Edisi 26 November 2010 | International Bali Post

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Shakira nets 500,000 euros for charity with Spanish TV ad PAGE 12 AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville

A floral tribute to the lost miners sits outside the front gate of the Pike River Coal mine facilities on the West Coast on New Zealand’s South Island near the town of Greymouth, on November 25, 2010 a day after it was announced that all 29 men missing in a mine explosion were presumed dead after a “horrific” second blast tore through the colliery.

New Zealand PM demands answers as nation mourns miners Agence France Presse

GREYMOUTH, New Zealand - New Zealand Prime Minister John Key vowed Thursday “no stone would be left unturned” finding why 29 men perished in a mine explosion that plunged the nation into mourning.

He warned it could take months to recover the bodies of workers entombed in the Pike River colliery

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after New Zealand’s worst mining disaster for almost a century and said grieving relatives were right

to question why it happened.

As flags across the country flew at half-mast, Key told the stricken families that all New Zealanders were “deeply sorry” for their loss and he was determined to establish why safety standards failed their loved ones.

“This is an inquiry that will leave no stone unturned to ensure that they

get their answers as to why their men are not coming home,” he told reporters. The prime minister travelled to Greymouth on the South Island to comfort the bereaved, whose fading hopes after an explosion last Friday were snuffed out by an even bigger blast on Wednesday.

Continued on page 6

Kate Middleton’s dress ‘worth up to £100k’ Agence France Presse

LONDON – The see-through dress worn by Kate Middleton at a student fashion show could now be worth 100,000 pounds, according to auctioneers. Middleton wore the transparent gold dress, designed by fashion student Charlotte Todd, during a 2002 show at St Andrews University, where she and fiancée Prince William were both students.

Prince William was photographed at the event watching his future bride, whose underwear was clearly visible through the lacy garment. Todd, who

now works in an aquarium, stored the dress away in her mother’s wardrobe after the show, where it has remained until now.

She has already refused an offer of 1,000 for the dress and has vowed not to sell it — but auctioneers estimate it could be worth as much as 100,000 pounds. ‘’With important royal items like this, if someone has got the money they will just keep on bidding,” Christine Satchett, of South London auctioneer’s Greasbys, told the Daily Mail on Wednesday.

Continued on page 6

PHOTO / BEN STANSALL / FILES

(FILES) A file photo taken on on November 16, 2010, shows Britain’s Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton posing for photographers during a photocall to mark their engagement, in the State Rooms of St James’s Palace, central London.

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International

Friday, November 26, 2010

Bali News

Recently, six illegal businesses disciplined again in Denpasar Denpasar (Bali Post)—

After disciplining several illegal businesses some time ago, the civilian security guards (Tramtib) and public order officers (Satpol PP) of Denpasar came again to discipline a number of mini markets and modern stores downtown Denpasar on Wednesday (Nov 24). At least, six modern stores were disciplined due to violation against the regulation. At first, the team targeted the modern chained store located on Jalan Hayam Wuruk, precisely in the east of T-junction of Jalan Katrangan-Jalan Hayam Wuruk, Denpasar.

Head of Denpasar civilian security guards and public order officers, Ketut Nick Natha Wibawa in the midst of the control stated it was the enforcement of the second time. Previously, his party had once raided the location and issued a reprimand not to operate before meeting all requirements such as building permit (IMB), business permit of modern store (IUTM), principal license and other requirements.

“Previously, we have asked to discontinue its operation, that’s why we covered its sign board by cloth indicating it was not allowed to do further transaction. In fact, it even remained to operate as usual. If allowed to continue, it is feared to become a poor precedent for other similar businesses,” said Nick at location.

Stubborn act of the store management was finally addressed firmly by the civilian security guards. His party immediately closed the store by padlocking the entrance and putting seal board in front of it. It posed an effort to push aside the negative issue and the image of control considered to come to a standstill and soften.

Later on, the team moved to another modern store of the same type located on Jalan Tukad Yeh Aya. And then it was resumed to four other mini markets located on Jalan Pulau Moyo, Jalan Pulau Kawe, Jalan Teuku Umar and Jalan Gatot Subroto Timur. As that located on Jalan Hayam Wuruk, the same action was imposed to the five modern stores.

“As a matter of fact, the store located on Jalan Gatot Subroto (Gatsu) is a newly built, while other modern stores have been disciplined previously. Even, some have been sealed. However, based on the reports received from the local community, apparently all of them came to operation

again,” he said.

Related to the system or mechanical test that should be performed by each store, the former Assistant I of Administrative Affairs in the Regional Secretary of Denpasar confirmed that such a test was no longer allowed today for any reason. “Civilian security guards are now clearly stating that mechanical or system test is no longer allowed, except for the activity of taking out the rotten goods or materials. But, please bear in mind, it is only to remove the goods,” he affirmed.

According to him, such an activity should not be used as a reason to be taken advantage. It was said to test out the system or take out the damaged goods, but in fact, it performed transactions.

“Therefore, do not play hideand-seek with us, because we will certainly take firm action,” he threatened.

As if the statement of Nick was inconsistent or overlapping.

When met after attending the opening of plenary session on the 2011 Regional Budget of Denpasar House on Tuesday (Nov 23), he himself clearly mentioned that the system test only was still allowed, provided it did not make any transactions.

“Initially, we indeed allowed performing a system test, but in fact it was actually taken advantage. Admitting to carry out a system test only, but it was then making transaction when customer came to purchase goods. It is impossible if the system testing is carried out every day,” he said.

“If it is really true to perform a system test, it is not necessary to fully open the door, a half of it is enough. When opening the door fully like this, it surely will give the impression to the public that the store has been reopened,” he added. (par)

Visiting survivors of Merapi at refugee post

Behind disaster togetherness remains solid BECOMING a surviving refugee of the Mount Merapi eruption is definitely unpleasant. It makes many people get bored and sick.

It can be seen from the faces of those living in the refugee posts, where they were confused, tense and hard to smile. Similarly, they were also awry, waiting, just keeping silent, having no activity and receiving food allocation. Having been virtually a month in the refugee posts, their face looked wrinkle and frown.

When a freight truck conveying various kinds of basic needs donated by Bali residents, readers of Bali Post and viewers of BaliTV on Sunday (Nov 21) afternoon and entered the lane leading to refugee post at Pasaranyar Hamlet, Sumberrejo Martoyudan, Magelang, refugees and local community looked sprightly. After handed over and received symbolically by a member of Pasaranyar refugee post, Jumari, assigned by the coordinator, Sumarno, in a relatively short time the refugees especially men and the local youth were already on the truck. They lined up to move the goods and then placed them in one of the warehouses owned by local resident.

Meanwhile, female refugees were still watching over their toddler at Village Hall where they were accommodated. Their togetherness looked so solid in helping those in distress. It was unclear whether their motivation came from the very bottom of their heart, or had any specific purposes behind their alacrity. But, the fact that they helped each other in the refugee post was tangibly discernible. Even, the speech of the officers existing in the refugee post was so quiet, friendly and refined, not explosive, much less angry.

“Our people here are in miseries.

Never bear them with our poor or angry behavior,” said one of the volunteers.

Similar conditions were also felt in the Muslimin Hall Refugee Post, Parimono Village, Mungkin

Foto/afp

Map locating Mount Merapi, which began erupting in late October, forcing tens of thousands to leave their homes.

Magelang. Here, 584 refugees were accommodated. Among them, there were two sick people, two people with disabilities and two pregnant women. Hundreds of refugees here welcomed the arrival of a truck of goods unloaded at the location. “Are all goods unloaded here, sir?” asked an old man accompanied by other refugees from Gowok Hamlet, Dukun Sengi, Magelang. When answered ... yes, they look so touched.

“Matur nuwun, thank you very much, sir .... Your goods are quite a few,” a man said while taking part in unloading the goods from the truck.

In this post, the number of aids donated by readers of Bali Post and viewers of BaliTV were the same as those unloaded at other posts such as at the hamlet of Pasaranyar, Sumberrejo and in the PPS Shooting Field of National Army at Plumpungan, Magelang. Contents of the aid packages were ranging from rice, milk, mineral water, instant noodles, the needs of women, blankets, towels, usable clothing to drugs.

Togetherness in the refugee post to help others becoming the victims of the disaster was so solid. Volunteers from various regions established tents in a number of locations in Muntilan City to take part in lending a hand to the community.

“This disaster is indeed miserable.

Yet, behind this disaster, we are moved how concerned our community is. You can observe, sir, the

dense traffic and congestion on the roads of Muntilan. It was not only caused by slippery road due to dust hit by rain water, but also caused by a lot of vehicles coming with aids,” said one of the volunteers pointing out a boxcar labeled ‘Care for Merapi victims.’

The number of assistance such as usable clothing became a relief scene. Thousands of clothes were left in the PPS Refugee Post at Plumpungan Shooting Field, put under the tents. “Due to many clothes, refugees left some of them. These are remaining clothes after selected by the refugees,” said a member of the National Air Forces while pointing to the tent.

Flows of aids could not be separated from the tremendous role of mass media in reporting the disaster. “Indeed, the media plays an essential role in touching the concern of the community to help,” said a volunteer from the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) of Bali Region, Nyoman Gede Suryawan.

Similar opinion was also conveyed by I Made Kontra, a member of Armed Forces from Gianyar in charge in Magelang.

Kontra said that aids kept on coming. “Since I was deployed at this Muslimin Hall Refugee Post, the aids continued to arrive,” said Kontra claiming to come home to Bali biennially while being busy unloading goods from the truck. (pur)

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Bali News

International

Friday, November 26, 2010

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Contact Key Left, Parking Officer Took Motorcycle Captured after CCTV Recorded Denpasar (Bali Post) –

Criminal Research Troops of Kuta Police successfully revealed a motorcycle stealing case. This was done after fast attack troops and other investigators did and investigations based on victim’s report. Only two hours were needed to reveal it so. The stealer was accused Isak (26) from Kupang who is a parker at Discovery Shopping Mall. He was captured by the fast attack troops on Tuesday (23/11) around 8 pm.

Head of Kuta Police, AKP I Gede Ganefo SH, MH confirmed the successful case reveal on Wednesday (24/11). The accused is now jailed at Kuta Police waiting for his next legal process. It was said accused has been proved to have stopen a Honda Vario motorcycle with plate number DK 5255 OF which was used by a foreigner, “The motorcycle was rented by a foreigner. Yet the reporter was I Gusti Nyoman Kreneng (34) from Banjar Rakean, Abiansemal, Badung.

The motorcycle was taken as the contact key is still on it.”

Moreover the action happend at the parking space of the mall.

The foreigner parked it there around 7.30 am and it was not realized that the contact key was still there. The foreigner went as it had engagements. And that rented motorcycle was known gone around 6.30 pm, “Victim was shocked and so then told the reporter and the case was then reported to Kuta Police.”

In accepting the report, Ganefo then directed a number of fast attack troop members to investigate crime scene. It was certain that it couldn’t be someone from outside who done it as the mall has a tight security. Police then review its CCTV recordings, “Accused was not seen taking the motorcycle.

He was just sitting around and going around there.”

Even though, police did not stay just there. Accused was then checked intensively at investigator room. At first, he did now want to admit it and after asked several times, he then admitted that he done it. From the confession, investigator deepened the investigation. Accused admitted to have bravely stolen the motorcycle as it has key still there. Not only that, accused also thought that the motorcycle was still in good condition and new, “We are still deepening the case, is it this the first time or not and if accused acted his own or with other person.” (kmb21)

Sanglah Hospital Sent Medical Team to Yogyakarta Disaster Brigade Team of Sanglah Hospital at last sent to help victims of Merapi Mountain eruption disaster in Yogyakarta.

The medical team that will go on Friday (26/11) will have on plastic surgery specialist doctor, two burnt wound nurses and two OKA (surgery room) nurses according to the Disaster Brigade Secretary, dr. Ken Wirasandhi, MARS. Before, Sanglah Hospital have sent 30 thousands of masks also hand scones and eye drops to the victims with five people to survey the needs of the victims, “From the survey it resulted that

they need medical team. The first one has been sent on 15th November as much as two people.

The on 26th November will be a second team.” According to Ken, this is done in purpose to help medics at Sarjito Hospital of Yogyakarta in handling the victims of Merapi.

The team will stay there around three weeks and they are plastic surgery specialist doctor dr. Agus Roy Hamid, spBP, two burnt wound nurses Putu Ayu Sukerti and Luh Gede Maryati and two OKA nurses Made Widana and I Wayan Parmita (kmb24)

IBP/doc

Dark cloud is seen on the sky in Sanur Beach. The poor weather condition make the fishermen can not go to the sea.

Animal Husbandry Agency and Residents Killed Hundreds of Dogs Gianyar (Bali Post) –

The dog biting cases at Banjar Gentong, Tegallalang Village/Sub district, Gianyar happened for the second time as it caused Ni Wayan Sugiari (35) died last 13th November and Made Suardana (13)/ Komang Suardana (11) on Tuesday/Wednesday. These has made residents worry and so on Wednesday (24/11) civilian defense, banjar securities, with workers from Animal Husbandry Agency did stray dogs elimination at Gentong area.

Around 150 dogs were successfully killed.

The elimination happened from 9 am to 1 pm local time. Village Official of Gentong I Wayan Sila stated the agreement of this elimination happened

based of the banjar decision. All residents agreed of this step as residents are traumatized and realized more that rabies is a deadly disease. It was admitted that residents did not realize it so much before and even there are two residents died already, the officials think this is too late to be done.

Meanwhile Tegallalang I Health Community Center noted there has been three rabies cases in this sub district. Besides the two cases in Gentong, another one happened to Ketut Siti (married to Singaraja resident) at Abangan, Klabang Moding, Tegallalang.

Head of the Health Community Center, AA Gede Oka Barata, mentioned post the rabies attacking

Gentong the residents’ awareness increases. Many Gentong residents are now looking for VAR (Anti Rabies Vaccination) to avoid spreading and around 50 vial of it has finished. To anticipate the demand, there has been around 300 vial ordered from Health agency yet it is not known if it will be covered as the Head who manages the VAR is still in Jakarta.

Meanwhile according to the data at the Health Agency, since January 2010, there are 6 rabies cases that caused death in Gianyar. Head of Gianyar Health Agency, dr. I Gusti Ngurah Suwastika, suggested residents to be more aware and go straight to health community centers or hospitals if experiencing bitten by dog. (kmb16)

Prevent Soil Damage

Klungkung Prevent New Plants of Cloning to be Planted Semarapura (Bali Post) –

Talking about the water supply in Klungkung, the condition starts to worry as a number of water source and rivers that existed most of them has danger substances such as e-coli, coliform, phosphate, and more. Looking at this situation, Klungkung has to have a strategy to avoid soil damage and air pollution which became the three main pillars of an environment.

“Especially in avoiding soil damage, Klungkung has to avoid as early as possible like preventing cloning resulted new plants planting,” Head of Klungkung Living Environment Office (KLH) Dewa Gede Oka Kusumajaya.

According to Dewa Oka, the planting of this plants caused new potential disease that damages the soil rapidly, “Just at this time, over using chemical

fertilizer and other substances have damaged the soil.” He added, since a while ago there has been efforts in using inorganic fertilizer yet this can’t be done as it’s causing loss and it was done step by step in small percentage.

On air pollution, Klungkung is still safe as at this time all air condition around the region is still normal, “On water, it’s a different story. The pollution is quite high.” For example Tukad Unda (river) has e-coli, coliform and phosphate that are very dangerous.

This was caused by animal husbandry wastes, domestic wastes, dying wastes and more all along the river, “It’s phosphate is dominant as many paddy fields are around it and its waters has substances from the chemical fertilizer which mostly goes to the river.”

Even though, compared to other

rivers in Bali like Tukad Badung, Tukad Unda is still safe to be produced as clean water (for consuming), “If Sarbagitaku will use Tukad Unda for clean water, it is certain the producing steps are less with cheaper daily operation budget.”

It is mentioned, in the future government is obliged to do supervisions to three parameters of environment as stated at Living Environment (LH) Minister Regulations number 1 year 2010 and LH Ministerial Decree number 19 year 2009 on minimal service standard, “If the budget is possible, our first step will be to inventoried the source especially waters such as how many water sources are there, what’s the debit, and its position. If it’s possible, there will be water quality checking.” (kmb20)

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News

Friday, November 26, 2010

International

Maliki awarded second term as Iraq PM Agence France Presse

BAGHDAD - Nuri al-Maliki was awarded a second term as Iraq’s prime minister on Thursday, signalling an end may finally be in sight to the country’s eight month impasse following a general election in March.

President Jalal Talabani’s nomination of Maliki, delayed to give him as much time as possible to negotiate ministerial posts, comes after a power-sharing deal between Iraq’s divided factions was sealed two weeks ago and gives Maliki 30 days to complete the difficult task of forming a cabinet.

The months-long tussle has seen Iraq shatter the world record for the longest period without a new government after polls. Maliki was named prime minister-designate by Talabani, himself recently reelected, at a ceremony at the AlSalam presidential palace in Baghdad, images from state broadcaster Al-Iraqiya showed.

“The coming government will be committed to reconstruction and providing services,” Maliki said in remarks following his nomination, according to media advisor Yassin Majid. “It will be a government of partnership, no one will be neglected.” Maliki called on the Iraqi people to support the security forces as they fight a still present insurgent threat, and called for political blocs to present candidates for the cabinet who had “experience, loyalty and integrity.”

The rival blocs have all formed committees to negotiate their share of ministries and cabinet positions,

which will be apportioned via a points-based system.

Each bloc will be assigned points based on its success in the March 7 election, and each ministry and government post will cost a set number of points depending on its importance.

Under Iraq’s constitution, Talabani was allowed 15 days to appoint a prime minister following his re-election by MPs on November 11. He had earlier been expected to name Maliki, who first took the top job in 2006 when Iraq was mired in a brutal confessional war, as premier last Sunday, immediately after the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

But he delayed the decision to give the incumbent more time to negotiate ministerial posts. The re-selection of Talabani, a Kurd, and Maliki, a Shiite, to their posts and the naming of a Sunni Arab as speaker of parliament came after a power-sharing pact was agreed on November 10.

It also established a new statutory body to oversee security as a sop to ex-premier Iyad Allawi, who had held out for months to regain the top job after his Iraqiya bloc narrowly won the most seats in the March 7 poll.

The support of Iraqiya, which garnered most of its seats in Sunni areas of the predominantly Shiite country, is widely seen as vital to preventing a resurgence of interconfessional violence. The Sunni minority which dominated Saddam Hussein’s regime was the bedrock of the anti-US insurgency after the 2003 invasion.

AFP PHOTO/POOL/KARIM KADIM

(FILES) A picture taken on August 15, 2006 shows Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki arriving for a meeting in Baghdad.

AFP PHOTO / HO / Defense Ministry

This handout photo taken on November 23, 2010 by South Korea’s Defense Ministry shows a South Korean K9 Thunder 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer and soldier (L) as fire rages caused from shelling by North Korea on Yeonpyeong island in the disputed waters of the Yellow Sea. South Korea vowed on November 25, 2010 to dramatically boost its defences against rival North Korea as the nuclear-armed regime threatened more strikes if it faced a “reckless military provocation”.

SKorea to boost troops as NKorea issues warning Associated Press Writer

YEONPYEONG ISLAND, South Korea – South Korea’s president vowed Thursday to boost troops on an island targeted by a North Korean artillery barrage, while the North stridently warned of additional attacks if the South carries out any “reckless military provocations.”

Seoul and Washington ratcheted up the pressure on China to use its influence on ally North Korea to ease soaring tensions after an exchange of fire Tuesday that left four South Koreans dead — including two civilians. China urged both sides to show restraint.

The North’s bombardment of this tiny South Korean island along a disputed maritime frontier — the first such attack on a civilian area — alarmed world leaders, including President Barack Obama, who reaffirmed plans for joint maneuvers with Seoul involving a nuclearpowered aircraft carrier in the Yellow Sea starting Sunday.

“We should not let our guard down in preparation for another possible North Korean provocation,” South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said during an emergency meeting in Seoul on reper-

cussions of the attack, presidential spokesman Hong Sang-pyo said. “I think a similar North Korean provocation could come at any time.”

Yeonpyeong Island, home to military bases as well a fishing community of 1,300 residents, looked like a war zone Thursday, with homes and shops completely flattened and the streets strewn with blackened rubble, mangled window frames and shattered glass.

Hundreds of residents have already fled the devastation for the mainland, but a few were still rooting around the rubble looking for personal belonging and spending cold nights in underground shelters.

Hong said that South Korea will boost ground troops on Yeonpyeong and four other islands in western waters in response to this week’s attack, reversing a 2006 decision calling for an eventual decrease. He de-

clined to discuss specifics for the increase, but said troops there currently amount to about 4,000.

His comments came as South Korea’s defense chief visited the island, located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the port of Incheon west of Seoul but just 7 miles (11 kilometers) from North Korean shores.

The military was analyzing debris from North Korea’s artillery and has not ruled out North Korea’s use of thermobaric bombs, which burn more violently and increase casualties and property destruction, a Joint Chiefs of Staff official said. He asked not to be identified, saying he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

The two Koreas are required to abide by an armistice signed at the close of the three-year war, but the North does not recognize the maritime line drawn by U.N. forces in 1953 and considers South Korean maneuvers near Yeonpyeong island a violation of its territory.

The attack added to animosity from the March sinking of a South Korean warship in nearby waters that killed 46 sailors in the worst military attack on the nation since the Korean War.

India test-fires nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agence France Presse

NEW DELHI – India successfully tested a short-range version of its most powerful nuclear-capable missile on Thursday during an army training exercise, the Defense Ministry said.

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan regularly test missiles,

and in some cases give each other advance notice. Ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said Pakistan was informed ahead of Thursday’s test as part of “standard practice.”

The upgraded Agni-I — with a 435-mile (700-kilometer) range — was fired from a testing range on an island off the eastern state of Orissa, Kar said.

“The missile followed the trajectory perfectly and reached the designated spot in the Bay of Bengal,” where ships witnessed its detonation, Kar said.

The 12-ton missile, developed in India, has an advanced navigation system and can carry payloads of up to 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms).

It has been tested several times in the past, including on March 28 at the same Orissa firing range, as part of ongoing army training to improve skills among defense personnel. New Delhi has said it developed its current crop of missiles — including the short-range Prithvi missile, the anti-tank Nag missile and the supersonic BrahMos cruise

missile — as a deterrent against neighbors China and Pakistan.

Its Agni-II missile, with a range of up to 1,250 miles (2,000 kilometers), can put areas of southern China within striking distance.

And the Agni-III, successfully tested last year, can carry nuclear warheads across much of Asia and the Middle East.

International

Hotel Activities

Friday, November 26, 2010

5

Pop! Harris Hotel Denpasar officially open

The theme “Plant Today for a Greener Tomorrow Denpasar, 8th November 2010 – Pop! Harris Hotel which is located in Jl.Teuku Umar No 74 in Denpasar Bali held a Green Opening with the theme “Plant Today For A Greener Tomorrow” on 8th November 2010. It is a tree planting program in line with Pop! Harris Hotel aspiration at becoming a vehicle on promoting green awareness and attitude among guests, suppliers, neighbors and business partners. The opening is also attended by representatives from local government, Tauzia Hotel Management and several green organizations.

“Pop! Harris Hotels will be associated to any initiative related to the environment awareness from locally, within the provinces even to nationwide, “ said Marc Steinmeyer, President Director of Tauzia Hotel Management, “ We have been working closely with Green Building Council Indonesia and also an active member.” Pop!Harris Hotels already a network of 8 properties to open within 18 months.

The first opens September 2010 in Denpasar-Bali, Jl. Teuku Umar (147#), and will be followed by 2 more in Bali, 2 in Jakarta, Manado, Yogyakarta and Surabaya.

TAUZIA Hotel Management, established in 2001 has pioneered its own hotel concepts and products since 2002 with brands such as: -the label Préférence Hotels with 2 properties under development -Harris hotels & resorts, totaling 22 hotels and 3,402 rooms by 2012 -Pop!Harris Hotels a network of 8 hotels and 1237 rooms by 2012 -2 properties Managed by Tauzia including Eden Kuta and Solo Paragon -and its Estate Management division specialized in condominium operations

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 8th Galungan

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

December 11th

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

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

Temple ceremony on this day:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Friday, November 26, 2010

News Aust. woman run over by her own car. Twice.

Associated Press Writer

MELBOURNE, Australia – An Australian woman has been rushed to hospital after being run over by her own car. Twice.

Paramedic Craig Brooks says the woman forgot to pull the hand brake before getting out of the car and that it rolled down her driveway and knocked her down, leaving her un-

able to move.

He said on Thursday that the woman told paramedics “that the car ran over her lower abdomen and legs before crossing the street, hitting a fence on the other side of the road, bouncing back and running over her again.” The woman from the southern city of Melbourne was taken to hospital in a serious condition with suspected internal bleeding.

Kate Middleton...

From page 1 ‘’I imagine she could get someone to pay 10,000 pounds for it now. But in years to come if Kate was on the throne it could reach up to 100,000 pounds.”

Miss Todd, now 31, hopes the dress will one day end up in a museum like many of Princess Diana’s iconic outfits. ‘’The dress is a part of fashion history — the moment William could first have fallen in love with Kate,” Todd is quoted as saying by the newspaper. ‘’I definitely think it has a played a part in the royal love story.’’

Todd, who is from Bedminster in Bristol, said the dress cost just 30 pounds to make.

AFP PHOTO/Ronaldo Schemidt

Members of Federal Mexican Police stand guard on Kukulkan avenue in Cancun, Quintana Roo State, Mexico, on November 24, 2010. Representatives from 194 countries are to meet in the Mexican resort city of Cancun from November 29 to December 10 in a UN climate summit.

Mexico sending more troops to violent border zone Associated Press Writer

MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s violent northeastern corner near the U.S. border will get a boost in troops and federal police as the government tries to wrest back control of an area that has become a battleground for two rival drug cartels. The new mission, “Coordinated Operation Northeast,” aims to reinforce government authority in Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon — the two states under the heaviest attack since the formerly allied Gulf and Zetas gangs split.

The government also wants to keep the cartels from regrouping after the loss of key leaders, federal police spokesman Alejandro Poire said Wednesday.

But Poire gave no details on the operation, saying only that there will be a “significant” increase in forces. He answered no questions at a media briefing with Mexico security officials and the two state governors, and the government later said it would not provide numbers for its forces now in the area or the level after the reinforcements because of security reasons. Intense cartel violence has gripped Nuevo Leon in and around the industrial, high-tech hub of Monterrey, once one of Mexico’s safest large cities.

Bloodshed also is high across all of Tamaulipas, which shares a 560-mile (900-kilometer) border with Texas and some of the busiest border crossings in the world opposite the U.S cities of Laredo, McAllen and Brownsville.

“These are geographic factors that have made the area a coveted route for organized crime in the trafficking of drugs and people and in receiving illegal money and arms coming into Mexico,” Poire said.

Since the falling out between the Gulf cartel and the Zetas, its former arm of assassins, Nuevo Leon has seen regular gang roadblocks on city streets, assassinations of local politicians and shootouts and grenade attacks that have killed innocent civilians.

In Tamaulipas, where mayors and a gubernatorial candidate have also been killed, gang violence has closed schools, made roads unsafe for travel and blocked some government oil workers from reaching installations.

Earlier this month, residents fleeing gunbattles in the state’s once-picturesque town of Ciudad Mier ended up in Mexico’s first drug-war refugee shelter. In another part of Tamaulipas, 72 migrants trying to reach the United

States were found slaughtered earlier in the year.

Residents have accused the federal and state government of being conspicuously absent, leaving them in the crossfire of militarystrength weaponry wielded by drug gunmen.

Local media has been intimidated or co-opted out of covering the drug war, leaving Tamaulipas cities such as Reynosa to warn residents during outbreaks of violence via Twitter and Facebook.

Poire said government forces are present and touted recent military and police blows against the two cartels: the killing earlier this month of Gulf cartel leader Antonio “Tony Tormenta” Cardenas Guillen, the 2008 capture of a founding member of the Zetas, Jaime “The Hummer” Gonzalez Duran, and the arrest of eight presumed Zeta members in the killing of the migrants.

Katherine Cesinger, spokeswoman for Texas Gov. Rick Perry, praised the buildup.

New Zealand From page 1 “The nation is grieving and mourning alongside them,” he said.

Key said after a sombre meeting with the families that he detected resignation, rather than the anger seen a day before, when relatives shouted at police and collapsed in anguish after being told their kin were dead.

He acknowledged families were desperate for the miners’ bodies to be removed from the pit so they could be given proper funerals.

However, a lethal cocktail of volatile gases remained in the mine and Key said this would delay recovery attempts.Previous international experience had shown the operation could take “quite some months”, he said. As messages of condolence poured in from around the world, Key praised the rescue efforts, which some relatives of the miners have criticised after the gas threat stopped emergency workers from going underground.

The Pike River Coal board is to meet Friday to discuss the company’s options and chief executive Peter Whittall said he favoured getting the colliery going again. “It’s not like the mine was a big scary place that was waiting to kill them,” he told reporters. “The mine was where we worked, it was where we went to every day, we understood it.”

Pike River said it would cooperate with any inquiry into the mine, which sent its first shipment of hard coking coal for steelmaking to India only this year. The tight-knit community on the South Island’s west coast was scarred but accepted the risks that accompanied the tough industry upon which it was built, the local mayor said.

“Inherently, coal mining is dangerous, we live with, that’s all part of the way we live here on

the west coast,” Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn said.

The mine, seen as an economic lifeline for the region when it began operations last year, remained a viable source of income for the area, West Coast-Tasman MP Chris Auchinvole said. “The coal seam is still there. Coal is extremely valuable and the Pike River mine is a 300 million-plus dollar (227 million US) investment,” he said.

The head of the rescue effort stood by his decision not to send emergency crews after the victims, who included 24 New Zealanders, two Australians, two Britons and a South African. The second blast that tore through the colliery had brought home to rescuers what would have happened had they been in the mine shaft at the time, police superintendent Gary Knowles said.

“When you look at men who are hard men, who are crying, you are hit with the reality they could have been down there,” he said.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II — who is also the head of state of New Zealand — and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were among the dignitaries who expressed condolences over the tragedy. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said hopes for a repeat of a dramatic rescue in her own country at Tasmania’s Beaconsfield mine in 2006 and last month’s retrieval of 33 Chilean miners had been dashed.

“After Beaconsfield, then Chile this year, I suppose in some part of our minds we were always hoping, always thinking that there’s going to be a happy ending. Unfortunately, and tragically, there wasn’t,” she said.

International

Indonesia Today

Friday, November 26, 2010

7

Bromo‘s volcanic ashes still far from Malang Antara

Malang, East Java - The volcanic ashes spewed by Mount Bromo whose status has been raised to the fourth or “beware” level has not reached Malang District yet. The volcanic ashes have so far reached only regions located 12 kilometers from Ngadas Village, Poncokusumo Sub-district, Malang District, East Java Province.

Local residents were not yet affected by the volcanic ashes which had not reached distant areas and they remained doing their normal activities, Poncokusumo Sub-district Chief Dwi Ilham said here Wednesday.

The information on the raised status of Mount Bromo was disseminated among local residents by cellphone short text messages. However, residents were not affected by

AFP PHOTO

the volcanic ashes as Ngadas Village was located 15 kilometers from Mount Bromo, he said.

“I was informed through a short text from a member of the Vulcanological team that the volcanic ashes from Mount Bromo have reached areas located three kilometers from the mountain`s crater. Moreover, Ngadas Village is located 12 kilometers from the crater,” he said.

Ngadas was a Malang District vil-

In this photograph taken November 23, 2010 Mount Bromo volcano emitts a column of volcanic ash and smoke from its crater seen from the Probolinggo district in East Java province. Indonesia on November 23 issued a “red alert” for an eruption at Mount Bromo volcano in eastern Java, less than a month after Mount Merapi volcano killed more than 300 people.

lage located the closest to Mount Bromo, he said, adding that there were other villages close to the volcano, namely Ngadisari and Cemorolawang, but they were located in Probolinggo District.

Around 1,200 people residing in Ngadas Village were not too worried about the raised status of Mt Bromo as the volcanic ashes were still far away, he said.

The residents were asked to wear masks when doing outdoor activities to prevent inhaling the volcanic ashes when reachd Ngadas Village, he said.

According to Dwi, Ngadas Village was quite protected as the village was located on higher ground, while Mount Bromo was located at a lower level. Volcanic ashes from Mount Bromo were rarely blown upward and usually to the right or left side of the volcano so that Ngadas Viilage was considered to be the safest place as the village was located on higher ground, Dwi said.

LPG canister blast destroys three houses in Pontianak Antara

Pontianak - A three-kilogram LPG canister blast seriously damaged three houses in Sungai Jawi neighborhood of the West Kalimantan province‘s capital of Pontianak on Wednesday. The damaged houses belonged to Fadli, Herri and Abdul Kadir. But there were no reports of fatalities in the accident, a local resident named Ria said.

“When the canister blast occurred at Heri`s house, I was cleaning my home. Shortly after the fire gutted Herri`s house, I rushed out of mine with my one-year-old child, Iza,” she said. The fire quickly gutted the houses and destroyed all stuffs and furniture inside. “None of my stuffs can be saved from the wooden house that I rent,” Ria said adding that the fire might be caused by a three-kilo-

gram LPG canister-related blast.

Local residents worked hand-inhand to extinguish the fire. The accident itself was currently under the police investigation, Pontianak Barat police chief Adjunct Commissioner Sunario said.

Since the government began implementing its kerosene-to-LPG conversion plan in 2007, at least 45 million packages of gas stoves and three-kilogram gas cylinders had been distributed to the people.

Since then, LPG canister explosions had frequently happened in various parts of Indonesia.

In dealing with the problem, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had ever proposed that the LPG aroma be made more smelly to enable gas stove users to detect leaking LPG cylinders.

President Yudhoyono also underlined the importance of public awareness

campaigns by issuing “secure gas use” posters.

First Lady AniYudhoyono had even called on housewives in Indonesia to be more careful in using three-kilogram LPG canisters in their kitchen to anticipate unexpected blasts.

“I hope housewives will be more careful in the kitchen,” Ani Yudhoyono told selected teachers from rural areas at a State Palace function last August.

She said she was very concerned about the three-kilogram LPG canister blasts that frequently happened in the country. To keep themselves free from the risk, the First Lady said, Indonesian households should to take care of and warn one another about the wrong handling of gas canisters and their accessories. “Please remind them. Maybe, they don`t know the safe way of using gas canisters,” she said.

A model poses beside the “smart ed” during a handover ceremony of the first electric car in Indonesia by Mercedes-Benz and Siemens at the Jakarta city hall compound on November 24, 2010. MercedesBenz together with Siemens signed an agreement to lend the “smart ed” to the Jakarta local government for a project study aimed to prove the effectiveness of the electric car as an environment friendly and energy efficient vehicle.

AFP PHOTO / ROMEO GACAD

AFP PHOTO

Pujiono Cahyo Widiyanto (C in white), a wealthy Muslim cleric sentenced to four years in prison for having sex with a 12-year-old girl he took as his unofficial wife, walks after his trial in Ungaran on November 24, 2010.

Indonesian cleric jailed over child bride Agence France Presse

UNGARAN, Indonesia - An Indonesian court sentenced a wealthy Muslim cleric to four years in prison on Wednesday for having sex with a 12-year-old girl he took as his unofficial wife. Pujiono Cahyo Widiyanto, 45, from the Central Java city of Semarang, sparked nationwide controversy over his decision to wed Lutfiana Ulfa in August, 2008.

“The defendant has been proven to have had a sexual relationship with an underage girl, Lutfiana Ulfa. We sentence him to four years in prison,” judge Hari

Mulyanto said. Ulfa screamed hysterically when she heard the sentence read out in court.

“We’ll appeal against the decision,” Widiyanto’s lawyer OC Kaligis said. Widiyanto — also known as Sheikh Puji — said the girl had reached puberty when he married her in an unofficial religious ceremony, and claimed his actions were acceptable under Islam.

The age of consent in mainly Muslim Indonesia is 16 for married females and 18 for males. Indonesian law has harsh penalties for paedophilia, but unregistered marriages between older men and under-age girls are common in rural areas.

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Internationa

Friday, November 26, 2010

Bali Today Targeting 5 million tourists in 2015

Government must settle four crucial issues Denpasar (Bali Post)—

The target of 5 million foreign tourists visiting Bali in 2015 from the amount of 2.7 million people in 2010, according to tourism businesspeople, is not a difficult thing to achieve. However, government must address four crucial problems faced by the sector to reach such 5 million tourists.

“We are optimistic the target of 5 million can be reached with ease, as long as the government is able to overcome the problems faced by the tourism sector such as infrastructure, rubbish, electricity and the water management,” said Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, in Denpasar on Wednesday (Nov 24).

According to him, the matter of road infrastructure leading to tourist attractions in Bali needed special attention. The problem would affect the tourist visit to the Island of the Gods.

Moreover, tourism competition against our neighboring countries was getting quite tighter.

“Our government should immediately think of a bypass road to the North such as Singaraja and West to poise the tourist visit rate so as not to be concentrated in the South Bali only.

The plan of establishing underpass to overcome the traffic congestion is a good idea,” he said.

Ngurah Wijaya estimated the growth of Bali tourism in 2010 would surpass the specified target. With tourist visits tending to increase continuously and backed up by the increasingly conducive security of Indonesia, the rate of tourist visits to the Island of the Gods was estimated to reach more than 2.7 million.

“Today, the amount of foreign tourists visit to Bali is estimated to have

reached over 2 million. It excludes the amount of domestic tourists estimated to reach 3 million. Therefore, we are truly optimistic that until this yearend celebration their number will be soaring sharply,” he added.

Related to the changing trends of tourist visits to Bali, according to Ngurah Wijaya, it was not separable from the policy of central government that was more focusing the promotion on Asia regions. “Government’s policy is very influential on the shift of tourist visits,” he added.

Chairman of the National Executive Board (DPP) of the Tour Guides Association of Indonesia (HPI), Nyoman Kandia, said that quantitatively the tourism industry of Bali during the period of January-November 2010 showed an increase because of favorable security condition being free from bombing terror threats. Nevertheless, there were several things needing attention, especially resolving the traffic congestion.

“The matter of traffic congestion becomes a scourge for tourism growth of Bali in the future, such as overcoming the congestion at the Kuta Roundabout area. This must be addressed urgently so as not to inhibit the growth of tourism,” he said.

Meanwhile, refurbishment of Ngurah Rai Airport giving impression like a mall, according to Kandia, should become the priority of the Bali Provincial Government. (par)

IBP/ist

Tourists enjoy the sunset on Kuta Beach.

Pendet Dance at a Glance

IBP/ist

The Balinese perform Pendet Dance

Pendet Dance was once at issue in tourism domain. The dance belonging to Hindu community of Bali was displayed in a promotion package of Malaysian tourism without prior permission to the government of Indonesia whereas the dance itself purely belongs to Bali and Indonesia. The following is the brief history of Pendet Dance in Bali.

Pendet Dance constitutes a dance presentation to ancestors (Bhatara and Bhatari). It is regularly presented at the outermost courtyard of temple, facing to a shrine where Bhatara and Bhatari abide. The dance is performed by women in customary attires and they bring silver bowl with wide rim filled with canang sari, flowers and kwangen.

Some of them also bring ritual paraphernalia such as holy water container and earthware flask. This dance is performed en masse, led by a temple priest and the dancers bring a pasepan or aromatic barks burnt on standing tray.

At the ending session, some dancers put the offerings, canang sari and kwangen in the shrine, while others sprinkle the flower to Bhatara as their honor. This dance is accompanied by gamelan music. At some regions in Southern Bali, this dance is presented in duet by some pairs of dancers called Gabor Dance. Sometimes it is also inserted with male dancers bringing kris dagger that later on known as Baris Pendet Dance.

In the 1960s, the Pendet Dance was presented to welcome guests in relation to Bali as a tourist destination. Interestingly, it was once performed en masse on the opening ceremony of Asian Games in Jakarta on the special request of President Soekarno.

Today, the Pendet Dance is usually presented by six to eight female dancers in arranged costumes. At the end of the dance, the flowers are sprinkled to guests. (BTN/015)

al

Friday, November 26, 2010

Businessmen in Bali should develop other market Antara

DENPASAR – Businessmen in Bali must develop their market to prospective areas such as South America, Southern Asia, and Middle East which is not intensively managed before.

Putu Bagiada, the head of Export Division in Bali Industrial and Trade Department stated that from the exports in 2010, those following countries show rapid increase.

He explained that the export to Southern Asia countries such as India and Sri Lanka increased

28% during January through September 2010 period. The revenue gained was $2 million while on the same period last year, the exports to those countries was only worth $1.6 million.

The chance to market the handicrafts made by Balinese craftsmen is still open wide especially to India. This is because the country has similar Hindu culture so they fond of the products from Bali.

The prospect of export to the Middle East is on furniture because the countries in that area have great economic development.

Bagiada said that Bali’s export to

Middle East especially United Arab Emirates was worth $1.4 million during January through September 2010. The number increase 40% compare to the same period last year.

Bagiada explained that US and Japan is still the highest customer for Bali non-oil and gas exports especially for the marine products.

During January through September 2010 period, Bali’s non-oil and gas export to those countries was $141 million or increase 36% compared to the similar period last year.

In 2009, the exports to US and Japan was only $394 million.

A Hidden Treasure of Children Heritage Today, children have unlimited choices of games. They have been pampered by modern games, ranging from Turtle Ninja, Kung Fu, war games and many more. These can make them stay for hours in front of television or computer. Yet, behind this ease and enjoyment, they lose some values like creativity and do not know they have traditional games.

It is said so because there is a trend where children, both in urban and rural areas, begin to leave their traditional games. Many game options have been available in the form of CD, DVD, Internet and cartoon in television. Just

by CD rental or buying the cheapest one and sitting down sweetly, they could enjoy the games they like best.

If the games contain competition, they will compete against machine or some times against friends. Without realized, this may result in sight disorder where children should gaze the monitor and finally require thick glasses at earlier age.

Advancement is not always bad.

However, parents should control them to what extent those games could drive good impact. Before the presence of these modern games, there were many traditional games. They are no less interesting than the modern ones.

Many children even find it attractive and make them creative.

Art parade of Bali Arts Festival 2009 has shown the treasure of traditional games. This event is just like a kaleidoscope highlighting a variety of

traditional games that ever existed within the life of Balinese children. To play one of the games, children should first search for its materials by themselves at backyard or garden. Actually, it is here where the challenge of the games begins. Sometimes, they got injury because they are unable to use a knife properly. It did not matter as intriguing power has superseded it.

Among the parade, there was a space intended for children world where they displayed some bizarre games like coconut shell clog, walking on stilts, pulling friend by the sheath of areca nut, pulling rope in-group and two-wheeled toy where its stick carried on shoulder.

Meanwhile, the heavier one was gallivanting show by barong effigy.

To play the coconut shell clog, for instance, they should keep their balance well. Standing on the tips of coconut shell is not easy. Moreover, they have to maintain the harmony of steps with the pulling of rope connected to each coconut shell. When the pull and steps can go harmoniously, the player can walk faster. Balance is also entailed in walking on stilts or tajog or egrang. This game is even riskier because the position of pedal is higher from the ground.

However, when a player can operate these stilts properly it is more challenging and pleasant. The higher the pedal the more challenging it is. Walking on stilts looks like a walking long-legged heron. It would be more interesting when passing through a muddy or knee-deep watery road. These games

are often put into competition related to traditional sports.

Another game requiring cooperation is pulling the sheath of areca nut. If the bean of areca nut is used by grandfathers or grandmothers for ingredient of chewing betel, the sheath of it is used by their grandchildren to make ‘a pulling vehicle’. Yellow leaf signifies it has been mature. It is time for children to take it. They just need to leave out the ribs of leaf. The main rib is not cut as it will be used to pull. One child serves as passenger while another as driver who pulls the sheath. This role is exchanged so both can have an opportunity to enjoy the ‘comfort’ of this vehicle game.

Children also put an interest in dancing barong gallivanting show. For them, it has been designed a smaller-sized barong. Therefore, before growing adult they have been introduced to art world of adult people. By performing gallivanting show like this, they will obtain experience and earn money. However, the emphasis here is not on the money, but on the experience and fun.

Actually, there are more traditional games that once lived in midst of Balinese community. I hope that Bali Arts Festival have revealed them one by one so young generation can know their traditional heritages. Maybe, having watched or played modern games they could combine with the traditional ones they have. At least, the traditional can become an alternative, as all raw materials have been available at their surroundings. (BTN/punia)

Saved from the Satay Stick 87 rare green turtles, some believed to be hundreds of years old, were released back into the seas surrounding the island of Bali. The turtles, now free again, were seized

by Bali’s Water Police during the course of a raid on turtle smugglers.

Hundreds of foreign and domestic tourists witnessed the re-release program with many joining the police in placing the rare reptiles back into the Kuta surf on Thursday, November 18, 2010.

According to Bisnis Bali, one

Dutch tourist, impatient that the turtles were being kept too long in the hot sun waiting the arrival of Bali’s police chief General Hadiatmoko, began unilaterally carrying turtles from the waiting truck into the nearby sea.

The release of all the seized turtles quickly took place with some of the larger animals requiring as many as four people to lift them across the beach.

General Hadiatmoko told those attending the release ceremony that

Balinese Culture

the smuggling of turtles is a criminal offence punishable by 5 years in prison. Pointing out that some of the turtles were aged between 100 and 150 years. The General also estimate that the value of the turtles on the black market was Rp. 500 million (US$54,400).

The turtles released on November 18th were confiscated by the police one day before from a local Sulawesi ship - KM Cahaya Rahmat in a raid conducted approximately 9 miles off shore from Karangasem, Bali

IKAN LELE (Catfish)

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

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.

SAYUR PAKIS

(Fern Tips In Garlic Dressing) OVERVIEW: Fern tips also know as fiddleheads, have delightful, spinach like flavor.

INGREDIENTS: 400 gr (12 ½ oz) young fern tips 3 cloves garlic 4 cm (1 ½ in) kencur root, peeled and chopped 4 - 7 bird’s eye chilies 2 tbsp oil ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp black peppercorns, crushed

PREPARATION: 1. Blanch fern tips in boiling water and cool under running water. Drain and dry thoroughly.

2. Place all remaining ingredients in a food processor and blend coarsely, or grind in a stone mortar.

3. Combine this mixture with the vegetables and mix well. Serve at room temperature.

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10

Friday, November 26, 2010

Destinations

International

Mount Batur THE historically active Mount Batur (Gunung Batur) is located at the center of two concentric calderas north west of Mount Agung, Bali, Indonesia. The south east side of the larger 10Ă—13 km caldera contains a caldera lake. The inner 7.5-kilometer-wide caldera, which was formed during emplacement of the Bali (or Ubud) ignimbrite, has been dated at about 23,670 and 28,500 years ago (Wheller 1986, Sutawidjaja et al. 1992).

The SE wall of the inner caldera lies beneath Lake Batur; Batur cone has been constructed within the inner caldera to a height above the outer caldera rim. The Batur stratovolcano has produced vents over much of the inner caldera, but a NE-SW fissure system has localized the Batur I, II, and III craters along the summit ridge. Historical eruptions have been characterized by mildto-moderate explosive activity sometimes accompanied by lava emission. Basaltic lava flows from both summit and flank vents have reached the caldera floor and the shores of Lake Batur in historical time.

The caldera contains an active, 700-metretall stratovolcano rising above the surface of Lake Batur. The first historically documented eruption of Batur was in 1804, and it has been frequently active since then.

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11

BUSINESS Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, November 23, 2010.

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Stocks jump on upbeat data with stocks in tight range Reuters

NEW YORK – Wall Street rallied as stock investors put aside worries about swirling global problems on Wednesday, turning to improvement in the labor market and signs consumers are ready to open their wallets ahead of the biggest shopping day of the year.

New claims for unemployment benefits hit their lowest level in more than two years last week while consumer spending rose for a fourth straight month in October, suggesting the economy is nearing a self-sustaining recovery.

The data boosted enthusiasm in the consumer sector, which has outperformed all year, as Black Friday, a key date for retailers and the traditional kickoff to the year-end shopping season, approached.

Online retailer Amazon.com (AMZN.O) rose 5.4 percent to close at an all-time high of $177.25. The S&P consumer discretionary index (.GSPD), which gained 2 percent for the day, has climbed 22.5 percent year-to-date and is the best-performing of the S&P 500’s top 10 sectors in that period.

“Consumer spending is continuing to improve. Even the unemployment situation, which everyone knows is very bad, is slowly, but surely improving,” said Bryant Evans, the Champaign, Illinois-based portfolio manager at Cozad Asset Management. He is “overweight” the consumer discretionary sector.

Upscale jeweler Tiffany & Co (TIF.N) posted quarterly profit and sales that handily beat estimates and forecast strong holiday sales. Its stock shot up 5.3 percent to $61.33.

The Dow Jones industrial average (.DJI) jumped 150.91 points, or 1.37 percent, to 11,187.28. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (.SPX) rose 17.62 points, or 1.49 percent, to 1,198.35. The Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC) gained 48.17 points, or 1.93 percent, to 2,543.12.

The S&P 500 closed in on 1,200 for the fourth time in five sessions.

The benchmark seems to be in a tight range between 1,175 and 1,200, without strong catalysts to break the trend in either direction.

“We’re entering a period with a lot of days of very weak volume,” said Manny Weintraub, president of Integre Advisors in New York.

“There’s no earnings, you got preannouncements possibly coming, but otherwise there’s nothing really to knock (the market) down or push it forward either.” Airline stocks were among the top performers, with AMR Corp (AMR.N), parent of American Airlines, up 8.1 percent at $8.70.

The ARCA airline index (.XAL) surged 3.7 percent, its largest daily percentage gain in more than a month.

Gloom, anger spreads as European economies teeter Associated Press Writer

DUBLIN – Anger and fear about Europe’s seemingly unstoppable debt crisis coursed through the continent Wednesday. Striking workers shut down much of Portugal, Ireland proposed its deepest budget cuts in history and seething Italian and British students clashed with police over education cuts.

Amid it all, analysts were deeply skeptical about the future — saying even the desperate efforts of governments, the European Union and the International Monetary might not be enough to prevent countries from defaulting or banks from going under.

The Irish Stock Exchange saw a bloodbath in bank stocks as investors pushed the panic button and bond traders were betting that it would only be a matter of time before Portugal and possibly Spain would be the next countries begging for outside help. In Lisbon, strikers all but closed the airport, stranding passengers who couldn’t get in or out of the country.

Commuter Luis Moreira, catching one of the last trains out of Lisbon, said Europe’s woes only seem to be getting worse by the day. He supported the growing outrage over salary and pension cuts and wondered why billions were being thrown instead at governments and banks.

“People have to fight for their rights,” Moreira, 51, told The Associated Press. “People have to fight against what is happening.”

Government policies have “sent people into poverty and misery,” said union leader Manuel Carvalho da Silva, noting that Portuguese civil servants will see wage cuts averaging 5 percent next year.

Italian students occupied university buildings and piazzas to denounce education cuts being debated by Parliament, clashing briefly with police in Rome and blocking five main bridges over the River Arno in Pisa. In Britain, students decried government plans to triple tuition fees.

“Education is not a rich kid’s game,” said Tash Holway, a 19year-old student in London. “If this keeps up, the entire industry will change. It won’t be about talent, but only about who can pay.”

While Irish bank shares plummeted for a third straight day amid fears investors would be wiped out, yields on Portuguese and Spanish government debt shot up sharply because of rising concerns that their debt loads will prove unsustainable and put them next in line for European bailouts.

Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen announced Wednesday he now expects the EU-IMF bailout loan to total euro85 billion ($115 billion). Some experts accused Ireland of minimizing the true scale of its financial disaster, saying Ireland probably needs a bailout of euro130 billion ($175 billion) because of looming defaults on residential mortgages.

Boeing sees new 787 schedule in ”few weeks” Reuters

CHICAGO – Boeing Co (BA.N) said on Wednesday foreign debris likely caused the fire on a 787 Dreamliner that brought test flights to a standstill, but has not yet determined how long finding and fixing the problem will add to the plane’s testing and manufacturing schedule.

Experts throughout the aviation industry have been predicting a delay since the November 9 electrical fire that

led to an emergency landing in Laredo, Texas and a stop to 787 test flights.

Time-frame estimates for a new delay range from a month to a few years.

Boeing’s new carbon-composite plane, already six times delayed and almost three years late, is supposed to be delivered to the first customer in the first quarter of next year.

The world’s second-largest planemaker after Airbus (EAD.PA) said on Wednesday it is making minor design changes to power distribution panels

on the 787 and updating software that manages power as it plots its way to getting the plane flying again.

It said the fault which led to the fire was most likely caused by foreign debris. A revised 787 program schedule “is expected to be finalized in the next few weeks,” the company added.

The 787, a light-weight, fuel-efficient airplane, has generated about 850 orders but has also been dogged by engineering, labor and supply chain problems.

AP Photo/Peter Morrison

Sinn Fein supporters protest outside Irish government buildings, in Dublin, Ireland, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010.

12

Friday, November 26, 2010

Entertainment

Branson launching digital magazine for iPad Agence France Presse

SAN FRANCISCO - British tycoon Richard Branson on Tuesday will unveil a digital magazine tailored for viewing on Apple’s popular iPad tablet computers, according to press conference invitations. Word of Branson’s plans to publish “Project” for delivery on iPads came shortly after Australian-born media mogul Rupert Murdoch hinted that his News Corp. empire will soon publish a digital newspaper for the hot Apple gadgets.

News Corp. has been tightlipped about the project but 79year-old Murdoch acknowledged in an interview last week that “The AFP PHOTO/VALERIE MACON (FILES) Richard Branson arrives at Daily” is in the works.

Branson said in invitations to the 4th Annual Rock The Kasbah Gala in support of Virgin Unite in the press that “Project” themes the Grand Hall at the Dorothy Chan- will include entertainment, travel, dler Pavillon in Los Angeles, Cali- business, design, and international culture. fornia, on November 11, 2010.

Billionaire entrepreneur Branson owns about half of Virgin Atlantic airline with its aircraft that boast Internet-age amenities such as power outlets at seats and wireless connections to the Web. He recently said that his Virgin Galactic enterprise is on track to offer commercial space travel within 18 months, and that space hotels are next on the drawing board.

Invitations to the press event in New York City did not indicate whether “Project” would be provided as passenger reading on flights.

Shakira nets 500,000 euros for charity with Spanish TV ad Agence France Presse

MADRID - Colombian pop star Shakira said Wednesday she had taped a Christmas television ad for a Spanish sparkling wine in exchange for a donation of 500,000 euros (660,000 dollars) to her charitable foundation. The spot was filmed on Saturday in Barcelona and the money paid by the company Freixenet will be used to build two schools, one in Haiti and the other in Colombia, the Grammy-winning singer told a Barcelona news conference.

“Education is a birthright and a quality education is the only tool that a child has to turns dreams into reality,” the 33-year-old said. “Since I was a girl I have been been aware of the tough reality faced by many children.”

Under the deal Freixenet will also produce a videoclip for Shakira’s song “Sale el sol” as well as as a documentary about the singer’s philanthropic work, whose Pies Descalzos foundation already manages six schools in Colombia.

The advertisement is for cava, a popular drink in Spain to toast friends and family during yearend celebrations. Freixenet has traditionally hired an international star to feature in its annual Christmas campaign. Oscar-winning US actress Liza Minnelli was the first to perform in a Freixenet Christmas advertisement, singing the theme song from her hit film “Cabaret” in 1977.

An ageing Gene Kelly reprised “Singing in the Rain” in 1981, twirling his umbrella and clicking his heels as golden cava bubbles fell from the sky while Raquel Welch sang “I’m So Excited” in a see-through top in the spot that aired four years later.

But last year in a cost-cutting move the company repeated the previous year’s campaign featuring Spain’s synchronised swimming team.

‘Potter’ charms international moviegoers Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1” earned nearly $165 million during its first weekend of release in 40 territories outside of North America, pushing the overall global gross for the eight-film franchise to a record $5.7 billion and climbing.

With a staggering $155 million separating the top two films last weekend, “Due Date continued to spread the laughter in 30 territories, crossing the $130 million mark with a third-weekend gross of $8.7 million.

The weekend’s only other wide-release opener was Russell Crowe’s “The Next Three Days,” which mirrored its poor domestic debut with a gross of about $1.5 million at nearly 2,700 international locations.

John Travolta’s wife has baby boy Agence France Presse

AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures, Jaap Buitendijk

In this film publicity image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Robbie Coltrane, left, and Daniel Radcliffe are shown in a scene from ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.’

International

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood star John Travolta’s wife Kelly Preston has given birth to a baby boy, the couple said Wednesday, adding that they were “ecstatic” about the new arrival, Benjamin. The birth on Tuesday comes nearly two years after they were plunged into mourning when their eldest child, Jett, died from a seizure.

The newborn weighed in at 8 lbs., 3 oz. Travolta and actress Preston also have a 10-year-old daughter, Ella Bleu. The couple “welcomed their third child, a baby boy named Benjamin, this evening, November 23, 2010, at a hospital in Florida” said Travolta, 56, and Preston, 48 in a statement.

“John, Kelly and their daughter Ella Bleu are ecstatic and very happy about the newest member of the family,” they said, adding: “Both mother and baby are healthy and doing beautifully.”

The couple, who have been married since 1991, were devastated when 16-year-old Jett died during a family holiday in the Bahamas in January last year.

Preston told People magazine in September that the Travolta household had been working hard to prepare for the new arrival.”I’ve been cleaning out everything in the house,” she said. “Ella has been helping too.

She’s looking forward to being a big sister.”

Life Style

International

Friday, November 26, 2010

13

Jet-lag causes long term memory loss: study Agence France Presse

An undated handout photo released by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) showing a recently discovered species called a squidworm found in the Celebes sea in Southeast Asia.

AFP PHOTO

Spindly species found in ocean’s crushing depths Agence France Presse

PARIS – Scientists unveiled on Wednesday a gossamer, ghostly creature discovered in the deepest reaches of the ocean between Indonesia and the Philippines. The squidworm, up to 9.4 centimetres (3.7 inches) in length, is far more elegant than its name would suggest.

Swimming upright, it navigates by moving two body-length rows of thin, paddle-shaped protrusions that cascade like dominoes. Ten tentacles as long or longer than its body stick out of its head, along with six pairs of curved nuchal organs that allow the squidworm to taste and smell underwater. Using a remotely-operated submersible, a trio of marine biologists led

by Karen Osborn of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in California found the previously unknown animals in the Celebes Sea at a depth of 2.8 kilometres (1.7 miles). “I was really excited,” Osborn said of her first

glimpse. “It was so tantalising because the animal was so different from anything previously described, with the fantastic headgear.”

Squidworms live about 100 to 200 metres above the ocean floor, a layer rich in undiscovered fauna and flora, scientists say. “I would estimate that when exploring the deep water column, more than half the animals we see are undescribed or new to science,” Osborn said in an email.

Up to now, this region has been largely inaccessible because tools for collecting samples either scraped along the ocean floor, or mangled specimens

so badly that they were useless or unrecognisable once brought to the surface. The squidworm, Teuthidodrilus samae, does not appear to be a predator, feeding instead on bits of so-called “marine snow,” a mix of sinking microscopic plants and animals, faecal material and cast-off mucus.

“Not the most appealing sounding food, but the large aggregates are rich in nutrients to feed on,” Osborn said.

The Celebes Sea, a deep pocket basin isolated from surrounding deep water, is part of the Coral Triangle, a conservation hot spot due to its diverse lifeforms and unique geological history.

The squidworm is so different from known animals that it required the creation of a new genus, the level above species in the taxonomical ladder for classifying animals and plants. The study was published in Biology Letters, a journal of the British Royal Society.

WASHINGTON - International travelers may feel tired and forgetful for up to a month after returning to a normal schedule because jet-lag causes long term changes in the brain, a US study said Wednesday. Similar brain disruptions could be experienced by anyone who works alternating night-day shifts or unusual schedules, said the study which is the first to look at long-term effects of such lifestyle changes on brain anatomy.

“What this says is that, whether you are a flight attendant, medical resident, or rotating shift worker, repeated disruption of circadian rhythms is likely going to have a long-term impact on your cognitive behavior and function,” said Lance Kriegsfeld, associate professor of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley.

The researchers subjected female hamsters to six-hour changes in schedule — similar to a New York to Paris flight — twice a week for four weeks.

As expected, the harried hamsters had trouble learning simple tasks that other, more rested hamsters aced during the four-week

period. But more surprisingly, the learning problems persisted for a month after they settled back into a normal schedule.

Researchers say they were able to track the changes to a drop in neurons in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory.

“Compared to the hamsters in the control group, the jet-lagged hamsters had only half the number of new neurons in the hippocampus following the month long exposure to jet lag,” said the study published in the journal PLOS One. Researchers used hamsters because they have such precise circadian rhythms, driven by an internal, 24-hour clock that everyone possesses. “They will produce eggs, or ovulate, every 96 hours to within a window of a few minutes,” Kriegsfeld said.

Graduate student Erin Gibson pointed out that other studies have shown that people who experience regular jet-lag display memory loss and learning problems, “along with atrophy in the brain’s temporal lobe, suggesting a possible hippocampal deficit. “Our study shows directly that jet lag decreases neurogenesis in the hippocampus,” she said.

IBP/ist

The picture of a plane. International travelers may feel tired and forgetful for up to a month after returning to a normal schedule because jet-lag causes long term changes in the brain, a US study said Wednesday

Review: Paper wins over e-books for travel guides Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Richard Drew

A Kindle version of the Lonely Planet guide to Germany and the 844page, 13.6 oz. printed version are shown in this photograph, in New York, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010.

DRESDEN, Germany – It sounded like a better, lighter way to pack for a trip to Germany: a Kindle with a Lonely Planet travel guide in lieu of an 844page brick of a book. Yet to my surprise, the 10-day visit to Munich, Dresden and Berlin turned into a lesson about the pitfalls of cramming an old medium — the book — into a new one — the electronic reading device.

It’s a good thing that I had the foresight to bring a paper copy of Lonely Planet’s “Germany,” borrowed from the public library. My plan was to bring it as a backup in case something went wrong with the Kindle, but leave it in the hotel room to lighten my backpack.

Instead, I ditched the Kindle and car-

ried the book around.

That made me sad, because the Kindle, and the e-reading revolution, promises so much. The e-reader from Amazon.com Inc. is light and can store not only the travel guide, but all the bulky novels I’ve been meaning to catch up on.

A built-in dictionary lets me look up strange words.

The Kindle lets me type notes, highlight passages, and find them easily again. I added tips on tipping and transit fares as well as a reminder to visit a concentration camp memorial outside Berlin. The Kindle also lets me add bookmarks, the digital equivalent of the folded corners, or doggie ears, that I’ve marred many paperbacks with in the past.

Preparing for the trip, there was no need to go to a book store or even a com-

puter. I just bought the book through the Kindle’s wireless connection. The Kindle version of the Lonely Planet guide was cheaper, too — $15.39, compared with the paper version at $18.47 on Amazon (the list price for both is $27.99).

Lonely Planet also let me buy individual chapters — for example, the one on Munich and surrounding Bavaria — for less than $5 (though it wasn’t clear that I’d be getting the same content contained in the main book, rather than a distinct guide for the region).

But I quickly came to realize what I like most about paper books: I can touch the pages, and I can see more at once, whether it’s a map, some text or a combination.

14

Friday, November 26, 2010

Sport

International

Barca stroll into Champions League last 16 Agence France Presse

AFP PHOTO/Paul ELLIS

Manchester United’s English forward Wayne Rooney (2nd R) scores a penalty during their UEFA Champions League Group C football game at Ibrox in Glasgow, Scotland, on November 24, 2010.

Benitez breathes again, Rooney strikes on return Agence France Presse

PARIS - Rafael Benitez should live to fight another day as holders Inter Milan secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday with a nervy 1-0 home win over Dutch side FC Twente. Inter were joined in the next round by a host of clubs, among them 2008 winners Manchester United, for whom England striker Wayne Rooney marked his return to the starting line-up for the first time since October with a late penalty in a 1-0 win at Scottish champions Rangers.

Valencia’s 6-1 humbling of Turkish whipping boys Bursaspor ensures they join United from that group and consigns Rangers to the Europa League. Champions League debutants Tottenham Hotspur’s dream campaign continued as they defeated hapless German side Werder Bremen 3-0 to leave them above Inter on head-to-head results.

Barcelona’s bid to regain the trophy they won in 2009 remains on track as they reached the next stage with a convincing 3-0 win away at Panathinaikos thanks to a double from Pedro Rodriguez and one from Lionel Messi. Danish side FC Copenhagen could have joined them and become the first side from their country to reach the knockout stages but they lost 1-0 at Rubin Kazan, leaving the runners-up spot still up for grabs — the only qualifying place not to be resolved on Wednesday.

Esteban Cambiasso, a controversial omission from Argentina’s World Cup squad, lifted the tension surrounding holders Inter and coach Benitez in the 55th minute at San Siro, though his goal was a fortunate one.

A Wesley Sneijder free-kick took a double deflection and fell kindly to the unmarked Cambiasso to swivel and fire home inside the post.

Benitez’s position had been in jeopardy after three defeats and two draws in their previous five games and the Spaniard was a relieved man at the final whistle.

“It’s always important to win, especially in the Champions League,” he said. “If the coach is in difficulty it’s because the team is in difficulty but we wanted to win, we scored and in the end it was this character that made the difference.” Cambiasso said he hoped the win could be a springboard for the club.

“In the changing room we never had any doubts we’d bounce back. We knew we were in a difficult moment but we hope this result can give us tranquility and once we’re back to full strength, things can go much better,” he said. Spurs travel to Twente next month bidding to clinch first place in the group ahead of Inter, but one of their goalscorers Peter Crouch doesn’t want the team to rest on its laurels.

“It’s a great achievement but obviously we don’t want to rest on that — we want to go out and give a good account of ourselves in the next round,” Crouch told Sky Sports. “It’s massive.

Every big club wants to be in the Champions League, playing against the best teams in the world. We haven’t looked out of place at all.”

Schalke’s disciplinarian coach Felix

Magath has ridden a storm of criticism for a disastrous opening part of the season but he took delight in reaching the last 16 after a 3-0 win at home to Lyon.

“It’s a nice feeling, because for weeks we have been written off, but now we will play in the knockout stages,” said Magath.

Lyon slipped to second in Group B, but their superior head-to-record with Benfica means that they are assured of a place in the next round at the Portuguese champions’ expense.

Rooney had an up-and-down game at Ibrox — after weeks of largely negative headlines concerning his private life and his contract saga with the club — but showed admirable nerve in tucking away the 87th-minute penalty that guaranteed United’s place in the last 16. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised Rooney for his coolness. “It took courage for Wayne Rooney to take that penalty,” said the Scot.

“It wasn’t the easiest of nights for him as he missed a couple of chances.

There’s still a bit of rustiness to his game.”

Valencia’s win was never in doubt, with Roberto Soldado scoring a brace, but there was one consolation for the visitors in that they scored their first goal of the group phase through Argentinian midfielder Pablo Batalla.

ATHENS – Barcelona reached the knockout phase of the Champions League and secured top spot in Group D in the process with a straightforward 3-0 victory at Panathinaikos on Wednesday. Pedro Rodriguez scored in each half, either side of a Lionel Messi goal that bore all the hallmarks of the Catalans’ feted patient approach play.

It was Barcelona’s first away win in this season’s competition and puts the 2009 champions four points clear of second-placed FC Copenhagen in the group with one match to play, while Panathinaikos are eliminated.

The Greek champions, who visit Copenhagen in their final group game, cannot even hope for the consolation of a place in the Europa League because they are four points behind third-placed Rubin Kazan.

Barca quickly settled into their familiar passing rhythm, but Panathinaikos posed a threat on the counter-attack and a mix-up between Victor Valdes and Gerard Pique almost let Luis Garcia in early on.

French international striker Djibril Cisse then burst clean through to reach a ball over the top but Valdes jutted out an arm to produce an important save.

It was not until the 26th minute that the visitors really threatened, with home goalkeeper Alexandros Tzorvas palming away Adriano’s curler, but from the resulting corner Barca struck. The ball was only half-cleared to the edge of the box and Dani Alves slipped a cleverly disguised pass down the inside-right channel to Pedro, who shot unerringly into the bottom-left corner.

The Spanish champions forced the Greeks back in the closing stages of the opening period and Tzorvas had to save at the feet of David Villa and then Pedro, before touching a bending effort from Villa to safety.

Tzorvas was summoned early in the second half, clawing away a dipping attempt from the enterprising Adriano, before Messi lashed wildly over the bar after a sublime through-ball by Alves.

Barca finally put some daylight between themselves and their opponents in the 62nd minute, and it was a goal of real quality. After a characteristically neat build-up, Pedro found Andres Iniesta on the edge of the box and he slid the ball wide to the over-lapping Adriano, who centred for Messi to tap home from close range.

The goal sucked the life out of the home side and moments later Iniesta teed up Pedro to sweep home his second and Barca’s third.

Irish star shines at Russia’s Spartak Agence France Presse

MOSCOW - Irish midfielder Aiden McGeady has emerged as a crucial player for Spartak Moscow in his first season though Russia’s most decorated side failed to advance into the Champions’ League knockout stages and are only fourth in the domestic league.

In August, Spartak lured the 24-year-old McGeady from Celtic for 12 million euros after a protracted series of negotiations, despite the interest of the English Premiership side Aston Villa. In the beginning, the wisdom of the move was questioned by many of Russia’s football experts.

In his first matches for the nine-times Russian Champions, McGeady looked a typical representative of the British and Irish style of play, and out of harmony with Spartak’s playing traditions.

However, gradually the first Irish player in the Russian Premiership, managed to adapt his speed, efficiency and initiative playing to the creative approach of his Brazilian teammates, who now form Spartak’s attacking line.

This combination quickly stood out, establishing McGeady as an integral member of Russia’s most decorated club and bringing him the recognition of Spartak’s famously difficult fans.

McGeady’s progress at Spartak was such that he managed to become one of Spartak’s most indispensable players within just couple of months after his debut in the Russian league. His successful playing for Spartak also rose his stock in Ireland’s national side. In the 2012 European championship qualifier against Russia, Ireland’s manager Giovanni Trappatoni was so impressed by McGeady’s playing in Russia that he used the universal midfielder at three different positions. Russia won the match 3-2 but McGeady’s performance won praise from his teammates.

Sport

International

Friday, November 26, 2010

15

Nadal beats Djokovic, Berdych tops Roddick AP

LONDON – Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-2 at the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday, his Serbian opponent bothered by a problem with his contact lenses that forced him to leave the court.

There were visual issues as well in the earlier Group A match. Andy Roddick was angered by flashing lights behind the baseline during his racket-busting 7-5, 6-3 loss to Tomas Berdych that left him with an 0-2 record at this season-ending tournament.

Djokovic, who lost to the topranked Nadal in this year’s U.S. Open final, called for a timeout out early in the eighth game. After Nadal held at love to make it 4-4, Djokovic left the court to tend to the problem, but it seemed to persist when he returned. “I really feel sick talking about it, to be honest, because it’s just incredible that this happened to me. I mean, it never happened to me in the life,” Djokovic said. “My right eye got irritated, and from the 5-all I could not play. I could not see a ball, especially the return. It was just terrible.”

“Very sorry for ... what happened with the eyes,” Nadal said. “For me, it was my best match here in London on this court.” Nadal, who lost all three of his matches at O2 Arena last year, raised his record to 2-0 at the round-robin event for the world’s top eight players. He next faces Berdych, whom he beat in this year’s Wimbledon final.

“I know I have to win a set on

Friday, and that’s the main (goal),” Nadal said. All four players from the group are still in contention for the semifinals. The same is true in Group B, which features Roger Federer, Andy Murray, Robin Soderling and David Ferrer.

A few games after Djokovic called for the break, the third-ranked Serb summoned a trainer. Djokovic sat in his changeover chair as medical personnel examined his eyes . He slammed a bottle of water on the court, then slapped his hand twice into the armrest. “I don’t want to find any excuses for my loss, but the fact of the matter is that I just could not play,” Djokovic said. “I will try to see a doctor and see if there is something more serious going on and in two days hopefully I can be ready.

“It’s just playing with one eye is not enough, especially if you have Nadal across the net.” Nadal, who lost all three of his matches at the O2 last year, was in command this time. The Spaniard broke to open the second set and again in the third game to lead 4-0.

Both finished the match with 17 winners, but Djokovic had 31 unforced errors to Nadal’s 15. “I know I’m still in the tournament. I have big chances to qualify,” Djokovic said. “It’s just that these things make

me very angry.”

Roddick’s outburst came in the second set. The neon advertising lights on the front of the boxes where the line judges stand began flickering, red and then back to their usual light blue.

After he was broken for the second time — putting Berdych up 3-2 — Roddick snapped. Or, actually, the rim of his racket snapped. “I was angry with myself and there wasn’t anybody else to talk to at that moment,” Roddick said.

Once Berdych went ahead, Roddick whacked a ball high into the seats. Then, when he was walking back to his chair for the changeover, he smashed his racket against his foot and drew a code violation from the umpire. “They were still advertising fun stuff,” Roddick said.

“When you’re trying to track a ball, it’s kind of neon lights and stuff.

Then Tomas noticed it. A couple of them just went out before we played a point.” The match finished with the lights off.

Berdych, a Czech ranked No. 6, beat the No. 8-ranked Roddick for the first time in four matches this year. Berdych is making his debut at the ATP finals and is 1-1 at the round-robin event for the world’s top eight players.

AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the Barclays ATP World Tour Tennis Finals in London, on November 24, 2010.

Van Gundy: Jackson’s comments on Heat ‘ignorant’ Associated Press Writer

ORLANDO, Fla. – How’s this for a tame twist in the Sunshine State rivalry: Orlando’s Stan Van Gundy is coming to the defense of Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. A day after Lakers coach Phil Jackson said Spoelstra’s job could be in jeopardy if the Heat don’t start winning soon, Van Gundy on Wednesday called those comments “inappropriate” and “ignorant.”

Jackson had told a Chicago radio station that Miami’s struggles could lead to Heat President Pat Riley taking over on the sideline and it “could be the Van Gundy thing all over again.” The Magic coach has never appreciated speculation about him leaving Miami.

“First of all, Phil has no idea what the ‘Van Gundy Situation’ was. Even though he coaches in our league, he certainly has no inside knowledge of that,” Van Gundy said hours before the Magic hosted the Heat. “So an analogy that he would make to my situation would be totally useless because he doesn’t have any clue what the situation was in that case.”

Van Gundy dealt with similar speculation in 2005 after Riley said earlier that summer he wanted to

“take a little bit more of an active participation” with the Heat. That began a firestorm of conjecture that Riley would come back to the bench and replace Van Gundy as coach.

Van Gundy later resigned as Heat coach 21 games into the season, citing personal and family reasons.

Riley took over, leading the Heat to their first championship.

Van Gundy also remains friends with Spoelstra, an assistant on his

staff in Miami. Spoelstra, for his part, didn’t take Jackson’s comments personal.

Spoelstra said his assistant coaches playfully teased him about Jackson’s comments on the bus ride to the Heat’s morning shootaround, and even he had a chuckle over the comparison to Van Gundy. “I’m single, so I don’t anticipate I’ll be taking a leave with the team to spend time with my family,” Spoelstra joked.

AP Photo/Tom Strickland

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy disputes a call in second-half NBA basketball game action against the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010. Orlando won 90-86.

Australia’s Ognenovski crowned player of the year Agence France Presse

KUALA LUMPUR Australia’s Sasa Ognenovski was crowned Asian player of the year on Wednesday, while his South Korean side Seongnam Ilhwa won club of the year. In a big night for Australia at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) annual awards, Kathryn Gill was also named women’s player of the year and Australia claimed the women’s national team award.

Japan also collected a number of titles including national team of the year, while Takeshi Okada won the coach of the year at the event in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was the recipient of the AFC Diamond of Asia award for his efforts to promote the sport in the region.

North Korea’s Jong II-gwan

bagged the men’s young player of the year award while Yeo Min-ji of South Korea was named women’s young player.

Ognenovski, a 31-year-old defender who has had an outstanding season, was the frontrunner for the prize having led Seongnam Ilhwa to victory in the AFC Champions League this month in Japan.

“I am really honoured and full of joy. It is amazing to win the award,” he said, adding that he is keen to step up to the big leagues.

“Of course my dream is to play in Europe. If there are offers, I will look at it seriously,” he said.

Ognenovski is on a two-year contract with Seongnam Ilhwa, South Korea’s most successful club with seven K-League titles. They also reached the AFC Champions League final in 2004 and the semifinals in 2007. “At the moment I will be staying with them,” he said.

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Friday, November 26, 2010

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

Sport

Chinese superstar Liu wins 110m hurdles treble Agence France Presse

GUANGZHOU - Superstar Liu Xiang stormed to victory in the men’s 110 metres hurdles on Wednesday, winning his third successive Asian Games gold to the delight of China’s watching millions. Amid deafening noise from a packed stadium in Guangzhou, the former Olympic champion and world record holder crossed the line in a season-best time of 13.09 seconds.

His teammate Shi Dongpeng took silver in 13.38sec to go with his second-place finish in Doha in 2006, with South Korea’s Park TaeKyong, who won bronze at the 2002 Asiad in Busan, third in 13.48. The 27-year-old Liu, who won gold at the 2002 and 2006 editions of the Asian Games, clenched his fists and waved to the crowd as he emerged to mounting excitement levels inside Aoti Main Stadium.

The strapping athlete cleared all 10 hurdles comfortably, despite clipping two. Liu, running in lane six, put his hand up at the start of the race to request a re-start due to the noise in the stadium, lifting his finger to his lips to urge quiet.

He was quickly into a smooth rhythm once the race started, graz-

ing hurdles two and four but sailing over the rest.

He promptly went on a lap of honour with Shi, the two of them hurling their shirts in to the crowd, mimicking Chinese badminton champion Lin Dan. “I didn’t expect to run 13.09. I thought running about 13.20,” Liu said, setting his sights on next year’s world championships and the London Olympics in 2012. “In 2009, I ran 13.15. I didn’t expect to run 13.09 today because I am not yet back to a very high level.”

Liu added: “We are very proud to add a gold and a silver medal for the Chinese team. “I restrained myself a little bit. I didn’t show off a lot of strength, it’s still not enough.

“I want to participate in next

year’s world athletics championship and in the Olympics in London,” he added. It is now 27 months from Liu’s calamitous outing at the Beijing Olympics, when he limped out of his heat with an achilles tendon injury to break the hopes of a nation expecting victory from their golden boy on home soil.

Liu’s injury, subsequent surgery and rehabilitation have come under much scrutiny in China and the Asian Games marks only his second appearance of the year in his home country, after his third place in the Shanghai Diamond League meet.

The 2004 Athens Olympics gold medallist and former world record holder (12.88sec) is still one of the biggest draws in Chinese sport.

AFP PHOTO / PHILIPPE LOPEZ

Theissen to step down as BMW boss MARIO Theissen will leave his position as BMW’s motorsport boss next year, to be replaced by former Toyota F1 team manager Jens Marquardt. Theissen, who has been the German manufacturer’s motorsport director since 1999, says that next year’s transitional season before a DTM entry in 2012 is the right time to hand over to his successor.

“We have planned and prepared this changeover very carefully,” said the 58-year-old. “With the realignment of BMW Motorsport and the decision in favour of the DTM

project, the path to a successful future on the race track has been mapped out.

“Now is the best time to entrust the leadership of BMW Motorsport to new hands. I have no doubt that in Jens Marquardt we have found the right man for this exciting task.”

Marquardt will join BMW on January 1st next year to work alongside Theissen for six months.

Theissen will then officially step down on June 30th.

Before joining Toyota, Marquardt worked for Ilmor on the develop-

ment of F1 and CART engines, joining Toyota’s F1 team in 2000 through the engine department and serving as team manager from 2008.

“Heading up BMW Motorsport is a dream job for me and a tremendous show of confidence,” said 43-yearold Marquardt. “The endurance events with the BMW M3, the broad-based customer sport programme, the promotion of junior racing talent and above all the DTM project are all fascinating challenges.

“I know that Mario Theissen will support me in every way and I can hardly wait to get down to work.”

Toyota Motorsport president Yoshiaki Kinoshita added: “While we are naturally sad to lose Jens, we can understand why this was an opportunity he felt he had to take and we wish him the very best for his future.

“As well as his valued contribution to our Formula 1 project from beginning to end, Jens has played a key role in TMG’s emergence as a leading provider of high-performance engineering services and we are very grateful for his efforts.

“We have been aware of Jens’ decision for some time. We are taking steps to strengthen our structure and ensure we can build on a very positive first year for TMG as a service supplier.”

Liu Xiang of China takes the last hurdle as he wins gold in the men’s 110m hurdles final in the athletics competition at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 24, 2010. Superstar Liu Xiang stormed to victory in the men’s 110 metres hurdles, winning his third successive Asian Games gold to the delight of China’s watching millions.