Reuters

A former White House intern is speak-ing out about an 18-month affair she had with President John F. Kennedy while he was in office, revealing intimate details in a new book to be published on Wednesday.

Mimi Alford, who was 19 when she started her internship at the White House in 1962, discussed her secret sexual affair with the president in her book “Once Upon

a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy.”

She told NBC’s Meredith Vieira that she decided to write the book to stop her secret becoming “deadly.”

“It’s not so much that I feel that I’m exposing myself, it’s that I’m really unbur-dening myself - it was a very difficult thing for me to do,” Alford said in an interview to be broadcast on Wednesday.

SUNNY BRIGHT/CLOUDY RAIN

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

16 Pages Number 364th Year

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

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CITY TEMPERATURE OC

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DENPASAR

JAKARTA

BANDUNG

YOGYAKARTA

SURABAYA

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Clooney, Pitt, otherpals gather forOscar lunch

Bali needs moreinvestment on2012

Such growth was contributed by all the existing business sec-tors, where the agricultural sector

only contributed the lowest growth of 2.23 percent.

Nevertheless, the Head of BPS

Bali, Gede Suarsa, said that averagely all the economic sectors showed an increase with the highest growth in mining and quarrying of 10.51 per-cent. Except for significant growth in mining and quarrying sector, the other sectors in 2011 also indicated substantial growth such as the service sector growing by 9.97 percent; trade, hotels and restaurants by 8.65 percent; construction sector by 7.88

percent; electricity, gas and water supply by 7.35 percent; finance, leasing and business services by 6.22 percent; and transportation and com-munication by 5.97 percent.

“The remaining sectors just grew under 5 percent with the lowest growth occurred in the agricultural sector,” said Gede Suarsa in Denpasar.

Former intern reveals 18-month affair with JFK

REUTERS/JFK Presidential Library and Museum/Handout

President John F. Kennedy in an undated photograph courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

A farmer giv-ing fertilizer to his rice field. The agricultural sector is increas-ingly marginalized amid the rise of tourism sector. Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Bali recorded that economic growth in 2011 reached 6.49 percent or grew from the achievement of 5.83 percent in the previous year.

IBP/Budi Wiriyanto

Agricultural sector increasingly marginalized

Bali Post

DENPASAR - The agricultural sector is increasingly mar-ginalized amid the rise of tourism sector. Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Bali recorded that economic growth in 2011 reached 6.49 percent or grew from the achievement of 5.83 percent in the previous year.

International Wednesday, February 8, 20122

Bali News

Founder : K.Nadha, General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Wirya, YudiWinanto Denpasar: 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. Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. :Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, : 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-

5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, : (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Mangupura (Bali Post)—Population administration servic-

es, especially the making of identity card in Badung faltered. Since about a month ago, the stock of identity card form in the subdistrict head’s

frequently runs out. Unavoidably, the problem kindles a public complaint.

One of the residents of Taman village, Abiansemal subdistrict, said on Monday (Feb 6) when he submit-ted the identity card the subdistrict

out of registration form. It was not only experienced by him, but also by a number of other residents. Even, the depletion of form stock had been ongoing since last month.

“Identity card is very important, right? Due to depletion of form stock, people lose the opportunities, for ex-ample, when identity card is required

A similar complaint was revealed when a legislator of Badung House, I Putu Alit Yandinata, held a recess at Keraman hamlet, Abiansemal, recent-ly. Some local residents complained about the unavailability of identity card form so that they were unable to submit such important population administration.

When asked for confirmation about the issue, the Subdistrict Head of Abiansemal, IGN Saputra, ac-knowledged the form of population administration system indeed had run out earlier this month. Not only in Abiansemal, according to him, had the form unavailability also happened across the Badung Regency. Due to the empty form, many residents were forced to go back and forth to subdis-

identity card.He explained, for the people who

urgently needed the identity card like for the purpose of medical treatment or changed addresses, they would be

Badung Population and Civil Reg-istry because the concerned agency surely had the stock of blank form.

Meanwhile, the Head of Badung Population and Civil Registry, I Gede Wijaya, said that such condition happened because the form procure-ment in 2011 only left a few. On that account, his party could only serve the urgent needs. Procurement of the form in 2012 was in the process of auction. At the latest, in the sec-ond or third week of February, the form would be available in adequate amount. (kmb25)

Nyoman Suyasa, so far was a silversmith to accompany his father, Mangku Ketut Sukerta, who had been elderly. They produced various silverworks in the form of various ritual paraphernalia such as worship-ping bowls and various acces-sories, especially for women, like earrings, brooches, rings, bracelets and many more.

According to Nyoman Suy-asa accompanying his father, the current price of raw silver was IDR 10 million per kilo-gram. It had dropped from the previous price in the range of IDR 14 million to IDR 14.5 million per kilogram. Such price decline had occurred since three months ago. He claimed not to know exactly about the cause of price de-cline in the silver raw material. Clearly, he claimed to get raw materials from Denpasar.

In the past, he also admitted to have a few orders. However,

lately his orders continued to increase, especially before holidays. His orders were in the form of bowl for worship and accessories. “Indeed, our customers are local residents. We have not sold products overseas yet,” he admitted.

In harmony with decline in the price of raw material, he said, the price of handicraft products also decreased. Previ-ously, the price of a bowl made of 500 gram of silver was IDR 7 million, now had dropped to IDR 6 million. Within a month, Suyasa and his father Mangku Sukerta could only accom-plished a single bowl. To meet the demand, they employed a number of local people, where Suyasa gave them raw mate-rials and sample. “They are working in their own home. Currently, we work with about 4-6 people,” said Suyasa who had a home gallery to display his works since 1955.

For accessory handicrafts, Suyasa sold them at the price range of hundreds of thousands to millions of rupiahs. It highly depended on the amount of materials spent and ornament used in the accessories.

Tight competitionSilversmith, said Suyasa,

was not without competi -tion. Currently, he admitted to compete against the crafters of worship bowl or other tools using silver coating material on the outer layer, while the in-ner layer used other materials. As a result, the price offered to consumers was relatively cheaper. “A bowl using silver on the outer layer only can cost less than one million rupiahs. Therefore, many people prefer to buy such a bowl,” he said while adding that consumers purchasing bowl to him auto-matically those who had more money. (kmb20)

Price of raw material goes down

Silversmith can set to feel relieved

Gianyar (Bali Post)—An old man’s body was found

east of the Tengah Padang Temple, Cebok hamlet, Kedisan village, Tegallalang subdistrict, Gianyar, on Monday (Feb 6). The body was found around 09:00 a.m. local time.

the residents of Pejeng Aji, Tegal-lalang village, who had lost the day before. The old man was I Wayan Karda, 90. Chief of Tegallalang Po-lice Made Uder with permission of the Chief of Gianyar Police said the victim previously disappeared from home last Sunday around 3:00 p.m. Until late night, the victim who had been in daze and forgetful did not come home.

Finally, his family with neighbors was searching to some places. But around 7:00 p.m., the victim’s family

got information from I Wayan Daweg that he had seen the victim on the bridge to Tengah Padang Temple. Later on, the search was performed around the location.

In that location, the victim was not found. The search only encountered a pair of sandals and they were as-certained to be the victim’s property. Since it was night, the search was finally resumed on the following day. Ultimately the victim was found floating nakedly in the middle of the river. The family was shocked. Then, the body was evacuated and taken home.

Chief of Tegallalang Police con-

been examined and no elements of violence were found. His death was purely an accident and there was no indication of criminal element. Addi-tionally, the family had accepted the death of victim sincerely. (kmb16)

A silver crafts-

man is mak-

ing one of

handicraft in

his workshop

in Klungkung

Regency.

Semarapura (Bali Post)—Silversmiths, who have been strangled by the soaring price of raw material, now set

to feel relieved. It is something rarely happening where currently the price of silver raw material goes down compared to previous condition. Previously, the price of silver was IDR 14.5 million per kilogram, but currently drops to IDR 10 million per kilogram. “The demand increases and it makes us regain our spirit,” said a silversmith at Sangging hamlet, Kamasan, Klungkung, Nyoman Suyasa, when met at his workshop, Monday (Feb 6).

IBP/File

ID card services in Badung reap complaints

Body of an old

3International Bali News Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Alit Suthanaya said that pursuantto theAct on standard road, the ideal

-ly the road pavement construction

planning to anticipate the environ-mental aspects. According to him,in the current condition, the roads inBali had not been ideal in terms oftechnical and environmental aspect.He explained that technically the

quality. In reality, the materials

materials of MountAgung assessedto have not adequately met the stan-dard quality of road pavement and

Other technical aspects, he con-

payload resources (MST) of 8 tons

tons. As consequence, those roads

environmental aspects, especiallyin anticipation against rainfall. Ac-

-

paying attention to good drainage.

eroded the road body because there

often damages the road structure.Then, if the road is passed through

-ken,” he said.

This Secretary of the IndonesianTransportation Society (MTI) ofBali Chapter added that if the abil-ity of government to make the road

freight conveyed by vehicles shouldbe 8 tons. Similarly, the govern-ment should observe the aspectof drainage along the road and bemore responsive to road damage no

further damage.According to him, so far the

response of government to dam-

there are potholes on the road, they

should be quickly addressed. When

quickly broken. But in reality, the

on the Denpasar-Gilimanuk roadsection. If neglected for a longtime, the damages can be gettingmore serious and fatal,” concludedthe Chairman of the TransportationPostgraduate Studies, Civil Engi-neering, Udayana University.

PublicWorksAgency, I KetutArtika,said the budget allocated for the road

the road improvement of 22.84 kilo-

70.66 billion), regular maintenanceof road and bridge of 22.76 kilometer

-

and strengthening of cliffs and drain-

According to him, the length

kilometers spreading throughoutall regencies/city in Bali. Of suchamount, 20 percent belonged todamaged roads from light to se-vere category. He said that somedamaged road sections located on

Klungkung-Besakih, Pakse Bali-Selat, Denpasar-Petang, Singapadu-

Mambal-Pengetan, Wanagiri-Mun-duk-Mayong,Antosari-Pupuan andPenelokan-Kubutambahan. Themost severe damage, according

passed through by heavy vehiclestransporting sand and then exacer-bated by continuous rain.

He added that along the 45.6

through regular maintenance by

-ing. “Beyond the measures, the

budget,” he said. (kmb29)

IBP/File

One of the damage road in Muncan, Karangasem Regency

Government asked to promptly repair damaged roadsDenpasar (Bali Post)—

The damage of provincial road reaches 20 percent of thetotal road length amounting to 860.53 kilometers spreadingthroughout the regency/city in Bali. Such condition surpassesthe standard of the Act on Standard Road where the damage ofroad does not exceed 10 percent. Various reactions arise fromthe public indicating their disappointment.An observer of trans-portation from the Udayana University, Putu Alit Suthanaya,on Monday (Feb 6) assessed the handling and anticipation ofdamaged road was still very slow so that the damage was get-ting more serious.

Denpasar (Bali Post)—Tryout exam coordinated by the Bali Education

for senior high school (SMA/MA) and vocational

-

copying process in the printing house through itsdistribution to respective regency/city to avoidthe leakage.

by approximately 69,089 participants of elementaryschool, 59,276 participants of junior high school,

“Implementation of the tryout is designed to re-

tightened through cross-system—namely, teachers

-out are heavily guarded by involving the elementsof police and a team of Bali Education Agency.Thus, the tryout implementation is ‘treated’ like the

Agency, AA Ngurah Gde Sujaya, accompanied bythe Division Head of Assessment and Develop-

be sent to the regency/city after next Kuningan

-

further make the enrichment easier. Besides, they

next April and can achieve maximal results,” saidAA Sujaya, the former Division Head of Second-ary Education.

able to maintain the achievements of Bali Province

be improved.-

-ary 27-29. (08)

Tryout exam scripts strictly guarded

News International4 Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Agence France-Presse

MALDIVES - The president of the Mal-dives Mohamed Nasheed announced his resignation Tuesday during a televised press conference after a mutiny by the police and weeks of demonstrations.

“It will be better for the country in the cur-rent situation if I resign. I don’t want to run the country with an iron fist. I am resigning,” Nasheed said.

Mutinous police in the Maldives took over the state television broadcasing station on Tuesday, joining opposition protesters calling for Nasheed to step down.

The move by the police marked a major escalation of three weeks of street demonstra-tions by anti-government activists.

They have been demanding for Nasheed to step down after he ordered the arrest last month of Criminal Court Chief Justice Abdulla Mo-hamed on charges of misconduct and favouring opposition figures.

The island’s Supreme Court and prosecutor general have called for Mohamed’s release, but he remains in military custody. A group of police took over the state broadcasting station in the capital Male on Tuesday morning.

“Police outside the (television) station told us that they have taken over,” a reporter work-ing for a local newspaper told AFP.

A delegation from the UN Department of Political Affairs headed by Assistant Secretary-General Oscar Fernandez-Taranco had been due to arrive on Thursday in a bid to broker a resolution to the political crisis.

Nasheed, a former political prisoner, was elected in 2008 when the Maldives staged its first democratic presidential election, unseat-ing the long-serving autocratic regime of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

The Maldives, a country of 1,192 Indian Ocean islands scattered across the equator, is famous for its upmarket holiday resorts and hotels that cater for honeymooning couples and high-end travellers.

The 85-year-old Castro, whose last known public appearance was at a Communist Party congress in April 2011, had to be helped to his chair, but was animated and engaged as summaries of the two-volume tome were read and ques-tions were taken from an audience of admirers.

The two-hour program was the first of three parts to be broadcast on state-run television this week

and, with its echoes of the lengthy speeches he once gave, appeared aimed in part at showing that the old comandante is in pretty good shape.

Castro, who ruled Cuba for 49 years, was struck by an undisclosed intestinal illness that nearly killed him in July 2006. He resigned the presidency in February 2008, when younger brother Raul Castro replaced him.

Castro still occasionally writes

opinion pieces for Cuban media and meets with visiting leaders, but he said he spends much of his time reading news stories and that what he reads is alarming.

“What’s going to happen in Iran? What’s going to happen in the Near East? What’s going to happen in Syria?” he asked at the event, which took place on Friday.

He said President Barack Obama no longer has power in the United States, that Cuba’s longtime ideo-logical foe is being run by a “high command” and not even they can “contain the situation” of a possible nuclear war.

Castro has been warning of im-pending nuclear war involving the

United States, Israel and Iran for some time.

“The situation is difficult, more difficult than ever,” he said.

Castro remarked on the cam-paign in the United States for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination, saying there was little voter interest in the race and no good candidates.

“The Republican candidate is the least intolerable of the intol-erables, the least bad of the worst,” he said.

Last month he wrote that the Republican race was a contest of “idiocy and ignorance.”

Despite the difficulties facing the world, Castro said, humans

must never give up trying to save the world.

“Our duty is to fight until the last minute,” he said.

“If they tell us, ‘look, no more than 10 years are left,’ you have to fight those 10 years, for our country, for the others and for humanity.”

The new book - “Fidel Castro Ruz: Guerrilla of Time” - covers his life from childhood to the days just before the revolution that he led and won against dictator Fulgencio Batista on Jan 1, 1959.

It is based on conversations with Cuban journalist Katiuska Blanco, similar to the 2006 book “100 Hours with Fidel” by Spanish journalist Ignacio Ramonet.

Reuters

TAYASAN - Philippine rescuers searched on Tuesday for 29 residents of a mountainside community feared dead after a landslide triggered by an earthquake engulfed their homes.

A magnitude 6.7 quake struck near Tayasan town in the central Philippine is-land of Negros on Monday. Fifteen people are known to have been killed while several remote towns have been cut off because of damage to roads and bridges.

Soil and rocks buried homes in a neighborhood in Guihulngan City near the quake’s epicenter, which had also seen heavy rain in the days before the earth-quake, disaster officials said.

“It looks like there is no more hope of finding the 29 missing alive,” Benito Ra-mos, head of a state disaster agency, said in a radio interview.

The state disaster agency said it was

checking reports that 40 people were miss-ing in another landslide in La Libertad town, also in Negros Oriental province.

Aftershocks rattled the region with more than 700 of them in the 20 hours after the quake struck, a seismology institute said, and officials warned residents to have their houses checked if they had been damaged.

“They should not panic and make sure they secure all items that may fall. Structures with minor damage should be first inspected if safe to use,” government seismologist Winchell Sevilla said in a radio interview.

A Reuters witness saw huge cracks on main roads and concrete structures in Ayun-gon town adjacent to Tayasan, where mauso-leums in cemeteries had also caved in.

Roel Degamo, governor of Negros Ori-ental province, said in a radio interview residents were calming down on Tuesday despite the aftershocks and were starting to return to the homes they left immediately after the quake.

Fidel Castro warns of bleak future, touts memoirReuters

HAVANA - Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro painted a bleak picture of the future, saying the world was in its worst situation ever as Cuban television aired on Monday part of a six-hour event last week touting his newest memoir.

Maldives president resigns after police mutiny

In this Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2012 file photo,

Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed speaks as he orders

the country’s upscale resorts to reopen their

spas on Wednesday pending a Supreme

Court decision on whether they violate

Islam, in Kurumba Is-land Resort, Maldives. Nasheed has resigned

following weeks of public protests over

his controversial order to arrest a senior

judge.

AP Photo/Sinan Hussain, File

AP Photo

Residents rush to higher grounds following tsunami rumors due to a magnitude 6.9 earthquake which hit the island province of Cebu and other central Philippine provinces Monday, Feb. 6, 2012.

Rescuers search for missing after Philippine quake. 15 dead

Activities Wednesday, February 8, 2012 5International

Temple CeremonyCalendar Event for February 1 through 15, 2012

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 con-sidered 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, sail-ings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines.

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

Balinese Temple Ceremony

1 Feb Buda Keliwon Dunggulan. Pura Wakika Kupang, NTTPura Agung Girinatha Sumbawa Besar NTBPura Dukuh Sakti Dukuh Kediri-TabananPura Atambuananta Kutamba NTTPura Webananta Kupang, NTTPura Giripati Mulawarman Pontianak.Pura Mustika Dharma Cijantung I Jakarta Timur

2 Feb Wraspati Umanis Dunggulan Pura Watukaru TabananPura Lempuyang Luhur KarangasemPura Kentel Gumi KlungkungPasek Gaduh Umadesa Kediri TabananPura Pasek Kubayan Wangaya Gede Penebel TabananMerajan Pasek Tohjiwa TiyinganMerajan Pasek Gaduh Umadesa

3 Feb Sukra Paing DunggulanPura Ulun Suwi JimbaranPura Luhur Cemenggon, Sukawati.Pura Pasek Ubung Denpasar

4 Feb Saniscara Pon DunggulanPura Segara JembranaPura Dalem Gede Losan Klungkung

5 Feb Redite Wage Kuningan Pura Dalem Tegal Tamu Sekarmukti-Balubulan.Pura Kubayan Umagunung Sempidi-Badung

6 Feb Soma Keliwon Kuningan Pura Dasar Gelgel-KlungkungPura Pasek Tohjiwa Sawah/Selemadeg-TabananPura Pemerajan Agung Benawah Kangin GianyarPura Panti Pasek Gelgel Pelapuhan-Busungbiu BulelengPura Kahyangan Tulus Desa Apuan.

7 Feb Purnama Kawulu Pura dalem Batur - BangliPura Pasek/Ida Ratu Pasek BesakihNgusaba Ngeed Banua Kawan - Besakih

Pura Dalem Suci Sidemen - Karangasem

11 Feb Saniscara Keliwon Kuningan. Pura Taman Pule Mas-UbudPura Ularan Takmung-Klungkung.Pura Bukitjati Gulingan-Kawan BangliPura Dalem Tegehe TegehePura Dalem Tahak TahakPura Dalem Batuaji. BatuajiPura Dalem Tegaljaya BatubulanPura Jenengan Maspahit Cemenggaon-SukawatiPura Dalem Guwang-SukawatiPura Sadha KapalPura Sakenan SeranganPura Pekendungan Keiri-TabananPura Pasek Gaduh Grokgak Gede TabananPura Dalem Sanding TampaksiringPura Dalem Purnajati Tanjung Puri Tanjung Periuk JakartaPura Dalem Tenggaling Guliang-BangliMr. Dukuh Tetek Peguyangan-DenpasarPura Agung Blambangan BanyuwangiPura Dalem Agung Sri Nararya Kresna Kepakisan Gelgel -KlungkungPura Panti Paksebali Klungkung (Perang Jempana)Pura Penataran Agung Margowening Desa Balonggarut, Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur

12 Feb Redite Umanis LangkirPr. Sakenan Serangan Denpasar SelatanPr. Batuaji Ubung Ubung-Tengah Denpasar BaratPura Dalem Pahuman Bhujangga Penatih DenpasaMr. Pasek Gianyar KerobokanPr. Alas Harum Batur Kintamani,Pr. Alas Angker KintamaniKawitan Dalem Empuaji Aan-Klungkung.

15 Feb Buda Wage Langkir Pura Tanah Lot Kediri TabananPura Bucabe Mas UbudPura Puseh Desa Ganggang-Canggi BatuanPura Pasek Pertukangan Kediri-TabananPura Pasek Bendesa Gulingan Mengwi

IBP

KUTA - “Harris Hotel Tuban Bali is a-minute-away-home from Ngurah Rai Inter-national Airport– your gateway to Bali and 5 minutes from Tuban Beach. Very close to main shopping areas and nightlife spots as it’s only 10 minutes from Kuta Beach. Our shuttle transportation will take you there. “Andreas, the General Manager promote its

hotel prime location. “Harris Hotel Tuban Bali offers 66 Harris

Rooms and Harris Suites. Within the com-pound, get body and soul soothed and happy feet foot reflexology at H’Spa. And relax by our pool or enjoy a fresh juice at Harris Café that makes Harris Hotel is the perfect place for family and business” Andreas added.

And support by facilities smoking and non-smoking rooms, Swimming Pool, Internet

Corner , Harris Café , 24 hour Room Service , H’Spa and Happy Feet Reflexology, Tour Service, Free Wi-fi in all rooms and suites, as well as public areas, free pick up and drop off service from Ngurah Rai International Airport , Free scheduled Shuttle Bus (drop off only) to Kuta Area and other Harris Hotels.

In room facilities, Mini Bar and tea/coffee making facilities., LCD TV with international channel, Individual climate control air condi-

tioner, Safety Deposit Box in all room types, Hot and cold water, Hairdryer, Aromatherapy, Sofa Bed specially in Double and Twin Bed. “Harris Tuban is one of under management Harris Hotels, which represented by 11 hotels under operation by end 2011 and more 21 Harris Hotels under development. A total of 32 Har-ris Hotels with 5.871 rooms will be operated by 2014. Harris, with a brand of Tauzia Hotel Management” Andreas explain in detail.

Harris Hotel Tuban

Yourgatewayto Bali

IBP/Net

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 6 News International

From page 1

“I’m sorry, goodbye,” Po ellrote in an email to his attorney

just minutes before authorities

himself and his t o young sonsdays after he as denied custodyand ordered to undergo a psycho-sexual evaluation.

home brought yet another t ist inthe very public scandal that began

2009. The case had since spiraledinto a salacious saga of finger-pointing and accusations of sexand lies — and no the unthink-able loss of t o young lives caught

A social orker brought thet o boys to osh Po ell’s home

-vised visit. They rushed to ard thehome, leaving the social orkerbehind. By the time she got to thedoor, Po ell had let his sons inbut locked her out, Graham ireand escue Chief Gary ranz toldThe Associated Press.

He said emails Po ell sent justprior to the blaze seemed to con-

Ed Troyer didn’t elaborate on the

content of the emails.effrey Bassett, ho repre-

sented Po ell in the custody case,said he received an ominous emailfrom his client just minutes before

“I’m sorry, goodbye,” it read.Investigators tried to fill in

holes Monday in the case ith anarson investigation at the homeand autopsies on osh Po elland his sons, said Troyer. Localdetectives also are meeting ithpolice from West alley City,Utah, ho have been looking for

A candle light vigil as held

the 7-year-old’s school in Puyal-lup.

-s ered. They may have gone ith

The investigation ill include acloser looks at osh Po ell’s lastmovements and messages.

“We’re focusing on any herethere might be information,”

Chaplains have been orking

osh Po ell’s father also asinformed of the death in the jail in

Tacoma here he’s being held forinvestigation of voyeurism. He’son suicide atch, Troyer said.

The Washington Department of

the social orker ho broughtthe boys to osh Po ell’s homefor hat as to be a supervisedvisit is “suffering from graveemotional trauma as a result of

-ment ill conduct a formal childfatality revie .

said.

old mother of t o, as reportedmissing Dec. 7, 2009, after shefailed to sho up for her stockbro-ker job in Utah.

Authorities in the couple’shometo n of West alley City,

City, quickly turned their attentionto osh Po ell. He’s been the only“person of interest” in the case, buthad repeatedly denied any involve-ment in her disappearance.

“I ould never even hurt her,”a tearful, red-eyed osh Po ell

“People ho kno me kno that

Reuters

LAHOR - The death toll from the collapse of a three-storeyfactory in the Pakistani city of Lahore rose to 7 Tuesday as rescue

orkers continued to search for survivors amidst the rubble, an emer-

A gas explosion Monday caused the building to collapse, trappingdozens of laborers, mostly boys aged 4-23, inside.

“We just recovered another body. The total death toll is 7 and e-

ment escue 22 emergency service, told euters.“We’re being able to communicate ith six or seven people ho

are trapped. We’re still trying, the operation is still under ay.”

inside the factory, hich produced veterinary medical products, henthe blast occurred, Ali said.

Emergency orkers ere continuing to shift rubble by hand al-though some machinery as no also being used at the site in therescue operation, Ali said.

The incident is likely to raise fresh questions about Pakistan’sindustrial safety. Building and zoning regulations are eak and oftennot enforced, critics say.

Pakistan factory collapse, 17 dead

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

Photographs of Braden and Charlie Powell, the sons of Susan Cox Powell and Josh Powell, are displayed during a candlelight vigil at McKinley Park in Tacoma, Wash., Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, the day after Braden and Charlie were killed along with their father, Josh Powell, when police said Josh Powell set fire to the house they were in on Sunday. Susan Powell went mysteriously missing from their West Valley City, Utah, home in December 2009.

Fire kills husband of missing Utah woman, 2 boysAssociated Press

after two years of being scrutinized in the media, hammered by police and questioned byjudges, prosecutors and social workers, living his life under a microscope since the day hiswife vanished. According tohim, thedecline incontributionof theagricultural sector to

the economic growth of Bali tended to be caused by the conversion of landfunction happening so far, less involvement of young generation in the ag-

“In terms of the total existing growth, the economy of Bali showed abetter development rather than in the previous year. At the same time, itexceeded the growth target set by Bali Government based on the Regional

Meanwhile, in terms of the Bali’s GDP pursuant to the use in the lastquarter of 2011, the total economic activity could generate IDR 19.28 tril-lion. Of such amount, the components of household consumption formed

-

change in stocks or inventories worth IDR 0.07 trillion (0.34 percent) as

percent) and IDR 21.94 trillion (113.83 percent).Head of Bali Investment and LicensingAgency (BPM), IB M Parwata,

recentlyadmitted that tertiarysector, especially the tourismsector, remainedexcellent and even reached 95 percent, while the agriculture reached lessthan 1 percent, even 0.09 percent.

theBali’sagriculture.Asidefromencouraging investment in theagriculturalsector, he would also encourage domestic investment and suppress foreign

foreign investors investing in Bali.“Wehavecontinued toencourage the investment inagriculture.Howev-

er, most investors preferred to invest in tourism sector,” he complained.ThegrowthofinvestmentinBaliduringtheperiodof2012wasIDR18.29

trillionwiththegrowthofforeigninvestmentanddomestic investmentreach-

reachingIDR15.79trillion.Meanwhile, realizationoftheforeignanddomes-tic investment up to the third quarter reached IDR 9 trillion. (kmb27)

The former intern discusseddetails including swimmingwiththe president just four days intoher internship, and doing herhomework en route to Washing-

“I should have felt guilty. He

Former... But I didn’t at the time -feel guilty,”Alford said.

Therehavebeennumerous reports-

nedy having had extra-marital affairswith several other women, includingallegations of a dalliance with Mari-lyn Monroe.

“I think that’s probably partlywhat makes me feel sad when I lookback. It made me feel very special,”

other affairs.

Agricultural... From page 1

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 7Indonesia Today International

A worshipper pierces his

cheeks with metal skewers during Cap Go

Meh festival that marks the

end of Lunar New Year

celebrations in Jakarta, Indo-

nesia, Monday, Feb. 6, 2012.

The country, which has become a magnet for foreign money, posted a 6.5 percent rise in gross domestic product last year -- the quick-est pace since the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis -- putting it on track to hit the govern-ment’s 6.7 percent forecast for this year.

The strong figures were led by a 4.7 percent rise in domestic demand, which accounted for around 60 percent of GDP, and an 8.8 percent surge in private investment, according to a government official. Government spending also rose 3.2 percent, the official added.

With a population of 240 million, In-donesia has become a focus for foreign investors who ploughed $20 billion into the economy in 2011, up from $17 billion the year before.

Singapore, Japan and the United States were among top investors, tapping into the country’s growing mining and telecom-munications sectors, as well as winning contracts for much-needed infrastructure developments.

Last week, the government said Indonesia posted a 29 percent surge in exports last year, reaching $203.62 billion and surpassing an of-

ficial target of $200 billion. The data came after Fitch ratings in December granted Indonesia an investment-grade credit rating after 14 years of junk status, followed by a similar move from Moody’s Investors Service last month.

But as some developed nations remain in the economic doldrums and others begin to make slow recoveries, Indonesia expects lower demand for its exports to slow its rapid growth to 6.43 percent in the first quarter.

“This year’s economic growth will depend on the government’s strategy to cope with the continuing global crisis,” said Central Statistics Agency spokesman Suryamin, who goes by one name.

Credit Suisse in a report Monday held a more pessimistic view, forecasting annual growth this year at 6.0 percent, warning Indonesia’s loose monetary policy could overheat the economy later this year.

“Indonesia may be the only country in Asia to show virtually no signs of an eco-nomic slowdown whatsoever, but this has not stopped its central bank from delivering more in the way of rate reductions than any other in the region to date,” the report said.

Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS — Indone-sia’s foreign minister on Monday challenged key nations that haven’t ratified the treaty banning nuclear tests to follow his country’s lead and approve it so that the convention can come into force.

Marty Natalegawa formally filed paper work for ratification at the Unit-ed Nations, saying the country decided not to wait for all nuclear weapon states to ratify the treaty first because “there is a window of opportunity to advance the disarmament agenda.”

Negotiated in the 1990s, the Com-prehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty has been ratified by 157 countries. But the treaty required 44 key countries with nuclear power or research reactors at the time to ratify it before it could take effect — including Indonesia.

With Indonesia’s ratification, eight countries must still ratify the treaty before it comes into force — the U.S., China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea and Pakistan. There has been reluctance of many of these countries to move first to ratify while their rivals have not yet done so, and North Korea has conducted two tests — one each in 2006 and 2009.

Natalegawa told reporters that In-donesia’s government and parliament decided to proceed with ratification of the treaty, known as the CTBT, “with the hope and expectation that our

ratification ... will encourage other ... countries to do likewise,” especially the eight that are crucial to having the treaty take effect.

Asked specifically about Israel and Iran, he said treaty supporters have to deal with the lack of trust between these countries and others.

“But by ratifying the CTBT today, and various other efforts that we are making in the disarmament area, what we are saying is that ... these countries must have the courage to step out of their comfort zone and to take some kind of a calculated risk that their positive efforts will be reciprocated,” Natalegawa said.

He said the U.N. should be helping to create conditions for these holdout countries “to take the right steps.”

Natalegawa is a strong supporter of nuclear-free zones in the Mideast and Southeast Asia, and he encour-aged the three Southeast Asian na-tions that haven’t ratified the CTBT — Myanmar, Thailand and Brunei — to do so.

For the first time, Natalegawa said, all nuclear weapon states co-spon-sored a General Assembly resolution last year supporting a Southeast Asian nuclear weapons free zone.

He said Southeast Asian nations were now beginning their internal con-sideration of establishing such a zone and “from Indonesia’s perspective we would like to see this happen (in the) middle of this year, if not sooner.”

Antara

JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yud-hoyono has appealed to the country`s Muslims to make the Prophet Muhammad`s birthday a momen-tum to increase tolerance, togetherness and true understanding of religious teachings.

“I call on the country`s Muslims to be wise in bridging differences. There should be no egoism and high-handed actions. We have to respect the rights of fellow citizens regardless of their faith, religions, race or ethnicity,” the president said at a function to observe the Prophet`s birthday at the state palace here on Monday evening.

He said the Indonesian people should be able to show their identity and morality as a respectable nation by way of eliminating differences caused

by group egoism.“Let us ban spiteful envy and slander, instead

hand in hand build harmony and unity,” he said.The president said that at present misunderstanding

of Islamic teaching by many sides had taken place not only outside the Muslim community but also within the community itself. This could be seen in the behavior and deeds of members of the Muslim community that were against the Prophet Muhammad`s teachings.

This smeared the image of Islam as some gener-alized their behavior and deeds as being based on Islamic teachings, he said.

“Therefore, on this occasion of celebrating the Prophet`s birthday I call on all the country`s Muslims to free this nation from behavior and deeds which deviate from Islamic teachings,” the president said.

AFP PHOTO / Bay ISMOYO

Vehicles (L) drive towards downtown Jakarta on February 7, 2012. Indonesia said its economy grew at the fastest rate for 15 years in 2011, spurred by strong household consumption and private investment in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

GDP growth for 2011 reached 6.5 percentAgence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Indonesia said Monday its economy grew at the fastest rate for 15 years in 2011, spurred by strong household consumption and private investment in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.

Indonesia pushes nuclear test ban treaty

President calls on Muslims to increase tolerance

AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

8 International Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Bali Today

According to Parwata, theinvestment which plant to beinvested in Bali this year will bebigger comparing to the last yearinvestment that reached Rp15,79trillion.

He added, looking at the datathat had been collected by BPM,in the third quarter of 2011,Bali already had Rp9 trillion oninvestment. Consist of Rp4,91trilion from locat investors andRp4,09 trillion from foreigninvestors.

“We still waited report fromregencies to count the total in-vestment on 2011. We optimisticthat the figure will meet the tar-get that we had been set up forlast year,” he added.

From the total of Rp18,29trilion investment target thatbeing projected this year, ac-

Beauty can stop everyone’s eyes

can lullaby ababy.Similarly, beautyalsocan toss the imagination, soothethe mind and draw people to getnear. Bali has many sources of thatbeauty offering the charm of nature,culture or adventure.

By maintaining traditions in-spired by Hinduism, Balinese peo-ple go on running in harmony withthe time. In other words, they do notfeel inferior because of inheritingthose traditions. Beauty in the formof various dance movements hasbeen introducedsinceearlyages.Onseeingadance staged, a toddlermay

move and move as if imitating themovement of the dance.

Virtually all customary villagesin Bali have gamelan troupe. Thistroupe plays important role in ex-pressing their entertainment arts and

accompanying every ritual activity.This existence gives opportunityto villagers from child to adult toexpress their artistic talent especiallyin dance, drama and gamelan arts.Young girls under twelve or el-ementary school age have a chanceto participate in performing RejangDance. By wearing white and yel-

on head, they dance beautifullyaccompanied by gamelan music.Rejang Dance is one of the sacreddances performed in relation to theorganization of temple anniversaryor odalan. Other than putting a ba-sic love to their tradition, they alsoshow devotional service or ngaturayah through the arts.

When they grow older, right onentering secondary school, theyjoin customary village youth clubor Sekaa Taruna. Here, with theirmale friends and their brothers and

sisters start to learn about organi-zation. Many things can be learnedthrough this organization. Sinceit has affiliation to customaryvillage, they can learn about themaking of some simple oblationunder guidance of senior oblationmaker and various traditional arts.In Bali, this youth club actuallyplay important role in preparingyoung generation to maintain theirvaluable cultural heritages or toprepare themselves for inheritingcustomary responsibility.

With their male counterpart,here the young girls also learnto play drama or more complextraditional arts. Popular genresof performance showed are pureentertainment and the one in com-bination with sacred dance. Thelatter usually features Calonarang.This magical drama involves acombination of male and female

players. In essence, this Calonar-ang drama highlights the endless

symbolizing by sanctified effi-gies or tapakan like Rangda andBarong. By and large, it is alsoassociated with ritual events atlocal temple.

In the following stage, whenwoman gets married she will en-ter the new organization, namelycustomary village. Having learnedmuch about ritual works, it is nowthe time to practice them in widersocial life.They should attend somesocio-religious activities when theevents engage the members of cus-tomary village.At this stage, house-hold mother can remain to show herdevotional service through the artsother than social works. Throughthe arts, they may join the dramaor individual psalmodic singing orpasantian.

How is about their private life?It is normal as others. They alsohave opportunity to build careerin their profession. In modern lifewith heterogeneous professions astoday, woman also works as mendo. Traditions do not impede themto reachoutstanding achievement in

work at daytime, some social workswill be held at the evening.

Tradition is not something ob-solete. Even, it retains abundantinspirations tocreate somethingnewandcreative that is advantageous formodern life. However, traditionsshould also be reviewed and adjustto the current condition withoutleaving behind its core. Traditiondoes not hinder women to get theircareer achievement.Even, it stays togive them a channel to express theirspiritual sense through devotionalservices. (BTN/punia)

New construction buiding for a new hotel is seen near a beach in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian island of Bali on

February 6, 2012. Head of Bali Investment and Licens-

ing Agency (BPM), IB M Parwata said that this year,

Bali needs more investment that come from domestic

and foreign investors, also from government spending

budget.

Bali needs more investment on 2012Antara

DENPASAR - Head of Bali Investment and LicensingAgency (BPM), IB M Parwata said that this year, Bali needsmore investment that come from domestic and foreign inves-tors, also from government spending budget. “This year, Balineeds around Rp18,29 trilion to meet the expectation growthon 6.57 percent.

cording to Parwata, governmenthave to invest around Rp3,22trillion. Usually government willinvest mainly on infrastructureprojects.

Meanwhile from foreign in-vestors, Bali hopes to gain aroundRp15,07 trillion.

AFP PHOTO / SONNY TUMBELAKA

Balinese women:

In devotional services through the arts

Balinese Culture

9International Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Duck CurryOVERVIEW:Ducks waddling along the banks of the rice fields or

following the flag held by their owner (or his children) are a common sight in Bali. On festive occasions, duck is great favorite. Spiced stuffed duck baked in banana leaf is one popular recipe; this curry-like dish is another. Chicken could be used as a substitute for duck if preferred.

INGREDIENTS:1 whole duck, weighing about 2 kg8 cups coconut milk2 lemon grass, bruised2 salam leaves1 tbsp salt1 tsp black peppercorns, crushedfried shallots

SPICE PASTE:12 shallots, peeled and sliced6 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced4 red chilies2.5 cm galangal (laos), peeled and sliced2.5 cm kencur, peeled and sliced5 cm fresh turmeric, peeled and sliced2 tsp coriander, crushed3 candlenuts1 tsp dried shrimp paste¼ tsp black peppercorns, crushedpinch of freshly grated nutmeg2 cloves3 tbsp oil

PREPARATION:Cut the duck into 12 pieces and pat dry.Prepare the spice paste by grinding or blending

all ingredients except oil. Heat the oil and sauté the spice paste for 2 minutes. Add the duck, increase heat and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the coconut milk and all ingredients except fried shallots and simmer, uncovered, until the duck is tender and the sauce has thickened.

Garnish with fried shallots and serve with white rice.

IBP

DENPASAR - Bali has nowhave new Honorary Consul of Nor-way. The new appointed HonoraryConsul is the General Manager ofSegara Village Hotel where thenew consulate will be situated.

Appointment of new Honor-

Kharisma Wijaya appointed as new Honorary Consul of Norway

ary Consul of Norway to theProvince of Bali, Denpasar wastaking place in Denpasar on 26thJanuary 2012. The NorwegianAmbassador, Eivind S. Homme,hosted a dinner reception at SectorRestaurant in Bali for the consularcorps to thank the outgoing honor-ary Norwegian consul, Ms. Mira

Chandra, and introduce the newNorwegian consul, Mr. Ida BagusKharisma Wijaya.

Norway has currently fourschools in Bali with a total numberof around 600 students at Univer-sity/College level, one of themworking closely with UdayanaUniversity.

IBP/Courtesy of Norwegian Embassy

From left to right, Former Consul Mira Chandra, Ambassador od Norway Eivind S. Homme and the new Consul Ida Bagus Kharisma Wijaya.

Wednesday, February 8, 201210 InternationalDestinations

IBP

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

Blue sea water without wave is the best venue for water sport ac-tivities. Bali own the beautiful place with the long white sandy beach lo-cated in Tanjung Benoa as a Marine Sport Center. It is located right in the Bali’s Peninsula, south part of the island and about 25 minutes drive from Bali’s International Airport. It is just a step from Nusa Dua, the elite resort area in Bali and featured by an easy way to reach it. Below are some

water sport activities that you can try while you holidaying in Bali:

Parasailing activity will bring you to the exciting experience by hook your self in airborne for a sec-ond and you will get free to enjoy the amazing view of the island from the over head. Beautiful scenery of the sea water is easily found by fly-ing like a bird with string more then 100 meter up makes this activity really unforgettable memory in our life. You can get Parasailing Adven-ture right now as your choice during your vacation in Bali Island.

Snorkeling is a fantastic marine activity to over view the beautiful panorama of coral, color-ful fishes and other unique marines life. This adventure will bring you the exciting experience with professional snorkeling guide who guide you the right snorkeling spot point. It will take about one hour to explore and view beautiful un-derwater life which is completed safety equipment.

Riding a motorized sea vehicle will get different experience and the fresh sea breeze will swirl your hair. Fun riding on the blue water with the combination of jet Drive Power up to 700 cc and personal water craft will result pure excitement.

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

rience on your vacation in Bali.

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

Fly Fish is the newest marine sport activity by riding a flat rubber boat which is pulled by a speed boat. It flies to dash against the wind sweeping that

it real fly on the seawater. It is a great adventure by flying like fish jumping on the seawater with high boat speed.

The tour will use the Glass Bot-tom Boat to explore the submarine of Benoa sea and stop for 15 minutes to observe the colorful fishes of under water and just seat down on the boat you can see many kinds of fishes from the bottom glass. The journey will be extended to Turtle island where the lo-cal people take care and grow the turtle up. Get this place by boat and see the beautiful of white sandy beach.

Water Sport Activities

IBP/Net

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 11

BUSINESSInternational

Don’t expect a radical newoutlookon the economy.

-ate Banking Committee, economistsexpect no shifts in the Fed’s effortsto bolster the recovery. They say Ber-nanke’s tone might be slightly moreupbeat than when he spoke Thursdayto House members. But they expecthim to reiterate the Fed’s plan to keepa key interest rate at a record low nearzero until at least late 2014.

The super-low rates are meantto encourage consumers and busi-nesses toborrowandspendandfurtherstrengthen the economy.

Analysts also expect Bernanketo hold out the possibility that theFed might launch another round ofbond purchases later this year if the

purchasesare intended to furtherdrivedown long-term rates.

Butmanyprivateeconomists thinkthe timetable for any new bond pur-chases has been pushed back becauseof last week’s robust jobs report.And if the economy keeps improv-ing, they say that the notion of morebond purchases could be permanentlyshelved.

Bernanke will likely keep all theFed’s options open, in part because

abroad. They include Europe’s debtcrisis and rising tensionswith Iran thatcould disrupt global oil supplies.

Moreover, Congress is still debat--

Americans and is due to expire at theend of this month.

“Theuncertainty level right now is

economist at Mesirow Financial.“The Fed is going to be very cautiousin changing its stance.”

At its last meeting Jan. 24-25,

Fed’s key rate, the federal funds rate,isheadedover thenext threeyearsand

The rate has been near zero sinceDecember 2008. In its policy state-ment in January, the Fed said it would

probably not increase that rate untillate2014at theearliest—ayear andahalf later than it had previously said.

At the House hearing last week,Bernanke defended that decisionagainst Republican criticism that

and of speculative bubbles in assets.Earlier extended periods of low ratestriggered a bubble in technologystocks in the late 1990s. When thatbubble burst, it contributed to the2001 recession.

Aseparate period of low rates hasbeen blamed for fueling the housingbubble, which burst and helped leadto the Great Recession. But onThurs-

has declined, while unemploymentand slow economic growth remainproblems.

prepared to keep rates low as long as

escalate, analysts say it would causethe Fed to move up its late-2014timetable for a rate increase, even ifgrowth remained slow.

The decision to announce thatthe Fed doesn’t plan to raise itsbenchmark rate until late 2014 atthe earliest was adopted on a 9-1vote. The lone dissenter was JeffreyLacker of the Federal Reserve Bankof Richmond. Lacker said he doesn’tthink theeconomyneeds lowrates forthat long and fears they could trigger

presidents arealso skeptical.OnMon-

President JamesBullardsaid, “Anear-zero rate policy stretching over manyyears canbegin todistort fundamentaldecision-making in the economy inways thatmaybedestructive to longer-run economic growth.”

-nomic Advisors, said while some

-nanke commands a solid majorityof the Fed’s policy group. He saidthe Fed will probably stick with thelate-2014 timetable for now, in partto avoid sending mixed signals to

Reuters

WASHINGTON -some restrictions on Myanmar to support ongoingwork by International Financial Institutions (IFIs)like the Asian Development Bank carrying outeconomic assessments and technical assistance toits new civilian government.

country squeezed by Western sanctions and run for49 years by military juntas until 10 months ago.

The nominally civilian government has sinceoverseen a series of surprise reforms that havethrust into the spotlight the issue of Western sanc-tions imposed on past regimes for their humanright violations.

The move in support of IFI involvement is seen assmall but symbolic, a quid-pro-quo to acknowledgethe reforms while still maintaining tight sanctions

-ington say the process of ending the embargoes onthe former Burma would be complex and lengthy.

-tions will provide critical means to gain a greater un-derstanding of Burma’s economic situation, particu-larly its severe poverty alleviation needs and capacitygaps,” the state department said in a statement.

The International Monetary Fund and the AsianDevelopment Bank (ADB) have been sendingtechnical support teams to Myanmar in the pastfew months to compile assessments of the country’slong-stagnant and murky economy and give advice

currency exchange systems.

Bernanke is expected to stick with low-rate stanceAssociated Press

WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernankehas called the economy “frustratingly slow.” On Tuesday, Con-

news that hiring surged in January and unemployment reacheda three-year low.

Associated Press

says an exit by Greece from the eurozone would notbe a disaster for the rest of the currency union.

agenda, told Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant that“It’s always said: if you let one nation go, or askone to leave, the entire structure will collapse. Butthat is just not true.”

years, the EU’s executive arm has insisted that leav-ing the eurozone is impossible and that an exit byGreece could hurt other vulnerable countries likePortugal.

However, pressure onAthens has been growing asthe government has so far failed to agree reforms de-manded in return for a second, €130 billion bailout.

AP Photo/Dimitri Messinis

A woman walks past a man holding an infant while begging near off Athens’ main Syn-tagma Square, on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. A European Union commissioner says an exit by Greece from the eurozone would not be a disaster for the rest of the currency union.

EU commissioner: Euro can survive Greek exit

U.S. lifts restrictions to support IFIs work in Myanmar

Entertainment InternationalWednesday, February 8, 201212

At the annual Oscar nominee luncheon Monday, Clooney said he’s made new pals on the awards circuit this season and has been happy to catch up with longtime friends such as Viola Davis and Brad Pitt, his co-star in the “Ocean’s Eleven” movies.

“A lot of people at home think we all hang out together. I think they think we’re always at the Hilton drinking cham-pagne. The truth is I hadn’t seen Brad in about a year” until they crossed paths around the time of January’s Golden Globes, Clooney told reporters before sitting down to lunch. “So it’s fun to catch up, and it’s fun to see people I like and haven’t seen in a long time.” Both are up for the best-actor Oscar — Clooney for “The Descendants” and Pitt for “Moneyball.”

Clooney said he also has had fun getting to know other nomi-nees such as best-actor contend-

ers Gary Oldman of “Tinker Tai-lor Soldier Spy,” Jean Dujardin of “The Artist” and Demian Bichir of “A Better Life.” Pitt joked that like Clooney, awards season has allowed him to make a lot of new acquaintances.

“I met this guy named George,” Pitt said, stumbling over the pronunciation of the name, “G-g-george, Jorge Clooney. Very nice guy. Very personable and very nice guy.”

Along with Clooney and Pitt, others among the 150 nominees at the luncheon included “The Help” co-stars Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer; “Albert No-bbs” co-stars Glenn Close and Janet McTeer; “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” star Rooney Mara; “My Week with Marilyn” co-stars Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh; “The Art-ist” co-star Berenice Bejo; and “Hugo” director Martin Scors-ese.

Associated Press Writer

Van Halen, “A Different Kind Of Truth” (Interscope) Let’s face it, for many fans, Van Halen without founding singer David Lee Roth just isn’t Van Halen. It’s Van Hagar. Or even Van That-Guy-From-Extreme. Nearly 30 years after Roth and his bandmates parted ways following the group’s “1984” album, they’re back with “A Different Kind Of Truth.”

Despite its title, the album’s 13 tracks feel more than a little bit familiar, which is a good thing if you’re looking to rewind the clock to Van Halen circa the late 1970s and early 1980s. If that sort of thing strikes you as dad-rock, however, then not so much.

Regardless, “A Different Kind Of Truth” shows 14 years since the last full Van Halen album, guitar demon Eddie Van Halen remains at the top of his game, betraying no hint of age or wear in his guitar work. All the staples are there: scorching riffs, waves of overlapping notes that dive bomb into deep growls and signature sonic horse wails.

Notably absent from “A Different Kind Of Truth” are the keyboard-heavy songs or power ballads found in the stretch of albums with Sammy Hagar on vocals. Instead, Van Halen mostly delivers hard-pounding rockers — less “Jump,” more “Atomic Punk.”

And speed. Several tracks, such as the relentless “Bullethead” and “As Is,” fueled by a rockabilly-

like riff, are as fast and heavy as anything Van Halen has previously done. A lot of the credit for that goes to drummer Alex Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang, on bass. (Wolfgang replaced original Van Halen bassist Michael An-thony during a U.S. tour about four years ago.)

Roth’s voice hasn’t aged quite as well, but his delivery is lively and he lobs in plenty of his trade-mark yelps. The singer always was equal parts hype man and frontman, and on some tracks, like the underwhelming first single, “Tattoo,” he’s in over-the-top, Diamond Dave mode, singing “Sexy dragon magic! So very autobiographic!”

Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK — Television already has “The Biggest Loser.” Dr. Mehmet Oz is looking for the biggest number of losers.

“The Dr. Oz Show” said Monday that it had netted its 1 millionth participant in its “transformation nation” health effort, and the number is climbing. One of those peo-ple will win a $1 million prize in May.

Since September, Oz has urged viewers to participate in his health challenge, done together with Weight Watchers. The number of registrants has increased steadily to a point that Oz said he’d never imagined the program would reach. “It is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” Oz said.

Oz’s program has seven steps, starting with the simplest: Tell a friend to get some moral support. Participants are asked to register with Weight Watchers and go to a center to have their body mass index calcu-lated. Other steps include connecting with a doctor, learning your family’s health his-tory, getting more sleep, managing stress better and starting new fitness habits.

A sample of 96,000 registrants who had weighed in at Weight Watchers determined they had collectively lost 672,000 pounds, or an average of 7 pounds per person, the show said.

The show will select 10 finalists that it believes best embody the effort — not nec-essarily those who lose the most weight — and viewers will choose a favorite this spring for the $1 million prize.

AP Photo/Harpo Inc., David M. Russell, File

FILE - In this Aug. 12, 2009 file photo provided by Harpo, Inc., Dr. Mehmet Oz is pictured during the production of The Dr. Oz Show in New York.

Dr. Oz’s health effort nets 1 million participants

Clooney, Pitt, other pals gather for Oscar lunchAssociated Press Writer

BEVERLY HILLS, California — George Clooney says the best thing about Academy Awards nominations is not necessarily the prizes. It’s hanging with old and new friends.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

Academy Awards Best Actor nominees, from left, Jean Dujardin of “The Artist,” Brad Pitt of “Moneyball” and George Clooney of “The Descendants” mingle at the 31st Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon in Beverly Hills, Calif., Monday, Feb. 6, 2012.

Music Review: Van Halen ageless on new album

Science Wednesday, February 8, 2012 13International

The tiny vase-shaped creatures’ fossils were found in Namibia’s Etosha National Park and other sites around the country in rocks between 760 and 550 million years old, a 10-member team of interna-tional researchers said in a paper published in the South African Journal of Science.

That means animals, previously thought to have emerged 600 million to 650 million years ago, actually appeared 100 million to 150 million

years before that, the authors said. It also means the hollow globs -- about the size of a dust speck and covered in holes that allowed fluid to pass in and out of their bodies -- were our ancestors, said co-author Tony Prave, a geologist at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.

“If one looks at the family tree and projects this backward to where you have what’s called the stem group, the ancestor of all animals, then yes, this would be our great-

great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother,” he told AFP.

Prave said fossil evidence that animals emerged as long as 760 million years ago fit together neatly with what geneticists had hypoth-esised by looking at “molecular clocks”, a means of gauging a spe-cies’ age by looking at the percent-age difference between its DNA and that of another species.

“The aspect of this that’s rather satisfying, at least intellectually, is that it is in broad agreement with what geneticists would tell us based on looking at molecular clocks when we should see the first advent of large multi-cellular life forms,” he said.

NIKON unveiled the D800 in Tokyo on Tuesday, the latest addi-tion to its DLSR range. The new camera takes much from Nikon’s recently released D4 flagship model, though there are of course plenty of differences too.

The stand-out feature of the full-frame D800 device is its new 36.6MP CMOS sensor, which Nikon claims is capable of image qual-ity “equal to that achieved with medium-format digital cameras.” If you’re fond of making big prints or always find yourself using your editing software’s crop tool, the D800 will give you more leeway than you ever thought you’d need.

The D800 incorporates a 51-point AF system with the viewfinder offering 100 percent coverage and 0.7x magnification. You’ll find twin memory card slots for SD and CF cards and a USB 3.0 port. Video-wise this is Nikon’s most advanced camera to date and is capable of capturing 1080p full-HD movies at 30/25/24fps, and 720p movies at 60/50/25/24fps.

The new camera sports a magnesium alloy body and weighs 10 percent less than its predecessor, the three-and-a-half-year-old D700. Its low frame rate of just 4fps at full resolution will come as a disap-pointment to some, and is the reason why Nikon is pitching the D800 at studio, wedding and nature photographers, as opposed to sports photographers.

Those who need more shots per second will continue to look to-ward the higher-end models, such as the D4, with its 11fps capability, though the hefty $6000 price tag of that device will be prohibitive for many. The only way users can increase the D800’s frame rate is by dropping down to DX mode (max 15 MP) and adding the MB-D12 battery pack, which’ll bump it up to 6fps.

Likewise, the D800 is also inferior to the D4 when it comes to shooting in low light, with a maximum ISO of 6400 (extendable to 25,600), compared to the D4’s 12,800 (extendable to 204,800), though

we don’t want to think about how grainy things will be getting if an

image is pushed that far.Still, for those look-

ing to upgrade from the D700 or D300S, or pro shooters in need of a back-up body (sports photogra-

phers excepted), the D800 will

b e v e r y tempting.

Agence France Presse

A drug tipped for widespread use to prevent breast cancer in post-menopausal women also accelerates loss of bone density, thus potentially boosting the risk of fractures, a study published on Tuesday said. Exemes-tane -- brand name Aromasin -- is part of a drug class called aromatase inhibitors, which lower levels of the oestrogen that some breast cancers need in order to grow.

Canadian bone specialists took a look at a group of patients who had taken part in a study into the effectiveness of exemestane among

4,500 healthy women with a worry-ing family history of breast cancer. Overall, the big study showed that the drug was highly effective, re-ducing the risk of breast cancer by almost two-thirds.

The bone sub-study looked at 351 women who had been taking either exemestane or a dummy lookalike pill and whose bone density was measured with hi-tech scanners. After two years, women taking exemestane had a high loss of bone density at a common frac-ture point in the wrist called the distal radius, and also at the lower end of the tibia, compared with their

counterparts on placebo.The exemestane users also had an

eight-percent decline in the thick-ness of cortical bone, which com-prises the protective outer shell of the bones. That finding in particular is worrying because nearly four out of every five fractures in old age occur in cortical bone. These accidents are a huge source of disability.

“Women considering exemes-tane for the primary prevention of breast cancer should weigh their in-dividual risks and benefits,” says the study, headed by Angela Cheung of the University Health Network in Toronto.

AFP Photo/Philippe Huguen

A drug tipped for widespread use to prevent breast cancer in post-meno-pausal women also accelerates loss of bone density, thus potentially boosting the risk of fractures, a study published on Tuesday said.

Anti-cancer drug for women weakens bone density

AFP Photo/Brigitte Weidlich

A wild antilope grazes in Namibia’s Etosha National Park in 2007. Scientists digging in the Namibian national park have uncovered sponge-like fossils they say are the first animals, a discovery that would push the emergence of animal life back millions of years.

Namibia sponge fossils Agence France Presse

Scientists digging in a Namibian national park have uncovered sponge-like fossils they say are the first animals, a discovery that would push the emergence of animal life back millions of years.

Nikon unveils D800 DSLR

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 14 InternationalSport

He did not miss a great dealof action but his team defended

a point after failing to score in

23 matches. Spurs stayed third on50 points, seven behind leaders

of champions Manchester United.They also remained seven clear of

United on Sunday.-

matches, remained seventh on 39points, one behind Arsenal. Liv-erpool enjoyed more possessionthan Spurs but failed to seriouslytrouble the visitors, though man-

the team played. We kept themunder a lot of pressure. We justneeded the bounce of the ball to

it,” he told Sky Sports. Tottenhamassistant manager Kevin Bond, in

absence, told the BBC: “We had

our lives at the end.“We didn’t create many chances

Gareth Bale’s chance, the goal-

a good result for us.”Liverpool striker Andy Car-

roll had a good opportunity toscore after 74 minutes but skied

Suarez headed straight at former

chance. Suarez came on after 66

eight-match ban for racially abus-ing Manchester United’s PatriceEvra in October and one game for

early December.Spurs’ best chance fell to Bale

-

at either end and one of the high-

cat ran on to the pitch and causeda short delay.

AP Photo/Tim Hales

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, right, vies for the ball against Tot-tenham Hotspur’s Benoit Assou-Ekotto during their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield, Liverpool, England, Monday Feb. 6, 2012.

Suarez return fails to inspire LiverpoolReuters

LONDON - Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez returned after a nine-match absence but failed toinspire Liverpool to victory in a cagey 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League

the day’s court proceedings in his tax evasion trial, missed the game because of a technical faultthat prevented his plane from taking off.

Reuters

has emerged as the undisputedleader of an exciting young Maliside six months after returningfrom a 20-month hiatus from theinternational game. The 32-year-

carried high on the shoulders ofhis team mates after scoring thedecisive penalty in the shootoutagainst Gabon in their AfricanNations Cup quarter-final onSunday.

-ing to play for the team in protest

Keita emerges from exile to lead Mali to semis

Mali’s Seydou Keita reacts after defeating Gabon in penalties during their Afri-can Cup of Nations quarter final soccer match at Stade De L’Amitie in Libreville, Ga-bon, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012.

by the country’s soccer federa-

any I’ve had at Barcelona,” said

Alain Giresse and captain CedricKante listened attentively.

“I’m one of the older players inthe team but I feel younger thanany of the other squad members

round. Persuaded back in Septem-ber last year, he competed in the

participation at the tournamentin Equatorial Guinea and Gabon

that has undergone much changeunder Giresse.

‘SOMETHING SPECIAL’

Mali flag, Keita defended hislengthy self-imposed exile and

spoke of his loyalty. “It’s not nor-mal not to play for one’s countrybut I had objections and reasons,”

too,” he added, citing the example

misgivings.”

appeal for peace in his country,

north of the country has led to an

displaced, before his mood bright-ened as he spoke of matters on the

kick as Mali beat Gabon 5-4 on

on Wednesday.“This is something special for

me because I’m not getting any

minutes but I’m really happy. Wehave a team under reconstruction

competing up to their potential.”AP Photo/Francois Mori

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 15International Sport

The Rose Garden Crowd wailedwhen the replay was shown onthe video scoreboard. Coach NateMcMillan rushed to the nearestofficial to complain. Aldridge,who finished with a season-high39 points, just looked stunned. “Isaid, ‘Y’all should go look at it,’”Aldridge said. “And the ref said,‘Nope.’” And that was that. Rus-sell Westbrook added 28 pointsand 11 rebounds for the Thunder,who upped their NBA-best recordto 19-5 (.792). Oklahoma Cityoutscored the deflated Blazers 8-4in overtime to clinch it.

Westbrook hit a jumper andJames Harden added a fast-breakdunk to give the Thunder a 107-103 lead. Jamal Crawford’s pull-upjumper narrowed it to 109-107 forthe Blazers, but Durant dunkedwith 2.9 seconds left to put it away.“It was a tough game,” Thundercoach Scott Brooks said. “It couldhave gone either way. I don’t thinkone call is a difference-maker.”

It was just the second loss for

the Blazers (13-11) at the RoseGarden. “It’s tough. We definitelyplayed well enough to win thisgame,” Aldridge said. “We hadsome tough calls and then we hadsome bad bounces late in the game.We have to learn from it.”

The Blazers trailed by as manyas 12 points in the second half,but Nicolas Batum hit a 3-pointerthat tied it at 63 with 6:52 left.Aldridge added a jumper to putPortland ahead.

Aldridge hit a turnaround jump-er with 3:37 to go to make it 99-95for the Blazers. After a pair of freethrows, Durant made a 3-pointer toclose to 101-98. Westbrook madefree throws to tie it for OklahomaCity, and then Crawford’s jumperwith 55.9 seconds left pulled theBlazers back ahead. Portlandclung to the narrow lead when,with 6 seconds left, Aldridge wascalled for goaltending on Durant’slayup.

“It didn’t hit the glass. I put it onthe glass, so I figured it was a clean

block,” Aldridge said. “The refwho called it was the furthest onefrom the basket, so that’s prettyinteresting.” Coach Nate McMillanwas much more direct: “I thoughtit was a good block. That gameshould have been over.” Durantfelt otherwise.

“I saw the lane to the rim andI tried to get it up there quick be-cause LaMarcus Aldridge is a long,athletic defender,” he said. “So Igot it up there quick enough that ithit the glass first. It was a goaltend,so it was a good play for us.”

Batum missed a layup for Port-land’s final possession and thegame went to overtime and theRose Garden crowd jeered the of-ficials. The boos came again afterthe game when the refs quicklyexited the floor.

The Thunder were coming offa 107-96 loss at San Antonio onSaturday, which kicked off a five-game road trip. Durant had 22points and 11 rebounds for his fifthstraight double-double.

AP Photo/Don Ryan

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, right, drives on Porltand Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge dur-ing the first half of their NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., Monday, Feb. 6, 2012.

NBA-best Thunder beat Blazers 111-107 in OTAssociated Press Writer

PORTLAND, Ore. — A satisfying victory for Oklahoma City was a head-scratcher for Portland.Kevin Durant had 33 points, including a dunk with 2.9 seconds left in overtime, and the Thunderdefeated the Trail Blazers 111-107 on Monday night. But the focus of the game fell on a goaltendingcall on Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge with 6 seconds left in regulation that tied the game at103 and would send it into overtime.

Associated Press Writer

GENEVA — Three days after U.S.prosecutors dropped their investigationof doping claims against Lance Arm-strong, fellow Tour de France championAlberto Contador was stripped of his2010 title when sports’ highest courtrejected the Spanish cyclist’s story thatcontaminated meat caused him to fail adrug test.

The 29-year-old Contador, who alsowon the Tour in 2007 and ‘09, testedpositive for clenbuterol during a Tourrest day in July 2010. Contador’s banwas backdated to Jan. 25, 2011 — mak-ing him eligible to return on Aug. 6.

“Unlike certain other countries,notably outside Europe, Spain is notknown to have a contamination problemwith clenbuterol in meat,” the Court ofArbitration for Sport said in its ruling.“Furthermore, no other cases of athleteshaving tested positive to clenbuterol al-legedly in connection with the consump-tion of Spanish meat are known.”

Contador had been thought likely tochallenge Armstrong’s record of seven

career Tour victories. Instead, he joinsFloyd Landis as the only riders strippedof their Tour titles after testing positivefor banned performance-enhancing drugs.Andy Schleck of Luxembourg is now inline to take Contador’s 2010 title.

The CAS verdict in Lausanne, Swit-zerland, was delivered 566 days afterContador cycled triumphantly along theChamps d’Elysees in Paris.

The ruling came after Armstrong’s

with U.S. federal authorities droppingan investigation into alleged dopinginvolving his Tour teams.

Cycling’s governing body, which hadjoined the World Anti-Doping Agency inforcing Contador into court, said it took

against drug cheats.“This is a sad day for our sport,”

International Cycling Union presidentPat McQuaid said in a statement. “Somemay think of it as a victory, but that isnot at all the case. There are no winnerswhen it comes to the issue of doping:every case, irrespective of its character-istics, is always a case too many.”

Sports court strips Contador of 2010 Tour title

REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

Astana rider Alberto Contador of Spain holds up his arms as he wins the 15th stage of the 96th Tour de France cycling race between Pontarlier and Verbier, July 19, 2009.

Wednesday, February 8, 201216 SportI N T E R N A T I O N A L

A Renault engine has taken the place of last year’s Cosworth, Brazilian Bruno Senna has ousted veteran compatriot Rubens Barrichello and a new technical line-up is in charge following the depar-tures of Sam Michael and Patrick Head.

The dark-blue-and-white FW34 that was rolled out of the garage without fanfare on a chilly morning before the first pre-season test was without doubt the least attractive Williams since the ‘Walrus-nosed’ FW26 of 2004. It fea-tured the by-now conventional stepped nose that has appeared on all the 2012 cars with the exception of McLaren.

Williams, who scored just five points last year with Barrichello and Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado, will not care how it looks so long as it is quicker and more reli-able than its predecessor. “One could say that looking at the Williams F1 Team today we are off to a truly fresh start,” said team founder Frank Williams in a statement.

“We have a new car, new driver line up, new engine and new senior personnel. We also have a number of new partners who have joined the team in the past few months. “The team has had a good winter at the factory and we feel ready and strong for the fight.”

While the Renault engine is the same as that used by champions Red Bull, it is also identical to the one powering Cater-ham, the former Team Lotus who have yet to score a point. The roll-out was a novelty for Senna, who scored two points and started the final eight races of 2011 with Renault. He made his F1 debut in 2010 with struggling HRT, who did not have a car ready to test that year.

“This is my ever first pre-season test-ing programme since I started in Formula One two years ago,” said the Brazilian. “I’m really motivated and looking for-ward to working hard and with everyone in the team. I hope we have a success-ful month testing and developing the car so we arrive in Melbourne as well prepared as possible.” Melbourne hosts the opening grand prix of the season on March 18

VALENTINO Ross i has undergone surgery to remove the metal rod that was placed in his right tibia when he broke his leg in 2010.

The Mugello practice crash nearly two years ago forced Rossi to miss several races, ending his 2010 title bid. The rod has remained in his leg since then. Today’s operation at Cattolica’s Cervesi hospi-tal was a complete success, and Rossi will be fully fit for the next MotoGP test at Sepang from 28 February

to 1 March.His Ducati team-mate

Nicky Hayden was also having surgery today to attend to shoulder damage sustained in a training acci-dent just after Christmas.

ENTergonthe med in h

e brok

Mugeearly

ced Rracese bid.d in hday’s

Cattolica’s Cel

Valentino Rossi has

rod removed from leg MotoGP rider Valen-

tino Rossi from Italy crouches beside his Ducati during a pre-

season test run at Sepang circuit in

Sepang, Malaysia, Wednesday, Feb. 1,

2012.

AP Photo/Vincent Thian

Williams declare fresh F1 start after grim 2011Reuters

JEREZ, Spain - Former world champions Williams presented their new car on Tuesday and declared a fresh start after enduring their worst season in Formula One.