Edisi 4 Desember 2012 | International Bali Post

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

16 Pages Number 239 4th year

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

Letterman, Hoffman, Zeppelin honored by Obama

WEATHER FORECAST Dps 23 - 32

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

Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Pope greets clowns, acrobats: Circus comes to town Page 6

Napoli, Inter keep up Juve chase

Sangeh Monkey Forest

Page 8

Page 10

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — David Letterman’s “stupid human tricks” and Top 10 lists vaulted into the ranks of cultural acclaim Sunday night as the latenight comedian received this year’s Kennedy Center Honors with rock band Led Zeppelin, an actor, a ballerina and a bluesman.

Stars from NewYork, Hollywood and the music world joined President Barack Obama at the White House on Sunday night to salute the honorees, whose ranks also include actor Dustin Hoffman, Chicago bluesman Buddy Guy and ballerina Natalia Makarova. The honors are the nation’s highest award for those who influenced American culture through the arts. The recipients were later saluted by fellow performers at the Kennedy Center Opera House in a show to be broadcast Dec. 26 on CBS. Obama drew laughs from his guests when he described the honorees as “some extraordinary people who have no business being on the same stage together.” Noting that Guy made his first guitar strings using the wire from a window screen, he quipped, “That worked until his parents started wondering how all the mosquitoes were getting in.”

The president thanked the members of Led Zeppelin for behaving themselves at the White House given their history of “hotel rooms trashed and mayhem all around.”

Obama noted Letterman’s humble beginnings as an Indianapolis weatherman who once reported the city was being pelted by hail ‘the size of canned hams.’”

“It’s one of the highlights of his career,” he said. All kidding aside, Obama described all of the honorees as artists who “inspired us to see things in a new way, to hear things differently, to discover something within us or to appreciate how much beauty there is in the world.”

“It’s that unique power that makes the arts so important,” he added. Later on the red carpet, Letterman said he was thrilled by the recognition and to visit Obama at the White House.

“It supersedes everything, honestly,” he said. “I haven’t

won that many awards.”

During the show, comedian Tina Fey said she grew up watching her mom laugh at Letterman as he brought on “an endless parade of weirdos.” “Who was this Dave Letterman guy?” Fey said.

“Was he a brilliant, subtle passive-aggressive parody of a talk show host? Or just some Midwestern goon who was a little bit off? Time has proven that there’s just really no way of knowing.”

Alec Baldwin offered a Top 10 reasons Letterman was winning the award, including the fact that he didn’t leave late night for a six-month stint in primetime — a not-so-subtle dig at rival Jay Leno.

Jimmy Kimmel, who will soon compete head-to-head with Letterman on ABC, said he fell in love with Letterman early in life and even had a “Late Night” cake on his 16th birthday.

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

President Barack Obama, right, shakes hands with 2012 Kennedy Center Honors recipient actor and director Dustin Hoffman, center, during a reception hosted

by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama for the honorees in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.

Napoleon’s coded Kremlin letter sold for $243,500 Associated Press Writer

FONTAINEBLEAU, France — A secret code letter sent

by French emperor Napoleon boasting that his multinational forces would blow up Moscow’s Kremlin has sold at auction Sunday for euro 187,500 ($243,500) — 10 times its estimated presale price.

A Paris museum, the Museum of Letters and Manuscripts, was finalizing its purchase of the Oct. 20, 1812, document with elegantly calligraphic ciphers.

The sale price, which includes fees, far outstripped the pre-sale estimate of euro 15,000 ($19,500), according to Fontainebleau Auction House south of Paris.

Experts say the letter is unique, written in a numeric code that Napoleon often used to throw off would-be interceptors — notably when he was conveying battle plans. The letter’s content also revealed the strains on Napoleon of his calamitous Russian invasion.

“At three o’clock in the morning, on the 22nd I am going

to blow up the Kremlin,” the letter said, laying out his route of retreat and urging his minions to send rations to the towns to the west. “My cavalry is in tatters, many horses are dying.”

Napoleon’s prolific correspondence has drawn aficionados from around the world in places like the U.S., Britain, Japan and Russia. Interest appears to be rising as museums like the Museum of Letters and Manuscripts prepare to mark the bicentennial of Napoleon’s final defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

The Kremlin letter was but one piece in the vast auction Sunday. A 310-page manuscript for the “Essay on countryside fortification,” which Napoleon wrote while exiled on the remote island of Saint Helena in 1818-1919, was also bought by the Paris museum — for euro 375,000 ($487,000), including fees.

Gerard Lheritier, director of the Paris museum, said it already has at least 1,500 letters, manuscripts or other writings linked to Napoleon Bonaparte. It recently acquired one from Japan that Napoleon had written to the Empress Josephine; it fetched euro 600,000 - euro 700,000, he said.

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

Balinese held Merit Meditation Hundreds of Balinese doing merit meditation on Sunday, December 2, 2012.

Bali Post

Tabanan – Hundreds of Balinese from throughout the island took part in the Merit Meditation held in Pesraman Lumajang, Samsam Village, Tabanan on Sunday, December 2, 2012. The meditation was held to pray for the warrior who died in fighting for Indonesian Independence.

It was led by meditation expert of Bali Usada Merta Ada and also followed by the Director of Bali Post Media Group Satria Naradha.

The meditation start at 8 am at the yard of the pesraman. It was done for 30 minutes by all participants.

During the meditation, the par-

ticipants transferred good deeds to the fighters and ancestors especially the founder of Bali Post. “By this meditation, we hope that our ancestors and those who already passed away will receive a good place in heaven,” said Merta Ada. He added that during the medi-

tation, the participant must focus on the good deeds of the ancestors and gather them during meditation.

This kind of meditation is often being done if there is a member of the gamily passed away.

The Director of Bali Post Media Group Satria Naradha appreciated the Merit Meditation. On behalf of the family, he requested all participants to pray for the late Desak Gede Raka Nadha who passed away when she was 86 years old.

There is great hope that Desak raka will be in a better place in heaven. (udi)

In memoriam Desak Gede Raka Nadha

Her spirit is immortal, must be an example

The late Desak Gede Raka Nadha was known to have a great spirit started from the war era until the end of her age. Even tough she passed away at the age of 86 years old, but her spirit will live on forever and could become an inspiration for many people.

According to Ida Pedanda Gede Made Gunung, the late Desak Raka is a true warrior, started from physically through her spirit to fight to preserve Bali.

Continued on page 6

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International

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Bali News

Completion of two tourist destinations in East Gianyar delays Gianyar (Bali Post)—

Gianyar Regency planning to have two new tourist destinations late 2012 is threatened to delay. Both new tourism projects currently being worked on by the investor in Eastern Gianyar cannot be accomplished. As a result, the plan of grand opening for both attractions, namely the Taman Nusa and Bukit Jati Waterdoom, is postponed until 2013.

The Head of Gianyar Government Tourism Office, Anak Agung Ari Brahmanta, said on Sunday (Dec 2) that in 2012 there had been indeed a plan to add two more tourist attractions in Eastern Gianyar. They consisted of Taman Nusa at Tulikup and Bukit Jati Waterdoom at Samplangan.

The delay to Taman Nusa project happened due to fires afflicting a number of customary houses in the park. Meanwhile, the delay to Bukit Jati waterpark project was caused by changes in the design where this attraction should be equipped with a three-dimensional theater. “The Bukit Jati attraction is ascertained to delay until April 2013,” he explained.

In accordance with the original plan, the waterpark project was indeed targeted to hold a grand opening at the end of December 2012 with the hope it could be inaugurated by the Regent Tjokorda

Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati before leaving office. However, during the process there was a design change in which this tourist attraction should be equipped with a threedimensional theater. As a result, everything changed as well.

“Possibly, the regent will only inaugurate 40 percent of the buildings, while the rest will be inaugurated by the newly installed regent in April 2013 coinciding with the anniversary of the Gianyar town,” he explained.

Construction of the waterdoom spreads on the area of 1.1 hectares where 78 ares owned by Gianyar Regency, while the rest belongs to subak contracted by investor.

Based on field observation, a number of project workers were seen to be busy accomplishing the projects in front of pool area. The building had not been fully completed, including the roof that had not been installed. (kmb16)

IBP/File

Release of turtle hatchlings to sea is even made into a commodity of tourist attraction by a number of star hotels in Bali. Based on the investigation conducted by the animal protection activists, those star hotels deliberately offer the turtle hatchling release at particular rates quibbling for conservation.

Chairman of ProFauna Indonesia, Rosek Nursahid, when met at Perancak on Saturday (Dec 1) said that at the moment Bali Island was being highlighted by international community on account of turtle. So far, the turtle flesh consumption and trafficking remained to exist, though

had declined up to 80 percent compared to condition in 2000. In reality, it was still found the smuggling of turtles to Bali. “It means there is a demand. It draws our concerns how to stop the trafficking and conserve the sea turtles,” he explained.

Other than trafficking, turtles were also threatened by marine pollution. However, there was a current trend made by star hotels and tourism businesspeople through exploitation on behalf of conservation.

They provided a means for tourists to release turtle hatchling, but should pay for the activity. “More amusingly, those turtle hatchlings are brought in from outside Bali,

such as East Java to West Java. It is a tricking and should not be justified because it benefits the hotel,” said Rosek. ProFauna would make an advocacy and create an ecotourism pilot project at Perancak so that conservation could work as desired.

“Ultimately, the turtle can live sustainably while the communities also get the benefits,” he added.

Coordinator of ProFauna Bali, Jatmiko Wiwaha, said that based on investigation made by the activists there was turtle hatchling release purely intended for tourist attraction. According to him, such an action was not based on a desire to help the conservation as a whole.

“It was sold as a commodity and as if the payment made by guests was a donation. But, is it really a donation or rate?” he said. Even, if releasing turtle hatchlings packed as tourist attraction, it could not be met at all times and meant the same as selling the release attractions, not conservation. He appealed to star hotels if they seriously wanted to support the conservation, they could provide corporate social responsibility (CSR) to help the turtle conservationists like at Perancak, Jembrana, or established a new conservationist.

An activist of turtle conservation at Perancak, Wayan Anom Astika

Jaya, agreed with the ProFauna. In conservation, there were conservation, education and finance. Indeed, conservation could not run without financial support, but should not forget the conservation itself. “Do not make it just a business because the safety and conservation of sea turtles are primary needs without ignoring other factors,” he explained.

All species of sea turtles are protected. Of the seven species of sea turtles in the world, six kinds of them are living in Indonesia. In Bali, turtle trafficking is still potential for consumption, especially green sea turtle that has been categorized into an endangered species. (kmb26)

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

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IBP

JAKARTA - In the framework of World AIDS Day which falls on December 1, 2012, the Hotel Mercure Jakarta Simatupang (MJS) conducted a series of charity activities and increased understanding of the disease caused by HIV/AIDS. tion on illness that caused deaths of up to 1.7 million people around the world based on data obtained from WHO (World Health Organization) in 2011.

On December 1, 2012, guests picked up and pinned a Red Ribbon, symbolizing the awareness of HIV/AIDS which is available in the entire hotel outlets. Mercure Jakarta Simatupang Hotels is committed to doing the steps that support action to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

IBP/Courtesy of MJS

Calendar Event for December 12 through December 27, 2012

The project of water park which is not cannot be finished in time in Gianyar Regency.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

HIV/AIDS awareness in Mercure Jakarta Simatupang Charitable activities conducted on November 28 to December 2, 2011 began with fundraising that sell cupcakes and macaroon with a special recipe from Executive Chef MJS as well as “World AIDS Day” pin to guests and employees. Benefit will be fully donated to the a foundation that helps people with HIV/AIDS. Seminars on HIV/AIDS to all employees was also done to improve understanding of the spread of the virus and preven-

Censured, commercialization of turtle hatchling release Negara (Bali Post)—

Activities

International

12 Des B uda Keliwon Ugu Pura Dalem Tarukan Banjar Pulasari Desa Peninjoan Tembuku - Bangli Pura Pasek Gelgel Boading Kabakaba Tabanan Pura Pemayun Banyuning T e n gah - Buleleng Pura Desa Kayangan Tiga Desa Bubunan Seririt - Buleleng Pura Agung Gunung Raung Banjar Taro Kaja Taro - Tegalalang Merajan Pasek Dangka Bungbungan 22 Des H ari Tumpek Wayang Pura Majapahit Jembrana Odalan Betara ratu Gede Celuk Sukawati Odalan Betara Ratu Wedyadari Camenggaon Sukawati Pura Panti Gelgel Pengembungan Sesetan Denpasar Betara Ratu Alit dan Ratu Lingsir Singakerta Ubud Pura Pedarmaan Dalem Sukawati B esakih Pura Pedarmaan Mengwi Besakih Pura Pedarmaan Kaba-kaba Besakih Pura Pedarmaan dalem Bakas Besakih Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Gelgel

Pegatepan Gelgel Klungkung Pura Pemrajan Agung Sulang Kec Dawan Klungkung Merajan Pasek Bendesa Kori Agung Pengatepan Pura Pedarmaan Dinasti dalem sri Aji Kresna Kepakisan P u r a Besakih (Dalem Klungkung) Pura Penataran Giri Purwa dan Pesraman Dusun Kuto Rejo Kendal Rejo Tegal Delimo Banyuangi 26 Des Buda Wage Kelawu Pura Penataran Agung Teluk Padang Karangasem Pura Melanting D esa Camenggaon Sukawati Pura Penataran Ped Nusa Penida Pura Pasek Gelgel Pangembungan Bongkase Abiansemal Pura Pasek Bendesa Reyang Gede Penebel Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Br. Jawa Tengah Buleleng Pura Gaduhan Jagat Desa Singakerta Ubud Pura Masceti Tegeh Mancawarna Sanding Tampaksiring Pura Penataran Batu Lepang Kamasan Klungkung Pura Paibon Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Desa Kedonganan Kuta

Pura Goa Besakih Pura Basukian Besakih Penataran Agung Besakih Merajan Pasek Gelgel Pejeng Merajan Pasek Gelgel Songan Merajan Pasek Prateka Pekandelan Sidemen Merajan Pasek Prateka Taman Sari Sukasada Pura dadia Pasek Gelgel Sidemen Karangasem Merajan Pasek Gelgel Tampuagan, Tembuku, Bangli 27 Des Purnama Kepitu Pr. Benua Besakih.

Pura Dalem Desa Camenggaon - Sukawati Pura Suranadhi Lombok Pura Narmada Lombok Pura Segara Ampenan Lombok Mr Agung Dewa Agung Klungkung Ulah Sidemen Pura Gunungrene S i d e m e n Karangasem.

Merajan Pasek Gelgel Ababi Mr. Pasek gelgel Tista Pura Gunung Gunung - Tianyar Kubu - Karangasem Pura Pingit Klenting sari Banjar Sumberkelompok - Gerokgak Singaraja Pura Payogan Agung Kutai Kartanegara

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 “umbulumbul”, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the Temple gate put up “Penjor”, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land.

Most beautiful to see are the girls in their colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the Temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which the carry their load on their heads.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Technology

Oysters Eyed as Help for New York Harbor

They are soft to the touch, but surrounded by a hard rough shell. Known as filter feeders, many as small as your thumb, they use their tiny cilia to draw in plankton, sediment and other particles over their gills and spit out cleaner water.

They dwell where salt water meets fresh water, and survive in a variety of temperatures from the chilly New England coast to the Gulf of Mexico.

And they once played a vital role in New York’s harbor providing both a vitamin-rich source of food and a means of commerce and trade.

Now, the oyster could have a different role to play - helping clean New York’s polluted harbor. These ecological engineers work round the clock filtering water, says Beth Ravit, an environmental scientist and professor at Rutgers University. One little oyster, or mussel, too, can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day.

“They literally change, physically and chemically, the system it’s a part of,” Ravit said. Oysters help get turbidity, or cloudiness, out of the water, thereby allowing sea grass and other plant species to grow. In turn, Ravit said, this puts oxygen into the water, promotes photosynthesis, and creates conditions by which other marine species can survive.

Ravit, who works alongside the New York/New Jersey Baykeepers,

an ecology advocate group, has been studying oysters, in the Hudson River Estuary since 2006 and says there are spots of populations along the coast, but otherwise they are close to extinct. Once abundant, this bivalve population dwindled in the past century as a result of heavy industrial activity, such as shipping and dredging, as well as overfishing.

Oyster larvae seek substrate, or a surface area, to which to attach and search for adult oysters. As they begin to pile up, they form reefs that can serve to protect shorelines by providing wave attenuation and offer other marine plant and animal species places to live in the crevices within its rough hewed shell piles.

“They look like the cold water version of a coral reef,” Ravit said.

“They create a home and a restaurant for other species to live and eat.”

In the absence of adult shells, or another suitable surface to which to attach, the larvae die off. Over the course of her time with The NY/ NJ Baykeepers, Ravit has tested 15 locations in the Hudson River Estu-

supports HSPA+ instead of faster 4G LTE networks. A newly discovered FCC filing indicates Verizon (VZ) is already testing a variant of the Galaxy Camera on its 700MHz band that does have 4G LTE, however. Verizon and Samsung haven’t made any official announcements yet, but it’s likely that battery life

are sensitive,” she said. “They are more susceptible to sedimentation and contamination.”

DENPASAR - So far, the Bali tourism sector has been more advanced than the agricultural sector. This condition leads to imbalance in the development. To address this imbalance, the tourism sector should set aside at least USD 1 of fund to shore up the agricultural sector.

IBP/ABC News

for the Galaxy Camera will take a hit with LTE turned on. If you’ve had your eye on the Galaxy Camera but can’t live without LTE, it might be best to hold out just a little longer — Verizon’s pricing for the Galaxy Camera will likely be similar to the $499.99 AT&T is selling it for.

Trained Navy dolphins losing out to robots Associated Press Writer

SAN DIEGO — Some dolphins used by the Navy to track down mines will soon lose their jobs to robots — but they’ll be reassigned, not retired. Starting in 2017, 24 of the Navy’s 80 military-trained dolphins will be replaced by a 12-foot (3.6-meter) unmanned torpedoshaped vehicle, according to the newspaper UT San Diego.

The military said the machines can do some of the same mine-hunting duties as the sea creatures. And they can be manufactured quickly, unlike the seven years it takes to train a dolphin.

But the dolphins won’t be relieved of duty. They’ll be used along with sea lions for port security and retrieving objects from the sea floor, the newspaper reported. The Navy’s $28 million marine-mammal program dates back to the late 1950s and once included killer whales and sharks. Based in San Diego, it currently uses 80 bottle-nosed dolphins and 40

California sea lions.

In recent years, dolphins have been deployed to Iraq and Bahrain to patrol for enemy divers and mark the locations of mines. Using their innate sonar, the mammals find and mark mines in shallow water, in deep water when tethers are used, and on the bottom where sediment cover and plant growth can hide the devices.

Dolphins are carried aboard Navy ships in large movable pools, about 20 feet (six meters) in diameter. Dolphins traveled on the amphibious ship Gunston Hall in 2003 for the Iraq war.

Most of the Navy’s dolphins and sea lions are housed at Point Loma Naval Base, in pools sectioned off from the bay. Others guard Navy submarine bases in Georgia and Washington state, according to UT San Diego.

The military is responsible for the mammals’ care throughout their lives, even after they’re retired from active duty. Sometimes Navy dolphins are loaned to animal parks, such as Sea World, later in life.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

3

Set aside tourism fund to overcome agricultural inequalities Bali Post

Verizon may soon launch Samsung Galaxy Camera with 4G LTE Samsung’s (005930) ingenious idea to cram Android Jelly Bean into a camera with a 21x optical zoom, 4.8-inch screen and with cellular connectivity is nothing short of impressive. The only bone we have to pick with the Galaxy Camera is that it’s only available on AT&T (T) in the U.S. and it only

ary in an effort to jump-start a viable breeding ground for larvae, but with varying levels of success. “Oysters

Bali News

International

International

“When seeing the discrepancy, it is required a mutually supported solution. One of them, we propose there should be a contribution from tourism sector at least USD 1 for the agricultural sector,” said Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Farmers (HKTI) of Bali, Prof. Dr. Nyoman Suparta.

According to him, the domestic and foreign tourists visiting Bali amounted to some 3.5 million per year. Of the number of visits, if USD 1 of the funds could be set aside per tourist, the total income per year would have a very significant meaning for the agricultural sector. Such amount would allow optimizing the agricultural sector of Bali in the development of various existing commodities. By all means, this policy should be coordinated with relevant agencies.

Donation worth USD 1 would not be too burdensome to tourists coming to Bali later.

“If the donation of USD 1 can

be implemented, the agriculture sector will be uplifted. On the other side, hotels will be helped by the agricultural sector because it can produce good and attractive local fruits, as well as other commodities for the development of tourism industry,” he said.

Suparta added that to realize this plan there should be courage among the management and tourism businesspeople to take such a step. In addition, it had to be balanced with improving the quality and standards of local farming products yielded by farmers in Bali in the future.

Meanwhile, based on the data of Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Bali, the GDP of Bali contributed by the agricultural sector reached IDR 3.53 trillion in the second quarter of 2012 and IDR 3.60 trillion in the third quarter of 2012.

This rate showed an increase over the third quarter in 2011 amounting to IDR 3.20 trillion. Other business sectors remaining to dominate the

GDP of Bali such as the trade, hotel and restaurant reaching IDR 6.18 trillion in the second quarter of 2012 and in the third quarter

of 2012 rose to IDR 6.43 trillion.

Previously, it reached IDR 5.76 trillion in the third quarter of 2011. (kmb28)

IBP/File Photo

So far, the Bali tourism sector has been more advanced than the agricultural sector. This condition leads to imbalance in the development. To address this imbalance, the tourism sector should set aside at least USD 1 of fund to shore up the agricultural sector.

After avalanche

Dozens of hectares of productive farmland dormant Bali Post

SEMARAPURA - After the avalanche on the road access to rice field at Umanyar hamlet, Nyalian village, Banjarangkan, at least 21 hectares of farmland owned by farmers at Subak Gombleng turned dormant. The only one irrigation channel to local farmland was eroded. Actually, the irrigation channel had just been repaired last November after receiving financial assistance through Special Allocation Fund (DAK).

Chief of Subak Gombleng

IBP/kmb31

After the avalanche on the road access to rice field at Umanyar hamlet, Nyalian village, Banjarangkan, at least 21 hectares of farmland owned by farmers at Subak Gombleng turned dormant.

Klod, I Kadek Mustika, said on Sunday (Dec 2) that irrigation channel along approximately 200 meters to the subgroup of Subak Gombleng Klod was one of the irrigation channels obtaining assistance through Special Allocation Fund. The repair was carried out in October and completed in late November. Since the repair, the water flow was temporarily stopped to facilitate residents working at the location.

However, before the water was drained to the irrigation channel, the road at location suddenly collapsed along with the irrigation channel. As a result, the farmland at Selat subgroup turned dormant before there was a solution where the irrigation should be turned to in order to meet the water needs for paddy field at Selat subgroup.

“The avalanche occurred around 06:00 a.m. and fortunately there were no fatalities because many farmers passed the location early in the morning,” he said.

Regarding the disaster, Mus-

tika promised to immediately organize a meeting with the member of Subak Gombleng Klod.

Some options had been prepared, including the use of private land owned by other residents. “We will soon discuss in a meeting.

For the time being, we have a solution to use the adjoining private land owned by Wayan Koper. If we are not allowed to use the land, the 21 hectares of farmland at Selat subgroup will remain dormant,” he said.

Mustika added that related to the issue, his party had reported it to local headman and the Klungkung Agriculture, Plantation and Forestry Agency to get the best solution for draining the water to farmland at Selat subgroup.

Within the territory of Subak Gombleng Klod, there are 325 members with the total area spreads across 147 hectares.

Among the total acreage, 21 hectares are dormant as the irrigation channel was hit by avalanche. (kmb31)

4

Bali News

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

International

Realize stopover in Sukasada

Regency govt starts thinking about land

Singaraja (Bali Post) -

A plan on the need to establish a stopover in Sukasada subdistrict seems not just a discourse. As evidence, local government begins to think about the budget preparation and land acquisition to build the tourism supporting facilities. As initial step to realize the program, the local government immediately undertakes a feasibility study by involving relevant technical agencies and other parties. It was confirmed by the Regent of Buleleng, Putu Agus Suradnyana, when monitoring the potential of tourist attraction in Sukasada subdistrict on Friday (Nov 30).

Furthermore, the regent said that to realize the arrangement and promotion of the object by building a stopover and other supporting facilities was not easy.

Aside from requiring substantial costs, the support of community and tourism stakeholders in Buleleng was also highly desirable. On that account, as a first step, the local government would conduct a feasibility study to determine at which village the stopover would be built.

Similarly, it would also be resumed with survey to determine the appropriate location for the tourist information center. Once the location could be determined based on the results of the study, the next stage was to think about the land acquisition.

“As first step, we will study it while looking for the funds. Having accomplished this step, we will implement the program. It is an important program as Sukasada becomes the first gate for tourists to Buleleng. Therefore, it should be responded by the arrangement of objects and supporting facilities,” he said.

On the other hand, the regent said that a lot of attractions in Sukasada subdistrict remained to lack of infrastructure and facilities. For instance, the parking lot at almost all the destinations in Sukasada was still inadequate. Besides, many roads to tourist objects were in damaged condition. The regent pointed out the parking lot at Gitgit Waterfall was very narrow. As a result, buses

IBP/File

Chinese found dead in the pool Denpasar (Bali Post)-

The residents of Villa Holcyon at Karang Mas Sejahtera Street, Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung last Saturday (1/12) evening were shocked as Feng Anfrom China was found dead at the base of theswimming pool. It is unknown what caused the death yet South Kuta Police is investigating it.

Last Sunday (2/12) the police stated that the victim, his wife and eight friends checked in on Saturday (1/12) on 7.30 pm local time. An, wife Liu Dan and two other friends stayed at No. B 1 while six others stayed at No. A2. At 8.30 pm local time, victim was left by his wife and friends to go to Palentino Spa around By Pass Ngurah Rai, Nusa Dua, South Kuta, Badung and went back at 11.30 pm local time. Dan couldn’t find her husband in the room and search for him in the villa area which later shocked to see someone like her husband’s body inside the swimming pool. She screamed for help then later security checked her husband was no longer breathing, her nose was bleeding and foam came out of his mouth. Head of South Kuta Police, PC I Gede Ganefo, confirmed the incident and as checked there hasn’t been any violent wounds found on his body. So far it is still unknown what have caused his death and victim’s wife hasn’t been asked for statement as she is still in shock. (kmb21)

Gitgit waterfall, one of the tourism attraction in Buleleng Regency

or private cars and motorbikes were forced to park on the roadside. The existing parking space was very narrow, so it was not sufficient for the parking of buses and private cars. “Not to mention the location is at a curve and very prone to accidents. We will also address this matter and make it more adequate, so it is not difficult for visitors,” he explained.

To note, so far the entourage of tourists from Southern Bali to Buleleng seems to just come by. They could actually make a transit at Wanagiri, Gitgit and ultimately in Singaraja town prior to cross to Java through Gilimanuk Harbor. In reality, only a small group of tourists stopped and resumed their visit to the area of Sukasada subdistrict and Singaraja town. This could occur because at the upper villages in Sukasada subdistrict (Wanagiri, Gitgit and Ambengan) there was no tourist information center.

Most importantly, there had been no stopover in the subdistrict area.

A legislator of Bali House, Nyoman Sugawa Korry, proposed a stopover in Sukasada subdistrict known as the tourist entrance from Southern Bali. The stopover and supporting tourist information center were believed to provide information to tourists and eventually they spent their visiting time in Buleleng. On the one side, he said the stopover and tourist information center were necessary to be built. But on the other side, this legislator from Buleleng reminded the government not to widely open the investment opportunities in the field of tourism accommodation like hotels and restaurants. (kmb)

International

W

Japan opposition LDP’s lead narrows before December 16 vote: polls Reuters

TOKYO - Japan’s opposition Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) lead over the ruling Democrats and a new group led by a nationalist former governor of Tokyo narrowed with two weeks left to a December 16 lower house election, newspaper surveys showed on Monday.

A poll by the Asahi Shimbun daily showed 20 percent of voters would cast their ballots for the LDP, led by conservative former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, down 3 points from a November 26 survey.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) came in second with 15 percent, gaining 2 points and halving the gap from a week ago. The Japan Restoration Party was third with 9 percent, unchanged from the previous survey.

In a survey by the Yomiuri Shimbun daily, the LDP scored 19 percent, down 6 points. The DPJ and the Japan Restoration Party each won 13 percent, a 3 point gain by the DPJ and 1 point decline for the Restoration Party. A separate poll carried out over the weekend by Kyodo news agency showed the gap between the leader LDP and DPJ narrowing by just over 1 point. The DPJ swept to power in 2009, ending more than half a century of almost unbroken rule by the LDP. But its support has slumped over what voters see as broken promises, a confused response to last year’s tsunami and nuclear crisis, and unpopular policies such as a tax hike and the restart of nuclear reactors.

REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao

Japan’s main opposition Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) lawmaker and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) and Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who is also the leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), attend a debate with other party leaders for upcoming general election in Tokyo November 30, 2012.

RLD

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, center, is surrounded by children during celebrations for the successful bid to win U.N. statehood recognition for Palestine in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.

Palestinian president returns triumphantly from UN

AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi

Associated Press Writer

RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian president returned triumphantly to the West Bank on Sunday, receiving a boisterous welcome from thousands of cheering supporters at a rally celebrating his people’s new acceptance to the United Nations. An Israeli decision to cut off a cash transfer to the financially troubled Palestinian Authority, following an earlier decision to build thousands of new homes in Jewish settlements, failed to put a damper on the celebrations.

But Palestinian officials acknowledged they were undecided on what to do with their newfound status, and were waiting for upcoming Israeli elections and new ideas from President Barack Obama before deciding how to proceed.

Outside the headquarters of President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, some 5,000 people thronged a square, hoisted Palestinian flags and cheered their leader’s return from New York. Large posters of the Palestinian leader, whose popularity had plummeted in recent months, adorned nearby buildings.

“We now have a state,” Abbas said to wild applause. “The world has said loudly, ‘Yes to the state of Palestine.’”

The United Nations General As-

sembly last week overwhelmingly endorsed an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, territories Israel captured in the 1967 war.

The move to upgrade the Palestinians to a nonmember observer state does not change much on the ground, but it carries deep potential significance. The vote amounted to an international endorsement of the Palestinian position on future border arrangements with Israel and an overwhelming condemnation of Israeli settlements in the areas claimed by the Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects a return to Israel’s 1967 lines. Israel remains in control in parts of the West Bank and considers east Jerusalem, the Palestinians’

hoped-for capital, an integral part of its capital. Israel also continues to restrict access to Gaza. Israel withdrew seven years ago from the coastal strip, and it is now ruled by Hamas Islamic militants who regularly fire rockets at Israel.

Israel, backed by the U.S., campaigned strongly against the statehood measure, accusing the Palestinians of trying to bypass direct peace negotiations, which it said were the only viable path to a Palestinian state.

The Israeli lobbying efforts failed miserably. Just eight other countries voted with Israel, and even its closest allies in Europe, including Germany, Italy, France and Britain, either abstained or voted with the Palestinians.

Telaga Wijaya pipes placement dangerous for residents

Bersani wins Italy primary, heads to general vote

A long wide hole that is part of Telaga Wijaya pipes placement at the roadside of AmlapuraSingaraja at Kangkahang, Abang, Karangasem have put road users and walkers in danger as stated

by Karangasem House of Representatives member from Bunutan Village, Iluh Purnaminingsih, last Sunday (2/12). The project either under Karangasem or Bali Public Works Agency, has to intensively supervise also for the company responsible of this project work well and secure their hole so no one can fall to it or such.

All this time, the hole that was

ROME — Pier Luigi Bersani, the head of Italy’s main center-left Democratic Party, won a runoff primary Sunday to become the main centerleft candidate for Italy’s 2013 general elections — a vote that polls indicate could well be won by the Democratic Party given the utter disarray of the opposing center-right.

Preliminary results gave Bersani 60.8 percent of the vote compared to Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi’s 39.1 percent, with two-thirds of the votes counted. Even before the results were released, Renzi conceded the victory to Bersani in a Twitter message, writ-

Amlapura (Bali Post)-

deeply dig have taken several victims. One resident, Merita, fell to the hole while riding a amotorcycle which she got her legs broken. Two weeks later two residents of Kangkahang, one elderly fell to the hole and a child also slipped in front of the balai banjar resulting wounds. There were more victims knowing that this road is a countryside road full of traffic while the road is small with sharp turning points.

Besides that, this project have caused its four months old asphalt damaged. It is demanded that the project responsible to bring back its condition when the work is

done. Remains of project materials were also found on the streets as its pile is not neat putting walkers in danger. Meanwhile a number of residents in Kangkahang stated that if there’s a security placed on the project such as police line then it can be seen clearly by road users. Yet there was none and the remaining materials of the digging such as stones and soil were also scattered in this narrow street. The people asked the government institution and contractor that are responsible for it to secure this project so there will be no more victims. (013)

Associated Press Writer

ing: “It was the right thing to try, it was beautiful to do it together. Thank you all from the heart.”

The primary had been closely watched since the Democratic Party has a significant lead in the polls over former Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s center-right People of Freedom party, which has been in chaos following the media mogul’s 2011 downfall, a series of corruption scandals within party ranks and Berlusconi’s indecision over whether to run for a fourth term.

The 2013 general election — expected in March or April — will decide if Italy continues on the same path to financial health charted by Premier Mario Monti, appointed last year

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to save Italy from a Greek-style debt crisis. The former European commissioner was named to head a technical government after international markets lost confidence in then-premier Berlusconi’s ability to reign in Italy’s public debt and push through structural reforms. Monti has ruled out running for office but has said he would be willing to stay on in some capacity if he could be of service. Some commentators have floated the idea of Monti taking over the largely ceremonial role as Italian president, while others say his talents would be put to better use as treasury minister.

Nearly all polls had projected Bersani would beat Renzi, who cam-

paigned on an Obama-style “Let’s change Italy now” mantra that attracted many disgruntled Italians back to politics. Renzi used his youth — he’s 37 — to bolster his call for Italy’s entire political class to be “scrapped.”

Bersani, by contrast, is 61 and a veteran of previous center-left governments, where he has served as transport and industry minister.

In his victory speech, Bersani made clear his new job running for premier would begin Monday with a trip to Libya, Italy’s former colony, to meet with the government.

“I want Italy to retake its place in political, moral, cultural and economic terms in the Mediterranean,”

Bersani said to cheers.

But even in defeat, Renzi won a victory of sorts for having changed the Italian left — perhaps forever, analysts said. Renzi’s perceived liberal conservative leanings within the center-left, while alienating the movement’s hardcore communists, attracted Italians young and old who might otherwise never have voted, much less for a center-left candidate. He liked to say that he offered a different vision for the party, a different model.

“Even if he loses, as I think he will, he had an important renovation function within the party,” Rome resident Pietro Marucci said Sunday as he voted for Renzi.

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International

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

International

BUSINESS

Bali News DENPASAR - Realization of export Bali to countries in Europe experienced a decline when compared the same period last year. For the period January-September 2012, the total of Bali’s products that sold to Europe reached 96,5 million US dollars while in the past year reached 130,8 million dollars.

The reduced exports of handicrafts to countries in Europe,

Starbucks to review British tax arrangements Agence France-Presse

Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP

U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol November 28, 2012 in Washington, DC.

Tough talk, no answers as US ‘fiscal cliff’ looms Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON - The White House won’t budge on tax hikes and Republicans call the president’s opening gambit ridiculous, but without a deal by the year’s end, the fragile US economy will plunge off the fiscal cliff. government bonds for the first time in the country’s history.

Despite international criticism then for playing a dangerously irresponsible game of chicken, both sides are at it again refusing to compromise and counting down the clock as financial disaster looms.

The debt ceiling deal signed into law in August 2011 included a poison pill provision that would usher in across-the-board spending cuts unless Congress passed a $1.2 billion deficit reduction bill by the end of 2012.

Combined with the expiry on December 31 of a raft of tax cuts, including reduced Bush-era rates for nearly all Americans and Obama’s

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Bali’s foreign exchange from Europe decreased Antara

A sense of deja vu has gripped Washington as another budget wrangle reaches its denouement with both sides locked in a whoblinks-first death match and pundits warning of economic oblivion unless a deal is struck.

In April 2011, there were less than two hours to go to avert a government shutdown when the same protagonists, Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican House Speaker John Boehner, struck a tentative budget deal.

The hard-fought accord that eventually raised the debt ceiling later that summer came too late to prevent Standard & Poor’s from downgrading the credit rating of US

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

two percent cut in payroll taxes, the risk of a new recession is very real.

The point of the “fiscal cliff” provision was to force a fiercely divided Congress and White House to stop kicking the can down the road and get serious about tackling the $16.3 trillion public debt and arcane tax laws.

Obama called in the toughtalking Timothy Geithner to be his pointman on the crisis, hoping the outgoing Treasury secretary had enough respect on Capitol Hill and economic expertise to get the job done.

But, if the Republican leadership is to be believed, things got off to

a rocky start when Geithner got negotiations rolling on Thursday by laying out Obama’s initial offer.

It called for nearly $1.6 trillion in new tax revenue over the next decade and $600 billion in spending cuts, including from programs Democrats cherish like Medicare, which covers health insurance for the elderly.

“I was flabbergasted. I looked him and said, ‘You can’t be serious,’” Boehner told “Fox News Sunday.”

“I’ve just never seen anything like it. You know, we’ve got seven weeks between election day and the end of the year. And three of those weeks have been wasted with this nonsense.”

Budget negotiations go right to the heart of ideological differences between Democrats and Republicans on the size and scope of governax rates for high-earners.

LONDON - Global coffee giant Starbucks said Sunday it was reviewing its tax affairs in Britain after it took a roasting from lawmakers and campaigners who accuse the chain of paying too little.

The Seattle-based firm admitted that “we need to do more” although it would not confirm a report in Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper that it will promise this week to increase the amount of corporation tax it pays.

“We have listened to feedback from our customers and employees, and understand that to maintain and further build public trust we need to do more,” Starbucks said in a statement.

“As part of this we are looking at our tax approach in the UK. The company has been in discussions with HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) for some time and is also in talks with the Treasury (finance ministry).

“We will release more details later in the week.”

Starbucks had previously confirmed that it did not pay any corporation taxes in Britain for the past three years on sales worth £400 million ($640 million, 493 million euros).

It was able to do so by paying fees to other areas of its business -- such as “royalty payments” for the use of the brand -- which resulted in the company posting a series of losses and not having to pay any corporation tax.

The Sunday Times said that since coming to Britain in 1998 the chain has paid just £8.6 million in corporation tax despite generating £3 billion in revenue.

The spokesman added: “Starbucks is committed to the UK for the long term and we have invested more than £200 million in our UK business over the past 12 years.

“Starbucks has complied with all the tax laws in this country but has regretfully not been as profitable as we would have liked.”

The Public Accounts Committee -- a panel of British lawmakers -- is due to release a report this week which is expected to criticise the measures used by corporations to avoid paying tax as the rest of the country grapples with tough austerity measures.

The committee quizzed senior figures from Starbucks, US online retailer Amazon and Internet search giant Google.

During the hearing Margaret Hodge, a Labour party lawmaker who chairs the committee, said Starbucks’ claim that its British division was unprofitable “just doesn’t ring true”.

Starbucks has faced calls by activist groups for a consumer boycott in recent weeks.

said the head of the export section of the Department of industry and trade of the province of Bali, Putu Bagiada SE, due to the global economic crisis that hit the region.

He said the economic crisis has not yet been able to resolved. Fortunately, in these conditions, there are still a variety of handicrafts were shipped to Europe.

A shipment of goods to Eu-

rope, fluctuate depending of the situation in the country, the highest transaction was in April 2012 i.e. 15.3 million dollars and the lowest was on September only 6.7 million dollars.

Many European importers order various accessories, such as silver jewelry in the form of studs, necklaces, rings with design that carried by them so that goods can be ensured to be saleable.

IBP/Net

Condition of bridge near Goa Gajah tourist attraction, Bedulu village, Blahbatuh, is very alarming. Aside from not complying with safety standards as the bridge wall was flat to the ground, it is also taken advantage as a waste disposal by local community.

A bridge near Goa Gajah attraction made a waste disposal Bali Post

GIANYAR - Condition of bridge near Goa Gajah tourist attraction, Bedulu village, Blahbatuh, is very alarming. Aside from not complying with safety standards as the bridge wall was flat to the ground, it is also taken advantage as a waste disposal by local community.

It complements to the existing slum impression in the Goa Gajah tourist area. The bridge known by the locals as Iron Bridge is located at the border of Bedulu village, Blahbatuh subdistrict and Kemenuh village, Sukawati subdistrict. The bridge located in the west of Goa Gajah attraction looks vile whereas the bridge over the Petanu River poses a tourism route. Thus, the road section looks slovenly and dirty.

Gianyar Regent, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, accompanied by the ad interim Regional Secretary of Gianyar, Nyoman Nuadi, some time ago claimed if his party could not do much especially related to the bridge condition. Flat bridge wall to the ground and lush trees around the bridge was the responsibility of Bali province. Nevertheless, his party promised to make anticipation in order to avoid any accidents.

As field observation made on Sunday (Dec 1), aside from the waste problem and untreated bridge that could kindle hazards to road users, the Goa Gajah attraction had also been besieged by a row of premises offering shrines made by craftsmen. Inevitably, many tour guides complained about the dust floating on the highway. (kmb16)

AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati

A Silvery Gibbon holds her two-week-old baby at the Bali Zoo in Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia on Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. The Silvery Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) is currently listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are in danger mostly because of commercial deforestation. It is estimated that only 4% of their original native habitat is still available to the species.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

W

RLD

International

Tutu: EU not worthy to win Nobel Peace Prize Associated Press Writer

IBP/ap

Pope Benedict XVI strokesa lion cub as he greets circus artists and workers, during an audience he held in the Pope Paul VI hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012.

Pope greets clowns, acrobats: Circus comes to town Associated Press Writer

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI greeted thousands of clowns, acrobats, puppeteers and even a pair of lion cubs on Saturday as the circus came to town for an unusual papal performance.

Benedict clapped and watched amused as circus workers flipped, flopped, juggled and twisted before him in what the Vatican has called a historic audience to make street performers and other itinerant entertainers feel like they belong to the church.

Benedict, a known cat lover, paid particular attention to a pair of lion cubs that were brought up to him, stroking them and chatting with their trainers. At one point Benedict even bent down to caress one — not an easy feat given the 85-year-old pope has trouble with his knees and occasionally uses a cane.

Benedict acknowledged the sacrifices circus workers make to

bring joy to young and old alike, traveling constantly and living on the margins of society. He noted they lack schools for their children or parish churches to call home. But he urged them to keep the faith.

“I hope that you can find, in the communities where you stay, people who are welcoming and available and able to care for your spiritual needs,” Benedict said.

He urged governments to better integrate itinerant entertainers in the social fabric.

A big top tent and carousel were mounted in St. Peter’s Square to make the scene complete, and thousands of entertainers from a

dozen countries filled a Vatican audience hall for the papal performance that featured acrobats and a puppet show.

Benedict has been entertained before by various circus troupes, but Vatican officials said Saturday’s audience was unusual in that it involved so many different types of traveling performers from around the world, and was dedicated to them alone.

The event was organized by the Vatican office that looks out for the welfare of migrants, refugees, seamen as well as prostitutes and street children — people who by force or choice live without stable homes.

STOCKHOLM — Three Nobel Peace Prize laureates, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, have contested the awarding of this year’s prize to the European Union, saying the 27-nation bloc contradicts the values associated with the prize because it relies on military force to ensure security.

In an open letter to the Nobel Foundation, Tutu of South Africa, Mairead Maguire of Northern Ireland and Adolfo Perez Esquivel from Argentina demanded that the prize money of 8 million kronor ($1.2 million) not be paid out this year.

The EU “clearly is not one of ‘the champions of peace’ Alfred Nobel had in mind” when he created the prize by including it in his will in 1895, they wrote in the letter, a copy of which was acquired by the AP on Friday.

“We ask the board of the foundation to clarify that it cannot and will not pay the prize from its funds.”

They said the EU condones “security based on military force and waging wars rather than insisting on the need for an alternative approach.”

Tutu won the prize in 1984 for his nonviolent struggle against apartheid. Maguire was cited for seeking a peaceful resolution to the troubles in Northern Ireland in 1976, while the 1980 winner Esquivel was honored for work in advancing human rights in Argentina.

The Norwegian Nobel award committee chose the EU for promoting “peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights” in Europe for six decades following the devastation of World War II. The letter, dated Wednesday, said the bloc had failed “to realize Nobel’s global peace order ... (and) the Norwegian Nobel Committee has redefined and reshaped the prize in a way that is not in accordance with the law.”

It was also signed by the Geneva-based International Peace Bureau, which won the award in 1910, and several authors, lawyers and peace activists.

Geir Lundestad, secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said the committee had encountered similar criticism before.

“Such criticism is never desirable, but the committee has several times discussed the claims and concluded that (this year’s award) is indeed in line with Nobel’s will,” Lundestad said.

There was no immediate response from the EU headquarters in Brussels.

Immortal...

From page 1 “We will miss her. Her spirit will last forever,” he said on Sunday, December 2, 2012.

The priest came to Pesraman Lumajang to pray and give tribute to Desak Raka. He said that the late was not gone but only changing outfit into a better one. Desak Raka will continue his work using the new clothes.

Pedanda Gunung reminded that the spirit of Desak Raka cannot be forgotten especially in her effort to preserve Bali. “Even tough her body is not around but the spirit is still exist and must be followed as an example,” he added.

Pedanda Gunung also explained that the spirit of Desak Raka can be seen by her effort in developing Bali Post Media Group to preserve and unite Bali. With the media, she can give knowledge to the people of Bali.

He urged that the ceremony given to the late must be known completely. It means that the big ceremony is not only a symbol but must be done correctly. The most important thing is everyone willingly pray for the late and the rest of the family who is left behind. Ida Pedanda also support the pray which is done during visiting the house.

Compliment for Desak Raka was also coming from Ida Rsi Agung Wayabiya Suprabu Sogata Karang. The Rsi from Sabha Budaya Hindu Bali Foundation said that he admired the spirit of Desak raka especially in education.

She was the pioneer of education development in Bali and until his last days, she still gave information through media, such as TV, newspaper and radio. The spirit of Desak Raka is also passed on to the students so they can follow the footstep of Desak Raka. Her spirit in education had led to the birth of many great leaders. There is great hope that the spirit will be carried on forever.

The “ngeringkes” ceremony will be held on Thursday at 3.30 pm contained with the “pelebon” ceremony on Sunday, December 16, 2012 and 10 am at Lumajang, Samsam Village, Kerambitan, Tabanan

International

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

11

INDONESIA RI predicted to experience lower economic growth in 2013 Antara

PEKANBARU - Prof Elfindri, an economist of the Andalas University, said Indonesia`s economic growth in 2013 was predicted to be lower than this year.

“The indicator of this is the slowing down of the Chinese economy and the stalled economic growth of the Unites States,” he said when contacted from Pekanbaru on Sunday.

Elfindri once suggested that the government set the economic growth in the 2013 state budget at six percent.

“We believe that a six percent economic growth could be achieved if investment schemes have impacts.

There is a slight doubt about the possibility of public consumption in 2013 being equal to this year,” he said.

He said that the economic growth target of 6 percent for 2013 was just possible, particularly if the Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia`s Economic Development (MP3EI) was implemented successfully.

Elfindri said the economic growth target could be achieved as long as it was not set at 6.8 percent. The united States even revised downward its economic growth target from 2.7 percent to 2.1 percent.

“This means that due to economic recession a number of countries which had previously set a positive growth turned to revise it to nil percent,” he said.

He said that if the MP3EI was to be materialized in the fourth quarter 2012, its accelerated impact would be felt only in 2013.

In the meantime, if coal is exported, rubber and crude palm oil (CPO) prices will increase. The economic growth can even exceed 6.8 percent or at a range of 7-8 percent if the annual inflation rate reached 9-11 percent and if the MP3EI succeeded in realizing many investment projects.

AFP PHOTO / Abdul MUIN

Indonesian plain clothes police officers question Ukrainian tourist Artem Sapirenko (2nd L), 36, before detaining him in the town of Manokwari, in Indonesia’s restive Papua region on December 1, 2012. Indonesian police in restive Papua on December 1 detained a Ukrainian tourist attending a prayer session to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the region’s movement for independence.

Indonesia detains Ukrainian DPR extends us$1 million tourist in restive Papua in aid to Palestine Antara

BEKASI - The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR)`s Commission I extended material aid worth more than US$1 million to the Palestinian people while visiting the Gaza Strip on Nov 26.

“The House Commission I`s visit was intended to show our empathy with the Palestinian people as well as to monitor the latest developments there,” member of the House Commission I Luthfi Hassan Ishaq said here on Sunday.

The aid was divided into two phases, with the first phase covering US$750 thousand and the second phase reaching US$500 thousand, he said.

“The US$750 thousand in aid has been handed to the Palestinian people,” he said.

He said a number of representatives of the House Commission I, staff members of the Indonesian embassy in Cairo and 12 personnel of five Indonesian humanitarian institutes presented the aid to the Palestinian government.

“I myself helped arrange the delegation`s departure to meet the Palestinian prime minister. But my travel ended in Egypt. I had to return to Indonesia because of sudden affairs,” he said.

Agence France-Presse

MANOKWARI - Indonesian police in restive Papua on Saturday detained a Ukrainian tourist attending a prayer session to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the region’s movement for independence.

Artem Shapirenko, 36, was detained by police in the town of Manokwari in western Papua where around 50 people took part in a prayer at the traditional leaders council building. It was unclear why he had been held.

Shapirenko, wearing a Bob Marley T-shirt, held his fist in the air and yelled “Free Papua” in Indonesian as police officers ushered him into their vehicle, said

an AFP reporter in Manokwari.

A photocopy of the man’s tourist visa, obtained by the police, showed it had expired in July this year.

“A Ukraine citizen, Artem Shapirenko, is undergoing questioning at police headquarters and is cooperating,” Manokwari police chief Ricko Taruna Mauruh told AFP. Papua declared independence from the Dutch on December 1, 1961, but neighbouring Indonesia took control of the region with force in 1963. It officially annexed Papua in 1969 with a UN-backed vote, widely seen as a sham.

The separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM), which formed

in 1965, also marks the birth of its organisation on the December anniversary, when rallies and commemorations are held across Papua.

Police had beefed up security ahead of the anniversary and arrested three youth activists in the city of Jayapura, capital of Papua, according to a provincial police spokesman.

Jakarta keeps a tight grip on Papua and foreign journalists are de facto banned from reporting in the region.

More than 170 people are imprisoned in Indonesia for promoting separatism, most of them from Papua or the Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia, according to Human Rights Watch.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Destinations

International

Sangeh Monkey Forest IBP

IBP/File Photo

If you travel to Bali, surely you have to visit Sanget Monkey Forest if you want to take a close look at the small monkey with long tail. Sangeh is a small fertile monkey forest dwelling by the group of monkeys.

It is located in Sangeh countryside, Badung Regency, north part of Denpasar town. It is one of tourist destinations in Bali which is strategically located beside of the road. The good road has been provided to reach this place and many tourists has come to this place to see the cute of monkeys. In the century 17 at Monarchic golden era of Mengwi, I Gusti Agung Ketut Karangasem, the son of I Gusti Agung Made Agung, had built the temple in the middle of nutmeg forest and hereinafter it is called as Bukit Sari Temple (like small forest with mixture vegetation and broadness about 10,8 ha).

The mythos of this Sangeh Forest is relevant to the happening of forest wood evacuation from Agung Mount in Karangasem to Mengwi in regency of Badung. But on the way of the evacuation, it seen or known by somebody so that it finally becomes the forest which is named with Sangeh. This Nutmeg Forest is formally as a Tourism Garden Nature, which is also as a holy area of temple for worshiping to the god. It is executed from local people from Sangeh Countryside and its surrounding area. It is also become a secret function beside of tourist object as a commercial tourism business.

According to the information of Natural and Animal Conservation Department (BKSDA), Sangeh Forest is consisted of 28 birch and also 22 clump types/bushes. In shares of extension area (3,169 ha) which is located in west part of this forest area, it has been cultivated by some plant types like Chico Kecik, Mahoney and guava. This part is then expected to be the food source for about 500 monkeys populating this forest. The monkey species living in Sangeh is Macaca fascicularis.

The monkey lives in three different group which are located in east, middle, and west side. Sangeh is a tourist destination in Bali managed by the special organizer from local resident which is consisted of 21 organizers.

Sports

International

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

7

Knicks beat Suns, stay unbeaten at home

Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK -- Rasheed Wallace delivered a hard whack to Luis Scola, then some hard words to the referees. These New York Knicks won’t let anybody have it easy at Madison Square Garden, not even the officials.

Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points and the Knicks ran their best home start in 20 years to 7-0, withstanding Wallace’s ejection after a mere 1:25 of playing time to beat the Phoenix Suns 106-99 on Sunday.

Phoenix had won its last two at MSG but the Knicks have finally figured out under coach Mike Woodson that home-court games are not to be wasted.

They are 18-1 in the regular season here since he took over last March, jumping on their last few opponents from the start. ‘’His whole thing when he came in is we’re going to protect our home floor. We’re going to win every game at home, or we’re going to try to win every game at home, and we’re going to go out on the road and compete,’’ center Tyson Chandler said. ‘’So his whole thing is we’ve got to protect our house. Teams coming in got to feel like they’ve got to go somewhere else to get a win.’’

Raymond Felton had 23 points, seven assists and no turnovers for the Knicks, who last won seven straight at Madison Square Garden to open a season when they started 9-0 in 1992-93. The point guard was hurting after the game. He went for an MRI exam that revealed a bone bruise in his swollen left hand. ‘’I got jammed in between another player,’’ he said. ‘’Just a lot of pain in my thumb.’’

Chandler finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds as the Knicks improved to 12-4 overall, a half-game behind Miami for the best record in the Eastern Conference. They got off to a good start in December after winning 11 in November for the first time since a 12-victory November in 1972 on the way to their last NBA championship. ‘’I think they’re a hell of basketball team. I really do,’’ Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry said. ‘’When you add Iman Shumpert and Amar’e Stoudemire back to the mix, shoot, they’re as good as anybody.’’

The Knicks shook off the first ejection of Wallace’s comeback that left them short-handed. Jason Kidd missed a fourth straight game with lower back spasms

but hopes to return during their three-game road trip that includes a game in Miami on Thursday.

Marcin Gortat had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who dropped their third straight and fell to 1-4 on their season-high, six-game road trip that ends Tuesday in Memphis. Shannon Brown scored 17 points.

The Suns have trailed by double digits in 14 of their 18 games and were already down 10 just 4:18 into the game. The Knicks seemed well on their way to eclipsing their NBA-best average of 27.5 points per first quarter when they jumped ahead 21-6 with 5:15 left in the period.

But they got bogged down committing fouls, including one on Wallace against Scola that was followed by a technical foul when he hit Scola across the arm after the whistle. After Goran Dragic missed the free throw, Wallace yelled ‘’Ball don’t lie!’’ - his way of saying the call was proven wrong - and whistled for another to pick up his 31st career ejection, most in the league since 1991-92, according to STATS, LLC. Wallace apologized to the Knicks before leaving without speaking to the media. The Knicks felt the foul wasn’t out of line because Scola continued to play through the whistle in trying to get a shot up, so Wallace had the right to as well. ‘’In this league, it’s something called continuation.

Sheed stopped him, they gave a tech. It is what it is,’’ Anthony said.

Wallace has been called for more than 300 technical fouls in his career and led the league seven times, but said he was too old to be clashing with officials at age 38 when he ended a two-year retirement. But he’s up to four for the season now, one off the league lead.

Anthony said he thought the temperamental forward’s reputation was held against him Sunday. ‘’I think so. I mean he’s the only guy in the league that gets technicals for saying ‘Ball don’t lie,’’’ Anthony said, adding that Wallace should trademark the term. ‘’So, I mean, that should tell you right there.’’

AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams

New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, center, drives to the basket on Phoenix Suns’ Marcin Protat, right, and Shannon Brown in the second quarter of the NBA basketball game in New York, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.

Massa admits doubts over future affect form

AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, of Brazil, is overcome with emotion while standing at the podium of the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012.

Felipe Massa has admitted that the long-running uncertainty over his Ferrari future played a part in his poor early-2012 form.

Although the Brazilian had previously insisted that he had been able to shut out the pressure caused by Ferrari’s doubts over his performances, he now accepts it affected his focus.

“In the first half of the year, I was worried about renewing my contract,” Massa said at Ferrari’s World Finals event at Valencia on Sunday.

“I did not think that Ferrari would

really wait right to the end of the summer before deciding on the driver line-up for next year.

“It’s true that ever since I’ve been at Maranello, there have always been rumours about me. Already in my first year there was a list of drivers who were supposed to take my place and it was the same this year, with a lot of names and plenty of speculation.

“At the start, I paid too much attention to these things, but then, in August, I told myself I should only think about racing and having fun and

so I began to really drive, to have the right feeling with the car and to drive as quickly as I know how.” Ferrari eventually decided to renew Massa’s contract in October. He enjoyed a stronger end to the year, scoring two podium finishes and outqualifying title-chasing team-mate Fernando Alonso at the last two grands prix.

“Now I feel very strong and the results were there to see in the last nine races, so I am optimistic for the future - mine and Ferrari’s,” Massa added.

8

International

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Reuters

ROME - Contrasting wins for Napoli and Inter Milan kept them hard on the heels of leaders Juventus in Serie A on Sunday but Fiorentina lost ground after being held at home by improving Sampdoria. Napoli had a thumping 5-1 win over bottom club Pescara but Inter scraped an unconvincing 1-0 victory at home to Palermo.

Two goals each by Gokhan Inler and Edinson Cavani, one from the penalty spot, helped Walter Mazzarri’s Napoli side stay two points behind Juve, who defeated local rivals Torino 3-0 on Saturday. Inter are four points behind Juve on 31 after ending a run of three games without a win thanks to an own goal by Palermo’s Santiago Garcia.

Stefan Savic scored both Fiorentina goals in a 2-2 draw which earned a point after Nenad Krsticic and a Gonzalo Rodriguez own goal had seen Sampdoria equalise then take the lead. Savic’s goals were his first in Serie A. “Honestly I’m happy with our position, it’s a shame that it’s not the end of the season now, or at least within a couple of games,” Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella told reporters.

“We came up against a Sampdoria side that caused us problems, and while we weren’t

brilliant we had enough opportunities to win. Fiorentina are in fourth place, level on 29 points with Lazio and two behind Inter Milan as Samp moved up to 12th on 17.

Lazio are six points off the pace in fourth spot after beating Parma 2-1 thanks to a 25thminute effort from defender Giuseppe Biava and Miroslav Klose’s ninth league goal of the season. Ishak Belfodil pulled one back for Parma in the 66th minute, converting the rebound after his penalty was saved.

AS Roma are sixth after coming back from a goal down to win 3-1 at lowly Siena. Two goals from rejuvenated former S i e n a striker Mattia Destro and one

by Simone

AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta

Napoli’s Edinson Cavani, of Uruguay, left, chased by Pescara’s Marco Capuano, kicks the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Pescara, in Naples, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.

Perrotta gave Zdenek Zeman’s side a deserved victory in a match where they missed a hatful of chances.

A first half hat-trick from Alberto Paloschi and a last minute tap-in by Adrian Stoian gave Chievo a 4-2 victory at fellow strugglers Genoa and their first away points of the season. Genoa’s fourth straight home defeat left them in the bottom three on 12 points, only one ahead of Pescara.

Bologna beat Atalanta 2-1 thanks to a deflected free kick from Alessandro Diamanti in the 16th minute and a second-half goal from former Atalanta player Manolo Gabbiadini while Udinese stayed in mid-table despite a 4-1 rout of Cagliari.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

9

Swansea win over Arsenal was ‘like a dream’, says Michu

Sp rt

Napoli, Inter keep up Juve chase

International

Chelsea’s hopes in balance in Champions League Associated Press Writer

LONDON — Although Rafa Benitez can’t be blamed for Chelsea’s current plight in the Champions League, elimination this week would give his many critics further ammunition at the end of a tortuous first two weeks in charge of the club. Roberto Di Matteo’s final act as Chelsea manager was to oversee a 3-0 loss at Juventus that leaves the team on the cusp of becoming the first reigning champion to fail to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.

For the holders to squeeze through, they will need to beat FC Nordsjaelland and hope already-qualified Shakhtar Donetsk defeat Juventus in Ukraine in the other Group E match. Only two other last-16 spots are up for grabs in the final round of matches, with Benfica and Celtic battling for second place in Group G while Galatasaray and Cluj vying for the runner-up spot in Group H. But much of the focus will be on Chelsea, which only seven months ago was targeting a prosperous future among Europe’s elite after winning its first Champions League title. The London club was placed in a tough group in the defense of the trophy, however, and has only won two of its five matches — one of the victories being sealed in stoppage time at home to Shakhtar.

The change in manager hasn’t had the desired effect for owner Roman Abramovich, with Benitez yet to win after three Premier League games and facing the wrath of Chelsea fans angry at Di Matteo’s abrupt dismissal. Benitez even admitted after Saturday’s 3-1 loss at West Ham that he wasn’t sure he’d see out his seven-month interim stint.

“I would say that it depends on the things that we can do on the pitch,” Benitez said. “So, if we improve on the pitch, it will be easier for everyone.”

The odds aren’t completely against Chelsea, which should comfortably see off Nordsjaelland — a Danish side with just one point so far. Although Shakhtar is through, it will want to qualify in first place to set up what would probably be an easier match in the last 16.

Juventus, which was held 2-2 at home by the Ukrainian champions, would finish top of the group with a win but isn’t likely to settle for just a point, according to midfielder Claudio Marchisio.

“We can’t go out onto the pitch hoping to take it easy,” said Marchisio, who scored twice in a 3-0 derby win for the Serie A leaders over local rival Torino on Saturday. “We’ve got to play like Juve. Yesterday’s win gives us a lot of motivation to face Shakhtar, which I believe is the toughest team in the group.”

Celtic and Benfica are level on points going into their final matches Wednesday, with the Portuguese team ahead courtesy of a better head-to-head record from their two matches. Celtic may well be the slight favorite to advance as while the Scottish champions play Spartak Moscow at home, Benfica has the daunting prospect of a trip to Barcelona, which is guaranteed to top the group.

“We are not counting on Barcelona to do the job for us,” Celtic defender Efe Ambrose said. “We have to do that at Celtic Park.”

Galatasaray and Cluj are also tied on seven points, with the second-place Turks holding the head-to-head advantage. Galatasaray just needs a win at eliminated Braga to progress ahead of the Romanian side, which visits first-place Manchester United.

“No one should be fooled by the fact that Braga is last-placed in the group,” Galatasaray defender Emmanuel Eboue said. “They beat us 2-0 here (in Istanbul). We need to concentrate hard and fight hard.”

Top spot — and what could prove to be a crucial seeding for the knockout stage — is yet to be decided in four of the groups, with AC Milan, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain among the teams hoping to move up a place from second. English champion Manchester City needs to beat Borussia Dortmund away and hope Ajax loses at Real Madrid to finish third in Group D and qualify for the Europa League. City was eliminated from the Champions League a fortnight ago after a home draw to Madrid.

Swansea City attacker Michu has described his two-goal performance in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Arsenal as “like a dream”. Michael Laudrup’s men edged possession and the chances against the Gunners and were rewarded as the Spaniard struck in the 88th and 90th minutes to seal victory.

“It was like a dream,” the 2 million pound summer buy from Rayo Vallecano told the club’s official website. “The defense was good, in attack we had 12 attempts on target, so we were very good all through the team.

“For the goals, it was a great pass from Luke [Moore] for the first and Nathan [Dyer] did a lot of good work for the second. I was very happy to take my chances and score. I’m very happy here with my teammates, the gaffer and the club. I hope it continues like this.”

The 26-year-old, who has scored in each of his side’s last three wins, believes that the seventh-placed Swans can get even better. “This team can go up and up,” he continued.

“I’m very happy we are on 23 points, but we need to keep it going. But we have to continue working hard. If we don’t work hard we will lose for sure. “We have more tough games coming up, and we have to keep the same attitude that we have shown recently.”

Velez takes Argentine first-division title Associated Press Writer

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Velez Sarsfield claimed Argentina’s Inicial Tournament title on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over last-place club Union. Like most Latin American countries, Argentina divides its season into two halves, and Velez’s victory clinched the first-half championship.

Facundo Ferreyra scored both goals to give the Buenos Aires club its second title in four seasons, and the third in eight. It was the club’s ninth title overall.

Velez moved onto 38 points with one round remaining, giving it an insurmountable lead. Its closest rival Lanus fell 1-0 on Sunday to River Plate, leaving it five points behind. Belgrano is also five off the pace.

With the game in doubt after the first half, Ferreyra ended the uncertainty with goals in the 48th minute and 84th. “This is emotional, a dream come true,” Ferreyra said. Added coach Ricardo Gareca: “Winning the championship at home means everything to us.”

In other results Sunday, Belgrano defeated Tigre 1-0, Arsenal downed Boca Juniors 1-0, and San Lorenzo defeated Independiente 2-1.

Despite the loss, Boca Juniors qualified for the Copa Libertadores. Boca was the runner-up last season. In Saturday games: Racing 3, All Boys 1; Colon 3, Argentinos Juniors 1; Godoy Cruz 0, Quilmes 0.

Two matches are scheduled for Monday in the 18th and penultimate round: Newell’s Old Boys vs. Atletico Rafaela, and Estudiantes vs.

San Martin.

AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia

Velez Sarsfield’s captain Fabian Cubero, top, holds up the Argentina’s soccer league trophy as he celebrates with teammates at the end of an Argentina’s soccer league soccer match against Union in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.

Velez Sarsfield won the Argentine first division championship on Sunday after defeating Union 2-0.

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Los Angeles Galaxy’s David Beckham, top center, of England, poses with his sons, from left, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz after the Galaxy’s 3-1 win in the MLS Cup championship soccer match against the Houston Dynamo in Carson, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012.

Beckham in US: He came, he sold, he conquered

For the first two years after he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, he was more of a brand than a player, his impact at America’s cash registers far greater than any transformation on the field.

By the time the 37-year-old English midfielder played his final game in Major League Soccer on Saturday, he had achieved his footballing and his financial goals, winning two more titles and expanding the U.S. audience for his sport. He gained attention for his ability, and not just for his ever-changing hairstyles, Spice Girl wife and celebrity friends.

“When I decided to come here, I think I raised a little bit of interest, and I hope that’s what I’ve done,” Beckham said. “If that’s the single thing that I’ve done, then great. But I think the foundations are there now in this league. It’s a 17-yearold league and the foundations are great. It will continue to grow.”

The league expanded by about 50 percent, with new teams announced during the Beckham era that started play in San Jose (2008), Seattle (2009), Philadelphia (2010), Vancouver and Portland (2011), and Montreal (2012).

That raised the total to 19. Ground was broken for football-specific stadiums in Houston, Kansas City and Philadelphia, the long-delayed

venue in New Jersey was completed, and extensive renovations took place in Montreal, Portland and Vancouver.

MLS’ regular-season attendance averaged 15,504 in 2006, the last season before Beckham left Real Madrid to sign with the Galaxy. It was up to a record 18,807 this year, still well short of the record 44,293 set by the Bundesliga in 2011-12 and the 35,356 for England’s Premier League.

Beckham said his goals were to win and increase awareness of the league both domestically and abroad. “I don’t think anybody would doubt that he has overdelivered on every one of those measures,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “There’s arguably not a soccer fan on this planet that doesn’t know the L.A. Galaxy and Major League Soccer, and David played a significant role in helping us make that happen. He was an unbelievable ambassador for the league, for the Galaxy.”

Beckham made his debut for Manchester United’s first team in 1992, the year when he turned 17 and played alongside Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville for the Red Devils’ winning team in the FA Youth Cup. At 21, he made his debut for England. He helped United win six Premier League titles, two FA

Cups and the 1999 Champions League. Sold to Real for 35 million euros (then $41 million), he won Spain’s La Liga in his fourth and final season.

By then, he had already announced he was moving to Los Angeles. While his handlers and the Galaxy hyped the deal as being worth “in excess $250 million,” it turned out to be a $32.5 million, five-year contract. Still, he earned 50 times the league’s average of $129,395 in 2008 and twice as much as any other player.

Following his first Galaxy appearance, in a friendly against Chelsea, he was given a welcoming party hosted by Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. A crowd of 46,686 showed up for his MLS debut on Aug. 9, 2007, at D.C. United.

While injuries limited his playing time, the five games he played averaged 37,659 fans — in a league where the overall average that year was 16,770. MLS jersey sales rose 780 percent.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that David has increased the visibility of MLS and the sport more generally,” U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said. “That very positive impact will be felt for many years.”

8

International

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Reuters

ROME - Contrasting wins for Napoli and Inter Milan kept them hard on the heels of leaders Juventus in Serie A on Sunday but Fiorentina lost ground after being held at home by improving Sampdoria. Napoli had a thumping 5-1 win over bottom club Pescara but Inter scraped an unconvincing 1-0 victory at home to Palermo.

Two goals each by Gokhan Inler and Edinson Cavani, one from the penalty spot, helped Walter Mazzarri’s Napoli side stay two points behind Juve, who defeated local rivals Torino 3-0 on Saturday. Inter are four points behind Juve on 31 after ending a run of three games without a win thanks to an own goal by Palermo’s Santiago Garcia.

Stefan Savic scored both Fiorentina goals in a 2-2 draw which earned a point after Nenad Krsticic and a Gonzalo Rodriguez own goal had seen Sampdoria equalise then take the lead. Savic’s goals were his first in Serie A. “Honestly I’m happy with our position, it’s a shame that it’s not the end of the season now, or at least within a couple of games,” Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella told reporters.

“We came up against a Sampdoria side that caused us problems, and while we weren’t

brilliant we had enough opportunities to win. Fiorentina are in fourth place, level on 29 points with Lazio and two behind Inter Milan as Samp moved up to 12th on 17.

Lazio are six points off the pace in fourth spot after beating Parma 2-1 thanks to a 25thminute effort from defender Giuseppe Biava and Miroslav Klose’s ninth league goal of the season. Ishak Belfodil pulled one back for Parma in the 66th minute, converting the rebound after his penalty was saved.

AS Roma are sixth after coming back from a goal down to win 3-1 at lowly Siena. Two goals from rejuvenated former S i e n a striker Mattia Destro and one

by Simone

AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta

Napoli’s Edinson Cavani, of Uruguay, left, chased by Pescara’s Marco Capuano, kicks the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Pescara, in Naples, Italy, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.

Perrotta gave Zdenek Zeman’s side a deserved victory in a match where they missed a hatful of chances.

A first half hat-trick from Alberto Paloschi and a last minute tap-in by Adrian Stoian gave Chievo a 4-2 victory at fellow strugglers Genoa and their first away points of the season. Genoa’s fourth straight home defeat left them in the bottom three on 12 points, only one ahead of Pescara.

Bologna beat Atalanta 2-1 thanks to a deflected free kick from Alessandro Diamanti in the 16th minute and a second-half goal from former Atalanta player Manolo Gabbiadini while Udinese stayed in mid-table despite a 4-1 rout of Cagliari.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

9

Swansea win over Arsenal was ‘like a dream’, says Michu

Sp rt

Napoli, Inter keep up Juve chase

International

Chelsea’s hopes in balance in Champions League Associated Press Writer

LONDON — Although Rafa Benitez can’t be blamed for Chelsea’s current plight in the Champions League, elimination this week would give his many critics further ammunition at the end of a tortuous first two weeks in charge of the club. Roberto Di Matteo’s final act as Chelsea manager was to oversee a 3-0 loss at Juventus that leaves the team on the cusp of becoming the first reigning champion to fail to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.

For the holders to squeeze through, they will need to beat FC Nordsjaelland and hope already-qualified Shakhtar Donetsk defeat Juventus in Ukraine in the other Group E match. Only two other last-16 spots are up for grabs in the final round of matches, with Benfica and Celtic battling for second place in Group G while Galatasaray and Cluj vying for the runner-up spot in Group H. But much of the focus will be on Chelsea, which only seven months ago was targeting a prosperous future among Europe’s elite after winning its first Champions League title. The London club was placed in a tough group in the defense of the trophy, however, and has only won two of its five matches — one of the victories being sealed in stoppage time at home to Shakhtar.

The change in manager hasn’t had the desired effect for owner Roman Abramovich, with Benitez yet to win after three Premier League games and facing the wrath of Chelsea fans angry at Di Matteo’s abrupt dismissal. Benitez even admitted after Saturday’s 3-1 loss at West Ham that he wasn’t sure he’d see out his seven-month interim stint.

“I would say that it depends on the things that we can do on the pitch,” Benitez said. “So, if we improve on the pitch, it will be easier for everyone.”

The odds aren’t completely against Chelsea, which should comfortably see off Nordsjaelland — a Danish side with just one point so far. Although Shakhtar is through, it will want to qualify in first place to set up what would probably be an easier match in the last 16.

Juventus, which was held 2-2 at home by the Ukrainian champions, would finish top of the group with a win but isn’t likely to settle for just a point, according to midfielder Claudio Marchisio.

“We can’t go out onto the pitch hoping to take it easy,” said Marchisio, who scored twice in a 3-0 derby win for the Serie A leaders over local rival Torino on Saturday. “We’ve got to play like Juve. Yesterday’s win gives us a lot of motivation to face Shakhtar, which I believe is the toughest team in the group.”

Celtic and Benfica are level on points going into their final matches Wednesday, with the Portuguese team ahead courtesy of a better head-to-head record from their two matches. Celtic may well be the slight favorite to advance as while the Scottish champions play Spartak Moscow at home, Benfica has the daunting prospect of a trip to Barcelona, which is guaranteed to top the group.

“We are not counting on Barcelona to do the job for us,” Celtic defender Efe Ambrose said. “We have to do that at Celtic Park.”

Galatasaray and Cluj are also tied on seven points, with the second-place Turks holding the head-to-head advantage. Galatasaray just needs a win at eliminated Braga to progress ahead of the Romanian side, which visits first-place Manchester United.

“No one should be fooled by the fact that Braga is last-placed in the group,” Galatasaray defender Emmanuel Eboue said. “They beat us 2-0 here (in Istanbul). We need to concentrate hard and fight hard.”

Top spot — and what could prove to be a crucial seeding for the knockout stage — is yet to be decided in four of the groups, with AC Milan, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain among the teams hoping to move up a place from second. English champion Manchester City needs to beat Borussia Dortmund away and hope Ajax loses at Real Madrid to finish third in Group D and qualify for the Europa League. City was eliminated from the Champions League a fortnight ago after a home draw to Madrid.

Swansea City attacker Michu has described his two-goal performance in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Arsenal as “like a dream”. Michael Laudrup’s men edged possession and the chances against the Gunners and were rewarded as the Spaniard struck in the 88th and 90th minutes to seal victory.

“It was like a dream,” the 2 million pound summer buy from Rayo Vallecano told the club’s official website. “The defense was good, in attack we had 12 attempts on target, so we were very good all through the team.

“For the goals, it was a great pass from Luke [Moore] for the first and Nathan [Dyer] did a lot of good work for the second. I was very happy to take my chances and score. I’m very happy here with my teammates, the gaffer and the club. I hope it continues like this.”

The 26-year-old, who has scored in each of his side’s last three wins, believes that the seventh-placed Swans can get even better. “This team can go up and up,” he continued.

“I’m very happy we are on 23 points, but we need to keep it going. But we have to continue working hard. If we don’t work hard we will lose for sure. “We have more tough games coming up, and we have to keep the same attitude that we have shown recently.”

Velez takes Argentine first-division title Associated Press Writer

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Velez Sarsfield claimed Argentina’s Inicial Tournament title on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over last-place club Union. Like most Latin American countries, Argentina divides its season into two halves, and Velez’s victory clinched the first-half championship.

Facundo Ferreyra scored both goals to give the Buenos Aires club its second title in four seasons, and the third in eight. It was the club’s ninth title overall.

Velez moved onto 38 points with one round remaining, giving it an insurmountable lead. Its closest rival Lanus fell 1-0 on Sunday to River Plate, leaving it five points behind. Belgrano is also five off the pace.

With the game in doubt after the first half, Ferreyra ended the uncertainty with goals in the 48th minute and 84th. “This is emotional, a dream come true,” Ferreyra said. Added coach Ricardo Gareca: “Winning the championship at home means everything to us.”

In other results Sunday, Belgrano defeated Tigre 1-0, Arsenal downed Boca Juniors 1-0, and San Lorenzo defeated Independiente 2-1.

Despite the loss, Boca Juniors qualified for the Copa Libertadores. Boca was the runner-up last season. In Saturday games: Racing 3, All Boys 1; Colon 3, Argentinos Juniors 1; Godoy Cruz 0, Quilmes 0.

Two matches are scheduled for Monday in the 18th and penultimate round: Newell’s Old Boys vs. Atletico Rafaela, and Estudiantes vs.

San Martin.

AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia

Velez Sarsfield’s captain Fabian Cubero, top, holds up the Argentina’s soccer league trophy as he celebrates with teammates at the end of an Argentina’s soccer league soccer match against Union in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.

Velez Sarsfield won the Argentine first division championship on Sunday after defeating Union 2-0.

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Los Angeles Galaxy’s David Beckham, top center, of England, poses with his sons, from left, Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz after the Galaxy’s 3-1 win in the MLS Cup championship soccer match against the Houston Dynamo in Carson, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012.

Beckham in US: He came, he sold, he conquered

For the first two years after he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, he was more of a brand than a player, his impact at America’s cash registers far greater than any transformation on the field.

By the time the 37-year-old English midfielder played his final game in Major League Soccer on Saturday, he had achieved his footballing and his financial goals, winning two more titles and expanding the U.S. audience for his sport. He gained attention for his ability, and not just for his ever-changing hairstyles, Spice Girl wife and celebrity friends.

“When I decided to come here, I think I raised a little bit of interest, and I hope that’s what I’ve done,” Beckham said. “If that’s the single thing that I’ve done, then great. But I think the foundations are there now in this league. It’s a 17-yearold league and the foundations are great. It will continue to grow.”

The league expanded by about 50 percent, with new teams announced during the Beckham era that started play in San Jose (2008), Seattle (2009), Philadelphia (2010), Vancouver and Portland (2011), and Montreal (2012).

That raised the total to 19. Ground was broken for football-specific stadiums in Houston, Kansas City and Philadelphia, the long-delayed

venue in New Jersey was completed, and extensive renovations took place in Montreal, Portland and Vancouver.

MLS’ regular-season attendance averaged 15,504 in 2006, the last season before Beckham left Real Madrid to sign with the Galaxy. It was up to a record 18,807 this year, still well short of the record 44,293 set by the Bundesliga in 2011-12 and the 35,356 for England’s Premier League.

Beckham said his goals were to win and increase awareness of the league both domestically and abroad. “I don’t think anybody would doubt that he has overdelivered on every one of those measures,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “There’s arguably not a soccer fan on this planet that doesn’t know the L.A. Galaxy and Major League Soccer, and David played a significant role in helping us make that happen. He was an unbelievable ambassador for the league, for the Galaxy.”

Beckham made his debut for Manchester United’s first team in 1992, the year when he turned 17 and played alongside Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville for the Red Devils’ winning team in the FA Youth Cup. At 21, he made his debut for England. He helped United win six Premier League titles, two FA

Cups and the 1999 Champions League. Sold to Real for 35 million euros (then $41 million), he won Spain’s La Liga in his fourth and final season.

By then, he had already announced he was moving to Los Angeles. While his handlers and the Galaxy hyped the deal as being worth “in excess $250 million,” it turned out to be a $32.5 million, five-year contract. Still, he earned 50 times the league’s average of $129,395 in 2008 and twice as much as any other player.

Following his first Galaxy appearance, in a friendly against Chelsea, he was given a welcoming party hosted by Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes at the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. A crowd of 46,686 showed up for his MLS debut on Aug. 9, 2007, at D.C. United.

While injuries limited his playing time, the five games he played averaged 37,659 fans — in a league where the overall average that year was 16,770. MLS jersey sales rose 780 percent.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that David has increased the visibility of MLS and the sport more generally,” U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati said. “That very positive impact will be felt for many years.”

10

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Destinations

International

Sangeh Monkey Forest IBP

IBP/File Photo

If you travel to Bali, surely you have to visit Sanget Monkey Forest if you want to take a close look at the small monkey with long tail. Sangeh is a small fertile monkey forest dwelling by the group of monkeys.

It is located in Sangeh countryside, Badung Regency, north part of Denpasar town. It is one of tourist destinations in Bali which is strategically located beside of the road. The good road has been provided to reach this place and many tourists has come to this place to see the cute of monkeys. In the century 17 at Monarchic golden era of Mengwi, I Gusti Agung Ketut Karangasem, the son of I Gusti Agung Made Agung, had built the temple in the middle of nutmeg forest and hereinafter it is called as Bukit Sari Temple (like small forest with mixture vegetation and broadness about 10,8 ha).

The mythos of this Sangeh Forest is relevant to the happening of forest wood evacuation from Agung Mount in Karangasem to Mengwi in regency of Badung. But on the way of the evacuation, it seen or known by somebody so that it finally becomes the forest which is named with Sangeh. This Nutmeg Forest is formally as a Tourism Garden Nature, which is also as a holy area of temple for worshiping to the god. It is executed from local people from Sangeh Countryside and its surrounding area. It is also become a secret function beside of tourist object as a commercial tourism business.

According to the information of Natural and Animal Conservation Department (BKSDA), Sangeh Forest is consisted of 28 birch and also 22 clump types/bushes. In shares of extension area (3,169 ha) which is located in west part of this forest area, it has been cultivated by some plant types like Chico Kecik, Mahoney and guava. This part is then expected to be the food source for about 500 monkeys populating this forest. The monkey species living in Sangeh is Macaca fascicularis.

The monkey lives in three different group which are located in east, middle, and west side. Sangeh is a tourist destination in Bali managed by the special organizer from local resident which is consisted of 21 organizers.

Sports

International

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

7

Knicks beat Suns, stay unbeaten at home

Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK -- Rasheed Wallace delivered a hard whack to Luis Scola, then some hard words to the referees. These New York Knicks won’t let anybody have it easy at Madison Square Garden, not even the officials.

Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points and the Knicks ran their best home start in 20 years to 7-0, withstanding Wallace’s ejection after a mere 1:25 of playing time to beat the Phoenix Suns 106-99 on Sunday.

Phoenix had won its last two at MSG but the Knicks have finally figured out under coach Mike Woodson that home-court games are not to be wasted.

They are 18-1 in the regular season here since he took over last March, jumping on their last few opponents from the start. ‘’His whole thing when he came in is we’re going to protect our home floor. We’re going to win every game at home, or we’re going to try to win every game at home, and we’re going to go out on the road and compete,’’ center Tyson Chandler said. ‘’So his whole thing is we’ve got to protect our house. Teams coming in got to feel like they’ve got to go somewhere else to get a win.’’

Raymond Felton had 23 points, seven assists and no turnovers for the Knicks, who last won seven straight at Madison Square Garden to open a season when they started 9-0 in 1992-93. The point guard was hurting after the game. He went for an MRI exam that revealed a bone bruise in his swollen left hand. ‘’I got jammed in between another player,’’ he said. ‘’Just a lot of pain in my thumb.’’

Chandler finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds as the Knicks improved to 12-4 overall, a half-game behind Miami for the best record in the Eastern Conference. They got off to a good start in December after winning 11 in November for the first time since a 12-victory November in 1972 on the way to their last NBA championship. ‘’I think they’re a hell of basketball team. I really do,’’ Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry said. ‘’When you add Iman Shumpert and Amar’e Stoudemire back to the mix, shoot, they’re as good as anybody.’’

The Knicks shook off the first ejection of Wallace’s comeback that left them short-handed. Jason Kidd missed a fourth straight game with lower back spasms

but hopes to return during their three-game road trip that includes a game in Miami on Thursday.

Marcin Gortat had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, who dropped their third straight and fell to 1-4 on their season-high, six-game road trip that ends Tuesday in Memphis. Shannon Brown scored 17 points.

The Suns have trailed by double digits in 14 of their 18 games and were already down 10 just 4:18 into the game. The Knicks seemed well on their way to eclipsing their NBA-best average of 27.5 points per first quarter when they jumped ahead 21-6 with 5:15 left in the period.

But they got bogged down committing fouls, including one on Wallace against Scola that was followed by a technical foul when he hit Scola across the arm after the whistle. After Goran Dragic missed the free throw, Wallace yelled ‘’Ball don’t lie!’’ - his way of saying the call was proven wrong - and whistled for another to pick up his 31st career ejection, most in the league since 1991-92, according to STATS, LLC. Wallace apologized to the Knicks before leaving without speaking to the media. The Knicks felt the foul wasn’t out of line because Scola continued to play through the whistle in trying to get a shot up, so Wallace had the right to as well. ‘’In this league, it’s something called continuation.

Sheed stopped him, they gave a tech. It is what it is,’’ Anthony said.

Wallace has been called for more than 300 technical fouls in his career and led the league seven times, but said he was too old to be clashing with officials at age 38 when he ended a two-year retirement. But he’s up to four for the season now, one off the league lead.

Anthony said he thought the temperamental forward’s reputation was held against him Sunday. ‘’I think so. I mean he’s the only guy in the league that gets technicals for saying ‘Ball don’t lie,’’’ Anthony said, adding that Wallace should trademark the term. ‘’So, I mean, that should tell you right there.’’

AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams

New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, center, drives to the basket on Phoenix Suns’ Marcin Protat, right, and Shannon Brown in the second quarter of the NBA basketball game in New York, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.

Massa admits doubts over future affect form

AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano

Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, of Brazil, is overcome with emotion while standing at the podium of the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012.

Felipe Massa has admitted that the long-running uncertainty over his Ferrari future played a part in his poor early-2012 form.

Although the Brazilian had previously insisted that he had been able to shut out the pressure caused by Ferrari’s doubts over his performances, he now accepts it affected his focus.

“In the first half of the year, I was worried about renewing my contract,” Massa said at Ferrari’s World Finals event at Valencia on Sunday.

“I did not think that Ferrari would

really wait right to the end of the summer before deciding on the driver line-up for next year.

“It’s true that ever since I’ve been at Maranello, there have always been rumours about me. Already in my first year there was a list of drivers who were supposed to take my place and it was the same this year, with a lot of names and plenty of speculation.

“At the start, I paid too much attention to these things, but then, in August, I told myself I should only think about racing and having fun and

so I began to really drive, to have the right feeling with the car and to drive as quickly as I know how.” Ferrari eventually decided to renew Massa’s contract in October. He enjoyed a stronger end to the year, scoring two podium finishes and outqualifying title-chasing team-mate Fernando Alonso at the last two grands prix.

“Now I feel very strong and the results were there to see in the last nine races, so I am optimistic for the future - mine and Ferrari’s,” Massa added.

6

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

W

RLD

International

Tutu: EU not worthy to win Nobel Peace Prize Associated Press Writer

IBP/ap

Pope Benedict XVI strokesa lion cub as he greets circus artists and workers, during an audience he held in the Pope Paul VI hall, at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012.

Pope greets clowns, acrobats: Circus comes to town Associated Press Writer

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI greeted thousands of clowns, acrobats, puppeteers and even a pair of lion cubs on Saturday as the circus came to town for an unusual papal performance.

Benedict clapped and watched amused as circus workers flipped, flopped, juggled and twisted before him in what the Vatican has called a historic audience to make street performers and other itinerant entertainers feel like they belong to the church.

Benedict, a known cat lover, paid particular attention to a pair of lion cubs that were brought up to him, stroking them and chatting with their trainers. At one point Benedict even bent down to caress one — not an easy feat given the 85-year-old pope has trouble with his knees and occasionally uses a cane.

Benedict acknowledged the sacrifices circus workers make to

bring joy to young and old alike, traveling constantly and living on the margins of society. He noted they lack schools for their children or parish churches to call home. But he urged them to keep the faith.

“I hope that you can find, in the communities where you stay, people who are welcoming and available and able to care for your spiritual needs,” Benedict said.

He urged governments to better integrate itinerant entertainers in the social fabric.

A big top tent and carousel were mounted in St. Peter’s Square to make the scene complete, and thousands of entertainers from a

dozen countries filled a Vatican audience hall for the papal performance that featured acrobats and a puppet show.

Benedict has been entertained before by various circus troupes, but Vatican officials said Saturday’s audience was unusual in that it involved so many different types of traveling performers from around the world, and was dedicated to them alone.

The event was organized by the Vatican office that looks out for the welfare of migrants, refugees, seamen as well as prostitutes and street children — people who by force or choice live without stable homes.

STOCKHOLM — Three Nobel Peace Prize laureates, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, have contested the awarding of this year’s prize to the European Union, saying the 27-nation bloc contradicts the values associated with the prize because it relies on military force to ensure security.

In an open letter to the Nobel Foundation, Tutu of South Africa, Mairead Maguire of Northern Ireland and Adolfo Perez Esquivel from Argentina demanded that the prize money of 8 million kronor ($1.2 million) not be paid out this year.

The EU “clearly is not one of ‘the champions of peace’ Alfred Nobel had in mind” when he created the prize by including it in his will in 1895, they wrote in the letter, a copy of which was acquired by the AP on Friday.

“We ask the board of the foundation to clarify that it cannot and will not pay the prize from its funds.”

They said the EU condones “security based on military force and waging wars rather than insisting on the need for an alternative approach.”

Tutu won the prize in 1984 for his nonviolent struggle against apartheid. Maguire was cited for seeking a peaceful resolution to the troubles in Northern Ireland in 1976, while the 1980 winner Esquivel was honored for work in advancing human rights in Argentina.

The Norwegian Nobel award committee chose the EU for promoting “peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights” in Europe for six decades following the devastation of World War II. The letter, dated Wednesday, said the bloc had failed “to realize Nobel’s global peace order ... (and) the Norwegian Nobel Committee has redefined and reshaped the prize in a way that is not in accordance with the law.”

It was also signed by the Geneva-based International Peace Bureau, which won the award in 1910, and several authors, lawyers and peace activists.

Geir Lundestad, secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said the committee had encountered similar criticism before.

“Such criticism is never desirable, but the committee has several times discussed the claims and concluded that (this year’s award) is indeed in line with Nobel’s will,” Lundestad said.

There was no immediate response from the EU headquarters in Brussels.

Immortal...

From page 1 “We will miss her. Her spirit will last forever,” he said on Sunday, December 2, 2012.

The priest came to Pesraman Lumajang to pray and give tribute to Desak Raka. He said that the late was not gone but only changing outfit into a better one. Desak Raka will continue his work using the new clothes.

Pedanda Gunung reminded that the spirit of Desak Raka cannot be forgotten especially in her effort to preserve Bali. “Even tough her body is not around but the spirit is still exist and must be followed as an example,” he added.

Pedanda Gunung also explained that the spirit of Desak Raka can be seen by her effort in developing Bali Post Media Group to preserve and unite Bali. With the media, she can give knowledge to the people of Bali.

He urged that the ceremony given to the late must be known completely. It means that the big ceremony is not only a symbol but must be done correctly. The most important thing is everyone willingly pray for the late and the rest of the family who is left behind. Ida Pedanda also support the pray which is done during visiting the house.

Compliment for Desak Raka was also coming from Ida Rsi Agung Wayabiya Suprabu Sogata Karang. The Rsi from Sabha Budaya Hindu Bali Foundation said that he admired the spirit of Desak raka especially in education.

She was the pioneer of education development in Bali and until his last days, she still gave information through media, such as TV, newspaper and radio. The spirit of Desak Raka is also passed on to the students so they can follow the footstep of Desak Raka. Her spirit in education had led to the birth of many great leaders. There is great hope that the spirit will be carried on forever.

The “ngeringkes” ceremony will be held on Thursday at 3.30 pm contained with the “pelebon” ceremony on Sunday, December 16, 2012 and 10 am at Lumajang, Samsam Village, Kerambitan, Tabanan

International

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

11

INDONESIA RI predicted to experience lower economic growth in 2013 Antara

PEKANBARU - Prof Elfindri, an economist of the Andalas University, said Indonesia`s economic growth in 2013 was predicted to be lower than this year.

“The indicator of this is the slowing down of the Chinese economy and the stalled economic growth of the Unites States,” he said when contacted from Pekanbaru on Sunday.

Elfindri once suggested that the government set the economic growth in the 2013 state budget at six percent.

“We believe that a six percent economic growth could be achieved if investment schemes have impacts.

There is a slight doubt about the possibility of public consumption in 2013 being equal to this year,” he said.

He said that the economic growth target of 6 percent for 2013 was just possible, particularly if the Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia`s Economic Development (MP3EI) was implemented successfully.

Elfindri said the economic growth target could be achieved as long as it was not set at 6.8 percent. The united States even revised downward its economic growth target from 2.7 percent to 2.1 percent.

“This means that due to economic recession a number of countries which had previously set a positive growth turned to revise it to nil percent,” he said.

He said that if the MP3EI was to be materialized in the fourth quarter 2012, its accelerated impact would be felt only in 2013.

In the meantime, if coal is exported, rubber and crude palm oil (CPO) prices will increase. The economic growth can even exceed 6.8 percent or at a range of 7-8 percent if the annual inflation rate reached 9-11 percent and if the MP3EI succeeded in realizing many investment projects.

AFP PHOTO / Abdul MUIN

Indonesian plain clothes police officers question Ukrainian tourist Artem Sapirenko (2nd L), 36, before detaining him in the town of Manokwari, in Indonesia’s restive Papua region on December 1, 2012. Indonesian police in restive Papua on December 1 detained a Ukrainian tourist attending a prayer session to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the region’s movement for independence.

Indonesia detains Ukrainian DPR extends us$1 million tourist in restive Papua in aid to Palestine Antara

BEKASI - The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR)`s Commission I extended material aid worth more than US$1 million to the Palestinian people while visiting the Gaza Strip on Nov 26.

“The House Commission I`s visit was intended to show our empathy with the Palestinian people as well as to monitor the latest developments there,” member of the House Commission I Luthfi Hassan Ishaq said here on Sunday.

The aid was divided into two phases, with the first phase covering US$750 thousand and the second phase reaching US$500 thousand, he said.

“The US$750 thousand in aid has been handed to the Palestinian people,” he said.

He said a number of representatives of the House Commission I, staff members of the Indonesian embassy in Cairo and 12 personnel of five Indonesian humanitarian institutes presented the aid to the Palestinian government.

“I myself helped arrange the delegation`s departure to meet the Palestinian prime minister. But my travel ended in Egypt. I had to return to Indonesia because of sudden affairs,” he said.

Agence France-Presse

MANOKWARI - Indonesian police in restive Papua on Saturday detained a Ukrainian tourist attending a prayer session to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the region’s movement for independence.

Artem Shapirenko, 36, was detained by police in the town of Manokwari in western Papua where around 50 people took part in a prayer at the traditional leaders council building. It was unclear why he had been held.

Shapirenko, wearing a Bob Marley T-shirt, held his fist in the air and yelled “Free Papua” in Indonesian as police officers ushered him into their vehicle, said

an AFP reporter in Manokwari.

A photocopy of the man’s tourist visa, obtained by the police, showed it had expired in July this year.

“A Ukraine citizen, Artem Shapirenko, is undergoing questioning at police headquarters and is cooperating,” Manokwari police chief Ricko Taruna Mauruh told AFP. Papua declared independence from the Dutch on December 1, 1961, but neighbouring Indonesia took control of the region with force in 1963. It officially annexed Papua in 1969 with a UN-backed vote, widely seen as a sham.

The separatist Free Papua Movement (OPM), which formed

in 1965, also marks the birth of its organisation on the December anniversary, when rallies and commemorations are held across Papua.

Police had beefed up security ahead of the anniversary and arrested three youth activists in the city of Jayapura, capital of Papua, according to a provincial police spokesman.

Jakarta keeps a tight grip on Papua and foreign journalists are de facto banned from reporting in the region.

More than 170 people are imprisoned in Indonesia for promoting separatism, most of them from Papua or the Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia, according to Human Rights Watch.

12

International

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

International

BUSINESS

Bali News DENPASAR - Realization of export Bali to countries in Europe experienced a decline when compared the same period last year. For the period January-September 2012, the total of Bali’s products that sold to Europe reached 96,5 million US dollars while in the past year reached 130,8 million dollars.

The reduced exports of handicrafts to countries in Europe,

Starbucks to review British tax arrangements Agence France-Presse

Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP

U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol November 28, 2012 in Washington, DC.

Tough talk, no answers as US ‘fiscal cliff’ looms Agence France-Presse

WASHINGTON - The White House won’t budge on tax hikes and Republicans call the president’s opening gambit ridiculous, but without a deal by the year’s end, the fragile US economy will plunge off the fiscal cliff. government bonds for the first time in the country’s history.

Despite international criticism then for playing a dangerously irresponsible game of chicken, both sides are at it again refusing to compromise and counting down the clock as financial disaster looms.

The debt ceiling deal signed into law in August 2011 included a poison pill provision that would usher in across-the-board spending cuts unless Congress passed a $1.2 billion deficit reduction bill by the end of 2012.

Combined with the expiry on December 31 of a raft of tax cuts, including reduced Bush-era rates for nearly all Americans and Obama’s

5

Bali’s foreign exchange from Europe decreased Antara

A sense of deja vu has gripped Washington as another budget wrangle reaches its denouement with both sides locked in a whoblinks-first death match and pundits warning of economic oblivion unless a deal is struck.

In April 2011, there were less than two hours to go to avert a government shutdown when the same protagonists, Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican House Speaker John Boehner, struck a tentative budget deal.

The hard-fought accord that eventually raised the debt ceiling later that summer came too late to prevent Standard & Poor’s from downgrading the credit rating of US

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

two percent cut in payroll taxes, the risk of a new recession is very real.

The point of the “fiscal cliff” provision was to force a fiercely divided Congress and White House to stop kicking the can down the road and get serious about tackling the $16.3 trillion public debt and arcane tax laws.

Obama called in the toughtalking Timothy Geithner to be his pointman on the crisis, hoping the outgoing Treasury secretary had enough respect on Capitol Hill and economic expertise to get the job done.

But, if the Republican leadership is to be believed, things got off to

a rocky start when Geithner got negotiations rolling on Thursday by laying out Obama’s initial offer.

It called for nearly $1.6 trillion in new tax revenue over the next decade and $600 billion in spending cuts, including from programs Democrats cherish like Medicare, which covers health insurance for the elderly.

“I was flabbergasted. I looked him and said, ‘You can’t be serious,’” Boehner told “Fox News Sunday.”

“I’ve just never seen anything like it. You know, we’ve got seven weeks between election day and the end of the year. And three of those weeks have been wasted with this nonsense.”

Budget negotiations go right to the heart of ideological differences between Democrats and Republicans on the size and scope of governax rates for high-earners.

LONDON - Global coffee giant Starbucks said Sunday it was reviewing its tax affairs in Britain after it took a roasting from lawmakers and campaigners who accuse the chain of paying too little.

The Seattle-based firm admitted that “we need to do more” although it would not confirm a report in Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper that it will promise this week to increase the amount of corporation tax it pays.

“We have listened to feedback from our customers and employees, and understand that to maintain and further build public trust we need to do more,” Starbucks said in a statement.

“As part of this we are looking at our tax approach in the UK. The company has been in discussions with HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) for some time and is also in talks with the Treasury (finance ministry).

“We will release more details later in the week.”

Starbucks had previously confirmed that it did not pay any corporation taxes in Britain for the past three years on sales worth £400 million ($640 million, 493 million euros).

It was able to do so by paying fees to other areas of its business -- such as “royalty payments” for the use of the brand -- which resulted in the company posting a series of losses and not having to pay any corporation tax.

The Sunday Times said that since coming to Britain in 1998 the chain has paid just £8.6 million in corporation tax despite generating £3 billion in revenue.

The spokesman added: “Starbucks is committed to the UK for the long term and we have invested more than £200 million in our UK business over the past 12 years.

“Starbucks has complied with all the tax laws in this country but has regretfully not been as profitable as we would have liked.”

The Public Accounts Committee -- a panel of British lawmakers -- is due to release a report this week which is expected to criticise the measures used by corporations to avoid paying tax as the rest of the country grapples with tough austerity measures.

The committee quizzed senior figures from Starbucks, US online retailer Amazon and Internet search giant Google.

During the hearing Margaret Hodge, a Labour party lawmaker who chairs the committee, said Starbucks’ claim that its British division was unprofitable “just doesn’t ring true”.

Starbucks has faced calls by activist groups for a consumer boycott in recent weeks.

said the head of the export section of the Department of industry and trade of the province of Bali, Putu Bagiada SE, due to the global economic crisis that hit the region.

He said the economic crisis has not yet been able to resolved. Fortunately, in these conditions, there are still a variety of handicrafts were shipped to Europe.

A shipment of goods to Eu-

rope, fluctuate depending of the situation in the country, the highest transaction was in April 2012 i.e. 15.3 million dollars and the lowest was on September only 6.7 million dollars.

Many European importers order various accessories, such as silver jewelry in the form of studs, necklaces, rings with design that carried by them so that goods can be ensured to be saleable.

IBP/Net

Condition of bridge near Goa Gajah tourist attraction, Bedulu village, Blahbatuh, is very alarming. Aside from not complying with safety standards as the bridge wall was flat to the ground, it is also taken advantage as a waste disposal by local community.

A bridge near Goa Gajah attraction made a waste disposal Bali Post

GIANYAR - Condition of bridge near Goa Gajah tourist attraction, Bedulu village, Blahbatuh, is very alarming. Aside from not complying with safety standards as the bridge wall was flat to the ground, it is also taken advantage as a waste disposal by local community.

It complements to the existing slum impression in the Goa Gajah tourist area. The bridge known by the locals as Iron Bridge is located at the border of Bedulu village, Blahbatuh subdistrict and Kemenuh village, Sukawati subdistrict. The bridge located in the west of Goa Gajah attraction looks vile whereas the bridge over the Petanu River poses a tourism route. Thus, the road section looks slovenly and dirty.

Gianyar Regent, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, accompanied by the ad interim Regional Secretary of Gianyar, Nyoman Nuadi, some time ago claimed if his party could not do much especially related to the bridge condition. Flat bridge wall to the ground and lush trees around the bridge was the responsibility of Bali province. Nevertheless, his party promised to make anticipation in order to avoid any accidents.

As field observation made on Sunday (Dec 1), aside from the waste problem and untreated bridge that could kindle hazards to road users, the Goa Gajah attraction had also been besieged by a row of premises offering shrines made by craftsmen. Inevitably, many tour guides complained about the dust floating on the highway. (kmb16)

AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati

A Silvery Gibbon holds her two-week-old baby at the Bali Zoo in Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia on Monday, Dec. 3, 2012. The Silvery Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) is currently listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are in danger mostly because of commercial deforestation. It is estimated that only 4% of their original native habitat is still available to the species.

4

Bali News

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

International

Realize stopover in Sukasada

Regency govt starts thinking about land

Singaraja (Bali Post) -

A plan on the need to establish a stopover in Sukasada subdistrict seems not just a discourse. As evidence, local government begins to think about the budget preparation and land acquisition to build the tourism supporting facilities. As initial step to realize the program, the local government immediately undertakes a feasibility study by involving relevant technical agencies and other parties. It was confirmed by the Regent of Buleleng, Putu Agus Suradnyana, when monitoring the potential of tourist attraction in Sukasada subdistrict on Friday (Nov 30).

Furthermore, the regent said that to realize the arrangement and promotion of the object by building a stopover and other supporting facilities was not easy.

Aside from requiring substantial costs, the support of community and tourism stakeholders in Buleleng was also highly desirable. On that account, as a first step, the local government would conduct a feasibility study to determine at which village the stopover would be built.

Similarly, it would also be resumed with survey to determine the appropriate location for the tourist information center. Once the location could be determined based on the results of the study, the next stage was to think about the land acquisition.

“As first step, we will study it while looking for the funds. Having accomplished this step, we will implement the program. It is an important program as Sukasada becomes the first gate for tourists to Buleleng. Therefore, it should be responded by the arrangement of objects and supporting facilities,” he said.

On the other hand, the regent said that a lot of attractions in Sukasada subdistrict remained to lack of infrastructure and facilities. For instance, the parking lot at almost all the destinations in Sukasada was still inadequate. Besides, many roads to tourist objects were in damaged condition. The regent pointed out the parking lot at Gitgit Waterfall was very narrow. As a result, buses

IBP/File

Chinese found dead in the pool Denpasar (Bali Post)-

The residents of Villa Holcyon at Karang Mas Sejahtera Street, Jimbaran, South Kuta, Badung last Saturday (1/12) evening were shocked as Feng Anfrom China was found dead at the base of theswimming pool. It is unknown what caused the death yet South Kuta Police is investigating it.

Last Sunday (2/12) the police stated that the victim, his wife and eight friends checked in on Saturday (1/12) on 7.30 pm local time. An, wife Liu Dan and two other friends stayed at No. B 1 while six others stayed at No. A2. At 8.30 pm local time, victim was left by his wife and friends to go to Palentino Spa around By Pass Ngurah Rai, Nusa Dua, South Kuta, Badung and went back at 11.30 pm local time. Dan couldn’t find her husband in the room and search for him in the villa area which later shocked to see someone like her husband’s body inside the swimming pool. She screamed for help then later security checked her husband was no longer breathing, her nose was bleeding and foam came out of his mouth. Head of South Kuta Police, PC I Gede Ganefo, confirmed the incident and as checked there hasn’t been any violent wounds found on his body. So far it is still unknown what have caused his death and victim’s wife hasn’t been asked for statement as she is still in shock. (kmb21)

Gitgit waterfall, one of the tourism attraction in Buleleng Regency

or private cars and motorbikes were forced to park on the roadside. The existing parking space was very narrow, so it was not sufficient for the parking of buses and private cars. “Not to mention the location is at a curve and very prone to accidents. We will also address this matter and make it more adequate, so it is not difficult for visitors,” he explained.

To note, so far the entourage of tourists from Southern Bali to Buleleng seems to just come by. They could actually make a transit at Wanagiri, Gitgit and ultimately in Singaraja town prior to cross to Java through Gilimanuk Harbor. In reality, only a small group of tourists stopped and resumed their visit to the area of Sukasada subdistrict and Singaraja town. This could occur because at the upper villages in Sukasada subdistrict (Wanagiri, Gitgit and Ambengan) there was no tourist information center.

Most importantly, there had been no stopover in the subdistrict area.

A legislator of Bali House, Nyoman Sugawa Korry, proposed a stopover in Sukasada subdistrict known as the tourist entrance from Southern Bali. The stopover and supporting tourist information center were believed to provide information to tourists and eventually they spent their visiting time in Buleleng. On the one side, he said the stopover and tourist information center were necessary to be built. But on the other side, this legislator from Buleleng reminded the government not to widely open the investment opportunities in the field of tourism accommodation like hotels and restaurants. (kmb)

International

W

Japan opposition LDP’s lead narrows before December 16 vote: polls Reuters

TOKYO - Japan’s opposition Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) lead over the ruling Democrats and a new group led by a nationalist former governor of Tokyo narrowed with two weeks left to a December 16 lower house election, newspaper surveys showed on Monday.

A poll by the Asahi Shimbun daily showed 20 percent of voters would cast their ballots for the LDP, led by conservative former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, down 3 points from a November 26 survey.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda’s Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) came in second with 15 percent, gaining 2 points and halving the gap from a week ago. The Japan Restoration Party was third with 9 percent, unchanged from the previous survey.

In a survey by the Yomiuri Shimbun daily, the LDP scored 19 percent, down 6 points. The DPJ and the Japan Restoration Party each won 13 percent, a 3 point gain by the DPJ and 1 point decline for the Restoration Party. A separate poll carried out over the weekend by Kyodo news agency showed the gap between the leader LDP and DPJ narrowing by just over 1 point. The DPJ swept to power in 2009, ending more than half a century of almost unbroken rule by the LDP. But its support has slumped over what voters see as broken promises, a confused response to last year’s tsunami and nuclear crisis, and unpopular policies such as a tax hike and the restart of nuclear reactors.

REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao

Japan’s main opposition Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) lawmaker and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) and Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, who is also the leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), attend a debate with other party leaders for upcoming general election in Tokyo November 30, 2012.

RLD

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, center, is surrounded by children during celebrations for the successful bid to win U.N. statehood recognition for Palestine in the West Bank city of Ramallah, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.

Palestinian president returns triumphantly from UN

AP Photo/Nasser Shiyoukhi

Associated Press Writer

RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian president returned triumphantly to the West Bank on Sunday, receiving a boisterous welcome from thousands of cheering supporters at a rally celebrating his people’s new acceptance to the United Nations. An Israeli decision to cut off a cash transfer to the financially troubled Palestinian Authority, following an earlier decision to build thousands of new homes in Jewish settlements, failed to put a damper on the celebrations.

But Palestinian officials acknowledged they were undecided on what to do with their newfound status, and were waiting for upcoming Israeli elections and new ideas from President Barack Obama before deciding how to proceed.

Outside the headquarters of President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, some 5,000 people thronged a square, hoisted Palestinian flags and cheered their leader’s return from New York. Large posters of the Palestinian leader, whose popularity had plummeted in recent months, adorned nearby buildings.

“We now have a state,” Abbas said to wild applause. “The world has said loudly, ‘Yes to the state of Palestine.’”

The United Nations General As-

sembly last week overwhelmingly endorsed an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, territories Israel captured in the 1967 war.

The move to upgrade the Palestinians to a nonmember observer state does not change much on the ground, but it carries deep potential significance. The vote amounted to an international endorsement of the Palestinian position on future border arrangements with Israel and an overwhelming condemnation of Israeli settlements in the areas claimed by the Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects a return to Israel’s 1967 lines. Israel remains in control in parts of the West Bank and considers east Jerusalem, the Palestinians’

hoped-for capital, an integral part of its capital. Israel also continues to restrict access to Gaza. Israel withdrew seven years ago from the coastal strip, and it is now ruled by Hamas Islamic militants who regularly fire rockets at Israel.

Israel, backed by the U.S., campaigned strongly against the statehood measure, accusing the Palestinians of trying to bypass direct peace negotiations, which it said were the only viable path to a Palestinian state.

The Israeli lobbying efforts failed miserably. Just eight other countries voted with Israel, and even its closest allies in Europe, including Germany, Italy, France and Britain, either abstained or voted with the Palestinians.

Telaga Wijaya pipes placement dangerous for residents

Bersani wins Italy primary, heads to general vote

A long wide hole that is part of Telaga Wijaya pipes placement at the roadside of AmlapuraSingaraja at Kangkahang, Abang, Karangasem have put road users and walkers in danger as stated

by Karangasem House of Representatives member from Bunutan Village, Iluh Purnaminingsih, last Sunday (2/12). The project either under Karangasem or Bali Public Works Agency, has to intensively supervise also for the company responsible of this project work well and secure their hole so no one can fall to it or such.

All this time, the hole that was

ROME — Pier Luigi Bersani, the head of Italy’s main center-left Democratic Party, won a runoff primary Sunday to become the main centerleft candidate for Italy’s 2013 general elections — a vote that polls indicate could well be won by the Democratic Party given the utter disarray of the opposing center-right.

Preliminary results gave Bersani 60.8 percent of the vote compared to Florence Mayor Matteo Renzi’s 39.1 percent, with two-thirds of the votes counted. Even before the results were released, Renzi conceded the victory to Bersani in a Twitter message, writ-

Amlapura (Bali Post)-

deeply dig have taken several victims. One resident, Merita, fell to the hole while riding a amotorcycle which she got her legs broken. Two weeks later two residents of Kangkahang, one elderly fell to the hole and a child also slipped in front of the balai banjar resulting wounds. There were more victims knowing that this road is a countryside road full of traffic while the road is small with sharp turning points.

Besides that, this project have caused its four months old asphalt damaged. It is demanded that the project responsible to bring back its condition when the work is

done. Remains of project materials were also found on the streets as its pile is not neat putting walkers in danger. Meanwhile a number of residents in Kangkahang stated that if there’s a security placed on the project such as police line then it can be seen clearly by road users. Yet there was none and the remaining materials of the digging such as stones and soil were also scattered in this narrow street. The people asked the government institution and contractor that are responsible for it to secure this project so there will be no more victims. (013)

Associated Press Writer

ing: “It was the right thing to try, it was beautiful to do it together. Thank you all from the heart.”

The primary had been closely watched since the Democratic Party has a significant lead in the polls over former Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s center-right People of Freedom party, which has been in chaos following the media mogul’s 2011 downfall, a series of corruption scandals within party ranks and Berlusconi’s indecision over whether to run for a fourth term.

The 2013 general election — expected in March or April — will decide if Italy continues on the same path to financial health charted by Premier Mario Monti, appointed last year

13

to save Italy from a Greek-style debt crisis. The former European commissioner was named to head a technical government after international markets lost confidence in then-premier Berlusconi’s ability to reign in Italy’s public debt and push through structural reforms. Monti has ruled out running for office but has said he would be willing to stay on in some capacity if he could be of service. Some commentators have floated the idea of Monti taking over the largely ceremonial role as Italian president, while others say his talents would be put to better use as treasury minister.

Nearly all polls had projected Bersani would beat Renzi, who cam-

paigned on an Obama-style “Let’s change Italy now” mantra that attracted many disgruntled Italians back to politics. Renzi used his youth — he’s 37 — to bolster his call for Italy’s entire political class to be “scrapped.”

Bersani, by contrast, is 61 and a veteran of previous center-left governments, where he has served as transport and industry minister.

In his victory speech, Bersani made clear his new job running for premier would begin Monday with a trip to Libya, Italy’s former colony, to meet with the government.

“I want Italy to retake its place in political, moral, cultural and economic terms in the Mediterranean,”

Bersani said to cheers.

But even in defeat, Renzi won a victory of sorts for having changed the Italian left — perhaps forever, analysts said. Renzi’s perceived liberal conservative leanings within the center-left, while alienating the movement’s hardcore communists, attracted Italians young and old who might otherwise never have voted, much less for a center-left candidate. He liked to say that he offered a different vision for the party, a different model.

“Even if he loses, as I think he will, he had an important renovation function within the party,” Rome resident Pietro Marucci said Sunday as he voted for Renzi.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Technology

Oysters Eyed as Help for New York Harbor

They are soft to the touch, but surrounded by a hard rough shell. Known as filter feeders, many as small as your thumb, they use their tiny cilia to draw in plankton, sediment and other particles over their gills and spit out cleaner water.

They dwell where salt water meets fresh water, and survive in a variety of temperatures from the chilly New England coast to the Gulf of Mexico.

And they once played a vital role in New York’s harbor providing both a vitamin-rich source of food and a means of commerce and trade.

Now, the oyster could have a different role to play - helping clean New York’s polluted harbor. These ecological engineers work round the clock filtering water, says Beth Ravit, an environmental scientist and professor at Rutgers University. One little oyster, or mussel, too, can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day.

“They literally change, physically and chemically, the system it’s a part of,” Ravit said. Oysters help get turbidity, or cloudiness, out of the water, thereby allowing sea grass and other plant species to grow. In turn, Ravit said, this puts oxygen into the water, promotes photosynthesis, and creates conditions by which other marine species can survive.

Ravit, who works alongside the New York/New Jersey Baykeepers,

an ecology advocate group, has been studying oysters, in the Hudson River Estuary since 2006 and says there are spots of populations along the coast, but otherwise they are close to extinct. Once abundant, this bivalve population dwindled in the past century as a result of heavy industrial activity, such as shipping and dredging, as well as overfishing.

Oyster larvae seek substrate, or a surface area, to which to attach and search for adult oysters. As they begin to pile up, they form reefs that can serve to protect shorelines by providing wave attenuation and offer other marine plant and animal species places to live in the crevices within its rough hewed shell piles.

“They look like the cold water version of a coral reef,” Ravit said.

“They create a home and a restaurant for other species to live and eat.”

In the absence of adult shells, or another suitable surface to which to attach, the larvae die off. Over the course of her time with The NY/ NJ Baykeepers, Ravit has tested 15 locations in the Hudson River Estu-

supports HSPA+ instead of faster 4G LTE networks. A newly discovered FCC filing indicates Verizon (VZ) is already testing a variant of the Galaxy Camera on its 700MHz band that does have 4G LTE, however. Verizon and Samsung haven’t made any official announcements yet, but it’s likely that battery life

are sensitive,” she said. “They are more susceptible to sedimentation and contamination.”

DENPASAR - So far, the Bali tourism sector has been more advanced than the agricultural sector. This condition leads to imbalance in the development. To address this imbalance, the tourism sector should set aside at least USD 1 of fund to shore up the agricultural sector.

IBP/ABC News

for the Galaxy Camera will take a hit with LTE turned on. If you’ve had your eye on the Galaxy Camera but can’t live without LTE, it might be best to hold out just a little longer — Verizon’s pricing for the Galaxy Camera will likely be similar to the $499.99 AT&T is selling it for.

Trained Navy dolphins losing out to robots Associated Press Writer

SAN DIEGO — Some dolphins used by the Navy to track down mines will soon lose their jobs to robots — but they’ll be reassigned, not retired. Starting in 2017, 24 of the Navy’s 80 military-trained dolphins will be replaced by a 12-foot (3.6-meter) unmanned torpedoshaped vehicle, according to the newspaper UT San Diego.

The military said the machines can do some of the same mine-hunting duties as the sea creatures. And they can be manufactured quickly, unlike the seven years it takes to train a dolphin.

But the dolphins won’t be relieved of duty. They’ll be used along with sea lions for port security and retrieving objects from the sea floor, the newspaper reported. The Navy’s $28 million marine-mammal program dates back to the late 1950s and once included killer whales and sharks. Based in San Diego, it currently uses 80 bottle-nosed dolphins and 40

California sea lions.

In recent years, dolphins have been deployed to Iraq and Bahrain to patrol for enemy divers and mark the locations of mines. Using their innate sonar, the mammals find and mark mines in shallow water, in deep water when tethers are used, and on the bottom where sediment cover and plant growth can hide the devices.

Dolphins are carried aboard Navy ships in large movable pools, about 20 feet (six meters) in diameter. Dolphins traveled on the amphibious ship Gunston Hall in 2003 for the Iraq war.

Most of the Navy’s dolphins and sea lions are housed at Point Loma Naval Base, in pools sectioned off from the bay. Others guard Navy submarine bases in Georgia and Washington state, according to UT San Diego.

The military is responsible for the mammals’ care throughout their lives, even after they’re retired from active duty. Sometimes Navy dolphins are loaned to animal parks, such as Sea World, later in life.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

3

Set aside tourism fund to overcome agricultural inequalities Bali Post

Verizon may soon launch Samsung Galaxy Camera with 4G LTE Samsung’s (005930) ingenious idea to cram Android Jelly Bean into a camera with a 21x optical zoom, 4.8-inch screen and with cellular connectivity is nothing short of impressive. The only bone we have to pick with the Galaxy Camera is that it’s only available on AT&T (T) in the U.S. and it only

ary in an effort to jump-start a viable breeding ground for larvae, but with varying levels of success. “Oysters

Bali News

International

International

“When seeing the discrepancy, it is required a mutually supported solution. One of them, we propose there should be a contribution from tourism sector at least USD 1 for the agricultural sector,” said Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Farmers (HKTI) of Bali, Prof. Dr. Nyoman Suparta.

According to him, the domestic and foreign tourists visiting Bali amounted to some 3.5 million per year. Of the number of visits, if USD 1 of the funds could be set aside per tourist, the total income per year would have a very significant meaning for the agricultural sector. Such amount would allow optimizing the agricultural sector of Bali in the development of various existing commodities. By all means, this policy should be coordinated with relevant agencies.

Donation worth USD 1 would not be too burdensome to tourists coming to Bali later.

“If the donation of USD 1 can

be implemented, the agriculture sector will be uplifted. On the other side, hotels will be helped by the agricultural sector because it can produce good and attractive local fruits, as well as other commodities for the development of tourism industry,” he said.

Suparta added that to realize this plan there should be courage among the management and tourism businesspeople to take such a step. In addition, it had to be balanced with improving the quality and standards of local farming products yielded by farmers in Bali in the future.

Meanwhile, based on the data of Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Bali, the GDP of Bali contributed by the agricultural sector reached IDR 3.53 trillion in the second quarter of 2012 and IDR 3.60 trillion in the third quarter of 2012.

This rate showed an increase over the third quarter in 2011 amounting to IDR 3.20 trillion. Other business sectors remaining to dominate the

GDP of Bali such as the trade, hotel and restaurant reaching IDR 6.18 trillion in the second quarter of 2012 and in the third quarter

of 2012 rose to IDR 6.43 trillion.

Previously, it reached IDR 5.76 trillion in the third quarter of 2011. (kmb28)

IBP/File Photo

So far, the Bali tourism sector has been more advanced than the agricultural sector. This condition leads to imbalance in the development. To address this imbalance, the tourism sector should set aside at least USD 1 of fund to shore up the agricultural sector.

After avalanche

Dozens of hectares of productive farmland dormant Bali Post

SEMARAPURA - After the avalanche on the road access to rice field at Umanyar hamlet, Nyalian village, Banjarangkan, at least 21 hectares of farmland owned by farmers at Subak Gombleng turned dormant. The only one irrigation channel to local farmland was eroded. Actually, the irrigation channel had just been repaired last November after receiving financial assistance through Special Allocation Fund (DAK).

Chief of Subak Gombleng

IBP/kmb31

After the avalanche on the road access to rice field at Umanyar hamlet, Nyalian village, Banjarangkan, at least 21 hectares of farmland owned by farmers at Subak Gombleng turned dormant.

Klod, I Kadek Mustika, said on Sunday (Dec 2) that irrigation channel along approximately 200 meters to the subgroup of Subak Gombleng Klod was one of the irrigation channels obtaining assistance through Special Allocation Fund. The repair was carried out in October and completed in late November. Since the repair, the water flow was temporarily stopped to facilitate residents working at the location.

However, before the water was drained to the irrigation channel, the road at location suddenly collapsed along with the irrigation channel. As a result, the farmland at Selat subgroup turned dormant before there was a solution where the irrigation should be turned to in order to meet the water needs for paddy field at Selat subgroup.

“The avalanche occurred around 06:00 a.m. and fortunately there were no fatalities because many farmers passed the location early in the morning,” he said.

Regarding the disaster, Mus-

tika promised to immediately organize a meeting with the member of Subak Gombleng Klod.

Some options had been prepared, including the use of private land owned by other residents. “We will soon discuss in a meeting.

For the time being, we have a solution to use the adjoining private land owned by Wayan Koper. If we are not allowed to use the land, the 21 hectares of farmland at Selat subgroup will remain dormant,” he said.

Mustika added that related to the issue, his party had reported it to local headman and the Klungkung Agriculture, Plantation and Forestry Agency to get the best solution for draining the water to farmland at Selat subgroup.

Within the territory of Subak Gombleng Klod, there are 325 members with the total area spreads across 147 hectares.

Among the total acreage, 21 hectares are dormant as the irrigation channel was hit by avalanche. (kmb31)

2

International

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Bali News

Completion of two tourist destinations in East Gianyar delays Gianyar (Bali Post)—

Gianyar Regency planning to have two new tourist destinations late 2012 is threatened to delay. Both new tourism projects currently being worked on by the investor in Eastern Gianyar cannot be accomplished. As a result, the plan of grand opening for both attractions, namely the Taman Nusa and Bukit Jati Waterdoom, is postponed until 2013.

The Head of Gianyar Government Tourism Office, Anak Agung Ari Brahmanta, said on Sunday (Dec 2) that in 2012 there had been indeed a plan to add two more tourist attractions in Eastern Gianyar. They consisted of Taman Nusa at Tulikup and Bukit Jati Waterdoom at Samplangan.

The delay to Taman Nusa project happened due to fires afflicting a number of customary houses in the park. Meanwhile, the delay to Bukit Jati waterpark project was caused by changes in the design where this attraction should be equipped with a three-dimensional theater. “The Bukit Jati attraction is ascertained to delay until April 2013,” he explained.

In accordance with the original plan, the waterpark project was indeed targeted to hold a grand opening at the end of December 2012 with the hope it could be inaugurated by the Regent Tjokorda

Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati before leaving office. However, during the process there was a design change in which this tourist attraction should be equipped with a threedimensional theater. As a result, everything changed as well.

“Possibly, the regent will only inaugurate 40 percent of the buildings, while the rest will be inaugurated by the newly installed regent in April 2013 coinciding with the anniversary of the Gianyar town,” he explained.

Construction of the waterdoom spreads on the area of 1.1 hectares where 78 ares owned by Gianyar Regency, while the rest belongs to subak contracted by investor.

Based on field observation, a number of project workers were seen to be busy accomplishing the projects in front of pool area. The building had not been fully completed, including the roof that had not been installed. (kmb16)

IBP/File

Release of turtle hatchlings to sea is even made into a commodity of tourist attraction by a number of star hotels in Bali. Based on the investigation conducted by the animal protection activists, those star hotels deliberately offer the turtle hatchling release at particular rates quibbling for conservation.

Chairman of ProFauna Indonesia, Rosek Nursahid, when met at Perancak on Saturday (Dec 1) said that at the moment Bali Island was being highlighted by international community on account of turtle. So far, the turtle flesh consumption and trafficking remained to exist, though

had declined up to 80 percent compared to condition in 2000. In reality, it was still found the smuggling of turtles to Bali. “It means there is a demand. It draws our concerns how to stop the trafficking and conserve the sea turtles,” he explained.

Other than trafficking, turtles were also threatened by marine pollution. However, there was a current trend made by star hotels and tourism businesspeople through exploitation on behalf of conservation.

They provided a means for tourists to release turtle hatchling, but should pay for the activity. “More amusingly, those turtle hatchlings are brought in from outside Bali,

such as East Java to West Java. It is a tricking and should not be justified because it benefits the hotel,” said Rosek. ProFauna would make an advocacy and create an ecotourism pilot project at Perancak so that conservation could work as desired.

“Ultimately, the turtle can live sustainably while the communities also get the benefits,” he added.

Coordinator of ProFauna Bali, Jatmiko Wiwaha, said that based on investigation made by the activists there was turtle hatchling release purely intended for tourist attraction. According to him, such an action was not based on a desire to help the conservation as a whole.

“It was sold as a commodity and as if the payment made by guests was a donation. But, is it really a donation or rate?” he said. Even, if releasing turtle hatchlings packed as tourist attraction, it could not be met at all times and meant the same as selling the release attractions, not conservation. He appealed to star hotels if they seriously wanted to support the conservation, they could provide corporate social responsibility (CSR) to help the turtle conservationists like at Perancak, Jembrana, or established a new conservationist.

An activist of turtle conservation at Perancak, Wayan Anom Astika

Jaya, agreed with the ProFauna. In conservation, there were conservation, education and finance. Indeed, conservation could not run without financial support, but should not forget the conservation itself. “Do not make it just a business because the safety and conservation of sea turtles are primary needs without ignoring other factors,” he explained.

All species of sea turtles are protected. Of the seven species of sea turtles in the world, six kinds of them are living in Indonesia. In Bali, turtle trafficking is still potential for consumption, especially green sea turtle that has been categorized into an endangered species. (kmb26)

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

15

IBP

JAKARTA - In the framework of World AIDS Day which falls on December 1, 2012, the Hotel Mercure Jakarta Simatupang (MJS) conducted a series of charity activities and increased understanding of the disease caused by HIV/AIDS. tion on illness that caused deaths of up to 1.7 million people around the world based on data obtained from WHO (World Health Organization) in 2011.

On December 1, 2012, guests picked up and pinned a Red Ribbon, symbolizing the awareness of HIV/AIDS which is available in the entire hotel outlets. Mercure Jakarta Simatupang Hotels is committed to doing the steps that support action to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

IBP/Courtesy of MJS

Calendar Event for December 12 through December 27, 2012

The project of water park which is not cannot be finished in time in Gianyar Regency.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

HIV/AIDS awareness in Mercure Jakarta Simatupang Charitable activities conducted on November 28 to December 2, 2011 began with fundraising that sell cupcakes and macaroon with a special recipe from Executive Chef MJS as well as “World AIDS Day” pin to guests and employees. Benefit will be fully donated to the a foundation that helps people with HIV/AIDS. Seminars on HIV/AIDS to all employees was also done to improve understanding of the spread of the virus and preven-

Censured, commercialization of turtle hatchling release Negara (Bali Post)—

Activities

International

12 Des B uda Keliwon Ugu Pura Dalem Tarukan Banjar Pulasari Desa Peninjoan Tembuku - Bangli Pura Pasek Gelgel Boading Kabakaba Tabanan Pura Pemayun Banyuning T e n gah - Buleleng Pura Desa Kayangan Tiga Desa Bubunan Seririt - Buleleng Pura Agung Gunung Raung Banjar Taro Kaja Taro - Tegalalang Merajan Pasek Dangka Bungbungan 22 Des H ari Tumpek Wayang Pura Majapahit Jembrana Odalan Betara ratu Gede Celuk Sukawati Odalan Betara Ratu Wedyadari Camenggaon Sukawati Pura Panti Gelgel Pengembungan Sesetan Denpasar Betara Ratu Alit dan Ratu Lingsir Singakerta Ubud Pura Pedarmaan Dalem Sukawati B esakih Pura Pedarmaan Mengwi Besakih Pura Pedarmaan Kaba-kaba Besakih Pura Pedarmaan dalem Bakas Besakih Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Gelgel

Pegatepan Gelgel Klungkung Pura Pemrajan Agung Sulang Kec Dawan Klungkung Merajan Pasek Bendesa Kori Agung Pengatepan Pura Pedarmaan Dinasti dalem sri Aji Kresna Kepakisan P u r a Besakih (Dalem Klungkung) Pura Penataran Giri Purwa dan Pesraman Dusun Kuto Rejo Kendal Rejo Tegal Delimo Banyuangi 26 Des Buda Wage Kelawu Pura Penataran Agung Teluk Padang Karangasem Pura Melanting D esa Camenggaon Sukawati Pura Penataran Ped Nusa Penida Pura Pasek Gelgel Pangembungan Bongkase Abiansemal Pura Pasek Bendesa Reyang Gede Penebel Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Br. Jawa Tengah Buleleng Pura Gaduhan Jagat Desa Singakerta Ubud Pura Masceti Tegeh Mancawarna Sanding Tampaksiring Pura Penataran Batu Lepang Kamasan Klungkung Pura Paibon Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Desa Kedonganan Kuta

Pura Goa Besakih Pura Basukian Besakih Penataran Agung Besakih Merajan Pasek Gelgel Pejeng Merajan Pasek Gelgel Songan Merajan Pasek Prateka Pekandelan Sidemen Merajan Pasek Prateka Taman Sari Sukasada Pura dadia Pasek Gelgel Sidemen Karangasem Merajan Pasek Gelgel Tampuagan, Tembuku, Bangli 27 Des Purnama Kepitu Pr. Benua Besakih.

Pura Dalem Desa Camenggaon - Sukawati Pura Suranadhi Lombok Pura Narmada Lombok Pura Segara Ampenan Lombok Mr Agung Dewa Agung Klungkung Ulah Sidemen Pura Gunungrene S i d e m e n Karangasem.

Merajan Pasek Gelgel Ababi Mr. Pasek gelgel Tista Pura Gunung Gunung - Tianyar Kubu - Karangasem Pura Pingit Klenting sari Banjar Sumberkelompok - Gerokgak Singaraja Pura Payogan Agung Kutai Kartanegara

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 “umbulumbul”, 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.

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

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

16 Pages Number 239 4th year

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Letterman, Hoffman, Zeppelin honored by Obama

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012 Pope greets clowns, acrobats: Circus comes to town Page 6

Napoli, Inter keep up Juve chase

Sangeh Monkey Forest

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Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — David Letterman’s “stupid human tricks” and Top 10 lists vaulted into the ranks of cultural acclaim Sunday night as the latenight comedian received this year’s Kennedy Center Honors with rock band Led Zeppelin, an actor, a ballerina and a bluesman.

Stars from NewYork, Hollywood and the music world joined President Barack Obama at the White House on Sunday night to salute the honorees, whose ranks also include actor Dustin Hoffman, Chicago bluesman Buddy Guy and ballerina Natalia Makarova. The honors are the nation’s highest award for those who influenced American culture through the arts. The recipients were later saluted by fellow performers at the Kennedy Center Opera House in a show to be broadcast Dec. 26 on CBS. Obama drew laughs from his guests when he described the honorees as “some extraordinary people who have no business being on the same stage together.” Noting that Guy made his first guitar strings using the wire from a window screen, he quipped, “That worked until his parents started wondering how all the mosquitoes were getting in.”

The president thanked the members of Led Zeppelin for behaving themselves at the White House given their history of “hotel rooms trashed and mayhem all around.”

Obama noted Letterman’s humble beginnings as an Indianapolis weatherman who once reported the city was being pelted by hail ‘the size of canned hams.’”

“It’s one of the highlights of his career,” he said. All kidding aside, Obama described all of the honorees as artists who “inspired us to see things in a new way, to hear things differently, to discover something within us or to appreciate how much beauty there is in the world.”

“It’s that unique power that makes the arts so important,” he added. Later on the red carpet, Letterman said he was thrilled by the recognition and to visit Obama at the White House.

“It supersedes everything, honestly,” he said. “I haven’t

won that many awards.”

During the show, comedian Tina Fey said she grew up watching her mom laugh at Letterman as he brought on “an endless parade of weirdos.” “Who was this Dave Letterman guy?” Fey said.

“Was he a brilliant, subtle passive-aggressive parody of a talk show host? Or just some Midwestern goon who was a little bit off? Time has proven that there’s just really no way of knowing.”

Alec Baldwin offered a Top 10 reasons Letterman was winning the award, including the fact that he didn’t leave late night for a six-month stint in primetime — a not-so-subtle dig at rival Jay Leno.

Jimmy Kimmel, who will soon compete head-to-head with Letterman on ABC, said he fell in love with Letterman early in life and even had a “Late Night” cake on his 16th birthday.

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

President Barack Obama, right, shakes hands with 2012 Kennedy Center Honors recipient actor and director Dustin Hoffman, center, during a reception hosted

by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama for the honorees in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012.

Napoleon’s coded Kremlin letter sold for $243,500 Associated Press Writer

FONTAINEBLEAU, France — A secret code letter sent

by French emperor Napoleon boasting that his multinational forces would blow up Moscow’s Kremlin has sold at auction Sunday for euro 187,500 ($243,500) — 10 times its estimated presale price.

A Paris museum, the Museum of Letters and Manuscripts, was finalizing its purchase of the Oct. 20, 1812, document with elegantly calligraphic ciphers.

The sale price, which includes fees, far outstripped the pre-sale estimate of euro 15,000 ($19,500), according to Fontainebleau Auction House south of Paris.

Experts say the letter is unique, written in a numeric code that Napoleon often used to throw off would-be interceptors — notably when he was conveying battle plans. The letter’s content also revealed the strains on Napoleon of his calamitous Russian invasion.

“At three o’clock in the morning, on the 22nd I am going

to blow up the Kremlin,” the letter said, laying out his route of retreat and urging his minions to send rations to the towns to the west. “My cavalry is in tatters, many horses are dying.”

Napoleon’s prolific correspondence has drawn aficionados from around the world in places like the U.S., Britain, Japan and Russia. Interest appears to be rising as museums like the Museum of Letters and Manuscripts prepare to mark the bicentennial of Napoleon’s final defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

The Kremlin letter was but one piece in the vast auction Sunday. A 310-page manuscript for the “Essay on countryside fortification,” which Napoleon wrote while exiled on the remote island of Saint Helena in 1818-1919, was also bought by the Paris museum — for euro 375,000 ($487,000), including fees.

Gerard Lheritier, director of the Paris museum, said it already has at least 1,500 letters, manuscripts or other writings linked to Napoleon Bonaparte. It recently acquired one from Japan that Napoleon had written to the Empress Josephine; it fetched euro 600,000 - euro 700,000, he said.

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

Balinese held Merit Meditation Hundreds of Balinese doing merit meditation on Sunday, December 2, 2012.

Bali Post

Tabanan – Hundreds of Balinese from throughout the island took part in the Merit Meditation held in Pesraman Lumajang, Samsam Village, Tabanan on Sunday, December 2, 2012. The meditation was held to pray for the warrior who died in fighting for Indonesian Independence.

It was led by meditation expert of Bali Usada Merta Ada and also followed by the Director of Bali Post Media Group Satria Naradha.

The meditation start at 8 am at the yard of the pesraman. It was done for 30 minutes by all participants.

During the meditation, the par-

ticipants transferred good deeds to the fighters and ancestors especially the founder of Bali Post. “By this meditation, we hope that our ancestors and those who already passed away will receive a good place in heaven,” said Merta Ada. He added that during the medi-

tation, the participant must focus on the good deeds of the ancestors and gather them during meditation.

This kind of meditation is often being done if there is a member of the gamily passed away.

The Director of Bali Post Media Group Satria Naradha appreciated the Merit Meditation. On behalf of the family, he requested all participants to pray for the late Desak Gede Raka Nadha who passed away when she was 86 years old.

There is great hope that Desak raka will be in a better place in heaven. (udi)

In memoriam Desak Gede Raka Nadha

Her spirit is immortal, must be an example

The late Desak Gede Raka Nadha was known to have a great spirit started from the war era until the end of her age. Even tough she passed away at the age of 86 years old, but her spirit will live on forever and could become an inspiration for many people.

According to Ida Pedanda Gede Made Gunung, the late Desak Raka is a true warrior, started from physically through her spirit to fight to preserve Bali.

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