Edisi 14 Desember 2010 | International Bali Post

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South Korea boat sinks in Antarctic sea; 22 feared dead

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

PAGE 6 Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (R) delivers an address to the Senate next to Northern League leader Umberto Bossi on December 13, 2010 in Rome. Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi faces a knife-edge confidence vote in parliament the day after that could either trigger his downfall or see the resilient Italian leader bounce back once again.

Bali export 679.8 tons of fruits and vegetables PAGE 8

AFP PHOTO / ALBERTO PIZZOLI

‘Narnia” cruises to No. 1 debut with modest $24.5M PAGE 12

Berlusconi offers ‘pact’ with opponents ahead of vote Agence France Presse

ROME - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on Monday offered to strike a deal with his centre-right opponents on the eve of a crucial confidence vote, warning a political crisis would be “folly.” “I want to reconstitute the alliance of all the moderate forces that were at the origin of our political engagement,” Berlusconi said in a speech to the Senate, or upper house of parliament, ahead of Tuesday’s vote.

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He offered a new “legislative pact” with the opposition Union of the Centre (UDC) party and

with the allies of speaker of parliament Gianfranco Fini, whose break with the ruling coalition

caused the current political impasse. Berlusconi faces a knifeedge vote in the lower house of

parliament that could either lead to the collapse of his government or see the resilient Italian leader, who first won elections in 1994, bounce back once again.

“I ask you... to reflect on the political folly that opening a crisis without visible and credible solutions would be today,” Berlusconi said.

Continued on page 6

Egypt rain and sandstorms kill at least 31 Agence France Presse

CAIRO - Rain and sandstorms that battered Egypt at the weekend killed at least 31 people, officials said Monday, adding the toll could rise as rescue workers were still sifting through two collapsed buildings. The bodies of six workers were pulled out Monday of the debris of a six-storey textile factory that crumpled under heavy the previous day in the northern port city of Alexandria, the officials said.

And one worker among 10 who had been wounded in Sunday’s accident died of his injuries, bring-

ing the overall toll of those killed to 10, the officials said. Rescue workers were still looking for about a dozen workers who are thought to be still trapped under the mangled building, they added.

In the Nile Delta city of Tanta, a child was killed and nine people hurt when a five-storey residential building came down on Sunday, leaving one person trapped under the rubble.

Continued on page 6

A church appears through the fog on an island in the Nile River as strong winds hit Cairo on December 12, 2010.

AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI

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International

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Bali News

Landslide at Denpasar-Singaraja section kindles congestion IDR 2 Billion Stage Construction Finished

Singaraja (Bali Post)—

Heavy rain flushing Buleleng on Sunday (Dec 13) caused a number of gorges on the roadside of Denpasar-Singaraja section to avalanche. Large landslide occurred at the point of kilometer 18 near the T-junction leading to Lemukih Village, precisely in the border vicinity between Gitgit Village and Wanagiri Village at around 7:00 p.m. Local Time.

The landslide caused vehicles from Denpasar to Singaraja or vice versa could not pass. Such landslide flowing onto the road accompanied by falling trees closed the road access. No doubt, total traffic congestion occurred along more than one kilometer from the direction of Denpasar and Singaraja. Even, many cars were forced to turn around because they did not want to be stuck in the traffic for too long.

Former legislator of Bali House

from Buleleng, Gede Indria, informed via his mobile phone at that night that the landslides scour was quite large and accompanied by a falling tree. Landslide materials covered the roads so that he who came from Denpasar to Singaraja direction could not pass. “Total congestion ensued was long enough,” he said.

Heavy rains also caused some streams of the rivers in Singaraja City to overflow onto the roads. It happened on the section of Singaraja-Karangasem, near the

bridge of Penarukan terminal. The heavy rain flushing caused the streams of the river to overflow near the bridge. Such overflowing water spilt until inundating the entire road body located on the west of Penarukan Bridge. These conditions resulted in congestion because a passing vehicle had to be extremely careful. Not a few passing vehicles, especially motorcycles, became the victims as the machine suddenly did not work due to exposure of water into machine. (kmb15)

Sandalwood oil business boosted up by moment of feast day Gianyar (Bisnis Bali)—

Lately, the presence of Galungan and Kuningan festivity did not only benefit the transportation business, but also the sellers of accessories, traditional attires and people involved deeply in oblation business.

Similarly, the business of sandalwood oil was boosted up during the moment of holidays.

“On normal days, we can only sell our products amounting to 25 small bottles of sandalwood oil per day, while on holiday as this moment, the demand can reach 50 small bottles per day,” said Made Raka, one of the sandalwood oil sellers and crafters of sandalwood fan, Sunday (Dec 12) in Gianyar.

He added that his consumers tended to come from the middleupper class, especially the women of civil servants, local officials and business circles.

The price of such oil was quite high, namely starting from IDR 80,000 per small bottle containing about 5 cc.

“Quality of this sandalwood oil is much different from the imported essential oil where its smell after the use can last for hours, even days on the attires.

Meanwhile, essential oil of perfume only lasts for an hour,” he said. In addition, he continued, the sandalwood oil had personal characteristic making each person always interested to try and purchase it.

He said, despite many brands of perfume had now been marketed, both in shops, malls and supermarkets, it did not necessarily mean that sandalwood oil business had been forgotten. “Instead, the perfume like this is much sought after, because of its guaranteed originality, let alone the price is quite affordable,” he explained.

Aside from providing sandalwood oil, his party also provided sandalwood fan. He said that such sandalwood handicrafts was enthused by many consumers because the wood was famous for its natural fragrance. “Despite fiercer competition, we remain to become a fan craftsman and preserve the Balinese craft,” he added.

Similar opinion was disclosed

by Putu Sutha, one of the other providers of sandalwood oil. “The use of perfume has now been commonplace, particularly in the moment of Galungan and Kuningan festivity. Therefore, our business has the opportunity to grow con-

tinuously,” he said.

His party had a very large market share, namely it was not limited to certain circles. In addition, consumers were getting smarter and smarter to choose and differentiate which product had good quality and on the way round. He added that other than providing sandalwood oil, his party also provided a sandalwood fan.

“The sandalwood handicraft is favored by many consumers, because the wood is renowned for its natural fragrance,” he said. Other than used to make a fan, sandalwood could also be processed into a variety of handicraft products such as statues, prayer beads, rosary, until the powder of sandalwood.

The raw material of handicraft product was imported from various regions and one of them was East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The price of handicraft products he sold was pretty high, considering the price of sandalwood material was high, too. For example, a rosary was sold from IDR 75,000 to IDR 200,000, sandalwood fan started from IDR 250,000 to IDR 750,000 and sandalwood powder at IDR 50,000 per ounce. Meanwhile, the price of sandalwood oil was from IDR 80,000 to IDR 210,000 per bottle. (aya)

Residents Waits Performances Gianyar (Bali Post) –

Gianyar, the region of the artists, now has its own open stage similar to Ardacandra stage in Art Center, Denpasar. The stage made by changing the east building of Balai Budaya, Gianyar now has finished with the hope it will not get ignored like other open stages in Gianyar as this one spent more than IDR 2 Billion.

Head of Gianyar Public Works Agency, Ir. Nyoman Nuadi, MT, last Sunday (12/12) stated the project that started in June 2010 was finished before Galungan (8/12). The works was as scheduled and it is completed with changing rooms under the main stage. It is stated the large stage was built with two stages with the first at the top and the second in the bottom connected with a path. With this position, colossal dances could involve hundreds of dancers. So what’s the first performance going to be? That will be up

to the Culture Agency.

When confirmed, Head of Gianyar Culture Agency Cokorda Rai Widiarsa hasn’t decided what will be the first performance. Only just in the coming April on Gianyar City’s birthday there will be a colossal dance with the theme Mahapatih Kebo Iwa. The dance involving hundreds of artists will hit the stage which is now with three doors.

When asked will there be any plans during the New Year celebrations, Cokorda Widiarsa could not give certain answers yet, “For sure in April the Culture Agency will present a colossal dance.”

Meanwhile, one of Gianyar City residents met around Astina Raya Gianyar Field from Sengguan hoped that with the stage built, there shouldn’t be no performance. As a region of artists, he hoped with this stage it can increase art and culture innovations in Gianyar. (kmb16)

People Bad Behaviors and Narrow Drains Gunaksa Floods Causer Semarapura (Bali Post) –

The floods in Gunaksa Village, Dawan, Klungkung have gone worse as one of the worse hit was its high school, SMAN 1 Dawan. The floods were caused by the narrow drains around the village with bad behaviors added such as littering on the drains. “It needs drains normalization and more important changing the public’s behavior,” Head of Gunaksa Village, Ketut Budiarta, stated on Sunday (12/12).

It is stated, during his first time as Village Head back in 2009, there was drainage normalization as long as 600 meters. What was done was digging the drains from 2 meters becoming 4 meters with the width 0,8 meters. The budget finished at that time reached IDR 12 Million and done by the local residents, “Actually it’s not much. Yet we can only do that much (as long as 600 meters).

And for the rest we hoped it will be normalized soon.” The most impor-

tant is straightening the one that is cutting the SMAN 1 Dawan area.

The people’s behavior that still likes to litter around the rain caused environment dirty and blocks it too.

To change the public’s habit, Budiarta admitted can’t do it in the same time because it has to be step by step and keep socializing all the time remembering throwing rubbish to the drain has become a habit, “When surveyed post to the flood a few months ago, it was promised there will be some physical fixing (drainage normalization) including fixing Gunaksa’s bridge on the south end. Yet, we still don’t know when it can be done.”

As told before, Gunaksa Village areas were all almost under water by flood as tens of houses were damaged including its fences and shrines. The flood also sank SMAN 1 Dawan which broke the walls and damages tens of computer units. Lately, heavy rain also caused SMAN 1 Dawan had floating waters. (kmb20)

z Founder : K.Nadha, z General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti z Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Wirya, Yudi Winanto zDenpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan,Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan,. NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. z Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. z Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Bali News

International

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

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Standardization of tourism rates needs academic study Denpasar (Bali Post)—

IBP/ist

The picture of Rambut Siwi Temple

Rambut Siwi Rest Area Unapplied, Still Bats Habitat Negara (Bali Post)

The rest area at Rambut Siwi, Yehembang Kangin until now is still unapplied and still as bats and cows habitat. Being in the North of Denpasar Gilimanuk route, Pura Rambut Siwi would be a potential place for the vehicles to and from Java-Bali passing by resting.

The rest area was built to become a supporting facility to Pura Dangkhayangan Rambut Siwi as it’s one of the tourist’s destinations in Jembrana. The government built a building, place to relax, art market, kiosks, food court even a police post. And yet those places became unused, not taken care and left to be bats habitat.

Now, as it’s grown by uncontrollable grasses, the place is used for youngsters for dating at night knowing it is a quiet place. It used to be a shortcut for those coming from Gilmanuk, now it is ignored and drivers prefer the main road.

One of the residents, Ketut Tama, stated the building has been not used for a long time. Before it did become

art markets, shops then lastly a restaurant yet it was unsuccessful and investors were disadvantaged. Besides that, one of the main buildings had bats crowding it and became its habitat so it’s seen disgusting and smelly. The village was also involved in its management and they hoped to have this areal alive again so it can support the people’s economy. (kmb26)

“Suhu Lebah”, Mirroring the Lives of the Honey Producer Insect Artist Ketut Suasana Kabul is back using bees (lebah), honey producer insects, in his artworks. After the solo exhibition at Sudana Gallery in Ubud year 2009, he then had a joined exhibition in 2010 at several places. Last Saturday (11/12) at Warung Lampau located in Merdeka Street, Denpasar he opened another one with his installation themed ‘Suhu Lebah’ (Bees Temperature) where he filled up the place with bees’ habitat.

Besides showing his installation, the Apuan, 30th December 1978 born painter also shows variety sized paintings about bees.

Kabul’s installation was made from 6000 more baskets or woven bamboo.

These woven bamboos had 20 cm diameter and shaped like a bee. These bees were then placed from outside Warung Lampau until inside it. Kabul stated the woven baskets seemed nothing yet actually contains a meaning and high philosophy. Balinese called this

weaving technique ‘maulat-ulatan’, “There should be a force connecting in making the woven bamboo so it became suitable used baskets to bring items. In life context, the woven or ulatan mirrors that all humans are the same, they need one another, work together, to reach a harmony.”

Kabul admitted has been interested with bee’s life for a long time especially its life philosophy. Bee is a unique insect as bees usually lived as a group even though there are some on its own (solitaire). Bees are something to him as they could make a very complicated and artistic habitat, “That is one of the great skills they were blessed with.” Even though they have small bodies, bees can work together and finish big tasks to get to the same purpose.

Through the paintings and installation on bees, he wants to ask appreciators to think about bees life as the era have become more individualis-

tic, “Join work that’s built by bees from making a habitat, looking for food, producing honey to be ‘donated’ to human, needs to be understood.”

So why ‘Suhu Lebah’ as theme?

Kabul stated Suhu/Temperature means the hot and cold condition that can be measured by a thermometer. If it’s developed to a wider meaning, temperature can be connected to the life condition we have, “The things happening like conflicts, wars, jealousy, hatred, and more had came from the human condition that keeps burning without knowing how to control it. This caused me to reflect this condition. I want to ask everyone to learn a lot from the bees.” In a martial arts institution, suhu can also mean as a teacher or someone that needs to be appreciated. In this era, it is hard to find a teacher (someone you can learn from) that can be fully trusted, so these insects could be one. (08)

INSISTENCE of the Head of Commission I of Bali House, Made Arjaya, in order the executive could set the standard rates of tourism to stop promptly the unfair competition among the tourism businesspeople was positively responded by the Head of Bali Government Tourism Office, Ida Bagus Subhiksu. Implicitly, this official of Jembrana origin agreed to standardize the price of tourism set forth in the regional regulation (Perda) separately. Even so, he reminded the preparation of regulations could not be committed in a hurry but needed to go through a comprehensive academic study.

“Proposal of the House is very constructive and should be discussed further, especially through academic studies,” Subhiksu said when contacted by Bali Post, Sunday (Dec 12).

In line with Arjaya, Subhiksu also claimed to be more comfortable if the standard price of Bali tourism was set forth in the legal rule in the form of regional regulation prevailing throughout Bali. It was not only governed by an appeal letter and decree of governor considering that regional regulations clearly had far more binding legal power. “Ideally, standardization of tourism prices should indeed be set forth in separate regional regulation,” he said.

In preparing the regulation draft, he said, his party should review care-

fully and comprehensively by involving all stakeholders in the tourism industry like the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Association of Indonesian Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA), Indonesian Marine Tourism Association (Gahawisri), Association of Tourist Transport of Bali (Pawiba) and so forth. No less important, the regulation should also set forth the types of sanctions that could be imposed to the perpetrators of tourism proven to have performed unlawful practices like substandard rates of tour package and the like. “We will coordinate this matter with the House whether the regulation related to the price standardization of Bali tourism is really urgent to be prepared,” he said while adding that at the moment his party was waiting for the letter of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism managing the standardization of tourism services.

As reported earlier, the Head of Commission I of Bali House, Made Arjaya, highlighted the condition of Bali tourism impressed to have been sold very cheaply. Price wars or substandard price of package tours tending to benefit the tourism perpetrators with great capital posed a commonplace in the Bali tourism. To anticipate the matter, the legislator from Sanur urged the provincial government of Bali to immediately impose a standard price of Bali tourism. (kmb13)

Residents complain about many former excavations of DSDP drop Denpasar (Bali Post)—

During this rainy season, the former excavations in the highway related to the completion of Denpasar Sewerage Development Project (DSDP) reaped a lot of complaints from local residents. Incessant flushing of rain made the former excavations of DSDP drop so that the road was not too flat or filled with pits.

Although the pits were not too deep but uneven condition of the road was considered very prone to trigger traffic accidents.

“It is unknown how long the condition of major roads in Denpasar will be left to languish as they are. Additionally, we do not know for sure, when the DSDP project will be completed,” complained Putu Martana to Bali Post when encountered in the area of Jalan Kartini, Denpasar, Sunday (Dec 12).

During this rainy season, he said, the former excavations of DSDP were very easy to drop. On account of uneven road condition, the road users automatically slowed down the speed of their vehicle and kept away from troubled road. It was said that such condition was potentially triggering traffic jams at rush hours, in-

cluding very vulnerable to trigger traffic accidents. “I do hope relevant parties could improve as soon as possible the inconvenient road condition for the road users. Do not be left damaged for longer time,” he suggested.

An analogous complaint was revealed by one of the residents on Jalan Raya Sesetan. According to him, condition of the road along Jalan Raya Sesetan was uneven or bumpy.

However, until now there was no certainty when the road would be completely repaired. In fact, condition of the bumpy road had been complained for long time. “Formerly, we’ve got information that the road will be repaved with hot mix asphalt after the project is completed. Unfortunately, until now it has not been repaired,” he moaned while asking the Denpasar Municipality to urge relevant parties to immediately repair the damaged roads.

Based on the observation of Bali Post, Sunday (Dec 12), there were dozens of damaged roads due to former excavation. Among others, it came about on the area of Jalan Pulau Roon, Jalan Nusa Kambangan, Jalan Kartini, Jalan Raya Sesetan and several other roads downtown Denpasar. (kmb13)

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News

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

International

Haggling over powerbroker Ozawa plagues Japan’s DPJ Reuters

TOKYO – Japan’s ruling Democratic Party (DPJ) avoided a bustup over scandal-tainted powerbroker Ichiro Ozawa on Monday, but internal bickering looked set to plague the government as it struggles to finalize next year’s budget.

The haggling over whether Ozawa should appear before a parliamentary ethics panel over a funding scandal has distracted from policy decisions as the government seeks ways to pass bills in a divided parliament and bolster a weak economy.

Katsuya Okada, the DPJ’s secretary general, told a news conference that party executives had entrusted him with a decision on the matter and that he would try to meet Ozawa soon to urge him to appear before the parliamentary panel.

“The issue is one of the reasons obstructing the operation of parliament and ... could affect elections,” Okada said.

He added that if Ozawa refused to appear voluntarily, he would decide the party’s stance, but sidestepped questions about what would happen if Ozawa did not explain himself in parliament.

The DPJ swept to power last year, ending more than half a century of

almost non-stop rule by its conservative rival.

But the scandal dogging Ozawa, a veteran strategist, has helped to slice voter support for Prime Minister Naoto Kan’s government to about 25 percent.

“The problem at the moment is that we’ve got a lot of huge problems in Japan and they are just not being dealt with,” said Nicholas Smith, director of equity research at MF Global FXA Securities in Tokyo. “Foreigners are watching this very closely.”

Party strife, he said, would affect a wide range of policies from a possible future rise in the 5 percent sales tax to fix Japan’s debt-laden public finances to passage of the state budget from next April 1 and a proposed cut in corporate income tax.

A judicial panel has ruled that Ozawa, 68, must be indicted on suspicion on falsification of reports by his political funding organization.

He has denied any wrongdoing

and could well refuse to appear before the ethics panel, which has no authority to force him to attend.

DISMAL ELECTION SHOWING

Okada may hope that sending a signal about the need for Ozawa to explain himself might help to win support in parliament from the second-biggest opposition party, the New Komeito.

The rift has fanned concerns that Ozawa might leave the DPJ as he did in 1993 from the Liberal Democratic Party, sparking a chain reaction that briefly pushed the party from power.

But analysts said that Ozawa, whose clout appears to be waning, might be wary of defecting this time. “I think things will go on this way for a while,” said Katsuhiko Nakamura, executive director at the Asian Forum Japan think tank.

The turmoil coincides with efforts to wrap up the draft 2011/12 budget by Christmas. But some bond market players said the confusion was unlikely to directly affect efforts to balance spending to bolster the stalling economy with the need to curb public debt already twice the size of the $5 trillion economy.

Reuters

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan (R) walks in front of Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku

A dismal showing by Democratic candidates in a local assembly election on Sunday in Ibaraki, north of Tokyo, was likely to add fuel to the internal battle in the party, a mixed bag of former LDP lawmakers, ex-socialists and younger conservatives.

Kan led the DPJ to defeat in a July upper house poll a month after taking office and worries about a poor performance in local elections in April could lead to calls to replace him. A former grassroots activist, Kan is already Japan’s fifth leader in three years.

Nepal’s ex-crown prince fires gun in row Agence France Presse

AFP

A passer-by stand stands at the corner of Bryggaregatan and Drottninggatan street in central Stockholm.

UK police search house in Stockholm blasts probe Reuters

LONDON – British police searched a property in southern England as part of an investigation into a bombing in a busy shopping district of the Swedish capital on Saturday.

Police said on Monday they had examined a terraced house in the town of Luton, Bedfordshire, on

Sunday night under the terrorism act. “No arrests have been made and no hazardous materials found,” a police statement said.

Swedish police said they were treating the bomb blasts in Stockholm as an act of terrorism by a lone attacker that followed an emailed threat referring to Sweden’s troops in Afghanistan and to cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad.

KATHMANDU – Nepal’s former crown prince admitted Monday firing his gun into the air after getting into an argument with guests at an upmarket tourist resort about the role of the country’s royals. Paras Shah, 38, who as crown prince was notorious for his playboy lifestyle, lost his temper with the guests on Saturday reportedly after a late-night drinking session.

Nepal’s 240-year-old Hindu monarchy was abolished in 2008, but the former royals continue to fascinate, and news of the incident dominated the newspaper front pages on Monday.

Paras said in a statement that two guests had approached him at the Tiger Tops resort in the Chitwan national park and “said negative things about my former role and the institution I represented”.

He added: “When my family and all the guests had left the restaurant, I fired one bullet in the air because I could not tolerate the insult upon me and my country.” A witness who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity said Paras, who was staying at the resort with his wife and young son, had to be escorted from the dining hall by his security staff after he started shouting at the guests.

“I don’t know what the discussion was about, but he was pretty annoyed,” said the witness, who asked not to be named. “He was shouting and then he went outside and fired a round.” Paras moved to Singapore in 2008 when his father, the unpopular former king Gyanendra, lost the throne.

But he has now returned to Nepal, where his wife recently launched a fund to help deprived women and children in a move widely seen as an attempt to rehabilitate the family’s public image.

A spokesman for the Tiger Tops resort, a popular tourist

destination, declined to comment. A local government official said no formal complaint had been lodged.

Nine years ago Nepal’s crown prince Dipendra gunned down his relatives — including the king and queen — in a drink and drugs-fuelled rage before apparently turning his gun on himself.

AFP/File

File photo shows former Nepali crown prince Paras Shah in Kathmandu.

Activities

International

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

5

For The Third Times

Novotel Bali Benoa achieves Green Globe Earthcheck certification IBP

BENOA - Novotel Bali Benoa is recognized as a hotel with strong commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standard, Green Globe Certified Novotel Bali Benoa has achieved the prestigious Green Globe Certified for the third times, a Green Globe Certified status under the Green Globe Earthcheck Certification programme managed by EC3 Global. The global programme recognises Novotel Bali Benoa’s commitment to operating at the world’s highest environmental standard. Prior to achieving Certification, Novotel Bali Benoa successfully Benchmarked using the EarthcheckTM tool against key environmental indicators including better waste management, community development, chemical products control, and energy and water consumption control.

Novotel Benoa Bali chose to demonstrate their commitment to the environment by undertaking Certification – the highest level of Green Globe programme as managed by EC3 Glo-

bal. The Certification process involves either an onsite audit or offsite assessment by an EC3 Global approved independent third party Green Globe Auditor. The successful completion of the Certification process demonstrated Novotel Bali Benoa’s strong commitment to the principles of environmental sustainability.

Moreover, in order to retain Green Globe Certified status, Novotel Bali Benoa will be required to successfully complete an annual Benchmarking Assessment and On-site Certification Audits at least every two years.

Stewart Moore, CEO of EC3 Global says he delighted that Novotel Bali Benoa has achieved Green Globe Certified status. ‘’Novotel Bali Benoa is a prime example of an organisation committed to environmentally sustainable tourism. They have demonstrated through a variety of initiatives, that their business and its employees can make a difference by reducing their environmental impact. The commitment they have shown by participating in the Green Globe programme underpinned

by EarthcheckTM science and the achievements they have made within

the programme set an example for other businesses to follow,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Olivier Moies-Delval, General Manager of Novotel Bali Benoa stated that the perception on sustainable environmental management is becoming common among worldwide leading corporations. So Novotel continuously encouraging all of its team to continue its effort and systemize their environmental management as well as corporate social responsibility actions to move to the next level up. ‘’We are also encouraging our partner to find ways to reduce the impact of climate change and take significant steps to preserve Bali as a resort island,’’ he explained.

Through the hotel’s guest room-towel re-using program, in which guests are invited to reuse their towels instead of having them re-laundered, Novotel Bali Benoa has committed to planting 1 tree for every 5 re-used towels through Accor Indonesia’s tree planting project in Gelandang Village in Central Java. ‘’We actively invite our guests and encourage them to participate in our environmental initiatives by seeking their feedback on a regular basis,’’ added Olivier MoiesDelval.

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.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

News Midwest in deep freeze after storm cancels flights Associated Press Writer

CHICAGO – A powerful storm that unleashed snow and strong winds across the upper Midwest has left behind dangerously cold temperatures. The weekend storm closed major highways in several states, canceled more than 1,600 flights in Chicago and collapsed the roof of the Minnesota Vikings’ stadium. At least six weather-related deaths were reported.

The storm dropped nearly 2 feet

of snow in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Strong winds that blew snow around in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana severely limited visibility.

The National Weather Service says the storm is headed northeast toward Canada. Snow is possible Monday in Michigan, northern Indiana and parts of Pennsylvania and New York.

Officials said plunging temperatures in the upper Midwest could cause problems on roadways even in places where the storm has passed.

Egypt...

From page 1

AP Photo/Yonhap, Min Young-kyun

An unidentified family member of a fisherman of South Korean fishing boat No. 1 Insung cries at the headquarters of Insung Corp. in Busan, South Korea, Monday, Dec. 13, 2020.

South Korea boat sinks in Antarctic sea; 22 feared dead Associated Press Writer

SEOUL, South Korea – A South Korean fishing boat sank in the Antarctic Ocean’s frigid waters Monday, with 22 sailors feared killed in the open sea where vessels trawl for deepwater fish, officials said. Twenty survivors were rescued shortly after the 614-ton vessel went down some 1,400 miles (2,250 kilometers) south of New Zealand about halfway to Antarctica, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry and coast guard said.

Anyone who fell into such waters would typically would be dead in 10 minutes without special suits or lifejackets, though nearby fishing boats launched a frantic search in hopes that some may have made it into a life raft, New Zealand’s rescue coordination center said.

“We were fortunate that there were a number of vessels in the general area (where the boat sank), so they were able to provide for survivors was scaled down later Monday as it was “increasingly unlikely” further survivors would be found, Henderson said. Two New Zealand fishing boats were released from the effort but three Korean vessels searched on, he added.

Rescuers considered calling in aircraft from either New Zealand or from the U.S. Antarctic re-

search station on McMurdo Sound, but Henderson said the plan was abandoned because neither plane could reach the remote area in time to find survivors.

The South Korean owned and operated No. 1 Insung sank about 1,100 miles (1,850 kilometers) north of Antarctica — a little more than halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica.

Many fishing vessels ply the remote seas to haul in deepwater fish such as the Patagonian toothfish, also known as Chilean sea bass, to sell to restaurants around the world. With world consumption of seafood increasing, commercial fleets have begun to operate farther offshore to meet demand.

The Korean boat had 42 people on board when it sunk: eight South Koreans, eight Chinese, 11 Indonesians, 11 Vietnamese, three Fili-

pinos and one Russian, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The confirmed dead included two Indonesians, two South Koreans and one Vietnamese, a ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of office rules. The Chinese Embassy in South Korea said four Chinese sailors were missing while four others were rescued, China’s official Xinhua News Agency reported told Xinhua.

It was unclear why the vessel sank in light winds and a relatively mild 3-foot (1-meter) swell.

Separately, South Korean media outlets reported that high waves that later developed in the area were hampering the rescue operation. Officials at the South Korean-based company that owns the boat had no immediate comment.

Building collapses are relatively frequent in Egypt where construction guidelines are flouted and extra floors are often added to buildings without planning permission.

Twenty people were killed and more than 40 injured in road accidents Sunday across Egypt blamed on poor visibility from heavy rains and sandstorms, officials said.

Meanwhile, a tug boat was trying to pull to safety on Monday an Italian cargo ship stranded off Egypt’s northwestern coast with 21 crew on board and 38 containers of toxic paint and resins, the Italian

news agency Ansa reported. The ship had broken down three days earlier off the coast of Marsa Matruh.

Egypt’s main ports in Alexandria and the Red Sea opened on Monday a day after authorities closed them due to high winds, low visibility and heavy rains, officials said. Maritime traffic at the Suez Canal was restored after the entry of south-bound ships was barred on Sunday and north-bound traffic was limited from the waterway, which links the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.

Berlusconi...

From page 1 “Our country is being shaken by serious tensions that concern the heart of the economic system — the financial credibility of the state,” he added. “The prospects for stability and the hopes for growth of the economic and financial system depend on the confidence votes,” he continued.

There will be confidence votes in the both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies starting at around 0800 GMT on Tuesday but the attention is mainly on the vote in the lower house, where Berlusconi’s support is seen as weaker. If he loses the vote, Berlusconi will be forced to offer his resignation.

Analysts say the vote is just too close to call but even if he wins with a paper-thin majority, Italy may have to hold elections before the government’s mandate runs out in 2013 in order to prevent a paralysis in parliament. The contest is so tight that even President Giorgio Napolitano — who is expected to play an important role in any political deal-making after the vote — said “a crystal ball” would be needed to predict its outcome.

The 74-year-old media tycoon

burst onto Italy’s corruption-ridden political scene with an election win in 1994 and has gone on to win two other votes in 2001 and 2008 and serve the longest term as prime minister in post-war Italy.

He has become a figure of ridicule on the international stage — famous for his gaffes, off-colour jokes and sexual escapades — but is still seen as a powerful player in Italy and supporters say it is too early to write him off. The political instability in a major eurozone economy has so far had little effect on financial markets used to Italian government turbulence despite Italy’s high level of public debt — the third highest in the world.

Tens of thousands of protesters from the main opposition Democratic Party marched in Rome on Saturday to demand a change of government and further protests are expected in the Italian capital on Tuesday.

“The record of these last years is disastrous. Our country had not improved at all. We have been left behind by the strong countries of Europe,” Democratic Party leader Pier Luigi Bersani told the crowd on Saturday.

International

Indonesia Today

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

7

Radical Indonesian cleric Bashir could face death penalty Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Indonesian prosecutors promised a swift trial of radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir after police charged him Monday with inciting others to commit terrorist acts, a crime carrying the death penalty.

“We want to try him very quickly,” South Jakarta prosecutors office chief Mohammed Yusuf told reporters after the aged extremist presented himself under tight security to hear the indictment.

Dozens of heavily armed police and two armoured vehicles were on hand as the alleged spiritual leader of Indonesian jihad, or holy war, was transferred from his prison where he has been on remand since August.

The indictment charges Bashir, whose anti-Western tirades and conspiracy theories have made him a figurehead for local extremists, with multiple crimes under the anti-terror law.

They include providing funds for terrorist activities and encouraging people to carry out acts of terrorism, related to a militant training camp that was discovered in Aceh province earlier this year.

“The harshest allegation is that he incited others to commit crimes

of terrorism, which carries the death penalty,” Yusuf said.

The trial is not expected to start for at least two months.

Sporting his usual wispy white beard and white Islamic dress, the frail 71-year-old made no comment to reporters but his lawyer said he denied the allegations and would not sign the indictment.

The “Al-Qaeda in Aceh” group featured some of Southeast Asia’s most-wanted terror suspects and was plotting Mumbai-style attacks on embassies, hotels and political figures in Jakarta, police have said.

Bashir’s arrest came after a series of raids which netted over 100 terror suspects nationwide as police dismantled the Aceh-based network.

The bespectacled cleric served almost 26 months for conspiracy over the 2002 attacks on Bali nightspots that killed 202 people, before being cleared and released in 2006.

AFP PHOTO / Bay ISMOYO

Heavily armed police escort radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir (C) at South Jakarta prosecutors office on December 13, 2010 as the alleged spiritual leader of Indonesian jihad, or holy war, was transferred from his prison where he has been on remand since August. Indonesian prosecutors promised a swift trial of radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir after police charged him with inciting others to commit terrorist acts, a crime carrying the death penalty.

Jogjakarta residents demand for Sultan’s stance speech Antara

GUNUNG KIDUL - The people of the Jogjakarta Special Province are still waiting and urging Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X as their leader to decide on a firm stance about the increasing polemics on the region.

“We are waiting for His Majesty to decide on a firm stance by openly talking as the King of Jogjakarta’s sultanate for its citizens know the Sultan’s will and plans,” Mas Ngabehi Suparno Citro Pangarso as a Gunung Kidul sub-districts head said here Sunday.

Suparno said as a citizen he is still curious about the reason why the tenth Jogjakartan sultanate

leader had yet to issue a decision or commandment to his people.

“We as his people are still waiting for his decision and desire, and we need to know soon to prevent confusion of the people,” he said.

Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X had been asked to be firm for Jogjakarta’s Special Province’s future and ordered his subjects so as not to be dragged in the polemics.

Ngabehi said that the Semar community is in line with Jogjakarta’s village heads association “Ismaya” to fight for Jogjakarta’s special region by the decision of Sultan Paku Alam as the regional head.

Whereas the Semar Gunung Kidul movement is recently still focusing on Jogjakarta’s Palace pennants as a sup-

porting form to the pro Privileges Act (RUUK) draft through determination.

As a supporting form, the Semar community presents their respects by holding an Indonesia red and white flag decorated with the Palace’s symbol.

The special Indonesian flag order also increases its number as evidence for the establishment of the Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and Sri Paduka Paku Alam IX as Governor and Deputy Governor of DIY’s stronger support.

“The volatility that is felt by the Ngayogdjakarta Nagari (Jogjakarta Empire) society must be quickly addressed by Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and Paku Alam IX himself,” he said.

President opens public prosecutors’ congress Antara

JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here Monday officially opened a national congress of public prosecutors.

The opening ceremony was held at the State Palace and attended by among others Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Minister/

State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, National Police Chief Timur Pradopo and Chief of the State Intelligent Agency (BIN) Sutanto.

The annual congress being held from December 13 to 15, 2010, was being participated in by heads of the high prosecutor’s offices and their assistants from Indonesian provinces, and overseas offices.

During the congress, the participants

are expected to evaluate the performance of prosecutors during the past one year and discuss the legal development trend prevailing in the public.

Attorney General Basrief Arief in his report said the congress 2010’s agenda were the optimalization of prosecutors’ works, bureaucratic reform, and the procedure operational standard, the regaining of the public trust, the future challenges and obstacles.

Embattled Christians ask Indonesian president for protection Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Indonesian Christians appealed to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for protection on Monday after Muslim vigilante groups, backed by police, surrounded their homes and forced them to leave.

More than 100 members of the Batak Christian Protestant Church (HKBP) were forced to evacuate seven houses in Rancaekek Wetan village outside Jakarta on Sunday as Muslims staged angry protests over unauthorised religious services. The Christians say they have been forced to hold services inside their homes because the local government has repeatedly knocked back and ignored requests to approve a church or authorise another venue for their place of worship.

The protesters included members of violent Islamist vigilante groups that have close ties to the security forces in the Muslim-majority country.

“The situation was quite tense yesterday. If we didn’t ask them (the Christians) to leave, there would have been bad consequences. We tried to avoid any destruction or physical attacks,” local police chief Hendro Pandowo said.

“They don’t have any permit to

use the houses as places of worship.

We can’t arrest (the Muslims) as they got a permit to hold the protest.”

He added: “If the place was legally designated as a church, we’d provide security protection. Otherwise, we can’t do much as it’s against the law.”

HKBP Reverend Hutagalung said the Christians would continue to worship in their houses and urged Yudhoyono to uphold religious freedoms enshrined in the country’s constitution.

“We’ll continue to worship there whatever the consequences,” he told AFP. “We want President Yudhoyono to give us a guarantee that we’ll be able to practise our faith freely without any intimidation from other groups.”

Sunday’s incident is the latest in a series of confrontations between Protestants and Muslims in the Bandung and Bekasi areas near Jakarta in recent months, including the stabbing and beating up of church leaders.

The unresolved tensions — and Yudhoyono’s failure to rein in violent extremist groups — have undermined the country’s reputation for tolerance, which US President Barack Obama held up as “Indonesia’s example to the world” during a visit in October.

8

Internationa

Tuesday, December 14 , 2010

Bali Today Bali export 679.8 tons of fruits and vegetables Antara

Denpasar – In the middle of rapid raid by the fruits from abroad, Bali managed to exports 679.8 tons of crops during January through September 2010 period. Made Putra Suryawan, the head of Bali Farming Department, said “the exports include mangosteen, mango, rambutan, salacca, and vegetables.”

He said that the fruits and vegetables were exported to Japan, US, Australia, and few countries in Europe. “Mangosteen was the most fruit exported with 675 tons, followed by mango, durian, pomegranate, salacca, and watermelon,” Suryawan said.

In addition to fruits, Bali was also exporting vegetables such as eggplant, and chili. Many tourists also often bring those fruits and vegetables from Bali to their native country. The growth of the plants was using the environment friendly fertilizer.

“That is the demand of the international market and the farmers in Bali are leading to that direction by developing the Simantri, the integrated farming system,” Suryawan explained.

In order to intensify the development of farming in Bali, the Department of Seed (BBI) in Bali is providing the suitable seed for the farmers.

The seed will fulfill the demand for high quality crops in the local market and international one.

The success rate of the seed varied from 55% to 80% and for the tiram mushroom, the success rate is up to 90%.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com

The photo shows imported fruits. In the middle of fruits importing trend, Bali also exported various local fruits to several countries.

Four areas in Bali prone to landslides Antara

DENPASAR - Four districts in the resort island of Bali are prone to landslides, the local chapter of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) said.

“The four districts are Gianyar, Bangli, Tabanan and Buleleng,” Diah Handayani, spokesperson of the PMI disaster command post in Denpasar, said on Sunday.

The areas are prone to landslides as they have many sloping hills, she

said.

“Based on our records, landslides very often occur when there are heavy rains. We call on the people living in the areas to watch out for possible landslides to avoid fatalities,” she said.

Almost 40 percent of landslides that hit Bali throughout this year occurred in Gianyar, she said.

“Two or three of six or seven landslides that hit Bali this year were found in Gianyar district,” she said.

Puri Blahbatuh to become tourism destination Antara

GIANYAR – The Puri Agung in Blahbatuh District in Gianyar is renovated in order to make is as a wonderful tourism site. The Puri or home for the royal family in Bali stores an historical item which is the “Gajah Mada” mask. Anak Agung Alit Kakarsana, the elder in the Puri, said “the Puri is being renovated and cleaned on some part of it.”

He added that only several part of the place needed renovation in order to maintain its original architecture. The renovation is done one step of the time while waiting for the input and opinion from others in order to establish the Puri

as one of the tourist destination in Gianyar.

“Many of the artists in Gianyar give their idea to us and we will try as much as we can to accommodate it,” Alit said.

The award giving ceremony to the Prime Minister of East Timor Xanana Gusmao along with several Balinese artists was the first ceremony held in the Puri. “There is great hope that the existence of the Puri can be maintained in the globalization era,” he added.

On the first ceremony, the Puri gave special award in the form of Gajah Mada statue to Xanana Gusmao on Thursday, December 9 2010. “The statute was given to Xanana Gusmao in order to increase the impression of the

Gajah Mada mask stored in Puri Agung Blahbatuh,” Alit explained.

According to him, the auras of Gajah Mada mask need to be increased in order to make people remember and respect the heroic act of Gajah Mada. He was the infamous officer of Majapahit Kingdom who united the islands throughout Indonesia by his oath called “Sumpah Palapa”.

Alit said that in the future, the Puri will carry out more appropriate event in order to promote other historical items stored there. Currently, there are 20 other historical masks store in the Puri and it is given certain ceremony so the purity of the masks can be maintained.

al

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Balinese Culture Gebogan:

A True Bali at Carangsari Village INTENTION of the Badung Regency government to develop tourism sector in the Northern Badung in the form of agro or rural tourism was positively welcomed by the community of Carangsari Village. Even, long before the idea came up, the village with 7 customary hamlets and 9 administrative hamlets have organized themselves. Evidently, the village that has no tourist attraction managed to draw 3000-5000 foreign tourists per month.

I.B. Nama Rupa, Chairman of the tourism awareness group (Pokdarwis) of Carangsari Village said the village located about 35 km north of Denpasar really did not have a tourist attraction.

However, due to commitment of local community to preserve the natural and cultural environment and driven by social foundation named A True Balinese Experience (ATBE), it was then established a rafting business.

Its tourist attraction did not only include the rafting itself, but it was also expanded by providing other intriguing optional tours such as cycling, jungle trekking, village trekking and attraction of the native Sumatra elephant as conservation of the central government. “Out of the existing tourist activities, the elephant attraction is the most demanding among the tourists,” he explained.

Additionally, he said the name of the foundation was inspired by the comments of tourists feeling a truly experience of Bali. On that account, all tourist attractions were offering ecofriendly programs upholding the movement of back to village. For example, committing conservation, planting trees from the upstream to downstream such as that had been done on the Bebeni Peak up to the Mangrove Forest in Benoa. Likewise, the movement also motivated people to visit the homes of local residents.

Rendezvous of Assorted Local Fruits

http://bliketut.com

Tourists riding bike at Carangsari village.

Gusde, as he familiarly addressed, then gave an example that jungle trekking activities were always filled with tree plantings with tagline ‘one guest one tree.’ Later, the tree was given a name label who planted it. As a result, all tourists were very happy. Gusde, who is also the Operations Manager of ATBE, added that cycling activity invited visitors to see the homes of villagers continued by giving donations to the owner of the house. This activity was intended to motivate the local population to keep their house clean and healthy.

On average, Gusde added, guests paying a visit to the Carangsari Village spent a whole day. In the morning, they rode a bike, then rafting up to ride an elephant. Most tourists were from Australia and then followed by European, Asian and domestic tourists. Domestic tourists preferred to carry out outbound or team building activities.

Setting up the Pokdarwis

Since many local communities get involved in tourism sector, the

Badung Government Tourism Office then suggested establishing a tourism awareness group (Pokdarwis) as an organization that could provide people with an understanding about tourism. Moreover, it received a great support from the owner and management of ATBE to make Carangsari as a tourism village, so the existence of Pokdarwis was considered very important.

According to Gusde, the organization was founded last year with a total membership of 35 people.

Meanwhile, the Section Head of Guidance Services in the Badung Government Tourism Office, I Made Astawa, and Head of Community Guidance of Bali Government Tourism Office, Ni Ketut Nuryati, when giving guidance and evaluation to the Pokdarwis of Carangsari Village not long ago compactly said that all group members were involved directly as a tourism worker. On that account, it was not required to provide more sessions of education and training. (BTN/015)

C.045 ibp

Do you know the longest fruits in Bali?

Of course, you will answer the fruits arrangement carried in a parade. It is an amazing spectacle you can encounter on Paradise Island of Bali.

Women carry it on their head on the parade in the arts and temple festival.

Visitors will keep eyes incessantly on the splendor.

To Balinese community, aside from being used for consumption, fruits are remarkably important for their ritual life. Virtually all sacrificial oblations require the presence of fruits. Expressing their gratitude in temple anniversary, human life cycle rituals and ceremony for rice in the field entail various fruits as well. Undeniably, they plant the frequently used fruits at their home yard or back yard. Other than for its fruits, it is also taken advantage for shady tree. Some fruits usually planted within the house compound are like guava, sapodilla, papaya, mango, rambutan, pomegranate and so forth.

Considering the high needs of fruits for ritual, the Hindus in Bali organize special ritual intended for the plants in the hope it could bear dense fruits. It is regularly held every 210 days falling on Saniscara (Saturday) Kliwon Wariga or better known as Tumpek Pengarah or Tumpek Pengatag. This ritual is 25 days before Galungan festivity. It is intended to express gratitude and hope those plants could yield sufficient crops for the celebration of festivities. The plant is treated as an elder so the oblation is filled with rice porridge.

Global market today has a great impact on the penetration of foreign fruits. People can purchase various kinds of imported fruits like pear, apple, kiwi fruit, green grape and so forth at traditional market and even at stalls nearby. In the long run, they have replaced the position of local fruits.

To maintain and preserve the sustainability of local fruits, local government through Department of Agriculture has made several efforts. One of them is by organizing competition of making gebogan (fruits and cakes arrangement) by means of purely local fruits. This measure is by considering the greater fruit demands are absorbed by the need of ritual activities. Another measure is by providing the cutting or hybrid seedlings of some local fruits. By doing so, people can cultivate them at ease. The no less important is implanting awareness that using local fruits for ritual needs is more relevant as they have got ritual pursuant to Hindu tradition in Bali.

A momentous moment to see such local fruits rendezvous is the cultural parade in Bali Arts Festival (mid of June) and other art festivals across the island as well as temple anniversary throughout the year. The latter can be checked on the Balinese calendar. Like an art event, various local fruits like banana, snakefruit, guava, orange, banana, sawo kecik, sapodilla, passion fruit, custard apple, kaliasem, mangosten, pomelo and many others are arranged nicely in combination with cakes and oblation on top. Of course, in most cases they are coming together with imported fruits. (BTN/punia)

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Destinations

International

Ponjok Batu Temple IBP

http://lh3.ggpht.com

Ponjok Batu Temple is a stone temple where all temple buildings are made from stone. It is located Banjar Alasari, Pacung countryside, Tejakula sub district and Singaraja regency about 24 km eastside of Singaraja town or north part of Bali. This temple area own the wide area about 35 acre in form of black stones bank. The position of this temple is rather sticking out to the sea as a foreland or Ponjok. Base on the position and condition then this place is named

by Ponjok Batu so that the temple is standing above foreland petrify and it is referred as Ponjok Batu Temple.

In papyrus of Dwijendra Tattwa elaborate that Danghyang Nirartha (who one spread out the Hinduism in Bali) besides executing Tirtha Yatra (visit the holy places) in Bali area, he also do at Lombok and Sumbawa Island . When he does the tirta yatra in Lombok and Sumbawa Island , he leave in Bali passing the north area of Bali and then it is named by Denbukit. Hereinafter narrated that Danghyang Nirartha found the lodging that is located in coastal periphery with its stone bank and steep rather sordid to sea in the form of a foreland which is called Ponjok. After omitting a few moments in the lodging then he go to

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Lombok and Sumbawa Island to conduct the Tirtha Yatra. At the end, the Pesraman/lodging of Danghyang Nirartha is built an altar named with Ponjok Batu Temple which has been existing since 16 century. It is founded together with the execution of Danghyang Nirartha journey in north part of Bali.

Function of Ponjok Batu Temple as follows: * According to the archaeology omission at Ponjok Batu Temple , there is an Arca statue) with four hands as a fundamental of Ponjok Batu Temple building. The attribute (icon) of this Arca have timeworn, so that any kind of object brought is ignorable and the God Arca it self can not be identified.

Besides of the God Statue (Arca), in Ponjok Batu Temple is also found a Lembu Nandi Arca (a cow statue) is meaning from Siwa God. If the both Arcas are interacting hence the God Arca with 4 hands in this temple is Arca of Siwa God. * According to Papyrus of Dwijendra Tattwa, the history elaboration can be said that the function of Ponjok Batu Temple is for worship the supremacy of Danghyang Nirartha as a Teacher in settling Hinduism teaching, especially Siwaism. The function strengthened with the existence of special temple building in Ponjok Batu Temple is called Danghyang Nirartha Temple.

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

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

11

BUSINESS Dollar edges up ahead of economic data, Fed meeting Agence France-Presse

TOKYO - The dollar edged up against other major currencies in Asia on Monday as investors awaited a raft of economic data and a meeting of the US central bank later this week, analysts said.

AFP PHOTO/Peter PARKS

The dollar changed hands at 84.08 yen in Tokyo afternoon trade, slightly up from 83.94 in New York late Friday.

The euro fell to 1.3194 dollars from 1.3226 and to 110.94 yen from 111.02 yen amid persistent worries over eurozone sovereign debt.

Trading was calm in the absence of fresh market-moving news.

The yen is likely to weaken due to expected further monetary tightening by China, Citibank’s Japan forex chief strategist Osamu Takashima told Dow Jones Newswires.“With higher interest rates, the cost for China to maintain its vast foreign currency reserves will increase,” he said.

Dealers are tipping Beijing to

increase rates after data on Saturday showed inflation at 5.1 percent in November, well up from October’s 4.4 percent and much higher than the government’s three percent comfort zone.

To offset such a cost China is likely to prefer investing in higheryielding assets such as those denominated in the Australian dollar and New Zealand dollar, he said.

“It’s highly unlikely that lowyielding yen-denominated assets will be a major investment vehicle for China.”

A string of economic data is due out this week, including US consumer prices and the Bank of Japan’s quarterly business sentiment survey on Wednesday.

The US Federal Reserve’s

policy-setting Open Market Committee is to hold a meeting on Tuesday.

A statement from the US central bank, which will come early Wednesday in Asia, is “the most likely candidate to provide the next cue” for the dollar, said John Kyriakopoulos, forex strategist at National Australia Bank.

The dollar was mixed against other Asian currencies.

It eased to 1.3085 Singapore dollars from 1.3096 on Friday, to 43.67 Philippine pesos from 43.72, and to 30.03 Thai baht from 30.05.

It firmed to 1,144.90 South Korean won from 1,142.50 and to 9,018.00 Indonesian rupiah from 9,016.00 while staying flat at 30.04 Taiwan dollars.

Australia unveils sweeping banking reforms Agence France-Presse

SYDNEY - Australia unveiled tough changes to finance laws Sunday, banning unpopular mortgage fees and cracking down on price collusion between major banks in a bid to boost competition in the sector.

Treasurer Wayne Swan said the reforms aimed to empower consumers, bolster smaller lenders and secure credit flows to both consumers and business, pledging a “fair go in the banking system”.

Targeting Australia’s “big four” banks, the reforms ban exit fees on new home loans and allow the competition regulator to prosecute lenders for colluding on rates, after large hikes sparked an angry consumer backlash.

An additional four billion dollars would also be injected into the mortgage-backed securities market under the reforms, Swan said.

“Build(ing) up competition in our banking system will ensure that interest rates are lower over time,” Swan told reporters. “It’s very important that we don’t let the big banks off the hook.”

Credit unions and building societies would for the first time be able to issue covered bonds — triple-Arated debt instruments backed by mortgages or public sector loans — as a “way of lessening our reliance

on overseas markets” for liquidity, added the treasurer.

A government guarantee on deposits introduced during the global financial crisis would also be made permanent and extended to smaller lenders.

The long-awaited reforms follow simmering discontent over Australia’s comparatively steep interest rates, which are now higher than 7.50 percent due to hikes by commercial lenders above the 4.75 percent official cash rate.

Holding the benchmark rate steady this month, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) noted that “lending rates in the economy are now a little above average” due to the commercial banks raising the cost of borrowing above the RBA rate.

Swan has slammed the “big four” — ANZ, Westpac, National Australia Bank and the Commonwealth — for moving above and beyond the RBA despite recording bumper profits, accusing them of arrogance and a “cynical cash grab”.

Australia’s banks were credited with helping the country stave off recession during the global financial crisis after they eschewed risky lending and investment practices seen in the United States and Europe.

But a series of seven rate hikes

since October 2009 has hit homeowners, while thousands of customers are expected to join a potential multi-billion dollar class action suit against a swathe of unpopular minor banking fees.

Swan said the global financial crisis had significantly eroded competition in Australia’s 2.5-trilliondollar finance sector by sinking smaller lenders, leaving “competitive roadblocks” that gave the major banks too much power.

“There’s no silver bullet when it comes to building up competition in the banking sector, but today I’m announcing a raft of changes which will further strengthen competition in this vital sector for the Australian economy,” he said.

Several pieces of legislation have to pass Australia’s finely-balanced parliament in order for the reforms to go ahead, with the ruling Labor party holding a majority of just one.

Swan said he was hopeful of getting the necessary support and he would be strongly arguing the case for reform, which received a mixed response from the industry.

Some critics said the latest changes did not go far enough, while the Australian Bankers’ Association said exit fees reflected “legitimate costs of mortgages and banning them will hurt smaller lenders”.

A shopper walks through Wangfujing shopping street in Beijing on December 10, 2010. China’s leaders pledged to ensure “stable and healthy” economic development in 2011, state media said Sunday in announcing the conclusion of a top-level annual meeting on the economy.

China’s leaders pledge stable economic growth in 2011 Agence France-Presse

BEIJING - China’s leaders pledged to ensure “stable and healthy” economic development in 2011, state media said Sunday in announcing the conclusion of a top-level annual meeting on the economy.

The Central Economic Work Conference, held each year to outline economic strategies for the coming 12 months, also resolved to manage inflation expectations in an “active and stable way”, the official news agency Xinhua said.

The three-day meeting of the powerful nine-member Communist Party Politburo Standing Committee — presided over by President Hu Jintao — also reaffirmed plans for a tighter monetary policy next year, the report said, citing a statement from the meeting.

The conference, also attended

by Premier Wen Jiabao and other top leaders, resolved that economic policy next year would be “actively sound, prudent and flexible”.

The government had earlier this month said China would move from a “relatively loose” policy to a “prudent” one as inflation in the world’s second-largest economy has marched upward despite numerous measures to put the brakes on.

Analysts have said the shift was a sign that new interest rate hikes were imminent.

China would continue to maintain the yuan currency at a “reasonable and stable” level, while also continuing with plans to free up its exchange rate, the meeting statement said.

China faces mounting pressure from the United States amid accusations Beijing deliberately keeps the yuan significantly underval-

ued, thus making Chinese export more attractive on world markets.

China announced in June it would loosen its grip on the currency and the yuan has appreciated by about two percent against the dollar, but analysts say a significant revaluation was unlikely as Beijing fears that could trigger massive unemployment.

The committee also reiterated government pledges to ensure adequate supplies of agricultural goods and implement supporting policies for rural areas.

Inflation and economic stability have become key concerns in China.

The government said Saturday that inflation topped five percent in November for the first time in more than two years.

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 fullyear target for three percent.

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

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.

However, NBS spokesman Sheng Laiyun said in announcing the figures that it would take time for such measures to begin to take effect.

12

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Entertainment

International

“Glee” throws lifeline to music industry Reuters

LOS ANGELES – To measure the impact of “Glee” on pop music in 2010, just remember this: The misfits of McKinley High now have a place in the history books above the Fab Four.

In October, recordings by the show’s cast overtook the Beatles in terms of the number of songs placed on the Billboard Hot 100.

As of December, “Glee” now has 102 songs on the chart — and with at least a season-and-a-half to go that has already been guaranteed

by Fox, it’s a safe bet that the cast recordings will give Elvis Presley a run for the top spot in the record books with 108 singles. The show has become a single-selling machine the likes of which Ed Sullivan could only dream about.

And much like “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “Glee” has become the goto platform for contemporary superstar acts with new songs to hawk. This wasn’t necessarily the case when the show debuted in May 2009. The best-selling digital single for the program’s first season was a version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” that tallied 1 million total sales, according to

Nielsen SoundScan. Now, halfway through year two, the season’s top seller is a rendition of Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” with 286,000 copies sold to date — and it bested “Believin’” in first-week sales by 214,000 to 177,000.

The contrast in styles between the two songs — one a decadesold standard with recurring pop culture resonance, the other a track that hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 in August — exemplifies the show’s push toward offering more current pop hits faster to its track-happy core 18-49 viewing demographic.

“In many ways, ‘Glee’ was built on classic hits,” the show’s music supervisor PJ Bloom says. “We needed cultural staples to grab a broad audience — and it worked.”

The trend toward top 40 fare certainly helps the show in terms of relevance — tween viewers who are baffled by a reference to “A Chorus Line” feel like one of the cool kids when they can sing along to Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are.” According to Fox, “Glee” is the No. 1 show in the 18-49 demographic among women, and the show’s push toward pop is a targeted move to keep these viewers happy.

AP Photo/Fox, Michael Yarish, FILE

FILE- This file publicity image released by Fox shows, front row from left, Dijon Talton, Lea Michele, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz and Chris Colfer as they perform in “The Power of Madonna” episode of “Glee,” which aired Tuesday, April 20, 2010 on Fox.

In this film publicity image released by 20th Century Fox, from left, Georgie Henley, Ben Barnes, Laura Brent, and Skandar Keynes are shown in a scene from, ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.’

AP Photo/20th Century Fox, Phil Bray

‘Narnia” cruises to No. 1 debut with modest $24.5M Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – The latest chapter in “The Chronicles of Narnia” saga has sailed to the top of the weekend box office, though the franchise sank to a weak debut compared to the first two movies. “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” the third in the franchise based on C.S. Lewis’ fantasy novels, took in $24.5 million domestically, according to studio estimates Sunday.

Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie’s romantic thriller “The Tourist” opened in second-place with $17 million.

“Dawn Treader” revenues showed a huge drop from 2005’s “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” which took in $65.6 million over opening weekend, and 2008’s “Prince Caspian,” which did $55 million.

But with the movie topping $80 million in 85 countries overseas, for a worldwide total of $105.5 million, executives at distributor 20th Century Fox said they are making good headway toward recouping the movie’s budget of just under $150 million.

“We had a huge task ahead of us to resurrect this franchise and get movie-

goers back to that feeling of affection they had for the first movie. I think all the evidence says we’ve accomplished that,” said Chris Aronson, head of distribution for Fox, which took over the “Narnia” series when Disney dropped it after the second movie finished at $141.6 million domestically, less than half the $291.7 million haul of the first. “I think they all had such a bad taste in their mouth from the last one. That’s why we really had our work cut out for us.”

“Dawn Treader” follows the adventures of some of the Pevensie siblings from the first two films as they take a magical sea voyage with their royal pal Caspian. Liam Neeson again

provides the voice of talking lion Aslan. Sony’s “The Tourist” also had a quiet start. The film stars Jolie as an Englishwoman who picks up a mildmannered American (Depp) on a train in Europe as a diversion while she’s on the run from cops and gangsters.

“You have two of the biggest stars in the world, so expectations could be skewed a bit,” said Rory Bruer, Sony’s head of distribution. “But it certainly is a respectable opening.” The previous weekend’s No. 1 movie, Disney’s animated musical “Tangled,” slipped to third-place with $14.6 million, raising its domestic total to $115.6 million.

Hollywood remains in a lull as it heads into the Christmas frenzy.

Among the movies that will compete for holiday audiences are Jeff Bridges’ sci-fi tale “Tron: Legacy,” Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller’s sequel “Little Fockers,” Jack Black’s comic adventure “Gulliver’s Travel’s” and Reese Witherspoon’s romance “How Do You Know.”

Jeff Bridges helps revive cult sci-fi movie ‘Tron’ Agence France Presse

LOS ANGELES - Jeff Bridges insists he’s lazy at heart — but the grizzled Oscar-winning actor has thrown all his energy into helping revive cult 1980s sci-fi movie “Tron” for the 3D generation. The 61-year-old, who has had a fantastic comeback year after winning Best Actor for his role in “Crazy Heart” at the Academy Awards, reprises his character Kevin Flynn in “Tron: Legacy” due out this week.

In it he does the neat trick of appearing opposite a computer-generated version of his younger self from the 1982 original. “It was very odd,” Bridges says. “It wasn’t actually me,

it was a rendition created by some wonderful artists and the rendition was a version of me from 25-30 years ago.”

Explaining why he agreed to do the movie, he tells reporters: “It was basically the same reason that I did the first one: it was cutting-edge technology at that time, and this one certainly is for this time. “Twenty seven years ago Tron was a truly avantgarde film. Of course now, looking back, looks like an old television series in black and white,” he adds.

The original “Tron” — about a hacker transported into a computer game world — was one of the firstever animated films. It did well at the box office and became a cult for a

generation of budding sci-fi fans.

The updated version, set to the beats of French electro-house duo Daft Punk, reprises the story, except with Flynn’s son entering the virtual “Tron” computer game world to be reunited with his father.

“It’s a complicated story, because we’re building off a story that was done in 1982, and we’re creating 28 years of intermediate story, and then starting our movie in 2010,” director Joseph Kosinski tells AFP. Progress in film animation made the film more complicated, says the 36year-old filmmaker, who has a background in design and architecture, and has won awards for commercials for XBox and Playstation games.

“It’s one of those movies that just takes a long time to make,” he says, noting that while the original took nine months in post-production, the new “Tron” has taken 18 months.

“So, with all the advancements of technology, it actually takes more time to finish it. It’s hard to make a movie like this; every single thing in the frame has to be built either practically or digitally.”

A general view of atmosphere at Walt Disney’s “TRON: Legacy” Premiere held at the El Capitan Theatre on December 11, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

John Sciulli/Getty Images/AFP

Life Style

International

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

13

Mounting public holidays hurting Philippines: businesses Agence France Presse

MANILA - Campaigns to declare national holidays in the Philippines that would honour pets and fishermen are fuelling business anger over the mounting number of days off workers enjoy each year. Too many holidays are forcing many potential investors to avoid the country while raising costs for employers by tens of millions of dollars, according to a study published by seven foreign chambers of commerce on Monday.

Filipino workers had 21 public holidays this year, compared with nine in Vietnam, 11 in Singapore and 12 in Taiwan, said the study.

“Every paid holiday goes to the bottom line of the balance sheet, and, like minimum wages, can pressure firms that operate on low-profit margins to reduce their work force, close, or move into the underground economy,” it said. “The government rarely consults business stakeholders, although each holiday adds tens of millions of dollars to their payrolls.”

The study noted that the number of Philippine holidays had risen from 12 in 1987 to the 21 this year, mainly for religious festivals, and that parliament was considering 16 more.

Lawmakers were looking to declare holi-

days that would honour, among others, soldiers, families, children, farmers, fishermen, Chinese Lunar New Year, pets and human rights. The business groups also took issue with the fickle and unpredictable nature of the holiday declarations, which they noted were sometimes done on very short notice, disrupting work schedules and increasing corporate costs.

“It makes us more uncompetitive,” John Forbes, of the American Chamber of Commerce and the principal author of the study, told a news conference.

He said small companies that lacked the resources to pay extra holiday pay were often forced into the “underground economy”, where no taxes were paid and laws safeguarding labour rights were ignored.

Chart showing the total number of paid public holidays in select Asian countries. Too many holidays are forcing potential investors to avoid the Philippines, which has 21 this year, a survey published by seven foreign chambers of commerce showed Monday.

A Japanese fisherman loads tuna fish cought at bluefin tuna farm around mid Adriatic Croatian town of Zadar before transporting them to Japan. Fishing nations have agreed to hold their catches of young bluefin tuna in the central and western Pacific in 2011 and 2012 below the 2002-2004 annual averages, press reports said.

AFP/File

Bluefin tuna catches to be reduced in Pacific: reports Agence France Presse

TOKYO – Fishing nations have agreed to hold their catches of young bluefin tuna in the central and western Pacific in 2011 and 2012 below the 2002-2004 annual averages, press reports said Sunday. The agreement was reached at an annual meeting of the 25-member Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, which ended in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Saturday Japan time, the reports said.

It was the first international agreement on cuts in bluefin catches in the Pacific, following moves to reduce catch limits in the Atlantic.

The commission, including Japan, China, Samoa, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States, determines resource management measures on fish such as tuna, bonito and swordfish in the central and western Pacific.

The deal will obligate Japan to slash its an-

nual catches of bluefin tuna aged three years or less by about 26 percent from the present level of 6,100 tonnes, the Asahi Shimbun said.

Japan’s annual catch of young bluefin tuna averaged 4,500 tonnes between 2002 and 2004, the daily added. But an official at Japan’s fishery agency in Tokyo said the reduction “will not have a large impact on consumption in Japan” as the margin of reduction is equivalent to around one percent of the country’s sashimi tuna supply, Jiji Press said.

South Korea has resisted the deal but agreed to “take necessary measures to restrict its catch of young bluefin tuna”, the Asahi said.

Japanese and South Korean fishing boats have been catching large quantities of young bluefin tuna in the Pacific with large net fishing boats, and critics say the practice threatens to deplete the bluefin tuna stock in the waters, Kyodo news agency said.

Appy ever after: smartphone users find virtual girlfriend Agence France Presse

SEOUL – Lonesome South Koreans who have trouble finding true love can now get video calls from a beautiful and cute girlfriend — if they download a smartphone application. Nabix, a South Korean apps developer, launched one called “Honey, it’s me!” on November 30 for iPhone users. It achieved 80,000 downloads a day during an initial free launch period.

There are a number of apps on the market that can make single men feel a little less lonesome, including a night time app that plays the sound of a female sleeping peacefully on the next pillow.

But the “Honey, it’s me!” app appears to be the first to make video-calls from a virtual model. Mina, 22, video-calls smartphone users three to four times a day for some sweet talk. Her messages range from “Are you still

sleeping? Time for breakfast!” to “Good night, sweet dreams”. A Korean model posed for the video calls and recorded more than 100 comments to melt the hearts of single men.

“I’ve developed this application to console people for their loneliness,” Kim Yoon-Kak, head of Nabix, told AFP. Kim said usage had declined since the app went on sale for 1.99 dollars, but he planned to allow free downloads again from this week.

Early reaction to Mina has been enthusiastic. “It’s a blessing for all single men,” praised one of the users on Twitter. “Mina called me while I was working overtime. This is just great,” said another.

Nabix now plans new versions with more messages in English, Chinese and Japanese, both for free and with a charge for longer comments. An Android version will also be launched.

AFP/File/Kim Jae-Hwan

File photo of a South Korean customer looking at the Apple iPhone 4 in Seoul. Lonesome South Koreans who have trouble finding true love can now get video calls from a beautiful and cute girlfriend — if they download a smartphone application.

14

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Sport

International

Chelsea back on track, insists Ancelotti Agence France Presse

AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi from Argentina, center, kicks the ball against Real Sociedad during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010.

Messi, Ronaldo light up European goals show

LONDON – Carlo Ancelotti insists Chelsea are back on track even though the champions squandered a golden opportunity to end their dismal run in a dramatic 1-1 draw against Tottenham. After a series of abject displays during a sequence of just two wins from eight games, perhaps it wasn’t surprising that Ancelotti tried to accentuate the positives after Chelsea battled back to secure a point at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

But it could have been so much better if Didier Drogba had converted a stoppage time penalty.

Drogba came off the bench to cancel out Roman Pavlyuchenko’s opener, but the Ivory Coast striker saw his spot-kick saved by Heurelho Gomes and Chelsea have now gone five league games without a win.

The Blues finished the weekend down in fourth place and they could be four points off the top if Arsenal win at Manchester United on Monday. It is an uncomfortable situation for Ancelotti, who has come under increasing pressure in recent weeks.

But the former AC Milan coach took heart from the way his players kept

their composure and eventually hit back after Pavlyuchenko’s early goal.

“We deserved to win. We were close to winning but missed a penalty. It doesn’t matter. We played well. I think our bad moment is behind us,” Ancelotti said.

“We didn’t lose confidence after the first half. It was a good reaction.

“This was a tough game and it was a good opportunity to show our qualities. For this reason I am happy.”

Ancelotti’s decision to drop Drogba to the bench after one goal in eight league games was a brave move in the circumstances, but the striker gave a more imposing display when he came on at half-time before missing the crucial penalty.

The Blues boss played down any talk of a rift with Drogba and also claimed Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s regular penalty taker, wasn’t in the right frame of mind to take the spotkick as he had only just come on for his first appearance in three months.

“Drogba worked very hard. He was dangerous in the box. He was not happy (to be left out) obviously but he showed a good reaction in the second half. He was ready to play,” Ancelotti said.

Agence France Presse

PARIS - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were locked at the top of the Spanish scoring charts on Sunday as Barcelona and Real Madrid continued their enthralling, high-stakes title duel. Barcelona demolished Real Sociedad 5-0, with Messi striking twice, to stay two points ahead of Real who saw off bottom club Zaragoza 3-1.

Ronaldo was on the scoresheet in that match to join Argentine master Messi on 17 goals for the season. “Cristiano Ronaldo is a phenomenal player. He belongs to La Liga and to Spanish fans who watch him on television or in the stands,” said Real boss Jose Mourinho.

“He puts on a show in every stadium he visits. Cristiano is a tremendous professional and he scored one of the best goals of his collection.” In Italy, AC Milan won for the 10th time in 12 league games with a 3-0 success at Bologna. They are six points clear at the top thanks to goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng, Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Lazio failed in their bid to close the gap when Milos Krasic scored a stunning individual winner with the last kick of the game to give Juventus a 2-1 win over the Rome side.

Juve are now in second place.

Milan, who will be guaranteed top spot in a week’s time when Serie A shuts down for its

winter break, are still in the running for three trophies.

“Everything’s possible, we’re in the running for all the trophies (league, cup and Champions League), we have to keep going, don’t relax, there’s still lots of games left so we’ll talk about the title another time,” said Ibrahimovic, who has nine league goals to his name.

In Germany, Borussia Dortmund picked up their seventh straight win with a 2-0 victory over Werder Bremen. A superbly struck free-kick after nine minutes

by Dortmund’s Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin put the leaders ahead before Poland striker Robert Lewandowski netted in the 70th minute.

It was Dortmund’s 14th win from 16 games with their only defeat coming on the first day of the season back in August. The result left them 11 points clear of Leverkusen who beat Hamburg 42. Champions Bayern Munich remain 17 points behind, but they were buoyed by the news Bastian Schweinsteiger will stay with the club until 2016.

Lille stayed top in France but only after an injury time goal downed bottom club ArlesAvignon. With second-placed PSG keeping the wheels on their title push with a 2-1 win at Valenciennes, Lille were in danger of seeing their capital rivals overtake them.

But after Arles had manfully held their own Tulio De Melo popped up with a header in the 93rd minute to earn Lille their eighth win of the campaign. In Holland, defending champions FC Twente were crushed 6-2 at Heerenveen where Moroccan striker Oussama Assaidi struck a hat-trick.

Third-placed Groningen are just two points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven after Tim Matavz scored both goals in a 2-0 home win over AZ Alkmaar. Ajax are a further point back in fourth spot after Christian Eriksen’s 11th minute goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win at Vitesse Arnhem. PSV, who were held 0-0 at De Graafschap on Saturday, stay top with a one-point lead over FC Twente.

AP Photo/Claude Paris

Chelsea’s Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Sport

International

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

15

Magic beat Clippers 94-85 to end 4-game skid Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – Dwight Howard scored 22 points and the Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 94-85 Sunday night, snapping skids of four games overall and three straight on the road. Jameer Nelson added 17 points, Vince Carter 13, and Brandon Bass had 13 points and a career high-tying 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.

Blake Griffin had 27 points and 16 rebounds for his 18th doubledouble, and Eric Gordon scored 28 points for the Clippers, who lost for the eighth time in a row to Orlando. Their NBA-worst record dropped to 5-20, and they have yet to beat an Eastern Conference team in five tries.

After losing consecutive one-point games, the Clippers only got as close as six points in the fourth quarter on Baron Davis’ alley-oop pass to Griffin, whose dunk briefly brought the crowd to its feet. Los Angeles trailed by 26 points early in the second.

Bass then dunked for the Magic,

who made just three of their next eight free throws but regained a double-digit lead that they held for most of the final minutes.

Orlando’s defense had been allowing 92.2 points a game — third-highest in the league — but the poorshooting Clippers were no threat to reach that total. They hit 38 percent from the floor for the game, and a measly 24 percent in the first quarter.

In the Clippers’ last three losses, they’ve been well under their season averages in points and shooting percentage.

The Clippers trailed 69-59 after outscoring the Magic 19-10 in the

third. Howard picked up his fourth foul just 1 1/2 minutes into the period and sat down, while Nelson was limited to a 3-pointer and Carter had four points.

Los Angeles cut a 26-point deficit down in the second to trail 59-40 at halftime. Griffin and Gordon had seven points each. The Magic built their largest lead using a 19-4 run over the end of the first and start of the second, with six different players scoring.

The Magic outran the Clippers in the opening quarter when they shot 64 percent from the floor and owned a 20-2 edge in the paint.

AP Photo/Gus Ruelas

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) drives to the basket as he gets by Los Angeles Clippers forward Brian Cook (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, in Los Angeles. The Magic won 94-85.

Ex-champion Hingis Entire Italian cycling family faces doping ban marries French showjumper Hutin Agence France Presse

Agence France Presse

GENEVA - Retired tennis star Martina Hingis has married French showjumper Thibault Hutin in Paris, Swiss celebrity magazine Schweizer Illustrierte said. According to the magazine’s website, the 30-year-old former Grand Slam champion and the 24-year-old rider held their civil wedding on Friday in the presence of close family.

“Our wedding came as a surprise

for many, but it has been in planning long in advance,” Hingis told the magazine, which said it would publish on Monday exclusive photos of the event.

The pair intends to hold their wedding feast next summer, said the magazine.

Hingis won five Grand Slam singles titles before retiring in 2007, when she was suspended for two years for testing positive for cocaine at Wimbledon. She denied taking the drug but did not appeal the ban, which ended last September.

AFP/File/Peter Parks

Retired Swiss tennis star Martina Hingis hits a return at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing in 2007.

ROME – Italian Olympic Committee (Coni) prosecutors have asked for an entire family to be banned for doping offences related to a case involving Alessandro Petacchi.

Coni has asked for Petacchi’s former Lampre team-mate Lorenzo Bernucci to be banned for six years, whilst also requesting four-year bans for the cyclist’s wife Valentina Borgioli, brother Alessio Bernucci, mother Antonella Rossi and father-inlaw Fabrizio Borgioli.

If found guilty, Bernucci’s family are to be prohibited “from frequenting sporting establishments and spaces reserved for athletes and related personnel in Italy,” according to anti-doping prosecutors. “As well as (prevented from) taking part in sporting events on Italian soil or those organised by Italian sporting authorities.”

But Bernucci hit out at Coni for involving his family in is case. “I didn’t expect the prosecutor (Ettore) Torri to ask for such a severe sentence,” he told Italian news agency Ansa. “He will explain why in front of the national anti-doping tribunal and when I’m called I’ll clarify my psoition, and then the judges will decide.

“I don’t think my family has anything to do with it, they haven’t done anything.” The case was opened by prosecutors in Padova in July investigating Petacchi over the use of banned substances. At the time Petacchi was competing in the Tour de France and went on to win the green jersey for best sprinter.

AFP/File/Jose Jordan

Italian Olympic Committee (Coni) prosecutors have asked for an entire family to be banned for doping offences related to a case involving Alessandro Petacchi, seen here in September 2010.

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

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

Sport

Vettel promises even stronger 2011 Sebastian Vettel says he hopes the ‘tough lessons’ he took on board during his title-winning 2010 campaign will help make him an even better driver and person next season. The Red Bull Racing driver was officially crowned as Formula 1 champion at the FIA Prize Giving Gala in Monaco on Friday night - as he collected his trophy at the star-studded event from FIA president Jean Todt.

And although overjoyed at seeing his name etched onto the drivers’ award, Vettel has said his focus is already on becoming even stronger next year so he can keep hold of it.

“I hope there is much more to come,” Vettel told AUTOSPORT in his first interview since collecting his world champion trophy. “I want to become a better driver and a better person, but I think this year has been a very tough lesson, but with a very sweet outcome in the end.”

One of the toughest aspects of Vettel’s 2010 campaign was his sometimes troubled relationship with team-mate Mark Webber with the flashpoints being their ontrack collision in Turkey and the offtrack spat at Silverstone over a new front wing that was put on the German’s car.

Despite their troubles, it emerged at the end of the season that Vettel never wavered from being a team player - as highlighted at the Hun-

garian Grand Prix when he tried to give Webber a headstart at a safety car restart so he could bring more points home for the constructors’ title. However, in doing so, he was given a drive-through penalty for not having stayed close enough to his team-mate.

Vettel never mentioned his intentions at the time, as the incident was put down a mistake, but he has now finally acknowledged what happened. When asked what he was willing to say about it, Vettel said: “Well, I think I learned a lesson.

Obviously, as you can see from the pictures, I was obviously very disappointed because things did not go according to plan. I threw away a win...”

Speaking about his role as a team player, and whether he felt people appreciated it, Vettel said: “I am who I am. I don’t need to make any talk about that.

“I didn’t do it all year and I won’t do it now - it is not the time. In the

end, I learned a lot this year and what matters most is when you get back - either to a hotel or to home and finally you can face yourself in the mirror and know exactly what happened.

“You have to understand it yourself and deep down in your heart you have to know what is going on. That is more important than whatever people think, or they write or say. In the end, it is impossible to please everybody. “Sometimes it might be seen from a different angle, but as long as you know for yourself, then that is all that matters. I don’t want to make any speeches now, because I haven’t done all year, and it’s not the time to.”

Vettel said that he was now keen to have a bit of time to relax over the Christmas holidays - having had a packed schedule since the seasonclosing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

When asked if a break was important for him, he said: “Yes, for sure.

Also to get the energy obviously for next year.

“At the beginning of this season I was printing out pictures of this trophy, because as a sportsman you look ahead. So this is a very, very nice souvenir, and very special, but you always look forward to the next step.”

Branson to be AirAsia ‘stewardess’ February next year Agence France Presse

KUALA LUMPUR - Virgin boss

Richard Branson will serve as a flight attendant on an AirAsia X flight in February next year after los-

AFP PHOTO/William WES

(FILES) In a file picture taken on March 29, 2009 Virgin boss Richard Branson celebrates at Formula One’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Branson will serve as a flight attendant on an AirAsia X flight in February 2011 after losing a cross-dressing bet to rival Tony Fernandes, officials said on December 12, 2010.

ing a cross-dressing bet to rival Tony Fernandes, officials said Sunday.

The two men laid the wager over whose Formula One team would place higher in this year’s rankings.

Although both teams completed the season with zero points, Fernandes’ Lotus F1 team was placed ahead of Branson’s Virgin Racing by virtue of their better race finishing positions.

“It’s confirmed February 21, 2011. Richard Branson will be a crew of AirAsia X,” Fernandes said in a Twitter post late Saturday, adding that the flight will take off from London Stansted Airport bound for Kuala Lumpur.

Fernandes said last month seats on the flight will be auctioned off for charity. An AirAsia official said Branson would be required to wear makeup and high-heels, along with the regulation red stewardess outfit, and would have to perform regular duties — including cleaning the toilets — during the flight.

AFP PHOTO POOL LIONEL CIRONNEAU

2010 Formula One World Champion Sebastien Vettel of Germany holds his trophy during the 2010 FIA Prize Giving gala on December 10, 2010 in Monaco.