Edisi 31 Desember 2012 | International Bali Post

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Monday, December 31, 2012

Beyonce, Chili Peppers, among NYE lineup in Vegas Associated Press Writer

LAS VEGAS — Sin City has another New Year’s Eve planned with celebrity-studded bashes, exclusive concerts and a rooftop fireworks display billed as the nation’s largest.

Big-name celebrity acts including The Black Keys, The Killers and Pitbull will help hundreds of thousands of partiers ring in the new year Monday under the watchful eyes of a legion of law enforcement officers concerned with keeping the celebration peaceful and eager casino bosses concerned with ending 2012 with a profitable bang.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are performing a sold-out show at the Cosmopolitan’s Chelsea Ballroom that will be broadcast live on the casino’s 65-foot (19-meter) marquee to partiers on the Strip below. Beyonce will give an invitation-only performance in the Wynn’s 1,500-seat-amphitheater.

Other casino are touting pricey nightclub bashes with $3,000 bottle service and open bars, hosted by reality TV and music celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and Brandy. Revelers can

also party celebrity-free on the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel, where tickets start at $170, or inside the replica Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, where couples packages start at $300.

Those unimpressed with the ersatz offerings on the Strip can head 15 minutes south to a Great Gatsby soirée set inside a private airplane hangar. Organizers say the aviation-themed bash will recall a time “when the parties were bigger, the morals were looser and the liquor was cheaper.”

Las Vegas’ New Year’s eve festivities, dubbed “America’s Party,” have doubled in size since 1990. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Authority expects 332,000 visitors Monday, equal to the record-breaking number that flocked to last year’s celebration.

That number has hoteliers happy, but does not rival other New Year’s Eve celebrations. The ball drop at New York

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Monday, December 31, 2012

Not Published

Dzeko inspires City as United seal win Page 8

Body of India rape victim arrives home in New Delhi Page 13

We, the International Bali Post would like to apologize in advance because we will not be published on Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year

City’s Times Square draws more than 1 million spectators, and some 2 million people flock to the shores of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro for music and fireworks.

Still, Las Vegas is dealing a full house this weekend, with hotel occupancy approaching 100 percent, according to Dawn Christensen of the visitor’s authority, and rooms going for several times the normal price.

The city room suite at the Cosmopolitan can be had for $210 on Tuesday, but costs $650 Monday. The deluxe king room at Caesars Palace is going for $519 on Monday, compared with $139 Tuesday.

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2012 file photo, Ne-Yo performs at KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball at Nokia Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles.

“MTV’s Club NYE 2013” will feature performances from Ke$ha, Ne-Yo, Sean Kingston, Rita Ora and others.

Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File

Ryan Seacrest: ‘Rockin’ in another year on ABC Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK — Yes, Ryan Seacrest has a New Year’s resolution for 2013: improve his skill at dancing.

“There’s a Significant Other in my life who’s very good at it,” he notes. That would be professional dancer Julianne Hough, a two-time champ on “Dancing with the Stars” in whose proximity “I feel the pressure to be as good as she is. It sounds like a joke, but this is a serious thing for me to accomplish next year.”

So add dancing lessons to the long list of projects that keep Seacrest famously fast on his feet. His numerous broadcast gigs include roles on E! Entertainment and NBC, a syndicated morning radio show for Clear Channel, as well as “American Idol,” whose new season starts next month on Fox. Behind the cameras, he has a swiftly expanding production empire that includes the Kardashian portfolio of reality shows.

But as Monday nears, Seacrest is focused on this annual rite: “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” which, with related programming, will blanket ABC from 8 p.m. until past 2 a.m. EST. Booking musical acts has been in the works for months, Seacrest says. Performers include Carly Rae Jepsen, Neon Trees, Flo Rida and Pitbull, as well as Taylor Swift, in the headliner position just before midnight.

But Friday afternoon in Manhattan, Seacrest is soon due at a production meeting “to work out the nitty-gritty of the show — some of which we will stick to, some of which we won’t.”

Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP Images

Ryan Seacrest, producer and host of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC, poses for a portrait Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 in New York.

IBP/file

Tourists are releasing turtles on Kuta Beach. Currently, a lot of efforts are done to conserve the rare animal and erase the nickname of turtle killing field

Effort to erase “Turtle Killing Field” nickname Bali Post

Denpasar – Few years ago, Bali especially Serangan Island is considered turtle killing field by international society. This is because some people like to consume turtle flesh. Some of the turtles were also sold to others in the name of ceremony.

Nowadays, the nickname is already changed and the island is now considered as the place for turtle conservation. One of the efforts to conserve the turtle is done in Serangan through Turtle Conservation

and Education Centre (TCEC).

The Head of TCEC, Wayan Geria said that through the centre was established in 2004 and since it keeps on conserving the rare animal. He explained that 70% of

the turtles in the centre is released into the wild and the rest is kept for education and tourism.

TCEC is also a place to preserve the tradition and the Hindu in Bali.

When the Hindus need turtles for ceremony, they can request it there.

However, the number of turtles needed for ceremony is very small so it is not possible that the turtles can extinct because of the ceremony.

Geria said that the centre receive around 200 request for the turtle

meat every year which is being used for ceremony. “The use of the turtle for ceremony is very small in number. We only give permit up to 100 turtles a year. If compare to the area outside Bali where commonly they consume 100 turtles a day, the use of turtle flesh in Bali is very small,” he added.

He stated that the centre is selected the request very carefully. One of the most important conditions that they must have is the permit from

Natural Conservation department Bali. In addition, the turtles must be not more than 20 cm long.

Meanwhile, another turtle lover, Wayan Raga, said that the presentation of the use of the turtle in Bali is very small. The director of PT Citra Taman Penyu in Serangan Village explained that every year, there are 35 requests for ceremony and more than 100 turtle for the ritual of releasing them into the wild. (kmb29)

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International

Monday, December 31, 2012

Bali News

Alert for New Year, Sanglah Hospital assigns 182 medical officers Denpasar (Bali Post)—

IBP/File

The damage ATM machine which was destroyed by the burglars

Three ATM machines at Tiara Gatsu burglarized

A cash of IDR 1 billion looted Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Public security and order of Bali is starting in danger following the break-in happened to the automated teller machine (ATM) at Tiara Gatsu on Jalan Gatot Subroto, Kerobokan, North Kuta, Badung, Saturday morning (Dec 29). Even, the burglar alleged to consist of more than one person demolished three ATM machines at once.

As a result, the losses suffered reached IDR 1 billion.

The three ATM machines burglarized belonged to Bank Danamon, Bank Permata and BCA. “There are seven ATM machines at Tiara Gatsu, but only three were burglarized. The mode of culprits was by welding the deposit box,” said a police officer last Saturday. He explained the break-in action was just known in the morning. At that time, security guard of Tiara Gatsu got up around 5:00 a.m. and knew three ATM machines were badly damaged.

According to the officer, the security guard immediately reported the incident to police station after knowing it. The officers of North Kuta Police, Badung Police and Bali Police immediately came to the scene.

To make the crime scene inves-

tigation easier, it was restricted with police lines. “The three ATM machines (owned by Bank Danamon, Bank Permata and BCA—Ed) were found in damaged condition. The deposit box looks to have been exposed,” he said while asking not to publish his name.

The culprits were said to be fairly professional. Allegedly, they turned off the ATM machines first, so the CCTV and the others did not work.

The switch to turn off the ATM machine was located in the underground parking lot of Tiara Gatsu. “Possibly, the culprits came there first to turn off the ATM machine. Unfortunately, no CCTV device was installed in the underground parking lot, so the culprit could freely carry

out their action,” he explained.

Once the machine was turned off, they committed their action. Three ATM machines at the exit gates of Tiara Gatsu were demolished by way of welding. It was seen from the traces of welding at the ATM machines. The culprits welded them and the deposit boxes were then taken away. “Three ATM machines were dismantled by welding. Afterward, the deposit boxes were immediately taken away,” he told reporters.

After the incident, the bank management immediately came down to the scene. They checked the missing money. The loss in the ATM respectively amounted to IDR 365,900,000 (Bank Danamon), around IDR 300 million as per last balance (BCA)

and around IDR 200 million (Bank Permata). It was a temporary estimated loss because the banks were still performing further checks. “Yeah, the losses can totally reach IDR 1 billion,” he concluded.

Where was the security guard of Tiara Gatsu when the incident was taking place?

According to the officer, the security guard in charge was sleeping and did not know the burglary. Therefore, no clues were found by police because the CCTV in each ATM did not work. However, police were still securing the CCTV. Meanwhile, the Badung Police Chief, Komang Suartana, justified the incident. “The case is being investigated,” he said. (kmb21)

Welcoming the New Year holiday, the Sanglah Hospital has made preparation to serve the community during the holiday. Though the policlinic is closed on the holiday, public services in Sanglah Hospital are still running and focused in the Emergency Room. To that end, the hospital will assign at least 182 medical officers.

It was revealed by the Spokesperson of Sanglah Hospital, Kadek Nariyantha, when contacted on Saturday (Dec 29). According to him, the Sanglah Hospital would always alert its personnel on New Year holiday. “On the New Year, we remain to alert the medical officers. Our services will be focused in Emergency Room and we prepare some 182 medical personnel,” he said.

Those medical officers would include medical specialists, general practitioners, nurses and other personnel. Meanwhile, the services in the Wing Amerta also remained alert by preparing 41 medical personnel.

To anticipate a disaster or surge in patients in the New Year’s Eve, Nariyantha admitted his party had made coordination where the medical officers on duty at the time would report it to management. “To anticipate any disaster or surge in patients on the New Year, the medical officer on duty will report it to management. So, additional personnel will be provided if required,” he said. (san)

Police confiscated arak hidden under bed Negara (Bali Post)-

Coming New Year police confiscated a number of arak alcohol drinks from several places. While raiding on Friday (28/12) at one seller in Ketugtug, Lolan Timur, Jembrana, police confiscated dozens of bottles hidden under a bed. At first the owner, AAGN, denied the truth of the public’s report but after raiding the house and bottle of drink were opened, it has a very strong smell which is known to be arak.

APC Wayan Setiajaya, Head of Jembrana Police Public Relation Section, as permited by Head of Jembrana Police GAPC Komang Sandi Arsana, last Saturday (29/12) confirmed that they knew the place due to information of other sellers that were captured before. For its total of confiscated arak from Ketutgtung, there is 25.8 liters from 33 600 ml bottles and 4 1.5 l bottles. From a raid at Banjar Mekarsari, Manistutu, eight liters of arak placed in jirigen jugs found from owner of a stall, INM (28). These two sellers will be legally processed with light crime act. “This operation is to anticipate the misuse of arak alcohol drinks this New Year,” Setiajaya concluded. (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

International

Activities

Monday, December 31, 2012

15

Quest Hotel to develop at Solo IBP

JAKARTA – Aston International continue its expands its 3 star lifestyle Quest Hotel brand with the recent Ground Breaking of the Quest Hotel Solo and developed by PT. Kaloka Land Hotel & Resort.

The Quest Hotel Solo will be a 3 star affordable lifestyle hotel conceptualized to accommodate an increasing number of domestic Indonesia leisure travelers as well as a new breed of younger and more style oriented and technology savvy business travelers. The hotel will feature 180 airy guest rooms and a state of the art conference center with several meeting rooms and one of Solo’s largest ballrooms. In addition the new Quest will feature an eclectic lobby lounge designed to become one of Solo’s most attractive casual meeting places, a indoor and outdoor restaurant and ample of recreational facilities such as a swimming pool with pool bar, a day spa and a well equipped gym.

Solo, which is officially called Surakarta, is a popular historic Ja-

vanese city located North East 60 km from Yogyakarta which is shares several popular tourist attractions including Borobudur. Surakarta is also well known for its Javanese court (Kraton) and refined, highly polished and sophisticated Javanese art scene building world famous Batiks.

Aston International’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Mr. Norbert Vas, said: “Solo is a perfect match for Quest which aims to offer a somewhat unusual an esthetically pleasing mid market hotel experience. Our other Central Javanese Quest, the Quest Hotel Semarang, is one of the most popular hotels in the region enjoying occupancy levels of well above 90% and we are confident that the Quest Solo will be equally received”.

IBP/Courtesy of Aston International

Calendar Event for December 12 through December 27, 2012 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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Monday, December 31, 2012

Life Style

US pending home sales rise to highest in 2½ years Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — A measure of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes increased last month to its highest level in two and a half years, the latest sign of improvement in the once-battered housing market.

The National Association of Realtors said Friday that its seasonally adjusted pending home sales index rose 1.7 percent in November from October to 106.4. That’s the highest since April 2010, when a homebuyer tax credit caused a spike in sales. And after excluding those months when the tax credit was available, it’s the best reading since February 2007.

The increase followed a 5 percent gain in October and suggests higher sales of previously occupied homes in the coming months. There’s generally a one- to two-month lag between a signed contract and a completed sale.

In November, signed contracts to buy homes rose in the Northeast and West, and ticked up slightly in the Midwest. They were unchanged in the South.

Home sales are on track to rise 10 percent this year to their highest level in five years, buoyed by ultra-low mortgage rates and steady job gains.

The Realtors’ group forecasts that sales may rise in 2013 to about 5.1

million. That’s still below the more than 5.5 million that is considered consistent with a healthy market.

The housing recovery that began earlier this year is looking sustainable for a number of reasons. The supply of previously occupied homes for sale has finally thinned out and is at an 11-year low. At the same time, more people are looking to buy or rent a home after living with relatives or friends during and in the aftermath of the Great Recession.

The combination of stronger demand and limited supply is pushing up home prices. That could encourage more sellers to put their homes on the market because they can expect a better price.

Builders are also more optimistic that the recovery will endure and are stepping up construction. The pace of home construction was nearly 22 percent higher in November compared with a year earlier. Builders are on track this year to start work on the most homes in four years.

Vultures pick at visitors’ cars in US Everglades Associated Press Writer

HOMESTEAD, Florida — Visitors to parts of Everglades National Park in Florida are getting tarps and bungee cords to make their vehicles less delectable to vultures.

AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2005 file photo, a wood stork prepares to land in a tree at Big Cypress National Preserve, Fla.

Migrating vultures have developed a habit of ripping off windshield wipers, sunroof seals, and other rubber and vinyl vehicle parts. Visitors to the park’s Homestead and Flamingo entrances are loaned “anti-vulture kits” to protect their vehicles.

Park wildlife biologist Skip Snow tells The Miami Herald that the vultures are migrating as normal. It’s just not clear why the birds are picking at parked cars and trucks. Park employees have tried to scare away the vultures, but nothing has worked.

Park Superintendent Dan Kimball says complaints about the vultures have declined since employees began distributing the tarps and bungee cords last year.

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

In this Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, photo, an under contract sign sits outside a home in Glen, Ill. A measure of U.S. home prices rose 6.3 percent in October compared with a year ago, the largest yearly gain since July 2006.

Champagne loses fizz in Europe after tough year Associated Press Writer

PARIS — Europeans are finding fewer reasons to pop open a bottle of Champagne as another year of economic troubles and high unemployment saps the region’s appetite for the finer things. But while the latest industry figures show that sales might be on the wane in Europe, other markets, particularly Japan and the United States, are developing a taste for a glass of bubbly.

In what is certain to be bad news for the vineyards, France — Champagne’s largest market — is drinking fewer bottles. Sales of Champagne for the country were down 4.9 percent, and 5 percent elsewhere in the 27-country European Union, in the first nine months of 2012 compared with the same period in 2011, according to CIVC, the national association of growers and producers of the wine.

Nineteen months of rising unemployment and growing fears that the worst is yet to come have taken their toll on France — nearly seven in 10 French are worried about their country’s future, according to a recent poll.

“The French are pessimist by nature,” said Antoine Chiquet, whose family has been producing Champagne for three generations and wine for eight. “We had a difficult election, we’re in an economy where Europe’s foundations are being questioned.”

Nonetheless, the country managed to drink 175.7 million bottles of Champagne from Nov. 1 2011 to Oct. 31 2012, according to CIVC — enough for nearly 3 bottles a year for every man, woman and child but about 10 million bottles fewer than the previous year.

In contrast, the U.S. consumed enough sparkling wine for about 1.5 bottles per person in 2010, the latest figures available from the

Bali News

International

International

California-based Wine Institute.

But while the news out of France and Europe is bad, CIVC figures show export sales were up 3 percent in the first three quarters of the year. Top markets included the U.S., Japan and, to a lesser extent, China. A total of 19.4 million bottles of Champagne went to the United States and 7.9 million went to Japan — the only two countries outside Europe in the top seven export markets.

Takayasu Ogata, a Tokyo-based sommelier, said Champagne and sparkling wine consumption is climbing in Japan at a time when overall wine demand peaked about 2000. According to the French figures, Champagne consumption alone was up nearly 7 percent over a year there.

“Both individuals and restaurants are taking to Champagnes with personality, including those that are from small makers but taste good,” he said.

Monday, December 31, 2012

3

Bali starling on verge of extinction Bali Post

BULELENG - Bali Island has one of the beautiful and elegant birds, namely Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi). Unfortunately, twitter of the bird is now rarely audible in the wild life because it is continuously hunted to be traded.

About five years ago, the price of Bali starling was touted to reach IDR 50 million per pair. Later on, the price of such medium-sized warbler with a length of approximately 25 centimeters started to decline. Although declining, the price is still ranging from IDR 17 million to IDR 20 million per pair. With such high price, the Bali starling continues to be hunted by people.

Bali starling is a beautiful bird.

Because of its beauty, the bird has become a sort of mascot for the Island of Bali and has been named the faunal symbol of Bali.

The Head of Buleleng Natural Resources Conservation of Buleleng, Gede Wenten, said that population of Bali starling was mostly located in the West Bali National Park (TNBB). But now, the existence of the very rare bird was extinct and virtually disappeared.

Bali starling could only be found in breeding area such as at Tegal Bunder, TNBB. In addition, many people around the TNBB also bred it independently.

Wenten said that population

of Bali starling at breeding location at Tegal Bunder amounted to some 35 pairs. Meanwhile, the Bali starling bred by people came to some 30 pairs. “Approximately 12 residents at Sumberklampok near the TNBB are breeding the birds,” said Wenten.

He added that his party continued to supervise the commercial breeding carried out by residents.

The surveillance was made in order the bird would not be traded beyond the rules. It was also executed so that the bird would not be abandoned. “If they are found to abandon the bird, we will impose strict sanction,” he said.

According to Wenten, the residents who did the breeding of Bali starling were allowed to sell the birds to others. However, the bird sold should be of the second filial of the parent or its grandchild. “Its mother cannot be sold. It is only allowed to sell the second filial or its grandchild,” he said.

Wenten confirmed the bird price was indeed expensive so that it was always sought after by bird collectors. Formerly, it was sold for

IDR 50 million per pair. But now the price had started to fall to IDR 20 million. This happened because many people had bred the birds so that the amount of birds on sale

turned a lot. “This is a normal case, if the number is scarce, the price is more expensive. But if many people have owned it, the price is going cheaper,” he said. (ole)

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

Bali Island has one of the beautiful and elegant birds, namely Bali starling (Leucopsar Rothschildi).

Seaweed production in 2013 targeted to reach 7 million tons Bali Post

MANGUPURA - Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs of the RI targeted seven million tons of seaweed production in 2013, an increase of two million tons when compared to this year.

“We are targeting the seaweed production to reach seven million tons next year,” said Minister of Maritime and Fishery Affairs, Sharif C Sutardjo, after visiting the potential seaweed on Pandawa Beach, Badung County, Saturday (Dec 29).

According to him, the ministry did not only increase the production but also encouraged the farmers cultivating the seaweed so that their commodity could be-

IBP/Bali Putra

Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs of the RI targeted seven million tons of seaweed production in 2013, an increase of two million tons when compared to this year.

come more valuable products.

“Industrialization of the commodity aims to improve the quality and production. Therefore, it can meet the raw material required by the processing industry and increase the income of farmers,” he said.

He said if all the targets could be met, it would create job opportunities for about 600,000 people.

“In 2014, the target of seaweed production is 118,000 tons to meet the needs of raw materials for industry,” he said.

Hopefully, in the same year was expected an increase in the added value of commodities as much as IDR 550 billion with production yield of 1.063 million. Aside from targeting the increase in seaweed production, the Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs also targeted the increase in the value of fishery exports in 2013 compared to this year reaching USD 5 billion.

Next year, the export value was expected to reach the range of USD 4.5 billion to USD 5 billion. (par)

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Monday, December 31, 2012

Bali News

International

Next year, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy targets 9 million tourists Jakarta (Bali Post)—

Director General of Tourism Marketing, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Esthy Reko Astuti, said the target of Indonesia to attract nine million tourists during 2013 was very realistic. “I’m very optimistic that we can reach this target,” said Esthy Reko Astuti in Jakarta, Friday (Dec 28).

According to Esthy, stipulation of the target had taken into account a variety of factors including the global economic slowdown predicted to occur in 2013. Besides, it also considered the domestic economic growth as well as potential increase in per capita income and purchasing power of people, especially in the Asia Pacific region.

“Especially next year, Indonesia will host a variety of world-class events including a series of APEC meetings,” she said.

Esthy was confident that contribution of the Meeting, Incentives, Convention, and Exhibition (MICE) would be greater when Indonesia hosted a variety of worldclass events. Moreover, the target of nine million foreign tourists would become a springboard for Indonesia to achieve the new target of 10 million tourist visits in 2014.

Next year, her party targeted to attract more foreign tourists from the main target markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, China, Japan and South Korea.

“There are 16 countries becoming IBP/File

The tourists are enjoying the beautiful scenery of Jatiluwih

Missing since Christmas

Seririt resident found dead Semarapura (Bali Post) –

After missing on Christmas celebration (25/12), I Ketut Arnawa (65) from Seririt, Singaraja, was found rotten at a field (tegalan) owned by A.A. Jaya from Puri Kanginan, above Tukad Cau River, Banjar Sengguan, Klungkung, last Saturday (29/12). The discovery of the body caused a shock as it is found swollen, right head damaged with rotten smell. Arnawa was found first by I Wayan Sukerta (50) from Banjar Sengguan around 10 am local time. The discovery was due to Sukerta was cleaning up his field which is not far from the location of the body. He was attracted to the rotten smell which also smelt by a number of people about

to bathe there. Sukerta went up to the place where the smell was from and saw a human foot. He then called up all residents yet none of them was brave enough to move the body.

People suspected victim committed suicide as its position is under a gorge and still wearing brown squared shirt and shorts. Hearing about the incident, a resident from Besang Kangin, I Komang Arjana (40) came to see the situation. Arjana was shocked and hysterical to have found his father, Arnawa, who has been missing since Christmas celebration.

Workers, Kodim 1610 and Klungkung Police officers then brought Arjana home to calm him down while Arnawa’s body got wrapped and moved to Klungkung Hospital corpse room. The workers are

now investigating the cause of the death.

The body is planned to be brought to his origin at Seririt, Singaraja.

Meanwhile there were items found around Arnawa’s death place such as sandals, towel, soap, an empty bottle and a glass. It is strongly suspected the bottle contained the liquid that victim used to kill himself. Arjana later on confirmed that before he died, victim did say he wanted to commit suicide then stayed alone in the garden. “On Sunday (23/12) morning, father came to Klungkung then the next two days he didn’t talk as much. Suddenly he left at 3 pm local time (on Tuesday), we have searched for him including spreading his photos but there was no result,” Arjana explained. (kmb31)

our target market next year. In those countries, we will perform a variety of priority events that can bring in tourists to Indonesia,” she said.

Her party targeted to be capable of producing 1.75 million from tourists Singapore, 1.4 million from Malaysia, Australia (1.220 million), China (1 million), Japan (505,000) and South Korea (360,000). Some other countries targeted to bring in tourists to Indonesia were the Philippines, Taiwan, the United States, Britain, France, India, the Netherlands, Middle East, Germany and Russia.

To reach the target, her party realized the need for synchronization attempt of all tourism stakeholders in the country. “Target of foreign tourists is also directed at specific demographic segments with respect to the aspects or motive as well as specific interest of tourist today,” she said.

The target of foreign tourists visit within the past three years had increased significantly where in 2011 the target was set at 7 million tourists and successfully achieved, in 2012 the target was eight million tourists and in 2013 was nine million tourists, while in 2014 was targeted to reach 10 million tourists. (010)

Petrol caught on fire, houses burnt Singaraja (Bali Post) –

Two houses in Dusun Kangin Teben, Jagaraga Village, Sawan, burnt on Thursday (27/12) around 10 pm local time. In the incident one resident, Made Somanasa, got wounded on the feet, left hand and back while trying to turn off the fire. The houses were owned by Kadek Ariyasa (34) and Ketut Buda Simben (45).

The incident started when Kadek Ariyasa was pouring petrol to be sold at his stall yet suddenly it caught fire not knowing where it came from. The fire took over Ariyasa’s 20x5 meters house and Ketut Buda’s 20x8 house which later 5 fire brigades turned if off. Even so, Ariyasa experienced IDR 275 million loss while Buda experienced IDR 250 million.

Head of Buleleng Police Operational PC Ida Bagus Wedanajati, Friday (28/12), confirmed the case and it is still being investigated. (kmb15)

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Body of India rape victim arrives home in New Delhi

Reuters

NEW DELHI - The body of a woman whose gang rape provoked protests and rare national debate about violence against women in India arrived back in New Delhi early on Sunday and was quickly cremated at a private ceremony. The unidentified 23-year-old medical student died from her injuries on Saturday, prompting promises of action from a government that has struggled to respond to public outrage.

She had suffered brain injuries and massive internal injuries in the attack on December 16, and died in hospital in Singapore where she had been taken for treatment. She and a male friend had been returning home from the cinema, media reports say, when six men on a bus beat them with metal rods and repeatedly raped the woman. The friend survived.

Six suspects were charged with murder after her death. A Reuters correspondent saw family members who had been with her in Singapore take her body from the airport to their Delhi home in an ambulance with a police escort.

Ruling party leader Sonia Gandhi was seen arriving at the airport when the plane landed and Prime Minister Mannmohan Singh’s convoy was also there, the witness said.

The body was then taken to a crematorium

and cremated. Media were kept away but a Reuters witness saw the woman’s family, New Delhi’s chief minister, Sheila Dikshit, and the junior home minister, R P N Singh, coming out of the crematorium.

Security in the capital remained tight after authorities, worried about the reaction to the news of her death, had on Saturday deployed thousands of policemen and closed some roads and metro stations.

Protesters still gathered, in New Delhi and other cities, to keep the pressure on Singh’s government to get tougher on crime against women. Last weekend, protesters fought pitched battles with police. On Sunday, lines of policemen in riot gear and armed with heavy wooden sticks stood in front of metal REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui barricades closing off roads in New Delhi. Vehicles carrying mourners and officials leave a cremation ground after attending the funeral of a rape victim in New Delhi December 30, 2012.

Morning traffic was light.

Pakistan blast kills 20 Shia pilgrims in latest sectarian attack Reuters

QUETTA, Pakistan - A car bomb exploded on Sunday near a convoy of buses taking Pakistani Shia pilgrims to Iran, killing 20 people and wounding 24, officials said, the latest attack on the minority sect.

Witnesses said the blast occurred as the three buses were overtaking a car about 60 km (35 miles) west of Quetta, capital of sparsely populated Baluchistan province, site of many sectarian attacks, near the Iranian border.

“The bus next to us caught on fire immediately,” said pilgrim Hussein Ali, 60. “We tried to save our companions but were driven back by the intensity of the heat.” An official at Mastung district hospital, said 20 people had been killed and 24 wounded.

Akbar Durrani, Baluchistan’s home secretary, said rescue teams were trying to reach victims in the wreckage of the vehicles, one of which was still in flames some time after the attack. He said the death toll could rise. A string of attacks on Shias underscores the government’s inability to crack down on groups promoting sectarian violence.

In August, militants made passengers disembark from a bus in a northern province and shot 19 Shias dead after determining from their identity cards whether they were Shias or majority Sunnis.

New York-based Human Rights Watch has noted more than 320 Shias killed this year in Pakistan and said attacks were on the rise. It said the government’s failure to catch or prosecute attackers suggested it was “indifferent” to the killings.

An emergency personnel worker searches for human remains at the site of a car bomb explosion targeting buses carrying Shia Muslim pilgrims in Quetta December 30, 2012.

REUTERS/Naseer Ahmed

Venezuela VP in Cuba to visit ailing Chavez Associated Press Writer

HAVANA — Venezuela’s vice president arrived in Havana on Saturday in a sudden and unexpected trip to visit President Hugo Chavez as he recovers from cancer surgery. Communist Party newspaper Granma published online a photo of a smiling Vice President Nicolas Maduro being greeted at the airport in the Cuban capital by the island’s foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez.

“From there, (Maduro) went directly to the hospital where President Hugo Chavez Frias is receiving treatment to greet his family members and Venezuelan Science and Technology Minister Jorge Arreaza Monserrat, and to discuss with doctors the adequate moment to visit the President the same day,” the paper said. Granma added that Maduro was accompanied by Venezuelan Attorney General Cilia Flores.

The previous night in Caracas, Venezuela, Maduro did not specify how long he would be away but said Energy Minister Hector Navarro would be in charge of government affairs in the meantime.

Maduro’s announcement came at the end of a long speech at the inauguration of a state governor, and he offered no information on the purpose of his visit beyond

seeing Chavez.

In a speech Saturday, Venezuela’s National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello said only that Maduro went to Cuba to visit with Chavez and urge him “to follow his treatment.” Venezuelan press officials in Caracas said they had no additional information Saturday.

Maduro’s trip comes amid growing uncertainty about Chavez’s health.

The Venezuelan leader has not been seen or heard from since undergoing his fourth cancer-related

surgery Dec. 11, and government officials have said he might not return in time for his scheduled Jan. 10 inauguration for a new six-year term. There have been no updates on Chavez’s condition since Maduro announced Monday night that he had received a phone call from the president who was up and walking. Venezuela’s opposition criticized Maduro for what they said was a lack of transparency surrounding Chavez’s health.

AP Photo/Granma, Juvenal Balan Neyra

In this photo provided by Cuba’s state newspaper Granma, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez , left, talks with Venezuela’s Vice President Nicolas Maduro, center, as Venezuelan Attorney General Cilia Flores watches at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012.

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Monday, December 31, 2012

BUSINESS AP Photo/ Evan Vucci

President Barack Obama gestures during a statement on the fiscal cliff negotiations with congressional leaders in the briefing room of the White House on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 in Washington. The negotiations are a last ditch effort to avoid across-theboard first of the year tax increases and deep spending cuts.

Last-minute fiscal cliff talks in Senate Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Senate leaders sought a last-minute compromise Saturday to avoid middle-class tax increases and possibly prevent deep spending cuts at the dawn of the new year as President Barack Obama warned that failure could threaten the nation’s economic recovery.

The U.S. faces the so-called “fiscal cliff” in January because tax rate cuts dating back to President George W. Bush’s tenure expire on Dec. 31. The pending across-the-board reductions in government spending, which will slice money out of everything from social programs to the military, were put in place last year as an incentive to both parties to find ways to cut spending.

That solution grew out of the two parties’ inability in 2011 to agree to a grand bargain that would have taken a big bite out of the deficit.

Unless Obama and Congress act to stop them, about $536 billion in tax increases, touching nearly all Americans, will begin to take effect in January.

That will be coupled with about $110 billion in spending cuts, about 8 percent of the annual budgets for most federal departments. Economists predict that if allowed to unfold over 2013 this double whammy would result in a big jump in unemployment, financial market turmoil and a slide back into recession.

Obama chastised lawmakers on Saturday in his weekly radio and Internet address for waiting until the last minute to try and avoid a “fiscal cliff,” yet said there was still time for an agreement.

“We cannot let Washington politics get in the way of America’s progress,” he said as the hurry-up negotiations

unfolded.

Obama said the nation “can’t afford a politically self-inflicted wound to our economy.”

Obama held an hour-long, highstakes meeting with the leaders of Congress on Friday afternoon in a lastditch effort to find a path to averting the automatic austerity measures that begin to take effect Jan. 1.

Following Friday’s White House meeting, aides to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid began racing against the clock for a bipartisan bargain. The leaders could present legislation to senators as early as Sunday, with a vote possible on Sunday or Monday.

For all the recent expressions of urgency, bargaining took place by phone, email and paper in a Capitol nearly empty except for tourists. Alone among top lawmakers, McConnell spent the day in his office.

In the Republicans’ weekly address, Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri cited a readiness to compromise. “Divided government is a good time to solve hard problems — and in the next few days, leaders in Washington have an important responsibility to work together and do just that,” he said.

Even so, there was no guarantee of

success, and a dispute over the federal tax on large estates emerged as yet another key sticking point alongside personal income tax rates.

In a blunt challenge to Republicans, Obama said that barring a bipartisan agreement, he expected both houses of Congress to vote on his own proposal to block tax increases on all but the wealthy and simultaneously preserve expiring long-term unemployment benefits.

Lawmakers have until the new Congress convenes to pass any compromise, and even the calendar mattered. Democrats said they had been told House Republicans might reject a deal until after Jan. 1, to avoid a vote to raise taxes before they had technically gone up and then vote to cut taxes after they had risen.

Nor was any taxpayer likely to feel any adverse impact if legislation is signed and passed into law in the first two or three days of 2013 instead of the final hours of 2012.

Now negotiators had a more cramped goal of preventing additional damage to the economy in the form of higher taxes across the board — with some families facing increases measured in the thousands of dollars — as well as cuts aimed at the Pentagon and hundreds of domestic programs.

South Korea announces trade minister for WTO top job Agence France-Press

GENEVA - South Korea on Friday nominated its trade minister, Taeho Bark, to succeed Pascal Lamy as director-general of the World Trade Organisation, the WTO said.

Aside from Bark, 60, seven other people have applied for the job.

The WTO’s 158 member nations have until Monday to present a candidate and the body’s General Council will start interviewing candidates from the end of January.

The General Council, which is the WTO’s top decision body, will announce the new director-general by May 31. Frenchman Lamy has been in the role since 2005 -- his term ends August 31, 2013.

Observers say the next head will most likely not be a European or an American. Three of the eight candidates are women.

The announcement of Bark’s application means South Korea, Mexico, Ghana, Costa Rica, Indonesia, New Zealand, Jordan and Kenya have presented candidates.

Change of guard at India’s Tata Group Agence France-Presse

MUMBAI - The head of India’s Tata Group, Ratan Tata, warned staff of the “difficult economic environment” while handing over the reins of the business empire on his 75th birthday Friday to successor Cyrus Pallonji Mistry.

Tata, who steered the group for 21 years as chairman, has been credited with transforming it into a streamlined conglomerate of more than 100 companies and earning a global reputation for eye-catching acquisitions of Western firms.

Tata, in a farewell message to staff, said “the difficult economic environment that we face will most likely continue through most of next year”, with constraints in consumer demand, overcapacity and more competition from imports.

“There will therefore be great pressure on our companies to reinvent themselves in terms of business processes, to dramatically reduce costs and to be more aggressive in the market place,” Tata’s internal email to staff said.

The famously media-shy Tata did not go to the office on Friday, insiders said, and was reportedly out of the city.

There was no event scheduled to mark the transition, which will see Cyrus Mistry -- a relative through marriage of Ratan Tata -- become the new supremo.

A tight-lipped Mistry brushed his way past a gaggle of reporters as he arrived at the stone four-storey Bombay House, the Tata headquarters in South Mumbai since 1924.

Tata said he was confident that employees would extend the “same support, commitment and understanding” -- that he had enjoyed -- to Mistry.

From luxury cars to steel, Tata is India’s largest group with total combined sales of $100 billion in 2011-12, nearly 60 per cent of which came from business outside India, mainly the United States and Britain. Tata Steel is the world’s seventh-largest steel producer but it is now having problems with downbeat business conditions in Europe. The group’s telecom, power, hotels and finance arms also face difficulties.

International

Bali News

Monday, December 31, 2012

Dozens of illegal quarry C companies dredge foot of Mt. Agung

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Bali Post

KARANGASEM - After the quarry C at Gunaksa, Klungkung, has run out and leaves expansive pools and marsh, exploitation of the quarry C switches to Karangasem. Even, it has reached the foot of Mount Agung as found at Sebudi village, Selat subdistrict. Exploitation of the massive excavation inevitably destroys the nature and makes foot of Mount Agung pocked. More seriously, among dozens of quarry companies doing their activities in the area, they are mostly unlicensed or illegal. How are the activities of the quarry C and the environmental damage caused? Here is his report.

When entering the Sebudi village, the quarry C activities seem so prevalent. Dozens of quarry companies with heavy equipment such as excavator, stone crusher and the others are busy exploiting the sand and rock materials erupted by Mount Agung in 1963.

Ironically, in terms of spatial planning the exploited areas belong to prohibited zone for quarry C. As a result, the environmental damage is unavoidable.

Topography of the area has turned into steep ravines. Pockmarked land can be found here and there. Even, the quarry C extends to the foot of Mount Agung.

The quarry acreage is estimated to reach nearly 200 hectares.

Dozens of companies are spreading across a number of hamlets at Sebudi village such as PT Brantas Adi Praya, UD Harapan Jaya, Putra KMD, UD Tritunggal Goto, PT Adi Murti, PT Sinar Bali, Tunas Jaya, Karya Nirmala, Alam Baru I and II, Pasir Bombom, PMA, PT Balut, PT Pasir Rai, CV Baik, Wana Tirta, Pasir Utama, Bias Abadi, BSP, PT Yoga Acala, SBP and PT Putra Diapan.

Ironically, only four of those companies have permit for quarry C activities, namely PT Brantas Adi Praya, UD Harapan Jaya and Putra KMD operating at Pura hamlet, Sebudi village and UD Sebudi Tritunggal Goto operating at Lebih hamlet, Sebudi village. Allegedly, there is a quarry C company in Karangasem owned by a legislator of Karangasem House and relative of Regent Wayan Geredeg.

One of the quarry C businessmen, Made Mangku Tirta, admitted at Sebudi village that among dozens of quarry C companies, only four had permit, while the rest did not. This owner of PT Bali Tirta Utama said that a dilemma occurred where in terms of existing rules the quarry was not permitted in the region. Even, the Karangasem government had also banned the activity, but due to insistence from communities, local government was made powerless.

He claimed that he and the company owners that did not have permit of quarry C had got an approval from customary village to carry out the quarrying activities. However, legally they did not obtain permit from the Karangasem Licensing Office. “I’ve tried to submit the permit. Since it belongs to prohibited zone for any quarrying activities as stipulated in the spatial planning, the permit could not be issued,” he said

when met at his residence at Sebudi village, some time ago.

Though dozens of those quarry C companies did not have permit, they were still charged levies by Karangasem government. Even, it was committed silently so that the quarrying activities looked legal. Payment of the levies was committed unfairly. Businessmen having no permit would borrow the number of regional taxpayer identity (NPWPD) from licensed company. Then, it was made a similar ticket carrying the name of company that borrowed the NPWPD. The levies were paid through truck driver looking for sand in the company concerned. The amount paid was IDR 100,000 where as much as IDR 96,250 went to local government and IDR 3,750 to the association. Besides, the quarry C entrepreneur also paid at IDR 8 million per month to the association.

“We never know what the payment is used for and where it is then deposited because there is no official statement or explanation to us,” he said.

Made Mangku Tirta said that every day there were approximately 1,5001,800 trucks looking for sand and coral.

Therefore, the daily levy to local government could reach over IDR 150 million and 4.5 billion a month. With such condition, the quarry C could become one of the significant revenue sources for local government. Even, over 60 percent of the Karangasem regionally generated revenue (PAD) was obtained from quarry C. “The condition is indeed a dilemma. On the one hand, the quarrying activity is not allowed in the area.

But people have no other source of income so they are only dependent on the quarry C. Moreover, if the quarry C is closed, the regionally generated revenue of Karangasem will fall rapidly,” concluded the entrepreneur having opened the quarry C since 2008.

It is predicted the quarry C material at Sebudi village will run out within next 2 years. Possibly, the community and investors will look for other areas or surrounding areas remaining potential to be quarried even though the region does not belong to mining area. Within a few years, if there is no regulation and enforcement by Karangasem government, the foot and slopes of Mount Agung can be besieged by illegal quarry C. As consequence, it will make the area more pockmarked. (kmb29)

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

After the quarry C at Gunaksa, Klungkung, has run out and leaves expansive pools and marsh, exploitation of the quarry C switches to Karangasem. Even, it has reached the foot of Mount Agung as found at Sebudi village, Selat subdistrict.

Fishery exports target set at US5 billion Antara

JIMBARAN - Indonesia’s target of fishery exports has been set at reaching US$5 billion in 2013 up from last year’s.

“We have set the target at between US$4.5 and US$5 bil-

lion next year,” the minister of fisheries and marine resources, Sharif C Sutardjo said.

He said the target was up significantly from presently at around US$4 billion.

He said this year’s exports were bigger than the imports

which were recorded at only 14 percent.

“To achieve the target we have already expanded the export markets,” he added.

He said among the new markets are countries in the Middle East and Africa.

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

Indonesia’s target of fishery exports has been set at reaching US$5 billion in 2013 up from last year’s.

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INDONESIA Three killed in tourist bus accident Antara

BANYUWANGI - Three passengers were killed in a collision of two tourist buses in Jalan Raya Bangsaring, Bengkak village, Wongsorejo Subdistrict, Banyuwangi District, East Java, on Sunday.

The three dead victims were Ujang of Bandung, West Java, Soroso and six-year old Sofi, both from Sidoarjo, East Java, witnesses said.

“The accident involved a tourist bus heading to Keta-

pang carrying students from Palembang and the other bus PO Ardiansyah carrying passengers from Bali,” Heri, an eye witness said.

The accident took place at 2.0 am on Sunday.

AP Photo/A.K. Hendratmo

Indonesian men struggle to catch offerings of bite-size rice flour cakes called “apem” thrown by Muslim clerics from the top of a mosque’s towers during the annual Yaqowiyu ritual in Klaten, Central Java, Indonesia, Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. The cakes are believed to be able to bring prosperity to those who are able to catch them.

Kiswanti helps turns page for literacy with library

Agence France-Presse

PEMAGARSARI - Kiswanti went to great lengths to get people to read in Indonesia, a nation addicted to social media but with a lacklustre interest in books.

For six years, as she cycled on bumpy village mud tracks in western Java as a door-todoor herbal medicine vendor, Kiswanti would carry a stack of books on the back of her bike to lend to children.

Her humble efforts have snowballed and her modest village is now home to a library, a rare sight even in Indonesia’s biggest cities.

“Reading gives you knowledge and knowledge is power. Nobody, no matter how poor, should be deprived of reading,” Kiswanti, 46, told AFP. Kiswanti gave up her days as a “mobile librarian” in 2005 when a liver illness struck, confining her to her tiny concrete block

In 2012

595 personnel of police force dishonourably discharged Antara

JAKARTA - As many as 595 members of the Indonesian police force have been dishonourably discharged this year for various violations, up 55.12 percent from 2011.

“A total of 106 of them were involved in narcotics cases, while 32 were found guilty of imposing illegal levies,” National Police Chief, General Timur Pradopo, said at a year-end press conference.

He noted that the National Police had received 1,148 com-

plaints from the public so far this year.

“However, 774 of them have been already resolved,” Pradopo pointed out.

He said the number of disciplinary violations had reached 6,017 so far this year, up 43 percent from 2011.

“Action has been taken in 4,154, or 69 percent, of those cases,” Pradopo noted.

“Cases involving violation of ethics by police officers in 2012 totalled 651, up 42.24 percent from last year, and 449 of them have been resolved,” he added.

house in Pemagarsari village, where narrow dirt trails lead off the main road.

As a neighbour kept the mobile library on its wheels, international and local donors caught wind of the initiative and fronted the cash to start the Lebakwangi Reading House, which now boasts a collection of 5,000 titles.

“This library is a dream come true. I had to pinch myself many times to make sure it was real,” Kiswanti said in the library, set up in the house next to hers.

The library gets around 100 visitors a day, mostly students, and Kiswanti is plotting ways to expand her reach, already touting her library to teachers and students at schools in three villages.

Indonesia has an impressive literacy rate for a developing nation -- nine out of 10 adults can read, the World Bank reports -but books are considered luxury items for many of its 240 million people, half of whom live on less than $2 a day.

The country has a much richer tradition of oral story-telling, with age-old shadow puppet shows and plays still popular.

Indonesians, however, read volumes of text every day online -- they make up the world’s thirdlargest Facebook community and fifth-largest on Twitter, and they are avid text and messaging

users.

Tom Ibnur, a lecturer at the Jakarta Institute for the Arts, said that social media, as well as TV, have “become something like a drug and encourage people to watch and

listen more than they read”.

There is also a history of distrust in books in Indonesia, where dictator Suharto used them as a vehicle for propaganda under his iron-fisted New Order regime.

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

This picture taken on February 2, 2012 shows a young Indonesian girl carrying a book at a library run by Indonesian woman Kiswanti in Pemagarsari village near Bogor.

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Monday, December 31, 2012

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Bucks surge in fourth quarter to blast Heat

Les waterfall

Les Waterfall is located in Les village, 38 kilometer south to Singaraja, in the north Bali. The waterfall is overlooking green hills and untouched nature. The height is about 30 meters.

In addition, Les Village is also famous for its very amazing beach with its magnificent underwater world view.

Located some 90 kilometers north of Denpasar, Les is blessed with a majestic waterfall and rich underwater scenery at its beach.

The best way to reach Les is by rented or private car or motorcycle, so visitors can stop where they want to take photos.

The shortest route from Denpasar to Les is through Gianyar and Kintamani, where visitors can stop to enjoy the wonderful Lake Batur and mountain views while sipping hot Balinese coffee outside Pura Puncak Panulisan, a temple.

The waterfall is about 1 kilometer from the village’s main road. Visitors can park at the entrance gate, where a few shops sell snacks and souvenirs, before walking along a path to an open area next to a wide river, with a small stream of water and huge rocks.

After crossing the river, a similar footpath leads to the waterfall.

The 30-meter-high waterfall has a perfect slope so the water from the river jumps from one rock to another before eventually hitting the bottom of the land more gently.

Visitors can stand under the waterfall and enjoy the sensation of a natural massage of the water pounding on their head, neck and back while trying to become one with the surroundings and listening to the great voice of the waterfall.

Reuters

The Milwaukee Bucks stunned the Miami Heat with a fourth-quarter blitz on Saturday to record a 104-85 blowout win over the NBA champions. With the Heat leading 71-69 entering the final period, the Bucks (16-12) kicked into high gear and outscored Miami 35-14 to blow them off the floor in the last quarter.

Brandon Jennings scored 25 points, Mike Dunleavy scored 13 of his 18 in the fourth and Milwaukee forced Miami into errors and turnovers. It was Miami’s second successive loss.

“It was good to win a game like this against the defending champs,” Milwaukee’s Luc Richard Mbah a Milwaukee Bucks’ Monta Ellis (11) drives to the basket against Miami Heat’s LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, in Milwaukee.

Moute told reporters. “We’ve got to enjoy this one and continue to go at it.

We needed to win a couple of games in a row at home.”

Heat guard Dwyane Wade returned from his one-game suspension for kicking Charlotte’s Ramon Sessions and scored 24 points, while LeBron James added 26 points. Milwaukee had jumped out to a 56-44 halftime lead but gave the advantage back in the third where James took over and the Heat outscored them 27-13 in the quarter.

James had 14 in the third to pull his team back in the game. Everything changed in the fourth, however, as

Larry Sanders and Moute both produced two blocks each in the first few minutes to fuel a stirring run for the home side.

Playing in front of a boisterous crowd, the Bucks scored the first nine points of the fourth and never looked back.

“It’s always been tough for us to play them,” Wade said. “It’s always a battle. They did their job and used their energy in the fourth quarter.

They took a lead, and we couldn’t come back.”

Moute finished with 19 points and Sanders had 16 and 11 rebounds. It was a rare off night for the Heat who just missed tying their season-low point total of 84 and got little help from their supporting cast.

Both James and Wade made more than half of their field goal attempts and Chris Bosh (12 points) was the only other player to reach double figures.

AP Photo/Jim Prisching

IBP/Net

Velez Zuzulova wins women’s WCup night slalom

Associated Press Writer

SEMMERING, Austria — Veronika Velez Zuzulova of Slovakia upset the favorites to win a World Cup night slalom Saturday for her first career victory. She trailed overall World Cup leader Tina Maze by 0.55 seconds after the opening leg but overtook the Slovenian with a near-flawless final run.

Velez Zuzulova finished in a combined time of 1 minute, 37.28 seconds. Kathrin Zettel of Austria was 0.10 back. Maze was third, 0.20 behind.

The rest of the field finished more than a second behind Velez Zuzulova, who celebrated her victory by lying face-down in the snow in the finish area for about 30 seconds. “A while ago I was almost thinking that it’s impossible to win one day,” said the 28-year-old Velez Zuzulova, who has been racing on the World Cup circuit since 2000.

The Slovakian, who married her French coach Romain Velez in the offseason, said attacking was her only tactic for the final run.

“After the first run I was really happy,” Velez Zuzulova said. “But the second run was really difficult as I knew Kathrin had a good time.

I had to attack, it was the only way I could win.”

Zettel said she was “super happy. To get this result in front of your home crowd is such a great feeling.”

Serena Williams opens season with comfortable win Associated Press Writer

BRISBANE, Australia — Starting the 2013 schedule a couple of days before the New Year put Serena Williams under a little more pressure than usual to produce a convincing victory in her first match of the season.

After saving five break points as she adjusted to a strong cross breeze in the first game, the 15-time major winner needed less than an hour to beat No. 21-ranked Varvara Lepchenko 6-2, 6-1 in the first round of the Brisbane International on Sunday.

Williams won 31 of her last 32 matches in the second half of the 2012 season including titles at Wimbledon, the Olympics, U.S. Open and the WTA Championships. She lost only four of her 62 matches, a win-loss record she didn’t want to diminish in any way.

“Tomorrow is the last day of the year, so technically I still had my 2012 rep on the line,” she said. “I really needed to win today so I could finish the year with still just the four losses. So that was important for me.”

Williams didn’t show any signs of being hampered by the minor surgery on her big toes which forced her to withdraw from a Dec. 29 exhibition in Thailand, moving freely throughout the match against the Uzbekistan-born Lepchenko, who now represents the United States.

“I was a little nervous, but I was completely fine,” the No. 3-ranked Williams said. “The doctor said I would be fine. I was excited to get an early start so just in case I did have any pain I could have tomorrow off. But everything was fine.”

Williams said she didn’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. That doesn’t stop her aiming for a sweep of the majors. She held all four Grand Slam titles at one stage, winning the 2003 Australian Open after claiming the French, Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles in 2002, but she’s never completed a season slam.

“I think for me, absolutely,” she replied to questions if the Slam was possible for her for 2013. “I think maybe whoever wins will Australian Open will have that same thought. I think there is no way that Victoria (Azarenka) or Maria (Sharapova) or maybe some other players don’t feel the same way. So I think I definitely feel that way.”

And if that doesn’t work, she’s planning on giving herself a few more years to attempt it, saying her experience at the London Olympics gave her the desire to keep playing until the 2016 Games in Rio. Eight of the top 10 women are contesting the Brisbane International, with Azarenka and Sharapova getting byes in the first round.

AP Photo/Tertius Pickard

Serena Williams of the U.S. reacts after winning a point during her first round match against Varvaro Lepchenko of the U.S. during the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, Dec 30, 2012.

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India’s oldest club hit with 2-year ban

Dzeko inspires City as United seal win

Reuters

Reuters

LONDON - Edin Dzeko shone to give 10-man Manchester City a battling 4-3 victory at Norwich City but leaders Manchester United also won as own goals and more controversial refereeing marked the last Saturday of 2012. In another bumper day for Premier League goals, resurgent Arsenal went fifth after a thrilling 7-3 home win over Newcastle United with contract rebel Theo Walcott scoring a hat-trick.

Manchester United maintained their seven-point advantage over City at the top after Gareth McAuley turned the ball into his own net and substitute Robin van Persie netted in a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at a sodden Old Trafford. “(Van Persie) changed the game for us,” United boss Alex Ferguson told the BBC. “When I brought him and Paul Scholes on they settled the game down for us. West Brom dominated in the second half and kept pumping the ball into our box.

“We’re in a good position. We’re halfway there.” City striker Dzeko scored twice in the first four minutes and another of his strikes was credited as an own goal by goalkeeper Mark Bunn at Norwich where Samir Nasri’s 44th-minute red card had threatened the champions’ dominance.

In-form Tottenham Hotspur moved third following a 2-1 comeback win at Sunderland where an apoplectic Gareth Bale was again booked for diving while fourth-bottom Aston Villa lost their third in a row in a 3-0 home defeat by Wigan Athletic. Paul Lambert’s Villa have conceded 15 in the three games and scored none.

Arsenal opened the scoring against leaky Newcastle through Walcott - again playing as a striker - when he escaped the offside trap and finished with aplomb in the style of boyhood hero and mentor Thierry Henry, who was watching from the stands. Demba Ba’s deflected free kick just before the interval gave the visitors hope but an excellent finish from Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain and a close-range

header from Lukas Podolski after Sylvain Marveaux’s leveller looked to have secured the points.

Ba then grabbed another equaliser but England’s Walcott expertly found the top corner after 73 minutes and substitute Olivier Giroud bagged a double late on. A persistent Walcott then took the matchball to show he is not just a winger.

Ten-man Stoke City were facing a first home loss since February but a superb late Cameron Jerome strike secured a 3-3 draw with struggling Southampton and Reading pulled themselves away from last spot with a 1-0 home win over West Ham United. Swansea City shrugged off the injury absence of top scorer Michu to triumph 2-1 at Fulham where stand-in striker Danny Graham grabbed the opener.

CLEAN SHEET

Leaders United started with Van Persie on the bench and had Wayne Rooney out injured for a West Brom game that was nearly called off before kickoff because of heavy rain in Manchester. Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa made his comeback from injury but it was another returnee, winger Ashley Young, who provided the cross for McAuley to inadvertently score after nine minutes.

Alex Ferguson’s side have been consistently shipping goals, only prevailing 4-3 over Newcastle on Wednesday thanks to a last-minute strike, but they just about held on to a clean sheet before Van Persie eased fan nerves in

the last minute. After 20 of 38 games, United have 49 points to City’s 42 but Roberto Mancini will be glad his champions did not slip further behind after playing with 10 men for over a half at Norwich.

Bosnian forward Dzeko made a stunning start for City but Anthony Pilkington’s 15th-minute goal and Nasri’s debatable sending off left the game in the balance. France midfielder Nasri saw red for going headto-head with Sebastien Bassong but the dismissal seemed harsh.

Sergio Aguero then gave City breathing space after 50 minutes before a Dzeko strike came back off the post and hit Bunn on its way into the net, in between Russell Martin’s brace. “Today we showed we are there for the title,” Mancini said.

AP Photo/PA

Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko, right, celebrates with his team-mates Sergio Aguero, left, and David Silva after scoring his team’s opening goal during the English Premier League match at Carrow Road, Norwich, England, Saturday Dec. 29, 2012.

Del Piero to miss Sydney match with calf injury Associated Press Writer

SYDNEY — Former Juventus and Italy star Alessandro Del Piero will miss Sydney FC’s match against Adelaide United on Monday due to calf soreness and his coach is blaming numerous fouls by opposition players.

Sydney FC said in a statement Sunday that Del Piero was fouled repeatedly during the team’s 1-0 win over Central Coast and coach Frank Farina is calling for better protection for ALeague playmakers.

Farina said Del Piero was fouled eight or 10 times during the match

and that “I think there needs to be better protection for him on the field ... we play a physical game and Alessandro is a big boy who can handle himself, but he is getting kicked repeatedly and if that continues he will miss games through injury.”

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AP Photo/Scott Heppell

Tottenham Hotspurs’ Gareth Bale, center, vies for the ball with Sunderland’s Craig Gardner, right, and Sebastian Larsson, left, during their English Premier League soccer match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012.

NEW DELHI - India’s oldest soccer club, Mohun Bagan, have been kicked out of the league and banned for a further two years after refusing to take the field for the second half of their crowd trouble-hit derby against East Bengal earlier this month.

Mohun Bagan were trailing their arch-rivals 1-0 on Dec. 9 in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata when one of their players was hit by a stone hurled from the stands. The match resumed after a near 15-minute interruption but Mohun Bagan, founded in 1889, did not return to the field.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) appointed a retired judge to look into the case and his finding got the approval of an I-League Core Committee on Saturday.

An AIFF statement said Mohun Bagan had been thrown out of the ongoing I-League competition, their matches had been declared null and void, and they would be disqualified from the next two editions of the league.

The club would also have to “return to the I-League any financial stipends that had been paid to it by I-League throughout the competition 2012-2013 or forfeit the right to the same,” the AIFF said in a statement. A revised fixture and points table would soon be issued, the AIFF added.

The I-League committee will decide on any possible additional sanction or fine in a Jan. 9 meeting where the club would be asked to present its case.

Celtic loses 1-0 at Hibs Bale defends himself after in final match of 2012

being booked for diving

Associated Press Writer

SUNDERLAND, England — Tottenham winger Gareth Bale was forced to defend himself after being given a yellow card for diving for the third time this season, saying referees are booking him for “no reason.”

The pacy Wales international has picked up a reputation for being a diver and he was cautioned for going to ground too easily in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

“I’ve been clipped and booked for no reason again,” Bale said. “There’s nothing I can do, the referees need to look a bit closer. People think I’m diving when there’s contact.”

Footage showed Sunderland defender Craig Gardner put his arm across Bale, whose knees buckled as he fell theatrically in the penalty area in the 81st minute.

It’s the fifth time Bale has been booked for diving over the past two seasons — more than any other player in the league — and he was booed off

by Sunderland fans when substituted just before the final whistle.

“If there’s contact, what do you want me to do — hit my head on the floor?” Bale said. “I have to put my hands down to protect myself. If people kick me, I’m going to go down.

It doesn’t bother me, people keep saying I’m diving but it doesn’t bother me whatsoever.”

Bale will now miss Tuesday’s match against Reading because this latest booking was his fifth of the season, incurring an automatic suspension.

That further angered Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas, who claimed his players are being “persecuted” after seeing Jermain Defoe also penalized for diving against Sunderland.

“I understand that reputations can sometimes be created on the outside through the media or situations on the pitch, but it’s a bit unfair,” Villas-Boas said of Bale. “We want to take (diving) out of the game, the game here is respectful with fair play, but speed is difficult for referees to analyze. It’s a little bit unfair.”

Associated Press Writer

GLASGOW, Scotland — Celtic gave a glimmer of hope to the chasing pack in the Scottish Premier League by losing 1-0 to Hibernian on Saturday, ensuring the reigning champions will take a six-point lead into 2013.

Leigh Griffiths scored the only goal of the game in the ninth minute for his 14th of the season, with Hibs needing a resolute defensive effort to preserve the win.

Both second-place Inverness, which drew 1-1 at St. Johnstone, and third-place Motherwell, which was held 2-2 by Kilmarnock, are six points adrift of Celtic.

Dundee stayed nine points behind Ross County at the bottom of the standings after losing 3-1 at home to Aberdeen.

Shakir’s Iraq promotion ends Maradona speculations Reuters

Iraq football association has promoted Hakeem Shakir to the head coach’s post, ending speculations of a possible appointment of Diego Maradona for the job.

Shakir, 49, who guided Iraq to the final of this year’s AFC under19 Championship in the

United Arab Emirates, had been in temporary charge of the national side since Brazilian Zico resigned in November.

The Iraq football association on Friday confirmed Shakir’s appointment, the Asian Football Confederation said on its website (www.the-afc. com).

Earlier this month, an agent representing Maradona said that the Argentine great, former coach of UAE side

Al Wasl and now their consultant, was excited at the prospect of a chance to lead Iraq to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

Former England manager SvenGoran Eriksson of Sweden was also in the fray to take over the reins of the Middle Eastern country, the agent said.

Shakir’s first assignment after his full-time appointment will be the Gulf Cup starting in Bahrain next week.

AP Photo/Scott Heppell

Celtic’s Giorgos Samaras, reacts after failing to score against Spartak Moscow during their Champions League Group G soccer match at Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012.

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Dzeko inspires City as United seal win

Reuters

Reuters

LONDON - Edin Dzeko shone to give 10-man Manchester City a battling 4-3 victory at Norwich City but leaders Manchester United also won as own goals and more controversial refereeing marked the last Saturday of 2012. In another bumper day for Premier League goals, resurgent Arsenal went fifth after a thrilling 7-3 home win over Newcastle United with contract rebel Theo Walcott scoring a hat-trick.

Manchester United maintained their seven-point advantage over City at the top after Gareth McAuley turned the ball into his own net and substitute Robin van Persie netted in a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at a sodden Old Trafford. “(Van Persie) changed the game for us,” United boss Alex Ferguson told the BBC. “When I brought him and Paul Scholes on they settled the game down for us. West Brom dominated in the second half and kept pumping the ball into our box.

“We’re in a good position. We’re halfway there.” City striker Dzeko scored twice in the first four minutes and another of his strikes was credited as an own goal by goalkeeper Mark Bunn at Norwich where Samir Nasri’s 44th-minute red card had threatened the champions’ dominance.

In-form Tottenham Hotspur moved third following a 2-1 comeback win at Sunderland where an apoplectic Gareth Bale was again booked for diving while fourth-bottom Aston Villa lost their third in a row in a 3-0 home defeat by Wigan Athletic. Paul Lambert’s Villa have conceded 15 in the three games and scored none.

Arsenal opened the scoring against leaky Newcastle through Walcott - again playing as a striker - when he escaped the offside trap and finished with aplomb in the style of boyhood hero and mentor Thierry Henry, who was watching from the stands. Demba Ba’s deflected free kick just before the interval gave the visitors hope but an excellent finish from Alex Oxlade- Chamberlain and a close-range

header from Lukas Podolski after Sylvain Marveaux’s leveller looked to have secured the points.

Ba then grabbed another equaliser but England’s Walcott expertly found the top corner after 73 minutes and substitute Olivier Giroud bagged a double late on. A persistent Walcott then took the matchball to show he is not just a winger.

Ten-man Stoke City were facing a first home loss since February but a superb late Cameron Jerome strike secured a 3-3 draw with struggling Southampton and Reading pulled themselves away from last spot with a 1-0 home win over West Ham United. Swansea City shrugged off the injury absence of top scorer Michu to triumph 2-1 at Fulham where stand-in striker Danny Graham grabbed the opener.

CLEAN SHEET

Leaders United started with Van Persie on the bench and had Wayne Rooney out injured for a West Brom game that was nearly called off before kickoff because of heavy rain in Manchester. Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa made his comeback from injury but it was another returnee, winger Ashley Young, who provided the cross for McAuley to inadvertently score after nine minutes.

Alex Ferguson’s side have been consistently shipping goals, only prevailing 4-3 over Newcastle on Wednesday thanks to a last-minute strike, but they just about held on to a clean sheet before Van Persie eased fan nerves in

the last minute. After 20 of 38 games, United have 49 points to City’s 42 but Roberto Mancini will be glad his champions did not slip further behind after playing with 10 men for over a half at Norwich.

Bosnian forward Dzeko made a stunning start for City but Anthony Pilkington’s 15th-minute goal and Nasri’s debatable sending off left the game in the balance. France midfielder Nasri saw red for going headto-head with Sebastien Bassong but the dismissal seemed harsh.

Sergio Aguero then gave City breathing space after 50 minutes before a Dzeko strike came back off the post and hit Bunn on its way into the net, in between Russell Martin’s brace. “Today we showed we are there for the title,” Mancini said.

AP Photo/PA

Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko, right, celebrates with his team-mates Sergio Aguero, left, and David Silva after scoring his team’s opening goal during the English Premier League match at Carrow Road, Norwich, England, Saturday Dec. 29, 2012.

Del Piero to miss Sydney match with calf injury Associated Press Writer

SYDNEY — Former Juventus and Italy star Alessandro Del Piero will miss Sydney FC’s match against Adelaide United on Monday due to calf soreness and his coach is blaming numerous fouls by opposition players.

Sydney FC said in a statement Sunday that Del Piero was fouled repeatedly during the team’s 1-0 win over Central Coast and coach Frank Farina is calling for better protection for ALeague playmakers.

Farina said Del Piero was fouled eight or 10 times during the match

and that “I think there needs to be better protection for him on the field ... we play a physical game and Alessandro is a big boy who can handle himself, but he is getting kicked repeatedly and if that continues he will miss games through injury.”

9

AP Photo/Scott Heppell

Tottenham Hotspurs’ Gareth Bale, center, vies for the ball with Sunderland’s Craig Gardner, right, and Sebastian Larsson, left, during their English Premier League soccer match at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012.

NEW DELHI - India’s oldest soccer club, Mohun Bagan, have been kicked out of the league and banned for a further two years after refusing to take the field for the second half of their crowd trouble-hit derby against East Bengal earlier this month.

Mohun Bagan were trailing their arch-rivals 1-0 on Dec. 9 in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata when one of their players was hit by a stone hurled from the stands. The match resumed after a near 15-minute interruption but Mohun Bagan, founded in 1889, did not return to the field.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) appointed a retired judge to look into the case and his finding got the approval of an I-League Core Committee on Saturday.

An AIFF statement said Mohun Bagan had been thrown out of the ongoing I-League competition, their matches had been declared null and void, and they would be disqualified from the next two editions of the league.

The club would also have to “return to the I-League any financial stipends that had been paid to it by I-League throughout the competition 2012-2013 or forfeit the right to the same,” the AIFF said in a statement. A revised fixture and points table would soon be issued, the AIFF added.

The I-League committee will decide on any possible additional sanction or fine in a Jan. 9 meeting where the club would be asked to present its case.

Celtic loses 1-0 at Hibs Bale defends himself after in final match of 2012

being booked for diving

Associated Press Writer

SUNDERLAND, England — Tottenham winger Gareth Bale was forced to defend himself after being given a yellow card for diving for the third time this season, saying referees are booking him for “no reason.”

The pacy Wales international has picked up a reputation for being a diver and he was cautioned for going to ground too easily in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

“I’ve been clipped and booked for no reason again,” Bale said. “There’s nothing I can do, the referees need to look a bit closer. People think I’m diving when there’s contact.”

Footage showed Sunderland defender Craig Gardner put his arm across Bale, whose knees buckled as he fell theatrically in the penalty area in the 81st minute.

It’s the fifth time Bale has been booked for diving over the past two seasons — more than any other player in the league — and he was booed off

by Sunderland fans when substituted just before the final whistle.

“If there’s contact, what do you want me to do — hit my head on the floor?” Bale said. “I have to put my hands down to protect myself. If people kick me, I’m going to go down.

It doesn’t bother me, people keep saying I’m diving but it doesn’t bother me whatsoever.”

Bale will now miss Tuesday’s match against Reading because this latest booking was his fifth of the season, incurring an automatic suspension.

That further angered Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas, who claimed his players are being “persecuted” after seeing Jermain Defoe also penalized for diving against Sunderland.

“I understand that reputations can sometimes be created on the outside through the media or situations on the pitch, but it’s a bit unfair,” Villas-Boas said of Bale. “We want to take (diving) out of the game, the game here is respectful with fair play, but speed is difficult for referees to analyze. It’s a little bit unfair.”

Associated Press Writer

GLASGOW, Scotland — Celtic gave a glimmer of hope to the chasing pack in the Scottish Premier League by losing 1-0 to Hibernian on Saturday, ensuring the reigning champions will take a six-point lead into 2013.

Leigh Griffiths scored the only goal of the game in the ninth minute for his 14th of the season, with Hibs needing a resolute defensive effort to preserve the win.

Both second-place Inverness, which drew 1-1 at St. Johnstone, and third-place Motherwell, which was held 2-2 by Kilmarnock, are six points adrift of Celtic.

Dundee stayed nine points behind Ross County at the bottom of the standings after losing 3-1 at home to Aberdeen.

Shakir’s Iraq promotion ends Maradona speculations Reuters

Iraq football association has promoted Hakeem Shakir to the head coach’s post, ending speculations of a possible appointment of Diego Maradona for the job.

Shakir, 49, who guided Iraq to the final of this year’s AFC under19 Championship in the

United Arab Emirates, had been in temporary charge of the national side since Brazilian Zico resigned in November.

The Iraq football association on Friday confirmed Shakir’s appointment, the Asian Football Confederation said on its website (www.the-afc. com).

Earlier this month, an agent representing Maradona said that the Argentine great, former coach of UAE side

Al Wasl and now their consultant, was excited at the prospect of a chance to lead Iraq to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

Former England manager SvenGoran Eriksson of Sweden was also in the fray to take over the reins of the Middle Eastern country, the agent said.

Shakir’s first assignment after his full-time appointment will be the Gulf Cup starting in Bahrain next week.

AP Photo/Scott Heppell

Celtic’s Giorgos Samaras, reacts after failing to score against Spartak Moscow during their Champions League Group G soccer match at Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012.

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Bucks surge in fourth quarter to blast Heat

Les waterfall

Les Waterfall is located in Les village, 38 kilometer south to Singaraja, in the north Bali. The waterfall is overlooking green hills and untouched nature. The height is about 30 meters.

In addition, Les Village is also famous for its very amazing beach with its magnificent underwater world view.

Located some 90 kilometers north of Denpasar, Les is blessed with a majestic waterfall and rich underwater scenery at its beach.

The best way to reach Les is by rented or private car or motorcycle, so visitors can stop where they want to take photos.

The shortest route from Denpasar to Les is through Gianyar and Kintamani, where visitors can stop to enjoy the wonderful Lake Batur and mountain views while sipping hot Balinese coffee outside Pura Puncak Panulisan, a temple.

The waterfall is about 1 kilometer from the village’s main road. Visitors can park at the entrance gate, where a few shops sell snacks and souvenirs, before walking along a path to an open area next to a wide river, with a small stream of water and huge rocks.

After crossing the river, a similar footpath leads to the waterfall.

The 30-meter-high waterfall has a perfect slope so the water from the river jumps from one rock to another before eventually hitting the bottom of the land more gently.

Visitors can stand under the waterfall and enjoy the sensation of a natural massage of the water pounding on their head, neck and back while trying to become one with the surroundings and listening to the great voice of the waterfall.

Reuters

The Milwaukee Bucks stunned the Miami Heat with a fourth-quarter blitz on Saturday to record a 104-85 blowout win over the NBA champions. With the Heat leading 71-69 entering the final period, the Bucks (16-12) kicked into high gear and outscored Miami 35-14 to blow them off the floor in the last quarter.

Brandon Jennings scored 25 points, Mike Dunleavy scored 13 of his 18 in the fourth and Milwaukee forced Miami into errors and turnovers. It was Miami’s second successive loss.

“It was good to win a game like this against the defending champs,” Milwaukee’s Luc Richard Mbah a Milwaukee Bucks’ Monta Ellis (11) drives to the basket against Miami Heat’s LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, in Milwaukee.

Moute told reporters. “We’ve got to enjoy this one and continue to go at it.

We needed to win a couple of games in a row at home.”

Heat guard Dwyane Wade returned from his one-game suspension for kicking Charlotte’s Ramon Sessions and scored 24 points, while LeBron James added 26 points. Milwaukee had jumped out to a 56-44 halftime lead but gave the advantage back in the third where James took over and the Heat outscored them 27-13 in the quarter.

James had 14 in the third to pull his team back in the game. Everything changed in the fourth, however, as

Larry Sanders and Moute both produced two blocks each in the first few minutes to fuel a stirring run for the home side.

Playing in front of a boisterous crowd, the Bucks scored the first nine points of the fourth and never looked back.

“It’s always been tough for us to play them,” Wade said. “It’s always a battle. They did their job and used their energy in the fourth quarter.

They took a lead, and we couldn’t come back.”

Moute finished with 19 points and Sanders had 16 and 11 rebounds. It was a rare off night for the Heat who just missed tying their season-low point total of 84 and got little help from their supporting cast.

Both James and Wade made more than half of their field goal attempts and Chris Bosh (12 points) was the only other player to reach double figures.

AP Photo/Jim Prisching

IBP/Net

Velez Zuzulova wins women’s WCup night slalom

Associated Press Writer

SEMMERING, Austria — Veronika Velez Zuzulova of Slovakia upset the favorites to win a World Cup night slalom Saturday for her first career victory. She trailed overall World Cup leader Tina Maze by 0.55 seconds after the opening leg but overtook the Slovenian with a near-flawless final run.

Velez Zuzulova finished in a combined time of 1 minute, 37.28 seconds. Kathrin Zettel of Austria was 0.10 back. Maze was third, 0.20 behind.

The rest of the field finished more than a second behind Velez Zuzulova, who celebrated her victory by lying face-down in the snow in the finish area for about 30 seconds. “A while ago I was almost thinking that it’s impossible to win one day,” said the 28-year-old Velez Zuzulova, who has been racing on the World Cup circuit since 2000.

The Slovakian, who married her French coach Romain Velez in the offseason, said attacking was her only tactic for the final run.

“After the first run I was really happy,” Velez Zuzulova said. “But the second run was really difficult as I knew Kathrin had a good time.

I had to attack, it was the only way I could win.”

Zettel said she was “super happy. To get this result in front of your home crowd is such a great feeling.”

Serena Williams opens season with comfortable win Associated Press Writer

BRISBANE, Australia — Starting the 2013 schedule a couple of days before the New Year put Serena Williams under a little more pressure than usual to produce a convincing victory in her first match of the season.

After saving five break points as she adjusted to a strong cross breeze in the first game, the 15-time major winner needed less than an hour to beat No. 21-ranked Varvara Lepchenko 6-2, 6-1 in the first round of the Brisbane International on Sunday.

Williams won 31 of her last 32 matches in the second half of the 2012 season including titles at Wimbledon, the Olympics, U.S. Open and the WTA Championships. She lost only four of her 62 matches, a win-loss record she didn’t want to diminish in any way.

“Tomorrow is the last day of the year, so technically I still had my 2012 rep on the line,” she said. “I really needed to win today so I could finish the year with still just the four losses. So that was important for me.”

Williams didn’t show any signs of being hampered by the minor surgery on her big toes which forced her to withdraw from a Dec. 29 exhibition in Thailand, moving freely throughout the match against the Uzbekistan-born Lepchenko, who now represents the United States.

“I was a little nervous, but I was completely fine,” the No. 3-ranked Williams said. “The doctor said I would be fine. I was excited to get an early start so just in case I did have any pain I could have tomorrow off. But everything was fine.”

Williams said she didn’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. That doesn’t stop her aiming for a sweep of the majors. She held all four Grand Slam titles at one stage, winning the 2003 Australian Open after claiming the French, Wimbledon and U.S. Open titles in 2002, but she’s never completed a season slam.

“I think for me, absolutely,” she replied to questions if the Slam was possible for her for 2013. “I think maybe whoever wins will Australian Open will have that same thought. I think there is no way that Victoria (Azarenka) or Maria (Sharapova) or maybe some other players don’t feel the same way. So I think I definitely feel that way.”

And if that doesn’t work, she’s planning on giving herself a few more years to attempt it, saying her experience at the London Olympics gave her the desire to keep playing until the 2016 Games in Rio. Eight of the top 10 women are contesting the Brisbane International, with Azarenka and Sharapova getting byes in the first round.

AP Photo/Tertius Pickard

Serena Williams of the U.S. reacts after winning a point during her first round match against Varvaro Lepchenko of the U.S. during the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, Dec 30, 2012.

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INDONESIA Three killed in tourist bus accident Antara

BANYUWANGI - Three passengers were killed in a collision of two tourist buses in Jalan Raya Bangsaring, Bengkak village, Wongsorejo Subdistrict, Banyuwangi District, East Java, on Sunday.

The three dead victims were Ujang of Bandung, West Java, Soroso and six-year old Sofi, both from Sidoarjo, East Java, witnesses said.

“The accident involved a tourist bus heading to Keta-

pang carrying students from Palembang and the other bus PO Ardiansyah carrying passengers from Bali,” Heri, an eye witness said.

The accident took place at 2.0 am on Sunday.

AP Photo/A.K. Hendratmo

Indonesian men struggle to catch offerings of bite-size rice flour cakes called “apem” thrown by Muslim clerics from the top of a mosque’s towers during the annual Yaqowiyu ritual in Klaten, Central Java, Indonesia, Friday, Dec. 28, 2012. The cakes are believed to be able to bring prosperity to those who are able to catch them.

Kiswanti helps turns page for literacy with library

Agence France-Presse

PEMAGARSARI - Kiswanti went to great lengths to get people to read in Indonesia, a nation addicted to social media but with a lacklustre interest in books.

For six years, as she cycled on bumpy village mud tracks in western Java as a door-todoor herbal medicine vendor, Kiswanti would carry a stack of books on the back of her bike to lend to children.

Her humble efforts have snowballed and her modest village is now home to a library, a rare sight even in Indonesia’s biggest cities.

“Reading gives you knowledge and knowledge is power. Nobody, no matter how poor, should be deprived of reading,” Kiswanti, 46, told AFP. Kiswanti gave up her days as a “mobile librarian” in 2005 when a liver illness struck, confining her to her tiny concrete block

In 2012

595 personnel of police force dishonourably discharged Antara

JAKARTA - As many as 595 members of the Indonesian police force have been dishonourably discharged this year for various violations, up 55.12 percent from 2011.

“A total of 106 of them were involved in narcotics cases, while 32 were found guilty of imposing illegal levies,” National Police Chief, General Timur Pradopo, said at a year-end press conference.

He noted that the National Police had received 1,148 com-

plaints from the public so far this year.

“However, 774 of them have been already resolved,” Pradopo pointed out.

He said the number of disciplinary violations had reached 6,017 so far this year, up 43 percent from 2011.

“Action has been taken in 4,154, or 69 percent, of those cases,” Pradopo noted.

“Cases involving violation of ethics by police officers in 2012 totalled 651, up 42.24 percent from last year, and 449 of them have been resolved,” he added.

house in Pemagarsari village, where narrow dirt trails lead off the main road.

As a neighbour kept the mobile library on its wheels, international and local donors caught wind of the initiative and fronted the cash to start the Lebakwangi Reading House, which now boasts a collection of 5,000 titles.

“This library is a dream come true. I had to pinch myself many times to make sure it was real,” Kiswanti said in the library, set up in the house next to hers.

The library gets around 100 visitors a day, mostly students, and Kiswanti is plotting ways to expand her reach, already touting her library to teachers and students at schools in three villages.

Indonesia has an impressive literacy rate for a developing nation -- nine out of 10 adults can read, the World Bank reports -but books are considered luxury items for many of its 240 million people, half of whom live on less than $2 a day.

The country has a much richer tradition of oral story-telling, with age-old shadow puppet shows and plays still popular.

Indonesians, however, read volumes of text every day online -- they make up the world’s thirdlargest Facebook community and fifth-largest on Twitter, and they are avid text and messaging

users.

Tom Ibnur, a lecturer at the Jakarta Institute for the Arts, said that social media, as well as TV, have “become something like a drug and encourage people to watch and

listen more than they read”.

There is also a history of distrust in books in Indonesia, where dictator Suharto used them as a vehicle for propaganda under his iron-fisted New Order regime.

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

This picture taken on February 2, 2012 shows a young Indonesian girl carrying a book at a library run by Indonesian woman Kiswanti in Pemagarsari village near Bogor.

12

International

Monday, December 31, 2012

BUSINESS AP Photo/ Evan Vucci

President Barack Obama gestures during a statement on the fiscal cliff negotiations with congressional leaders in the briefing room of the White House on Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 in Washington. The negotiations are a last ditch effort to avoid across-theboard first of the year tax increases and deep spending cuts.

Last-minute fiscal cliff talks in Senate Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Senate leaders sought a last-minute compromise Saturday to avoid middle-class tax increases and possibly prevent deep spending cuts at the dawn of the new year as President Barack Obama warned that failure could threaten the nation’s economic recovery.

The U.S. faces the so-called “fiscal cliff” in January because tax rate cuts dating back to President George W. Bush’s tenure expire on Dec. 31. The pending across-the-board reductions in government spending, which will slice money out of everything from social programs to the military, were put in place last year as an incentive to both parties to find ways to cut spending.

That solution grew out of the two parties’ inability in 2011 to agree to a grand bargain that would have taken a big bite out of the deficit.

Unless Obama and Congress act to stop them, about $536 billion in tax increases, touching nearly all Americans, will begin to take effect in January.

That will be coupled with about $110 billion in spending cuts, about 8 percent of the annual budgets for most federal departments. Economists predict that if allowed to unfold over 2013 this double whammy would result in a big jump in unemployment, financial market turmoil and a slide back into recession.

Obama chastised lawmakers on Saturday in his weekly radio and Internet address for waiting until the last minute to try and avoid a “fiscal cliff,” yet said there was still time for an agreement.

“We cannot let Washington politics get in the way of America’s progress,” he said as the hurry-up negotiations

unfolded.

Obama said the nation “can’t afford a politically self-inflicted wound to our economy.”

Obama held an hour-long, highstakes meeting with the leaders of Congress on Friday afternoon in a lastditch effort to find a path to averting the automatic austerity measures that begin to take effect Jan. 1.

Following Friday’s White House meeting, aides to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid began racing against the clock for a bipartisan bargain. The leaders could present legislation to senators as early as Sunday, with a vote possible on Sunday or Monday.

For all the recent expressions of urgency, bargaining took place by phone, email and paper in a Capitol nearly empty except for tourists. Alone among top lawmakers, McConnell spent the day in his office.

In the Republicans’ weekly address, Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri cited a readiness to compromise. “Divided government is a good time to solve hard problems — and in the next few days, leaders in Washington have an important responsibility to work together and do just that,” he said.

Even so, there was no guarantee of

success, and a dispute over the federal tax on large estates emerged as yet another key sticking point alongside personal income tax rates.

In a blunt challenge to Republicans, Obama said that barring a bipartisan agreement, he expected both houses of Congress to vote on his own proposal to block tax increases on all but the wealthy and simultaneously preserve expiring long-term unemployment benefits.

Lawmakers have until the new Congress convenes to pass any compromise, and even the calendar mattered. Democrats said they had been told House Republicans might reject a deal until after Jan. 1, to avoid a vote to raise taxes before they had technically gone up and then vote to cut taxes after they had risen.

Nor was any taxpayer likely to feel any adverse impact if legislation is signed and passed into law in the first two or three days of 2013 instead of the final hours of 2012.

Now negotiators had a more cramped goal of preventing additional damage to the economy in the form of higher taxes across the board — with some families facing increases measured in the thousands of dollars — as well as cuts aimed at the Pentagon and hundreds of domestic programs.

South Korea announces trade minister for WTO top job Agence France-Press

GENEVA - South Korea on Friday nominated its trade minister, Taeho Bark, to succeed Pascal Lamy as director-general of the World Trade Organisation, the WTO said.

Aside from Bark, 60, seven other people have applied for the job.

The WTO’s 158 member nations have until Monday to present a candidate and the body’s General Council will start interviewing candidates from the end of January.

The General Council, which is the WTO’s top decision body, will announce the new director-general by May 31. Frenchman Lamy has been in the role since 2005 -- his term ends August 31, 2013.

Observers say the next head will most likely not be a European or an American. Three of the eight candidates are women.

The announcement of Bark’s application means South Korea, Mexico, Ghana, Costa Rica, Indonesia, New Zealand, Jordan and Kenya have presented candidates.

Change of guard at India’s Tata Group Agence France-Presse

MUMBAI - The head of India’s Tata Group, Ratan Tata, warned staff of the “difficult economic environment” while handing over the reins of the business empire on his 75th birthday Friday to successor Cyrus Pallonji Mistry.

Tata, who steered the group for 21 years as chairman, has been credited with transforming it into a streamlined conglomerate of more than 100 companies and earning a global reputation for eye-catching acquisitions of Western firms.

Tata, in a farewell message to staff, said “the difficult economic environment that we face will most likely continue through most of next year”, with constraints in consumer demand, overcapacity and more competition from imports.

“There will therefore be great pressure on our companies to reinvent themselves in terms of business processes, to dramatically reduce costs and to be more aggressive in the market place,” Tata’s internal email to staff said.

The famously media-shy Tata did not go to the office on Friday, insiders said, and was reportedly out of the city.

There was no event scheduled to mark the transition, which will see Cyrus Mistry -- a relative through marriage of Ratan Tata -- become the new supremo.

A tight-lipped Mistry brushed his way past a gaggle of reporters as he arrived at the stone four-storey Bombay House, the Tata headquarters in South Mumbai since 1924.

Tata said he was confident that employees would extend the “same support, commitment and understanding” -- that he had enjoyed -- to Mistry.

From luxury cars to steel, Tata is India’s largest group with total combined sales of $100 billion in 2011-12, nearly 60 per cent of which came from business outside India, mainly the United States and Britain. Tata Steel is the world’s seventh-largest steel producer but it is now having problems with downbeat business conditions in Europe. The group’s telecom, power, hotels and finance arms also face difficulties.

International

Bali News

Monday, December 31, 2012

Dozens of illegal quarry C companies dredge foot of Mt. Agung

5

Bali Post

KARANGASEM - After the quarry C at Gunaksa, Klungkung, has run out and leaves expansive pools and marsh, exploitation of the quarry C switches to Karangasem. Even, it has reached the foot of Mount Agung as found at Sebudi village, Selat subdistrict. Exploitation of the massive excavation inevitably destroys the nature and makes foot of Mount Agung pocked. More seriously, among dozens of quarry companies doing their activities in the area, they are mostly unlicensed or illegal. How are the activities of the quarry C and the environmental damage caused? Here is his report.

When entering the Sebudi village, the quarry C activities seem so prevalent. Dozens of quarry companies with heavy equipment such as excavator, stone crusher and the others are busy exploiting the sand and rock materials erupted by Mount Agung in 1963.

Ironically, in terms of spatial planning the exploited areas belong to prohibited zone for quarry C. As a result, the environmental damage is unavoidable.

Topography of the area has turned into steep ravines. Pockmarked land can be found here and there. Even, the quarry C extends to the foot of Mount Agung.

The quarry acreage is estimated to reach nearly 200 hectares.

Dozens of companies are spreading across a number of hamlets at Sebudi village such as PT Brantas Adi Praya, UD Harapan Jaya, Putra KMD, UD Tritunggal Goto, PT Adi Murti, PT Sinar Bali, Tunas Jaya, Karya Nirmala, Alam Baru I and II, Pasir Bombom, PMA, PT Balut, PT Pasir Rai, CV Baik, Wana Tirta, Pasir Utama, Bias Abadi, BSP, PT Yoga Acala, SBP and PT Putra Diapan.

Ironically, only four of those companies have permit for quarry C activities, namely PT Brantas Adi Praya, UD Harapan Jaya and Putra KMD operating at Pura hamlet, Sebudi village and UD Sebudi Tritunggal Goto operating at Lebih hamlet, Sebudi village. Allegedly, there is a quarry C company in Karangasem owned by a legislator of Karangasem House and relative of Regent Wayan Geredeg.

One of the quarry C businessmen, Made Mangku Tirta, admitted at Sebudi village that among dozens of quarry C companies, only four had permit, while the rest did not. This owner of PT Bali Tirta Utama said that a dilemma occurred where in terms of existing rules the quarry was not permitted in the region. Even, the Karangasem government had also banned the activity, but due to insistence from communities, local government was made powerless.

He claimed that he and the company owners that did not have permit of quarry C had got an approval from customary village to carry out the quarrying activities. However, legally they did not obtain permit from the Karangasem Licensing Office. “I’ve tried to submit the permit. Since it belongs to prohibited zone for any quarrying activities as stipulated in the spatial planning, the permit could not be issued,” he said

when met at his residence at Sebudi village, some time ago.

Though dozens of those quarry C companies did not have permit, they were still charged levies by Karangasem government. Even, it was committed silently so that the quarrying activities looked legal. Payment of the levies was committed unfairly. Businessmen having no permit would borrow the number of regional taxpayer identity (NPWPD) from licensed company. Then, it was made a similar ticket carrying the name of company that borrowed the NPWPD. The levies were paid through truck driver looking for sand in the company concerned. The amount paid was IDR 100,000 where as much as IDR 96,250 went to local government and IDR 3,750 to the association. Besides, the quarry C entrepreneur also paid at IDR 8 million per month to the association.

“We never know what the payment is used for and where it is then deposited because there is no official statement or explanation to us,” he said.

Made Mangku Tirta said that every day there were approximately 1,5001,800 trucks looking for sand and coral.

Therefore, the daily levy to local government could reach over IDR 150 million and 4.5 billion a month. With such condition, the quarry C could become one of the significant revenue sources for local government. Even, over 60 percent of the Karangasem regionally generated revenue (PAD) was obtained from quarry C. “The condition is indeed a dilemma. On the one hand, the quarrying activity is not allowed in the area.

But people have no other source of income so they are only dependent on the quarry C. Moreover, if the quarry C is closed, the regionally generated revenue of Karangasem will fall rapidly,” concluded the entrepreneur having opened the quarry C since 2008.

It is predicted the quarry C material at Sebudi village will run out within next 2 years. Possibly, the community and investors will look for other areas or surrounding areas remaining potential to be quarried even though the region does not belong to mining area. Within a few years, if there is no regulation and enforcement by Karangasem government, the foot and slopes of Mount Agung can be besieged by illegal quarry C. As consequence, it will make the area more pockmarked. (kmb29)

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

After the quarry C at Gunaksa, Klungkung, has run out and leaves expansive pools and marsh, exploitation of the quarry C switches to Karangasem. Even, it has reached the foot of Mount Agung as found at Sebudi village, Selat subdistrict.

Fishery exports target set at US5 billion Antara

JIMBARAN - Indonesia’s target of fishery exports has been set at reaching US$5 billion in 2013 up from last year’s.

“We have set the target at between US$4.5 and US$5 bil-

lion next year,” the minister of fisheries and marine resources, Sharif C Sutardjo said.

He said the target was up significantly from presently at around US$4 billion.

He said this year’s exports were bigger than the imports

which were recorded at only 14 percent.

“To achieve the target we have already expanded the export markets,” he added.

He said among the new markets are countries in the Middle East and Africa.

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

Indonesia’s target of fishery exports has been set at reaching US$5 billion in 2013 up from last year’s.

4

Monday, December 31, 2012

Bali News

International

Next year, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy targets 9 million tourists Jakarta (Bali Post)—

Director General of Tourism Marketing, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Esthy Reko Astuti, said the target of Indonesia to attract nine million tourists during 2013 was very realistic. “I’m very optimistic that we can reach this target,” said Esthy Reko Astuti in Jakarta, Friday (Dec 28).

According to Esthy, stipulation of the target had taken into account a variety of factors including the global economic slowdown predicted to occur in 2013. Besides, it also considered the domestic economic growth as well as potential increase in per capita income and purchasing power of people, especially in the Asia Pacific region.

“Especially next year, Indonesia will host a variety of world-class events including a series of APEC meetings,” she said.

Esthy was confident that contribution of the Meeting, Incentives, Convention, and Exhibition (MICE) would be greater when Indonesia hosted a variety of worldclass events. Moreover, the target of nine million foreign tourists would become a springboard for Indonesia to achieve the new target of 10 million tourist visits in 2014.

Next year, her party targeted to attract more foreign tourists from the main target markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, China, Japan and South Korea.

“There are 16 countries becoming IBP/File

The tourists are enjoying the beautiful scenery of Jatiluwih

Missing since Christmas

Seririt resident found dead Semarapura (Bali Post) –

After missing on Christmas celebration (25/12), I Ketut Arnawa (65) from Seririt, Singaraja, was found rotten at a field (tegalan) owned by A.A. Jaya from Puri Kanginan, above Tukad Cau River, Banjar Sengguan, Klungkung, last Saturday (29/12). The discovery of the body caused a shock as it is found swollen, right head damaged with rotten smell. Arnawa was found first by I Wayan Sukerta (50) from Banjar Sengguan around 10 am local time. The discovery was due to Sukerta was cleaning up his field which is not far from the location of the body. He was attracted to the rotten smell which also smelt by a number of people about

to bathe there. Sukerta went up to the place where the smell was from and saw a human foot. He then called up all residents yet none of them was brave enough to move the body.

People suspected victim committed suicide as its position is under a gorge and still wearing brown squared shirt and shorts. Hearing about the incident, a resident from Besang Kangin, I Komang Arjana (40) came to see the situation. Arjana was shocked and hysterical to have found his father, Arnawa, who has been missing since Christmas celebration.

Workers, Kodim 1610 and Klungkung Police officers then brought Arjana home to calm him down while Arnawa’s body got wrapped and moved to Klungkung Hospital corpse room. The workers are

now investigating the cause of the death.

The body is planned to be brought to his origin at Seririt, Singaraja.

Meanwhile there were items found around Arnawa’s death place such as sandals, towel, soap, an empty bottle and a glass. It is strongly suspected the bottle contained the liquid that victim used to kill himself. Arjana later on confirmed that before he died, victim did say he wanted to commit suicide then stayed alone in the garden. “On Sunday (23/12) morning, father came to Klungkung then the next two days he didn’t talk as much. Suddenly he left at 3 pm local time (on Tuesday), we have searched for him including spreading his photos but there was no result,” Arjana explained. (kmb31)

our target market next year. In those countries, we will perform a variety of priority events that can bring in tourists to Indonesia,” she said.

Her party targeted to be capable of producing 1.75 million from tourists Singapore, 1.4 million from Malaysia, Australia (1.220 million), China (1 million), Japan (505,000) and South Korea (360,000). Some other countries targeted to bring in tourists to Indonesia were the Philippines, Taiwan, the United States, Britain, France, India, the Netherlands, Middle East, Germany and Russia.

To reach the target, her party realized the need for synchronization attempt of all tourism stakeholders in the country. “Target of foreign tourists is also directed at specific demographic segments with respect to the aspects or motive as well as specific interest of tourist today,” she said.

The target of foreign tourists visit within the past three years had increased significantly where in 2011 the target was set at 7 million tourists and successfully achieved, in 2012 the target was eight million tourists and in 2013 was nine million tourists, while in 2014 was targeted to reach 10 million tourists. (010)

Petrol caught on fire, houses burnt Singaraja (Bali Post) –

Two houses in Dusun Kangin Teben, Jagaraga Village, Sawan, burnt on Thursday (27/12) around 10 pm local time. In the incident one resident, Made Somanasa, got wounded on the feet, left hand and back while trying to turn off the fire. The houses were owned by Kadek Ariyasa (34) and Ketut Buda Simben (45).

The incident started when Kadek Ariyasa was pouring petrol to be sold at his stall yet suddenly it caught fire not knowing where it came from. The fire took over Ariyasa’s 20x5 meters house and Ketut Buda’s 20x8 house which later 5 fire brigades turned if off. Even so, Ariyasa experienced IDR 275 million loss while Buda experienced IDR 250 million.

Head of Buleleng Police Operational PC Ida Bagus Wedanajati, Friday (28/12), confirmed the case and it is still being investigated. (kmb15)

International

W

RLD

Monday, December 31, 2012

13

Body of India rape victim arrives home in New Delhi

Reuters

NEW DELHI - The body of a woman whose gang rape provoked protests and rare national debate about violence against women in India arrived back in New Delhi early on Sunday and was quickly cremated at a private ceremony. The unidentified 23-year-old medical student died from her injuries on Saturday, prompting promises of action from a government that has struggled to respond to public outrage.

She had suffered brain injuries and massive internal injuries in the attack on December 16, and died in hospital in Singapore where she had been taken for treatment. She and a male friend had been returning home from the cinema, media reports say, when six men on a bus beat them with metal rods and repeatedly raped the woman. The friend survived.

Six suspects were charged with murder after her death. A Reuters correspondent saw family members who had been with her in Singapore take her body from the airport to their Delhi home in an ambulance with a police escort.

Ruling party leader Sonia Gandhi was seen arriving at the airport when the plane landed and Prime Minister Mannmohan Singh’s convoy was also there, the witness said.

The body was then taken to a crematorium

and cremated. Media were kept away but a Reuters witness saw the woman’s family, New Delhi’s chief minister, Sheila Dikshit, and the junior home minister, R P N Singh, coming out of the crematorium.

Security in the capital remained tight after authorities, worried about the reaction to the news of her death, had on Saturday deployed thousands of policemen and closed some roads and metro stations.

Protesters still gathered, in New Delhi and other cities, to keep the pressure on Singh’s government to get tougher on crime against women. Last weekend, protesters fought pitched battles with police. On Sunday, lines of policemen in riot gear and armed with heavy wooden sticks stood in front of metal REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui barricades closing off roads in New Delhi. Vehicles carrying mourners and officials leave a cremation ground after attending the funeral of a rape victim in New Delhi December 30, 2012.

Morning traffic was light.

Pakistan blast kills 20 Shia pilgrims in latest sectarian attack Reuters

QUETTA, Pakistan - A car bomb exploded on Sunday near a convoy of buses taking Pakistani Shia pilgrims to Iran, killing 20 people and wounding 24, officials said, the latest attack on the minority sect.

Witnesses said the blast occurred as the three buses were overtaking a car about 60 km (35 miles) west of Quetta, capital of sparsely populated Baluchistan province, site of many sectarian attacks, near the Iranian border.

“The bus next to us caught on fire immediately,” said pilgrim Hussein Ali, 60. “We tried to save our companions but were driven back by the intensity of the heat.” An official at Mastung district hospital, said 20 people had been killed and 24 wounded.

Akbar Durrani, Baluchistan’s home secretary, said rescue teams were trying to reach victims in the wreckage of the vehicles, one of which was still in flames some time after the attack. He said the death toll could rise. A string of attacks on Shias underscores the government’s inability to crack down on groups promoting sectarian violence.

In August, militants made passengers disembark from a bus in a northern province and shot 19 Shias dead after determining from their identity cards whether they were Shias or majority Sunnis.

New York-based Human Rights Watch has noted more than 320 Shias killed this year in Pakistan and said attacks were on the rise. It said the government’s failure to catch or prosecute attackers suggested it was “indifferent” to the killings.

An emergency personnel worker searches for human remains at the site of a car bomb explosion targeting buses carrying Shia Muslim pilgrims in Quetta December 30, 2012.

REUTERS/Naseer Ahmed

Venezuela VP in Cuba to visit ailing Chavez Associated Press Writer

HAVANA — Venezuela’s vice president arrived in Havana on Saturday in a sudden and unexpected trip to visit President Hugo Chavez as he recovers from cancer surgery. Communist Party newspaper Granma published online a photo of a smiling Vice President Nicolas Maduro being greeted at the airport in the Cuban capital by the island’s foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez.

“From there, (Maduro) went directly to the hospital where President Hugo Chavez Frias is receiving treatment to greet his family members and Venezuelan Science and Technology Minister Jorge Arreaza Monserrat, and to discuss with doctors the adequate moment to visit the President the same day,” the paper said. Granma added that Maduro was accompanied by Venezuelan Attorney General Cilia Flores.

The previous night in Caracas, Venezuela, Maduro did not specify how long he would be away but said Energy Minister Hector Navarro would be in charge of government affairs in the meantime.

Maduro’s announcement came at the end of a long speech at the inauguration of a state governor, and he offered no information on the purpose of his visit beyond

seeing Chavez.

In a speech Saturday, Venezuela’s National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello said only that Maduro went to Cuba to visit with Chavez and urge him “to follow his treatment.” Venezuelan press officials in Caracas said they had no additional information Saturday.

Maduro’s trip comes amid growing uncertainty about Chavez’s health.

The Venezuelan leader has not been seen or heard from since undergoing his fourth cancer-related

surgery Dec. 11, and government officials have said he might not return in time for his scheduled Jan. 10 inauguration for a new six-year term. There have been no updates on Chavez’s condition since Maduro announced Monday night that he had received a phone call from the president who was up and walking. Venezuela’s opposition criticized Maduro for what they said was a lack of transparency surrounding Chavez’s health.

AP Photo/Granma, Juvenal Balan Neyra

In this photo provided by Cuba’s state newspaper Granma, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez , left, talks with Venezuela’s Vice President Nicolas Maduro, center, as Venezuelan Attorney General Cilia Flores watches at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012.

14

Monday, December 31, 2012

Life Style

US pending home sales rise to highest in 2½ years Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — A measure of Americans who signed contracts to buy homes increased last month to its highest level in two and a half years, the latest sign of improvement in the once-battered housing market.

The National Association of Realtors said Friday that its seasonally adjusted pending home sales index rose 1.7 percent in November from October to 106.4. That’s the highest since April 2010, when a homebuyer tax credit caused a spike in sales. And after excluding those months when the tax credit was available, it’s the best reading since February 2007.

The increase followed a 5 percent gain in October and suggests higher sales of previously occupied homes in the coming months. There’s generally a one- to two-month lag between a signed contract and a completed sale.

In November, signed contracts to buy homes rose in the Northeast and West, and ticked up slightly in the Midwest. They were unchanged in the South.

Home sales are on track to rise 10 percent this year to their highest level in five years, buoyed by ultra-low mortgage rates and steady job gains.

The Realtors’ group forecasts that sales may rise in 2013 to about 5.1

million. That’s still below the more than 5.5 million that is considered consistent with a healthy market.

The housing recovery that began earlier this year is looking sustainable for a number of reasons. The supply of previously occupied homes for sale has finally thinned out and is at an 11-year low. At the same time, more people are looking to buy or rent a home after living with relatives or friends during and in the aftermath of the Great Recession.

The combination of stronger demand and limited supply is pushing up home prices. That could encourage more sellers to put their homes on the market because they can expect a better price.

Builders are also more optimistic that the recovery will endure and are stepping up construction. The pace of home construction was nearly 22 percent higher in November compared with a year earlier. Builders are on track this year to start work on the most homes in four years.

Vultures pick at visitors’ cars in US Everglades Associated Press Writer

HOMESTEAD, Florida — Visitors to parts of Everglades National Park in Florida are getting tarps and bungee cords to make their vehicles less delectable to vultures.

AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File

FILE - In this Nov. 27, 2005 file photo, a wood stork prepares to land in a tree at Big Cypress National Preserve, Fla.

Migrating vultures have developed a habit of ripping off windshield wipers, sunroof seals, and other rubber and vinyl vehicle parts. Visitors to the park’s Homestead and Flamingo entrances are loaned “anti-vulture kits” to protect their vehicles.

Park wildlife biologist Skip Snow tells The Miami Herald that the vultures are migrating as normal. It’s just not clear why the birds are picking at parked cars and trucks. Park employees have tried to scare away the vultures, but nothing has worked.

Park Superintendent Dan Kimball says complaints about the vultures have declined since employees began distributing the tarps and bungee cords last year.

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

In this Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, photo, an under contract sign sits outside a home in Glen, Ill. A measure of U.S. home prices rose 6.3 percent in October compared with a year ago, the largest yearly gain since July 2006.

Champagne loses fizz in Europe after tough year Associated Press Writer

PARIS — Europeans are finding fewer reasons to pop open a bottle of Champagne as another year of economic troubles and high unemployment saps the region’s appetite for the finer things. But while the latest industry figures show that sales might be on the wane in Europe, other markets, particularly Japan and the United States, are developing a taste for a glass of bubbly.

In what is certain to be bad news for the vineyards, France — Champagne’s largest market — is drinking fewer bottles. Sales of Champagne for the country were down 4.9 percent, and 5 percent elsewhere in the 27-country European Union, in the first nine months of 2012 compared with the same period in 2011, according to CIVC, the national association of growers and producers of the wine.

Nineteen months of rising unemployment and growing fears that the worst is yet to come have taken their toll on France — nearly seven in 10 French are worried about their country’s future, according to a recent poll.

“The French are pessimist by nature,” said Antoine Chiquet, whose family has been producing Champagne for three generations and wine for eight. “We had a difficult election, we’re in an economy where Europe’s foundations are being questioned.”

Nonetheless, the country managed to drink 175.7 million bottles of Champagne from Nov. 1 2011 to Oct. 31 2012, according to CIVC — enough for nearly 3 bottles a year for every man, woman and child but about 10 million bottles fewer than the previous year.

In contrast, the U.S. consumed enough sparkling wine for about 1.5 bottles per person in 2010, the latest figures available from the

Bali News

International

International

California-based Wine Institute.

But while the news out of France and Europe is bad, CIVC figures show export sales were up 3 percent in the first three quarters of the year. Top markets included the U.S., Japan and, to a lesser extent, China. A total of 19.4 million bottles of Champagne went to the United States and 7.9 million went to Japan — the only two countries outside Europe in the top seven export markets.

Takayasu Ogata, a Tokyo-based sommelier, said Champagne and sparkling wine consumption is climbing in Japan at a time when overall wine demand peaked about 2000. According to the French figures, Champagne consumption alone was up nearly 7 percent over a year there.

“Both individuals and restaurants are taking to Champagnes with personality, including those that are from small makers but taste good,” he said.

Monday, December 31, 2012

3

Bali starling on verge of extinction Bali Post

BULELENG - Bali Island has one of the beautiful and elegant birds, namely Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi). Unfortunately, twitter of the bird is now rarely audible in the wild life because it is continuously hunted to be traded.

About five years ago, the price of Bali starling was touted to reach IDR 50 million per pair. Later on, the price of such medium-sized warbler with a length of approximately 25 centimeters started to decline. Although declining, the price is still ranging from IDR 17 million to IDR 20 million per pair. With such high price, the Bali starling continues to be hunted by people.

Bali starling is a beautiful bird.

Because of its beauty, the bird has become a sort of mascot for the Island of Bali and has been named the faunal symbol of Bali.

The Head of Buleleng Natural Resources Conservation of Buleleng, Gede Wenten, said that population of Bali starling was mostly located in the West Bali National Park (TNBB). But now, the existence of the very rare bird was extinct and virtually disappeared.

Bali starling could only be found in breeding area such as at Tegal Bunder, TNBB. In addition, many people around the TNBB also bred it independently.

Wenten said that population

of Bali starling at breeding location at Tegal Bunder amounted to some 35 pairs. Meanwhile, the Bali starling bred by people came to some 30 pairs. “Approximately 12 residents at Sumberklampok near the TNBB are breeding the birds,” said Wenten.

He added that his party continued to supervise the commercial breeding carried out by residents.

The surveillance was made in order the bird would not be traded beyond the rules. It was also executed so that the bird would not be abandoned. “If they are found to abandon the bird, we will impose strict sanction,” he said.

According to Wenten, the residents who did the breeding of Bali starling were allowed to sell the birds to others. However, the bird sold should be of the second filial of the parent or its grandchild. “Its mother cannot be sold. It is only allowed to sell the second filial or its grandchild,” he said.

Wenten confirmed the bird price was indeed expensive so that it was always sought after by bird collectors. Formerly, it was sold for

IDR 50 million per pair. But now the price had started to fall to IDR 20 million. This happened because many people had bred the birds so that the amount of birds on sale

turned a lot. “This is a normal case, if the number is scarce, the price is more expensive. But if many people have owned it, the price is going cheaper,” he said. (ole)

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

Bali Island has one of the beautiful and elegant birds, namely Bali starling (Leucopsar Rothschildi).

Seaweed production in 2013 targeted to reach 7 million tons Bali Post

MANGUPURA - Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs of the RI targeted seven million tons of seaweed production in 2013, an increase of two million tons when compared to this year.

“We are targeting the seaweed production to reach seven million tons next year,” said Minister of Maritime and Fishery Affairs, Sharif C Sutardjo, after visiting the potential seaweed on Pandawa Beach, Badung County, Saturday (Dec 29).

According to him, the ministry did not only increase the production but also encouraged the farmers cultivating the seaweed so that their commodity could be-

IBP/Bali Putra

Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs of the RI targeted seven million tons of seaweed production in 2013, an increase of two million tons when compared to this year.

come more valuable products.

“Industrialization of the commodity aims to improve the quality and production. Therefore, it can meet the raw material required by the processing industry and increase the income of farmers,” he said.

He said if all the targets could be met, it would create job opportunities for about 600,000 people.

“In 2014, the target of seaweed production is 118,000 tons to meet the needs of raw materials for industry,” he said.

Hopefully, in the same year was expected an increase in the added value of commodities as much as IDR 550 billion with production yield of 1.063 million. Aside from targeting the increase in seaweed production, the Ministry of Maritime and Fishery Affairs also targeted the increase in the value of fishery exports in 2013 compared to this year reaching USD 5 billion.

Next year, the export value was expected to reach the range of USD 4.5 billion to USD 5 billion. (par)

2

International

Monday, December 31, 2012

Bali News

Alert for New Year, Sanglah Hospital assigns 182 medical officers Denpasar (Bali Post)—

IBP/File

The damage ATM machine which was destroyed by the burglars

Three ATM machines at Tiara Gatsu burglarized

A cash of IDR 1 billion looted Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Public security and order of Bali is starting in danger following the break-in happened to the automated teller machine (ATM) at Tiara Gatsu on Jalan Gatot Subroto, Kerobokan, North Kuta, Badung, Saturday morning (Dec 29). Even, the burglar alleged to consist of more than one person demolished three ATM machines at once.

As a result, the losses suffered reached IDR 1 billion.

The three ATM machines burglarized belonged to Bank Danamon, Bank Permata and BCA. “There are seven ATM machines at Tiara Gatsu, but only three were burglarized. The mode of culprits was by welding the deposit box,” said a police officer last Saturday. He explained the break-in action was just known in the morning. At that time, security guard of Tiara Gatsu got up around 5:00 a.m. and knew three ATM machines were badly damaged.

According to the officer, the security guard immediately reported the incident to police station after knowing it. The officers of North Kuta Police, Badung Police and Bali Police immediately came to the scene.

To make the crime scene inves-

tigation easier, it was restricted with police lines. “The three ATM machines (owned by Bank Danamon, Bank Permata and BCA—Ed) were found in damaged condition. The deposit box looks to have been exposed,” he said while asking not to publish his name.

The culprits were said to be fairly professional. Allegedly, they turned off the ATM machines first, so the CCTV and the others did not work.

The switch to turn off the ATM machine was located in the underground parking lot of Tiara Gatsu. “Possibly, the culprits came there first to turn off the ATM machine. Unfortunately, no CCTV device was installed in the underground parking lot, so the culprit could freely carry

out their action,” he explained.

Once the machine was turned off, they committed their action. Three ATM machines at the exit gates of Tiara Gatsu were demolished by way of welding. It was seen from the traces of welding at the ATM machines. The culprits welded them and the deposit boxes were then taken away. “Three ATM machines were dismantled by welding. Afterward, the deposit boxes were immediately taken away,” he told reporters.

After the incident, the bank management immediately came down to the scene. They checked the missing money. The loss in the ATM respectively amounted to IDR 365,900,000 (Bank Danamon), around IDR 300 million as per last balance (BCA)

and around IDR 200 million (Bank Permata). It was a temporary estimated loss because the banks were still performing further checks. “Yeah, the losses can totally reach IDR 1 billion,” he concluded.

Where was the security guard of Tiara Gatsu when the incident was taking place?

According to the officer, the security guard in charge was sleeping and did not know the burglary. Therefore, no clues were found by police because the CCTV in each ATM did not work. However, police were still securing the CCTV. Meanwhile, the Badung Police Chief, Komang Suartana, justified the incident. “The case is being investigated,” he said. (kmb21)

Welcoming the New Year holiday, the Sanglah Hospital has made preparation to serve the community during the holiday. Though the policlinic is closed on the holiday, public services in Sanglah Hospital are still running and focused in the Emergency Room. To that end, the hospital will assign at least 182 medical officers.

It was revealed by the Spokesperson of Sanglah Hospital, Kadek Nariyantha, when contacted on Saturday (Dec 29). According to him, the Sanglah Hospital would always alert its personnel on New Year holiday. “On the New Year, we remain to alert the medical officers. Our services will be focused in Emergency Room and we prepare some 182 medical personnel,” he said.

Those medical officers would include medical specialists, general practitioners, nurses and other personnel. Meanwhile, the services in the Wing Amerta also remained alert by preparing 41 medical personnel.

To anticipate a disaster or surge in patients in the New Year’s Eve, Nariyantha admitted his party had made coordination where the medical officers on duty at the time would report it to management. “To anticipate any disaster or surge in patients on the New Year, the medical officer on duty will report it to management. So, additional personnel will be provided if required,” he said. (san)

Police confiscated arak hidden under bed Negara (Bali Post)-

Coming New Year police confiscated a number of arak alcohol drinks from several places. While raiding on Friday (28/12) at one seller in Ketugtug, Lolan Timur, Jembrana, police confiscated dozens of bottles hidden under a bed. At first the owner, AAGN, denied the truth of the public’s report but after raiding the house and bottle of drink were opened, it has a very strong smell which is known to be arak.

APC Wayan Setiajaya, Head of Jembrana Police Public Relation Section, as permited by Head of Jembrana Police GAPC Komang Sandi Arsana, last Saturday (29/12) confirmed that they knew the place due to information of other sellers that were captured before. For its total of confiscated arak from Ketutgtung, there is 25.8 liters from 33 600 ml bottles and 4 1.5 l bottles. From a raid at Banjar Mekarsari, Manistutu, eight liters of arak placed in jirigen jugs found from owner of a stall, INM (28). These two sellers will be legally processed with light crime act. “This operation is to anticipate the misuse of arak alcohol drinks this New Year,” Setiajaya concluded. (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

International

Activities

Monday, December 31, 2012

15

Quest Hotel to develop at Solo IBP

JAKARTA – Aston International continue its expands its 3 star lifestyle Quest Hotel brand with the recent Ground Breaking of the Quest Hotel Solo and developed by PT. Kaloka Land Hotel & Resort.

The Quest Hotel Solo will be a 3 star affordable lifestyle hotel conceptualized to accommodate an increasing number of domestic Indonesia leisure travelers as well as a new breed of younger and more style oriented and technology savvy business travelers. The hotel will feature 180 airy guest rooms and a state of the art conference center with several meeting rooms and one of Solo’s largest ballrooms. In addition the new Quest will feature an eclectic lobby lounge designed to become one of Solo’s most attractive casual meeting places, a indoor and outdoor restaurant and ample of recreational facilities such as a swimming pool with pool bar, a day spa and a well equipped gym.

Solo, which is officially called Surakarta, is a popular historic Ja-

vanese city located North East 60 km from Yogyakarta which is shares several popular tourist attractions including Borobudur. Surakarta is also well known for its Javanese court (Kraton) and refined, highly polished and sophisticated Javanese art scene building world famous Batiks.

Aston International’s Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Mr. Norbert Vas, said: “Solo is a perfect match for Quest which aims to offer a somewhat unusual an esthetically pleasing mid market hotel experience. Our other Central Javanese Quest, the Quest Hotel Semarang, is one of the most popular hotels in the region enjoying occupancy levels of well above 90% and we are confident that the Quest Solo will be equally received”.

IBP/Courtesy of Aston International

Calendar Event for December 12 through December 27, 2012 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

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

16 Pages Number 10 5th year Price: Rp 3.000,-

Monday, December 31, 2012

Beyonce, Chili Peppers, among NYE lineup in Vegas Associated Press Writer

LAS VEGAS — Sin City has another New Year’s Eve planned with celebrity-studded bashes, exclusive concerts and a rooftop fireworks display billed as the nation’s largest.

Big-name celebrity acts including The Black Keys, The Killers and Pitbull will help hundreds of thousands of partiers ring in the new year Monday under the watchful eyes of a legion of law enforcement officers concerned with keeping the celebration peaceful and eager casino bosses concerned with ending 2012 with a profitable bang.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are performing a sold-out show at the Cosmopolitan’s Chelsea Ballroom that will be broadcast live on the casino’s 65-foot (19-meter) marquee to partiers on the Strip below. Beyonce will give an invitation-only performance in the Wynn’s 1,500-seat-amphitheater.

Other casino are touting pricey nightclub bashes with $3,000 bottle service and open bars, hosted by reality TV and music celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj and Brandy. Revelers can

also party celebrity-free on the Brooklyn Bridge at the New York-New York Hotel, where tickets start at $170, or inside the replica Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas, where couples packages start at $300.

Those unimpressed with the ersatz offerings on the Strip can head 15 minutes south to a Great Gatsby soirée set inside a private airplane hangar. Organizers say the aviation-themed bash will recall a time “when the parties were bigger, the morals were looser and the liquor was cheaper.”

Las Vegas’ New Year’s eve festivities, dubbed “America’s Party,” have doubled in size since 1990. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Authority expects 332,000 visitors Monday, equal to the record-breaking number that flocked to last year’s celebration.

That number has hoteliers happy, but does not rival other New Year’s Eve celebrations. The ball drop at New York

Entertainment

WEATHER FORECAST 23 - 32 Dps

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

Monday, December 31, 2012 Dzeko inspires City as United seal win Page 8

Body of India rape victim arrives home in New Delhi Page 13

Not Published

We, the International Bali Post would like to apologize in advance because we will not be published on Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year

City’s Times Square draws more than 1 million spectators, and some 2 million people flock to the shores of Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro for music and fireworks.

Still, Las Vegas is dealing a full house this weekend, with hotel occupancy approaching 100 percent, according to Dawn Christensen of the visitor’s authority, and rooms going for several times the normal price.

The city room suite at the Cosmopolitan can be had for $210 on Tuesday, but costs $650 Monday. The deluxe king room at Caesars Palace is going for $519 on Monday, compared with $139 Tuesday.

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2012 file photo, Ne-Yo performs at KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball at Nokia Theatre LA Live in Los Angeles.

“MTV’s Club NYE 2013” will feature performances from Ke$ha, Ne-Yo, Sean Kingston, Rita Ora and others.

Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File

Ryan Seacrest: ‘Rockin’ in another year on ABC Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK — Yes, Ryan Seacrest has a New Year’s resolution for 2013: improve his skill at dancing.

“There’s a Significant Other in my life who’s very good at it,” he notes. That would be professional dancer Julianne Hough, a two-time champ on “Dancing with the Stars” in whose proximity “I feel the pressure to be as good as she is. It sounds like a joke, but this is a serious thing for me to accomplish next year.”

So add dancing lessons to the long list of projects that keep Seacrest famously fast on his feet. His numerous broadcast gigs include roles on E! Entertainment and NBC, a syndicated morning radio show for Clear Channel, as well as “American Idol,” whose new season starts next month on Fox. Behind the cameras, he has a swiftly expanding production empire that includes the Kardashian portfolio of reality shows.

But as Monday nears, Seacrest is focused on this annual rite: “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” which, with related programming, will blanket ABC from 8 p.m. until past 2 a.m. EST. Booking musical acts has been in the works for months, Seacrest says. Performers include Carly Rae Jepsen, Neon Trees, Flo Rida and Pitbull, as well as Taylor Swift, in the headliner position just before midnight.

But Friday afternoon in Manhattan, Seacrest is soon due at a production meeting “to work out the nitty-gritty of the show — some of which we will stick to, some of which we won’t.”

Photo by Dan Hallman/Invision/AP Images

Ryan Seacrest, producer and host of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC, poses for a portrait Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 in New York.

IBP/file

Tourists are releasing turtles on Kuta Beach. Currently, a lot of efforts are done to conserve the rare animal and erase the nickname of turtle killing field

Effort to erase “Turtle Killing Field” nickname Bali Post

Denpasar – Few years ago, Bali especially Serangan Island is considered turtle killing field by international society. This is because some people like to consume turtle flesh. Some of the turtles were also sold to others in the name of ceremony.

Nowadays, the nickname is already changed and the island is now considered as the place for turtle conservation. One of the efforts to conserve the turtle is done in Serangan through Turtle Conservation

and Education Centre (TCEC).

The Head of TCEC, Wayan Geria said that through the centre was established in 2004 and since it keeps on conserving the rare animal. He explained that 70% of

the turtles in the centre is released into the wild and the rest is kept for education and tourism.

TCEC is also a place to preserve the tradition and the Hindu in Bali.

When the Hindus need turtles for ceremony, they can request it there.

However, the number of turtles needed for ceremony is very small so it is not possible that the turtles can extinct because of the ceremony.

Geria said that the centre receive around 200 request for the turtle

meat every year which is being used for ceremony. “The use of the turtle for ceremony is very small in number. We only give permit up to 100 turtles a year. If compare to the area outside Bali where commonly they consume 100 turtles a day, the use of turtle flesh in Bali is very small,” he added.

He stated that the centre is selected the request very carefully. One of the most important conditions that they must have is the permit from

Natural Conservation department Bali. In addition, the turtles must be not more than 20 cm long.

Meanwhile, another turtle lover, Wayan Raga, said that the presentation of the use of the turtle in Bali is very small. The director of PT Citra Taman Penyu in Serangan Village explained that every year, there are 35 requests for ceremony and more than 100 turtle for the ritual of releasing them into the wild. (kmb29)