Edisi 13 Desember 2010 | International Bali Post

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Monday, December 13, 2010

Weather Service warns of 8-state Midwest blizzard

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

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Bali to promote tourism through art gruop PAGE 8

AP photo/TV4

In this image from video, showing emergency services as they attend the scene after a car exploded in the center of Stockholm on Saturday Dec. 11, 2010. Two separate explosions shook the busy shopping area in central Stockholm on Saturday. This car exploded and another unexplained explosion happened shortly after leaving one person dead, rescue officials said.

Sobbing fans give Oprah a Sydney welcome PAGE 12

Twin blasts in Stockholm leave one dead Agence France Presse

WEATHER FORECAST

STOCKHOLM - Twin blasts in central Stockholm killed one person and injured two others, in what Sweden’s foreign minister said was a “terrorist” attack that could have had “catastrophic” consequences. The explosions on Saturday, in a busy part of the capital packed with Christmas shoppers, came minutes after a Swedish news agency received a message denouncing Sweden’s military presence in Afghanistan and threatening deadly attacks.

One of the blasts killed the suspected bomber, Sweden’s SVT reported, although neither police nor

the intelligence service would confirm that it was an attack. But Carl Bildt’s comments, sent from his

Twitter account, were unequivocal.

“Most worrying attempt at terrorist attack in crowded part of central

CITY

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Royal photos show relaxed, loving William and Kate

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Associated Press Writer

YOGYAKARTA

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LONDON – Prince William and Kate Middleton look relaxed, poised and very much in love in official photos released to mark their engagement.

One of the two images by Mario Testino shows the couple, dressed in jeans and casual tops, smiling in each others’ arms. The other, more formal, depicts them standing together in a state room at St. James’s Palace. The pictures, released Sunday by the prince’s of-

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fice, were taken by fashion photographer Testino, a royal family favorite who captured some of the most iconic images of William’s late mother, Princess Diana.

Testino said the couple appeared “in their prime and brimming with happiness” when he photographed them on Nov. 25. “I have never felt so much joy as when I see them together,” he said.

The Peruvian photographer, who made his name shooting models like Kate Moss, took a series of glamorous black-and-white im-

Stockholm,” wrote Bildt.

“Failed — but could have been truly catastrophic...” he added. The first blast hit at around 4:50 pm (1550 GMT) when a parked car packed with gas canisters exploded, police said. That explosion left two people in need of hospital treatment for minor injuries, said emergency services spokesman Bengt Norberg.

Continued on page 6

ages of Diana that were published in Vanity Fair in 1997, shortly before her death in a Paris car crash.

William, who is second in line to the British throne, has inherited his mother’s poise. In both pictures he and Middleton appear entirely comfortable with the camera and each other.

Continued on page 6

This handout picture shows an official portrait of Prince William and his fiance Miss Catherine Middleton.

AFP PHOTO / MARIO TESTINO

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International

Monday, December 13, 2010

Bali News To protect local agricultural products

Religious council asked to issue Bhisama Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Agricultural products yielded by local farmers of Bali increasingly get marginalized. Various agricultural products from outside Bali like fruits unceasingly penetrated into the markets of Bali. They consequently caused the farming community in Bali unmovable. To make the local agricultural products survive on its own land, the religious institution such as the Hindu Dharma Council of Indonesia (PHDI) was asked to issue a Bhisama or religious stipulation. By doing so, the Balinese community especially those of Hindu can be slowly driven to prioritize the utilization of local agricultural products.

Meanwhile, for the benefit of tourism, local government is appealed to increase intensively the tourism awareness among the stakeholders especially to take advantage of local agricultural products through sustainable socialization. Thus, the Head of Bali Industry and Commercial Services, Gede Darmaja, told Bali Post on Saturday (Dec 11).

In the era of free trade, he said, the government certainly was unable to prohibit the coming of agricultural products from overseas to Indonesia, including Bali. Nevertheless, Darmaja admitted to agree if local agricultural products should be protected. One of the efforts attempted to protect the local agricultural product was by building community awareness to love domestic products. Especially Balinese with the majority of Hindu, the awareness efforts could be built by issuing Bhisama or religious stipulation so that the Hindus would take advantage of raw materials of their offerings produced by local farmers. “As initial measure, the religious institution can urge its people to offer local fruits in each religious ceremony.

So far, the fruits used as a means of ceremony mostly consisted of products from outside Bali and even imported products,” he said.

Meanwhile, Darmaja also asked the farmers of Bali to continuously improve the quality of their agricultural products. Aside from improving the quality, they should be able to maintain the continuity of production and compete in the matter of fair price. “If they could be met by farmers of Bali, I have great confidence that dominance of agricultural products from outside Bali currently penetrating Bali could be gradually reduced,” he said.

Darmaja added that recently a discourse indeed developed requiring the provincial government of Bali to make a regulation protecting the local agricultural products.

In the regional regulation (Perda), regional governments should oblige

hotels and restaurants in Bali to take advantage of local agricultural products. However, he said, the making of regulation should pass through a comprehensive study. In response to this, hotels and restaurants of course would ask for guarantees from local government that the farming community in Bali could provide the agricultural products required by the tourism. Particularly, they had to meet the quality and continuous availability of those local agricultural products. “Of course, it is a great challenge for farmers in Bali, whether they are able to provide the agricultural products with the required quality and ensure the availability at all times,” he said.

Darmaja asserted that increasing number of imported agricultural products, especially fruits brought into Bali, because those imported fruits met the quality standards required by the hotels. In the meantime, local fruits were not fully able to meet these quality standards.

“They (hotels—Ed) have a reason that they belong to international standard hotel. However, I suggest why they were not combined. For instance, one imported fruit is combined with two local fruits. In this case, we will approach the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) so they could be driven to use the local agricultural products,” he asserted. (kmb13)

IBP/ist

A farmer in Bali is cleaning his rice field.

BDF agrees to In Besakih, President asks intensify democracy officials to pray for security in Asia-Pacific region of Bali and Indonesia Mangupura (Bali Post)—

Amlapura (Bali Post)—

Bali Democracy Forum (BDF) held in Nusa Dua, Bali, on December 910 agreed to more intensify the democracy within the Asia-Pacific region.

Proceeds of the democracy forum held for the third time were also submitted to the Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD) affiliating with the University of Udayana.

Director of Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Habir Kusuma, said that in the recent BDF all participating countries agreed to discuss about the importance of intensifying the growth of democracy in Asian and the Pacific region. Democracy was also expected to grow from the local situation of the country concerned.

“The democracy wished is the home grown one, not democracy grown by external parties or under the pressure of other countries,” said Habir in the press conference at The Westin, Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday (Dec 10).

Habir explained further that recommendations made in the BDF were also encouraging so the countries having commitment to keep on developing the democracy. “Obviously, it is pursuant to the ability of individual country,” he observed.

In the fourth BDF next year, Habir recognized that a number of participating countries wanted the addition of materials. These materials were expected to bring more concrete cooperation or more obvious activities to provide benefits of the BDF. Furthermore, the implementation of BDF recommendations would be undertaken by the Institute for Peace and Democracy (IPD) inaugurated in 2008. “The proceeds of BDF will be implemented and undertaken by the institute,” he said.

Meanwhile, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Michael Tene, said the IPD would be carrying out activities with the nuance of capacity improvement, seminars and workshops. “Later on, there will also be some visits to member countries carrying out their elections,” he added.. (par/kmb13)

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) paid his first visit to Besakih Temple on Friday (Dec 10) afternoon since he ruled the roost in 2004. The President seemed to get stunned by the greatness and holiness of the mother temple of Bali.

On that occasion, the President asked the Hindu officials also accompanying the visit to worship and say prayers for the security and prosperity of Bali and the Indonesia’s archipelago.

Yudhoyono and his entourage had to walk around and see a number of temple’s buildings in Penataran Agung complex. The President was provided a description by one of the temple priests in Besakih, Gusti Mangku Jana, accompanied by other priests as well as the Head of Besakih customary village I Wayan Gunatra. After the Hindu officials said prayers, Yudhoyono also prayed in order their prayers could be answered and God bestowed safety for Bali and the archipelago as well as peace and prosperity for the people.

“This temple is so grandiose and sacred. Hopefully, request of those who had say prayers solemnly here would be answered,” the president said.

SBY was sitting in one of the temple buildings along with other officials. At that time, aside from listening to the exposure on the temple’s history, the President was also given a book telling about the history of Besakih Temple.

Meanwhile, the President handed over an aid worth IDR 100 million for the temple maintenance.

The visit of Yudhoyono to the temple was for the first time. It was made on the last day of his working visit after over a week in Bali. Wearing a white headdress affixed with a red hibiscus, reddish long-sleeved shirt with vertical stripes and dark trousers fitted with yellow shawl, Yudhoyono was accompanied by First Lady Mrs. Ani Yudhoyono. Similarly, the First Lady wore a small shawl on waist. She was accompanied by the entourage of ministers such as Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik, Minister of Youth and Sports Andi Malarangeng.(013)

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Bali News

International

Monday, December 13, 2010

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Killing Small Businesses, Representatives Looked Over National Mini Market Permit Gianyar (Bali Post)-

The spreading two national mini market reaching villages became a worry during House of Representatives (DPRD) General Assembly. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (BTI) Fraction for Gianyar DPRD generally criticizes Executive’s policy has not understood over the spreading franchise kind mini markets. It is thought the permits were given without smart analyze which have avoided and ignored the public’s economy such as small businesses and traditional market traders.

BTI Fraction member, Ida Bagus Putu Pawitrem, a couple of times ago thinks this is uncontrollable. What happened seemed to have injured economy justice towards small businesses in villages. The BTI Fraction hoped there will be a policy that limits mini market’s movement so it won’t kill small and medium businesses in villages. Mini Markets

should just operate around the sub district city and so the government policy to develop and protect public economy won’t just sayings but definitely applied.

The permit givers have to be smart in giving decisions. Not only economically but also the environment and traffic because several cases had happened such as it caused social crowd like traffic jams and unhealthy economy competition.

Meanwhile according to the data this year, mini markets around Gianyar has increased and in every sub district city there are four mini market that is selling essentials which are also sold by small business. More ironically, from one mini market to another it is located close to each other.

And so, it seems the Region Government is very cool with this without thinking the regulation that protects smaller public economy. (kmb16)

Increasing, Diabetes Cases Suffer by Younger People Denpasar (Bali Post)-

Not only infected disease we have to worry, but also the non infected ones. One of them increasing now is diabetes mellitus (DM). At Sanglah Hospital, everyday 50 patients gets home treatment and 30-40 patients hospitalized.

To give socialization and special treatment for DM patients, Sanglah Hospital with Udayana University Medicine Faculty opened a Diabetes Services Center placed at Sanglah Hospital.

“With this the services for DM patients can be more comprehensive, not only on treating but also in preventing,” Sanglah Hospital Human Resource Director, Drs. Dewa Agung K. Sudarsana, MM stated in the middle of the center’s soft opening last Saturday (11/12). The Center will be especially for those who had complications and bruises due to DM, “In the future, it is hoped with this Center the DM patients’ treatment will be better.”

Meanwhile Dean of the Unud Medicine Faculty, Prof. Dr. dr.

Ketut Suastika, SpPD (KEMD) explained that the DM case in the public now has kept increasing and it is a disease that costs a lot due to its complications, “DM tends to cause complication on heart and liver which needs high priced medication. Not only on the cost, but the risk of death as well if not treated and medicated.”

In general, DM type 2 is the most happening on adults now.

Most of them are not because of gene but more on the environment factor such as eating habit and lazy exercising, “Now most food are junk food which contains lots of fat and also most are lazy to move. Even turning off a TV is using a remote.”

If then DM was caught by adults over 40, now with younger age even teens can get it too, “Now, many teens caught DM. Usually on those who has fat body.” If then parents think if their kids fat is cute and healthy, now they have to be careful as this means they could get DM. For 17 years and over, fat limit can be measured by BMI limits or abdominal circumference size. If the abdominal circumference is over 23, then it is stated as overweight while over 25 stated as obesity and have to be careful with the risk of DM. To prevent DM, Suastika suggested for those who are 40 years old and over, they should do a full check up. And for those over 17 years old, DM symptoms can be seen if sufferer pee a lot, keep being hungry and thirsty also the body all of a sudden became thin and weak, “DM like other non infected disease can’t be gone completely but the blood sugar can be controlled.”

For that, keep exercising and eat healthily such as rice, meats and vegetables have to be balanced, “For food such as fatty meat has to be changed sometimes to fish or tempe or tofu.” (san)

IBP/bal

The “Ngelawang” procession which is done by the children in Klungkung Regency.

Surviving in Technological Era Ngelawang Needs Mending The developing technological era needs to be thanked as it doesn’t completely sink the traditional activities especially for the children as the continuing generation. Like the activity ngelawang (going around using barong costume) during Galungan and Kuningan days are still actively done by kids who join barong groups (sekaa). Besides entertaining, ngelawang means to scare the devils. Only just, there has been a move that needs to be mended before the tradition lost its meaning.

Until now, Balinese children still does it, going around from door to door giving entertainment to the public celebrating “winning”. The Ngelawang tradition has a main purpose as one of the ways to take negative things out of human life and to harmony the world also to neutralize those disharmonies such as crime, illness and more.

Ngelwang happens at Galungan Day such as last Wednesday (8/11).

In a number of sekaa there will be a sudden numbers of kids such as at Klungkung Region, going from one banjar to another or even from one house to another. The barong would be barong bangkung, ketet and more.

One of the sekaa seen ngelawang during Umanis Galungan on Thursday (9/ 12) was sekaa/sanggar Wisnu Murti form Banjar Siku, Kamasan, Klungkung. Around 15 children who joined the sekaa barong went around to a number of villages dancing with barong bangkung costume. For one time ngelawang, they can get hundred thousands rupiah. The parents are sup-

portive of it as it is a way to preserve tradition and a creative way to fill in their holidays. Economically they also get pocket money.

“In the mythology “Susastra Barong Suari” it is told Tri Murti (Brahma, Wisnu, and Siwa) came down to earth in a barong form to neutralized adharma (bad evil) things from the earth. This is what’s connected with ngelawang until now, especially at Galungan which is the day Dharma wins against Adharma,” spiritual figure, Dewa Ketut Soma, from Satra Village, Klungkung stated last Sunday (11/12).

He clarified, it can be seen that this is a way to neutralize negative things as it is brought to every compass points of the area, “I am thankful that this ngelawang tradition still exists and can survive until now.”

Although, there are some things need to be mended. If it’s connected to Asta Dasa Parwa where Pandawa did their obliged yadnya to offer everything owned as a reciprocity symbol which means during ngelawang it

is obliged to anyone who wants to get Tri Murti’s protection then has to give offerings of canang sari (small offering flowers placed on a woven coconut leaf tray), “Yet many people only gave money to the sekaa to have the barong performed in front of their houses. Actually it should be completed with canang sari.” Dewa Soma also stated that ngelawang can be doen since Galungan (Buda Kliwon Dungulan) until Buda Pegatuakan.

Meanwhile, the ngelawang activity always takes the sympathy out from the people and so they would give IDR 5.000 to 50.000 as an honor for one performance. “It’s enough for extra pocket money when going to school,” Gede Arya, one of the sekaa member, explaned. It is said the ngelawang activity has been done by his sekaa since three years ago. For this Galungan, sekaa barong Wisnu Murti has ngelawang since Penampahan Galungan last Tuesday (7/12), “But when it rains the income is less. At Galungan day it becomes crowded.

We got IDR 560 Thousand.” (bal)

Lightning Hit Resident House Gianyar (Bali Post)-

Thunders of heavy rain duing Friday (10/12) early morning left devastation for the residents of Banjar Duur Kaja, Lebih Village, Gianyar, Nyoman Karya (50) and Jro Mangku Penyarikan (48).

The two houses were hit by lightning damaged the houses with Karya’s worst hit. The three bedroom house built just 4 months ago had its wall fractured, roof broken and electronic de-

vices seriously damaged. While next to it, Jro Mangku’s house had only its balai dangin damaged. Both houses are located quite higher than the other houses on the south. “The event just happened like that,” Karya admitted.

That night, Karya with wife was sleeping in the middle room and despite the noise of thunders they stay put.

The first lightning shocked victim and the second explosive one is realized to have attacked his house. The

electric fan in his room was broken and damaged while the room seemed like burnt. His child’s room was worse damaged with electronic devices into pieces, window glasses broken, and walls fractured. It also happened at the kitchen, “That night my son was going out so unwanted events did not happen.” It is thought that the lightning hit the TV’s antenna in the room which still stuck to its electricity cable, “I forgot to detach it.” (Kmb16)

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News

Monday, December 13, 2010

International

Sarah Palin visits Haiti under tight guard PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin began a tightly stage-managed visit to Haiti on Saturday in which she visited cholera clinics while avoiding crowds and the press.

The 2008 vice presidential candidate was a guest of Rev. Franklin Graham, whose aid group works in the impoverished country. Haiti is facing a brutal cholera epidemic while struggling with an electoral crisis and reconstruction from the January earthquake.

Palin, who traveled in part by helicopter, provided access on her tour solely to the U.S. cable network Fox News. Graham’s organization, Samaritan’s Purse, refused to discuss Palin’s itinerary with other media and asked Haitian and American reporters to leave its compounds, citing a “security lockdown.”

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting this community. They are so full of joy,” Palin was quoted as saying on the organization’s website.

“We are so fortunate in America, and we are responsible for helping those less fortunate.”

Associated Press television journalists saw Palin talking with foreign aid workers. She wore cargo pants, a T-shirt and designer sunglasses on her first trip outside the United States since speaking to investors in Hong Kong last

year. That speech was also closed to the media.

Samaritan’s Purse posted pictures online of Palin touring a postquake shelter, touching the hand of a Haitian child and laughing with Graham and Fox News host Greta van Susteren. Palin’s visit comes amid a cholera outbreak that has killed more than 2,000 people and sickened more than 96,000 others.

This week the country was rocked by riots following the announcement of preliminary results from the Nov. 28 presidential election, which eliminated a popular carnival singer from a run-off in favor of the governmentbacked candidate.

On Saturday, two of the three leading candidates rejected an offer to participate in a re-count. Protests began again in parts of the capital in the evening. Though Port-au-Prince was calm for most of the day, Palin avoided the capital, heading north to visit a Samaritan’s Purse project in the small town of Bercy.

No Haitians interviewed had heard of Palin, but when told she is an American politican, they said her visit was welcome. “It would be good if she came, because we could tell her that we need medicine and jobs,” said Roseline Frederique, a 21-year-old resident of the capital’s Cite Soleil slum who is being treated for cholera symptoms.

AP Photo/Matt Dunham

Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, react as their car is attacked by angry protesters in London, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010.

Royal attack prompts questions over UK security Associated Press Writer

LONDON – British officials defended the country’s security establishment Friday after rampaging student protesters attacked a car carrying the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.

AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, center, has her hair done during a visit to a cholera treatment center set up by the NGO Samaritan’s Purse in Cabaret, Haiti, Saturday Dec. 11, 2010.

The chief of the Metropolitan Police pledged to launch a full and detailed investigation into the incident, which saw protesters set upon the heir to the throne’s Rolls Royce as it drove through London’s busy West End Thursday night. A group of up to 20 protesters, some chanting “off with their heads!” smashed a rear window and splashed white paint on the vehicle. Charles and Camilla were visibly shaken, but unharmed.

The security breach is particularly embarrassing for police and the Royal

household in the run-up to Prince William’s 2011 wedding, raising questions over whether or not security protocols need to be reviewed.

Prime Minister David Cameron said police must learn from the lapse in security but not be blamed for it, insisting that protesters should feel “the full force of the law.”

“Let’s be very clear about where responsibility lies,” Cameron, speaking in Downing Street. “Responsibility for smashing property, or violence, lies with the people who

perpetrate that violence and I want to see them arrested and punished in the correct way.”

The premier also shrugged off claims that violence was limited to a small minority of protesters, saying “there were quite a number of people who clearly were there wanting to pursue violence and destroy property.”

Metropolitan Police Chief Paul Stephenson commended officers for their bravery and said the nearly 3,000-strong contingent of officers out to deal with Thursday’s protests showed commendable restraint in dealing with the “dreadful” actions of “thugs.” Buckingham Palace said it does not comment on security procedures.

Gunbattle kills 11 in western Mexican town Associated Press Writer

MEXICO CITY – A gunbattle between rival gangs killed 11 people during a Virgin of Guadalupe celebration in a western Mexican town, authorities said Saturday.

Armed men arrived in three cars and opened fire on another group of gunmen in the main plaza of Tecalitlan just as a crowd was gathering Friday night, the Jalisco state attorney general’s office said in a statement. One of the gunmen

hurled a grenade.

Eight men were killed at the scene and two others died at a hospital, the office said. Another man, the brother of one of those killed in the plaza, was found shot to death next to a car on the highway just outside the small town, the statement said.

Inside the car, which had been reported stolen, authorities found two banners. One read: “We haven’t come to kill innocent people. We’ve come for El Zopilote.” The other said: “We do not charge quotas.” Photographs of

the aftermath showed overturned chairs in front of a stage where a mariachi band was set to play. A large image of the Virgin of Guadalupe loomed over the scene.

Police were investigating whether the death of two other men, whose torched remains were found inside a car in the nearby town of Zapotiltic, were tied to the Tecalitlan shootout.

In Tecalitlan, police recovered a grenade launcher and bullet clips for AK-47 and AR-15 rifles. The banners

and the weapons suggested the gunmen were drug gang members, but authorities had no information on the suspects or motive for the shooting.

Tecalitlan is near Michoacan state, where La Familia cartel leader Nazario Moreno Gonzalez was killed this week in two days of shootouts between gunmen and federal police.

At least 11 other people were killed in the violence in Michoacan, including a baby and a teenage girl.

Cartel gunmen attacked motorists

and used their vehicles as barricades across the state to prevent federal police from sending reinforcements to Apatzingan, the town where the government says Moreno was killed in a shootout Thursday. The government says cartel gunmen fled with some of their dead and Moreno’s body has not been recovered.

Mexico’s bloody drug war has claimed more than 28,000 lives since President Felipe Calderon intensified a crackdown on cartels when he took office in late 2006.

Activities

International

Monday, December 13, 2010

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Bamboo Indah IBP

UBUD - Literally meaning ‘Beautiful Bamboo’ this latest dreamy enclave is located in the village of Baung in the Sayan region of Ubud.

This retreat is comprised of seven unique Javanese houses. These are historic traditional homes built by Javanese tribes over 100 years ago.

They are hand-carved teak wood, some intricately painted and all finished with thatched grass roofs. These houses once served as the residences of a Javanese nobleman (as bridal homes).

John Hardy brought them from Java and lovingly restored them to serve as accommodation to many of his guests as well as a private hotel.

Temple Ceremony Calendar Event for December 1st through December 13th 2010 December 1st

Temple anniversary celebrations and full moon ceremony at : - Pura Bhatara Kawitan Pura Agung Bangli, downtown of Bangli - Pura Pasek Gelgel, Pedungan village, south of Denpasar - Pura Kertha, Banyuning village, downtown of Singaraja ( north Bali) - Pura Taman, Bubunan village, district of Seririt, Buleleng regency ( north Bali) December 2nd

Temple anniversary celebrations and full moon ceremony at : - Pura Puseh and Desa Silakarang village district of Sukawati village, Gianyar regency - Pura Dalem Pulasari Samprangan village, district of Blahbatuh, Gianyar regency - Pura Natih, banjar kaloh batuan village - Pura Dalem petitenget, Kerobokan village, district of Kuta, Badung regency December 3rd

Temple anniversary celebrations and full moon ceremony at : - Pura Dalem Puri, Besakih village, Karangasem regency - Pura Dalem Puri, Batuan village, Gianyar regency - Pura Dalem, Singakertha village, district of Ubud, Gianyar regency - Pura Dalem Agung, downtown of Bangli - Pura Dalem, Ketewel village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency - Pura Desa, Downtown of Denpasar - Pura Puncak Payogan, Kedewatan village, district of Ubud, Gianyar regency December 8th

Temple anniversary celebrations and full moon ceremony at : - Pura Merajan Agung, Batuyang village, district of

Sukawati, Gianyar regency - Pura Tanjungsari, Padangbai village, Karangasem regency.

December 8th Galungan

This is the most important holiday symbolizing the victory of Virtue (Dharma) upon Evil (Adharma). The holiday is specialized by the fitting of ‘penjor’, a tall bamboo pole splendidly decorated with woven young coconut leaves, fruit, cakes and flowers, on the right side of every house entrance. People are attired in their finest clothes and jewels this day.

December 11th

Temple ceremony on this day: - Segara Temple, Jembrana Regency - Dalem Gede Temple, Losan – Klungkung Regency December 12th

- Redite Wage Kuningan, Ulihan. Balinese do believe, this day is the return of all mighty spirit back to heaven after leaved a prosperity and longevity to the worshipers.

Temple ceremony on this day:

- Dalem Tegal Tamu Temple, Sekarmukti, Batubulan - Gianyar Regency - Kubayan Umagunung Temple, Sempidi – Badung Regency December 13th

Temple ceremony on this day: - Dasar Gelgel Temple, Gelgel – Klungkung Regency - Pasek Tohjiwa Temple, Sawah, Selemadeg – Tabanan Regency - Pemerajan Agung Temple, Benawah Kangin – Gianyar Regency - Panti Pasek Gelgel Temple, Pelapuhan, Busungbiu - Buleleng Regency - Kahyangan Tulus Temple, Apuan – Tabanan Regency

Balinese Temple Ceremony EVERY Temple and Shrine has a special date for it annual Ceremony, or “ Odalan “, every 210 days according to Balinese calendar, including the smaller ancestral shrine which each family possesses. Because of this practically every few days a ceremony of festival of some kind takes place in some Village in Bali. There are also times when the entire island celebrated the same Holiday, such as at Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi day, Saraswati day, Tumpek Landep day, Pagerwesi day, Tumpek Wayang day etc.

The dedication or inauguration day of a Temple is considered its birth day and celebration always takes place on the same day if the wuku or 210 day calendar is used. When new moon is used then the celebration always happens on new moon or full moon. The day of course can differ the religious celebration of a temple lasts at least one full day with some temple celebrating for three days while the celebration of Besakih temple, the Mother Temple, is never less than 7 days and most of the time it lasts for 11 days, depending on the importance of the occasion.

The celebration is very colorful. The shrine are dressed with pieces of cloths and sometimes with brocade, sailings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines.

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

6

Monday, December 13, 2010

News

Weather Service warns of 8-state Midwest blizzard Agence France Presse

MINNEAPOLIS – Much of the upper Midwest braced for frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall Sunday as the National Weather Service warned of blizzard conditions spanning parts of eight states.

The heavy storm was moving eastward a day after it dumped 20 inches of snow in parts of the region, forcing numerous road closures and even postponing for a day an NFL football game when the New York Giants were unable to get to Minneapolis to play the Minnesota Vikings.

A blizzard warning was in effect Sunday for Chicago and much of northern Illinois, all of Iowa, large sections of southern Minnesota and Wisconsin, and smaller areas in North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri and Michigan, according to the National Weather Service. Most of the rest of the region was under a winter storm warning or a hard freeze watch. Wisconsin authorities issued a statewide no-travel advisory Saturday, citing blizzard and winter storm warnings in nearly every county.

The weather was an unexpected burden for one Minnesota man who had pledged to camp out on the roof of a coffee shop to help his

daughter’s school raise money.

Hospital executive Robert Stevens donned four layers of long underwear, heavy boots and a down coat before embarking on his quest Friday night. He vowed not to come down until he had raised $100,000, but after reaching the halfway mark Saturday morning, he said he hoped the rest of the money would come fast. He didn’t look forward to spending another night out in the blizzard.

“I think I’ve crossed the line into insanity,” he said.

Stevens slept inside a tent surrounded by hay bales, swaddled in a double-insulated sleeping bag as he listened to the winds whip off Lake Minnetonka a block away.

There was a bustling lunch crowd Saturday in the Birchwood Cafe in Minneapolis. Collette Dennis, a baker there, was back inside after she and co-workers spent 20 futile minutes trying to free her parked car from a snowdrift. Dennis still hoped to figure out a way to get home to the suburb of Roseville, about 12 miles away

— but she also was prepared to stay put.

The cafe had no cots, Dennis said, “but we have multiple bags of flour I could sleep on. And I guess at least I won’t go hungry.”

The sinking temperatures were considered even more treacherous than the snow in some places. North Dakota experienced wind chills of 20 degrees below zero Saturday, and the arctic air was expected to drop temperatures below zero by Sunday night throughout the Dakotas and in parts of Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Eastern Minnesota’s Oakdale area got 20 inches of snow Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. The storm was moving eastward, where it dumped about a foot of snow in Chippewa County in northwestern Wisconsin and was expected to drop 20 to 24 inches by Sunday morning in the Eau Claire area. Lisa McGrath was shoveling her front walk in southeast Minneapolis, but knew she’d likely have to do it again in a few hours.

Philippine Nobel no-show a bid to save drug mules Agence France Presse

MANILA – The Philippines skipped the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in an attempt to encourage China to spare the lives of five of its nationals on death row, officials said Sunday. President Benigno Aquino told a newspaper staying away from the ceremony to honour jailed Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo had been “in our national interest”, a reference to convicted Filipinos in China.

The comments in The Daily Inquirer came the day after local press rounded on Manila’s decision to apparently bow to Chinese pressure and turn down an invitation to the ceremony in Oslo.

“Our interest is to advance our citizens’ needs first,” the paper quoted the president as saying.

The daily said Aquino had writ-

Royal...

From page 1 In the formal photos the couple stands on a red carpet in the palace’s Council Chamber — in front of oil paintings of some of William’s ancestors — smiling toward the camera, as Middleton rests her left hand on her fiance’s forearm. He wears a gray suit and blue tie over a white shirt, she a smart white dress from Reiss.

ten to Beijing seeking clemency for five Filipinos sentenced to death for drug trafficking. “It’s in our national interest that we do not, at this time, send a representative to the Nobel award rites,” he told the paper ahead of the ceremony.

Aquino’s spokesman Herminio Coloma and foreign department spokesman Eduardo Malaya confirmed the president was referring to a bid to obtain clemency for the five. Asked if the Nobel boycott was linked to the effort to save prisoners’ lives, Coloma said on government radio: “As our president said, we need to balance the overall national interest.

“That’s the reason why we took that particular step with regard to that specific issue (Nobel award boycott) that was raised last week.”

Asked if Manila’s boycott was

an attempt to appease China and save the lives of the five, Malaya said: “The President’s remark speaks for itself. That’s the line.”

Chinese embassy spokesman Sun Yi confirmed Sunday that Aquino had written to Beijing over the prisoners but denied that the issue was linked to Manila’s decision to skip the Nobel awards ceremony. The official reason for the no-show was a scheduling clash but several top-level officials have admitted privately Manila wanted to appease China.China reacted furiously to the Nobel Committee’s award of this year’s honour to Liu, jailed for 11 years last December on subversion charges. It repeatedly warned governments around the world that ties would be harmed if they attended the ceremony.

The more intimate picture shows the pair smiling broadly as they embrace in front of a window at the palace, with William wrapping his arms around Middleton while she puts her left hand on his chest. Clearly visible is the engagement ring William gave her — an oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds that belonged to his mother.

Both wear jeans, with Middleton sporting a blouse from mid-market retailer Whistles and William wearing a brown sweater

over a white shirt from traditional tailors Turnbull and Asser. William and Middleton, both 28, announced last month that they will marry on April 29 at Westminster Abbey in London.

Te s t i n o h a s o f t e n p h o t o graphed members of the royal family, taking portraits to mark Prince William’s 21st birthday in 2003 and his younger brother Prince Harry’s 20th birthday the next year. He also has photog r a p h e d t h e i r f a t h e r, P r i n c e Charles, for Vogue magazine.

AP Photo/Nati Harnik

Shoppers walk to an electronics store amid blowing snow, in Omaha, Neb., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010. A winter storm combined low temperatures and blowing winds to created hazardous whiteout conditions and brought the wind chill factor down to -20 degrees.

Twin...

From page 1 The second blast was about 200 metres (650 feet) away, he added.

Police spokeswoman Petra Sjolandero said one person had been found dead at the site of this explosion. “I cannot confirm that the death is linked to the explosion of the car but I cannot deny it either,” she added. But SVT reported that a bag filled with nails had been found near the body of the man who, it said, was thought to be the bomber.

And witnesses cited by Dagens Nyheter newspaper said the dead man had a large wound to his stomach as if something had exploded there. Swedish news agency TT reported that it had received messages about 10 minutes before the first blast in Arabic and Swedish, warning of unspecified “action.”

“Our acts will speak for themselves,” TT quoted the message as saying. “Now your children, your daughters and your sisters will die as our brothers, our sisters and our children are dying.” The message referred to the Swedish military presence in Afghanistan as part of the US-led international security force, TT added.

Punitive actions would continue “as long as you do not stop

your war against Islam, your degradation of the Prophet and your stupid support for the pig Vilks,” said the statement. Swedish cartoonist Lar Vilks has been the object of death threats and at least one plot to kill him over a picture he drew depicting the Prophet Mohammed as a dog.

The message concluded by urging “mujahideen,” or Islamic fighters, to rise up in Sweden and in Europe, the news agency said.

TT said a similar message had been sent to the Swedish Security Service SAPO. Sweden has 500 soldiers serving with NATO’s International Security Assistance force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, but their mandate only runs to January 1, 2011, and would need to be renewed by parliament for them to stay on.

On October 1, Sweden’s intelligence agency Saepo said it had raised the alert level for attacks from low to elevated, putting it at three on an alert scale of five.

They said they had acted on the strength of a report by Sweden’s National Centre for Terrorist Threat Assessment (NCT).

The NCT justified its position on “a shift in activities among certain groups in Sweden, judged to be targeted at Sweden.” Anders Danielsson, Saepo’s director general, said at the time that it was the first time the threat level in Sweden had been so high.

International

Indonesia Today

Monday, December 13, 2010

7

RI’s human development making rapid progress Antara

JAKARTA - The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) said Indonesia’s human development index made rapid progress in the past few decades.

“Between 1980 and 2010 Indonesia’s human development index (HDI) rose 54 percent, making Indonesia one of the leaders in the world development progress,” UN chief representative to Indonesia ElMostafa Benlamih said at the launch of Human Development Report

2010 here on Friday.

Indonesia had become one of the “top ten movers” thanks to its rapid progress in the health, education and income fields, he said.

“This progress reflects the government’s serious commitment to improve human development in this

country,” he said.

The report titled “The Real wealth of Nations: Pathways to Human Development” pays special attention to countries that have made the greatest progress in human development in the past four decades.

The Asia-Pacific region has so far made remarkable progress in terms of life expectancy, literacy and the number of children attending school in the past four decades, the report said.

In the 1970-2010 period life ex-

Police anti terror unit raids suspected terrorist safehouse Antara

TEGAL - The special anti-terror police force (Densus 88) on Saturday morning raided a shophouse in Pekauman village, Tegal district, suspected of being a terrorist safehouse.

The police believed the shophouse was harboring terror suspect Sukirno (45), a resident of Curah Malang Village, Sumobito Sub-district, Jombang district, but they did not find him there.

What the police did find in the raid conducted at 07.00 am was a long-barreled gun along with 75 rounds of ammunition, 180

rounds for a 5.56 mm gun, a laptop, CD, and some books.

According to the local neighborhood chief, Abdul Kholik, eight Densus 88 officers came to his house and asked him who the owner of the shophouse located on Karanganyar Street was.

Kholik told the officers, the shophouse belonged to H.Solikhin (67), a resident of Dukuh Turi Village. The Densus 88 personnel were accompanied by the shophouse owner’s son, Fathuriji (40), when they raided the place but there was no one inside.

According to Arifin, a neighbor of the suspected terrorist, Sukirno was

polite and got along very well with people in the neighborhood.

“I never imagined that Sukirno was somebody wanted by Densus 88,” he said.

Solikhin had leased the shophouse to Sukirno for ten million rupiah a year. However, Solikhin had met Sukirno only twice, fhe first time when they signed the lease contract and the second time when Sukirno asked the owner to buy a table.

The Head of Tegal Police, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Panca Putra confirmed that a raid was conducted by Densus 88 on a shophouse on Karanganyar Street.

pectancy rate in East Asia and the Pacific rose by 14 years to 73 years from the average of 59 years, literacy rate increased to 94 percent from 53 percent and the number of children attending school went up by 7 percent, it said.

In terms of human development South Korea ranked 12th, followed

by Hong Kong (21st), and Singapore (27th). War-torn Afghanistan was in the lowest position (155th), it said.

Meanwhile, National Development Planning Minister/Chief of the

National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Armida S Alisjahbana underscored the need to preserve macroeconomic stability and fiscal condition and anticipate the impact of climate change to ensure that the country would always make progress in its human development.

Climate change would have a great impact on food and energy supplies which would in the end put pressure on inflation and poverty, she said.

ADB provides US$3 million for Merapi victims Antara

JAKARTA - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided US$3 million for victims of the recent Mt Merapi eruptions in Central Java which caused damage to human settlements and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate.

ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda in a press release made available to ANTARA here on Saturday said the bank would do whatever it can to support the government in providing temporary shelters for the victims and meet their other important needs.

The ADB assistance would among other things be used to normalize the functions of public facili-

ties such as schools, health care centers, and water and sanitation infrastructure.

The assistance would also be used to design a cash-aid-for-work scheme for evacuees.

More than 300 people were killed and over 400 thousand others were forced to evacuate as a result of the volcano eruptions last month.

Most of the evacuees had by early December returned to their respective homes after Mt Merapi’s danger status was officially lowered.

The Geological Disaster Mitigation and Volcanology Center lowered the danger status of MT Merapi on December 3, 2010 from the highest (red) to the alert level.

No rice please, we’re Indonesians INDONESIA is one of the world’s biggest producers — and consumers — of rice, but in the interests of public health and food sustainability the government has launched an ambitious drive to wean people off their beloved staple.

For ordinary Indonesians like Andi Santoso, a 23-year-old student, the thought of going without rice for a day, as the government is proposing, is almost unthinkable.

“I eat rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner,” he said, a little bemused. “If I don’t eat rice, I feel like I haven’t eaten. What else can I eat?”

Welfare Ministry secretary-general Indroyono Soesilo says the answer is simple, even if it sounds crazy to a nation that produces more than 40 million tonnes of rice a year and consumes around 33 million tonnes.

He likens the push to alternative sources of nutrition to asking a smoker to give up cigarettes.

“We urge Indonesians to kick their habit of eating rice. We need to diversify our diets. Many Indonesians still think that if they don’t eat rice, they don’t eat well,” he said.

“Indonesia produces 66 kinds of other carbohydrates, such as corn, sago, cassava, sweet potato, potato and others. These all can replace

rice for two out of three meals a day, for example.

“We urge Indonesians to diversify their eating habits from childhood.”

With 240 million hungry mouths to feed, Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous country. The average Indonesian consumes more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of rice a year, more than the Japanese and Chinese.

Improving farming techniques and a post-colonial food security drive have seen the country go from being the world’s biggest rice importer in the 1960s to being self-sufficient now.

But while rice is plentiful and cheap, the government is worried that the nation is becoming too dependent on a single crop.

The grain that springs from paddy fields across Indonesia is vulnerable to shifting global weather patterns, such as this year’s unseasonal rains linked to cooler sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific, known as the La Nina effect.

Other concerns include population growth and the shrinking availability of arable land due to factors like urbanisation and rising sea levels from global warming, which the government fears could slash Indonesia’s rice production.

But for millions of poor Indone-

sians, rice is not just a food staple, it’s a livelihood that sustains life and deserves worship as a gift from the gods.

“Rice is life. It gives jobs and food,” explained Djati Kusuma, the “king” of Cigugur, a village in the middle of Java Island where the annual Seren Taun festival celebrates Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice.

For three days the villagers gather “to ask for her protection in order to avert disaster and to get an abundant harvest”, he told AFP at the festival last month.

No one in Cigugur appears to be thinking of growing anything different on the verdant green paddy fields that flourish in the rich volcanic soil around the village.

The people in Java’s rice-growing villages see the grain as something noble, occupying an elevated seat in the agricultural hierarchy compared to roots like cassava, which is associated with poverty.

Industrial growers however are rapidly seeing the potential of crops like cassava and sago for their dual uses as food and biofuel.

A September report by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the US-based Asia Society said Asian countries need to sharply increase and better manage rice stocks to improve food security

AFP PHOTO / ROMEO GACAD

In this photograph taken November 29, 2010 Indonesian guests at the palace of Cigugur Prince Djati Kesuma load up their plates with rice and other food during the annual celebration of the Seren Taun harvest festival in the village of Cigugur in West Java province. Indonesia is encouraging its 240 million population to diversify from their heavy rice diet as the country is vulnurable to food crisis with not enough farmland for rice.

in a region where 65 percent of the world’s hungry live.

Asia’s rice-producing areas are home to nearly 560 million extremely poor people, who live on less than 1.25 dollars a day. About 90

percent of rice is grown in the region, on more than 200 million farms. Rice is the staple food for more than three billion people, about half the world’s population.

(Agence France-Presse)

8

International

Monday, December 13, 2010

Bali Today Bali Island invokes welfare at Sakenan Temple EVERY Kuningan Festivity, the attention of Hindu devotees is pointed out to the temple of Dalem Sakenan. Anniversary of this Dalem Sakenan temple falls every six months (210 days), right on Saniscara (Saturday) Kliwon Wuku Kuningan known as festivity of the world, Kuningan.

Dalem Sakenan Temple sits on the Island of Serangan, South Denpasar subdistrict. In the past, before the coastal reclamation made around 1990s, to reach Serangan Island, people had to take advantage of traditional boats. Now, after the reclamation, the island had been connected with concrete bridge. Thus, the tradition of riding traditional boat as a means of transportation to and from the island becomes a scarce sight. More people prefer to ride motorcycle or drive a car.

In the chronicle of Sakenan Temple compiled by a team of Bali Cultural Services (2005), it is mentioned the temple used by community as a sanctum to say prayers comprising the Segara Temple, Masceti Temple and Sakenan Temple. It is in these temples the society and subak (irrigation cooperative) members invoke the blessing of God. A blessing to be kept away from all sorts of diseases like rice bug destroying crops in the rice fields or estates is pleaded to the Lord Sakenan, while the Lord Masceti maintains the mice. Sakenan Temple is a sanctum to plead for safety, as the abode of Lord Sandhijaya.

Dalem Sakenan Temple belongs to one of the Sad Kretiloka and symbolizes the Sad Darsana. Meanwhile, the Sad Kertih (six wisdoms to maintain the nature conservation) consists of the Atma kertih (soul), Danu kertih (lake), Samudra kertih (ocean), Wana kertih (forest), Jagat kertih (universe) and Jana kertih (human). Meanwhile, the Sakenan Temple is called Samudra kertih, as a sanctum to worship the Lord Varuna, the guardian of segara pakertih or the tranquility of the ocean for the sake of safety of the world, eliminating all kinds of obstacles and purify any devils and humans.

Sakenan Temple consists of two pelebah or divisions, namely Dalem Sakenan Temple and Pesamuan/Penataran Agung Sakenan Temple. Furthermore, Sakenan Temple has three courtyards (tri mandala) namely the uttama mandala (innermost), madya mandala (middle), and kanistha mandala (outermost). Each courtyard is restricted by a compound wall along with kori agung (main entrance), apit lawang and babetelan. At the height of the kori agung is embellished with the carving of kala ornament. Within the innermost courtyard sit a number of shrines as the abode of Lord Varuna, Lord Sandhijaya, Lord Rambut Sakenan and Dhang Hyang Nirartha. In addition, there are also chamber pavilion as the abode of the Lord Rambut Sedana of Sakenan. Then, in the middle courtyard lie some shrines and buildings such as psalmodic pavilion, offerings pavilion, stage pavilion, chamber pavilion and so forth.

In front of the curved gates connecting the innermost and middle courtyard sit two Ganesh statues flanking the curved gates. The middle courtyard is entirely surrounded by a compound wall equipped with split gates on the western side and patetasan on the northern and eastern side.

Meanwhile, in the Pesamuan/Penataran Agung Sakenan Temple sit a number of shrines. Its courtyard coalesces into the Dalem Sakenan Temple. However, it only has two courtyards, namely the innermost and outermost courtyard. The shrine buildings are located in the innermost courtyard comprising the Padma Capah as the abode of Lord Masjati as well as the worship of Jro Dukuh Sakti, three-tiered meru shrine as the abode of Lord Batur, Intaran, three-tiered meru shrine as the abode of Lord Dalem Kapala from Kepaon customary village, Jati Chamber as the abode of Goddess Ratu Ayu from Pemogan customary village, and a three-tiered meru as the abode of Lord Dalem Miu. Then, another three-tiered meru shrine is the abode of Lord Pemuteran, five-tiered meru shrine as the abode of Lord Mount Agung, chamber as the abode of Lord Agung Pesakih from Suwung Rangkan, Goddess Mas Petingan from Suwung Sakah and chamber of kris heritage of Pasek Agung Tegal Temple-Badung, another chamber as the abode of the Lord Dalem Braban and Lord Bwitan from Batubulan, Gianyar, three-tiered meru shrine as the abode of Lord Agung Dalem Camenggaon from Sukawati, Gianyar, bebaturan (sacred stone) as the abode of Lord Ratu Gde, piyasan pavilion as the abode of Agung Panembahan Dalem Sakenan, Lord Susunan Wadon as well as Lord Sakenan, Kelan.The Sakenan Chronicle also mentions about the coordinator of temple management, namely the Kesiman Royal Palace and the supporting devotees consist of the customary villages of Pemogan, Suwung, Kepaon, Serangan and Kelan. Meanwhile, the devotees are the Hindu community.In the meantime, another source says that Sakenan Temple is believed to be one of the sanctums made into meditation venue of Dang Hyang Nirartha when he undertook a pilgrimage to Bali Island. The word Sakenan is derived from the word sakya (cakya) which means it can directly concentrate the mind.

Hindu community also functions the Sakenan Temple as a sanctum to worship the Lord Varuna and to plead for welfare. Additionally, it is as a sacred place to invoke holy water to prevent any pests and disasters.Meanwhile, a lecturer of Faculty of Letters, Udayana University, I.B. Jelantik, said that Dwijendra Tattwa also mentioned about Sakenan where it was once visited by Dang Hyang Dwijendra or Nirartha.

Sakenan Temple as a sanctum was used to venerate the Lord Varuna in the manifestation of God ruling the ocean and sea. Besides, people also pleaded safety of the agricultural products from the attacks of disease outbreaks as well as safety and welfare for the community. (08)

Bali to promote tourism through art gruop Antara

Denpasar – Bali is promoting tourism through art group which will be performing in several cities in France. There is great hope that through the promotion, there will be more tourists from France coming to Bali.

The head of Yasa Putra Sedana Art Group, Dewa Rai Budiasa, said “hopefully after watching the wonderful art performance, the people from France will be attracted to visit Bali.” He added that the committee of Montoire Festival in France invited the art group from Bali to take part in the festival which will be held on July through August 2011.

There will be car parade filled with beautiful flower and also art performances from many countries throughout the world.

The art group from Bali consist of 30 artists will perform in six

location throughout France and they will stay there for almost a month.

Dewa Rai said that it is an honor for the art group from Bali to take part in the world class competition. “We are invited by the committee of the festival for the second time.

We performed for the first time in 1987.” He is very interested to take part in the festival because it can give many benefits to Indonesia.

The chance to perform abroad will enhance the will of the young artists to increase their

skills. It also can be the place to promote Indonesian tourism in the world.

There is great hope that by promoting in France will increase the number of tourists from the country which dropped slightly in the past few years.Based on the data from Bali Statistics Department, the number of tourists from France visited Bali during January through September 2010 period was only 81,329 people. The number decreased 5% compare to the same period last year which was 85,749 tourists.

http://pramudit4rn.files.wordpress.com

Kecak dance performed at Uluwatu. Bali will promote its tourism through art mission in several cities on French.

International

Monday, December 13, 2010

Balinese Culture

Central Bank also responsible for financial stability Antara

JIMBARAN - The central bank also has the task of maintaining financial stability because it is related to its responsibility to maintain monetary stability, a senior Bank Indonesia (BI) official said.

“Everywhere in the world, the central bank has the task of maintaining financial stability. It has the mandate to do so,” BI Deputy Governor Halim Alamsyah said here on Saturday.

Halim said the central bank’s mandate to maintain financial stability was based on the fact that supervising and ensuring financial stability was almost the same as maintaining monetary stability.

Therefore, the central bank whose main tasks lay in in the monetary domain should every second of the day work optimally, including monitoring the country’s financial conditions every second, he said.

“That is why the former Thai central bank governor and the deputy governor of the Philippine central bank had said that the task of maintaining financial stability should be in the hands of the central bank,” Halim said adding that traditionally overseeing financial stability had always been the central bank’s responsibility.

Halim made the statement in connection with a plan to establish a Financial Service Authority (OJK) at the end of this year.

The OJK would be the sole

agency with the power to supervise all financial institutions in Indonesia.

“BI has since the beginning of the drafting of the OJK concept provided information on the matters I spoke about above. In this case, BI only provides its views.

The decision is in the hands of the government and the House of Representatives (DPR),” he said.

Halim said that the task of maintaining financial stability surfaced as an answer to the world economic developments, particularly after the emergence of the global financial crisis during the 2007-2008 period.

He said that the expectation to maintain financial stability did not come from BI but from the desire to serve the nation’s interest.

The number of tourists from South Korea increase slightly Antara

Denpasar – The number of tourists from South Korea visited Bali during January through October 2010 was 104,937 people.

The number increase 0.47% compare to the similar period last year which was 104,448 people.

The head of Bali Statistics Department, Gede Suarsa, said “Even tough it is only increasing lightly but the number of tourists from South Korea was on the six

position of the top ten list of the foreign tourists visited Bali.”

He added that all of the tourists from South Korea came to Bali through Ngurah Rai Airport.

“The cooperation between Bali Government and Cheju Province in culture and tourism could increase the number of tourists come to Bali,” Suarsa said.

The number of tourists from South Korea was 4% from the total number of tourists visited Bali

during January through October 2010 period which was 1,977,773 tourists.

Base Jukut (Spice Paste For Vegetables) INGREDIENTS: 175 gr shallots, peeled and chopped 150 gr cloves garlic, peeled & chopped 450 gr laos, peeled and thinly sliced 4 tsp coriander seeds 175 gr fresh turmeric, peeled and sliced 250 gr large red chilies, seeded & chopped 40 gr bird’s-eye chilies 100 gr kencur roots, peeled and chopped 5 tsp dried shrimp paste 150 ml Coconut oil 1 tsp salt 1¼ tsp black pepper ground 4 ea salam leaf, whole 3 ea stalk lemon grass, bruised PREPARATION: 1. Combine all ingredients except salam leafs and Lemon grass, salt and water in food processor and grind coarsely.

2. Place ground ingredients in heavy saucepan, add remaining ingredients and simmer over medium heat for approximately 60 minutes or until water is evaporated and marinade changes to golden color. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

Jukul Kakul (Snail Soup) OVERVIEW: The French are not the only ones to have a liking for snails. The Balinese gather snails in the rice fields. But you can use the canned variety. Cucumber, zucchini or any other summer squash can be used instead of green papaya.

INGREDIENTS: 200 gr unripe green papaya 1 liter chicken stock ½ cup spice paste for seafood 1 stalk lemon grass bruised 2 salam leaves 1 tbsp oil 48 canned snails, washed and drained 1 tsp salt Freshly ground black pepper Fried shallots to garnish PREPARATION: Peel the papaya, cut in half lengthwise and remove the seeds, then cut it lengthwise in 4 or 6 slices. Cut crosswise into slices about 0.5 cm thick.

Combine stock, spice paste, lemon grass, salam leaves and oil in a large pot. Bring to boil, and then simmer for 5 minutes. Add papayas and simmer until almost tender. Add the snails and continue cooking until the papaya softens.

Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with fried shallots.

Helpful hint: If you do not care for snails. You can substitute 12 dried black Chinese mushroom. Washed and soaked I warm water for 20minutes. Add them together with the papaya to ensure they will be tender by the time the papaya is cooked. (www.baliguide.com/ balifood)

C.045 ibp

9

10

Monday, December 13, 2010

Destinations

International

Lovina Beach IBP

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C.492607-rpa

Lovina is one of the famous tourist places in north part of Bali which own beautiful of calm sea water, blackish chromatic sand and the sea with its dolphin.

One of the favorite fascinations in Lovina is dolphin watching tour. Hundreds of dolphins can be seen in the morning time around 1 km offshore. We can see the dolphin attractions in this place like jumping. It is not fail to draw if the tourist has the time to see the sunset here. Lovina area is also supported by the number of tourism fascination which is can be reached from this location. Places of interests around Lovina are Hot Water Banjar, Wihara Budha (Buddies shrine), Gigit Waterfall and some countryside exist around the location.

Lovina is officially located in Kalibukbuk area and covering some countryside like Pemaron, Tukad Mungga, Anturan and Kalibukbuk countryside. Kalibugbug countryside it self is located in Buleleng sub district, meanwhile the Kaliasem and Temukus countryside are located in Banjar sub district where it both of them are belong to Buleleng regency. The eastern countryside is called Pemaron about 5 Km west of Singaraja, and the western countryside is Temukus about 12 Km west of Singaraja.

There are no clear sources or evidence hit the name of Lovina genesis.

Pursuant to the reference of the children from Anak Agung Panji Tisna, the clan of famous Buleleng King that the name of Lovina is given by him which is located in Kaliasem countryside, where at the first time he build a bungalow as a resort. He said that the name of Lovina is taken away from a name of small hotel in India that is lafeina whereabouts he stayed and write the book with the title of Ni Ketut Widhi. This book is translated into some languages. In memory of the hotel name, hence the ownership lands give the Lovina name. But there is also other version that is Lovina Name is given caused by its 2 Santen trees are planted by him and grow embracing each other. In this case Lovina is coming from Latin Language that mean is loving each other or love. Then Lovina’s name is interpreted as abbreviation from Love and Ina and it is interpreted as Love to Indonesia.

Jl. Kepundung 67 A, e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id Jl. Palmerah Barat 21 F

Monday, December 13, 2010

11

BUSINESS Germany, India aim for huge increase in trade Agence France-Presse

BERLIN - The leaders of economic powerhouses Germany and India said Saturday they were confident they could boost bilateral trade by some seven billion euros (nine billion dollars) in the next two years.

Speaking before a meeting in Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said: “We have set ourselves ambitious goals. We want to increase bilateral trade volumes to 20 billion euros by 2012.”

“We have reached around 13 billion today, which is to say that in the next two years ... much needs to be done. But India’s economy is growing and so I think we can do much to set things in motion,” added the chancellor.

For his part, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: “Despite the economic downturn, we are hopeful that the target of 20 billion euros by 2012 will be achieved.”

“There is vast untapped potential for high technology trade between India and Germany,” the world’s second largest exporter after China.

Singh was visiting Berlin following the 11th EU-India summit in Brussels on Friday, during which both sides announced a near-breakthrough in four years of stalled talks to produce a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

European Union President Herman Van Rompuy said that “momentum” had been created for what he termed “an ambitious and balanced conclusion in the spring of 2011” of a deal between nations representing 1.5 billion people.

Merkel said that “major progress” had been achieved towards making the FTA a reality.

“Both sides have to take a step in the direction of each other. Everyone has to be ready to compromise. This is true for Europe and it is true for India,” she said.

The two sides have squabbled over EU moves to square the trade deal with European legislation on child labour and the environment, which India says has nothing to do with trade.

OPEC leaves oil quotas unchanged, seeing economic ‘risks’ Agence France-Presse

QUITO - OPEC decided to leave production quotas unchanged in a meeting in Ecuador’s capital Quito Saturday, stressing looming “risks to the fragile global economic recovery.”

The 12-nation Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said in a statement that the economic growth that had pushed oil to above 90 dollars a barrel this week was likely to slow next year.

That, and the challenges to the world’s recovery from the 2008 financial crisis, “would negatively impact on oil demand,” it said.

OPEC highlighted “the adverse risks of possible currency conflicts and fears of a second banking crisis in Europe” along with low industrial output in developed countries, high unemployment and

“ample spare capacity throughout the oil supply chain.”

The cartel at the same time said it was “comfortable” with current prices.

Oil futures trading Friday finished at 90.48 dollars in London trade for delivery in January. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for January, finished at 87.79 dollars a barrel.

“There is a general feeling in the market that the current prices are comfortable for producers and for consumers,” said OPEC’s current president, Ecuadorian Oil Minister

China’s inflation rises at fastest pace in two years Agence France-Presse

BEIJING - China said Saturday that inflation topped five percent for the first time in more than two years, a figure analysts said would lead to fresh interest rate hikes as officials battle to curb rising prices.

The country’s consumer price index rose a faster-than-expected 5.1 percent year-on-year in November as food costs continued to soar, compared with 4.4 percent in October, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said.

It was the fastest increase in consumer prices since July 2008, when inflation hit 6.3 percent, and was well above the government’s full-year target for three percent.

Analysts had forecast inflation would be 4.7 percent on year, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

“Price rises in November are beyond many people’s expectations indeed,” said NBS spokesman Sheng Laiyun.

“It will take some time for the policies (on curbing price rises) to be implemented and show clear effects.”

Ever fearful of inflation’s historical potential to spark unrest in China, Beijing has ordered a range of steps to boost supplies of key goods after severe summer flooding and recent cold snaps hit yields and drove up prices.

As part of these efforts, the central bank announced in October the country’s first interest rate hike in nearly three years.

On Friday, the central bank ordered

lenders for the sixth time this year to keep more money in reserve as authorities struggle to stem the flood of liquidity into the economy, which is fanning the inflation problem.

Royal Bank of Canada analyst Brian Jackson said the inflation figure showed Beijing needed to “bring out the big guns” such as further interest rate hikes, with an increase in benchmark rates “any time now”.

He predicted China would raise benchmark rates by 25 basis points before year-end with rates rising a further 75 basis points over the next year.

While food costs remained the major driver of inflation last month — up 11.7 percent on year — non-food prices also gathered pace, rising 1.9 percent year-on-year compared with October’s 1.6 percent increase.

There had been mounting speculation that an interest rate hike or tighter lending restrictions were imminent after Beijing pledged last week to shift its monetary policy stance to “prudent” from “relatively loose” next year.

Analysts have said November could mark the peak for inflation, citing official figures that show food costs eased in recent weeks after the prices of key vegetables soared more than 60 percent in early November.

China’s economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, said in a statement it expected CPI growth to slow to less than five percent as moves to control grain, vegetable and cooking oil prices take effect.

Economists have blamed the

AFP PHOTO

A Chinese shopper checks the prices of vegetables at a supermarket in Hefei, east China Anhui province on December 10, 2010. China said Saturday that inflation topped five percent for the first time in more than two years, a figure analysts said would lead to fresh interest rate hikes as officials battle to curb rising prices. government’s 586-billion-dollar generators to keep assembly lines stimulus package unveiled in late 2008 churning out goods, leading to a nationin the wake of the global financial cri- wide shortage of the fuel.

Fixed asset investment in urban arsis and rampant lending last year for eas, a measure of government spenddriving up prices.

Other key data showed industrial ing on infrastructure, rose 24.9 percent output from China’s factories rose 13.3 over the January-November period, percent on year, up from 13.1 percent slightly faster than the 24.4 percent over in October, even as Beijing closed the first 10 months of the year.

Retail sales, a key measure of highly polluting operators and rationed consumer spending, jumped 18.7 perpower to energy-intensive industries.

Factories have been getting around cent on year compared with 18.6 perthe power restrictions by using diesel cent in October.

Wilson Pastor-Morris.

He noted that, for all the “cautious optimism,” though, “nothing can be taken for granted.”

Stronger-than-expected demand attributed to a harsh winter hitting Europe and parts of North America was pushing oil prices higher this year, as was growth in China and other developing nations.

But OPEC said speculation was also fueling the rise.

And observers said economic uncertainties suggested the rally might not last, with fears rising that China’s economy was at threat by soaring inflation.

The International Energy Agency said Friday that “global demand growth should ease in 2011, from 2.5 million barrels per day to 1.3 mbd, amid renewed structural OECD decline, and as post-recession froth in markets like China subsides,” the IEA said.

OPEC’s decision meant it would maintain production at 24.8 million barrels per day, the level set after a hefty quota cut in January 2009 to cope with a collapse in oil prices caused by the financial crisis.

The organization accounts for nearly 40 percent of the world’s oil output.

Some OPEC members — Iran, Venezuela and Libya — were urging higher prices, to above 100 dollars a barrel to offset what they said were rising production costs.

But OPEC heavyweight Saudi Arabia differed, with its oil minister, Ali al-Nuaimi, telling reporters he thought “70 to 80 (dollars per barrel) is a fair price.”

OPEC Secretary General Abdalla Salem El-Badri told a news conference that it was up to the markets to set the price according to supply, but noted that the dollar has been steadily losing value.

“This price we see at this time has not damaged world growth,” he said.

OPEC set its next meeting for June next year in Vienna.

Iran was taking over the cartel’s rotating presidency next year, the first time in 36 years it will have held the leadership.

12

Monday, December 13, 2010

Entertainment

International

Bon Jovi named top touring act of 2010 Reuters

NASHVILLE – Since 1986, only two bands have claimed the honor as the top-grossing act twice in three years: the Rolling Stones (1998 and 1999) and the Grateful Dead (1991 and 1993). But this year, another act can claim that title: Bon Jovi.

For the second time in three years, Bon Jovi ranks as the highest-grossing touring act. The band’s achievement, this year and previously in 2008, demonstrates that, remarkably, the group is hitting its touring peak 26 years after releasing its debut album.

Ranking at No. 1 on the yearend Top 25 Tours chart with the Circle trek carries more cachet with the industry than with fans, Jon Bon Jovi acknowledges.

“It’s funny, because there’s obviously a part of you that’s very proud of it,” says the singer, calling from Japan following the band’s two sellout shows at the Tokyo Dome.

“In the industry it means something; it doesn’t mean anything to the public. But in the industry, all your peers are going to look at it. They’re going to see some kind of year-end charts for everything: albums, singles, touring. It’s a very nice industry asterisk, for sure. U2 are paying attention.”

Bon Jovi says fans don’t come to shows because the band is the top touring act. “They come to see

it because they’ve seen it before and they’re willing to spend their disposable dollars,” he says, adding that the band doesn’t set out to top the Boxscore charts. “You can’t think about it. In order to break records you have to just do it to satisfy the need.”

In an ongoing global trek promoted by AEG Live that saw the band play stadiums and arenas, Bon Jovi reported Boxscore grosses for the period of November 20, 2009, through November 28, 2010, of $146,507,388 and attendance of 1,591,154 to 69 sellouts. When Bon Jovi was tops for the year in 2008 with its Lost Highway tour, the trek finished with a gross of $210 million, the 10th-biggest of all time.

“The biggest thing to remember about this tour is that having a great plan executed by an amazing team delivers the results,” says band comanager Paul Korzilius, who has worked Bon Jovi’s tours since the band’s earliest headlining days.

“What it comes down to is Bon Jovi has always delivered on the promise of an incredible live show and has always remained current with records and their singles. And the customer, who we love, responds.”

The 2010-11 trek is AEG Live’s third outing with Bon Jovi, following the Have a Nice Day tour in 2005-06 and the Lost Highway tour in 2007-08, which grossed a combined $342 million and moved 3 million tickets worldwide, according to Billboard Boxscore.

AFP PHOTO/Drina THURSTON

US talkshow queen Oprah Winfrey (C/R) interacts with her guests at the harbourside Botanic Gardens in Sydney during her “Ultimate Australian Adventure” show on December 11, 2010.

Sobbing fans give Oprah a Sydney welcome Agence France Presse

SYDNEY - Cheering crowds mobbed US talkshow megastar Oprah Winfrey across Sydney on Sunday as she conquered her fear of heights to scale the city’s iconic Harbour Bridge and lunched on Bondi Beach.

Winfrey, 56, was treated to a glittering harbourfront reception when she touched down in Sydney on Saturday, with a dazzling fireworks display capping an evening soiree with her 302-strong US studio audience.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge was lit up with a glowing red “O” in her honour, and the television queen climbed to the top with some of her US fans on Sunday.

“We did it!” Winfrey exclaimed to hundreds of fans who had gathered for hours beneath the bridge to catch a glimpse of her, with one fan reduced to tears when she was rewarded with a wave from the star.

“Oh she’s so beautiful, it’s unbelievable,” the woman wept. “She’s the queen and Elvis is the king and all I have to do is meet him now.” Similar scenes greeted Winfrey’s entou-

rage at Bondi Beach, where she enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the famous Icebergs restaurant, enthusing that the pea salad was so delicious she’d begged the head chef for his recipe.

“It’s one of the best locations I’ve ever experienced,” she said of Bondi’s sparkling waves, where a group of her “Ultimate Australian Adventure” participants were learning to surf.

“We did this to get over the bridge climb,” the talkshow host joked with reporters. Crowds mobbed Winfrey’s convoy as it passed, packing the scorching streets outside the Bondi

restaurant hoping for a smile or wave.

Winfrey has received a rock star welcome since arriving in Australia on Wednesday, with more than 8,000 fans gathering to hear her speak in Melbourne, and crowds staking out locations she is known to be visiting.

The star’s tour Down Under is her talkshow’s first foray out of North America, and she has jetted from the Great Barrier Reef and desert monolith Uluru to Sydney and Melbourne.

She is due to take a cruise of Sydney Harbour on Monday before shooting two open-air episodes of her show before 12,000 Australian fans in the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House. “I’ve got a lot of surprises up my sleeve,” said Winfrey, who was ranked the world’s most powerful celebrity by Forbes magazine.

Local media have dubbed her visit the “biggest show in town”, with security rivalling that normally offered to heads of state.

Actor Gary Collins pays fine for leaving accident Associated Press Writer

IBP/ist

Jon Bon Jovi

JACKSON, Miss. – Police in Mississippi say actor and former television host Gary Collins has paid a $500 fine for leaving the scene of an accident last month. Collins was cited for the misdemeanor Nov. 2 after his Jeep rear-ended a car at a stoplight in Jackson. Police say he exchanged information with the other driver but left before authorities arrived. Police later went to his house and gave him the ticket. Collins attorney, Tom Royals, has said the charge was reasonable.

Collins is married to former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley. He starred in the 1970s series “The Sixth Sense” and has made appearances on such series as “JAG,” “Yes, Dear” and “The Young and the Restless.”

Collins hosted the talk show “Hour Magazine” in the 1980s, and won a daytime Emmy for it in 1983.

IBP/ist

Gary Collins

Life Style

International

Japan’s robot suit venture Cyberdyne president and University of Tsukuba professor Yoshiyuki Sankai (C) introduces the “HAL” (Hybrid Assistive Limb”) robot suit which is designed to learn the user’s motion or gait and to assist the wearers movement at the company’s studio in Tsukuba city, suburban Tokyo on October 26, 2010.

AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO

Japan’s robot suit to bring hope to the disabled Agence France Presse

TSUKUBA - Japan’s Cyberdyne may share its name with the company responsible for nuclear destruction and the killer robots of the “Terminator” movie series, but the similarities end there. And if the idea of a robot suit helping those with disabilities walk sounds like the stuff of science fiction, think again: the real-life Cyberdyne is in the business of revolutionising lives.

The firm produces an exoskeleton robot device called the Hybrid Assistive Limb, or HAL, which in another sci-fi related coincidence shares its name with the devious computer in Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”.

It gives power to its wearer by anticipating and supporting the user’s body movements using sensors monitoring electric signals sent from the brain to the muscles. Current options are for a single leg device or both legs. HAL has many potential applications, from assisting caregivers lift people to help-

ing construction workers or even firefighters.

In one case, three weeks of training with HAL enabled a man who had suffered brain injuries to stand on his own feet after nine years in a wheelchair, said Cyberdyne CEO Yoshiyuki Sankai, professor at the University of Tsukuba. The group is now gearing up for mass-production and started leasing the battery-powered suit to welfare facilities last year.

“Developing robots without utilising them in society would just be an extension of a hobby,” Sankai, 52, said. “What I develop should be

part of society and benefit people.”

A Japanese adventurer with disabilities is planning to leave his wheelchair behind and walk up a medieval French World Heritage site next year with the lower-limb HAL. Seiji Uchida, 48, who lost the ability to walk in a car accident 27 years ago, said earlier this year he has long dreamed of visiting the picturesque abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, set on a rocky islet in Normandy.

Uchida said his visit to the island where a steep and narrow trail leads to an abbey and former fortress was to “prove that it is possible for people with disabilities to visit the world’s historic sites without relying on facilities like elevators”.

Some 50 hospitals and homes for the elderly in Japan are using a lowerlimb version of HAL to assist disabled people. Rental fees for both legs are 140,000-150,000 yen a month (1,6001,800 dollars).

Monday, December 13, 2010

13

Popular new breast cancer treatment lacks data Reuters

NEW YORK – A new radiation treatment for breast cancer is becoming increasingly popular despite lack of good evidence, at least among well-insured Medicare patients, U.S. researchers say. According to claims data, use of the therapy, which irradiates only a portion of the breast instead of standard whole-breast radiation after lumpectomy, climbed more than 10-fold for those patients between 2001 and 2006.

While gold-standard clinical trials of the newer treatment are still missing, two other events did coincide with steep increases in its use: approval of a device used to deliver the radiation in 2002 and Medicare reimbursement in 2004.

“It brings to the front the issue of when we should enact a new technology,” said Dr. David J. Sher, an expert in radiation treatment, who was not involved in the new study. “What the paper shows it that it really is done in the absence of evidence.”

The National Cancer Institute says that more than 200,000 American women will get breast

cancer in 2010 and about a fifth will die from the disease.

After lumpectomy, up to 40 percent of women see the cancer return, but that number can be reduced to about 10 percent with external-beam radiation of the whole breast. Common side effects are swelling and redness.

In contrast to whole-breast radiation, which usually takes several weeks to complete, the new partialbreast treatment lasts less than one week. One example of the so-called brachytherapy approach is MammoSite, a device marketed by Massachusetts-based Hologic, and used on more than 50,000 women so far, according to the company.

It consists of a small balloon, which is inflated in the cavity left behind after the tumor is removed.

The balloon then delivers highdose radiation to the parts of the breast most likely to develop new cancers.

Although the idea is promising, Sher said, there aren’t any large studies that have compared wholebreast radiation to this treatment. He said one such study was ongoing, but in the meantime, both efficacy and side effects were up in the air.

REUTERS/Yannis Behrakis

Vasiliki Kostoula, a Greek breast cancer patient, is framed through a breast x-ray after a radiological medical examination in an Athens hospital October 29, 2008.

Fickle weather worries French wine growers Agence France Presse

LE GRAU DU ROI, France – Grapes on the vine crave sunshine, but wine growers in France and elsewhere are starting to worry that global warming is giving them too much of a good thing. And worry they should, if scientists are right.

Predicted increases in average temperatures of two, three or even four degrees Celsius (3.6 to 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit) this century could spell the ruin of many of Europe’s most fabled vineyards. Already, warning signs are abundant. Serious wine makers embrace the fickle weather that yields more-or-less memorable vintages. Dealing with yearly fluctuations is part of the alchemy of turning grape juice into elixir.

But veterans who have nurtured and nursed vineyards over a period of decades are today reporting changes that chime perfectly with these threatening climate scenarios. “Overall, we are seeing a rise in alcohol content and a drop in acidity. That’s a problem,” said Laurent Audeguin, head of research and development at the French Institute for Vineyards and Wine (IFV), a national repository for grape varietals.

“Acidity is crucial for the balance and the taste of wine, as well as for proper ageing,” he explained. Too much heat and sun, in other words, means that grapes mature too quickly, throwing the delicate ratio between sugar and acid out of sync.

Ironically, previous generations of grape growers ripped up vines that

matured slowly and replaced them with slightly different variants of the same grapes — mainly merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and half-a-dozen others — that yielded ripe fruit more quickly.

“It’s true that we’ve focused a lot on precocity in the last forty years,” said Pascal Bloy, who oversees the more than 400 grape types grown at the Institute, near Montpellier.

“The idea was to get a high maturity quickly. We realise now that this was probably a mistake.”

That could leave French wine growers, especially in the south, scrambling for long-term solutions.

Bloy is eyeing varieties found in even warmer climes such as Greece and Portugal.

14

Monday, December 13, 2010

Sport

International

City near summit as Pardew enjoys flying start Agence France Presse

LONDON - Manchester City moved up to second place in the Premier League on Saturday with a 3-1 victory at West Ham as Newcastle beat Liverpool by the same score to get new manager Alan Pardew’s reign off to a dream start. Strikes from Yaya Toure, Adam Johnson and a Robert Green own goal secured three precious points for City, who now trail Arsenal by goal difference ahead of the Gunners’ visit to Manchester United on Monday.

Toure opened the scoring after 30 minutes, the Ivory Coast midfielder combining with England international Gareth Barry to rifle an unstoppable shot past Hammers keeper Green. Toure was responsible for City’s second goal on 73 minutes, surging into the West Ham penalty box and firing a low shot which cannoned off the post and into the net off the desperately unlucky Green’s back.

Johnson — who had came on as a substitute to replace Mario Balotelli after the volatile Italian striker earned a booking for dissent — completed the scoring with a well-taken effort on 81 minutes.

West Ham defender James Tomkins scored a late consolation for West Ham, heading in from a corner on 89 minutes. The defeat left the Hammers bottom on goal difference, four points adrift of safety. Manchester City assistant manager Brian Kidd said the result was a testimony to the work of boss Roberto Mancini, comparing the Italian to his former mentor at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson.

“The work the manager puts in on the training ground is immense.

Tactically, technically, he deserves it,” Kidd told Sky Sports television.

“I was privileged to work with Sir Alex at Manchester United and I

see so many traits in the boss. He’s a fantastic manager,” Kidd said.

Reigning champions Chelsea will reclaim top spot if they beat Tottenham in their visit to White Hart Lane on Sunday. In Saturday’s late match, Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton and Andy Carroll scored in the last 10 minutes as the Magpies beat Liverpool 3-1 to the delight of Pardew, controversially appointed as successor to the sacked Chris Hughton earlier this week.

Barton scrambled in an 80th minute effort to give Newcastle a 2-1 lead before Carroll launched a 25-yard exocet to make the game safe. The goals shattered Liverpool, who had fought their way back into the game with a Dirk Kuyt equaliser after Newcastle skipper Kevin Nolan had given the home side the lead on 15 minutes.

“It’s been a long two or three days,” said Pardew. “It was a great victory and not many teams can score three against Liverpool. “The result is important because that’s the business we’re in. There’s a lot of pressure on myself and the players made it easy.”

Elsewhere Saturday, goals were thin on the ground with Everton being held to a goal-less draw against Wigan at Goodison as Fulham and Sunderland finished 00 at Craven Cottage. Everton man-

AP Photo/Scott Heppell

Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt, right, scores past Newcastle United’s Sol campbell, left, and Steven Taylor, center, during their English Premier League soccer match at St James’ Park, Newcastle, England, Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010. ager David Moyes couldn’t hide his disappointment as Everton’s winless streak was extended to seven matches.

“We made a few chances but we didn’t have the ability to finish them.

It’s been the story of our season,” said Moyes. At Villa Park goals from Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey eased the pressure on Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier as the Birmingham club snatched a nervy 2-1

victory over West Bromwich Albion.

Houllier had angered Villa fans with his behaviour during Villa’s abject 3-0 defeat at Liverpool on Monday, which led to the Frenchman issuing an apology to supporters ahead of their meeting with the Baggies. However Downing set Villa on the way to ending their fourmatch losing streak in all competitions when he got on the end of a Marc Albrighton cross to open the

scoring on 25 minutes.

Veteran striker Heskey, playing his first match since October after undergoing surgery on an injured knee ligament, made sure of the points for Villa on 80 minutes.

Promoted Blackpool meanwhile maintained their proud away record with a 1-0 victory over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium which fired the Tangerines into the top half of the table.

Aguero double reignites Atletico’s Euro bid Agence France Presse

MADRID - A brace by Sergio Aguero led Atletico Madrid to a 2-0 victory over Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday to put them back on track in the hunt for a European place following rivals Villarreal’s shock 1-0 defeat by nine-man Getafe.

Atletico had fallen off the pace following three straight defeats but they were always in charge against a Deportivo side that has stuttered especially away from home. It was Aguero’s night as he first won a penalty after being upended by keeper Daniel Aranzubia although Diego Forlan missed the follow-up spot-kick.

But Aguero then found the back of the net with a jinking run and shot, before adding to it ten minutes before half time.

Atletico are now up to sixth in the table but they are still seven points adrift of Villarreal who crashed 1-0 away to nine-man Getafe.

Juan Albin fired home in the dying minutes. Daniel Diaz had already been dismissed and Albin was given a second yellow card for taking his shirt off when celebrating his goal. Despite the red cards, Villarreal coach Juan Carlos Garrido still felt the referee cost them the game.

“There were too many stoppages which favoured Getafe as they organised their game to counter-attack. We needed there to be fluidity in the match,” he said. Lowly Almeria produced an inspired performance to beat Sevilla 3-1 and pile the pressure on the troubled Andalusian side.

It was the first victory for new coach Jose Luis Oltra on his third

attempt after taking charge following Almeria’s 8-0 thrashing by Barcelona last month.

Under-performing Sevilla looked tense as they started the game on the back of three straight defeats and their mood did not improve when Frederic Kanoute missed a penalty following a Fabian Vargas handball inside the area.

Almeria had plenty of good possession and scored with their first real chance at the start of the second half when a Vargas header just crept over the line. A thunderbolt by Pablo Piatti increased the advantage and although Kanoute pulled a goal back, Piatti made certain of the points in injury time.

Sergio Aguero IBP/ist

Sport

International

Monday, December 13, 2010

15

Heat win 8th straight, 104-83 over Kings Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Dwyane Wade’s flying, one-handed rebound jam highlighted his 36point night and led the Miami Heat to their season-best eighth straight win, 104-83 over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. LeBron James scored 25 and Chris Bosh added 14 points and a season-high 17 rebounds as the Heat broke open a close game in the third quarter to complete a perfect four-game road trip.

After losing three of four in late November as the newly formed super team struggled to come together, the Heat have won every game during this winning streak by double digits. The Kings, who have lost 15 of 17 and have the second-worst record in the NBA, offered little resistance to James, Wade, Bosh and Co. Playing on the back end of a back-to-back after winning at

Golden State on Friday night, the Heat broke the game open in the third quarter. After Wade helped put Miami in the lead with a 13point second quarter, James got his offense going with 14 points in the third.

James hit a pair of early baskets as Miami scored the first eight points of the third to open up a 13-point lead. The Heat outscored the Kings 17-2 to be-

gin the quarter, getting a pair of baskets from each of the Big Three and five points from Carlos Arroyo, whose 3-pointer made it 64-44.

Miami tightened up defensively in the third against the young Kings, who made just one of their first 13 shots in the period. Omri Casspi was one of the few Kings who could get any offense going, hitting a pair of 3-

Fergie wary of dogged Arsenal Agence France Presse

MANCHESTER - Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes a return to Arsenal’s

more dogged past has been the key to their fine start to the season.

The Gunners are top of the table as they prepare for Monday’s trip to Old Trafford to face a United

AP Photo/Jon Super

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, left, talks with manager Alex Ferguson against Valencia during their Champions League group C soccer match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Tuesday Dec. 7, 2010.

side that is a point behind them with a game in hand.

Arsene Wenger’s team have suffered four defeats this season, while United go into the match unbeaten in the Premier League.

But Ferguson thinks a rediscovery of the kind of physicality Arsenal were once famous for has been the difference in the Gunners’ campaign this year.

Wenger’s team have won admirers with their playing style but have not won any silverware since 2005. Ferguson, whose side travel to Chelsea next Sunday, believes Arsenal are finally showing signs of maturity and steel.

“I think the general shape of the team has been far more mature and aggressive this year,” Ferguson said. “They were very difficult to beat in the days of Emmanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira and the three at the back — (Martin) Keown, (Tony) Adams and (Steve) Bould.

“That brought them great success and I think that this team is showing that kind of maturity now. “They will still try to play the attractive football Arsene believes in, but there’s definitely been a slight change. “They’re top of the league - that’s a sure indication that they are better than they were last year and they’ll have a chance.”

Their rivalry has cooled a little in recent years as Chelsea have emerged as United’s main challengers after the arrival of Roman Abramovich. But Ferguson thinks the Gunners are now a side that need to be taken seriously.

“Until four or five years ago, games against Arsenal were so important because we were both challenging for league titles against each other,” he said. “Chelsea have now come into that bracket, though, and it has been ourselves and them over the last five years.

“But nonetheless, a Manchester United-Arsenal game, with the history of both teams, always guarantees a match of intensity and, a lot of the time, controversy.

pointers and annoying James with his pesky play.

James was upset he did not get a foul call when Casspi knocked a ball off him and out of bounds.

The two then bumped before free throws and James was called for goaltending trying to block a breakaway layup by Casspi.

James, who was booed almost every time he touched the ball, was then called for a technical for clapping at the Kings bench after making a jumper in the final minute of the third quarter.

The Kings failed to get it to single digits in the fourth quarter, losing for the 13th time in 14 meetings against the Heat. The highlight of the final quarter came when Wade came flying down the lane to make a one-handed grab for the rebound of a Mario Chalmers miss and jam it home in

one motion.

Casspi led Sacramento with 20 points and Jason Thompson added 13. Reigning Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, playing on a sore left foot, was held to five points on 2-for-10 shooting.

Miami took the floor in sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division for the first time all season.

After a sluggish start, the Heat went on a 15-0 run in the second quarter to erase an early deficit and build an eight-point lead.

Wade scored seven points during the spurt and Chalmers capped it with a 3-pointer that made it 3729.

Casspi responded with a pair of 3-pointers for Sacramento but Wade scored two baskets in the final minute of the half to give the Heat a 47-42 lead at the break.

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade goes up for the shot as Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, right, looks on during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010.

16

Monday, December 13, 2010

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

Sport

Khan grinds out unanimous decision over Maidana Agence France Presse

LAS VEGAS - Amir Khan used a series of combinations to the head and powerful body shots to grind out a 12-round unanimous decision over Marcos Maidana in their WBA title fight Saturday. The 23-year-old Khan survived the toughest test of his boxing career to successfully defend his 140-pound title.

AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS

Challenger Marcos Maidana of Argentina (R) punches WBA super lightweight champion Amir Khan of England on December 11, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

F1 drops rule banning team orders Agence France Presse

MONACO - Formula One bosses on Friday deleted the controversial rule banning team orders from the sport, the World Motor Sport Council announced.

“The article forbidding team orders is deleted. Teams will be reminded that any actions liable to bring the sport into disrepute are

dealt with under Article 151c of the International Sporting Code and any other relevant provisions,” said a statement after a meeting of the WMSC here. The issue of team orders has plagued the sport.

Last season, Ferrari were fined 100,000 dollars after Felipe Massa was told to cede the lead of the German Grand Prix to teammate Fernando Alonso 18 laps from the end. The rule,

AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB

Mercedes GP’s German driver Michael Schumacher crashes with Force India’s Italian driver Vitantonio Liuzzi at the Yas Marina circuit on November 14, 2010 in Abu Dhabi, during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.

article 151.c, was introduced in 2002 after Rubens Barrichello gifted a win to then-Ferrari team-mate Michael Schumacher at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Elsewhere, the WMSC also approved the introduction of a new specification engine from 2013, aimed at boosting the sport’s green credentials. In two years’ time, engines will be four cylinders, 1.6 litre with high pressure gasoline injection with a maximum of 12,000 rpm.

“The engines will deliver a 35 percent reduction in fuel consumption and will feature extensive energy management and energy recovery systems, while maintaining current levels of performance,” added the WMSC. “In 2013, five engines will be permitted per driver, but each year after that the limit will be four.”

Other agreements included the re-introduction of intermediate tyres for 2011, penalties to be applied to any driver who fails to use both specification of dry weather tyre during the race and an amendment requiring gearboxes to be used for five consecutive races, instead of four Regulations will also see a clarification on when cars can overtake the safety car.

“I was hit by his best shots and I am still there,” Khan said. “I know I made mistakes, but I worked hard and came back stronger than ever. “He’s a strong fighter, and he hits hard. My chin was tested. I’m not taking anything away from him. He’s a great champion. I proved today I’ve got a chin.”

Khan (24-1, 17 KOs) started quickly, knocking Maidana down late in the opening round but it proved to be the lone knockdown of the fight at the Mandalay Bay hotel and casino. The relentless Maidana (29-2) regrouped and by the 10th round he bloodied and buckled Khan’s knees, almost sending the British champion to the canvas.

Khan responded with a flurry of punches in the 11th and 12th rounds to take the fight on all three judges’ scorecards. The Bolton fighter, who is based in California, finished the fight with blood flowing from his nose.

Judges Jerry Roth and C.J. Ross scored the bout 114-111 for Khan, and Glenn Trowbridge favoured Khan 113-112.

Maidana was not happy with the

judges’ scores, saying he did enough to recover from the knockout and score points in the later rounds to earn the title. “I thought I won it,” the Argentine fighter said. “I did enough in the final rounds but they gave him the decision.”

Maidana, who has a reputation as a dangerous and sometimes dirty fighter, had one point deducted by referee Joe Cortez in the fifth round after he tried to elbow Khan during a break in the action. The elbow missed and hit Cortez in the chest.

The 27-year-old Maidana made Khan work every round for the victory as the two brawled in the centre of the ring with very few clinches or backpeddling from either fighter.

Khan suffered his only loss in 2008 — a shocking defeat as he was knocked out by Colombia’s Breidis Prescott. Khan, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, said he chose to fight Maidana because he wanted to show he was prepared to go up against the toughest in his weight class.