Edisi 23 Desember 2009 | International Bali Post

Tens of trumpet sellers packed Denpasar

16 Pages Number 530 1st Year

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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

China looks to WTO probe into U.S. tire duties PAGE 11

Venice festival honors Woo with lifetime award PAGE 12

BP/Edi

The Lawyer of CV Bali Balance, Agus Setiawan (left) give statement after conduct meting in Bali Prosecutor Office.

WEATHER FORECAST CITY

TEMPERATURE OC

DENPASAR

25 - 33

JAKARTA

25 - 34

BANDUNG

21 - 31

YOGYAKARTA

24 - 33

SURABAYA

26 - 37

SUNNY

BRIGHT/CLOUDY

RAIN

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Billabong Manager Convicted 2.5 years imprisonment Bali Balance directly acts following the verdict given to I Wayan Suanda, the Sales Manager Marketing PT Billabong Indonesia by Denpasar Court on Thursday, December 17th 2009.

Commission C of Badung House Threats the Stubborn Taxpayers

The lawyer of CV Bali Balance, Agus Setiawan, arrived in Bali on Monday, December 21st 2009, and directly went to Denpasar High Prosecutor Office in order to verify the law status after the verdict was given especially there will be an appeal made by Suanda.

“I wanted to know how far the case is going because there is a bigger target who is the President Director of PT Billabong Christoper John James. Currently, he is wanted

by Indonesian Government,” Setiawan said.

Denpasar (Bali Post)—

(Dec 21), said that such endeavor meant to anticipate the regional loss due to unpaid tax whose amount was large enough. Commission C would demand an explanation directly from those stubborn taxpayers.

Specifically for taxpayers that have received reprimand letter from Badung Regional Revenue Service, Reta said that his party would recheck thoroughly and recommend the executive to submit the case to District Attorney.

Commission C of Badung House sent a letter to Regent AA Gde Agung to ask for the taxpayer list of hotel, restaurant and entertainment spot that has not paid their tax up to now alias stubborn taxpayers. According to the schedule, Commission C would take action right away, especially to those having reprimand letter from Regional Revenue Service (Dispenda) of Badung. Secretary of Commission C of Badung House, I Made Reta, last Monday

Continued on page 6

Continued on page 6

2

International

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Bali News Having Police’s Patrol Schedule

Reckless Speeding Hard to Control Semarapura (Bali Post)— Reckless speeding seemed to become a homework that should get serious attention from police officers. Moreover, the perpetrators were good at hiding and seeking with police. As if they already have had the schedule of police’s regular patrol. On that account, when police held a patrol the perpetrators hid somewhere. However, when police has gone away the speeding turned crowded.

Moreover, on Saturday nights or holidays, perpetrators used some routes existing in Klungkung. Some of them are in front of the office of Klungkung Regent, Jalan Bypass Tihingan-Pesinggahan and some other points. Of course, it would result in bad impact on other road users passing through the locations. “We attempt to minimize such reckless speeding. One of the ways is by intensifying our night patrol, chiefly on holidays,” asserted the Spokesperson of Klungkung Resort Police, Dewa Gede Sugawa, when asked about his confirmation, last Monday (Dec 21).

Aside from intensifying the night patrol through Chief of Traffic Unit, Klungkung Resort Police, his party also provided briefing and education to youngsters in order they could act disciplined as road users and did not disturb other road users. “More importantly, they were expected to stop their bad habit, namely reckless speeding on the road,” he said.

Dewa Sugawa admitted that there should be an organization to accommodate the talent of youngsters having a hobby of speeding.

On that account, their hobby could be channeled through the right medium without disturbing and threatening the safety of others. “However, the non-existence of medium to channel their talent became the justification to commit such speeding on the road,” he said. (kmb)

The Formation of Special Committee on Collecting Fee in Badung Propose Denpasar (Bali Post)— Polemic on the withdrawal of collecting fee in Badung is getting fiercer. A number of parties in Badung House continued to urge in order this case would be promptly accomplished.

As well, it was getting more serious after the arising of statement of a member of Commission III, Central House of Representatives, Prof. Dr. T. Gayus Lumbuun, mentioning the sharing of collecting fee (UP) as a kind of collective corruption in a seminar held in Sanur, last Saturday (Dec 19). Even, within the internal of Badung House emerged an idea in order to form a Special Committee assigned to investigate the withdrawal and allocation of collecting fee in Badung.

The exhortation of forming Special Committee on Collecting Fee in Badung came out from the member of Budget Agency of Badung House, I Nyoman Giri Prasta, the Head of Commission C I Nyoman Satria, Deputy Head of Commission C Wayan Suyasa and a member of Commission C Alit Yandinata.

According to Giri Prasta, the formation of special committee was the right measure to accomplish promptly the controversy on the withdrawal of Collecting Fee in Badung. The formation of Special Committee could become a solution to identify whether the withdrawal of Collecting Fee performed by Badung Government was incorrect or has been pursuant to the stipulation. (ded)

BP/Eka

Hundreds of taxi drivers rallied in Sunset Road to protest against the new taxi permit released by the government. The rally seemed to work where 250 new permit had been revoked.

Four Office Services to be Cut Off

Budget Efficiency Reaches IDR 1.2 Billion Amlapura (Bali Post)—

Karangasem Government just organized a minimization to its institution for the sake of working efficiency and effectiveness. Four office services were cut off and then coalesced into other services.

Previously, there were 16 services and now they only left 12 services. The Head of Karangasem House I Gede Dana admitted this matter and Deputy Head I Nyoman Celos, last Monday (Dec 21).

The services cut off or merged consisted of Regional Informatics and Telematics Services (Inkomda) was merged with Transportation Services, while Industry and Trade Services was merged with Cooperative and Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) into Disperindagkop.

Other than those services, other technical institution was reduced from 12 units to 11 consisting of six agencies and five offices. In addition, the structures under them were also minimized; where at the agencies there were four division heads, except for at Educational Services had

five Division Heads. Meanwhile, Regional Revenue Services (Dispenda) had six Division Heads.

At the office or other technical implementer (UPT), there were maximally three sections.

Gede Dana said that Regional Legislation on governmental institution intended to reorganize the current numerous institutions implementing maximal pattern has been approved by the House. However, the implementation of Regional Legislation was waiting for verification from provincial government and Minister of Home Affairs. It was es-

timated that it could be implemented in 2010. Moreover, the general policy of budget (KUA) discussing the Regional Budget Draft 2010 is under process at Karangasem House.

Such institutional minimization, added Gede Dana, at least resulted in efficiency of administration budget amounting to some IDR 1.2 billion. The efficiency was important because the current Regional Budget was deficit while the fund sourcing from Public Allocation Fund (DAU) kept on exuding by central government. On the other side, a number of officials belonging to the second echelon (the same level of the head of office services), division head and section head in Karangasem looked confused because many of them had possibility to lose their position. In addition, a number of senior officials under retirement preparation were not extended. (013)

z Founder : K.Nadha, z Chief Editor: ABG Satria Naradha z Managing Editor: Wirata z Editors: Alit Purnata, Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Darmasunu, Daniel Fajry, Diah Dewi, Iwan Darmawan, Martinaya, Mawa, Palgunadi, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Sutiawan, Wirya, Yudi Winanto zDenpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Mas Ruscitadewi, Oka Rusmini, Umbu Landu Paranggi, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra, Sumatika, Gregorius Rusmanda, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan, Tabanan: Surpi. Jakarta: Nikson, Suharto Olii, Indu P. Adi, Ahmadi Supriyanto, Achmad Nasrudin, Hardianto, Darmawan S. Sumardjo, Heru B Arifin, Asep Djamaluddin, Ade Irawan, Ipik Tanoyo. NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani, Nur Haedin, Suyadnya. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto. z Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. z Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publiser: PT Bali Post

Bali News

International

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

3

Leadership of the Regent Will Change

The Look of Tabanan City Still Disorganized Tabanan (Bali Post)—

Though within the next few months the leadership of Tabanan Regent Nyoman Adi Wiryatama will terminate, the look of Tabanan City has not changed. The appearance of Tabanan downtown remains to look vile with disorganized parking. Actually, this poorly organized city has been complained for long time. Up to these days, it remains unchanged.

Pretended to Become a Domestic Servant

Former Café Girl Steals Jewelry Denpasar (Bali Post)—

By pretending as a domestic servant, Indah Wulandari, 18, was determined to take out all valuables of her employer. The girl who was also a former café girl was proven to have stolen the gold jewelry belonging to Ni Gede Ari living at Perum Griya Mertanadi No. 3A, South Kerobokan, North Kuta, Badung.

However, Detective Unit of North Kuta Sector Police disclosed the evil deed of the suspect. The suspect was finally captured at Olala Hotel at Ubung area, Denpasar, last Saturday (Dec 19), at 10:00 am Local Time.

Now, the suspect is under arrest of North Kuta Sector Police while waiting for further legal process.

Chief of North Kuta Sector Police I Nyoman Sukanada, last Mon-

day (Dec 21) explained the two gold jewelries stolen consisted of 7-gram rings. “The suspect stole the jewelries on last Wednesday (Dec 16) at 07:00 am Local Time. Having taken the jewelries, the suspect took leave with the reason to go home to Java because her grandmother died,” said Chief Sukanada.

When the suspect took leave, the victim did not put any suspicion of her valuables that have been taken away. As soon as the suspect left her house, the victim just realized that jewelries put in the cupboard vanished. The victim had confidence the loss of her rings was stolen by the suspect. “The victim reported the case right away here (North Kuta Sector Police—ed),” he told journalists on last Monday.

Responding the report, the team led by Chief of Detective Unit of North Kuta Sector Police, Arief Prasetya, made investigation to location. Even, the investigation was committed to her home village in Jember. However, police got information if the suspect stayed at Hotel Olala. The police finally move to location and frisked the hotel. The suspect could be encountered in one of the rooms together with her boyfriend. Up to this moment, her boyfriend remained to have a status as witness. “Based on the confession of the suspect, the jewelries have been sold at IDR 1,400,000. One million of them have been sent to Java, while the rest was used for daily consumption,” he concluded. (kmb21)

Badung House Urges the Closing of Hazardous Arrack Company Denpasar (Bali Post)—

The circle of Badung House urged the hazardous arrack company UD Tri Hita Karya to be closed promptly and its permit should be withdrawn. This exhortation came into view following the loss of human lives due to the product of arrack company located at Kwanji Hamlet, Dalung, few months ago.

More than that, in terms of land allocation, the stated company has infringed the regulation.

The Head of Commission A of Badung House, I Nyoman Sutrisno, last Monday (Dec 21), said that other than urging the closing toward the operation of UD Tri Hita Karya, his party also demanded the authority of

Bali Province no to give statement that even gave an impression to protect the evil perpetrator. “We hope Bali Government would not give opinion protecting this company.

The exhortation on the closing of the company has been clear. Product of the company has killed tens of lives. Please do not let it kill more lives,” he asserted.

Sutrisno reminded that the Bali Office of Industry and Trade Services (Disperindag) should issue a permit based on comprehensive consideration. Instead, it gave a convenience to the company to operate whereas the company has clearly violated the regulation and threatened the safety of public.

Previously, a number of members of the Badung House once delivered the statement on the closing of such arrack company. The Head of Commission B I Putu Parwata also regretted the statement of many parties in Disperindag of Bali Province and it was not based on proper studies, especially in terms of land utilization.

When asked separate confirmation, the Head of Badung Civil Servant Police Unit (Satpol PP), I Wayan Adi Arnawa, admitted to study the case of UD Tri Hita Karya, including by performing site inspection. Nevertheless, his party was ready to carry out the closing if the company was proven to have infringed. (ded)

As seen on last Monday (Dec 21), the parking lot on Jalan Gajah Mada was very disharmonious. Multiple layers of cars looked to be parked haphazardly and so did vehicles unloading their freights in front of the shops. Such condition made the road users disturbed because both roadsides have been used for parking motorbikes and vehicles. Pavement and gutters in the heart of the city looked damaged at night. Heaps of used oil, food leftover or bottles of various drinks scattered on the gutters and damaged pavement.

Besides, many vendors made use of the pavement to display their merchandises or to set up their name board. The most striking obstacles were price list board belonging to hand phone counters put on the pave-

ment. As a result, this condition made pedestrians inconvenient. Several owners of hand phone counter admitted to do so because only few pedestrians used the pavement. “You see that no pedestrians passing through. To make my products visible, I put the price list there (on the pavement),” observed an owner of hand phone counter at ease.

Currently, various discourses have developed regarding to the handling of Tabanan City’s look. Some of them were City Park and central parking lot. However, though the City Park has been worked on, it was unknown when the appearance of Tabanan City would be well organized. The existence of night market considered to make the city vile was difficult to relocate to other place. (kmb14)

Pollution on the Wells of Kuta Residents

Strongly Alleged to be Caused by Permeation of Hotel Tune’s Fuel Denpasar (Bali Post)—

The Environmental Affairs Agency (BLH) of Badung Regency, last Monday (Dec 21), organized a site inspection to Tune Hotel alleged to become the cause of pollution toward the wells of local residents located on Jalan Ciung Wanara, Kuta. As a result, BLH team found a number of evidences that the hotel mentioned committed an error in storing of fuel into the receptacle.

It was strongly alleged that this cause made the fuel permeated into the wells of local residents.

Division Head of Control and Recovery of BLH Badung, AA Bagus Oka Sutama, said that based on the examination performed at location of the fuel receptacle in front of Tune Hotel, his party found a spill of diesel fuel around the receptacle tank. These spills were then stagnant at the storing vessel and alleged to permeate into the surrounding environment. “Our provisional allegation, the pollution oc-

curred was due to the spill of such diesel fuel. Even though it is a temporary allegation, we remain to appeal the hotel in order it handles this spill of diesel fuel to prevent a wider bad impact,” he said.

Other than rechecking the hotel, BLH Badung also took a sample of well’s water and sewerage of hotel to be examined. The result of this laboratory test would ensure the cause of pollution case.

The Head of Kuta Community Empowerment Institution (LPM), Graha Wicaksana, asserted again in order the Hotel Tune immediately handled the pollution case. Otherwise, his party would threaten to seal the Tune Hotel. In the meantime, the operator of Hotel Tune, Prayitno, admitted to repair promptly the receptacle of diesel fuel belonging to the hotel. In addition, his party would also organize a meeting with local residents and related institution to accomplish the matter of compensation requested by residents. (ded)

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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

News

International

Iran nuclear trigger report fabricated by U.S.: Ahmadinejad

AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Reuters

WASHINGTON - A reported confidential Iranian technical document describing Tehran’s efforts to design an atomic bomb trigger was forged by Washington, Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a U.S. news program on Monday.

Ahmadinejad was asked by ABC News about a Times of London report last week on what it called a confidential Iranian technical document describing a four-year plan to test a neutron initiator, the part of a nuclear warhead that sets off an explosion.

“They are all fabricated bunch of papers continuously being forged and disseminated by the American government,” he told the U.S. network in an interview in Copenhagen, Denmark, after he attended the United Nations conference on climate change.

Reports that Iran is working on a bomb trigger are “fundamentally not true,” said Ahmadinejad.

The Times of London published on December 14 what it said was the Farsi-language document, along with an English translation, entitled, “Outlook for Special Neutron-Related Activities Over the Next Four Years”.

The document describes steps to develop and test parts for a neutron initiator, a device that floods the core of highly enriched uranium with subatomic particles to touch off the chain reaction of a nuclear explosion.

Last week Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast called the report “baseless ... not worthy of attention, intended to put political and psychological pressure on Iran.”

Iran, the world’s No. 5 crude oil exporter, says its uranium enrichment program is aimed at generating electricity so that it can export more gas and oil. The West believes Iran wants bombs from enrichment because of its record of nuclear secrecy.

Brazil top judge to rule on U.S. custody case Reuters

RIO DE JANEIRO - The Brazilian Supreme Court’s top judge delayed until Tuesday a ruling on whether a 9-year-old boy at the center of an international custody battle will be reunited with his father and return to the United States.

A ruling in the case of Sean Goldman, whose father David Goldman is an American and whose mother Bruna Bianchi was a Brazilian who died last year, had been expected on Monday. But a spokesman for Chief Justice Gilmar Mendes told Reuters late on Monday the ruling would be announced the following day.

The Goldman case has reached the highest levels of both governments and threatened to mar Brazil-U.S. relations.

Bianchi took Sean from the United States to her native Brazil in 2004, then divorced Goldman and stayed with the boy in the South American country, in what the Goldman and the U.S. government call a clear case of international child abduction.

Since Bianchi’s death, her family and second husband have

fought to keep Sean in Brazil, saying he has settled in the country and does not want to go back the United States.

Last Thursday another Supreme Court judge blocked a decision by a federal court earlier in the week ordering the return of the boy to U.S. authorities within 48 hours.

The father, who has only seen Sean in brief visits to Brazil since 2004, and Brazil’s attorney general appealed that ruling, asking for Sean to be handed over immediately.

Goldman, who lives in the U.S. state of New Jersey, flew to Brazil on Thursday after the federal court ruling.

The lawyer for the Brazilian family told Reuters that Sean had a right for his voice to be heard in court — the reason given by the Supreme Court judge on Thursday.

“I don’t say his opinion must be followed but he does have the right, a constitutional right in the U.S., and a right under all the U.N. resolutions to be heard,” Sergio Tostes said.

Mendes’ ruling would need eventual approval by the full court but it could still allow Goldman to take his son back to the United States now.

AFP PHOTO DDP / POOL / MICHAELA REHLE GERMANY OUT

Ukrainian-born John Demjanjuk (2nd R) sitting on a wheelchair arrives at the courtroom at Munich’s regional court for the continuation of his trial on December 21, 2009. Eighty-nine-year-old John Demjanjuk, accused of being a guard at a Nazi death camp Sobibor, is charged with assisting in the murder of 27,900 Jews and others at Sobibor, one of a network of camps erected by Hitler’s Germany in Eastern Europe during World War II with the sole purpose of mass extermination. The trial is likely to be the last major Holocaust trial.

Demjanjuk says in pain, Holocaust survivors testify Reuters

MUNICH - John Demjanjuk complained of back pain while Holocaust survivors on Monday recalled the horrors of Nazi Germany at his trial on charges of helping to force 27,900 Jews into gas chambers in 1943.

The court rejected a defense motion to suspend the trial, upholding the confinement of a man who once topped the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s list of most-wanted war criminals.

German state prosecutors accuse Demjanjuk of assisting in killings at the Sobibor death camp in Poland, where prosecutors say at least 250,000 Jews were killed.

Early in the day, the 89-year-old sat silently in his wheelchair and showed no emotion as 12 plaintiffs, some of them with tears in their eyes and their voices breaking, described how they had survived the Holocaust while their relatives perished.

After a recess, officials set up a bed in the courtroom for Demjanjuk,

after a doctor said had complained of back pain.

A prison official quoted in Tuesday’s edition of the Tageszeitung newspaper said Demjanjuk regularly took breaks in the prison yard, either in his wheelchair or with the assistance of a walker. He also had been reading Ukrainian newspapers and preparing meals of salad, the official, Michael Stumpf, added.

Demjanjuk denies he was involved in the Holocaust and his family insists he is too frail to be standing trial.

“UNHEALED WOUND”

One of the plaintiffs, 87-year-old Philip Jacobs had to be helped onto the witness stand, where he said he

felt guilty to have survived the Holocaust while his parents and fiancee perished.

“Sobibor is an unhealed wound,” the former pharmacist said.

Another plaintiff, Robert Cohen, 83, whose brother and parents were killed at Sobibor, described his experiences at Nazi death camps including Auschwitz.

“We didn’t know what was going on,” the Amsterdam-born pensioner told the court during the morning session. “We thought we had to work.”

Due to Demjanjuk’s frailty, hearings are limited to two 90-minute sessions a day. His case is likely to be Germany’s last major Nazi-era war crimes trial.

Demjanjuk was born in Ukraine and fought in the Soviet army before being captured by the Nazis and recruited as a camp guard. He emigrated to the United States in 1951.

Two dead in Pakistan suicide attack on press club Reuters

PESHAWAR - A suspected Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up on Tuesday at the gate of the Press club in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing two people and wounding four, a city official said.

“It was a suicide attack. The bomber wanted to get into the Press club and when our police guard

stopped him he blew himself up,” city police chief Liaqat Ali Khan told Reuters. The guard was killed and four people were wounded, he said.

Top city official Azam Khan said two people had been killed. Bombers have struck in Peshawar numerous times since the army launched an offensive against Pakistani Taliban militants in the South Waziristan region on the Afghan

border, to the southwest of Peshawar.

The bombers’ main targets have been the security forces.

Reporters have been attacked and killed in ethnic Pashtun tribal regions along the Afghan border but the Tuesday blast was the first on a reporters’ club in a city. A city reporter said militants had recently threatened to target journalists.

International IMIGRATION Australian Consulate General Jalan Tantular 32 Renon Denpasar Phone: +62 361 241118 Fax: +62 361 221195 (General) +62 361 241120 (Immigration)

General Info

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

HOSPITAL Denpasar There are 4 major hospitals usually used by foreigners Denpasar General Hospital (RSUP Sanglah), Kasih Ibu Hospital, Rumah Sakit Wongaya and Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada.

HOSPITAL Bangli Bangli General Hospital Jl. Kesumayuda 27, Bangli Phone : +62 366 91521 Gianyar

Royal Danish & Norwegian Mimpi Resort Jimbaran, Bali Phone +62.361.701 070 The Czech Republic Jalan Pengembak No. 17 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.286 465 France Consulate Agency Jalan Merta Sari Gang II No. 8 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.285 485 The Federal Republic of Germany Jalan Pantai Karang No 17 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.288 535 The Republic of Hungary Jalan By Pass No 219 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.287 701 Italian Consulate Jalan By Pass Ngurah Rai Jimbaran, Bali Phone +62.361.701 005 Honorary Consulate of Mexico Jalan Mohamad Yamin 1 A, Renon, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.223 266 Honorary Consulate of The Netherlands Jalan Raya Kuta 127, Bali Phone +62.361.761 506 Honorary Consulate of Spain Komplek Istana Kuta Galleria Blok Vallet 2 No 11. Jalan Patih Jelantik Kuta, Bali Phone +62.361.769 286 USA Consulate Agency Jalan Hayam Wuruk No. 188 Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.222 426 Consulate General of Japan Jalan Raya Puputan No. 170 Renon, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.227 628 Honorary Consulate of British Jalan Tirta Nadi No. 20 Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.270 601 Swiss and Austria Consulate Jalan Patih Jelantik, Komplek Pertokoan Istana Galleria Phone +62.361.751 735 Honorary Consulate of Brazil Jalan Legian No. 186, Bali Phone +62.361.757 775 Honorary Consulate of Thailand Jalan Raya Puputan Renon 81, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.263 310 Embassy of India Jalan Raya Puputan Renon 42-44, Denpasar, Bali Phone +62.361.241 978 Honorary Consulate of Sweden anf Finland Segara Village Hotel, Jalan Segara Ayu, Sanur, Bali Phone +62.361.282 223 Honorary Consulate of Malaysia Alam Kulkul Boutique Resort, Jalan Pantai Kuta, Bali Phone +62.361.752 520

RSUP Sanglah is the main provincial public hospital. Its facilities have improved since the emergency ward had been built in 1991. Difficult/critical cases would not become a problem anymore since it has complete equipments. It is located on Jl. Kesehatan Selatan 1 Sanglah Denpasar with : Phone : 227 911 – 15 Fax : 226 363 Kasih Ibu Hospital is a private hospital which caters for less serious cases such as diarrhea, intestinal disorders, anemia, asthma and minor accidents. Kasih Ibu is also equipped to care for pregnant women. This hospital is located on Jl. Teuku Umar 120 Denpasar.

Phone : 223 036 Fax : 268 690.

Rumah Sakit Wongaya (Public Hospital; Psychiatric Unit) Jl. Kartini, Denpasar.

Phone : 222 142.

Rumah Sakit Dharma Husada , (Private) Jl. Sudirman No 50, Denpasar Phone : 227 560, 234 824 In relating with health, Bali also has insurance and medical evacuation company, that is: AEA International - SOS Assistance Bali.

PT Abhaya Eka Astiti, Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No. 24X, Kuta 80361.

Phone : 755 768 Fax : 755 768 One thing that should be noted by tourists here is that the Blood Bank in Bali normally carries no stock of Rhesus (Rh) Negative blood.

Badung Bali Medical Clinics There are some medical clinics that are well known by foreigners in Bali. Some of them are western owned and operated : Bali International Medical Center (BIMC) Bali International Medical Centre (BIMC) provides excellent Primary Health Care & Emeregency Medical Services for tourists, traveler, and expatriate living in Bali.

Emeregency Room, Ambulance, Clinic Services, Insurance & Medical Evacuations also available. Open 24 hours Phone : 761 2631. Located Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai No.100X, Kuta, Bali 80361 - Indonesia. http://www.bimcbali.com International SOS Clinic Bali Opened in 1999, offers International SOS members and visitors to Bali comprehensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency medical service.

Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai 505X, Kuta 80361, Bali - Indonesia Phone : 720 100 Fax : 721 919 E-mail : info@sos-bali.com ttp ://www.sos-bali.com Bali Nusa Dua Emergency Clinic Jl Pratama No. 81 Phone : 771 324 Kuta Clinic Jl. Raya Kuta Phone : 753 268 Dental Clinic Dr Indra Guizot, Jl. Patimura 19, Denpasar Phone : 222 445, 234 375 DDS. Ritjie Rihartinah, Jl Pratama No. 81 Nusa Dua Phone : 771 324 Retno W. Agung, Jln. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.4A Br. Tamansari – Sanur Phone : 288 501

Clinic Mas Jl. Raya Mas, Ubud Phone : +62 361 974573 Toyo Clinic Jl. Pengosekan, Ubud Phone : +62 361 978078 Permata Bunda Clinic Jl. Patih Jelantik 50 X, Gianyar Phone : +62 361 942082 Ubud Clinic Jl Raya Ubud No.36 Campuhan, Ubud Phone : +62 361 974911 Gianyar General Hospital Jl. Ciung Wanara 2, Gianyar Phone : +62 361 943049 Karangasem Karangasem General Hospital Jl. Ngurah Rai, Karangasem Phone : +62 363 21001 Klungkung Klungkung General Hospital Jl. Flamboyan 40-4, Klungkung Phone : +62 366 21371 Negara Negara General Hospital Jl. Gelar, Negara Phone : +62 365 41006 Tabanan Laboratorium Clinic Jl. Gunung semeru No. 8, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 819260 Mengwi Clinic Jl. I Gusti Ngurah Rai 46, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 880550 Darma Kerti Hospital Jl. Teratai 16, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 812359 Tabanan General Hospital Jl. Pahlawan 14, Tabanan Phone : +62 361 811027 Singaraja Prodia Clinic Jl. RA Kartini 12, Singaraja Bali 0362 - 24-516 Singaraja Hospital Jl. Ngurah Rai 30, Singaraja Bali 0362 - 22-573 Pet Clinics Kayumas: (0361) 226934 Sayang Binatang: (0361) 483121 Satwa Kertha Husada: (0361) 263018 Pantai Sindhu: (0361) 287518 Sidakarya: (0361) 724492 Pedungan: (0361) 720026

TAXIS Praja Taxi : (0361) 289090 Bali Taxi : (0361) 701111 Ngurah Rai Taxi : (0361) 724724 Pan Wirthi Taxi : (0361) 723366 Komotra Taxi : (0361) 758855

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6

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

News UNITED STATES - Passengers wait in line to drop their bags as they prepare to depart LaGuardia Airport on December 21, 2009 in New York. The winter storm that swept through the East Coast over the weekend caused the cancellation of 1,200 flights at New York’s major airports but today New York’s LaGuardia reports delays of only 15 minutes.

AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT

Airlines add seats after snowstorm hits travel Reuters

ATLANTA - Major air carriers added extra flights on Monday to accommodate passengers whose travel plans were disrupted by a massive weekend storm that dumped as much as two feet of snow on the U.S. Northeast.

The storm buried cities from Washington, D.C., to Boston, resulted in closures or significant delays at airports and forced hundreds of flight cancellations just days before Christmas.

“All airports are open and our flights are running normally today,” said Susan Elliott, a spokeswoman

for Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc, the world’s largest air carrier.

She said Delta has added about 6,500 additional seats to flight schedules on Monday, including 22 additional flights, in heavily impacted markets. On some routes, aircraft have been upgraded to planes that have more seats to be able to serve

Guatemala will pay $3 million to massacre victims Reuters

GUATEMALA CITY - Guatemala will pay $3 million to compensate victims of a civil war-era massacre in order to comply with an international court ruling, the nation’s human rights chief said on Monday.

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights called for the payments after concluding that the Guatemalan government failed to fully investigate a three-day raid on the mountain hamlet of Dos Erres in 1982 where more than 200 villagers were killed by a special forces unit. “It’s a strong message,” the government’s highest human rights official, Ruth del Valle, told Reuters, confirming the $3 million payment.

Center-leftist President Alvaro Colom was elected in 2007 on a platform of reconciliation with the

country’s violent past. Earlier this month, a retired Guatemalan colonel was convicted of ordering the forced disappearance of people during the civil-war era.

Dos Erres became emblematic of one of the most brutal massacres during Guatemala’s 36-year civil war between government forces and leftist guerrillas that left about a quarter-million people dead, mostly indigenous Maya.

A United Nations-backed Truth Commission found soldiers threw babies against trees and walls and tossed their bodies into a well, while helpless family members were trapped inside a church only later to be killed themselves. In a report released on Monday, the court, under the Organization of American States, said the government should pay more than $3 million to family members of victims and for court costs.

more travelers, she said.

UAL Corp’s United Airlines halted about 1,000 flights over the past weekend, or about a tenth of its global network, spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said. He said the airline is also planning to add extra flights this week.

AMR Corp’s American Airlines added at least 15 extra flights to areas such as New York, Boston and Washington, spokesman Tim Smith said in an email. American Airlines canceled about 325 flights December 18-20, and a similar number

were canceled on the carrier’s American Eagle regional affiliate, he said.

“We have made good progress in reaccommodating passengers and we’ll continue that process today to get our customers to their destinations in time for Christmas,” Smith added.

The Arca airline index was up modestly on Monday as airline stocks were mixed. Delta was down 8 cents to $11.58 in afternoon trading, while AMR was up 4 cents to $7.65. UAL was up 12 cents to $11.54, and Continental Airlines Inc gained 40 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $17.67.

Billabong

The promotion tools were placed in 34 stores in Bali and 12 stores outside Bali. However, on June 6th 2006, a new company emerged called PT Billabong Indonesia established by Billabong International PTY. Ltd Australia qq GSM Operations. The company which was led by Christopher John James as the President Director took over the production and marketing of Billabong brand in Bali. The company used the marketing network owned by Bali Balance and the suspect Christopher John James and Wayan Suanda change the pictures in the promotion tolls without asking permission to CV Bali Balance and it cost some loss to the company Since the case was investigated, the suspect Christopher John James alias Chris James ran away from Indonesia.

In order to solve the case which is already going on for three years, Indonesian Government already sent extradition letter to Australian Government.

The letter which was signed by Indonesian Law Minister at that time Andi Matallata and was given to the Australian Government on November 18th 2009 by Hendi Santosa, an officer of Indonesian Law Department.

From page 1 I Wayan Suanda was found guilty because illegally using the promotion tools and punished 2 and a half year imprisonment. The judge, Nyoman Sutama, also ordered to the authorized department to confiscate the evidences such as light box, display shelf, and posters. In order to be used as the evidences in the other trial for the defendant Christoper John James.

The cooperation between Billabong International Pty Ltd Australia with CV. Bali Balance was started in 1988. The last license agreement last for 5 years started from June 2004 through June 2009.

In the agreement, CV. Bali Balance was trusted to produce and distribute Billabong products such as clothing, accessories, shoes, coats, and others. CV. Bali Balance which is owned by Balinese businessman was also given the privilege to use the promotion tools such as light box, display shelf, and posters.

FBI probes cyber attack on Citigroup: report Reuters

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating a hacking that targeted Citigroup Inc and resulted in the theft of tens of million of dollars, the Wall Street Journal said, citing U.S. government officials.

The cyber attack by hackers believed to be linked to a Russian cyber gang was aimed at Citi’s Citibank subsidiary, the paper said, adding it was unclear whether the hackers gained access to the bank’s systems directly or through third parties. Two other entities, including a U.S. government agency, were also attacked by hackers, the paper said, citing people familiar with the attack on Citibank.

The cyber attack on Citibank was believed to have taken place last summer but U.S. investigators suspect the attack could have taken place a year earlier, the paper said.

“We had no breach of the system and there were no losses, no customer losses, no bank losses,” Joe Petro, managing director of Citigroup’s Security and Investigative services told the paper.

Commission From page 1 “We have discussed it and are going to take action to location in order the threat of Dispenda would not only become a discourse. Starting from next January we will take action every two weeks to inspect,” he said. As reported previously, taxpayers in Badung having received the third reprimand letter amounted to teens. Regarding to this matter, if the taxpayers do not promptly settled their obligation Dispenda Badung threatens to forward the case to District Attorney.. (ded)

Indonesia Today

International

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

7

President: Women play crucial role in national civilization building Antara

AFP PHOTO / TJAHJO ERANIUS

Relatives and supporters of late rebel commander Kelly Kwalik lead his coffin (inside the ambulance) during a funeral in Timika on December 22, 2009. Some 400 people followed the casket of Free Papua Movement (OPM) commander Kelly Kwalik, who was shot in a police raid last week, through the streets of Timika to his grave beside a local church. Kwalik’s death has triggered days of anti-Indonesian protests and calls for independence for the ethnic Melanesian region on the extreme east of the Indonesian archipelago.

JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said women play a crucial role in building national civilization and character.

“The freedom that we exercise is an ethical one. We build the nation to have character and noble morality. Slander, bad and exaggerating words will only disturb,” the President said in his remarks on the 81st commemoration of Mothers’ Day at TMII (Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park) in east Jakarta on Tuesday.

Women, especially mothers, have been playing significant roles in national development since the national struggle for independence, according to the head of state.

Mothers’ Day in Indonesia is observed to express gratitude and appreciation to mothers as well as to promote gender equality in the country, according to Yudhoyono.

He said that there has already been progress in the gender equality efforts as women currently have become legislators, businesswomen, and government officials.

The President also called for more respect and appreciation to women as they continue to deal with globalization and economic crisis.

The Mothers’ Day commemoration was attended among others by First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, Vice President Boediono’s wife Herawaty Boediono, and Mrs. Try Sutrisno (wife of former vice president Try Sutrisno).

Change in BI regulations during crisis not uncommon Antara

JAKARTA - Former Bank Indonesia (BI) governor Boediono said a change in BI regulations by the BI board of governors in time of crisis was not uncommon.

Speaking at a hearing with the House of Representatives (DPR)’s Bank Century Inquiry Committee at the Parliament Building here on Tuesday, Boediono explained that a num-

ber of emergency steps had been taken to save the country’s banking industry in a crisis situation in order to prevent the problem from dragging on.

In a crisis condition, a change in the

minimal CAR (Capital Adequacy Ratio) limit to obtain a short-term credit facility (FPJP) was also necessary, Boediono, currently the country’s vice president, said. A collapse of a bank, no matter how small, could cause other banks to meet the same fate, he said.

Boediono said he had different opinion from that of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK), which said that the policy was merely for the

sake of Bank Century. At the hearing led by the committee chairman Idrus Marham, Boediono said the CAR policy change was applied for all banks - big and small ones.

A BPK audit on Bank Century (now Bank Mutiara) had earlier indicated that there was BI indecisiveness regarding the bank formerly owned by Robert Tantular. Bank Indonesia was suspected of making up

its own regulations in order to enable Bank Century to get FPJP. Bank Indonesia changed BI’s regulation No. 10/26/PBI/2008 on the requirement to give FPJP from previously 8 percent of CAR to CAR positive. The CAR position of public banks per 30 September 2008 was above 8 percent, namely 10.39-47.34 percent. The only bank with a CAR below 8 percent was Century.

Archeological team finds RI warships to be equipped ancient shrine in Yogyakarta with Chinese-made missiles Antara

YOGYAKARTA - The Archeological Heritage Preservation Board (BP3) of Yogyakarta has confirmed that a site discovered at the Indonesian Islamic University (UII), Yogyakarta, used to be a shrine, not a bathing facility (petirtaan).

The leader of the excavation team, Budhy Sancoyo, said, however, to which religion the shrine belonged and when it was built could not yet be determined because no important leads had been found so far.

On the second excavation day, the team succeeded in unearthing the shrine’s main gate which was 50 cm in width, a 6x6 meters wide main yard and a 60 cm wide entrance.

According to Sancoyo, the finding was a little different from the one outside the main entrance gate which was believed to be the civilization center which only had a 38-cm wide gate.

An artifact in the form of a double triangle corner decoration was found at the main temple located at the western end of the shrine which was discovered some seven meters away from the main gate.

The team had yet to establish which of two religions the shrine builders embraced - Buddhism or Hinduism - as there were much similarty between the two, their difference being only in the statues they set up.

“A fragment of the shrine’s stone structure was also discovered some seven meters from the western side of today’s excavation,” Sancoyo said.

The team aimed to focus on getting the shrine’s design within 12 days to come by mobilizing 10 experts and 20 local staffers.

“After the digging target in square meters has been achieved, the team will dig deeper to determine the shrine’s depth,” Sancoyo said.

Antara

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Navy’s warships will be equipped with missiles made in China, Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Agus Suhartono said here on Monday.

“We will continue to procure C-802 missiles from China after we tested the weapon with good results,’ he said adding that the Indonesian Navy was also negotiating with China to obtain C-705 missiles that were more slender in shape.

“Both types of missile will be added to the armament of the navy’s fast patrol boats and Van Speijk warships,” Agus said.

He said the navy would increase the combat capabilities of its Van Speijk and fast patrol boats by integrating their armament systems with weaponry from China.

“We are still unable to make missiles domestically. But fortunately, state shipbuilding firm PT PAL already has the technology to integrate weapon systems imported from abroad with those already in place on our warships,” he said.

The navy chief admitted with limited budget for his department, his officials would continue making a priority scale on the procurement of weaponry system.

“Our main priority now is security in sea border areas and the outer islands of Indonesia,” he said adding that the navy would also replace some 27 of its warships with newer types and better combat capabilities. Agus Suhartono had previously said Indonesia’s western waters were prone to various maritime crimes such as smuggling, human trafficking and poaching.

“The sea crimes are not the only problems we have in the western waters. In these areas we also have border problems with India, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia,” the navy chief said.

He said that in order to maintain security in the area, the navy conducted routine patrols in the Indonesian western waters. It had maintained joint patrols with its counterparts from India, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. As a result, the maritime crime rate in the western waters had dropped, particularly in the Malacca Strait.

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Internationa

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Bali Today Tens of trumpet sellers packed Denpasar Antara

DENPASAR – Tens of trumpet sellers from Java started to display their products on the streets of Denpasar.

They are coming to Bali near the Christmas and New Year 2010 celebration.

Mulkis, a seller from eastern Java, said that he sell various items that can be use to celebrate New Year. The price varied from 2,000 rupiah through 7,000 rupiah. “We always come to Bali every year and sell our New Year products. After the holiday pass, we go back to Java and sell meat balls,” he added.

Mulkis and some of his friend are selling in Ahmad Yani Street. He said that the buyers are not many yet. “Near the New Year usually the buyers increase highly. Now we only can sell 7 trumpets a day,” he added Mulkis admitted that he earned a lot of many by selling the trumpets in the previous years. Usually he brought 2,000 trumpets but he only sells 50 of them each day. There is great hope that the New Year accessories can be sold highly because the Balinese has the tradition to use trumpets to celebrate New Year.

Suprim, who also from East Java chose to sell his trumpets in Gatot Subroto Street.

Previously, he sold carpets but now he turn into trumpets because the demand of trumpets increasing highly near the New Year.

However, Suprim didn’t make the trumpets by himself so he must share the profit with the producers. “We split the profit 50-50,” he added. The system is very beneficiary for the sellers because they don’t have to give down payment before taking the products.

Hotel’s booking in Ubud increase Antara

GIANYAR – Near Christmas and New Year 2010, the hotel occupancy rate in Ubud increase up to 7%.

Dewa Gede Putra Arimbawa, the head of Gianyar Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI), said that the previous month, the hotel occupancy rate in the area was only 63% but now already 70% or 80%.

“Currently, most of the 250 hotels in Ubud are almost fully booked. There is great hope that the condition will remain stable until December,” he added.

Arimbawa who also owned Hotel Pertiwi in Ubud, is still very optimist that the hotel occupancy rate will be stable until New Year. The similar statement also said by I Wayan Roja, the owner of Home Stay Roja’s.

“Our hoe stay is 70% booked by the tourists. The number will increase by the end of the year, it happened every year,” he added.

Bali Post/Eka

Children are buying trumpets from the seller. Tens even hundreds of trumpets sellers crowded at Bali during the year end holiday. They came from East Java and usually come to Bali to sell trumpets and other Christmas accessories during the Christmas and New Year celebration.

Balinese Hindus Use Three Different Calendar Systems To determine good days or bad days, Balinese Hindus use three different calendar systems. The first is the lunar system ((Chandra Chandra Premana ), Premana), which is based on the moon orbiting around the earth. The second one is the solar system (Surya Premana ), which is Premana), based on the earth orbiting around the sun. And the third is the “wuku system”, which is only known by Hindus in Java and Bali.

The three systems take into account the respective positions of the moon and the sun, because according to Hinduism these influence human life in many ways. The orbiting of the planets in space, can create a climate which greatly affects all living things, which are Hyang Widhi’s (God) creations.

In the book of Brahmanda Purana, the planets which fill space are called Brahmanda, from the word Brahman meaning God. The word Anda meanwhile means egg.

It is clear then that the planets filling space – according to the Weda language – mean the eggs of Hyang Widhi. In other words, the planets are the creation of God. The planets which mostly affect human life and all other living things are the sun, the moon and the earth.

Like western philosophy, oriental philosophy also states that man lives in harmony with nature.

And according to Hinduism, man is also called Bhuwana Alit (microcosmos) while the universe is called

Bhuwana Agung (macrocosmos).

The sun, the moon and the earth each revolve according to their own nature. Since human beings live with nature, they have to live in line with it.

The earth revolves around the sun for 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes and 46 seconds a year and the moon revolves around the earth for 355 days a year. Compared to the earth orbiting the sun, the moon orbiting the earth is always ten days faster every year. There therefore need to be adjustments made to the calendar systems every ten years.

In the above lunar-solar system, one year is divided into twelve months much like in any other calendar system. Another system which is used is the wuku system. This system is also called pawukon and has 210 days a year (a wukon), which is equal to just over six months in a conventional calendar system. It is this system which is usually used to determine

when piodalans (temple festivals) are held. When this edition of Bali Travel News is published, many such odalan will be going on in various temples throughout Bali.

The Balinese also have a dating system, called Prenata Masa, which is especially used for agriculture. It is important to note that no matter how modern the culture of a society is, without agriculture it is nothing, since it is the agriculture which provides the basic needs of human beings. In applying the teachings of their religion, Hindus never abandon agriculture no matter how modern the service industry is.

According to Hinduism, the harmony of the universe will have a great effect on the harmony of human life on earth. What is meant by harmony in this context covers the dynamism and productivity in developing balanced and continuous material and spiritual values to improve the quality of human life. (BTN/*)

al

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Denpasar Festival to be held in year end Balinese Culture Bali Post

DENPASAR - Having successfully accomplished the organization of Gajah Mada Town Festival 2008, at this yearend 2009, Denpasar City Government will hold again the same event with the title Denpasar Festival II. Thus, the Assistant II of Development Administration, IGN Eddy Mulya, last Monday (Dec 21), revealed when chairing the press conference at Bumbu Desa Restaurant at Renon, Denpasar.

Eddy Mulya accompanied by the Head of Denpasar Government Tourism Office, Putu Budhiasa, the Head of Denpasar Industry and Trade Services, Wayan Gatra and Putu Gede Suwitra as event organizer explained further that as a yearend festivity opened to public, Denpasar Festival would present the richness of art and culture as well as economic activities being familiar with Denpasar City. It would be highlighted into the theme “Welcoming the Brilliant Future.” This theme was intended as an affirmation of behavior and exclamation that even though Denpasar was open, it was selective and adaptive toward the development of time. Similarly, it had confidence that the entire potency and cultural heritage merged into art, culture and creativity posed the values becoming the basic assets to step further into a better future.

Besides, the festival was the manifestation of the spirit of Denpasar to make itself a Creative

City Based on Superior Culture.

Eddy Mulya also explained that the festival organized around Jalan Gajah Mada would take place from December 28 through 31, 2009 involving hundreds of vendors from various kinds of products aside from presenting modern and traditional art performances, he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Denpasar Government Tourism Office highly expected all media both electronic and print media to help the organization of the event in the form

of broadcast, publication or inputs.

Then, the Head of Denpasar Industry and Trade also expected the participation of all media, committee and community to make the event successful.

It involved almost a hundred of participants from all nooks and crannies of Denpasar City, comprising the vendor, figure, artist, humanist, scientist, academician, expert, teacher, student or others. Having heard the explanation in details from the event organizer, the press conference was resumed with question-answer session.

Kenus Mebase Bali (Balinese Squid) Overview: If you are only accustomed to eating deep-fried squid, you’ll be surprised by the difference when it is cooked Balinese style. If squid is unavailable, replace with large cuttlefish or any other firm fish fillets such as snapper or sea bass.

http://dasarbali.files.wordpress.com

Visitors walking out from Gajah Mada Town Festival 2008 that located at Gajah Mada Street, Denpasar that held annually by the Denpasar’s government. Having successfully accomplished the organization of Gajah Mada Town Festival 2008, at this year end 2009, Denpasar City Government will hold again the same event with the title Denpasar Festival II.

Ingredients: 600 gram baby squid, cleaned and diced 1 tbsp freshly squeezed limejuice 1/3 tsp powdered black pepper 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp oil 5 shallots, peeled and sliced 2 large red chilies, seeded and sliced 1/2 cup spice paste for seafood 1 cup chicken stock 5 sprigs lemon basil, sliced Fried shallots and sprigs of lemon basil to garnish Preparation: Heat oil in wok; add shallots, chilies and squid and sauté for 2 minutes over high heat. Add seafood spice paste and continue to sauté for 1 more minute. Pour in chicken stock, add the sliced basil and bring to boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Season to taste and garnish with sprigs of lemon basil, fried shallots and serve with Coconut Rice. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

Pancong (Coconut Cake) Ingredients: 2 cups freshly grated coconut, or 1½ cups desiccated coconut moistened with warm milk 1/3 cup glutinous rice flour 1/3 cup plain rice flour ¼ cup white sugar ½ tsp salt Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a deep bowl and knead well for 3 minutes, until the dough is smooth and does not stick. Dust a cake tin with a little rice flour and press the dough into it. Bake in moderate oven (180 degree Celsius/350 degree F) for approximately 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. (www.baliguide.com/balifood)

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10

Destinations

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

International

Bali Museum BALI Museum, Places of interest in Bali, Denpasar TownBali Museum is strategically located in Major Wisnu Street in Denpasar Bali and it is find it due to the location is in the heart town. In the north side there are glorious temple of Jagatnatha, meanwhile in front of it the Puputan Badung (Badung Courtyard) and four face statue (Catur Muka Statue) are located. The development of Bali Museum is begun by the existence of initiative how to vitally the heritage of Balinese culture and taking care of, preserve and maintaining. The initiative is based on the existence of feeling to worry, that there is symptom a kind of culture erosion, so that the cultural heritage become totally disappeared, lose, what omit only photograph and documentations.

Bali Museum History Bali Museum save the Balinese culture heritage, emerge the founding plan a museum which afterward becomes the Bali Museum: * The early planning of Bali Museum founding was Governmental

functionary of Dutch, Bali King, Society Prominent, all artists like: WFJ Kroon (assistant of Dutch Resident), Curt Grundler (a Germany Architect), I Gusti Alit Ngurah (Bestuurder Penegara Badung), I Gusti Bagus Jelantik (King of Karangasem), I Gusti Ketut Djelantik (King of Buleleng), King of Tabanan, and all artists like I Gusti Ketut Kandel, I Gusti Ketut Rai. The Planning is happened in year 1910 with the elementary concept Bali Museum building structure that was solidarity of the structure between temple building (Sanctum) and Palace (Keraton). * After agreed on the concept of the museum building structure, hence founded a mains building which deflect finished in year 1925. Because of the ancient object collection which had been collected is not yet adequate and then during 7 years (1925-1932), the mains building stood functioned for the exhibition purpose. All meritorious experts in checking object taken as collection of Bali Museum for example: DR.W.F. Stutterheim,

G.I. Graider, G.M. Hendrikss, DR.R. Goris, and artist of Walter Spies * Bali Museum in the beginning is handled by an institution that is called Bali Museum Institution and opened officially on 8 December 1932 with the name of Bali Museum * The management hereinafter by institution of Bali Museum has been reverted to Government of Indonesia since 5 January 1966.

The object collections which are kept in Bali Museum can be classified become the prehistoric object collection like: the Grave Petrify (sarkopag), the object collection coming from history era like: stupika clay containing superstitious formulaYe Te, the bronze statues (Hindu and Budha statues) and ethnography object collection like Keris, Endek Cloth, and religious ceremony equipments (Sangku, Cecepan and Sidakarya mask). In its growth, now Bali Museum have been opened generically and become the tourist destination in Denpasar Town and it is a prefect place to visit in Bali. (www.balistarisland.com)

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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

11

BUSINESS

China looks to WTO probe into U.S. tire duties Reuters

BEIJING - China has sought a WTO probe into U.S. duties on Chinesemade tires but was stymied for now by U.S. objections, state media said, the latest in a series of disputes between the two economic giants to reach the global trade umpire.

At a World Trade Organization dispute settlement meeting in Geneva on Monday, China requested the formation of an expert panel to examine the legality of “special safeguard” duties on Chinese tire imports imposed by the Obama administration in September, the Xinhua news agency reported. The United States successfully raised procedural objections, and China will raise the demand again next month, launching a WTO probe that could take six months or longer to reach a finding, said the report. Either side then can take issue with the panel finding, eventually pushing the case to a final decision by WTO judges.

“The U.S. government decision to impose the duties lacked a factual basis, and was thus in violation of the relevant WTO rules,” the Xinhua report said, citing a statement by Chinese officials in Geneva on Monday.

“This so-called special safeguard was bowing to pressure from domestic protec-

tionism, and violated the international consensus to avoid protectionist measures against the backdrop of the financial and economic crisis,” said the statement.

Beijing reacted angrily to President Barack Obama’s decision to impose a special 35 percent tariff on Chinese-made tires after the United Steelworkers union complained that imports had tripled between 2004 and 2008 to about 46 million tires.

China worries the decision could set a precedent for other such safeguard barriers against its exports and had already indicated it was looking to take the dispute to the WTO. Washington has said it believes the tire duties do not violate WTO rules.

Trade disputes between Beijing and Washington being heard by the WTO cover products such as steel, poultry, and raw materials. WTO trade judges on Monday rejected a Chinese appeal against a ruling that many of its curbs on foreign films, books and other cultural products violate trade rules.

REUTERS/Jianan Yu

Employees work on the assembly line at an automobile factory in Hefei, Anhui province December 17, 2008. China has sought a WTO probe into U.S. duties on Chinesemade tires but was stymied for now by U.S. objections, state media said, the latest in a series of disputes between the two economic giants to reach the global trade umpire.

U.S. mortgage industry grapples with new disclosures

Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

The Sagamore Hotel is seen on December 14, 2009 in Miami Beach, Florida.

After missing the last three mortgage payments, Sagamore Partners may loose the hotel as it faces a $31.5 million foreclosure lawsuit filed by a commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) fund. The biggest changes to home loan disclosures since the 1970s are around the corner and many in the industry are warning that misunderstandings will create a logjam of confusion just as housing tries to recover.

Reuters improve transparency on costs associated with NEW YORK - The biggest changes to closing a loan, including broker fees, and prehome loan disclosures since the 1970s are vent the kind of surprising jumps in payments around the corner and many in the industry that made the housing crisis worse. are warning that misunderstandings will creWhile the thrust of the rules is understood, ate a logjam of confusion just as housing tries there is widespread trepidation about how to to recover. put them into practice.

A complete overhaul of the “good faith Changes that expand a one-page form to estimate” — a standard disclosure document three have been the subject of countless hours sent to borrowers — under the Real Estate of debate for banker and broker groups that Settlement Procedures Act, known as RESPA, question the benefits to consumers. will take effect on January 1, potentially disDisputes aside, the rules must now be rupting home sale closings. implemented. Much of the industry is still tryThe new procedures developed by the ing to understand what must be disclosed — U.S. Department of Housing and Urban De- and how and when. velopment come after years of attempts to Bob Rice, president of First Secure Fi-

nancial in San Bernardino, California, was astounded by what he heard at a brokers’ meeting last week.

“The confusion and misunderstandings over RESPA is worse than I thought,” said Rice, who sought more education. “Of the 20 or so in attendance, each had a different interpretation of at least one item.”

The new estimate details and defines loan terms and costs, versus undefined line items in the old one. It specifies rate, whether the rate can change, and encourages the borrower to shop around. For the first time, good faith estimates must match, with few exceptions, costs on closing statements. This means more work and liability for lenders since inputs of lawyers, title companies and brokers increase chances for error.

Lenders are looking for more precision than ever from HUD on the guidelines since the estimate puts them on the hook if closing costs vary.

Reflecting the uncertainty of lenders and settlement agents, frequently asked questions on HUD’s website have soared to 253.

“It’s a document that just keeps growing, and we’re in the final hours of people getting ready,” said Jonathan Corr, chief strategy officer at Ellie Mae in Pleasanton, California. The company’s loan software, which is used to originate 20 percent of U.S. mortgages, has been updated for the changes, he said. “This is a mess,” said Bill Dallas, chief executive officer of Skyline Financial Corp. in Calabasas, California. As an industry, “it’s like we’ve read about this earthquake thing and are thinking, ‘We ought to do something.’ That’s where we are.”

To get ready, Fairway Independent Mortgage spent tens of thousands of dollars in technology,

legal and other costs, said Dan Cutaia, president of the Frisco, Texas-based lender. Cutaia has set “audit checkpoints” as checks on business partners and to prevent problems with disclosures that could taint his ability to sell the loans he makes. Common questions from loan officers include whether a good faith estimate must be generated with a loan prequalification and what information is required from the borrower before the document can be generated, First Secure’s Rice said.

Brokers have the additional challenge of explaining their fees, which are singled out in the new estimate, even though final origination costs may be identical under a bank-led origination, said Fred Arnold, a broker with America Family Funding in Stevenson Ranch, California.

Big lenders with more resources may be in better position to handle the changes, adding to advantages that have helped their retail channels gain market share, analysts said.

Wells Fargo, the largest U.S. lender, said it is ready after making “a real commitment” to adapt its systems and speak with real estate and settlement agents who will help inform customers about possible impacts on loan-processing timelines.

The new forms “should help borrowers avoid surprise charges at settlement, give them the ability to competitively shop for the loan, and, ultimately, help them feel more comfortable with their final decisions,” a spokesman said.

This month, HUD stepped up its efforts to educate the industry about the changes with online presentations. It is making headway, though communication between lenders and settlement agents could cause problems initially, said Vicki Bott, HUD’s deputy assistant secretary for single-family housing.

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Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Entertainment

Family: Brittany Murphy was ill days before death Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – Authorities said Monday it appeared actress Brittany Murphy died of natural causes after becoming ill with flulike symptoms in the days before she collapsed in the bathroom of her Hollywood Hills home.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said an autopsy had been conducted and officials were awaiting the results of toxicology and tissue testing before determining an official cause of death. It could take up to six weeks before a determination is made public.

Officials also interviewed Murphy’s personal physician and examined prescription drugs taken from her home.

Paramedics tried to revive Murphy early Sunday, but she was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. The hospital said she died of cardiac arrest.

The autopsy found no signs of trauma to the body of the 32-yearold star of “Clueless” and “8 Mile.”

Police did not suspect foul play.

“We went to the scene to see if there was anything that suggests foul play, and there wasn’t,” Los Angeles police Detective Wendi Berndt said.

Winter said Murphy’s family reported she had been ill and that could have contributed to her death. He said he had no further details about the medication taken

Venice festival honors Woo with lifetime award Associated Press Writer

HONG KONG – Organizers for the Venice Film Festival have honored John Woo with its lifetime achievement award, saying the veteran director transformed action movies both in his native Hong Kong and his current professional home of Hollywood.

BP/ist

Brittany Murphy

from the home Murphy shared with her screenwriter husband Simon Monjack.

“My world was destroyed yesterday,” Monjack told Access Hollywood in an interview Monday. He said Murphy’s mother, Sharon, discovered the actress unconscious in the shower, and he called 911.

He told Access Hollywood that Murphy had laryngitis but it didn’t seem that serious. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

“The sudden loss of our beloved Brittany is a terrible tragedy,” Monjack and her family wrote in a statement. “She was our daughter, our wife, our love, and a shining star.” Murphy’s death put “Saturday Night Live” in an awkward spot.

Calling the 61-year-old filmmaker “an innovator of the contemporary language of cinema,” festival organizers said in a statement posted on their official Web site Monday that they decided to award Woo the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement.

“The acknowledgment recognizes a filmmaker who in recent decades, with his revolutionary conception of staging and editing, has renewed action movies to the core, introducing an extreme stylization close to visual art, both in Asia and in Hollywood,” organizers said.

“This is a surprise to me. I’m excited. I’m very grateful,” Woo told The Associated Press in a phone interview from the eastern Chinese city Hengdian, where he is producing a new kung fu movie starring former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh.

Carrie Underwood engaged to NHL player Mike Fisher NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carrie Underwood is engaged to Ottawa Senators hockey player Mike Fisher, her publicist said Monday.

No wedding date has been set for the couple, who have been dating for about a year.

“The couple couldn’t be happier,” said publicist Jessie Schmidt.

Fisher, 29, recorded his 300th career point for the Senators in their 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. Fisher had an assist on Anton Volchenkov’s goal in the first period.

Asked by The Associated Press last month what Underwood’s family thought of Fisher, the 26-yearold singer said they were supportive.

“They love me and I would hope my parents would think we raised a good, smart girl, so she’s going to do the right thing no matter what it is,” she said.

Days before the CMA Awards in early November, Underwood did not know whether she would be spending the holidays with Fisher.

“Christmas, I don’t know. We haven’t really thought that far ahead. We kind of take it one week

at a time,” she said then.

Underwood has kept her relationship largely under wraps, but she gave Fisher a very public shout-out in the liner notes of her current album, “Play On,” that was released Nov. 3. She wrote, “Thank you (No.) 12 (referring to his jersey number.)

You are the most amazing addition to my life! You are such a wonderful person and have had such an amazing hand in the building of this album and in the growth of me as a person. I love you so much! You make my life better in every way!”

AP Photo/Dan Steinberg.File

Carrie Underwood

“I feel very gratified that I can communicate with many people around the world and make many friends through movies,” he said.

Woo made his name in Hong Kong with stylish action films like “A Better Tomorrow,” “The Killer” and “Hard Boiled” before moving on to the U.S., where his credits include “Broken Arrow,” “Face/Off” and “Mission: Impossible II.” Woo recently returned to China to make the two-part historical epic “Red Cliff.”

His next project is a movie about the so-called “Flying Tigers” — American fighter pilots who defended China against Japanese invaders during World War II. “In his war and gangster film masterpieces, Woo has been capable of transfiguring hyperbolic motion and exasperated violence with a highly original poetic and romantic infusion,

AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, File

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2009 file photo, Chinese film director John Woo speaks during the Japan premiere of ‘Red Cliff Part II’ in Tokyo, Japan.

sustained by an extremely personal and energetic figurative tension, similar to a surreal hallucination,” organizers said. The award will be presented at the 67th Venice Film Festival, which will be held from Sept. 1-11, 2010.

Sci-fi epic ‘Avatar’ tops North American box office Agence France Presse

Associated Press Writer

International

LOS ANGELES – Science-fiction adventure “Avatar” topped the North American box office this weekend, scooping 77 million dollars in a stellar debut for the effectsladen epic, final figures showed Monday.

Director James Cameron’s first film since the 1997 Oscar-winner “Titanic” is a 3-D spectacular with a reported budget of 300-500 million dollars, which would make it the most expensive movie ever.

The film, a love story set on a distant planet, accounted for about 59 percent of the weekend box office, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations. Analysts believe “Avatar” would have scored an even bigger opening had it not been for the winter storm that dropped record snowfalls on large areas of the eastern United States, deterring moviegoers from theaters.

Avatar dislodged Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog,” which earned 12.2 million dollars for second place.

Third was “The Blind Side,” a drama about a white couple who give an illiterate black teen a home and a new lease on life. The film scored 10 million dollars in its fifth week of release.

Next was “Did You Hear About the Morgans?”, a romantic comedy in which Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker play an estranged couple who witness a mob hit and are placed in a witness protection program. The film grossed 6.6 million dollars in its

debut. Fifth place went to “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” the vampire romance sequel adapted from Stephenie Meyer’s phenomenally successful books, with 4.4 million dollars.

In sixth spot with 4.2 million dollars was “Invictus” starring veteran actor Morgan Freeman, about how then-president of South Africa Nelson Mandela united the country around the 1995 World Cup. Seventh place went to “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” starring wacky comedy hero Jim Carrey with earnings of 3.4 million dollars.

Eighth was “Up In the Air” starring George Clooney in the acclaimed story of a corporate downsizer who starts to question his role in life, which earned 3.2 million dollars.

“Brothers,” a drama starring “Spider-Man” Tobey Maguire about the impact of the Afghanistan war on a conflicted US family, which earned 2.9 million dollars in its fourth week of release, was next.

“Old Dogs,” a Disney film starring John Travolta and Robin Williams, earned 2.3 million dollars to round out the top 10 films.

AFP/Getty Images/File/Kevin Winter

L-R: Actors Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington, Michelle Rodriguez and Joel Moore arrive at the premiere of 20th Century Fox’s “Avatar” at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on December 16 in Hollywood, California. “Avatar” dominated the weekend boxoffice, with projected sales of $73 million — accounting for more than half of North American movie ticket sales, according to industry estimates.

Life Style

International

A man walks his dog in the snow in the East Village on December 19 in New York City.

Man’s best friend could be one of the environment’s worst enemies, according to a new study which says the carbon pawprint of a pet dog is more than double that of a gas-guzzling sports utility vehicle.

AFP/Getty Images/File/Mario Tama

Polluting pets: the devastating impact of man’s best friend Agence France Presse

PARIS – Man’s best friend could be one of the environment’s worst enemies, according to a new study which says the carbon pawprint of a pet dog is more than double that of a gas-guzzling sports utility vehicle.

But the revelation in the book “Time to Eat the Dog: The Real Guide to Sustainable Living” by New Zealanders Robert and Brenda Vale has angered pet owners who feel they are being singled out as troublemakers.

The Vales, specialists in sustainable living at Victoria University of Wellington, analysed popular brands of pet food and calculated that a medium-sized dog eats around 164 kilos (360 pounds) of meat and 95 kilos of cereal a year.

Combine the land required to generate its food and a “medium” sized dog has an annual footprint of

0.84 hectares (2.07 acres) — around twice the 0.41 hectares required by a 4x4 driving 10,000 kilometres (6,200 miles) a year, including energy to build the car.

To confirm the results, the New Scientist magazine asked John Barrett at the Stockholm Environment Institute in York, Britain, to calculate eco-pawprints based on his own data. The results were essentially the same.

“Owning a dog really is quite an extravagance, mainly because of the carbon footprint of meat,” Barrett said.

Other animals aren’t much better

for the environment, the Vales say.

Cats have an eco-footprint of about 0.15 hectares, slightly less than driving a Volkswagen Golf for a year, while two hamsters equates to a plasma television and even the humble goldfish burns energy equivalent to two mobile telephones.

But Reha Huttin, president of France’s 30 Million Friends animal rights foundation says the human impact of eliminating pets would be equally devastating.

“Pets are anti-depressants, they help us cope with stress, they are good for the elderly,” Huttin told AFP. “Everyone should work out their own environmental impact. I should be allowed to say that I walk instead of using my car and that I don’t eat meat, so why shouldn’t I be allowed to have a little cat to alleviate my loneliness?”

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

13

Maine to consider cell phone cancer warning Associated Press Writer

AUGUSTA, Maine – A Maine legislator wants to make the state the first to require cell phones to carry warnings that they can cause brain cancer, although there is no consensus among scientists that they do and industry leaders dispute the claim.

The now-ubiquitous devices carry such warnings in some countries, though no U.S. states require them, according to the National Conference of State Legislators. A similar effort is afoot in San Francisco, where Mayor Gavin Newsom wants his city to be the nation’s first to require the warnings.

Maine Rep. Andrea Boland, DSanford, said numerous studies point to the cancer risk, and she has persuaded legislative leaders to allow her proposal to come up for discussion during the 2010 session that begins in January, a session usually reserved for emergency and governors’ bills.

Boland herself uses a cell phone, but with a speaker to keep the phone away from her head. She also leaves the phone off unless she’s expecting a call. At issue is radiation emitted by all cell phones.

Under Boland’s bill, manufacturers would have to put labels on phones and packaging warning of the potential for brain cancer associated with electromagnetic radiation. The warnings would recommend that users, especially children and pregnant women, keep the devices away from their head and body.

The Federal Communications Commission, which maintains that all cell phones sold in the U.S. are safe, has set a standard for the “specific absorption rate” of radiofrequency energy, but it doesn’t require handset makers to divulge radiation levels.

The San Francisco proposal would require the display of the absorption rate level next to each phone in print at least as big as the price. Boland’s bill is not specific

about absorption rate levels, but would require a permanent, nonremovable advisory of risk in black type, except for the word “warning,” which would be large and in red letters. It would also include a color graphic of a child’s brain next to the warning.

While there’s little agreement about the health hazards, Boland said Maine’s roughly 950,000 cell phone users among its 1.3 million residents “do not know what the risks are.”

All told, more than 270 million people subscribed to cellular telephone service last year in the United States, an increase from 110 million in 2000, according to CTIA-The Wireless Association. The industry group contends the devices are safe.

“With respect to the matter of health effects associated with wireless base stations and the use of wireless devices, CTIA and the wireless industry have always been guided by science, and the views of impartial health organizations. The peer-reviewed scientific evidence has overwhelmingly indicated that wireless devices do not pose a public health risk,” said CTIA’s John Walls.

AP Photo/Harry Hamburg

A traveler who was delayed by the blizzard that struck the East Coast on Saturday makes a cell phone call at Union Station in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009.

Drivers Who Text Are Six Times More Likely to Crash

In this photo taken Dec. 15, 2009, Tina Derby sends text messages while driving in Concord, N.H. Tina Derby loves the ease and speed of text messages, even while driving, and sees no need to pull over to tap her fingers on her phone. As of Jan. 1, New Hampshire, Oregon and Illinois will join more than a dozen other states,

PEOPLE who send text messages while driving are six times more likely to crash, a new study finds. The research adds to a mountain of evidence showing that texting or talking on mobile phones while driving is dangerous. Texting seems to be the worst.

The new study was done in a driving simulator, however, so it’s not known exactly how the results would translate to the road. Still, the results were stark.

In the simulations, drivers tended to decrease their minimum following distance when texting and also experienced delayed reaction times - meaning among other things they were slower to hit the brakes when needed.

Drivers’ median reaction time in-

creased by 30 percent when they were texting and 9 percent when they talked on the phone, compared with when they were just driving.

Drivers who were texting also showed impairment in forward and lateral control than did drivers who talked on a cell phone while driving or drove without texting. A study earlier this year found that 60 percent of teens “drive while texting,” or DWT. Previous studies had found that adults who talk on cell phones while driving in simulators perform as dismally as drunken study participants.

When talking on a cell phone, “drivers apparently attempt to divide attention between a phone conversation and driving, adjusting the processing prior-

ity of the two activities depending on task demands,” the researchers behind the new study write in the journal Human Factors. That split in attention is worse than conversing with someone who is in the car, past research has found.

Texting is a whole other matter. It “requires drivers to switch their attention from one task to the other,” the researchers said in a statement today. “When such attention-switching occurs as drivers compose, read, or receive a text, their overall reaction times are substantially slower than when they’re engaged in a phone conversation.” Reading text messages affected braking time more than did composing messages.

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Sport

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

International

Mancini sets City’s sights on Premier League title Agence France Presse

MANCHESTER – Roberto Mancini crowned an eventful first news conference as Manchester City manager by saying he wanted to bring the English Premier League title to Eastlands next season.

It is more than 40 years since City were last crowned champions of England. And given the manner in which his predecessor Mark Hughes was sacked last week, there are some who believe former Inter Milan boss Mancini may do well to still be at City come the start of the 2010/11 campaign.

Nevertheless, Mancini told reporters here on Monday: “My target this season is to arrive in the top four. I think it’s possible. Next season we want to win the Premier League.”

Mancini, who won three straight Serie A titles with Inter before being sacked a year-and-a-half ago because of the club’s lack of Champions League success, added: “I stayed at Inter for four years - which is a record in itself. I also won seven trophies when they had not won anything for 20 years. “Then I got sacked. Pressure in this job is normal.”

But the fact former striker Mancini, who briefly appeared in England for Leicester towards the end of his playing days, is City’s 17th manager (including caretakers) in 20 years may put a dampener on any title talk.

Abu Dhabi-based Sheikh Mansour, who has already spent some 200 million pounds on bringing new players to Eastlands, is the latest in a long line of colourful if demanding City owners.

No side has lost fewer games in the Premier League so far this season than City, who’ve been beaten just twice and lie sixth in the table, 11 points behind leaders Chelsea.

Hughes, who on Sunday said he had no idea he was about to be sacked, believed he was on course to achieve the “realistic target” of sixth place or in the region of 70 points set by the owners at the start of the season.

But chief executive Garry Cook said the club’s wealthy backers felt that target would not be achieved unless there was a change of manager.

“The trajectory of recent results was below this requirement and the board felt that there was no evidence that the situation would fundamentally change,” Cook, sitting alongside Mancini, explained.

It said something that this comment - and television phoneins suggested fans were split on whether the club were right to sack Hughes - was arguably the least contentious one made by Cook on Monday.

Cook originally planned to read out nothing more than a prepared statement which outlined that no discussions with Mancini had taken place until after last Wednesday’s 3-0 league loss to Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Mancini then contradicted Cook by revealing he had met with chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak and Sheikh Mansour in London a fortnight ago.

“Two weeks ago I met Khaldoon in London,” Mancini said. “Only to speak in general on football - it is possible (to only meet to talk about sport).”

This appeared too much even for Cook who, in an unscripted intervention, added: “Two weeks ago Roberto met Khaldoon AlMubarak in London and after the Spurs game he was contacted for further discussions of a more serious nature.

“The discussions in London were general, they were about football and they were about considering managerial options at that point.”

Earlier Cook, reading from the statement, said: “I think it is important for people to know that Roberto was only offered the job after the Spurs game, we negotiated on Thursday and finalised his agreement on Friday.”

AFP/Fabrice Coffrini

Argentina’s Lionel Messi(L) receives the trophy from the hands of FIFA president Swiss Sepp Blatter after being named FIFA World Player of the Year during the World Player Gala 2009 in Zurich.

Barcelona’s Messi named World Player of the Year Agence France Presse

ZURICH, Switzerland – Barcelona and Argentina striker Lionel Messi was crowned World Player of the Year by world football’s ruling body FIFA on Monday.

Messi, whose goals this year helped Barcelona win the Champions League final and World Club Cup final, thus succeeds Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s top player, as voted by national team captains and coaches.

Messi has played a huge role in the recent success of Spanish giants Barcelona, who have won a total of six trophies in the past season including the Champions League title and the World Club Cup trophy last week.

The Argentine forward’s talents were given the ultimate thumbs-up earlier this month when he was voted the winner of the Ballon d’Or for the European Footballer of the Year.

On Monday Messi, 22, had been

in contention with Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi, both from Spain, Brazilian striker Kaka of Real Madrid, the winner in 2007, and last year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo also won both trophies last season.

While Ronaldo won the Ferenc Puskas award for goal of the season while playing with former club Manchester United, one of Messi’s goals was among the highlights.

Messi profile

Despite his diminutive stature Messi, who stands 1.69 metres or five feet seven inches tall, rose above United’s defence in the Champions League final in Rome to head the second of Barcelona’s goals in their 2-0

victory.

The Argentine is also known for his superb dribbling and fast, mazy runs that leave opposition defences in tatters, and on Monday he was just as quick to share out the plaudits.

“I want to thank my teammates, notably those who are present here tonight, without whom none of my achievements would have been possible,” said Messi.

“2009 has been a wonderful year for Barcelona and also for me.”

Messi’s goal against United in last season’s final was his ninth of the 2009 Champions League campaign and left him as the competition’s top scorer. Last week Messi also proved decisive in the World Club Cup final.

He scored Barcelona’s second goal in the 2-1 victory over South American champions Estudiantes of Argentina.

In 2009 Barcelona also won the league title, the King’s (Spanish) Cup, the Spanish Super Cup and the European Super Cup.

Essien gets Nations Cup nod, but Appiah, Muntari out Agence France Presse

AFP/Andrew Yates

New Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini poses for photographers at the City of Manchester stadium in Manchester, as he takes over from the recently departed Mark Hughes.

PARIS – Chelsea midfielder Mickael Essien has been named in the Ghana team for next month’s African Nations Cup but captain Stephen Appiah has been left out along with Sulley Ali Muntari.

Essien, 29, limped off with a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s

2-2 draw against APOEL Nicosia earlier this month, and is not certain to be in top form for the Janaury 1031 tournament.

Like Essien and Gyan Asamoah, Inter Milan midfielder Ali Muntari refused to play in a friendly against Angola on November 18 but has been punished for disciplinary reasons after failing to pay a fine.

Appiah has not sufficiently recovered from a right leg injury and will miss the tournament for the second time after already missing the 2008 edition in his homeland through injury. Coach Milovan Rajevac called up six of the recent under-20 World Cup winners including Fredrikstad striker Dominic Adiyiah, the top scorer and player of the tournament.

Sport

International

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

15

Federer and Serena named ITF World Champs Agence France Presse

PARIS – Roger Federer has been named International Tennis Federation (ITF) champion for the fifth time with Serena Williams taking the women’s award for the second time.

They will receive their awards at the annual ITF World Champions Dinner on June 1 in Paris, during the French Open.

Federer had an oustanding year regaining the world No.1 ranking from Rafael Nadal after completing a career Grand Slam at Roland Garros with victory over Robin Soderling in the final.

He went on to surpass Pete Sampras by winning his 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon after a memorable final contest against Andy Roddick.

Federer was also runner-up at the Australian Open, where he lost in five sets to Nadal, and the US Open, where he also went down in five sets to Juan Martin del Potro, and helped his country retain its World Group status in Davis Cup. “It is an honour for me to be named ITF World Champion for a fifth time. It was an incredible year for me both on and off the court,” the 28-year-old Swiss star said.

“To win my first Roland Garros

title, break the all-time Grand Slam record and regain the No. 1 ranking is amazing. It means a lot to me to finish the year again at the top.”

Serena Williams becomes the women’s World Champion for the first time since 2002 after producing her best performances at the biggest events.

The 28-year-old American captured two Grand Slam titles, at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, to improve her collection to 11 majors.

She went on to win the seasonending WTA Championships in Doha, sealing the No.1 ranking in the last event of the year.

Serena also took the doubles year award with sister Venus after taking their career total to ten Grand Slam titles. In so doing she joins Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis as the only players to become singles and doubles world champions in the same year. American twins Bob and Mike Bryan were named as the men’s doubles World Champions for the sixth time in seven years.

AFP/File/Sebastian Derungs

Switzerand’s Roger Federer celebrates his quarter-final victoryover Russia’s Evgeny Korolev at the Swiss Indoors tournament in Basel. Federer has been named International Tennis Federation (ITF) champion for the fifth time with Serena Williams taking the women’s award for the second time.

Cavs end Suns’ 19-game unbeaten home record

Agence France Presse

WELLINGTON – New Zealand will play Mexico in March as part of the buildup to their first World Cup finals appearance since 1982, according to officials.

The minnows’ match against the world’s 17th-ranked side will be played in Los Angeles on March 3, in the first of up to six warm-up matches for the finals in South Africa, New Zealand Football said.

New Zealand will take on world champions Italy, Slovakia and Para-

Reuters

PHOENIX – The last unbeaten home record in the NBA came to an end on Monday when the Cleveland Cavaliers produced a final quarter rally to seeoff the Phoenix Suns 109-91.

LeBron James hit 29 points and Mo Williams 24 as the duo led a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter for the Cavaliers (21-8), while the Suns, who trailed by six with 6:50 remaining, went scoreless for more than five minutes.

“Our effort was at a pretty high level for most of the night on the defensive end,” Cavaliers coach Mike Brown told reporters. “When we do that, we get good results.”

It was a strong return to form for Cleveland after a disappointing loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

“We’re a veteran ball club and we know how important bounce-back games are,” James said. “We didn’t play as well as we wanted to (Sunday) but we forgot about it and moved on.”

James produced a couple of thunderous dunks and was supported by Anderson Varejao (13 points) and Delonte West (12) to prevent the Suns claiming their 20th successive home win.

“They have a great player (James) on their team and they play off him,” Suns coach Alvin

New Zealand to play Mexico in World Cup warm-up guay in Group F at the World Cup, and national coach Ricki Herbert said the Kiwis had been keen to face a Latin American team in the build-up.

“I think with Paraguay in the group, a game against Mexico is ideal for us,” Herbert said.

“A big name, a very strong team but a good opportunity to get our team back together in the only window leading up to the World Cup,” he said.

New Zealand reached the World Cup finals after beating Bahrain in their final qualifying tie last month.

REUTERS/Rick Scuteri

Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James reacts to a call against the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Arizona, December 21, 2009.

Gentry said.

“Contrary to what anybody may think, to get to the Eastern Conference Championship you are going to have to go through Cleveland at some point.”

Shaquille O’Neal had an uneventful return to Phoenix in his first game back since being traded from the Suns in the offseason, scoring three points and grabbing five rebounds in 19

minutes.

For Phoenix (18-10), Steve Nash recorded 18 points and 10 assists as they suffered their first home defeat since Cleveland beat them on March 12. “We just stopped scoring,” Nash said “It didn’t necessarily have to do with their lineups. They wanted it bad, and we were indecisive. We lost our confidence down the stretch, and that was it.”

AFP/Adam Jan

New Zealand’s players are seen during a recent training session.

N.Zealand will play Mexico in March as part of the buildup to their first World Cup finals appearance since 1982, according to officials.

16

Sport

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Ferrari: Alonso can turn team around Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo says he signed Fernando Alonso a year earlier than expected to accelerate the Scuderia’s return to competitiveness.

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Fernando Alonso

The Italian, speaking to the press at Ferrari’s annual Christmas lunch last week, indicated that with Felipe Massa still recovering from injury, and the 2009-specification F60 having proved less than spectacular, the team urgently needed a driver that could drive the development of a car. He added that he considered Alonso, rather than Kimi Raikkonen to be that person.

“Besides hazy regulations, our car in 2009 wasn’t up to the level of competitiveness we needed,” Montezemolo was quoted as saying in Gazetta dello Sport. “I was afraid that Massa wouldn’t recover. After his crash we have focused on the 2010 car. Kimi had trouble working with the team, but my judgement on him is positive.

“In order to make a leap forward, however, we needed someone able to communicate with the team, Alonso will do that. When Stefano Domenicali, who I trust very much, talked to me about him three years ago, I told him we had to bring him here.

“Alonso was supposed to race with us in 2011, but after Massa’s crash we

Grosjean hopes Renault ‘won’t let him down’ Romain Grosjean reveals that he is hopeful about his prospects of remaining on the grand prix grid with Renault in F1 2010 - as the driver he replaced in 2009, Nelsinho Piquet, nears a decision about his own future He might have endured a disappointing start to his grand prix career in the latter stages of the F1 2009 campaign, but Romain Grosjean insists he is hopeful of staying on-board as a race driver at Renault next year, calling on the team not to ‘let me down after all the work we’ve done together since 2006'.

Renault sold a majority 75 per cent stake in its Enstone-based F1 operation to Luxembourg investment fund Genii Capital last week [see separate story – click here], meaning that whilst the struggling French car maker will no longer be involved in the sport as a manufacturer in its own right, the name will remain, for the time being at least.

Where the deal leaves sole 2010 signing Robert Kubica is less clear, with the Pole’s management team understood to be carefully examining his contract to determine whether the sale triggers a get-out clause that might enable the 2008 Canadian

Grand Prix winner to jump ship to Mercedes Grand Prix should Michael Schumacher’s planned comeback fail to materialise again.

That means there will be either one or two seats available at Renault next season, and despite having failed to demonstrate any marked improvement on the driver he replaced in the cockpit of the second R29 in 2009, Nelsinho Piquet – qualifying no higher than twelfth in seven appearances and never even coming close to threatening the points – Grosjean is confident of being given an extended stay of execution.

decided to bring that forward, after learning that he wasn’t involved in the Singapore scandal.”

In an exclusive interview with AUTOSPORT last week however, Raikkonen indicated that he suspected the reason he had left Ferrari a year early was financially, rather than performance-related.

“I think when there is enough money involved, you can always change anything! I think it’s a lot to do with Santander coming in. Probably they made some deal. I don’t know...”

Montezemolo also revealed that he beleived major changes were required in the way F1 is managed and that he hoped that the new FIA president Jean

Todt would usher in an era of cooperation between the sport’s governing body and the teams.

He proposed relaunching and restructuring the sport so that it can move on from the political strife of recent years.

“We need to set up a table where to bring proposals in order to relaunch in a big way,” he said. “We must also think about a new engine from 2013.

Bernie Ecclestone? In no sport there is a 50 per cent commission on business deals. We come from a Max Mosley administration to forget.

“We seriously considered abandoning F1. Some have, as a consequence of dead end policies. Now we have new teams with paying drivers, but how many teams will be at the start of the first race? Looking beyond 2012, we’d also like to win at Le Mans, or at Indy.