Edisi 22 Juli 2011 | International Bali Post by e-Paper KMB

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Friday, July 22, 2011

Balinese instrument participates in France Parade

16 Pages Number 153 3st Year

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan (C) walks after a meeting in Nusa Dua on the island of Bali on July 21, 2011. Indonesian island of Bali is hosting the 44th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM), Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) and 18th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) from 19 to 24 July.

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Beatles’ 1st US concert photos fetch $360K in NYC PAGE 12

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

ASEAN urge both Koreas to resolve conflict Antara

Nusa Dua – ASEAN countries in the meeting with China, South Korea, and Japan (ASEAN +3 Meeting) in Bali on Thursday, urged South Korea and North Korea carry out the diplomacy effort to resolve their disputes.

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DENPASAR - Clashes between Kawan Hamlet, Bangli and Songan Village, Kintamani, Bangli resulting in one death, became a serious concern of police authority. To anticipate any subsequent clashes, at least 500 personnel were alerted to keep watch. Hundreds of those personnel were members of Crime Prevention Unit and Mobile Brigade of Bali Police, as well as helped by neighboring police, namely the Gianyar, Klungkung and

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of their battle ship. The incident which was happening in Cheonan in March 2010 killed 46 navy officers. The north denied their part in the incident but last November they attacked Yeonpyeong Island, near the border of both countries. It killed 4 people including 2 civilians and many afraid it could trigger war. Continued on page 6

Police to boost security in Bangli

CITY

SUNNY

“In the meeting with three partners of ASEAN, we discussed several regional issues including the conflict in Korea. We urge that they conduct meeting to solve their problem. We also hope that the six party talks can be carried out again,” said Indonesian Foreign Minister, Marty Natalegawa. The tension in Korea had been happening since South Korea accused North Korea sink one

Karangasem Police. Spokesperson of Bali Police, Hariadi, when asked for his confirmation on Wednesday (Jul 20) explained that police remained to carry out extra guard at the scene. Additionally, to curb the incident from getting more serious, his party also intensified the role of respective community leader. “We’re attempting to continuously create security and restore the situation to be more conducive,” he explained.

IBP/Pujawan

The condition of Bangli Regency after the riot between Kawan Hamlet and Songan Village. Clashes between Kawan Hamlet, Bangli and Songan Village, Kintamani, Bangli resulting in one death, became a serious concern of police authority.

International

Friday, July 22, 2011

Bali News

Indolent, rehabilitation after disasters Budget runs out for building Titab Bridge Singaraja (Bali Post)—

On the grounds of limited budget, the handling of post-disaster in Buleleng seemed indolent. Until now, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Buleleng just repaired a bridge at Titab Village, Busungbiu Subdistrict, collapsing due to flash floods in January 2011. Meanwhile, the damage to public facilities in other areas due to natural disaster was left on the grounds of busyness to submit funding proposals to National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Technical implementer of BPBD’s Head of Buleleng Regency, Putu Hartawan, accompanied by Division Head of Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Dewa Ketut Sarjana, said on Wednesday (Jul 20) the total budget received from BPBD of Buleleng Regency through Regional Budget was IDR 4.3 billion more. These funds included the operational cost of BPBD and post-disaster rehabilitation of natural and social disasters. To finance physical project, the fund was just allocated for the construction of new bridge at Titab Village worth IDR 975 million. Meanwhile, BPBD had not allocated fund for facility improvement at other villages. Conversely, BPDB was busy proposing a grant to rehabilitate infrastructural damages in other areas to central BNPB. “Our proposal has been verified by BNPB. We are still waiting for further decision whether the total proposal worth more than IDR 30 billion to fix in-

frastructure in field of irrigation, roads, streets and fields of environment can be approved,” he said. According to him, the fund allocation of Regional Budget was intended by BPBD for building bridge at Titab Village and realizing the stimulant assistance to repair homes that were severely damaged by a tornado disaster. Allocation of the funds would be directed to home repair for the victims of tornado in six subdistricts such as in Gerokgak, Busungbiu, Buleleng, Sawan, Sukasada and Tejakula amounting to 50 units with the planned allocation worth IDR 150 million. Additionally, BPBD also helped the victims of social disasters (house burning incident at Lemukih—Ed) worth IDR 133 million. “Stimulant help for the house affected by tornado and social assistance at Lemukih Village remains in a planning stage and it’s unknown when it will be realized,” he explained. (kmb/kmb15)

Up to mid year 2011

HIV infects 4,552 people in Bali SINCE the first case discovered in 1987 until the middle of 2011, HIV has infected 4,552 people in Bali. Based on the latest data from Bali Health Services, the most HIV cases are found in Denpasar infecting a total of 2007 people, or about 44.09 percent of all cases. It is then followed by Buleleng Regency (1,003), Badung (741), Tabanan (284), Gianyar (209), Karangasem (117), Jembrana (77), Klungkung (63) and Bangli (51). By age, HIV mostly afflicts the age group of 20-29 years as many as 2,013 people, then age group of 30-39 reaching 1,602 people. HIV also starts reaching the population under age 20, where it has been found the patient of 15-19 years age group amounting to 99 people, 5-14 years (10), 1-4 years (82) and under one year (42). Head of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) of Sanglah Hospital, Prof. Dr. Tuty Parwati, said the current HIV pa-

tients indeed started to shift to younger ages. There had been students under age 20 known to have been HIV positive. To that end, Tuty added that education about HIV/AIDS had to be provided to school students continuously. It should not be given partially, but in full so no one would have different perception among the students. So far, government had activated the Student Group Caring for AIDS and Drugs (KSPAN) including in the extracurricular and intra-curricular programs. “This activity should be more encouraged again, so that students can understand and know about the hazards of HIV/AIDS,” said Tuty. Besides, non-formal education given by parents at home also played a fundamental role for children used as protector in the social association. Without adequate education and competence, children would be more likely to commit acts that could potentially be infected by HIV such as sex and drugs. (san)

IBP/File

The civil servants in Denpasar going home from work.

Discipline of civil servants tend to decline Denpasar (Bali Post)—

The demand of community for public services by government is apparently far from expectation. Moreover, so far there has been a tendency if the discipline of civil servants has declined. On that account, civil servants are regularly provided with technical guidance, so they can minimize the decline in discipline. This matter was disclosed by Assistant II, Ketut Mister, in the midst of Technical Guidance implementation in Denpasar on Wednesday (Jul 20). It was the effort of Denpasar Municipality to improve its services to the community. Participants of the technical guidance consisted of the officials belonging to echelon III and IV undertaken by the Regional Employment Agency of Denpasar. Mayor of Denpasar, I.B. Rai D Mantra, in his written speech read by I Ketut Mister said that technical guidance was meant to socialize Government Regulation No.53/2010 concerning with discipline of civil servants and Regulation of the Head of State Employment Agency No.21/2010 concerning with the implementation of Government Regulation No. 53/2010. Furthermore, Rai Mantra stated that Government Regulation No.53/2010 needed to be known by each employee as it set forth the obligations, prohibitions and penalties if it was disobeyed by civil servants. By knowing the Government Regulation No.53/2010 it was expected not to breach but obeyed, conscientiously carried out the tasks and followed by sacrificing private interests for the sake of public interests.

Discipline was very important for civil servants in the midst of increasingly complex changes. Moreover, Denpasar faced urban communities having high intellectual level in which the awareness of their rights had increased. For that purpose, discipline posed an important key in providing better services. It was in accordance with the tagline of service of Denpasar Municipality namely Sewaka Dharma meaning to serve was an obligation. Mindset of civil servants should be changed in order they could really serve as a public servant. Such Technical Guidance was followed by 34 participants from echelon III and IV. It was expected to provide technical understanding on the administrative technique of disciplinary punishment imposition. Besides, it was also made into coordination among the officials dealing with staffing. The technical guidance presented keynote speakers from the Center for Education and Training of the State Employment Agency. Head of Education and Training Center, State Employment Agency, Made Ardita, said that socialization of Government Regulation No.53/2010 concerning with discipline of civil servants was required so that civil servants knew about discipline. In Government Regulation No. 53/2010 had been set forth that employees who often did not come to work, their absence would be accumulated within one year. If their absence exceeded the provisions within a year, they would be subject to sanctions. (kmb12)

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. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. 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: 0215357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

International

Bali News

Friday, July 22, 2011

Clashes among Bangli residents

Bali Tourism Office claims not to be influenced Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Mass clashes occurred in Bangli Regency and causing injuries were assessed by the Head of Bali Government Tourism Office, Ida Bagus Kade Subhiksu, not to have negative impact on Bali tourism so far though the incident occurred in the area heading for Kehen Temple and Penelokan, Kintamani. “Based on our observation, up to now there is no impact on tourism sector related to clashes in Bangli Regency causing a death toll. Reports from travel agencies mentioned there were no tourists postponing their visit to Bali,” said Kade Subhiksu in Denpasar, Wednesday (Jul 20). Nevertheless, Kade Subhiksu expected the residents getting involved in the clash incident could be reconciled and resolved by consensus. “Leading sector of Bali is tourism. If there is incident like this happening again, it will certainly affect the tourist visits. Aside from selling services, this sector also relies on the security factor,” he said. He said if security was disrupted, it was ascertained to have an impact on tourism sector, namely tourists would not be spending holiday to Bali. All elements of society were expected to jointly maintain the security. “Any problems or issues in society should be resolved by consensus. If it’s like this (incident), it’s very risky to tourism sector,” he said. Meanwhile, in a separate place, Governor of Bali Made Mangku Pastika expected the village officials and customary leaders to do introspection related to the case of clash between residents of Songan Village and Kawan Hamlet, Bangli Regency. “I expect that community leaders, village officials, bureaucracy and educators could prevent in order similar incident will not happen again in the future,” he said. He said the clashes of residents did not reflect the values of Balinese people today at all whereas so far Bali had become a model of harmony and tolerance, both in Indonesia and international community. “I am very sorry and embarrassed on hearing the clash incident. The matter of school children quarreling is a trivial thing, isn’t it? It’s fallacious if it should eventually involve the members of community. This goes up against the local values of Bali,” he said. (par)

Bali Generates 45,381 Tons Corn DENPASAR - Bali produces 45,381 tons dry corn on first round of January to April 2011. It decreased 8,97% or 4,471 tons rather than same period last year. It reached 49,852 tons corn. Decreasing corn production due to the rest of corn in 2010 is lower than the harvesting corn in early 2011. It delivered by the Head of Central Statistic Institution (BPS) Bali I Gede Suarsa in Denpasar on Wednesday. Further he said if the corn production in second round along May to August 2011 estimated getting 0,90% increase but it decreasing in the third round on September to December 2011 about 2,76%. The total corn production in Bali this year estimated will decrease about 7,11% as the result of corn plantation realization on January 2011 as much as 4,809 hectares. In the other side the corn plantation on second round and third round 2011 are not changing much rather than last year so it is not able to balance its decreasing corn product in first round. Gede Suarsa welcoming the innovation of Bali Government through local Agriculture division to help corn seed provision as much as 11,15 tons. It is being an effort to intensify plantation development. The corn seed had given to the farmers grouped in integrated cultural system (Simantri) as it formed this year as much as 100 units. The aid of corn seed ,according to the Head of Public Relation and Protocol Bali I Ketut Teneng, used to fulfill seed necessity towards the improvement of hundreds hectares area as interval plant. Some others planted by corn after they are harvesting paddy. The corn development and other horticulture plants like peanut, and soy arranged into twice per year for paddy and once per year for horticulture plants. Within this pattern, they wished able to return the soil’s fertility but it is also cutting the development of plant’s disease. In 2010 Bali is able to produce corn as much as 64,515 tons, it decreasing about 26,65% rather than last year’ production as much as 91,759 tons. Bali has major field as much as 81,400 hectares, said Ketut Teneng.

IBP/file

The Hindus attend the ceremony in Tanah Lot

Foreign tourists join in temple anniversary at Tanah Lot Temple Tabanan (Bali Post)—

Alluring beauty of Tanah Lot Temple does not only attract foreign tourists on normal days. During piodalan or temple anniversary, foreign tourists are also tempted to join the celebration as seen temple anniversary on Wednesday (Jul 20). A number of foreign tourists from various countries also thronged the temple at the village of Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan. Like other praying devotees, foreign tourists also used praying clothes when lining up at the temple entrance. Without awkwardness, they mingled and prayed in the temple. They began to throng the temples from the morning until noon. “Foreign tourists are always interested in joining the piodalan prayers. They are willing to participate in the worship although they have to jostle with local praying devotees,” said one of the ritual committees, Made Sujana. Tourists were allowed to enter after wearing praying costumes. During the temple anniversary, they were more interested in visiting Tanah Lot because they could go up to the temple as the sea waves was receding. Sujana also explained the temple anniversary was always waited by foreign guests as it was attended by thousands of Hindus.

View of the ritual atmosphere was also quite beautiful because people flocked to the temple after passing through the marine rocks. The opportunity was immortalized by many foreign tourists. Temple anniversary of Tanah Lot was held every Buda Wage Langkir or four days after Kuningan feast day. Praying devotees started their worship from the morning till night. The temple anniversary itself took place or nyejer for three days, namely until July 23 and ended with a closing ceremony or penyineban. The Hindus saying prayers were not only from Tabanan. Thousands of devotees from all over Bali also thronged the temple. Worship took place from 05:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Local Time and was led by temple priests from Beraban Customary Village. Nevertheless, praying devotees had been coming

from 04:00 a.m. to avoid the high tides. Crowdedness was visible at 10:00 a.m. while the peak occurred at 1:00 p.m. until midnight. Other than Tanah Lot Temple, anniversary was also organized in two other temples nearby, namely in the Batu Bolong and Penataran Temple. Excitement of the temple anniversary was not only thronged by local praying devotees. Domestic tourists from various cities throughout Indonesia also came to enjoy the rare moment. One day before the ceremony, it was preceded with ngebejian or purificatory rite to holy springs in the north of Tanah Lot Temple. This ceremony was intended to purify all sanctified effigies and ritual paraphernalia that would be used in the temple anniversary. In the ceremony was also staged the Rejang Dewa Dance by a dance studio from Beraban Village. (udi)

News

Friday, July 22, 2011

International

Egypt says no to foreign election monitors CAIRO — Egypt’s ruling generals say foreigners won’t be allowed to monitor upcoming elections but there will be Egyptian observers. The decision was announced Wednesday as the military unveiled a law setting guidelines for Egypt’s first post-revolution parliamentary vote.

AFP PHOTO/MOHAMED HOSSAM

A young Egyptian protester waves his national flag and shouts slogans in Cairo’s Tahrir Square on July 13, 2011.

Maj. Gen. Mamdouh Shaheen, a member of the military council that assumed control of the country after Hosni Mubarak stepped down, says the army will announce a date for the elections by the end of next month. He says there won’t be foreign monitors in order to protect the country’s sovereignty. In a notable change from Mubarak’s days, however, he says the judiciary will oversee the process, not the Interior Ministry — which often fixed the vote to help the ruling party. A key member of a panel drafting guidelines for Egypt’s next constitution said on Wednesday that most of the group’s 50 members object to giving the military a future role in politics. Legal expert Tahany el-Gibali said

the binding principles will have enough guarantees to protect the rights of all Egyptians while also safeguarding the civilian character of the state. The military’s future place in public life has become a fiercely debated issue in Egypt, with some viewing the army as a bulwark against Islamists rising to power and others as a pernicious force protecting its own deepseated interests and those of former President Hosni Mubarak’s ousted regime. The generals who have led Egypt since Mubarak’s fall on Feb. 11 are trying to enshrine a future role for themselves, possibly with the authority to intervene in politics. Their push appears to be driven by the military’s fear of losing the near-autonomous power it has enjoyed for almost 60 years.

Malawi: 8 dead in antigovernment demonstrations Associated Press Writer

BLANTYRE, Malawi — Violent anti-government demonstrations have left eight people dead, a local hospital said Thursday as angry protesters gathered for a second day in major cities around this southern African nation. A nurse at Mzuzu Central Hospital said the victims were shot with live ammunition and that many others were wounded. She spoke on condition of anonymity because she is not permitted to speak to journalists. The demonstrators have been protesting against persistent fuel and foreign exchange reserve shortages. President Bingu wa Mutharika is scheduled to address the nation later Thursday. Police said protesters had attacked businesses belonging to the president’s political allies. Eyewitness Patrice Banda said looters in the capital of Lilongwe also had targeted

shops belonging to ruling party officials. Mutharika, a 77-year-old former World Bank economist, was re-elected to a second term in 2009 in a landslide victory. Presidential elections are not due here again until 2014. Malawi’s political woes have prompted former ruler Britain to indefinitely suspend aid to the impoverished country. British officials expressed concern about economic management and a crackdown on human rights. Opposition politicians and several local journalists told The Associated Press on Wednesday they had also been assaulted by police. Police confirmed that several civil society leaders were briefly detained for questioning during the unrest. On Wednesday, Madonna, who has adopted two children from the country and plans to build schools there, said she hoped Malawi would find a peaceful way out of its troubles. A protester burns vegetation in a street in Lilongwe, Malawi, Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Protesters went on the rampage after a court injunction stopped them protesting the economic and democratic crisis in the country.

AP Photo/Diane Boles

Terror site’s Sydney Opera House pic prompts alert Associated Press Writer

SYDNEY — Police on Thursday cautioned Australians to be vigilant after an al-Qaida-linked online magazine published a picture of Sydney’s iconic Opera House, and expressed concern about its influence on the local Islamic community. “If you thought the terrorism risk had diminished and gone away, then you are wrong,” said Andrew Scipione, head of state police in New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital. “We should never become complacent when it comes to preventing acts of terrorism — so it is a really important wake-up call for us all,” he said. Police are unclear about the significance of the Sydney Opera House photograph appearing in the latest issue of Inspire, an English-language online magazine published by associates of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. The picture was carried without any comment or reference point. The photo came to police attention af-

ter it was posted earlier this week, and local media reported on it Thursday. The magazine cover features a picture of late al-Qaida leader Osama Bin Laden. The Opera House picture is on page 35 of the 61-page publication and serves as the cover of a section that includes lessons on how to use an AK-47 rifle and how to make bombs. The image is accompanied with the title “Open Source Jihad.” Below it are the words, “In this section: Training with AK (Part 3) Making Acetone Peroxide.” Australia, an isolated island continent, has been largely untouched by terrorism, unlike other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, especially neighboring Indonesia. Bombings on its tourist island of Bali in 2002 killed 202 people, 88 of them Australian. New South Wales counter-terrorism chief Peter Dein said there was no evidence the Sydney Harbor-side Opera House was under threat and speculated the publishers might have just wanted to spread fear.

Activities

International

Friday, July 22, 2011

Quest Hotel Kuta Central Park

Official accommodation sponsor Bali Muaythai Grand Match 2011 IBP

DENPASAR - Quest Hotel Kuta Central Park had proudly participating in another International Event, which held in Bali by The Baan Muay Thai Club Jakarta. As one of the pioneers of Muaythai gym in Indonesia, they take an initiative to be the host of the first professional Muay Thai match and festival in Indonesia. Bali Muay Thai Grand Match 2011; held in Seminyak beach on July 9th, 2011, featuring all top five Muay Thai athletes from its origin country, Thailand, competing with best Muay Thai athletes from Asia. All preparation before the battle was organized in Quest Hotel Kuta Central Park, start from exercise in Kuta beach, until Pre-event gala Lunch and Dinner in Lotus Pond Restaurant. Quest Hotel Kuta Central Park has ensured all participants have the proper accommodation facility and services required by the organizing committee represented by Mr. Frans Mohede. All committee and participants not only provided with all cool, clean and comfy rooms based on quest hotel main idea and concept, but also completed with a restful and quite area in accordance with their requests so they have maximum and qualified rest time to recharge their stamina after their hard-battle.

Temple Ceremony Calendar Event for July 9 through August 6, 2011 09 Jul Pura Catur Buana Sanding, Tampaksiring - Gianyar 10 Jul Pura Peninjoan

26 Jul Pura Puseh, Pura Desa Batua, Sukawati - Gianyar Pura Pasek Bendesa Kekeran Mengwi - badung Pura Manik Mas Besakih - Karangasem

Besakih - Karangasem

16 Jul Pura pasek Gelgel Kukuh,Marga - Tabanan Pasek Gelgel Dukuh Selemadeg - Tabanan Pasek Gelgel Mambang Selemadeg - Tabanan Pura Puseh, Pura Desa Guwang, Sukawati - Gianyar Pura Dalem Setra Batununggul Sewana,Nusa Penida Klungkung Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Gelgel Ketewel - Gianyar 17 Jul Aci-aci Penaung Taluh di Penataran Besakih Karangasem Pura Gunung Kuripan Lombok Pura Tirta Besakih - Karangasem Pura Purnama Camenggaon,Sukawati - Gianyar Pura Amerta Jati Komplek ALRI, Cinere - Jakarta Sel. Pura Jagatnatha Singaraja Pura Dang Hyang Tulus Dewa Apuan,Susut - Bangli Pura Jagathitha Selong - Lombok Timur Pura Agung Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Gobleg,Banjar - Buleleng Pura Desa, Pura Puseh Batur, Kitamani - Bangli Pura Asah (Alas Arum) Batur,Kintamani - Bangli Pura Dalem Kedewatan Celuk,Sukawati - Gianyar Pura Agung Mandara Giri Gunung Semeru - Lumajang, Jatim Pura Pengubengan Besakih - Karangasem Penataran Agung Sukawati - Gianyar Pura Bukit Mentik Gunung Lebah,Batur,Kintamani Bangli Merajan A. Puser Jagat Meranting Batukandik,Nusa Penida - Klungkung 23 Jul Merajan Pasek Gaduh Kayubihi - Bangli

30 Jul Pura Kepisah Sumerta - Denpasar Pura Pasek Gelgel Gerih, Abiansemal - Badung Pura Puncaksari Penarukan, Peninjoan- Bangli Pura Anteg Sari Br Dangin Pangkung, Kediri-Tabanan Pura Bangun Sakti Besakih - Karangasem Pura Pesimpangan Batur Pande Dangin Pangkung, Kediri Tabanan 01 Aug Odalan Ida Ratu Geng PenataranBesakih - Karangasem Ida Ratu Raja Puraus Mr. Saloding Besakih - Karangasem 03 Aug Pura Panti Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Kayuputih,Banjar Buleleng 05 Aug Pura Tirtaharum Tegalwangi - Bangli Pura Beratan Baturiti - Tabanan Pura Batu Klotok Lepang - Klungkung Pura Pasek Tohjiwa Wanasari - Tabanan Pura Pasek Tangguntiti Jakatebel - Tabanan Pura Pasek Bendesa Sangsit,Sawan - Buleleng Pura Dalem Waturenggong Tarokaja,Tegallalang - Gianyar Pura Ibu (Pura Kaja) Wanagiri Selemadeg - Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Tulikup - Gianyar Pura Mnik Bingin Ds Dukuh,Sidemen - Karangasem 06 Aug Pura Penataran Gana Bebalang - Bangli Pura Dalem Gede Banjar Pande - Bangli Pura Puncak Sari Abiansemal - Badung Pasek Dadia A. Sanak Sapta Resi Peteluan,Sidan - Gianyar Pura Puseh Penegil Darma Kubutambahan - Buleleng Pura Dalem Maya Br Teruna,Blahbatuh - Gianyar

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 “umbulumbul”, 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.

News

Friday, July 22, 2011

Japan court gives life sentence to Briton’s killer Associated Press Writer

CHIBA, Japan — A Japanese man was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for raping and killing a young British teacher four years ago, closing one of Japan’s highest-profile criminal cases after he evaded arrest and even performed cosmetic surgery on himself to escape detection. The Chiba District Court ordered Tatsuya Ichihashi to spend life behind bars for killing 22year-old English teacher Lindsay Hawker, whose body was found

in a dirt-filled bathtub on Ichihashi’s apartment balcony outside Tokyo. The judge said Ichihashi showed no respect for her life and

AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi

Bill Hawker, center, father of slain British teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker, speaks to the media, with his wife Julia, right, in front of the building of Chiba public prosecutors office after the trial of Tatsuya Ichihashi who was accused of raping and murdering their daughter, in Chiba, east of Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, July 21, 2011.

committed a heinous crime but at age 32, still has a slight chance of being rehabilitated. He could have been sentenced to death by hanging. Hawker’s father, who had said the family wanted the maximum punishment, said after the verdict they were pleased to finally get justice. Ichihashi evaded a nationwide police search for two and half years and wrote a book after his 2009 arrest describing his time on the run and the extensive cosmetic surgery he underwent to change his appearance. Ichihashi said when his trial began on July 4 that he had enticed Hawker into his apartment, raped and then strangled her because he feared her screams would prompt neighbors to call the police. Although he confessed to causing her death, he said he did not plan to murder Hawker and that he did not remember when he actually strangled her. Judge Masaya Hotta, however, said Ichihashi had a clear murder intent because he suffocated her to death hours later when she started calling for help and demanded he release her. Hotta said it was “common sense” for anyone to assume that blocking one’s airway for several minutes would cause a death. “The victim was raped, with her dignity violated and life taken away while going through unbearable pain. At age 22, her future was taken away,” the judge said in a closing statement. “The defendant showed no respect to her life and the crime is heinous.”

Nepal landslides kill Dutchman, 12 locals Agence France Presse

A Dutchman and at least a dozen locals have been killed in Nepal by landslides caused by monsoon rains, an army spokesman said Thursday. Chris Van

Ravesbery was trekking in Syafrubeshi, north of the capital Kathmandu, on Wednesday afternoon when a landslide buried him. An army rescue team found his body. At least 12 Nepalese were also

killed on Wednesday in five different places by landslides after heavy monsoon rains. A 17-year-old schoolgirl in Godavari, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, died when her house was buried in debris.

AP Photo

In this July 19, 2011 photo, a leopard attacks a forest guard at Prakash Nagar village near Salugara, on the outskirts of Siliguri, India.

Leopard mauls 11 in fierce fight at Indian village Associated Press Writer

KOLKATA, India — A snarling leopard mauled 11 people in an Indian village and terrorized wildlife officials trying to drive it away before it was tranquilized and died of injuries from the fierce showdown. Forestry officials were forced to flee, dive for cover and even climb up on a jeep to escape the adult, male leopard’s attacks in West Bengal state. At one point, the big cat leapt through the air, fangs bared, and tackled a man, clutching him in its giant paws as it knocked him off the wall he was standing on. The wildlife officials — wearing protective helmets and carrying batons and tranquilizer guns — had hoped to drive the cat into a nearby wildlife sanctuary after it wandered into the village near Siliguri, about 373 miles (600 kilometers) from Kolkata. But the leopard stood its ground, crouching on a wall, hissing and attacking those who came near. It injured six villagers, a policeman and four forest guards before being hit with a tranquilizer gun Tuesday. The people are recovering from their injuries, mostly swipes from the cat’s claws. Forest official Dharma Dev Rai says villagers used knives, stones and batons to beat back the cat. The cat died within hours after the showdown, and a post mortem is being conducted. Leopards are protected in India, though more are straying into villages for food.

ASEAN... From page 1 Before, the Chief of Joint Military Staff of US, Admiral Mike Mullen urged China which is the

ally of North Korea to make sure the regional stability and warn the country about their provocation. China is also a member of the Six Party Talks which is focusing on disarm of the North Korea’s nuclear weapon.

Police... From page 1 To create conducive situation, the role of local community leaders was very necessary. Likewise, police would take preventive measures. “Bali Police Chief has ordered his staff to improve security at the scene. Of course, the troops had been alerted at the scene,” he explained. Furthermore, it was said that at least 20 people had been secured in Bangli Police Headquarters to be

examined. Three people from Songan Village whose names were not mentioned had been secured. They alleged to have triggered the unrest. “There is possibility that additional people to be examined,” he said. Meanwhile, so far police had seized some evidences like a spear, 2 kris daggers, 2 sickles, 3 crowbar, a machete and two bamboo spears. (kmb21)

International

Indonesia Today

Clinton urged to press Indonesia on military abuse Associated Press Writer

JAKARTA — Human Rights Watch says U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should use her visit to Indonesia to press it for genuine military reform. The New York-based group noted last year Washington restored ties with a special unit accused of widespread abuses in recognition of improvements since the 1998

ouster of the country’s dictator Suharto. That removed the last real barrier to full-fledged military ties. Elaine Pearson of Human

Rights Watch said Indonesia since then has shown little commitment to punishing soldiers involved in atrocities. She says Clinton should use her visit to speak out. Earlier this year, three soldiers got less than 10 months in jail after video showed them burning one suspect’s genitals and threatening another with a knife.

Oirata, Favorite Tourist Village In Maluku OIRATA village on Kisar Island in Maluku Barat Daya (MBD) district, Maluku Province, has in the past several years been a favorite and idyllic destination for foreign tourists. In its spice island adventure voyage of discovery from Darwin, Australia, MV Orion cruise ship, with hundreds of Australian, New Zealand, and even Dutch tourists, was again fortunate to come alongside the wharf of Nama beach port on the west coast of Kisar island on Saturday, July 16, 2011. MV Orion from Australia with tourists from various countries has during the past four years made Nama beach part of its regular ports of call to visit the village of Oirata. After berthing at Nama beach and completing formalities on Saturday, the tourists eventually got off the ship and made their way to a convoy of local cars, waiting to take them to Wonreli town for a welcome ceremony. In small groups with local guides the tourists were invited to explore Kisar‘s history including the remnant architecture from the Dutch period over 400 years, and then ushered to Oirata village. Arriving at Oirata village, the tourists were entertained with colorful local traditional Cakalele war dance, led by Lonwerwara Tilukay. Besides, they also had the opportunity to see a number of activities including “sopi” alcoholic drink distilling, brown sugar making from Koli palm trees, and Ikat weaving for sale. “Magnificent!. We want to stay longer here in Oirata, Kisar, but unfortunately we have very limited time,” Marieke Egan, a Holland tourist, said as quoted by Musa Wedilen. Over his cellular phone from Oirata, Musa Wedilen told Antara in Jakarta that the tourists enjoyed their visit so much in Oirata village in specific, and Kisar island in general. Musa said one of the tourists

from Australia, Max mcGuire, admitted that he was deeply impressed with the way how the local people make brown sugar and sopi from Koli palm trees that grow well in the island of Kisar. Meanwhile, Joseph (Oce) Kamanasa, a local youth figure, said Kisar island where Wonreli, Maluku Barat Daya district capital is located, was once forgotten and out of reach for years. As part of Maluku‘s southwestern islands, Kamanasa said Kisar was in the past one of the remotest and least accessible in all Indonesia, but now it was no longer isolated. To date it has basically a few facilities such as accommodations and restaurants for visitors, but some fine beaches and snorkeling spots of course can still be found there. It might be the reason why Kisar has since the past four years been a regular port of call for the Australian cruise ship. Geographically, Kisar is closer to Australian continent and culturally nearer to Timor Leste and has a real Timorese feel to it, with villages scattered in the dry, scrubby interior rather than along the coast. Sights are limited to a very few colonial buildings such as a ruined old church at Leklor village, Fort Vollenhove at Nama beach, and Fort Delftshaven at Kaisama village which are the most impressive for foreign visitors. Some of the finest “Ikat Weavings” are found in Kisar, and the best of these are made by the people of Oirata village with some of unique traditional-style houses left. Kamanasa said that from Oirata, the tourists them made their way to traditional market in Wonreli, the old Dutch church in Leklor, and the old Delfshaven Fort in Kaisama village. Under its expedition calendar in its website: www.orionexpeditions.com/, the Australian cruise ship revisited

Kisar as part of its eleven-night Spice island adventure from July 14-25, 2011. Previously known as “the Moluccas”, the Maluku region is truly a collection of forgotten islands located just north of Australia. Sitting between New Guinea and Timor Leste, it is part of Wallacea, the legendary deep water area that separates the Australian and Asian continent plates. The southwest corner of Maluku is virtually inaccessible but is home to numerous stunning islands with fringing reefs and ancient culture. Very few outsiders have ever set foot on these islands and a unique experience is guaranteed as the MV Orion‘s crew members and guests discover the “Forgotten Islands” of Maluku. Their visit in July this year was the tiny island of Kisar which serves as their official entry point into the archipelago. Kisar has over 400 years of European history and despite being only a few hundred miles off the coast of Australia, its European history is virtually unknown. From Kisar, the MV Orion will then set sail to the island of Alor, identified by the East Nusa Tenggara Provincial authorities as having the most potential for tourism development in the future. But today apart from some ecoresorts catering for SCUBA divers there is no infrastructure to support such a development. MV Orion in Alor will anchor close to the small but bustling town of Kalabahi in order to access both the town and the interior of the island to visit a traditional village in the mountains to witness some of its lifestyle first hand. The voyage of the Australian cruise ship to Kisar, Alor, and some of the most wonderful but rarely seen places on earth will include Maumere, Komodo Island, Waingapu in Sumba Island, Savu, and Nusa Manuk in the Indonesia‘s southernmost island of Rote, and then back to Darwin. (Antara)

Friday, July 22, 2011

TNI not to support any presidential candidate in 2014 Antara

JAKARTA - National Defense Forces (TNI) commander Admiral Agus Suhartono said TNI members would not support any candidate in the presidential election in 2014. “The TNI will not be involved in supporting candidates. This means it will remain neutral,” he said here on Wednesday in response to a statement by the Association of Army Retirees (PPAD) regarding a foreign embassy that had requested it to nominate former finance minister Sri Mulyani as a candidate for the presidential election in 2014. No high ranking officer would give support to Sri Mulyani, he said after attending a working meeting of the National Border Management Agency (BNPP). “It is common for officers to gather such as during morning or afternoon roll calls. If there is any-

one asking for support we will not meet it,” he said. The PPAD revealed that a foreign party through an embassy had offered to promote Sri Mulyani as a candidate for the presidential election in 2014. The PPAD chief, retired lieutenant general Soerjadi, said on Tuesday the offer was made directly by an embassy official who had come to meet with a number of retirees in Jakarta some time ago. “Around three weeks ago an embassy provoked several retired high ranking officers to nominate Sri Mulyani. They added the TNI would do the same,” Soerjadi said. The polemics on figures for the 2014 presidential election had emerged due to the country‘s uncertain conditions. “Right now Indonesia needs a savior. People have become impatient to wait until 2014. The governance has deviated from the independence ideals,” the former army chief of staff said.

President, Legislators discuss social security bill Antara

JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono and the House of Representatives (DPR) leaders met at the State Guest House on Wednesday to discuss the Social Security Management Agency (BPJS) bill. “The president, vice president and the DPR leadership, which includes the House speaker and his deputies, among other things discussed the bill on the formation of a Social Security Management Agency (BPJS),” presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said at the State Palace here on Wednesday. The presidential spokesman declined to disclose details of the matters discussed at the meeting between the president and the House leadership. He only said that the deadline for the deliberations on the bill would be reached soon. “The House will explain it. I think we should just wait for it together,” Julian said. The meeting between the president and the House leadership took place behind closed doors for two hours beginning at 10 a.m. Earlier, the House‘s BPJS Special Committee and the government in a working meeting

agreed to submit a proposal to the DPR plenary that the time-line for deliberations on the bill be extended to the DPR‘s next sitting. “The DPR`s Special Committee on the bill and the government agreed to propose to the plenary that the time allotted for deliberations on the bill be extended to the House`s next sitting,” chairman of the House`s Special Committee, Ahmad Nizar Shibah, said here on Sunday night. Ahmad was reading out the conclusions of the working meeting between the government and the House special committee. The other conclusion of the working meeting was that the government had accepted the report of the working committee on the bill on the social security management agency. “The Special Committee and the government agreed to accept the report of the working committee on condition that point 2g of the report should be dropped,” Ahmad said. Point 2g concerns the transformation of four state-owned social security firms, namely PT Taspen, PT Asabri, PT Askes and PT Jamsostek. The transformation of the four state-owned companies had sparked polemics and was rejected by a number of interest groups in society.

International

Friday, July 22, 2011

Bali Today Balinese women:

In devotional services through the arts

IBP/Net

The photo shows Bleganjur performance. The Balinese art of instrument that calls Bleganjur performed by artists from Yasa Putra Sedana Payangan Foundation, Gianyar Regency, participates in the opening Folklores Festival in France.

Balinese instrument participates in France Parade Antara

DENPASAR – The Balinese art of instrument that calls Bleganjur performed by artists from Yasa Putra Sedana Payangan Foundation, Gianyar Regency, participates in the opening Folklores Festival in France. During the show, according to the head of art troupe, Dewa Rai Budiasa, France people very enthusiast with the performance. The cultural event was held in conjunction with reception to welcomed artists from various countries, such as Mexico, South Africa, Iran, Hungary, Brazil, Irish, and France. The artists from Bali performed very attractive and able to compete with other performances that show by other art-

ists. Dewa Rai stated that he is very proud able to participated on such big event and introduced Balinese art performance as a tool to promote Indonesia tourism overseas. According to him, the troupe consists of 30 artists that went to France and also travelling around Europe since 8 July to 22 August. They went there on behalf of Folklores Festival committee invitation.

The main reason Balinese artists join the festival was to show Balinese dance performance and giving workshop in eight cities in France. Almost three weeks in France, Dewa Rai said that the troupe got a warm welcome from her people. Besides France, the troupe also went to Belgium and performed there. ‘’The people of Belgium are very enthusiast about our performance,” stated Dewa Rai.

Beauty can stop everyone’s eyes flickering. Beauty of the kid song can lullaby a baby. Similarly, beauty also can toss the imagination, soothe the mind and draw people to get near. Bali has many sources of that beauty offering the charm of nature, culture or adventure. By maintaining traditions inspired by Hinduism, Balinese people go on running in harmony with the time. In other words, they do not feel inferior because of inheriting those traditions. Beauty in the form of various dance movements has been introduced since early ages. On seeing a dance staged, a toddler may watch it attentively or its fingers move and move as if imitating the movement of the dance. Virtually all customary villages in Bali have gamelan troupe. This troupe plays important role in expressing their entertainment arts and accompanying every ritual activity. This existence gives opportunity to villagers from child to adult to express their artistic talent especially in dance, drama and gamelan arts. Young girls under twelve or elementary school age have a chance to participate in performing Rejang Dance. By wearing white and yellow costumes and floral decoration on head, they dance beautifully accompanied by gamelan music. Rejang Dance is one of the sacred dances performed in relation to the organization of temple anniversary or odalan. Other than putting a basic love to their tradition, they also show devotional service or ngatur ayah through the arts. When they grow older, right on entering secondary school, they join customary village youth club or Sekaa Taruna. Here, with their male friends and their brothers and sisters start to learn about organization. Many things can be learned through this organization. Since it has affiliation to customary village, they can learn about the making of some simple oblation under guidance of senior oblation maker and various traditional arts. In Bali, this youth club actually play important role in preparing young generation to maintain their valuable cultural heritages or to prepare themselves for inheriting customary responsibility. With their male counterpart, here the young girls also learn to play drama or more complex traditional arts. Popular genres of performance showed are pure entertainment and the one in combination with sacred dance. The latter usually features Calonarang. This magical drama involves a combination of male and female players. In essence, this Calonarang drama highlights the endless fight between truth and untruth symbolizing by sanctified effigies or tapakan like Rangda and Barong. By and large, it is also associated with ritual events at local temple. In the following stage, when woman gets married she will enter the new organization, namely customary village. Having learned much about ritual works, it is now the time to practice them in wider social life. They should attend some socio-religious activities when the events engage the members of customary village. At this stage, household mother can remain to show her devotional service through the arts other than social works. Through the arts, they may join the drama or individual psalmodic singing or pasantian. How is about their private life? It is normal as others. They also have opportunity to build career in their profession. In modern life with heterogeneous professions as today, woman also works as men do. Traditions do not impede them to reach outstanding achievement in selfemployee or office job. If they work at daytime, some social works will be held at the evening. Tradition is not something obsolete. Even, it retains abundant inspirations to create something new and creative that is advantageous for modern life. However, traditions should also be reviewed and adjust to the current condition without leaving behind its core. Tradition does not hinder women to get their career achievement. Even, it stays to give them a channel to express their spiritual sense through devotional services. (BTN/punia)

International

Friday, July 22, 2011

Balinese Culture Ombak Bali Surf Film Festival officially opens IBP

DENPASAR - Ombak Bali Surf Film Festival kicked off with a huge crowd and an amazing vibe, setting the tone for four fabulous action filled nights of the best and latest in surf movies and live music.

Courtesy of Ombak Bali

People crowded the opening of Ombak Bali Surf Film Festival.

Ombak Bali International Surf Film Festival takes centre stage right on the beach in Seminyak, and opening night saw La Plancha packed with surf and cinema lovers who enjoyed the inspiring environmental film Protect Our Waves, and the impressive Irish short film Dark Side Of The Lens. The main film of the night was the Asian premiere of Splinters; all eyes were glued to the big screen with this innovative and compelling documentary about the battle for surf supremacy that took over a small community in Papua New Guinea. Three more fascinating films will be screened tonight, starting at sunset with “Surfing Dolphins” an absolute visual spectacular documenting the most graceful of sea creatures as they ride the waves. The second film represents a change of pace and gives the opportunity to follow the big wave hunters across the globe in “Chasing The Swell”. The main film of the evening is “Who’s J.O.B”, a documentary about controversial pro surfer Jamie O’Brien, the undisputed King of Pipeline. The beach vibe continues with live music from reggae band Ulu Roots from Uluwatu. Not to miss this year are the historic wood surf boards brought by the Half King Surf Collective.

DENPASAR - Bali Safari and Marine Park (BSMP) being awarded as the Best Partner on 2010 from Directorate General of Natural Conservation Forestry Department. BSMP win the category of The Best Conservation Agency. The award was accepted by Taman Safari Indonesia Director Frans Manansang as the representative of BSMP

(Mixed Vegetables With Grated Coconut) INGREDIENTS: 100 gr (3 ½ oz) blanched cabbage 100 gr (3 ½ oz) spinach, blanched

BSMP Awarded Best Partner by Forestry Department IBP

JUKUT URAB

100 gr (3 ½ oz) long beans cut in 32,5 cm (line) pieces, blanched 100 gr (3 ½ oz) bean sprouts, blanched 1 large red chili, sliced

on July 18, in Jakarta. The award was delivered by Minister of Forestry Zulkifli Hasan, SE, MM. Manansang said that the award will give encouragement and support for conservation agency to doing their job. During the same occasion, Bali’s Leucopsar Rothschildi Association (APCB) head by Tony Sumampau, who also the director of BSMP, received award as the agent that conserve Bali’s Leucopsar Rothschildi.

1 tbsp grated coconut 2 tbsp fried shallots

DRESSINGS: 2 tbsp fried shallots 2 tbsp sliced garlic clove 1 large red chili, seeded and sliced 2 tsp fried chili (Sambal Sereh Tabia) 3 fragrant lime leaves, very finely sliced 4 cm (1½ in) kencur, peeled & chopped ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper ½ teaspoon white sugar 1 tablespoon oil

PREPARATION: 1. Cut cabbage into pieces about 2,5 cm by 1 cm (1 in by ½ in). 2. Combine all vegetables, chili, grated coconut and fried shallots in salad bowl and mix well. For the dressing: Combine all ingredients and mix well in separate bowl. Mix the dressing thoroughly with the vegetables; season to taste with salt, pepper and limejuice. Serve at room temperature. (www.baliguide.com/balifood) C.045 ibp

Destinations

Friday, July 22, 2011

International

Suluban beach IBP

Suluban Beach is one of the places of interest belonging to Badung regency. It is known for its beautiful beach along with amazing wave; best for surfing. The natural beauty of the southern tip of Bali’s highland with its hollowing waves and peaceful surroundings has attracted more and more visitors to enjoy its serenity and peacefulness. The water is also clear. Located a few kilometers north of the ancient temple of Uluwatu, the beach is facing the vast Indian Ocean. From the parking area one must descend down stairs and pass through long narrow gap of cliff before reaching the large waves make it one of the best places for surfing in all of Bali, as surfing lovers throughout the world have already discovered. This beach is located not so far to the north of Uluwatu, adjacent

to the surf beach Bingin and Labuhan Sait. Suluban derived from the Balinese language “Mesulub” which means “to run or pass under something.” Suluban Beach named, because visitors who want to go there must go through a rock cave on the beach before finally reaching abroad, white sand with the waves roaring fun for surfers. Coastal sea water is very clear and the waves are high enough, so that is the best known beach among surfers. In the afternoon, we could see a beautiful sunset views. Some tourism facilities such as restaurants, bars, surf equipment rental and repair shop is available. This beach is not too crowded like Kuta or Dreamland. It is so very romantic to spend time with your partner or a walk with the family. On the rocks there is a gazebo that allows us to take photos with perfect and is the best place to look around.

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Friday, July 22, 2011

BUSINESS Germany, France reach deal on euro debt crisis Associated Press Writer

BERLIN — Germany and France have overcome differences over how to combat the continent’s debt crises ahead of what many in the markets are terming a make or break summit of EU leaders Thursday. The leaders of the eurozone’s biggest economies held last-ditch talks for seven hours in Berlin Wednesday amid mounting pressure to come up with a wide-ranging solution to Greece’s debt problems and prevent the crisis spreading to much bigger economies such as Spain or Italy. Despite indications earlier this week that a solution may not emerge, some sort of deal appears to have been thrashed out between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. In a statement early Thursday, Sarkozy’s office said the two “reached agreement on a common Franco-German position. Merkel’s spokesman, Steffen Seibert, also confirmed an agreement, adding that the leaders also extensively discussed the situation with the European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet and, over the phone, with EU President Herman Van

Rompuy. Seibert did not provide details on the agreement either. No further details were offered but the hope in the markets is that Greece will be in line with a fresh loan to see it through the coming years and that some sort of mechanism on how to get the banks involved in the country’s second bailout has been agreed. News of the agreement appeared to help bank shares: in early Frankfurt trading, Deutsche Bank shares were up 0.3 percent at euro37.80 ($54.24) while those of Commerzbank shares 2.1 percent to euro2.56. Gary Jenkins, an economist with Evosecurities, said speculation over the specifics includes the option of a levy on European banks that could be used to pay for a buyback of Greek debt, and another option under which holders of shorter-term Greek bonds would be encouraged to swap them for 30 year bonds.

The bank levy proposal, which has been doing the rounds in recent days, has been controversial but Jenkins said “politicians could argue that by paying a tax these institutions are in a better position than they would have been under a default as it avoids all the complications of the latter.” German public broadcaster ARD reported that Merkel and Sarkozy agreed upon how to structure privatesector involvement in the rescue package, details of which are expected to be circulated among EU leaders later. Before the announcement, Germany had reined in expectations that anything “spectacular” would emerge at Thursday’s emergency summit while France had pushed for a strong, long-term aid plan for Greece. The International Monetary Fund urged the EU to get a handle on the crisis or else face the consequences.

IMF says property bubble in China a concern Reuters

WASHINGTON - The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday it remains concerned with the potential for a property price bubble in China even though the country’s elevated inflation rate may peak within the next month or two. While efforts by China to cool the real estate sector have reduced transaction volumes and property price increases, prices in some larger cities still look “bubbly,” Nigel Chalk, IMF mission chief to China, told reporters while discussing the IMF’s annual health check of the Chinese economy. “As long as the cost of financing is low and other investment options are sparse, the propensity for property bubbles will remain and the government will have to take progressively tighter administrative measures to stem demand and dampen house price inflation,” the IMF review said. Chalk said China could address the risk of recurring property price bubbles by raising the cost of capital,

introducing property taxes and developing alternate household savings vehicles. While inflation, which has become a pressing social and economic issue in China, was set to ease in coming months, unpredictable shocks from higher food and commodity prices were a risk that could push inflation higher again, the fund said. Some part of current inflation was likely being suppressed by administrative measures, it cautioned, adding: “This may stifle the appropriate supply response to higher prices and could lead to the inflationary dynamic showing more inertia and persistence during this cycle.” He said Chinese officials had raised during discussions the issue of high public debt in the United States, Britain and elsewhere as a risk that could impact Chinese policies going forward. Beijing has pressed the United States to take “responsible” measures to boost market confidence in the dollar and U.S. government debt, underscoring investor worries that Washington could default on its debt unless law-

makers raise a $14.3 trillion debt ceiling by an August 2 deadline. The IMF repeated that the Chinese currency “remains substantially” below medium-term fundamentals. It said allowing the yuan currency to rise was vital for planned financial reforms and rebalancing demand in China. A footnote in the report by an IMF internal group put the yuan as undervalued somewhere between 3 percent to 23 percent against a basket of currencies, depending on the type of methodology used to calculate its value. For the first time ever, the IMF has this year evaluated how policies of five largest economies including China, the United States, Euro zone, Japan and Britain are affecting the global economy. It said China’s exchange rate regime alone may only have modest direct effects in tackling global economic imbalances. But the undervaluation of the currency held back progress in promoting economic rebalancing within China, away from an export-led growth model toward more domestic consumption.

Entire Apple stores being faked in China Associated Press Writer

BEIJING — At first, it looks like a sleek Apple store. Sales assistants in blue T-shirts with the company’s logo chat to customers. Signs advertising the iPad 2 hang from the white walls. Outside, the famous logo sits next to the words “Apple Store.” And that’s the clue it’s fake. China, long known for producing counterfeit consumer gadgets, software and brand name clothing, has reached a new piracy milestone — fake Apple stores. An American who lives in Kunming in southern Yunnan province said Thursday that she and her husband stumbled on three shops masquerading as bona fide Apple stores in the city a few days ago. She took photos and posted them on her BirdAbroad blog. The three stores are not among the authorized resellers listed on Apple Inc.’s website. The maker of the iPhone and other hit gadgets has four company stores in China — two in Beijing and two in Shanghai — and various official resellers. Apple’s Beijing office declined to comment. The proliferation of the fake stores underlines the slow progress that China’s government is making in countering a culture of a rampant piracy and widespread production of bogus goods that is a major irritant in relations with trading partners. China’s Commerce Minister promised American executives earlier this year that the latest in a string of crackdowns on product piracy would deliver lasting results. The 27-year-old blogger, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the set-up of the stores was so convincing that the employees themselves seemed to believe they worked for Apple. “It looked like an Apple store. It had the classic Apple store winding staircase and weird upstairs sitting area. The employees were even wearing those blue T-shirts with the chunky Apple name tags around their necks,” she wrote on her blog. “But some things were just not right: the stairs were poorly made. The walls hadn’t been painted properly. Apple never writes ‘Apple Store’ on its signs — it just puts up the glowing, iconic fruit.” A worker at the fake Apple store on Zhengyi Road in Kunming, which most of the photos of the BirdAbroad blog show, told The Associated Press that they are an “Apple store” before hanging up. The manager of an authorized reseller in Kunming, who gave only his surname, Zhang, said most customers have no idea the stores are fake. Some of the staff in the stores “can’t even operate computers properly or tell you all the functions of the mobile phone,” he said. “There are more and more of these fake stores in Kunming. Although they may sell real Apple products, some of those products were not imported through legal means. And they cost more.” Fake Apple stores are a “particularly egregious example” of brand piracy but their emergence is not surprising given the amount of product counterfeiting faced by corporations such as Apple, said Ted Dean, president of BDA China Ltd., a telecoms market research company. He said a challenge for mobile phone companies and others selling branded products across a country as big as China is how to manage distribution, especially to smaller cities. “And then, making sure people aren’t copying it, faking it ... is absolutely a challenge,” said Dean, who once saw a fake Apple phone in China that had an Apple logo — but with no bite taken out of it. Apple said this week that China was “very key” to its record earnings and revenue in the quarter that ended in June. Revenue was up more than 600 percent from a year earlier to $3.8 billion in the area comprising China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Timothy Cook, according to a transcript of a conference call on Tuesday. “I firmly believe that we’re just scratching the surface right now. I think there is an incredible opportunity for Apple there,” Cook said. The company plans to open two more Apple stores in greater China — one in Shanghai and another in Hong Kong — by the end of the year.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Entertainment

International

Beatles’ 1st US concert photos fetch $360K in NYC Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK — In 1964, an enterprising 18year-old snapped pictures of the Beatles’ momentous first U.S. concert in Washington, D.C. On Wednesday, Christie’s auction house said it sold 50 silver gelatin prints that the photographer, Mike Mitchell, made from the negatives for $361,938. The images, plus photos from another Beatles concert, had been estimated to fetch a total of $100,000. The Beatles played their first U.S. concert at the Washington Coliseum on Feb. 11, 1964, two days after their debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Mike Mitchell was there, shooting photos from just feet away and even jumping onto the stage for the group’s pre-concert press call. Among the highlights is a backlit shot of the band that he took while standing directly be-

AP Photo/Christie’s, Mike Mitchell, File

Lindsay Lohan returning to court for case checkup

FILE - This file photo of February 11, 1964, provided by Christie’s auction house from a collection of photos of The Beatles shot by photographer Mike Mitchell, shows the group during their first U.S. concert, at the Washington Coliseum in Washington, D.C.

hind them. It sold on Wednesday for $68,500; its pre-sale estimate was $2,000 to $3,000. An image of an animated Ringo Starr on the drums sold for $8,125. It was estimated to bring $3,000 to $5,000. Christie’s said the shot depicts a rare moment where Starr was both drummer and lead singer on a song written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, but made famous by The Rolling Stones: “I Wanna Be Your Man.” Cathy Elkies, Christie’s director of iconic collections, said she expected the bids to exceed the pre-sale estimates. “Beatles fans are fierce. To uncover this trove of images that’s never been published will really excite people,” she said. Also included in the sale are photos of the band’s Sept. 13, 1964, performance at the Baltimore Civic Center. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Mitchell described the rollicking scene at the Washington indoor arena — not only of screaming fans but also of his unrestricted access. “It was a long time ago. Things weren’t that way then,” said the 65-year-old, who now works as an art photographer in Washington. “It was as low-tech as the concert itself. The concert was in a sports venue and the sound system was the sound system of a sports venue.”

Chris Evans savors the moment as ‘Captain America’

Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES — For the first time in more than a year, Lindsay Lohan is returning to a Los Angeles courtroom without the expectation of major drama. The 25-year-old actress is scheduled to appear at a routine case review conference with a judge who is overseeing her probation for drunken driving and misdemeanor theft cases. Court officials say nothing has been filed indicating Lohan has violated her probation. She has appeared in court numerous times since last July, when she was jailed and ordered into rehab for failing to attend alcohol education classes. Since then, she has been jailed again, arrested for taking a necklace without permission, sent to another rehab and served 35 days on house arrest. If the “Mean Girls” star stays out of trouble, her probation may end this year.

LOS ANGELES — At the back of a lavish Hollywood party where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are serving as the guests of honor, past the likes of Tom Hanks and Nicole Kidman, stands a tuxedoed and remarkably comfortable Chris Evans casually leaning against the bar, hair slicked back, champagne flute in hand. Though he’s been acting in films since he graduated from high school, Evans is among the youngest A-list attendees at the posh British Academy of Film and Television Arts soiree, one of the stops on the royal couple’s recent trip to the U.S. Yet wait, it seems Evans’ coolness might be as much of a facade as his costume in “Captain America: The First Avenger.” “I just thought, ‘There’s no chance these people will have any idea who I am,’” the 30-year-old actor remarked a week later during an interview to promote the live-action, 3-D rendition of the Marvel comic series. It’s hard to imagine that anyone, including British royalty, isn’t aware of Evans, who’s already played a Marvel superhero on the big screen: the wisecracking Human Torch in both “Fantastic Four” films. The announcement that Evans would personify Captain America was met with both suspicion and excitement from fans. It’s a feeling Evans un-

derstood. The actor, perhaps better known for his hunky roles in mainstream ensembles like “Cellular” and “Not Another Teen Movie” than his nuanced performances in indies such as “Sunshine” and “London,” is “more nervous than anything else” about the Friday debut of “Captain America.”

In this film publicity image released by Paramount Pictures, Chris Evans is shown in a scene from the film “Captain America: The First Avenger.” AP Photo/Paramount Pictures

Science

International

Friday, July 22, 2011

End of an era for US spaceflight as Atlantis lands Atlantis touched down for a final time Thursday, ending its last mission to the International Space Station and bringing down the curtain on NASA’s 30-year space shuttle program. The shuttle and its four-member US crew cruised home to a predawn landing at Kennedy Space Center at 5:57 am (0957 GMT), closing an era of human space exploration for the United States and leaving Russia as the world’s only taxi to the ISS. “Atlantis is home, its journey complete. A moment in history to be savored,” mission control’s commentator in Houston said as the white orbiter, emblazoned with an American flag, rolled to a stop. “Having fired the imagination of a generation, a ship like no other, its place in history secured, the space shuttle pulls into port for the last time, its voyage at an end.” Shuttle commander Chris Ferguson praised the thousands of people who worked on the shuttle program since its first space flight in 1981. “The space shuttle has changed the way we view the world, it has changed the way we view our universe,” he said. “There was a lot of emotion today but one thing is indisputable: America is not going to stop exploring. “Thank you Columbia, Challenger, Discover, Endeavour, and our ship Atlantis. Thanks for protecting us and bringing this program to such a fitting end. God bless all of you. God bless the United States of America.” IBP/ist Twin sonic booms were heard over Florida moments before the Space Shuttle Atlantis lands at Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Atlantis touched down for a shuttle glided home to perfect summer weather with clear skies and final time, ending its last mission to the International Space Station and bringing down the curtain on NASA’s hardly any wind at the Kennedy Space Center. 30-year space shuttle program

In this July 5, 2011 photo provided by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Keevin Minami, Plant Quarantine Inspector, HDOA, left and Dwain Uyeda, Reptile Supervisor, Honolulu Zoo, right, examine a 9-foot boa constrictor in Honolulu. AP Photo/Hawaii Department of Agriculture

Snakes threaten Hawaii’s fragile island ecosystem Associated Press Writer

HONOLULU — Hawaii has been largely successful in preventing snakes from entering the island paradise over the years and avoiding the grave danger they present to tropical birds, colorful plants and the vibrant environment that draws millions of tourists to the state each year. But the recent capture of escaped pet snakes — illegal in Hawaii — and the infestation of Guam by brown tree snakes, which could easily make it here via cargo ship, have alarmed wildlife and agriculture officials. Without any natural predators, authorities say it wouldn’t take much for

snakes to take root and multiply, potentially killing off endangered birds and flowers that make the islands special. Hawaii, home to more endangered species per square mile than anywhere else in the world, could potentially face the same fate as Guam, where brown tree snakes overran the island following World War II and wiped most birds from the skies. “It has a high potential to be devastating to Hawaii,” said Earl Campbell, assistant field supervisor for the Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “I would look at Guam as the template for what could happen in a range of tropical Pacific Islands that have no snakes.”

Entire Apple stores being faked in China Associated Press Writer

pany stores in China — two in Beijing and two in Shanghai — and various official resellers. Apple’s Beijing office declined to comment. The proliferation of the fake stores underlines the slow progress that China’s government is making in countering a culture of a rampant piracy and widespread production of bogus goods that is a major irritant in relations with trading partners. China’s Commerce Minister promised American executives earlier this year that the latest in a string of crackdowns on product piracy would deliver lasting results. The 27-year-old blogger, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the set-up of the stores was so convincing that the employees themselves seemed to believe they worked for Apple. “It looked like an Apple store. It had the classic Apple store winding staircase and weird upstairs sitting area. The employees were even wearing those blue T-shirts with the chunky Apple name tags around their necks,” she wrote on her blog.

AP Photo

A shopkeeper dressed as an Apple store employee looks out from a window of a shop masquerading as a bona fide Apple store in downtown Kunming, in southwest China’s Yunnan province, Thursday, July 21, 2011.

Sport

Friday, July 22, 2011

International

Paraguay ride their luck to reach Copa final Reuters

MENDOZA, Argentina - Paraguay beat Venezuela 5-3 in a penalty shootout to reach the final of the Copa America for the first time since 1979 after a fortunate goalless draw on Wednesday. Paraguay defender Dario Veron scored the winning spot kick, blasting the ball past Renny Vega, to send his side into Sunday’s final against Uruguay in Buenos Aires, but celebrations were marred by an ugly fight that broke out amongst the teams as they left the field. The result was harsh on Venezuela, who will feel desperately unlucky they did not win the match before the shootout. They hit the woodwork three times and dominated the later stages against Paraguay, who had midfielder Jonathan Santana sent off in the first period of extra time. The Paraguayans then took advantage of their good fortune to convert all five of their penalties in the shootout with their goalkeeper Justo Villar saving Franklin Lucena’s weak effort to set up the win. “We’ve had some luck in these past few days and we had it again today. Clearly we have to improve,” Villar told reporters afterwards. “We’ve got five or six injured players, another player suspended and we can’t go into the final and do the same as we’ve done in the last few days. Playing for another goalless draw and waiting for the penalties would be too much.” The post-match fight, involving players and coaching staff from both

teams, lasted for several minutes and could lead to further suspensions for Paraguay. Police then had to escort the players and coaches from the field to protect them from objects thrown from the crowd. The result meant that Paraguay reached the final of South America’s most prestigious tournament without winning a single match in open play having drawn three group matches before beating Brazil on penalties after a goalless draw. It also brought a halt to Venezuela’s remarkable Copa America. Long regarded as the weakest side on the continent, they had never before reached the semi-finals. They will now face Peru in La Plata on Saturday in the third-place playoff. “Now the whole world knows that in South America there’s another team that’s got quality,” Venezuela coach Cesar Farias told reporters. “Maybe we can make up for the prize we’d hoped to win here by qualifying for the World Cup in 2014.” SAVED BY THE WOODWORK

The Paraguayans enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half but it was Venezuela who created the best chances. Towering defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo looked to have put Venezuela ahead with a 35th minute header but his effort was ruled

out for offside, and then Alejandro Moreno crashed a header against the Paraguayan crossbar just before the break. Paraguay’s best effort also came from a header with Vega palming an effort from Veron to safety. Neither side created a single clear cut chance in a pedestrian second half so Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino threw on his most prolific striker Roque Santa Cruz in a bid to break the deadlock. However, Santa Cruz lasted just seven minutes before limping off injured and, almost inevitably, the match drifted into extra time. Venezuela then suddenly came alive and hit the woodwork twice in three minutes. Giancarlo Maldonado’s shot struck his team mate Nicolas Fedor and bounced back off the inside of Villar’s right hand post and then Juan Arango’s left-foot freekick hit the same post before being cleared from danger. Paraguay looked rattled and in the 103rd minute Santana was sent off for a second bookable offence. Martino was also dismissed to the stands for remonstrating with the Mexican referee. Paraguay somehow hung on to prevail in the shootout but they will be anxious to see if their plans for Sunday’s final will be disrupted by disciplinary action.

AP Photo/Jorge Saenz

Paraguay’s players celebrate after beating Venezuela in the penalty shootout during a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Mendoza, Argentina, Wednesday, July 20, 2011. After the match ended 0-0 in extra time, Paraguay won 5-3 on penalties.

Rooney hat trick lead Man U to 7-0 rout of Seattle Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, second from left, takes a shot as Seattle Sounders FC’s Taylor Graham, left, Mrisho Alfani Ngassa (35), and David Estrada, right, look on in the second half of a friendly soccer match Wednesday, July 20, 2011, in Seattle. Manchester United won 7-0.

SEATTLE — It might not make Seattle coach Sigi Schmid feel any better that Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson thought the final tally wasn’t representative of the effort Schmid’s club gave. It was a statement on depth of talent between the champions of England and Major League Soccer. Michael Owen beat former Premier League foe Kasey Keller on a header early in the first half, then Wayne Rooney overwhelmed Seattle’s reserves in the second half with three goals in 21 minutes and Manchester United routed the Sounders 7-0 in an exhibition on Wednesday night. “It was a strange game because I don’t think the score line was reflective of the chances,” Ferguson said. The final 45 minutes became a display of United’s talent in what became a glorified scrimmage and not the competitive first half where Seattle very easily could have found itself ahead. It helped the likes of Rooney, Ji-Sung Park and Mame

Biram Diouf were coming off the United bench to run roughshod over the Sounders, leaving Schmid to proclaim the six-goal eruption his “most embarrassing loss personally.” Rooney’s hat trick with goals in the 51st, 69th and 72nd minutes was accompanied by goals from Park, Diouf and Gabriel Obertan. “I need to apologize to our fans because i thought we embarrassed ourselves in the second half, not to take anything away from Man United because I think they are a great team and they scored some great goals and the movement was superb,” Schmid said. “But we wanted to reward all of our guys on the team, we wanted to play everybody and in retrospect that was a mistake.” The match in Seattle was the second stop on United’s preseason tour of the United States. They’ll go to Chicago for a match with the Fire on Saturday, then face the MLS AllStars at Red Bull Arena next Wednesday. Man U will close out its tour with a Champions League final rematch against FC Barcelona.

Sport

International

Friday, July 22, 2011

Cielo cleared to compete at swim worlds Associated Press Writer SHANGHAI — Olympic and world champion Cesar Cielo was cleared to compete at the world championships Thursday after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld a decision by the Brazilian swimming federation. Swimming governing body FINA had challenged a Brazilian federation decision to give Cielo only a warning after he tested positive for furosemide, a banned diuretic and masking agent, at a meet in Rio de Janeiro in May. Cielo said he consumed the drug in a contaminated batch of a food supplement he regularly used. “He’s obviously happy about it and is looking forward to competing at worlds,” Cielo’s Los Angeles lawyer, Howard Jacobs, told The Associated Press. “It wasn’t just FINA that wanted this case expedited — he also needed to agree for an expedited trial and he wanted it to be cleared up so he could compete and have no questions.” Decisions for two other Brazilian swimmers — Nicholas Santos and Henrique Barbosa — were also upheld, while the CAS gave Vinicius Waked, who had previously served a two-month ban for a separate doping offense, a one-year ban. FINA had appealed for threemonth bans for Cielo, Santos and Barbosa; and requested a one-year ban for Waked. “I respect the decision of the CAS — they are the last legal resort in sports,” FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu told The AP. “I’m not satisfied but I think we have done our job.” The CAS panel was specially assembled in Shanghai to deliver a verdict before Cielo is scheduled to compete in the freestyle relay Sunday. “The arbitrators agreed there was no intent to cheat and no performance enhancing. They accepted the explanation that the supplements were contaminated,” Jacobs said, adding that the physician who prescribed the caffeine pills testified during the CAS hearing. “It’s good now that the arbitrators can distinguish from case to case when an athlete tries to cheat or not,” Jacobs said. Cielo is also hoping to defend his world titles in the 50 and 100 free, plus he is entered in the 50 butterfly. He trained at the Oriental Sports Center earlier Thursday.

AFP PHOTO POOL / BERNARD PAPON

LtoR, Luxembourg’s national road champion Frank Schleck looks back as he climbs the cote de Pramartino with Spain’s three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck, Yellow jersey of overall leader, and Spain’s Samuel Sanchez at the end of the 179 km and seventeenth stage of the 2011 Tour de France cycling race run between Gap and Pinerolo (Italy) on July 20, 2011.

Contador ‘must attack’ on Tour’s hardest stage Associated Press Writer

PINEROLO, Italy — Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador had one objective as the world’s hardest cycling race hit its hardest stage: attack. The Spanish rider was 3 minutes, 15 seconds behind leader Thomas Voeckler, the Frenchman whose yellow jersey has begun to fade in the high Alps. “If he wants to win the tour he needs to attack, he needs to attack everybody,” said Contador’s Saxo Bank-Sungard team manager, Bjarne Riis. The 18th stage from Pinerolo to Col du Galibier — at 8,900 feet the highest finish in the Tour’s 108year history — stretched 125 miles and contained three “beyond category” climbs. Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme called it the single hardest stage, and top riders agreed. “I think tomorrow is going to be the de-

cisive stage. ... It’s going to be the stage of the Tour,” said Leopard-Trek rider Andy Schleck, whose advantage over Contador was down to 39 seconds entering the final four stages — exactly the margin he lost by to Contador in the 2010 Tour. The 2,131-mile Tour has turned into one of the hardest fought races in recent years. A whopping six potential contenders were within 3:15 of each other four days from the race’s end. By comparison, at the same point last year, only Contador and Schleck

were that close. Of those six remaining contenders, Riis says Australia’s Cadel Evans, not Andy Schleck, “is the real threat” heading into the second of three stages in the high Alps. Evans was 1:18 behind Voeckler, and had a nearly 2-minute gap on Contador. With both riders expected to excel Saturday in the individual time trial, it was up to Contador to unleash his unparalleled mountain climbing attacks Thursday to make up the time.

Serena Williams into US Open with special ranking Associated Press Writer

IBP/afp

Cesar Cielo

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — Serena Williams is using her special injury-protected No. 1 ranking to get into the U.S. Open field. She is ranked 172nd this week, and only the top 105 players have been granted direct entry into the

field for the year’s last major championship, which starts Aug. 29 in New York. But because Williams was sidelined more than six months by a series of health issues, she has the right to use her special ranking to enter up to eight tournaments, including one Grand Slam.

The U.S. Tennis Association announced Wednesday that the provisional field for the U.S. Open has 97 of the top 100 women in the WTA rankings, including two-time defending champion Kim Clijsters, Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and French Open champion Li Na.

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

Sport

Friday, July 22, 2011

Lotus is in talks to extend Trulli’s contract Jarno Trulli, Team LotusLotus boss Tony Fernandes says the team is in the process of negotiating a contract extension with Jarno Trulli, despite the Italian being replaced for this weekend’s German GP.

The team announced on Thursday that Trulli will be replaced by Karun Chandhok in Germany as the Indian gets a chance to return to racing for the first time since last year’s British Grand Prix. Fernandes was thankful to Trulli for accepting the decision, and said the Italian is already in talks about a contract extension for next year. “I want to take this chance to thank Jarno for helping make Karun’s opportunity this weekend possible,” said Fernandes. “He has been extremely accommodating in stepping to the side for this race and our commitment to him is unwavering. “I am delighted to confirm that we are in the process of negotiating an extension to his contract with us and we are all looking forward to unveiling the details of that very soon. “He is a key member of our team and I hope that we can give him a car as soon as possible that allows him to utilise his considerable talent to the full. “For this weekend he will be on hand to lend

FIA confirms 15,000rpm rev limit from 2014 season THE FIA has confirmed that a 15,000rpm rev limit will be imposed on Formula 1 engines from 2014 onwards. Teams will switch from the current 2.4litre naturally-aspirated V8s to V6 1.6-litre turbos in 2014. However, there had been concerns that the originally-planned rev limit of 12,000 rpm would detract from the spectacle. Confirmation of the increase to 15,000, which formed part of the 2014 F1 Technical Regulations released by the FIA yes-

terday, will go some way toward allaying those fears. Other changes include the requirement for drivers to be able to start the cars themselves, rather than relying on external starters. Regulation 5.18 states: “It must be possible for the driver to start the engine at any time when seated normally at the wheel and without any external assistance.” The new rules also place an increasing importance upon alternative energy

systems, including a requirement for cars to be operative entirely under electrical power when in pitlane. According to rule 5.19: “The car must be run in electric mode (no ignition and no fuel supply to the engine) at all times when being driven in the pit lane.” Other areas to be affected by the change include the transmission, with a mandatory eight-speed gearbox to be introduced.

AP Photo/Nigel Roddis, pool

McLaren Formula One driver Jenson Button of Britain drives into his pit during the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 10, 2011.

his huge experience and support to Karun and I am sure Jarno, Heikki and Karun will do me, the whole team and all our fans very proud indeed.” Technical chief Mike Gascoyne added: “I am delighted that we are able to give Karun a full weekend in the car. He has been a very good addition to our driver line-up and now we are giving him a chance to take the next step in fulfilling his potential. “Jarno will be stepping aside for him for this race and we will use Karun’s feedback over the weekend as a comparison against Jarno’s and Heikki’s experiences this season with a number of aspects of the car, including the power steering system, to help us keep moving forward in 2011 and beyond. “I am sure Karun will equip himself very well in this and in his performances in and out of the car all weekend. The whole team is looking forward to helping him get the most out of his time in the cockpit in Germany and it will be good to see him grab this chance and make the most of it.”