Edisi 29 September 2010 | International Bali Post

16 Pages Number 185 2st Year

Small-town mayor stoned to death in western Mexico

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AFP PHOTO / Sonny TUMBELAKA

Indonesian soldiers secure the area as hostages (L) are released during an anti-terror drill in Ngurah Rai International airport in Kuta, Denpasar on the island of Bali, on September 28, 2010. The Indonesian Army’s Special Forces Command (Kopasssus) joined a counter-terrorism exercise with Australia’s elite Special Air Service (SAS) regiment. Indonesia has been hit by a number of deadly bombings including attacks on luxury hotels, the Australian embassy and tourist spots that have killed around 250 people since 2002.

McLaren: Hamilton will bounce back

Australian SAS in counter-terror drills on Bali

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JAKARTA - Australia’s special forces held anti-terror exercises Tuesday with their Indonesian counterparts on the tourist island of Bali, where a massive attack killed 88 Australians in 2002, officials said. The Australians from the elite Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) took part in a hostage scenario with members of Indonesia’s Kopassus unit at the Bali international airport, commanders and witnesses said.

N.Korea promotes Kim’s son ahead of key meeting

The exercise involved six helicopters and tactical vehicles and saw troops raid the airport to free a group of supposed foreign tourists who were being held by terrorists, officials said.

Gunfire and explosions rocked the terminal as soldiers tried to free

the hostages, one of whom died in the mock battle. Kopassus Commander Major General Lodewijk Paulus said the exercise would improve coordination between the units in the event of another terrorist attack on the island.

Continued on page 6

Agence France Presse

SEOUL – North Korea has promoted leader Kim Jong-Il’s youngest son to general, state media said Tuesday ahead of a rare party meeting widely expected to anoint him as eventual successor to his ailing father. The announcement that Kim Jong-Un is now a four-star general was the first time official media in the reclusive communist state has carried the name of the young man, who remains an enigma overseas.

It came hours before the scheduled opening of a communist party conference on Tuesday, the highest-level political meeting in three decades.

Continued on page 6

AFP PHOTO / FILES / KCNA via KNS (L image) AFP PHOTO / YONHAP (R image)

(FILES) This combo shows a file picture released from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on October 6, 2009 of current North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il (L) at the state guesthouse in Pyongyang on October 5, 2009.

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International

Wednesday, September 29 , 2010

Bali News Municipality prepares blue print of traditional markets Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Amid the rise of the modern market developments, the Denpasar Municipality has taken several strategic measures to strengthen and maintain the existence of traditional markets. One of them is by setting the blue print as a reference in strengthening the traditional market. Later on, this blueprint is expected to strengthen the capacity of traders in developing the social economy.

The crowded situation in one of the traditional market in Bali

This initiative was confirmed by Denpasar Mayor I.B. Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra when provided guidance in the discussion of the friendly and fresh traditional market blueprint in the Praja Madya Room of Denpasar Mayor’s office, Monday (Sep 27). Discussion on the blueprint for the friendly and fresh traditional market was also attended by Secretary of Denpasar Municipality AAN Rai Iswara, Assistant of Development Administration IGN Eddy Mulya and chief of customary villages.

Rai Mantra said the evolution in the economy made community experience a shift in the matter of service.

“Now, we can observe that our society tends to pay more attention to the quality of services given and atmosphere of the market itself,” said Rai

Mantra.

Revitalization of traditional market was intended to create a friendly and fresh traditional market. To realize the idea Rai Mantra expected to boost the economy of community and eliminate the gap among the small traders.

Other than revitalizing traditional market, the Municipality also put priority on the making of road map so it could be known how the passage of friendly and fresh traditional market in years to come was. For that purpose, traditional market needed improvements ranging from physical and non physical aspects. For physical aspect, the friendly and fresh traditional market should be clean and supported by hospitality of traders in providing services. Meanwhile, non-physical aspect, according to Rai Mantra, the trad-

IBP/ist

ers should be provided with trade management upgrading and services from government.

In the meantime, Eddy Mulya added, Denpasar Municipality actually had undertaken the revitalization to some traditional markets like to Sindhu Market and Renon Market.

Moreover, the blue print discussed was expected to become the reference in implementing revitalization to friendly and fresh traditional market, and to serve as guidance for Denpasar Municipality in establishing policy on traditional market development. Common problems faced by traditional markets were the image of vileness, shortage of space for traders, low quality of human resources, and low awareness of traders to develop their business. (kmb12)

Echoes of Peace to target 5,000 participants Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Celebration of the Echoes of Peace this year is targeted to be attended by 5,000 participants. If in the previous celebrations more categorical groups got involved, in years to come more spiritual groups would be involved by the committee. “Except for spiritual groups, the event will also be participated by other categorical groups, such as from the tourism sector, Association of Jogja Residents, SAKI, Ashrams throughout Bali and others. We target the presence of 5,000 participants this year. In addition, we also invite the entire community of Bali to engage actively in the upcoming commemoration of peace,” revealed Chairman of the Echoes of Peace 2010 Organizing Committee, Ketut Darmika, Monday (Sep 27).

He explained that the Echoes of

Peace commemoration this year would be centered in the courtyard of the Bajra Sandhi Museum, Renon.

This celebration would also be filled with Padayatra prayers when participants surrounded the Bajra Sandhi and its peak would be marked by the beating of two gongs, namely international Peace Gong and Bali Peace Gong.

“For the Echoes of Peace commemoration this year, there are 50 spiritual groups stating their confirmation to participate in the activities,” he said.

Coordinator of the Steering Committee, Made Suryawan, gave appreciation to the celebration of this time because it would involve more groups. “We highly appreciate this event because more components get involved, including the representatives from the five religions and cults

recognized in Indonesia,” he explained.

According to Suryawan, the nature of these activities was to convey a moral message about peace to the world. Aside from tightening the relationship, the event was also intended to spread the peace throughout the world as further described through the Svadharma (one’s vocation or calling) in accordance with respective religion and cult.

More and more components get involved in the event, not only from home but also from overseas. On that account, it is expected sometime in the future this activity will become an intriguing attraction for tourists.

“Hopefully, one day this peacenuanced event can become new tourist attraction that can be sold to foreign tourists,” he added. (par)

Keeping marijuana, a New Zealander arrested Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Narcotics Unit of Denpasar Metro Police (Poltabes) managed to capture a perpetrator of drug abuse. He has initial name HGC alias Noby, 55, from New Zealand. The arrest of the suspect was carried out in a boarding house located on Jalan Pulau Batanta Gang Dam No. 6, West Denpasar, Saturday (Sep 25) early morning. From the hands of the suspect, police seized dried marijuana weighing 2 grams.

Chief of Narcotics Unit at Denpasar Metro Police, Ambarayadi Wijaya, when asked for his confirmation on Monday (Sep 27) justified the arrest of the suspect Noby. Now, the suspect had been arrested at Denpasar Metro Police and the case was still being developed. “Examination of the suspect is under progress. We are still going into the case,” said Chief Ambariyadi.

The arrest began from the exist-

ence of information provided by the public. Allegedly, the suspect was a marijuana user. Armed with the information, police then made an investigation and targeted the boarding house of the suspect. Without any resistance, the suspect could be arrested and evidence of marijuana was also seized. “Having made a search, such drug was found inside the room of the suspect,” he explained.

Previously, Chief Ambariyadi added that his party also carried out an arrest to another suspect charged with distributing ecstasy pills. The suspect arrested was Purwani, 32, a resident of Jalan Gunung Subur Gang Mirah Mandiri No. 20, West Denpasar. The arrest of this woman was also based on information that the suspect often brought along drugs belonging to ecstasy type. From the suspect, police seized 2 pills alleged to be ecstasy. (kmb21)

PHRI complains to Buleleng House Singaraja (Bali Post)—

Out of 38 tourist objects in Buleleng Regency, apparently most objects are managed carelessly. As consequence, many objects seem unorganized as there is no toilet or damaged toilet is left neglected for too long time and the road to the object is left damaged, while Buleleng Regency Government looked indifferent without any intention to repair them.

This condition was revealed from the complaints of the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Buleleng Chapter during a hearing with the Commission B in Buleleng House on Monday (Sep 27).

Chairman of PHRI Buleleng, Dewa Ketut Suardipa, said that a number of tourism facilities in North Bali were left in damaged condition since many years ago. For instance, the toilet at Lovina Beach had been unusable for many years. Moreover, there was no water connection to the toilet and no attempt to do so. “This condition disappointed the tourism businesspeople and local residents eventually dismantle the building,” he said.

Another example was the road to Banjar Hot Spring that had been in serious damaged since long time ago, whereas it was the mainstay of objects visited by many tourists. Of course, such damaged road would diminish the comfort of tourists visiting the object.

Moreover, the road to the object was very narrow and difficult for vehicles

to pass through. “Frankly speaking, we are ashamed of this condition,” he said.

According to Suardipa, Regency Government paid no attention at all to repair any tourism facilities and infrastructure. On the other hand, Regency Government always required the employers to pay the hotel and restaurants tax (PHR). Actually, the taxes paid by tourism businesspeople could be used to improve those tourism facilities and infrastructure. “We do not intend that such taxes should be refunded to PHRI, but it should be used as capital to finance the maintenance and completing the facilities in tourist objects,” he suggested.

In the meantime, the Division Head of Buleleng Tourist Object Arrangement, Dodi, said that improvement of physical infrastructure in tourist object was not the authority of the Culture and Tourism Services. For example, repairing roads was the authority of the Public Works. “We just arrange the object, while responsibility of its physical supporting infrastructure lies in the technical institution,” he said.

Dodi said that pursuant to the result of development plan meeting Buleleng Culture and Tourism Services would get a fund worth more than IDR 3.3 billion allocated for the arrangement of tourist objects in 2011. “Such amount of fund will be used for various activities including the maintenance of tourism facilities,” he said. (kmb15)

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,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

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

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Unpermitted Minimarkets, Just One Had Completed Permits Mangupura (Bali Post) –

IBP/Bali

The soya bean crops which was destroyed by the flood which happened on Friday, September 24th 2010.

Post Flood, Remains of Buildings Worrying Soya Beans Harvest Failed Klungkung - Three days after the flood still cause big worries in Gunaksa Village, Dawan, Klungkung as until Monday (27/9) the cleaning was not done yet especially on collapse building remains that were hit by the flood on Friday (24/9).

Winata, explained. So first things first that has to be done was cleaning up those remains, rubbishes and mud.

Besides material helps such as clothes and kitchen items that were mostly gone dragged by the flood, Government Water Supply (PDAM) also provided a water tank for clean water which is needed by the residents.

“Thank God, Social Agency has distributed helps such as clothes and kitchen items to the village. Hopefully tomorrow (28/9) these helps can be distributed to the residents,” Gunaksa Village Head, Ketut Budiarta, was thankful of the helps. He also hoped there will be bed donations also other items needed. He admitted the rubbishes and remains are dangerous for the future so he had been coordinating with Clean

and Garden Agency to tackle a new disaster coming.

Soya Bean Failed Harvest

Not only leaving rubbishes and building remains behind, the flood also left a very sad situation as at least 4 hectares of soya planting of the subak (irrigation). “We’re suppose to harvest now but because of water over flow and covered by mud, it caused it to fail harvesting,” some farmers explained, Nengah Warta and Nengah Sukari.

Warta admitted have loss hundred millions rupiahs 18 are of the plants failed harvest while Sukari admitted have lost 6 are of the Subak Tempek Den Yeh, “Usually there will be 100 harvested and each piece cost 11 thousand.” (bal)

Mass rabies vaccinations under way on Indonesia tourist isle Agence France Presse

JAKARTA - A campaign to vaccinate almost 400,000 dogs against rabies began Tuesday on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali, where an outbreak of the disease has killed 93 people since 2008, officials said. The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is running the mass vaccination programme in conjunction with the provincial government, which has been trying to stop the outbreak by culling thousands of stray dogs.

“Rabies remains a threat to both human and animal populations and still kills 55,000 people annually,” WSPA Chief Executive Officer Mike Baker said in a statement.

“Bali’s multi-stakeholder approach will prove once again that the only effective solution to the rabies problem is one that combines compassion with scientific knowledge.”

He said the vaccination agreement would save the lives of tens of thousands of dogs on the Hindumajority island and “create a historic reference in the global fight

against rabies”. Experts say culling is not the most effective or humane way to deal with rabies outbreaks.

Bali animal husbandry agency chief Putu Sumantra said it would take up to four months to carry out the vaccinations. The project has been supported by the Australian government, which donated 370,000 doses of the dog rabies vaccine, WSPA said.

Bali is one of the most popular destinations for Australian tourists, who are drawn to its Hindu culture, surf beaches and nightlife.

will coordinate to know how far the permit will be. For sure there will be lots of minimarkets in Badung haven’t completed their permits.”

As told before, Circle K in Dalung Permai is one of the five unpermitted minimarkets that was found by yustisi raid team at Badung government at 16th September 2010. the other four minimarkets were Alfa Midi in Raya Lukluk Street, Indomart in Sibang Kaja, Alfa Midi in By Pass Mambal Street and Indomart in Blahkiuh Street. at this time the five operated without any permits so yustisi teams gave first warning letters to those minimarkets.

It is expected there will be more unpermitted minimarkets as from the 74 minimarkets noted in the agency only 34 which has permits. (ded)

2,5 Billion People in the World Don’t Have Access to Finance Service President Push Policies to Ease Banking Access Mangupura (Bali Post) –

Bali Post

Victims and the Klungkung Government also Disaster Helpers (Tagana) worked very extra to evacuate rubbish, mud and collapse walls remains. At least some units of fire brigades also asked to spray away the mud hit the village also residents houses including public facilities such as schools, offices, temple and more.

Although, this step hasn’t been maximal as at some points there are still rubbishes piled up, piles of damaged items like shelves, wardrobe, and other house items. What’s worse, were remains of walls. Besides falling down the drainage around the houses, it’s also messed the river’s body. “It’s very worrying. The remains covered the whole river’s body and blocked the water current when rain comes,” a resident,

From five unpermitted minimarkets caught by Badung Government yustisi rading team not long ago, turns out only one that just had Trading Business Permit that’s been signed.

Head of Badung Cooperative, Businesses, Industries and Trading Agency, Luh Putu Murniathi, last Monday (27/9) said until now the agency just only signed a permit from Circle K located in Dalung Permai estate meanwhile the rest hasn’t come in at all.

According to her, before giving in SIUP, the minimarket has to complete other permits first such as SITU-HO and Building Permit. For that, she will coordinate with other institutions, “What I know as what the agreement that came to asks we

Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) Executive Director stated there has been around 2,5 Billion people or 90 percent of the population of the world don’t have access to finance services. To manage this problem, it is needed an increase in speed, size and scale on the solution implementation to give such potential.

“Innovation, implementation, relations and innovative technology from all finance industries needed to be added so all the people aware of finance,” stated by the Executive Director, Alfred Hanig in AFI forum at Ayana Resort and Spa, Jimbaran, Bali, last Monday (27/9).

Hannig also stated this forum is to support knowledge sharing between developing countries about financial inclusion policies which can realized an access of standard finance services to those 50 million people who lived under the disadvantaged line by 2012.

Indonesian Republic President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at his welcome speech also pushed to realize these policies to ease disadvantaged people access to banking such as leadership, accountability and coordination, religious, innovation, culture and strong regulation construction, “Financial access is to avoid such disadvantaged conditions as most Indonesian disadvantaged people don’t have access to financial services such as savings, loans, payment transfers, and cheaper assurance.”

It is worsening their life if we still not letting them use the services and a financial inclusion will connect the people also give contribution to the economy growth, “I hope they can get a manageable financial services.

This will open every opportunity to increase their prosperity and narrow social gaps.”

President also revealed since year 2007 government itself has introduced some schemes to those who are disadvantaged so that they will have access to banking, “The name of the credit is People Effort Credit (KUR). This system is to get guarantee from government to finance unsuitable guaranteed sectors to be guaranteed. 70 percent guaranteed by the government and 30 percent by their own banks.”

The guarantee given in KUR had totaled up to 2 Trillion with a scheme of borrowing suh as middle micro credit that can get access to banking reaching IDR 20 Trillion.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Bank (BI) Governor, Darmin Nasution, stated his side is working on Financial Identity Number (FIN) program to give unique identification numbers to each members of the public, “For those countries who are forward, its identity number will be sort of the same with the other social guarantee numbers and more. But in a country like Indonesia that has 200 million people spread in more than 13.000 islands, FIN will give a plus to increase banking users.”

Giving FIN to the people without any acknowledgement and socialization in managing and being responsible on private finances will not give the maximum result as hoped, “So BI has made an banking education program as big as possible which includes financing, transpiration standards banking products and banking mediation completion mechanism.”

The opening of 2010 AFI Global Policy Form was attended by 111 policies receivers from 42 developing countries. Meanwhile President was accompanied by wife, Mrs. Ani Yudhoyono, Economy Minister Hatta Radjasa, Trading Minister Marie Pangestu, Cooperative Minister Syarifuddin Hasan and Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik. par

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

News

International

No Japan-China meeting planned at Europe summit Conditions had not been met for a meeting between Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku told reporters Tuesday, repeating that it was up to China to repair relations.

If conditions for such a meeting are met, the Foreign Ministry will “explore” the possibility of having bilateral talks on the sidelines of the ASEM summit, or Asia-Europe Meeting, to be held in Brussels on Oct. 4-5.

“But it is unclear whether we can have such conditions within one week,” Sengoku said. “As I said yesterday, the ball is already in China’s court.”

Wen and Kan did not meet in New York last week when they were both attending a U.N. gathering.

Kan’s government has come under fire at home for Japan’s decision Friday to release the fishing boat captain amid intense Chinese pressure. The skipper was arrested earlier this month after colliding with two Japanese patrol boats near islands in the East China Sea that the Chinese call Diaoyu and Japanese call Senkaku. Japan con-

trols the islands but China and Taiwan also claim them.

The captain’s release on Friday failed to ease tensions after China demanded an apology for his detention and compensation over the weekend.

Tokyo countered Monday by demanding that Beijing pay for damage to the patrol boats.

Beijing has not yet responded to Tokyo’s demand for compensation, but has cut off ministerial level contacts with Japan and called Tokyo’s ambassador in at least five times over the incident.

Finance Minister Yoshihiko Noda said it was important for Ja-

pan for appeal to the international community over Japan’s position at meetings like ASEM. Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara, meanwhile, repeated Tokyo’s clear claim over the islands, which are located 120 miles (190 kilometers) east of Taiwan.

“Territorial problems do not exist in the East China Sea,” Maehara told parliamentary committee Monday. “The Senkaku islands are an inherent part of our territory, and protecting our sovereignty is a natural thing to do.”

Video of the Sept. 7 encounter

has not been released, but Maehara said it was “clear that the Chinese fishing boat steered (toward the coast guard vessels) and slammed into the boats.”

Demonstrating Washington’s support of Japan, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on Monday praised Kan’s handling of the dispute.

“Prime Minister Kan has dealt with this issue — it’s a very difficult issue — in a very statesmanlike fashion. And it shows how important it is for peaceful diplomatic process to be conducted on issues like this.”

Thailand may end emergency rule in provinces: govt BANGKOK – Thailand said Tuesday that it was considering lifting a state of emergency in three northeastern provinces but not Bangkok, where there have been a series of minor blasts in recent weeks.

Security officials are evaluating the situation in Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, and Udon Thani — strongholds of the opposition “Red Shirts” — to gauge whether to revoke the decree, said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.

“It’s possible that the emergency rule will be lifted in northeastern provinces but we have to assess the situation,” he told reporters.

Seven areas, including Bangkok, are still under the decree, which was introduced in the

capital in early April in response to the Red rallies that later left 91 people dead in clashes between protesters and the army.

In recent weeks a series of grenade blasts have hit the Thai capital, stirring doubts over the speed at which emergency rule can be lifted in Bangkok.

In the latest case, a grenade was thrown into the compound of the Attorney General’s office in Bangkok on Monday evening, police said. Nobody was hurt in the explosion.

On Friday three people were wounded when a small bomb in a rubbish bin exploded in a residential area.

The Red Shirts deny any involvement in the blasts and have accused the government of a conspiracy to justify greater powers for authorities.

The emergency rule bans public gatherings of over five people and

gives security forces the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge.

Suthep, who oversees national security affairs, brushed aside suggestions that the government was using the powers to suppress political opponents.

“I can assure you that the government has never abused its power,” he said.

The protests by the Reds, many of whom back fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, attracted up to 100,000 people demanding immediate elections but were dispersed by an army crackdown on May 19.

After the crackdown, enraged protesters set fire to dozens of major buildings, including a shopping mall and the stock exchange.

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Reuters

Moscow’s Mayor Yuri Luzhkov

Russian president fires Moscow mayor

AFP/File

Armed Thai soldiers cross a road in downtown Bangkok on September 15, 2010.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has sacked Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, a Kremlin spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Medvedev’s decree stripped Luzhkov of his post “because he has lost the trust of the president of the Russian Federation,” Itar-Tass news

agency reported.

Russia’s constitution allows the president to sack the Moscow mayor and regional governors for such a reason. Medvedev, currently on a visit to China, has appointed Vladimir Resin as acting mayor of Moscow, the agencies quoted the Kremlin as saying.

Hotel Activities

International

“The Best Service Excellence of the Year” IBP

UBUD – FuramaXclusive Villas & Spa received the Best Service Excellence of the year category from International Business & Company Award 2010. Represented by Mr. Ramia Adnyana, General Manager of FuramaXclusive Villas & Spa Ubud, this award was handed over in Jakarta on September 3rd, 2010

by minister of culture and tourism of Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Ir.Jero Wacik, SE. Remarked as a proven of an unceasing commitment towards the enhancement of guests’ experiences.

FuramaXclusive Villas & Spa Ubud, Bali is dedicated to delivering the most memorable services and exclusive resort experience in the country.”

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

5

Risata Bali Takes the Lead to Go Green by Planting Trees IBP

TUBAN - Risata Bali Resort & Spa is delighted to announce that staff and management recently participated in a mass tree planting exercise as part of its ongoing environmental agenda.

This planting initiative was carried out in an effort to regreen the mangrove forest surrounding Serangan Island, which is located near the port of Benoa. The mangrove is a vital part of the local ecosystem that helps protect Bali’s coastline from the effects of erosion. It also provides sanctuary to different species of marine and wildlife including migrating birds.

Risata Bali Resort & Spa proudly caries out regular environmental activities under the banner of its ‘Taking the Lead to Go Green’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.

Temple Ceremony Calendar of Event (Sep 24- Oct 7, 2010) 25st – “Saraswati” holiday, the day devoted to Sanghyang Aji Saraswati symbolized as a beautiful goddess of knowledge, sciences and arts, when blessing ceremony is given to holy scriptures of science and arts, held at every family compound.

Temple Festival at: Pr. Watugunung, Bima, NTB. Pr. Agung Jagat Kerana, Surabaya Pr. Aditya Jaya Rawamangun, Jakarta Pr. Agung Wiraloka Natha, Cimahi, Jabar Pr. Giri Jaya Natha,Balikpapan, Berneo.

Pr. Bhuwana Suci Saraswati, Ds. Ngaruaru, Kec. Banyudono, Boyolali,Solo, Jawa Tengah.

Pr. Pasek Tangkas Gempinis, Dalang, Tabanan Pr. Pasek Gelgel Sayan Bongkasa Abiansemal Pr. Dadya Agung Bendesa Tangkas Koriagung, Ds Gerih, Abiansemal Mr.Pulasari/Sentana Dalem Tarukan, Ds. Penida Kelod, Bangli.

Mr.Pasek Kubakal, Ds. Kapal.

Mr.Pasek, Ds. Dalung.

Pr. Pasek Dukuh Ambengan, Ds. Sebudi.

Pr. Pemaksan , Ds. Bandalem, Buleleng.

26th –“Banyu Pinaruh” day, when the Balinese mostly go to the beaches, river and spring to purify them selves and pray for wisdom with early in the morning Pr. Gaduh, Ds. Sesetan, Denpasar.

27th -

.Temple Festival at: Pr. Jati, Jembrana.

Pr. Kawitan Batu Gaing, Bangli.

Pr. Tirta Wening, Tambaksari, Surabaya.

Pr. Desa Linggawana Kertha Mandala, Ds. Abang, Karangasem.

29th – “Pagerwesi”, holiday, the word literally means “iron fence” when Hindu followers worship “Sanghyang Pramesti Guru” as lord of universe and pray for strong mental defence against any negative temptations. Held at every family temple and holy place throughout Bali.

Temple Festival at: Pr. Labaan Sindhu Jiwa, Ds. Kedewatan, Ubud.

Pr. Kahen, Bangli Pr. Wirabuana, Magelang, Jateng Pr. Padangsakti Tangtu, Kesiman Pr. Jogan Agung, Ketewel, Sukawati Pr. Gaduh Pengiasan, Dauh Puri, Denpasar Pr. Siwa/Pasek Tohjiwa, Penebel Pr. Pasek Ketewel, Sempidi, Mengwi Pr. Pasek Gelgel, Buruan Kaja, Tabanan Pr. Pasek Gobleg, Kerambitan Pr. Pasek Gelgel, Meliling, Tabanan Pr. Masceti Selasih, Sanding, Tampaksiring Pr. Dalem Ularan, Br. Tatasan Kaja, Denpasar Mr. Pasek Gaduh, Buduk Mr.Pasek Gelgel, Ds. Kelabang Moding.

Pr. Pasek Gelgel, Sekalan Marga Pr. Sada Br. Gaduh Desa Kaba kaba, Kediri, Tabanan Mr.Pasek Gelgel , Depaha, Ds. Depaha, Kubutambahan, Buleleng.

Pr. Desa Linggawana, Kertamandala, Abang, Karangasem Pr. Lebah Ubud

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.

6

News

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Small-town mayor stoned to death in western Mexico

Australian...

From page 1 Which hundreds of thousands of Australians visit each year. “We have chosen Bali as a place to hold a joint exercise with the SAS as it is the main destination for Australian tourists and we are very concerned about security stability here,” he told reporters invited to watch the exercise.

Islamist militants have twice targeted Western tourists in Bali.

In 2002 more than 200 people were killed when bars and nightclubs were bombed, and in 2005 attacks on restaurants packed with tourists killed 20.

Indonesian police have said recent raids and arrests of terrorist suspects have revealed a change in tactics away from indiscriminate

AP

MORELIA, Mexico – A small-town mayor and an aide were found stoned to death Monday in a drug-plagued western state, the fifth city leader to be slain in Mexico since mid-August.

Michoacan state Attorney General Jesus Montejano said the bodies of Tancitaro Mayor Gustavo Sanchez and city adviser Rafael Equihua were discovered in a pickup truck abandoned on a dirt road near the city of Uruapan.

Montejano’s spokesman, Jonathan Arredondo, said initially that the victims were hacked to death with a machete, but the attorney general said they were killed with stones.

Arredondo said police were trying to determine a possible motive.

Tancitaro, a town of 26,000 people, is in a region where soldiers have destroyed more than 20 meth labs in the last year and several police officers have been killed by suspected drug gang members.

Last year the city council chief, Gonzalo Paz, was kidnapped, tortured and killed. Then in December, the mayor and seven other town officials resigned saying they had been threatened by drug traffickers and local police were not showing up to work.

Soon after, the department’s entire 60-officer force was fired for failing to stop a series of killings and other crimes, and Michoacan state police and soldiers took over security in the town. Sanchez was named mayor in January.

Also Monday in Michoacan, five gunmen and a marine were killed in a shootout in Coahuayana on the Pacific coast, the navy said in a statement. A second marine was wounded, and authorities were searching for more gunmen.

Coahuayana authorities canceled school and warned people to stay indoors.

The navy said another gunbattle across the country in the Gulf coast state of Tamaulipas left eight gunmen and one marine dead in the border city of Reynosa.

Meanwhile, the Defense Department said soldiers arrested a man suspected in the kidnapping and killing of the mayor of Santiago in the border state of Nuevo Leon.

It said in a statement that Miguel Cervantes was arrested Monday.

In the border state of Chihuahua, gunmen broke into a police complex, subdued the guards and stole at least 40 automatic rifles and 23 handguns, police spokesman Fidel Banuelos said.

Banuelos said 10 officers who were in the building at the time were being questioned. He said it was not clear

N.Korea...

From page 1

AP –

In this photo taken Dec. 13, 2009, Gustavo Sanchez, mayor of the small town of Tancitaro, Mexico. whether the assailants were members of a drug cartel.

In Ciudad Juarez, a border city in Chihuahua, the Public Safety Department announced the capture of a drug gang member who allegedly helped set up a car bomb that killed three people.

Suspect Jose Contreras allegedly killed a man and dressed him in a police uniform to lure federal agents to the area where the car bomb exploded, killing a federal police officer and a doctor who was helping the shooting victim.

Contreras is a member of La Linea gang, which works for the Juarez drug cartel, the department said in a statement.

Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, Texas, has become one of the world’s most dangerous cities amid a turf war between the Sinaloa and Juarez cartels.

Jordan’s Queen Rania has heart procedure in US AP

AP –

FILE - Queen Rania

bombings in favour of more targeted attacks involving welltrained squads of suicide gunmen.

Australia’s cooperation with Kopassus has drawn protests from human rights campaigners who say the unit is involved in serious abuses in restive areas like Papua, and has not atoned for past crimes in places like East Timor.

But SAS commander Major General Tim McOwen said Australia was “very pleased to work together with Kopassus”, which he described as “very professional”.

“There were no obstacles during the operation. They are very professional. We expect to see more cooperation in the future,” he said.

AMMAN, Jordan – Jordan’s Royal Palace says Queen Rania has undergone a non-surgical procedure in New York to correct an irregular heartbeat.

The 40-year-old Rania accompanied her husband, King Abdullah II, who attended the U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York. She also attended separate functions, including a panel on empowering girls.

A spokesman for the queen said

Monday that Rania had a procedure known as catheter ablation, in which doctors inserted a catheter into a blood vessel and used an electric current to restore a normal heart rhythm.

A palace statement said the procedure went smoothly and that Rania is “well” and in “good spirits.”

Rania is to remain in a New York hospital for two nights to recuperate and will return home later in the week.

Analysts said the promotion makes it virtually certain the Swiss-educated son, believed to be aged about 27, will one day step into his ailing father’s shoes as ruler of the impoverished nucleararmed nation.

Also appointed four-star generals were the leader’s sister Kim Kyong-Hui and Choe Ryong-Hae, a longtime aide to the Kim dynasty which has ruled with an iron fist since the country was founded in 1948. As of mid-morning there was no official word that the Workers’ Party conference had begun as scheduled. But media has carried photos of crowds of delegates — in suit and tie or military uniform — arriving for the event.

“Long live the revolutionary ideology of the great leader, comrade Kim Il-Sung!” read one banner in reference to founding leader Kim Il-Sung, who died in 1994 but has been declared president for eternity. At the last major ruling party meeting in 1980, Kim JongIl was confirmed as eventual successor to his father Kim Il-Sung.

Kim, 68, reportedly has kidney problems and had a stroke two years ago, making a succession process more urgent. But until Tuesday Jong-Un’s name had never been carried by official media. No adult photo of him has been seen outside the secretive country.

Kim Kyong-Hui, 64, is married to Jang Song-Thaek, who is widely seen as the nation’s second most powerful man. She and her husband are thought likely to act as guardians for the young and inexperienced son if the leader dies or is forced to step down due to ill health.

The conference will take place amid high regional tensions sparked by the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship in March, and a deadlock in six-nation nuclear disarmament talks. The South, the United States and other

nations accuse the North of torpedoing the ship, a charge it denies.

“Kim Jong-Un’s promotion (to general) means he is definitely going to be the successor,” Yang Moo-Jin of Seoul’s University of North Korean Studies told AFP. The party conference will serve as a stage to announce his official status as successor, Yang said, adding the son is likely to be made a member of the party’s top body the politburo presidium, party secretary in charge of personnel changes and a member of its central military commission.

“There could be some strife within the ruling elite but a military coup or any other major upheaval is hardly likely because the elite think they and the Kims are in the same boat,” Yang said.

“Such conflicts might become latent or rise to the surface depending on how well Kim Jong-Un’s guardians back him up.”

Paik Hak-Soon of South Korea’s Sejong Institute thinktank also said Jong-Un was likely to join the presidium and the central military commission this week. “Considering he was now given a general’s position, it would look very strange if he did not join the central military commission,” Paik told AFP. “This (promotion) is clearly aimed to boost the mood ahead of the meeting.”

Paik said the speed of the process “apparently signals that Kim Jong-Il’s health is failing fast. Otherwise he would have never promoted the son so quickly, worrying he himself would become a lame duck.”

He said Jang and Kang Sok-Ju, who was promoted last week to a vice premier, would likely become the key men to assist the son — with Jang taking care of domestic affairs and Kang overseeing international diplomacy. Paik said some 1,500-2,000 delegates would convene for the conference, which was likely to last more than one day at least.

International

Indonesia Today

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

7

Wild elephants damage five houses in Aceh Antara

BANDA ACEH - Tens of wild elephants ruined five houses and four hectares of ready-to-harvest paddy field in Bangkeh village, Pidie district, Aceh, during the past three days, village chief Syarifuddin Aji said on Tuesday.

He said tens of wild elephants attacked five houses last Sunday (Sept 26). Most of the villagers were at the time attending a wedding party in another neighborhood when they heard somebody scream those houses had been ruined by wild elephants. The elephants also destroyed four hectares of paddy field which were to be be harvested soon.

Elephants’ attacking local housing complexes often happen in Bangkeh village. However, the local people’s efforts to expel the elephants by firing bamboo cannon did not scare the animals anymore.

Local people have urged the government and the regional Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) to do something regarding the elephant attacks.

Last July, Salehuddin (30), a resident of Gampong Koto, Central Kluet sub district, South Aceh District, Aceh, was trampled to death

by a herd of elephants.

The victim was a farmer who was guarding his garden at Alue Keujereun village, around 50 km east of Tapaktuan, South Aceh, when he was attacked by Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus sumatranus), Muhammad Hasbi, Central Kluet Sub district head, said.

In the same month, an elephant attack also happened in Bengkalis district, Riau province, where a senior citizen aged 63 years old, Marsini, was found dead.

“According to information we` received, Marsini was attacked by more than one elephant,” chief of Riau province`s Conservation and Natural Resources Agency Trisnu Danisworo said. The tragic accident happened when Marsini who was walking around a palm oil plantation near her house met a group of wild elephants which were crossing the area.

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

An Indonesian woman tends to her toddler in a makeshift tent where they live on the edge of a railroad in Jakarta on September 28, 2010.

Flash flood kills one, leaves one missing in Serang Antara

SERANG - A flash flood killed a woman and left the woman’s child missing in Serang District, Banten Province, Monday evening (Sept.

27).

“The body of my wife is still missing, while my 2.5-year old child was found dead in the estuary of Pulo Kali River by local residents,” Edi Mulyani, the flood victim’s husband, said here Tuesday.

The tragedy occurred when Edi, his wife, Mutahorah, and child were in their garden to harvest bananas, on Monday.

“But because it was raining, my wife and child went home ahead of me by taking a long a stem of bananas,” he explained.

But the flood swept them away while they were crossing Pulo Kali River on the way home.

In Serang District, floods reaching a height of around 50 cm also inundated tens of houses and roads.

Indonesia which normally has two seasons in a year, namely the dry season and rainy season, was supposed to experience a dry season during April-October. But due to the climate change impacts, La Nina has been developing in the

country and caused the rainy season to persist.

In Mukomuko and North Bengkulu districts, Bengkulu Province, Sumatra Island, Monday (Sept 27), floods triggered by incessant heavy rains, caused a number of rivers to overflow. Due to the overflowing of Ketahun River, at least 20 houses were inundated at Mulya Makmur village, XIV Koto sub district, Mukomuko district, he said.

The inundations also flooded 10 houses at Cakra village, Ketahun sub district, and 25 others at Batik Nau village, Lais Sub district, North Bengkulu District.

Bandung’s Sheraton hotel Government considering receives bomb threat Antara

BANDUNG - Bandung’s Sheraton Hotel located on Jalan Dago received a bomb threat at 5.30 am Tuesday morning, Bandung police chief Senior Commissioner Jaya Subriyanto said.

The hotel’s management called the police, and at 8 am or two- and-a-half hours after the threatening telephone call, the police arrived.

When this report was filed, a police team led by Jaya Subriyanto was still investigating the location where the mysterious caller had said

the bomb would explode.

“We are still trying to find the caller, and cover all spots and corners of the hotel,” Jaya said.

“In the meantime, we are still waiting for a bomb squad from the Mobile Brigade. Now, the sweeping is being conducted by members of the Criminal Investigation Department using metal detectors,” he added.

The bomb threat, however, did not cause panic among the hotel quests said Edi Soenarno, the hotel’s marketing and communication officer.

incentive

Antara

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik said he was considering an incentive to museum owners. “I have instructed my senor staff to formulate a policy that will enable us to give an incentive to museum owners, in the government’s appreciation for people for their contribution to the country,” the minister said here on Tuesday. The government would give a tax exemption on buildings which had been converted into a museum, for example.

RI’s migrant workers send home US$ 6 billion annually Antara

JAKARTA -President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that 6 billion dollars annually were sent back to Indonesia by millions of Indonesian migrant workers through the formal banking system.

“Many of those Indonesian were not accustomed to the banking services when they were in Indonesia. This shows that traditional mindset can be changed and the migrant workers are in fact going to the bank,” the head of state in his opening address at the Second Alliance Financial Inclusion (AFI) Global Policy Forum, here, Monday.

According to Yudhoyono, developing people’s financial literacy is as important as developing their financial capability. It was important that people were taught about the importance and benefit of accessing financial services.

“In 2008, we introduced a national campaign called ‘Ayo ke Bank’ or in English ‘Let’s go to the bank’. Last year, we launched another campaign in 2009 with the slogan of ‘whatever the product, ensure the benefits, understand the risks and consider the costs’,” he said.

People living with a low income must be given access to affordable financial services, which later could unlock many financial opportunities to improve their well-being, and close the eco-

nomic and social gap.

“This will ultimately reduce poverty and inequality,” he said.

According to the World Bank, some 1.4 billion people still live with an income of less than 1.25 dollars a day, therefore poverty eradication is crucial,” he said.

“For Indonesia, poverty alleviation is a top priority. It is at the heart of our four-track development strategy, which is progrowth, pro-job, pro-poor, and proenvironment,” he said.

Fighting poverty required systematic, sustained and coordinated policy measures supported by necessary resources. Indonesia’s antipoverty efforts have shown encouraging result, as the number of Indonesians living below the poverty line has decreased from 16.7 percent of the population in 2004 to 14.1 percent in 2009.

“Even during the crisis we can reduce poverty to 13.3 percent in March 2010,” the president said.

The Second Annual AFI Global Policy Forum (GPF) dubbed “Taking Financial Inclusion to the Next Level” is being organized by AFI and Bank of Indonesia, in Jimbaran, Bali, from September 27 to 29, 2010.

Some 350 senior financial policymakers from over 60 developing countries are participating in the Forum to discuss efforts to increase access to financial services for the poor through innovative policymaking. The first Forum was organized in Nairobi last year.

8

Internationa

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Bali Today Jegog Bali participated in National Bamboo Music Festival Bali Post

IBP/Doc

Tourists buying balinese garments. The garment export from Bali begin to increase recently. The volume of the exports and value of it increase 25.7 percent compare to the same period last year.

Clothing from Bali enter international market Antara

Denpasar – Textile and clothing from Bali is increasingly entering the international market.

This is because the designs are always up to date and the price is quite reasonable.

Putu Bagiada, the head of export division in Bali Industrial and Trade Department, said “the clothing from Bali is still of the most product exported abroad.” He explained that in addition to the clothing, wooden handicrafts, tuna, and vanilla are the other main export from Bali.

The clothing export from Bali reached its peak on the 80’s but the number decreased along with the

global economics recession. The number of clothing export during January through July 2010 was 30.5 million pieces worth $73 million.

The number increased 25% compare to the same period last year which was only $58 million.

Ni Ketut Suarni, a marketing officer in clothing factory in Kuta, said “the industry in Bali is now creating exclusives clothing for the upper

class customers in Europe and USA.” She also said that the companies are taking part in many exhibitions in order to gain input from their costumers so they can produce the clothing suitable with customers demand.

“The unique product in our company is painted cloth with special design. Many tourists are attracted to buy it,” Suarni added.

Jegog Bali and musician from Bali Belawan will contribute to the National Bamboo Music Festival in Bandung, 2-3 October 2010 with theme Re-Invention Bamboo Music and Culture, this festival is held for the fourth time and will be having anklung parade, indeginous bamboo such as nation’s flute, classic bamboo, bamboo rhythm/ string, contemporaty bamboo and other kind of activities such as workshop and exhibitions, seminars, and cooking from bamboos.

According to the Culture and Tourism Ministry’s Marketing General Director, Dr. Sapta Nirwandar, this music festival will show potential of culture bamboo musician in the country such as Giring Giring dancers of Lamadau Regence, Central Borneo, Sasando Gong Rote Island East Lesser Sunades, Rampak Kentongan Purbalingga Central Java, Angklung Carub Banyuwangi, Bambu Wukir Yogyakarta, and contemporary gamelan musicialn shockbreaker IndonesiaNorwegia, “In this even we also inviteed arumba Plumeria Japan,

Enrekang bamboo, Bali jegog, calung Purbalingga, Carub Banyuwangi and more.”

According to Sapta, the World Music Festival event themed bamboo with great creative artists and musicians of Indonesia and overseas, will be an effective media to promote Indonesian great culture arts to the world. Bamboo music as universal music will be the soft power to promote Indonesia’s tourism to the world.

Besides showing dances and bamboo music, there will be bamboo talks such as seminars and inviting lecturers of bamboo experts such as Marc Peeters and Chamim Marka with their research institution Bambu Nusa Verde (BNV) in Yogyakarta. BNV has transferred bamboo technology through culture network technology developed by a Belgian Company, OPRINS Plant Company.

At the peak of the event there will be a performance to remind us of a Nation Bamboo creator, Wawan Juanda, by some musicians such as Dwiki Darmawan, Gita Gartina, Yuki TendoStar and Andy Rif accompanied by Bamboo Orchestra. (010)

40 Foreign Students Learn Balinese Art and Culture As a world tourist destination, Bali is not only visited as a convenient holiday resort, but also as a good place to gain cultural knowledge. It was proven by foreign students studying in Bali’s university through the years. For instance, many of them are interested to study in the Indonesia Institute of Arts (ISI) Denpasar. This year, the institute received 40 foreign students in the odd semester. They came from 17 countries around the world obtaining a scholarship program from the RI’s government for the 2010/2011 academic year.

Each student chose department as their favorite such as Department of Dance, Gamelan Music, Fine Arts, Kriya Arts and Photography. The seventeen countries are Japan, Poland, the

United States, Australia, Czech Republic, Russia, Slovenia, England, Hungary, Serbia Montenegro, South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, Romania, Greece, Estonia and Ukraine. Dozens of foreign students were received directly by the Rector of ISI Denpasar Prof. Dr. I Wayan Rai at rectorate office of the ISI Denpasar.

According to Prof. Dr. I Wayan Rai, the presence of ISI Denpasar was a university going international through the admission of foreign students. “It is the program based on the local excellence. What they get in campus is not only intended for the interests of the campus itself, but should also be actualized to the wider community,” he explained.

It was said that foreign students

chose the ISI because they were attracted to the existing cultural content.

Besides, they also got the learning task from the campus in their home country. In terms of capability and improvement of teaching staff, Wayan Rai said that currently the lecturers of ISI had been encouraged and motivated to be more active, especially in the mastery of English language.

Meanwhile, the number of foreign students since 2000 up to now was approximately 300 students. Currently the ISI Denpasar has opened the network to a number of countries. One of them was by establishing cooperation with university in Russia. “To make this campus go international in the future, the development of the network is the most important,” he said. (BTN/015)

Bali Post/Doc

Jegog

al

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Balinese Culture

Mayadanawa: Feeling Superiority Results in Destruction When penjors paraphernalia are erected throughout the island, they epitomize that Galungan festivity has come. Every single devotee is in blooming heart welcoming it with joy. This six monthly celebration in Balinese calendar encourages people to make earnest preparation whole day and night. It’s time to glorify God and ancestors.

Based on the mythology, Galungan delineates the triumph of dharma (truth) against adharma (untruth). According to Tatwa Mayadanawa transliterated by Made Gambar said that Bedaulu kingdom in Bali was once ruled by Mayadanawa. He was very powerful and proud of his power and feels to have more sovereign power than that of gods.

This arrogance until forbids all subjects to worship God together with the celebration to glorify all God’s manifestations. The non-existence of freedom to worship and other religious activities caused many subjects greatly suffered where diseases spread and harvests failed. Seeing this condition, Lord Mahadeva in heaven feels disappointed. Having organized an assembly session with other gods, it is decided to attack Mayadanawa.

Under the leadership of Lord Indra, the target can be timely destroyed.

In short, the troops of the gods won the battle. This does not only stand

for the triumph of the gods, but also of the whole mankind on earth.

Afterwards, Galungan then can be re-celebrated after the triumph of Indra. Many subjects felt to regain their enlightenment as they were able to practice their religious life. This festivity lasts for ten days and ends in the day called Kuningan. Aside from paying homage at village temple, it is also intended to appreciate the ancestors at family shrine. Similarly, devotees thank for the prosperity bestowed and maintain the relationship with their ancestors.

Though they have left for the beyond, hopefully they could illuminate their descendants.

Another version about Galungan is mentioned by the manuscript Jaya Kasunu. It is said that the king Jaya Kasunu (AD 1204), meditated (held dewa sraya) to invoke guidance. His problem was that not one of his predecessors could rule longer. Through his solemn meditation he was inspired that he should re-organize religious activities, such as Galungan.

No matter what the version is, the essence of these mythologies implies that a devotee or creation should maintain their persistent contact to his Creator. The âtman dwelling within the human self should maintain his contact to Brahman, the Creator. By doing so,

humans can continuously obtain the illumination to walk in the path of dharma.

As manifestation of gratitude, devotees express it through worship at temples, garden, rice field and so forth. Everything that has given prosperity is also offered an oblation, including the means of transportation. If you happen to take an excursion on that day you of course will rub up against many cars affixed with young coconut paraphernalia.

Hopefully, the festivity does not come to an end at the vibrant fiesta marked with grandiose oblation, assorted delicious food or luxurious paraphernalia. All the times it should help the spiritual development. Anything achieved in this life either tangible or intangible entities, should not make us arrogant. Sometimes, when having abundance of wealth or higher educational background, a human feels superior or more powerful than others. Even, it is not employed as a milestone to improve his devotion to God. It’s here where the achievement drags human to sluggish condition or gorge of destruction. Like Mayadanawa, he forgot that there is a vast sky above him. His power has led him to his dissolution. If we do not want to become the next Mayadanawa, consistent devotion must be established. (BTN/punia)

Teep Beans:

Lazing while Enjoying Slow Snack Among the delicacy of Balinese food with hot spices, in fact, Balinese community also retains easypeasy snack but sometimes a bit harder. One of them is the bean of teep. Its tree resembles to that of breadfruit.

However, its beans are far smaller compared to that of breadfruit. When its fruits have turned ripe, they usually attract the presence of civet. Actually, this nocturnal cat is only interested to eat the flesh of fruit.

Similar thing also happens to coffee beans. Since the skin of beans is hard it cannot digest them so civet could only enjoy the flesh. On the next day, those seeds could be found at the feces of civet. All seeds remain intact. However, if people see the ripe fruits first, they will not need to wait the coming of civet to pick them.

To process the beans, they are first cleansed thoroughly and dry under the sun. Afterward, they should be fried without oil but sand. When they have been finely cooked they can be enjoyed while relaxing or lazing. As the shell and beans are slightly hard, it may take a bit long time to open and chew them.

However, if they are indeed dry enough and cooked well they must be easy to open and crispy. They are good to consume as slow snack while chatting or watching TV. (BTN/punia)

Kacang Kara: Green-streaked Bean in Yellow Sauce Villages located at mountainous area in Bali are rich in various vegetables. One of them growing well in the area is kacang kara or green-streaked bean. Most people prefer to pick it when mature and they just take its bean. This bean is usually cultivated in backyard and let twist on fence plant or high trees in the garden.

Common way to enjoy this green-streaked bean is by frying. However, if people wish to taste differently, it can be added with yellow sauce. In essence, it is a good side dish to accompany your meals on cooler area.

Ingredient: 250g young green-streaked bean Spices: 6 cloves shallot, 3 cloves garlic, 2 large chilies, 2 small chilies, 2 candlenuts, 1 slice aromatic ginger (kencur), 1 slice turmeric, 1 slice ginger, and ½ tsp salt Others: ½ tsp salt, 1 cup palm oil and 250 ml water Method: · Cleanse the green bean and drain thoroughly.

Bruise them on stone mortar and then fry them halfdone. · All spices are ground and stir-fry by 2 tbsp of palm oil taken from the oil used for frying the bean. Put the bean into the spices on the frying pan. Add the water and salt while stirring until the water runs somewhat dry.

When it has been cooked and tender, take out and serve. (BTN/punia)

C.045 ibp

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Business

International

Water Sport Activities IBP

Marine Sports are the exciting and fun seawater activities with great challenge for everyone who joins this sport. It offers variety of marine post activities from motorize until the manual one. It is one of the great seawater adventures in Bali giving the fantastic experience from every activity like Jet Ski, Banana Boat, Fly Fish, Snorkeling, Parasailing, Diving, Fishing, Glass Bottom Boat and Turtle Island Tour. The Marine Sport Packages are also available with attractive choice of sport activities and competitive prices.

Blue sea water without wave is the best venue for water sport activities.

Bali own the beautiful place with the long white sandy beach located in Tanjung Benoa as a Marine Sport Center. It is located right in the Bali’s Peninsula, south part of the island and about 25 minutes drive from Bali’s International Airport. It is just a step from Nusa Dua, the elite resort area in Bali and featured by an easy way to reach it. Below are some water sport activities that you can try while you holidaying in Bali: - Parasailing activity will bring you to the exciting experience by hook your self in airborne for a second and

you will get free to enjoy the amazing view of the island from the over head. Beautiful scenery of the sea water is easily found by flying like a bird with string more then 100 meter up makes this activity really unforgettable memory in our life. You can get Parasailing Adventure right now as your choice during your vacation in Bali Island.

- Snorkeling is a fantastic marine activity to over view the beautiful panorama of coral, colorful fishes and other unique marines life. This adventure will bring you the exciting experience with professional snorkeling guide who guide you the

right snorkeling spot point. It will take about one hour to explore and view beautiful underwater life which is completed safety equipment.

- Riding a motorized sea vehicle will get different experience and the fresh sea breeze will swirl your hair.

Fun riding on the blue water with the combination of jet Drive Power up to 700 cc and personal water craft will result pure excitement.

- Gathering Banana Boat ride is the most enjoyable experience. It thrills for all and feels like kids ride over the ocean with blue seawater and big long soft marshmallow. It is a fantastic group game on the seawater which bring you to the exciting experience on your vacation in Bali.

- Water Ski is one of the exciting Marine Sport Activities by gliding on the seawater at Tanjung Benoa Beach which is famous with Bali Marine Sport Center. This adventure uses water ski board and pulled by the power boat to surround the beau-

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11

BUSINESS Singapore’s GIC says it has regained most losses from crisis Agence France-Presse

SINGAPORE - Singapore state investment agency GIC has recovered most of its losses caused by the 2008 financial crisis after the global economy rebounded last year, officials said.

The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) said late Monday that the average rate of return on its investments rose to 7.1 percent in US dollar terms in the year ending March, up from 5.7 percent the previous year.

In the year to March 2008, before the financial crisis broke out in the United States as a result of a housing mortgage meltdown, GIC had reported an average rate of return of 7.8 percent.

GIC, which was set up in 1981, is one of the city-state’s two sovereign wealth funds — along with Temasek Holdings — and invests Singapore’s foreign reserves of well over 100 billion dollars with a 20year horizon in mind.

“Global stock markets recovered strongly in 2009. This was a rebound from the devastation in the financial crisis of 2008,” group chief investment officer Ng Kok Song said in

GIC’s annual report.

“The increase in value of the government’s portfolio in the financial year to 31 March 2010 largely offset the loss in the previous year,” he said.

GIC did not put a value on its portfolio but said public equities, mostly in the developed markets, made up 51 percent of its overall assets followed by fixed income investments at 20 percent.

The rest of its portfolio comprised real estate, natural resources and private equity, GIC said.

“GIC started to selectively take on more risk from the second quarter of 2009, amidst growing confidence in the economic recovery,” said deputy chairman and executive director Tony Tan. “I am pleased that the 20-year return of the portfolio has improved,” he said.

GIC’s invests in a wide wide range of asset classes including public equities, real estate in leading world capitals and private equities.

Temasek invests mostly in Singapore and Asia and has stakes in leading companies including Standard Chartered bank and flag carrier Singapore Airlines.

US to toughen bank transfer monitoring Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON - US authorities on Monday signaled their intention to monitor almost all bank transactions to and from the United States, part of an anti-terror drive that is rekindling privacy concerns.

The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has asked that banks “report international transactions equal to or in excess of 1,000 dollars,” according to a statement.

At present transactions of under 10,000 dollars are not reported to the US authorities, a practice that has raised concern among anti-terrorism officials who say financing can be unbundled to easily pass under the radar.

“This regulatory plan will greatly assist law enforcement in detecting and ferreting out transnational organized crime, multinational drug cartels, terrorist financing, and international tax evasion,” said the network’s director James Freis.

The proposed rules would become law from 2012, after passing various legislative hurdles, but already they face fierce opposition.

“It is a tremendous overreach by the US government,” said Marc Rotenberg, director of the Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center.

Rotenberg said it was “also likely renew a long-going battle between the US and European governments over the disclosure of financial transactions by European customers to US federal agencies.”

Europeans and Americans have been locked in acrimonious negotiations on the use of information provided via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) system, which deals with trillions of dollars in global transactions daily involving 8,000 banks.

In 2006, Belgium’s commission on privacy protection discovered that SWIFT had violated Belgian privacy rules, transferring bank records to the US authorities for use in anti-terrorism investigations.

SWIFT admitted it had provided US authorities with a “limited” amount of data in the wake of the September 11 attacks in 2001 for the purpose of fighting extremists.

AFP PHOTO / NOEL CELIS

A man tosses a pumpkin to his fellow worker at Divisoria market in Manila on September 27, 2010.

Asia’s developing economies should make long-term growth their top priority, the Asian Development Bank said Tuesday as it lifted its 2010 growth forecast for the region.

ADB says long-term growth top priority for developing Asia Agence France-Presse

HONG KONG - Asia’s developing economies should make long-term growth their top priority, the Asian Development Bank said Tuesday as it lifted its 2010 growth forecast for the region.

The economies would expand 8.2 percent in 2010, up from the bank’s 7.5 percent forecast earlier this year, as the trade-driven region “recovered from the global (financial) crisis with remarkable speed and vigour,” the ADB said in its twice-yearly economic forecast.

Growth would slow to 7.3 percent in 2011, while inflation would remain within the central banks’ “comfort zones” of an average 4.1 percent this year and 3.9 percent in 2011, the report said.

“Developing Asia’s recovery seems to have taken a firm hold,” ADB chief economist Jong-Wha Lee told a press briefing in Hong Kong Tuesday.

“But we should not be complacent.

There are still a lot of challenges to long-term, sustained growth.”

The latest forecast remained below the region’s record 9.6 percent expansion in 2007.

Asia’s developing economies still lag far behind industrial economies in per capita income and the region remains home to two-thirds of the world’s poor, Lee said.

Officials would also have to focus on efforts to “broaden and deepen” their financial markets and tighten regulatory enforcement, Lee added.

The Manila-based bank’s report looked at 44 jurisdictions stretching

from the former Soviet states of Central Asia to some Pacific islands, but excluded developed countries such as Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The region’s shifting economies now reflect a “middle-income, capital-abundant Asia,” signalling the need to rejig policies that worked when the region was “low income and capital scarce,” the report said.

“It’s time to improve Asia’s longterm productive capacity,” Lee added.

Trade with the West would continue to be a major economic driver, but countries should diversify their export base and focus on inter-regional trade, the report said, amid worries about a faltering recovery in industrialised nations.

Paul Heytens, the ADB’s China country director, urged Chinese policymakers to boost domestic consumption and reduce the country’s over-reliance on investment and exports to drive the economy.

“Failure to decisively implement the agenda to rebalance the Chinese economy risks jeopardising the sustainability of growth,” he told reporters in Beijing.

Heytens said the bank “very much welcomed” China’s announcement in June that it would move to a more flexible exchange rate, amid cries from

critics that Beijing was undervaluing its yuan currency to boost exports.

A changing labour market would require better educated workers, while urban congestion and environmental problems threatened to curb developing Asia’s growth, the report said.

Lee acknowledged there were some “striking differences” in the quality of regional infrastructure development, especially between East and South Asia.

East Asia — including Hong Kong, China, South Korea, and Taiwan — is forecast to lead the region with an 8.6 percent rise in gross domestic product in 2010, up from the bank’s earlier 8.3 percent forecast, the report said.

Southeast Asian economies will grow 7.4 percent in 2010, from an earlier 5.1 percent estimate, as countries including Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam see an upswing in their exports, the bank said.

India will lead South Asia’s 7.8 percent GDP increase this year, the bank said, from its previous 7.4 percent forecast.

Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, will see 5.1 percent growth compared with the earlier 4.7 percent estimate.

Pacific island nations are are seen growing 4.3 percent in 2010, outpacing a 3.7 percent rise forecast earlier, the report said.

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Entertainment

International

Greed is good: ‘Wall Street’ scores across US Agence France Presse

LOS ANGELES - “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps” proved worth its weight in box office gold, netting a whopping 19 million dollars in its first weekend out, a final tally showed Monday. Director Oliver Stone’s sequel to his 1987 hit “Wall Street” sees Michael Douglas reprising his role as investment shark Gordon Gekko, famous for saying that “greed is good.” The movie co-stars Josh Brolin and the upand-coming Shia LaBeouf.

“Wall Street” was followed by another shining premiere: “Legend of the Guardians,” an animated owl drama, that brought in 16.1 million dollars out of the gate, box office tracker Exhibitor Relations said.

In third place was “The Town,” Ben Affleck’s fast-paced bank heist flick set in his hometown of Boston. The movie, in its second week out, had a very solid 15.6-milliondollar take.

Teen comedy “Easy A” about a high school girl who lies about losing her virginity to improve her social standing, netted 10.6 million.

Another new film “You Again” burst on the scene in fifth place for the weekend. The family comedy starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Sigourney Weaver, earned 8.4 million.

In sixth place was “Devil,” M.

Night Shyamalan’s thriller about Satan trapping victims in a Philadelphia high-rise. It earned 6.6 million dollars in its second week out.

“Resident Evil,” the latest in a longrunning science fiction series, trailed in the seventh spot with five million dollars.

“Alpha and Omega,” an animated movie about a wolf pack in the wilds of a Canadian nature reserve, was in eighth place with 4.7 million dollars in tickets sold. “Takers,” the bank-robbery thriller starring Hayden Christensen, Idris Elba and singers Chris Brown and T.I., was trailing in the ninth spot. It earned 1.6 million dollars. “Inception,” Leonardo DiCaprio’s sci-fi thriller, was in the 10th spot with 1.25 million dollars. It has earned a stunning 287 million dollars so far.

Titanic’ actress Gloria Stuart dies at 100 Agence France Presse

LOS ANGELES - Gloria Stuart, who earned an Oscar nomination for playing an older version of Kate Winslet’s character in the blockbuster “Titanic,” has died at the age of 100, her family said Monday.

Stuart, who played centenarian Old Rose recalling her youthful amorous adventures depicted by Winslet and Leonard DiCaprio in James Cameron’s 1997 movie, died Sunday at her Los Angeles home.

As a glamorous young blond she had been a leading lady in the 1930s, but took a long break from movies after the early 1940s and became an accomplished painter, according to the IMDb industry database, in an online obituary.

She returned to TV and the the silver screen in the 1970s and 1980s,

but it was her role in the epic film version of Titanic’s final hours which shot her to global fame. At the age of 87 she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the 101-year-old Rose Calvert, remembering her torrid below-stairs love affair with DiCaprio’s Jack Dawson as the stricken ship went down. “I knew the role I had wanted and waited for all these many years had arrived! I could taste the role of Old Rose!” she said in her 1999 autobiography, “Gloria Stuart: I Just Kept Hoping.”

Stuart was diagnosed with lung cancer five years ago, and had survived breast cancer, her daughter Sylvia Thompson was cited by the Los Angeles Times as saying, adding: “She was a very strong woman.”

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, file

FILE - In this March 23, 1998 file photo, actress Gloria Stuart arrives at the 70th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Stuart was nominated for best performance by an actress in a supporting role in the film “Titanic.”

IBP/ist

One of the scene in the movie “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”. The movie is netting a whopping 19 million dollars in its first weekend out.

‘Prince of Darkness’ Ozzy Osbourne to rock Holy Land Agence France Presse

JERUSALEM - British rocker Ozzy Osbourne, the “Prince of Darkness,” was to perform in Israel on Tuesday despite a string of recent cancellations by other artists protesting its occupation of Palestinian lands. When asked on Sunday whether he had any hesitation about performing in Israel on account of the conflict, Osbourne said he avoided politics because “I wouldn’t know what I was talking about,” according to the Ynet news service.

His wife and manager Sharon Osbourne added that “Britain has the IRA and no one cancels concerts there,” referring to the Irish Republican Army, which fought British rule in northern Ireland until the 1990s. When asked why he hadn’t visited Israel before, Osbourne replied: “I don’t know, I was drunk for years.”

Osbourne shot to stardom in the 1970s as the lead singer of heavy metal band Black Sabbath before embarking on a solo career.

The performance in the seaside city of Tel Aviv on Tuesday is the latest instalment of the Ozzfest heavy metal concert series launched in the 1990s. Several international artists cancelled performances in Israel this summer following the deadly May 31 seizure of a Gazabound aid flotilla in which Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists.

The no-shows included the US alternative rock group The Pixies, London-based indie punk band Klaxons, and the Gorillaz, a hiphop group.

Britain’s Elvis Costello, rock guitarist Carlos Santana and rap forefather Gil Scott-Heron also backed out of scheduled visits after they came under pressure from opponents of Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians.

Other artists have ignored such calls, including US R&B star Missy Elliott and Britain’s Elton John, who performed in Israel earlier this year.

AP Photo/Charles Sykes

FILE - In this May 20, 2010 file photo Ozzy Osbourne attends a listening party for his new album “Scream” at the Sirius XM studios in New York. Ozzy Osbourne says alcohol, not politics, has stopped him from playing in Israel until now. Osbourne’s scheduled performance on Tuesday will be his first ever in the Holy Land.

Life Style

International

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

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BlackBerry maker RIM unveils ‘PlayBook’ tablet computer Agence France Presse

SAN FRANCISCO - BlackBerry maker Research in Motion is taking on iPad in the table computer game with a “PlayBook” aimed to capitalize on its strength — the trust of business users keen on secure communications. “It is the world’s first professional tablet,” RIM president and co-chief executive Mike Lazaridis said as he showed off the device in San Francisco.

The PlayBook is one of a number of tablet computers slated for release in a bid to challenge Apple’s popular iPad and is the first foray outside the mobile phone realm for the Waterloo, Ontario-based RIM. “They are kind of positioning it as the iPad for the suits,” Gartner analyst Van Baker said of the PlayBook announcement.

The PlayBook has a seven-inch (17.8-centimeter) touchscreen, smaller than the 9.7 inches of Apple’s iPad, and also plays Adobe Flash video software, which is banned from the Apple device.

“You are going to be able to get the full Web experience,” Lazaridis said, stressing its integration with RIM’s BlackBerry smartphone, a favorite among many professionals.

BlackBerry smartphone users can pair their handset with the PlayBook using a Bluetooth connection to view their email, calendar, documents or other content.

The PlayBook also features front-

and rear-facing cameras to support video conferencing and allows multi-tasking between programs.

RIM expects to begin selling PlayBooks in the United States in early 2011 and rolling the tablets out to other countries by the middle of the year. Lazaridis did not reveal how much RIM plans to charge for the PlayBook. “RIM set out to engineer the best professional-grade tablet in the industry with cuttingedge hardware features and one of the world’s most robust and flexible operating systems,” Lazaridis said. Positioning PlayBook as a business person’s tablet could stymie its popularity in the sizzling consumer market dominated by iPad, according to Baker.

“RIM has a bit of a split personality; they struggle with whether they are a consumer or enterprise device company,” Baker said. “Enterprise is their bread and butter, but consumer is the big market right now.” The fact PlayBook users can route data through

BlackBerry smartphones instead of paying for separate telecom service should prove a selling point in the business and personal markets.

PlayBook tablets also promise help RIM challenge the increasing use of iPads in workplaces.

RIM said that in the coming weeks it would release a software kit so third-party developers can begin tailoring applications, or “apps,” for PlayBook.

PlayBook debuted at BlackBerry DEVCON, a combined boot camp and pep rally for outside developers crafting programs for the Canadian firm’s devices. RIM introduced tools that make it easier to build applications for BlackBerry handsets and make money with ads or “in-app” purchases.

RIM is also launching a free analytics service that provides applications makers with feedback regarding how, when and where BlackBerry owners are using programs. “We are enabling developers to better monetize their services and drive deeper engagement to create richer, more interesting social apps for BlackBerry,” said Alan Brenner, senior vice president of the BlackBerry platform.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP

A BlackBerry DevCon attendee takes a photograph of the new BlackBerry PlayBook during the Blackberry DevCon 2010 on September 27, 2010 in San Francisco, California. RIM President and Co-Chief Executive Officer Mike Lazaridis announced the new BlackBerry PlayBook, a touchscreen tablet, during his keynote address.

Singapore charity uses ‘happy UN denies naming ‘point of contact’ for aliens coffins’ to celebrate life Agence France Presse

SINGAPORE - A Singapore charity on Tuesday announced the winners of an international art competition to design “happy coffins” to encourage the elderly and dying to celebrate life. Six winning designs out of 733 entries from 37 countries were made into personalised coffins in cooperation with a local funeral home.

The first prize of 3,000 US dollars went to a 27-year-old Belgian woman, Ines van

Agence France Presse

Gucht, whose design showed a furry black creature whom she described as a friend that would take care of her after her death.

A message on the figure read: “Hello coffin. You seem to be nice. One day we will meet again. To the rest of you I say goodbye. I hope it was a blast.” Other entries included a coffin designed to resemble chocolate bars and another depicting the dishes of a “last supper” served on the top.

AFP PHOTO/ROSLAN RAHMAN

St Joseph’s Home resident Kitty Gogh, 80, sits on a wheelchair next to her “Happy Coffin” in Singapore on September 28, 2010. “Happy Coffins”, designed in conjunction with the customer, is a component of the Lien Foundation’s Life Before Death initiative to dismantle the taboos surrounding Death & Dying by encouraging “die-logues” about this often-sensitive subject.

VIENNA - The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs on Tuesday dismissed as “nonsense” a newspaper report which said it had appointed a new ambassador as a point of contact for extra-terrestrials. “The article in the Sunday Times is nonsense,” UNOOSA said in a statement, referring to a report this weekend which said the UN was to appoint Malaysian astrophysicist, Mazlan Othman, to be the first contact for any aliens.

Othman heads UNOOSA, a little-known department of the UN based in Vienna with a staff of 27. Under a mandate defined by the UN General Assembly, UNOOSA’s task is to promote international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space and strengthen the use of space science and technology applications.

“There are no plans to change the current mandate,” the statement said. According to the Sunday Times article, Othman was set to describe her potential new role as chief alien ambassador next week at a scientific conference at the Royal Society’s Kavli conference centre in Buckinghamshire, England. But UNOOSA also rejected this. Othman would use the conference to “raise awareness” about topics such as space debris, asteroids, “as well as the annual World Space Week celebrations from October 4-10.” In an interview with AFP a year ago, Othman had joked that the UN Secretary General would be the one to “represent mankind ... if we do make contact with aliens.”

IBP/ist

UN headquater

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Sport

International

Injuries blight Inter, Werder build-up Agence France Presse

AP Photo/Jon Super

Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov, right, keeps the ball from Bolton Wanderers’ Matthew Taylor during their English Premier League soccer match at The Reebok Stadium, Bolton, England, Sunday Sept. 26, 2010.

Manchester United bid to end Spain jinx

MILAN - Inter Milan and Werder Bremen are suffering from injury problems ahead of their Champions League Group G clash at the San Siro on Wednesday. Hosts Inter, the reigning champions, have potentially the bigger problems with both Diego Milito and Goran Pandev rated as doubtful.

That’s two of Inter’s attacking triumvirate and should coach Rafael Benitez be forced to look for other options, he may need to change his system with only Frenchman Jonathan Biabiany and teenage Brazilian Coutinho available as back-up.

Pandev still has the ankle problem he suffered against Palermo a couple of weeks ago while Milito picked up a thigh strain against AS Roma on Saturday.

What’s more, Inter are already without captain Javier Zanetti, fellow midfielder Thaigo Motta and centrebacks Walter Samuel and Marco Materazzi. Things are not much better for Werder Bremen, though, with the Germans having to do without their captain Torsten Frings, Peru striker Claudio Pizarro and Germany defender Clemens Fritz.

And according to coach Thomas Schaaf, that’s making an already difficult task even harder against the champions. “These injuries will really hurt us,” he said. “We’re losing a lot of quality given the challenge that faces us. “I hope we can get

them back soon but they might also miss the next two games.” Their absences add to those of defenders Naldo, Petri Pasanen and Sebastian Boenisch.

According to Marko Marin, Werder’s star from their 2-2 draw against Tottenham in their opening match, there’s no doubt about who are the favourites. “It’s always difficult playing against a team that is strong and experienced like Inter,” he told Italy’s SkySport24.

“But the win against Hamburg (32 on Saturday) has given us belief although Inter at home in their stadium are still favourites. “We’ll try to get a result but the nerazzurri have many great players in every department, a top defence, a solid midfield and class strikers. They’re one of the best teams and against those it’s never easy.”

Inter come into the game off the back of their first defeat of the season, a 1-0 reverse against Roma. But they still top the Serie A table while Werder have had a tough start to their Bundesliga campaign, winning twice, drawing once and losing three times to sit 12th in the table.

And Marin doesn’t believe that Inter will be adversely affected by their defeat. “Their loss against Roma isn’t important, the Champions League is different,” he added.

“When you play in (the Champions League) you think only about winning without looking at what you’ve done in the league.”

Agence France Presse

MADRID - Manchester United look to end their miserable European record in Spain on Wednesday as they search for their first Champions League win of the season at Spanish league leaders Valencia. United have won just once in 18 matches in Spain against Spanish opposition, with their only win coming in the 2001-02 Champions League quarter-final first leg at Deportivo La Coruna.

They will have their work cut out against an unbeaten Valencia side who have won four out of their first five league matches to top the Spanish top flight. United coach Sir Alex Ferguson watched his side labour to a 0-0 draw against Rangers in their Group C opener and will hope for more attacking bite at Valencia, as well as more defensive stability than they have shown of late.

The three-time European champions have conceded seven goals in their last three league matches and will be well aware that Valencia trounced Bursaspor 4-0 in Turkey in their group opener. “Yes, we’re concerned about the number of goals we have let in,” said defender Nemanja Vidic.

“Over the last few years we haven’t conceded many goals.

We always looked strong and we didn’t give teams many chances.

But in the last few away games we haven’t kept clean sheets, which is very disappointing.” At the other end of the pitch, United will be missing both Welsh winger Ryan Giggs and England striker Wayne Rooney, after both players sustained injuries in the 2-2 draw at Bolton Wanderers on Sunday.

Giggs succumbed to a hamstring problem, while Rooney was withdrawn in the 61st minute after picking up a knock to his ankle.

Ferguson watched Valencia live in their 1-1 home draw with Atletico Madrid five days ago and admits it is a key game for his side, knowing Valencia could go five points ahead of them with victory.

“Drawing with Rangers makes the Valencia match far more important than it would have been,” said Ferguson. Former England international striker Michael Owen scored the equaliser in the draw at Bolton and he could be called upon to partner in-form Dimitar Berbatov in

Rooney’s absence.

Valencia are unbeaten in 11 European home matches and have started the season in fine form with 13 points from a possible 15 to top La Liga ahead of champions Barcelona. Valencia, Champions League finalists in 2000 and 2001, sold Spanish World Cup stars David Silva and David Villa for 70 million euros in the summer but their new signings have adapted well and given the club five wins from six in all competitions.

“The players are grasping that the most important thing is the team and not the individuals and that is the key to the good start,” said Valencia coach Unai Emery.

Valencia have conceded only three goals in their six games so far and part of that is down to 39-yearold goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez, who started the 2002 Champions League final for Real Madrid before getting injured and being replaced by Iker Casillas.

AP Photo/Luca Bruno

Inter Milan Argentine forward Diego Milito, right, celebrates after scoring with his teammate Goran Pandev, of Macedonia, during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Bari at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Sept.22, 2010.

Champions League group stage fixtures on Wednesday (kick-off 1845GMT):

Group A nter ilan erder Bre en GE ottenha ots ur E G wente E

Group B a oel el i S Lyon Schalke GE Ben ica

Group C alencia ES angers S

anchester nited E G Bursas or

Group D u in azan S Barcelona ES G anathinaikos G E o enhagen E

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

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Championship or bust for the Heat’s travelling circus Agence France Presse

MIAMI - No mountain is too high to climb for these Miami Heat. LeBron James began a new Miami chapter in his NBA career and flanked by fellow stars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh the power trio fielded questions Monday about the high expectations in what some are calling a championship or bust season for the Heat.

“Not bust. But it is championship,” corrected James. Wade, James and Bosh donned their Miami uniforms for the annual media day Monday before heading off with their teammates to begin training camp Tuesday in the nearby Florida Panhandle.

“I don’t want to keep harping about what people have said about me,” James said. “But personally, I’m motivated by what has gone on this summer.” The two-time reigning NBA MVP has heard plenty of criticism from people in the basketball world since he made his decision to leave Cleveland to join the Heat in an unprecedented free agent haul.

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said James made a bad business decision and Cleveland owner Dan Gilbert called him a quitter.

“It’s funny how things happen in life and how people react,” James said. “It seems like a lot of people try to tell you what to do with your life and most of the time they don’t even have their own life in order.

“That was just funny to me. So I’m really excited for this opportunity for this franchise, getting an opportunity to bring my game to this city.”

James signed a 109.8 million dollar, six-year deal with Miami on July 9, one day after his PR people convinced American sports broadcaster ESPN to air an hour long special to announce he was leaving the Cavaliers. There were 275 credentialed media and more than two dozen TV cameras there for media day on Monday.

But unlike Super Bowl media day there were no audacious questions or oddball outfits. Just plenty of

questions. “This team is not built for us to go below the radar,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That’s a good thing.

The expectations are there. We won’t run away from it.”

James, Bosh and Wade have more than in common than just being allstars. They were among the top five picks in the 2003 draft.

“There are so many things being different, even this media day,” Bosh said. “Everything is different from what we all have either expected or experienced.” The Heat season starts October 26 at Boston.

“You can’t hide from it,” Spoelstra said. “You have to embrace it. It’s not a distraction, as long as it doesn’t get in the way of our daily activities and practice and focus and preparing. That’s part of this team. This team is different from what we had last year.”

AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

Miami Heat players LeBron James (6) Dwyane Wade (3) and Chris Bosh (1) arrive for interviews during Media Day, Monday, Sept.

27, 2010 in Coral Gables, Fla. The Heat will begin NBA basketball training camp Tuesday at Hurlburt Field, a U.S. Air Force installation in Florida’s Panhandle.

Zvonareva beats Errani Landis says he waited too in Pan Pacific Open long to own up to doping Agence France Presse

Floyd Landis attends a press conference in Geelong, Australia, Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010 ahead of the road cycling world championships.

Disgraced U.S. cyclist Landis says he waited almost four years to reveal his doping because he knew once he’d admitted lying, he would not be believed about the widespread use of performance enhancing drugs in the sport.

Associated Press Writer

MELBOURNE, Australia – Disgraced cyclist Floyd Landis says he waited almost four years to reveal his doping because he knew once he’d admitted lying, he would not be believed about the widespread use of performance enhancing drugs in the sport.

After years of denials, Landis — stripped of the 2006 Tour de France title because of doping — admitted in May to using performance-enhancing drugs and accused others, including former teammate and seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong, of doping. Armstrong has vehemently denied the accusations and his attorney has described Landis as a “serial liar.”

Landis, speaking at an Australian conference on the eve of the road cycling world championships, said Tuesday that until more people come forward, cycling will continue to have a problem with drug cheats.

“Until I can sit here, and a lot of other people can sit down and talk about how it came to be that way, it’s going to be hard to find a solution,” he said. “If I can be a catalyst for that, so be it. I don’t care to take any credit for it because part of why I’m doing what I’m doing is for my own con-

AP Photo/Rob Griffith

science and my own well being.

“As much as it hurts to sit and tell my mom I lied, and to tell other people that I lied, it’s better than the alternative.”

The American acknowledged he waited too long before coming clean. “I knew that having defended myself in the beginning, and having lied about never having doped, that no matter when I changed the story and no matter when I I decided to tell the details of what I’d done, the argument

was always going to be the same.

It was going to be that I shouldn’t be believed now,” Landis said.

“It took me longer than it probably should have.” Landis’ allegations prompted an ongoing and wide-ranging U.S. federal probe centering on Armstrong and his associates. The investigation is being pursued by U.S. prosecutors and Food and Drug Administration agent Jeff Novitzky. Landis said doping was endemic in cycling when he was caught.

TOKYO - Second seed Vera Zvonareva maintained her good run of form to beat Sara Errani of Italy for a place in the third round at the Pan Pacific Open women’s tennis tournament on Tuesday.

The Russian, who reached a career-high fourth in the world after finishing runner-up at the US Open, struggled to hold her serve, losing three games and needed to repeat deuces seven times before serving out for 6-3, 6-3 win.

Seventh seed Elena Dementieva of Russia, a gold medallist at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was an easy 6-0, 6-1 winner over Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan, while eighth seed Victoria Azarenka breezed past Czech Lucie Safarova 6-1, 6-3. “I knew Sara is a very tough opponent, so I had to concentrate. It’s the first match after a couple of weeks off, so of course it was difficult to play your best tennis,” said Zvonareva.

“I was playing indoors (with the roof closed due to rain) for the first time since last year’s Kremlin Cup. It was a year ago, so it was quite different conditions. “I was just trying my best — I had ups and downs — but I’m still happy with the way I handled the situation and won this match,” she added.

Azarenka, of Belarus, who had a first-round bye with Zvonareva

and Dementieva, was too strong for Safarova, dropping only four games in a 6-1, 6-3 victory. It marked a strong recovery Azarenka, who just four weeks earlier had keeled over in the searing heat during the US Open at Flushing Meadows before being revived and pushed off court in a wheelchair.

“Sometimes things happen unfortunately in this way,” Azarenka said, of the second round tie in the season’s final Grand Slam against Gisela Dulko of Argentina. “I cannot look back. I try to forget about it as much as I can, but people still remind me. For me, it’s important to move forward,” she added.

Azarenka, ranked 11th in the world, showed no ill-effects against her 30th-ranked opponent, achieving a service break in the opening game in the 77-minute match.

“I think it was a very good start for me. I hadn’t played for three weeks, so I was a little bit nervous to get into the match and see what I could do,” said Azarenka, 21.

“I did pretty well and I’m happy with my game and with the way I moved. My serve was a little bit inconsistent but still I think I put on a lot of pressure, winning a lot of points,” she said.

In the third round, Azarenka will take on the winner of the match between Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and 11th seed Marion Bartoli of France.

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McLaren:

Hamilton will bounce back Lewis Hamilton will immediately bounce back from his Singapore Grand Prix disappointment despite seeing his world title hopes suffer another big blow, according to his McLaren team. Just one race on from his lap one exit at the Italian Grand Prix, Hamilton retired from the Singapore event on Sunday following a clash with Mark Webber as they battled for third place.

The retirement has left Hamilton 20 points adrift of championship leader Webber with just four races remaining. Hamilton’s McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh is confident, however, that the title setback will not dwell much on his drivers’ mind - and he is sure he will be back to his best in Japan.

“He will be bitterly disappointed after this race, but that will be out of his mind when he gets to Suzuka,” Whitmarsh told AUTOSPORT. “And if we give him a quick car he can win that race. That is what he will focus on.”

Just as he had done after the Monza race, Whitmarsh spoke privately to Hamilton in his room after the race in Singapore on Sunday – and assured him that he should not be too hard on himself for what happened.

“I went to speak to Lewis,” said Whitmarsh. “He is disappointed and he is a passionate individual. I told him that people will have cheap shots at you, but you have to look at the facts. You didn’t take

a risky overtaking move, you didn’t make mistakes. You were unlucky and that is motor racing, and you have to focus now on the races ahead.

“He knows that, but it doesn’t take away the disappointment from knowing he should have been on the podium and should have been leading the championship at this moment and he isn’t. After two races like that, it is a bit bruising. But he is a tough competitor; he will bounce back and will be strong at Suzuka.”

Whitmarsh admitted that if Hamilton was going to get back to race-winning form in Japan, then McLaren had to bring important updates to its cars.

“We have a fantastic championship,” said Whitmarsh. “We have five drivers who are capable of winning races and winning this year’s championship, and I am not trying to rate them.

“We have to look at our performance, we have got to make our car quicker and develop our package to push as hard as we can, eliminate mistakes and do the best job we can.”

AP Photo/Mark Baker

McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain walks down the F1 paddock after crashing out of the Singapore Grand Prix on the Marina Bay City Circuit in Singapore, Sunday, Sept.

26, 2010.

Rossi expects tough weekend in Japan Valentino Rossi is expecting a difficult weekend for his body at the Japanese Grand Prix given the nature of the circuit. The Yamaha rider struggled with his shoulder in

the previous race in Aragon, and is likely to face an even harder time at Motegi this weekend.

“Aragon was a hard weekend, both because we couldn’t find the

IBP/ist

Valentino Rossi

right setting for our M1 and because I had a lot of trouble with my shoulder,” said Rossi in a team preview.

“The leg is now almost back to normal again - I have even started running - but the shoulder is a problem and we know now that this is not going to change until we have time to treat it properly.

“I have some great memories from Motegi, especially winning the championship in 2008, but I am expecting this weekend to be quite difficult on my body. We have a hard three weeks ahead but after this race two of my best tracks are coming up, and I am hoping for some good results. We will do our best and see what happens.”

Team-mate Jorge Lorenzo said he is eager to return to the podium after missing out on a top-three finish in the previous race for the first time this year.