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Edisi 24 Juli 2012 | International Bali Post

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

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Entertainment

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

‘Dark Knight Rises’ reportedly earns $160 million

Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES — “The Dark Knight Rises” was on track to earn $160 million, which would be a record for 2-D films, over the weekend following a mass shooting at a Colorado screening of the Batman film. Citing box office insiders, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles Times, New York Times and other media outlets reported Sunday that the latest Batman sequel earned $160 million to $162 million. That amount would best the $158.4 million debut of “The Dark Knight” in 2008 and give “Dark Knight Rises” the thirdhighest domestic weekend opening ever, after the 3-D films “The

Avengers” with $207.4 million and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2” with $169.2 million. The Hollywood Reporter also cited box office sources who said “Dark Knight Rises” earned $70 million from nine of the 17 countries where it debuted over the weekend, including the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea and Spain. Tickets for 3-D films cost a few more dollars than 2-D screenings, n e t t i n g ex t r a cash at the box office. Movies released in 3-D

typically earn under half of their income in 3-D screenings, sometimes as little as a third. Sony, Fox, Disney, Paramount, Universal and Lionsgate joined “Dark Knight Rises” distributor Warner Bros in publicly withholding their usual revenue reports out of respect for the victims of the deadly shooting early Friday and their families. Box-office tracking service Rentrak also did not report figures following the Aurora, Colo., shootings that killed 12 and injured 58 at a midnight screening of the new Batman sequel on Friday.

“This tragedy did not seem to impact the box office in a major way,” said Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst for Hollywood.com who specializes in box office. “For this film to still be in the rarified air of the top-three openings of all time is phenomenal, given the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the release of this film.” Dergarabedian noted that the box-office ranking of director Christopher Nolan’s final installment of his Batman trilogy would not be official until Warner Bros. and other studios release their final weekend box-office tallies Monday.

LOS ANGELES — “The Twilight Saga” is gonna need a bigger garage. It was announced at Sunday’s Teen Choice Awards that the supernatural franchise has won 41 surfboard-shaped trophies since 2008, including two awards earned this year for the penultimate film installment, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1.” “Twilight” stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner were on hand to pick up this year’s batch of boards, which included the ultimate choice award, the teen-fueled show’s version of a lifetime achievement award. “It’s amazing you guys are still around and just as strong and just as loyal,” Lautner said over screams from the crowd. Stewart was honored as the choice romance movie actress for “Breaking Dawn — Part 1” and as choice female summer movie Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP Taylor Swift accepts the award for best female star for “Snow White & artist onstage at the Teen Choice Awards on the Huntsman.” Other multiple winSunday, July 22, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.

WEATHER FORECAST Dps 23 - 32

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Tuesday, July 24, 2012 Rain storms kill at least 37 in Beijing

Drogba makes instant impact for Shanghai Shenhua

EU to strengthen ties with Israel despite criticism

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93 killed in Iraq’s deadliest day this year

Associated Press AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures, Ron Phillips

This undated film image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Christian Bale as Batman in a scene from the action thriller “The Dark Knight Rises.

‘Twilight,’ Swift add to Teen Choice Awards hauls Associated Press Writer

16 Pages Number 147 4th year

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

ners included the movie “The Hunger Games,” actress Emma Stone, TV show “Pretty Little Liars,” the British boy band One Direction, CW show “The Vampire Diaries,” and singers Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, who picked up her 20th trophy — the most ever won by a female artist. “I just feel so honored that I get to have you guys in my life,” a beaming Swift told fans. Swift won five awards Sunday: choice female artist, female country artist, single by a female artist for “Eyes Open,” country song for “Sparks Fly” and choice movie voice for “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.” Host and new “The X Factor” judge Demi Lovato said 134 million votes were cast for the 14th annual awards, which honor film, TV, music and sports stars in such silly categories as choice hottie, villain, liplock and hissy fit. “Are there even that many teens?” asked ceremony co-host and “Glee” actor Kevin McHale.

BAGHDAD — An onslaught of bombings and shootings killed 93 people across Iraq on Monday, officials said, in the nation’s deadliest day so far this year. The attacks come days after the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq declared a new offensive and warned in a statement that the militant group is reorganizing in areas from which it retreated before U.S. troops left the country last December. Al-Qaida has been seeking to re-assert its might in the security vacuum left by

the departing Americans, seizing on Baghdad’s fragmented government and the surge of Sunni rebels in neighboring Syria to sow instability across Iraq. U.S. and Iraqi officials insist that the terror network’s Iraqi wing, known as the Islamic State of Iraq, is nowhere as strong as it was when the nation threatened

to fall into civil war between 2006 and 2008, and the Iraqi government is better established. Still, the huge death toll Monday and an almost-daily drumbeat of killings last month show al-Qaida remains fully capable of creating chaos in the foreseeable future. Monday’s violence in

13 Iraqi cities and towns appeared coordinated: The blasts all took place within a few hours of each other. They struck mostly at security forces and government offices — two of al-Qaida’s favorite targets in Iraq. “It was a thunderous explosion,” said Mohammed Munim, 35, who was working at an Interior Ministry office that issues government ID cards to residents in Baghdad’s Shiite Sadr City neighborhood when a car exploded outside. Sixteen

people were killed in the single attack. “The only thing I remember was the smoke and fire, which was everywhere, said Munim from his bed in the emergency room at Sadr City hospital. He was hit by shrapnel in his neck and back. The worst attack happened in the town of Taji, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of the capital. Police said bombs planted around five houses in the Sunni town exploded an hour after

dawn, followed by a suicide bomber who detonated his explosives belt in the crowd of police who rushed to help. In all, 41 people were killed, police said. And in a brazen attack on Iraq’s military, three carloads of gunmen pulled up at an army base near the northeast town of town of Udaim and started firing at forces. Thirteen soldiers were killed, and the gunmen escaped before they could be caught, two senior police officials said. Continued on page 6

AP Photo/Karim Kadim

Children gather at the scene of a bomb attack in Madain, about 15 miles (25 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, July 23, 2012. An onslaught of bombings and shootings killed scores of people across Iraq on Monday, in the nation’s deadliest day so far this year. The attacks come days after the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq declared a new offensive seeking to re-assert its might in the security vacuum left by the departing Americans.


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International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Bali News

Tattooing skin Unsterile needle can cause many diseases

Tattoo, particularly in Bali, has become an art in itself. Many foreign and domestic tourists coming to Bali do not miss the opportunity to have a permanent or temporary tattoo on their body. Other than tourists, the tattoo is also favored by local community, both women and men. But, do you know behind the art and beauty of tattoo lie a long-term hazard and potential causing some disease? It will happen if the tattoo making was made by using unsterile methods and hazardous materials. Commenting about the hazards of tattooing, especially the non-sterile tattoo and the use of hazardous materials, a specialist for dermatology and venereal diseases of Sanglah Hospital, AAGP Wiraguna, explained that basically anything that entered into the body should be sterile. “For instance, an unsterile needle used by more than one person will certainly have the potential to transmit diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, HIV as well as other infectious diseases,” he said. He also added that venereal diseases caused by viruses could also be transmitted through unsterile tattoo needles, such as herpes diseases, warts and syphilis.

As a rule, the needles injected into the body could not be used more than once, especially to different people. “But, there are people who just clean the tattoo needle that has been used and use it again for tattooing the others,” said Wiraguna. Ingredients of the tattoo, especially its ink, added Wiraguna, should not be mixed with hazardous materials. If any non-sterile materials came into the body, they would naturally lead to allergies and infections. Sometimes, the tattoo ink was mixed with heavy metal where if this was absorbed by the body, it could not be secreted again. Later, it would settle and clog up the renal tract and blood vessels. Tattoo may look nice in the eyes of some people. But, when people get bored, can tattoo be removed? According to Wiraguna, tattoos could be removed by various methods. However,

its removal could also cause problems. One of them was traditional method namely by ironing. By and large, this method would leave scars on the skin. Another method was dermabrasion where the upper layers of the skin were scraped off. With this method, a part of the color could be removed, while the remaining could not. “The remaining color happened because the injury reaches the blood vessels, so that it results in colloids,” said Wiraguna. The most modern method and having minimal side effect was by means of laser. However, it was quite expensive and could not be carried out just once treatment. “Although there is the latest laser that can remove all colors of tattoos, once treatment cannot remove it entirely. Of course, it is the most expensive among the existing methods,” revealed Wiraguna. (san)

Smiles of kid market porters on National Children’s Day Monday (Jul 23) was the National Children Day. Many children could not have enjoyed happiness on the National Children’s Day. Dozens of children were still working as market porters, beggars, and other works so that their rights as set forth in the state regulations could not be fully acquired yet. It was the concern of the National Institute for Children (LAB) that had been struggling approximately for a year for providing education for children who were daily asked to earn money by their parents. Due to facilitation of the LAB, about 28 children under its guidance were taken to spend holiday to Bali Zoo at Singapadu, Sukawati. Previously, they had never imagined such an opportunity and it made the children from Pedahan, Karangasem smile happy. Komang Joko, for instance, who daily begged did not think if he and his friends could see a variety of animals becoming the collection of Bali Zoo. He absolutely never came to the zoo and was

very grateful for the opportunity. Vivaciously, those dozens of children walked around to have a look at the animal collections of the Bali Zoo accompanied by a guide. They also occasionally photographed the animals encountered. After a tour to see the animals, they had a lunch together in the green courtyard of Bali Zoo. Chairperson of LAB, Sri Wahyuni, amidst the visit said the activity was carried out in conjunction with the National Children’s Day. The children under the guidance of the LAB were market porters and beggars and taught in the National Children Studio located on the fourth floor of the Badung Market. They were taught to read and write. Based on the coaching given over the years, they were known to have no knowledge about proper ethical conducts and could not speak politely to others. Besides, they were also known to get no education as mandated by laws. “So far, they had been asked to work to Denpasar,

and ironically they were not accompanied by parents. An approach to the family had also been carried out, but we are still unable to answer their question that who will pay their customary obligations at their village,” she explained while accompanied by Luh Putu Angreni. Under such conditions, with the coaching given for some a year it seemed to have indicated a good progress. Although without taking a bath before attending the coaching, their happiness was very visible. Meanwhile, the Public Relations of Bali Zoo, Emma Kristiana Chandra, was glad to welcome the arrival of children who were really in need. Bali Zoo was very open to such a visit where her party had a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program and in the commemoration of the National Children’s Day her party would give privileges to them. Their coming to Bali Zoo could see 350 species of animals. Besides, they could also learn because Bali Zoo had animal information. (dar)

Thousands of hectares of protected forest in Buleleng at risk of blazing Singaraja (Bali Post)—

Every dry season, the forest areas in Buleleng are at risk of blazing. Unmitigatedly, the forest area vulnerable to blazing reaches 21,470.71 hectares. Aside from the factor of nature, the fire is frequently triggered by behavior of residents coming into the forests. Field information compiled on Sunday (Jul 22) told that protected forest area frequently being caught on fire every year located in Gerokgak and Seririt subdistrict. The vegetation mostly consisting of shrubs and weeds were flammable when dry season came. Moreover, the moderately high temperature and blowing wind would ease the forest fire. Meanwhile, large trees were rarely found in the protected forest area. It occurred because the soil texture was hard and rocky, so that it was very difficult for them to grow. The Division Head of Forestry, Tatang Priatna, with permission from the Head of Buleleng Forestry and Plantation Agency, Komang Gede Yasa, said in his office last Sunday that based on field observation, including the report of residents, there had been no forest fire. It happened because the Buleleng area was once hit by prolonged heavy rain. Therefore, the shrubs and weeds in the forest area did not thoroughly dry out due to the hot sunlight today. “We have not found any fires and indeed the forest fire in the protected forest area has decreased since 2010,” he said. According to Tatang, based on experience in previous drought, the fire in the bush and weeds of protected forest areas in Buleleng was mostly triggered by the behavior of people going into the forests. Tatang pointed out that many people frequently came into the forest to look for bees and lighted a fire. Unfortunately, they forgot to put out the traces of fire so that they caused forest fires. Additionally, people were often found to deliberately burn the bushes or dry grasses in the forest so that in the upcoming rainy season the grass would grow well for their fodder. “The factor of nature was small and most fires occurred because the behavior of people coming into the forest,” he explained. On the other hand, Tatang said that his party constantly anticipated the fire every dry season. Such anticipation was by urging residents that would go into the forest not to light any fire. If they lighted fire, the traces should be extinguished. In addition, they were also appealed not to haphazardly throw cigarette butts in the forests. In general, the habit of throwing cigarette butts carelessly often led to forest fires. In case of fire, the government and residents in the forest areas would attempt to put out the fire so that it would not spread. It was carried out by localizing the fire. The hotspots were put out by hitting the fire using a piece of wood. This method was considered effective because flushing the fire by water was impossible as the forest areas were far from water sources. (kmb)

 Founder : K.Nadha,  General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti  Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Wirya, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto.  Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi.  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

Activities

International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

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Matahari Beach Resort & Spa IBP

The Matahari is located in North West Bali on a stunning coastline surrounded by National Parks and Marine conservation areas and this setting, with the hills in the back drop, is simply stunning. Space and tranquillity are what this resort offers most abundantly, and its all within a traditional ambience, the resort lovingly constructed from local materials including marble, palemanan and bamboo. It’s difficult to believe there are only 32 rooms in the entire resort not least because the amount of facilities and activity on offer is so extensive. From diving to cycling, trips to the national park and golf, there is something for everyone here. There are 4 room types: Garden and Panorama View (50m2). Deluxe (75m2) and Super Deluxe (100m2). They are housed in 16 Bungalows which have 2 rooms in each. From the moment you enter the hand carved doors, you know you’re in a unique room whether it’s the Garden or the Super Deluxe. They are beautifully constructed and crafted using local wood and marble

with beautiful conical high ceilings and parquet flooring. The 4 poster beds are the gloss on a classical Balinese creation and the effort that has been made to keep the local look and feel is immense to the extent that mod cons are cleverly hidden so you feel you are in a traditional Balinese villa. (In keeping with the peaceful nature of this resort, the rooms do not have TV’s). The bathrooms are beautiful with huge marble tubs and outdoor showers, which have very interesting dragon head taps. If you are looking for the real of Bali, then Matahari Beach Resort & Spa ticks all the boxes. Remote with beautiful seascapes, great food and a real local feel, it encapsulates the image Bali portrays as a paradise island. This is somewhere to escape to and experience real Indonesia on your doorstep whilst staying in a classical luxury resort with great food and excellent service.

Calendar Event for June 30 through July 25, 2012 30 Jun Tumpek Landep. Pura Pasek Gelgel Pedungan Denpasar Selatan. Pura Agung Pasek Tangun Titi kaler Tabanan Pura Agung Pasek Silamadeg Tabanan Pura Pasek Tangkas Kediri Tabanan Pura Kerta Banyuning Barat Buleleng Pura Dalem Tenggaling Sengguan Singapadu. Pura Kawitan Arya Wang Bang Pinatih Peguyangan Singaraja Pura Bhujangga Weisnawa Tegalcangkring Jembrana. Pura taman Desa Bubunan Seririt Buleleng Pura Penataran Pande Dalem Batur Jati Banjar Pandean Mengwi Pura Dalem Pingit Br, Taro Kaje Tegalalang Pura dadia Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Desa Selat Sukasada Buleleng Pura Batur Arya Warih Kepaon Cengolo Sudimara Tabanan Pura Ida ratu Pande Besakih Mr. Pasek Toh Jiwa Tangungtiti Pura Penataran Pande Kusamba Klungkung Pura Penataran Agung Pinatih Desa Tulikup Gianyar. 1 Jul Redite Umanis Ukir Sangah Gede Dukuh Segening Tegal Tugu Gianyar. 3 Jul Purnama Kasa Aci-aci Penaung Taluh Penataran Agung Besakih Pura Gunung Kuripan Lombok. Pura Tirta Besakih Pura Purnama Cemangon Sukawati Pura Amrta Jati Kompleks ALRI Pangkalan Jati Cinere Jakarta Selatan Pura Jagatnatha Kota Singaraja Pura Dang Hyang Tulus Dewa Desa Apuan-Susut-Bangli Pura Jagatdhita Selong-Lombok Timur Pura Agung Pasek Gelgel Gobleg-Banjar Buleleng Pura Puseh Batur Kintamani Pr. Asah (Alas Harum) Dusun Batur Kintamani Pura Dalem Kedewatan Celuk-Sukawati Pura Agung Mandara Giri Gunung Semeru-Lumajang Jawa Timur Pura Pengubengan Besakih Pura Penataran Agung Sukawati Pura Bukit Mentik Gunung Lebah-Batur Kintamani Mr. Agung Puser Jagat Meranting Batu Kanding-Nusa Penida Pura Nuansa Udayana, Kori Nuansa Jimbaran Pura Tianyar Pikat, Dawan Klungkung 4 Jul Buda Wage Ukir Pura Pasar Agung Besakih

Pura Pasek Bendesa Pasar Badung Legian Kuta Pura Gede Gunung Agung Dukuh Munggu Badung Hyang Agung Pura Ibuwanasari Tegal Pura Puseh/Pura Desa Bebalang Bangli Pura Dalem Perancak Badung Pura Pasek Bendesa Hyang Selat Kerobokan Badung. Pura Kekeran Langit Sading Mengwi 10 Jul Anggar Kasih Kulantir Pura Penataran Tangkas Sukawati Pura Dalem Lagan Bebalang Bangli Pura Puseh Lembeng Ketewel Sukawati Pura Pasek Gelgel Penulisan Kerambitan Tabanan Pura Gaduh Sanding Pura Dalem Gandamayu Klungkung Pura Sanghyang Tegal Banjar Taro Kaja Tegalalang 11 Jul Buda Umanis Kulantir. Pura Pasek Tangkas kaler Tabanan. Pura Gaduh Benoh Ubung Denpasar 15 Jul Redite Keliwon Tolu. Pura Dalem Alas Harum Banjar Tegal Kepuh 16 Jul Soma Umanis Tolu Pura Puseh/Balai Agung Ubung Kupang Penebel Tabanan Pura Kawitan Sakula Gotra, Pasung Grigih Pura Bhujangga Rsi-Tambak Bayuh Pura Paibon Tangkas Kori Agung Banjar Ceningan Kangin Pura Batu Madeg Besakih Pura Penataran Agung Penatih Banjar Saba Penatih. 18 Jul Buda Pon Tolu Pura Catur, Buwana Sanding Tampaksiring 19 Jul Wraspati Wage Tolu Pura Peninjoan Besakih. 25 Jul Buda Keliwon Gumbreg Pura Pasek Gelgel Kukuh Marga Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Dukuh Selemadeg Tabanan Pura Puseh/Pura Desa Desa Guwang Sukawati Merajan Pasek Ketewel Ketewel Merajan Pangeran Tangkas Kuro Agung Jeroan Sading Pura Dalem Setra Batu Nunggul Swana Nusa Penida

IBP/File

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.


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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Science

International

Primordial ‘Soup’ of Big Bang Recreated

AP Photo/Rebecca McAleney, File

FILE - This file photo made Tuesday, June 26, 2012, by Rebecca McAleney, shows a bright orange, left, a bright blue, right, and a calico lobster at New Meadows Lobster in Portland, Maine.

Lobstermen finding more odd colors in the catch Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Maine — When a 100-pound shipment of lobsters arrived at Bill Sarro’s seafood shop and restaurant last month, it contained a surprise — six orange crustaceans that have been said to be a 1-in-10-million oddity. “My butcher was unloading them and said, ‘Oh, my gosh, boss, they sent us cooked dead lobsters,’” said Sarro, owner of Fresh Catch Seafood in Mansfield, Mass. “He then picked one up and it crawled up his arm.” Reports of odd-colored lobsters used to be rare in the lobster fishing grounds of New England and Atlantic Canada. Normal lobsters are a mottled greenishbrown. But in recent years, accounts of bright blue, orange, yellow, calico, white and even split lobsters — one color on one side, another on the other — have jumped. It’s now common to hear several stories a month of a lobsterman bringing one of the quirky crustaceans to shore. It’s anybody’s guess why more oddities are popping up in lobster traps, said Michael Tlusty,

research director at the New England Aquarium in Boston. It could be simply because advances in technology — cellphone cameras and social media — make it easier to spread the word about bizarre lobster sightings. It’s also likely more weird lobsters are being caught because the overall harvest has soared. In Maine, the catch has grown fourfold in the past 20 years, to nearly 105 million pounds last year. If the yield has quadrupled, it would make sense to have four times as many unconventional lobsters being caught as well. Although lobster is the No. 1

commercial fishery in the Northeast, there are a lot of unanswered questions about the bottomdwelling creatures, he said. “Are we seeing more because the Twitter sphere is active and people get excited about colorful lobsters?” Tlusty said. “Is it because we’re actually seeing an upswing in them? Is it just that we’re catching more lobsters so we have the opportunity to see more? “Right now you can make a lot of explanations, but the actual data to find them out just isn’t there.” Lobsters come in a variety of colors because of genetic variations.

The primordial soup of matter that existed only split-seconds after the Big Bang is now getting recreated in the most powerful particle colliders in the world. Such research could not only help shed light on exotic states of matter, but also on whether extra dimensions of reality exist, a discovery that could help lead to a so-called “theory of everything,” IBP/ist researchers say. An ordinary proton or neuThe hearts of the atoms that tron (foreground) is formed we are made of consist of protons and neutrons. These subatomic of three quarks bound toparticles, in turn, are made of gether by gluons, carriers of building blocks known as quarks, the color force. which are glued together by particles aptly named gluons. Quarks are bound extraordinarily tightly together by gluons. However, in the first ten- millionths of a second after the Big Bang, the universe was hot enough to keep quarks apart. The result would have been a hot dense mix of quarks and gluons known as a quark-gluon plasma. Much remains uncertain about what this primordial soup would have been like, since quarks and gluons can interact with each other in extraordinarily complex ways. “We have a new state of matter for which we can write down the mathematical law governing its properties in a single line, but after 30 years of theoretical research, we still do not understand its microscopic structure even in rough terms,” said theoretical physicist Berndt Müller at Duke University in Durham, N.C. “The reason for this is that we still lack the mathematics that would allow us to predict the structure and properties of the quark-gluon plasma starting from its basic physics law. We can calculate some of its properties by means of raw computer power, but that does not tell us how it works.”

‘Minority Report’ software hits the real world Agence France Presse

The software behind the film “Minority Report” -where Tom Cruise speeds through video on a large screen using only hand gestures -- is making its way into the real world. The interface developed by scientist John Underkoffler has been commercialized by the Los Angeles firm Oblong Industries as a way to sift through massive amounts of video and other data. And yes, the software can be used by law enforcement and intelligence services. But no, it is not the “pre-crime” detection program illustrated in the 2002 Steven Spielberg sci-fi film. Kwin Kramer, chief executive of Oblong, said the software can help in searching through “big data” for information. It can also create souped-up video-conference capabilities where participants share data from multiple devices like smartphones and tablets, integrated into a large video display.

“We think the future of computing is multiuser, multiscreen, multidevice,” Kramer told AFP. “This system helps with big workflow problems.” A key part of the system is the gesture interface, which the company calls the “g-speak” spatial operating environment. That grew out of a project by Underkoffler -- then a scientist at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- for “Minority Report,” before he became chief scientist at startup Oblong. “We have demo versions of this kind of software which show exactly the ‘Minority Report’ user experience, allowing you to move back and forth in time, or to zoom in to look at details,” Kramer said. He said the same software can help businesses to “allow better collaboration, visualization and analysis of large amounts of data. “You can have a lot of data but it’s hard to make use of that,” Kramer said.

Bali News

International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

3

Bali’s aquatic exports down 1.99 percent

Antara

DENPASAR - Bali’s aquatic exports in the first four months of 2012 fell slightly by 1.99 percent to US$31.03 million from the same period last year, an official said. The aquatic exports represented 19.48 percent of the province’s overall non-oil/non-gas exports in the January-April 2012 period which reached US$159.13 million, Head of the Public Relations Bureau at the Bali Provincial Government I Ketut Teneng said here on Sunday. He said the drop was the result of the global economic crisis which led to low demand in the countries of destination. Only four of the 11 aquatic products which penetrated the export market recorded a significant increase, he said. They were kakap fish, crab, lobster and various kinds of fish. Indonesia workers load tuna fish from a fishing boat onto a truck at Benoa fishing port in Denpasar, on Bali island on July 9, 2012. Bali’s aquatic exports in the first four months of 2012 fell slightly by 1.99 percent to US$31.03 million from the same period last year, an official said.

AFP PHOTO/SONNY TUMBELAKA

Auction fundraiser held to preserve Uluwatu Beach IBP

ULUWATU - An exclusive auction of one-of-a-kind surfing art and memorabilia took place at the picturesque Uluwatu Surf Villas on Saturday night, July 21st. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Eco Surf Rescue Uluwatu (ESRU) to help fund clean-up projects and environmental initiatives at world-famous Uluwatu beach, one of the greatest surf spots in the world. Among the prized items available for auction will be a Dick Hoole photograph of the Late Michael Peterson signed by the legend himself, and original artworks by American artist Kevin Walsh. Included in the Auction Lot are the two framed artworks pictured here. The first is a hand-drawn nautical style map of the coast and reef at Uluwatu. The second is a view from the shoulder of a perfect Uluwatu wave, surrounded by the iconic sandstone cliffs, Uluwatu temple and the native wildlife that call this special place home. These original artworks are part of a series of illustrations themed around the legendary point of Uluwatu, and

will be made into a T-Shirt collection that will help fund the ESRU project as part of Rip Curl’s Artist of the Search programme. The program included the Asia premiere of Taylor Steele’s latest film, “Here & Now,” as well as a series of film shorts from this year’s Ombak Bali Film Festival. Come join surfing luminaries and the surfers in this year’s Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang Invitational as they gather for what will undoubtedly be the highlight of the opening week of the Rip Curl Cup waiting period. The evening will feature live music, DJ’s, catered food, and full bar service.

AFP PHOTO/SONNY TUMBELAKA

Edward Norman Myatt (R) of Australia attends his trial at a court in Denpasar on Bali island on July 23, 2012. Indonesian judges have recommended an eight-year prison sentence for Myatt, who was arrested last February with 1.1 kg of hashish and seven grams of methamphetamine after allegedly attempting to smuggle them into the Indonesian resort island.


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Bali News

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

International

International

Damaged irrigation, Subak Gubug hit by drought Tabanan (Bali Post)—

Due to damaged irrigation channel, the Subak Gubug at Gubug village, Tabanan, was hit by drought. Sadly, the tragedy has been going on within the past a year. Aside from triggered by damaged irrigation, the drought in the area is also caused by prolonged dry season. Due to water crisis, farmers are forced to leave their land dormant and it is then overgrown by weeds.

IBP/File

The drought which happen in Subak Gubug in Gubug Village, Tabanan

Perancak Beach besieged by garbage

Negara (Bali Post)—

Perancak Beach in Jembrana subdistrict has become a regular haven of river garbage every low tide as today. Indeed, at low tide visitors can see the beautiful beach of the fisherman village. Unfortunately, the amount of garbage littered has made a dreadful scene. Such condition had also been witnessed by the entourage of the Regent of Jembrana, I Putu Artha, with the officials on Sunday (Jul 22). Together with the entourage of regency government, the regent cleaned up the beach that had become one of the tourist areas in Jembrana. According to residents, the garbage originated from the river passing through the village and emptied around the local beach. Therefore, when the sea water receded, people would see a lot of garbage littering the beach. The condition was also justified by Headman of Perancak, I Ketut Suastika. It frequently happened at low tide whereas it was the right time to see the beauty of the estuary along with beach view and berthing fishing boats. “The garbage came from seven villages in the upstream area (Ijo Gading River), where people still have a habit of discarding garbage into the river and the estuary here,” he said. This condition was considered very detrimental to Perancak as a tourist area since 2009. Indeed, Perancak residents had frequently cleaned it up but it still kept recurring and the garbage came again. His party hoped that local government could facilitate the provision of final disposal (TPA) near the estuary and garbage trucks that regularly hauled the garbage piling up there. “By doing so, it will be easier to clean up, while previously people only collected and burned it. Since its volume increased, people were then overwhelmed,” he said. The Regent of Jembrana, I Putu Artha, after the clean-up action agreed if the Perancak village actually had considerable tourism potential. Moreover, it also had Perancak Temple belonging to the Dang Khayangan temple so that it enabled to become a spiritual tourist area. To that end, it should be supported with the arrangement and readiness of the environment, where one of them was through clean-up activity by the leadership of the regional working units (SKPD). “Maybe this (clean-up) cannot resolve the problem as a whole. However, it is expected to motivate the residents of Perancak and other villages to care for the environment by disposing garbage in place,” said Artha. (kmb26)

Headman of Gubug, Wayan Suwitra, justified the drought. He explained the damaged irrigation channel had disrupted the water distribution to rice field of residents. As consequence, only some subak areas could get the water. “This drought has long been going on, so the farmland of residents is now left dormant,” said Suwitra recently. According to him, the only rice field getting the water supply was the one located in the east of the road. Meanwhile, the one across the road totally got nothing. As a

result, the land dried out. Damage to the irrigation was also triggered by the rapid development in the subak area.With such condition, said Suwitra, his party hoped it would soon get an attention, especially the improvement of irrigation channel as the water supply was the main support for the farming continuity of local residents. Moreover, they only relied on the livelihood of rice field cultivation. “A lot of water channels are damaged, so they need improvement,” he said. Without the water, many farmers would be

unemployed and quit farming. According to Suwitra, the complaint of farmers had long been thought out. However, since the improvement of irrigation required a large budget, the village was unable to do anything. He expected the government could repair the water channel to the field of farmers. Suwitra said the most serious damage to the irrigation was leakage. Due to such leakage, the water flow could not run maximally. “The only way is to repair the irrigation channel,” he concluded. (kmb30)

Pavement project on Jalan Gajah Mada

Transportation Agency asked to consider access to market

Denpasar (Bali Post)—

In the execution of pavement project related to the corridor arrangement on Jalan Gajah Mada currently starting to reach the front area (the entrance—Ed) of Badung-Kumbasari Market, the Denpasar Transportation Agency was asked to constantly consider the access to the market. Moreover, the execution of pavement project coincided with major religious celebrations such as the Eid and Galungan. Director of PD Pasar Denpasar, Made Westra, revealed the matter on Sunday (Jul 22). According to Westra, the access to the markets was very important so that traders could still run their daily activities in the Badung and Kumbasari Market. With such an arrangement, the traders would surely not feel disadvantaged. “We hope the Denpasar Transportation Agency carefully assess the traffic diversion in relation to the implementation of the second phase pavement project on Jalan Gajah Mada that will reach the entrance area into the Badung and Kumbasari Market,” he said. Westra deeply realized about the traffic crowdedness while working on the project. It happened because there were approximately 8,000s vehicles going into and out of the Badung and Kumbasari Market. It was believed that such condition would make the Transportation Agency adequately confused to design the traffic flow diversion to minimize the crowdedness. While on the other side, it should also consider the safety and

quality of the project. “Hopefully, the access of traders to the market is also considered properly,” he added. Meanwhile, he said, the Denpasar Spatial Planning and Housing Agency (DTRP) in the near future would initiate the construction of pedestrian bridge connecting the visitors of Badung Market to Kumbasari Market. It was designed to facilitate the public access (visitors) from the

(basement) parking lot of Badung Market to Kumbasari Market and vice versa. By all means, the work would have the potential to make the crowdedness more severe. “We also hope this project can be completed on time as planned to only take about two weeks. It means that before the Eid and Galungan there will be no project in front of the entrance into the market,” he expected. (kmb13)

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The traffic condition in Gajah Mada during the pavement project.

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Aquino urged to tackle China in annual speech

Agence France Presse

Philippine President Benigno Aquino will deliver his annual “state of the nation” speech to Congress on Monday, with legislators hoping he will tackle an escalating South China Sea dispute. Senator Francis Escudero, who does not belong to Aquino’s ruling Liberal Party, said the president needed to reassure the public his government was in control of the situation amid fears of increasing Chinese aggression. “He must give a form of assurance, or say something about it without of course fanning the flames of misunderstanding,” Escudero told AFP ahead of the speech which begins at 4:00 pm (0800 GMT). “He must assure the public that the tensions will not escalate any further.” The dispute between Manila and Beijing has intensified since April after a face-off began over the Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop in the South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over

nearly all of the sea, which is believed to hold vast amounts of oil and gas, and is home to vital shipping lanes and one of the region’s most important fishing grounds. But other countries in the region, including the Philippines, have overlapping claims in the area. The recent arrival of a Chinese fishing fleet in the Spratly Islands -- another disputed territory in the flashpoint waters -- has also raised Philippine concerns. The tensions have dominated local politics and media in recent months, and Escudero’s call for Aquino to address the issue reflects a view among many MPs that the China dispute is a top priority for the Philippines. Aquino’s aides have not indicated if he will address the South China Sea issue on Monday.

They have been tight-lipped about the speech’s contents, highlighting only that Aquino will stress his high-profile anti-corruption drive and overall efforts to improve the economy. Aquino, 52, won the presidency in 2010 on a campaign promise to eradicate corruption, which he had blamed for massive poverty in the Catholic country of 94 million. He has since worked to prosecute his predecessor, Gloria Arroyo, who is now in detention facing charges of electoral fraud and corruption. Aquino’s allies in Congress also impeached and removed Supreme Court chief justice Renato Corona, a political ally of Arroyo whom she had appointed when leaving office, allegedly to protect her from prosecution.

Agence France Presse

Taipei-based Liberty Times, as the military plans to phase out the current rocket system introduced three decades ago. “After it is armed with the new weapons, the military will see its anti-landing capability be greatly enhanced,” said an unnamed military source quoted by the newspaper. Taiwan defence ministry officials were unavailable for comment on

the report. The multi-barrel system, developed by military research unit Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology, can launch 40 rockets in a minute with a range of 45 kilometres (28 miles), said military experts cited by the report. That longer range capability can neutralise amphibious craft before they reach the shore, they added. The truck-mounted launchers can be combat ready in eight minutes, less than half the time the current system needs to position itself, the report said. The ministry plans to produce more than 50 systems at a cost of 14.5 billion Taiwan dollars (US$483 million), local media has reported. Ties between Beijing and Taipei have improved markedly since Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party became president in 2008 on a platform of beefing-up trade and tourism links. Ma was reelected in January for a second four-year term. But China still considers the island part of its territory and has vowed to take it back even if it means war. The island has governed itself for more than six decades since splitting from the mainland in 1949 at the end of a civil war, and has sought to modernise its forces to ward off external threats.

Taiwan to get new powerful rocket system: report

Taiwan is scheduled to take delivery next month of a powerful multiple-launch rocket system aimed at neutralising former rival China’s amphibious landing capabilities, local media reported Sunday. The weapon, called Ray Ting 2000 or “Thunder 2000”, will be put into service in August, said the

IBP/afp

IBP/File

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Chinese amphibious tanks and marines storm a beach in an amphibious assault drill in 2005.

IBP/afp

This photo, released by the Malacanang Photo Bureau (MPB), shows Philippine President Benigno Aquino saluting during the flag raising and wreath laying ceremonies in commemoration of the 114th Philippine Independence Day at the Barasoain Church Historical Landmark in Malolos, Bulacan, in June.

Assad’s forces overrun two Damascus districts

Reuters

BAB AL-SALAM, Syria - Syrian troops have driven rebel fighters out of two districts of Damascus a week after the insurgents launched a major assault on the capital. Government troops retook control of the Damascus neighborhood of Mezzeh on Sunday and executed at least 20 unarmed men who they suspected of aiding rebels, opposition activists in the district said. In Barzeh, members of the Syrian army’s Fourth Division under the command of President Bashar al-Assad’s brother executed several young men during an operation to regain control of the northern Damascus district, a witness and activists said. Government forces have launched a determined counter-offensive since rebels brought their battle to overthrow Assad to the capital and killed four of the president’s closest associates in a bomb attack last Wednesday. In a further escalation of a conflict rapidly becoming a civil war, fighting raged around the intelligence headquarters in Syria’s biggest city, Aleppo, and in Deir al-Zor in the east. Syrian forces regained control of one of two border crossings seized by rebels on the frontier with Iraq, Iraqi officials said, but rebels said they had captured a third border crossing with Turkey: Bab al-Salam, north of Aleppo. “Seizing the border crossings does not have strategic importance but it has a psychological impact because it demoralizes Assad’s force,” a senior Syrian army defector in Turkey, Staff Brigadier Faiz Amr, told Reuters by phone. “It’s a show of progress for the revolutionaries, despite the superior firepower of Assad’s troops.” Rebels also seized an army infantry school in the town of Musalmiyeh, 16 km (10 miles) north of Aleppo, and captured several loyalist officers, while others defected, a senior military defector in Turkey and rebel sources inside Syria said. “This is of big strategic and symbolic importance. The school has ammunition depots and armored formations and it protects the northern gate to Aleppo,” Brigadier General Mustafa al-Sheikh told Reuters by phone from the town of Apayden on the Turkish border.

REUTERS/Shaam News Network/Handout

Tanks loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad are seen at Al Mezza in Damascus July 22, 2012.


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International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

BUSINESS

EU to strengthen ties with Israel despite criticism

Agence France-Presse

BRUSSELS - The European Union looks poised to strengthen ties with Israel by approving 60 new cooperation activities, despite its recent denunciation of Israeli policy, diplomats have told AFP. The launch of the new activities, to be endorsed at high-level EUIsrael talks in Brussels on Tuesday, has angered critics. They say it is politically inopportune and clumsy, condoning the very Israeli actions EU foreign ministers condemned in a strongly worded statement issued on May 14. In the May statement, the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers said the gathering pace of settlement building, settler extremism and the ill-treatment of Palestinians “threaten to make a two-state solution impossible.” The new move, details of which were outlined to AFP at the weekend, involves closer cooperation on transport and energy, and enhanced ties with nine EU agencies, including the police body Europol and the European Space Agency. The package, covering up to 60

new activities, will be on the agenda of Tuesday’s annual meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council, which manages a bilateral agreement that came into force in 2000. But one European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the stronger ties indicated the continuing double standards of the bloc’s ties with Israel. “Once again we’re hearing critical words on the one hand but it’s business as usual on the other,” he said. Officials in Brussels stressed however that the 60 new areas of cooperation in 15 fields were a mere follow-up to a 2005 action plan and did not represent an upgrade in EUIsraeli relations. “There is absolutely no change in our policy,” said one EU official, who asked to remain anonymous. And In Israel Paul Hirschson,

SYDNEY - Australia’s mining boom will slow more sharply than expected and could be over within two years due to easing demand from China and falling prices, a leading economic forecaster warned Monday. Mining exports to industrialising Asian nations, chiefly China, helped Australia weather the global crisis without entering recession and prompted Canberra to promise a budget surplus for the 2012-13 fiscal year starting July 1. But Australia’s leading private-sector budget forecaster Deloitte Access Economics said the surplus plans could be undone as China slows and with coal and iron ore prices dropping. Its June quarterly business outlook said while the mining sector continued to drive economic growth and provide a buf-

fer from problems in Europe and China, it would not last forever. “The strong bit of Australia’s two-speed economy won’t stay strong for more than another two years or so,” Deloitte said, referring to the mining boom. In an interview with ABC radio, Deloitte director Chris Richardson said demand in key markets for Australian minerals was slowing. “China is slowing, India is slowing, Brazil is slowing. And you’re seeing those prices come off at the same time as costs have risen in Australia in recent years,” he said. “It does not mean that the investment boom goes away tomorrow. You know there’s a lot of petrol left in the tank for another year or two years still to come. “But beyond that the strong bit of Australia’s economy is starting to be called into question.”

Antara

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

5

Bali import value increase 48.12 percent

DENPASAR - Bali, which is a tourist destination, has seen an increase of 48.12 percent in its year-on-year import value, including 22.05 percent of imports from Hong Kong, during the first quarter of 2012.

Imports from Hong Kong comprised mostly of machine spare parts and computer hardware, said Deputy Indonesian Central Bank of Denpasar Sunarto, here on Monday. Singapore was the second biggest importer to Bali with products such as computers and industrial equipments accounting for an import value of 16.09 percent. Meanwhile, Thailand ranked third among the importers largely due to its rice trade via the Indonesian Stateowned logistics agency Bulog, said Sunarto, while explaining the results of the regional economic report for the first quarter-2012 here on Monday. According to the data collated by the Bali Bulog, the rice imported during this period was distributed among the lower class community. Bali has imported 5.434 tons of rice, of which 4.793 tons

was imported from India and 675 tons imported from Vietnam respectively. Sunarto said that though the import value for Bali has increased, the volume has seen a decrease of 37.83 percent during the same period. According to the report, goods such as material and consumer goods were imported into the Island city. Bali, which is a tourist destination, has seen an increase of 48.12 percent in its year-on-year import value, including 22.05 percent of imports from Hong Kong, during the first quarter of 2012.

FOTO ANTARA/M Risyal Hidayat

Spa Healthland:

AFP PHOTO/JUNG YEON-JE

A currency dealer monitors exchange rates in a dealing room at the Korea Exchange Bank in Seoul on July 23, 2012. South Korean shares closed 1.84 percent lower on heightened concerns over Spain’s debt situation. The benchmark KOSPI lost 33.49 points to finish at 1,789.44.

deputy spokesman at Israel’s foreign ministry, made a similar point. “This is related to the existing work plan rather than some sort of

Australia warned mining boom could end in two years

Agence France-Presse

Bali News

International

Trade Minister Craig Emerson insisted a decline in mineral prices had been factored into the budget as well as a drop in capital gains tax revenue caused by a stock market still impacted by the global financial crisis. “We are returning the budget to surplus,” he said. Despite the warning, Richardson said the Australian economy remained a global standout. “We judge ourselves against our own experience and Australia has done so well for so long that, you know, we want to keep doing better and that’s a tough yardstick,” he said. “If we were in the US or the UK or Europe or Japan and looking at Australia then, you know, there should be I think a fair amount of jealousy there.” Australia’s economy expanded by 3.2 percent in the year to June 2012.

upgrade because that way, the EU would have to find a way of delinking it from the peace process,” he said.

“Given the fact that they have decided to expand cooperation, it just goes to show that the relationship is mutually beneficial,” he added.

Spain borrowing costs hit record high Agence France-Presse

MADRID - Spanish long-term borrowing costs jumped to record highs Monday as investors turned increasingly sceptical about government efforts to stabilise a stricken banking system and the public finances. In early trade, the yield -- the rate of return -- on the benchmark Spanish 10year government bond jumped to 7.343 percent from 7.225 percent on Friday, well above the 7.0 percent danger level for long-term funding. The Madrid stockmarket fell sharply at the opening, losing about 2.0 percent after it slumped nearly 6.0 percent on Friday. Other European markets were lower Monday and borrowing costs for other struggling eurozone states also were under pressure as the debt crisis returned with a vengeance despite an EU bank rescue deal for Spain earlier this month. The Spanish government recently announced massive spending cuts and other measures to stabilise its public finances but the programme seems only to have driven speculation that Madrid may need a full EU-IMF bailout. The debt crisis has forced Greece, Ireland and Portugal to seek help but the Spanish economy is much larger than those three combined, raising concerns EU rescue mechanisms might not be enough, especially if Italy has problems too. “The fresh tensions over the eurozone will hit risk assets,” Credit Agricole CIB analysts said in a note. The Italian 10-year bond rose sharply Monday, with its yield jumping to 6.302 percent from 6.149 percent. Any yield over 6.0 percent is widely seen as unsustainable for long-term fund, with 7.0 percent the level at which Greece, Ireland and Portugal had to ask for outside help.

Massage with Balinese Herbal Spa Products Do you like basking on Nusa Dua Beach? Or are you fatigue after taking a long trip? Well, it does not matter because you can get relaxation soon in Spa Healthland Nusa Dua. While having relaxation for your body, you will get refreshed in accordance with its slogan: relax, beauty, health for wellness and longevity. Handled by therapists with strong cultural background and the use of Balinese traditional herbal products, the treatment will pamper

your senses and make you feel more comfortable. Spa Healthland is strategically located in front of the Amphitheater precisely within the area of Lot C-3 of BTDC Nusa Dua. Aside from located in an eco-friendly environment, the massage premises also offer different style, namely being provided in outdoor gazebo. It is surrounded by verdant and lush tropical garden with various plants that can exude cool atmosphere.

Decorations as well as pool with the rush of water will take your imagination to a quiet mountain atmosphere. Each gazebo has two beds and handled by two therapists. If required, you can also book to be served by four or eight therapists. By and large, visitors coming with family or a group will be served by more therapists, so that they get maximum services. A total of 29 experienced therapists are ready

to serve and they have exotic complexion becoming the favorite of foreigners. Having a massage at Spa Healthland, all customers will be truly pampered. Customers staying in the area of Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa and Jimbaran will be provided with free pick-up service for at least 4-6 people to maintain the customer’s convenience. “This BTDC complex has spa located within in the hotel area. However, we can still offer affordable prices but our services exceed the ones provided in hotel,” said Sales & Marketing Manager of Spa Healthland, Yohana. According to Yohana, since it was opened on early January 2012, many customers were interested in our spa treatments, such as foreign tourists from Australia, the United States, Russia, Britain, and Holland, as well as domestic. “In carrying out the promotion, we are also closely working with travel agencies and hotels other than disseminating flyers,” she said. Spa Healthland outlet offers approximately 60 menus summarized into four types. For instance, Balinese Massage for 60 minutes (USD 30.00) is an ancient system of healing relying upon a deep pressure massage to relieve tension, improve blood circulation and get the feel of spiritually renewed. Usage of herbal and virgin coconut oil

will give calming effect and make you relaxed and serene. Then, Massage & Herbal Body Scrub (90 minutes) at USD 45.00 is one of the great secrets of Javanese Royalties known as lulur or luxurious herbal body scrub. It is believed to become one of the nature’s best exfoliating methods to cleanse, smooth, soften, and rejuvenate skin. Our lulur recipe is made from a perfect blend of finely ground Javanese native herbs and spices consisting of pandanus leaves, turmeric, curcuma and rice powder. Massage & Volcanic Body Detox (90 minutes) at USD 45.00 takes advantage of volcanic mud that has been in use for centuries to detoxify, tighten and firm the skin. This odorless natural powder is obtained from volcanic rock. This substance is rich in minerals and trace elements effectively warm the muscles to help relaxation. Ultimately, Balinese Spa Ritual (120 minutes) at USD 65.00 poses a traditional spa ritual originating from the royal palaces of Java, Indonesia. It has been popularly known for its beautifying and softening benefits on the skin as well as clear unpleasant body odor. Unique sensation of this two-hour treatment is deeply rich and includes herbal foot bath, massage, yoghurt body scrub, aromatic flower or herbal bath and body lotion rub. (BTN/015)


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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

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RLD

International

Thousands march in Mexico to protest Pena Nieto win

International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

INDONESIA Kuwait needs 1,600 Indonesian professionals

Reuters

AP Photo

A taxi driver walks away after his car was stranded in a flooded street following a heavy rain in Beijing Saturday, July 21, 2012. China’s government says the heaviest rains to hit Beijing in six decades.

Rain storms kill at least 37 in Beijing Associated Press Writer

BEIJING — Officials have raised the death toll to at least 37 in the heaviest rainstorm to hit Beijing in six decades, and dozens of other storm deaths have been reported elsewhere in China. The rain Saturday night knocked down trees in Beijing and trapped cars and buses in waist-deep water in some areas. A statement from the city government late Sunday said 25 people drowned, six were killed when houses collapsed, one was hit by lightning and five were electrocuted by fallen power lines. The official China Daily newspaper reported Monday that rain and flooding caused damages of at least 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion), with 60,000 people evacuated from their homes. The official Globe Times said Monday that it was the heaviest rainstorm in the capital in 61

years. It was the heaviest on record in Fangshan district in the southwest of the city, which received 460 millimeters (18.4 inches) of rain Saturday, according to the weather bureau. The agency also said suburban Pinggu district got 100.3 millimeters (4 inches) of rain in one hour. A flash flood in Fangshan stranded 104 primary school students and nine teachers at a military training site, Xinhua said. They were taken to safety. Elsewhere, six people were killed by rain-triggered landslides in Sichuan province in the west, Xinhua News Agency said, citing disaster officials.

Four people died in Shanxi province in the north when their truck was swept away by a rain-swollen river. In neighboring Shaanxi province, state media said at least eight people died and 17 were missing after heavy rains hit. China suffers flooding and dozens of storm-related deaths every summer during its rainy season, but such a heavy downpour in relatively dry Beijing is unusual. The capital’s skies were clear Monday, with traffic back to normal. The city’s main airport was operating normally after hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed over the weekend.

MEXICO CITY - Thousands of people marched through Mexico City on Sunday to denounce the July 1 election of Enrique Pena Nieto as president, though the protest was smaller than one held earlier this month. Pena Nieto’s capture of the presidency for the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, has been challenged by his rival, leftist runner-up Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who alleges the PRI resorted to vote-buying and money laundering to win. Lopez Obrador is seeking to invalidate the PRI victory at the federal electoral tribunal, and the former mayor of Mexico City has pledged to keep the pressure up on Pena Nieto with rallies around the country starting at the end of this month. On Sunday, student groups dominated the crowd that marched to the capital’s main square, chanting slogans like “Pena Out,” “Fraud, Fraud” with banners decrying what the protesters called the “imposition” of the PRI candidate on Mexico. “The people have woken up. The people realize that the PRI violated the elections,” said Luis Martinez, a 25-year-old engineering student from Mexico City. The PRI ran Mexico for 71 straight years until it was ousted in a 2000 election. The party’s rule was marred by allegations of corruption, vote-rigging and violent repression of dissent. Officials in the capital estimated about 30,000 people turned out for Sunday’s protest, less than half the number seen at an anti-Pena Nieto demonstration there on July 7. Authorities said the protest was peaceful. Separate, smaller demonstrations against Pena Nieto took place in other parts of Mexico on Sunday. The PRI has dismissed Lopez Obrador’s claims and accused him of being a sore loser. The 58-year-old also fought the outcome of the 2006 election, which he narrowly lost to President Felipe Calderon of the conservative National Action Party (PAN). In 2006, the margin of Lopez Obrador’s loss to Calderon was less than 250,000 votes. This time he lost by over 3 million votes to Pena Nieto, who is due to take office in December.

93 killed... From page 1 The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information. The overall toll made Monday the deadliest day in Iraq since U.S. troops left in mid-December. Before Monday, the deadliest day was Jan. 5, when a wave of bombings targeting Shiites killed 78 people in Baghdad and outside the southern city of Nasiriyah. Last weekend, the leader of al-Qaida’s affiliate in Iraq warned that the militant network is returning to strongholds from which it was driven from while the American military was here. “The majority of the Sunnis in Iraq support al-Qaida and are waiting for its return,” Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, head of the Islamic State of Iraq since 2010, said in the statement that was posted on a militant website. Previous al-Qaida offensives have failed to push the country into civil war, largely because Shiite militias in recent years have refused to join in with the kind of tit-for-tat killings that marked Iraq’s descent six years ago. Additionally, for all its weaknesses, the Iraqi government now holds more authority than it did during those dark years, and, by and large, citizens have no desire to return down that path. Still, the militant group appears to be banking on Iraq’s fragility in its campaign to throw it into permanent chaos. Sectarian tensions have risen due to a political crisis stemming from terror charges the Shiite-led government has filed against one of the country’s vice presidents, who is one of Iraq’s top Sunni officials. He says they are politically inspired. Militant websites appeared to be closely monitoring Monday’s attacks, which were hailed by several self-proclaimed jihadists who praised the plan of destruction that al-Baghdadi’s statement called “Breaking the Walls.” “Explosions rock Iraq ...The Breaking the Walls plan has come,” one poster wrote.

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Antara

FOTO ANTARA/Agus Bebeng

Ariel being escorted by prison official during his release on Monday. A prison official says hundreds of fans gathered outside the jail Monday, chanting Nazril “Ariel” Irham’s name and singing his songs as he walked out.

Indonesian pop star freed following sex scandal

CAIRO - About 30 major companies in Kuwait need some 1,600 Indonesian professional workers in various fields, the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait said in a press statement made available to ANTARA here on Sunday. “A total of 30 leading companies in Kuwait have expressed their desires to recruit soon some 1,687 professional workers from Indonesia to be employed in various fields,” the embassy said. The demand for Indonesian professionals was raised during a business meeting in Kuwait which was initiated by the Indonesian Embassy in cooperation with the National Agency for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Workers Overseas (BNP2TKI). The Indonesian Employment Table Top Meeting 2012 which was held at Hotel Regency, Kuwait City, on July 18, 2012, was attended by 42 human resources managers from different businesses. Companies attending the business meeting included M.H. Al Shaya, Kuwait Automotive Imports Company, Radisson Blu Hotel, Kout Food Group, Mc Donald Kuwait, Al Ghanim Industries, Carrefour, Mustafa Karam & Sons Company, dan Costa Del Sol Hotel. Many of them badly needed workers, some even needed to recruit ones before the end of the current fasting month, the embassy said. They needed some 100 fast food employees, 200 retailers at hypermarkets, 409 in the manufacturing field, 300 transportation bus drivers, 150 welders, 163 automotive technicians and 365 nurses. In his address, Indonesian Ambassador to Kuwait Ferry Adamhar said Indonesian workers working in the formal sectors spread in various parts of the Middle East, particularly in the Gulf countries. “Employer companies expressed desires to recruit Indonesian professionals after seeing their hard work and dedication,” he said. On the occasion, the BNP2TKI chief, Jumhur Hidayat, said in order to meet overseas demand for Indonesian professionals, Indonesia needed to launch a center of excellence program. He said that his agency was launching innovations by offering the opening of centers of excellence in Indonesia where employer companies could invest in the project to meet their need for professionals.

Associated Press

JAKARTA — One of Indonesia’s best-known pop stars has been released from prison after serving two years over a sex-tape scandal. A prison o ff i c i a l s a y s hundreds of fans gathered outside the jail Monday, chanting Nazril “Ariel” Irham’s name and sing-

ing his songs as he walked out. Ariel, lead singer of Indonesia’s most popular band, Peterpan, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years behind bars after sex videos with his celebrity girlfriends hit the Internet. The 30-year-old star, who was freed on parole, was the first celebrity to be charged under In-

donesia’s strict anti-pornography law. The law went into effect in 2008 despite strong opposition from the public and members of government. Ariel was arrested in June 2010 and insisted the tapes were stolen from his house and posted online without his knowledge.

Minister calls for more children`s movies

Antara

JAKARTA - Women Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar has called for the production of more children`s films in the country. “All related parties must work towards producing more and more children`s movies with moral les-

sons in order to build the character of the nation`s future,” Linda said here on Monday. She explained that children`s movies with positive messages were urgently needed to balance the surging tide of horror and violent films to which kids have access. “I am very concerned that the

lack of children`s films can force the next generation to watch only violent and horror movies because they have no other choice,” Linda noted. She said children`s movies with inspirational stories could help develop their moral character as well as creativity.

AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD

Indonesian protestor Hari Suwandi, his body painted in gray symbolizing mud and carrying and Indonesian flag, continue his solo walk for justice in Jakarta on July 23, 2012 to demand compensation for victims of the mud volcano in the town of Sidoarjo that wiped out 12 villages, killed 13 people and displaced more than 42,000. Suwandi, has walked from Porong to Jakarta for 25 days for the victims of mud volcano trigerred by gas exploration drilling by Lapindo Brantas, a company linked to powerful Indonesian businessman Aburizal Bakrie.


10

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Destinations

International

Something Unique in Desa and Puseh Temple of Batuan

Sports

International

Agence France Presse

When having sightseeing on the Island of the Gods, you can see myriad and various kinds of temples. However, among the existing temples, the Desa and Puseh Temple of Batuan customary village have a variety of uniqueness. It has typical carvings, ancient relics, and cockfighting traditions as well as Rejang Dance performed every day during 5 months in succession. Besides, it also retains lingga-yoni symbolizing the male and female with a variety of forms so that it exudes a magical aura. The temple is located at Batuan, Sukawati subdistrict, Gianyar Regency. It is within easy reach to Sukawati Market and sits on the tourist route of Batubulan—Ubud. The Batuan community consisting of 9 hamlets (Peninjoan, Delod Tunon, Den Tiyis, Jungut, Puaya, Jeleka, Tengah, Pekandelan and Tempekan Semeton (Brahmana clan) is responsible for the temple existence. Piodalan or temple anniversary is held every Tumpek Wariga. The tradition of cockfighting and performance of Rejang Dance is not staged in relation to the pinnacle of temple anniversary. However, it is held every year, about 4 months ahead of Nyepi or Day of Silence

Bradley Wiggins has been crowned Britain’s first Tour de France champion, becoming an instant sporting hero at home just ahead of the London Olympics -- in which he hopes to star again.

dancers use Balinese traditional worshipping clothes. Meanwhile, if the performance coincides with holy days like Kajeng Kliwon, full moon, black moon, and other holy days, the Rejang dancers will wear complete dancing attires and makeup. Then, the procession is closed on Ngembak Geni (March 24, 2012). “Formerly, the performance is commonly carried out until late night or the next morning. Having presented

the Rejang Dance, it is resumed with the performance of Balinese arts such as the arja operetta, joged and prembon, so that they can last until the morning. Basically, they are spontaneous activities,” he explained. At the same time, it is also held the cockfighting. Located in the temple area, the event usually takes place in afternoon onwards. Every day, three pairs of roosters are involved in the cockfight with spur.

In the past, the cockfight involved a pair of little chickens but no one knew where they came from. In keeping with the changing times, the cockfight today involves a pair of roosters. “Nevertheless, people are not obliged to bring along a rooster. There are always people coming and bringing their roosters,” said Deputy Chief of Batuan customary village, Wayan Kader, accompanied by Jero Mangku Wayan Suda.

7

History-maker Wiggins wins Tour de France

IBP

celebration. This unique tradition is organized from sasih kalima in Balinese calendar system. “Cockfighting is organized in the temple area while the Rejang Dance is presented in Wantilan Hall of the local temple,” said Ketut Wirtawan, an artist from the village. The Rejang Dance is performed by Batuan community alternately. Approximately 50 dancers perform the dance from 8:00 p.m. local time during an hour. On the stage, the

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Wiggins, who had virtually sealed victory the previous day, finished the three-week, 3,479km epic with a 3min 21sec lead over British team-mate Chris Froome after Sunday’s 20th and last stage to Paris. He also helped Sky team-mate Mark Cavendish to secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive stage win on the Champs-Elysees. “It’s been a magical couple of weeks for the team and for British cycling,” Wiggins told the massed throngs who had besieged France’s famous thoroughfare, many waving British flags. “Some dreams come true,” he added, after securing the famous yellow jersey in the largely ceremonial final leg. Wiggins, who received huge support from his Sky team-mates during the gruelling rides through the Alps and the Pyrenees, promised to return the favour and help Cavendish secure Olympic gold in

London. “I’m more than happy,” said world champion Cavendish as he held his newborn baby at the finish line. “The Champs Elysees is the most beautiful avenue in the world, and I’ve won here again.” Three years after Wiggins equalled Robert Millar’s 1984 best British finish of fourth overall, the Belgian-born Londoner finally achieved his childhood dream of winning the world’s most prestigious bike race. “It’s magnificent,” said Wiggins. “For us to finish like this as a team, helping Mark to victory and allowing him to defend his record here... it’s incredible.” Team Sky achieved the rare feat of a 1-2 on the podium, the first since 1996, when Dane Bjarne Riis finished ahead of his German teammate at Telekom, Jan Ullrich. Italian Vincenzo Nibali of the Liquigas team finished third overall, six minutes and 19 seconds behind

Wiggins. It is also the first time compatriots

London Mayor Boris Johnson insisted Sunday the city was ready to host the 2012 Olympics despite a national outbreak of pre-match nerves before the biggest show on Earth gets under way. Johnson said Britain was feeling the necessary tension before a big performance, as the clock ticks down to Friday’s opening ceremony on the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. He said the venues were safe and the transport system was bearing up despite a week dominated in Britain by fears over travel chaos and gaps in security. International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge is in London and “he thinks that our city is as well-prepared as any city has ever been in the history of the Games,” Johnson told BBC television. “So far the traffic system and transport networks generally are holding up well. “Possibly what we’re going though at the moment as a nation, as a city, is that necessary, pre-curtain-up moment of psychological self-depression before the excitement begins on Friday when the curtain goes up. “It is only natural that people should be tense, that they should be expectant.” He also said the Olympics would bring economic benefits for the capital of recession-hit Britain, saying London was about to sell itself at the “gigantic schmoozathon” between top world business chiefs on the margins. Three-time Olympic gold medal winner Bradley Wiggins on Sunday delivered a huge boost to national self-confidence when he became the first ever British cyclist to win the Tour de France.

of physical and mental ability”. “I’m like everyone in the country -- absolutely delighted,” he told Sky News. “I think the whole country wants to say well done, brilliant -- the perfect backdrop and start to the Olympics.”

REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

Sky Procycling rider and leader’s yellow jersey Bradley Wiggins of Britain celebrates with a British national flag on the Champs Elysees after winning the 99th Tour de France cycling race in Paris, July 22, 2012.

London ready for Olympics ‘despite nerves’

Agence France Presse

have taken the first two places since France’s Laurent Fignon finished ahead of five-time winner Bernard Hinault in the 1984 edition. British Prime Minister David Cameron led the tributes, calling Wiggins’ victory an “immense feat

Wiggins will spearhead Britain’s hopes for cycling gold in his home city when he takes to the streets of London for the Men’s Road Race, which takes place on Saturday. Former prime minister Tony Blair, who was in charge when London won the right to host the Games in 2005, backed the view that the Olympics would boost Britain and and promote it to the world. “This is the global sporting event. The reason why people compete so hotly to get it is because of what it does for a country,” he told Sky News television. The government’s Olympics Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the same programme that the Games would be “showing the world what we’re really capable of” by “putting on the world’s biggest sport event in the calm, professional, disciplined way”. Athletes have been getting used to their new surroundings and taking time to relax before the Games begin.

AFP Photo/Johannes Eisele

The sun sets behind the Tower Bridge at the river Thames in central London five days before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Els wants to drink with Mandela from Claret Jug Agence France Presse

South African golf star Ernie Els, fresh off his fourth major victory Sunday at the British Open, says he wants to share a drink from the Claret Jug with anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela. Els paid tribute to the statesman and former South African president in his victory speech at Royal Lytham after firing a final-round 68, two-under par, to finish on seven-under 273 for a one-stroke victory over Australian Adam Scott. As Els watched a telecast of South Africa’s cricket team surge to a strong position against England in their opening Test match at London, Els found his thoughts drifting to Mandela, who celebrated his 94th birthday on Wednesday. “He has been very much in my thoughts,” Els said. “I was just daydreaming and that thought came through me in a split second -- ‘If I win, I had better thank President Mandela because I grew up in the apartheid era and then changing into the democratic era and President Mandela was right there.’ “And right after the change, I was the first one to win a major.” That was the first major title for Els, which came in the 1994 US Open at Oakmont and resulted in a congratulatory telephone call from Mandela. Since then, Els added the 1997 US Open and 2002 and 2012 British Opens to his trophy case. And now he holds the Claret Jug and hopes to share a drink from it with Mandela. “I would love to,” Els said. “When you’ve met him personally it’s an unbelievable feeling and he’s a great man.” Els feels a bond with Mandela, whose 1990 release from an apartheid prison put South Africa on the path to democracy and reconciliation.


8

International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Sp rt

International

Losing debut for Seedorf at Botafogo Reuters

July - Former AC Milan, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Clarence Seedorf made a losing debut in the Brazilian championship as his Botafogo side lost 1-0 at home to Gremio. The 36-year-old Dutchman, described by Botafogo president Mauricio Assuncao as the greatest foreign player to sign for a Brazilian club, produced a subdued performance, although he was applauded by home supporters on being substituted late in the game. “The atmosphere was amazing, I hope every game is like that,” he told reporters after Sunday’s game. “Seedorf has only been with us for two weeks,” said coach Oswaldo de Oliveira. ““He’s at the start of the season and we’re in the middle.” Botafogo are eighth in the 20team table with 17 points from 11

games. There were mixed fortunes for the three teams who fired their coaches on Friday. Bahia, who dismissed former Brazil midfielder and coach Paulo Roberto Falcao, squandered a 2-0 lead and drew 2-2 at home to Coritiba under interim coach Eduardo Barroca with new coach Caio Junior watching from the standards. Internacional gave new coach Fernandao, who replaced Dorival Junior, a 4-1 win over Atletico Goianense. Figueirense, who dismissed Argel on Friday, went down to a 2-0 home defeat against Sao Paulo, who notched their first win under Ney Franco. Figueirense supporters responded to their team’s performance by turning their backs to the pitch en masse during the second half. A 4-1 win at Sport Recife kept Atletico Mineiro top of the table, two points clear of Vasco da Gama who beat Santos 2-0.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Tevez flops as Open Golf caddy Agence France Presse

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez made his debut as a pro caddy at the British Open on Sunday but judging by his player’s score it may well be his last carry. The controversial Argentinian was on the bag in the final round for countryman Andres Romero. The two have become firm friends since Romero helped Tevez, a keen golfer, slash his handicap to a respectable 13 last season. That was when the controversial forward took several months unsanctioned home leave in the wake of his bust up with City manager Roberto Mancini. Tevez is back in the fold at City and played in the pre-season friendly win over Turkish side Besiktas in Austria on Friday, after which he flew in to watch Romero play the third round of the British Open on Saturday. On Sunday he was on the bag, but it did Romero no favours at all as the 31-year-old, who came close to winning the Open five years ago at Carnoustie, plummeted to the bottom of the leaderboard with an ugly round of 12-over par 82. Despite the miserable score, Tevez said he had enjoyed the round and admired the Royal Lytham course. “The chance to walk along the course and to be around these great players is a pleasure and something unforgettable,” he said. “It was good to enjoy the last day with him. This was the dream of everybody who plays golf. It was my first major!” “It was difficult to carry the bag because it weighed so much but it was fine. “I couldn’t give any advice about the slopes but I just carried the bag and supported him each hole. “Andres is a professional and he knows everything already. We worked together very well.”

AFP Photo/Str

Drogba makes instant impact for Shanghai Shenhua Agence France Presse

Shenhua had struggled in the first half after falling behind to an unfortunate own goal by Brazilian defender Moises on 21 minutes, but the introduction of Drogba instantly transformed the visitors’ fortunes. The game had been one of China’s most eagerly awaited this season, with Drogba-fever having swept the Chinese football world. Former Japan national team coach Philippe Troussier, now managing Chinese second division side Shenzhen Ruby, and Italian World-Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi, manager of Guangzhou Evergrande, were in the stands. Shenhua have struggled badly this season, winning just four of 17 games, but they

played with an increased level of confidence when Drogba, a European Champions League winner with Chelsea in May, stepped onto the pitch. In the 52nd minute the Ivory Coast striker headed just over the bar from a cross from winger Feng Renliang, and was at the centre of every Shenhua move as they tried to get back into the game. Drogba’s biggest contribution came in the 68th minute with an exquisite through ball which found Shanghainese playmaker Cao Yunding, who rounded the keeper to equalise. The match was also notable for being the first time Drogba and Nicolas Anelka -- who were Chelsea team-mates -- have played to-

gether at Shenhua. Anelka sealed a 175,000 pounds ($273,000) a week move from Chelsea last December. Drogba was reunited with the Frenchman after signing a deal that Chinese and British media have said is worth 200,000 pounds a week, making him the highest-paid player in China and in the top bracket globally. He was given a hero’s welcome when he arrived in China last week to start his two-and-a-halfyear contract. Hundreds of fans, many clad in “Drogba 11” shirts, greeted the former Chelsea star at Shanghai’s Pudong airport, some carrying flowers, others brandishing his name in English on placards and many jostling to touch him.

AP Photo/Felipe Dana

Botafogo’s Clarence Seedorf, right, fights for the ball with Gremio’s Fernando during a Brazilian championship soccer mach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday July 22, 2012.

France women’s football coach Bruno Bini on Sunday hit out at the security surrounding his team in Glasgow, claiming that fans are being denied the opportunity to see the team train. The French squad, one of the tournament favourites, arrived in the Scottish city on Friday to be greeted by armed police. But Bini does not like the lack of privacy for his players or the fact supporters of the French team cannot watch them train, as anyone entering the venue needs to have

accreditation. “I am annoyed by all the security measures, it is a bit too much,” he said. “We don’t have any privacy and that is not really acceptable. We have guards with guns walking around the corridor all the time and it is really annoying as we have no privacy for the team. “For the first time it is not possible for fans to come and see all the training sessions and it is sad that that has happened.” “It is important with football that fans can see teams train.”

Wenger still wants to keep Van Persie

Agence France Presse

awards last season, was “in demand” but added: “Our desire is to keep Van Persie.” Wenger hinted, however, that the Dutch international may be allowed to leave for the right price. “At the end of the day, we will do what is in the best interests of the club,” he said. Van Persie, who scored 37 goals in all competitions last season, stunned Wenger when he declared after Euro 2012 that he wanted to leave because he felt the north London club’s ambitions did not match his own. The striker has a year left on his current deal and Arsenal will be considering whether to cash in on their prize asset, rather than see him leave for nothing on a free transfer at the end of next season. Van Persie’s

shock announcement that he would not be extending his contract beyond the end of the forthcoming campaign prompted a number of clubs, including Manchester United and Juventus to express interest in the star. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed a bid for Van Persie had been made but it is believed Arsenal rejected it because they want at least £20 million ($31.2 million) for the player. Arsenal left England Saturday for their pre-season tour to Asia, which will also take in visits to China and Hong Kong, with the club opting not to take Van Persie. Ahead of their departure Wenger told the club’s website of his desire to keep Van Persie at the club.

Brazil opt for quiet life away from Village

French footballers say security ‘too much’ Agence France Presse

AFP Photo/Ben Stansall

Robin van Persie sits down after missing a chance for Arsenal against Norwich City at The Emirates Stadium in May.

Manager Arsene Wenger repeated his determination Sunday to keep Arsenal’s want-away striker Robin van Persie at the English Premier League club, describing the Dutchman as “world class”. Wenger spoke in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, where Arsenal arrived for the first leg of a three-match Asian pre-season tour minus the 28-year-old who rejected a new contract offer from the Gunners earlier this month. “Robin van Persie is a world class striker,” Wenger said, adding: “You know I am a big supporter of him.” The Arsenal manager said the striker, who won both the Players’ and Football Writers’ Player of the Year

Shanghai Shenhua’s Didier Drogba during their match against Guangzhou R&F on July 22. Drogba made an instant impact on his debut for the Chinese Super League side, setting up his new team’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw away to Guangzhou R&F.

Didier Drogba made an instant impact on his debut for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, setting up his new team’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw away to Guangzhou R&F. The former Chelsea striker started the game on the bench but came on at half time, almost scoring with his first touch of the ball -- an outrageous 40-yard free kick which Guangzhou goalkeeper Cheng Yuelei tipped wide.

9

Reuters

AFP Photo/PETER MUHLY

Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez carries the bag of Andres Romero of Argentina on the 13th fairway at British Open Golf Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

LONDON - Brazil’s Olympic soccer squad are opting for a quiet life away from the “temptations” of the Athletes’ Village, coach Mano Menezes said on Sunday. The young squad are under huge pressure back home to win the country’s first Olympic soccer gold and Menezes believes they have a better chance of doing that from a secluded hotel in the Hertfordshire countryside outside the capital. “There are too many temptations here,” he said with a smile

as he spoke to reporters in the sunshine during a visit to the Village at the Olympic Park. While players shopped for Olympic souvenirs in the Village megastore, Menezes continued: “Some of the players like Neymar and the others have already been the focus of attention from so many other athletes when we’ve been here and we have serious work to do at these Games.” Neymar, 20, is the brightest star in the Olympic side, composed mainly of Under-23 players, who have been preparing for the Games at Arsenal’s training complex at London Colney just north of the

capital. Brazil face Egypt, Belarus and New Zealand in their opening group and their squad, many of whom should be in the senior team at the World Cup in Brazil in two years’ time, are the clear favourites for the gold. They were impressive in Friday’s 2-0 win over Britain in their final warm-up in Middlesbrough on Friday and Menezes added: “We know what we are capable of. Of course we are looking at reaching the semi-finals to start with, and then the final, but we have a lot of hard work to do before that.”


8

International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Sp rt

International

Losing debut for Seedorf at Botafogo Reuters

July - Former AC Milan, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Clarence Seedorf made a losing debut in the Brazilian championship as his Botafogo side lost 1-0 at home to Gremio. The 36-year-old Dutchman, described by Botafogo president Mauricio Assuncao as the greatest foreign player to sign for a Brazilian club, produced a subdued performance, although he was applauded by home supporters on being substituted late in the game. “The atmosphere was amazing, I hope every game is like that,” he told reporters after Sunday’s game. “Seedorf has only been with us for two weeks,” said coach Oswaldo de Oliveira. ““He’s at the start of the season and we’re in the middle.” Botafogo are eighth in the 20team table with 17 points from 11

games. There were mixed fortunes for the three teams who fired their coaches on Friday. Bahia, who dismissed former Brazil midfielder and coach Paulo Roberto Falcao, squandered a 2-0 lead and drew 2-2 at home to Coritiba under interim coach Eduardo Barroca with new coach Caio Junior watching from the standards. Internacional gave new coach Fernandao, who replaced Dorival Junior, a 4-1 win over Atletico Goianense. Figueirense, who dismissed Argel on Friday, went down to a 2-0 home defeat against Sao Paulo, who notched their first win under Ney Franco. Figueirense supporters responded to their team’s performance by turning their backs to the pitch en masse during the second half. A 4-1 win at Sport Recife kept Atletico Mineiro top of the table, two points clear of Vasco da Gama who beat Santos 2-0.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Tevez flops as Open Golf caddy Agence France Presse

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez made his debut as a pro caddy at the British Open on Sunday but judging by his player’s score it may well be his last carry. The controversial Argentinian was on the bag in the final round for countryman Andres Romero. The two have become firm friends since Romero helped Tevez, a keen golfer, slash his handicap to a respectable 13 last season. That was when the controversial forward took several months unsanctioned home leave in the wake of his bust up with City manager Roberto Mancini. Tevez is back in the fold at City and played in the pre-season friendly win over Turkish side Besiktas in Austria on Friday, after which he flew in to watch Romero play the third round of the British Open on Saturday. On Sunday he was on the bag, but it did Romero no favours at all as the 31-year-old, who came close to winning the Open five years ago at Carnoustie, plummeted to the bottom of the leaderboard with an ugly round of 12-over par 82. Despite the miserable score, Tevez said he had enjoyed the round and admired the Royal Lytham course. “The chance to walk along the course and to be around these great players is a pleasure and something unforgettable,” he said. “It was good to enjoy the last day with him. This was the dream of everybody who plays golf. It was my first major!” “It was difficult to carry the bag because it weighed so much but it was fine. “I couldn’t give any advice about the slopes but I just carried the bag and supported him each hole. “Andres is a professional and he knows everything already. We worked together very well.”

AFP Photo/Str

Drogba makes instant impact for Shanghai Shenhua Agence France Presse

Shenhua had struggled in the first half after falling behind to an unfortunate own goal by Brazilian defender Moises on 21 minutes, but the introduction of Drogba instantly transformed the visitors’ fortunes. The game had been one of China’s most eagerly awaited this season, with Drogba-fever having swept the Chinese football world. Former Japan national team coach Philippe Troussier, now managing Chinese second division side Shenzhen Ruby, and Italian World-Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi, manager of Guangzhou Evergrande, were in the stands. Shenhua have struggled badly this season, winning just four of 17 games, but they

played with an increased level of confidence when Drogba, a European Champions League winner with Chelsea in May, stepped onto the pitch. In the 52nd minute the Ivory Coast striker headed just over the bar from a cross from winger Feng Renliang, and was at the centre of every Shenhua move as they tried to get back into the game. Drogba’s biggest contribution came in the 68th minute with an exquisite through ball which found Shanghainese playmaker Cao Yunding, who rounded the keeper to equalise. The match was also notable for being the first time Drogba and Nicolas Anelka -- who were Chelsea team-mates -- have played to-

gether at Shenhua. Anelka sealed a 175,000 pounds ($273,000) a week move from Chelsea last December. Drogba was reunited with the Frenchman after signing a deal that Chinese and British media have said is worth 200,000 pounds a week, making him the highest-paid player in China and in the top bracket globally. He was given a hero’s welcome when he arrived in China last week to start his two-and-a-halfyear contract. Hundreds of fans, many clad in “Drogba 11” shirts, greeted the former Chelsea star at Shanghai’s Pudong airport, some carrying flowers, others brandishing his name in English on placards and many jostling to touch him.

AP Photo/Felipe Dana

Botafogo’s Clarence Seedorf, right, fights for the ball with Gremio’s Fernando during a Brazilian championship soccer mach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday July 22, 2012.

France women’s football coach Bruno Bini on Sunday hit out at the security surrounding his team in Glasgow, claiming that fans are being denied the opportunity to see the team train. The French squad, one of the tournament favourites, arrived in the Scottish city on Friday to be greeted by armed police. But Bini does not like the lack of privacy for his players or the fact supporters of the French team cannot watch them train, as anyone entering the venue needs to have

accreditation. “I am annoyed by all the security measures, it is a bit too much,” he said. “We don’t have any privacy and that is not really acceptable. We have guards with guns walking around the corridor all the time and it is really annoying as we have no privacy for the team. “For the first time it is not possible for fans to come and see all the training sessions and it is sad that that has happened.” “It is important with football that fans can see teams train.”

Wenger still wants to keep Van Persie

Agence France Presse

awards last season, was “in demand” but added: “Our desire is to keep Van Persie.” Wenger hinted, however, that the Dutch international may be allowed to leave for the right price. “At the end of the day, we will do what is in the best interests of the club,” he said. Van Persie, who scored 37 goals in all competitions last season, stunned Wenger when he declared after Euro 2012 that he wanted to leave because he felt the north London club’s ambitions did not match his own. The striker has a year left on his current deal and Arsenal will be considering whether to cash in on their prize asset, rather than see him leave for nothing on a free transfer at the end of next season. Van Persie’s

shock announcement that he would not be extending his contract beyond the end of the forthcoming campaign prompted a number of clubs, including Manchester United and Juventus to express interest in the star. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed a bid for Van Persie had been made but it is believed Arsenal rejected it because they want at least £20 million ($31.2 million) for the player. Arsenal left England Saturday for their pre-season tour to Asia, which will also take in visits to China and Hong Kong, with the club opting not to take Van Persie. Ahead of their departure Wenger told the club’s website of his desire to keep Van Persie at the club.

Brazil opt for quiet life away from Village

French footballers say security ‘too much’ Agence France Presse

AFP Photo/Ben Stansall

Robin van Persie sits down after missing a chance for Arsenal against Norwich City at The Emirates Stadium in May.

Manager Arsene Wenger repeated his determination Sunday to keep Arsenal’s want-away striker Robin van Persie at the English Premier League club, describing the Dutchman as “world class”. Wenger spoke in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur, where Arsenal arrived for the first leg of a three-match Asian pre-season tour minus the 28-year-old who rejected a new contract offer from the Gunners earlier this month. “Robin van Persie is a world class striker,” Wenger said, adding: “You know I am a big supporter of him.” The Arsenal manager said the striker, who won both the Players’ and Football Writers’ Player of the Year

Shanghai Shenhua’s Didier Drogba during their match against Guangzhou R&F on July 22. Drogba made an instant impact on his debut for the Chinese Super League side, setting up his new team’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw away to Guangzhou R&F.

Didier Drogba made an instant impact on his debut for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua, setting up his new team’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw away to Guangzhou R&F. The former Chelsea striker started the game on the bench but came on at half time, almost scoring with his first touch of the ball -- an outrageous 40-yard free kick which Guangzhou goalkeeper Cheng Yuelei tipped wide.

9

Reuters

AFP Photo/PETER MUHLY

Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez carries the bag of Andres Romero of Argentina on the 13th fairway at British Open Golf Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

LONDON - Brazil’s Olympic soccer squad are opting for a quiet life away from the “temptations” of the Athletes’ Village, coach Mano Menezes said on Sunday. The young squad are under huge pressure back home to win the country’s first Olympic soccer gold and Menezes believes they have a better chance of doing that from a secluded hotel in the Hertfordshire countryside outside the capital. “There are too many temptations here,” he said with a smile

as he spoke to reporters in the sunshine during a visit to the Village at the Olympic Park. While players shopped for Olympic souvenirs in the Village megastore, Menezes continued: “Some of the players like Neymar and the others have already been the focus of attention from so many other athletes when we’ve been here and we have serious work to do at these Games.” Neymar, 20, is the brightest star in the Olympic side, composed mainly of Under-23 players, who have been preparing for the Games at Arsenal’s training complex at London Colney just north of the

capital. Brazil face Egypt, Belarus and New Zealand in their opening group and their squad, many of whom should be in the senior team at the World Cup in Brazil in two years’ time, are the clear favourites for the gold. They were impressive in Friday’s 2-0 win over Britain in their final warm-up in Middlesbrough on Friday and Menezes added: “We know what we are capable of. Of course we are looking at reaching the semi-finals to start with, and then the final, but we have a lot of hard work to do before that.”


10

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Destinations

International

Something Unique in Desa and Puseh Temple of Batuan

Sports

International

Agence France Presse

When having sightseeing on the Island of the Gods, you can see myriad and various kinds of temples. However, among the existing temples, the Desa and Puseh Temple of Batuan customary village have a variety of uniqueness. It has typical carvings, ancient relics, and cockfighting traditions as well as Rejang Dance performed every day during 5 months in succession. Besides, it also retains lingga-yoni symbolizing the male and female with a variety of forms so that it exudes a magical aura. The temple is located at Batuan, Sukawati subdistrict, Gianyar Regency. It is within easy reach to Sukawati Market and sits on the tourist route of Batubulan—Ubud. The Batuan community consisting of 9 hamlets (Peninjoan, Delod Tunon, Den Tiyis, Jungut, Puaya, Jeleka, Tengah, Pekandelan and Tempekan Semeton (Brahmana clan) is responsible for the temple existence. Piodalan or temple anniversary is held every Tumpek Wariga. The tradition of cockfighting and performance of Rejang Dance is not staged in relation to the pinnacle of temple anniversary. However, it is held every year, about 4 months ahead of Nyepi or Day of Silence

Bradley Wiggins has been crowned Britain’s first Tour de France champion, becoming an instant sporting hero at home just ahead of the London Olympics -- in which he hopes to star again.

dancers use Balinese traditional worshipping clothes. Meanwhile, if the performance coincides with holy days like Kajeng Kliwon, full moon, black moon, and other holy days, the Rejang dancers will wear complete dancing attires and makeup. Then, the procession is closed on Ngembak Geni (March 24, 2012). “Formerly, the performance is commonly carried out until late night or the next morning. Having presented

the Rejang Dance, it is resumed with the performance of Balinese arts such as the arja operetta, joged and prembon, so that they can last until the morning. Basically, they are spontaneous activities,” he explained. At the same time, it is also held the cockfighting. Located in the temple area, the event usually takes place in afternoon onwards. Every day, three pairs of roosters are involved in the cockfight with spur.

In the past, the cockfight involved a pair of little chickens but no one knew where they came from. In keeping with the changing times, the cockfight today involves a pair of roosters. “Nevertheless, people are not obliged to bring along a rooster. There are always people coming and bringing their roosters,” said Deputy Chief of Batuan customary village, Wayan Kader, accompanied by Jero Mangku Wayan Suda.

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History-maker Wiggins wins Tour de France

IBP

celebration. This unique tradition is organized from sasih kalima in Balinese calendar system. “Cockfighting is organized in the temple area while the Rejang Dance is presented in Wantilan Hall of the local temple,” said Ketut Wirtawan, an artist from the village. The Rejang Dance is performed by Batuan community alternately. Approximately 50 dancers perform the dance from 8:00 p.m. local time during an hour. On the stage, the

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Wiggins, who had virtually sealed victory the previous day, finished the three-week, 3,479km epic with a 3min 21sec lead over British team-mate Chris Froome after Sunday’s 20th and last stage to Paris. He also helped Sky team-mate Mark Cavendish to secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive stage win on the Champs-Elysees. “It’s been a magical couple of weeks for the team and for British cycling,” Wiggins told the massed throngs who had besieged France’s famous thoroughfare, many waving British flags. “Some dreams come true,” he added, after securing the famous yellow jersey in the largely ceremonial final leg. Wiggins, who received huge support from his Sky team-mates during the gruelling rides through the Alps and the Pyrenees, promised to return the favour and help Cavendish secure Olympic gold in

London. “I’m more than happy,” said world champion Cavendish as he held his newborn baby at the finish line. “The Champs Elysees is the most beautiful avenue in the world, and I’ve won here again.” Three years after Wiggins equalled Robert Millar’s 1984 best British finish of fourth overall, the Belgian-born Londoner finally achieved his childhood dream of winning the world’s most prestigious bike race. “It’s magnificent,” said Wiggins. “For us to finish like this as a team, helping Mark to victory and allowing him to defend his record here... it’s incredible.” Team Sky achieved the rare feat of a 1-2 on the podium, the first since 1996, when Dane Bjarne Riis finished ahead of his German teammate at Telekom, Jan Ullrich. Italian Vincenzo Nibali of the Liquigas team finished third overall, six minutes and 19 seconds behind

Wiggins. It is also the first time compatriots

London Mayor Boris Johnson insisted Sunday the city was ready to host the 2012 Olympics despite a national outbreak of pre-match nerves before the biggest show on Earth gets under way. Johnson said Britain was feeling the necessary tension before a big performance, as the clock ticks down to Friday’s opening ceremony on the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. He said the venues were safe and the transport system was bearing up despite a week dominated in Britain by fears over travel chaos and gaps in security. International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge is in London and “he thinks that our city is as well-prepared as any city has ever been in the history of the Games,” Johnson told BBC television. “So far the traffic system and transport networks generally are holding up well. “Possibly what we’re going though at the moment as a nation, as a city, is that necessary, pre-curtain-up moment of psychological self-depression before the excitement begins on Friday when the curtain goes up. “It is only natural that people should be tense, that they should be expectant.” He also said the Olympics would bring economic benefits for the capital of recession-hit Britain, saying London was about to sell itself at the “gigantic schmoozathon” between top world business chiefs on the margins. Three-time Olympic gold medal winner Bradley Wiggins on Sunday delivered a huge boost to national self-confidence when he became the first ever British cyclist to win the Tour de France.

of physical and mental ability”. “I’m like everyone in the country -- absolutely delighted,” he told Sky News. “I think the whole country wants to say well done, brilliant -- the perfect backdrop and start to the Olympics.”

REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

Sky Procycling rider and leader’s yellow jersey Bradley Wiggins of Britain celebrates with a British national flag on the Champs Elysees after winning the 99th Tour de France cycling race in Paris, July 22, 2012.

London ready for Olympics ‘despite nerves’

Agence France Presse

have taken the first two places since France’s Laurent Fignon finished ahead of five-time winner Bernard Hinault in the 1984 edition. British Prime Minister David Cameron led the tributes, calling Wiggins’ victory an “immense feat

Wiggins will spearhead Britain’s hopes for cycling gold in his home city when he takes to the streets of London for the Men’s Road Race, which takes place on Saturday. Former prime minister Tony Blair, who was in charge when London won the right to host the Games in 2005, backed the view that the Olympics would boost Britain and and promote it to the world. “This is the global sporting event. The reason why people compete so hotly to get it is because of what it does for a country,” he told Sky News television. The government’s Olympics Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the same programme that the Games would be “showing the world what we’re really capable of” by “putting on the world’s biggest sport event in the calm, professional, disciplined way”. Athletes have been getting used to their new surroundings and taking time to relax before the Games begin.

AFP Photo/Johannes Eisele

The sun sets behind the Tower Bridge at the river Thames in central London five days before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Els wants to drink with Mandela from Claret Jug Agence France Presse

South African golf star Ernie Els, fresh off his fourth major victory Sunday at the British Open, says he wants to share a drink from the Claret Jug with anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela. Els paid tribute to the statesman and former South African president in his victory speech at Royal Lytham after firing a final-round 68, two-under par, to finish on seven-under 273 for a one-stroke victory over Australian Adam Scott. As Els watched a telecast of South Africa’s cricket team surge to a strong position against England in their opening Test match at London, Els found his thoughts drifting to Mandela, who celebrated his 94th birthday on Wednesday. “He has been very much in my thoughts,” Els said. “I was just daydreaming and that thought came through me in a split second -- ‘If I win, I had better thank President Mandela because I grew up in the apartheid era and then changing into the democratic era and President Mandela was right there.’ “And right after the change, I was the first one to win a major.” That was the first major title for Els, which came in the 1994 US Open at Oakmont and resulted in a congratulatory telephone call from Mandela. Since then, Els added the 1997 US Open and 2002 and 2012 British Opens to his trophy case. And now he holds the Claret Jug and hopes to share a drink from it with Mandela. “I would love to,” Els said. “When you’ve met him personally it’s an unbelievable feeling and he’s a great man.” Els feels a bond with Mandela, whose 1990 release from an apartheid prison put South Africa on the path to democracy and reconciliation.


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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

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RLD

International

Thousands march in Mexico to protest Pena Nieto win

International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

INDONESIA Kuwait needs 1,600 Indonesian professionals

Reuters

AP Photo

A taxi driver walks away after his car was stranded in a flooded street following a heavy rain in Beijing Saturday, July 21, 2012. China’s government says the heaviest rains to hit Beijing in six decades.

Rain storms kill at least 37 in Beijing Associated Press Writer

BEIJING — Officials have raised the death toll to at least 37 in the heaviest rainstorm to hit Beijing in six decades, and dozens of other storm deaths have been reported elsewhere in China. The rain Saturday night knocked down trees in Beijing and trapped cars and buses in waist-deep water in some areas. A statement from the city government late Sunday said 25 people drowned, six were killed when houses collapsed, one was hit by lightning and five were electrocuted by fallen power lines. The official China Daily newspaper reported Monday that rain and flooding caused damages of at least 10 billion yuan ($1.6 billion), with 60,000 people evacuated from their homes. The official Globe Times said Monday that it was the heaviest rainstorm in the capital in 61

years. It was the heaviest on record in Fangshan district in the southwest of the city, which received 460 millimeters (18.4 inches) of rain Saturday, according to the weather bureau. The agency also said suburban Pinggu district got 100.3 millimeters (4 inches) of rain in one hour. A flash flood in Fangshan stranded 104 primary school students and nine teachers at a military training site, Xinhua said. They were taken to safety. Elsewhere, six people were killed by rain-triggered landslides in Sichuan province in the west, Xinhua News Agency said, citing disaster officials.

Four people died in Shanxi province in the north when their truck was swept away by a rain-swollen river. In neighboring Shaanxi province, state media said at least eight people died and 17 were missing after heavy rains hit. China suffers flooding and dozens of storm-related deaths every summer during its rainy season, but such a heavy downpour in relatively dry Beijing is unusual. The capital’s skies were clear Monday, with traffic back to normal. The city’s main airport was operating normally after hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed over the weekend.

MEXICO CITY - Thousands of people marched through Mexico City on Sunday to denounce the July 1 election of Enrique Pena Nieto as president, though the protest was smaller than one held earlier this month. Pena Nieto’s capture of the presidency for the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, has been challenged by his rival, leftist runner-up Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who alleges the PRI resorted to vote-buying and money laundering to win. Lopez Obrador is seeking to invalidate the PRI victory at the federal electoral tribunal, and the former mayor of Mexico City has pledged to keep the pressure up on Pena Nieto with rallies around the country starting at the end of this month. On Sunday, student groups dominated the crowd that marched to the capital’s main square, chanting slogans like “Pena Out,” “Fraud, Fraud” with banners decrying what the protesters called the “imposition” of the PRI candidate on Mexico. “The people have woken up. The people realize that the PRI violated the elections,” said Luis Martinez, a 25-year-old engineering student from Mexico City. The PRI ran Mexico for 71 straight years until it was ousted in a 2000 election. The party’s rule was marred by allegations of corruption, vote-rigging and violent repression of dissent. Officials in the capital estimated about 30,000 people turned out for Sunday’s protest, less than half the number seen at an anti-Pena Nieto demonstration there on July 7. Authorities said the protest was peaceful. Separate, smaller demonstrations against Pena Nieto took place in other parts of Mexico on Sunday. The PRI has dismissed Lopez Obrador’s claims and accused him of being a sore loser. The 58-year-old also fought the outcome of the 2006 election, which he narrowly lost to President Felipe Calderon of the conservative National Action Party (PAN). In 2006, the margin of Lopez Obrador’s loss to Calderon was less than 250,000 votes. This time he lost by over 3 million votes to Pena Nieto, who is due to take office in December.

93 killed... From page 1 The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information. The overall toll made Monday the deadliest day in Iraq since U.S. troops left in mid-December. Before Monday, the deadliest day was Jan. 5, when a wave of bombings targeting Shiites killed 78 people in Baghdad and outside the southern city of Nasiriyah. Last weekend, the leader of al-Qaida’s affiliate in Iraq warned that the militant network is returning to strongholds from which it was driven from while the American military was here. “The majority of the Sunnis in Iraq support al-Qaida and are waiting for its return,” Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, head of the Islamic State of Iraq since 2010, said in the statement that was posted on a militant website. Previous al-Qaida offensives have failed to push the country into civil war, largely because Shiite militias in recent years have refused to join in with the kind of tit-for-tat killings that marked Iraq’s descent six years ago. Additionally, for all its weaknesses, the Iraqi government now holds more authority than it did during those dark years, and, by and large, citizens have no desire to return down that path. Still, the militant group appears to be banking on Iraq’s fragility in its campaign to throw it into permanent chaos. Sectarian tensions have risen due to a political crisis stemming from terror charges the Shiite-led government has filed against one of the country’s vice presidents, who is one of Iraq’s top Sunni officials. He says they are politically inspired. Militant websites appeared to be closely monitoring Monday’s attacks, which were hailed by several self-proclaimed jihadists who praised the plan of destruction that al-Baghdadi’s statement called “Breaking the Walls.” “Explosions rock Iraq ...The Breaking the Walls plan has come,” one poster wrote.

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Antara

FOTO ANTARA/Agus Bebeng

Ariel being escorted by prison official during his release on Monday. A prison official says hundreds of fans gathered outside the jail Monday, chanting Nazril “Ariel” Irham’s name and singing his songs as he walked out.

Indonesian pop star freed following sex scandal

CAIRO - About 30 major companies in Kuwait need some 1,600 Indonesian professional workers in various fields, the Indonesian Embassy in Kuwait said in a press statement made available to ANTARA here on Sunday. “A total of 30 leading companies in Kuwait have expressed their desires to recruit soon some 1,687 professional workers from Indonesia to be employed in various fields,” the embassy said. The demand for Indonesian professionals was raised during a business meeting in Kuwait which was initiated by the Indonesian Embassy in cooperation with the National Agency for Placement and Protection of Indonesian Workers Overseas (BNP2TKI). The Indonesian Employment Table Top Meeting 2012 which was held at Hotel Regency, Kuwait City, on July 18, 2012, was attended by 42 human resources managers from different businesses. Companies attending the business meeting included M.H. Al Shaya, Kuwait Automotive Imports Company, Radisson Blu Hotel, Kout Food Group, Mc Donald Kuwait, Al Ghanim Industries, Carrefour, Mustafa Karam & Sons Company, dan Costa Del Sol Hotel. Many of them badly needed workers, some even needed to recruit ones before the end of the current fasting month, the embassy said. They needed some 100 fast food employees, 200 retailers at hypermarkets, 409 in the manufacturing field, 300 transportation bus drivers, 150 welders, 163 automotive technicians and 365 nurses. In his address, Indonesian Ambassador to Kuwait Ferry Adamhar said Indonesian workers working in the formal sectors spread in various parts of the Middle East, particularly in the Gulf countries. “Employer companies expressed desires to recruit Indonesian professionals after seeing their hard work and dedication,” he said. On the occasion, the BNP2TKI chief, Jumhur Hidayat, said in order to meet overseas demand for Indonesian professionals, Indonesia needed to launch a center of excellence program. He said that his agency was launching innovations by offering the opening of centers of excellence in Indonesia where employer companies could invest in the project to meet their need for professionals.

Associated Press

JAKARTA — One of Indonesia’s best-known pop stars has been released from prison after serving two years over a sex-tape scandal. A prison o ff i c i a l s a y s hundreds of fans gathered outside the jail Monday, chanting Nazril “Ariel” Irham’s name and sing-

ing his songs as he walked out. Ariel, lead singer of Indonesia’s most popular band, Peterpan, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years behind bars after sex videos with his celebrity girlfriends hit the Internet. The 30-year-old star, who was freed on parole, was the first celebrity to be charged under In-

donesia’s strict anti-pornography law. The law went into effect in 2008 despite strong opposition from the public and members of government. Ariel was arrested in June 2010 and insisted the tapes were stolen from his house and posted online without his knowledge.

Minister calls for more children`s movies

Antara

JAKARTA - Women Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Linda Amalia Sari Gumelar has called for the production of more children`s films in the country. “All related parties must work towards producing more and more children`s movies with moral les-

sons in order to build the character of the nation`s future,” Linda said here on Monday. She explained that children`s movies with positive messages were urgently needed to balance the surging tide of horror and violent films to which kids have access. “I am very concerned that the

lack of children`s films can force the next generation to watch only violent and horror movies because they have no other choice,” Linda noted. She said children`s movies with inspirational stories could help develop their moral character as well as creativity.

AFP PHOTO/ROMEO GACAD

Indonesian protestor Hari Suwandi, his body painted in gray symbolizing mud and carrying and Indonesian flag, continue his solo walk for justice in Jakarta on July 23, 2012 to demand compensation for victims of the mud volcano in the town of Sidoarjo that wiped out 12 villages, killed 13 people and displaced more than 42,000. Suwandi, has walked from Porong to Jakarta for 25 days for the victims of mud volcano trigerred by gas exploration drilling by Lapindo Brantas, a company linked to powerful Indonesian businessman Aburizal Bakrie.


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International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

BUSINESS

EU to strengthen ties with Israel despite criticism

Agence France-Presse

BRUSSELS - The European Union looks poised to strengthen ties with Israel by approving 60 new cooperation activities, despite its recent denunciation of Israeli policy, diplomats have told AFP. The launch of the new activities, to be endorsed at high-level EUIsrael talks in Brussels on Tuesday, has angered critics. They say it is politically inopportune and clumsy, condoning the very Israeli actions EU foreign ministers condemned in a strongly worded statement issued on May 14. In the May statement, the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers said the gathering pace of settlement building, settler extremism and the ill-treatment of Palestinians “threaten to make a two-state solution impossible.” The new move, details of which were outlined to AFP at the weekend, involves closer cooperation on transport and energy, and enhanced ties with nine EU agencies, including the police body Europol and the European Space Agency. The package, covering up to 60

new activities, will be on the agenda of Tuesday’s annual meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council, which manages a bilateral agreement that came into force in 2000. But one European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the stronger ties indicated the continuing double standards of the bloc’s ties with Israel. “Once again we’re hearing critical words on the one hand but it’s business as usual on the other,” he said. Officials in Brussels stressed however that the 60 new areas of cooperation in 15 fields were a mere follow-up to a 2005 action plan and did not represent an upgrade in EUIsraeli relations. “There is absolutely no change in our policy,” said one EU official, who asked to remain anonymous. And In Israel Paul Hirschson,

SYDNEY - Australia’s mining boom will slow more sharply than expected and could be over within two years due to easing demand from China and falling prices, a leading economic forecaster warned Monday. Mining exports to industrialising Asian nations, chiefly China, helped Australia weather the global crisis without entering recession and prompted Canberra to promise a budget surplus for the 2012-13 fiscal year starting July 1. But Australia’s leading private-sector budget forecaster Deloitte Access Economics said the surplus plans could be undone as China slows and with coal and iron ore prices dropping. Its June quarterly business outlook said while the mining sector continued to drive economic growth and provide a buf-

fer from problems in Europe and China, it would not last forever. “The strong bit of Australia’s two-speed economy won’t stay strong for more than another two years or so,” Deloitte said, referring to the mining boom. In an interview with ABC radio, Deloitte director Chris Richardson said demand in key markets for Australian minerals was slowing. “China is slowing, India is slowing, Brazil is slowing. And you’re seeing those prices come off at the same time as costs have risen in Australia in recent years,” he said. “It does not mean that the investment boom goes away tomorrow. You know there’s a lot of petrol left in the tank for another year or two years still to come. “But beyond that the strong bit of Australia’s economy is starting to be called into question.”

Antara

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

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Bali import value increase 48.12 percent

DENPASAR - Bali, which is a tourist destination, has seen an increase of 48.12 percent in its year-on-year import value, including 22.05 percent of imports from Hong Kong, during the first quarter of 2012.

Imports from Hong Kong comprised mostly of machine spare parts and computer hardware, said Deputy Indonesian Central Bank of Denpasar Sunarto, here on Monday. Singapore was the second biggest importer to Bali with products such as computers and industrial equipments accounting for an import value of 16.09 percent. Meanwhile, Thailand ranked third among the importers largely due to its rice trade via the Indonesian Stateowned logistics agency Bulog, said Sunarto, while explaining the results of the regional economic report for the first quarter-2012 here on Monday. According to the data collated by the Bali Bulog, the rice imported during this period was distributed among the lower class community. Bali has imported 5.434 tons of rice, of which 4.793 tons

was imported from India and 675 tons imported from Vietnam respectively. Sunarto said that though the import value for Bali has increased, the volume has seen a decrease of 37.83 percent during the same period. According to the report, goods such as material and consumer goods were imported into the Island city. Bali, which is a tourist destination, has seen an increase of 48.12 percent in its year-on-year import value, including 22.05 percent of imports from Hong Kong, during the first quarter of 2012.

FOTO ANTARA/M Risyal Hidayat

Spa Healthland:

AFP PHOTO/JUNG YEON-JE

A currency dealer monitors exchange rates in a dealing room at the Korea Exchange Bank in Seoul on July 23, 2012. South Korean shares closed 1.84 percent lower on heightened concerns over Spain’s debt situation. The benchmark KOSPI lost 33.49 points to finish at 1,789.44.

deputy spokesman at Israel’s foreign ministry, made a similar point. “This is related to the existing work plan rather than some sort of

Australia warned mining boom could end in two years

Agence France-Presse

Bali News

International

Trade Minister Craig Emerson insisted a decline in mineral prices had been factored into the budget as well as a drop in capital gains tax revenue caused by a stock market still impacted by the global financial crisis. “We are returning the budget to surplus,” he said. Despite the warning, Richardson said the Australian economy remained a global standout. “We judge ourselves against our own experience and Australia has done so well for so long that, you know, we want to keep doing better and that’s a tough yardstick,” he said. “If we were in the US or the UK or Europe or Japan and looking at Australia then, you know, there should be I think a fair amount of jealousy there.” Australia’s economy expanded by 3.2 percent in the year to June 2012.

upgrade because that way, the EU would have to find a way of delinking it from the peace process,” he said.

“Given the fact that they have decided to expand cooperation, it just goes to show that the relationship is mutually beneficial,” he added.

Spain borrowing costs hit record high Agence France-Presse

MADRID - Spanish long-term borrowing costs jumped to record highs Monday as investors turned increasingly sceptical about government efforts to stabilise a stricken banking system and the public finances. In early trade, the yield -- the rate of return -- on the benchmark Spanish 10year government bond jumped to 7.343 percent from 7.225 percent on Friday, well above the 7.0 percent danger level for long-term funding. The Madrid stockmarket fell sharply at the opening, losing about 2.0 percent after it slumped nearly 6.0 percent on Friday. Other European markets were lower Monday and borrowing costs for other struggling eurozone states also were under pressure as the debt crisis returned with a vengeance despite an EU bank rescue deal for Spain earlier this month. The Spanish government recently announced massive spending cuts and other measures to stabilise its public finances but the programme seems only to have driven speculation that Madrid may need a full EU-IMF bailout. The debt crisis has forced Greece, Ireland and Portugal to seek help but the Spanish economy is much larger than those three combined, raising concerns EU rescue mechanisms might not be enough, especially if Italy has problems too. “The fresh tensions over the eurozone will hit risk assets,” Credit Agricole CIB analysts said in a note. The Italian 10-year bond rose sharply Monday, with its yield jumping to 6.302 percent from 6.149 percent. Any yield over 6.0 percent is widely seen as unsustainable for long-term fund, with 7.0 percent the level at which Greece, Ireland and Portugal had to ask for outside help.

Massage with Balinese Herbal Spa Products Do you like basking on Nusa Dua Beach? Or are you fatigue after taking a long trip? Well, it does not matter because you can get relaxation soon in Spa Healthland Nusa Dua. While having relaxation for your body, you will get refreshed in accordance with its slogan: relax, beauty, health for wellness and longevity. Handled by therapists with strong cultural background and the use of Balinese traditional herbal products, the treatment will pamper

your senses and make you feel more comfortable. Spa Healthland is strategically located in front of the Amphitheater precisely within the area of Lot C-3 of BTDC Nusa Dua. Aside from located in an eco-friendly environment, the massage premises also offer different style, namely being provided in outdoor gazebo. It is surrounded by verdant and lush tropical garden with various plants that can exude cool atmosphere.

Decorations as well as pool with the rush of water will take your imagination to a quiet mountain atmosphere. Each gazebo has two beds and handled by two therapists. If required, you can also book to be served by four or eight therapists. By and large, visitors coming with family or a group will be served by more therapists, so that they get maximum services. A total of 29 experienced therapists are ready

to serve and they have exotic complexion becoming the favorite of foreigners. Having a massage at Spa Healthland, all customers will be truly pampered. Customers staying in the area of Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa and Jimbaran will be provided with free pick-up service for at least 4-6 people to maintain the customer’s convenience. “This BTDC complex has spa located within in the hotel area. However, we can still offer affordable prices but our services exceed the ones provided in hotel,” said Sales & Marketing Manager of Spa Healthland, Yohana. According to Yohana, since it was opened on early January 2012, many customers were interested in our spa treatments, such as foreign tourists from Australia, the United States, Russia, Britain, and Holland, as well as domestic. “In carrying out the promotion, we are also closely working with travel agencies and hotels other than disseminating flyers,” she said. Spa Healthland outlet offers approximately 60 menus summarized into four types. For instance, Balinese Massage for 60 minutes (USD 30.00) is an ancient system of healing relying upon a deep pressure massage to relieve tension, improve blood circulation and get the feel of spiritually renewed. Usage of herbal and virgin coconut oil

will give calming effect and make you relaxed and serene. Then, Massage & Herbal Body Scrub (90 minutes) at USD 45.00 is one of the great secrets of Javanese Royalties known as lulur or luxurious herbal body scrub. It is believed to become one of the nature’s best exfoliating methods to cleanse, smooth, soften, and rejuvenate skin. Our lulur recipe is made from a perfect blend of finely ground Javanese native herbs and spices consisting of pandanus leaves, turmeric, curcuma and rice powder. Massage & Volcanic Body Detox (90 minutes) at USD 45.00 takes advantage of volcanic mud that has been in use for centuries to detoxify, tighten and firm the skin. This odorless natural powder is obtained from volcanic rock. This substance is rich in minerals and trace elements effectively warm the muscles to help relaxation. Ultimately, Balinese Spa Ritual (120 minutes) at USD 65.00 poses a traditional spa ritual originating from the royal palaces of Java, Indonesia. It has been popularly known for its beautifying and softening benefits on the skin as well as clear unpleasant body odor. Unique sensation of this two-hour treatment is deeply rich and includes herbal foot bath, massage, yoghurt body scrub, aromatic flower or herbal bath and body lotion rub. (BTN/015)


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Bali News

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

International

International

Damaged irrigation, Subak Gubug hit by drought Tabanan (Bali Post)—

Due to damaged irrigation channel, the Subak Gubug at Gubug village, Tabanan, was hit by drought. Sadly, the tragedy has been going on within the past a year. Aside from triggered by damaged irrigation, the drought in the area is also caused by prolonged dry season. Due to water crisis, farmers are forced to leave their land dormant and it is then overgrown by weeds.

IBP/File

The drought which happen in Subak Gubug in Gubug Village, Tabanan

Perancak Beach besieged by garbage

Negara (Bali Post)—

Perancak Beach in Jembrana subdistrict has become a regular haven of river garbage every low tide as today. Indeed, at low tide visitors can see the beautiful beach of the fisherman village. Unfortunately, the amount of garbage littered has made a dreadful scene. Such condition had also been witnessed by the entourage of the Regent of Jembrana, I Putu Artha, with the officials on Sunday (Jul 22). Together with the entourage of regency government, the regent cleaned up the beach that had become one of the tourist areas in Jembrana. According to residents, the garbage originated from the river passing through the village and emptied around the local beach. Therefore, when the sea water receded, people would see a lot of garbage littering the beach. The condition was also justified by Headman of Perancak, I Ketut Suastika. It frequently happened at low tide whereas it was the right time to see the beauty of the estuary along with beach view and berthing fishing boats. “The garbage came from seven villages in the upstream area (Ijo Gading River), where people still have a habit of discarding garbage into the river and the estuary here,” he said. This condition was considered very detrimental to Perancak as a tourist area since 2009. Indeed, Perancak residents had frequently cleaned it up but it still kept recurring and the garbage came again. His party hoped that local government could facilitate the provision of final disposal (TPA) near the estuary and garbage trucks that regularly hauled the garbage piling up there. “By doing so, it will be easier to clean up, while previously people only collected and burned it. Since its volume increased, people were then overwhelmed,” he said. The Regent of Jembrana, I Putu Artha, after the clean-up action agreed if the Perancak village actually had considerable tourism potential. Moreover, it also had Perancak Temple belonging to the Dang Khayangan temple so that it enabled to become a spiritual tourist area. To that end, it should be supported with the arrangement and readiness of the environment, where one of them was through clean-up activity by the leadership of the regional working units (SKPD). “Maybe this (clean-up) cannot resolve the problem as a whole. However, it is expected to motivate the residents of Perancak and other villages to care for the environment by disposing garbage in place,” said Artha. (kmb26)

Headman of Gubug, Wayan Suwitra, justified the drought. He explained the damaged irrigation channel had disrupted the water distribution to rice field of residents. As consequence, only some subak areas could get the water. “This drought has long been going on, so the farmland of residents is now left dormant,” said Suwitra recently. According to him, the only rice field getting the water supply was the one located in the east of the road. Meanwhile, the one across the road totally got nothing. As a

result, the land dried out. Damage to the irrigation was also triggered by the rapid development in the subak area.With such condition, said Suwitra, his party hoped it would soon get an attention, especially the improvement of irrigation channel as the water supply was the main support for the farming continuity of local residents. Moreover, they only relied on the livelihood of rice field cultivation. “A lot of water channels are damaged, so they need improvement,” he said. Without the water, many farmers would be

unemployed and quit farming. According to Suwitra, the complaint of farmers had long been thought out. However, since the improvement of irrigation required a large budget, the village was unable to do anything. He expected the government could repair the water channel to the field of farmers. Suwitra said the most serious damage to the irrigation was leakage. Due to such leakage, the water flow could not run maximally. “The only way is to repair the irrigation channel,” he concluded. (kmb30)

Pavement project on Jalan Gajah Mada

Transportation Agency asked to consider access to market

Denpasar (Bali Post)—

In the execution of pavement project related to the corridor arrangement on Jalan Gajah Mada currently starting to reach the front area (the entrance—Ed) of Badung-Kumbasari Market, the Denpasar Transportation Agency was asked to constantly consider the access to the market. Moreover, the execution of pavement project coincided with major religious celebrations such as the Eid and Galungan. Director of PD Pasar Denpasar, Made Westra, revealed the matter on Sunday (Jul 22). According to Westra, the access to the markets was very important so that traders could still run their daily activities in the Badung and Kumbasari Market. With such an arrangement, the traders would surely not feel disadvantaged. “We hope the Denpasar Transportation Agency carefully assess the traffic diversion in relation to the implementation of the second phase pavement project on Jalan Gajah Mada that will reach the entrance area into the Badung and Kumbasari Market,” he said. Westra deeply realized about the traffic crowdedness while working on the project. It happened because there were approximately 8,000s vehicles going into and out of the Badung and Kumbasari Market. It was believed that such condition would make the Transportation Agency adequately confused to design the traffic flow diversion to minimize the crowdedness. While on the other side, it should also consider the safety and

quality of the project. “Hopefully, the access of traders to the market is also considered properly,” he added. Meanwhile, he said, the Denpasar Spatial Planning and Housing Agency (DTRP) in the near future would initiate the construction of pedestrian bridge connecting the visitors of Badung Market to Kumbasari Market. It was designed to facilitate the public access (visitors) from the

(basement) parking lot of Badung Market to Kumbasari Market and vice versa. By all means, the work would have the potential to make the crowdedness more severe. “We also hope this project can be completed on time as planned to only take about two weeks. It means that before the Eid and Galungan there will be no project in front of the entrance into the market,” he expected. (kmb13)

W

The traffic condition in Gajah Mada during the pavement project.

RLD

13

Aquino urged to tackle China in annual speech

Agence France Presse

Philippine President Benigno Aquino will deliver his annual “state of the nation” speech to Congress on Monday, with legislators hoping he will tackle an escalating South China Sea dispute. Senator Francis Escudero, who does not belong to Aquino’s ruling Liberal Party, said the president needed to reassure the public his government was in control of the situation amid fears of increasing Chinese aggression. “He must give a form of assurance, or say something about it without of course fanning the flames of misunderstanding,” Escudero told AFP ahead of the speech which begins at 4:00 pm (0800 GMT). “He must assure the public that the tensions will not escalate any further.” The dispute between Manila and Beijing has intensified since April after a face-off began over the Scarborough Shoal, a rocky outcrop in the South China Sea. China claims sovereignty over

nearly all of the sea, which is believed to hold vast amounts of oil and gas, and is home to vital shipping lanes and one of the region’s most important fishing grounds. But other countries in the region, including the Philippines, have overlapping claims in the area. The recent arrival of a Chinese fishing fleet in the Spratly Islands -- another disputed territory in the flashpoint waters -- has also raised Philippine concerns. The tensions have dominated local politics and media in recent months, and Escudero’s call for Aquino to address the issue reflects a view among many MPs that the China dispute is a top priority for the Philippines. Aquino’s aides have not indicated if he will address the South China Sea issue on Monday.

They have been tight-lipped about the speech’s contents, highlighting only that Aquino will stress his high-profile anti-corruption drive and overall efforts to improve the economy. Aquino, 52, won the presidency in 2010 on a campaign promise to eradicate corruption, which he had blamed for massive poverty in the Catholic country of 94 million. He has since worked to prosecute his predecessor, Gloria Arroyo, who is now in detention facing charges of electoral fraud and corruption. Aquino’s allies in Congress also impeached and removed Supreme Court chief justice Renato Corona, a political ally of Arroyo whom she had appointed when leaving office, allegedly to protect her from prosecution.

Agence France Presse

Taipei-based Liberty Times, as the military plans to phase out the current rocket system introduced three decades ago. “After it is armed with the new weapons, the military will see its anti-landing capability be greatly enhanced,” said an unnamed military source quoted by the newspaper. Taiwan defence ministry officials were unavailable for comment on

the report. The multi-barrel system, developed by military research unit Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology, can launch 40 rockets in a minute with a range of 45 kilometres (28 miles), said military experts cited by the report. That longer range capability can neutralise amphibious craft before they reach the shore, they added. The truck-mounted launchers can be combat ready in eight minutes, less than half the time the current system needs to position itself, the report said. The ministry plans to produce more than 50 systems at a cost of 14.5 billion Taiwan dollars (US$483 million), local media has reported. Ties between Beijing and Taipei have improved markedly since Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party became president in 2008 on a platform of beefing-up trade and tourism links. Ma was reelected in January for a second four-year term. But China still considers the island part of its territory and has vowed to take it back even if it means war. The island has governed itself for more than six decades since splitting from the mainland in 1949 at the end of a civil war, and has sought to modernise its forces to ward off external threats.

Taiwan to get new powerful rocket system: report

Taiwan is scheduled to take delivery next month of a powerful multiple-launch rocket system aimed at neutralising former rival China’s amphibious landing capabilities, local media reported Sunday. The weapon, called Ray Ting 2000 or “Thunder 2000”, will be put into service in August, said the

IBP/afp

IBP/File

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Chinese amphibious tanks and marines storm a beach in an amphibious assault drill in 2005.

IBP/afp

This photo, released by the Malacanang Photo Bureau (MPB), shows Philippine President Benigno Aquino saluting during the flag raising and wreath laying ceremonies in commemoration of the 114th Philippine Independence Day at the Barasoain Church Historical Landmark in Malolos, Bulacan, in June.

Assad’s forces overrun two Damascus districts

Reuters

BAB AL-SALAM, Syria - Syrian troops have driven rebel fighters out of two districts of Damascus a week after the insurgents launched a major assault on the capital. Government troops retook control of the Damascus neighborhood of Mezzeh on Sunday and executed at least 20 unarmed men who they suspected of aiding rebels, opposition activists in the district said. In Barzeh, members of the Syrian army’s Fourth Division under the command of President Bashar al-Assad’s brother executed several young men during an operation to regain control of the northern Damascus district, a witness and activists said. Government forces have launched a determined counter-offensive since rebels brought their battle to overthrow Assad to the capital and killed four of the president’s closest associates in a bomb attack last Wednesday. In a further escalation of a conflict rapidly becoming a civil war, fighting raged around the intelligence headquarters in Syria’s biggest city, Aleppo, and in Deir al-Zor in the east. Syrian forces regained control of one of two border crossings seized by rebels on the frontier with Iraq, Iraqi officials said, but rebels said they had captured a third border crossing with Turkey: Bab al-Salam, north of Aleppo. “Seizing the border crossings does not have strategic importance but it has a psychological impact because it demoralizes Assad’s force,” a senior Syrian army defector in Turkey, Staff Brigadier Faiz Amr, told Reuters by phone. “It’s a show of progress for the revolutionaries, despite the superior firepower of Assad’s troops.” Rebels also seized an army infantry school in the town of Musalmiyeh, 16 km (10 miles) north of Aleppo, and captured several loyalist officers, while others defected, a senior military defector in Turkey and rebel sources inside Syria said. “This is of big strategic and symbolic importance. The school has ammunition depots and armored formations and it protects the northern gate to Aleppo,” Brigadier General Mustafa al-Sheikh told Reuters by phone from the town of Apayden on the Turkish border.

REUTERS/Shaam News Network/Handout

Tanks loyal to Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad are seen at Al Mezza in Damascus July 22, 2012.


14

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Science

International

Primordial ‘Soup’ of Big Bang Recreated

AP Photo/Rebecca McAleney, File

FILE - This file photo made Tuesday, June 26, 2012, by Rebecca McAleney, shows a bright orange, left, a bright blue, right, and a calico lobster at New Meadows Lobster in Portland, Maine.

Lobstermen finding more odd colors in the catch Associated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Maine — When a 100-pound shipment of lobsters arrived at Bill Sarro’s seafood shop and restaurant last month, it contained a surprise — six orange crustaceans that have been said to be a 1-in-10-million oddity. “My butcher was unloading them and said, ‘Oh, my gosh, boss, they sent us cooked dead lobsters,’” said Sarro, owner of Fresh Catch Seafood in Mansfield, Mass. “He then picked one up and it crawled up his arm.” Reports of odd-colored lobsters used to be rare in the lobster fishing grounds of New England and Atlantic Canada. Normal lobsters are a mottled greenishbrown. But in recent years, accounts of bright blue, orange, yellow, calico, white and even split lobsters — one color on one side, another on the other — have jumped. It’s now common to hear several stories a month of a lobsterman bringing one of the quirky crustaceans to shore. It’s anybody’s guess why more oddities are popping up in lobster traps, said Michael Tlusty,

research director at the New England Aquarium in Boston. It could be simply because advances in technology — cellphone cameras and social media — make it easier to spread the word about bizarre lobster sightings. It’s also likely more weird lobsters are being caught because the overall harvest has soared. In Maine, the catch has grown fourfold in the past 20 years, to nearly 105 million pounds last year. If the yield has quadrupled, it would make sense to have four times as many unconventional lobsters being caught as well. Although lobster is the No. 1

commercial fishery in the Northeast, there are a lot of unanswered questions about the bottomdwelling creatures, he said. “Are we seeing more because the Twitter sphere is active and people get excited about colorful lobsters?” Tlusty said. “Is it because we’re actually seeing an upswing in them? Is it just that we’re catching more lobsters so we have the opportunity to see more? “Right now you can make a lot of explanations, but the actual data to find them out just isn’t there.” Lobsters come in a variety of colors because of genetic variations.

The primordial soup of matter that existed only split-seconds after the Big Bang is now getting recreated in the most powerful particle colliders in the world. Such research could not only help shed light on exotic states of matter, but also on whether extra dimensions of reality exist, a discovery that could help lead to a so-called “theory of everything,” IBP/ist researchers say. An ordinary proton or neuThe hearts of the atoms that tron (foreground) is formed we are made of consist of protons and neutrons. These subatomic of three quarks bound toparticles, in turn, are made of gether by gluons, carriers of building blocks known as quarks, the color force. which are glued together by particles aptly named gluons. Quarks are bound extraordinarily tightly together by gluons. However, in the first ten- millionths of a second after the Big Bang, the universe was hot enough to keep quarks apart. The result would have been a hot dense mix of quarks and gluons known as a quark-gluon plasma. Much remains uncertain about what this primordial soup would have been like, since quarks and gluons can interact with each other in extraordinarily complex ways. “We have a new state of matter for which we can write down the mathematical law governing its properties in a single line, but after 30 years of theoretical research, we still do not understand its microscopic structure even in rough terms,” said theoretical physicist Berndt Müller at Duke University in Durham, N.C. “The reason for this is that we still lack the mathematics that would allow us to predict the structure and properties of the quark-gluon plasma starting from its basic physics law. We can calculate some of its properties by means of raw computer power, but that does not tell us how it works.”

‘Minority Report’ software hits the real world Agence France Presse

The software behind the film “Minority Report” -where Tom Cruise speeds through video on a large screen using only hand gestures -- is making its way into the real world. The interface developed by scientist John Underkoffler has been commercialized by the Los Angeles firm Oblong Industries as a way to sift through massive amounts of video and other data. And yes, the software can be used by law enforcement and intelligence services. But no, it is not the “pre-crime” detection program illustrated in the 2002 Steven Spielberg sci-fi film. Kwin Kramer, chief executive of Oblong, said the software can help in searching through “big data” for information. It can also create souped-up video-conference capabilities where participants share data from multiple devices like smartphones and tablets, integrated into a large video display.

“We think the future of computing is multiuser, multiscreen, multidevice,” Kramer told AFP. “This system helps with big workflow problems.” A key part of the system is the gesture interface, which the company calls the “g-speak” spatial operating environment. That grew out of a project by Underkoffler -- then a scientist at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- for “Minority Report,” before he became chief scientist at startup Oblong. “We have demo versions of this kind of software which show exactly the ‘Minority Report’ user experience, allowing you to move back and forth in time, or to zoom in to look at details,” Kramer said. He said the same software can help businesses to “allow better collaboration, visualization and analysis of large amounts of data. “You can have a lot of data but it’s hard to make use of that,” Kramer said.

Bali News

International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

3

Bali’s aquatic exports down 1.99 percent

Antara

DENPASAR - Bali’s aquatic exports in the first four months of 2012 fell slightly by 1.99 percent to US$31.03 million from the same period last year, an official said. The aquatic exports represented 19.48 percent of the province’s overall non-oil/non-gas exports in the January-April 2012 period which reached US$159.13 million, Head of the Public Relations Bureau at the Bali Provincial Government I Ketut Teneng said here on Sunday. He said the drop was the result of the global economic crisis which led to low demand in the countries of destination. Only four of the 11 aquatic products which penetrated the export market recorded a significant increase, he said. They were kakap fish, crab, lobster and various kinds of fish. Indonesia workers load tuna fish from a fishing boat onto a truck at Benoa fishing port in Denpasar, on Bali island on July 9, 2012. Bali’s aquatic exports in the first four months of 2012 fell slightly by 1.99 percent to US$31.03 million from the same period last year, an official said.

AFP PHOTO/SONNY TUMBELAKA

Auction fundraiser held to preserve Uluwatu Beach IBP

ULUWATU - An exclusive auction of one-of-a-kind surfing art and memorabilia took place at the picturesque Uluwatu Surf Villas on Saturday night, July 21st. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Eco Surf Rescue Uluwatu (ESRU) to help fund clean-up projects and environmental initiatives at world-famous Uluwatu beach, one of the greatest surf spots in the world. Among the prized items available for auction will be a Dick Hoole photograph of the Late Michael Peterson signed by the legend himself, and original artworks by American artist Kevin Walsh. Included in the Auction Lot are the two framed artworks pictured here. The first is a hand-drawn nautical style map of the coast and reef at Uluwatu. The second is a view from the shoulder of a perfect Uluwatu wave, surrounded by the iconic sandstone cliffs, Uluwatu temple and the native wildlife that call this special place home. These original artworks are part of a series of illustrations themed around the legendary point of Uluwatu, and

will be made into a T-Shirt collection that will help fund the ESRU project as part of Rip Curl’s Artist of the Search programme. The program included the Asia premiere of Taylor Steele’s latest film, “Here & Now,” as well as a series of film shorts from this year’s Ombak Bali Film Festival. Come join surfing luminaries and the surfers in this year’s Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang Invitational as they gather for what will undoubtedly be the highlight of the opening week of the Rip Curl Cup waiting period. The evening will feature live music, DJ’s, catered food, and full bar service.

AFP PHOTO/SONNY TUMBELAKA

Edward Norman Myatt (R) of Australia attends his trial at a court in Denpasar on Bali island on July 23, 2012. Indonesian judges have recommended an eight-year prison sentence for Myatt, who was arrested last February with 1.1 kg of hashish and seven grams of methamphetamine after allegedly attempting to smuggle them into the Indonesian resort island.


2

International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Bali News

Tattooing skin Unsterile needle can cause many diseases

Tattoo, particularly in Bali, has become an art in itself. Many foreign and domestic tourists coming to Bali do not miss the opportunity to have a permanent or temporary tattoo on their body. Other than tourists, the tattoo is also favored by local community, both women and men. But, do you know behind the art and beauty of tattoo lie a long-term hazard and potential causing some disease? It will happen if the tattoo making was made by using unsterile methods and hazardous materials. Commenting about the hazards of tattooing, especially the non-sterile tattoo and the use of hazardous materials, a specialist for dermatology and venereal diseases of Sanglah Hospital, AAGP Wiraguna, explained that basically anything that entered into the body should be sterile. “For instance, an unsterile needle used by more than one person will certainly have the potential to transmit diseases such as Hepatitis B and C, HIV as well as other infectious diseases,” he said. He also added that venereal diseases caused by viruses could also be transmitted through unsterile tattoo needles, such as herpes diseases, warts and syphilis.

As a rule, the needles injected into the body could not be used more than once, especially to different people. “But, there are people who just clean the tattoo needle that has been used and use it again for tattooing the others,” said Wiraguna. Ingredients of the tattoo, especially its ink, added Wiraguna, should not be mixed with hazardous materials. If any non-sterile materials came into the body, they would naturally lead to allergies and infections. Sometimes, the tattoo ink was mixed with heavy metal where if this was absorbed by the body, it could not be secreted again. Later, it would settle and clog up the renal tract and blood vessels. Tattoo may look nice in the eyes of some people. But, when people get bored, can tattoo be removed? According to Wiraguna, tattoos could be removed by various methods. However,

its removal could also cause problems. One of them was traditional method namely by ironing. By and large, this method would leave scars on the skin. Another method was dermabrasion where the upper layers of the skin were scraped off. With this method, a part of the color could be removed, while the remaining could not. “The remaining color happened because the injury reaches the blood vessels, so that it results in colloids,” said Wiraguna. The most modern method and having minimal side effect was by means of laser. However, it was quite expensive and could not be carried out just once treatment. “Although there is the latest laser that can remove all colors of tattoos, once treatment cannot remove it entirely. Of course, it is the most expensive among the existing methods,” revealed Wiraguna. (san)

Smiles of kid market porters on National Children’s Day Monday (Jul 23) was the National Children Day. Many children could not have enjoyed happiness on the National Children’s Day. Dozens of children were still working as market porters, beggars, and other works so that their rights as set forth in the state regulations could not be fully acquired yet. It was the concern of the National Institute for Children (LAB) that had been struggling approximately for a year for providing education for children who were daily asked to earn money by their parents. Due to facilitation of the LAB, about 28 children under its guidance were taken to spend holiday to Bali Zoo at Singapadu, Sukawati. Previously, they had never imagined such an opportunity and it made the children from Pedahan, Karangasem smile happy. Komang Joko, for instance, who daily begged did not think if he and his friends could see a variety of animals becoming the collection of Bali Zoo. He absolutely never came to the zoo and was

very grateful for the opportunity. Vivaciously, those dozens of children walked around to have a look at the animal collections of the Bali Zoo accompanied by a guide. They also occasionally photographed the animals encountered. After a tour to see the animals, they had a lunch together in the green courtyard of Bali Zoo. Chairperson of LAB, Sri Wahyuni, amidst the visit said the activity was carried out in conjunction with the National Children’s Day. The children under the guidance of the LAB were market porters and beggars and taught in the National Children Studio located on the fourth floor of the Badung Market. They were taught to read and write. Based on the coaching given over the years, they were known to have no knowledge about proper ethical conducts and could not speak politely to others. Besides, they were also known to get no education as mandated by laws. “So far, they had been asked to work to Denpasar,

and ironically they were not accompanied by parents. An approach to the family had also been carried out, but we are still unable to answer their question that who will pay their customary obligations at their village,” she explained while accompanied by Luh Putu Angreni. Under such conditions, with the coaching given for some a year it seemed to have indicated a good progress. Although without taking a bath before attending the coaching, their happiness was very visible. Meanwhile, the Public Relations of Bali Zoo, Emma Kristiana Chandra, was glad to welcome the arrival of children who were really in need. Bali Zoo was very open to such a visit where her party had a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program and in the commemoration of the National Children’s Day her party would give privileges to them. Their coming to Bali Zoo could see 350 species of animals. Besides, they could also learn because Bali Zoo had animal information. (dar)

Thousands of hectares of protected forest in Buleleng at risk of blazing Singaraja (Bali Post)—

Every dry season, the forest areas in Buleleng are at risk of blazing. Unmitigatedly, the forest area vulnerable to blazing reaches 21,470.71 hectares. Aside from the factor of nature, the fire is frequently triggered by behavior of residents coming into the forests. Field information compiled on Sunday (Jul 22) told that protected forest area frequently being caught on fire every year located in Gerokgak and Seririt subdistrict. The vegetation mostly consisting of shrubs and weeds were flammable when dry season came. Moreover, the moderately high temperature and blowing wind would ease the forest fire. Meanwhile, large trees were rarely found in the protected forest area. It occurred because the soil texture was hard and rocky, so that it was very difficult for them to grow. The Division Head of Forestry, Tatang Priatna, with permission from the Head of Buleleng Forestry and Plantation Agency, Komang Gede Yasa, said in his office last Sunday that based on field observation, including the report of residents, there had been no forest fire. It happened because the Buleleng area was once hit by prolonged heavy rain. Therefore, the shrubs and weeds in the forest area did not thoroughly dry out due to the hot sunlight today. “We have not found any fires and indeed the forest fire in the protected forest area has decreased since 2010,” he said. According to Tatang, based on experience in previous drought, the fire in the bush and weeds of protected forest areas in Buleleng was mostly triggered by the behavior of people going into the forests. Tatang pointed out that many people frequently came into the forest to look for bees and lighted a fire. Unfortunately, they forgot to put out the traces of fire so that they caused forest fires. Additionally, people were often found to deliberately burn the bushes or dry grasses in the forest so that in the upcoming rainy season the grass would grow well for their fodder. “The factor of nature was small and most fires occurred because the behavior of people coming into the forest,” he explained. On the other hand, Tatang said that his party constantly anticipated the fire every dry season. Such anticipation was by urging residents that would go into the forest not to light any fire. If they lighted fire, the traces should be extinguished. In addition, they were also appealed not to haphazardly throw cigarette butts in the forests. In general, the habit of throwing cigarette butts carelessly often led to forest fires. In case of fire, the government and residents in the forest areas would attempt to put out the fire so that it would not spread. It was carried out by localizing the fire. The hotspots were put out by hitting the fire using a piece of wood. This method was considered effective because flushing the fire by water was impossible as the forest areas were far from water sources. (kmb)

 Founder : K.Nadha,  General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti  Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Wirya, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto.  Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi.  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

Activities

International

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

15

Matahari Beach Resort & Spa IBP

The Matahari is located in North West Bali on a stunning coastline surrounded by National Parks and Marine conservation areas and this setting, with the hills in the back drop, is simply stunning. Space and tranquillity are what this resort offers most abundantly, and its all within a traditional ambience, the resort lovingly constructed from local materials including marble, palemanan and bamboo. It’s difficult to believe there are only 32 rooms in the entire resort not least because the amount of facilities and activity on offer is so extensive. From diving to cycling, trips to the national park and golf, there is something for everyone here. There are 4 room types: Garden and Panorama View (50m2). Deluxe (75m2) and Super Deluxe (100m2). They are housed in 16 Bungalows which have 2 rooms in each. From the moment you enter the hand carved doors, you know you’re in a unique room whether it’s the Garden or the Super Deluxe. They are beautifully constructed and crafted using local wood and marble

with beautiful conical high ceilings and parquet flooring. The 4 poster beds are the gloss on a classical Balinese creation and the effort that has been made to keep the local look and feel is immense to the extent that mod cons are cleverly hidden so you feel you are in a traditional Balinese villa. (In keeping with the peaceful nature of this resort, the rooms do not have TV’s). The bathrooms are beautiful with huge marble tubs and outdoor showers, which have very interesting dragon head taps. If you are looking for the real of Bali, then Matahari Beach Resort & Spa ticks all the boxes. Remote with beautiful seascapes, great food and a real local feel, it encapsulates the image Bali portrays as a paradise island. This is somewhere to escape to and experience real Indonesia on your doorstep whilst staying in a classical luxury resort with great food and excellent service.

Calendar Event for June 30 through July 25, 2012 30 Jun Tumpek Landep. Pura Pasek Gelgel Pedungan Denpasar Selatan. Pura Agung Pasek Tangun Titi kaler Tabanan Pura Agung Pasek Silamadeg Tabanan Pura Pasek Tangkas Kediri Tabanan Pura Kerta Banyuning Barat Buleleng Pura Dalem Tenggaling Sengguan Singapadu. Pura Kawitan Arya Wang Bang Pinatih Peguyangan Singaraja Pura Bhujangga Weisnawa Tegalcangkring Jembrana. Pura taman Desa Bubunan Seririt Buleleng Pura Penataran Pande Dalem Batur Jati Banjar Pandean Mengwi Pura Dalem Pingit Br, Taro Kaje Tegalalang Pura dadia Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Desa Selat Sukasada Buleleng Pura Batur Arya Warih Kepaon Cengolo Sudimara Tabanan Pura Ida ratu Pande Besakih Mr. Pasek Toh Jiwa Tangungtiti Pura Penataran Pande Kusamba Klungkung Pura Penataran Agung Pinatih Desa Tulikup Gianyar. 1 Jul Redite Umanis Ukir Sangah Gede Dukuh Segening Tegal Tugu Gianyar. 3 Jul Purnama Kasa Aci-aci Penaung Taluh Penataran Agung Besakih Pura Gunung Kuripan Lombok. Pura Tirta Besakih Pura Purnama Cemangon Sukawati Pura Amrta Jati Kompleks ALRI Pangkalan Jati Cinere Jakarta Selatan Pura Jagatnatha Kota Singaraja Pura Dang Hyang Tulus Dewa Desa Apuan-Susut-Bangli Pura Jagatdhita Selong-Lombok Timur Pura Agung Pasek Gelgel Gobleg-Banjar Buleleng Pura Puseh Batur Kintamani Pr. Asah (Alas Harum) Dusun Batur Kintamani Pura Dalem Kedewatan Celuk-Sukawati Pura Agung Mandara Giri Gunung Semeru-Lumajang Jawa Timur Pura Pengubengan Besakih Pura Penataran Agung Sukawati Pura Bukit Mentik Gunung Lebah-Batur Kintamani Mr. Agung Puser Jagat Meranting Batu Kanding-Nusa Penida Pura Nuansa Udayana, Kori Nuansa Jimbaran Pura Tianyar Pikat, Dawan Klungkung 4 Jul Buda Wage Ukir Pura Pasar Agung Besakih

Pura Pasek Bendesa Pasar Badung Legian Kuta Pura Gede Gunung Agung Dukuh Munggu Badung Hyang Agung Pura Ibuwanasari Tegal Pura Puseh/Pura Desa Bebalang Bangli Pura Dalem Perancak Badung Pura Pasek Bendesa Hyang Selat Kerobokan Badung. Pura Kekeran Langit Sading Mengwi 10 Jul Anggar Kasih Kulantir Pura Penataran Tangkas Sukawati Pura Dalem Lagan Bebalang Bangli Pura Puseh Lembeng Ketewel Sukawati Pura Pasek Gelgel Penulisan Kerambitan Tabanan Pura Gaduh Sanding Pura Dalem Gandamayu Klungkung Pura Sanghyang Tegal Banjar Taro Kaja Tegalalang 11 Jul Buda Umanis Kulantir. Pura Pasek Tangkas kaler Tabanan. Pura Gaduh Benoh Ubung Denpasar 15 Jul Redite Keliwon Tolu. Pura Dalem Alas Harum Banjar Tegal Kepuh 16 Jul Soma Umanis Tolu Pura Puseh/Balai Agung Ubung Kupang Penebel Tabanan Pura Kawitan Sakula Gotra, Pasung Grigih Pura Bhujangga Rsi-Tambak Bayuh Pura Paibon Tangkas Kori Agung Banjar Ceningan Kangin Pura Batu Madeg Besakih Pura Penataran Agung Penatih Banjar Saba Penatih. 18 Jul Buda Pon Tolu Pura Catur, Buwana Sanding Tampaksiring 19 Jul Wraspati Wage Tolu Pura Peninjoan Besakih. 25 Jul Buda Keliwon Gumbreg Pura Pasek Gelgel Kukuh Marga Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Dukuh Selemadeg Tabanan Pura Puseh/Pura Desa Desa Guwang Sukawati Merajan Pasek Ketewel Ketewel Merajan Pangeran Tangkas Kuro Agung Jeroan Sading Pura Dalem Setra Batu Nunggul Swana Nusa Penida

IBP/File

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.


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Price: Rp 3.000,-

Entertainment

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

‘Dark Knight Rises’ reportedly earns $160 million

Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES — “The Dark Knight Rises” was on track to earn $160 million, which would be a record for 2-D films, over the weekend following a mass shooting at a Colorado screening of the Batman film. Citing box office insiders, The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles Times, New York Times and other media outlets reported Sunday that the latest Batman sequel earned $160 million to $162 million. That amount would best the $158.4 million debut of “The Dark Knight” in 2008 and give “Dark Knight Rises” the thirdhighest domestic weekend opening ever, after the 3-D films “The

Avengers” with $207.4 million and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2” with $169.2 million. The Hollywood Reporter also cited box office sources who said “Dark Knight Rises” earned $70 million from nine of the 17 countries where it debuted over the weekend, including the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea and Spain. Tickets for 3-D films cost a few more dollars than 2-D screenings, n e t t i n g ex t r a cash at the box office. Movies released in 3-D

typically earn under half of their income in 3-D screenings, sometimes as little as a third. Sony, Fox, Disney, Paramount, Universal and Lionsgate joined “Dark Knight Rises” distributor Warner Bros in publicly withholding their usual revenue reports out of respect for the victims of the deadly shooting early Friday and their families. Box-office tracking service Rentrak also did not report figures following the Aurora, Colo., shootings that killed 12 and injured 58 at a midnight screening of the new Batman sequel on Friday.

“This tragedy did not seem to impact the box office in a major way,” said Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst for Hollywood.com who specializes in box office. “For this film to still be in the rarified air of the top-three openings of all time is phenomenal, given the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the release of this film.” Dergarabedian noted that the box-office ranking of director Christopher Nolan’s final installment of his Batman trilogy would not be official until Warner Bros. and other studios release their final weekend box-office tallies Monday.

LOS ANGELES — “The Twilight Saga” is gonna need a bigger garage. It was announced at Sunday’s Teen Choice Awards that the supernatural franchise has won 41 surfboard-shaped trophies since 2008, including two awards earned this year for the penultimate film installment, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1.” “Twilight” stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner were on hand to pick up this year’s batch of boards, which included the ultimate choice award, the teen-fueled show’s version of a lifetime achievement award. “It’s amazing you guys are still around and just as strong and just as loyal,” Lautner said over screams from the crowd. Stewart was honored as the choice romance movie actress for “Breaking Dawn — Part 1” and as choice female summer movie Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP Taylor Swift accepts the award for best female star for “Snow White & artist onstage at the Teen Choice Awards on the Huntsman.” Other multiple winSunday, July 22, 2012, in Universal City, Calif.

WEATHER FORECAST Dps 23 - 32

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

Tuesday, July 24, 2012 Rain storms kill at least 37 in Beijing

Drogba makes instant impact for Shanghai Shenhua

EU to strengthen ties with Israel despite criticism

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93 killed in Iraq’s deadliest day this year

Associated Press AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures, Ron Phillips

This undated film image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Christian Bale as Batman in a scene from the action thriller “The Dark Knight Rises.

‘Twilight,’ Swift add to Teen Choice Awards hauls Associated Press Writer

16 Pages Number 147 4th year

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ners included the movie “The Hunger Games,” actress Emma Stone, TV show “Pretty Little Liars,” the British boy band One Direction, CW show “The Vampire Diaries,” and singers Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift, who picked up her 20th trophy — the most ever won by a female artist. “I just feel so honored that I get to have you guys in my life,” a beaming Swift told fans. Swift won five awards Sunday: choice female artist, female country artist, single by a female artist for “Eyes Open,” country song for “Sparks Fly” and choice movie voice for “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.” Host and new “The X Factor” judge Demi Lovato said 134 million votes were cast for the 14th annual awards, which honor film, TV, music and sports stars in such silly categories as choice hottie, villain, liplock and hissy fit. “Are there even that many teens?” asked ceremony co-host and “Glee” actor Kevin McHale.

BAGHDAD — An onslaught of bombings and shootings killed 93 people across Iraq on Monday, officials said, in the nation’s deadliest day so far this year. The attacks come days after the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq declared a new offensive and warned in a statement that the militant group is reorganizing in areas from which it retreated before U.S. troops left the country last December. Al-Qaida has been seeking to re-assert its might in the security vacuum left by

the departing Americans, seizing on Baghdad’s fragmented government and the surge of Sunni rebels in neighboring Syria to sow instability across Iraq. U.S. and Iraqi officials insist that the terror network’s Iraqi wing, known as the Islamic State of Iraq, is nowhere as strong as it was when the nation threatened

to fall into civil war between 2006 and 2008, and the Iraqi government is better established. Still, the huge death toll Monday and an almost-daily drumbeat of killings last month show al-Qaida remains fully capable of creating chaos in the foreseeable future. Monday’s violence in

13 Iraqi cities and towns appeared coordinated: The blasts all took place within a few hours of each other. They struck mostly at security forces and government offices — two of al-Qaida’s favorite targets in Iraq. “It was a thunderous explosion,” said Mohammed Munim, 35, who was working at an Interior Ministry office that issues government ID cards to residents in Baghdad’s Shiite Sadr City neighborhood when a car exploded outside. Sixteen

people were killed in the single attack. “The only thing I remember was the smoke and fire, which was everywhere, said Munim from his bed in the emergency room at Sadr City hospital. He was hit by shrapnel in his neck and back. The worst attack happened in the town of Taji, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) north of the capital. Police said bombs planted around five houses in the Sunni town exploded an hour after

dawn, followed by a suicide bomber who detonated his explosives belt in the crowd of police who rushed to help. In all, 41 people were killed, police said. And in a brazen attack on Iraq’s military, three carloads of gunmen pulled up at an army base near the northeast town of town of Udaim and started firing at forces. Thirteen soldiers were killed, and the gunmen escaped before they could be caught, two senior police officials said. Continued on page 6

AP Photo/Karim Kadim

Children gather at the scene of a bomb attack in Madain, about 15 miles (25 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, July 23, 2012. An onslaught of bombings and shootings killed scores of people across Iraq on Monday, in the nation’s deadliest day so far this year. The attacks come days after the leader of al-Qaida in Iraq declared a new offensive seeking to re-assert its might in the security vacuum left by the departing Americans.


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