Edisi 15 Desember 2010 | International Bali Post

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AP Photo/Yonhap, Kim hyun-tae

A South Korean navy ship sails near Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010. South Korean troops pushed ahead with naval firing drills Monday, a day after North Korea warned the exercises would aggravate tensions between the rivals following the North’s deadly shelling of the front-line South Korean island.

‘Big mouth’ Oprah appoints herself Australian ‘ambassador’ PAGE 12

South Korea suspects North has more uranium sites Reuters

SEOUL – South Korea believes that the North has been secretly enriching uranium at new locations outside its main nuclear site, the country’s foreign minister said Friday, declining to say how many sites there were. Earlier, a South Korean newspaper cited an unnamed intelligence official as saying that the North was enriching uranium at three or four sites in addition to its main nuclear site in Yongbyon.

“It is a report based on what is still intelligence and let me just say that we have been following this

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issue for some time,” Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan told a press briefing on Tuesday when asked

about it.

Kim reiterated South Korean demands that China, the reclusive North’s

backer, exercise greater influence on its ally “with a clearer voice.”

Uranium enrichment could give the North a second source of fissile material for weapons on top of its plutonium production program at the Soviet-era nuclear program at Yongbyon, which was frozen under a now-defunct international disarmament deal.

Continued on page 6

Winter storm traps drivers in Indiana, moves east Associated Press Writer

LAPORTE, Ind. – Kate Ergang wasn’t worried when two jackknifed semi-tractors trapped her and a friend on an Indiana highway in a blizzard. They had eaten dinner already and had blankets and pillows in the car. They talked, listened to their iPods and dozed off.

But the May college graduate had a few minutes of panic Monday morning when she woke and realized that nearly 12 hours later, they were in the same spot.

More than 100 vehicles were stuck Monday on Indiana’s snowcovered highways. Strong winds and blowing snow hampered snow plow drivers’ efforts to free them, but all motorists had been safely rescued by Monday evening, said

Amy Bluhm, a dispatcher with LaPorte County 911.

The wind and heavy lake effect snow were part of a slow-moving storm that has been crawling across the Midwest since Friday night. At least 16 deaths have been attributed to the storm, which dumped nearly 2 feet of snow in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin before moving into Michigan and Indiana. Monday, it stretched further east, with snow in parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.

Up to 16 inches of snow fell in northwest Indiana, where 70 drivers got stuck in drifts on a section of Indiana 2 in the Valparaiso area.

Ergang and her friend, Allison Frank, were among an unknown number trapped on U.S. 30.

Continued on page 6

AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato

The large waves pounds the shore as the ice covers the pier Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 in Chicago. High wind and frigid temperatures continue after a winter storm pummeled Illinois with snow and wind over the weekend.

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International

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Bali News

Difficult to realize standard prices of Bali tourism Denpasar (Bali Post)—

The plan of Bali Provincial Government and the House to impose standard prices of Bali tourism, related to room rates, tour packages and tourist transport, was considered by the circles of tourism businesspeople as complicated issues that were difficult to realize. To set such a benchmark was required in-depth research and discussion.

“Stipulating standard price of Bali tourism has a very broad meaning.

Many aspects must be regulated if would like to perform this aspiration.

Standardization of the hotel room rate is necessary, but will be hard to do,” said Chairman of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) of Denpasar Chapter, Ida Bagus Putra Sidharta, on Monday (Dec 13).

According to him, for three-star hotel managed professionally, of course, the pricing would be expensive, but what about the hotels remained to be management conventionally? Rate of three-star hotel widely varied widely depending on the service provided. There were threestar hotels whose room was sold for only IDR 200,000 per night, but some others sold up to millions of rupiahs per night. “Though difficult, however, the effort to standardize is indeed worth doing to maintain the quality of

tourist destination,” he said.

I.B. Sidharta admitted that five-star hotels were currently sold cheaply because their facilities and location were less strategic. It proved that the rating could not absolutely determine the tariff. “There should be a more holistic standardization in determining the room rates. Here, it is truly required the involvement of the industry in arranging the tourism industry,” he added.

It was said, before executing the standardization of tariffs, the government had to perform the industrial regulation and standardization of products.

Infrastructure, roads, electricity and water had to be addressed seriously.

These infrastructures posed an important consideration in determining the tariffs.

“I completely agree to the standardization of rates. This will become the standard benchmark to prevent the occurrence of tariff wars,” he said while explaining that some time ago the

rooms of five-star hotels were sold at the rates of three-star hotels. This business practice would damage the competition of tourism industry and threaten the existence of Bali tourism.

In the previous news, the Bali Provincial Government planned to arrange the standard prices of Bali tourism set forth in a legal rule in the form of a decision of governor or regional regulation. Consideration to prevail the standard prices of Bali tourism was meant to avoid the price war among the tourism businesspeople in Bali. Moreover, the Bali tourism was currently sold cheaply, whereas Bali did expect the tourists visiting Bali were quality tourists.

Provincial Government judged that to draw quality tourist could be done by avoiding selling Bali too cheaply. In years to come, in the tourism development, Bali should consider the factor of supporting capacity and carrying capacity as a small island. (par)

2 students of Bali win silver medal in International Junior Science Olympiad Jakarta (Bali Post)—

Two students from Bali namely I Made Gita Narendra Kumara from SMPN 1 Negara state junior high school and Putu Ivan Budi Gunawan from SMPN 1 Tabanan respectively won a silver medal in the 7th International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) event held in Abuja, Nigeria.

In the event participated by hundreds of students from around the world, Indonesia won three gold, five silver and four bronze medals.

“The students who won the medals in Nigeria would be facilitated in taking higher education in their respective hometown and provided with scholarships,” said the Minister of National Education after welcoming the medal winners in Jakarta on Monday (Dec 13).

According to the minister, the success of the students participating in the International Junior Science Olympiad was the result of a mature devel-

opment. “Those who were sent to Nigeria were the best of each school and then provided with training for four months. Subsequently, they entered quarantine,” said the minister.

Meanwhile, Director General of Primary and Secondary School Management, Ministry of National Education, Suyanto, said the International Junior Science Olympiad was followed by 34 countries including Afghanistan, Argentina, Brazil, Ghana, India, Iran, Mexico, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, Zimbabwe and Estonia. In the event, Taiwan was the overall champion as reaching the best ranking in the theory, while the second position was occupied

by India and Indonesia in the third.

Junior Science Olympiad was an annual competition in the subject of natural sciences including Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics and followed by students aged 15 years at the junior level. “The competition means to encourage the young children to love natural sciences and develop

international communication in science,” said Suyanto. The students who won the gold medal were Mohammed Iqbal Ibrahim from SMP Pribadi Depok, West Java; Richard Akira Heru from SMP PL Dominico Savio, Central Java; and Fransisca Susan from SMP St. Ursula, Jakarta.

Then, silver medalist consisted of I Made Gita Narendra Kumara of SMP I Negara, Bali; Mikael Harseno Subianto from SMP Susteran Purwokerto, Central Java; Putu Ivan Budi Gunawan from SMPN 1 Tabanan, Bali; Yoga Rafinika from SMP Sragen Bilingual Boarding School, Central Java; and Faisal Puji Nugroho from SMPN 68 Jakarta.

Meanwhile, the students who won a bronze medal comprised Firlina Mardika from SMP Pribadi School Bandung, West Java; Titis Setiyobudi from SMP I Kauman, East Java; Anang Rizki Muharom from SMP 2 Semarang, Central Java; and Nurul Bahri Falahiyyah from SMPN 1 Sumenep, Madura, East Java. (son)

IBP/ist

The rice field in Bali is seen on the picture. Rice shortage in the Klungkung Regency in 2010 has increased compared to deficiencies in 2009.

Rice reserve of Klungkung diminishes Semarapura (Bali Post)—

Rice shortage in the Klungkung Regency in 2010 has increased compared to deficiencies in 2009. Even, the increase reached 100 percent. Until November 2010, the shortage of rice reserve reached 3,775 tons. Meanwhile, in 2009, Klungkung Regency faced 1,825 tons of rice shortage. It was revealed in the plenary meeting of Food Security Council (DKP) of Klungkung Regency in the Meeting Hall of Klungkung Agricultural, Estate and Forestry Services on Monday (Dec 13).

Occurrence of increasing shortage of rice reserve was caused by significant changes in the matter of land use in Klungkung Regency. Wetland was not only used for planting rice, but also for secondary crops (maize, soybean, peanut and sweet potato), horticultural crops or vegetables (long bean, green mustard, tomato, pepper, cucumber and watermelon) and flowers (rose balsam).

Regent of Klungkung, Wayan Candra, who opened the plenary session of Food Security Council, asked the affiliated circles to be more active in efforts to increase the food security.

According to him, increasing the food security was not enough by producing, but also how to develop the product.

Especially in Nusa Penida, he asked the relevant agencies to be more active in greening the region by planting trees.

“I do ask, the food security could be improved in 2011,” he said.

Candra also criticized and admonished the Food Security Council because it never involved the Subak Abian (non-irrigated farming organization) existing in Nusa Penida in the plenary meeting of the council. In reality, according to Candra, the dominant food insecurity even ensued in Nusa Penida region due to geographical conditions.

“Indeed, so far Nusa Penida already

indicated some changes towards a better condition. Nusa Penida has now been greener. However, chiefs of Subak Abian need to be involved in the activities of Food Security Council so they can get update information and share experience related to the problem at hand or what is required,” criticized the regent. The plenary meeting itself was attended by the elements of Klungkung Food Security Council, technical team of self-contained food village, assistant officer, team of food vigilance system and nutrition (SKPG), elements technical implementer unit, elements of farmer and fisherman group (KTNA) and stakeholders.

Meanwhile, Secretary of Klungkung Food Security Council, Ida Kade Arga, mentioned some strategies taken to stabilize the food security including the increase of productivity, expansion of planting area, security production by implementing integrated pest management, empowerment of institution and financing, technological engineering based on specific location as well as development of market and competitiveness with the distribution of funds. It was said that solid condition of regional food security was inseparable from the performance of program run by regional apparatus unit (SKPD), members of Food Security Council and community participation. “In general, the condition of Klungkung food security in 2010 is relatively safe. One of the characteristics is the food availability in the market,” he said.

On that occasion, it was handed over symbolically three units of food barns to three villages implementing the activities of self-contained food village namely the Batu Kandik Village, Bunga Mekar Village and Sekar Taji Village that entirely located in Nusa Penida subdistrict. (kmb20)

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Bali News

International

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

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Religious Day, Essence Sold 100 Kg Per Day Denpasar (Bisnis Bali) –

IBP/doc

The flood destroy houses in Ambengan village, Sukasada, Buleleng Regency.

Ambengan Village Hit by Flash Flood 20 Houses Damaged, 50 Families Isolated Singaraja (Bali Post) –

At least twenty houses are seriously damaged, livestock dragged by current and hundreds of trees fell as Ambengan Village, Sukasada hit by flash flood with big rocks falling off on Sunday (12/12) towards Monday (13/12) early morning. Besides that, 50 families in Dusun Jembong were isolated as a number of roads were broken and blocked by the big rocks falling off from the hills.

The flash flood happened as the heavy rain pours for ten hours starting from 4 pm local time on Sunday. Residents feared that this rain will be a disaster. As of 10 pm on the same day, residents heard thundery noise from the hill and later on it is known they were the big rocks coming down from the top of the hill due to some landslides.

The residents panicked as the flash flood approached damaging everything on its way. There are no casualties in this incident yet tens of pigs were gone dragged by the current.

On Monday afternoon, Jembong residents still have difficulties coming out of their place as the two roads to get in the village were filled with the rocks and some points broken because of the flash flood. And so the residents outside Jembong help out them to get out and evacuate to the nearest family house. Some even bravely tried to get out with their motorcycles.

Buleleng House of Representatives (DPRD) member, Wayan Teren, who lives in Ambengan Village, explained the situation there especially in Jembong and it surroundings was gripping. The

waters and thundery noises were coming from Mungsu and Munduk Bataran hills on the south side of the village. At that time residents knew those houses Dusun Jembong’s near to the hills were hit by the flash flood yet not much could be done as the area was closed by big rocks. Moreover the electricity was dead, “We only stood on the road towards Dusun Jembong waiting for the rain to ease.”

On Monday around 5 am local time, rain eased up and so residents started to evacuate those in Jembong. As the day got brighter, it can be seen around 20 houses were seriously damaged and all clean water also electricity facilities were broken. Luckily there are no casualties as residents have saved themselves to a higher ground.

Another DPRD member, Made Teja, who came down to location, donated rice to the victims. He predicted the loss of this incident reached IDR 15 billion, “We will soon coordinate with the regional government so victims can get help especially fixing clean water installations. ”First Time

A number of residents still does

not now the causer of this flash flood as this kind of incident was a first time for them and so some of them suspected some irrigation above on the hills were blocked which then causes landslide. The water that should flow to other villages changed direction towards Jembong in Ambengan Village.

Besides Jembong, some other points in Ambengan Village’s other dusun also experienced landslides and floods. A house support and soils near the roads of Ambengan were also eroded then closed a part of the road.

Hundreds of big trees and planted trees were falling off.

Head of Ambengan Village Administration, Ketut Nadi, stated that his side is still collecting data to know the number of buildings and public facilities that have been damaged. He also asked Jembogn residents to evacuate to their relative houses in other dusun. If there will be another rain, his side will force the residents to evacuate to balai banjar (community center) as it is a safe location, “We ask residents to evacuate as soils on this hills area are labile also rain is possible pouring again.” (kmb15)

Religious days such as Galungan and Kuningan have affected essence business in this area as each essence shops in Denpasar can sell around 100 kg per day while usual days would only be 50 kg per day.

According to Iwan, one of businessmen who sell religious needs addressed at Suli Street, stated as there are demands to these essences his stocks became two times more compared to the general days as stated on Monday (13/ 12), “Two weeks before Galungan, we added 2 times more stocks.”

Iwan continued, in general days he would stock around 300-400 kg essences every week yet right now it comes to 700 kg per week, “The essences are used for praying activities in pura (temple) and also other religious ceremonies. It is also used in spa businesses.”

Until now the demand from his usual customers keep coming and

hundreds of packages with varied size also weigh are sold each day.

It was said the price also varied starting from IDR 1.000 towards hundreds of thousands per package. When asked which one is the most economic, it would be the one with 100 essence sticks with the prize of IDR 2.000-5.000 yet the fragrant is less.

According to him, the price of essences depends on the fragrant, how long it last and shape. Another thing would be the varied fragrant such as roses, lavender, vanilla, jasmine, frangipani, lily, yellow sandalwood, fruit tastes and more which comes out after or before lighten up, “We supply hundred kinds of fragrant essences.”

Besides essences, he also sells candles, “Besides selling many kinds of essences or Hios, we also sell many kinds of praying papers and candles, from general candles to jelly candles.” (aya)

Overwhelming, Intensive from Badung Ground Water Tax Two Institutes Will Wrestle To Receive It Mangupura (Bali Post) –

The discussion on Ground Water Regulation Planning at Badung House of Representatives (DPRD) not only talks about how much it will be but also who will have to pay. The discussion connects also to who will receive it with predictions will take on ten billions of rupiah. Some representatives think this will be interesting as the intensive from the taxes will be quite an overwhelming income.

The two institutes that are possible to receive the tax in Badung will be Badung Regional Income Agency (Dispenda) and Creative Works Agency (DCK) as Dispenda is an agency that takes care of taxes while DCK is the technical institution for ground waters.

It has not been decided yet who will receive it.

“The problems on who will receive the taxes will be asked on Tuesday (14/12),” I Nyoman Satria, Head of Commission C DPRD Badung who’s also one of the Regulation Planning Works Committee stated last Monday (13/12).

According to Satria, in the Regulation Planning, it hasn’t been arranged who will receive it when actually it should have

it. He and also committee colleague I Putu Alit Yandinata, did not deny the quite huge amount that will be received from the tax and it will be a new government interest. Alit Yandinata stated it is assumed the ground water tax for Ngurah Rai Airport will reach IDR 5 Billion, “That’s only the airport. If we combine with hotels and other companies, it will reach ten billions.”

Moreover with the intensive from it as Satria stated it will be 3 percent from the tax. So if the tax is IDR 10 billion then the intensive will be IDR 300 million.

Meanwhile Head of the Committee I Wayan Suyasa revealed, as stated on the Regulation Planning section 3 paragraph 2, some components will have to pay tax and some are not. Those who will have to pay will be business sectors, tourist facilities even micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME). Yet for MSME will pay proportionally and won’t burden small businesses.

And for those who won’t have to pay will be houses, praying places, irrigations and fishery, “In making this regulation we have to see the flexibility so it won’t get mended lots of time. We will work long-windedly and hopefully on 16th December will be the final discussion.” (kmb25)

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News

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

International

Italy awaits crucial parliament vote on Berlusconi Agence France Presse

ROME – Italy was on tenterhooks Tuesday as beleaguered Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi faced a crucial confidence vote in parliament that could bring down his government.

Following a split between Berlusconi’s ruling coalition and rebel deputies led by ex-ally Gianfranco Fini in July, the prime minister faces confidence motions in the upper and lower houses of parliament.

He appealed to Fini’s supporters on Monday to vote for him, calling on them to show “responsibility” and saying: “Our internal divisions... are not at all insurmountable. We must unite for the good of Italy.” He asked his former partners not to “betray the mandate from our voters.”

The 74-year-old also argued that a vote of no-confidence would be damaging for Italy given the current turbulence on eurozone financial markets. He warned against the “political folly” of ousting him at such a time.

While Berlusconi has a safe majority in the Senate, he has been weakened by a string of sex and corruption scandals in recent years and his support in the

Chamber of Deputies is less sure.

The result of the vote in the Chamber is expected at around 1300 GMT. Anti-Berlusconi protesters are also planning to hold a series of rallies in central Rome to demand a change of government.

A protest by the main opposition Democratic Party on Saturday in the Italian capital drew tens of thousands of people. “It’s really too close to call,” James Walston, professor of politics at the American University in Rome, said ahead of the vote.

“There have been desperate negotiations going on, because Berlusconi cannot afford not to be prime minister. He needs the protection it gives him from his current and possibly upcoming prosecutions,” he added. Should he lose either vote, Berlusconi will be forced to offer his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano, who will then decide whether an alternative centre-right majority can be formed.

If such a transition government is not feasible, Napolitano would have to dissolve parliament and call early elections. Berlusconi on Monday also appealed to the opposition Union of the Centre (UDC) party — but the party said the prime minister first had to resign before talks on any new alliance could begin.

AFP

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi

Supporters of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, hold placards as they demonstrate outside the Swedish Embassy In central London, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010 Assange remains in a U.K. jail ahead of a Dec. 14 hearing where he plans to fight Sweden’s request to extradite him to face sex crimes allegations there.

AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis

WikiLeaks founder to appear in court Agence France Presse

LONDON – WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will appear in court on Tuesday in a second attempt to win bail after he was arrested over allegations of sex crimes in Sweden. The 39-year-old Australian makes his second appearance at court in London since his detention one week ago under an international warrant sent out by Sweden.

His arrest came shortly after his whistle-blowing website started releasing tens of thousands of leaked US diplomatic cables, in a move that has infuriated Washington.

Supporters of Assange and his site are expected to protest outside the City of Westminster Magistrates Court, amid a growing backlash against his arrest.

Swedish authorities want to question Assange over allegations of rape and molestation made against him by two women in relation to incidents during his visit there in August. Assange denies the allegations and his lawyers have condemned them as politically mo-

tivated. Swedish officials however have retorted that the allegations have nothing to do with WikiLeaks.

At a hearing last week, Assange was refused jailed as he was deemed a flight risk. His legal team are to reapply for bail at Tuesday’s hearing, where he will be represented by high-profile human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson.

There has been a groundswell of support around the world for Assange since his arrest.

A petition on campaigning website Avaaz, which condemns what it terms as the crackdown on WikiLeaks, had attracted more than 600,000 signatories by 0100 GMT

Tuesday. Computer hackers meanwhile have targeted companies that have withdrawn their commercial services from WikiLeaks, such as Amazon and PayPal. The Stop The War Coalition, which is organising the protest outside court, claims the US government and its allies have built up a campaign against Assange which culminated in his detention “on dubious charges”.

WikiLeaks began releasing the leaked US cables at the end of last month in a move that has infuriated Washington and which US President Barack Obama has denouncing it as “deplorable”.

Various countries have also tried to close down the site, sending it jumping from server to server in a bid to stay online.

Assange’s British lawyer, Mark Stephens, said Monday a secret US grand jury had been set up in Virginia to work on charges that could be filed against the WikiLeaks founder, in comments to broadcaster Al-Jazeera.

Veteran Papua New Guinea PM steps down Agence France Presse

PORT MORESBY – Papua New Guinea’s veteran Prime Minister Michael Somare has stepped down so he can face a tribunal over allegations of official misconduct against him, his office told AFP on Tuesday.

Somare, who has led the impoverished island nation for 16 of its 35 years of independence, will step aside until a leadership tribunal can hear allegations that he failed to lodge several annual financial statements in the 1990s.

Somare “said he will now voluntarily step aside and allow the deputy prime minister, Sam Abal, to assume (the) full function and

responsibility of the office of prime minister while he attends to clearing his name,” a statement signed by Somare said. “Sir Michael’s voluntary action will ensure that the proceedings take place unhindered,” the statement issued late Monday said.

Former foreign minister Abal, who was appointed last week, will act as prime minister for the duration of the tribunal, established despite a bid by Somare to block the public prosecutor from advising PNG’s chief justice to do so. “While the supreme court has yet to give the prime minister an opportunity to be heard on his reference, the public prosecutor has proceeded to make a referral,” the statement said.

“However, the prime minister re-

spects the due processes and will continue to avail himself to hearings.” If found guilty by the tribunal, potential punishments range from fines to removal from office, Australian public broadcaster ABC reported.

But Somare’s aides have dismissed the investigation as politically motivated, while the leader said he had not been given opportunity to defend himself against the allegations since they were first filed in 2008. The wily 74-year-old political survivor said he was the victim of a “gross injustice” because he had been unable to find a judge available to hear his application for an injunction against the formation of the tribunal.

AFP/SCANPIX/File

Papua New Guinea’s veteran Prime Minister Michael Somare

Activities

International

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

5

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa

Listed in Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2010 IBP

NUSA DUA - Bali’s Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa has landed a place in the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2010 in the Best Resort category.

The annual awards are presented by Condé Nast Traveler magazine, one of the world’s leading travel titles. The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa was among an exclusive list of 20 star-rated properties across Asia featuring resorts with perfect locations, stunning rooms, and impeccable service.

The 23rd annual Readers’ Choice Awards included 1,060 winners, selected by more than 25,000 readers with a passion for travel. The readers were asked to rate their choices according to various criteria, such as service and value for money. The ratings include a staggering 281 places and properties over the globe.

“The fact that Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa was selected by readers as one of the best resorts in Asia is truly touching,” said Reto Torriani, general manager. “It shows that our valued guests really do appreciate the whole team’s dedication and effort to deliver top-quality service.”

Voted as the Best Overseas Spa Resort in the World in 1999 by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller UK and on the Top 5 list in 2000, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa is currently undergoing major renovation, which will further cement its reputation for top-class service and facilities coupled with a traditionally classic touch.

KODE FOTO : Courtesy of Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa

Temple Ceremony Calendar Event for December 18th through December 25th 2010 18. “Kuningan” believed as the ascending day of the ancestral holy spirits back to Heaven after spending time with their descendants during Galungan.

Throughout Bali. “Makotekan” ceremony “village purification”, Munggu village, district of Mengwi, Badung regency.

“Perang Jempana” rituals when the temples adherents carrying temple-effigies strike one another as to indicate that the ceremony as a whole has been properly done, at Pura Panti Timbrah, Paksebali village, district of Banjarangkan, Klungkung regency.

Temple anniversary celebrations at: * Pura Taman Pule, Mas village, district of ubud, Gianyar regency. * Pura Ularan, Takmung village, district of Banjarangkan, Klungkung regency. * Pura Bukit Jati, Guliang Kawan village, Bangli regency. * Pura Dalem Tegal Jaya, Batubulan village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Dalem Guwang village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Jengengan Majapahit, Cemenggaon village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Sadha, Kapal village, district of Mengwi, Badung regency. * Pura Sakenan, Serangan Island, the municipality of Denpasar. * Pura Luhur Pakendungan, Tanah Lot Beach, district of Kediri, Tabanan regency. * Pura Dalem Sanding village, district of Tampaksiring, Gianyar regency.

19. “Pemendakan” Welcoming procession held started from Sakenan Temple to Denpasar, Serangan Island, south of Denpasar.

Temple anniversary celebrations at: * Pura Dalem Pauman Bhujangga, Penatih village, east of Denpasar. * Pura Alas Arum, Batur village, district of

Kintamani, Bangli regency. * Pura Batuaji, Ubud Tengah village, west of Denpasar. * Pura Dalem Buleleng, downtown of Singaraja. * Pura Dalem Jagaraga village, district of Sawan, Buleleng regency.

21.T emple anniversary celebrations at: * Pura Banua Besakih complex, district of Rendang, Karangasem regency. * Pura Dalem Semenggaon village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Desa Celuk village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Dewa Agung Klungkung, Ulah village, district of Sidemen, Karangasem regency. * Pura Gunung Rena, Sidemen village, Karangasem regency.

22.T emple anniversary celebrations at: * Pura Tanah Lot (well know as temple on the rock) Beraban village, district of Kediri, Tabanan regency. * Pura Bukcabe, Mas village, district of Ubud, Gianyar regency. * Pura Puseh Ganggang Canggi, Batuan village, district of Sukwati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Masceti Sanding village, district of Tampaksiring, Gianyar regency. * Pura Luhur Batur Pucangan, Buahan village, district of Penebel, Tabanan regency. * Pura Dalem Tarukan Cemenggaon village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Dalem Bangun Sakti, Kapal village district of Mengwi, Badung regency. * Pura Dang Kahyangan Penataran Agung Baturening, Mambal village, district of Abiansemal Badung regency.

25. Chritsmas

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

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

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

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

6

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

News

court Iran’s president abruptly Philippine orders return of Marcos mansion fires foreign minister Associated Press Writer

Associated Press Writer

TEHRAN, Iran – Iran’s president abruptly fired his foreign minister Monday and named the nuclear chief as acting top diplomat, the latest sign of a rift at the top levels of the Islamic theocracy as the country faces intense pressure from the West over its nuclear program.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave no explanation for the change in a brief statement on his website. But the fired diplomat, Manouchehr Mottaki, is seen as close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. And the president may be aiming to install a figure more personally loyal to himself as Tehran resumes critical talks with world powers over the nuclear program that has brought four rounds of U.N. sanctions on Iran.

The nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, is one of Ahmadinejad’s 12 vice presidents. “This move shows not only the internal tensions but the primacy of the nuclear issue as Iran’s main foreign policy objective,” said Rasool Nafisi, an expert on Iranian affairs at Strayer University

South Korea...

From page 1 The report of additional uranium enrichment facilities came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov chided North Korea over its nuclear program and condemned an artillery attack on a South Korean island that killed four people last month.

Concern over the scope of North

FOTO/AP

In this Tuesday July, 29, 2008 file photo, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, right, listens to his Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, during the inaugural ceremony of the 15th Non-Aligned Movement Foreign Ministerial meeting, in Tehran, Iran. in Virginia.

Just a week before the shake-up, Iran resumed negotiations with six world powers over its suspect nuclear program after a long hiatus and another round is planned for early next year. Four sets of U.N. sanctions appear to be biting into the Iranian economy and Ahmadinejad may be looking for a loyal foreign minister who will help him clinch a deal with the six

powers to ease the punitive measures.

Mottaki, foreign minister since 2005, was fired in the middle of a tour of African nations that took him to Senegal, where he delivered a message from Ahmadinejad to the West African nation’s leaders on Monday, according to the official IRNA news agency.

Mottaki made no immediate public comment on his dismissal.

Korea’s nuclear program grew after U.S. nuclear expert Siegfried Hecker toured the Yongbyon site in November, where he saw hundreds of centrifuges and was said to have been “stunned” by the sophistication of the program.

Later that month, North Korea launched an artillery barrage against a South Korean island in what Pyongyang says are disputed waters, triggering concern about a potential

conflict that could draw in the United States and China.

Although tension has subsided, Seoul has staged a series of military drills that at one stage involved a U.S. aircraft carrier.

Monday, South Korea launched a new series of live-firing drills at sea, although these are far away from the so-called Northern Limit Line, the maritime boundary between the countries.

opposite way who told them a 7mile stretch of the highway had been closed. The road to Wanatah opened a little later, about 6:30 a.m., and they headed back there.

They and dozens of other motorists spent the next three hours in a service station convenience store, where they could use the bathroom and bought food.

“It was definitely a relief to get out of the car and get in the warmth and talk with somebody else about what was going on,” Ergang said when reached by phone later at home.

Indiana state police Lt. Lou Brown said some people made the situation worse by driving on roads that were closed or abandoning vehicles that got stuck.

“People would get into a snowdrift and couldn’t go anywhere so

they’d just leave the vehicle to get out of the weather,” he said. “It just plugs things up and then snow plows can’t get around them.”

Also, people who get out of their cars risk being hit by other vehicles or plows. The best thing for people to do, Brown said, is stay home.

At least nine people in four states, including Indiana, died in traffic accidents related to the storm, and a 79-year-old man snow-blowing the end of his driveway in western Wisconsin was killed when a plow backed into him.

Five more died after shoveling or blowing snow, and Kenneth Swanson, 58, of rural River Falls, Wis., died when a metal shed collapsed from the heavy snow, pinning him under debris and about 3 feet of snow.

MANILA, Philippines – Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos said Tuesday she will have a merry Christmas after a court ordered the return of one of the sprawling mansions the government seized after her husband was deposed.

The Supreme Court ruled late Monday that the government agency created to recover billions of dollars allegedly looted by former dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his wife failed to prove that the beachfront, 104-acre (42-hectare) estate on Leyte Island was acquired improperly.

The ruling came 24 years after a nonviolent “people power” uprising ousted Marcos and the government sequestered most of their property.

Imelda Marcos and her children are seeking the return of the assets.

Imelda Marcos will forever be remembered for the dazzling jewels and 1,220 pairs of shoes she left behind in the presidential palace. They also are among the assets seized by the government and sought by the Marcoses.

Marcos and his associates allegedly amassed up to $10 billion in illgotten wealth during his 21 years in power. The Presidential Commission on Good Government has so far identified around $6.5 billion and recovered cash and assets totaling around $1.97 billion.

Marcos, who declared martial law in 1972, ruled with an iron fist, imprisoning dissidents and stifling freedoms. He died in exile in Hawaii in

1989 without being brought to trial.

Imelda Marcos returned to the Philippines in 1991, followed later by her children, and re-entered politics. She was elected in May to the House of Representatives, her second time in Congress. Her son Bongbong was elected a senator and daughter Imee a provincial governor.

Despite some 900 civil and criminal cases she has faced in Philippine courts — ranging from tax evasion to embezzlement and corruption — she has emerged relatively unscathed and has never served prison time. All but a handful of the cases have been dismissed for lack of evidence and a few convictions were overturned on appeal.

Marcos, 81, welcomed the latest decision, saying it was one of her most important court victories because her father was born in that mansion. She said the property — including a 17-room house, a golf course, swimming pool, cottages and a pavilion — belonged to her family long before her husband was born.

“This is indeed a very happy Christmas, and I will try to go to Leyte before this holiday season is over,” she said. An aide said she broke into tears upon learning of the court decision. Presidential commission spokesman Nick Suarez said the government will likely appeal.

The Supreme Court said the ruling will not necessarily be fatal to the government’s main ill-gotten wealth case and state prosecutors can still argue that the property was acquired illegally.

Winter...

From page 1 They were driving home to Crown Point on Sunday after visiting friends in central Indiana.

All was fine until they reached Wanatah, about 35 miles southwest of South Bend.

“It was a whiteout. It was like a tornado of snow,” Ergang said.

Unable to see if a car was in front of her, Frank would nudge her 2000 Ford Focus slowly forward, stopping periodically, before all traffic came to a standstill about 7 p.m. because the semi-tractors had jackknifed at an interchange east of Valparaiso. Frank turned the car off, and the two made beds in their seats with the blankets and pillows.

In the morning, they flagged down a police officer headed the

AP

FILE - In this May 13, 2010 file photo, former first lady Imelda Marcos

International

Indonesia Today

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

7

Indonesia parliament agrees to curb fuel subsidies Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Indonesia’s parliament on Tuesday approved a bill to stop private cars using subsidised fuels early next year, a move that will cut public spending but increase pressure on inflation.

The policy, which will be implemented from March next year starting in the capital Jakarta, has been pushed by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank as a means of unlocking funds for infrastructure development.

“There are many people who are well-off but still benefit from fuel subsidies. This is unfair and off target,” said United Development Party lawmaker Romahurmuziy,

who is on parliament’s energy commission.

“The richest 25 percent of the people here consume 77 percent of fuel subsidies. Subsidies should be geared toward those who are not well-off.”

Private car owners will have to pay market prices of around 5,600 rupiah (62 cents) for a litre of higher-grade fuel, instead of 4,500 rupiah at the subsidized price.

Subsidized fuel will be available only for public transport and motorcycles, the ride of choice for scores of millions of Indonesians.

The new rules for private cars will be applied to the rest of Java and Bali islands in the second half of 2011, and the rest of the country by 2013.

The government said the scheme could boost inflation in the Jakarta area by as much as 0.15 percentage points, but some analysts believe the overall impact on nationwide inflation could be as high as 0.6 percent next year. Inflation accelerated in November, with the consumer price index up 6.33 percent on year, from 5.67 percent in October.

Indonesia police say aged cleric was terror kingpin Agence France-Presse

SOLO - Indonesian police on Tuesday revealed fresh details of the terrorism allegations against radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir, saying he was the figurehead of a new AlQaeda-style terror network.

National Anti-Terror Agency (BNPT) director Petrus Golose said the grizzled 72-year-old preacher was assembling a new network featuring some of the region’s most wanted militants when their plans were discovered in February.

“Abu Bakar Bashir is their leader,” he said at a press conference in Solo city, Central Java province, where police arrested Abu Tholut, seen as one of the most dangerous alleged extremists in the mainly Muslim country, last week.

Bashir was arrested in August and remains in custody awaiting trial on charges including inciting terrorist acts, which carries the death penalty.

It is the third time the bespectacled cleric has been arrested on terror-related charges since 2002 but police

have failed to make any of the allegations stick. He served almost 26 months for conspiracy over the 2002 bombings of tourist nightspots in Bali that killed more than 200 people, before being cleared and released in 2006.

Golose showed a hierarchical chart with Bashir on top of a tree featuring extremists such as Tholut, Abdullah Sonata, who was arrested in June, and slain Al-Qaeda-trained bomb-maker Dulmatin.

Dulmatin had a 10-million-dollar US bounty on his head when he was killed by Indonesian police in March, and allegedly masterminded the Bali bombings for regional terror outfit Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

“These main figures reported directly to Abu Bakar Bashir in terms of funding, operational and arms supplies,” Golose said.

Bashir is outspoken in his praise for Islamic “holy warriors” — or terrorists in the eyes of the authorities — but has always denied being the spiritual leader of JI. In recent years he formed the

equally radical but supposedly legitimate Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT) to push for an Islamic state in Indonesia, a country of 240 million people, 80 percent of whom are Muslims.

Police say Bashir and other senior members of JAT were involved in financing and organising a secret extremist network dubbed “Al-Qaeda in Aceh” which was discovered running a training camp in Aceh province in February. Hundreds of alleged militants have been arrested or killed in police operations since the Aceh network was discovered. National police spokesman Iskandar Hasan said Bashir provided finance and leadership for the Aceh group.

“On November 2009, Abu Tholut, Abdullah Sonata and Dulmatin decided to carry out military training in Aceh and they asked Abu Bakar Bashir to be the leader, while Sonata and Dulmatin’s role was to provide weapons,” he said. Police have said the group was training to carry out Mumbai-style attacks by small groups of suicide gunmen on Western targets and political figures in Jakarta.

President calls on people to support national football team Antara

Surabaya, East Java - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on the Indonesian people to give their support to the national football team “Garuda” in their match against the Philippines next Thursday (Dec 16).

“There is a message from the sponsor, that we should watch the football match between Indonesia and the Philippines,” the president said when speaking before students

of the Technology Institute of Sepuluh November (ITS) in Surabaya, Tuesday.

The head of state was accompanied among others by Sports and Youth Minister Andi Mallarangeng on the occasion. He believed that with hard work, the national team would perform better in the upcoming game. Before leaving for Surabaya on Monday (Dec 13), President Yudhoyono made a visit to the Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta, to meet footballers grouped in the

national team competing in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010.

“I want to express my pride and gratitude for the success of the national team. I really love football. We are quite proud of what you have achieved so far,” the president said.

He promised them that he would watch the match against the Philippines next Thursday in the AFF semifinal game.

Indonesia defeated Thailand 2-1 on December 7, 2010. On December 1, Indonesia beat Malaysia 5-1.

AFP PHOTO / YURRI ERFANSYAH

Indonesian television celebrity Cut Tari (R), 33, is escorted by a policewoman to a court in Bandung over the pornography trial of rock star Nazril Ariel on December 13, 2010.

Indonesian rock star stands trial over web sex videos Agence France-Presse

BANDUNG - An Indonesian court played sequences from a rock star’s sex videos at his trial on Monday for allegedly spreading the clips on the Internet in breach of an antipornography law.

The closed hearing also heard testimony from television celebrity Cut Tari, 33, who told reporters outside court that she had admitted to having sex with singer Nazril Ariel, 29, in one of the videos.

If convicted, Ariel faces 12 years in jail and fines of up to six billion rupiah (672,000 dollars) for offences including distributing pornography on the Internet.

“I confessed that it was me in the video and the man was Ariel,” said Tari, wearing a black blazer and accompanied by her husband.

Reporters were not allowed inside the courtroom in Bandung, West Java, but they were allowed to peer through the windows. They saw Tari approach the bench to view a brief segment of one of the offending videos on a laptop.

The trial is being held behind closed doors to protect public morals in the mainly Muslim country, where the sex scandal — dubbed “Peterporn” after Ariel’s band Peterpan — has caused a national sensation.

A second X-rated video widely

distributed online earlier this year apparently features Ariel with another television personality, Luna Maya, 27.

Defence lawyer Alfian Bonjol said however that Ariel denied appearing in the steamy sex tapes.

“My client denied that it was him in the video,” he told reporters, dismissing Tari’s testimony without further explanation.

Prosecutor Rusmanto said that according to Tari’s testimony, the video was made between 2005 and 2006.

The clips have been viewed by hundreds of thousands of people online and sparked fears about immorality spreading among the Southeast Asian country’s youths through the Internet.

Islamic hardliners have called for the rock’n’roll singer to receive the maximum punishment. Some have called for Tari to be publicly stoned to death for adultery.

About 40 Muslim extremists shouted slogans outside the court and trampled on pictures of Ariel, Maya and Tari.

Ariel has been detained since he surrendered to police on June 22 amid a media circus over the explicit videos.

Neither Maya nor Tari has been charged with any offence. Both women have lost lucrative marketing deals as a result of the scandal.

8

International

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Bali Today HPI must overcome illegal tour guides proactively Bali Post

DENPASAR - Eradicating the presence of illegal tour guides is not merely the responsibility of the Bali Government Tourism Office (Diparda). A practitioner of Bali tourism, Cok Raka Trisnu Yudhana, stated that related association namely the Indonesian Tour Guides Association (HPI) of Bali Chapter had to proactively address the growing presence of illegal tour guides.

“Except for the government, HPI should also take proactive measure in dealing with illegal tour guides, or at least recommends their existence. As a matter of fact, HPI takes control and know exactly about the condition in the field,” said Cok Raka in Denpasar, Monday (Dec 13).

The presence of travel agencies taking advantage of the services offered by illegal tour guides with the pretext of lacking of licensed tour guides was assessed by the owner of Puri Garden Ubud to only look for a scapegoat. Today, the existing number of tour guides was considered more than enough to handle tourists in Bali.

“It is merely a subterfuge of travel agencies, because by employing illegal tour guides they can reduce the cost of expenditure. Actually, the impact of using unlicensed or even foreign tour guides will potentially harm the image of Bali tourism,” said Chairman of the Regional Executive Board of PCMI Bali.

According to him, life skill programs in the field of tour guiding to Balinese younger generation would minimize the practice of illegal foreign tour guides.

Moreover, the main requirement to become a tour guide in Indonesia, especially Bali, was the citizen of Indonesia (WNI).

It was said, by providing knowledge for younger generation in the field of guiding services, and directing them to pursue the profession, there was no reason for travel agents to use unlicensed tour guides, including foreign tour guides. With provision of training from an early age, our human resources in the field of tour guiding service were not inferior to foreigners. “Tour guides pose a very significant job, because they deliver the information to guests, either good or bad information about Bali or tourist destination,” he said.

In life skill training, young

people who were interested to pursue a profession as tour guide, Cok Raka added, would be given general knowledge about tourism industry, understanding the role and duties of tour guides in accordance with the National Working Competence Standards for Tour Guides.

“In the training, we teach young human resources of Bali as tour guides on how to work with other colleagues, working in different social environments, dealing with conflict situations, and update the knowledge of tourism,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Executive Board of the Indonesian Tour Guides Association (HPI), Nyoman Kandia, said the number of illegal tour guides operating in Bali exceeded the number of licensed tour guides. In fact, most of these unlicensed tour guides did not have correct understanding about the culture of Bali and all philosophies.

“At the moment, we estimate their number in Bali to have reached thousands of people or more than the number of registered tour guides, namely 9,000 people,” he said.

He acknowledged that many of them provided misinterpretation about the culture and customs developing in Bali. “Illegal tour guides are clearly detrimental to the licensed tour guides. Their activities would harm the image of Bali because they do not master the Balinese culture. Therefore, if they explain about the culture to tourists, although they are his friends, could be wrong,” he explained.

If not immediately re-organized, people of Bali, said Kandia, would lose their power in managing the tourism itself.

On that account, with early debriefing in the field of tourism would minimize the moving space for unlicensed tour guides. (par)

http://extremusmilitis.files.wordpress.com

A tour guide showing Besakih temple to tourists. Eradicating the presence of illegal tour guides is not merely the responsibility of the Bali Government Tourism Office (Diparda). A practitioner of Bali tourism, Cok Raka Trisnu Yudhana, stated that related association namely the Indonesian Tour Guides Association (HPI) of Bali Chapter had to proactively address the growing presence of illegal tour guides.

Tourist guide machines are useless Antara

TABANAN – The tourist guide machines in Tabanan are not being used by the tourists or locals who visit the tourism site. The machines which were given by Indonesian Government are useless if no one wants to utilize them or if the machines don’t work properly.

The head of Tabanan Tourism and Cultural Department, I Wayan Diasa, said “Most of machines are not working right now. Currently, we have 12 tourist guide machines but the one that

is working is only on our department.”

If we analyze the function of the machine, it will be very helpful for the tourists whether they are foreigners of domestics tourists. By using the machine, the tourists only have to choose the information that they want such as hotels or restaurants and also the information about the tourist’s destination and it will pop up in the machine.

Based on the inspection of the reporter, the machine in the regent office of Tabanan is also doesn’t work. The machine is placed on the corner of the lobby but it doesn’t plug in so it is not

working.

This is maybe because nobody wants to use the sophisticated machine or even they don’t know the use of the machine. Diasa said that he is also very confused on why the people don’t want to utilize the machine.

“I am quite surprised that no one uses the machine. We already give the information to everyone about the use of the machine. Should we hire a beautiful woman wearing mini skirt to stand next to it? That definitely will draw some attention,” Diasa said while laughing.

Bali’s export to Japan increase 14% Antara

DENPASAR – Bali’s exports to Japan is relatively stable especially marine products and handicraft. The revenue even increased 14% in the last few months of 2010. Putu Bagiada, the head of Export Division in Bali Industrial and Trade Department, said that the exports to Japan are still very promising.

Japan is the second country which imported the most non-oil and gas prod-

ucts from Bali after US. The revenue gained from the export to Japan during January through October 2010 was $76.1 million. The number increase 14% compared to the similar period last year which was $66.7 million The leather products from Bali attracted the customers from Japan so the revenue from the export is keep increasing even tough the economics crisis which happened throughout the world. Bagiada explained that the leather products such as

bag, clothing and hat which combined with silver were sent to Japan. 30% of the products were demanded by the customers from Japan and the rest were exported to Singapore and Italy.

In addition to the leather products, Bali’s marine products were also exported to Japan. Among those products were fresh tuna and shrimps. Bagiada said that the Balinese is very creative in creating new design so the demand from Japan is still very high.

International

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Balinese Culture Ikan Lele

Ayurvedic Medicine HINDU possesses a medical science that has been very renowned from time immemorial, namely Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic medicine refers to the contents of the scripture Ayurveda born thousands of years ago. Ayurvedic scripture denotes a part of Upaweda in the group of Smriti Vedas.

However, the Ayurvedic scripture is often confused with Yajur Veda, the scripture containing sacrificial formula that also belongs to Smriti Veda. Yajur Veda itself is a scripture discussing about Yajña or ceremony.

Author of the book Usada Bali (Balinese Traditional Healing), the late Prof. IGN Nala, once said that to help the healing, the Ayurvedic healers usually provided natural herbal medicine having few side effects. Almost all plants existing around us could be eaten, they were medicine. On that account, all plants having efficacy for healing were necessary to be inventoried and developed.

In the meantime, the Dean of Faculty of Health Science, Hindu University of Indonesia (Unhi), I Nyoman Prastika, said that based Taru Premana palm-manuscript there were a number of beneficial herbs having the efficacy to cure diseases. Parts of those plants taken advantage consisted of its leaf, flower, fruit, bark or roots. Each herb had different quality such as cool, warm and mild.

To know whether a particular plant had a cold, warm or mild quality, it could be observed from the color of its flower and flavor. For instance, white, yellow and green flower had warm quality. If their flowers were red and blue, these plants had cool efficacy. Meanwhile, if the flower was multi-colors, they could be ensured to have mild efficacy. Likewise, if they tasted sweet and sour, its quality might be warm. However, if they tasted bitter and hot, they had cool efficacy. Then, if they were tasteless, they belonged to mild plant.

In herbal medicine system, added Prastika, people would be healthy if they consumed (ahara) nutritious healthy foods regularly, had adequate rest or sleep (nidra), and behaved (vihara) healthy. If the three aspects had been committed well, but it was still found health disturbances, then a herbal treatment (ausadhi) was required. Preparation method of herbal medicine could be divided into three kinds, namely grinding, spraying and boiled. Its healing method could be performed by drinking and dropping for internal healing, while the spraying or applying the paste for external use.

Then, what kinds of plant could be used to cure diseases? Prastika said that virtually all edible plants by animals could be eaten by humans. Whether the herbs had medicinal quality, they could be observed from the color of their flowers and flavor as mentioned above. Similarly, the plants frequently used for spices in the cooking contained

(Catfish) OVERVIEW: The whiskered catfish, though not an attractive looking creature, tastes excellent when cooked in this fashion.

http://www.gingerasia.com

Ayurvedic Medicine drug efficacy.

Red ginger for example, was good to increase warmth of the body as well as to stimulate or maintain immunity. If red ginger added with the flowers of carambola, bark of tamarind and kalmegh leaves, they could be used to accelerate breathing and relieve cough.

Meanwhile, to break up kidney stones and cure colic, people could also use herbal medicine. Its ingredients consisted of roots of reed, roots of palm tree, root of areca nut tree and added with palm sugar. All materials were thoroughly boiled. Afterward, its decoction water was drunk in the morning and afternoon. Herbal remedies could also cope with cardiac palpitations. Its ingredients comprised the soy beans, green beans, ginger, cumin, fennel, bidara upas (Merremia mammosa) leaf, coriander and pulasari (Alyxia Stellata). All ingredients should be boiled and then water of its decoction was drunk regularly.

Meanwhile, Balinese traditional healing used several palm-leaf manuscripts as reference. One of them was Lontar Usada Tiwang. This manuscript described about various types of diseases along with their treatments. Tiwang conveyed numerous symptoms in the form of disorder on the function of organ. There were several types of tiwang presented in the manuscripts such as tiwang utara, tiwang tojos, tiwang wedul, tiwang pemali pepasangan, tiwang wong, and tiwang rajasa.

Prastika added that tiwang pemali pepasangan had symptoms like prickling pain in the chest and on the back. Being no resistant to the pain, the sufferers often groaned. The disease itself could be treated by means of bark of rauvolfia, temu tis (Curcuma purpurascens), grilled coconut, hazelnut and fennel. It was applied by spraying its paste. (BTN)

INGREDIENTS: 1 catfish weighing 350g 1 tsp salt 1tsp black peppercorn crushed 2 tbsp freshly squeezed limejuice 1-cup spice paste for seafood 2 cups coconut milk 1 stalk lemon grass, bruised PREPARATION: Season catfish with salt, pepper and limejuice and marinate for 30 minutes. Deep fry fish over medium heat for 10 minutes until crispy.

While the fish is marinating, combine all remaining ingredients in saucepan and bring to the boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, until coconut milk breaks apart and sauce becomes oily and clear rather than creamy.

Pour the sauce over the fried fish and serve.

Helpful hint: If catfish is not available, replace with any fresh whole fish or follow the same method with any boneless fish fillet. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

Jukut Nangka Mekuah (Young Jackfruit with Coconut Milk) OVERVIEW: If jackfruit is not available substitute with summer squash, winter melon or turnip.

INGREDIENTS: 750 gr young jackfruit, peeled, cleaned and cut in pieces 2.5 x 1 cm 1 lt (4 cups) chicken stock ½ cup spice paste for vegetables 4 cups coconut milk 2 tsp salt ½ tsp black peppercorn, crushed Fried shallots to garnish PREPARATION: Bring 3 liters (12 cups) of lightly salted water to the boil. Add jackfruit, bring back to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain water and rinse jackfruit in ice water.

Heat chicken stock, add vegetables spice paste and jackfruit and bring to the boil. Add coconut, milk and simmer, stirring continuously, until jackfruit is tender and stock thickens a little.

Season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with fried shallots. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

C.045 ibp

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Destinations

International

Taman Ayun Temple IBP

http://4.bp.blogspot.com

Taman Ayun Temple is a Royal Temple of Mengwi Empire and it is located in Mengwi Village, Mengwi sub district, Badung regency and about 18 Km north side of Denpasar town. It is strategically located beside of major roadway between Denpasar to Singaraja.

It is set on the land which is surrounded by the big fish pond and look like a drift on the water. It owns the beautiful temple building with multistoried roof and Balinese Architecture. The wide beautiful landscape garden in front courtyard to welcome all visitors who come and visit this temple. It is a beautiful place to visit on your vacation in Bali.

Pursuant to Papyrus Chronicle of the Mengwi (Lontar Babad Mengwi), the temple which is now referred by Taman Ayun Temple that it had been newly sanctified in the year 1634 M and it is named with Taman Ahyun Temple. The word of Ahyun is coming from from the root word Hyun meaning a temple is founded in the park (pool with the beautiful garden) which can fulfill the desire. The word Ahyun is then changed into Ayun word.

Taman Ayun Temple is one of Hindu Temples in Bali become tourist destination which has been visited by many tourists from local and foreign. This temple is usually visited by tourist once having a set tour to Tanah Lot Temple

International Bali Post Classifieds BALI CENTRAL CANOPY

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due to this temple is the same route of the Tanah Lot Temple Tour.

The function of Taman Ayun Temple is a place to pray the god in their manifestation. It is according to the content of Babad Mengwi and the existence of temple building structure, especially the temple that is located in third area (Jeroan). According to Astadewata, the special God is worshiped in Taman Ayun Temple is the God in manifestation as a Wisnu God which his palace located in top of Mangu mount. In papyrus of Usana Bali mentioning that one of Dewa Catur Lokapalas carry through its worship is Meru Pucak Pangelengan that is a temple building with 9 multistoried roofs. Pitara God is a holy soul deity of ancestor who is also referred as the other names of Hyang Pitara or Dewa Hyang. Pitara God is obliged to be worshiped by clan heir (Prati Sentana) in the form of temple ceremony which the same meaning as by the ceremony to the god. The worshiping existence to Pitara God in Taman Ayun Temple can be searched and proved by pursuant to the existence of temple building which lay in by consecution in east which is called Paibon that is representing Special Temple. Taman Ayun Temple in capacities or its status as special altar for the King family of Mengwi Palace or as a Merajan Agung from Mengwi King Families specially for the founder of Mengwi Empire that is I Gusti Agung Putu.

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

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

11

BUSINESS China to appeal WTO ruling on tire exports to US Agence France-Presse

AFP PHOTO / Peter Muhly

Photo taken on November 27, 2010 of protesters holding a placard depicting Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen (L) and Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan (R), as they march pass the General Post Office in Dublin, Ireland, on November 27, 2010. The Irish government blocked plans on Monday by Allied Irish Bank to pay 40 million euros in bonuses to staff by threatening to cut off further financial aid to the lender.

Ireland blocks 40 million euros in bank bonuses Agence France-Presse DUBLIN - The Irish government blocked plans on Monday by Allied Irish Bank to pay 40 million euros in bonuses to staff by threatening to cut off further financial aid to the lender.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan wrote to the bank outlining “that the payment of the required financial support for AIB will be conditional on the non-payment of bonuses awarded, no matter when they may have been earned”.

In a statement, the finance ministry said the AIB board had considered his letter and “decided not to pay the bonus payments”.

Lenihan said he welcomed the decision and he reiterated his “total confidence” in the executive chairman and the bank’s board.

The statement said legislation implementing the proposal would be discussed by the government on Tuesday.

So far, taxpayers have paid 3.5 billion euros (4.7 billion dollars) to bail out AIB and the revelation about the bonuses has caused widespread anger following a harsh austerity budget that includes cuts in the minimum wage and in welfare payments.

AIB said in a statement that it had previously received “strong legal

advice” that it was obliged to pay the bonuses.

“However the letter from the Minister conveys a decision by him to legislate which overtakes this obligation.”

It said Lenihan’s letter said that without state support, which had been provided in a variety of forms, AIB could not have survived until now.

“The bank very much appreciates the support it has received to date from the State and the Irish taxpayers and acknowledges that it will continue to rely on this support for some time to come.

“Accordingly, the Board has decided not to pay the bonuses.”

AIB chairman David Hodgkinson said the bank’s board “very much welcomes the actions of the Minister and is relieved to be in a position not to pay these bonuses.”

James Reilly, deputy leader of the main Fine Gael opposition party, said Lenihan had “belatedly and re-

luctantly” caved in to public outrage about the “obscenity” bonuses.

“When the Government took a majority stake in AIB two years ago, it should have insisted that bonuses or increases in salaries could only be sanctioned by the Minister,” he said.

Last week Lenihan told parliament he planned to introduce a 90percent tax on bankers’ bonuses.

But it would not be retrospective and so would not affect the 40-million euro payout as it applies to work done before 2009.

Almost 55 million euros was paid to AIB staff in bonuses last year and the average bonuses to be paid for 2,400 staff this year was 16,700 euros.

The bursting of a property bubble has blitzed the country’s banks and led to massive bailouts by the taxpayer.

Following a reckless lending spree by the banks, a collapse of over 50 percent in property prices, hammered their balance sheets.

BEIJING - China said Tuesday it regretted the World Trade Organisation’s rejection of its complaint against punitive US tariffs on Chinese tires and would appeal “at an appropriate time”.

The commerce ministry said in a statement that it “regretted the ruling” and was “deeply concerned about the potential negative impact” of the decision.

It added that China would “carefully research the dispute settlement panel’s report and appeal at an appropriate time to protect the Chinese industries’ legal rights and interests”.

In 2009, US President Barack Obama invoked a safeguard clause in China’s WTO accession agreement to impose punitive duties on imports of Chinese tires over three years.

That prompted China to lodge a complaint with the global trade watchdog.

However, the WTO’s panel of arbitrators rejected all of China’s arguments in its 128-page ruling on Monday, saying “the United States did not fail to comply with its obligations” in imposing the measure.

The tire dispute ignited the first trade spat of Obama’s presidency between the United States and China, with complaints from the US side that the Chinese tire industry had cost more than 5,000 US jobs.

The two economic powerhouses have since sparred over a range of products from chicken meat to steel pipes to the distribution of US films, books and movies.

The Chinese ministry said Tuesday the US move was “a trade protectionist measure aimed at reducing domestic political pressures,” insisting it was not in line with WTO rules, according to the statement.

“The safeguard measure is not in China’s interests, nor is it in the interests of the United States,” it said.

“The employment rate in the US tire industry slumped rather than increased ever since the implementation of the safeguard measure,” it said.

The number of jobs in the US tire manufacturing industry fell by 10 percent in the first five months of the year from the same period last year, it added, citing US figures.

The Chinese ministry said the safeguard measure had only led the US to import tires from elsewhere, not to produce more at home.

US imports of tires similar to the Chinese exports soared by 21 percent in the first six months of the year while prices increased by 30 percent, it said.

“The safeguard measure has led to a sharp decline in Chinese tire exports to the United States. The United States shifted to expand imports from other countries,” the ministry said.

Japan’s business lobby hails corporate tax cut plan Agence France-Presse

TOKYO - Japan’s top business lobby on Tuesday hailed a government plan to shave five percentage points off corporate tax as “a first step” towards revitalising the nation’s fragile economy.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan said late Monday that his ruling centreleft party planned to next year cut the tax from 40.7 percent to boost investment, keep companies from moving abroad, create jobs and boost wages.

He did not explain how the government would make up for the revenue shortfall at a time when it is already struggling to reduce a mountain of public debt almost twice the size of gross domestic product.

The country’s top business lobby, Nippon Keidanren, welcomed the

announcement, having long pushed for a reduction in the levy, which it argues is high by international standards.

“We would like to sincerely salute his political decision,” said Hiromasa Yonekura, chairman of the leading industrial lobby, also known as the Japan Federation of Economic Organisations.

But the Tokyo stock market remained cautious about the economic impact of the cut, with the benchmark Nikkei index trading in a tight range and adding just 0.07 percent in the afternoon.

“The actual impact of the tax cut is still uncertain,” said Masatoshi Sato, strategist at Mizuho Investors Securities. “And it is also uncertain how the government will finance the reduction.”

12

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Entertainment

International

‘Big mouth’ Oprah appoints herself Australian ‘ambassador’ Agence France Presse

SYDNEY - US talk-show legend Oprah Winfrey Tuesday named herself Australia’s new global ambassador, saying her much-touted visit Down Under would reap huge rewards for the country’s image and tourism coffers. Winfrey, recording episodes outside the United States for the first time in her show’s 24-year history, said her visit with more than 300 US audience members would mean massive publicity for the huge nation.

“I have named myself an unofficial ambassador for Australia and I have the biggest mouth on earth,” she said ahead of taping two starstudded episodes of her show before thousands of fans outside Sydney’s iconic landmark, newly dubbed the “Oprah House”.

“I know that there’s a lot of talk and concern in this country as to what this will mean for Tourism Australia,” she told reporters as 6,000 fans waited for Winfrey and guests such as rapper Jay-Z and Bon Jovi to come on stage. “Let me just tell you — this is the truth: It is immeasurable what four hours of a love festival about your country, broadcast in 145 countries around the world, can do,” she said, referring to her legendary selling power.

“Aren’t you glad I liked it?”

Winfrey, whose endorsement of books can trigger massive sales, said it had long been her dream to visit Australia and she had brought 302 of her loyal US audience members

with her as a thank you in her show’s final year.

After years in the spotlight, she said she had never seen anything like the reception she had received in Australia — from the thousands cheering her in Melbourne in a welcome not seen since Princess Diana visited in the 1980s, to the ‘O’ lighting up the Sydney Harbour Bridge during her stay.

Crowds thronged Sydney’s harbourside from dawn hoping to catch a glimpse of the superstar, and many wore hats and shirts emblazoned with her name. As Winfrey took to the stage under a blazing noonday sun, some had tears in their eyes. “She’s just an inspiration,” said 27-year-old Nicole Menzel who had travelled from Melbourne for the event.

Australia paid four to five million US dollars to lure the talk-show diva Down Under, a government minister said Tuesday, but pundits claim the exposure could be worth more than ten times that amount.

AFP PHOTO / Torsten BLACKWOOD

US talkshow star Oprah Winfrey (C) is joined by Alan Joyce (L), CEO of Qantas Airways, and Andrew McEvoy (R), managing director of Tourism Australia, during a press conference at the Sydney Opera House on December 14, 2010.

Winfrey said that of the 302 audience members with her, about 200 had never previously left the United States and to them a vacation would

mean “going to your brother-inlaw’s house”.

“What I know for sure is that what will happen is that people...

who had never even thought about Australia, didn’t know where it was... will have the seed planted in their hearts,” she said.

Natalie Portman producing Movie star Jackman injured in Oprah zipline accident gross-out girl movies

AP Photo/Vogue, Peter Lindbergh

Associated Press Writer

Agence France Presse

NEW YORK – Natalie Portman thinks gross-out, juvenile humor isn’t just for guys. She believes women appreciate lewd humor, too.

In the January 2011 issue of Vogue magazine, the Academy Award-nominated actress says she’s started her own production company and is interested in making comedic films like “The Hangover” for women. In the article, Portman says women are typically “not allowed” to be “beautiful and funny.” She also believes it’s frowned upon for females to be vulgar.

Her latest movie “Black Swan” is now in theaters. The January issue of Vogue goes on sale nationwide December 21.

SYDNEY - Movie heartthrob Hugh Jackman ended up with a black eye attempting a dramatic entrance onto US talk-show host Oprah Winfrey’s stage Tuesday on a zipline running from the top of Sydney’s Opera House.

Aussie action star Jackman, 42, hit his face as he landed after swooping onto the TV queen’s stage over the heads of 6,000 fans gathered next to the famed landmark on Sydney harbour, AFP reporters at the scene saw.

Winfrey called for an ice pack and paramedics rushed to the stage to treat the “XMen” and “Van Helsing” star for his injury as taping of the show was briefly suspended.

“That was so much fun until the end. Too much fun,” joked Jackman, sporting a clearly swollen and bruised eye adorned with a dressing after re-emerging a few minutes after being led offstage by paramedics.

“It doesn’t hurt,” he reassured stunned fans, adding that he got “overexcited” and distracted by the famous view of Sydney’s harbour and Harbour Bridge on his trip down from the tip of the opera house.

A smiling Jackman then sipped wine and tasted Australia’s famous Vegemite snack with the talk-show queen, who recorded two episodes of the final season of her 24-year-old show in Australia.

In this magazine cover released by Vogue, actress Natalie Portman

AFP PHOTO / Torsten BLACKWOOD

Australian actor Hugh Jackman makes his aerial entrance on a flying-fox (zipline) from the roof of the Opera House during the filming of ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ at the Sydney Opera House on December 14, 2010.

Life Style

International

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

13

ThumbDrive inventor out to prove he is no one-hit wonder Agence France Presse

SINGAPORE - Henn Tan could have ruled the global market in what became the ubiquitous USB flash drive that helped consign the floppy disk to the dustbin of technological history. But his grip on the ThumbDrive slipped and the market was flooded with a myriad of brands for the handy memory device which could be small enough to dangle on a key ring.

Now the Singaporean entrepreneur hopes to prove he was no onehit wonder. Tan, who holds the patent for the compact data storage device in over 30 markets and the global trademark for the ThumbDrive brand, now has a firmer hold on another invention with a rather unusual name.

The FluCard — a postage stampsize storage device that can also transmit data wirelessly — is Tan’s new baby, and he hopes to see it used by millions of people; just like the USB drive. Tan said many thought the ThumbDrive — which has become a generic name for memory devices that plug into computer USB slots — was a one-hit wonder.

“I told them no, but many refused to believe me,” the 54-year-old told AFP. “We are more than just about ThumbDrives and the power of this FluCard is going to be immense,” insisted the chairman and chief ex-

ecutive of Trek 2000 International, which is listed on the Singapore Exchange.

Tan laments that he made a mistake with the ThumbDrive by going it alone instead of partnering with an established player in 2000, an admittedly “naive” move that allowed rivals to get big slices of the USB-based data storage pie.

This time around, he has teamed up with Japan’s Toshiba Corp to promote the FluCard and ensure its patent is protected globally.

Why the name? “It’s contagious and easy to recall,” says Tan, a marketing man who employs technical experts to flesh out his ideas. “You go to Afghanistan, you say flu, and they understand.” Marc Einstein, regional manager at technology consultancy Frost and Sullivan, said the FluCard is a sign of the convergence underway in consumer electronics and computer technology.

AFP PHOTO/Roslan Rahman

This photo taken on November 25, 2010 shows various thumb drives displayed at the office of Trek 2000 International in Singapore.

“I do think that this is where the future lies for technologies and consumer devices,” he said, adding that securing Toshiba’s support “is a US scientists have used stem cell technology to create mice from two fathers, an advance that they say could help preserve endangered species and even help same-sex couples have their own genetic children one day.

AFP/File

US scientists create mice from two fathers Agence France Presse

WASHINGTON – US scientists have used stem cell technology to create mice from two fathers, an advance that they say could help preserve endangered species and even help same-sex couples have their own genetic children one day. According to the study published Wednesday in the journal Biology of Reproduction, reproductive scientists in Texas were able to manipulate cells from a male (XY) mouse fetus to produce an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell line.

These iPS cells are adult cells that have undergone some genetic reprogramming in order to enter an embryonic stem cell-like state.

Some of the cells that were grown from this new line spontaneously lost their Y

chromosome, turning them into XO cells.

Those XO cells were injected into embryos from donor female mice and transplanted into surrogate mouse moms who gave birth to babies with one X chromosome from the original male mouse.

Those babies grew and later mated with normal male mice. Their offspring, both male and female, showed genetic contributions from two fathers. The study was led

by Richard R. Berhringer at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Researchers said that with a variation of their technique, “it may also be possible to generate sperm from a female donor and produce viable male and female progeny with two mothers.”

However, the study cautioned that the ability to replicate the findings in humans was a long way off.

good first step” for the Singapore firm.

Tan said his company and Toshiba, now the second largest

shareholder in Trek 2000 International after him, formed a consortium of camera makers to adopt the FluCard as the industry standard.

Ukraine to open Chernobyl area to tourists in 2011 Associated Press Writer

guaranteed.

Emergency Situations Ministry spokeswoman Yulia Yershova said experts are developing travel routes that will be both medically safe and informative for Ukrainians as well as foreign visitors. She did not give an exact date when the tours were expected to begin.

“There are things to see there if one follows the official route and doesn’t stray away from the group,” Yershova told The Associated Press. “Though it is a very sad story.”

The United Nations Development Program chief Helen Clark toured the Chernobyl plant together with Baloha on Sunday and said she supported the plan because it could help raise money and tell an important lesson about nuclear safety.

KIEV, Ukraine – Want a better understanding of the world’s worst nuclear disaster?

Come tour the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Beginning next year, Ukraine plans to open up the sealed zone around the Chernobyl reactor to visitors who wish to learn more about the tragedy that occurred nearly a quarter of a century ago, the Emergency Situations Ministry said Monday.

Chernobyl’s reactor No. 4 exploded on April 26, 1986, spewing radiation over a large swath of northern Europe. Hundreds of thousands of people were resettled from areas contaminated with radiation fallout in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia. Related health problems still persist.

The so-called exclusion zone, a highly contaminated area within a 30-mile (48-kilometer) radius of the exploded reactor, was evacuated and sealed off in the aftermath of the explosion. All visits were prohibited.

Today, about 2,500 employees maintain the remains of the nowclosed nuclear plant, working in shifts to minimize their exposure to radiation. Several hundred evacuees have returned to their villages in the area despite a government ban. A few firms now ofAP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, file fer tours to the restricted area, but FILE - In this May 10, 2007 file photo a general view of the government says those tours empty houses in the town of Pripyat and the closed are illegal and their safety is not Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the background.

14

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Sport

International

Osasuna fight-back dents Valencia’s European hopes Agence France Presse

AP Photo/Jon Super

Manchester United’s Ji-Sung Park, right, vies for the ball against Arsenal’s Marouane Chamakh during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, Monday Dec. 13, 2010.

BARCELONA - Struggling Osasuna won only their second point away from home all season as they stormed back to draw 3-3 against Valencia and put a dent in their rival’s Champions League hopes on Monday. Valencia went into the game looking to close the gap on the top four with Villarreal and Espanyol both losing at the weekend but in the end it was Osasuna who were celebrating having recorded just one previous point away against Deportivo la Coruna.

“It was a game in which both teams had a half in which they were superior and in the second-half we were unable to cope with Osasuna’s attacks,” said Valencia coach Unai Emery. “We worried about conceding an equaliser and that was what happened. We have to be critical of ourselves and be stronger.”

Meanwhile Osasuna coach Jose Antonio Camacho praised the way his side battled back at 3-1 down. “We

didn’t deserve to be two goals down but in the second half it was all us,” he said.

“With ten minutes to go we were losing and that was not just but we did not give up and were able to claim something from the game.”

Valencia were lively in attack and Roberto Soldado had already wasted a good opening before he broke the deadlock mid-way through the first half. Defender Mario Stankevicius, forward for a corner, slotted in a loose ball in the area to double the lead and while Juanfran Torres pulled a goal back, Aritz Aduriz headed home a Joaquin Sanchez corner to give them a comfortable cushion at half-time.

Osasuna were showing plenty of invention but little clinical finishing.

They benefitted though from a goalkeeping howler from Cesar Sanchez as he came and failed to claim a cross allowing Miguel Flano to score.

In a grandstand finish substitute Carlos Aranda stabbed the ball into the back of the net as the Valencia defence once again failed to clear their lines.

Heads-up Park puts United on top Agence France Presse

MANCHESTER - South Korea international Park Ji-Sung’s sixth goal of the season sent Manchester United two points clear at the top of the Premier League table after they beat former leaders Arsenal 1-0 at Old Trafford here on Monday.

United, who also have a game in hand over all their title rivals, could even afford the luxury of a missed penalty 17 minutes from time when Wayne Rooney fired wildly over the bar after Gael Clichy was adjudged to have handled inside his own area.

It was hardly a vintage performance but United, who visit reigning champions Chelsea on Sunday, were full value for a fifth successive home win which meant they also retained their unbeaten Premier League record this season.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted by Park’s display, telling Sky Sports: “His record against Arsenal is very good and he’s been in fantastic form, the lad.

“Unfortunately we are going to lose him after December 26 for the Asia Cup, so we are going to miss him for seven matches, which is disappointing.” Ferguson, who praised his “magnificent” back four, said of United’s overall position: “I think we are starting to get there and our form is improving.”

Meanwhile Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger tried to downplay the defeat, with the Frenchman saying: “I don’t think we failed to deliver; we lost a game and that can happen here.”

This was United’s first league game in 16 days. Ferguson’s team have been eliminated from the League Cup, held

by Valencia in the Champions League and knocked off the Premier League summit since they stuck seven past Blackburn last month.

Yet they went into the first of two titanic back-to-back games knowing victory would send them back to the top ahead of the trip to Chelsea. There was little to choose between the two teams in a predictably tightly-fought first half in which chances were at a premium.

Wenger sprang a major surprise before kick off by handing young Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny his first league start as Lukasz Fabianski was unfit. And Szczesny, half the age of United’s 40-year-old veteran Edwin van der Sar, had a relatively trouble free first-half.

Rooney did sting Szczesny’s fingertips from 22-yards in the ninth minute, but it was one of few saves the youngster was called to make in a tense and edgy game. Arsenal, who started with Cesc Fabregas on the substitutes bench, responded through Marouane Chamakh but the striker’s header failed to trouble van der Sar. As the game wore on, it became apparent that one moment of quality would secure the points. And just as

Arsenal thought they had done enough to go in at the interval on level terms, United broke the deadlock in the 41st minute through Park.

Despite being one of the smallest players on the pitch, the midfielder was allowed to leap above the visitors’ defence and direct the ball past Szczesny after twisting to get on the end of Nani’s deflected cross.

Sensing victory, United went for the kill but Szczesny rescued the visitors after dashing off his line to block Anderson’s shot following Rooney’s intelligent 54th minute pass.

Then Nani fired wastefully over the bar after slack defending by Clichy.

With the game slipping away, Wenger sent on Fabregas and Robin van Persie.

But the double substitution failed to rescue Arsenal. Indeed, United would have won by a more handsome margin had Rooney not been so wasteful from the penalty spot, the striker blazing over the bar in the 73rd minute after Clichy was adjudged to have handled.

“It was an unusual penalty, normally Wayne always keeps them down, I’ve never known him to hit one over,” Ferguson said.

Rooney was handed an opportunity five minutes from time to atone for his error but was denied by Szczesny, who clawed away a well-struck chip.

AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN

Osasuna’s forward Carlos Aranda (r) celebrates his goal with Osasuna’s midfielder Juan Francisco Torres during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF vs Osasuna FC on December 13, 2010 at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia.

Triple injury blow for Lyon Agence France Presse

LYON, France – Lyon will be without defenders Cris and Pape Diakhate and French international midfielder Jeremy Toulalan for Sunday’s clash at French champions Marseille, the club revealed on Monday.

Both Toulalan and Diakhate missed last Sunday’s 2-0 victory over Toulouse, the former with a recurrence of a left thigh injury, but the latter’s absence was not explained. Cris became a doubt for the Marseille match when the Brazilian veteran finished the Toulouse game with a painful groin.

French international right-back

Anthony Reveillere, meanwhile, is another doubt after he went off before the final whistle with a calf problem.

Better news for Lyon was that Argentine attacking midfielder Cesar Delgado made a return to action in a reserve game on Sunday, while French international midfielder Yoann Gourcuff is also back in training after suffering an injury in a Champions League match with Schalke three weeks ago.

Lyon are presently third in the title race as they chase their first league crown in three years, two points adrift of leaders Lille, while Marseille are fifth, a further two points behind.

Sport

International

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

15

Heat beat Hornets 96-84 for 9th straight victory Associated Press Writer

MIAMI – By recent Miami Heat standards, Monday night’s win counts as close. The Heat trailed early and waited until the end of the third quarter to make their move, winning by double figures for the ninth game in a row by beating New Orleans 96-84. Dwyane Wade scored 32 points, topping 30 for the third consecutive game, and Chris Bosh added 23 points and 11 rebounds. The Heat blew the game open with an 18-2 spurt that put them up 94-77.

LeBron James had 20 points and seven assists for Miami, back home after a four-game road sweep. Wade had an especially efficient night: 8 for 13 from the field and 14 of 17 from the free-throw line. While the Heat roll, New Orleans continues to struggle. With a loss for the second day in a row, the Hornets fell to 3-9 since an 11-1 start. They haven’t scored 100 points since Nov. 19, a stretch of 13 games.

David West had 26 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets, who went 1 for 13 from 3-point range. The teams split the season series. New Orleans beat Miami 96-93 on Nov. 5. Miami is now the sixth team in NBA history to win nine straight games by at least 10 points or more. And James has had a hand in two of those runs — Cleveland was the last team to do it, between Nov. 22 and Dec. 9, 2008.

The 2007-08 Boston Celtics also won nine straight by double figures.

The Heat have won nine in a row since Nov. 29, when they shook a slump

during which they had lost four of five.

The Heat are having fun during their run. With the victory secure and five minutes left, James slashed into the lane and passed the ball from one hand to the other behind his back — a classic junior-high move that brought a roar. Then he shot and missed, and fans groaned. Earlier, when James banked in a runner as he was fouled, he threw a fist and shouted at the roaring crowd.

A knockout punch? Pretty much.

The score put the Heat ahead 82-75, their biggest lead to that point. Wilting under Miami’s defensive pressure, the Hornets committed five turnovers in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter as the Heat pulled away.

Miami’s most jaw-dropping play of the night was a basket by James, who found himself pinned against the baseline with the shot clock about to expire, whirled and launched a jumper from behind the backboard that went swish.

Wade, miffed about taking a hard foul from Jarrett Jack, scored 20 points in the second quarter, a Heat record for the period. That included his team’s final 11 points to cut New Orleans’ halftime lead to 54-53.

Only three teams — the 2007-08 Houston Rockets, 2003-04 New Jersey Nets and 1946-47 Washington Capitols — have won 10 straight by at least 10 points, and the Heat will try to match the NBA record Wednesday.

Their opponent for that one? Cleveland, a team Miami beat by 28 points earlier this month in James’ muchawaited return to the city he scorned by signing with the Heat this past summer. James scored 38 points in Miami’s blowout win at the arena he called home for his first seven NBA seasons.

Unlike the Dec. 2 game, what awaits Wednesday won’t require the Heat and league to take extra security measures or worry how a sellout crowd will react.

AP Photo/J Pat Carter

New Orleans Hornets players Quincy Pondexter (20) and Aaron Gray (34) try to block Miami Heat’s LeBron James (6) from taking a shot during the second half of a NBA basketball game in Miami, Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. The Heat 96-84.

Final US Open men’s tuneup event relocated Agence France Presse

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - The final ATP men’s tuneup tournament before the US Open will move to North Carolina from New Haven after a sponsorship deal ended for the 625,000-dollar hardcourt event. The 48-player event had been staged alongside a WTA tournament that will remain in New

Haven, which is only 80 miles from New York compared to about 470 miles from New York to the ATP event’s new home in Winston-Salem.

A new tennis facility will be built upon the campus of Wake Forest University for the event, which will debut August 21-27, 2011. It will feature a 3,500-seat stadium and two show courts with 1,500 seats each.

“We’re thrilled about the ATP’s new home,” ATP executive chairman Adam Helfant said. “It’s terrific that the tour will visit Winston-Salem as part of its US summer swing.”

Most of the top stars take the week off before the year’s final Grand Slam tournament. Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky beat Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin in this year’s New Haven ATP final.

AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

In this photo taken Nov. 22, 2010, boxing promoter Don King is shown before an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers in Miami.

Official: Don King stopped in Ohio for ammo in bag Associated Press Writer

CLEVELAND – Boxing promoter Don King was stopped by security at Cleveland’s Hopkins International Airport for having ammunition in his carry-on luggage. Hopkins Airport spokeswoman Jacqueline Mayo says the 79-year-old King was stopped by members of the Transportation Safety Administration on Sunday night. She says King had ammunition for .38-caliber and .357-caliber firearms in his bag.

Mayo says the ammunition was taken and that King was released to continue his trip, she believes to Florida. She said she didn’t know if King received a citation.

King didn’t immediately return a telephone message seeking comment. WOIO-TV in Cleveland first reported the incident and said King was in Cleveland for his wife’s funeral. Eighty-seven-yearold Henrietta King died Thursday in Florida from complications from stomach cancer.

AFP/File/Frederic J. Brown

The final ATP men’s tuneup tournament before the US Open will move to North Carolina from New Haven after a sponsorship deal ended for the 625,000-dollar hardcourt event.

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

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Newey: Impossible to say if we can do it again Red Bull Racing’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey has admitted that the peaking order could change next season and that there is no guarantee the Milton Keynes-based outfit will again be at the head of the pack.

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Adrian Newey

Schumacher feels good about F1 return MICHAEL Schumacher says he feels good about his decision to come back to Formula 1 this year despite a tough season with Mercedes.

The German driver made a sensational comeback three years after his retirement but, despite high hopes for the year, Schumacher failed to shine.

He finished in ninth position in the standings, 70 points behind team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Schumacher, however, insists that he has no regrets about his decision. “I enjoy it. I feel I have the right to do what I enjoy,” Schumacher was quoted as saying by CNN. “Whether I put in dispute my reputation...I just feel good about my decision and I have so much support from people.”

But he insisted he is still determined to succeed again. “I certainly want to make it a successful return,” he said. “I’m only happy if I’m back on the winning road with the team. This is what I’m working for, this is the joy of the passion for Formula 1.”

The seven-time champion also conceded his return had not been as successful as he had hoped for, but is convinced his team has the right tools to win again.

“It’s certainly not as successful as I thought initially and many other people have thought.

But then having such a strong group and team behind, Mercedes pushing it so hard, I have no doubt about success in the future.”

Red Bull did the double in 2010 and the RB6 was considered to be the class of the field. However, Newey knows that F1 is extremely competitive and he isn’t taking anything for granted in the countdown to the launch of the outfits’ 2011 car, the RB7.

“It is impossible to know [if we will be able to do it again next season],” he told Telegraph TV. “I think last year we were able to be contenders for the championship. But this year we were fortunate to deliver it.

Next year though it could all change.

“That is the thing about motor racing. There is no guarantee yearto-year. Teams, as we keep seeing, can come up and can come down.

We will just keep our heads down and do the best possible job we can over the winter period. We will then find out in March where that has brought us.”

Meanwhile, Newey picked out

the season finale in Abu Dhabi, when Sebastian Vettel came through to win the race for the team and secure the drivers’ title, as his personal highlight of the F1 2010 season.

“It has been a long hard year, full of real highs and lows. It has been probably the biggest rollercoaster season I have ever been through,” Newey continued. “But I’d have to say crossing the line in Abu Dhabi and winning the drivers’ championship [was the best moment].

“I think, the constructors’, we thought we had a good chance and we were able to deliver that with one race to go, which was fantastic. But with the drivers, I must admit on the Sunday morning in Abu Dhabi, I thought: ‘We are probably not going to do this, what a shame’ - and to actually achieve it six hours later was amazing,” Newey summed-up.