re not conservative — we have very aggressive reporting.” Number-one selling Oriental Daily News (ODN) once sued its bitter rival Apple over claims that its reporters tricked ODN colleagues into divulging exclusive stories.

“It is pretty intense — Hong Kong has always been a newspaper town,” said Steve Shellum, executive editor of the Englishlanguage daily The Standard.

Newspapers reach almost 80 percent of adults in Hong Kong, a city of seven million, and its two biggest-selling papers each claim a daily readership above 1.2 million, according to “World Press Trends 2010” produced by newspaper association WAN-IFRA. “Chinese people are eager to get information from newspapers because, traditionally, that was the way their mother and father spent their leisure time,” said Cheng at Apple Daily.

But circulation at Hong Kong’s paid dailies has still been dropping as free newspapers muscle in on their turf. Apple not only

AFP PHOTO / MIKE CLARKE

plans to continue using cartoon animations in its print edition, it is also moving to video with sometimes questionable depictions of news — all in a bid to attract the next generation.

“It’s very important and will become more important. Young people have grown up with cartoons — they want the image,” Cheng said.

Apple’s computer-generated video of Tiger Woods’ now exwife running after his car swinging a golf club — after hearing

of the golf legend’s infidelities — was an Internet sensation, and seems unlikely to be a one-hit wonder.

“Our new business is to focus on live animation news,” Cheng said.

That swing to online and video news will ultimately spell doom for newspapers even in the Asian market, said Chan Yuen-ying, director of the University of Hong Kong’s journalism school. “(The decline) is hitting Asia slower and media owners still have some time, but the door is closing,” Chan said. “I don’t think there is reason to be optimistic.”

A selection of newspaper front pages in Hong Kong on September 7, 2010. Asian newspapers are defying the global print media meltdown while their counterparts in the West spill red ink and lay off staff in droves as readers flock to online news.

Lesbian purchasing power topples taboos on Greek island Agence France Presse

LESBOS ISLAND - It’s September and for a 10th year, the village of Eressos on Greece’s Lesbos island has drawn lesbians from across Europe to a unique international festival for women. In a country strongly influenced by the Greek Orthodox church and where roughly half the population is against same-sex marriage, the lesbian-run event has been quietly growing in this corner of the Aegean Sea. Over the past decade, attendance at the two-week International Women’s Festival has jumped from 30 to hundreds of women — mainly German, British, Dutch and Scandinavian, but also Greek and Italian.

The busy programme of events includes women-only walks and sunset cruises, breathing and drumming workshops, Greek dance classes and lesbian film screenings.

“I’ve been blown away, there’s no unease at all,” says Lauren Bianchi, a Scottish woman in her early 20s who is at the festival for the first time and who had read articles about difficult relations between locals and lesbians.

In 2000, when the festival launched, tensions ran high. A poster advertising one of its events sparked the anger of the village

mayor, who threatened to take the organisers to court and ban the event, vowing to drive lesbian tourism from the village.

Ten years on, the municipality is lending the town hall for one of the festival’s art exhibitions and allowed the use of the beach to stage the open-

AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI

Women lay on the beach of the village of Eressos on Lesbos island on September 4 , 2010.

ing event on September 4.

“It was economic gameplay and the lesbians took the ticket and said, ‘yes, if you want cash, you’ve got it’,” says Marianthi Lianou, a Greek sociologist in her 50s who moved to Eressos six years ago to study its small lesbian community.

Lesbian holidaymakers have been coming to Lesbos since the 1970s, attracted by the island’s association with Sappho, the seventh century Greek poet who wrote about her love for women and was born in Eressos.

According to the Sappho travel agency, lesbians now make up 60 percent of visitors to the village, rising to 90 percent in September when the festival takes place.

“My rooms are full for the next two weeks. We’d usually be dead in September, but now it’s booming,” says Andreas, who runs the Sappho cafe bar and rents rooms on the village seafront. As the economic crisis continues to pinch, he says Greek holidaymakers spent less this summer and he is grateful for the extended season brought by lesbian tourism.

“People in the village have got used it, especially the young people, but the old people still discuss it among themselves,” he says.

14

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Sport

International

Inter, Man United held as Barcelona hit five PARIS - Holders Inter Milan drew 2-2 at competition debutants FC Twente as the Champions League group phase began on Tuesday, while Manchester United were held by Rangers and Barcelona thrashed Panathinaikos. Theo Janssen was the star for Twente, Dutch champions for the first time in their history last season, scoring one and making one to frustrate Rafael Benitez’s side on a rain-soaked night in Enschede, eastern Holland.

AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES

Manchester United’s Ecuador midfielder Antonio Valencia receives treatment for an injury to his leg caused by a tackle from Rangers’ Scottish defender Kirk Broadfoot (not pictured) during their UEFA Champions League Group C football match at Old Trafford in Manchester, north-west England, on September 14, 2010.

Valencia United season finished after horror break Agence France Presse MANCHESTER – Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia will not play again this season after a freak injury in the 0-0 Champions League draw with Rangers left him with a fractured and dislocated ankle. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson defended his selection policy, for the second consecutive game, after making 10 changes to the team that drew at Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.

But the loss of Ecuador international Valencia was, possibly, the most costly feature of the Old Trafford stalemate for the United manager.

Valencia, who had surgery on the right ankle in the summer, twisted awkwardly as he sprinted down the sideline and was left with a shattered left ankle, dislocated and fractured. Ferguson said: “He’s gone to hospital. It is a dislocation and a fracture, it’s a bad one and will keep him out for a long time.

“He seemed to dig his toe in the turf and when we saw the Rangers player waving we knew it was bad. It was an innocuous challenge and we didn’t expect that.

“It’s a similar injury to the one (former striker) Alan Smith had here in 2006 so he is out for the rest of the season.” Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot looked shaken as he helped Valencia and waved on the United medical team who stretchered off the player.

But the injury was not the only concern for Ferguson who recalled Wayne Rooney, whom he had controversially left out at Everton, and Rio Ferdinand but saw his team unable to make a single clear-cut chance.

Ferguson, while defending the policy, did admit that omitting Dimitar Berbatov from even a place on his bench may have been an error. “The criticism will be why I didn’t pick a strong team but I felt I picked a strong team,” said Ferguson. “We have a terrific squad of players and most of them played at the Charity Shield.

“We wanted to see how Chicharito (Javier Hernandez) could do in a full game but by doing that we left out Berbatov and his form has been outstanding.

“He’s been one of our best players this season and you have to say that was a loss. His ability to create in tight situations would have made a difference.

“They should have won the game but give Rangers credit as their system was difficult to break down. “You need 10 points to qualify.

Obviously our home record over the years has been very good. It was a blemish against Rangers but it is one point and you never know how the rest of the games will go. But we have a target now, nine points from five games.”

Ferguson, who has seen his team draw two away games already in the Premier League this season, is also expecting a positive response from his team when Liverpool visit Old Trafford on Sunday.

Wesley Sneijder gave the visitors the lead on his return to his homeland but Janssen curled in a stunning free-kick before Diego Milito’s own goal gave the hosts the lead, only for Samuel Eto’o to earn the Italians a point.

Benitez, who replaced Jose Mourinho at the Inter helm in the summer, declared himself pleased with his side’s Group A opener. “The first half was very difficult but we did very well in the second,” he said. “We controlled the game and I’m satisfied with the second half against a difficult team.”

The result leaves Inter and Twente in a four-way tie with Tottenham Hotspur and Werder Bremen, whose game in northwestern Germany also ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

Tottenham went 2-0 up inside 20 minutes after a Petri Pasanen own goal and a Peter Crouch header, but the hosts hit back through Hugo Almeida and drew level early in the second period when Marko Marin fired in a low drive. “That first 42 minutes or so was the best you could ever see us play,” said Tottenham coach Harry Redknapp.

“We passed the ball and opened them up time and time again. But then we conceded a bad goal, which suddenly bought them back into the game.”

United made 10 changes for the visit of Rangers and were made to pay as the Scottish champions ground out a goalless draw in their Group C fixture at Old Trafford.

The hosts dominated possession but without testing visiting goalkeeper Allan McGregor, and three long-range drives from Irish midfielder Darron Gibson were all they had to show for their efforts.

The evening ended on a sour note for the 2008 European champions, who had Ecuador international winger Antonio Valencia stretchered off with a suspected dislocation and fracture to his ankle.

“Rangers set their stall out to defend and play on the counterattack, and you have to respect that,” said United coach Sir Alex Ferguson. “They came knowing what they wanted to do and they did it well. Our final ball wasn’t good enough to get three points.”

Current Spanish league leaders Valencia top Group C after a convincing 4-0 win at Champi-

(AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)

Roberto Rosales of FC Twente, bottom, battles for the ball with Samuel Eto’o of Inter Milan during their first round group A Champions League soccer match at the Grolsch Veste stadium in Enschede, Netherlands, Tuesday Sept. 14, 2010. ons League new boys Bursaspor of Turkey.

Barcelona began their European campaign in similarly spectacular fashion, smashing five typically well-worked goals past Greek champions Panathinaikos in a 5-1 victory at Camp Nou. The visitors had the temerity to take a 20th-minute lead through former Lyon forward Sidney Govou, but Barca were 3-1 up at the interval thanks to a Lionel Messi brace that sandwiched a close-range David Villa strike.

Messi spurned the chance to claim a hat-trick when his tame second-half penalty was saved, but goals from Pedro Rodriguez and Dani Alves in the 78th and 93rd minutes added gloss to the scoreline.

“We couldn’t win on Saturday

and knew we had to win tonight,” said Pedro, whose side fell to a shock 2-0 defeat at home to newly promoted Hercules in La Liga at the weekend.

An 87th-minute goal by Dame N’Doye earned FC Copenhagen a 1-0 win at home to Russia’s Rubin Kazan in the other group game.

Lyon, semi-finalists last season, and two-time champions Benfica both got off to winning starts in Group B. The French side prevailed 1-0 at home to Schalke, who had centre-back Benedikt Howedes sent off in the first half after Michel Bastos had put Lyon ahead.

Benfica beat Israeli competition debutants Hapoel Tel-Aviv 2-0 in Lisbon, with Brazil centre-back Luisao netting the 5,000th goal in Champions League history.

Sport

International

Thursday, September 16, 2010

15

Modest Nadal says Grand Slam just a ‘step forward’ Agence France Presse

U.S. Open men’s singles tennis champion Rafael Nadal, of Spain, holds his trophy in New York’s Times Square, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010. Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in the final on Monday.

MADRID - World number one tennis ace Rafael Nadal Wednesday downplayed his achievement in completing a career Grand Slam, describing it as merely “a step forward” in his career. “I’m not the best sportsman, it’s quite obvious that I’m not,” the Spaniard told a news conference on his arrival at Madrid’s airport from New York.

Nadal on Monday became only the seventh man in history — and the youngest at 24 — to have won the world’s four top tennis tournaments: the US, French and Australian Opens and Wimbledon.

The left-hander achieved the feat after he overcame second-ranked Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 at Flushing Meadows to capture his first US Open crown. “As a tennis player I have taken a step forward,” he said of the achievement, adding that he maintains “the hunger for victory and the hope to keep winning”.

But he described the Grand Slam as a “dream” as the US Open “has been in past the one that has been hardest for me”. “First of all there was my knees,” he said, referring to the tendinitis he suffered the 2007

edition, when he lost in the fourth round to David Ferrer.

The following year, “I was very tired after the Olympics, and last year I pulled an abdominal muscle.”

Nadal said the 2010 season so far has been “very special, as when you don’t win for some time and then you start winning again it means that you have overcome the problems.”

He said he was now focused on the Shanghai tournament and the Masters events in Paris and London.

“The last part of the year is important to continue winning points,” he said.

Nadal’s win adds to a list of successes for Spanish sportsmen this year following the country’s first ever World Cup win in South Africa and Alberto Contador’s third victory in the Tour de France.

(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Arrest report released in Mayweather case in Vegas Associated Press Writer

LAS VEGAS – Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. gave his ex-girlfriend $200 to put under their daughter’s pillow for a lost tooth before threatening, hitting and taking a cell phone from the woman in an argument that led to a felony charge last week, according to a police arrest report made public on Monday.

The 33-year-old Mayweather is quoted as threatening to kill 30year-old Josie Harris and her new boyfriend during the argument early Thursday at a home in southwest Las Vegas, and stating, “I’m going to have you both disappear,” according to the report.

Mayweather faces a grand larceny charge over the missing cell phone — not domestic battery or assault — after turning himself in to police on Friday. He was freed from jail on $3,000 bail pending a Nov. 9 appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court. Mayweather’s lawyers have denied wrongdoing on his behalf.

“We are confident the full picture will come out in the future and clarify the situation,” defense attorney Karen Winckler said Monday.

Winckler added that the Mayweather camp was waiting to see whether Clark County Dis-

trict Attorney David Roger adds domestic battery or other criminal charges in the case. Police initially labeled the incident a battery domestic case. The arrest report about the scuffle is similar to an account Harris provided Thursday to obtain a Clark County Family Court protection order against Mayweather.

Both say Mayweather was angry about her a relationship with another man, and both say Mayweather grabbed Harris by her hair, hit her and twisted her arm while yelling that he would kill her.

The couple have three children, ages 7 to 10. The police report provided the account about tooth fairy money and about Mayweather giving an iPhone as a gift to his 10-year-old son. Only the police report includes a reference to the alleged theft of Harris’ cell phone.

Mayweather’s son told police that Mayweather also took phones from him and his brother. Police say Mayweather was accompanied by another man when he arrived at the house, and the son told police he witnessed his father hitting and kicking Harris.

Police say Mayweather threatened to beat the children if they left the house or called police, and that Mayweather later used

Harris’s phone to call her friend, who had accompanied Harris to a Las Vegas hospital for treatment of minor facial injuries and a sore left arm. The woman hung up on Mayweather, police said.

(AP Photo/Isaac Brekken)

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., exits the Clark County Detention Center after posting bail on a grand larceny charge stemming from a domestic violence complaint, Friday, Sept.

10, 2010 in Las Vegas.

Mayweather’s lawyer, Richard Wright, says the charge stems from an allegation that Mayweather took an iPhone from Josie Harris, his ex-girlfriend and mother of three of his children.

Teen athletes also doped in East Germany: official Agence France Presse

BERLIN - Teenage athletes were also subjected to doping under communist East Germany’s vast programme of steroid abuse, a leading former sports official has admitted in his upcoming new book. Thomas Koehler, former vice president of the East German sports association DTSB, is the first high-ranking member of the defunct Stalinist state’s sporting establishment to acknowledge that minors were also doped.

“When athletes participated (in doping programmes) from the age of 16, it was primarily done when their biological maturity was established,” Koehler writes in the book “The Two Sides of the Medal”, to be published this week.

Doping “had been planned for select elite athletes, who were generally adults. “There were exceptions, however, for example in swimming — a sport where the optimum age is lower.

But the only athletes included were those who were among the best and had several years of training behind them,” he

writes.

Koehler, himself a two-time Olympic luge champion in 1964 and 1968, said that cheating was “the only way for East Germany to hold its own at the international level.”

The 70-year-old said that the communist officials had the interest of their athletes at heart, with 90 sports doctors employed to monitor their health.

“The distribution of medication (steroids) occurred under the closest observation by medical doctors performing their duties,” he insisted, disputing scientific evidence that athletes suffered ill effects from the little blue pills.

The East German state established a vast, systematic doping programme in the 1970s using Turinabol, an anabolic steroid which encourages muscle growth and allowed the country to excel in swimming, athletics and cycling.

During the 20-year period East Germany competed as a separate state, the small country of 16 million people won 519 medals at 11 Olympic games, 192 of which were gold.

16

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

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Sport

Whitmarsh hails ‘epic’ championship McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh says fans should be relishing la 1 season they are witnessing this season - ahead Formula how good a Formu of what he thinks could be the greatest title showdown in history.

Five drivers - Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso - remain locked in a thrilling battle for the championship with just five races remaining.

And although the competitiveness of the fight at the front means huge pressure for those involved, Whitmarsh believes that those who love the sport have a real treat on their hands.

“It will be a race to Abu Dhabi now and that is great,” said Whitmarsh. “This is an epic world championship - and I hope everyone realises that this is potentially one of the best world championships ever in the history of F1. That is fantastic.

“You have got Jenson and Lewis, you have the two Red Bull drivers, and you have Alonso, absolutely all in this championship and that is fantastic really.”

Whitmarsh believes that the way the form-book this season has moved around so much - favouring either Red Bull Racing, McLaren or Ferrari depending on track characteristics - meant there was no way of picking out who was favourite at the moment.

“Ferrari and Red Bull are very strong, I think we are not too bad,” he said. “I would not want to call

this one. We are going to aim to win.

You hear these pundits say we are weak here and strong there, and I don’t know how they can work it out - they obviously know more about our car than I do.

“The fact is, at Monza, Ferrari was marginally the quickest race car, our car wasn’t bad and Red Bull was a bit behind. But in Singapore all three positions could be very different.”

Whitmarsh’s views on how close this season has been have been echoed by world champion Button - who is left in no doubt about how intense the year is.

“For me to be in a very competitive car, fighting at the front, with so many great drivers, so many talented drivers that have either won the championship or been close to winning it, it is a great feeling to be part of it,” explained Button.

“This season, whatever happens, will be one of the best and most competitive seasons ever in F1. That is true for the drivers but also the teams, and it is great to be a part of it.”

AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar

‘Realistic’ Stoner facing a ‘tough job’ Casey Stoner insists that his Ducati team is working hard to find ‘something extra’ in his quest to return to the MotoGP victory circle, but laments the reality is likely to be somewhat tougher.

Stoner heads to Motorland Aragon for the inaugural Aragon Grand Prix keen to forget the last two events having retired at Indianapolis and trailed in fifth at Misano.

However, the advent of a new circuit gives Stoner renewed optimism that he can get back onto the podium, even if he admits he still needs to find a solution to improving the feeling of the GP10.

“I’m happy to be going to Aragon. The last two races have been difficult for us and racing at a new track is exciting. We’ll go into the weekend with optimism and hope that the track is good fun and

Casey Stoner

well suited to the Ducati, although being realistic we know we face a tough job to find something extra.

“The team and all the engineers are doing a fantastic job so it is a case of giving my maximum and helping come up with something new to improve the feeling with the bike, to get it turning better and find some more grip. More than anything we want to put the last couple of weeks behind us.”

McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain, top center, is led by the two Ferrari of Fernando Alonso, right, and Felipe Massa, left, chasing McLaren Mercedes driver Jenson Button of Britain, at the first turn of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix on the Monza racetrack in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010.