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16 Pages Number 157 3st Year Price: Rp 3.000,-
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
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U2 doc, Pitt, Clooney films head to Toronto fest PAGE 12
AFP PHOTO / SONNY TUMBELAKA
People carry offerings on their heads during a Melasti ceremony prayer at Kuta beach in Denpasar on the island of Bali on July 26, 2011. Melasti is a purification ritual in which the sea is used to wash away the impurities of life.
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By arrival of Obama, Bali strictly guarded
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DENPASAR - On the sidelines of the recent ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Nusa Dua, Bali, the U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, gave signal about the presence of President Barack Obama in the East Asia Summit in Bali, next November.
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In the meeting, Hillary Clinton had declared that in November there would be a bilateral meeting, where President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President Barack Obama would meet in person in Bali. To welcome the arrival of the first man in the State of Uncle Sam, Bali had made preparation. Governor of Bali, Made Mangku Pastika, admitted that he had prepared a variety of things to welcome Obama who had failed to
visit Bali for two times. “There has been a certainty about the arrival of Obama to Bali. Moreover, the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had come to Bali recently. Even, she guaranteed the coming of Obama to Bali in this November. We’d be glad to welcome the arrival of Obama,” said Pastika when met after a plenary session in the Building of Bali House, Tuesday (Jul 26). Continued on page 6
AFP PHOTO / Pool /Jim WATSON
Barrack Obama
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International
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Bali News Coming Fasting, Egg Price Increase Denpasar (Bali Post) –
With the coming Ramadan fasting month next week, a number of essentials prices have increased in the traditional market such as for eggs, broiler ones reached IDR 1,200 – 1,600 per egg according to its size where before would be IDR 800 per egg, while kampung eggs could reach IDR 1,200-1,400 per egg. Wayan Gunada, an egg seller at Badung Market, Denpasar, stated last Tuesday (26/7) that the increase was caused by the high demands where mostly used for making cakes celebrating the coming Ramadan. Gunada further explained that it will go down in the middle of the fasting month because most would by made cakes instead of making one yet it could go up again because Bali’s eggs could be sold to other islands such as Java. “But I’m sure the stock in Bali won’t be disturbed,” he explained. This past week increase was also admitted by Nengah Nasih. Even though the demand is still stabile now, it could increase highly the next three days. Nasih hoped the price won’t go so high from supplier in Kintamani and Penebel, Tabanan and requested
institutes responsible to be involve in avoiding the price going to high. Another essential seller, Made Dirga, stated rice price increase has been stabile so far with IDR 7,0008,500 per kg depends on its brand where the most expensive one use to be IDR 6,500-7,000 per kg. Sugar also have gone up to IDR 10,000 per kg. Meat supplier, Hj. Warningsih, stated broiler chicken is still around IDR 25,000 per kg while kampung chicken IDR 40,000-IDR 50,000 per kg. “Until now the price is not increasing and we hope it won’t as public demand is less since rice have gone up,” Warningsih explained. (par)
IBP/File
An egg seller is seen in a market.
Bukit Jati Became Water Recreation Place After a long time of discussion at last Bukit Jati, Gianyar got its development becoming a water park as seen in a presentation done for the Regent, Vce Regent, Second Assistant, Head of Regional Devel-
IBP/file
Bukit Jati which is one of the tourism site in Gianyar Regency.
opment Board, Head of Public Works, Head of Development Section and Head of Security Setion by Karya Makmur Dewata Group Company at Regent Office’s Assembly Room last Monday (26/7). Agung Raharjo, from the company, stated the recreation place will take place on the Bukit Jati swimming pool. The two hundred square meters land will be divided to three zones. One for parking spaces of 10 tourist busses, tens of cars and hundreds of motorbikes, another zone for main building with changing rooms and relaxing place, while third zone for the water park such as pools also water playgrounds such as in Bantul Regency. There will be also a special location for sellers to sell their goods. Gianyar Regent, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, welcomed well the proposal seeing that the proposal is as of the development of Gianyar knowing East Gianyar is for development in central government, education, sports, trade, services also tourism. With the waterpark it is hoped it will also be used by people in East Bali from Bangli, Klungkung and Karangasem also to be cheap and great destination for families. The swimming pool that is there can be optimised as Bukit Jati is a source of water. Meanwhile Vice Regent, Dewa Made Sutanaya, stated that the swimming pool can still be used and kept especially for training of swimming athletes and holding sport events in Gianyar. Of course with the development a more representative place can be built and later used for bigger events. (dar)
Decrease Beggars
Province Government Should Create Anti Beggars Regulation Amlapura (Bali Post) –
Beggars are hard to erase moreover there are people that organise and coordinate them. For that Head of Karangasem Social Agency, Drs. Made Sosiawan, last Tuesday (26/7) at Karangasem stated there should be a regulation in disallowing beggars to happen and a sanction will be given to those who are beggars especially those who still able to work and used their kids for sympathy. “Without clear regulation it’s hard to erase such things as they are used to getting money without any hard work,” he stated. His reason to request the regulations created by province is due to the many areas usually these beggars are from, not only at Munti Gunung and Pedahan in Karangasem but also from Bangli such as Songan. Lately many are suspected imported from outside Bali such as Java and these all spread to different places in Bali. According to Sosiawan the number of beggars in Karangasem has de-
crease a lot with only 151 people now yet because some of them were captured then went again operating with different name so total of 1,000 people are found every year. There are also 67 unwanted children, 3,222 disable people, 735 mentally ill and 108 people in poverty due to nature disaster. Head of Karangasem House of Representatives I Gede Dana asked Regent I Wayan Geredeg in Karangasem to lead the executives and create an effective program to take out beggars. He is worried after seven years he works as Representative it is still happening project such as clean water, electricity and roads have to be priority and built in an effective location. “Don’t do projects or give projects to the public that are based on politic party or individual wants, it should be as needed and prioritised in the villages to the city itself so there are no longer jealousy between public on not getting something better,” he clarified. (013)
z Founder : K.Nadha, z General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti z Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Wirya, Yudi Winanto zDenpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. z Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. z Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 0215357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post
Bali News
International
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
Expensive raw materials
Silversmith under threat to go bankrupt AROUND 1980 to the 1990s, a number of villages in Buleleng Regency became popular center of silverworks production in Bali. Beratan Village in Buleleng Subdistrict and Patemon Village in Seririt Subdistrict were two of them. Ritual paraphernalia such as bowl, jug and other silverworks produced by Buleleng crafters were always sought after by residents of Tabanan, Badung and Jembrana. Even, numerous products of a number of crafters could have penetrated the export markets. However, those silverwork centers located at several villages in Buleleng are under threat to go bankrupt because the price of silver continues to rise lately. A number of silversmiths in Buleleng said that silverworks of the region continued to be sought by consumers from outside Buleleng. Even, their orders continued to come recently. But, those craftsmen were unable to fulfill such large amount of orders because they lived through capital continued to rise. With such condition, a number of silversmiths in Buleleng were forced to close their business temporarily. Some silversmiths remained to survive, but they only worked on the orders that had agreed with the new price in accordance with the rising price of raw material. Made Panca, one of the silversmiths from Patemon Village, Seririt Subdistrict, said that he previously purchased silver raw material at IDR 4,500 per gram, now rose to IDR 7,500 per gram. Since the price hike of silver, his production cost continued to increase. Unfortunately, though the price of raw material had increased but the selling price of the silverworks produced were still at old prices because he worried if his customers would purchase similar handicraft from silversmiths in other region. The price of a ring was IDR 150,000 and if calculated pursuant to the current price of silver it should be sold at IDR 240,000. Nevertheless, he still sold it at old price. Meanwhile, ritual parapherna-
lia like bowl was still offered at old price ranging from IDR 120,000 to IDR 300,000 per piece. “It’s been lasting for long time and we are unable to do nothing in response to this condition. Now, the most important is how to survive though the profit is very little. Even, we can only reach the break event point,” he said. According to Panca, since the increase of price, silversmiths did not dare to produce stock and only worked on the orders that had been guaranteed by down payment. It was the only attempt that could be carried out in the middle of silver price hike lately. “If there are no orders we prefer not to work because if forced to produce stocks our capital does not suffice to purchase silver,” he explained. Similar situation was disclosed by silversmiths at Beratan Village, Buleleng Subdistrict. Price hike of silver was really striking their business and now they were only able to serve the order of coating services. Fortunately, the silver coating services remained to be sought after these days, so craftsmen could survive though their profit was not the same as when the price of silver was normal. “I provide more silver coating services because it requires less silver than producing new products,” he added. (kmb/ole)
IBP/Bud
Silversmith is working in Buleleng
Beware of terrorist threats Migrants must be strictly overseen Denpasar (Bali Post)—
Mapping results of the National Anti-terrorism Agency (BNPT) listed Bali Province into 14 provinces in Indonesia as the potential spread of terrorism ideology that had to be taken seriously by all components of Balinese community. The most appropriate response to this condition is increasing alertness and shutting out any gaps potentially infiltrated by terrorists to prepare, plan and implement terrorism action. In this context, hamlet in each customary village should build synergy with administrative village and intensify its supervision against the areas of regional migrant in their respective territory by organizing regular population raid. It was revealed by Customary Village Chief of Panjer, Denpasar, Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Budiana, and Subdistrict Head of West
Denpasar, Ida Bagus Alit Wiradana, to Bali Post on Tuesday (Jul 26). According to Budiana, vigilance against the areas of regional migrant as highly vulnerable area infiltrated by terrorism were not an excessive suspicion or without reason. It could be ascertained that not all dwellers were equipped with population administration required so their presence in Bali could be categorized into illegal. In addition, many of those migrants had unclear job so their activities in Bali were worth suspecting. “To handle those illegal regional migrants, I do hope Denpasar Municipality, regency government and Bali government to have the courage to forcibly repatriate those illegal migrants to their home of origin. Moreover, we have been backed up by legal instruments such as Regional Regulation No. 14/2002 (on
Population Management Information System—Ed) that justifies us to take such a firm measure,” reminded Budiana. This professor employed in Undiknas University asserted that imposition of strict sanctions could not be interpreted that Bali went up against the regional migrants because it was not applied blindly. Conversely, migrants who were willing to comply with all provisions required were consistently given the right to live and settle in Bali like any other citizens. “Not only Indonesian citizen, any citizen from all over the world has the right to stay in Bali. However, before deciding to stay in Bali, they should comply with population administration required,” he said. Budiana warned that Bali had been devastated by the incident of terrorist
attacks for two times through the Bali bombing I and II. Both bloody blast incidents happened were inseparable from the awareness level of Balinese people tending to weaken in monitoring the movement of illegal migrants in their territory. “To anticipate the occurrence of similar incidents, I do hope the owners of boarding and rented houses to consciously report the existence of those migrants staying in their houses to local authorities. Do not wait to submit the administrative requirement until the coming of population raid,” he reminded. Uncompromising
When contacted separately, Subdistrict Head of West Denpasar, Ida Bagus Alit Wiradana, claimed to agree with Budiana. It was affirmed the sanction of forcible repatriation to illegal migrants netted in population raid in Denpasar was indeed uncompromising. To dwell in Denpasar, they had to equip themselves with valid identity card, recommendation letter, and certificate
of competency/skills issued by the authorities in their region of origin. Above all else, they were also required to have a guarantor ensuring that their existence in Denpasar was not for negative or illegal activities. In addition, they were obliged to report their existence in Denpasar to authorities at local village as well as to propose migrant identity document (KIPP). “Without completed with such document, do not blame if Denpasar Municipality forcibly repatriates them to their home of origin. Moreover, if those migrants have been proved to have unclear job in Denpasar,” he said. Furthermore, Alit Wiradana asserted that his party regularly organized policing operation to prevent the entry of illegal migrants to Denpasar area. Leading sector of this policing operation would be entrusted to each administrative village (desa dinas) in synergy with customary village (desa pakraman).
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News
Thursday, July 28, 2011
ElBaradei wants broad alliance for Egypt elections Associated Press Writer
CAIRO — Egypt’s top reform leader Mohamed ElBaradei called Tuesday for the formation of a broad coalition of political forces, including the Islamists, to contest the first elections since the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak. The call by the Nobel Peace laureate, whose supporters were credited as a key force behind Egypt’s uprising, reflected growing concerns of liberal groups about a big win for the well-organized Islamists, especially the Muslim Brotherhood. That would give the Islamists power to control the drafting of a new constitution. “We don’t have the luxury today to enter into fierce competition between the different streams, especially when we are building the house from the start,” ElBaradei told a news conference. “I talked today and before about the need for a national
coalition. At this stage, there must be a parliament that represents all Egyptian forces.” No date has been set for parliamentary elections, but they are expected before the end of the year, followed by a presidential vote. The political factions and military rulers who replaced Mubarak in February are sharply divided over how to proceed with the transition to democracy. A broad coalition of the political forces that worked to oust Mubarak could also be a response to growing fears that former regime figures may make a strong showing in the vote under a new election law which leaves room for vote buying. ElBaradei, a potential presidential candidate, also appealed to the military rulers to reverse their rejection of international monitors for the elections. “I don’t know of any democratic country that rejects international monitors,” he said. ElBaradei has been meeting with various political groups to build a national consensus.
AFP PHOTO/KHALED DESOUKI
Egyptian riot police stand guard outside a court in Cairo on July 25, 2011 during the murder trial of ex-interior minister Habib alAdly before the judge delayed the procedings until August 3.
International
U.S. attack still significant al Qaeda goal: official Reuters
WASHINGTON - Striking the United States remains a “significant goal” for al Qaeda and its affiliates nearly a decade after the September 11 attacks, the president’s nominee to head the National Counterterrorism Center said on Tuesday. The killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was a “significant milestone” and “substantial progress” has been made against al Qaeda, but the group still poses a top terrorism threat to the Unites States, Matthew Olsen said at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. “That threat is not so much from the senior (al Qaeda) leadership in Pakistan with one unified goal, it is now diffused in various regional locations under various leaders and with various goals,” he said. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which operates inYemen and claimed responsibility for a December 25, 2009 attempt to bomb a U.S.-bound passenger plane, “has shown a willingness and a level of capability to strike in the United States,” Olsen said. Al Qaeda’s affiliate in Somalia also has shown a willingness and ability to strike outside that country, he said. If confirmed by the Senate, Olsen will become director of an agency created in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks as the hub for analyzing and sharing terrorist threat information. Senator Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the intelligence committee, expressed concern that the period before the tenth anniversary of the attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, was one of “heightened threat.”
AFP PHOTO / FILES / Doug KANTER
(FILES) This photo dated September 11, 2001 shows firefighters making their way through the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York after two hijacked planes flew into the landmark skyscrapers.
China protests against U.S. spy flights near its coast Reuters
BEIJING - China warned that recent U.S. surveillance flights near the Chinese coast have severely harmed strategic mutual trust and were a major obstacle hindering military ties between the two countries, state media reported on Wednesday. Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, vowed on Monday to press ahead with surveillance flights near China despite opposition from Beijing, following reports that Chinese jets crossed a boundary with Taiwan to pursue a U.S. spy plane. Two Chinese Sukhoi-27 fighters last month briefly crossed a line in the center of the Taiwan Strait that is considered an unofficial air boundary between both sides. Asian media reported the Chi-
nese jets were attempting to intercept a U.S. U-2 reconnaissance plane. “We demand that the U.S. respect China’s sovereignty and security interests and take concrete measures to boost a healthy and stable development of military relations,” the Global Times newspaper quoted the Ministry of National Defense as saying. The comments followed Mullen’s visit to China two weeks ago, which was part of efforts to improve ties with the People’s Liberation Army. Their ties have been rocky, with China unhappy with U.S. reconnaissance patrols near its coast and is suspicious of its bases in South Korea and Japan. China’s rapid military buildup and territorial disputes in the South China Sea have also sparked concerns in the region.
CHINA OUT AFP PHOTO
This photo taken on July 26, 2011shows Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers undergoing a drill at a military base in Hefei, in eastern China’s Anhui province .
Activities
International
Thursday, July 28, 2011
5
Aston Open Aston Palembang IBP
JAKARTA - Aston International announced that the group celebrated the opening of a new international 4 star Hotel and Conference Center in Palembang, just on time for the 2011 SEA Games. The Aston Palembang Hotel & Conference Center is strategically located mid-way between Palembang’s airport and the city’s CBD on Jalan Basuki Rahmat serving Palembang’s growing business travel and conference market as well as domestic leisure travelers from the surrounding areas. The hotel will features 163 elegant, modern and functional guest rooms and suites and features extensive meeting facilities including a large ballroom with a capacity of up to 1000 guests and several auxiliary meeting rooms. With its classic sophistication and contemporary chic design, wide range of facilities and privileged location, the Aston Palembang
Hotel & Conference Center will fill an increasing need for quality accommodation and professional meeting facilities in Sumatera and open just in time for the 2011 South East Asia Games which are being held in Palembang this coming November. Norbert Vas, VP Sales & Marketing Aston International commented: “This newest Aston Hotel & Conference Center fits perfectly into our goal of becoming Indonesia’s leading hotel group for meetings and conferences by developing mid seized international standard 4 star hotels with sophisticated meeting facilities throughout several Indonesian provincial capitals and secondary cities. In the past 15 months we opened similar properties in Bangka, Pontianak, Serpong, Bogor, Bandung, Jayapura and most recently in Tanjung Pinang and have further Aston Hotels & Conference Centers under construction in Solo, Purwokerto, Jambi, Makassar and Banjarmasin.”
Temple Ceremony Calendar Event for July 9 through August 6, 2011 09 Jul Pura Catur Buana Sanding, Tampaksiring - Gianyar 10 Jul Pura Peninjoan
26 Jul Pura Puseh, Pura Desa Batua, Sukawati - Gianyar Pura Pasek Bendesa Kekeran Mengwi - badung Pura Manik Mas Besakih - Karangasem
Besakih - Karangasem
16 Jul Pura pasek Gelgel Kukuh,Marga - Tabanan Pasek Gelgel Dukuh Selemadeg - Tabanan Pasek Gelgel Mambang Selemadeg - Tabanan Pura Puseh, Pura Desa Guwang, Sukawati - Gianyar Pura Dalem Setra Batununggul Sewana,Nusa Penida Klungkung Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Gelgel Ketewel - Gianyar 17 Jul Aci-aci Penaung Taluh di Penataran Besakih Karangasem Pura Gunung Kuripan Lombok Pura Tirta Besakih - Karangasem Pura Purnama Camenggaon,Sukawati - Gianyar Pura Amerta Jati Komplek ALRI, Cinere - Jakarta Sel. Pura Jagatnatha Singaraja Pura Dang Hyang Tulus Dewa Apuan,Susut - Bangli Pura Jagathitha Selong - Lombok Timur Pura Agung Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Gobleg,Banjar - Buleleng Pura Desa, Pura Puseh Batur, Kitamani - Bangli Pura Asah (Alas Arum) Batur,Kintamani - Bangli Pura Dalem Kedewatan Celuk,Sukawati - Gianyar Pura Agung Mandara Giri Gunung Semeru - Lumajang, Jatim Pura Pengubengan Besakih - Karangasem Penataran Agung Sukawati - Gianyar Pura Bukit Mentik Gunung Lebah,Batur,Kintamani Bangli Merajan A. Puser Jagat Meranting Batukandik,Nusa Penida - Klungkung 23 Jul Merajan Pasek Gaduh Kayubihi - Bangli
30 Jul Pura Kepisah Sumerta - Denpasar Pura Pasek Gelgel Gerih, Abiansemal - Badung Pura Puncaksari Penarukan, Peninjoan- Bangli Pura Anteg Sari Br Dangin Pangkung, Kediri-Tabanan Pura Bangun Sakti Besakih - Karangasem Pura Pesimpangan Batur Pande Dangin Pangkung, Kediri Tabanan 01 Aug Odalan Ida Ratu Geng PenataranBesakih - Karangasem Ida Ratu Raja Puraus Mr. Saloding Besakih - Karangasem 03 Aug Pura Panti Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Kayuputih,Banjar Buleleng 05 Aug Pura Tirtaharum Tegalwangi - Bangli Pura Beratan Baturiti - Tabanan Pura Batu Klotok Lepang - Klungkung Pura Pasek Tohjiwa Wanasari - Tabanan Pura Pasek Tangguntiti Jakatebel - Tabanan Pura Pasek Bendesa Sangsit,Sawan - Buleleng Pura Dalem Waturenggong Tarokaja,Tegallalang - Gianyar Pura Ibu (Pura Kaja) Wanagiri Selemadeg - Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Tulikup - Gianyar Pura Mnik Bingin Ds Dukuh,Sidemen - Karangasem 06 Aug Pura Penataran Gana Bebalang - Bangli Pura Dalem Gede Banjar Pande - Bangli Pura Puncak Sari Abiansemal - Badung Pasek Dadia A. Sanak Sapta Resi Peteluan,Sidan - Gianyar Pura Puseh Penegil Darma Kubutambahan - Buleleng Pura Dalem Maya Br Teruna,Blahbatuh - Gianyar
Balinese Temple Ceremony EVERY Temple and Shrine has a special date for it annual Ceremony, or “ Odalan “, every 210 days according to Balinese calendar, including the smaller ancestral shrine which each family possesses. Because of this practically every few days a ceremony of festival of some kind takes place in some Village in Bali. There are also times when the entire island celebrated the same Holiday, such as at Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi day, Saraswati day, Tumpek Landep day, Pagerwesi day, Tumpek Wayang day etc. The dedication or inauguration day of a Temple is considered its birth day and celebration always takes place on the same day if the wuku or 210 day calendar is used. When new moon is used then the celebration always happens on new moon or full moon. The day of course can differ the religious celebration of a temple lasts at least one full day with some temple celebrating for three days while the celebration of Besakih temple, the Mother Temple, is never less than 7 days and most of the time it lasts for 11 days, depending on the importance of the occasion. The celebration is very colorful. The shrine are dressed with pieces of cloths and sometimes with brocade, sailings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines. In front of important shrine one sees, besides these umbrellas soars, tridents and other weapons, the “umbulumbul”, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the Temple gate put up “Penjor”, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land. Most beautiful to see are the girls in their colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the Temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which the carry their load on their heads.
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
News Evita’s portrait hung from Argentine ministry Associated Press Writer
AP Photo
Motorists pass by a car which was washed downstream as they negotiate a flooded road Wednesday July 27, 2011 in Legazpi city, Albay province in northeastern Philippines.
Tropical storm kills 20 in Philippines
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — A giant iron portrait of Eva Peron was unveiled Tuesday on the front of Argentina’s social development ministry building, where she gave a historic speech prior to her death from cancer in 1952. The 31meter-high (102-feethigh), 24-meter-wide (79-feet-wide) work weighing 15 tons resembles the iconic portrait of Argentine revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara in Havana, Cuba. Argentina President AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia Cristina Fernandez, who inaugurated and backed A 15 tons, 31x24 mt. iron portrait of the portrait, said it was the late Evita Peron, the iconic wife during a visit to Cuba that of former Argentina’s strongman it occurred to her to pay Juan Peron, is illuminated by homage to the wife of former President Juan Domingo Peron. “I saw an image of Che on the ministry building he worked in. How is it possible that a society pays tribute to a man who is not from that country and we have no tributes to a woman who not only marked the entry of women into politics and the country’s most important social revolution, but who also represented the people and country with more passion than anyone in history,” Fernandez said. The portrait was unveiled at 8:25 p.m. local time, the hour when the woman knows as Evita died on July 26, 1952. The portrait was created by Argentine plastic artists Daniel Santoro and Alejandro Marmo. It hangs from the ministry building on one of Buenos Aires’ main avenues. It was here that Evita, with advanced cancer, announced on Aug. 22, 1951 that she was stepping down from her candidacy for the vice presidency on her husband’s ticket. The government plans to unveil another portrait of Evita on the north side of the building on the 60th anniversary of the “resignation.”orange lights during an unveiling ceremony in the 59th anniversary of her death in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
Agence France Presse
A tropical storm killed at least 20 people in the Philippines as it dumped enormous amounts of rain that caused major flooding and landslides, authorities said Wednesday. Nock-ten, named after a Laotian bird, was expected to cause more damage in the mountainous northern areas of the main island of Luzon on Wednesday, while also bringing heavy rain to Manila, the state weather service said. Nock-ten, which struck the eastern Philippines on Tuesday, killed at least 20 people, with another nine missing, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chief Benito Ramos told reporters. Five of the victims died as a landslide buried parts of their village. About 645,000 people were also forced to flee their flooded homes in the coastal provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur in the southeast of Luzon where the storm first made landfall, according to Ramos. “Those two provinces are underwater,” Ramos told AFP earlier. He said the government was waiting for the skies to clear and
the seas to calm down before sending emergency supplies by air and water to those provinces. “We can’t use the army trucks because the roads are flooded,” he said. The council said dozens of flights had been cancelled because of the storm. Nock-ten had initially been expected to pass much closer to Manila, the nation’s sprawling capital of 12 million people, and schools were closed across the city on Wednesday as it prepared for heavy rains. Ramos said Nock-ten was following an erratic course and that the latest forecast showed Manila and other densely populous areas would be spared the worst of the
storm. “It did not follow its projected track,” he said. Nevertheless, the new course would still mean about four million people in mountainous areas of northern Luzon were under threat, and landslides there were a danger. State weather forecaster Juanito Galang told AFP wind strength and rain volumes usually dissipated when a cyclone hit a wall of mountains, instead of going over flat land. “But the danger there is, if rain falls on a mountaintop, it will rush down slopes. The tendency is for the water to go down as flash floods or cause landslides,” Galang said.
By arrival of Obama... From page 1 It was said that Obama’s arrival to Bali posed a great trust for the island dubbed as the Island of Thousand Temples. “It’s confidence to Bali. Related to security measure, we have prepared it pursuant to international standards,” he said. This former Bali Police Chief even confirmed there had been coordination with Bali Government regarding to the arrival of the president who had spent most of his childhood in Jakarta. However, Pastika had not confirmed to offer tourist destinations expected to be visited by Obama in Bali. “There has been coordination with Bali Government related to the arrival of Obama. We have not known yet which tourist destination to be visited, we do not offer them. It will highly depend on Obama where he’d like to go. In short, this must be a pride to Bali,” he said. Barack Obama was scheduled to come to Bali in conjunction with the implementation of East Asia Summit Meeting in November. In the forum of the heads of state, Obama would meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to discuss further about the cooperation between the two countries. Obama himself had been scheduled to visit Bali for two times. However, for two times he failed to set foot on the Island of the Gods. (par)
Indonesia Today
International
Thursday, July 28, 2011
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Number of smokers skyrocketing in Indonesia Antara
JAKARTA - The number of smokers in Indonesia has been skyrocketing in the past 16 years from 34.7 million in 1995 to be 65 million in 2011, a survey conducted by Economic Faculty of Indonesia University (UI) said. “Based on gender system, in 1995 there are 33.8 million men and 1.1 million women who smoke. The number is rising sharply in 2007 with 60.4 million men and 4.8 mil-
lion women,” researcher at UI`s Demographic Research Center Abdillah Hasan said here on Wednesday. He said the number of people who
start smoking at a younger age was also increasing over the years with only 7 percent of teenagers smoking in 1995 then 12 years later the number is increasing to 19 percent. He said the latest survey showed the effectiveness of cigarette industry in wooing customers and, on the contrary, the weak side of the government in protecting teenagers from smoking. Abdillah said the increasing num-
Police, immigration form team in search of Nazaruddin Antara
MAKASSAR - The Indonesian police and the Immigration Directorate General have decided to form a team searching for international fugitive and former Democratic Party treasurer Muhammad Nazaruddin. “One thing is certain, namely that the police and immigration team is already working,” law and human rights minister Patrialis Akbar said here on Tuesday. The team will soon leave for a country to seek Nazaruddin, he said. “The first step is establishing communication with the authorities of that given country, and we will obviously speak to them politely explaining to them that the wanted man is a fugitive,” he said. He also said that Nazaruddin‘s travel documents including his passport, had been revoked by the Indonesian government, he said.
“We wish for cooperation with the relevant government in repatriating the wanted man,” Parialis said. But Patrialis did not mention the name of the country to be visited by the joint team in looking for Nazaruddin. “Now there are five persons banned by the immigration from going abroad under an instruction of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK),” he said. Nazaruddin, suspect in the case of bribery linked to the construction of the althlete‘s dormitory in Jakabaring, Palembang, was in Singapore a day before the KPK asked the Law and Human Rights Ministry to issue a travel ban for him on May 24. The Indonesian police headquarters has issued a red notice to repatriate the suspect of bribing the Secretary of the Youth and Sports Ministry Nazaruddin with cooperation and coordination of Interpol.
Tiger death in Indonesia blamed on paper firm Agence France-Presse
JAKARTA - A graphic video showing the last hours of a rare Sumatran tiger as it writhes in a trap in Indonesia exposes the gruesome toll of rampant rainforest clearing, Greenpeace activists said Tuesday. Greenpeace Southeast Asia forest campaigner Zulfahmi said the trap was set up by villagers to catch wild pigs on a logging concession owned by Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), one of the world’s biggest paper and packaging companies. “The tiger died in a spot which is located on an APP concession. Due to land clearing by the company, the tigers have to leave their habitat,” he told AFP. “We urge the company to stop its land clearing activity in Indonesia... to avoid endangered animals becoming extinct.” Estimates of the number of Sumatran tigers remaining in the world range from 300 to 400. Several die each year as a result of traps, poaching or other human actions. The 18-month-old tiger died within three hours of being tranquillised by local conservation officials, said Greenpeace media campaigner Zamzami, who witnessed the incident. The Greenpeace video shows the animal in obvious distress as it tries to pull its blackened paw free of the rope trap. “The tiger died on July 1, seven days after it
fell into the trap. It couldn’t eat or drink, its paw had turned black already and there were many flies around it,” Zamzami said. Veterinary surgeons were called to the scene in Sumatra Island’s Riau province but were unable to save the tiger, he said. A spokeswoman for Singapore-based APP said any suggestion that the company’s operations resulted in the death of the tiger were “not only grossly inaccurate but deeply offensive”. “The death of any Sumatran tiger is a tragic situation. Unfortunately human-tiger conflict has long been a reality of life in Indonesia,” spokeswoman Aida Greenbury said, putting the blame on local villagers. A tiger conservation organisation that receives APP funding also blamed local people, dismissing environmentalists who say loss of habitat through deforestation is the main cause of dwindling tiger numbers. “It’s the local people who set up the animal trap. Unless APP set up the trap, then we cannot blame the company,” Sumatran Tiger Conservation Foundation organizer Bastoni told AFP. He said the tiger died “on the border of the acacia forest and the APP concession”. Greenpeace says logging by APP and other companies is destroying the tiger’s habitat and driving them into ever closer and more dangerous contact with people.
ber of smokers in Indonesia was caused by the large population and economy, ineffective implementation of free-smoking spaces in public places and the weak regulations on smoking consumption control. “There are four instruments that need to be implemented to decrease smoking habits namely raising the price of cigarettes through tax, restricting cigarette advertisements, putting image of various smoke-re-
lated diseases in the cigarette tapackages and effectively introduce and implement free-smoke zones,”said Abdillah. Meanwhile, Vice Chief of UI‘s Demographic Research Center, Dwini Handayani, said smoking needs to controlled in the society. However, she reminded that supervising the flow of cigarettes was costly and needs a strong will from both the government and people.
Car makers urged to use local contents Antara
JAKARTA - The Indonesian government has asked premium car makers marketing their products in the country to also use local contents. “Industrialists are expected to also take care of local contents and use them more including in their premium products,” deputy minister of industry Alex Retraubun, said in a Mercedez-Benz Automotive Symposium at the 19th Indonesia International Motor Show 2011 here on Tuesday. Indonesia, he said, is expected to be the world‘s 14th biggest economy in 2014. With its gross domestic product reaching US$1,206 million and economic growth and inflation rate being maintained and population the world‘s fourth biggest Indonesia will be a good automotive products
market. He said not only sales but car exports are also expected to increase. He said he hoped the people‘s increasing buying power would also increase premium car sales at home and exports to ASEAN countries. In view of that he hoped there would be a hike in vendor industries including parts industries in the country. He said the government‘s short-and medium-term focus in the automotive industry is multipurpose vehicle and low cost green car development. In the long term the focus will be strengthening spare parts industries and human resource development, he said. He said the government would improve facilities in bonded zones and develop research and development including improving laboratories for researches, electricity and an exclusive car seaport.
Put trust in neighboring countries Antara
JAKARTA - Vice President Boediono said building mutual confidence with neighboring states is an important key to state defense. “We must be a friend with and put trust in neighboring countries. We cannot choose neighbors with other countries but now we neighbor with Singapore and the Philippines,” vice presidential spokesman Yopie Hidayat said here on Wednesday. He made the remarks after accompanying Vice President Boediono during a meeting with Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen. Ng Eng Hen met with the vice president to introduce himself as a new defense minister. During the meeting Boediono and Ng exchanged information and stressed as neighboring states both Indonesia
and Singapore needed to build a high mutual trust. He said defense relations between the two countries had run well, marked by the sending of hundreds of students to respective countries every year. “Indonesia sends around 600 officers to Singapore to take education and training every year, while at the same time Singapore also sends its officers to Indonesia,” Yopie said. Yopie said at the meeting both Boediono and Ng did not touch on the possibility of Indonesia buying main military armament system from Singapore, borders between the two countries and eradication of human trafficking. “The vice president and the defense minister only talked about issues related to the importance of cooperation and exchange of ideas in the defense field,” he said.
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International
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Bali Today Frenchman sentenced one year possessing marijuana Antara
IBP/Net
Bali’s non-oil/gas exports to China reached a slight surplus of 943 thousand US dollars in the first quarter of 2011 and have been increasing in the last parts of this year.
Bali-China non-oil/gas trade reaches surplus Antara
DENPASAR - Bali’s non-oil/gas exports to China reached a slight surplus of 943 thousand US dollars in the first quarter of 2011 and have been increasing in the last parts of this year. Head of Bank Indonesia’s Denpasar office Jeffrey Kairupan in his Bali’s economic survey in Denpasar said on Wednesday Bali’s handicraft goods exports to China in the January-March 2011 period reached 7.6 million US dollars. In the meantime, Bali businessmen purchasing various capital goods from China in the January-March 2011 period was worth 6.6 million US dollars, bringing a small surplus of 943 thousand US dollars. He said the foreign exchange revenue from non-oil/gas trading with China and Hong Kong had been constantly increasing like those in 2009 to only from 33 million US dollars 38 million US dollars in 2010. Bali with the exports of small
textile and textile products industries imported raw materials and some other non-oil/gas commodities mostly purchased from its business partners in China. The relatively cheap Chinesemade clothes have largely imported for the people in those parts and clothes and garments of different sizes are also offered at the porches of stores. Bali’s exports of handicraft articles and goods to China and Hong Kong as one of the world’s trading centers continued to increase to 7.6 million US dollars in the three months of the first semester of I-2011. The smooth foreign trade especially jewelry, ready clothes, and household furniture and constantly increased foreign exchange revenue from two million
US dollars in February to three million US dollars in March 2011. Bali’s non-oil/gas export potentials including hand-made handicraft goods and articles are very big to China and Hong Kong, especially that Bali’s products had often been displayed at the World Expo in Shanghai, China. Intergovernmental relations have increased as China, are a country with a fast growing economy, and are a potential economic cooperation partner which with many countries had established trade relations. Its rapid economic growth will make China to need many things from other countries like Bali, including furniture designed and made in accordance with the liking and taste of the consumers.
DENPASAR - The Denpasar district court here sentenced a Frenchman, Karim Chabbit (33), to one year in jail after finding him guilty of possessing 44.6 grams of marijuana. “We hereby sentence him to one year in prison, and order the defendant to remain in custody and pay Rp5 thousand in court proceeding costs,” said presiding judge Amzer Simanjuntak when reading the verdict here on Wednesday. In the trial with the agenda of verdict reading, the judge said that Karim was proven legally and convincingly to have abused narcotics in the form of marijuana. It was stipulated in article 127 paragraph 1a Act (Law) RI No.35/ 2009 on Narcotics, and according to the panel of judges, Karim was only proved as a user. The verdict handed down by the judges was lower than what the public prosecutor, I Ketut Sukada, had demanded, namely one and half year in jail. A factor that relieved the defendant’s sentence during the trial is due to his polite attitude and confessing his actions, while the matter incriminating the defendant is his acts could damage younger generation, and Bali’s tourism image either. Earlier, in a trial with pledoi agenda, Karim which was accompanied by his lawyer Made Loster defended himself as a drug addict, and expected only snared by Article 134 of the Criminal Code regarding drug addict with a lower penalty. Hearing the verdict, the defendant Karim and the prosecutor stated to think about the verdict handed down by the judges. Karim was arrested by police on Monday (March 28) at Villa Jepun, Krishna Street, Legian, Kuta, after the police received information from residents about the presence of foreign citizen who used drugs. The police when conducting raids against Karim, found three packages of marijuana, each of which is found in the bathroom with a gross weight of 6.25 grams and the other two packages were found in Karim’s room located on the 2nd floor with the gross weight of each 19.31 grams and 18.50 grams. Karim had told the police that the marijuana belonged to him and that he had to use it to ease the pain from an injury he had sustained in an accident. He had done it on the advice of his doctor in France.
Singaporean Visit Touches its Highest Increase DENPASAR - The percentage of Singaporean visit to Bali is increasing along January-June 2011 as it touches the highest peak. Its 34 percentage increase emphasizing foreigners pleasure and tourist safety in this region, said Bali Tourism observer, Drs Dewa Rai Budiasa in Denpasar on Monday. The coming of Singaporean to Bali recorded 41,534 visit during January to June 2010 into 55,690 visit during the first six months in 2011. Tourism visit of Asia people is getting much decrease like Japanese, Taiwanese, and South Korean. They are still contributing stable visit but Singaporean tourists are getting increase. The decreasing Japanese tourists are worrying as it drastically decreased since last year. It decreased 89,490 persons during January to June 2011. Japanese visit is drastically decreasing about 26% if it is preferred than early 2010 as it touched 121,045 persons. Taiwanese decreased 1,6% from 66,478 persons into 65,364 persons. Many factors are causing the decrease of Japanese tourists. One of them is the difficulties of getting air transportation from Japan to Bali. Singapore is an international destination so it will be potential to grab foreigners to spend their holiday in Bali, said Budiasa. Besides it needs harder promotion and an advance to fix the quality of Bali Island. The natural beauty of Bali and the custom of Bali people are still attracting foreigners to visit this island. It proved by the increase visit of foreigners as much as 10,9% or 1,271,470 persons in the first six months of 2011.
International
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Balinese Culture High scores for Ombak Bali IBP
DENPASAR - Over the last four days Ombak Bali Surf Film Festival took center stage right on the beach in Seminyak. Bali’s most happening hang out of La Plancha, which was packed with surf, cinema and party lovers from sunset till sunrise. The stars shone brightly, waves pounded on the shore, trees shimmered with neon lights and the atmosphere was infused with the laid back vibe that Bali is famous for.
The 4th edition of the festival had a sweet film line-up that drew a crowd of more than 700 people each evening. Opening night hit with the Asian premiere of SPLINTERS; all eyes were glued to the big screen as this compelling debut film documented the battle for surf supremacy that engulfed a small community in Papua New Guinea. Many more fascinating films were screened during these four nights on the sand; from the inspiring environmental film Protect Our
Waves, impressive Irish shortie DARK Side Of The Lens, Surfing Dolphins, Brazilian groms in Rio Breaks, Bono with Sumatra river surf, Morrocon winter surf in Sana Saida to closing night with the exclusive showing of Nathan Myers all time favorites of INNERSECTION 2010/11. Director Greg Huglin attended the festival this year to present his film Surfing Dolphins: His verdict, “Amazing venue, great sound and top notch presentation.”
Oakley Pro Junior to be held in Canggu IBP
DENPASAR - Oakley Indonesia is proud to announce their second annual Coca-Cola ISC Grade 2 Pro Junior event at the high performance black sand wave mecca of Canggu on the west coast of Bali from August 1-14. With a prize purse of over Rp 30 million, not only do the Under 21 year old contestants have the chance to bring home cash and valuable Coca-Cola ISC Pro Junior Division Championship points, this Oakley Pro Junior is also the deciding event to determine Indonesia’s wildcard entry into the ASP sanctioned Oakley World Pro Junior Championships to be held at Keramas from October 3-14. The Oakley World Pro Junior boasts the richest prize
purse in Pro Junior event history with a total of US 75,000! Oakley is dedicated to supporting the development of surfing in Bali and throughout Indonesia and sees events such as these Pro Junior events in addition to their annual 6-star Oakley Pro (held at Canggu in April) as great mediums for this effort. “We are amped to see the skills of the kids improving so dramatically and we want to continue to provide them with opportunities to push themselves and keep on improving, so to give them with a specific Pro Junior event here in Bali is what we thought would accomplish this goal the best. Plus it’s a great reward as the key event to find out who will be strong enough to compete with the best Pro Juniors
in the world in the upcoming Oakley World Pro Junior event,” said Oakley’s Sports & Alternate Marketing Manager Gino Andrias. The Pro Junior Division of the Indonesian Surfing Championships is specifically for surfers under 21 years of age, and it is expected to draw the top pro junior surfers from around all over Indonesia to compete in August. During the waiting period of Oakley Pro Junior, there will also be the fierce semi-finals of the firstin-Indonesia Oakley Surf Tag Series, where surf clubs from Medewi, Legian, Seminyak and Lembongan will compete for the 2 top spots. The final of the Oakley Indonesia Surf Tag Series will be held during Oakley World Pro Junior in October, 2011.
RUJAK
(Vegetable & Fruits Salad With Palm Sugar Sauce) OVERVIEW: This popular snack, in intriguing mixture of sweet, sour and spicy hot flavors, is prepared at countless warung throughout Bali. INGREDIENTS: 1 small pineapple, peeled and sliced evenly 1 sour mango, peeled and sliced 1 pamelo or grapefruit, peeled and cut in segments 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and sliced 3 water apples (jambu), quartered (optional) 1 medium sized star fruit, sliced ½ small papaya, peeled, cut in half, seeded and sliced in even segments 1 green apple, peeled and sliced 1-cup rujak sauce PREPARATION: Combine all ingredients in salad bowl and mix well. Serve at room temperature. Helpful hint: although this is served as snack in Bali, you can serve it as part of Balinese meal or buffet. BASE RUJAK: 6 tbsp tamarind pulp 1-cup palm sugar syrup 1tsp dried shrimp paste, roasted 6 bird’s eye chilies, left whole ½ tsp salt ½ cup water PREPARATION: Combine all ingredients in a heavy pan and bring slowly to the boil. Stir well and simmer for 10 minutes. When cool, squeeze to extract all the juice from the tamarind and strain through a sieve. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)
C.045 ibp
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
Destinations
International
Bali Butterfly Park IBP
The Butterfly Park in Tabanan is one of the smaller attractions within reach for people in the Kuta area. Tabanan is one of the 8 kabupaten (districts ) of Bali and its main town is also called Tabanan. The Butterfly Park (Taman Kupu Kupu) is located 7kms north of the town of Tabanan, at Wanasari, on the road to Penebel. The ride takes about an hour from Kuta. The museum is located 50 meters off the road, but is easy to find, due to the massive sign outside. The neat grounds and parking lot, lead into the souvenir shop and ticket office. These keysrings had a bug attached, the perfect gift for those relatives you hate. I was surprised that the cost of admission was 40,000rp. That’s a bit steep for Bali. The entrance to the museum is close by, and after passing through a couple of doors, and a set of hanging chains, you are inside the net-covered garden. Immediately you’ll see large yellow and black butterflies fluttering around, like bar girls at a Seminyak nightclub. Butterfly watching is a strange hobby, if you aren’t used to it, as these little creatures like to hide. It’s not like walking through the monkey forest, with hoards of friendly animals spilling out. At least a butterfly won’t try to steal your water bottle. In the center of the garden is a section, that contains cages with a variety of butterflies and insects, including this stick insect and leaf insect (those are my scientific terms). The gardens contain ponds and a variety of bushes and plants. The Bali Butterfly Park covers 3,500m sq, making it the largest park of its kind in SE Asia. The park provides an environment for butterfly preservation and study.
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
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BUSINESS U.S. likely to lose top rating: economists
Nissan beats expectations as it recovers from quake
Reuters
YOKOHAMA - Nissan Motor Co reported a smaller-thanexpected 10.4 percent decline in quarterly operating profit on Wednesday as it recovered swiftly from a parts shortage that hammered the industry after the March 11 earthquake. Japan’s second-biggest automaker posted an operating profit of 150.37 billion yen ($1.93 billion) for the April-June period, more than double the average of 70 billion yen estimated by eight analysts polled by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S. “This result is good enough to make me almost forget about the negative impact of the earthquake,” said Naoki Fujiwara, a fund manager at Shinkin Asset Management in Tokyo. “I see a big chance of an upward revision to their annual outlook when they announce first-half results,” he said, calling the first-quarter results a positive surprise. Nissan, 43 percent owned by Renault SA , is poised to outshine Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co this year thanks to a faster recovery from the supply disruption and aggressive expansion in China. Honda and Toyota, which will report earnings on August 1 and August 2, are both forecast to post an operating loss, although comparisons favor Nissan because it books earnings from China at the operating level under Japanese accounting rules. Toyota and Honda use U.S. standards, which require their Chinese earnings to be booked as equity on the bottom line. “In light of the historic scale of the disasters, we think the first-quarter results are remarkable and a testament to the strength of Japanese manufacturing and its suppliers,” Joji Tagawa, corporate vice president of finance, told reporters. Nissan kept its forecasts for operating profit at 460 billion yen and net profit at 270 billion yen for the full year to March 2012, below consensus forecasts. Nissan is planning to boost sales by 9.9 percent to 4.6 million vehicles this year, driven by projected double-digit growth in China and Europe. Earlier this week, Nissan outlined mid-term growth plans for its Southeast Asian and Chinese operations, calling for big gains in market share. A shortage of microcontrollers and other components hit Japanese production in April, but Nissan managed to eke out gains by the following month, leaving rivals in the dust. Globally, Nissan’s production rose 9.5 percent last quarter and sales grew 10.6 percent to 1.056 million vehicles. First-quarter revenue rose 1.6 percent to 2.08 trillion yen, but net profit sank 20 percent to 85.0 billion yen as a 10-yen fall in the dollar to an average 81.7 yen during the first quarter slashed operating profits by 55 billion yen. On Wednesday, the dollar was trading even lower, around 77.6 yen, against Nissan’s assumption of 80 yen for the year. Global automakers also face growing risks of an economic slowdown as debt worries escalate in the United States and Europe, while demand for cars has slowed in China, the world’s biggest auto market. Ford Motor Co on Tuesday reported a better-than-expected net profit, but remained cautious about consumer demand, saying it expected U.S. sales for this year to be at the bottom end of its forecast of 13 million to 13.5 million vehicles. “Monetary tightening in emerging markets and the U.S. debt problems could be a strategic risk for Nissan,” said Shinkin’s Fujiwara. “If we start seeing an increase in inventory levels, the company’s aggressive growth strategy could backfire.” Nissan’s shares are the best-performing Japanese auto stock so far this year, gaining 12 percent, while Tokyo’s transport sector subindex has risen 2 percent. Before the results, Nissan’s shares closed down 1.9 percent at 846 yen.
WASHINGTON/LONDON - The United States will lose its top-notch AAA credit rating from at least one major rating agency, according to a Reuters poll that also found wrangling over the debt ceiling has already damaged the economy. A small majority of economists — 30 out of 53 — surveyed over the past two days said the United States will lose its AAA credit rating from one of the three big ratings agencies — Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s or Fitch. Respondents saw a 20 percent chance of a new recession over the next year, a prospect that some economists say has been compounded by the acrimonious political fight over what is normally a procedural legislative vote on the debt. Lawmakers have one week left to hash out a deficit-cutting plan without which Republicans in Congress have said they will not raise the legal $14.3 trillion debt limit, risking a potentially devastating government debt default in August. “We believe that Congress will act with an 11th hour deal to raise the debt ceiling. However, the risk of that deal failing increases with each passing day,” said Guy LeBas, director at
Janney Capital Markets. “I would say that the chance of a U.S. ratings downgrade is now more likely than not.” Economists still see the probability of an outright default on U.S. Treasury bonds as remote — 5 percent on median. Downgrade and default would have vastly different consequences. A ratings cut might raise the risk of recession by hurting confidence, but might allow financial markets to muddle through the next few months without incident. A default, however, would send shockwaves through the global financial system that could kick-start a new financial crisis, analysts say. Even if this worst-case scenario is not borne out, a firm majority of respondents — 38 out of 54 — said the uncertainty brought about by the political acrimony over the debt has already hurt economic growth.
The U.S. economy had already been under stress in recent months. Gross domestic product expanded just 1.9 percent in the first three months of the year, and the second quarter is not expected to have fared much better. Industrial production has slowed and employment nearly ground to a halt in the last two months. The jobless rate climbed to 9.2 percent in June. “This whole debt ceiling debate doesn’t seem to be making anyone any more confident,” said Sean Incremona, economist at 4Cast Ltd. in New York. Goldman Sachs argued in a research note recently that the decline in consumer sentiment over the last few months has been disproportionate to the economy’s slowdown, pegging the debt battle as a culprit. The government’s first reading on GDP in the second quarter will be released on Friday.
South Korea economic growth slows in second quarter Agence France-Presse
SEOUL - South Korea’s economic growth slowed in the second quarter from three months earlier, the central bank said Wednesday, as export gains eased sharply due partly to global economic uncertainties. Asia’s fourth-largest economy grew 0.8 percent quarter-on-quarter in April-June compared to a 1.3 percent expansion in January-March, according to an advance estimate from the Bank of Korea. Gross domestic product (GDP) rose 3.4 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, slowing down from a 4.2 percent annual increase in January-March. “Private consumption steadily increased and facilities investment rose. But growth in exports slowed while construction investment remained sluggish,” the central bank said in a statement. Wednesday’s figures showed that
exports, which account for about half of GDP, rose 1.8 percent in the second quarter from the previous quarter, slowing from a 3.3 percent rise in January-March. The fall came amid growing global uncertainty sparked by the eurozone debt crisis and a possible US debt default. The second-quarter performance was slightly below the central bank’s initial estimate early this month and the market’s expectations. However the bank said growth is likely to pick up to 1.5 percent in both the third and fourth quarters, indicating the economy remains on a robust recovery track. “Exports of tech products remained weak last quarter mainly because prices of flat panel and chips have not yet recovered,” said Kim Young-Bae, director general of its economic statistics division. “The pace of overseas shipments slowed down but as the level of ex-
ports remained sound overall, it would be hard to say that exports stay weak.” Kim stuck by the bank’s full-year growth forecast of 4.3 percent growth, while the finance ministry’s prediction is 4.5 percent. GDP grew 6.2 percent in 2010, the fastest rate for eight years. “The second quarter is the bottom. The strengthening won will help improve the trade terms, limit imported inflation and enhance consumers’ purchasing power,” Shinhan Investment Corp economist Lee SungKwon told Dow Jones Newswires. Park Sang-Hyun, a chief economist at Hi Investment and Securities, told Yonhap news agency the secondquarter growth figure was weaker than expected as export gains cooled. “In the third quarter, the growth rate will be higher than the secondquarter one, but the pace is not likely to be steep given external uncertainty,” said Park.
Reuters
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Entertainment
Thursday, July 28, 2011
International
U2 doc, Pitt, Clooney films head to Toronto fest Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES — One of the world’s top film showcases is starting on a musical note as a documentary portrait of the rock band U2 opens the Toronto International Film Festival. Organizers say the Canadian festival will launch Sept. 8 with “From the Sky Down,” a chronicle of the Irish band led by singer Bono. The film was made by “An Inconvenient Truth” director Davis Guggenheim and marks the first time in its 36year history that the Toronto festival has opened with a documentary. Guggenheim said the film explores why “this band has endured and thrived.” The four-member band formed in 1978 and has been turning out hit albums since the early 1980s, including “War,” ‘’The Joshua Tree,” ‘’Achtung Baby” and “Zooropa.” “In the terrain of rock bands, implosion or explosion is seemingly inevitable. U2 has defied the gravitational pull toward destruction,” said Guggenheim, an Oscar winner for “An Inconvenient Truth” who also made the 2008 musical documentary “It Might Get Loud,” featuring U2 guitarist The Edge, Jimmy Page and Jack White. Director Cameron Crowe (“Almost Famous”) ventures into musical documentary with another Toronto premiere, “Pearl Jam Twenty,” tracing the band’s formation and how its members pulled back from the spotlight to cope after its rise to stardom. Singer Madonna also is headed to the Toronto festival, as director of “W.E.,” a film that intercuts between the romance of a modern woman (Abbie Cornish) and the relationship of American socialite Wallis Simpson and Britain’s King Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne for love in the 1930s. Toronto is among the world’s largest film festivals, a spot where Hollywood studios and international filmmakers debut many prospects that will be in the running for next February’s Oscars.
Other highlights for the 11-day festival include Brad Pitt’s baseball tale “Moneyball”; Jennifer Garner, Hugh Jackman and Olivia Wilde’s comic story “Butter”; Kristen Wiig, Megan Fox and Jon Hamm’s parenthood comedy “Friends with Kids”; and Keira Knightley’s Sigmund Freud-Carl Jung drama “A Dangerous Method,” directed by David Cronenberg and featuring Viggo Mortensen and Michael Fassbender. George Clooney has two films at Toronto, directing and co-starring alongside Ryan Gosling in the political saga “The Ides of March” and starring in the family story “The Descendants,” directed by Alexander Payne (“Sideways”). Rachel Weisz also appears in two Toronto films, the loveaffair chronicle “The Deep Blue Sea” and the ensemble love story “360,” inspired by Arthur Schnitzler’s play “La Ronde” and featuring Jude Law, Rachel Weisz and Anthony Hopkins. Also playing at Toronto are Glenn Close’s Irish drama “Albert Nobbs”; Jane Fonda and Catherine Keener’s family comedy “Peace, Love & Misunderstanding”; Sarah Polley’s relationship tale “Take This Waltz,” with Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen; Ralph Fiennes’ Shakespeare adaptation “Coriolanus”; Freida Pinto’s “Trishna,” an adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” transplanted to modern India; and Francis Ford Coppola’s murder mystery “Twixt,” with Val Kilmer. (L-R) The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., Bono, and Adam Clayton of the band U2 perform at the New Meadowlands Stadium on July 20, 2011 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Sheryl Crow auctioning off car to aid Joplin, Mo. Associated Press Writer
AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File
FILE - In this May 12, 2011, file photo Sheryl Crow poses for a photo during an event in Omaha, Neb.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Some winning bidder will soon be cruising life’s winding road in Sheryl Crow’s 1959 MercedesBenz 190SL Roadster. The Grammy award-winning singer said Monday that she’s auctioning off the classic car next month and that the proceeds will go toward helping rebuild the tornado-ravaged city of Joplin in her native state of Missouri. Crow says she loves the car and has had it for six years, but doesn’t drive it anymore. The Springfield News-Leader reports that Crow hopes the car will fetch up to $500,000 at the Aug. 21 auction in Pebble Beach, Calif. But she says she’d be happy if it raises $100,000. Crow was a schoolteacher before launching her singing career, and the money will go to the Joplin Schools Recovery Fund.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images/AFP
Schwarzenegger now open to paying Shriver support Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES — Arnold Schwarzenegger has amended a divorce filing and withdrawn a request that a judge terminate Maria Shriver’s rights to spousal support. The actor and former California governor’s filing replaces a document he submitted last week that also indicated he wanted Shriver to pay her own attorney’s fees. The amended response filed Monday in Los Angeles states Schwarzenegger is also willing to pay his estranged wife’s attorney. The former couple’s 13-year-old son has been released from the hospital after a body-boarding accident on June 17 left him with a collapsed lung. Shriver filed for divorce July 1. Her petition to end the couple’s 25-year-marriage came weeks after Schwarzenegger revealed he fathered a child with a member of his household staff years ago. FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2009 file photo, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver pose for photos before they meet at the second Governors’ Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles.
AP Photo/Reed Saxon
Science
International
Thursday, July 28, 2011
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Alaska scientists make squirrels hibernate Agence France Presse
Scientists in Alaska said Tuesday they have figured out how to make squirrels hibernate, a process that could be used to preserve brain function in humans who suffer strokes or heart attacks. But the technique only worked in squirrels who were awakened by researchers during their hibernation season, not outside normal hibernation times, said the study in The Journal of Neuroscience. Researchers at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, studied arctic ground squirrels, giving them a caffeine-like substance to awaken them from hibernation. Another substance was given to them at various times of the year to see if it could stimulate parts of the brain that encourage a molecule called adenosine to attach itself to the receptors, causing sleepiness. “When a squirrel begins to hibernate and when you feel drowsy it’s because adenosine molecules have attached themselves to receptors in your brain,” said Tulasi Jinka, lead author of the study. Adenosine slows nerve cell activity. Animals in hibernation experience very IBP/afp low body temperatures and take in little A squirrel sits on a snowy tree branch in a Moscow park. Scientists in Alaska said Tuesday they oxygen, but they suffer no brain damage. have figured out how to make squirrels hibernate, a process that could be used to preserve If scientists could master this process in humans, they could potentially prevent brain function in humans who suffer strokes or heart attacks
Handset makers get Windows Phone update ‘Mango’ MICROSOFT on Tuesday made the latest version of its mobile phone software available to handset partners as it seeks to claw back market share from Apple and Google. The Redmond, Washington-based personal computer software powerhouse said the update to its Windows Phone operating system, code-
named “Mango,” features over 500 new features and faster browsing with Internet Explorer 9 (IE9). “This marks the point in the development process where we hand code to our handset and mobile operator partners to optimize Mango for their specific phone and network configurations,” Windows Phone corporate vice president Terry Myerson said in a blog post. The move came as Microsoft Japan, mobile carrier KDDI and cellphone maker Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile Communications unveiled in Tokyo the IS12T, which according to Microsoft president Yasuyuki Higuchi will be the world’s first Mango handset. The device which will also be Japan’s first to carry the Windows Phone operating system, will feature a 13.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, 32 gigabytes of flash storage and will be launched in September at the earliest. At a news conference held on Wednesday Tokyo time, Higuchi admitted that Microsoft was playing catch up with its competitors. “We cannot say that Microsoft is not lagging behind rivals,” he said. “We will make all-out efforts to catch up,” he said. “On the back of abundant assets such as our technology and ties with partners, we hope to expand in the mobile business.”
damage caused by severe trauma, when people stop breathing or suffer sudden heart attack or stroke. But those days are still a long way off. The researchers found that they could induce torpor, or the state in which oxygen consumption falls to one percent of resting metabolic rate and core body temperature approaches freezing, consistently only in squirrels who were awoken from hibernation in the midst of their sleeping season. Essentially, they could wake up a hibernating squirrel and then get it to go back to sleep. However, when they tried to induce hibernation outside of the regular season, it worked in just two of six squirrels during the early hibernation season, but not in any during the summer when squirrels do not hibernate. “We show for the first time that activation of the adenosine receptors is sufficient to induce torpor in arctic ground squirrels during their hibernation season,” said Jinka.
A graphic video shows the last hours of a rare Sumatran tiger as it writhes in a trap in Indonesia. Greenpeace activists say it exposes the gruesome toll of rampant rainforest clearing. Duration: 00:00:34
IBP/afp
Tiger death in Indonesia blamed on paper firm Agence France Presse
A graphic video showing the last hours of a rare Sumatran tiger as it writhes in a trap in Indonesia exposes the gruesome toll of rampant rainforest clearing, Greenpeace activists said Tuesday. Greenpeace Southeast Asia forest campaigner Zulfahmi said the trap was set up by villagers to catch wild pigs on a logging concession owned by Asia Pulp and Paper (APP), one of the world’s biggest paper and packaging companies. “The tiger died in a spot which is located on an APP concession. Due to land clearing by the company, the tigers have to leave their habitat,” he told AFP. “We urge the company to stop its land clearing activity in Indonesia... to avoid endangered animals becoming extinct.” Estimates of the number of Sumatran tigers remaining in the world range from 300 to 400. Several die each year as a result of traps, poaching or other human actions. The 18-month-old tiger died within
three hours of being tranquillised by local conservation officials, said Greenpeace media campaigner Zamzami, who witnessed the incident. The Greenpeace video shows the animal in obvious distress as it tries to pull its blackened paw free of the rope trap. “The tiger died on July 1, seven days after it fell into the trap. It couldn’t eat or drink, its paw had turned black already and there were many flies around it,” Zamzami said. Veterinary surgeons were called to the scene in Sumatra island’s Riau province but were unable to save the tiger, he said. A spokeswoman for Singapore-based APP said any suggestion that the company’s operations resulted in the death of the tiger were “not only grossly inaccurate but deeply offensive”. “The death of any Sumatran tiger is a tragic situation. Unfortunately human-tiger conflict has long been a reality of life in Indonesia,” spokeswoman Aida Greenbury said, putting the blame on local villagers.
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International
Rubin score shock win at Shevchenko-less Dynamo Reuters
LONDON - Dynamo Kiev, who left out former European footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko, slumped to a 2-0 home defeat against Rubin Kazan in a Champions League third qualifying round first-leg tie on Tuesday. Elsewhere, 1966 European Cup runners-up Partizan Belgrade lost 2-1 at Belgian league champions Racing Genk while Dutch side Twente Enschede eased past Romanians Vaslui 2-0 thanks to a double from Austria striker Marc Janko. The third qualifying round winners are battling for a spot in the playoff matches where they could seal a berth in the competition proper. In Ukraine, Alan Kasaev struck from close range in the sixth minute to give Rubin the lead before Bebras Natcho added a second goal for the Russians with a 68th-minute penalty. Shevchenko was left sitting on the bench as an unused substitute while Dynamo failed to capitalise on a host of scoring chances. Coach Yuri Semin’s team will now have a mountain to climb in next week’s return match. The two teams also met in the Champions League group stages two seasons ago, Dynamo winning in Kiev 3-1 before holding Rubin to a 0-0 draw in Kazan. In Belgium, Genk came from behind to earn a 2-1 home win over Serbian opponents Partizan thanks to a superb injury-time goal from late substitute Marvin Ogunjimi. The striker, who came on in the 85th minute, sent a vociferous home crowd into raptures when he con-
trolled a deep, searching pass and beat goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic with a delightful lob from 10 metres. Genk defender Calvin Anele Ngcongca was sent off for violent conduct in the 32nd minute but Partizan also had forward Stefan Babovic dismissed shortly after the interval for two bookable offences. Nemanja Tomic had put Partizan in front but the same player also gave away a soft penalty five minutes later that was converted by Jelle Vossen in the 70th minute. In Enschede, two-goal Janko led Twente to victory over Vaslui in a match played at the Gelredome in Arnhem. Twente were unable to use their home ground after a roof collapsed at the stadium earlier this month, resulting in the death of two construction workers. Janko converted a penalty after 34 minutes before adding a second goal after the break. In Scotland, 1979 European Cup runners-up Malmo won 1-0 at Rangers thanks to a 18th-minute goal from Daniel Larsson.
AFP PHOTO / SERGEI SUPINSKY
Brown Ideye (L) of FC Dynamo Kiev fights for a ball with Solomon Kverkvelia of FC Rubin Kazan during the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, First leg football match in Kiev on July 26, 2011.
Pele named honorary ambassador for 2014 World Cup
Bayern’s Robben out of Cup tie Agence France Presse
Bayern Munich’s Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben is injured and will miss his club’s first fixture of the upcoming season on August 1. Robben had to be replaced in the 63rd minute of Bayern’s friendly game against AC Milan on Tuesday after suffering a knock to his thigh. “I hope it’s nothing serious,” said Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes. The injury has ruled him out of Monday’s first round cup tie. Bayern will also be without Frack Ribery for the game against Eintracht Brunswick after the France international suffered a left ankle problem in training. Ribery may also be absent for Bayern’s first league fixture against Borussia Monchengladbach on August 7.
Associated Press Writer
IBP/afp
Bayern Munich’s Dutch midfielder Arjen Robben screams in pain after being injured during the Audi Cup football match between FC Bayern Munich and AC Milan in Munich, southern Germany, on July 26.
Football legend Pele on Tuesday accepted an invitation from Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff to act as an honorary ambassador for the 2014 World Cup. The 70-year-old Brazilian said it was an honour that he could not turn down. “From the first World Cup that I played (in 1958) I’ve been doing this: I defend and promote Brazil. It’s a very big responsbility and I could not turn down the invitation,” said Pele. Pele told his compatriots to show their pride in hosting the tournament by putting aside criticism over delays and the slow pace of preparations to stage the best World Cup possible. Sports Minister Orlando Silva said that Pele had been a natural choice because of “all he had done for sport in Brazil. He’s a man who knows a lot about the world of football. He’s going to help and represent us”. Pele won the World Cup three times - 1958, 1962 and 1970 and is the top scorer of all time with 1,281 goals throughout his career.
Sport
International
Thursday, July 28, 2011
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Paul, Anthony latest to look at foreign offers Associated Press Writer
HONG KONG — Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony say they will consider offers to play professional basketball in China if there is no resolution to the NBA lockout. Both players are on a promotional tour of China while monitoring news from home about the NBA’s labor impasse. With Kobe Bryant reportedly negotiating a deal to play in Turkey, New Orleans Hornets’ Paul and New York Knicks forward Anthony said they were also considering overseas moves. Asked by SNTV where they would go, Anthony replied “China.” Paul said “Same, no question.” The answers may have been designed to compliment their hosts, but Anthony added “it’s a lot of history here, the fans are great; why not, why not try it out?” Meanwhile, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Patty Mills says he is looking into a move
back to his native Australia to play in the National Basketball League as long as the NBA lockout continues. “The most important thing for me is to find somewhere to play,” Mills told Australian Associated Press. “Definitely NBL teams have reached out. I am looking at that, but also teams in Europe and other options. But right now there is no rush in making a decision; it will come over the next couple of months.” NBL chief executive Larry Sengstock was eager to bring Mills home, saying the league was “determined to look at any and
every option to facilitate his signing with an NBL team.” Anthony and Paul, both members of the U.S. squad which won the 2008 Olympic gold medal in Beijing, continued their Hong Kong visit Wednesday before moving on to mainland China.
U.S. basketball player Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks demonstrates his skill for young local players during a basketball clinic in Hong Kong, Tuesday, July 26, 2011.
Evans keen to ride at Olympics Associated Press Writer
Tour de France champion Cadel Evans would love to ride for Australia at the London Olympics, but only if the course is tough enough. The 34-year-old fulfilled his lifelong quest by securing the Tour de France title on Sunday in a victory celebrated as one of Australia’s finest sporting achievements. Already a triple Olympian, the 34-year-old would be a major drawcard at London 2012 if he makes the team. A key issue is whether the road race and time trial courses will be challenging enough to suit his strengths. “To be honest, I don’t know if the course is going to be suitable,” Evans told Australian Associated Press from his base in Switzerland. “But if I can be the man for the job to represent the country, of course I would love to ride. “If it’s a course more suitable to someone else, then it should be for someone else.” The Olympic road events come just days after Evans is set to complete his Tour de France title defence, but he said that wasn’t a problem. “The timing falls well for us as Tour riders — there’s also an interesting world championships course in 2012 and a few other things,” he said. “We have to prioritise and choose our goals, but Tour de France 2012 is going to come around really quickly.” Evans started his career as a cross coun-
AP Photo/Kin Cheung
Aussie swimmer Magnussen may be unbeatable, says Cielo
AFP PHOTO/William WEST
Newspapers coverage in Melbourne on July 25, 2011 lead with Cadel Evans’ historic Tour de France win which has been hailed as one of Australia’s finest ever sporting achievements, ranking alongside Rod Laver’s tennis exploits and their America’s Cup yachting triumph. try cyclist, finishing ninth in the mountain bike race at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and seventh at the 2000 Sydney Games. He then contested the road race
in Beijing in 2008, finishing 15th behind this year’s Tour de France King of the Mountains Samuel Sanchez. He placed fifth in the time trial.
World champion Cesar Cielo Wednesday said eye-catching Australian James Magnussen was hot favourite to snatch his 100m title after he eclipsed American great Michael Phelps in the 4x100m relay. The Brazilian, who emerged from a doping storm to clinch 50m butterfly gold, said Magnussen would be unstoppable in Thursday’s final if he repeats the 47.49sec that helped dethrone triple defending champions the United States. Magnussen, the 20-year-old “Port Macquarie Missile”, timed 48.21 in Wednesday’s heats behind William Meynard of France with Italian Filippo Magnini third and Cielo fourth. The semifinals are later on Wednesday. “Magnussen is the favourite,” Cielo said. “Magnussen should be able to do it (47.49) again. I don’t know what I can do if he does it again. I don’t think anybody (can catch him).” Cielo has endured a turbulent start to his championships after athletes whistled and one gave the thumbs-down to his butterfly win, just days after he was let off with a warning for testing posi-
tive for a banned diuretic. Meanwhile Olympic champion Phelps won his 200m individual medley heat but still timed slower than Ryan Lochte, the team-mate who handed him a shattering defeat in the 200m freestyle final. Phelps said Wednesday evening, when he will compete in the 200m butterfly final and the medley semis, would be his toughest in Shanghai as he chases a possible five gold medals, with two already gone begging. “A big thing is getting through tonight and then it’s sort of downhill,” Phelps said. “My getting ready for the 200 fly tonight, being able to come back and do a double (swim) is going to be fun.” Phelps’s loss-strewn year has not improved so far in Shanghai but he insists he is on track to finish his historic Olympic career with a flourish next year in London, when he will try to add to his 14 Games titles. In Wednesday’s other heats, Australia’s two-time defending champion Jessicah Schipper was ninth fastest in the 200m butterfly, and Russia’s Anastasia Zueva was quickest in the 50m backstroke.
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
Ferrari’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso sits in the pits at the Nurburgring racetrack on July 23, 2011 in Nurburg during the qualifying session of the German Formula One Grand Prix.
AFP PHOTO / JENS MEYER
Ferrari still has to improve pitstops Ferrari admits it has to work on perfecting its pitstops after Felipe Massa lost time during its final stop in the German Grand Prix. The Italian squad decided to switch to a new specification of wheel nut from the British Grand Prix, hoping to get rid of the issues that had marred Massa’s chances earlier in the year, and to also improve its speed. At the Nurburgring, Ferrari made six pitstops of which four were flawless, but Massa lost time in his final stop after a problem with the new wheel nut.
Ferrari’s head of track operations Diego Ioverno said the team is still working on improving its pitstop performance. “Since the beginning of the year we have had various issues with pitstops, which we are currently fixing step by step, knowing that this year, with so many stops, anything can happen and indeed we have seen other teams also experience difficulties in this area,” said Ioverno. “Our issues concerned the car itself and the jig of the tools we use and especially the wheel nuts, where we have had several problems. Silverstone was the first
race we ran with a completely new specification of wheel nut, which has been very interesting, because in the British Grand Prix, our pitstops were the quickest in the race. “Then, in Germany we were again using this new wheel nut, which does work better, but the system is still not perfect and, at Felipe’s last tyre change, we lost the connection between the wheel nut and wheel nut gun, which cost us around one and a half seconds. So we have more work to do on perfecting it.”
Rossi wants more Ducati progress VALENTINO Rossi insists his Ducati team must do more in order to make progress towards the front despite admitting he felt more comfortable during last weekend’s race in Laguna Seca. The Italian, who has struggled with his bike this year, finished in sixth place in the United States Grand Prix after using the Ducati GP11.1, the development bike based on the 2012 chassis. Rossi, who finished over 30 seconds off race winner Casey Stoner, admitted the set-up used in America was a step forward, but conceded there was much more work to do. “We have problems with the front, especially when the bike leans heavily, but we need bigger modifications to solve them: we’ll see how long that takes,” Rossi was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. “Following the Hondas and the Yamahas, you realise the difference is quite big: each turn they manage to get on the gas a bit earlier than we do so, by the
end of the lap, the gap gets quite big. “We’ve found a good set-up here, but we must do more: the objective is to be quicker and make the Desmosedici easier to ride for everyone. “We’ve brought back home what we could, but we had hope to be quicker. We’ve scored 108 points: the objective is to reach 200 in the second half of the season.” Ducati team manager Vittoriano Guareschi said the behaviour of Bridgestone’s tyres this year was a big part of the problems. “Our bike is like handling an eel: you grab it from one side, but it slips away from the other side. The Desmosedici doesn’t turn, and if it does it’s not in a normal manner,” Guareschi told Motosprint. “On our bike the front Bridgestone tyres works differently compared to the other bikes, and our riders lack feeling. “I don’t know what they have done, or
what has happened, but this year’s Bridgestones have certainly changed compared to 2010: they are even harder, making it difficult for our bike. “We are unable to understand what’s different compared to before. The riders feel loss of front grip and slide sideways at turn entry, and this seems even stranger considering that Nicky has the same set-up as last year. It doesn’t add up, but the reality is that our bike slides sideways without warning. “All our riders crash this way. The tyre doesn’t warn them when it lets them down.” He said the GP11.1 was not improving the situation, but rather making it worse. “No, in fact the problem is even worse. You struggle even more to find the balance. Now, however, Jeremy (Burgess) is back, and we are using again his working method that has brought so much success for Valentino.
Petrov confident of upturn in fortunes VITALY Petrov says he is confident that Renault will enjoy an upturn in fortunes through the second half of the F1 season as the Russian prepares for the final race before the summer break this weekend in Hungary. Petrov secured a points finish in the German Grand Prix last weekend but was left far from happy with the result as he came home behind the Force India of Adrian Sutil and Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi. However, despite that disappointment, Petrov has backed his team to fight back through the second half of the year, with team boss Eric Boullier having already called on the Enstone-based squad to improve ‘quickly’ to try and get back ahead of Mercedes in the title race. “Well, I scored another point but we should be finishing much higher up the points,” Petrov said as he reflected on the Nurburgring race. “We’ve said that time and again, but we brought good developments to the car last weekend, perhaps lacked a bit of luck and didn’t capitalise on our opportunities. What’s noticeable is there are other teams beginning to compete seriously with us, such as Force India and Sauber, so we need to take the initiative and make a significant step forward to stay ahead of these guys.